Mellel testers wanted

Posted by: John Hudson

In a few days I expect to make a pre-release beta version of SBL Hebrew version 2.0 available to this community. The font implements support for the new Unicode 5.0 Hebrew character (distinct holam dot for vav haluma), DSS transcription, and new refinements to spacing and mark positioning*.

I am employing a new technique to avoid collision between multiple marks on adjacent letters, and have some concerns about how well this will be supported in some applications. My initial tests indicate that it is fine in Windows applications that use the Uniscribe Hebrew engine (Office 2003, WinXP Service Pack 2, or later), but does not work in the Middle East version of InDesign CS. I am in contact with WinSoft and Adobe to check whether it will work in the current CS2 product, or if it might work in the upcoming CS3 (although Adobe generally avoids making public statements about features of unreleased products, so if they tell me it might be under NDA). What I'm wondering now is whether it will work in applications that use ICU for layout, and in particular whether it will work in the Mellel word processor, which I know is a popular program for Mac users dealing with Hebrew text.

If you are an experienced Mellel user, with the ability to generate PDFs from within Mellel, and would like to assist in testing specific features of SBL Hebrew 2.0, please contact me via email: tiro[at]tiro[dot]com

Thanks.

* It should be noted that the spacing refinements will cause some reflow issues in existing documents. Linebreaks and pagebreaks should be checked carefully if these are important.