“When I first began working in the publishing industry, I was still doing manual paste-up and using camera-ready art to do simple projects. Needless to say, when I was told to start using QuarkXPress, I was scared to death. However, once I got to know QuarkXPress, I was very pleased with its ease of use and versatility. A project that once took an entire day could be accomplished in a few short hours. I’ve been hooked ever since! """”

“I've been with QuarkXPress since 1989. As a graphic designer, this program has been my bread and butter. I refuse to switch to Adobe InDesign for two reasons: I'm too old to start learning a new program — especially after all those years with Quark, I can work "with my eyes shut" — and I have not been too fond of the Adobe program's interface in the past few years. """”

“I’ll be honest and say that my relationship with Quark had been on the “outs” for the past several years. I went to the launch event in NYC not quite knowing what to expect, but willing to give it a chance. I was absolutely blown away by what I saw and learned about Quark Xpress 7. It is clear to me that a lot of careful thought and consideration about the end user went into the creation of this new version. Any of the ‘headaches’ or limitations that had frustrated me with older versions of Quark are no more. At the launch, I was presented with truly ‘new and improved’ page layout program that is filled with sophisticated features that will allow me to work smarter and work better. If I had to choose the one new feature that “won me back over” it would have to be the ability to create Composition Zones so that multiple users can work on a document simultaneously — this feature is a designer’s dream! My compliments to Quark. Very well done.”

“Quark has not let us down with QuarkXPress 7. I work with all of the page layout programs around and have found that QuarkXPress is the only true page layout program. The thought processes and the attention to detail is something that will overjoy everyone who has handled files. I don’t fill up my screen with windows galore because the Measurements palette addresses what I need at the time I need it. The type capabilities are refined and the ease of use is amazing. I am capable of doing some vector art in the program easily and simply so I don’t have to go in and out [of other programs] to accomplish things. The transparency function is simple and straightforward. The tables are a blessing to any person who needs to do them with speed and accuracy. Quark has stepped up to the plate with the addition of so many functions [in QuarkXPress] that make my life easier and help me do a job better and quicker.”

“I purchased Adobe’s CS2 Suite and was about to switch from QuarkXPress to InDesign (in fact, I purchased two InDesign manuals). The Quark seminar I attended in Chicago was the turning point. The hands-on training session demonstrating all the new features of QuarkXPress 7 was such a rush, I ordered the update that night so I could start using it the next day! I told my friends to do the same. "”

“Quark has repositioned itself as the leader of desktop publishing applications with a complete overhaul of its highly acclaimed software. QuarkXPress 7.0 is user friendly and embraces the fast-changing environment of new dual-core processors while addressing the issues demanded by the contemporaries of publishing though electronic high-speed file transfer systems. Traditional “collect-for-output” facilities are still around, but .pdf output stays ahead of the game by delivering efficient files for RIP technology and advanced colour control.”

“The new Quark is refreshing. It’s great to see that Quark has responded to the needs of its customers. The composition areas are GREAT! We are excited about the time-savings that alone will offer our team. In addition, the new drop shadow and design features within Quark are also going to save us so much time and effort. To offer stable items like that within Quark will save us from jumping to other programs constantly!”

“I started hearing and reading about the upcoming release of QuarkXPress 7. I signed on for the beta and was immediately blown away. It was like seeing Quark for the first time all over again. What really convinced me was attending the road show when it came to Los Angeles. The collaboration tools, transparency effects and the JDF workflow were just amazing bits of technology that easily trumped anything I’d seen from the Adobe camp. I left that show confused, excited, and completely unsure about what to do with our design workflow at Facey. In the end, we bought each program, and I’m using both just about every week — InDesign for the simple jobs that need to be done fast, and QuarkXPress 7 for projects that I really want to shine. I’ve come to see QuarkXPress as a real artisan's tool for building a piece that’s memorable. I still haven’t dived into JDFs, but I think it’s just about the smartest thing anyone has ever integrated into publishing software. There just isn’t a better way than this to keep everyone on the same page. "”

“I’m particularly impressed with the job jackets feature. I think the ability to set print specifications that follow the job all the way to the printer is going to prevent lots of hassles on press. The fact that the designers don’t even need to deal with the specs is icing on the cake. I am certain that the designers are going to be thrilled about the transparency capabilities of QuarkXPress 7. That, coupled with the powerful OpenType access features, prove that Quark is back and on top of its game. All in all, it looks like Quark has kept its promise and is truly more customer focused than it has been over the past several years. The release of Quark 7 is significant for both designers and production personnel with powerful new tools to improve productivity and reduce problems on press. Quark's new graphics engine and with the transparency support it provides, the introduction of Job Jackets for specifications checking, and the new collaboration capabilities make this release one of the most significant in the history of the product.”

