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 | | From: | Victoria Nuttle | | Subject: | RE: InDesign -opinions and long document template? | | Date: | Fri, 21 Jan 2005 11:14:25 -0600 |
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-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Gold
Sent: Friday, January 21, 2005 9:51 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: InDesign -opinions and long document template?
| If you would post some specifics about your reasons for considering a
| move from Word to something else, I'm sure you'll get lots of useful =20
| and focused feedback.
We moved from Word because... well, it's Word. :)
Word was beginning to become problematic, and we really needed a
solution that allowed us version controls, the ability to go from a
single file (attempts at master documents proved to be a nightmare), and
frankly, no one was really that fond of Word. Those concerns are
addressed by moving to InDesign.
However, I'm finding that some of the functionality I thought we'd have
(and no, I did not get a chance to go in-depth and play around with a
trial version of the software, I should have and now regret it) like
better indexing, cross-referencing and conditional text, are things only
in Frame and not InDesign. I've used Frame before, and honestly do
think it would have been a better choice, but I fear the considerations
of price, the future of Frame and the attractiveness of the CS package
really made the decision. =20
For the documents we produce (for some pretty high-level software) I
really can see this tool turning into a "lipstick on a pig" situation,
and it's going to be harder to keep reviewers focused on making sure
information is accurate rather than the tint of blue that we should use
on page 23. As I see it now, InDesign will be great for making things
look pretty, but it's not making the information any easier to manage.
I really hope I prove myself wrong.
- Victoria=20
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| | From: | Peter Gold | | Subject: | Re: InDesign -opinions and long document template? | | Date: | Fri, 21 Jan 2005 13:01:58 -0600 |
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Hi, Victoria:
Yes, I know that sinking feeling, and it's not fun.
If your version of ID doesn't include the PageMaker plugins, you can=20
purchase the kit separately. There's information here
http://www.adobe.com/products/indesign/pm_pack.html
It's $50 from Adobe; perhaps your vendor has it for less.
The features that might help you are:
InBooklet Special Edition plug-in
Automatically rearrange a document's pages into printer spreads for=20
professional printing with complete control over margins, gaps, bleeds,=20=
creep, and crossover traps =97 a process known as imposition.
* As you probably have discovered, standard ID has a book tool, but=20
this plug-in offers more sophisticated tools for production.
Bullets and numbering
Automatically create numbered and bulleted lists that update=20
dynamically when changes are made.
* Not as strong as FM's numbering. You can't interrupt a list with an=20
unnumbered paragraph style, then continue numbering automatically - you=20=
need to restart at a number you enter manually. No multiple-counter=20
numbers like 1.1.1.1.
Data merge
Create customized publications such as direct mail pieces and catalogs=20=
from database information merged into your InDesign layouts.
* I haven't tried to use this for something like importing content=20
similar to insets in FM, rather than mail-merge, but it might be=20
possible.
Template Browser and professional template sets
Jumpstart your projects with more than 80 templates created by leading=20=
designers. Use the Template Browser to browse, add, delete, and=20
reorganize template
* You might find some help and suggestions in these templates.
There's also some training material that I think isn't in standard ID.
Regarding conditional text, you might look into using text frames on=20
layers. You can turn layers on and off, like conditions. Text frames=20
can have text runaround, so showing a frame that's longer or shorter=20
can displace preceding and following text without leaving extra white=20
space.
As I mentioned today, in another thread on this list, you could=20
consider staying with Word for authoring, especially if you have good=20
discipline on the documentation team, to be consistent with styles,=20
then import the content into ID for final formatting. Word's numbering,=20=
if done right, should hold up. I haven't looked into how=20
cross-references or footnotes are managed, though.
If you purchased a lot of copies of the CS package, then cost would be=20=
a major issue. But if only have one right now, while working out the=20
kinks, it's not too late to move to FM. As many on this list (as well=20
as on the Adobe FM user-to-user forum, and the mailing list at=20
FrameUsers.com) have said, even if FM stopped being produced today,=20
it's still going to produce what you need for many years ahead. FM's=20
efficiency will quickly repay itself; compare the time you need to=20
invest in wrangling ID into shape for your needs, and especially if you=20=
have to give up essential features like cross-references.
Virginia systems makes some useful-looking plugins for ID:
http://virginiasystems.com/ Click the link for products by application,=20=
and scroll to InDesign. (I have no connection to them, and I haven't=20
used the products, yet.) If you've tried any of these, posting your=20
experience might be useful to others thinking of following this path.
Don't think of it as dressing-up a pig (unless your name is Charlotte=20
and you really like pigs), but rather as completing a tool set to meet=20=
your needs.
If you have the Creative Suite (Standard or Premium) you'll have=20
Version Cue, a tool that helps manage versions of documents. It's not a=20=
complete documentation control system, but may be useful, especially if=20=
your team collaborates on authoring.
HTH
Peter Gold
KnowHow ProServices
|> If you would post some specifics about your reasons for considering a
|
|> move from Word to something else, I'm sure you'll get lots of useful
|> and focused feedback.
|
|
| We moved from Word because... well, it's Word. :)
|
| Word was beginning to become problematic, and we really needed a
| solution that allowed us version controls, the ability to go from a
| single file (attempts at master documents proved to be a nightmare),=20=
| and
| frankly, no one was really that fond of Word. Those concerns are
| addressed by moving to InDesign.
|
| However, I'm finding that some of the functionality I thought we'd =
have
| (and no, I did not get a chance to go in-depth and play around with a
| trial version of the software, I should have and now regret it) like
| better indexing, cross-referencing and conditional text, are things=20
| only
| in Frame and not InDesign. I've used Frame before, and honestly do
| think it would have been a better choice, but I fear the =
considerations
| of price, the future of Frame and the attractiveness of the CS package
| really made the decision.
|
| For the documents we produce (for some pretty high-level software) I
| really can see this tool turning into a "lipstick on a pig" situation,
| and it's going to be harder to keep reviewers focused on making sure
| information is accurate rather than the tint of blue that we should =
use
| on page 23. As I see it now, InDesign will be great for making things
| look pretty, but it's not making the information any easier to manage.
| I really hope I prove myself wrong.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
WEBWORKS FINALDRAFT - EDIT AND REVIEW, REDEFINED
Accelerate the document lifecycle with full online discussions and unique feedback-management capabilities. Unlimited, efficient reviews for Word
and FrameMaker authors. Live, online demo:
http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Technical Communication Certificate online - Malaspina-University College, Canada. Online training in technical writing, software (FrameMaker, RoboHelp, Dreamweaver, Acrobat), document & web design, writing manuals, job search. www.pr.mala.bc.ca/tech_comm.htm for details.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as:
techwr-l@gts.org
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-185178C@lists.techwr-l.com
Send administrative questions to lisa@techwr-l.com. Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
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