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Corel Office for Java

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General Product Offering

Will Corel® Office for Java™ be able to read MS-Word and Corel® WordPerfect® documents?

It's very important to provide access to legacy documents, so yes, import and export filters will be provided in Corel Office for Java on the server level.

How will a user print and store documents?

Printing is handled on the server side of Corel Office for Java so you will be unable to try it out with the Pre-Beta release which only includes the client side applications. Documents will be stored on the server (recommended); however, a user can store documents on their local device provided they are running the applications in a standalone fashion or using a browser such as Netscape Communicator which makes use of signed coding.




Platforms and Performance

You say Corel Office for Java is platform-independent but it isn't working on my platform...what's up?

Corel Office for Java can be operated either via a Java-powered browser or directly on a platform that supports a Java Virtual Machine or JavaOS. The number of supported operating systems and browsers increases almost daily and include: SUN Solaris, AIX, OS/2, Windows® 95, Windows NT® and MAC®. Corel Office for Java is ideally suited for organizations deploying the Network Computer and fully support NC's by vendors such as Sun, IBM, and Oracle. Consult the release notes for an up-to-date status of cross-platform testing.

What is Corel Office for Java performance like?

The Client/Server Architecture of Corel Office for Java is designed to optimize performance. Application components are transferred from the server to the client such that most functionality is executed on the client side - rather than taxing the network bandwidth with unnecessary data transfer and communication. The Corel Office for Java architecture is therefore highly scalable and will work well within an organization's existing intranet infrastructure. In addition to this architecture, there are several factors that will affect performance. For instance, the use of Just-In-Time compilers, software distribution and caching technology such as Marimba, the move to JDK 1.1 (this Pre-Beta is based on version 1.02), and certainly the type of client hardware (NCs will have higher power processors and less overhead in the operating system so performance on any of the Network Computers should be outstanding).

Which JVM is Corel Office for Java based on?

The current Pre-Beta release is based on JDK 1.02 as will the initial Beta release. Corel Office for Java will move to JDK 1.1 during one of the Beta releases.

Is the Pre-Beta release using a Just-In-Time Compiler?

This depends on which platform it is being run on; for instance, browsers who have built-in JITs will see performance benefits.

Is there any native code in the product?

No, all Corel Office for Java code - both on the server and the client side - are entirely written in the Java Programming Language.

Are you using the AWT? What other components are you using?

Corel Office for Java is built on top of the AWT and it is fully compatible.




Client/Server

How does Corel Office for Java work in a client/server environment?

Initially all software resides on the server, offering tremendous benefit to MIS personnel who are required to maintain software versions throughout their organization. As a user accesses his or her documents, the associated application classes are downloaded, delivering the functionality that is required to be executed on the client side. Depending on the client device and access method (eg. Netscape Navigator), classes may be cached so that subsequent downloads during the session will not be required.

This design is well-suited for many configurations such as in the case of the Network Computer. Corel Office for Java was designed with flexibility in mind, so it should be noted that the classes could be permanently installed on the client computer if that is desired.

You say Corel Office for Java is a client/server solution...What's on the Client and what's on the Server?

The client side contains the applications such as Corel® WordPerfect® for Java™ and Corel® Quattro Pro® for Java™ (front-end, UI, and most of their engines) as well as the framework with inplace editing interfaces. On the server side resides the file system management, file I/O, filters and some large applications modules such as the spell checker and search engines.

What servers will the Server-side run on?

Corel Office for Java is entirely written in the Java Programming Language so it can run on any server that supports the Java Virtual Machine such as Solaris, AIX, NT, etc.

If users are being asked to move their data from their desktop to the server...what happens if the server goes down?

A user will likely be in much better shape if the server went down as opposed to their standalone PC! Server-side documents will be subject to the normal (usually daily) backup procedures conducted by MIS.

What kind of computing power is required to run Corel Office for Java?

Computing power is very much related to the size of the enterprise so there is no standard answer. Typically, Corel Office for Java will work within the existing computer resources and will not require additional resources; however, circumstance within individual organizations may vary.




Corel Developers' Tools

How can Developers Benefit?

Based on the sound architecture of Corel's Application Framework, developers can participate in Corel's technology in one of two ways:

Software Developers' Kit - will enable developers to extend the office suite's features and capability using a standard set of API's and supporting documentation. For instance, a developer could add a custom mathematical function to Corel Quattro Pro for Java that meets an organization's specific needs.

Productivity Components - will enable developers to use Corel's application components, such as a spreadsheet, editor, or chart component within their own development projects. Being fully JavaBeans™ compatible, developers can literally drag and drop these components into other applications instantly leveraging the functionality provided by the component.



When will these Developers' Tools be available and what will they cost?

The Software Developers Kit will become available shortly before the commercial release of Corel Office for Java, planned for the first half of 1997. The Kit will be licensed to developers free of charge.

The Productivity Components will become available the first half of 1997. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

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Last Updated: January 13, 1997
Copyright © 1997 Corel Corporation.