This patch is similar to amjz's in that it allows you to type in Arabic using the hardware keyboard on webOS phones (Pre-, Pre+, Pre2, Veer, Pre3).
I am currently using it on my Pre2, Veer, and Pre3 successful. I used to have this installed on my Pre+ but don't have it anymore to test on. I've been using this for over a year with success (except for some reason, Sprint won't let me send texts in Arabic, although I can receive them).
The keyboard layout is not the typical Arabic keyboard layout some of you may be familiar with. Instead it is based on an old XP windows keyboard layout by Gyula Zsigri (Arabic for Windows). You can visit this page for more information.
This is designed to be easy for someone used to English keyboards. So, for example, the م is on the m, the ن on the n, ب on the b, etc... Arabic letters are paired to their English phonetic equivalents. This really helps in being able to type in Arabic if you're not familiar with the traditional Arabic Keyboard Layout.
Incidentally, Zsigri's program doesn't work with Windows Vista/7 so I've made a layout that does. Also available below.
Double tap the SYM button to switch between Arabic and English!
PREREQUISITES:
Make sure you have an arabic font installed. I would recommend you follow CvvB's arabization guide here (http://forums.precentral.net/webos-d...ion-webos.html). He has done an AMAZING job, ماشاءالله
Install GNU Patch and Lsdiff from Preware - Linux Applications, these are required for all patches.
USAGE
Download and install the .patch file through WEBOSQI, Preware, or Internalz
I need to work on submitting this to Preware, please advise if you know how
KNOWN PROBLEMS:
Often, the first letter still shows up in English.
Also the ف seems to always show up in it's "middle of a word" form even if it is the last letter.
If you notice other problems, please let me know. Please post your experiences below!
LAYOUTS
See attached .jpgs
They show the Windows Keyboard Layout, which is roughly identical to the webOS layout.
Generally, adding shift gives you the 'heavier' or مفخم equivalent of the letter, ie shift + s = ص, shift + d = ض, etc...
I am working on the same idea but never got to finalize it because of other things I got to do in the Arabization area. I will try to do it and send it over to you so you can continue the development off that. My idea would be the ability to use the letter ( ' ) as a special character and inputing the following:
' then 3, would give you غ for example. The idea is still cooking up in my mind; however, for me personally, I would prefer this mentioned idea.
Try this layout, it works well for special characters and doesn't require knowing combinations. Zsgiri's approach is pretty ingenious, so it's easy to remember what's what. For example, the ع is on the E, the ش on the w (see the similarities?).
On the other hand, ذ is on the v, because they're both similar sounds (in terms of their production and quality). ا = a و = u ي = i so all vowels are matched to vowels. Adding shift to the vowels adds a ء, giving you آ ؤ ئ (by the way is the letter c=ء - again similar shape).
The only tricky ones to remember include the ث on the y (comes after t = ت) and the ى is shift+y. Everything else is pretty intuitive, but maybe because I've gotten so used to it...
Originally Posted by CvvB
You beat me to the idea
Nice and great work ...
I am working on the same idea but never got to finalize it because of other things I got to do in the Arabization area. I will try to do it and send it over to you so you can continue the development off that. My idea would be the ability to use the letter ( ' ) as a special character and inputing the following:
' then 3, would give you غ for example. The idea is still cooking up in my mind; however, for me personally, I would prefer this mentioned idea.
dear
i can't install this patch with WEBOSQI i get error for AT&T PALM PRE+ VERSION 1.4.5
I Install GNU Patch and Lsdiff
what i have to do
thanks a lot
- when I press "S" (no shift) I get a "ص", when I press S again then I get a "س".
- same situation with "D". I get a "ض", but pressing it again gives me a "د"
This also happens in the email client, but only in the "Subject" and "Body" sections. It does not happen in to "To:" field.
Haven't used it too much, will report back if I have more issues.
when sending the patch file using webOS quick install, where to am I supposed to send it?
what's the destination folder that I will send the .patch file in to?
I hope this thread is still alive. I installed the patch long time ago and it has an issue that I wish you can help fix it. The only letter that is not working fine is the letter ﻑ which is always written in its intial form "ﻓ". So the word "سيف" is written سيﻓ
NOTE: I just noticed this has been mentioned above.
Thanks