More than 200 workstations of Prestige will replace an existing J-11 Atex editorial system. The paper had previously installed an Atex Enterprise advertising system.

In addition, NewsEditPro IQue now supports a "chat" function, allowing all system users to send instant messages to one another.

Other new features in both products include a "secondary sort" command under the directory menu; text index searches that now default to Boolean logic rather than relevancy, and added support for Quark CopyDeskSE and Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InCopy.

The Real Cities Network represents 55 local news web sites.

The new e-business system is based on the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) standards, allowing Knight Ridder Digital the opportunity to add new features and quickly and easily.

BEA also said that Knight Ridder Digital is also planning to install its BEA Campaign Manager for WebLogic, which will allow local and national advertisers to target audiences based on specific content viewing, community memberships and geographic location.

This new version of the Portable Document Format (PDF) pre-flighting application uses more than 400 criteria to analyze the characteristics of PDF files. An extensive selection of pre-defined pre-flight profile templates -- addressing most day-to-day needs -- is also provided.

In addition, the application will check for compliance with the PDF/X-3 standard, a method for exchanging newspaper advertising files being developed in Germany and Switzerland.

JobMinder, a client-server software suite, automates the process of creating, tracking and archiving photo assignment requests. JobMinder was originally designed by newspaper professionals for the publishing industry.

Northern Lights DataSystems will provide all installation, training and software support and maintenance services. Gannett Media Technologies will sell JobMinder with an interface to its Digital Collections DC4 digital asset management system. The software interface makes it possible to pass all photo assignment information, along with the related photo, from JobMinder's FileMaker Pro database to the DC4 Oracle database.

MaxWorkFlow v3.6 adds new modules that provide system status reports in real time and can automatically append barcodes to documents, film or plates to automate the workflow. Version 3.6 also gives resellers the opportunity to integrate third-party vector software such as pre-flighting and imposition packages or raster software such as printer drivers, to customize the system to their customers' unique needs.

Harlequin RIP v5.5 adds tools to allow for "in-RIP" color trapping and features new capabilities such as improved support for special inks, shaded fill support (radial and axial) and full n-color support for CMYK, spot colors, Hexachrome and photo ink color systems.

The product also features a media saving module, and a new PostScript-based tool that will scan incoming Portable Document Format (PDF) files to identify the presence of PDF 1.4 transparency.

The 330-seat AdBase system will be used for classified order entry and classified pagination. The system will feature fax-in and fax-out software as well as interfaces with a credit card clearinghouse and the AII Ad Manager ad tracking system. The workstations will run under Microsoft Windows NT and the Sun server will use an Oracle database.

Mactive also said that it had signed a contract with the COURIER-POST (81k) of Cherry Hill, N.J., for a 55-seat AdBase classified system. The system will also be used to produce the classified section of the DAILY JOURNAL (17k) of Vineland, N.J. Both papers are owned by Gannett.

The new offices are two miles from Tampa International Airport and about three miles from the company's former location.

New features in Virtual Ticket 4.0 include InterSync, which automatically monitors, synchronizes and catalogs digital assets located on an organization's AppleTalk/IP or Windows NT/2000 file server. In addition, the InterSync technology automatically associates cataloged and production information.

Virtual Ticket 4.0 supports integration with third-party products such as MarkzWare's FlightCheck, Quark XPress, Adobe Illustrator and others. Job tickets can be designed to contain information for specific operations within a native application, and the latest version of the software allows this information to be passed to scripts or helper applications that then use the native program to perform the desired function, for example, pre-flight a file and return the results to the job ticket.

Virtual Ticket 4.0 is sold on a concurrent user basis with prices starting at $3998 for a base server package and five concurrent users.

Pageflex Persona is a desktop application designed to produce personalized and customized documents. Though a starter application for variable printing, Personal projects migrate to Pageflex's advanced Mpower product.

Persona outputs in a variety of formats, including the VPS format, which drives the Xerox DocuColor 2000 Series digital presses, allowing the presses to operate a full engine-rated speed. Persona also offers PostScript and Native Portable Document Format output.

The Carbonized version of XPress will be numbered XPress 5.x. Currently, Quark is offering beta copies of XPress 5.0, which runs on Windows NT/2000 or Mac OS 9, on its web site for users to evaluate. The company did not announce a release date for XPress 5.x.

Quark has also announced that it has developed a strategic alliance with Database Publishing Consultants Inc. (DPCI) of New York City. DPCI, a software development firm that builds centralized systems to manage and deliver content to print, the Web and wireless devices, will focus sales efforts for Quark Digital Media System, Quark Merchandiser Manager and Quark eStage in the catalog, direct marketing, entertainment and publishing markets.

The company's telephone numbers remain the same: phone, {011} 31 75 614 34 00; fax, {011} 31 75 614 33 99.