News and New Product Briefs (3/16/98)

An IBM clearinghouse for third-party Java talent

IBM hosts a clearinghouse/e-newsletter for Java developers called Daily Grounds.

The newsletter focuses on developers, whether they’re from mega-corporations or a garage-based software startup — “lest we forget that HP was started in a Silicon Valley garage,” remind the sponsors.

Once or twice a week, Daily Grounds highlights what developers are doing with the technology, including news about your products and development experiences, as well as Q&As on why you chose Java.

Have a little tea with Cereus

Cereus Design Corp. released two scripting products for Java, the HotTEA-URLGrey BASIC interpreter and the HotTEA-GreenTEA VBA-supporting Bean.

HotTEA-URLGrey is a Java-based BASIC interpreter designed for Web and intranet applets, and small standalone applications. It weighs less than 100K and is compatible with JDK 1.02.

HotTEA-GreenTEA is a JavaBean that supports a Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)-compatible language system. It can be used to add scripting capability to Java applications or to building intranet applets. It is available now in a standard configuration; developers will have to wait for the professional edition. GreenTEA interacts with other beans and can be added to the component palettes of such IDEs as JavaStudio, VisualCafé, JBuilder, and VisualAge. It is compatible with JDK 1.1 and supports JFC and JDBC.

URLGrey is available now for 5, and the company expects to be shipping GreenTEA (Professional) by the end of Q198 for 49.

New version of GemStone/J app server ready

GemStone Systems announced GemStone/J 1.1, an upgrade version of its integrated application server designed to craft scalable Java/CORBA enterprise applications.

GemStone/J 1.1 improves the performance of client/server applications with its brokered virtual machine (VM) pooling architecture that fosters fast client connections and reduces loading on server applications. The VM Broker manages a pool of Java VMs, each individually configurable by number and characteristics. Each continues to operate after assigned clients log out (on the premise that they will be needed again), to be reused when a client makes the next connection request.

Application partitioning has been made easier in this version by the addition of a wizard tool specifically for partitioning tasks. Plus, the way you develop distributed Java apps has been simplified in GemStone/J 1.1. A new wizard-based interface makes it easier to load a standard Java app into the GemStone/J server.

And version 1.1 comes with an improved distributed app debugger, one that includes easier, more reliable inspection and control of threads. Transport layer enhancements allow faster log-in sequences and optimized remote adapter mechanisms that support the client/server messaging within Java applications, improving client access to server objects.

It uses standard JDBC drivers, and certified JDBC drivers (JNI-compliant Type-4 Thin) from Oracle and Sybase. It also includes a new Java API that supports upgrade of application classes and helps with the transformation from old classes to new ones.

GemStone/J 1.1 should be available March 31, 1998 for Solaris and Windows NT, for ,995 per seat.

IBM licenses picoJava core for appliances

IBM announced that it has licensed Sun’s picoJava I processor core, a chip designed for use in small devices, such as cellular phones and set-top boxes, to be made available to its custom chip clients.

With the picoJava core, IBM plans to help electronics manufacturers create a new class of network-centric devices based on Java, with apps embedded directly on the chips.

“We intend to bring the best technologies to bear in helping our customers tap into the networked environment,” said Luis Arzubi, VP of IBM’s Microelectronics Division. “Now, with picoJava, we can work with our customers to further enhance their products with Java applications.”

27 states join Justice Department: Unbundle IE from 95

Attorneys general from 27 states filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in federal court on Monday March 2, 1998, supporting the Justice Department and asking the court to uphold Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson’s December 11, 1997 injunction that ordered Microsoft to unbundle the Internet Explorer Web browser from the Windows 95 operating system. Microsoft is appealing that injunction.

