FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fall Internet World '98, New York, October 7, 1998-Mainstay today began shipping version 2.0 of PageCharmer(TM), a set of customizable designer Java applets. This version includes six new applets (increasing the total number of applets to 15), and offers an improved user interface. New applets include display banners with dozens of customizable animation effects such as a three dimensional spray gun and video-like transitions for text messages and GIF and JPEG images. PageCharmer applets enliven web pages by automatically animating buttons and image maps and providing interactive marquees, tickers and ad banners to provide web surfers with a better user experience. PageCharmer applets are WYSIWYG customizable in real-time in any Java-capable web browser using the included AppletSet'r(TM) utility.
PageCharmer 2.0 offers six new applets that specialize in the display of graphics and text for use in multimedia headlines and ad banners. Any rectangular shaped graphics and text display area can be used with a variety of special transition effects between headlines. From simple dissolves to complex three dimensional spray gun effects and video-like transition effects, the new applets offer dozens of ways to add attention-grabbing interest to a web page headline or ad banners. New PageCharmer 2.0 applets include:
LiveG-Banner(TM)-Creates slide shows of multiple graphics for use in headlines or advertisement banners. 60 different transition effects can be used to change from one graphic to the next. Each graphic can be linked to a unique URL.
LiveM-Banner(TM)-Creates slide shows of multiple text messages utilizing a unique text morphing effect between each headline. Each headline can be linked to a unique URL.
LiveT-Banner(TM)-Creates multi-media text headlines. A unique motion effect is applied to each individual character during transitions between headlines. Each text headline can be linked to a unique URL.
LiveX-Banner(TM)-Similar to the LiveG-Banner, the LiveX-Banner uses a series of graphics, applying a smooth dissolve transition effect from one graphic to the next.
LiveG-Spray(TM)-Creates a slide show of multiple graphics utilizing a three-dimensional "spray gun" effect. The spray gun placement and speed can be modified for each banner.
LiveT-Spray(TM)-Similar to the LiveG-Spray, the LiveT-Spray displays sprayed-on text headlines. Change the font, size and color of each message.
An improvement to one of the existing PageCharmer applets, LiveT-Ticker, now gives web designers the option to display ticker text from a file. While still maintaining the ability to display text from the HTML page, the LiveT-Ticker can be set up to read text from a separate fileæ uploaded separately to the web server. This new approach allows for easier management of a web site by separating the web page design from the web page content. The LiveT-Ticker can read and display a text headline that is updated by anyone the web master assigns. This approach also allows for automatic headline updates if such a program is in place.
PageCharmer applet properties are set using Mainstay's AppletSet'r(TM) interface allowing customization of the display and functionality of each applet. Version 2.0 further enhances the AppletSet'r by allowing designers to simply shift-click on any visible applet in a web page. Doing so opens the AppletSet'r dialog in a new window allowing simultaneous viewing of both web page and applet properties. Complete control over all of the applet's behavior and display properties is offered interactively, in real-time, in the AppletSet'r window. Most parameters are chosen from a set of possibilities presented in drop-down menus. AppletSet'r works with any Java-enabled browser like Netscape Navigator(TM), Communicator(TM), and Microsoft Internet Explorer(TM) and runs on all platforms including Macintosh(TM), Windows(TM), and Unix(TM).
PageCharmer gives web page authors the ability to add special-effects and dynamic controls without the need for specialized plug-ins or third party applications. Compact and optimized for fast, responsive web pages, PageCharmer applets are designed to offer maximum variability. Each applet can be customized with point-and-click ease into virtually an unlimited number of unique variations, without writing any HTML code or programming of any kind. Over 500 web-optimized graphics and sounds are included with PageCharmer. Graphics and sounds are selectable from pop-up menus in the AppletSet'rs. Custom graphics and sounds can be used directly by the AppletSet'rs simply by supplying the name of any file (GIF, JPG, and AU).
PageCharmer 2.0 is available now from Mainstay. The street price is approximately $149. An upgrade from any earlier versions of PageCharmer is available for $50 to registered users. For more information please contact Lance Merker by calling (805) 484-9400 or by e-mail at lance@mstay.com.