OT: dictionary and encyclopedia s/w

[willbill]

OT: dictionary and encyclopedia s/w

so my 1st question is finding a n/g, where
a PC software question is appropriate

if not, here are my questions:

1. is there a current "Bookshelf" type
s/w package package available?

(fwiw my current one is Bookshelf '97, which
includes dictionary, thesaurus, quotations,
short encyclopedia (short Encarta), Atlas
(world), chronology, and almanac)

the key thing i like about the Bookshelf '97
is a) that it works (as opposed to a M.Webster
dictionary that i bought in that time frame),
and b) especially that it can be entirely/easily
loaded to and run from the hard drive (without
having to load the CD)

2. my much more active interest is in a current
encyclopedia (ones available from newegg
(Encarta and Britannica)), does anyone have
any comments on either of them?

also, same key questions as for Bookshelf
type s/w: can it be entirely/easily loaded
to, and run from, the hard drive (without
having to load the CD/DVD)?

thank you for any helpful response even if it's
only another n/g where this question is on topic

and again sorry for the off topic post

bill

 

[krw]

OT: dictionary and encyclopedia s/w

so my 1st question is finding a n/g, where
a PC software question is appropriate

if not, here are my questions:

1. is there a current "Bookshelf" type
s/w package package available?

(fwiw my current one is Bookshelf '97, which
includes dictionary, thesaurus, quotations,
short encyclopedia (short Encarta), Atlas
(world), chronology, and almanac)

the key thing i like about the Bookshelf '97
is a) that it works (as opposed to a M.Webster
dictionary that i bought in that time frame),
and b) especially that it can be entirely/easily
loaded to and run from the hard drive (without
having to load the CD)

Most just use the Internet for such things. I know you'd like one to
use "off line" but the demand seems small, given that the Internet is
"free".

2. my much more active interest is in a current
encyclopedia (ones available from newegg
(Encarta and Britannica)), does anyone have
any comments on either of them?

Likely because the Internet is free. People are cheap.

also, same key questions as for Bookshelf
type s/w: can it be entirely/easily loaded
to, and run from, the hard drive (without
having to load the CD/DVD)?

Nope. The Internet can't be loaded on your hard drive.

thank you for any helpful response even if it's
only another n/g where this question is on topic

Oh, damn! You wanted a *helpful* response. ;-)

 

[Nate Edel]

Most just use the Internet for such things. I know you'd like one to
use "off line" but the demand seems small, given that the Internet is
"free".

There's a good chance one could download a local copy of wiktionary.

Likely because the Internet is free. People are cheap.

One can definitely download a free copy of Wikipedia, although at about 3gb
compressed (without images, much larger with) it is a big commitment both in
terms of download bandwidth and disk space.

Nope. The Internet can't be loaded on your hard drive.

Well, many of the good parts can.

 

[willbill]

krw wrote:

hi keith!

thanks to you and nate for your
thoughtful responses.

(more below)

Most just use the Internet for such things. I know you'd like one to
use "off line" but the demand seems small, given that the Internet is
"free".

only nothing is truly "free"
and that don't include the Internet ...

Likely because the Internet is free. People are cheap.




Nope. The Internet can't be loaded on your hard drive.




Oh, damn! You wanted a *helpful* response. ;-)

ok, i can't help it... LOL!

fwiw, if i can't turn up anything else,
odds are i'll take a shot in the dark
with the current M.S. Encarta; for something
like $35/40 on newegg

i still remember paying full up (more than
$35/40) 8 years ago for a worthless "full-up"
version of Merriam (sp?) Webster s/w dictionary
that proved to be totally worthless.

the one good thing i've learned with the
n/g's is to do some online posting and then
do some more online posting *and* not buy
anything for at least 3+ months.

thanks again for the post/laugh.

bill

 

[willbill]

There's a good chance one could download a local copy of wiktionary.




One can definitely download a free copy of Wikipedia, although at about 3gb
compressed (without images, much larger with) it is a big commitment both in
terms of download bandwidth and disk space.

interesting thought

i still only have ultra cheap dial-up
($9/month), but i'm giving some serious
thought to looking into a 3gb download
of wiki

thank you very much for that idea!

also see my response to keith.

bill

 

[Robert Redelmeier]

i still only have ultra cheap dial-up ($9/month), but i'm giving
some serious thought to looking into a 3gb download of wiki

When I had dialup, I would occasionally download ISOs
unattended overnight. 3 GB might take a couple of days
if your ISP would let you. Look for something like
`wget` or ftp with restart capabilities.

-- Robert

 

[willbill]

says...


Most just use the Internet for such things. I know you'd like one to
use "off line" but the demand seems small, given that the Internet is
"free".

yeah... just what i don't need: having
to log into the internet to find something

so much for "free"

fwiw, a followup:

i went with Britannica 2008 Ultimate DVD
(~$35 at newegg)

i did call Britannica up on their 800 number 1st,
and got some decent, fairly accurate answers.

got most but not all of what i wanted
(encycl./dict./wrld_atlas) and works great!
and what with doing a full install,
i don't have to load the disk.

the full does however, take up 3.9GB;
but i've got plenty of open disk.

Oh, damn! You wanted a *helpful* response. ;-)

i like your caustic posts better. they are
so much more informative.

bill

 

[krw]

yeah... just what i don't need: having
to log into the internet to find something

Log on? Now quaint. I thought that went away with button shoes. ;-)

so much for "free"

It costs $$ to log on?

fwiw, a followup:

i went with Britannica 2008 Ultimate DVD
(~$35 at newegg)

Actually, I'm in somewhat the same situation. I'm going to be
looking for a decent map program. My RandMcNally Tripmaker seems to
have been stomped on by something. Reinstalling it doesn't help.
Ya' gotta love Winblows.

i did call Britannica up on their 800 number 1st,
and got some decent, fairly accurate answers.

got most but not all of what i wanted
(encycl./dict./wrld_atlas) and works great!
and what with doing a full install,
i don't have to load the disk.

Why not? Disk space is free.

the full does however, take up 3.9GB;
but i've got plenty of open disk.

Exactly. Might just as well put those empty bits to use.

i like your caustic posts better. they are
so much more informative.

Who, me? ;-)