DTP and PDF
The biggest advantages of this kind of format are:
• the small file size
• the open standard
• the availability to look at its contents on all platforms with the Acrobat Reader
• the possibility to insert all needed data like the used fonts, all graphics and the colour data (Colour Management) with the Distiller
• the possibility to make a full text search with the Reader
• the possibility to create high quality files for the web, printing, eBooks, etc.
• the possibility of limited editing of its contents relating to the
text with Acrobat
• the possibility to open the graphic files with the program, which made them, with Acrobat
• the possibility to limited the access or functions of the Acrobat, Acrobat Reader and the file, respectively with coding (up to 128 bit)
Generally, the best method to produce a save and error-free PDF file is to create a PostScript file first. But there are also other ways to produce a PDF file:
• over the Adobe PDF Writer
• over the print menu of the PostScript driver (Apple: with the Adobe US printer driver only!)
The method over the PDF Writer is not recommendable because of its low printing quality. It was developed to exchange low resolution files for the monitor only. The method over the printer driver is also not recommendable because of the faulty generated code and its quality of the PDF file compared to the way over the PostScript file.
Open Prepress Interface
OPI is useful for minimizing high-resolution-file travel on networks; their large file size can make traffic screech to a halt. And by utilizing only low-resolution viewfiles on workstations, processing speed is increased. The efficacy of OPI is contingent upon the use on the workstations of OPI-compatible software; many page layout programs are increasingly including support for OPI, although some OPI specifications for color separation haven't been effectively nailed down yet. Although OPI is often compared to DCS, the latter is strictly a color separation protocol, while the former is more of a workflow protocol.
Adobe PageMaker
n 1985, the first DTP program PageMaker came on the market, combined with the first affordable and low-priced Postscript printer. This first version was for Apple computers with their operating systems Mac OS only. Just some years later, a Windows version followed. The developer and manufacturer was Aldus. Meanwhile, it is part of Adobe’s product range. The current version 7.0 is made for business, small-office/ home office (SOHO) and education users to produce professional documents for printing and electronic distributing, like:
• Newsletters
• Reports
• calendars
• basic brochures
• poster
• flyers
• eBooks
The target groups of this software are business people and educators with little or no design experience. It integrates other Adobe software like Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat with import filters. The output formats are:
• Adobe PDF
• HTML
• prepress files
• PageMaker
In order to create documents in a short time, the software package includes additions like:
• Templates for, among others, newsletters, brochures, visiting cards and flyers
• 150 PostScript fonts
• 4700 stock illustrations
• 300 stock photographs
• Acrobat Distiller 5.0 software to create PDF files
The big advantage of PageMaker is its clear comprehensibility which leads to a fast understanding of the handling.
The big disadvantages are:
• only one undo command is possible
• no spreadsheet support
• the Import of Adobe PDF is only possible as a graphic
• the Spell-Checker works in the text mode window only
• generating of bad HTML source code
DTP applications
There is some overlap between desktop publishing and what is known as Hypermedia publishing (i.e. Web design, Kiosk, CD-ROM). Many graphical HTML editors such as Microsoft FrontPage and Adobe Dreamweaver use a layout engine similar to a DTP program. However, some Web designers still prefer to write HTML without the assistance of a WYSIWYG editor and resort to such software, if at all, solely for complex layout that cannot easily be rendered in hand-written HTML code.
There are several different DTP applications to produce professional layouts. They are distinguished by their different functions and manufacturers. Some of them are even from the same manufacturer like the Adobe products PageMaker, Indesign and Framemaker. In
this module, it is impossible to describe all functions and features for each program. For detailed information, visit their web pages. We can only give an overall view relating to their biggest differences. The most popular DTP applications are:
• Adobe PageMaker
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe FrameMaker
• QuarkXPress
Differences of DTPs to Word processors
In the early days of graphical user interfaces, DTP software was in a class of its own when compared to the fairly spartan word processing applications of the time. Programs such as WordPerfect and WordStar were still mainly text-based and offered little in the way of page layout, other than perhaps margins and line spacing. On the other hand, word processing software was necessary for features like indexing and spell checking, features that are today taken for granted.
