Abstracts » Publishing industry

Kernus 2.1.1

Article Abstract:

URW America Inc's $249 Kernus 2.1.1 is an effective font management package focusing on common problems associated with kerning and tracking. Kernus creates kerning tables based on reinterpretation of current fonts and allows users to designate a tracking value for the new fonts. Although the kerning adjustments are satisfactory the results are not consistent with the level of type improvement dependent on the font. Customizing fonts is also problematic in that fonts with identical names but distinct spacing parameters may conflict. Kernus allows users to create customized kerning tables and fonts with positive results but some interface difficulties. Kernus will benefit users concerned with correct type, but it will complicate matters for some difficult font management installations.

Product information, URW (Nashua, New Hampshire), Kernus 2.1.1 (Font management software)

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Much carrying on about font portability

Article Abstract:

Moving documents electronically means dealing with fonts, and therefore, maintaining a page's appearance either means requiring the recipient to buy the necessary fonts, or else it means embedding the fonts. Generally speaking, the first option is not practical, which means some form of embedding must be used. A problem arises because some vendors build software in such a way as overrides the economic and intellectual property rights of typeface designers and font sellers. A solution to the problem of font theft might be to create synthetic fonts based on generic character outlines managed by an operating system. Font security could easily be added to such an arrangement, and the result would be embeddable font forms usable by all languages.

Analysis, Management, Column, Technology application, Document management systems, Portable document software, Electronic publishing, Font package

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Pages fit for framing

Article Abstract:

Ragtime from Orange Micro, which sells for $395, integrates word processing, spreadsheet, and graphics capabilities into a Macintosh page-makeup program. Integrating spreadsheets into page processing is the program's strength; Ragtime creates master-page templates, which the program calls 'Forms', and the program is at its best when working with highly structured formats. Ragtime's word processor is described as 'inflexible'. The program's manual is well organized and thorough. Ragtime can almost be viewed as a one-purchase software solution, but the package's approach to word processing precludes an unqualified recommendation.

Suites (Software), Desktop publishing software, Text processing software, Spreadsheet software, evaluation, Software Packages, Integrated Software, Performance, Form Overlay, DTP Software, Orange Micro Inc., RagTime (Business application suite)

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