Keeping you abreast of the ever-changing Java world
Headlines
Apptivity enters market for Java app development tools
Develop business apps with CORBAplus Java
It’s Java to the Rescue for DOS PCs
dbProbe makes Web-based decisions easy
IBM’s Firewall 3.1 gets Java help
IntraSpection manages intranet-based network software
Java versions of print management apps arise
JavaSoft’s Media Player ready for review
Justsystem and Lotus team up on NC software
Krakatoa Web Catalog Publisher gets an EasyAuthor
Learn how to protect yourself against hostile applets
Lucent chooses to sing in the Chorus
The latest on the Java Education World Tour
Novell’s GroupWise WebAccess gets Javatized
Run Windows apps from afar with Keoke
Symantec licenses JIT Java compiler to Justsystem
Schlumberger and Gemplus get smart with the Java Card Forum
Toshiba to sell the “JVOS” for low-cost PCs
Visigenic delivers VisiBroker ORB for Netscape ONE
Visix Vibe makes Java development easy and object oriented
Lotus serves up a little Kona
Lotus Development Corp. plans to deliver a set of Java-based productivity applets, code-named Kona Desktop, by summer 1997. With its efforts to gain on Microsoft’s Office sales, Lotus is hoping that Kona will be a shot in the arm. MS Office currently commands a marketshare of about 80 percent, with Lotus’ SmartSuite in second and Corel’s WordPerfect Office in third, according to Dataquest.
Industry watchers said Java’s cross-platform capabilities provide an opportunity for Lotus and Corel to make inroads with users who don’t need the full power or memory of traditional desktop software. “Microsoft has a stronghold on the desktop, and chances of [Java-based applets] impinging on that is low,” said Chris Le Tocq, a Dataquest analyst. “But Lotus and Corel could do well on the Java platform depending on how well Java itself is accepted.”
The suite includes a spreadsheet, text editor, chart builder, calendar, personal information manager, electronic mail, presentation graphics application, and project scheduler. Lotus hasn’t decided on price, but company officials said Kona applets will be available to developers as building blocks for creating applications. A version of Kona also is expected to be sold to users, according to Brian Anderson, product manager of Lotus Components.
Original story in Computerworld: http://www.computerworld.com/search/AT-html/9702/970210SL6suite.html
JavaSoft’s Media Player ready for review
JavaSoft has released a draft of its Java Media Player, part of the Java Media Framework, which lets developers incorporate and synchronize various media into Java applications. The specification was developed with Intel and Silicon Graphics and is available for review and comment through March 3, 1997. The final spec is expected to be published in early April.
JavaSoft has also published the technical paper detailing its 100% Pure Java Initiative, originally announced in December 1996. The initiative’s goal is to establish compatibility among all versions of Java.
Java Media Player specification: https://java.sun.com/products/java-media/mediaplayer
- 100 Percent Java white paper: http:// java.sun.com/100percent/wp.html
Schlumberger and Gemplus get smart with the Java Card Forum
Two leading French smart card vendors, Gemplus SA and Schlumberger SA, announced the formation of the Java Card Forum.
The aim of the group, which will consist of Java Card licensees, is to promote Sun Microsystem Inc.’s Java Card application programming interface as an industry standard for smart cards and thus foster the development of electronic commerce, the companies said.
“The Java Card standard will help smart cards gain critical mass through the growth of applications,” said Jean-Paul Bize, vice president of Schlumberger Electronic Transactions, in a statement.
End-user representatives from various sectors including banking, retail telecommunications and government will be considered for ad hoc groups in the forum, officials said. Companies endorsing the forum include IBM, Informix, Motorola, Oracle, and Visa.
Both Gemplus and Schlumberger are developing smart cards that utilize the Java virtual machine concept. Since the cards are being built to the same standard, apps written for one vendor’s smart card should run on the other vendor’s smart card.
