What we look for in software upgrades
Article Abstract:
Desktop publishing and prepress professionals responding to a recent survey indicate that they evaluate new software carefully before upgrading and seek out improvements. Users cite new features as the most compelling reason to upgrade, with 71 percent saying the main reason for buying a new software version is to take advantage of significant enhancements. Only 18 percent rush to buy an upgrade as soon as it reaches store shelves; most are worried about early bugs. Forty-nine percent say they upgrade only when a project demands it or corporate management requires it. Fourteen percent obtain upgrades to coincide with the purchase of new hardware, and 16 percent do so when a new OS is installed. Compatibility with other tools, ease of use and speed are the most important features users want when upgrading, cited by 79 percent, 53 percent and 50 percent of respondents respectively; only 41 percent say technical support is most important, while 36 percent argue that wide use by other designers is a significant factor.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1998
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Why I'm switching to Pagemaker
Article Abstract:
Quark, maker of QuarkXPress DTP software, should invest more effort in customer service. Although QuarkXPress is excellent software, the company's support for loyal users is lacking. For example, the company is slow to upgrade QuarkXPress users to new versions; such versions are commonly made available to catalogers first. Long-term, registered users should be upgraded first, not last. Furthermore, Quark has collected an unsavory reputation, stemming from the complaints of users, vendors and ex-employees about neglectful service and insulting business policies. Rather than reiterating that these complaints erupt from professional jealousy, customer misunderstanding and bad press, the company should realize that it has a real public relations problem and spend some money to improve either its image or its services.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1998
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A visit with Quark's new chief operating officer
Article Abstract:
Chuck Bland, Quark's new chief operating officer (COO), was responsible for organizing the smooth upgrade to XPress 4.0, specifically addressing customer service issues that have plagued the company is the past. Bland reiterates that despite rumors, Quark XPRess is not being purchased by Microsoft. The future of the product holds at least one upgrade with a more compatible approach to to Web publishing. Bland's main focus for the future of the company is an internal restructuring and organization. Quark is still privately owned by Tim Gill, engineer of operations, and Fred Ebrabimi, responsible for management issues.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
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