03-18-2003, 09:00 AM
|
|
Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
|
|
Two New Word-Related Applications
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&sectionId=0&productId=28105
TranCreative Software has a couple of word-related programs they've just launched. One is a huge dictionary and the other is a great word finder.
WordBook is a 135,000 word dictionary. What makes it different from the others I've seen is its installation of an "eyedropper" capability. When in any text application, you can highlight a word, tap the eyedropper icon, and the word's definition is automatically looked up and displayed in WordBook.
WordMaster is an application I've waited YEARS for, ever since I gave up my Psion Series 5x. WordMaster performs word searches to help with word puzzles and games. For example, for crossword puzzle lovers, when you type in words with missing letters, WordMaster displays a list of words that could match. The amazing thing is that TranCreative also provides 10 separate, specialized word lists to make your searches even more powerful.
You can download a free demo of each from Handango or buy the full version of WordBook for $17.90 or of WordMaster for $9.94.
If you're a real cheapskate, though, you can wait a few days and see if you're one of the winners of a TransCreative word bundle! TransCreative is giving away copy of both WordBook and WordMaster to five lucky Thoughts readers. We'll randomly select the winners in a few days from our database of all registered Thoughts readers, so make sure you're registered!
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 09:06 AM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 383
|
|
Re: Two New Word-Related Applications
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
For example, for crossword puzzle lovers, when you type in words with missing letters, WordMaster displays a list of words that could match.
|
Wouldn't it be easier to just wait to next day until the solution comes and then just copy the rights words from there to the original crossword?
It'd be just as fun as to use a program to help :?
Nice dictionary program, thought!
/jizmo
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 10:18 AM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 813
|
|
Just for the record, Collins Cobuild dictionary from TomTom has an inbuilt crossword and puzzle look up function however it doesn't have the ability to look up words straight from another application.
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 10:49 AM
|
|
Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
|
|
I'm starting to become quite a fan of TranCreative software. I'm using their Nice Start program, their Magic Button task switcher, and just last week, I took a LOOONNGGGG look at this dictionary product (I even came very close to buying their MXConverter program... it's one of the best converter programs available).
Rock solid company with great products.
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 05:16 PM
|
|
Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 516
|
|
Re: Two New Word-Related Applications
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
What makes it different from the others I've seen is its installation of an "eyedropper" capability. When in any text application, you can highlight a word, tap the eyedropper icon, and the word's definition is automatically looked up and displayed in WordBook.
|
Someone care to explain to me what an eyedropper has to do with doing a word lookup? The eyedropper metaphor works in a paint program to grab a color, but doing a word lookup? What was wrong with the good old magnifying glass metaphor?
Scott
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 05:37 PM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 813
|
|
It's just their symbolism of capturing something on screen like an eyedropper to capture a specific colour in a paint package. It's essentially an automatic clipboard function that copies the highlighted text, starts the dictionary software and pastes it into it's search engine. The eyedropper icon will be unique in a word program whereas a cut and paste icon would be common and confusing for the user. That's my take on it anyway.
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 05:39 PM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 20
|
|
It sucks selected text in the active application and looks up for definition in WordBook
Anyway, probably a wrong icon we have chosen. A magnifying glass would be a better choice.
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 05:46 PM
|
|
Sage
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 813
|
|
A great way to catch out those who refuse to read the manuals! 
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 06:17 PM
|
|
Philosopher
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 516
|
|
Re: It sucks selected text in the active application and looks up for definition in WordBook
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by mjnh
Anyway, probably a wrong icon we have chosen. A magnifying glass would be a better choice.
|
Wow, what a humble response from the developer. I like you guys already.
Scott
|
| |
|
|
|
03-18-2003, 11:44 PM
|
|
Intellectual
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 254
|
|
I'm trying out the WordBook software right now. So far I'm loving it. The only consideration I have is that I already use a different dictionary, Lextionary. As far as the eyedropper icon used, it's perfectly acceptable to me.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
