Apple Software Overview

System Software and Related Products

Macintosh System 7.5

Macintosh System 7.5 is the latest version of the popular Mac OS--the Macintosh operating system. It not only gives you the best graphical user interface available, but also provides advanced capabilities in productivity, printing, collaboration, document layout, and multimedia. Important features include the following:

Enhanced Finder. Improved Find File commands, security features such as application and System Folder locking, and Drag and Drop of text and graphics between applications and the Finder are just a few of the productivity improvements in this version. In addition, the new Window Shade feature reduces screen clutter by letting you collapse windows to access other windows behind them without closing documents. And the new Stickies feature lets you create on-screen reminder messages.
Apple Guide. This interactive on-screen help feature actually leads you through tasks step by step, so you can master the processes, procedures, and capabilities of your Macintosh and the applications running on it.
Macintosh PC Exchange and Macintosh Easy Open. These utilities allow you to work with DOS-formatted disks as though they were Mac OS disks. You can open and edit Mac OS, MS-DOS 6.2, and Windows 3.1 files even when you don't have the original application. (Appropriate file translators are required.)
QuickDraw GX. This new printing and graphics architecture lets you create portable "print and view" documents from any application. It provides enhanced printer control through desktop printer icons. It incorporates Apple's ColorSync technology for maintaining consistent color from scanned document to displayed image to printed result. In addition, it supports Apple TrueType and Adobe Type Manager GX font technologies, and is optimized for enhanced performance on Power Macintosh systems.
PowerTalk. PowerTalk provides a universal desktop mailbox for all electronic mail, fax, and Internet correspondence, and allows you to exchange mail with other PowerTalk users either without a server or through a PowerShare Collaboration Server (available separately). The DigiSign digital signature feature offers you and your colleagues the efficiency and security of signing off projects electronically and complies with the RSA Public Key Cryptography System.
PowerBook utilities. These features let you easily designate which files and folders to synchronize between your desktop Macintosh and your PowerBook--over a network, locally, or by using a floppy disk. They provide improved battery life by offer-ing automatic backlight dimming, persistent RAM disks, and sleep keys, so your PowerBook battery will last longer. A Control Strip gives you convenient access to AppleTalk on/off, battery monitor, file sharing, hard disk spin-down, power management, sound volume, and more. And these utilities let you designate files to be printed the next time you connect to a printer.
AppleScript. You can create custom solutions by linking and automating functions from different applications--and from the Finder.
MacTCP. This feature prepares your Macintosh for con-nection to other systems using the industry-standard Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking protocols.
QuickTime. This industry-standard multimedia technology enables you to edit and play back digital video. It's optimized for enhanced performance on Power Macintosh computers, and through its cross-platform file format you can play back Macintosh QuickTime files on Windows software-based systems by using QuickTime for Windows.

Macintosh Application Environment

Macintosh Application Environment (MAE)--the virtual Macintosh for open systems--is an innovative software product that allows users of UNIX RISC-based workstations to run Macintosh 680x0 applications right on their system. A complete Macintosh envi-ronment in an X Window, MAE brings the functionality and ease of use of the Macintosh computer to Sun Microsystems SPARC-stations running the SunSoft Solaris operating system, as well as to Hewlett-Packard Series 700 workstations running HP-UX.

Is a virtual Macintosh. MAE provides the familiar Macintosh graphical user interface and desktop in an X Window. Based on the Macintosh System 7.1 Finder (and incorporating several features of Macintosh System 7.5), MAE lets you open UNIX files (including NFS-mounted volumes), access UNIX applications through the Macintosh user interface, and use systems services (such as PostScript printers on the UNIX network).

Runs Macintosh applications. MAE lets you use the most popular off-the-shelf Macintosh software on your UNIX workstation. It provides one consistent interface for all Macintosh applications, complete with icons, menus, windows, and outline fonts. It even reads Macintosh high-density floppy disks and CD-ROMs.

Integrates smoothly with UNIX. MAE is fully integrated with the standard UNIX file system and allows you to copy and paste text and graphics between the UNIX and Macintosh environments. MAE organizes UNIX files and applications, and allows use of the control panels from the Macintosh desktop to configure your keyboard, mouse, and monitor settings.

Makes networking easy. Through built-in support for AppleTalk, you can easily share documents, electronic mail, and printers with other MAE and Macintosh users, allowing for tighter integration between UNIX workstations and Macintosh-based administrative systems. And support for MacTCP enables you to access the Internet and TCP/IP-based applications.

