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Purpose - This paper aims to discuss a computational facility for generating Arabic script with its traditional elegance. Reference is also made to computer analysis of historic Ottoman documents which, unlike modern Turkish, use Arabic script. The paper also seeks to note aspects of ancient Arabic science. An account is to be given of the menace of "phishing" for personal details through spam messages. Design/methodology/approach - The approach is to review developments on the internet, especially those of general cybernetic interest. Findings - The computer generation of Arabic script fills a need that has existed since the beginning of movable-type printing. Retrieval of Ottoman documents is valuable historically and presents a technical challenge. Arabic science was in many ways more advanced than is widely realised. Practical implications - Possibilities for computer typesetting are artistically and usefully extended. "Phishing" has to be seen as a serious menace. Originality/value - It is hoped that this will be a valuable periodic review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]