Purity Software Announces WebSiphon v1.5

(Austin, TX - October 22nd, 1997) Today, Purity Software, Inc. announced a
major revision of WebSiphon, the powerful web-application scripting tool
for Mac OS web servers. With this new version, Webmasters can create
high-end web solutions without the need to purchase additional server
add-on products.

Users can implement a myriad of services on their web server with
WebSiphon. Its not possible to provide a complete list of example usage,
but some common ones include:

- Simple Dynamic Page Serving based on Browser, IP Address, etc.
- Online Shopping Carts
- Database Publishing
- User Tracking and Session Management
- Bulletin Board Systems and Online Conferencing - Online Polls and Testing

WebSiphon works by embedding the SiphonScript language directly into HTML
files that reside on the server. These server-side scripts can allow
anything from simple dynamic page delivery to complex database-driven web
solutions. The SiphonScript language is not only easy to learn, but is
flexible enough for more experienced developers.

"With this new version, WebSiphon is the most powerful server-side
scripting environment available for Mac OS servers.", said Nathan Nunn,
President and CEO of Purity Software, "Using WebSiphon, web developers no
longer have to be well versed in a language like C or C++ to create top
quality customized solutions for the web."

Complete specifications, online examples and tutorials and more may be
found on Purity Software's web site at (http://www.purity.com/).

NEW FEATURES

This version of WebSiphon includes many additions to the SiphonScript
language itself. New features include persistent global variables, a case
statement, break and continue statements, and user-defined functions which
may be organized into script libraries. The WebSiphon environment now
supports startup scripts, which are run anytime the software is first
launched much like the "Startup Items" folder in the Mac OS. Template
scheduling provides a method of automatically running scripts on the server
to perform non-page specific tasks, such as database maintenance for an
online commerce environment or rolling the web server's log file. For the
power hungry, additional support is provided for semaphores, working with
and returning binary data, and output streams.

New function libraries in this version include support for FileMaker Pro
databases, a complete suite of file manipulation functions, send e-mail
support, HTTP cookies and session tracking, MacAuthorize support for online
commerce sites, sending AppleEvents, and more.

An API is available for third-party developers who wish to offer add-ons to
WebSiphon v1.5. Third-party libraries will be made available for download
on the Purity Software web site upon request. A sampling of third-party
libraries are included with the standard WebSiphon package, ranging from
dynamic image creation libraries to an alternative database storage
library.

VERONA DATABASE SUPPORT

With this new version of WebSiphon is a much improved implementation of
Verona, Purity Software's web database server. A new, integrated version of
Verona provides a large speed boost for all database accesses, as well as
greater stability under heavily-loaded environments.

Also included with this version is LillyPad, a web-based administration
package for Verona. With LillyPad, users can easily create and define new
web databases as well as browse and edit record data through a
forms-capable web browser. LillyPad offers basic security services and
database locking for concurrent usage. The product is written entirely in
the SiphonScript language, and serves as a demonstration of the power
WebSiphon can offer any web site.

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

Purity Software is quite proud of the accomplishments our customers have
achieved using WebSiphon as their primary development tool. Aside from
these customer comments, additional WebSiphon success stories are available
on the web at (http://www.purity.com/websiphon/success/).

"WebSiphon is well worth the money that I spent on it. In fact, it's even
worth the money I spent on other web scripting packages that I don't use
any more." - Andrew McCormick, (http://www.esm-software.com/).

"Moving to Web development from a design background, I appreciate products
that are well thought out and well supported. I don't have the time or
skills to decode arcane gibberish, nor can I spend time on products that
don't work or are poorly implemented. WebSiphon is both good at its task
and easy to learn and use. The folks at Purity are committed to great
support, and I think anyone who wants to create a dynamic and useful web
site on a Mac would be well advised to check out WebSiphon." - Sam Moore,
(http://www.ewcreative.com).

"WebSiphon puts the fun back into being a Mac Webmaster. It has replaced
nearly every CGI on my site. It's fast, powerful, incredibly flexible, has
a tightly integrated database, and an ever expanding set of libraries. I
use WebSiphon to run my chat rooms, collect statistics, run contests,
manage shopping carts, and much more. If you need to do seriously demented
page serving, this is the must-have tool." - Robert J. Woodhead,
(http://www.animeigo.com/).

PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

The complete WebSiphon v1.5 package that includes Verona has a retail price
of US $495.00. Educational institutions qualify for a 15% discount on all
Purity Software products. WebSiphon v1.5 is a free upgrade to owners of all
previous versions. Further information is available by sending e-mail to
sales@purity.com.

WebSiphon v1.5 will begin shipping in November, 1997 and is available now
as a public beta from the Purity Software web site.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

WebSiphon requires a computer running Mac OS System 7.5 or higher, 2MB -
4MB of RAM for WebSiphon, and a web server that supports standard Macintosh
CGIs such as WebSTAR, Quid Pro Quo, WebTen or Sonic Web Server. For
database functionality, Verona requires an additional 1MB of RAM.

ABOUT PURITY SOFTWARE

Purity Software, Inc. was founded in 1995, is a privately-held corporation
based in Austin, TX. The company is committed to developing the finest
products possible for the Macintosh and Be Internet communities. Purity
Software may be contacted at 1016 Mopac Circle, Suite 101, Austin, TX
78746, USA; 512-328-2288; fax 512-328-2688; info@purity.com.