Logo MonDico All dictionaries you can imagine...
User Guide
Introduction

THE DICTIONARIES MENU
Create a dictionary
Open a dictionary
Dictionaries recently opened
Save this dictionary as...
Empty this dictionary
Delete this dictionary
Import into this dictionary
Export this dictionary
Print this dictionary
Close this dictionary
Quit

THE DEFINITIONS MENU
READ MODE
Add a definition
Edit this definition
Delete this definition
Print this definition
Display all definitions
EDIT MODE
Save this definition
Cancel

THE NAVIGATION MENU
Next definition
Previous definition
First definition
Last definition

THE TOOLS MENU
Preferences
Character table
Editor
Dictionary title and options
Optimize this dictionary
Backup
Restore from backup

THE HELP MENU
Summary
Mon Dico website
Download free dictionaries
Order online
Order by post
About Mon Dico 2

Introduction

"Mon Dico" means My dictionary in French. It is an easy use sofwtare for creating and consulting dictionaries. Mon Dico got all what you need to add any definition you want in your own dictionary, with the possibility to associate a picture and/or a sound. It has very nice features to navigate among all entries and find any terms. Two versions are currently available:
  • MonDico Reader: the freeware version for reading every dictionary created with Mon Dico 2. You can freely distribute it.
  • MonDico2: the full personal version which allows you to create your own dictionary and freely distribute it with Mon Dico Reader. You can also edit every free compatible dictionary.
Mon Dico is currently available for Windows 8/Seven/Vista/XP, Linux and Mac OS X Intel.



THE DICTIONARIES MENU

 Create a dictionary

Each dictionary is a DBF database. There are 7 fields by record:
• The field "mot" which contains the expression (word or phrase) you want to define (100 characters max)
• The field "def" which contains the main definition of this term
• The field "img" which can contain any appropriate picture associated with the definition from the formats jpg, png, bmp, gif and xpn
• The field "son" that can receive a sound file (useful to hear the pronunciation of a word for example)
• The field "ref" may receive other information as references related to this definition
• The field "notes" that can receive any other information you think useful to add, but want to separate from the actual definition
• The field "tag" may receive only integers so you can find a definition with its number, or even involve a range of values ​​to certain definitions. For example, you assign number 100 for specific animals of a region. Then, it will be easy to show only those entries when you make queries by applying the formulae tag = 100. It is also a useful field for developers, allowing them to open MonDico Reader from their program, on any definition thanks to its tag. We built this feature to our numerology program Numeyoga.
Note: the tag can not be an integer greater than or equal to 100,000,000 (one hundred million).

Once your dictionary is named and saved in the directory you specified, you get three files. So if your dictionary is called dictionary_of_the_fungi.dbf, you will also find dictionary_of_the_fungi.dbt and dictionary_of_the_fungi.mdx in the same directory. Note that all filenames are automatically lowercase for ensuring compatibility with Windows, Mac OS and Linux operating systems.
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Let's see these options:

• Dictionary filename in lowercase: specify the filename as it will appear in the file manager or explorer, avoiding marked/accented letters and spaces. However, you can use _ . This filename must end with the extension .dbf
For example: my_dictionary_of_cars.dbf
• Dictionary directory: You can change the default one. Make sure you have write access to that directory.
• Dictionary title: enter an explicit title.
For example: My Dictionary of Art Historians
• Author and Copyright: enter your name and any information about the copyright.
• Detailed presentation of this dictionary (optional): describe the purpose of this dictionary, the kind of information it contains, some additional information about the license, or whatever you want.
• Picture/logo (optional): Insert a picture or logo illustrating your dictionary.

Define the license:
• Open source dictionary: No restrictions. The information in this dictionary are not subject to copyright even if you are the author. Any user can edit, add, delete content, print, export, distribute or change the settings. However, you can give additional information in the detailed description field (like Creative Commons license). It may be a dictionary created from open and free documentation like the project en.wikipedia.org or a dictionary made ​​by you and allowed to be distributed freely.
• Free dictionary: You have the copyright. You can limit the possibilities to change settings and to edit definition. However, you agree that anyone can distribute it freely.

