PageMakr FAQ -- part one
Gordon Woolf
PAGEMAKER LISTSERV FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIST
PART ONE
SECTION 1 -- INTRODUCTION, WELCOME, AND DISCLAIMER
==================================================
1.1 Welcome
===========
April 1st, 1998
Welcome!
The following is a posting of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
list for the PAGEMAKR list. It is cross-posted with several Usenet
groups.
Please feel free to pass this posting onto fellow PageMaker users. If
you are reading this more than two months after the date listed above,
please contact the author or see Question 3.11 for the most recent
version. Originally, this FAQ was intended to provide answers for
commonly asked questions in the discussion group. I hope that every
new subscriber to the list will read this FAQ before posting. However,
the FAQ expanded to be a more general help guide for using PageMaker.
To read this FAQ on the World Wide Web, check out
<URL:http://www.hypercorp.com/gain/pm>.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any comments or
corrections. I would prefer it if you would e-mail me directly instead
of posting to the entire PageMaker mailing list (keep down my
embarrassment :-) -- unless you feel it is a grave enough error that
it deserves public scrutiny. What is mentioned here is not intended to
stop discussion, rather to be the beginning.
Lastly, as a reminder to list members, please use the TAN: (for
tangent) prefix in your subject line when posting to the Pagemakr
Listabout something not directly pertaining to PageMaker or the
operations of the list. Also, please do not post uuencoded binary
files to the list -- contact the listowners instead. If you need to
make a graphic available, for example a screen shot, you can arrange
to have this placed on the web site.
Because of the large amount of spam on newsgroups, there is no public
gateway to the PageMakr List. However, bit.listserv.pagemakr does
still exist and several PageMakr List members keep a watch on it to
answer questions and refer people to the List itself.
1.2 Latest News
===============
The latest release of filters and plug-ins by was at the end of 1997.
These included the long awaited PDF import filter, a new PDF export
filter, a revised in-rip trapping plug-in (to take advantage of
PostScript 3).
So much has happened since the last FAQ that we will not attempt to
cover events since then. Suffice it to say that the current version of
PageMaker is version 6.5 (updated via a patch on the Adobe website to
6.52). There are rumors of version 7 but Adobe has announced that
there will be a number of updates in December 1997 so it seems likely
that 7.0 will be several months away at least. But then again.. ;-)
A summary of updates and patches is included below.
1.3 FAQ changes from last version
=================================
April 1, 1998: Changes to sections 3.10, 4.11 and address for
comments.
Jan. 19, 1998: Additions to Latest News on end-of-1997 releases of new
filters, etc. (Sections 1.2 and 3.7). Minor changes to Section 3.10 at
request of site owners. Change to 4.1 to reflect the cross platform
converter for the Windows version of PM. Extra 6.12 question on
zooming in and out.
Nov. 19, 1997: Too many changes have been made to list them. We'll
start this section again from now.
1.4 Disclaimers and Acknowledgments
===================================
This FAQ has two disclaimers:
1. This document and its support documents are offered to the public
domain on the understanding that no resale of this information is
undertaken by any recipient of the information without authorization.
Any reproduction of the information should be complete and entire and
provide reference to the original source (i.e. the PAGEMAKR listserver
at INDYCMS.IUPUI.EDU) and the author.
2. The author takes no responsibility for any errors, omissions or
misunderstandings, however induced! The information in this FAQ is
provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. In no event shall the
author of this FAQ or the distributors of this FAQ be liable for any
damages whatsoever including direct, indirect, incidental,
consequential, loss of business profits, or special damages, even if
the author has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
Adobe, PageMaker, the PageMaker icons, and PostScript are registered
trademarks of Adobe Systems. All other products listed in this file
are trademarks of their respective companies (Microsoft's Windows,
etc.).
I would like to strongly thank all those members of the list who have
helped in compiling the FAQ. In particular my thanks go to Geoff
Peters who put together the original FAQ and many of whose original
words still exist in this version.
Finally I emphasise this is a work in progress.
