I am using this CD not only for taking dictation buit for studying pronounciation and vocabulary as well. I think a very good added feature would be to allow a pop up window in the top right corner (such as that provided by I -finger) to give instant access to meanings of the more difficult words. I find the existing system where the more difficult words are explained at the bottom of the text very useful. But a pop up dictionary would give even more meanings and would be especially useful to those who have not got a wide French Vocabulary. It would also speed up understanding the passage. Is it possible to install my own pop up dictionary on the 'dictee' page to help me understant the text?
An even more useful feature would be to enable the user to highlight certain words while reading. It would simplify checking some of the more difficult words after reading the whole passage.
Yes, it is possibile to use the CD-ROM in conjunction with a popup dictionary. For example, translation software such as babylon will provide you with an instant translation of difficult words:
The notes we provide are designed to give contextual and idiomatic help, they're not, as you say a substitute for using a dictionary. Our energies and resources are focussed on providing the raw materials to work with, so producing a full glosary isn't a project we're planning for the immediate future.
You said: "I think a very good added feature would be to allow a pop up window in the top right corner (such as that provided by I -finger) to give instant access to meanings of the more difficult words."
There's a cheap (i.e., free) and easy way to do this: copy&paste the text into the "Web reader" at WordChamp.com. It will not only give you the meaning of most words, but also allow you to collect them in a glossary list (with audio files) that you can practice online or download.
I use the Robert-Collins French Dictionary software for the PC. It has a great feature for what you're talking about.
You highlight a word in any application-- web browser or MS word or whatever -- and then click on the Dictionary's tray icon. The definition of the word pops up.
It's not free, and it's PC only, but it's really wonderful. I got it from Amazon.
Thank you for the advice. I wonder if anyone can tell me how to copy a page or a dictation passage from 120 dictees on to Wordsor to Wordchamp.com translation page. It is not possible to use the normal Copy and Paste facility because these have been blocked out from the page. All the usual tool bars have been made inoperable when the dictee page is shown.
