REDMOND, Wash., May 31, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. and Quark Inc. today announced they are cooperating to enable the industry-leading QuarkXPress™ desktop publishing software to produce eBooks and other digital documents for Microsoft® Reader with ClearType™
display technology.
The companies plan to work together to build a Quark™ XTensions™ software module for avenue.quark™ – an enhancement to QuarkXPress that allows printed content to be repurposed for the Web and other media outlets – that will enable users of QuarkXPress 4 to easily convert content to Microsoft Reader format for multiple devices, including laptops, PCs, Pocket PCs and purpose-built reading devices. The XTension will be available for downloading from Quark’s Web site ( http://www.quark.com/ ) at no charge (connect-time charges may apply). In addition, the two companies plan to continue working closely together to incorporate this file conversion technology as an integral part of future Quark products.
“This truly is a win-win for both companies,”
said Dick Brass, vice president of technology development at Microsoft.
“QuarkXPress has a huge and loyal user base in the publishing community, and the emerging world of eBooks represents a major new avenue for content developed in QuarkXPress. The company’s efforts to provide a seamless conversion capability to the Microsoft Reader format ensure that content providers will be free to take advantage of the capabilities of Microsoft Reader to deliver great-looking documents.”
“This is an exciting development for the growth of the eBook industry,”
said Mark Lemmons, vice president of strategic development at Quark.
“We believe QuarkXPress users will find many new markets and business opportunities using avenue.quark and the new XTension to bring their content over into Microsoft Reader. And we look forward to working closely with Microsoft as we move forward on future products.”
Microsoft Reader currently ships with the Pocket PC and is scheduled to be available at no charge for other platforms later this summer.
With its innovative ClearType display technology, Microsoft Reader delivers for the first time an on-screen computer reading experience that approaches the convenience and quality of reading text on paper. Developed by Microsoft Research, Microsoft Reader greatly improves font resolution on LCD screens for users of Pocket PCs, laptops and desktop PCs running the Windows® operating system. Beyond ClearType, Microsoft Reader includes patented reading enhancements that adhere to the best qualities of fine typography. It provides a clean, uncluttered display; ample margins; full justification; proper spacing, leading and kerning; and powerful tools for bookmarking, highlighting and annotation.
About Quark
Based in Denver, Quark ( http://www.quark.com/ ) develops and distributes award-winning software for high-end, professional electronic publishing and communication. Quark’s products include QuarkXPress; QuarkXPress Passport™ , the multiple language version of QuarkXPress; avenue.quark, the intelligent way to reuse QuarkXPress content on the Web; Quark Digital Media System™ , or QuarkDMS™ , the enterprise solution for digital asset management; and others. Founded in 1981, Quark Inc. is privately held.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft, ClearType and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Quark, QuarkXPress, Xtensions, QuarkXPress Passport are trademarks of Quark Inc. and all applicable affiliated companies, Reg. U.S. Pat. & Tm. Off. and in many other countries. Quark Digital Media System, QuarkDMS, avenue.quark, and the Quark logo are trademarks of Quark Inc. and all applicable affiliated companies.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors : If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
