Regional Keyboards

[craigix]

If we did this, would it make you all happy? or is it ?

 

[Vorporeal]

Possibly. I think, personally, that the best approach is to just use AltGr+Compose. It will provide international support for everyone very easily, and will free up room for other Fn commands. The polls done a long time ago found that a vast majority of people would have no issues using a standard, english-language keyboard with AltGr+Compose allowing for the inclusion of international, language-specific characters.

EDIT: One important thing to keep in mind is that it looks better to have one all-encompassing keyboard layout than a whole host of layouts for different regions. If reviewers from different countries look at a layout that works in every part of the world, they will be impressed and will praise the developers for their foresight and dedication to making the Pandora work for everyone. (Wording might be a bit over the top, but the point still stands.)

 

[peca]

If we did this, would it make you all happy?

For sure. I doubt that there is so many Czechs to have our own, so I'm for alternate layout with something like "simple US" + deadkey or compose or altgr.

 

[Spirit]

As I tried explaining in my sarcastic now-locked thread, I do not think that the majority of people cares or worries.
A standard english layout would be sufficient, people can easily use compose to get their special characters. The "PROs" could remap through xmodmap. I know I will if I don't like the layout you go with (and can't get used to it) and I am totally fine with that.

edit: Also what about programs that use any keys that would differ on those layouts? Sorry if that has been discussed. I am using a german keyboard and often have trouble when games use the english layout. Standardisation is good here.

 

[mali]

If we did this, would it make you all happy?

The only answer can be: Yes!

I'd be willing to pay extra for this. English for every native English speaker and those who don't care as standard for free. Localised versions for people who need/want them, for some extra bucks if necessary. Layouts for respective localised versions should be discussed in their home fora or here, if there is no local board.

I would be willing to take an English keyboard if I must, but I would really like a German version, if it isn't too expensive.

I understand moaners about the layout on the rendered Pandora(the moaning as such, but not the amplitude).

 

[Eight Bit]

why not make each key a tiny self programmable LCD and be done with it

 

[bzar]

I'd like this. I don't necessarily need it, but I'd like it. My only worry is that some applications may use specific key symbols for commands, that are readily available on the english keyboard, but need a weird key combination for others. I remember a game where you constantly needed the [ key to switch weapons or something. On a finnish keyboard that means pressing AltGr-8 in the heat of the battle. Yes, I can always xmodmap, but you know what I mean.

 

[haptagud]

Being a native english speaker I'm fine with a standard keyboard, as long as its possible to remap or use modifier keys for accessing specific regional characters (swedish and spanish in particular)

 

[gibberish]

yes, that would be a more than ample solution. honestly, people are running out of things to talk about now and are arguing and causing grief about things which dont really matter too much (i mean, the keyboard is re-programmable through software anyway so its basically a non issue to begin with). but yes, make some regional keymats and sell them seperately to people who feel they really need them and then we can end this silly debate.

 

[fusion_power]

If we did this, would it make you all happy?

As long as I doesn't have to pay more, OK.
But do the OS support all these different Keyboard layouts? How do Pandora Software Handle this? Do the OS manage all the different layouts or do the coders have to implement it always in their programs so if I push Ä I always get an Ä into the programs. I think this is tha main problem with multiple Keyboard Layouts. ^_^
I also would be fine with an English-Only Keyboard, as long as I'm able to type umlauts somehow. "Compose Key" sounds interesting but if you have to push 3 ore more buttons to get special characters, maybe a localized Keyboard is the faster way to type?

 

[Mark1970]

If we did this, would it make you all happy?

I am from the Netherlands but I will not be requiring a Dutch keyboard. Most keyboards used in The Netherlands are of the US-international type and getting a Dutch Pandora keyboard will even be problematic.

The Belgians use a different AZERTY layout as do the Germands, perhaps they are keen on a localized keyboard but I guess most Dutch persons who ordered a Pandora will not be.

 

[joa]

I say we do whatever is currency planned. If you think it might please a few people to change things then go for it, as long as anything done doesn't cause any delays.

 

[craigix]

If we did this it would most likely just be a case of selecting what keypad you wanted to use via the OS.

