News and New Product Briefs (9/1/98)

Innoview Java Multilizer gets Java certification

Innoview Data Technologies announced that its Multilizer Java Edition 1.1 localization tool has received 100% Pure Java certification. Multilizer is based on the platform-independent Multilizer Dictionary-Translator Architecture (MDTA). According to product manager Erik Lindberg, “This unique architecture keeps the language-related tasks apart from the programming issues. The development is done efficiently with modern software components — while the language-related issues can be conducted even by a non-programming person.”

Multilizer Java Edition comes with or without source code in two versions: Standard (w/o 90; w/ 80) and Professional (w/o 90; w/ ,580). Developers can try a free 30-day evaluation copy.

https://usa.multilizer.com/java/index.html

Hostile Java app demo called into question

Israel-based company WithinReason Software has posted a demonstration of a hostile Java hack — a reverse-engineered Java-applet version of BackOrifice — and the posting itself is causing a stir in the Java industry.

The Java version of BackOrifice was posted on the WithinReach site as a demonstration applet to show how dangerous hostile Java apps can be. According to site co-creator Assaf Arkin, it only took five minutes to re-engineer the app.

BackOrifice, originally crafted by the Cult of the Dead Cow hacker group and showcased at a recent Def Con hacker conference, can remotely monitor and control Windows 95/98 systems and can add and delete files, directories, and registry entries.

Did we mention that Arkin’s connection to the WithinReach site is, in his own words, “my pastime.” His full-time career is as a customer support manager at Java/ActiveX security software company Security7 Software. And, according to Arkin, the applet is “not supposed to attack you, not to do anything that isn’t irreversible. It’s a demonstration.” He went on to add, “The only stuff I’m involved in is feedback.”

Working on both sides of the security issue can be commonplace, but it usually occurs in linear fashion. But his employer, Security7 executive VP Jack Hembrough, stands by his employee: “We think it’s important that we, as security people, alert people to what it can do. I wouldn’t say he’s working both sides of the fence.”

Creating hostile apps to test defenses is one thing. Posting them online is another.

Additional information: /cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?980824.ehbreach.htm https://www.techweb.com/se/directlink.cgi?INW19980817S0020

Open source town meeting faces challenges

O’Reilly and Associates recently sponsored an Open Source Town Meeting, a meeting of open source luminaries and adherents designed to toss around ideas on how to maintain open software, while at the same time discussing how to make a profit from open-source software. Open source software includes such technologies as Linux and Perl.

Included on the panel were:

• Perl creator Larry Wall
• Yahoo! co-founder David Filo
• GNU project founder Richard Stallman
• Tcl creator John Ousterhout
• FreeBSD founder Jordan Hubbard

According to moderator O’Reilly president Tim O’Reilly, he hopes meetings such as this one will help change the position of open-source supporters from the fringe to the center of innovation.

The panel covered such topics as patents/copyright issues and Web software reuse.

New Informix extension bridges Java and COM components

Informix plans to introduce an extension to its DataBlade technology that lets users build components that will run anywhere in a three-tier architecture, whether the model is based on Enterprise JavaBeans/CORBA or COM. Currently, DataBlades technology is a way to support scalable management of new types of data objects in a database.

The new extension will give IT developers the ability to export DataBlades anywhere in a three-tier architecture, and to move the logic with changes to the application. It will add a client-side component model to the existing DataBlades server-side component model, making it possible to deploy Blades on databases as well as middleware.

DataBlade overview: https://www.informix.com/informix/products/options/udo/datablade/ Original article: /cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?980822.ehinformix.htm

Software AG builds Linux port for DCOM

Software AG announced a new version of EntireX, porting middleware that supplies a Linux 2.0 port for Microsoft’s Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM).

EntireX already ports DCOM to AIX, Digital Unix, OpenVMS, OS/390, and Solaris. The 10 MB software consists of a runtime environment for running DCOM applications and a software development kit. The software lets DCOM-enabled apps on non-Windows platforms communicate with DCOM components on a heterogeneous network by adding a DCOM layer to server-based applications.

The download is free.

https://www.software-ag.de/corporat/solutions/entirex/linux/downldlx.htm

Microsoft, DataChannel team up to offer Java-based XML parser

Microsoft and DataChannel announced that they have co-developed a Java-based XML parser that runs on the server (to escape the usually slower performance of client-side VMs).

