sunflash-Distributed to mailing list sun/NC/north-carolina sunflash-Send requests, problems to owner-sunflash@suntri.east.sun.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Florida SunFlash Third Party Anncouncements SunFLASH Vol 56 #21 August 1993 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstracts 56.21.A Announcing Artek Innovations EnergySaver Save over 75% on your electricity bill ! EnergySaver is a device that connects between your computer and it's keyboard, and plugs into a standard wall outlet. It will monitor the keyboard activity, and turn off upto three outlets if there has been no activity. 56.21.B Project Gutenberg is now available on CDROM The $39.95 disc contains the text for many documents such as Aesop's Fables, Alice in Wonderland, Moby Dick, and Paradise Lost; Historical documents such as the Magna Carta, U.S. Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Inagural Addresses and many treaties; references such as Roget's Thesaurus, almanacs, census data, the CIA World Fact Book, and mathematical constants; religious documents such as the Bible, and the Book of Mormon. 56.21.C X11/Motif 2D Plotting for SunOS QuickPlot is an easy to use general purpose X-Window plotting application for SunOS. QuickPlot can read data written in one of its built-in data formats or can be configured to read custom site-specific data formats. Graphics output is encapsulated postscript. 56.21.D A C software testability tool Reliable Software Technologies Corporation announces that its C software testability tool -- PiSCES -- is now available for evaluation/lease. This tool allows developers/testers to determine where faults are more likely to hide during testing, estimate how many test cases are necessary to achieve a specified reliability level given the fault hiding (testability) ability of the code. 56.21.E Midnight Networks' Recon/Map makes TCP/IP management easier Recon/Map is a focused software tool that keeps you aware of the current status of your TCP/IP network by providing up-to-date snapshots of it on demand. You can view an up-to-date host table and note inconsistencies in the various hostname databases on your system. 56.21.F Rnet - A Distributed Messaging Toolkit for Unix Rnet simplifies interprocess and intermachine communication in today's distributed, client/server environments. Programs can send messages to an unlimited number of other processes in a very simple fashion, eliminating the need for complicated, low level network programming. 56.21.G Pencom Designs New Solaris Developer Training, Education Program Pencom has also been selected as one of SunSoft's Accredited Education Center (AEC) sites. This designation allows Pencom to deliver courses on-site at SunSoft's Mountain View, CA headquarters, or at client sites. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Announcing Artek Innovations EnergySaver Newsgroups: comp.sys.sun.announce From: rudi@netcom.com (Rudolf Usselmann) Org: Artek Innovations Fax: (510) 795-8539 email: rudi@netcom.com (info@artek.com after 8/22) Save over 75% on your electricity bill ! Arteks EnergySaver is a device that connects between your computer and it's keyboard, and plugs into a standard wall outlet. The EnergySaver provides three outlets for your monitor(s) and peripherals. It will monitor the keyboard activity, and turn off all three outlets if there has been no activity for 1,2 or 4 hours (user adjustable). Once it detects keyboard activity again, it will immediately switch all outlets back on, thus preventing your equipment from running idly. It will also switch off all outlets automatically, if you turn off your computer. The EnergySaver can switch up to 15A/110V, a built-in circuit breaker prevents overloading. EnergySaver utilizes opto couplers to isolate the computer side from the high electricity side for safety. Depending on your electricity cost and actual load your savings are typically between $211 (one 19" Monitor) and $2263 (Max Load) annually per workstation. The EnergySaver can pay for itself within 6 months or less. EnergySaver costs $149,- and is currently available for Sun Workstations and PC's. Contact Artek for quantity discounts. For more information, please contact: Artek, Artek Innovations and EnergySaver are trademarks of Artek. Sun is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc. Patent Pending. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Project Gutenberg is now available on CDROM Newsgroups: comp.newprod From: rab@allspice.Berkeley.EDU (Robert A. Bruce) Organization: University of California, Berkeley Project Gutenberg is now available on CDROM. The disc contains the etexts of Project Gutenberg for 1991, 1992 and Jan-Jul 1993. The etexts on the disc include classic literature such as Aesop's Fables, Alice in Wonderland, Moby Dick, and Paradise Lost; Historical documents such as the Magna Carta, U.S. Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, Inagural Addresses and many treaties; references such as Roget's Thesaurus, almanacs, census data, the CIA World Fact Book, and mathematical constants; religious documents such as the Bible, and the Book of Mormon. Project Gutenberg encourages the creation and distribution of English language electronic texts. Project Gutenberg has set a goal to provide a collection of 10,000 of the most used books by the year 2001, and make them available to more than 100 million people. The CDROM conforms to ISO-9660, which is the most common and generic format. It will work with almost any system. All the files are in plain vanilla ascii, so that they can be used with the widest variety of computers and software. An optional menu driven file viewer is provided. The price is $39.95. S&H is $5 (per order, not per disc) for US/Can/Mex, and $10 for overseas. If you live in California, please add sales tax. You can send a check or money order, or you can order with Mastercard/Visa/AmEx. Walnut Creek CDROM 1547 Palos Verdes, Suite 260 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 +1 800 786-9907, +1 510 674-0783, +1 510 674-0821 FAX orders@cdrom.com The disc is also available by subscription for $24.95 + S&H. If you want to subscribe, your credit card will be charged as each new edition is shipped. New editions will come out approximately every six months. We need to have at least 100 people subscribe in order to make the subscription service successful. Part of the proceeds from the sale of this disc will go to Project Gutenberg and help pay for the creation of new etexts. You can access the complete works of Project Gutenberg by anonymous ftp to mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu. For general (not CDROM related) questions about Project Gutenberg, please ftp their latest newsletter from mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu, send email to dircompg@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu, or paper mail to Project Gutenberg P. O. Box 2782 Champaign, IL 61825 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- For a detailed description of other CDROMs available, you can ftp the latest list from ftp.cdrom.com:/cdrom/catalog, or send email to info@cdrom.com. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: X11/Motif 2D Plotting for SunOS Newsgroups: comp.newprod From: Todd H Vernon Org: Apropos Software & Associates Address: 2353 Mulberry Ave Lancaster, CA 93535 Phone/FAX: (805) 945-1160 Email: apropos@world.std.com QuickPlot is an easy to use general purpose X-Window plotting application for SunOS. QuickPlot provides the professional engineer, scientist, or student with an inexpensive, fast, flexible means of plotting scientific and engineering data. QuickPlot can read data written in one of its built-in data formats or can be configured to read custom site-specific data formats. Graphics output is encapsulated postscript that is suitable for printing and inclusion in reports and presentations. QuickPlot is targeted at simulation, test, and data acquisition environments where a large number of plots are generated to validate models and document system characteristics. QuickPlot is a generic tool, however, and will appeal to a wide audience. QuickPlot accepts commands from its command line interface and/or from intuitive mouse actions. As the user selects options and plots data using the mouse, commands are assembled on QuickPlot's command line and executed. Interaction with QuickPlot may be performed from the keyboard or the mouse. Script files can be built to generate plots for later review. Plot pages appear in WYSIWYG format just as they will appear on the printed page. Modifying plot attributes gives immediate visual feedback to the user. Features: * WYSIWYG On Screen Representation * Multiple Windows * Unlimited Number of Data Points * Multiple Plots per Page * Selectable Line Styles, Colors, Symbols, Widths, Fonts, and Layouts. * B&W or Color Postscript EPS Output * Scripting Capability for unattended operation * Dynamically linkable data read routines to read your on-site data formats * Command Line and Dialog Box operation for beginners and experts * Inexpensive, so an entire site can use it QuickPlot is currently available for SPARC systems. - SunOS 4.1.X - OpenWindows 2/3, or X11R4,R5 - 12MB System Memory - 5MB free disk space - olwm, twm, mwm window managers. A free demo of QuickPlot plotting software for SunOS is available via anonymous ftp from (world.std.com) in the directory (/pub/Apropos). The demo is fully functional when registered with Apropos Software & Associates and printing disabled when not registered. After obtaining the demo, if you decide you would like to register your demo, we will provide you with a license key that will unlock printing for 30 days. The files are : QuickPlot.README - A file that describes installing QuickPlot. QuickPlot.info.tar.Z - Information package including pricing. QuickPlot.tut.tar.Z - The QuickPlot tutorial manual. (Chapter 4 from the User's manual) QuickPlot.tar - Software distribution. Pricing: 1 User................. $295.00 3 User................. $795.00 5 User................ $1180.00 10 User................ $2065.00 Site................ $4000.00 If you would like more information on QuickPlot, or would like to receive a demo by mail, contact us by Email, FAX, or Telephone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: A C software testability tool Newsgroups: comp.newprod From: jepayn@isse.gmu.edu (Jeff Payne) Org: RST Corporation Address: 11150 Sunset Hills Rd. #250 Reston, VA 22090 Phone: (703) 742-8873 FAX: (703) 742-9836 Reliable Software Technologies Corporation announces that its C software testability tool -- PiSCES -- is now available for evaluation/lease. This tool allows developers/testers to determine where faults are more likely to hide during testing, estimate how many test cases are necessary to achieve a specified reliability level given the fault hiding (testability) ability of the code, justifying the amount of testing and V&V that has been performed on software. The system also provides researchers with information on how likely data state error propagation is to occur. The cost of a 30 day evaluation copy for the Sun Workstation is 250 dollars. This cost covers shipping, a full set of documentation, and 30 days of phone support. The tool leases for $8,000 per year ($2,000 for full maintenance) for business and government customers, and $4,000 per year ($1500 for full maintenance) for academic institutes. If you purchase an evaluation copy and then lease PiSCES, you are refunded the cost of the evaluation. On-site training is available for $850/day + travel expenses. A 2-day training seminar on software testability and its application to design, development, testing, maintenance, safety, and reliability will be held in DC in November ($595 per person). On-site seminars are also available. