[comp.lang.postscript] PostScript File Preview?

terrell@druhi.ATT.COM (TerrellE) (06/29/89)

I made a query a couple of days ago about the GOscript PostScript interpreter.
I had hoped that this product would allow me to print out a 120 page book with
illustrations on a 9 or 24 pin dot matrix printer, get everything looking ok, and
then print the document on a real PostScript printer (and not be surprised with the
results).

Considering the cost of (even non-PostScript) printer rental, I could save the purchase
price of GOscript after two iterations.

But users of GOscript tell me that the interpreter runs so slow that I doubt that
I have sufficient lifespan to run the document off once.  A page with illustrations   
could take an hour or more...  It sounds like my book would really take several days
to print (bearing in mind I have a ~7 MHz 8088 and no math co-processor).

So what are my options - I just need readable output on a dot-matrix printer that 
will look similar enough to the finished version printed on a real PostScript printer 
so that the finished version will be ok the first time.

Are there any other products that will satisfy my MODEST needs?  How expensive is
PostScript printer rental (around here a good price for an HP LaserJet II + 
font cartridge is ~$300/month)...

P.S. the illustrations in my book are 640 * 400 bitmaps.


Thanks in advance,





Eric Terrell

jwright@atanasoff.cs.iastate.edu (Jim Wright) (07/01/89)

In article <4371@druhi.ATT.COM> terrell@druhi.ATT.COM (TerrellE) writes:
| So what are my options - I just need readable output on a dot-matrix
| printer that will look similar enough to the finished version printed
| on a real PostScript printer so that the finished version will be ok
| the first time.

Use TeX or LaTeX.  The *same* file can be previewed on screen, sent to
the most lowly dot-matrix printer, printed on the local Laser printer
(PostScript or otherwise) or printed on a real typesetter.  And each
machine will produce the *same* output (within the resolution of the
device, of course).

-- 
Jim Wright
jwright@atanasoff.cs.iastate.edu