character encoding: Windows XP vs Linux

[Jean Morissette]

Nifty Hat Mitch wrote:
> On Wed, Sep 29, 2004 at 06:06:55PM -0400, Jean Morissette wrote:
> ...
> 
>>When I transfert files from my girlfriend Windows XP computer to my 
>>Linux FC2 computer, I cannot read the files names properly from my 
>>Linux.
> 
> 
> How are you transferring the files?

I have tried with vsFTP and also a usb key.

> What is the language setting in WinXP?

French Canadian (Canadien Français)

> 
>> Specials chacarters like é à è are remplaced with a white space. 
>> Can you help me or do I have to change my girlfriend? ;-)
> 
> 
>>PS: My variable $LANG is equal to fr_CA.UTF-8.
> 
> 
> Since locale can be application sensitive what application
> are you using to look at the file names after the transfer.

I just use Konqueror or the shell (Konsole).

> 
> One possible hint in discovering what WinXP is doing
> is to look at mail headers on mail from her.
> For example your mail has these headers:
> 
>     Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>     X-Accept-Language: en-us, en
> 
> Also encoding can be application specific.  What application is
> creating the file names on her side.  

There are files created with Word XP.  Also, there are directories 
created only with WinXP by using the context menu (right click).  And 
finally, some files has been renamed with WinXP "F2" command.

> You have $LANG is equal to
> fr_CA.UTF-8 but mozilla is using ISO-8859-1.  It is possible to do
> equivalent mixed language things on the Win side of things.
> 
> Perhaps an example of what you are seeing and how you are seeing
> it....

Here is a example: A file named originally "Résumé synthèse.doc" on 
WinXP machine appear "R sum  synth se.doc" on Linux.

I was thinking that Linux and Windows are configured by default to use 
UTF-8... maybe I'm wrong?

> PS:
> Do not even hint to her what you said here.

:-)
Thank for the reply