Method for typing symbols in text

[TrueNorthist]

I am cross-posting this comment I made in the VNICE thread in the lounge. Hope it helps somebody.

I just discovered something that might come in handy for folks like me that are somewhat technologically challenged. There are a number of character combinations that one can use to make symbols in in your comments on just about any operating system. For example; if I want to say "two ohms resistance" in a cool technical way, I simply type a series of characters which will make it look like this: 2Ω. Pretty neat eh?

To achieve that I typed the number two ( 2 ) followed by the ampersand ( & ) then the pound sign ( # ) and nine three seven (937) and a semicolon ( ; ) If I type that without the 2 and the brackets it will show the Ω (ohm) sign. Like that! There are many, many more symbols available here. I am using the decimal code but I think the hex code will work too? Lets see... Ξ Nope. Oh well. But the decimal code works great; Ξ See! Weeeeeeeeeeee! Ψ ζ ℘ ∩ ♥! Loads of fun. I also have a thing called GreaseMonkey installed in firefox which allows me to double click in any text entry area and a virtual keyboard pops up that also has a huge number of symbols 'n stuff.

I know there are some with keyboard shortcuts already available with their operating system but this will work on any computer and any website I believe. I am feeling pretty smart right now!

 

[Mr.Whitecloud]

You sir have wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too much time on your hands....but me likey a lot

 

[CityLights]

Did you see my post in the Star Dust thread? Mac user have it way easier. I could never remember all those windows codes. Option z on a Mac gives you Ω.

 

[TrueNorthist]

Did you see my post in the Star Dust thread? Mac user have it way easier. I could never remember all those windows codes. Option z on a Mac gives you Ω.

That's what got me looking! I wanted to see if I could do something similar in Linux but ran up against my old nemesis; my heavily damaged brain. That was the best I could come up with... And Mr Cloud, I am working right now! I rarely put in less than 12 hours slaving for ridiculously low pay, and for a tyrant!

 

[encee_rz]

Ʊ

This is how Australians type the ohm symbol

Playing around with the character map is fun. I used to spends hours as a kid typing up random stuff. Sooooo exciting! LOL

 

[LibertariaNate]

...Or hold down the left Alt key and enter 234 on your number pad (make sure num lock is on) then release the Alt button. Ω

 

[Switched]

...Or hold down the left Alt key and enter 234 on your number pad (make sure num lock is on) then release the Alt button. Ω

Doesn't work on a Linux box.

 

[Governa]

Doesn't work on a Linux box.

Of course it does, all Unix based OS' support those characters. Even my Atari 600XL did.

 

[LibertariaNate]

Doesn't work on a Linux box.

I haven't tested this on my Linux box, but try this...

Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT + U
Release U
Enter hex code 03A9
Release all keys

 

[LibertariaNate]

I haven't tested this on my Linux box, but try this...

Press and hold CTRL + SHIFT + U
Release U
Enter hex code 03A9
Release all keys

Just tested... It does work. Ω

 

[TrueNorthist]

Ω I read about that trick here while trying to get the multi_key function to work. (Scroll down a bit) A bunch of useful tips for us Linux dweebs on those pages. I am yet to actually make it work but that is owing more to the thickness of my skull than anything. Eventually I should be able to press the Multi_Key (Shift+AltGr is default) and then the first, second (and sometimes third) key from a list of character points (decimal codes) shown here, but your combination works just fine. A comprehensive list of character entities there. Am I correct that those unicode entities will work on all os' keyboards?

Cheers LibertariaNate!

 

[TrueNorthist]

Just tested... It does work. Ω

It works on mine too. The sequence is slightly different from your first tip Liber. Mighta tripped the Switcher up a wee bit, but I got the idea.

 

[LibertariaNate]

Ω I read about that trick here while trying to get the multi_key function to work. (Scroll down a bit) A bunch of useful tips for us Linux dweebs on those pages. I am yet to actually make it work but that is owing more to the thickness of my skull than anything. Eventually I should be able to press the Multi_Key (Shift+AltGr is default) and then the first, second (and sometimes third) key from a list of character points (decimal codes) shown here. A comprehensive list of character entities there. Am I correct that those unicode entities will work on all os' keyboards?

Cheers LibertariaNate!

I tried the unicode suggestion on Windows 7, OS X and Ubuntu 11.10. Unfortunately, it only worked under Ubuntu.

 

[TrueNorthist]

I tried the unicode suggestion on Windows 7, OS X and Ubuntu 11.10. Unfortunately, it only worked under Ubuntu.

The primary keystroke combinations are Linux only, but I was wondering if the character entities are cross platform? I am gonna boot over into 7 and see fer myself. I hate booting into windows... It takes ages for it to give me limited control of my own system, and even then it is grudging. lol Not only have I been drawn into the mists of vaping, but I have crossed over into the light of Ubuntu too.

 

[sweetmeat]

Testing: ♥

Edit... works on another forum, I guess not this one.

Hmmm, I'm on a mac and option Z gives me this: «
I tried option with the rest of the keys and got all this -
»¢√∫.µ<>/æߪƒ©˙∆˚.°\œ∑∂¶™¥ πø“``~`“ø.°/></π ¥™¶∂∑æß»ª¢√∫.µ<æßœ∑∂¶™¡@£€∞ {}[]|`~`“øπ ¥™¶∂∑œ
œ∑∂¶™¥ πø“`~`æߪƒ©˙∆˚.°\
«»¢√∫.µ<>/\¡@£€∞ {}[]||||
No ohms

 

[TrueNorthist]

Ώ Ω Yep. It works in 7. Ubuntu too. lol Impress yer youngun's and say that quickly five times, you will sound like a choo-choo train!

 

[LibertariaNate]

The primary keystroke combinations are Linux only, but I was wondering if the character entities are cross platform?

You're right, they should work.

Unicode Entry in Windows
Press and hold down the Alt key.
Press the + (plus) key on the numeric keypad.
Type the hexidecimal unicode value.
Release the Alt key.

I am gonna boot over into 7 and see fer myself. I hate booting into windows... It takes ages for it to give me limited control of my own system, and even then it is grudging. lol Not only have I been drawn into the mists of vaping, but I have crossed over into the light of Ubuntu too.

I hear you there... At work I have to use Windows. At home that isn't the case, fortunately.

 

[TrueNorthist]

Testing: ♥

Edit... works on another forum, I guess not this one.

Use the appropriate decimal entity here and it will work. You know what? Your entry is working for me. See? It is in the quote I replied to and shows up as a heart, but if I type &heart; I get the same result in my post. Weird.

 

[LibertariaNate]

Testing: ♥

Edit... works on another forum, I guess not this one.

Hmmm, I'm on a mac and option Z gives me this: «
I tried option with the rest of the keys and got all this -
»¢√∫.µ<>/æߪƒ©˙∆˚.°\œ∑∂¶™¥ πø“``~`“ø.°/></π ¥™¶∂∑æß»ª¢√∫.µ<æßœ∑∂¶™¡@£€∞ {}[]|`~`“øπ ¥™¶∂∑œ
œ∑∂¶™¥ πø“`~`æߪƒ©˙∆˚.°\
«»¢√∫.µ<>/\¡@£€∞ {}[]||||
No ohms

Option z works in OS X Lion. What version are you running?

 

[LibertariaNate]

Use the appropriate decimal entity here and it will work. You know what? Your entry is working for me. See? It is the quote I replied to and shows up as a heart, but if I type &heart; I get the same result in my post. Weird.

EDIT: The decimal entity does work! Ω Ω Ω