TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Mar 97 Newsbits

Volume Number: 13 (1997)
Issue Number: 3
Column Tag: Newsbits

Newsbits

By Jessica Courtney

Be Demonstrates VirtualMac For The Be Operating System

New technology from Fredlabs, Inc. will provide a bridge for customers and developers making the transition to the BeOS.

At Macworld Expo, Be Inc. demonstrated technology that allows the Be Operating System (BeOS) to run System 7.x MacOS applications directly within its multitasking, multiprocessor environment.

Developed by Fredlabs, Inc., a software company based in San Francisco, VirtualMac allows both modern BeOS applications and current System 7.x applications to be active at the same time, and for data to be exchanged between the systems.

Last August, Be announced it would enhance the BeOS to provide support for a wide variety of PowerPC based systems, including those based on Apple's PowerMacintosh designs. The company began shipping the BeOS for PowerMac development kit to software developers last month. Be has committed to delivering "dual-boot" capability - the ability to run both the BeOS and MacOS (or any other system) on a single machine - when it delivers the first public release of the BeOS in the first calendar quarter of 1997. The company has also committed to delivering the ability to access Mac formatted disks within the BeOS, as well as data file compatibility and Internet compatibility between the two systems.

However, VirtualMac capabilities go a step further - adding the ability to run System 7.x applications directly within the BeOS environment. During the Expo, Be and Fredlabs demonstrated Microsoft Word and Excel, ClarisWorks, and other applications running within the VirtualMac environment.

To provide the System 7.x capabilities, VirtualMac creates a set of processes within the BeOS which, to MacOS applications, look like a Macintosh environment. In this way, VirtualMac is simply another task within the BeOS system. The implementation makes use of the MacOS ROMs found in PowerMacintosh hardware designs, within PowerMac clones, and within future systems based on the PowerPC Platform (PPCP or CHRP) design.

The companies stated that it will take further study to determine how far the multitasking and multiprocessor capabilities inherent in the BeOS can be used within the VirtualMac environment, and the limits on compatibility with certain classes of System 7.x software. However, early results are encouraging, and one benefit is immediately apparent: If the VirtualMac environment encounters problems, it can be shut down and rebuilt without rebooting the BeOS system or the hardware.

Objective-C and Ada95 Now Available for Power Mac

MachTen CodeBuilder - An affordable software development tool for the next generation MacOS

Tenon Intersystems has extended MachTen, its highly-regarded unix system for Apple computers, to include the Objective-C and the GNAT-Ada 95 tool suite. MachTen CodeBuilder, a new offering from Tenon, includes C, C++, Objective-C, Java, Ada95 and Fortran77. CodeBuilder can be used in combination with standard Macintosh editors and compilers to develop Macintosh applications, X applications, and unix applications.

MachTen CodeBuilder extends MacOS with a family of dynamically-linked, shared libraries that, like a Java virtual machine, create a unix virtual machine-based execution environment with pre-emptive multi-tasking. Tenon's MachTen unix is based on the same Carnegie Mellon Mach and BSD unix foundation as Steve Jobs' NeXT OS, making CodeBuilder a good platform for porting and building next-generation MacOS applications.

The native PowerPC (PPC) package contains a complete unix software development environment with a source-level debugger and C, C++, Objective-C, Ada95 and Fortran77 compilers all generating native PPC code. Since CodeBuilder creates binary PowerPC Executable Format (PEF) files that can integrate directly with other Macintosh development tools, software developers can combine Macintosh debuggers and compilers with the CodeBuilder tool suite to get the best of both the Macintosh and unix worlds.

CodeBuilder is a powerful tool for porting existing unix applications or developing new, advanced applications on Power Macs and Power Mac clones. This unique toolset gives developers the ability to create an application with a single source base not only for Power Macs under a native Apple operating system, but also for Silicon Graphics, SUN, NeXT, or HP environments. CodeBuilder gives Apple developers the freedom to take advantage of time-tested unix development tools without giving up the features of their favorite Macintosh editors or compilers.

Objective-C, an object-oriented extension to the C language, is the NeXTStep development language. The GNUStep OpenStep base class library is included on the CodeBuilder CD as a source code compilation example. GNUStep is a widely-available implementation of OpenStep, the NeXT distributed application run time environment. The fact that CodeBuilder's Objective-C is able to build and execute large sections of the GNUStep library demonstrates the strength of CodeBuilder's Objective-C implementation.

Metrowerks & Apple Computer Sign Development Agreement For Porting Codewarrior Tools To Rhapsody, Apple's Next Generation OS

Metrowerks Inc. and Apple Computer, Inc. entered into a development agreement to accelerate support for Apple's next generation operating system ("Rhapsody") in Metrowerks CodeWarrior integrated programming environment ("IDE"), development tools and compilers. Upon completion, Metrowerks will provide MacOS developers a full CodeWarrior solution comprising compilers, programming tools and debuggers for the development of applications for both MacOS and Rhapsody.

