◊ This program is distributed as Shareware: if you like it or use it please honor the shareware system by sending $5 to the author at the address above. Since collecting international cheques is very expensive, please send cash only. If you MUST send a cheque, keep in mind that the banks will gobble up more than half of it.
◊ NOTE: Getting some (usually very few) bucks is what you write shareware for, but getting a note, a postcard or anything else is a lot better than getting nothing. I would like to know how far this program has gone, so remember that you can do something nice even if you do not have a couple of $$$ to spare.
• GENERAL INFO
◊ Font Control is a function key (FKEY). An FKEY is a little program you can start up by pressing a Command-Shift-number combination on your keyboard.
◊ To install it, you can use ResEdit or one of the FKEY Managers/Movers surely available somewhere. Anyway, I STRONGLY recommend that you proceed with all extensions and control panels turned off; you can accomplish this (under System 7 or later only) by holding down the shift key before the Mac starts up, until you see the message “Extensions off.” or something like that. If you use ResEdit you should follow these steps (and obviously use the latest version, currently 2.1.1): open Font Control (with ResEdit), Copy the FKEY resource, close Font Control, open the System (yes, the System right in your System folder), Paste, Close & Save the System, Quit ResEdit and Restart from the Finder.
◊ Every FKEY has a number associated with it, called the ID number. It is used to map the FKEY on any number on the Mac keyboard. For instance, an ID number of 6 corresponds to Command-shift-6. This number can be changed at will.
◊ Let me explain something about the Font Manager, as described in Inside Macintosh:
• Font Scaling:
If the Font Manager cannot find a font of the requested size and font scaling is enabled, it follows the standard scaling algorithm. If font scaling is disabled, the Font Manager looks for a smaller font closest to the requested size and returns it with the widths for the requested size. So, QuickDraw draws the smaller font with the spacing of the larger, requested font (faster and more readable). Moreover, it closely mirrors the word spacing and line breaks that the document will have when printed, especially if fractional character widths are active.
• Fractional Character Widths:
The use of fractional character widths allows more accurate character placement on high-resolution output devices. Also, character placement on the screen matches more closely that on high-resolution output devices (although QuickDraw cannot actually draw a letter 3.5 pixels wide). The Font Manager will, however, store the location of characters more accurately than any particular screen can display. Given exact widths for characters, words, and lines, high-resolution output devices can print faster and give better spacing. A price must be paid, however: since screen characters are made up of whole pixels, spacing between characters and words will be uneven (as the fractional parts are rounded off).
What is a “high-resolution output device”? It is any device capable of more than 72 dots per inch (the resolution of the Mac screen). The StyleWriter IS a high-resolution output device (360 or 180 dpi). Even the lowly ImageWriter is a high-resolution output device, because it is capable of 144 dpi in high quality. Apple (in his/her/its - Tog is teaching - infinite wisdom) has included the control of fractional character widths in the LaserWriter driver, but NOT in the StyleWriter driver or in the ImageWriter driver. Needless to say, if you print to StyleWriter or ImageWriter printers with fractional character widths disabled (the default) you will obtain an incorrect spacing between words. Enable them with my function key just before printing; use the function key while staying into the application that is due to print, because every application (in MultiFinder/System 7 environment) has its own settings for fonts.
◊ If a document uses a font that is available in both a TrueType and a bitmapped fashion, the standard behavior of the Font Manager is to use the bitmapped font. This avoids problems with documents created on a Mac on which TrueType fonts were not available. You can use the “Always use TrueType instead of bitmaps” button to change the standard behavior and make the documents in the current application use the TrueType fonts even if the corresponding bitmapped fonts are available.
◊ A glyph is a distinct visual representation of one or more characters. There are glyphs (in some typefaces) that exceed the ascent or descent line (or both): Ñ for instance. For compatibility with existing applications, the Font Manager scales the glyphs exceeding the ascent or descent lines so that they fit between these lines. You can use the “Preserve glyphs (don’t stretch characters)” button to change the standard behavior of the Font Manager in the current application, so that the glyphs will not be distorted. Remember to check the line spacing, because your word processor may not adjust it automatically to make space for the entire glyph.
◊ Font Control can be used with any Mac, just give it a try. It should work under Systems as old as 4.0. It takes advantage of the new features offered by the Dialog Manager in System 7 (press the esc key or Command-period to witness!).
◊ If you have read through all this stuff, you may wonder why Apple does not include a “Fractional Widths” button in the Page Setup… dialog in the ImageWriter and StyleWriter printer driver.
◊ Do not use this FKEY with my FKEY Shell: in fact the settings you change take effect in the active application only. They will be forgotten when FKEY Shell (or whatever) quits.
•••••••••••••••• NOTE!
◊ Changing the options might NOT automatically update your windows: use your favorite screen saver or simply move the window offscreen.
••••••••••••••••
• DISCLAIMER
◊ “No warranties at all, either express or implied…” “All trademarks are held by their respective owners…” and all that stuff.
This application should not do any damage, but if it does then you will be on your own. Let me know of any bugs you run into, anyway.
• VERSION HISTORY:
◊ 1.1 - Added two check boxes for TrueType functions. Removed citation from Inside Macintosh, because I was infringing an Apple copyright. Apple sues people at an alarming rate, and I just don’t want to have problems with lawyers.
◊ 1.0 - First release, tested on: Quadra 700 running under System 7.1, Mac Plus under System 7.1, 6.0.8 & 4.3 (just to be sure) I’ll try it under 3.2 sometime. Keep in mind that if the System is really too old, the FKEY will not show up. It should never bomb, guys!
For errors, suggestions, etc. send e-mail to Fabrizio.Oddone%bbs@osra.sublink.org
