[Lexicog] Arabic-based scripts in Shoebox on Arabic-enabled computers

[Crockett]

Craig,

Arabic-based scripts do not work in Shoebox. They do work in Toolbox,
but the setup can get a little complicated. One thing you need to make
sure you're doing is typing the Arabic script in based on the Unicode. I
don't think that can be done using the normal Arabic keyboards. It has
to be a Unicode-based keyboard or something like that. Maybe someone
else can help explain this better. If you're familiar with Keyman, that
can be used to design a keyboard which types in Arabic Unicode
characters. I think that is the main issue involved; although, you have
to make sure you get your sorting order and case settings typed in as
well. The newest versions of Toolbox also support interlinearization of
Arabic-based scripts. The first versions of Toolbox did not.

There are a lot of issues involved in this. You really need a computer
consultant who can help you with this if you want to go with Toolbox.
Once the consultant has you set up, things go smoothly. You need the
correct platform and software as well. Seems like there was something
about having to have Windows XP Professional (not an update), too. That
may or may not be necessary.

Good luck,
Crockett

-----Original Message-----
From: Craig Kopris [mailto:ckopris at yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 15, 2004 4:09 PM
To: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Lexicog] Arabic-based scripts in Shoebox on Arabic-enabled
computers

Hi

I've been consulting with some people who are trying
to do lexicography on a handful of languages using
Arabic-based scripts.  Currently, they're using Excel
(I know, I know).  I've suggested Shoebox (which they
had never heard of), but there have been problems
using the correct writing systems.  I'm not personally
familiar with SDF, and I'm afraid there might be some
sort of interaction between it and the systems they're
currently using.

They use windows 2000 and xp, Arabic enabled.  I'm not
sure what that last part means in technical terms, but
apparently they can choose an Arabic setting on the
Language bar (on the taskbar), and type in Arabic
(Farsi, etc) with proper display of letters in their
various connecting shapes, right-to-left editing,
etc., without needing to choose any extra formatting.
And, of course, they have Arabic keyboards.

On some computers, in Shoebox everything is converted
to question marks (though right facing, as in Arabic),
while on others Arabic is displayed naturally.

Is anyone familiar with using Arabic scripts in
Shoebox?

Thanks

Craig Kopris




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