The attorneys general cited Microsoft’s anti-competitive conduct as a threat to the health of the computer industry. The states participating in the filing are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

uniView Tech. preview Java set-top designs

uniView Technologies Corp. (formerly Curtis Mathes) plans to preview the designs (as well as 50 customized units) of its interactive set-top boxes at the upcoming JavaOne Developer Conference. With the boxes, users can register for the conference, e-mail messages to each other, and play a Java game.

uniView develops and deploys set-top box applications and hardware for niche markets such as home healthcare, education, banking, hotel, home office, and consumer electronics. Dallas Semiconductor and Softbank have joined with uniView to create the custom applications used at JavaOne.

Patrick A. Custer, uniView CEO and president, said, “The fun, interactive applications — including a few to-be-announced surprises — showcased by our boxes at JavaOne will demonstrate that Java is now ready for the every day consumer.”

Luckman debuts Web Studio 2.0

Luckman Interactive announced an upgrade to its development suite for building HTML, Java, VRML, and database connectivity into Web sites, Web Studio 2.0.

Web Studio 2.0 consists of:

  • Luckman’s WebEdit Pro 3.0 HTML authoring tool
  • Luckman’s Web Map image map generator
  • Penumbra’s Mojo Java authoring tool
  • Platinum’s VR Creator software for creating interactive 3D content
  • Trilogy’s OpenPath Web development tool for creating and developing Web database applications
  • Seagate’s Crystal Reports report-generating program for publishing data on the Internet
  • Auraline Java Multimedia Creation Kit, designed to add multimedia effects to Web sites (includes a 5,000-plus media library with PowerPoint 97 templates and animations, 3D effects, and sound effects

WebEdit Pro, Web Map, Mojo, OpenPath, and Crystal Reports all work with Window 95/NT; VR Creator, with 95 only. Web Studio is priced at 50.

Progress progressing Apptivity toward Java

Progress Software will start using Java in its Apptivity products this year. Apptivity is a group of products that allows developers to develop, test, deploy, and maintain business-critical Java database applications for IE 3.x/4.x, Navigator 3.x/4.x, and any JVM 1.02/1.1 client and NT, MacOS 7, Solaris 2.x, and Java server.

Apptivity marketing VP Dennis Moore thinks that the this direction will provide an Internet migration path for existing Progress-built applications, in essence making them as useable in the future as they are now.

According to Moore, the next version (code-named “Vail” and due Q298) should simplify the development process, making it easier to develop apps as a team. He added, “We’ll also focus on facilitating deployment by supporting HTML and taking advantage of existing platforms provided by enterprise JavaBeans and CORBA.” Progress will then start shipping the next generation of its development suite (code-named “Skywalker”), which combines Progress 9.0 and WebSpeed 3.0. Then, in 1999, Progress plans to deliver a CORBA app server named Open AppServer.

The check’s in the mail with Oracle’s Java Payment Server

Oracle announced the Oracle Payment Server 1.0, a Java cartridge that runs on the company’s Web Application Server 3.0.

The Payment Server module supports third-party payment systems from ICVerify and CyberCash for processing credit card transactions. It features rules-based routing, which allows integrating of multiple processing engines based on such criteria as the sale’s dollar value or the payment method.

Payment Server 1.0 supports SSL security. The company intends to incorporate SET (the Secure Electronic Transactions protocol) in June 1998.

Payment Server also includes:

  • Application Integration features

    :

    • A single open interface API between the Payment Server and commerce applications delivers access to all supported payment systems
    • The API supports Java, C, PL/SQL, and Perl apps and Oracle Application Server cartridges
    • Sample HTML calling-page code and a dummy payment system cartridge provided to speed application code integration and testing
    • Pre-configured integration with Oracle Internet Commerce Server 1.1

  • Payment System Integration features

    :

    • A single common API between the server and existing payment systems
    • A sample EC application for integration and testing of payment systems
    • Direct access to native payment system functions
    • Multiple payment systems bundled
    • Open API for regional and custom payment systems

  • Setup and Administration features

    :

    • An browser-based interface to all administration functions
    • A business rules-directed payment routing system
    • Support for regional, updated, or additional payment system cartridges that can be installed in the field
    • Access to the native data gathering, analysis, and reporting
    • Secure payment routing and SSL 3.0 support, with SET 1.0 support coming
  • Configuration features, such as the ability to direct payment types to specific processing vendors (for example, transactions from account #XXX to ICVERIFY, each VISA transaction over 00 to CyberCash, all MasterCard to ICVERIFY, transactions less than 0 to Cybercoin) through the use of the business rules payment routing system.

