Comparison of 4 CD dictionaries, 2008 version

The 9 illustrated dictionaries from Micro Application have an “all black” look to mix nicely with Windows Vista. In total, there are more then 35000 entries which are accessible through 500 000 words and expressions.

The definition dictionary, homonyms, anonyms, synonyms, conjugation, citations, French-English/English-French translations sees the dictionary offering everything! In a similar image to a modern web browser, you will find a unique window at the centre, with tabs that send you to each MEDIA DICO.

The CD-ROM, which is very elementary, easily accounts for your needs with quick searching of a word displaying the results in no time.

This 9 in one isn’t necessarily addressed just at home users, but also at a targeted public, although there are some nice features that are missing like the phonetic transcription.

Using the program is very simple, as here there are no extras like advanced search. You simply need to input a keyword into the search field and then intuitively navigate from one dictionary to another. The definitions are concise and two or three explicit lines will generally meet your needs.

Like with the competition, hypertext navigation allows you to move from one word to another. You can also move backwards and forwards with the navigation arrows, although there is no history you can reference. It is also disappointing that copying and pasting a definition is impossible.

Concerning the quality of the dictionary definitions, we have already signaled that you will only find the bare minimum, but this is all that is needed! The synonym dictionary is very effective and detailed making it impossible to not be able to find an equivalent word (ex: plane = airplane, transporter, etc).

The most common conjugations are also here, but you shouldn’t be relying on them too much. There were words encountered here that apparently couldn’t be conjugated… but fortunately for us the Larousse and Roberts fixed this problem!

To take advantage of the 7000 citations, there are two possibilities: enter the name of an author or an occasion. These are relatively complete and include classic writers as well (Molière, Shakespeare), political figures (Pompidou, Mitterrand), contemporary writers (Sagan, Lucacn, Deleuze) and famous actors like… Gina Lollobrigida.

The styles dictionary also enriches your use as it allows you to search by expression, declinations and words in a variety of contexts.

Finally there is the French-English dictionary which is quite up to date, meaning you no longer have to use the Google language tools.