Aladdin Systems, Inc. - News and Events

Aladdin's Flashback Now Available - New Safety Utility Retrieves Any Previously Saved Version Of Any Document

FlashBack is an Automatic Safety Net for All Macintosh Files- Adds "Unlimited Undos" to Any Application, Tracks All Saved Revisions of Any File

Macworld EXPO, Boston, MA, Aug. 6-8th, (Meeting Area #2064, Bayside)

Watsonville, CA -- July 30, 1997-- Aladdin Systems, Inc., developer of the worldwide Macintosh compression standard, StuffIt®, announced today that it began shipping FlashBack?. FlashBack allows users to recover previously saved versions of any document simply by double-clicking.

FlashBack falls in between traditional back-up software and file recovery utilities to provide an entirely new kind of file safety net. FlashBack allows users to easily access from one to 99 previous versions of any saved file. This new form of backup can be applied to any type of file. It functions by tracking the changes made to a file each time the file is saved (whether by an auto-save feature or by user command). Changes are maintained in the FlashBack application for each saved version by a time and date stamp. At any time in the future the user can double click on any previous version and FlashBack instantly re-creates the file as it was at the time and date indicated.

"Traditional backup utilities are too cumbersome, and undo functions are too limited. FlashBack provides immediate point and click access to any previous version of the file under revision, whether it is a drawing, a multimedia file, a contract or spreadsheet. If the user needs to return to earlier editions for comparison or re-use, FlashBack instantly rebuilds the file.Ósaid Brad Peppard, vice president of marketing."

Seamless Integration
FlashBack works with any application and with any kind of file. FlashBack's ability to track and recall changes to files can be applied to any program or file on local hard drives or remote servers. This includes spreadsheets, databases, financial records, audio, video, multimedia files and HTML or web pages. Files are selected for FlashBack to track and the rest is automatic.

How It Works
Using a Differencing Engine, FlashBack compares the current state of the file and the previously saved version each time a file is saved. Changes between these two files are recorded and saved in the FlashBack Application (under the same title with the time and date stamp). The differences encompass just the edits and changes between the two versions, saving disk space. The changes are generally only 2% to 5% of the original file size. FlashBack saves space by letting the user decide how many revisions to retain, then it discards old revisions once that number is exceeded. With auto-save programs, FlashBack can be set to make changes every few minutes instead of every instant, since auto-save programs save so frequently.

FlashBack provides the user with a Finder-like listing of all revised files, with the time and date of each revision. From this list,the user is able to simply double-click on the revision or drag to the desktop to rebuild the file exactly as it was at the time and date indicated.

Unlimited Undos
FlashBack brings the "unlimited undo" feature to any program. Normally, even the most powerful programs only allow a limited number of undo capabilities, and even that is lost when you shut down the program or turn off the computer. A power failure or a system crash wipes out any ability to access earlier versions of a file. With Aladdin's FlashBack, the user can go back to an earlier version and cut and paste pieces between one or more prior editions of a file or document. Users can track and review their files, allowing for much more flexible and intelligent file management.

User Controls
Users can configure FlashBack to track changes whenever a file is saved, or whenever it is closed. The user can also set up to 99 versions of a file. After which the oldest version is simply deleted. The user can set the frequency that FlashBack records changes. All settings can be made on a default basis and adjusted file by file.

FlashBack provides the user with a Finder-like listing of all selected files and the time and date of each version. From this list, the user is able to simply double-click on the version they choose to retrieve. FlashBack then makes a copy of the original working document and incorporates those changes.

"The beauty of FlashBack is that no other safety utility exists with seamless integration in the Finder, that is so affordable, simple to use, and helpful to novice and expert Macintosh users alike. It makes retrieving older versions of documents easy and painless," said Peter Thomas, FlashBack product manager.

FlashBack allows users to:

Automatically track all versions of important documents
Keep versions of anything a user is unsure of changing
Keep daily drafts of documents- quickly and easily
Keep versions of documents easily from different locations and computers
Automatically update document versions between Laptop and Desktop machines
Automatically update work from home or on the road
Organize all current working documents
Watch server documents automatically
Retrieve past-saved versions
Time & date stamp all "Saves"
Automatically update from removable media
Automatically revise shared documents locally
Keep archives of financial and business records
Create a virtual table of contents to subscription CD-ROMs by tracking changes in their "README" files from file servers

Availability, Pricing, and Requirements
FlashBack is a commercial software product that carries a suggested retail price of $69.95. FlashBack is available throughout the US from Ingram Micro, Merisel and The Douglas Stewart Company, and directly from Aladdin. Check Aladdin's web site for the international channel partners. For more information on FlashBack go to http://www.aladdinsys.com/flashback . FlashBack is compatible with any Macintosh series computer with 2MB of RAM and System 7 or later.

Aladdin: Making data distribution and management transparent in the Internet era

Founded in 1988, Aladdin Systems, Inc. is the developer and publisher of award winning business and consumer products. Aladdin publishes StuffIt®, the Macintosh and Internet compression standard; Spring Cleaning?, the fastest and safest way to clean up your Mac; CyberFinder?, an Internet bookmark manager; and Private File, The easiest cross-platform encryption software available. Aladdin products are designed to help users take full advantage of their computer by making life easier.

