Spectrum: Interactive Media & Online Developer News
24 May 99
Reported, written and edited by David Duberman
for editorial/ subscription inquiries, send duberman@dnai.com
Check out Spectrum on the Web at http://www.3dlinks.com/spectrum
Today's Headlines (details below)
WEBMEISTER
--Adobe Delivers Adobe GoLive 4.0 for Windows
--Digital Creations Introduces Zope Portal Toolkit Toolkit
--Factpoint Ships Web Content Certification Suite
--Vicomsoft Updates Web Caching Server
--Webteacher Updates Webdata
IN THE INFOGROOVE
--East Bay Updates Multimedia Search Tool
--Copernic Releases Japanese Search Tools
WEBSIGHTINGS
--Web Bits
TECHNOTES
--Vela Announces MPEG-2 Decoder
THE DIALS & LEVERS OF POWER
--Call for Coders: Dragon's Lair 3D
--GDC 2000: Call for Abstracts, Submissions
--O'Reilly "Open-Sources" OpenSources: Voices From the Revolution
--Jupiter: European Online Households Triple by 2003, Usage to Remain Low
--Study Illustrates Importance of Sound in Extending Brands Online
--Datamonitor: 67 Million European and US ITV Households by 2003
DEALS
--MGI to Purchase Live Picture Assets
GAMES PEOPLE PLAY
--LucasArts Ships Episode I Games
--Microsoft Ships Midtown Madness
--Interplay Offers Planescape Torment Chat Prizes
--Prodigy Adds new Thrall Games from Freefall
--Activision to Publish Tenchu II for PC, PlayStation
--Microsoft to Ship Access' Links Extreme
--Bungie's Myth II: Soulblighter coming to Linux
--Project Two Announces Tunguska, ACM 1918
--Activision to Publish Blue Stinger for Dreamcast
NUMBEROLOGY
--Online Buying Grows Faster than Browsing
HAPPENINGS
--SF Lecture/Performance: From Wagner to Virtual Reality
F.Y.I.
--About Spectrum
___________________________________
Adobe Delivers Adobe GoLive 4.0 for Windows
Adobe Systems last week shipped GoLive 4.0 for Windows ($299), the first
version of the Web-design and publishing tool for the Windows platform.
Previously available only for Macintosh, its features include:
* a visual design environment provides tools such as a QuickTime Movie Editor,
WYSIWYG Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), and a Layout View with Grid for
pixel-level control
* support for emerging Web technologies including Extensible Markup Language
(XML) and Microsoft's Active Server Pages (ASP)
* productivity enhancements such as global site management controls, a studio
of editors that make up a seamless, integrated work environment and integration
with Adobe PDF
http://www.adobe.com
___________________________________
Digital Creations Introduces Zope Portal Toolkit Toolkit
Digital Creations last week released its Zope Portal Toolkit, a service
facility that extends the power of the company's Zope 2.0. Zope is a free, Open
Source Web application platform used to build, deploy and manage dynamic Web
sites.
The Zope Portal Toolkit provides news, search, directory and membership
services that interact with Zope 2.0's capabilities. Zope 2.0 is a
second-generation application server for Web site development and content
management, providing an index for fielded- and full-text searches, "news" and
hierarchical views. The Toolkit also supports membership-based customization
and presentation features.
Zope 2.0's Portal Toolkit creates a Catalog that contains a high- performance
index used to support search and browse capabilities. Searches can be conducted
by date or time, rich text or full text, or to display new content updated
since the member's most recent visit.
Zope's directory lets managers and users create categories and subcategories,
and to navigate this dynamic information landscape via the Toolkit's catalog
index. Nodes within the directory can be used to store unique HTML
presentations, graphics or other content. The Zope Portal Toolkit also includes
a framework wrapper used to integrate non-Web content from incoming email,
databases or other sources.
http://www.zope.org/
___________________________________
Factpoint Ships Web Content Certification Suite
Factpoint claims its new Web Content Certification Suite validates Web content
so organizations can be certain their content is 100% accurate. That sounds
like wishful thinking to us, but at least it stamps Web pages with "electronic
watermarks," indicating that content has been certified. If content is tampered
with, Factpoint automatically invalidates the content certificate.
http://www.factpoint.com/
___________________________________
Vicomsoft Updates Web Caching Server
Vicomsoft has upgraded its Internet connection sharing and content filtering
software for schools. Internet Gateway version 6, now available for both
Macintosh and Windows, incorporates a new transparent caching server said to
speed up Internet browsing for network users. It also includes an Offline
Library Mode that allows browsing of cached content while not connected to the
Internet. The Internet Gateway implements content filtering based on the
CyberNOT list of restricted sites.
