EvangeList Digest Tuesday, June 30 1998 Volume 01 : Number 1221
In this issue:
PR - Rebound! launch release PR - Graphing Calculator 2.0 Job - Blue World List Moderator Sought :-) - Should Have Had a Mac PR - Hot Door Harmony for Adobe Photoshop $$ - Keep smartGIF From Expiring PR - Sad Macs Book w/ Pro-Mac Poster PR - FirepoWWWer Bundle $$ - Power On ACTION Files Offer Extended
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Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 13:17:15 -0700 From: Guy Kawasaki <Kawasaki@garage.com> Subject: PR - Rebound! launch release
This announcement is from:
Naomi Pearce, naomi@well.com
For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Naomi Pearce Pearce Communications 510/528-0824 mailto:naomi@well.com
SOPHISTICATED CIRCUITS ANNOUNCES REBOUND! NOW AVAILABLE TO GENERAL PUBLIC
- -- Auto-Restart ADB Device Ensures Server Reliability, Automatically --
BOTHELL, Wash., June 29, 1998 -- Sophisticated Circuits today announced Rebound!(tm) is now available to the general public. Previously available exclusively with WebSTAR 3.0, the leading Web server on the Macintosh platform, Rebound! is the newest member of the PowerKey family of products which continuously monitors an active server for failures and, when necessary, automatically reboots the system by sending the keyboard restart key sequence. A highly integrated hardware/software solution, Rebound! provides a fully automated system for ensuring reliability and optimal up-time for Mac OS-based servers worldwide. Rebound! is now available to the general public for a street price of $99 at <http://www.sophisticated.com/>.
"Every well-designed web site or mission critical server should have a Rebound!," said Eric Zelenka, product manager for WebSTAR. "Our WebSTAR customers are using Rebound! as an essential part of their overall server reliability strategy, addressing one aspect of back-end fault tolerance. Rebound! is inexpensive enough that no server should be without one."
"The Macintosh Server G3 is built on the strength of the PowerPCTM G3 microprocessor, delivering twice the network performance of previous Apple server products," said Stan Ng, Apple Computer product manager. "Rebound! provides a great tool for increased server reliability. Its simple, yet powerful, capabilities fit extremely well with the ease of use and flexibility of Apple's new G3 servers."
Rebound! is World-Ready
Sophisticated Circuits has been refining its proven Server Restart Option (SRO) technology since January of 1997, however, Rebound! is the first product in Sophisticated Circuits' PowerKey family of products to be available to all international users. Rebound! is powered by the ADB rather than the wall current, allowing it to work in any part of the world, regardless of line voltage. Rebound! is fully CE compliant and FCC approved.
"Rebound! brings PowerKey Pro's Server Restart Option to markets where that product is not yet available, making it a very attractive reliability tool for international users," said Jonathan Feinstein of Sophisticated Circuits.
How Rebound! Works
Rebound!'s patent-pending technology starts working immediately and constantly watches the operating system by communicating with the OS itself. An update to the Rebound! Extension software is also being released today (see related release dated 6.29.98). The Rebound! Extension software sends a ping to the Rebound! device, which resets its timer at regular intervals. Once set, this timer starts counting down to zero. As long as the operating system is running, the Rebound! Extension software will continue to reset the timer so it never actually reaches zero. If, however, the system freezes or crashes, the timer will naturally expire and Rebound! will send a command-control-power-on keyboard restart sequence. Rebound! uses a background application, rather than a driver, allowing the widest range of potential freezes and crashes to be detected.
"This has to be one of the coolest things I have seen," said John Bertagnolli from US West Dex in Aurora Colorado. "I am running some batch processes and have had to deal with network hangs by babysitting six machines about 16 hours a day. Now I have the Rebound!s installed, and a startup application that pages me whenever the machine restarts, which means I only have to deal with the machines whenever I get a page. I am able to get so much more accomplished."
Fully scriptable, Rebound! software can receive and respond to AppleEvents. Rebound! has Apple Guide online help built-in. The market-leader for Mac auto restart devices, Sophisticated Circuits has been in the Macintosh business since 1984 and has a tremendous amount of support from the developer community, allowing Sophisticated Circuits to be the only company offering multiple levels of protection and application-level crash detection.
