May 1992

IPT software lets NeXT act as a Macintosh file server

by Daniel Miles Kehoe

Redwood City, CA: Seeking wider appreciation by Macintosh users, NeXT Computer has quietly endorsed third-party Macintosh connectivity options offered by Information Presentation Technologies (IPT), of San Luis Obispo, California.

Though NeXT had earlier announced support for Macintosh floppy disks and AppleShare file servers as part of NeXTSTEP 3.0, the new endorsement clarifies the extent of Mac connectivity built into the new operating system.

Using NeXTSTEP 3.0, users will see AppleShare file servers that are connected to the NeXT via Ethernet. But built-in Mac connectivity in 3.0 is a one-way street Ð Macintosh users will not see any NeXTs on their network.

With IPT's $295 uShare installed on a Mac, a NeXT becomes an AppleShare file server, accessible from any Macintosh through the Chooser panel. A $195 companion print spooler offers the option of printing to 400-dpi NeXT laser printers or Mac-connected PostScript devices. IPT's $195 mail host lets a NeXT exchange text-based mail between Macintosh and NeXT users, forwarding electronic mail worldwide through UUCP or Internet connections.

IPT's peer-to-peer Partner product, expected to ship in May for $395, allows users on the NeXT to see Macintosh file icons in the NeXTSTEP File Viewer and be able to easily edit Macintosh-stored documents using NeXT-based applications such as Illustrator or FrameMaker.

"With the low-cost color printer, the NeXT is a big wow for Macintosh users," said Olivia Favela, IPT's vice-president of sales and marketing. "More importantly, there are a lot of people who are looking for more powerful machines to use as servers Ð and the NeXT is that machine."

"IPT's offerings go beyond our own," explained Tim Kreps, NeXT Computer's developer advocate for connectivity applications. Kreps agreed that IPT's products may boost sales of NeXTs among users of Macintosh networks, especially in high-end publishing.




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