The Kleper Report on Digital Publishing - Issue 2.5, June/July 1997

The Kleper Report on Digital Publishing
Issue 2.5, June/July 1997

This issue of KDP is sponsored by:

Contents


Webucation: Web Links for Digital Publishing Training and Education

by Professor Michael Kleper <mkleper@printerport.com>

In my last column I listed several of the ways in which computer users can keep their technical skills up-to-date. As a follow-up to that listing, here are Web links that provide access to information on several kinds of training resources. If you have additions or suggestions please send them to mkleper@printerport.com.

* Train the trainer

Internet Train the Trainer Web Links http://www.wmrls.org/links.html

Pegasystems Inc.: Train the Trainer http://www.pega.com/course7.html

Ridge Associates, Inc.: Train the Trainer http://www.ridge.com/TTT.html

Tom Snyder Productions: Train the Trainer Programs http://www.teachtsp.com/profdev/ttt.html

Trainer Search http://www.trainingconsortium.com/search.html

Training Providers http://www.tregistry.com/ttr/home.htm

* Consultants

CAP Ventures: Print-on-Demand Training Programs http://www.napl.org/forum/capvtrai.html

Computer Consultant Directory http://www.internet-mall.com/3cmptrcnsltnts.html

Electric-Pages http://www.electric-pages.com/

Imerge Consultants http://www.imergeconsult.com/

Loop Enterprise Inc. http://www.pentserv.com/loop

MacPro America http://www.macproa.com/

Prime Source Corporation http://www.primesource.com

Rich Spair http://members.aol.com/richspair

The Cole Group http://www.colegroup.com/Home_pages/Cole_Group.html

The Diamond Group http://www.diamondp.com

Tom Ruley Graphic Consulting http://www.tomruley.com/

* Training to go

Leboe & Grice Multimedia Advertising Inc. http://www.vigilant.bc.ca/leboe/lgtrain.html

Training Courses http://www.tregistry.com/ttr/topics.htm

* College courses

Academy of Art College http://www.academyart.edu/

Art Center College of Design http://www.artcenter.edu/

Bowling Green State University http://www.bgsu.edu/studentlife/organizations/vcto/VCT_Major.html

Cal Poly, Graphic Communication Department http://www.grc.calpoly.edu

Cornell http://www.graphics.cornell.edu/

De Anza College Graphic Design and Computer Arts http://wwwdeanza.fhda.edu/GDCA/gd.html

Ferris State University http://graphicarts.ferris.edu/

Graphic Arts Institute http://www.gai.org/

North Dakota State College http://members.aol.com/ndscsga/index.html

Queensland School of Printing & Graphic Arts http://www2.eis.net.au/~sm-art/comtrn1.html

RIT: School of Printing Management and Sciences http://www.rit.edu/~spms/

The Department of Printing at West Virginia University http://wvit.wvnet.edu/printing/

The Institute of Paper Science and Technology http://www.ipst.edu/

* Adult and continuing education

Minneapolis College of Art and Design http://www.mcad.edu/academic/continuing.ed/cs.general.html

Printing Industries of New England Evening Classes http://www.pine.org/html/depts/edu/eduhome.html

Stanford Alumni Association http://www-leland.stanford.edu/~smains/

* Conferences and conventions

Calendar of Events http://www.trainingconsortium.com/calendar.shtml

Calendar of Printing Industry Events http://www.napco.com/pi/events.html

NPES http://www.npes.org/npescal.html

On Demand Digital Printing & Publishing Conference and Expo http://www.expocon.com/

PrePress Main Street http://www.prepress.pps.com/mem/show/ConventionCtr.html

Seybold Seminars Online http://www.seyboldseminars.com/

The Graphic Arts Show Company http://www.gasc.org/home2.htm

* Professional organizations and associations

American Institute of Graphic Arts http://www.aiga.org/

Association for Suppliers of Printing and Publishing Technologies http://www.npes.org/

Association of Graphic Communications http://www.agcomm.org/

Canadian Printing Industries Association http://www.capitalnet.com/~printing/

Corporate Design Foundation http://www.cdf.org/

Digital Printing and Imaging Association http://www.dpia.org/

Education Council of the Graphic Arts Industry, Inc. http://www.npes.org/industry.html#education

Graphic Arts Association http://www.gaa1900.com/

International Association of Printing House Craftsmen http://www.iaphc.org/

International Digital Imaging Association http://pwr.com/idia/

International Prepress Association http://www.ipa.org/

International Reprographic Association (IRgA) http://www.irga.com/

NAPL Professional Development Programs http://www.napl.org/about/seminars.html

National Association of Litho Clubs http://www.graphicarts.org/

National Association of Quick Printers http://www.naqp.org/

Pacific Printing and Imaging Association http://www.ppi-assoc.org/

Printing & Imaging Association Mountain States http://www.sni.net/piams/

Printing and Imaging Association of Texas http://www.piatexas.org/

Printing Association of Florida http://pwr.com/printpaf/

Printing Industries of America - Texas http://www.azone.net/pia-texas/

Printing Industries of America. Inc. http://www.printing.org/

Printing Industries of Maryland http://www.printmd.com/

Printing Industries of New England http://www.pine.org/

Printing Industries of Northern California http://www.pincnet.com/

Society of Publication Designers http://www.spd.org/

The Center for Digital Imaging http://www.sgia.org/cdi.html

The Design Council http://www.design-council.org.uk/

The Graphic Arts Education and Research Foundation http://teched.edtl.vt.edu/gcc/HTML/GAERF.html

