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Headlines
Contigo demos Java-based Web site presentation tool at Internet World
eShare targets online chat to coporations
JavaSoft sets ship date for HotJava Browser
HP to offer its own edition of Sun’s Java WorkShop
100% pure cryptographic toolkit provides encryption for Java applications
JRE helps developers cash in on JDK 1.1 enhancements
“Say cheese!” Sun and Kodak announce joint marketing agreement
Novell unveils Java naming and directory interface
Roaster now allows easier access to Java application data
Sun Seeks to Standardize Java Through ISO Group
JavaSoft sets ship date for HotJava Browser
Mark March 24 on your calendar as the day you can get your hands on a copy of HotJava Browser 1.0, the completely customizable browsing environment from Sun Microsystems designed to let developers quickly create dynamic user environments that support HTML browsing and rendering, as well as Java.
For example, a business could use HotJava Browser to develop an information kiosk with a tailored GUI that would provide information to the company’s customers. The kiosks would display HTML-based pages of information, which the customers could browse using HotJava Browser.
HotJava Browser supports the following Internet standards and protocols:
- HTTP protocol
- HTML 3.2 standard
- GIF and JPEG media formats
- AU audio format
- FTP and Gopher file transfer protocols
- SMTP and MIME email protocols
- SOCKS security protocol
- JDK 1.1
- Persistent Cookies
- Java archive format (“JAR”)
- Object HTML tag
- Tables
- Frames
- SSL 3.0
For more information HotJava, see: https://www.javasoft.com/features/1997/feb/HotJavaBrowser.html
Original press release: https://www.sun.com/smi/Press/sunflash/9703/sunflash.970311.11725.html
JRE helps developers cash in on JDK 1.1 enhancements
Since the release of the Java Developers Kit 1.1 a month ago, JavaSoft has reported more than 200,000 downloads from its site. This strong response among developers — and their desire to ship and deploy applications that take advantage of JDK enhancements — has prompted JavaSoft to develop the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). The JRE, which will be available at the end of March, lets developers provide the enhanced functionality of the JDK 1.1 even if the native operating system does not yet support this latest release.
“Java Runtime Environment means ‘no worries’ for developers, who can rest assured their JDK 1.1 applications will run today — regardless of whether the operating system has been upgraded,” said Jon Kannegaard, vice president of software products at JavaSoft.
The release of the JRE is a logical step for JavaSoft, which is hoping to foster innovation and creativity in the industry by providing developers with as much flexibility with Java as possible. And developers have responded positively. “We are very excited about the JRE because it enables us to ship Castanet and Bongo with a small, but complete, JDK 1.1-compatible run-time environment, stated Marimba’s co-founder and CTO, Arthur van Hoff. He went on to say that the JRE will be welcomed with open arms by customers, who will get 1.1 functionality without a huge download.
Product information: https://www.javasoft.com/products/jdk/1.1/runtime.html
Original press release: https://www.javasoft.com/pr/1997/march/pr970311-03.html
Roaster now allows easier access to Java application data
Roaster Technologies announced that Roaster Release 3 will include Object Design’s ObjectStore PSE for Java. Written entirely in Java, ObjectStore PSE for Java is a high-speed, small-footprint database that provides portable, transparent Java object persistence. Roaster users now will be able to access data from their Java applications, without having to map Java objects to sequential files or tables.
Netscape has licensed ObjectStore PSE for Java for inclusion in its upcoming Communicator software, allowing Roaster developers to write applets that allow Communicator users to leverage the distributed computing environment of the Web.
Original press release: https://www.roaster.com/corporate/press/pr030797.html
Sun Seeks to Standardize Java Through ISO Group
Talks of standardizing Java that began in January between the International Standards Organization (ISO) and Sun Microsystems Inc. have led to the vendor requesting that the Java language and related technologies become Recognized Publicly Available Specifications (PAS).
Sun will know in July if the ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission Joint Technical Committee 1 (ISO/IEC JTC1) will recognize its Java technologies as international standards.
Sun has been under pressure to submit Java to a formal standards process and in reaction last September formed the Java Study Group — including companies such as IBM and Microsoft Corp. — to discuss Java technologies and organizational issues surrounding standardization.
Sun chose to submit a request to standardize Java and its cousin technologies to the JTC1, a subgroup of the ISO, in order to speed up the standardization process, according to Sun officials. Java-related technologies include Sun’s JavaBeans component specification, JavaOS operating system and HotJava Web browser.
The JTC1 received an application to standardize the Java technologies from Sun on March 14 and will take three months to review the company’s submission before voting on whether to award Sun the status of a Recognized Publicly Available Specifications submitter.
