Sep 97 - NewsBits
Volume Number: 13
Issue Number: 9
Column Tag: Newsbits
by Jessica Courtney
Iconovex Corp. Introduces EchoSearch Web Software
for the Macintosh -- The First Truly Intelligent
Desktop Research Tool
Iconovex Corporation, makers of the desktop-based, professional research tool
EchoSearch, announced a Macintosh version, EchoSearch 1.08. A simple, yet powerful
tool, EchoSearch significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy of Internet or
corporate Intranet searches.
Making use of Java's multi-threading capabilities, EchoSearch enables users to
simultaneously query multiple search engines. Unlike other Web search tools,
EchoSearch features an intelligent back-end that can index and accurately summarize
the research documents that are gathered in response to the query.
Once the complete hit list has been built, EchoSearch again uses Java's
multi-threading capabilities to simultaneously download the documents and to process
them linguistically, extracting the important phrases and ideas.
The resulting indexes and summaries are then matched against the user's original
query and the user is presented with a condensed view that contains only the most
relevant entries. These entries are then hyperlinked to their occurrences in the
original documents. After viewing the research results, a user has the option of
refining the original search by returning to the EchoSearch interface and clicking on
the "Refine Results" button. When this alternative is selected, the program then
displays another subset view of the refined query on the initial global views
(documents/hits that were found the first time).
EchoSearch for the Macintosh can be downloaded for free from the Iconovex Web site at
http://www.iconovex.com.
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Lasso 2.0 Sets a New Standard for Web Database
Publishing on the Mac OS
Blue World Communications, Inc. began shipping Lasso 2.0, an upgrade to Lasso, for
Web-enabled database publishing with FileMaker Pro 3.0 for Mac OS. Lasso 2.0 is the
only complete solution for web-enabling and Java-enabling FileMaker Pro, the leading
Macintosh database from Claris Corporation. Lasso 2.0 is a fully integrated publishing
solution that is well suited to any size enterprise.
Lasso 2.0 is packed with features that previously required scores of separate solutions
costing thousands of dollars. Beyond advanced FileMaker Pro Web integration, Lasso
2.0 provides all the advanced dynamic Web database publishing capabilities one might
expect. This includes built-in image conversion, logging, comprehensive conditionals,
multi-tier remotely controlled security, ability to send Apple Events, complex Server
Side Include functions and more. Noteworthy is Lasso 2.0's new "Inline" command
which allows multiple database operations to be processed all within a single HTML
file. Also, Lasso 2.0 can now operate as an action based upon unique file suffixes and
reference format files stored anywhere across one's local network.
Unlike competitive solutions, Lasso 2.0 provides full support for FileMaker Pro
features such as repeating fields and related records via portals. What's more, Lasso
was the first and remains the only FileMaker Pro Web-enabling solution that contains
built-in email forwarding capabilities.
Lasso 2.0 operates on the principle of easily editable HTML files which contain all
database integration commands and dynamic page generation instructions alongside
standard HTML page elements. This extended HTML mark-up "language" is referred to
as the Lasso Dynamic Markup Language (LDML). The LDML method has proven itself
superior to users who quickly outgrow cumbersome and limited "wizard-like
approaches to database integration.
Lasso users operate in their HTML authoring environment of choice and use the
included GUI-based FM Link tool to drag-and-drop LDML commands into their Web
pages, providing the most direct way to add database functionality while working in a
graphical HTML editing environment.
Commerce Capabilities
Lasso 2.0 expands upon Lasso 1.2.1's already rich commerce capabilities providing
full cookie support and the ability to pass tokens along with the ability to send Apple
Events to MacAuthorize for credit card verification. With Lasso's built-in email
forwarding capability, one sends customer order receipts immediately via email.
Sample online shopping cart templates and databases are provided which assist users
with rapid cyberstore development.
Java-Enabling FileMaker Pro
Lasso 2.0 allows Java applets and applications to access FileMaker Pro databases from
anywhere on the Internet. Java developers use the provided set of Java classes to
create dynamic front-ends to FileMaker Pro data. Sample applets provided by Blue
World include a Java-based FileMaker Pro client that mimics the FileMaker Pro
standard interface, a Java-based chat forum code-named "CoffeeHouse", a Lasso Tags
database and a database info gathering example.
Built-in Web Server
Lasso 2.0 Server version offers a built-in Web server optimized for dedicated
FileMaker Pro Web database servers. Beyond all the capabilities found in the CGI and
plug-in versions, Lasso 2.0 Server provides standard Web server features including:
the ability to serve HTML, GIF, and JPEG files (in addition to other MIME types),
selectable port controls, suffix mapping, process controls based upon suffix name and
more.
Free Solutions
To assist users with building dynamic Web database solutions, Blue World provides
numerous free templates and databases. Solutions include online shopping carts,
guestbooks, discussion forums, Web calendars, numerous Java examples and more. A
listing of solutions is available at http://www.blueworld.com/lasso/solutions/.