The Graphic Arts Technical Foundation http://www.gatf.lm.com/

The National Association of Printers and Lithographers http://www.napl.org/

The Printing and Graphic Communications Association http://www.pgca.org/

The Printing Industry of the Carolinas (PICA) http://www.picanet.org/

The Society for Imaging Science & Technology http://www.imaging.org

Type Directors Club http://users.aol.com/typeclub/index.html

WorkPLACE® (Work-related Print Learning And Career Enhancement) http://www.napl.org/about/wkplace.html

Xplor International - The Electronic Document Systems Association http://www.xplor.org//index.html

* User groups

Apple User Group Master Listing http://www.apple.com/Documents/UserGroups.html

Arizona Macintosh Users Group http://www.amug.org/

Atlanta Macintosh Users Group http://www.atlmug.org/

Berkeley Macintosh Users Group http://www.bmug.org/

Capital PC User Group http://cpcug.org/

Golden Gate Computer Society http://www.ggcs.org/

New York MacUsers' Group http://www.nymug.org/

New York PC Users Group http://www.catalog.com/cgibin/var/nypc/index.htm

San Francisco PC Users Group http://www.sfpcug.org/

Stanford Palo Alto Users Group for PC http://www.mediacity.com/~spaug/

Stanford/Palo Alto Macintosh User Group http://www.mediacity.com/~smug/

The PC/Mac Users Group http://www.thug.com/

User Group Connection http://www.ugconnection.org/

* Web resources

Globalprint http://www.globalprint.com/english/other.html#Training

PrintUSA http://www.printusa.com/

Training Consortium http://www.trainingconsortium.com/index1.html

ZDNet University http://www.zdu.com

* Books

Abacus http://www.abacuspub.com/

Adobe Press http://www.adobe.com/adobepress/main.html

Allyn & Bacon http://www.abacon.com/

AP Professional http://www.apnet.com/approfessional/

Delmar Publishers http://www.desktopcafe.com/

Desktop Publishing Books http://desktopPublishing.com/dtpbooks.html

Harcourt Brace http://www.harcourtbrace.com/

Hayden http://www.mcp.com/hayden/index.html

Macmillan Publishing http://www.mcp.com/

maranGraphics http://www.maran.com/

McGraw-Hill http://www.computing.mcgraw-hill.com/

MIS Press http://www.mispress.com/

Peachpit Press http://www.peachpit.com/

Prentice Hall http://www.prenhall.com/

Que Digital Bookshelf http://www.superlibrary.com/que/bookshelf/

Simon and Schuster http://www.superlibrary.com/

Sybex http://www.sybex.com/

The Coriolis Group http://www.coriolis.com/coriolis/

The Waite Group Press http://www.mcp.com/waite/

* Magazines and other Publications

3D Artist http://www.3dartist.com/

Adobe Magazine http://www.adobemag.com/

Canadian Printer http://www.mhbizlink.com/printer/

Color Publishing http://www.pennwell.com/colorpub.html

Communication Arts http://www.commarts.com/index.html

Computer Artist http://www.pennwell.com/compart.html

Computer Graphics World http://www.cgw.com/

Digital Creativity http://www.mediacentral.com/Magazines/DCMag/dchome.html

Digital Output http://www.digitalout.com/

Digital Printing Report http://www.isc.rit.edu/~spmswww/frank/dpreport.htm

Electronic Publishing http://www.pennwell.com/elecpub.html

Fuji In the Frame Magazine http://home.fujifilm.com/frame/index.html

Imaging Magazine http://www.imagingmagazine.com/

New Media http://www.hyperstand.com/NewMedia/newmedia.html

Photo Electronic Imaging http://www.peimag.com/

Printing Impressions http://www.napco.com/pi/pi1.html

Publish http://www.publish.com/

Serif: The Magazine of Type and Typography http://www.quixote.com/serif/

Worldwide Graphics http://www.suba.com/~wwgraph/

ZD Net http://www3.zdnet.com/

*Libraries and Collections

The Carey Collection http://wally.rit.edu/cary/

The Goudy International Center for Font Technology and Asthetics http://www.rit.edu/~goudyctr/goudycenter.html

* Videos

Candico http://www.bccom.com/candico/training/videos/desktop.html

CDi Communications http://www.netwind.com/books/tapes/compds.html

LearnKey www.learnkey.com

Montage Inc. http://www.montagepro.com/

Training on Video http://www.trainonvideo.com/

ViaGrafix http://www.ViaGrafix.com/

Video Projects, Inc. http://www.intermountain.com/~quickvid/

* CD-ROM tutorials

Adobe Classroom in a CD http://www.adobe.com/supportservice/learningres/courseware.html

CompuLearn Computers http://www.compulearn.net/

E & A Software training http://www.eno.com/

Page One Design http://www.page1design.com/pageone/

Personal Training Systems http://www.ptst.com/

Virtual Training Company (VTC) / VTC http://www.vtco.com/

*Training Companies

Acme http://www.gus.com/acme/

Acquired Knowledge Inc. http://www.acquiredknowledge.com

Alpha Train Corp. http://www.alphatrain.com

Berkeley Corporation http://www.berkeleytraining.com

Caxton Inc. http://www.caxton-inc.com

City Desktop http://www.cd.com.au/training/dtp.html

CMS Computer Training - Desktop Publishing Courses http://www.lewisham.gov.uk/lewcomp/pcdtp.html