The Oracle Payment Server 1.0 ships with Oracle Internet Payment Server 1.0 cartridge and documentation; Oracle 7.3 Enterprise Version runtime license; Oracle Web Application Server 3.0.1; ICVERIFY payment system cartridge and documentation; and CyberCash Cash Register cartridge and documentation. Pricing starts at 0,000, which includes the application server and a limited-use license for the Oracle7 database.

Java Developers Workbench for WebFOCUS app server

Information Builders announced the Java Developers Workbench, a toolkit for designing and building database Internet/intranet reports for the WebFOCUS Application Server.

Besides helping users design and build standard reports for distribution over the Internet/intranet from a Web browser, the Java Developers Workbench lets users publish formatted, finished HTML reports and word processing and spreadsheet files. The Workbench can automatically create an HTML page which allows the user to enter his own selection criteria and request a dynamic report from live data.

The WebFOCUS Java Developers Workbench is included with a WebFOCUS Application Server, but additional copies can be purchased for ,500 per seat.

Borland adds Java support to Entera 4 middleware

Borland has added support for Java (and Delphi) to version 4.0 of Entera, its middleware designed for connecting distributed applications.

Borland’s plans for Entera 4.0 are to eventually integrate it into the company’s VisiBroker object request broker (delivering seamless CORBA support) and Midas DCOM (for Distributed Component Object Model support). It currently supports the company’s AppCenter app-management tool, as well as with DCE (Distributed Computing Environment) support and GSS (Generic Security Service) API support.

Entera uses remote procedure calls for communications, and applications for Entera can be constructed in Java, Delphi, C++, COBOL, PowerBuilder, and Visual Basic. The middleware supports database servers from Oracle, DB2, Sybase, Informix, SQL Server, and any ODBC drivers. Pricing is determined by customer’s configuration.

Java Lobby enters fray with Microsoft

At the recent Internet World conference, Java Lobby president Rick Ross told developers that with Microsoft’s recent announcements about issuing a new version of Java (with two additional keywords) and with the release of the new Windows Foundation Classes (with Visual J++ 6.0), they should consider themselves at war with Microsoft.

Ross said in a statement on the Lobby’s Web site that we must

…abandon all hope that Microsoft will cease their antagonism to Java and to us, the community of Java developers and supporters.

Microsoft has raised the stakes with a new attempt to fragment the Java platform, Visual J++ 6.0. This forthcoming product reportedly alters the Java programming language itself. It is clear that if they cannot own or control Java, then they will do everything in their power to destroy it. There is no chance whatsoever that they will relent.

Ross based his statements on reports from developers that had attended a Microsoft-sponsored Java briefing on Tuesday, March 3, 1998, and noted that he had not seen or been briefed on Visual J++ 6.0.

Mobile computing company Tadpole acquires Java-app firm SSL

In its bid to leap into the Java market, Tadpole Technology Plc., a company that specializes in custom mobile computer systems, announced that it has acquired Sun Internet Associate member Systems Synthesis Limited (SSL), a Java application manufacturer. SSL is an established supplier of software to the UK utilities market.

With the acquisition, Tadpole gets Cartesia, a line of three-tier Java applications designed to deliver low-cost GIS information/applications to utilities’ systems’ clients. The software line, already in use by Scottish Power (known there as “Manweb”) and United Utilities Group (known as “Norweb”), also allows the utilities to integrate spatial data with their existing databases.

