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Quark is Square
The main problem with Quark is its ridged thinking and that reflects in XPress. The image is of squares. Too bad the Lotus redesign did not reflect in a more user friendly and creative program.
I still remember the 'Locks" at extra cost to use the program!
How I waited for something like In Design as an alternative.
It is far more intuitive and flexible in its creative potential. Its image is of spirals.
Quark dictated. In Design listened and implemented.
The results are now evident.
Quark 7 needs to be phenomenal
I formed my design company around QuarkXPress in 1990 when it was the best page layout program around for any money. Through the years I watched as relatively few significant changes occurred in the program, especially in the 4 years between versions 4 and 5. When InDesign came along I was initially disappointed until version 2, whereupon I shifted over to InDesign as the layout program of choice. Quark 6 was a disappointment, and 6.5 was only a minor improvement. Quark 7 needs to be really stellar to make me even contemplate moving back to the Quark universe. I'll probably get at least one copy anyway, to allow me to continue to work with legacy files from older clients. I used to love Quark but Adobe's intelligent engineering and basic functionality beats the heck out of Quark's best efforts for the last 5 years.
They need help from people who know and work with Quark
I think in order to take any soft ware to the top you need to get a greater input from people who are writing the instruction books, the people that are always thinking what is needed to make that soft ware work for them and others in the industry.
not surprised
I have reluctantly used Quark for years. When InDesign came out, I was blown away by how they had actually listened to us designers and what we needed and wanted to be able to do. Quark Xpress had stood alone for so long, I think they didn't think they had to improve, but they rested on their laurels while InDesign got off their butts and asked us what we wanted and delivered. Now Quark is scrambling and it is showing big time. You can't create a "culture" in a creative company overnight. It takes years of pampering your employees and your creative minds that are thinking for you and creating for you... Like Adobe has done. Take a lesson Quark. Try to pay attention if you want to stay in business and have your target market pay attention to you.
Heidi Heath Garwood
H. Heath Design
Designer/Illustrator for 25 years
So very wrong
I've worked closely with Susie for a number of years. She was an incredible asset to Quark, and I strongly disagree with this article's insinuations.
"But sometimes legacy is a liability as a company goes through changes."
Susie has been about as far from 'liability' as the company has ever seen. Susie has always been an advocate for positive change at Quark.
"Quark has experienced a failure of leadership and vision over the past four or five years ... Quark must find people with the real vision and strength to propel the company forward."
Hallelujah. Let me point out that Susie never lacked leadership and vision. In fact, she effected change despite that lack in others, and she was personally responsible for quietly preventing potential disasters. She has the undying loyalty of multitudes of current and previous Quark employees.
Quark will be less of a company without Susie. I am honored to have worked with such a strong, dedicated person, and I know she will excel in her chosen path.