local dictionary sources for gnome-dictionary

[Emmanuele Bassi <ebassi gmail com>]

Hi all.

The new release of gnome-dictionary supports multiple dictionary sources
in form of specially crafted .desktop files (AKA "key files").  Using
this kind of files is easier to add new dictionary sources to both the
application and the applet and to switch between sources.  Sources might
even have a database name specified, in order to restrict the query for
a word.

You can see an example of this kind of file here:

http://cvs.gnome.org/viewcvs/*checkout*/gnome-utils/gnome-dictionary/data/default.desktop.in

The value of the "Name" key is fixed, but the "Description" key payload
is marked for translation.

So far, the only source available is the one bound to dict.org, which is
a fine dictionary server, but it's only for English-speaking people.

Thus, I'm asking if any of you know of a dictionary server (that is, a
server complying to the RFC-2229) for a specific languages, so that I
can add it to the next gnome-utils releases.  You should try adding it
to the sources list of Dictionary:

1. Launch Applications->Accessories->Dictionary
2. Select Edit->Preferences
3. Click on Add
4. Fill the Description field with the source name
5. Select "Dictionary Server" in the transport
6. Fill the Hostname and Port fields

Optionally, if you know a specific database name, you can also add it to
the Database entry in the "advanced settings" section of the same
dialog.

Finally:

7. Search a word

If it works, send me the dictionary source definition file - or the
hostname/port and a description.  You'll find the source file inside the
$(HOME)/.gnome2/gnome-dictionary directory.

If it doesn't work, be sure to fill a bug report stating the server used
and, eventually, attaching the source definition file to the report.

Thanks for any help you'll be able to give in making the Dictionary more
useful for non-English users.

Ciao,
 Emmanuele.

-- 
Emmanuele Bassi - <ebassi gmail com>
Log: http://log.emmanuelebassi.net