Self-Publishing Software
Publishing software gives you economy and creative control. Manage text, images and graphics easily with publishing software. Many versatile and sophisticated publishing software programs exist, but the Serif Page Plus Starter Edition offers a free download at serif.com which incorporates all of the essential publishing features utilized in more expensive publishing software programs like Adobe InDesign, the industry standard, which retails for about $559.00 U.S. dollars as of 2010.
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Adobe InDesign CS4
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As of 2010, the Adobe InDesign CS4 has been considered the industry standard for self-publishing software. It is part of Adobe's CS4 creative suite. This high profile software incorporates multiple programs designed to interface seamlessly such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat and Dreamweaver. This software enables you to create top-notch, professional publishing content with text, graphics, and sound. It is more expensive and requires more study to use than simpler publishing software programs.
Top 5 Publishing Software Picks
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The top 5 publishing software programs as of 2010 are Page Plus, the complete version of which retails for $79.99 (or, as previously mentioned you can get the free beginners version at Serif.com), Print Artist (for $49.95), The Print Shop Professional (for $69.95), or Microsoft Publisher (for $169.99).
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Quality Programs Give Multiple Options
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Self-publishing software should give the user multiple options in a simple, understandable format. A quality program should give multiple options for creating different types of projects. It should be useful to you for a variety of projects for time to come; otherwise, it soon becomes obsolete.
Quality Means User-Friendly
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A quality self-publishing software program must be simple and useful. If a program offers you many extraneous bells and whistles that you don't need, or can't figure out how to use, it is not going to serve you well. Different programs have different learning curves. Adobe InDesign is considered the most advanced and high profile self-publishing software, and it is also the most expensive and the hardest to learn. Ideally, you should not have to consult a technician or manual too often.
Managing Imagery
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Good software handles imagery well. A superior self-publishing software program should offer multiple options for the editing and placement of photos and graphics within the text. Some publishing software handles text well, but not images. Other programs manage imagery well, but offer few text options. Ideally, you want a program that does both because most projects contain text and imagery.
Printing and Sharing Capacity
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A publishing software program should give you a variety of options for printing and sharing your files. It is crucial to have a program with a good printing and sharing capacity so that you can distribute your work in both a computer file and hard copy format.
Technical Support
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Easy answers The publishing software you select should have an online technical support link as well as a help option within the program. Like anything new, you will have many questions. You need quick, efficient answers to make timely and satisfying progress.
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References
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- Photo Credit desktop clutter image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com Photographer on Beach taking a photograph with a tripod image by mikep from Fotolia.com help image by Renato Francia from Fotolia.com
