Serif Pageplus 10 brings page layout software into the hands of non-professional users, providing simplified tools to create a whole range of publications from business cards to books. It's been around for 14 years, so Serif must be doing something right.
The new features in version 10 will be welcomed by those who need to create long documents, or who need to import information from other data sources into a publication.
The Bookplus utility allows you to link multiple Pageplus publications into a book, treating each one as a different chapter. You can re-order, add and delete chapters and page numbers will be automatically updated, you can also apply styles across chapters and create a contents page and index for your book.
Meanwhile, the Mail and Photo Merge tools let you merge photos or text from a range of data sources including SQL Server, Access and Excel, plus contact details from Outlook, into your publications. This feature is useful if you want to create a brochure or catalogue from a folder of images, and using repeating areas photos can be flowed directly into your layout.
The interface is clear and uncluttered, and Serif has made it easier to get at tools such as the Spell Checker, which now floats on screen as you work. The tab-based tool bar gives you an instant picture of how changes to elements such as colour schemes and fonts will look.
The program comes laden with templates, wizards and guides, which are useful as it's not easy to use without experience of DTP software. But the ready-made publications can be cheesy.
Price:
£99.99 (upgrade from any Serif product £49.99)
Contact:
Serif 0800 376 7070
www.serif.com
System requirements:
- Windows 98 or higher
- Pentium PC
- 64MB of Ram
- 240MB of hard disk space
- 800 x 600 colour monitor
See also:
All Desktop Publishing (DTP)


