PDL? XPS? WTF?

[tapdn]

Anyone have any scoop on Micro$oft's effort to introduce their own flavor of PDF from Punisher docs called PDL?
http://app.subscribermail.com/dspcd.cfm?ec=fb8cb76960cb48628b0ff53c33025f7a&;
email=6c7bd6ccbcde48b1a18887e96237120b

[Joe]

I think PDL is the language but the file it creates is XPS. You have the option to export a Publisher file as an XPS file or a PDF if you download the separate software for it. I still think it's more of an "office" tool until the major RIP manufacturers support it.

[tapdn]

"I still think it's more of an "office" tool until the major RIP manufacturers support it."
Yeah Joe, but knowing my customers it won't be long befor we start receiving jobs created as PDL instead of PDF. How will we handle these in a PDF workflow? Is there trouble on the horizon?

[Joe]

I'd probably print to PS and then distill into a PDF.

XPS Viewer

[tapdn]

My point, Joe. Windoze only app. but I get what you mean. thanx

[Laurens]

http://www.prepressure.com/library/technology/xps

Acrobat 8 can open XPS files which can then be saved as PDF. Expect all major vendors to add support in their workflow within the next year or two years. Global Graphics are behind XPS and already support it right now.

VIGC, a Belgian trade association, did some tests with XPS and discovered major bugs in XPS files generated from PowerPoint and some other apps. There is still a lot of work to be done before this is as reliable as PDF.

[ninjaPB_43]

Nice P4Fun, great info there!!   

"XPS is closely linked to the Microsoft Vista operating system"

I assume it means Vista has to gain some ground on XP boxes in the marketplace before we really start to see these file types regularly..  last I checked, Windows had started giving people the choice of XP or Vista when buying a new machine, versus only selling installed Vista on new boxes.

[Laurens]

Nice P4Fun, great info there!!   

"XPS is closely linked to the Microsoft Vista operating system"

I assume it means Vista has to gain some ground on XP boxes in the marketplace....

That is correct and indeed a problem for Microsoft. Vista is getting a bad reputation and the adoption of the OS is slower then Microsoft's marketing department wants us to believe.


Off-topic: if I had known beforehand that Printing4fun would be abbreviated to Pee-for-fun, I would have chosen another nick   

[ninjaPB_43]

That is correct and indeed a problem for Microsoft. Vista is getting a bad reputation and the adoption of the OS is slower then Microsoft's marketing department wants us to believe.

Yep, Vista has proven itself to be a worthless upgrade for most users, it all started when it had crash problems at a Bill Gates Demo..   hee hee..  (i bet that is on youtube somewhere)  classic Windows comedy..   HERE it is...   

Off-topic: if I had known beforehand that Printing4fun would be abbreviated to Pee-for-fun, I would have chosen another nick   

hahha..  I didnt even notice when I typed it..   funny..