InDesign 2.0 -- announced last fall with a projected shipment of late this winter -- introduces editable transparency effects such as drop shadows, table creation, long document support, eXtensible Markup Language (XML) import/export support and an enhanced printing interface.

The upgrade supports Adobe's eXtensible Metadata Platform (XMP) technology, an XML-based framework for embedding, tracking and exchanging metadata -- the data about a document -- so that content can be deployed more efficiently across different media.

Adobe said it has enhanced the application's performance and that it now supports Mac OS X and Windows XP operating systems, in addition to earlier versions of the Macintosh and Intel operating systems.

The new version of the application retails for $699; for the next 90 days upgrades are available for $99.

ACT Circulation, the name APT has given the circulation product, is based on Microsoft Windows and Microsoft SQL technologies. Lee has licensed APT to sell the package either stand-alone or as part of an integrated APT system that could include the full spectrum of publishing applications -- ad order entry, classified text entry, classified pagination, ad dummying, editorial front-end, page makeup and accounts receivables.

Stochastic screening is a digital screening process that converts images into very small dots of equal size and variable spacing. These tiny dots are more efficient at absorbing and reflecting light and produce a larger gamut than traditional screens.

Staccato software screens can be reliably proofed on CreoScitex Spectrum digital halftone proofing devices as well as Iris inkjet proofers.

From the ContentWelder interface, users can search for XML components and other content assets in Team XML and assemble them to generate the basis of a document. Users can also assign XML components, documents, content assets or Web pages to individuals via Interwoven TeamSite software's collaborative workflow, streamlining the content creation and delivery process.

An XpressExpert site is created in an Xpress Special Section (for example, the gardening expert in a home & garden special section), for each expert. Tools are provided to allow site viewers to submit questions to the expert and to allow the expert to manage and answer questions. Sites use a secure standard template where questions and answers are automatically posted to the applicable site. Each site allows for the expert's photo, company logo and information to be featured, providing an excellent promotional opportunity for experts or their businesses.

The book helps readers understand how real-world characteristics become integrity issues in databases, and shows the integrity problem in databases framed in different models. Chapters covering topics on several research areas give the state-of-the-art on basic database integrity issues, active databases, structured query language (SQL) databases and geographical databases, including integrity support in current SQL-compliant commercial systems

The company has also released "Enterprise Resource Planning: Global Opportunities and Challenges" edited by Liaquat Hossain, Jon David Patrick and M.A. Rashid.

"Enterprise Resource Planning: Global Opportunities and Challenges" provides a socio-technical view of enterprise resource planning and practices from a global perspective. The emphasis of this book is not on the technology per se but the selection and implementation strategies as well as the implications of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems towards the organizational effectiveness.

The application requires minimal user training and produces valid, well-formed XML "behind the scenes." The company says that the product integrates with many content and document management systems and that it can be customized in-house to closely guide writers' choice and use of WorX options.

The three sites are TBO.com (TAMPA TRIBUNE), JournalNow.com (North Carolina's WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL) and TimesDispatch.com (RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH). The additions raise the Real Cities universe of unique users to 10 million.

The upgrade to the company's flagship product has a range of new and enhanced features to support print, web or Portable Document Format (PDF) workflows. It relies on a variety of industry standards, including PDF, HyperText Markup Language (HTML) and eXtensible Markup Language (XML).

XPress 5.0 new features include a tables function, a layers function, a revised printing interface, enhanced PDF support, contextual menus and better color management.

In addition, the new product supports web page layout and features a new license management system so that a large organization can share the use of a smaller number of licenses. The Quark License Administrator is a server-based system that allows site administrators to create customized user pools and assign access privileges to each group.

XPress 5.0 will retail for $995; upgrades from version 4.x cost $299 and upgrades from version 3.x are $399.

Xenith was formerly offered only as the full workflow system; these new options provide an entry point and upgrade path for users to customize their systems.

The four levels include the Xenith, which is based on the latest Adobe PostScript 3 interpreter and includes a variety of features, ranging from Adobe's Portable Job tickets, remote Mac and PC clients, PDF 1.4 support, Adobe in-RIP Trapping and support for over 150 output devices.

Xenith-Lite is a version of the Xenith RIP without the Adobe in-RIP trapping. Xenith Extreme includes the Xenith Primer, Adobe Acrobat and the Enfocus PitStop tools, providing a Normalized PDF workflow, pre-flight and the ability to view and edit PDF files.

Xenith Workflow Extreme provides a complete pre-press workflow solution, including all the features in all the products with the addition of post-RIP imposition, HP Design Jet and Epson Stylus Pro proofing plug-ins, ROOM and NORM proofing, as well as archiving utilities.