2 comments about Adobe Indesign CS3 [Mac] [OLD VERSION].

1. LAZY AND CRAZY, TOO!
   Until I started working on this review, I'd never used the software. (Uh-oh.) InDesign CS3 isn't for beginners, yet I'm no beginner as a writer. From my perspective, I take it as a given that InDesign CS3 is a professional-level layout and desktop publishing program with far more capabilities and control over all aspects of typography and design than any word-processing application. If I could craft a better manuscript with it, I wanted to try -- no one should be afraid of using the very best tools. Hearing that I was going to write a review, however, my brother Bob in Austin emailed me to say,
   
   With features like indexes, libraries, table of contents, links, & bookmarks that you probably won't notice and might not ever appreciate unless you actually wanted to build a table of contents, an index, publish in both print & eletronic formats with a fancy PDF containing "click-able" table of contents or multi-media features, it's a daunting assignment. I know you're not asking, but I'd recommend you at least try to touch on the Library palette, Paragraph Styles, and Character Styles. Also check out Drop Shadows, Corner Effects, Transparency, Word Wrap, Glyphs, Find/Replace and Drop Caps. That way your review will appear like you know what you're talking about. ;-p
   
   Did he say "daunting"? Indeed. So this will be a streamlined story very different from the usual review. Experienced users may find what follows intolerably frustrating, while novices, dreamers, or pros in other areas could end up commiserating or cheering from the sidelines. Let's find out!
   
   TAKE ONE
   I knew nothing. I wanted something. How best to make InDesign CS3 actually deliver? I decided that the best approach would be to produce a mini-manuscript of perhaps a dozen pages. At this stage, there was no way I'd be able to take advantage of everything the application offered, but if I could do one, I could do another, and another, and so on, and eventually I'd learn. But even coming from a raw beginner, the end result would be an InDesign document that I could output to print or electronic publishing, and when working with my favorite graphic designer, I could send her a working document for her to fix. The workflow would begin and end with InDesign.
   
   Naturally, I got stuck right away. Poking around the menus made me feel like I was in another country, so I knew I had to break down and open Adobe Help, where I watched a video by Colin Fleming on "Creating a New Document." He did a nice job but had me hopping madly back and forth from Google or my Dashboard dictionary so I could understand the lingo -- in the Land of Print, they don't speak English! A "slug," for example, is a variably sized area of white space around and below the document where one can have notes and print job information. I also learned that the default margin of "3p0" refers to three picas, 1.27 cm., or half an inch. (This required googling "three picas," because searching for "3p0" returned a zillion android hits...) "Pica," incidentally, means 4.23 mm, an eating disorder, the Portland -- or Perth -- Institute for Contemporary Art, the Pacific Islanders Cultural Association, the Podiatry Insurance Company of America, and the Photo Imaging Council of Australia, among many other things. If you spell it with a "k," you get a rodent!
   
   Three hours later, it was clear that "lazy" smart guy wouldn't cut it. After plodding through more Help pages that I could count, I still didn't know what the zero in "3p0" meant and seriously considered changing the subheading of this review to, "If an idiot uses InDesign to write a thank-you note, will anybody care?"
   
   Humbled, I devoted the rest of the day and most of the night to reading pages in the Help Viewer and trying to make sense of online tutorials. Believe me, there are scads of them. Adobe is very helpful in this regard, although no one seems to design instructional material for people from another planet, which was basically my position here. Searching for "how to actually make text appear inside a window on your screen" will get you nowhere, for example, yet that was exactly what I needed to know. Eventually, of course, I found out that text goes inside a "text frame," which you either create on the page with the Text tool or else end up with in full page size if you select "Master Text Frame" when you create a document. I did that for my initial 12-page experiment, using default margins and a custom 5.5 x 8.5 inch paper size (for paperback books).
   
   As one might guess, I crashed and burned. There's no better way to learn fast, however! 12 pages was too small, my master page was set up wrong, etc. And as I saw more and more of what InDesign could do, my ambition grew. I decided to scrap the first attempt and start all over. But first, the answer to a burning question on every Adobe PR rep's mind:
   
   HEY, WHERE ARE THE SCREENSHOTS?!
   Okay, here's one (below). As you can see, screenshots are useless in this context because a) the interface is complex and humongous, b) you can't read much at 600 pixels wide, c) this thing is all-business and frankly kinda ugly, and d) I don't know what half of these panels do. Also, be advised that InDesign CS3 is an awfully tight fit on a MacBook desktop: you'll want the biggest monitor(s) you can find. The good news is that Adobe has designed everything you see here to snap together so you can create a much leaner, customized workspace once you know what you're doing.
   
