1. Objectives:
To develop an inexpensive method, applying desk top publishing technologies and Postscript, to map out information from a database to print directories. The directories have to contain a lot of information in multiple columns, fonts, and using other typesetting devices. The process of producing the directories has to be sufficiently inexpensive to allow the production of low volume runs for specialized audiences (e.g., Metro Toronto & the province of Alberta).
2. The technological problems & risks:
Several new computer technologies were integrated to allow migrating the process of producing the directories from traditional typesetting methods to inexpensive methods using "office" equipment, integrating variable length database fields, mapping it into word processing format, mapping that into Postscript, and mapping that onto a 300 DPI laser printer with special paper to produce inexpensive masters for a photocopying approach. It is a novel application of new technologies.
3. Personnel:
Much of the development is done by Rainer von Königslöw acting as consultant.
4. Project status & plans:
The process has been developed and transferred for routine production use. Unfortunately even this more inexpensive process is still marginally too costly for the volumes and the price supported by the market. Yet more inexpensive production methods may fall out of new technologies that are still in the research and development stage.