Ed. Note: OK, it may seem like we short-changed you on content for this issue. But not a bit of it! Please read the following article carefully. What is missing in quantity is definitely made up for in the importance of the message.

More On SAFE 6.0 - OpenScript: The Web Connection!
As if we weren't throwing enough at you already, this time, we'll be talking about the new features of our web applications: WebSAFE and Ollie! As before: please read carefully!

OpenScript™ THE NEXT PHASE IN WEB SITES WITH SIMPLE ACCOUNTING
Along with our existing broker-based web sites, we will be offering a strictly OpenScript, an ASP or PHP based version of WebSAFE and Ollie. ASP and PHP are standards-based scripting languages used by virtually all major web sites now. They offer great flexibility in design and performance tuning.

The great thing here is that this totally opens up the your web site to a system that virtually any professional designer can understand and work with. In other words, you can literally make Ollie or WebSAFE look any way you want it to. If you like the look of another site, or have an existing web site 'theme' already in place, you can duplicate it exactly.

This increased flexibility also means lower cost to you. For example, let's say you want to add a set of Macromedia Flash® based pages to create an exceptionally splashy look to one area of your web site. In previous versions of WebSAFE and Ollie, this was labor-intensive. Now, it can take as little as half an hour!

MORE HOSTING OPTIONS
Another great benefit is that virtually any ISP will now be able to host an Ollie or WebSAFE system (big 'but' coming up). This includes UNIX and Linux-based hosts so long as they support ASP or PHP scripting and offer a SQL database option.
Important Caveat: If you choose to source your data on another ISP you will be giving up real time data integration. In other words, orders or transactions entered into a site hosted by an external ISP will not immediately appear on your in-house SAFE software. You will need to run a daily batch update to post these transactions into SAFE.

CLUSTERS, LOAD BALANCING
Many of you are outgrowing your single-server sites. There are simply too many users hitting your servers. That's good! But up until now, you had to purchase separate copies of Ollie and WebSAFE to handle increased traffic. But with OpenScript, you'll simply add on a new server, install our LoadBalancer™ software and voila, you'll have double the capacity (but not double the price!)
Note: The above scenario will only work on locally hosted sites. If you outsource your web server to an ISP, you will need to inquire about any load balancing options they may offer.

YEAH, BUT WHAT WILL ALL THIS COST?
As we often say, 'It depends.' If you wish to continue using your current Ollie or WebSAFE without converting to our Open Scripting, the answer is nothing. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right!

But if, as we think most of you will want to do, you do wish to take advantage of OpenScript, the first thing you will need to do is convert your data to one of our SQL Database Options (see last issue for details). With that said, we'll have specifics on pricing for OpenScript next month when we have sorted out all the available options!

THE LINUX FACTOR, REDUX
As we said last time, we expect Linux to play and bigger and bigger role in offices all around the world (at least we hope so!) The increased security, performance, and reliability simply can no longer be denied. OpenScript allows us to offer a solution that will run on any Linux distribution. We will be offering fully managed turnkey solutions.

For many of you, this might be a difficult concept, but truly, there is no rule which says that you have to have a Windows Server in order to use Windows clients. In fact, with the right configuration, you can run Windows Clients far more reliably and at lower cost  with one of our Linux-based servers. The key limitation currently, is knowledgeable support personnel. Put simply, the 'Network Guy' you are probably now using doesn't know much about Linux. This may create FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt). By providing a fully-managed Linux-based server option, we will bypass all that FUD and let the Network Guy focus on his core strengths: cabling and desktop management.

IS THERE MORE?
Well, there is pricing to be discussed next time, plus more details on converting to OpenScript, but for now we want you to understand that big things are in the works that we think you'll find to be of great strategic advantage to you. By having a totally open system, you'll be able to tackle on customer, warehouse, or manufacturer integration that is required to get (and keep) the larger clients that will drive the industry over the next decade. By making it as easy as possible to work with these systems and by making your web site totally customizable for each of your clients, OpenScript will give you a significant competitive advantage over other firms with fixed solutions.

Ciaran's Corner: IT Checklist
This time, some quick IT tasks you can check off your to do list in no time at all.

Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 Now Available
The latest service pack for Windows 2000 is now available. It is an accumulation of a whole bunch of security fixes, plus, it supposedly allows you to turn off various extra Windows components (such as MediaPlayer) in order to comply with the Justice Department monopoly suits. But most interesting to me is the fact that there even is an SP3. After all, Windows XP was supposed to replace Windows 2000. This is about as close to an acknowledgement from Microsoft that many of it's existing Windows 2000 customers cannot yet see the advantages of upgrading to XP (especially since XP has had so many well-advertised security problems.) In any case, here it is, so go get it!
www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp3/default.asp

Windows 2000 IIS LockDown Tool And Baseline Scanner
Not to say that you aren't totally on top of all your security issues, but, just as a reminder, while you're updating your computers, please be sure to run the Microsoft II LockDown Tool And Baseline Security Scanners (free downloads) which will check for any obvious vulnerabilities. You should do this on any machine running Windows 2000 Server or Professional even if you aren't running a web server. The fact is, if you're connected to the internet, you may be vulnerable.
Lock Down Tool: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=33961&area=search&ordinal=3
Baseline Security Scanner: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/release.asp?ReleaseID=38020&area=search&ordinal=7

Compaq QuickRestore: NOT!
Many of you use Compaq computers, which we now hate with a passion. As they say on TV, 'Don't get me started!'. The latest thing to grouse about is the QuickRestore disk which most of you receive with your PCs. This CD supposedly contains an exact image of the computer and it's software configuration when you purchased it. Run into a problem? Simply insert the QuickRestore disk and, 'voila!', the computer is 'new' again. Only one snag: many of them do not work. In fact, they never did. There was, evidently, a bug in the QuickRestore software which requires you to enter your computer's Serial # before the QuickRestore will run. Seems that on many Compaq PCs the software will never respond to any Serial #. Now here is the funny part: Compaq used to acknowledge the problem and give you a secret code to run the program when you ran into this problem. Recently they stopped doing this, adhering strictly to a '90 Day Software Warranty' policy. That'll be $20, please. Come on, people! How many of you will even look at your QuickRestore disk until you absolutely need it. My recommendation: go find it now and test it before you need it. Especially since Compaq is about to be swallowed by HP you may one day soon be unable to get a disk that actually works. By the way, users of other brands should test their QuickRestore disks too!

Til Next Time!

Ciaràn Marron
Technical Support Manager
cm@suntowersystems.com

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End of E-News From The Suntower, Volume IV #15