Can I use Publisher to create our University Catalog?

I am researching different products and would like to know if Publisher can
handle this - I think I may be asking too much of it...

We have a "master file" of all the information that goes into our 200+ page
University Catalog. We would like to update the master file as the months go
by and at any time be able to generate two versions (one for print and one
for web).

How realistic is this?

Thanks,
Robert

Sounds like you need Access, Publisher does not have a database feature as
you need.

"Robert" wrote:

I am researching different products and would like to know if Publisher can
handle this - I think I may be asking too much of it...

We have a "master file" of all the information that goes into our 200+ page
University Catalog. We would like to update the master file as the months go
by and at any time be able to generate two versions (one for print and one
for web).

How realistic is this?

Thanks,
Robert

The "master file" I spoke of is a WORD document. Are you saying it is
possible to use Access to generate a print AND web publication complete with
bulleted lists, tables, hyperlinks, etc...??

Robert


"Joe" wrote:

Sounds like you need Access, Publisher does not have a database feature as
you need.

"Robert" wrote:

I am researching different products and would like to know if Publisher can
handle this - I think I may be asking too much of it...

We have a "master file" of all the information that goes into our 200+ page
University Catalog. We would like to update the master file as the months go
by and at any time be able to generate two versions (one for print and one
for web).

How realistic is this?

Thanks,
Robert

Where I think you are going to run into problems is using one program to do
both. Publisher can do it but there are potential issues with a
Publisher-generated website. If, down the road, someone decides that they
want to use FrontPage (for example) to edit the site, they will find bloated
code.

I'd suggest Publisher for the print aspect and FrontPage for the web. JMHO

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]



"Robert" wrote in message
...
The "master file" I spoke of is a WORD document. Are you saying it is
possible to use Access to generate a print AND web publication complete
with
bulleted lists, tables, hyperlinks, etc...??

Robert


"Joe" wrote:

Sounds like you need Access, Publisher does not have a database feature
as
you need.

"Robert" wrote:

I am researching different products and would like to know if Publisher
can
handle this - I think I may be asking too much of it...

We have a "master file" of all the information that goes into our 200+
page
University Catalog. We would like to update the master file as the
months go
by and at any time be able to generate two versions (one for print and
one
for web).

How realistic is this?

Thanks,
Robert

If you want to publish on the web stay away from Publisher it will make you
go crazy, I don't fully understand what you are trying to accomplish but I
will agree with the other post that you need Frontpage for the web and
Publisher for print. Access will give you a database that will work with FP

"Robert" wrote:

The "master file" I spoke of is a WORD document. Are you saying it is
possible to use Access to generate a print AND web publication complete with
bulleted lists, tables, hyperlinks, etc...??

Robert


"Joe" wrote:

Sounds like you need Access, Publisher does not have a database feature as
you need.

"Robert" wrote:

I am researching different products and would like to know if Publisher can
handle this - I think I may be asking too much of it...

We have a "master file" of all the information that goes into our 200+ page
University Catalog. We would like to update the master file as the months go
by and at any time be able to generate two versions (one for print and one
for web).

How realistic is this?

Thanks,
Robert

Robert was very recently heard to
utter:
We have a "master file" of all the information that goes into our
200+ page University Catalog. We would like to update the master file
as the months go by and at any time be able to generate two versions
(one for print and one for web).

Publisher can handle this.
Converting from Wrod will be a royal pain in the ass, but will be far easier
than keeping it in Word.

You will want Adobe Acrobat (the full professional version) - version 7 has
a new feature to do two-click conversion from Publisher files including all
hyperlinks.

I would suggest using PDF for web distribution - managing an HTML catalog
from Publisher will drive you to a shrink.

PDF will also help you when it comes to getting your file printed; however,
you will NOT want to use the same PDF for print and web.

--
Ed Bennett - MVP Microsoft Publisher

Very realistic. ANd with the proper tools and skill set, quite easy.

IMHO, a project of this sort is best handled via what's called "Database
Publishing" where the content is in a database (such as Access, or
FoxPro, or Approach, or Filemaker, etc) and one uses the dtp/dbp
application to write a "recipe" for going out into the database and
extracting, sorting, and importing the information in formatted
conmdition. A "mail merge" kind of thing but vastly more powerful and
specifically oriented.

Each content item would be a different field in a course record.

Think of a record as a single index card and the fields as lines on the
cards. Each card would have the same exact lines, (but it woould not be
necessary for each record to have all fields completed)

As a made up example:

field Name: Desktop Publishing

field Number: DTP102

field description: Blah blah, blah

field credits: 2

field meets: Tue-Thurs 8AM Rm 237

and so on.

Hundreds of different records, even thousands, could be accommodated in
the database. At any given time one can open the data base and very
quickly go to the specific cour record and make changes.

Once properly done, all up-dates are made to the database and a new
"published" copy can be acheived in minutes. *That's right, minutes.*

I have several 100+ page photo directories containing names, addresses,
and photos of some 800-900 organization members. After annual edits for
the yearbook, it takes less than 15 minutes to generate the pages
complete with photos in position.

Getting it set up correctly can be quite a chore but it needs be done
only once (keep notes while doing it in case you need to edit it later).

Keeping everything in a large Word file (large Word docs are very
susceptible to corruption and data loss) is risky and very labor
intensive. In effect, you are keeping a copy of the piublication then
scrolling around to edit entries and add new ones. You could edit 5 data
base records in the time it takes you to find and edit one on a Word
file.

Publisher has a module that can do this--sort of. Depending on how
simple your layout it, it could do the job...but I would seriously test
it before copmmitting the job to it.

Ventura Publisher (from Corel Corporation) has a module specifically for
this and it works great--I've used it for 10 years. One can buy add-ons
for Quark and InDesign to do essentiially the same thing.

Such a project will be a serious learning experience. You will not be
able to do it in an afternoon. There are no pre-figured "templates" that
will do the work for you.

In Robert wrote:
I am researching different products and would like to know if
Publisher can handle this - I think I may be asking too much of it...

We have a "master file" of all the information that goes into our 200+
page University Catalog. We would like to update the master file as
the months go by and at any time be able to generate two versions (
one for print and one for web).

How realistic is this?

Thanks,
Robert