The application that launched the DTP revolution is being put out to grass. Adobe will continue to sell Pagemaker 7, but there won't be any new numbers or a Mac OSX version. This is a serious issue for Mac users, who will have to make the switch or persevere with an application that will run only in Classic mode.

Adobe hopes that Pagemaker users will now migrate to Indesign CS and has released this Pagemaker plug-in pack for the newer program. In addition to a converter, which allows you to open Pagemaker 6 documents in Indesign (version 6.5 and 7 documents will open without the plug-ins), the pack includes some of Pagemaker's high-end features.

There's the splash screen, providing access to document filing and a template library. The Office-style Pagemaker toolbar with familiar printing, filing, text formatting and view options is present, the position tool works like Pagemaker's crop tool and another plug-in adds all the keyboard shortcuts.

It works very well, and anyone making the move to Indesign will have a smoother ride as a result. Indesign already shares some features with Pagemaker and, for users who are hooked into features such as data merge or the build booklet command, the case for upgrading to a professional package with the additional functionality of Indesign is strong.

But there's a proportion of Pagemaker users whose requirements are more modest. For these the upgrade price to Indesign may be too steep.

Contact: Adobe 020 8606 4001
www.adobe.co.uk

System requirements:

Price Details;
RRP: Plug-in £47.19 (£39 ex VAT)
Indesign CS Pagemaker Edition upgrade £339.58 inc VAT