Compu-Ed 2000, Inc. http://www.atlguide.com/compued/

Cyber Solutions Inc. http://www.cyber-solutions.com

Digital Arts and Graphics, Inc. http://www.digitalag.com/training.html

Digital Design Laboratories http://DDLabs.com/

Digital Training & Designs http://www.digitrain.com

Digital Training and Designs http://www.digitrain.com/

Educom http://www2.eis.net.au/~sm-art/comtrn1.html

EEI Communications http://www.eeicom.com/training

Epublish http://www.epublish.com/

Future Media Concepts, Inc. http://www.fmctraining.com

Gestalt Systems http://www.gestalt-sys.com

HCS Training Centers http://www.hcsonline.com/

Infodata Systems Inc. http://www.infodata.com

InfoGrafix http://www.infografix.com/training.htm

Integrated Technologies, Inc. http://www.intech.com

Knowledge Alliance http://www.kalliance.com

Koster Associates Inc. http://www.he.net/~koster

Lazer-Fare Media Services Ltd. http://www.lazerfare.mb.ca

LearnKey http://www.learnkey.com

MacSpecialists http://www.macspecialists.com

Mentor Training http://www.mentortraining.com

National TechTeam, Inc. http://www.nationaltechteam.com

New Horizons Computer Learning http://www.newhorizons.com

Pioneer Training http://www.ptraining.com/index.html

PrimeSource Corporation http://www.primesource-south.com

Productivity Point http://www.propoint.com

Publishing Arts http://www.publishingarts.com/PA/training.shtml

Solutions http://newcitymedia.com/solutions/

The Centre for Internet and Multimedia Development International http://www.cimdi.com

The Iconoclass http://www.iconoclass.com

TJP&A - Electronic Publishing Training and Consulting http://www.tjpa.com/

Video Symphony Entertaining Inc. http://www.videosymphony.com

* Vendor-sponsored training and events

Adobe Solutions http://www.adobe.com/solutions.html

Agfa http://www.agfahome.com/

Apple Computer Inc. http://www.apple.com

Heidelberg Linotype-Hell Training http://www.linotype-hell.com/services.htm#TRAIN

Kodak Digital Learning Center http://www.kodak.com/daiHome/DLC/

Xerox Training http://www.xerox.com/services/training.htm


Productivity Reviews

ClarisWorks 4.0 Internet Edition (MAC/WIN)

Claris has bundled their office productivity suite, ClarisWorks 4.0, with software solutions for accessing the Internet, and with Claris Home Page 2.0, for Web authoring. ClarisWorks, which was rated easier to learn, and a better value than Microsoft Office in a Dataquest study, incorporates word processing, database, spreadsheets, drawing, and graphics features.

The bundle provides platform-specific solutions for easy Internet access - Apple Internet Connection Kit for Macintosh and Netscape Navigator for Windows 95, and The ABC's of the Internet and Internet Yellow Pages books on CD-ROM for finding information on the Web.

ClarisWorks, which has almost four million users worldwide, and incorporates new time-saving automation features such as ExpressStyle (which lets users instantly format text, paragraphs, graphics, outlines, and tables), FastReport (which speeds data navigation and reporting) and ReadyArt Libraries (which supports the storage and organization of hundreds of frequently-used images). These and other updates comprise over 100 new program features. One of those features is the HTML translator, which provides an easy way to create and read WWW documents. $129

Claris, 5201 Patrick Henry Drive, Box 58168, Santa Clara, CA 95052-8168, 408 987-7000, 800-3-CLARIS, 408 727-8227, http://www.claris.com.

Typing Instructor Deluxe (WIN)

Typing Instructor Deluxe is a CD-based self-instruction program for learning or enhancing keyboarding skills. It is aimed at professionals as well as young learners. The program uses a clever travel theme, using an airport lobby as the main screen, the White Courtesy Phone for help, The Guided Tour, which shows the program's main sections, and the In-flight Movies, which present the history of typing, tips on keyboarding speed and accuracy improvement, and stress reducing exercises. The lobby also holds the Magazine Rack, with practice text from over 300 books, magazine articles, and short stories.

The program boasts many unique features, including: key and finger location assistance; over 20 musical selections to listen to while typing, along with the capability to import personal music favorites (music is used to develop typing rhythm); lessons are suggested according to the skills of the individual (and are retained for review and to show progress); feedback is provided in the form of progress reports, accuracy and WPM scores, and strengths and weaknesses associated with key, finger, hand, and row; five games are included to challenge users of all ages; videos, photos, animation and sound are used to enhance the learning experience; and the user can create customized typing tests or can download additional practice material from the Individual Software Web site. $29.95

Individual Software Inc., 5870 Stoneridge Drive, #1, Pleasanton, CA 94588, 510 734-6767, 800 822-3522, http://www.individualsoftware.com, fax: 510 734-8337.


Addition / Extension Reviews

Test Strip (MAC)

Test Strip is a production tool in the form of a Photoshop plug-in that extends and enhances the Photoshop Variations option. Variations is a tool that provides a small sample of an image, surrounded by variations in color. What Test Strip does is offer the user a more sophisticated and controllable interface for viewing and printing multiple image samples that represent user-selected variations (variations as small as 1%).