Cartesia works with any Java VM Web browser (Unix, Windows, NCs, and legacy systems). It contains a gazetteer to browser geographical information, and allows easy object selection and database querying. Performance is optimized for low-bandwidth, thin-client architectures and can be scaled up to support many servers and hundreds of clients.

With the acquisition, Tadpole also announces its first mobile Java systems contract with UK utility Bristol Water Plc. The contract, which commences Q398, brings Tadpole’s new Java/CORBA software technology together with it thin-client mobile hardware, giving Bristol field engineers quick an easy access to constantly updated information from the home office’s database.

Paul Fanner, Bristol Water technical services manager, said, “Tadpole is providing a unique mobile interactive mapping solution that will integrate well into our existing business practices at a much lower roll-out cost than existing mobile solutions. Thanks to Tadpole, our field service engineers will, for the first time, have intranet access to our corporate databases.”

Interactive Pictures delivers Java version of 360-degree viewer

Interactive Pictures Corp., maker of immersive photography technology, announced that it has a Java version of its IPIX Viewer, software that lets users view a 360-degree (any direction), 3D spherical vision of an IPIX picture. And since the Viewer is Java-based, users don’t have to download and install plug-ins.

The Java version of the IPIX Viewer is a 30KB applet that produces a 50 to 80KB image. With the Viewer, IPIX content offers interactive spherical images that provide users with a complete field of view. IPIX images are constructed from two photographs taken with a fisheye lens. The IPIX technology remaps the images and creates a whole, 360-degree image from them.

Also, content creators now have the option of delivering one compact unit for customers — that contains the content and the Java player in one package.

Entao Java communication/collaboration apps from Skunk

By the time you read this, Skunk Technologies will have announced Entao Extended Enterprise Suite (EES), a Java communication and collaboration suite of application objects.

The suite consists of a set of business objects:

  • Text Chats — A text-based group chat application that provides a synchronous communication tool designed for both one-on-one and group-based communication.
  • Visual Chat — Allows users to explore dynamic graphical environments using a customizable graphical representation (avatar). Users can chat with up to thousands of users. It comes with presentation graphics and distance learning tools.
  • Email — A POP3-compliant application object e-mail system that provides a POP3, MIME, and S/MIME client, as well as offers encryption options and vCard.
  • Contact Manager — This vCard-compliant object is an individual- and group-oriented productivity application object for providing key customer, partner, and personnel information access.
  • Forums — A threaded discussion group bulletin board application that provides a communication tool designed for asynchronous group discussions.

Pricing was not available at press time.

Sun and British Telecom showcase Java-based telephony product at CTE 98

At the recent Computer Telephony Exposition 98 tradeshow, Sun and British Telecom demo’d a Java-based CTI technology (computer telephone integration) product designed for enterprise customer service.

At the Sun booth, British Telecom demonstrated a collaborative virtual call center system (with Sun as the Java supplier, BT as the phone software provider, and Barclays Bank as the end user). Built on BT’s softPBX virtual switch, the system uses Voice over Internet Protocol technology (VoIP) and the Java Telephony API to allows users to access and send a mix of data and voice information over an IP network.

Sun market development VP Mark Tolliver noted of the BT demonstration that “Through the Java platform and the Internet, Sun has ushered in a new era of extending efficient and personalized customer service solutions to our customers that go beyond the traditional call center.”

DataMirror and DataBean join to create small, embedded Java DB

DataMirror (builder of data transformation/replication software) and DataBean (builder of Java SQL database technology) have ganged together to create a small, Java-based relational database for embedded devices that easily replicates data to and from enterprise databases.

DataBean’s part in this not-so-easy task is to develop the small-size Java RDB. DataMirror’s part is to supply Transformation Server, DataMirror database-replication software, to be embedded in the DataBean RDB to make data replication to and from enterprise relational databases seamless. After DataBean’s RDB is integrated, Transformation Server will support bi-directional transformational replication among DataBean database, as well as from Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle (on Windows NT and Unix), Sybase (on Unix platforms), Lotus Notes, IBM AS/400 data stores, and IBM DB/2 on both AS/400 and MVS computers.

