Where's my custom dictionary?

I'm using Netscape 7.1 on a Dell 8200 with Win XP and XP2. Just about everything works OK, but lately my NS Messenger spellchecker has gotten stupid. It won't learn new words. I tried to check the custom dictionary, but I can't find it. In fact, I also can't find the Application Data or Mozilla folders or even the *.slt file, either by drilling down or by using Search. As I say, all the programs work, spell checking brings up many older learned words, and the Address Book and Bookmarks work as they should. But I can't find where any of those folders and files are. And the spellchecker (custom dictionary) won't learn new words. What's going on?

 

BOBBO,

Have you unhidden your files?

To see hidden files:
1. On the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, click Folder Options
2. Click the View tab
3. Under Hidden files and folders, click Show hidden files and folders
4. Disable "Hide File Extensions for Known Files. "
5. Click OK.

To search for files in the Application Data folder, go to Start | Search.
Under More Advanced Options select Search system folders, Search
Hidden Files and folders, and Search subfolders.

Your dictionary file is custom.dic.

Still using 7.1? You should seriously consider updating to Firefox & Thunderbird, or at least to Mozilla 1.7.12. Your Netscape 7.1 is obsolete, has security vulnerabilities, resource leak, etc...

 

Ramona: Thanks for the reply. I'd forgotten about the hidden files business. Folders and file found, and fixed.

As for updating, I've considered it several times but am leery of what complications would be involved with transferring Address Book, Bookmarks, custom dictionary, etc. Formidable? Simple as pie? I'm familiar and comfortable with NS 7.1. Do it anyway? Would it be a matter of a clean install? Would it be reversible?

Another issue such a change might involve is switching from using NS for e-mail to Thunderbird. Again, how easy is that to do? Will it accept my existing NS mail folders and settings? Or stay with NS for e-mail and just switch to Firefox for browsing the Web?

One particular argument for switching to Thunderbird as you recommend is maybe it would result in sorting out that problem I've been having for 1.5 years getting a newsletter to get through to me. I've begun a BBS thread on that problem twice, and you and others have tried to help, but the daily issues still aren't coming through. Likely to be a cure?

 

Simple as pie, as you are asked during the install if you wish to migrate settings from your current browser. See this Screen Shot

Always reversible, as you can reinstall Netscape, but if you want MHO, I would get rid of it... You would, however, leave Netscape on your system until you have migrated the Profile to Firefox, AND to Thunderbird.

Simple as pie, as the install gives you the option to migrate as does Firefox. You can keep Netscape for Mail if you wish, but I would do the switch...

I certainly wouldn't count on it being a cure. It might be, but I seriously doubt it, and I sincerely hope I'm wrong!

Let me know if you have more questions...

 

Ramona: Thanks for the info. I downloaded Firefox and Thunderbird last night but haven't installed them yet. I'm probably going to be pretty busy doing other things for the next few days, so I'll keep my eyes peeled for threads on this BBS regarding those two programs just to add to what little I know about them now. Thanks again for the help.

 

BOBBO,

Read the Release Notes for both applications, and you will find a wealth of information:

Firefox 1.5 Release Notes
Thunderbird 1.0.7 Release Notes