Hi Denis, In some ways, it was easier. But looking at each language, the issues seem to be have a slightly different slant.
Sgaw Karen is interesting in comparison to Burmese. There is some use of the hacked Zwekabin font by bloggers, but most content, and key media still use 8 bit fonts. Although little use of Unicode. The lack of uptake of Unicode fonts seems to lie in the fact that the default rendering for most Myanmar script fonts is Burmese. If Sgaw Karen, etc are supported it is via locl features. If a Sgaw Karen user is using the font in software when they can't control the necessary opentype features, or don't know they can and need to .... you will eventually get a perception that their language isn't supported. There are font developers among the Burmese, Mon, Shan ethnic groups developing Unicode fonts tailored for there needs. Burmese situation is quite different. A topic that I have discussed often with Burmese colleagues. I have my theories. But the current resurgence of Zawgyi very much depends on the ability of mobile devices to render Myanmar Unicode, and the choices telcos and handset manufacturers make regarding system fonts. Regarding keyboards, it is interesting comparing Khmer and Burmese. Uptake of Unicode was earlier and quicker for Khmer. When Khmer keyboards were developed, the Khmer developers chose to live with the severe limitations of system level input frameworks. It is only this year that I have started to see truly innovative research into what a Khmer input system should be. Burmese Unicode developers on the other hand were never satisfied with those limitations, and various developers looked into alternatives. Andrew On 7 Oct 2016 17:42, "Denis Jacquerye" <moy...@gmail.com> wrote: > > In may case people resort to these hacks because it is an easier short term solution. All they have to do is use a specific font. They don't have to switch or find and install a keyboard layout and they don't have to upgrade to an OS that supports their script with Unicode properly. Because of these sort term solutions it's hard for a switch to Unicode to gain proper momentum. Unfortunately, not everybody sees the long term benefit, or often they see it but cannot do it practically. > > Too often Unicode compliant fonts or keyboard layouts have been lacking or at least have taken much longer to be implemented. > One could wonder if a technical group for keyboards layouts would help this process. > > > On Fri, Oct 7, 2016, 07:12 Martin J. Dürst <due...@it.aoyama.ac.jp> wrote: >> >> Hello Andrew, >> >> On 2016/10/07 11:11, Andrew Cunningham wrote: >> > Considering the mess that adhoc fonts create. What is the best way forward? >> >> That's very clear: Use Unicode. >> >> > Zwekabin, Mon, Zawgyi, and Zawgyi-Tai and their ilk? >> > >> > Most governemt translations I am seeing in Australia for Burmese are in >> > Zawgyi, while most of the Sgaw Karen tramslations are routinely in legacy >> > 8-bit fonts. >> >> Why don't you tell the Australian government? >> >> Regards, Martin.