Why I built a dictionary app
wordnote.app
Why I built a dictionary app
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Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#2Actually, iOS already has built-in support for dictionary and thesaurus. In any native text input field, select a word and choose Define or Look Up. The choice of dictionary is customizable; I usually choose New Oxford American Dictionary and Oxford Dictionary of English (not to be confused with the venerable Oxford English Dictionary). They are high quality dictionaries. They are basically the same except that the pronunciation for the latter is in IPA which I'm more used to.
When I need to look up a word, I create a new note from control center, type in the word, double tap to bring up the contextual menu and then the dictionary.
It pretty much checks all the boxes. For distraction-free reading, turn off "Content from Apple" in the Siri settings to avoid those obnoxious Siri knowledge panels.
Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#3Dictionaries are one of those things that should be free, at least the digital version. This is 2022 - shouldn't governments pay the dictionary creators using tax payer money and make the digital version available for free, to anyone for any use?
How much does it cost to maintain a dictionary anyway? A few million dollars at best? It is crazy that a ton of projects don't even get started, because these APIs are so expensive and unfriendly
Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#4Nice UX! I imagine I'd prefer your app since it gives me a constant feedback loop with the writing process (vs the select to look up native UX). I've downloaded it and will give it a try.
Just fyi, "Donwload" at the bottom is a typo. Figured as a dictionary app, you'd want someone to flag that
Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#5Dictionaries are one of those things that should be free, at least the digital version. This is 2022 - shouldn't governments pay the dictionary creators using tax payer money and make the digital version available for free, to anyone for any use? How much does it cost to maintain a dictionary anyway? A few million dollars at best? It is crazy that a ton of projects don't even get started, because these APIs are so ex…
What’s wrong with Wiktionary, which the author used for this?
Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#6Nicely done.
It seems to put the "transitive verb" definition at the top, followed by the noun, even if the verb-usage is less common. Is there metadata that indicates which is more common, to adjust the order?
Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#7Dictionaries are one of those things that should be free, at least the digital version. This is 2022 - shouldn't governments pay the dictionary creators using tax payer money and make the digital version available for free, to anyone for any use? How much does it cost to maintain a dictionary anyway? A few million dollars at best? It is crazy that a ton of projects don't even get started, because these APIs are so ex…
Why should governments get to decide which words we use? Unless you are a plusgood citizen making agitprop for the proles.
Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#8Dictionaries are one of those things that should be free, at least the digital version. This is 2022 - shouldn't governments pay the dictionary creators using tax payer money and make the digital version available for free, to anyone for any use? How much does it cost to maintain a dictionary anyway? A few million dollars at best? It is crazy that a ton of projects don't even get started, because these APIs are so ex…
What’s wrong with Wiktionary, which the author used for this?
Sounds like it was a bit tedious (and expensive) to hammer the server for 30 hours... vs. a downloadable database (which, granted, could get out of date).
Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#9I would pay for a dictionary with word derivations in it so I can better learn word structures. Built in dictionary apps generally lack that option.
Re: Why I built a dictionary app
#10While we are talking about dictionaries, I really wish more word games would include definitions. My kids (well, me as well) really enjoy word games like Bookworm Adventures, Wordscapes, etc. However occasionally these turn into random guessing of letters until something is accepted.
It would be really neat (and educational) to have the option to view a word's definition after you play it.