What is Microsoft Publisher?
Microsoft Publisher is desktop publishing software from Microsoft, and is usually considered an entry-level desktop publishing application. Microsoft Publisher gives better control over page elements than Microsoft Word but offers less than page layout programs such as Adobe Systems' InDesign or Quark, Inc.'s QuarkXPress (or even Adobe's PageMaker application, which is being deprecated). Other desktop publishing applications are ususally preferred over Publisher by high end commercial print shops.
Microsoft Publisher is a Windows-only program, and the publishing and graphics industries rely heavily on Apple's Mac OS.
Publisher does come with tools to pack related files into a self-expanding application, but many higher end features like transparency, object shadowing, slugs, text on paths, proper PDF output, etc. are simply not available. However, recent versions have greater capabilities concerning color seperations and proper process coloring output.
Microsoft Publisher comes with many templates and layouts for common desktop publishing items and is easy to use. Because it is included with the Microsoft Office Suite, Publisher is a good choice for small businesses, individuals and anyone who wants a quick easy way to put out good-looking brochures, fliers, posters and other common adverstising materials.
Microsoft Publisher Training Courses
The following Microsoft Publisher training courses are available from Blue Star Learning...
MPUB2003-1 - Microsoft Publisher 2003 Introduction
MPUB2003-2 - Microsoft Publisher 2003 Advanced
MPUB2007-1 - Microsoft Publisher 2007: Introduction
MPUB2007-2 - Microsoft Publisher 2007: Advanced