Pros: Great software, easy to use, large variety of different publishing items
Cons: none so far
The bottom line: I love working with this software, I find new things every day. It makes professional looking flyers, pamphlets, newsletters and more.
Last year since it became known around this community that I was computer literate after making several flyers and posters for our Golf Group another group wanted my services. This group was our Mill Creek Community Association and I was asked to publish their Newsletter. I informed them that I did not have any publisher software and was only working with Microsoft Word and Print Shop. They told me that they would order the Microsoft Office Publisher 2003 if I would consider taking on that project. Since this newsletter is only sent to the 650 people living in our Mill Creek Community and is only sent out four times a year, I agreed to take on this project. Remember this is volunteer work but it sure has given me an education.

I always wanted to get the publisher software so this was a good way to get the software and give me another learning experience. This happened last year before our fall issue was to be sent out, so I had a short time to get acquainted with the Microsoft software they sent to me. I found it was very easy to use as it had some of the same features as Microsoft Word. I had fun working with all the templates, graphics, clip arts and variety of fonts plus WordArt Gallery that all comes with this software.

It amazed me how many sections this Office Publisher had available for instance:

Publications for Print section shows 24 different areas, I list just a few samples below;
Advertisements
Banners
Brochures
Catalogs
Flyers
Greeting Cards
Labels
Newsletters
Sign

Under Design Sets they list 45 with Stationary listing 8 all with template examples to work with or use a blank sheet and make your own designs. On my first Newsletter I used a template to work up the cover sheet. Since then I have designed my own using a blank sheet. Our Newsletter is printed out on legal size paper as it was easy to change the paper setting in the (Page setup) listed under File.

I work with another gal on our Mill Creek Board for ideas of what should be included in the Associations Newsletter. She also helps with the editing as one needs extra help here as little errors are easy to overlook. Different members of our Board can send me an article and if possible I will take a picture to go with it for emphasis. I also do interviews with some of the Community organizations and services for a special feature. We have four pages in this newsletter and printed back to back and in grayscale on colored paper. This we found is the most reasonable way to have the Newsletter printed. I will be using a Copy Center in a nearby community to get it printed.

I have been able to use my own photographs in the design of the first page using shots of our areas and the golf course. The photographs are easy to manipulate to get the right size and the Office Publisher has more tools to adjust your photograph. I found it easy to use all the tools to help set up separations with rectangle sections to fit the articles. There is a variety of shadings that can be used on the WordArt Gallery or with separate articles. I can emphasize these sections with dark outlines. The typing tool for your articles has a variety of font sizes and the print choices are many. I could use a variety of shapes to separate items as many are available in this software. In the Insert section there are things to use and a vast array of clip art. This is fascinating to me and love to experiment as much as possible but I have just touched the surface as to what all is included in Microsoft Office Publisher Software ..

I am learning new things every day with this software as with each Newsletter I try to include something different to create an interest in the Associations many projects to keep our community safe and clean. Since using this Microsoft Office Publisher Software I have been asked to make many posters for our Golf Tournaments and upcoming meetings plus special notices when any of our golfers have a Hole-in-One or an Eagle. We have had one of each so far this year, none of them mine. ƒ¼ I enjoy doing these as it brightens up our bulletin boards and the gals enjoy them.

I have just been given another project after people heard what I have done with the Newsletter. This project is producing a flyer for our Community Chorus which is to let the community know just what our concerns are and when the concerts are given during the year. It also hopes more people will want to become part of our Chorus or from people who want to donate as we are a non-profit organization and our concerts are free. I used a three fold flyer design on a blank plate using regular size paper with the front side to be in color and the inside in black and white. I used two colorful pictures one of the Chorus Christmas Concert and one of our Director/Pianist. We are hoping to print 300 to distribute to the community. This is still in the planning stage but will soon be ready to print

I find I am using the Microsoft Office Publisher Software almost every day. It is time now to send the fall issue of the Newsletter we are getting to the count down days. It is almost ready to go except for the Presidents letter and editing. I have a group of ladies that will come to my home to fold and label each one and they will be helping to send the Newsletter on its way. WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS, OPEN THAT DOOR A NEW LIFE MAY BE IN FRONT OF YOU!!