The integrated caching server automatically saves incoming Web content on the
server's disk, with concurrent delivery to requesting clients' browsers. On all
successive requests the content is delivered to network users at high speed,
even in classroom environments where many students may simultaneously request
the same content. This direct cache-to-browser delivery avoids delays
frequently experienced by Internet users.
Pricing starts at $215.
http://www.vicomsoft.com
___________________________________
Webteacher Updates Webdata
Webteacher Software has released a new version of its Webdata customizable,
non-technical database solution for the Internet. Using a Web browser and a
mouse, users follow Webdata's on-screen instructions to create their own
complex, individualized databases. Advanced features, said normally to require
CGI programming in other databases, are now executed automatically by the
program.
For more information, or to download a trial version, visit www.Webteacher.com.
___________________________________
East Bay Updates Multimedia Search Tool
East Bay Technologies has just released the newest version of AudioGrab, its
multimedia search application which lets users search for multimedia files and
media-related Web pages.
Features include:
* search for MP3, VQF, WAV, MIDI, RealAudio and more (17 total)
* remembers busy FTP sites and "ratio" sites to allow the user to revisit the
site with FTP client
* search for multimedia Websites by topic, subject, band name or other keyword
http//www.eastbaytech.com/audiograb.htm
___________________________________
Copernic Releases Japanese Search Tools
The just-released CopernicLITE Japanese and CopernicPlus Japanese Internet
search tools reportedly improve the Japanese Internet experience. According to
Copernic, a third of the millions of Japanese-speaking Internet users say
finding what they are looking for is their single biggest problem.
Copernic simultaneously consults up to 32 Internet search engines at once. It
uses predetermined categories, allowing targeting of inquiries in over 125
major search engines grouped in about 20 categories such as The Web,
Newsgroups, E-mail Addresses, Health, Finance, Games, Kids, Movies, Music,
Recipes, Science, Sports and Travel. The Japanese version includes 54 Japanese
search engines, including the most popular ones such as Yahoo!, Goo and Hole in
the Wall.
Copernic Japanese can be downloaded at http://www.copernic.co.jp. The English
version is available at http://www.copernic.com/free99.html and the French
version http://www.copernic.com/fr/free99.html. German and Spanish versions are
due in the coming months.
___________________________________
Web Bits
With the aim of providing women with advice on such health issues as
osteoporosis, heart disease and breast examination, iVillage.com's Health
Channel, Better Health (http://www.betterhealth.com/virtualcheckup/), has
introduced a 'Virtual Check-up' area, designed by Superscape's Content
Solutions Group using VRT authoring software.
GreaterGood.com has published a bill of rights on its site
(http://www.greatergood.com). These guidelines reportedly help shoppers
navigate
the relatively new terrain of e-commerce and learn more about what
socially-conscious shoppers should expect when purchasing from online shopping
environments that claim an affiliation with not-for-profit causes.
A group of writers and literary scholars has created Pilot-Search
http://www.pilot-search.com, a free online search engine comprised of 10,000
searchable literary links. With over 250 categories, Pilot covers book reviews,
interviews, individual writers like Tennessee Williams, ghost writing services,
e-Text, MFA Programs, short story contests, and more. Pilot links to the
internal pages of big sites like Salon, Project Gutenberg, and the New York
Times Book Review, but it also links to the pages of smaller sites like
Georgejr.com, Scribendi!, and E-Script Workshop.
Pay service www.usgovsearch.com indexes more than 20,000 government and
military
Web sites representing over 3.8 million Web pages, NTIS title and abstract data
since 1964 ... CNET Auctions (http://auctions.cnet.com) is an online auction
service focused on technology products ... VA Linux Systems'
http://Linux.com is
a community for proponents and users of the open source-based operating system
... Internet portal Orientation Czech Republic (http://cz.orientation.com) is
presented in both the Czech and English languages for travelers and business
people.
