ANON BUD  I'm just an average guy who is not a professional so I do not neet all the bells and whistles of many of Adobe's products. I purchased CS2 a couple of years ago and have really only used InDesign. This is a good product and has been instrumental in some of my workflow.

That said: I will not be giving any more money to Adobe Systems. I am not allowed to upgrade just the InDesign app from the suite. I either have to purchase an upgrade to the whole suite of apps––most of which I do not use––or do a complete separate purchase of InDesign as a stand-alone (at a much higher price than the simple upgrade to the one app.). Add to this a customer service department that is antedated and ridiculous to navigate through and very customer un-friendly.

Unfortunately, what this means is that I will have to trash all my Adobe apps when I upgrade to Leopard, since nothing before CS3 works with Leopard.

Long story short: If you are a design professional and need to keep on top of the current app upgrades (and can use each purchase as a tax write-off) of if you are loaded with lots of money and don't mind spending hundreds of dollars on each upgrade, knock yourself out. But if you are not wealthy and do not need all the bells and whistles, forget Adobe and go with something else––Pages comes to mind.  
(Version 1.0)

RICHARD HALLAS  I'm cheesed off with the updater. I downloaded this to update InDesign 5.0.3 to 5.0.4 and ran the updater application. After giving it my password, it just sat there with the spinning blue/white barber's pole icon, not saying what it was doing, and that's how it remained for hours and hours. I left it doing this overnight in case it was actually doing something useful. But after maybe 16 hours of just sitting there with the twirling pole icon, I just quit it. (Note that pressing the Cancel button didn't work; I had to quit it from the Dock menu.) At that point (on quit) it popped up a box saying that the update had been completed successfully, which I don't believe.

Now, InDesign identifies itself in the Finder and in its start-up banner as version 5.0.3, but once it's loaded and I open its Info window, it says it's version 5.0.4. So, what to believe? It's probably a partial installation of 5.0.4 with some components not updated, but it's impossible to tell because there's no log file, and there wasn't even any indication whatsoever of progress from the updater, or even any sign of what it was doing.

I suppose I should be grateful that my copy of InDesign does at least still work (a previous updater once rendered it incapable of launching), but this is far from impressive. In fact, I've had no end of trouble with the CS3 installers in general. When I first installed CS3 on my brand-new 2.8GHz Mac Pro a few months ago, it took literally days to get everything installed successfully, with many forced restarts of the system, because the Adobe installers were so hopeless and just got stuck at different stages (and indeed locked up my computer - hence the forced restarts); I had to try most of them several times before they worked. And that was on a brand-new, 'vanilla' Mac Pro with no other software installed that might have interfered with Adobe's installer. (Oddly enough, I had no problems at all with installing on my previous G5, which died and forced the purchase of the new Mac Pro.)

The software's great once it's installed and working, but I can't believe how much hassle I've had from Adobe's installers and updaters. They're an absolute nightmare, and who wants to risk their working installations being ruined by dodgy installer software? I remember having problems with Adobe installers before (e.g. with the original CS applications). Installers shouldn't be rocket science, and it's high time that Adobe made its installers much more robust and foolproof. There's thousands of pounds of software at stake, per user, in the Creative Suites, and it's mission-critical for the majority of its users. The last thing the customer needs is to have their system messed up by an unreliable updater application.  
(Version 5.0.4)

D9  Once again, Adobe had become a pathetic excuse of a Mac developer living on past credit. As usual, the Adobe Updater program does not recognize these updates on either Intel or PPC machines. You have to use these links to manually download and install the updates (Don't even get me started on how the Updater continues to say I need the Adobe AIR update for Flash but craps outs every time it tries to install!!).

Add to this the long running yet still unresolved Adobe bug in InDesign that prevents keystroke Hide (Command + H) to work until you restart the program. It's just pathetic!! I really have no idea what, if any, improvements have been made. Just seems the same...still crashes on half our print jobs the first run.

