Posts Tagged ‘contest’

eType: Spell Your Way to An “A” (1,000 Free Invitations)

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

My College Guide is all about online tools, like eType, a user-friendly tool to help change the way you type! In fact, we even go so far to say it could help you pave your way to an “A.” We’ve got 1,000 invitations for My College Guide readers to download eType and use it: absolutely free! But first, let’s back up a bit and see what Daniella Toaf Lieber, the eType Product Manager, has to say about eType – before you download away!

eType has introduced badges! You can type your way to unlocking fun new badges!

Courtesy of eType

So — what is eType?
In one sentence; eType is a multi language dictionary that completes your words while you type. While you type, the eType window pops up and suggests completions for your words. You can easily download eType to your computer, add a dictionary in the language(s) you speak, and use it to help your typing.

eType has many features that you can configure, to suit different needs and typing levels. For example: You can define the number of keys before the window opens, set eType to open with a delay (so it will open the suggestions box only when you find yourself dawdling), or you can set eType to assist you only on your second language (and not while typing in your native language).

How did this idea come about?
The idea came from our founder, Daniel Scalosub, who is the Co-Founder of DSNR, DMG and more. One day, he started playing around with Microsoft’s programming suite Visual Studio. What Daniel liked most about VS is the fact that the program would automatically pull up a history of variable names typed in the past, before he even had the chance of misspelling a variable.

Later while working on a presentation for work, Daniel found himself waiting anxiously for a dropdown list of words to assist him as he began to type the word “Methodology.” He came to realize that people could really benefit from software that would complete their words for them in other environments as well. Eureka! The idea for eType was conceived.

eType in action: simple, clean, and effective!

Courtesy of eType

Translation, eh? What languages are currently supported on eType — do you have any others currently in the works?
Our new version 1.0.1.102 came out this morning as planned and it supports English (Thesaurus), Spanish, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Arabic, Greek, Turkish, Polish, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

We’ve also released beta dictionaries for Chinese, Japanese and Korean – I call it beta because for the moment it will complete you only in English, showing a Chinese/Japanese/Korean translation (and will not complete you in the opposite direction). We will progressively add more languages.

Our next goals are:
Create dictionaries from any language to any language (for example German-French).
To let the users create their own dictionaries by supplying API files.

What can someone do with eType? Why do you believe that this would this be a useful tool for a college bound student?
We’ve added a new feature – The scoreboard which includes statistics of the users’ typing and contributions. It has badges, which users can earn by participating, typing, adding new words, etc. and later share with friends on Facebook and Twitter.

So, eType doesn’t just help users’ spelling on Facebook (or should I say help them not get into Lamebook…) but it also became a popular group with over 11,000 followers and a cool topic for statuses (see above image).

image

Courtesy of eType

eType sounds too good to be true! What’s the catch? How much does it cost?
eType is free. There is a price for being free though, our dictionary is not perfect. Some words and translations are still missing, that’s why we call it beta, and that’s where our beta users come in. Our goal is to create a dictionary that’s always relevant and up to date.

A community based dictionary where people will add words and translations, which later on the entire community can enjoy. Think for a minute about the word “tweet” which until not long ago, had a whole different meaning, and I’m not sure anybody used “tweeting.”

And on a privacy note:
eType doesn’t record the words the users type.
User contributions (added words and translations) are sent to our servers anonymously.

My College Guide has 1,000 free invitations to eType so you can instantly try it out for yourself! Give it a spin, see what it can do for you – and enjoy! eType could be that must-have college accessory! While you’re at it, don’t forget to enter My College Guide’s Apple iPad and iPhone Giveaway, too!

Apple iPad: it’s ALL the Rage — Even in Higher Ed!

Thursday, March 11th, 2010

Sleek 'n Shiny: the Apple iPad! If you think your high school textbooks are heavy now…just wait until college!  But, if Apple has its way, the sleek 1.5 lb Apple iPad tablet could end up changing the way you learn at college…and possibly save you a few bucks (and your back) in the process.

How?  With eBook capability built right into the multi- touch-sensitive device (and their own iBookstore)!  Almost 150,000 iPhone applications will cross-over from Day One – so you can use your favorite iPhone apps to help fill out your college applications or take a break with a little Plants vs. Zombies, without having to wait!

No drab gray here, the iPad is all about color – and interaction!  Touch highlighted words (like vocab or concepts) for more information.  Create bookmarks to pick up where you left off, browse a touch activated slideshow, and flip through images, charts, or diagrams.  Surf the web or watch an awesome college video lectureThink of the possibility!

Pick a social media network and chances are somebody, somewhere is talking about it – what they heard, what they read, what they hope to see — and who can blame them?  Even colleges share in the iPad enthusiasm!  The Abilene Christian University student newspaper, The Optimist, is the first college newspaper to declare their intention to be on the iPad –  or, at least, it will be when the Apple iPad (finally!) hits stores April 3, 2010.

Don’t forget about George Fox University!  GFU is offering incoming students a choice between a computer (as they have done for the past 20 years) or the new iPad tablet.  Great idea for GFU’s computer possessing freshmen – or for those planning to purchase eBook textbooks down the line – and hoping to save big in place of hefty college texts.

The 429978333803sleekness of the iPad tablet dazzled My College Guide so much…well, what could we do?  Offer up a chance to win an Apple iPad of your very own, of course!  Request college information and you will be automatically entered to win the sleek and shiny Apple iPad (it isn’t like you don’t need college information)!  The contest will end on June 1, 2010.