NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #16/NN_1992_16.iso/spool/bit/listserv/nextl/515

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Date:         Fri, 31 Jul 1992 06:10:01 PDT
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Subject:      v4.5 - NeXT Nugget News Digest (vol. 4, issue 5, July 30, 1992)
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NeXT Nugget News Digest (vol. 4, issue 5,  July 30, 1992)

This is vol. 4, issue 5 of the 1992 NeXT NUGGET NEWS DIGEST - a
collection of items of interest for the NeXT User Group members.

Please direct your comments and feedback on the content of
this NeXT news to: [e-mail].


Conrad Geiger
Manager, International NeXT User Groups


__________________________________________________________________

TABLE OF CONTENTS


      I. Announcing "Jewel of the Matrix: For NeXT Computers" CD-ROM
     II. Frontier announces NeXTSTEP Object Palettes
    III. BANG Magazine Is Seeking Advertisers
     IV. BOSS Document Manager Gaining Momentum with NeXT Platform
      V. Italy NeXT User Group Activity Request
     VI. Simulation Kit Brings Continuous Simulation to the NeXT
    VII. Talkback, a multimedia conferencing program for the NeXT
   VIII. Announcing PixelMagician, version 1.11 is now shipping
     IX. MIB-II SNMP Agent and Workstation Monitor Application
         for NeXT Computers



___________________________________________________________________

I.   Announcing "Jewel of the Matrix: For NeXT Computers" CD-ROM


Object Horizons, Ltd. Announces Release of "Jewel of the
Matrix: For NeXT Computers" CD-ROM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:        Chris Traynor
                Steven Schuldt
                [phone]

BOSTON, Mass., July 8 1992 - Object Horizons, Ltd.
announced today the availability of their "Jewel of the
Matrix" CD_ROM.  "Jewel of the Matrix" is a comprehensive
collection of NeXT and UNIX shareware, demos and public
domain software.  "Jewel of the Matrix" contains a large
collection of applications, sounds, music, tiff and EPS
graphic files, source code, newsletters, literature,
animations, Backspace views, GNU tools and languages,
icons, login images, comp.sys.next related materials,
Frequently Asked Questions etc.  All included, the
CD-ROM contains nearly two gigabytes of data when fully
uncompressed.  "Jewel of the Matrix" has many additional
features such as 10 digital books (including all of the
comp.sys.next lists from 1989 on broken into threads)
fully indexed for Digital Librarian, the definitive
automatic untar and uncompress application, and a
logical and understandable directory structure.  For
pricing and order information call [phone] or
write:

Object Horizons, Ltd.
167 Milk St., Ste. #212
Boston, MA
02109-4315




___________________________________________________________________

II.  Frontier announces NeXTSTEP Object Palettes

July 1, 1992

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The software division of Frontier, Inc., a NeXT Partnership
headquartered in Lancaster, PA, is pleased to announce the release of
a new suite of palettized objects which are designed to further
enhance the functionality of the NeXTSTEP object oriented operating
environment, both for the end-user and for the developer.

All new objects will be featured in a NeXTSTEP Object Catalog soon to
be released by NeXT Computer, Inc. of Redwood City, CA.

Frontier's new palettes and their attendant objects are as follows:

Note: While all objects described below are grouped into palettes,
each is available separately as listed in the forthcoming Object
World Catalog.

TextField Palette

The TextField Palette contains three main objects: DateField,
NumberField, and ValidateTextField. The DateField will allow, among
other features, custom formatting of dates and times, as well as
custom system clock displays for current date and time. The object
evaluates a format string and the input string in order to properly
display the formatted output. lt allows for validation to be
performed on the input and the output. The DateField is equipped with
a custom inspector for both lnterfaceBuilder and Applications, thus
allowing run-time manipulation of a field by the user. The inspector
will be used for selecting from a list of existing formats, as well
as allowing custom creation of new formats. The NumberField maintains
the same functionality as the DateField, except its main functions
are to allow custom formatting of numbers and money. Similarly,
Validate TextField will allow for the custom formatting of any
character-based string.

