\centerline{\bf OpenType}
\medskip\noindent
The Operations Electronic Publishing
Group of the Open University has
recently started to set up an Electronic Publishing
User Group --- OpenType --- with more widespread and
general objectives. The OU is one of the UK's
largest academic publishers, and already uses
several Linotron 300s. Naturally it is
deeply concerned in maximising its return
on this commitment.

OpenType is described as a ``self-help''
group for those who are using electronic
techniques for the production of high-reolution
text and graphics origination.

Specific areas of interest include:
\item{$\bullet$}\ps: it is worth noting that the OU claims
to have access to Adobe-trained advanced programmers
who it is expected will be running \ps\ classes
from appreciation through to advanced standard:
\item{$\bullet$}\SGML: OpenType
plans to ask questions topics  ``is motherhood
and apple pie a good thing?'' and 
``how useful is \SGML?'':
\item{$\bullet$}Tables: the OU has a research
project under way on table creation:
\item{$\bullet$}Maths: OpenType feel that the
introduction of 
large composition systems which
work in a structural manner (in English,
marked-up), like Interleaf (which employs
|eqn| for its maths), or systems like MS Word may
reduce the pre-eminence of \TeX:
\item{$\bullet$}Demand Printing: the ability to
produce and update very quickly, and to direct 
high quality material at small audiences:
\item{$\bullet$}Illustration: what is the
hardware required for effective illustration?
\item{$\bullet$}Storage: clearly relevant to
illustration, where large amounts of data must
be handled; and following on from that, data
compression, CD ROM, networks\dots
\smallskip\noindent
From this list  it is clear
that \TeX\ is known (although perhaps not too well ---
perhaps it is a good thing that so many OUers were
at the Seattle TUG meeting).
The OU (at least, parts of it)  already uses \LaTeX\
extensively, and harbours some very competent
\TeX ies. From the list of
interests, there is an apparent overlap with what
I understood Pira to be doing. But perhaps I don't
really understand what Pira (or OpenType) are up to.

OpenType plans to publish a journal. Most interestingly,
they will pay! Five pence per word. They are also
planning to run meetings and workshops, although
the one planned at the OU for the early summer
seems to have faded away. But there is a catch.
It is going to cost money. Although membership
is open to individuals and organisations, the
subscriptions are quoted solely for organisations.
For companies and organisations employing not more
than 10 persons, the subscription is \quid100.00;
for those with 11--50 employees, \quid200.00;
over 50 employees, the flat rate is \quid300.00.
Contact:
{\obeylines\parindent2em
John Feltham
Text Processing Manager
Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes MK7 6AA
}
\medskip
\rightline{\sl Malcolm Clark}

