GENERAL
TERMS
GLOSSARIES
My LingoZ
Offering your services for hire
GENERAL
What's going on here?
Welcome to LingoZ - an online community dedicated to building the largest and, hopefully, the best dictionary in the world. In LingoZ, anyone can add their own definition for any term. The best definition for each term, as voted by the community, becomes the "official" definition (until some other definition scores a higher number of votes) and is added to the dictionary.
Each term exists in many contexts ("cat" is both the animal and a slang word for musician). So, the dictionary shows the current best definition for every context. We help you find the definition most suitable to the context you need by separating and classifying the meanings into categories.
Why do you think this will work?
First of all, we are starting with a truly huge mass of work that we have gathered for the past 10 years - millions of definitions in eight languages, including dictionaries and translations. When you join our effort, you won't have to define the banal words - that has all been covered.
Secondly, we give loud and clear credit to contributors. We believe that contributors should be commended for their contributions and that, if one is a solid contributor of substantial quality, he or she should enjoy good reputation and gain visibility in the community. This is the reason we show the writer's name and picture (Avatar) next to each definition. This is the reason we grant points for creating good content. That is why we display our Top Experts list.
Moreover, unlike an encyclopedic term, we believe that one person can easily write a full and accurate dictionary definition. That is why we allow users to "own" their definitions and we do not enable others to edit them. LingoZ does not have one voice, but many voices. We believe that the selecting of one voice, as the "top" voice, while enabling all the other voices to live and be exposed to the community, will eventually create this great dictionary we aim to build.
Who are you?
LingoZ is a service by Babylon.com, which is a leader in online dictionaries software. We hope to leverage our experience, knowledge and vast content in order to help our community build the best online dictionary in the world.
Babylon has been into user-generated content long before the UGC became all that hype. Back in 2000, Babylon initiated a user-contribution program, in which users submitted glossaries they built themselves. We now allow any user to take part in our community by contributing even just a single term or definition hoping that this will enable everybody to participate.
Languages on LingoZ
LingoZ is a multilingual Service. We designed LingoZ to enable the community to contribute content in various languages. This multilingual content is filtered and served to the users according to their language preferences. For example, a user who specifies that he/she wishes to see only English and German definitions on the site, will not see the Italian definitions that exist on the site.
This can be achieved only if you will make sure to categorize correctly the content you contribute on the designated forms across the site. We will appreciate your attention on this issue as this is a key factor in making sure that every user gets what he/she is actually looking for.
Let's take "chat" for example. In English, this word refers to a conversation. In French, however, it means a cat. Accordingly, when someone adds the term "chat", he/she must specify in the designated form which language "chat" is in.
When you define a term, you can write the definition in any supported language and not just the language of the term. For example, you can write an English definition for the French term "chat", indicating it is "a cat"; hence you are actually creating an English translation to the French term.
When you build a glossary and define it as an English glossary, you can only attach/insert English definitions to it. However, these definitions can be assigned to terms in any language. For example, you can add to your glossary "My Beloved Pets" the English definition of the French term "chat".
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TERMS
How do I find terms?
Finding what a term, any term, means, is the easiest thing with LingoZ. Just type the term in the Lookup box, from the homepage or from any other page on LingoZ, and LingoZ will display all the meanings of the requested term, in your language.
I didn't find the term I wanted, what do I do?
If LingoZ didn't come up with any results for your term, you can ask our community of experts to define the term for you. Click the "Request a Term" link, complete the quick form and the experts, potentially any of your fellow-users of the service, will be there to help you out.
I found a term, but it doesn't mean what I want, what do I do?
If LingoZ came up with meanings for the term you looked up, but none of them match what you were actually looking for, ask our community of experts to find the missing meaning. Just click the "Request a Term" link, complete the quick form and we will bring your request to the attention of those who are able to assist.
How do I add a term?
As easy as it gets Click on the "Add new term" link on LingoZ homepage or from the "Terms" section. Insert the term. Insert the definition if you know it. Select the languages and category, and voila - you have just added a new term to the largest dictionary in the world.
