If you're looking for a looking fully-featured Desktop Publishing (DTP) program for Linux, Mac or Windows, or just a way to create professional PDF files, look no further.

Scribus - mislabelled by Newsforge as "one of the killer applications for Linux" - is actually a multi-platform DTP wonder. For those with a publishing bent Scribus supports features such as CMYK color, separations, ICC color management and versatile PDF creation. It was the first DTP app on the planet to directly support PDF/X-3 (whatever that is!) and also handles PDF Import, EPS import/export, Unicode text including right to left scripts such as Arabic and Hebrew.

The underlying file format is XML-based; fully open and completely documented. It comes in 25 languages (with more on the way) and a development team that prides itself on excellent end-user support via a lively IRC channel and friendly mailing list.

Yeah, but what's it like to use? Brilliant! The second thing I did with it after running through Niyam Bhushan's excellent tutorial was put together a full-colour, 24-page, A5 catalogue for client of mine. It was easy to do, turned out great - and I'm not even a graphic designer!

You'll find the Linux and Mac downloads here, Windows ones here, and excellent and comprehensive documentation here. The latest version's also available as a single-source download from Kilk. (Read more about Klik here.)