Further information about Lasso including links to online examples and free
run-limited versions is available on the Lasso website at
http://www.blueworld.com/lasso/.
______________________________
StuffIt InstallerMaker 4.1 with Electronic Commerce
Capabilities now Available from Aladdin Systems, Inc.
Aladdin's Installer Gets New Tasks and Flag Alerts for
Improved Installations
Aladdin Systems, Inc., developer and publisher of the worldwide compression standard
StuffIt, today announced StuffIt InstallerMaker 4.1 began shipping. StuffIt
InstallerMaker allows developers to easily create custom software installers and
automatic trialware software (a time-locked demo) without any coding.
InstallerMaker is the only Macintosh installer with automatic trialware creation
capability. Trialware created with InstallerMaker can be purchased by end users with
the click of a button.
Six New Features in InstallerMaker 4.1
Two new Tasks make InstallerMaker faster and easier to use. The "Display Alert" Task
allows developers to show alert messages to users at any time during installation. The
"Launch" Task allows developers to create tasks to launch applications, open other
files, or launch additional installers that are necessary to the installation of their
software, without having to include them in the installer archive.
"Preserve Success/Fail Status," and the "Execute When" features let users know when
and if their installation succeeded. Preserve Success/Fail Status, allows developers to
preserve the flag that indicates whether the last Task and/or Find failed when
executing tasks, and the Execute When condition. Execute When is a new feature that
allows Tasks to be set to execute under three conditions: Always, If last Task/Find
succeeded, or If last Task/Find failed.
The fifth new feature is the "Edit Installer Finder Info." It allows developers to set the
Shared and File Locked flags for the installer, and/or the minimum and preferred
memory allocation. This feature makes it easier to retain the custom settings for the
installer.
The sixth new feature included in InstallerMaker 4.1 is added support for calling IMid
extensions before and after Alias and Rename tasks.
InstallerMaker 4.1 features time saving enhancements including: the capability to use
ShrinkWrap 2.0 and Aladdin's upcoming ShrinkWrap 3.0 for creating disk images as
part of the build process, a software license display mode during installation, a new
update architecture that creates software updaters in one tenth the time and up to 60%
smaller, support for building additional foreign language installers, a faster find,
easier
Internet TCP/IP configuration for ISPs, the ability to display banners and play sounds
during the installation process, as well as valuable user interface enhancements.
Electronic Commerce Solution
With InstallerMaker 4.1, developers can convert their software into trialware with
two simple menu selections; setting the purchase price and demo period, and adding
graphics. InstallerMaker creates a version of trialware with full featured electronic
commerce, a fast, simple extension of the installation creation process which
developers are already required to do, but without the extensive additional coding
necessary on other electronic commerce solutions.
When InstallerMaker's trialware feature is enabled, the user is notified every time
they run the software of the number of days or launches left in their trial period. They
are also given the opportunity to purchase the product from within the application.
The purchase may be made in real time via the Internet, modem connection, an 800
phone call, by fax, or postal mail. When the demo period expires users will not be able
to continue using the software without a purchase even if they reinstall it.
Creating Disk Images with ShrinkWrap
InstallerMaker has the capability to use ShrinkWrap to create disk images while
building an installer. This eliminates a time consuming step in the SCM process and
results in more reliable product builds. With Aladdin's ShrinkWrap technology
InstallerMaker can now produce the master disk images for duplication automatically.
Software License Dialog With Foreign Language Support
InstallerMaker supports a separate software license dialog box during installation.
Developers can add copies of their software license agreement in multiple languages
(Spanish, French, German, etc.) to be displayed before installation. The end user must
accept the terms of the license agreement before the installation will proceed.
Internet Configuration Support
New documentation and the Internet PrefSaver have been added to assist developers, in
configuring a Mac OS computer for Internet access. PrefSaver helps ensure user
account name and password information is propagated across common Internet
software packages such as Netscape Navigator, Eudora Lite, Microsoft Internet
Explorer, Internet Config and many others through Internet Config.
StuffIt InstallerMaker is distributed electronically through the World Wide Web at
http://www.aladdinsys.com and on CompuServe. InstallerMaker is sold through license
agreements directly from Aladdin. Current licensees can download a free upgrade of the
new version.
______________________________
Stalker Software adds Anti-Spamming Features to its
Mail Server Products
Stalker Software, Inc. has just released its latest feature, Anti-Spamming, for both
the CommuniGate Messaging System and the Stalker Internet Mail Server. The new
feature is especially popular for Internet Service Providers as they suffer the most
from senders of bulk email (spammers). Not only do Spam offenders fill mailboxes
that ISPs maintain for their clients, but they also abuse ISP mail servers, using them
as relays to distribute bulk email all over the world.
Anti-spam features are included into the both Stalker SMTP products: the commercial
CommuniGate SMTP module, and into the freeware Stalker Internet Mail Server
(SIMS).
