> I'd like to propose a project about Input Method for > OpenSolaris. > > The scope of this project would be: > > 1. To support IIIMF (which is currently the defualt > IM framework on Solaris) on OpenSolaris, including > building/packaging, bug fixing, and adding new > features. > > 2. To support more input method frameworks on > OpenSolaris, such as SCIM and UIM, both are popular > IM frameworks on various Linux distributions. And to > monitor new IM technologies on *IX systems, such as > IM-Bus (which would be the next generation unified IM > framework). > > 3. To host intelligent input method implementations, > such as SunPinyin (developed by Sun Asian G11N > Center, shipped since Solaris 10, and would be > opensource'd to OS.o), which is a SLM (Statistical > Language Model) based IME. > > This project could provide more choices to customers, > and attract more developers, especially in Asian > areas. Thus help the adoption of OpenSolaris in > Asia. > > This project will be endorsed by Internalization > Community, the leaders initially would be Fuyuki > Hasegawa, Naoyuki Ishimura, and myself (all of us are > Sun employees) . We will invite more IM developers > around the world, as the lead engineers. > > Any suggestions and comments are welcome!
Hi Yung (& Ienup), As we discussed in private mails, I have assigned a high school intern to try to port UIM-pinyin-big5 to Solaris. However, after an in-depth research into the Chinese-specific localization infrastructure, he convinced us to at least temporarily switch back to SuSE. (This kid has been accepted to the accelerated BA/MD program at Northwestern. No doubt that his uniquely qualified Solaris-related experience that was prominently discussed in his CV helped quite a bit; this is a deeply sad conclusion for him--no less for us.) Unlike other features which we can always manage to improvise (& we have), the "input method" is something, like the keyboard itself, that we have to use everyday, & there is no substitute. I am also surprised to discover how the Chinese-related input method mechanisms that are implemented in Linux have improved so much within such a short period of time. As far as SuSE is concerned, of course the fact that the president of Novell-Taiwan himself also uses SuSE (on his notebook) plays an undeniable role. I remember complaining to him, after playing with the final release candidate of SuSE 10.1, why UIM-pinyin-big5 was dropped. Lo and behold, it was put back in the official release (after the beta test period has long closed). The fact that Solaris Express sticks with IIIMF--to the exclusion of all others--is also a key reason why we decided not to pursue any possible patch-up solutions. As I mentioned to you in my private mail, it is my impression that IIIMF, at least the Chinese character input portion thereof, is practically six feet deep if not with Sun's support. While IIIMF used to be the only show in town, the field of Chinese input is now booming with more polished methods such as SCIM, OXIM, GCIN, etc. From our own experience, we have found that SCIM is definitely more stable and much more responsive than the IIIMF implemented in Solaris Express. Even Red Hat, once the other biggest supporter of IIIMF, has switched to SCIM. With regard to SunPinYin, I feel that the NewPinYin is doing at least as a good job if not better. There is probably no reason to re-invent the wheel. Since the Chinese input method in Solaris is so far behind from the industry leaders (believe me, it pains me greatly to say these words), the most important order of business at the present time, if I can be excused for making such an irrespectful statement, is to duplicate what is already available. Don't try to do anything exotic. Once Solaris is brought back to the same leveled footing, the on-screen keypad that Solaris already has will make Solaris stand head and shoulders above everything else. And let's not forget about the Solaris kernel (yes, the kernel), and the fact that, thanx to Sun's xwindows team, a Solaris user can install the nVidia driver without even missing a breath). Etc., etc. So, we will be taking a hiatus from Solaris for a while. I definitely hope this will not last long. In revamping the Chinese input method(s) for Solaris, I would suggest keeping one potential "customer" in mind: Dr. David Yen. Dr. Yen and I went to school together at National Taiwan University more than 35 years ago. He has, and will have more, a circle of very influential friends in China and Taiwan who are key players in the fields of computers. communications and other consumer electronics. If you can develop a Solaris desktop/notebook/whathaveyou system that will make him antsy to show it to his friends (like Steve Jobs demoed his iPod/iPhone), then you know you have got the job done. I have confidence that the current Chinese localization downside will be timely solved. A couple of days ago, Sun's Chairman was talking about merging the odf and (China's own) uof file formats. While this endeavor may take a while to precipitate, one area that may have an immediate impact, at least as far as Solaris desktops are concerned, is the inclusion of the (China's) AVS codec. Codecs are always a big pain for Linux users. Once the Chinese locale problems are solved, inclusion of the AVS codec in Solaris will very likely generate huge interests. This message posted from opensolaris.org _______________________________________________ opensolaris-discuss mailing list [email protected]
