Installing Language Support

Foreign Language Keyboards

Both the Windows and Macintosh operating systems come standard with foreign language keyboard interfaces, which are a vast improvement on the ALT key combinations that many continue to use. Here, for example, is the keyboard interface for Spanish. You will note that accented characters (like ñ) can be typed by striking just one key. Using the white keys, you can type an accent mark and then type the letter that goes underneath it to achieve an accented character like é.

For all other languages, or if you need a reminder of the layout, a shortcut is provided on the desktop of EGARC computers which will show the keyboard as you type. To access the on-screen keyboard directly, click on the Start menu. Scroll up to Programs > Accessories > Accessibility > On-Screen keyboard. These keyboards are not part of the default installation, so you will need your Windows installation CD to install them. The real beauty of the system is that switching keyboards will automatically switch the grammar and spell checkers if they are installed (see below).