Dec 97 - NewsBits
Volume Number: 13
Issue Number: 12
Column Tag: Newsbits
Dec 97 - Newsbits
by Jessica Courtney
Deneba Adds Web Design Capabilities to Canvas with
Colada
Web-publishing tool to debut in Canvas 5.0.3 update
Deneba Software announced that it is shipping Colada, its new web page authoring
plug-in tool for Canvas 5. Colada, which is Java based, allows Canvas 5 users to create
pixel-perfect Internet pages quickly and easily. Colada emphasizes ease-of-use,
instant access to Canvas 5's robust features, effortless previewing capabilities, and
functionality as its underlying strengths.
Canvas 5 users are invited to download Colada from the company's web-site. Deneba is
featuring Colada in its Canvas 5.0.3 update which is shipping free of charge to all
registered Canvas users.
Colada is a one-step solution for creating visually appealing, intricate web pages
within Canvas 5. There is no need to learn HTML code with Colada. Each web page is
automatically saved using both Java applets and HTML code. Colada operates on both
Mac OS and Windows platforms. Colada is compatible with all modern browsers
enabling users to view web pages with or without Java support.
Since all page design takes place within Canvas, there is a short learning curve. URL
management is both simple and intuitive. Hyperlinks can be assigned to any object by
simply accessing the URL command and URL attachment palette. Assigned hyperlinked
objects can contain links to pages within a Canvas publication, to traditional HTML
pages, or to external links at remote web sites.
Canvas users can link http, ftp, and mailto URL tags to any object or text selection in
Canvas 5. Users can apply any colors and text styles to hyperlinked text. The URL
attachment palette also allows users to find objects that have a specified URL assigned
to them and remove the URL assigned to any object or text selection. Colada users can
even choose URL prefixes (text at the beginning of Internet addresses) in order to
quickly assign web, ftp, and e-mail addresses from the pop-up menu.
http://www.deneba.com
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Digital Alchemy Upgrades Mercutio MDEF to Support
Mac OS 8
Digital Alchemy announced the release of the Mercutio MDEF version 1.3.4. The
Mercutio MDEF is a Menu DEFinition resource that allow developers to easily extend
the power of their application menus. Mercutio allow menu items to have
multiple-modifier key-equivalents (e.g. shift-command-C), custom icons, item
callbacks, and other goodies. Mercutio menus may also contain "dynamic menu items
that allow a single menu item to change depending on what modifiers are held down.
Dynamic menu items keep menus short while allowing the flexibility of keyboard
shortcuts.
Version 1.3.4 adds compatibility with Mac OS 8, the Appearance Manager (including
Platinum Theme), improves compatibility with Kaleidoscope, and fixes a number of
bugs. Mercutio works under System 6, System 7, and Mac OS 8, and does not require
any external system extensions. Mercutio can be downloaded from the Digital Alchemy
web site.
The documentation for Mercutio follows the style of Apple's "Inside Macintosh
manuals, and is in Adobe's Acrobat format.
Developers may use Mercutio free of charge as long as they include certain credits in
the About box and documentation, and supply Digital Alchemy with a copy of the final
program (including future upgrades for as long as the software uses Mercutio.) See
"Mercutio Software License.pdf" for details on terms of use. Other licensing terms are
available.
http://www.digitalalchemy.com/mercutio
______________________________
Stagecast to Bring Apple's Cocoa Technology to
Market
Startup Licenses Proven Authoring Technology for Kids
Stagecast Software, Inc., a K-12 software company, announced that it will develop
commercial products based on Apple Computer Inc.'s Cocoa technology. Due to recent
changes at Apple, the computer company discontinued commercial development of
Cocoa.
Members of the original Apple development team formed Stagecast to further their
dream of creating a product line that takes advantage of the simple graphical
programming technology first demonstrated in Cocoa.
Cocoa is an authoring tool and player for desktop and web-based children's software.
Apple Computer currently distributes a research prototype of the software tool.
Apple's latest design release of Cocoa for the Mac OS, version DR2, has been available
as a free, unsupported prototype from Apple's web site since July 1997. Version DR2
is now available for free download from Stagecast's web site, and from Apple's web
site.
http://www.stagecast.com
http://cocoa.apple.com
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OpenBase Lite Free
OpenBase International, Ltd. announced that it is providing a single user version of its
popular OpenBase SQL database FREE on Windows NT and Apple's next generation OS,
code named Rhapsody. The FREE deployment license, called OpenBase Lite, allows single
user applications to access local databases. Multi-user OpenBase Network licenses
which are 100% compatible with the free license are available for purchase.
