FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 

Welcome to the Middle East Medievalists website.  Please find below answers to the most frequently asked questions.  We hope that you will take the opportunity to browse this website which is updated regularly.  Should you have any questions not answered below or anywhere else on this website, please e-mail: query@middleeastmedievalists.org.

 
Q: What is MEM?
A: To find out more about Middle East Medievalists, please click here.  To download a MEMbership application, please click here.
 
Q: I would like to join MEM.  How can I do so?
A: Please click here for further details concerning MEMbership and to download an application.
 
Q: Why can't I find information about the modern Middle East and current affairs?
A: Please refer to the first question and answer above.  Click here for links to other scholarly associations worldwide.
 
Q: Where is the jobs section?
A: Academic jobs are posted to the jobs section (under MEM Resources from the homepage).
 
Q: Where is the on-line MEMber directory?
A: For security reasons, the directory is only available to MEMbers.  MEMbers, please click on the MEMBERS ONLY link or the gold-colored key from the homepage.  You will need a userid and password which may be obtained by e-mailing: query@middleeastmedievalists.org.
 
Q: Where is the publisher discounts page?
A: MEM makes available to its MEMbers special discounts from academic publishers and distributors.  MEMbers, please click on the MEMBERS ONLY link or the gold-colored key from the homepage.  You will need a userid and password which may be obtained by e-mailing: query@middleeastmedievalists.org.
 
Q: How can I advertise an academic job on your website? Is there any charge?
A: Academic institutions, departments and associations are welcome to submit job announcements at no charge.  Announcements may be submitted electronically to the administrator at: query@middleeastmedievalists.org.  Approved announcements will be posted to the jobs page under the MEM Resources section.
 
Q: Why do I see strange characters on the home page under Middle East Medievalists or elsewhere on this website?
A: What you are supposed to see is Arabic text and symbols.  Old web browsers pre- Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 (Windows) or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 (Macintosh) are incapable of rendering Arabic text.  Moreover, the MEM website implements the international Unicode-encoding standard for the display of text.  Older web browsers running under older operating systems are incapable of properly rendering Unicode-encoded text, including diacritics in European languages.  Users who wish to view Unicode-encoded text in such languages as Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, Syriac, Ottoman Turkish and Urdu require a Unicode-enabled web browser.  Only Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5+ (Windows) fully supports the display of all the aforementioned languages.  The best solution is to upgrade your web browser and/or operating system.
 
Q: I am using version 4.xx of Microsoft Internet Explorer.  Why does your website not display properly?
A: Many websites are made to comply with the latest standards in computing.  Inevitably this means that users of older web browsers will need to upgrade.  Provided your computer meets the minimum operating system and hardware requirements listed on the software manufacturers' websites, it is recommended that you download the free upgrade to your web browser:

Microsoft Internet Explorer versions (5.01, 5.5, 6.0) (PC):

North American users: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp         

International users: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/worldwide/default.asp

Macintosh users: http://www.microsoft.com/mac/download/ie/ie51.asp

 
Q: Why do you mention Microsoft Internet Explorer and Mozilla at the bottom of the homepage, but not other browsers?
A: For the simple reason that Netscape and other browsers do not yet fully support Arabic and other Right-to-left script languages.  If you believe a new final release version of a browser does support these languages, please e-mail: query@middleeastmedievalists.org providing the names and versions of the browser and operating system and we will verify its capabilities.
 
Q: Does MEM officially endorse particular software products or manufacturers?
A: No, we do not.  As a scholarly association MEM believes in promoting the development and improvement of specialized multilingual software and tools for scholars and students.  MEMbers work closely with software developers and MEM's MEMbership.  For further information about multilingual resources, please click here.
 
Q: How do I access the MEMbers Only section?
A: The MEMbers Only section is only accessible to MEMbers whose dues are paid.  You will need a userid and password which can be obtained by e-mailing the administrator at: query@middleeastmedievalists.org.
 
Q: I am a MEMber of Middle East Medievalists, but my name does not appear when I search the on-line MEMber directory.
A: This may mean that your MEMbership dues are not current.  Please e-mail the Secretary Prof. Katherine Lang (langkh@uwec.edu) who will be glad to assist you.
 
Q: I am a MEMber of Middle East Medievalists.  How do I update the information listed in the on-line MEMber directory? 
A: You need to click on the MEMBERS ONLY link or the gold-colored key from the homepage.  You will need a userid and password which may be obtained by e-mailing: query@middleeastmedievalists.org.
 
Q: How do I receive a copy of Al-`Usur al-Wusta: The Bulletin of Middle East Medievalists?
A: `UW which is published twice yearly is available for free to MEMbers whose dues are current.  Libraries and research centers may also subscribe.  Please click here for further details.
 
Q: Where can I get the free Arabic script and transliteration font? How soon will it be available?
A: The Arabic Typesetting font is only currently available with Microsoft Office 2003 and Multilingual Packs and Proofing Tools.  For a more detailed description, see the  Middle East Medievalists Computing Resources page.  Please no enquiries to the website administrator.
 
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