Further Form Factor info from MetaPacific

rathmann@netcom.com (Raul Rathmann)

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Date: Sat, 22 Jan 94 00:14 PST
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From: rathmann@netcom.com (Raul Rathmann)
To: Multiple recipients of list <zoomer-list@grot.starconn.com>
Subject: Further Form Factor info from MetaPacific
Status: OR


Hello everyone

My name is Tim White and I'm president and CEO of MetaPacific Systems, Inc.,
creator of the Form Factor software system for GEOS-based PDAs.  

We've seen quite a few comments and questions about the package and I wanted
to try and clear up some things about it.  First, yes the system has been 
designed to build forms on a PC in Windows and using simple ASCII DOS files.
The reason we went with a Windows form builder rather than doing it in GEOS
was purely marketing driven.  We see the GEOS system as superior to Windows
in many ways, especially in its increadible efficiency and tight code
footprint.  To make a package that would apply to as broad a target audience
as possible, however, we had to acknowledge the sheer volume of Windows
releases on desktops.  The DOS utilities do let you do everything Windows
does for those of you that don't use Windows.  We are looking into a GEOS
form builder in upcoming versions.

Second, the package does execute in GEOS 2.0 as well as the various PDA
configurations like the upcoming PT-9000.  Again, it is only the form
executor that works in these environments, not the builder.

Last, we are tenatively planning to release a full copy of the Form Factor
1.0 release with limited functionality in the PDA side for download off
of Internet.  This will let you get some real experience with the system
and decide if it makes sense for you.

Any comments or questions you might have for us here at MetaPacific, you 
can route through Raul Rathmann at this Internet address.

Thanks, tw