Overall, I like the Adobe products; Photoshop and Illustrator are indispensable. But let's be honest, there has been little truly advance development in these products for about 2 or 3 iterations, unless you want to count OS X & Mac Intel compatibility as advances. Adobe seems content to simply suck on the teet of its cash cows!

/  
(Version 5.0.4)

MACSOLU  Does this fix the problems with the Hide command that InDesign has been having with Leopard?  
(Version 5.0.3)

KOBALT  I had trouble installing this update, but worked it out in the end. Way back when, after installing CS3 for the first time, I changed the name of the folder containing the Suite from 'Applications' to a more descriptive 'Adobe CS3'. I was finally able to install this update by renaming the folder back to 'Applications'.  
(Version 5.0.1)

POLYFADE  indesign 4.05 does not work on intel mac. it will freeze up your system, and there is no option but to hold down the power button.

wag of the finger to adobe!  
(Version 4.0.5)

HIHAGEN  This is the update: 4.03:

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/thankyou.jsp?ftpID=3399&fileID=3213  
(Version 4.0.3)

MUDFLAPPER  Sorry. No Universal Binary, no deal.  
(Version 4.0.3)

DV8  This latest update (4.0.3) is actually InCopy, not InDesign...???  
(Version 4.0.3)

ANONYMOUS  Time for Quark to wake up. Indesign is not so good. Stable but slow and bloated.  
(Version 4.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Is it me or has 4.0.1 disabled Font Agent Pro activation?  
(Version 4.0.1)

CHRIS REED  I have worked in the typesetting, graphics and printing industries for 21 years now. At present, I work for a small but technologically savvy graphics and imagesetting house and am in constant contact with designers and printers of all stripes and sizes, so I'm at a loss to say why people are so hung up on QuarkXPress still... It hasn't really improved or advanced measurably since version 4.1 (which is probably the most deservedly successful and ubiquitous piece of graphics software in history), it's just about as slow on a G4 as InDesign can be - and with far less reason, as it doesn't have half the features - and their customer service is still condescending, if not downright rude and arrogant.

Why am I, over this past year, receiving by now almost as many InDesign files as Quark ones from my clients, eh? The answer is simple: Quark's hubris and unwarranted sense of entitlement has backfired at last and people are wisely going with a cheaper and much more flexible product! I'm not at all crazy about these Big-Brother-ish "activation" schemes that appear to be the wave of the future, as I personally have THREE Mac G4 production machines in different locations that I use independently of one another and I can not now put my copy of these programmes where I often need to use them, but suffice it to say that InDesign is quite obviously here to stay and that Quark, like it or lump it, is rapidly - and understandably - becoming a thing of the soon-to-be-distant past.  
(Version 4.0)

ANONYMOUS  I find totally bizarre, incomprehensible and very disturbing that Adobe can publicly release CS2 along with a demo version BEFORE the it's released to their Authorized Service Providers.

What's more, their pitch of the AASPP clearly indicates that members will receive the software in advance of the public release. Yet, here we are, still without a copy of it and customers wondering why we're we STILL can't use CS2 files.

I wish they would realize that they are under contract to release it to members first and by not doing so, they not only create mistrust and ill will towards Adobe, but they are in jeapardy of someone eventually sueing them for breach of contract and/or false adverting.

