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Recap of Seybold New York 2002
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FEB 25, 2002 — The Spring 2002 Seybold Seminars Conference was held February
19th-22nd at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City.
Seybold is a twice-yearly
electronic-publishing conference and expo which normally takes place on
the east coast in the spring and on the west coast in the fall.
Management personnel from Citation Software were in
attendance at Seybold New York 2002. Here is a summary of some of the most interesting and most
important events and announcements that took place during Seybold.
Adobe Offers Special $99.00 Price for InDesign 2.0 Upgrade
An Adobe representative at Seybold New York 2002 explained that you can now upgrade
to Adobe InDesign 2.0 for only $99.00 if you own a previous version of
Adobe InDesign. Go to http://www.adobe.com/store/products/master.jhtml?id=catInDesign" to
take advantage of this special offer. This offer expires on March 22, 2002.
Here are brief
descriptions of just a few of the features and enhancements
that are new to Adobe InDesign 2.0:
- The printing interface has been streamlined.
- You can import Microsoft Word and Excel tables.
- There are some new "long-document" features that
make it easy to generate a table of contents and an index.
- Improved typographic controls allow you to manage the
tradeoffs between spacing and hyphenation.
- You can preserve transparency when placing Adobe Photoshop and
Adobe Illustrator files in Adobe InDesign 2.0.
- The "flattener slider" will allow you to
print some of your most complicated documents on printers that
wouldn't otherwise be able to handle such documents.
- A very powerful and very impressive
high-resolution-proofing feature appears to perform OCR
on the fly, allowing you to turn bitmap-format
text into vector-format text that is easy to read.
- Support for OpenType fonts has been enhanced.
- It's easy to produce fractions that are typographically correct.
- You can apply drop shadows, feathering, and other editable
transparency settings to any object.
- Cropping and adjusting graphics is easy with the
dynamic graphics-preview feature.
Remember, the special $99.00 upgrade price is only available through
March 22, 2002!
Adobe Demonstrates Powerful Adobe Illustrator 10 Features
At the Adobe Pavilion on the Seybold New York 2002 exhibition floor,
Citation Software personnel witnessed an impressive demonstration
of some interesting and powerful capabilities of Adobe Illustrator 10.
Here is a brief rundown:
- You can achieve really interesting graphical effects with the
Liquify Tool, which works on vector graphics, text, and bitmaps.
- The Appearance Palette is a real timesaver.
- You can creating striking graphic designs with little effort by
using Adobe Illustrator 10's built-in Symbols in combination with
special-effects features such as "warping," "envelope distort,"
and "envelope mesh."
- Adobe Illustrator 10 offers enhanced support for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG).
- You can use Adobe Illustrator 10 to do variable-data publishing!
Adobe Acrobat 5.0 Has Powerful New JavaScript Capabilities
At the PDF Conference's ":Scripting and Acrobat" session
on Thursday, February 21st, Kas Thomas of SilverStream Software
Corp. in Wilton, CT described and demonstrated some of
Adobe Acrobat 5.0's
enhanced JavaScript features. Mr. Thomas pointed out that
Acrobat 5.0's enhanced JavaScript features make it possible
to do things that you would not be able to do without
writing a plug-in if
you were using a previous version
of Adobe Acrobat. This is a boon to programmers
and would-be programmers, because writing
JavaScript code is much easier than writing
code for an Acrobat plug-in!
Quite Software Demonstrates "Quite Revealing" Pre-press Plug-in
In the Adobe Partner Pavilion on the Seybold New York 2002
exhibit floor, Quite Software — which is based in the Scottish
highlands — demonstrated its new pre-press plug-in
for Adobe Acrobat.
The new plug-in is called Quite Revealing, and it's designed for pre-press professionals. It aims
to show information that is otherwise difficult to find out about
a PDF document — information about transparency,
overprinting, plates used, and more.
But Quite Revealing goes beyond that. It can also fix some
of the more awkward problems that can arise — like differently
named spot plates, unwelcome transfer functions, or ICC profiles
that don't belong.
Quite Revealing is an interactive, easy-to-use tool that works in
an intuitive manner to let you zero in on problems and help you to fix them
or work around them.
