Would like to be able to send email messages to my Wife's family in Taiwan in Mandarin Chinese.

I am at a loss to begin to figure out how this is done. Checking for software to purchase but can't find any. Been to local Chinese Mall and they don't have any.

Found site that talks about keyboard that uses Chinese character's available in Taiwan....Well, we are in Canada.

We receive Email's from Taiwan in Mandarin so our computer recognizes the language, which is a good thing.

Anyway, would any of you folks know of software that can be purchased and or downloaded and what other "stuff" is needed?

Hope this question makes sense.....

Much thanks for any information.

A couple of free samples. There's a 150 word limit on the one not sure about. Last is a link for different software
http://babelfish.altavista.com/

http://www.worldlingo.com/

http://www.google.com/
and Google 2
Mark

Ni hao, chayisun (And that's about it for my Chinese.)

I found some interesting software at Tech Republic that looks as though it might solve your problem:

http://software.techrepublic.com.com/downl...mp;promo=100511
And here's a link to their home page: http://www.njstar.com/njstar/chinese/

http://software.techrepublic.com.com/downl...px?docid=271449
This one requires a pen and tablet system, such as the kind made by Wacom. They have a nifty new one called Bamboo, which is far less expensive than their others.

http://software.techrepublic.com.com/downl...px?docid=286381
The advantage to this one appears to be that you can use it on a mobile device, as well as your PC and is quite inexpensive.

http://www.microsoft.com/globaldev/handson.../IME_Paper.mspx
A page at Microsoft about the built-in capabilities in your computer.

An informal comparison at a forum between NJStar and Microsoft's IME (Input Method Editor).

Good luck!

Thanks so much for the information.

I'll give it a try. Wow, that was great to get so much info so fast.

Ni Hao was a pleasent surprise

Anyway, Shay, Shay..(That's thanks)

My sister and I spent three weeks in mainland China about 20 years ago, and we learned a whole lot more Chinese before going on the trip, but most of it's gone, now. (I'm the mei-mei of the two. )

You're most welcome. I hope that between what Mark and I posted, you'll find exactly what you want!

Chayisun,

Do you have Windows XP?
You don't have to buy anything if you do.

The foreign language options have an option for simplified or traditional Chinese coded in Unicode.
There is an input method in Windows XP where you can use pinyin as input and it will be converted to
Chinese characters.
Let me know if you want to use this I can write up a little cookbook for you,
but chances are you can figure it out.
Just go to control panel and select language options and go from there.

ETA.
This is the IME referred to in previous post.
Sorry I didn't notice that that had already been posted.

Just an update....Do have Windows XP so I did what was suggested...Much to my surprise it seems to be working.

My Wife thinks I'm a computer whiz... Well I DO know how to turn the computer off and on.....Won't tell her how I did it with all your help...Well, maybe I should....Yea, I will...Thanks everyone.

My wife is merrily sending emails in Mandarin....At least I think it's Mandarin 'cause had no complaints from Taiwan....

Thanks for the update. I've wondered how things were going for you and am delighted that it's working well. I gather you went with the Microsoft IME?

Hey, let your wife think you're a computer whiz. After all, you came to the right site for help, didn't you? That makes you a whiz in my book!