Volume Number: 13 (1997)
Issue Number: 1
Column Tag: Newsbits
By Jessica Courtney
Aladdin Systems, Inc., developer of the worldwide Macintosh compression and installation standards, StuffIt and StuffIt InstallerMaker, has acquired ShrinkWrap from developer, Chad Magendanz.
ShrinkWrap was developed to create disk image files quickly and efficiently. It provides a convenient and reliable means of mounting disk image files on the desktop, handles disk image files in their archived form, and provides an alternative to other disk copying methods.
ShrinkWrap has an easy-to-use drag and drop interface that allows users to create exact duplicates of image files from disks. Features include - recreating the exact icon placement, appearance of all windows, and the correct name of the disk. Users are also assured that all of the files have been duplicated correctly and completely with these disk images.
ShrinkWrap will be available from Aladdin in the beginning of 1997. Aladdin will honor all existing site licenses and commercial distribution licenses finalized under Magendanz. ShrinkWrap requires System 7.0 or later, is accelerated for Power Macintosh users, and makes extensive use of AppleEvent objects and a custom AppleEvent suite.
MindVision Software announced a new release of Installer VISE version 4.1, the standard installation product used by leading Macintosh developers and network administrators.
The 4.1 version of Installer VISE automates software distribution and makes quick work of adding new files and or updating existing files to the latest version. Installer VISE is a professional installation program designed for anyone who distributes applications or data files using CD-ROMs or diskettes, or via the Internet or over a network server.
Adaptec announced that it is shipping ATM adapters with full driver support for Macintosh desktops and servers. The Macintosh platform remains an industry favorite for multimedia and publishing applications. ATM allows those applications to run smoothly over a network with high bandwidth and quality of service (QoS).
Adaptec ATM25 and ATM155 PCI adapters now ship with MacOS driver support. The driver support is included free with the purchase of the adapters, and customers of older PCI adapters can download the Mac OS driver from the Adaptec Web site.
Adaptec ATM adapters also come in MicroChannel and SBus varieties, and offer a wide range of OS support including Windows NT, Windows 95, Solaris, SunOS, NetWare, OS/2, and DOS/Windows. Adaptec also supports MacOS with XTI extensions included in Apple s ATM middle-ware.
Adaptec provides bandwidth management technologies for organizations building the global information infrastructure. Its high-performance I/O, connectivity, and network products are incorporated into the systems and products of major computer and peripheral manufacturers.
MindVision Software announced a new release of Updater VISE version 1.2, the most powerful updater for Macintosh. Updater VISE users will experience the only updater that is powerful enough, easy enough, flexible enough, and safe enough to meet all of the requirements for updating software.
The 1.2 version of Updater VISE offers support for up to 24 previous versions of your software; complete support for updating 68K, PowerPC and fat binary applications from one updater; ability to display splash screens and readme documents with graphics; flexible options allowing you to tailor your update to your specific needs; total integration with Installer VISE 4.1 to build multi-file updaters; and unbreakable security to freely distribute your updates without fear of software piracy.
Apple Computer, Inc., announces the availability of the beta version 1.0 release of MacOS Runtime for Java. This product highlights Apple's strategy to make the MacOS a best-of-breed development platform for the Internet. MacOS Runtime for Java is an implementation of Sun Microsystems' Java virtual machine (VM) and run-time environment, enabling developers of MacOS-based applications to create Java applets and stand-alone Java applications, and to embed Java functionality into applications written in native PowerPC or 68K code.
As part of this beta software release, Apple also announced the MRJ Coding Contest, an opportunity for a developer using MacOS Runtime for Java to create interesting and innovative MacOS-based applications - and win new Apple products! For official rules and submission information, check the web site at http://www.devtools.apple.com/mrj/.
MacOS Runtime for Java includes the high-level API as well as a lower-level invocation API to enable developers to load Java class libraries, create Java objects, and call Java methods in order to build hybrid MacOS-Java applications. Used in conjunction with currently available Java development environments, MacOS Runtime for Java includes several technologies that enable developers to incorporate Java into existing applications, as well as use Java to create new applications.