   TAKE TWO
   No more "manuscript" nonsense, I would create an EBOOK! It worked, too. You can download it now (PDF, 312 KB) and follow along or wait until the end of the review. This would be set up for printing as a paperback at 5.5 x 8.5 inches like before -- in case I expanded it for publication -- but since I'd only be exporting it to PDF at first, I left out the print-specific blank pages.
   
   InDesign CS3 allows you to create a Book file, which is actually a package containing separate InDesign documents relating to the different sections of a typical book. I created two documents, one for the actual text, consisting of four previously-published columns for Horse Fly, a monthly Taos newspaper, and one for the "front matter." Front matter is all the junk at the front of a book: title page, copyright info, table of contents, and so on. Using separate documents for each section allowed me to use a different master page for each one. As you might think, the master page contains items (objects) that apply to all pages in that document. I didn't want a header or page numbers in the front matter, so this was very handy. Yes, there are other ways to do this, but this is how I managed it, and managing is the entire thrust of this already too-long review.
   
   I created the ebook itself by choosing "Export Book to PDF" from the Book panel menu. Here's a screenshot of the first two facing pages opened in Preview (details below):
   
   1. Cover created in Photoshop CS3. Copying and pasting images into InDesign CS3 is super-easy.
   2. Ebook is 20 pages long, 5.5 x 8.5 inches, maybe hell to print out. I used Acrobat Pro to link the Table of Contents items, but I'll bet that can be set up first in InDesign. The bookmarks mostly work: for some reason they don't show up at all anymore in Acrobat Pro, do show up in Adobe Reader, and sometimes function in Preview. Chalk it up to ignorance on my part.
   3. Fonts used are Blackoak Std, Bookman Old Style, and mostly Book Antiqua.
   4. Haven't downloaded yet? Go for it!
   
   CONCLUSIONS
   This is high-class software, more than capable of handling virtually any publishing project. At $699 a pop, most writers and creative professionals aren't going to rush out and buy a copy just for the hell of it. On the other hand, it seems there's nothing it can't do. It's hideously complex, but the Help section mostly rocks, and Adobe directs you to some excellent video tutorials. But I just made an ebook! It took me 72 hours of trial and error, but I did it, with absolutely no prior experience with the application. Not only do I now have an actual product (which you can have for free), but I can send the original InDesign CS3 files to someone who knows what she's doing when I'm ready to have the book expanded or re-designed. I'm working with InDesign from the get-go, and every time I launch it, I'll learn a little more.
   
   In doing my research for this article, I found that there are folks who call Photoshop and Illustrator "plug-ins" for InDesign. After this week, I think I know what they mean! Look for more articles about my continuing adventures with InDesign here at MyMac -- one just isn't going to do...
   
   System Requirements:
   PowerPC® G4 or G5 or multicore Intel® processor
   Mac OS X v.10.4.8
   512MB of RAM
   1.4GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation)
   1,024x768 monitor resolution with 16-bit video card
   DVD-ROM drive
   Internet or phone connection required for product activation
   Broadband Internet connection required for Adobe Stock Photos and other services.Blackoak
   
   MyMac.com rating, 4 out of 5.
   Originally published at http://www.mymac.com/showarticle.php?id=3006. See that page for all screen shots



2. ADOBE AND AMAZON do a very poor job of describing and differentiating between the various CS3 software offerings - when we first bought CS3 our goal was to get it with in-design - THis was marked Indesign CS3 - this in fact is ONLY INdesign. What we really needed to order was Adobe CS3 Standard - which includes Indesign - the website does an awful job if making this clear. Really this is sad - since the products & Amazon are really excellent resources.

No comments about Beginner Guitar Lessons.

No comments about Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection.

5 comments about Line 6 GuitarPort XT.

1. i will never have to buy another pedal or phaser or anything for that matter i have it all in this product its great



2. OK, the positives everyone already knows. Its a nice little device. Great tone, etc etc.
   
   The bads:
   I sometimes get this 'clicking' noise, its as if the signal is disconnected and immediately reconnects. The Line 6 help forum didnt help either. Sometimes it happens a lot, and sometimes it doesnt happen at all.
   
   A couple of months ago I went to the website to find some help about this and honestly wat they suggested didnt help much. My concerns were shared by many users too, as there were many negative comments there. I've just rechecked the same page just now, all the negative (yet true) comments have been deleted... Ouch!! Secrets out.
   
   So i guess, some who got lucky and dont get this problems are.... mmm lucky!!???
   
   All in all its a great item, but its also got its flaws. but on the good side, its CHEAP!! thats y i bought it hehe... on ebay :P
   
   Oh yeah the Guitar Port Online is cool!!... if u live in UK or the USA that is... coz the only way to cancel the subscription is to call the UK and the USA Line 6 offices, no online cancellation... And if you want to connect your Line 6 Pod XT to the same online subscription... you cant, you will have to make another subscription for your Pod XT, you cant use your Guitar Port account.
   
