Desktop Publishing & Design for Dummies
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (20 January, 1995)
list price: $19.99
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Reviews (3)

Inspired a career change
OK, this book is old. I don't read it too often anymore, but have probably read it cover to cover three times, and referred back to it dozens of times. It is good generic information that still applies today. I bought this book back in late 1995. Around the same time I started fooling around with Corel Draw 4 and Serif Page Plus 3/Draw Plus 2. By June of 1996 I was a graphic artist at a weekly newspaper. Two years later I got a job as a signmaker for a few months. I returned to the newspaper business when a good offer came in, and have been doing dtp, design and signmaking freelance on the side ever since. When I bought this book, I didn't know the difference between a serif and san serif font. I was self taught, 100%. Other books that were a big influence "The Gray Book" and a little spiral bound book from DDC "Quick Reference Guide-Graphic Design for Desktop Publishing". Learning programs certainly is valuable, and I've worked with a lot of them. More valuable is the understanding of layout and design. Without this knowledge, knowing a bunch of programs is of little use. This book is good for someone starting out, or someone who thinks they know a lot.

Save Your Money...
Reading this book is like eating a whole carton of twinkies:tastes great at first, and the sugar rush is lots of fun...but there's no satisfaction once the "crash" begins.The book is chock full of eye catching lists, tips, warnings, and ideas.Wow, I thought, this will be great!Ten reasons to do this thing...10 reasons to do that thing...10 big no-no's...10 essentials to every successful project.Do this...but don't ever do that!Spin around three times and throw salt over your left shoulder, then tap your left foot slowly for five seconds, and visualize happy places!Wow!Sounds great...I can do this!But wait a minute...where's the beef?When I tried to apply these "exciting guidelines", I realized this book is like rice krispies:snap-crackle-pop...but not much nutrition.Precisely how should these "10 great ideas" be applied, for instance?Now that I know what "kerning" is, what do I do with it?There are too few concrete examples...and those that are included are mediocre.This book is super sweet and puffed with air.If you want a sugar rush and an illusory feeling that you're "getting it"...buy this book.But if you need real information so you can complete an important project...you'll just have to keep looking, as I am.

Easily make your documents look professional
This is a great, easy to understand desktop reference for making ANY document, brochure, newsletter, report, letter, etc. look professional, and for making people want to read them. It tells you what makes publicationslook better and WHY, and gives examples and ideas. Even using just a fewtips from this book can help your documents look better and be easier toread. It explains fonts and how to choose, spacing, using pictures, clipart, and graphics (including scanning and sizing), borders, tables, charts,how to attract reader's attention, and how to use color and save money. Thedesign, page formatting and layout tips also provide detailed instructionsfor most major word processing and desktop publishing applications, such asWord, Wordperfect, MS Publisher and Pagemaker (Windows and Mac). Althoughit was written in 1995, the tips and tricks still apply and I find theinstructions generally hold up in the upgraded versions of the softwareapplications (i.e., Office 2000)(- but it would still be nice to get a newedition of this book published). It also has a section on how to easilywork with your service bureau or print shop, and on creating a corporateidentity for your business.

I've read this cover to cover and keep it atmy desk for quick reference. I think all design and publishingprofessionals should read this book as I can now do better than most I'veworked with!I highly recommend this for anyone who owns their ownbusiness - but it even helps with the family Christmas newsletter. ... Read more

Isbn: 1568842341
Sales Rank: 466090
Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Desktop Publish    2. Computers    3. Desktop Publishing    4. Desktop Publishing - General    5. Desktop publishing software   

HP DeskJet 1220Cxi Printer
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $399.00
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Editorial Review

Ideal for designers, publishers, or anyone looking for professional-quality printouts, the Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 1220Cxi provides high-performance printing on a wide variety of media.

The 1220Cxi will print anything from 4-by-6-inch postcards to 13-by-19-inch Super A3 posters. It handles transparencies, thick card stock, and everything in between. The 1220Cxi can help you with creative projects such as iron-on transfers, greeting cards, and banners. For your home office, use the label and envelope printing functions, or switch to 2,400 x 1,200 dpi mode for realistic color for all your photo media.

Using PhotoREt III Enhanced Color Layering, the 1220Cxi brings together high speed printing and Hewlett-Packard's latest technology. Printing at 11 pages per minute in black and 9.5 in color, the DeskJet 1220Cxi is the fastest in its category. Resolution and color are adjusted automatically for the sharpest results, which is especially useful for low-resolution Internet images.

Plus, you'll get HP's smart software package that allows you to expand your printing abilities even further. The booklet-printing feature automatically activates two-sided printing and arranges pages for binding. HP ZoomSmart scaling technology allows you to enlarge or reduce documents easily, and with the tiling feature you can print posters five or more times the original size.

