[smc-discuss] Dot-Reph character in the keyboard layout

[Baiju M]

On Mon, Mar 3, 2014 at 11:13 AM, Baiju M <baiju.m.mail at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Sun, Mar 2, 2014 at 9:04 PM, Baiju M <baiju.m.mail at gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Sun, Mar 2, 2014 at 8:35 PM, Rajeesh K Nambiar
>> <rajeeshknambiar at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> On Sun, Mar 2, 2014 at 4:02 PM, Baiju M <baiju.m.mail at gmail.com> wrote:
>> [...snip...]
>>>> So what is the SMC recommended non-phonetic input method for Malayalam ?
>>>>
>>>> If Inscript cannot be modified further, how do we address
>>>> these kind of issues ? Can we create another one which is compatible with
>>>> Inscript.  (When I say "compatible", I mean retain existing Malayalam
>>>> character position in the layout and add new characters in the unused positions)
>>>>
>>>> Is there any other characters that need to be added ?
>>>> (Dot-Reph, Rupee symbol or anything else ?)
>>>
>>> Rupee symbol is already added, saw that in the files.
>>
>> Okay. Hrishi mentioned me that Rupee symbol could be based on this:
>> http://tdil.mit.gov.in/pdf/keyboard/keyboard%20standard2.pdf
>
> I think SMC should take a stand on Dot-Reph character for the
> non-phonetic input method.
> These are three possibilities that I can think about.
>
> 1. Do not include Dot-Reph character in the non-phonetic input method
>
>     Reason: The Dot-Reph character is not used in the Malayalam
> language anymore?
>
> 2. Do in include Dot-Reph character in the Inscript input method
>
>     Reason: This is good for "forward compatibility" with a future
> version of Inscript
>     (Any amendment from Govt. of India like Rupee symbol).  For example,
>     if Govt. propose to include any new character in the ">" (or any
> other position we chose)
>     position, that's going to break the existing layout.
>
> 3. Create a new Inscript like input method with Dot-Reph character with
>     backward compatibility.  So, retain existing Malayalam character positions
>     in the layout and add Dot-Reph in an unused position, say ">".
>     This is not forward compatible with Inscript.
>
>     Reason: Useful for those who working on old Malayalam text
>     See this bug report: https://bugzilla.wikimedia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=43854

After thinking more about this, I felt going for the third option (a new layout)
would be better.  Today I started drawing the new layout.  I moved Dot-Reph
into a new position and tried to keep maximum compatibility with Inscript 1
and Inscript 2. More weightage has given for Inscript 1 than the second version.
I think this new layout is more than 95% backward compatible with Inscript 1.

All Malayalam characters with Unicode code point has been included.

I have attached the new layout diagram here.  Please review it.


Regards,
Baiju M
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: nithya-layout-0.1.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 39324 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://lists.smc.org.in/pipermail/discuss-smc.org.in/attachments/20140308/08d4c0b4/attachment.pdf>