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Apple Developer News


April 11, 1997, No. 52


MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES


Author Looking for Inspirational Developer Stories

Jon Samsel, co-author of the Interactive Writers Handbook, is creating a new book of inspirational stories that explore the humanity behind the digital revolution. He's looking for new technology professionals who would like to share a personal experience, fable, metaphor, or quote that will inspire others to use technology to change their lives in a positive way. If you have a story for Samsel to review, contact him at samsel@gte.net. All sources will be properly credited if chosen.

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PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGIES


Mac OS 7.6.1 Update Delivers Better Reliability

Apple just released Mac OS 7.6.1 Update, a set of system software enhancements that improves the overall reliability of the Mac OS, and brings the benefits of Mac OS 7.6 to the most recently introduced Mac OS-based systems. This release is not intended to deliver any new features, nor does it deliver updates to technologies already available through download sites on the Internet and online services.

Mac OS 7.6.1 Update is Apple's rapid response to feedback from customers and developers on Mac OS 7.6. Here are some of its enhancements:

Mac OS 7.6.1 Update is available electronically, free of charge, at this web site:

http://support.info.apple.com/ftp/7.6.1.html

In the United States, customers may order Mac OS 7.6.1 Update on four floppy disks for U.S.$ 10 (plus tax and shipping/handling) by calling 1-800-293-6617. Customers running a localized version of Mac OS 7.6 should not install the U.S. version of Mac OS 7.6.1 Update. Localized versions of the update will be released within approximately 90 days of the U.S. version. The European mirror site is

ftp://ftp.info.euro.apple.com/Apple.Support.Area/Apple.Software.Update

The Mac OS 7.6.1 Technote, which presents a detailed list of changes, is posted at this site:

http://www.devworld.apple.com/dev/technotes/tn/tn1096.html

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Personal Web Sharing 1.0 Ships

Apple just announced the shipment of its Personal Web Sharing 1.0 server software. Designed for individuals and small workgroups, this new product enables web publishing without dedicating a separate computer as a server. Based on Internet standard protocols, Personal Web Sharing extends Apple's traditional file-sharing capabilities to intranet-based webs.

According to Jim Gable, vice president of Platform and Technology Marketing, Personal Web Sharing is a natural evolution of something Apple has always done. "Apple has offered networking capabilities with its Personal File Sharing technology for years. Personal Web Sharing is the same concept with Apple now supporting Internet standards," said Gable. "We feel this product is an excellent multiplatform web-publishing solution for groups that need to share information such as sales reports, curriculum information, draft proposals, meeting minutes, and so on--without having to work around the schedule of a dedicated server administrator."

Based on technology licensed from Maxum Development, Personal Web Sharing 1.0 is a complete publishing solution for an intranet. Personal Web Sharing includes Claris Home Page Lite, which allows customers to easily create their own web pages. This version of Home Page masks the ability to view HTML and is designed for customers who are unfamiliar with HTML creation.

For Personal Web Sharing pricing and configuration details, visit either of these web sites:

http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970409.pr.rel.web.html

Personal Web Sharing will also be integrated with the Mac OS 8 operating system, scheduled for completion in July of 1997. Personal Web Sharing can be purchased now at this web site:

http://www.buydirect.com

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QuickTime 3.0 for Windows and Mac OS Unveiled

Apple just announced major advances in QuickTime, the industry-standard digital media system software for Windows and Mac OS. This is the first time the full power of QuickTime--including the ability to capture, edit, compress, and play back digital media--is available for all major personal computer platforms, including Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, Mac OS System 7, and Mac OS System 8.

One of the most significant new features of the QuickTime 3.0 software architecture is the Media Abstraction Layer. This feature ensures that QuickTime's underlying media technologies can be enhanced or accelerated without affecting compatibility with existing applications.

For example, QuickTime 3.0 introduces support for the DVCAM file format. Through the Media Abstraction Layer, applications can immediately use this important new media format without requiring software modifications. This greatly reduces the cost of supporting emerging technologies. The Media Abstraction Layer means that QuickTime-enabled applications are ready to take advantage of the latest technology advances--including MMX microprocessor technology and multiprocessing--regardless of the platform.

