Volume Number: 14 (1998)
Issue Number: 1
Column Tag: Newsbits

Jan 98 - Newsbits

by Jessica Courtney

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/

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

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

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

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

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 DevDepot 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/

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/

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

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

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

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