Gordon Woolf (gor...@worsleypress.com)
SECTION 2 -- TABLE OF CONTENTS
==============================
PART ONE:
SECTION 1 -- INTRODUCTION, WELCOME, AND DISCLAIMER
SECTION 2 -- TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION 3 -- GENERAL AND LISTSERV QUESTIONS
PART TWO:
SECTION 4 -- IMPORTING/EXPORTING/CONVERTING
SECTION 5 -- CRASHES AND FILE-WON'T-OPEN PROBLEMS
SECTION 6 -- USING PAGEMAKER
PART THREE:
SECTION 7 -- PRINTING
SECTION 8 -- FONTS AND SPECIAL CHARACTERS
SECTION 9 -- THE END
3. GENERAL AND LISTSERV QUESTIONS
=================================
3.1 What exactly is the PageMaker listserv?
===========================================
The PageMakr listserv, dedicated to PageMaker related topics, was
created on Friday, January 26, 1990 and now has over 1000 direct
subscribers and many many more through indirect means. The original
co-listowners were Cindy Stone, Geof Peters, and Jeff Bone.
Subsequently it was transferred to Cindy, Tony Chryselieu and Peter
Adams -- the latter now being the active operator of the list:
Peter C.S. Adams <ada...@UMBSKY.CC.UMB.EDU>
A "listserv" is an automated mailing list for e-mail. People send
messages to the listserv which in turn, distributes the messages to
all currently subscribed members. It is a popular method for special
interest groups on the Internet.
The list includes the discussion of PM on both the Mac and PC
platforms. It often wanders into the realm of graphic layout and
design in general as well.
Currently, the list is unmoderated. Thus, everything you post will be
seen by all 1000+ subscribers. PLEASE DO NOT POST COMMANDS TO PAGEMAKR
-- SEND THEM TO THE LISTSERV DIRECTLY!
3.2 How do I subscribe and unsubscribe to the PageMaker list?
=============================================================
To subscribe to the PageMakr list, you will have to register with the
list server. To do this send a message with the body of:
SUBSCRIBE PAGEMAKR <your real name>
to the Internet address:
LIST...@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Please note that the list name does not have the second "e" in
PageMaker.
This should do it. If you have troubles, send a message of "HELP" to
the listserv. If still no go, then contact the listowner mentioned in
question 3.1.
On subscribing you will be asked to send an "ok" reply to the
automatic ackowledgement from the list within 48 hours. This is to
ensure that you are in fact using your correct address and is part of
a barrier against spams and other unawanted postings.
You will, by default, receive the DIGEST version of the list -- a
single email each day which includes all the messages posted in the
previous 24 hours.
To change to receiving each individual message as it is posted, send a
message to the LISTSERV to: SET PAGEMAKR MAIL
This is best coupled with a command SET PAGEMAKR NOACK which ensures
you do not receive an acknowledgement of mailing as well as your own
message back as one of the hundred or so individual recipients.
Multiple commands can be sent in the same message to the LISTSERV, on
one line or with a separate line for each. If you change from the
digest to individual mailings the listserv will now send you a final
digest of messages up to the time it makes the change, so you
shouldn't miss anything.
To change back to the digest form, the command is
SET PAGEMAKR DIGEST
If you are trying to unsubscribe, send a letter to the listserv just
like you did when you subscribed, except send the following line:
SIGNOFF PAGEMAKR
You will receive a reply asking you to send an "ok" reply within 48
hours.
You can change as often as you like: for example, if you get
individual mail and go away for a week, you can change to the digest
so you only have seven emails from the list on your return.
Please, please do not post subscribe or signoff messages (or any other
listserv command) to all 1000+ subscribers. Commands should only be
sent to the LIST...@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU address.
Here are the e-mail addresses for the PageMakr list specifically:
Commands go to: LIST...@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
Postings go to: PAGE...@LISTSERV.IUPUI.EDU
If you are on CompuServe or any of the other online services, please
note that you can still subscribe to the list. Some of these systems,
however, charge you for each message read. Thus, you can minimize your
costs by only reading messages that are relevant to your needs. You
might also consider using the Index or Digest format to defray costs.
3.3 What should I know before I post a message to the mailing list?
===================================================================
Before posting to the PageMaker mailing list (by sending mail to
page...@listserv.iupui.edu), please be sure to follow these
guidelines:
1. If the message clearly does not pertain to PageMaker or DTP in
general, do not post it.
2. If the message is clearly a public flaming, do not post it.
3. If the message is a binary file, do not post it. (Contact the
listowners instead).
4. If the message is a "for sale", "Wanted to Buy" or "Job available"
message, do not post it.
5. When replying to a Pagemakr list digest, do not include the entire
previous digest. (Copy and paste the subject and any bits you want to
requote or, if you use the Reply function of your mail program, delete
all but the bits you want to requote).
6. *** If the message is in response to someone who has violated one
of the previous 5 rules, do not post it to the entire list. Instead,
contact the person personally or write to the listowners.
