cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/14368233

Noob here (and I posted some of this already as a reply o an older post: https://lemmy.world/comment/8190997 )

I actually just installed HeliBoard through Obtainium, and have a bunch of questions.

First of all, I’m confused – I installed HeliBoard_1.2-release.apk . I didn’t really know how HeliBoard_1.2-debug.apk and HeliBoard_1.2-nouserlib.apk were different.

Also, I just installed that and nothing else. It’s giving me suggestions, but no corrections. Is that because I didn’t install any dictionaries? If so, how do I install one – do I just click on the download icon here https://codeberg.org/Helium314/aosp-dictionaries/src/branch/main/dictionaries/main_en_us.dict ? And what do I do then? Sorry, noob here.

On the other languages and autocorrect issues discussed here: https://lemmy.world/post/12769494 – it sounds like it used to have the equivalent of GBoard’s globe icon you could click on to switch languages but not anymore? You have to go to settings and uncheck English and check whatever other language you want to use?

And, it seems like I can do the equivalent of Shift + key on a standalone keyboard (for example, to get 1 instead of Q), but I don’t know how to, or what that’s even called.

Thank you!

  • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝A
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    7 months ago

    To enable languages: Settings > Languages & Layouts. It might just take a bit of usage for all the corrections and suggestions to kick in.

    To switch languages or keyboards: Long press the space bar.

    If you haven’t enabled number row in Preferences, just long press Q to get 1.

    I’d also recommend:

    • Downloading the emoji dictionary 👍
    • Having a root around in settings
    • Reading up on the “hidden” functionality

    The power of Heliboard, and the reason it got me to abandon Gboard where others failed, is in the last two.

    Hope that helps - I am still new to Heliboard (but I am already sold on it) and a power user might have better insight but that might be enough to get you going. If not, ask away.

    • h3ndrik@feddit.de
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      7 months ago

      The language setting still doesn’t work. It changes the layout, but not the dictionary. I’ve been using it for a week now and still nearly every english word is underlined as wrong.

      • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝A
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        7 months ago

        Have you tried downloading the relevant dictionary? If so, can you give a screenshot of what it looks like when you long press the space bar, as seen in the second screenshot m

        • h3ndrik@feddit.de
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          7 months ago

          Ah, thanks. No I didn’t download an additional dictionary. I downloaded the en_uk one now and loaded it by long-pressing on the language. It still doesn’t know half the words. I’ll try restarting the phone.

          • ᴇᴍᴘᴇʀᴏʀ 帝A
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            7 months ago

            Just give it half an hour or so of usage. When I got it up and running, I thought it wasn’t working properly but it was either learning or just getting bedded in as it just seemed to kick in and has worked smoothly since.