Tagged PDFs

Create "tagged" PDFs and greatly improve repurposing and accessing documents, and reflowing capabilities. The ability to create structured PDFs was first provided by Adobe with version 1.3 of the PDF Specification (the version of the PDF file format supported by Acrobat 4.0. In essence, structured PDF allows the author to "tag" parts of the page content to explicitly define its type. More... The free eBooks at Planet eBook are also tagged.

Content vs. Presentation

In this issue, our Wordsmith confronts the cross-media publisher's dilemma: when is it OK to use presentation tweaks such as thin spaces and when should we stick to good ol' ASCII? We also look at styles, including the use of styles in conjunction with Word's Document Map feature. More...

Ventura 10 on its way

Corel Corporation has announced the availability of Ventura 10. Version 10 of the long-time layout application boasts greater XML support, native PDF creation and a host of enhanced graphics capabilities. The new release is intended to regain market share for what was once the king of "desktop publishing" applications and push Corel to the front of XML authoring. More...

Demystifying the W3C Recommendation Track

The W3C was created to "lead the Web to its full potential" by developing common protocols that promote its evolution and ensure interoperability. The W3C "recommendation track" is the process that the W3C follows to build consensus around a Web technology, both within the W3C and in the Web community as a whole. Planet Publish explains how this process works... More...

The Death of Proofreading

"If you were working 20 years ago, you'd be editing on paper. After you finished, a typesetter would retype the entire manuscript (including your changes) by hand and run out typeset galleys. Then you'd assign a proofreader to check the typesetter's work against your edited manuscript. But today, after being edited in Microsoft Word, the manuscript will *not* be retyped. In fact, it will *become* the typeset galleys. So what's the point of proofreading the galleys against the edited manuscript?" begins new Planet Publish contributor Jack M. Lyon. Editor and author, and Microsoft Word expert, Jack looks at how the move to electronically edited manuscripts has solved some of the old proofing problems but also means other issues need to be looked out for. More...

SVG versus Flash

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) remains a perennial favorite with standards bodies and conferences around the world but unlike Flash it's not for sale. With the Flash plug-in boasting some 90% browser penetration compared with just 10% for the SVG plug-in, can the W3C prevail? More...

Ten things we like about InDesign 2

Continuing our occasional series, we present a collection of features that have made life just that little bit sweeter for our InDesign team. More...

Ten things we like about Flash MX

Flash MX has a lot going for it. Here's a quick look at some of the features we think will make a real difference to designer-developers who use this product. More...

Introducing the Gimp (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

The GIMP is the last word in image manipulation under Linux. A well considered, solid graphics engine and a friendly GUI make this a truly usable program despite its non-commercial nature. Planet Publish took time out from Windows to put this gem to the test. More...

Inside the Open eBook Publication Structure

International Publishing

Introducing technical information to diverse cultures creates unique challenges in publishing but in the global economy, publishers cannot afford to ignore cultural differences in information presentation. More...

Flash MX - King of the Universe?

Macromedia's release of Flash MX is another step toward universal rich content and the promise of video across a gasping Internet. At the recent Effects and Animation Festival in Sydney, Australia, video over the Web was still seen as a disappointment to both to both consumers and developers. Indeed it is seen as another example of the way in which the promise of broadband has failed to deliver to an impatient market. More...

The Contenders: Page Layout Programs

Which page layout application is for you? If you're not sure, Australian publishing consultant Gordon Woolf offers this concise round-up of the current contenders in the field. More...

Ventura Ventures Back

Once reviled by designers for its rigid formality and relentless use of style tags, Corel Ventura (nee Ventura Publisher) is a much better animal under the steady hand of the Canadian graphics giant. Long-term Ventura devotee, Corel Lovelady (aka the Ventura Lady), reveals a sturdy publishing tool in unsung hiding. More...

QuarkXpress 5.0 vs. Adobe InDesign 2.0 -- Part 1

With the official release of both QuarkXpress 5.0 and InDesign 2.0 now in the marketplace, it's time for a gloves-off review of the two giants of layout. Is it still a fair comparison? Has Quark blended the features of both Web design and print design applications successfully? Does Adobe's market dominance and InDesign's integration with other's in the design suite mean the end of QuarkXpress? More...