The 100% Pure Java parser can be combined with DataChannel’s RIO software, which should relieve programmers of the need to focus on display and navigation logic when they craft their apps.

Look for the parser on both the Microsoft and DataChannel Web sites this month.

DataChannel: https://www.datachannel.com/ Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/

Short take: W3C “recommends” two XML-based standards

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has recently upgraded the Extensible Style Language (XSL) to specification-level status and the Document Object Model (DOM) to recommendation status.

XSL acts like a bridge between XML data and the format to which content will be published (the Web, print, or multimedia). DOM is a common object model, designed to offer an interface for programs and scripts to update document content, structure, and formats. Both are XML-based standards.

XSL 1.0: https://www.w3.org/Press/1998/XSL-WD DOM: https://www.w3.org/TR/PR-DOM-Level-1/

Lucent makes it simpler to do telephony with Beans

Lucent Technologies announced a new suite of @Work Studio and Voice@Work Bean development tools, designed to make it easier to integrate Sun and IBM Java development environments when building telephony applications.

Right now, the @Work Studio suite supports interactive voice applications, but Lucent officials plan to change it over the next two years so that it supports other, varied speech and voice technologies. Voice@Work is then used to connect the applications to the Lucent Intuity Conversant server.

@Work Studio goes into beta later in 1998 (planned release is for early 1999). Pricing is not yet determined. Voice@Work is available now, starting at ,000.

https://www.lucent.com:80/enterprise/press/0898/980818.bca.html

Bristol sues Microsoft for illegal competitive practices

After more than a year of licensing-contract negotiations, Bristol Technology has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, claiming that the company allegedly is illegally using its operating system monopoly power to undermine competition in the Unix market.

Bristol officials contend that Microsoft approached Bristol in 1991 and started a relationship that culminated in Bristol’s main product, Wind/U, which lets companies port applications from Windows to Unix. They further contend that because of Microsoft’s recent efforts to strengthen relationships with Bristol competitors, the company has stopped providing Bristol with the complete source code for the Windows operating systems. (Bristol joined Microsoft’s Windows Interface Source Environment program in 1994.)

Bristol officials also claim that Microsoft:

• Changed its Unix strategy (pushing NT-acceptance over Windows-apps emulation for Unix boxes)
• Hid its true intent (in strategy change) from Bristol officials
• Engaged Bristol in “endless and inconclusive” negotiations (which include a 400 percent royalty increase per shipped application)
• Decided to restrict Bristol’s access to source code

The lawsuit asks for unspecified monetary damages, a new good-faith licensing agreement, and immediate access to Windows source code. Sybase CEO Mitchell Kertzman has submitted and affidavit claiming that Sybase relies on Bristol’s ability to supply the entire Windows API.

Microsoft officials contend that Bristol is trying to negotiate better contract terms through the court system, and call the lawsuit without merit.

Bristol’s legal-eagle page: https://www.bristol.com/legal Original article: /cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?980819.wcbristol.htm

DOJ/Microsoft antitrust case delayed

U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson agreed to a two-week delay in the Justice Department’s antitrust case against Microsoft, moving the trial to September 23, 1998. Also, a DC-based U.S. District Court of Appeals granted Microsoft a temporary stay on Jackson’s earlier deposition order that Microsoft officials could be deposed publicly. A group of media outlets had requested access to the depositions.

Judge Jackson had opened the depositions to the public based on an esoteric clause in the Sherman Antitrust Act. Pending a final ruling by the Appeals Court (expected in September), the depositions can continue, but they will be closed to the public. If the court finds for Jackson’s earlier ruling, deposition videotapes, and transcripts will be made public. The Appeals Court reasons for closing the depositions now before a decision was reached dealt with reversibility: Should officials testify openly then the court decide that testimony should be closed, the decision would have been irreversible.

Also, all parties were concerned about exposing confidential trade information.

Microsoft officials claimed that edited versions of the tapes would be made available to the press after the trial.

More inforamtion: /cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?980819.wcdoj.htm /cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?980817.wcmscircus.htm

SARC engineers sip “Strange Brew” Java virus

The Symantec Anti-Virus Research Center (SARC) announced finding what they consider to be the first Java virus on the Internet — Strange Brew.

Strange Brew is a fairly weak self-replicating virus that can infect Java applications and applets, and spread from Java app to Java app. The virus’ main function is to infect other Java apps, but its own buggy design could cause it to corrupt the apps it infects. But most Java-capable browsers would terminate the infected app immediately.

