remco@tnocsda.UUCP (Remco Bruyne) (10/21/85)
We are looking for a text formatter program running under UNIX.
We have some requirements:
- Troff-like capabilities are required, like proportional
spacing, different character sizes, different fonts etc.
- The package must be able to produce output on a VERSATEC
electrostatic plotter and/or a Laserprinter and also on
a phototypesetter.
- A capability for merging graphic images into a text would
be very nice, but can be missed.
- The source code should be available when we want to
port the package to other UNIX systems as well.
We have the following systems:
1 ADVANCE GOULD P9000 running bsd 4.2
2 A number of GEMINIX MC68000 (and 68020) microcomputers running a
UNIX V7-like OS, in short time sysV.
and
3 VAX/VMS 11/780
4 A number of ATARI ST 520s
5 Two IBM-PCs
The textformatter we currently have is an undefined version of
TROFF of which the output is printed via VCAT on a VERSATEC V80
plotter; VCAT and accomplices are converted 4.2 programs. This
software only runs on the GEMINIXes.
Maybe device independent troff would offer a solution here, but any
information is welcome.
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The following questions are specifically interesting:
- What is the exact difference between TROFF and DITROFF ?
- What kind of output does DITROFF produce ?
- Are different devices connected via a device driver and if so,
which device drivers do exist already ?
- Are there separate macro packages ?
- Do we need a separate DITROFF licence ? We WANT source code!
We have source licences for UNIX V7, sys III, sys V and 4.2
- Where can we obtain all needed stuff ?
- Is there anything else we might want to know about DITROFF ?
- What other formatters do exist under UNIX ?
and:
- Are there many linguistic errors in this text ?
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All information is welcome including references to articles and literature.
I am very pleased by any help received,
Remco Bruyne
PS: Answers via email; I will summarize to the net when appropriate.
--- R.M. Bruyne, Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) ---
--- mcvax!tnocsda!remco, telephone: 31 15606437 or 1560625 ---