How to install Thai input in Eee PC
I don’t know if this is useful, but I found many sites mentioned that Eee (Xandros) is not capable of handling Thai–only for input, I guess. So this could help somebody who passes by and is finding how to add Thai as an input language.
Originally, Eee PC comes with English and Chinese, of course. Thus, it needs something to switch between those languages already. Luckily it is SCIM - Smart Commom Input Method Platform. If you are familiar with another linux distro and using other language besides English, you will know it well. This is all you have to know in order to add Thai or any language as a keyboard input.
source: screenshot of openSUSE 10.3
Basically, SCIM has 2 parts which are core programs and tables (.bin & .png) for any languages. Usually, when you install SCIM, it will bundle tons of table for you to choose, but unfortunately Eee does have only English and Chinese. So, what you have to do is copying the table for the language you need into SCIM directory. That’s it!
I upload all non-CJK tables for SCIM in Sky Drive here, it’s only 110kB, so you may add all that or just choose what you want.
After you got the file, you have to extract and put them in
/usr/share/scim/
or if you want to add only Thai language, you have to copy Thai.png in icons folder to /usr/share/scim/icons and Thai.bin in tables folder to /usr/share/scim/tables. (you have to gain root privilege in order to do so)
Then you have to set for a hotkey for switch the language a bit. You might not use grave accent though since grave button is not on the right place as usual keyboard. I found that Ctrl+space is very comfortable way to switch, but it’s just my way.
Step-by-Step: how to add thai for eee pc:
1. download SCIM table from my Sky Drive here
2. Extract to where you want, assume /home/user
3. get into Terminal (Ctrl + Alt + T)
4. gain root privilege
sudo -i
5. copy 2 files needed for a lauguage you want
cp /home/user/scim/icons/Thai.png /usr/share/scim/icons/
cp /home/user/scim/Tables/Thai.bin /usr/share/scim/tables/
6. right-click on SCIM and set for a hotkey
7. you are now able to type Thai on Eee PC, congratulation!
#—–added on 2007-12-25—- การลงภาษาไทยใน eee pc ——–#
Additional part for you guys who prefer Pattachote keyboard layout (ปัตตะโชติ บน eee pc) pattachote on Eee; ปัตตโชติ บน eee
First of all, you don’t have to follow the step above. You have to do something a bit different which is adding scim-thai repository.
1. Get into terminal by ctrl+alt+t
2. add repository that has scim-thai (one I know is from linux.thai.net)
sudo kwrite /etc/apt/sources.list
add the following line into the file, then save and exit.
deb http://linux.thai.net/apt ./
3. update the repositories and install scim-thai in terminal
sudo apt-get update
You may have to try several times until you haven’t seen an error. Then:-
sudo apt-get install scim-thai
4. once you finished installation; restart once–I don’t think it needs to but scim sometimes confuses about adding new stuffs.
5. After you get back; setting in SCIM then you all set!
Happy New Year! I hope you find some fun with your Eee PC!
Popularity: 12% [?]
What’s so good about TrackPoint?
I always hear people around commenting Lenovo ThinkPad (formerly IBM ThinkPad) series is great, but they are rarely buying one just because of “the red stick” in the middle of one of the best keyboard ever. I were among that group of people as well; however, time changes; people also change too. Ever since I got my X61T, I had been forced to live with the only choice of mouse called “TrackPoint”. I have started changing my mind then.
Everybody around me knows that I naturally hate using touchpad. You will hardly find me using touchpad. Thus, I’m always carry a little USB mouse with me since I have a laptop although that loads me a bit more. However, it doesn’t mean I use touchpad as slow as one who haven’t ever touched a computer. The thing has been changed since I got ThinkPad X61. From the very first feeling of using TrackPoint, I did feel somewhat awkward and found it not as fast as my weak touchpad skill. But it was just a time when I was a stranger to TrackPoint. For the time being, TrackPoint is a breeze comparing to touchpad and unfortunately better than a mouse in some ways.
To get into why it’s so good, you may have to know a bit of how it works out. In order to move a cursor, you have to gently push on the red stick in a direction you want. Right-button and left-button are right below spacebar. For the middle button, it doesn’t work as a standard middle button but it will works as a wheel by hold the button and using the red stick to scroll in whatever direction you want–two or eight directions depending on the program.
Sound normal to you, right? It is. However, the advantage of TrackPoint is the position itself. While the touchpad is below the keyboard, TrackPoint is on the keyboard. While you have to move your hand a bit to use touchpad, you don’t have to move your hand at all using TrackPoint. Imagine typing and scrolling the page back and forth, you will see how pain it is when using touchpad but it’s so easy to TrackPoint. For a Trackpad–Apple’s stuff, they requires your 2 finger–mostly index and middle one which you have to move your whole hand–to scroll the page, but for TrackPoint you just use your thumb to hold the middle button and your index to control the direction; you don’t even have to move your hand. That’s easy! For more example, scrolling the page, you have to drag your finger from top to bottom many time ’til the end of page. Nonetheless, you don’t have to move any part to use TrackPoint; you just gently press on the red stick, how convenient. That’s the point why I prefer TrackPoint to mouse when I read stuffs; it’s so smooth like using MicroGear™ Precision scroll wheel of Logitech in VX/MX series but better in term of controlling.
IMO, the real disadvantage of TrackPoint is when you are using programs like Photoshop, using a mouse is a way much better! I don’t think you will find any cons of TrackPoint comparing to touchpad though. Also, I found that TrackPoint is creating for a regular work, not intending to make it very accurate, or fast in any way, so it does not give you a perfect experience when you are playing a game like shooting, or any requiring accuracy.
Another point is finger pain, it does happen but it probably the same as touchpad. In addition, by setting to highest sensitivity and using the soft rim–type of TrackPoint cap, I think you will use it comfortably by now.
For who you don’t believe me, try it by yourself; you’ll know what I’m talking about.
Types of TrackPoint Cap:
Classic Dome: The Classic Dome cap is for users who prefer the touch and feel of the cap traditionally associated with the TrackPoint.
Soft Dome: With a large, convex surface area and soft texturing, the Soft Dome cap provides a soft touch and feel.
Soft Rim: The large, concave design of the Soft Rim cap provides a completely different touch and feel and creates a mechanical advantage whereby less force is required for pointer motion.
Edited on Jan 23, 2008: Soft Rim really helps you use trackpoint easier and lesser effort. You should try ;-P and, then, be happier with this
Popularity: 8% [?]