According to SARC’s chief researcher Carey Nachenberg, Strange Brew is “not a threat to end-users, but it is important that it is a proof of concept and whole new class of viruses that we have never seen before.”

https://www.symantec.com/avcenter/data/javaapp.strangebrew.html

IBM/MS submit XML data structure proposal to W3C

Microsoft and IBM submitted a proposal, Document Content Descriptions (DCD), to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to describe the structure and content of Extensible Markup Language (XML) data.

DCDs offer functions that are similar to Document Type Definitions (DTD), but DCD extends DTD by supporting other XML-oriented standards such as the Resource Description Framework (RDF), XML Data, and XML Namespaces. DCDs are also written in an XML syntax while DTDs are not. DCDs come with database and programming prototype support. (XML received DTDs from SGML.)

The next step would involve the W3C forming a working group build up the protocol.

https://www.w3.org/Submission/1998/11/

JDK 1.2, HotSpot delayed

Sun announced that JDK 1.2 will be delayed for two months (until November 1998). The JDK development team claims that it needs more time to stabilize the release. This delay will push back delivery of the Java HotSpot virtual machine to the end of the first quarter next year.

Sun Java platforms group manager Gina Centoni noted that adding features to JDK 1.1.6 is not the holdup; it’s just taking longer than expected to enhance the performance and security features of JDK 1.2. She said the team decided that customers would prefer to see a “more stable platform than [just] more features.”

HotSpot is no stranger to delays. Originally planned for 1997, it has bumped and rescheduled its way into almost the second quarter of 1999. Working atop the JDK 1.2, its design is to boost the speed of JVM JIT compilers through adaptive optimization and a new garbage-collection mechanism called Train.

The JDK 1.2b4 version has all of the features the team plans, including Symantec JIT Compiler 3.0, some of the HotSpot VM features, JFCs, the Java 2D API, and CORBA support.

Meanwhile, Centoni urges users to get a copy of beta 4, use it, and tell Sun what needs to be changed.

JDK 1.2b4: https://java.sun.com/products/index.html Original article: /cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?980817.wcjdkdelay.htm

Berkeley extension delivers Java programming in the fall

The University of California at Berkeley (UCB) will offer a three-course Professional Sequence in Java programming in the fall 1998 semester. The sequence is designed to give programmers real-world experience in Java programming.

The sequence includes three 30-hour, 2-unit courses (total: 90-hours/6 credits). The sequence starts with “Java: Discovering Its Power” (Berkeley, San Francisco, Fremont, Atherton), followed by “Advanced Java: Language, Internals and Techniques” (Atherton), and “Advanced Java: Developing with APIs” (San Francisco).

The Cal Berkeley extension also offers four other advanced courses in Java:

• “Java Programming” for C/C++ programmers to learn Java applets and standalone apps
• “Java Programming: An Intensive Introduction” for experienced C/C++ programmers to come up to speed on Java
• “Java: AWT, JFC, JavaBeans and Applets” an advanced course
• “Java: Threads, Networks, RMI and Native Interfaces” another advanced programming course

https://www.unex.berkeley.edu:4243/cert/java.html

DSC, Sun launch intelligent network project

Sun and DSC Communications recently announced a commitment to develop Java component-based applications that will launch DSC’s INfusion intelligent network services from a Web page using a browser.

INfusion is a family of intelligent network products that offer service creation, management, and delivery for Solaris environments.

DSC hopes that this project will make it possible for telecommunications companies and ISPs to offer the same service over a wired, wireless, or IP network. The Java component apps would let users anywhere tap into the INfusion SCP centralized service control point. DSC would be able to provide open access to its intelligent network services from any Java-enabled device, and it would facilitate integration with and access to core back-office business systems, such as legacy billing and provisioning systems.

The first Java-based services being crafted are Universal One Number Service, an online customer survey, interactive help lines, and browser-based provisioning.

According to a DSC official, the company is also evaluating INfusion’s place in Sun’s JAIN (Java in Advanced Intelligent Network) initiative.

https://www.dsccc.com/

Arch wireless paging uses Novera jBusiness

Novera announced that Arch Communications, one of the largest wireless paging companies in the U.S., has chosen Novera’s jBusiness product to build a customer-care system.

jBusiness consists of the Component Development Environment, Application Server, and Management Server, all designed to help companies Java-enable their business practices and processes by developing, integrating, deploying, and maintaining server-side Java applications.

jBusiness is allowing Arch to start the implementation of new business subsystems, including order-placement and fulfillment, billing, inventory, and an automated interface applications for its 200 U.S. locations and more than 3,000 users. The Arch programmers are developing the applications on an NT system and deploying them on a Solaris-based machine with an Informix database. The company should start implementing the new applications in September 1998.

