[CentOS] Re: Japanese Language Support? -- same system, multiple uses with multiple languages

Sun Jul 31 11:01:21 UTC 2005
Bryan J. Smith <b.j.smith at ieee.org>

On Sun, 2005-07-31 at 19:02 +0900, Dave Gutteridge wrote:
> Windows has what is called a "Global IME" ...
> Even more significanly, I can use this input method for programs, in 
> Windows, like OpenOffice, Firefox, and Thunderbird. This is why I more 
> or less assumed Linux would be able to as well, because the applications 
> that I also use in CentOS support the feature in Windows.

In UNIX/Linux, language settings are environmental variables.  All you
would need to do is set a variable and export it before a program
starts.  The Pango subsystem of GNOME 2+ handles it for GNOME
applications, and KDE has it's own.

> As for the keyboards, again, I don't know how it works, but I just type 
> in Japanese phonetically, the same way it works on a Japanese keyboard, 
> but still using my US English keyboard. In fact, I prefer to use my US 
> English keyboard for typing Japanese because Japanese keyboards have a 
> tiny space bar that I'm always missing and hitting other keys, and they 
> weirdly map thigs like an apostraphe to being above the seven and other 
> odd choices. With Windows, my keyboard retains its mapping, but the 
> result is that I can type in Japanese characters.

You can do either with X.  You can continue to use your English keyboard
_and_ you can plug in a Japanese keyboard simultaneously.  How either is
mapped is up to your X program, although I'm sure if you have the
English in and the Japanese locale, it will take it as well.

> It's this functionality which I assumed CentOS was offering with it's 
> "Input Method Switcher". After all, the Input method switcher does sit 
> on my top panel with a little white squre icon with "En" on it, just 
> like Microsoft's Global IME. If the "Input method switcher" does not 
> allow me to type in other languages, then what does it do?

I don't know.  Never tried it.

I just wanted to mention I had setup different users with different
languages before, and that unlike Windows (without different Graphical
Display Interfaces, GDIs, such as via Terminal Services for Switch
User), you _can_ run multiple user desktops/applications simultaneous on
a _single_ X session with windows right next to each other (of different
users).

-- 
Bryan J. Smith   b.j.smith at ieee.org      http://thebs413.blogspot.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------- 
It is mathematically impossible for someone who makes more than you
to be anything but richer than you.  Any tax rate that penalizes them
will also penalize you similarly (to those below you, and then below
them).  This is why someone who makes more than you always gets at
least the same, if not a bigger, tax cut.  Otherwise is impossible.