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                Welcome to the International Publishers Exchange
                   (known fondly to those involved as PubNet)

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ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHERS EXCHANGE...

     The International Publishers Exchange (IPE) is a non-profit international
organization staffed entirely by volunteers. Among its members are private
individuals, corporations and institutions. All are involved in some aspect of
electronic and print communications, such as desktop publishing, graphics,
printing, advertising, technical documentation, and more.

     Anyone can join IPE, either as a casual user or active participant. The goal
is to create a "Users' Intelligence Network," where members may share experiences,
ask questions, and gain insight into the use of these powerful new technologies.

    Whether you are creating a church newsletter, developing a major corporate
brochure, or investigating the latest in multi-media, you will find PubNet members
more than willing to help and share their experiences. You are also encouraged to
help others in their publishing and communications efforts.


ABOUT THE BBS NETWORK...

     Central to the achievement of IPE's goal is PubNet--a telecommunications
network linking bulletin board systems around the world. This network is based on
the same technology as the popular FidoNet EMail system. Messages and files are
distributed to participating PubNet BBSs on a daily basis. A message entered on
one of these boards is "echoed" to all other PubNet boards throughout the world.

     Key to PubNet are the various conferences, each dealing with a specific
aspect of PubNet or electronic printing and publishing. The current PubNet
conference list includes:

INTROPUB  - Introduce yourself here and find out more about PubNet

AUTOPUB        - Automatically generated network messages, file releases, etc.
COREL          - Talk on Corel products, including but not limited to Draw!
EPWG           - Electronic Publishing and Writing Group
FONTS          - Installing and using fonts on any platform
FRAME          - The FrameMaker program on both Mac and Sun platforms
GRAPHIC_DESIGN - Analysis and commentary on publication design 
HI_RES         - Discussions on high-res graphics such as Targa
LASERMASTER    - Talk about LaserMaster's printers and controller cards
LASERPUB       - Discussions on laser printers in DTP and related issues
PAGEMAKER      - Discussions of Aldus' PageMaker
POSTSCRIPT     - Postscript printers and programming tips
PRODUCTION     - Publishing and production issues
PUB_ADS        - Commercial advertisements from publishing-related firms
PUB_BUSINESS   - Discussions of the business side of publishing
PUBNET         - PubNet administration
PUBNEWS        - Publishing news and press releases
QUARK          - Quark Xpress publishing software discussions
RIME_DTP       - RIME network DTP conference
SCAN           - Discussions of scanning and scanners on all platforms
TECH_SUPPORT   - Technical support for DTP products
TRAIN          - A forum for users of DTP training and the trainers themselves
UNIX_PUB       - Publishing on UNIX platforms
USERGROUPS     - Information exchange forum for DTP user groups
VENTURA        - Ventura Publisher User Group coordination

     Note: The above is the echo list as of 4/1/92. It is the intent of IPE and
PubNet to bring the best echoes to PubNet users. As part of this effort, some of
these echoes are experimental in nature. Others are shared with other networks,
including FidoNet and the RIME network. What this means is that this list is, as
they say, "subject to change without notice."

     Queries or comments on PubNet's echo offerings are always welcome, as are
volunteers who would like to help out. For more information, contact Steve Dick,
PubNet EchoMail Coordinator, at 2:252/118.


THE PUBNET DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM (PDS)

     The second key in the PubNet operation is the PubNet Distributon System
(PDS), IPE's automated file distribution system. This system works just like the
message echoes: any PubNet PDS node can put a file into the system and it will be
automatically relayed to all other PubNet PDS nodes. When files are received, they
are automatically announced in the AUTOPUB conference.

     At this writing, the file distribution system is currently undergoing a major
restructuring, with changes to current file area names and new areas being added.
The changes will eliminate confusion with other file distribution networks, as
well as providing a better organization for the files relayed.

     For more information on the PDS, or to volunteer to help out with file
distribution, contact Carl Dickson on the Infinite Perspectives BBS (301/924-0398;
FidoNet node 1:109/519). Sysops in Europe are encouraged to contact Steve Dick on
the DTP Users BBS (44-81-656-5190; FidoNet node 2:252/118.0).


WANT MORE INFORMATION?

     Join the INTROPUB conference first and let us know about yourself. If you
need help finding out where to go within PubNet to find an answer INTROPUB is the
place to start!


A FINAL NOTE...

     PubNet continues to grow with each passing month. We are continually setting
up hubs, testing links, and getting moderators for some of the newer echoes, such
as COREL. Boards noted with an asterisk in the accompanying DTPBBSxx list are
current participants in the IPE and PubNet. At this writing, not all of the boards
are connected for all of the echo conferences, but it is hoped that those that
aren't will be soon.

     Come join us! 




(rev. 4/1/92)