Rime Input Method Tinkering Notes#
As everyone knows, I am an extremely passionate open-source enthusiast. Recently, I heard that the Windows version of the free and open-source input method Rime (also known as Squirrel) has finally been updated after two years. So, I decided to download it and give it a try, which led to this article (by the time I wrote this article, I had been using Rime for nearly two weeks and I'm adapting to it quite well now!)
PS. Updated a new skin file on June 22, 2023.
Software Download#
Tinkering with Word Libraries#
When it comes to evaluating the usability of an input method, the availability of a rich word library is crucial. The native word library of Rime can only be described as barely sufficient. However, because it is open-source, many experts have created their own word libraries for it. Currently, I am using a word library called "Wusong Pinyin," and you can download it from this link: GitHub - iDvel/rime-ice: Rime Configuration: Wusong Pinyin | Long-term maintained Simplified Chinese word library. Its usage is also very simple. On the Windows platform (the only device I have), you just need to right-click on the Squirrel icon in the taskbar, open the program folder, then open the data folder, and finally, put all the files downloaded from GitHub into it. After that, redeploy Squirrel and press F4 to switch to Wusong Pinyin.
Tinkering with Skins#
This is probably where I spent the most time because I really enjoy customization (as you can tell from my frequent sharing of Xlog CSS). Here, I will share two websites for creating skins for Rime input method: Ximi: Rime Ximi and Runbi: Runbi - Rime Configuration Assistant. The usage of Rime skins is also very simple. You just need to place the corresponding files in the user folder. When you generate skins using the above two websites, you can see which folder these configurations should be placed in. It's very convenient!
My Skin Configurations#
Skin 1: Gruvbox Style#
wealsel.custom.yaml:#
customization:
distribution_code_name: Weasel
distribution_version: 0.14.3
generator: 'Weasel::UIStyleSettings'
modified_time: 'Mon Nov 21 20:43:59 2022'
rime_version: 1.5.3
patch:
style/horizontal: true
style/color_scheme: soak
style/layout/border_width: 0
style/layout/corner_radius: 12
style/layout/margin_x: 20
style/layout/margin_y: 20
style/layout/spacing: 14
style/layout/candidate_spacing: 20
style/layout/round_corner: 6
style/font_face: 'Harmony OS Sans SC:Medium'
preset_color_schemes:
soak:
name: Aqua
author: 佛振 <[email protected]>
text_color: 13103611
back_color: 2170909
border_color: 14737632
label_color: 13103611
hilited_text_color: 2170909
hilited_back_color: 10003844
candidate_text_color: 13103611
comment_text_color: 13103611
hilited_candidate_text_color: 2170909
hilited_comment_text_color: 2170909
hilited_candidate_back_color: 2982140
hilited_label_color: 2170909
Preview#
Skin 2: Rosepine Style#
wealsel.custom.yaml:#
customization:
distribution_code_name: Weasel
distribution_version: 0.15.0.0
generator: 'Weasel::UIStyleSettings'
modified_time: 'Sat Jun 17 20:46:18 2023'
rime_version: 1.8.5
patch:
style/horizontal: true
style/color_scheme: soak
style/layout/margin_x: 16
style/layout/candidate_spacing: 10
style/layout/border_width: 0
style/layout/corner_radius: 10
style/font_face: 'HarmonyOS Sans SC:Medium'
preset_color_schemes:
soak:
name: Aqua
author: 佛振 <[email protected]>
text_color: 15594746
back_color: 3547427
border_color: 14737632
label_color: 15594746
hilited_text_color: 3547427
hilited_back_color: 13948116
candidate_text_color: 15594746
comment_text_color: 15594746
hilited_candidate_text_color: 3547427
hilited_comment_text_color: 3547427
hilited_candidate_back_color: 3448298
hilited_label_color: 3547427
Preview#
Brief Summary#
After using Rime for these two weeks, I have become more proficient in using it. I have also brought my word libraries from other input methods. In recent years, incidents of input methods stealing user privacy have been common. I am glad that I found a very good open-source software to replace these programs. I hope you can also experience the beauty of Rime and join the world of open-source together!