Introduction
AppsTML Sinhala Keyboard is a single file browser-based application
that enables you to type in Sinhala to a user defined textarea.
The typed content can be cut and pasted to (as well as pasted from)
MS applications (windows, word, notepad, wordpad, etc.), internet applications
( e.g. e-mail, textboxes in html documents, etc.) and other applicable
programs. It operates off-line thus an internet connection is not needed.
Requirements for satisfactory operation of the application is listed
in subsequent sections.
System Requirements
- Given that the application runs via an internet browser, a functioning
browser program is essential (internet connection is not required).
The functionality and the appearance of the program will vary with
the browser and version. Internet Explorer 8+ and comparable browsers
should enable the application to function as intended. Earlier versions
may produce none or partial functionality.
- System requirements in terms of the speed, memory etc. for the
application itself is insignificant compared to the requirement
of the browser program and Sinhala language support (see
details).
- The layout of the keyboard was arranged with a minimum screen
resolution of 1024 x 768. Display settings of a lower resolution
is likely to produce irregular results. In such cases consider an
adjustment of the browser window zoom feature and
workspace setup in the AppsTML Sinhala Keyboard.
Sinhala Language Support
In order to view Sinhala script on the on-screen keyboard and textarea,
the computer must have Sinhala language support. MS Windows Vista and
subsequent releases of Windows have Sinhala language
support. However, Xp and older version of Windows require Sinhala language
support (Sinhala Unicode) to be installed from an external source. Sinhala
Unicode support kits are available to download from sources such as:
http://www.siyabas.lk/sinhala_how_to_install.html
On-Screen Keyboard
Mouse click on a key (button) in the on-screen keyboard generates the character
in a particular location (cursor position or highlighted range) in the textarea.
Other keys in the on-screen keyboard:
- Clear All – Deletes all content in a textarea.
- Backspace – Deletes the previous character (from position of the cursor) in the textarea.
- Space – Creates an empty space in the textarea.
Sinhala Script
Arrangement
- Characters in the second row (with several exceptions) can be
considered the vowels in the Sinhala alphabet.
- Characters in the third and fourth row are consonants.
- The fourth and fifth row contains characters that are termed
as the signs (or vowel signs) of the Sinhala script. Signs are attached
to consonants to produce vocalic variations.
Typing in Sinhala:
- Vowels are typed in as a single character. Signs generally are
not conjoined to vowels.
- Consonants should be typed before the sign even if the sign
appears prior to the consonant in the sequence of characters ( e.g.
ක then ෙ produces කෙ).
- Special signs, ්ර
(or ්ර) and
්ය (or ්ය) should be typed straight after the consonant.
Additional signs can be inserted thereafter.
- Certain signs keys produces varying character shapes based on the attached consonant
( eg. ම + ු → මු whereas ක
+ ු → කු and ක + ් → ක් whereas ම + ් → ම් )
NB: AppsTML Sinhala keyboard does not contain all the characters used
in the Sinhala script. However, attempts were made to ensure that most
frequently used characters in the alphabet are available. Those that
do not appear could be inserted into the textarea by changing the language
setting of the physical keyboard and pressing the appropriate keys.
Menu Features
Undo/Redo – The undo button can retrieve content from upto 10 previous
actions. The redo button returns the content back to the original from
an undo step.
Workspace setup
AppsTML Sinhala keyboard allows you to resize the main textarea and
change the font size in the textarea. Simply replace default values
and click "Ok" to change settings.
- Width – The default width of the textarea is 1000px. It can
be increased (e.g. 1500px) or decreased (e.g. 500px) as an amount
of pixels or another appropriate unit of measurement (e.g. 500em,
50%, etc.).
- Height – Change the height of the textarea from the default
(200px) by replacing the value to a desired height in an appropriate
unit of measurement (px, em).
- Font size – Is the size of the font in the textarea/s . It is
not the size of the font that would appear once pasted to a html
or text document (e.g. word document). The option was created to
allow the user to view the content at a desired font size.
