Computer Associates International Inc believes there is nothing wrong with the use of cosmetic surgery if it makes customers feel better about themselves. With the introduction of Opal, Computer Associates is offering customers facelift opportunities for turning legacy character-based applications into lithe personal computer graphical user interface environments. Announced last week Opal, according to the company, enables users to meld existing application functions with video, audio and sound. It also enables users to integrate the desktop with client-server and host applications. Opal works with any emulation package that is WinHLLAPI compliant. In addition to mainframe environments, Opal supports AS/400, Unix, VAX, and Unisys systems. Opal’s authoring environment precludes reprogramming. By using point- and-click functions, developers can add multimedia Windows-type controls, called Gizmos. Developers are also able to customize the appearance of these Gizmos, such as adding customized images to the buttons and creating semi-transparent controls. Opal is priced $1,000 and is shipping now. At the same time, the company also announced the formation of a new division called InFresco, based in Sarasota, Florida, which will market and develop Opal.
