So how hard is Quark to use....

[wangle99]

Have got the programme and erm can't really make out head nor tail of it. I consider myself quite savy with computer programmes but this is something else. Reckon I could pick it up from a book??

Have you used any professional page layout programmes before? It's fairly easy once you get the hang of it, but there's an awful lot of set up and detail involved.
Yes, you could probably do ok using a book.
Which version of Quark to you have?

I clicked on here as I thought it was a cookery question

I did a module of quark when doing my degree..and I have to say I found it bloody awful!

I am a journalist & when we put the paper to bed I often watch the 'paste' guys & girls doing magic with quark! I often wish I had kept it up... one thing's for sure and that's if you managed to be good at it there's no shortage of jobs.

It's something I would like to be good at as it would broaden my options in journalism, but for now I find it very baffling.

Have you spoken to anyone who uses it on a daily (or even weekly) basis who might be able to explain the basics to you?

I might have some handouts here on it, I'll have a look & if they're here you can have them.

I haven't used any professional page layout programmes before, have used quite detailed image programmes (Fireworks when doing web design) and learnt a fair bit of Paint Shop Pro and also Dreamweaver from a book - I learn well that way.

I have Quark 7. Using it at work (hopefully!) to design our adverts for the newspaper rather than paying someone to do it!

WOS that would be fab if you did have some handouts

Ha! Thought you meant the soft-curd cheese (which I once saw used to make communion bread very easily!).

Good luck!

well...I don't use it on a daily basis (use InDesign instead) but once you get the basic concepts down you should be able to do a fairly good job on adverts. Especially if the design side isn't too complicated. Basically, once you set up the document you make boxes (either text boxes or image boxes) and import content into them (either text, from your MS Word files etc, or image files (logos etc)).
The most complicated part is when you need to prepare your file to be printed - exporting it to a format that the printer can use. But if you're doing something similar with image software then you'll work it out.
I learnt on Quark 6, and found this series very good - it's expensive but covers everything and is easy to follow.

I think I have sussed all I need - have emailed a rough copy to my boss to see if I'm on the right track.

Luckily our advertisements are fairly simple and I think once the template is set up will be very easy each week to update.

We export to PDF which is really easy.

Thanks for your help!

Wangle, I meant to get back to you about this yesterday.

I looked through the stuff I have & I doubt if any of it would be any use to you.

It's all hurriedly scribbled in the margins of the handout, even I can't make head or tail of it & it's my own writing!

It seems you're sorting it out great anyway, best of luck x