Press releases on Java Card Forum:
https://www.gemplus.com/presse/java_1.htm
https://www.slb.com/ir/news/et-java-forum0297.html Press releases on Java Card platforms:
https://www.gemplus.com/presse/java_2.htm
https://www.slb.com/ir/news/et-java-platform0297.html
dbProbe makes Web-based decisions easy
InterNetivity has released dbProbe 1.0, a Web-based decision support tool that gives you enterprise-wide access to multidimensional information. dbProbe summarizes database information into interactive graphs, which users can analyze, pivot, export, and drill into to discover any underlying trends and anomalies.
Written in Java, dbProbe is a cross-platform tool for sales, statistical, financial, inventory, or any other type of analysis application that requires multidimensional data analysis (which is also known as Online Analytical Processing, or OLAP) or access to a data warehouse. The applet works with any Java-compatible browser and is tiny, weighing in at only 131K.
All data analysis is done on the client, so dbProbe can easily handle up to thousands of users. And, because it is based on Web technologies, you’ve got no client software to install, update, or maintain, which can reduce cost and deployment times.
dbProbe users can easily drill down or drill up through levels of aggregate data with the click of a mouse, pivot axes to view data from different perspectives, select different presentation styles (numeric, histogram, pie chart, and line graph), and bookmark any view for later retrieval. dbProbe exports any view as a GIF image, suitable for pasting into presentation software. It also exports the view data as a comma-separated values (CSV) table for pasting into spreadsheets.
The introductory price for a license supporting 300 clients on a Web server is ,495.
https://www.InterNetivity.com/Products/dbProbe/dbVDesc-1.0.html
Justsystem and Lotus team up on NC software
Japan-based Justsystem and Lotus are preparing to introduce Java-compatible software for network computers in Japan this spring. Justsystem is developing ATOK for Java, a Japanese-character-conversion system written with Java. Justsystem is also developing Ichitaro, a Java-compatible Japanese-language word processing program.
Lotus has begun developing the Java-based component software, including spreadsheet and message applications, and will distribute the beta version this spring. The Japanese version will be on the market by summer 1997.
https://www.justsystem.com/eproduct.html
It’s Java to the Rescue for DOS PCs
In April, JavaSoft will announce Project Rescue, a new technology whereby DOS-based desktops will be converted into Java-enabled network computers. Using the software to run Java programs directly on DOS means that users can get the functionality of the NC without the need for new hardware.
Project Rescue will run the Java OS, the Java virtual machine, and HotJava Views on PCs with a 486 and 4 megabytes of RAM. The Java OS enables a DOS-based client to support a Java graphical user interface. Project Rescue also will run on Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. Users will be able to switch between using Java applications and DOS and Windows software because the software is designed not to delete any existing operating system files.
With an estimated 91 million computers still running the DOS and Windows 3.x operating systems. Project Rescue gives corporations the opportunity to extend use of their PC infrastructure.
Project Rescue, which will demo at the JavaOne conference in San Francisco April 2-4, is expected to ship by the end of the year and to cost less than 00.
Original story in Infoworld: http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?970210.wjava.htm
JavaSoft: https://www.javasoft.com
Novell’s GroupWise WebAccess universal desktop gets Javatized
Novell has added Java and HTML 3.0 support to GroupWise WebAccess, its client/server e-mail software that gives users document management capabilities. The enhancements will make GroupWise as easy to use with the Internet as it is to use on the desktop. From its single interface, you can send and retrieve e-mail, attachments, voice messages, facsimiles, calendar items, appointments, and tasks over the Internet.
This version introduces a graphical, intuitive, Java-enabled view of GroupWise to Internet/intranet users via a Web browser. Java and HTML 3.0 help GroupWise WebAccess overcome the previous limitations of HTML 1.0 by offering full-featured, interactive views of calendars, address books, and messages that don’t require the user to learn a new interface. Java’s network-transportable functionality also offers Web users improved efficiency by enabling them to simultaneously select multiple recipients from the NDS-enabled (Novell Directory Services) GroupWise directory. Although GroupWise 5.1 offers this capability, the limits of HTML 1.0 previously forced GroupWise WebAccess users to select one user name at a time.
