FAQ for UnionWay
General
Installation & Setup
Code Page (setting AsianSuite to
display CJK characters properly)
Fonts
Compatibility (issues relating
to specific applications)
Q: What is UnionWay's AsianSuite
software?
A: UnionWay's AsianSuite software is a Windows application which
runs on Windows NT, Windows 95 and Windows 3.x, 3.x for WorkGroups and
supports Chinese, Japanese or Korean at the same time. CJK (Chinese, Japanese,
Korean) language users, have a choice of using either Microsoft's CJK localized
Windows such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean Windows 95, or UnionWay's
AsianSuite.
The advantages of AsianSuite include multiple code page support for CJK and Unicode at the same time, as well as support for thousands of English applications including Microsoft Office, Lotus SmartSuite, Noxell PerfectOffice and WinFax Pro. If you use a version of Microsoft's CJK localized Windows, you can only use one Asian language at a time. Furthermore, an Asian language version of Windows doesn't support native English applications very well.
Additionally, if you already have one copy of Windows ( such as English Windows 95) installed on your machine, you may not be willing to install another copy, a localized Windows version, for various reasons including system complexity, the need to install all your applications again, and hard drive requirements.
UnionWay AsianSuite solves this problem by acting as the localized Windows version allowing you to switch code pages and thereby switching to another language mode. AsianSuite even allows you to use multiple CJK TrueType fonts for the CJK characters you're working with. For example, you can have Chinese, Japanese, and Korean text all in a single Microsoft Word document!
Because UnionWay's AsianSuite does not modify the user interface of any native Windows applications, "your Windows" continues to look and feel like "your Windows". On the other hand, if you used the native versions of Microsoft's localized Chinese, Japanese, or Korean Windows, all of Windows' basic components such as File Manager and Windows Explorer for Windows 95 (as well as the Program Manager in Windows 3.x) would also be in CJK which you may not like.
Q: What’s the difference between
the AsianSuite 97 series and AsianSuite 4 series?
A: AsianSuite 97 provides 32 bit Unicode support for Windows 95
and Windows NT. AsianSuite 4 doesn't. The other difference between AsianSuite
97 and AsianSuite 4 is that AsianSuite 97 uses UnionWay's new Unicode-based
CJK TrueType fonts whereas AsianSuite 4 uses UnionWay's older DBCS CJK
TrueType fonts.
Unicode-based CJK TrueType fonts can be used by Windows NT, Windows 95, or Windows 3.x. However, DBCS CJK TrueType fonts can only be used by Windows 95 and Windows 3.x. We recommend that users of AsianSuite 4 upgrade to AsianSuite 97 if you are using Windows 95 or Windows NT. There is a free trial version of AsianSuite 97 available for download.
Q: What are the differences between
SuperPack, ProPack and StdPack?
A: The most important thing you need to remember is that UnionWay
software is fully modularized. The basic kernel program (called Double-Byte
Manager) already provides all features required to support multiple Asian
languages, UnionWay TrueType fonts and different input methods. Each higher
package simply contains additional modules that the lower package(s) do
not. For example, if you take the Chinese StdPack version and add the Chinese
IME Pro module and two Chinese TrueType fonts along with the font utility
program you have the Chinese ProPack version.
StdPack includes the AsianSuite kernel program, bitmap fonts and limited input methods. For Chinese input methods, it provides single word input methods for pinyin and zhuyin. For a Japanese input method, it provides the kana to kanji method. For a Korean input method, it provides the hangul method.
ProPack is based on StdPack but adds UnionWay's TrueType fonts, more input methods, and the UWTTConvert and FontMaker utilities. For Chinese input methods, it provides single word and phrase input methods for pinyin and zhuyin as well as the English to Chinese method. For Japanese input methods, it provides the romaji to kanji input method in addition to the kana to kanji method. Finally, the Korean input methods hangul and hanja are both supplied with the Korean ProPack version.
