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• • October 1, 2010 at 10:52 am #57206
    PCCHDsue

    Member

    Here's the issue. I am the only graphic designer at my company. (local public health department)

    The “powers that be” (PTB) want to be able to access/change/edit and otherwise generally manipulate files I create in ID. They basically want to be able to do my job without the training and knowledge specific to graphic design.

    For example, PTB want to be able to change finished advertising if edits are required in my absence. They don't understand why I just don't do everything in Word!?! (I was trying to explain that I use “professional level” software for a variety of reasons and that Word isn't an accepted program for those needs. Their reply? “If this professional software is so difficult to use, why does anyone buy it?”)

    Is this something that InCopy would do? I think they would be more at home in “adobe” (acrobat). They have access to Acrobat Pro 9. (I work in ID CS3) Is there a way for them to edit from Pro? I am quite concerned about how badly they could mess up my files.

    Please offer any assistance. Thanks.

  • October 3, 2010 at 4:15 am #57220
    kfhking

    Member

    I would say use InCopy, it will let them change and edit text and not let them to really play with the design. from what i know of InCopy's work flow InDesign you can control the typography and the layout in InDesign and limit there access to editing text, if thats what you want, this is the best thing I know of.

    There is something called InDesign server for cs5 with sound like it could be used for multi-users editing one project but i have really read in to it yet, you might like to read about it and see if it may help you more.

  • October 3, 2010 at 7:39 am #57221
    David Blatner

    Keymaster

    There are also increasing number of options for workflows that involve broweser-based editing. For example, I was just chatting with Tim Cole from Kuhnert.com, who was telling me about their solution based on InDesign Server. It maintains brand identity (the nice layout you've created in InDesign), but allows anyone (well, anyone allowed) to make edits to the text without knowing InDesign at all. These are not typically inexpensive, but they can be very cost-effective for enterprise, education, and government organizations.

  • October 3, 2010 at 10:58 am #57223
    Tim Cole

    Member

    Thanks for the plug, David. PCCHDsue and anyone else can find information at https://www.1io.com now, as we're re-branding. There's a link to a PDF brochure with information about our one2edit product that enables WYSIWYG, in-browser, rights managed editing and review of InDesign documents. And, we also have a new subscription model which makes it a very cost-effective way for smaller orgs to essentially rent a solution.

    We enable the non-pro, non-designer, non-InDesign user to edit only assigned text or image elements in an InDesign document, and apply styles, swap images, attach notes, etc. depending on what editing rights the designer or project manager gives them. The users can't mess up your layout. They can only get into the content you allow.

    Anyone who'd like a demo can contact me directly at tim-dot-cole-at-1io-dot-com.

  • October 4, 2010 at 1:26 am #57226
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    That's very interesting, Tim.

    Thanks for the link – I've signed up for stuff… this might be something I am very interested in.

  • October 4, 2010 at 6:15 am #57230
    PCCHDsue

    Member

    David Blatner said:There are also increasing number of options for workflows that involve broweser-based editing. For example, I was just chatting with Tim Cole from Kuhnert.com, who was telling me about their solution based on InDesign Server. It maintains brand identity (the nice layout you've created in InDesign), but allows anyone (well, anyone allowed) to make edits to the text without knowing InDesign at all. These are not typically inexpensive, but they can be very cost-effective for enterprise, education, and government organizations.

    ---

    This sounds like something to consider. Thanks.

  • October 4, 2010 at 6:17 am #57232
    PCCHDsue

    Member

    TimCole said:

    Thanks for the plug, David. PCCHDsue and anyone else can find information at now, as we're re-branding. There's a link to a PDF brochure with information about our one2edit product that enables WYSIWYG, in-browser, rights managed editing and review of InDesign documents. And, we also have a new subscription model which makes it a very cost-effective way for smaller orgs to essentially rent a solution.https://www.1io.com

    We enable the non-pro, non-designer, non-InDesign user to edit only assigned text or image elements in an InDesign document, and apply styles, swap images, attach notes, etc. depending on what editing rights the designer or project manager gives them. The users can't mess up your layout. They can only get into the content you allow.

    Anyone who'd like a demo can contact me directly at tim-dot-cole-at-1io-dot-com.

    ---

    This merits further investigation. I'll be in contact.

  • October 4, 2010 at 10:19 am #57243
    Bob Levine

    Participant

    Having seen a demo (thanks, Tim) I'll confirm that it is most certainly something you should look at.

  • October 6, 2010 at 1:01 pm #57261
    Olaf Nelson

    Member

    That looks like a very useful solution. I'd love to see a price breakdown, because anything I need this badly is almost certainly going to be way out of my price range. It would be cool if there was a bargain basement version that allowed editing of nothing but text, and that could be 'rented' for a day, a week, a month, or longer. I often need something like this for just a few days and then not again for months.

    Hope to see more specifics as the site is developed. (But that pressed-in text is rough on the eyes!)

    Great idea for sure.

    Olaf

  • October 8, 2010 at 4:36 am #57300
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    “If this professional software is so difficult to use, why does anyone buy it?”

    An excellent question and one that you might put to them.

    Why, for example, does a health department insist on using those silly complicated MRI machines? Tell them you have a Canon point-and-shoot camera that will do the job just as well and far more simply. Or those expensive autoclave machines – what's wrong with a good wash up with hot water and detergent?

