Lingoes

Pros

• This program offers a good standard dictionary for everyday use
• There are additional resources available through this app, such as various converters
• One-click word lookup makes defining words while browsing incredibly simple

Cons

• This program is very similar to competing programs
• The actual translator is not up to par of other translation software
• There are frequent and noticeable failures in the definition function

Lingoes is a useful two-in-one application that combines an searchable dictionary and an instant translator.

In today's ever expanding global view, the chances of encountering a language you do not speak fluently are incredibly high. When this happens, tensions and stress can run high, especially if the difference in language causes a delay in completing a task. Luckily, if you are behind a computer, seeing a foreign language is no cause for alarm thanks to the creation of dictionary and translator programs that are readily available. Lingoes is one such program and offers users language support in 60 languages.

Overall, Lingoes is a very interesting program, in particular for those who have never used a dictionary-translator program in the past. Besides offering a dictionary and a translator service, Lingoes also comes with a whole slew of additional look-up resources. For example, Lingoes offers a periodic table of elements, charts for both irregular verbs and common abbreviations, a dialing codes directory, an international time zone converter, a weights and measures converter andd, if that were not enough, a currency converter. These additional tools alone make Lingoes a handy piece of software to keep on hand. Recent changes to the program have increased its usability and usefulness. There is not support for more fluent cursor-directed translation in Internet Explorer 9 and Firefox 3. Mini windows are now employed to make using the program easier. The zoned word translation feature can instantly translate between languages. The built-in pronunciation feature has been improved and now sounds just like a native English speaker. A plugin for Adobe Acrobat Pro is not included with the download.

Despite all of its useful secondary features and its increased functionality through recent updates, Lingoes continues to have some serious issues that keep it from being an excellent dictionary and translation software. In Lingoes, when the user presses the "CTRL" key and then right clicks on any word on the screen, the program should theoretically present the user with a pop-up window that displays the definition and a pronunciation sample. Unfortunately, this feature fails to employ frequently, even if the word that was selected is one that is in the Lingoes database. Due to this very glaring issue, much of the usability and usefulness of Lingoes is immediately drawn into question. Another big issue with Lingoes is that it relies heavily on Google for its translation function, which can mean a weak and inaccurate translation or even a translation not being available at all. When Lingoes is analyzed as a whole, it becomes clear that while some of its secondary features are very useful, Lingoes itself is perhaps not the best dictionary look-up and translation program for those who need to look up words on the fly.

Pros

• This program offers a good standard dictionary for everyday use
• There are additional resources available through this app, such as various converters
• One-click word lookup makes defining words while browsing incredibly simple

Cons

• This program is very similar to competing programs
• The actual translator is not up to par of other translation software
• There are frequent and noticeable failures in the definition function