Wisconsin State Journal - Recently Updated Pageshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/pageSearch/updatedRecently Updated Pages on http://wsj.wetpaint.comen-usinfo@wetpaint.comSun, 10 Jun 2007 20:49:29 CDTSun, 10 Jun 2007 20:49:29 CDTwetpaint.com60Wisconsin State Journalhttp://image.wetpaint.com/image/1/Z-NKIEfYjU39Hs5RTmC0sg16040http://wsj.wetpaint.comClosing and saving storieshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Closing+and+saving+storiesDDombrowskihttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Closing+and+saving+storiesSun, 10 Jun 2007 20:49:29 CDT
The easiest way to make sure a story has been checked in is to close it in InCopy, not in Falcon.
  • Click on the X in the upper right corner of the story window (not the InCopy application window, which will close InCopy).
  • A warning box will ask you if you want to save changes, click Yes.
  • Another box will pop up, telling you that the story has not been checked in, click Yes.
You can also go to the file menu, select Close and get the same prompts. Ctrl+W will do the same thing.

]]>APT known problems, statushttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/APT+known+problems%2C+statustpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/APT+known+problems%2C+statusThu, 24 May 2007 23:59:04 CDTUpdated May 24, 2007

This page details known problems with the system and what we're doing to address them. Got a problem? E-mail Tim Kelley, tkelley@madison.com


System speed

All computers equipped with InDesign have been upgraded with a plug-in that has improved system speed in live tests over the weekend. If you continue to experience significant -- more than a minute -- slowdowns when updating or closing a page, let us know.

Web routing refined

Routing paths have been set up to move packages to newstool sections. Instructions for posting to madison.com and the WSJ site will follow. Click here for a general overview.

Curses, minimized again!

After stories have been placed on page, copy editors find that InCopy launches and then immediately minimizes, and a user has to click the minimized story open again. This is a bug between Adobe and APT that has been known for some time and still hasn't been figured out. Thanks for your patience.

Depth count vanishes

We have just noticed that queues do not show the length of a story once it is placed on page. APT is aware of the problem and working on it. Depth count is working well prior to this stage in production so reporters and first-read editors should not encounter any problems.


Obits

APT is working on a script that inserts photos into the obit text that we receive from advertising. Advertising may take over obit pagination after July 1, when the department moves to a new system. For now, obits will be done in Harris and later in APT by the newsroom.


]]>Latest newshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Latest+newstpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Latest+newsThu, 24 May 2007 23:57:34 CDTUpdated May 24, 2007

This page offers quick updates on specific functions or issues involving APT, InCopy and InDesign.

Support: Jim McKee is just about to wrap up here. If you have been grousing about some glitch to your buddies, it's time to let us know so something still can be done.

Deadlines: The system and staff have been operating fairly smoothly through the week. But we should try to work ahead as much as possible so we are don’t push deadline to solve technology problems or address our own knowledge gaps.

Page association: All page association is done by the newsroom. Perform page association as your first step upon opening a page.

Folios: Page folios will be placed on pages with ads by Beth Moede in layout.

]]>Slugging stories correctlyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Slugging+stories+correctlytpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Slugging+stories+correctlyinitial editThu, 24 May 2007 23:55:15 CDTHere is the naming convention that everyine should use when creating and editing slugs in the APT system.

It is very important that you use this naming convention to make it easier to find your story and sidebars, advance them through the system and send to Web and archive properly.

The typical slugline should look very similar to Harris:

FR A1 MON Slug name here/editors’ initials here

Here are the letter designations we will use for the sections:

FR – all Page One stories, including sidebars that may go inside
NW – all A section nation/world stories
LW – all Local section stories
BU – all Business stories
SP -- Sports
OP – Opinion pieces
DB – Daybreak
AE – Arts and entertainment
RHY -- Rhythm

For example, a story going on Page 3 of Wednesday’s Local section would be slugged LW B3 WED slug here/editors’ initials here

NOTE: Please do not use a slash, backslash or “stovepipe” (straight up and down line) between the section and the page number, just a space.

Sidebars should have the page number of the main bar. For example, if you wrote a sidebar to go with your Thursday Local cover story, and Local is B1, your slug would be LW B1 THU sidebar slug/editors’ initials.

