john@garfield.UUCP (John McCarthy) (07/16/83)
I am conducting a survey of high quality text output devices. I would like information on available photo-typesetters, laser printers and high quality dot-matrix printers (eg Sanders). We are trying to decide what we need (translates "can afford") to support our academic text processing needs. The devices should be easily connected to a VAX running either Unix* or VMS. Please include as much of the following information as you can: =============================================================== Device name/manufacturer/model: Device type (phototypesetter,laser printer,dot-matrix,other): Price: Operating Cost (eg $/page): Maintenance/Reliability: Number of Fonts/Sizes available: Number of Fonts/Sizes mountable at once: Number of software definable (ie downloadable) fonts: Horizontal/vertical device resolution: Software support for Unix and/or VMS: Scribe TI-TROFF other Any other comments, bad/good experiences, etc.: =============================================================== Your help is greatly appreciated. * Unix is a trademark of Bell Labs... Thanks in Advance... John McCarthy. us.UUCP: ucbvax!allegra!garfield!john can.UUCP: utcsrgv!garfield!john SNAIL: Computing Services Dept. Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's, NFLD. A1C 5S7 Phone: (709)-737-8330
taylor@sdcsvax.UUCP (Dave Taylor) (07/27/83)
While I do not have full information on the APS line of photo-typesetters from Autologic Inc (Newbury Park, CA), I do have a large amount of first-hand knowledge about the company as a whole. My advice is to STAY AWAY from them! They are on the verge of collapsing from the inside out due to very poor customer relations and the loss of the the top 4 or 5 technical and management personnel recently. The parent company, Volt Information Sciences, is not aware of this- the fact that the vast majority of the European customers, for example, are creating a HUGE fuss about typefaces not delivered on time, and poorly designed and maintained equipment. I suspect that this company will not be around in 5 years. Or at least not in it's present form!!! Bearing unhappy news, -- Dave Taylor