Open Source Desktop Publishing: Not Just for Linux

Desktop publishing is a term used to cover a wide array of documents one can produce. Many desktop publishers choose to focus in on a small area of desktop publishing, those items which are determined by the desktop publisher as their strong points. Desktop publishing items can range from business forms to calendars, logo to web pages and so much more. Whether as a desktop publisher you are on a tight budget or simply looking for alternatives to some of the software you are currently using, we will be looking at some open-source tools you might be able to use in your desktop publishing business. These software choices are cross-platform, meaning they are available for more than one operating system.

OpenOffice.org

OpenOffice.org is an office suite, which can be a helpful tools for files a client might send you. You can also use it to create items for your client. With OpenOffice.org being able to open and save in Microsoft Office format, it is a viable alternative to Microsoft Office. Add in the open clip art available and you now have graphics which can be used right inside OpenOffice.org, much like you can with Microsoft Office.

Scribus

Scribus is open source desktop publishing software. As a page layout tool, scribus is able to accommodate a wide variety of page sizes and layouts. I personally like to think of scribus as an open source version of publisher. You are in complete control of where things will appear on the page and not forced to put items in a certain place as you are with some programs. You are restricted only by the printable area of your printer and your imagination.

Inkscape

Inkscape is a Scalable Vector Graphic (SVG) program, which allows you to create graphics that are easily re-sizable while in the SVG format. Inkscape allows you to export graphics using the Portable Network Graphic (PNG) format, which is also an open source format. You can also import graphics in a wide range of formats.

GIMP

Are you a user of PhotoShop or another paint program? Why not take GIMP out for a test-drive. With a wide range of features built-in and many more available as plug-ins, GIMP can serve as a replacement to costlier image creation and editing programs. GIMP support a wide range of file formats including Photoshop (.psd), PostScript (.ps), Encapsulated PostScript (.eps). It can even open PaintShop Pro and Inkscape files.

These are some of the open source tools available which can be used in your desktop publishing. It is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but used as a starting point towards developing an open source desktop publishing platform. You might explore other open source programs you can use. Depending on your services you might use Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome for Web browsing, Mozilla Thunderbird for email or FileZilla for transferring files to a Web server.