Catalyst Development News

Windows Server 2008 Released

info@catalyst.com — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:48:07 -0800

Microsoft released Windows Server 2008 to manufacturing on February 4th and is available to volume licensees and MSDN subscribers. The operating system will be officially released on February 27th as part of a larger product launch that also includes Visual Studio 2008 and Microsoft SQL Server 2008. Additional information about Windows Server 2008 is available on the Microsoft TechNet site.

SocketTools developers who are currently using version 5.0 should download the free Service Pack 3 update that includes support for Windows Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008. For those developers who are using older versions of SocketTools, we recommend upgrading to the current version to ensure compatibility with the latest Windows operating systems and programming tools. Customers who have purchased the SocketTools Subscription can download the latest version using the download link provided when they purchased the subscription. More information about SocketTools 5.0 is available on our website at www.catalyst.com.

Visual Basic 6.0 Technical Support

info@catalyst.com — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:44:04 -0800

For developers who are using still Visual Basic 6.0, the product is reaching the end of it's extended support on April 8th, 2008 as it transitions into the non-supported phase of its lifecycle. This includes the Standard, Professional and Enterprise editions of Visual Basic 6.0, as well as those versions that were included as part of Visual Studio 6.0. Microsoft will no longer release service packs, hotfixes, security updates or provide incident support. However, Microsoft will continue to support the Visual Basic 6.0 runtime on Windows XP and Windows Vista as outlined in this support statement.

Likewise, we will continue to support the SocketTools ActiveX controls (as well as our other products) for Visual Basic 6.0 on Windows 2000, Windows XP and Vista. Although Microsoft's support for the classic Visual Basic development environment is coming to an end, it will not impact developers insofar as SocketTools is concerned. This is the same policy that we have followed when Microsoft ended support for Visual C++ 6.0 in September 2005 and we have continued to support our Library Edition with that version of the compiler. It is recommended that you download Service Pack 6 for Visual Studio 6.0, which you can obtain from the Microsoft Download Center.

We understand that many companies and end-users continue to depend on applications created using Visual Basic 6.0. We will continue updating and improving the ActiveX controls in our products, and will continue to support development tools using ActiveX/COM. Please note that if you are using an earlier version of SocketTools, we recommend that you upgrade to the current version and continue to receive technical support and updates for the product. This is particularly true for those developers who are using the MFC-based ActiveX controls in SocketTools 3.6 or earlier versions. The current version of the ATL-based ActiveX controls offer superior performance, stability and improved features that can extend the life of legacy applications written in Visual Basic 6.0, helping to ensure that your software will continue to work correctly on the Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 platforms.

SocketTools 4.5 Technical Support

info@catalyst.com — Wed, 2 Jan 2008 13:19:17 -0800

Technical support for the Catalyst File Transfer Control 4.5, Catalyst Internet Mail Control 4.5 and all editions of SocketTools 4.5 and earlier versions officially ended on December 31, 2007. It is recommended that all developers who are currently using version 4.5 download the last available build. Links to download the product files can be found in Knowledge Base article 100269. There will be no further updates or hotfixes published for this version of the product.

If you are using version 4.0, you can upgrade to version 4.5 at no charge. You can simply download the current version of your product and use your 4.0 serial number to install the software. Version 4.5 is completely backwards compatible with version 4.0 and requires no code changes. If you have any questions, feel free to post in the technical support forum section appropriate for your product.

SocketTools 5.0 Service Pack 3 Released

info@catalyst.com — Wed, 5 Dec 2007 16:36:03 -0800

SocketTools 5.0 Service Pack 3 has been released and offers developers new features, improved performance and full compatibility with Visual Studio 2008 and the Windows Vista operating system. This service pack update is a complete release of the product with the latest improvements to all of the SocketTools components. If your customers are migrating to Vista, or you plan on upgrading to the latest version of Visual Studio, you'll want to ensure that they have a simple, trouble-free experience with your software. Upgrading to SocketTools 5.0 helps ensure that your applications continue to run smoothly, and best of all, there's no additional coding required on your part. The SocketTools 5.0 components are source compatible with version 4.0 and 4.5, simplifying the upgrade process so that you can spend your time improving your software, not rewriting it.

Catalyst File Transfer .NET and Internet Mail .NET

info@catalyst.com — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:32:26 -0700

If you are working with the .NET Framework and need to incorporate file transfer or e-mail functionality in your software, the new File Transfer .NET and Internet Mail .NET components can enable you to add those features quickly and easily, with a minimum of coding and virtually no learning curve. These managed code classes are similar to what is offered in our larger SocketTools .NET product, but with a streamlined interface that is designed specifically for developers who want a single interface that is easy to use and understand. Both components also support secure connections using the standard SSL and TLS security protocols, and as with all of our components, are licensed without redistribution limitations, royalties or runtime licensing fees. If you have an active SocketTools Subscription license, then these new components are available to you free as part of the current update to your subscription download.

Internet Programming Tutorial

info@catalyst.com — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:22:38 -0700

If you're new to Internet application development on the Windows platform, we have an in-depth tutorial that explains the basic concepts behind network programming. The tutorial also helps you get started building your first application using our popular SocketWrench component for Visual Studio 2005. The topics include Windows Sockets, the TCP and UDP networking protocols, client-server fundamentals and a discussion of security and data encryption using SSL/TLS. We also have a video tutorial that demonstrates the basic steps behind creating a simple Internet application, and you can download a free evaluation copy of SocketWrench to follow along with the tutorials and get started creating your own programs.

