Valhalla Island

Dictionary represents everything good about using a Macintosh computer. Focused purpose, a user interface striped back to the bare minimum, fast search and functionality so well implemented that it’s completely invisible and as easy as possible to use. Not a day goes by when I don’t use Dictionary, if I’m writing a post it’s used constantly.

Compare the results for “diction” in Dictionary to the jumble of varied formatting, advertising and UI noise on the reference.com result page. There’s no doubt extra (albeit rarely required) functionality but I’m not arguing Reference.com isn’t good, it is, Dictionary is just better.

I see Dictionary as an extensive, well-typographically-designed print dictionary and thesaurus, a quality reference on its own. All the application does is add useful functionality that’s afforded by the digital platform. Functionality like search and hyperlinking that makes computers better reference tools than books.

The way the functionality works is what makes Dictionary a joy to use. Search is instant, in a similar way results are displayed performing an iTunes search, after each character typed the result list is refined. If you type the complete word and it’s the only result you are taken directly to that word’s definition. There’s no need to click on or execute the only option, you’re just taken there. This kind of behaviour should be standard in nearly all search situations. There’s exceptions, like iTunes, where I wouldn’t want the song automatically played if results were reduced to a single record. In the Dictionary or any reference context it works really well.

Every word in the content area is a link to that word’s definition. It creates pathway functionality and you can find yourself getting caught following a long path of definitions. When I say every word I mean every word, when no entries are found the individual words “No” “Entries” and “Found” are links to their definitions.

There’s nothing to distinguish these links by looking at a definition, there’s no need when every word is a link. Subtle type variation is used to distinguish differences in context. Size, italics, weight and uppercase are used rather than a mess of colour or noisy titles like “Word”, “Type” and “Example” to distinguish sections. It’s all black set on white in a serif face, it couldn’t be any easier to read or follow.

The filter bar is a huge improvement over the Tiger issue of Dictionary where the only view was the current “All” filter bar option sans the Apple and Wikipedia options (which are also both new in 10.5). The Apple filter is a dictionary for Apple terms you wouldn’t find in a normal dictionary, words like “MacBook” and “AirTunes”. It’s something I’ve never used before but I’m sure would come in handy for switchers. I don’t use the Wikipedia option often but the content is parsed into a more readable, appealing presentation. The Wikipedia results also hold the same search and every-clickable-word functionality as the other Dictionary contexts.

Integration runs throughout the operating system. In nearly every application right clicking a word provides the option to “Look up in Dictionary”. With Leopard spotlight now includes Dictionary searches. Spotlight is now so fast it’s the primary method I use to access and search Dictionary. Command space, type the word, press enter and the definition’s displayed.

On top of everything else it’s got one of my very favourite application icons.

It’s the beautiful attention to detail and completeness of applications like Dictionary that are included and integrated with the system that make me really love using a Macintosh computer.