[388] in comp.os.os2.announce archive
OS/2 NEWS: IBM announces delivery date for OpenDoc on OS/2
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (tsipple@vnet.IBM.COM)
Fri Nov 17 07:18:03 1995
To: os2ann.DISCUSS@bloom-picayune.MIT.EDU
Date: Thu, 16 Nov 1995 09:51:25 GMT
From: tsipple@vnet.IBM.COM
Reply-To: tsipple@vnet.IBM.COM
Submitted by: Timothy F. Sipples (tsipple@vnet.ibm.com)
Source: Timothy F. Sipples (tsipple@vnet.ibm.com)
Date received: 1995 November 15
Date posted: 1995 November 15
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PRESS REL: IBM BUILDS OPENDOC MOMENTUM
Announces Delivery Dates for OpenDoc on OS/2 and Launches First
On-Line Community for OpenDoc Developers
LAS VEGAS, Nov. 13, 1995 . . . In a continuing display of
OpenDoc momentum, today at Comdex, IBM announced delivery
schedules for OpenDoc** for OS/2 Warp* and kicked-off Club
OpenDoc, a new hot spot on the web where developers will be able
to link into the information, people and tools they need to reap
the benefits of OpenDoc technology.
By evolving applications to a component-based, integrated
structure, OpenDoc provides a robust object architecture that
enables application developers to build or customize applications
with software parts -- reducing development time and costs,
increasing software quality and speeding time to market.
"The key challenge facing OpenDoc developers today is the
ability to gather the technology and information required to
translate this exciting technology into a profitable and
productive business opportunity," said John Slitz, vice
president, object technologies marketing, IBM. "Today's
announcements will help achieve this goal by giving developers
the tools and resources they need to tap into the power of
OpenDoc."
OpenDoc Tool Kit
IBM's OpenDoc software development tool kit for OS/2 Warp*
Version 3.0 will be delivered in December 1995. The OpenDoc
runtime will be fully integrated in the next version of OS/2
Warp, which is expected around mid-year 1996.
"Customers look to us to not only meet general software
needs but also to provide customized solutions that fit their
specific business processes," said Robert Beech, president,
Pharos Technology, Inc. "OpenDoc helps us respond to these needs
by giving us a powerful and flexible framework to assemble
existing components or tailor solutions to meet individual
customer requirements.
OpenDoc in Action
Showcasing the value that OpenDoc can bring to customers
today, IBM demonstrated a travel expense application created by
combining four independently developed components into one
seamless application using OpenDoc technology. The application
featured spreadsheet, electronic signature, speech recognition,
calendar and document management components from Athena Design,
Peripheral Vision, Voice Pilot Technology and Cirrus Technology.
Club OpenDoc
Club OpenDoc, the industry's first, comprehensive source of
OpenDoc information on the Internet, will provide a gathering
place for developers to catch up on the latest OpenDoc news,
reference parts and resource listings, test drive shareware, and
most importantly swap ideas and experiences with fellow
enthusiasts and industry experts. Developers interested in
joining the club can link into
http://www.software.ibm.com/clubopendoc.
Membership Services
Club OpenDoc will provide a wide range of information and
facilities for experienced or new OpenDoc programmers. To ensure
the club meets the needs of the developer community, IBM will
work closely with members to develop the site's content and
direction.
Club OpenDoc highlights will include:
* News and Information -- Club OpenDoc will be the place to
get the latest and greatest news on OpenDoc products,
developers and vendors, and receive tutorials on OpenDoc
benefits and features. It will also provide hot links to
related web sites from IBM, CI Labs, Apple and Novell, as
well as member companies and even individual developers.
* Community Spirit -- Through Club OpenDoc, developers will
be able to connect with technology consultants, system
integrators, educators and contractors from around the
globe, or even hunt for a new job or teammate through a
"Want Ad" section. In addition, a future program called
Chat OpenDoc will showcase on-line discussions with leaders
in the object technology industry.
* Technical Information -- To help members with technical
questions and issues, Club OpenDoc will provide background
on the architecture, share software recipes and post answers
to frequently asked questions (FAQs) on OpenDoc. In
addition, Club OpenDoc representatives from IBM will
regularly monitor leading Internet forums, like the OpenDoc
news groups and the CI Labs forums, to offer answers and
assistance.
* Two-Way Communication -- Not only will Club OpenDoc provide
information, but it will also act as a two-way communication
channel for developers to help shape the future direction of
the technology. Members will be encouraged to provide input
on product performance and features, make suggestions for
product improvements, and even share marketing tips and
ideas.
* The OpenDoc Planetarium -- In the future, Club OpenDoc will
feature the OpenDoc Planetarium, a multi-vendor repository
of OpenDoc and System Object Model (SOM)* demos, shareware
and beta parts that users can test-drive. Members will also
be encouraged to include their components in the
Planetarium -- a great way to get user feedback and move
projects under construction to the next step.
OpenDoc Developers Contest
In addition to being a serious resource for present or
aspiring OpenDoc developers, Club OpenDoc was also designed with
fun in mind. To help kick off the club and encourage membership,
IBM will be hosting the OpenDoc Developers Contest. Beginning in
December, Club OpenDoc members will be encouraged to enter their
products for judging by an independent industry panel. The
winning entry, to be announced at ObjectWorld Boston in Spring
of '96, will be chosen on the basis of the most innovative and
functional use of the power of OpenDoc technology.
In addition to this formal event, hidden puzzles and
contests will be sprinkled throughout the Club OpenDoc web site,
offering OpenDoc merchandise and software prizes.
Pricing and Availability
The IBM OpenDoc software development tool kit for OS/2 Warp
will be delivered at no cost to developers in December 1995.
Club OpenDoc is open for membership today at
http://www.software.ibm.com/clubopendoc.
For More Information
For Internet users, IBM also offers complete information
about the company, its products, services and technology on the
World Wide Web. The IBM home page is at http://www.ibm.com. The
fastest, easiest way to get information about IBM software is to
go to the IBM Software home page at http://www.software.ibm.com.
IBM, the world's largest software provider, creates,
develops and manufactures the industry's most advanced
information technologies, including computer systems, software,
networking systems, storage devices and microelectronics. IBM's
Software Solutions Division provides data management, application
development and workgroup solutions for mission-critical
applications on PCs, workstations, LANs and host systems.
* Indicates trademark or registered trademark of International
Business Machines Corporation.
** Products or companies mentioned are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holder.