DataMirror CEO Nigel Stokes said, “We believe that DataBean has assembled the world’s best database team to develop a pure Java database that promises to fundamentally change the embedded and distributed database paradigm.” To which DataBean president Bruce Scott added, “We can now concentrate on placing our Java database fingerprints across the world while DataMirror provides embedded replication to existing legacy database footprints.”

WebLogic and Intel co-develop Tengah Java app server

WebLogic Inc., maker of the Tengah Java application server, announced that it has signed an agreement with Intel to work together to optimize Tengah’s server when it runs on Intel chips, including the upcoming 64-bit Merced (the IA-64). Also, Intel has invested in WebLogic.

Paul Ambrose, WebLogic founder and CEO, thinks that Intel’s interest in WebLogic just shows that the microprocessor manufacturer sees Java’s growing importance. He added, “High-performance Java solutions for Intel-based servers are essential to our rapidly growing business. Working with Intel to optimize the performance of the Tengah Java Application Server on the Intel platform, including the IA-64 architecture, should result in a dramatic improvement in Java-based application performance to the enterprise end-user and independent software vendor.”

Information Builders release WebFOCUS Java applet suite

Information Builders announced WebFOCUS Suite, a set of Java applets designed to extend the WebFOCUS Application Server (which provides dynamic database reporting and Web publishing from more than 70 database types, including legacy data and data in packaged applications such as SAPr R/3).

With WebFOCUS Suite’s Managed Reporting module, the app server gets a managed-reporting environment, one that is administrator-controlled and offers OLAP navigation, report scheduling, and distribution features. Users can create sophisticated database reports with little database experience by using pre-constructed database objects. These objects can be used to craft a range of ad hoc queries and reports. Reports can be saved as Excel, Word, Lotus, or HTML files. The applet requires no additional software on the desktop.

WebFOCUS Suite also includes Report Broker, an intelligent, real-time (if desired) Java-based engine that centralizes scheduling and distribution of reports, in any format, over the Web, e-mail, printers, and faxes. It schedules periodic publishing of pages, determined by time or events. The static pages can contain live links back to the database.

The WebFOCUS Application Server (with the Managed Reporting environment) costs from ,200 to 15,650 (based on platform). For Report Broker, add 30 percent on top (you need the app server to run the report broker).

Sun’s new COO speaks

In a recent address, Sun’s new chief operating officer Ed Zander reinforced Sun’s commitment to the “network is the computer,” predicted the future of computing to be fast communication (not monolithic, ever-upgrading software), and said, “I hope you don’t waste your money on Office 98.”

Clearing up his vision of enterprise computing’s direction, Zander commented that he hadn’t had “a CIO ask me about a new word processor or spreadsheet in several years. They’re asking how to get to their customers in a more efficient manner.” He went on to predict that greater bandwidth and distributed, componentized applications would give large organizations the opportunity to take more and more complexity from the client.

ELS debuts DigiChat Java chat product

ELS and Digi-Net Technologies released a public beta version of DigiChat, an all-Java chat package for Web sites.

DigiChat consists of a server and a client that runs within users’ Web browsers. The server can accommodate an unlimited number of chat sites, and comes with a Server Administrator Application so administrators can remotely configure the server from a Web browser. The Server Administrator also lets Webmasters track user connections and server errors and to assign passwords.

The software comes with ChatGuardian, a feature that will blur words that chat administrators define as objectionable. Also, Webmasters can create custom user icons and site logos.

ELS expects to ship the final version of DigiChat to ship by the end of March 1998, but the beta is available now. You can purchase a license key (starting at 71 for a small business) to extend the beta’s functionality. The final version price will be 95.

Quick look: Apple gets on the Microsoft Java train

Microsoft and Apple announced that they will develop one Java technology for the Macintosh operating system, with other Microsoft technologies to be added to MacOS later in 1998.

