Library response: Thanks for submitting this suggestion. You raise a good point, and here a couple of thoughts about it.There are two main concerns with adding additional keyboard layouts to public machines. First, many computer users do not know how to toggle between variant keyboard layouts on a PC or Mac, which means that if they find a machine left in, say, French state, they would have no idea how to switch it to English, nor vice versa. Beyond that, there is the issue that there would be reasonable arguments that other language kits be included, and there is no equitable way to determine what would be included and what excluded.The good news here is that there are numerous ways to type characters in other languages. For example, if using Microsoft Office, one can use fairly straightforward key combinations to type French (and other) characters (http://www.twinning.org.uk/international_characters_in_word.htm). On any computer, one can also use what are known as alt ascii codes to generate non-English characters (see http://www.irongeek.com/alt-numpad-ascii-key-combos-and-chart.html). (Sep 14/11)
Answered by: Dale Askey (Associate University Librarian, Library Learning Technologies)

Categories: Computers/WiFi/Printers  |  Permalink