Category: Content technology news (Page 347 of 637)

The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has issued the XML Encryption Syntax and Processing specification and the Decryption Transform for XML Signature as W3C Recommendations, representing cross-industry agreement on an XML-based approach for securing XML data in a document. When exchanging sensitive data (e.g., financial or personal information) over the Internet, senders and receivers require secure communications. Although there are deployed technologies that allow senders and receivers to secure a complete data object or communication session, only W3C XML Signature (together with the new W3C XML Encryption Recommendation) permits users to selectively sign and encrypt portions of XML data. For example, a user of a Web services protocol such as SOAP may want to encrypt the payload part of the XML message but not the information necessary to route the payload to its recipient. Or, an XForms application might require that the payment authorization being digitally signed, and the actual payment method, such as a credit card number, be encrypted. And, of course, XML Encryption can be used to secure complete data objects as well such as such as an image or sound file. The associated “Decryption Transform for XML Signature” Recommendation permits one to use encryption with XML Signature. One feature of XML Signature is to ensure a document’s integrity: to detect if the document is altered. However, many applications require the ability to first sign an XML document and then encrypt parts of it, altering the document. The Decryption Transform lets the receiver know which portions of the document to decrypt, restoring the document to its unaltered state, before it can check the signature. XML Encryption was developed by the W3C XML Encryption Working Group, consisting of both individuals and the following W3C Members: Baltimore Technologies; BEA Systems; DataPower; IBM; Microsoft; Motorola; University of Siegen; Sun Microsystems; and VeriSign. www.w3.org

Corel Corporation unveiled Corel Smart Graphics Studio, a development platform designed to speed and simplify the creation of SVG-based smart graphics. These solutions transform XML and legacy data into dynamic and interactive graphics. Based on SVG, solutions built with Corel Smart Graphics Studio are not dependent on proprietary technology and are interoperable with existing tools and infrastructure. Corel Smart Graphics Studio enables enterprise Web designers and developers to produce extensible solutions by maintaining a separation between the graphical, functional and data components of an application. Corel Smart Graphics Studio will be available in mid-2003. www.corel.com/smartgraphics

eMotion, Inc. announced the launch of CreativePartner Project, a service that allows customers to engage eMotion’s digital media management software solution and hosting services on a project-by-project basis. The new offering enables eMotion to target a much broader range of customers seeking a digital media management and collaboration solution for creative projects, but not necessarily on a continuous basis. The CreativePartner Project service includes set-up, hosting, operation and administration of a web-based digital media management solution for as little as two weeks to as long as six months or more. Clients can establish a project workspace for their assets (graphics, photos, video and audio files). In addition to CreativePartner Project, eMotion offers licensed software solutions MediaPartner Enterprise, CreativePartner and ArchivePartner. www.emotion.com

Microsoft Corp. announced a new set of technologies designed to enable developers to build business solutions based on the next version of Microsoft Office, code-named “Office 11.” A new set of tools, code-named “Visual Studio Tools for Office,” enables Visual Studio .NET developers to use Microsoft’s application development tool to build solutions based on Word and Excel documents, as well as several new XML development experiences. Microsoft will continue to support Visual Basic for Applications. Using “Visual Studio Tools for Office,” developers can create applications written in Microsoft Visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual C# .NET that run in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. “Visual Studio Tools for Office” will be available in conjunction with “Office 11” in mid-2003. “Office 11,” features enhanced support for XML, including improved object model programmability, the ability to use XML schemas, built-in support for XML Web services and a new smart document solution model. Word and Excel templates can be designed with an underlying customer-defined XML structure. Integrated support for XML Web services in “Office 11,” along with support for XSL and XPath, leverages existing Office and Web development skills. www.microsoft.com/office/developer/preview

Kontiki announced that it has added new Grid Delivery Server software to its enterprise software suite, the Kontiki Delivery Management System (DMS). The DMS enables enterprises to upgrade their existing networks to securely and automatically deliver corporate video and documents. Kontikis DMS is based on the companys grid delivery technology. Like grid computing, which taps underutilized CPU processing power, Kontikis grid delivery software pulls together existing networks and storage space on both PCs and servers to create a network capable of delivering rich media with greater efficiency and lower costs than traditional delivery methods. Kontiki claims the DMS has resulted in reductions in the cost of rich media delivery by a factor of 10 to 25 times, compared with traditional methods of delivering similar content. This improvement is driven by the hardware, bandwidth, and operations savings of Kontikis grid delivery technology. The new Grid Delivery Server runs on standard PC hardware and improves network efficiencies by time shifting deliveries to smooth demand, eliminating failed deliveries with pause/resume, and adaptively multi-serving the content from the delivery grid. www.kontiki.com

eTrack Solutions announced the availability of eTrack Web Portal. The new portal establishes a single technology platform that can enable a worldwide web site, an employee intranet, and multiple company extranets. The eTrack Web Portal includes features for creation and modification of web pages, customization of the look and feel, news posting, document management, application integration, database integration, user access control and management and file uploading. A portal administrator can customize navigation, modify content, publish content, maintain a document library, post news, manage user access and security, upload files to a web page and define multiple page templates. Portal administrators do not require a software programming background. The eTrack Web Portal was developed using Microsoft.NET technology. www.etracksolutions.com

IMS announced the launch of IMS SiteManager, a content management product for the Web, aimed at small to medium-sized businesses and organizations. IMS SiteManager features easy-to-use content management tools that allow customers to manage and update their Web site from any browser. Customers can choose modules to expand on functionality, adding an online store, events calendar, site search, and many other options. IMS SiteManager offers a diverse portfolio of quality designs. Customers can choose a stock design appropriate for their needs, or work with IMS designers to create a custom look for their site. Other features include hosting, training and ongoing support for the content management tools, free version updates, and the ability to expand capabilities with additional modules. IMS SiteManager has an annual license fee starting at $2495.
www.ims.net