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You can also assign custom keyboard combinations to these commands in Word to make it even easier to switch paragraph directions. On the same window as above, click on the Keyboard button. Click on Format on the left and then scroll to RtlPara to set the key combo for changing to Right-to-Left paragraph direction. Enter any key combo you like and then click the Assign button. Do the same for LtrPara to set the key combo for changing back to the Left-to-Right direction.
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Hint: I recommend setting Alt+R for Right-to-Left and Alt+L for Left-to-Right. These combinations do not conflict with any other pre-configured key combos in Word. If you choose a key combo that is already assigned to another command, you'll see a note in the window that tells you as much. |
Also make sure to watch the screencast at the upper right of this page demonstrating the formatting options for Word 2007 and how to make columns flow from right to left.
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I recommend using Thunderbird for email (for Macintosh or Windows). While Outlook may work, it is a constant target for virus and spyware writers, and therefore not a safe email client to use. You can download Thunderbird at www.mozilla.com.
Configuring Thunderbird for Arabic or Hebrew
- set your outgoing message encoding to UTF-8
- Install the BiDi Mail UI extension for Thunderbird
BiDi Extension for Thunderbird allows you to control the paragraph direction for proper input in Arabic or Hebrew. It requires that you are using Thunderbird 1.5, so make sure you have that version installed. Once installed you get the option in the Format menu to Change Paragraph Direction. It seems to work ok. It does only allow one paragraph direction per email (it will appear as if you can have both RTL and LTR directions when you compose, but will revert to all RTL when you send).
Chat
There are several options out there, but Trillian seems to be the best bet for Windows users. The free version allows you to type Arabic or Hebrew using the built-in Windows keyboard, though the paragraph direction isn't quite right. You may be able to adjust this by changing your settings for non-Unicode programs to Arabic or Hebrew, but this will also affect any other non-Unicode programs you have installed. So you may find this troublesome.
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