The Palm OS version of the application requires 5.5 MB of RAM or expansion card space, and the Pocket PC version requires 5.7 MB of space. While this review mainly covers the Palm OS version of the program, both versions are virtually identical. Installation is quick and easy, once the Oxford American Desk Dictionary and Thesaurus is downloaded. Tap on the program in your handheld application launcher, and it starts up in list view. Every available control is visible on the main screen of the application, as shown below.

FIGURE A


The main screen of the Oxford American Dictionary and Thesaurus. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Starting at the top left corner, the Oxford button brings up the available menus. The "i" button at the top right side of the screen provides information about the application version, and the question mark icon allows you to access the help system. On the next line you'll see an "eraser" button that clears out whatever has been typed in the search button just to the right. Next, towards the right of the screen, is a button that allows you to see what words have been most recently looked up in the dictionary and quickly jump back to them. The A-Z button on the right allows you to switch between list and definition view. This is particularly helpful if the word you're interested in has several closely related forms.

The main part of the window contains either a dictionary-style listing of words or a particular definition, depending on which view you have chosen. There's also a scroll bar to the side that allows you to move through the list either by page (tapping on the uppermost and lowest button or by word if you tap on the buttons closer to the middle of the scroll bar). At the bottom of the screen you'll find the controls for changing the color scheme, the "Word of the Day" button, a pronunciation guide button, and a keyboard icon that allows you to use the onscreen keyboard instead of the Graffiti area.