Importing a varying pile of text

[EdwardMartinIII]

Here's a chance for a from-scratch question (rare and wonderful).

I have a list of FAQs. Currently, I have it as an XML document, but it can be anything. The key elements are

1. Question number
2. Question text
3. Answer text

For example:

7. How can I make my laptop appear to be a different color?
No problem, cowboy -- just paint it with a good concrete-sealing paint, tinted the color you like. Enjoy!

At this moment, we have seven questions, but I expect that number to keep jumping up, and occasionally down (when the software is revised). As far as page count, I expect it to grow, too -- if we had a hundred questions, I wouldn't want them all cramed onto one page.

My USUAL solution is to edit the HTML version of the FAQ and the InDesign version (thence to PDF) of the FAQ at the same time and just keep things updated that way.

However, it occurs to me that this might be a very useful sort of thing for, say, an XML file, or for a database.

What do you think might be an effective way to keep regular coincidence betwen HTML on one end and PDF on the other? Should I pursue an XML/database solution, or would I be better off just making the changes manually hen they pop up?

thanks!

Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[EdwardMartinIII]

Oh, forgot to say -- I'm working in ID CS3

Cheers,


Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[EdwardMartinIII]

Is anyone using XML with inDesign in this sort of fashion?

Is an XML solution the best way to do it, or would it be better to have InDesign pull data directly from the database (assuming such is possible)?

Or am I better off doing all my updates by hand?

Thanks,


Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[eugenetyson]

I bought a book Called "A Designer's Guide to Adobe InDesign and XML". I haven't gotten into XML workflow yet, but I plan to. I can't really answer your question because i've never done anything of the sort. you could try indesign secrets dot com and fire a question to them. They've been very helpful to me over the last 2-3 years.

 

[EdwardMartinIII]

Thanks! I also lurk over at that website, and I'm very glad one can search it, too. Ah, the joys of WordPress...

There is still a chance my client will decide to put all the data into SQL_Server and have me do the whole thing as report design.

I'd love to find a total simplistic tutorial -- even just importing one thing -- to show the mechanics behind transferring XML data into InDesign.

I ran across one, and they got through a few things and then (I am not kidding) the next step was 'a few clicks later and you're all done' and that was the tricky step. Darn them.

Cheers,

Edward

"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door

 

[eugenetyson]

There's some great videos over here on XML and other things

http://www.mogo-media.com/home/

They invite questions, so don't be shy and perhaps someone can help you out and put a video together for you?