CodeWarrior compilers will build Rhapsody applications in the current CodeWarrior IDE hosted on MacOS. Metrowerks expects to have CodeWarrior Objective C compilers and Objective C runtime support in its CodeWarrior C++ compilers running in the CodeWarrior IDE hosted on MacOS System by May 1997 for the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. Metrowerks will include these new CodeWarrior programming tools and compilers supporting Rhapsody as part of its regular CodeWarrior for MacOS subscription at no additional charge to CodeWarrior for MacOS subscribers.

The CodeWarrior IDE, programming tools and compilers will be ported to Rhapsody. Metrowerks' CodeWarrior IDE will be hosted on both the MacOS, as currently available, and on Rhapsody. The first developer release of the CodeWarrior IDE hosted on Rhapsody is scheduled for release in January 1998 at MacWorld San Francisco. Upon completion of porting the CodeWarrior IDE to Rhapsody, both the CodeWarrior IDE hosted on MacOS and the CodeWarrior IDE hosted on Rhapsody will build MacOS applications running on 68K and PowerPC, Apple's New OS applications running on PowerPC, and Windows95/NT applications running on x86.

Metrowerks intends to add cross-platform support so that the CodeWarrior IDE hosted on the MacOS will allow developers to build Rhapsody applications, while the CodeWarrior IDE hosted on Rhapsody will allow developers to build MacOS applications.

Metrowerks PowerPlant application framework will be transitioned to Rhapsody. Metrowerks and Apple Computer intend to outline and implement a transition strategy that will allow developers using Metrowerks' PowerPlant application framework to move their applications to Rhapsody as rapidly as possible.

Akimbo Systems Ships Globetrotter Update

Akimbo Systems announced that it has shipped version 1.1 of its Globetrotter Web Publisher package for MacOS computers. This update is free to all owners of Globetrotter. Users may get complete information about the product and purchase it on the company's web site at <http://www.akimbo.com>. A new fully-functioning Demo version of Globetrotter 1.1 is also available.

Users across the internet are raving about Globetrotter's power and ease-of-use. Users who have don't even know what an HTML tag looks like are putting up web sites with Globetrotter.

The 1.1 upgrade adds more than 40 new features. Like existing Globetrotter features, most of the new features go far beyond basic HTML. Examples include the ability to make any link into a picture link, with a picture automatically created for user-specified text, the ability to view table borders for tables published without borders, direct access to paragraph spacing, and arbitrary intermixing of automatically numbered and unnumbered outline formats. The update also fixes a number of problems reported by users. Complete details on the update are available on the web site.

Users may purchase and download the product directly through Akimbo's web site, which was created completely with Globetrotter.

Quasar Knowledge Systems

Quasar Knowledge Systems, (QKS) Inc., the leading Smalltalk vendor in the Macintosh market with a PowerMac version available, announced that it will release Windows 95/NT version of SmalltalkAgents in Q1 of 1997. This will make SmalltalkAgents a cross-platform development tool of choice.

SmalltalkAgents is a dynamic, integrated development environment based on QKS Smalltalk. In the process of developing a Windows version, QKS made number of enhancements in its virtual machine to improve performance and services.

SmalltalkAgents is known for providing close integration to the host OS functionality. Its Mac version makes toolbox routines a trivial task. Its Windows 95/NT version will bring the same functionality to developers. SmalltalkAgents also allows developers to integrate their resources written in any other language via a dynamic linking library mechanism.

For more information, check out their web site at <http://www.smalltalkagents.com>.

ICONIX Announces Availability of ObjectModeler for NextStep/Intel

ICONIX Software Engineering, Inc. is pleased to announce the immediate availability of all 10 ICONIX PowerTools modules, including ObjectModeler, the leading Macintosh OOA/OOD tool, for the NextStep operating system on the Intel platform.

ICONIX uses porting technology ARDI, Inc. to enable applications for NextStep/Intel. ICONIX applications are also deployed across SunOS, Solaris, HP-UX, Windows 3.1, 95 and NT, as well as NextStep and MacOS. Additionally, ICONIX produces a line of computer-based training CD-ROM tutorials on object-oriented software engineering, and provides a variety of on-site training and consulting services. The company expects to have a downloadable demo version of ObjectModeler/NextStep on the internet at <http://www.iconixsw.com> by the end of January.

