FAQs:

Why do I need to download the installer for Yiddish Keyboards?
What is a "keyboard layout?
Which keyboard layouts are included with the installer?
What will be "installed" on my computer with this download?
What is Unicode UTF-8 and why do I care?
Why can't I just use other commercial programs for Yiddish?
What if I already have a Yiddish or Hebrew keyboard layout installed?
Then what? How do I get started after I install the Yiddish Keyboard Layouts?

Why do I need to download the installer for Yiddish Keyboards?

• Type and read Yiddish texts.

• Yiddish text format compatible with others - a standardized format.

• Yiddish email in real Yiddish characters.

What is a "keyboard layout?

You cannot type Yiddish without a keyboard layout. A "keyboard layout" is a set of software instructions which tell your computer which Yiddish characters to create when you press each key on your keyboard. Included with the above installer are diagrams of all the keyboard layouts which you can print out and keep by your computer until you grow accustomed to it. You should select a keyboard layout which makes logical sense to you personally, so that it will not be difficult to learn. It doesn't matter if you use a different keyboard layout from someone else - You will still be able to read each other's email, etc. For example, a khomets-alef is a khomets-alef, regardless if you create it by pressing the O key or by pressing Shift+R.

Which keyboard layouts are included with the installer?

Virtually all of the keyboard layouts shown below are automatically included with the installer. You can easily switch between them, or select just one to use as your own standard layout. To see sample keyboard layouts, click below:

• Windows 2000/NT/XP

• Windows 95/98/ME

You will be able to select a keyboard layout which suits your needs; e.g., a smart transliteration format, phonetic, or one that simulates Yiddish Royal typewriters from the 1930s, an official UYIP Hebrew-Yiddish keyboard, plus more. Regardless of which keyboard layout you choose, you will be able to share email and other documents with others who use the Unicode UTF-8 format, regardless of which operating system or keyboard layout are used by your email correspondents.

Advanced users - After installing the above, if you wish to design your own Yiddish keyboard layout, click here for instructions.

What will be "installed" on my computer with this download?

If you complete the installation, the installer will detect your operating system (i.e., your Windows version) and will save several information files on your computer which map out each keyboard layout. Information will be added to your Windows system registry to allow it to recognize these keyboard layouts. You will get a Help File which you can access and read at any time. The Help File includes instructions for how to configure your system for Yiddish and also contains pointers for your web browser to find information about various programs that you can use to type Yiddish - programs for Yiddish word processing, email, and web pages. The program will also install a utility called Keyman by Tavultesoft which is needed in order to use some of the layouts.

What is Unicode UTF-8 and why do I care?

This keyboard installer will allow you to work with Yiddish texts in a univeral computer format called Unicode UTF-8. Click here to read more about Unicode in the context of Yiddish email. In short, using a univeral format allows us to share Yiddish text from one computer to another - e.g., in email. Also, for many computer systems, it is not necessary to purchase anything if you use an existing code scheme which your operating system can understand.

Why can't I just use other commercial programs for Yiddish?

You can! There are a number of private commercial programs which enable you to type Yiddish. Some of these come with their own  keyboard layouts whereas others require the above installation. However, some of them do not use the Unicode UTF-8 standard. Therefore, you cannot use most of those commercial programs for Yiddish email or to share text documents electronically with others. Click here for some information about these commercial programs and comparison charts.

What if I already have a Yiddish or Hebrew keyboard layout installed?

You can keep it and still install these new ones. You can always return to your old keyboard layout if you want. The installer will not overwrite the "Hebrew" keyboard layout in your Windows system. Instead, it adds new "Yiddish" keyboard layouts which you will be able to select at will.

Then what? How do I get started after I install the Yiddish Keyboard Layouts?

Click here for an overview of the latest working programs for Yiddish computing.

• Back to A Users' Guide to Yiddish on the Internet for an overview.