suzmccarth wrote:

>
> --- In qalam@yahoogroups.com, Andrew Cunningham <andj_c@...> wrote:
> >
> > Personally, I feel that providing virtual (onscreen)
> > keyboards is also important.
> >
> > One problem with character pickers is that many are
> > written for, or optimised for, Internet Explorer.
>
> Is it possible to make a picker, or similar utility, that lives on
> the computer rather than on the internet?
>
> > Alternatively, a graphics tablet system, much like
> > some i've seen for the Ethiopic script could work as
> > well, although cost is again an issue.
>
> I haven't seen that, do you mean handwriting input or a touchscreen?
> >
> > Taken into account how the written language is taught,
> > what would be the best way to adapt Vai characters to
> > a qwerty/azerty keyboard?
>
> The simplest approach would be to create a Vai syllabary onscreen in
> a table 7 x 25 (or up to 7 x 36, details later on recount) and have
> the English consonants and vowels as Michael described. Really just
> moving the syllabary chart off the wall onto the screen. Then one
> could either pick the symbols directly with the mouse or type them
> in by using the consonant and vowel combinations.
>
> Those who are unfamiliar with 10 finger input they won't have
> expectations of typing faster anyway.
>
> I realize that this does sound like alphabetic input, but the
> difference is that alphabet input is only an *optional* method and
> not a required method. Direct input is possible.

If a traditional order of the signs were known, it would be preferable
to a "syllabary grid."

Arrangement by graphic similarity would also be preferable.

> With the new wide screens it is would be possible to have the entire
> syllabary open down the right hand side of the screen beside an open
> document.

I think you must mean "tall screens" -- with a wide screen you could run
it across the top or bottom, maybe in a couple of lines.

> I notice that the new laptops are more energy efficient
> and could probably last longer on a battery. I ran mine off a car
> battery for 5 weeks. (We did have to drive the car once in a while:)
> I just mention this to say that it would be possible to take a
> laptop into areas of Africa without electricity.

--
Peter T. Daniels grammatim@...