This is a review of the CD version of the SOED, Version 3.0, and in no way applies to the printed, 2 volume edition. It is also based on "initial reactions", with no experience with any other computer dictionary. I will update the review as I come to use if day to day.
Update on 8 July: The program stopped working on my Windows 7 Professional computer. I did several uninstalls and re-installs, but I could not get it to work. I since installed it on a Windows Vista Home Premium machine, and so far, it works in exactly the same way as it did originally on Windows 7. This MAY be due to an upgrade to Windows 7. Check with publisher on Windows 7 compatibility before purchasing! Remainder of review is my original impression of functionality.
By far the best feature, unique to a computer version, is the pronouncing voice, which varies from male to female, from word to word. Very nice. This is far better than the cryptic pronouncing text which uses symbols, 2/3 of which I do not understand.
Second best feature is that the dictionary appears to contain a fair number of recently invented words (recent being relative. Since I work primarily on biblical scholarship, most of the words I use are 100 to 2000 years old) such as "Hobbit". It also contains compound expressions such as "Darwin's finches".
Overall, the definitions are satisfying, without a large number of examples that you find in the Merriam Webster 3rd Unabridged.
But I get the sense that the user interface was designed maybe 10 years ago, and has not been updated since Windows 2000. There are a lot of things one would expect it to do, which it cannot. You cannot easily click on any word in a definition and have that word appear in the search text. I also found that the dictionary seemed just a bit less useful at locating spelling suggestions when you know approximately what you want, but just can't seem to get it right. That was my experience when I tried to find the spelling of etymology (after taking a detour to entomology.) The dictionary's inclusion of proper names seemed inconsistant. It had "Riga", the capital of Latvia, but it did not have "Moscow".
True to its word, you do not need the CD in your drive after the first usage. Installation was a bit slower than expected on a new machine with Windows 7, but it was smooth enough, with no annoying registration rigmarole (Yes, that word was in the dictionary, although the Word spell checker was more useful in finding the correct spelling than was the dictionary.)
One odd phenomenon, in Windows 7, is that by doing something in the dictionary, it changed the characteristics of the cursor outside the dictionary, and I have not yet been able to restore the cursor to its normal behavior. Another symptom that while this SOED works in new Windows, it may be slightly retarded.
ISBN-13: 978-0192683021
ISBN-10: 0192683020
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Note: I've noticed that this review is appearing on the pages of other Shorter Oxford products, such as the CD ROM version. This review exclusively refers to the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary: Deluxe Sixth Edition. This is the leatherbound, two-volume set.---So much has been written about the scholarship of the Shorter OED that I elect not to debate it here. Nonetheless, you might be interested in the physicality of what you're buying.In a word, both the quality and the aesthetic presentation of this Deluxe Edition are extraordinary. The binding construction is first-rate, and as close to old-world craftsmanship as one might reasonably expect. (If you're familiar with Easton Press leatherbound editions; these volumes are on par. However, the OED editions lack the hubbed spines and moire fabric endsheets that are customary with Easton Press.)The paper seems to be inimitably thin - almost akin to a rice paper of some sort. You may be familiar with the razor-thin paper used in the Norton Anthology of English Literature; this is empirically similar. The pages are a bright white, and the typeface contrast is bold and clear. Unlike the Compact OED, most people can read this without a magnifying glass.For what it's worth, these volumes are printed in Italy. They are heirloom editions that may very well last a lifetime or longer. However, they are almost too nice to use as rigorously as you might be initially inclined to do. (I find myself treating my set with kid gloves. There's a strange irony here.)The Oxford blue leather bindings are tastefully stunning. Although delicate, the gold-gilded edging keeps moisture and dust away from the pages. The satin ribbon page markers are a nice touch. The slipcase is cardboard, and although sufficient for its purpose, it is less than luxurious. But overall, as a gift for a loved one or for yourself; this ensemble will not disappoint. Assuredly, you will not find a nicer dictionary from any publisher at any price. (It also helps that this happens to be the OED, albeit the Shorter.)Finally; this purchase includes a 12-month subscription to the OED Online. (Oxford sells personal subscriptions for $295.00/year.) Some libraries furnish online access for free, but for those of us who aren't so fortunate, this is a sweet perquisite.