Questions? E-mail Julie Shirley.

]]>Creating and adding subelementshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Creating+and+adding+subelementstpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Creating+and+adding+subelementsRenameFri, 18 May 2007 12:09:59 CDT
Q: What’s a subelement?
A: The term “subelements” refers to the “stuff” that goes with your story, such as cutlines, breakout boxes and headlines. Full-length sidebars will typically be treated as separate slugs, but these smaller types of items need to be attached to your story using subelements.

Q: Why should I care?
A: Using subelements will make sure all of the correct pieces to your package are run – in print, online and in the library. It is particularly important for archiving and Web routing that you use the subelement function for these items. It will also save time for your editors and the copy desk, which will result in more deadline flexibility for you down the line.

Q: How do I do it?
A: With your story open, or highlighted in your queue, click the icon near the upper left corner that has four little blue boxes in it (next to the details icon). This will bring up the subelements window.
When it pops up, you’ll see a drop-down menu called “type.”
Choose the type of item you are going to add to your story, such as cutline or info box, then give it a slug such as “Cutline 1” or “Summary box.” Then click ADD AND EDIT.
An InCopy editing window will appear. Write your cutline or breakout box or other subelement. Make sure the correct style is applied.
Then save and close the window. You are done!

Q: Can I change it once I’ve done it?
A: Yes. If you write a subelement, close it, and then realize you want to change it in some way, highlight it in the list of subelements and click the little pencil to the right (to edit). Make your changes and close it.

Q: Do I need a separate subelement for each cutline?
A: Yes. Do not put multiple cutlines under one subelement. Add as many subelements as you need. For multiple photos, use the “Notes” field to describe the photo that goes with that cutline, for example “Two guys working on house” or “Photo AAA,” so editors know what’s what. You will be helping to ensure overall accuracy.

Q: What if I want to file the story now and do the cutlines later?
A: You should STILL add a cutline as a subelement, but instead of clicking “ADD AND EDIT,” click “ADD.” In this situation, you could write in the note, for example, “photo coming around 6 p.m.” so the next editor knows what’s going on.

Q: I’d rather just make a separate file for all of my cutlines like I used to. Do I really have to use subelements for this stuff?
A: YES! You do need to use subelements. Do not create cutlines and breakout boxes or similar items as separate files. It screws up everybody down the line – from the person posting online to the person archiving your work.

Q: Darn. I’ve just created a separate cutline in a stand-alone file. Is there any way I can now turn it into a subelement of the main slug?
A: Yes. Here's how:
Click on the mainbar in the queue. Do not open the file.
Click on the subelements icon at the top of the basket (4 blue squares, about in the middle of the row).
A dialog box pops up. Click on the "import from queue" icon (green arrow shooting out of a yellow thing).
Another dialog box pops up. Select the basket the soon-to-be subelement is in.
Double-click on the file you'd like to turn into a subelement.
Repeat for any other subelements, and that's it.

]]>How to add a print-preset for InDesign CS2http://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/How+to+add+a+print-preset+for+InDesign+CS2mniwestbhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/How+to+add+a+print-preset+for+InDesign+CS2Wed, 16 May 2007 15:27:09 CDTNew information!

The print-preset, also known as a print-style, has been updated by the IT staff. The file still resides in N:\APT print styles, the same location, now named WSJ saved Print Presets.prst the old file has been removed.

This now includes the plotter and the low-res proofer, for both broadsheet and double-truck.
The procedure remains exactly, the same just some new features as previously mentioned.
Thanks
Brian


The print style for InDesign requires two things, the low-res proofer needs to be set up on your system first and then it needs this file loaded inside InDesign.

There is a small troubleshooting section in case any problems come up when this is being loaded.
The File is located at n:\APT Print Style\



So the first thing you need to do is have InDesign open and go to the file menu and the go down to the print presets and click define.

Click load.

navigate to to n:\APT print styles

Select the WSJ saved Print Presets.prst and hit open

Then hit OK. At this point the print style would be loaded.

You now have set up your print style and will be able to use the print style within InDesign. This is the option that it gave you under print.


Troubleshooting:


If you get this message this means that the printer is not set up on your system.
Click Cancel, and set up the printer with the following instructions.