The UWTTConvert utility allows you to generate single byte TrueType fonts from any double byte TrueType font. This function is very useful when you need to use CJK characters in a Windows application which is designed to only handle single byte TrueType fonts; for example, the text rotation feature of a graphics program. The FontMaker utility allows you to edit any UnionWay TrueType fonts. The additional cost of the ProPack, over the StdPack is less than buying the professional input methods, fonts and the utility programs separately.
SuperPack is based on ProPack but adds more TrueType fonts. The FontMaker Professional version provides an auto-trace function to allow you to convert bitmap characters to CJK characters.
Q: How do I add additional languages
to AsianSuite.
A: Because AsianSuite's kernel program is multi-code page enabled
you simply need to purchase the other language's input methods program
and TrueType fonts.
Q: How do I install the Try Before
You Buy version which I downloaded from the Internet?
A: You just need to run the .exe file. It will automatically unpack
and install the program for you.
Q: How do I un-install UnionWay's
Asian language programs?
A: For Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0 users, you need to use control
panel’s Fonts applet to delete all UnionWay TrueType fonts first (because
the Windows registry needs to be updated). Then just delete all the files
in the Asian97 and UWFONT directories.
Q: How do I know the version number
(build number) of my AsianSuite?
A: When you exit the AsianSuite program, a message box will show
you the build number
Q: Can I download the AsianSuite
User’s manual from the Internet?
A: Yes. You can download the user’s manual from the Download
page at http:///language.htm.
Q: What is the default code page
of AsianSuite and how can I change it?
A: AsianSuite supports Chinese, Japanese and
Korean at the same time when you select CJK fonts for different CJK text
blocks. But if the CJK text is not in a CJK font (i.e., the font is Times
New Roman or other English font), AsianSuite will automatically map the
CJK text to the default double-byte font. The default code page will determine
which CJK font is set as the default double-byte font.
For example, if you set the default code page to Big5, the Chinese Big5 font will be set as the default double-byte font. AsianSuite will automatically map non-CJK font text to the default double-byte font.
To set the default code page click the first button on the AsianSuite toolbar; you can set the default code page to Big5, GB, HZ, Shift-JIS, JIS or KSC. Additionally, the AsianSuite double-byte input program will be automatically set to the new default code page.
Q: How can I set AsianSuite to display
traditional or simplified Chinese by default?
A: AsianSuite's default setting displays traditional Chinese while
in the Big5 code page mode and simplified Chinese when using either the
GB or HZ code page mode . You can click the Setup button on the AsianSuite
toolbar to change this default setting at will.
Q: How can I set AsianSuite to read
Chinese on the Internet?
A: You should set AsianSuite to either Big5 or GB mode depending
on the Chinese source. For the Internet Chinese newsgroup alt.chinese.text,
you should set it to HZ mode. For the group alt.chinese.text.big5, you
should set it to Big5. AsianSuite automatically provides support for HZ
code while in either the Big5 or GB modes. On many Chinese home pages,
you can select Big5/GB/HZ; so just choose one and then make sure that AsianSuite
is set to the same. Because HZ is compatible with GB, if you've selected
GB mode, you'll automatically view any HZ or GB text correctly.
Q: How do I set AsianSuite to read
Japanese in the Internet?
A: For most of the time you should have AsianSuite set to JIS mode.
It can be set by clicking the setup button on the AsianSuite toolbar. AsianSuite's
JIS mode is dynamically compatible with Shift-JIS or EUC text. Any JIS,
Shift-JIS or EUC text should be automatically displayed correctly.
Most Japanese home pages or newsgroups use JIS and Shift-JIS code. As mentioned previously, AsianSuite's default setting supports Shift-JIS text in JIS mode. Some Japanese home pages and newsgroups use JIS code along with EUC code. If your screen displays gibberish (any strange text), you might need to switch to EUC or Shift-JIS mode only.
