Borno

Borno is an unobtrusive yet highly efficient software that helps users write Bangla (the Bengali language) a lot easier. In short, it’s a typing application that allows users to create custom and powerful keyboard layouts.

Some of the highlights include the fact that it’s compatible with the latest version of Unicode, that it comes with support for both fixed and phonetic keyboard layouts, built-in dictionary for smart input options, and support for keyboard shortcuts.

Once installed on any computer, Borno makes its presence known on the desktop via its compact GUI located in the upper left corner of the screen by default. Even though the GUI is quite compact, it packs a lot of utility. Click the app’s GUI and you can switch between multiple keyboard layouts such as Borno, Borno Phoenetic, Borno Encoding, National, Probhat, and two more named “Current Keyboard Layout” and “Keyboard Layout Editor.”

The last option provides users access to the app’s most powerful option, a keyboard layout designer that allows them to create their own keyboard layouts with custom encodings. Even though it’s not exactly a complex application, learning to use Borno is not a walk in the park, especially for newbies. Happily, the app does comes with a rather comprehensive Documentation section that provides users with a few very useful tutorials on how to create their own keyboard layouts.

What’s more, Borno boasts a plethora of customization features easily accessible from its Options menu. Users are provided with the ability to choose if Borno should start when the OS stars, to pick the specific shortcut for quickly swapping between layouts, as well as a lot of other UI-related options including a series of well-designed themes.

To conclude, Borno is a useful, little application that will definitely come in handy to all those who are required to write Bengali or Bangla on a daily basis. The app allows them to effortlessly switch between multiple keyboard layouts without having to rely on the features provided by Windows and without even having to touch the mouse in order to do so.