Wot no Umlauts

kaine · 07-18-2003, 05:05 AM

Hi folks,

I know there are several posts regarding international characters in Linux fonts/appz, but I am still rather puzzled.

I use and view many German documents and web sites, but either have 'Unicode?' in file names or simply omission of the offending character altogether in emails and webpages - which is pretty damned annoying as I am still learning the language.

It appears that Alt codes don't count in Linux either... so I can't write 'em either.

Any help/redirections/links gratefully accepted.

Kaine.

Poetics · 07-18-2003, 05:07 AM

In german it's perfectly acceptable to write an "e" after the umlauted vowell. I know, doesn't help with the typing issue (which I am interested in learning the answer to, as well), but still.

Auf Wiederhoeren

kaine · 07-18-2003, 05:24 AM

Hey Poetics

Thanks for your 10c worth, 'preciate it.
I have been doing that when necessary, but it's the viewing that's the biggest bind...

Weiss ich noch nicht was ich machen werde...

Poetics · 07-18-2003, 06:03 AM

I do know that you can change your keyboard layout to german, though I know not the command (we're all learning, aren't we!), or if there's an easy way to do it, but I know it's possible. You can find many keyboard maps auf Deutsch online (just graphics labelling what key is mapped where). As for reading pages in foreign languages; have you tried installing a german language pack?

I should mention that I'm not practiced in installing foreign languages into linux, but it's a hearty guess.

viel Gluek

Bill_Tür · 07-18-2003, 11:46 AM

You better not change your keyboard layout to german. Everytime I change my keyboard to english (or forced to do so) typing ends in a mess.

Just add an 'e' to make an 'umlaut'. Looks strange but works!

Poetics · 07-18-2003, 04:44 PM

Can you give more specifics, Bill_Tür? You mean that you're just not used to the layout, or that the typing itself is messed up?

Quote:

Everytime I change my keyboard to english (or forced to do so) typing ends in a mess.

Bill_Tür · 07-19-2003, 04:22 AM

Well the keys are on a different position. So if i would press the 'z' button a 'y' would appear. This ain't a big problem but typing special characters is nearly impossible if you don't know what button to be pressed. Following I list some examples:
# -> \
' -> =
+ -> ]
- -> /
} -> Still don't know what buttons to be pressed

" -> @
@ -> know idea

and so on...

mrGee · 07-19-2003, 05:01 AM

Hi
I have my keyboard set to standard US and i can make
perfect umlauts. Like this; üëïÿ etc etc.
How to do this; simple, first i hit the " and then the wanted vowel.
This will only work if your keyboard is set to use "dead keys"
read this;

http://www.redhat.com/docs/manuals/e...kbdconfig.html

So if you hit the " symbol once and you see it appear right after that,
then you 'll have to change your settings. Otherwise to get the " it's
made by typing " and then the space key .

Good luck

mrGee · 07-19-2003, 09:37 AM

Something else to read;

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/mini/Intkeyb/index.html

it has sample keyboardlayouts on it
and here;

http://sdb.suse.de/en/sdb/html/js_xmodmap.html

you can read how to easily switch between layouts

regards

deleeuw · 07-20-2003, 06:21 PM

Poetics (or anyone),
ALthouhg "ae" or "oe" works, can one use "ss" instead of
ess-zet (the beta-looking character)?
I know about the ALT+### to make those characters. but the key doesn't seem to work in Linux (RH9).

chris_i386 · 07-20-2003, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by deleeuw
Poetics (or anyone),
ALthouhg "ae" or "oe" works, can one use "ss" instead of
ess-zet (the beta-looking character)?

Sure!

Poetics · 07-20-2003, 07:02 PM

Actually, a few years back (97?), it was decided by the German government to stop using the esset character, and to use "ss" instead. So, yes, you are very proper in such usage

chris_i386 · 07-20-2003, 07:17 PM

In the late 90's a committee consisting of German and Austrian linguists (sp?) decided to reform German spelling rules, but they didn't totally abandon the use of the ß (Eszet).
(Now you still have it after long vowels, but use ss after
short vowels instead)
Some say they made it even worse, but I disagree.

</OffTopic>

bakerbaz · 01-06-2006, 05:05 PM

Hi kaine,
do you want a german keyboard?
If so I have a few spares lying about ,which I will send you for the price of the postage.
The way I get round your problem(being an englishman in Karlsruhe!)is to have an english layout K/B going
in the PS/2 input and a german one in a USB slot,
works for me?