New York, July 25, 2002 — ATMforOSX.org is leading a grassroots user campaign for production of quality font management software for OS X. The site’s purpose is to petition Adobe Systems, Inc. to reinstate development of its ATM Deluxe font utility for the Mac OS platform.
Adobe?s ATM application was originally created to handle PostScript management in earlier versions of both Windows and MacOS. While Mac OS X does not require ATM?s PostScript management, and features advanced typographic rendering and anti-aliasing, OS X lacks a full-fledged font management system. Industry users are dissatisfied with alternative products, citing issues with speed, stability, and usability. Most agree that Adobe has the most viable product in the marketplace, but they have ignored an urgent need and made a one-sided decision not to produce a version for OS X. Mac ATM users are instead being pushed toward these unacceptable alternatives.
The genesis of ATMforOSX.org was the frustration felt by Astrida Valigorsky and Joshua Alexander and echoed by their peers. The purpose was to provide a single, unified voice to make us heard. Names will be collected through Monday, September 16, 2002. At that time all validated signatures will be presented to Adobe Systems management for their review and formal response. Details of that response will be made public through the media as well as posted on the Web site.