- Fixed keyboard and/or menu - Checking the selection box(s) locks the
keyboard and/or menu in to a fixed position on the screen.
- Default button – Returns editable values back to default settings.
AppsTML Sinhala keyboard also enables you to set background colours and images (i.e. wallpaper) for the app.
There are 20 predefined colours and 20 preset images (internet connection required) which can be
selected from the menus. If desired you can specify colour (web colour) or image file as the background for the app.
- To set a colour as the background
- Click Advanced button in the workspace menu (submenu should pop up).
- Select colour option. It should induce a dropdown menu to appear.
- Select a colour from the dropdown menu. Alternatively select custom from the dropdown menu and specify the
desired colour. Colours can be specified in any of the acceptable forms of web colours (i.e. English words, hexadecimal,
decimal).
- Click "Ok" in the menu to apply the selected (or specified) colour as the apps background. Clicking the cancel button reverts
the background to its original settings.
- To save the applied background colour, save the webpage (app) via your browser. Option to save (save as) the webpage should appear in
top menu and/or context menu. Ensure the page is saved as a "webpage complete". IE with its default settings
may not allow you to save changes to html documents (you can modify IE settings via tool → internet options). Subsequent
re-running of the app should retain the changes made to its background.
- To set an image as the background (wallpaper)
- Click Advanced button in the workspace menu (submenu should pop up).
- Select image option. It should induce a dropdown menu to appear.
- Select a theme from the dropdown menu. The associated image should appear as background of the app (internet connection
is required).
- Alternatively you could nominate an image file located in you hard drive and set it as the background for the app. It can be achieved
by selecting the custom option from the dropdown menu. From the file input (textbox and 'Browse/Choose file'button)
navigate to its location and select the desired file. Enusure the nominated image file is located in the same folder
as the app. Alternate path (absolute or relative) must be manually entered
into the html code of the app.
- Appstml website also contains a selection of downloadable background images (click here).
- File formats jpeg, gif and png are generally acceptable in all major browsers. Certain browser may accept other
popular image formats.
- Click "Ok" in the menu to apply the selected (or specified) colour as the apps background. Clicking the cancel button reverts
the background to its original settings.
- To save the applied background colour, save the webpage (app) via your browser. Option to save (save as) the webpage should appear in
top menu and/or context menu. Ensure the page is saved as a "webpage complete". IE with its default settings
may not allow you to save changes to html documents (you can modify IE settings via tool → internet options). Subsequent
re-running of the app should retain the changes made to its background.
- To remove background colour/image
- Click Advanced button in the workspace menu (submenu should pop up).
- Select none option.
- Click "Ok" in the menu to apply the changes. Clicking the cancel button reverts
the background to its original settings.
- To save the applied background colour, save the webpage (app) via you browser. Option to save (save as) the webpage should appear in
top menu and/or context menu. Ensure the page is saved as a "webpage complete". IE with its default settings
may not allow you to save changes to html documents (you can modify IE settings via tool → internet options). Subsequent
re-running of the app should retain the changes made.
Copyright and Disclaimer
AppsTML Sinhala Keyboard 1.4 Copyright © 2013
Ráj. A. Paksha, D.S. Anayaka
Viewing, accessing or otherwise using any of the services or information
created, collected or compiled in this software or associated documentation
you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of service
listed on the current page and elsewhere within associated documentation.
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any persons obtaining
a copy of this software and associated documentation, to deal in the
software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or
sell copies of the software, and to permit persons to whom the software
is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The copyright statement shall be included in all copies or substantial
portions of this software.
The authors, copyright holders nor agents give any guarantees or
warranty, expressed or implied, including warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose, are made as to the currency, accuracy,
quality, completeness, availability or usefulness of data, information,
apparatus, product, or process disclosed, provided through this service,
and no responsibility or legal liability is assumed for any damages
from its use, including, but not limited to direct, indirect, incidental,
punitive, and consequential damages.