\title{The National Typesetter Users' Forum (NTUF)}
\author[Philip Taylor]{Philip
Taylor\\Chairman, National Typesetter Users' 
Forum\\\texttt{P.Taylor@Vax.Rhbnc.Ac.Uk}}
\begin{Article}

\noindent
Although the majority of \TeX\ users are content to produce their final copy
using a laser printer or similar, those who are preparing so-called `camera
ready copy' for use by professional publishing houses, printers, etc., need to
be able to produce their final copy to a somewhat higher standard. A typical
laser printer operates at 300 dpi, which will produce acceptable results only
if (a) the typeface is not too small, and (b) the typeface does not exploit
exceptionally thin lines (Computer Modern at 300 dpi is noticeably poor in this
respect).  A better quality laser printer operates at 600 dpi, and at this
resolution both small fonts (say down to 5 pt) and thin lines (as in Computer
Modern) can be resolved reasonably well, although an unfortunate combination of
both a small font and thin lines will still usually lead to break-up. 

Phototypesetters start where laser printers leave off; the lowest
resolution of a typesetter is of the order of 635 dpi, and resolutions
of 1270 and even 2540 dpi are by no means uncommon.  At 1270 dpi,
fonts as small as 3 pt, and extremely fine lines, can both be resolved
reasonably well, and for normal textual work there is usually no need
to consider higher resolutions.  However, if gently sloping lines
(usually from a graphic or from a custom glyph) are to be resolved
without the eye detecting a disturbing step function in their
rendering, then the highest possible resolutions, of 2540 dpi or more,
are required.

The National Typesetter Users' Forum provides an opportunity for both
existing and potential users of a phototypesetter to meet to discuss
problems of common interest.  The meetings take place both physically
(the group meets once per term) and electronically (there is an e-mail
list, \texttt{Typesetting@Vax.Rhbnc.Ac.Uk}); at the physical meetings
there are regular reports both from service providers (\eg the
Phototypesetter support group at the University of London Computer
Centre) and from what would elsewhere be termed `special interest'
groups (\eg \TeX, PostScript, Apple Macintosh, IBM PC, etc.)  The
most recent meeting was also addressed by a guest speaker (on this
occasion, Ian Chivers speaking on Adobe Acrobat), and it is hoped to
arrange further speakers for forthcoming meetings.

All members of the UK \TeX\ community, whether or not they are already
users of a phototypesetter, are welcome to join the group; those with
access to e-mail may send their electronic subscriptions to
\texttt{Listserv@Vax.Rhbnc.Ac.Uk}, in the normal Listserv form
(Subscribe typesetting \emph{given name SURNAME}), whilst those
restricted to more traditional means of communication should send a
note or fax to Ian Chivers, NTUF Secretary, The Computer Centre,
Kings College, University of London (E-mail:
\texttt{I.Chivers@Kcl.Ac.Uk}; telephone: 0171-333 4339; fax: 0171 937
7783).

The next (physical) meeting is scheduled for 14:15 on Tuesday 18th
October at the University of London Computer Centre; anyone wishing to
take part in a pre-meeting \emph{dim sum} lunch is invited to contact
me personally for further information.  I hope to see many of you
there.

%                               Philip Taylor,
%                               Chairman, National Typesetter Users' Forum.
%                               E-mail: <P.Taylor@Vax.Rhbnc.Ac.Uk>
%                               Telephone: 01784 443172
%                               Facsimile: 01784 434348
\end{Article}