Russian Mnemonic Keyboard For Windows 95

Abstract

This is a new "KBD" layout file for Window 95. It is intended to allow convenient typing of cyrillic text using an English keyboard. Installation and removal scripts are provided. This keyboard works with and requires the "multilingual" features of Windows 95. Twenty three cyrillic letters are typed with single keystrokes. The remaining ten cyrillic letters are typed using two keystrokes. All punctuation marks retain the same keyboard position, and can be typed without mode shifting. The primary emphasis is on ease of learning for those who already know how to type in English.

Installation and Removal

• Download the self extracting archive file "ruskbd.exe", if you have not already done this.
• Decompress the archive file by double clicking on it. This will create a directory(folder) called "Ruskbd". You may now delete the archive file if you wish.
• Open the new folder called "Ruskbd".
• To install, double click on the script file named "Install".
• To remove, double click on the script file named "Remove".
• Restart the computer, using the "Shutdown" command on the "Start" menu.

Problem reports

If you encounter any problems with the installation or use of this product, please let me know by email at: mailto:bertd@dibbs.net

Related products

The source code is available for this and other keyboards. I also have a general purpose keyboard development kit. For more information contact me at: mailto:bertd@dibbs.net

Motivation

I began to study Russian as an adult, already knowing how to touch type at good speed in English with a normal American computer keyboard. I tried all the available Russian keyboards and was unable to type with ease at any speed. I found the learning curve to be extremely steep. I thought there should be an easier way. Since I had the knowledge and tools to make a new keyboard in software, I decided to give it a try.

Background

I find it extremely difficult to teach my fingers new key positions. Having used many computers over the years, my fingers know the key positions of the regular letters (and the traditional typewriter punctuation marks ) very well. The other key positions I know hardly at all. Until recently these were in different places on different computers, so I never learned any one arrangement well.

I learned how to type at an early age. I just think of a letter and my fingers move to the right place. The easiest way for me to type in Russian is to use my head to map each Russian letter to an already known key (or keys), and then to let my fingers type those keys. I find it far easier to memorize some simple key mapping rules, than to teach my fingers new positions.

Faults of existing keyboards

• New finger positions must be learned, in strange places, way off in the corners of the keyboard, away from normal letter positions.
• Existing keys, (especially common punctuation like comma, period, slash question mark, colon, semi colon, and quote marks) are moved to new locations.
• Excessive shift in/shift out is required.

Goals of this keyboard

• Let me use my existing skills (good knowledge of basic typewriter key positions) to their best advantage.
• Require the least amount of learning.
• Make learning easy, by using mnemonic cues.
• Avoid speed limitations after acquiring mastery.

The novel feature of this keyboard

Two keystrokes are required for some Russian letters. I feel that the benefits of this outweigh the cost of the extra keystrokes. Since Russian has seven more letters than English, I know of no other way to achieve the stated goals.

In only one instance do the repeated keystrokes use two different keys with the same finger. So with practice, I believe that the repeated two keystroke sequence can be typed nearly as fast as a single keystroke. During the learning period I think there will be a significant speed increase because of the ease of learning. The prefix keys have consistent mnemonic meaning, and use the index finger on the right hand, the strongest (and fastest) finger for most people.

Mnemonic cues

• Homophonic (same sound) single letter mapping is used for all consonants with English analogs. It is also used for the 5 vowels with highest letter frequency.
• The prefix key "J" means "soft". It is used for soft versions of certain vowels, the soft sign, and for "Й". This mapping is homophonic if you use the German sound for the letter "J.
• The prefix key "H" means either "hard" or "husher". It is used for one hard vowel "Э", the hard sign, and for adjacent hushers.
• Graphic single letter mapping is used for the letters "Х" and "Ш".

Complete key mapping table

Copyright and copying

Copyright © 1998 by Bert Douglas.

This product may be copied and distributed subject to the following conditions:

• All files must be copied completely and exactly, and provided to each individual end user.
• No fee may be charged for this product.
• This product may not be combined, integrated, or provided in conjunction with any other product. Nor, may it be provided contingent upon the purchase of any other product.

All other rights are reserved, except as noted above.

Warrantee

This product is provided free of charge, AS IS, and without any warranty. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. I am not responsible for lost data, corrupted data, lost business, repair costs, or any other damage, caused by the use, or inability to use, this product. In other words, I DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY, WHATSOEVER.