Sooo, this is how you add that printer to your system
Go to start printers and faxes

click on add printer

Click next

Select network printer, then hit next

Select find a printer in the directory, then hit next

Type in MNIP, this will give you a list of all the printers in the company, scroll down to where you see the MNIP-WSJ-LOWRES

Click select and the printer will be added to your system

Decide if you want this to be your default printer, then click next.

Click finish, you have added the printer to your computer.
Once this printer has been setup, you will have to go back through the process of setting up your print style.

Any questions?
Brian

BWest@madison.com


]]>New styleshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/New+stylesDDombrowskihttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/New+stylesMon, 14 May 2007 15:32:39 CDT
Body type: Drop Cap Rag Right Q
If you use a Q (such as for a Q&A) in the regular Drop Cap style the descender of the Q touches the top of the type below it. Using this style will call in a smaller point size for the drop cap and shift the baseline up so that lines up properly with the top of the first line.

Body type: Breakout with bold leadin
This is a 'nested style' that starts each paragraph in Breakout Bold until it reaches a punctuation mark, such as a colon. This can be helpful if you are styling breakouts that always start with bold type because you don't have to use character styles to make them bold. It does mean that if you don't use some sort of punctuation, the style won't work correctly.



]]>InDesign style questions and answershttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/InDesign+style+questions+and+answersDDombrowskihttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/InDesign+style+questions+and+answersMon, 14 May 2007 15:18:14 CDTAutomatic byline styles:
If you follow this simple procedure, your bylines will always be styled correctly.

For a local byline:
Start with the Byline: Local 1 Name style, type in By NAME HERE, hit enter and the style will switch to the Byline: Local 2 E-mail style, type in the e-mail, hit enter again and the style will switch to Byline: Local 3 phone number, type in the phone number, hit enter again.

For a wire byline or any byline that only has 2 lines:
Start with Byline: Wire 1 Name, type in BY NAME HERE, hit enter and the style will switch to Byline: Wire 2 Attribution, type in the wire service, hit enter.

For an Associated Press or other one-line byline:
Use Byline: Wire 2 Attribution, which will style the type correctly.

If you have a byline that does not fit on one line, such as a dual byline, use a Shift-Enter to break the line. Using Enter alone will cause the next style in the sequence to activate, which you don't want.

]]>InDesign tips and trickshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/InDesign+tips+and+trickstpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/InDesign+tips+and+tricksMon, 14 May 2007 09:34:17 CDT
Here's a full list of InDesign shortcuts in PDF format. Feel free to add a comment highlighting those that you fin most useful in your newsroom work.

]]>InCopy shortcutshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/InCopy+shortcutstpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/InCopy+shortcutsMon, 14 May 2007 09:24:26 CDT
Here's a full list of InCopy shortcuts in PDF format. Feel free to share the most useful by posting a comment with this item.

]]>InCopy tips and trickshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/InCopy+tips+and+tricksjasonakramerhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/InCopy+tips+and+tricksWed, 09 May 2007 15:22:23 CDT
  • Sometimes you know the name of a command but just can’t seem to find it in the menu. Conveniently (quirkily?) InCopy allows you to re-order menu commands alphabetically. On Windows hold CTRL+ALT+SHIFT, or CMD+OPT+SHIFT on the Mac, while choosing a menu. All of its contents will remain alphabetically arranged until you release the modifier keys, whereupon commands will return to their original order. From here.
    • How to create a long dash: Shift+Alt+dash


    ]]>    Queue v. statushttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Queue+v.+statustpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Queue+v.+statusWed, 09 May 2007 14:00:18 CDTUpdated May 2, 2007

    UPDATE: Workflow has been streamlined to reduce the number of statuses. Training should incorporate this information. If you've already been trained, please review the information below on how items should move through the system from story creation to "final" status.

    -----

    APT Falcon is a queue-based system. One of the biggest differences between APT and Harris is that APT will use status changes to advance copy through production, rather than move stories to different folders or baskets on the system.

    With a story highlighted, clicking the forward "blue arrow" in the menu bar of a queue sends the item to the next stage of production.Here's an overview of those stages -- the basic workflow of APT:

    Queue: Reporter
    A story starts in a reporter's queue. When done, it is copied to the appropriate editing queue by clicking the blue arrow in the menu bar and selecting a     departmental ready queue -- daily local for daily news, enterprise for unscheduled centerpieces, etc. A complete list of ready queues and functions is shown in a PDF attachment.

