InScribe 2008 Beta Program
InScribe 2008 is aiming for full release in mid 2008. Meanwhile there is a Beta program available to customers who have pre-ordered InScribe 2008 or the upgrade from InScribe 2004. The objective of this Beta program is to give users the opportunity to experiment with new features and functionality and provide feedback into the development process. Updates will be delivered online until the final 2008 release to be supplied on CD-ROM. [Note:- for a limited time, membership of this Beta program will also entitle you to join the InScribeX for Windows Beta program, intended to begin shortly after the 2008 release. This offer only applies to orders received before Monday, 21st January 2008.]
Development Status (10th January)
An initial set of screen-shots of InScribe 2008 have been uploaded to the InScribe 2008 preview page which describes some changes from 2004. Beta program members will be emailed as the material here is extended.
Development of the preview is going well. However a number of points have come up in the detail of the INSX file format and some residual issues identified with MdC data exchange, both areas that ought to be addressed before releasing the preview and therefore requiring some unanticipated work. The current plan is therefore to continue development until the end of January, at which time freeze those features to be supported in preview and concentrate on testing what there is and resolving any show stopping points. This should enable a finished preview to be made available to the Beta program at some date in February. The only InScribe 2004 feature expected to be missing from the preview is column hieroglyphs - the InScribe 2008 treatment needs further consultation with users.
Development Status (21st November)
The 2008 fonts are now released and available to members of the Beta Program. All 3204 EGPZ 1.0 hieroglyphs are given and Unicode 5.1 Alef and Ayin characters provided for transliteration. This means for the first time, it is feasible to work with hieroglyphs and transliterations as text in documents and web pages. Web page examples can be viewed at www.egpz.com. Beta program members will be notified by email as more material becomes available online.
Work is underway on creating the first software preview release to the Beta program. The main focal points for this preview are full support for the INSX file format, interoperability with InScribe 2004, and data exchange with EGPZ Unicode and MdC formats.
Q&A
What's new with InScribe 2008? See the InScribe 2008 information page.
What about InScribe 2007? The original plan was to release the new InScribe in 2007. With developments in ISO/Unicode standards and Windows itself, the arguments for a later, fuller featured, release were compelling. Members of the 2007 Beta Program have transferred to the 2008 program.
How do I provide feedback on the font or sign list? These are based on the EGPZ 1.0 specification released in November 2007 (see www.egpz.com). The 'InScribe 2008 Hieroglyphs' font is already released but suggestions for future additions are always appreciated.
Can I continue using InScribe 2004 alongside the Beta? Yes. The beta software, fonts and other materials can be installed alongside InScribe 2004 which you can continue to use as before.
What system requirements apply to the Beta program? Any computer running Windows XP or Vista. You also need internet access. Windows 2000 may be supported in the final Beta and release if there is sufficient demand.
How do I join the Beta program? InScribe 2004 users can subscribe to the Beta program from our Online Shop.