#Compugraphic Fonts
8 messages in this thread
I have trouble seeing how it will benefit the Amiga user community for one
company to have exclusive control over something as important as fonts. It
seems to me that Gold Disk has been slow to bring out the fonts, and slow
to introduce new features to ProPage. If they manage to get total control
over the DTP business on the Amiga, it looks like the end of the Amiga as a
viable DTP platform in the long run.
It was my understanding, from the Compugraphic people, that they are the
ones actually converting the fonts and that Gold Disk simply sells them,
exclusively of course.
It didn't seem to hurt the Macintosh any that PostScript was under the
control of only one company (permanently, and not just for one year). My
guess is that GoldDisk only has the control over the fonts, and not the
technology, and anyone who would want to create "Compugraphic Compatible"
fonts, couldn't be prevented. Besides, it is my understanding that Gold
Disks contract was only for one year. A year beginning when? When ProPg
1.3 was released? Hey, it's really not that long. I don't think
Commodore, if they really get the Compugraphic fonts in 1.4, would let Gold
Disk strangle the technology, and I don't think Gold Disk would want to.
They can make too much money off of "licensing fees" or whatever.
As a side note: Other people now make PS-compatible fonts and the new Mac
system include outline font technology (Apple's own – Royal). Aren't
multiple "standards" fun?
Hey don't forget Bitstream, just a couple hundred bucks per font. Gee what
a deal. Yeah, right
Bitstream is exactly who I was thinking of. Evidently Adobe said that they
would hire any programmer that could figure out their font encryption
scheme. Four months later Bitstream started offering their fonts in Adobe
format. Guess it pays more than a programmer's job at Adobe. 🙂
Well, it could be worse. For example, NEC has a 6-disk set of CD-ROMs for
desktop publishers. One disk, The Type Gallery, has 470 Adobe fonts. You
start by choosing the THREE fonts you want. If you ever want to buy a font
you don't have, you just call NEC's toll-free number and they unlock the
disk file for you!
I'd have to 2nd that. Gold disk stays in the business by being the lesser
of evils, not because they have a great product or certainly not because
the give good service (like Pixelations does do). One serioius competitor
would run them into the ground in no time…too bad soft logik can't get it
together better in the Amiga world.
P.S. Justin, why don't you guys approach Gold Disk with a contrac to show
them how to do real customer service. While your up there you might be able
to pry the fonts loose :}
Saxon Publisher wants to be that serious competitor. However, it does
PostScript output only. I think that will limit their penetration
somewhat.