furuta@brillig.umd.EDU (Richard Furuta) (07/31/87)
I received a press release from Imagen today entitled "Imagen expands Capability of ImageServer XP Printer Line with Multiple Language Support. Company Aims for PDL Independence by Offering imPRESS, DDL and PostScript Compatibility." The summary reads: Imagen Corporation has announced that it will add support for applications software compatible with the PostScript page description language to its ImageServer XP line of high performance laser printer systems. This capability will be added to the existing control languages supported by those printers. Imagen's multiple language support will provide Imagen users with significantly more application program compatibility than possible with competitive printer offerings. The added language support designed by Imagen, uses the company's proprietary font scaling algorithms together with font outlines licensed from original font foundaries, such as Linotype Corporation, to provide document appearance compatibility with Adobe Systems Inc.'s implementation of PostScript fonts. Imagen's implementation of the language is designed to allow printing of PostScript language compatible files without modification to those files. The models affected include the 2308, 3308, 3320, and 7320. I am told that this is essentially available for Imagen models with floppy disks. The products will be shown at conferences in the fall and shipping is expected to begin in the first quarter of 1988. I am told that the PostScript implementation is running in-house at Imagen now and that current speeds are comperable to the Adobe 68000-based implementations. Imagen is emphasizing the multi-lingual nature of their design---the ability to accept multiple languages within the same printer. Their claim is that this will permit their customers to use imPRESS when they want speed and PostScript (or DDL) if they need a more powerful language. Apparently the selection will be made by including a special header line on the file (as they do now) but the printers will have a special "PostScript-only" setting. In terms of upgrades, the press release says "Existing ImageServer XP users will be able to add PostScript language compatibility to their units through a special conversion kit available from Imagen. Customers who purchase certain models of the ImageServer XP printers between now and 1st Quarter 1988 will receive a free conversion kit when available." I am told that the full details of the upgrade path haven't been decided yet, hence this somewhat imprecise statement with respect to existing customers. I am also told that Imagen has designated someone to monitor the laser-lovers list, answering technical questions about Imagen's printers (much as Adobe has monitored the list for a while now). I welcome this added resource for information, and will look forward to his future messages. --Rick