Publish By Design - A Training Program For DTP Users
                         Copyright 1989 David Batterson


     After users buy Xerox Ventura Publisher, Aldus PageMaker, PFS: First
Publisher, Springboard Publisher and similar programs, they sometimes run into
difficulty because they don't know the basics of publication design.
     There are books, adult education courses, and videos on the subject to
help you out.  Now there's an interactive software course too.
     Publish By Design is NOT a tool that teaches you how to use DTP software
like PageMaker or Ventura Publisher.  Rather, it is designed to teach non-
artists and non-designers how to put together a publication.  For specific DTP
programs, there are also many helpful books (don't rely on the manuals!).
     Publish By Design runs either as a standalone application, or it runs
under Microsoft Windows.  Under Windows, it allows you to instantly switch
windows and get some online design help.
     You get detailed tips on style, typography, grids, page layout, fonts,
point sizes, inserting visuals, and much more.  The topics of corporate
consistency, charts and graphs, production, binding, etc. are also covered.
     Documents explained include newsletters, brochures, reports, forms,
presentations, manuals and flyers.  Each type of publication requires unique
design elements; these are clarified.
     The overall information is very useful, but I had a few misgivings.  The
term "masthead" is used to describe a publication's title, such as "DTP Tips
Newsletter."  I'm a former newspaperman; we always called it the "flag."
Masthead generally refers to the inside listing of a publication's staff.  My
dictionary agrees.
     What are usually called "pull quotes" are called "blurbs" in Publish By
Design.  There's a statement: "A headline in a decorative font is a real
attention-getter."  I agree, but it may not be a good design element.
     There are a couple of typos on the graphics screens:  "HP LazerJet"
[LaserJet] and "NEW NUQ PRINTER ANNOUNCED."  [NUQ?--Near Unletter Quality?]
     The suggested list price ($149.95) seems excessive to me.  You could buy
several books on publication design for that amount!  But busy executives and
administrative staff might find the convenience well worth it.
     Publish By Design requires 512K RAM, hard drive, and EGA or VGA monitor.
A Mac version is also available (it will no doubt avoid the "jaggies" found in
the PC version's text screens).
     Contact Online Computer Systems, Inc., 20251 Century Blvd., Germantown, MD
20874; 800-922-9204; 301-428-3700; fax: 301-428-2903.
                                       #
     David Batterson reviews various PC applications, including graphics and
DTP software.  Contact him via MCI Mail: DBATTERSON.