FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 1998
Media Contact:
Bill Doerrfeld, President & CEO
Blue World Communications, Inc.
425.646.0288, bill@blueworld.com
BLUE WORLD ANNOUNCES LASSO 3.0 PRODUCT LINE
New editions of popular Web database tool support FileMaker Pro 4.0 and
ODBC compatible databases on Windows and provide Java-based API for
third-party developers.
BELLEVUE, WA - July 7, 1998 - Blue World Communications, Inc. today
announced the forthcoming release of the Lasso 3.0 product line providing a
major upgrade to the company's award-winning dynamic Web database
publishing tool. Lasso 3.0 will support Windows NT 4.0and Windows 95/98
expanding Lasso's leading position for Mac OS. The Lasso 3.0 family of
products will include the following editions: Lasso 3.0 CGI/Plug-in for
FileMaker Pro 4.0, Lasso 3.0 Server for FileMaker Pro 4.0*, Lasso 3.0
CGI/Plug-in for ODBC, Lasso 3.0 Server for ODBC* and Lasso 3.0 Enterprise.
"Lasso 3.0 provides unprecedented power, control and ease-of-use," said
Blue World President & CEO Bill Doerrfeld. "Website developers now have a
mature tool to create and deploy cross-platform database-driven Web
applications."
Support for FileMaker Pro on Windows
Lasso 3.0 builds upon the early Lasso technology embedded within the Web
Companion in FileMaker Pro 4.0 providing a rich feature set designed for
professional webmasters. Lasso 3.0 is the first and only stand-alone
CGI/Plug-in tool for Windows versions of FileMaker Pro. Webmasters will now
have the ability to use FileMaker Pro with SSL Web servers operating on
Windows platforms for secure e-commerce. What's more, the RemoteFM module
communicates with FileMaker Pro 4.0 for Windows and Macintosh Web Companion
configured databases stored anywhere on a TCP/IP network. This provides
flexibility in configurations where it is advantageous to run the FileMaker
Pro application on a separate computer from the Lasso 3.0 and Web server
applications.
"We are pleased that FileMaker Pro users are able to take advantage of the
cross-platform capabilities and other new features in Lasso 3.0," said Tony
Campitelli, product line manager, FileMaker, Inc.
Multi-Database Support via ODBC
Lasso 3.0 for ODBC edition provides access to databases such as Oracle,
Informix, Sybase, Access and others which support the Open Database
Connectivity (ODBC) standard. Lasso 3.0 communicates with ODBC 2.1 or
greater drivers for seamless connectivity to Windows NT, Windows 95/98,
Unix or Mac OS databases. Lasso 3.0 allows database queries (add, search,
update, delete, SQL) to be embedded directly within Lasso format files and
provides a way for direct interoperability between FileMaker Pro and ODBC
data sources. For example, using the powerful inline command, Lasso can
query an Oracle database, search a FileMaker Pro database, compare the
results, log the search terms to an Informix database, insert a new row
into a Sybase database then return a resulting set of records to the Web
user.
Unprecedented Data Handling
Key among the over 100 new features in Lasso 3.0 include action filters,
macros, file/directory management, date/time controls, enhanced error
controls, list variables, multiple named tokens, debugging capabilities,
extended math routines, enhanced string functions, enhanced encoding
controls, and enhanced loop and repetition controls. What's more, Lasso
tags can be nested within other Lasso tags ("tags within tags") providing
unprecedented dynamic control over data manipulation and display. Enhanced
navigational capabilities are provided through new tags for auto-generating
next/previous record detail links and links based upon the current action
in addition to the redirect URL and directory lister tags.
New Security Database Engine
Lasso 3.0 features a completely redesigned security implementation. Lasso
3.0 contains a high-performance internal object database to store security
information. Administrators can write their own format files to configure
the Lasso security interface or use provided format files. The new security
implementation handles a greater number of users than previously available
and provides easy record-level security control. Site administrators can
remotely search, add and edit usernames and passwords and allow individual
database administrators and select users to add and edit usernames and
passwords all within a Web browser.
