[scribus] Starting with Scribus

[John Culleton]

On Thursday 02 July 2009 04:58:08 am Blue Beehive wrote:
> OK. I have downloaded and installed Scribus and started to read
> the documentation (splendid stuff Peter). I am a Windows user who
> has never done any DTP before, or anything else really, only
> business accounts (package), the occasional spreadsheet  and the
> usual emails. I have foolishly agreed to prepare and publish our
> village mag - 32 double sided A4 pages and around 800 copies per
> run) and thought Scribus hits the button. Now here is the BUT. I
> now find that I also now have to have GhostScript and Ghostscript
> viewer, GIMP and I don't know what else, and have got to learn
> about PS, PDF and EPS files together with typography, fonts,
> colour manipulation and what seems like a myriad of other things.
>
> My question is simple. Where do I start? Which comes first in the
> learning curve. Scribus, the other programs, terminology, the
> file types? I am surrounded, nay buried, in 'new stuff'. So much
> so that I have lost all sense or direction and have no idea where
> the door is. Can anybody point to it. -- Please!
>
> Alan

You should load Ghostscript first, then Scribus.  Gimp is nice but 
not essential for your app.  I would look up the file types on 
wikipedia.  For a readable introduction to the publishing process, 
not Scribus specific, I would buy Pete Masterson's book
"Book Design and Production." It is an outstanding introduction to 
the overall process, even  though it is not Scribus specific.

There is also an excellent tutorial online that covers the main 
points of using Scribus in a very readable manner.  

The Scribus manual is comprehensive, but a bit overwhelming for the 
absolute beginner. 
John Culleton
Create Book Covers with Scribus/e-book $5.95
http://www.booklocker.com/books/4055.html