NeXT Nugget News Digest (vol. 4, issue 12, September 15, 1992) TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Vertex Librarian: The Advanced Digital Librarian II. Introducing LoadEye for NeXTSTEP III. Yrrid Introduces High-Speed Serial Port for NeXT IV. Serial Solutions 2.0: Serial Object for NeXTSTEP V. Fall Election Campaign to use NeXT Computers VI. Announcing FileStart VII. Janus Review, Salt Lake City NeXT User Group Publicatio VIII. NeXT Publication Info from: Computer Literacy Bookshops IX. Highlight: Kentucky NeXT User Group Update ____________________________________________________________________ This is vol. 4, issue 12 of the 1992 NeXT NUGGET NEWS DIGEST - a collection of items of interest for the NeXT User Group members. There are more than 379 NeXT User Groups in 38 countries on all continents around the world. To submit articles or announcements to appear in the Nugget Digest, please send your contributions to the following address: user_groups@next.com. Conrad Geiger Manager, International NeXT User Groups ____________________________________________________________________ I. Vertex Librarian: The Advanced Digital Librarian FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information: Debbie Karako Vertex Software voice: 412-931-7600 fax: 412-931-4429 e-mail: dkarako%nfsun@uunet.uu.net Vertex Librarian: The Advanced Digital Librarian Vertex Software announces the availability of Vertex Librarian, an advanced information retrieval system and alternative to Digital Librarian. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA (August 17, 1992) -- Vertex Software is happy to announce Version 1.0 of Vertex Librarian, the most advanced information retrieval product available for the NeXT computer. Vertex Librarian is a powerful information retrieval system which extends the idea of the NeXTstep Digital Librarian. While maintaining the look and feel of Digital Librarian, Vertex Librarian adds features such as management of any type of NeXTstep file; hypertext browsing and editing; an extended query language; thesaurus-based conceptual searching; document structure (pattern) analysis; and complete multi-user network integrity. As a serious information retrieval system, Vertex Librarian is much more than an alternative for Digital Librarian. Vertex Librarian is capable of managing huge Information Bases and meeting complex information needs. Its full multi-user network integrity allows you to collaborate with your colleagues in collecting mission critical information and, more importantly, find it later. Here is a small sampling of the many possible applications of Vertex Librarian: - managing e-mail and newsfeeds - managing word processing documents - document assembly - on-line documentation - electronic publishing/hypertext authoring SUMMARY: Vertex Librarian, available immediately from Vertex Software (orders 800-333-4845), special introductory price $xxx.yy (until September 30, 1992). _____________________________________________________________________ II. Introducing LoadEye for NeXTSTEP LoadEye displays your NeXT's system load in a Load Monitor that you can place anywhere on your screen. By observing how your actions affect your computer's system load you can learn to use your computer more efficiently and effectively. And only LoadEye provides you with the information you need in such an easy-to-understand format. So don't waste another minute of computer time! Call 1-800-578-4809 (608-231-3679 if calling from outside the U.S.), write to Aurora Software, 16 N Allen St, Madison, WI 53705 or send e-mail to info@as.com. LoadEye Features: - Supports Mach factor and UNIX system load average. - Monitors the system load on computers connected to a network. - Contains online help w/ a description of system load computation. - System load is displayed in app icon when application is hidden. - Update interval can range from half a second to ten seconds. - Load Monitor is resizable and configurable. Copyright (C) 1992 by Aurora Software. All rights reserved. LoadEye is a trademark of Aurora Software. NeXT is a trademark of NeXT Computer, Inc. ____________________________________________________________________ III. Yrrid Introduces High-Speed Serial Port for NeXT Contact: Martini Niedbalski-Emmart (919) 968-7858 For Immediate Release YRRID INTRODUCES HIGH-SPEED SERIAL PORT FOR NeXT Chapel Hill, N.C., August 3, 1992 - Yrrid Incorporated announces TTYDSP, a high-speed serial port for the NeXT computer. TTYDSP converts the Digital Signal Processor (DSP) port on a NeXT computer into a third RS-232 serial port, for use with a wide range of RS-232 peripherals including modems, printers, and plotters. "TTYDSP delivers the performance and reliability that today's high-speed peripherals demand of a serial port," said Christopher Lloyd, Vice President of Yrrid. "Because NeXT workstations have a built-in DSP port, our TTYDSP product seemed a natural addition to the platform. We think it's a perfect and low-cost solution for NeXT customers who are not currently taking full advantage of the DSP." Using the processing power of the NeXT's DSP, TTYDSP drastically improves system performance and communications reliability during high speed serial data transfers. As