Here are some of QuickTime 3.0's other key features:

You can find more information about QuickTime 3.0 in an in-depth white paper, "QuickTime Technology Briefs: QuickTime 3.0," available at this web site:

http://www.quicktime.apple.com/

Apple plans to make QuickTime 3.0 available toward the end of the second quarter (Q2) of 1997. Developers can license QuickTime 3.0 for redistribution with applications, titles, and media clip libraries that support QuickTime. For additional licensing information, contact Apple Software Licensing by phone at 512-919-2645 or by e-mail at sw.license@apple.com.

The full press release is posted at this web site:

http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970408.pr.rel.quicktime.html

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Apple Announces QuickTime's OMF Importer

QuickTime's OMF (Open Media Framework) Importer, a new extension to QuickTime, has just been introduced by Apple. This extension streamlines the media creation process for producers of digital media content by allowing them to use QuickTime-enabled tools to manipulate the audio and video stored in OMF-formatted files.

OMF was developed by Avid Technology in cooperation with other industry partners in the post-production and broadcast industries. Because OMF is a high-end post-production format, it has not been widely supported by desktop video-editing applications. QuickTime's OMF Importer now makes it easy for QuickTime-enabled tools to work with this important professional media format.

Users of OMF media now have instant access to the broad range of QuickTime-enabled multimedia and video production tools. Award-winning video software products--including Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Avid Cinema, and Radius Edit, as well as Macromedia's much-anticipated Final Cut--were all written to support QuickTime. With QuickTime's OMF Importer, users can directly access OMF files from their existing video tools. This direct access makes it easy to repurpose professional content for Internet or CD-ROM delivery using tools such as Terran Interactive's MovieCleaner Pro. Furthermore, users don't have to go through a time-consuming conversion process, because QuickTime's OMF Importer allows them to use OMF files directly without first having to convert them to the QuickTime Movie format. And because the OMF files are accessed directly, no recompression is required, so full image fidelity is maintained.

With QuickTime's OMF Importer, QuickTime users will be able to see and hear the contents of OMF files without requiring any hardware or application software updates. QuickTime 3.0 contains all the software decoders necessary for viewing and manipulating the supported OMF media types. Users can thus access OMF files on any QuickTime-enabled system, including Windows NT, Windows 95, and the Mac OS. QuickTime's OMF Importer provides access to audio and video media assets in OMF files; future releases are expected to support additional features found in OMF media files.

For more information about OMF, contact the OMF Developers' Desk at Avid Technology at 1-800-949-6634, 508-640-3400, or this web site:

http://www.avid.com/omf/

To review the full press release on this extension, see this web site:

http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970408.pr.rel.qt.omf.html

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Apple Brings the FireWire Digital Video Standard to Market

Apple became the first computer vendor to provide operating system support for FireWire. FireWire technology--developed by Apple and approved as the IEEE 1394 high-performance serial bus standard--enables fast, easy, and economical transfers of digital information between a personal computer and peripheral devices such as digital video camcorders. It will foster the development of new digital video editing capabilities for the Mac OS. Apple will deliver this support through a software extension to the Mac OS that developers can use to create solutions for connecting FireWire-enabled peripherals to Mac OS-based computers.

Developers can use the FireWire 1.0 API (application programming interface), along with their own software and a FireWire PCI card and cable, to offer customers a complete solution for connecting high-speed peripherals to the computer. Companies such as Miro, Digital Processing Systems, and Radius have announced solutions that allow a Power Macintosh computer to work directly with a Sony or a Panasonic DV camcorder using the FireWire interface. Customers can use these solutions for nonlinear video editing or still-image capture of digital video data. Other companies, such as Adaptec and Texas Instruments, have announced products for development of FireWire solutions.

FireWire provides many advantages over other peripheral interconnection technologies. The cables are as simple to connect as telephone cords--they don't need screws or latches. And, unlike SCSI technology, FireWire is autoconfiguring, so it eliminates SCSI device ID conflicts and the need for terminators. FireWire is also a hot plug-and-play technology, which means that a user can disconnect and then reconnect a device without needing to restart the computer. FireWire is fast: It can transfer digital data at 200 megabits per second, and an increase to 400 megabits per second is planned for later in 1997. In addition, the FireWire technology supports expansion--up to 63 devices can be attached on the same FireWire bus. Finally, FireWire includes support for isochronous data transfer, which provides guaranteed bandwidth for real-time video and audio streams.

