Radio Frequency Identification or RFID, is an interesting technology akin to ‘big brother is watching’ but also provides numerous opportunities for printing and even graphic arts in general. RFID tags are widely used in various products to automated the “checking in” and “checking out” process from warehouse or store inventories. The scare is; Does RFID stop calling home? (The chip stays with the item.). This two part video, made by Markzware, helps shed some light on this technology, from interviews with the experts at the RFID booth (Future Print) at the recent Graph Expo in Chicago:

RFID – Friend or Foe – Opportunities for Printers (Part 1 of 2)

RFID – Friend or Foe – Opportunities for Printers (Part 2 of 2)

Interesting how this stand was specially hosted by the show management! Now, imagine this used within your printed piece? Imagine how a cell phone could scan that printed piece (e.g. an advertisement) and give details back on that product to the potential buyer- or even order it! Imagine handing out 10,000 brochures at an event- how many took them out the door and did not throw them out? How about a printed preflight report (on paper) that includes the digital job ‘within the paper!’ Or, how about a proof print, with the preflight report embedded ‘within the paper’ on the RFID chip? Or… What ideas do you have?

Patrick Marchese, CEO of Markzware, is interviewed by GRAPHIC ARTS ONLINE PRINTSCOPE during the recent Graph Expo, back at the end of October 2008. Pat discusses Markzware’s FlightCheck XFR (v7), which will once again revolutionize preflighting, bringing it to a new level and PUB2ID or Microsoft Publisher to Adobe InDesign conversion utility for Mac or Windows. Watch the full interview here!

Doing design, publishing and print trade shows is a lot of fun. Throw in a video camera and industry personalities walking around and it is a blast! Sandee Cohen (Vectorbabe.com), industry trainer, designer and InDesign author, comments on her personal experience with Markzware’s Q2ID or QuarkXPress to Adobe InDesign conversion tool. I have to admit, her glowing remarks were above and beyond what I figured would be relative praise. Check it out (Full transcribed text below):

“And what was more fascinating was, I had that page one which I had done on my own to do as a comparison and I have to tell you Q2ID did a better job than me and I do InDesign.” – Sandee Cohen

Vectorbabe, Sandee Cohen tells us about Graph Expo, InDesign and more

Interview with Sandee Cohen by Mary Gay Marchese  Read more... (674 words, estimated 2:42 mins reading time)

Patrick Marchese, co-founder and CEO of Markzware, takes us on a video tour of some of the sights and sounds of the recently held Graph Expo (printing and graphic arts show) in Chicago (USA). Check it out… I like those printing presses:

Some highlights; Charles James of Quite Software (PDF tools), Arthur Verwey from Xanté (printers, plate setters and workflow RIPs), Pitman HP hardware, Large Format banners, 4-Over fun, Adobe (was that “Live Preflighting” we saw?), collators and more!

Chuck Yeager, retired brigadier general from the United States Air Force, surely preflighted his aircraft (experimental X-1) before becoming the first person to pilot a plane that broke the sound barrier. Cruising to the speed of Mach 1 at an altitude of 45,000 feet Chuck performed this accomplishment on October 14, 1947. (source) Years later, just before the dawn of PDF, another Chuck was busy with preflight, albeit of a postscript kind. In this video interview we will hear from the man often said to have first coined this term, which is a vital part of our modern workflows today- Preflight.

At Graph Expo we spotted Mr. Chuck Weger from Elara Systems, Inc and immediately asked if we could do a little video interview with him. He was more than willing and full of energy. You can watch the video here:

Markzware is at Graph Expo and here we interview some of our FightCheck users from California University in California, PA. We also show them PUB2ID (Microsoft Publisher to Adobe InDesign conversion plugin), which simply amazes them. Check it out for yourself:

Spotted by Brian Regan of Semper International LLC.

A random, likely graphic communications worker, walking down the nostalgic streets of Boston (Near Portland St.), Massachusetts, wearing his Markzware preflighting (Are you printing or still fixing bad PDF files) t-shirt loud and proud! Spotted by Mr. Brian Regan of Semper International, the producers of the PIA/GATF supported Printalution exhibit and training facility within Second Life, a popular virtual world for Mac and Windows users, which Markzware also is a part of! You can learn more on Printalution here: http://printalution.ning.com/ (And visit Semper International in Second Life, where Printulation and Markzware are just a short walk away here- if you are a member of Second Life, which is free…)

Oh and if you encounter a Markzware T-Shirt sighting, stay calm and let us know with a video or picture by emailing us on marketing(A T)markzware(D O T)com!

Want to get your own Markzware T-Shirt? Come find me within SecondLife- my avatar is named “FlightCheck Kidd” and ask! (You will get a virtual T-Shirt for wearing on your avatar in grid for FREE and if you get me your 1st life shipping details a real Markzware T-Shirt as well!)
Affraid of virtual worlds- stop by our GraphExpo booth then… We look better in Second Life though…

At Graph Expo, Markzware is helping our friends in the UK, CFour who are about to release an exciting new desktop publishing application entitled iStudio Publisher and are asking for your assistance.

Yes, we understand that there are several graphics layout applications on the market today. However, this one should prove to be unique.

Please take a moment to fill out our very quick survey and add comments on what you think would make a popular desktop publishing application.