Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watmath!clyde!rutgers!ames!oliveb!sun!pepper!cmcmanis
From: cmcmanis%pepper@Sun.COM (Chuck McManis)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: DESKTOP PUBLISHING
Message-ID: <36130@sun.uucp>
Date: 10 Dec 87 19:06:41 GMT
References: <2420@homxc.UUCP>
Sender: news@sun.uucp
Reply-To: cmcmanis@sun.UUCP (Chuck McManis)
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mountain View
Lines: 40

[Note the edited groups above ^^^ ]

In article <2420@homxc.UUCP> jdn@homxc.UUCP (J.NAGY) writes:
>Some time ago, Atari announced a laser printer, but I haven't
>seen any talk about the printer or software for Desktop Publishing
>in the ST newsgroup recently.

>	1. Does a laser printer exist? Can I easily buy one?

Yes, and No. I have seen the Laser printer and played with it, however
all of the Atari dealers in the Silicon Valley say 'Real Soon Now'. They
also say it will cost >$1,500. (Plus you have to buy a Mega ST) This 
apparently is a classic missed market window, since Jade Computers was
selling the Genicom standalone laser printer for $999 ($1,399 with serial
port, 2Meg or ram, and HP LaserJet II emulation). This you could use on 
any machine. 

>	2. Does Desktop Publishing software for the ST exist?

I believe it does, but can't say for sure, on the Amiga there is PageSetter,
CityDesk, ProWrite, Publisher 1000 (and Publisher Plus), and Shakespear.
(sorry if I missed any). 

>How do these products (if they exist) compare with Desktop Publishing
>on the Amiga and Mac?  Any input on the various laser printers available,
>your personal experiences with the printers and software, caveats,
>recommendations, etc. is very much appreciated.

I'm not sure how they compare, there has been some disappointment from 
Amiga users in that the system was not designed for 'infinite' resolution
printers like the Mac was. Things like the fonts which are simple bitmaps
(rather than outline descriptions) do not scale well and that causes 
output to look 'blocky'. Fortunately, there is no reason why this can't
be fixed in a future release and retain compatibility. Also some programs
use the Amiga fonts for the display and then their own for printing. Either
way you win. 

--Chuck McManis
uucp: {anywhere}!sun!cmcmanis   BIX: cmcmanis  ARPAnet: cmcmanis@sun.com
These opinions are my own and no one elses, but you knew that didn't you.