Skip to main content
Why SubmitSubmit

The PC is not a Typewriter (Robin Williams, 1992)

hunboonhunboon

Loading preview...

Use cases

Book notesBook notes

About

The PC is not a Typewriter by Robin Williams (1992) is a classic desktop publishing guide that covers 72 nodes across typography, spacing, punctuation, and alignment. This mind map template summarizes key rules like 'Use serif for body text' for greater readability, 'Never use all caps in body text', and 'One space after period' for proportional fonts. It contrasts outdated typewriter habits (mono-space, mono-weight, mono-size) with modern typography best practices, making it a concise reference for anyone doing desktop publishing on a computer.

Terms and Conditions

When to use this template

Graphic designers, writers, and anyone doing desktop publishing

Preparing a professional document or presentation that requires clean typography

Educators and trainers in design or communication

Teaching a workshop or class on typography basics and desktop publishing

Editors, proofreaders, and layout artists

Reviewing a manuscript or layout for common typographic errors before final print

How to use this template

Step 1

Open and Explore the Core Structure

Open the template in Xmind to browse the main branches covering typography rules, quotes, and core desktop publishing summaries.

Step 2

Review and Expand Specific Guidelines

Click on individual nodes to expand subtopics and study specific rules like serif usage and proportional font spacing.

Step 3

Personalize and Export Your Reference

Add your own notes or examples to the nodes before exporting the map as a PDF or image for your publishing projects.

Frequently asked questions

The template covers 72 nodes across five branches: Content (fonts, size, space, punctuation, alignment), Dec 2011, Quotes in Book, Core/target, and Summary. It includes specific rules like 'Use serif for body text' and 'One space after period'.

Open the .xmind file in Xmind, then review each branch to apply typography rules. For example, check the 'Alignment' branch to avoid using the space bar for alignment and use one-em first-line indents instead.

Yes, the template is free to download and fully editable in Xmind. You can add your own notes, examples, or customize the rules for your specific project needs.

Start with the 'Content' branch to understand font types and sizes, then move to 'Space' and 'Punctuation'. Use the 'Summary' to compare old typewriter habits with new proportional font rules.

Absolutely. You can rename nodes, add subtopics, change colors, or insert images. The template is a flexible starting point for creating your own typography reference.

Got an inspiring template?

Share your mind map templates with creators around the world and start earning from your work.

Free template