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> I'm about to embark on publishing our Branch newsletter. I've had a
> little experience but need advice on the best software tool to use for
> this new challenge.
> If possible, I'm looking for a reasonably priced software (under $100)
> that will do the job. If your recommendations are over that then I'll
> need to be able to justify the purchase to my company. So if you really
> think I should go for a higher priced ticket item your reasons for
> justification would be appreciated. I need all the help I can get!
Deb:
If you plan to send your newsletter out to be printed at a commercial shop, contact
the printing company and find out what kinds of software it can handle. Not long
ago, while at a printing company, I overheard a conversation between a frustrated
would-be-customer and a printing company rep; the problem for the customer was that
he couldn't find a print shop that could read and print from his software.
The most popular program among newsletter professionals and desktop publishers is
QuarkXpress, on the Mac (also available as a PC product, but I don't know anything
about that version). PageMaker from Adobe also is popular, and may be okay for many
print shops as well.
The bad news about these programs is that they are quite expensive, in light of what
you would like to pay. Looking at a Canadian software catalogue, I see that Quark
for the Mac is $949 and PageMaker is $829. However, if you plan to do much desktop
publishing, including newsletters with even moderate amounts of graphics, these
programs will be a good investment. Your printer can give you some idea of all the
additional costs you'll run into if you use software with which they can't work.
Essentially, it's a choice of paying a bit more now, or a bit more very time you
publish an issue.
Bob
Robert (Bob) Abbott
abbottr -at- cadvision -dot- com
Phone & fax (403) 948-7774
The Newsletter Company:
Newsletter strategies and editorial services.
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TECHWR-L List Information
To send a message about technical communication to 2500+ list readers,
E-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send administrative commands
ALL other questions or problems concerning the list
should go to the listowner, Eric Ray, at ejray -at- ionet -dot- net -dot-