The possibilities of DTP applications are more powerful than the ones of text processors like Microsoft Word or WordPerfect. The tasks of text processors are, among other things, to register and to save text. The capability of text processors to arrange text is sufficient concerning the printing of these files on a laser- or inkjet printer, but not for extensive documents and professional printouts. Professional printouts are usually made with offset printing. Therefore, any newspaper- or magazine publisher uses a DTP application.
The benefits of DTP applications in comparison with text processors
are:
• WYSIWYG ability (What You See Is What You Get).
• Possibilities to judge the printout (Soft proof).
• More possibilities to manipulate the typography (kerning, spacing)
• Text and pictures are placed in frames.
• Text- and picture frames are objects which can
• More possibilities to design the layout.
• Possibilities to adjust and control the pictures and illustrations
related to their colours (colour management).
• Exact positioning of objects (text, pictures) with the help of grid-
and auxiliary lines.
• Possibility to place objects outside of the document temporarily in
order to use the whole area of the screen.
• Tool palettes to manipulate objects.
As computers and operating systems have become more powerful, vendors have sought to provide users with a single application platform that can meet all needs. Software such as Open Office.org Writer and Microsoft Word offers advanced layouts and linking between documents, and DTP applications have added in common word processor features.
What is DTP?
A wide range of related software tools exist in this field, including many plug-ins and tools related to the applications listed below.
# Adobe InDesign
# Adobe PageMaker, was Aldus Pagemaker
# Adobe Home Publisher, was Aldus Personal Press, was Silicon Beach Personal Press
# Advanced Print Publisher, formerly the 3B2 Publishing System
# QuarkXPress
# FrameMaker, now owned by Adobe
# iCalamus for Mac OS X
# Impression Publisher – RISC OS
# Interleaf/QuickSilver
# MemoryPress – DTP that allows online collaboration
# Microsoft Publisher
# Microsoft Word 2008 – This Word release contains a DTP mode
# OvationPro – RISC OS
# PagePlus SE (External link: http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PagePlus/)
# Pages
# PageStream, formerly known as Publishing Partner
# Prince XML, by YesLogic
# Print Explosion, by Nova Development
# Print Shop, originally produced by Broderbund
# RagTime
# Ventura Publisher, now owned by Corel and originally developed by Ventura Software
# Xclamation
# UltraXML, XML Dynamic Publishing Solution
# Print MIS (http://www.printmis.com), Solution provider for the printing industry
# Business Builder for Print (http://www.systems4print.co.uk
Macintosh Networking
Volumes are made up of a series of folders containing network files. Apple’s LocalTalk topology transmits data at 230kbps. Workstations are cabled using twisted pair cabling which runs into a
connection box and is in turn connected to a peripheral or another workstation. AppleTalk supports a number of different network topologies including Ethernet, Toke ring and its own LocalTalk. EtherTalk adapts AppleTalk to an Ethernet topology. EtherTalk network interface cards are installed in the workstations, which are then connected by either co-axial or twisted
pair cabling to the Ethernet hardware. TokenTalk is a similar system that adapts.
About TCP/IP
communications between computers all over the world, and access to data and applications at geographically scattered sites (including the World Wide Web)
* Intranets, which make information readily visible via a browser to users of a LAN or WAN, such as within a single corporation
* Extranets, which share data between users within a group of companies, for example a supplier may create an Extranet with its major customers to facilitate sharing of information
* Private networks: LANs and WANs where data is shared and e-mails are exchanged between members of a single organisation
* Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) where remote users can be given access rights to make a dial-in connection via modem to the resources of a private network (usually protected by encryption).
The wide use of TCP/IP means that you will need to understand the essentials of this group of protocols when installing and
maintaining networked machines.
Protection from computer viruses
triggered by certain events such as a time or date, or the user executing a program. RAM
viruses are particularly destructive because every program that is executed will pass on
the virus. The most widespread solution to viruses is preventative software. Preventative software checks for viruses before software is executed and is usually able to destroy the virus once detected. Virus detection software needs to be updated frequently as new viruses are created and identified. In order to prevent the spread of viruses, good practice dictates that only the System Administrator can load files onto the network. Care must be taken not to expose customer sites to risk of viruses.
