Path: utzoo!utgpu!watserv1!watmath!att!cbnewsj!jwi
From: jwi@cbnewsj.ATT.COM (Jim Winer @ AT&T, Middletown, NJ)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: What DTP package ?
Summary: Integrated packages are automatically disqualified
Message-ID: <4224@cbnewsj.ATT.COM>
Date: 16 Mar 90 18:19:47 GMT
References: <1957@ktibv.uucp>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 40

Marinko Laban writes:

> I'm looking for T*H*E bets Desktop Publishing Package (or something
> like it) in the world. Previous evaluations left two possible candidates,
> namely:
> 
> 	1- Apple MacIntosh with a lot of software
> 
> 	2- FrameMaker for SUN's
> 
> These two packages are basically the same. They include a set of FULLY
> integerated software, that is, a WYSIWYG Word Processor, A (simple) 2D Drafting
> Package, a Spelling Checker and an Equation program (WYSIWYG eqn.).

Ventura is not an integrated package, fortunately. I work with Intefleaf (SUN),
troff (VAX), WordPerfect (PC), WORD for Windows (PC), and several others. In
general, integrated packages force you to use the same interface for all
activities. Unfortunately, there is no way that a good writing interface is
anything like a good drawing interface -- the requirements are vastly 
different. A good writer can't use an interface designed for an artist and
a good artist can't use an interface designed for a writer -- or at least
not if you want them both to do good work!

The primary value of non-integrated packages is the local competition. 
Micrographix Designer, Corel Draw, and some newcomers are working hard
to become the best commercial and technical illustration packages. There
are several others working hard to become the best text creation packages, 
and still others for computer aided drafting (CAD) and other functions.
Ventura works with all of them. Every six months or so, new versions come
out that are better. Ventura works with them too -- the integrated programs
don't change very often and never change the interface.

So get a MAC with Quark Express or a PC with Ventura and forget about
Framemaker and Interleaf.

Jim Winer -- jwi@mtfme.att.com -- Opinions not represent employer.
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