The 1220Cxi includes two paper trays, 150-sheet input capacity, and a 5,000-page-per-month duty cycle. It offers convenient features such as a low-ink indicator and a cancel button that immediately terminates a print job at a single touch. The 1220Cxi is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh platforms, and an optional HP JetDirect external print server can be added so everyone can share this highly versatile printer. ... Read more

Features

• HP SmartFocus sharpens low-resolution images from the Internet for visibly better results
• Maximum resolution of 2,400 x 1,200 dpi (using photo paper)
• Fast printouts without compromising print quality: 11 ppm in black and 9.5 ppm in color
• Vibrant, true-to-life colors with HP's Enhanced Color Layering Technology
• HP ColorSmart 3 automatically adjusts color settings for results that are more vivid

Reviews (7)

Poster-ise your life!
I have been doing public relations work (my paying jobs) for the past fifteen years. For many of those years, I had to make tough choices -- I could have a printer that would permit me to print 11x17 (poster-size) paper, or I could have a colour printer, but never the two would mix (at least, not in a way that I, poor struggling self-employed student, could afford). When I discovered the HP 1120C, an affordable, good quality wide-format colour printer, I rejoiced, and bought two of them (one for home, one for office; the one at home on a Mac, the one at home on a PC).

So, when looking to upgrade after these printers had given good service, naturally I looked to HP again, and they (bless them) had an upgraded model, still within the realm of affordability. This is the 1220Cxi.

I produce a lot of posters. I did a series of 13 career posters for our local schools, and suddenly had 500 orders for sets (yes, that is 6500 posters to run). Nor are these simple posters, but rather colourful, graphic-full posters (which is required if one is to have the chance at catching the average school child's attention). I managed it on this printer. That is remarkable in anyone's book. Yes, I was running them night and day, but still, this is probably one of the harshest tests to give any printer. And it came through with flying colours.

This printer prints well on PC and the Mac (although I have had the experience that it always runs more slowly on the Mac, and the interface I've had to use for my Mac (a G3 233mhz) is somewhat clumsy in that it doesn't allow me to toggle easily between the HP, my laser printer, and the modem).

The HP DeskJet 1220C is one of the faster printers in the wide-format inkjet category. It prints at up to 11 pages per minute in black and 6 or so in color. It uses PhotoREt III Enhanced Color Layering Technology, an HP benchmark in print quality. The printer also has an alternative mode of 2400 x 1200 dpi printing on photo stock media.

I regularly use photo paper, transparencies, cardstock thickness as well as regular paper formats, and it always performs beautifully. In addition, it has features such as reverse printing/mirror image (I make decals to go on windows, which must be printed in reverse), and tiling, so that you can print things out much larger (up to five times larger); by the time you tile five 11x17 sheets together, you're getting pretty big printing there!

The documentation says also that it will handle a 5000 page per month workload, but there are some months we churn out more, and it keeps on going!

Print cartridges can be expensive (we use discounters and buy in bulk to reduce our costs) but, comparing that cost to the cost of professional printing (which isn't needed for the school audiences we're reaching) and adding in the flexibility of being able to change and print on demand, there is no contest--this printer is the tops!

I also greatly appreciate the HP website, which has downloadable templates, solutions, drivers, etc. It is well designed, and it is easy to find what you need on the site.Consider spending a little extra when getting a printer, even for home use, and get the wide-format--you'll be pleased with the flexibility of printing that it affords.

It did give up after about three years, but given the heavy level of printing I subject printers to, this is fairly typical (I've never had one last five years from any source).

Power supply problems
This is an excellent printer, but it may not server you well in the long run. There are numerous people, myself included, who have had the printer die mysteriously. One day, it will just not power up. Why? Apparently the power supply board is poorly assembled and excess glue material causes the components to burn out. The suggested repair cost - almost $300.
I enjoyed owning my 1220 for almost 3 years. But my prevous HP printer lasted for almost 10 years, and I'll be in the market for a new printer and it sure won't be from HP.

Does more than I could hope for except
I have a small graphics business and I bought the 1220c on speculation that it would do what I hoped it would do.It printed 11 x 17 menus like a charm.Tabloid sized photographs turn out better than I had hoped.

Just one small glitch.I work on pc and mac.On pc the printer does everything like a charm.On mac it prints in every area except quark express.When I try to print in Quark it gives me a fatal error sign and I have to reboot without extensions until I remove the offending file which is always a picture of my printer with a big x through it.Can anybody help me?I would be very grateful.Thanks a million Hewlett Packard for just one more excellent printer.