For a limited time, you can download the beta version of Quite
Revealing free of charge from Quite Software's Web site. In
exchange for allowing you to obtain the software for free, Quite
Software asks that you tell them what you think about Quite Revealing
so that they can make improvements to Quite Revealing based on your
feedback. All this is explained at the following location on the Quite Software Web site:
www.quite.com/revealing/index2.htm.
AdLib eDocument Solutions Introduces PDF Software for
File-format Conversion, File Splitting/Merging, Overlays, and More
AdLib eDocument Solutions of Burlington, Ontario, Canada demonstrated its
AdLib eXpress software
during the final session of the Seybold New York 2002 "PDF for
E-forms and Database Publishing" conference on Friday, February 22nd..
AdLib eXpress can convert more than 225 file formats to PDF. It
can be used interactively from a graphical user interface; it can
also be integrated programmatically into your workflow.
In addition to converting other file types to PDF format, AdLib eXpress
can also overlay each page of a PDF document with text, graphics,
and text fields. Some JavaScript support is provided. In addition,
AdLib eXpress can merge several
PDF documents into one, split one PDF document into several,
apply security to a PDF document, and more.
For more information, visit www.adlibsys.com.
IDR Solutions Demonstrates Software for Text/Graphics Extraction
Also at Friday's final "PDF for E-forms and Database Publishing"
session, IDR Solutions introduced
its Storypad software, which allows
you to extract and repurpose text and graphics intelligently from
PDF and other textual file formats. This impressive software performs
its work by gleaning structural information from the content and
formatting properties of files that do not contain embedded structural
information such as XML tags or style-sheet tags.
IDR Solutions is based in the United Kingdom. To get
details and pricing for the Storypad software, contact
information@idrsolutions.com,
or visit the IDR Solutions Web site:
www.idrsolutions.com.
Datalogics Offers the Adobe PDF Library
Another presenter at Friday's final "PDF for E-forms and Database Publishing"
session was Ana Trivanovic of Datalogics, Inc. Ms. Trivanovic
gave a brief overview of the Adobe PDF Library, which is a
developer's toolkit that allows for the creation of PDF files
from within an application. The Adobe PDF Library is based on
the Adobe Acrobat code created by Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Datalogics, Inc. is the only company in the world that is
authorized to sell a license to use the Adobe PDF Library.
The Adobe PDF Library toolkit gives developers access to the functionality that will
ensure the creation of quality PDF documents that can be
delivered efficiently across many channels. When you use the
Adobe PDF Library toolkit, you don't have to spend extensive
development time and money to create a PDF-output solution.
In addition, the PDF Library will allow you to follow the PDF
Language Standard consistently.
The Adobe PDF Library is now available on multiple platforms, including:
- MVS
- AS/400
- IBM-AIX
- HP-UX
- Sun Solaris
- Digital UNIX
- Linux
- Windows (Intel)
- Windows (Alpha)
Datalogics, Inc. is based in Chicago, IL, USA. For more information about the Adobe PDF Library, visit www.datalogics.com/products/PDF_Library.htm or
send email to sales@datalogics.com.
Amazing iCopy Software Does OCR on the Fly!
Also included in the final "PDF for E-forms and Database Publishing"
session on Friday was an impressive software demonstration by
Jinsoo Kim, President and CEO of Image Solutions, Inc. in Morristown, NJ, USA. Mr. Kim
showed the audience how his company's iCopy plug-in for
Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader can
convert scanned text in a PDF file into searchable, character-based text — instantly!
All you have to do is use your mouse to select the text that you want to convert, and
an OCR conversion happens in the blink of an eye!
Visit www.imagesolutions.com to
get details about the iCopy plug-in and to find out about other
terrific products offered by Image Solutions, Inc.
Appligent Announces Web Services Editions of FDFMerge, StampPDF Batch and SecurSign
Another presenter
at the final Friday session of the "PDF for E-forms and Database Publishing"
conference was
Mark Gavin, CTO of Appligent, Inc. in Lansdowne, PA, USA.
Mr. Gavin's presentation focused on the recently introduced
Web Services editions of three of Appligent's products:
FDFMerge, StampPDF Batch, and SecurSign.
