Cincinnati, Ohio--31 Dec 93: Trilobyte Software today announced that ARACommander™ 2.0. is shipping. ARACommander™ is the Apple Remote Access (ARA) client utility that adds new features and flexibility to ARA, in both version 1 and version 2 configurations.
ARACommander™ is a control panel that works with the resources and extensions
of ARA to provide a more flexible, easier-to-use and a more secure alternative to Apple's client software. It requires Apple's ARA 1.0 or 2.0 software and System 7.
Important new features of ARACommander™ 2.0 include a full scheduling capability. Connections can be scheduled at any time and be completely unattended. Disconnection can be unattended as well by specifying a number of minutes of idle time before disconnection occurs.
Full support for scripting with AppleScript™ is also provided. A special application called ARAScripter™ serves as a scriptable ARA client for both ARA 1 and ARA 2 users. Scripters have the ability to enable any of the features of ARACommander™ through script commands, and have full control over connection, disconnection, and scheduling. ARAScripter™ enables full programmatic control over the entire range of the connection process.
Version 2.0 of ARACommander™ fully supports the new client features found in Apple's ARA 2.0. Apple's new DialAssist™ features are fully accessible from within ARACommander 2.0 and Connectors. Redial of an alternate phone number when the line is busy, and a blinking notification icon when connected, are also supported in ARACommander™ 2.0. The new features of ARA 2.0 that accomodate cellular phone users are completely supported in ARACommander™ 2.0.
One of the central features of ARACommander™ are Connectors, miniapplications
that go beyond the basic capabilities of Apples's connection documents or ARA aliases. The ARACommander™ control panel can create Connectors that automatically connect to an ARA server when launched. You can also use the control panel to connect to a server.
Trilobyte President Ron Duritsch claims that "The ARA experience is now complete with ARACommander™ 2.0. This utility removes the user from the tedium of serial connection by enabling a complete connection scenario through one double-click. With scheduling or scripting, even the double-click can be eliminated."
Connectors have the capability to automatically launch any number of remote or local applications or documents as part of the connection process. Connectors can also open desk accessories and local or remote folders in the Finder.
With Apple's client, in both versions 1.0 and 2.0, users can automatically initiate a connection by opening an alias to a application, document, or directory on a remote volume. This feature is limited to opening one item only. Since ARACommander™ lets you specify several applications to load, you can create Connectors that will work for network applications such as E-mail, schedulers, and file-synchronization programs.
Connectors also present a range of security benefits. Network administrators can create and distribute just the Connector application to users, hiding the phone number, account name and password from them. By preventing users from viewing and editing Connectors, network administrators can create a more secure remote-access environment than they can by solely using Apple's client software.
Version 2.0 Connectors will enable even more control by administrators over an ARA connection. Connectors can be made to hide the dialing string while dialing occurs. Also, Connectors can be made to disable themselves after a specified number of days. This feature will enable administrators to pass out secure temporary Connectors to workers and clients. As an added security measure, version 2.0 Connectors can be made to disable themselves after a specified number of bad password attempts.
ARACommander™ 2.0 Connectors require only 84 Kbytes of RAM, compared with the ARA 2.0 client requirement of 400 Kbytes. The entire ARACommander™ control panel occupies 116 Kbytes of RAM.
Pricing for ARACommander™ is as follows:
single user license $35
10 user license $175
20 user license $275
50 user license $475
100 user license $675
Registered users who purchased ARACommander™ 1.0 after July, 1993 can upgrade for a shipping & handling fee of $5, regardless of which license was purchased. Users who purchased prior to July 31, 1993 can upgrade for a single-user charge of $10, plus shipping & handling. Upgrade prices for packages are $30 for a 10-user license, $50 for a 20-user license, $80 for a 50-user license, and $120 for a 100-user license.
Trilobyte Software is at 6982 Devon Drive, Middletown, Ohio 45044. Phone (513)
777-6641; fax (513) 779-7760.
AppleScript™, and Apple Remote Access™ are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.
