Due a power failure that prevented several news sources from getting this
release, StarNine is re-releasing this announcement.
——
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Naomi Pearce
Pearce Communications
510/528-0824
Email: naomi@well.com
STARNINE ANNOUNCES PUBLIC BETA OF WEBSTAR 3.0
— Major Upgrade To Popular Web Server Includes New Interface, FTP and
Proxy Servers, Multi-homing Support, WebObjects Adapter, and More —
BERKELEY, Calif., December 6, 1998 — StarNine Technologies, Inc., a
subsidiary of Quarterdeck Corporation, today announced the immediate public
availability of the beta version of WebSTAR 3.0, scheduled for final
release in January. This major upgrade to the award-winning Web server
software for the Mac OS(tm) includes new FTP and Proxy servers,
multi-homing, a revamped WebSTAR Admin interface and support for the latest
Internet standards including HTTP 1.1, Javasoft’s Java(tm) Servlet API and
WebObjects. A beta version of WebSTAR 3.0 can now be freely downloaded from
(http://www.starnine.com/). The upgrade will be priced at $199 for current
users of version 2.x, or $299 for users upgrading from version 1.x.
New FTP and Caching Proxy Servers Included in WebSTAR 3.0
Integrated into WebSTAR 3.0 is a full-featured FTP server that makes it
easy to serve files to clients, and upload files to the server. Also
included is a caching Proxy server that offers many benefits for network
administrators and Internet users at WebSTAR sites, including increased
security, faster browsing and the ability to set privileges and block
access to specific sites.
Multi-homing, Virtual Domains and Language-Based Routing
For users running Apple’s Open Transport 1.3 (now in beta), WebSTAR
supports multi-homing, so that one server can serve multiple Web sites,
each on a unique IP address. Independent of Open Transport 1.3, Virtual
domain support is also now included, for serving multiple Web sites, all
running on one IP address. Language-based routing is another new feature,
allowing the server to read the language preference setting in the browser,
and serve the content hierarchy created for that language.
Streamlined Administrative Interface
The new WebSTAR Admin application has been completely redesigned to be
easier to use, while offering greater flexibility and power. This new
version makes it easy for webmasters to remotely administer multiple
WebSTAR servers over an encrypted TCP/IP connection.
Latest Internet Standards Support
In addition to supporting Mac OS CGIs and WebSTAR API-based Plug-Ins and
Java(tm) Sapplets, WebSTAR 3.0 now supports Javasoft’s Java Servlet API by
including Live Software Inc.’s JRun, a Java Servlet runner (see related
press release dated 1.6.98). WebSTAR 3.0 also supports HTTP 1.1, including
pipelining, which greatly speeds the download time to the browser. A
WebObjects(tm) Adapter is included providing communication between WebSTAR
and WebObjects applications on any platform.
Many Additional Features
WebSTAR 3.0 includes powerful site indexing and search capabilities, based
on the Apple Information Access Toolkit (formerly known as V-Twin). In
addition to indexing the contents of TEXT files, WebSTAR can also index the
text contents of Adobe Acrobat PDF files.
The Server-Side-Includes (SSI) capabilities have been greatly extended,
including support for dynamic caching of SSI processed items and a new Tag
Registry allowing third-party Plug-Ins to augment the SSI tag processing
capabilities of WebSTAR.
The data caching feature now displays a data cache efficiency gauge
allowing webmasters to optimize their server for best performance. Numerous
other improvements have been made to the directory indexing, file upload
and log archiving features.
“With WebSTAR 3.0 we’re delivering the state-of-the-art features requested
by current WebSTAR users, while still making it easier for new users to
create their Web site,” said Eric Zelenka, product manager for WebSTAR.
“The FTP server, search engine and enhanced SSI features will enable users
to develop much richer sites. Administration is also much more intuitive
through the completely redesigned WebSTAR Admin, also enabling remote
administration over TCP/IP.”
“The new Proxy server lets sites use WebSTAR as an internal proxy server to
increase security, speed Internet access and block unwanted sites,” said
Zelenka. “Virtual host support enables a single WebSTAR server to serve
content for multiple Web sites. And in terms of standards, WebSTAR is more
extensible than ever, with new support for Java Servlets, WebObjects and
the latest WebSTAR API (W*API 1.3)”
Availability
The beta version of WebSTAR 3.0 is available now from StarNine’s Web site
at (http://www.starnine.com/). The upgrade is scheduled for release in
January. Pricing has not been determined.
About StarNine and Quarterdeck
StarNine Technologies, Inc. is a subsidiary of Quarterdeck Corporation
located in Berkeley, California, leading the development of Internet server
software, content creation tools, and email connectivity products. Best
known for its WebSTAR Web server software, StarNine also offers ListSTAR
list server software, WebCollage automated content creation software,
Quarterdeck Mail and Mail*Link Internet email gateways. Further information
on StarNine may be obtained by calling 510/649-4949, accessing StarNine’s
Web site at http://www.starnine.com, or by emailing info@starnine.com.
Quarterdeck Corporation, StarNine’s parent company, is a developer and
marketer of utilities and Internet software for small business, home
office, corporate, government and individual personal computer users. Its
worldwide headquarters are in Marina del Rey, California, with Dublin,
Ireland serving as its European headquarters. Further information on
Quarterdeck may be obtained by calling 800/354-3222, accessing
Quarterdeck’s Web site at http://www.quarterdeck.com, or by emailing
info@quarterdeck.com.