Joanne Taaffe, IDG News Service, Paris Bureau
Sun Microsystems: http//:www.sun.com/
ISO: http:// www.iso.ch/
eShare targets online chat to corporations
eShare Technologies Inc. recently announced Expressions, a Java-based chat program targeted to corporations. Expressions, which has been licensed to GeoCities and OnLive, boasts a quick-and-easy install, no plug-in or download requirements, the ability to work behind firewalls and proxies, and database support.
“Corporations have come to realize that people want to participate and be included in everything that affects their lives,” said James P. Tito, president and CEO of eShare. “Inclusion is at the root of loyalty and is therefore a key to profitability and strategic strength. Our Web-based chat allows them to form an inclusive world by forging stronger market and personal relationships in a way that voice mail and e-mail cannot.”
Expression costs 95 and allows simultaneous support for up to 50 chatters. An expansion package, which will allow unlimited chatters, also is available.
For more information on Expressions check out: https://www.eshare.com/products/expressions/expressions.html
To download your free 30 day trial of Expressions, surf to: https://www.eshare.com/products/expressions/expr_down.html
100% pure cryptographic toolkit provides encryption for Java applications
Baltimore Technologies’ J/Crypto, slated to ship in early April, provides full-strength encryption and signing facilities to help developers maximize security in their Java applications. J/Crypto is a 100% pure Java implementation of the most common cryptographic functions used in security systems worldwide. The package, which has been designed with commercial applications in mind, features full-strength key sizes (512,1024, 2048 bit RSA keys, 112-bit Triple-DES, guaranteed unique RSA keys, fast format RSA keys (Chinese remainder theorem & Fermat-5), elimination of weak DES keys, and obfuscation of secret keys.
Baltimore Technologies, a leading supplier of cryptographic toolkits, realized the demand for a commercial cryptographic library once Java became so popular. “Our existing customers have been quick to develop new applications in Java and have immediate requirements for professional, full-strength cryptographic libraries,” commented Fran Rooney, managing director. “Baltimore Technologies is first to the market with a reliable, tested and supported Java library. We will be significantly adding to the functionality of J/Crypto in the future with a range of new algorithms and security classes.”
J/Crypto is fully compatible with the Java Cryptography Architecture (JCA) as a Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) for the JDK 1.1; the JDK 1.02 also is fully supported.
Full details, including Java class specifications: https://www.baltimore.ie/jcrypto.htm
Original story in PCWeek: https://www.baltimore.ie/pr970302.htm
JavaSoft introduces new API
The JavaSoft division of Sun Microsystems announced the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI) API specification. JNDI lets developers deliver Java apps with unified access to multiple naming and directory services in the enterprise. JNDI, whose supporters include HP, IBM, Novell, and Netscape, is part of the Java Enterprise API set. (See the Novell unveils Java naming and directory interface news brief for information on Novell’s support of JNDI.)
Directory and naming services provide access to a variety of information about users, machines, networks, services, and applications. JNDI gives developers a standard way to write new Java apps that will connect seamlessly with enterprise naming and directory services. JNDI provides access to standard directory services like NDS, NIS, DNS, and LDAP.
JNDI is posted for public review and comment at JavaSoft’s Web site. The final spec will be released during the second quarter of 1997 and a reference implementation from JavaSoft will follow in the third quarter.
https://java.sun.com/products/jndi/index.html
Contigo demos Java-based Web site presentation tool at Internet World
At Internet World in Los Angeles March 12-14, Contigo Software exhibited Itinerary Web Presenter, the company’s new Java-based Web site presentation tool. With this tool, users can act as “pilots,” clicking through the HTML links on Web sites to guide one or more remote users — or “passengers” — through HTML graphics and data in a long-distance-style slide show. With Itinerary, users do not have to download and run the same client software — a tedious, time-consuming task. Instead, they can launch interactive presentations spontaneously between any computer platform and through any Java-enabled browser. Itinerary uses standard HTTP and makes use of existing firewalls and proxy servers that support Java applets. Unable to access local disk drives, Itinerary does not represent a security risk to data residing on users’ local file systems.
Contigo’s Java technology in Itinerary consists of three components:
Itinerary Web Presenter is the core application that can be used by itself to launch Internet or intranet Web-based tours. This software can be installed on (and accessed from) a user’s server — or accessed directly from Contigo’s servers. Remote users are guided through Web sites through their Web browsers without having to intervene in any way.
Contigo Server is a generalized Internet server that performs Web functions and acts as a central hub for all of Itinerary’s communications. It organizes and coordinates the application’s traffic.
- Contigo Chat provides chat funtionality that can be launched between one or more users during a Web site presentation. The chat function is ideal for presentations in which one user presents material to a group and the group members “ask” questions in real time.
Contigo’s Itinerary product can be used for applications such as distance learning and training, catalog sales, and technical support. It is available for 30 days at no charge through Contigo’s Web site.
https://www.contigo.com/introduction.html
“Say cheese!” Sun and Kodak announce joint marketing agreement
At Internet World in Los Angeles on March 12, Sun Microsystems and Eastman Kodak Co. announced an initiative to provide digital photo management and Internet distribution solutions. By combining Kodak’s new PixFactory software with Sun’s Java technology and server platforms, businesses can use the Net and intranets to manage and distribute images.
With PixFactory software, users can store and distribute photographic-quality images on the Internet. A Java player will provide cross-platform access to FlashPix images and support thin client network computers. A PixFactory Media Streamer module, optimized for Sun’s Netra j and UltraSPARC servers platforms, will enable online interaction with FlashPix files.
At Sun’s booth on the show floor at Internet World, Kodak demonstrated the PixFactory technology on a Sun Netra j server and Sun JavaStation.
Kodak PixFactory information: https://www.kodak.com/aboutKodak/pressReleases/tmp/pr961203-01.shtml
Sun: https://www.sun.com
Novell unveils Java naming and directory interface
Novell has made available an early implementation of the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI), an open Java API. JNDI will enable apps written in Java to access information on network users and resources for multiple network naming and directory services, including Novell Directory Services (NDS), DNS, and LDAP. JNDI will help developers by providing a uniform programming model for navigating through different sets of name spaces and directories.
“This is a liberating foundation, we believe,” Michael McKay, VP of corporate architecture at Novell, told JavaWorld during Internet World in Los Angeles last week. ” McKay pointed out that JNDI will dramatically increase productivity for developers, as well as improve the types and number of apps being built. “It’s write once, run anywhere, and find anything anywhere,” said Steve Holbrook, product manager in Novell’s Developer Technology Division, expanding on Sun’s oft-repeated Java mantra.
Early-access implementation of JDNI for NDS will be available at the Brainshare and JavaOne conferences. The final version is due in the next month.
Marimba joins the W3C
On March 12, at Internet World in Los Angeles, Marimba Inc. announced that it is joining the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The maker of Castanet, an Internet application management system, Marimba will work with the W3C standards body to establish open standards for the distribution and maintenance of software and content on the Net and over networks.
In a briefing with JavaWorld, Kim Polese, Marimba’s founder and CEO, emphasized that Castanet was designed from the start to be extensible. This openness was very important to the company as it was designing Castanet. “Extensibility was architected into the original product,” said Polese, noting that you can’t make something extensible after the fact. Castanet’s two main API sets are the Castanet Channel API and the Castanet Plug-in API.
Polese laid out the next couple steps in the process of openness: Marimba will submit the APIs to the W3C this spring and will submit the protocols — for the Tuner and Transmitter — later this year.
HP to offer its own edition of Sun’s Java WorkShop
Hewlett-Packard Co. will offer developers an HP version of Sun Microsystems’ Java WorkShop. Spanning the HP-UX and Windows NT environments, the HP edition of Java WorkShop will let developers create business-class Java applications for development and deployment on HP 9000 Enterprise Servers and workstations, as well as on HP’s Windows NT-based systems. In the Java arena, HP already offers the Java virtual machine and JDK. HP is enhancing these for the HP-UX operating system, optimizing the OS for runtime performance. The Java WorkShop plug-in architecture allows HP to add modules to Java WorkShop and optimize Java WorkShop for HP-UX and Windows NT to provide a cross-development environment.
HP will sell Java WorkShop as a standalone product. The Windows NT version should be available within the next month, and the HP-UX version is planned for mid-year ’97. The product will cost 9 per user license. HP is currently shipping Java 1.02 on its HP-UX systems but will ship 1.1 with the mid-year release. The Java WorkShop represents HP’s foray into electronic distribution; this is the first product to be sold electronically through the company.
https://www.hp.com/csopress/97mar12g.html
Hummingbird brings DigitalPaper viewer to Java
Hummingbird Communications Ltd. has made available a preview version of its new Common Ground Java Viewer for DigitalPaper documents. This tool is the newest in the line of Common Ground tools, which allow users to create universally readable DigitalPaper electronic documents simply by printing from any Windows or Macintosh application; desktop documents created in on a Windows machine or the Mac are quickly converted into Web-ready documents that maintain their original desktop appearance on the Web. The Java Viewer eliminates the need for users to manually download and install a viewer application. Instead, DigitalPaper documents are readable by anyone with a Java-enabled browser. “The problem in document publishing has been platform independence. Java is the answer to our prayers,” Dave Trowbridge, marketing manager at Hummingbird, told JavaWorld.
The beta release of the Java Viewer applet, which weighs in at 88 kilobytes, is scheduled for May, with final release projected in July.
