Rocky Mountain Oracle Users Group

Newsletter Article Guidelines Page

Important Notes on Submitting an Article for Publication

Do you have an idea for an article? Do you have an article you wish to have published? Please contact the Director of Newsletters BEFORE you submit or start to write your article!!!

When writing an article for SQL>UPDATE_RMOUG, several things are important. First and foremost is meeting the deadline. It is important to get your article submitted on time to assure it will be published in the most current issue. As of June 2002 the deadlines for submitting articles are: 
 

Tips

Second, save yourself some time by not formatting the article. Though your efforts are greatly appreciated, they are usually for naught. The publishing industry is primarily based on Macintosh formats and technology (we can hear you groaning!) because it is graphic intensive. Style sheets, tabs, italics, etc., do not translate across the platforms well, if at all. We have received some beautifully typeset articles from our contributors, only to lose it all in the translation.

Below are a few tips to save you some time and effort. It may not look good to you, but the Mac will love it.

1. ASCII is the best format in which to save your article. This is generic and translates extremely well.
2. Use only one tab - When you require tabs to align tables, columns of numbers, lists, etc., use only one. Don't worry about it not being lined up on your screen or when you print it. It will be when we print it.
3. Avoid using multiple spaces (spacebar) to align your columns. Not all spaces are created equal. Please use a single tab. Also, only one space after a period is required. Most of today's applications, such as Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, PageMaker and Quark Xpress, have built-in formulas for putting spaces after periods.
4. Spaces between paragraphs - There's no need to add line spaces between paragraphs. This is done automatically.
5. Styles and formatting - This is an area in which Mac and IBM have real trouble communicating. Save time by not giving your titles, subtitles, etc., any type of style or format (italic, different font size, bold, etc.). It all comes across as 10 point Helvetica (plain) no matter what you do to it or which application you use. The exception is Quark Xpress. This program translates almost all formatting quite nicely.

We think you're getting the idea - the less you do the better. (If only your boss would tell you that!)

Applications to Use

The following is a list of applications we use at EPS Digital and can read cross-platform. If you are using an application not listed here, please call us to make sure we can open your document. Again, ASCII is the format of choice.

• Microsoft Word (v 6.0.1 or earlier)
• Claris Works
• WordPerfect (v 3.0 or earlier)Freehand
• MS Works
• Corel WordPerfect 3.5
• Freehand
• QuarkXpress
• Illustrator
• Microsoft Excel
• Photoshop
• PageMaker (v. 6.0 or earlier)
• Corel Draw (v. 6.0 or earlier)

Submitting Your Article

Please send your article directly to the Director of education or Director of Newsletters.

If you have any questions regarding graphics use, please feel free to call EPS Digital at (303) 683-8322.

Direct all other newsletter questions to the Director of Newsletters.