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         Welcome to SignWriter!


         SignWriter is a word processor for writing signed languages.
         Signs are written in Sign Writing, a graphical alphabet
         designed to write the signed languages of the world.



         SignWriter Features


         -- Signs, fingerspelling, and English can be typed into
            the same file.

         -- A built-in sign dictionary gives you quick access to
            previously typed signs.  The sign dictionary provided
            with SignWriter contains over 3000 ASL signs.

         -- Sign dictionaries can be printed out in publication-
            quality formats.

         -- Sign Writing files can be exported to other programs
            as PCX graphics files.

         -- International versions of SignWriter are available for
            thirteen different countries:  Belgium, Denmark, France,
            Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, Portugal,
            Spain, Sweden, UK, and US.  (Available separately)

         -- SignWriter runs on any IBM PC-compatible computer with
            640K bytes of memory, a hard disk, and CGA graphics
            support.  It also works on Macintoshes with SoftPC.

         -- SignWriter supports Epson-compatible printers, Hewlett-
            Packard printers, and PostScript printers.
         


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         Using SignWriter


         The SignWriter program is shareware.  You don't need a
         license to use it.  You can make unlimited copies of the
         program and give them to other people.

         You also don't need to pay anything to use SignWriter; it's
         free.  However, if you find yourself becoming a regular
         SignWriter user, you might also find it worthwhile to send
         $15 to the software publisher: the Deaf Action Committee for
         Sign Writing (DAC).

         The DAC is a group of native Deaf signers, sign language
         linguists, and software developers.  It is sponsored by the
         Center for Sutton Movement Writing, a non-profit educational
         organization.  Your $15 is a tax-deductible donation: it
         supports the continued development of SignWriter, and also
         the development of educational materials for Sign Writing.

         You also get:

           -- SignWriter technical support

           -- The Sign Writer, a biannual newsletter which reports
              on Sign Writing activities around the world.

           -- A one-year Sign Writing membership ($15 value), which
              entitles you to discounts on Sign Writing books and
              software.


         To support Sign Writing and receive the items listed above,
         please send a check or money order for $15 (US dollars only),
         made out to the Center For Sutton Movement Writing, to:

            Deaf Action Committee for Sign Writing
            P.O. Box 517
            La Jolla, CA  92038-0517
            USA
         


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         Getting Started


         The first thing to do is check that the following files are
         on your disk:

           SWINFO.TXT     SignWriter information
           README.TXT     the file you're now reading
           MANUAL.DOC     SignWriter user's manual

           SW.EXE         SignWriter program
           SW.SYM         symbol file
           SW001.KEY      keyboard file
           SW001.MSG      message file
           SW001.DIC      dictionary file
           SW001.DIN      dictionary index file
           DICT.EXE       dictionary manager program

           KEYBOARD.SGN   keyboard card
           WELCOME.SGN    welcome message
           GRAMMAR.SGN    ASL grammar lessons

           SWINTRO.SGN    Lessons in Sign Writing:
           SWHANDS1.SGN     1: Hand symbols (part 1)
           SWHANDS2.SGN        Hand symbols (part 2)
           SWCONT.SGN       2: Contact symbols
           SWMOVE1.SGN      3: Movement symbols (part 1)
           SWMOVE2.SGN         Movement symbols (part 2)
           SWMOVE3.SGN         Movement symbols (part 3)
           SWDYNAM.SGN	    4: Dynamics symbols
           SWFACE.SGN       5: Face symbols
           SWBODY.SGN       6: Body symbols
           SWPUNC.SGN       7: Punctuation symbols

	   NORWAY.SGN	  Sign Writing in Norway
           HAMBURG.SGN	  Hamburg trip report
           DEAF1.SGN	  Deaf perspectives on Sign Writing
           DEAF2.SGN	  Deaf perspectives on Sign Writing
           EMAIL.SGN	  Sign Writing on e-mail
         


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         Printing the Manual


         To print out the SignWriter user's manual, type the following
         command at the MS-DOS prompt:

              COPY MANUAL.DOC PRN

         and then press the Return key.

         The user's manual is 64 pages long, and takes a while to
         print; but you'll need it to get started.  (Look for a
         2-page SignWriter command summary at the end.)

         After you print it out, turn to the beginning of the user's
         manual.  It first explains how to set up SignWriter; then,
         it leads you through a tutorial that teaches the basic
         SignWriter commands.



	 Updating from Previous Versions (IMPORTANT!)

	 Version 4.3 of SignWriter fixes a printing problem with 
         Hewlett-Packard DeskJet printers.  It also includes new
         Sign Writing symbols and changes to existing symbols.  
         Because of this latter change, your existing dictionary and 
         sign files will appear somewhat scrambled if you attempt to
         use them with the new software.  The easiest way to deal 
         with this problem is to throw out your existing work and 
         type it in again.  

         However, if you've invested too much time in typing signs 
         into sign files or the dictionary, please send us an e-mail 
         message explaining your predicament, and we'll send you 
         detailed instructions on how to convert your existing files
         to work with version 4.3.  The process is time-consuming, 
         but faster than typing everything in again.



 	

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         SignWriter and Sign Writing are registered trademarks of the
         Center For Sutton Movement Writing.  All other brand names
         and product names are registered trademarks of their
         respective companies.