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Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!apple!portal!portal!cup.portal.com!Classic_-_Concepts
From: Classic_-_Concepts@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.graphics,comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Pagemaker 4.0
Message-ID: <27062@cup.portal.com>
Date: 18 Feb 90 17:44:59 GMT
References: <64@fleet.UUCP>
Distribution: na
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 45

> I can't believe that Pagemaker 4.0 after adding all these super high-end
> features has left out (AGAIN) two of the most basic commands found in
> practically every other "worth its salt" graphics/desktop publishing" program!

> Where's "GROUP" & "LOCK" Aldus???????

> I've called you a bunch of times on this "privately" but out of frustration
> after reading a list of announced features see you've dropped the ball AGAIN!!

> I used to call Paul Brainard when Aldus hadn't released Pagemaker yet and
> made several suggestions that were incorporated into the 1st release. Remember
> Paul?  I bought the 1st copy shipped to New Orleans.  Text & Graphics rotation
> was something else I've been asking for.  So while others give full one-degree
> incremental rotation of text and graphics (alla Design Studio), the best you
> can do is ninety degree text rotation?  Paul you'd better worry less about
> acquisitions (Silicon Beach) and get back to minding the "date that brung you"!

> Mel Shear
> !rex!fleet!mel

I am in complete sympathy with this posting.  I have been a user of Pagemaker
since it was first released and have recommended its purchase to many north-
west companies, but not without giving them a run-down of what I considered
its inadequacies.

The ability to rotate text and graphics is NOT a frill or EXTRA.  It's a
basic, frequently-used, essential component of good layout.  Currently,
Pagemaker users have to print out angled or rotated text separately and
attach them with wax and glue.  Out the window goes the whole point of
electronic publishing, which is to eliminate wax and glue.  One of the
ways graphic artists immediately and easily distinguish electronically-
published newsletters is in the lack of angular design components.

Yes, it is possible to import angular text and graphic elements created
separately with a drawing/drafting program, but I have found that high-end
output systems (Linotronic, ITEK, etc.) do not always faithfully render
the imported images.  Tones sometimes disappear, spurious lines show up...

Publish It advertises smaller code, angular margins, rotation in 1%
increments, etc.  I am currently investigating the advertising claims.  I
have 2 choices.  Wait to see if the upgrade to Pagemaker is up to snuff and
get that, or purchase Publish It, if it performs as described.  After
seeing your posting, I am leaning toward the latter.

                               J. Petersen (LadyHawke@cup.portal.com)