Convert Babylon BLG to Stardict IFO dictionaries

If you use the excellent ColorDict for Android, which is capable of modal windows (unlike, say GoldenDict, which in turn can read many dictionary formats), then you may be in need for more dictionaries than Google allows.

Here's how to quickly convert Babylon BLG dictionary files to the Stardict, aka IFO, aka ColorDict format in Windows.

• Download a BLG dictionary file itself, from the Babylon site, or e.g. from a torrent here. (We will use Spanish-English Dictionary (Granada University, Spain), 13.5 dictionary file below, saved to C:\Temp\Babylon stardict files\)
• Download and install Python 2.* to C:\Program Files\Python27\ (Important: Python 3.* is not compatible with the script, as of yet)
• Download PyGlossary 2011 from the PyGlossary site to e.g. C:\Temp\Babylon stardict files\pyglossary-2011.06.16\. (Important: the older versions seem not do not produce Stardict compatible files)
• Here's the trick. Do not run its otherwise nice GUI. Run a DOS command instead:
  

  "C:\Program Files\Python27\python.exe" "C:\Temp\Babylon stardict files\pyglossary-2011.06.16\src\pyglossary.pyw" "C:\Temp\Babylon stardict files\A Spanish-English Dictionary (Granada University, Spain).BGL" "C:\Temp\Babylon stardict files\A Spanish-English Dictionary (Granada University, Spain).ifo"

•  You should see:
  

  Reading file "C:\Temp\Babylon stardict files\A Spanish-English Dictionary (Granada University, Spain).BGL"
  numEntries = 80289
  defaultCharset = cp1252
  sourceCharset = cp1252
  targetCharset = cp1252
  defaultEncoding = cp1252
  sourceEncoding = cp1252
  targetEncoding = cp1252
  sourceLang = Spanish
  targetLang = English
  creationTime = 2006/12/12, 09:22
  middleUpdated = 2010/02/23, 07:54
  lastUpdated = 2010/02/23, 07:54
  title = A Spanish-English Dictionary (Granada University, Spain), 10.2
  author = Tony
  email = alozano@ugr.es
  copyright =
  description = This is a compilation of terminology in the social sciences that students and professionals generally encounter when reading professional literature with a particular emphasis on information organisation and retrieval. Last update February 2010. (http://eubd1.ugr.es)
  Loading: |Ôľł                                               /  2.5% ETA: 00:00:3
  Loading: |ÔľłÔľł                                              -  5.0% ETA: 00:02
  Loading: |ÔľłÔľłÔľł                                             \  7.5% ETA: 00:
  Loading: |ÔľłÔľłÔľłÔľł                                            | 10.0% ETA: 0
  Loading: |ÔľłÔľłÔľłÔľłÔľł                                           / 12.5% ETA:
  Loading: |ÔľłÔľłÔľłÔľłÔľłÔľłÔľł                                         - 14.9%

   etc.
  
  
  • Be patient! The script seems to get stuck on:

  Writing to file "c:\temp\A Spanish-English Dictionary (Granada University, Spain).ifo"
  filename=c:\temp\A Spanish-English Dictionary (Granada University, Spain).ifo

  but after about a dozen of minutes it terminates with:
  

  Done

  and returns to the command prompt.
  You should get:
  Copy these to the \sdcard\dictdata directory on your Android and run ColorDict.

Android hardware keyboard shortcuts

Most of modern (post 2010) Android devices can be connected to external controllers via their BT or USB ports (the Host Mode aka On The Go USB). In simple language, you can connnect a regular external keyboard or mouse to your Android phone via USB or Bluetooth.             

Now, the shortcuts and methods that you may be used to in Windows or Unix do not work the usual way in Android. There is no Delete. The function keys (F12 and such) do not work out of the box.

In my case, the run-of-the-mill Medion Bluetooth keyboard cum mouse (15 euro) set serves their purpose. One can press Alt-Tab to switch between the applications. The extra keys: Sleep, Volume Up, Home, Mail, at the top of the keyboard, work too, to an extent.

Amazingly enough, the Windows key is mapped to the Android Search key, and some combinations are supported by the stock ROM: Win+B runs the Browser, Win+E the Email client; see the full list here.

If you want to extend or remap the keyboard layout, you can use a keyboard remapper or special keyboard drivers. However, there is a more elegant way to add functionality to the Win+Key combinations: the in-built Quick Launch.

In the earlier Android versions, pre ICS, this tool was available in Settings, 

but in the ICS+ varieties this option is gone.

To access it, install Quick Launch from Google Play, which shows this hidden Settings page.

Earned Value Management (EVM) Revisited on YouTube

I must confess, I have never liked the concept of the Earned Value as such. How can you realistically estimate the Planned Value, that is the amount of work (not only costs or time), to which you compare the actual performance? Is it not blue sky thinking? I prefer to estimate the Earned Schedule, Costs, Quality (!) plus the human factor instead.

Here I found a nice, albeit long, YouTube video explaining the idea behind the EVM concept, as expounded by the PMI.

Here's is the key slide:

EVM as explained by Simon Hoare

You may also find this explanation useful.