New KL Group JavaBeans get automated data binding

KL Group offers version 3.5 of its JClass JavaBeans, complete with some new database components.

Version 3.5 beans have automatic data binding built in. This release also contains an Enterprise Suite and two new beans, JClass HiGrid and JClass DataSource.

JClass HiGrid is a RAD hierarchical grid used to manage, display, and update master-detail relation data, using JClass DataSource, a hierarchical data model that allows specification of queries and joins in a RAD environment. JClass HiGrid lets developers build multilevel GUIs so users can drill down to deeper levels of detail. Built on the Model-View-Controller design, it:

• Displays dynamic hierarchical data structures in array or unbound mode
• Lets you change a grid’s appearance by changing its fonts and border styles, for example
• Provides full control over input and display with pluggable cell editors and renderers
• Automatically computes and displayes summary information in footers
• Provides built-in column sorting and user pop-up menus
• Works with JDK 1.1 and later

JClass DataSource lets JClass Chart, JClass LiveTable, and JClass Field automatically bind to any JDBC data object, JBuilder DataSet, or Visual Café QueryNavigator instance. Developers can use it to model relationships that normally require detailed coding and create any kind of database front end with JClass GUI components.

The entire set of JavaBeans is available in a single-install Enterprise Suite, with all the JClass components and the JARHelper custom utility that lets developers quickly create deployment JARs containing only the components that are used.

Bytecode and source code versions are available starting at 99.

https://www.klg.com/jclass

SPEC releases SPECjvm98

SPEC has released SPECjvm98, the first benchmark suite that measures computer system performance for Java virtual machine client platforms.

With SPECjvm98, users can evaluate the combined performance of the hardware and software sides of the JVM client platform. For hardware, it measures integer and floating-point CPU performance, cache, memory, and other platform-specific actions. For software, it checks on the JVM’s efficiency, the JIT compiler’s performance, and various operating system implementations.

The benchmark contains eight tests. Five tests are real applications or derived from real applications that are commercially available. The tests measure the time it takes to load the program, verify the class files, compile on the fly if a JIT compiler is used, and execute the test. Each test is run several times and a best and a worst score is recorded. A geometric mean is used to compute a composite score. The scores are normalized against a midrange IBM PowerPC 604/133MHz processor.

The tests include:

• _200_check to check JVM and Java features
• _201_compress, an LZW compression program
• _202_jess, a Java version of NASA’s popular CLIPS rule-based expert system
• _209_db, IBM data-management benchmarking software
• _213_javac, the JDK Java compiler
• _222_mpegaudio, the core algorithm for software that decodes an MPEG-3 audio stream
• _227_mtrt, a dual-threaded program that ray traces an image file
• _228_jack, a real parser-generator

SPECjvm98 is available for 00. A demo version, documentation, order form, and initial benchmark results are available at SPEC’s site.

https://www.spec.org/osg/jvm98/

MAPICS offers eWorkPlace

MAPICS announced eWorkPlace, a Java universal client that allows Web-based access to the company’s more than 40 MAPICS XA ERP modules that include object-oriented client/server applications in six categories — financial, demand, engineering, operations, resource planning, and business management.

According to MAPICS CEO and president Dick Cook, “eWorkPlace is the next step in delivering on this [an aggressive e-business] strategy and directly responds to our customers who have told us that Web-enablement is a top requirement for their ERP system.”

eWorkPlace gives MAPICS’ customers a Java GUI to access MAPICS XA modules via an intranet or the Internet.

https://www.mapics.com/

Addison-Wesley talks about aglets

Addison-Wesley announced the release of a new book, Programming and Deploying Java Mobile Agents with Aglets, which should be the defining reference on aglets.

What are aglets? Aglets are lightweight Java-based mobile agents that traverse the Internet performing tasks on remote hosts.

This book, written by aglet creators Danny B. Lange and Mitsuru Oshima, is a guide to aglet programming information that teaches Java programmers (regardless of experience) to build Java aglets using the Aglets Workbench, and then send them forth onto the Internet.