Set the options for this dictionary (these options take precedence over those defined by the user):
• Play sound by default: If a sound is associated with a definition, it will automatically be played when this definition is displayed.
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In case it is not an open source dictionary, you can set restrictions by unchecking the boxes corresponding to certain features
¤ Export this dictionary
¤ Print this dictionary
¤ Add definition
¤ Delete definition
¤ Change within definition: (note: if you give the user the right to add a definition then it is also logically possible to edit all fields)
    ¤ entry
    ¤ definition
    ¤ reference
    ¤ note
    ¤ picture
    ¤ sound
    ¤ tag

When you set access restrictions and/or want to prevent changes to the preset options, it is necessary that you enter a password that is difficult to find (at least 8 characters with numbers and letters).
Once the dictionary is created, the first entry _ ABOUT _ is created. It summarizes all your options for this new dictionary. At any time, you can modify them from the Tools menu / Dictionary Title and options.
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Limitations when using dictionaries on multiplatforms: if a dictionary has been made under Mac OS X or Linux, it can be modify under Windows with MonDico 2. But if it has been made under Windows you can only consult it under Linux or Mac.
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 Open a dictionary

By default, the file selector locates the dictionaries directory. You can change this directory from the Tools menu / Preferences.
A message will inform you if the file you open is not compatible or has been altered. Note that depending of your processor, the loading of big dictionaries can take time.

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Dictionaries recently opened

Quickly access a dictionary from the last 10 you've already opened. You can delete the history of dictionaries opened by clicking on Clear History at the bottom of the list.

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Save this dictionary as...

Use this option if you want to save a copy of this dictionary in a different directory and/or under another name. The program will ask if you want to work with this copie or not.
However, if you just want to make a backup copy, you should use the option Make a backup from the menu Tools, or click directly on the disk icon.

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Empty this dictionary

This option allows you to delete all definitions of the dictionary, except the entry _ ABOUT _. The dictionary retains its name, its description and properties.
This option is useful in case of problems when you want to import a list of definitions. You can then empty the dictionary, correct the file to import to match well the dictionary expectations and reimport it again.


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Delete this dictionary

After confirming your request, MonDico will remove the three files corresponding to the current dictionary you want to delete.

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Import into this dictionary

This option allows you to add into the opened or just created dictionary, all entries contained in a file that you have specially prepared for this import.
It is strongly advised to make a backup copy of your dictionary before starting an import!

From a text or csv file
Please follow these criteria: the content of each field must be in quotes "" and each field must be separated by a comma. For a new entry you must press [Enter] so that each line equals a new entry. If the content of a field is quoted, please double them. For example, "My favorite saying is "" Know thyself ""." (quotes are doubled). Each record consists of five fields. The first field is an entry, the second field is the definition, the third field is an optional reference, the fourth field is an optional note and the fifth field is a tag (number). Optional fields may be empty. However the first field being the entry must have a content!
For example, the file names.csv is made of 4 records ready to be imported with MonDico
"Adam","male first name","Boldness, courage","Less and less used", "1"
"Eve","female first name","She must be having some qualities!","Pleasant first name","2"
"Ka","Unusual first name","Expelled from Eden","",""
"Luc","","","",""
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From a free dictionary made with MonDico 1 (Linux, Windows)
All former unencrypted dictionaries made ​​with the previous version 1.0 of MonDico can be imported. These are open XML files that can be read by MonDico. First create a new dictionary, then import the former dictionary. The content of each field will be saved, except if the entry matches exactly a previous recorded entry.

Tips : if you possess a XML file not created with MonDico 1, you can import it as long as it follows these criteria (please respect lower and upper case; mot= def= ref= notes= img= ROW) :
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<DATAPACKET>
<ROWDATA>
<ROW mot="Entry 1" def="blah blah blah"/>
<ROW mot="Entry 2" def="blah blah blah" ref="blah blah blah"/>
<ROW mot="Entry 3" def="blah blah" ref="blah blah blah" notes="blah blah blah" img="any binary file as a picture" son="path to a sound to import (wav, mp3)"/>
</ROWDATA>
</DATAPACKET>

If you need to import a dictionary and need our help, please contact us.


