Color in computing

Color in the computing environment, once considered a luxury, is becoming moreavailable compared to being just the occasional exception. As the number of usersexploring the uses of color through displayed and printed images increases, the problemsassociated with its use are becoming widely known. What worked in black and white isnot easily translated into color. The use of color needs to begin with the basicunderstanding of what is color, its terminology and its utilization as an enhancement tocommunications tool. Only after the basic terminology and effective means ofcommunication are understood will color flourish as a successful means of communicationin the computing environment.Currently, a number of products are seen as solutions in the realm of color usage in thecomputing environment. Four different contributions, PostScript Level 2 (Adobe),PhotoYCC(Eastman Kodak), Pantone Matching System (Pantone), and TekHVC(Tektronix), each deliver a component of electronic color reproduction. PostScript Level2 delivers consistent color from monitor to printer, with variations based on printermanufacture and the printing technology utilized. PhotoYCC defines a format for imagecapture and retrieval with a wealth of possibilities for image sources. Pantone MatchingSystem expands the accessibility of simulated prepress work, coupled with ink formulationand quality control. Tektronix attempted to define TekHVC as an industry standard basedon a more uniform color space than that which is defined by previous industry standards.Because of the lack of acceptance, Tektronix has limited this solution to their printers.Solutions are abundant, but as costs continue to fall, the expectation of consistent colorwill rise. The adoption of standards across operating environments and software packagesis critical to continued increase of the use of color in the computing environment.