DevanagariTyping

From IndLinux

Guide to typing Devanagari on computers

This is a generic guide including all ways on inputting devanagari (Hindi/Marathi/Sanskrit/Sindhi/Konkani) on computers.

See screenshots of keyboard layout here.

InscriptTypingGuide

X Windows In /etc/X11/XF86Config-4 or /etc/X11/xorg.conf , keymap is specified in InputDevice section, like below

Section "InputDevice"
       Identifier      "Generic Keyboard"
       Driver          "keyboard"
       Option          "CoreKeyboard"
       Option          "XkbRules"      "xfree86"
       Option          "XkbModel"      "pc104"
       Option          "XkbLayout"     "us,dev"
       Option          "XkbOptions"    "grp:alt_shift_toggle"
EndSection

XkbLayout specifies the order of keymaps chosen, there can be maximum of 4. Alt+shift key is to be used to cycle between layouts. Other shortcuts could be use by specifying in XkbOptions - like shift_shift_toggle, ctrl_shift, alt_ctrl ..etc

In GNOME

1. Add Gnome Keyboard Indicator in the panel by right clicking it. Choose "Add to Panel", browse down and under "Utilities" choose "Keyboard Indicator" as shown in screenshot.

Click "Add". A keyboard indicator appears in the panel displaying your default language (depending on your locale settings), for instance GBr for UK english.

1. Right-click the keyboard indicator and choose "Open Keyboard Preferences". Choose "Layouts" -tab as shown in screenshot.

Click "Add". In the list, scroll down to "India" , expand the selection and select your language. If you are looking for Devanagari, you will not find it on the list (a bug in gnome). You must select the root item "India", which actually produces devanagari, as shown below.

Click "OK". Add any other languages you wish to use. Click "Close". Now you have configured the keyboard settings to produce indic scripts with your keyboard. Finally choose default layout and keyboard preferences would look as shown below.

1. Left-click the keyboard indicator to switch between layouts. Or right-click the indicator and choose the layout of your choise under "Groups". Please remember that devanagari is to be found as "India", due to the bug in Gnome.
2. Type your text and enjoy..

In KDE

On the fly
Run the following command on terminal

$ setxkbmap -layout 'us,dev' -option 'grp:alt_shift_toggle'

Using IIIMF

Using SCIM