    Queue: Ready
    Any incoming unedited items should arrive in a ready queue with "1stEdit " status assigned. The item remains in this status until assigning editor signs off on item. The editor clicks the blue button, which changes status to PageReady and moves the item to JStory.

    Sidestep: AdvanceEdit
    An item ready for copy editing but not scheduled for the daily paper can be marked as     AdvanceEdit. This status must be selected manually and takes the item out of the automated workflow.

    Status: PageReady
    This item is a daily story ready to be assigned to a page and placed by a designer. Subelements such as a headline are assigned. Click the blue button again to advance to the next status.

    Status: CopyEdit
    Once placed on page, a story's status is changed to to CopyEdit. When an item is placed, story should automatically move to JStory. Now the story may be "checked out" by a rim editor for copy editing and fixes.

    Status: Backread
    Once the rimmer has finished with a story, the editor "checks in" the story and     clicks the blue button again to advance to the next status. This changes the status to "backread" for a final read of the story and its subelements.

    Status: Final, and Queue: Recovery
    The slot "checks out" the story, reads and "checks in." A final click of the blue arrow changes the story status to "final," triggers Web and archive routing and moves the story to Recovery.

    Once all items on a page are checked back in, the page is ready to be sent to plate.

    "Final" stories land in recovery, where they may be copied out and renamed for makeover in later editions. If no changes are required for subsequent editions, stories do not need to be copied and re-edited.

    ]]>    Web routinghttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Web+routingtpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Web+routingTue, 08 May 2007 00:22:15 CDTUpdated May 7, 2007

    Web routing is not functional yet. APT has done the work that will send packages to the appropriate section of the newstool for posting to the Web. We await the online division's confirmation that the export works.

    Here's an outline of how the function is expected to work, and you can download attachments at the end of this page with additional, much more detailed information.

    HOW ROUTING WORKS

    First off, "routing" is the process through which stories are scheduled to generate xml- files for the Web and story archive.

    A story can be scheduled to do both; and stories can be scheduled in batches for one or the other.

    To access the routing window, select a story in the queue window, and click the “routing” icon in the queue toolbar (you also can right-click and select "routing" from a popup menu)

    In most cases, you will be scheduling a story to send later, when its status reaches "final." In that case, the user will click “Add Only”, which will add the element to the “to be routed later” window.

    If you don’t necessarily need to change the trigger, but need to send an item to the Web now (such as breaking news stories or midday updates), click “Add & Send.” This will create an xml file immediately, and schedule the story to process again, later, under normal conditions.

    If the story is to be sent now but not be updated later, use the “Add & Send & Complete” button.

    SELECTING SECTIONS FOR POSTING OUT OF APT

    The first time a story is scheduled for Web output, a "meta-data" window labeled Internet Export Options must be completed (or can be modified by clicking the icon in the upper portion of the window.)

    Use the drop-down windows to choose Section, which will route a story to the correct section online.

    See the attachment below called WebRouting for a table showing the sections we have requested and where those sections place the stories online.

    Note: We do not plan to use "Run From" and "Run To" dates at this time, as that function is more easily managed in the newstool.

    FINAL STEPS

    If all goes well, the story will be automatically routed to the newstool sections you have selected when it reaches "final" status. One step remains in the newstool: You must go in and "publish to live" all sections that have been sent packages from APT.

    Then be sure to check the Web site after a few minutes to make sure all new material displays properly.



    ]]>    Quick start guide for reportershttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Quick+start+guide+for+reporterstpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Quick+start+guide+for+reportersTue, 08 May 2007 00:09:27 CDT Posted May 8, 2007

    Here's a text version of a quick-start guide for reporters working in APT.

    Click here for the illustrated PDF with more details.

    Start a story

    The shortest way to start writing is to use “Quick Create.” Click the lightning icon on the toolbar under your name.

    The “Slug?” window displays. Give your story a name and click “OK.”

    Quick Create uses a “default template and element type” to launch a
    new story without having to select the Element Type and Template. In some case, you will have to select element type or template, such as when writing cutlines or creating agate for business.


