Digital Pali Dictionary (DPD) & Chromebooks

Q & A
1

Hi,
I did my pre post, due diligence searches. If I missed something, it’s not because I’m being presumptuous. I’m only human.

So, I got as far as this page after choosing the Linux option: Releases · digitalpalidictionary/dpd-db · GitHub

Under “Assets” I chose the first on the list and downloaded it to my Chromebook. Whenever I clicked on the folder and it opened a list of sub folders. So I opened sub folder at the top of the list. More sub folders. A time or two more of this, I got to the last sub folder, clicked on it, and it said it couldn’t read the file, or something like that.

Andy ideas what I’m doing wrong?

Thank you.
landis

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2

You will need to install software to open the dictionary files you have downloaded. I believe you need to treat this as an Android device rather than Linux. Perhaps Ven. @Khemarato.bhikkhu can help.

The dictionary files are one thing and the software to read the dictionary files are another. It sounds like you were trying to read the dictionary files directly.

3

No. I was following the instructions to install it from https://digitalpalidictionary.github.io/

4

Just to recap what I understood you did:

  • I take it you downloaded the file dpd-goldendict.zip to your Linux device.
  • You created a “GoldenDict” folder and unzipped the zip file into this folder.
  • Now you are trying to open the folders of the zip file?
  • Did you install GoldenDict, or not yet?

It would perhaps be helpful to describe in detail the steps that you have done.

5

Some Chromebooks can install Android apps:

Some support an Ubuntu/Debian-like Linux environment:

Some do not support third-party software at all. Depends on your exact model / configuration :confused:

6

As Ven Sabbamitta said, you have to tell us exactly what you did.

For example, did you follow this instruction:

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Do you have “GoldenDict, MDict or DictTango installed and setup on your machine”? If you don’t, you can’t open the dictionary file.

The DPD is not an app, it’s a dictionary file. Just like a .docx file is a wordprocesser file that needs something like MS Word to open.

7

Hi @Khemarato.bhikkhu, @Snowbird, @sabbamitta

The following is EXACTLY what I did.

I started by making sure my Chromebook was update/had the latest version of Chrome OS

Then I went here: https://digitalpalidictionary.github.io/

I chose: “Install on Linux” (left side bar scroll down menu)

That took me here: Install on Linux - Digital Pāḷi Dictionary
Which contained these instructions:

  1. download the latest version of DPD here
    (NEVER GOT TO THE NEXT STEP)
  2. install version 1.5 of GoldenDict
  3. in settings, direct GoldenDict to the DPD folder.

From the hyperlink in step 1, above:
-I clicked on the hyperlink in 1, “here”
-That took me here: Releases · digitalpalidictionary/digitalpalidictionary · GitHub

-It said, “DPD releases have moved” to: Releases · digitalpalidictionary/dpd-db · GitHub. I clicked on the link.

-It took me here: Releases · digitalpalidictionary/dpd-db · GitHub
-I scrolled down to the “Assets” list and chose: dpd-goldendict.zip
-My Chromebook Files window opened. I clicked on “Save,”
-In a few seconds a pop up book in the right hand corner said “download complete”
-I found the file in “My Files” > Downloads
-I clicked in “Open”

Four sub folders appeared; the place where I’d clicked on “Open” changed to “Read-only”

-I opened the first folder, “dpd-variants”; six sub folders appeared.

I opened the top one, “res”. One sub folder appeared, “variants.css”
-A message appeared that said, “This file type is not supported.”

Again, I never got Step 2, above.

@Khemarato.bhikkhu: Except for Google Chrome, I don’t use apps on my Chromebook. They are horrible. I do everything in Chrome.

I will look over the Linux link.

Thank you,
~l

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8

@landis Does your Chromebook allow Linux Terminal codes to use?

9

Hi @Khemarato.bhikkhu

I followed the Linux instructions and when I got to the “Linux development environment” it said, “10.0 GB of space is recommended for Linux. To increase free space, delete files from your device.”

I need every file I have, and weekly delete excess.

So I looked for Android in the Play Store. No option came up. So I used the list from the link you provided. My Chromebook does not support Android.

Thank you,
~l

10

Hi @Dogen,
IDK? How do I find out?
Ty,
~l

1 Like
11

Yeah, without step 2 you haven’t installed the software needed to use the dictionary.

Going in and directly trying to open the dictionary files won’t get you anything. You must complete step 2 and install something like GoldenDict. Otherwise it’s like trying to pull on a cow’s horn to get milk

If you can’t use the linux instructions then you need to try the Android instructions.

If you don’t have enough space to install one of the recommended Android apps then you could use the online version (assuming you have an internet connection).

Sorry you are having trouble getting this setup. Your detailed steps were helpful to see what is going on.

12

Just saw this… I know it wasn’t for me, but if you don’t install an app it’s not going to work. You can’t use those DPD files without an app of some sort. This is what we are trying to explain.

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13

Hi @Snowbird,
But I can’t do step 2 till I complete step 1, and I can’t complete step 1.
Yw for the deets,
~l

14

But step one is simply downloading the zip file. What else do you think you need to do to complete step 1?

15

Hi @Snowbird,
Just discovered, using the link @Khemarato.bhikkhu provided, my Chromebook doesn’t support Android.

BTW, Chrome Browsere is an app.
Ty,
~l

16

Look at the deets I provided. It downloaded. After that, the only thing I COULD do was click on the DOWNLOADED files…

17

@landis This could be of some help:

After you can use the Terminal, the installation should be fairly trivial.

Yes, this is where the Terminal comes into play.

Though

I’m not sure if this applies to all Linux development files, so you might not be able to use Terminal. In which case, barring Linux and Android both, it would seem your machine doesn’t support the installation of DPD (unless of course somehow you can manage to get 10gbs free). :confused:

18

I know about the online version. I want my set up to be like John Kelly’s. He just right click on the text and it pops up.

19

I guess the instructions weren’t clear. The only thing to do with the zip file you downloaded was unzip it. Step 3 is where you do something with the files.

Did you try to install DictTango from the Google Play store? See Install on Android - Digital Pāḷi Dictionary

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Of course. But it’s an app that opens html files, not dictionary files.

Is he working on a Chrome Book?

20

Yeah, no terminal appeared. I would have mentioned that in my exact deets. And the only Linux option in my settings takes me the storage warning. So I guess I’m stuck with the online version?

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