Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign CS5 Box shot © Adobe, Inc.
It's getting better with every release for both Mac and Windows users. Many readers of this site feel that InDesign is the clear leader of the pack and that it may have reached the "Quark Killer" status envisioned when first released.
InDesign is the successor to PageMaker, the original desktop publishing software program. It is a page layout software program available as a standalone package or in some of the editions of the Adobe Creative Suite. Have you used or do you currently use Adobe InDesign? Write a review. (InDesign CS3 came out in mid-2007 with a minor 3.5 upgrade in 2008. InDesign CS4 became available in October 2008. CS5 is current as of 2010)
Available as of 2010: InDesign CS5 for Windows (and Mac). It is part of the Design Premium, Web Premium, Production Premium, and Master Collection editions of Adobe Creative Suite 5.
- InDesign Windows (Buy Direct) | Design Premium (Buy Direct) | Design Standard (Buy Direct) | Master Collection (Buy Direct)
- InDesign Full/Upgrade/All Versions (Compare Prices)
QuarkXPress
QuarkXPress 8 Image courtesy of PriceGrabber
In the late 80s and 90s Quark usurped the desktop publishing community's first love, PageMaker, with QuarkXPress. Once the undisputed king of desktop publishing software applications for both Mac and Windows users, Quark's premiere product - QuarkXPress - is still a powerhouse publishing platform. QuarkXPress 8 was released in August 2008.
Available as of 2010: QuarkXPress 8 for Windows (and Mac).
- QuarkXPress (Compare Prices)
Serif PagePlus
About.com / Serif, Inc.
Aimed at both novice and professional users, Serif PagePlus combines ease-of-use and professional output options, including PDF, with word processing, drawing, and advanced layout and typesetting. It's a strong competitor for Windows users wishing to step away from Microsoft Publisher and since PagePlus X3 in 2008, it's been on a par with industry leaders Adobe InDesign and QuarkXPress.
It is the page layout application that readers chose as the best for graphic design, business use, and personal projects in the 2010 About.com Reader's Choice Awards. There's a free edition that you can download to see how you like it or buy Version 9 at a greatly reducted price, either one is great for very basic needs but for professional use you'll want to step up to the newer versions.
Available as of 2010: Serif PagePlus X5 for Windows
- Serif PagePlus (Buy Direct)
- Serif PagePlus (Compare Prices)
- Serif PagePlus Starter Edition (Free Edition & Version 9 | Free Edition)
Adobe FrameMaker
Adobe FrameMaker 9 Box shot © Adobe, Inc.
Adobe FrameMaker is powerhouse desktop publishing/XML Editing software for corporations and others producing technical writing or complex documents for Web, print, and other distribution methods. Perhaps overkill for individuals and small businesses, but for in-house, big business publishing it's a top choice.
Available as of 2010: FrameMaker 9 for Windows (and Mac). FrameMaker 9 is a part of the Adobe Technical Communication Suite 2.5.
- Adobe FrameMaker 9 (Buy Direct)
- Adobe Technical Communication Suite 2.5 (Buy Direct)
- Adobe FrameMaker Full/Upgrade/All Versions (Compare Prices)
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Office 2010 Screenshot by J. Bear
The primary desktop publishing application in the Office suite is Publisher. It is popular with individuals, small businesses, and schools.
Available as of 2010: Publisher 2010 for Windows. It is available in the Professional Plus, Professional, and Standard editions of Office 2010 as well as standalone.
New Features in Publisher 2010 (About.com Desktop Publishing)
- Publisher (Compare Prices)
- Publisher 2010 (Compare Prices)
- Office 2010 (Compare Prices)