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Tokkun Studio unveils alpha trailer for...
We are back on the MMORPG news train, and this time it comes from the sort of international developers Tokkun Studio. They are based in France and Japan, so it counts. Anyway, semantics aside, they have released an alpha trailer for the upcoming... | Read more »
Win a host of exclusive in-game Honor of...
To celebrate its latest Jujutsu Kaisen crossover event, Honor of Kings is offering a bounty of login and achievement rewards kicking off the holiday season early. [Read more] | Read more »
Miraibo GO comes out swinging hard as it...
Having just launched what feels like yesterday, Dreamcube Studio is wasting no time adding events to their open-world survival Miraibo GO. Abyssal Souls arrives relatively in time for the spooky season and brings with it horrifying new partners to... | Read more »
Ditch the heavy binders and high price t...
As fun as the real-world equivalent and the very old Game Boy version are, the Pokemon Trading Card games have historically been received poorly on mobile. It is a very strange and confusing trend, but one that The Pokemon Company is determined to... | Read more »
Peace amongst mobile gamers is now shatt...
Some of the crazy folk tales from gaming have undoubtedly come from the EVE universe. Stories of spying, betrayal, and epic battles have entered history, and now the franchise expands as CCP Games launches EVE Galaxy Conquest, a free-to-play 4x... | Read more »
Lord of Nazarick, the turn-based RPG bas...
Crunchyroll and A PLUS JAPAN have just confirmed that Lord of Nazarick, their turn-based RPG based on the popular OVERLORD anime, is now available for iOS and Android. Starting today at 2PM CET, fans can download the game from Google Play and the... | Read more »
Digital Extremes' recent Devstream...
If you are anything like me you are impatiently waiting for Warframe: 1999 whilst simultaneously cursing the fact Excalibur Prime is permanently Vault locked. To keep us fed during our wait, Digital Extremes hosted a Double Devstream to dish out a... | Read more »
The Frozen Canvas adds a splash of colou...
It is time to grab your gloves and layer up, as Torchlight: Infinite is diving into the frozen tundra in its sixth season. The Frozen Canvas is a colourful new update that brings a stylish flair to the Netherrealm and puts creativity in the... | Read more »
Back When AOL WAS the Internet – The Tou...
In Episode 606 of The TouchArcade Show we kick things off talking about my plans for this weekend, which has resulted in this week’s show being a bit shorter than normal. We also go over some more updates on our Patreon situation, which has been... | Read more »
Creative Assembly's latest mobile p...
The Total War series has been slowly trickling onto mobile, which is a fantastic thing because most, if not all, of them are incredibly great fun. Creative Assembly's latest to get the Feral Interactive treatment into portable form is Total War:... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Early Black Friday Deal: Apple’s newly upgrad...
Amazon has Apple 13″ MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs and 16GB of RAM on early Black Friday sale for $200 off MSRP, only $799. Their prices are the lowest currently available for these newly upgraded 13″ M2... Read more
13-inch 8GB M2 MacBook Airs for $749, $250 of...
Best Buy has Apple 13″ MacBook Airs with M2 CPUs and 8GB of RAM in stock and on sale on their online store for $250 off MSRP. Prices start at $749. Their prices are the lowest currently available for... Read more
Amazon is offering an early Black Friday $100...
Amazon is offering early Black Friday discounts on Apple’s new 2024 WiFi iPad minis ranging up to $100 off MSRP, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis anywhere... Read more
Price Drop! Clearance 14-inch M3 MacBook Pros...
Best Buy is offering a $500 discount on clearance 14″ M3 MacBook Pros on their online store this week with prices available starting at only $1099. Prices valid for online orders only, in-store... Read more
Apple AirPods Pro with USB-C on early Black F...
A couple of Apple retailers are offering $70 (28%) discounts on Apple’s AirPods Pro with USB-C (and hearing aid capabilities) this weekend. These are early AirPods Black Friday discounts if you’re... Read more
Price drop! 13-inch M3 MacBook Airs now avail...
With yesterday’s across-the-board MacBook Air upgrade to 16GB of RAM standard, Apple has dropped prices on clearance 13″ 8GB M3 MacBook Airs, Certified Refurbished, to a new low starting at only $829... Read more
Price drop! Apple 15-inch M3 MacBook Airs now...
With yesterday’s release of 15-inch M3 MacBook Airs with 16GB of RAM standard, Apple has dropped prices on clearance Certified Refurbished 15″ 8GB M3 MacBook Airs to a new low starting at only $999.... Read more
Apple has clearance 15-inch M2 MacBook Airs a...
Apple has clearance, Certified Refurbished, 15″ M2 MacBook Airs now available starting at $929 and ranging up to $410 off original MSRP. These are the cheapest 15″ MacBook Airs for sale today at... Read more
Apple drops prices on 13-inch M2 MacBook Airs...
Apple has dropped prices on 13″ M2 MacBook Airs to a new low of only $749 in their Certified Refurbished store. These are the cheapest M2-powered MacBooks for sale at Apple. Apple’s one-year warranty... Read more
Clearance 13-inch M1 MacBook Airs available a...
Apple has clearance 13″ M1 MacBook Airs, Certified Refurbished, now available for $679 for 8-Core CPU/7-Core GPU/256GB models. Apple’s one-year warranty is included, shipping is free, and each... Read more

Jobs Board

Seasonal Cashier - *Apple* Blossom Mall - J...
Seasonal Cashier - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Read more
Seasonal Fine Jewelry Commission Associate -...
…Fine Jewelry Commission Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) Read more
Seasonal Operations Associate - *Apple* Blo...
Seasonal Operations Associate - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Read more
Hair Stylist - *Apple* Blossom Mall - JCPen...
Hair Stylist - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Blossom Read more
Cashier - *Apple* Blossom Mall - JCPenney (...
Cashier - Apple Blossom Mall Location:Winchester, VA, United States (https://jobs.jcp.com/jobs/location/191170/winchester-va-united-states) - Apple Blossom Mall Read more
All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.