2net "Alice" Embedded Web Browser
 

Data sheet (PDF, 65 Kbytes)

The Alice Web Browser is ideal for hand-held computers, PDAs, in fact anywhere where you need to display HTML pages in a resource-limited environment. In many cases it makes sense to use HTML to format the display, even if the end user is not using the device to "surf the net". HTML provides a common standard for displaying text and graphical information. Tools and expertise are readily available.

Alice is not just a cut-down version of a desktop browser. It has been designed from scratch for embedded systems. Its compact, modular architecture makes it easy for OEMs to customise to work on their particular hardware.

Features

  • Compact: requires less than 200 Kb ROM and 400 Kb RAM
  • Modular: display driver and input device drivers are separately loaded modules, making it easy to port to non-standard hardware
  • No operating system required when using the optional file system and bootstrap loader modules
  • Precompiled versions for DOS available
  • Windows 95 emulator makes it easy to see how HTML will look on the target device
  • Display resolutions down to 1/4 VGA in monochrome, greyscale or colour
  • Range of fonts including serif (similar to Times Roman) and sans-serif (similar to Arial). Others are available to order
  • Supports the most commonly used HTML 3.2 tags, including tables and forms
  • Displays GIF and JPEG images
  • HTTP 1.0
  • Integrated TCP/IP stack makes it easy to configure and deploy
  • Dialer and PPP supplied for dial-up connection

System Requirements (DOS version)

  • Intel x86 compatible CPU
  • 400 Kbytes free RAM
  • MS-DOS 3.3 or compatible
  • A network adapter and packet driver or Hayes compatible modem

System Requirements (No Operating System version)

There are a wide range of options, including support for flash and disk file systems, Ethernet drivers and so on. Please contact 2net to discuss your requirements.

Architecture

Alice is based on the Grow Graphical User Interface which has been developed over a number of years by Grow Software. It uses object oriented techniques to make it easy to change the "personality" to suit the target environment, for example to look like Windows or Mac.

Grow uses dynamically loaded driver files for the device-dependent parts of the system such as the display and input devices. A standard set of drivers are supplied

Screen Drivers

  • VGAHI.GDL - VGA 640 x 480 in 256 colours
  • VGABW.GDL - VGA 640 x 480, black and white
  • CGA.GDL - CGA 320 x 200 in 16 colours

Input Drivers
  • MSMOUSE.GDL - MS compatible mouse
  • NOMOUSE.GDL - Dummy driver
Evaluate the Alice Browser

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