Chinese Computing Help Desk

User-friendly advice on MS Windows, Ubuntu Linux and smartphone Chinese setup, Pinyin and Zhuyin input methods (IME), Chinese fonts and Language Packs (MUI), plus Pinyin macros, a survey of third-party Chinese software, FAQs & more.

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Welcome! This site is all about helping you read and write Chinese using your Western-language computers and smartphones, with a focus on Pinyin input methods.

My goal is to make this as accessible as possible to the non-technical, non-specialist, non-native speaker who just wants to get something done on their computer!

I can't guarantee I'll respond with any degree of expertise (I'm just a waiguoren after all) but please feel free to contact me anytime via my contact page on the "About" menu above if you have any questions.

Windows 7 Chinese Features

When Microsoft introduced the first "Start" button with Windows 95, they licensed the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" for their advertising. Someone there was apparently oblivious to the irony of using a song that repeatedly screams "You make a grown man cry"...

Windows 8 no longer has a Start button, but it does have a bipolar personality that may still bring you to tears. I'll post more about this soon.

Windows 7 will be with us for a long time. It combines Vista's updated Chinese features and fonts with a slimmer, faster, more stable system. I will "start you up" with Windows 7 Chinese features and setup info here.

Chinese Input Methods in Chrome OS

Google's Chrome OS includes a full suite of traditional and simplified Chinese input methods and display options.

The most suprising thing for me? No Google Pinyin! Only standard Linux IMEs like IBus Pinyin, Chewing and Cangjie. Will you like them? Let's find out.

Read on for more about setting up Chrome OS Chinese input methods.

Ubuntu Linux Chinese Setup

Ubuntu 12 - Precise Pangolin - is here! Learn how to install and use Chinese input methods and fonts, use Chinese in LibreOffice or OpenOffice, and set IBus preferences in Unity.

智能手机： Smartphones!

What Chinese fonts and input methods are on the latest smart phones? How do you find them? How do you install them? Visit these quick summaries of Chinese features in the Apple iPhone, Google Android, RIM Blackberry or Nokia and other phones. Yes I'm a gadget guy, what can I say?

下载免费更新微软输入法:

Download Latest Free Microsoft IME Updates

The PRC MSPY 2010 and Taiwan IME 2010 updates offer many new features, often fix problems in Windows 7, Vista and XP, and do not require Office!

常見問題: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you type "ü"? Enlarge the candidate list? Fix Word's Phonetic Guide? Visit the frequently asked questions index, and you'll know you're not alone.

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