[3777] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
Re: WFMIF # 41: Last InfoFlash for 1997
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Timothy Sipples)
Wed Jan 28 02:10:11 1998
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: 20 Jan 1998 08:01:00 -0400
From: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
Reply-To: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
Reply-to: tsipple@us.ibm.com (Timothy Sipples)
[Followups directed to comp.os.os2.misc]
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Some of you haven't seen this yet...
_________________________________________________________________________
VOLUME 2 - OS/2 WARP FM InfoFlash - FLASH 41
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm
_________________________________________________________________________
New Java Compiler on Alphaworks Site
IBM has released a test version of a high performance Java(TM) compiler for
OS/2 Warp. This compiler is available for download on the Internet from the
IBM Alphaworks site at http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com.
The compiler currently supports most of the Java 1.1 APIs, generating
native, optimized (object) code for OS/2 Warp, OS/2 Warp Server, and
WorkSpace On-Demand. This new compiler provides an option for developers
who wish to produce software with high performance requirements for on these
specific platforms, while maintaining common Java source code.
Press Points
PC Week - "Lowering TCO At Warp Speed" by Michael Caton, December 8, 1997
This tribute to the ideal of lowering total ownership costs declared IBM's
WorkSpace On-Demand the only product that can successfully tackle the
problem in the X86/Windows world. The article explains that WorkSpace
"lowers PC costs by providing centralized PC management, application
distribution and data protection." It also mentions the product allows
users to roam from system to system as well as easily replace a desktop when
it fails.
However, it clearly stated that subsequent releases of the product need to
address Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) network cards in addition
to the RIPL cards currently supported. IBM assured PC Week that the next
release will include this support.
In another point, author Michael Caton applauds IBM's use of disk caching to
decrease network traffic. But he also recommends that IBM broaden this
feature to persistent caching where only updated information on the network
or local disk would move between the client system and the server.
IBM Press Release -- December 8, 1997
IBM announced the completion of a new Java 1.1 application, Packview,
developed in conjunction with the Ralston Purina Company. The application,
which runs on an OS/2 server and can be accessed by both OS/2 and Windows NT
clients, allows packaging line operators to view schedules, automatically
set-up packing room equipment, monitor product status and input information
24 hours a day, 7 days a week at its domestic manufacturing plants. It's a
true example of how Java is being used to run critical business operations
today.
"With Packview, Ralston Purina and IBM have been able to demonstrate that
100% Pure Java** is robust and mature enough to support real-world business
processes, such as manufacturing," said John Soyring, director, Network
Computing Software Services, IBM. "The latest edition of Java has enabled
Ralston Purina and IBM to put this new mission-critical application into
production much sooner than we could have done with client-server
technologies."
InfoWorld Electric - "With IBM's help, Ralston Purina rewrites crucial
application in Java" by Ed Scannell, December 9 ,1997. See the complete
story at:
http://www.infoworld.com/cgi-bin/displayStory.pl?97129.eralston.htm Although
Mr. Scannell ventures that Ralston Purina "probably can't be called
card-carrying Java zealots just yet," his article describes the pet food
company's enthusiasm for its newly developed manufacturing line application.
Four Ralston Java-trained programmers worked with an IBM team for four
months to rewrite its existing PackView application, and add a new
interface.
Ralston's motivation to rewrite the application was "its need to more
efficiently produce its rapidly expanding product line." Scannell also
pointed out that the pet food industry is typically "slow to adopt
state-of-the-art technology because of traditional low margins and a low
tolerance for strategic error". Yet Ralston was compelled to create a Java
application as a way to gain a technology boost over its long-time
competitors.
Information Week - "Java For The Enterprise" by Rich Levin December 8, 1997.
See the complete article at http://techweb.cmp.com/iw/660/60iujav.htm This
in-depth cover story on Java mentions the work that IBM did to help Ralston
Purina create the Java version of its PackView application. It also
projects that Java is poised to provide businesses with faster enterprise
development, easier systems management, and applications that scale beyond
the largest information systems used today.
Industry News
Intel Gets Serious about the Network Computing Space
Earlier this month the Intel Corporation endorsed IBM (and other companies')
strong push toward network computing with the announcement of plans to
develop a set of guidelines for systems it calls "lean clients," which are
expected to cost less than $500. IBM continues to work closely with the
chip maker to ensure its products, including WorkSpace On-Demand, will run
on systems with these Intel lean chips inside. The guidelines should be
complete by the end of January.
Two key thoughts came through in the many pre- and post-announcement
coverage.
