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From: erik@westworld.esd.sgi.com (Erik Fortune)
Newsgroups: comp.sources.wanted
Subject: Re: Postscript to dot-matrix-printer conversion possible?
Message-ID: <1991Jun4.115631.27935@zola.esd.sgi.com>
Date: 4 Jun 91 11:56:31 GMT
References: <1991May30.160534.10439@hollie.rdg.dec.com> <148@dorjam.UUCP>
Sender: news@zola.esd.sgi.com (Net News)
Organization: Silicon Graphics Inc.
Lines: 42

ghostscript from GNU is a free interpreter
for a postscript-like language (read "a GNU
postscript interpreter").  I was using ghostscript
to drive an epson with no real problems.   Unfortunately,
it didn't seem to do real well with fonts, which takes
me to...

There are several commercial (DOS or MAC) interpreters available -- I've
experimented with all three:
     Ultrascript PC -- expensive ($130ish),  requires expanded memory (can't run
                               in real mode e.g. windows or DOS merge).
                               Handles type 3 fonts *only*.   I didn't get a chance to
                               really test drive ultrascript because I use DOS merge.
     GoScript -          moderate ($99ish).  Can run in real mode (i.e. under DOS merge)
                               Has a quicky preview to vga mode, which can be handy.
                               Handles type 3 fonts *only*.  It was pretty speedy and functional,
                               but I found a bug in version 3.0e which prevented troff output
                               from working.   LaserGo support produced a fixed version very
                               quickly.   High marks for support -- they have a bboard and they
                               use it well.   Drives my Epson LQ510 in 360x180 mode.
Freedom Of Press -  cheap ($55ish).  Can run in real mode.   Doesn't have a preview
                               mode, but it can generate pcx files which is almost as good.
                               Handles type 1 and type 3 fonts.   I haven't uncovered any
                               bugs, but tech support has been very responsive to questions.
                               Drives my Epson LQ510 in 180x180, 360x180 or 360x360.   Has
                               drivers for more printers (and more variants of printers) than
                               GoScript and Ultrascript PC combined.    Drawbacks -- no 
                               interactive mode; no quiet (direct to printer) mode.   You have to
                               create a file and send it to the printer using a batch file.  (under
                               UNIX, you can get around this.   I have Freedom of Press installed
                               as a filter in my lp spooling system.   Interested parties can send
                               mail to erik@gogoman.sf.ca.us (or gogoman!erik@decwrl.dec.com)
                               for details or source code).

Editor's choice:  Freedom of Press
                                      Handles hinted (type1) fonts and lets me choose high or low
                                      resolution for my printer and generate PCX draft files.
Honorable mention:        GoScript
                                     If GoScript could handle type 1 fonts, I probably would've stuck
                                     with it.   Integrating GoScript into my system was a little easier
                                     than freedom of press (not that integrating freedom of press was
                                     all that tough).   Tech Support gets high marks.