“As an XTensions developer for over 15 years, I’ve found that QuarkXPress 7 represents a quantum leap in the sheer volume of advanced functions and interfaces. The collaborative features, Job Jackets, and transparency options alone will reinforce that QuarkXPress has always been, and remains, the world’s leading publishing software.”

“Our increased efficiency at deadline time was a real asset. With subsequent versions of Quark, the creators have proven that they really listen to their users. QuarkXPress[b1] 7 demonstrates that. I love the "at your fingertips" tools and the easy integration of various file types. The Shared Contents option makes producing two newspaper editions a breeze. And, with all the new capabilities, exporting text and images to our Web site is faster than ever. In today's media industry, if you aren't productive and efficient, you’re old news. That's why we at The Good News love Quark 7. "”

“I have been using Quark[XPress] 7 since the event and loving it. I am very relieved that Quark has taken the initiative and surpassed Indesign CS2. I have always enjoyed Quark and now I can continue to do so. I own Indesign CS2 and have been learning it but thanks to 7.0 I don’t have to switch over. Keep up the good work!”

“The most important new feature that QuarkXPress 7 has brought to Mackay Envelope is the Job Jackets technology. By using Job Jackets files while preflighting customer-supplied artwork, we will be able to run an automated check of the components of a file to determine whether it will cause problems in our workflow. This feature could save us plenty of time both in prepress and the pressroom, which in turn will save the company money. It is also our hope to create and send out Job Jackets files that are customer-specific so that our customers can preflight their files against our file requirements before sending their artwork to Mackay.”

“Having come through design school with QuarkXPress, I have for some time now appreciated the simplicity of the Quark interface and it's vast capability in handling type and images. Now, with QuarkXPress 7, it seems the company has reestablished its identity with an innovative design product whose features surpass competition without compromising intuitive navigation.”

“For editing purposes, QuarkXPress® 7 has proven its timely performance capabilities and opened up new spaces for creativity. The complete production issue, number 96 of the Artwork Magazine DESIGNER’S DIGEST, was carried out using this software. Additionally, the magazine’s website was re-designed and created at the same time with our print graphic designer by simply using the shared content features. This was an experience with unlimited, positive results. The final conclusion of all the co-workers in the graphics, text editing, and printing environments is: highly recommendable.”

“QuarkXPress 7 is the big step forward we've been waiting for from Quark. The JDF-based Quark Job Jacket functionality will allow us to identify and eliminate production problems as they occur. QuarkXPress 7 promises to be a heavy-duty production tool that's well ahead of the competition.”

“QuarkXPress 7 is [a] long-awaited next generation media composition application. It was worth the wait to see both the software and the company rise to the next level.”

“Composition Zones are an excellent compromise for editorial teams who are not familiar with collaborative work. They will undoubtedly be a hit and will possibly lead to more sophisticated work processes. In France, a new trend is emerging: The widespread use of layout software by layout artists and writers. New users can easily use QuarkXPress. Experienced users will get what they need.”

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve written down coordinates and enlargement percentages to replace a different version of an image — the ‘maintain picture attributes’ function [in QuarkXPress] will cut down on my production time for sure. It’s really nice having the frame options and tabs in the Measurements palette. It’s very convenient to have everything in one spot like that. Very nice.”

“I used Quark for years but it felt like the other layout programs were moving ahead and coming up with better solutions to the problems. The newest version of Quark[XPress] takes at least ten steps ahead of the others. I feel like for the first time someone has heard what the designers were saying and solved the solution rather than lengthy procedures to get around the problem. It has integrated the other programs like Photoshop and Illustrator that support Quark more efficiently by making it easier to edit the graphics, plus they have given me so many more options that can now be done in to the document simply and easily giving me the edge as a designer. I was walking away but Quark really came through and brought me back and sold me.”

“Complete Unicode and OpenType support [in QuarkXPress 7] will allow us to substantially simplify the publication of multilingual documents. Typographical improvements such as automatic ligature replacement or the ability to save favorite glyphs make it easier to work with type, and are a substantial improvement to the product.”