Intel recognizes that there is an emerging network computing market
opportunity and it plans to remain platform-agnositic in this new space.
The article quotes that follow, from the publications that mentioned
WorkSpace On-Demand in their coverage, summarize the press response to this
significant move by Intel.
Wall Street Journal - "Intel, Confronting New Market, Develops Own Design
for Low-Cost PC Alternative" by Dean Takahash, December 3, 1997
"Intel's proposal could help accelerate a movement that is designed to lower
corporations' computing costs, and which some companies have hoped will
weaken the influence of Microsoft Corp. over desktop computer standards."
Newsbytes - "Intel Offers Low-Cost Lean-Client-Server Guidelines" by Craig
Menefee, December 3, 1997
"Newsbytes notes not all these current or potential allies have the same
interests as either Microsoft or pre-"lean client" Intel. While this does
not necessarily mean the world's biggest and most profitable business
alliance -- the Microsoft-Intel "duopoly" -- is breaking up, it does reflect
market fragmentation."
Computer Reseller News - "Vendors Pledge Support For Intel NC Specification"
by Kelly Spang, December 3, 1997
"Leading software and hardware companies are supporting Intel Corp.'s new
"lean client" specification, which is aimed at the emerging network computer
(NC) market."
Infoworld Electric - Coverage by Dan Briody, December 1, 1997
"One interesting aspect of the specifications is Intel's new operating
system agnosticism. In a press release issued Wednesday, Intel was sure to
make clear that the guidelines would support a variety of operating
environments. The list of OS vendors supporting the specs include Novell,
IBM, SCO, and Microsoft."
InfoWorld - "Intel Rounds Up Support for Lean-Client Guidelines" by Dan
Briody, December 3, 1997
"The announcement signifies the final piece of the thin-client puzzle and
completes a major shift in enterprise computing, which now counts Microsoft
and Intel among its proponents. 'There is a sense of Intel needing to play
in that space,' said Roger Kay, an analyst at International Data Corp., in
Santa Clara, Calif. 'This is them saying that we will serve this market.'"
Sun Announcements: Activator, Enterprise JavaBeans and Jumpstart
Sun Microsystems has launched Java Activator, software that compensates for
any incompatibilities between browsers that do not ship with the
industry-standard Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Activator, which can be
downloaded over the Internet, checks to see if the browser JVM is the latest
iteration. Effectively, this strategic move by Sun prevents browser
suppliers from limiting Java acceptance by not supplying a virtual machine
that runs 100% Pure Java applications. The first release will work with
Microsoft's Internet Explorer 3.02, 4.0 and 4.01.
In a separate announcement Sun presented a draft of the Enterprise JavaBeans
application programming interface (API) specification as well as details
about the forthcoming Java Foundation Classes (JFCs) for Java Development
Kit (JDK) 1.1. Sun developed the Enterprise JavaBeans specification in
cooperation with 19 partners. Its purpose is to describe a process of
encapsulating higher-level business components for distributed, multi-server
environments. The final spec is expected out early next year.
The company also announced a suite of start up tools for bringing network
computing into an enterprise. Jumpstart, targeted for release on CD-ROM in
the first quarter, will include the latest JVM and JFCs, the Activator and
JavaPC, which provides JVM support for 486-class and low-end Pentium
systems.
Hancock Ad Response Rate Soars with JavaScript
Hancock's internal IT department developed a series of interactive
applications using Java script for use in Internet advertising. The
resulting response rates from this latest effort were five times that of
earlier campaigns. Sites such as NYTimes.com, CNNfn, and Alta Vista
delivered a five percent click-through rate to the Hancock home page
compared to the typical three percent.
The banner ads enabled potential customers to perform simple
financial-planning calculations such as the amount needed to save for a
child's college tuition, retirement savings or insurance requirements. Once
done with the calculations, the ad carried over the data to the Hancock
domain where there was a complete suite of portrait planning applications.
Back Issues of OS/2 WARP FM are available on-line at:
http:// www.software.ibm.com/os/warp/warpfm.
For more information on the OS/2 Family of products see:
http://www.software.ibm.com/os/warp.
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International Business
Machines Corporation.
** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of respective companies.
Copyright IBM Corporation 1997 All Rights Reserved
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OS/2 Warp 10th Anniversary 1987 - 1997
Personal computing to network computing...and beyond
_____________________________________________________________________
| NOTE: Please send submissions by EMAIL os2_ann_req@bix.com
| Correspondence to the COOA Moderator: lfirrantello@bix.com .
| Please see: http://www.bix.com/pub/os2ann/pindex.htm for posting guidelines
