PC Dictionary that does not require installation

[Nadash]

I'm looking for a free Chinese-English digital dictionary that I can use in my workplace. For security issues, I can't install programs there. Anyone can recommend a dictionary, perhaps in the .pdf format, that can match my above criteria? Thanks a lot!

[imron]

Try searching the forums for online chinese english dictionary.

[Nadash]

Oh yeah, forgot to mention:: my computer at work doesn't have an internet connection. So I'm looking for something like a scanned version of a chinese-english dictionary.

[imron]

CEDICT is probably closest to what you're looking for then. It's basically just a text file with each word and definition on a single line.

It seems to have split into 2 different projects, CEDICT and CC-CEDICT with the latter having slightly more entries.

[Nadash]

Ah thanks! Found a program called Pablo using it. Hope it works, shall need to test it out on Monday. Now I need to find some elementary texts. Hmm...

[imron]

I thought you couldn't install programs at your work though?

In any event, a decent text editor (i.e. not notepad) is all you really need to use CEDICT.

[Nadash]

I can run .exe programs, but I can't install stuff. Weird, but hm. As long as the application doesn't create any new files.

Is there anywhere to get the 射雕英雄传 ebook?

[renzhe]

You can try here.

Though most of that is too difficult for a beginner. For people who can read less than 1000 characters, I'd recommend comics, and heartily recommend Doraemon. Here are some TV episodes online for you to check out: Link

I don't know if there are any comics available online (here is a sampler), but they can be bought in literally in every cornershop/bookstore/newspaper stand in China.

[Nadash]

Hahaha.. I used to love Doraemon when I was a kid. Though, it was more of looking at the pictures. = Haha.. I'm not really learning Chinese from scratch. I took Chinese in school, but got a string of Cs. Don't feel proud about it, so I feel that I got to do something about it before I go to college.

Anyway, I found the link:: http://www.anqiu.jcy.gov.cn/ebook/wuxia/jinyong/she/she.html

I like steep learning curves. =D

Thanks for the help!

[renzhe]

I was basing my reply on the "elementary text" request. Challenging yourself is great, but don't be afraid to go down a notch if SheDiao proves to be too much of a challenge.

Reading 1000 pages of a comic will sometimes bring you more than reading 50 pages of a good book in the same time. Because you'll gain reading speed, get better at picking out sentence structures, and the like.

In any case, good luck. I'm reading SheDiao at the moment, and I'm enjoying it. But I couldn't read it before I went through 2500 pages of Ranma 1/2

[imron]

I can run .exe programs, but I can't install stuff. Weird

Nope, it's perfectly normal, and just means you don't have permission to modify system files. What this does mean however is that you probably can install software on the proviso that you don't install it to the "program files" directory and the software doesn't make any system level changes (copies files to the system directory, edits restricted parts of the registry etc). Most software isn't that well behaved though.

[atitarev]

When I started a new job my PC had a lot of restrictions, including not being able to install software but I was able to install NJStar Chinese Word Processor: www.njstar.com The program comes with CEDICT dictionary.