From:CONRAD_GEIGER@NEXT.COM@INET# Internet Gateway
Subject: Insignia ShipsSoftPC with Windows for NeXT Computers
News: February 22
SoftPC with Windows for NeXT Computers
IS NOW SHIPPING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Insignia Solutions Inc. Darlene E. Ducharme Sales Administration
(508) 682-7600
Allison Thomas Associates, Inc. Emily Brower Public Relations (415) 775-8599
Insignia Solutions Inc. Shannon Auten Marketing (415) 694-7635
Insignia Solutions Inc. Announces SoftPC Product Family for NeXT Computers
Ships SoftPC with Windows for NeXT Computers
ANDOVER, February 8, 1993 - Insignia Solutions announced today the SoftPC 3.0
Product Family for NeXT computers. The SoftPC 3.0 Product Family is the best
and most flexible suite of solutions for running MS-DOS and Microsoft Windows
applications on NeXT computers. The 3.0 Product Family, based on Insignia's
third generation emulation technology, includes SoftPC with Windows and softPCProfessional.
All versions of SoftPC ship with MS-DOS 5.0 pre-installed, and SoftPC with
Windows ships with Microsoft Windows 3.1 pre-installed. The new versions of
SoftPC replace the current SoftPC 2.0 product.
"These new versions of softPC are our response to the changing needs of the
NeXT marketplace. As the use of commercial Windows applications increase,
corporate NeXT users need better, faster solutions for accessing mission-
critical information available only through DOS- and Windows-based
applications," said Bill McCarthy, Vice President of UNIX Packaged Products atInsignia Solutions. "The release of our new SoftPC 3.0 Family of products
reflects our commitment to the NeXT market by providing the best solution for
interoperating with DOS and Windows environments."
The SoftPC Product Family The SoftPC 3.0 Product Family includes two new
products, SoftPC with Windows and SoftPC Professional. SoftPC with Windows is
best used with Microsoft Windows-based applications including graphics
packages such as presentation and draw programs. SoftPC Professional is best
used with most PC applications such as database, word processing,
communication, and spreadsheet applications as well as other applications
requiring extended memory or SVGA graphics.
Both versions of softPC provide tight integration between the MS-DOS,
Microsoft windows and NeXTSTEP environments. SoftPC with windows users can
interchange data between the Windows clipboard and the NeXTSTEP clipboard.
SoftPC supports file transfer between the MS-DOS and the NeXT file system
using standard MS-DOS commands. SoftPC users can cut and paste graphics and
text between NeXT and PC applications. Users can also configure the type of PChardware, disk size and memory emulated by SoftPC using the familiar NeXT userinterface.
Both versions of SoftPC enable PC applications to print to NeXT printers. The
NeXT floppy disk drive functions as a PC floppy disk drive, the NeXT keyboard
becomes the PC keyboard, the NeXT Mouse becomes a Microsoft Mouse and the NeXTserial ports function as PC serial ports and can be used to access
peripherals, such as modems.
SoftPC with Windows SoftPC with Windows is the most fully-featured member of
the SoftPC 3.0 Product Family. It offers the same PC compatibility as SoftPC
Professional, and adds the ability to run Windows applications in the NeXTSTEPenvironment. Every copy of SoftPC with Windows includes a pre-installed copyof Microsoft Windows 3.1
Insignia has written special Windows display and mouse drivers that improve
performance of windows applications in the NeXTSTEP environment. The windows
display driver maps Windows display calls directly to NeXTSTEP Display
Postscript. The Windows mouse driver maps Microsoft Mouse calls to the mouse
driver in the NeXTSTEP system software, providing NeXT mouse performance in
the Windows environment.
SoftPC with Windows is easy to install and configure. After completing the
standard NeXTSTEP software installation and starting SoftPC, the user can
begin a Windows session simply by typing "WIN". The Windows setup, including
display, mouse and printer installation is complete, saving users time with
Windows installation. New options allow the user to select the number of
colors displayed and the Windows desktop size through the familiar NeXTSTEP
interface.
SoftPC Professional for NeXT Computers SoftPC Professional for NeXT Computers
is designed for users who require emulation of fully featured PC hardware to
run high-end Pc applications such as word processors, databases, spreadsheets
and communication software. SoftPC Professional, which replaces SoftPC 2.0 forthe NeXT, now includes protect mode emulation of the 80286 processor, supportsextended memory and SVGA, VGA, EGA and CGA graphics, and includes MS-DOS 5.0pre-installed.
Many PC applications now require the protected-mode 80286 operation to access
more than 640 kbytes of conventional PC memory. Support for protect mode and
extended memory allows SoftPC Professional users to run virtually and MS-DOS
application available today.
Pricing and Availability The SoftPC 3.0 Product Family is available now,
through NeXT software retailers and Insignia Solutions. The SoftPC 3.0 Family
for NeXT ships on NeXT-formatted CD-ROM disks. For product or upgrade
information, call Insignia Solutions Inc., at 508-682-7600.
About Insignia Solutions Insignia Solutions Inc. develops and sells high-
quality, low-cost software solutions for emulating PC hardware in non-MS-DOS
operating environments. The company has strategic relationships with Microsoftand the industry's leading computer manufacturers. Insignia Solutions Inc. isheadquartered in Mountain View, Calif. with sales, marketing and supportoperations in Mountain View, Calif. and andover, Mass. Insignia solutions Inc.is a wholly owned subsidiary of Insignia Solutions Ltd., headquartered in HighWycombe, U.K.
Insignia and SoftPC are registered trademarks of Insignia Solutions Inc. MS-
DOS is a registered trademark and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft
Corporation. NeXTSTEP is a registered trademark and NeXT is a trademark of
NeXT Computers Incorporated. All other product names mentioned are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
