Arabic HOWTO

Author: Mohammed Elzubeir

$Revision: 1.4 $

Abstract

This document is meant to serve as a starting point for anyone looking into adding Arabic support (from Alef to Yeh) to their Linux/Unix environment.


Table of Contents

1. License
2. Introduction
2.1. Acknowledgement
2.2. Translations
2.3. Feedback
3. Setup Essentials
3.1. Configure Kernel
3.2. Set Locales
3.3. Install Libraries
3.3.1. Install FriBiDi
3.4. Patch 'less-378'
3.5. Use Arabic Filenames
3.5.1. Read Arabic Filenames
3.5.2. Write Arabic Filenames
3.5.3. Mount Windows Partition
4. Configure Console for Arabic
4.1. Setup BiCon
5. Configure X Windows for Arabic
5.1. Install Fonts
5.1.1. Install Bitmap Fonts
5.1.2. Install TrueType Fonts
5.1.2.1. xfs
5.1.2.2. xfstt
5.1.3. Install Type 1 Fonts
5.1.4. Configure Anti-aliasing
5.2. Setup X Terminals
5.2.1. Setup mlterm
5.2.2. Setup iterm
5.3. Configure Keymaps
6. Print in Arabic
7. Configure Applications for Arabic
7.1. Setup Editors
7.1.1. Install VIM
7.1.2. Install Emacs-Bidi
7.2. Setup Mail Clients
7.2.1. Install mutt
7.3. Setup Word Processors
7.3.1. Setup LyX
7.3.2. Install StarOffice/OpenOffice
7.3.3. Install AbiWord
8. Configure Desktop Environments for Arabic
8.1. Setup FVWM
8.1.1. Download From CVS
8.1.2. Compile and Install FVWM
8.1.3. Configure FVWM
8.2. Setup Gnome
8.2.1. Localize Interface
8.2.2. Set Arabic Keyboard Layout
8.3. Setup KDE
8.3.1. Localize Interface
8.3.2. Set Arabic Keyboard Layout
8.3.3. Force Arabic Fonts on Konqueror