Lextionary 2.0

[marlof]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://revolution.cx/lex.htm' target='_blank'>http://revolution.cx/lex.htm</a><br /><br /></div>A new version of the very cool Lextionary dictionary has been released. "With version 2.0 of the lexical database fully integrated, Lextionary now contains 144,300 entries and over 337,000 links between words. Searching for words is even easier with phonetic and partial word matches along with complete support for wildcard searching. Finding words for puzzle games is no problem with the new puzzle helper tool and looking up words in other applications such as Microsoft Reader is as simple as pushing a button. Version 2.0 is a free upgrade for most users and is available for purchase at a discounted price of $13.99 for a very limited time."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/lex2ss.gif" />

[bblock]

Cool - thanks, Marlof! I use this all the time, especially while reading ebooks...like the Harrington series. I notice in one of the screen captures on this post the fact that 'dreadnaught' isn't found...shame on them!

Anyone interested in good sci-fi who hasn't read each and every Honor Harrington novel by David Weber, needs to. Period. Well, I think so, anyway. You can download the first one ("On Basilisk Station") here: http://www.baen.com/library/defaultTitles.htm, as well as lots of other content, and you can actually get the whole Harrington series by purchasing a hard copy of the most recent book - there's a CD that comes with it that includes tons of David Weber content - all free and distributable! - in a variety of formats.

It's one of my favorite things to do with my trusty iPAQ 3850.

~~~~
Bryan

[Santa Fe]

Lextionary is a personal favorite and it is so good to see companies supporting thier customers by offering free upgrades. I will always buy from them instead of those who don't.

[revolution.cx]

Actually that's not correct. The search is for

dr???na*

which isn't a word at all but as a wildcard search matches one single word:

dreadnaught

as shown. Tapping on the match would take you straight to the entry for dreadnaught.

So no shame is needed in this case. I can see how the screenshot in question could be confusing so I'll give it an update.




I notice in one of the screen captures on this post the fact that 'dreadnaught' isn't found...shame on them!

[Rob Alexander]

Thanks Marlof. This has always been my favorite dictionary so it'll be good to see what they've come up with for v2.0. If anyone hasn't given this one a try, it's definitely work checking out. Not only is it great for lookups like a regular dictionary, it's just plain fun to explore and see where it takes you as you tap around in its word relationships.

[karinatwork]

I must do something wrong, I can't make the lookup feature from another program work. I tried Reader and MS Word, but I can't figure out how this is supposed to work. I emailed support, but it's Sunday, so they won't be working.

Anyone any ideas?
Thanks!

Karin

[revolution.cx]

I must do something wrong, I can't make the lookup feature from another program work. I tried Reader and MS Word, but I can't figure out how this is supposed to work. I emailed support, but it's Sunday, so they won't be working.


I got your email and figured I'd share my response here:

We had to modify this feature at the last minute because it was working inconsistently.

In order to look up a word you have to assign Lextionary to an application launch key (Settings->buttons). Then you just highlight a word in another program and push the launch button.

We will be adding an icon or floating window style interface in a maintenance release at the end of August.

Originally you just had to highlight a word and then switch to Lextionary and the word would be looked up. For unknown reasons this would work perfectly for a while and then not. Personally I don't like it when a feature is flaky so I took it out.


P.S. The discounted price ends Tuesday AM.

[beq]

Anyone interested in good sci-fi who hasn't read each and every Honor Harrington novel by David Weber, needs to.
I read a few HH's, good stuff.. but did you see where Bujold was voted overall reader favorite (or something like that) on Fictionwise awhile back? All of her Barrayar/Vorkosigan-universe novels there scored through the roof on reader ratings. Had tried one and got hooked myself. Let's just say you won't be sorry if you tried also :) Anyways IIRC Weber's stories tend to have a bit more technical treatment and less of an emotional space-opera (the latter sounds bad I know, but Bujold is just a masterful storyteller).. just some observations that're probably incorrect...

Naismith/Vorkosigan vs. Honor Harrington, now that's a whole other matter :mrgreen:

[g0097]

One feature that I have not found that would be neat to add is something for those of us that cannot spell. It would be neat if you could type in the first few letters of a word and then it would give you some suggestions on what words start with those letters. I have another dictionary program on my pocket pc that does that and its a godsend for me because most of the time when I am looking up a word in a dictionary its because I dont know how to spell it.

:oops: I was just messing around and noticed that if you do mispell a word it will give you the next closest word to it...that pretty much does what I am looking for I guess...ok no need to add anything!! :lol:

[Certified Optimist]

Down-loaded the demo and tried it. Works well. Like the product.

My only question is if this is a BE (British English) or AE (American English)? The FAQ on the homepage says:

"Does Lextionary contain British usages and spellings?
Yes, it includes such words as colour, queue, banger, aeroplane, advert, catalogue, farthing, Guy Fawkes, advertise, apologise, and many others."

So, does this mean it's a mix between BE and AE?

[ctmagnus]

Best way to tell is to enter some American spellings as well as some American spellings. If they both work, then it'll be a mix. If only one or the other works, then you only get that one.

[PeteTh]

Lextionary has always benn great, but I was hoping they'd add a bookmark type feature to allow adding of words you're trying to learn.

[crispeto]

Well, I assigned a button to Lextionary and highlighted a word in Word and pushed the button to open Lextionary. It opens but doesn't look up the word I highlighted. What am I doing wrong?

[revolution.cx]

Well, I assigned a button to Lextionary and highlighted a word in Word and pushed the button to open Lextionary. It opens but doesn't look up the word I highlighted. What am I doing wrong?

There have been some problems with this feature with some devices. Please contact us at [email protected] and include what model of Pocket PC you are using.

[revolution.cx]

So, does this mean it's a mix between BE and AE?

Yes, under entries like "color" both spellings are listed.

We haven't gotten any complaints from British English users in this regard.

[Steven Cedrone]

Best way to tell is to enter some American spellings as well as some American spellings.

They both work for me... :wink:

Steve

[ctmagnus]

Best way to tell is to enter some American spellings as well as some American spellings.

They both work for me... :wink:

Steve

That was the second time I entered that post too! :duh: :iamwithstupid: :frusty:

[Certified Optimist]

Yes, under entries like "color" both spellings are listed.

We haven't gotten any complaints from British English users in this regard.

Thanks for confirming that. Does it say "AE" or "BE", or do you just include both spellings.

It may not seem like a big thing, but for us non-native English speakers who to try to speak/spell consitently it is kind of important.

[Certified Optimist]

consitently

...and who obviously can't even manage to type consistently correctly... :wink:

[Certified Optimist]

Got it! Love it!

[Janak Parekh]

(Certified Optimist, that's what the edit button is for... ;))

[famousdavis]

I'm trying out Lextionary, and it looks quite intriguing to use! I can't get the automatic word lookup function to work with Reader, and from reading this thread and the support page for this product, it appears that's a known bug issue.

Two enhancemnets I'd like to see:

1) An abridged/unabridged switch (to filter obscene, vulgar, profane words)

2) An indication whether a word is regarded as, say, slang ("darn"), vulgar slang ("sh*t"), extremely vulgar slang (the "f" word).