serif photo plus 9 and serif page plus 9

[rosyposy]

Hi, has anyone used either or both of the above please? I have been given a free CD with a magazine and would like to know if they are easy to use (and any good) before I download it. Hope someone can advise. Shirl

[Buenchico]

Serif is a wonderful software company, which makes older (or 'special edition') editions of several of its programs available for free download. The full freebie selection is here:
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/

That website has been recommended dozens of times, here on AB, to people seeking easy-to-use image manipulation software. (i.e. Serif PhotoPlus). The version on the website is a 'light' edition. The version you've been offered is a full one (but simply not the latest). Like all Serif software, it's very easy to use and definitely worth a try.

Requests for desktop publishing programs, here on AB, aren't seen as frequently as those for image editing software. However, when they do, the most frequently recommended freebie is Serif PagePlus. If you've never used a DTP program before, you'll love the freedom it gives you (in comparison to word processing software, such as Microsoft Word) to design your documents exactly the way that you want them.

Serif is a British company, so (unlike many programs from US software companies) you can easily design A4 (or A5) documents, without having to fathom out how to switch from the US 'legal' paper size.

I used to subscribe to Serif's 'bookclub style' way of getting discounted software. I only terminated my subscription because I'd eventually ordered (or received as a free gift) almost every program in their catalogue. I wasn't disappointed by a single one.

Chris

[rosyposy]

Thank you Chris for your (as always) very comprehensive and easy to understand answer. I am looking forward to trying it tomorrow. The CD also has Fotalia Photo Library on it, what can you tell me about that please? Is it just somewhere to store pics or what? It says 'Get creative - 20 free images of Spring' ?? Thanks again, Shirl

[Buenchico]

Thanks for your reply, Shirl.

Fotolia is a web-based 'stock photography' library, where you pay to download high-quality images for use in websites or print publications.
http://en.fotolia.com/
What's on the magazine's cover disk is little more than an ad for their service. (i.e. they're giving you a few images for free, in the hope that you'll be tempted to buy further photos from their website).

Chris

[rosyposy]

Thanks Chris for that info, I will give that one a miss then, Shirl