*** Conference Report - Spring Internet World '97 - Los Angeles
by John Latta
BackWeb Technologies
In conjunction with Microsoft, BackWeb announced that it will create a
version of its client push technology that will be integrated with the
Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 due to be released this summer. BackWeb
will also support Microsoft's Channel Definition Format standard for
broadcast content. The effect of this announcement is that IE 4.0 users
will be able to:
Personalize the delivery of any kind of content or software,
including content that is not web based;
Receive offline usage feedback;
Do advanced schedule of content delivery;
Do downloads of large files incrementally in the background; and
Integrate the broadcast server with other systems in the
enterprise.
BackWeb also announced new personalized broadcast channels. These
include: BullsEye Internet News Service, GSEA World and online discount
department store for GSA Employees, JAMtv whose "JAM Jukebox" is for
personalized music and news, J-Bird Records for broadcasting background
music, Stock-Line the Stock Traders News Network Channel, WorldNow
OnLine for the delivery of local news and 55BroadNet the Global
Community Sandbox for digital news and distance learning.
www.backweb.com
Integrated Data Systems
IDS announced that V*Ream Builder 2.0 will be available in the spring
for $595. For users of Version 1.0 the upgrade will be $100. Version
2.0 is claimed to be the only VRML authoring package to allow users to
edit native VRML 2.0. In addition, the software also supports cut and
paste and drag and drop simplicity in the design of complex virtual
worlds. Import capabilities include: VRML 1.0, Open Inventor, 3D
Studio, RAW, and SGI WaveFront and trueSpace files. Also supported is
Microsoft's DirectSound.
ids-net.com
Newalloy
LiveCD 2.0 was announced which includes the special Xtras interface to
Macromedia Director 6. The LiveCD System is based on client/server
technology using LiveServer which links multiple clients or LivePlayers
via the Internet. The focus of this technology is to ensure that hybrid
media applications running on LivePlayers are updated in a timely and
transparent bandwidth efficient manner. This technology uses the
LiveServer Smart Push technology to trigger the Update Crawler which
tracks the interests of the LivePlayers. Updates to the hybrid media
are transparent and seamless. LiveCD also supports integrated fax, e-
mail and chat capabilities.
The LiveCD System consists of the following:
LiveCD Publisher (Windows - $488) (Mac - $488)
LiveServer for Windows NT (10 concurrent users) - $2,888
LiveServer for Sun Solaris (10 concurrent users) - $4,388
www.newallow.com
Template Graphics Software
TGS was showing at the conference its 3Space Publisher a tool for
creating 3D objects. A strength of this product is its ease of use
which allows many users from Web developers to professionals to design
3D visuals. Included are 500 drag and drop 3D objects. Import
capabilities include AutoCAD, 3D Studio, DXF, OpenInventor and VRML 1.0
and 2.0. Features supported include:
Ray tracking engine
5 movable lights
Moveable cameras
Animation engine
3D True Type fonts
www.tgs.com
Back Sun Interactive and Superscape
Announced that Superscape's Viscape browser will be integrated into
Black Sun's client software Passport. The new version of Passport is
available at their Web site:
superscape.com
For more information on the Black Sun Community Server visit
www.blacksun.com
Creative Technology
Announced the product Creative Inspire which allows for easy access to
multimedia content on the Internet. This product brings a easy to use
interface which also supports the popular plug-ins such as Real Audio,
VDOLive, Shockwave and OnLive! Talker. Creative Inspire will also
automatically update itself with these plug-ins are updated. Based on a
channel concept Creative Inspire brings an Internet user interface
which is media focused. Creative Technology announced relationships
with 200 content providers. The software is available for download at
the beginning of April at:
www.creaf.com
VDONet
Demonstrated the first video technology that they claimed approaches
television quality over the Internet. Available next quarter, this
scaleable video technology adjusts the quality of the video based on
bandwidth up to 30 fps over a wideband network. The demonstration was
at 30 fps using a 512 kbps connection. VDONet claimed that over 700
sites are using its technology.
www.vdo.net
Paragraph International
Announced the availability of the first authoring tool optimized for
Intel's MMX technology. Internet 3D Space Builder 2.1 (ISB 2.1)
includes:
Advanced VRML compression technology, including gzip import and
export;
Improved Geometry design functions;
Multiple True Color rendering Engines; and
Support for Intel's MMX instruction set
The retail price of ISB 2.1 is $89.95 for the packaged version and
$69.95 for the download version.
www.paragraph.com
Nucleus Interactive
Announced Atomic3D for the creation of 3D animation characters. This
software supports facial expressions and lip synch. Its viewer program
is called Neutron and to company is distributing 1 million copies on
CD-ROM. It has a production tool Proton Pro ($995) for the creation of
characters including facial movement and sound track synchronization.
www.atomic3d.com
Macromedia
Announced Director 6 Multimedia Studio. This is a major upgrade of the
standard for multimedia authoring. Director 6 has taken on Web
authoring functionality including streaming Shockwave movies, hybrid
applications via Shocked CDs and browser scripting support. Director
has a new user interface which provides for accessible objects and
behaviors. Sprites are now full objects. A new floating Sprite
Inspector and Sprite Overlay mode allow users to view and modify object
properties on the Stage. Now object animation paths and displayed and
edited on the Stage.
Director 6 is available for Windows 95, Windows NT, and Macintosh 68K
and Power PC. The retail price is $999 with upgrades for $499.
www.macromedia.com
Dimension X
Announced Liquid Reality Composer (LR Composer). The software is
focused on ease of use point and click VRML authoring. This is the
first software which enables users to integrate content creation and
the playback window allowing them to manipulate objects in the actual
3D scene. The software will be available in April.
www.dimensionx.com
Black Diamond Consulting
Announced version 2.0 of the Surround Video SDK and a new companion
product Surround Video 2.0. These product enable the creation of full
360 degree panoramic photographs which can be used in web pages and
multimedia titles. In addition, images can now be added to Office 97
documents.
Surround Video 2.0 ($395)and Surround Video SDK 2.0 ($495) will ship in
April.
www.bdiamond.com
Internet Conference:
www.iworld.com
Wave Issue 9705 3/14/97 Article 8-01