Categories:
Installation
Product Features
Font Options
Application Compatibility
Comparison with Other Products
Purchase & Registration
Installation
Q1. Where can I get the latest product ?
Please check the iecb website http://www.iecbd.net for regular update of the product. Also you can join the Shabdik Forum for getting latest information about the product.
Q2. The recommended RAM (256 MB) is too big. Will it work with 128 MB?
The program works fine with 128 MB but for smooth operations with other programs we recommend minimum of 256 MB RAM.
Q3. Why the program requires this much RAM?
The program includes dictionary with over 1 lac bangla words. This dictionary is utilised for constructing hint while you type dynamically and to accomodate this huge dictionary for your flexibility the memory requirement is higher.
Q4. I installed the software and the software works fine but cannot display the vowel suffix (e-kar, i-kar) properly. They are always showed after the consonant?
You are facing trouble with language and local configuration of Windows. Please see the getting started document for correctly configuring the regional(Bangla) unicode option in windows.
Q5. The software installation is complete and running but the hint window displays only some boxes?
You need to restart the system for installation of new fonts to take effect.
Product Features
Q1. What are the most attractive features of Shabdik?
Shabdik software is built upon a learning free keyboard technology, which we call as IxPad technology which is most attractive for the common Bangla users who are very used to with English keyboard but can not type Bangla using the prior technologies. The far more attractive feature which is a bit obscure is the intelligence in built into the software. It is adaptive to each users individual working area and will show hint with users most frequent typed words always appearing on top of the list.
Q2. Why Shabdik is called learning free and what is the difference between phonetic keyboard and IxPad?
All the bangla softwares available prior to shabdik was fixed layout based softwares (it means for a particular keyboard input a bangla letter is assigned), let it be bijoy/ekushey/phonetic ones. Shabdik has got no fixed keystroke assignment for a particular letter rather it is based on intelligent word based phonetic assignment of the keystrokes. Thus we named it Intelligent + multiplied productivity (X) + whole keyPAD = IxPad meaning you have more than a keyboard on your fingertip to work with crossing the language construct basic units into a phoeneme based basic unit.
Q3. What is the way to type non-existent words in Shabdik?
There are two modes of writing in shabdik. One is dictionary mode which is default. The other mode is Letter mode. The letter mode is on when you start typing with CAPS lock on. In this mode you would be able to type anything and the program will just show single letter based hint allowing you to type any new words nonexistent in the dictionary.
Q4. What happens to the new words I type? Do I need to type those always using the letter mode?
The program includes a word management tool (Registered Version only). All the new words are temporarily added into the dictionary . As long as you are using it in a single session you need not to do anything, it will be coming up from dictionary. For new words to be included in the dictionary permanently please go to new word management tool from menu. Save the words which you would like at the dialog window and that's all.
Q5. I am a conventional keyboard user. How can Shabdik be useful for increasing my productivity?
Infact you need only a mindshift to work with Shabdik and nothing else. You already know English keyboard well as it is a defact layout and most of the people are bound to memorize it. From that point you would be start typing with Shabdik in phoenetical direction. That is the change required to start.
In terms of productivity increase, we have researched the average keystroke needed to type a word with bijoy keyboard. It is increasingly flexible to use Shabdik for typing complex conjuncts. For example, typing simple words like বাংলা (bangla) requires only five keystrokes using Shabdik IxPad if you completely type while conventional bijoy keyboard would require seven keystrokes. Typing complex words like যুক্তাক্ষর (juktakhor) would require nine keystrokes in Shabdik while in bijoy you need to press eleven keystrokes. Please note that shift/alt are counted as distinct keystrokes as they are physically pressed. Also note that Shabdik will autocomplete with the top word in the list and hence in most of the cases you would require only 4-5 keystrokes to complete a full word !!!
Q5. I am a conventional keyboard user. Can I use it in the usual way with support of hints?
Yes. From version 3.5 Shabdik comes with three keyboard layout options. 1. Default is IxPad. 2. Jatiyo Keyboard ( Defined by Bangladesh Computer Council for free use among the government and non-government institutions as well as public usage). 3. Unijoy Keyboard ( Defined by Ekushey Bangla computing project http://www.ekushey.org) a similar keyboard to bijoy but not supporting the visual typing rather following unicode encoding scheme of phonetic typing.
