Microsoft Publisher is the Rodney Dangerfield of design software -- it doesn't get any respect. That's about to change with the release of the 2003 edition of Publisher. Earlier versions of the software more or less focused on home use -- designing cards, calendars, invitations, and the like. But Publisher 2003, though still easy to use (almost Word-like in appearance), provides just the types of tools small businesses need to produce professional marketing materials -- whether for e-mail, print, or Web publishing.
As part of Office 2003 Small Business Edition, the program formally named Microsoft Office Publisher 2003 offers an expanded selection of publication designs or templates led by 10 new Master Design Sets. The latter let users apply a consistent design theme to a variety of business publications, ranging from letterhead, envelopes, and business cards to labels and inserts for CDs and DVDs.
Publisher 2003 also makes it easier than ever to create and update a professional-looking Web site -- which is especially important for Small Business Edition buyers, because Microsoft's primary Web publishing tool, FrontPage, is not included in the bundle. Redmond is now marketing FrontPage as an e-commerce Web editor for sophisticated online-commerce sites.
Publisher's new Web Site Wizards include guides for building both product-sales-oriented and professional service-based sites, while its Easy Web Site Builder tool offers a series of goal-based design options for constructing a site from scratch (putting together a different site, for instance, if you ay your goal is to sell products rather than to display a list of projects or activities).
If you'd rather build your site one page at a time, the program offers an expanded selection of individual page types such as About Us, Calendar, Contact Us, and Job List. You can add, remove, or edit both primary and secondary navigational bars to steer viewers through sites and subsections. For more direct online communication, E-Mail Wizards help Outlook or Outlook Express users create high-impact, Yahoo- and AOL-compatible HTML messages ranging from general newsletters to product introductions.
Control Freak
Publisher 2003 offers enhanced layout and graphics features designed to give better control over the design of print publications. You can position graphics outside of text margins, or keep paragraphs or lines together to avoid awkward breaks when an article flows from one text box to another.
Two labor-saving functions merge database or spreadsheet-table information -- such as a list of item numbers, names, and pictures -- into an illustrated catalog or photo album or individually customized e-mails. publications or photo albums.
While the program still can't generate Adobe Acrobat PDF files, Publisher's commercial printing features have been significantly improved. Professional color separations are enhanced by the ability to print composite CYMK PostScript, while advanced settings let users create separations directly from the Print dialog box. Plates can be printed for single process-color or spot-color ink.
The addition of merge tools and more templates and wizards to walk users through the process of creating professional marketing publications are nice enhancements. But Publisher 2003's greatest benefit is the measure of control it provides small companies -- no more outsourcing critical print- and Web-based sales materials to a third-party service and hoping that its staffers know your business and your clients as well as you do.
Microsoft Office 2003 Small Business Edition, which combines Publisher with the latest versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook with Business Contact Manager, will retail for $449, with upgrades from Office 2000 or Office XP priced at $279. Publisher 2003 alone will retail for $169.
For more details, see Patricia Fusco's complete review of Publisher 2003.