Bob Hanson says his free e-zine "The Web Success Extra" at
http://www.hansonmarketing.com helps consultants tap into tested marketing
techniques to get more online business ... New interactive elements of the
WholeFoods.com (www.wholefoods.com) Website include online forums and live
chats
that allow visitors interested in natural and organic products to share ideas
and hold discussions with other WholeFoods.com shoppers.
___________________________________
Vela Announces MPEG-2 Decoder
Coming sometime this quarter from Vela Research LP is CineView Pro LE, a new
PCI-based MPEG-2 decoder board. The card is designed to deliver 4:2:2 Profile
MPEG-2 decoding capabilities for professional decoding applications including
broadcast, post production, cable TV, POI/POS, and VOD.
The "affordable" (price not specified) board provides MPEG-2 decoding direct to
a PC VGA monitor as well as NTSC or PAL video outputs. Key features include
composite analog video output, balanced analog audio output, and genlock input.
http://www.vela.com
___________________________________
Call for Coders: Dragon's Lair 3D
Animator Don Bluth and video game pioneer Rick Dyer - the original creators of
Dragon's Lair, the world's first animated video game and one of three video
games on display at the Smithsonian Institution - will be collaborating again
for the first time since the arcade game was released in 1983 to create
Dragon's Lair 3D, to be published by Blue Byte Software of Austin, TX.
The real-time action/adventure game features new characters from Bluth and game
design from Dyer. Dragonstone, the company which will design the game, is based
in Covina, CA and president Steve Parsons said he was eager for potential
programmers to contact him as the company increases its staff. The game is
being designed currently for PC and Macintosh formats but with a console
version under consideration.
Interested game programmers should contact Steven Parsons at 626.915.2965 or at
mailto:steven@dragonstone.com.
___________________________________
GDC 2000: Call for Abstracts, Submissions
Would you like to share ideas beneficial to the game development industry? Do
you need a forum for your passion and knowledge? Are you interested in
facilitating dialogue among game development professionals?
Join the faculty of the Game Developers Conference in San Jose, California from
March 8 through March 12, 2000. Previous GDC speakers include Shigeru Miyamoto,
Michael Abrash, Phil Harrison and Sid Meier.
Submit ideas for consideration no later than July 1, 1999.
Guidelines & submission form: www.gdconf.com/speakers/
Questions? Email Alan Yu: ayu@mfgame.com
___________________________________
O'Reilly "Open-Sources" OpenSources: Voices From the Revolution
O'Reilly & Associates is making the entire new book, "OpenSources: Voices From
the Open Source Revolution" freely available (or "open-sourced") on
http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/opensources/book/toc.html. "Open Sources" is a
collection of essays that offer insight into how the Open Source movement
works, why it succeeds, and where it is going.
___________________________________
Jupiter: European Online Households Triple by 2003, Usage to Remain Low
While the frenzy surrounding free Internet access services has helped to boost
European consumer adoption of the Internet, there remains the problem of low
Internet usage across Europe, according to research released last week by
Jupiter Communications. The research showed that European businesses must work
to motivate consumers to spend time online despite Europe's metered charges for
local telephone usage.
Subscription-free Internet access services, which provide consumers with
Internet access for the cost of a local phone call, have brought a considerable
number of European households online but have not eliminated all the barriers.
"There is a misperception that the European Internet market is simply one or
two years behind the US; however, structural differences exist between the two
markets," said Phil Dwyer, managing director for Jupiter Communication's
European operations. "Telephone usage is metered and that alone will continue
to hold back the growth of online advertising, content and commerce ventures in
Europe by inhibiting Internet usage."
Noah Yasskin, an analyst for Jupiter's European Internet Strategies, advised
companies to adopt "free-to-air" strategies (free access, unlimited use) to
take advantage of the continued market growth. Jupiter estimated that the
number of total online households in Western Europe will triple over the next
five years, increasing from 14 million households (nine percent penetration) at
the end of 1998 to 47 million households (31 percent penetration) by 2003. This
increase will narrow, but not close, the gap between Western Europe and the US
in terms of total households online. "Only by being in the right position to
gain market share now will Internet businesses be profitable later," said
Yasskin.
