How Good is XPress 6?
Quark knows many people will upgrade to version 6 simply because it is OS X-native, but that isn't much of a draw for Windows users or other users who are satisfied with using OS 9 or Classic mode. To sweeten the upgrade, Quark has added several cool features, including both features than InDesign already has (like multiple undos, export PDF, and full-resolution preview) and features InDesign does not (like multiple layout spaces, synchronize text, and additional features for building Web pages).

I certainly applaud Quark's decision finally to add basic layout features like Paste in Place (the ability to paste an object in the same place on a page as from where the object was copied or cut) and DeviceN printing (for printing to composite color workflows). Unfortunately, XPress 6's bigger-ticket features aren't particularly robust and will likely leave many users wondering what Quark was thinking and whether Quark will be able to salvage the product in XPress 7 (whenever that might be released).

For example, beside the fact that there's still no transparency features and the typography controls haven't changed significantly in 13 years, XPress 6's multiple undo feature still can't undo important features in the program (like moving guides or changes you've made on a master page). Similarly, while multiple layout spaces can share style sheets and colors, there's no way to share master pages or layers. You can't even drag and drop objects between layout spaces or use Find/Change to make replacements on more than one layout space at the same time.

While InDesign doesn't have layout spaces, you can Find/Change across two or more open documents, and I'm hard pressed to find something that isn't undoable.

Comparing Costs
At a time when Quark most needs to embrace its skittish customer base, the upgrade is somewhat expensive ($299 if you currently have XPress 4), the new version is now more than $1,000 list (even though it still doesn't ship with printed manuals), you don't get all the features unless you register your product, and you have to activate the software (like registering, but without any personal data) via the Internet or telephone or else the product turns into a demo version. Activation is an effective anti-piracy technique, but it also means less flexibility for customers who may want to install XPress on both a laptop and a desktop machine, even though they'd only use one version at a time.

At $699 list, a standalone, fully-featured copy of InDesign is not only several hundred dollars less than XPress, but for $150 over the cost of XPress 6, you can get a new version of InDesign, plus Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat 6 Professional (the $1,199 Adobe Design Collection). Overseas, the difference in costs is even more striking (outside of the U.S., the upgrade for QuarkXPress alone is about $800).

Printing Uncertainties
By the way, when you run into the printers and service bureaus who shuffle their feet and complain about how InDesign prints (and you will find these people), remember that they suffer from at least one of these three maladies: They used InDesign 1.0 or 1.5 (these versions sucked at printing; version 2.x is not only better than earlier versions, it is in many ways better than XPress); they have old, outdated, or buggy PostScript RIPs; or they don't like change. There's no doubt that you can create a file in InDesign that causes problems at print time, especially if you push the transparency features to extreme limits. But of course XPress can cause RIP problems, too. With a modicum of education and restraint, it's likely that you'll have few if any problems.

Adding, Not Switching
Ultimately, I expect (and even encourage) everyone who has one or more copies of QuarkXPress to get version 6. There are just too many legacy XPress files out there to ignore, and it will be important to have at least one native OS X or Windows XP version of XPress on your machine or in your workgroup. Plus, some people will find its new features helpful, especially those who need to build Web pages but don't want to learn Dreamweaver or GoLive.

However, I think you'd be crazy (or just neurotically entrenched) not to try out InDesign and see if it boosts your productivity or enjoyment as you work. (Never underestimate the power of enjoying yourself while you work!) I've been a QuarkXPress user since 1987, and nothing would make me happier than if Quark released a truly awesome version of XPress that leapfrogged InDesign. But I'm not holding my breath anymore.

Read more by David Blatner.

This article copyright ©2003 creativepro.com and David Blatner, moo.com