Only Restart Device with Application-Level Support
In addition to watching the operating system, Rebound!, like its sibling PowerKey Pro, can also watch server applications with sophisticated application-level crash detection. Sophisticated Circuits has created an Application Programming Interface (API) which software developers use to support Rebound! and PowerKey Pro in their products. A product with Rebound! support periodically sets a timer in the Rebound! software, in much the same way that the Rebound! software sets a timer in the hardware. Rebound! includes patent-pending technology which allows it to simultaneously monitor multiple applications, ensuring each application is functioning the way the developer intended. Rebound! keeps separate timers for each application, and if any application stops responding, Rebound! can restart the system.
"Developers immediately saw the advantage of providing their own 'heartbeat,'" Feinstein explained. "Each developer knows the workings of their software better than anyone on the outside ever could. By relying on status information provided from within the running applications, we can be sure that Rebound! does not confuse a heavily loaded server for a crashed machine."
Vendors with software supporting this technology include: StarNine Technologies, Inc.; Maxum Development Corp.; Imagina, Inc.; Purity Software, Inc.; Stalker Software, Inc.; Spider Island Software; MDG Computer Services, Inc.; Social Engineering Inc.; and Fog City Software. We expect a number of companies to announce support for this technology in the near future.
"Rebound! is quite simply the most elegant tool available for increasing your server's reliability," stated Nathan Nunn, president of Purity Software. "I highly recommend this product for use with any Mac OS-based server -- especially when you consider how much money it saves you each and every time your server could potentially go down for hours on end without it."
Pricing and Availability Rebound! is priced at $99US and is available today directly from Sophisticated Circuits by calling 800/769-3773, +425/485-7979, or accessing the Web site at <http://www.sophisticated.com/>. A Crash Test Application is also available to test the functionality of the set-up. Special volume and dealer pricing is available by contacting Sophisticated Circuits.
About Sophisticated Circuits
Founded in 1984, Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. is a privately held corporation located in Bothell, Wash. Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. develops elegant, highly integrated hardware/software tools which make the lives of computer professionals easier by enhancing the reliability, remote access and automation capabilities of servers and personal computers. Further information on Sophisticated Circuits may be obtained by accessing Sophisticated Circuits' Web site at <http://www.sophisticated.com/>, calling 800/769-3773, or sending <mailto:info@sophisticated.com>. International inquiries can also reach Sophisticated Circuits by calling +425/485-7979, or by sending a fax to +425/485-7172.
####
Rebound! is a trademark and PowerKey is a registered trademark of Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. All other brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:06:21 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - Graphing Calculator 2.0
Ron Avitzur, <avitzur@pacifict.com>
Pacific Tech is proud to announce that Graphing Calculator 2.0 is now shipping for Macintosh. This is a major new version of the Graphing Calculator application that has already shipped on over six million Macs, and features powerful methods for visualizing two and three dimensional mathematical objects.
Easy to use and easy to learn, the Calculator allows users to focus on solving their mathematical problems without having to learn a complex tool.
Graphing Calculator 2.0 is now available for both Macintosh and Windows. Order online from the Pacific Tech web site - <http://www.pacifict.com> - at an introductory price of $39.95. Site licenses are also available.
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:06:21 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: Job - Blue World List Moderator Sought
This job announcement is from: Bill Doerrfeld, <bill@blueworld.com>
In an effort to bring interactive email discussion forums to the next level in professionalism, Blue World has identified a new position in its roundup of Internet services. To meet email list users need for frequent and personalized service, and to assist with maintaining high quality discussion in its popular email discussion forums, Blue World will place into service an email list moderator. Blue World seeks interested individuals who meet the following criteria to join this trend-setting service.
Blue Word List Moderator Position
Requirements:
- - Excellent communication and diplomacy skills, passion for email lists, experience and expertise with the operation of email lists, sufficient computer equipment and Internet access which facilitate consistent service.
Responsibilities:
- - Monitor all Blue World mailing lists. Service users with subscription problems or posting problems. Provide first level service to list subscribers. Assist Blue World List Administrator <listmaster@blueworld.com> through timely notification of issues that may affect smooth operations, including but not exclusive to the following: mail loops, user misposts, irresponsible behaviour.
- - Moderate discussion to ensure that discussion remains focused on the list topic and that list subscribers maintain friendly, productive dialog at all times. Moderator must skillfully excerise diplomacy without bias toward individuals, products or companies. Moderator must demonstrate an interest and enthusiasm for the topic of the list and encourage others to operate likewise. Note: While Blue World lists are designated as unmoderated discussions, the list moderator's role is best described as "passive moderation" where posts are moderated after having been posted to the group. Blue World believes strongly in free speech as long as it follows the list guidelines which outline appropriate conduct. The list moderator must effectively balance subscribers' freedom to post whatever they want with common sense guidelines for preventing nondestructive discussion. In general, the moderator will never have to step in. But, when needed, the moderator's role becomes extremely important. The moderator's main goal is to maintain a distant guiding hand over the discussion.