Jupiter advised European Internet businesses to embrace a range of
"free-to-air" business models in conjunction with advertising, commerce, and
content partners to increase Internet usage and adoption, and gain market
share. These models include free, unmetered, discount, and subsidized Internet
access and must vary by country depending on national market conditions.
Jupiter also warned existing Internet access providers that the current system
of high, metered fees levied on consumers is under increased threat.
http://www.jup.com
___________________________________
Study Illustrates Importance of Sound in Extending Brands Online
Market research firm Cheskin Research and Beatnik Inc., which has a vested
interest in promoting Internet audio, last week released the results of a study
on the relationship between sound and brand identity on the Web. The study, a
collaboration by the two companies, revealed that brand audio signatures can
have the same brand recognition and convey equal brand attributes as the visual
brand identity alone.
"Companies who have made a significant investment in audio branding are
ignoring a tremendous marketing opportunity," states Davis Masten, a principal
of Cheskin Research. "Those companies that are able to lead with audio on the
Web and establish their brands as a media rich experience will have the
advantage."
The study also found that poorly designed audio branding that didn't convey
similar attributes as the visual identity could actually have a negative effect
on the perception of the brand. "... a brand has numerous points of
interaction, from the logo to the experience of the product itself," explains
Darrel Rhea, another Cheskin Research principal. "Failure at any one of these
points to support positioning can definitely have a detrimental effect on the
success of a brand."
"Not only does sound enhance brand, it adds a more compelling level of sensory
experience that keeps viewers "stuck" on Web sites," explains Thomas Dolby
Robertson, founder of Beatnik. "The Internet space is ripe for this kind of
opportunity. With the rapid development of sound technologies on the Web,
developers can create a truly media rich interactive experience."
Detailed information about the study and its findings can be viewed at
http://www.cheskin.com/think/thinking.html.
___________________________________
Datamonitor: 67 Million European and US ITV Households by 2003
Subscriptions to digital television services are taking off rapidly and
interactive services such as interactive shopping, email and Internet access
will become a main competitive advantage compared to analog television. In
addition, ISPs including Telecom Italia Net (TIN), Teleline and WebTV are
exploring the potential markets for TV-based Internet access.
Interactive TV markets in Europe and the US, 1998 - 2003, a new report by
Datamonitor, predicts the number of interactive TV households in Europe and the
US will grow from 10.3 million in 1998 to 67 million in 2003.
Other key findings reveal:
* Reach of unrestricted TV-based Web access will increase from 790,000
households in 1998 to 10.9 million in 2003
* The dedicated Internet set-top box will be adopted in only a niche market
since fierce competition from digital TV operators offering interactive
services will limit its growth
http://www.datamonitor.com
___________________________________
MGI to Purchase Live Picture Assets
Toronto-based MGI Software Corp. will purchase the assets of Live Picture Inc.,
a private software company specializing in digital and Internet imaging
solutions. To facilitate the transaction, Live Picture has filed for protection
under Chapter 11. MGI says it intends to continue to develop the Live Picture
market position focused on digital and Internet imaging opportunities, and
anticipates the transaction will be completed on or about June 30, 1999.
Live Picture develops and sells a suite of Zoom image servers, Internet and
consumer applications. Live Picture products are used for creating, managing,
printing and distributing detailed images.
MGI focuses on delivering digital media-editing technology to the mass market.
http://www.mgisoft.com.
___________________________________
LucasArts Ships Episode I Games
Just out from LucasArts Entertainment is action-adventure Star Wars: Episode I
The Phantom Menace. Based upon the dramatic narrative of the motion picture,
The Phantom Menace places the fate of the Star Wars galaxy in the hands of game
players and challenges them to use the Force -- and their wits -- to overcome
perils at every turn.
