Date: Fri, 11 Dec 87 08:10:41 est
From: psmith (Peter Smith)
To: decvax!geer@athena.mit.edu, champine@rdvax.enet, dellafero@rdvax.enet,
        conklin@video.enet, lev@video.enet, bd@vines.enet
Subject: Request for Support
Cc: jmcg, johnson@smurf.enet
 
 
        +-------------+				INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
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        |D|I|G|I|T|A|L|
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	TO: George Champine			DATE: 12/7/87
						FROM: Peter Smith
						DEPT: UEG
						DTN:  231-0406
						LOC:  ZKO3-3/X18
						ENET: FLUME::PSMITH
 
 
	Subj: Soliciting MIT co-development support on PSS
 
 
	DEC is currently developing a model and an architecture for a
	comprehensive printing service.  This service is to support
	printing in a heterogeneous environment.
 
	Similarly ECMA is active in the same area (ECMA/TC32-TG5/87),
	and is defining the "Print Service Description and Print Access
	Protocol Specification".  DEC is active in this group with the
	intent of keeping our model alligned with this emerging Print
	System Standard (PSS).
 
	Having made sufficient progress on the model definition we are
	now interested in a trial implementation.  Based on the recent
	success of X-Windows in establishing a broad industry following
	we are keen to explore the possibility of collaborating with
	MIT/Athena in the same manner, to gain multi vendor support for
	PSS.
 
	We have recently held meetings with MIT to explore this possi-
	bility.  The results have been encouraging and we would now
	like to solicit support from Project Athena for this effort. 
	Specifically it would help if you could speak with Jerry Salzer
	of MIT to seek his support.
 
	The benefits to be derived from this project are the implemen-
	tation of a well defined and reviewed print protocol.  This is 
	in contrast to the MDQS project which MIT recently attempted
	but failed on.  Further this architecture provides the flex-
	ibility and extensibility to support printer capabilities which
	could not be supported with the current Berkeley based printing
	services.
 
	We feel that this project would benefit MIT and DEC and would
	help to improve printing in a heterogeneous environment by pro-
	moting the emerging ECMA standard through a publically avail-
	able reference implementation.
 
	Our present plans are to begin design and development work in
	January of next year, provided we can obtain the necessary
	agreement from the Athena Technical Director.  We would there-
	for appreciate your assistance in promoting this effort with
	Jerry Salzer on our behalf.
 
	We can provide further information and details that either you
	or Jerry Salzer may need to act on this request.
 
 
 
						Regards
 
						Peter Smith
						Engineering Manager
						ULTRIX Engineering Group