Date   : Wed, 16 Nov 1983 19:34:25-PST
From   : Sam Hahn <SHahn@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA>
Subject: Re: Diablo-compatible printers

Charlie,
       I looked at CharTech also, and liked it for what it was, ie a multi-
font text formatting system for dot-matrix printers.  Unfortunately, I needed
something that would handle the Diablo/NEC/Qume fontsets, and be able to
format mathematical equations.  TechType seems to fit the bill quite well,
the biggest drawback being that a special character "\" (alterable) must
precede characters to be printed with alternate fonts, which makes on-line
editting and draft-proofing difficult in your favorite WP/editor.

       Techtype comes with three programs, each about 38K big.  They are
DRAFT, DISPLAY, and PRINT.  Each are semi-customizable with a *.DAT file
which sets the parameters of your terminal, draft printer, final-copy printer,
etc.  Cost is $300.00 (yes, Ouch!), but the capability is worth it for me,
and the package is well put-together, with some fair amount of thought given
to user-customizability of the software, though I wouldn't recommend it for
someone without knowledge of character codes, printer head movement...
ie it's not for a general user to put together for himself.  Such a one
should get the standard systems, either for Diablo or NEC printers.
The NorthStar Advantage is capable of displaying close-to-copy text, due to
its graphics capabilities (or so I'm told by the Raabs', the authors).

       The package has been regularly advertised in MicroSystems the last
couple of months. 


                       Green Mountain Radio Research Company
                       240 Staniford Road
                       Burlington, Vermont  05401
                       (802) 862-0997

       Fred and Rebecca Raab were very helpful and patient with my many
questions.
                                       -- sam hahn [shahn@sumex]