Just as Photoshop has implemented many of the methods and procedures used by professional photographers, Test Strip, as the name implies, provides test strips which are similar to those commonly used by imaging technicians. The use of multiple strips provides either a soft (on-screen) or hard (printed) proof (Iris, 3M Rainbow, MatchPrint, dye-sub, Fiery, NovaJet, etc.) that offers the range of color that can be generated from a given image. The capability to visually compare calibrated strips makes it easier to determine the best color reproduction that can be obtained. Test strips are used by photographers to show a range of exposures on a single small strip of paper, which is faster and less expensive to produce.

The Test Strip environment makes it easier for both the Photoshop operator and the customer to see the color that the system is capable of producing. Because it is visual and comparative, it makes it relatively simple to determine the settings that will make the best graphic reproduction. The variations produced on a single proof can eliminate the need for several proofing cycles, a fact that can easily justify the cost of the program in a high quality electronic prepress shop.

The program incorporates correction modes for balancing color, exposure, saturation, and the adjustment of one color. In addition, the screen can be set to display the original image on one half of the screen, and the modified version on the other. The changes made to an image can be saved to a Task List and retained for reuse. In addition, the built-in densitometer can be used to measure RGB or CMYK values. $149

Vivid Details, 8228 Sulphur Mountain Road, Ojai, CA 93023, 805 646-0217, http://www.vividdetails.com, fax: 805 646-0021.


CD-ROM Reviews

Adobe PageMill 2.0 VTC Training CD (MAC/WIN)

VTC has refined the delivery of training via CD-ROM to the extent that one would have to seriously question the continued validity of the printed page. One of their latest titles, Adobe PageMill 2.0, covers the operation and use of the program with crystal clarity, and, like all titles in their series, it provides the user with the option of practicing immediately what he or she has learned by running the application in the background.

PageMill 2.0 provides second generation Web page construction tools, each of which is demonstrated through narrated movies, which show how each function works and/or relates to other operations in the production cycle. Users can follow the tutorials in order, or view them randomly. Of great benefit is the option of stopping any QuickTime movie and reviewing a segment immediately. There is also a continuous play button, so that users can view the entire sequence without interruption or user involvement. The program maintains a record of the sections which the user has completed, so that it is apparent where the user left off at the end of their last session.

This CD, like several others in the series, is narrated by Mark Vernon, president of VTC. Mark shows through his relaxed, yet expert style, that he is intimately familiar with each of the PageMill capabilities. This is the kind of training we would like to see provided by the software publishers themselves. If they can't produce it they should be pointing their customers to VTC. $49.95

VTC, 2328E Walsh Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95051, 408 492-1051, 888-TRAIN-CD, http://vtco.com, email: mark@vtco.com.

CRW4001 CD Rewritable (ALL)

The Yamaha CRW4001, based on phase change technology, combines CD-Record capability (4X) with CD-Rewrite capability (2X) with a simple change of media. Both forms of media can be read at 6X. Pricing for this exceptional device has not yet been set.

Yamaha Systems Technology, Inc., 100 Century Center Court, San Jose, CA 95112, 408 467-2300, http://www.yamaha.com, fax: 408 437-8791.

HotBlocks (MAC/WIN)

Hot Blocks is a unique cross-platform CD-ROM collection of over 100 high resolution images comprised of individual metal and wood type characters, as well as typographic collages. Images are provided as either RGB TIFF or RGB JPEG, in low and high resolutions. $149.99

Image Club Graphics, Suite 800 - 833 Fourth Avenue Southwest, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3T5, 800 661-9410, Internet: rsixto@adobe.com, http://www.imageclub.com, fax: 403 261-7013.

Hynoclips Clip Art, Volumes 1 & 2 (MAC/WIN) (*)

Hypnoclips is a set of two CD-ROMs, each containing 500 EPS format images for Macintosh and PC. The images are all derived from letterpress advertising cuts produced from the 1920's through the 1950's, and retain the classic appearance of the period. Each CD includes an image catalog with a run-time search engine (Fetch). $179.99 each, or both for $299.99.

Screen Shot: http://www.printerport.com/kdp/issues/art/v2n5hyp.gif

Image Club Graphics, Suite 800 - 833 Fourth Avenue Southwest, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 3T5, 800 661-9410, Internet: rsixto@adobe.com, , fax: 403 261-7013.

ResumeMaker Deluxe CD (MAC/WIN)

ResumeMaker Deluxe CD packs an impressive complement of job seeking expertise and job finding aids into one program. It provides all of the following: a resume creator, guided letter support, a word processor, contact manager, calendar and scheduler, activity list, career planner, virtual interview, winning-edge workshop and expert advisor (expert advice presented in on-screen videos), and more.

The guided resume maker, leads the job seeker through the process of creating professional resumes, designed to suit focused needs (management, students, computer professionals, academics, etc.), and presented in a choice of formats and layouts. The Guided Letters feature practically writes the letters itself since it offers prewritten paragraphs, and prompts the user for the information necessary to customize the correspondence. The Virtual Interview shows an interviewer on-screen asking the kinds of questions that are likely to be encountered. The user can practice a response and then view how best to answer each question, and the reasons why these answers are most appropriate.

In addition, the user can post their resume at every major resume bank on the Web, and send their resumes with any MAPI compliant e-mail program. $39.95

Individual Software Inc., 5870 Stoneridge Drive, #1, Pleasanton, CA 94588, 510 734-6767, 800 822-3522, http://www.individualsoftware.com, fax: 510 734-8337.