At Ease 3.0: Feel good about sharing your family Macintosh

With At Ease 3.0 software, you can manage your shared Macintosh and make your Macintosh even easier to use. It's perfect for home use (especially if you have young children), offices, classrooms, and training centers. At Ease offers a choice of two interfaces that you can easily customize for every age and level of computer experience. For young children and novice users, there's the simple At Ease desktop, which features large buttons and folders. Or you can set up the familiar Macintosh Finder interface for older children, teens, or more experienced users. Whichever interface you choose, the security features of At Ease protect your files and applications. Version 3.0 offers several significant improvements over the previous version of At Ease:

Security within the Finder interface.
Separate At Ease panels for CD-ROMs and floppy disks. Makes it easier to access multimedia titles, and also lets you decide which CD titles and contents are appropriate for your children.
Simplified setup and configuration. Streamlines the process of installing and configuring your At Ease software.
Support for up to 40 users. Lets you create customized envi-ronments for up to 40 different people on non-networked computers, such as an entire school class.

At Ease for Workgroups 3.0: Controls access to applications and files in networked environments

Ideal for schools and universities, At Ease for Workgroups 3.0 software lets you easily manage a group of shared Macintosh computers on a network. You can create customized working environments for different ages, levels of computing experience, and needs--choosing from the simple At Ease desktop or the familiar Macintosh Finder interface. The security features of At Ease for Workgroups protect your files and applications. Version 3.0 offers a number of enhancements over the previous version:

Easy customization. Supports up to 200 different configurations and 4,000 users.* Separate At Ease panels for CD-ROMs and floppy disks. Makes it easier to access multimedia titles, and also lets you decide which CD titles and contents are appropriate for students.
A new security level. Allows minor administrative tasks, such as control of user passwords and application access, to be handled by someone other than the administrator (such as instructors).
Shared-access and drop-box folders. Makes it easy for groups to share files, and for students to submit assignments electronically.
Support for multiple servers. Lets you use At Ease for Workgroups on a network with more than one server.

Apple Personal Diagnostics

Apple Personal Diagnostics software helps you keep your Macintosh trouble-free by performing comprehensive diagnostic tests on your logic board, hard disk, floppy disk drive, system software, and display. It also provides information about your system configuration. The Automated Diagnostics feature allows you to test your Macintosh automatically when you aren't using it. You'll be alerted to problems and given simple steps to correct them. Apple Personal Diagnostics supports more than 140 Macintosh models, from the Macintosh Plus through the Power Macintosh 9500/150.

Learning and Entertainment

Apple CD-ROM Collection

The Apple CD-ROM Collection is designed to help users get the most from their multimedia computers, by offering affordable bundles of CD-ROM-based titles. The collection currently consists of 14 CD-ROM title packs--each containing three high-quality CD-ROMs. Each pack also includes the Xpand Xpo CD, which features demos of all the available CD-ROM titles as well as thousands of other Macintosh-related products.

Children's learning and entertainment titles. Packs designed for young users include Smart Fun for Kids, Creative Activities for Kids, and Adventures for Kids.

Adult entertainment and reference titles. Packs designed for adults include Sports and Humor, Encyclomedia, and Learning for Adults.

Apple Home Learning Series

Apple Home Learning products are designed to encourage learning beyond the classroom by building bridges between school and home. By providing powerful, playful, and engaging experiences, our products will inspire children's love of learning. These products are built on rich curriculum-focused content, giving students a head start in school. Titles are based on the best thinking on how children learn and how technology can foster their learning. Apple Home Learning Series products are available in both Mac OS and Windows versions.

Earth Explorer. Take a multimedia tour of the environment. With Earth Explorer, children will discover a fascinating new way to understand our planet through hundreds of interactive articles, games, puzzles, videos, and more. Supported by the National Science Foundation, Earth Explorer is designed to develop critical-thinking skills through engaging games that highlight vital environmental issues.
WiggleWorks Story Packs 1 & 2. Developed by Scholastic, a leading educational publisher, WiggleWorks is the classroom-proven software that has helped thousands of children learn to read and write. Each WiggleWorks Story Pack combines three engaging and educational stories that encourage children to explore creative reading and writing activities on their own or with a parent. WiggleWorks is designed to be fun yet challenging, while allowing kids to learn at their own pace. Parents can customize the WiggleWorks setup for various reading and writing skill levels, making it ideal for multiple-child households. With WiggleWorks, children are also able to write and print their own books and record their voices.

