Catching the Web’s Next Sound Wave
Macromedia Inc., a developer of software tools for creating multimedia programs, has enjoyed a big boost from the success of its Shockwave software, which has quickly become the standard for bringing lively animations to the Internet’s World Wide web. Now it hopes to extend that franchise with an audio feature that will enable Web surfers to click on a button and hear high-quality sound.
Establishing Shockwave audio may not be easy, because the product encroaches on territory that has long been staked out by Progressive Networks’ Real Adio.
So far it seems to be a friendly contest. The companies say they’re focused on different markets: Real-Audio is designed for live sound whereas Shockwave can handle only prerecorded audio.
“We can play a Rolling Stones concert live and have 5,000 people listening,” said Progressive Networks General Manager Martin Dunsmuir. “That’s not something they can do.”
But real audio requires a dedicated computer with a live concert setup costing as much as $100,000. Macromedia Director, which is used to make CD-ROMs and Web sites and now incorporates the tools needed to create Shockwave animations and sounds, sells for $999. (In both cases, the “player” that Web surfers need to use the features is free.)
On The Net
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Conceal yourself behind a cloak of anonymity when you sue this site to browse the Internet. Some major Web sites have begun routinely collecting information from your browser, such as your domain name and type of computer system you’re using--and the Anonymizer is designed to prevent this from happening. It is at https://www.anonymizer.com
The AIDS Memorial Quilt is now on the Web at https://www.aidsquilt.org, courtesy of the Names Project Foundation. Find out how to design and submit a panel for the ever-growing quilt and check its schedule as it travels around the country. Visitors can also view sections of the quilt.
Find all kinds of movie statistics, including the weekend’s top 10 films, at EDI Box Office News (https://www.redifindia.com. There’s also a database with company and town profiles, airline and railway schedules and policy reports.
Get yourself organized with Never Forget (https://www.never forget.com), a free e-mail reminder service. Just fill in the occasions and dates of things you want to remember (anniversaries, doctors’ appointments, etc.) submit your e-mail address and get an electronic reminder in advance.
An estimated 820,000 to 1.9 million elderly Americans are physically, financially or emotionally abused. Find out how to spot elder abuse and where you can get help at https://com.primenet.com/ssp/NCEA/
If you suffer form hay fever or are allergic to pollen grains, you can now view a four-day forecast of pollen levels in the Los Angeles metropolitan area at https://www.intellicast.com/allergy/lax/
If you’re a lead-footed driver, check out https://www.speedtrap.com/speed trap. It’s an ever-growing catalog of speed traps around the country, organized by state. Visitors are warned to be on the lookout when driving west on Interstate 10 between Kellogg Hill and West Covina and when cruising on newly widened Interstate 5 in Orange County.
Site suggestions can be sent to cutting.edge@latimes.com
