I don't know how many people are on the metacard news list, but there is some interesting stuff here. New version and some news on the Cross World GUI. --- begin forwarded text From: MetaCard Support <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Message-Id: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: MetaCard News MetaCard News, January, 2000 ======================================================================= In this issue: 1) MetaCard 2.3 announcement 2) The MetaCard HTTP server (mchttpd) 3) Cross Worlds' new UI goes to alpha test 4) Recent MetaCard reviews 5) Subscription renewal information 6) Post-release survey issues sought ======================================================================= MetaCard 2.3, the latest release of MetaCard Corporation's award-winning multimedia authoring and application development tool, is now in gamma (final) testing. New to the 2.3 release: 1) New integrated support for QuickTime via a "player" control that can be moved, sized, and even positioned underneath other controls. 2) Support for Internet-standard sockets with the highest-level API of any scripting language. No need to struggle with the thinly disguised Berkeley sockets API other scripting languages provide: MetaTalk's message-based implementation is much easier to learn and use. And because it buffers both incoming and outgoing packets, performance is better than with languages that require polling, using threads, or spawning separate processes to manage socket communication. 3) Many new commands functions and properties for dealing with common Internet formats, including the ability to get and set HTML for chunks within a field. 4) Improved look and feel compatibility, including support for scrolling menus on all platforms. 5) Large performance increases when dealing with large stacks and large amounts of data on Windows NT and MacOS. Smaller performance increases in many other areas including accessing text in fields. 6) The 64K restriction on script length per object has been eliminated! 7) Many other usability and productivity enhancements. See the file README.2.3 for the full list. MetaCard 2.3 is scheduled to be released late January, but we encourage you to take the gamma test release for a spin if you didn't use any of the beta-test release. The gamma test release is available in the directory: ftp://ftp.metacard.com/MetaCard/2.3/ Be sure to read the README files before installing or using this release. ======================================================================= The example MetaCard HTTP server, mchttpd, which demonstrates the usage of the new socket features is also available in the directory ftp://ftp.metacard.com/MetaCard/2.3/. This server is exactly the same on all platforms, and can execute multiple MetaCard scripts in the same MetaCard process. This architecture is much more efficient than any of "CGI" type APIs, and immensely easier to develop and debug with. mchttpd is "exampleware", in that it's free for you to use and modify, but is not a supported product. If you're so inclined, you can help with the development of mchttpd by using it, reporting (and maybe even fixing) problems, and requesting (and maybe even implementing) new features. Note that you don't have to dump your existing HTTP server, you can run them together by just assigning a different port to the mchttpd server and including that port in the URL for the pages it serves. ======================================================================= The new development environment that Cross Worlds Computing has been developing is in alpha test, and some snapshots are now available on their WWW site (http://www.xworlds.com/metacard/screenshots/index.htm) Cross Worlds will also be changing their name when this new product is announced. Watch for it. ======================================================================= MetaCard has been reviewed in a couple of Internet-only publications recently. These reviews have been highly favorable if not always 100% accurate. Check out "Inside Solaris", December 1999: http://www.zdjournals.com/sun/9912/sun99c2.htm and "The Internet Eye", January 2000: http://the-internet-eye.com/reviews2000/Jan/MetaCard/default.htm ======================================================================= If you purchased or renewed your MetaCard subscription more than a year before 2.3 went to beta test (October 1999), you'll need to renew your subscription to use this new release. To renew, see the licensing information card available from "Licensing" in the MetaCard Help menu, and use the order form link. If you need an official price quotation (pro forma invoice) faxed or mailed to you, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call 303-447-3936 and request one. ======================================================================= The traditional MetaCard post-release survey is currently being prepared and we're seeking input on the issues to include. If there are particular features, technologies, or development directions that you'd like to have your peers help prioritize, email your list to [EMAIL PROTECTED] ======================================================================= You have been sent this message because you have requested information on MetaCard in the past. If you'd like to be removed from this mailing list, just reply to this message and ask to be removed. --- end forwarded text
