Availability of Certain Non-Latin Fonts
Certain non-Latin single-byte fonts will no longer be available as standard « off-the-shelf packages » due to lowering demand of fonts with non-Latin single-byte encodings. The non-Latin script previously available in one-byte fonts, however, will be available in off-the-shelf multibyte (UTF-16, UTF-32, or UCS-4) multiple-script fonts. However, single-byte non-Latin fonts can still be purchased as custom-designed products which are priced based on a per-glyph price and the number of glyphs in the font. This availability is not yet reflected under the Order button and on-line ordering.
«America Mourns» Ribbon Commemorative Image Available for Free Download From This Site
Use the Encyclopædia and SEARCH for ribbon or ribbon commemorative.
MathPackTM Mathematical Font Package
Production First Software has developed a mathematical font package consisting of a multiscript UTF-16 regular serifed typeface compliant with Unicode 4.0 (which includes additional mathematical symbols and alphabets); and redundant additional fonts for the symbols and alphabets encoded in planes higher than the Basic Multilingual Plane (for users who cannot access surrogates). They will be available in both PostScript and OpenType/TrueType formats for Unix, Macintosh, and Windows operating systems (some Windows formats are available now, the remaining formats are to follow shortly).
The mathematical alphabets (serifed, sans-serif, fraktur, script, double-struck, bold, bold-italic or bold-oblique, italic or oblique, Latin, Greek, Cyrillic) are sized consistently so as to be typographically optimized for use together. Alphabets are encoded in the proper Unicode positions unless they are alphabets which are not formally encoded, in which case they will be encoded in a Private Use Area. Licensing cost is not given under the "Order" button, but is only provided upon request to potential customers.
Unlimited FREE ON-LINE TRYOUT OF FONTS
Production First Software is installing the capability for trying out fonts on-line. Currently, Block2LineGothicPF and LafayettePF are the first two available. More fonts will be added in the future. The capability includes Unicode® compatibility and the ability to set type at any pointsize; optionally turn on pair kerning, adjust track kerning, and automatic ligature substitution during the tryout.
Website Conversion to XHTML
The entire Production First Software Website « Facing the World » has undergone conversion to XHTML. This change will not significantly affect the use of older browsers; but future, newer browsers will operate faster and more efficiently as a result. Facing the World will be one of the first all-XHTML sites on the Web upon completion of this conversion.
California Mission Font Series
A series of font typeface families commemorating the 21 California missions has been inaugurated. There will be one typeface family designed to commemorate each of the 21 California missions and satellite missions. Two typefaces, already available, are MisionPF (commemorating Mission San Luis Rey in Oceanside) and PalouPF (commemorating Mission San Francisco de Asis in San Francisco).
Change of Licensing Costs for Fonts
The costs of licensing Production First Software fonts change in the following manner as of March 1, 2000:
(1) The grace period for network licensing (10 or more seats, or unlimited) is now over, and the regular licensing costs will be charged. Click "To Order" on the homepage and then Standard Form or Form designed for Challenged Users.
(2) TrueType (and OpenType) formats have a default hinting. Customers wanting fonts hinted differently (usually for lower resolution usage) will pay an additional charge not shown on the Website. Call for specific details when placing an order.
Spurious False Claim by Agfa Monotype in BUSINESS WIRE Press Release
The wording in the Agfa Monotype portion of a press release on Unicode states that "we [Agfa Monotype] are currently the only type company that can offer fonts with full Unicode 3.0 support..." This is, of course, untrue, since versions of TmsU14PF-Rom and TmsI14PF-Rom with full Unicode 3.0 support were offered since December 15, 1999. Notification that some Unicode 3.0 fonts were available was first noted in the Production First Software Website on that date. Notification to customers and prospective customers to that effect was also given since August 1999. At this point in time, remedies for this misstatement and the public relations damage caused by it have not yet been assessed.
Production First Software supplied glyphs from one of its fonts for many blocks of the Unicode 3.0 book released on February 29, 2000.
Upgrade of Font Products
Currently, many of our multiscript font products are being upgraded to the latest version of Unicode/ISO10646. During this period of time, some font products may be temporarily unavailable. Please contact Production First Software to find out which products are affected.
Web Tools
Access to a new Web Tool, called WebSafe TM, has been added to the Production First Software Website. WebSafe enables a Web designer to view all Web-safe colors, and also to test additional colors which may not be Web-safe.
Access to a new Web Tool, called WebGlott TM, has been added to the Production First Software Website. WebGlott enables the spoken language of a document to be easily determined by answering questions. No knowledge of the language in question is necessary.
Access to a new Web Tool, called UniTest TM, has been added to the Production First Software Website. UniTest enables the Unicode testing of fonts and browsers in one easy step.
Educational Discounts
Production First Software now offers discounts for fully-accredited primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges, colleges, and universities.
Liberalization of Licensing Terms for Single-User License
Single-User License holders may use their Production First Software font packages on up to 5 workstations ("seats") as well as two output devices. This is retroactive for all Single-User Licenses.
Production First Software has more experience with commercial multilingual Unicode® and UCS-4 fonts than any other company, because we were the first to offer them. We also have developed new font formats for our products and are on the cutting edge of font resource research. Many features of our products are exclusive to Production First Software. There are more exclusive features in our products than the products of any other font provider. Click on the Product Info button on the home page for a description of our innovations.
Ask yourself: How many typeface products offer all these features (at any price)? ...
New Formats
The U3 and U7 typefaces will be available in PostScript CID-keyed format in addition to currently available formats.