[comp.newprod] TeX and METAFONT for 386 UNIX

mike@cimcor.sp.unisys.com (Michael Grenier) (08/29/90)

Scandia Microsystems distribution of TeX and METAFONT

Scandia-TeX is an implementation of Donald Knuth's Typesetting package
configured for UNIX running on popular Intel 80386 microprocessor based
computers. Scandia-TeX includes support for professional looking
typesetting on many different output devices including X-windows
previewing, Postscript printers, Laser printers and the HP Deskjet, plus
many dot-matrix printers. It includes support for drawing graphs
(PiCTeX), manuscripts(LaTeX), Bibliographies (BIBTeX), font creation
(METAFONT), Graphic Plots (GNUPLOT), and troff drivers. It will output
TeX and/or Troff documents using different sized and styled fonts even
on inexpensive dot-matrix printers.

Because the above list can be formidable to the new user, Scandia
Microsystems supplies a texmenu command which provides a simple
menu driven interface into TeX. The source for this command is
provided and can be customized for the users particular installation.
Otherwise, the line oriented interfaces as described in the TeXbook
are available.

There are unfortunately many different versions of UNIX which will run
on IBM 386 based clones which may or may not be compatible with each
other. Scandia-TeX is known to run under the following brands of
UNIX :
  Interactive Systems
  Intel/Bell Technologies
  Everex ESIX
  Microport V/386
  AT&T UNIX V/386

It has not been tested on IBM AIX and it is unclear what direction AIX
will take on UNIX compatibility. 

Priced at $295, it is much less expensive than most commerical versions
for MSDOS. Scandia Microsystems can be reached by calling (612)-464-6056
or via email 'texinfo@cimcor.mn.org'.

Scandia TeX is the only package we are aware of which will provide a
troff output on dot matrix printers.  The following printers are
supported under Scandia-TeX:

  Postscript (Apple Laserwriter)
    downloads fonts for output at 300 dpi (dots per inch)
  HP LaserJet II
    downloads fonts for output at 300 dpi
  HP LaserJet
    Uses group 0 graphics to download
  HP Deskjet and Deskjet Plus
    Uses group 2 graphics to download image.
  Epson MX series printers
    Uses bit mapped graphics at 290 x 216 dpi
  Epson LQ 800/1000 series printers
    Uses bit mapped graphics at 360 x 180 dpi
  Epson LQ 1500, NEC P5 wide carriage printers
    Uses bit mapped graphics at 180 x 180 dpi
  Okidata Pacemark
    Uses bit mapped graphics at 72 dpi
  Toshiba
    Uses bit mapped graphics at 180 dpi
  Apple Imagewriter
    Uses bit mapped graphics at 144 dpi
  Imagen laser printer
    Prints at 300 dpi

Scandia TeX's dvi drivers will automatically invoke METAFONT as needed
to create any needed fonts so the person creating the document need not
remember which fonts might be available at any given point in time. They
are all available!