Network security
# maintaining data integrity
# securing the LAN from unauthorized access
# securing the LAN from computer viruses
# ensuring the availability of network components and access.
Because security is a primary concern and responsibility of network managers, you will not normally be given direct access to network settings and configurations when working on network printer installations.
Data integrity
The protection of a network’s data resource is achieved in a number of ways:
# by the use of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) to allow the network and servers long enough to keep running through minor power outages and to shut down gracefully during long outage
# by providing redundant hardware, including redundant hard drives, so that secondary systems can take over in the event of the failure of the primary system
# by regular backups of data, so that in the event of a loss of integrity data can be restored with a minimum of lost work.
Protection from unauthorized access
Most networks have a system allowing access to only authorised users. Security systems can
allocate rights such as access to resources like applications, printers, directories and specific files. Normal security requires that users have a unique ID and password to access network resources. If an organisation wishes to grant an external user access to the network, a user ID and password will have to be issued, for a limited period of time.
Wireless Networks
Bluetooth
Bluetooth wireless technology is a specification for short-range radio links between mobile PCs, mobile phones and other portable devices. It can be used for both voice and data and operates in a globally available frequency band. Bluetooth is the result of a collaboration
between 9 major communications and computing corporations (3Com, Ericsson, Intel, IBM, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia and Toshiba). This has made it an industry standard which is being rapidly adopted by other manufacturers.
Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
The Infrared Data Association (IrDA) is a trade association of more than 150 computer and
telecommunications hardware and software suppliers, including Hewlett-Packard, Apple
Computer, AST, Compaq, Dell, IBM, Intel, Microsoft, Motorola, Novell, and others.
The IrDA standard allows devices to communicate with each other via an infrared port running at up to 115.2 Kbps. IrDA ports can be created by attaching an infrared adapter (such as the Adaptec AIRport) to a serial or parallel port. IrDA provides a universal standard for LAN connections, peripherals, telephones and for communicating with other devices such as
digital cameras and kitchen appliances.
Printing Options For a Microsoft Word Document Template
In the third of this article series on how to set up a technical document template by using Microsoft Word we'll explain the various printing options you can choose from to print your MS Word technical document.
While your document template is open, select File > Page Setup to display the Page Setup dialog box.
Click and select the PAPER tab.
Click PRINT OPTIONS button to display the PRINT tab and the print options available. This is the same dialog box that you can also reach by selecting File > Print and then selecting the Options button from the main menu.
DRAFT OUTPUT option, when selected, will print a fast and low-quality draft copy with no images. The blocks where the images are located will appear as blank spots.
I recommend you select the UPDATE FIELDS and UPDATE LINKS options to make sure you have the latest values for the date and time fields as well as the most current document links before your document is printed.
BACKGROUND PRINTING option, selected by default, allows you to continue working while a long document is sent to printer and printed on the "background."
PRINT POSTSCRIPT OVER TEXT option, when selected, prints any PostScript-coded document components (like the watermark, for example) on top of the body text, instead of underneath it.
REVERSE PRINT ORDER option, when selected, reverses the print order of the pages; prints the last page first and the first page last.
XML TAGS option, when selected, prints all the XML tags in your document, whether they are normally visible or not.
BACKGROUND COLORS and IMAGES option, when selected, prints any background images or colors (like in a watermark) underneath the body next.
FIELD CODES and HIDDEN TEXT options, when selected, print any field codes and hidden texts that you might not want printed normally. NOTE: If you do not select it, the CONTENT of the field code will still print without, however, printing the field code itself.
DOCUMENT PROPERTIES option, when selected, prints ( as a new section at the end of the Word document) all the information you have entered into the DOCUMENT PROPERTIES dialog box by selecting File > Properties from the main menu.
NOTE: If you enter more than one Comments field through selecting Insert > Field from the main menu, all comments will print in the main body of the document but only the LAST comment will be printed in the Document Properties block.
Click OK when you're done with the printing options to return to the PAPER tab.
Click OK once again to close the Page Setup dialog box.