TrueType, PostScript & OpenType: What's the difference?

I've had the opposite experience. I can't remember the last time I had problems with TrueType fonts and PostScript fonts sharing the exact same name. I've found even common fonts like Times New Roman have slightly different names for TT and T1 versions.

Dov - in regards to point 2, that is what I hope to accomplish by switching to opentype. I have found it very difficult to manage the various postscript (with screen and printer fonts) to ensure I don't have same name Trutype fonts. With Adobe and many other foundaries offering open type fonts it is looking like a much better option. Thank you for the input.

Thomas - thank you for the very informative information of the history of fonts. It was what I needed to fill in some missing gaps. I do have a question for those who have do professional print work.

I am thinking about switching (slowly) to open type fonts. The problem is my printer still says they really only "officially" take postscript type1 fonts and caution to avoid putting postscript and trutype fonts on the same page. In actuallity, we have been putting postscript and trytype fonts on the same page for years with no problems - and they just upgraded their RIPs significantly and no all our PDF's print like a breeze on their RIPs. This makes me wonder if I would have any problems at all if I used mainly open type fonts - to save my headache of managing my postscript fonts (I manage 30 machines so doing it one-by-one is not easy and I am not happy with any OSX fonts management systems so far).

Any of those with good or bad experience would be appreciated.

Very Informative. Thx.

One suggestion - would be great to have a summary table
with short explanations with advantages and disadvantages etc...

+S+

I agree with Neil, I think people judge design without stopping to think why they make a decision about the quality of a business. Presentation says a lot about something, attention to detail. If the business is sloppy with their rate sheet, or their brochure they are probably sloppy in other aspects of the business. Perhaps sloppy isn't the right word but hopefully you get my drift.

Oh, another glaring example is a drive down a business strip. It is easy to tell the fast-food places for the white linen ones.

JM2CW

Steve

I will add one thing before going off to troll for the other thread:

My strongest advice for beginners is that besides learning the software and the technical stuff, don't neglect real training in graphic design and typography.

I can tell Patty is already headed in that direction, but I just wanted to spell it out for others reading the thread.

Regards,

T

Great, I'll start a new thread.

Thanks,

Patty

Patty,

I agree on all points with Don.

Please start a new thread with a link to a sample image that you have questions about. What I'll do after you start it is move any appropriate comments from this topic to the new one.

Actually, if the issues are more design and less typographic in nature, I recommend that you post in the Print Design forum (found by clicking on the "Design Discussion" link).

Neil

Patty

I don't want to speak for Neil, but I think you will gain more by posting a link to something you think is good, and letting the experts here comment on it. After all, you already know what is bad about the rate sheet. Posting something that looks good to you, or at least OK, might open your eyes to some new errors and inconsistencies in design, furthering your education.

(Of course, I would post it in a new thread, as we are getting terribly off topic on this one.)

Don

Sure, Patty, post a link to a scanned graphic. And ask your questions. I promise you will get some frank, honest opinions from the gang here.

To answer a couple of your questions, no, most folks won't notice bad design in any tangible way -- although they'll gripe if it is confusing or full of spelling and grammar errors. (When have you ever heard anyone -- except a designer -- complain about the appearance of a restaurant take-out menu, store shopping bag, or Yellow Pages ad?) But these same folks will appreciate good design, although they may not be able to articulate why.

Certainly, if a resort is trying to establish a particular level of quality, or if it charges more than Motel 6 for a night's stay, appropriate, well-thought out, appropriate graphics and layout and intelligent copy go a long way to reinforcing its upscale persona. Actually, they'd go a long way to defining Motel 6 as a good, clean, economical place to stay where families can feel welcome and comfortable -- not like they're staying in some sleazy truck stop.

You're inventing an identifiable personality for the establishment that establishes an appropriate comfort level for the intended audience that includes good value for money spent. As a designer, it is your job to successfully pull together the graphics, colors, copy, typography, layout, and stock and size choices -- not everything is two columns of CMYK on 8.5"x11" bright white, gloss coated pages.

Neil