jds@uncecs.edu (Jane D. Smith) (07/18/90)
Seeking some advice here ... I'm several years out of the loop on trends in publishing, and am asking this on behalf of a small press which publishes paperback outdoor guides - canoeing, kayaking, bicycling, hiking, etc. Traditionally, they have done design & type specs in-house, and used local type shops for typesetting. About 6 months ago they acquired (at no cost; it's a long story) a Mac II, Word, PageMaker & Freehand. They've experimented with both design specs and page layout, and successfully produced a couple of books (PageMaker files sent to local type shop for LaserWriter proofs & final Lino output, using screen fonts from the type shop). They have some complaints about the typographic controls (among other standard typesetting omissions) & format inflexibility in PageMaker, and are considering switching to Quark Express. Neither of the two people who primarily use the Mac are particularly computer literate, and have faced steep learning curves already with the software they have. Any recommendations? Does PageMaker 4.0 match Quark in features? Is there better software/hardware at about the same price? (I've been consulting with them on an informal basis with PageMaker, and have a typesetting background - but I use Macs & Mac apps at work (state gov't, and NC is having a budget crunch, so alas, no money for PM 4.0, so I haven't seen it, nor used Quark, and 'publishing' is a relatively small part of my current job)). A related question: what's their future with the Mac II? They're considering pricing used Mac IIs to get an additional machine, but I don't know what the implications of System 7 might have on suitable (read cost-effective) upgrades for the Mac IIs. Cost is *definitely* a factor in any of their decisions. Thanks for any info you might supply. Please e-mail; I doubt there is general interest in this topic. Jane Smith, Information Services, UNC Educational Computing Service Research Triangle Park, NC Internet: jds@uncecs.edu