Freedom of Press Version 2.2 - PostScript Language Compatible Interpreter Copyright 1989 David Batterson Laser and laser-quality printers are selling well as more manufacturers enter the marketplace, thus lowering prices. But PostScript (and compatible) page printers still take a huge bite out of your wallet, and most of us simply cannot afford one. With over a million HP LaserJets in offices around the country, there was a need for a product which would make those printers emulate a PostScript-ready printer, with no hassles or hardware. Custom Applications Inc. (CAI) came up with the solution: Freedom of Press. Now Version 2.2 of this program has been released. Freedom of Press is 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 all popular 24-pin (NOT 9-pin) dot matrix printers, most page printers (including laser, and laser-quality ink jet variety like the popular HP DeskJets), color thermal printers, and even film recorders (for slides and transparencies). Freedom of Press also supports the Intel Visual Edge, Tall Tree JLASER, and AVR Megabuffer expansion cards. Another new feature is the ability to create a PC Paintbrush (.PCX) graphics file on disk, with 200 dpi resolution. These files can then be used with fax boards, or in a graphics program which uses .PCX files. The best news about Version 2.2 is that it no longer requires expanded memory (EMS), like the original version did. [That previous requirement eliminated millions of PC users who don't have memory boards or additional onboard memory.] Now you only need 640K RAM, with a minimum of 450K available. The programmers at CAI accomplished this by recompiling the C code and other little tricks of the trade. If you have extra RAM, Freedom of Press can still use .5 to 8 MB of EMS to make the program run faster. You'll also need about 4MB hard disk storage space, and a 5 1/4" 1.2MB (high-density) or 3 1/2" floppy. A math co-processor is highly recommended, but not required. For laser printing, your printer should have at least 1.5MB memory if you'll be printing complicated pages and graphics files. Installation of the software is easily done with the install program. The manual is well-organized, and comes in a 3-ring binder (which I prefer above all other manual types). Way to go, CAI! 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. It's no problem using other programs which create PostScript output. I tested Freedom of Press using Professional Write and other software with my 16MHz AT-clone. I printed on an Epson EPL-6000 laser printer (HP LaserJet II- compatible). It worked just fine. 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! \\. 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 OK too. 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. Remember, using even the best 24-pin printer, you cannot achieve true laser quality, because you are still limited by that printer's dpi resolution. It looks pretty close though. But use a page printer for best results. 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, or Adobe Type 1 fonts (but not HP soft fonts). If you are experienced in creating custom PostScript files, you won't have any trouble printing these with Freedom of Press, either. Included are 35 fonts equivalent to Apple LaserWriter Plus fonts. These include font equivalents like Palatino, AvantGarde, Helvetica, New Century Schoolbook, and Times-Roman. I recommend this software purchase for those who require high-quality graphics and DTP printing, and want to save money doing it. Freedom of Press has a suggested list of $495 but shop around for best street price as it is much lower. It beats buying an expensive PostScript printer. The upgrade for registered users is only $45. For more information, contact Custom Applications Inc., Building 8, 900 Technology Park Drive, Billerica, MA 01821; 508-667-8585, 800-873-4367, FAX: 508-667-8821. # David Batterson is a writer/editor/consultant. Contact him via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.