Quark unveils print and WEB suites?

[SurfPark]

They're not exactly suites, but I noticed that Quark has released some programs that are grouped for specific purposes, like how Adobe has packaged their CS3 software. Quark now offers a program that is similar to FlashPaper, which allows you do do traditional print-style design work and export it as a Flash project.

http://www.quark.com/products/interactivedesigner/

Their pages are now QuarkXpress, Quark Interactive Designer, Quark Print Collection, and a few others. It looks as if they're trying to translate pre-press interface into a Flash-like environment. Weird. Anyone using this software yet?

[Ned]

No.

:D

[SurfPark]

They're obviously trying to make up for lost time. I don't know if this will catch on, because even at best, Quark Interactive will be a stripped down version of Flash.

I check out their projects gallery, and its really lacking...
http://www.quark.com/products/interactivedesigner/projects.html
These examples are just plain sad. Luckily they posted a link to a professional design studio that used the software to design their site... http://www.factorylabs.com/
My hope is restored. lol.

I guess my biggest question is who this program is for. I'm going to call it Flash Lite. It actually reminds me a little bit like Adobe Director, but probably without the disc support.

I'm actually excited about this because I think Adobe needs a competitor. As much as we joke about Quark going the way of the dinosaurs, I think its great they're still around and trying new things. The promise here is that Interactive Designer is supposed to make all the native Quark print documents become edible into a Flash document. I know that designing print and interactive media have different processes, but I guess Quark wants to link them together somehow.