Quark XPress 4.1 and OSX

[Nattylou]

I am having a problem with Quark running on OSX (as is the rest of the world). THe problem is that when you boot in X and open a document in quark, bits of it are missing, as if the computer can't access that bit of image quickly enough to display it. THis does not happen when booting in OS9, anyone come across this before?

 

[jimoblak]

There have been other posts like this before. The solution is to only boot in OS9 - - or better yet, upgrade to InDesign.

 

[Nattylou]

I thought as much but just wanted to hear it from someone else, thanks!

 

[jimoblak]

I was thinking the previous post was in this forum (Apple/Mac operating system). Instead, take a stroll over to the Quark forum on Tek-tips.

 

[denice]

Quark has more abilities than InDesign does. I simply chose toostay with OS9 until Quark 6 is running clean, because Quark 6 is supposed to run on OSX.

 

[jimoblak]

I'm confused. What features does Quark have over ID? The only reason why I can imagine anyone would want to stay with Quark is an existing investment in legacy RIPs, Xtensions and hardware.

 

[Nattylou]

apart from anything else, we have found that a lot of printing companies will not accept PDFs yet so we have to send Quark Documents and while this is not a technical advantage for Quark over InDesign, it's something we have to take very sriously...

 

[jimoblak]

Oh okay...

If you are using a printing company that does not accept either INDD or PDF files, then you really aren't dealing with a printing company.

I had the same problem and had to do some shopping for a new printer.

You should never stick with a printer for more than a couple years anyway... they will get too comfortable with your business and start overcharging.

The printers that I know that do not use InDesign do not use Quark 5 either. They do not touch OSX. I would not wager that they will easily move to Q6. If they won't move forward, move yourself to another printer.

 

[Nattylou]

I wish that we could move to a new printer but the studio and production department won't hear of it. They do have plans to start accepting PDF's but until then our hands remain tied!!!

I gather that we use a number of different companies and I guess that when they upgrade, our options will open up a little more. I would like to move to indesign eventually.

Thank you all for all your help.

 

[denice]

Quark has the ability to have the database tab delimited information input automated. ID doesnt do that.

 

[jimoblak]

denice,

In what way do you mean automated? ID can handle XML and CSV data as well. I do not see the difference between the programs here. Both programs have even greater (yet still equal) database capabilities with plugins/xtensions.

Are you referring to Q6? The pre-release Q6 does have advanced scripting and data import but Q6 is not released yet. Who knows what ID3 will offer when it is released at the same time. It's tough for Q and ID to play leapfrog with features when they both are released at the same time (1st Qtr 2002 and again 3rd Qtr 2003).

Supposing Q6 is released on schedule later this year, how much longer will one have to wait for third-party XTensions to be updated to OSX? Quark dropped the ball in a big way with OSX and it's going to need to catch up in a big way.

 

[denice]

Automated: I have images and information that is pulled directly into quark each time the tempalate is opened and saved. The information changes each and everytime.
I am running Q4. I use Xdata with in Q4. This allows me to inport tab delimited information from an excel spreadsheet. I cant upgrade to OSX because of Quark not running well in it, I know it can run in classic mode, but that isnt something I truly want to deal with. I am happy in OS9 for now.
ID also doesnt run on an indigo press. HP hasnt made that a friendly relationship yet.
All of my files go to the indigo press via PDF.
Quark has the power. If ID can do all of this, I might consider changing.

 

[jimoblak]

Automated: ID supports AppleScript and Visual Basic scripting that could be configured to do the same.

One of the printers that I deal with uses an Indigo as well. I supply the printer PDFs from ID with no problem.

ID imports XLS files directly, meaning you can import merged cells and other unique formatting that cannot be handled in a plain CSV file. - - no third-party plugin/XTension is required.

It looks like you have an established system that seems to work as it is. I switched to ID because of a new project that wasn't tied to any existing methods.

We all have to be mindful of the upgrade game. It's tough to wager how long pre-OSX software will be supported. I was miffed when the PowerPC and OS8.6 came to the Mac and many 68k apps no longer worked.

 

[Shoepepper]

I moved from Quark to InDesign about 8 months ago and I have never looked back. In my experience I would estimate that I save 20% in time, in other words five days of work I used to do in Quark I now do in four days in InDesign. My design work is also far more flexible I can can do more within InDesign than I ever could in Quark. As far as final output... this morning I sent my printer 40 pages created in InDesign and PDF's made in Acrobat Distiller 6. I had proofs just after lunch and the repro guy told me the job ran like a dream... ahhh... life is so much better with InDesign. My advice... give it a go, you won't regret it.