Messages

Hi Gert:

I will give a try and let you know.

I had previously used the DFM 2.7.0 on my Moto L7 and liked it a lot even though it is a bit slow and does not show a number of characters due to the accent issues.  I downloaded the recent update 3.1.2 and tried to install it on my moto, but received an application error.  All it says is application error does not install at all.  I kept my old version on the phone so no real loss, but getting a version that would show all the characters would be nice.

I checked the time for the 'homeless' translation'.  It took 3837 ms the first time.  If hit translate again it goes down to 2218, but if I go back to the edit field and hit translate it goes back up to 3837.  I dont currently have my cord, so I will have to do the next step later.

For me it is not the translation times that are slow, rather it's the startup time that takes about 30 seconds on my Moto L7.  I have a great trick to cut that down in that I don't exit, rather I always hit the 'end call' key and it asks me if I want to suspend or exit, I chose suspend and unless I turn off the phone, when I go back to java box it will ask me if I want to resume, and resume is very quick, less than a second.

I'll try to log a few response times, but here is a killer trick I found to make dealing with Chinese SMS's much easier.  First, I have to 'forward' the SMS so that I can copy all the text.  After I copy the text, I abort the forward message and open DFM.  If I have to go back to the message or if I am writing a message and need a new term, I don't exit DFM once I have my term, rather I hit the 'stop' button (end call) and chose suspend and then go to my message.  This greatly reduces the startup time to only a fraction of a second.  When going back and forth between messages and SMS it really cuts down the time problem, such that it is not really a problem.

One more new wish list item would be if DFM could automatically 'know' if it is english or chinese.  I would guess it would take some logic where if the character was between A and Z, it would be english otherwise, check for Chinese.  I dont know if java can breakdown the first character like that.  Another option would be to automatically check english first, and if it did not find anything it would check Chinese.

Thanks for all the replies to my message.  I have a couple of additional suggestions.

1) for the bad character question, I understand editing the 42 thousand odd entries would be to big a bother, rather for my character challenged phone, I would suggest replace all the toned vowels with simple vowels.  Sure I wont know what tone it is, but I am lousy at tones anyway.  I would prefer this to a blank.  I would think this could be done with a global replace.  If you want I can edit cedict for this.

2) I know it is a lot to ask, but what would be really cool is if I could take chunks of text (from SMS) and have the dictionary translate one word at a time.  Kind of  a next word, next word, next word system where I would click for the next word.  My current system is a bit complex where I copy the chunk (maybe 30 characters), paste them in and then delete all but the next one.  Obviously not the most efficient system.  I would guess that it would work by looking for a 2 word combo, and if none go for a single character.

In general on the comments about it being slow, while yes it does take a bit of time to load up, I dont mind that and the searches are quick enough for my simple L7.

As always, it is very useful and I am very happy with it despite its minor flaws.

I have been using the DictonaryforMid with the Chinese dictionary and thought I would post my impressions.  I use it frequently and like it a lot.  I have a Moto L7 that has Java and Chinese input.  In general I have no problem with the program, but
1) Some characters dont display correctly.  Mainly it is the vowel with the tone signs display as solid blocks of black.  Kind of mystery vowels, does make it a bit tough some times.
2) It is a bit slow.  It takes about 30 seconds to start up, and searches take between 2 to 11 seconds

Things I would like to see
1) It would be nice if it had a setting for simplified vs. traditional characters.  I live in mainland and have no use for traditional characters most of the time.  It would make it a bit easier if I did not have to bother about figuring out which is the simplified or traditional character.
2) Copy character.  I wish I could copy characters that I look up.  Some times I am working on an SMS in Chinese and lookup a character, it would be nice to copy and paste it in.
3) Editable Dictonary.  I would like to add some terms that relate to my profession.  CEDICT is pretty good, but by no means comprehensive.

In general the Chinese dictionary is very useful and dispite its few flaws, it is a great upload.