Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!usc!apple!apple.com!casseres
From: casseres@apple.com (David Casseres)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: MS Word 3.02 printing question
Message-ID: <5276@internal.Apple.COM>
Date: 18 Nov 89 19:58:32 GMT
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Distribution: usa
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.
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References:<5276@ncar.ucar.edu> <1989Nov17.091635.18189@ve7apu.uucp>

In article <1989Nov17.091635.18189@ve7apu.uucp> spraggs@ve7apu.uucp (John 
Spraggs - VE7ADE) writes:
> The LaserWriter does not produce exactly the same font spacing, etc. as
> the ImageWriter.  When you have a printer driver selected with the
> Chooser, the Application gets all this information, plus the default
> margins, tab stops, etc. from the Page Setup dialog.  Any application
> or DA that prints is in the same situation, not just poor, much
> maligned MS Word. :-)

Actually the main thing that differs from one printer type to another is 
the exact size of the imageable rectangle on the page.  Default margins 
are usually determined by the application, since the imageable rectangle 
goes pretty close to the edge of the paper on most printer types.  Tab 
stops are not involved at all.  Font spacing is only an issue for 
applications that emit their own Postscript code when printing on a 
Postscript printer (I'm not sure whether Word does this).

It's true that any application that prints must somehow deal with a 
changing imageable area when the printer type changes, and those that emit 
Postscript may have to reformat lines if their Postscript code changes 
font spacing.  However, it is NOT true that applications have no choice 
but to shaft the user when the printer type changes.

At the very least, the application ought to put up a dialog to warn the 
user that the printer type has changed.  Having done that, it is not in 
fact forced to reformat anything unless the user actually tells it to 
print.

MS Word is certainly not alone in failing to give the user any 
help or any options when the printer changes.  :^(

David Casseres

Exclaimer:  Hey!