The Readerware Newsletter

Readerware 1.31

Readerware 1.31 is now available on the web site. This is an important maintenance release. It includes:

• An upgrade to the Sun Microsystems Inc. security library. This provides Readerware with access to secure web sites. It is recommended that all users upgrade to ensure the highest level of security. As usual the version available on the web site includes global encryption support only. Users who have the 128 bit domestic level encryption support will be receiving another e-mail from us with instructions on how to download the domestic level upgrade.
• Readerware 1.31 also includes a number of enhancements to the Readerware Browser. In particular network problems navigating around some web sites have been fixed. If you experienced problems placing orders at some sites, these should be resolved. Data extraction has also been improved and images are now available from more sites.
• The Linux version is now certified with the Sun Microsystems Java 2 runtime, version 1.2.2. Some Linux only bugs have also been fixed, popup menus should now work correctly and a problem with the startup script that could prevent some users from accessing the internet has been fixed. The new Linux distribution is faster, especially when you add the Borland/Inprise JIT. Full details are available on our web site at http://www.readerware.com/rwLinux.html

For more information on upgrading to Readerware 1.31, please visit the web sit at http://www.readerware.com/rwDown.html

An Important Note for AOL Users

Some AOL users have not been receiving the Readerware Newsletter recently. According to local press reports AOL has been blocking e-mail sent from Pacific Bell Internet services. Pacific Bell, the local telephone company here in Northern California, is our internet services provider.

To us it appears that all newsletter subscriptions are being sent, we do not receive any errors or bounced e-mail from AOL, they just seem to be throwing e-mail into the bit bucket and not telling anyone!

If you have an alternate e-mail address, you might want to subscribe to The Readerware Newsletter using that address. To subscribe visit the web site at http://www.readerware.com/rwSub.html. You can also try contacting AOL customer service.

It is our understanding that AOL and Pacific Bell Internet Services are trying to resolve this issue. Meanwhile we are sending this newsletter via an alternative service so hopefully it will get through to everyone.

We apologize for the inconvenience. To make sure you are up to date, download Readerware 1.31 and visit our news page at http://www.readerware.com/rwNew.html for a complete recap of recent releases.

From the FAQ

With more users installing high speed always on internet connections such as DSL and cable modems, protection of your PC from unwanted intruders is becoming a very important issue. Many users have installed a firewall and/or connection router to share a single internet connection between multiple PC's and to stop unauthorized access. This has resulted in a new entry in the Readerware frequently asked questions list at http://www.readerware.com/help/rwFAQ.html.

Q: Can I use Readerware with a proxy server?

A: Yes, Readerware can access the internet via a proxy server. At this time you must define the proxy server to Readerware using command line options:

' Presumably you have some kind of proxy settings setup for your browser. Under Netscape for example you can configure the proxy settings by host name and port for http and security protocols. These correspond to the Readerware http and https settings above. So take a look at what you have in your browser and use those as command line options to Readerware, e.g.

' If you are using Windows you can run that from the command line or update the start menu shortcut. Linux users can update the supplied startup script

Readerware for Linux

As mentioned above Readerware for Linux is now certified for use with Sun Microsystems Java 2, version 1.2.2. This is the first official release of Java 2 for Linux. Previously we had been using a pre-release version of Java 2 for Linux from Blackdown. In our testing the new Sun release is very stable and fast, even though it does not include a Just in Time compiler as the Windows version does. Sun is offering a pointer to a pre-release JIT from Borland/Inprise. We have tested Readerware with Sun Java 1.2.2 and the Borland/Inprise JIT. Readerware 1.31 includes some Linux only fixes so all Linux users will want to upgrade. Remember that all the features of Readerware for Windows are available in the Linux version, including both global and domestic encryption support.

Support Readerware

You can support Readerware and ensure that the new features keep on coming. Use Readerware when making your online purchases. If you order using the Readerware browser or shopping cart, Readerware normally receives a commission from the vendor. The Readerware browser uses the same encryption technology as the major browsers so you can order online, safely and securely using Readerware. Plus it ensures continued development of Readerware.

Your Feedback

Your feedback is always welcome. There are big things coming in the next few weeks, so check the web site or watch you mailbox for the next edition of The Readerware Newsletter. E-Mail feedback@readerware.com.

Thanks for your support.