Attachmate Introduces QuickDB 2.2
Attachmate Corporation has introduced QuickDB 2.2, a family of ultra-thin, database connectivity tools, with both thick and thin configurations. QuickDB provides optimized access to host and LAN databases from any ODBC-enabled Windows application. Also, QuickDB allows developers to include information from multiple databases, without having to learn proprietary APIs for each database.
With the new QuickDB thin-client configuration, one very thin, universal driver replaces multiple database drivers. In addition, all database communication requirements and LAN database APIs reside on the server. Because QuickDB runs on a TCP/IP network, organizations no longer have to run SNA to access host data.
QuickDB 2.2 costs $295 per desktop. For more information, contact Attachmate Corporation, 800.426.6283 or 425.644.4010; fax 425.747.9924; www.attachmate.com.
Profound Announces QwikStart 2.0
Profound Solutions has introduced QwikStart 2.0, a client/server-application menuing system. By setting up security roles, QwikStart 2.0 controls access to multiple database instances, development tools, and applications. QwikStart automatically configures the client workstation. QwikStart also increases user efficiency by serving as a task manager and a single point to launch client/server applications.
QwikStart provides a single desktop icon that allows users to launch different applications. QwikStart is designed to allow users to access multiple databases with any client tool, such as Oracle Forms, Visual Basic, or Power-Builder; or client/server application, such as SAP, PeopleSoft, and the Oracle Applications. QwikStart allows the user to move between production and test environments by launching the application in each window session and controlling each session environment.
QwikStart 2.0 server costs $795, with unlimited user installations. A QwikStart demo can be downloaded free from www.profound-consulting.com. For more information, contact Profound Solutions, 800.411.2755 or 317.579.5200; fax 317.579.6279; www.profound-consulting.com.
Snowbound Offers CMYK Imaging Support for RasterMaster
Snowbound Software Corporation has added CMYK imaging support to its RasterMaster line of products. The enhancement permits RasterMaster imaging functions, such as contrast, brightness, cropping, rotation, and saving, to be available on the desktop.
Unlike other imaging products on the market that convert the four planes of color information to three planes of RGB, RasterMaster/CMYK preserves the black color plane, as well as the cyan, magenta and yellow planes.
RasterMaster/CMYK is available for Windows 95/NT, Windows 3.x, and Macintosh 68K and PPC LIB.
RasterMaster/CMYK costs $1,995 for a Developer’s Version. Volume discounts and customizable versions are available. For more information, contact Snowbound Software, 617.630.9495; fax 617.630.0210; [email protected]; www.snowbnd.com.
PowerBASIC Ships 32-bit PB/DLL v5
PowerBASIC, Inc. has shipped its 32-bit PowerBASIC DLL Compiler for Windows, PB/DLL v5. PB/DLL v5, a native-code Basic compiler for Windows 95 and Windows NT, offers native support for multithreading. PB/DLL v5 provides complete access to the Win32 API, even ODBC for database programming, yet RAM requirements are only a fraction of that needed by other Basic dialects.
Other new features include low-level MMX support, built-in Matrix operations, inline assembler with Pentium support, and programmer-defined register variables, both integer and floating point. There are true pointer variables (code and data), unsigned integers, extended precision floats, Array Sort/Scan/Insert/Delete, and Peek/Poke and Peek$/Poke$.
PB/DLL v5 for Windows costs $179. Existing customers can upgrade for $79. For more information, contact PowerBASIC, Inc., 800.780.7707 or 408.659.8000; fax 408.659.8008; www.powerbasic.com.
Neptune Systems Unleashes DynaMetrics 5.0 for Windows 95
Neptune Systems has released DynaMetrics 5.0 for Windows 95, an application that helps small businesses analyze work processes to assign resources more efficiently. Static analysis of an enterprise cannot handle random variations in time or sporadic availability of resources. Using DynaMetrics’ discrete simulation, a small business can model its workflow and interpret the results. A simple graphic interface and extensive hints, help, and examples minimize learning time.
If a general-purpose language must be used, DynaMetrics provides well-documented hooks. Download a free evaluation copy from the website.
