Non-Standard Language Proofing Tools?

[JLG]

I just 'upgraded' from a Windows computer to the Mac, and have
installed Office 2004. I do a lot of writing in languages like
Russian, Chinese and Hungarian, and could really benefit from proofing
tools in these languages, but it seems that, unlike the Windows
version, the Mac version of Office does not include them, nor can I
find a link to where to get them on Microsoft's website. Anyone know
where I can turn for help? Thanks (and ???????, ??, and köszönöm)!

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

I just 'upgraded' from a Windows computer to the Mac, and have
installed Office 2004. I do a lot of writing in languages like
Russian, Chinese and Hungarian, and could really benefit from proofing
tools in these languages, but it seems that, unlike the Windows
version, the Mac version of Office does not include them, nor can I
find a link to where to get them on Microsoft's website. Anyone know
where I can turn for help? Thanks (and ???????, ??, and köszönöm)!

To the best of m knowledge, there are no additional proofing tools for the
Mac version of Office. MS doesn't offer any other than the ones on the CD and
no third party developer provided such tools. You can still probably use
spell/grammar checkers that either integrate in Office or at least perform
their tasks on text files or on the clipboard, but I agree... it's not the
same :-\

Corentin

 

[Fredrik Wahlgren]

To the best of m knowledge, there are no additional proofing tools for the
Mac version of Office. MS doesn't offer any other than the ones on the CD and
no third party developer provided such tools. You can still probably use
spell/grammar checkers that either integrate in Office or at least perform
their tasks on text files or on the clipboard, but I agree... it's not the
same :-\

Corentin


--
--- Mac:MS MVP (Francophone) ---
http://www.mvps.org/
MVPs are not MS employees... / Les MVP ne travaillent pas pour MS...
Retirez NoSpam de mon adresse pour m'écrire / Remove NoSpam to e-mail me

Take a look at the redlers word processor, http://www.redlers.com/ It may
have the proofing tools ypu need. It costs about $40 and works with ms word
files.

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

Take a look at the redlers word processor, http://www.redlers.com/ It may
have the proofing tools ypu need. It costs about $40 and works with ms word
files.

As far as I understand it from the documentation, Mellel simply uses the
MacOS X Spell checker. The number of languages through this spell checker is
limited but it can be expanded through third party sharewares or commecial
products. For someone who already has Office adn simply want additional
proofing tools though, I don't quite get the point. You could as well use
TextEdit and not have to pay for the additional cost of getting a license for
Mellel.
Anyway, if spelling is the only concern, you can also use Excalibur (and it's
free.....) to provide you with additional languages.
For some languages, you can also invest in a much more powerful solution like
Spell Catcher (which integrates pretty well in Word - or any other
application).
Unfortunately, as far as I could see, none of these application offered
support for Russian, Chinese or Hungarian.


I've heard that UniSpell works for Russian (through Classic) but that's about
it :-\

There was an option for Office X (ruSPELL) but I heard it wasn't ready for
Office 2004 (I haven't tested it):
http://www.apple.ru/ruspell/
try also:
http://www.machome.ru/ruspell.php

Corentin

 

[John Lockwood]

I just 'upgraded' from a Windows computer to the Mac, and have
installed Office 2004. I do a lot of writing in languages like
Russian, Chinese and Hungarian, and could really benefit from proofing
tools in these languages, but it seems that, unlike the Windows
version, the Mac version of Office does not include them, nor can I
find a link to where to get them on Microsoft's website. Anyone know
where I can turn for help? Thanks (and ???????, ??, and köszönöm)!

Yep your right Microsoft does not provide these for Office 2004.

I recently had the same request from a user and came up with the following
solution.

1. Install cocoASpell see http://cocoaspell.leuski.net/
2. Install additional language dictionaries as required (e.g. Russian)

Unfortunately Microsoft Office 2004 does not support the Services menu
(probably because it is still written as a carbon application even though it
will not run under Mac OS 9). This is yet another example of Microsoft's
poor software quality (the awful reliability of Word, Excel and Powerpoint
being the prime example).

Microsoft are good at adding new features (some of which are admittedly
useful and even possibly pioneering) but the quality sucks (unless you are a
Russian and share Joseph Stalin's belief that 'Quantity has a quality all of
it's own').

Therefore an additional step is needed

3. Open the Word file in Text Edit (remember Text Edit under Mac OS X 10.3.x
can directly open Word files), or copy and paste in to Text Edit. You can
then spell check it in Russian (I have done this successfully myself).

The total cost of the above solution is $0.00

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

1. Install cocoASpell see http://cocoaspell.leuski.net/
2. Install additional language dictionaries as required (e.g. Russian)

Amazing... I went to their site this morning and was about to happilly
report back that they supported Russian when I saw your post )
CocoAspell is a VERY good solution.

3. Open the Word file in Text Edit (remember Text Edit under Mac OS X 10.3.x
can directly open Word files), or copy and paste in to Text Edit. You can
then spell check it in Russian (I have done this successfully myself).

Yep, that's a GREAT solution ) (as far as I am concerned anyway ;-))
).


Corentin

 

[JLG]

This is fantastic! Thanks very much for your help!!