lowey@sask.UUCP (Kevin Lowey) (03/11/88)
Hi,
I've been assigned to evaluate microcomputer business / presentation
graphics programs for MS-DOS based Microcomputers.
The business graphics programs should produce Bar, Line, Pie and Word
charts. You should be able to combine more than one chart on the same page.
They should be easy to use. In addition, they MUST be able to use
Lotus 1-2-3 PIC and WK* files. The also MUST be able to use the Ansi
standard Computer Graphics Metafile, so the images can easily be transferred
between graphics and other packages (such as word processors). Also,
LOG axis must be supported for line and bar charts.
We are using Tell-A-Graf (from CA-ISSCO) in a VAX/VMS environment. The
program should be able to communicate with Tell-A-Graf, at least at the
ANSI Metafile level. We also have a number of Microcomputer Laboratories
using a campus wide ethernet system. The programs should be easy to install
and operate in a network.
Also desirable is Microsoft Mouse support.
Currently I have found three packages which satisfy these critera. In
no particular order they are:
- SuperChart and SuperImage (together) from Computer Associates (the
same people who make Tell-A-Graf). This does everything, but is
expensive ($800) and not particularly well integrated. It also is
difficult to put on a network because SuperImage requries device
drivers installed in the PC.
- Harvard Graphics (Not Harvard Presentation Graphics but a new improved
release). This is cheaper, supports creation of metafiles, but does
not have as many features as the other programs.
- Lotus Freelance Plus 2.0. This program has most of the features. It's
advantage is it can READ as well as WRITE ANSI metafiles. I created a
METAFILE using SUPERIMAGE, and although Freelance complained, it still
read it. It also was smart enough to treat the metafile as a collection
of objects, instead of one image. This means I can minipulate individual
portions of the chart like circles and squares instead of having to
use the entire chart.
My question is are there any other programs you recommend which meet the
above requirements. Please mail me your comments and if there is enough
interest I'll post a summary to the net.
______________________________________________________________________________
| Kevin Lowey |The above is the personal opinion of Kevin |
| University of Saskatchewan |Lowey. It does not reflect the position of|
| Computing Services |the University of Saskatchewan in any way. |
| SaskTel: (306) 966-4826 | |
| Bitnet:LOWEY@SASK. (preferred) |I am in no way affiliated with any of the |
| UUCP: ihnp4!sask!lowey.uucp |above mentioned companies other than U of S|
|________________________________|___________________________________________|