The book covers:

• An introduction to mobile agents
• Detailed coverage of IBM’s Aglet API
• An in-depth discussion on aglet security

As you can guess, security would be a critical topic for this type of mobile technology.

The book contains real-world examples and a CD-ROM containing all of the examples. Programming and Deploying Java Mobile Agents with Aglets (Addison-Wesley, 256 pages, August 1998, ISBN 0-201-32582-9) sells for 7.95.

Search the JavaWorld Bookstore: https://jw.wpi.com/javaworld/books/jw-clbooks.html

New OMG specs helps Java developers

The Object Management Group (OMG) recently approved several technologies that will help Java developers stick to the CORBA specification for platform and object interoperability.

The OMG board has approved 14 new technologies, but the ones that affect Java developers most include IDL (interface definition language)-to-Java mapping, Java-to-IDL mapping, and IDL/Java Revision 1.1. This means that code written in Java will automatically adhere to OMG IDL, making CORBA interoperability services available to an application without additional coding.

In the upcoming fourth quarter, the Open Group (TOG) will offer a testing facility/branding program, the Interoperability Assurance Program (IAP), that will certify that object request brokers and objects adhere to CORBA.

OMG: https://www.omg.org/

TOG: https://www.opengroup.org/

ICEsoft releases e-Lite Java browser

Norway-based ICEsoft announced e-Lite, a standalone, ultra-lightweight, cross-platform Java Web browser that is certified 100% Pure Java.

e-Lite is fully customizable and uses the JFC Swing classes from Sun and ICE Browser Lite from ICEsoft, delivering a pluggable look-and-feel and full HTML 3.2 compliance.

It is available free for a test drive. Version 1.0 will additionally provide cookies, text copy, and highlight facilities. You have through October 12, 1998 to download and try the free version. The Windows 95/NT version is a 5 MB download; 2 MB for Unix systems.

https://www.icesoft.no/ELite/index.html

Microsoft releases Sun lawsuit court documents

Microsoft’s apps and tools senior VP Bob Muglia, in his Sun/Microsoft lawsuit deposition that was recently released by Microsoft officials, claimed that Java software division president Alan Baratz had agreed to allow Microsoft to optimize Java to take advantage of Windows-platform features.

Muglia’s deposition states that Baratz “agreed that having Microsoft optimize the Java [VM] for Windows and define the way the VM works with native Windows applications would benefit Java developers.” His testimony also claimed Baratz said that “Microsoft also could create Java tool products with language extensions that were optimized for Windows.”

Muglia goes on to state that the working relationship between the companies deteriorated in the middle of 1996 when Sun decided to build the Java Native Interface (JNI) for its JVM. Microsoft had crafted the Raw Native Interface (RNI), but Sun decided not to incorporate any of the RNI’s features in JNI.

Original article: https://www.crn.com:80/dailies/weekending081498/aug13dig05.asp?NewsID=1910

Fujitsu develops i-flow Java workflow system

Netscape, move over: Fujitsu Software announced i-flow, a Java-based process automation tool that will let companies manage internal/external business processes across an intranet and the Internet.

i-flow comes with Adapter Objects, Java-based source code with easily customizable APIs that can be integrated into other software systems, dragging the i-flow tool with it. It also comes with a workflow engine and a software developers kit.

Fujitsu plans to market i-flow to other software vendors and value-added resellers.

Although Netscape recently announced that it will launch a product to compete in the Internet-based workflow system market, Fujitsu’s version is the only Web-based version. And the company will probably need that distinction of easy Java deployability, as it is not well known in this market.

i-flow should run on NT or Solaris and, according to company officials, should easily scale up to 10,000 users. Pricing for 25 users is 5,000; for 100 users, it starts at 0,000. It should be available in September 1998.

https://www.i-flow.com/

CyberCash preps its Java wallet

CyberCash announced that it is recasting its cyberwallet InstaBuy into a Java mold, which should be available in October 1998.

The original InstaBuy wallet required users to download client software to use. With the new version, customers shopping at a site that employs InstaBuy simply enter shipping and payment information. When shopping at that site again (or at any other site that uses InstaBuy), users just point, click, and order — no more data entry.

CyberCash is looking to enlist the 100 busiest e-commerce sites as InstaBuy users. Merchants pay for installation and a small fee for each transaction.

Product info: https://www.cybercash.com/index3.html

Original article: http://www.computerworld.com/home/news.nsf/all/9808193cyber

Isotel offers embedded Java VM

Isotel Research announced JavaImplant, an embedded software that provides a Java virtual machine for small consumer devices with limited memory.

