Writing Arabic with
a keyboard
Can you write Arabic with your keyboard?
This page deals with getting your computer to write Arabic. If you can already do so, you may move on to the Arabic alphabet.
There is no need to have a keyboard with Arabic characters showing on the keys, though this will be very helpful. Otherwise, after you enable Arabic input on your system (see below), you try each key, see what it gives you and make a layout of our own on a piece of paper.
Microsoft Windows
Windows 98/Millenium
To be able to write Arabic on windows 98 or Millenium, it must be Arabic Enabled, i.e there must be built-in support for it.
Windows 2000/XP
These platforms already come with built-in support for Arabic. You just have to enable it. Go to the Control Panel, double click on Regional & Language Settings, click on Language above, and look for a checkbox with the word "right-to-left". Check it. You'l need the windows installation CD to complete the process.
Press the Shift key while holding down the left Alt key when you want to switch between languages.
Other versions
I think the Vista version requires a somewhat similar procedure; look for Language Settings and the word "right-to-left".
GNU/Linux
Debian
Go to System Settings --> Regional & Language. Look for Keyboard Layout. In the "Available Layouts" list which shows all available layouts, select Arabic and click on the Add >> button, it will be added to the "Active Layouts" list. You wil now be able to enter Arabic text from your keyboard.
Now when you want to change input system, click on the tiny flag which appears on the right of the Panel, or press Alt, Ctrl & K simultaneously. To change this go to:
System Settings
\_ Keyboard Shortcuts
\_ Global Shortcuts
\_ Switch to Next Keyboard Layout
Choose another sequence of keys to switch between your keyboard layouts.
Fedora
Go to the Control Center --> Regional & Accessibility. Look for Keyboard Layout. There is a list showing all "Available Layouts"; select Arabic and add it to the "Active Layouts" list (by clicking on the Add >> button). You wil now be able to enter Arabic text from your keyboard.
Now when you want to change input system, click on the tiny flag which appears on the right of the Panel, or press Alt, Ctrl & K simultaneously. To change this go to:
Control Center
\_ Keyboard Shortcuts
\_ Global Shortcuts
\_ Switch to Next Keyboard Layout
Choose another sequence of keys to switch between your keyboard layouts.
Other "flavours"
Must not be considerably different; look for System Settings (or Control Center), Regional & ..., and Keyboard Layout
Mac
(Never got the opportunity to use a Mac, so have no idea how to enable Arabic on this OS. Anyway, Google is your friend)