DynaMetrics 5.0 costs $250, and includes a manual in RTF format, source code for all DLLs, interface control files for both C++ and Pascal, and support via phone and email. Volume, consultant, and educational discounts are available. For more information, contact Neptune Systems, 281.488.5722; fax 281.486.0375; http://users.aol.com/neptunesys.
Cardiff Software Releases TELEform Standard v5.3 and TELEform Elite v5.3
Cardiff Software, Inc. has released upgraded versions of its automated-forms processing products, TELEform Standard v5.3 and TELEform Elite v5.3. Cardiff Software’s automated forms processing offers a combination of technologies, including improved recognition, support for dual database export, advanced image pre-processing, dynamic field location for floating data, and more.
New features include improved Tri-CR recognition, enhanced form identification, dual database export, increased versatility with BasicScript, advanced image pre-processing, ODBC 3.0 support for Windows NT and Office 97, and dynamic field location for floating data.
The TELEform family of products supports Windows 95, Windows NT 3.5.1, and Windows NT 4. 0. TELEform requires a Pentium-based computer with 32Mb of RAM, 100Mb available hard-drive space, and a compatible scanner, fax modem, or fax server.
TELEform Standard v5.3 costs $1,495. TELEform Elite v5.3 costs $4,995. Upgrades are available for $299. For more information contact Cardiff Software, Inc., 760.752.5200; fax 760.752.5222; [email protected]; www.cardiffsw.com.
Marc Staley Software Lab Introduces MFLDIB
Marc Staley Software Lab has released MFLDIB, a product that puts compressed image files into a library rather than handle them one at a time. MFLDIB consolidates individual image files (BMP, PCX, etc.) as members in a Mixed-Format Library (MFL). The base format used for storage is the DIB (device-independent bitmap), but input image files can be in any of a variety of types (e.g., BMP, PCX, WMF, etc.).
The product’s two primary components are the DIBLOD16.EXE utility, and the VBX/OCX controls for the VB program. The DIBLOD16 utility allows the user to collect a variety of image files. The utility transforms each image file into a DIB image and puts each in the library as a “member”.
MFLDIB16 costs $90, MFLDIB32 costs $120, and MFLDIB “Pro” costs $150. Upgrades from MFLDIB16 to MFLDIB “PRO” cost $60, and upgrades from MFLDIB32 cost $30. For more information, contact Marc Staley Software Lab, 813.837.0560; [email protected].
Advanced Systems Concepts Upgrades XLNT
Advanced Systems Concepts has upgraded XLNT, an Enterprise scripting language and command shell for automating repetitive interactive or non-interactive administrative or power-user tasks in Windows 95/NT. XLNT v1 with Service Pack 2 provides a Security facility that allows Windows NT administrators to add or modify users and groups, add/remove users to/from groups, and modify user rights. With this version, XLNT’s logon scripting for Windows 95 clients can now interrogate the various Windows NT security characteristics (including group membership) of the client user logging in and take the appropriate action(s).
XLNT is also a command shell that provides a complete environment for users and programmers to develop or issue XLNT procedures or commands.
XLNT licenses are priced at $249 for a single license, with cost-effective license packages for larger implementations. The XLNT Service Pack 2 is free for registered users and current evaluators. For more information, contact Advanced Systems Concepts, 201.798.6400; fax 201.798.9203; www.advsyscon.com.
Black Moshannon Systems Unveils SPEED Ferret for VB5
Black Moshannon Systems has introduced SPEED Ferret for VB5, a search and replace tool. Unlike traditional sequential methods, SPEED Ferret’s four-step process allows users to search all properties of all VB5 objects for a text string, simultaneously view and print out all occurrences, make changes to selected occurrences, test the changes, and undo unwanted changes. SPEED Ferret determines where objects are used, renames objects while updating references to them, and implements global terminology changes.
By simultaneously viewing all occurrences of a text string, users can ascertain the effects of proposed changes throughout their entire VB5 project. Users can also determine whether they have specified the correct search criteria, made the necessary terminology changes, and located all of the appropriate occurrences.
SPEED Ferret for VB5 costs $129, and can be bundled with SPEED Ferret for Access 97 for $179. Versions for Access 2.0 and 95 are also available. Working demos can be downloaded from www.moshannon.com. For more information, contact Black Moshannon Systems, 814.345.5657; fax 841.345.5661; [email protected]; www.moshannon.com.