Besides standard Sun JVM specifications, the 60 KB JavaImplant is compatible with most third-party compiler class files, as long as they follow specs.

Currently, JavaImplant is available in an evaluation demonstration release that embeds the software in a DOS package. The JavaImplant software includes exception handling, multithreading, garbage collection, and most standard classes, and ports to other operating systems via Isotel’s TDMA/CDMA wireless software. It also supports:

• 114 op-codes (long, float, and double are not supported)
• Most java.lang classes and some java.io
• ROMmable class files.
• Simple interface to native classes (such as C) and legacy software.

Isotel generally licenses software to OEMs.

The beta DOS executable is available on site for developers to use to evaluate the package, as well as for use in non-commercial applications.

https://www.isotel.com/implants.htm

EC3 ecWorkRouter gets 100% Pure Java certification

EC Cubed announced that its ecWorkRouter, Java-based workflow routing and tracking software, has received 100% Pure Java certification.

The ecWorkRouter component delivers electronic-commerce process definition and workflow routing and tracking to e-commerce applications, so developers don’t have to sweat over ways to integrate new business logic and workflow-process rules with existing ones.

The component is part of EC3’s ecWorks suite, which includes:

• ecProfiler, which delivers user authentication, authorization, and profile management
• ecTradeMaker, which facilitates building mediation/collaboration platforms to manage business-partner interaction
• ecAdvisor, which provides users notification of business events

Evaluation versions are available (developers will need to fill out a registration form). Check with company for pricing.

https://www.eccubed.com/products/default.html

IBM S/390 vaults into the Web world

IBM is adding enhancements to its System/390 mainframe (S/390) to make it more attractive as a Web server, and one of those enhancements includes an integrated, Java-based application server.

Besides the WebSphere application server, IBM’s new release of OS/390 system software will also toughen Internet security and improve TCP/IP and network filesystem performance.

The enhancements come in the release of OS/390 2.5. The WebSphere Application Server (an improved Domino Go Webserver) integrates the security and transaction capabilities of the S/390 system. The new OS also offers:

• A Java engine for secure/nonsecure Web requests
• SSL-request handling
• Standard digital certificates
• Provisional EJB support (through a Component Broker beta)
• 15-times increase of TCP/IP data handling performance

The update is scheduled to ship in September/October 1998.

https://www.s390.ibm.com/

Selingua vocabulary training comes in Java

Sweden-based Arro & Wartoft announced a Java-based version of Selingua, the company’s vocabulary training program with extensive built-in dictionaries.

Selingua dictionaries contain more than 2,000 words in English (American and British), German, Spanish, French, and Swedish. Native speakers can choose instructions in their own language (except Spanish; expect it soon).

The program sports six exercises that lets users practice vocabulary and verb inflections. It includes a crossword puzzle for writing instruction. Users can add words to the dictionaries in the Windows version; the Java version doesn’t support additional words.

The Java version requires JDK 1.1 support. Single licenses cost 0. You can download a 500-word, closed-entry evaluation version.

https://www.arrowartoft.se/produkter/sel_java/index_eng.html

Short take: PosiTrak goes Java and mobile

ILT announced a new Java version of its PosiTrak Mobile Workforce software, designed to be used with Telxon Corp.’s mobile pen-based computers.

The PosiTrak software allows service technicians in the field to send/receive work orders, track labor hours, and record parts/inventory information.

According to company officials, pricing will be based on the number of employees in an organization.

https://www.positrak.com/

The Sun comes up over New Horizons

Nope, this New Horizons is not a substance-abuse or new-age spirituality center. The New Horizons Computer Learning Centers are computer-topic training facilities — and 25 of them have been named authorized Java Training Centers by Sun.

Starting in September 1998, the New Horizons locations will offer three Sun Educational Services’ Java technology courses, including “Programming for Beginners,” “Java Programming,” and “JavaBeans Component Development.”

Contact Sun Education or New Horizons for scheduling, pricing, and location.

https://www.newhorizons.com/

Hilton Hotels book Java

Hilton Hotels announced that it is migrating its old-fashion client/server database application, the Hilton Information Database (HIDB), to an in-house Java-based system.

