Q. Why should we choose MC Research products?
A. We have been developing Quark XTensions since 1992 - so we've
been around the block a few times with Quark. ; )
All our software
gives control back to DTP operators, designers and creative
professionals for their document production. We write our software
for Quark users not datatabase experts.
We have database publishing
experts developing proven products for an industry which requires
specialised products. We provide a
free support period for every licence and we like to provide old-fashioned
customer service. Real, empowered people answer the phones
and emails and our customers come back year after year.
 Q. What’s
the difference between LinkUP Workgroup and LinkUP Enterprise?
A. The main difference is that
Enterprise works with relational databases (multiple tables)
and Workgroup with flat file databases
(Excel, simple data sources).
Also Workgroup updates existing documents, while Enterprise will
create a document from from scratch using the database for content,
via a tagged template.
You might also like to consider your long-term needs – if
you are planning to move to a centralised database for different
media (web, advertising data, CRM data) you will probably be expecting
to use some sort of relational database, in this case LinkUP Enterprise
would be an excellent long-term solution.
See our Comparison Chart for function comparison.
Q. There
are some solutions which are cheaper, why shouldn’t
we buy those?
A. Our approach to solving database
to Quark problems is dramatically different from others. Our XTensions
give you the capability of
linking your Quark document to your database – it doesn’t
require an IT expert and it doesn’t require a programmer.
You save the time and cost of implementing static programmed links
and also retain the ability to change the links yourself. As long
as you have a datasource and a template you, or anyone with a basic
understanding of QuarkXPress, can link these two items simply and
quickly and import your data on
demand.
Although we might appear a little more expensive than some products
(and exceptionally cheaper than some less-flexible solutions) our
products often pay for themselves in time and manpower savings
in the first print run, and you will find they become an valuable
asset in your production process.
Q. What
does ODBC mean?
A. ODBC stands for Open DataBase
Connectivity. This standard database access method makes it possible
to access any data from any application
irrespective of which database management system (DBMS) is being
used. ODBC inserts a database driver which sits between the application
(Quark) and the DBMS (eg Access) and translates for both parties.
This allows Quark to send queries to Access, Access understands
them and responds to Quark via the translator.
Q. Why
should I care what ODBC means?
A. Our ODBC products work on
the principle that your template documents ‘talk’ with
your database. Sadly, they don’t speak the same language,
so we need the translators (ODBC drivers) to help
them out. Generally people use ODBC drivers to achieve this but,
on the odd occasion that they are not available, our products still
operate fully using DBF files. Contact
us if you require non-ODBC versions.
Q. Where do I get ODBC drivers?
A. Depending on the database you
use, you may already have ODBC drivers available. Alternatively
investigate drivers from Actual
Technologies, OpenLink Software or
direct from your database providers. ODBC drivers are
not supplied as part of LinkUP licences.
Q. What
if I can’t find an ODBC
driver?
A. This is unlikely but
should this occur, you can use an DBF text file to connect to
your database. We provide ODBC and DBF versions of our LinkUP
Workgroup and LinkUP Enterprise software. LinkUP Pricing is DBF
only and cannot connect to databases directly. Please let
us know if you are having difficulties in obtaining drivers
and we will help you to use the DBF versions instead.
Q. What
if my data is held on different databases on different servers?
A. It doesn’t matter where
the data is held, as long as it is accessible from your computer,
ie, networked (if using the ODBC version of the software). LinkUP
follows paths that are set up by you to connect to your data.
Q. How will I know about upgrades or updates?
A. If you purchase directly from
us, or you register your product, you will be held in our database
for contact about upgrades and
updates automatically. See our privacy
policy for details.
Q. What is
your email/privacy policy?
A. Should you wish to be removed
from our email list, email
us and let us know your full details so that we
may remove you completely from our database. From our email/privacy
policy: We never disclose our customers
email addresses (or any other details) to any other third party,
ever.
Q. I need technical help, where can I find it?
A. Try visiting our Technical
FAQ section and, if your question
isn’t there, please contact us during your free 90 days
email – email support@mcresearch.co.uk.
If you require support after that, please view our Annual
Premium Support package.
Q. What is Standard Support and Annual Premium Support?
A. All our licences have a 90 day
free Standard Support period from date of purchase - this even
includes upgrades. During this time you can send unlimited
email to us for technical and support issues, (there
is no guaranteed response time, we endeavour to get back to you
as quickly as possible). If you require telephone support and
guidance, in addition to email or fax, a 72 hour response time,
access to our Support Tracker where you can raise issues online,
we provide Annual Premium Support rates which are very reasonable
if we do say so ourselves. Please contact
us for more details
and pricing.
Q. Is training available?
A. Training is not usually required
on LinkUP Enterprise, Workgroup, or Pricing, particularly
if you are an experienced Quark
user. Like most new software you need to play with it for a bit,
which is why we supply 90 days free support to give you that time
to learn. You may wish to try our Annual
Premium Support if you need
ongoing assistance. Otherwise, in the UK we have a preferred
training supplier or, if you are in other countries, try our Resellers and
they will be able to quote you on a support package.
Q. I’m so impressed with your product’s
capabilities, I am buying QuarkXPress at the same time as I purchase
your products,
how difficult will it be to learn both products?
A. Both QuarkXPress and LinkUP are designed to be user-friendly.
QuarkXPress is very easy to pick up at a novice level and, once
you’ve mastered that, try LinkUP – you will be amazed
at what you can accomplish. Q. My
question hasn’t been answered
here, what now?
A. If your question was of a more technical nature, try our Technical
FAQs. If you have tried the manual and tutorials, and you’re
within your 90 day free support period, send us an email and
we will answer it as soon as possible. Please feel free to contact
us for more details. Q. Can I save my QuarkXPress document to earlier versions of QuarkXPress
software?
A. Yes,
QuarkXPress 5 can save in 5 or 4 format. QuarkXPress 6 can save
in 6 and 5 format. Both QuarkXPress 5 and 6 can open QuarkXPress
3, 4, and 5 documents. Only QuarkXPress 6 can open version 6 documents. Getting
giddy? QuarkXPress 7 opens 6 and 7 documents. Visit Quark's website for
technical help with their software. Currently we support QuarkXPress
6 and 7 only.
Q. When
I launch Quark with a LinkUP XTension installed I receive an
error reading: Error: XTensions module will not function because
the FragPrepare:need real FSSpec. Library could not be found.
Why?
A. This
means you do not have functioning ODBC drivers either partially
or at all. Please check you have the correct ODBC driver/s
installed, or try the DBF version of the demo to get started quickly.
Q. Is
LinkUP Enterprise or LinkUP Workgroup compatible with QuarkXPress
4 or 5 now that Quark does not support it anymore?
A. We no longer support QuarkXPress
4 or 5 compatible versions of our software. This is mainly due
to the fact that Quark no longer support their software in these
versions. We do know of many customers still using version 4
and 5 productively,
but it is not possible to continue to support these older versions.
See our Upgrade pages for how to upgrade.
Q. Does
your demo XTension work with a demo copy of QuarkXPress?
A. As long as the demo version is Quark 7.2 or above, the
demo version of our LinkUP XTensions will work. The only limitation
on functions is that they scramble data on update or export. Only
ever use the demo version of LinkUP with copied files, not production
versions.
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