Up Grade to 2003?

[Maltroger]

I have been a long time user of visio (Visio Home ver. 3.0) I have upgraded
with every new version. The last couple of updates have not had to many changes
between them. So my question is what is the changes in the 2003 version
compared to the 2002 version. If its pretty much the same why upgrade. I looked
at the packaging at the store the other day and saw nothing new or different
from the 2002 version.

Roger
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Al Edlund]

There are some nice enhancements in V2003, but it appears to be primarily
aimed at supporting those in the application development business. A lot of
what others found useful in areas unassociated with AD was removed.
your mileage may vary,
Al

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

You could browse the information at
http://www.microsoft.com/office/visio/prodinfo/default.mspx, but I found it
a bit light on details.

Two new items that I did not notice at those pages for Visio 2003 are: 1)
Print the grid and 2) a macro recorder.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://www.mvps.org/visio/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://www.mvps.org/visio/VBA.htm
Common Visio Questions http://www.mvps.org/visio/common_questions.htm

 

[Maltroger]

Thanks folks for the info. A macro recorder might be enough for me to upgrade.
Have wanted something like that for along time.

Roger

 

[Martin Liversage]

So my question is what is the changes in the 2003 version
compared to the 2002 version.

Changes include a number of improvements which are better described by
Microsoft or other people in this group. On the other hand, Visio 2003 no
longer supports PostScript fonts (in Office termed "scalable printer font).
These fonts are supported by Windows NT/2000/XP and are normally availble in
any application having a font concept, but not in the newest version of
Visio. Also, you are no longer able to export to PostScript file formats.

A crusade against PostScript/Adobe/Macintosh or perhaps a PostScript
technology licensing issue? I would really like to know as better
understanding perhaps could remove some of my frustration.

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

"These fonts are supported by Windows NT/2000/XP and are normally availble
in
any application having a font concept..."

Actually Visio does not support PostScript because the application relies on
the Windows GDI+ rendering services. GDI+ does not support PostScript. So
while some parts of the operating system fully support PS, others do not.
Not that many applications use GDI+, so it is true that many apps can and do
support PS.

 

[Martin Liversage]

Actually Visio does not support PostScript because the application relies on
the Windows GDI+ rendering services. GDI+ does not support PostScript. So
while some parts of the operating system fully support PS, others do not.
Not that many applications use GDI+, so it is true that many apps can and do
support PS.

Thank you very much for you answer. I'm now able to forgive the Visio 2003
team and instead direct my anger at the GDI+ team. ;^)

Hopefully GDI+ will be updated in the future to support PostScript fonts.
Otherwise there will be a growing tension between users that are using
PostScript fonts and vendors wanting to upgrade applications to .Net.