Web browser test for hieroglyphic (December 2016)

I've released a Hieroglyphs Everywhere Project (HEP) web browser test page for Unicode hieroglyphic to provide a simple test you can use to check at a glance the status of the web browser(s) you are using on PCs or other devices.

HEP uses web fonts so there's no need to install a hieroglyphic font on a PC or other device. HEP resources work within the scope of Unicode (2009) hieroglyphic to preview features relating to the new hieroglyphic writing system (currently expected in Unicode 11, 2018).

I'm making the test page available ahead of time so we can become aware of any unexpected issues.

Up to date versions of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge/Internet Explorer, and Mozilla Firefox work well as a general rule. Keeping your web browser up to date is highly recommended, irrespective of hieroglyphic, for security and performance reasons.

I've found Firefox works consistently over a wide range of devices (including Android, Linux, macOS and Windows systems) aside from some minor visual variations.

Chrome varies from system to system: for instance polychromatic is missing from Windows 7 and (surprisingly) Android at this time. On Windows 10 a Chrome bug displays bold polychromatic text in black and white.

Safari still renders polychromatic text as monochrome on macOS and iOS. Presumably this will be fixed sometime in 2017. Meanwhile Firefox is available to Mac users for greater web standards compliance including polychromatic text.

Internet Explorer, like Chrome, is limited in capabilities by its host system for example IE on Windows 7 lacks modern font technology. If you are forced to use a legacy Windows 7 system I'd recommend you switch web browser from IE if you haven't already. I have a HEP work-around for some IE/Windows 7 issues but would rather spend the time needed on something useful unless this turn out to be a major problem.

During 2017, I expect to update and extend the test page from time to time. Several reasons for this can be anticipated.

1. Progress with the Unicode Standard for the Egyptian Hieroglyphic writing system and repertoire extensions.
2. Identification of browser bugs, e.g. in OpenType font rendering.
3. Additional browser features or browser bug avoidance techniques used by the Hieroglyphs Everywhere Project.

Bob Richmond