FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Purity Software, Inc.
1016 Mopac Circle, Suite 101
Austin, TX 78746
+1.512.328.2288
FAX +1.512.328.2688
http://www.purity.com/
info@purity.com
Austin, TX --Purity Software, Inc. announced today that it is now shipping
WebSiphon, its web-based scripting tool for Macintosh computers.
WebSiphon is one of the most anticipated new CGI (Common Gateway Interface)
products for Macintosh webmasters delivering a complete authoring tool for
revolutionary sites. "Early reactions from those who have seen WebSiphon in
action have been overwhelming. It is quite obvious that the Macintosh web
community has been waiting for a powerful product such as this for quite
some time. We created this tool to help fill that void and add to the Mac's
Internet arsenal." said Nathan Nunn, Purity Software's president.
WebSiphon allows users to embed a real scripting language, SiphonScript,
directly into their HTML pages. In addition, WebSiphon includes Purity's
database server, Verona, a low overhead flat-file database server created
specifically for use on the Internet. Verona is fully multi-threaded
allowing multiple concurrent operations among many databases being served
on the web. Alex Hopmann, president of ResNova says "WebSiphon actually
puts a powerful programming language right inside your HTML. This is in a
completely different league than products which just provide server
includes."
At the recent WebEdge IV conference hosted in Austin, TX WebSiphon was
utilized by aspiring attendees in the prestiged hack competition of which
one entry received third place overall. The hack, submitted by Wesley
Felter and Steve Noreyko used a Frontier script to download pages from a
selected site and index them in a central Verona database on the network. A
web page served through WebSiphon acted as the front-end offering a form
allowing the database to searched.
Unlike other current authoring solutions offered to Mac OS webmasters,
WebSiphon completely integrates the SiphonScript language within the HTML
page giving the user the power of a fully featured language. SiphonScript
supports variables, conditional statements, powerful looping statements,
built-in functions, forms processing, and more. An extensive built-in
library offers 79 functions users may choose from to aid in creating their
site. Function libraries include web-related, string manipulation, list
manipulation, date and time, text file support, math, database support,
logging and more. "WebSiphon is a great tool for us. With one application
we can cut down the time and need for both custom CGI development, as well
as projects we were planning in JavaScript. Plus, since WebSiphon is all
server-side we don't have the browser-compatibility problems that we would
have with JavaScript." says Gary Stein, webmaster for Mactivity, Inc.
Documentation
Due to the vast abilities that WebSiphon can offer to users, an extensive
printed reference manual is included describing installation, the
SiphonScript language, and all 79 powerful built-in functions complete with
examples of use. Additionally, several example templates (HTML files with
embedded SiphonScript) are included to help users learn the environment.
Purity Software will also have an area available online for users to
download pre-made templates and add-ons usable on their site immediately
offering the functionality of many common CGIs. Users may also subscribe
to Purity's support mailing lists where any questions or help needed will
be provided.
Examples of Use
As WebSiphon is an authoring tool, there are no limits to it's usefulness
or the functionality it can provide to Mac-based web sites. Many possible
uses of WebSiphon include online shopping commerce sites with catalog and
shopping cart support, guest books, bulletin board systems and web
conferencing, conference registration systems, online games, customized
sites based on browser type, domain, etc., online polls and voting systems,
or courseware products for universities or other educational institutions.
Special Features
- The SiphonScript language is byte-level compiled offering sites maximum
performance even with very complicated pages.
- All pages are cached into RAM to bypass the Macintosh file system.
- Templates may be modified while a site is online, without interrupting
connected users.
- WebSiphon includes a direct interface to Verona, providing persistent
storage for any CGI applications developed with SiphonScript.
- Fully PowerPC native and multi-threaded so many users may access your
site simultaneously rather than waiting in a busy queue on an active server.
System Requirements
WebSiphon requires an Apple Macintosh computer running System 7.5 or
higher, 1 MB RAM for WebSiphon, and a Macintosh web server that supports
"sdoc" CGI AppleEvents. For database functionality, Verona requires an
additional 1MB of RAM. WebSiphon has been tested and is fully compatible
with the following web servers: Boulevard and Web For One by ResNova;
WebSTAR by StarNine Technologies, a division of Quarterdeck; NetPresenz by
Peter Lewis; WebCenter by Chris Hawk; and Sonic Systems' forthcoming
SonicWeb.
Ordering Information
WebSiphon has a MSRP of $495, which includes the flat-file database server
Verona (available separately for $195). Educational institutions quality
for a 15% discount on total package price. User's may purchase and
download demos of product at Purity Software's web site
(http://www.purity.com/) as well as through selected distributors. E-mail
sales inquiries may be directed to sales@purity.com and general information
about Purity's line of products may be answered by sending mail to
info@purity.com. Customer support for WebSiphon and Verona is available
through mailing lists hosted at Purity. Information on subscribing to
these mailing lists is available on Purity's web site.
Background
Purity Software, Inc. was founded in 1995, is a privately-held corporation
based in Austin, TX. The company is committed to developing the finest
products possible for the Macintosh Internet community. Purity Software may
be contacted at 1016 Mopac Circle, Suite 101, Austin, TX 78746, USA;
512-328-2288; fax 512-328-2688; info@purity.com.