The game puts players in the roles of the motion picture's principle
characters, Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Queen Amidala
and Captain Panaka. Players encounter dozens of challenging puzzles suitable
for novice and veteran action/adventurers as they search for ways to help the
inhabitants of Naboo. They'll interact with hundreds of characters and come
face-to-face with an onslaught of enemies, including battle droids, destroyer
droids, mercenaries and the evil Darth Maul. The game includes puzzles and
action sequences in various locales, including the denizen-filled streets of
Mos Espa on the desert planet of Tatooine, and the galactic capital world of
Coruscant.
Developed in conjunction with Novato, California-based Big Ape Productions, the
PC version is designed to run under Windows 95/98 and requires 3D hardware
acceleration.
Also new is Star Wars: Racer, which lets players take control of fast Podracers
in a series of dangerous races throughout the Star Wars galaxy. The Podracer,
propelled by two jet engines and controlled from the small cockpit that hovers
behind, can reach simulated speeds of up to 600 miles per hour while skimming
four feet above the ground. Vehicles can be upgraded with a variety of parts to
increase acceleration, cool engine boosters, and enhance maneuverability.
Each of the 21 tracks features a variety of hazards unique to the local
environment, such as methane lakes, meteor showers and Tusken Raiders. One
course is located on Oovo IV, a prison mining colony. The mine transports ore
through anti-gravity tunnels, which Podracers must negotiate at breakneck
speeds while dodging giant rocks that are hurtling toward them. Another track
is based around a volcano where pilots race over rivers of searing lava forcing
them to make split-second course corrections. All courses feature a variety of
branches and shortcuts that clever Podracers will learn to use to their
advantage in order to win.
http://www.lucasarts.com
___________________________________
Microsoft Ships Midtown Madness
Microsoft released Midtown Madness, a driving game with a difference. The title
combines competitive racing, the strategy of urban navigation, the freedom of
unrestrained exploration and the thrill of the chase within a realistically
modeled, ever-changing and fully interactive city environment. Set within the
"mean streets" of Chicago, players must blast through more than 80km of roads,
shortcuts, neighborhoods and sometimes buildings to beat the competition.
Gamers must outwit their opponents, not just out-drive them.
Midtown Madness was developed by Angel Studios, a San Diego developer.
http://www.microsoft.com/games/midtown/.
___________________________________
Interplay Offers Planescape Torment Chat Prizes
Interplay wants you to participate in its Planescape Torment Chat this
Wednesday (May 26), and to entice you it's offering the following door prizes:
* 2 SoundBlaster Live! systems
* 4 Creative Labs SoundBlaster Live! t-shirts
* 4 Black Isle Studios t-shirts
* full boxed version of the pencil and paper Planescape game.
* various Planescape campaign setting memorabilia donated by Wizards of the
Coast
* 3 copies of Tales of the Sword Coast
They will be giving away the prizes based on various trivia questions, etc.
Specific chat info:
Wednesday, May 26, 1999, 6pm PDT
IRC: irc.dreammyst.net, Port 6667, #torment
___________________________________
Prodigy Adds new Thrall Games from Freefall
Always a pleasure to hear from game-design pioneer Jon Freeman of Freefall
Associates, who writes:
The improved version of GameTV's Tube (v. 1.5) is still not up, but our newest
games, Grab and Heartless, have been added to the lineup at gametv.prodigy.net,
which now includes six THRALL games. Since Prodigy finally sent out their
long-delayed press release, we expect an increase in traffic, and we'd like to
get in some more high-quality playtesting.
We're also adding computer opponents to all of our multiplayer games, so even a
single player can try any of them, and people can finish games if someone drops
out, accidentally or otherwise.
I was pleased to note that the aforementioned press release emphasized the
nonviolent nature of our games and their appeal to a broad audience, including
women. Although a significant percentage of the people likely to try THRALL
games initially may be males under 30, we feel we're well positioned for the
increasingly mass-market orientation of online gaming.
___________________________________
Activision to Publish Tenchu II for PC, PlayStation
Activision has entered into an agreement with Sony Music Entertainment (Japan)
Inc. to publish Tenchu II, the prequel to the highly acclaimed Tenchu: Stealth
Assassins. Under the agreement, Activision has acquired the publishing rights
for the PlayStation game console and the PC worldwide, excluding Japan.