Burton Systems Ships TLIB for Windows 5.5 with Microsoft Developer’s Studio Integration
Burton Systems Software has shipped TLIB for Windows 5.5. TLIB for Windows 5.5 integrates into the Microsoft Developer’s Studio (MSDS) products, including Visual C++ 5.0, J++, and InterDev. It creates a TLIB Version Control sub-menu under the respective tools menus. The MSDS Add-in is similar to the integration Burton released for MS Visual Basic 4.0 and 5.0 earlier this year. Existing TLIB for Windows Combo Edition license holders may download theme Add-ins free from the website.
TLIB for Windows 5.5 Combo Edition also includes a compiler-native, project-level support for Borland Delphi files. This support allows the user to access project files from within TLIB, thereby avoiding the need to use the wild-card specifications or file lists required in TLIB’s normal mode.
TLIB for Windows 5.5 Combo Edition costs $225, with additional licenses for $175 and upgrades from $30 to $85. TLIB 5.5 for DOS costs $139, with additional licenses for $100 and upgrades for $30. Both come with a 60-day, money-back guarantee and free, unlimited tech support. For more information, contact Burton Systems Software, 919.233.8128; fax 919.233.0716; [email protected]; www.burtonsys.com.
Guideware Debuts Guideware SDK with Agent System for JAVA
Guideware Corporation has announced an agent system for Java that allows developers to plug process-management features into corporate intranet and extranet applications. The company also introduced a product supporting the agent system, the Guideware Software Developer’s Kit (SDK).
The Guideware agent system for Java includes Agent Monitor software that controls agents and their access to the Web and other applications. An Agent Monitor must be present on each computer and server using Guideware agents. The Guideware SDK provides a Java application framework that simplifies the construction of agents that access data, make decisions, and notify users. The Guideware SDK is now being evaluated for 100% Java certification.
The Guideware Software Developer’s Kit costs $349 per developer. The Agent Monitor is available for no charge at www.guideware.com. For more information, contact Guideware Corporation, 510.445.0230; fax 510.445.0625; www.guideware.com.
ParaSoft Announces CodeWizard v1.5
ParaSoft Corporation has released CodeWizard v1.5, a C++ source-code analysis tool. Using ParaSoft’s Source Code Analysis technology, CodeWizard parses source code and automatically alerts the developer whenever an error occurs. This patent-pending technology also allows CodeWizard to look at code and judge its quality and adherence to coding standards, without a programmer watching over it.
CodeWizard is integrated with Microsoft Developer’s Studio and supports 33 rules outlined by Scott Meyers, author of Effective C++ and More Effective C++. CodeWizard enforces Meyers’ rules automatically. In addition, ParaSoft’s experts can implement a corporation’s own custom rules in addition to those by Meyers, creating a customized version of CodeWizard to fit special programming requirements.
CodeWizard v1.5 for Windows NT and 95 costs $299 per copy. Special discounts are available for orders made through ParaSoft’s automated ordering system and upgrades. For more information, contact ParaSoft Corporation, 888.305.0041 or 626.305.0041; fax 626.305.3036; [email protected]; www.parasoft.com.
Dundas Launches Ultimate Grid Studio
Dundas Software has announced Ultimate Grid Studio, a suite of grid products covering a wide array of development languages. Ultimate Grid Studio includes Dundas’ Ultimate Grid/MFC, Ultimate Grid/SDK, Ultimate Grid/Java, and Ultimate Grid/ActiveX products. A larger suite, Ultimate Grid Studio Enterprise, adds Dundas’ Ultimate PocketGrid for Windows CE. Ultimate Grid Studio also includes the complete source code to every element in the suite.
Ultimate Grid Studio costs $599; Ultimate Grid Studio Enterprise costs $799. For more information, contact Dundas Software, 416.239.7472; fax 416.239.2183; [email protected]; www.dundas.com.
