Formation of Macintosh Internet Developers Association (MIDAS) Announced at MacWorld
Group to Act as Clearinghouse for Macintosh Internet Client, Content and Server Standards
Boston, MA August 7, 1996 –MacWorld– A consortium of Internet software developers for the Macintosh, representing the entire
spectrum of commercial, independent, and educational developers, announced the formation of the Macintosh Internet Developers’
Association (MIDAS) at MacWorld Boston. Among the members of MIDAS are Akimbo Systems, Aladdin Systems, Apple
Computer, Inc., BareBones Software, Inc., ClearWay Technologies, Cornell University, InterCon Systems, Maxum Development,
Microsoft Corporation, Netscape Communications Corporation, Purity Software, ResNova Software, Stairways Software, the
StarNine division of Quarterdeck Corporation, and Userland Software.
THE CHARTER
The charter of MIDAS calls for a forum in which Macintosh developers devise and refine standards and techniques for Mac-based
Internet software, publish Mac-related standards proposals and documents, and coordinate activities with other standards groups
such as IETF and W3C. MIDAS will also work to sustain and grow a robust market for Macintosh Internet software.
FIRST ORDERS OF BUSINESS
Among the first orders of business MIDAS expects to take up are discussions about web server standards, including the CGI
standard, WebSTAR API, and server-side Java and developing standards for tighter integration between different types of Internet
tools, including content creation tools, scripting environments, and browsers, such as BBEdit, Cyberdog, Frontier, Globetrotter,
HomePage, Internet Explorer, NetCloak, NetForms, Navigator, and PageMill. In addition, MIDAS will examine proposals for
providing system-level integration of basic Internet client services such as HTTP, FTP, and Mail. The current “GetURL” Apple
event, FTP, and the Embedded HTML for Macintosh pictures standards will also be reviewed.
MEMBERS REPRESENT FULL SPECTRUM OF MAC DEVELOPERS
“The Macintosh provides the best platform on the Net today for integrating scripting environments and content tools,” remarked
Dave Winer, president of Userland Software. “MIDAS’s collective effort will ensure that the Mac continues to lead in this area and
that important standards such as Internet Config are carried forward and ported to other important platforms.”
“We think MIDAS will help the Macintosh reach its fullest potential on the Internet, both as a platform and business opportunity for
developers,” commented Chuck Shotton, Fellow at Quarterdeck Corporation. “MIDAS provides the perfect venue for us to work
closely with other developers to refine web server standards for the Macintosh.”
“The Macintosh Internet community has worked together informally for years, producing such standards as Internet Config,
command-clicking of URLs and the GURL AppleEvent suite.” said Peter N Lewis, CEO of Stairways Software. “MIDAS gives us
a way of continuing this effort.”
“MIDAS has an important role to play both in creating a common context for Macintosh-based Internet innovators to leverage each
others’ work, as well as to offer the benefits of their insight to the broader Internet standards community which builds on all
platforms,” said Martin Haeberli, director of technology at Netscape Communications Corporation. “As a MIDAS member,
Netscape plans to work with MIDAS and Apple to help build consensus on the adoption of open internet standards such as common
Java Runtime APIs and IPv6 and thereby drive internet-based business opportunities for the Macintosh developer community.”
“MIDAS applies the open process of Web standard introduction and evolution to the Macintosh.” said Don Bradford, general
manager, IPTD Crossplatform, Microsoft Corporation. “It offers a focused venue for Macintosh developers to introduce
opportunities, discuss challenges, propose solutions and disseminate information. We welcome this opportunity to participate.”
“MIDAS will help us ensure that the recently introduced ‘Virtual T1’ technology is compatible with the full range of Macintosh
Internet tools.” commented Mark Kriegsman, president of Clearway Technologies. “It’s good for our business, and it’s great for
our customers.”
“The Mac Internet Developer’s Association sends a clear message: the vibrant entrepreneurial community that has driven Apple’s
position on the Internet is continuing to focus on making the Mac the leading ‘place to be.'” said Heidi Roizen, vice-president of
developer relations at Apple Computer, Inc. “There’s tremendous brain-power represented in this group and we are thrilled to have
them focusing attention on the Macintosh.”
Developers interested in joining MIDAS can do so by sending e-mail to midas@biap.com with a subject of “subscribe.” More
information is also available at the temporary MIDAS Web site: http://www.biap.com/midas/.
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