Freeware alternative to InDesign?

Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
I am looking for a freeware version of a page layout application similar to InDesign for the Mac. My son needs it for school.



About the only one I found was http://www.scribus.net/, are there any other alternatives?



Thanks!

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    iqatedoiqatedo Posts: 1,823member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JS29 View Post


    I am looking for a freeware version of a page layout application similar to InDesign for the Mac. My son needs it for school.



    About the only one I found was http://www.scribus.net/, are there any other alternatives?



    Thanks!



    How sophisticated does the program need to be? One can achieve quite nice result in Pages. I have produced posters this way including one for a scientific conference. Does the school require InDesign specifically?



    Regards.
  • Reply 2 of 7
    js29js29 Posts: 44member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by IQatEdo View Post


    How sophisticated does the program need to be? One can achieve quite nice result in Pages. I have produced posters this way including one for a scientific conference. Does the school require InDesign specifically?



    Regards.



    Pages would work aside from the fact I am trying to get by w/o spending any $ because we already have MS Office for Mac 2004. There is not requirement for InDesign. It is just the layout software I have used in the past. I know I could probably get it done in Word, but it isn't really designed for this type of work.
  • Reply 3 of 7
    iqatedoiqatedo Posts: 1,823member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JS29 View Post


    Pages would work aside from the fact I am trying to get by w/o spending any $ because we already have MS Office for Mac 2004. There is not requirement for InDesign. It is just the layout software I have used in the past. I know I could probably get it done in Word, but it isn't really designed for this type of work.



    Depending on the age of your system/s of course, I'd recommend that you have a look at iWork, it really is nice to use. I have a late version of Office that I barely touch. Pages even supports EndNote now. Keynote is a joy to work with.



    Regards.
  • Reply 4 of 7
    bergermeisterbergermeister Posts: 6,784member
    I second that. iWork is worth the cost, even if you only use one of the three apps.



    The primary benefit of iWork is its ease of use: the apps use similar menus at times (for example, when editing a photo) and they are integrated nicely with iLife. If you are worried about cost, consider time saved achieving a task; iWork is easy to learn and use, saving lots of time.



    Pages can be used to produce awesome stuff. I produce lots of stuff including classroom materials, text books, etc.; though I have and know how to use InDesign, I often prefer Pages.



    Keynote is awesome. It simply blows PowerPoint away.



    Yeah, I used to have and use Office. It is no longer installed on either my personal or my work machines.
  • Reply 5 of 7
    hudson1hudson1 Posts: 800member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by JS29 View Post


    I am looking for a freeware version of a page layout application similar to InDesign for the Mac. My son needs it for school.



    About the only one I found was http://www.scribus.net/, are there any other alternatives?



    Thanks!



    If you don't need it for a long time, you can use Ragtime:



    http://www.ragtime.de/start.html



    Also, they have given free licenses for educational uses in the past so I wouldn't hesitate to ask them if they would do that for you.
  • Reply 6 of 7
    js29js29 Posts: 44member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Hudson1 View Post


    If you don't need it for a long time, you can use Ragtime:



    http://www.ragtime.de/start.html



    Also, they have given free licenses for educational uses in the past so I wouldn't hesitate to ask them if they would do that for you.



    Thanks for all the input. I stopped on the way home last night, picked up a copy of iWork and my son (and I) were able to get his project done w/little drama. Pages is really an intuitive, easy program to work with. As one poster said, well worth the $ spent.
  • Reply 7 of 7
    Glad the project went well.
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