This is the first alpha release of VncMonitor a 100% pure Java™ implementation of a client for ORL’s Virtual Network Computer.

VncMonitor is intended for those people who need to monitor several remote systems. A single window is used to present all the displays. The tab or backtab key allows the user to switch between systems. The return key causes the currently viewed system display to be transferred to its own window and the user can interact with the system using the mouse and keyboard. Closing the new window returns the monitored system display back to the initial window.

The configuration of VncMonitor is controlled by a file which contains all the information about what systems are to be monitored.

This is the second public alpha version. As well as bug finding and fixing there are still many things that need to be done before the program is suitable for production use. For example, the passwords in the configuration file are held in plain text! The purpose of this release is to get early feedback on what works and what doesn’t and to try to establish a whishlist and a to-do list for fixes and enhancements.

The bulk of the contents of the ZIP file containing the distribution consists of the IBM XML parser. This appears huge overkill for processing a very simple configuration file. The reason for adopting XML is that configuration files don’t stay simple for long. Using XML means that we can stand a change of managing the growth in complexity of the configuration system over time.

This version is offered for free evaluation until 1^st April 1999. You can download the program and use it for whatever purpose you like until that date. You may not give a copy to anybody outside your organisation nor may you post a copy on your web site. Please direct people to this web site so that everybody can get the latest versions.

The evaluation copy is. I haven’t decided about the final version.