The Java-enabled GroupWise WebAccess requires HTML 3.0 and will run on GroupWise 5 systems. It supports most popular operating systems, including IntranetWare, Windows NT, and Unix. Customers can download the GroupWise WebAccess open beta, which will be available in March 1997, from Novell’s Public Beta Web site.
More about GroupWise: https://www.novell.com/groupwise/prods/
- Download beta in March 1997: https://support.novell.com/home/pubbeta/
Lucent chooses the Chorus OS for its products
Lucent Technologies has selected Chorus Systems’ Chorus/OS for its distributed multiprocessor and real-time systems. Using Chorus/OS should enable Lucent systems to “establish certain platforms that can be utilized across product lines” to transport voice, data, and video, according to Lucent software development director Lee Stecher.
Chorus/OS is a flexible real-time operating system (RTOS) that allows applications to process hardware signals in a pre-determined order. When combined with Chorus/Cool, the real-time embedded object request broker, the OS can access any device on the network, from super-thin client to loaded desktop PC to high-speed server.
https://www.chorus.com/Products/index.html
Run Windows apps from afar with Keoke
Emulator software manufacturer Insignia Solutions has created another one — Keoke, which allows Java-equipped desktops to access and run Windows applications remotely. The Keoke technology is a “thin” version of the standard X Window System graphics protocol, which was originally developed to allow graphics to be distributed efficiently over a network. Keoke uses a subset of the X protocol to achieve the Windows graphics transmission across a TCP/IP link, suitably optimized for distributing graphics over a LAN, intranet, or a public Internet link to a Java desktop.
Because Java is platform-independent and made for running complex applications across an Internet link, Keoke will allow workstations to access and run Windows applications remotely, much like packages such as PCAnywhere and Carbon Copy. Keoke, as a Java extension, should be great for network computers because it will allow NCs to run Windows applications remotely.
Keoke is still a beta product. For more information on it and another of Insignia’s applications, the Ntrigue Client for Java, just surf over to Insignia’s Web site.
https://www.insignia.com/marcom/pressreleases/NT_products/NTRIGUE_Client_Java_1_27_97.html
The latest on the Java Education World Tour
The Java Education World Tour, which starts February 21, 1997 in San Francisco, consists of IBM, Netscape, Novell, and Sun Microsystems on a worldwide tour that will deliver the most up-to-date Java information and underscore industry support and momentum for the 100 Percent Pure Java initiative.
How do the Tour partners feel?
“Novell [the latest company to join the tour] has made a major commitment to Java as the technology ideally suited for developing and deploying networked applications across corporate intranets and the Internet,” said Gary Mueller, VP of Novell’s Developer Services. “Through our close partnership with other industry leaders and support for the 100 Percent Pure Java initiative, we are providing developers and customers with the network operating platforms, network services, programming tools, and interfaces developers need to maintain their competitive advantage. The Java Education World Tour offers attendees an unprecedented opportunity to see how the industry’s leaders are putting the technology to work for business today.”
“We welcome Novell’s participation,” said Jeff Mason GM of IBM’s Solution Partner Marketing. “Java will play a significant role in our customers’ ongoing business transformation. The tour promises to help developers increase the contributions they can make to helping their customers improve speed to market and unlock the power of the network.”
“Netscape’s leadership in Internet technologies strengthens Java’s position as the future network development environment,” said Danny Shader, VP of Industry and Developer Relations at Netscape. “The companies’ commitment to Java and participation in the Java Education World Tour further the industry momentum for the 100 Percent Pure Java initiative.”
George Paolini, director of corporate communications at JavaSoft, said “Sun is pleased to be working with IBM, Netscape, and now Novell to demonstrate the tremendous value of Java to developers around the world.”