- - Delegate reponsibility to volunteer co-moderators who possess sufficient skills and can provide appropriate assistance.
Expectations:
- - Moderator must regularly monitor/moderate all Blue World lists including the following: FileMaker Talk, FileMaker-CGI Talk, FSA Talk (signed and approved NDA required), Lasso Talk, Acrobat Talk, PageMill Talk, Organizer Talk, HomePage Talk and more.
- - Moderator will correspond via a new <moderator@blueworld.com> account with the following required email signature:
- ------------------------- Blue World List Moderator <moderator@blueworld.com> "Maintaining quality interactive email discussion forums" <http://www.blueworld.com/lists/> -------------------------
Compensation:
- - Compensation for this part-time flexible hours offsite freelance position is negotiable via possible combination of cash, products and/or services (in addition to prestige and exposure!)
Contact:
Interested individuals who meet the criteria above are cordially invited to contact <bill@blueworld.com> to discuss this opportunity. We look forward to working together to take interactive email discussion forums to the next level. Thank you for your interest!
Bill Doerrfeld President & CEO Blue World Communications, Inc. __________________________ Digital Guy Sez:
Folks, if I didn't already have one of the best jobs on the planet, this is the kind of gig I would go for. ;-)
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:06:21 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: :-) - Should Have Had a Mac
Keyword: Advocacy, Windows Daymares
Jim Winski!, <jcw@upi.uhcolorado.edu>
The following article appeared in the Sunday, 6/21/98 Rocky Mountain News. Although the news is on the web at <http://www.denver-rmn.com>, I can't find their back issues.
- ---
'Apple' author crashes his non-Mac laptop
Wall Street Journal reporter Jim Carlton had a bad day in Denver where he landed June 11 to promote his book, Apple: The Inside Story of Intrigue, Egomania and Business Blunders.
San Francisco-based Carlton, a new father, was already sleep-deprived.
Then Price Waterhouse, sponsors of the book tour, told him to be at the Westin at 7am for a breakfast briefing.
The microphone didn't work. Then the laptop running his presentation crashed. Was it an Apple PowerBook? Uh-uh. It was a Wintel machine. "Should have had a Mac," Carlton said.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:06:22 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - Hot Door Harmony for Adobe Photoshop
This announcement is from:
Shari Cheves, <shari@hotdoor.com>
We invite you to try our new Photoshop plug-in, Hot Door Harmony, now shipping for Power Macintosh platforms only. Harmony features an innovative color selection environment to help you choose harmonious color schemes for use in Photoshop, Illustrator, or PageMaker. Our interactive color wheel yields thousands of exciting new combinations - with HTML conversions and Web previews - integrating applied color theory. With or without an eye for color, you will be able to explore greater design possibilities, reinforce your decisions, and have more fun with color!
* Interact with the artist's RYB wheel to create complements, split complements, triads, tetrads, etc. * Adjust the wheel's tint, shade, and tone for thousands of variations * Add and edit up to 30 color swatches * View schemes in Web colors - and copy HTML conversions instantly * Copy, save, or export schemes to other graphics applications
Call us toll-free at 1-888-236-9540 to order Harmony at the introductory price of $99 with a 90-day money-back guarantee. A free downloadable demo is available at:
<http://www.hotdoor.com/>
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:06:22 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: $$ - Keep smartGIF From Expiring
This special offer is from:
Roger Ridpath, <roger@sitejazz.com>
Remember that killer software you downloaded (or should've downloaded) called smartGIF? It's that new plug-in that dramatically improves the way designers move graphics to the Web. This is a reminder that the special 25%-off promotion for smartGIF is about to expire!
Be sure to take advantage of our special discount for Evangelistas good only through the end of June. You'll save 25% on the regular price of $149, a $37.25 value, when you order smartGIF at www.sitejazz.com/evangelistas. Hurry! This price is available through June 30 (online sales only).
I hope you've enjoyed the free demo!
