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Surprises

by Mike Masnick

Mon, Mar 18th 2002 11:21pm





Dictionary Goes Subscription

from the under-the-wire dept

Since today is talk about content subscription day, I might as well sneak this story in under the wire. It seems that Merriam Webster has decided to start a subscription service for their unabridged dictionary online. The collegiate dictionary will remain free online, but if you want twice as many words at your fingertips, and other funky features like the ability to find rhyming words - you're going to have to cough up $30 every year. I wonder how many people will sign up for such a service. It seems like it would be a very very small group. I would imagine that the free edition is fine for most people. Personally, I still rely (less than I should, I know) on the little red dictionary I bought many many many years ago for $0.99 (the price tag is still on it). It's about the only thing that is required at all times to be sitting on my desk. I don't think I'd give it up for $30 a year to access a website.

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  •  
    identicon
    todd, Mar 19th, 2002 @ 6:03am

    if you think that's bad..

    the OED (oxford english dictionary) charges $650 a year for access. I can see about 3 private libraries buying a sub, but you know, they both might want to look up "demand curve" and "market sizing."

     

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  •  
    identicon
    The Misanthrope, Mar 19th, 2002 @ 6:43am

    The Cost of Words

    Each his own, I guess. While there's no way in hell I'd spend two bucks for a cup of Starbucks (or any designer) coffee, thirty bucks a year to access a dictionary seems like a bargain. As Websters' commercial might say, "For the price of 15 cups of coffee..."
    And like someone else said - you think this is bad, check out the OED's fee. (Then again, check out the OED - *that's* a freakin' dictionary.)

     

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  •  
    identicon
    Santa's Little Helper, Mar 19th, 2002 @ 8:21am

    Faster than your little red book...

    WordWeb, a free computer-based dictionary is available at: http://www.wordweb.co.uk/free/

     

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    •  
      identicon
      Joe Schmoe, Mar 19th, 2002 @ 8:47am

      Re: Faster than your little red book...

      It's only faster "if" you've already booted your PC and have gotten online... ;)

       

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  •  
    identicon
    sb, Mar 19th, 2002 @ 5:45pm

    No Subject Given

    another stupid fucking idea more stupid ideas these days than in the bubble go figure

    FREE FUCKING DICTIONARY

     

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