For Immediate Release

MEDIA LAB GIVES WEBSITE BUILDERS
A BETTER WAY TO UPDATE CONTENT

WebMeddler™ Lets Authorized Non-Programmers Edit Live Web Pages While Protecting Page Design and HTML Integrity


Longmont, Colorado - November 6, 2001 - Media Lab today announced a new solution to a common website management problem - how to let authorized non-programmers make minor changes to existing web pages without disrupting page formats, design elements, or the integrity of HTML programming.

WebMeddler™ provides a superior solution to this problem by offering a low-cost, Java-based tool that installs on a server as part of the website infrastructure. It allows the website builder to pre-select text and other aspects of each page that may be modified by authorized non-programmers. The non-programmers can then access the web page via a java-enabled browser and password to make changes using basic word processing skills. No HTML coding or special client software is required.

A few examples may illustrate how useful WebMeddler can be in a variety of situations. In the case of a corporate intranet, authorized departmental representatives can update information on the site without wasting expensive programmer time to make minor changes. For small and medium-sized companies that use freelance web designers, the marketing person who oversees the website can make urgent changes as needed without incurring expensive outside consultant fees. Content reviewers who travel a great deal can make immediate corrections to web page text from anywhere in the world using a standard browser and password.

"WebMeddler lets overtaxed HTML developers focus on their primary job of designing and programming web sites," said Chris Perkins, CEO of Media Lab. "Frequent, minor updates can now be safely delegated to the non-programmers concerned with the content itself, whose modifications will be safely bound by restrictions set by the webmaster."

How WebMeddler Works

WebMeddler adds to each web page an invisible Java applet that is unobtrusive until activated by an authorized user. It incorporates an HTML parser, a file transfer protocol (FTP) client, and a word processor all in one tiny program. When activated, it asks for user identification and password, opens a simple text-editing window, and then allows the user to make text deletions, insertions, and modifications including font, style and hyperlink choices. Changes are implemented immediately to live web pages.

Template-based editing is optional at the discretion of the website builder. With templates, the webmaster provides an exact description of which page elements may be modified and to what extent. WebMeddler uses the template to display check boxes, popup menus, fields, and other choices to the user whose input is mapped back into HTML styles. Templates offer a great way to expose rich and sophisticated HTML features to editing, but under very exact control - free from errors or ambiguity. Template-based editing is so powerful that web page programmers may even find themselves using the templates for page development.

Because WebMeddler uses FTP to access the web server, it supports existing security systems and poses no additional security risks. The software has no special access of its own, nor does it store any record of user names or passwords.

WebMeddler runs with any type of server software or server configuration so long as web pages are FTP addressable for both read and write operations.

Key Features

  • WebMeddler allows web neophytes to edit web pages from a browser - no special knowledge of HTML or custom tools is required.
  • The website builder determines what parts of the page can be modified and to what degree including text, bold and italic styles, fonts, and hyperlinks.
  • WebMeddler Java applets and scripts run on the client-side browser. No custom servers or server scripts are required.
  • WebMeddler prevents non-programmers from altering website design elements or disrupting the integrity of the site structure. Non-approved font faces, sizes or colors cannot be selected.
  • Optionally, site builders can limit the set of hyperlinks available to content managers to avoid possible mistakes or broken links.
  • Carriage returns may be mapped to <p>, <br>, or <li>, or may be ignored.
  • Optional custom templates allow site managers to define both what HTML programming will be created and where user input will be inserted. Templates may include popup lists, check boxes, or single line text fields that define precisely what changes content managers can make.
  • Website security is maintained because WebMeddler is called through javascript and uses standard FTP for file access. No special backdoors or security breaches are opened.
  • Optional automatic file back-ups record the content of the site before editing, so any content changes can easily be reversed.
  • An audit trail of content manager comments provides a record of who made what changes, when and why.

Server Requirements

Because WebMeddler executes on the client side, it has no particular server or server software requirements. Servers may run Unix, Windows, NT, Macintosh or Linux in any configuration. WebMeddler requires only that the web pages be FTP addressable for both read and write.

AOL users note: AOL members cannot deploy WebMeddler on their pages because America Online web pages are not FTP accessible for both read and write operations.

Client Browser Requirements

For Windows: Internet Explorer 4, 5, or 6. Netscape 4. (Netscape 6 is not supported.)

For Macintosh: Netscape 4 only.

Pricing and Availability

WebMeddler 1.0 is available now via download. Price for the download version is $US 199. WebMeddler is licensed per site/ domain. Once purchased, there is no limit to the number of users who may access the program from that site.

WebMeddler 1.0 can be ordered from Media Lab's online store at www.medialab.com/store or by phone at 800-282-5361. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted.

About Media Lab

Based in Longmont, Colorado, Media Lab publishes software used by graphic designers and web designers to create animated presentations and graphical web pages. Media Lab's award-winning web-page design tool PhotoWebber has received numerous favorable reviews since it was introduced in April, 2000. The company's multimedia design tools - PhotoCaster, AlphaMania, and Effects -- have been used to create pioneering special effects seen at the EPCOT Center at Disney World in Florida, in numerous music videos and in motion pictures such as Batman and Robin, Air Force One, and Armageddon. Media Lab can be reached via the web site at www.medialab.com, by email at sales@medialab.com, by phone at 800-282-5361 or 303-546-7929.

Trademarks

WebMeddler is a trademark of Media Lab. All other trade names are trademarks of their respective owners.

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Press Contact

Donna Druchunas or Tom Summerall - press@medialab.com