--- Forwarded Message from Paul Chapin <[log in to unmask]> ---

>From: Paul Chapin <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "'Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum'"     <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: #5889 adding keyboard layouts in W98
>Date: Tue, 9 Jan 2001 09:11:42 -0500


> I am exploring options for installing a phonetic Russian (Cyrillic)
> keyboard layout in W98, since neither of the 2 layouts (standard and
> typewriter) offered by W98 are phonetic (relate Latin characters as
> closely as possible to their Cyrillic counterparts). Several Web sites
> explain how to substitute one of the exisiting W98 keyboards with the
> phonetic keyboard they offer.  That is, replace kbdru.kbd with, for
> example, new-kbdru.kbd in the registry.

This doesn't require a registry hack.  All you have to do is remove the
existing kbdru.kbd (I rename it kdbru-np.kbd) and replace with a new file of
the same name containing the layout that you want.

> However, I'd like to know if
> anyone has successfully added a keyboard layout to the list of
> possibilities offered in W98. 

I've tried and failed to add both a completely new keyboard and a new
language to the list. This involved major registry hacking and I never
worked out all the changes that I had to make. I've only gotten keyboard
substitution to work.

> We'd like to have the possibility of
> using either the standard or the phonetic layout.  I guess I could try
> to substitute the phonetic layout for the typewriter layout and leave
> the standard layout intact.  

This would work if you can figure out the name of the typewriter layout
file.  Alternatively, you can replace a keyboard layout for a language you
don't need, say Indonesian.  You can then either install Indonesian as one
of your languages, or assign the Indonesian keyboard to the Russian
language.  The advantage of this is that the original Cyrillic keyboards are
still there is you need them.

> Another option would be to edit the
> typewriter layout to make it phonetic and not bother with 
> installing one
> from a 3rd party.  Anyone know if it's possible to edit the keyboard
> layouts?

It's possible to create completely new keyboards with the appropriate
software.  I don't know if you can edit an existing layout.

-----
Paul Chapin
Curricular Computing Specialist
Amherst College
413 542-2144
(The attached vfc file is a virtual business card.  If you don't know what
that is, ignore it).