DBKit Companion Palette

This package includes a number of objects which provide additional
functionality to the DbKit and simplify some of the more complex
elements of relational database management. This functionality
includes, but is not limited to, master-detail specific functions,
serial-type implementation for unique- key generation, and primary
foreign-key modeling. The companion palette can be linked from
lnterfaceBuilder for use over any database for which there is an
adaptor.

Graphical Control Palette

The graphical control palette contains fully functional dials and
gauges which may be linked into any application for test and
measurement purposes. Each object is supported by Interface Builder
for drag-and-drop linking, complete with a custom inspector to allow
formatting of output/readings.  The Interface Builder inspector
enables the developer to select from a pre-defined list of formats,
or to create a new format to which all related output will adhere.
The inspector is also available to an application, thus allowing
run-time manipulation of a field by the user. Also included is a
clock and  alarm object, which contains a number of graphical clocks
that can be linked to any application with drag-and-drop
functionality as supported by Interface Builder; it can be used both
for displaying of current time on a variety of clock faces and for
sending messages to another object (as an alarm clock would at some
pre-determined time. Multiple alarms, each with its own target and
action, are allowed; full inspector support is included for both
lnterfaceBuilder and run-time manipulation.

UNIX Palette

The System Event Timing Object allows the developer to register
events with the system to start at a specified date and time. For
example, it can be used to automatically launch an application or to
process a command-line argument at any given time. A complete
inspector is included to allow jobs to be sent to the background,
output to be redirected, input to be controlled, and other system-
level features. The object maybe linked graphically from
lnterfaceBuilder,or it maybe sent messages programmatically.
Inspector support is included to allow run-time manipulation as well.
Yet another object, the Time Bomb Object, utilizes a custom inspector
to control the usage limits of public/commercial software. As an
example, this object may be used to set an application to disable
itself after 60 days of usage, or to destroy itself after 25
executions.

System Control Palette

The system control palette contains a Timer/Time and Billing Object
which acts as a fully functional stopwatch that may be used with any
application. lt provides the user with both system and process level
timing capabilities. The object's feature usage, then is for time and
billing; it may be used to log any account or application at any
rate. Inspector support is, of course, included.

Frontier, Inc. is a NeXT Partnership headquartered in Lancaster, PA
which serves the Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore markets as a
value-added dealer/reseller exclusively committed to the NeXT
platform, offering a full range of service, support, and training.
Its software division specializes in custom software development in
NeXTSTEP, both for customer-driven mission-critical applications and
for more general applications directed at furthering the usability
and programmability of NeXTSTEP.

For more information, contact Frontier, Inc. at (800) 448-NeXT.



___________________________________________________________________


III.  Bay Area NeXT User Group (BANG) Magazine Is Seeking Advertisers

The upcoming issue of the BANG magazine, a new publication for
NeXT users, is looking for advertising clients.  BANG is a volunteer
organization presently involved in producing a NeXT-dedicated
magazine featuring a wide range of articles.

The new magazine has been significantly revised from the previous
publication, the BANG newsletter.  The magazine is a quarterly
publication aimed at the NeXT community.  The new magazine format
includes a full size publication style, color cover and multi-color
advertisements.

If you are interested in advertising in the BANG magazine please
contact:

        Zacharias J. Beckman
        Editor in Chief
        900 High School Way, #2106
        Mountain View, CA 94041
        415.966.8919
        [e-mail]

Electronic mail is prefered.

Zacharias J. Beckman - Dolphin Software - [e-mail]
900 High School Way - Suite 2106 - Mountain View - CA - 94041

___________________________________________________________________

IV.  BOSS Document Manager Gaining Momentum with NeXT Platform

As organizations grow and computerize their day to day operations,
they begin to face a new set of challenges: the need to efficiently
share, manage and reuse information. Most document processing
applications have excelled at making individuals more productive, but
not entire workgroups, departments, or organizations. At the center
of this problem is the need for many people to share documents and
information in an efficient, organized manner.

BOSS Logic's Document Manager is a client/server application that
solves this problem by allowing networked computer users to control
document storage, retrieval, access, routing and  revision of any
electronic document.

