Logos Coptic Keyboard
Beta Test
This page contains links to download a Beta version of the Logos Coptic Keyboard. This keyboard layout was created using the Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator, and thus seamlessly integrates with Windows 2000 and Windows XP, though it has only been tested internally on Windows XP computers. The Logos Coptic Keyboard was designed for inputting Coptic on Roman/English QWERTY keyboards. In addition, the placement of letters and many other marks matches the placement of the Logos Biblical Greek Keyboard, making it easier to switch between related languages. The keyboard layout can be used with any Unicode 4.1 Coptic font, though certain characters may not exist in all fonts.
Note: in older versions of Unicode, Coptic shared a code page with Greek, but in Unicode 4.1, Coptic has a separate code page. This keyboard uses the new 4.1 code points for Coptic, and may not work with older fonts that have not been updated to the new and improved Coptic support in Unicode 4.1. In addition, many Unicode applications do not yet fully support Unicode 4.1, so even with working fonts, your results will vary depending on what application you are using this keyboard in.
A PDF document contains installation instructions, information on the design philosophy of the layout, and charts of the key assignments.
All the normal Beta testing disclaimers and warnings apply.
Feedback on this layout is welcome, and may be sent to suggest@logos.com or via the Beta newsgroup at news://news.logos.com/beta.
Using the Logos Coptic Keyboard within Libronix Digital Library System
The current version of Libronix DLS is running an older version of the International Components for Unicode, so the new Unicode 4.1 standard is not yet supported by the shipping version of LDLS. The following instructions may work for using this keyboard with the 2.2 alpha-test releases, but this has not been tested either. This keyboard has been tested and works with Windows 2003, though the double oblique hyphen will not display properly. Welcome to the cutting edge!
The Logos Coptic Keyboard is a standard Windows keyboard layout, which can be used with any Windows application that supports Unicode version 4.1. The current version of Libronix DLS has its own keyboards for Greek and Hebrew which can be disabled to use the keyboards installed at the Operating System level. Click Tools | Options | General | Interface and check the box 'Keyboard Selector Uses Windows Keyboard Layouts'. Uncheck 'Show Keyboard Selector in System Tray' and click OK. Now instead of using the F2 key, which will switch between proprietary Libronix keyboards, use the Windows keys to switch between your installed Windows keyboards, such as the Logos Coptic Keyboard. Left-Alt + Shift is the normal Windows default for switching input locales.
If you are running 2.2 Alpha 39 or later, the checkbox "Keyboard Selector Uses Windows Keyboard Layouts" option has been removed in favor of a drop-down box that allows you to choose any one of three keyboard layouts - Windows, LLS (our old keyboards), and Logos (our new keyboards). This should be the third drop-down box: Tools | Options | General | Interface - "Keyboard Layout". Select "Windows" keyboards. Then disable "Show Keyboard Selector in Taskbar Notification Area" and click OK. The option for selecting Logos (the new keyboard layouts) in this drop-down menu is to support the new layouts for older versions of Windows that cannot use the native Windows XP/2000 keyboards. At the time of writing, the Logos Coptic Keyboard has not yet been integrated into the 2.2 Alpha.
Last Updated: 8/9/2006