---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash SunPics Introduces NeWSprint 2.0 Software SunFLASH Vol 36 #18 December 1991 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following news releases from SunPics were distributed to the press and analysts on November 19. Due to some pricing issues, they were not widely distributed within SMCC. Now that these issues have been resolved, we are distributing the following announcements: * SunPics Introduces NeWSprint 2.0 Software -- Product Lets Users Print From Any Computer to Any Printer * SunPics Boosts SparcPrinter System Functionality -- NeWSprint 2.0 Software Lets More Users Take Advantage of SPARCprinter System Features (see SunFLASH 36 #19 for second announcement -johnj) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Product Lets Users Print From Any Computer to Any Printer MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. -- November 19, 1991 -- SunPics(TM), a Sun Microsystems, Inc. business, today unveiled NeWSprint 2.0, a software product that makes it possible for users to print files from any computer on a network -- including Macintosh(R), IBM(R) and compatible PCs, workstations, minicomputers and more -- to any printer on the network. From the user's desktop computer, files can be sent to any output device -- in PostScript(R) or non-PostScript language -- from dot matrix printers to laser printers, plotters and color thermal printers. NeWSprint software also speeds up printer performance by allowing the page imaging process to be handled by powerful SPARC(R) CPUs rather than by slower on-board printer processors. This in turn can reduce printer costs, because no dedicated CPU or memory is needed in the printer, and printer functionality can be increased through software upgrades rather than hardware replacement. "NeWSprint software brings flexibility to network printing," said William Marr, vice president and general manager of SunPics. "Macintosh, PC and other computer users can take advantage of SPARC processing power and print to any printer they choose -- not just the one that's tied to their desktop computer. They can share printers rather than compete for them." With NeWSprint software, PostScript or non-PostScript language files are printed exactly as they appear on the display screen, in black-and-white or full color, provided only that a SPARC processor is available somewhere on the network. Other network resources, such as the scalable F3(TM) fonts bundled with each copy of NeWSprint software, can be stored on any computer on the network and downloaded to whichever printer the user selects. In effect, NeWSprint software makes printers full network citizens, enabling them to be shared not only within local workgroups, but throughout an organization. NeWSprint 2.0 is an upgrade to NeWSprint 1.0, adding PC and Macintosh application interoperability, improving color printing performance, speeding monochrome raster printing, and providing selectable print resolution via the NeWSprint Tool. The NeWSprint Developer's Kit has also been improved to make both input filter and printer handler developmentand installation easier. The NeWSprint 2.0 product is bundled with the Printer's Palette(TM) CD, which contains more than 170 hardware and software products from third-party vendors for use in the NeWSprint network printing environment. The Printer's Palette CD makes it easy for users to explore, purchase and install PostScript language printing products from third-party vendors. NeWSprint 2.0 software will be available in 90 days through SunPics, Sun Microsystems Computer Corp. (SMCC), and SunExpress(TM), the Sun Microsystems, Inc. telemarketing business. The price is $695. Upgrades will be available from SunPics for $149. NeWSprint and other SunPics products will also be resold through Inmac, the Santa Clara, Calif.-based mass-marketing company, and Qualix Group, an independent marketing firm based in San Mateo, Calif. SunPics was formed on July 1, 1991 as a Sun Microsystems business dedicated to developing and promoting printware technology for the printing and imaging marketplace. SunPics is based in Mountain View, Calif. (C)1991 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Sun, Sun Microsystems, the Sun logo, SunPics, the SunPics logo, SunExpress, NeWSprint, NeWS, F3, OpenWindows, and PrinterUs Palette are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International, Inc., licensed to Sun Microsystems, Inc. Products bearing SPARC trademarks are based upon an architecture developed by Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark of UNIX System Laboratories, Inc. PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corp. All other products or services mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners. SunPics: Erica Vener (415) 336-3566 Hi-Tech Public Relations: Lisa Sheeran (415) 864-5600 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu and paris.cs.miami.edu. All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.