13 Han Korean Kit

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	. . . [ Nonstandard, but affordable solution ] . . .

/ introduction / compatibility / fonts / price & info / final thought /


Introduction	HanKorean Kit (HKK hereafter) written by SungWoo Nho and distributed by Hansoft may be the most affordable solution to using Hangul on Mac. It consists of a control panel called Hantorie, Hangul fonts and code converter and can be used with US MacOS. It even works with other Hangul environments like HangulTalk or WorldScript II (KLK).

Compatibility	Hangul code scheme used in HKK is totally different from Korean Standard KSC-5601, a.k.a. Wansung code which is standard in telecommunication, as well as any other codes ever used in Korea. However, TocTac, the code converter included in HKK, does its job very well and most of all transparently. You can read KSC-5601 on an application if the application is compatible with KSC-5601 and see Hangul web pages without any hassle. On the downside, you have to deal with its incompatibility with Wansung code if you ever want to exchange your works with others mostly using KSC-5601 because Toctac, a code converter provided with HKK supports only text document. Therefore, it is impossible to convert formatted word processing document and you have to exchange your work with other Hangul users in text format only unless the receipient uses HKK or at least installed Hanfonts.

Fonts	HKK comes with several (more than 16) true type and PostScript Hangul fonts. Because its Hangul implementation is based on 1-byte code like English, you can use Hangul on virtually all applications even graphics programs. Also you can use all possible Hangul characters and you don't have to see jagged Hangul chracters on your screen which is inevitable on HangulTalk or WorldScript II (KLK) due to lack of corresponding screen fonts, although with the release of many screen fonts from Elex, this problem was solved for selected Hangul fonts. See more info about these screen fonts. However, HKK does not support hanja and all of its Hangul fonts are irrectangular shaped. These irrectangular shaped Hangul fonts may add some fresh touch to your document, but I don't think a long document written by these fonts looks good.

Price & Contact Info	$39 + S/H. No student discount. There is an upgrade fee. The latest version HKK 1.4 can be purchased directly from Hansoft. Demo version without TrueType fonts and Toctac is available at : http://www.io.com/%7Ehansoft/hkk/hkk.html

Final Thoughts	No Hanja Support and irrectangular Hangul fonts Fast Input Speed This is distinguishable only on old, slow machine though. Fast Printing Especially on laser printer without font box, HKK provides relatively fast printing speed compared to HangulTalk or WorldScript II (KLK). Compatibility with Applications You can install HKK with HangulTalk or WorldScript II (KLK) to use Hangul on the application which is not compatible with 2-byte characters. Non Standard Most of them using Hangul on Mac have HangulTalk or WorldScript II (KLK) so you may have problem on exchanging your works or telecommunication such as IRC.
	If you don't mind those drawbacks mentioned above and you need Hangul for personal use, i.e. you rarely exchange your works with other non-HKK users, HKK is a good choice and most of all, it is real bargain. However, if you want standard Hangul code, buy KLK.



Introduction HangulTalk WorldScript & KLK HanKorean Kit Electronic Hangul Others	Tune-Up & Utilities Code Conversion Q & A Hangul Fonts	E-mail Client Web Browser Telnet News Reader Termianl Emulator Other Softwares	People Web Sites Ftp Sites

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