This new release fixes a few “major” bugs that slipped through the cracks of the 0.5.0 release. You can download the new release here.
- Fixed export writing sheets bug where it would fail the export a category completely if it contained any words that ended in 儿.
- Fixed restore wizard bug where even if you unchecked specific categories to ignore, it would restore them anyway. This could cause you to accidently blow away your stats. (Happened to me, oops)
- Reverse Smart Filter behavior. Instead of using the rules to exclude cards from a flashcard session, it’s now used to include cards in the session. The previous behavior was confusing to people. There is also a Test Smart Filter in the preference that allows you to see how your rules will affect the number of cards that are included in a category.
- Text zoom functions now work in the Flashcard Summary page. Now you don’t have to squint as much to read the small text.
July 30th, 2006
I had forgotten to update the sound plugin release on SF to go along with the new release. As someone pointed out to me, the old version of it definately doesn’t work with the new release. If you go to the SourceForge page now, you should see the updated plugin.
I also wanted to point out that the Developer Guide currently on the website is completely obsolete. However, I’m currently working on a new version of it. I’m going to create a full tutorial on how to extend the ZDT. The project will document creating a RSS reader extension that will allow us to do things like listen to ChinesePod from within the ZDT. Expect a rough draft to show up in the next couple of days.
July 26th, 2006
It’s been two and a half months and the new release of the ZDT has finally arrived. Lots of infrastructure has changed so there is no zdt updater to move from 0.4.8 to 0.5.0. Everyone will need to download the full release for their platform. Also one other important note for existing users is that your categories from previous versions will not automatically carry over to this new version. Before you uninstall the previous version of the ZDT, please use the Backup function (File -> Backup Data) and save the categories you’d like to keep. When you install 0.5.0, you can use the Restore Data function to get your categories and other data back.
Everyone can download the new release from here.
Highlights
Dictionaries as plugins. By default the ZDT comes with the Cedict dictionary plugin. However, you can now drop in additional dictionaries (ie. Adso) and switch to it without rebooting the ZDT. There’s now the concept of a “current” dictionary which means for example that Dictionary searches will perform queries on the selected dictionary. Switch between dictionaries using (Ctrl-D) or by selecting one from the dictionary icon on the toolbar. The current dictionary is shown on the status bar.
Entries are completely editable. Previous versions of the ZDT made it somewhat difficult to make changes to an entries pinyin or definitions. The Add Entry (Ctrl-N) function has been reworked and an Edit Entry (Ctrl-E) has been added to allow users flexibility to make whatever customizations they like.
Smart filter reworked. The smart filter now allows more fine grained control by allowing specific rules to be enabled/disabled. For example, you can now use it to show only flashcards you’ve added that day. Or only show flashcards that you’ve only gotten a certain percentage correct.
SuperMemo and PlecoDict plugins built in. Instead of manually having to download these export formats, they are now included with the ZDT release.
Please see the changelog for all of the details.
July 23rd, 2006