Re: [edict-jmdict] A Korean language version of EDICT/JMdict ? (KEDICT?)

["Dennis Schrader" <jpnthailand@*********>]

Re: "but I'm never sure if I it is legal to enter words in edict I cannot
find there but found in alc (great dictionary for the social sciences and
right now far more used by me than edict)).

There can be no legal or copyright problem in incorporating words from other
dictionaries in Edict, whether the format of the dictionary be copyright
protected or not. If that were indeed the case, there would *never* be more
than one dictionary of any kind.

Where I would become "unglued" if I were ALC/Eijiro, for example, is if
someone copied word, definition and example - all verbatim and one for one.
*That* is obvious copyright infringement. Regarding *words*, however, I am
reminded of a rather humorous (to me at least) post by a fellow about two
years ago. He contended that a word like "apple" (ringo) could be
copyrighted and could not be used in another dictionary. I emailed him but
never heard a thing.

Regarding Mark's project I really could care less. Please feel free to
encourage him. It sure does seem, however, that if one ventures an opinion *
not* in line with "open source" or "work for free", one is somehow perceived
as selfish. All over the world I have seen "politically correct" and such
lockstep thinking gone wild. So, if all wish to join on the bandwagon and
encourage this fellow, then please feel free to do so. You may note,
however, that he asked for *feedback*, an honest opinion. I don't recall him
soliciting unwarranted encouragement.

I simply wanted to remind Mark of the years of mind-numbing, thankless
effort involved. As for being "charitable", I have put students through
school in both the US and in Asia - and on my own ticket. I have educated
many, oh so many, without asking for anything in return. Never once did I
ever use an off-the-shelf curriculum. Before I opened schools, I had already
invested more than 15,000 hours of my own unpaid time. So I do know what it
means to "give".

With regard to such a momentous project, then, I just would hope there would
be such a thing as "Return on Investment", and not just the warm, fuzzy
feeling of "thanks" -- and homelessness. Only that. Sorry if I offended in
any way.

Jeroen likes to quote, so I will: God helps those who help themselves". Only
after we ourselves become strong can we afford to save the world.

As for being a masochist, I am a charter member in that club. And it is from
that perspective that I offer caution to the as of yet "non-member". Jump
off the bridge, if and only if you can swim
-- and know how deep the water is.


On Sun, Jul 6, 2008 at 4:17 PM, Jeroen Ruigrok van der Werven <
asmodai@in-nomine.org> wrote:

>   -On [20080706 21:51], Dennis Schrader (jpnthailand@gmail.com<jpnthailand%40gmail.com>)
> wrote:
> >My question for Mark is simply "What do you hope to gain from such a
> project"?
> >And are you willing to put in countless, literally countless hours, and
> why?
> >What you seem to forget, Niels, is that Dr. Breen is in a unique position
> and
> >has an even more unique personality in his ability to get things done with
> >people like us. That's about as easy as "herding cats", if you get my
> meaning.
> >
> >For me, then, Mark's project would be kind of like banging your head
> against
> >the wall. Because it just feels so good when you stop.
>
> I guess I must be a masochist then having put many countless hours into my
> project then. :P
>
> For the reason why I like to use this quote:
>
> Even when I do things for the sake of others, no sense of amazement or
> conceit arises. It is just like feeding myself: I hope for nothing in
> return. -- Shantideva
>
> Some people perceive a gap and move to filling said gap.
>
> --
> Jeroen Ruigrok van der Werven <asmodai(-at-)in-nomine.org> / asmodai
> イェルーン ラウフロック ヴァン デル ウェルヴェン
> http://www.in-nomine.org/ | http://www.rangaku.org/ | GPG: 2EAC625B
> Man is the Dream of the dolphin...
>  
>