CompuServe Thread

#Postscript printing

4 messages in this thread
#30187From: Bob NaffzigerJan 12, 1989 5:43 AM
The only real advantage of Postscript in a spreadsheet (IMHO) is if it saves 3D charts & graphs. I can load data from a spreadsheet now into CED or a wp program, make changes and then import into ProPage. A spreadsheet savinging files compatible with ProDraw is what we really need. Also everyone is wasting their time on a Postscript program that does not support a large collection of standard fonts. I have 35 Postscript fonts now and it is not enough to do quality work.
#30364From: John DraperJan 13, 1989 10:18 PM
I think one of the biggest mistakes made by professionals, and those who write programs for professionals, is the mistaken notion that if a program does not offer every bell, whistle, and font that a professional would require, that it is a watse of time. I can assure you, both from my experience and from having been told by others, that a home hobbyist just loves to get his hands on a program that has, in the past, only been targetted toward the professional, regardless of whether that program includes all that the pro version does. In the case of a PostScript interpreter that sells for $89.00, and that only has two fonts, I think you will find that it will be a big seller. Sure, a pro would require more. Sure, a pro would look at 9 pin or 24 pin printed output and proclaim it garbage, but remember, it has to be a gazillion times better than the 'preview' mode of ProPage, or the typically jaggy fonts of most low end DTP or WP outputs. That does not even take into account the ability to use block structured graphics that are not limited to the screen resolution. Hey, I work on deskside machines that can run programs 10 times faster than the Amiga. I have a Gigabyte of disk storage, 16 megs of memory, and a multitasking multi-user operating system at my beck and call. If I were to take the attitude that anything less is 'a waste of time', I would not have an Amiga. On the other hand i wouldn't have the machine I wanted either, because the price is way out of my range.
#30419From: PixelationsJan 14, 1989 11:21 AM
Thanks for your kind words! I know the lack of fonts in PrintScript will cause problems for professionals. We do support additional fonts from other vendors, such as LaserUp! The Mac market has MANY vendors of PostScript fonts: I would expect that more fonts will appear in the Amiga market as PostScript becomes more of a force here. At least I sure hope so! (BTW, Mac fonts are now running at least $46 per font, and the Adobe fonts are $127 or more each; the LaserUp! Amiga font disk contains 3 separate fonts, fully scalable, for $39.) PrintScript is certainly not an adequate substitute for a PostScript printer and an exhaustive set of fonts FOR DESKTOP PUBLISHING PROFESSIONALS. Such professionals need all the capabilities of a professional- and expensivesystem. (Given the products currently available in the different markets, they'd probably do best with a Mac, in fact.) But PrintScript will, I hope, be a useful tool for people who are just getting started in DTP- who are bootstrapping their ways up- AND for people who occasionally want to do a bit of DTP and make it look as good as possible. It would also be useful for generating a rough draft of a document to check the layout, before taking it to an official PostScript printing bureau. Amanda Fisher, Pixelations
#31000From: BILL LEACHJan 18, 1989 10:30 PM
Amanda: Can you send me information on your product? W.R. Leach 4951 D Clairemont Square Suite 233 San Diego, 92117 I am particularly interested in something that can use the available resolution of the HP Laserjet for Graphics. Do you support the JetSet fonts from C-LTD? These are a very nice group of fonts. In fact using these fonts and Word Perfect most anything that could be wanted from a Text standpoint can be done (though not as conveniently as might be hoped for). City Desk has proven to work quite well for text on the HP (again using JetSet fonts) but I rather poor for graphics. 73, bill