WebBase, Release 3.0, Starts New Era for Data Capture

Apache Server Lets WebBase Clients Into the Unibase Environment on LINUX

Why Can’t All Computer Clocks On LAN Keep Time Together?

Samba Allows WebBase Data To Be Accessed in Windows

Tina and Fred Attend TAWPI Chicago Exhibition

Virus Checkers Have Bugs; Mess Up Unibase Keyers

Wrfmouse Goes Into Alpha Testing; Follows Microsoft Windows Guidelines

WebBase, Release 3.0, Starts New Era for Data Capture

WebBase, Release 3.0, will knock your socks off!! It comes to users with all the complaints on earlier versions corrected. Its introduction is to the Data Capture industry what Local Area Networks (LAN’s) were to computing in the early 1980's. Here’s why!

1. All clients can access all data. All data and Meta data (non executable files on the disks, or persistent files) in Unibase are identical for all Unibase clients. Yes, browsers, LINUX, UNIX, Microsoft 16 bit and Microsoft 32 Unibase clients can access all files concurrently. Copying from one operating system to another no longer matters.

2. Local site support for WebBase Server. Now the WebBase Server is located at the users site, not at some distant, unfriendly, server farm. The server can connect to the web through a digital subscriber line (DSL). Bandwidth can be increased as needed. The telecom problems today are caused by overcapacity. This means good prices and lots of bandwidth is available.

3. Even the keyer can get bandwidth. DMAC has tested dialup, cable, satellite and DSL modems for the keyer. The faster the speed, the faster the keyer goes. And any keyer can afford the low prices out there today for this bandwidth. The faster they go, the more they make, the more they make the faster they can go by buying bandwidth.

4. Rim and Core Security. DMAC sets up a rim and core hardware firewall based security system. A single inexpensive hardware firewall separates the local rim network from the local core network. The core network can access the rim. The rim can access the web and the web can access the rim. Even if the rim is trashed (hardware vendor says this cannot happen) or has a virus attack, the core is safe. DMAC can set this up.

5. LINUX with SAMBA and Apache runs WebBase. DMAC uses LINUX for the WebBase server. Not only does this allow browser support, but as installed with SAMBA, the server looks to the other servers and client workstations in the LAN like another NT server. Thus, workstations on the LAN (local area network) can access WebBase data with browsers or Microsoft 16 bit or 32 bit Unibase clients. And on this server, concurrent Unibase users are counted over all type of clients. Of course, you can still use Kermit 95 for telnet sessions to the WebBase server. Talk about fast. Mix and match is the rule.

6. Blazing speed returns to data capture. Now the right operating systems client and server interface can be used for the right application. Depending upon the speed of the client and the relative speed of the WebBase server, all sorts of speed improvements can be made. Just keep increasing the capabilities of the WebBase LINUX Server (yes, multiple CPU’s are supported) and you can now increase productivity by returning to keyer limited, not CPU limited speeds.

7. Sorts and Indexing Speeds Leap forward. A user reports that using sufficient memory can decrease index generation from sixteen hours to 17 minutes. DMAC benches in at four hours to 10 seconds for a given task. But you must remember, if you utilize all of a particular systems capability for a given operation, nothing is left. Of course special machines for special takes are pretty easy now that all persistent Unibase files are the same.

8. Entire package prices out well. DMAC can assemble the LINUX server, or the user can. Since LINUX, Samba, and Apache are in the public domain, it does not cost a lot of money to set up the WebBase Server. Start small and grow it. Only Unibase by DMAC, Unibase Imaging and WebBase licenses to worry about. And these DMAC licenses are for concurrent users. Stick your current DMAC licenses on the WebBase server and you have a good start.

9. Pretty HTML Interface to web. DMAC clients can set up whatever they want to kick off WebBase. The example DMAC setup uses the queue. The approach is almost endless in possibilities.

Try it NOW! DMAC has set up WebBase at http://www.dmac-webbase.com. Try it. You’ll like it. DMAC is using a small DSL link to the web. You can go up from there. The job set up for this demo tryout is the one that is used in the downloadable tutorial. 