FireWire 1.0 is available to developers immediately. Developers interested in obtaining the API can make the request by sending e-mail to http://www.firewire.org

http://www.firewire.apple.com

The full press release is also available on the web:

http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970407.pr.rel.firewire.html

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Small Business Power Macintosh Computers Announced

In conjunction with the Power Macintosh 6500 and 4400 models announced this week, Apple unveiled the Apple Small Business Macintosh series of computers. These configurations of the new 6500 and 4400 systems provide users with a comprehensive small business solution right out of the box. Initially, Apple will ship the Small Business Macintosh 6500/250 and the Small Business Macintosh 4400/200. The computers are bundled with industry-standard software and feature a built-in fax modem, 12x-speed CD-ROM drive, digital answering system, and speakerphone. Small Business Macintosh computers are preinstalled with leading business software, including Microsoft Office, Norton Utilities, Now Up-To-Date and Contact, Jian BizPlan Builder, MacPublisher, and others.

For the full press release, see this web site:

http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970408.pr.rel.sbm.html

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PC-Compatibility Power Macintosh Systems Unveiled

Apple just introduced two PC-compatible computers: the Power Macintosh 7300/180, which has a 180-MHz PowerPC 604e RISC processor and a 166-MHz Intel Pentium processor, and the Power Macintosh 4400/200, which has a 200-MHz PowerPC 603e RISC processor and a Cyrix PR166 6x86 processor. These solutions are primarily targeted to business and education customers who want the power and ease of use of a Macintosh computer, but who also need Windows compatibility. The 166-MHz Intel Pentium processor PCI card is also available as an upgrade card, allowing PCI-based Power Macintosh computers to run DOS and Windows applications.

Apple will also offer the PC Serial and Parallel Card, a new PCI card that features both an RS-232 and a bidirectional ECP parallel port. This card allows customers to connect legacy IBM-compatible or PC peripherals to a PC Compatibility Card. Apple plans to make the new PCI card available in June 1997.

The PC Compatibility Upgrade card is scheduled to be available sometime in April, and the Power Macintosh 7300/180 and 4400/200 systems bundled with PC Compatibility Cards are scheduled to be available in volume by the end of May 1997. The PC Compatibility Upgrade cards are scheduled to be available outside the United States beginning in May 1997.

For pricing and other details, visit this web site:

http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970404.pr.rel.pc-pmsys.html

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Apple Announces First 300-MHz Desktop Computer

Apple is bringing unprecedented speed to the home desktop with the introduction of the Apple Power Macintosh 6500/300 computer--the first 300-MHz system available today. Following less than two months after Apple's introduction of the fastest laptop computer currently available, the new Power Macintosh 6500 series gives customers a choice of systems ranging in speeds from 225 to 300 MHz, all with accelerated multimedia features; built-in Internet access capabilities; and advanced video capture, editing, and publishing options. The announcement reflects Apple's drive toward a simplified desktop series under the strength of the Power Macintosh brand.

For pricing and configuration information, see the full press release:

http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970404.pr.rel.300mhz.html

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OTHER DEVELOPER NEWS


Sears and Apple Sponsor a School Rewards Program

Families that purchase an Apple Macintosh Performa 6360 computer, 15-inch MultiScan Display, and Color StyleWriter 1500 printer from any U.S. Sears Brand Central retail store will help their schools earn points toward computer hardware and Internet products from Apple. This program, which runs from April 1 to May 15, is designed to help parents and educators provide students with greater access to computer and Internet technology at school. Apple hopes that this will also help educational software developers sell more products.

You can obtain program details at local Sears stores or by calling 1-800-937-2775. To read the full press release on this program, see this web site:

http://product.info.apple.com/pr/press.releases/1997/q3/970408.pr.rel.sears.html

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Power Mac Takes Top Honors in Scientific Magazine

The March 1997 issue of Scientific Computing and Automation lists results of the magazine's Sixth Annual Reader's Choice Awards. In the Desktop PC category (page 28), Apple Power Macintosh computers were chosen by readers over runners-up at Compaq and Dell. The ballot was run in two issues last fall, and criteria for selection included "value for price, technical support, ease of use, quality, and reliability." When this issue is posted, you'll be able to read about it at this web site:

http://www.scamag.com

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The Ultimate Apple Evangelist--Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal

During the last few weeks, Saudi Arabia's billionaire Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal became an honorary Apple Evangelist by buying 5 percent of Apple's stock for about U.S. $115 million. According to a statement he issued, Prince Al-Waleed said, "I have been following the technology industry closely for quite some time, and Apple in particular for a number of months, and I believe there is serious potential for Apple to provide large returns to its stockholders once again, as it did in the past."

