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 the allotted textarea. The character is generated as the
last of the content in the textarea (irrespective of the position of
the cursor). Clicking an on-screen keyboard key cannot generate a character
in the middle of the content in the textarea. Inserting a character
or characters (i.e. words) within the content in the textarea requires a
different procedure ( see Inserting text). Such
restriction do not apply when inserting text via pressing keys on the
physical keyboard. Other keys in the on-screen keyboard:
- Clear All – Deletes all content in a textarea.
- Delete (last) – Deletes the last character in the main textarea
(irrespective of the cursor position). To delete characters
within the contents in the textarea use the appropriate key (i.e.
Backspace , delete) in the physical keyboard.
- Space – Creates an empty space in the last position of the textarea
(irrespective of the positioning of the cursor).
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.
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 text area is 950px. 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 menu - Checking the selection box locks the
keyboard and menu in to a fixed position on the screen.
- Default button – Returns editable values back to default settings.
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.
Insert text
Sinhala script keys on-the screen keyboard cannot directly insert
content to any position within the textarea. However the application
does have a feature which allows you to insert text to a selected position.
It utilises a secondary textarea (smaller textarea located besides the
menu buttons) which can be activated by clicking the "main textarea"
button. Upon activation the text on the button changes to “secondary
textarea” and the background colour of the secondary textarea changes.
Now if a key on the on-screen keyboard is clicked, the corresponding
character is inserted in the secondary textarea. The main textarea is
deactivated from the on-screen keyboard, but mouse actions and physical
keyboard operations are still active. Text content can be inserted into
desired position in the main textarea via the following steps:
- Type the required content in the secondary textarea.
- Make a selection in main textarea (It must be a selection spaning
at least a single space. Placing the cursor on specific location
is ineffective. Selection could even be an empty space within the
textarea.)
- Clicking "Insert Text" button should insert content from the
secondary textarea to the initial position of the selection.
- Alternatively you can copy the text from the secondary textarea
to the clipboard and then paste to the desired location within the
main textarea.
To deactivate the secondary textarea, click the “secondary textarea”
button. Text and colour should revert back to the original.
Copyright and Disclaimer
AppsTML Sinhala Keyboard 1.2 Copyright © 2012
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.