--- Forwarded Message from Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]> --- >Date: Wed, 05 Nov 2003 14:55:41 -0700 >From: Derek Roff <[log in to unmask]> >To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>, Margo Burns <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Re: #7323 Windows<->Mac Chinese/Japanese WP >In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]> >References: <[log in to unmask]> ------------------ I consider Unicode to be the best approach to cross-platform text-encoding compatibility, especially if the texts will be needed in the future. No surprises there. Transcoding Asian text files from earlier and proprietary encodings into Unicode seems like a good first step, since the resulting Unicode files will be the most portable, flexible, and platform independent. I don't know what tools are out there for converting other encodings of Asian text to Unicode, but I bet someone on this list does. I wonder if the current version of MacLinkPlus would help. Once you have the text in Unicode, then you need a word processor that supports Unicode, and a font with the needed characters. The mystery, on the Mac side, is when Microsoft will make its Word for Mac Unicode capable. In the meantime, Nisus Writer Express for OS X handles Unicode nicely, and can open, read, and write files in the MS Word (.doc) format. Note that Nisus Writer Express doesn't yet have all the wonderful features of Nisus Writer, which only runs on Mac OS 9, 8, and 7 (or Classic under OS X) and isn't Unicode compliant. As a daily use OS X word processor, I have been using Mellel <http://www.redlers.com/mellel.html>. It costs $25 for a single copy, with volume pricing available, which helps preserve our tiny Lab budget. This is about half the price of Nisus Writer, and much less than Word. Mellel is updated frequently, and has a responsive development team. So far, it has enough features to satisfy most of my needs. It might be worth a look. Currently, Mellel can't open .doc files, but it can handle .rtf. While MS Word for the Mac can't edit, display or print Unicode text, it can open .doc files containing Unicode text, and resave them in other file formats. This leads to a handy trick for a Mac user who needs to work on a .doc file which contains Unicode text. Open the file in Word for Mac, and either save the file as .rtf, or copy and paste the text into a Unicode compatible word processor, such as Nisus Writer Express, Mellel, or even TextEdit (which comes with the Mac OS). Even though the text in Word may look like meaningless little boxes or dashes, after you open the .rtf file (or paste the text) into a Unicode-capable word processor, the text should be properly visible and editable. Assuming you have, and apply to the text, a font containing the needed Unicode characters. In effect, Microsoft Word is used as a file-opening utility for other word processors. Satirical comments are left to the reader. The trick has come in handy for me on a number of files and attachments. Derek > --- Forwarded Message from "Margo Burns" <[log in to unmask]> --- > >> Subject: Windows<->Mac Chinese/Japanese WP >> Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2003 19:23:33 -0500 >> Thread-Topic: Asian word processing -- Windows & Mac compatitibly >> Thread-Index: AcOjMrX26C0+6/ISQKaKE/Lvfhn7Lg== >> From: "Margo Burns" <[log in to unmask]> >> To: <[log in to unmask]> > > Can anyone point me to resources about cross-platform compatibility > for word processing documents created in various Windows programs > (Word, China Star, etc.) and *anything* on the Mac (Word, Nisus, > etc.)? Our Chinese and Japanese teachers are facing going all Mac > next year, and I want to make it as smooth a transition as > possible, knowing that they have plenty of materials on their > current Windows machines. Once Microsoft makes Word > Unicode-compliant, this will probably become a moot point, but > until then, I am collecting as much information as I can. > > Many thanks in advance! > > Cheers, > Margo > > > Margo Burns > Director of The Language Center > St. Paul's School > Concord, NH 03301 > (603) 229-4665 > [log in to unmask] Derek Roff Language Learning Center, MSC03-2100 Ortega Hall Rm 129, 1 University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001 505/277-7368, fax 505/277-3885 Internet: [log in to unmask]