Assyrian Voice Emagazine

Windows XP and the new Windows Vista operating systems from Microsoft, allow you to type and even read Assyrian-type font (also known as Syriac font) Today, being able to type in Syriac is very important and can come in very handy. On our website for example, you can post in our Discussion Forums, using Syriac font (people with Internet Explorer 6.0 or later versions will be able to read it) The popular online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, has an entire section in Syriac.  This short and simple tutorial will guide you through the steps of enabling Assyrian font on your PC. We will assume that you are using Windows XP or a later version of the operating system.

1–Click on Start > Control Panel > ‘Regional and Language Options‘

2– Depending on your operating system:

XP:     On Windows XP, click on “General” and click the “Add” button on the right. From the list that appears, select “Syriac” to add it.
Vista:  On Windows Vista, click on “Keyboard and Languages” Tab, then click on “Change Keyboard” button and then click “Add” button to select “Syriac”

You should now be able to see Syriac added in the list, under English and any other languages you may have.
Note: you can select any language and then ‘Properties” to edit or modify its settings.

3– Click on “Language Bar” tab to specify the location of your virtual keyboard, to hide it, or even make it invisible when not in use.  Click on the “Advanced Key Settings” to specify how you want to switch back and fourth between typing in Syriac and typing in English or other languages on the system.  You are done. You should now see the language bar floating on your desktop as illustrated below. You can click on it to select the language.

As an extra option, you can use your virtual keyboard to type, if you are unfamiliar with using your keyboard to type in Syriac font. To bring up your virtual keyboard, click on:  Start > All Programs > Accessories > Virtual Keyboard

Alternatively, and for easier access, you can drag your virtual keyboard from the Start menu into your desktop or Quick Launch area of your desktop.

If you have any question about this or need further help, please contact us.

To maintain it and make it viable for its inhabitants, the Nineveh Plains will have to have its own self-sustaining micro economy. An economy within an economy. An economy where such things as employment, banking, currency and other matters of significance to the financial well-being of the people, are managed and well taken care of. The Nineveh Plain as a legal entity doesn’t exist yet. But that doesn’t mean we can’t start to build its foundation, and it doesn’t hurt to start with a good economy.

Jobs and Employment

First and foremost, the local Nineveite economy has to be able to offer the people of the region jobs. Lots of jobs. It is simple: the more job, the better the living conditions for the people of the region. And the better the living conditions, the less likely it is that these people would want to leave. The region wouldn’t be what is today without the people. How do we create these jobs? for one, we have to be able to attract foreign investment. We have to give companies from the outside, a reason to come to the region and build factories and job markets. Whether it is safety, skilled labor force, lower business costs, there should be reasons for them to invest in our economy. But with jobs come the need for better skills and training, and as a result there will be a need a for new work shops and schools to open, to train and develop the local skills in different fields and trades.

Economic Exchange

The Nineveh Plain economy should be able to build economy ties with other local economies in the region, giving priorities to Assyrians. For example, trade with Assyrian businesses to the North in Dohuk and Erbil should be encouraged. Along the same line, special trade agreements should be worked on between the different Assyrian areas in the region, in a way that gives them a reason to trade with one another for the long term. Of course, economic exchange should be maintained with all other regional economies in Iraq and the neighboring countries.

People Power

With the local population being of an Assyrian majority, there is a great chance for this to succeed. Only, and only if people use their power wisely. For one, Assyrians have to buy from their own Assyrians, as much as it is possible. This is something that we have called for, for years, on this website. In fact, this is the easiest income we can get: it is already there, and we just have to make sure that it is spent where it needs to be spent, and not elsewhere. In addition to the local population, Assyrians visiting from the outside can help by spending their money in the local market. An Assyrian from a western country will tend to spend more, so it is another good source of income for the local Nineveite economy. Assyrians coming from the outside may also help by investing their money in the local economy, and opening their own business and employing the locals.

At the end of the day, it is up to the local leaders and people of the plain to make it work. Working together and creating the conditions where a viable economy will prosper and sustain itself, are essential steps towards the creation of such an economy. Not to mention, any expertise we can get, will only make it even better for things to go forward.  It is now time to look for our own Morgan Stanley or Alan Green Span type of economic and financial brains that will make this work.