Thursday 27 February 1997. This week, ComponentSource, the leading component supplier, will distribute its latest component gallery on CD to developers in over 90 countries world-wide. This newest version proposes new products, new versions and new technology and will be the companyÆs tenth CD of ActiveX™ software components, companion products and tools.

New products to join the existing 400 components currently offered by ComponentSource include Sheridan SoftwareÆs top-selling application designer, ActiveThreed (3D), together with VideosoftÆs brand new database tool, VSDATA and Logic WorksÆ creative data modelling product, ERwin Open.

Importantly, the CD also up-dates previous ComponentSource CDs with new versions of leading best-selling software components such as GeoView from Blue Marble Geographics, Faxman from Delta Technologies, and Crescent Internet Toolpak from Crescent.

As well as content, ComponentSource has also updated its CD technology. Enhancements include a new 32Bit version of the browser which provides a number of important new benefits. For example, a new find facility helps users to search for all new products and updated versions of software immediately. Users can also browse the contents of other current ComponentSource CDs, giving them access to an extensive interactive library of products.

ComponentSource, which launched its first CD a year ago, has increased its distribution of CDs to corporate and software businesses throughout the world, with a significant number of users now coming from mainland Europe. The ability to freely access information and download the latest available development products is extremely attractive to businesses looking to take advantage of component based technologies. Using ComponentSource CDs, developers only need a telephone and credit card to buy and unlock a product instantly, from anywhere in the world. Regular CD updates ensure the most recent product versions are always readily available.

As with previous ComponentSource CD releases, the latest disk provides free access to information, demonstrations and evaluations of hundreds of component products. Uniquely, the full retail versions are encrypted onto the CD, and in exchange for payment details, ComponentSource will issue an un-lock key that deciphers and downloads the products in amatter of seconds.

Said Louise Upsdell, ComponentSource Spokesperson, "ComponentSource CDs offer the quickest, simplest, most convenient way for developers to access component products. Our global expansion is strengthened by the multi-lingual skills of our staff and local country free-phone numbers, enabling us to communicate with developers across the globe."

ComponentSource CDs are available to developers free of charge. To receive an introductory welcome pack and regular CD updates, developers should register at: http://www.componentsource.com or call the companyÆs express registration service on:+44 (0) 118 958 1111.

ComponentSource specialises in the supply of software components, companion products and add-ons to global enterprise and software businesses. It is the first company to offer component vendors secure encryption of their retail products on a freely distributed CD-ROM aimed specifically at component users. ComponentSource CDs are distributed with all new and upgrade sales of Microsoft Visual Basic (English international edition), and to the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) in Europe.