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Midnight Networks' Recon/Map makes TCP/IP management easier Newsgroups: comp.newprod From: peter@midnight.com (Peter H. Schmidt) Org: Midnight Networks tel: +1 617 890-1001 fax: +1 617 890-0028 Email: midnight@midnight.com RECON/MAP MAKES TCP/IP MANAGEMENT EASIER IP-Address, Hostname and Hardware Address On-the-Fly ---------------------------------------------------- Recon/Map is a focused software tool that keeps you aware of the current status of your TCP/IP network by providing up-to-date snapshots of it on demand. By allowing you to instantly view an up-to-date host table and note inconsistencies in the various hostname databases on your system, Recon/Map helps keep your network operating smoothly. With Recon/Map, an administrator with a problem segment can actually see changes happening in real-time. Fast, Flexible Consistency Checking ----------------------------------- Recon/Map rapidly generates a list of all the hosts on local or remote IP segments. It then compares the current state of the network reflected in this list with all of the hostname databases that may be in use: the /etc/hosts file, Network Information Service (NIS/YP), and Domain Name System (DNS). Mismatches between these are flagged. Finds Leading Network Problems ------------------------------ Recon/Map catches network inconsistencies that are major causes of networking problems, including: o Stealth node: Node on net, but not in hostname database o Missing node: Node in hostname database, but not on net o Inconsistent hostname databases: Node on net, not in preferred hostname database, but in other hostname database o Pirate nodes: Nodes with duplicate IP addresses Product Features ---------------- o Maps TCP/IP networks o High speed - map a Class C net in 30 seconds instead of an hour o Consistency checks all hostname databases: DNS, NIS, and /etc/hosts o Easy to use - ramp up in half an hour o Uses SNMP and Midnight Networks' rapid mapping technology to map remote segments for a more complete and accurate listing o Industry-standard Motif user interface o Outputs data in /etc/hosts or tab-delimited format o Data output consists of IP address, hostname, hardware address, description of inconsistency (if any) and optional comment o Enables on-the-fly host entry editing o Runs on Sun SPARC running SunOS 4.1 with X11R4 or R5 (or OpenWindows 3) Recon/Map is available now via FTP and on compact-disc (CD-ROM). Price is $595 (volume and educational institution discounts available) with a 30-day, money-back guarantee. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subject: Rnet - A Distributed Messaging Toolkit for Unix Newsgroups: comp.newprod From: gtynen@netcom.com (Gerard Tynen) Keywords: Expert Database Systems; Rnet; client/server, TCP/IP, X11 Phone: (708) 956-3359 Org: Expert Database Systems Rnet -- A Distributed Messaging Toolkit for Unix The Rnet Distributed Messaging Toolkit simplifies interprocess and intermachine communication in today's distributed, client/server environments. Programs can send messages to an unlimited number of other processes in a very simple fashion, eliminating the need for complicated, low level network programming. Rnet provides interprocess communication using "publication" and "subscription" services. Client programs can subscribe to certain messages or message groups. Other programs, running either locally or remotely, can publish data with an associated name. Rnet then automatically distributes the named message to all client programs which have subscribed to that name or object. Clients are notified via callbacks when the specific messages they subscribed to arrive. Note that the programmer who uses the Rnet toolkit does not need to be aware of machine names or network addresses in order allow programs to communicate with each other. Rnet takes care of all network topology and routing issues. One "published" message can be distributed to many "subscribers". A "publisher" can be any program that wants to send a message. A "subscriber" can be any program that wants to receive messages. The publishing program does not need to be aware of who or where on the network its subscribers are. Rnet provides guaranteed, asynchronous message delivery via TCP/IP, and will work in environments consisting of a variety of platform types, as long as those platforms can run TCP/IP. Rnet is built using object-oriented and event-driven processing. Each Rnet message is treated as an object and processed as an event. Rnet provides a vast selection of programming methods for integrating the message events into other event-based systems such as X windows. Message arrival at the subscriber causes a programmer-defined