From: glen mccready
To: Dead Beef <0xdeadbeef@substance.abuse.blackdown.org>
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 1995 18:15:05 -0400
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 6 Jul 1995 17:05:03 -0400
From: Keith Bostic <bostic@CS.Berkeley.EDU>
To: /dev/null@python.bostic.com
Subject: Prospero Systems, Inc. Introduces Chat Software for Internet
From: Wendell Craig Baker <wbaker@splat.baker.com>
I pulled it down and fired it up. Kindof neat. Its an IRC client done
simple (the old ircII client was horrendously complex) The amusing part
of it all is that there's a little ``advertising window'' up in the corner
that keeps changing as you chat-the-chat.
Currently available only in Windows 3.1, SunOS 4.1, Solaris 2.x (in metric
units that'd be Solaris 4.1 and 5.x) and SGI IRIX. You'll need your own
IP stack for Windows. The other important Unix nanoflavors (HP, AIX, DEC,
BSD and Linux) are planned.
Also check out their `GlobalStage' IRC server product which accompanies
the client. http://www.prospero.com/globalstage GlobalStage in beta now
with the following companies listed as participating: DimensionX,
MecklerWeb, MTV / Viacom, National Law Journal, Netcom, RockNet, SonicNet,
Time-Warner Pathfinder, Vivid Studios, The Well, Women's Wire
Cutting to the chase, the download pages are at
http://www.prospero.com/globalchat/download.html
W.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.prospero.com/globalchat/pr0628.html
Prospero Systems, Inc. introduces chat software for Internet
New software makes it easy for people to interact in real-time
on the Web.
San Francisco, Calif., June 28, 1995 -- Prospero Systems released
Global Chat(TM), the first software to add live interaction to the
Internet's popular World Wide Web, it was announced today. The
product brings the same types of social chat and live special events
users find appealing on commercial online services to the
Internet. Prospero has made the new software available by free
download to non-commercial users from its Web site.
"Using Global Chat is as easy as using the Web itself," explains
Stefan Sharkansky , President of the San Francisco, California-based
corporation. "With our software, Internet users can surf the Web while
they participate in social chat rooms and live interviews with
international newsmakers and celebrities."
"Chat accounts for over 30% of usage and revenue for the commercial
online services. But until now, the availability of easy-to-use
software has kept chat on the Internet's back burner," says
Sharkansky. Unlike other Web-based conferencing systems that require
the user to continually click on a button to view the latest messages,
Global Chat works automatically and continuously like a radio or
television receiver. Global Chat also adds graphics and sound to the
text-only chats commercial online subscribers are limited to. "With
users able to see graphics and listen to sound clips, we expect chat
popularity on the Internet to skyrocket and attract many new users
around the world."
Once the Global Chat software is downloaded from Prospero's home page,
the user needs only click on a link from a Web page to enter a chat
channel. The software opens a new window containing the ongoing chat,
along with any graphics and sounds being transmitted. Because users
can surf the Web and chat at the same time, exciting new types of Web
programming are under development at sites using Prospero's server,
including:
- Interviews with Celebrities & Entertainers, Ask the Expert and
"Talk-radio" style of programming supported by
commercially-sponsored graphical links to the Web.
- Special interest community discussion groups. Several large
organization are building community by sponsoring live events at
which members will be able to share personal home pages including
photographs and sound clips with peers while they interact.
- Live sales staff will assist customers and "sell" Web merchandise
in a prominent Web-based retail store.
- Real-Time Technical Support for a software company to answer
customer questions immediately and guide users to technical
documentation contained on their Web site.
- Entertaining, Narrated "slide shows" led by storytellers who
unveil a drama through live dialogue and graphics on secret Web
pages announced during the event.
With its improved graphical interface to the existing live IRC
(Internet Relay Chat) protocol, a standard currently used by hundreds
of thousands of chatters, Global Chat leverages years of real-world
technology testing and a large existing base of users and
programming. The Global Chat program is 100% compatible with existing
IRC servers, including the Global Stage commercial server and the
freeware version operated at many universities.
Pricing and availability
Global Chat is available for Windows, Macintosh and UNIX platforms by
free download from Prospero's Web site:
http://www.prospero.com/globalchat/
Prospero's Global Stage Server specifications
To meet the needs of commercial organizations who want to manage their own chat events,
Prospero has developed Global Stage, its own feature-rich IRC chat server. The UNIX-based
server has been tested by dozens of organizations in a free beta program since March 1. It extends
the basic IRC functionality to include:
Password Authentication linked to member databases of sponsoring organizations.
Optional Payment Capabilities through First Virtual.
Advanced Production and Moderator Tools to create entertaining, content-rich events.
Simulcast capabilities for graphics, sound and links to Web sites.
Expandable Code for easy customization and user-specific features.
Organizations interested in obtaining free beta software of the Global Stage chat server should send
email to: beta@prospero.com
Prospero Systems Research, Inc.
Prospero Systems develops and markets Internet-related products and custom programming
services, including the Global Stage family of chat software. Founded in 1992, the privately held
company is based in San Francisco, California.
CONTACT:
Jonathan Carey
Prospero Systems Research, Inc.
(415) 957-0724