No Plugins or Programming Required
Jamba, Interleaf's visual tool for creating Java applets, enables Web developers and graphic designers to add
animation and interactive navigation to static HTML pages without the need to learn or program in the Java language.
Already the easiest Java creation tool on the market, Jamba now provides an improved user interface and powerful
new features that simplify the addition of animation and the capture and management of data. No plugins or programming
required. The new version of Jamba also offers improved performance thanks to smaller Java classes that shorten
the time needed for applet downloads.
Why do you need Java?
Well, If you want your web site to be more interactive and alive, and you don't want to fool
around with plug-ins. Then, Java is the way to go. What I like most about Jamba is that you can ease into Java.
To get started you use the wizards to creat simple applets for things like rollover buttons, animations, ticker
tapes, etc. Then you slow learn to edit these creations. While you are editing these creations you learn more about
Java and how it works. Then before you know it you are programming your own small applets and then you move on
to bigger and more complex applets. There aren't many languages or programming packages that allow for this type
of learning.
New and Enhanced Features
If you have or have used version 1.0, then want to know what is new and enhanced in version 2.0. Below is a list
of the new and enhanced features.
Timeline Animation
Jamba's new path-based, timeline animation tool is colorful, visual, and easy to learn. It allows Web page creators
and animators to visually lay out a sequence of graphic actions with effects such as fade, rotate, hide and zoom.
Multiple effects can be deployed simultaneously to synchronize multimedia components on the screen. Jamba's animation
function is path-based, enabling users to create a path that outlines how objects should move around the page.
Data Collection/Data Publishing
E-Mail Object: This new object enables Jamba to send an e-mail message anywhere in the world. The message can
be predetermined or composed from data input into a Jamba applet. For example, a user could create a feedback form
in Jamba with a "Submit" button that sends the feedback via an e-mail message.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Object: This new object allows Jamba applets to create and append to a data file
on the server. This data file is formatted as a Comma Separated Value (CSV) list, commonly used to create survey
forms to store multiple records in one place.
Common Gateway Interface (CGI) Object: This new feature allows authors to execute and pass information to and
from Jamba using CGI scripts. Typically, this capability is used for communication between a Jamba applet and a
Web server running a database.
Data Object: The new Data Object provides authors a way to view different types of information that's stored
on the web. The Data Object supports the CSV file format as well. Quickly create applets for viewing information
such as survey results, guest book information, product availability / pricing via the web. Power users can use
CSV files and the Data Object to create applets where the content of an object is set through the fields in the
CSV file. This is an easy way to create "template" applications that are driven by the data in the CSV
files.
Improved Usability
Jamba Wizards: Jamba 2.0 includes a number of new wizards designed to simplify the creation of Java applets
and components within them. Organized into five categories that allow users to quickly create common components
such as banner ads, ticker tape text and multi-page presentations, the wizards automatically produce all the objects
and To Do lists required to make the applet work. They also contain instructional notes that describe what the
objects do and how to modify them in a step-by-step process.
Page Inspector: Gives authors a visual view of each object and event on the Jamba page. This visual representation
makes it easy to follow "what's happening" on a page inside of a Jamba applet.
Notes Tab: Easily add notes and comments to individual objects inside of Jamba. The Jamba Wizards automatically
populate these tabs with text that describes how the object was built and instructions for modifying the object.
Power Features
Jamba 2.0 provides additional power features, such as new user-defined variables, mathematical computations
and If/Then conditional processing support, that are sought by Web page developers who need the flexibility to
provide alternate content based on how visitors are navigating within an applet or on the site. These features
help developers create appropriate content and improve ease of navigation around the Web site.
Improved Performance
To ensure quicker start-up time for applets, the size of Jamba's Java classes has been reduced in Version 2.0.
Even with increased functionality, classes now range from 40-130K, resulting in smaller files to download. In addition,
the Java code for the classes, has been streamlined and optimized for playback performance.
This is an impressive package. With a little bit of time and a lot of playing you can create Java Applets that
will make your web site more interactive, interesting and fun for your visitors.
Needs
486 or higher running Windows 95 or Windows NT with 16MB of RAM.
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