[2945] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
PRODUCT: MaxBase - Java database suite for SOHO and home users.
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jennifer Lancaster)
Sun May 25 06:38:50 1997
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: 24 May 1997 23:12:38 GMT
From: bmt@wilmington.net (Jennifer Lancaster)
Reply-To: bmt@wilmington.net
Reply-to: bmt@wilmington.net
[Followups directed to comp.os.os2.apps]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
BMT-Micro and Max Marsiglietti proudly present MaxBase, a database suite for
the SOHO and home users.
The whole suite is written for the Java environment, and was coded entirely
using the NetRexx compiler.
The program is small, easy to use, portable, capable, expandable by means of
plugins (applications written in NetRexx, Java or even native code), and
highly customizable. E.g. you can translate the program from English to your
preferred language simply by changing an ASCII file, or change the colors and
fonts MaxBase uses with the possibility of having different colors, fonts and
languages for every database you create! Import/Export from/to DB III .dbf
files is supported for legacy compatibility and data exchange with other
databases [Many thanks to Giuseppe Aprile for his great continued work on
these conversion utilities!].
MaxBase has been successfully tested so far on OS/2 and Win32 platforms, with
Solaris tests in advanced progress and Linux coming next in our test list (an
early Linux user is testing it as well).
MaxBase is also listed in the "what's cool" pages on Gamelan
(http://www.gamelan.com), the leading Internet site related to Java
applications, applets and resources. [For comparison, less than 10% of the
database products on Gamelan have been awarded with the presence on the
"what's cool" pages]
MaxBase is integrated with OS/2 and the WorkPlace Shell. An install batch file
is provided, and you get (among the other things) a template to create new DBs
and a handful of nice artwork (icons and a background for the MaxBase folder
automatically installed and set up for you). Another feature of Maxbase is the
ability to right-click on a MaxBase db and be able to either open the db for
local use or share it on the net (be it a LAN or the Internet). There is
logging and password protection to prevent external users from manipulating
your data without your permission. A gorgeous WarpGuide, a comprehensive HTML
manual and several ASCII documents are provided with the product. [Thanks to
Andrea Resmini for his awesome artwork and HTML coding!].
The MaxBase suite is composed of several libraries, applications and an
Applet. At the lowest level you have a DB library (written in NetRexx, hence
Java) which comes with its own online manual which you can use to write your
own programs. Then you have a stand-alone non-networked GUI application, a
stand-alone Client/Server version (server can handle two incoming requests at
once for the standard edition, unlimited for the extended edition), and
finally an Applet which can be put on a web page to publish your databases on
the net. The Applet requires the Server running on the machine which hosts the
web server.
Quotes on MaxBase from the author and some registered users: [sorted by
alphabetical order :-)]
G.Aprile (MaxBase user, also author of the .DBF
import/export routines):
"I've used MaxBase and found that it delivers a natural way to access data, so
simple you need no particular knowledge to start working. Then I started
moving around my databases and found out you can also easily expand it and
customize its ways by means of plugins. I think MaxBase and its powerful
engine, RXDbase, sure score a hit point and are worth each and every single
praise they are receiving."
P. Eads:
"The program is easy to setup and is very flexible. Best home
user db program that I've ever used."
Max Marsiglietti (the author):
"I started developing MaxBase because I needed a quick, *portable* and
flexible database for my consulting job. There were two goals to be met while
developing MaxBase: proving to myself that Java (and NetRexx, the great tool I
used to code MaxBase) was a development tool suited also for general purpose
applications, and that MaxBase could be integrated into the Workplace Shell. I
am quite happy to tell you that both of my goals were met".
A.Resmini (architect, who donated also the nice artwork
you find everywhere in the MaxBase package,
www pages etc):
"If you do think that interoperability, crossplatforming and net-awareness are
hot issues but only achievable to corporate vertical solutions, you better
take a second look at a promising database with a style, MaxBase. OS/2 users
must keep an eye out, too: here comes a java/netrexx program integrated with
the WorkPlace Shell."
G.Williams, Advanced Decisions Inc.:
"I have found MaxBase to be an exciting and versatile tool, which provides a
way to build portable data stores. It is refreshing to see a product which
REALLY aims at a true cross-platform perspective. I like its clean
encapsulation of the database classes, so that future changes and enhancements
will allow for an orderly migration. MaxBase puts development on the right
track!"
A full-featured copy of MaxBase can be found on the following URL:
http://www.bmtmicro.com/catalog/mb-web
Four packages are available:
genmb105.zip is the package for non-OS/2 users.
os2mb105.zip is the package for OS/2 users.
mbupd105.zip is the package for users upgrading from MaxBase 1.04
or earlier [OS/2 only - the generic package is already as
slim as possible].
mbman105.zip Is a very cool (and useful!) HTML manual.
These packages can be downloaded from the MaxBase home page:
http://www.bmtmicro.com/catalog/mb-web
Please note that you need long file names to install the OS/2 package, so
please install it on an HPFS drive.
The only limitations for the try-and-buy copy of MaxBase are:
1) You have a screen reminding you to register when you log into a database.
2) The Server included in the package accepts only up to two connections at a
time [same as the standard edition].
No crippling, no time bombing whatsoever has been introduced, to let you
evaluate it fully. Support shareware!
Prices:
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*) The standard edition of MaxBase, full local version + client/server
extensions with server accepting up to two connections at once per database
served, only costs 29 US Dollars.
*) The extended edition of MaxBase, full local version + client/server
extensions with server accepting all the connections it can handle at once per
database served, costs 89 US Dollars.
The price includes all the enhancements, bug fixes from here to version 2.0
and any plugin that the author will make available from the web site. Included
in the package you will find two plugins, one to print your records, free
form, and one to display images and text starting form a database, with full
NetRexx source code included!
If _you_ have plugins that you developed and want to release to the public,
contact the author or directly drop them at the author's address, and he will
release them to the public with proper credits. No rights are reserved by the
author on the plugins you create, so you can start crafting and selling your
own MaxBase plugins right now.
All the programs in the packages, excluding the installer which is present in
the OS/2 version of the package and the batch file for Windows 95/NT users on
the 'generic' package, are Java applications.
A mailing list, where people can talk about MaxBase and all things regarding
it (e.g. plugins) has been setup and you can reach it by writing an e-mail to:
mblist@poboxes.com
specifying "subscribe" (no quotes) on the subject. To unsubscribe from the
list, just send a message to the very same address, specifying "unsubscribe"
on the subject. Every other subject will let you post to the mailing list.
Max Marsiglietti, the author, can be reached at:
maxmars@pianeta.it
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