This guide is divided into the following parts:Keyboard Mappers Greek Fonts Related Fonts Low-end users
A Keyboard Mapper is a program that runs simultaneously with a text-input program (e.g. a word processor or e-mail client) that alters the encoding your program accepts from your keyboard. That is, it may change 'A' yields 'A' to 'A' yields 'Alpha'. Keyboard mappers always toggle, meaning that you may switch from your default (Roman) map in typing English to a sentence in Ancient Greek (appearing in an Ancient Greek Font of your choice), and then back again.
There are currently three widely-used keyboard mappers available, all free. Son of WinGreek and SILGreek are designed specifically for Ancient Greek use, KickKeys is not, but is adaptable. (A fourth, GreekKeys, is now a Mac-only application.)SIL Greek and KeyMan
SILGreek was developed by the Summer Institute of Linguistics, an invaluable site in itself but of particular interest for computer applications. The program is downloadable as a package with its accompanying software and manuals, and is free. The instructions are clearly written for the layperson, and offer many options for users of various platforms. Follow their instructions to download the SILGreek package along with Tavultesoft's KeyMan, a keyboard mapper. Keyman can be used for any language and font set; SIL includes it with all font packages. KeyMan is opened and the Greek keyboard map is loaded (a ".kmn" file). Its associated font is selected (SILGreek) and you're set to go. Greek letters overlap with Roman letters where possible (e.g., A=alpha, B=beta), with the following exceptions:
c = chi
j = eta
q = theta
w = omega
y = psi
Vowel-initial words are given a default smooth breathing, but rough breathing can be inserted with an initial 'h.' Accents are typed with ', `, and ^ after the vowel is typed. Insert a dieresis with " in the same manner, or an iota subscript after the vowel with !. Terminal sigma is automatically selected where appropriate. For example
h+E+l+l+j+n+i+k+o+'+s
yields the following:
I have found this to be the most natural method for typing Ancient Greek; English speakers are able to rely on sound first for most correlations (especially with breathing marks), and then on letter-shape for the remainder (omega, for example).
Disadvantages of SILGreek
Limitation of fonts used. I am yet to figure out how to install non-SILGreek fonts into this program. The standard manual indicates that this can be done with the assistance of the technical reference, but I was unable to do it. Since SILGreek's font contains maps of every possible character, one would need a font designed to match with KeyMan.
Editing. Since SILGreek depends on the order of keys pressed by the user, editing words becomes difficult, and normally requires that the user re-type the entire word.
Son of WinGreek
Son of WinGreek was a popular keyboard mapper for some time, widely available for free download. Use of this program requires installation of a macro in your word processor, and is limited in its fluency when installed. That is, Greek letters overlap on Roman ones (a=alpha), and the Function keys (F1, F2, etc.) are used to insert diacritics. Inconvenience of these keys prevents typing with the fluency that large amounts of text demand.
KickKeys
Heavily advertised to linguists, KickKeys is a keyboard mapper like KeyMan that is adaptable to various font sets and languages, and has default setups for Assamese, Bengali, Bulgarian, Belarusian, French, Farsi, German/Scandinavian, Hindi, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tamil and Ukrainian. It also supports typing right-to-left languages. I currently use this for French, and it has been an excellent tool. Like SILGreek, KickKeys uses a diacritic system that appeals naturally to English speakers, to produce é, type "e/".
Unfortunately, KickKeys does not have default support for Ancient Greek, but its keyboard maps (called "key definition files, ".kdf") are fully customizable. That is, one can choose any Greek font (an advantage over SILGreek) and create the keystrokes in combination that will yeild the characters in the font's character map. I am currently working on creating a .kdf file for my Greek fonts and will post them here when complete.
SIL Greek - provided by the Summer Institute of Linguistics (discussed at length below). Offers over a dozen Greek fonts in both Mac and PC format. Included are Everson Mono, Koine, Ismini, Sanaticus WinGreek, Greek Old Face Anglo, Hellas Courier, Hellas Fun, BasicGreek, Ismini, Korinthus, Silver Mountain Greek, SPIonic, SPTiberian, and the Mycenaean syllabary (derived from Minoan Linear A).
Athenian - Standard font for HTML display, including the Perseus Project Digital Library.
Teknia Greek - provided for an on-line use
Assorted Greek Fonts - downloadable from Matthew Robinson at Balliol, Oxford.
Linear B - Mycenean (Ancient Greek) syllabary derived from Minoan Linear A. I don't know why you would need this, but it's a fine font. Design by Curtis Clark.
The Scriptorium - loads of ancient and archaic fonts, all for purchase.Ugaritic, Chaldean, Greek, Coptic, Cyrillic and Phoenician
RK Ancient Fonts - Sanskrit, Meroitic (Hieroglyphics, Demotic and Transcript ), Ugaritic (Cuneiform and Transcript), Persian Cuneiform.
This method is appropriate for students looking to insert the odd Greek word into a paper that is otherwise in English. "Plato's use of logos is notable...".
In this case it is likely that you will only need a Greek font, with no additional files or software. If you are using MSWord for Windows, place your cursor where you want the Greek to appear, and click on Insert, then Symbol. Select the "symbol" font from the pull-down menu. You can select the characters you want, click "insert," and continue with your English typing. Unfortunately, Symbol does not offer diacritical marks (accents), and is really only appropriate for mathematical symbolization or other applications where accentuation is unimportant.