Why is the dictionary not very good?

Posted on October 24th, 2008 by Mike

For the past week or so I’ve been collecting feedback from CPH users. I’m going to write a dedicated post on the feedback soon, but I think one issue – the dictionary – can be addressed now.

I didn’t need any feedback to tell me that the dictionary is the weakest part of the site. It lacks many definitions and some of the definitions are a bit, well, odd. So why is that?

CPH uses a dictionary called GCIDE (The GNU Project’s publication of CIDE, the Collaborative International Dictionary of English) and it’s based on the 1913 Webster dictionary. The dictionary contains over 130,000 words. It’s in electronic format, and is in the public domain. That’s why I use it – because it’s free and I can store it in my database. I’d love for CPH to use the Oxford English Dictionary. Alas my ad revenues would only stretch to a pocket learner’s dictionary!

Anyway, I’ve been seeking out a better dictionary for CPH and I think I’ve found one. W-t-h this s-a-e!

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Introducing the Crossword Puzzle Help blog

Posted on October 24th, 2008 by Mike

Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mike, and this is my site. A few things about me: My crosswords of choice are the Guardian Quick crossword and the (infuriatingly titled) Speedy crossword in the Observer. I maintain Crossword Puzzle Help (CPH) in my spare time.

CPH was created primarily as a programming exercise for myself. I was interested in crossword solvers and how they could be programmed. (Quite simply actually). Solving anagrams was the next logical step and the site grew from that.

I’m starting this blog as a way of opening a dialog with CPH users. You can contact me by the posting replies to my blog posts or by the contact form here.

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