[fa.laser-lovers] More information on TranScript for PostScript printers and 4.2 bsd

laser-lovers@uw-beaver (01/30/85)

From: Richard Furuta <Furuta@WASHINGTON.ARPA>

At my request, Andy Shore of Adobe sent me some more information on
TranScript---the product that will let you print on PostScript
printers from 4.2 bsd computers.  I also understand that Sun will be
distributing TranScript as well.  Excerpts from his message to me follow:
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Adobe has announced a suite of UNIX* software called TranScript* for
translating existing UNIX document formats into PostScript* print files and
printing them on PostScript printers.  Our initial offering will be for the
4.2 bsd UNIX environment (integrated with the 4.2 printcap/lpd facilities).
We also plan on System V support at some point in the future.  

TranScript consists of:
	filters/translators for 
		troff(CAT)
		ditroff intermediate output
		plot format
		Diablo* 630 print files
		Sun rasterfile format
		simple text / "line printer" listings
		page reversal on all of the above
	module for 2-way RS232 communications with the printer
	page accounting
	error and job break pages
	man pages and associated documentation
	font metric information
	font downloading
	sample PostScript files (the PostScript "CookBook")

Unilogic will have a PostScript driver available with the "next release" of
Scribe*.  Several companies (which I don't yet have permission to name) are
working on TeX* DVI to PostScript converters.

TranScript will be available in March (about when the LaserWriter hits the
stores) in both binary ($495/cpu) and C source ($1795/cpu).  Note that
we do not have plans to (sub)license ditroff itself, sites must get it
from AT&T.

For more information about TranScript, write to 
	Anne Brown
	Adobe Systems, Inc.
	1870 Embarcadero Rd. Suite 100
	Palo Alto, CA  94303
	
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UNIX is a trademark of AT&T Bell Laboratories.
PostScript and TranScript are trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc.
Scribe is a trademark of Unilogic, Ltd.
TeX is a trademark of the American Mathematical Society.
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