rdj@ttrde.UUCP (Robert D. Jackson) (10/12/87)
Here is the summary of responses to my desktop publishing query requested by many of you. Thanks very much to one and all. Bob Jackson (rdj@ttrde) 312-982-3578 AT&T Information Systems Computer Systems Division, 5555 Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL 60077 PATH: ...!ihnp4!ttrde!rdj ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ We have seen lots of satisfied customers with SoftQuad. --- John M. Roberts AT&T Canada Vancouver BC (604) 689-8911 {ihnp4!alberta,uw-beaver}!ubc-vision!attvcr!jroberts What! Me Worry? attmail!jmroberts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I ran across "FONTASY" a while ago and love it, especially with the "Fontasy Publisher" add-on. Price is reasonable for the basic package although I think the myriad font packages are a little steep and most include fonts that I never use - but I've got almost all of them! It's easy to use, and produces excellent results as far as I'm concerned. I use it for making overhead transparencies at work and for publishing a newsletter (with my own graphic headers and figures, etc) at home. ~ ~ ******* Jeff Bogart ~ *********** druhi!fjb __ _ _!__ ************* 31E-58 _ / \_ _/ \ |::| ___ ************* ~ 84268 _/ \_/^ \/ ^\/|::|\|:| **********/^\_ /\/ ^ / ^ / ^ ___|::|_|:|_/\_******/ ^ \ / \ _/ ^ ^ / |::|--|:|---| \__/ ^ ^\___ _/_^ \/ AT&T, Denver |::| |:| :| / \_ / \^ / /\ / |::|--|:|:--| / ^ \ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The latest issue of PC magazine is devoted to desktop publishing. I am still wading through it, but it has some very good reccomendations for based upon your needs (hardware, printers, etc.). You may want to pick up a copy. Walt Subora AT&T Network Systems 2600 E. Warrenville rd., Lisle, Il, 60540 312-979-5947 PATH: ...!ihnp4!ihlpg!subora ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am unable to post, but I thought you might be interested in the following. The latest issue of PC Magazine (Vol. 6, No. 17, Oct. 13, 1987) has a feature article on desktop publishing. They do product evaluations and make recommendations ala Consumer Reports (i.e., pick "best" products). I don't know how objective they are and I've never bought (or not bought) a product based on their reviews. I do find the general quality of the magazine impressive so I would tend to trust their reviews. In any case, check out this issue for some answers to your desktop publishing questions. Dennis R. Vogel AT&T Information Systems PS-Feel free to post this if you wish. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I was surprised to see that you didn't cross post your request for desktop publishing information to comp.sys.mac. When it comes to desktop publishing, there isn't a finer environment than a Macintosh with a large monitor and a LaserWriter. I've spend some considerable time looking at desktop publishing in the MS-DOS environment. It is, I think (and mind you, this is only one woman's opinion) very kludgy. Ventura Publisher is probably the best MS-DOS desktop publishing package, and even on an AT-type machine it is slow, clumsy, and difficult to use. To adapt an MS-DOS machine for such use you must add a graphics card (if you don't already have one), a mouse, and some interface to a decent graphics output device. Though you can drive a LaserWriter with a direct serial connection, it works much better via Appletalk, meaning you need to add something like TOPS, which places the MS-DOS machine on the network. You also need the TOPS Print software, which handles sending the print file to the printer. I've tried working with an HP Laserjet +, and found it an inferior laser printer primarily because it has less memory and therefore can't print full- page 300 dpi graphics. The LaserWriter also has a wider range of built-in fonts. If you're stuck with MS-DOS hardware, then you have my sympathy (:-)). If there's any chance you can start from scratch and go the Macintosh route, do so. Otherwise, just start adding stuff to the MS-DOS machine so you can run Ventura. It will do the job, but not as easily as a Mac. Jan Harrington, sysop Scholastech Telecommunications ihnp4!husc6!amcad!stech!sysop ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ventura by Xerox performs quite well on a 6300. It was developed for the Olivetti M-24 and supports the DEB card. Lastest version is 1.1 and sells for about $500. Good Luck, Terry E. MacGregor Dept. 55623 Room 1A423 *8-367-1550 ihuxv!mcgregor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I got my PFS First Publisher software over the weekend and I was pleased with what it had to offer. I used it to put together a newsletter. It comes with four templates of various graphic images, a wide variety of fonts, and a thorough instruction book. While the package is geared for users with a mouse, all commands are accessable from the keyboard. I do not have a mouse and I had no trouble using it. The list price for PFS First Publisher is $99, but you can get it for less through mail order (I got it for $45). It is good for newsletters, cards, stationary, etc. but if your looking to publish a book it is not that powerful. It's a good low end alternative to the higher price packages (~$800). Tim Larison ihnp4!druhi!tml ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Check the latest issue - October 13, 1987 - of PC Magazine. They continue to recommend, as do I, Ventura Publisher. It's great! It does take a little getting used to, however. Bob White --- Mail: 5123 Ramillie Run Usenet: ihnp4!kitty!bakerst!bob Winston-Salem, NC 27106 or: ihnp4!gladys!bob Phone: (919) 924-0975 It takes zero programmers to change a light bulb as that's a hardware problem. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Bob Jackson (rdj@ttrde) 312-982-3578 AT&T Information Systems Computer Systems Division, 5555 Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL 60077 PATH: ...!ihnp4!ttrde!rdj