Aladdin is located at 165 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA; telephone: (408)761-6200; URL: http://www.aladdinsys.com; e-mail: info@aladdinsys.com

###

Aladdin's 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.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Lyng or Kendra Howell
Aladdin Systems, Inc.
(408) 761-6200 x229
pr@aladdinsys.com

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Copyright 1997, 1998 Aladdin Systems, Inc. Questions? Send us a note.
Modified 3/12/98 FxD Webworks

		Aladdin's Flashback Now Available - New Safety Utility Retrieves Any Previously Saved Version Of Any Document FlashBack is an Automatic Safety Net for All Macintosh Files- Adds "Unlimited Undos" to Any Application, Tracks All Saved Revisions of Any File *Macworld EXPO, Boston, MA, Aug. 6-8th, (Meeting Area #2064, Bayside)* Watsonville, CA -- July 30, 1997-- Aladdin Systems, Inc., developer of the worldwide Macintosh compression standard, StuffIt®, announced today that it began shipping FlashBack?. FlashBack allows users to recover previously saved versions of any document simply by double-clicking. FlashBack falls in between traditional back-up software and file recovery utilities to provide an entirely new kind of file safety net. FlashBack allows users to easily access from one to 99 previous versions of any saved file. This new form of backup can be applied to any type of file. It functions by tracking the changes made to a file each time the file is saved (whether by an auto-save feature or by user command). Changes are maintained in the FlashBack application for each saved version by a time and date stamp. At any time in the future the user can double click on any previous version and FlashBack instantly re-creates the file as it was at the time and date indicated. "Traditional backup utilities are too cumbersome, and undo functions are too limited. FlashBack provides immediate point and click access to any previous version of the file under revision, whether it is a drawing, a multimedia file, a contract or spreadsheet. If the user needs to return to earlier editions for comparison or re-use, FlashBack instantly rebuilds the file.Ósaid Brad Peppard, vice president of marketing." Seamless Integration FlashBack works with any application and with any kind of file. FlashBack's ability to track and recall changes to files can be applied to any program or file on local hard drives or remote servers. This includes spreadsheets, databases, financial records, audio, video, multimedia files and HTML or web pages. Files are selected for FlashBack to track and the rest is automatic. How It Works Using a Differencing Engine, FlashBack compares the current state of the file and the previously saved version each time a file is saved. Changes between these two files are recorded and saved in the FlashBack Application (under the same title with the time and date stamp). The differences encompass just the edits and changes between the two versions, saving disk space. The changes are generally only 2% to 5% of the original file size. FlashBack saves space by letting the user decide how many revisions to retain, then it discards old revisions once that number is exceeded. With auto-save programs, FlashBack can be set to make changes every few minutes instead of every instant, since auto-save programs save so frequently. FlashBack provides the user with a Finder-like listing of all revised files, with the time and date of each revision. From this list,the user is able to simply double-click on the revision or drag to the desktop to rebuild the file exactly as it was at the time and date indicated. Unlimited Undos FlashBack brings the "unlimited undo" feature to any program. Normally, even the most powerful programs only allow a limited number of undo capabilities, and even that is lost when you shut down the program or turn off the computer. A power failure or a system crash wipes out any ability to access earlier versions of a file. With Aladdin's FlashBack, the user can go back to an earlier version and cut and paste pieces between one or more prior editions of a file or document. Users can track and review their files, allowing for much more flexible and intelligent file management. User Controls Users can configure FlashBack to track changes whenever a file is saved, or whenever it is closed. The user can also set up to 99 versions of a file. After which the oldest version is simply deleted. The user can set the frequency that FlashBack records changes. All settings can be made on a default basis and adjusted file by file. FlashBack provides the user with a Finder-like listing of all selected files and the time and date of each version. From this list, the user is able to simply double-click on the version they choose to retrieve. FlashBack then makes a copy of the original working document and incorporates those changes. "The beauty of FlashBack is that no other safety utility exists with seamless integration in the Finder, that is so affordable, simple to use, and helpful to novice and expert Macintosh users alike. It makes retrieving older versions of documents easy and painless," said Peter Thomas, FlashBack product manager. FlashBack allows users to: Automatically track all versions of important documents Keep versions of anything a user is unsure of changing Keep daily drafts of documents- quickly and easily Keep versions of documents easily from different locations and computers Automatically update document versions between Laptop and Desktop machines Automatically update work from home or on the road Organize all current working documents Watch server documents automatically Retrieve past-saved versions Time & date stamp all "Saves" Automatically update from removable media Automatically revise shared documents locally Keep archives of financial and business records Create a virtual table of contents to subscription CD-ROMs by tracking changes in their "README" files from file servers Availability, Pricing, and Requirements FlashBack is a commercial software product that carries a suggested retail price of $69.95. FlashBack is available throughout the US from Ingram Micro, Merisel and The Douglas Stewart Company, and directly from Aladdin. Check Aladdin's web site for the international channel partners. For more information on FlashBack go to http://www.aladdinsys.com/flashback . FlashBack is compatible with any Macintosh series computer with 2MB of RAM and System 7 or later. *Aladdin: Making data distribution and management transparent in the Internet era* Founded in 1988, Aladdin Systems, Inc. is the developer and publisher of award winning business and consumer products. Aladdin publishes StuffIt®, the Macintosh and Internet compression standard; Spring Cleaning?, the fastest and safest way to clean up your Mac; CyberFinder?, an Internet bookmark manager; and Private File, The easiest cross-platform encryption software available. Aladdin products are designed to help users take full advantage of their computer by making life easier. Aladdin is located at 165 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076, USA; telephone: (408)761-6200; URL: http://www.aladdinsys.com; e-mail: info@aladdinsys.com ### Aladdin's 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. *Media Contact:* Jennifer Lyng or Kendra Howell Aladdin Systems, Inc. (408) 761-6200 x229 pr@aladdinsys.com

		Products \| Support \| Company Info \| Site Map \| Home Downloads \| Updates \| Products \| Register Developers \| Ask Aladdin

		Copyright 1997, 1998 Aladdin Systems, Inc. Questions? Send us a note. Modified 3/12/98 FxD Webworks