Imprima esta página
|
|
      |
|
|
|
|
|
|
[Guest Book | Mailing List] |
Unicode
What is Unicode?
Unicode [http://www.unicode.org] is a universal, standard (ie. everyone will use the same) way of encoding, or recording the written characters of languages all over the world. It is a consistent way of encoding multilingual text that enables the exchange of text data internationally and creates the foundation for global software.
What is Khmer Unicode?
Since the arrival of computers in Cambodia from the 80's, there was a need to be able to represent the Khmer script, or language, digitally. Since that time there have been many attempts to construct a system for writing the complex Khmer script. Khmer Unicode is the only globally standardised encoding, or recording, of the Khmer script.
How can I see it?
The Khmer Unicode used on this website can be seen successfully when using an Unicode compliant browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer 5+ on Windows 2000/XP with an updated Uniscribe Engine, or with Linux/Mac equivalents (discussed later).
What is Uniscribe?
Uniscribe is the name for the Microsoft Windows Unicode script processor. It's thanks to this that you'll be able to view Khmer unicode on the Windows platforms. The technology of Uniscribe is contained in a dynamic linked library: USP10.DLL. It is needed to (1) make visible subscripts and ligatures and (2) to move initial vowels and COENG RO into their proper order for the Khmer script.
What do I need to do to view Khmer Unicode on this site?
For the moment, you can view Khmer Unicode text on this site with Internet Explorer 5+ on Windows 2000/XP with an updated Uniscribe engine. The version of Uniscribe that comes with Windows 2000/XP doesn't correctly handle the Khmer script. A newer version which comes with the latest Microsoft Office 2003 does handle Khmer Unicode correctly. One can either update one's system to a newer Uniscribe, once you have the newer version, or just place the file in your Internet Explorer directory directly for read-only Unicode (see later about writing Khmer Unicode).
Where can I get the newest Uniscribe file from?
For the moment, you can find the latest Uniscribe file in a Microsoft Office 2003 installation, or for download from Microsoft's website [http://groups.msn.com/MicrosoftVOLTuserscommunity/homepage.msnw]. For more instructions on replacing your system's Uniscribe engine with the latest version, and where to get the latest version from, see Maurice Bauhahn's page [http://www.bauhahnm.clara.net/Khmer/usp10.html].
How can I write Khmer Unicode text?
For the moment there are a few possibilities, listed here possibly the easiest, from [http://www.khmeros.info]:
What about Macintosh?
Khmer Unicode is also available for Macintosh: [http://homepage.mac.com/bauhahnm/applications.html] but has not been tested with this site. If you have some Unicode fonts installed however, then the Khmer Unicode on this site should display as well.
What about Linux?
There has also been a lot of progress with Khmer Unicode and Linux, see the following website for more information: [http://unicode.khmer.cc/]. Again this has not been tested with this website. If you have some Unicode fonts installed however, then the Khmer Unicode on this site should display as well.
How can I test if Khmer Unicode is working?
See below for a comparative table:
| Correct Display | Non-Compatible Browser | Non-Up-to-Date Uniscribe | Your Display |
 |
 |
 |
ខ្មែរ |
Where can I learn more about Khmer Unicode?
Here are some useful links:
Resources on Khmer
Unicode - Maurice Bauhahn
Khmer Software Initiative - Computer OS
in Khmer.
The installation help for Khmer Unicode 1.2.5, Click here to see.