Last summer I began a series of postings about the use of TeX in classics, namely how to install TeX Live and how to create a basic article. The next step is to look into XeTeX, a new version of TeX which allows for unicode input and, hence, the use of modern fonts. XeTeX is becoming the standard for work in TeX–based input for those working in non–Latin scripts, including Ancient Greek.

The latest distribution of XeTeX is included in the latest and most convenient of distributions of TeX in the form of TeX Live 2008. This entry points users on Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows operating systems to places to download TeX Live 2008 and where to find simple instructions on installation and configuration.

Linux: I obtained TeX Live 2008 on Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex) and following these instructions. In my experience, I had trouble using the "Tex Live installation over the Internet" option because the connection kept getting stalled (due to their connection or mine, I don't know). I ended up downloading the .ISO image, mounting it with Gmount-iso, and installing the software according to TeX Live's Quick Install guide. I have yet to find a program (some recommend Winefish) that I am happy with, so I have been a text editor and Terminal (e.g., pdflatex, xelatex, etc.).

Mac OS X: Download and installation on a Mac could not be easier. Go to the nice people at MacTeX, who have made a simple installable bundle. Download and expand the MacTeX.mpkg.zip package, unzip it, mount the image, and use the installer. MacTeX puts a folder in your Applications folder called "TeX", in which you will find TeXShop, a fantastic editor, compiler, and viewer, and BibTeX, a good program for managing bibliographies.

Microsoft Windows: For TeX Live on a Microsoft platform, download Tex Live 2008, then follow the general directions, as well Windows-specific directions. Run the installer and hopefully everything will be fine. If you encounter any troubles, try instead MikTeX, which contains a TeX distribution, an easy-to-use installer, and software for editing and compiling TeX documents. Note: MikTeX version 2.7 contains XeTeX version 0.997, several versions older than the most up-to-date XeTeX, version 0.999.6. This older  version will not suffice, I believe, for the more exciting XeTeX example to be offered here at Open Source Classics. There is a new MikTeX on the way (v. 2.8), though, and this may have a newer XeTeX.