using the unicode cyberbit bitstream font in java

Instructions for Installing the Bitstream Cyberbit Unicode Font for JVMS:

this document is a collection of lessons i've learned configuring different jvms to use unicode fonts. for further information, or to add to this repository, please email carraa@engin.umich.edu

Installing Unicode fonts under Java can be tricky. The first thing you'll need to determine is what JVM you're using; this will tell you what font.properties file you'll need to modify, and what changes you'll need to make to it.

if you're using trying to modify the properties for a netscape version earlier than 4.05: The JVM you're using is too primative; this probably won't work.
if you're using trying to modify the properties for netscape without a java plugin, version 4.05 or later:

font.properties

if you're trying to modify netscape with a java plugin: see the jre/jdk instructions.
if you're trying to modify the properties for an m$ internet explorer version earlier than 4.0: the odds aren't too good; the font.properties file for these versions doesn't appear accessible.
if you're trying to modify the properties for m$ internet explorer 4.0 or later: find the font.properties under your windows root directory (these are in \winnt\system32\lib\font.properties for windows NT, unknown under windows 9x), or in your m$ie install directory on a mac.
if you're trying to modify the properties for a jre/jdk install: either inspect your documentation or run "java -version" from your command-line interface of choice. If you're using version 1.0.anything, you're outta luck. if you're using 1.1.something, follow the 1.1.x instructions below, and if you're using 1.2.something, follow the 1.2.x instructions below.

installing under 1.1.x JVMs
add the following line to the relevant copy of the \lib\font.properties folder on your system: (at the end of the file, and after you've installed the font in the manner applicable to your OS):
serif.3=Bitstream Cyberbit also, if there are any other lines which make reference to serif.3, comment them out with '#'s. What this does is makes the third serif'd font searched by the jvm cyberbit. since the matrixss program requires that the serif font be the one with unicode support, you'll have to change it yourself if you don't like it.

installing under 1.2.x JVMs
this is a little more difficult. you'll need to add the following lines to your font.properties file, in the relevant sections (you'll see similar lines, with "2" instead of "3" in these locations).

serif.3=Bitstream Cyberbit
serif.bold.3=Bitstream Cyberbit
filename.Bitstream_Cyberbit=CYBERBIT.TTF (not sure about this on the mac yet)
fontcharset.serif.3=sun.io.CharToByteUnicode

while getting this configured is a little more difficult than 1.1.x, the speed-up is appreciable and it looks great. if there are still "blocks" in your character stream instead of kana, make sure that you've found the right file, that you've correctly installed your font, and that there are no warnings on the java console regarding font errors.