The Web Services editions are based on the XML-RPC protocol,
(Extensible Markup Language - Remote Procedure Calls). XML-RPC takes
web technology in a new direction by allowing computers to make
function calls across a network. XML provides a vocabulary for RPC
which is then transmitted between computers using HTTP, making
solution development simpler and more powerful.
To learn more, visit www.appligent.com.
Corel CEO Derek Burney Focuses on XML in Keynote Address
A keynote address was delivered at Seybold New York 2002 on Wednesday,
February 20th by Derek Burney, President and CEO of
Corel Corp. Mr. Burney focused heavily on XML
technology during his address, and he unveiled Corel's new enterprise
strategy, which Corel has named DEEPWHITE™.
DEEPWHITE is the realization of Corel's plan to deliver
enterprise-class solutions to organizations. Supported by a
series of strategic acquisitions and innovative software developments,
the company is leveraging the strengths of XML and other open
standards to introduce a new platform for enterprise content creation.
Mr. Burney outlined one of the first components of the DEEPWHITE
strategy – the delivery of XML-enabled content solutions, and
he stated that on March 14, 2002, Corel Corp. will acquire
SoftQuad Software, Ltd., a
leading provider of XML-enabling technology and XML-based
B2B commerce solutions.
Note that SoftQuad's "X Metal 3" software was named as a Seybold
Publications Hot Pick on February 13, 2002.
For more information about Corel's DEEPWHITE
enterprise strategy, see Corel's DEEPWHITE Launch Press Release
and visit Corel's new DEEPWHITE Web site, www.corel.com.
Printing & Publishing Industry Leaders Advocate PDF Workflow
Information about the adoption of PDF workflows was in abundant
supply at Seybold New York 2002. Here is an overview of some
of the Seybold New York 2002 announcements and presentations that focused
on PDF workflows.
Time, Inc. Announces Move to PDF Workflow
Adobe Systems Incorporated sponsored a Developer Breakfast at
Seybold on Thursday, February 21st. Attendees were treated to
a presentation by Kin Wah Lam, the Director of Digital Development
for Time, Inc.
Time, Inc.
publishes over 64 magazines, including Time,
Sports Illustrated, People, Entertainment Weekly,
Fortune, Money, Southern Living, Parenting,
Health, and many others.
Mr. Lam stated that Time, Inc. announced last week that they would
move to a PDF workflow. For quite a few years, their workflow has
been based on the TIFF-IT and DCS-2 file formats, although they've been
moving gradually toward a PDF workflow in recent years.
Time, Inc.'s PDF workflow will be based in part on the
PDF-X standard. Mr. Lam
said that — because Time, Inc. has a 23% market share for magazines —
he thinks there will be a significant ripple effect in the
printing & publishing industry when
Time, Inc. begins to insist on receiving PDF/X files.
Time, Inc. hosts a Web site (www.direct2.time.com) that
is devoted entirely to technical support
for the creation and submission of electronic files for use in
Time, Inc. publications. From this site, visitors can obtain
file-format specifications, detailed
instructions for creating files, Adobe Distiller Job Options files,
Enfocus PitStop Profiles, ad specifications, layout information,
troubleshooting tips, phone numbers and email addresses for technical personnel
at Time, Inc., and other helpful information.
PIP Printing Encourages Customers to Submit PDF Files
The Vice President of the Adobe Systems Incorporated e-Paper Solutions
Group, Joe Eschbach, also gave a presentation at the Adobe
Developer Breakfast. During his talk, Mr. Eschbach informed his audience that
PIP Printing encourages its customers to submit PDF files for
printing.
Internal Revenue Service Relies on PDF
A Seybold PDF Conference Keynote Address was delivered at
Seybold New York 2002 on
Thursday, February 21st by Paul Showalter, a Senior Technical
Printing Specialist at the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Showalter
said that more than half a billion PDF files have been downloaded
from the IRS Web site.
