Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hoptoad!gnu
From: gnu@hoptoad.uucp (John Gilmore)
Newsgroups: comp.fonts
Subject: Three new "open" font formats...
Message-ID: <7438@hoptoad.uucp>
Date: 26 May 89 04:42:56 GMT
Organization: Grasshopper Group in San Francisco
Lines: 40

Sun, Adobe, and Apple have all announced the "opening" of their
outline font technologies.  Each one has its own features and
drawbacks:

  *  Sun's "Open Fonts" or "F3" has an AI program that automatically
"hints" the fonts.
  *  But the format is not documented and is only available under license.
Source code for the font interpreter is provided under license, though.
Sun's X/NeWS will interpret these fonts.  It's not clear whether AT&T's
X/NeWS will, or any other third party's, since it is separately licensed.

  *  Adobe has numerous existing fonts, and announced rendering support
for "all mainstream platforms", whatever that means.
  *  But THEY get to pick mainstreams, which probably doesn't include
X or NeWS -- just low end computers.
  *  And their format is still proprietary and not even available under
license, though various companies claim to have cracked it.  Binary
programs which interpret the format will someday be available, like
Display PostScript.

  *  Apple's new font format is documented.
  *  However, there is this little note in the back of the manual, on
page 12 of the "Q&A" section:  "Companies interested in building their
own version of the interpreter should consult with Apple, since there
are possible legal difficulties in doing so."  Until further clarified,
I interpret this to mean, "You are welcome to create fonts in this
format, but if you try to use these fonts on something other than a
Mac, we will sue you."  This completely negates the value of
documenting the format, which is why it's buried in the back of the
manual.

It's my analysis that these companies talked to each other, but none
of them was willing to let the others co-control their format, so
eventually all three were released.

Any comments from the peanut gallery?
-- 
John Gilmore    {sun,pacbell,uunet,pyramid,amdahl}!hoptoad!gnu    gnu@toad.com
  A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,
  the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.