Twice we have been told by customer service "it will be released at the end of the week." Well, we're still waiting.  
(Version 4.0)

ANONYMOUS  I work for a small graphics and imagesetting house and am in constant contact with designers and printers of all stripes and sizes, so I'm at a loss to say why people are so hung up with Quark still... It hasn't improved an iota since version 4.1, it's every bit as slow as InDesign - with less reason as it doesn't have half the features - and their customer service is still condescending and downright rude and arrogant. Why am I, over the past year, receiving by now as many InDesign files as Quark ones from clients, eh? Simple - Quark's hubris has backfired at last and people are going with a cheaper and much more flexible product! I'm not at all crazy about the Big-Brother-ish "activation" schemes, as I have THREE production machines in different locations that I use independently of one another and can not now put my copy of these programmes where I often need them, but suffice it to say that InDesign is here to stay and Quark, like it or lump it, is rapidly and understandably becoming a thing of the soon-to-be-distant past.  
(Version 4.0)

ANONYMOUS  While ID has a few bugs still... I'll applaud when it finally puts the nail in the Quark coffin. I've used both Quark and PM/ID for 16 years now out of industry needs, certainly not out of my desire. Adobe just makes a better product in everything they do.   
(Version 4.0)

DAVID  """But seriously, you cannot survive as a pro without Quark. Just ain't gonna happen. Not anytime soon, either. Maybe eventually, if we're lucky."""

How, then, do businesses such as us, a mid-size print company, operate successfully without Quark? Simple: by using InDesign. Maybe we're just not 'pro'.  
(Version 4.0)

ANONYMOUS  Indesign 3.0.1 crashes in Tiger everytime when trying to select the stroke's appearance  
(Version 3.0.1)

ØYVIND S  A huge problem with InDesign is that it’s not good with neither text-flow or hypens in foreign languages. I always have to double-check both hypens and justification, as they are never good enough. One of the selling points of InDesign has been it’s advanced typography-features, but unfortunately the features doesn’t really do the everyday job, as i always find major textflow and hypens-problems in the text. With quark, there are several smarter and more mature solutions for these everyday challenges.

Still - indesign is good value for money since it’s so cheap, and many designers will favor this software. I also use InDesign for many tasks...

...But if you are a non-american, doing a lot of text-based layout and don’t have the time to see over the text one extra time before printing, you will be better of with quark. Even Quark 4.1 is better than Indesign at this particular point.  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Quark is dead! Get over it! Old school designers still us quark. /-/ update or die  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Well, you heard the man. :D

But seriously, you cannot survive as a pro without Quark. Just ain't gonna happen. Not anytime soon, either. Maybe eventually, if we're lucky.  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Boo-hiss, this is still a Quark world, like it or not. If you want to play in the pro-printing industry, Quark had better be on your computer. It's one thing for a single designer to use only IND for "their" files and outgoing stuff, but IND isn't the exclusive answer to any pre-press/printing shop, not any stretch of the imagination. If IND wants to rule the world, have it READ and EXPORT QUARK format files. Now that would really be a solution.  
(Version 3.0.1)

SUBLINEAR  That's uhm... thirteen words, actually.  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Two words: ACTUALLY FIX BUGS INSTEAD OF MAKING US HOPE THEY'RE FIXED IN THE UPGRADE.  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  TWO WORDS

QUARK KILLER

More features, and over all better Application FOR LESS!

Can't beat that.   
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Don't know why people are having such problems...I've never experienced any problems on the 4 computers we run it on. No speed issues (make sure your display preferences are set relative to the speed of the computer you are running on). No crashing, no bugs (what is the color bug?).

Backward compatibility...ok, maybe would be handy (although I've never had a need personally), but you can't introduce great new features and make your files fully compatible with older versions...it just can't work...and I know which one I would find more useful  
(Version 3.0.1)

PHOTEK  If your a pro, Indesign CS is the way to go, I can't fault it, its stable, full of features and cheaper than Quark. Thanx Adobe!  
(Version 3.0.1)

CARL  I've used ReadySetGo (RSG) for years and I developed a 564 page book and other complex projects using it. I thought I would update to InDesign or Quark. Quark is definitely out and I have been trying out the InDesign CS demo. I find it terribly slow, functions are not intuitive, it does not import or open Quark or RSG files and is short of functions I need. I will never give up the instantaneous speed of RSG and the ease of use, flexibility and full range of functions. If you want to try a beautiful program, that's light years ahead of the others I would suggest you try RSG 7.6.4 from Diwan Software. Sorry I put this in the wrong box earlier. (2/1/2005, Version: 3.0.1)   
(Version 3.0.1)