 

[Consequence_9]

Honestly I don't really care & I don't think the majority of people care, I think the general consensus was just to keep it as standard as possible so as not to favor one region over another. If it isn't too much of a hassle then sure, why not? but if it's going to cost you guys extra or delay things in any way then I'd just drop it. It's only a minority that's all up in arms about this whole thing.

If you're going to go through with this, for the time being just go with a standard layout & throw one for whatever region it's headed to in the box with the panda. That way the user can choose to use it or not. I don't think you should be responsible for assembling and tracking region specific pandas just because a few people are whining about it on the forums. Then no one can whine.

oh wait! I forgot! If you do that then people in english standard regions will complain about how they didn't get an extra keypad! I guess you could throw in an alternate layout (or a semi-transparent one ;]) for them so they don't feel left out, but honestly no matter what you do SOMEONE will probably find something to bitch about.

I take it there are more pressing matters at hand, so just take your time & worry about those first.

Peace & Love to ya craig, keep up the good work =]

 

[bzar]

Ship the first pandoras with a default (non-regional) keymat, make regional ones available (as accessories and preinstalled) when you have the time. I don't think it's an issue that needs to be addressed pre-launch.

(See sig.)

 

[haptagud]

QUOTE
for them so they don't feel left out, but honestly no matter what you do SOMEONE will probably find something to bitch about.


The internet was invented for allowing SOMEONE to bitch... oh and porn

 

[giovanni]

I'm Italian but I'm for the English standard keyboard.
Maybe you can make an extra regional layout but it must be an additional one. The original one should be present in every Pandora.

I think that Shift, Alt Gr and Fn will satisfy all the combination: they offer 5 alternatives for each key (Normal , Shift + Key, Fn + Key, Alt Gr + Key, Alt Gr + Shift + Key).

 

[Dutch_Cap]

I just don't want any foreign characters printed on my keyboard. I'm xenophobic like that...

 

[Edy]

Why not using an standard, international keyboard for Pandora, and then providing all region-specific symbols and letters in software?

Imagine a single button (i.e. left trigger) that, while pressed, shows a keyboard drawing overlay (translucent) in the screen with alternate characters on each key. While this button is pressed, the keyboard keys would produce the letters and symbols shown in the overlay. When the button is released, the overlay is hidden and the keyboard would produce its labeled letters and symbols.

Advantages:

• Single keymat, reduced costs.
• Pandora gets an unique "physical" identity, being the same letters in the same keys everywhere.
• No limitations of some Pandoras having to be used in a specific regions only.
• Alternate layouts can be easily added as software upgrades. Each customer can use a predefined alternate layout for his region or even modify / create his own.
• The button for displaying the alternate layout is configurable. It could be automatically disabled in full-screen applications (games, emus...).
• Most popular alternate layouts could eventually receive their own physical keymat (i.e. starting at 2nd batch)

Just imagine this feature in normal application usage: web browsing, filling forms, writing emails, instant messenger... a button and an alternate layout appear displayed translucent on screen with the letters for user's region, the button is released and the layout dissapears. Eventually the user would learn where the most used letters are, so even the alternate layout drawing could be configured not to appear (or appear after a time the activation button being hold).

I believe this would be a good solution for everyone.
What do you think?

EDIT: More advantages:

• Single button for getting alternate letters and symbols. No need to deal with complicated AltGr-Shift-Compose-Fn combos.
• Application developers can map the keys (and write the docs) universally for every Pandora, without having to deal with region-specific layouts.

 

[Polossatik]

For Latin based input you have basically 3 "big groups" of layouts AZERTY, QWERTY and QWERTZ (QZERTY seams not be used a lot in .IT - aldo I can be wrong)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_layo...or_Latin_script

If you are used to AZERY then QWERTY is pretty annoying - especially if you switch between then a lot.

So it would be very nice to have at least those 3 options.

regarding the "special characters" I still think a compose approach is the best.
I don't really see the point in adding special characters printed to the actual layout, every language has it's own favorites... If you would be able to add a set of direct mappings (in software) then it would be great,

Just my 2 cents