nelson_p@apollo.HP.COM (Peter Nelson) (05/03/90)
[ My apologies for posting this to comp.sys.ibm.pc but
it's an active newsgroup with a lot of interests and there
doesn't seem to be a newsgroup for desktop publishing. ]
A while back I bought Publish-It! for about $106 and
I've been having all kinds of fun with it and my HP Laser-
jet IIP. The package comes with a half-dozen fonts, which
are "OK" but I would like to have at least one more like
a Times-Roman in various point sizes.
[ note that I am referring to a font that Publish-It! can
use, NOT a downloadable soft-font for the printer ]
Well, I was *floored* when I saw what fonts cost. Bitstream
Inc, tells me that a Times-Roman will set me back some $195
plus the cost of installation software!!! WHY should it cost
me twice the original cost of my DTP software, which came
with a bunch of fonts to buy a *single* additional font?
Could someone please explain to me the technical and economic
issues here? Is there some cheaper alternative that "everbody"
knows about of which I in my innocence am unaware?
Thanks in advance.
---Peter
stevek@hpfcmgw.HP.COM (Steve Kauder) (05/04/90)
I also have Publish It. I also wanted to add fonts, but I didn't due
to the cost. You get Bitstream fonts for about $99 mail order, but that's
still a lot of money.
Plus, I think you need some additional s/w from Bitstream just to install
the fonts -- but I'm not sure about this.
Plus, you have to purchase the Gem Desktop environment for another $45
to get the fonts converted to something Publish It can use.
The bottom line is that Publish It is a great package. I paid $105 mail
order. But it does have some limitations. If you want a lot of fun
fonts, you have to pay.
sk
P.S. I believe there is a new version of Publish It coming out this
summer. It purports to be able to import Bitstream fonts without
purchasing the Gem Desktop. On the other hand, I'm sure they'll
raise the price of the product, so the upgrade cost may not make
it worthwhile for me. That would be too bad, because I am really
pleased with the product.