Re: input method descriptions

From: DougEwell2@cs.com
Date: Mon Nov 12 2001 - 10:34:10 EST


Peter Constable wrote:

> Perhaps it might be possible to resolve
> this by simply stipulating that the left shift key is position B00 (say),
> though we may still run afowl of the next two issues.

It's not, actually. Check Part 2, section 8.3.1:

    All or part of the left-hand level 2 select key shall be in position B99.

(Remember that "level 2" is ISO 9995 terminology for Shift.)

Some keyboards (not mine) do have a B00 key that falls between the left shift
key and position B01 (the 'Z' key on my QWERTY keyboard). Backslash used to
be placed here on some early PC keyboards.

The fact that not all physical layouts are identical creates some interesting
problems, as Peter mentioned. For example, using SC UniPad I can create a
keyboard that assigns a character to the B00 key, but I can't type it since
my keyboard has no such key. I have to use the on-screen virtual keyboard
(possibly in conjunction with Shift or Ctrl+Alt) to access it. I imagine
users of Keyman have encountered similar situations.

Peter already covered everything else I wanted to say about logical vs.
physical keyboard layouts.

-Doug Ewell
 Fullerton, California



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