Jan 98 - NewsBits
Volume Number: 14
Issue Number: 1
Column Tag: Newsbits
Jan 98 - Newsbits
by Jessica Courtney
SpotCheck 1.0
GenieWorks, LLC announced the release of SpotCheck 1.0 for the Macintosh. SpotCheck
is a language-based editor that "knows" the Java language. It is designed to help a Java
programmer produce correct code without relying on confusing and untimely feedback
from a compiler.
Specifically, SpotCheck identifies syntax errors and semantic errors (undefined
names, type mismatches, etc.) -- those errors normally returned by a compiler. This
analysis is performed after each edit, giving the programmer immediate feedback on
errors.
SpotCheck provides a host of additional features, including:
• Smart links to name declarations.
• Cross-referenced Java APIs.
• Editing with popup menus.
• Interfaces to helper apps to compile & run.
• Hierarchical project browsing.
• Color-coded syntax.
http://www.genieworks.com/
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SiteWarrior Wages War On Web Site Complexity
ProVUE Development has released SiteWarrior, a new program that uses a
revolutionary approach for authoring and managing medium to large web sites. This
approach makes HTML coding faster, more flexible and more productive by using an
ultra fast RAM based database to manage the structure of an entire web site.
SiteWarrior automates tedious tasks such as building tables, catalogs, tables of
contents, navigation banners, links to neighboring pages, and other repetitive
elements within a web site. Unlike most web authoring tools, SiteWarrior does not
attempt to eliminate the need for HTML with WYSIWYG features. Instead, SiteWarrior
embraces HTML and automates HTML production with custom "HTML factories
controlled by user defined templates.
By holding the entire web site in a single powerful database, all structures and links
are updated automatically as pages are added, renamed, or deleted. This guarantees that
there will be no broken links within a site. The web site author can search, replace, or
check spelling in a single page or across the entire site. SiteWarrior also manages all
GIF and JPEG images with a built in image database.
SiteWarrior is designed to work smoothly with other web products. Because
SiteWarrior uses a non-WYSIWYG, pure text editor, it never modifies existing page
tags in any way. SiteWarrior works with any version of HTML and is compatible with
JavaScript and all browsers, CGI's, plug-ins and applets, current and future. The
finished web site does not require any special server software, and is compatible with
servers on any platform. SiteWarrior also includes automatic FTP uploading for
working with remote servers.
http://www.sitewarrior.com
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Objective-Everything Release 5
TipTop Software, Inc. announced Release 5 of the Objective-Everything development
system for OPENSTEP (Rhapsody, Windows, and Mach), including Objective-Python,
Objective-Tcl, Objective-Perl, and Objective-Browser.
Objective-Everything provides true language independence for the OPENSTEP (Yellow
Box) object model. It allows you to develop programs for OPENSTEP without being
restricted by the lack of expressiveness, class libraries, or other limitations of a
particular programming language. With Objective-Everything you can use the
language best suited for the task at hand, or even mix-and-match languages.
Objective-Everything is a development tool for anyone who develops under OPENSTEP,
including programmers who just want to program in straight Objective-C.
Objective-Everything is ideally suited for rapid application prototyping and
development, application scripting, regression testing, exploratory programming, and
much more.
Objective-Browser is a graphical tool which allows you to visualize objects and
object-relations in a running program. This is a tool for all Apple Macintosh
developers getting familiar with the OPENSTEP development environment! The
browser allows you to view live objects within a running application in many
object-specific ways. OB allows you to easily investigate the structure and methods of
various objects and classes. For example, classes hierarchy, methods, instance
variables, and other object information can be viewed and edited during execution.
OB is extensible. You can provide object-specific browser nodes and custom inspectors
for any object in the system. OB is dynamically loaded on demand and can be used from
any application.
http://www.tiptop.com
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NetCloak 2.5 Upgrade
Maxum Development Corporation announced the release of NetCloak 2.5, a major
revision to the Web server tool for creating dynamic Web pages. NetCloak, the first
commercial Web server tool ever available for Macintosh, has been included on the
Apple Internet Server Solution for well over a year, and is now included as a standard
component of Apple's AppleShare IP 5.0.2 package. The new version adds dozens of new
capabilities, improved support for the wide range of servers available for the Mac OS,
better 3rd-party tools support, and more.
http://www.maxum.com
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DynaMorph 1.5 Application Server
Morph Technologies, Inc. announced that it has released DynaMorph 1.5, the latest
version of its flagship server-side scripting language. DynaMorph enables a website
or application developer to employ the power of CGI programming directly inside of
HTML documents without the need for advanced PERL or C++ programming skills.
