Internet gurus predict that the next wave of Net usage will come in the form
of "push" technology. Instead of searching and browsing for the information
you want, the information is pushed straight to your desktop. Several
companies already specialize in this kind of technology. With the PointCast Network, for
example, you can choose the exact sports news that you'd like brought to
you. Most popular national and collegiate sports are represented: baseball,
basketball, football, and hockey. You can also choose Canadian football,
soccer, and auto racing.
BackWeb is another push
program that includes updated feeds from SportsLine USA and NetRadio
Network. Afternoon games, here you come!
To set up your own sports feed, select a program's site and download the software. The download takes
a few seconds, but once you have it on your desktop, you're pretty much
set. You'll be prompted to configure the program to
your liking. In PointCast, for example, click on the Personalize button,
then the Sports tab. You'll be presented with a list of sports categories.
Just click on the ones that interest you. PointCast offers other political
and business news
and weather updates, but you can limit your choice to the sports page. Who
needs that other stuff anyway?
Keep a lookout in '97 for more customizable technologies. Microsoft's Active Desktop and Netscape's Constellation will be sure to save you even
more time so that you'll have time to experience a game as it was
meant to be experienced -- in the great outdoors.
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