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Fiscal 1994 Project Portfolio Report
Overall Objective
To research and develop enterprise computing solutions including mobile
computing, workflow, security, accessibility, and computing in heterogenous
environments.
Enabling Technology (ET)
Earl Johnson, Principal Investigator
earl.johnson@Eng.Sun.COM
Objective for FY94
To develop a long-range plan for the project; to ensure the successful
technology transfer of AccessX (keyboard enhancements that provide basic X Window System accessibility to users with physical disabilities); to bring server-level expertise into the group;
and to develop keystroke/mouse monitoring tools.
Description
An accessible platform is one that allows the user with a disability to access the same type of computers and applications as fellow workers. This will become a reality when the platform has a full suite of access solutions available for it (e.g., speech recognition, screen readers, and StickyKeys). And this in turn depends on the formation of a partnership between Sun's independent software vendors (ISVs) and access technology developers (ATDs).
Sun will provide the development tools, and the ISVs and ATDs will utilize these tools to establish the accessible platform.
ET will focus on establishing the infrastructure necessary to make this partnership a success.
Accomplishments
- Partnered with the OpenWindows(TM) Technology and Human Interface
groups to turn AccessX into a product
- Completed the PC and Mac access solution evaluations
- Established a long-range vision and framework for the project
- Provided accessibility development guidance to application developers in
the Motif® 2.0 style guide
- Shipped ergonomic brochure for Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) prevention
in country kits
- IBM to Sun keyboard box has been turned into a product by Kinesis Corporation
Mobile Office
Steve Gadol and Michael Pricer, Principal Investigators
steve.gadol@Eng.Sun.COM
michael.pricer@Eng.Sun.COM
Objective for FY94
To explore technology needed to provide Sun employees access to Sun's
network services and applications regardless of where they are located and to
explore the kinds of services that are most productive to mobile users.
Description
We assume most mobile computer users will use non-Sun devices including
palmtops, laptops and desktop PCs. Initially we have chosen to provide such
users with e-mail, group calendars, and access to on-line transaction systems. E-mail provides mobile users with services originating on a user's primary
machine or workflow server machines. Tasks are sent embedded in messages
and results are sent back to the user's nomadic device via e-mail. Since security is an important concern, we are investigating ways to provide both enhanced authentication and privacy via encrypted transmissions.
Accomplishments
- Used the RAM and Radiomail® networks to deliver remote e-mail
- Developed functions on the Sun workstation to forward e-mail to a nomadic
device (relay), and process tasks on the Sun workstation (proxy)
- Developed secure e-mail, using single-key encryption, that links the Sun
workstation and the nomadic device
- Merged (via direct connection or e-mail) the Deskset(TM) Calendar Manager
and the HP100LX(TM) or the HP Omnibook 425(TM) appointment books
References
Publications
"Nomadic Tenets - A User's Perspective," S. Gadol, M. Clary, SMLI TR-94-24.
WinSERVER
Steve Gadol, Principal Investigator
steve.gadol@Eng.Sun.COM
Objective for FY94
To provide the software platform needed to make Sun the industry choice for
heterogeneous enterprise computing networking, servers, and services.
Description
WinSERVER is a software platform designed to integrate PC
desktop systems seamlessly into an enterprise-wide network. It provides PCs with services and interfaces compatible with protocols native to their software environments. The initial work centered around filing, printing and a simple level of e-mail interoperability. Additional capabilities from the desktop user's perspective are needed in order to completely integrate e-mail as a transport for both personal communications and for application interoperability; to integrate desktop application database clients with large scale network data bases including Sybase(TM) and ORACLE(TM); and to create the foundation for interoperability between the principal desktop object paradigms, OLE(TM) and
CORBA(TM). The server-based software we have experimented with - including
Novell Netware®, Windows NTAS(TM), and SolarNet(TM) - all provide similar
system and network management services.
The WinSERVER software platform provides core interoperability needed for
PC desktops and UNIX systems to interoperate on the corporate network. E-
mail enabled applications, with the ability to route forms and access network
databases, are the foundations for electronic workflow systems. Together with
software provided by the Mobile Office project, the WinSERVER project has
given SML the software base to build prototype solutions for heterogeneous and
distributed workflow problems.
Accomplishments
The WinSERVER project was started mid-year with the goal of prototyping a
solution for heterogeneous filing, printing, e-mail, and database access based on
native PC desktop protocols by the end of Q4 FY94. The methodology chosen
was to integrate third-party product software. By the end of Q3, enough of the
basic components were working together that it was possible to demonstrate
the filing and e-mail components at the 1994 Sun Leadership Conference.
The basic WinSERVER platform is now in daily use in SML, providing
interoperability between MS Windows, Macintosh, and Sun systems.
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