STUDENT TABLOID CREATED ON A MAC



Author: Gladys Burritt

Date: April, 1988

Keywords: lumberjack newspaper howard seemann DTP desktop publishing

Text:
You may know that the Lumberjack, the student newspaper at Humboldt
State University is created on Macintosh computers.  If you've ever had
a chance to read it, you also know that it's an attractive and very
professionally done paper.  The Lumberjack is one of only five student
newspapers of 4-year educational institutions in the country to go to
the Macintosh for its production.  It was the first in California.
The person who has guided the Lumberjack in the Mac direction is SMUG
member Howard Seemann.    After working in the newspaper business for
eight years in various locations (including Italy and Wisconsin),
Howard  came to HSU in 1969 to teach journalism.  It's only recently,
though, that computers have become involved in his teaching and
advising work.
Another faculty member at Humboldt told him about the Mac 128K which he
purchased for use at home several years ago.  A short time after that,
when he attended a 3-day computer workshop at the San Jose Mercury
News, he became aware of how the print media was using computers for
copy, maps and charts.
  
He began to consider how computers might be a part of the journalism
program at Humboldt, and when he got home, he wrote a grant proposal to
Apple, Inc. , asking for a "Fat Mac" and a Laserwriter.  In the Summer
of 1986, in response to his grant request, Apple shipped a MacPlus, a
20-megabyte hard disk drive,  and a Laserwriter.  At first, certain
students were able to use the Mac in Professor Seemann's office for
selected projects, but soon it became apparent that more Mac's to be
located in the Lumberjack office would allow more reporters to work on
all aspects of the paper.  
Howard wrote another grant proposal.  When Apple didn't choose to fund
this proposal, the Lumberjack bought the equipment it needed.  Using
its own money from ad-generated revenue, the paper now has 6 Mac SE's
(one with a 20-megabyte hard disk drive), a MacPlus with external hard
disk drive, and a LaserWriter Plus.  Howard states that students
rapidly learn to use the Mac, the printer, and the software.  Copy is
set on WriteNow, ads are set up using PageMaker, and the weekly tabloid
(usually running about 28 pages), is put together on PageMaker.  
 
Howard feels that the Mac technology has "refreshed" him as a teacher,
in that he now is learning and teaching journalism with a new twist, 
and teaching an "Intro to Mac" class.  He also observes how the Mac and
LaserWriter have expanded the meaning of the First Amendment, in that
anyone with very limited resources can purchase a computer and printer,
 or rent time on a Mac and printer, and give his or her message to the
world!  Anyone can write and publish whatever they want!
But, according to Howard, even with the newly accessible and
"user-friendly" computer technology, the important thing to remember in
desktop publishing is that basic writing, editing and layout skills are
still important. Pick up a copy of the Lumberjack sometime, and you'll
see what he means!

Copyright © april, 1988 by Gladys Burritt