Keyman Update for 18 August 2023

This blog reports on significant Keyman product and keyboard development updates over the two weeks ending on 18 August 2023.

Keyman Developer 17 on npm

The Keyman Developer command line compiler, kmc is now available on npm (in alpha)!

$ npm install -g @keymanapp/kmc@alpha

kmc runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. For example, you can run the following command to build the Khmer Angkor keyboard in the Keyboards repository:

$ kmc build release/k/khmer_angkor

Documentation work is still in progress, and some functionality may change before release. To learn more about what kmc supports today, run the following commands:

Get help on kmc:
  $ kmc --help       
or just:
  $ kmc help
Help on specific commands:
  $ kmc help build
  $ kmc help analyze

We’ve done a lot of work to make kmc easier to use than kmcomp. For example, you can build a keyboard or lexical model project just by referencing its folder — no need to specify the .kpj file:

$ cd release/m/mozhi_malayalam
$ kmc build .

In fact, in Keyman Developer 17, the .kpj file will become optional, as long as you follow the Keyman keyboard standard file layout and options for your keyboard. Clear and concise documentation on the standard file layout is in progress.

Keyboard Updates

The following keyboards and fonts have been updated in the last two weeks:

• Version 2.0 of the Runeboard keyboard is now available.
  
  Runeboard includes the entire Unicode Runic Block.
  
  It is designed for typing the English language (whether Old, Middle, or Modern) using the runic script (Anglo-Saxon Fuþorc runes), & the Proto-Germanic language (Elder Fuþark runes), with a standard 104- or 105-key layout. Consequently, it can also type other Germanic languages using the same script.
  
  Although not ergonomically designed for the purpose, this keyboard also has the ability to type the Old Norse language using the runic script (Younger Fuþark runes). It includes the Franks Casket runes and the 3 novel runes invented by Tolkien. (#2334)
  
  Many thanks to ᚱᚢᚾ᛫ᛗᚫᚾ for this update!
  
• The Hcesar (portugal) keyboard has been updated with various bug fixes and improvements. (#2341)
  
  A disposição do teclado hcesar, também chamado ‘teclado nacional’, foi utilizado por máquinas de escrever vendidas em Portugal desde 1937 até aos anos 80. Foi concebido para colocar o máximo chaves normalmente utilizadas no meio do layout.
  
  The hcesar keyboard layout, also called ‘teclado nacional,’ was used by typewriters sold in Portugal from 1937 until the 1980s. It was designed to put the most commonly used keys in the middle of the layout.
  
  With thanks to @Tiagoink!
  
• An updated version of the Lateef font is now available for new keyboards. (#2339)
  
• SIL Limbu Phonetic and SIL Limbu Typewriter keyboards now have improved font support, in response to a community request. (#2344)

We have also been doing significant maintenance work on the Keyman keyboard repository:

• Cleanup of various documentation files (#2331, #2338, #2340)
• Cleanup of keyboard metadata (#2336, #2337)
• Deprecating old keyboards (#2330)

There are a number of dictionary (lexical model) updates in progress.