- What is an AP Server?
- What is APStream?
- When will AP add text to APStream?
- Will APStream and AP Server make any difference in the content of AP services I receive?
- Does APStream have anything to do with the "YourAP" service announced at AP’s annual meeting?
- What makes AP Server better than my Leaf Desk?
- I remember complaints about the Leaf Desk being a proprietary system. Is that a problem with AP Server?
- Will AP Server provide as much storage for images as my Leaf Desk?
- What makes AP Server a better way to receive AP graphics?
- What do I have to pay to have an AP Server for my newsroom?
- I already bought an AP Server. Do I get a refund or rebate?
- The AP Server I bought is OS/2-based. Will it work with the NT version on the same network?
- What if I want a backup AP Server and I don’t already have an AP Server of my own?
- When will I get my new AP Server?
- Is AP Server with APStream hard to use?
- What documentation will you provide for AP Server?
- Will our staff get training?
- Will the installation disrupt my operation?
- Can I run APStream and AP Server side-by-side with PhotoStream and the Leaf Desk for a while?
- What about my photos and graphics from other providers, delivered over PhotoExpress and GraphicsNet?
- How do current users of AP Server like them? Are there any disadvantages?
- I use my Leaf Desk for direct output to an imagesetter. Will AP Server do that?
- Can AP Server receive transmissions from my Leafax transmitter?
- I edit pictures using the Leaf Desk. How will I edit images with AP Server?
- What type of Computer is being used for AP Server?
- If I purchase an extra AP Server, how long will my warranty be?
- If my AP Server system needs repair, where should I call?
AP Server is the receiver for a new delivery system for AP services. AP Server will receive photos and graphics and ads from AP AdSend on day one, replacing the AP Leaf Picture Desk, the AdSend Receiver and the AP GraphicsNet DR9600 modem. Later, text and other services will be added to the system. The AP Server's powerful hardware and NT operating system lets it handle these many tasks more efficiently and reliably than the current separate receivers.
APStream is a satellite delivery channel used with the new generation of the AP Server. It is like PhotoStream, but with some major improvements. APStream comes with highly effective methods for correcting errors or gaps in the data it carries, so files arrive in the APServer more reliably and accurately. It also does a much better job of managing the available data carrying capacity, so AP can deliver much more data in less time. That's part of the reason we can add graphics and other services to the system. APStream has been developed specifically for the new AP Server system. APStream will replace PhotoStream, which is used by the LeafDesks, and ObjectStream, which is used by the APServer OS/2, which AP has been selling for several years. APStream and ObjectStream are not compatible, but they do carry the identical images and graphics on them, so newspapers that purchased the APServer OS/2 system can continue to use them as a backup system.
When will AP add text to APStream?
After the AP Servers are fully installed and operational at every PhotoStream member.
Will APStream and AP Server make any difference in the content of AP services I receive?
No. Although the improvement in delivery systems might open the way to improvements in content in the years just ahead, our aim right now is to do a better job of delivering existing services in a central location.
Does APStream have anything to do with the "YourAP" service announced at AP’s annual meeting? That was about delivering all services together too, wasn’t it?
"YourAP" is separate. It's a new Internet web site that AP has developed to give publishers and editors an alternate way of seeing their AP services or as a backup if APStream or other satellite-delivered services are interrupted for any reason.
What makes AP Server better than my Leaf Desk?
Quite a lot, but there are a couple of major things you will notice right away. One is that AP Server is connected directly to your Local Area Network, making it much easier to get files from AP Server to your editorial and production systems. The second big improvement is the file format. APStream will deliver AP photos in standard "PhotoShop-ready" JPEG, and that's how AP Server will store them. They will be available for immediate use by your off-the-shelf editing and pagination programs.
I remember complaints about the Leaf Desk being a proprietary system. Is that a problem with AP Server?
No. The Leaf Desk was a single-purpose device. Its hardware and software were designed especially to receive and manage pictures. That made the Leaf Desk very efficient and kept its cost much lower than off-the-shelf computers with comparable image handling capabilities. But it also meant that upgrades, support, repairs and interfaces to other systems could only come from one source. By contrast, AP Server uses standard NT server hardware and operating system.
Will AP Server provide as much storage for images as my Leaf Desk?
It will provide more, a lot more. AP Server will store several days worth of the AP photo report, graphics report and a full compliment of Ads. Beyond that you can easily move files to other storage devices or archiving systems on the same local area network. The ability to protect up to 1000 Photos or Graphics is a planned future enhancement.
What makes AP Server a better way to receive AP graphics?
Lots of things. The biggest is that APStream and AP Server can easily deliver the largest graphics in seconds with high reliability.
What do I have to pay to have an AP Server for my newsroom?
Nothing. AP is installing AP Servers as standard receivers for its services, just as we did with the Leaf Desk when we created PhotoStream in 1992. Equipment, software, installation and maintenance are AP's responsibility.
I already bought an AP Server. Do I get a refund or rebate?
