Review of: |
| Have you ever tried to produce a good-looking document and then been
frustrated by an array of details and pitfalls in creating it? Having been
there many times, I was curious to see what ipublish could offer that would
make document publishing less of a chore.
I had never used any software by Design Intelligence, the makers of ipublish, so I didn't know what to expect. If you are wondering if there is an earlier version of the product, I couldn't really tell you since neither the program's handbook nor any of the Readme files indicated there was. However, one thing that is clear to any first-time user is the user friendly nature of the program. Features like point-and-click, drag-and-drop, easily accessed graphics, simple tab system, and dual screens (one to show your work area, the other to view the changing document ) are real pluses. Like the name implies, the makers of ipublish want to put you, the publisher, in charge. You can select from 11 document types: reports, correspondence, newsletters, fliers, catalogs, brochures, blanks, cover pages, onscreen presentations, web pages, and more documents. Each of these types contain sample templates, so you have many options from which to choose. Simplicity of use and freedom to choose are built in. In fact, since all graphics and text areas have been designed as separate components, you may fill and manipulate them individually within coordinated layouts. If you desire, a customizing feature allows you to create more freely. From my own experience with graphics-based programs like Corel, Print Artist, and PageMaker, I was used to spending a lot of time editing, resizing, placing and rearranging images and text. Even using WordPerfect's simple, customized lines and borders or its text boxes, shapes, and fills can be quite time consuming, especially when anything is added after a first draft has been made. ipublish is different. It automatically rearranges text and image boxes to make the best fit. Or, if that is not possible, it alerts you to change the layout. Layout options are numerous and using them is fast and easy. To get a good idea of program as a whole, I created documents using most of the types provided. Some features really stood out For example, it was quite easy to import graphics. I imported images from other programs, from disks where I had saved them, from the Web, and off my Mustek scanner. ipublish recognizes many kinds of image and textfiles. I had no problem bringing WordPerfect files into ipublish. Of course, you may prefer to compose directly in your document while ipublish is open. I found that this requires getting used to since the window is much smaller. This brings me to another feature that is both a strength and weakness, the split screen. The left half of the screen is used for accessing, viewing, and choosing various working options, like templates. The screen's right half contains the updated work. The problem is trying to see each adequately. I found myself constantly resizing the right half of the screen to see clearly the detail in the document. Often I would have to zoom in on text portions because it showed so small in the full document. What was good was seeing in one screen all of the document at one time. I would recommend that for the most part, text and graphics be gathered, composed, and edited outside ipublish and then imported in. For pictures the program does have a decent cropping tool. It is very easy to use and does an adequate job. Another item that deserves mentioning is the Publishing feature. Besides having the regular desktop printing capability, ipublish allows you to publish your document as an onscreen presentation or web page. Both are very pleasing to the eye and contain standard features like navigation arrows and linked pages. With the Web page tool, the program first creates an HTML version of your document so you can preview it on your computer. A home page is created and your information is split into logical Web pages. This is a very handy service, especially for a lot of people, like me, who not adept at using HTML. So . . . If you are looking for a simple, easy to use desktop publishing program that will get you good looking results in a short time, ipublish is for you. Just be aware that the same things that speed up this program, like templates and coordinated layouts, will restrict the very creative designer. However, for the average person, who is often time frazzled or creatively challenged, this program will be a great help. It is certainly worth checking out. Minimal requirements include: a 486 or faster processor, 16 MB RAM, Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0, 65 MB hard disk space, CD-ROM which is required for installation and Image Gallery, VGA display (SVGA 800x600 resolution, high color recommended), mouse or equivalent pointing device. Installation of ipublish is fast and simple. The manual recommends that for the best connection to the Web and program interfacing you install the Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 that comes on their CD. I can't verify how important this is since I didn't have time to check it out. However, if you go this route, be sure to install Explorer BEFORE you install ipublish. That way you'll avoid possible later conflicts. I used my Netscape Navigator 3.0 and had no problem capturing images off the net and bringing them into my ipublish documents. Availability of ipublish 2.0 is limited to one store in San Antonio -- Computer City. I called seven of the major retailers and they were the only one who had it. Computer City sells ipublish for $89.99. Another option is to go directly to the company, Design Intelligence, Inc., 1111 Third Avenue, Suite 1500, Seattle, WA 98101. They are offering the box version for $99.00 with a $25.00 mail-in rebate. Their phone number is 206-749-2860, or fax them at 206-389-8228. And, yes, you can download it off their Internet site, www.design-intelligence.com. It will cost you $89.00 with the $25.00 mail-in rebate included, but you won't get a manual. That's $9.95 extra. You can try the electronic version free for 30 days. The box version comes with ipublish 2.0 on CD-ROM; Image Gallery containing over 1,000 free high-quality images, including photos, clip art, symbols, and maps; direct access to additional clip art from ipublishLive.com, an online publishing resource; free 30-day trial subscription to Art Today, a premier online gallery; over 40 professional-quality fonts; Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0; 30 days free access to SPRYNET Internet Access Service; printed ipublish handbook; comprehensive online Help and newly designed QuickStart tutorial. Terry Flannery has taught English in San Antonio schools for 21 years. Presently, he is an adjunct faculty member at Palo Alto College. Also, he is owner of a small printing business specializing in foil print. He has worked with computers for about 15 years. His computer interests include text and graphics based programs. email: terryflannery@juno.com |