On Wednesday 30 May 2007 19:45, Pueblo Native wrote:
Doug McGarrett wrote:
Yes, I know UNIX programs are horrendously expensive, but they are such because the purchasers are going to make a lot of money using them. (Does the expression "Microsoft" ring a bell?) If you really need a "real" publishing system, you are probably making money using it. Pay the tab.
While not completely disagreeing with you, I think there are a couple of levels between professional publisher and home user. The most common one I would think of is a person who runs a small newsletter for an organization or club of some sort. They don't need _all_ the features of an InDesign, but they would like the publication to come off a little more professionally. Another group might be people that run a professional document, but infrequently (an annual or semi-annual report) and their primary business is not publishing. I really wouldn't want to shell out close to a grand for a program I use very infrequently.
I am the editor of a very nice little newsletter, The Pedal Steel Newsletter, published by the Pedal Steel Guitar Association, Inc. It comes out 10 times a year, and runs 12 to 16 pages. It includes digital photographs, ads, and is published on a Macintosh, using M/S Word, and up to now, Pagemaker. Since Pagemaker is obsolete and not supported any more, it will go to Adobe InDesign, which costs around $270. InDesign runs on Mac Os X version 4, which is BSD UNIX, I believe. (A version also runs on Windows.) That does not mean it runs on Linux, of course, but it's a UNIX routine that is not at the $1K level. If enough Linux users asked, it might be ported. This program provides copy ready for a commercial printer. (We run about 1500 copies a month.) Oh, the PSGA is not making money on the publication; it is a dues-paying self-supporting non-profit organization. --doug -- To unsubscribe, e-mail: opensuse+unsubscribe@opensuse.org For additional commands, e-mail: opensuse+help@opensuse.org