*WebGlyph, a free Web version of GLYPH*
In the summer of 2021 a new version of the hieroglyphic text processor
GLYPH was launched. It is entirely web-based and will be freely available
to all users.
The first version of GLYPH was created in 1969 and ran on the mainframe
computer at Utrecht University in The Netherlands. In 1991 the whole
system was transferred to the CCER at Utrecht University, where Hans
van den Berg created a Windows version (WinGlyph). Later (2002), Ed
de Moel developed a simple web version.
Unfortunately, WinGlyph does not run on today’s platforms, and ran
only under older versions of Microsoft Windows. In the last couple of
years we have frequently been contacted with requests to provide an
updated version. After consulting with Hans van den Berg, we decided
to start from scratch and create a new web version so that the program
can be used from any end-user platform, including Apple and Linux.
The web version is based on the coding manual (/Manuel de Codage/)
that was first accepted by the International Association of Egyptologists in
1988. As there are so far no other generally accepted coding standards,
it was decided to base the web version completely on this manual,
although we did include a few additional features.
The coding is based on Gardiner’s Sign List, allowing phonetic codes
to be used where possible. Thanks to Hans van den Berg we were able
to include all signs from the Extended Library. He also provided the input
sources of the hieroglyphs. Furthermore, we included some additional
signs, among others for the transcription of hieratic, as defined by
Gardiner in /JEA /15 (1929), 15, and /JEA /17 (1931), 245-247.
The software includes programmes for adding new hieroglyphs
(digitizer) and a group-editor. To use these two features, you will have
to register and get your personal access code. The creator of such
new signs decides whether these will be accessible to others.
The package includes:
• Input via Gardiner signs and their possible phonetic codes
• Output from right-to-left, left-to-right, or in columns
• Arrangement in groups and sub-groups (using parentheses)
• Special codes for proper arrangement of numbers
• All four different cartouche types with options for full-length,
beginning, middle or end
• Inversion and rotation of signs
• Colour coding of output
• Hatching of signs or pieces of texts
• Flexible line spacing, interspacing of groups of signs
• Different stroke widths
• Codes for text-critical notations
• Codes for non-hieroglyphic text (including transliteration) and
commentaries
• Inserting text in Latin-characters above the line
• Codes for grammatical and lexical use
• Codes for ‘signs-within-signs’, group-editor
• Digitizer to add new signs
• List of pharaohs in English, French and German with possible writings
of the cartouches
• Extended Library (Graeco-Roman style, about 5000 signs), kindly
made available by Hans van den Berg
• Output in .svg format images (Scalable Vector Graphics) accepted by
most current text processors
• Text preview
• Tabulation jumps for publication purposes
• Online documentation
• Compatibility, as far as the manual is concerned, with WinGlyph
The web-site is at:
<http://71.174.62.16/Demo/WebG
general access code is: username *guest*, password *guest*.
The program generates the renditions of hieroglyphs in “SVG” format.
SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) is an XML language, similar to XHTML,
which can be used to draw vector graphics. The standard for SVG was
defined in 1999. SVG is supported by all major browsers. SVG does not
require third-party extensions. The main advantage of vector graphics
over pixel-related graphics is that vectors are scalable, and do not
introduce a “staircase effect” when they are enlarged. Once a text
has been rendered, the resulting graphics can be saved for use in
other documents.
The digitizer is an important new feature allowing users to create
their own symbols. Such symbols can either be private, or shared
with other users. Symbols are created by using the mouse to trace
the various vectors that make up the symbol.
When a user has created new symbols or groups using the Group
Editor or Digitizer, this feature offers the user the ability to further
modify and refine these symbols.
Both Jan Buurman and Ed de Moel are well into their retirement,
and are looking for successors to carry this software into its next
generation and to keep it current with future developments in
architecture of hardware and software (looking for an Egyptologist
and also for a software specialist).
For registration please contact: *demoel@jacquardsystems.com*;
for Egyptological comments contact: *JanBuurman@outlook.com*.
For more detailed information, see/Göttinger Miszellen/ 264 (forthcoming).
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*WebGlyph, a free Web version of GLYPH*
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