* For some Japanese web pages, if a text line is too long or text has an unexpected strike-out line, you may need to set your browser's default encoding mode. In Netscape's browser this is done through Options|Preferences|Fonts. Change the line 'The Default Encoding is' to Japanese.
Q: Why is the display quality of
my CJK text bad when viewed in larger font sizes?
A: If you did not install any UnionWay CJK TrueType fonts, the display
quality is bad because the default font is a bitmap font which doesn't
scale in size without looking jagged.
If you've already installed the TrueType fonts, please check the Flash button (the 5th button on the AsianSuite toolbar). If the Flush button is turned on, all CJK text will be displayed in a bitmap font in order to speed up your computer's display performance. Turning-off the Flash button will restore your screen to WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) mode providing a clean, sharp display of text.
Q: How can I view CJK text perfectly
in the Internet - or elsewhere - with CJK bitmap fonts?
A: This is related to the previous question. You should change your
Internet browser program's font setting to 10 or 11 pt in order to view
CJK text perfectly. This is because 10 or 11 is the approximate point size
of the bitmap CJK fonts (bitmap fonts don't scale in size without becoming
jagged). In Netscape's browser, go to Options|Preferences|Fonts, click
"Choose font" to set the font size. For Microsoft's Internet
Explorer browser, go to View|Font, and select "Medium".
If you don't have any TrueType fonts installed (you only have bitmap fonts) and you want to view larger text clearly, you should upgrade your AsianSuite StdPack to ProPack or SuperPack; both of which include TrueType fonts. Alternatively, you can simply purchase the TrueType fonts.
Q: Does AsianSuite support CJK TrueType
fonts?
A: Yes, but only UnionWay's double byte CJK TrueType fonts. UnionWay
provides many high quality CJK TrueType fonts. Chinese fonts retail for
$25 each; however, a font pack of four fonts is a better buy at only $75.
Japanese fonts run $35 a piece. Please contact your local dealer for more
information.
Q: Can I set a default CJK TrueType
font, and if so, how?
A: Yes, you can set a default CJK TrueType
font if you've already installed any CJK TrueType font. Click the Setup
button on the AsianSuite toolbar, click the Font tab dialog box, select
the CJK TrueType font from the TrueType fonts list, and then click the
Set Default button. You can determine the TrueType font's code page from
the font's file name (UWC means it's a Big5 font, UWP means it's a GB font,
UWJ means it's a Japanese font, and UWK means it's a Korean font). You
can set the default font for Big5, GB, Japanese and Korean separately.
Q: How can I speed up the display
of CJK characters?
A: Just click the Flash button (fifth from the left) on the AsianSuite
toolbar. All CJK characters will be displayed in CJK bitmap fonts. However,
bitmap fonts aren't clear at point sizes other than 10 or 11. To clearly
view CJK characters at point sizes other than 10 or 11 click the Flash
button again to turn off Flash mode.
Q: Why does only half of a CJK character
appear at the end of a line; or most CJK characters appear smashed together?
A: Try turning on the spacing feature. Click
the Space button (fourth from the left on the AsianSuite toolbar) before
you input CJK characters.
Q: Can I adjust the width of the
space character in a CJK TrueType font?
A: Yes. AsianSuite allows you to select from four space character
widths. Click the Setup button and select the Font tab dialog box, then
select the space width. Finally, click the Close button.
Q: Can I select which CJK bitmap
fonts load into memory?
A: Yes, you can. Click the setup button on
the AsianSuite toolbar to uncheck the CJK bitmap fonts you don't want to
load into memory. Specifying fewer fonts to load saves both loading time
and memory while running AsianSuite. However, please be aware that disabling
all of the fonts designed for a given code page will disable support for
that code page as well.
For example, if you would like to view simplified Chinese in Big5 mode, you should load the GB bitmap font. If you want to see traditional Chinese in GB mode, you should load the Big5 bitmap font. If you don't load these, you won't have support for the different modes.