callback to be invoked. Clients do not need to "poll" for their messages. Each message subscription can have its own callback function. Rnet is compatible with any version of X windows. Our primary base of users build X Windows based systems. Rnet messages enter directly into the X Windows event loop. Rnet also handles message buffering and queuing for delivery to processes that are busy processing other data. If the arrival rate of messages exceeds a program's capacity to handle them, then the Rnet server will queue the messages and deliver them as soon as the process can accept them. The Rnet client library will also automatically re-subscribe to messages in the event that a connection is broken and later re-established. Rnet is currently in use on Wall Street, where it distributes real time stock, bond, and currency price information to traders' desktops. Traders only see the specific items which are of interest to them. Rnet has proven extremely reliable in this demanding environment. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Elizabeth Richardson Subject: Pencom Designs New Solaris Developer Training, Education Program Contact: 1-800-SOFT-SPT Contact: Ginger Blankenship, Technical Services Manager Phone: (512) 343-6666 Email: ginger@pencom.com Company Selected as SunSoft Accredited Training Site AUSTIN, Texas, August 13, 1993 - In a move to support the growing Solaris developer community, Pencom Software announced today that it will develop and deliver Solaris Developer training solutions as part of a new educational program to begin in January 1994. The company has also been selected as one of SunSoft's Accredited Education Center (AEC) sites. This designation allows Pencom to deliver courses on-site at SunSoft's Mountain View, CA headquarters, or at client sites. Pencom representatives recently completed Phase I of the project after SunSoft officials enlisted the company's help in updating its developer training curriculum. This effort began at the Solaris Developer Conference in March where Pencom representatives attended seminars to identify topics critical to developers' needs. Based on the information collected, the company identified 15 key topics in 6 areas including: Porting to Solaris, SunPro Tools, Multi-Threading, Human Interface, Motif Display Postscript, XGL, XIL and Device Drivers for Solaris 2.X Additional topics included Remote Procedure Calls, Distributed Objects Everywhere, ToolTalk, Security API's, Application Packaging and NIS API's. As part of this program, Pencom also designed and developed a training roadmap and recommended prioritization for course development. Currently, Pencom instructional specialists are working on-site at SunSoft to define objectives and outlines for the 15 selected topics. Company representatives are also working with SunSoft developers to write the courseware, ensuring that the content delivers the level of technical information Solaris developers require in the topic areas outlined. Initially, four of the 15 topics are being developed into courseware and/or seminars: Mastering Multi-Threading Techniques, Porting and Migrating from OLIT to Motif, Writing x86 Device Drivers and Developing ToolTalk Applications. Once completed, Pencom will deliver the training to developers at SunSoft's headquarters, as well as other certified AEC's worldwide. With the rollout of Solaris x86 this spring, SunSoft wanted to enhance its developer educational programs, according to Mike Bellissimo, SunSoft's Education Manager. "Given the escalating need for developer training and support, we felt it was necessary to quickly respond to this need. Working with an independent organization like Pencom allowed us to quickly generate ideas and concepts to fit the exact needs of our developers," he said. "Additionally, the fact that Pencom's trainers are engineers themselves means they're not only teachers, but they are able to share real world, hands-on experience." Pencom Software's President, Dr. W. Frank King agrees that it is critical for companies today to provide an extra level of support and training. "With so many organizations now transitioning to Open Systems, there is a larger group of developers and personnel that require additional training to be more efficient and productive," he said. "Our services allow vendors to provide these services to their clients, without having to invest in additional personnel." While the actual educational program will roll out in January, SunSoft will begin offering selected Pencom developer courses in December. For more information on these courses, contact 1-800-SOFT-SPT. For information on Pencom's training services, contact Ginger Blankenship, Technical Services Manager, at (512) 343-6666 or email: ginger@pencom.com. Pencom is a $45 million human resource and software services firm with five offices nationwide. The company specializes in providing staffing, software development, re-engineering, training and support for companies involved in leading-edge technologies. ********************************************************************** For information about SunFlash send mail to info-sunflash@Sun.COM. Subscription requests should be sent to sunflash-request@Sun.COM. Archives are on draco.nova.edu, ftp.uu.net, sunsite.unc.edu, 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. Send brief articles (e.g. third party announcements) and include contact information (non-800#, fax #, email, etc) to: John McLaughlin, SunFlash editor, flash@Sun.COM. +1 305 351 4909