README                                                          17.07.1999
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                             ArabTeX Version 3
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	Last changes: Version 3.09, 17.07.1999
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	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. Several other 
	common encodings are also supported.

	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	arabtex.doc  :    a short introduction (rather out of date)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.txt  :    release history, new features, and known bugs
        	                  (updated as necessary)
	changes2.txt :    older release history up to version 3.00
	install.txt  :    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)

        There are also various additional documentation files.

	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.
	The contents of the manual are still approximately correct, but 
	heavily outdated; a new version is in preparation.

	There was a prototype, ArabTeX Version 1, which is now OBSOLETE.
        Version 2 was the first complete release accompanied by a manual,
	but is no more being maintained.

	Version 3 is an upward compatible extension of Version 2 with 
	many new features, e.g. the possibility to read input 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. Versions from 3.05 onward contain a package to process 
        Hebrew, and provide long right-to-left insertions. For details, 
	consult the manual and the ASCII file "readme.305".

	ArabTeX is copyrighted. However, you may use it freely for any
        scientific, experimental and strictly personal, non-commercial 
        purposes if you give proper credit to the author. We appreciate a
	complimentary copy of any scientific work produced with ArabTeX.
	If you consider other uses, apply for a license agreement. 

	ArabTeX may be redistributed on the same terms PROVIDED THAT 
	- you will leave any copyright notices intact, AND
	- you will inform the author, AND 
	- you will distribute the complete package including THIS file 
	  and any updates you know about, AND 
	- you will forward any comments and suggestions to the author, 
	  AND 
	- you will not charge more than a reasonable fee for data media 
	  and handling. 
	These provisions apply to ArabTeX proper only; you may modify the
	package at will, and for any purpose whatever, including selling 
	it for profit; but you are required to make it clear that your
	version is NOT identical to ArabTeX, by giving a different name
	to it; and we will not support it.

	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, suitability
	for whatever purpose, or correct documentation. 

	If you have any complaints or suggestions, please forward them to
	the author. We shall consider any reasonable suggestion, but we 
	will use our own judgment on any changes, and our resources are 
	severely limited. 

	If problems turn up while running ArabTeX, please check first at 
        "ftp.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de" whether there is a new version, 
	or 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 to the author. 

	The reference site "ftp.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de" always holds
	the current version. We know that the CTAN servers "ftp.tex.ac.uk", 
	"ctan.tug.org", and "ftp.dante.de" mirror this site and update on
        a regular schedule.

	An empty E-Mail message to "arabtex@informatik.uni-stuttgart.de" 
        will produce a current status report.

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	    Prof. Klaus Lagally
	    Institut fuer Informatik
	    Universitaet Stuttgart
	    Breitwiesenstrasse 20-22
	    D-70565 Stuttgart
	    GERMANY

	    lagally@informatik.uni-stuttgart.de
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	Copyright (c) 1990 - 1999, Klaus Lagally
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