Typeface test-drive
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- Typographica0
John - It's an interesting theory, and I'd love for it to be true, but I don't think Linotype will be selling DRMed fonts anytime in the next 5 years. Again, it would require a change in font format, and OT (at least 5 years old) is only now just catching on.
Believe me, I want it too. But it's going to take some time. Fonts are far more complex than MP3s.
- gramme0
I am intrigued.
- johndiggity0
true, but then you have foundries like linotype developing the actual font management software, and making it available for free (much like apple does with itunes). i have to think they are going to make a push for some proprietary drm format because they are not making money off the software and i don't think that their built in store can be generating that much revenue.
the internet and the new distribution models it has enabled has really made a lot of businesses need to rethink why their industry is structured in such a way and who is benfiting and why.
it's quite obvious that the anti-piracy laws fall way short of stopping anyone from stealing fonts or software. i think if the liscensors made it more affordable, more people would buy legitimate software.
- Typographica0
It's a nice concept, John, but the biggest diff between the two industries is money. Type suppliers don't have the fat buckets of bank that the big labels have, so they don't have the resources required to build such a system.
And that still requires a DRM format, which takes us back to the original problem.
- johndiggity0
fonts have a lot in common with mp3's. maybe the type foundries should examine their business models of distribution. they might take a cue from apple, offering an affordable pay-per-download pricing strategy with drm built in.
- blastofv0
that sort of thing could have implications for HTML/CSS generated text as well – what if we could call on something like Tarzana from an online database for our body copy in a standard web page? Wouldn't matter any more that the user doesn't have it installed on their computer...
- blastofv0
Font makers will never be able to get customers to agree to fonts that "call home". Ask MS how well that went over.
Typographica
(Jul 17 06, 10:17)That's understandable in an anti-big brother sort of way, but I would be happy to put up with it if it meant I could sample fonts before committing to the purchase... and I would definitely pay for access to a service like that.
Oh well, wishful thinking. Unless someone wants to go into business with me to make it a reality.
Seriously.
- Typographica0
Font makers will never be able to get customers to agree to fonts that "call home". Ask MS how well that went over.
- blastofv0
...because like Typographica said, a font is a a mini-application that's called up every time you set type in Quark, Illy, or whatever, so why not sit the font files that you're 'calling' online and then restrict access for trial purposes?
Right?
- blastofv0
what if the font files were linked via the internet to a database which monitored the length of the trial... I guess there'd need to be a new font management application that linked back to the foundry
so you download a trial version of the font to your trial-specific font manager, and it checks the temporary/trial license every time you use the font, and then it stops giving you access after 30 days
or maybe the vector information is stored online only? so there's a web-based font manager, and you need to establish an account in order to test-drive the typefaces?
I know it'd be complicated, but something along those lines should be doable, right?
- MLP0
my situation was a college newspaper redesign so it was a committee of students redesigning it and not getting paid (aside from weekly salaries which are usually around $100 for the art director and design editors).
doing comps for a client is a totally different situation i feel... as someone is paying you, so you can incorporate that into your costs to buy the font.
- Typographica0
A self-destructing font is the holy grail of the font industry. Everyone wants it (at least the sane ones), but no one knows how to make it happen. Fonts are essentially complex little applications that have to work in every app that has a font menu. Once you start messing with the format, it takes years to standardize support. (OT isn't even supported by Microsoft Word yet, and they helped create it!)
So, from the manufacturer, suppllier, and user end it's a good idea. The technology just ain't here yet.
Until then, Baskerville is right on. If you know what you want to use, contact the foundry. Every shop (except maybe the big fatties like Linotype and Monotype) have a keen interest in helping their clients spec their fonts. So they are likely to help with simple comping.
I know FontShop will do this to an extent. If we sell it, give us a call or email.
- jim_0
after 30 days ink becomes invisible if typeface not licensed
- Baskerville0
my response was not a suggestion, it's what a well know english type compnay actually does for lots of studios. They literally replace the font in your artwork so you can see the difference.
If it means they sell 20 licesnses for one of their font then it's worth their while.
- PonyBoy0
hehe you sound like the people who believe that credit card companies need to charge 19% because of fraud.
rasko4
(Jul 17 06, 06:07)
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Enter response:hahaha! spot-on. :)
Although... there are some fonts I just don't stop using... ever... and they are solid intellectual property that some folks may make a TON OF $$ off of...
... i can see both sides of that argument now.
- blastofv0
great thoughts, and I'll see if I can work out something like Baskerville's suggestion
I'd love it if there were an in-between option though, and I'm sure there's money to be made by the type foundries with something like this
I'm currently laying it out with a similar typeface, and it will probablly stay that way unless I find a creative solution, but it's a boxing theme with a throwback to the typographic styles of the old 30s, 40s, 50s boxing posters, fight cards, etc., so it's a pretty specific look that I need to achieve
I just don't want to squirrel my way into a pirated version if possible, although I know that's the industry norm
- rasko40
hehe you sound like the people who believe that credit card companies need to charge 19% because of fraud.
- johndiggity0
how about everyone stop stealing fonts so they're not outrageously expensive in the first place?
- rasko40
how about you choose something similar and show type samples to the client.
It's not ideal but how many clients really appreciate the subtleties of type anyway, and does your conecpt really rely so heavily on the typeface chosen?
- jim_0
how about a "rights-managed" system where you pay per use until you buy, at which time you receive a credit for what you've paid?