colin@gouldnl.encore.nl (Colin Smale) (04/23/91)
At the present moment, the PostScript Printer Driver quietly 'uses' any fonts you have, without checking whether it is defined in PSprolog and without knowing or caring whether this font is available in the printer you are using. The %%DocumentFonts comments included in the output file is a verbatim copy of what is in PSprolog, whether these fonts are needed in the document or not. Wouldn't it be nice to have the PDriver generate CORRECT %%DocumentFonts comments, so that automatic downloading of fonts can be implemented by a suitable piece of software? Anyway, as a step in that direction I have developed the technology to translate RISC OS outline fonts to Postscript; this turned out to be easier than I expected! Each font program is about 100k and includes full metrics information. The results are outstanding, albeit that the fonts appear a little 'bolder' than their 'native' counterparts. Now, the crux: what is the situation with regard to copyright etc. on the RISC OS fonts? Would the direct supplier, e.g. Acorn, EFF etc have anything to say? Or the original designer, who licensed the designs? I'm not thinking of distributing the fonts, only the converter program. My viewpoint is that this program does not add any functionality; it merely fills a gap in the incomplete functionality of the Acorn printer driver. Of course, if this turns out to be 'commercially' allowable, this viewpoint may change. Any inputs? Comments? Interest?