Re: Why many Quark users don't switch to ID2
Originally posted by BillGates
There are always exceptions and I know its bad to generalize but... The pre-press industry is full of highly skilled Quark users. Many of them wont admit it but deep down it scars the hell out of them that if the company they work for switches to ID2 that they will no longer have as much value. They have spent years honing their Quark skills only to see that all go out the window. They fear a long learning curve.
I've found that designers that use Quark as a design tool are very willing to switch. However they rarely take the product through to completion. They pass the files off to the so called pre-press pros. The pre-press people are full of excuses as to why not to switch. Many times they refuse to even look at ID2.
Its more complicated than demanding that your pre-press house our print provider use ID2. What if your the pre-press house and your clients what the files back as Quark files?
Much of the work done in Quark is done using version 4.x. Now what are they going to do that Quark 6 only runs in OSX and Quark 4 and 5 only run in OS9? They will likely have as many compatibility issues between ID2 and Quark 4 as they do trying to do work in Quark 6 when the client wants Quark 4 files.
Believe me, the pre-press industry will live in the past as long as they possibly can!
God. What about all of the metal typesetters who had to learn a WHOLE new technology when the computer became a staple.
THAT was a learning curve! The switch from Quark to ID is relatively painless. I did it in about an hour, used Xpress shortcuts for awhile, moved to AI shortcuts and I was off and running.
The thing is, all of you people are identifying the workman with the software. And that's lame and stupid and dumb. If the workman cannot adapt his work habits to suit the environment (i.e. a Quark studio v. and InDesign studio) then maybe his value IS less. His cognitive abilities must be pretty lacking if one cannot make a switch.
How about all of the steelworkers in Southwestern PA? When the mills closed, they didn't jump on Macrumors and post about how Quark has such an established base and how switching will make them lose their value.
When they lost their jobs, alot of them went out and started businesses. Bars, Restaurants, music stores, etc etc etc.
Some got some extra education and started corporations.
As a small business owner, if a prospective empolyee walked in for an interview and told me he would only work on Quark because he's invested so much time in it... well, his resumé would be in the circular file faster than you can say "multiple undos"
and that's the secret of the workplace-- adapt or move on.
Tough world. But if they wanna cry about their skillset being compromised.... i'll play 'em a song on the worlds smallest violin.
