Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!SAIC.COM!steveg
From: steveg@SAIC.COM (Stephen Harold Goldstein)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: DTP on the ST
Message-ID: <8905091648.AA00686@NARNIA.SAIC.COM>
Date: 9 May 89 16:48:35 GMT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Organization: The Internet
Lines: 39


I'm trying to set up a DTP system for my wife using the ST.
She's quite familiar with the packages and performance available for
the Macintosh, so I'd like to provide a setup that's as familiar to her
as possible (in features, quality, and performance).

I currently have a 1040ST, but plan to upgrade to a Mega 4 (I see this as 
a neccessity - better keyboard, more memory).  Unfortunately, after shelling
out the bucks to upgrade, our budget will be rather tight for buying
software and a quality printer (say $1750-$2000).  I'd like to receive 
comments/opinions on this subject in general, and will summarize if I
ge enough replies.  Specifically though, I'm leaning toward the following
configuration:

                   Mega 4 ST (plus Spectre 128 & Translator One)
                   Atari Laser w/UltraScript
                   PageStream for layout
                   EasyDraw (supercharged) for drawing

Ideally, I suppose, Mac programs under the Spectre would be most familiar 
for my wife, but they are big bucks relative to ST programs.  I'm also 
considering the DeskJet (or Plus), but am concerned about printing speed
(she's used to a LaserWriter NTX hanging off a Mac II).

Anything you can tell me about the above hardware or packages or viable 
alternatives would be greatly appreciated.  For example, I know
PageStream is buggy, but I've heard it is quite usable in its current state
and is improving - true? false? what do you use out there?

I can curently get the Atari printer with UltraScript and the extra fonts
for $1300 - at this price will I be pleased with its performance over
a DeskJet?  I could go on with more questions (I've gone on too far as it is).
Thanks in advance to all who reply.

           Send replies to :  steveg@saic.com (ARPAnet)

                                 Steve Goldstein

Disclaimer:  I didn't make any claims.