Sorry, no. But we will install a new NT-based AP Server at your newspaper, just as we will for other current PhotoStream users. With two AP Servers on your network, you have extra capacity and - even more important - backup, to assure continuity of service. Many papers have bought AP Servers this year for these reasons, even though they knew we would be adding another unit at AP expense.
The AP Server I bought is OS/2-based. Will it work with the NT version on the same network?
Yes. The two systems co-reside nicely on a single network and can exchange files
What if I want a backup AP Server and I don’t already have an AP Server of my own?
We will sell additional AP Servers for $5250. If we know of your interest in time, we will install your purchased units at the same time we install the AP-owned unit. We'll continue to maintain the AP-owned unit. Service for any additional units you buy, or already own, is your responsibility. As in the past, AP will offer service agreements to cover them when the warranty period expires.
When will I get my new AP Server?
You will hear approximately 30 days in advance when the installer will arrive at your newspaper.
Is there any way I can get mine sooner?
The best way we can serve the entire membership is to complete all the installations by the earliest possible date. And the best way to do that is to develop an efficient deployment plan, and then stick to it. So we appreciate your patience and understanding.
Is AP Server with APStream hard to use?
We expect many members to find it much easier, since they currently use the Leaf Desk solely as a device to receive photos, convert them to standard JPEG files, and forward them to another server on a standard local area network. All of that is accomplished already with APStream and AP Server. The paper's own editing and production probably won't change at all. Newspapers that use the Leaf Desk for editing images will need to make some changes, but we know from installing OS/2 servers that the changes are not difficult.
What documentation will you provide for AP Server?
We will provide a printed "Quick Start" reference guide. There will also be a multi-media tutorial on either CD-ROM or on the Server's own hard drive. And there will be a complete user's manual available both from the Server's hard drive and here.
Yes. The installer will spend up to a full day at your newspaper, so there will be plenty of time after the physical installation to give your staff a complete briefing on use of the new system. The AP Server is easy to use, very intuitive, and we have found that this is ample training. For questions that arise later, the AP Support Desk is always available.
Will the installation disrupt my operation?
We plan to do everything we can to minimize the impact of the changeover on your daily operation. You will know well in advance when the installer is coming. We will also tell you what you need to do to prepare for the installation. The instructions will cover physical location for the equipment, network connection requirements, and availability of key staff on the installation day itself. If the physical installation is well planned and goes quickly and smoothly, there will be more time left afterward for staff training.
Can I run AP Server side-by-side with the Leaf Desk for a while?
If it seems necessary. We have a limited quantity of the extra satellite downlink hardware required for delivery of each service. So we're prepared to run the services side by side for up to 30 days while you get used to the new system. After that, we will need to recover the downlink equipment so we can provide the same service to others who ask for it.
What about my photos and graphics from other providers, delivered over PhotoExpress and GraphicsNet?
Third party photos already move on APStream, so you will receive those on your AP Server as you do now on your AP Leaf Desk. Third party graphics do not yet move on APStream, but we plan to have them there by the time you are ready to move off the GraphicsNet system.
How do current users of AP Server like them? Are there any disadvantages?
AP Server is a success with users. The only disadvantages we can think of would be the possibility of inconvenience during the transition from one system to another. With careful planning and preparation, such problems should minimal. Once in production, AP Server does a better job than its predecessors.
I use my Leaf Desk for direct output to an imagesetter. Will AP Server do that?
AP Server does not include direct interfaces to production systems. (It can print files to a printer residing on the same local area network, or send JPEG files to production systems on the local network.) But if you are using your Leaf Desk to drive an Autokon or other output device, we will leave it in place for that purpose. You can transfer files easily from AP Server to the Leaf Desk, and then output them as you do now.
Can AP Server receive transmissions from my Leafax transmitter?
Again, not directly. But we will leave the Leaf Desk in place so you will continue to have access to its DIT ports or other interfaces that you still find useful. The Leaf Desk and AP Server communicate easily, and the features of the Leaf Desk you need will continue to be available to you.
I edit pictures using the Leaf Desk. How will I edit images with AP Server?
Our surveys are telling us that most newspapers already use PhotoShop or other off-the-shelf editing programs to crop, rotate, and color-balance their photos. They will continue to do that with AP Server. Newspapers that still use the Leaf Desk or AP Leaf MacLAN-equipped Macintosh workstations will need another editing solution, and we have plans for helping them. If this issue concerns you, be sure to raise it when you are contacted about an installation date, if your AP contact doesn't mention it first.
What type of Computer is being used for AP Server?
The AP Server will run on a server class machine from IBM. It will run the Windows 2000 Server Operating System, and will have a fast processor and a high speed disk drive.
If I purchase an extra AP Server, how long will my warranty be?
The new AP Server is warrantied for 3 years.
If my AP Server system needs repair, where should I call?
You should always contact AP as soon as you notice a problem either through the AP Support Desk at 1-800-848-3356, or your local AP Bureau. With dialup capabilities, we will be able to rapidly respond to your problem.
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