For many years, printed media was the principal means of distributing information for commercial or information purposes. The computer changed that-- now, in addition to print, the World Wide Web and the CD-ROM have provided additional avenues for distributing this information. Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

In most cases, the point of view regarding this change has been adversarial: print vs. web, web vs. CD, CD vs. print, and so on. This point of view pits each medium against the other. It is based on the assumption that each medium has a function in place of one of the other media- using the web can reduce print, using a CD can replace print and carry more information than the web, using print is more durable and convenient than using the web or a CD- and so on and so on.

At Terrapin Design, we take a different view. We do not see these three media as adversarial. We see them as complementary, each medium with its own characteristics than can complement and enhance the shortcomings of the other media.

The Intermedia Information System is a way of distributing information using the advantages offered by all three media. Here's how it works:

The CD

The CD is the lynch-pin of the system. It has one gleaming advantage over the web and printed materials: it can hold enormous amounts of data and it weighs less than 2 ounces. This makes it tremendously inexpensive to mail compared to the weight involved with printed material. The CD runs locally on the user's computer, making it much faster to access information when compared to the web. The CD is produced from page layout programs- the very same programs used to create your printed material- so it has the same look as your printed pieces. It is not dependent on the limited layout capabilities of web pages.

The Web

The disadvantage of the CD is that once it is produced, it cannot be updated without burning and distributing a new CD. In a fast-paced environment, this can be a major hindrance. The Intermedia Information System solves this problem by making the CD a web-savvy media. Using a direct link from the CD to any web address, the web can be used to post current data, late-breaking news, correction information and other time-sensitive information. Since the web page can be updated daily if needed, the CD never loses its timeliness, no matter how old it gets or how long between updates. In addition, new sections of the CD can be downloaded from the web to replace outdated information from the CD (this requires copying the contents of the CD to the user's hard drive).

Print Material

Since the CD can be produced from existing printed material, the CD maintains the look of your printed pieces. The user can print these materials on their own printers, saving you the cost of mailing printed pieces to them. The user can also be selective- they can print only the pieces, or even the pages, that they need for their purposes. For larger documents, a request form can be included on the CD which, when filled out and submitted, comes to you across the web as e-mail. Or the same form can be printed by the user and faxed to you. You only send larger, bulkier materials to those people who have a definite need for them. You save on both printing costs and mailing costs.

What kind of information can be put on the CD?

Anything that can be printed to a laser printer can be put on the CD. This includes any existing publications that you have in PageMaker, Quark XPress, or InDesign- the leading page layout software packages. If you printed any kind of brochures, catalogs, or other sales literature, they were most likely set up using one of these programs. Converting them to files for the CD is pretty much a push-button operation.

But that's not all. Word processing documents and spreadsheet documents can also be converted for use on the CD. This means price lists, spec sheets, MSDS data sheets, parts lists, training manuals, policy manuals-- the list is almost endless. Entire stacks of information now contained in three-ring binders can be reduced to a single disk for distribution externally to clients and customers, or distributed internally among relevant members of your organization.

There's more. The CD can launch any file in its native format that can be placed on the CD (space permitting). If you like, for example, you can create an entire library of AutoCAD files on the CD. By using a central index page, any of these files can be accessed. Word files, Excel files, PowerPoint files, AutoCAD files to name a few- all can be indexed and accessed from the CD as long as the necessary program exists on the computer. If you have files that require a proprietary installation, the installers can be launched directly from the CD.

Need to show videos? No problem. Video and audio tracks can also be included on the CD. Animations that can be saved as .mov or .avi files can also be used. The only limit is space available on the CD itself- and at 650 megabytes available, there is a lot of space.

How much does this cost?

Less than you might think. There are many factors that impact the cost of production. The main factors are the amount of material to be included on the CD, the manner in which the materials exist, and the type of interface you want the CD to have. In its simplest form, the production costs can be as low as a few hundred dollars.

Duplication costs for the CD also vary. The principal factors impacting cost are the number of CDs to be produced and the type of packaging you want them in.

We have provided an on-line Request for Quote form on this website. If you would like us to give you an estimate for you particular project, fill in as much information as you can and submit to request to us on-line, or call us at 800-887-8280.