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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nowsharing on Wed, 05 May 2010, 11:32:04

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: nowsharing on Wed, 05 May 2010, 11:32:04

I bought a keyboard from someone who has an Arabic lettered Model M. It's not for sale, but they were willing to send me some pictures and info.

"It was provided with new IBM AT from IBM, Kuwait.  Had Arabic language software for learning. Packed with it was copy of originally-supplied disk (3-1/2") which contains AKEY.COM. This software allows shifting from English/Arabic and provides unique characteristics of each Arabic key pressed - by Arabic letter's position in a word. Arabic uses one form each for Beginning of Word, middle of word, end of word and stand-alone letters. This was for old DOS 2.0 so probably needs upgrade but guess tha available for Windows platform."

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 05 May 2010, 11:36:09

Are the Arabic legends handwritten?

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: kishy on Wed, 05 May 2010, 11:45:32

Quote from: itlnstln;179179

Are the Arabic legends handwritten?

Look closely, I suspect that's from the manufacturer. Note how the usual letters are smaller as well.

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 05 May 2010, 14:48:37

The difference in contrast lead me to thinking that they were "Sharpied" onto the keycap.  The numpad especially.

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 05 May 2010, 15:23:16

No, that's the real deal, here's a pic of another one from the collection of dw_junon -

(http://www.9999hp.net/keyboard/temp/0989705-big.jpg)

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: bitflipper on Wed, 05 May 2010, 15:33:45

Now I'm really confused. I thought we already used arabic numerals?

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 05 May 2010, 15:36:39

There are a few offshoots of the Arabic number system. Our system is one variant, the one on those keyboards is another.

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: quadibloc on Wed, 05 May 2010, 16:18:27

Quote from: bitflipper;179286

Now I'm really confused. I thought we already used arabic numerals?

We call them that because we did get the idea to write numbers this way, instead of using Roman numerals, from the Arabs.

But we still changed the form of the numbers around a bit to fit in with our style of writing, just as the Arabs modified them from the form the Hindus, from whom they got the idea, had used. (Thus, we sometimes call them Hindu-Arabic numerals to take note of their ultimate origin.)

Thus, many of the languages of India, and other languages with related writing systems, such as Thai and Tibetan, have their own way of writing the digits from 0 to 9, because decimal positional notation had spread along with the Devanagari writing system.

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Wed, 05 May 2010, 21:30:40

Quote from: ripster;179319

It still amazes me that James Cameron goes to another galaxy only to find they use the Papyrus font.

Show Image

(http://www.bleedingcool.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/avatar1.jpg)

I take it as a sign that there is no other space-faring civilization in the universe. Real civilizations use perfectly-kerned Helvetica.

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: wellington1869 on Wed, 05 May 2010, 22:58:29

Quote from: ch_123;179282

Arabic Model M

Show Image

(http://www.9999hp.net/keyboard/temp/0989705-big.jpg)

Ah heck, alright, here we go:

"When you hit enter, a copy of your last sentence is sent directly to the pentagon. Its a 'feature'".

"Where's the key that declares jihad on comedy central?"
.
.
.
.
.
(what? we can rail on mao and china like there's no tomorrow... (not to mention the US and christianity)... equal opportunity political incorrectness, i say :)

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: AndrewZorn on Thu, 06 May 2010, 20:20:49

I saw one of these IN Iraq ON someone's desk... person probably had no idea why I was so interested.
Should have offered $10 for it.

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: EverythingIBM on Fri, 07 May 2010, 01:17:32

Quote from: wellington1869;179422

Ah heck, alright, here we go:

"When you hit enter, a copy of your last sentence is sent directly to the pentagon. Its a 'feature'".

"Where's the key that declares jihad on comedy central?"
.
.
.
.
.
(what? we can rail on mao and china like there's no tomorrow... (not to mention the US and christianity)... equal opportunity political incorrectness, i say :)

Yeah, people even egged mao:
(http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/2054806.bin?size=620x400)

Here's ripster's hero, kurt westergaard:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_gCayFzinbX8/STcIOR265eI/AAAAAAAABTo/r0IGQqgRPGY/s400/Kurt+Westergaard+happy+photo.jpg)

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: wellington1869 on Sat, 08 May 2010, 10:19:58

comedy central considering a half hour cartoon show called JC  (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/07/comedy-central-considers-_0_n_567259.html)(jesus christ).  But they wont let south park do one episode about muhammad. :)  Doesnt seem right.

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: ricercar on Mon, 10 May 2010, 11:50:36

Quote from: wellington1869;180169

half hour cartoon show called JC ... But they wont let south park do one episode about muhammad. :)  Doesnt seem right.

Time for a crusade! NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 10 May 2010, 13:37:01

Quote from: ripster;179182

I wouldn't take pics while in PJs.  Sometimes I wake up with a stiffy.

Yeah, Ripster listed a chrome Tea Kettle on ebay a few years ago.  He was naked when taking photos and is still not allowed within 2000ft of a public school.  I'd post the photo but I'm at work.

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: kishy on Mon, 10 May 2010, 13:42:09

NSFW. (http://www.dodgyscouser.com/pics/kettle.jpg)

Title: Arabic Model M
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 10 May 2010, 14:04:34

Quote from: ripster;180771

Hahaha.  I thought everybody missed that one.

Apologies to the picture taker.  My wife likes to lean over to people at dinner parties and whisper "Undiagnosed Asperger's" when I'm talking.

Show Image

(http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/funny-graphs-react-aspergers.jpg)

This graph leaves out what I thought the last time I was in such a situation -

"Wow, he's less socially retarded than some supposedly normal people I know..."