[ubuntu-in] TIp : Using a Dictionary Off line in Ubuntu

[Ramnarayan.K]

Hi

Having a good dictionary handy iis quite essential , having a multi lingual
dictionary and Thesaurus is even better.

Ubuntu provides one with the the facility to install an offline multiple
language dictionary. There are a host of online Dictionaries but having one
always and off line is a different asset all together.

Following is a simple how to install and tweak dictionary to run offline.
The Language choices are upto you

Part 1 Installing the Packages required
Am assuming you are familiar  with synaptic (System --> Administration -->
Synaptic Package Manager) an have a working internet connection.

Start Up synaptic and find the following packages and mark for installation
dict
dictd

these are the server and client for a dictionary services
the front end is Dictionary 2.28.xx which gets installed by default. (not in
any order of preference)

apart from the above if you continue searching in sequence (to the above
mentioned packages) you will find a whole lot of dictionaries -
the ones i have installed are
dict-bouvier
dict-devil
dict-elements
dict-foldoc
dict-freedict-eng-deu (english to german)
dict-freedict-eng-hin (english to hindi)
dict-freedict-hin-eng (hindi to english)
dict-gcide
dictionaries-common
dict-jargon
dict-moby-thesaurus
dict-vera


Part 2 - Configuring the Dictionary to work offline

After installing this (and other dictionaries of your choice) there is a
small tweak we need to do to make the dictionary work offline

Go to Applications --> Office--> Dictionary and run the programme Dictionary

In the Open Application go to Edit --> preferences

In Source select ADD and
in description add any name you want to use for your customized dictionary
services (replace source with a identifiable name)

Let transport be as it is (Dictionary Server)
*change* Hostname to 127.0.01 (replace dict.org)
Port - Leave as it is.

enter add

then in the Select a Dictionary Source for looking up words
Select the Dictionary source your just added
Enter Close

Type any word to test if the dictonary works (you can / should test with
your internet off)

If you get a meaning or any output means its working. Congratulations.

3. Accessing words / meanings from non default sources
You may have added many other language dictionarys, and they may not be the
default

So to access say the english to Hindi dictionary
type your word in  and enter - on the right side a whole list of words
(smilar words) will appear pressing on each will show you the meanings based
on each dictionary installed (not a good way to show up meanings but at the
moment this is what seems to be available)

Again on the right panel there is drop arrow next to that -by default is
shows similar words.  if you press that you will see a list more options
(Similar Words, Available Dictionaries, Strategies, Sources) . pressing on
"Available dictionaries" will show you what dictionaries you have installed,


If you select any dictionary the and then enter the word you want then the
results you get are only from the selected dictionary.

In case you want to use individual dictionaries and not have many replies
cluttering up your responses you can open many dictionary windows and for
each select a particular dictionary and get the meanings / responses as
required.

But your selection lasts only as long as that window is open.

Hope you can enjoy this services as much (or maybe more) than i do

have fun
ram
Next pressing on any dictonary will enable
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