---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Third Party Product Announcements II SunFLASH Vol 43 #16 July 1992 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- As usual, the listing os these third party product announcemnets does not imply an endorsement by Sun. -johnj ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Book "SOLARIS: SunOS and OpenWindows" Portable Mail Enhancements To SCSI Floppy Products Parallax Graphics and ToolTalk "JPEG Movie" Data Type Parallax Graphics' OpenWindows Version 3 Compatibility ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: SOLARIS: SunOS and OpenWindows Written By: Karla Saari Kitalong, Steven R. Lee, and Paul Marzin Published by: New Riders Publishing 11711 N. College Ave. Suite 140 Carmel, IN 46032 USA ISBN 1-56205-032-x THE INSIDER'S TUTORIAL AND REFERENCE TO SOLARIS!! ** Conceptual overview of SunOS, OpenWindows, and the Sun workstation ** Complete guide to using all the DeskSet Tools ** Examples of all important system commands and utilities ** SunOS and OpenWindows configuration tips and strategies ** Complete Coverage of Sun's Graphical User Interface and Operating System ** Comprehensive UNIX Command Reference CONTENTS: Part One: Getting Started with Solaris SunOS 1 Introducing Solaris SunOS and Sun Microsystems 2 Getting Started 3 Introducing the UNIX Environment Part Two: Working with OpenWindows 4 Defining OpenWindows 5 Understanding File Tools 6 Using Communication Tools 7 Examining OpenWindows' Productivity Tools 8 Examining the System Tools 9 Customizing OpenWindows Part Three: Working with UNIX 10 Understanding the C Shell 11 Managing Files 12 Managing Multiple Processes 13 Networking on the Sun Workstation Part Four: Working with System Management 14 Managing Networks with NFS and NIS 15 Managing Input and Output Devices 16 Managing Memory Devices Part Five: SunOS Command Reference Command Reference -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: toms@qualix.com (Tom Stuart) Subject: Portable Mail Org: Qualix Group, Inc. Phone: 1-800-245-UNIX e-mail: info@qualix.com fax 415-572-1300 Unix E-Mail Overload???? Introducing Portable Mail! ----------- -------- ----- Do you ever feel there is never enough time in the day to answer your e-mail? Are you often on the road and not able to log in to your Unix host? Would you like to be able to answer your mail from home or from the road? Do you have a PC at home? Do you take a PC on the road? If you answered YES to any of the above, then... PORTABLE MAIL IS FOR YOU! PORTABLE MAIL DESCRIPTION Portable Mail is a convenient new tool designed to help e-mail users save time and keep in touch by being able to respond to email even when they are not connected to a Unix system. Here's how it works: 1. Download your UNIX e-mail queue to your MS-DOS PC via a 3.5" floppy or modem with one easy command. 2. Take the PC home or on the road and compose, edit and delete your UNIX mail on your PC laptop or SPARC laptop in PC emulation. 3. When you have access to your unix system again, Portable Mail downloads these transactions, updates your mail queue, and sends your responses. It's that EASY! Portable Mail runs on MS-DOS and processes UNIX mail Price: $149.00 Order from: Qualix Group, Inc. Call 1 (800) 245-UNIX or email: info@qualix.com How to order: Qualix Group accepts MasterCard, VISA or a valid corporate purchase order. Guarantee: We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you're not fully satisfied, we'll refund your money. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Enhancements To SCSI Floppy Products From: skids@auratek.com (Brian Skidmore) Org: Aurora Technologies, Inc. Contact: Brian Skidmore - Marketing Director Phone: 617 290-4800 Fax: 617 290-4844 Address: 176 Second Avenue, Waltham, MA 02154 AURORA ANNOUNCES COMPATIBILITY ENHANCEMENTS TO SCSI FLOPPY PRODUCTS * FD525 and FD350 Floppy Products Add PC Versatility to SPARC Systems; from laptops to servers * * Add Inexpensive Removable Media (5.25" or 3.50") to SPARC Systems, Including SPARCstation SLC and ELC's, 100% SPARC compatibles, and 600MP Servers * Fully Compatible with SunSelect's SunPC(TM) product, SoftPC(R) from Insignia Solutions and the SPARCbook(TM) laptop SPARC system from Tadpole. * Simplifies Integration of SPARC Systems into PC-oriented environments * Aurora's FD SCSI Products Support All SPARC System Implementations, from Laptops, Single-Board Systems, to Desktop Workstations, to Multiprocessing Servers. o Plug-and-Play Installation o High Reliability o Superior 1 Year Warranty, and Technical Service Available: Now Price: FD350, 3.5" standalone SCSI Floppy Sub-system - $995.00, FD525, 5.25" standalone SCSI Floppy Sub-system - $995.00 WALTHAM, MA -- July 1, 1992 - Aurora Technologies, Inc., the leading SPARC system enhancement product vendor, today announced new compatibility enhancements for the popular FD525 and FD350 SCSI floppy system products. These products provide SPARC systems with full PC media compatibility which enables easy data transfer without requiring a network connection. The included driver software enables users to format, write and read in UNIX(R) and DOS formats under SunOS and, when used with SunPC or SoftPC, respond to all standard DOS