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EVENTS


Mac OS Expo, June 17 to 19

Mac OS Expo will be an integral part of the Fifteenth Annual PC EXPO, held in New York. It will feature 800 exhibitors at the Javits Convention Center. For more information about exhibiting at the Mac OS Expo, contact Geoff Poli, director of sales at Miller Freeman, at gpoli@mfi.com or 212-615-2930. For registration or general show information, visit the PC EXPO web site:

http://www.pcexpo.com

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Claris Solutions Developer Event, May 12 to 15

Claris Corporation is hosting "Simply Better Solutions," a developer's conference for anyone involved in creating software solutions using Claris software. At this conference, solution developers will receive training on building better business solutions using Claris products; information on how to use Claris products on the Internet; and one-on-one access to Claris technical support and product managers.

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BMUG MacFest, April 26

This year the Berkeley Macintosh User Group (BMUG) MacFest will be held in the Pauley Ballroom on the UC Berkeley campus, in Berkeley, California. The show will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This year big-name vendors such as Adobe, Connectix, Aladdin, Dantz, Iomega, Corel, Wacom, Techworks, and Motorola will attend the show. For the first time, vendors will be selling products and giving some great deals to MacFest attendees. Speakers include Ellen Hancock, Apple vice president; Jean-Louis Gassee, founder of Be; industry analyst Dave Winer; TidBits editor Adam Engst; MacWEEK columnist Don Crabb; Bob Levitus, Motorola evangelist; and Adobe Photoshop guru Bert Monroy. MacFest is free to the public, though BMUG requests a donation at the door.

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NEW SOFTWARE RELEASES


Mac OS Version 7.6.1 Update

For an overview of what's new in this system software release, see the story "Mac OS 7.6.1 Update Delivers Better Reliability" in this edition of Apple Developer News. The Mac OS 7.6.1 Technote, which presents a detailed list of changes, is posted at this site:

http://www.devworld.apple.com/dev/technotes/tn/tn1096.html

You can download this update from several on-line services and web sites. To get started, visit this web site:

http://support.info.apple.com/ftp/7.6.1.html

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The May 1997 Tool Chest Edition of the Developer CD Series

This invaluable developer resource will be sent to Apple Developer Program members at the end of April. (By the way, many program members say that the Developer CD Series alone justifies the cost of Apple Developer Program membership.) Highlights of this month's CD include

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OPENSTEP Documentation on the Apple Developer CD

For those of you who want to get ahead on the Mac OS and OPENSTEP operating system transition, you can now download Adobe Acrobat versions of Discovering OPENSTEP: A Developer Tutorial, AppKit Reference, Foundation Reference, and Topics in OPENSTEP Programming from the NeXT web site:

http://devworld.apple.com/techinfo/techdocs/rhapsody/apple1.html (link updated Nov. 18, 1997)

The Discovering OPENSTEP book is considered to be a good place to start learning about OPENSTEP.

If you're a member of an Apple Developer Program, you can find this documentation on the May 1997 Edition of the Developer CD, which will be shipped the end of April.

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Apple Disk Copy Version 6.1.2

Disk Copy 6.1.2 is a utility that will mount disk images on your desktop, make exact copies of floppy disks from a disk image, convert disk images from one format to another, and create a disk image from a mounted volume or individual folder. This new version includes these enhancements:

To download this program, visit this web site:

http://support.info.apple.com/ftp/swhome.html

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WebBytes--POINTERS TO MORE NEWS AND SOFTWARE


New Rhapsody FAQ Posted

A new version of the Rhapsody frequently-asked-questions document has just been posted to Apple's web site. The version dated April 10 replaces the version posted on March 11. This document will be updated on a regular basis until Rhapsody ships, so be sure to check it periodically to keep up to date on this new operating system. The web address for this document is:

http://devworld.apple.com/rhaptechfaq.html

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Apple Sponsors Web Site for Disabled Children

Apple recently announced Convomania, a web site designed for kids who are seriously ill or disabled. Convomania empowers kids with the opportunity to use the Internet to share their feelings and ideas in a cyber-community setting. You can check out this web site:

http://www.mania.apple.com

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If you have any suggestions or comments regarding Apple Developer News, we'd like to hear from you. You can send an e-mail to

To provide feedback on the technologies discussed in this issue, send e- mail to the appropriate contact:


Copyright (c) 1997 Apple Computer, Inc. All rights reserved.

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