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[ Go to March 1997 Table of Contents ]
News
-- by James E. Powell
Java has always had one glittering promise-to make real the developer's dream of writing one application and running it on multiple platforms. Not many applications have actually come down the pike so far, but they're on their way. And they're likely to have a major impact on existing products. Case in point: Sanga Pages, from Burlington, MA-based Sanga International, is a suite that turns a Java-enabled Web browser (including Netscape Navigator, Microsoft's Internet Explorer and HotJava) into a graphical user interface that can create and execute applications. Ironically, this was one of the goals of IE 4.0, which used the look and feel of Internet Explorer to replace Windows Explorer and the Desktop. IE 4.0, originally scheduled for beta last December, is now expected midyear. Moving Fast That delay may give Java apps time to establish themselves as the cross-application standard-in "Internet Time," a few days separate winners from losers. Ironically, Corel is so far the only major Windows vendor with plans to move into Java. The company, which has already licensed Sanga Pages, will offer Java versions of WordPerfect, CorelChart, Quattro Pro, a PIM and a vector drawing module this spring. And the heat is on for tools such as Sanga Pages to keep up: The product was recently blessed with the ability to support JavaBeans and ActiveX. Copyright (c) 1997 CMP Media Inc.
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