Perhaps the most significant development in microcomputer technology over the last two years has been the development of desktop publishing techniques. This technology promises to offer some significant advantages to institutions developing instructional materials in less developed countries, particularly in terms of control, cost effectiveness, and quality of output. The first section of the paper describes desktop publishing technology and hardware and software requirements for use of the technology. In the second section, the use of desktop publishing at the Open Learning Institute in British Columbia is described, with an emphasis on its effects on the course development process. Consideration of costs and efficiency is followed by a discussion of the technology's quality in terms of speed, size of output, and resolution. The importance of training for users of desktop publishing in developing countries is underscored, and considerations for hardware and software selection are reviewed. (8 references) (GL)