External Floppy Drive

[Chislenko]

Does anybody use an external floppy drive. I have a very old program (for Welsh language "to bach's") but it is on a floppy disc. I used to use it years (decades ago!) but was wondering if such an old program will be compatible with a modern external drive.

I don't think I would have a problem Windows wise as the computer I am using is running XP.

NB. To bach is the little roof over Welsh vowels which unlike most languages I can not find "alt codes" for.

 

[richardfm]

You can get new 3.5" USB floppy drives for £20 to £30 on Amazon, I expect you can pick one up cheaper on eBay.
The drive should recognise the disc. Do you know that the program runs on Windows XP? If so you should be good to go.

 

[fossyant]

Found one !

 

[Sharky]

https://www.bangor.ac.uk/canolfanbedwyr/20/gairigall.php.en

Seems you can download similar software for free. The university would advise on compatibility, I'm sure.

 

[matticus]

Seems you can download similar software for free.

Where's the fun in that?!?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

On keyboard, do Ctrl Shift 6, release then the letter you want.

 

[Dogtrousers]

NB. To bach is the little roof over Welsh vowels which unlike most languages I can not find "alt codes" for.

If you use Windows then use the little builtin "charmap" app to find and cut and paste letters. Way easier than remembering alt codes or using keyboard shortcuts that only work in some apps.

âêîôû

 

[Chislenko]

https://www.bangor.ac.uk/canolfanbedwyr/20/gairigall.php.en

Seems you can download similar software for free. The university would advise on compatibility, I'm sure.

Yes, I don't think that covers y and w though.

The software I have was purchased from Bangor Uni about 25 years ago!

 

[OldShep]

Yes, I don't think that covers y and w though.

The software I have was purchased from Bangor Uni about 25 years ago!

It says To Bach is a programme that is available free of charge and makes light work of inserting a cimcumflex and accents for Welsh. By using the Alt Gr key it is possible to place a 'to bach ^' on vowels (â, ê, î, ô, û, ŵ, ŷ) and various accents (á è ï etc.).

 

[Once a Wheeler]

If the 'little roof' is the caret character, you can find it on the ASCII extended keyboard which is tabulated here. It depends on your system but usually you can access these characters from the numeric keypad by holding down the alt key and typing the decimal number on the numeric keypad. Various character panels are also available. ^ is alt 94 on many systems.

 

[classic33]

Does anybody use an external floppy drive. I have a very old program (for Welsh language "to bach's") but it is on a floppy disc. I used to use it years (decades ago!) but was wondering if such an old program will be compatible with a modern external drive.

I don't think I would have a problem Windows wise as the computer I am using is running XP.

NB. To bach is the little roof over Welsh vowels which unlike most languages I can not find "alt codes" for.

I've had no issues using an external floppy drive for older programs. Like you I'm running XP, however the current* drive is supposed to work with Windows 10. The limiting factor might be the program you're looking at running.
An option if you find one, would be to copy the program over onto CD/DVD/USB, then running it from there.

*The last was thrown by someone who claimed "no-one uses these anymore".

 

[matticus]

Yes, I don't think that covers y and w though.

The software I have was purchased from Bangor Uni about 25 years ago!

The problem might be solved when the Welsh realise that Y and W are not vowels?

 

[richardfm]

The problem might be solved when the Welsh realise that Y and W are not vowels?

They are vowels in Welsh. The Welsh won't be changing their language for the benefit of ignorant English people.

 

[Alex321]

Does anybody use an external floppy drive. I have a very old program (for Welsh language "to bach's") but it is on a floppy disc. I used to use it years (decades ago!) but was wondering if such an old program will be compatible with a modern external drive.

I don't think I would have a problem Windows wise as the computer I am using is running XP.

NB. To bach is the little roof over Welsh vowels which unlike most languages I can not find "alt codes" for.

Why not?
Numeric codes for uppercase circumflex accent marks:

• Â = Alt+0194
• Ê = Alt+0202
• Î = Alt+0206
• Ô = Alt+0212
• Û = Alt+0219

Numeric codes for lowercase circumflex accent marks:

• â = Alt+0226
• ê = Alt+0234
• î = Alt+0238
• ô = Alt+0244
• û = Alt+0251

 

[Alex321]

Why not?
Numeric codes for uppercase circumflex accent marks:

• Â = Alt+0194
• Ê = Alt+0202
• Î = Alt+0206
• Ô = Alt+0212
• Û = Alt+0219

Numeric codes for lowercase circumflex accent marks:

• â = Alt+0226
• ê = Alt+0234
• î = Alt+0238
• ô = Alt+0244
• û = Alt+0251

Oops.missed the fact you also need w and y

According to this https://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/caerphillydocs/equalities/how-to-type-accented-characters.aspx

It should be W ALT+0208 w ALT+0240 Y ALT+0222 y ALT+0254

But not all fonts include those characters.

On a mac you can do it from the character viewer, though that is much too slow if you are typing a lot. ŶŷŴŵ

Or you can just hold the key down while typing, and it will show a men you of accents.