With all these keyboards you can work completely usual way (without hint) or dictionary supported hint system.
Q6. I am used to with some different layouts. How can I make the best use of it without learning new keyboards?
It is a great news that from version 3.5 Shabdik has a keyboard layout manager where you can create custom assignment. From layout options select the custom layout and design a custom layout by selecting the custom layout manager tool. That is it and you are ready for a great productivity.
Font Options
Q1. Which fonts are available with Shabdik?
Shabdik comes with the Jatiyolipi font a standard font developed for Bangladesh Computer Council by iecb. Additionally, the following opensource fonts are available with Shabdik. Please note that these are opensource and distributed under GPL for the users and they are free to copy and redistribute these fonts.
SolaimanLipi
Rupali
Ekushey Sharifa
Ekushey Punarbhaba
Ekushey Sumit
Ekushey Durga
Ekushey Saraswatii
Ekushey Puja
Ekushey Azad
Ekushey Godhuli
Ekushey Mohua
Mukti
Lohit
Likhan Normal
Akaash (not a very updated one, you might face some problem with it)
Q2. I try to change font from toolbar at Microsoft Words from Vrinda to Ekushey fonts. It does not work. How to remedy this problem?
This is a known problem of Microsoft word. It tries to match the most comprehensive available font for the document and in case of Vrinda it contains more glyphs than those of Ekusheys. So Vrinda gets the priority and remains while you try to change with others. You will not face this problem with JatiyoLipi which takes care of these issues.
You can avoid this problem by going to Format Menu and selecting fonts Solaimanlipi, which will work fine. The other fonts are currently not working properly, and we are unfortunate to give you any solution until the developers do it. You would like to request you to wait while we will provide some other fonts for our users shortly.
Q3. I installed Shabdik in my machine but the hint/application output is only some boxes/question marks?
Please consult the installation FAQs to see some specific installation time problems.
The question mark problem arises for non compliance with unicode standard. Though there are a huge number of unicode compliant applications unfortunately there are a lot which are not too. Most notable applications which are still not unicode compliant are yahoo messenger and Adobe products.
Q4. Should I be unable to use Shabdik for all those non unicode applications ?
Please stay tuned with Shabdik release news or you can join the Shabdik online users group for latest news and update. We are working on ASCII version for supporting all applications and also would be providing with ASCII to Unicode converters for smooth migration between the standards and work seamlessly.
Q5. I am using MSN messenger. While I am writing I can see in Bangla properly but the other person I am writing cannot see Bangla?
Please ensure that the other person has configured his machine for Bangla language support properly. He can install Shabdik too.
If he has proper configuration then the most easy mistake might be you are not typing using a Bangla font at all. Still you will see Bangla properly as Windows will do some font substitution on your machine intelligently. That does not mean it will do the same for messages that you are passing on the other end. So, Please check your font and Select a Bangla font at your end. Please tell your friend to choose a Bangla font too if he is also willing to write Bangla.
Application Compatibility
Q1. Which applications I would be able to use with Shabdik ?
Most popular applications such as Microsoft Office/Openoffice/MSN messenger are unicode supported and you would be able to work smoothly.
Q2. Can I use Shabdik for Instant Messengers?
Yes. You can use shabdik with MSN messenger. Unfortunately yahoo messenger is not unicode compliant and hence you wont be able to use it at the moment.
Q3. Can I use Shabdik with DTP applications?
Unfortunately Adobe programs are not unicode compliant and you wont be able to use Shabdik with these. For other applications please check whether that is unicode enabled one or not. If you are interested to know about a specific application please contact with us.
Q4. Can I use Shabdik for Emailing?
The great news is you would be able to email in Bangla with Shabdik. If you are using any email client please check the character encoding option at the client. You might need to change it to Unicode UTF-8 if the autodetect does not work properly.
Q5. Can I use Shabdik for Searching over Internet or Creating web applications/ Bangla blogging/ Bangla Wikipedia?