   But as i said, its cheap! and its got an array of very very very cool noises.
   
   3 stars for me



3. This is a wonderful and CHEAP addition to anyones electric guitar equipment arsenal. Every single guitarist with a computer should own this, as it enhances the simplicity of recording and practicing guitar riffs for only 100 bucks. I've done a bit of recording in my past, and I've found that it is SO much easier to lay down a nice sounding guitar track using the Guitarport as opposed to recording a real amplifier. It's quick, and sounds as good - in some instances (depending on your microphone, amp, mixer/effects, and room acoustics) it sounds BETTER than anything you could do otherwise.
   
   For those who just want a good practice tool, the Guitarport is a great way to learn the sound of different types of amplifiers, how to work with tone control (equalization), and the sounds of different effects. There simply is no cheaper and practical way to do this than with a Guitarport. Also, since jamming along with good song mp3's is a must for learning guitar, using the jam-along feature in Guitarport is excellent. Or you can do what I do - play from my itunes playlist while Guitarport software is running.
   
   It seems that there is now a "Toneport" that may be a better buy than this (I don't know much about it), but I must say that besides buying the Guitar itself, this Guitarport was the most worthwhile purchase I made as a learning guitarplayer. I would recommend it to anyone who plays the electric guitar.



4. Absolutely love it. The instantaneous tones are incredible sounding and easy to select, the tracks are great and plentiful, with new ones added seemingly every week. Lessons, master classes with master shredders, Riffworks add-on for recording (separate purchase), new tones, AND the setup was painless.
   
   The only thing I find irritating, is Windows Vista's driver support. If I flood the system with extra I/O, I get a lot of static bursts. I'm sure it will be fixed eventually, Service Pack, or updated motherboard drivers, but it's worth noting. Either way, if you're aware of it, and have a decent rig, it'll be your new jamming home.
   
   The GuitarPort is just too damn simple and sexy to not own. It really is everything they say it is.



5. I really enjoy this product. I recently graduated from college and don't have a large amount of money to spend on EFX pedals and amps, so I bought this.
   
   I have decent computer speakers so it works well for me, otherwise you could use headphones if your speakers aren't that great.
   
   I would purchase again! Great for a beginner with no gear, but not the same quality and power as an amp.

3 comments about Apple Garageband Jam Pack: Remix Tools.

1. With Garage Band's standard-issue synth patches and loops, it was hard to make new music without using the same sounds more than once. With these Jam Packs, I can get lost just finding loops to use - which is a really good thing! Definitely worth the money!



2. this product is great it comes with lots of loops, and plenty of new instruments, it makes it alot easier to make hip hop beats.



3. GarageBand is so much fun but its so limited. This gave me so many more options. Looking forward to trying the other ones.

1 comments about Vertus Tech Fluid Mask 3 - Windows and Macintosh.

1. Although this product can be used as a stand alone, it works far better as a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop CS3. Fluid Mask 3 makes the task for developing "masks" on photos a lot simpler; it is reminiscent of the old "paint by number" idea that was very popular in the 1950s. This product is well worth the price in terms of time saved and frustration avoided.

No comments about Acad Corel Painter X Pc/mac.

2 comments about Tonka Garage.

1. I played this game about 10 years ago and I loved it. It had tons of neat features and many customization options from what I can remember. I don't remember anything specific about it, but I loved it as a kid, even though I had a defective version. Buy it. NOW.



2. The game info includes XP compatible, but not for the all the games. When you go to test the vehicle that you fixed up, the screen goes black and all you can see is your vehicle. There are a few other areas that don't work all the way. My five-year old loves the game, but is very frustrated that he can't do everything. There is no technical support from anyone as the game is too old.

1 comments about MacFont Library.

1. Who should buy this and why?
   600 designer fonts?
   A good value for the price?
   
   Who should buy this? Anyone who has a need to do some kind of artistic presentation. Anyone who with an upcoming special event, ie, wedding invitations, graduation invites, bar/bat mitvahs, birthday parties. Or hobbyist such as diarists. And, if you own graphic arts suite such as Adobe's or QuarkXpress.
   
   Why? Because, with this package you have some really rare and outstanding fonts to work with. Not the run of the mill, free fonts that is more or less knockoff's of Times New Roman, Arial or useless fonts like dingbats.
   
   600 fonts! Well, not exactly. It's roughly 100 distinct fonts with many "font family" views in about 6 different values from standard to italicized to bold, to expanded, to condensed, to wide to thin.
   
