Apple Inc "PAGES". I need help Please

[Tim SPRACKLEN]

There is a workaround! I, too, write stuff with lots of technical terms and got fed up of the underlining and autocorrect problem with Pages. It's not my idea, so I can't take the credit, but it works just fine.

This other person noted that the autocorrect feature uses - as well as the built-in dictionary - the iPad's Contact list because it would be annoying if it kept trying to autocorrect names of people you know.

So this person suggested that you simply put any technical terms into the Contacts list!

In other words, create 'spurious' entries in your Contacts list that contains all the technical terms that you're going to use. It works great!

Tim
Scotland

 

[Thphilli]

http://www.ipadforums.net/ipad-hacking/6087-add-words-keyboard-dictionary-hack.html

Seems like a pain in the ass either way.

Safari method doesn't seem to work for me.

Edit: Scratch all that. Try this:

http://iphonehelp.in/2010/06/23/how-to-add-words-to-iphone-ios4-dictionary/

Still a pain in the ass and apparently you still get the red line underneath the word even though it doesnt try and correct it.

 

[Tim SPRACKLEN]

A workaround suggested by another Forum member is to put specialist words as 'spurious' entries into the Contacts list. The iPad dictionary checks the contents of the Contacts list and doesn't prompt or try to autocorrect what it finds there. So this Forum member suggested simply entering your technical or other specialist terms as Contacts. You don't need to have too many of these, either, because each contact can contain multiple fields, all of which are checked. Some serious lateral thinking. I've tried it (I have a lot of technical stuff to write too) and it works just fine.

Tim
Scotland

 

[Tim SPRACKLEN]

There is a simple, if inelegant, workaround. Since the iPad checks the Contacts list when it's doing its spellcheck - so that names from your contacts are not autocorrected or flagged as spelling mistakes - a Forum member (not me) has devised a simple way of installing a 'user dictionary' of, say, technical or scientific or other specialist terms. Simply insert some 'spurious' contacts into your Contact list that contain, in one of the fields, a list of words that you want to 'include' in the user dictionary.

So, in my own field (digital communications and signal processing) there are lots of acroymns and I simply insert them as entries in the Contacts list. Works great. Not exactly as it should be (I agree 100% with you that this is a terrific oversight by Apple) but, as they say, 'necessity is the mother of invention'.

Tim
Scotland

 

[Hasty]

"Are u kidding me"
Lol apple created the iPad to fall between smart phones and laptops.
Users are demanding far more of the initial device than they ever foresaw, which is really a testament to the inherent versatility of the device.
Due to it's limited storage, user dictionaries was an obvious space saving

Still as Tim points out there is a workable alternative.

 

[epb]

Are u kidding me? Is there an app dictionary that can be added to overuse the poorly designed pages dictionary? I as VP in this industry am shocked this feature was overlooked. Come on take on Microsoft and get at least a simple need corrected

They're not kidding you, you're kidding yourself. The iPad is a retail consumer device, not a business tool - trying to use it as one will lead to a million such frustrating shortcomings. It's a lousy hammer because it's NOT a hammer.

 

[NEWPORT]

Awesome suggestion

 

[NEWPORT]

Well then we will pass on the 200 order. So a volume issue to have an edit feature in a dictionary but to crank them all into contacts is ok

Like always APPLE INC talking outside of two mouths. Embarrassing

 

[Hasty]

Nope.
Doubt they are embarassed.
Whats 200 compared to 17+ million sold already?

If your needs are specialised and form factor appeals, why not pay to have an app written for your use.
If it's good you could retail it as well as use it.

 

[gentlefury]

Actually the iPad does have an adaptive dictionary. Once you type in a mew word it will try to correct it once or twice...after a couple times it will add it to the dictionary or just red underline it.

 

[SweetPoison]

They're not kidding you, you're kidding yourself. The iPad is a retail consumer device, not a business tool - trying to use it as one will lead to a million such frustrating shortcomings. It's a lousy hammer because it's NOT a hammer.

This should be posted up top of this forum. Well said.

 

[NEWPORT]

Talking about a simple add edit dictionary. Hey I get paid well to critique the product well and I hope you do as well. It's good but a toy more than a tool

 

[NEWPORT]

Hey forum master. I
Made another thread because it was suggested to do so. Thanks for combining

I guess my point is it would be like making a BMW with hand crank windows

 

[twerppoet]

Sorry about the suggestion. Didn't mean to cause you trouble.

But I'd say it's more like expecting a Smart Car to have BMW features. These are mobile apps that you are comparing to full computer apps. You are constrained by two things. The more limited device, and knowledge of what features are important enough to support; because you are going to have to pick only some features. The hardware just isn't up to supporting full featured computer apps. At least not yet.

So, for each person and/or use case there are going to be features missing. Time and feedback should minimize this in each app. Market competition will fill in special use gaps with targeted apps.

The product and the market is less than a year old. It is not mature enough to support every possible use.

So, yes, provide feedback on features you want and need. Make your use case, and provide proof that it's a viable market worth pursuing. But acting like it's some terrible act of incompetence and/or deliberate neglect doesn't help. It just alienates the very people who are most likely to be able to help.

Or, in short. If you want something from someone, yelling at them isn't a good tactic.

 

[NEWPORT]

Well maybe I am zealous but when you have so much going for you it's a simple miss. Poet I do appreciate your help. Always! This just looks like another example of apple stepping over the dollar to pick up the dime. Let's blend art and science!