furuta@BRILLIG.UMD.EDU (Richard Furuta) (08/05/87)
The National Bureau of Standards in Gaithersburg, MD, with the assistance of Adobe, has set up an interesting project called the "Electronic Publishing Lab." NBS is asking electronic publishing hardware and software companies to donate support and products to the lab. The announcement of the lab says, in part: The lab will be used by NBS to gain a better understanding of the technologies underlying electronic composition, to develop standards and guidelines, and as a showcase for government agencies to evaluate electronic publishing standards. Products in the lab at present are centered around PostScript, but my understanding is that non-PostScript vendors are also considering participating in the lab. Even if it's PostScript only, it will provide an interesting opportunity to directly compare the different products. A current list of systems is: Adobe Systems, Inc. (Illustrator Software, Font Library) Apollo Computer Inc (Domain Workstation and Printer) Apple Computer (Macintosh SE, Laserwriter Plus) Centrum (TOPS) Dataproducts (LZR 2665E Laser Printer) Digital Equipment Corp (MicroVax, Print Server 40, Vaxmate, ScriptPrinter) Diconix, Inc. (DIJIT 1/PS) Interleaf (Technical Publishing System) Linotype (Linotronic 100) Lotus Development Corp. (Manuscript, Freelance Plus) Pacer Software (PacerPrint, pcLink) QMS (QMS-PS 800+, QMS-PS 2400, QMS PC) Varityper (VT600) I should mention that I am associated with NBS in a Faculty Appointment role (in essence, what anyone else might call a consultant). However, any opinions in this message are my own and not associated with any organization. (I don't often have to put in a disclamer, but...) --Rick