7. Read this FAQ before posting a question.
8. Blatant sales hype and pitches should not be posted. Low-key notes
and press releases are okay. Use discretion.
9. Please keep your signature short
10. Don't send attachments and please switch off the formatting (HTML)
function of your mail program (they all have a "text only" setting).
11. Ask yourself if it's necessary to post to the entire list. If you
aren't sure, e-mail it privately to the person you're responding to.
12. If in doubt, contact the listowners first.
I apologize if this list sounds too strict. But as you know, mob
psychology applies just as easily to the Internet (if not more so)
than in real life. There must be some common ground in netiquette that
all agree to follow.
3.4 How do I set the Listserv options?
Can we split the lists according to platform?
=============================================
The PageMakr list has grown considerably since its original conception
in 1990. Thus, the amount of mail traffic over the list can be
somewhat disconcerting for those who do not read their mail daily.
There are several options available for direct subscribers:
1. The listserv default is to send you daily "digests" of the messages
sent to the list. With the digest format, you receive one message a
day that contains a table of contents and then the bodies of all the
messages. We highly recommend this method for those people who are
overwhelmed by the traffic. To turn on the digest format, send a
message to the listserv (list...@listserv.iupui.edu) with the body
of:
SET PAGEMAKR DIGEST
To turn off the digest, send the same message but with SET PAGEMAKR
MAIL.
2. The second option is to use the Index format. This is similar to
the digest method, except that you receive only the subject lines of
the messages sent to the list. You must in turn request the desired
messages from the listserv. To use the index format, send a message to
the listserv (as is done with the digest method) with the command: SET
PAGEMAKR INDEX
List owner Cindy Stone puts out a regular "List Administrivia" with
more detailed information on List commands <STO...@INDIANA.EDU>
Every few months it seems the question arises of whether or not to
split the list into two according to the platform (Mac and PC).
Repeatedly, however, the question is followed by an outpouring of
people wanting to keep the list together. By democratic vote, the list
will be kept together.
You can help keep the traffic manageable by using the following
prefixes to your messages' subject lines:
TAN: Tangent messages: not directly pertaining to PageMaker
MAC: MacIntosh Specific Messages
WIN: Windows Specific Messages
3.5 How can I search the PageMakr List archives?
================================================
The PageMakr List website <URL: http://www.hypercorp.com/pm> can be
searched by subject or a month at a time over the past three years.
There is also advice on how to search the archive by email. Briefly
you send your search request to the listserv address
(list...@listserv.iupui.edu), as:
SEARCH pdf and "vertical line" IN PAGEMAKR SINCE 97/03/31
The "since" part is optional and can limit the search to recent posts.
Also take a look at the Listserv archive search facilities at:
http://www.listserv.iupui.edu/archives/pagemakr.html
3.6 What other listservs / newsgroups may be of interest to me?
===============================================================
There are several other listservs that may be of interest to the
Desktop Publisher. The one asked about most frequently is the
Photoshop List for which the web site is:
http://www.sc.edu/deis/PHOTOSHP/
You can subscribe automatically by sending mail to:
where the message is the command:
SUB PHOTOSHP firstname lastname
You'll find many people you already know from the PageMakr List.
Check the PageMakr List web site or the DTP JumpList for other lists
to ensure an up-to-date address.
"The Liszt" has over 23,000 listserv, listproc, majordomo and
independently managed mailing lists in its directory.
<http://www.liszt.com/>
And for those of you who have Usenet access, you might check out the
following newsgroups:
General Discussion
-------------------------
comp.text comp.text.desktop
comp.publish.prepress misc.industry.printing
Specific DTP products
-------------------------
alt.aldus.pagemaker alt.aldus.misc
alt.aldus.freehand alt.corel.graphics
alt.soft-sys.corel.draw alt.soft-sys.corel.misc
comp.text.frame comp.text.interleaf
comp.text.sgml comp.text.tex
comp.text.pdf bit.listserv.pagemakr(see note*)
alt.graphics.photoshop comp.graphics.apps.photoshop
*bit.listserv.pagemakr was originally linked to the PageMakr List,
but, because of the large number of spams and other advertising
messages which entered the list via this source, it was separated, and
is now little used.
Misc. DTP-related Topics
-------------------------
alt.binaries.clip-art alt.graphics
alt.graphics.pixutils alt.hypertext
comp.fonts comp.graphics
comp.lang.postscript comp.sources.postscript
comp.sys.mac.graphics comp.sys.amiga.graphics
misc.writing comp.publish.cdrom.*
rec.photo.*
3.7 What is the current version of PageMaker?
What is new in the latest version?