The HIDB, a Sybase database and Access 2.0 application, holds static data about each hotel (everything from number of rooms to services available — the only data missing is rates, inventory, and room availability) and supplies real-time data, in addition to running all sorts of reports (sales/marketing, operations) through a forms-based front end. It funnels the information into the company’s reservation system and Web site on a nightly basis.

Recent higher transaction rates have slowed the system considerably, and the application requires monthly updates (700 desktops/70 locations). And that doesn’t even account for 50 other hotels that don’t fit into the system.

Hilton’s answer is the Java-based HIDB Web, crafted using Vision Software’s Jade RAD environment. Jade allows Hilton developers to generate Java code from business rules written in an SQL-style language. It has allowed the Hilton system to standardize on Internet Explorer 4.0 as the client. And it doesn’t require many changes to the existing database and the Windows 95 desktops.

Hilton corporate systems manager Glenn Hellyer notes, “The biggest thing for Hilton is the rapid application development. It is key to our competitive advantage; now we can make changes to the system and roll it out in a matter of days or less.” Before, it cost Hilton as much as six weeks to develop software and ,000 a month to distribute it. HIDB Web was crafted in-house in six weeks.

NDS orbits Persona server

Orbital Technologies announced a plan to add Novell Directory Services (NDS) to its Java-based Persona server.

The Organik Persona server lets users augment existing directories with a new profile engine. The server also features:

• Profile representation (specialized facilities used to manage structured representations of personal interests and expertise; Persona Profiles deliver the automatically updated personal-attribute storage structures)
• Dynamic routing algorithms, which include external resources with specific search features that can be integrated into the framework
• Support for any NDS platform, including NetWare, NT, Solaris, and IBM
• Tight integration with Novell NDS, Netscape DS, and Microsoft Active Directory
• Application communication through RMI and CORBA

The beta of the NDS version of the Persona server should be available between late September-early November 1998. The company expects to ship the commercial version in December 1998.

https://www.orbital-tech.com/organikps.html

S&P has a little Java with its quotes

In order to keep up with the increasingly Web-ified nature of stock and commodities trading, McGraw-Hill subsidiary Standard & Poor’s is moving to integrate Web technologies into its existing, trusted systems. And Java is a part of that move.

Java technology joins the S&P family in the form of Research Direct, a Java-based application that will allow subscribers of S&P’s ratings service to access real-time reports over the Internet. A beta version is expected to be tested in early September 1998, with a full-fledged rollout to subscribers in October 1998. Research Direct will replace an existing CD-ROM/paper version.

Other Web services for 1998:

• Personal Wealth, a service that allows personal investors to access stock/mutual fund ratings, as well as other information.
• Global Markets Live, a Web-based version of its bond/fixed-income securities news and analyses service. You can currently see this service in operation over the Bloomberg, Reuters, and Telerate financial news services. It debuted in May 1998.

According to S&P president Robert Hunter, with Web-based services, the company is now able “to reach individuals and are selling subscription-based products to them that we never would have been able to sell in the past.” Hunter added, “The Internet is the preferred product development environment.”

Being Internet-friendly also means that S&P no longer has to pay for quote vendors, such as Reuters; Hunter figures that losing them will save the company 35 cents on the dollar.

Mitre Naglets configure routers on the fly

Mitre Corp. announced that it has combined Cisco Systems’ Netsys router configuration tools with its own homegrown Java agents to create something it calls Network Agile Applets, or naglets.

Naglets are designed to dynamically reconfigure Cisco routers dynamically over standard wireless LANs. According to a Mitre official, naglets were first constructed for the U.S. Army in order to update router tables in wireless networks.

At press time, there was no further information on the company’s site.

https://www.mitre.org/

ISI builds interface between Java and pSOS embedded OS

Integrated Systems Inc. (ISI) announced an upcoming interface between its pSOS real-time operating system and the embedded version of the Java virtual machine from Hewlett-Packard.

According to ISI marketing VP Joseph Addiego, “Our plans are relatively aggressive right now and we’re focused on bringing it to market.” With that strategy in mind, ISI is not putting all its eggs in the HP basket.

ISI also licensed the 512 KB Perc real-time Java clone, which executes standard Java bytecode with some proprietary real-time extensions, from NewMonics. And even though ISI does not have an EmbeddedJava license, it has access to the technology through its links to Israel-based NSI Comm. (How it stands: The HP implementation has four licensees, with one on the fence; EmbeddedJava has nine licensees, including three of HP’s.)

