Feb 94 Newsbits
Volume Number: 10
Issue Number: 2
Column Tag: Newsbits
By Neil Ticktin, Editor-in-Chief
New HyperCard!
Apple Computer has introduced HyperCard 2.2, a significant new version of its
popular software tool that enables users to easily create customized software solutions.
HyperCard 2.2 integrates a key Apple technology, AppleScript, which enables
users to automate repetitive tasks by launching, controlling and exchanging data with
existing applications. Users can launch, control and exchange data with a host of
scriptable applications such as 4th Dimension, MacWrite, FileMaker, Microsoft Excel,
Microsoft Word, PhotoFlash, QuarkXPress, and WordPerfect, along with over 75
others. HyperCard supports any Open Scripting Architecture (OSA)-compliant
scripting language including AppleScript, UserTalk from UserLand and CEScript from
CE Software.
HyperCard 2.2 also includes the ColorTools for seamlessly adding color to stacks.
In addition to importing and resizing color PICT graphics, users can select from a
palette of 256 shades to color HyperCard elements such as buttons, fields, cards and
backgrounds. HyperCard’s QuickTime tools allow users to incorporate movies into
cards and stacks with point and click simplicity.
WorldScript support has been added for creating multilingual solutions and a new
“save as” option that creates double-clickable applications which can be distributed
without royalty fees. HyperCard users can script in several languages including
French and Japanese, using AppleScript dialects extensions.
In addition, HyperCard 2.2 bundles ADDmotion II (24-bit color paint, animation
and sound extension) from Motion Works International for easy creation and editing of
animation.
The suggested retail price (SRP) for HyperCard 2.2 is $249. As part of a
special limited time introductory promotion, Apple is offering HyperCard 2.2 for an
SRP of $139. Additionally, Apple will contact registered users of HyperCard 2.0 or
2.1 to offer a full upgrade for $89. HyperCard 2.2 will be available through retail
channels and can be ordered through APDA. US: 800/282-2732; Canada:
800/637-0039; Internationally:716/871-6555.
AppleScript Scripter’s kit
Apple Computer, Inc. has introduced its AppleScript Scripter’s Kit, a new
software tool that enables solutions providers and end-users to integrate elements of
commercial Macintosh software applications across desktops and networks.
The AppleScript Scripter’s Kit brings Apple’s scripting language to a new class
of users. Now, the power and extensibility of AppleScript are available to solutions
providers, in-house developers, value-added resellers (VARs), system integrators
and end-users. Since the AppleScript Software Developer’s Kit was introduced in
April 1993, over 80 independent software vendors (ISVs) are now shipping
AppleScript-aware applications (see related news release).
The AppleScript Scripter’s Kit, targeted at solution providers and end users,
contains AppleScript 1.1 and a script editor that automatically generates and edits
scripts based on user’s actions. The Scripter’s Kit also includes: the Frontmost
Interface Processor that enables building custom interfaces for scripts; support for
multiple dialects that provides for scripting in non-English languages (French and
Japanese are included); and a redistribution license for AppleScript system software
and Frontmost runtime code.
AppleScript was offered initially as a toolkit for commercial software developers
and is now updated to Version 1.1. The AppleScript Developer’s Kit for commercial
developers includes the AppleScript Scripter’s Kit plus a pre-release version of the
scriptable finder and development tools
AppleScript Scripter’s Kit 1.1 retails for $189, AppleScript Developer’s Kit
retails for $199. Site licenses are available.
The AppleScript Scripter’s Kit 1.1 will be available through retail channels and
can be ordered through APDA. US: 800/282-2732; Canada: 800/637-0039;
Internationally:716/871-6555.
QuickMail for AOCE
CE Software Holdings, Inc. today shipping QuickMail™ AOCE™. This release
combines the leading Macintosh electronic mail client with System 7 Pro.
QuickMail AOCE uses PowerTalk facilities to transparently send and receive mail
from any AOCE service provider or client - including any existing QuickMail network.
QuickMail AOCE integrates the QuickMail interface with innovating PowerTalk features
such as the convenience of drag and drop enclosures and the security of digital
signatures. QuickMail AOCE also harnesses the power of AppleScript to drive other
programs and respond to user-written scripts from programs such as HyperCard and
QuicKeys.
