Fonts
Table 16.1 describes the differences between Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows 95, Microsoft Windows 98, and Windows 2000 Professional.
Table 16.1 Comparison of Font Features
Windows 2000 Professional |
Windows NT 4.0 |
Windows 95 and Windows 98 |
|---|---|---|
The following font types are supported: OpenType, TrueType, raster, and vector. |
The following font types are supported: TrueType, raster, and vector. |
Same as Windows NT. |
Font security available through public key signatures. |
No security for fonts. |
Same as Windows NT. |
Fonts can be installed in the following ways: |
Fonts are installed by means of Control Panel. |
Same as Windows NT |
When fonts are deleted, the registry is automatically updated to reflect the changes. There is no need to run an uninstall program. |
Registry must be cleaned manually when fonts are deleted. |
Same as Windows NT. |
Enhanced font subsetting provided by UniDriver. |
No font subsetting. |
Some font subsetting provided by UniDriver. |
Significant new or improved features are described in the following section.
OpenType Fonts While maintaining support for raster, vector, and TrueType fonts, Windows 2000 adds support for OpenType fonts. OpenType is an extension of TrueType font technology, but also provides public key signing and extended font-specific information. As with TrueType fonts, OpenType fonts can be scaled and rotated. Therefore, fonts look good in all sizes and on all printing devices supported by Windows 2000.
Font Security OpenType fonts are now secured by using public key signatures. This ensures that fonts are authentic and have not been corrupted. Corrupted fonts might not print properly.
Easier Installation and Removal Adding and removing fonts have been simplified. To install fonts, drag the font file to the Fonts folder. To remove the font, delete it from the Fonts folder. Unlike in Windows 98 and Windows NT, you no longer have to modify the registry to properly add or remove fonts.
Improved Font Subsetting When a job is sent to a printer, the job may include information about fonts used in the document. This can significantly increase the size and complexity of the job, negatively affecting print performance. The Windows 2000 UniDriver employs font subsetting, only sending font information for characters that are actually used in the print job, rather than sending information for all characters in the font, regardless of whether the characters are used.