    Start another type of item

    In those special cases, click the blank page icon, “New,” on the toolbar under your name.

    The “New Element” window displays.

    Type the slug name. Pick “Local” from the workflow options. It probably is your only option.

    Look under Templates to select the item you want. WSJNewsStory is the default. Cutline, info box, etc. are self-explanatory. Note: The WSJBizNews and WSJ Sports templates are for agate only, not regular stories.

    Everything else is optional. Leave the default options unless you know what you are changing. Then click “Create” in the lower left. A new document will be created.

    If you haven’t already started up InCopy, there will be a delay while the software starts up and loads its font collection.

    Write the story

    You’ll next see a window with a pristine screen ready for your prose.

    Story writing hints

    Use “Story” view (middle tab in the upper left corner of the article page) to get the traditional word processor view of the story.

    If you don’t need the upper right format palette (and you usually don’t when writing a story), minimize this pesky palette by clicking anywhere along the left side (but not on a tab, which will just change the palette view).

    Ironclad rule for any system: Save (ctrl-S) regularly.

    Keyboard shortcuts

    Sick of all the icons and menus? Get a list of InCopy keyboard shortcuts. Rather than list them all here, we recommend using the following steps to generate a list of shortcuts:

    1) Choose Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts.
    2) Select a shortcut set from the Set menu.
    3) Click Show Set.
    4) A text file opens with all current and undefined shortcuts.

    How long is my story?

    First, save your story.

    Then click galley view in the upper left corner. This is the equivalent of Harris’s H&J function. Your screen should show the justified version of the story:

    Now look in the bottom box. To the left of the nasty “no info” box, which serves no function for us, you’ll see four sets of numbers. The number next to D: is the length in column inches – a bit over 20 in the case above.

    Estimating length as you write

    You also can use the depth ruler along the left side of your copy to see the length as you write in either story or layout view.

    If the ruler is not visible in your story, use the Adobe InCopy CS2 top menu bar to add it.

    1) Choose View > Show/Hide Depth Ruler.
    2) To show or hide only the information column, choose View > Show/Hide Info Column.
    3) To hide the ruler, Hide Depth Ruler or Hide Info Column from the View menu.

    Hit your perfect length? Excellent. Now send your story for hacking by the desk.

    Send a finished story for editing

    Use “advance workflow,” the blue buttons in your palette of options in your personal queue.

    1) Click to highlight a story in your queue.

    2) Then click the blue button pointing to the right to send your story to an editing queue. You get a popup asking you where to copy the story.

    3) Select the correct location and click OK.

    To reverse workflow: Click the left-facing blue arrow instead. The item moves back to its previous status or queue.

    Send a story to somebody else

    Highlight a story in your queue with a click, then right click to get a popup menu. Select “copy” for a story selected.

    You will be prompted to select a destination queue from the dashboard hierarchy. Find your destination and double-click. Another window pops up with a new slug name and status options.

    You get this window because APT Falcon does not allow slugs with the same name, even in different queues.

    Copying shortcut: Ctrl-Drag

    Open the queue containing a story and the queue where you want to place a copy. Copy an element to another queue by holding down the “Ctrl Key”, clicking on the handle of the file to be copied (the handle is a blank square at far left of a story in a queue list). Hold down the mouse button and drag into the open destination queue.

    Moving shortcut: Click and hold, drag

    A similar method also can be used to move a file. Click and hold the handle of an item, then drag to the new queue.

    Deleting a story

    Just press the delete key to move a story to the Trash.

    Change the slugline

    You may need to alter your original slugline to add your initials or a proposed run date (“MON” “TUE” etc.) This is the equivalent of ctrl-F9 in Harris.

    First, click the “Details” icon.

    A window opens containing all the header Information for the story. You can change the slug or its status, for example, and add notes (use sparingly unless you know your editor or collaborator takes the time to look at this field)

    Read-Only

    This is equivalent to the Harris view mode. Right click on a story, and select “Open (Read-Only)” and the story will be opened in read-only view. You can’t edit the item, but you can read it, even if someone else is working on the story.