Third party extensions allow customers to mix traditional QuickMail clients,
QuickMail AOCE clients, traditional QuickMail servers and PowerShare servers in any
combination. For a limited time, CE Software will include StarNine's PowerTalk
gateway free with every unit of QuickMail AOCE - allowing any QuickMail AOCE user to
access the traditional QuickMail Server and NameServer, keeping the communication
lines open with other QuickMail users on the network. A QuickMail AOCE 10 Pak
retails for $599 and a single user version for $99.
For more information, contact CE Software, Inc., PO Box 65580, 1801
Industrial Circle, West Des Moines, IA 50265, Voice: 515/221-1801, Fax:
515/221-1806, AppleLink and America Online: CESOFTWARE, CompuServe:
76136,2137
For more information on PowerTalk-compatible gateway products, contact
StarNine Technologies, Inc. 2550 Ninth Street, Suite 112, Berkeley, CA 94710,
Voice:510/649-4949, Fax:510/548-0393, AppleLink:STARNINE,
Internet:info@starnine.com
Phonepro is Aoce-savvy
Cypress Research Corporation has released PhonePro 1.2, the icon based
telephony applications builder. 1.2 will be available in an inexpensive software-only
version, making computer-telephone integration more accessible to the average
Macintosh user. The new version of PhonePro will also be fully compatible with
Apple's Open Collaborative Environment (AOCE), and additional functionality has been
incorporated into the new release.
PhonePro Release 1.2 is compatible with Supra Corporation's SupraFAXModem
V.32 and SupraFAXModem V.32bis fax modems which have the Supra Voice Processing
(SVP) capability. Owners of these modems will be able to use PhonePro Release 1.2 to
design and run a wide variety of inbound and outbound telephone applications, such as
complex auto-attendants with e-mail connectivity, fax response systems, and bulletin
board services. PhonePro Release 1.2 will retail for $349, and Supra's SVP upgrade
package which will be available to Supra modem owners as a $99 firmware and
software upgrade.
PhonePro Release 1.2 is completely compatible with Apple's Open Collaborative
Environment (AOCE). PhonePro will be able to use AOCE services to deliver voice
messages to a PowerTalk client's desktop mailbox.
Among the new features in PhonePro Release 1.2 is the ability to combine
PhonePro and FaxPro II, Cypress Re search's network fax system for the Macintosh, on
one machine to create a fax response system. Callers would be able to dial into the
system, use their touch-tone keys to select from a menu of documents and have the
system fax back the requested document. Previously, the fax response systems
designed with earlier versions of PhonePro required two separate computers.
PhonePro works with most popular analog and digital PBX systems. The
suggested retail price for a PhonePro 1.2 hardware/software version is $950.
PhonePro software-only retails for $349. Upgrades for owners of earlier versions of
PhonePro are available directly from Cypress Research Corporation at no charge.
For more information, contact Cypress Research Corporation, 240 E. Caribbean
Drive, Sunnyvale, CA 94089, Voice: 408/752-2700, Fax: 408/752-2735,
AppleLink: CYPRESS
Galaxy 2.0
Visix Software Inc. has announced a major release of its Galaxy Application
Environment - Release 2.0, available in either C or C++ versions, adds a number of
new features and establishes a consistent set of powerful application development
capabilities across all supported platforms, including UNIX, Macintosh, Windows 3.1,
Windows NT, OS/2 and OpenVMS.
Galaxy enables developers to create a completely portable application by
abstracting all the system services an application needs. Applications built using
Galaxy are both portable and able to exploit the most advanced capabilities of each
target platform. Galaxy provides a superset of the capabilities of native toolkits.
Galaxy Release 2.0 adds a number of new features and significant enhancements.
For example, it includes three new managers - Combo Box, Spinner, and Drag - that
each simplify a particular aspect of application development. Several existing
managers have been significantly extended to increase performance and to broaden
their feature set. Enhanced managers include the List Manager, Preference Manager,
Print Manager, and Resource Manager.
Galaxy Release 2.0 now supports the Window Multiple Document Interface (MDI)
and offers an improved Visual Resource Builder, the Galaxy tool used to construct the
user interface portion of an application. In addition, the new release also features an
enhanced color chooser.
The C version is priced at $7,800 to $9,600 per developer seat, depending on
platform, with no run-time fees. Galaxy/C++ is priced at $12,100 per developer
seat, on all platforms, with no run-time fees. GSA pricing is available. Current users
of Release 1.2 of Galaxy will receive free upgrades to Release 2.0.
For more information, contact Visix Software Inc., 11440 Commerce Park
Drive, Reston, Virginia 22091, Voice: 800/832-8668, Fax: 703/758-0233.