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Adobe InDesign/Expert Profile
Expertise
My specialty is database publishing: using InDesign to produce publications such as catalogues, directories, price lists, classified ads etc. - anything that's based on data from a database or spreadsheet.
Experience in the area
I have been working with page layout programs since the very first first of QuarkXPress back in .... 1987? I've worked with InDesign since it first came out and have helped many clients to create their publications using database publishing methods, and have written an application to streamline the process (CatBase).
Publications
As I used to be a journalist working for an international news agency (in a previous lifetime) I have been published in many publications around the world. As for technology writing: I was Editor-in-Chief of a Mscintosh magazine (MacGuide) and have written for various other publications on a freelance basis, such as The LA Weekly and InfoWorld.
Education/Credentials
College: Certificate in computer programming and information Processing University: Post-graduate diploma in IT (Liverpool University)
Past/Present Clients
Barclays Bank, Stanley Tools, Europa Components, The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham), and many others. My software (CatBase) has also been used by design firms to produce publications for such clients as Kellogg's, The English Tourist Board. and numerous others.
Average Ratings
Recent Reviews from Users
K = Knowledgeability C = Clarity of Response P = Politeness| User | Date | K | C | P | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cindy | 01/26/12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | Quick response, Did not elaborate on any ..... |
| Melissa | 11/29/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Thanks, Pat! |
| Sunil Mahabir | 11/17/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | |
| Troy | 06/28/11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | Thank you for your prompt response. Perhaps ..... |
| aaron | 05/18/11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | Great! |
Recent Answers from Pat Bensky
2012-05-13 inDesign CS5 to CS3:
Hi, You can open a document created in one version of InDesign with a NEWER version, but you can't open a document with an OLDER version. So, you can't open a CS5 document with CS3. You may be able
2012-02-01 Acquiring Style definitions:
Hi, Yes, you can export the information to a text file. Click within the text box Choose Export form the File menu In the Export dialog, at the bottom there is a popup menu - "Format". Click on this
2012-01-29 Importing from online Victorian periodical into InDesign 2-col template:
Hi John, Sorry for the slow reply. If I understand you correctly, perhaps the Balance Columns option will do what you need? - Select the text box - Choose Text Frame Options from the Object menu
2011-11-17 Selecting Text:
No, not exactly ... however this solution might be helpful: 1. Select the eyedropper tool 2. Click in a paragraph that has the desired style applied 3. Then click on another paragraph with the eyedropper
2011-11-15 ThRef: question:
Hi, Illustrator is for creating pictures. InDesign is for creating pages that may contain multiple pictures, text, and other elements. Whilst you can probably create a brochure with Illustrator, if
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