Compatibility and Communications

The Apple Internet Connection Kit

The Apple Internet Connection Kit is a collection of Apple and third-party software that allows a Macintosh user to connect directly to the Internet quickly and easily. Designed as an all-in-one solution, the kit facilitates registration with an Internet service provider, enabling you to get connected to the Internet immediately. It includes a "getting started" guide, Apple Guide on-line support, and the following Internet applications:

Apple Internet Dialer software for quick, on-line registration with a qualified Internet service provider
Netscape Navigator World Wide Web browser software
Claris Emailer Lite e-mail software
Fetch FTP software for downloading files
Aladdin StuffIt Expander decompression software
NewsWatcher newsgroup browser software
SLIP and PPP communications software
NCSA Telnet for connecting to UNIX-based libraries and catalogs
QuickTime VR Player multimedia viewer software
Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files
RealAudio Player from Progressive Networks to play audio in real time over the Internet

Open Transport

Apple Open Transport is a set of integrated software tools designed to help users configure, and organizations manage, multiprotocol networking on the Macintosh. It supports AppleTalk and TCP/IP networking, as well as serial data com-munications. Apple Open Transport features new, easy-to-use control panels and offers a choice of three levels of user control: Basic, Advanced, and Administrator. It provides a superset of the functionality of the previous TCP/IP Connection for Macintosh and AppleTalk Connection for Macintosh, adding support for dynamic and static protocol addressing in AppleTalk, as well as TCP/IP support for IP multicast for Internet multimedia applications and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) for easier network management.

Cyberdog

Cyberdog is a unique Internet product suite that lets you focus on what you want to get from the Internet, rather than on the Internet itself. Based on Apple's OpenDoc component software technology, it brings Macintosh ease of use to the Internet--providing a simple, consistent way of dealing with the wealth of Internet content and services so you can take maximum advantage of this incredible resource.

Today, the very popularity of the Internet has become problematic: It's increasingly difficult to wade through all of the available content to find items of use or interest--as well as to communicate this information to others. Cyberdog is designed to deal with both problems, by providing a range of integrated, consistent Internet access and communications capabilities.

With Cyberdog, you have simple, organized access to all of the standard Internet services--mail, newsgroups, searching, browsing, and tracking your activities. But more important, Cyberdog lets you create customized views of the Internet for yourself or for others by developing documents that can include text, graphics, live "buttons" to specific Internet sites, and even viewers that display live Internet content. So, for example, if your business could benefit from the latest news about commodities prices and politics in a specific region, you want to keep up on international market activities, and you want to know what to do if you're having equipment problems, you could create a document that provides precisely that information--and save all of the time and energy you and your employees would otherwise spend "surfing the Net" looking for helpful items.

Cyberdog functionality includes simple, single-button access to the Internet, and a host of useful tools: a notebook and log, which let you save your favorite Internet places and keep track of where you've been; integrated mail and newsgroup services, with extensive sorting, filing, and search options; a Drag and Drop Web browser; and integrated data viewers, so you can simply click on any data type to have it rendered appropriately--no more worries about assembling the right collection of "helper" applications to deal with most common Internet data types.

What makes Cyberdog unique is that it lets you handle a number of disparate Internet-related functions intuitively, with the same consistency of action you're used to on your Macintosh; double-click to open, drag to copy--whether you're dealing with a site's URL or a data file. That's because Cyberdog takes advantage of OpenDoc technology--which lets multiple software modules work together as a single, seamless application--to provide a level of integration unmatched by any other Internet tool. And the modular nature of Cyberdog also means that you can choose to replace or update any of its components as new functionality becomes available--a boon to anyone trying to stay abreast of the fast-changing world of the Internet.

MacX: Apple's high-performance X Window System solution for the Mac OS

MacX 1.5 software makes it easy to access network-based X applications from your Macintosh or Power Macintosh computer. Accelerated for Power Macintosh and supporting the latest X Window System industry standard--X11 Release 5--MacX 1.5 lets you run the latest X applications side by side with your favorite software for the Mac OS. You can even cut and paste text and graphics between the two environments. And users in multivendor environments will appreciate the MacX support for standard networking protocols, including AppleTalk, TCP/IP, and DECnet. Simple to set up and use, MacX is the easiest way to connect your Macintosh to the X Window System.

Apple Remote Access

Apple Remote Access lets you use a modem and telephone lines to connect a remote Macintosh or PowerBook computer to another Macintosh computer or to an entire AppleTalk network. The Apple Remote Access product family provides an easy-to-use, cost-effective, and secure solution for an entire range of Macintosh users--from individuals to workgroups to large organizations.

