Announcements

Rotterdam, 6 February 1998

Lunatech Research announces the release of LunaSuite Preview 2.1Bc306

LunaSuite is a set of modular network tools for Newton technologies. LunaSuite integrates with the Newton 2.1 Operating System. It adds functionality to Newton's Names, Owners and Worksites, InBox, OutBox and every application that uses transports. LunaSuite provides a "plug-in" architecture. Currently available modules include eMail, a WWW Browser, FTP, and GSM-SMS (Nokia).

About this release:

This preview version is the last public beta of LunaSuite 2.1. You can dowload LunaSuite from our site in Mac and PC format. This is a fully functional version which will expire within 2 weeks unless it is registered. Registered users will be able to download and install LunaSuite 2.1Bc306 without having to register the software again. LunaSuite will only run on Newton OS 2.1 units and requires NIE 2.0. A MP2100 or upgraded MP2000 is strongly recommended, although there are persons using LunaSuite on eMates.

What's new or fixed in this release:

• Drastic performance increase in the HTTP transport. Each request now takes at least 6 seconds less than it used to.
• Added proxy authentication to the HTTP transport. It is now possible to browse the web through password protected proxies.
• Fixes included for the 'Error in transport script' errors when opening the Inbox or Outbox.
• LunaRanger now works better in landscape mode.
• Various changes made to the POP3 and SMTP transports. They should now be more stable. Also, the POP3 transport now checks to see if a password has been filled out or not, and allows the user to enter their password each time they check mail rather than storing their password on the owner card.
• The FTP transport now asks for a password in case the user didn't give one and anynomous access is denied, or the username/password pair was incorrect.
• The routing slip no longer crashes when trying to ftp-put an email message that has been replied to.
• Animating GIF images now animate a lot better.
• The multipart handler now correctly displays an error message when parts of it cannot be decoded.
• Implemented much better HTTP caching.
• It is now possible to attach a mail signature.
• Full ISO characterset support in email.
• NOFRAMES behaviour is now much better.
• Added AIFF and AIFC sound import support.
• And a few other nice surprises...

An overview of the major LunaSuite features:

• POP3 and SMTP mailer.
• HTTP (with support for proxy servers, cookies and authentication) and FTP (upload and download) transfers.
• HTML 3.2 support including: Tables, Frames, a true layout, contextual menus.
• MIME implementation which can handle: GIF (animating), JPEG, Base64, HTML, Quoted-Printable, MacBinary, AppleSingle, native Newton data, Newton packages, multiparts, basic sound, AIFF/AIFC sound, and vCards.
• Full integration with the Newton OS (URLs into names, able to view raw HTML from Notepad and NewtonWorks).
• Separate applications for bookmarks, a browser, a configuration app and a go-to application.
• Developer API documentation.

General information:

When will LunaSuite Pro 2.1 be released as Final?

The first commercial release of LunaSuite will take place 16 February 1998. At this time, LunaSuite 2.1 Final will be available for download via the Lunatech web site. Further details about how to purchase LunaSuite can be found on our site. Distributor enquiries are welcome.

Although still in beta, purchasing the LunaSuite will allow you to unlock the LunaSuite to prevent it from expiring! Licenses can be purchased online via Lunatech's secure site. A CD-ROM version of the LunaSuite Pro 2.1 will be sent to production at the end of February 1998.

If you would like to try LunaSuite before purchasing, a fully working version can be downloaded from our web site. The demo version does have a two week limitiation after which time it will not work any more. The LunaSuite site is available via:

http://www.lunatech.com/products/lunasuite/

What does LunaSuite Pro 2.1 cost?

Pricing for LunaSuite is as follows. If you decide that you would like to purchase LunaSuite, you can do this with a credit card via our secure server. Below are more details as to what you get with your purchase. Lunatech reserves the right to change its prices and discounts:

1. A license for LunaSuite Pro is $69.00.
2. A boxed version of the LunaSuite Pro software on CD-ROM (for both Macintosh and PC) with a hardcopy manual is $10.00, plus shipping and handling charges.

Discounts are available for large quantity purchases:

• Automatic discount of 30% for purchases of 10 - 49 licenses (must be purchased at same time).
• Automatic discount of 40% for purchases of 50 - 200 licenses (must be purchased at same time).
• Purchases above 200 licenses can be agreed on case-by-case basis.

When you purchase LunaSuite (via our website) you will receive via email a confirmation of purchase, and once you credit card payment has cleared, you will receive a license number with which you can register your copy of LunaSuite Pro via our web site (using LunaSuite itself). If you have ordered a boxed version you will normally receive your hardcopy LunaSuite Pro within 10 working days (permitting hollidays and availability).

What do I get when I purchase the LunaSuite Pro?

You can dowload LunaSuite Pro 2.1 from our site in Macintosh and PC format. This is a fully functional version which will expire within 2 weeks unless it is registered. If you purchase a boxed version, the CD-ROM will work on PC's as well as on Macintosh computers and contains the same software as is available online. The boxed version also contains a hardcopy manual as well as a manual on the CD-ROM.

One license for the LunaSuite Pro gives you the right to use one copy of the LunaSuite Pro. By purchasing and registering LunaSuite, you will get the following benefits:

• Free upgrade to LunaSuite 2.1 final;
• Free downloads via web site of future upgrades to LunaSuite 2.1;

LunaSuite Download and Support:

All support of LunaSuite will be done via the LunaSuite web site. There is documentation, a discussion forum, bug reporting forms, mailing lists, release notes (a must read!) and other supporting technical information available on the site. And of course, we will also continue to monitor the Newton news groups on the Internet. The LunaSuite site is available via:

http://www.lunatech.com/products/lunasuite/

Future plans for LunaSuite:

With regards to supporting LunaSuite 2.1 we are planning two maintenance releases during 2Q98. Lunatech Research believes in the future of the Newton platform. At least a possible future. But we also hope that everyone appreciates the difficult position the Newton development community has been in for a long time now. We would like to think that LunaSuite 2.1 is not our final Newton product, but only Apple knows the answer to that. And until such time that we can make a proper business decision, we can not commit to anything more than a LunaSuite 2.1 release.

While there are plans for LunaSuite 3.0 development, at this time no commitment is being made to go ahead with the development. We will base this decision on the volume of sales that are generated by LunaSuite, and also once the future of the Newton platform is known. It is very difficult for us to make a decision based on the current information available, and therefore need some indication to the true future of the Newton. If we do go ahead, features which are currently in the planning:

• IMAP4 mail;
• JavaScript support;
• Improvements to overall UI.

All trademarks are property of their respective owners and are used for explanatory purposes only.

THE LUNASUITE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED AS IS, AND, ACCORDINGLY, LUNATECH RESEARCH MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, REGARDING THIS PRODUCT OR ANY SERVICE OR ITEM OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU, AS A RESULT OF YOUR USE OF THIS PRODUCT.

©1997 Lunatech Research: http://www.lunatech.com/