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InDesign is based in part on linking and flowing things. Each chunk can
be linked to the next chunk. Sometimes you need to make a break between
chunks so this flow doesn't go too far. You also have to set up
graphics so text flows around them OR so that they stick with the most
closely related paragraph. Perhaps the original designer didn't do
that, or didn't do it in a way that makes sense and works right.
I inherited an InDesign document created from one of my Word docs by a
graphic designer. He didn't put in real breaks between chapters, so
stuff flowed on forever. We got a real Indesign expert in who broke
flows and put in hard page breaks and such to make things work better.
Note to experts: I'm probably putting this wrong, and he didn't just go
in and hack. I'd been trying the hacking approach, which did not work.
The guy actually rationalized the design, for which I am forever
grateful.
I believe that if the document had been designed from the beginning for
easy update by someone familiar with InDesign and maintainability (i.e.,
if Indesign were being used as intended) the problems would never have
been so bad.
I ended up working through a couple of InDesign books and now hate the
program less.
Maybe I can persuade the company to buy InDesign 3, as we work in the
evidently lamer InDesign 2.
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