Set in Japan's Period of Warring States, the stealth-fighting game gives
players control of three young ninja warriors as they begin a journey that will
take them to faraway lands, test their skills in stealth, strategy and fighting
and ultimately define their future.
The prequel to Tenchu, Tenchu II adds new ninja tools, weapons and missions,
plus new mission objectives and character abilities that will push players to
master new skills and increase their ingenuity. Additionally, the game supports
multiple playing modes including a multi-level training mode, a story mode and
a custom mode that lets players create their own levels.
http://www.activision.com.
___________________________________
Microsoft to Ship Access' Links Extreme
On May 27, Microsoft Corp. will release its first PC golf game from newly
acquired Access Software Inc., developers of the Links Series. Microsoft Links
Extreme is a fantasy golf experience that blends competition with a humorous
departure from golfing etiquette.
At Armadillo Al's Demolition Driving Range, points are awarded for accurately
hitting exploding golf balls into moving targets such as cows, flamingos and
uptight course marshals before time expires. Modes of play include Deathmatch
Golf, Extreme Golf and Poison Golf, with starting times available on the
colorful island fairways of Mojo Bay Country Club and the World War I
battlefield course, Dimension X (previously the name of another company
acquired by Microsoft).
Players must ration exploding golf ordnance, and the last player left standing
on each hole is victorious. The game's magic golf balls can be used for
strategic advantage or as diabolical pranks on opponents. In Poison Golf mode,
the winner of each hole becomes a lethal "poison" on the next hole. There are
two ways to win: compete successfully for the lowest score, or destroy the
opponent with five unique exploding golf balls.
Microsoft Links Extreme is available for Internet play for up to eight players
on the MSN Gaming Zone (http://www.zone.com/) with additional support via the
Links Series Web site (http://www.lstour.com/).
___________________________________
Bungie's Myth II: Soulblighter coming to Linux
Bravo to Bungie! The game-maker has cast a vote of confidence for Linux by
announcing that its recent hit title Myth II: Soulblighter will soon be
available for the open-source platform.
To port and distribute the title Bungie has turned to Loki Entertainment
Software, which recently released Civilization: Call to Power, and will be
porting Railroad Tycoon II and Eric's Ultimate Solitaire. Among other game
companies, id Software recently announced that it will be releasing Quake III:
Arena for Linux.
Code for the Linux version of Myth II is already being compiled, and Loki
expects the title will be complete in the late summer of 1999.
http://www.lokigames.com.
http://www.bungie.com.
___________________________________
Project Two Announces Tunguska, ACM 1918
Coming this winter from GT Interactive affiliate Project Two Interactive are PC
game titles Tunguska and ACM 1918.
In Tunguska, players take on the role of Jack Riley, a man who has been
sentenced to death for a crime he didn't commit. A dark force has captured
three talismans of Faith, Hope and Love in order to complete its mission of
destruction, and it is Jack's mission to save the fate of the Earth from the
forces of chaos by recapturing these talismans. Along this journey, Jack must
solve puzzles, ward off strange monsters and fight the monks of the religious
sect that protects the force of darkness in order to recapture the talismans
that will save the Earth.
World War I-style dogfighting is the order of the day in ACM (Aerial Combat
Maneuvers) 1918. With 20 levels, a multitude of planes and several pilots to
choose from, ACM 1918 players will engage in dogfights, recon missions, escorts
and performing wild stunts. ACM 1918's 3D engine provides translucent effects,
real-time lighting and landscapes made from digitized aerial photography, plus
LAN multiplayer support.
http://www.project2.com.
___________________________________
Activision to Publish Blue Stinger for Dreamcast
Activision will publish Sega's horror-adventure game Blue Stinger for the Sega
Dreamcast. The game is slated for release this fall and will coincide with the
launch of the new hardware system.
As they unravel the strange events behind the disappearance of an island's
inhabitants and the nature of an enigmatic biotech firm, gamers switch between
two roles: Eliot Ballade and his salty sidekick Dogs Bower, a former heavy
weapons expert. Using a combination of hand-to-hand combat and 22 weapons,
players traverse through more than 230 real-time rendered locations filled with
mutant enemies.