commands. The FD products are particularly suited to adding inexpensive, removable mass storage to Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation's (SMCC) SPARCstation SLC and ELC diskless workstations. FEATURE-RICH SUB-SYSTEMS OFFER FULL PLUG-AND-PLAY OPERATION "As more SPARC systems are introduced into new sites, simplifying PC data transfer becomes increasingly more important," said Brian Skidmore, Marketing Director at Aurora Technologies, Inc. "While adding PC emulation software reduces the requirement for SPARC system users to have a PC system, it does not address the need for accessing data without the overhead of a network connection. The combination of emulation software and the FD products provide full PC functionality -- application, data, and media compatibility -- for a full PC compatibility solution." The FD products include a SCSI driver that enables the system to recognize and use both SunOS and DOS formatted diskettes. The driver allows SPARC system users to read and write data to floppy media using standard SunOS commands such as `tar', `bar', `cpio', and `dd'. When using PC emulation software, such as SunPC or SoftPC, either drive will behave exactly as if connected to a PC in response to DOS commands. Each of these stand-alone SCSI floppy sub-systems features an enclosure that matches the IPC/IPX form factor, minimizing desktop space requirements. The enclosure holds the drive itself, SCSI controller board, international auto-select power supply and fan. The products also include complete documentation, a SCSI software driver, a 6' SCSI cable and terminator which allow plug-and-play installation and operation. COMPATIBILITY, PRICING AND AVAILABILITY The FD525, and FD350 products are compatible with all SMCC SPARC systems, 100% SPARC compatibles and 600MP servers running SunOS 4.1.X. Also fully compatible with Tadpole's SPARCbook and SMCC's SLC and ELC workstations. FD525 (5.25") SCSI Floppy Sub-system list price - $995.00. FD350 (3.50") SCSI Floppy Sub-system list price - $995.00. Available immediately, each of these products includes a simple-to-install, SCSI device driver, a helpful User's Guide, a one year limited warranty, maintenance for the first year, and telephone support for the life of the product. ### Based in Waltham, Massachusetts, Aurora Technologies, Inc., develops, markets, manufactures and supports enhancement products for SPARC workstations. These include SBus multiplexer cards, communications products, peripherals, interfaces and SBus expansion products, all specifically designed to increase the performance and functionality of SPARC workstations. Founded in 1988 by Dennis Daudelin and Daniel Kozin, former members of Sun's engineering and marketing teams, Aurora is a member of SPARC International and an Advantage member of the SMCC Catalyst program. SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International. SunPC is a trademark of SunSelect, a subsidiary of SMCC. SoftPC is a registered trademark of Insignia Solutions, Inc. SPARCstation is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation. SPARCbook is a registered trademark of SPARC International licensed exclusively to Tadpole Technology, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the proprietary property of their respective owners. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Parallax Graphics and ToolTalk "JPEG Movie" Data Type From: Douglas Cooper Org: Parallax Graphics, Inc. Address: 2500 Condensa Street, Santa Clara, CA 95051 Phone: (408) 727-2220 email: jhr@parallax.com. For More Information Contact: Tom Carroll, Doug Cooper John Ricketson, Alice Munz Cooper/Iverson Marketing Parallax Graphics (619) 292-7400 (408) 727-2220 PARALLAX GRAPHICS ANNOUNCES XVIDEO COMPATIBILITY WITH TOOLTALK'S "JPEG MOVIE" DATA TYPE Chicago (July 28, 1992) -- Parallax Graphics, Inc., today announced support for "JPEG Movie," a digital video data type under SunSoft's ToolTalk Media Exchange protocol. JPEG movies, which can be created with Parallax Graphic's XVideo product, are an open file format that include JPEG images time synchronized with SPARC audio. Video data types, both analog and digital, are a key element of the ToolTalk Media Exchange Protocol, which is a first step toward offering users a distributed, object-oriented multimedia computing environment. The announcement was made in the Parallax Booth (1144) at the Siggraph '92 trade show. Parallax will provide a utility called "MovieTool" that will accept a JPEG Movie file either via ToolTalk Media Exchange Protocol, or by drag and drop from the Open Windows Version 3 file manager. This utility will make it easy for application developers to attach digital video clips to multimedia documents. MovieTool provides an easy user interface for controlling the display of the JPEG Movie. Users will be able to play back JPEG Movies from within any ToolTalk Media Exchange Protocol- compatible application. Application areas include office automation, multimedia presentations and computer-based training. The ToolTalk Media Exchange protocol offers transparent interoperability among media data types. For example, users may select the JPEG movie playback utility of their choice: either the high quality, hardware-assisted