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How
to Ease PC Headaches
At Promethius,
we see lots of technical problems every day. We also see lots
of “user” errors every day. Below are some ways
you can help prevent both technical and not-so-technical problems.
1. ALWAYS
keep your software labeled and readily available. Whenever
possible, keep the individual software for each PC separate
from others. Gone are the days of using the first CD you can
find to load an operating system.
2. Do not place your computer near a heating or cooling
source. This can increase chances for static electricity
or do outright damage to your PC.
3. Use Surge Protectors. A UPS (uninterruptible
power supply) or a surge protector is absolutely essential to
prevent damage to computer components and data from electrical
surges. No surge protector can help in the event of a lightning
strike. When possible, unplug your computers, modems, etc. during
thunderstorms.
4. Keep your data files separate from your system files.
If you are not on a network, save your files to the My Documents
folder. Never save anything in the Windows or WINNT folders.
Keep all word-processing, spreadsheets, database, pictures,
music and personal files in one location for easy backup and
restoration.
5. Backup your data! This is essential. If
you are on a network, make sure that you are saving to a location
on your server that is backed up daily. If you are not on a
network, backup your data regularly. Always expect to lose any
data that is not backed up. In this situation, paranoia can
be very helpful.
6. Keep antivirus software updated! We all
know the absolute necessity of having antivirus software on
our computers. Apparently, we do not all understand, however,
that the software is completely worthless unless it is kept
up-to-date. Download the updated virus definitions for your
software at least weekly. If there is a fee associated with
the new definitions, PAY THE FEE. The software will not protect
your computer unless the updates are applied.
If you would
like to hear other ways to protect your PCs, please call us
at
317/733-2388.
 The
Development of Successful Print Projects: Finishing Touches
This
article is the third in a series on the development of successful
print projects. This month’s topic focuses on the finishing
touches.
Now that the paper is chosen and
the pictures are high quality and in the correct color format,
it’s time to put everything together to form your printed
piece. These “finishing touches” will actually be
some of the first decisions you will make. For example, you
will choose to create a booklet before thinking about paper
finishes. But what kind of fold will your booklet have? And
what kind of binding will you choose? Those two decisions will
affect your design, layout and margins, budget, and possibly
the timeline.
One project can take on several
different looks depending on the fold you choose. For instance,
one 8-page brochure can use a roll, parallel, accordion, gate,
map, reverse map, broadside, short or die-cut fold. When thinking
about trying a fold you might not be familiar with, ask to see
a paper dummy -- a model of the folded piece.
Six major methods of binding each
have their own advantages and disadvantages. The kind you choose
will depend greatly on your needs and budget.
The saddle wire stitch is a popular
choice because it is economical and the book can lay flat when
open. The saddle stitch is used for a lot of magazines and publications
with a small number of pages. The spine is stapled, often in
two places, along the spine. One requirement for this type of
binding is that the number of pages has to be divisible by four.
A side wire stitch is more flexible with the number of pages
because it will allow single pages to be inserted before stitching.
Just as it sounds, a stapling technique is used, but on the
side instead of in the middle. The disadvantage is that the
book will not lay flat when open.
Spiral and wire-o bindings use
metal coils. The result is similar to the spiral notebooks we
use for note taking. These methods tend to be more expensive
than stitching, and might seem less attractive.
You may have seen perfect binding
on a large department store catalog. With this technique, pages
are gathered and bound and then covered, all along the left
edge. This provides a nice finish, but may not be the best option
if you plan to have images or type crossing the gutter between
two pages.
The final method of binding is
case or edition binding. This method – used in hardcover
books – involves pasting and sewing. Case binding provides
the best quality, but it is also the most expensive method.
After folding or binding the project,
it is ready for distribution! You now have a piece suitable
for delivering in the mail or handing out at a trade show.
With all projects, especially time
or budget sensitive print projects, it’s important to
ask questions until you feel comfortable making the decisions
that are required for the project. That is why we are here,
and we’re always happy to help.
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Congratulations
to Melissa Dixon, our Director of Creative Services, on her
recent engagement. Melissa said "yes" to her new fiance,
Troy Gordon, over dinner at Sangiovese in Indianapolis. Melissa
and Troy have been dating for nearly four years and plan on
getting married sometime early next November.