    Unlock

    This function works almost exactly the same as its equivalent in Harris. “Unlock” lets you remove the file lock on a story that was open during an improper file closure. File locks are set every time you open a story for editing, thus preventing two or more individuals from trying to edit the same file at the same time.

    If you try to open a story that someone else has opened you will get a
    message stating “in use by: [username].”

    If you have the file open, or if the file was not properly closed, meaning
    that it has a file lock on it, you will get an “opened by you” message. If you do not have the file open on your computer or another machine, it may not have been closed properly.

    To unlock, right click and choose “Unlock,” then reopen the file.

    Wire Cleanup

    If you are working off a wire story, begin by opening the story and clicking wire cleanup, the brush icon on the InCopy toolbar. This cleans wire stories of transmission characters and transforms special characters to match our style.

    Global search

    Clicking the magnifying glass on the Falcon toolbar allows you to search the content of all queues for specific words or phrases.

    A separate guide still to come will recommend search strategies. But anyone familiar with search engines probably can use this function without any detailed training.

    The global search provides many options. Experiment and enjoy!

    ]]>    APT updates, tips and trickshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/APT+updates%2C+tips+and+trickstpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/APT+updates%2C+tips+and+tricksMon, 07 May 2007 23:54:32 CDTUpdated May 8, 2007

    Here are questions and answers that are cropping up with APT. Check back frequently for new information, which will be added to the top of the document.

    Someone tried to copy something to my personal queue and she was told she didn't have privileges to do so … is that odd?

    APT’s Jim McKee has expanded permissions to allow anyone to copy to editing queues and make changes to items filed there. All WSJ reporters and editors should be able to access and change items that have been copied from their individual queues to any queue under any “Ready” branch in all departments. If this level of permission is not working for you, please let me know.

    Editors already should have expanded permissions and we will doublecheck to make sure reporters and copy editors can not only copy but open stories in any editing queue. If you send an item to another reporter or editor personal queue, you will no longer have access to it, however. Production queues such as Jstory are open only to editors working on pages.

    Stories can be copied from wire queues without restriction.

    I figured out the blue-button system for advancing stories through APT. But can stories be sent backwards in this workflow?

    Yes. Just use the backward arrow. Editors will be able, as they are now, to bounce stories back to reporters' queues or to earlier status. After a story has left a reporter's hands, a reporter will be able to get back into the story to make corrections or add late-breaking information working out of an editing queue under the "ready" folder in your department as lists on the dashboard. Similarly, copy editors can send a story back to a ready queue with questions. Stories that are held will remain in a ready queue.

    In layout view, why do headlines appear underneath a story instead of on top as they would on the page?

    Elements appear in “page geometry” in the order created. Be sure to make the headline the first element created.

    I’ve heard the system crawls sometimes. What can be done?

    Speed and response have improved in recent days. All computers equipped with InDesign have been upgraded with a plug-in that has improved system speed in live tests over the weekend. If you continue to experience significant -- more than a minute -- slowdowns when updating or closing a page, let us know.

    If your computer or the system seems to slow down consistently during a certain process or at a certain time in the production cycle, please give us as much detail as you can on the situation and we will look into it.

    Curses, minimized again! What’s the deal?

    After stories have been placed on page, copy editors find that InCopy launches and then immediately minimizes, and a user has to click the minimized story open again. This is a bug between Adobe and APT that has been known for some time and still hasn't been figured out. Thanks for your patience.

    How long is this story?

    We have just noticed that queues do not show the length of a story once it is placed on page. APT is aware of the problem and working on it. Depth count is working well prior to this stage in production so reporters and first-read editors should not encounter any problems.

    Will we refine wire searches to make them more flexible?

    Searches are currently limited to a global search or a single queue. As a first step toward creating better wire sorts, the wire queues were renamed to make future searches more relevant. If you left a wire queue open when you last closed Falcon -- or had searches based on the old queue names -- you'll getempty queuewindows. Just close and reopen the renamed queue, and replace in your favorites.

    New wire search instructions are on the way.

    What’s the status of agate?

    Efforts to convert business and sports agate remain in intensive development and testing. Business agate may be produced outside of APT and imported, or produce in Harris for this week, depending on progress Tuesday and Wednesday.

    What’s page association?

