Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!bbn!rochester!uhura.cc.rochester.edu!akk2
From: akk2@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Atul Kacker)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.next
Subject: Re: TeX, Metafont, and 400 dpi NeXT printer
Keywords: TEX POSTSCRIPT FONTS
Message-ID: <991@ur-cc.UUCP>
Date: 1 Mar 89 23:15:48 GMT
References: <1515@amelia.nas.nasa.gov> <73465UH2@PSUVM> <554@adobe.UUCP>
Reply-To: akk2@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Atul Kacker)
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of Rochester
Lines: 36

In article <554@adobe.UUCP> greid@adobe.COM (Glenn Reid) writes:
>
>You could always just scrap the Computer Modern fonts and use PostScript
>fonts?  The NeXT machine uses the Display PostScript system, which
>means you might not need tons of 400dpi bitmaps when you can use
>outline fonts instead.
>
>Perhaps this has already occurred to you and you have ruled it out for
>other reasons, but I thought I should point it out, at least.
>
>The availability of higher- and higher-resolution devices is one of the
>main arguments against bitmap fonts.  Look at all the time, space, and
>hassle they require so support a new printer (it looks like about 3
>megabytes for a single font set).  Not to mention the differences
>between write-white and write-black engines, etc., etc.
>

PostScript fonts are good, but how many of the ROM resident PostScript
fonts in the popular PostScript printers (Apple LaserWriters, QMS, DEC LPS40's)
contain a *full* set of Greek and mathematical symbols?  I can't think of
ONE.  The reason people like to use TeX is because of its superior handling
of complex mathematical expressions.  There is no PostScript font that has
all the characters in say, the cmmi family of fonts.  As a result, the best
one can do is to use PostScript fonts (like Times) for plain text and Computer
Modern math fonts for equations and this combination does not lead to very
eye pleasing results.

Until a PostScript font (like Lucida) becomes a standard font on all PostScript
printers, I'm afraid there is no alternative to using bitmap fonts.

Personally, I prefer the appearance of the Computer Modern fonts to Times.

-- 
Atul Kacker  |     Internet: akk2@uhura.cc.rochester.edu
             |     UUCP: {ames,cmcl2,decvax,rutgers}!rochester!ur-cc!akk2
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