Newsbits

By Scott T Boyd, Editor

Native PowerPC Frontier

UserLand Software has announced and released a new version of Frontier 3.0, compatible with the Power Macintosh product line. Frontier is one of the first “native mode” applications to take advantage of the substantial new performance made possible by the PowerPC chip. Scripts run up to eight times faster on a PowerPC than they would on a non-RISC processor.

“We believe this is a significant release because scripts now run at performance levels comparable with compiled C applications on earlier processors,” said UserLand President and CEO David M. Winer. “Interpretive systems like Frontier gain enormously from conversion to native mode,” he continued. Frontier Threads and the Component Manager.

The new release of Frontier, version 3.0.2, is available immediately. Registered Frontier 3.0 users can purchase the native mode application for $139 in the U.S. and Canada, $159 elsewhere. The suggested retail price of Frontier 3.0 is $495.

Compuserve Mail Links To MS-Mail And PowerTalk

CompuServe announced two extensions for CompuServe members using Microsoft Mail and PowerTalk programs. The extensions provide access to CompuServe Mail and all of the services it connects to from those applications.

Users can exchange messages with complete retention of their full multimedia message structure when communicating with others using a compatible package. For example, if a Microsoft Mail user creates a message incorporating an OLE object and several attachments, the user receiving the message will see it as exactly as it was sent. The same native, full-fidelity, message transfer is also available to PowerTalk users when communicating with each other.

Both extensions feature the same connect scripting language supported by CompuServe Information Manager user interface software, and customizable settings so email can be accessed from home, work or remote locations. Also included is the capability to send and receive messages on demand, at pre-set times or when a specified number of messages are waiting to be sent from the out-basket.

Both extensions are downloadable from the GO CISSOFT area on CompuServe for $5.00 each, with no connect rate charged. The fee is offset by a $5.00 CompuServe usage credit for each extension downloaded.

Automated Macintosh stress testing

QC™, an automated test tool, can quickly isolate problems in application software and code resources that would otherwise randomly crash or hang under different Macintosh configurations. These tests can be performed by non-technical personnel with little or no knowledge of Macintosh programming. Software engineers can take advantage of a custom API to achieve pinpoint control from directly within their code. QC gives developers and Quality Control personnel an extensive tool for stress testing their application software before it’s shipped.

The software is composed of a System Extension and a Control Panel for testing application software. QC monitors application code for memory-related errors, performing common tests such as heap scrambling, purging, and validation quickly and easily. QC goes further to perform Block Bounds checking, Block Move validation, Grow Lock testing, total free memory invalidation, and other tests not available in any other tool. By performing tests that quickly stress an application without regard for what Mac hardware is in use, how much memory is available, or what System Software configuration is in use, QC can save time and money through the entire development process. Quality Control personnel can automatically test multiple applications from a predefined launch list. They can perform heap operations on application and system heaps simultaneously. All settings are application specific - users can quickly test multiple programs with different test settings either automatically or by hitting a single hot key.

Software engineers can control all aspects of testing from within their own code using a complete application programming interface (API). Using the API they can set and perform specific tests and create test suites. API libraries and interfaces are available for C and C++, using the MPW and Think environments.

QC runs on all Macintosh models with System Software version 7.0 or later, and supports balloon help, 32-bit addressing, and Virtual Memory. QC is compatible with Power Macs. A native PowerPC version will be released later this year as a free upgrade to existing users. A free, fully featured time-out demo is available on America Online, AppleLink, and CompuServe - contact Onyx via email for more information. Pricing is $99.95 plus $5.00 shipping and handling (within continental United States) with discounts for multi pack orders.

For more info, contact: Onyx Technology, Brooks Bell, 7811 27th Ave West, Bradenton, FL 34209. (813) 795-7801, (813) 795-5901 fax. AppleLink: D2238; AOL: OnyxTech; CompuServe: 70550,1377; Internet: onyxtech@aol.com

Power Mac Conflict Catcher

With the advent of the new Power Macintosh™ and Native software programs come compatibility questions and problems caused by non-Native startup files. These non-Native programs create "Patchovers" to Native code that could adversely affect machine performance as much as 30-40%. Conflict Catcher II can detect these Patchovers.

Conflict Catcher II can walk the user through a conflict test which disables compatible startup software until only the problem startup file(s) remain. Conflict Catcher II tests existing startup software and font files without relying on databases that constantly need updating. Conflict Catcher II allows the user to create sets of startup software often used in conjunction with one another. It also allows the user to create links of software that must always (or never) run together.

You can run a system report which analyzes your Startup Files and marks suspected trap patches. You can then create a set of Startup Files which do not slow down or adversely affect Native applications.

Instead of completely relying on beta sites to report incompatibilities, Conflict Catcher II can make many incompatibilities known immediately. Technical support staff can be assisted by Conflict Catcher II's ability to generate system reports and pinpoint incompatible startup files.

Retail Price of Conflict Catcher II is $79.95. Upgrades: Version 2.0 to 2.1: Free upgrades via the Conflict Catcher II Updater on America-on-Line.

If purchased after January 1, 1994, upgrades can be obtained from Casady & Greene, with proof of purchase, for the shipping and handling costs only - $7.50 U.S. Mainland, $10.95 Canada or Hawaii.

If purchased prior to January 1, 1994, upgrade cost is $19.95 U.S. Mainland, $22.95 Canada or Hawaii. This price includes shipping and handling.

Version 1.0 to 2.1: Upgrades are $29.95 with proof of purchase, through Casady & Greene. This price includes shipping and handling.

Competitive Upgrades: $29.95 plus shipping and handling with proof of purchase of HELP™, ALERT™, INIT Manager™, INIT Picker™, NOW Utilities Startup Manager™.

A free, 3-day, fully-working version of Conflict Catcher II is available for the asking from Casady & Greene or from the online services below.

For more info, call (800) 359-4920 or fax (408) 484-9218. AOL: Casadygree; CompuServe: 71333,616; AppleLink: D0063, E-world: Casadyg.

Object Db For Mac, Os/2, Aix

POET Software announced availability of its object database system, POET. It is designed for C++ development, and works in mixed single and multiuser environments. Version 2.1 sports an improved database definition language, performance improvements, better low-level file I/O, simplified administration tools, and an online help system. POET is available on 12 different operating systems, and supports MPW 3.3 C++ and Symantec C++. The Macintosh and Windows clients support an event notification facility for writing event-driven workgroup applications across OSboundaries.

POET Personal Edition for Macintosh is available for $499, and the Professional Edition is $999.

For more information, contact POET Software Corp at (408) 970-4640.

Data Flow Diagrammer

CSA announced an improved version of SILVERRUN-DFD with a variety of options for changing the graphical presentation of data flow diagrams. Version 2.2 offers user-defined fields with graphical display options; changeable process shapes, external entities, or stores; and customizable process frames.

SILVERRUN is an advanced development workbench with an intuitive user interface and an embedded expert system to help modelers create quality business models. It employs object-oriented extensions to establish business rules within the database design.

It allows dynamic simulation of business processes and the creation of process trees. It has support for a relational dictionary, allowing users to save and load the contents of a model dictionary in a database.

SILVERRUN-DFD runs on Macintosh, Windows 3.x, and OS/2. It’s available for $2500.

For more information, call (800)-537-4262.