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Export this dictionary

A csv file will be generated (text format). It is normally possible to open it with recent spreadsheets programs versions such as Open Office Calc, Microsoft Excel, Numbers, to incorporate any line breaks present in the field definitions, references or notes. Picture and sound fields are not exportable.
The contents of each field is between "", each field is separated by a comma and newline at the end of last field tag is used to define each record. The text encoding is UTF-8. If you have problems with marked/accented characters on Windows, open the csv file with a text editor and convert it to ISO-8859-15 before importing it into another program.


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Print this dictionary

Print the entire dictionary and chose if you want one or more definitions per page. It is advisable to view the report before printing. Also set the paper size, fields to print (definition, references, notes and tag) and whether the pages should be numbered. You can also change the header and footer.
The preparation process may take time depending on the number of definitions to be printed. It is also possible to print only the current definition from the Definitions menu.
Tips: sometimes the preview rendering overwrites some lines. This has no effect on the final print.


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Close this dictionary

This option lets you close the cuurent dictionary. After that, you have two options: create a dictionary or open a new one.

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Exit

Exits the program. If a dictionary is displayed and was edited during your session, an automatic backup will be performed, if you set this option (see the Tools menu / Preferences.
It is strongly recommended that you enable this option so that you can restore a backup copy if something goes wrong. A sudden power outage, a failed hard drive, a virus can alter a dictionary.


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THE DEFINITIONS MENU

READ MODE

Add a definition

Please click here to add a new entry, if the dictionary allows it.

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Edit this definition

Please click here to edit the current entry, if the dictionary allows it. When you opened a open source licensed dictionary, you can modify everything, if it is a free dictionary, all changes may be subjected to the author permission.

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Delete this definition

Please click here to delete the current entry, if the dictionary allows it.

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Print this definition

Click here to print current entry only, if the dictionary allows it.
From the dialog box, define paper size, preview mode, what field to print.
You can also modify header and footer.
Tips : sometimes on preview rendering some lines overlap. It doesn't affect the final printing.


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Display all the definitions

On active search mode, just click here to display all entries.

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EDIT MODE



Save this definition

Click here to save your new or your modified entry.

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Cancel

Click here to cancel the new or the modified entry.

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THE NAVIGATION MENU



To quickly access an entry within the dictionary, you may use the following:
  1. The Tool Bar A|B|C|D... situated under the menu bar (1). e.g. Click [C] for all entries starting with the letter C. If you don't see the toolbar, go to the Tools menu / Preferences to check it.
  2. When the grid is focused (2), just type on the keyboard a letter to locate the first entry starting with that letter.
  3. Type all or part of an entry in the search box (3) under the grid, to locate your search if it exists.

When an entry displays a picture, click on it for real size. Just right click to get popup menu (4), to save/resize/close.
When an entry has a sound, click on the sound icon (5) to play it or stop it (6). You can also double click on an entry in the list to hear it.

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Advanced search

  • First step
    Select one criteria in the terms choice (1).
  • Second step
    Check one or several fields in the from choice (2).
  • Third step
    Type all or part of your request in the search box (3). E.g. Russ to find Russulales.
  • Last step
    Click on the search icon (4), to display matching records.

Tips : to display once again all entries, click on the double arrows icon (5), or click in the Definitions menu, the item Display all definitions.

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Next definition
Displays the word (or expression) located after the one displayed in alphabetical order.
keyboard shortcut: [Control]+[B]

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Previous definition
Displays the word (or expression) preceding the one displayed in alphabetical order.
keyboard shortcut: [Control]+[A]

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First definition
Displays the first word (or expression) defined in alphabetical order. In practice, this is the About page of the dictionary.
keyboard shortcut: [Control]+[F]

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Last definition
Displays the last word (or expression) defined in alphabetical order.
keyboard shortcut: [Control]+[L]


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THE TOOLS MENU

 Preferences



From this dialog box, you can configure all the options available.
Note that it is advisable to check the option Automatic Backups. Do not forget to make copies on external media (USB key, external hard drive ...) from the software (menu Dictionaries / Save this dictionary as...) or from the file explorer of your operating system.

