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DECforms V2.0 for OpenVMS VAX Adds Motif User Interface

HIGHLIGHTS

o  Motif support allows forms based applications to take full advantage of
   graphical capabilities of VAXstation systems and X terminals

o  Conversion tool upgrades existing VT based DECforms applications to Motif
   environments

o  High quality PostScript forms printing

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Forms based user interfaces are increasingly in demand as a means of
gathering and displaying data in a structured and user friendly way. The end
user can thereby utilize one of several possible types of desktop devices,
including character-cell-based VT terminals, X terminals, bitmap
workstations, and industry standard PCs. To simplify the problem of
supporting these multiple desktop environments, application developers need
a user interface management system that easily allows one application to
support user interfaces to each of these devices. These interfaces must not
be the "lowest common denominator" interface; instead, each must take
advantage of the capabilities of the specific device, without having to
embed device specific code in the application itself.

DECforms V2.0 for OpenVMS VAX systems, the latest release of Digital's
strategic forms product, supports the development and implementation of
powerful, Motif based user interfaces for Digital's family of OpenVMS based
VAXstation systems and X terminals. With DECforms V2.0, application
developers can develop a single application using a single form to provide
tailored interfaces and form processing functions for both character cell
and bitmap desktop devices as well as for high quality PostScript printers.
The display of bitmap Motif screens on PCs is also supported when using
appropriate X server software on the PC.

BENEFITS

o  Motif support in both the development and runtime systems to support the
   implementation of forms based graphical user interfaces -- including full
   windowing capabilities, random field and screen navigation using the
   mouse, cut and paste between fields, panels, and windows, full font and
   color support, 3D appearance attributes, polylines, pushbuttons, and
   slider buttons.

o  A VT-to-pixel layout converter, upgrading existing VT based DECforms
   forms to take advantage of Motif device capabilities.

o  Multiline text fields to allow for free-form textual input spanning
   multiple lines (this has been the feature most often requested by Digital
   users).

o  A new manual, Guide to Developing an Application, to guide developers
   through the complete process of building and implementing a DECforms
   based application.

o  Support of end users, at both character cell and Motif based devices,
   with a common interface tailored to the capabilities of their desktop
   device.

o  Reduction of development and maintenance costs, by providing application
   developers with a tool that allows them to develop applications that can
   support multiple types of desktop devices using a single form interface.

o  No need for application developers to understand the complexities of
   programming directly to Motif -- DECforms software provides a standard,
   higher level, six-call application programming interface that "hides" the
   lower level Motif interface from the developer.

o  Protection and enhancement of investment in existing VT based DECforms
   applications -- These applications can easily provide expanded desktop
   coverage to Motif devices with little or no change in the application
   code, through the use of the VT-to-pixel layout converter.

o  High quality printing of forms on PostScript printers in batch mode,
   supporting production level printing operations without the need for
   human intervention.

AVAILABILITY AND ORDERING

DECforms V2.0 for OpenVMS VAX is available now in two options: a full
development and runtime option and a runtime-only option. It is orderable
through Digital's sales offices, DECdirect service, and distributors.

Existing VAX FMS and VAX TDMS users who want to begin using DECforms V2.0 on
systems that are currently licensed for either VAX FMS or VAX TDMS software
can order the DECforms full development and runtime-only migration licenses
listed below, priced at half the price of the standard licenses.

Please note that DECforms V2.0 will not work with the existing version of
VAX ACMS, because of the new threading architecture employed in DECforms
software to support the DECwindows operating environment. The DECforms V2.0
use of DECthreads software affects both character cell and DECwindows
operations. Digital is planning to release a version of VAX ACMS that will
also use DECthreads software and therefore support operations with DECforms
V2.0. Release is planned for around the end of 1994. Until then, VAX ACMS
users should continue to use DECforms V1.4A. New VAX ACMS users can order
DECforms V1.4A by specifying the version number in the order.

Order No.        Description

QL-VCH*A-2B	 DECforms full development personal use license
QL-VCH*9-J*	 DECforms full development ClusterWide licenses
QL-VNS*A-3B	 DECforms runtime-only concurrent use license
QL-VNS*9-J*	 DECforms runtime-only ClusterWide licenses
QL-VUV*9-J*	 DECforms full development migration ClusterWide licenses
QL-VUW*A9-J*	 DECforms runtime-only migration ClusterWide licenses

SERVICE

Digital supports DECforms V2.0 for OpenVMS VAX systems worldwide with a full
range of services.

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Motif is a registered trademark of the Open Software Foundation, Inc.
PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.