Seminar fees for the World Tour are 9 in advance and 49 at the door. Individuals who are a part of a developer program offered by IBM, Netscape, Novell, or Sun are eligible for a special discount and should check with their administrator for details.
https://javaworldtour.sbexpos.com
IBM’s Firewall 3.1 gets Java help
IBM has enhanced its Firewall 3.1 (the successor to Internet Connection Secure Network Gateway 2.2) with a Java-based administration tool, centralized administration of groups of firewalls, and a PC-to-tunnel feature to let users send encrypted data to corporate intranets from remote locations. It operates on AIX-based RS/6000 servers. In the new edition, slated to enter beta next week, IBM’s X Windows-based systems administration tool for the firewall has been replaced by a Java-based tool, capable of use on any hardware platform equipped with a Java-compliant OS (operating system) or Web browser.
“We do install Java applets on the browser, which perform strong (56-bit) encryption to protect against hackers,” said an IBM spokesperson. Applet installation on the browser, rather than the server, also guards against inadvertent spread of viruses from the administrator’s PC or workstation to the network.
The firewall’s new centralized management capability, targeted at large intranets, is designed to let a central administrator set corporate user authorization policies, delegating the establishment of customized local security policies to local administrators.
Unlike other firewall products, IBM’s new PC-to-tunnel client software does not require reconfiguration by the user in response to changes in TCP/IP and ISP addresses.
Firewall 3.1 other additions include several new proxies: transparent proxies, HTTP proxies, and “safe mail” — a proxy that replaces IBM’s previous “send mail.” The firewall will be available in English, French, Japanese, Korean, traditional Chinese, and simplified Chinese.
General availability will be in April 1997, but as of February 10, users with Java-enabled browsers will be able to obtain free downloads of the new firewall.
https://www.software.ibm.com/download/
Toshiba to sell the “JVOS” for low-cost PCs
The JVOS, a Java-based operating system for Intel-based PCs, is planned for sale by a unit of Toshiba. Targeted at low-cost PCs, the JVOS is designed to give users a faster way to run Java applications than those means currently available.
The JVOS incorporates SuperCede, Asymetrix’s virtual machine, which optimizes Java code only once, meaning applications can be used repeatedly without recompiling — a time-saving capability. In addition, the JVOS is said to compile Java apps 5-10 times faster than a browser running the Java virtual machine.
Original story in InfoWorld: http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?970212.ejvos.htm
Toshiba: https://www.toshiba.com
Develop business apps with Expersoft’s CORBAplus Java
Expersoft introduces PowerBroker CORBAplus Java Edition (let’s call it CORBAplus), a devtool that lets you create distributed, business-critical, object-oriented applications using Java. According to Expertsoft, it treats Java just like it does C++ and Smalltalk — as a first-class language.
CORBAplus lets the Java developer:
Access existing CORBA applications and services
Develop both the client and server sides of distributed applications
Use the Netscape browser and server
Write multithreaded Java applications
Develop and deploy for the NT, Windows 95, and Solaris platforms
You can grab an early release of version 2.1, which supports only NT, for no charge at the company’s site. The full release will be available in March for ,995.
Product information:https://www.expersoft.com/prod_ser/corba_pl/javacontest/java_prod.htm
- Download information: https://www.expersoft.com/prod_ser/corba_pl/javaeval.htm
Visigenic delivers VisiBroker ORB for Netscape ONE
Visigenic Software and Netscape announced an expansion of their existing relationship with a more complete integration of Visigenic’s VisiBroker for Java and VisiBroker for C++ object request broker (ORB) technology in the Netscape Open Network Environment (ONE). Now Netscape Enterprise Server 3.0 customers can deploy distributed intranet applications with the bundled Visigenic VisiBroker ORBs for Java and C++.
