b.cognosco

Interesting new products from Adobe, a graphic arts application powerhouse, as they begin to work XML and server-based products into their line and extend their reach into the back-office market.

Back in April Adobe purchased a Canadian company called Accelio. The company, formerly known as JetForm, had some very nice XML-based dynamic document and workflow server products, with a strong installed base in government and financial services. I did an indepth review of the JetForm products a couple of years ago and was really impressed with the quality, efficiency, and usefulness of their products.

The XML support, dynamic document generation, and multi-protocol support look like this could be the first product to emerge from the Accelio buyout. Adobe dropped support for their own server products several years ago, leaving a gap that was filled by Global Graphics' PDFCreator. But there is a market for business server products with effective PDF support.

Adobe ties documents to back-end apps. XML allows roundtrip transactional workflows [...] The San Jose, Calif.-based company on Monday rolled out its Adobe Document Server, which lets users dynamically generate customized PDF files from a variety of data sources. Document Server uses XML to integrate with existing workflows and applications such as ERP, CRM, and EAI, according to Shawn Cadeau, director of product management for server products at Adobe. [...]
[...] In addition, the Document Server includes support for Java, SOAP, Perl, and COM, allowing programmers to develop scripts to automate the creating of PDF using existing tools, according to Adobe officials. The server software also supports XSL-FO (Extensible Style Language Formatting Objects), a standard for describing XML document formatting. [...] [ Source: InfoWorld: Top News]

Bike To Work or Bike At Work

1:54:27 PM

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Just in time for Christmas, the perfect gift for the geek who has everything.

Stay Fit While You Work
Do you work in an office, virtually chained to a desk in front of a computer? If you do, then two new innovations may help you through the day, whether you’re looking for a workout or just a quick snooze. [...] [ Source: MSNBC News] via [bottomquark]