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$129.00 US Dollars ($99.00 Upgrade Price)
One of the most important functions in computing is the ability to create documents. While word processors are perfect for composing and editing text, they cannot be considered viable substitutes for a full fledged layout program. Even the casual end user at some point will see the limitations, as well as frustrations, of trying to create complex documents using only a word processor. Pulling together images and text successfully in even basic documents frequently requires the use of a program devoted to that function.
On the professional side of computing stands QuarkXpress 5 and Adobe Indesign 2 , and to some degree CorelDRAW Suite 11, as the heavy weights in the high end of page layout. The virtue of these types of high end applications is that they allow a considerable amount of control over text and images. They also come with considerable learning curves. As befitting such programs, they are easily outside the price points of most individuals, with the notable exception being CorelDRAW.
For casual end users, and those that simply want to accomplish specific tasks such as creating newsletters, handouts, brochures, and labels expeditiously, applications in this arena may be overkill. The feature sets found here are rich, but not always intuitive. Even the more price conscious CorelDRAW 11, as user friendly as it is, still leans more towards the high end of professional design. Even the all in one Deneba Canvas could be a complex nightmare for those not well versed with its many menus and flyouts. And none of these programs offers a great deal in the way of hand holding or helpful hints while working. Unless you invest the time and effort, the full power of these programs is lost. For those that do not have either the time or interest in such an investment in learning an application, this translates into features under utilized.
The one time high end Adobe Pagemaker is now geared toward the business user and the more casual user with sophisticated needs. What has not been geared towards these markets is price. Clocking in at around $500.00, give or take a few, it is hardly a bargain basement application. What makes it less appealing for new comers to design, or those that just want to get the job done fast, is the fact that it is not a hand holding application. While it is an excellent package in some respects, Pagemaker is long overdue for a major overhaul. While it was once the premier design package, now replaced by Indesign 2, Pagemaker 7 is looking more and more dated.
On the non professional end of computing, the choices in applications are not as large as one might think if value and quality are important concerns. Most such programs are just not that great when it comes to layout. Even the basic ones are so “dumbed down” that they become even more confusing to use since they seldom follow the conventions of standard computing. Somewhere in the rush to create friendly working interfaces, the end product is often just a confusing mélange of elements.
Colorful pictures and spinning icons alone do not make for a pleasant interface. Newcomers to computing need more than anyone applications that are consistent with the operating systems on which they are run. To create a slew of new rules and cute menus is not what is needed when one is entering the world of menus, toolbars and palettes for the first time. In such an effort to create friendly cushy working environments, the result is often a weak underpowered mess.
Filling the gap between high end applications and frequently under powered consumer ones, sits Microsoft Publisher. The advantage that Publisher has always had is integration with Microsoft Office. In this incarnation, Publisher shares a tight integration with Office XP, and in particular with Word. For those that depend on Office, the convenience Publisher offers makes it seem more a companion than an independent application when one uses it frequently.
While I was familiar with Publisher version 3, a great deal has changed since then. The biggest being the overall interface. I was not particularly thrilled with the interface on the older version. It seemed a bit outdated even then and just a little confusing. This time out, Publisher feels more like a professional package, while at the same time offering ease of use. On Windows XP, Publisher takes full advantage of the look and feel of XP, which is a decided plus.
If you are familiar with Office XP, and Word in particular, working your way around is not like walking on unfamiliar ground. Coming to the program with little background in using it, I was able to produce some rather complex documents within minutes. Just as an experiment, I worked with Publisher having read none of the enclosed documentation. What I was surprised by was just how easy and intuitive it For those familiar with Adobe products, or even QuarkXpress, there are some conventions that Publisher adheres to that allow it to perform more like its contemporaries in the high end field than the lower leagues.
In one area, and this is a minor point, is that guidelines operate in a completely different manner than most applications. While the rulers work as rules do in most other programs, creating guidelines requires accessing a menu to do so rather than pulling down guidelines from the ruler bars. Also, moving those guidelines requires a key stroke. This is a bit unusual in that other applications do not require this step. I am not completely sure why this is so. My educated guess is that this is a nod towards consumer ease of use.
In the area of ease of use, Publisher does excel, no pun intended. The need to fumble for hidden menus or palettes that seem to propagate with each use is a non issue with version 2002. Everything is in plain sight. There also seems to be a real attempt at creating a logical arrangement of features that makes it easy to get to the basics. Pictures are contained in boxes, and text is contained as well following the formats used by professional packages. Again, familiarity with other programs does translate here. What is also nice is that for novice users, Publisher takes a lot of the guess work out of design. This is particularly true for existing Office XP and Word users.
The start up time for it is amazingly swift. I was rather stunned it opened this fast ready for action. For those who have migrated to XP, the advantages are obvious. As far as backward compatibility is concerned, version 2002 rolls back to windows 98, but not windows 95.
