----- Original Message -----
From: "Susanna" <susanna_im
...@sil.org>
To: "FLEx list" <flex-list@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, May 15, 2009 11:05 PM
Subject: [FLEx] Language Explorer 3.0 (FieldWorks 6.0)
Language Explorer 3.0 (FieldWorks 6.0)
We are currently fixing bugs in preparation for the release of
FieldWorks 6.0. Barring unforeseen circumstances, it should be
available to you in August 2009. Here is an overview of the
improvements and changes in Language Explorer (FLEx) 3.0:
* Bulk Edit Entries
Bulk Edit Senses has been merged into Bulk Edit Entries. This means
you don't have to think so much in advance about what kind of field
you are going to bulk edit. We've also added the capability to bulk
edit Examples and Allomorphs. Potential problem: if you change the
field you are bulk editing after selecting the rows to change, FLEx
won't always be able to maintain your row selections. )-:
Bulk Edit will now reload settings such as the bulk edit tab you were
in, the last field you had chosen to bulk edit, etc.
* Reversal Indexes
You can now configure the Reversal Indexes, and by default the
Reversal Index view will show more fields from the lexical entries
than before.
* Entry Type changes
The Entry Type field has been removed, and replaced by some new
fields. You can now specify that a lexical entry is BOTH a complex
form (e.g. a compound) and a variant (e.g. dialectal), and also more
than one kind of complex form or variant, e.g. both a compound and an
idiom, or a spelling and dialectal variant.
You can now add a variant of an entry within that entry, and when
interlinearizing texts.
For complex forms, you can specify which of the components you wish
the subentry to appear under in root-based dictionary view.
You can specify the complex form type in the New Entry dialog box.
* Phonological Rules
You can now add Phonological Rules in the Grammar area, specify
entries and allomorphs which are "affix process rules". An alternative
parser called "Hermit crab" uses these rules.
* Export Dictionary to Open Office
Progress has been made on publication path for your dictionary. There
is an optional plug-in which provides an option in Tools > Utilities
which exports data to publication style layouts in Open Office.
* Importing texts
Progress has been made on providing an import mechanism for texts. In
this release, texts in standard format need to be transformed into an
XML format before they can be imported.
* Tagging texts
A basic feature for tagging phrases in texts is now available. There
is no visible access to the tagging menus. After selecting the words
you wish to tag, you need to right-click to access the tagging menu.
* Custom fields
You can now add custom fields to allomorphs and examples.
* Adding media
When you add pictures or sound files, Language Explorer now makes use
of the "External Links" folder which you can designate for the
project.
* Word-forming characters
You can now specify which characters form part of words and which are
strictly punctuation, for each writing system. Warning: It will be
worth reviewing this before you work with texts as otherwise your
words may be broken up unexpectedly, e.g. what is the correct status
of hyphen and apostrophe in your vernacular? We prompt you to do this
when you first open the project in Language Explorer 3.0, and provide
a shortcut to the relevant dialog.
* Back Translation in Free
For those of you using FieldWorks BTE, there is an 'experimental
feature' in Translation Editor which allows the unification of Back
Translations in TE and Free Translations in Language Explorer
interlinear views. To turn this on, in Translation Editor, use Tools >
Options > Advanced, and select Segmented Back Translation. You can now
add word glosses in FLEx and use a new function to have them copied to
the Free Translation, where they can be reworked into a suitable Back
Translation.
-Susanna, for the FLEx team