Roger Ridpath Principal, SiteJazz
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:06:22 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - Sad Macs Book w/ Pro-Mac Poster
This announcement is from:
<OWL@Bigfoot.com> Owen Linzmayer
<http://www.netcom.com/~owenink>
Due to overwhelming demand, I've still selling Ted Landau's "Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters" at the great mail-order price of just $25 within the US and $27 elsewhere.
When your Mac misbehaves, "Sad Macs, Bombs, and Other Disasters" is the only book you'll ever need to set things right. Now available in a completely revised third edition, this award-winning book is the most comprehensive troubleshooting guide ever assembled.
Weighing in at over three pounds, this 964-page paperback is organized by problem, lists symptoms, discusses possible causes, and offers precise solutions explained in jargon-free detail.
Everyone ordering the book receives a FREE copy of the official 1.44MB companion disk containing more than 20 indispensable freeware and shareware tools for preventing disasters, diagnosing problems, and recovering from mistakes.
In addition to the companion utilities disk, the first 50 customers will also receive a free copy of MacAddict's "50 Reasons Why the Mac is Better than Windows." This glorious color poster measures 12 inches by 18 inches and details the benefits of the Mac on one side and reproduces the cover of the premiere issue of MacAddict on the other.
For details, please visit my web site:
<http://pw1.netcom.com/~owenink/sadmacs.html>
Send cash, money order, or check (drawn on a U.S. bank) made payable to Owen Ink. For proper fulfillment, specify the book(s) you are ordering and please include your email address. Mail your order to:
Owen Ink, 2227 15th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94116-1824
P.S. This offer supersedes all previous offers and is subject to change without notice.
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:06:23 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: PR - FirepoWWWer Bundle
Keyword: Market by market, Internet
This announcement is from:
Susan Marlett, <marlett@clearway.com>
ClearWay Technologies today announced the FirepoWWWer Bundle which includes both FireSite Web Site Accelerator and ClearWay NITRO PowerPlug. FireSite can host more than twice as many high-speed Web sites as WebSTAR alone, and NITRO accelerates all WebSTAR plug-ins up to 200% or more. Together, FireSite and NITRO deliver the maximum Web server performance for the professional Webmaster. Through Macworld Expo, ClearWay is offering the FirepoWWWer Bundle at savings from $200 to $400 off list prices. Free demos are available immediately at:
<http://www.clearway.com/FirepoWWWer/>
The FirepoWWWer Bundle is available with FireSite Standard Edition or FireSite Multimedia Edition. The Standard Edition accelerates up to 50 Mb of GIF and JPEG images, while the Multimedia Edition accelerates an unlimited amount of media. Both include the professional FireSite Virtual Domain Manager, for hosting an unlimited number of custom-configured Web sites.
ClearWay NITRO PowerPlug accelerates the execution speed of all WebSTAR plug-ins up to 200% or more. With NITRO installed WebSTAR SSI runs up to 250% faster; Tango runs up to 300% faster. NITRO accelerates all third-party WebSTAR plug-ins including Lasso and WebCatalog, and more.
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:06:24 -0800 From: John Halbig <john@garage.com> Subject: $$ - Power On ACTION Files Offer Extended
This special extended offer is from:
Mike Wray, <mike@poweronsoftware.com>
Holy smokes!! Power On Software, publishers of the "more popular than we thought" utility, ACTION Files, recently posted a 25% discount offer to all you Evangelistas. Well, what we didn't expect was a flood of orders bringing our servers down to their knees and the demand for an extension of the offer from dozens of you!
You got it.
Beginning today and lasting for one more week, Power On will extend our offer of the electronic version of ACTION Files for $29.95!!
What is ACTION Files? Bob Levitus wrote "It's one of the greatest utilities of all time." With ACTION Files you can resize the old, small fixed-size Macintosh Open and Save dialogs up to full screen size. View all files' information including name, size, modification date and more just like in the Finder. Sort on any criteria you want with just one click. Locate files by any criteria using our powerful Find command - without leaving your application to return to the Finder. Keep your favorite and recently used files one click away. All this and tons of other features!
Didn't catch the earlier offer and want to try ACTION Files first? Head to <http://www.actionutilities.com> to download a trial copy for yourself.
Want to order it now? Head to <http://www.actionutilities.com/html/evangelist_offer.cgi> and place your order on our EvangeList Special Offer page.
From the old school? Call us at 800-344-9160 or 612-317-0344 and place your order with our ACTION reps.
Thanks EvangeList! Thanks Evangelistas! We appreciate it!!
Best regards, Mike Wray
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End of EvangeList Digest V1 #1221 *********************************