David

... Read more

Asin: B00004SYVC
Subjects:  1. Desk Jet, Ink Jet    2. 1220 Cxi, HP    3. Inkjet Printer (Ink Jet Printers, Printing)    4. Hewlett Packard (Hewlett-Packard)    5. Hewlett-Packard    6. (HP)    7. (Hewlet Packart)   

ViewSonic P810 21" CRT Monitor
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $757.05
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Editorial Review

When you're looking for high-level performance for demanding graphics applications, the ViewSonic P810 21-inch monitor (20 inches viewable) is a valued addition to any team. ViewSonic has designed the P810 monitor with PerfectFlat technology for the distortion-free images required by CAD/CAM/CAE, desktop publishing, imaging, Web design, and photo editing professionals and artists. This monitor features flat-panel display with ultrafine 0.25-millimeter true dot pitch, advanced onscreen controls, and a high maximum resolution of 1,800 x 1,400 at 73 Hz in up to 16.7 million colors (1,600 x 1,200 dpi at 87 Hz and other modes are also available).

With rich colors and minimal reflection, the P810 monitor provides ergonomic design with height, tilt, and swivel adjustments, offering creative flexibility and innovative features. It's built with a small footprint to take up less of your valuable desk surface. The vertical and horizontal adjustments of 160 degrees pivot to landscape and portrait modes for full-page viewing, which permits multiple users to see the screen without having to sit directly in front of the monitor. ARAG (antireflective, antiglare) screen treatment supports increased accuracy of onscreen images and reduced eye strain.

The P810 is ideal for designers and graphics professionals and well suited for desktop publishers who seek a superior screen presentation in a flat, large screen for true flexibility and fine resolution. It also features a pair of 2-watt speakers built into the base, which deliver stereo sound for your multimedia applications. And it includes PerfectPortrait software, selectable text and image-smoothing filters, ViewMatch color controls, gamma adjustments for custom color response, dual USB ports, and advanced ergonomics. Horizontal frequency measures 30 to 95 kHz and vertical frequency measures 50 to 180 Hz. The flat-screen monitor features an ultrafine 0.25-millimeter aperture grille pitch (with 0.27 millimeters at the corners).

High-resolution capabilities and distortion-free image quality ensure that your important data and images are precisely displayed. SuperClear technology through optimized glass provides crisp focus and vivid colors. The P810 is both PC ready and Macintosh compatible (with the purchase of a separate Mac adapter). Its dimensions are approximately 20 by 19 by 20 inches, and it weighs a sturdy, substantial 61 pounds. The monitor parts, labor, and the Invar shadow mask picture tube are all supported by a three-year limited warranty. --Barbara Price ... Read more

Features

• Mac and PC compatible
• 0.25 millimeter true dot pitch
• 20-inch viewable screen size
• 1,600 x 1,200 maximum resolution
• OnView controls with ViewMatch

Reviews (3)

Monster Display !
This huge monitor is superb if you have room for it.

I actually havethe version which has a USB hub built-in (model P817).

To get the bestresults from this monitor, certainly use an advanced (latest/greatest)video card. I'm using a Voodoo 3 3000 AGP video card (16MB high-speed SDRAMAGP 2x)... and there are even mightier cards on the market now.

The USBports on the side of the monitor are extremely convenient. There are fourports, which are a lot easier to access than the ports on the back of thecomputer. The necessary cables are included for PC and Mac connections.Understand that this monitor connects using the "traditional"graphics cable (included/attached). If you get the P817 which has the USBhub -- there is a cable included which connects the hub to your USB port onthe back of your computer.

I'm so much more productive with this 21-inchscreen since I can see more info on the screen at once. And the resolutionis great, with a high refresh-rate which is greater on the eyes.

Theon-screen controls are a great help also.

I love this monitor - andhaven't had any problems whatsoever in the 8 months since I purchased it.

outdated specs; new specs are better than listed
i checked out viewsonic's website and the specs there reflect the latestmodel. the most notable difference is that the max resolution is now1800x1440. the viewsonic csr told me that this model is the only one thathas shipped for the past year, so trust viewsonic's specs and not the oneslisted here.

This review is being written on the ViewSonic P810-3
We bought 5 on these monitors.They all worked fine out of the box.One appeared to have problems; however it turned out to be the high-resolution card that was not on the Compaq approved list. Replaced the card and Tada.

The P810-3 has the same front-end buttons found on the E771. And theviewable area may be 20 inches but there is no annoying black border.

Most of the time these monitors are being used for Pro-E and Auto Cad.But when no one is looking we use the monitors for System Admin. You canpull up four screens viewable at once. One can be programming, while theother can be the results a third screen for monitoring and a fourth forcommunications.

Six Months now and no problems. We will buy more. ... Read more

Asin: B00001OPJ4
Subjects:  1. Monitors (Monitor)    2. 21" (21 Inch)    3. Macintosh    4. P8103, P, 8103    5. 20 inch Monitor (Monitors)    6. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple