News and New Product Briefs (7/15/97)
The results are in: Java answers business computing needs
Zona Research Inc. recently conducted a survey of 279 IT professionals, and discovered the following: “enterprises are already testing and deploying Java-based applications to solve business-critical workflow processes while maintaining an eye on the future.”
Why does Java play such a crucial role in the development of business-critical apps for the enterprise? IT professionals pointed to the following as the primary factors:
- Web browser linkage
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Programmer interest in Java
- Lower costs
- Improved application security
- Legacy data access
- Speed of development
- Robustness
- Ability to run on thin clients
Planned applications include those focusing on information-sharing and workflow within the enterprise. The emphasis will be on applets developed for Web-page use, internal/external communication apps, apps that will run within a browser or thin client, as well as cross-platform development and deployment, access to back-office data, and integration of existing apps.
Other Zona Research findings:
Budgets for Java application development will almost double in the next 24 months.
Within the next 6 to 12 months, 10% of the companies sampled are planning to have between 1 to 10 full-time Java developers.
47% of the organizations surveyed currently are using Java. The remaining 53% plan to use Java within the next 12 months.
- One quarter of the companies surveyed claim to be developing business-critical Java applications.
Asked about the challenges posed by Java, those surveyed responded with the following: Migrate applications across all platforms is difficult, there’s a need for increased speed and improved scalability, and it’s not an easy language to learn.
On the bright side, the report indicates that “significant investments in Java and planned deployment of Java-based solutions are slated to occur within the next 6 to 12 months. Overall, the message from the study seems clear — Java is more than a passing fad and is a technology that enterprises are studying and deploying in the near term.”
Java’s out of this world
Web users interested in NASA’s latest Mars endeavors can now access a NASA-developed Java-based application called Web Interface for Telescience (WITS). With WITS, they can test their remote roving skills by driving a simulation of the Mars rover, Sojourner, over a simulated Martian landscape.
The site, which is being hosted on a Sun Netra j Internet server and mirrored at additional locations around the world, allows you to access WITS and view up-to-date images from the Pathfinder Mars mission.
Paul Backes, technical group leader at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and lead developer of WITS, said, “Today, we’re using Java’s interactive capabilities to make the Mars mission a great learning experience for our kids, as they plan their own mission and see what it feels like to control the rover directly from their computer.”
WITS demo: https://mars.graham.com/wits/
Java: To Mars…and beyond! https://www.javasoft.com/features/1997/july/mars.html
Buy your “Network-in-a-Box”
Network Computer Inc. (NCI) is debuting its “Network-in-a-Box” — a program that delivers an out-of-the-box network computer system designed for corporations, schools, government institutions, and small offices. The program will be available worldwide through NCI’s VAR channel, Propeller Portable Computer Products.
“Network-in-a-Box” requires minimal set up and installation, and consists of NCI’s software and NCI hardware partners’ products, including:
An Intel-based NC Server appliance, including NC Server software for managing network computers, applications such as e-mail and productivity software, and NC Desktop
Two NC devices based on the Intel microprocessor from Accton or Funai
Two NC cards from Schlumberger: one user card and one administrator card
- Network hardware, including a 4-port hub and all cabling
“Corporations and organizations around the world can now call Propeller to try their very own NC network,” said Bonnie Crater, VP of strategic marketing at NCI. “After experiencing the ease of use and simple installation and support, everyone will be sold on the network computer.”
“Network-in-a-Box” should be available in the middle of July 1997 at a cost of ,995.
https://www.propellerinc.com/nc/
Software fix for new Java bug
JavaSoft has developed software to correct a bug in the latest version of the JDK 1.1.2. The bug, discovered last month by University of Washington computer science researchers, appears only in the JDK 1.1.2; earlier versions of the JDK and the Navigator and Internet Explorer browsers were not affected. Sun officials said a fix is going out in the 1.1.3 release, which is scheduled to be posted on the JavaSoft Web site early in July.
https://www.javasoft.com/products/jdk/1.1/
Instant Coffee 1.0 — just add water
WebKnight started shipping full-Java Instant Coffee 1.0 — a professional authoring tool for building Java-based Web sites without any coding knowledge. A Web site developed with Instant Coffee can include auto-animation, full-blown typography, animated text, and advanced object interaction — all with no coding.
Some Instant Coffee features include:
- Precision visual layout and control with pixel-level accuracy
- Plug-in architecture that allows the software to be easily extended
- Multi-layered graphics and text
- Automatic image-generation and animation
- Interactive audio that can be attached to objects
- Automatic hot-linked text and animated text
- Fine control over typography
WebKnight offers a free trial version of Instant Coffee on its Web site. You can purchase the complete product for 95.
LG Semicon and Sun to co-develop Java processors
LG Semicon and Sun announced they will co-develop Java processors: LG will manufacture the chips and Sun will be the worldwide exclusive distributor of the chips.
Based on Sun’s picoJAVA chip, the low-cost processor will include CRT controller, flicker-free logic, modem port, and graphics controller functions — functions that are necessary for consumer applications such as Internet TV, kiosks, and consumer-based network computer devices. Sun is scheduled to supply Java Processor samples by the end of the year.
“This agreement will allow Sun to provide the next generation of silicon for consumer electronics products,” said Scott McNealy, CEO and president of Sun.
IBM to market 00 Java computer
IBM intends to market a 00 Java computer in the fall of 1997 that will compete with Sun’s JavaStations. The IBM machine will include support for smart cards, and will include Java accelerator chips and JIT compilers to speed performance. The main processor will be a PowerPC 603 chip.
“This market will become increasingly important because of improvements in compression, ISDN, ADSL, and cable,” said Howie Hunger, director of channels and marketing for IBM’s Network Computer Division. “There will also be different characteristics for caching. With Java, you can cache most data inside the device.”
IBM won’t discontinue its existing thin-client line of devices. But, according to Hunger, you can expect the prices for those machines to drop below 00 by the end of 1997.
Corel plans 2 inexpensive Java machines
Corel plans to deliver two inexpensive Java-based NC devices — one desktop and one portable model — by the end of this year. Both devices will use Digital’s StrongARM 230MHz chip and a video-compression chip, and will come bundled with Corel’s Java office-productivity suite. The desktop unit will cost approximately 00 and is expected to ship in October 1997. The notebook NC will be priced at around ,700 and should ship in November or December.
“Because we see NCs and Java becoming mainstream over the next two or three years,” said Michael Cowpland, president and CEO of Corel, “we might as well address that important segment right away.” Corel plans to market its machines through existing distribution channels.
Intel unveils its NetPC
At the recent PC Expo, Intel debuted the NetPC, its competitor to the NC. With a sealed-case design, the Intel version generally won’t have a floppy drive, CD-ROM, or expansion slots (these aren’t hard-and-fast rules). However, the NetPC will have the ability to remotely boot and awaken the LAN and hard drive, and tell the administrator when it is about to fail. The processors will be the Pentium and Pentium II. Intel expects the NetPCs to cost between ,000 to ,300.
Among the manufacturers of Intel’s NetPC are Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, Acer America, IBM, and about eight others who hope to have prototypes to demonstrate later this year. Still, NetPCs are expected to account for less than 10 percent of total sales by 2000. PC manufacturers are hoping the NetPC device will replace dumb terminals, not eat into the desktop PC market.
One such NetPC device is HP’s Net Vectra PC. The Net Vectra PC, which is expected to ship in August 1997 for about 99, will come equipped with a Pentium or Pentium with MMX processor. The Net Vectra will ship with 16 megabytes or 32 megabytes of RAM, 1- or 1.6-gigabyte hard drive, and 10 or 10/100 Base-T Ethernet card.
JavaSoft and Microware offer Java APIs
Microware has signed an agreement with JavaSoft to extend its Java licensing, allowing Microware (developer of the OS-9 real-time operating system [RTOS]) to deliver a Java-based embedded systems package to OEMs — Java for OS-9. The RTOS package includes Java, PersonalJava (designed for consumer devices like digital TVs and mobile phones), and EmbeddedJava (designed for pagers, printers, and industrial controllers).
“Thanks to our close relationship with Sun, Microware is the first RTOS vendor to offer Java in a customizable package for use in virtually any product aimed at the consumer market,” said Ken Kaplan, president of Microware. “By teaming with JavaSoft and combining the two industry-leading technologies of Java and OS-9, we have successfully moved Java off the desktop and into the high-growth, high-volume consumer products market.”
Apple makes learning Java-based and online
Apple is offering the Educational Object Economy (EOE) project, a complementary, online, community-based learning site built around the creation, sharing, and use of teaching resources that incorporate Java applets for Web-based instruction. The goal of the EOE project is to build an online community of educators, researchers, businesses, and content producers who can dip into a rich pool of information, teaching plans, and learning resources. A secondary goal is to make creating educational software easier and faster, and to establish a self-regulating community among educators, software developers, and businesses.
Mike Lorion, VP of Apple’s Education Division, said, “This research project will help us understand the way technological and social innovations interact to give rise to thriving online learning communities.”
https://trp.research.apple.com/
DataBeam serves up online Java-based conferencing
Put those business-travel plans away: DataBeam announced the final version of Net.120 Conference Server 2.0, a server program that coordinates data conferences and application-sharing over the Internet for multiple users — and it works with garden-variety Java-capable browsers, so you don’t have to download any new software.
“It moves conferencing to tens of millions of potential end points,” said Jim Clifton, server product manager.
The Net.120 server is also compatible with applications such as Microsoft’s NetMeeting, Intel’s ProShare, and any other application based on the T.120 Internet data-conferencing standard. And, according to Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, a high-tech consulting firm, “What [DataBeam] is doing is a step in the right direction. Ultimately, you would want to see ISPs support this kind of service.”
Net.120 Conference Server 2.0 is available for NT and Solaris. Prices start at ,295 for one server with support for eight concurrent users.
https://www.databeam.com/Products/neT.120/
Digital issues JIT to compete with Intel and National
Digital Semiconductor is developing a just-in-time (JIT) Java compiler for its StrongARM processor — to compete with Intel Pentiums on Java performance. The compiler should be ready to go with NCI’s NC-OS this summer.
The compiler will speed Java applications on StrongARM NCs, and although JIT-compiled Java code will still be faster on the Pentium-II, Digital’s Internet appliance manager Leo Joseph says the StrongARM chip will make up for that with its low price (9 each, in volume, as compared to 00 for a 233MHz P-II).
And because of the very proposed nature of Java and NCs (simple, small, fast), Digital is also competing with National Semiconductor’s 5 NS486 chip. National Semiconductor’s senior marketing manager Joe Salvador said the NS486 has been optimized to run Java and C code, can use x86 drivers, and is perfect for the NC.
https://www.digital.com/semiconductor/
Two quarters late, two-thirds of NC-OS apps ship
Two-thirds of Oracle’s “Hat Trick” Java applications are shipping with the NC Server OS, only two quarters off the promised date. The word processor and presentation graphics applications are shipping now, but the spreadsheet app being developed by Lotus is absent. The word processor and presentation graphics applets will be included in Oracle InterOffice 4.1, due in the fall.
Oracle officials weren’t sure about how fast and far the company intends to distribute Hat Trick. “At this point, we are not precluding any channels,” said product marketing director Mark Bonine.
PersonalJava API up for public review
By the time you read this, Sun will have posted a draft specification of the PersonalJava Application Programming Interface for public review and comment. PersonalJava is designed for network-connectable consumer products for home, office, or mobile use.
https://java.sun.com/products/personaljava/
Ernst & Young to offer more for Java and NCs
Ernst & Young will offer more Java and network computing features with a focus on enterprise applications. The company intends to include Java in its Internet services group and its integration practice, providing Java training, databases, and resources to its 6,000 consultants in the United States. They hope this move will help spread the use of Java apps.
Cold Fusion gets JIT compiler
Allaire Corp. has announced an upgrade to its Cold Fusion Web-application development tool. Cold Fusion 3.0 Application Server (for building and deploying applications for electronic commerce, collaborative computing, and business systems) gets a just-in-time compiler that automatically compiles Cold Fusion pages on the server.
Version 3.0, which should be available in mid-July, also supports international text, transparent indexing of textual data stored in relational databases, and the building of dynamic Java forms.
Cold Fusion 3.0 Application Server runs on Windows NT and 95, with a Solaris beta available in August. The price for the Professional Edition (compatible with all Open Database Connectivity-compliant databases) is 95. The price for the Workgroup Edition (compatible with Microsoft’s Access and Paradox, and Borland’s FoxPro and dBASE) is 95.
https://www.allaire.com/products/coldfusion/30/index.cfm
IntRprise 1.1 gets client-side push
Originally due in April, Passport’s IntRprise 1.1 Java development environment (for database front-ends and Web apps) upgrade began shipping earlier this month. The upgrade provides client-side push functionality, server-side thin-client management, automatic load-balancing, and just-in-time compiling. The development tool already supports transaction processing, multi-tier computing, and fault tolerance.
With version 1.1, no application logic resides on the client — all the processing takes place on the server. And this version includes features from the original:
- Visual Object Editor, a drag-and-drop GUI builder
- Visual Object Browser, an application navigation tool
- Visual Debugger & Tracer, which allows real-time application monitoring
IntRprise 1.1, which is available for Windows 3.1, NT, 95, OpenVMS, and Unix, costs ,995 for one developer’s license.
http://www.pass portcorp.com/products/intrprise_c.html
Try JScape MailWidgets for 30 days, free
JScape MailWidgets, a suite of all-Java JavaBeans components that reduce development time for applications requiring e-mail connectivity or automation, are now available for free download.
Developers simply drop MailWidgets Beans into a Java development environment and get e-mail functions directly from custom applications. The components support Internet mail protocols, including IMAP4, POP3, and SMTP, and also support MIME, UUENCODE, and Base64 attachments. MailWidgets have full native support for Java JDK 1.02, 1.1, JavaBeans, and Java Studio.
Download a full-featured 30-day evaluation copy of MailWidgets for free from JScape. The royalty-free license is available for 00.
https://www.jscape.com/dm/product.asp?productid=105
Java Foundation Classes debut, developer release available
On July 8, JavaSoft debuted the first of its Java Foundation Classes (JFC). This set includes the Java Development Kit 1.1-level version of AWT, GUI functions such as drag-and-drop, a Java 2D service, lightweight components, and high-level IFC components, according to JavaSoft officials.
In a teleconference also on July 8, officials from Sun, Netscape, and Apple fielded questions on the viability of JFC, the conversion necessary for IFC and AWT developers, and when support for JFC would likely find its way into devtools.
Following the debut, Sun and Netscape announced the developer release of the Java Foundation Classes, a set of GUI components and foundation services designed to simplify development of Internet, intranet, and desktop applications. The JFC is available for public download initially through the Java Developer Connection, Sun’s support network for Java developers. The JFC can be used immediately to build applications.
https://www.javasoft.com/products/jfc/index.html
https://developer.javasoft.com/developer/earlyAccess/
Oki Electric builds Internet payment system
Oki Electric Industry has started developing e-commerce applications, including a Java-based Internet payment/money transfer system based on Java. The system will allow users to make payments for banking and shopping services through a variety of electronic payment systems, including the Mondex cash card system. Oki officials claim the funds transfer system will be ready for commercial use by spring 1998; the prototype was unveiled at Japan’s Electronic Banking Show on July 9.
https://www.oki.co.jp/OKI/Home/English/New/OKI-News/1997/z9721.html
Desktop Data adds Java, ActiveX to news service
Desktop Data is debuting a new version of its customized news service — one that can integrate news updates directly into third-party software programs. The new version of the NewsEdge service, called NewsObject, will use Java and ActiveX components to retrieve information from the Web on a real-time basis.
Currently, the NewsEdge service does not sell advertising, but subscriptions. Company officials claim the service delivers news updates to more than 140,000 individuals in 380 subscribing companies. Annual subscription rates can be (and are) as high as 5,000 per year for a company buying the service for 500 employees. The new Java/ActiveX technology gives Desktop Data the opportunity to establish a new revenue stream without having to add advertisements to its service.
With NetObject, Desktop Data can now make alliances with software developers — developers who will pay to integrate news updates into their applications. “This gives us the chance to work with third-party developers to expand into new markets,” said marketing VP Marni Hoyle. “It creates a way for us to sell ourselves as an add-on to another application rather than just selling the news itself.”
As an example: A financial services software developer could integrate a news application into a broker’s trading software that would alert the broker when a raft of certain stocks dropped below a certain value, either singly or as a group total, or deliver the top 10 (or 25, or 50) performers for the day.
And for the future, Desktop Data intends to offer a development kit that lets developers and individual corporate users create their own applications that incorporate news feeds gathered by Desktop Data.
https://www.desktopdata.com/neprods.htm
RSA licenses Baltimore Technologies J/CRYPTO
RSA Data Security has licensed Baltimore Technologies’ J/CRYPTO Java encryption library. RSA plans to incorporate J/CRYPTO as a component in its JSAFE encryption toolkit. JSAFE is a development environment for creating security-enabled Java-based e-commerce apps.
“We are excited about working with security leader RSA in delivering state-of-the-art Java security to the North American market,” said Fran Rooney, CEO of Ireland-based Baltimore Technologies.
RSA’s new JSAFE secure Java toolkit is expected to ship in the fall.
Baltimore Technologies: https://www.baltimore.ie/jcrypto.htm
RSA: https://www.rsa.com/rsa/products/jsafe/
Penumbra’s Super Mojo get StarBase’s Versions control
Penumbra Software has decided to bundle StarBase’s revision control product, Versions 2.0, into its Java development tool, Super Mojo. Versions 2.0 provides revision control, visual differencing of files, build and milestone management, audit logs, security, and an advanced project repository for groups of developers. Super Mojo is a Rapid Application Java Development Environment (JDE) that creates JavaBeans using the JDK 1.1.
“Revision control is a key element to coordinating teams of developers working together to build robust solutions,” said Michael Mittel, president of Penumbra. “It’s a natural add-on to Super Mojo that we feel our customers will find extremely beneficial.”
“Partnering with Penumbra builds upon StarBase’s on-going strategy of bundling with leading vendors in key market segments to provide every development team with the new standard in revision control,” said Donald Farrow, president of StarBase. And bundling Versions 2.0 with Penumbra’s Super Mojo will also deliver new customers to StarBase. To encourage upgrades to its more advanced StarTeam 2.1 product, StarBase is offering all Super Mojo users a 00 incentive to be applied towards a StarTeam 2.1 upgrade.
Penumbra: https://www.penumbrasoftware.com/mclient.htm
StarBase: https://www.starbase.com/products.htm
Attention all Mac Web page authors: Software giveaway contest
Interactive Media Corporation (IMC) is sponsoring two contests for Macintosh Web page authors.
Contest #1 will award prizes for the best Java applets created using IMC’s authoring tool, ActionLine. Participants can create their pages using the free trial version of the product or the complete product. Awards are given every two weeks, and the prize is a free copy of ActionLine. (And if you’ve already purchased the product, IMC will refund your purchase price.)
Contest #2 will be based on satisfactory completion of a user evaluation form for the trial version of ActionLine. Every two weeks IMC will randomly select four or more winners from users submitting completed evaluation forms. Both contests expire on September 15, 1997.
https://www.imcinfo.com/Contest.html
Progress Software buys Apptivity
Progress Software has acquired Java tool builder Apptivity for 3 million. Progress, which creates database and developer tools for heterogeneous networks, is looking to extend its capabilities to offer Web-based database apps.
Apptivity’s main product, called Apptivity, lets developers build database applications in Java.
Tom Harris, an analyst at IDC, said, “They [Progress] haven’t had an all-Java play. This may be the step they needed to move up a tier in the database market.”
MindQ’s tutorial ships with IBM’s VisualAge for Java
MindQ will be shipping copies of its “An Introduction to Java Programming Using VisualAge” tutorial with IBM’s VisualAge for Java development tool.
The tutorial starts with Java syntax, then moves through object-oriented principles, variables, and creating an applet. There’s also an overview of VisualAge, which includes the Workbench Window; the Project, Package, Class and Interface browsers; and creating JavaBeans. Users get hands-on exercises designed for VisualAge for Java, which they complete while the tutorial runs.
Students also receive animated code sequences and narrated guidance, including an interactive tour that allows users to progress through the tutorial’s content at the speed most comfortable for them, given the individual differences in background, expertise, and interests. For assistance, students can use the online help, the illustrated, hyperlinked glossary of Java terms, and a VisualAge reference.
“MindQ’s tutorial is a valuable addition to IBM’s VisualAge offering,” said John Slitz, VP of application development at IBM. “We are delighted that MindQ has chosen to support VisualAge for Java.”
MindQ: https://www.mindq.com/ IBM’s VisualAge for Java: https://www.software.ibm.com/ad/vajava/
VisualAge for Java and WebRunner ship
IBM is shipping VisualAge for Java and VisualAge WebRunner. VisualAge for Java (VA4J) is IBM’s Java-based integrated development environment (IDE) that consists of browsers, editors, class libraries, and debugging software, and is designed to write enterprise applications that are 100 percent Java-compatible. VisualAge WebRunner (VAWR) is a subscription-based toolkit that provides developers with all the newest Java technologies, whether they work with VA4J or other development tools.
The VA4J IDE comes in two versions — a Professional Edition (available now) and an Enterprise Edition (available in August). The Professional Edition, a complete development environment, allows developers to create, change, and enhance Java code rapidly, at any point in an applet’s development cycle. The Pro Edition also provides a robust version-control system.
The Enterprise Edition will include Enterprise Access Builders that will enable Java clients to connect to existing relational databases — such as DB2, Oracle, and Sybase — and transactions and application servers. Java programs created with this version will automatically connect an enterprise application to the Web or a Java client to an enterprise server. Registered users will receive a Team Programming Server component late in 1997.
The VAWR toolkit, developed by Taligent, includes:
WebRunner Bean Wizard: The Bean Wizard allows non-experienced programmers to build 100 percent pure JavaBeans in as quick as 90 seconds.
Migration Assistant Tool for ActiveX to JavaBeans: This tools converts ActiveX or OCX controls into skeletal JavaBeans, which helps to cut the conversion time. The tool also lets developers move from desktop to e-business technology. JavaSoft will also distribute this tool.
Server Works for Java: These Java frameworks provide a consistent API across a variety of Web servers and hosts.
- JavaBeans Set: This set of beans is designed for quick assembly of applications. For example, Network Beans provide easy access to the Internet, mail, and news.
VA4J Professional Edition is priced at 9 per user. Annual subscriptions to VAWR are offered for 49. As a VA4J user, you can get a one year subscription for half the retail price.
VA4J: https://www.software.ibm.com/ad/vajava/ VAWR: https://www.taligent.com/Products/webrunner/webhome.html
Survey: Has Sun become too Java-centric?
SunWorld
readers were asked recently whether they thought Sun is investing too much time, money, and direction with Java. And the results are in.
A resounding three quarters of the 137 respondents (largest group were programmer/developers at 40 percent) said “No.” In addition, approximately 60 percent of respondents said:
- Java (as well as Solaris) has made their lives easier
- Sun’s Java-centric view is not hurting its traditional markets
- They would rather see more development effort on Java rather than on Solaris
- Their companies were currently developing in-house Java apps
Of course, don’t count Sun’s Solaris operating system out — only 8.5 percent thought Solaris had made their work more difficult; 18 percent of Java users said Java had made their work harder.
Ironside ships business-to-business e-commerce system
Ironside Technologies is shipping a business-to-business e-commerce system that will allow distributors and manufacturers to take orders over the Internet with real-time customer pricing and inventory access control. The system also includes a feature that automatically makes alternative recommendations in case your first choice can’t be delivered.
The Ironside system permits users to place orders, check the order status, make price and inventory inquiries, review product specifications, and search electronic catalogs over the Internet. Distributors’ customers and on-the-road sales representatives both can access the system from traditional desktops or mobile laptops. The system adapts to any order entry system and has real-time access to the information on the host computer. The integrated architecture removes the need to perform nightly data synchronization tasks to coordinate data on the server and the host computer.
The system is written in Java and currently runs on a Windows NT Server, although AS400 and DEC Alpha versions are planned by early 1998. Pricing starts at 5,000; the needs of individual distributors determines the final price of the system.
Asymetrix spins off SuperCede Inc.
Asymetrix, maker of the SuperCede visual development environment for Java, has decided to form a new company, called SuperCede Inc., from its Internet Tools Division. The new company’s only mission is to rapidly build and deploy high-performance applications with Java, according to Shabbir Dahod, general manager of SuperCede Inc.
“SuperCede is in a unique position to target the rapidly growing market for Java development solutions for corporate business systems,” said Vern Raburn, Asymetrix chairman. As an independent business, SuperCede Inc. will be well-positioned to focus on addressing its key business objectives: the continued development of the SuperCede product line, the development of alliances and partnerships, and the advantageous positioning of SuperCede for continuing market success.”
Steve Zoppi, program director for application delivery strategies at META Group, was excited by the formation of SuperCede Inc. “SuperCede provides Information Systems developers with a practical real-world path for moving to Java,” he said. We are confident the company is on target for creating a big industry impact by making Java practical for the Information Systems developer.”
OneWorld business apps get more Java/Net functionality
J.D. Edwards and Co. is shipping an upgrade to its OneWorld business software suite that adds more Java and Internet functionality. OneWorld B73.1 delivers an improved GUI, transaction processing across most applications, real-time access to enterprise applications and data to monitor status inventory levels. The OneWorld software is object-oriented middleware that lets the same application run on multiple operating systems within the same enterprise.
The software comes in four modules: One each for human resources, finance, manufacturing, and sales and distribution. The price for each module starts at 5,000. The software is compatible with HP-UX, OS/400, AIX, and Windows NT.
Agile’s jWorkplace product management software 100% certified
Agile Software Corp.’s product data management (PDM) software, Agile jWorkplace, has received 100% Pure Java certification. Developers can see a demo of jWorkplace at Internet World Summer ’97 on July 23.
“The certification of Agile jWorkplace as ‘100% Pure Java’ is a direct result of the major investment that Agile has made in the Java computing platform,” said Bryan Stolle, Agile CEO. “This mark[s] the commercial availability of software which can truly be deployed as an extranet application, opening up the manufacturing enterprise doors to its supply chain and customers, regardless of their locations and their computing environments.”
Agile jWorkplace is only available in limited release to key customers at the moment. The company expects it to ship to all customers by the fall. Pricing is currently unavailable.
https://www.agilesoft.com/products/index.html
Fujitsu adds Java compatibility to all its models
Fujitsu Ltd. is planning to make all of its equipment, including PCs, mainframes, servers, and portable information terminals, compatible with Java by early 1998. Fujitsu decided to make its offering Java-compatible after an announcement by Sun that a Japanese version of Java would be available this fall.
Fujitsu intends to develop specialized middleware so that application software written in Java can run smoothly on all of its systems. The company will also be offering courses on Java.
Finjan moves headquarters to Santa Clara
Finjan Inc., maker of security network products SurfinGate and SurfinShield which protect intranets against bad Java applets and ActiveX controls, cited a substantial growth in business (and staff) as the reason to move the company’s U.S. headquarters to Santa Clara, CA.
Three Java versions of mainframe terminal emulators
Three companies have released Java versions of mainframe terminal-emulation programs that run over standard Java sockets.
OpenConnect Systems’ WebConnect Pro supports the simple emulation of a traditional terminal’s green screen. Using the included OpenVista utility, users can program customized PC-like screens using a drag-and-drop Windows environment. WebConnect Pro costs 95 plus 9 per user.
Client/Server Technology’s Jacada is an emulation program that attempts to solve Java’s inability to let users work with the entire character set that terminal emulation requires. Jacada reads the terminal screen and modifies its elements so that the layout works more like a Windows application. The program occasionally truncates characters and fields, so you may have to switch intermittently to green-screen mode. It costs 0,000 for a 40-concurrent-sessions license.
Advanced Transition Technologies’ ResQ!Net dynamically reads screens as they come in and enhances the elements, changing function-key labels to clickable buttons and editable fields to editable Windows fields. And if users want to customize the screens they can purchase ResQ!Net Studio server software, which allows drag-and-drop programming of complex forms. ResQ!Net starts at 0 per user. The Studio server costs 5,000.
OpenConnect: https://www.oc.com/products/webconnect/ Client/Server Technology: https://www.cst.com/htmls/t1c.htm Advanced Transition Technologies: https://www.att-inc.com/resqnet.htm
CERT says disable JavaScript
The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) is advising all computer users to disable JavaScript functions in their Web browsers. CERT discovered a weakness in JavaScript’s implementation that allows attackers to monitor Web sessions and information typed into the browser — even when using the secure HTTPS mode and whether or not the server is behind a firewall. The problem lets remote hackers monitor the addresses of Web sites visited and observe any information typed into online forms (credit cards, expiration/expiry dates, user names and passwords, and so on) and the values of cookie files.
The problem is not with JavaScript, but with the way it is implemented in certain Web browsers. JavaScript programs are usually downloaded automatically by the browser when a page containing them is accessed; then they are executed within the browser. Because of some errors of implementation in some software, certain browsers allow the JavaScript programs to operate outside the security context from which they were downloaded.
In other words, a JavaScript downloaded from a non-secure site could operate even when the browser is in secure mode. CERT also notes that this is difficult to monitor.
CERT advises getting a patch from your browser vendor, and if that’s not available, disable JavaScript until the fix is installed.
CERT’s JavaScript bulletin: ftp://info.cert.org/pub/cert_advisories/CA-97.20.javascript Microsoft’s patch: https://www.microsoft.com/ie/security/update.htm Netscape’s patch (unconfirmed): https://home.netscape.com/assist/security/index.html
Internet World Summer 97 is just around the corner
Mecklermedia is producing “Internet World Summer 97: Where the Internet Means Business” in McCormick Place, Chicago, July 21 through 25. And of course, Java is one of the main topics.
There will be keynotes from Dr. Eric Schmidt, Novell CEO; Irving Wladawsky-Berger, IBM Internet Division GM; Jeff Papows, Lotus president; Tom Evslin, AT&T WorldNet Services VP; and Kim Polese, Marmba CEO.
Hands-on workshops include “Internet Security and Firewall Systems,” “Java Primer,” and “Java vs. ActiveX.”
Sessions include
- Java Development for the Networked Age
- Building Distributed Applications With Java
- Java ComputingVision
- Java Gets Down to Business
- Sun and Its Java Partners
- Developing Server-Side Applications on the Internet
- Enhancing Online Forms Using JavaScript
- Java Developers Roundtable
- Java, Security and Commerce
- Java: Middle Manager to CIO
https://events.internet.com/summer97/
Two JDK components available for preview
Sun is previewing two technology packs to be used with the JDK: Win32 Performance Pack and Solaris Native Threads Pack for SPARC and x86. The Win32 Performance Pack contains a JIT compiler, which should offer quite a performance boost.
The Solaris Native Threads Pack for SPARC and x86 is expected to give developers more flexibility in developing Java applications.
https://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.1
Network browser extension BOOSTERs Java management
Innovative Software GmbH is offering Java BOOSTER, a network-based extension for all Web browsers that should ease loading and managing any kind of ‘Net-based information. It takes the part of the Internet that individuals rate most important and moves it to their local network.
At the individual’s request, Java applets are transferred to the local hard disk as soon they are loaded off the ‘Net, allowing the applets to be accessed locally.
Java BOOSTER works with all browsers that support the HTTP standard, and can be used through firewalls. It also features an offline mode, a string search in the inventory of offline documents, and favorites (persistent objects). It is available as a 32-bit app for Windows 95, NT, and Unix users, and even though there is no support for 16-bit Winsock connections, Windows 3.x users can access the BOOSTER if it’s installed on a server.
Non-profits and students can use Java BOOSTER for free. Others will have to register for desktop licenses at a cost of 9 per copy. A server license is available for 9 per user or 90 for no user limits.
https://www.isg.de/javabooster
Create a universal installer for Java platforms
Zero G Software introduces InstallAnywhere, a 100 percent Java utility that lets developers quickly create a universal, commercial-quality installer that will run on any Java platform. InstallAnywhere handles all the platform-specific details. For example, it can automatically create shortcuts in the Windows Start menu or it can set custom icons on Mac OS or Solaris. InstallAnywhere uses a task-based interface to create a Java app installer that can run from the Internet or CD-ROM, without specialized server software.
The software includes the InstallAnywhere Designer task-based GUI and Preformatted installer templates. It supports:
- Splash screens and multiple billboards
- Customizable wizards
- International and multilingual support (through an add-on module)
- Multiple file types, including Java applications and applets, JavaBeans and other class files and libraries, non-Java software applications, components, shared libraries, and data files
- Automatic handling of platform-specific tasks, such as system registry modification; setting up icons, preferences, and environment variables; and creating aliases, shortcuts, and links
- Special features of Windows 95/3.1/NT, MacOS, and Solaris
- Distribution methods, including the Internet, intranet, LAN, all removable media formats, and self extracting installers for direct install from network media, Web, or e-mail
- The UpdateAnywhere module (lets software check for updates live over the ‘Net)
- ZIP and JAR compression, with the ability of continuous background compression during design (to minimize the time it takes to build the app)
- Digital certificates and password protection security
To get pricing and availability, contact the company.
https://www.ZeroG.com/InstallAnywhere/Default.htm
Anti-virus WebScanX offered by McAfee
McAfee Associates is announcing WebScanX 3.1.0, anti-virus software designed to protect systems from hostile ActiveX and Java applets. The software includes McAfee’s Hunter engine (used to detect e-mail, downloads, executables, and attachments viruses).
On download of an ActiveX or Java applet, WebScanX 3.1.0 puts the download in a buffer, then compares it with a library of code that contains known signatures of hostile objects. If WebScanX finds a match, it allows the user to block and delete the corrupted object. Of course, you still have the option to skip the warning and finish the download.
But WebScanX doesn’t stop there. Even if the download is declared friendly, it still watches the object for any suspect changes (automatic reallocation of memory or repetitive file deletions on your hard drive, for example). Users can get updates to the hostile signatures library as a download from McAfee, or as a push from BackWeb Technologies.
WebScanX 3.1.0, which will be ready to ship in August, will be included in McAfee’s enterprise Virus Scan Security Suite for 0; developers can purchase it separately for 9.
Symantec’s Visual Page editor now for Windows
Symantec has released the Windows version of its Visual Page HTML editor, a WYSIWYG editor that supports Java and HTML frames, forms, and table creation, and allows users to embed Java applets in HTML pages through drag-and-drop or code-level interfaces.
The Mac version of Visual Page is currently bundled with the Visual Cafe Java-development tool. The Windows version will be offered as an embedded editor for ISVs and developers, and it will be bundled with the Windows versions of Visual Cafe and Visual Cafe Pro. The editor costs 9.
https://www.symantec.com/vcafeprowin/guide/overview.html
Java Card Forum gets two new members
Four months ago, Schlumberger and Gemplus (with the enthusiasm of Sun) founded the Java Card Forum, an organization designed with two goals in mind: to market and develop products that are compatible with the Java Card API standard, and to continually enhance the API. The Forum has just added two new members — Bull CP8 Transmac and De La Rue Card Systems (formerly Philips Smart Cards and Systems).
Several other Java Card licensees and prospective licensees have petitioned to join the Forum, including G&D, Hitachi, IBM, Sun, and Toshiba.
The Forum has also just formed a business committee to promote the API standard and hasten and ease its integration into mainstream markets by inviting partners from the financial services, telecommunications, and IT industries to join. So far, they’ve snagged 15 international organizations (although at press time, the names were not available).
https://www.javacardforum.org/
Web, Java skills are gold
Limited budgets are keeping down new hires, so most Java and Web work at corporations is falling to current IT employees, making Web-smart employees highly valuable. And, as an
InfoWorld
survey further shows, 90 percent of companies that are implementing Web sites or intranets have their existing crop of employees working on it — not new hires or outsourced resources.
Java (and other programming) skills are important for companies whose primary deployment of network-centric technology surrounds the creation of internal applications. Unix and Windows NT experience is necessary for those companies creating Web-based interfaces for their existing databases. These companies may outsource the content-creation (and HTML/CGI authoring) chores.
The survey goes on to point out that non-technical skills are just as important. These include the ability to see in which areas the Web can benefit the company, the flexibility to adapt to evolving technology, and the desire to keep following the technology as it changes.
For more info, see “Career development: hot IT skills from here to 2000,” InfoWorld: http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStat.pl?/careers/970707skill.htm
MerzScope commercially available and 100% certified
At WebINNOVATION in San Jose last month, MerzCom announced the commercial release of MerzScope, an Web mapping package. Written completely in Java, MerzScope allows users to produce dynamic, graphical maps of any collection of Web pages and links. The package consists of a mapping application for Web designers and a small applet for surfers to view and navigate the maps designed using the application.
Designers simply seed the application with a single Web page and then expand the map through URLs on that page. Once the information has been added, they can structure the map by moving pages to the desired location and adding graphics and text to enhance the map’s appearance. Maps can also be easily updated to reflect changes to Web-page design.
Because the maps are relational, surfers can easily and freely navigate complex Web sites; they’re not restricted to the traditional “top-down” view of a Web site.
“MerzScope is an elegant and intuitive way of organizing and visualizing the vast quantity of information on the Web,” said Dr. Lew Tucker, director of corporate and ISV relations at JavaSoft. “This is a good example of Java technology solving a real-world problem.”
In a separate statement last week, MerzCom announced that MerzScope received a 100% Pure Java certification from Sun Microsystems.
https://www.merzcom.com/eng/pr/v100.html https://www.merzcom.com/eng/pr/100purecert.html
Emblaze products make streaming video/audio a snap
Geo Interactive Publishing plans to ship two new streaming utilities by mid-July. These utilities, Emblaze.Video and Emblaze.Audio, announced last month at WebINNOVATION in San Jose, are intended to simplify incorporating streaming video and audio on the Web. Web developers can drag and drop video or audio files onto either application to convert them to a proprietary format that can be accessed by any Java-enabled browser — without the need for browser plug-ins or special server software.
The Mac version of Emblaze.Video will compress both QuickTime and SND files while converting them to a proprietary format; the Windows version will do the same for AVI and WAV files. Emblaze Video supports playback at a variety of frame sizes. Emblaze.Audio will convert SND or WAV files to the Emblaze.Audio format.
Web developers can try 30-day demo versions of the 95 (each) utilities. (The demo versions are expected to be posted soon.)
Demos: https://www.emblaze.com/atlantis/page1.htm
Download: https://www.emblaze.com/atlantis/downu.htm
Ding! keeps you in touch across the ‘Net
Wouldn’t it be helpful if you had a way to reach out over the Internet and tap someone on the shoulder? That’s the idea behind Activerse’s Ding!, a “people browser” that provides a way to instantly reach and know the status of friends and colleagues online — anytime they’re online. Ding! gives you access to the most important of network resources — people.
“People browsers like Ding! do for people what the Web and Web browsers did for information — provide easy, immediate access, anytime, anyplace,” said Jeff Bone, chief technologist of the Austin-based firm. “People browsers … provide a basic mechanism for pulling together different kinds of real-time communication, such as chat, instant messaging, file transfer, Web browser sharing, and so on.”
Rather than using a server, Ding! uses a “non-server” switchboard for connections. The primarily peer-to-peer system architecture allows Ding! to scale to encompass millions of users reliably and efficiently, without the problems of server support loads.
Activerse knows open standards are critical to the success of people browsers and is currently preparing a specification of the basic protocol used in Ding! for submission to the IETF and other standards bodies.
Ding! is written entirely in Java and is designed to be extensible. Said Bone, “We have an open API for integrating with Java and non-Java communications tools into Ding!, and we are aggressively pursuing third-party developers to help us to our people browser into a reich application platform.”
Ding! is currently in closed beta testing; the open beta release is due out anytime.
