Print Wizard 4.1 beta

[Bob Rasmussen]

VERSION 4.1 BETA
 
We are happy to announce the pending beta test phase of version 4.1 for
Print Wizard Service Edition and Print Wizard Personal Edition. This
announcement does not apply to AnzioWin.
 
Print Wizard 4.1, when generally released, will be a free update for
licensed users of version 4. Users of earlier releases will have the
option of updating for a fee, as explained on our website.
 
WHAT'S NEW?
 
Compared with version 4.0, version 4.1 adds or improves on features in
many ways. Following are some highlights:
 
1) Produces smaller PDFs, by compressing full-color graphics and embedding
partial fonts.
 
2) Reads more PDFs, those containing more kinds of embedded fonts, more
color formats, more graphics, annotations, etc. Annotations can be printed
or not.
 
3) Emailing compatibility with Outlook 2010, without security prompts.
 
4) Automatic file type detection: many input files without file
extensions, or with incorrect extensions, are now automatically detected
and handled correctly.
 
5) Bang commands can now refer to a completely new profile, which will
take effect immediately.
 
6) Archiving: For various kinds of output, PW can now be told to create an
archive file. Archives are always PDF files. You have control over their
location and name, including heirarchical directory structures based on
variables such as year and month, for instance.
 
7) Epson and IBM printer emulation: for existing reports with programmed
escape sequences for driving dot matrix printers, PW can now process those
escape sequences. This makes it easier to replace dot matrix printers with
laser printers or paperless output.
 
8) Masking: A mask file (in PWML format) can be specified with elements
that mask (block from printing) certain parts of the page, prompt for
on-screen signature, or prompt the user for data entry. Multiple pages of
masking can apply to different pages of the primary document, or to different
copies in a page pattern. So for instance, prices can be masked out of the
third copy of each invoice.
 
9) On-screen signing: Related to masking, several features combine to
allow a document to be presented on the screen, have the screen rotated to
portrait mode, the user be prompted to sign in one or more areas
(including on multiple pages), and the document be combined with the
signature(s) into a new document, such as a PDF. This all works especially
nicely on a new Windows 8 tablet.
 
10) New program included: Spool Wizard. This program controls the Windows
print spooler in many ways. You can view what's in the spooler, extract
data from it, print it on a different printer, and much more. You can also
set it to automatically process printed files, such as applying an overlay
or archiving them.
 
11) PWUI improvements: Many changes to the user interface make configuring
Print Wizard operations much easier, less error-prone, and more thorough.
 
There are quite a number of other enhancements. If you are looking for
particular features, maybe some that we have discussed before, check with
me by email -- we might have included them.
 
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED
 
If you would like to experiment with one or more of these new/improved
features, please email me asking to be added to the beta list. You will
get more details, plus instructions on how to download and test the new
versions. We would like to restrict this to those with at
least administrative skill levels.
 
TIMELINE
 
We hope to wrap up the beta process and do a general release by
mid-January.
 
CONTACT
 
Please direct all contact to me at
   ras at anzio.com
 
Let me know if you want to participate in the beta, simply have questions,
or need to adjust your email address.
 
Happy Holidays,
Regards,
....Bob Rasmussen,   President,   Rasmussen Software, Inc.

personal e-mail: ras at anzio.com
 company e-mail: rsi at anzio.com
          voice: (US) 503-624-0360 (9:00-6:00 Pacific Time)
            fax: (US) 503-624-0760
            web: http://www.anzio.com
 street address: Rasmussen Software, Inc.
                 10240 SW Nimbus, Suite L9
                 Portland, OR  97223  USA