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[ Go to July 1997 Table of Contents ]
WinLab Reviews
-- by Hailey Lynne McKeefry
Where were you when artistic ability was handed out? It may not matter if you use The Print Shop PressWriter. The PressWriter helps you create attractive text-and-graphics layouts regardless of your design skills. PressWriter's opening screen presents a wide variety of document types: newsletters, brochures, reports, flyers, booklets, letters and resumes. After you select a document type, you can design it from scratch or use one of 125 templates-each of which provides a completely rendered design. Personalize a template by replacing its text and graphics with your own. We created a two-page newsletter (using prepared text and graphics) in less than an hour-a record in our book. PressWriter's toolbar choices let you draw boxes, insert graphics and add color or tints to an object. A bright yellow Style Sets button summons a collection of predefined text styles and sizes that reflect a particular theme, such as Art Deco. Customize your own style set and save it for future use. Rulers, layout guides and sizing tools help you create a balanced presentation of your page's elements. The CD-ROM features images to fit just about any need, including more than 5,000 graphics and 200 photos. Additional art elements can be downloaded free from Broderbund's Internet site. Browse for graphics by shape (square, row or column), or search using key words and categories. You'll also find 1,000 quotes, more than 100 fonts and a handy printed reference guide. Even at $39.95, PressWriter doesn't replace Microsoft Publisher 97 on the WinList. Publisher 97 supports both Windows 95 and NT 3.51, and implements a design checker to identify major document layout problems. Publisher also lets you create Web pages. For a beginner on a budget, however, PressWriter is a good choice.
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