What expletives can I use for PageMaker?
========================================
The newest and latest PageMaker 6.52 has been released for both the
Windows 95 and Macintosh platforms. (6.52 is a patch release of the
main 6.5 version and includes the 6.51 update.) One major new release
has been a cross-platform converter for the Windows version of PM6.52
to enable this to import Mac PM files. There have also been a number
of releases of new and revised filters and patches including a PDF
import filter, a PNG import filter, revised PhotoCD, Word97,
Spreadsheet and WordPerfect 7 and 8 import filters, EPS font scanner
plug-in, postscript files, HTML import filter, build boooklet plug-in,
Hyperlibrary plug-in (plus scripts), PS error handler, Save for
service provider plug-in, tagged text import and export filter, Add
Continued line, Expert kerning plug-in, revised automatic layout
adjustment rules, PM6.5 import filter, Charset template, QXP import,
word counter, library palette update (Mac) and a more easily installed
PM3 converter.
One of the latest additions is a converter for Microsoft Publisher
files.
There's also a new version of the scripting engine (see Vladimir's PM
Automation Page, address in Section 3.10).
A few of these are for one platform only and some for particular
language versions. There are PM65 update text files for each platform
on the Adobe web site and should also be available on the PageMakr
List web site.
The latest release of PageMaker 6 is 6.01 or the "enhancement pack" as
it was called, which was supplied free of charge on CD to all
registered owners of 6.0. There was a small charge for the 3.5" disk
version.
Those still using PM5 can obtain a patch which upgrades to 5.0a. This
is said to help, particularly, with printing problems.
PM6.5 Windows requires Windows 95, at least a 486 with 8MB ram, and at
least 26MB disk space, with VGA monitor. A Pentium with 16MB ram and
an SVGA display plus a CD-ROM are recommended. PM6 for use with
Windows 3.1 requires Win32s files included on the PM installation
disks. (The general opinion of list members seems to be that while PM6
will run under Windows 3.1, it is *much* better under Win95. PM6.5
will not work under Windows 3.1X.
If you install an upgrade, you are permitted to keep the previous
version on the same computer until you are happy with the new version.
From comments on the List this appears to present no problems unless
you try to run both at the same time.
Two "Enhancement Packs" for 5.0 were released. The first includes a
converter for Ventura Publisher documents, an updated UpdatePPD
utility, updated Tracking Values files, an updated ALDIM3.DLL file,
support for Word 6.0 OLE, and several filter updates. The second
volume contains other updates, including a Quark document converter
and 1995 calendar templates. Also included are new filters for WinWord
6.0, WP 6.1, Excel 5.0, and 1-2-3 4.0. PageMaker 5.0 for the Mac needs
System 6.0.7 or higher, preferably System 7. (You can get a 6.0.7
upgrade via anonymous FTP from ftp.apple.com) The big items introduced
with 5.0 (some with 4.2 on the Mac) were color separation, a "control
palette" (a bit like a floating toolbar), multiple
simultaneously-opened documents, graphics rotation, and Aldus
Additions for both the Mac and the PC.
Academic pricing is available from your local dealer in most states
and in many countries overseas with details of student registration or
with a school purchase order. Check to see if yours is one of them. If
not, call Adobe or their local distributor.
And just to brighten your day, here are some of the common PageMaker
nicknames: PageMangler, PageMager, RageMaker, PainMaker, PageBreaker,
PageBaker (when your system fries), PageForsaker (when you quit and
forget that you wanted to save changes), PageMucker, PageFaker (and
don't mix the last two), PaceMaker and when you are really frustrated,
call it Xpress. (That is a direct lift from Geoff's FAQ which I
couldn't resist)
3.8 What's new in 6.5? Why should I upgrade?
============================================
PM6.5 gives the option of using Frames for text and/or graphics if you
want to. In particular this gives the ability to do layouts before the
actual elements are ready. Layers enable you to work as you would with
sheets of acetate on a physical layout and come in useful for multiple
versions of a document. Automatic layout adjustment works to
preferences you set to adjust layout when changing page orientation,
size, or applying a new master page. Improved support of HTML and PDF
creation with export to GIF89 and JPEG format. The interface is now
more like Photoshop with tabbled dockable palettes and many shortcuts
common to Photoshop and Illustrator (although some List members have
been upset by these changes). A save for service provider plug-in
conslidates jobs and linked files and checks fonts used.
