<mrtim@h-net.msu.edu>


There are a number of Ethiopic programs available.  For the
Macintosh I have used extensively a program called Ethiopic 7.0.
It functions phonetically and is easily learned by someone
familiar with an English keyboard.  The only catch is that it
consists of "parts" of characters which are "assembled" by
typing various keys.  While this is not really a serious
problem, you sometimes need to type up to four keys to get the
character you want.  Essentially, it functions like an Amharic
typewriter, and typing long documents can be quite time
consuming (and brutal on your wrists).

Dr. Aberra Molla of Ethiopian Computers and Software has been
working for something like 15 years to develop a pprogram which
uses "true" Ethiopic characters--rather than combinations of
parts--which are typed with a maximum of two key strokes per
character.  His EthioWord program is compatible with a wide
range of word processing, art and e-mail programs. As I
understand it, EthioWord can be configured differently, so that
the seven vowel orders can be accessed through function keys,
symbol keys or the vowel keys themselves (and perhaps others?),
according to the preference of the user.  I am presently
struggling to get EthioWord to work fully with Microsoft Word
7.0 (MS Word 6.0 is the preferred variety), and to the extent
that I have succeeded it seems quite good.  Dr. Aberra can be
reached at <ethiopian@aol.com>.

You might also have your friend look at articles on the topic
in _Ethiopian Review_, April 1991 and September 1995.

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