March 31st, 2003
DirectXtras is pleased to announce a new version (2.0) of
DirectCommunication Xtra.
DirectCommunication Xtra is a cross-platform Scripting Xtra for
Macromedia Director, Authorware and Shockwave that provides applications
with the ability to communicate with devices connected to the system
through the serial port, parallel port or USB serial adapter.
Such devices include modems, fax machines, card readers, mini discs,
alarm systems, show control systems, laser disc players, telephone
response systems, computers and virtually any other serial device.
By using DirectCommunication Xtra, Director, Authorware and Shockwave
applications can:
- Query for available serial and parallel ports on the system.
- Establish a connection with external devices.
- Send and receive text or binary data to/from connected devices.
- Get and set the baud rate, data bits, stop bits, parity, buffer size,
time-outs and flow control communication settings.
- Direct connected devices to perform extended functionality and
control the port signals.
- Communicate with multiple devices simultaneously.
The Xtra is Shockwave safe, so it can also be used with Shockwave 7 and
above and when Director safety features are turned on.
An auto downloadable Shockwave safe package of the Xtra is also
available.
DirectCommunication Xtra is available for Director 5 and above,
Authorware 4 and above, and is compatible with Windows 9X and newer
(including 2000, ME, NT, XP) as well as MacOS 8, 9 and X.
What's new in Version 2.0
-------------------------
- A MacOS X compatible version of the Xtra is now available.
- Support for multiple serial ports on MacOS classic.
- Binary support in Authorware.
- A new function was added to obtain a list of all compatible serial
and parallel ports on the system.
- The Xtra was marked as Shockwave safe. An auto downloadable
Shockwave safe package is now available.
- Improved flow control functionality and port signals control.
- Added extensive documentation, step by step instructions and sample
code for both Director and Authorware.
- Various minor improvements and bug fixes.
For a detailed description of what's new in this release, please
refer to the 'History' section of the on-line Xtra documentation:
http://www.directxtras.com/DComm_doc.asp
Upgrades
--------
Developers who have licensed DirectCommunication Xtra in the past
month or obtained a Corporate license will automatically receive
the upgrade free of charge, via e-mail.
All other registered users are entitled to an upgrading discount.
Please visit http://www.directxtras.com/order_inDirectCommunication.asp
for complete licensing information and fees.
Trial Version
-------------
A fully functional evaluation version of DirectCommunication Xtra can be
downloaded from our web site: http://www.directxtras.com/DComm_home.asp
The evaluation version includes a sample Director movie that
demonstrates some of the Xtra features by implementing a basic terminal
application.
Additional sample code, step by step instructions on how to install and
use the Xtra, function reference and more can be found in the
on-line Xtra documentation: http://www.directxtras.com/DComm_doc.asp
We encourage interested developers to download the trial version and
look forward to your comments, suggestions, ideas and any questions you
might have.
Best Regards,
--
Tomer Berda
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