    All this stuff about professionals having special knowledge and extensive training – they know it's voodoo and you know it's voodoo. Just lean forward and say: “That tooth looks nasty; I could have it out for you in a jiffy with a knife and fork and a corkscrew, I reckon.”

  • October 9, 2010 at 1:13 pm #57310
    AaronA

    Participant

    Have you investigated Rorohiko's StoryTweaker?

    https://www.rorohiko.com/wordpr…..rytweaker/

    Allows editing of just text. Inexpensive. (Although I haven't yet gotten it to work properly myself…)

    Aaron

  • October 9, 2010 at 2:31 pm #57313
    Roland

    Member

    AaronA said:

    Allows editing of just text. Inexpensive. (Although I haven't yet gotten it to work properly myself…)

    ---

    Not the best promotion I've seen ;)

    Semi off-topic: I understand why companies like selling 12-month subscriptions to expensive services, but like Olaf, I too would like to see more short-term licenses offered. This type of software and Adobe's own Adobe Live service would be far better for small businesses if they could pay to use the software for a month at a time, only spending money on it when they actually need it.

    I don't make websites officially, but every now and then I'll do a simple one for a client to get them started. The Dreamweaver browser-checking Adobe Live service is great for that, but would I pay a couple hundred Euros (expected pricing) a year for maybe three days of use? The rest of the Adobe Live services are of no use to me… None of my clients will create yet another account to see their stuff online in an unfamiliar environment if I can send JPGs or PDFs that they can comment on (usually by printing them, writing on the print and then emailing a scan back).

    And that's my Saturday-evening rant. I'm off to play some Halo Reach now :)

  • October 11, 2010 at 10:00 am #57323
    Chuck Nigash

    Member

    By default, text you place in InDesign is not linked to the original text file. However, if you select the “Create Links When Placing Text And Spreadsheet Files” preferences option before you place a file, the name of the text file appears in the Links panel. You can use the Links panel to update and manage the file. When you update a linked text file, any editing or formatting changes applied within InDesign are lost. Because of this risk, linked text files are not automatically updated when the original file is edited. However, you can easily update the linked file using the Links panel.

    1. Do one of the following:

       • To apply this change to a document, open the document.

       • To apply this change to new documents you create, close all documents.

    2. Choose Edit > Preferences > Type (Windows) or InDesign > Preferences > Type (Mac OS).
    3. To create links in placed files, select Create Links When Placing Text And Spreadsheet Files. If this option is turned on, use the Links panel to update, relink, or remove links. If this option is turned off, text files are embedded (not linked).

    If you keep a folder of text files that the PTB can reach, they can edit with little interference to your InDesign doc. When you update, you're back in control.

  • October 12, 2010 at 7:08 am #57331
    PCCHDsue

    Member

    editing text and then needing me to update is the problem. they want to be able to take the “me” out of the equation if needed. apparently “PTB” don't like the answers I'm coming up with… they are now examining options without my input.

  • October 13, 2010 at 12:13 am #57345
    Roland

    Member

    If they've already taken the stance that you're not thinking in their best interest and/or they can do your job themselves – probably falsely believing it'll save them time and money – it might not be a salvagable client.
    I'd ask myself this: is it an important enough client to spend any more time trying to retain? If your business can survive without them, I'd cut my losses and move on. There's a good chance they'll return in a while, after they've had some massive failures (increased cost, time spent and possible/probable bad results).

  • October 13, 2010 at 5:56 am #57350
    PCCHDsue

    Member

    Unfortunately, this is not a client but my employer. So yes, this is important to retain this “client” or I will be unemployed.

    There's a good chance they'll return in a while, after they've had some massive failures (increased cost, time spent and possible/probable bad results).

    I have no doubts that there will be massive failures, the question is will they see them as failures.

  • October 14, 2010 at 12:44 am #57365
    Anonymous

    Inactive

    My sympathy, Sue.

  • November 8, 2010 at 10:59 am #57616
    Peter Merrison

    Member

    Hi,

    I've tried numerous ways to allow clients to edit copy linked to an InDesign file with varying results. InCopy works great for in-house local text editing folks, but in my experience is too complicated and expensive for a freelance designer to work with freelance writers or other small clients. As Chuck mentioned, a very simple solution is to create links to text and spreadsheet files and update text in the InDesign document that way. In my experience this has the drawback of being more labor intensive and sometimes dropping text formatting when updated, resulting in re-formatting updated text manually. I'm intrigued by the fact that InDesign can link to “Buzzword” text files. This in theory allows a stable link to text that is stored online and allows collaboration between writers and their clients. The drawback is that it costs to use Adobe's online service and many users will not want to step outside their comfort zone to edit text in an unfamiliar environment. Now wondering if there may be a solution using MS Word 2010/2011 and their new online document sharing service. If that could work, writers can stay in their comfort zone, which is usually MS Word and they can collaborate with their clients editing text. If InDesign could link to the MS Word online documents, you would have a very slick text linking and collaboration environment. One2Edit sounds interesting but looks expensive. A s a freelance designer I would love to have a way for clients to be able to edit text in complicated layouts without them having to purchase InCopy or having to link many individual text files. p

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