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ALADDIN'S FLASHBACK AVAILABLE FOR JAPANESE MARKET- 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
Watsonville, CA-- November 12, 1997 -- Aladdin Systems, Inc., developer of the worldwide Macintosh
compression standard, StuffIt(R), announced today it will begin
shipping Aladdin FlashBack(tm). FlashBack allows users to recover
previously saved versions of any document from any application
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.
"FlashBack retrieves things even Norton can't. 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," said 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 FlashBack
to save 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.
"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 "READ ME" files from file servers
Availability and Requirements
FlashBack is commercial software product available through act2,
Aladdin's Japanese Master Distributor. FlashBack is a commercial
software product that carries a Japanese SRP of 12,800 (YEN).
FlashBack is available throughout the US and all leading mail
order and retail computer stores and is distributed by Ingram
Micro, Merisel and The Douglas Stewart Company. Check Aladdin's
web site for the international channel partners: http://www.aladdinsys.com/store/international.html. For more information on FlashBack go to http://www.aladdinsys.com/flashback/
FlashBack is compatible with any Macintosh 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 worldwide compression standard; Spring Cleaning(tm),
the fastest and safest way to clean up your Mac; Private File(tm),
the easiest cross-platform encryption software; and CyberFinder(tm),
an Internet bookmark manager. Aladdin's Developer products include:
InstallerMaker(tm), the complete software distribution solution
and ShrinkWrap(tm), the quickest and easiest way to create and
distribute disk images. Aladdin products are designed to help
users take full advantage of their computers by making life easier.
Aladdin is located at 165 Westridge Drive, Watsonville, CA 95076,
USA; telephone: (408)761-6200; URL: http://www.aladdinsys.com; info@act2.com URL: http://www.act2.co.jp
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Aladdin's FlashBack, StuffIt, Spring Cleaning, ShrinkWrap 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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