Configuring your computer for international support is not complicated, but is different for every operating system. Please follow the instructions below, and report back if you have any problems or additional tips.

Microsoft Windows XP

For Windows XP, your best bet is to follow the instructions on the Microsoft website. Please note that this process has two steps:

1. You must enable International Language Support by following the instructions at this link. Pay especial attention to step #6, where you will have to check the button labeled "Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages (including Thai)" in the Regional and Language Options window.

2. You must next configure Windows to enable the Arabic keyboard layout by following the instructions at this link. When choosing Arabic, use a Levantine country like Syria or Lebanon. Do NOT use the "Arabic qwerty" layout as it is unstandard. 

Mac OS X

If you use an Apple computer, there is a special case. The keyboard layouts that come with the standard operating system are obscure and non-standard. For special instructions on how to configure the Arabic keyboard layout, please click here. 

Linux

Enabling keyboard support in Linux is easiest if you use a modern desktop environment like GNOME or KDE. In this case, simply enable the Keyboard layout applets, which are directly accessible under the system configuration windows. If you do not use one of these window managers, you may still enable the Arabic keyboard, but typing into a terminal will be necessary to toggle keyboards:

1. To switch to Arabic, type "setxkbmap -layout ara -variant basic"
2. To switch back to English, type "setxkbmap -layout us"

Please contact us if you have any problems or any additional information that other users may find useful.