The ß versus ss rule is actually my favourite new rule :). They sound the same, but the old rule used to be quite arbitrary. Actually, I think there was none -- you just had to learn by heart which word uses which spelling. But now, there is a clear rule for their use: In layman's (ie. non-linguist's) terms, ss is written after a short vowel, and ß is written after a long vowel. For an example of what I mean with "short" and "long" vowels, consider the ee/i in "deed" and "did". I find this rule really easy to use, and I like it because it eliminates a few exceptions to the rule that in German, things pronounced the same way are written the same way. (Compare that to English! *sigh*)

Some people don't get it and complain that they should have abolished ß at all. I don't agree. For example, we write "Masse" (mass) and "Maße" (dimensions). Without ß, there would be no way to differentiate.

Apart from that rule, there have been a number of very good and simplified new rule, and a number of very bad new rules. Most people have accepted the reform by now, but still have mixed feelings about it -- including me. I still feel the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, though.

Regarding Tex, there is a dictionary for the new spelling called "ngerman". Almost all German TeX users probably use it by now. I just don't know whether it will work with the module mentioned.

In reply to [OT] German Spelling by crenz
in thread Splitting text into syllables by crenz

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