Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!adiron!frank
From: frank@adiron.UUCP (Corradino)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Basic questions about Ventura
Summary: Answers to Ventura questions
Message-ID: <431@adiron.UUCP>
Date: 16 Feb 90 14:47:04 GMT
References: <2552@leah.Albany.Edu>
Organization: PAR Technology, New Hartford, NY
Lines: 50

In article <2552@leah.Albany.Edu>, ppd491@leah.Albany.Edu (Peter P. Donohue)
asks questions about Ventura. We have been using Ventura 1.1 for 21 months
in a corporate publishing environment. We develop our own text and graphics
to produce approximately 6000 pages of user documentation and service manuals
a year. We have no connection with Xerox beyond our customer/vendor status.
We are satisfied users and are evaluating version 2.0 for possible upgrade
(mainly because the boss said "NO!" again to our request for Suns and
Interleaf).

>    What CPU is required?
Quote from Xerox's manual: "IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 or compatible computer"
We have trouble creating indices on compatibles and PS/2; version 2.0 seems
to fix that.

>    How much memory does it take to run it?
About 64 kb more than you have. Seriously, it is a memory hog.  Minimum
requirement is 512 kb but you should have 640 kb if you're going to do any
serious work. Even with 640 kb, we experience occasional lock ups (lost
work and writer's tears, too) in large or complex chapters.  Version 2.0
purports support of extended memory, but we haven't figured it out yet.

>    How much hard drive space does it take to install it?
"1 to 3 megabytes depending on printers installed
    Xerox 4045, HP LaserJet Plus . . 3.0 M
    PostScript . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2 M
    JLaser, Dot Matrix, Xerox 4020 . 2.0 M"

>    What forms of files will it accept as input?  In particular, I use
> Lotus 123 and Harvard Graphics; will it accept the various files that I
> can produce with these pacages (sic)?
You'll have no problem. The import features are quite robust.

>    What forms of output can it produce?  What devices can it print to?
Assuming you mean form size, all standard forms from half size (5.5" x 8.5")
to broad sheet (18" x 24").
In addition to the devices listed above, the manual says "any Interpress or
PostScript compatible, AST Turbo Laser, Cordata laser, Epson MX-80/RX-80,
IBM Proprinter, and Tall Tree Systems Jlaser card."

>    How easy is it to use?
Very easy. That is not to say that it is easy to learn. You should be prepared
to invest some time in learning. Our best advice is to RTFM (read the FINE
manual). The documentation Xerox provides is complete, well written and
can answer most of your questions, but only if you use it.

We wish you good luck in your venture.

Frank Corradino                     email: uunet!adiron!frank
PAR Technology Corp.                phone: (315) 738-0600 Ext 338
New Hartford, NY  13413        disclaimer: you bet!