Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!pt.cs.cmu.edu!sei!godot!eberger
From: eberger@godot.psc.edu (Ed Berger)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Amiga in the home = WYSIWYG needed
Summary: Remember that 1.4 is supposed to have outline fonts.
Message-ID: <739@godot.psc.edu>
Date: 22 Jan 90 15:17:43 GMT
References: <90021.235133JKT100@PSUVM.BITNET>
Reply-To: eberger@godot.UUCP (Ed Berger)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center
Lines: 35

In article <90021.235133JKT100@PSUVM.BITNET> JKT100@PSUVM.BITNET (JKT) writes:
>
>I would not and could not ever deny that WordPerfect is indeed
>the epitome' of raw text editing power on the Amiga.  However, it
>is my strong contention that if one owns a graphics-oriented computer
>such as the Amiga, one should use graphics-based word processors.
>Why should we abandon the Amiga's wonderful GUI capabilities and
>relegate ourselves to a CLI-based word processor?

[comparison to microsoft word and mac deleted...]

>
>Given this, I belive the Amiga needs, nay DESERVES a good WYSIWYG
>editor, and should not have to depend on non-graphic IBM style editors.
>

The whole word processor scene for the amiga is going to change.
1.4 will support a new standard in fonts for the amiga... Outline Fonts.
What programs we have now have to rely on either the standard printer fonts,
meaning Topaz on the display, or use of the authors' proprietary fonts.
When 1.4 is available all these programs are going to have to rethink how they
perform, both on the screen, and to any/all preferences supported printers.
It must be very difficult for these programmers with the proliferation of 
printers that are available each with its own font options.

When 1.4 shows up, I expect to see more WYSIWYG editors to choose from.
Right now the design of such programs is extremely difficult. (look how long
it had/is? taking PageStream to squash its bugs).  With a standard, officially
sanctioned by CBM, things will be different. There may even be PD/shareware
programs that satisfy your needs once 1.4 has been shipped....

Let's look forward to 1.4 

-Ed Berger
eberger@b.psc.edu