World PhotoPack (ALL) (*)

The Home@Office World PhotoPack collection contains over 3000 24-bit, 72 dpi professional photos, in TIFF format, on six cross-platform CD-ROMs. The royalty and license free images represent pictures from over 40 countries which have been cross-indexed against 22 categories. Free image browsers are provided for easy image access. An incredible bargain. $19.99

Screen Shot: http://www.printerport.com/kdp/issues/art/v2n5wor.gif

Aztech New Media Corp., 1 Scarsdale Road, Don Mills, Ontario, CN M3B 2R2, 888 820-8324, 800 494-4787, http://www.aztech.com. fax: 416 449-1058.


Internet Reviews

WebBurst (MAC/WIN)

As Mac OS users eagerly await a Java VM that will bring them up to par with NT, the tools for creating applets are becoming increasingly sophisticated. While Java was intended to give platform independence to programmers, programs like WebBurst allow end users to use Java as a cross-platform development environment for multimedia.

WebBurst is a frame-based multimedia environment complete with sprites, buttons, layers, actions, and variables. The program is simple to use and requires no knowlege of Java or even HTML.

After going through the concise tutorial, one can easily create interactive multimedia content and put it on the web as a Java applet. Advanced features allow conditional banching, forms, clicks, and links. You can even call other Java classes from within a WebBurst applet.

While Java on the Mac has a way to come, WebBurst is an effective way of producing cross-platform multimedia content. The program is well-targeted towards end users but is flexible enough for complex applets. $299.

Contact: PowerProduction Software. 1233 Hermosa Avenue, Suite 302. Hermosa Beach, CA 90254. http://www.powerproduction.com

Claris Emailer 2.0 (MAC)
Just as other email programs were beginning to catch up, Claris recently released 2.0 of its Emailer package. The new version contains several new features including:

- a new layout somewhat reminiscent of Eudora - a new database format that speeds of the program immensely - color-coding of multiple levels of quotes - unlimited signatures and accounts - easier keyboardnavigation - enhanced support for AppleScript

While Emailer 2.0 contains more features than the average user is likely to need, the program is very intuitive and easy to configure. The complexity is well-hidden and the new features make 2.0 a significant upgrade. A demo version of Claris Emailer is available from the Claris home page (see below). $49.

Contact: Claris Corp. http://www.claris.com

GoLive CyberStudio (MAC)
As HTML editors proliferated, it seemed like every new editor was merely the extension of an existing concept. HTML Editors tended to look like either word processors or page layout programs. Neither metaphor seemed to work very well. For an HTML editor to be truly useful, it needs to break from existing conventions and be designed from the ground up for web page development.

GoLive CyberStudio is an excellent example of how breaking with the past can lead to a better product. Even at its core, CyberStudio is different from most editors. The program stores its files in normal HTML, ensuring that pages will appear the same in the browser as they do in the editor. CyberStudio also caters to all levels of web designers. Raw HTML coding, visual layout, frame-based layout, and outline-based coding are all available as methods of creating a page. At any time, you can easily switch between views or preview the page.

CyberStudio's interface alone is worth mention. It doesn't look like a word processor -- it's much more than that. The interface was obviously designed from the ground up with a web designer's needs in mind. A floating palette of clippings allows you to place HTML elements, Java applets, tags, and tables in layout mode. The inspector shows you the options for a given object. This is similar to other HTML editors. However, with the click of a button, you can see the source of the page in outline view. This view is unique to CyberStudio and is a very intuitive and powerful way of viewing HTML. Tags are organized hierarchically and popup menus allow you to set the various options for the tags. If you prefer, you can switch to a source view and see neat, organized, and color-coded raw HTML. Being able to switch between views is quite powerful. You can design a page in layout view, organize it in outline view, and fine-tune it in source view.

The HTML Tag Database is so useful it could be a great program by itself. The database features all special characters and their HTML equivalents as well as all tags. GoLive has even recorded syntax information as well as browser compatibility in the database. As browsers diverge and the same code begins to appear different in various browsers, it's important to know where your code will be supported.

CyberStudio is a complete web site design environment. You can design, maintain, and view entire sites. You can even export a site in Apple's MCF format! CyberStudio also supports transparent updating and upload/download of pages and sites.

CyberStudio is so feature-rich, it's hard to do the program justice. It's well-constructed and encompasses all of the functionality one could want in a web development tool. It feels like an HTML tool, not a word processor with HTML features hacked into it. Using the program is a very natural and comfortable experience. I highly recommend downloading the demo version to give it a try first-hand. $349.

Contact: GoLive Systems, Inc., 525 Middlefield Rd., Suite 100, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 800 554-6638, 415 463-1580, http://www.golive.com.

iPrint CyberStationery Shop (MAC/WIN) (*)

iPrint is a novel, first of its kind, Web site that offers a clever, easy-to-use environment for designing and buying printed goods. iPrint offers both on-line convenience, and substantial discounts, up to 65%. Users can buy business cards, letterheads, envelopes, labels and self-inking stamps. 1000 business cards, for example, are only $14.99, as compared to $30 at a national quick print shop, and up to $70 at a commercial printer. The entire iPrint ordering process can be conducted from any Internet-capable personal computer, proofed on the user's printer, and delivered, days later, directly to the buyer's door.

iPrint customers do not require any special software...just a Web browser. The entire process is automated, and the design phase is WYSIWYG. iPrint is truly a virtual printer in that it does not own any printing presses. It has negotiated the best prices with commercial printers around the country, and has established high-speed electronic connections to provide regionally responsive delivery. A variety of shipping options are available ranging from UPS Ground (one to seven working days) to FedEx Priority Overnight (by 10:30 am). We've tried it and it works.

