Desktop Publishing, PCs, and the Internet

AGED 401V

Desktop PublishingDesktop Publishing

Less than 20 years old, desktop publishing has been the industry standard for about 10 years.

The two most popular desktop publishing programs are PageMaker and Quark

The skill of desktop publishing is useful in many communications and education professions:

Graphic designer, photographer, writer, editor, publisher, Web designer, public relations officer, marketing specialist, educator, sales representative, and many more.

Computer Anatomy and Terminology

Computer Anatomy and Terminology

Why you need to understand your PCYour technology needs to match your printer’s

technologyYour system must be able to support your softwareThe information in your system is valuable and

expensive, and you must know how to protect itYou must be able to communicate with computer

salespeople and technicians

Computer Anatomy and Terminology, cont’d

Computer Anatomy and Terminology, cont’d

MonitorSize and resolution (pixels per inch) and color quality are keyColor calibration is a must

CPU (base unit)Processing speed, RAM, and storage space are key

Storage devices and peripheral devicesFloppy drive, Zip drive, and CD-RW are necessaryFlatbed scanner and laser printer are necessary

Computer Anatomy and Terminology, cont’d

Computer Anatomy and Terminology, cont’d

Network accessIn office settings, computers are commonly

connected to a LANInternet access is necessary for most designers

E-mailWWW accessFTP capabilities

Designers require fast internet connections because they normally work with large, high-res files

Using Graphics from the Web

Using Graphics from the Web

Web graphics = 72 dots per inch (dpi)Print graphics = 266 dpi or betterThe electronic file for a cover photo could be as

large as 50-60 MBLow-res files in a print publication = amateur

Using Graphics from the Web, cont’d

Using Graphics from the Web, cont’d

Some web sites exist that provide high resolution graphics for publication designers

Most charge for using their graphicsMany photographers sell stock photography on

their Web sites

SummarySummary

Publication designers must be near experts with their PCs

They must be able to speak the language and put together and maintain a system that works well

They must know how to use the internet to work efficiently

They must recognize pitfalls inherent in using the Web for information and graphics