'PostScript' prints anything: a case history
Article Abstract:
By the end of the 1970s John Warnock and Charles Geschke were writing software that would handle complex text and graphics to be printed by laser. From the time Warnock got the prompt 'Page Too Complex,' Warnock vowed any architecture he designed would be 'Print anything'. When Xerox Corp, his employer, failed to see the importance of developing the requisite, truly standard language, Warnock left with Charles Geschke and others to start Adobe Systems. The result, PostScript, today sets the standard for the desktop publishing industry. Warnock's 'Print anything' philosophy paid off. Twenty-three laser printer manufacturers have adopted PostScript. But it is not perfect. Extremely complex images, for example, can take up to an hour of computation time. The PostScript program fed into the laser printer is created by using the language or by using application software that translates, for example, mouse movements into a PostScript program. Adobe's latest innovation controls images on a computer screen as well as on the printed page.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 1988
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Telephone challenges: a plethora of services
Article Abstract:
The use of services provided by telephone companies is growing as more users learn how their telephone can enhance their communications. The most revolutionary new features are those based on Custom Local Area Signaling Service (Class) introduced in New Jersey in 1987. These features include caller identification, call block, priority call, return call, repeat call, select forward, and call trace. Sales of cellular phones are booming, and users are expected to purchase more cordless phones than corded phones in 1990. Voicemail, already in common use in offices, is replacing the answering machine in the home. Callers dialing 0 for operator will talk to a computer instead of a human. Facsimile machines are also booming in popularity.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 1990
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Doing well by doing good
Article Abstract:
The efforts of Jim Fruchterman and his non-profit organisation, Benetech, to develop and sell products that help to improve the quality of human life, are described.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 2006
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