using special characters
 

Hello all,

I am a newbie in Linux (making my transition from Windows) using Mandrake 10 (don't shoot! :) . i spent a few days trying to figure out how to use special characters (for writing in foreign languages, I am a Romanian).
Basically, I would like to use my keyboard as a foreign one (I found the options in KDE Keyboard tool, but there is absolutely no difference from the standard 101 keys one).

Any hint appreciated,
Adrian

PS: I enjoy Linux more and more, don't think I will crawl back to Windows, ever! :)

You might try experimenting with the RIGHT "Alt" key plus all the characters on your keyboard. That's how I found out, completely by accident, how to make Romance language accent marks and several other kinds of special characters. You may not find everything you need for Romanian usage, but it's a start.

Why this isn't publicized I have no idea! :rolleyes:

What a good trick. I'll start using the Right Alt, thank you very much. It's just a matter of changing habits, now (I was used to using the Left Alt). A very good start, indeed.
All the best,
Adrian

You're welcome! I was (well, actually, still am) feeling pretty gloomy today, for political reasons. I'm glad I was able to help somebody with something even if it's small. It sure didn't help to go vote yesterday. :(

I'm right beside you, my friend; we all share your pain.
I found yet another trick: MDK Control Center > Hardware > Keyboard > Romanian (qwertz) is the kwyboard that has predefined special characters on certain keys. Complete solutions, there are no others.

Cheers,
Adrian

I tried the "International Keyboard" layout briefly but it required pressing ' twice to get the apostrophe, as I recall--something inconvenient like that. So I didn't stick with it. You don't realize how common the apostrophe is
in English till you have to do something special to type it!

Thanks for the expression of solidarity. Oh, for a United Nations that really was a force for peace!