Question about Installation

[Vivi_Ram]

Hello peeps!

Me again with a quick question: This is to do with installation. I recently began a new role as a writer in a very risk-averse organisation. I wanted to have Xara installed on my work laptop, but they insist that I use InDesign. I don't know how to use ID. I want to have Xara installed. Weirdly, I was able to bypass the admin privileges and install Affinity suite - I think it has something to do with the installer format? MSI vs Exe? I don't know. But Xara gets flagged up when I try. My IT folks won't help. Although I could use Publisher for most of my work, potentially, I really prefer Xara. I even said they don't need to pay for it. I will use my own license for it.

It would mean the world to me if someone could here point out a workaround. Thank you very much! Although we have a designer, they don't typically help me with projects of my kind - and I am expected to create professional layouts on Word/Presentation. I simply can't. Xara is a lifesaver.

[handrawn]

I don't see that there is one, sorry

if your employer has a security policy that prevents the installation of a program on their laptops, and they are not prepared to make an exception, then it is surely something you have to accept

I realise it is personal preference, but for writing: technical, books, reports etc, I would take affinity publisher over xara any day of the week no contest; xara is ok for websites...and small-scale office stuff

[Acorn]

Learn InDesign. If you try to bypass their security protocols, even altruistically, you won't have a job.

Ask for a standalone laptop for Xara. If no go, airgap all your work from your own device.
ID has Cloud capability.
Use Xara as a rich resource, not the end product.
Work in Xara XPro+ export for PDF, DOCX or possibly even PPTX to the Cloud or email in.

Adobe has an online PDF to PPT convertor so this might also help.

ID/Xara are just tools.
ID has version control in the Cloud, something Xara lacks.
ID allows sharing, review and collaboration, something Xara Cloud can do but you try onboarding the company to suit your wishes.

Establish a workflow you and the company are comfortable with.

Acorn

[Vivi_Ram]

Alrighty then; so Affinity Publisher it is. It is in-fact small office stuff - the thing is, I am not a designer and Affinity Publisher feels overwhelming. I guess I just have to spend time learning it. Thanks for the reply.

[Vivi_Ram]

Yeah, they're absolutely not going to budge on this. I took it all the way to the Global Head of IT Architecture - who politely said no. The thing is, when I was hired, I was hired on the strength of my ability to visually present my writing, which is what got gave me an edge over other candidates. And, unknown to the hiring team, I did my assignment on Xara. And now, I've set the bar for my work, and my team expects me to do the same kind of work on Word/Presentation/ID. Surprisingly, no one's even heard of Xara at work.

I am sure ID is extremely capable, as is Affinity Publisher. I am just scared of learning them whilst having to perform my day job up to the expected standard. But I'll figure it out. Thank you, Acorn!

[handrawn]

look on the bright side - you are being paid [I hope]

whilst it is true that some people get paid to do what they would do anyway for free, most of us do not have that luxury, and he who pays the piper calls the tune

there's lots of help out there for learning - hope it goes well

[Vivi_Ram]

Thank you so much!

[bwood]

Alrighty then; so Affinity Publisher it is. It is in-fact small office stuff - the thing is, I am not a designer and Affinity Publisher feels overwhelming. I guess I just have to spend time learning it. Thanks for the reply.

Affinity Publisher is a breeze actually. Doesn’t take much to get up and rolling. Right now that have a sale on their products.

[Acorn]

In the end, it will be down to integration with the rest of the company.

Acorn