=================================================================== NeXT Computer, Inc. and SunSoft, Inc. released on-time the final specification which defines the application programming interface (API) for OpenStep(tm). The OpenStep specification is now available to the public via anonymous FTP from NeXT's archive server: ftp.next.com. The delivery of this open specification, jointly announced by NeXT and SunSoft, Inc. one year ago this month, demonstrates the two companies' dedication to creating an open object standard. Contact: Liz Cobo of SunSoft at (415) 336-3107. Press: Emily Cohen of Hi-Tech Communications at (415) 904-7000 x264 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OpenStep is an industry-endorsed specification for an operating system independent object standard, based on NeXT's proven, industry-acclaimed NEXTSTEP object-oriented software. Applications written to the OpenStep specification are portable across all OpenStep implementations, regardless of the underlying operating system. NeXT, SunSoft, Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company and Digital Equipment Corporation intend to ship OpenStep-compliant products in 1995. "Publishing the OpenStep specification represents a major milestone for NeXT and its partners, Sun, Hewlett-Packard and Digital," said Steven P. Jobs, chairman and CEO of NeXT Computer, Inc. "Today, sixty-eight percent* of the UNIX(R) marketplace has endorsed OpenStep, and we are all working to drive OpenStep to become the volume object standard for the industry." "SunSoft is pleased that the market momentum for OpenStep continues to grow, and that the leading system software vendors in the industry are helping to make OpenStep the volume object standard," said Edward J. Zander, president of SunSoft. "Customers are telling us that they want a robust enterprise object environment in which to develop and deploy OpenStep applications. SunSoft is committed to delivering this with Project DOE, based on the Solaris(R) operating environment." NeXT is developing a test suite to validate independent implementations of the OpenStep API. The OpenStep specification will be submitted to an international standards body by NeXT for consideration in early 1995. SunSoft, Inc. ++++++++++++++ SunSoft headquartered in Mountain View, Calif., is a subsidiary of Sun Microsystems, Inc., with offices worldwide. SunSoft's charter is to design, market, sell and support the industry's highest-quality software environment to enable businesses to gain a competitive advantage through information systems. SunSoft delivers a suite of solutions that easily and cost-effectively connect, integrate and manage large enterprise environments. The products are licensed by SunSoft and distributed through major computer manufacturers and resellers worldwide. NeXT Computer, Inc. ++++++++++++++++++++ NeXT develops and markets the award-winning NEXTSTEP object-oriented software for industry-standard computer architectures. Customers use NEXTSTEP's advanced object environment to rapidly develop and deploy custom, enterprise-wide, client/server applications. NeXT is headquartered in Redwood City, California, and has offices in North America, London, Paris, Munich and Tokyo. NeXT, the NeXT logo, OpenStep and NEXTSTEP are trademarks or registered trademarks of NeXT Computer, Inc. Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, SunSoft, the SunSoft logo, and Solaris are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries, licensed exclusively through X/Open Company Limited. All other trademarks mentioned belong to their respective owners. *According to a 1993 International Data Corporation study. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The SunFlash - A Full-Text On Demand Newsletter John J. McLaughlin Publisher & Editor - flash@FlashBack.COM Subscriptions to Majordomo@FlashBack.COM Article Requests to flashback@FlashBack.COM Article Submissions to Flash@FlashBack.COM For a general introduction send email to Flashback@FlashBack.COM with 9001 in the Subject line. For the October 1994 table of contents make the Subject line: 70.00 1050 5013 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++