Released in 2002, Adobe InDesign was developed as the software replacement for Adobe's own PageMaker, the one time leading desktop publishing software product.

Adobe InDesign page layout software family products are:

1. Adobe InDesign CS2 and Adobe InDesign CS3 series
2. Adobe InDesign CS Server series, which integrates InDesign CS desktop publishing features with server applications
3. Adobe Creative Suite series product editions that include Adobe InDesign: Adobe Creative Suite Premium, Adobe Creative Suite Standard and Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection
4. Adobe InCopy CS, a standalone text editor compatible with Adobe InDesign

Note that, besides versions of Adobe InDesign, other Adobe software products that are or have been part of the Adobe Creative Suite Design family include:

1. Adobe Photoshop
2. Adobe Illustrator
3. Adobe Acrobat Pro
4. Adobe Flash Professional
5. Adobe Dreamweaver
6. Adobe Fireworks
7. Adobe After Effects
8. Adobe Premiere
9. Adobe Soundbooth

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Visit the Adobe InDesign website for Adobe InDesign software family features

Before buying Adobe InDesign software, also read independent product reviews to reach a balanced opinion.

I recommend: Go to the Adobe InDesign website to explore the basic features for versions of Adobe InDesign software. Get an outside assessment of Adobe InDesign from the perspective of XML Web language from O'Reilly's XML.com website. Find out how Adobe InDesign CS4 Server software features address specific professions. See the features of Adobe InCopy text editing software.

Find Adobe InDesign training resources

Learn about Adobe InDesign at Adobe InDesign classes or via self-paced courses.

I recommend: Search for Adobe InDesign classes and training providers near your location. At Adobe TV, see video tutorials for Adobe InDesign and Adobe InCopy. Lynda.com sells Adobe-recommended tutorials for Adobe InDesign CS2, Adobe InDesign CS3, and Adobe InDesign CS4. Total Training is another Adobe-recommended company that sells Adobe InDesign tutorials. For more advanced training, find out how to become an Adobe InDesign Certified Expert or an Adobe InDesign Certified Associate.

Find online tips and tutorials necessary to teach yourself how to use Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign tips and tutorials can be found on Adobe user forums, Adobe-sponsored training and video workshops, as well as on independent Adobe InDesign expert blogs and tutorial websites.

I recommend: Adobe Creative Suite Design Center offers Workflow Guides that include an Adobe InDesign tutorial as part of the Adobe Creative Suite. At the Adobe InDesign Design Center, you'll find video tips, tutorials and InDesign community content. Adobe Video Workshop offers Adobe InDesign CS3 video tutorials and tips. Adobe Forums include user to user tips and advice for standalone Adobe InDesign and for Adobe InDesign as part of the Adobe Creative Suite. InDesignSecrets.com is a recommended blog offering Adobe InDesign tips. Sponsored by Adobe, Tim Cole's InDesign BackChannel is another comprehensive Adobe InDesign blog offering tutorials and tips. InCopySecrets.com is a tips and tutorial blog for Adobe InCopy.

Learn about Adobe InDesign family product support

Adobe InDesign family product support pages include customer service and technical support contact information along with a searchable knowledgebase.

I recommend: See the Adobe InDesign product support main page. Search the Knowledgebase at the Adobe Creative Suite Support Center for product support issues and information pertaining to Adobe InDesign as part of the Adobe Creative Suite.

Find out where you can find suppliers of Adobe InDesign software products

Adobe InDesign family products can be bought new at the online Adobe Store, at online third party vendors and at online auctions.

I recommend: At the Adobe Store, you can buy versions of Adobe InDesign CS4 and the previous version, Adobe InDesign CS3. You can also buy versions of Adobe InDesign software as part of the Adobe Creative Suite at the Adobe Store. Students, teachers, and schools can buy new copies of versions of Adobe InDesign software and Adobe Creative Suite software at discounted prices at the Academic Superstore and at Studica.com. You can also bid on new and used copies of versions of Adobe InDesign software and Adobe Creative Suite software at eBay. PCWorld Shop & Compare offers a comparison shopping service that gives potential buyers a range of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Creative Suite product prices at a variety of online stores. Amazon also sells new and used versions of Adobe InDesign and Adobe Creative Suite.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Note that Adobe InDesign software for servers has no graphic user interface or editing capabilities.
• •  When bidding on new and used copies of versions of Adobe InDesign software and Adobe Creative Suite software at eBay, take the necessary Buyer Beware precautions.