Chowara 1.0 for Windows
User's Guide
The usage of Chowara editor is limited to be used as a scratch pad wherein Malayalam text can be composed using font Chowara. For priting, formatting and other advanced manipulations of the text composed using this editor, standard text editors like Wordpad or Word must be used.
1. Installing Font
Font Chowara needs to be installed before start using the editor.
1.1 Start->Settings->Control Panel->Fonts.
1.2 In Fonts window, select File->Install New Font.
1.3 In 'Folders' listbox, navigate to the directory where Chowara editor has been installed. For example, in C:\Chowara.
1.4 Select "Chowara (True Type)" in the 'List of fonts' listbox, and press 'OK'.
The following line will be displayed in Malayalam if you got Chowara font installed on your system correctly:
-hkiu\]kA dlhmj]kA TmujH segjulyjsð Tgk dgdxjhkaluj ëjfj svÕk' gÞk YzlaÍxksm Segln\ svlÖg;
2. Getting Started
User has the option of using either keyboard or keypad or both combined. The keyboard mappings are compatible with that of Malayalam typewriter.
2.1 Using Keypad
All the Malayalam characters and symbols and a good selection of compound letters can be chosen into the text, using the keypad provided. Also most of the symbols available on a US-English keyboard are also provided for selection.
Use or F5 key to double a letter. For example, to double '
m' use the following sequence of key strokes:m
, then m
will become }.
If there is no double letter available for the selected letter, then the same
letter will be displayed twice with a ý
in between.
Use or F6 key to make a compound letter, For example, to make
á, use the following sequence of key strokes:r
P, then
á will appear at the place of r.
If there is no compound letter available for this combination, then both the
letters will be displayed with a ý
in between.
2.2 Using Keyboard
Text can also be typed using only keyboard. Then you must be familiar with the Malayalam typewriter. Following pictures give the character mapping of Chowara font.
2.3 Working in Command Mode
The symbols on the regular US-English keyboard are available in command mode. To enter into command mode press 'Esc' key. The command mode is valid only for the next key stroke.
For example, pressing | in Chowara will display
| in regular mode. But it will display the actual | in command mode.3. Menu Options
The limited menu options include:
File->Save : Save file using this option.
File->Open :Open a saved document into the editor.
Edit has Copy, Paste and Select All options.
Normally, a user of this editor will compose Malayalam text using it and save it to a file. Then it can be opened in an advanced editor for further processing. To be able to see that text in Malayalam, select the text and choose its font as Chowara.
4. Composing Text for Puzha.Com
If you want to upload any matter in Malayalam to Puzha.Com, you might want to use Chowara for composing the necessary text. After composing the text, copy it and paste in the appropriate field of a Puzha.Com form.
5. About Chowara and Its Licensing
For more upto-date information on Chowara Malayalam text editor and font, visit http://www.puzha.com/puzha/chowara/ . Or send your queries to chowara@eKAit.Com.