Apache Server Lets WebBase Clients Into
the Unibase Environment on LINUX

WebBase clients will learn about LINUX, Samba, and Apache. Yes, there is an “Apache Server for Dummies” book by Ken A. L. Coar. But since WebBase is launching its users into something as basic as Local Area Networks, let us start with a quote from, “ Red Hat Linux 7.2 Bible,” by Christopher Negus. “ The web server (Apache) usually has a simpler job: to accept HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol), request and send a response to the client. However, this job can get much more complex (as the server can also), executing functions such as: . . . snding a Java applet to the client.” Ok, that is where WebBase is. WebBase runs as a Java applet. 

 Another area WebBase users will become familiar with is the Apache Server which lets them run Java applets, and lots of other things. This means that DMAC’s top notch support will introduce DMAC clients to the new technology and get them running.

 The first thing a user will find is that on the local area network (LAN) WebBase runs like a greased pig. That is, you can use a browser to access a web server on your LAN.

 It is time to dig in and learn, as you can, about the web at your site, on your server, serving you. Get the picture? WebBase by DMAC is the key to upgrading your site capabilities to meet your customers’ needs.  That is because DMAC thinks it now has the necessary skills to teach what it knows about this to others and DMAC will keep it simple (of necessity).  Then through the normal client feedback system, and this newsletter, etc., we will all move forward, make money and keep happy clients.

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Why Can’t All Computer Clocks On LAN Keep Time Together?

To get all computer clocks on a LAN (Local Area Network) to give the same, accurate time without connecting to the Internet may sound simple, but it isn’t.

First you must start with a time source.  DMAC started with the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) time transmitter.  A long-wave transmitting station located in Ft. Collins, Colorado distributes this correct time signal. To read the signal from Ft. Collins, Colorado, DMAC acquired the Desktop PC-Clock Zeit Executive PC from Arcron Time Technology, Inc.  Of Oak Brook, Il 60521. Not only does this clock read the signal, it gives it to a server at DMAC that is accessible to both the rim and core networks. Now DMAC has one server with the correct time.

Some pundits at this point might say, “Why not just periodically set the computer clock on the server to the correct time and save $100 dollars?” On the surface, a common sense approach. But, consider this: even if the clock setter is absolutely regular and accurate, the process takes time. Eventually, your $100 savings will be eaten up in payroll and you are unlikely to achieve the same level of consistency and accuracy as an automated system.

Ok now with the “correct” time on a server, you can distribute it to any other computer on the network using the proper Network Time Protocol software.  Of course, you must install software on each client (sink) as well as on the source server and this software is different for each client platform.

Assuming you wish to finish the job, now you must go to the web and learn about network time protocol. Rick here at DMAC says the following is a good list of web sites to answer all questions and to download the necessary software.

This the a generic link page on the network time protocol.
http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~ntp/software/

This is Microsoft Win32 sink software.
http://www.arachnoid.com/abouttime/

This is Novell Netware sink software.
http://www.neatech.ch/sntpclnt/

This is WINNT/2000/XP source software.
http://www.dillobits.com/

These are radio clocks.
Http://www.arctime.com/
http://www.atomictime.com/Product17.html

If you are connected to the web at all times, you do not need the independent clock. The above web sites talk about this option. This whole process will take some time. Have fun.

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Samba Allows WebBase Data To Be Accessed in Windows

The Samba is not just a Brazilian dance. It’s also a free software suite that enables a PC running Linux to act as a Windows network server. To quote from “Samba for Dummies” by George Haberberger and Lisa Doyle, “This sort of Samba gives you a proven, low-cost, high-performance means of providing Windows network services to PCs running Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000, or XP without having to buy expensive Windows networking software.”

 For users of WebBase by DMAC, Samba allows manipulation of data generated through WebBase browser clients (and pure LINUX clients) by Windows based clients in the Unibase by DMAC and Unibase Imaging environment. Thus a Unibase wrfmouse user on a Windows XP workstation can create a record format for image entry and a WebBase client can use the same physical format file.

Interesting compromises have come about.  For DMAC users, Samba always creates lower case Microsoft file names. If 16-Bit Microsoft clients are to be supported, DMAC’s 31-character filename must be limited to a directory of 8 character names for the trees. If only 32-Bit Microsoft clients are to be supported, then the 14 character names for the trees are allowed. Throughout Unibase, filename matching is undertaken without regard to case. All this is transparent to Unibase users.

Concurrent user license counting is tricky.  DMAC wants to count all concurrent users. Hopefully this is accomplished.

Samba cannot assume that only Samba is accessing the files. More tricky option setting.

DMAC helps its clients set up Samba on LINUX. After we’ve accumulated enough experience doing this, we’ll produce a manual.

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