Providing a table for Aldus/Adobe PageMaker involves a look back at one of the pioneering software programs in desktop publishing. It set the stage for what would become an industry revolutionized by Adobe InDesign. Here’s a summary of its version history, showcasing its evolution from inception by Aldus Corporation to its final versions under Adobe.
| Version | Features and Improvements |
|---|---|
| PageMaker 1.0 (1985) | Launched by Aldus Corporation for the Macintosh, introducing the concept of desktop publishing. |
| PageMaker 2.0 (1987) | Introduced for IBM PCs, expanding the desktop publishing revolution to the Windows platform. |
| PageMaker 3.0 (1988) | Enhanced text and graphics handling, including support for PostScript printers, which solidified its use in professional settings. |
| PageMaker 4.0 (1990) | Improved layout and design features, making it easier for users to produce sophisticated documents. |
| PageMaker 5.0 (1993) | Added features like story editor, booklet printing, and improved typography controls, catering to higher-end publishing needs. PDF support first added in the European version. |
| PageMaker 6.0 (1995) | Introduced new templates, tools for color separation, and support for plug-ins, enhancing its versatility in desktop publishing. PDF Export. |
| PageMaker 6.5 (1996) | Improved support for PDF and HTML formats, enabling users to prepare documents for the web and digital distribution. |
| PageMaker 7.0 (2001) | Last major release, added integrated Adobe PDF export features, and improved support for importing/exporting files from other Adobe apps. |
Aldus PageMaker’s development journey reflects the early days of desktop publishing, where the focus was on enabling users to design and publish documents from their personal computers. Its acquisition by Adobe and eventual replacement by Adobe InDesign marked the end of an era but also the beginning of a new chapter in digital design and publishing. PageMaker laid the groundwork for the sophisticated features and capabilities that InDesign would eventually offer to the publishing world.
Associated Links
PDF – The Evolution of the Portable Document Format : A Historical Perspective
