This brief item from Tech Web reports that IBM released Java2 for AS/400e servers. Java2 is a Java development kit that is available for no charge.

Smart Reseller reports that despite rapid growth of externally hosted deployments, Lotus CEO Jeff Papows still isn’t quite sold on the idea.

Thanks to reader Steve Walch for sending in this article from Smart Reseller on IT Factory’s ITF Business Suite. The article give ITF Business Suite high marks as a rapid intranet builder.

Corex Technologies Corporation announced new CardScan Version 5 Software and the USB-enabled CardScan 500 dedicated business card scanner. CardScan Version 5 Software enables customers to scan international business cards and automatically synchronize the information with contact managers and PIMs using new AutoSync technology. CardScan provides AutoSync for Lotus Notes, Lotus Organizer, GoldMine, and others.

KnowledgeArc announced that it would be representing two document control products, Aviator Document Management for collaborative document management and EtQ Solutions for ISO/QS-9000 and ISO 14000 document control at Lotusphere Europe in Berlin, Germany. KnowledgeArc has formed strategic alliances with both EtQ, Inc. and Aviator Software, Inc. to distribute and market each company’s application.

Here’s a review of Lotus Organizer 6.0 from PC Week. The review says that Organizer 6 lets users view contact and Web entries in tabular format and update old telephone area codes. Organizer also updates the user interface via Lotus SmartCenter, a filing cabinet on a horizontal bar.

SoftTree Technologies announced immediate availability of the 24×7 Scheduler version 1.6. The 24×7 Scheduler is an integrated set of tools for automating a variety of software functions. It replaces all batch and macro scripting and processing software. It provides functions including file management, database operations, RAS connectivity, email notification via MAPI or Lotus Notes.

Legato Systems announced the release of the Legato NetWorker Module 1.1 for Lotus Notes. This allows users to restore specific email and adds support for Domino R5. The NetWorker Module for Lotus Notes provides online backup and restore for email and other Notes applications.

Interliant announced that its AppsOnline.com rental application site is offering immediate access to Lotus’ QuickPlace, a Web-based team collaboration tool. Small businesses, departments of large corporations and consumers now will be able to go to AppsOnline.com and create instant shared workspaces on the Internet.

ZDNN reports that Transmeta, the new start-up with Microsoft’s co-founder Paul Allen and Linux developer Linus Torvalds, may be ready to tell the world what it’s up to at Comdex ’99.