Abstract: A process and system for depicting a combination of process colors and spot colors on a radiant light source such as a computer monitor screen. The invention provides a user-definable “meta-ink” color which is made up of the components of the process colors and the spot colors. Shade values are assigned to each of these components to create the meta-ink color. This meta-ink color then replaces the document color for visual depiction on the radiant light source. This process and system provides a more accurate depiction of the representation of the printed image.

Abstract: A publication system is disclosed for coordinating access to publication data and related information. The publication data typically includes text, image data and layout data. The related information is stored in an item header file, as well as in a number of records. The system includes a network of computers including computers dedicated to performing certain tasks related to obtaining publication data and such related information. To coordinate the publication process, the ability to modify text contained in an item file is limited while certain of the records that include useful information related to the same item file are separately available for other network users. The system also generates watch records to notify users of the current status of, availability of, or to provide other information related to, a publication item of interest. Algorithms are also disclosed for facilitating the writing and editing of text for an article.

Abstract: A system for selectively preventing a primary computer software program from being operable until a separate, secondary computer software program posing questions to the potential user of the primary computer software program has received answers to the questions using the keyboard of the computer. The system visually displays the questions from the secondary computer software program, determines whether the answers to the questions have been entered through the computer keyboard, verifies the format of the answers, records the answers for transmission to the software producer and then transfers the primary computer software program from a non-executable code form on one or more floppy disks to an executable code form on the hard disk drive of the computer. The user responses are recorded in some convenient form for transmittal to the company. The form of transmittal may be printed, though recording on magnetic media or transmission by other electronic means is preferable.