Typing Non-ASCII Characters

As previously mentioned, each tool starts in ASCII mode, as shown by [ASCII] in the status area.

The first step in typing Chinese characters or other non-ASCII symbols is to toggle ASCII input mode off by pressing Control-spacebar (or the Chinese/English key on a Chinese keyboard). Turning ASCII input mode off also turns conversion mode on, which is shown in the status area.

Each tool's first conversion mode is TsangChieh. You can then change to a different conversion mode by pressing its function key (for example, F2 or F3).

When you toggle input conversion off and ASCII input mode on (using Control-spacebar), the conversion manager program notes which conversion mode is on. Then when you toggle conversion mode back on again, the conversion manager program turns the last conversion mode on again.

Some conversion modes offer lookup choice areas. When more than one page of choices is available, press Control-N to display the next page of lookup choices or Control-P to display the previous page.

Pressing Delete, Backspace, or Control-H deletes the last character or symbol you typed while Chinese input conversion mode is on.