Related Info: Resource Manager List Manager

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 Research'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.