For those of you on a news diet...

Multi-user Inside Out II

Sierra Software Innovations has started shipping its multi-user version of Inside Out II. Inside Out II is a database engine that handles the storage, retrieval and manipulation of data in a relational database. It is supplied as a library of linkable object code with 190 implemented procedures and functions. Inside Out II leaves developers completely free to design the interface as they choose, yet alleviates them from having to write the database engine.

The newest version of the database engine has been field tested at speed levels up to 300% greater than the previous version. In addition, the new version allows multiple databases within an application, and features sets for high speed query resolution, high speed sorts and high speed retrieval of groups of records. The software is System 7.0 friendly and compatible with A/UX.

Inside Out II retails for $795 in the multi-user version. Its single-user version retails for $595. Registered owners of version 1.3 may upgrade from between $200-$400. For further information, contact Sierra Software Innovations, Box AV, 923 Tahoe Blvd., Suite 102, Incline Village, NV 89450, Toll free sales: 800/621-0631, Main office: 702/832-0300, Fax: 702/832-7753.

New AppMaker for System 7

Bowers Development Corp. has released the latest version of AppMaker, version 1.5, which helps programmers create System 7.0 applications complete with balloon help. AppMaker 1.5 supports AppleEvents, stationery, and movable modal dialogs. This new version features a ‘pane’ resource editor for the THINK Class Library 1.1, a new manual, and new features such as font, size, style. AppMaker generates code for the new versions of THINK C 5.0, THINK Pascal 4.0, TCL 1.1, MPW Pascal and C 3.2, MacApp 2.0 and 3.0b3, and Modula-2.

Enhancements to AppMaker include the addition of font, size, style, a Show Screen Sizes command which shows the standard 9” and 13” screen sizes, Align Items, and spinning cursors. AppMaker lists for $299 and carries a 60-day money-back guarantee. The cost of the upgrade is $45.00 plus $4 shipping (in the U.S.). All registered users who have purchased AppMaker since August 1, 1991 will automatically receive a free upgrade in the mail. Current U.S. AppMaker owners can order the upgrade by sending $49.00 to Bowers Development Corp., or by ordering by phone. For more information contact: Bowers Development, P.O. Box 9, Lincoln Center, MA 01773, 508/369-8175, Fax: 508/369-8224, AppleLink: D1721.

DataPak’s Bag of Tricks

DataPak Software, Inc. of Vancouver, Washington has released Programmer’s “Bag of Tricks”. The Programmer’s “Bag of Tricks” is a library consisting of six sections: List boxes; Modem & Communications; Off-screen Drawing; Scroll bars; Dialog Support; and an array of other useful routines. Each section and the associated routes are documented and ready for immediate use. The library is shipped with source code written in THINK C. Interface files are also provided for MPW and THINK Pascal.

In addition, On-Line Help Construction Kit™ is a new programming library from DataPak Software that makes integrating on-line “Help” an easy task. On-Line Help Construction Kit is an object code library and utility program that generates and supports a hierarchical and user-activated help system in any Macintosh® application. An on-line help system can be set up with multiple hierarchical levels making an application easy to use while reducing customer service costs. With the on-line documentation generator and illustrator you can reduce or eliminate printed materials and package costs.

The complete Programmer’s “Bag of Tricks” sells for $134.50. The On-Line Help Construction Kit is available for a license fee of $295. Interested programmers and developers should contact DataPak Software, 9317 N.E. Highway 99, Suite G, Vancouver, Washington 98665, 800/327-6703 or 206/573-9155, Fax: 206/573-9269.

UserLand Ships Frontier 1.0!

UserLand Software, Inc. is now shipping Frontier 1.0. Frontier is a development platform for utilities that automate, customize and simplify the Macintosh operating system, file system, networks and System-7 compatible applications. Frontier is the first system-level scripting language for Macintosh. Scripts can be launched from the Finder desktop, from Frontier’s menu bar, or from compatible applications and can run as background processes. Frontier includes a built-in fully scriptable outliner and word processor; outline-based script editor and debugger; interactive symbol tables; and easy-to-use menu bar editor; a powerful object database that stores information permanently and facilitates commun-ication between scripts and application.

Frontier 1.0 is priced at $179 for single units and can be purchased directly from UserLand. Discounts are available for 5- and 10-packs. For more information, contact: UserLand Software, 490 California Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94306, 800/845-1772, 415/325-5700, Fax: 415/325-9829, AppleLink: USERLAND.DTS.

Addison-Wesley explains ISDN

Addison-Wesley is now shipping ISDN in Perspective. Fred Goldstein demystifies Integrated Services Digital Networks in this witty and insightful account of the major changes taking place in telecommunications today. ISDN in Perspective is a useful resource for technical managers who must acquaint themselves with ISDN jargon, protocols, and standards. The book illustrates the applications that potential users are most likely to find valuable and describes the various services that an ISDN can offer to its subscribers. The author looks at the current technology of ISDN and takes a glimpse at Broadband ISDN and the future of high-speed net-works. The $32.25 book is now available.

Zen and the Art of Resource Editing

Peachpit Press has announced its lineup of new and recently released Mac books including Zen and the Art of Resource Editing. This is the 3rd Edition, compiled by the highly respected Berkeley Macintosh Users Group. It introduces the reader to what ResEdit can do and how to use it to tailor the Macintosh to better meet the user’s needs. This new edition (with diskette) covers ResEdit from a non-programmer’s point of view but with enough technical information to make sense of the program’s many capabilities. Included are discussions of resources, dialogs and fonts, as well as ways to customize the Finder, menus, the keyboard map, icons, and many other aspects of the Macintosh system. Featuring an abundance of figures and clarifications, this new edition has been revised, updated, and enlarged to include System 7’s new features. The $24.95 book is available from Peachpit Press, 2414 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710, 800/283-9444, Fax: 510/548-5991.

AAAI and IAAI Conferences

The Tenth National Conference on Artificial Intelligence will be held on July 12-17 at the San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California. The Fourth Annual Conference on Innovative Application of Artificial Intelligence will also be held at this time in the same location.

Contact American Association for Artificial Intelligence, 445 Burgess Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, 414/328-3123, Fax 415/321-4457, electronic mail iaai@aaai.org.

XVT-Design Release 1.0

XVT Software Inc. is now shipping XVT-Design Release 1.0. XVT-Design is an interactive design tool and application generator for any of the XVT supported platforms. With XVT-Design, you can generate C code for the applica-tion’s user interface automatically.

Using XVT-Design, you can create GUI resources, such as dialog boxes, controls and menus, designing their layout in a graphical manner. XVT-Design eliminates the need for developers to calculate the screen coordinates for each control placed in a window or dialog box. In addition, the GUI resources that you create for on environment can be moved to any of six environments. For more information contact: XVT Software Inc., 4900 Pearl East Circle, Box 18750, Boulder, CO 80308, 303/443-4223, Fax: 303/443-0969.

CMaster helps with THINK C

Jersey Scientific has released a product that is useful if you do your development in THINK C. CMaster adds menus and icon buttons to your THINK C window that allows you to easily navigate through your code from function to function. You can also add markers and keep multiple clipboards around. There is a menu created on the fly of your functions that will auto-matically scroll your document to it. Also there is a “SMART-RETURN™” that allows you to edit in one section of your code and automatically jump back to the section where you were before. For more information, contact: Jersey Scientific, Inc., 545 Eighth Ave., New York, NY 10018, 212/736-0406, Fax: 212/947-4981.