MovieTool from Parallax, or a software- based JPEG player from Paradise Software of Princeton Junction, New Jersey. Users can create JPEG Movies with the XVideo 24SVC SBus videographics card from Parallax Graphics, which supports realtime video display and JPEG image compression. The JPEG movie file specification and application programmers interface (API) are available from Parallax to qualified application software developers. John Ricketson, vice president of sales and marketing for Parallax Graphics, says that software applications will use XVideo to access JPEG Movie technology. "Mediawrite," a multimedia authoring package from Paradise Software, will be the first to generate compound documents to support the JPEG movie data type under the ToolTalk Media Exchange protocol. "Communique!," from Grantham, Pennsylvania-based InSoft, Inc., will support the delivery of live video over digital networks using SunSoft's ToolTalk and the XVideo-24SVC." Ricketson says that Parallax Graphics support for ToolTalk will be available by Q4, 1992. XVideo and MovieTool are trademarks of Parallax Graphics, Inc. Tooltalk and Media Exchange are trademarks of SunSoft, Inc. SPARC is a registered trademark of SPARC International. Mediawrite is a trademark of Paradise Software. Communique! is a trademark of InSoft, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Parallax Graphics' OpenWindows Version 3 Compatibility From: Douglas Cooper Org: Parallax Graphics, Inc. Address: 2500 Condensa Street, Santa Clara, CA 95051 Phone: (408) 737-2220 e-mail: jhr@parallax.com For More Information Contact: Tom Carroll, Doug Cooper John Ricketson, Alice Munz Cooper/Iverson Marketing Parallax Graphics (619) 292-7400 (408) 727-2220 PARALLAX GRAPHICS ANNOUNCES XVIDEO COMPATIBILITY WITH SUN'S OPENWINDOWS 3.0 Siggraph, Chicago (July 27, 1992) -- To provide developers with a more robust OpenWindows application environment, Parallax Graphics today announced that its XVideo SBus-based videographics subsystem now supports OpenWindows Version 3 (OWV3) from SunSoft, a subsidiary of Sun Microsystems, Inc. XVideo offers photo-realistic live video display and hardware-based digital video and image compression for Sun and SPARC-compatible workstations. XVideo's OWV3 supports Sun's Multimedia Mail and Tooltalk, 24-bit graphics over video, and accelerated 8-bit and 1-bit emulation. New XVideo customers will receive full OWV3 support. Customers with installed XVideo cards will automatically receive OWV3 if they have subscribed to the software upgrade service for $300 annually. Customers who have not yet subscribed to software upgrades can do so by calling Parallax Graphics. Multimedia Mail offers users the ability to attach sound and video clips to messages and send them across networks. Tooltalk is an interapplication communication solution which allows developers to create object-oriented software applications. It acts as a communication clearinghouse between software applications, providing efficient interapplication communication without the necessity of sharing confidential code or information. JPEG- compressed digital video files generated by XVideo can be included within messages. Tooltalk provides essential support for workgroup computing where users need to share information between software applications. Unlike OpenWindows Version 2, which supported only 8-bit graphics, OWV3 supports 24-bit, photo-realistic graphics. According to John Ricketson, vice president of sales and marketing at Parallax Graphics, "The ability to generate high-quality true color images and video, and to manipulate 24-bit graphics overlays on live 24-bit video will now allow professional special effects for such markets as multimedia authoring, video conferencing and digital video editing." XVideo's 24-bit graphics capability plus accelerated 8-bit and 1-bit (monochrome) emulation are fully supported and optimized under OWV3. Users of software designed for 8-bit or 1-bit framebuffers no longer need to suffer through slow performance when using 24-bit framebuffers. No special programming is required to take advantage of this XVideo feature and all Open Windows programs use this feature without modification. Ricketson also notes that OWV3 compatibility will provide additional benefits to developers using XVideo. "Our graphics subsystem technology has been embraced by such companies as Apunix, Clarity, EnerAnalytics, Gain Technology, Image Concepts, Insoft, Paradise Software, Paragon Imaging, and Tiger Media." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ For information send mail to info-sunflash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. Archives are on solar.nova.edu, paris.cs.miami.edu, uunet.uu.net, src.doc.ic.ac.uk and ftp.adelaide.edu.au All prices, availability, and other statements relating to Sun or third party products are valid in the U.S. only. Please contact your local Sales Representative for details of pricing and product availability in your region. Descriptions of, or references to products or publications within SunFlash does not imply an endorsement of that product or publication by Sun Microsystems. John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@sunvice.East.Sun.COM. (305) 776-7770.