It has been said that people often judge other people by the language that they use.  Often ones local dialect is more of an issue but the actual words and use of them is shapes many peoples ideas of ones background, education and social standing. 

It goes without saying then that an expansive vocabulary is important, both in social and business settings.  To that end, PPCLINK has created Lexisgoo English Dictionary.  Lexisgoo is a multi component application that provides users with an edited version of the Princeton University WordNet dictionary on their Windows Mobile Device.  Lexisgoo is the main module which allows users to search by word, fixed form and to listen to the pronunciations of words.  Further, it displays multiple definitions and idioms of words. 

In addition to Lexisgoo, Lexisee and Lexistudy are included in the application package.  Lexisee allows users to search for words in other applications such as Pocket IE, MS Reader and Pocket Word.  Lexistudy is a Today plug-in that provides automatic or user defined lists of words to study and learn. 

All three of the components of Lexisgoo English Dictionary are exceptionally well written and perform equally as well.  For those who are looking to expand their vocabulary or for those who are learning English, this application should be a must have application. 

Lexisgoo installs via ActiveSync and consumes approximately 4MB of memory.  The application can be installed either in Main Memory of the Windows Mobile device, the File Store for iPaq owners, or a Storage Card.  Once installed, the Lexistudy Today plug-in automatically is placed on the Today screen (Figure 1) while the Lexisgoo and Lexisee component shortcuts are installed in StartàPrograms.

When Lexisgoo is started, the application’s user interface is simple but effective.  A pull-down menu is provided for users to select either by scrolling or by typing the beginning of a word (Figure 2).  When a word is selected, the dialog box is filled with the definitions (Figure 3) and the word is populated to the window bar below the pull-down menu.  The definitions provided give all of the possible parts of speech – Verb, Noun, Pronoun, etc. – as well as the usage of the word for those various parts of speech in a sentence.

Next to the word on window bar are four icons which allow for expanded features of Lexisgoo.  The first icon – the speaker - allows for the selected word to be spoken.  

Next is the Notes icon.  This allows users to add notes to the word for their use (Figure 4).  Some of the words already have notes included but all of them can have them added.  After the Note icon, users can find Related Idioms by tapping the third icon on the Window Bar (Figure 5).  This gives a quick use of the word in a sentence to better understand how it is used properly in conversations.  Finally, the heart icon, or Favorites, allows users to highlight those words that they use most often or need to have quick access too.  The Favorites can be accessed from the ShowàFavorites menu on the menu bar below the definition display (Figure 6). Essentially this is a bookmark function for quick access to the words.

At the bottom of the Lexisgoo Dictionary display is the Menu bar.  This bar, like the Windows bar, has several icons which allow for easy access to key features of the application.  Additionally, the Tools and Show menus are located here as well. 

The first icon is the Search function but does not search in a general sense.  Rather, this search is designed to search for a word within the displayed defined word.  While viewing the definition of a word, users can highlight a word within that definition (Figure 7) then tap the Search icon.  The highlighted word’s definition will now be displayed to be reviewed (Figure 8).  This feature is particularly helpful for those who are new to the English language and are presented a word that is not understood.

Next is the Anagram/pattern search button.  By definition, an anagram is a work or phrase spelled by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.  Essentially it is finding words within words.  By tapping the Anagram button, users are presented a search screen similar to the main dictionary.  By typing in a word and selecting filtering criteria (such as length of the word), the results are presented (Figure 9).  This feature can be particularly helpful to those who play crossword puzzles.

The last icon on the Menu bar is the Grammar Book, located just past the history and forward buttons (which function like those of Pocket Internet Explorer).  The Grammar book is designed to help with the common parts of speech, punctuation, capitalization and other aspects of the English language (Figure 10).  By tapping through the book, users can learn how to properly write English sentences to more accurately communicate both in leisure and in business (Figure 11).  Which it could be said that this is a must-have for those who have English as their second language; the same could be true for most American’s as well.  This is a great and quick guide to help better communicate and understand the construction of this complex and often confusing language.

Part of the Lexisgoo package from PPCLink is Lexisee, a quick-link button that appears in other applications on the Windows Mobile device.  Lexisee allows users to define words on-the-fly as well as have selected text read to them.  Lexisee can be configured to start up automatically after a soft reset or can be enabled by tapping the ShowàLexisee menu in Lexisgoo.  Once started, a small question mark icon is displayed on the top menu bar of the Windows Mobile device.  This icon is displayed in applications that Lexisee is compatible with, of which there are many.  During testing at Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! We found no applications that Lexisee did not work with, including SoftMaker’s TextMaker 2002 and Ilium Software’s NewsBreak 1.1. 

Using Lexisee within an application is simply a matter of tapping and holding the Lexisee icon on the Window bar or the menu bar after a word, phrase or sentence has been highlighted.  When a single word is highlighted (Figure 12), users can tap-and-hold the Lexisee icon to have its menu displayed (Figure 13).  From the menu, users can choose to either have the highlighted or selected (the cursor somewhere within it) word read to them or defined (Figure 14).  While the defining function of Lexisee is useful, the reading function is particularly helpful.  This allows users listen to how words are pronounced so they can better understand word usage and sentence construction.

In the recently released 2.4 version of Lexisee, users can now select words within Pocket Internet Explorer or Multi IE as well as have the definition auto-scroll.  The auto-scroll function is configured in the preferences of the application.

Finally, the Lexistudy Today plug in allows users to have a randomly generated or custom built list of words displayed on the Today screen.  Lexistudy is an excellent tool for students and those learning English as a second language (Figure 15).

Overall Lexigoo is an excellent, well written application that can easily help anyone improve their understanding of the English language or to learn it as a second language.  It is well written and performs well with little delay when searching for definitions either in Lexisgoo or Lexistudy. 

Lexisgoo is backed by PPCLink with online and email support.  The online FAQs are limited but email support generally responded within 24 hours of a request.  The answers provided were accurate and helpful.  During a recent upgrade issue, the PPCLink team was extremely responsive and tested in their own lab to replicate the problem.  They were courteous and timely in their responses.

Lexisgoo English Dictionary 2.4 is available directly from PPCLink for $17.95 (US).  Users who currently have versions 2.0 can upgrade to this new version at no charge. Lexisgoo also offers a 14 day trial version as well.

Clinton Fitch
Senior Editor
Clinton Fitch (Dot) Com! (http://www.clintonfitch.com)
HPC:Factor (http://www.hpcfactor.com)