Netscape plans to provide a single-user developer version of Visigenic’s Java and C++ ORBs with Netscape Enterprise Server 3.0. VisiBroker for Java is a fundamental technology that enables developers to create distributed applications in Java and deploy them over enterprise architectures, such as the Network Computing Architecture, to provide transparent access to and interaction with requested services and functions. Objects created with VisiBroker for Java conform to the CORBA 2.0 and IIOP standards and are accessible by other CORBA 2.0/IIOP-compliant objects in a distributed object computing environment.
https://www.visigenic.com/prod/vbjpd.html
Visix Vibe makes Java development easy and object oriented
Vibe, from Visix, is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and extensive set of class libraries specifically designed to provide easy-to-use, object-oriented, cross-platform development capabilities to the Java developer. Vibe is a visual Java-specific IDE combined with a Java virtual machine, compiler, debugger, editing tools, interface construction tools, and runtime classes for production application deployment. Vibe lets developers easily perform rapid prototyping, immediate testing, and development of large-scale applications across multiple desktop and server platforms.
http://www.vis ix.com/products/vibe/beta/previewfr.html
Learn how to protect yourself against hostile applets
MindQ Publishing has introduced “Java Security: Managing the Risks,” a multimedia CD-ROM that tells you how to guard against hostile applets and security risks, and how to use Java to its fullest potential. Designed to help corporate information officers, system administrators, Java developers, security specialists, Webmasters, and Web surfers — professionals concerned with the security of computer networks, desktop computers, and data — the CD demonstrates Java’s security features, and how they can be and have been subverted.
Tutorials suggest how to protect against Java threats, with guidelines for users and developers. The CD uses multimedia sound, video, animation, text, and hypertext to show how the “business assassin,” “denial of service” and other malicious applets play annoying sounds or forge e-mail. The package also details the seven known “attack” applets that corrupt data on a hard disk, reveal private data stored on a hard disk to third parties, infect a system with a virus, or even take control of a system.
“Java Security: Managing the Risks” is available from MindQ for 9.95. Call 800-MIND-008 or 703-708-9380 to order a copy. You need an Internet connection; an 80486-or-Pentium-based PC; Windows 95, Windows NT, or Windows 3.1; an SVGA video adapter and monitor; a double-speed or faster CD-ROM; 8MB RAM; and 3MB hard-disk storage space.
https://www.mindq.com/java/javasecu.html
Krakatoa Web Catalog Publisher adds EasyAuthor graphical authoring environment
Cadis recently released version 2.1 of Krakatoa, its Web-based catalog publisher. This version adds EasyAuthor, a Windows 95 point-and-click, drag-and-drop authoring tool that lets you incorporate new or existing data into a searchable online catalog that runs on any Unix or NT server.
Easy Author uses an object-oriented content-management and data-retrieval engine designed to present rapid, attribute-based access to Web information. The Krakatoa API can link any catalog you create to existing production systems. This means that as cost and availability data changes, the catalog updates itself automatically. A feature called Import Wizard lets the developer grab existing ASCII data from any source and fill up the new online catalog. The URL Wizard lets you create dynamic URLs with live data so you can link catalog items to Web sites, graphics, spec sheets, CGI scripts, etc.; it can also generate a URL that launches an application or process from the catalog. The Query Wizard can then extend the reach of the catalog by creating customer-transparent links between various catalogs. For instance, you can click on your Widget order in the familiar XYZ Co.’s East Coast Catalog, and if the API returns a note that the regional distributor for that Widget is out, a Query Wizard link will send you to the company’s West Coast Widget Book to order the part you need.
The beta of Krakatoa 2.1 will be available in March. Krakatoa server software prices range from ,500 (single, 1,000-item catalog) to 5,000 (unlimited catalog). Krakatoa runs on Solaris, HP-UX, Silicon Graphics, and NT servers.
- EasyAuthor product and download information: https://www.cadis.com/mainkrak.htm
- Krakatoa product registration information: https://www.cadis.com/register.htm
Apptivity enters market for Java app development tools
Apptivity Corporation has been formed to enter the exploding market of Java-based, multi-tier development tools used to build database applications that are deployed on the Internet and corporate intranets. Apptivity creates and markets an integrated, Java-based application development environment for quickly and cost-effectively building high-performance, scalable, database applications that are optimally partitioned across clients and application servers.