“I have been using QuarkXpress for 15+ years. Before that I used PageMaker. When I first tried Quark it looked more professional and yet easy to figure out how to use. Later, I looked at InDesign, but I still liked Quark’s pallets and tools much more. So I stayed with Quark and recommended upgrading. After going to the Quark’s launch I am very glad to see all the new features. We all haven’t upgraded to 7 yet but that is going to happen soon. One of the reasons we will upgrade to Quark is that it may add features and improve others, but, the interface stays pretty much the same so we don’t have to spend a lot of time relearning where everything is. Of course, the main reason I have stayed with Quark and recommend it, is it works, my job gets done on time, and looks good. ”

“ What I like about QuarkXPress 7: 1) Love the new features: transparency and shadows. Saves time from doing some of this in Photoshop. Time is money. 2) I felt like a kid in a candy store when I first played with the QuarkXPress 7 beta: all these new features to play with and I wanted to try them all out. 3) Ease of use. It took me no time at all to learn the new features, and more importantly, use them.”

“"I met Richard Pasewark, Quark senior vice president of marketing and sales (Americas), at the October Quark Symposium in New York City. My workplace had upgraded to QuarkXPress 7 about a month before, going from individual licenses to a site license. We were very excited when our new software arrived but a little disappointed that there were no manuals included. When I told Mr. Pasewark about it, he gave me his card and told me to contact him and he’d see what he could do about it. He replied to my e-mail immediately, and within a week we received four sets of manuals. What a great experience — someone at the top concerned with making things right for end-users of the product.""”

“I received my invitation to attend the Quark7 launch in NYC through my home e-mail, because although I use Quark in my workplace, I also own a licensed copy my own use outside of the office. But the invitation couldn’t have come at a better time because my employer, Business & Legal Reports Inc. of Old Saybrook, CT. will be migrating our production department to Mac OSX in August, and was in the final stages of planning for the move, including which programs to upgrade. We needed to decide if we should stick with Quark or convert to InDesign instead. We publish compliance and training materials for HR, environmental and safety professionals in a variety of media – print, CD, audio, PDF, as well as on the Web. We have thousands and thousands of legacy documents that we update regularly, as well as repurpose into a growing number of spin-off products. We need to be quick, efficient and sophisticated to keep our subscribers satisfied. The Quark Launch provided me with the perfect opportunity to see if this would be possible with the newest version of Quark, and to report my findings to my employer. Since I have completed recent training in InDesign, I was eager to see how Quark7 would compare. I was not disappointed. Many of the “little things” InDesign offers that make production work easier and quicker are now part of Quark7. The improved measurements palette will make will make life easier by putting often used things in one convenient place. Multiple layout views will be something that I will put to good use when I’m working on long documents. I love the ability to see how something I change on page 2 will affect text flow way down the line on the last page without having to scroll through the document or click back and forth between pages. OpenType support will help solve the font issues we have been having when we have to import PC Word docs into our Mac layouts. Composition zones and job jackets offer us the possibility to improve our workflow, and are something that InDesign doesn’t have. The transparency and drop shadow features are very slick. And for a veteran Quark user, everything is easy to use and logical. I don’t have to learn a lot of new key commands or change my way of working to make use of these new, great features. When we began talking about migrating to OSX a year ago I was pushing to get InDesign, but now I’m glad that we waited, because during that period Quark has been very busy listening to its users and providing the things we have been asking for. I like the fact that you have an ongoing “wish list.” I’m impressed that not only has Quark incorporated many of the best features of InDesign, it is also providing them in a practical, production-oriented workflow while keeping the upgrade price reasonable. I’m also pleased with the new, customer-oriented attitude that was evident at the Quark Launch event I attended. InDesign may be the new kid on the block, but Quark is like an old friend. ”

“We will be upgrading all 400 seats to the newest version of QuarkXPress and are looking forward to utilizing the new features, such as Composition Zones, Job Jackets and Web export technologies to better maximize efficiency. In addition, we at PRIMEDIA have successfully upgraded our Quark Publishing System (QPS) and continue to output publications such as Automobile Magazine, Soap Opera Digest, and Soap Opera Weekly on the publishing system. The staff at Quark has been very helpful, always providing assistance and training, both remote and on site.” ""”