Pinyinput for OSX Kickstarter

[imron]

Many of you probably know of and/or use Pinyinput - an input method I created that lets you type pinyin with tone marks (see here for details).

 

It's been available on Windows for years, but for various reasons I've never gotten around to developing a version for OS X.

 

There used to be MacPinyin, but development of that appears to have fallen by the wayside and it doesn't seem to be supported or available anymore, so Mac users have rather limited options when it comes to typing pinyin easily and conveniently.

 

Recently I've had a number of people ask if I had plans to make a Mac version, while I'd like to, as a freelance software developer it's difficult to set aside paying work to devote the time necessary to make such a thing happen.

 

That being the case I decided to launch a Pinyinput for OS X Kickstarter to see if there was enough interest to fund its development.

 

The target goal is relatively modest, and basically just covers my time for development and all the other miscellaneous tasks that are required to release a software product.

 

Rewards are also relatively modest as I'd prefer to spend my time and funds doing software development rather than request fulfillment.  If you're a company though and would like to advertise yourself to Chinese learners and/or teachers, check out the Gold and Silver sponsor options.

 

I've also added in a number of stretch goals in case I get more than enough funds to cover initial development, including a zhuyin fuhao mode which will let you type pinyin and get ㄓㄨˋ 一ㄣ ㄈㄨˊ ㄏㄠˋ and versions for mobile devices.

 

Windows users don't need to feel left out though, because I will port the zhuyin fuhao to Windows Pinyinput if that stretch goal is reached.

 

Like the original Pinyinput, I'd also release the source code to the Mac version under an open source licence, so that might be of interest to anyone who wants to develop their own input methods.

 

Anyway, if you're a Mac user and would like such a tool, or if you'd just like to support an independent software developer making interesting tools for Chinese learners, be sure to back the project.

 

Check it out and feel free to spread the word!

 

[roddy]

I'm in! And I don't even own a Mac!

[Tianjin42]

Okay - looks interesting. Should be able to get this out there imron. You've just missed the company newsletter by a couple of days but we can include it with the next one. Also will be able to push this in the next Company WeChat post (4 per month). All together should reach about 15,000 foreign nationals but there will be a delay.

 

I also don't own a Mac but it looks a great project and I can heartily endorse the Chinese Text Analyser. 

[imron]

Thanks to both of you!

[lechuan]

Pledged! I'm looking forward to dumping my word macro and no longer cutting and pasting in conversion websites.

[mikelove]

Backed - good idea in general and something I'd make heavy use of personally :-)

[bokane]

I'm in! My current workflow for Pinyin (stop what I'm doing > go to Wenlin > type Pinyin and hit '/' after each word > copy > go back to what I'm doing and paste) is time-consuming and basically dumb.

[lechuan]

Just to verify, if you reach the funding goal for an iOS version, would it be an add-on keyboard (preferred), or an app?

[imron]

It would be an add-on keyboard, though I believe all add-on keyboards need to come with an app, so I guess both :-)

[imron]

Also, thanks everyone above for backing the project.  In addition if any of you are in a position to help spread the word either through twitter/blogs/some other medium please be sure to do so.

 

Kickstarter is all or nothing, so the more people that know about it, the higher the likelihood of it reaching its funding goal.

[Angelina]

Finally!

 

Now I am waiting for Chinese Text Analyser. 

 

Macs are great when it comes to input methods, e.g. trackpad handwriting, the only thing missing was pinyin. 

 

I will share it via Twitter. Usually when a random person types Angelina (and a lot of them do), they see my @angelina account. I hope I can help spread the word. 

 

Good luck! Can't wait to try it out. 

[imron]

Thanks!

 

Chinese Text Analyser is coming too.  I've just been busy with a number of other things recently so it's been sitting on the backburner.

[xiaokaka]

MacPinyin still works fine for me, so I would prefer it if you put all your energy into a Mac port of CTA!

[imron]

Fear not, CTA for Mac is well underway and the difficult parts are all done.

However, as much as I would love to put all my energy into a Mac port of CTA, I also love to eat, and pay my bills, so work that provides an income is also necessary.

[Tianjin42]

 

Okay - sent out to a lot of foreign nationals in China. Hope this helps.

[imron]

Thanks!

[Tianjin42]

Imron, You have put this out here on a Chinese specialist site but have you covered the the Mac side as well? I guess there might be a few opportune Mac discussion groups with Chinese cross-over??

[imron]

Possibly, but I'm also wary of just showing up on some random forum as a new user promoting my own stuff (i.e. the sort of thing that gets moderated pretty strictly here).  I've mentioned it on a few other places (reddit) and have also been emailing people in the Chinese learning/teaching space letting them know.

 

If you've got any suggestions on where else would be a good place to promote it, I'd be happy to hear them.

[Tianjin42]

Yes, fair enough - just thought that if it was a specialist group might be useful for them but you're right to be wary of just pushing it. I imagine there would be a few Mac tech groups with Chinese/ related software interests but not sure off the top of my head. If I think of another line of inquiry then will post it up. 

[imron]

Thanks to everyone who supported this, but unfortunately I didn't reach the funding goal so in the short term it's not going to happen.  I'll be sure to let people know if and when I get around to making a version for Macs.