Electronic Publishing And Communication
Access "ON" & Beyond the Internet, worldwide! ( Show Me!)We've been working at taking the HI-Tech out of Hypertext since 1989, to bring information to the world via the now worn out phase "Electronic Freeways ".
We started basically from "near scratch", back then, looking for a hypertext software package that would allow us to publish information that would be readily accessible to the then 80 million the industry figures said were jumping on line all over the world. There are more versions of hypertext than HTML, which was designed for just the Internet. The WWW was not in existence at that time, however the repositories and capability of publishing for access to those who published to the rest of the world( via BBS systems, etc.), was in place.
Publishing the Previews of "Vacation Alaska" in November, 1992 we dug into our software development, mixed with detailed research, and began our daily (and nightly) criteria.The technology and the content of this travel resource is unique. The files run in DOS or WINDOWS, on most IBM compatible computers, from 8088's to Pentiums, VGA required for the 40+ add-in graphic libraries,(download only those of interest) ansi for other types of monitors.
Secondly, the author has lived (since before Statehood), played, explored throughout Southeast (and other areas) and has "been there - done that" more than the "average bear".
While the appearance and simplicity of "reading" the "diskbook" ® is simple, (beta tested originally with 4 & 5 year olds), the amount of information, in this unique hypertext design, arranges this amazing amount of information (over 120MB before we compile ) for easy access, and thus, there is something for everyone. No two people ever see our "diskbook"® the same way.
Best of all, even if you have an older machine, haven't upgraded your memory, don't fret, even the menu's are done in 3-D-ish ansi graphics, to show on every computer. We even put the ANSI system in the program (code written after 40 people called or wrote they couldn't see the ansi graphics in the Previews) so if you don't have it loaded, you'll see them anyway! For those with newer hardware, the VGA graphics take over, and more Multimedia features are on the "coming soon" scene, as we strive to produce a portable Multimedia package that doesn't require a CD to hold the data and keep this distribution division's publications "Modem capable"and accessible to all!
These growing-evolving files have been available on the Internet as well as other World "Net" systems, for over two years. However, we also have a huge variety of other distribution channels, as industry figures show 100+ million NOW leaping on line around the world via other "Nets"and BBS systems. Obviously, to allow access to the other 65 or 70 million, we couldn't stop at the Internet's user guess-timates of 20 to 30 million, with the larger % of those numbers under 30 years old, primarily Education users. (Editor's Note: On September 27, "Good Morning America" did a spot on Internet Users and their figures were considerably less but we all know they are growing rapidly) Frankly, we can't understand how anyone could count!
We want to do our part in promoting high quality electronic publishing and yes, prove electronic publishing can reach the world. Our deep involvement in multimedia development and digital publishing, along with our delight in the awesome wonders of video clips, sound and animation, demanded our 2nd Division of Multimedia distribution early in the "Quest".
We are currently preparing to import all 50MB of "compiled" data (120MB uncompiled) currently in the "downloadable" version of "Vacation Alaska:Southeast", plus sort out the Gigs of video clips, sound, animation and narration, and tons of data, we have been collecting, massaging, etc. for the last 5 years, into a Multimedia Online Internet package and a CD-ROM. It is obvious, this amount of data, would take years to view in the current Internet technology.
With NETSCAPE's innovative and aggressive approach to promoting the technology, the agreement with NETSCAPE and MACROMEDIA "DIRECTOR"announced June 5th, along with the new technology appearing every day will allow this project to become closer to reality! We pay attention to "Hot Java" and other packages like 3DMagic, Since EPAC doesn't believe in "Vapor Ware"! We won't give you a "Preview" date. It will have to be tested for fast delivery, and a multitude of other factors. But keep an eye on us! We promise NO Construction signs on this project with menu's of what we are working on! We are not "Chechoko's" (newcomers), we have our research, copyrights, reprint permits and other time consuming "legal stuff" has been done in preparation for this turn of events. We just need the technology to package it! . And- - who knows what technology will be there tomorrow! We have changed directions day and night in our quest to publish in the latest technology! Nothing is set in concrete where technology is concerned!
"Vacation Alaska" has been recognized by "The Adventure Travel Society" with a write up in a 1994 newsletter, and Jay Brosky of GreenLine Marketing, arranged with us to show the program at the Adventure Travel Society World Congress Meeting held in Australia in November of 1994. (Thank you Bob in Petersburg for getting it to the plane (DHL) We were also included in the Best Selling book "Paperless Publishing "by Award Winning author Colin Haynes, among several other publications
The advantage of being accessible in a downloadable version, cross-platform has been the object of discussion among many other marketing groups, for various vertical disciplines of industry. However, in producing this type of computer readable media, there are tradeoffs and while we have constantly added new features since we started, full multimedia ( background music, narration, video clips, animation) has not been possible to date , but, software development is getting close to allowing the "pizzazz" of these awesome - fun features in future versions of our downloadable "computer readable" publications.
Keep your eye on us, we have some neat things in store for you, as we "hang in there" on that Multimedia development roller coaster!
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There is a full blown business of collecting all the best of Shareware and Freeware and providing various ways of obtaining copies of these programs. Catalogs, Subscription Clubs, and more recently CD-ROM's to provide an easy way to access the software. "Sysops"(system operators) of BBS systems around the world can load these CD's on their multiple drive and provide gigs of info to their members.
SimTel, our Host Server, with the full collection of all the best Shareware, publishes the whole collection via CD-ROM, for the convenience of the nearly 2/3's of the rest of the on line world, not on the Internet. It is interesting to note, that Simtel CD's grace more than one BBS system here in Alaska. We received a letter from Ziff-Davis (ZDNET) about a week ago requesting permission to put our program on their new CD they are preparing to publish. The distribution with Ziff-Davis is world-wide. They have the huge "Public Brand Software" BBS, a magazine (among their many) as well as other methods. We have also distributed through their resources for the last couple of years. They also have sections on major Commercial BBS systems, such as CompuServe, Prodigy, A T & T Interchange, Microsoft Network and you've probably seen them on the WWW. Ziff-Davis Interactive promises their future CD-ROMS are designed as editorial products and showcase a selection of their software library. They will not be shovelware CD-Roms, as there are some of those out there, grabbing whatever, and shoveling it on CD's to sell. So I signed and faxed back the permission. There are also other Shareware Catalogs that will send you copies of your choice of programs on disk to save download time.
Most of the other 65 or 70 million around the world have been using local and regional BBS systems to satisfy their needs in messaging, info, software and the many other features of these BBS systems. Many have used special services such as the OAG, The Official Airline Guide, allowing one to look up schedules, choose, make reservations at 3AM in a hotel room, as long ago as the early 80's! Electronic Banking, DOW JONES, Law Research, are just a few of the long time services..
It appears, these users, have been totally happy with their inexpensive online costs, often with all the benefits and features of commercial systems, at a cost of pennies to the dollar for services.
It remains to be seen how fast this major population of experienced On-line users, turn to the Internet . Since our intent was to prove world wide access to our Electronic Publication, we pursued all of these distribution avenues, with success. Our files are on BBS systems, in countries we didn't even know existed.
Another of the major distributors for Shareware is the SDN (Shareware Distribution Network) run by Ray Kayliss. They now have a WEB site and it's well worth a look, if you are interest in publishing beyond the web for the other millions on line, instead of waiting for them to come to the WWW, See listing under Hotlinks.
What does all this mean? For EPAC, serious in publishing world-wide, it means TWO distribution divisions! For authors wanting to break into publishing their work, the above information should be very helpful to get you vast exposure.
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