Aldus ships PageMaker 5.0 for the Macintosh

SEATTLE, August 2, 1993--Aldus Corporation today began shipping Aldus
PageMaker 5.0 for the Apple Macintosh in the U S. This version introduces
a significant set of new product features, as well as enhanced services
that are designed specifically for graphic design and production
professionals.

"From the very start, Aldus PageMaker 5.0 has been designed to be the best
professional page-layout program available," said Lori Birtley, senior
product marketing manager. "Its more than 100 features improve PageMaker's
precision, control, integration, and versatility. Our new service
enhancements will help graphics professionals maximize their productivity
with this upgrade."

Version 5.0' s most important new features include a revamped printing
engine, advanced text and graphics controls, broader import and export
capabilities, and new, professional Additions that extend PageMaker' s
functionality for special publishing needs. The service enhancements
include a 24-hour technical support line, an increased number of Aldus
Imaging Centers, and a rebate offer available through these service
providers.

Professional features 

The PostScript printing code in PageMaker 5.0 has been completely
rewritten. Printing speeds, including those for background printing, are
up to twice as fast as those of the nearest competitor. In addition,
customers can now print non-consecutive pages and page ranges, and can
easily add printers' marks (such as crop, registration, and plate
identification marks) to their output.

A new Addition enables users to save oft-used print settings and to send
multiple files with unique settings to different output devices
simultaneously. Other new printing features include an Addition for simple
page-imposition, diagnostic messages of PostScript-printing errors, and
the ability to print multiple EPS files of publication pages at once.

Moreover, PageMaker now outputs process-color separations and can convert
spot colors to process for all imported and user-defined colors.

Version 5.0' s advanced text and graphics controls features include the
option to rotate and skew text and graphics in 0.01-degree increments, as
well as flip them horizontally and vertically. PageMaker users can edit
rotated text and crop rotated graphics directly in page-layout view.

The program's Control palette has been significantly enhanced in the
Macintosh version. Not only can customers precisely place and size both
text and graphics through the palette, but they can also use it to apply
type attributes, such as font, size, and leading; define and apply
paragraph attributes, such as styles and alignment; shift baselines and
nudge objects; and apply transformations, such as skewing, rotation, and
flipping.

Broader import and export capabilities include support for automatic
compression and decompression of TIFF images; the option to link (or
embed, through OLE) any EPS or TIFF graphic; and the ability to send only
cropped image data to the printer to reduce printing times.

Several new Aldus Additions included with PageMaker 5.0 enhance the
product's typographic capabilities: Expert Kerning automatically adjusts
the spacing between characters, for example, and Edit Tracks customizes
font tracking information on a point-size basis.

Expanded support services for professionals 

For the first time, Aldus is offering 24-hour phone support to first-time
purchasers of PageMaker for 90 days, starting from the date of their first
call. Thereafter, this round-the-clock assistance is available through
select Aldus CustomerFirst support subscriptions.

Membership in the nationwide Aldus Imaging Center Program has been boosted
by the number of service providers who joined the program to benefit from
the power of the PageMaker 5.0 release. Because members receive targeted,
high-level technical support directly from Aldus, they can provide
PageMaker 5.0 customers with quality output and even faster service. The
imaging centers are also part of a short-term promotion with Aldus to
offer a $25 rebate to customers upgrading to PageMaker 5.0.

System requirements 

The recommended system configuration for PageMaker 5.0 is any Apple
Macintosh II series, Quadra, or SE/30 computer, System 7.0 or later, 5-8MB
of RAM, and an 80MB hard drive. The minimum configuration is an Apple
Macintosh LC series or Classic II, System 6.0.7, 4MB of RAM, and a 20MB
hard drive. It will print to any PostScript- or QuickDraw-compatible laser
printer or imagesetter.

Pricing and availability 

Aldus PageMaker 5.0 for the Macintosh is available now for a suggested
retail price of $895 (U.S.). Customers who purchased a retail copy of
version 4.2 after January 1, 1993, are eligible to receive 5.0 free with a
product registration card and a dated proof of purchase. Those who
upgraded to version 4.2 from an earlier version may purchase 5.0 directly
from Aldus for $75 (U.S.). All other owners of an earlier version of
PageMaker for the Macintosh may purchase 5.0 for $150 (U.S.) from either
Aldus or an Aldus reseller. Greater discounts apply for customers who have
a service contract with Aldus.

Until August 31, 1993, PageMaker customers in the United States are also
eligible for a $25 rebate on the upgrade price of PageMaker 5.0 for either
Macintosh or Windows. Rebate coupons are available from Aldus Imaging
Centers; for a list of these service providers, customers may call (800)
685-3501 from a fax machine and request Document #499906.

For more information on CustomerFirst, customers should call (206)
628-2320. Businesses interested in the Aldus Imaging Center Program should
call Aldus at (206) 628-4513.

Aldus Corporation (NASDAQ:ALDC) creates computer software solutions that
help people throughout the world effectively communicate information and
ideas. The company focuses on three lines of business: applications for
the professional publishing and prepress markets; applications for the
general consumer market; and service and support programs for professional
end-users. Aldus has subsidiaries in Europe, Asia, and the Pacific Rim
serving a worldwide network of dealers and distributors.

Aldus Corp
411 First Ave South, Seattle, WA 98104
206-622-5500

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