a result, it is ideal for UUCP sites, high speed dial-ins, data collection, RS-232 printers, and plotters. In addition, TTYDSP provides emulation of the NeXT serial port device, maintaining compatibility with existing communications software. TTYDSP can operate at a wide range of standard and non-standard baud rates up to 128,000 baud, and can sustain transfers with high-speed peripherals running at common rates such as 57,600 and 76,800 baud, which are unattainable with the standard serial port. A TTYDSP compatible SLIP/PPP implementation - providing TCP/IP connectivity through the DSP port - is planned for a late '92 release. Pricing and availability: TTYDSP costs $xxx.yy for a single user license and is available now from Yrrid. Educational discounts are available. Based in North Carolina, Yrrid Incorporated designs, implements and markets products for the NeXT platform. Yrrid Incorporated 507 Monroe Street Chapel Hill, NC 27516 Phone: 1-800-443-0065 Email: yrrid@world.std.com ____________________________________________________________________ IV. Serial Solutions 2.0: Serial Object for NeXTSTEP Company: BenaTong 1057 Racine Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43204 Voice: (614) 276-7859 FAX: (614) 276-7859 (Auto-Switch) Email: benatong@count0.cmhnet.org Contact: Charles Bennett Product Name: Serial Solutions 2.0 Columbus, Ohio , August 19, 1992 - BenaTong announces a major upgrade to Serial Solutions, adds support for YRRID Inc's TTYDSP. BenaTong is happy to announce an upgrade to our "SerialSolutions" serial objects for the NeXT. We have extended the functionality of the base Serial object and created two new sub-classes. Modem and Reader. Modem, builds on the functionality of the Serial object by adding that methods that interface to most "Hayes" style modems. Modem also includes support for custom modem definitions. Reader, is both an example application and a sub-class of Serial that shows how to interface to most barcode and mag-strip readers. Source for Reader is included. In cooperation with YRRID Inc. The Serial object now directly supports their TTYDSP drivers that adds a high-speed serial port for the NeXT computer by utilizing the DSP. For more information on TTYDSP contact YRRID Incorporated, Phone:1-800-443-0065 Email: yrrid@world.std.com. SerialSolutions puts an Objective-C wrapper around the low level UNIX serial drivers and makes the serial ports look like any other Objective-C class. By eliminating the necessity of learning the UNIX system internals, our objects will save countless hours of programming time. Pricing: Contact benatong@count0.cmhnet.org Availability: Now Educational discounts available. BenaTong, based in Columbus Ohio, is a consulting firm that specializes in providing custom hardware and software solutions for process control and data acquisition. -30- ____________________________________________________________________ V. Fall Election Campaign to use NeXT Computers NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mr. Ryon Packer (703) 883-1355 EARLE WILLIAMS CAMPAIGN TO USE NeXT COMPUTERS Virginia Republican Governor Candidate Selects Workstation Technology for Campaign Management August 5, 1992 - McLean, VA. The DCM Group, a Northern Virginia based advertising and political campaign management firm, announced today their plans to use NeXT workstations for the management of the Earle Williams for Virginia Governor Campaign. The workstations will be used for general office productivity applications in addition to running custom software for campaign management developed by RDR, Inc. "Using NeXT technology allows us to be extremely competitive", said Mr. Williams, former President and CEO of BDM International, Inc., "I have been able to quantify in just a few days the amount of time I have saved just using NeXT's multimedia electronic mail." Throughout his business career and most recently as president and CEO of BDM, Mr. Williams has extensive experience in bringing technology to bear to solve complex problems. Leadership in high technology is but one element of an overall strategy for rebuilding the economy and revitalizing the State. A local area network (LAN) of NeXT machines was installed in the McLean offices by DPC, Inc., a local NeXT value added dealer. In addition, a remote site was installed in Richmond, allowing for electronic mail, file sharing, and database access. "By keeping the remote site up to date with the latest information, we can be much quicker to react to fast changing events in Richmond." said Mr. Ed DeBolt, President of DCM, "It also makes joint preparation of documents and reports a much easier task than what we are used to from our old PC environment." Productivity applications provide group calendar management, as well as traditional word processing and desktop publishing. These applications are being used by the staff to enhance the day to day management of information by the campaign. In addition to commercial off-the-shelf (COTs) applications, the campaign relies heavily on custom software developed by RDR, a local registered NeXT developer and integrator. The campaign management software is used to produce mailings, report contribution histories, and track delegate status