Apogee Software and MontaVista Software have announced that Apogee's Aphelion will be ported to IBM Microelectronics's PowerPC(TM) 405GP embedded processors running MontaVista Hard Hat Linux, a leading embedded Linux port. In addition, ports to several other PowerPC processors running Hard Hat Linux are expected soon.
Extreme Networks recently released ServiceWatch, a network-monitoring application that features Layer 7 application dial tone. ServiceWatch allows ASPs and ISPs to automatically correct impending problems, which reduces network downtime. It features a Web-based interface and is capable of monitoring up to 1,000 services. Administrator-defined parameters include service type, location of service, username and password, and monitoring interval. In addition, the product's open architecture allows support over TCP of user-defined service types.
Linux-Mandrake, a MandrakeSoft operating system, was recently ported to Sun Microsystems's SPARC and UltraSPARC platforms. Dubbed Corporate Server 1.0, the port is based on Linux-Mandrake 7.1 and contains all of the necessary tools for setting up main server functions. In addition, wizards offer guidance on configuring email, Web servers, firewalls, and routers.
Microsoft Corp. has selected Mainsoft's MainWin, a Windows platform for Unix and Linux, to include a Solaris version of Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player for Solaris 6.3 features cross-browser support, as well as administrator options for transmission protocols and user interface controls. For bandwidth management and quality control, it offers multiple bit-rate encoding and includes Microsoft's Intelligent Streaming technology. The company claims to offer CD-quality audio in a file only half the size of an MP3.
Rave Computer Association is offering new system configuration options for the Rave Systems RackMount-1UAXe (RM1U-AXe). Customers purchasing the RackMount system can now choose SCSI hard drives or a 48-volt DC power supply.
Sun Microsystems recently became a member of the GNOME Foundation, a group of technology companies and open community developers that plans to promote GNOME as an open user environment across the industry. In addition, Sun announced plans to implement GNOME 2.0 as Solaris's desktop. It's anticipated that Sun's adoption of GNOME for Solaris will be beneficial to Linux developers, and will ensure quality and reliability from the GNOME Foundation.
Sun Microsystems has announced an upgrade to Solaris PC NetLink, a tool that lets Windows users run directory, administration, and authentication services on Sun servers and in the Solaris environment. Version 1.2 of the software supports up to 2,000 concurrent users and adds server capabilities to manage file and print environments. Other new features include support for Windows 2000 and improved backup tools. Solaris PC NetLink can be used to consolidate several NT servers into one Sun server, offering flexibility as well as potential cost and administration savings.
Tidestone updates Java development tool
The latest version of COOL:Plex, an application development tool designed for e-business use, is now available through Computer Associates International. COOL:Plex 4.5 shrinks the overall size of Java applications and implements SSL security for B2B and B2C situations.
Developers can now download five Java Virtual Machines (VMs) from IBM Corp. for various platforms, including Java VMs for Linux, AIX, and OS/390. The newest version of OS/400 will contain a Java VM, and WebSphere Developer Domain offers a Windows version.
The beta version of Atinav Inc.'s aveAccess, a Java-based product that serves as a translator between the Internet and communications devices such as telephones, PDAs, and WAP phones, is now available. The software converts information to the correct format automatically and translates domestic and international carriers and protocols.
Eliad Technologies Inc. is now shipping JSmartGrid 1.0, a Swing grid component designed for the Java 2 Platform. The product's small size (162 KB) allows easy use with Web or database applications. Developers can build tables, grids, or spreadsheets, and data can be displayed in a variety of formats, including text, graphics, or Swing components.
Extensibility Inc. is now shipping XML Instance 1.1, a new release of its XML data editor. XML Instance creates and edits XML documents, messages, and configuration files. With this update, data from ODBC sources can be imported and deployed as XML data. Enhanced XSLT stylesheets allow XML documents to be changed into other XML documents or viewed with Web browsers. XML Instance 1.1 also features support for Java encoding types and improved options for customizing display.
Codemesh Inc. has announced the beta release of its JunC++ion technology, which integrates Java and C++. The tool allows C++ programs to use Java classes as though they were C++ classes, which helps programmers integrate C++ clients and servers into Java. Using JunC++ion, users do not have to port, use CORBA or ORBs, or code JNI. Programs can use Java standards, such as JDBC and Java servlets, and can integrate into an EJB environment.
Manning Publications Co. has recently published 3D User Interfaces with Java 3D, written by Jon Barrilleaux. Geared toward an audience of interface designers and programmers, the book is intended to aid in the development of sophisticated 3D interfaces that do not require external devices such as data gloves. Barrilleaux discusses 3D interface design as it relates to e-commerce, system monitoring, and data visualization and focuses on implementing designs using Java 3D.
