NCompass ActiveX Pro -- NCompass is a Netscape 2.0 plug-in client that delivers object-oriented OLE controls and full support for Microsoft's ActiveX controls. NCompass will also run under Internet Explorer 3.0 and higher versions. The results of NCompass (in either its native browser format or as the plug-in module) are similar to HotJava, but the path taken to get there is entirely different -- instead of using the Java language to create distributable applets, NCompass uses Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) technology to create OLE custom controls (OCXs) that can be embedded and executed from within an HTML page. Again, like Java, the possibilities for this are nearly limitless. Current features include inline AVI movies, 3-D animations, sound effects, and much more -- who can tell what the future will bring for both of these apps. Unfortunately, the technology in NCompass is currently limited to Windows 95 and NT users. A Windows 3.x version should be available soon, but cross-platform compatibility with Macs and UNIX machines isn't planned for the near future. However, NCompass is available with both standard and professional versions for Windows 95/NT users. The professional version offers additional features including Visual Basic and Java scripting capabilities, OLE automation server functionality, code signing, and more. Overall, NCompass is an app that is definitely on the cutting edge of technology and will likely change the future of web browsing as we know it. It will be an interesting battle between NCompass and Hot Java... Pros: OLE ActiveX Custom Controls can be embedded and executed from web pages Cons: Lacks some features and the popular support of its main competition, Java New: Support for ActiveX and DirectX from Microsoft; new configurable options Version Reviewed: Pro - Release 3 Date of Review: 7/17/96 Reviewer: Forrest Stroud apps conference Main Menu