Seen as one of the most powerful features in Lasso 3.0, new action filters
protect one's server against server stalls and obscene content through
administrator configured controls which prevent users from submitting
select text strings. Filters can be set up for any search, add or update
action.
Instant Web Database Publishing
Ideal for corporate intranets, Lasso 3.0 provides the ability to instantly
Web-publish ODBC compatible and FileMaker Pro databases by simply pointing
one's Web browser to a special set of customizable format files. These
format files provide basic templates which allow users to query, insert,
update and delete rows or records with virtually no setup required by the
intranet admini-strator. For extended functionality, the administrator
simply edits the templates by inserting Lasso tags using drag-and-drop GUI
tools like the provided Lasso Link* or compatible website editors.
Robust Email Support
Lasso 3.0 supports email with file attachments and MIME via Sun
Microystem's JavaMail API. Combined with new file management controls,
Lasso 3.0 allows the creation of sophisticated email response systems for
sending email with file attachments based upon dynamic database driven
conditions. Of particular benefit to International users, JavaMail's
quoted-printable support allows extended character sets to properly render
within Lasso-generated email.
Interoperability with Unix Websites
The new "include URL" tag allows virtually any file on the Internet to be
included within a Lasso format file permitting unparalleled flexibility
with how format files operate. For example, the include URL tag allows
users to store the majority of their format files (secondary format files)
on their main Unix Web server with the primary required format files stored
on the same Local Area Network as Lasso 3.0. This allows webmasters to more
easily manage websites served via Unix Web servers who desire to integrate
databases running on popular desktop platforms such as Windows 95/98,
Windows NT and Mac OS.
Extensibility and LJAPI
The Lasso Java Application Interface (LJAPI) allows developers to extend
Lasso's functionality by providing them with the means to quickly develop
custom Lasso modules written entirely in Java. Sample projects will be
provided for major Java Interface Development Environments including
Metrowerks CodeWarrior Pro, Symantec Visual Cafe, Microsoft Visual J++,
Interprise JBuilder and Asymmetrix SuperCede. With LJAPI, third-party
developers can create their own data sources, command tags and substitution
tags to easily extend Lasso's functionality.
New Support Resources
Lasso 3.0 provides improved, more consistent tag syntax and includes a
comprehensive searchable reference database which documents current and
previous versions of the Lasso Dynamic Markup Language (LDML) and provides
a comparative reference list for the FileMaker Dynamic Markup Language
(FDML). Through the supplied user configurable macro definition file which
easily maps old syntax to new syntax and the supplied Lasso Tag Converter
BBEdit plug-in*, Lasso 3.0 provides an easy way for current Lasso users to
upgrade to Lasso 3.0's expanded features.
Pricing and Availability
A public beta of Lasso 3.0 is scheduled for release early Q3 with a mid-Q3
final release. Customers who purchase and register the currently shipping
Lasso 2.5 between now and Lasso 3.0's release qualify for free upgrades**
to like editions. Pricing information for new purchases and upgrades for
the Lasso 3.0 product line is not available at this time.*** Lasso is sold
by select resellers and direct from Blue World online at
http://www.blueworld.com/lasso/order/. Additional information including
product backgrounder, competitive analysis, e-commerce solutions and
customer testimonials is available on the Lasso website at
http://www.blueworld.com/lasso/.
About Blue World Communications, Inc.
Blue World Communications (http://www.blueworld.com) provides the Lasso 3.0
product line and custom Web database programming services in fulfillment of
its mission of "bringing business to the internet." Blue World, based in
Bellevue, WA, is a privately held company founded in 1992.
FileMaker Pro 4.0 for Windows 98, Windows 95, Windows NT and Mac OS,
available through authorized resllers at $199, is the award-winning desktop
datbase from FileMaker, Inc (www.filemaker.com or www.claris.com)
* Available only for Mac OS.
** Nominal processing, shipping and handling fees apply to free upgrades.
*** Pricing, availability and features subject to change without notice.
