TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Dec 99 Online

Volume Number: 15 (1999)
Issue Number: 12
Column Tag: MacTech Online

MacTech Online

by Jeff Clites <online@mactech.com>

The Apache XML Project

In last month's column, we covered the Apache HTTP Server and briefly touched on some other projects which fall under the umbrella of the Apache Foundation. As fate would have it, right after that article went to press, the Apache XML project was announced. The goal of this project is to bring the various XML development projects together under one roof and provide feedback to the various standards bodies from an implementation perspective, as well as to coordinate XML-related developments within other Apache projects. It currently encompasses four sub-projects, covering XML parsers, XSLT stylesheet processors, XML-based web publishing, and XSL formatting object processors. These projects are variously in C++, Java, and Perl.

The Apache XML Project
<http://xml.apache.org/>

XML promises to be the Next Big Thing in information interchange, but it remains to be seen whether it will live up to its hype as a successor to HTML. From a political point of view, however, the Apache XML project is a very good sign, since it has the backing of (and source-code contributions from) several corporations, including IBM, Lotus, and Sun. Be sure to check out the press release for the full story on the project and its corporate involvement. Then, for an overview of both the promise and the hype, take a look at two CNET articles, which cover the recent announcement of the Apache XML project, and give an overview of industry response to the growing XML phenomenon.

xml.apache.org Project Press Release
<http://xml.apache.org/pr/0001.txt>
Apache to create XML open-source tools
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-1431504.html>
XML to "revolutionize" info exchange
<http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-336875.html>

From a technical standpoint, it isn't clear what direct impact these projects will have on the Macintosh platform. Mac OS X will make extensive use of XML as the format for many of its configuration files (replacing OpenStep's plist format), and consequently includes its own XML parser (based on Jim Clark's expat), so it's hard to tell how much of a need there will be for third-party parsers. On the other hand, some of the other projects could be especially interesting. FOP, for instance, processes a tree of XSL formatting objects into a PDF document; given that Mac OS X's imaging model is PDF-based, this sort of utility could be quite useful. It is also yet another point of connection between the Open Source and Macintosh communities, as it's a technology which could be useful to the platform and at the same time the platform would be an ideal development environment for it.

FOP: XSL Formatting Object processor in Java
<http://xml.apache.org/fop/index.html>

Samba Redux

A few months back we covered Samba, an open-source package which allows Unix-like machines (including Mac OS X Server) to act as file servers to Windows machines. At the time, I mentioned that Samba didn't really give you the ability to act as a client to Windows file servers, unless you happen to be running Linux, and I hoped that Mac developers would step up and fill this void. (The package which allows this is called smbfs, and it's essentially a Linux kernel plugin which enables you to mount SMB shares. It's actually not an official part of the Samba suite, although it is distributed with it as a convenience.) As it turns out, someone has filled this void (although they didn't get the idea from me). Sharity, a commercial product by Objective Development, allows Mac OS X Server and its brethren to act as SMB/CIFS clients, giving them access to Windows file servers. There is also Sharity-Light, a GPL version which is based on the above-mentioned Linux package, but it is no longer being developed. They are definitely worth a look to those trying to sneak their machine into a Windows-dominated setting, or to those who just want a potentially more secure alternative to NFS for their file-sharing activities.

Sharity - an SMB / CIFS Client for Unix
<http://www.obdev.at/Products/Sharity.html>
Sharity-Light
<http://www.obdev.at/Products/shlight.html>

Be sure to look around Objective Development's site while you are there - they have a number of other nifty products. If you are using Mac OS X Server now, or when you move to Mac OS X some time in the future, you will be especially interested in LaunchBar, which is an application launcher and a replacement for OpenStep's application dock. You'll also want to check out the review on Stepwise, which gives it high marks.

