> >                 a) the ability to typset lines to a grid
 >
 > I don't see why this cannot be accomplished by proper settings of the
 > various vertical space parameters in the documentclass. I.e., I don't
 > think it is an inherent restriction in LaTeX, it is a decision left up
 > to the designer/documentclass writer.

indeed. I did a book like this once. it was a nightmare, for all the
reasons Michael points out

Sebastian