Ready Texts

The CCAR has announced plans to release a disk containing its Shabbat liturgy. The English will be in a format suitable to be used by any word processor or DTP package, and the Hebrew will be in a graphics format suitable for incorporation into these packages. The user will, then, be able to take the English and process it (print it any font, any size, change the spelling to British, etc.). The user will not be able to change the Hebrew, but will be able to control its placement with current software.

Equally importantly, the CCAR will sell a license with the disk for in-house use of all of the (copyrighted) text. That is, the CCAR will sell the rights to reproduce its copyrighted English texts for in-house use. Currently, it is a violation of the CCAR's copyright for a congregation or individual to reproduce the English in (for example) Gates of Prayer. A congregation or individual purchasing a license from the CCAR will be granted the legal right to reproduce these texts for non-commercial use.[+]

This solution is thus similar to ServiceMaker in that in contains the necessary Hebrew to create common services (though it will not contain weekday liturgy). However, the user will not be able to control the size or font of the Hebrew, nor its layout. On the other hand, it will offer all of the CCAR English, which is not offered with ServiceMaker. It will be easier to use than the text offered from Davka, because the text will not have to be edited.

As mentioned above, Davka also sells the complete Orthodox liturgy on disk. Unlike the CCAR's proposed disk, Davka's product is designed for its word processor, Dagesh. While the CCAR's Hebrew will come in ready-to-use blocks of Hebrew (which, however, cannot be changed), users of Davka's product will be able to change the font, size and layout of the Hebrew. But with this added power comes increased complexity, as the user will have to master Dagesh to make use of the Hebrew.

Excelsior Computer Services also sells its Hebrew on disk. Although the price is considerably higher than Davka's, Excelsior Computer Services will prepare the Hebrew to any specifications the user wants. Also, Excelsior Computer Services uses typesetting technology far more advanced than what Davka's Dagesh can offer.

Professional typesetting houses also offer Hebrew typesetting, but do not generally make their Hebrew available directly to end users.

All of these ready-texts can be used on most platforms, including IBM-PC's and Mac's.