This publishing lark is a never ending process of fine tuning. It could be as simple as tweaking shout lines on the cover, as complex as designing a complete workflow from freelancer to distribution or as awkward as trying to find a balance between “design” and what is sensible in terms of fonts, colours and sizes. And every month it repeats and if a new publication is added to the mix, it seems to be exponential.

Workflow has been difficult. Finally I think with combined effort, we have found one that works with a server hanging off the layout’s LAN that myself, the designer and subby can access and move files from folder to folder as sections of the workflow such as proofing, adding images and so on are completed.

Design is more problematic. The original design mainly stands, but the biggest fine line being what different sections of the community want; some want larger serif fonts, others prefer the (current) “cleaner” non-serif, some hate red, others like it, some baulk at text-on-colour – it goes on. At this stage, thankfully the number of positives to the current design is far and ahead of the negatives, but nonetheless, these people have to be answered with an explanation. I’ve even had one “demand” I don't use my “vbthedog” email as it is “stupid”!

The printing side of things and distribution via Australia Post is now mostly ironed out. Timing was the thing here with printing times and freight times unknown quantities, especially for interstate readers.

The biggest hurdle I personally find, is finding a way of keeping all the content in a single spot that is manageable. As I am the Fat Controller for the whole damn thing, it is not just editorial content I have to concern myself with. Also included are images, adverts, news releases, classifieds and the like. The standard flatplan using Excel is all well and good, but finding a way to also keep notes on information for pages such as non-full page ads, their cost, file name etc, while possible in Excel, is not that elegant to implement.

Once again, I have since turned to that forgotten piece of software called OneNote. As any file can be a hyperlink stored in a OneNote page and will load into its own “container”, while I am still playing with the concept, it appear to be a goer.

I am still amazed that Microsoft has not done more to promote the wonders and capabilities of this program.