How to type Spanish Characters
I posted this in the Spanish typing thread, but it looked pretty dead so am making a new one and copying the message here.
Finally, the code is complete.
I call the new program QSC, short for 'Quick Spanish Characters'.
This program was designed to make it much easier to use the Spanish alphabet. It's great for doing the excercises in the "Learn Spanish" section. It's much easier than hitting the little button with the mouse.
To use the special letters tap twice very quickly. The time between the taps can be changed by left clicking on the icon on the system tray and choosing 'options'.
This program currently supports these characters "ÁÿÍÿÿ áéíóú ªº¡¿"
For ? ¡ ? tap '>>? , for 'º? tap '<<? , for '¿? tap '''? ,and for 'ª? tap 'mm? all others are the same key like ñ is nn , á is aa .. so forth and so on?
'''...remember to double tap the key on your keyboard.
To quit the program left click the icon on the system tray and choose 'Quit?
To Disable or Enable the program choose , 'disable? or 'enable? on the options menu.
There are still some bugs, if you want to tell me about them, my email address is on the options menu.
When it installs it will add an icon to your desktop and to your Programs menu. If you do not like it or it causes unforseen problems, it can be uninstalled in control panel-add\remove programs.
System Requirement.
Windows XP
.Net 2.0 (freely available from microsoft) The installer will let you know where to get it.
I tested it with Vista and it doesn't work correctly.. I will have to find a Vista development machine to edit and recompile it on, it may take a few weeks.
Of course here is a small disclaimer.
I do not guarantee that my software is free from defects. My software is provided as is, and you use the software at your own risk.
I make no warranties as to performance, fitness for a particular purpose, or any other warranties whether expressed or implied.
Under no circumstances shall I be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use, misuse, or inability to use this software, even if I have been advised of the possibility of such damages.
edited to update the link..
6 Answers
Actually, Windows already has support for all those characters. Just go to Control Panel, select Regional and Language Options, click on Languages, click "Details..." under Text Services and Input Languages, then add Spanish with the keyboard set to "United States-International".
Once you do that, type ' before a vowel to have it accented, and ~ before n to get ñ. To get the inverted exclamation mark (¡) type Ctrl+Alt+1, to get the inverted question mark (¿) type Ctrl+Alt+/.
If you enable the Language Bar, you can easily switch between English and Spanish keyboards.
More information here: http://www.studyspanish.com/accents/typing.htm
¡Muchas gracias! Esta información es muy útil. Ahora puedo escribir muy fácil con el teclado.
I knew windows had a way of making these keys, I was looking for a way to make it quicker and a little easier than key combinations.
Well, I grew up in Brazil and the US-International keyboard in Windows works just like our old typewriters did. It never occurred to me that someone who never used a non-US keyboard would find it difficult. I now see the point of your effort.
I knew windows had a way of making these keys, I was looking for a way to make it quicker and a little easier than key combinations.
I have just actually completed the second version of the software.
QSCSetup.msi
It now supports Vista and XP
It has other enhancments and bug fixes such as:
Traps only the keys neccesary for operation.
Fixes possible issues with the options screen not showing.
The default delay is set higher. from .15 to .2 seconds.
Reduced coding
Once again you can try it if you need a quick fix and don't want to remember key combinations or ALT keycodes.
The program is free and I make no money off of it. If you like it great, if you don't thats fine too.
Actually, Windows already has support for all those characters. Just go to Control Panel, select Regional and Language Options, click on Languages, click "Details..." under Text Services and Input Languages, then add Spanish with the keyboard set to "United States-International".
Once you do that, type ' before a vowel to have it accented, and ~ before n to get ñ. To get the inverted exclamation mark (¡) type Ctrl+Alt+1, to get the inverted question mark (¿) type Ctrl+Alt+/.
If you enable the Language Bar, you can easily switch between English and Spanish keyboards.
More information here: http://www.studyspanish.com/accents/typing.htm
Thanks for trying it and thanks for you comments. This is the first version of this software and is bound to have some bugs. I will check on the options screen problem and make an update the software if I find anything. Also, Your right about the instruction, I wil try to make them a bit clearer. Thanks again!
Edit: I did find a small problem that could cause the options screen not to show. I uploaded a new fixed file. Thanks.
I'll have to verify that I have net 2.0 installed, but, if I do the program doesn't work for me. I seems to have download alright and created the correct folders, the icons appeared, etc., but my typing isn't effected at all.
It would help have helped immensely if you had included a readme.txt or something similar providing instructions. I didn't understand your reference to double click. Is the program supposed to create a virtual keyboard that you mouse click or just re-program the keyboard keys. If it reassigns the keyboard keys then how do you type a word like hawaii? Or Pennsylvania? Or Google?
I did try it on my Vista computer and it definitely did not work there.
I think my other one is Windows XP SP3.
I checked. I do have Net Frameworks 2.0 installed.
Further trials after adjusting the rate between clicks allowed me to make the characters. I don't know if you type or "hunt and peck", but it's hard to double click the a key very fast with your little finger to make the á.
Also, while trying to adjust the click rate the Option window would only open about 1 in 10 tries. I'll stick with my International keyboard.
Buena Suerte.