With the latest release, Morph Technologies is again morphing the future of technology
on the Web by making it even easier to build sophisticated websites and web-based
applications.
Version 1.5 of DynaMorph adds database connectivity for all ODBC-compatible
databases on Windows NT/95 and Mac servers as well as native database support for
Unix-based databases. Also available with the current release are PC- and
Mac-Authorize plug-ins which enable real-time, credit card authorization directly
from any webserver.
With DynaMorph, it is easier to perform the tasks associated with website creation
and maintenance as well as to develop sophisticated web-based applications which
previously required an intimate knowledge of CGI programming. Examples include
discussion forums, chat servers, on-line scholastic testing systems, interactive
training, adaptive information publishing, product registration, and electronic
commerce.
DynaMorph is the only true cross-platform server-side scripting engine, with
support for Windows NT/95, Mac OS and Unix. This enables web development
companies (or internal IS/Web departments) to perform site or application
development work on Macs or PCs, yet deliver their work to clients running websites,
intranets and web-based applications on NT or Unix platforms. A website or
application built using DynaMorph can literally be moved from one computer to
another, independent of the operating system, and work automatically with no
additional effort required.
DynaMorph not only eases the creation of web pages with dynamic content, but also
greatly simplifies the maintenance of static pages. DynaMorph accomplishes this by
taking a site creation and maintenance perspective rather than simply one of
individual page creation and maintenance.
With over 175 commands that can be embedded into HTML, Java, JavaScript, VRML
and other documents, DynaMorph provides the expressiveness and flexibility demanded
by sophisticated web site development teams. Yet it also includes many pre-built,
easy-to-use templates which make it immediately useful to both programmers and
non-programmers alike.
http://www.morphtech.com
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Roaster Release 4 Product Family: All Java - Cross
Platform and Extensible
With its first announcement of detailed information regarding the eagerly awaited
Roaster Release 4, Roaster Technologies revealed that the new release is written
entirely in Java(tm), utilizes the Java(tm) Foundation Classes, and is the basis for
its Data and Enterprise Editions. Release 4 is the cornerstone of the extended Roaster
family of development software for high-end professional developers working in Java.
The environment is completely extensible, enabling the integration of a wide variety of
technologies.
The Release 4 project was originally started using Roaster Release 3 on the Macintosh,
heavily utilizing the Internet Foundation Classes from Netscape.
Roaster is one of the first Java development environments to be written entirely in
Java, based on JDK 1.1 and written utilizing the Java Foundation Classes. This support
gives Roaster users a consistent development experience across all major operating
system platforms.
Roaster products products are available through the Developer Depot at
http://www.devdepot.com. Roaster Release 4 is scheduled to ship at the end of Q1,
1998. The public beta release is scheduled for January.
http://www.roaster.com/
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Nationwode Lasso Training Course Announced
Blue World Communications, Inc. and Chris Moyer Consulting, Inc. announced the
availability of Mastering Lasso I, a product proficiency training course for Lasso 2.0,
the leading third party solution for web-enabling FileMaker Pro databases. This two
day hands-on course allows users to sharpen their skills and provides users of Blue
World's Lasso 2.0 recognition for their knowledge and expertise with professional
certification for completing Mastering Lasso I. A follow-up course Mastering Lasso II
is scheduled for early 1998.
In addition to Lasso product training, users will receive hands-on experience with
FileMaker Pro from Claris Corporation, BBEdit from Bare Bones Software and
WebSTAR from Starnine Technologies. User will also receive promotional materials, a
Mastering Lasso I certificate, future discounts for training courses offered by Chris
Moyer Consulting, future consideration for Blue World's Business Partner Program
and qualify for free Mac OS Web software worth over $1,000.
http://www.fmpro.com/lassotraining/
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OpenBase Updates
OpenBase International, Ltd. has made OpenBase Network and OpenBase Lite available
for both the PC-Compatibles and PPC versions of Rhapsody.
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 is a FREE run time license to the SQL database. The purpose of the
license is to allow software vendors to sell shrink-wrapped database applications
without paying royalties for single licenses.
OpenBase Lite provides a zero administration database interface. An EOF adaptor is
included. OpenBase Lite does not include development tools and should not be used to
host web applications (this would violate the license agreement).
