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To: mule@etl.go.jp, xemacs-beta@xemacs.org, debian-i18n@lists.debian.org
Subject: Frustration: Universally available input methods
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From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Bj=F8rn?= Stabell <bjoern@stabell.priv.no>
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Date: Mon, 04 Aug 1997 17:55:41 +0200
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Hi,


This e-mail is crossposted to the Mule, XEmacs-beta, and debian-i18n lists
in a hope to gather the best comments from each... :)


Asian languages tend to require more sophisticated input methods (IM)
that can interact with the user and help her select the right character,
and some even consider the context in which the character will be put.

There are really a lot of input methods for Asian languages, and they are
quite complex.  It would be nice if such input methods were universally
available; instead it seems that each windowing system, and even each
application, are implementing their own.  Such systems should probably
share interface guidelines and functional specification, and some maybe
even code.

It's rather needless and backwards that, e.g., the Linux console and X need
to use two different ways of mapping keys.  We're never going to resolve the
input method problem if each application have to invent their own way of
doing it.

What I, and probably a lots of others, am dreaming of is this functionality:

	Be able to input and display any character, using a language
	specific input system, as Unicode in any text widget (terminal,
	editor, etc).

Maybe what I'm asking for is a free version of Universal Language Support,
such as that available from

	http://www.gammapro.com/

This is not a plug for them and their system.  I just couldn't find any
information on ULS besides that on their site.  My primary concern is to
be able to input and display any character, but ULS encompasses much more.


Does anyone know what the proper long-term solution is?  Is anyone working
on making input methods available in all text windows, and not just per
application or per windowing system?  Is there a common movement, or at
least a common movement in the non-commercial part of the world to
increase the availability and consistency of input methods?


Bye,
-- 
Bjrn Stabell <mailto:bjoern@stabell.priv.no>
              <http://www.xpilot.org/~bjoerns/>