He stated that the IRS owns 130,000 Adobe Acrobat licenses,
and he
described the various ways in which the IRS exploits
PDF technology as it takes proactive
steps to make
it easy for taxpayers to obtain Internal Revenue Service
forms and publications. Here are some of them:
- The IRS encourages corporations to make tax forms and publications
available in PDF format on corporate Intranets so that employees can
obtain them easily.
- The IRS's distribution centers use PDF files to print
paper tax forms and publications on demand when taxpayers request them.
- The IRS publishes CD-ROMs containing tax forms and publications
in PDF format and distributes them via lots of different channels.
(An IRS CD-ROM was available free of charge from many sources at
Seybold New York 2002.)
- The IRS runs the largest fax-back service in the world; this fax-back
service is fed by PDF.
Jeff Gomez Describes the PDF Workflow at St. Martin's Press
At the "PDF and Authoring Workflows" morning session
on Thursday, February 21st, Jeff Gomez, the eBook and Print on Demand Manager at St. Martin's Press
in New York City, discussed the ways in which his company is benefitting from a
PDF workflow. Mr. Gomez described how their PDF workflow facilitates the
production of eBooks. He also explained that the PDF workflow in
use at St. Martin's Press allows the company to print some books on
demand in a cost-effective manner, and he talked about the fact
that St. Martin's has been able to take on new distribution
customers because some of the company's warehouse/distribution
resources have been freed up now that some books
are not inventoried but are instead printed on demand.
Lightbulb Press Sets its Sights on a PDF Workflow
Another interesting presentation at the "PDF and Authoring
Workflows" morning session
on Thursday, February 21st was given by Dave Wilder, the
Design Director for Lightbulb Press in New York
City. Mr. Wilder said that his company relies heavily on PDFs
for review and approval of incremental versions of a book that
is being prepared for publication. Other
than that, however, PDF is at the periphery of the Lightbulb
Press workflow — but their intention is to make PDF the core
of their workflow within a year or so.
GTS Companies Depends Heavily on PDF Workflow
Thursday morning's "PDF and Authoring Workflows" session
also featured a presentation by John Clifford, a Technical Support
Specialist for GTS Companies in
Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Clifford began his talk by describing the company's first PDF
project — a 10,000-page document set that was produced by GTS several years
ago. He then gave an overview of several other PDF projects that GTS has
undertaken since then, and he described how GTS came to embrace the
highly sophisticated PDF workflow that it has today. Mr. Clifford
noted that GTS's primarily deliverable went from 95% film to 15%
film between 1998 and 2002. He also emphasized that one of the reasons
that GTS depends on a PDF workflow is that — when used properly — the
PDF format makes it easy to repurpose documents. For example:
it's easy to archive a high-resolution version of a document for
print production and a low-resolution version for Web delivery.
Newspapers Depend on Structured PDF to Repurpose Documents
At Thursday afternoon's "PDF and Authoring Workflows"
session, Mike Clarke from Winds Solutions in The Netherlands
described a system that uses structured PDF files to allow
newspapers to repurpose their content.
American Association for the Advancement of Science Benefits From Automated Preflight System
Another speaker at Thursday afternoon's "PDF and Authoring Workflows"
session was Dave Tompkins, the Preflight Operations Director for the American Association for the Advancement of Science in
Washington, DC. Mr. Tompkins describes his organization's highly
automated preflight operation, which automatically examines incoming files
and automatically fixes many of the problems that are found in the files.
They enjoy a phenomenal 95% success rate with their automated
preflight system.
Quebecor World Encourages Customers to Submit PDF Files and Embraces PDF/X Standard
Johnny Sutton, Director of Technology North America for Quebecor World Inc.,
also delivered a presentation on Thursday afternoon at the
"PDF and Authoring Workflows" session. Mr. Sutton said
that Quebecor World began accepting PDFs four years ago. To make it
easy for their customers to produce good-quality PDFs, the
company publishes guidelines, Adobe Distiller
Job Options settings, and Enfocus PitStop settings. At times, they've
provided training for their customers — and they've even installed
PDF workflows for some customers.
Mr. Sutton also stated that
Quebecor World has embraced the PDF/X
standard, and he said that the company is engaged in an
ongoing effort to influence vendors to create PDF/X-compliant
files instead of just verifying PDF/X compliance.
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