[233] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
NEW RELEASE: Athena Design's Mesa version 2.0.3
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (info@athena.com)
Sat Oct 7 09:10:02 1995
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: Fri, 6 Oct 1995 12:39:37 GMT
From: info@athena.com
Reply-To: info@athena.com
Submitted by: David Pollak (address withheld by request)
Source: Tracy Kugelman, Athena Design
Date received: 1995 October 6
Date posted: 1995 October 6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Tracy Kugelman
1-617-426-6372
1-617-426-7665 fax
info@athena.com
ATHENA DESIGN ANNOUNCES UPGRADE OF MESA<TM> FOR OS/2<R>, AND ANNOUNCES SALE
PRICE
Upgrades Available FREE to Registered Users
OCTOBER 5, 1995 - BOSTON - Athena Design, Inc. announces the release of
version 2.0.3 of the Mesa spreadsheet application. In addition, Athena Design
announces that Mesa for OS/2 will carry a sale price of $95 for the remainder
of 1995. The Mesa application is designed for OS/2 users who want to combine
the power and reliability of OS/2 with the flexibility of object technology.
Registered users can receive this upgrade free of charge.
"We are extremely pleased to be able to offer this upgrade of Mesa," says David
Rodger, the Product Development Manager. "Just about every improvement we made
was at the direct request of our customers. We've dramatically improved
performance in several areas, and added key features like enhanced keyboard
manipulation, print preview capability, and in-cell editing. People who've
been holding off on evaluating Mesa should definitely take a look now; I think
they'll find a lot to like in this new version."
The Mesa application was built using the Mesa Developer Object Kit (Mesa
DOK<TM>). A number of corporate OS/2 users are currently beta testing Mesa DOK
which provides corporate developers and independent software vendors the
ability to integrate Mesa's 32-bit spreadsheet functionality into their
applications with as few as 20 lines of code. This will minimize developers'
programming time and required resources by providing embeddable, commercial
quality objects ranging from a simple table view to a multi-threaded
recalculating spreadsheet.
"The Mesa application is proof of concept for the Mesa Developer Object Kit,"
says David Pollak, President of Athena Design. "The software world is moving
toward objects. Developers can leverage the Mesa objects to deliver better
applications in less time to their end-users."
The new features in version 2.0.3 have added enhancements to both functionality
and user interface design. The new features include:
* Additional file filters, including Lotus 1-2-3 .WK4 files and Quattro Pro
.WB1 files
* Enhanced keyboard accelerator keys to speed movement through workbooks
* A script recorder which gives users the ability to record actions and
automate scripting
* Tabs have been moved to the bottom of the workbook to provide more workspace
on the screen
* The Formula Builder allows users to select formula functions and insert them
directly into the Formula Bar increasing the speed and accuracy of formulas.
* Text Boxes can be created to emphasize sections of the workbook by annotating
graphs and labeling cells
* SmartSize<TM> can resize row height and column width to "shrink-wrap" around
cell text by double-clicking on the lines separating row and column labels.
Mesa is a full-featured, 32-bit spreadsheet offering huge, three dimensional
workbooks. The application also provides unlimited undo/redo, multi-threaded
recalculation and Workplace Shell interaction with OS/2's color and font
palette. Mesa for OS/2 uses OS/2's REXX scripting language. Mesa includes
many unique usability features including SmartFill<TM>, Formula Inheritance<TM>
and drag and drop color and fonts. Mesa also supports real-time data feeds
from any source including financial markets.
Mesa for OS/2 can be purchased directly from Athena Design by calling
1-800-315-MESA or 1-617-426-6372 or from major OS/2 resellers for a sale price
of $95 for commercial customers and $70 for educational users. Mesa comes
with 90 days of technical support via fax, and email. An additional 12-month
support contract which includes phone support is also available at a suggested
retail price of $99.
The updated version of Mesa 2 will be placed in the following ftp sites upon
release:
ftp://ftp.athena.com:/pub/Mesa2/mesa203.zip
ftp://ftp-os2.nmsu.edu/os2/demos/mesa203.zip
The updated version of Mesa will also be available on CompuServe through the
OS2AVEN forum and through America Online. Users who are unable to ftp the
software should contact their local reseller for information on obtaining the
update on floppy disks*. For more information contact the company directly at
1-617-426-6372, or at info@athena.com.
Athena Design, Inc. has been creating object based spreadsheets since 1992.
Using the core objects has provided faster time to market and an accelerated
release schedule for product enhancements. Athena Design is a leader in object
technology and has recently become a member of Component Integration Labatories
(CI Labs) <TM>. The company is currently focusing on bringing its spreadsheet
objects, in the form of Mesa DOK, to market.
*Local resellers should have updates by October 12, 1995. Cost of media and
shipping may be charged.
Mesa, SmartFill, Formula Inheritance, SmartSize and Mesa DOK are trademarks of
Athena Design, Inc. OS/2 is a registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation. Other trademarks which apply belong to their respective
companies.