BOSS Document Manager is being used in:

    Office Automation
    Legal Case Management
    Medical Records Management
    Technical Document Publishing
    Advertising Campaign Management
    Manufacturing  & Engineering Change Order Control

BOSS Document Manager supports such unique features as:

    detailed edits of changes made
    document wait lists for co-editors
    dependency links between documents.
    user-defined approval processes for documents
    file permissions, including write, delete, depend and grant
    retrieval by category, content, date, owner, status, title,
            id number or type

BOSS Document Manager uses electronic mail to automatically notify
users that documents:

    have been modified
    are available for editing
    require managerial or editorial approval (and attach notes
          for feedback)

Documents can be

    Image files (raster, bitmap, facsimile)
    Compound documents (such as FrameMaker files)
    Word Processed Documents (such as Word Perfect files)
    Desktop Published Documents (such as PageMaker files)
    CAD/CAM drawings (dwg, dxf, cgm, etc.)
    Spreadsheets (such as Lotus files)
    Animations and/or Sound files

Best of all, BOSS Document Manager is "shrink wrapped", so it works
right out of the box.

To learn more about BOSS Logic or BOSS Document Manager call:

    Tom Urban
    Phone:     [phone]
    Fax: [phone]
    Email:  [e-mail]



___________________________________________________________________

V.  Italy NeXT User Group Activity Request

>From the Italian NeXT User Group:

I would like to know which is the simplest way to start a newsletter
in the USA, what should one do? Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Thank you
Gianfranco Pocecai
Coordinator of "NeXT2You" The Italian NeXT User Group
University of Milano - Computer Science Department
Via Comelico, 39/41
20135 Milano - Italy

E-mail: [e-mail]



___________________________________________________________________

VI.  Simulation Kit Brings Continuous Simulation to the NeXT


Doberman Systems
2027 East Ashley Ridge Road
Sandy, Utah   84092-7260

Contact:
  Mike Panzitta
  801 944-4329
  doberman![e-mail]


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Simulation Kit Brings Continuous Simulation to the NeXT

SAN FRANCISCO, July 21, 1992-Doberman Systems today
announced the Simulation Kit, the first collection of
objects specifically developed for continuous system
modeling and simulation on the NeXT computer.  Coupled
with the NeXTSTEP application development
environment, the Simulation Kit provides the ideal
context for developing and analyzing object-oriented
simulations.  Unlike traditional methods, where the
model to be simulated is programmed procedurally from
derived equations, the object-oriented approach is
implemented directly from a block diagram
representation of the system.

Both academic and commercial users will find the
Simulation Kit to be a powerful yet easy-to-use tool for
modeling, analyzing, and teaching linear and nonlinear
continuous systems, numerical integration, and the
numerical solution of differential equations.  Typical
application areas are numerical analysis, engineering
systems (e.g. mechanical, electrical, thermodynamic,
and chemical), and control systems.

The Simulation Kit includes Objective-C objects such as
processes, composite processes, simulations,
signals, and clocks.  Simulations are modeled by
connecting processes together with signals.  More
complex subsystems can be grouped together into
composite processes, which may then be manipulated and
used as a single process.  Commonly used processes such as
summers, gains, limiters, and Euler integrations are
included with source code; users can develop their own
processes by subclassing and using the provided sources
and documentation as a guide.

A typical use of the Simulation Kit can be illustrated by
simulating the motion of an automobile.  The car's
acceleration is determined by the pressure applied to
the accelerator by the driver, the slope of the road
(which depends on the location of the car), and the car's
drag (which increases with the vehicle's speed).  It is
known that the car's location and speed may be obtained by
successively integrating its acceleration.  From this
information, a block diagram composed of integrator,
gain, and summer blocks can be easily assembled.  These
process blocks and the signals that connect them are
implemented by Simulation Kit objects which are
organized in the same fashion as the block diagram.
Information such as the car's position, velocity, and
acceleration may then be output as the car "moves"
through its virtual environment.  This approach to
modeling provides greater insight and intuition into
the behavior of the system and allows simple and rapid
modification of the simulation.

