Installing fonts on a particular computer platform may be relatively simple, or may be more complicated, involving several steps.  It depends upon several factors.  For example, in the windows environment, font files are often archived (for compression purposes) into a zip file to keep needed software and information bundled together (such as, "xxxfont.ttf", "readme.txt", "keyboard_layout.xxx", etc.).  In this instance, the zip file will first need to be decompressed before installing the font.  However, with the advent of programs such as NetZip ($), even this process has even simplified.

To VIEW a web page on the WWW is different from any special PRINT font/s required in documents.  Web pages are composed in HTML (HyperText Markup Language), or augmented in DHTML (Dynamic HyperText Markup Language).  In these instances, no new SCREEN font (different from a DOCUMENT font) should be needed to view these files.  However, technical articles may have specialized fonts embedded within the HTML file, and the user will have to download the appropriate font to correctly view the file.  A "popup" window should appear in the browser, alerting the user a special language font/s are required.  If this happens, simply acknowledge the request.

Whereas HTML files may be saved and printed, they do not reflect the author's original formatting in a document file (if one exists).  Most documents offered by InTheBeginning.org are in PDF (Portable Document Format).  PDF documents maintain the look and layout of the original and can be viewed on any type of computer--Windows, Macintosh, UNIX, or OS/2.   If you do not have ADOBE ACROBAT READER to read PDF files, you may download a free copy to view, edit, and print any PDF document on this website.

Whenever possible, download PDF documents from web sites.  Foreign language and special fonts were probably embedded in the document by the author so that most computer platforms can view, edit, and print the file.  In those rare cases that a computer cannot read the document, the webmaster should include a location for all special and language fonts used on their site so that the user may download the appropriate font.  Before you can VIEW a PDF document, however, the Adobe Acrobat Reader needs to be installed on your computer.

Finally, if a multi-lingual or a "stand-alone" word processor is purchased, all the necessary fonts will be installed automatically into your font folder.  In addition, some zip files include a "xxx.exe" file whereby the font is also automatically installed for immediate use.

Installing Fonts from Zip Files

This section details instructions for installing fonts from ZIP archives using either WinZip or PKZip. 

More information >> 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5
More information >> 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Part 1

The first tutorial assumes you are using WinZip.  If you do not have it,  download a trial copy from WinZip.com before preceding.

• Download and install WinZip.  When installed, choose "Classic Mode".

• Open the Window's Control Panel by going to Start, then Settings, then Control Panel.

• Double click on the Fonts icon in the Control Panel.

• Double click on the ZIP file with the font in it.

• WinZip will automatically open, and it will show the contents of the ZIP package.  Accompanying the font you desired, there may be other files.  The file displaying a .ttf extension, is the font itself.  The other files may say something like "readme.txt", describing the font's copyright or ordering information for other fonts.

• Drag and drop the file with the .ttf extension into the Fonts window you had opened before.  In a moment, that window will refresh, showing you the new font you dragged in.

You are finished!  The font you downloaded will now be available for use in any program.

Part 2

This tutorial was written using PKZip v.2.6 for the following example. 

• Download and install PKZip now.

• Once installed, run PKZip on your computer at home. In the menu bar at the top of your screen, choose File, then choose Wizard from the drop-down menu.

• Choose the ‘extract all files stored in an existing .ZIP file’ option.

• PKZip will ask you to select the .ZIP file to be Unzipped.  Once selected, it asks for the Unzip Password.  Most .ZIP files don’t have a password so leave this option blank.

• If it turns out the .ZIP file is password protected, return to where you downloaded the file and contact the webmaster or systems administrator.

• Choose the folder you want all the Zipped files to be Unzipped to (and be sure to remember this folder!). Depending on the file size and your processor speed the whole Unzipping process will take anywhere from less than a second up to about a minute.

• Open the Window's Control Panel by going to Start, then Settings, then Control Panel.

• Double click on the Fonts icon in the Control Panel.

• Double click on the ZIP file folder with the font in it.

• PKZip will automatically open, and it will show the contents of the ZIP package.  Accompanying the font you desired, there may be other files.  The file displaying a .ttf extension, is the font itself.  The other files may say something like "readme.txt", describing the font's copyright or ordering information for other fonts.

• Drag and drop the file with the .ttf extension into the Fonts window you had opened before.  In a moment, that window will refresh, showing you the new font you dragged in.

Installing fonts for Windows 95/98/2000/XP

Installing fonts for the Windows 95/98/2000/XP platforms is easy.  Here is a quick overview of the steps necessary.

Go to the control panel  by clicking on Start in the lower left corner, select Settings, and then selecting Control Panel.

• Double-click on Fonts.  Inside are all the fonts currently installed on your computer. Just drag the font file into the folder to install it (see below).

• The font should now be installed.

Installing Fonts on the Mac

Instructions for installing Mac Fonts is available both in English and German.  Both are PDF files (please use Acrobat Reader 4.  If you don’t have this version please click here)

 Font Utilities

• WGL Assistant ( PROmedia-CD Software) | Shareware

  • WGL Assistant lets you use multilingual (Unicode/WGL4) TrueType and OpenType fonts in all Windows applications. You can enable and disable the codepages globally, or individually enable/disable each multilingual font installed on your system.

• Keyboard Navigator | Shareware

  • Keyboard Navigator is both a general-purpose font viewer and a replacement for Windows' Character Map.  You can easily toggle various font characteristics such as bold, italic, underline, and color on and off as needed. You can even change the background color and view side-by-side comparisons of two font sets. Other features include ASCII code retrieval and print support. Keyboard Navigator is easy to use and represents a big improvement over Character Map.

• RoPS (Roger's PostScript) | Shareware

  • Utility opens, views, and prints PS and EPS files.  The program features full Level 1 PostScript language implementation, uses TrueType or Type 1 fonts, and understands PostScript document structuring conventions, with the ability to randomly access any page of any document.

• Font Creator Program | Shareware

  • Utility easily constructs new typefaces and edit existing TrueType font files that can be used in any version of Windows (3.1 or later).

• Keyboard Layout Manager | Shareware

  • Keyboard Layout Manager lets you customize your keyboard to your heart's content. You can change any key assignment for any keyboard language installed on your computer. You can also assign as many different keys as you like that you can access with your Alt and/or Ctrl keys.

• CrossFont | Shareware

  • CrossFont is a 32-bit utility that lets you convert PostScript Type 1 and TrueType fonts between the Macintosh and PC platforms.  For another conversion program, see also TransType.