   And, they're separated into 4 group headings: Classic, Refined, Creative, and Designer.
   
   A good value for the price? Absolutely. For thirty dollars, you have some gems here such as: CaflishScriptPro, Cracked!,Flatbrush, Hiragino (Japanese Font), InaiMathi (Hindi font), Indent (a phantom-like font), Kai (another beautiful Japanese font),Papyrus, TsarHeavy (Russian font), Bow, Big Caslon, Baghdad (Arabic font), Ghandi, Gremlin solid, Ironwork, Liberate, Lucida Blackletter, Parade, Party, New Peninim (Hebrew), plus Schoolhouse Printed and Schoolhouse Cursive. *There are also two other Middle Eastern fonts-- I won't attempt to guess, but they're beautiful nonetheless.
   
   It comes with a 5-license deal, and for $30 bucks, it's a no-brainer. It really is a beautiful collection.

5 comments about Apple iLife '05 (Mac).

1. This the best product from Apple , simply easy & Powerful collection of software
   you will never imagine it , good work Apple.



2. I got my version of iLife '05 when I purchased my new iBook in September. I am an amateur videographer, and photographer, so iLife was right up my alley.
   
   The first thing I did when I got iLife was import some footage I had shot at First Practice of the Formula One United States Grand Prix. iMovie was a snap to use, I just had to plug in my cameras (a Sony Digital 8 and a Canon MiniDV) and iMovie recognized them instantly. After getting the footage from both cameras onto the computer I was able to add beginning and ending titles to the footage, as well as label each car that passed for later years when I forget who drove for whom. I have since done three more multi-footage projects. I even produced a three episode cooking show using iMovie, just for fun.
   
   iTunes is an awesome product. It was my first taste of iLife when I downloaded the free version shortly after it came out. Since then I have not used anything else for music storage. The nice thing about iTunes is the fact that I can put my tunes in multiple playlists and create "smart playlists" for any situation. Especially nice at Christmas, I just put all my Christmas songs in a smart playlist (it did it automatically, I just told it to put all songs with a Holiday genre in the playlist) and let it run until the first Christmas football game. It can also burn CDs of your playlists, however, it is not able to set a gap between songs individually like Toast can, but for most people that is not a problem.
   
   GarageBand is a program I didn't think I would use at all. I don't have a band nor can I sing very well. But, I composed every song in the three episode cooking show using GarageBand's loops. And I have played around with my Audio-Technica ATR30 microphone and it does a very good job. I have also recorded my father playing the piano and it sounded great. It has some very useful effects like those which might be found in a professional recording studio, and it has some very interesting effects like the effect "telephone lines" which would have very little use, although it is fun to use to simulate a radio call-in show. The only problem I see with GarageBand is the fact that it can't record multiple tracks at once. It can accomodate up to 255 tracks, but it can't record them all at once.
   
   iPhoto is a good photo storage program. It really helps reduce clutter by allowing the user to put photos in "albums" like the playlists in iTunes. The editing features are good enough for casual tweaks, but for more power a editor like Adobe Photoshop is required. Other reviewers have more information, so I won't bore you by repeating what they say.
   
   Finally, to tie it all together there is iDVD. This only works on SupeDrive equipped Macintoshes like my iBook, but my external LightScribe DVD drive claims it can work with iDVD with extra software included with it. I have not tried this, but it might be an option for those who do not have a built-in DVD drive. iDVD has some pre-defined still themes and some pre-defined motion themes, but both are very user customizable by allowing the user to replace the background music, background picture, et cetera. It has a professional feel without screaming, "I am trying to impress you!" The downside of iDVD is the fact that the forward and back buttons are not customizable nor can you move them, and there is a limit of six buttons per menu screen.
   
   All in all this suite of programs is wonderful. It does some minor quirks, but it is still usable. It certainly is not a suite of professional quality programs, but is very good for amateurs and semi-professionals. Believe me you won't be dissapointed.



3. I wanted to order the latest Mac version of iLife. Upon receiving your Email solicitation, I automaticaqlly selected the first iLife item that appeared on Amazon's page. Unfortunately, it was for iLife '05, rather than iLife '06. Since I already had iLife'05, I had to send it back and reorder iLife '06. To Amazon, I recommend you feature the latest version of the product and list the discounted older version thereafter. To us Buyers, i've learned to be more aware and detailed in my ordering. It saves everyone a lot of pain and suffering.



4. If you have a Mac, this is a must have suite...you will never regret it.



5. I was all excited and ready to make DVDs of my grandkids..... guess what ? This iLife 05' on CD ROM does not include the iDVD program as they advertise. What a rip off. Now i am returning it to AMAZON.COM and i have now ordered the ilife 06' application on DVD, straight from Apple which does include the iDVD program.