staylor@systime.UUCP (Simon Taylor) (04/07/89)
The DOS/UNIX integration product "PC-Connect" has been launched in a
shrink-wrapped package, and Sphinx Software are handling distribution
of the SCO XENIX version in the UK. PC-Connect, developed by the
VisionWare division of Systime Computers Limited, has previously been
available through OEM channels and is also available for Microport, Interactive
AT&T Unix and others.
PC-Connect allows IBM-compatible PC or PS/2 personal computers
running Microsoft Windows to become multi-windowed workstations
connected to one or more UNIX host systems. It uses the graphics
interface of Windows to provide a homogeneous environment for DOS and
UNIX applications.
The physical links between the PCs and host systems can be RS232C
serial lines, and/or one of the several supported networks including
Ethernet with TCP/IP. A Desktop window is displayed on the PC screen,
containing icons which show programs available to be run. The icons
can represent DOS or UNIX programs.
Clicking on an icon with the mouse starts an application, without the
user needing to know which computer the program will execute on. If
it is a DOS program it runs as a normal Windows application. A UNIX
program runs in a window which initially contains a terminal
emulator, so that standard UNIX applications can run unchanged.
A PC-Connect Development System is available which allows programmers
to write UNIX programs which make use of the Microsoft Windows API on
an attached PC. A UNIX program can use windows, icons, menus and the
mouse to provide a user interface which appears similar to DOS-based
Windows applications. A full range of graphics functions is
available which effectively provides a graphics terminal in full
color for UNIX at a very low cost.
Other products in the VisionWare range include:
PM-Connect, which is a version of PC-Connect implemented to work
under the Presentation Manager interface of OS/2.
A Microsoft Windows-based X Window System server which allows host-
based X clients to use standard X protocols to display information on
a PC screen.
SQL-Connect, which allows a PC user to make SQL requests of host-
based relational database management systems. SQL-Connect runs as a
DDE server on a UNIX host system, and any application which uses DDE
can pass an SQL request to it. For example, Microsoft Excel running
on a workstation can extract data from a corporate database and
display the information in a spreadsheet. Initially the RDBMSs
supported are Informix and Oracle.
A package of programs is being developed which will provide the UNIX
system administrator with a friendly Windows interface to commonly
used UNIX utility programs. The object is to allow a non-technical
system administrator to operate and manage a UNIX system without ever
leaving the Microsoft Windows environment.
Further information about VisionWare products can be obtained from:
VisionWare, Telephone: (0532) 529292
Systime Computers Limited, Intl: +44 532-529292
Leeds Business Park, Fax: (0532) 526614
Leeds, Intl: +44 532-526614
LS27 0NH, Telex: 556283
United Kingdom UUCP : vision@systime.uucp
BANGNET : ...!uunet!mcvax!ukc!systime!vision
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USA Contact:
P.O. Box 3991, Telephone: (612) 377-3627
Minneapolis,
MN 55405
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