Updates to TextGridLab
Release: 11. Feb 2010
We are pleased to send you the first software newsletter on the occasion of the new beta release of the TextGridLab. In this newsletter, you will find information about recent developments within TextGridLab during the past few months.
Table of Contents
- New TextGridLab Beta Available for Download
- Tutorials Released
- Graphic Link Editor
- Unicode Character Map
- XML Editor
- Feedback & Support
New TextGridLab Beta Available for Download!
The new beta version from 11. February is completely Unicode-capable, the XML editor usability has been improved, and the functionality of the Graphic Link Editor has been enhanced. Additionally, numerous errors have been eliminated and minor improvements incorporated.
The TextGridLab was migrated in August to Eclipse release 3.5 (Galileo). Other modifications are listed in the Changelog.
In order to keep our users up-to-date on the most recent developments in the Lab, we will continue to make new releases public at intervals of approximately two months.
Tutorials Released
The first series of tutorials is intended to serve as an entry point for the TextGridLab. You will find basic instructions for working with the TextGridLab on the new website.
First Steps:
 | Download and Installation | Text |
 | Log-In | Text |
Tools and Services:
 | Navigator | Text |
 | User Administration | Text |
Additional Features:
 | Importing Files | Text |
For further information, please consult the User’s Manual TextGrid-Tools (Release: 25.10.2009, PDF). Please note that the TextGridLab is available in a beta test version, meaning that the software is currently under development and therefore the range of available functions is still limited. Additional tutorials will be released shortly.
Graphic Link Editor
The functionality of the Graphic Link Editor has been enhanced and improved. The XML editor is now integrated, enabling texts and images to be directly edited and linked to each other. Furthermore, the Graphic Link Editor offers the possibility of linking polygonal areas, meaning that the targeted image area can be freely marked. While the previous method of selecting a specific image area using a rectangular selection tool continues to exist, continuous text is easier and faster to link using a more flexible selection marker.
Other new features include elements that focus on the ease of use. The screen view can be increased or decreased at will, and a miniature view in a separate navigational window makes orientation easier. Additionally, guiding lines can be added and individual image selections can be increased with a virtual magnifying glass.
The most important updates at a glance:
- Integration of the XML Editor
- Polygonal Selection Capabilities
- Improved Ease of Use
Unicode Character Map
The TextGridLab is now completely Unicode-capable: whether in the Navigator, while searching, or in the Editor, all Unicode characters will display correctly. In order to work with Unicode characters in the Lab, a Unicode Character Map has been integrated into the XML Editor. Characters and mathematical symbols can be directly inserted via an easily-operated menu.
An additional special feature of this menu is an option for working with musical symbols. With this functionality, musical notes and the accompanying symbols are also available in the Lab.
The most important updates at a glance:
- Lab now completely Unicode-compatible
- Integration of a Unicode Character Map
- Unicode options for musical symbols
XML Editor
Usability has been the focus of the development in this area during the past few months. A configurable list of tools has been added, allowing the user to directly insert elements commonly used during text markup.
A new viewer supports document validation. Encoding errors are displayed on the document margin; with a click of the mouse, the error itself is automatically displayed. The schema description help screen then offers assistance in correcting the error.
The most important updates at a glance:
- Improved usability
- New viewer for validation
Feedback & Support
Please test the beta version thoroughly and report bugs or make suggestions for improvements to the software. If you require assistance using the TextGridLab, please email us at support(at)textgrid.de.