Some analysts see the deal as good for Apple, since it moves Apple further away from its proprietary base of products to a more standards-based market. But others say the deal will only be good for Apple if the Windows-specific Java takes over the market from the open, “pure” version of Java.

The current deal sets up a standard Java for the MacOS Runtime and Internet Explorer for Macintosh, so this version probably won’t affect Macintosh’s ability to run the real Java.

DTAI announces JustPRINT Java printing software

DTAI Inc. released JustPRINT, a printing software solution for Java applications that doesn’t restrict the user to screen-resolution printing.

JustPRINT lets Java apps securely access the operating system’s native printing facilities, so high-resolution printing (using the system’s native printer drivers) is a snap. It also provides client/server printing capability that allows any Java applet/application on any browser/system to print to a Windows NT JustPRINT server, whether you’re printing from a network computer, Unix, or Macintosh.

It comes in three packages:

  • End-User Edition — Available for free, this package consists of all the files necessary to print from Java applications and applets developed using the JustPRINT developer classes.

  • Developer Edition — This edition contains Java classes and documentation to enable software developers to add printing capabilities to their existing applications and applets, with minimal impact on the development cycle.

  • Client/Server Edition — This edition contains everything in the Developer Edition with the addition of Java classes and documentation that enable software developers to support remote printing on networked printer servers.

It supports printing under Windows 95 and NT from all popular Web browsers and versions, as well as printing from standalone Java virtual machines, versions 1.0.2 and above. A demonstration copy is available on the company’s site.

MCI picks Java for Web-based customer service

Sun announced that MCI will be incorporating Java technology into its new suite of Web-based business services, making it easier for MCI’s business customers to manage all aspects of their service from almost anywhere.

MCI chose Java as the central element for these new products because Java offers high security, functionality, and ability to work over the Web on almost any type of client device.

Sun and MCI software engineers worked together to build Java versions of MCI’s customer care, network management and billing and reporting services, enabling them for Web efficiency and making them truly cross-platform without the need to have to maintain multiple download plug-ins for customers.

Sun COO Ed Zander said, “Java technology is the key enabler making it possible for MCI to create this next-generation Web-based solution for its customers. This ambitious, customer-focused MCI announcement is yet more proof that Java technology indeed has the functionality and security to drive enterprise-class solutions.”

Schlumberger joins the Visa Smart (card) program

Smart card maker Schlumberger announced that it intends to become a partner with Visa International in the Visa Smart program, designed to offer soup-to-nuts smart card solutions to Visa member financial institutions.

Schlumberger will provide cards, terminals, and application-development support and services to Visa Members. The first Schlumberger product will be the Open Platform, a secure multi-application card based on Java Card 2.0 technology. It will also provide the MagIC point-of-sale terminals.

And as an outgrowth of this partnership, Schlumberger will continue to work with Visa to develop a new generation of Java-based smart cards that will incorporate such banking applications as Visa’s Smart Debit, Credit, and Cash apps (all “stored value” applications) and have the ability to add other applications.

Patrice Peyret, director of consumer transactions at JavaSoft, noted (about the partnership): “Schlumberger has been a very strong proponent of JavaCard from the very beginning. As a pioneer in the use of Java Card technology, their participation in the Visa Smart program signals an emphasis on using leading-edge technology to help bring forth Java’s promise of ‘Write Once, Run Anywhere.’ “

Java in a Florida public school

Celebration School, a kindergarten through 12th grade school in Celebration, FL, uses Java to help teach its students. Sound like it’s right out of Disney? In fact, it is. It’s a partnership between Disney, the Osceola County school district, and Stetson University.

In Celebration School, students are taught in interactive multi-age groups, with the focus on individual student’s learning abilities and goals. Sun Microsystems got involved to demonstrate how technology can be integrated into the learning process. The school uses Solaris servers to store student information and learning portfolios (a combo of video, data, voice, and document information); link to the outside (Internet and parents); and develop Java applications.

