Apple's new core
Article Abstract:
Apple purchased Next Software for $400 million. This acquisition will have a significant impact on the Macintosh operating system, including the addition of memory protection, preemptive multitasking and symmetric multiprocessing. These features, which are already provided by Unix and Windows NT, are based on Next's OpenStep Mach kernel. The new features will allow Macintoshes to execute multiple tasks simultaneously, and will allow them to manage memory so that the system will not crash if an individual application goes down. Apple is hoping that the new features will prevent publishers from leaving the Apple fold in favor of Unix or Windows NT. In publishing, Apple still has a large installed base; acceptance of the new operating system is largely dependent on how well this installed base can run older software. Apple plans to offer both operating systems, the hybrid OpenStep/Mac operating system and the traditional Macintosh operating system, in one box.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1997
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
MBed Interactor 1.1
Article Abstract:
MBed Software's $249 MBed Interactor 1.1 multimedia authoring software makes it easy to create interactive multimedia objects, including Java applets, DHTML scripts, plug-ins and ActiveX controls. Such object properties as background color, font size and path of behavior are assigned in the layout window, and a 'handler' command is added to set the object's behavior. Among the functions supported are mouseover effects, animated sprites, and text scrolling, dissolving, zooming and glowing. Only standard Web file formats are used by the program, and thumbnail previews are provided throughout. MBedlets can be embedded in each other to create interesting Web effects, but some Interactor objects require Microsoft's ActiveX or a Navigator plug-in on the client. The package makes it easy to add interactivity to a Web site without having to learn any coding.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Poser 3
Article Abstract:
MetaCreations' $299 Poser 3.0 animation software comes with enhanced interface, more and better lifelike models, finer control over figure movements and a useful set of animation tools. The interface is totally customizable all the way down to the parameter control names. The software comes with an innovative Walk Designer, keyframe animator and walk-along paths. Several BVH motion-capture files are also included in the program enabling creation of dance and fight movements. Problems with Poser 3.0 include the need to turn off Adobe Type Manager to prevent display artifacts, display refresh problems under both Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 95 and inability to import models into MetaCreations' Ray Dream Studio by employing the import plug-in.
Publication Name: Publish
Subject: Publishing industry
ISSN: 0897-6007
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Painter 5. Poser 2. Canvas 5
- Abstracts: Epson Stylus Color 3000. PowerLook 3000. Tricks of the trade
- Abstracts: Is Apple's worm finally turning? Grand makeover 1998. The changing face of zines; the underground press embraces electronic publishing
- Abstracts: CD-ROM types. Lightning-fast color copiers
- Abstracts: Let the conversation begin. Milton Glaser: taking the long view. Posters of passion: Holger Matthies