Apple Remote Access Personal Server. Ideal for individuals or small organizations, this product provides remote access to a single Macintosh computer or an entire AppleTalk network over a single telephone line. It offers enhanced ease of use, productivity features, and security options, and includes Apple Remote Access Client for Macintosh software.

Apple Remote Access Client for Macintosh. This allows you to connect to any Apple Remote Access-compatible server.
Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server. This offers remote AppleTalk network access for large numbers of mobile profes-sionals. When used in conjunction with Apple Remote Access Client software and the appropriate hardware, this software converts a single Macintosh or Workgroup Server into a server that can support four simultaneous connections. And, when combined with one or more Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server 4-Port Expansion Kits, your server can support up to 16 simultaneous connections.
Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server 4-Port Expansion Kit. Expand your Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server with the Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server 4-Port Expansion Kit and get four more simultaneous connections with each expansion kit.
Apple Remote Access MultiPort X.25 Extension. This software gives you the ability to connect Apple Remote Access clients to an Apple Remote Access MultiPort Server through public or private networks, taking advantage of the communications cost savings that X.25 offers (requires MacX25).

PowerShare Collaboration Servers

With PowerShare Collaboration Servers, network administrators can centralize PowerTalk services (built into Macintosh System 7.5) for workgroup access. PowerShare software provides mail

and catalog server capabilities optimized for group use, and includes an additional level of network security.

Server-based mail. PowerShare stores all messages on a remote server, rather than on each user's computer. This makes it easy for network administrators to monitor disk allocation and use, and frees space on users' hard disks. PowerShare also enables retrieval of mail when using someone else's computer, and permits those sharing a computer to have private mailboxes.

Shared catalogs. With PowerShare, a single administrator handles everything--there's no need for individual users to maintain personal address books separately. Centralizing catalog administration makes your communications system more reliable--and makes users more productive.

Enhanced network security. PowerShare keeps communi-cations confidential by encrypting messages as they move along the network.

Easy installation and management. An Easy Setup utility allows the administrator to configure servers in a matter of minutes--just give the system a name and password, and Easy Setup takes care of the rest. All that's left is to add users. Subsequent server administration is performed using a remote administration program, allowing the network administrator to manage servers from any Macintosh computer on the network.

Version 1.1 lets you import text-file information such as Internet

addresses, phone numbers, and more. Internet addresses can reside in the PowerShare catalog, and then can be edited and maintained from within the PowerShare Administration Applica-tion. Also includes Apple Migration Tool for Microsoft Mail, which transfers information from a Microsoft Mail server to a PowerShare Server.

AppleSearch

AppleSearch information access and retrieval software provides an easy-to-use, powerful way for users of Mac OS-based or Windows 3.1 software-based computers (on an AppleTalk network) to find text-based information within documents stored on file servers, whether they're local servers in your office or remote WAIS servers connected to the Internet. AppleSearch lets users conduct concurrent, personalized searches on a server, and ranks the found documents in order of relevance. User-defined search criteria, called "reporters," track topics of interest--including on-line news feeds--and automatically format updates. Users can quickly find information on topics they specify, or they can let AppleSearch act as a personal agent that periodically provides updated information. AppleSearch processes natural-language queries, so users can ask for information in their own words.

AppleSearch server software. Maintains a feature-rich search engine that processes the queries of AppleSearch client users.

AppleSearch client software. Provides electronic reporters and newspaper-like updates as an intuitive way to retrieve information from the server. Lets users work in the operating system environment with which they are most familiar--whether it's the Mac OS or Windows 3.1.

AppleSearch Client Developer Kit. Includes basic software for developers who want to write custom client interfaces to the AppleSearch server or to integrate AppleSearch functionality into other applications.

MacSNMP

MacSNMP is Apple's implementation of the industry-standard network management protocol. It allows easy management of Macintosh computers on a network using a variety of avail-able third-party consoles. MacSNMP is supplied with all of the Connection for Macintosh products, including AppleTalk Connection for Macintosh and TCP/IP Connection for Macintosh.

Apple Internet Router

The Apple Internet Router implements the AppleTalk Update-based Routing Protocol (AURP), to substantially reduce network traffic over wide area networks (WANs) and to maximize use of network resources. It supports LocalTalk, Ethernet, and Token Ring connection, with wide-area linkage via dial-up modems, X.25, or TCP/IP.

Basic Connectivity Package. Routes AppleTalk over local area networks (LANs) and dial-up modem connections.

