Apple Introduces Internet Address Detectors
Technology Makes it Easier to Manage and Perform Actions with Internet
Addresses; Extends Innovative Internet Capabilities Delivered with Mac OS 8
CUPERTINO, Calif.–Sept. 8, 1997–Extending the innovative Internet
technologies delivered with Mac OS 8, the highly successful operating
system software release for Macintosh and Mac OS-based computers, Apple
Computer, Inc. today announced the availability of Internet Address
Detectors (IAD). IAD technology makes it easier for Mac OS 8 users to
manage and immediately perform actions on Internet addresses within
documents.
With IAD, a user can simply select an Internet address within a document
and perform a series of actions with that address using a pop-up Contextual
Menu. The Contextual Menu contains the recognized Internet addresses, each
with a submenu of actions that can be performed with the address. For
example, when a URL is selected, actions such as launching a web browser
and connecting to the selected website can easily be taken.
“From our research, we know our customers want easier ways to work with the
data in their documents,” said Jim Gable, vice president of Platform and
Technologies Marketing at Apple Computer, Inc. “In the past, just to access
a website address in a document, customers had to carefully perform a
number of actions, such as copying, pasting, and launching a browser. With
IAD and Mac OS 8, customers now have an easier and more productive way of
working with Internet addresses in their documents.”
IAD Utilizes Mac OS 8’s Contextual Menus IAD technology takes advantage of
Contextual Menus, one of the new productivity features included with Mac OS
8. Contextual Menus provide a list of actions that apply to a selected
icon, window, or text when it is clicked while holding down the control
key. IAD utilizes Contextual Menus to provide a list of Internet addresses
and the actions that can be taken with them.
Apple Data Detectors Technology
IAD is the first product to use Apple Data Detectors (ADD) technology. ADD
was developed by Apple based on a series of studies by Apple’s research
labs on how people work with their everyday computer applications and
documents. This research found that taking an action based on information
within a document, like a URL, is one of the most significant problems
users face. ADD addresses this problem by working in two parts: detectors
and actions. Detectors recognize data patterns, such as e-mail addresses,
as well as dates, names, and stock quotes. Actions use the detected data to
perform a desired task with it. IAD provides a set of ADD detectors and
actions for working with Internet addresses in documents.
Detectors and Actions
IAD detectors and actions include:
Email — Send an email message to the selected address using America
Online, Claris Emailer, Cyberdog, Qualcomm’s Eudora, Microsoft Internet
Explorer, Netscape Navigator, or Internet Config default. The address may
also be added to the user’s Claris Emailer address book.
FTP — Download the selected file with America Online, Cyberdog, Dartmouth
University’s Fetch, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, or
Internet Config default.
Host — Connect to any remote server on the Internet with Cyberdog, NCSA
Telnet, or Internet Config default. The host may also be viewed as a
website using America Online, Cyberdog, Microsoft Internet Explorer,
Netscape Navigator, or Internet Config default.
HTTP — A World Wide Web address may be opened in America Online, Cyberdog,
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, or Internet Config
default. The address may also be saved as a “Shortcut” in Netscape
Navigator.
News — Usenet newsgroups can be read with America Online, Cyberdog,
Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Northwestern University’s
NewsWatcher, or Internet Config default.
Availability
IAD is now available free of charge via download from Apple’s website at:
http://www.macos.apple.com/macos8/iad/. To use IAD, Mac OS 8 must be
installed on the user’s Macintosh or Mac OS-based computer. IAD technology
is supported by PowerPC processor-based computers only.
Apple Computer, Inc., a recognized innovator in the information industry
and leader in multimedia technologies, creates powerful solutions based on
easy-to-use personal computers, servers, peripherals, software, handheld
computers and Internet content. Headquartered in Cupertino, California,
Apple develops, manufactures, licenses and markets solutions, products,
technologies and services for business, education, consumer, entertainment,
scientific and engineering and government customers in more than 140
countries.
Press Contacts:
Russell Brady
Apple Computer, Inc.
(408) 974-6877
email: brady2@apple.com
Staci Sheppard
Apple Computer, Inc.
(408) 974-8404
email: sheppard@apple.com