Newspaper installs new computer system, software
Gallup Independent taking on different look

Barry Heifner, Independent managing editor, opens a new document Monday while attending a training session to learn how to use the new software and computer system set to go into use this week at the newspaper. [Photo by Jeff Jones/Independent]

By Bill Donovan
Staff Writer

GALLUP — The Independent is getting a face lift.

In the coming days and weeks, readers of the Gallup Independent will begin seeing differences not only in how the front page looks, but in other sections of the paper as well as the paper begins a changeover to a new computer system.

Normally, a company getting a new computer system is news only to those who use it even clients oftentimes are unaware of the changes that are occurring but in most cases the upgrading of the local newspaper's computer system means wholesale changes in everything from layout to content.

And that is what is going to be happening here, said Barry Heifner, the paper's new managing editor.

"It will have a different look, a different flow," he said.

The purchase of a new computer system has been under consideration, to some extent, ever since the paper purchased a new press some three years ago as everyone, from the publisher on down, looked at ways to make the paper more appealing to its readers.

"If we can put out a better publication, we know the public will appreciate it," said the newspaper's publisher, Robert Zollinger.

The paper converted to the Harris system some 10 to 12 years ago just as newspapers began converting to Macs and personal computers for design and editing purposes.

And while it's been reliable, the Harris system did not allow editors much freedom when it came to design which is why today's front page of the Independent looks pretty much the same as it did 20 years ago.

"The Harris was an exceptional system for its day," said Zollinger, but major changes have been occurring almost annually during the past 10 years that have been changing the way newspapers are designed.

In the Harris world, photos and copy were restricted to the column widths and many of the things that have become commonplace in the newspaper world wraparounds and layered text have been impossible until now.

"The new system will open a whole world of opportunities for us," Heifner said.

Using NewsEdit Pro and Quark Xpress, editors will have the freedom to do almost anything they want to make the page attractive to the reader.

And those who get a kick out of chuckling at the mistakes made in the headlines or cutlines may have to find another outlet since the new system will give editors for the first time in the paper's history a way to spell check headlines and cutlines.

But it's not going to happen overnight, Heifner said.

The news department is scheduled to go online on Wednesday with Sports scheduled to go online the following Tuesday.

Readers shouldn't expect any immediate changes to the newspaper's design, said Heifner because reporters and editors for the next week or two will be spending all of their effort just to get the newspaper out on time.

To make it easier, the paper will only have one edition for the next couple of days. "We're hoping that this will only go on for a day or two," Heifner said.

News pertaining to Gallup and Grants will not be affected it will be in the paper but it won't be given the front page emphasis it previously received until the newspaper is able to go back to its three different zone editions.

All of the other features weather, TV listings, etc. will be in the paper as usual.

"We realize that for a lot of our readers, especially those on the reservation, the Independent is their only source of news, so the news won't be affected," Heifner said.

Once the reporters and editors get "comfortable" with using the new system, he said, changes will come about.

As this is being done, Heifner said, the decision as to whether the changes help the readers and improve the looks of the newspaper will be made by only one group the readers.

"So as we go along, we would really like to hear from the readers as to whether they like or dislike what they are seeing," Heifer said. "I guarantee we will be listening."