LEO  They really should fix the Bugs....The terribles Bug is the Color Bug.  
(Version 3.0.1)

LILI LAPRISE  meric beaucoup c'est très gentil  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Impossible to go back to Quark except that Indesign is slow, transparencies and shadows are unstable, backward compatibility is null, Adobe is more and more arrogant. Indesign is not good, it is just better than the worst of the worst, Quark XPress. I don't want to trade a monopoly for another, I want a good application to work.  
(Version 3.0.1)

A NONY MOUSE  Astonishing program, a relief for desktop publishers who suffered from QuarkXPress bugs and erratic behaviours over the years. Perfect in nearly every aspect. Like another reviewer said: it's impossible to go back to Quark once you've got used to InDesign. Recommended to everyone who is serious about designing complex artworks with as little effort as possible.  
(Version 3.0.1)

SPQR  A perfect update for the best page layout program ever made. Indesign is very stable and easy to learn. One of the greatest OS X programs.

To Anonymous: try saving your document from XPress 6 to XPress 5 then to XPress 4 (single language). You can save from 6 to 5 with XPress 6, then you need XPress 5 to save from 5 to 4. You will be able to open it in Indesign, translation will not be perfect but still usable. Don't forget to copy TTF fonts from the PC if you use non standard fonts. OS X can use TTF fonts without convesion.  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  I am trying to open a file made on a PC platform using Quark 6.0. I have learned the hard way that 6.0 is not compatible with InDesign CS. What are my options? Is there an export ability that I'm not aware of? Documents do not translate well, and don't appear the same as they do in Quark.  
(Version 3.0.1)

LEGOLAS  The very best. XPress 6(1) is a joke. Impossible to go back once you've put a finger on Indesign.  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANDREW URI  Perfect update with this direct link. See no change, maybe launch time is a bit faster. Stable. Best Destkt.Pub. program.  
(Version 3.0.1)

SNOXER  direct link to Indesign CS updater

http://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/manifest/indesign/IDCSupdater.dmg

for those that are the DIY type ;)  
(Version 3.0.1)

BOB FAULKNER  Well, they still haven't fixed the stroke problem. Try this: darw a box with a fat stroke and no fill. Now, click on the Swap Fill and Stroke icon at the bottom of the tool bar. Surprise! The outside dimension of the box is now smaller by half the width of the stroke. This is not how version 2 behaved. It happens no matter if the stroke is aligned to the inside, outside, or center of the line. THIS IS A MAJOR BUG, in my opinion. It has not been fixed in 3.0.1.  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Missing features to open Quark 5/6 files and save to ID 2 or 1. I would like to have transparent drag when moving images as PM and Quark have. I have used Illustrator for years and ID was easy to pick up. Value is excellent especially if you purchase the suite as an update to photoshop. Stability has been flakey on dual G4 mirror door and dual G5, I get unexpected quits in PS, Ill, and ID. I have tried in 10.2-10.3.3 with the same results.   
(Version 3.0.1)

DON  Is it just me or the way I installed Indesign CS...but none of the instructions seem to make sense in the version (3.0) that I have on my laptop. Nothing under the help menu..prefs are not under edit and don't have the updates option either.  
(Version 3.0.1)

HELLOKITTY  As a legitimate owner of InDesignCS, I'm pretty unimpressed with this update. The update crashes after typing my admin password. I have an iBook Dual USB with OSX 10.3.3.  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Actually, if you READ the page at Adobe.com, you CAN download the updater and run it later. After the download finishes, say "Update Later". Then you can get the DMG is your /Library/Caches/Adobe/AUM folder.