Screen Shot: http://www.printerport.com/kdp/issues/art/v2n5ipr.jpg

http://www.iprint.com


Utility Reviews

Captivate 4.6 (MAC)

Captivate 4.6 is a multifunction graphic utility whose main purpose is the capture of any screen asset, including pull-down menus, dialog boxes, a selection, or the entire screen. Captured images can be saved to the Clipboard or Scrapbook, or can be saved in PICT, TIFF, GIF or MacPaint file formats. The Viewer provides a utility that supports opening, viewing, editing, converting and printing files. A unique feature of this program is the capability to process a graphic into a stand-alone, double-clickable application for royalty-free distribution. The Store utility is an image asset management application that can be used to store, preview, organize and retrieve graphics, sounds, text, and QuickTime videos. $89.95

Mainstay, 591-A Constitution Ave., Camarillo, CA 93012, 805 484-9400, http://www.mstay.com, fax: 805 484-9428.

Great Proportions/Great Conversions (MAC) (*)

Great Proportions is the computer analog of the proportion wheel, an indispensable tool familiar to everyone in the field of graphic reproduction. Unlike proportion wheels, which are subject to interpretation, and typically have imprecise and inconsistent increment markings, Great Proportions provides computer accuracy, quickly and consistently. The user inputs the width and height measurements of the original, and the program calculates a new width when a new height is input; a new height, when a new width is input; and a new percentage, when either a new width or height is input.

The need for reproportioning images has been become more common with the popularity of large format printers. In that regard, Great Proportions is an essential production tool. It is currently bundled with Great Conversions, a calculator that handles inches, points, picas, millimeters, centimeters or pixels. $30

Screen Shot: http://www.printerport.com/kdp/issues/art/v2n5gre.gif

SGE Software, P.O. Box1281, Melville, NY 11747, 516-424-7925, , E-mail: sgesoft@aol.com.

PKZIP for Windows 2.5 (WIN)

PKZIP for Windows 2.5 is the industry standard file compression utility that reduces the size of graphic files from 50% to 70%, and text and database files well over 90%. Compressed files are beneficial for reducing storage space and for increasing the effective speed of file transmission. Compressed files are recognized with the familiar .ZIP file extension, which through a point-and-click interface can be applied to single or multiple files, or to a full hard drive or removable volume. Additional features include: selection of five levels of compression, creation and extraction of files spanning multiple disks, creation of self-extracting compressed files, the ability to store a comment within a zipped file, drag and drop compression, password protection, a complete on-line help system and manual, and selective exclusion of individual files and directories when creating a .ZIP file. $49

PKWARE Inc., 9025 North Deerwood Drive, Brown Deer, WI 53223, 414 354-8699, http://www.pkware.com, e-mail: info@pkware.com, BBS: 414 354-8670, fax: 414 354-8559.

QuikCAT (ALL)

CAT, or Cellular Automata Transforms are mathematical operations that utilize evolving state of Cellular Automata as building blocks of information or a process. QuikCAT is image compression software that is reputedly up to 100 times faster than any software on the market. It produces compressed images complying with industry standards for sharpness and quality. The program can process (read and write) all popular file formats, including JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PCT, and RGB. It is capable of producing lossless encoding, and supports a hardware acceleration option.

Lafe Technologies, 6685 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village, OH 44143, 216 605-9900, http://www.betacat.com, e-mail: lafe@en.com, fax: 216 605-9901.

SoftWindows 95 Version 4.0 (MAC)

SoftWindows 95 is as close as anyone has come to emulating a Windows 95 computer in software inside a Power Macintosh. That feat is quite remarkable, and deserves high praise as an extraordinary achievement in software engineering. We've used Insignia PC emulators since the first version of SoftPC, and have used and reviewed many PC programs using it due to the ease by which screens can be captured, and data can be passed, despite the fact that we have PCs which we could use for that purpose if we wanted to.

This latest version of SoftWindows, version 4.0 offers several improvements, including a 30% speed increase, new 32-bit drivers, support for the Pentium instruction set, expanded color support (thousands or millions of colors), SoundBlaster compatibility, and full support for the Internet (including Microsoft Explorer supporting Adobe Acrobat, RealAudio, Macromedia Shockwave, Java, and ActiveX).

We haven't encountered any Windows 95 program that it doesn't support, and the integration with the Internet is a real benefit when needing to access Windows-only software that is available directly on the net. Speed is still an issue, and we'd certainly like it to be faster, but the benefits of knowing that we can run virtually any piece of software on one computer is a benefit that no PC user can enjoy. In addition the TurboStart feature lets the user launch Windows 95 in seconds...even faster than the start-up time on a PC. $349

Insignia Solutions, 2200 Lawson Lane, Santa Clara, CA 95054, 408 327-6000, 800 848-7677, http://www.insignia.com, e-mail: info@insignia.com, fax: 408 327-6105.

(MAC)


MultiMedia Reviews

CameraMan 3.0 (MAC/WIN)

CameraMan 3.0 is a utility that captures time-based screen activity and records it as either QuickTime movies, PICS or sequential PICTS (Macintosh) http://www.mwg.com/tools/cameraman_page_mac.htm, or Microsoft Video for Windows (Windows) http://www.mwg.com/tools/cameraman_page_windows.htm. These recordings, which can include system sounds and voiceover, can be used for training, presentations, Internet movies, and on-line support.

