LaserAkkadian includes ten TrueType® and Type 1 fonts (five
solid and five outline) including the complete set of
Neo-Assyrian Akkadian signs. The fonts contain all the basic Akkadian signs
listed in René Labat's Manual
D'Épigraphie Akkadienne (5th edition, 1976) and Rykle Borger's
Assyrisch-babylonische Zeichenliste (AOAT 33, 1978, editions 2-4 with
Supplement 33A). LaserAkkadian contains more than 850 signs, and includes two
significantly oversized cross-shaped signs. Seven
erasure symbols (a faded
block) are also included in the fonts. In addition to the full erasure symbol there are
overstrike characters designating erasure of various portions of signs (front, rear,
upper front, lower front, upper rear, and lower rear erasure). The reconstructed
portions of the erasures are legible underneath the erasure symbol overstrikes!
The fonts also include the standard Akkadian
transliteration symbols plus a Microsoft® Word template containing a
macro
for converting transliterated Akkadian text into glyphs (the actual Akkadian
signs). LaserAkkadian features easy AutoText input into Word; you simply
type the sign's code, press the shortcut key, and Word inputs the correct
sign into your document. Complete instructions, including sign lists ordered
by sound and by number, are included. If you are not using Word you can
still input the signs using the keyboard method; complete instructions are
included in the User's Manual.
LaserAkkadian is based on our
MacAkkadian bitmap fonts, which were originally created by Paul Li.
MacAkkadian and LaserAkkadian have been revised many times in close
consultation with Dr. Rykle Borger, who has, over the years, recommended the
addition or refinement of many signs, character codes and pronunciations. He
authorized us to incorporate these revisions into LaserAkkadian, and kindly
provided us with a pre-publication copy of his Mesopotamisches
Zeichenlexikon to help with these revisions. He wrote us of his pleasure
that we
used it to update LaserAkkadian.
LaserAkkadian is available both for
Windows and Macintosh. Please continue reading for
details about the Windows product, the
Macintosh product, for samples
of the fonts, and for testimonials by
LaserAkkadian users.
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LaserAkkadian for
Windows
LaserAkkadian for Windows features three input systems. The
AutoText phonetic entry method works in Microsoft Word, and the two
other input systems (using the AkkadianLS keyboard driver or using Character
Code input) are for use in any Windows program, including Word. There are two
complete sign lists, one ordered by Sound and one by Number. All documentation is in Adobe® PDF format and
installs to the Windows Start menu where it is available for viewing and/or
printing.
System Requirements: The TrueType® fonts install into Microsoft® Windows
Vista, XP, 2000, and NT4
and work with all Windows Vista-, XP-, 2000-, and NT4-compatible
applications that allow the user to select fonts from a font menu. (An older
version for older versions of Windows is available by request.)
Type 1
fonts are also provided. The included Keyboard Switcher (keyboard driver)
provides alternate keyboard layouts and allows access to four characters per key
(instead of the normal two). AutoText entry codes
for every
character in the fonts are provided for easy input in Microsoft Word. The
product includes a
User's Manual. All documentation is in PDF format, and installed to
the Windows Start menu where it can be viewed
and/or printed using
Adobe Reader. The fonts will print to any printer at
the highest quality allowed by your printer.
A custom version (fonts only) is available
for Linux,
but Linux users must provide alternate keyboard input for characters in the
extended character set. If you are ordering for Linux be sure to select the
Linux box on the Order Form.
Cost: US$ 149.95 Order
Do you need to upgrade? Check the
current version number and a Release History.
Samples
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LaserAkkadian for
Macintosh
LaserAkkadian for Macintosh features two
input systems coordinated with the ten Akkadian fonts. In
Microsoft® Word (versions 2001, X, and 2004) these input methods allow the complete set of signs to be typed
without changing fonts. Select an AutoText value for either the basic
reading of each sign or its sign number. The Akkadian signs may
also be selected directly from the font menu of any word
processor. This instantly transforms your keyboard to Akkadian.
LaserAkkadian includes a User's Manual with the complete list of input key positions either
by font or by AutoText input code.
System Requirements: Requires
Microsoft Word 2001, X, or 2004. Works with any Mac that supports these versions
of Word, including the new Intel-based Macs. The product includes a User's Manual
containing a complete list of keystrokes plus AutoText entry codes. The keystroke entry method is
based the US keyboard layout.
Cost: US$ 149.95 Order
Samples
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LaserAkkadian Samples
Text may be typed with black (solid) wedges or with open
(outline) wedges. The two sets of fonts are interchangeable. Here we see samples of Akkadian text from Hammurabi's Law Code
using both styles of font:
Law 1 from Hammurabi's Law Code:
The fonts may be scaled to any size. Here is the same Law 1 in a much
larger point size.
Law 1:
Law 2 from Hammurabi's Law Code:
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The fonts include seven erasure
symbols (faded blocks). In addition to the full erasure symbol there are six
symbols designating erasure of various portions of signs. Type the front
erasures before the Akkadian sign and the rear erasures after the sign. Notice
how the reconstructed portions of the erasures are legible underneath the
erasure symbol. The full erasure symbol at the bottom is not an overstrike and
no symbol shows through it. Repeat the full erasure symbol for longer erasures.
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The fonts also include two over-sized Akkadian
cross-shaped
signs, shown here in the AkkadianBlackE font, at various point sizes.
Here are the same cross-shaped signs in the AkkadianLSE
(open) font.
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Here's what others are saying about LaserAkkadian:
"I am delighted with my LaserAkkadian fonts."
Michael Glasby, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
"You always furnish excellent products."
Professor Anson F. Rainey, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel
LaserAkkadian
