Amzi!News, Winter `96/'97
Contents
Amzi!News & Software
Distribution Goes Electronic
Amzi!News via E-Mail
Starting with this newsletter, we will be sending out regular news items via e-mail approximately once a month.
Everyone who has asked to subscribe to our e-mail list has been included. If you want to receive (or stop receiving) these newsletters, send your request with your e-mail address on www.amzi.com.
Internet Distribution
We are also implementing a system where registered users can download new products and updates from our Web site.
WebLS and the Solaris Edition are the first Amzi! products available via Internet (e-mail), and we will be adding Amzi! 4.0 soon.
Amzi! 4.0 ß1 Adds
Multiple Logic Servers
Amzi! 4.0 ß2 Adds Unicode Support
The 4.0 release of Amzi! Prolog + Logic Server has two primary objectives.
First, we want to enhance the architecture of the Logic Server so that it can comfortably co-exist in multiple process environments such as the Internet (including the Web), telephony, client-server systems and intelligent agents.
Second, we want to continue to expand the environments in which the Logic Server can be readily used. The primary demands in this area are Internet client and server based. The Java Class, Sockets LSX and CGI Interface are all part of this work.
Beta 1
The first beta release for the 4.0 version of Amzi! Prolog + Logic Server was released to subscribers in August. The primary enhancements are:
- Support for multiple, simultaneous invocations of the Logic Server (Prolog engine),
- A native C++ interface,
- Improved error handling via catch and throw.
- Online help in HTML.
Beta 2
The second beta release is expected to be sent to subscribers in January. It features:
- A native Unicode engine with both ASCII and Unicode interfaces
- Improved project handling
- Better Prolog library support
- Numerous minor enhancements
Beta 2 will lead directly to 4.0 final, but work will continue apace.
Post 4.0 Directions
As soon as 4.0 is final (and maybe even before) we will start work on one or more of the following: dynamic database enhancements, expanded Java support, ActiveX/OLE, and Netscape plug-ins.
All development work is customer driven. If you have specific needs or suggestions, please let us know.
Join Subscription Plus!
If you would like to get in on the fun, all you have to do is subscribe.See the order form on page 3 for details.
Amzi! for Solaris
Now in Alpha Test
Amzi! Prolog + Logic Server is now available in alpha test on Sun Solaris. This edition is specially priced at $898 per developer and includes all test versions, plus a 6-month subscription after the final release.
The Solaris Edition is source and binary compatible with the Windows Edition. Contact us for more information or to place an order.
WebLS 2.0 is Here!
The 2.0 release of WebLS is available now in both Professional and Freeware Editions (see related article on page 2).
Professional Edition
The Professional Edition is priced at $498, and features the ability to record and display the results of user sessions. This allows you to gather valuable data about your web visitors.
For Site Advisors, you can learn what products and features are of most interest, as well as learn about the backgrounds and demographics of the your visitors.
For Problem Solvers, you can learn what problems users encounter the most.
Freeware Edition
The Freeware Edition includes the latest enhancements and bug fixes, and is available for downloading now.
WebLS Directions
Next on the agenda for WebLS is support for multiple modules within the logic-base. This and supporting features will make it easier to build large diagnostic or advice systems.
If you have any additional suggestions for enhancement, please let us know.
Using Intelligent
Components on the Web
The Internet and the World Wide Web provide a unique opportunity to deploy intelligent components. Internet provides the means to directly interface with a wide variety of end-users and access a plentitude of information. Internet also provides the opportunity to intelligently connect users to the information they need.
Tools for Amzi! Users
In the past few months, we’ve built a number of modules to support Internet development.
Current Amzi! users can take advantage of a CGI interface that lets you embed Prolog components in Web server-based applications. Or you can use our Java Class or Sockets LSX.
A Tool for Webmasters
We’ve also been developing a higher-level tool named WebLS. This lets you embed intelligent components using a high-level rule-based language designed specifically for the Web.
Problem Solvers
One application of WebLS is to build diagnostic systems.
For example:
- A lawn care company might have an expert system to diagnose lawn troubles (and recommend the company’s products).
- A software company might answer commonly asked tech support questions.
- A consumer electronics company could query customers about their budget and desired features, then recommend home audio and video components.
- A sound card manufacturer might have a system to diagnose malfunctioning cards.
Advisors
Another application area for WebLS is for advisors.
For example:
- We added an advisor to our Web site that asks you what your background and interests are, and then recommends tools, articles and other resources. The first screen below shows the starting questions, and the second screen below shows the recommendations that were dynamically generated for a particular user.
- A large corporation could advise employees on applicable benefits.
- A hardware maker might help users select which driver files to download and install.
Building Logic-Bases
WebLS logic-bases consist of:
- The questions to ask the user, e.g. ‘What technologies are of most interest to you?’ or ‘Which of these pictures most resembles your lawn problem?’ They can contain images, videos, audio, JavaScript routines, plugins, ActiveX controls and any other supported HTML elements.
- The Web documents and portions of Web documents that are displayed for the user. These might be short paragraphs as in the case of a Site Advisor, or multiple pages of diagnostic information. Like questions they can include any HTML elements.
- The rules that determine what Web documents (and portions thereof) to display based on the answers the user enters for the questions. For example, ‘if interests include ‘Web’ then tool = ‘WebLS’.
For more information and articles, see our web site.
PaperCon Optimizes
Paper Layout and Cutting with Amzi!
PaperCon in Atlanta Georgia is using a program written with the Amzi! Logic Server and Visual Basic to optimize cutting large sheets of specialty paper.
The problem is called the guillotine problem because each cut must go completely across the paper. So the layout problem consists of determining where to position the rectangular pieces needed. Because of the guillotine cutting and the relatively small number of pieces cut from each sheet (less than 5), it is possible to search the full space of possible positions.
The empty spaces and the pieces are represented in Prolog lists of tuples consisting of the upper-left and lower-right corners. The program places the pieces in a top-down, left-to-right manner and by using recursion and backtracking searches for the optimal layout.
Prolog was selected because they could rapidly prototype the problem and change the control structures as needed.
Visual Basic is used to display the paper and the pieces to be cut. It was selected because it is widely used ‘standard’ and could provide a comfortable interface for the paper cutters to use.
Special Upgrade
Offers ‘til February 28th
3.3 Professional and Personal Users
If you own the Personal or Professional version of 3.3 you can get the current version of 3.3, the 4.0 beta release plus a full year of updates with Subscription Plus for $198, if you order by February 28th.
3.3 16-bit Professional Users
If you have the 16-bit Professional Edition you can upgrade to the Professional Edition (which includes 32 and 16-bit tools/libraries), and get the current version of 3.3, the 4.0 beta release plus a full year of updates with Subscription Plus for $398, that’s a savings of $100 if you order by February 28th.
3.0, 2.0 and 1.0 Users
If you own any other version of Amzi! or Cogent Prolog we have a special one-time offer to upgrade you to the current release. But you must order by February 28th to qualify.
Personal Edition
If you’d like the current version of 3.3 and the 4.0 beta release for the Personal Edition plus a full year of updates with Subscription Plus the cost is just $298.
Professional Edition
If you’d like the curent version of 3.3 and the 4.0 beta release for the Professional Edition plus a full year of updates with Subscription Plus, the cost is just $598.
Order/Upgrade Form
Offer Expires February 28th
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[1] UPGRADE OFFERS--In order to receive the current
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40 Samuel Prescott Drive
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tel 508 897 7332
fax 508 897 2784
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