Posted on October 15th, 2009 by mshaffer
This is an ongoing list of feature requests that are in the works:
- Build a citation tool (Reference in Bibtex to export to different styles of RTF: MLA, APA, etc.)
- eCard a definition to a friend
- Word of the Day with the new XML data structure.
- Look up resulting word in the KJV (+ Strongs) and Webster bibles.
- Web-App to begin accessing the new formatted data as it become available. Create word lists as study tools (spelling list, sermon of the week, etc.) Suggestions for the App are requested.
- Autocomplete using this or that. COMPLETED!
Posted on October 14th, 2009 by mshaffer
The first American dictionary needs to be put in a modern data format, so that more information can be extracted from each entry. As such, Task::XML involves taking the original dictionary and putting the original contents into a data structure know as XML. Although there are several technical data formats for dictionary entries, the purpose of this project is to try and capture the data structure Noah Webster used in his 1828 dictionary. As such, lots of work needs to be done to put each definition into this format. A beta demonstration of this is available on the dictionary website as the “Word of the Day.” Over 300 words have been initially placed in this XML format to demonstrate the richness of the new data structure. The database has over 60,000 unique spelled words, so there is a lot of work to be done.
The richness of XML will allow us to create custom applications (iPhone, Google gadgets, etc.) as well as puts the data in a form that can be rebuilt in digital form (PDFs of Words of the Week) or print form (e.g., Project::Reprint).
Posted on October 7th, 2009 by mshaffer
An admin tool has been created to update the current database and create an XML structure of the 1828 dictionary. When complete, this new data structure will be the basis for new accessibility options for the first dictionary of the american language.
Volunteers will need to compare the XML structure to the actual dictionary, make notes and comments as necessary. Anyone can volunteer and use the tool to contribute at some level. We are in the process of developing some tutorial pages/videos on how the admin tool works. Please go to the main site and login to donate your time.
As the data gets refined, scholars with specialties will be most especially helpful:
- Strong’s Concordance (Greek and Hebrew)
- Greek Language
- Hebrew Language
- Persian Language (Noah Webster comments in the conclusion that the words are wrong?!?)
- Blue Letter Bible
- Etymology
Posted on October 7th, 2009 by mshaffer
Random Quotes from Noah Webster as well as little-known trivia are posted throughout this website. Thanks Haley for taking the time to compile over 60 quotes and little known facts that are currently being used. Please feel free to add your own by commenting to this post.
Posted on October 7th, 2009 by mshaffer
The second vision, Vision::Redesign, has an intent to improve the current online accessibility to the 1828 dictionary. The current database, http://1828.mshaffer.com/, has mistakes, omissions of etymology, etc. For this reason the most important tasks, Task::XML, will be an online editing of the current words and definitions to include important missing information. An administrative tool has been built to make this possible [http://1828d.mshaffer.com/] and will be accessible to the community to help in the editing process once the microfilm scan occurs. This task will require the efforts of many volunteers to edit, revise, and format the new database structure (and is relevant to Vision::Reprint). Other tasks related to this Vision::Redesign include identifying features and functionality for the new website [http://1828-dictionary.com]. In addition, plugins will be discussed and created to make the dictionary accessible in other ways: iPhone, Google widget, Firefox Add-on, etc.
Loading ...
Recent Comments