The movies can be recorded at up to 30 frames per second for smooth playback, and can support a variety of screen sizes, multiple monitors, and full-screen panning and follow-the-cursor modes. The application includes an advanced Editor that supports the importation of graphics, movie files, and sound and music clips (on multiple sound tracks). All of the imported elements can be synchronized to precise points within a movie.

Other significant features include advanced captioning capabilities, custom color palette recording, and multiple Track Timeline display features. $69.95

Motion Works Group Limited, Suite 130 - 1020 Mainland Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 2T4, 604 685-9975, http://www.mwg.com, e-mail: info@mwg.com, fax : 604 685-6105.

Eastern Borders (MAC) (*)

Eastern Borders is a series of four PostScript Type 1 border fonts presenting 64 distinct designs, each of which is suitable for certificates, forms, coupons, and other official-looking documents. The fonts are accessible from any Macintosh application, and are assembled using keystrokes. $15 per set.

Screen Shot: http://www.printerport.com/kdp/issues/art.v2n5eas.gif

Ng Lam Heng, Blk 202, #15-653, Petir Road, Singapore 670202, http://sunflower.singnet.com.sg/~nlhp9643/ e-mail: http://www.singnet.com.sg/~nlhp9643.

wwwART 2.0 (MAC)

wwwART 2.0 is a neat, compact and efficient image-editing and paint program designed for creating and modifying Web graphics http://www.microfrontier.com/wwwART.html. It is neat both in form and function, and is underpriced considering its many features. It is available directly from the MicroFrontier's Web site. $19.95

MicroFrontier, 3401 101st St., Suite E, Des Moines, IA 50322, 515 270-8109, 800 388-8109, http://www.microfrontier.com/, e-mail: mfi@microfrontier.com, fax: 515 278-6828.


Misc. News and Reviews

Apple ColorSync Starter Kit CD (MAC)

Apple has extended and expanded its ColorSync color management system. ColorSync provides an industry-standard method of interpreting and synchronizing the capabilities of color devices, such as displays, scanners, and printers, so that users get consistent results when using devices that do not share the same color range. There are now more than 60 shipping products that support ColorSync, the only automatic, plug-and-play color management solution for personal computers. A ColorSync White Paper is available on-line at www.colorsync.apple.com. Apple is also setting up a listserve at that URL called ColorSync Chat!

Apple Computer, Inc., 1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA 95014-2084, 408 996-1010, WWW: http://www.apple.com.

Panasonic CT-36VG50 (MAC/WIN)

Panasonic has merged television viewing with home computing with the introduction of its first television that can also be used as a high-performance computer monitor. The CT-36VG50 features a 36-inch diagonal screen, full stereo sound, and is digital TV-capable.

The multi-scan unit provides SVGA resolution of 800 x 600 and can handle a variety of signals, including NTSC, VGA, VGA Text, MAC2 and 8514A (digital TV). Pricing has not been set.

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co., One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, NJ 07094, http://www.panasonic.com.


Book Reviews

Adobe PageMaker Scripting

Hansen, Hans A comprehensive guide to tapping into the powerful scripting technology that is built into Adobe PageMaker. Well-constructed scripts can be composed to automate complex and time-consuming page layout procedures, such as those associated with catalogs and directories. This book covers all of the methods and techniques required to reduce large publishing projects to manageable dimensions. The companion cross-platform CD-ROM includes hundreds of sample scripts and several templates that can be personalized. 1-56830-318-1 588 pp. $45 Adobe Press, Prentice Hall 113 Sylvan Ave. Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

College Connections Web Directory 1997

Jackson Jr., Earl A complete guide to using the Internet to learn about educational resources and job training or retraining sites. The directory lists many college sites, as well as sites for the support of test preparation, financial aid, distance learning, and specialized learner needs. The accompanying Macintosh and PC CD-ROM contains the entire book in hyperlinked HTML format as well as other resources. 0-7897-1057-9 375 pp. $29.99 Que Corporation 11711 North College Ave. Carmel, IN 46032

Converting Content for Web Publishing

Warner, Janine; Ken Milburn, Jessica Burdman This book is a valuable addition to any Web publisher's library since it deals with converting existing digital assets into forms that can be placed on the Web with minimal time and effort. The accompanying cross-platform CD-ROM includes several utilities for converting desktop publishing, word processing, spreadsheet, and other kinds of documents into HTML format. Techniques are shown for automating repetitive operations, batch processing large jobs, reducing file sizes, and implementing PDF. 1-56205-685-9 761 pp. $49.99 New Riders Publishing P.O. Box 4846-V Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

Creating a Digital Portfolio: A Guide to Marketing and Self-Promotion

Baron, Cynthia This book covers methods and procedures that can be used to create a digital portfolio to present either on CD-ROM or on the Web. It addresses ways in which the artist, or creative producer, can organize, assemble and produce a digital portfolio to represent their work. The accompanying cross-platform CD-ROM includes several sample portfolios and examples of self-promotional Web sites. 1-56830-326-2 243 pp. $34.99 Hayden Books 4300 West 62nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46268

Creating your own Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro

Shafran, Andy; Dick Oliver A complete book/CD-ROM package which provides a shareware version of Paint Shop Pro 4, considered the most popular Windows graphics software. The book provides an overview of all software functions, as well as step-by-step instructions for creating Web graphics, such as customized buttons, bars and icons; scanning and manipulating photographs; editing and revising graphics; creating animated images; and organizing and managing Web images. 0-7897-0912-0 303 pp. $34.99 Que Corporation 11711 North College Ave. Carmel, IN 46032

