Maybe we can get some comments from people that use FlightAlert XT from CompuSense. We read about it via a press release from XChange:

FlightAlert XT combines on-the-fly error checking of QuarkXPress documents with one of the most powerful Collect For Output engines available.

FlightAlert scans QuarkXPress documents for the key problems that regularly waste time, money and film. It is unique among the error-checking products in that there is no need to invoke or apply FlightAlert. It operates in the background as users work making it an ideal solution for integration into busy production and prepress workflows.

FlightAlert can be set to scan on Open, Close, Save, Save As, Save Page as EPS and Collect for Output. By concentrating on the core of common problems, each FlightAlert scan is virtually instantaneous on small documents and takes a negligible amount of time even on large documents.
Source: http://members.whattheythink.com/news/newslink.cfm?id=37503

Who has used both FlightCheck (the original and patented) and FlightAlert. What features do you think are better in one than the other? How is the price value better or worse?

David Creamer has reviewed Markzware’s document conversion tool, Q2ID v4 in the current issue of “Layers Magazine.”

FROM QUARK TO INDESIGN IN A SNAP

The main focus of Q2ID v4 is to support InDesign CS4 and QuarkXPress 8 files. One important thing that’s changed in this version is the updated conversion notes PDF, which now lists most of the conversion issues you might encounter. Another change is that you can use either the InDesign Open menu or the new Markzware menu. Quark files with multiple layouts can be converted individually or all at once; multiple Quark files can be converted, too.

This version appears to fix most of the issues I noted in the last version, including keeping the proper based-on settings, better translations of Quark’s transparency effects into InDesign (with one major exception noted below), and better layer translation between programs.  Read more... (333 words, 1 image, estimated 1:20 mins reading time)

BY TAMI STODGHILLPRESS RELATIONS, XCHANGE UK You know the story, as many of you are living it – day in and day out. Your client presents you with their document, and it’s up to you to replicate it within the application of their choice — or your choice. It sounds simple, but in reality it’s generally a nightmare of tedious reformatting, and after hours of that, your next client’s project arrives. Often enough to make you reconsider your choice of applications on some days, but before you hang up your mouse, take a minute to look at what might become the most important tools in your design tool chest.

ID2Q (Adobe® InDesign® to QuarkXPress®) is an XTensions module for QuarkXPress® and Q2ID (QuarkXPress to InDesign) is a Plug-in for Adobe InDesign that provides a swift and efficient way to transform one application’s elements into the other application’s elements. That’s right…an entirely new document in a snap! No more reformatting and lost time — the conversion is a simple menu selection.  Read more... (583 words, 22 images, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)