Responding to msg by merriman@arn.net (David K. Merriman) on Fri, 28 Jul 3:24 AM

Still tentative, or is there a Web address?

The mall will be accessible July 31 from a pointer at http://www.org.com . ---------- OSF Opens Software Web Mall For Java Cambridge, MA, July 26 (NB) -- In a teleconference today, the Open Software Foundation (OSF) unveiled plans to open an Open Software Mall on the Web on July 31, and to start distributing software there this fall that will include Java Ports technology for the Web, DCE (Distributed Computing Environment) Web, and Microkernel Unification Specification, a new technology for building cross-platform applications. At the teleconference, which was attended by Newsbytes, Dr. Ira Goldstein, chief scientist and executive VP, said that the OSF sees the Open Software Mall as a place for users to access and help to beta test new technologies like Java Ports, DCE Web, and Microkernel Unification -- being sponsored by the OSF in conjunction with major vendors -- as well as software from universities and other research collaborators, and eventually, outside "open systems" efforts that are "germane to core OSF technology." Java Ports, a series of ports of Sun's Java technology for the Web, is being produced by the OSF with Sun, Hewlett-Packard, and Novell, Goldstein told the journalists and analysts. The technology will be available on the Open Software Mall in September, he added. DCE Web, an application designed to provide the Web with DCE mechanism for encryption, access control, and naming, is a collaborative project from the OSF, Hitachi, HP and AT&T. DCE Web is "consistent with HTTP and secure HTTP," but able to provide additional services to DCE sites, according to Goldstein. Microkernel Unification -- from the OSF, Hitachi, HP and IBM -- is a technology for building cross-platform databases and other applications by writing directly to a standard, common microkernel application programming interface (API). IBM plans to produce a product that is "mostly compliant" with the new specification in the product's first release, and "completely compliant" in its second release, Goldstein noted. Digital Equipment Corp. might also be participating in the Microkernel Unification specification project, Goldstein reported, adding that he expects to have an answer on this from Digital within a week.

From the OSF's Open Software Mall, users will be able to browse, download, and comment on software executables and software, documentation plans, design documentation, specifications, and commentary in hypertext format, according to Goldstein.

The Web mall will also provide Web links to "relevant products, services, education and consulting available from the community," he told the teleconference participants. Java, DCE Web, and Microkernel Unification will each have their own Web stores on the Open Software Mall's ATO (Advanced Technology Offering) Plaza. ATOs are software technology projects, which may or may not lead to productization, where participants seek to minimize risk by obtaining feedback from users, noted the OSF's Peter Shaw. ATO development costs typically range from $300,000 to $600,000. For ATO technologies that become productized, licensing rights are estimated at $25,000 per licensee. The OSF also sponsors other vendor efforts, known as PSTs, in which vendors are closer to "productization" of their work, and development costs tend to be higher, said Shaw. Current PSTs include DCE 1.2 and Motif/CDE (Common Development Environment). In addition, four potential PSTs are "being actively pursued," Shaw maintained. "We expect to have some announcements on these later this week," he added. The PSTs will also be given their own area on the Open Software Mall, to be known as PST Plaza. Aside from the stores for Java, DCE Web, and Microkernel Unification, the ATO Plaza will also include "Web pages for a potpourri of (other) ATOs," according to Goldstein. Additional areas of the Open Software Mall will include "Research Plaza," the Motif/CD Store, and areas for tools, training, and consulting. The mall will officially open next Monday, Goldstein said. Initial offerings will include an explanation of its goals and activities, and the opportunity for user commentary. The mall will be accessible from a pointer at http://www.org.com . (Jacqueline Emigh/19950726/Reader Contact: Open Software Foundation, 617-621-8700; Press Contact: Jane Smeloff, OSF, 617-621-8997)