DeBabelizer: The Authorized Edition

Despres, Lise; Paul Vachier The first guide to DeBabelizer, the powerful application for converting, manipulating, and automating operations related to image files. The book covers all of the capabilities and procedures for optimizing the operations required by Web designers, multimedia creators, artists, prepress professionals, and others. The cross-platform CD-ROM includes demo versions of DeBabelizer Pro for Windows and DeBabilizer Toolbox for Macintosh, as well as sample images, filters, utilities, and color versions of images from the book. 1-56830-324-6 383 pp. $45 Hayden Books 4300 West 62nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46268

Designing Web Pages with FrontPage 97

Milburn, Ken; Jessica Burdman Basically a course in a book, this volume leads the user through the use of Microsoft FrontPage 97 by providing several step-by-step projects. It includes in-depth information about accessory tools, such as Paint Shop Pro, which is used to manipulate graphics for placement on the Web. The accompanying CD-ROM includes MS Internet Explorer 3.0, GoldWave sound editor, Quadralay WebWorks Publisher, DigitalStyle's WebSuite Lite 30-day test drive version, sample ActiveX controls, the complete electronic version of Webmaster's Professional Reference, design tutorials, and more. 1-56205-697-2 696 pp. $44.99 New Riders Publishing P.O. Box 4846-V Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

FreeHand for Macintosh 7, Visual QuickStart Guide

Cohen, Sandee Another in the excellent QuickStart series which gets the user up and running in the chosen software title. This guide, for FreeHand 7, uses a heavy dose of graphics to guide and show the user how to accomplish common operations. A new chapter is included on the creation of Web graphics and the use of Shockwave. 0-201-68828-X 307 pp. $18.95 Peachpit Press 2414 Sixth St. Berkeley, CA 94710

From Paper to Web

McKinley, Tony This book begins with a quotation from Dr. Keith T. Davidson, of Xplor International: "Executives spend as much as three hours every week looking for missing information, the average document is copied 19 times, 200 million pieces of paper are filed away each day." The paper legacy is apparent, and the need for a better method of information handling is obvious. The author shows how Adobe Acrobat technology can be applied to convert paper-based information into electronic form for distribution on disk, CD-ROM, e-mail, and the Web. 1-56830-345-9 313 pp. $45 Adobe Press, 201 West 103rd Street, Indianapolis, IN 46290-1097. 1-800-428-5331.

HTML & Web Publishing Secrets

Heid, Jim An insider's guide to the technical details that surround the construction of a dynamic Web site. Major topics include designing the site, enhancing it with multimedia elements, serving databases, and tuning the server for added performance. The accompanying cross-platform CD-ROM includes HTML and Web development tools, utilities, graphics, templates, shareware, freeware, demos, and trial versions. 0-7645-4003-3 626 pp. $49.99 IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. 155 Bovet Road, Suite 610 San Mateo, CA 94402

Illustrator 6 Wow! Book, The

Steuer, Sharon A collection of step-by-step techniques contributed by 80 leading Illustrator artists. These tips and techniques cover the basic operation of Illustrator; technical efficiencies; lines, fills and colors; templates and layers; blends and gradients; pathfinder and other filters; type and layouts, masks and special effects; and the use of Illustrator with other programs. The book is profusely illustrated, with lots of color. The accompanying Macintosh CD-ROM contains a trial version of Illustrator; demo versions of filters, clipart and fonts; and course outlines and tutorials. 0-201-88664-2 216 pp. $39.95 Peachpit Press 2414 Sixth St. Berkeley, CA 94710

JavaScript for the World Wide Web: Visual QuickStart

GuideGesing, Ted; Jeremy Schneider A straightforward guide to using JavaScript for enhancing Web pages. Chapters include JavaScript basics, Objects and Events, Functions, Working with Forms, Loops and Conditionals, Strings and Numbers, Within the Window, Images and Image Maps, Dates and Arrays, Frames and Windows, User Information, and Java and JavaScript. 0-201-68814-X 182 pp. $17.95 Peachpit Press 2414 Sixth St. Berkeley, CA 94710

Javascript Interactive Course

Danesh, Arman A milestone in publishing, this book provides the reader with enrollment in the eZone (www.waite.com/ezone), a Web-based learning center which provides on-line test-taking, an updated database of Frequently Asked Questions, access to live experts, hyperlinks to related information, a course newsletter, a student mailing list, and finally, a certificate of achievement. The accompanying cross-platform CD-ROM contains Microsoft Internet Explorer and all of the code from the book. Readers who successfully complete the course can earn Continuing Education Units from Marquette University. While on-line the user can audit other Waite Group courses. 1-57169-084-0 616 pp. $39.99 Waite Group Press 200 Tamal Plaza Corte Madera, CA 94925

Laura Lemay's Guide to Sizzling Web Site Design

Holzschlag, Molly E. A colorful directory of successful Web sites that demonstrate Web technologies that have been executed with technical and conceptual elegance. The sites are organized into those that play (entertainment), that speak (newspapers and magazines), that teach (arts and culture), sites to live by (beauty, fashion, health), sites that network (computers, Internet, Web), that explore (travel and adventure), that feed (food and beverage), that express (unique home pages), that educate, and that sell. The cross-platform CD-ROM contains a variety of utilities for Web design and site construction. 1-57521-221-8 220 pp. $45 Sams 201 West 103rd St. Indianapolis, IN 46290


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