As players swim, climb, crawl and jump their way through seven explorable
environments, they confront over 51 unique enemies and gargantuan bosses, each
with its own moves, attacks and multi-level AI. Additionally, gameplay provides
dozens of puzzles and secrets that challenge players to utilize over 70 objects
found in the environment.
http://www.activision.com.
___________________________________
Online Buying Grows Faster than Browsing
Actual buying online is growing at a faster clip than online window shopping
according to the latest Greenfield Online Digital Consumer Shopping Index, a
national benchmarking study that samples 2,400 online Americans on a quarterly
basis. Nearly three fourths of people on the Internet today have made purchases
and more than half have done so at least three times.
Participation in online auctions has grown by nearly 10 percentage points since
last August (40 percent now vs. 31 percent then). And online stock trading is
growing faster than online banking, although twice as many people are banking
online than trading. Some 12 percent of those online are currently processing
online stock, bond or mutual fund transactions, while 25 percent are doing
online banking. But investing activity has grown by 50 percent since August of
1998, and online banking only has increased by 25 percent in the same period.
The study has 110 pages and 56 separate tables. Topline findings from this
study can be found on the Greenfield Online Web site at
www.greenfieldcentral.com.
___________________________________
SF Lecture/Performance: From Wagner to Virtual Reality
From Wagner to Virtual Reality, a lecture-performance by composer and media
artist Randall Packer traverses the history of multimedia in the broad context
of Richard Wagner's Gesamtkünstwerk (Total Art Work). Wagner was a prototypical
multimedia artist, who through music-theater integrated all the arts into a
single medium of artistic expression. Packer believes Wagner's understanding of
the language and syntax of cross-disciplinary artistic thinking is a model for
contemporary artists working with today's digital media. Many of Wagner's
innovations at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus Theater are said to foreshadow the
immersive and illusionary qualities of media art and virtual reality.
From Wagner to Virtual Reality surveys the artists, scientists,
mathematicians, psychologists, and theorists who have brought about the
dissolution of boundaries that traditionally exist between the artistic and
technological disciplines. From Wagner to Virtual Reality includes vintage film
footage of early electronic and interdisciplinary artworks, as well as
documentation of breakthrough technologies that have impacted the arts. This
historical narrative is brought together in a multimedia presentation that will
be further enhanced by the multi-channel surround-sound system of the Dolby
Labs Theater.
On Wednesday, May 26 David Dalto, and on Thursday, May 27 Stephen Sokolow, both
from the Wagner Society of Northern California, will respond to the lecture and
lead a follow-up discussion.
6:30pm reception followed by the lecture-performance at 7:30 PM Dolby
Laboratories Theater, 100 Potrero Ave. (at 15th Street), San Francisco. Special
admission price: $15 (normally $25) if you reserve tickets via
mailto:gisfprog@sirius.com. For more information call 415.263.8760.
___________________________________
About Spectrum
Spectrum is an independent news service published every Monday for the
interactive media professional community by Motion Blur Media. Spectrum covers
the tools and technologies used to create interactive multimedia applications
and infrastructure for business, education, and entertainment; and the
interactive media industry scene. We love to receive interactive media and
online development tools and CD-ROMs for review.
Send your interactive multimedia business, product, people, event, or
technology news to: duberman@dnai.com. We prefer to receive news by email but
if you must, telephone breaking news to 510-549-2894. Send review product and
press kits by mail to David Duberman, 2233 Jefferson Ave., Berkeley, CA 94703.
If you contact companies or organizations mentioned here, please tell them you
saw the news in Spectrum. Thanks.
___________________________________
Please send address changes (with old and new addresses), subscribe and
unsubscribe requests etc. to the above address. If you use the Reply function,
please do _not_ echo an entire issue of Spectrum with your message.
___________________________________
Publisher's note: We are now accepting limited advertising. If you'd like to
offer your company's products or services to Spectrum's elite audience of
Internet and multimedia professionals, send an email query to
mailto:duberman@dnai.com, or telephone 510-549-2894 during West Coast business
hours.
- David Duberman
___________________________________
(c)Copyright 1999 Motion Blur Media. All rights reserved. No reproduction in
any for-profit or revenue-generating venue in any form without written
permission from the publisher.