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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
This depends on which platform it is being run on; for instance, browsers who have
built-in JITs will see performance benefits.
No, all Corel Office for Java code - both on the server and the client side - are entirely written in
the Java Programming Language.
Corel Office for Java is built on top of the AWT and it is fully compatible.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