The school chose to develop all future applications in Java, which also gives the school an inexpensive way to integrate just about any new technology that comes along.

“We’re doing some wonderful things for kids, and Sun was willing to jump on the bandwagon and help,” said Scott Muri, Instructional Technology Specialist at Celebration School. “To create the school’s technology infrastructure, it was essential that our allies work closely not just with us, but with each other, to create something that was truly new and served our students’ needs.”

Integrated Research offers Web View browser interface for Tandem server

Integrated Research Pty Ltd. announced the Java-based Web View, a Web browser-based systems management product for Tandem servers. Web View allows users to access critical systems information from a remote workstation.

With Web View, users can investigate problems detected by the company’s PROGNOSIS server-management software. Access is delivered in real time; the data requested can be drilled down into or filtered using included or customized data filters. It offers a pager facility to rapidly get attention if some serious problem crops up. And security is tight — it employs password protection and data encryption.

Integrated Research CEO and president Steve Killelea said, “With exciting new features like Web View and our electronic paging facilities, IR continues to provide its Tandem [PROGNOSIS] customers with the flexibility and mobility required in today’s business environment.”

You can find information on the 14 PROGNOSIS products (all designed to administer Tandem systems and applications) on the company’s site, but Web View information and individual pricing were not available at press time.

Enterprise JavaBeans products coming early

Even though Sun’s Enterprise JavaBeans 1.0 specification won’t appear until the March 1998 JavaOne Developers Conference, some companies are already crafting products based on the pre-released spec, (latest version 0.9).

Based on the early EJB specs, GemStone is building GemStone/J 1.1, an upgrade version of its integrated application server designed to craft scalable Java/CORBA enterprise applications. Also, WebLogic, builder of the Tengah Java application server, expects to have integrated support for EJB based on the pre-released version.

Included in EJB specification will be the Java Transaction Services (JTS), the Java Messaging Service (JMS), the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC), the Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI), and the Java Management API (JMAPI).

Neural Applications adds Java stock screening and charting capabilities to Stockpoint

Neural Applications Corp.’s Stockpoint division (and name of the financial-analysis software and financial Web site) is adding two new Java applets to the site — the Stockpoint Stock Screener and the Active Chart. The Stockpoint site is chock full of interactive, Java-based, financial-analysis tools that let users view stock data in various ways

Stock Screener analyzes Stockpoint’s database of 10,000 publicly traded companies and searches multiple data sources to deliver stocks that match the user’s criteria. It can return stocks based on criteria from more than 26 data fields; the data is delivered in the form of a spreadsheet, with the Java-enabled ability to reorder columns/rows without launching another search.

Active Charts is a Java-based charting system applet that lets users to interactively chart stocks, from minute to minute. Users can define, then zoom into a particular time frame on a chart by just clicking and dragging. Users can plot different stocks against each other instantly.

Get early access to Project Java Activator

Project Java Activator, which gives users the ability to specify Sun’s implementation of the Java Runtime Environment instead of the default Java virtual machine on the browser, is available in an early-access form.

Early Access Release 3, which lets enterprise application developers use the functions in the latest JDK, has a JIT 3.0 compiler from Symantec and JFC 1.1 support. Activator delivers the latest Java functions to the most widely used browser software (IE 3.02 and up and Navigator 3.0 and up) on Win32 and Solaris systems.

Java Messaging spec to be unveiled at JavaOne

Rumor has it that Sun plans to unveil the first draft of the Java Messaging Service at JavaOne conference later this month. The Java Messaging Service (JMS) is a set of Java object services designed to handle store-and-forward messaging requirements.

A Sun source says, however, that the draft is not complete, that it is currently at 0.2 level (when it goes out to close associates for review, the step before the earliest public review).

Also, JavaSoft officials did note that there will be one track session on JMS scheduled at JavaOne. And there is an “under construction” JMS section on Sun’s Web site, which probably portends an impending arrival.

Source: www.infoworld.com

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