The Evolution of Desktop Publishing: From Microsoft Word to Desktop Publishing Software
The Rise of Desktop Publishing and Its Impact on MS Word
Today, the importance of desktop publishing (DTP) in the digital world cannot be overstated. However, the journey of desktop publishing is deeply intertwined with the evolution of word processing software like Microsoft Word. While early versions of Word and programs like WordStar and WordPerfect were primarily focused on office document processing, the advent of desktop publishing software transformed the way we think about text and design.
Key Evolutionary Steps in DTP Software
Desktop publishing software made its debut into the small-computer/home-computer market in 1986 with the release of Ventura Publisher for IBM PC users. This software, initially owned by a small software company named “Ventura Software,” was a pioneering application that allowed users to interface with word processing and graphics programs. Ventura Publisher, despite being overshadowed by Aldus PageMaker on the Mac platform in the early days, held its own and even surpassed the competition from its first release.
Ventura Publisher was notable for its sophisticated features and style-sheet-based layout and design. It could accept ASCII files directly from word processors like Microsoft Word, WordStar, and WordPerfect. Unlike other software of the time, Ventura Publisher did not convert these documents but used them directly, ensuring that any edits made in Ventura Publisher were reflected in the original word processing document.
Early Desktop Publishing Technologies
The rise of desktop publishing was not just about software; it was about the hardware and the business logic behind it. The arrival of Apple Macintosh, coupled with the Apple LaserWriter printer and Aldus PageMaker software, created the desktop publishing market. Paul Brainerd, an employee at Aldus, is often credited with coining the term "desktop publishing."
Before this, serious attempts at computerized publishing were primarily made by those in the magazine business who were already familiar with typesetting. They inserted typesetting codes into word processing documents and then telecommunicated these files to typesetting service bureaus. The cost and complexity of running a publishing business were prohibitive, with systems like IBM's Interleaf being incredibly expensive.
Textual and Design Integration
Desktop publishing software like Ventura Publisher integrated text and design capabilities, making it possible to create professional-quality layouts from within the comfort of a personal computer. With its comprehensive features, such as automatic text hyphenation, index generation, and page numbering, Ventura Publisher provided publishing professionals with a robust toolset.
The capabilities of these programs were so robust that they brought about significant changes in the business and media landscape. The Macintosh/LaserWriter/PageMaker system allowed people with minimal training and experience to produce good-looking and well-designed publications. This democratization of publishing put the power to create professional-quality materials in the hands of many, not just the big corporations that could afford specialized systems.
Legacy and Impact
The legacy of early desktop publishing software like Ventura Publisher is still felt today. While the technology has evolved and updated, the core principles of using a computer to lay out and print documents remains the same. The integration of word processing and design functions has become a cornerstone of modern publishing software, including today's advanced tools like Adobe InDesign and Microsoft Word.
In conclusion, the rise of desktop publishing software, particularly innovations like Ventura Publisher, marked a significant shift in the publishing industry. It made professional-quality publishing accessible to a broader audience, leading to a pivotal moment in the history of digital publishing and its commercial proliferation.