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Wag
 
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A lot of promotional material and rules material that I see for new games appears to have been created with MS Word or something similar. If you're very familiar with the software and you know all the ins and outs of it, it is probably possible to create output from word-processing software that is acceptable but generally speaking the results range from pretty poor to truly execrable. The reason for this is that word-processing software is for processing words, it's fine for internal documents and letters and things but is has no right at all being used to produce literature that you want anyone to actually look at.
To do that you need to use DTP software, of which there are only two alternatives that I know of, Adobe's Indesign and Quark Express. (There could well be others I've never heard of of course). Quark used to be the market leader, but is slowly losing ground to Indesign, probably due to its poor support for modern requirements like tables. Regardless of the comparitive advantages of the two suites comparing them to word processing software like Word is like comparing Adobe Photoshop to MS Paint. If you use MS Paint to create images and touch up photos, then by all means continue to use Word (or similar) for your literature, if you want to do it properly, use Indesign or Quark.
Unfortunately both are horrifically expensive. Quark is about £880 as a stand-alone product and Indesign is the same as part of the Adobe suite of graphics software. Which would make this tip all but useless except for the fact that the latest issue of PC Pro has (according to my PC Pro) a full version of Quark 5.01 on it. They're currently on Version 7.0, but don't let that stop you. I've used 5.0 for years and it's perfectly up to the job. You have to register it apparently by mid-March, but other than that it appears to be a full legal licensed version of the Quark DTP software.
It's not totally intuitive software (although I prefer it to word-processing software but hey ho, I'm weird) so it will take a small amount of getting used to. I recommend buying some books, I bought Quark for Dummies and the Quark bible if memory serves (if anyone wants to borrow mine, then just shout) and reading them cover to cover. They're useful for telling you how to use DTP software and for telling you how to design and lay-out good copy. The software won't do things you expect your word-processing software to do, like spell-checking for instance. Write your text in MS Word first, then when you want to lay it out, transfer it to Quark is the recommended approach (Personally we just get John Newton, LRP proof-reader extrordinaire to do our proofing). Once you get the hang of the software you will be able to produce well presented documents that are much more visually appealing then anything you'd ever hope to get out of any word processing software.
It's out now, get it and make horrible scratty rules books a thing of the past. Send material to potential players that actually makes them think your game will be any good!
History is an important source for LRP. Along with other works of fiction.
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I do talk a good fight
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Knight
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As an alternative, you could take a look at Serif Page Plus
http://www.serif.com/pageplus/pageplus11/index.asp
It's only around £60 with the current price of the dollar, and can be downloaded, so no shipping costs.
Maelstrom - Thomas Blunt, Archon of the Apple Cartel (Until I can con someone else into doing it  )
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Wag
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Ian Sturrock (1/14/2007)
Are you sure it's this month's issue?I subscribe to the DVD edition. It arrived yesterday with the Quark DVD on it. I'd check your local retailer, it should be pretty obvious from the cover. If anyone wants a copy and is struggeling to get it, give me a shout. We have two since Christine is also a subscriber.
History is an important source for LRP. Along with other works of fiction.
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Knight
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I had a look at PC Pro in Smiths today. The issue they have (forgot to check the number) doesn't have Quark, but does come with Serif Page Plus 8, which is a similar deal as far as I can see, it's a DTP package that's about three versions out of date, but should still be good.
James
The Jackal Faction - http://www.jackalfaction.com
Treasure-Trap in Cambridge - http://www.srcf.ucam.org/tt
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Wag
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snapdragon (1/15/2007)
I had a look at PC Pro in Smiths today. The issue they have (forgot to check the number) doesn't have Quark, but does come with Serif Page Plus 8, which is a similar deal as far as I can see, it's a DTP package that's about three versions out of date, but should still be good.
Was it the DVD issue 149? Blackish cover saying "Vista is here". That's the one you want. I suspect, in hindsight that I've got my copy early as a subscriber, but I could be wrong.
Anyway, my issue 149 claims that all the DVD issues of 149 have Quark on the cover.
I can't comment on Serif, it may not be shit. But I have to say I've never seen any mention of it in serious books on typesetting *that I can recall*. They both talk about Quark and Indesign.
History is an important source for LRP. Along with other works of fiction.
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Knight
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I've had a bit of trouble logging in, but I've got a bit of news.
The edition of PC Pro that hit the stores on Thursday (18th) is issue 149.
Both the CD and the DVD version contain Quark 5.01
James
The Jackal Faction - http://www.jackalfaction.com
Treasure-Trap in Cambridge - http://www.srcf.ucam.org/tt
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Wag
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snapdragon (1/19/2007)
The edition of PC Pro that hit the stores on Thursday (18th) is issue 149. Both the CD and the DVD version contain Quark 5.01
Fantastic! Independent verification that I am not in fact insane! That's a relief.
Check out the mag, check out Quark. It may be one of those crap freebies that expires in a heap or something, but Christine installed one and it seemed kosher. Apparently you can upgrade to the latest Version 7.0 for just £300 or something. Cheap at a tenth the price. Almost Microsoftian prices.
Anyway, it's a great product and it will let you produce beautifully typeset pieces of art instead of horrible word-processed pieces of poo.
History is an important source for LRP. Along with other works of fiction.
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 Posted Friday, January 19, 2007 1:33 PM |
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