STREAMdiff Frequently Asked Questions

Specifications

Q. What are the minimum recommended system requirements?

A. STREAMdiff requires a Pentium III, 300 MHz (or equivalent) with 512 Mb RAM running on Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista.

Q. What platforms are supported?

A. Currently STREAMdiff only runs onMicrosoft Windows 2000/2003/XP. Vista support will be available in October 2007. Data files can be taken from any platform.

Q. Where can print data files be drawn from?

A. STREAMdiff can see any local or network addressable directory from which to take the data files to be compared.

Q. What type of documentation is available?

A. A full user guide and an installation guide come with the software. A quick start guide is supplied to take you through a demo using the supplied AFP sample file which covers 80% of the software's functionality. Excellent online help is also available from the menus within STREAMdiff.

Q. Can STREAMdiff run in batch mode?

A. Yes.

Print Streams Processed

Q. Does STREAMdiff compare only the outputs from the same print composition applications?

A. No. STREAMdiff is application independent. It is able to look at AFP, Metacode, PostScript or PDF print streams generated by any type of program. Limited support is available for PCL5 in version 2.4 and higher.

Q. What print data streams are currently supported?

A. AFP, PDF, PostScript and Metacode output types are currently supported. Limited support for PCL5 was added in version 2.4. Please call us to discuss your specific requirement for PCL5.

Q. What type of AFP can I compare?

STREAMdiff can compare AFP print streams generated by any type of program. Resources can be inline or external. STREAMdiff with go into the AFP file and utilise any inline resources. If the resources are external a copy will be required by STREAMdiff in the resources directory.

Comparison

Q. Does STREAMdiff compare the image or the actual print stream constructs?

A. First, the print stream is analysed, and then the changes are verified to make sure that the difference is a visual change. STREAMdiff looks for visual differences between the two print streams, down to the pixel level, and will capture ALL differences between the two files.

Q. What is the difference between an image and a graphic?

A. These are categories describing AFP and Metacode structures. Graphics are line drawings, shading, charts, tables and graphs that are created using drawing commands. Images are the remaining elements, such as logos.

Q. Can STREAMdiff compare different data streams?

A. Yes. You can compare AFP to Metacode or any combination of the supported data streams, providing you have a license for the required data stream file type modules.

Q. During visual comparison, why are the changes split into different AFP objects, i.e. variable text, overlay text, etc.?

A. Once a visual change is identified, STREAMdiff next delves into the underlying AFP structure to determine what type of change has occurred.

Q. Why are differences marked on the Control file and not on the Test file where the changes actually occur?

A. Differences are marked on the Control file because it acts as a reference point. If we marked the Test file, then as the new application changes we would not have a consistent reference point. When you have accepted all differences, then the new file can become the reference point.

Q. Is there a separate batch component to compare multiple print streams in a batch process?

A. Yes, there a batch process within STREAMdiff.

Q. What is the largest number of pages that you can compare?

A. There is no limit. STREAMdiff first compares the initial 20 pages. You can then change the default number to "all" and compare the entire print stream.

Q. Why does the audit file only show the acceptance rules and not all of the differences that were identified?

A. The audit file only shows the acceptance rules, because in a large document the audit file could otherwise become larger than the print files.

Acceptance

Q. What is an acceptance trigger?

A. An acceptance trigger provides a mechanism for indicating where STREAMdiff should look for acceptance rules within the file.

Q. If a document contains 1,000 pages, do I need to set up a trigger for each of the 1,000 pages?

A. No. A trigger only needs to be set up once for one type of page.

Q. Do I have to set up acceptance rules when I use STREAMdiff?

A. No. Acceptance rules may or may not be utilised. They help you exclude (or ignore) the acceptable changes, so that you can focus on dealing with unexpected or unacceptable changes. If STREAMdiff indicates that acceptable changes are only on a few pages, then you may decide not to use acceptance rules at all.

Q. Can I export a set of acceptance rules?

A. Yes. If you have a similar application or want to utilise the acceptance rules for another application you can export these as a file and import them into another project.

Licensing

Q. How is the software licensed?

A. Single copies are protected with a USB Security Device (Dongle). 5, 10, 15 user licenses and site licenses are protect with a single USB security Device on your IP network.

Q. What licenses are available?

• Single concurrent user - STREAMdiff can be installed on as many PCs as you wish but only one user can be logged on at any time. Controlled by a network addressable USB security device installed on the same subnet.
• Single stand alone license - installed on one PC with USB security device plugged into that PC. The USB security device can be easilly moved between PCs if required, it is not specific to the STREAMdiff installation.
• Five, ten or fifteen concurrent user licenses. Controlled by a network addressable USB security device installed on the same subnet.
• Site license controlled by a network addressable USB security device.

Data stream support

• A single data stream of your choice is included with each user license of STREAMdiff.
• Additional data stream support can be purchased separately.

Q. Are updates included in the maintenance?

A. All updates, fixes, enhancements and versions are included in the maintenance. You will be notified vial email when a new release of version becomes available and this will include a set of release notes with deals of the new features and bug fixes.

Why not have a closer look by requesting a demonstration of the software or getting in touch.