FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 11, 1996
Press Contact:
Bill Doerrfeld
President
Blue World Communications, Inc.
(206) 313-1051
bill@blueworld.com
Lasso 1.1 is Available: New Features in Upgrade Enable More Powerful
Dynamic Web Data Serving. Operates now as a WebSTAR Plug-in.
ISSAQUAH, WA – December 11, 1996 – Blue World Communications, Inc.
announces the release of Lasso 1.1, the advanced tool for quickly
integrating Claris Corporation FileMaker Pro 3.0 for the Macintosh
databases with the Web.
Lasso is designed for blazing fast performance. Searching FileMaker Pro
Macintosh relational databases with tens of thousands of records in under a
second is now possible with Lasso.
Lasso operates by recognizing special commands placed in standard HTML
files. These commands define all interaction between FileMaker Pro and a
Mac OS Web server. Lasso functions as the “glue” between FileMaker Pro and
the Web. Lasso HTML files (or format files) are easily edited in HTML
authoring programs such as Claris Home Page with drag-and-drop control of
data using the supplied FM Link tool. Template files are provided for
setting up Web databases in literally just minutes.
Unlike other solutions, Lasso allows complete flexibility in how FileMaker
Pro data is formatted without requiring any changes to the actual database.
Lasso facilitates remote administration of Web database configurations from
anywhere on the Internet, making it the perfect tool for Web developers who
co-locate their Web server offsite. Lasso also provides sophisticated
routines for security allowing greater control over how databases are
served and administered in shared environments.
Lasso offers many advanced and/or unique features including support for
relations/portals, repeating fields, dynamic population of value lists,
built-in email forwarding, If… Else… conditional statements, built-in
remotely configured security and more.
Version 1.1 adds support for serving images directly from FileMaker Pro,
passing tokens (critical for user tracking schemes such as online shopping
carts), ScriptMaker scripts, dynamic control of user and browser
information, field and record level security, operation as a WebSTAR
plug-in and provides enhanced capabilities throughout Lasso’s core features.
Included free with Lasso version 1.1 are databases and template files for
creating online shopping stores (cyberstores), interactive discussion
forums and more. Lasso 1.1 ships as a free upgrade to registered Lasso 1.0
owners.
Beyond Web-Enabling FileMaker Pro Databases
Lasso provides functionality beyond just Web-enabling FileMaker Pro
databases. Lasso combines useful features such as email forwarding, HTTP
header parsing controls, security and powerful nested conditional
statements among others to provide a powerful all-in-one dynamic Web data
serving solution. Lasso 1.1 obviates a previous need to operate several
programs to achieve similar results. With its wealth of combined features,
Lasso breaks new ground in value and ease-of-use.
Lasso is Widely Adopted
Thousands of savvy Web developers seeking the best performing and easy way
to serve FileMaker Pro data on the Web, now use Lasso technology. Lasso
technology is currently in use behind high traffic and high profile sites
such as Apple’s Macintosh Hardware and Software Registry
(http://www.macsoftware.apple.com), the multi-million record Austrian
telephone number directory (http://www.atb.at/), the MIDAS (Macintosh
Internet Developer’s Association) membership registry
(http://www.biap.com/midas/), Mactivity, Inc.’s online registration
database (http://www.mactivity.com/) and independent columnist Ric Ford’s
MacInTouch website (http://www.macintouch.com) among numerous other sites.
Intelligent and Efficient Code Design
Lasso’s flexible object design allows modules to be easily constructed
permitting additional capabilities to be tightly interwoven with Lasso’s
core technology. Also, Lasso operates in a surprisingly low RAM footprint
of just 600k. As testament to Lasso’s intelligent code design, Blue World
released it’s significant Lasso 1.1 upgrade in just two months from Lasso
1.0’s release. Blue World will continue to develop new and innovative
features to ensure Lasso’s leadership position as both the novice and
expert’s choice for powerful, yet easy-to-use FileMaker Pro Web database
integration.
Pricing, Availability and Further Information
Further information about Lasso along with online examples and demos is
available at http://www.blueworld.com/lasso/. An email discussion forum,
Lasso Talk, is available for support and tips on using Lasso. (To subscribe
to Lasso Talk, send a message to lasso@blueworld.com with SUBSCRIBE as
subject.) The searchable archives for Lasso Talk are available to the
public at http://www.blueworld.com/lists/lasso/search.html.
Lasso is currently electronically distributed direct from Blue World
Communications at $299. Lasso is also available as a shrink-wrapped package
sold by resellers including MacZone and others. Direct sales inquiries to
sales@blueworld.com.
Lasso, FileMaker Pro and a Mac OS Web server redefine performance and
ease-of-use setting up professional Internet and intranet database
solutions that accommodate the needs of the vast majority of businesses and
organizations.
On FileMaker Pro on the Web
FileMaker Pro 3.0 for Macintosh from Claris Corporation, a subsidiary of
Apple Computer, is accepted as the preferred database for Mac-based Web
serving, excelling in ease of use, flexibility and performance. Blue World
Communications is a recognized leader in developing sophisticated custom
FileMaker Pro on the Web solutions and now with Lasso brings this
capability to vast numbers of Web developers.
For more information on FileMaker Pro please visit the Claris website at
http://www.claris.com/ or join the FileMaker Talk or FileMaker CGI Talk
email lists hosted by Blue World Communications, Inc. at
http://www.blueworld.com/lists/.
For more information on Web-enabling FileMaker Pro databases, please visit
Blue World president Bill Doerrfeld’s White Paper on “Publishing FileMaker
Pro Databases on the Web” at http://www.blueworld.com/fmpweb/.
For more information about the growing number of websites that serve data
using FileMaker Pro, please visit the “Cool FileMaker Pro Databases on the
Web” site at http://www.blueworld.com/fmpweb/coolsites.html.
About Blue World Communications, Inc.
Blue World Communications, Inc.’s mission is “Bringing Business to the
Internet”. Blue World Communications provides a wide range of Internet
products and services including Internet product development, custom
programming, Website design, development and hosting, email listserver
hosting and maintenance and other services. Blue World specializes in
FileMaker Pro Web database connectivity and is committed to further
developing easy to use Internet tools which utilize FileMaker Pro.
Blue World’s first commercial Internet product, MacSite Searcher allows
indexing and searching of text on one’s Mac-served Website using FileMaker
Pro and Userland’s Frontier. Blue World’s MailArchiver product
automatically archives email from popular Mac OS email programs such as
Claris Emailer, Qualcomm’s Eudora, Quarterdeck’s ListSTAR and Apple’s Apple
Internet Mail Server into a FileMaker Pro database. MailArchiver enables
rapid searching on thousands of email messages in just seconds and combined
with Lasso, allows email to be made available via the Web.
To order Blue World Communications products call 1-206-313-1051, email
sales@blueworld.com, or visit the Blue World Communications Website at
http://www.blueworld.com/.
Lasso, MailArchiver, MacSite Searcher and Blue World Communications are
trademarks of Blue World Communications, Inc. Claris, Emailer, and
FileMaker Pro are trademarks of Claris Corporation, registered in the U.S.
and other countries. Eudora is a trademark of Qualcomm, Inc. ListSTAR is a
trademark of Quarterdeck. Apple Internet Mail Server is a trademark of
Apple Computer. Other product and corporate names are the property of their
respective holders.