and political information for the campaign. The DCM Group is based in McLean, Virginia, and provides advertising and campaign management services to its clients. DCM has worked in campaigns for Presidents Ford, Reagan, and Bush and such varied congressional campaigns as Senators Warner of Virginia, Roth of Delaware, and Simms of Idaho as well as numerous other Republican state and federal races. DPC is based in Alexandria, Virginia, and is Washington's first NeXT authorized dealer. DPC provides systems, service, integration, and consulting for the NeXT and Macintosh platforms. DPC was founded in 1987 by its current president, Bryan M. Vaughan. Headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, RDR specializes in professional services, custom application development, consulting and integration for the NeXT platform. RDR's customers include commercial companies and Federal Government agencies. RDR is an authorized NeXT federal systems integrator and NeXT registered developer. ____________________________________________________________________ VI. Announcing FileStart FileStart(TM) The Document and Application Organizer from Aurora Software Aurora Software is pleased to announce FileStart for the NeXT(TM)] Computer! Organize your files, folders and applications with FileStart to - Gain instant access to frequently used files, folders and applications. - Save time and energy by not interrupting your work to look for a file or application. - Strategically group related files and folders into projects. - Open multiple files with a single double-click of the mouse. - Conserve screen space by setting FileStart to automatically hide after opening a file. Contact Aurora Software for pricing information. Site licenses and academic discounts are available. VISA and MasterCard orders welcome. Orders may be placed by calling 1-608-231-3679. Aurora Software 16 N Allen St Madison, WI 53705-3924 U.S.A. Phone: 608/231-3679 E-mail: info@as.com __ Copyright 1992 by Aurora Software. All rights reserved. FileStart is a trademark of Aurora Software. NeXT is a trademark of NeXT Computer, Inc. ____________________________________________________________________ VII. Janus Review, Salt Lake City NeXT User Group Publication Janus Review is produced entirely on NeXT computers, features news from the SLNUG, is circulated through direct mail to all Utah computer firms and is distributed and selected VARs and software vendors along the Wasatch Front. Janus Review actively showcases the Utah industry (and NeXT computers) at every opportunity. I (and my NeXT) have been featured most recently on KUTV's "High-tech Heroes," a three-part series on Utah's computer industry, as well as having spoken for Janus Review (and the benefits of NeXT computers) in print and on local radio talk shows. Kris Magnusson President, SLNUG Publisher, Janus Review ____________________________________________________________________ VIII. NeXT Publication Info from: Computer Literacy Bookshops Email: info@clbooks.com Title Book ID Author Price Code --------------------------------------- ------- ------- ------ ---- NeXT Bible 337806 Clapp $29.95 O/S NeXTSTEP Netwrk & Sys Admin: Rel 3 473893 NeXT $28.95 NYP NeXTSTEP Prog Interface Summary: Rel 3 473888 NeXT $24.95 NYP NeXTSTEP Op. System Software: Rel 3 473872 NeXT $24.95 NYP NeXTSTEP OOP & Objective-C Lang: Rel 3 473867 NeXT $24.95 NYP NeXTSTEP User I/F Guidelines: Rel 3 473851 NeXT $24.95 NYP NeXTSTEP Development Tools: Rel 3 473846 NeXT $28.95 NYP NeXTSTEP General Reference: Rel 3 473830 NeXT $49.95 NYP NeXT Development Tools 433054 NeXT $26.95 I/S NeXT Operating System Software 433049 NeXT $24.95 I/S Sound, Music & Sig Proc on NeXT:Ref 433033 NeXT $39.95 I/S Sound, Music & Sig Proc on NeXT:Concept 433028 NeXT $19.95 I/S NeXTStep Reference 433012 NeXT $44.95 I/S Prog Display PostScript Sys w/ NeXTStep 433007 Adobe $26.95 I/S Writing NeXT Programs 436846 Weintz $39.95 I/S I/S == In Stock O/S == Out of Stock NYP == Not Yet Printed *Note: Below are the Fall shipping dates for the NeXT books that have a NYP Status: NeXTSTEP Development Tools (ISBN 0-201-63249-7) (nov-92) NeXTSTEP User Interface Guidelines (ISBN 0-201-63250-0) (nov-92) NeXTSTEP OOP and the Objective-C Lang (ISBN 0-201-63251-9) (nov-92) NeXTSTEP Operating System Software (ISBN 0-201-63252-7) (oct-92) NeXTSTEP Programming Interface Summary (ISBN 0-201-63253-5) (nov-92) NeXTSTEP Network and System Admin (ISBN 0-201-63254-3) (oct-92) _____________________________________________________________________ IX. Kentucky NeXT User Group update We just recently completed implementing our own Lexington Area NeXT Network. The network currently connects several members through UUCP to KYnug's mail server which then access the internet through the Math Sciences department at the University of Kentucky. Members have full access to internet mail and comp.sys.next.* newsgroups. Members pay a minimal fee of $10/month for access, which goes to the user group to help pay for resources and phones lines. Neil Greene ARCI, Inc. President, Kentucky NeXT User Group, Inc. Phone: 606.254.4060 Fax: 606.254.4864 Email: deepthought!neil@ms.uky.edu [NeXTmail] _____________________________________________________________________ end