Freedom of Press - PostScript Language Compatible Interpreter
                        Copyright 1989 David Batterson


     Laser (and laser-quality, using LED & LCS technology) printers continue to
sell well, as more manufacturers have entered the game, thus lowering prices.
     However, PostScript page printers still take a huge bite out of your
wallet, and most of us simply cannot afford one.  These printers cost around
two to four times as much as a non-PostScript page printer.
     With a huge installed base (over a million) of HP LaserJets in offices
around the country, there was a need for a software product which would make
those printers emulate a PostScript-ready printer.
     Custom Applications Inc. has just what the doctor ordered:  Freedom of
Press.  That's an excellent name for the product too.
     Freedom of Press is officially called a PostScript Language Compatible
Interpreter.  That means that your PostScript files created by Ventura
Publisher, PageMager, WordPerfect 5.0, and any other word processing, graphics
or desktop publishing software, can be printed on your non-PostScript printer.
     The software works with most 24-pin dot matrix printers, and page
printers--including laser, and laser-quality ink jet variety (like the popular
HP DeskJet).
     You'll need .5 to 8 MB of EMS memory with installed EMS memory driver,
640K RAM, a minimum of 4MB hard disk storage space, and a 1.2MB (high-density)
floppy.  A math co-processor board is highly recommended, but not required.
     I tested Freedom of Press with my AT-clone, using some other review
products: an Intel Above Board EMS board with 2MB installed, and an Okidata
Microline 390 24-pin printer (which emulates the Epson LQ series).
     Installation of the software is straightforward, merely requiring you to
input some information, such as printer type, port, paper size, etc.  The
manual is well-organized, and comes in the 3-ring binder style (which I prefer
above ALL other formats).
     However, few manuals I've seen (and I've read dozens of them!) use the
<dev> symbol to indicate a hard drive.  Most just denote C:, as this is what
most users are familiar with.  A minor point, but it could throw off a novice
user by seeing the command: FP! <dev>\FREEDOM\BIN\TRI.PS.
     Freedom of Press also provides ready-made batch files, for users of
Ventura Publisher, PageMaker, WordPerfect and Microsoft Word.  This automates
the printing process.  When you exit one of these programs, Freedom of Press is
run by the appropriate batch file, and the PostScript output file is printed.
     I don't use any of those programs at this time.  However, it's no problem
using other programs which create PostScript output.  I used PFS: First
Publisher, Ver. 2.0, in my evaluation.
     After creating your PostScript document, you simply "print to disk,"
instead of sending the file to your printer, and then exit that program.  Now
you're ready to let Freedom of Press perform its magic.
     At the DOS prompt, you can start the printing process two ways.  One is to
type: FP! \<path>\<filename>.  You can enter up to six document filenames,
separated by spaces.  The other way is to type: FP-ASK.  It then prompts you
for the path and filename, and number of copies you want.  Use of DOS wildcards
[? or *] is valid.
     You then watch a moving horizontal bar graph as the file undergoes the
interpreting process.  Upon completion, the bit map image is created and sent
to your printer.
     I printed two test newsletters, one with normal 24-pin output, and the
other using Freedom of Press.  The difference was quite remarkable.  However,
using even the best 24-pin printer, you cannot achieve true laser quality,
because you are still limited by that printer's dpi resolution.
     Although I wasn't able to test Freedom of Press with a page printer, an
enclosed test print using a non-PostScript laser printer looked very sharp and
impressive.
     You can transfer PostScript and Adobe Illustrator files from a Mac to a
PC, and then print them using Freedom of Press.  You may also use downloadable
PostScript fonts (but not HP soft fonts, or Adobe fonts).  If you are
experienced in creating custom PostScript files, you won't have any trouble
printing these with Freedom of Press, either.
     Also included are 35 fonts equivalent to Apple LaserWriter Plus fonts. 
These include such font equivalents as Palatino-Roman, AvantGarde, Helvetica,
NewCenturySchlbk-Roman, and Times-Bold.
     Freedom of Press has a suggested list of $495; I'm not sure what the
street price is.  But it sure beats going out and buying an expensive
PostScript-ready printer.  I can totally recommend this software purchase for
those who require high-quality graphics and DTP printing, and want to save
money doing it.
     For more information, contact Custom Applications Inc., 5 Middlesex
Technology Center, 900 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica, MA  01821; 508-667-8585,
800-873-4367, FAX: 508-667-8821.
                                       #
     David Batterson is a writer/editor in Palm Springs, CA.  Contact him via
MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.