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FLASHBACK 1.1 FOR MAC NOW SHIPPING - DATA PROTECTION UTILITY RETRIEVES ANY PREVIOUSLY SAVED VERSION OF ANY DOCUMENT

Now Cross-Platform, FlashBack 1.1 Is The First Program To Protect Users Against The Number One Cause Of Data Loss!

Watsonville, CA - March 9, 1998 - Aladdin Systems, Inc., announced today that Aladdin FlashBack 1.1 is now shipping. FlashBack solves the number one cause of data loss: the accidental overwriting or erasure of a file. Aladdin FlashBack 1.1 is a new data protection utility that allows users to recover previously saved versions of any FlashBack-protected document from any application with simple drag-and-drop or double-click convenience - even if the original file is lost, damaged, overwritten or erased.

FlashBack, a personal and business productivity tool, fills the gap between recovery and back-up software to provide a new kind of document safety net. FlashBack allows users to easily access up to 999 previous versions of any FlashBack-protected document. FlashBack also saves disk space by tracking only the differences between versions.

New Improvements to FlashBack 1.1:

  • Recover from one to 999 previously-saved versions of any FlashBack-protected document (was 99)
  • A disclosure triangle in the FlashBack application window becomes orange to indicate the current document that FlashBack is revising or processing
  • Increased default setting to 50 saved/revised documents (was 20)
  • Improved help features and more informative warning dialog boxes

Seamless Integration
FlashBack works with documents created from any application, and is cross-platform (Windows and Macintosh). FlashBack's ability to track and recall changes to files can be applied to any document on local hard drives or remote servers. This includes graphics, word processing files, spreadsheets, databases, financial records, audio, video, multimedia files and HTML web pages. Documents are selected for FlashBack to track and the rest is automatic.

How It Works
To protect a document, the user simply drags-and-drops the document to the FlashBack window, and FlashBack does the rest automatically. Each change made to the document is captured and archived in FlashBack with a time and date stamp. FlashBack functions by recording the changes made to a document each time it is saved.

Using a Differencing Engine, FlashBack compares the current state of the file and the previously saved version each time the file is saved. Only the changes between these two files are recorded and saved by the FlashBack application, so disk space is reduced compared to conventional saved revisions.

The FlashBack window provides the user with a listing of all revised files. To view a previous version from this list, the user simply double-clicks on the revision or drags it to the desktop to rebuild the file exactly as it was at the time and date indicated. FlashBack launches the file's application if it is not already running, makes a copy of the document in its current form, and combines it with the revision files to generate the version the user selected. The user works with their files in the normal way, but can access any previous version with ease.

Unlimited Undos
FlashBack brings the "unlimited undo" feature to any document. Most programs allow only a limited number of undo functions, and even those are lost when the user quits the program or turns off the computer. A power failure or a system crash wipes out any ability to access earlier versions of a document. With FlashBack, the user can go back to an earlier version to retrieve information. The revision files can be treated like documents - open them, edit and save them with a new name, and share them with other FlashBack users by dragging and dropping the files into an email message. The user can track and review their documents, allowing for much more flexible and intelligent file management.

User Controls
FlashBack maximizes efficiency by letting the user set the frequency with which FlashBack records changes. The user can retain up to 999 versions of a document, after which the oldest version is simply deleted. The user can configure FlashBack to track changes whenever a document is saved, or whenever it is closed. With programs that have an auto-save function, FlashBack can be set to save changes every few minutes, instead of every instant, since auto-save programs save so frequently. Settings can be made on a default basis or tailored by file or application.

FlashBack allows users to:

  • Automatically capture and track all changes to documents, databases, and more, without slowing down other applications
  • Quickly and easily retrieve previously-saved versions of FlashBack-ed documents
  • Easily access any version of a FlashBack document for editing or printing with point-and-click convenience.
  • Edit and save documents with confidence, ending 'saver's remorse'
  • Automatically keep daily, weekly, or monthly archives (snapshots) of documents, databases, financial records - quickly and easily
  • Accomplish tasks from a very simple-to-use and effective user interface

Availability, Pricing, and Requirements
FlashBack is available through all major retailers, mail order and electronic retailers. Retailers in the US and Canada can contact Ingram Micro, Merisel and the Douglas Stewart Company. FlashBack is distributed worldwide via Aladdin's International distribution network, see Aladdin's web site for distributors.

For registered users of FlashBack 1.0, the free, downloadable upgrade with an electronic manual is expected to be available in March of 1998. A diskette/CD upgrade with a printed manual will be available directly from Aladdin for $9.95, not including applicable tax (US and Canada only).

FlashBack carries a projected street price of $69.95 for new users. An introductory $20 mail-in rebate is available through June 30, 1998, to customers who purchase FlashBack in retail (US and Canada only).

FlashBack is compatible with Windows 95, 3.11 and any Macintosh series computer running System 7.1.1 or later. FlashBack is year 2000 compliant. For more information on FlashBack go to .

Aladdin: Making data distribution and management transparent in the Internet era
Founded in 1988, Aladdin Systems, Inc. celebrates 10 years of developing and publishing award-winning business and consumer products. Aladdin publishes StuffIt¬, the worldwide compression standard and Spring Cleaning, the best-selling uninstaller for the Mac. Aladdin products are designed to make life easier by helping users take full advantage of their computer.

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Aladdin FlashBack, StuffIt and the Aladdin logo are trademarks of Aladdin Systems, Inc. All other product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.

 

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