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Short URL: http://scripts.sil.org/TaiDamKeyboards
Tai Dam Keyboards
Contents of this page:
Introduction
System Requirements
Layouts
Keyman vs MSKLC implementation
License
Downloads
Support
Introduction
Two keyboard layouts are provided here for keying text in the Tai Viet script. The TaiDamUS keyboard is a mnemonic layout based on the US English keyboard, in which each character is assigned to the key that has the nearest equivalent English letter. The TaiDamTW keyboard is based on the keyboard of the Tai Dam typewriter made by the Tai Dam community in Des Moines, IA, in the 1980s.
Both layouts are designed primarily for use with the Tai Dam language. The U.S. mnemonic layout can also generate the Tai Don aspirated consonants, although two keystrokes are required to produce each of these characters.
Each layout is available in either a Tavultesoft Keyman implementation or an MSKLC implementation.
System Requirements
These keyboards can be used with any Tai Viet Unicode font. Refer to Tai Heritage Pro for one font that you can use.
These keyboards are designed for the Windows platform, and have been tested on Windows XP.
The Keyman implementation requires 
Tavultesoft Keyman Desktop to be installed on the host machine—version 7 or later on Windows Vista; version 6 or later on Windows XP.
Layouts
Tai Dam US mnemonic keyboard
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Tai Dam Typewriter keyboard
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Keyman vs MSKLC implementation
If you are using the UBS Paratext software or older versions of SIL's Toolbox program, you must use one of the Keyman implementations. These two programs do not work with MSKLC keyboards. Otherwise, the MSKLC implementations are provided for those who do not have and do not wish to purchase a license for Tavultesoft Keyman Desktop.
License
This software and documentation are copyright ©2008, 2009 by SIL International. It is distributed under the X11 free software license; see SIL International X11-style License for more information.
Downloads
| Downloads | Installation and Use | ||
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To install the keyboard, Tavultesoft Keyman Desktop must be installed first. Then follow the instructions in the Keyman documentation for installing keyboard packages. Keyman will install both the keyboard and the documentation. The documentation will be located at Start / All programs / Tai Dam US Keyboard. |
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Expand the Zip file (see Decompression Utilities, Downloading & Installation Tips for guidance). This will create a folder called taidamus. Locate setup.exe in that folder and double click on it. Documentation will be found in taidamus\Tai Dam US MSKLC.pdf. | ||
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To install the keyboard, Tavultesoft Keyman Desktop must be installed first. Then follow the instructions in the Keyman documentation for installing keyboard packages. Keyman will install both the keyboard and the documentation. The documentation will be located at Start / All programs / Tai Dam TW Keyboard. |
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Expand the Zip file (see Decompression Utilities, Downloading & Installation Tips for guidance). This will create a folder called taidamtw. Locate setup.exe in that folder and double click on it. Documentation will be found in taidamtw\Tai Dam TW MSKLC.pdf. |
Tai Dam Keyboards for Windows
Support
As these fonts and utilities are distributed at no cost, we are unable to provide a commercial level of personal technical support. We will, however, try to resolve problems that are reported to us.
We do hope that you will report problems so they can be addressed in future releases. Even if you are not having any specific problems, but have an idea on how this system could be improved, we want to hear your ideas and suggestions.
Please note that these fonts are intended for use by experienced computer users. Installing and using these fonts is not a trivial matter. The most effective technical support is usually provided by an experienced computer user who can personally sit down with you at your computer to troubleshoot the problem.
General troubleshooting information, including frequently asked questions, can be found in the documentation. Additional information is also available on the general Font FAQ page. If that fails to answer your question you can contact us at:
User Support
SIL International
Non-Roman Script Initiative
7500 W. Camp Wisdom Rd.
Dallas, TX 75236
USA
Email: 
SIL_fonts@sil.org
© 2003-2009 SIL International, all rights reserved, unless otherwise noted elsewhere on this page.
Provided by SIL's Non-Roman Script Initiative. Contact us at nrsi@sil.org.