Xref: utzoo comp.text.desktop:1643 comp.text:8471 Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!ucsd!mvb.saic.com!unogate!unocal!genisco!dav From: dav@gtc.com (David L. Markowitz) Newsgroups: comp.text.desktop,comp.text Subject: Re: Anyone have experience with Island Write,Draw & Paint? Message-ID: <1991May30.230312.9881@gtc.com> Date: 30 May 91 23:03:12 GMT References: <17688@fibercom.COM> <1991May28.082241.22523@canon.co.uk> <6898@husc6.harvard.edu> Distribution: usa Organization: Genisco Technology Corp. Lines: 116 bochner@lange.harvard.EDU (Harry Bochner) writes: >In article <1991May28.082241.22523@canon.co.uk>, laukee@canon.co.uk (David Lau-Kee) writes: >> The thing that really bugged us was the way the promotional literature >> misled us into assuming that it would run fine under OpenWindows. In fact, >> what we got was a SunView implementation of an OpenLook conformant-ish >> interface, which would kind-of run in that kind-of SunView compatibilty mode >> which OpenWindows kind-of has. >The real X-based version for OpenWindows has been out for about 6 months. >Despite several version updates, however, IslandWrite still seems to be buggy and >unreliable. (I don't have enough experience with I-Draw or Paint to comment on >them.) I can't recommend it. My experience with FrameMaker is much more positive: I have owned the Island suite for over six months now, starting with 1.3 (the Sunview/OL version), and now have 2.3 (the Xview Open Look version). I am seriously considering upgrading to 3.0. (I also have extensive experience with Interleaf 2 and 3, and Frame 2.1X, for what it's worth.) When I bought it, I arranged that they would upgrade me to 2.3 for no extra cost. Based on their sales literature at the time, I also got the T/Maker clip art package that they were bundling at that time, and another upgrade when their I/O filters were released. I did this by carefully asking questions, and then extracting promises from my sales critter. Everything they promised, I eventually got, although there was occasionally some teeth pulling involved (usually having to do with them mailing 1/4" tapes instead of floppies - a moot point now that they no longer support floppies, but instead prefer to ship it on CD-ROM). btw, the filters in 2.3 are really bad. They claim to have improved them in 3.0, but I am still working with their tech support on the problems. They didn't write them - they licensed them from Blueberry(?). Note that I received 3 version of software and some tech. support (bug fix support, not "how do I do this" support) without purchasing their (badly overpriced) maintenance contract. Now for a technical comparison of Island 2.3 OL vs. Frame 2.1X. This is not between Island 3.0 and/or Frame 3.0, since I haven't used either one yet, but I may throw in some comments about futures without it effecting the comparisons. The comparison column is one man's opinion. A "=" means the two are similar, a "<" or a ">" means that one side is "less good", and the other is "greater". Island 2.3 Open Look Comp. Frame 2.1X ------------------------------ ----- ------------------------------------ Somewhat buggy = Somewhat buggy, especially when used with Open Windows Open Look > Motif Paragraph capability good < Paragraph capability great Weak on large documents < Excellent on large documents Table of Contents = Table of Contents (I haven't tried this) No multi-file book TOC < Multi-file book TOC No Cross References < Good X-Refs No figure/table autonumbering < Good figure/table autonumbering No footnotes < Mediocre footnotes (Being added in 3.0) No endnotes = No endnotes (Being added in 3.0) (Being added in 3.0???) No math capability < Excellent math package No table package = No table package (but 3.0 will have a good one from the previews). Drawing package very good = Drawing package very good (Has bezier curves) (Has "Distribute" and "gravity") Paint package very good > No paint toolkit (I haven't used this much) No color capability < Mediocre color (3.0 adds great color) $995 List (seen for $895) > $2500 List (seen for $2395) $495 Annual support+updates > $700 Annual support+updates (actual cost) 50% Annual support+updates < 28% Annual support+updates (as a percentage of purchase price) Many filters included > Filters cost $995 (Some are weak) (For this I can buy Island!) No military-style support < Good Mil support (Change bars, freeze numbering, etc.) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- I dson't need math or large documents, so I chose Island. I used Frame at work. I am happy with Island for my home needs (but it just won't do at work!). I expect to buy Island 3.0 and an HP Paintjet if the evaluation goes okay. I also am buying a VideoPix card so I can grab imagery and put it in island. -- David L. Markowitz Solaris Systems Division - Genisco Technology Corporation dav@gtc.com