Speckie v1.0.0 - Spell Check for IE

[mauro]

I'm the developer of Speckie, an addon for IE that adds inline spell checking like that found in other web browsers. As far as I know, it's the only inline spell checking solution available for IE.

Website link

[liju]

Finally good to see an inline spell checker for IE but Speckie is crashing the tab when entering text in textboxes for me in IE9 v9.0.8073.6003.

From event viewer:

Log Name: Application

Source: Application Error

Date: 30-01-2011 02:51:46 AM

Event ID: 1000

Task Category: (100)

Level: Error

Keywords: Classic

User: N/A

Computer: Liju-PC

Description:

Faulting application name: iexplore.exe, version: 9.0.8073.6003, time stamp: 0x4d26cccb

Faulting module name: Speckie.dll, version: 1.0.0.100, time stamp: 0x4bee62db

Exception code: 0xc0000005

Fault offset: 0x000073b0

Faulting process id: 0x1508

Faulting application start time: 0x01cbbffa5ee74b4e

Faulting application path: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe

Faulting module path: C:\Program Files\Speckie\Speckie.dll

Report Id: c6236b27-2bed-11e0-9058-0019d11018e5

Event Xml:

<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">

<System>

<Provider Name="Application Error" />

<EventID Qualifiers="0">1000</EventID>

<Level>2</Level>

<Task>100</Task>

<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>

<TimeCreated SystemTime="2011-01-29T21:21:46.000000000Z" />

<EventRecordID>46317</EventRecordID>

<Channel>Application</Channel>

<Computer>Liju-PC</Computer>

<Security />

</System>

<EventData>

<Data>iexplore.exe</Data>

<Data>9.0.8073.6003</Data>

<Data>4d26cccb</Data>

<Data>Speckie.dll</Data>

<Data>1.0.0.100</Data>

<Data>4bee62db</Data>

<Data>c0000005</Data>

<Data>000073b0</Data>

<Data>1508</Data>

<Data>01cbbffa5ee74b4e</Data>

<Data>C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe</Data>

<Data>C:\Program Files\Speckie\Speckie.dll</Data>

<Data>c6236b27-2bed-11e0-9058-0019d11018e5</Data>

</EventData>

</Event>

[+Xinok Subscriber²]

I tested it in IE8 on XP. It works pretty well overall.

Two problems I found:

• It doesn't capture all misspelt words if I type too fast
  
• If something refreshes or updates the page, the underlined misspelt words might disappear.
  

For the second problem, I was encountering this on Google Translate. Every time it updated the translated text, this would happen.

[mauro]

IE 9 is not currently supported, once the RC is out I'll look to add support.

Xinok, I'll look in to that refreshing issue. I'm not too sure about the typing too fast, I'm a key pecker so I don't know if I'd be able to reproduce that one.

[mauro]

I've released v1.2.0.200 which addresses the reported issues here and improves stability overall, so definitely upgrade if you use Speckie. Note that IE9 remains unsupported (still waiting for the RC) but I've made it not crash if you install Speckie regardless.

[+Xinok Subscriber²]

I tried it out for a few minutes and I didn't encounter any problems.

[mauro]

I've released an update which is now compatible with IE9 RC, let me know if you experience any issues.

[+Xinok Subscriber²]

Tested in IE9 RC. I'm experiencing some of the same problems that I did in the original version with the page updating. I'm also having problems with it working in multiple tabs (it only works in the second tab, not the first).

[+John Teacake MVC]

Brilliant JUST what I was looking for!

[mauro]

Xinok, my apologies. I've released another version which should resolve the issues you experienced. That Google Translate page is by far the most testing for this kind of addon :laugh:

[+Xinok Subscriber²]

There's only one minor issue I can find: After installing Speckie and enabling the addon, I have to restart IE for it to work. That might be a problem for new users who might think it doesn't work at all.

Otherwise, it seems to be working fine now. Although I don't use IE as my primary browser, it's still nice to have a spell checker for it. So thanks for writing this addon. :)

[mauro]

There's only one minor issue I can find: After installing Speckie and enabling the addon, I have to restart IE for it to work. That might be a problem for new users who might think it doesn't work at all.

