Apple Computer Inc is promising a new version of AppleShare that increases the speed of file and print services – but only for users of PowerPC Workgroup Server models 6150, 8150 or 9150. Anyone buying one of the servers will qualify for an upgrade for a nominal charge once the software is released around the middle of the year. Also for AppleShare users – and available for free to new server purchasers and $200 for existing users – is AppleShare Client for Windows software that gives Windows users access to AppleShare file and print services. It can be used with 80386 and higher personal computers, equipped with ODI, Open Data Link Interface- or Network Driver Interface Specification 3.0-based Ethernet adaptor boards. Apple is also releasing a software developers kit based on the Windows AppleTalk Protocol Stack, which uses the software that was developed with Santa Barbara, California-based Miramar Systems Inc. The stack is based on a 32-bit Windows Virtual Device Driver architecture. Through the kit, Apple hopes to encourage the development of cross-system database, electronic mail, and scheduling products, and the company says that developers including ACI US Inc, Dantz Development Corp, Everyware Development Corp, Helios Software GmbH, and SoftArc Inc are currently evaluating it.
