Microsoft may be best known for its operating systems. But in the desktop publishing, Web design, and home creativity arena, Microsoft produces several lines such as Digital Image Suite, Microsoft Expression, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office Publisher as well as a number of apps that come with the Windows OS.
Microsoft Office Publisher: Once a popular consumer desktop publishing application, Microsoft has been refocusing Publisher more and more to the small business community. Microsoft Office Publisher is "a desktop publishing and marketing materials program" for print, Web, and email communications. While it is often looked down upon by the professional graphic design and desktop publishing community, today's Publisher is easy to learn and use and does offer increased commercial printing support beyond other easy-to-use consumer titles.
Microsoft Publisher Templates and Tutorials
Reviews of Microsoft Office Publisher:
- Overview: Microsoft Publisher / Microsoft Office Publisher
Some history of Publisher and best uses for desktop publishing. - Review: Microsoft Office Publisher 2003; Professional Grade Desktop Publishing, At Last An epinions reviewer gives it 5 stars saying "Publisher 2003 has come of age in fine form, with thoughtful enhancements and long sought after improvements that move Publisher to business class status".
- Review: Microsoft Publisher 2007 Home Office Reports says of Publisher 2007 saying "If you don't need a professional package - we strongly recommend Publisher."
Microsoft PowerPoint: Not a page layout application, PowerPoint nevertheless is frequently lumped in with desktop publishing software. It is a popular application for
creating presentations.
Microsoft PowerPoint Templates and Tutorials
Microsoft Word: Part of the Microsoft Office Suite, Word is a word processing program but it does have the ability to create many of the same types of documents and complex layouts created with desktop publishing software. Even the lite version of MS Office -- Microsoft Works Suite -- can produce some basic creative layouts.
Microsoft Word Templates and Tutorials
Microsoft Digital Image: The Digital Image Suite offers a set of apps for working with photos. It is geared to all skill levels with tools for photo organization, editing and special effects, and photo sharing.
- Review: Microsoft Digital Image Suite Anniversary Edition Sue Chastain of About Graphics Software gives it 4 stars as a "good value for the money."
Microsoft Expression: Products in the Expression line include professional level applications for Web design, illustration, and digital media organization. Programs are available individually or as part of the Expression Studio suite.
- Review: Microsoft Expression 3 (formerly from Creature House) About Graphics Software Guide Sue Chastain has a glowing review of Expression.
Microsoft Expression Tips and Tutorials
Microsoft and Mac: Although Microsoft Windows is for PCs, Microsoft does produce some Mac-friendly versions of some of its software, such as Office for Mac.
- Review: Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac About Word Processing Guide James Marshall gives it 5 full stars saying, "Oddly, Microsoft is often accused of creating better software for the Mac than for Windows. With the latest release of Office for the Mac, it is easy to see why."
Microsoft Windows: All Windows operating systems come with integrated apps that have certain desktop publishing applicability such as the clipboard, Character Map, basic font management, and Windows Paint. The Vista operating system has even more robust core apps including:
Vista Ultimate - Full
- Vista Ultimate - Upgrade
- Vista Business - Full
- Vista Business - Upgrade
- Vista Home Premium - Full
- Vista Home Premium - Upgrade
- Vista Home Basic - Full
- Vista Home Basic - Upgrade
