Re: advice needed: making a dictionary

Matthias wrote:
>i listed the 1400-or-so root words of my conlang. now i'd
>like to start developping this lexicon into a dictionary.
>does anyone know whether i should keep using Excel or Access
>or rather use another specific software? i am a zero at
>everything that's math, figures, computer...,
My problem too, especially two years ago when I began the Añakrangota Kaç.

...etc. so i need
>something basic my poor brain can handle. i'd like to
>develop entries a bit like in a genuine dictionary. for
>instance the entry for the Tunu word "tini" would be like:
>
>"TINI    (n.) tether, lace, string (to tie). Tini bono:
>string of a purse/bag. Tini bote: shoe lace. Tini muke:
>weft. Tini taimelu: a tether used when taming animals. Bama
>tini: peg, post. Naitini (vi.): to be attached. Naitininye:
>to be attached to (a prisoner). Naitininyo: to be attached
>from (a post). Saitini (vi.): to be tied up together.
>"Kubakuba kuso bamu asaitini ucai leli kuno. The pieces of
>the sail are tied up together with sewing thread." Taitini
>(vt., n.): to attach, to tether, tethering. Taitininya cubo:
>to keep attached (prisoner, animal). See also LANI, CABI."
AFAIC, that's just fine.  I've used the same format.  The head word is in
bold, as are the various derivatives.  Example phrases in italics;
translation in normal-- eliminates the need for quotes.  Additions and
deletions at will.  HTML has a good, and similar,  format too-- take a look
at Wm Annis' Vaior dictionary (sorry, I can't get at the URL just now).
>
>i would like to be able to add and delete entries or within
>entries easily and vary the fonts to identify English words
>from Tunu ones and examples, etc. same for English/Tunu. i
>wonder whether Boudewijn's Kura could help?
Some systems, to my biased view, introduce unnecessary complications.