--- Forwarded Message from "herbm" <[log in to unmask]> --- >From: "herbm" <[log in to unmask]> >To: "Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: RE: #7531 Arabic with Windows 2000 vs. XP >Date: Fri, 21 May 2004 06:31:48 -0500 >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> >Importance: Normal > I have a faculty member who would like to be able to use Arabic in Word > for a pc running Windows 2000. She wants to be able to type in Arabic > using an on-screen keyboard display where she chooses characters on > screen with the mouse. Is she better off sticking with Windows 2000 or > should she upgrade to Windows XP? Also, if anyone has an > recommendations on keyboards/font systems to download for this, please > let me know. The Arabic works fine on both, either the LOCALES, which allows editing and display of documents, or even the Multi-Language OS versions, but XP is a much better OS, at least as reliable and with more features. Although both have an on-screen keyboard feature, they show in English even when the Locale is set to Arabic (I haven't tried the MUI for this but most people won't like the MUI, unless that are native Arabic speakers AND native Arabic computer users.) It only takes a few days to learn to use the built in keyboard and that is really the best way. One doesn't even need a special 'Arabic keyboard' just print out the keymap (on the MS site) and make an effort to use it.