Software

Various software options exist for creating liturgy on a home computer. Some do not require a user to enter any Hebrew (because the Hebrew is built-in). Those that do require the user to enter Hebrew are necessarily somewhat tiresome to use, because of the nature of entering fully pointed Hebrew. Also, proof-reading liturgy is exceptionally difficult, because most people competent to do so have memorized much of they material they would proof-read.

WordPerfect

WordPerfect, a leading word-processor, runs on most platforms, including IBM's and Mac's. It's latest release (as of this writing), Version 6.0, permits Hebrew text entry and printing, with vowels. It is awkward to enter the Hebrew. The printed quality is passable but poor.

Release 5 also permits Hebrew text entry, but is even more awkward.

Release 4.3 and 4.2, which are still in widespread use, relies upon additional software to facility Hebrew text entry, and is very difficult and awkward.

Dagesh

Dagesh, now in its second release, is a full English/Hebrew word-processor, which, though not as powerful as WordPerfect, suffices for most needs. It's Hebrew text entry is more convenient that WordPerfect's, and its output is of higher quality.

Davka, which markets the program, also sells the complete Orthodox liturgy in Dagesh-format.

The program runs on IBM's and Mac's.

ServiceMaker

ServiceMaker is not a word-processor, but a unique program for creating liturgy. Because it comes with all of the Hebrew built-in, there is generally no need to enter Hebrew, and so much complexity is avoided; for the same reason, however, large passages of new Hebrew must be ordered from the publisher. While the program does permit users to enter their own Hebrew, the user-interface is prohibitively awkward.

The printing technology used in ServiceMaker produces higher quality output than any of the other packages mentioned here.

The upcoming new release of the program will also include automatic transliteration.

The program only runs on IBM's.

DTP

One step above word-processors are ``desktop publishing'' (DTP) programs. While the output from these programs is generally better than word processors (but not better than ServiceMaker) they usually do not contain the extensive Hebrew support required for creating prayer services.

However, because they can deal well with graphics file, they can make use of graphic-file prayers created by other programs or obtained from the CCAR.

DTP programs exist for all major platforms.