10th June 2004
This is now getting closer to its finished version. I'm not quite sure what you can do with it, but here are some ideas.
The database isn't much use when searching for individual characters - you can do it, but you won't get any more info than it's pronunciation and HSK level.
The really useful bit is that it can generate lists of vocabulary items which have something in common.
For example, if you write '上' in the 'characters' box and search, you'll get only one result (or maybe two identical ones for reasons I don't quite understand.
However, if you write '上*' you will get all results that start with '上'. Similarly, searching for '*上*' will return all results with that character in any position. You can also refine your results by using the 'phrase length' option.
Pinyin searches are similar. If you know exactly what you want, type 'bi3jiao4' into the pinyin search box.
If you want to find words with a certain pronunciation, but you can't remember the tones, use '*'s for the tones. ie, search for 'nian*ji*' and you will get all results with that pinyin, regardless of tones.
If you are looking for a certain tone pattern, use the '*'s for the pinyin and leave the tones in. Ie, searching for '*1*1' will return all words with two consecutive first-tone syllables. Again, you can use the 'phrase length' option to refine results.
It's also possible to combine all both variables - ie you could find all phrases starting with 上 and ending with a fourth tone, by searching for '上*', '*4' in characters and pinyin respectively. Not sure why you'd want to, but there you go . . .
You can also limit the search by HSK level and by length. Output is customizable - as cut-out cards, a list, with or without level shown. You can also choose to have output sorted by level or pinyin. I've tried to make it as flexible as possible - let me know how you use it.
Please remember that outputting the entire database could result in a 1.5MB html file - don't do it unless you actually want it, and have made the appropriate contribution to the bandwidth fund ($00.054325234c, or $10, whichever is easier to type).
Hope this is looking useful. I'll be glad to hear what you think, either on this topic at chinese-forums.com, or via email to admin@chinese-forums.com.
Roddy