Russian input on US laptop?

[JensenHealey907]

Does anyone here know anything about how to take a US laptop to Ukraine and enabling cyrillic input on it? Would it be best to buy a russian USB keyboard over there or can I just get overlay stickers for the keys? From the little bit of research I have done so far I see some Russian language pack would have to be installed and then after that russian input can be enabled. Does installing this russian language pack require having the OS install media? Any and all information about letting a lady in the Ukraine use a US laptop with Windows 10 on it would be most appreciated.

[Slumba]

It is built in to Windows 7 and 10.  You can even set it up so that Alt-Shift key will switch between English and Cyrillic.  Note: there are different settings for Russian and for Ukrainian languages even though they both use Cyrillic.

[krimster2]

You can change your keyboard layout under windows,

for example under Windows 7, do the following:

From the Control Panel (Start -> Control Panel) double click on the 'Regional and Language Options' icon, then 'Keyboards and Languages', then 'Change Keyboard' , then 'Add' within 'Installed Services' under 'Text Services and Input Languages', and then click on 'Russian'

then you need to find a chart so you can map the Cyrillic letters to your keyboard.

A simpler approach is to go to a computer store and purchase a USB Cyrillic keyboard for $30 and just plug it into your PC

also, I seem to remember there are some on-line sites that let you type Cyrillic and then copy/paste it to your editor

[JensenHealey907]

It is built in to Windows 7 and 10.  You can even set it up so that Alt-Shift key will switch between English and Cyrillic.  Note: there are different settings for Russian and for Ukrainian languages even though they both use Cyrillic.

OK, I understand after doing some basic research about the software config in MSWin but I have questions about the Hw and position of the keys. Does switching from english to russian input switch the locations of the keys to where someone who types cyrillic would normally be able to find and type with them? If someone is not a touch typist will they be confused by the ASCII key symbols? This is why I was asking about using an actual russian keyboard or stickers for over the keys. I am guessing the standard qwerty layout is not what it would be for cyrillic input. But maybe I am mistaken.

[JayH]

A simpler approach is to go to a computer store and purchase a USB Cyrillic keyboard for $30 and just plug it into your PC

This is the easiest way -in conjuction with other comments.
If you are changing back and forth  -plug in and out-- change a few settings and it is quite quick.

To the op  -- you can buy small keyboard online before leaving.
I would do that and get the set up procedure worked out  while you have fiddling time !!

I actually carry 2 computers ( 10")  and have often used for side by side translation. Conversation can be a good speed --usually with a lot of laughing at some translation !

[calmissile]

You can change your keyboard layout under windows,

for example under Windows 7, do the following:

From the Control Panel (Start -> Control Panel) double click on the 'Regional and Language Options' icon, then 'Keyboards and Languages', then 'Change Keyboard' , then 'Add' within 'Installed Services' under 'Text Services and Input Languages', and then click on 'Russian'

then you need to find a chart so you can map the Cyrillic letters to your keyboard.

A simpler approach is to go to a computer store and purchase a USB Cyrillic keyboard for $30 and just plug it into your PC

also, I seem to remember there are some on-line sites that let you type Cyrillic and then copy/paste it to your editor

The easiest solution.

[SANDRO43]

I can confirm what the others said, even if my situation is slightly different . My laptop came with a US keyboard, which of course for me was all wrong . Therefore I bought a Trust USB Italian keyboard for about $20, and configured Win10 (Control Panel, Clock Language and Regions >> Language) adding Italian to US Eng. 

When Win10 has finished booting, the bottom toolbar at right will show your laptop language (ENG). Clicking it will show any additional languages you configured to choose from. Voilą!

[alex330]

They sell Chinese made keyboards with cyrillic keys on Ebay for next to nothing. I bought one for the wife's first laptop, popped out a few screws and popped it into place.


You can also buy stickers to put on the keys that show western and cyrillic lettering.



Most Russians can toggle back and forth using the method Slu mentioned though.

[JensenHealey907]

OK, the laptop arrived today and I am starting on the language setup. When I go to add the russian input to Win7Pro I see two options, "Russian" and "Russian (Typewriter)"

What is the difference between these two?

BTW, Under Ukrainian I see "Ukrainian" and "Ukrainian (Enhanced)"   What is the difference between these two?

[Mila]

Hi there, the best way is to have lazer engraving with Russian alphabet. It it very good and cheap as well.

[2tallbill]

OK, I understand after doing some basic research about the software config in MSWin but I have questions about the Hw and position of the keys. Does switching from english to russian input switch the locations of the keys to where someone who types cyrillic would normally be able to find and type with them? If someone is not a touch typist will they be confused by the ASCII key symbols? This is why I was asking about using an actual russian keyboard or stickers for over the keys. I am guessing the standard qwerty layout is not what it would be for cyrillic input. But maybe I am mistaken.

I recommend getting a phonetic keyboard especially if you already know how to type.
When you want a Russian C you press the English S. You will only have to learn where 
a few keys are and you won't need stickers or maybe just a few. 

There used to be a market place here on the forum where you could buy Russian stickers
etc, but it might be gone now. Maybe you could send a PM to Sandro and ask. 

[edit to add found it]
http://astore.amazon.com/russianwome08-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=7


Udachi!


Bill

[BC]

You might want to try the on screen keyboard. It should have international layout.  It's ok for occasional use, hunt n peck with mouse.

[2tallbill]

Back when I would chat for an hour or two per day with different FSUW
I would later invite them to chat in the chatroom (at a different place)
I'm sure Larry and a few others remember, but I could probably type
10-15 words (if I knew them) per minute with my phonetic keyboard.

Of course I spelled stuff wrong and my Russian was horrible, but back in
the olden days the computer translators were terrible and would translate
stuff into gibberish, you were on your own trying to figure out how to
communicate. 

I wouldn't recommend a phonetic keyboard if your girl is going to use it.
It would drive her nuts. Imagine somebody giving you a keyboard with all
the letters randomized

However, if you want to greatly speed your ability to chat and pick up Russian
then I recommend going phonetic

If you want to give it a try go here
http://russian.typeit.org/

and start typing in the box. If you like it then you can either download it or many
operating systems have one already installed on your computer. 

I can type this below in a few seconds. I did cheat and use the 4 instead of the
ч because I didn't know where it was. Each phonetic keyboard is slightly different
but you can learn it in an hour or so. 99% of FSUW can decipher my caveman/baby
talk Russian (they don't have to decode my accent).

Привет!
Как дела?

я отли4но
а у тебя?