    If you’re not a designer, you don’t care. If you are and you don’t know, ask David right away. If you create or paginate pages, you should make page association your first step in your work on that page. Pages not associated with an edition will not route to archive or Web properly.


    I don’t want to hunt through the folder structure for my queue. What can I do?

    Create a favorite. From the dashboard, right-click on a queue and select “Add to Favorites” to add the queue to the favorites drop-down list in your dashboard.

    Help! I’ve got a mess of queues open all over my screen.

    Clicking the “arrange” button – its icon looks like four little squares -- will rearrange open queues to organized positions on the screen.

    I can’t remember what all these little icons mean.

    Placie your cursor over an icon without clicking on the icon. When you perform this “mouse-over” a “tool tip” will appear, containing a one or two-word description of the button, or its function.

    I lost my story! How can I find it?

    If you try to move your story to a new queue but somehow send it to another by accident, you can find it without hunting through a bunch of queues. If you remember the name, use global search in the top toolbar. Click on Search (Global) to search the content of all queues for specific words or phrases.

    Searchable fields include the keyword and slug. You can use the “operators” to broaden or narrow the search as follows.

    “Is Equal To” is an exact match to the “search string” (the actual search words)

    “Matches” uses wild cards -- Wis* will return all items beginning with “Wis”, and *game returns all stories ending in “game”

    “Contains” searches for words that appear anywhere in the search field.

    “Not”, “Does “Not” returns all stories that don’t contain the search string.

    I lost my dashboard! And when I click on Falcon Editorial on the bottom bar, nothing happens! How do I restore it?

    Right-click on the minimized Falcon Editorial button, which pops up a menu. Click "restore" and you should get back all your tools.

    How do I make a bullet?

    Press and hold Alt then 8.

    ]]>    Workflow basicshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Workflow+basicstpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Workflow+basicsMon, 07 May 2007 13:15:50 CDT

    We want to simplify and modernize our system of publishing to the Web and print as much as possible while preserving the editing steps needed to ensure accuracy.

    With information and some guidance from IT and APT, we have developed an initial queue structure and work flow plan. We can always make minor adjustments before going live in all sections, but it is a goal to have one workflow that generally works for all departments.

    BASICS

    The APT editorial system is a queue based system. Every user of the system has a personal queue.

    All of the users included in the reporters training group have a reporter queue. These are users who edit their own work, but no one else’s. Stories in a reporter queue can be edited only by the owner of the queue. Copies may be created by dragging a story from the reporter queue into another queue.

    All users included in the news or sports paginators groups should have an editor queue. These are users who edit their own work AND the work of others.

    User queues were created with a single login point, meaning that after initial setup, APT should start up without entering a user name and password.

    PRODUCTION AND WIRE

    In addition to Reporter and Editor queues, APT editorial utilizes three other kinds of queues. The three other types of queues are Production queues, Public queues and Wire queues.

    Production queues are used to store finished pages that are ready for production. Daily pages are created and stored by day of the week in production queues labeled Monday, Tuesday, etc. Other finished pages are stored in production queues such as Advance and Special Section.

    We have defined production queues to match the pages produced. However, the workflow your newsroom follows to produce pages will change from the basket-based Harris system.
    Public or Editing queues are also used to store finished stories that are ready for pagination. Finished stories filed by reporters to queues such as Daily Local, Sunday, Enterprise, etc. We defined these public queues to match the locations that finished stories should be stored according to departmental and newsroom workflow.

    Other production queues are used during the design and copy editing. We have streamlined this process so that page editors/designer pluck stories from departmental queues and place them on page for copy editing, which automatically moves them to a production queue such as Jstory. When the stories are backread and marked final, they

    Still another production queue is used for import from the Harris editorial system. And stories going to AP Carbon or Lee Carbon will also get stored in public queues.

    Wire queues are used to display wire stories as they are pulled off the AP wire and handled by a process server. Users can select and copy stories from wire queues to reporter or editor queues in the same way that you coped stories off the wires from Harris.

    The current wire structure mirrors Harris wire sorts. It is possible to define wire queues differently to match and/or improve upon the current wire story workflow in our newsroom. APT's superior search functions also may help you more effectively sift the wire.