Apptivity recently debuted its first products — Apptivity Developer and Apptivity Server. The Developer is designed for building applications with intelligent Java-based clients that have small footprints (typically about 200K in size) and Java-based application servers that offload the processing workload from Web servers. This provides users with a high-performance, fully interactive thin client application that connects with a Java application server through a high-speed connection. The applications are adaptable, scalable, cost-effective to maintain, and easy to deploy.
Product information: https://www.apptivity.com/product/productrelease.html
- Developer beta download: https://www.apptivity.com/download/trial.html
Symantec licenses JIT Java compiler to Justsystem
Symantec will be licensing its Just-in-Time (JIT) Java compiler, an integral part of its Cafe and Visual Cafe products, to Japan-based Justsystem. Justsystem, in turn, will add this component to its Web browser, which will be bundled in its Ichitaro word processor package to obtain top Java performance by instantly converting Java bytecode to native code on the fly.
“Symantec has the fastest JIT and its products are the market leaders,” said Masayuki Hayase, director of product development and planning for Justsystem. “Symantec’s JIT will initially be bundled with our Web browser product to get top Java execution speed.”
Symantec’s JIT compilers are available in Symantec’s line of tools, which include Symantec Cafe for Windows 95, NT, and Macintosh; Visual Cafe for Windows 95, NT, and Power Mac; and Visual Cafe Pro for Windows 95 and NT.
For more on the Symantec and Justsystem alliance: https://www.symantec.com/press/n970203b.html
- JIT compiler information: http://www.symantec.com/jit/jit_readme.htm
IntraSpection manages intranet-based network software
Asante Technologies is shipping IntraSpection, its Web-based network management package that provides users with an easily customizable solution that manages all SNMP devices on the market. The IntraSpection platform includes a comprehensive network map manager, trap manager, Java-enabled network status reports, ODBC-based network event logging, and security mechanisms. Asante plans to offer add-on multi-vendor device support in the form of Personality Modules. The first three modules (supporting 3Com’s LinkSwitch 1000, Bay Networks’ 2800 hub, and the Asante Fast 100 Hub) will be available by March 1 at a list price of 9 each.
IntraSpection is available for download free from the IntraSpection Web site. The final shipping version, also available through normal distribution channels, comes packaged with documentation and technical support at a list price of 95.
To manage the network, the network manager can use any workstation equipped with a Java-enabled Web browser that can access the machine IntraSpection is installed on. This allows network managers to identify, isolate, and resolve problems quickly, without being confined to the management console. The IntraSpection software must be installed on a Windows NT machine equipped with a Web server.
Download a free version of IntraSpection: https://www.intraspection.com/Requirements/sftw.html
- Product information: https://www.intraspection.com/Products/product.html
Java versions of print management apps arise
IBM, Lexmark International, and Hewlett-Packard (HP) are some of the companies turning to Java to tune and enhance their print-management applications with Internet and “push” technology features.
A Java-enabled print manager pushes alerts and other messages in real time to network administrators on any client browser. Some Web-based print-management systems currently use CGI-based polling, which reloads and updates a Web page at fixed intervals, usurping bandwidth on a large network. Because the Java applet is pushed to the desktop, no client software is necessary. Applets are platform-independent, as well.
IBM’s NPM (Network Printer Management) application will be offered with its line of network printers in a Java-based version in the last week of February, according to IBM officials. Future versions of NPM will support other companies’ printers, the officials said.
Lexmark will update its MarkVision software with a Java version that is now in beta testing. Slated to ship with Lexmark network printers in the second quarter, it will also support HP’s network laser printers, according to Lexmark spokespersons.
HP intends to add JavaScript features to its Web JetAdmin software this spring, with a fully Java-enabled version debuting in the fall. Meanwhile, Web JetAdmin will extend support to OS/2, HP-UX, and Solaris, said HP officials.
IBM: https://www.can.ibm.com/ibmprinters/npmfin.html
Lexmark: https://www.lexmark.com/press/10-29-96.html
Hewlett-Packard: https://hpcc997.external.hp.com/cposupport/indexes1/webjet.html
