cdj@psueclb.BITNET (07/24/88)
Last Monday (7/18) I received my copy of Publishing Partner Professional[tm]
from Soft-Logik. As you know, PPP is the next generation of their successful
Publishing Partner[tm] desktop publishing software. I have some mixed
reactions about this program, after using it for a few hours (and also
having used the original Publishing Partner for quite some time).
The package consists of one of those nifty 3-ring binders and slip-cover
boxes with a very handsome logo on them. The packaging is quite nice.
The manual was a bunch of shrink-wrapped pages to be inserted into the
binder (no biggie...). There is ONE disk. Evidently, the same program
and RSC file is used for both color and mono. Come to think of it, I
didn't even try it on my color monitor (I have both); if it doesn't
work, I'll post something.
The package also came with a letter stating that an informal poll of
users was taken and the majority favored shipping PPP now, without fully
debugging the program. Therefore, some of the features are buggy or do
not work at all. This seems reasonable to me, but some of the features
that do not work at all prevent the program from being even as useful
as the earlier versions of PP. This is the major disappointment.
For example, one cannot import pictures into the document; try to do so
will crash the program. When this bug is fixed, a multitude of picture
formats are supported including DEGAS[tm], E-Z Draw Metafiles, NEO, and
I may have missed one. But for now, nothing.
The biggest disappointment was that the program will not properly print
out a page on my printer (C. ITOH Prowriter). This was one of the bugs
that makes it unusable for me. When this bug is fixed, there are up to
7 levels of detail available for the print density. Nice, but not at the
moment.
The grouping feature is VERY nice. I played with it and it works quite
well. This program may be a good candidate for schematic diagrams for
my labs (as well as the lab reports). One can make a library of symbols
and keep them in one window, while editing your document in another window.
Up to 8 windows can be open, I believe.
Several of the mouse controls are awkward, including the cancel command
for graphics objects (using the right mouse button).
In Soft-Logik's defense, they are promising a free upgrade to those who
send in their warrenty cards. I just hope it is soon, because until some
of the major bugs are fixed, the program is unusable for me. When this
program is debugged, it should really sing. It makes my mouth water
just thinking about it.
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Christopher Johnson | Duct tape is like the Force.
Penn State University | It has a good side, and a dark
Electrical Engineering Undergrad| side, and it binds the
| Universe together.
cdj@psuecl |
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