Hello,
I appreciate your software, though I do not use it. I
am proud of your/our success in promoting and evolving
open source software.
I am a con-langer, or a constructed-language creator.
They are not so rare as you might think (if you're not
familiar with that type stuff). I write to you with a
suggestion, though (as I'm not a user, though have
tried the suite a few times) wrapped in a possible
question.
I desire (and this is simple... bare with me) an
extenuation of this program that will allow it (like
the open source AbiWord does) to make ANY text or
language or font bi-directional. For example, I can
take a standard courier font, flip all the glyphs
backwards, and then proceed to flip the text direction
backwards in AbiWord as well, so that you have a
Leonardo Da Vinci type style of writing, known as
"mirror-writing". If you are familiar with
boustrephedon, you will have an idea of what I mean.
Which brings me to desire number 2. Boustrophedon
capabilities. That is a Greek word for an ancient
Greek style of writing that went left to right, then
the next line below, would proceed right to left. The
idea is that it is more economical and efficient.
Faster to write, to read, to keep ones place...
However, the idea was one the Greeks let go of, and
today such a style of writing is almost extinct. Are
you familiar with RongoRongo style? It comes from
Easter Island, and ROTATES the letters 180 degrees,
rather than merely FLIPPING the glyphs over.
ANYWAYS, these are very basic desires, ideas. They
are not new with me (as they've been suggested to
OpenOffice a few times before)... but you can find a
quickening desire with me to actually apply these
things. REALLY.
Now the first question (once you understand the
concepts of how those things work) is WHY? Why would
it be prudent, helpful, for you all to develop
software for me??
I am working on a constructed language. I am not the
first, nor will such end with me. While such things
seem to be on the periphery of day to day lives... "it
is the edges, the boundaries, of a science and of a
religion, where often most times new and exciting
things occur, where CREATION takes place". Yet lets
not belie and forget the heart.
I mean to say to you: YES, a constructed language that
is partly sprung from my very bosom, is to be a part
of a great evolution in humankind's abilities to
communicate more efficiently and more clearly. Even
as the invention of a microphone or a fountain-pen
were to alter and evolbe those same abilities. I
apologize to be arrogant, not that I'm ashamed, but
that it does not help you to understand. You are
right if you say such a thing is folly, or trivial, or
doomed... for it is what you make of it. And many
people make of life many different things... each are
valid CO-creators of life, and one god does not rule
over another, though it may readily seem so.
But here we have an opportunity to advance the outward
life of human existence. HOW? By enabling humans to
speak more clearly, more quickly, with less bias or
engrained, encultured prejudices... by creating a
language that is REFLECTIVE, and CONNECTIVE...
A potter may mold a vase out of any raw clay, and yet
all clay is not the same in his hands. Some rounds
more smoothly, some is more lumpy. Some feels
brittle, others too limp. Yet ALL is clay, and to a
potter all may be conformed. Yet to us children of
the dawning of an age... an age of coming to be
responsible, and thus of true creators... there is
still "hard" clay and "easy" clay.
That a language is predominant and a people unwilling
(seemingly) to change is as of little significance. I
don't mean to debase such things, but rather...
EVERYONE shaved with a straight blade in the early
1900's, yet with the invention of a hand-held razor
(created by a mr. gillete i believe)... everyone
changed. Not overnight, for it took the man several
years of STICKING to his dreams to make such happen.
The first year he sold but one razor. The next year
only three. His third year he sold twenty-some, his
fourth he sold six-hundred. His fifth year he sold a
hundred-thousand, and the sixth year he was wealthy
indeed.
I desire to help put this language into the
environment... and yet if the environment is not
accepting, is not willing to help... then change comes
slower. If a person has a springboard to jump off of,
a pulpit from which to preach, then they are more
efficient, and can the sooner bring about the change
they seek to be.
No God rules over another... and so its a question
that is left to us... to make of it what we will.
I ask... help to make this change possible, little
step by little step (for it may be great in the Lord's
eyes), and you may be called great. I hope I do not
pressure you too much, but I do encourage you to help
me along in this task. The language I have, or am (as
it's still unfinished) creating, may be called a
wonder of the world, and may be used in just such a
way. The language is not all centered around speech,
but includes much orthography (written stylings, etc),
thus much room for you to be an aid. I VERY much like
AbiWords ability, and though it is simple, it is
effective. They are very responsive to suggestions,
and I am very fond of them and there little buggy
ways.
Nonetheless I send out my hope to you, bless, and may
you be that change that you wish to see.
Ranger
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