The first feature allows the server administrator to put the network addresses of
spammer hosts into the server Black List: all connections from those hosts are
rejected, and no mail is taken from those hosts. There are already several web sites on
the Internet that maintain a list of offending hosts addresses: information from those
sites can be used to fill the Black List.
The second feature allows the administrator to restrict relaying features of SMTP
servers, thus making the servers useless for spammers. The server administrator can
specify the network addresses of all "legitimate" clients of that server. Usually, it's
just all the addresses on the server LAN, but it can be any set of addresses.
While messages submitted from those "listed" addresses can be sent (relayed) to any
address on the Internet, and messages received from any Internet address can be sent to
any "listed" system, messages from "unlisted" addresses are not relayed to other
"unlisted" addresses. This makes the host useless for spammers that would want to
employ it for relaying their messages all over the Net.
These new versions of the CommuniGate SMTP and the Stalker Internet Mail Server
implement the standard mail protocols (POP,SMTP,POP,PWD) via AppleTalk, in
addition to TCP/IP. Now mailers that support AppleTalk connections, such as the Claris
Emailer, can use both Stalker standard-based servers on AppleTalk-only LANs -- the
feature that was available only with proprietary products such as Claris OfficeMail.
These latest updates allow Stalker to offer the special package of (25-users license
with UUCP, POP, SMTP, and PWD modules, regular price $400) for just $189 to all
owners of the Claris Office servers.
The Stalker Internet Mail Server can be downloaded from
http://www.stalker.com/SIMS. This product is free, but it is backed up with the
Stalker technical support staff and has a dedicated mailing list.
To allow all Macintosh mail server administrators to employ these new features as
soon as possible, a utility to convert Apple/Eudora Mail Server accounts into Stalker
Internet Mail Server accounts is posted on the Stalker Web site at
http://www.stalker.com/SIMS/Converter.html.
The CommuniGate SMTP and other components of the CommuniGate Integrated
Messaging System can be downloaded from http://www.stalker.com/CommuniGate.
Updates to the new version of the CommuniGate SMTP module are free.
______________________________
ClearWay Technologies Ships FireSite Web Site
Accelerator 2.1 Optimized for ISDN-based Web
Servers
Boston, MA., July 11, 1997 -- ClearWay Technologies, Inc. today announced an
updated version of its FireSite(tm) Web Site Accelerator, which contains special
optimizations for ISDN-based Web servers. When used with ISDN lines running at
speeds from 56Kbps to 128Kbps, FireSite 2.1 can sustain page delivery speeds
exceeding 500Kbps, and can increase Web site "traffic capacity" by 400-800%.
FireSite 2.1 also can now operated in conjunction with "virtual ISDN connections".
Free demos are available from http://www.clearway.com/pages/demos.html.
Many ISDN Webmasters are now hosting additional "virtual" Web sites, and FireSite
2.1, with its integrated Virtual Domain Manager, provides an excellent solution.
FireSite 2.1 Standard and Multimedia Edition include the FireSite Virtual Domain
Manager, the Web's most advanced single-IP Web hosting system. Because server load
and bandwidth requirements increase as more sites are hosted, FireSite's speed and
capacity increases are a perfect companion for Webmasters hosting virtual Web sites
on ISDN lines.
The list of all FireSite 2.1 products and prices is available at
http://www.clearway.com/pages/orderpage.html.
______________________________
Apple Computer Bundles EveryWare's Tango
Enterprise and Butler SQL
EveryWare Development, Inc. reached a software distribution agreement with Apple
Computer, Inc. The agreement is to bundle Tango Enterprise and Butler SQL,
EveryWare's intranet rapid application development tool and relational database
management system with the Apple Internet Server Solution.
Apple Computer, Inc. is focused on providing a complete solution to organizations in
business, education, or publishing that want to establish a significant presence on the
Web. The Apple Internet Server Solution, which is one of three available software
solutions for Apple's Workgroup Server family, addresses the unique demands of the
Web server market by combining software from industry-leading Internet developers
with Apple's powerful new Workgroup servers.
Tango Enterprise is a leading-edge development tool for creating dynamic, Web-based
applications for the Internet or corporate intranets. Tango's visual development
environment allows Web developers to rapidly develop and deploy sophisticated Web
applications that are integrated with databases. Tango Enterprise will integrate two of
the most popular databases on the Macintosh: FileMaker Pro from Claris Corp. and
Butler SQL from EveryWare Development Inc. Tango Enterprise will also work with
all other ODBC compliant databases including Oracle, Informix, SQL Server, Sybase,
Access, and DB2
The Tango product family allows for rapid construction of dynamic Web sites. The
family consists of Tango Enterprise, Tango for Access, Tango for FileMaker, and Tango
Merchant. The Bolero product family enables Web administrators to effective analyze
and maintain high volume Web sites. This product is presently shipping on the
Macintosh.