Tendril Offers StructureBuilder 1.0 for Java
Tendril Software has shipped StructureBuilder 1.0 for Java, a Java component/application building tool. StructureBuilder helps programmers understand the structure of any Java program, reverse engineer on the fly, and always keep the object design in sync with the code. StructureBuilder 1.0 displays a side-by-side view of the object design and the source code, automatically generating code each time the design is modified or modifying the object design with each change to the code.
With StructureBuilder, individual developers understand the basics of a program’s design throughout the lifecycle of a development effort. Entire teams work more efficiently because everyone is empowered to visualize the organization of the whole development effort at any moment.
StructureBuilder 1.0 costs $495. For more information, contact Tendril Software, 508.392.9600; fax 508.392.9877; [email protected]; www.tendril.com.
AMS Unveils WinDOS Fusion
Applied Management Systems (AMS) has introduced WinDOS Fusion, a set of tools for upgrading MS-DOS applications to Windows. WinDOS Fusion contains screen-scraping services for MS-DOS, plus development tools that deliver Rapid Application Development.
WinDOS Fusion encapsulates MS-DOS programs into objects, without altering the source or object code. Then, WinDOS Fusion generates standard Visual Basic source code, which adds the graphical user interface. The result is a Windows program that delivers the feature set to which users are accustomed. Since the data structures remain the same, the MS-DOS applications can continue to be used, which simplifies testing, implementation, and support.
For pricing and other information, contact Applied Management Systems, 800.394.4775 or 203.488.4775; fax 203.488.3251; [email protected]; www.windos.com.
BlueWater Releases WinDK 2.5 Device Driver Development Kit
BlueWater Systems, Inc. has released WinDK Device Driver Development Kit v2.5. WinDK v2.5 provides developers the flexibility of working in C or C++. WinDK v2.5 includes tested code for attaching IEEE 1394 “Firewire” Bus and Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices to the new generation of Windows Driver Model (WDM) machines.
WDM will provide a common driver model for both the Windows NT operating system and Windows 98, allowing programmers to write a single device driver for both operating systems. The WinDK v2.5 toolkit adheres to the Microsoft NT DDK, resulting in full-featured device drivers that are portable across platforms.
The WinDK v2.5 Device Driver Development Kit costs $595, including six months of free technical support and 90-days of free upgrades. The optional library source code is available for an additional $200. The WinDK Device Driver Wizard is available for free download at www.bluewatersystems.com. For more information, contact BlueWater Systems, Inc., 800.962.2114 or 425.771.3610; fax 425.771.2742; [email protected]; www.bluewatersystems.com.
Stingray Announces Updates to MFC Class Library, Visual CASE 1.0, and Objective Edit 1.0
Stingray Software, Inc. has announced updates to its products that provide classes for the MFC library. These include Objective Chart 1.1, a graphing and charting library; Objective Toolkit 5.1, a class library for MFC developers; Objective Toolkit Pro, an add-on to Objective Toolkit that provides professional-level classes for the GUI builder using MFC; and Objective Grid 6.0, a grid control for MFC developers.
In addition, Stingray has released Visual CASE 1.0, a visual-modeling/CASE tool that provides an object-oriented view of an application under development. Stingray has also released Objective Edit 1.0, an embeddable source-code editor for Visual C++ development.
Objective Chart 1.1 costs $495; subscriptions cost $245. Objective Toolkit 5.1 costs $495; subscriptions cost $245. Objective Toolkit Pro costs $495; subscriptions cost $245. Visual CASE 1.0 costs $695; subscriptions cost $295. Objective Edit 1.0 costs $495; subscriptions cost $245. For more information, contact Stingray Software, Inc., 800.924.4223 or 919.461.0672; fax 919.461.9811; [email protected]; www.stingsoft.com.
Softel vdm Launches SftBox/DLL 1.0
Softel vdm has released SftBox/DLL 1.0, a DLL-based custom control for Windows 3.1, Windows NT, and Windows 95. SftBox/DLL is a combo-box control replacement that implements messages and functions found in a Windows combo-box control.
SftBox/DLL offers three combo-box styles with such advanced features as multiple columns, variable height items, multiple text lines per cell with word wrap, built-in row and column headers (with optional buttons and bitmaps), user resizable columns, column drag-and-drop, grid lines, 3-D item display, hierarchical data displays, sorting, optimal column width, and horizontal scroll-area calculation. Several bitmaps per item can be used, including cell bitmaps. Cells offer individual color, font, and bitmap attributes.
