Outlier Linguistic Solutions

[OneEye]

Does "right away" mean release it right away, or that it will allow you to start right away once released? If it means the latter, what's the timeframe for this?

 

It's the latter, and the timeframe is 3 months, as Mike pointed out. We'll be putting something on our website that will allow you to see where we are in the process.

[OneEye]

One thing that wasn't mentioned (I think, sorry if I missed it) was what will will happen with book/learners manual that you planned to do with Olle Linge and John Pasden. Is that postponed indefinitely or is there a time plan for that as well? I understand (and agree) if you plan to fully focus on the dictionary itself for the time being.

 

We haven't worked out the specifics yet, but the workbook is on the back burner for the time being.

[Danloo]

Turning the PDF posters into usable paper Flashcards!

When I received my pdf posters, I was a bit disappointed by their lack usability (without  printing them into huge posters at a hefty cost)... I tried printing them in several A4, but with a crappy result.

 

Because the pdf were not protected (at the time of writing), I managed to copy/paste the content into individual images that I printed on big business cards... the result is an awesome set of flashcards in a nice transparent box for just a few extra $!

 

 

DIY instructions:
- open the pdf preferably on a powerful computer with a big screen, and zoom-in to achieve the desired level of detail (800% for me was perfect)
- take a snapshot (photo icon in Acrobat) of stripes of the document and paste them in an image editor. The level of zooming in is important because the image will have a better resolution

- create a selection of the desired frame and copy paste it in a new image and save it. simply moving the selection frame allow you to keep the same image size and achieve consistency. I recommend Irfanview if you don't already have an image viewer/editor.

- repeat a 100 times (it took me less than 30minutes to do everything, so it's not that big deal ;)

- batch print the images on big sized business cards (128cm*89cm), usually sold by 100, how lucky! If they have a nice crystal box, the better, it is perfect for storing them.

 

Et voilà

 

In my opinion, this is the best format for the very nice material Outlier provided, and a good way to start learning while waiting for the dictionary release!

 

PS: due to copyright and normal laziness issues, I will not send the images to anyone. Furthermore the energy and love you put in the DIY process will positively charge those cards and help you in the learning process

[陳德聰]

^ oh my goodness, Outlier should get on that.

[Danloo]

I suggested it to John a month ago, but he told me he couldn't divert resources from the dictionary... so I decided to do it myself, and it was much easier than what I expected.

 

Knowing now their situation at that time I understand they were quite under pressure... but definitely having a pdf that allows you to print flashcards shouldn't be a big deal, and is much more practical to print than a poster. I can send them back the images I created, if that can help speed the process.

 

In the meantime, know that you can still do it yourself, and put a lot of love and pride in the final product!

[OneEye]

I love this idea and think the flash cards look fantastic. I'm going to look into offering this as a product of some sort (either printed or in PDF form), though it may be a while before we can do it since our priority right now is getting back on track with the dictionary.

 

If anyone else would like to see something like this, please let me know.

[lechuan]

@OneEye Would it be helpful financially if kickstarter backers could opt out of receiving the physical poster? I'm happy with the PDF versions, and don't really need the printed ones.

[Shelley]

I really like the flashcards and would be happy with a PDF to print on to business cards. I already use these in my business and its really easy to set up and you can even print on both sides if you take care with your registration.

 

I was lucky enough to get a PDF of the posters free and I printed it out as a large publication and stuck it together. See my review here Post#5 http://www.chinese-forums.com/index.php?/topic/50805-outlier-semantic-components-poster-review/

 

I found that there was only a very very small amount of "jiggling" to get it to match up. It probably won't be too difficult to chop it up into card size pieces.

 

I tried to do it but my image manipulation software moaned it was too big a file. I tried but was unable to follow Danloo's method.

 

So basically I am putting my hand up for some version of the cards.

 

[Danloo]

I tried to do it but my image manipulation software moaned it was too big a file.

 

If your computer is not very powerful you can try either:

- reducing the zooming. Less than 800% should still be fine.

- taking smaller snapshots stripes, like one row instead of one column

 

Of course you shouldn't try to snapshot the whole poster at X8 zooming... it's a half billion pixels! Well it's worth a try, but you shouldn't expect it to work on a normal computer.

[Shelley]

@Danloo, got it   I worked out what you meant and am now starting to cut and paste in my image software and working out a template so I can print them on to business cards that come as an A4 perforated sheet.

 

It won't be quick but its doable. When I do the first few I will share.

 

Thanks for sharing.

[OneEye]

@OneEye Would it be helpful financially if kickstarter backers could opt out of receiving the physical poster? I'm happy with the PDF versions, and don't really need the printed ones.

 

Not really, no. We need to get over 1000 posters printed, and it will all be done in one run. So the cost of printing is the same regardless of whether a few people opt out of getting the printed poster or not. If you actually don't want the printed poster, you can tell us not to send it to you. But if you're just doing it to help out financially, I'd rather send you the poster you ordered—though I do appreciate the thought!

[Hofmann]

I work for Outlier now. Each day, we grow stronger.

[mjXueHanYu]

What is the difference between semantic compounds vs functional compounds?

[OneEye]

Here's an explanation of functional components. There are four types: meaning, form, sound, and empty. "Semantic component" includes both meaning components and form components.

[mjXueHanYu]

 

Here's an explanation of functional components. There are four types: meaning, form, sound, and empty. "Semantic component" includes both meaning components and form components.

 

Thank you, I found the meaning of functional components, but had great trouble finding what a semantic component is.

[OneEye]

We've delivered the data for the Mini Edition to Pleco, and we should be able to release in the next few days. 

 

More info on our blog.

[Yadang]

That's great news! Is there still a plan in the works for an associated workbook?

[OneEye]

Yes, but the workbook is on the back burner for the moment.

[Yadang]

Excellent! I knew it wouldn't be priority even if there was a plan for it. I'm just glad that there's still a plan for it!

[OneEye]

The dictionary has been released.