A test case for component software.There's a widespread notion that "components"--small, limited-function software tools--are going to be the wave of the future. Trouble is, there's not much evidence (except in niche markets A niche market also known as a target market is a focused, targetable portion (subset) of a market sector. By definition, then, a business that focuses on a niche market is addressing a need for a product or service that is not being addressed by mainstream providers. like VBX (Visual Basic EXtension) A component software technology from Microsoft that enabled a Visual Basic (Windows) program to add functionality by calling ready-made software modules. controls) that software buyers really want components. In fact, the best-seller lists continue to be dominated by integrated suites and other products that grow fatter with every release. Nevertheless, so many smart folks believe in components that we've tried to keep an open mind on this issue. And now, thanks to a new company called AlphaBlox International, we may actually get a real-world test of the component software theory. AlphaBlox--note the pun pun, use of words, usually humorous, based on (a) the several meanings of one word, (b) a similarity of meaning between words that are pronounced the same, or (c) the difference in meanings between two words pronounced the same and spelled somewhat similarly, e.g. on "blocks---has developed a nifty series of Win95-based OLE notepads, calculators, list managers, organizers, toolbars, and the like. These "blox" components will pop up inside other applications (they take just a second or two to load). Or they can be linked together to create customized tools, or distributed as self-contained sticky notes or calc templates. Each blox is a beautifully crafted small tool, zippy and fun to use, and nicely balanced between simplicity and richness of features. In short, blox are almost exactly the kind of products that the components enthusiasts said would soon show up on retail shelves. The marketing effort looks equally slick See SLC. . AlphaBlox has just shipped the first collection of blox components, a five-object set of desktop tools called OfficeBlox (list price $69.95). The AlphaBlox founders--Richard and Selwyn Rabins of Alpha Software, and U.K. software entrepreneur Michael Skok--are industry veterans with good retail connections and direct marketing skills. They've created especially dramatic and innovative packaging for the OfficeBlox product--a colorful six-inch cube that's bound to attract attention. Without spending tons of money, AlphaBlox has put together a marketing campaign that seems to cover all the important bases. If the blox concept fizzles Samuel Beckett used the word "fizzles" to describe eight short prose pieces: For to end yet again, Still, He is barehead, Horn came always, Afar a Bird, I gave up before birth, Closed place, and Old earth. , it won't be from inept execution. So here's the equation: Solid product, skillful skill·ful adj. 1. Possessing or exercising skill; expert. See Synonyms at proficient. 2. Characterized by, exhibiting, or requiring skill. marketing, virtually no competition, and the management and infrastructure of a well-established, medium-sized software company. Which leaves us with just one important unknown: market demand. Are there (as the AlphaBlox founders hope) millions of software consumers who will instantly grasp the components concept? Or will component software run into a brick wall of apathy apathy /ap·a·thy/ (ap´ah-the) lack of feeling or emotion; indifference.apathet´ic ap·a·thy n. Lack of interest, concern, or emotion; indifference. ? Since OfficeBlox offers such a clear test of the demand for components, we plan to track the product's sales over the coming year, and we'll publish updates whenever there are interesting developments. (Richard and Selwyn Rabins have also promised to share "the good and bad news" about the company's progress.) In the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile , OfficeBlox itself is well worth checking out: It may offer a glimpse into the future of software design. Richard Rabins, co-chairman, AlphaBlox US, 168 Middlesex Turnpike The following roads have been called Middlesex Turnpike:
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