FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Naomi Pearce
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Sophisticated Circuits Ships monoLog Log Server

-- Fully Scriptable System Centralizes Log Information and Triggers AppleScripts Based on Content. Ships With New DiaLogger --

WOODINVILLE, Wash., May 3, 2000 -- Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. today announced monoLog, a powerful Mac OS application that consolidates log data from multiple sources on a network and intelligently acts upon that data. Now, system administrators and power users can centralize and automate their monitoring of remote systems with this smart "log server," which intelligently filters log messages, sends notifications and even triggers AppleScripts, based on message priority and content. monoLog receives standardized log information from local or remote applications and network devices and can respond in several ways, including forwarding it to another machine or a text file; automatically alerting the administrator via a notification, email or pager message; or triggering an AppleScript. monoLog also provides access to log information via the Web. Available today, monoLog is priced at $24.95, or $199/10-pack license and is available directly from Sophisticated Circuits at <http://www.sophisticated.com/>.

"The ultimate tool for managing reliability from a central point of control," said Jonathan Feinstein of Sophisticated Circuits. "monoLog allows you to actively monitor for specific events or behavior. As an administrator, you can automatically dispatch information to where it can be most effective without delay, whether that information is a notification or instructions for the machine to take pre-defined actions by executing an AppleScript."

Log a Distributed Enterprise in One Spot

While most logs are passive listings of events for a single application, monoLog creates a central repository for log information from a vast quantity of devices and software applications. Since monoLog is based upon the open UNIX standard SyslogD protocol, it can freely communicate with other SyslogD-compliant loggers to log data from devices, such as routers and Unix servers. monoLog is flexible, allowing log messages to include information about practically any behavior from an application. Each message contains the message text, a time/date stamp and one of eight monoLog-assigned priority tags.

Active Filtering with Highly Defined Responses

monoLog allows administrators to determine where and how they want to be notified of particular events. Active filtering lets monoLog know in real time when notification conditions have been met and responds in one of five ways: a local response such as a blinking icon or dialog box, network logging for forwarding entries to another machine, email notification, pager notification when used with Mark/Space's PageNOW! software, and even immediate AppleScript execution.

Ignite monoLog's Power with AppleScript

"The real power of monoLog is its use of AppleScript," said Sal Soghoian, AppleScript product manager. "With it's enhanced scriptability, monoLog is perfect for developers and scripters who want to easily track computer usage and access the results remotely."

monoLog lets administrators predefine responses to particular events by allowing activities to automatically trigger AppleScript scripts. Using the enhanced program linking abilities in Mac OS 9, monoLog can not only send information to other systems but receive data as well. Any user can also build in high-level support to monitor for specific behavior using AppleScript.

New DiaLogger to Dismiss and Log Dialogs

monoLog's DiaLogger, the first utility capable of automatically dismissing Mac OS 9 dialogs and notifications, also provides centralized logging of their contents. The captured text from these application and system messages can then be processed using monoLog's full array of automated responses. Unattended machines, such as kiosks, can now transparently log and respond to interactive alerts, and forward the information to a remote administrator, without impairing the end-user experience.

Access Log Data Via the Web

monoLog includes a WebSTAR API-compatible plug-in that publishes log data to the Web on demand. The WebSTAR API is supported by the vast majority of Macintosh Web servers including WebSTAR, AppleShare IP, Quid Pro Quo and WebTen.

"Immediate access to important information is the name of the game," said Feinstein. "Web access is frequently the most effective way to gain access to the log information you need."

Developers: Adding monoLog Support is Easy

While any user or developer can add high-level monoLog support to applications using AppleScript, monoLog also makes it extremely easy for developers to add support at a lower level using the supplied SDK. Several companies, such as Purity Software, have already discovered for themselves how easy it is to add support to monoLog.

"monoLog's functionality, and in particular the prospect of sending SyslogD-style remote messages from our WebSiphon web application, inspired us to try adding built-in support for monoLog to WebSiphon as an experiment, using the monoLog SDK," explained Ben Kimball, web application developer at Purity Software, Inc. "Literally five minutes after reading the extremely clean API, I had completed a basic implementation of monoLog support and had syslog messages going from my web application to a remote machine. When you factor in everything monoLog can do with these incoming messages-- dialog boxes, email, even the execution of AppleScripts-- the implications boggle the mind. This is amazingly cool."

Price and Availability

The new monoLog is available immediately directly from Sophisticated Circuits' Web site at <http://www.sophisticated.com/> for $24.95 each, or $199 per 10-pack, with site licenses available by calling Sophisticated Circuits at 425/485-7979 or 800/769-3773. A fully-functional 30-day demo version of monoLog is also available at <http://www.sophisticated.com/>.

About Sophisticated Circuits

Founded in 1984, Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. is a privately held corporation located in Woodinville, WA. Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. develops elegant, highly integrated hardware/software tools which make the lives of computer professionals easier by enhancing the reliability, remote access and automation capabilities of servers and personal computers. Further information on Sophisticated Circuits may be obtained by accessing <http://www.sophisticated.com/>, by calling 800/769-3773, or by sending e-mail to: . International inquiries can also reach Sophisticated Circuits by calling +425/485-7979, or by sending a fax to +425/485-7172.

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Rebound!, monoLog, DiaLogger, iDo, iDo Script Scheduler and Kick-off! are trademarks, and PowerKey is a registered trademark, of Sophisticated Circuits, Inc. Apple, AppleScript, Macintosh and Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. All other brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.