The minimum system configuration for MacOS Runtime for Java is a 68030 or faster processor, and System 7.1 or later. The RAM requirements vary depending on usage.
Pictorius Incorporated announced the Pictorius CGI Toolkit, a new product designed especially for Web developers looking for an easier and faster way to create CGIs (Common Gateway Interface) and ACGIs (Asynchronous CGI) for their Mac-based Web sites.
The Pictorius CGI Toolkit includes the CGI development environment, Pictorius Net Servers and shareware HTML Editor. So, users have everything they need to write, compile, test and deploy CGIs in one package. Sample CGIs are included to help users get started. The Pictorius CGI Toolkit is also compatible with other Mac-based Web servers that support CGIs and ACGIs, including WebStar.
Prior to the release of the Pictorius CGI Toolkit, Web developers were forced into using complicated, text-based tools and third generation languages, such as AppleScript, C and PERL to develop CGIs. The typical development cycle required developers to write the code, compile it, run and test it. Then debug to fix any errors in the logic or syntax, recompile, test again, tweak it for performance and then compile it again until the code was final. The Pictorius CGI Toolkit helps developers avoid this time-consuming and tedious process.
With the Pictorius CGI Toolkit, Web developers can interactively write, test and debug CGIs using a high speed interpreter while the application, the Web server, and a browser are all running on one system. Any portion of the source code can be changed while the application is running. Once the CGI is functioning properly, Web developers simply compile it with either the 68K or PowerMac compiler and their CGI is ready to deploy.
The unique, integrated editor/debugger included with the Toolkit makes it a rapid development environment. The developer creates the CGI logic, then switches to debug mode with full roll back/forward capabilities, for step-through execution, making it easy for Web developers to find and correct errors during execution.
The Pictorius CGI Toolkit requires a 68020 or higher Macintosh computer, and System 7.0 or higher. A complete installation of the CGI Toolkit will require 40MB of disk space including the Pictorius Net Servers, HTML Editor and CGI Toolkit, with online documentation.
Magna is now shipping the new upgrade versions of the Macintosh security software packages Empower and Empower Professional. Empower provides full protection of personal and professional information on your Macintosh computers at the desktop, on the road, and throughout your organization's network. Protect confidential files with DES encryption, define multiple administrators and prevent unauthorized start-up from a floppy drive. With Empower or Empower Professional, you have feature-rich protection, powerful settings, and the ability to customize access control and assign privileges for each individual person or group on your computer.
Empower products are System 7 and Power Macintosh compatible, and require a 4MB Macintosh Plus and System 7 as a minimum. Empower lists for $129, and Empower Professional for $219. Empower replaces the older Empower I product and Empower Professional replaces Empower II. Both Empower and Empower Professional are at version number 5.1.
Thursby Software Systems, Inc. (TSS), announced DAVE for the Apple Macintosh. DAVE is an easy-to-use Macintosh software solution for sharing files and printers with Microsoft Windows 95 and Windows NT using TCP/IP. DAVE enables Macintosh users to share files and printers with Windows NT (Server and Workstation), Windows 95 and Windows for work-groups computers.
DAVE is the long awaited step towards making the Macintosh totally compatible and interpretable with Wintel networks. It makes the Macintosh fit into Microsoft networks as if it were a PC, with remote access to NT Servers and PostScript printers. DAVE is an inexpensive solution to network managers' problems. All services are implemented using CIFS and X/Open industry standard protocols. DAVE reduces WAN costs, lowers LAN management expenditures and simplifies network troubleshooting.
DAVE is unique because is it uses TCP/IP, not AppleTalk. It is installed on the Macintosh and not the PC. No additional hardware or software is required - it simply utilizes the current network infrastructure. Users access Microsoft networks as if they were on a local Macintosh volume.
DAVE is a full featured product integrating with NT Services for Macintosh, and supporting multiple mounts. It offers a secure environment through encrypted passwords and supports both the 68K and PPC Macintosh. The DAVE Message Service Tool enables users to send and receive messages from other Macs and PCs. It is useful for notifying users of changes in server status and print job completion. It can also be used by NT administrators to broadcast messages to their users.
