FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Andrew Clarke (aclarke@pictorius.com) 902.492.2880 x248
December 17, 1996
Pictorius Adds Mail Server and Three New Agents
to Free Macintosh Net Servers
December 17, 1996 – Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada – Pictorius Inc. today
announced the release of version 1.1 of their free Pictorius Net Servers
(formerly Entrada! Net Servers) for Macintosh. Version 1.1 includes a Mail
(SMTP and POP3) server, three new agents, redesigned security features and
performance optimizations. Pictorius Net Servers v1.1 is available for free
and can be downloaded from the Pictorius web site at
http://www.pictorius.com/main/products/net_servers/ns_form.html
The new mail server features the same easy to set up and use graphical user
interface of the previous web server (see Pictorius Releases Free Macintosh
Net Servers – October 28, 1996) and support for SMTP and POP3 mail
protocols. Pictorius has redesigned the Security features so that they work
across all protocols and servers. Because the Net Servers use shared
security resources any user or group set up in one server, the web server
for example, can also be used in any other server without the administrator
having to re-set up users or groups.
Pictorius Net Servers version 1.1 has three new agents along with the 14
Agents included with the first release. Similar in function to a CGI
(Common Gateway Interface), but compiled into the server application, an
agent acts as an interface between the user and other programs or
information, making the server more intelligent and useful. For example, a
simple agent might take data from the user via a form and save it to a
database.
The new agents included with version 1.1 are:
HTML Tracker Agent (an invisible counter):
The Tracker agent is similar to other Counter Agents in that it keeps a
running count of hits to a web page. The major difference is that the
counter is “invisible” to the web browser. This enables a webmaster to keep
track of hits to any location with no visible image to the user.
The Tracker agent automatically generates a text file (with a .html
extension) in which this count is kept. That text file is named after the
HTML file in which it is called, and located in the same folder that the
HTML file is located in.
The Tracker agent need only be installed once, yet it will keep track of
every page in which the agent metatag is called.
HTTP Form to Mail Agent
This agent collects information obtained from a form filled out and
submitted on a Web page and sends the information to an email address. For
example: A company is set up with various web sites all over the world to
sell products. On each site is a form which would be filled out for
purchase. When the information is submitted it is returned to a specific
email address (the company head office) for processing.
HTTP Min Form to File Agent
The HTTP Min Form to File Agent works in a similar way to the HTTP Form to
File Agent with the difference being that you are able to specify which
fields are required and which are not required to be filled in by the user
before acceptance of the form for processing.
Net Servers Mailing List
NetServers-Talk is an Internet mailing list for use by managers of Internet
sites that run Pictorius Net Servers. Only subscribers may post to this
list.
To subscribe to the NetServers-Talk mailing list, send an e-mail to the
ListServ listserv@dsop.com. In the subject line or in the body, type
“SUBSCRIBE NetServers-Talk your_real_name”. Send the message. You will be
added to the list. To receive the HELP file, which includes all available
commands, send mail to the same address, but with the command “HELP” in the
subject line or in the body of the message.
To send mail to the list send an e-mail to NetServers-Talk@DSOP.COM. Be
sure to include a meaningful SUBJECT as the message will be sent to all
subscribers of the list.
System Requirements
Pictorius Net Servers require a 68030 or higher Macintosh computer, Open
Transport version 1.1 and System 7.5.3 (with Thread Manager installed). A
complete installation of the Pictorius Net Servers will require 6.5 MB disk
space for full install, including online documentation and require a
minimum of 8 MB RAM to run.
Pictorius Inc. develops, publishes and supports a family of Inter/intranet
and client/server development tools and the Prograph CPX development
environment. Pictorius is a privately held company with 35 employees based
in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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