AppleTalk/X.25 Wide Area Extension. Routes AppleTalk over X.25 WANs.

AppleTalk/IP Wide Area Extension. Routes AppleTalk over an IP internet via IP tunneling.

The Apple IP Gateway

With the Apple IP Gateway, Macintosh users with Apple Remote Access, LocalTalk, or any other AppleTalk network connection can connect easily to an Ethernet-based TCP/IP network to use the full range of Internet Protocol (IP) services--including the vast array of Internet services such as Telnet, File Transfer Protocol (FTP), Gopher, World Wide Web, and Wide Area Information Servers (WAIS).

Flexible configuration. In conjunction with the Apple Internet Router software, the Apple IP Gateway provides IP access to any Macintosh computer that is part of the router's internet. When used in conjunction with an Apple Remote Access server, it provides access to remote or mobile users. Can be used as a stand-alone product, and can be installed on a wide range of Macintosh and Power Macintosh computers and Workgroup Servers.

Ease of setup, use, and administration. The Apple IP Gateway installs in minutes. Lets users transparently access TCP/IP and Internet resources.

Increased security. Dynamic address assignment reduces the chance of entry from external networks. IP access can be restricted to specific AppleTalk networks.

MacX25 software

MacX25 software links Macintosh computers to packet-switched data networks (PSDNs) supporting CCITT Recommendation X.25. Access to host computers and end-user services on the PSDN is then distributed from the server to Macintosh computers over the AppleTalk network system. MacX25 supports AppleTalk routing over X.25 when used with the Apple Internet Router, and it supports standard messaging when used with MacX.400 software.

Language Kits

Apple Language Kits

Apple Language Kits are software packages that offer every-thing needed to create, edit, and print documents in a variety of languages. They work with Macintosh, PowerBook, and PowerPC processor-based computers, and come with fonts and learning aids to help you get started computing in a language other than English.

Arabic Language Kit--Includes five Arabic and four Persian TrueType fonts that you can print in any size.
Chinese Language Kit--Includes scalable Chinese TrueType fonts; offers a variety of input methods, including Pinyin, Zhuyin, and Cangjie.
Cyrillic Language Kit--Includes three scalable Cyrillic fonts
Hebrew Language Kit--Includes four scalable Hebrew fonts.
Japanese Language Kit--Includes three Kanji TrueType fonts for high-quality output.
Korean Language Kit--Includes five scalable fonts; offers a variety of input methods, including Romaja and Hanza.

Programming

Oracle Power Objects

Oracle Power Objects software is designed to offer the simplest way to create powerful, cross-platform database applications. It is available in two versions (stand-alone and client/server) for both the Mac OS and Windows software platforms, for a total of four products. By combining the database power of Oracle with Apple's ease of use, Oracle Power Objects makes complex data-management functionality automatic--so you can focus on the unique requirements of your application, not on coding details.

Drag and Drop Objects. Oracle Power Objects streamlines the process of creating reusable application components by letting you work visually, using Drag and Drop Objects.

Familiar technologies. The Oracle Power Objects scripting language, Oracle Basic, leverages the popular BASIC syntax. And you can extend your applications with industry standards such as OCX and OLE 2. You can also call .DLLs under Windows 3.1.

Cross-platform development capabilities. With Oracle Power Objects, the applications you develop on Mac OS systems can run unmodified on Windows software-based systems and vice versa, so you can support all of your users by maintaining only a single set of source code.

Scalable solutions. The applications you create using Oracle Power Objects can scale seamlessly from the Local Database to the most popular relational database servers, including Oracle7, Sybase SQL Server, and Microsoft SQL Server.

AppleScript

AppleScript is the first truly integrated scripting, or macro, language developed for a personal computer. Its convenient natural-language syntax makes it easy to learn and use and enables you to automate routine and complex tasks to increase personal productivity. Dialects are provided for English, French, and Japanese. Tasks that can be automated include creating backups, filing files, accessing mainframes, and downloading mail.

AppleScript comes with built-in commands that make it easy to develop useful solutions. There are dozens of popular third-party applications that support and can be controlled by AppleScript. Thus, AppleScript is an ideal tool for integrating and harnessing the power of existing general-purpose applications to meet your specific needs.

AppleScript includes FaceSpan, an interface builder that lets you quickly put together custom applications with familiar Macintosh interface elements--all tied together by AppleScript commands. These commands can be entered manually or recorded in macros.

Mulimedia Tools

Multimedia tool software is located in the Multimedia section