Windows Vista

The many changes introduced by Microsoft® for Windows® Vista have required the development of a new version of Lao Script for Windows. Version 7.0 can also be installed and used on Windows XP, Windows Server 2003 and Windows 2000, but cannot be installed or used on earlier versions. The Lao Add-Ins for Microsoft® Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) may be used with Microsoft® Office 2003-2007, but not with earlier versions. A Lao Add-In for Microsoft® Access is not included, but Lao Script for Windows library functions can be called directly from VBA, and an integrated solution for simplifying the use of Lao language with Access database applications is currently under development.

Installation

Any previous installation of Lao Script for Windows must be uninstalled before installing Version 7.02. Version 7 uses standard Windows Installer installation rather than the proprietary installer used for Version 6.

Use

The keyboard mapping application (LaoKey.exe) must be started before Microsoft® Office applications if the Lao Add-Ins for those applications are to be used. The Lao menus in the Add-Ins will only appear if LaoKey is executing when the AddIn is loaded. AddIns for Microsoft® Office applications are installed for each user the first time that user starts the LaoKey keyboard mapping application (as with earlier versions of Lao Script for Windows).

Licensing

All copies of Lao Script for Windows Version 7.0 will require activation before use. A trial activation key, allowing 30 days free trial for evaluation, may be obtained automatically on-line (or indirectly) by following the license activation instructions. Indirect license activation has now been simplified, with a 15-character activation code replacing the license key file used previously.

Site licenses

Users needing to install Lao Script for Windows on many computers on a local network now have the option of purchasing a site licence instead of a multi-seat licence. With a site license, Lao Script for Windows can be automatically activated by a locally-installed "licence server" for all machines connected to a local network once the license server has been activated.

Uninstallation

To uninstall Lao Script for Windows, Version 7, use the entry under Control Panel Add/Remove Programs.

Version 7.02

Version 7.02 is an upgrade from Version 7, the main changes being:

• Licence activation has been improved and no longer depends on the network hardware (MAC) address.
• The Licence Activation Help file has been revised to be consistent with Version 7 licence activation.
• The installer now includes Alice5 OT, an additional OpenType Lao Unicode font based on the popular Alice5 typeface.

Minor upgrades

• (Build 7.022) Reliability of licence activation increased (no longer critically dependent on WMI).
• (Build 7.022) Keyboard mapping now assumes applications to be compatible with romanized keyboard and hidden word-break insertion unless listed in the AppList7.inf file.
• (Build 7.023) Further minor enhancement to activation code.

Version 7.03

Version 7.03 upgrades Version 7.02 to add server-based licensing on a local network (site licences) and simplify on-line Licence Activation.

Minor upgrades

• (Build 7.031) Correct bug preventing Lao Add-Ins for MS Word and Excel from loading.
• (Build 7.032) Update Lao Add-In for MS PowerPoint for compatibility with new version.