Notes & Asides

National Review, March 24, 2003

-- Dear Mr. Buckley: For quite a while during 2002 you had a discussion going on as to how to have the various diacritics print out properly on a computer. Instead of having to use particular computer codes for everything, there is a very simple way to access the characters built in to every True-Type font. It's called the U.S.-International keyboard.

For Windows, one opens the control panel and clicks on the keyboard icon. Click on the Language tab. Click on the Language Properties tab, which should display the Keyboard Layout list. Chose U.S.-International. Click on OK to close the Language Properties box. Click on OK to close the Keyboard Layout box. You might have to insert your Windows CD-ROM; the required program might already be loaded.

Then you get all sorts of extra things accessible by using the right Alt key: every diacritical mark used in Western Europe, the euro symbol, the copyright symbol, etc. No need to figure out codes.

Alas, it doesn't work for Hungarian, but you can add the Hungarian keyboard from the same program (Russian, Serbian, Polish, etc.) and work all the languages of Eastern Europe too. True-Type has all that sort of stuff built in. Ad astra per aspera!

Robert W. Hutton (a subscriber since the 1950s) Alexandria, Va.

--Dear Mr. Hutton: On behalf of everybody, I thank you. Cordially, WFB

-- Dear Mr. Buckley: Many years ago, when you first asked for a solution to the interruption caused by the Shift key, I abstained from answering because I thought you would be flooded with proposals. This time, since you repeat the request, I cannot resist the temptation.

Around 1987-89, for $25 (cheap ones, Canadian), I fixed my Atari computer so as to activate the Shift command and two others without having to push the keys with my fingers. A friend gave me a foot pedal, used for band recordings. The pedal was connected to the back of the computer and had three positions. The middle-main one activated Shift. Pushing it left you got Control, pushing right you got Alt. This way the motion-flow of my fingers was not interrupted by the necessity of using double-combination keys on the keyboard.

If you are interested, I could dig out the pedal from the garage, and even the old computer.

Finally, as a Romanian, I got an extra kick. In Romanian slang, to write with your feet means to write badly. I hope I turned this saying upside- down. A gentleman named Kevin Lynch even approved one of my articles, which was about Harriman, for publication in NR, but it was later rejected.

Best from an admirer (not fan; fans are noisy),

Sergiu Farcasan (born 1924) Saskatoon, Canada

--Dear Mr. Farcasan: No, no, that is Rube Goldberg, having also to use your feet. My feet, when I type, are often parked on a chair. But thanks anyway. I have another problem which maybe you would tackle. My keyboards' space keys are woefully insensitive. It is fairer to say, I suppose, that my thumb doesn't come down hard enough. But the result is that Iamalwayshavingto correct in order to insert a space. Question: Is there a way to sensitize that space bar? Or to raise its level? Advise.

Cordially, WFB

-- Dear Mr. Buckley: Having been in mourning since reading the final Florence King column, my spirits were raised when I read her letter (Dec. 9) stating she is moving to Seattle.

I may have a chance to see her! I remember your saying you had never seen her, so what are my chances? How will I recognize her, since the only photo I have is from a 1989 book jacket?

Carol Thixton Seattle, Wash.

--Dear Ms. Thixton: When Miss King arrives in Seattle, we will arrange for a dirigible overhead. She promises to supply coordinates.

Cordially, -- WFB