OpenBase Lite for Yellow-Box on NT will be made available as soon as Yellow-box on
NT is available. OpenBase Lite will not be available for OpenStep 4.2 systems.
http://www.openbase.com
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New Scripting Tool Adds Macro Capabilities
Nombas, Inc. announced the release of the ScriptEase:Integration SDK 4.0 developers'
kit for applications and embedded systems. The kit enables application developers to
enhance, extend and customize their applications using the flexible, easy-to-use,
JavaScript compatible, ScriptEase scripting language. The ScriptEase:Integration SDK
allows developers to quickly and simply embed a fully functional script language
interpreter into any C/C++ application.
Over 90% of all browser client-side dynamic content on the web is already being
developed with JavaScript. By merging ScriptEase with JavaScript, Nombas is making
JavaScript available for all classes of software and embedded systems, not just for
browsers. ScriptEase:Integration SDK leverages the popularity, power and
ease-of-use of JavaScript (an international standard under the name "ECMAScript")
to enable developers to customize and extend applications far beyond their
off-the-shelf capabilities. ScriptEase:Integration SDK provides the full power of an
interpreter engine without the time, engineering or hardware resources required to
develop a proprietary macro language. ScriptEase:Integration SDK allows for more
flexible applications, improved code re-use, easier portability and significantly
reduced application development times.
Incorporating the ScriptEase (JavaScript) language into your application is a fast and
straight-forward process. Through simple initializing function calls, the ScriptEase
engine is directly integrated into your application. The ScriptEase:Integration SDK's
80 API functions allow the application unlimited interaction with the script language
and vice versa. The ScriptEase:Integration SDK offers a safe and controlled
environment in which to access application functions and data and can be executed from
within a single 64k segment.
Platforms and operating systems supported by the ScriptEase:Integration SDK include
Windows 3.1, Windows `95/NT/PPC, Linux, Unix, DOS, OS/2, Mac OS, NetWare, and
embedded systems. OS/390 and 100% Pure Java upgrades will be available in Q1,
1998.
http://www.nombas.com
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Natural Intelligence Spins Off DragStrip; Macintosh
Desktop Utility
Natural Intelligence, Inc. announced the sale of DragStrip, its award winning desktop
utility for the Macintosh. This action reflects Natural Intelligence's focus on the
expansion of its core custom software consulting business, and its newly formed
Corporate Java Division. DragStrip will be acquired by Christopher Evans, the
original creator of the product, who will upgrade, support and distribute the product
as a shareware product.
DragStrip 3.0's new features include the ability to have multiple tabbed pages on a
strip, improved support for MacOS 8, including contextual menus, new "Strip" styles,
easier configuration, support for URLs and more.
http://www.natural.com
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Metrowerks Announces First Quarter 1998 Revenues
of US$6.2 Million
Company Records Profit of US$237,000, or $0.02 per
Share, for Quarter
Metrowerks Inc., a provider of software development tools, today announced its results
of operations for the first quarter of its fiscal year ending July 31, 1998
(Q1FYJuly98).
Revenues for Q1FYJuly98 totaled US$6.15 million, an increase of 65% over revenues
of US$3.77 million for the corresponding Q1FYJuly97. Revenues for Q4FYJuly97
totaled US$6.23 million. As in previous years, revenues for Q1FYJuly98 were
approximately the same as revenues for Q4FYJuly 97.
In Q1 FYJuly98, the Company reported a net profit of US$237,000 (US$0.02 per
share on a fully diluted basis), compared to a net loss of US$135,000 (US$0.01 per
share) for the corresponding Q1FYJuly97, and compared to net income of
US$155,000 for the previous quarter, Q4FYJuly97.
The Company completed a financing during the quarter, whereby the Company will
issue 1.25 million shares at $10.08 per share. The Company had a cash balance of
approximately $15.5 million on October 31, 1997.
The Company has two main revenue streams; the sale of shrink-wrapped software, or
product revenues, and product agreement revenues, whereby companies pay
Metrowerks to support their platforms. Product revenues for Q1FYJuly98 comprised
74 percent of total revenues, or $4.53 million.
Cost of goods sold for Q1FYJuly98 were 18% of net revenues compared to 17% for
Q4FYJuly97. In Q1FYJuly98, R&D expenses totaled US$2.1 million as compared to
US$2.3 million in Q4FYJuly97. R&D expenses were down slightly as the Company has
ramped up headcount to a point where less third party consultants are needed for
development projects. SG&A and technical support expenses totaled US$2.37 million
in Q1FYJuly98 and US$2.44 million in Q4FYJuly97. SG&A expenses were down
slightly, as the Company increased its focus on operational expenses.
http://www.metrowerks.com