OpenBase is a high performance SQL engine that handles all of the complexities of data
storage and multi-user communication for end-user applications. Aggressive
multi-threading, row level locking, text searching, change notification and variable
record length technology makes OpenBase a robust database solution.
OpenBase Lite
OpenBase Lite provides a zero administration database interface. An EOF adaptor is
included.
OpenBase Network
OpenBase Network provides high performance and unparalleled ease of use. Along with
support for the latest object-oriented tools, including Enterprise Objects Framework
and WebObjects, OpenBase Network offers graphical tools for designing database
schemas, managing user access and viewing database information. ODBC and Java
support is available.
http://www.openbase.com
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Neon Software's NetMinder Ethernet 4.1
Neon Software announced an upgrade to NetMinder Ethernet version 4.0, their
software-only network protocol analyzer. Version 4.1 addresses key needs created by
the latest Mac OS system and Ethernet hardware.
Running native on any Macintosh or Power Macintosh equipped with a supported 10 or
100 Megabit Ethernet interface, NetMinder Ethernet captures and decodes a full range
of Ethernet protocols. In addition to NetMinder Ethernet's original features, such as
Packet Inference, which automatically detects and recommends solutions for many
types of Ethernet network problems, and Packet Explain, which provides protocol
descriptions for all packet types decoded, NetMinder Ethernet allows the user to do
packet filtering, post-filtering, and triggering, features previously found only in
very expensive hardware-based analyzers.
NetMinder Ethernet 4.0 registered users may upgrade FREE to version 4.1 from Neon
Software's website. Registered users of NetMinder Ethernet 1, 2 or 3 may upgrade to
version 4.1 for only $99 until December 31st, 1997.
http://www.neon.com
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Fantasm 5
Lightsoft announced the release of the demo of Fantasm 5, a Macintosh assembly
language development environment. Fantasm 5 is a major upgrade produced over the
last two years.
This release addresses four major areas:
• Flexibility
• Ease of use
• Speed
• Modularity
Fantasm 5 is designed to allow the creation of most any kind of high speed Mac
application, code resource, fragment, control panel, extension, shared library etc.
Also useful for accelerating higher level C and Pascal projects.
It has a new graphical project manager which allows the use of multiple open projects,
embedded projects and merged targets. It provides a new plug in architecture with
publically available API. It's up to 260% faster than the version it replaces and uses
processor emulation to spot pipeline stalls and dependencies in your source code
making it easy to produce very high speed code.
http://www.tau.it/lightsoft
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BBEdit Integrates with New Macromedia Tool
Bare Bones Software, Inc. today announced their participation in a collaboration with
Macromedia, Inc. to provide high-technology Web authoring tools. As the result of this
effort, BBEdit, the premier text and HTML editor for the Mac OS, will integrate
seamlessly with the Mac OS version of Dreamweaver, the new visual Web authoring
tool announced today by Macromedia.
This unprecedented level of integration is made possible through a close technology
partnership between the two companies. Macromedia and Bare Bones Software
engineers jointly developed the integration technology behind "Roundtrip HTML" by
taking advantage of capabilities unique to the Mac OS and BBEdit's high-tech
architecture, enabling the two tools to cleanly exchange HTML code and preserve the
integrity of the author's composition.
To ensure that all Dreamweaver customers benefit from this integration with BBEdit,
Macromedia is bundling a copy of BBEdit with Dreamweaver. In addition, Dreamweaver
customers can register their copy of BBEdit with Bare Bones Software, and thus
become eligible for future upgrades and other benefits. BBEdit 4.5 is currently
available from Developer Depot and Bare Bones Software, Inc.
http://www.macromedia.com
http://www.devdepot.com
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Claris Ships FileMaker Pro 4.0 for Windows and Mac
Claris Corp. announced the immediate availability of FileMaker Pro 4.0 for Windows
NT, Windows 3.1 and Mac OS, the newest version of its award-winning cross platform
relational database software.
Now with built-in HTTP server and CGI (Common Gateway Interface) capabilities at an
estimated retail price of just $199 (U.S.), FileMaker Pro 4.0 will collect and serve
dynamic data over the Web from computers with access to the Internet or an intranet
via TCP/IP. FileMaker Pro 4.0 is a breakthrough intranet solution for corporate
workgroups and small businesses in need of convenient, cost-efficient access to
databases. FileMaker Pro 4.0 may also be used to serve data to sophisticated Web sites,
created by popular web authoring tools.
Getting a FileMaker Pro 4.0 database onto the Web is incredibly easy using the
product's new Web Companion plug-in. With just the click of a check box, users can
perform major navigational and editing operations on the Web automatically.
