B8. Sharing a Dictionary Project

This lesson provides a guide on sharing a dictionary project in FLEx, focusing on different sharing methods, the Send/Receive process, and best practices. Here’s a summary:

Objective:

• Understand why and how to share a FLEx dictionary project.

• Learn to set up and use Send/Receive via Language Depot.

• Explore alternative sharing methods like Backup/Restore and LIFT Import/Export.

Key Topics:

1. Reasons for Sharing a Dictionary Project:

   • Collaboration between multiple team members.

   • Allowing consultants or stakeholders to review progress.

   • Transferring a project due to personnel changes.

   • Creating derivative works from an existing database.

2. Different Sharing Methods in FLEx:

   • Backup/Restore: One-time, no data merging.

   • Send/Receive (S/R): Two-way, repeated, with data merging.

   • LIFT Import/Export: Transfers lexical data between software.

   • Standard Format Import: Imports text-based dictionaries from other sources.

3. Send/Receive in FLEx:

   • Best for collaborative work with multiple users editing the same project.

   • Uses an external repository (e.g., LanguageDepot.org, USB drive, or network drive).

   • Three-stage process:

     • Uploading data to the repository.

     • Syncing/Merging changes from multiple users.

     • Downloading the updated version.

4. Setting Up Send/Receive via Language Depot:

   • Team leader (manager) creates an LD account and a repository.

   • Adds team members and assigns roles.

   • Uploads the master project to the repository.

   • Team members download the project and begin using S/R.

5. Managing Send/Receive Conflicts:

   • Conflicts arise when multiple users edit the same entry.

   • The Conflict Report helps resolve differences.

   • Best practices to minimize conflicts:

     • Assign specific dictionary sections to different users.

     • Perform S/R before and after work sessions.

     • Designate a single team member to handle conflict resolution.

6. Alternative Send/Receive Methods:

   • USB Drive: For users without internet access.

   • FLEx-WeSay S/R: Synchronizing between FLEx and WeSay users (with limitations).

7. Restoring from a Send/Receive Backup:

   • Backup/Restore in S/R projects does not maintain repository links.

   • To recover from corruption, delete the project and re-download it via S/R.

8. Other Sharing Options:

   • LIFT Import/Export: Transfers data between software (e.g., WeSay, Lexique Pro).

   • Standard Format Import: Imports text-based dictionaries from Toolbox, Word, Excel.

Completion:

• The lesson includes activities for hands-on practice, a quiz (80% passing score), and feedback opportunities.

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com