The scripting language has been enhanced to allow questioning of the
the state of the program - for example the positions of objects
(previously this could only be done by a script run externally through
Applescript or Windows DDE.
3.9 I know how to do it on the Mac, how do I on the PC? (& vice versa)
Which is better -- Mac or PC PageMaker?
======================================================================
The Macintosh and PC versions, for the most part, are very similar.
The COMMAND key on the Macintosh (or splat, clover, rugbeater,
propeller key) parallels the CONTROL key on the PC. The Mac OPTION key
equates with the ALT key on the PC.
As to which platform is preferable, faster, exciting, etc., simply
keep subscribed to the list...
3.10 What other DTP related resources are there on the Internet?
================================================================
The Internet abounds with information, including many resources that
are relevant to the modern day publisher. First stop for those on the
PageMakr List should be the PageMakr Listserv site <URL:
http://www.hypercorp.com/pm>
The successor to the DTP Internet Jumplist is The Global Prepress
Center:
http://www.ledet.com/prepress
The other sure stop on the web should, of course, be Adobe's web site
at http://www.adobe.com/. Adobe's ftp site is ftp.adobe.com
There is also much information at the old site of the former online
version of the Adobe Magazine at http://www.adobemag.com
Other useful PageMaker sites are:
<http://www.rrv.net/wcdd/dd/welcome.html> Document Design; Diane
Haugen's look at the design side of DTP
<http://www.cadvision.com/garthr> Senefelder Services Desktop
Publishing Guides
<http://www.ao.net/~bennett/"> Lee Bennett's DTP/graphic designer's
page
<http://www.worsleypress.com/newsletter.htm> Newspaper Production
using PageMaker newsletters in PDF format and some general hints in
html format.
<http://www.i-us.com> Chris Dickman's useful pages
There are also several PageMaker scripting pages including:
<http://www.svprint.com/pmscripting.html"> Marc Zeedar's PM Scripting
page
<http://www.oz.net/~vsamarsk/PageMakerScripting.htm"> Vladimir's
Automation Page
<http://www.hhansen.com/pmscripting.html> PageMaker Scripting page by
Hans Hansen, author of the book of the same name.
Among places where you'll find some useful plug-ins for PageMaker are:
<http://www.amug.org/-shadetre"> Fraemz, a border maker plug-in
<http://www.extensis.com"> Extensis, the makers of the almost
indispensable PageTools set of plug-ins.
On-line support is available from Adobe on Compuserve (GO ADOBEAPP),
America Online (keyword Adobe), and The Microsoft Network (keyword
Adobe).
3.11 Is there a list of keyboard shortcuts and PageMaker tips?
What books and magazines are available?
==============================================================
The Shortcuts section of the Help file within PageMaker is a good
guide to all available shortcuts and includes, for PM6.5, a list of
those shortcuts which have changed from previous versions.
If you do not have Jeff Bone's Scanning FAQ, then run to
ftp.dopig.uab.edu and grab it. It is a fine piece of work. A revised
version solely on the World Wide Web can be found at
<URL:http://www.dopig.uab.edu/dopigpages/FAQ/The-Scan-FAQ.html>.
As for the favorite books and magazines, here is a quick summary.
Books:
Real World PageMaker 5: Industrial Strength Techniques by Olav, Kvern,
Roth. (PM4 edition is latest for Windows)
"Real World PageMaker 4 (yes, 4) is still one of the best! Most of the
suggestions and demonstrations are still applicable to PM5 and PM6."
-- Michael Brady
Desktop Publishing by Design -- Ronnie Shushan & Don Wright.
Microsoft.
PageMaker Companion -- Robin Williams (PM5 may be latest)
Chicago Manual of Style
Complete PageMaker 6.5 (list member Rick Wallace had some involvement
with this following on from his own PageMaker 6 book)
Methods of Book Design by Hugh Williamson. Yale Univ Press.
Desktop Publishing Skills by Felici & Nace. Addison-Wesley.
The Makeover Book by Roger C. Parker. Ventana Press.
Peachpit press PageMaker book
PageMaker Scripting by Hans Hansen. Adobe Press. A must have book if
you are going to look at scripting. Check the addendum and extra
scripts on the associated web site.
Magazines:
Before and After (although VERY irregular in publication)
Step by Step Electronic design
Dynamic Graphics Magazine
Adobe Magazine.
Inside PageMaker (www.cobb.com/ipm/)
===============
end of part one
===============