Yup, this is how IE works unfortunately, I don't know of a way to force it to load :unsure:

[liju]

Only the US dictionary works for me. Downloaded and run the British English dictionary and the sdintall said it installed but nothing happened and it didn't appear in the list to choose. Checked C:\Program Files\Speckie\Dicts, only the US dict files were there. So I extracted the en-GB version with Winrar and manually copied it to Dicts folder and now I have the GB dict option in the choose menu but can't select it so I deleted the US dict files, restarted IE. Now GB-dict is selected in the choose menu but it doesn't seem to be working as it is not flagging mistakes, only the US dict works for me. Could you please look into it?

[mauro]

liju, could you please provide more details like which version of Windows and IE you're using ?

[liju]

liju, could you please provide more details like which version of Windows and IE you're using ?

I'm on Windows 7 32 bit using IE9 RC.

[mauro]

liju, I looked in to this issue and it's a result of the installation location. The directory you chose, Program Files, is write protected by Windows. This means that any writing of files in that directory or sub directory requires Administrator privilege. There's 2 solutions available to resolve the issue; 1) you uninstall Speckie from the Program Files directory and reinstall it to a directory with no such restrictions. The initial directory suggested by the Speckie installer is suitable. Solution 2) is give the SDInstall.exe file Administrator privilege. You can do this by right clicking on the SDInstall.exe file in Windows Explorer and selecting the Properties menu. On the appearing Dialog, select the Compatibility tab and right at the bottom is a check box to run the application as an administrator.

I don't recommend solution 2) but it's there if you really want it.

I acknowledge that Speckie should indicate a failure of the dictionary Install when it encounters this situation and I'll fix it in the next release.

[mauro]

I've released v1.3 which now indicates when a dictionary fails to install and Speckie now works with pretty much all edit inputs on a web page. If you find one that doesn't then please let me know.

[Vykranth]

OK, a few things:

* I was confused on the speckie web-site with the 32-bits/64-bits distinction. It is not the usual one on Windows but on IE: I use IE 32-bits on a Windows x64 OS: I must install Speckie 32-bits

* The installation directory in <userroot>\AppData\Local is really bizarre for me. I understand that you did that as IE cannot elevate its rights to install dictionaries. You could make the installation in C:\Program Files so that all users can benefit from speckie and search for the dictionaries in <userprofile>/Roaming/Speckie. This is what Firefox does with its extensions.

* It is an excellent software: I have searched for a sleep checker for IE for ages and I have finally found Speckie. Thank you.

[the better twin]

Doesn't let me change the default dictionary either. Installed the 64 bit version on win 7 for IE9 RC. It said installed successfully and it shows up but it doesn't change to it.

Great little program, however. What dictionary are you using?

[mauro]

+Vykranth; I guess I can put *recommended* next to the 32 bit installer download to help make a choice easier ? I'm not too sure, if you have any suggestion I'm open to it.

the better twin; can you be more specific about the issue you're experiencing please ?

[Raa]

Suggestion : Can you put on the website the current version number, when it was last updated, and a change log?

I'm a stickler for details, and anyone not on Neowin that finds your site won't know to visit here. :)

Also, any chance of an autoupdater, or a notification for said updates?

[mauro]

Suggestion : Can you put on the website the current version number, when it was last updated, and a change log?

I'm a stickler for details, and anyone not on Neowin that finds your site won't know to visit here. :)

Also, any chance of an autoupdater, or a notification for said updates?

yeah, I'll look at a new version notification.

[mauro]

OK, I've addressed the issues that have been discussed here and released v1.4. Amongst other things, I've created an all-in-one installer to clear up any confusion and added a new version notification.

Here's the full list of changes. Let me know if you experience any issues.

[the better twin]

the better twin; can you be more specific about the issue you're experiencing please ?

Its a similar issue to what liju stated.

I installed the 64 bit version, left the install directory to default.

I then installed the British dictionary, which said it installed ok.

When I right click and go to dictionaries it shows English (United Kingdom) but when I click on it it doesn't change to it, the dictionary stays on the US version.

[mauro]

Its a similar issue to what liju stated.

I installed the 64 bit version, left the install directory to default.

I then installed the British dictionary, which said it installed ok.

When I right click and go to dictionaries it shows English (United Kingdom) but when I click on it it doesn't change to it, the dictionary stays on the US version.

Try the latest version to see if you still experience the same issue.