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Comment by usr1106 | Hacker News Reader

>> Right, I prefer slim systems and I typically uninstall everything input method related that my distro has chosen to preinstall. I cannot read or memorize a single CJK character, so why would I need that.

>Yes, I'm exactly talking about this mindset. This is basically why Linux has such poor input method support.

Don't understand me wrong. That input methods are useless for me, because I know zero CJK characters, does not mean I think they are useless to everybody or Linux in general. How would I help the CJK users by having something installed I never use and I have no knowledge to use?

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> That input methods are useless for me, because I know zero CJK characters, does not mean I think they are useless to everybody or Linux in general.

Yeah, but every app would 'just work' if we have a level of indirection with an IME by default, even for languages with Latin characters.

I mean, there is a reason why Windows & macOS all selects a similar architecture on text inputting.

> I mean, there is a reason why Windows & macOS all selects a similar architecture on text inputting

Yes, there is a reason. Microsoft and Apple want to make money in CJK countries. And they have architects that make system-wide decisions.

That is not how Linux works. Companies contribute where their business is. That is server or embedded. After Canonical closed bug number 1 https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+bug/1 no big player is interested on Linux on the desktop anymore. Individual contribute what they are interested in and what they know best. I fear most Westerners don't understand the challenges of CJK and other more "complicated" scripts. I myself "blame" Americans if they do it wrong and something accepts only 7 bit ASCII. I can fully understand if CJK or right to left people blame us "8 bit people" (character set, not coding) for doing it wrong. We just don't get it, that's a fact. But I don't think studying Korean etc. is a realistic solution. The only way to change it is to have more people and companies contribute that a) need it and b) really understand the user needs.

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