FileMaker Pro 4.0 provides an easy way to connect Web pages to databases so that
visitors to the site can easily find information they require. Security features to limit
browser access privileges are also included, and FileMaker Pro Web hosting is
available through numerous companies.
Among other advanced features: FileMaker Pro 4.0 includes a unique drag and drop
Excel translation tool that converts most "spreadsheet databases" into full-bodied
FileMaker Pro databases in just seconds. Users can send email from within FileMaker
Pro 4.0, making it ideal for large mailings (ListServing). Fields may be set to
automatically open specified URLs with just a click.
Volume pricing is available, and upgrades from FileMaker Pro 3.0 and competitive
products are available at an estimated retail price of $99 (U.S. only).
http://www.filemaker.com
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Jovis Database Engine
DAS Works, maker of ListTable, announced the release and shipment of Jovis Version
1.0.4, an XCmd database engine, and the only fully scriptable database engine available
for the Macintosh. It allows users to create single-user, and/or client/server
applications with any scriptable application such as HyperCard, SuperCard, Oracle
Media Objects, Frontier, and others. With Jovis, data is kept in database files external
to the application. The application's scripts include Jovis "calls" that manage and
update these files.
Because Jovis was designed and created as an extension to scripting environmen ts (not
"spun-off" from a database management system or any product that requires expert
knowledge of SQL), it is easy to learn and simple to use. Jovis provides over 175
Relational and Architectural commands. The Relational commands provide all of the
standard features and performance requirements expected in a relational database
system. The Architectural commands, (commonly referred to as "Flat File" commands)
include many enhancements and capabilities, making them far more useful and
beneficial than ordinary file utility commands.
With Jovis, developers can store and retrieve text as blocks of data, or as records
using relational tables. Additionally, they can store and retrieve 'Pict's, 'snd ', and
'Blob's (Binary Large OBjects). Developers have the ease of use that comes with
variable field and record lengths as well as concurrent multiple selections. Most
importantly, Jovis gives developers the ability to keep their data separate from their
application's interface.
A Jovis datafile can contain virtually unlimited amounts and types of data. Users can
store hundreds of thousands of records in a single data file, or in multiple open data
files, limited only by hardware sonstrants.
Jovis Server uses classic AppleTalk and System 7.1 or greater. It can reach across
zones and allow access from any location on a network. No other file servers or
network software is required.
The comprehensive printed manual provides everything necessary for both learning
and using Jovis. There are 16 tutorials, 3 syntax reference sections, and extensive
appendices.
http://www.dasworks.com/
______________________________
PowerTools is Now Shipping the Fastest Mac OS
Compatible Computer
PowerTools announced that they have in stock and are shipping the new X-Factor
series Mac OS compatible computers. Based on the greatly anticipated G3 (Arthur)
processor with a "back-side cache," these new systems will out perform any
currently shipping models by over 40% in speed. The available configurations are as
follows:
• X-Factor 1: 250Mhz (G3 Arthur processor) mini-tower 32MB / 2.1GB
scsi-3 hard drive / 24x CD / 512k "back side" L2 cache / 4MB IMS video
card / KB / 10-Base-T ethernet / Mac OS 8 / FWB hard disk tool kit -
$3,999.
• X-Factor 2: 250Mhz (G3 Arthur processor) mini-tower 80MB / 9.1GB
fast-wide hard drive / fast-wide SCSI-3 card / 24x CD / 512k "back-side
L2 cache / 4MB IMS video card / KB / 10-Base-T ethernet / Mac OS 8 / FWB
hard disk tool kit.- $4,999.
The G3 series of PowerPC processors from Motorola and IBM have been tested to be the
fastest currently available. The speed and performance of the processor is also greatly
enhanced by "back-side cache" technology, which allows for much faster
communication rates (Mhz) between the processor and the cache card. When combined,
the resulting performance level far exceeds any currently shipping Mac OS or Wintel
computer in the world regardless of the CPU MHz speed.
Equipped with the fastest possible components, the X-Factor excels in every single
category. Hard disk transfer rates (sustained) of up to 22MB/Sec can be achieved by
the X-Factor 2. A 24x CD Rom player gives much faster access to applications or
games from CD-Rom disks. Video support is via an IMS TwinTurbo 128bit video card,
often rated as #1 in speed and performance. Millions of colors (photo-realistic) can
be achieved up to a 1152 x 870 resolution (21" standard monitor).
PowerTools first started shipping Mac OS computers in 1996 when it received its
license. Since then, PowerTools has consistently produced Mac OS compatible
computers with the highest performance to price ratio in the Macintosh industry.
http://www.pwrtools.com