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Q: Which Cree fonts should I use?

 A:

This depends on the computer and operating system you are using. The best choice is Unicode, but not everyone has equipment and software that will support Unicode. The following chart should help you decide.

Notes:

1. If you have Windows 2000 or XP and Word 97, 2000 or XP you have the maximum flexibility. For Legacy 8-bit programs like Shoebox, Paratext and other text processing software, you can use the 8-bit BJECree font and keyboard.

For Word, Internet Explorer, Outlook Express 6 and other Unicode-aware applications, you can use the Unicode BJCree UNI font and keyboard. CreeKeysPRO comes with utilities that run with Microsoft Word to convert texts between the 8-bit and the Unicode encoding.

2. As of this writing, there is good news developing for users who need an input method for syllabics on Mac OS X: Mac OS X 10.2 adds the ability to install a new keyboard layout by putting a file or bundle in a standard folder. It is also now possible to define a Unicode keyboard via an XML text file. We will be exploring this and if it works it will be the recommended method of keyboarding syllabics on a Mac.

If you must use an older Mac and you need to input Cree syllabics, you can install McCree2. It is also possible to convert Cree texts in order to view these texts on Mac OS X. This would be the preferred encoding for archiving and Internet use in any case. Mac OS X can use BJCree UNI and other Unicode syllabic fonts natively: The same TrueType Unicode font file that is used on Windows PCs can also be used on Mac OS X, and (once we figure out how) Mac OS X 10.2 “Jaguar” will allow you to keyboard directly into Cree syllabics in Unicode.

3. There is no CreeKeys “package” for Windows 3.1. Instead, you have to install and configure Keyman 3.2, the font files, the keyboard layout, and the shortcuts “by hand”. There are detailed instructions, but it is not for beginning computer users. Maybe you can get someone to install it for you. Once it is installed, using the font/keyboard is easy.

4. Worthwhile linguistics software applications are either being re-written to support Unicode, or new applications with similar capablities are being developed that are Unicode compliant. Notable examples are Paratext 6, a Unicode compliant version of Paratext, and Toolbox 6, a Unicode version of Shoebox, the popular text analysis and lexicography program.

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Q: How do I install Cree fonts and keyboards to use in my computer?

 A:

Each “Package” comes with its own set of instructions. To install CreeKeysLT or CreeKeysPRO, you download the package file from the Settings page into your computer and double-click on it. Then just read all the screens and click Next... Next... ...Finish... until it is done. Then run the program by clicking on Start - Programs - Tavultesoft - Keyman. Note that in Windows 2000 and XP you need to be logged on with “Administrator privileges” to install programs and fonts anyway. For best results, read the instructions included in the package in a file named CREEKEYS.DOC

To install CreeKeys (for Windows 3.1) it’s a little more involved. When you receive the package, find the file named CREEKEY.DOC and print it out. Follow all the steps carefully, or get a 14-year-old to do it for you.

To install McCree (for Macintosh OS 8 or 9) it’s a little more involved. When you receive the package, find the file named MCREE2.DOC and print it out. Follow all the steps carefully, or get a 14-year-old to do it for you.

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