Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Font Services.

Ratings

Ease of Use

Evaluates how easy it is to navigate the website and find relevant information such as various font collections, specials, articles, contact information, system requirements and more.

Feature Set

Assesses the features the service offers such as free fonts, font packages, font CDs, and languages, formats available and so on.

Ease of Download

This criterion evaluates the download process and whether we encountered errors during the process or while viewing or using the acquired fonts.

Available Tools

Focuses on the customer and technical support aspects of the company. We look at the available contact methods, such as toll-free telephone numbers and email addresses. We also consider additional services such as discussion forums, FAQ/help pages and relevant articles or newsletters.

Help/Support

Font management, creation and conversion tools are useful, this section relates what tools a particular service offers.

Features

Free Fonts

Many services offer free fonts, some as a featured monthly font while others offer free fonts with a purchase.

Font Packages

Collections of fonts with a same theme or designer that are sold as packages, usually at a reduced price.

Submit Your Design

A font service that offers this feature can create a font from your design, from handwriting or a scanned font.

Search Feature

This feature supports searches by keyword, foundry, designer or other methods to expedite finding just the right font.

Expert Search

An expert search offers advanced search tools or a search by a qualified consultant.

Search by Category

Some services organize fonts into categories such as Calligraphic Fonts, Formal Scripts, Blackletter Scripts and so forth to make it easier for designers to find what they need.

Font CD's

Fonts stored on a CD for easy access, use and storage.

TrueType

The TrueType format, created jointly by Apple and Microsoft, contains both the screen and printer font data in a single component, making the fonts easier to install and print. TrueType is a good choice for those who have limited experience working with and installing fonts.

PostScript

The PostScript or 'Type 1' font format was developed by Adobe. This format, based on Adobe's PostScript printing technology, allows for high-resolution output of resizable graphics. PostScript is a reliable choice, particularly for professional designers, publishers and printers.

OpenType

Adobe and Microsoft collaboratively developed OpenType, a new font format, which is compatible with Macintosh or Windows operating systems. OpenType offers advanced typographic features including the ability to switch between alternate glyphs and to set multiple languages. Additionally, the OpenType format permits the storage of up to 65,000 characters.

Tools Available for Purchase

Font Creation

Software that creates and edits fonts.

Font Manager

This software performs useful tasks such as assistance in viewing or previewing fonts, displaying font properties, comparing similar fonts, printing fonts, managing fonts and displaying information about typefaces and typography.

Font Conversion

A program that converts fonts from one format to another, including PostScript, TrueType, OpenType and Unicode.

Font Editor

Enables users to design type as well as create and modify fonts.

Free Tools

File Expander

Expands compressed and encoded files.

Help/Support

Toll-Free Phone Support

Offers phone support at their expense within a certain country.

Phone Support

Provides assistance by phone during posted hours.

24-hour Support

Provides telephone help any time of day.

International Toll-Free Support

Customers can call free of charge from anywhere.

Forum

An online discussion area.

FAQ's

A section where you can find answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

e-Mail Address

Offers assistance through email contact.

Online Form

Provides a submission form for inquires.

Helpful Articles

Publishes helpful and relevant articles.

 ©2003 – 2008 TopTenREVIEWS, Inc.