Q: Can I install AsianSuite bitmap
and UnionWay TrueType fonts into the same directory?
A: No. You should install the AsianSuite bitmap
and UnionWay TrueType fonts into different directories.
Q: Why do CJK characters display
an irregular width and incorrect cursor position?
A: Please check to see if you have selected a CJK font within your
Windows application. If you haven't, highlight the text if necessary and
select one.
Q: Why can't I find any UnionWay
TrueType fonts within my Windows applications?
A: First, see if they are installed properly. Click the Setup button
(the fourth one from right on the AsianSuite tool bar) and select the Font
tab dialog box. If there are no UnionWay TrueType fonts listed, the UnionWay
TrueType fonts are not correctly installed.
If there are UnionWay TrueType fonts listed, please check to see if you have installed a printer driver for Windows. Many Windows applications require that a printer driver be installed before displaying TrueType fonts.
Q: How do I use CJK languages with
Microsoft Office 97?
A: First, you need to use AsianSuite Build 1415 or a later version.
If your current version is earlier than Build 1415, please download the
ServicePack from the http:///language.htm download
page. Second, you need to disable the AutoCorrect feature from the
menu bar of Word 97, PowerPoint 97, and all other Office 97 programs which
have it. Third, you need to disable the "Straight quotes" with
"Smart quotes" feature in the AutoFormat option. Fourth, you
need to disable the "check spelling as you type" and "check
grammar as you type" features in the Tools | Option menu.
Although they are great for English text editing, these Microsoft features, designed to automatically correct your keyboard input are terrible when working with double byte characters such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean. As a result, they need to be disabled (see the question below which relates to MS-Word for further details).
Q: When I use MS-Word 6.0 or 7.0
some CJK characters I've input are mapped to other characters, or the CJK
display of what I input is totally wrong.
A: Word 6 and 7 provide an "AutoCorrect" function which
interferes with the mapping of double byte character sets such as those
used by Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. You should disable this function
when inputting CJK characters. To disable AutoCorrect, from the Tools menu
of MS-Word, first select "AutoCorrect" and then disable all check
box options.
If you find that the CJK display of newly input characters is still wrong, please go to the Tools menu of MS-Word, select "Options..." and then the "View" tab dialog box, disable all check box options in the Non-printing characters group. In addition, for Word 7, please go to the Tools menu of MS-Word, select "Options..." and then the "Spelling" tab dialog box. Disable the "Automatic Spell Checking" check box in the Automatic Spell Checking group.
For Japanese users, you also need to click the Setup button on the AsianSuite toolbar and make sure that the "Map Japanese input for Word" feature is turned on.
Q: How do I use Netscape Communicator
(Beta 2 or later version) with CJK languages?
A: First, you need to use AsianSuite Build 1425 or later version.
If your current version is earlier than Build 1415, please download the
ServicePack from the http:///language.htm download
page. Second, you need set Netscape's menu option View|Encoding to
Western (Latin 1). Then, click the CodePage button on the AsianSuite toolbar
to change to Big5, GB, SJIS, JIS or KSC code pages when viewing web sites
in different languages.
Q: I'm having problems displaying
Chinese, Japanese, or Korean web pages in Netscape Navigator or Microsoft
Internet Explorer.
A: Please see the Font Issues section
of this page.
Q: I'm having problems with Microsoft's
Internet Explorer browser version 2.0 or below.
A: MS Internet Explorer 2.0 or below (as well
as some browsers related to Mosaic) do not support JIS or HZ code correctly.
So, please use version 3.0 or above of Internet Explorer - or use Netscape's
browser - to view Japanese or Chinese (HZ) text.
Q: How do I use AsianSuite with
Windows NT?
A: You need to use AsianSuite 97 which supports 32 bit as well as
16 bit applications under Windows NT. If you have AsianSuite 4 and want
to work with Windows NT 32 bit applications, you might need to upgrade
to AsianSuite 97.