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Newsletters -- what's the best tool for creating them?
Subject:Newsletters -- what's the best tool for creating them? From:Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Mon, 22 Aug 2005 13:15:17 -0400
Beth Brooks wondered: <<This week I'm being asked to create a
newsletter template that will be easy to use and maintain in an
environment that runs strongly to the non-technical (e.g., nobody knows
how to use MS Word styles). I've been told I can recommend a tool for
purchase so long as it is not TOO expensive, can accept content from MS
Office products, and doesn't have a hefty learning curve. The
newsletters will have 8.5 x 11 pages and may be distributed on paper or
in PDF format.>>
If everyone is already using Word (as you note) and your needs are
relatively simple, there's no particular reason to switch to another
program: all you need to do is make things easier for your authors so
as to improve consistency, then have someone edit the final submissions
for stylistic consistency in addition to all the readability edits.
Some useful suggestions on making template use easier can be found at:
http://www.geoff-hart.com/resources/2000/dynamicstyle.htm
If you need to produce reliable color for printed newsletters, then
you'll need a real desktop publishing (DTP) program (e.g., InDesign,
PageMaker, Frame, etc.). Even simple programs such as MS Publisher and
Print Shop (is that the right program?) work fine for simple
newsletters. Last I checked, Word still doesn't understand CMYK color
or screen frequencies for halftones (photos), but I admit to not having
used XP or 2003 yet. Real DTP programs also offer better control of
output, including PDF, and better typography. You can beat Word's
typography into submission, but it takes much more work than with real
DTP software, and nothing beats InDesign for elegant typography.
Now Shipping -- WebWorks ePublisher Pro for Word! Easily create online
Help. And online anything else. Redesigned interface with a new
project-based workflow. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
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