Craft Edge

Question #1
I use windows xp and have correctly imported hundreds of fonts and dingbats, however not all of them appear in my sure cuts a lot library but they appear in other programs on my computer. I'd really like to use them in my sure cuts a lot program. Since they are installed correctly onto the computer what's wrong?
Next step...I've already removed (approx 1/5th) of the fonts and refreshed the library and rebooted. I've looked all though the library list and below the last letter of the alphabet in the library, still nothing. Why aren't they usable? What do I do now?

Question #2
What is the latest version of sure cuts a lot? I am currently using the Cricut Expression 2.1 which is different than and does not have all the features as the one in the tutorials. Do I need to upgrade? How can I do that?

Question #3
Where can I try inkscape and scal for free to determine which one is best for me?

Please reply,
Sasha

Q1: Since you have already tried all the things I would have suggested, then the fonts that won't show up probably have a design flaw that prevents them from working in SCAL. SCAL is less forgiving than other programs about these minor settings, etc. Also, if they are Open Type fonts, SCAL2 can not read those.
As a workaround,if you have Inkscape, you can use the fonts there, then convert them to paths for import into SCAL.
If you have SCAL2, you can lay out the fonts in any program, take a screen shot, and then trace them in SCAL2.

Q2:You can find the latest version of SCAL here http://www.craftedge.com/download/download.html
If you want to update SCAL you will probably need to update your firmware. It is up to 2.3.x now. You will have to download the trial version of CDS from cricut.com to do that.

Q3: The latest stable version of Inkscape is always free at http://www.inkscape.org