Photo shows WebCompiler V.98 1.11 making book on @Macarlo's NT 4 SP5
WebCompiler/InfoCourier
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Photo shows WebCompiler V.98 1.11 making book on @Macarlo's NT 4 SP5 WebCompiler/InfoCourier |
by @Macarlo, ASP member
When I migrated from the paper to the web my primary goal was: "How can I do to make books in HTML?" This problem in finally solved now with InfoCourier (16 bits) and WebCompiler 32 bits. With this compilers I can make HTML books on OS/2 (WinOS2) and on NT. Click the animated logo below to jump the developers web site and download a trial copy.
To see WebCompiler compiling on NT 4 SP 5 click here>###
To see "OS/2 Tools in Review" made by InfoCourier running on @Macarlo's Warp 4.0 with Opera click here>###
WebCompiler is an 32 bits HTML Compiler; Basically, WebCompiler 98 allows you to take a collection of HTML, either from a Web Site you already have or maybe HTML you prepared specially, and turn it into a single self-contained "executable" file that you can use for any number of purposes. Very little technical knowledge is required to do so. If you are interested in download the little book I made today May 20, 199 with WebCompiler (photo above), the zip have 486KB. Click here to get it>###
Built in searching allows the user of the presentation to find information within it. The underlying HTML can be made inaccessible, andgroups of pages can be protected with passwords, allowing information to be restricted to authorised users, or maybe even sold.Form processing allows you to build presentations that request data from the user, or catalogues, shopping cart type applications etc.Click the animated logo on the top for more information. Price - $149.00 US Dollars
WebCompiler is an "HTML Compiler". In simple terms it takes a set of HTML and associated files (images, embedded video etc.) and turns it into a self-contained executable that can be distributed in any number of ways, on CD or floppy disk, via download etc. The overhead beyond the compressed size of the HTML, images etc. that go to make up the presentation is around 370K.
No "installation" of the compiled executable is required, it will run directly from whatever installation medium it is supplied on.
When the executable is run, the user is presented with a hypertext linked presentation, much like he would see on a WebSite.
The vast majority of modern HTML is supported, including Dynamic HTML and other modern innovations. WebCompiler reuses the IE4 (or above) rendering engine. With a few exceptions mostly because the HTML is not on a real "server", almost anything that is supported by IE4 (or later, WebCompiler has been tested with beta versions of IE5) will be supported by WebCompiler.
Support for Microsoft's Embedded Font technology allows the author to be confident the end-user will see the content exactly as intended, whether or not the user has the requisite fonts installed.
WebCompiler also supports the scripting languages JavaScript and VBScript.
Unfortunately JAVA is not supported because of the unique way the Microsoft JAVA VM accesses its data (this may be due to licensing issues).
Apart from simplifying the distribution of HTML by packaging it neatly in a single unit, WebCompiler provides a range of other advantages over shipping the original HTML
The source code (HTML) can be made inaccessible to the end user. Compression reduces the size required without needing the user to "unzip" or otherwise install the HTML. Pages or complete directories of HTML can be protected by password/userid combinations. Passwords can also be related to specific systems. An expiry date can be set beyond which the HTML cannot be accessed. Built-in multithreaded searching allows the user to search the entire presentation, and save the results of searches for future reload. Built-in form processing provides multiple ways for the user to return data to the presentation's author, even though there is no "server" involved. Form data input by the user can be printed, using a second "template page" also specified in HTML to produce sophisticated "order forms" etc. Form data can also be returned via email, or saved to file, or returned directly via a TCP/IP connection to an SMTP server. Form data can be encrypted using the standard Blowfish algorithm with up to 448 byte keys, and there is built in algorithmic checking of Credit Card numbers. Specific support is included for processing "repetitive" input data to facilitate the development of Shopping Carts, Product Catalogues and similar applications. Branding can be applied to the presentation, using user specified Icon, Splash Screen and Toolbar logo. The interface can be customised by removal of the Toolbar, Status Bar or even the removal of the complete user interface to provide a "Kiosk Mode" that the user cannot escape from (On Win95/98). Special support is included to enable printing from "Kiosk Mode" applications even though no Print menu command or toolbar button is available. The size of the interface window can optionally be fixed, so the user sees the presentation exactly as the author intended (screen capability permitting). Support is included to allow the execution of external programs. In this way presentations can be "chained" or a presentation used as a menu system for software installation or similar tasks. The interface can be translated into languages other than English.