Addiego said that the HP implementation will be offered as an option with pSOS; Perc will be used for customers who want source code; NSI Comm will be used for customers who want a full Java implementation.

ISI is shooting for October 1998 as a delivery date.

ISI: https://www.isi.com/

HP JVM: https://www.hp.com/esy/go/java.html

Play around with genetic algorithms

Israel-based programmer Ariel Dolan is offering GA Playground, a Java-based genetic algorithm toolkit that lets users experiment with genetic algorithms, especially as possible solutions to optimization problems.

In the 200 KB GA Playground, defaults are provided for every parameter, but functions and parameters can be easily modified by codes written in plain text, including the most important functions — the fitness function, or mathematical definition of the goal of a particular GA. Evolution of the GA can be followed through one (or all) of three real-time data windows — text, graphics, or on-demand log.

GA Playground lets programmers tune GA in real time and define new fitness functions, and it even recompiles itself to include the new functions. It comes with some predefined applets for bit-packing, function optimizing, knapsack, and traveling salesmen problems.

Two unique features include a kick-start mechanism that scrambles the genome if little or no change occurs over a few generations; and the program stores a memory trace in a history file.

Developers will need the HotJava 1.1, IE 4.01, or Netscape Communicator (with the JDK 1.1 patch) browsers.

https://www.aridolan.com/ga/gaa/gaa.html

Name those Packages!

Sun has published its response to developer input over the matter of the JFC/Swing Package name. (Swing is a core package in JDK 1.2 and an unbundled library in JDK 1.1.)

According to Sun officials, two naming concerns are:

• The com.sun.java.swing package is not appropriate for a core package
• The JDK 1.1/1.2 product maintenance overhead needs to stay minimal

Sun proposes to put Swing in the package name javax.swing as the package name for JDK 1.1 and the core package name for JDK 1.2. The javax prefix denotes that the package was originally an extension for version 1.1 and has become a core package for 1.2. Sun also proposes that as other extension migrate into core, each will keep its javax prefix. (Previously, the javax prefix denoted a standard extension.)

So what is Sun’s answer to the question, “How will developers know Swing is core if it does not have the java prefix?” Core packages and classes will be clearly listed in release documentation (javadoc and general release documentation).

Of course, this means that JDK 1.1 and 1.2 developers will need to convert source/class files, but Sun officials say they will provide a tool to make the transition easier.

https://java.sun.com/products/jfc/package.html

Sessio intros real-time comm service iSession

Sessio announced iSession, a Java- and Internet-based, real-time communications service that makes it easy to collaborate with just a Java browser and Internet access.

iSession is designed for e-commerce, online customer support, medical data exchange, and training. In fact, one of iSession’s early adopters was the Providence Seattle Medical Center which broadcast (or Netcast) a live open heart surgery session on August 17, 1998. The operation’s leading surgeon, Dr. Robert Lazzara, said, “iSession is enabling us to interactively communicate in real time in a way that promises improved research, diagnosis, and treatment for patients. In medicine, it will allow us to combine information technology with rapid changes in biotechnology.”

Because a Java browser is the only thing you need to access iSession, there are no firewall issues to overcome. There is also no limit to the number of concurrent sessions or participants. It also comes with iSession Publisher, so users can create online presentations, and a software developers kit, so users can customize the interface appearance and functions.

iSession requires a one-time setup fee (0), a monthly per-seat service charge (-5 depending on number of seats), and a per-minute usage fee (0.5 to 10 cents, with a 5,000 cap). iSession will be available starting September 8, 1998.

https://www.sessio.com/

Quadbase EspressChart 1.4 supports JavaBeans

Quadbase Systems announced that its EspressChart 1.4 chart-creation software has been certified 100% Pure Java. The software comes with Chart Designer (for visual chart creation), Chart Viewer (view charts with a Web browser), Chart Server (lets charts access JDBC/ODBC data sources), and Chart API (incorporate charts into apps or Web pages).

EspressChart 1.4 is available as a JavaBean component, so it can used off the bean palettes in such development environments as Symantec’s Visual Café and Inprise’s JBuilder. Developers can set chart properties visually in the IDE. Version 1.4 also includes support for:

• Time-series data zooming
• 2D/3D scroll and zoom
• Histograms
• Pareto charts
• Origin shifting
• Variable point object size for plotting

It runs on Unix and Windows 95/NT platforms and costs 99. There’s an evaluation download available.

https://www.quadbase.com/cyberchart/downld/espress/espress14beta.html