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Note: I've noticed that this review is appearing on the pages of other Shorter Oxford products, such as the CD ROM version. This review exclusively refers to the [[ASIN:019923325X Shorter Oxford English Dictionary: Deluxe Sixth Edition]]. This is the leatherbound, two-volume set.
---
So much has been written about the scholarship of the Shorter OED that I elect not to debate it here. Nonetheless, you might be interested in the physicality of what you're buying.
In a word, both the quality and the aesthetic presentation of this Deluxe Edition are extraordinary. The binding construction is first-rate, and as close to old-world craftsmanship as one might reasonably expect. (If you're familiar with Easton Press leatherbound editions; these volumes are on par. However, the OED editions lack the hubbed spines and moire fabric endsheets that are customary with Easton Press.)
The paper seems to be inimitably thin - almost akin to a rice paper of some sort. You may be familiar with the razor-thin paper used in the Norton Anthology of English Literature; this is empirically similar. The pages are a bright white, and the typeface contrast is bold and clear. Unlike the Compact OED, most people can read this without a magnifying glass.
For what it's worth, these volumes are printed in Italy. They are heirloom editions that may very well last a lifetime or longer. However, they are almost too nice to use as rigorously as you might be initially inclined to do. (I find myself treating my set with kid gloves. There's a strange irony here.)
The Oxford blue leather bindings are tastefully stunning. Although delicate, the gold-gilded edging keeps moisture and dust away from the pages. The satin ribbon page markers are a nice touch. The slipcase is cardboard, and although sufficient for its purpose, it is less than luxurious. But overall, as a gift for a loved one or for yourself; this ensemble will not disappoint. Assuredly, you will not find a nicer dictionary from any publisher at any price. (It also helps that this happens to be the OED, albeit the Shorter.)
Finally; this purchase includes a 12-month subscription to the OED Online. (Oxford sells personal subscriptions for $295.00/year.) Some libraries furnish online access for free, but for those of us who aren't so fortunate, this is a sweet perquisite.
---
So much has been written about the scholarship of the Shorter OED that I elect not to debate it here. Nonetheless, you might be interested in the physicality of what you're buying.
In a word, both the quality and the aesthetic presentation of this Deluxe Edition are extraordinary. The binding construction is first-rate, and as close to old-world craftsmanship as one might reasonably expect. (If you're familiar with Easton Press leatherbound editions; these volumes are on par. However, the OED editions lack the hubbed spines and moire fabric endsheets that are customary with Easton Press.)
The paper seems to be inimitably thin - almost akin to a rice paper of some sort. You may be familiar with the razor-thin paper used in the Norton Anthology of English Literature; this is empirically similar. The pages are a bright white, and the typeface contrast is bold and clear. Unlike the Compact OED, most people can read this without a magnifying glass.
For what it's worth, these volumes are printed in Italy. They are heirloom editions that may very well last a lifetime or longer. However, they are almost too nice to use as rigorously as you might be initially inclined to do. (I find myself treating my set with kid gloves. There's a strange irony here.)
The Oxford blue leather bindings are tastefully stunning. Although delicate, the gold-gilded edging keeps moisture and dust away from the pages. The satin ribbon page markers are a nice touch. The slipcase is cardboard, and although sufficient for its purpose, it is less than luxurious. But overall, as a gift for a loved one or for yourself; this ensemble will not disappoint. Assuredly, you will not find a nicer dictionary from any publisher at any price. (It also helps that this happens to be the OED, albeit the Shorter.)
Finally; this purchase includes a 12-month subscription to the OED Online. (Oxford sells personal subscriptions for $295.00/year.) Some libraries furnish online access for free, but for those of us who aren't so fortunate, this is a sweet perquisite.
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