The Simulation Kit employs several advanced features
that are unavailable in other simulation packages.
Multiple clocks allow simulations to contain "fast" and
"slow" subsystems.  Process prioritization permits
fine control over the execution of the simulation for
techniques such as cascaded integrations.

The Simulation Kit will be available in September 1992
for an estimated price of US$XXX.YY (US$XX.YY academic).
Objects, full documentation, and example source code
will be distributed on NeXT-compatible floppy disks.
Technical support will be available by telephone or
electronic mail from Doberman Systems

Doberman Systems was launched in 1992 to develop
hardware and software solutions for the NeXT series of
professional workstations.  The firm is committed to
providing the highest quality products and services for
NeXT users and developers worldwide.

Doberman Systems, the Doberman logo, and Simulation Kit
are trademarks of Doberman Systems.  NeXT and NeXTSTEP
are trademarks of NeXT Computer, Inc.  All other
trademarks mentioned belong to their respective
owners.




___________________________________________________________________

VII.  Talkback, a multimedia conferencing program for the NeXT


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NightShade Software is pleased to announce the release of TalkBack,
a multimedia conferencing program for the NeXT computer.

TalkBack is designed to allow multiple users to communicate
simultaneously with each other over a network.  The application
allows file, text, and voice transfer between many people at once.
A complete archive of conference activity is maintained on each
machine, available for review at any time. This archive will contain
all conference text and sound messages, and any file attachments

Talkback is designed around a de-centralized network model, in which
each conference node will run independently.  This means that anyone
can exit and join a conference at any time, without a need for a
"central server".  The de-centralized network model also means that
any user can initiate a conference, and that any user in a conference
can invite new users to join the conference while it is in progress.

A beta-release of TalkBack is now available from
sonata.cc.purdue.edu, in pub/next/submissions/TalkBack.tar.Z, and
from cs.orst.edu, in /pub/next/submissions.

For further information on TalkBack, or any other NightShade product,
please email

[e-mail]

or mail

NightShade Software,
P.O. Box 60063, U of A P.O.,
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada,
T6G 2S4




___________________________________________________________________


VIII.  Announcing PixelMagician, version 1.11 is now shipping


A new version of PixelMagician, Version 1.11, is now shipping.

New features:

        Added support to read .FAX and .DCX files.

        Added support for viewing multi-page/multi-rep formats:

                        .PS, .DCX, .FAX, .TIFF

        Bug Fixes: PICT 1bit b/w, TIFF aspect ratio, Image
                   Inspector, Targa files, Convert window source
                   browser size calc field bugs.)



Demo Version 1.11  is now available via anonymous ftp from ...

        sonata.cc.purdue.edu ( 128.210.15.30 ) or
        nova.cc.purdue.edu (128.210.7.22)

Location:

        /pub/next/2.0-release/demos/PixelMagician1.11.tar



Features:

        - Wildcard conversion
        - Drag/Drop
        - Miniwindow thumbnails
        - Scaling /Resampling
        - Rotating
        - Screen grabbing
        - Error diffusion dithering
        - Multiple bit depths
        - Alpha support
        - Supports viewing of multi-page/multi-rep image formats.


Formats:

        - JPEG ( JFIF )
        - TIFF
        - DCX
        - FAX
        - EPS
        - PICT (Raster only)
        - Targa
        - PCX
        - Windows BMP
        - Sun Raster
        - GIF
        - IFF/ILBM
        - MacPaint
        - XBM/XWD
        - MTV and others


For more information, please contact:

         BACCHUS, INC.
         2210 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 330
         Santa Monica, CA 90403

         Tel: [phone]
         Fax: [phone]
         NeXTMail: [e-mail] or bacchus![e-mail]

________________________________________________________________

IX.  MIB-II SNMP Agent and Workstation Monitor Application
for NeXT Computers


For more information, contact:

    Errol Ginsberg
    Telephone: [phone]
    Fax:       [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]
        or zulu![e-mail]

    NeXT E-mail: [e-mail]
        or zulu![e-mail]


Malibu, CA - July 28, 1992.  Ridgeback Solutions announces the
availability of an SNMP  Agent and ServerWatch, a powerful
workstation monitor for NeXT computers that allows network managers
to monitor and generate alarms on key workstation parameters. This is
the first SNMP management solution for NeXT computers and now allows
users to integrate their NeXT computers into any SNMP network
management environment.

