Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology

380 presentation softwareDeclineBy the late 1990s, however, PostScript was declining inuse. In part this was because of the advent of cheaper inkjetprinters, which used simpler (and cheaper) software.Further, PostScript’s role as a standard format for distributingdocuments has been largely replaced by one of Adobe’sother standards, the Portable Document Format (seePDF). However, PostScript-equipped laser printers are stillfavored for heavy-duty printing jobs, because the documentprocessing can be done in the printer instead of adding tothe burden of the main CPU.Further ReadingAdobe Systems Incorporated. PostScript Language Reference. 3rded. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley, 1999. Available online.URL: http://partners.adobe.com/public/developer/en/ps/PLRM.pdf. Accessed November 8, 2007.———. PostScript Language Tutorial and Cookbook. Upper SaddleRiver, N.J.: Addison-Wesley Professional, 2007. Availableonline. URL: http://www-cdf.fnal.gov/offline/PostScript/BLUEBOOK.PDF. Accessed November 8, 2007.Weingartner, Peter. “A First Guide to PostScript.” Available online.URL: http://www.tailrecursive.org/postscript/postscript.html.Accessed November 8, 2007.presentation softwareWhether at a business meeting or a scientific conference,the use of slides or transparencies has been largely replacedby software that can create a graphic presentation. Generally,the user creates a series of virtual “slides,” which canconsist of text (such as bullet points) and charts or othergraphics. Often there are templates already structured forvarious types of presentations, so the user only needs tosupply the appropriate text or graphics. There are a varietyof options for the general visual style, as well as for transitions(such as dissolves) between slides. Another useful featureis the ability to time the presentation and provide cuesfor the speaker. Finished presentations can be shown on astandard monitor screen (if the audience is small) or outputto a screen projector.Microsoft PowerPoint is an example of presentation software. Such software uses a “slideshow” metaphor in which screens corresponding toslides can be created and arranged on a timeline for playing. Many types of special effects are also available.