WebCompiler takes the Web "off the 'net"
At December 14th 1998, in Hartford, Cheshire , Oakley Data Services was announced the release of WebCompiler V1.10, an easy to use product that allows the development and distribution of stand-alone, content rich, fully searchable hypertext linked presentations developed using HTML, the standard "Web language".
The possible uses for WebCompiler are almost limitless, ranging from product catalogues through "kiosk mode" applications to product documentation, educational materials, promotional materials and beyond. Using WebCompiler, organisations can leverage any investment they already have in HTML. Usually only minimal changes are required to convert existing HTML and associated images, videos etc. to a form suitable for WebCompiler to use.
JavaScript, VBScript and Dynamic HTML support enables the production of sophisticated visual and other effects.
Built-in support for processing "forms" makes WebCompiler the ideal tool to use to create a product catalogue. End users can view product descriptions and photographs, select items, and return an order electronically, by file on disk, or print an order form to mail in. Optional encryption capabilities using standard encryption algorithms (with up to 448 bytes keys) protect sensitive data, and built-in algorithmic credit card number validation helps avoid end user errors. JavaScript or similar can be used to provide other forms of validation if required.
Specifically designed WebCompiler "actions" facilitate the production of "shopping cart" and similar type applications. An organisation could produce their complete product catalogue of up to 650Mb of compressed data with searching and ordering capability and distribute it on a cheap to produce CD, or even more using DVD.
Searching capabilities allow the user to search for specific text across the whole of the "compiled web". Searching is multi-threaded, the user can continue to navigate around while the search is proceeding, and select and navigate to pages found early in the search process while the search continues. Search results can be saved and subsequently reloaded, avoiding the need to repeat what could be quite lengthy searches given the maximum theoretical presentation size of 2 Gigabytes of compressed HTML. Searches can be limited to just page titles, just keywords or permitted through all the text in the presentation. The author can designate pages not to be included in a search if required.
Protection mechanisms allow the author to password protect access to specific pages or complete directories of HTML. Password protection is based on a combination of a userid and associated password, allowing different passwords to be issued to different users. Different passwords can be required for different pages or directories. An author specified page can be designated to be shown when the wrong (or no) password is provided, to explain how to go about acquiring a password for example.
It is also possible to provide passwords related to the specific system the presentation is running on, rather than being related to a specific userid. The chances of the same password working on two different systems is small. These capabilities make it possible to sell access to data, images etc. much like on the Web. Access to the source HTML can also be restricted.
A fully configurable user interface allows authors to "brand" their presentations with corporate logos, splash screens and icons, and translation of the interface into other languages can be accomplished by the presentation author very simply. An expiry date can also be specified, after which access to the data will be disallowed and a user designated page can optionally be displayed to explain how to acquire an update.
WebCompiler supports Microsoft's Embedded Font technology. This important new technology allows the author to be confident the end-user will see the content exactly as intended, whether or not the user has the requisite fonts installed.
The ability to execute external programs is provided, or other programs can be "compiled in" to the presentation and will execute when the appropriate hypertext link is selected. Using these capabilities makes WebCompiler the ideal vehicle for distributing software - demographic information can be required before a password enabling access to the installation routine is provided, or pre-installation instructions etc. can be provided.
"Hybrid" presentations are possible, with the majority of the data "compiled in", but some data left to be accessed at runtime from the Internet. Examples of uses for this could include financial information with current exchange and interest rates; product catalogues with real-time pricing; software catalogues that accessed the latest version from the Internet for installation, and many others. WebCompiler is suitable for use on any 32Bit Windows system on the Intel platform that has Microsoft Internet Explorer 4 or above installed.
WebCompiler is priced at £99.00 Sterling (plus VAT if applicable) anywhere in the world except North America, or 149.00 US Dollars (plus Utah state taxes if applicable) in North America.
WebCompiler is a free upgrade to existing users of InfoCourier, our 16bit HTML Compiler.
A fully functional evaluation copy is available from the WebCompiler Web Site at
CONTACT AUTHOR
Oakley Data Services
Lion Buildings, Market Place, Uttoxeter, Staffs, ST14 8HZ, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 (0)1889 565064 Fax: +44 (0)1889 563219
E-Mail: 74774.1347@compuserve.com
E-Mail: info@webcompiler.com
North America
Insight Software Solutions Inc.,
P.O. Box 354,
Bountiful, UT 84011-0354,
USA
Call: (801) 295-1890
Fax: (801) 299-1781
E-Mail: info@wintools.com
Review copies available upon request.
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