3 replies to this topic

[mlist]

There are a couple of problems using multiple keyboards and Spell Catcher in Panther.

The latest version of Nisus Writer Express has a wonderful new feature: you can set up an additional language with its own font and keyboard (or a whole bunch of different languages), then switch back to the normal language/font(s) by selecting the normal language again.

First problem is that when switching to the additional language and its keyboard I cannot use Spell Catcher. It cannot be overcome by first switching to the other keyboard, then clicking on the Spell Catcher in the International list as Nisus automatically switches back to the second language keyboard

Second problem occurs when switching back to the normal language and its keyboard. The Spell Catcher icon is automatically selected, but input becomes unbelievably slow. You can go and put the kettle on while waiting for the next glyph to get onto the screen (slight exaggeration, but only a slight one). To overcome this, I have to switch to the native keyboard (eg US or British) and once again I have lost access to Spell Catcher. If I try to switch to the native keyboard while Nisus is still trying to type out those glyphs, Nisus (understandably) crashes.

This problem might occur in other applications using a similar language feature, but I have not tested it.

I do know that it does affect input to other apps (eg email) unless I restart my Mac after the problem occurs.

The best solution could possibly be that Spell Catcher is NOT at all in the International Input Menu at all? Will it become its own independent self again in the next version (as it was in pre-OSX versions)?

Yours hopefully...

[Evan Gross]

mlist, on Dec 2 2003, 05:04 AM, said:

There are a couple of problems using multiple keyboards and Spell Catcher in Panther.

The latest version of Nisus Writer Express has a wonderful new feature: you can set up an additional language with its own font and keyboard (or a whole bunch of different languages), then switch back to the normal language/font(s) by selecting the normal language again.

First problem is that when switching to the additional language and its keyboard I cannot use Spell Catcher. It cannot be overcome by first switching to the other keyboard, then clicking on the Spell Catcher in the International list as Nisus automatically switches back to the second language keyboard

Second problem occurs when switching back to the normal language and its keyboard. The Spell Catcher icon is automatically selected, but input becomes unbelievably slow. You can go and put the kettle on while waiting for the next glyph to get onto the screen (slight exaggeration, but only a slight one). To overcome this, I have to switch to the native keyboard (eg US or British) and once again I have lost access to Spell Catcher. If I try to switch to the native keyboard while Nisus is still trying to type out those glyphs, Nisus (understandably) crashes.

This problem might occur in other applications using a similar language feature, but I have not tested it.

I do know that it does affect input to other apps (eg email) unless I restart my Mac after the problem occurs.

The best solution could possibly be that Spell Catcher is NOT at all in the International Input Menu at all? Will it become its own independent self again in the next version (as it was in pre-OSX versions)?

Yours hopefully...

:unsure:

Thanks for the report, we worked with Nisus a fair bit on this 1.1 release, but the basic fact is that they (nor I) could think of everything regarding this new language support of theirs.

It's kind of buggy (as you see) and doesn't know about or get along with input methods terribly well.

BUT the basic design and way of using this should be as follows:

DON'T USE Spell Catcher's input method for as-you-type checking.

DO USE Spell Catcher's OS X Spelling Panel support for as-you-type checking (i.e. choose a Spell Catcher language when configuring Nisus's languages prefs).

Life should be somewhat better if you do this, but not quite perfect. I reported some last minute bugs to them about this stuff, and I think they'll get it working right in a couple more go-round's.

Hope that helps

[mlist]

Have tried that, but I use Spell Catcher for shortcuts more than spelling so I do need interactive checking.

Also I have noticed that when I do choose the English Spell Catcher dictionary, the thesaurus shows words from a foreign language - not the English thesaurus, even though I have selected the English thesaurus in the Nisus language setup.

I agree this feature in Nisus needs further development. I'll stick with the brilliant Nisus 6.5 for the time being for real work.

I also need to correct myself regarding restarting my Mac because text input in other apps slows down. This seems to be a momentary thing, because if I do not restart straight away, input speed in other apps goes back to normal after a period and I can still use Spell Catcher and all its interactive benefits.

Thanks for your prompt response

[Evan Gross]

mlist, on Dec 2 2003, 06:53 AM, said:

Have tried that, but I use Spell Catcher for shortcuts more than spelling so I do need interactive checking.

Also I have noticed that when I do choose the English Spell Catcher dictionary, the thesaurus shows words from a foreign language - not the English thesaurus, even though I have selected the English thesaurus in the Nisus language setup.

I agree this feature in Nisus needs further development. I'll stick with the brilliant Nisus 6.5 for the time being for real work.

I also need to correct myself regarding restarting my Mac because text input in other apps slows down. This seems to be a momentary thing, because if I do not restart straight away, input speed in other apps goes back to normal after a period and I can still use Spell Catcher and all its interactive benefits.

Thanks for your prompt response

Shortcuts ARE available if you use the Spelling Panel (or as-you-type turned on). It's not quite as automatic - the abbreviations are flagged as "errors" and the expansion is offered as the first suggestion.

No idea if this helps you out, but thought I'd let you know.