MacGS Eases PostScript Commands
MacGS 5.50 (Freeware)
Jeff Schindall and Aladdin Enterprises

One of the nice things about the PostScript is that you can take a PostScript output file (typically having a .ps suffix) and print it from almost any platform to almost any laser printer. If you are using a recent version of the Apple LaserWriter driver, and have it selected in the Chooser, you can output PostScript and EPS files from the Print dialog. You can print the resulting file by simply dragging it on top of a Desktop Printer, but what if you just want to view it?

MacGS is a version of the Ghostscript PostScript interpreter for the Mac. Rather than having to wrestle with a command line interface, this version provides familiar menus to open, print and otherwise manipulate documents. If you are some sort of masochist and want to type commands manually, go for it. But once you see what they look like (the command-line equivalent of each command is displayed) you'll stick with the menus.

A bonus for black and white printer owners is that you can view color PostScript documents on your screen. Another bonus is that MacGS does more than simply display and print documents. It can convert a PostScript file to ASCII, PDF or EPS formats. These conversions will allow almost anyone to be able to view your documents.

Useful Links

Mac Port of Ghostscript Home Page

Ghostscript, Ghostview and GSview Home Page


View the Horrors of the Command Line Interface