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
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We have seen lots of satisfied customers with SoftQuad.
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John M. Roberts AT&T Canada Vancouver BC
(604) 689-8911 {ihnp4!alberta,uw-beaver}!ubc-vision!attvcr!jroberts
What! Me Worry? attmail!jmroberts
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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 |::| |:| :| / \_
/ \^ / /\ / |::|--|:|:--| / ^ \
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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--
Bob Jackson (rdj@ttrde) 312-982-3578
AT&T Information Systems
Computer Systems Division, 5555 Touhy Ave., Skokie, IL 60077
PATH: ...!ihnp4!ttrde!rdj