Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001 07:29:16 -0800
To: lwn@lwn.net
From: Shawn Gordon <shawn@thekompany.com>
Subject: Press Release - update


THEKOMPANY.COM RELEASES BLACK ADDER, A WINDOWS/LINUX  DEVELOPMENT 
ENVIRONMENT FOR PYTHON

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA -- 10 January 2001 -- theKompany.com, producers 
and distributors of high-quality open source and commercial Linux software, 
announce the release of its Windows/Linux GUI development environment for 
Python, BlackAdder.  BlackAdder combines a visual design environment with 
debugging, syntax highlighting, ODBC interfaces and extensive HTML 
documentation into a comprehensive platform for developing Python 
applications, announces president and CEO Shawn Gordon.

"The Python scripting language is an important enabling platform for us in 
all of our products," says Gordon. "During the course of creating widget 
and scripting front ends for Python we realized what a great opportunity we 
had for taking advantage of the multi-platform nature of Python to build a 
comprehensive tool for creating Python based applications," Gordon 
said.  "We talked to Trolltech, the creators of the Qt windowing toolkit on 
which BlackAdder is based on and eGenix, creators of the multi-platform 
ODBC interfaces for Python known as mxODBC, and were able to derive a 
license arrangement to bring the most power and flexibility to BlackAdder".

"What is especially exciting for our customers is that BlackAdder not only 
runs on Linux and Windows, it generates applications that will run on 
either system as well. This protects your investment in development by 
enabling you to develop and deploy your applications almost anywhere. 
Unlike similar products, BlackAdder includes all the elements needed for 
developing complete applications and the rights to re-distribute the 
necessary run-time elements," says Gordon.  Highlights of the BlackAdder are:

- Organizes your Python scripts and GUI designs into easy to manage projects.
- An editor that includes highlighting of Python keywords and code folding.
- An interactive Python interpreter (v2.0) that allows you to execute any 
Python commands while your application is running.
- A license to access the Qt GUI toolkit API (v2.2.3) from Trolltech via 
the PyQt Python bindings only.
- Qt Designer from Trolltech with a modified user interface compiler that 
generates Python code.
- A debugger that supports single stepping and breakpoints.
- ODBC database connectivity (using mxODBC v2.0 from eGenix).
- Over 50Mbytes of HTML documentation.

BlackAdder is available in two editions, "Personal" aimed more at the home 
hobbyist and "Business", both editions produce the same high quality, 
professional applications the only restriction is the ability to create 
proprietary applications for resell.  The pricing and differences are 
described below, note the special discount pricing during the initial beta 
period:

BlackAdder Personal Edition
Includes:
- Python
- PyQt
- Qt (for use with PyQt only)
- Comprehensive HTML documentation
- mxODBC (ODBC for Python)
- IDE (including GUI designer, editor and debugger)
- 20% discount voucher for any book from O'Reilly
License: For personal home use only, not allowed to re-distribute any 
BlackAdder components.
Cost: $79.99 ($49.99 if purchased during the Beta period).
Support: Informal mailing list.
Updates: $59.99 per year for up to 4 updates per year ($39.99 during the 
Beta period)

BlackAdder Business Edition
Includes: Same as the Personal Edition.
License: For commercial use. Those BlackAdder components needed to provide 
a run-time environment (ie. Python, PyQt, Qt) may be re-distributed at no 
extra cost. One mxODBC license is included in the purchase price, valid 
mxODBC licenses must be obtained for any additional installations of 
generated software using the mxODBC component.
Cost: $399.99 ($249.99 if purchased during the Beta period).
Support: First month of support is included, extended support contracts are 
available on the web site.
Updates: $299.99 per year for up to 4 updates per year ($199.99 during the 
Beta period)

Detailed information and screenshots can be seen at 
http://www.thekompany.com/products/blackadder/

theKompany.com, a California-based company has developer teams in North 
America and Europe. theKompany.com fills a need in the Linux community for 
mass-marketed, quality Linux software by producing developer tools like its 
flagship product, PowerPlant. theKompany.com's products are marketed both 
online and through B&M channels. Visit www.theKompany.com for more information.


theKompany.com  5 Coluso, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 USA
Phone:  (949) 713-3276  Fax:    (949) 713-4846