The great news is yes you can. Please check the character encoding option if you are unable to see Bangla properly of the specific browser. Once the language option is set up correctly most of the latest versions of browsers(IE/Firefox)/search engines(Google/yahoo/Msn) would be able working nicely.
You can start Bangla wikipedia too. Or you can start blogging with blogger.com instantly with Shabdik!
Comparison with Other Products
Q1. Is there any equivalent product of Shabdik at the moment?
To the best of our knowledge the answer is NO. Many products promise a lot but miss the flexibility that is offered by Shabdik. Moreover we are continuously working for further research and development to give Bangla language a computing edge as the demand is by the community.
Purchase and Registration
Q1. Why do I need to Buy? Can't you make it free like others?
Actually now this has got a dilemma. We would say that you buy because you want the productivity, support and guarantee of future enhancements. Is there any free mobile phones ? Typically in developed counries you will find 0$ package for mobiles as well. But everyone is aware of the hidden costs that you are accepting by purchasing those products. The hidden cost of free softwares can exceed those of mobiles too!
We are making it purchase based to ensure that as a legal user you can always ask for our support, request new features and further enhancements from the product. Thus developing a solid relationship between you and us we hope to make rapid progress for Bangla computing of the future.
On the other hand think about the product price too. Is it too high so that anyone would be unable to use? We dont think that who is able to buy a computer wont be able to paltry USD 10 only for such a product. Spending this money you are soliderating your support for a product which will curve the future of Bangla we believe.
Q2. What are the extra features available in the FULL Version?
Actually full version and trial version are very similar, we have made it so that the users can effectively judge the software for its features. The following freedom you will moreover enjoy with the FULL version.
The trial version exits after typing 20 words, while there is no limitation of typing in the full version.
The full version has new word management option, so that your customized words can be saved/managed in the dictionary.
The full version provides you a keyboard layout manager tool with which you can define your own customized layout.
The full version contains ASCII to Unicode converter so that you can convert your legacy documents to Unicode with it.
Last of All the full version will give you support guarantee of answering all emails within 24 hours.
Q3. Where can I purchase the product?
If you are living abroad you can purchase it online through paypal secure payment option.
If you are at Bangladesh (Dhaka) you can purchase the product from computer markets at the cost of BDT 400 only.
Unfortunately for Indian (Kolkata) users there is no outlet currently. Please contact if you are interested in distributorship in Kolkata.
For all other districts you can make a money order of BDT 400 to Information Engineers & Consultants Bangladesh (IECB) Ltd. We will send the CD to your address through courier service.
Q4. I have purchased the product, but still it is working in trial mode. What can I do to get the full version?
How to Register the product once I purchase it?
Actually you are to register the product as a full version. To do so please click on the menu and select the register option. You will find a Product ID (If you bought the CD version, Online download will have it blank) and Activation code. Please mail/SMS/Phone us these informations and we will provide you the Authorization code with which you would be able to register the product.
Q5. Why do I need to take the hassle of registering the product while I am a genuine user?
This is indeed to protect your right as a genuine buyer. We tried our best to make it secured so that the payment you have made has its value and no illegal copies of the product can be made.
Q6. I am unable to download the software for some errors. What else can I do to proceed?
Please send us a request through email at info@iecbd.net, we would send the software as attached email with installation instructions.
Alternately you can send a request for evaluation CD to us. If you are within Bangladesh you need to send BDT 50 as postage cost, or if you are a NRB you can send us the lowest postage for the CD to your destination. We will send the evaluation CD to your address shortly.
Q7. What is the contact address for getting more information about purchasing the product?
Please call us at our office address as follows:
House #65, Road #1
Banani, Dhaka-1213, Bangladesh
Ph: +880-2-9893636, +880-2-8811340
Fax: 1-866-269-7650, +880-2-8813318
Email: info@iecbd.net
Also you can contact online support personnel through msn id: info@iecbd.net or yahoo messenger id: iecbdesh@yahoo.com. We also would like to invite you to join Shabdik online users group. Please send a joining request to shabdik-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. You will find many useful discussion on Bangla computing in this group.
