Unicode

We keep hearing the word 'Unicode', and people are saying that it is better if a font is 'Unicode'. What is this 'Unicode' thing, and why is it better?

What is Unicode?

1. Unicode is a "UNIversal CODE" for displaying all the characters in every language: like "a" or "ཡ" or "दी"
   But it isn't a code you have to learn, like you learn HTML or PHP.
   The computer uses this code to display characters - on the screen, in printing, etc.
2. How to use Unicode?
   → use a Unicode font,
   → and tell the computer you are using it.
   More here
3. Why is it good to use Unicode?< br />With Unicode, all languages will display for everybody everywhere.
   More here

Much more info is at http://bodyig.tibetangeeks.com//info/unicode-faq.html.

External links

General info

• bodyig.tibetangeeks.com//info/unicode-faq.html
  A gentle Unicode FAQ
• unicode.org/standard/WhatIsUnicode.html
  What is Unicode - at unicode.org
• en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicode
  Unicode, at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  The basic concepts of Unicode, plus links to related resources.

Using Unicode

• tlt.its.psu.edu/suggestions/international/
  Developing Non-English Web Sites with Unicode
• www.tibetangeeks.com/technologies/bod-yig/
  Using Bod-Yig on computers

About Tibetan Unicode fonts

• www.alanwood.net/unicode/fonts_windows.html#tibetan
  List of Tibetan Unicode MSWindows Fonts, with information, sources, and links to test page.

Database and Unicode

• weblogs.sqlteam.com/dang/archive/2009/07/26/Collation-Hell-Part-1.aspx
  This is specifically about SQL Server, but it has lots of useful information that applies to databases in general.