Article Abstract:
DeScribe 1.0, $595 from DeScribe Inc, is the first word processing program created specifically for OS-2 and Presentation Manager. It makes excellent use of OS-2's multitasking environment. A screen display for editing and layout eliminates the need for page preview, and a powerful Undo feature lets users view and undo any work done since the previous save. DeScribe provides such page layout features as multiple columns, text frames, and double-sided pages, and comes with 40 default layouts. Its style sheets are quite flexible, and eliminate a good amount of manual formatting. The package also offers a full array of typographic controls, and allows use of special characters not found on a keyboard. Some page layout tools and crucial special characters are conspicuously missing from DeScribe, however, and its manual contains scanty information. It contains no fill patterns or tools for line drawing, it can import graphics only in OS-2 metafile format, and it can import only ASCII text files. Future updates promise to deliver better page layout tools, and DeScribe is considered well worth watching.
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Article Abstract:
The reviewed low-cost layout desktop publishing software programs vary in price from $89 to $300 and most are efficient, support PostScript printers and are easy to learn and use. Digital Research Inc's $299 GEM Desktop Publisher 2.0 is best used for medium-length documents such as books, reports and short newsletters. Ashton-Tate's $295 Byline 1.0 is best for short and medium-length data-heavy documents with simple designs, such as catalogs, tables and reports. Timeworks Inc's $199.95 Publish It 1.12 is best used for short newsletters and medium-length documents with a structured format. Logitech Inc's $199 Finesse 3.0 is best for short newsletters and one-page documents such as memos and fliers. Springboard Software Inc's $129.95 Springboard Publisher 1.0 is best for invitations, short newsletters and fliers. Software Publishing Corp's $129 PFS: First Publisher is best for fliers and short documents with simple designs. Quark Inc's $295 QuarkStyle 1.0 can be used for documents of any length. A wide selection of templates makes QuarkStyle 1.0 a good choice for non-designers.
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Article Abstract:
SoftType, $199 from Zsoft Corp, is a font generation and styling program. It has 62 outline typefaces from the URW foundry. Users can use SoftType to generate custom fonts to use in any Windows application, in Ventura, or in other ZSoft products. It is quick and easy to generate fonts. The program has an import-export feature that permits the fonts to be stored on a floppy disk when not needed, which helps users manage space. Disadvantages are that it takes a long time for custom fonts to print; a lack of kerning controls in the program; unreliable justification settings; and problems with Ventura Publisher and PostScript. But the low price and versatility of the program make it worth considering as a font styler for use within Windows.
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