SocketTools 5.0 Build 5020 Update

info@catalyst.com — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:12:44 -0700

A new update for SocketTools is available for download. Version 5.0 Build 5020 was released on June 21, 2007. This is a free update for licensed developers using version 5.0. Developers who are using earlier versions of SocketTools are eligible for an upgrade at a discounted price.

This is a complete product release that incorporates fixes from the previous general release, as well as all subsequent hotfixes. You can review the release notes and download the update for your software using the following links:

SocketTools 5.0 Release Notes
Download SocketTools 5.0 Update

We recommend that all developers who are using version 5.0 update to the current version.

SocketTools Product Wizard

info@catalyst.com — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:34:15 -0700

One of the most frequent questions that we get from developers evaluating our software is "Which edition of SocketTools should I buy?" It used to be that the answer was fairly straight-forward. The Visual Edition was for programmers who were using languages like Visual Basic, PowerBuilder or FoxPro. The Library Edition was primarily for C/C++ programmers, or those who simply preferred to use DLLs rather than ActiveX controls. Today, things are a bit more complex than that because development suites like Visual Studio and Borland Developer Studio provide multiple languages and target different platforms. SocketTools itself has also grown, adding scripting components for web developers and .NET assemblies which support multiple versions of the .NET Framework.

To make things easier for new customers to decide which edition of SocketTools best meets their needs, we've created a Product Wizard that will ask you a few questions and based on that information, recommend the most appropriate product. For example, if you specify that you’re programming in Visual C# on Windows XP and your program is an e-commerce application that needs to submit data to a website, as well as upload and download files then the Product Wizard will recommend the SocketTools Secure .NET Edition. Links are provided for more information about that edition, along with links to specific sections of the online technical reference that are related to the components you’ll be using. The idea was to put specific information about a relevant product all in one place, eliminating the need to search and guess which product would be the best choice. We hope that you find it to be useful, and we welcome any feedback you might have.

SocketTools 5.0 Released

info@catalyst.com — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:43:54 -0800

The SocketTools 5.0 has been released and offers developers new features, improved performance and full compatibility with the new Windows Vista operating system. If your customers are migrating to Vista, you'll want to ensure that they have a simple, trouble-free experience with your software. Upgrading to SocketTools 5.0 helps ensure that your applications continue to run smoothly, and best of all, there's no additional coding required on your part. The SocketTools 5.0 components are source compatible with version 4.0 and 4.5, simplifying the upgrade process.

In addition to the SocketTools 5.0 Editions, new versions of related products have also been released. SocketWrench 5.0, File Transfer Control 5.0 and Internet Mail Control 5.0 are also available. There is special upgrade pricing available to current SocketTools customers and you can order your upgrade online. If you’re currently evaluating SocketTools, you can download the new 5.0 version and it’ll extend your evaluation period for another thirty days.

SocketTools .NET 4.5 Released

info@catalyst.com — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 15:08:50 -0700

The SocketTools .NET Edition is available for developers who are building applications using Visual Studio 2003 or Visual Studio 2005. This edition of SocketTools includes a collection of managed code components written in Visual C# and compatible with any Visual Studio .NET programming language. Both Standard and Secure Editions are available, and the interface for each component has been designed to be very similar to the ActiveX controls in the Visual Edition, making the transition for developers as simple as possible.

The SocketTools .NET components make it easy to integrate complex Internet functionality in your Visual Studio .NET applications with just a few lines of code. With each SocketTools .NET component, you get all of the benefits of a higher-level interface, reduced learning curve and rapid development, along with the inherent power, performance and flexibility of a native managed code class library.

SocketTools 4.0 Technical Support

info@catalyst.com — Thu, 27 Apr 2006 15:40:47 -0700

Technical support for the Catalyst File Transfer Control 4.0, Catalyst Internet Mail Control 4.0 and all editions of SocketTools 4.0 will officially end on April 30, 2006. Version 4.0 was first released four years ago and it's time to retire that codebase.

You can upgrade from version 4.0 to version 4.5 at no charge. You can simply download the current version of your product and use your 4.0 serial number to install the software. Version 4.5 is completely backwards compatible with version 4.0 and requires no code changes. If you have any questions, feel free to post in the technical support forum section appropriate for your product.

SocketTools 4.5 Build 4520 Update

info@catalyst.com — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:41:19 -0700

SocketTools Version 4.5 Build 4520 was released on March 21, 2006. If you are using an earlier version of SocketTools, it is recommended that you update your software to the current version. If you are using version 4.0 or later, this is a free update. If you are using a version prior to version 4.0, you can purchase an upgrade online.

SocketWrench .NET 4.5 Released

info@catalyst.com — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 15:34:36 -0700

The SocketWrench 4.5 .NET Edition is now available for developers who are building applications using Visual Studio 2003 or Visual Studio 2005. This new edition of SocketWrench is a managed class library written in C# with a similar interface to our popular ActiveX control. With support for both standard and secure SSL/TLS connections, SocketWrench .NET can be used to easily create virtually any kind of Internet client and server application quickly and easily. For more information, please click on the following link.

LogicGem 3.0 Released

info@catalyst.com — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 16:49:16 -0700

The LogicGem logic processor software tool is designed to provide a familiar, easy-to-use way to create, edit, verify and compile decision table logic. LogicGem provides the means to prototype and expand a high-level procedural concept into a decision table, work it through analysis and design phases, and then generate English language documentation and programming source code in various programming languages. LogicGem provides tools to ensure that a tables logic is complete, unambiguous and contains every applicable rule in an expanded or reduced format.

You can download a free, fully-functional 30-day evaluation of LogicGem. There's also links to a general overview of decision tables and how LogicGem works, tutorial movies and the online help which you can review.