README 19.03.1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ArabTeX Version 3 ================= -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Last changes: Version 3.04, 19.03.1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The set of files, of which THIS file is supposed to be part of, contains a package extending the capabilities of TeX/LaTeX to generate the arabic writing from an ASCII transliteration for texts in several languages using the arabic script. The package is available in packed form as "arabtex.zip" and "arabtex.tar.Z". Depending on the server there may be also the unpacked files; check for the latest version of "apatch.sty"! The following ASCII files give more detailed information: arabtex.doc : a short introduction ( rather out of date) arabtex.faq : answers to some Frequently Asked Questions (updated as necessary) CHANGES : release history, new features, and known bugs (updated as necessary) INSTALL : list of available files, and installation notes apatch.sty : last minute corrections; put this file onto the TEXINPUT path; it will patch automatically. (updated as necessary) The subdirectory "REPORT" contains the LaTeX/ArabTeX sources of the user manual as a collection of text files "arabdoc*.*". If they will not compile, check your installation procedure and your TeX/LaTeX versions; you need TeX >= 3.0 and LaTeX >= 2.09 of 1990 or later, or LaTeX 2e. If any troubles remain, complain fiercely. There was a precursor, ArabTeX Version 1, which is now OBSOLETE. Version 2 differs from it mainly in the following points: - it is compatible with Plain TeX - it uses a new Naskh font considered to look better - it generates most ligatures automatically - it also supports Farsi, Urdu, and Pashto (there is as yet no Nasta`liq font; Naskh is used) - it is compatible with the EDMAC package (from 2.07 onward) Version 3 is an upward compatible extension of Version 2 with many new features, e.g. the possibility to read files in the ASMO 449 and ISO 8859-6 Codes, and a host of new commands for better formatting of Arabic text, or catering for historic writing styles. Version 3.03 provides, optionally, a package to process Hebrew, and a package providing long right-to-left insertions. For details, consult the (new) manual and the ASCII file "readme.303". ArabTeX is copyrighted. However, you may use it freely for scientific, experimental and other strictly personal, non- commercial purposes if you give proper credit to the author. Offprints of papers produced with ArabTeX are welcome. If you consider other uses, apply for a license agreement. Donations are welcome, and badly needed. (None as yet!) ArabTeX may be redistributed on the same terms PROVIDED THAT - you will inform the author, AND - that you distribute the complete package including THIS file and any updates you know about, AND - that you will forward any comments and suggestions to the author, AND - that you will not charge more than a reasonable fee for data media and handling. ArabTeX is an experimental system and supposed to change without prior notice. Whoever will use it does so at her/his/its own risk. We cannot take any responsibility on correct function or correct documentation. If you have any complaints or suggestions, please inform the author. We shall consider any reasonable suggestion, but we will use our own judgment on changes, and our resources are severely limited. If problems turn up while running ArabTeX, please check first with "ftp.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de" (129.69.211.2) whether there are any new corrections in "apatch.sty". If the problem goes away with the new version, please inform the server you got ArabTeX from; otherwise send a bug report. The reference site "ftp.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de" always has the newest version. As we found out, its internet address might change without prior notice. The CTAN servers "ftp.shsu.edu", "ftp.tex.ac.uk", "ftp.dante.de" are known to update regularly. An empty E-Mail to "arabtex@informatik.uni-stuttgart.de" will produce a status report. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prof. Klaus Lagally Institut fuer Informatik Universitaet Stuttgart Breitwiesenstrasse 20-22 D-70565 Stuttgart GERMANY lagally@informatik.uni-stuttgart.de -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright (c) 1990 - 1996, Klaus Lagally --------------------------------------------------------------------------