Linux (Gnome, KDE)

Mac OS X

The default installation of Mac OS X come bundled with native Gurmukhi support and enabling it is very easy.

Start by going to the Apple () > System Preferences

Click on the "International" preference item.

Click on the "Input Menu" tab.

Scroll down and check "Gurmukhi" and "Gurmukhi - QWERTY". Ensure "Show input menu in menu bar" is also checked.

You can now switch keyboards layouts using the menu bar or by using the shortcuts specified above.

The "Gurmukhi" keyboard layout is based on INSCRIPT keyboard layout and is similar to the Jhelum (http://code.google.com/p/gurmukhi/downloads/list) which can be installed by placing the file in /Library/Keyboard Layouts and enabling it in the International preference pane.

The "Gurmukhi - QWERTY" keyboard layout is more usable for those people who are used to using an English QWERTY based keyboard. All letters are placed in their phonetic latin equivalent. Note that some characters may require you hold the [Option] key or [Option-Shift] key combination. For example, to type ਡ you would type [Option - D] because there are four characters that correspond with D in Gurmukhi (ਦ, ਧ, ਡ, ਢ).

You can now natively use unicode Gurmukhi throughout Mac OS X, including sending emails, chatting, etc. Please note that you will not be able to use the fonts on Project Satluj's website because Apple does not fully support OpenType. This means you are restricted to Gurmukhi MT font that comes bundled with Mac OS X.

Windows 95, 98 and ME

It is not possible to enable system-wide support for Unicode Gurmukhi on Windows 95, 98 and ME. You may still view web pages
in Unicode Gurmukhi on Windows 98 and ME by downloading and installing Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.

Windows Vista

Windows XP

Enabling Punjabi support on Windows XP is easy! Carry on reading to find out how.

Control Panel

Load the control panel by clicking on the "Start"' menu and pressing the "Control Panel" icon. Make sure you are in category view. If you are not, there should be an option on the left hand side to "Switch to Category View". Select the icon that says "Date, Time, Language and Regional Options" and then select "Regional and Language Options".

Regional and Language Options

Select the "Languages" tab and make sure you select the option saying "Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages (including Thai)". A confirmation message should now appear - press "OK" on this confirmation message.
Now select the button that says "Details...".

Text Services and Input Languages

Press the "Add..." button. This should load a dialog box asking you which input language to add. Select "Punjabi" from the drop-down list and make sure the check box labelled "Keyboard layout/IME" is selected as shown:

Now select "OK". This should now enable you to both read and write Gurmukhi on your Windows XP computer. You can use the combination ALT + SHIFT to switch between different keyboard layouts (e.g. from a UK Keyboard to Gurmukhi and vice-versa). If you want a language bar, you can select it by pressing the "Language Bar..." button on the "Text Services and Input Languages" dialog and then selecting "Show the language bar on my desktop". The language bar enables you to visually select the keyboard layout you are using.
Once this is done, press "OK" on all remaining dialog boxes. Congratulations - you should now be able to use Unicode Gurmukhi!

Windows 7

Enable Punjabi Support on Windows 7 is very Easy!
Control Panel
Load the control panel by clicking on the "Start"' menu and pressing the "Control Panel" icon. Make sure you are in category view. Select the icon that says "Clock, Language and Regional Options" and then select "Region and Language"

Region and Language

Select the "Format" tab and make sure you select the option saying "English (USA)" and select "Punjabi (India)".

If you are outside India, please use "Additional Settings" and Change Currency or Select "Location" Tab to select Location.

Input Languages

Select Tab "Keyboards and Languages". Press "Change keyboards" button. This should load a dialog box asking you which input language to add. Select "Punjabi" from the drop-down list.
Now select "OK". This should now enable you to both read and write Gurmukhi on your Windows 7 computer. If you want a language bar, you can select it by pressing the "Language Bar..." button on the "Text Services and Input Languages" dialog and then selecting "Show the language bar on my desktop". The language bar enables you to visually select the keyboard layout you are using.
Once this is done, press "OK" on all remaining dialog boxes. Congratulations - you should now be able to use Unicode Gurmukhi!

Type Punjabi On Desktop
Now you can see icon near Notification area with "EN" as shown

You can use the combination ALT + SHIFT to switch between different keyboard layouts (e.g. from a English Keyboard to Gurmukhi and vice-versa).

Don't know Punjabi Keyboard?
if you are new to Punjabi input and don't know Punjabi Keyboard Layout, there is easy solution to input Punjabi "On-Screen Keyboard".
On-Screen Keyboard can be accessed by clicking on the "Start" -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Ease to Access -> On-Screen Keyboard"

Please use the combination ALT + SHIFT to switch between English and Punjabi.