Pinstripe Presenter - Graphics Presentation Program
                       Copyright 1988 David W. Batterson

     Sales of desktop presentation programs are booming.  The field includes
such names as Draw Applause, Harvard Graphics, Zenographics Pixie, PC-Slide,
Freelance Plus, Slideworks, Cricket Presents, Graphics Gallery, and numerous
others.
     These programs generally run in the $150 to $400 range, with an average
price of about $295 (all list prices).  Many are heavily discounted.
     Desktop presentation programs are used to create visuals.  Using a service
bureau, you are able to produce 35mm slides, overhead transparencies, and color
or black & white prints.  You transmit files via modem to the service bureau
using built-in communications software, or mail a disk.
     Many of these programs allow you to run a computerized slide show, saving
you the expense of creating slides/transparencies.  Or you can print the images
in color or b&w, for handouts and "pitch books."  With a page printer, you can
create overhead transparencies.
     Spinnaker Software has recently entered this already crowded battleground.
Spinnaker publishes business and utility software, and various educational
programs.
     Their product is Pinstripe Presenter.  This presentation program ($199
suggested list) is aimed at the business user who has little free time to learn
new software.
     With Pinstripe Presenter, you can quickly create word slides (all text),
charts & graphs (in pie, bar, line or area type), or slides featuring
combinations of text, freeform drawings and clip art.
     Pinstripe Presenter has an automatic installation.  Keep in mind that the
install program creates a subdirectory \PS on your hard drive.  Unfortunately,
I already had that subdirectory on my hard disk, containing Printshop!
     You execute Pinstripe Presenter with the same command as Printshop: PS. 
So there was a conflict.  Most software install programs allow you to name the
subdirectory you wish before proceeding.
     I spoke with Spinnaker tech support about the problem, and my impression
was they will modify the install program to take care of that.
     You start off with the Quick Start Tutorials, the first being "A WORD
chart in 10 minutes."  It actually took less time.
     The reason for the ease of use (or fast "learning curve" as they now say)
is the series of pre-formatted styles.
     Novice DTP and presentation software users tend to get too "busy" with
their output.  If there are 33 fonts, they try to use 16 of them on the same
page!  Or they use a rainbow of garish colors, and bad layout.
     Pinstripe Presenter has 13 styles created by professional artists.  The
fonts, text sizes, shadowing, spacing, colors and margins are all set.  All you
do is type in the desired text or data (for graphs), using the design menu.
     In many cases, the styles will work just fine.  Once you get familiar with
Pinstripe Presenter, you can alter the styles, or create original ones for your
specific needs.
     The "Draw" section allows you to make boxes, circles, ellipses, and
freehand shapes in various colors and borders.  There is also a clip art
library, with images from computing, transportation, communication, and other
fields.  Additional clip art libraries are optional.
     Pinstripe Presenter supports the usual printers--Epson/IBM (and
compatible) dot matrix, H-P PaintJet, H-P LaserJets,  and PostScript printers. 
It also can output to the Polaroid Palette Computer Image Recorder, to create
instant color slides, color/b&w prints and small-format transparencies.
     An Advanced Driver Package is an option, allowing support for such devices
as Summagraphics Tablets, Kurta Penmouse/Tablets, HPGL compatible plotters, and
so forth.
     Another output choice besides printers is MAGICorp, a presentation
graphics production center.
     Upon finishing your images, and viewing them to make sure they are just
right, it's easy to get professional hard copy from MAGICorp.  Color slides
are high-resolution, 4000 lines per inch.
     Before using MAGICorp's services, you must register with them.  They
provide you with a site code.  Then you are ready to transmit files via modem;
the number is toll-free.
     Using Pinstripe Presenter's illustrated menu system, you select MAGICorp
Network.  You input address information, select your COM port, and enter
MAGICorp's phone number.  Then you indicate whether you want 35mm slides, color
photographic prints, transparencies, color laser prints, or b&w proof prints.
     The process is not intimidating.  After double-checking for accuracy,
select TRANSMIT GRAPHICS....and away she goes!  My test slide files transmitted
with no problems.
     If you transmit before noon on a weekday, the finished products arrive the
NEXT DAY by air express.  You can also send the files on disk if you prefer.
     Just as promised, my test slides arrived at my door the following day
(Dec. 20) at 3:45 P.M. (not bad considering the Christmas rush).  The slides
looked great, as did the b&w proof prints.
     Buyers of Pinstripe Presenter get 50% off their first order from MAGICorp.
     Pinstripe Presenter along with MAGICorp are an admirable combination,
allowing you to produce first-rate presentation materials in record time.  It's
not the FUTURE way of doing things, it's happening now.
     For more information, contact Spinnaker Software Corp., One Kendall
Square, Cambridge, MA  02139; 617-494-1200; 800-826-0706 (orders only).
MAGICorp, 50 Executive Blvd., Elmsford, NY  10523; 914-592-1244; 800-367-6244
(to sign up).
                                       #
     David W. Batterson writes about computer hardware, software and online
services.  He also does technical writing and DTP consulting.  Contact him via
MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.