How do I add a definition to an existing term?
Easy! After you looked up the term, see if there is a definition that has a meaning similar to the one you wish to add; in other words – in the category you feel your definition belongs to - then click "Add a Definition". If you do not find any such definition, click the "Add new term" link, insert the definition in the form provided, and submit your definition.
Why do I have to select a category when I create a term?
In LingoZ, we use categories as to enable many meanings to the same word/term to co-exist in harmony and methodical manner. For example, since the word "cat" is both an animal and a slang word for musician, it would be silly if a definition referring to the animal would "compete" with a definition referring to the slang word. By categorizing your word/ term, you allow others, who are looking, to easily find it and others, who know different meanings, to submit it under other categories.
How do you decide which definition is the best one?
We don't decide. You decide. Every definition in LingoZ can be voted upon, whether "thumbs up" or "thumbs down". The definition which was found most useful by the LingoZ community is then deemed as the Best Definition and is displayed in the dictionary result page.
Can I change a definition I wrote?
Sure you can. Browse through your definition (you can find it in the My Activities section of My LingoZ), click the Edit icon next to it (make sure you are signed in first) and edit.
I found a mistake in somebody else's definition. What should I do?
You can either comment on the definition, calling the author to fix the error, or, you can vote "thumbs down" on the definition stating that it is not useful and should not be viewed by most users. If the definition violates any of LingoZ' Community Guidelines, click the "report a problem" link and let us know so we can tend to it.
I want to correct a mistake in my definition, how can I do it?
See here (link to the "edit" question).
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GLOSSARIES
What are glossaries?
Glossaries are collections of definitions, all referring to a common theme. On LingoZ, any user can create glossaries and add any definition (his\hers or someone else's) to them. Glossaries are a cool way to broaden your horizons in your areas of interest.
How do I find interesting glossaries?
Finding glossaries is extremely easy. Just search for a term that you find interesting and on the right hand side of each definition, you will find relevant glossaries under Related Glossaries, which will take you from that word/term to your new horizons. You can also always click the Glossaries tab on LingoZ navigation menu and browse our many thousands of glossaries by category.
How do I create a glossary?
Click the Glossaries tab on LingoZ navigation menu, click Add New, fill in the boxes indicated: "Glossary name", "Definitions are in" "Glossary description", and category, and you are ready to go.
How do I add a definition to my glossary?
Whenever you find a definition you want to add to one of your glossaries, click the Add to Glossary icon under the definition and select the glossary you want to add it to. That's it. If you did not create the relevant glossary yet, you can do it from here.
How do I edit my glossaries?
Enter the My Glossaries tab under My LingoZ section, click the glossary you want to edit, and in the glossary's page, click on Edit. If you want to remove definitions from your glossary, just enter the definition itself and click Remove.
I have a glossary that contains many terms. I wish to add the full glossary to LingoZ instead of inserting one term at a time. How do I do this?
We have set a convenient procedure for glossary owners to allow a batch uploading of the entire glossary. Please contact us through this page and our team will help you.
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My LingoZ
What is my LingoZ?
My LingoZ is your home on LingoZ. It is where you can build and manage your profile and tell everyone about yourself and it is the place where you can configure the way you use LingoZ to suit you best. It is also where you can view all your prior activities on LingoZ, all your definitions and glossaries and the place where you can view the messages you got from other LingoZians.
How can I view content in other languages?
On every page, on the right side bar, click the Change link that appears under " Site Languages: " and then select your preferred language(s). If you wish to view results in more languages, click the small Change link inside the dialog window, and select all the languages in which you want to view results.
How do I edit my profile?
In the My LingoZ section, under My Details title, you can add or edit all the details other users see when they surf your profile. Just click the Change link where you want to add or edit information, and click on Save at the end of the row in order to save all your changes.
How do I change my picture?
In My LingoZ section, under the My Details title, click the Change link under " My Avatar: ". Now you can upload your new picture to the site.
How do I get points and become an expert?
We have assigned several points to the various contribution forms on the service and to several actions which indicate the satisfaction level of the community from a specific content item.