Good network management is essential to keeping LANs operating
smoothly and minimizing the time required for a network manager to
find and fix problems.

"I feel that Ridgeback Solutions' SNMP agent and ServerWatch
application are among the most important third party applications to
be offered on the NeXT platform," said Tim Kreps, developer advocate
for communications and connectivity  at NeXT Computer, Inc. "Because
the average size of each installation of NeXT computers is large,
network management has become very important to our customers."


The SNMP Agent for NeXT computers

The SNMP agent is a complete implementation of the MIB-I and MIB-II
specifications and makes  use of  standards such as the Internet
Protocol (IP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and the Simple Network
Management Protocol (SNMP). Ridgeback Solutions took advantage of the
Private Extension capability supported by the SNMP standards to
define and add its own Private Extensions for NeXT computers. These
extensive enhancements to MIB-II allow the monitoring via SNMP of
Swap File size, Disk Space Available, Disk Space Used, Applications
running, Memory Status, User Login Information and CPU loading.


ServerWatch for NeXT computers

The separate ServerWatch application runs on a NeXT workstation and
uses the Ridgeback Solutions Private Extensions to monitor and
generate alarms for Swap File Size greater than a user-specified
Threshold, Free Disk Space less than a user-specified Threshold, Loss
of Communication to a workstation, a Login or Logout on a
user-specified workstation and SNMP Authentication errors.

For each alarm occurrence, alarm details are written to a log with
the IP Address, Hostname, Time and Date. The user may scroll through
the Alarm Log to review all the alarms. A different threshold and
alarm condition may be specified for each of the workstations
monitored by ServerWatch. Alarms are configured for each workstation
using the Alarm Inspector. Multiple workstations may be set up
simultaneously if they each have the same thresholds and parameters.
Alarm settings may also be viewed using the Alarm Inspector.

Once a workstation is selected from the Network View (an iconic view
of the workstations), it may be queried  using a menu for Swap File
Information, File System Information, Process Status and Login
Information. All these queries are via SNMP with no need to remotely
log in to a workstation to obtain this information.

Thresholds may be set by the network manager to monitor these
critical parameters automatically and be alerted when there is a
problem. By choosing the threshold values carefully, the network
manager can be alerted to potential problems,  and fix them before
the end-user is even aware that there was a problem on his machine.


HP Openview and SunNet Manager

The Ridgeback Solutions private extensions have been successfully
compiled and tested with Hewlett Packard's Openview 3.0 Network
Manager and Sun's SunNet Manager. Network Management applications
such as Openview or SunNet Manager. and the Ridgeback Solutions SNMP
agent allow network managers to easily integrate NeXT computers into
their overall network management framework.

Ridgeback Solutions has also developed an application that runs on
SunNet Manager allowing network managers to easily integrate NeXT
computers with SunNet Manager.


Pricing

The SNMP agent has a suggested retail price of $XXX per workstation
and is currently shipping. A discount schedule is available for large
installations. ServerWatch is bundled with the purchase of 10 or more
SNMP agents and is currently shipping.  The SunNet Manager
application is available for a suggested retail price of $XXXX per
network management console.


Company Background

Ridgeback Solutions, founded in 1991 and based in Malibu, CA,
specializes in the development of network management and
communications applications for UNIX workstations. The company was
founded by Errol Ginsberg, who was previously vice president of
engineering for Fibermux, a $50 Million manufacturer of LAN hubs and
multiplexors. Ridgeback Solutions is privately held and funded.


****


ServerWatch is a trademark of Ridgeback Solutions. NeXT is a
trademark of NeXT Computer, Inc. All other brand names are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective owners.



Ridgeback Solutions
23715 W. Malibu Rd., Suite 376
Malibu, CA, 90265
______________________________________
end