SftBox/DLL 1.0 costs $260 for a single developer license without DLL source code. The DLL source code is available at an additional cost. For more information, contact Softel vdm, 941.505.8660; fax 941.505.8555; [email protected]; www.softelvdm.com.
Mabry Software Debuts SoundX/X and FTP/X ActiveX Controls
Mabry Software, Inc. has released two ActiveX controls, SoundX/X and FTP/X. SoundX/X gives Internet developers access to Soundex, Extended Soundex, and Metaphone algorithms, which convert words or names to codes that represent how the words “sound”. Soundex is a letter plus digits; Extended Soundex is purely numeric and can result in faster database scans; and Metaphone is letters, which can result in a better match rate, but also takes up more computer storage space. The length of the codes (Soundex, Extended Soundex, and Metaphone) is selectable through a property.
FTP/X enables developers to use the FTP protocol from any environment that supports ActiveX controls. It provides high-level access to the complete FTP client protocol (RFC 959). FTP/X has built-in features to support debugging and non-standard servers (using the Quote method) and supports two different modes of operation, asynchronous or synchronous.
SoundX/X costs $20, plus shipping and handling. SoundX/X with Microsoft Visual C++ v5 source code costs $50. FTP/X costs $35, plus shipping and handling. FTP/X with Microsoft Visual C++ v5 source code costs $90. Both are royalty-free. For more information, contact Mabry Software, Inc., 206.634.1443; fax 206.632.0272; [email protected]; www.mabry.com.
Seagate Ships Seagate Crystal Reports 6.0
Seagate Software has announced Seagate Crystal Reports 6.0, an upgrade of its desktop query and report writer. Designed for web reporting, Crystal Reports 6.0 also adds features for both Windows and web applications developers. Version 6.0 features native database drivers for Arbor Essbase, Informix, Oracle 8, ACT!3.0, and the IBM DB2 family, allowing users to design and distribute Windows or web reports that directly access data from over 30 different relational and multidimensional data sources.
Seagate Crystal Reports 6.0 introduces Smart Viewers, thin-client browser add-ins that deliver platform-independent reporting functionality. Users of browsers that support ActiveX or Java can view reports on a website or within a web application in native Crystal format. Reports can be downloaded a page at a time using thin-client, Page-on-Demand technology. There are also Smart Viewers for Frames and Plain HTML, allowing users to view reports from any browser.
For pricing and other information, contact Seagate Software, 800.877.2340 or 604.681.3435; fax 604.681.2934; www.seagatesoftware.com.
BeCubed Software Unveils VBCommander
BeCubed Software, Inc. has released VBCommander, a productivity add-in for Visual Basic 5.0. VBCommander adds over 100 features to the VB 5.0 IDE with more than 20 productivity tools that are designed to add functionality and speed VB 5.0 design-time.
Some of VBCommander’s features include Tabbed Toolbar, a compact toolbar that includes Tooltips; Frameworks Commander, which provides reusability of controls and menus along with all associated code, plus forms, modules classes, and procedures; and Clone & Generate Commander, which copies menus and controls along with all associated code from one form to another or saves them to the Object Library.
VBCommander costs $159. For more information, contact BeCubed Software, 888.232.8233 or 770.720.1077; fax 770.720.1078; [email protected]; www.becubed.com.
Aqueduct Software Releases Aqueduct Profiler
Aqueduct Software has released the Aqueduct Profiler, a software management product that attaches to the application program and sends usage data back to the vendor via Internet email protocols as the application is being run. The Aqueduct Profiler provides the software organization with detailed information on an application’s usage and behavior, as well as the application’s running environment. Isolated results are correlated into meaningful indicators, such as whether crashes are tied to specific platforms or features, or whether a drop in the reported “bug” rate is really due to improved quality or merely to a decrease in user testing activity.
Aqueduct Profiler pricing starts at $15,000 per year, depending on project size. For more information, contact Aqueduct Software, 650.463.8700; fax 650.463.8706; [email protected]; www.aqueduct.com.