DESKTOP

PUBLISHING
(DTP)



J.J. Musakali
Computer based typesetting using a personal
computer started in 1978, when publication-quality
typesetting could be done on any normal business
computer, and even long and complex jobs like
books and journals could be produced from a
standard desktop terminal.
Prior to this, typesetting had been performed by
mechanical (Linotype and Monotype) or electro-
mechanical means (photofilmsetting), or by
extremely expensive mainframe or mini-computer
based systems.
The introduction of the Apple Macintosh in 1985 and
PageMaker allowed synchronous typographical
editing using the graphical user interface, this system
was commonly referred to as What You See is What
You Get, WYSIWYG.

J.J. Musakali
DTP was a term coined by Paul
Breinard of Aldus Corporation which
launched the Pagemaker software in
1985.
It is a generic name of computer
software programs that enable the
inputting and processing of text,
integrating it with graphics, and
outputting complete pages on a laser
printer.
J.J. Musakali


DTP Elements
A Microcomputer
Could be an Apple Macintosh or an IBM
compatible.
Both operate on What-You-See-Is-What-
You-Get (WYSIWYG).



J.J. Musakali
DTP Software
These are programs that enable the
user perform various operations.
They are in the following categories:
Word Processing: E.g. MS word
Pagemaking: Pagemaker, In-Design,
QuarkXpress, MS Publisher etc
J.J. Musakali


Graphics: Adobe Illustrator,
Macromedia Freehand, Corel Draw,
etc
Image Editing: Adobe Photoshop,
Corel Paint etc.
Scanning: Ofoto, MS Word, PS etc.
J.J. Musakali


Most of these programs now come in
both Macintosh and IBM compatibles
Scanner/Digital Camera
An input device which copies by way
of digitizing images into computer
readable language after which they
are displayed on computer screen.




J.J. Musakali


Laser Printer
The key to the whole DTP process is the
use of a laser printer which produces
quality output at a good resolution.
J.J. Musakali
How DTP has affected Publishing
Improved appearance of documents
Book production costs gone down
User given more control
Do-it-yourself scenario
Easier handling of graphics
Cutting down the production period
Colour separation
Security-user has total control of documents
Individuals have access to amateur
designing
J.J. Musakali
Negatively,
Loss of cooperative effort
Non-professionalism of documents
Specialised skills
Distortion of images
J.J. Musakali
Factors to consider when setting up a DTP
unit
The User
Capital
Equipment
Software
Space available
Working environment
Location
Type of work

J.J. Musakali
Availability of electricity
Personnel
Availability of printers
Security
J.J. Musakali
Factors to consider when choosing DTP
Software
Platform support
User friendliness
Compatibility
GUI
Cost
Vendor support
Internet support

J.J. Musakali
Type of work
Personnel
Tutorials
Size of software
System requirements
Updates
Demo Versions
Tried and tested

J.J. Musakali
Preparing Documents for online
viewing
Email
Blogs
Wikis
Google Docs
Google Drive
Sky Drive
J.J. Musakali
Google Docs allow you to freely open and
create files and also collaborate and share
each of the files with anyone that has
Internet access.
The official Google Docs page can be found
at: http://docs.google.com/

J.J. Musakali

A free, Web-based word processor,
spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data
storage service offered by Google.
It allows users to create and edit documents
online while collaborating in real-time with
other users.
J.J. Musakali
Posting Documents to webservers
J.J. Musakali