LaunchBar 2.0 for Mac OS X Server
<http://www.obdev.at/Products/LaunchBar.html>
First Look: LaunchBar Beta
<http://www.stepwise.com/Articles/News/LaunchBarRelease.html>

Last but not least, when you are done with these links be sure to wander over to the MacTech Online web pages at <www.mactech.com/online/>.
 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Combo Quest (Games)
Combo Quest 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Combo Quest is an epic, time tap role-playing adventure. In this unique masterpiece, you are a knight on a heroic quest to retrieve... | Read more »
Hero Emblems (Games)
Hero Emblems 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: ** 25% OFF for a limited time to celebrate the release ** ** Note for iPhone 6 user: If it doesn't run fullscreen on your device... | Read more »
Puzzle Blitz (Games)
Puzzle Blitz 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Puzzle Blitz is a frantic puzzle solving race against the clock! Solve as many puzzles as you can, before time runs out! You have... | Read more »
Sky Patrol (Games)
Sky Patrol 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: 'Strategic Twist On The Classic Shooter Genre' - Indie Game Mag... | Read more »
The Princess Bride - The Official Game...
The Princess Bride - The Official Game 1.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $3.99, Version: 1.1 (iTunes) Description: An epic game based on the beloved classic movie? Inconceivable! Play the world of The Princess Bride... | Read more »
Frozen Synapse (Games)
Frozen Synapse 1.0 Device: iOS iPhone Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Frozen Synapse is a multi-award-winning tactical game. (Full cross-play with desktop and tablet versions) 9/10 Edge 9/10 Eurogamer... | Read more »
Space Marshals (Games)
Space Marshals 1.0.1 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $4.99, Version: 1.0.1 (iTunes) Description: ### IMPORTANT ### Please note that iPhone 4 is not supported. Space Marshals is a Sci-fi Wild West adventure taking place... | Read more »
Battle Slimes (Games)
Battle Slimes 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: BATTLE SLIMES is a fun local multiplayer game. Control speedy & bouncy slime blobs as you compete with friends and family.... | Read more »
Spectrum - 3D Avenue (Games)
Spectrum - 3D Avenue 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $2.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: "Spectrum is a pretty cool take on twitchy/reaction-based gameplay with enough complexity and style to stand out from the... | Read more »
Drop Wizard (Games)
Drop Wizard 1.0 Device: iOS Universal Category: Games Price: $1.99, Version: 1.0 (iTunes) Description: Bring back the joy of arcade games! Drop Wizard is an action arcade game where you play as Teo, a wizard on a quest to save his... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Our MacBook Price Trackers will show you the...
Our Apple award-winning MacBook Price Trackers are continually updated with the latest information on prices, bundles, and availability for 16″ and 14″ MacBook Pros along with 13″ and 15″ MacBook... Read more
Amazon is offering a 10% discount on Apple’s...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale today for 10% off Apple’s MSRP. Shipping is free. These are the lowest prices currently available for 16... Read more
13-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 13″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off MSRP right now, starting at $849. Sale prices apply to most colors and configurations. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a... Read more
15-inch M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off...
Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off Apple’s MSRP, starting at $1049. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party: – 15″ M4 MacBook Air (16GB/256GB): $1049, $... Read more
Amazon is offering a $50 discount on Apple’s...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 iPads in stock on sale for $50 (or a little more) off MSRP this week. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-... Read more
Clearance 13-inch M1 MacBook Airs available f...
Walmart has clearance, but new, Apple 13″ M1 MacBook Airs (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) available online for $649, $360 off original MSRP, in Space Gray, Silver, and Gold colors. These are new MacBooks for... Read more
iPad minis on sale for $100 off Apple’s MSRP...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
AirPods Max headphones on sale for $479, $70...
Amazon has AirPods Max with USB-C on sale for $479.99 in all colors. Shipping is free. Their price is $70 off Apple’s MSRP, and it’s the lowest price available today for AirPods Max. Keep an eye on... Read more
14-inch M4 Pro/M4 Max MacBook Pros on sale th...
Don’t pay full price! Get a new 14″ MacBook Pro with an M4 Pro or M4 Max CPU for up to $320 off Apple’s MSRP this weekend at these retailers…they are the lowest prices available for these MacBook... Read more
Get a 15-inch M4 MacBook Air for $150 off App...
A couple of Apple retailers are offering $150 discounts on new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs this weekend. Prices at these retailers start at $1049: (1): Amazon has new 15″ M4 MacBook Airs on sale for $150 off... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.