REDMOND, Wash., May 22, 1997 — Today Microsoft Corp. and Aladdin Systems Inc. announced their collaboration in delivering key Java
™
compression technologies to the Macintosh platform. Aladdin Systems, a leader in compression and installation technologies, has incorporated CAB, Microsoft’s new cross-platform, backward-compatible packaging technology, into its own compression and translation suite.
CAB, an abbreviation that refers to cabinet files, is a compression format widely used by developers to dramatically increase the speed at which applications and other information can be downloaded from the Internet. CAB offers Java developers a proven, cross-platform technology that can result in downloads that are 20 to 30 percent faster than other compression formats proposed for Java. CAB also lets users install Java class libraries locally, avoiding repeated downloads across the Internet. Aladdin will demonstrate this technology with Microsoft at the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) this week. Microsoft plans to incorporate Aladdin’s CAB implementation in Microsoft® Internet Explorer for the Macintosh, scheduled to be released this summer.
“Microsoft is committed to delivering best-of-breed Internet products and technologies for the Macintosh,” said Don Bradford, general manager of the Macintosh Internet development group at Microsoft. “With Metrowerks, we’ve delivered the popular Java environment for Macintosh. Now, Alladin’s StuffIt compression technology and reputation for quality Macintosh software make it a logical choice for bringing CAB technology to the Macintosh.”
“It’s exciting to work with Microsoft on delivering a complete implementation of CAB for the Macintosh,” said Darryl Lovato, vice president and general manager of the developer technologies group at Aladdin. “CAB is a perfect addition to our tradition of providing seamless and intelligent compression and translation for the desktop and network. Microsoft is prime in helping us to deliver these technologies to the end user.”
Industry Support for CAB
“We’re pleased that Microsoft and Aladdin are working closely to deliver CAB for the Macintosh,” said Jordan Dea-Mattson, senior evangelist for tools and utilities at Apple Computer. “The delivery of a world-class CAB implementation on the Macintosh further strengthens the Macintosh’s reputation as a powerful Internet client.”
“Part of delivering a complete Java development solution is giving our developers the ability to encode their Java Applets as CAB files,” said Greg Galanos, president and chief technology officer at Metrowerks Inc. “We’re pleased to announce that future versions of CodeWarrior will give Macintosh developers that ability by including CAB support.”
“As a commercial Java developer, we are especially interested in complementary technologies that make our job easier and enhance our software,” said Oliver Muoto, director of marketing at RandomNoise Inc. “With CAB support for both Windows and Macintosh, we can now deliver Web content created with our Java Web design tool, Coda, much more quickly and effectively on both platforms. This represents a big win for us and our users.”
About Aladdin
Founded in 1988, Aladdin Systems Inc. is the developer and publisher of award-winning business and consumer products. Aladdin publishes StuffIt, the Macintosh and Internet compression standard; Spring Cleaning
™
, the fastest and safest way to clean up your Mac; CyberFinder
™
, an Internet bookmark manager; and REV, auto-revision control software. In addition, Aladdin publishes InstallerMaker
™
, the Macintosh installation standard; and ShrinkWrap
™
, the quickest and easiest way to create and distribute disk images. Aladdin products are designed to help users take full advantage of their computer by making life easier. Aladdin is located at 165 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA; telephone: (408) 761-6200; Web: [http://www.aladdinsys.com/] ; e-mail: [email protected].
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Java is a trademark of Sun Microsystems Inc.
Spring Cleaning, CyberFinder, InstallerMaker and ShinkWrap are trademarks of Aladdin Systems Inc.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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