Article Abstract:
Custom Applications Inc's $495 Freedom of Press is a software program that interprets PostScript code and generates a bit map in a format compatible with laser, ink-jet and 24-pin dot matrix printers from major manufacturers. The quality of pages printed with Freedom of Press closely resembles that of pages printed on a PostScript printer. An 80386 microcomputer with a math coprocessor is recommended for improved performance, yet Freedom of Press is still not as fast as a PostScript printer. An expanded memory of 500K is required for an 80286 microcomputer, but the program saves disk space by using outline fonts. A color version of the program will be available in the first quarter of 1989 and will be bundled with Compugraphic's Type Director. Freedom of Press is a good buy if cost is more important than speed.
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Article Abstract:
Adobe Systems Inc's $395 Streamline 1.0 is the most accurate and fastest autotracing tool on the market. It is invaluable for converting a large volume of line art to electronic files that can easily be edited in a drawing program or print at any resolution. Streamline can reverse an image as it traces, or it can trace the white areas instead of the black in a reversal. It can also trace only portions of a bit map instead of the entire map. Line art can be quickly created by scanning a photograph, tracing it with Streamline and modifying the image with a draw program. The software requires an IBM PC/AT or compatible, 640Kbytes of RAM, 20Mbyte hard disk and one floppy drive, DOS 3.1 or later, Windows/286 2.10 or later, or Windows/386 or later, and a Windows-compatible mouse.
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Article Abstract:
Eleven forms design and management packages are evaluated for the PC and Macintosh systems. Good forms software will facilitate the process of creating forms, making revisions when needed, and printing them. Forms packages also help make filling out forms a quicker job. There are three types of programs: those that help design and print a master, those that let users fill out the form on screen, and those that do the previous task as well as merge information from database or other files. A buyer's guide chart shows the design features, forms completion features, data export formats, laser printer compatibility, list price and a short evaluation of each product. What to look for in forms packages is explained.
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