If working with templates and wizards sounds like design by numbers, or worse yet, amateurish end products, do not fear. Publisher continues in the tradition established early on with verion 3 of offering design solutions that are surprisingly clean. Having looked through the included templates, fonts and other design elements, Microsoft’s approach is comprehensive, as well as contemporary. With entire formatting sets included, taking a document from Word and adding formatting is swift, efficient and professional. The entire template solutions sets here are solid. Even for those “design challenged” Publisher’s solutions to most design situations is substantial.
One of the ways that really works well for Publisher 2002 is the task pane. Like a combination wizard, main menu and all around resource point, the task pane becomes the fulcrum about which various templates and design elements can be found, inserted, and frequently tweaked. Resting to the left of the window when open, it offers a slew of options without being obtrusive. Also available in Publisher is the Assistant as in Office, as well as speech recognition capability.
If one is not satisfied with the solutions Publisher offers, there is a great deal of configurability here. To alter a template, add text or even drop a show, the user is not locked into following design templates without alteration. Again, the task pane is an excellent resource for starting a project when in doubt of where to begin, and is an excellent access point for changes in a document.
If concern with integration with word is an issue, Publisher does so with amazing speed. Text can be imported, altered reformatted with little prep time from Word. The ability to handle text is really one of its stand out points. So much so that after working with Publisher, you start to envision it as a part of Word.
In the area of page layout programs that can also produce documents for the Net, Publisher manages to accomplish that feat rather well. One can create a document within Publisher, save it as an html file and send it to the Web. For those that do not care to handle the complex code of Web pages, and those that want to put simple documents on the Web fast, Publisher offers that ability. Taking advantage of its connection with Office and Windows XP, it is not a surprise that the documents created within Publisher can be viewed within Internet Explorer well. Plus, documents can be re-edited within Publisher and then saved as html. Unlike the rather sloppy Web capabilities of QuarkXpress, Publisher offers a much smoother transition from one format to the next. This is particularly true with reworking an html document.
One feature that some have argued against, and I think this is a preference issue, is how Publisher handles multiple open documents. Like Word, Publisher opens a new window for each open document. So you can have more than one document open at one time in its own window. For me, that same feature in Word makes having multiple copies open a tad easier to navigate. In the case of Publisher, I consider it more of an advantage than a disadvantage.
Since scanned documents are always a concern, Publisher handles scanners rather well. Without having to leave the confines of Publisher, one can gain access to your scanner with little difficulty. Nearly automating the entire process, pulling a document into Publisher is fast, simply and nearly flawless.
Included with the program are two CDs. One CD is devoted to the application, and the other completely to extra media such as clip art images and assorted other items. Also included is a 141 page book that outlines the functions of Publisher. Since online help is comprehensive within the program, the book is more of a primer for how to projects and concepts to help make specific design problems easier to solve.
One area that seems to be really accentuated with Publisher for this rendition are new publishing options with regards to service bureaus. For those that need professional printing tools, Publisher has expanded to accommodate users that are considering much more complex tasks than simply printing from an inkjet. More so than other versions, this one is making a concerted effort to reach users that are serious about multiple copies in situations that extend beyond the home working environment of a laser.
Like Windows XP, and other new Microsoft programs, this one requires activation. If you have online access, activation means basically letting Microsoft know that your application is complete and legal. The entire process is fast, quick and easy. Just consider it one more layer of software protection. There are alternative ways to activate the application should you not have Web access, or prefer not to do so over the Web.
Considering its tight integration with Office XP, Windows XP and its professional look, the program clearly defines its identity as a tool for business users who need to produce documents fast. For those that want professional features, but do not need high end production tools, or care for the high cost that comes with them, Publisher offers a wealth of features and few headaches.
To total it all up, Publisher is one of the brighter, if not the brightest, star in page layout for the beginner or the more experienced professional seeking basic answers to various printing needs. For home users that want to create well designed leaflets, CD labels, letterheads and the like, Publisher offers an excellent value. Minus some of the silly frills that some page layout utilizes in this arena, Publisher 2002 manages to provide html tools, basic design features and document formatting at an impressive price with features to spare. If budget concerns, time and other aspects are a concern, Publisher is well suited for its role as a basic design package for professionals who need documents on the fly, and those just getting their feet wet in design.
Below are the basic requirements for Publisher. From my experience, I do recommend that users that wish to get the maximum from the program use Windows XP. While Publisher has tight integration with Office, Publisher is a solid stand alone program that is sold separately.
For those that already have Office XP, this is something of a must have even if you have other applications for design purposes.
My only real suggestion is that you do consider a separate program for photo manipulation. While page layout programs have some features that permit some image management, and Publisher has more than most, it is a good idea to pair Publisher with a program that is devoted to that function.
To use Microsoft Publisher, you need:
* To send rich e-mail, Microsoft Outlooks 2002 or later or Outlook Express 5.0 or later must be the default e-mail client.
**For improvements in Publisher Web site functionality, download the latest Publisher Product Update at http://www.office.microsoft.com/productupdates
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