Java Product News (March 23, 2001)
Fortress 1.0 Flash Edition creates interactive, multiuser applications
Fortress 1.0 Flash Edition is a server solution for building collaboration applications with Macromedia Flash that combines the capabilities of Fortress Collaboration Technology with the networking features of Flash 5. Fortress 1.0 features Fortress Room Architecture that allows users to build Websites with a structure that resembles interconnected rooms of a house. The “rooms” can be public or private, single- or multiuser; the activities taking place in the rooms are programmable. The Fortress Room Architecture simplifies the task of creating sites with customized experiences such as chat rooms, online business conferences, games, and instant messengers. Fortress can be accessed using mobile devices and XML-capable client platforms such as Java and C++. Fortress rooms can be customized using Java Web development tools. Java developers can use Fortress 1.0 to fully customize multiuser applications that offer access to the Fortress enterprise infrastructure.
Fortress 1.0 Flash Edition is available immediately. For a free evaluation copy, visit the company Website.
Canoo introduces Java-based thin-client software for developing B2B applications
The new thin-client software from Canoo, Ultra Light Client (ULC), speeds development and deployment of B2B applications and applications run by ASPs. Based on Java and Swing, ULC provides a comprehensive set of libraries, tools, and components for developing and deploying Java-based, thin-client applications with sophisticated and interactive graphical user interfaces. The software has a small, application-independent client that can be run as an applet or as a standalone Java application. Using the ULC framework, development is carried out on the server side in Java. The ULC user interface components are based on standards such as Java, Swing, and protocols like TCP/IP, HTTP(S), SSL, and IIOP, and are tailored for thin clients and low bandwidth.
The preview release of Ultra Light Client is available immediately. The final release of ULC will be available in the second quarter of 2001.
JHotDraw 5.2 now available
JHotDraw provides developers with a Java GUI framework for creating technical and structured graphics such as Pert diagrams and network layouts. It includes a GUI-based editor with a tool palette, user-defined graphical figures, and support for saving, loading, and printing drawings. JHotDraw Version 5.2 is an open source project that ports to new Java GUI toolkits and includes new applications based upon JHotDraw. New features of Version 5.2 include enhanced code and support for JFC Swing features such as windows with scrollbars, toolbars, and pop-up menus. JHotDraw is an application-specific GUI framework based on the general purpose GUI capabilities that the JFC Swing framework offers.
JHotDraw is hosted on SourceForge. Version 5.2 of JHotDraw is currently available and can be downloaded at the SourceForge Website.
In-Q-My Java ApplicationServer now J2EE-compliant
The In-Q-My’s ApplicationServer is a modular, extendible server platform that fully supports Java 2, Enterprise Edition (J2EE). Combining Java technology with SAP, the In-Q-My’s ApplicationServer simplifies the task of developing, deploying, and integrating enterprise-scale applications. The server is based on standard services and benefits from the use of SAP; the combination offers customers reliability, scalability, and security. The In-Q-My Java Application Server is easy to use, manage, and operate. It’s ideal for companies that need a Java application server for their e-business infrastructure.
The beta version of In-Q-My Application Server 4.0 is available immediately and can be evaluated for free.
New Java-based software from JNI provides a user interface for all operating systems
JNI Corporation has released EZ Fibre 2.1, Java-based configuration and management utility software for JNI host bus adapters (HBAs) within storage area networks (SANs). Version 2.1 of EZ Fibre provides a consistent user interface across all operating systems. The HBAs run on servers that operate with Sun Microsystems’ Solaris, Hewlett-Packard HP-UX, and IBM AIX environments. EZ Fibre 2.1 helps users install HBAs in SAN configurations across multiple environments. The EZ Fibre comes bundled with JNI’s FibreStar HBA.
EZ Fibre 2.1 is available immediately and can be downloaded for free from the JNI Website.
Sitraka integrates JClass Java components with Forte for Java
Sitraka Software has joined the Forte for Java Extension Partners Program, through which it will develop product integration across all its product lines, beginning with the JClass family of components. Sitraka Software will also create modules specifically designed for use with the Forte for Java product. The JClass components provide Forte for Java users with fully developed and tested GUIs. The GUIs are available as a drop-down directly from the Forte for Java palette.
JClass components are available immediately from Flashline’s Components Marketplace within the Forte for Java portal.
ObjectFrontier optimizes its persistence manager platform for J2EE applications
ObjectFrontier has released the ePersistJ platform, a persistence manager platform built on Java Connector Architecture that is Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) 2.0-compliant. Optimized for Java 2, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) applications, the ePersistJ platform provides a configurable and scalable runtime environment for developing and deploying software applications. ePersistJ includes a modeler, class builder, and fusion builder, all designed to improve IT performance and productivity.
The ePersistJ Modeler is an XML-based development tool that enables enterprises to model relationships between entity beans and dependent objects. The ePersistJ Class Builder generates code for the EJB 2.0 platform and creates business rules. The ePersistJ Fusion Builder, based on Java Data Base Connectivity, maps beans, dependent objects, and complex relationships. ePersistJ Runtime can persist beans and dependent objects in any medium, and it supports distributed caching through Java Message Service (JMS) notification.
Java Web Start 1.0 automates deployment of client-side applications
Sun Microsystems’ Java Web Start provides customers with a way to automate the process of distributing Java software from Web servers to client machines. Java Web Start 1.0 is a deployment and launch technology that works with one-click activation: a single click on a link will launch a Java application. Java Web Start also manages software updates and implements security models. The Java Web Start software is not dependent on the Web browser; applications will continue to function even after the Web browser is closed. The software must be downloaded once to install it on the client machine. Once installed, it works on all Websites and automates the process of managing Java software. Deployment of Java Web Start applications must be prepared from a server as a set of Java ARchive (JAR) files. Java Web Start software is compatible with any version of Netscape Communicator or Internet Explorer and can be launched from any browser if the MIME-type is constructed on the server side.
Java Web Start 1.0 software is available immediately for Microsoft Windows, Solaris, and Linux environments. Demos can be viewed at the Sun Website.
MetaViewJ speeds development of Java/JDBC applications and applets
The latest product release from New Scribe Technology, MetaViewJ, is a Java database frontend application that provides database forms, SQL command entry, data exchange utilities, and meta data reports. MetaViewJ source code is designed to reduce development time of Java/JDBC applications and applets. Programmers and developers can use the source code as a starter kit for more sophisticated applications. End users and developers can use MetaViewJ for rapid database access. MetaViewJ requires a Java runtime environment and an ODBC or JDBC connection; it runs with either Java 1.2 or 1.3.
MetaViewJ is available immediately and can be downloaded for free from the company Website.
Sun releases Jiro Technology 1.5
Jiro Technology is a set of APIs that provide developers with an infrastructure for building interoperable end-to-end storage management solutions for complex distributed environments. The latest release of Jiro Technology includes enhancements that improve the robustness of the development environment. The 1.5 release includes new installation and administration tools that help system administrators set up and run Jiro technology domains. Jiro Technology 1.5 also features new programming tools to help developers create dynamic management services called FederatedBeans components. The new Jiro technology was developed by Sun Microsystems to support the company’s strategy of delivering open storage networks that are scalable, easily managed, and continuously available.
Jiro Technology 1.5 will be released on March 30, 2001. It will be freely available for download under the Sun Community Source License
