[SCIM] Some problem of Simplex input method in SCIM

[Roy Chan]

Dear all,

I switch to SCIM recently and find there is some problem on the
Simplex (簡易) input method. I use Cangjie mainly but I found many
friends who use Simplex
suffer similar problems.

First, the simplex table contain both traditional and simplified
chinese (and some
HKSCS char) which is too large for simplex input method. People need to 
navigate many pages to select the right chinese char.  While many chinese chars
are similar in small size, it is easy to make people confuse and choose a wrong
char. I got some friends often mix traditional, simplified chinese and even
japanize hanzi on the same article after switch to the Simplex of SCIM.

The char in SCIM Simplex is not in well order. Most popular chars cannot be
selected on the first page. Dynamic Adjust might solve the problem. But if
the user choose wrong chars at the first time, they will wrong
forever. Therefore,
having a better initial order is pretty important. The Simplex in
ETen/MS Windoze
are ordered by the Big5 encoding. Most simplex user remeber the order
of some char in increase the input speed, changing order will confuse them.

SCIM allow user to use 0-9 to select chars while duplicated input code.
But MS Windoze use only 1-9. This affect the display the order of char.

Besides, Simplex user used to type "space" to navigate pages while
duplicated input code.

Indeed, I have prepared a new simplex table which convert from the one
in xcin and I have change some following things:

*  I rename it as Quick (速成) coz many hong kong people don't know
  Simplex is same as Quick. I saw  many complain about xcin don't
  provide Quick input method but the Simplex of xcin is submitted by
  me several years ago. (Most user of simplex input method are hong
  kong people)

* Contain only traditional chinese char in Big5, all HKSCS 2001 char and
  full-width punctation. Ordered by Big5 encoding which similar to
  MS Windoze/ Eten / xcin.

* Based on Cangjie 3th generation. Better for people switch from MS
  Windoze / xcin.

* Switch off default full width punctuation

* Switch on SHOW_KEY_PROMPT (I'm surprised that Cangjie didn't
  switch this option on)

* Remove SINGLE_WILDCARD_CHAR and MULTI_WILDCARD_CHAR
  while each chinese char cost max. only 2 keys. Wildcard is useless
  in Simplex.

* Change the SELECT_KEYS from 0-9 to 1-9. Make is similar to
  MS Windoze

* Add Shift+less to PAGE_UP_KEYS and Shift+greater and space to
  PAGE_DOWN_KEYS to make the operation more similar to
  MS WIndoze

* Switch off the Dynamic Adjust.

I have compared the table with the Simplex of Windoze. It should be
OK for people switch from Xcin/MS Windoze. I have uploaded to
http://xychen.org/zhdesktop/scim/ . 

Wish it will be bundle in next version scim-tables.

yours,

-- 
Roy Chan (http://xychen.org/)