Audio player
Because MonDico uses internally its audio player under Windows or MacOS, this option is available on Linux only. Enter the path to the audio player that MonDico will use to read any sound file associated with a definition.
On a Linux system, MonDico try to configure in order mplayer, vlc and mpg123. These programs will be launched in console mode.


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 Character table

Under Windows and Linux, This option allows you to open the character table to copy/paste a special character in a definiton.
Under Mac OS X, you can display this table from Finder / Edit / Special Characters.


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Editor

This entry is visible when a dictionary has restrictions access. In this case, you must be the author of this dictionary to edit options. Just type your password for having all the privileges within it. Then you can do everything: add/edit/delete a definition...

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Dictionary title and options

When the type of license of the dictionary is not open source, only the author can modify the content and the options. So if you are the author, you have to enter a password to be able to edit its properties (name, description, options...). If this dictionary is open, you can directly edit any information about it.


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Optimize this dictionary

When a definition is removed from a dictionary, it is not really deleted. This is why it is advisable to regularly optimize your dictionary, especially when you delete many records. In this way, the definitions marked as deleted are actually removed. You get a smaller file size and faster access to definitions. It is very effective especially if your dico contains many images and / or sounds.

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 Backup

If you set it up, from the Tools menu / Preferences, MonDico makes automatic backup copies of the dictionary. You can also force the program to backup by clicking on this menu entry.
By default, if your user account is called foo, you can find these backup copies:
• Windows: c:\Documents and Settings\foo\Local Settings\Application Data\mondico2\backup (c: or any other drive letter where users accounts are).
• Linux: /home/foo/.config/mondico2/backup (.config is a hidden directory).
You can change the default backup directory from the Tools menu / Preferences.
The name of the backup file contains the date and time in the format yyyy-mm-dd_hh_mm_ss. It consists of three files. Just open one that has the extension .dbf to access all these files.
Example:
dictionary_of_the_fungi_2011-09-13_18_31_30.dbf
dictionary_of_the_fungi_2011-09-13_18_31_30.dbt
dictionary_of_the_fungi_2011-09-13_18_31_30.mdx


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 Restore from backup

If a dictionary file is corrupted (in the case of a hard drive problem for example...), click here to recover a backup copy (if you have done it of course). To make an automatic backup, check it from the Tools menu / Preferences. You can also make backups regularly by clicking on the floppy disk icon.
All those backups have the same name as the dictionary of origin to which is added to the end of the name, date and time of recording.
Once recovered, the dictionary is restored to the default directory of dictionaries.
Imagine that on a Windows system, you restore c:\Documents and Settings\foo\Local Settings\Application Data\mondico2\backup\dictionary_of_names_2011-12-21_10_14_37.dbf (this backup was saved on 2011/12/21 at 10h14min37s). This copy becomes the latest current version of the dictionary. It is registered in the directory of dictionaries by default. -> c:\Documents and Settings\foo\Local Settings\Application Data\mondico2 and it was renamed dictionary_of_names.dbf.

Tips: nothing prevents you from getting a copy made by the menu Dictionaries / Save this dictionary as...


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THE HELP MENU

Summary
Displays help that you are currently viewing in this browser.
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MonDico website
Open your browser and displays the home page of the site www.mondico.fr
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Download free dictionaries
Open your browser and display the download page of available dictionaries compatible with MonDico Reader and MonDico 2.
If you want to distribute a dictionary and want to submit it on our site mondico.fr, please contact us.

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Order online
Open your browser and display the order form for Mon Dico 2 .
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Order by post
Open a dialog box for printing an order form for Mon Dico 2 by postal mail. Fill out all required fields, then print the form and send it to us (our address is mentioned on it).
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About Mon Dico 2
Display all information about the version you currently use. If it is the full version, your name is also displayed.

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© 2006-2013 Wilfrid Pochat | Mon Dico is a registered trademark at I.N.P.I. (France)
NUMEYOGA - 57 rue de la Pérollière - 74960 Cran Gevrier FRANCE - tel. +33(0)634968031