I did it this way, the updater worked fine, and the about box indeed say 3.01.  
(Version 3.0.1)

JOY  Another stupid move by Adobe: impossible to download the update and the online updater does not work!!! First they cut backward compatibility, they put crazy s*** in Photoshop, then they charge you for a call and now they can't update their own program. My company (87 computers) is still using Xpress and ID 202, you know why......  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  The Updater ran, but did not seem to change my copy of IDCS. It is still listed as 3.0 and it seemed to finsih running even before the disk image was mounted... what's more it said no other Adobe apps could be running and it left ID CS running the whole time.

Adobe needs to either learn how to do this type of update right, or just let us download it as usual and install it the normal way.  
(Version 3.0.1)

HANDYCAM  Note this link is to the demo version of InDesign. The updater is apparently only available from within the program.

See http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2448

For more info  
(Version 3.0.1)

DADDY MAC  indesign is 1000% better than quark, I have switched my design office so I know!

But if you want product support they sting you for it and the sting you hard.......£29.95 per call... that is criminal...but what other choices for DTP do you have!  
(Version 3.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Miss the option to export a file that can be opened by inDesign 2.

Takes ages to relink pictures if the name of the picture has changed.

Problems with fonts.

Slow!!!

CS is a regression. Stay with 2 or XPress.  
(Version 3.0)

ANONYMOUS  Lot of little bugs. Adobe can't fix bugs or what? And where is our beloved backward compatibility? CS is a big disappointment.  
(Version 3.0)

BOB FAULKNER  In general InDesign is a great page layout program. I have been using it since version 1 (version 1.5 was the first usable version, though). My only complaint is a bug with box storkes, and this is a big bug, for me. After six months Adobe doesn't seem to be willing to fix it, either. Here is the bug: Draw a box with a stroke but no fill. Now swop the fill and stroke colors. Voila! The box is no longer the same size. It is now the stroke's width smaller. This is not now ID 2 worked.  
(Version 3.0)

ANONYMOUS  Transparency is cool but Indy is slow and Adobe cut backward compatibility with version one and two. So what? Now that XPress 6.1 works I think Indesign won't be the number one. The opportunity is gone. Adobe made a very good alternative but now it is too late. Indesign 1 was bad, 2 OK but slow, now 3 works but also does Quark. Adobe is a better company but Xpress is easier and faster to use.  
(Version 3.0)

ANONYMOUS  Very good. The only DP app avalaible on OS X - XPress 6 is a joke. Features : 1/5, can't save ID2 files.  
(Version 3.0)

ANONYMOUS  Impressive. It works like a charm. Far better than the buggy XPress 6. Transparency with psd files is top notch. Too bad it can't export to Indesign v2 or HTML. Still missing a few features from XPress but Indesign 3 does the job. I hope Adobe won't turn bad as Quark did......  
(Version 3.0)

RADD  InDesign CS is *USELESS* until either one of two things happens..

1) Adobe pulls it's collective head out of it's nether region and gives CS the ability to SAVE BACKWARD COMPATIBLE FILES!!

2) Even less likely, that every print house goes and buys InDesign CS right away.

Shame on you Adobe... this HAS to be the worst decision you've ever made. Right now, I've got a nice several hundred dollar icon sitting there that I can't use. Nice move!  
(Version 3.0)

ZO  WARNING: Indesign CS can't save in Indesign 2 format!!!  
(Version 2.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  OK in Panther. Great DTP app. QXP 6 is faster but full of bugs.  
(Version 2.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  Very good in OS X but very slow too, and unergonomic  
(Version 2.0.2)

FLUFF  the program itself is much better than QuarkXpress. It offeres a well known interface for those of us that are use to the other applications in adobes graphic suit; photoshop, illustrator etc. One big misstake made by adobe is the file saving options; there is non! Not only is it impossible to save in the 1.5 version of the program, but it also have some problems exporting to pdf in the 3.0 format. This gives you quite a problem when delivering a electronic job for example press   
(Version 2.0)