INTERACT '96 SHOWCASES INTERNET TECHNOLOGIES IN WORLD'S FIRST VIRTUAL
TRADESHOW FOR DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING

InterAct '96 Delivers Technology Firsts Through Integration of HTML,
ShockWave, Java, VRML and Avatars

MARLBORO, MA-- InterAct '96, the first virtual trade show for distributed
computing, is preparing to unveil the world's most innovative integration
of hypertext markup language (HTML), Java, and virtual reality markup
language (VRML) programming available on the World Wide Web. Developed by
programmers specializing in HTML, Java, and VRML, InterAct '96 is the only
Web site to showcase a combination of 3-D VRML chat rooms, streamed audio
and video, and innovative Java applets. InterAct '96 promises to deliver
the most unique technology trade show experience to all attendees,
vendors, and press.

"We have tested our technology with leading Java developers, HTML encoders,
and VRML programmers. This is the most innovative integration of these
technologies available on the Web," said Francois Gossieaux, director of
InterAct '96. "The InterAct '96 trade show has been tested by industry
leaders who claim that this level of technology integration is an industry
first."

Trade Show Technology in Action

After traveling through the virtual conference gates, InterAct '96
attendees will choose their trade show experience as a standard HTML trade
show or as a Virtual VRML trade show. For access to the HTML trade show,
the attendees can access the World Wide Web via any Web browser. The trade
show experience improves, however, if the user's browser has the capacity
for multimedia applications. InterAct '96 trade show content exists in a
number of formats including: Java, Shockwave, streamed audio/video, and
net-phone.

The VRML trade show booths are visible to anyone with a VRML browser. A
VRML browser allows users to enter the 3-D trade show floor and
participate in virtual chat sessions through Java chat rooms. In addition,
interactive avatars are available through Black Sun Inc.'s CyberGate
technology. Avatars are other figures that users see moving throughout the
trade show floor. When a user clicks on an avatar, it will show the
InterAct '96 Cybercard, a virtual business card. The avatars provide a
high level of interaction and discussion between attendees since users are
able to see where others are gathered on the show floor.

Real-Time Video

InterAct '96 promises to deliver the industry's leading minds in Web and
distributed computing technologies. InterAct '96 attendees will have an
opportunity to view a range of speakers, from Business@Web's Klaus Besier,
to America Online's Ted Leonsis, in real-time video facilitated by
Voxware. In order to view the streamed audio and video technologies, users
are required to have the plug-ins provided by VDOnet and Voxware. All of
the necessary plug-ins for InterAct '96 can be obtained in the toolbox
section of the home page: http://www.interact96.com. Users who do not wish
to experience the speaking presentations through audio or video can obtain
text-only transcripts of the speeches, and participate in on-line chat
sessions that occur at pre- scheduled times during the show.

Chats

There are three main types of discussion rooms available for InterAct '96
chat sessions: discussion rooms for technical topics, partner chat rooms
that are linked to the partners' booths, and Q&A speaker sessions that
follow the presentations. The chat sessions are available through a
combination of technologies, depending upon the users capabilities. All of
the formats allow the user to participate in on-line discussions with
other InterAct '96 attendees. Intelligent Navigator

Unlike other trade shows where attendees must choose between speaking
sessions and demonstrations, the InterAct '96 trade show allows attendees
to create their own schedule. This is possible through the InterAct '96
Intelligent Navigator. The Intelligent Navigator creates a customized
InterAct '96 schedule for each registered attendee. To initiate the
Navigator, the attendee fills out a registration form at any point before
or during the conference. The form asks for answers to specific questions
regarding the attendee's technology level, their interests, the types of
software or hardware they use or are planning to buy, or any "hot topics"
they would like to flag. Each time the attendee logs on to InterAct '96,
the Navigator will inform them of forthcoming discussions and events,
changes in speakers, and other important information relevant to the
attendee's profile.

InterAct '96, a joint project of InfoWorld, Stratus Computer, Inc.
(NYSE:SRA), and TIME Magazine, will open its virtual doors April 23-25,
1996, and can be attended by anyone who registers at the InterAct '96 Web
site: http://www.interact96.com. The conference will provide exciting,
interactive access to a wide variety of activities, including on-line
presentations, virtual demonstrations, meetings with vendor organizations,
virtual press conferences and daily personal contact with industry
leaders, presenters, and other attendees. All InterAct '96 presentations
will be available all times to conference attendees in video, audio and
text formats at the conference site: http://www.interact96.com, until May
15.

Contacts: Francois Gossieaux, Stratus Computer, Inc.
Voice: 508-460-2715
Email: francois_gossieaux@stratus.com
or
Contact: Gene Carozza or Jane Hiscock, Neva Group, Inc
Voice: 617-441-4000 ext. 244/224
Email: gcarozza@neva.com or jhiscock@neva.com
 
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