The various triggers for scoring points and the number of points granted may change from time to time to achieve what we believe is the best way to reward those who really deserve it and avoid manipulation.
Here are some examples of actions we reward for:
- You create a definition with more "Thumbs Up" than "Thumbs Down"
- You create a definition that wins "Best Definition"
- You vote on a definition
- One of your definitions is assigned to someone else's glossary
Another way LingoZ shows the quality of a contributor is by displaying how many different people voted Thumbs Up for his/her contribution and how many voted Thumbs Down. By this, we show how acceptable/useful is the user's contribution within our community.
For example, you may find on LingoZ two users who have the same total score; say 500, but one of them will have 155 different people who voted Thumbs Up for his/her content while for the other only 37 different people voted Thumbs Up for his/her content. This just points out that, while both users have the same total score, the content of one of them was voted as useful by more users.
Where do I keep track of my activities in LingoZ?
All your definitions and glossaries are always available to you by entering My LingoZ section. In the My Activities area you can access any of your contributions to the site.
What is Adult content?
In order to view or contribute content marked as Adult, you need to enter your "My LingoZ" (registered users only), go to your settings page, and check the "Show me content marked as adult" check box, then save the update to your settings.
Why can't I contribute adult content?
In order to view or contribute content marked as Adult, you need to enter your "My LingoZ" (registered users only), go to your settings page, and check the "Show me content marked as adult" check box, then save the update to your settings.
How can I contact other members of LingoZ?
Enter his\her profile and click the Contact Me link. A message window will open wherein you may leave your message
I have more questions and suggestions for LingoZ. What do I do?
Go to this page and drop us a line.
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Offering your services for hire
How do I apply and am I qualified to provide online expert services?
You can apply to become an expert who provides advice for fee. If you are a health professional, Kasamba does ask to see your certification. Other fields, however, do not require document-based certification. When you are approved, a 'Hire me' link will be added to your LingoZ profile so that any user on LingoZ will be able to contact you in order to hire your expert service and assistance.
Am I under any kind of obligation to Kasamba?
As an expert, you are not under any kind of obligation to Kasamba. Registration is free and Kasamba provides you with all the tools you need to start giving advice online, including a virtual office on Kasamba's website, LIVE chat software, and access to thousands of clients who are looking for online experts. You can decide to stop or restart your activity on Kasamba at any time.
How do I acquire new clients?
While you contribute quality content on LingoZ you gradually build your credibility as an expert and gain exposure across the LingoZ site. If you gain high scores you may also be listed on the Top Experts lists across LingoZ and thus gain additional visibility. The LingoZ community members can now contact you to hire your expert assistance for fee. Paying clients seeking your advice will contact you directly by e-mail or chat, when you are online. You decide who and when you want to consult.
How much can I earn and when am I paid?
Many of the experts on Kasamba earn thousands of dollars a month! You can as well, as the amount you earn depends solely on the rate you charge and the amount of time you are online.
All payments are made in the middle of the following month, in US dollars, either by check or directly into your PayPal account.
Who decides how much I charge and what hours I keep?
Only you decide how much to charge and what hours to work. You can change your rates and your online office hours as often as you wish.
How is my account managed?
As an expert, you don't have to worry about collecting your fees. Once you join Kasamba, an account is managed on your behalf. You'll have 24-hour access to your account to check on your earnings.
Do I need any special computer equipment?
If you are reading this page online then you are all set to go!
What languages are supported on Kasamba?
Your advice sessions on Kasamba can be made by chat, via emails and over the phone in any language you and your client choose to interact. However, please note that the Kasamba web site – through which you manage your account – is in English only.
About Kasamba
Since 2000, Kasamba (a LivePerson Inc. company) has been the premier provider of online expert advice to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. With upwards of 26,000 experts in over 600 different categories, Kasamba is a dynamic force on the Web. Kasamba provides a completely safe, secure and easy to use interface. For more information visit the Kasamba site at www.kasamba.com.
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Last updated: 14/01/2008.
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