PocketLingo specializes in language education software that nicely doubles as dictionaries. I don't say that to be funny, but to point out that PocketLingo does more than provide definitions and synonyms. I'll explain below. The title product registers for $44.95, but HLCSoft put it on sale for $38.21 until 1/10/2004 . The PDA database converts the entire The American Heritage® College Dictionary and Roget's II: The New Thesaurus from the print editions--every word, without illustrations but including the etymologies. Skeptic that I am, I pulled out the printed dictionary and spot-checked it against the database. Every definition that I checked matched word-for-word, including added usage tips. Further, they attached every synonym set in the thesaurus to a definition, further aiding in choosing the right word.

Like Handmark's offering, PocketLingo sports a simple interface with few options. The screen buttons allow the user to go the next/previous word in the word list, go back to the previous screen, go to the word list, change the font, and contract/expand the word list to hide/display similar words. The overall interface doesn't change much between the data screen and the word list. Alternating colors separate the word lists entries. The current database name displays at the bottom of the screen, and other entries may be selected from the list box that comes up when tapping on the current name. HLCSoft provides no other setup options. Tapping on a word in the current definition brings up that word's definition. No resident or popup capability exists. It does not support the new Palm OS DIA, even with CodeDiver assistance.

In addition to the LookUp screen, PocketLingo has two other tabs. The MyWord list stores words that the user chooses to lea rn. It comes preloaded with 100 college-level words. Words can be added by checking the MyWord box in the lower right of the definition display. The study tab may be used to lea rn the words on the MyWord list and can be set to either hide or display their definitions. The user tracks learning progress with bars that appear next to the words. This setup provides a flash-card-like educational system with tracking.

Overall, the reader doesn't have anything about which to write home. However, the databases provide that. The College Dictionary hosts over 260,000 entries, and the Roget II holds over 244,000--both over twice the nearest competition. I expected the College to nail the word test, but it missed two words—the same as the enhanced WordNet with about 100,000 words. I believe that part of the answer lies in the purpose behind a college dictionary. These tend to be part dictionary and part encyclopedia. In addition to the standard words, the College Dictionary contains a large number of specialized technical words, biographical and geographical information, abbreviations, some history, etc. That makes it an excellent reference for more than just spelling and definitions, although it tied for first place in the latter category as well. Additionally, almost every word has accompanying etymology, and the usage/style notes from appendix of the print edition come at the end of the applicable word definitions. This makes them more useful, in my opinion.

I also tested the $19.95 American Heritage Office Edition dictionary. It claims over 130,000 words, and barely bested the two Oxford products by one test word. The definitions remain similar to the college version, including the pronunciations and etymologies. The Office Edition also comes bundled with the same Roget II thesaurus for $34.95 (on sale for $29.71 until 1/10/04 ). HLCSoft markets a number of other databases, including English as a second language, medical, financial, and other language dictionaries, all under the same learning system.