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Post by greyghost1 on Sept 8, 2008 16:33:16 GMT -5
In Gitte's latest trip report someone mentioned they had an international keyboard. Can anyone get one? In the US? And then could I use the french marks over words? And deos it hook up like say a Logitech or generic keyboard?
Thanks.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Sept 8, 2008 17:40:22 GMT -5
I think that the keyboard probably isn't a big deal (I would suggest doing a Google search to try to find a supplier). That would allow you to get used to the weird layout. But I think you also would need whatever software controls what the keys do when you strike them, in order to have the keys match up with what you're trying to do - at least, I'm assuming that's software based (resident computer gurus, what say you?)
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Post by Sarastro on Sept 8, 2008 18:45:39 GMT -5
The keyboard map is not controlled by the keyboard itself but by a computer's operating system. Changing the actual keyboard will result in a cosmetic change to key labeling only. To make a complete keyboard change work:
1. Match the operating system keyboard interface to the new keyboard.
2. Replace the old keyboard with one displaying the new layout.
To be able to type French accent marks with a QWERTY keyboard is really quite simple. We had a thread once that outlined several quick methods to accomplish this. As a default, check the operating system's "Character Map" which should outline the steps required.
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Post by greyghost1 on Sept 8, 2008 19:35:33 GMT -5
Ok I get it. Thanks Sarastro!
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Post by Happygoin on Sept 10, 2008 8:56:18 GMT -5
And btw, this might be a good thread to point out that, when you stop in to an internet café in Paris (or wherever, I suppose) you can ask for an "American" keyboard.
I didn't know this a few years ago and struggled through the airline check-in process with a European keyboard...talk about hunt and peck!
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Post by chicchantal on Sept 10, 2008 13:19:18 GMT -5
Is an american keyboard the same as an english one? ie qwerty across the top left, completely different to a French one? I've never done it but I've always assumed if you know how you can tell the keyboard to be qwerty rather than french? For a touch typist (ie all ten fingers) like me, the French keyboard is absolutely infuriating and the reason you'll never get a live trip blog from me in France.
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Post by Happygoin on Sept 10, 2008 13:28:12 GMT -5
Yes, that's an American one as well, Chic. Perhaps you could borrow one from an internet café  ?? I guess not  |
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Post by sunshine817 on Sept 10, 2008 15:44:18 GMT -5
Actually, no -- a UK keyboard and US keyboard are not the same. The letters are all in the right places, but the punctuation keys and such are all shuffled...
Drives me absolutely bananas to type in a UK internet cafe, as I keep punctuating everything wrong -- I can't remember all of it, but the location of the @ key is one that jumps into my head.
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Sept 10, 2008 15:45:36 GMT -5
Three words: "travel with laptop"!! Followed by: "rent apatment with highspeed internet access" of course.
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Post by Happygoin on Sept 11, 2008 6:37:34 GMT -5
LOL, good one, Becky. Not for me though. I'm one of those holdouts who refuse to travel with a laptop  . |
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Post by Truffaut on Sept 11, 2008 8:05:41 GMT -5
Better than that....stay in an apartment that provides a computer with internet access instead of lugging a laptop allover creation.
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Post by chicchantal on Sept 11, 2008 13:53:07 GMT -5
But wouldn't it be one with a pesky French keyboard?
I do find after about a week my fingers are going in the right places on a French keyboard. Then I come home and I'm back to square one again . . .
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?? I guess not 
.
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha