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From: mjv@iris.brown.edu (Marshall Vale)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: LaserPrinters and the ST
Message-ID: <22019@brunix.UUCP>
Date: 1 Dec 89 21:58:11 GMT
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Lines: 36
References:<4725e878.14a1f@force.UUCP> <12513@watcgl.waterloo.edu>

In article <12513@watcgl.waterloo.edu> sfwhite@watcgl.waterloo.edu 
(Stephen White) writes:
> If you really want this to happen, talk to Adobe.  As far as I know, 
> the major cost of _any_ PostScript-compatible device or software is
> the royalty paid to Adobe for developing PS.  Thus, UltraScript is
> not likely to drop in price.  Can anyone confirm this?

 UltraScript is a PostScript _emulator_.  All of Adobe's PostScript is 
published it what is known as the _Red Book_ and it has all the commands 
that
make PS neat. However, it doesn't have the hints that Adobe uses in their 
TYPE 1 fonts to get them to look really good on small resolution printers.
You pay royalties to Adobe when you buy your PS interpreter from them to 
sell.
Imagen (or QMS who owns Imagen is a major printer manufacturer) wrote their
own interpreter to do the dirty work. No royalties to Adobe since their not
using any of their official product, just format. This is why US won't use
Type 1 Adobe fonts (including the stardard LaserWriter + fonts).  It uses a
format called Type 3 which out in the public to use on PS interpreters.
 Confused?  Sorry if you are.  Now you know how most Mac users are going to 
feel
once System 7 hits.  
 Most of the cost of US comes from the fonts (CompuGraphic fonts?)
 Spectre also does not do PS at 144dpi but ImageWriter emulation which is a
QuickDraw game. David Small could probably do 300dpi but it would be 
again QuickDraw just like the LaserWriter SC.  IMHO, he is waiting to get
PS emulation working before going to 300dpi because that's what people 
would expect anyway.
 Sorry for the ramblings, enjoy!
 

-- mjv@iris.brown.edu

"And, oh! Father Christmas, if you love me at all,
 Bring me a big, red india-rubber ball."
                                   A.A. Milne "Now We are Six"