\title{Letter to \ukt}
\author{}
\begin{Article}
\begin{quote}
\itshape The \ukt\ committee thought it might be useful to publish
the following letter from a member, and our response --- Editor.
\end{quote}
\parskip 3pt
\parindent 0em
Dear Peter,

Thank you for the \TeX\ info and \BV.

I regret to say I shall not be renewing my membership of the
UK Users' Group. While Oz\TeX{} 1.7 has got round the problem
of processing larger text files, it is so much slower (about
four times) than Oz\TeX{} 1.4 that I generally still use the
old version. What a waste of disk space! Although \TeX{} is a
wonderful piece of software and I use it every week, I am
afraid that membership of UKTUG has been rather
disappointing as it has not provided a single piece of
information which is any use, such as why \LaTeXe\ is so much
slower, or what anyone is doing about it. Also, why is digit
8 in scriptsize (8) missing the top left hand corner? Why do
we need all those PK-files with umpteen megabytes for each
font size instead of using Mac outline font file? Why
doesn't `File/Send PostScript...' display replies from the
printer (PostScript writestring, etc.)? How to display
rotated text for individual items (not whole pages as Oz\TeX{}
User Guide, page 32)?

John Smeathers

\begin{quote}
\itshape The following reply was put together by Peter Abbott from
input by the \ukt\ committee.
\end{quote}
We would suggest the last issue of Baskerville has provided
\emph{every} member (and I include myself) with valuable
help and information. 

\LaTeXe\ has a large number of new features, and a much more
flexible font selection scheme.  Unfortunately, the price paid
for the extra functionality is that \LaTeXe\ uses more memory and is
slower than \LaTeX 2.09.

For documents in 2.09 compatibility mode,
\LaTeXe{} can be 75\% slower than 2.09.  For documents in 2e native
mode, \LaTeXe{} can be 25\% slower than 2.09.  These figures vary
widely between documents, and \LaTeXe{} performs much better on long
documents than on short ones.
So in summary, in the last 5 years, \LaTeX\ has slowed by about 25\%
and uses about 15\% more memory.  This figures are much better than
almost any commercially available package, and are caused by the
new functionality \LaTeX\ provides.

   The \LaTeX\ project team is aware that \LaTeX\ has to run on machines
with limited memory or processor power, and where possible they are
making \LaTeX\ more efficient.  But during 1993--95, the \LaTeX\
project team is responding to user demands for flexibility and
functionality, and there will always be a compromise between
responding to user demands for efficiency and for functionality.

Oz\TeX{} can use any outline fonts, either commercial or public domain ones.
You can get all the Computer Modern and AMS fonts in Type1 format
in public domain versions.
For rotated text, you will be able to use dvips, which comes with Oz\TeX{} v1.8,
if you renew membership. Alternatively you can 
obtain Oz\TeX{} 1.8 from other sources and pay Andrew Trevorrow
direct the shareware fee. One of the benefits of membership
of UKTUG is that when new versions are released they are 
distributed to UKTUG members who have paid the additional
\pounds 5 fee (the first year fee is \pounds 30).
 
File/Send PostScript is provided to avoid having to purchase
a utility. Normal printing does report back from the printer
 
The UK \TeX\ User Group has paid for a shareware licence for
its members to use Oz\TeX{}. The group does not have any 
responsibility for maintenace/updating or improvement to the
software. In common with all application software, new releases
bring new features and improvements which usually require
more facilities such as memory or disc space. Likewise
newer versions can be slower and indeed there have been major
changes to the Mac operating system which are not penalty
free.

Finally, the group has organised a number of meetings and other
related activities which are open to members at preferential 
rates. There is of course the added bonus of discussing problems
with others at meetings and the group actively supports the
UK \TeX\ Archive which can be accessed by non connected members
through me. The committee are continually looking at ways to
improve the services offered to members.


\end{Article}