    ]]>    Workflow, procedures and morehttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Workflow%2C+procedures+and+moretpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Workflow%2C+procedures+and+moreTue, 01 May 2007 23:30:54 CDT
    Drops for photos, graphics

    Workflow basics

    Queue v. status

    ]]>    Drops for photos, graphicshttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Drops+for+photos%2C+graphicstpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Drops+for+photos%2C+graphicsinitial editTue, 01 May 2007 23:27:34 CDTPosted May 1, 2007

    Here is useful information for those requesting photos/graphics from graphics and imaging techs.

    Below are the names of "DROPS" or drop folders where photos and graphics get saved from the Macs for use in the APT system. The names are self explanatory. Please write the name, onto the photo or graphic proof, of the drop where you'd like photos or graphics sent for APT pages.

    For Harris pages, request photos to be sent to "iwsjin" or "aijadv" as usual.

    As a reminder, if Laura, Jason or Brent are in the graphics department, graphics corrections and requests should be directed to them rather than the imaging techs. Please take a moment to look for them and if they are not there, leave it with the imaging tech, on the black plastic organizer.

    Drops names:

    Today Photos
    Advance Photos
    Graphics Today
    Graphics Advance


    ]]>    Moving items to TCThttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Moving+items+to+TCTtpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Moving+items+to+TCTMon, 30 Apr 2007 14:08:44 CDTPosted April 30, 2007

    Here's how to move Rhythm and sports agate between systems:

    Select an item in your queue.

    Click the “send to domain” button (the green arrow in illustration below).

    Select the type of item and destination from the popup window.

    Click OK.

    That’s it. To check to see if your item arrived, go to the dashboard, select “domain” and select “The Capital Times.” A window pops up with several queues that can be viewed by WSJ staff.

    Click on the appropriate queue and check to see that your item is in the queue. The rest is up to the other guys now.

    Click here for the PDF version of this cheat sheet.

    ]]>    Transition schedulehttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Transition+scheduletpkelleyhttp://wsj.wetpaint.com/page/Transition+scheduleinitial editThu, 26 Apr 2007 23:11:25 CDTBelow you’ll find a list of key dates in the WSJ plan for moving from the Harris system to APT.

    We will phase in the transition rather than move the entire paper at one time. There will be minor typographical differences in the output of the systems that should not be noticed by most readers. A few editors and designers will have to work on both systems for a week or more, but most staff should be able to make a clean break as noted below.

    We will ramp up slowly, first using the system for opinion and features sections operating on earlier deadlines than the rest of the paper. We’ll move the majority of staffers and pages to APT after May 8.

    Once you have been trained, please be sure to try out APT and InCopy or InDesign at your desks. Also, please note the dates below for making your final exit from Harris.

    The Harris system will remain in operation throughout the transition as a backup. We will send out instructions for moving news stories from Harris to APT. We’ll also provide a how-to for storing material not intended for publication – old notes, correspondence, etc. – on your personal storage outside the APT system.

    The following are the publication dates for beginning live production of pages and sections on APT. Any questions or concerns, please ask.

    Thanks, TK


    OPINION

    Daily opinion: Thursday, April 26 (Eastlick)

    Sunday Forum: May 6
    Thursday Spectrum: Thursday, May 3


    FEATURES

    Daily Daybreak: Friday April 27 (Rogers edits; Kolker on design)
     Saturday, April 28 (Rogers edits; Zani on design)
     All features staff working in APT after Thursday, April 26.

    Sunday advance (Daybreak, A&E and Explore): Sunday, May 6


    NEWS

    Nation/World, In Depth, page two, inside wire: Wednesday, May 2

    (Wire editors will need to send over A1 wire to Harris’s page one basket for an additional week. Copy editors and designers may be working in either system as their assigned duties require.)

    Business: Wednesday, May 9

    Local: Wednesday, May 9

    Page one: Wednesday, May 9

    All Local staff and news-side presentation staff should be working on APT for anything intended for publication after Tuesday, May 8.


    SPORTS

    Full section: Tuesday, May 15

    All sports staff should be working on APT for anything intended for publication after Monday, May 14.


    SUNDAY ROLLOUT

    Daybreak, A&E, Explore (advance): Sunday, May 6
    Main, Forum, Business, Local: Sunday, May 13
    Sports, Extra: Sunday, May 20

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