Just a few years ago, everything on the Internet was text-based documents. Now the Internet is a world of images, sound, animation, three dimensional graphics and interactive games.

With the Internet changing so rapidly, it can be difficult to keep up with all the new developments. But we are here to provide you with the latest tools that let you see, hear and experience the leading edge of the Internet.

Animation

Java

Java is a multimedia tool that allows you to see and interact with animation built into Web pages. Icons wave at you. Game pieces move on screen. Java, created by Sun Microsystems, uses applets and is available for Netscape Navigator and Sun's own Web browser, Hot Java. Applets are mini programs that live on Web sites. When you go to a site that has java, the applet is temporarily transferred to your computer. Visit Sun Microsystems and see what you're missing. Keep in mind, if you're connecting at speeds less than 28,800bps, you may have to wait a minute or two.

Requirements:

  • Netscape Navigator 2.0 or later
Shockwave

Shockwave from MacroMedia is another program that works with your browser. Unlike an applet, however, you need to download it to your computer. It allows you to view multimedia files over the Internet. You can see animation, movies and other types of multimedia presentations on Web pages. This exciting technology is available for Windows 3.x and Windows 95 users using Netscape Navigator 2.0 Beta 5 or later.

Requirements:

  • Netscape Navigator 2.0 Beta 5 or higher
  • VGA color
  • 5 MB of free disk space
Add Shockwave to your system. NOTE: Like Java, you may have to wait a minute or two to see some of these examples, but it's worth the wait.

Check out Gary Rosenzweig's Shockwave Arcade.

Macromedia provides lots of demonstrations and games in their Shockwave Gallery. We recommend the games Webfrog, WebInvaders and Stroids.

Virtual Reality

Alpha World

Alpha World is the latest project of the people who developed Worlds Chat. Alpha World utilizes VRML+ to create an interactive world that allows you to manipulate it as you wish.

In Alpha World, residents build their own environments and interact with each other. You can acquire and develop property, assume an online persona, and interact in and with a living, breathing, multi-user community. This is not some preprogrammed simulation -- it is as unpredictable and unique as the individuals who help create it. Alpha World isn't finished yet ñ it's in beta release. Membership is free while beta testing continues. If you're using a 14,400 bps modem, be prepared for long download times and jerky motion.

Requirements:

  • Windows 3.x or higher
  • 486/66 or higher processor
  • Minimum 8 MB RAM
  • Minimum 20 MB of free disk space (You may need more if you travel extensively in Alpha World.)
  • A floating-point processor (most 486s and all Pentiums have this)
  • 256 color display
Download Alpha World and begin creating your own virtual place.

Chaco's VR Scout

Chaco's VR Scout is a Windows VRML browser that allows you to navigate through Virtual Reality sites. You can switch between walk, fly and examine modes. In examine mode, your focus is set on the object in the center of your view. You can then rotate the object from whatever perspective you want.

Requirements:

  • Windows 95 or Windows NT
  • Netscape 2.0 beta 4 or higher
Download VR Scout and experience Virtual Reality.

Netscape Live3D

Netscape Communications offers this latest plug-in for the popular Netscape Navigator browser. Netscape Live3D lets you fly through VRML worlds on the Web and run interactive, multi-user VRML applications written in Java. Netscape Live3D features 3-D text, background images, texture animation, morphing, viewpoints, collision detection, gravity and Real Audio streaming sound.

Requirements:

  • Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or Windows NT
  • Netscape 2.0 or later
Download Netscape Live3D to experience Virtual Reality from the Web.

CyberGate

CyberGate is a VRML browser from Black Sun. It allows you to navigate through Virtual Reality sites and chat with others with an easy to use interface.

Requirements:

  • 486 minimum, Pentium recommended
  • 8 MB minimum, 16 MB recommended
  • SVGA 256-colors minimum
  • Windows 95 or Windows NT
  • 14,400 bps modem
  • Sound card recommended
Download CyberGate to test out Virtual Reality.

Worldview

Worldview is a VRML browser that allows you to navigate through Virtual Reality sites as a stand-alone application or through Microsoft's Internet Explorer.

Requirements:

  • Windows 95 or Windows NT 3.51
  • 486/50 processor
  • 8 MB RAM
Download Worldview to explore three-dimensional sites on the Internet.

Chat

Worlds Chat

Worlds Chat is a 3D chat world set in a space station. You select your own avatar (graphic representation of yourself) and chat with others in real time over the Internet. Simply select an avatar and create your own unique name. You can have hours of fun talking with others around the world. The software is free. Once again, you may experience slow connections on modems below 14,400bps.

Requirements:

  • 486/50 or higher processor
  • Windows 3.x in 256 color mode (Mac software soon)
  • TCP/IP connection
  • 16-bit sound card. If you have an 8-bit sound card, you may experience some performance lapses (the program gives you the option of deactivating sound if an 8-bit card is causing problems).
Connect to Worlds Chat and download the software.

ichat

ichat integrates real-time chat sites with the World Wide Web. ichat works with the Netscape Web browser to allow chatting on Web pages.

Requirements:

  • Netscape 2.0 or higher
Download ichat and connect with IRC servers from your Netscape browser.

Utopia

Utopia is OnLive! Technologies' beta community site. Combining a visual world with voice communications, Utopia takes Internet chatting to a new level. You can choose and customize an avatar, change or disguise your voice and explore different environments. Utopia allows you to convey emotions in a conventional way. You can talk, sing, giggle, yawn, scream, whisper and laugh.

Utopia is currently in beta testing, so it may not work perfectly at this point. Because of the nature of the program, be prepared for long download times and jerky motion if you're using a 14,400 bps modem.

Requirements:

  • Pentium Multimedia PC - Not a 486, even if it's a very fast 486
  • Windows 95
  • SoundBlaster 16 or compatible 16-bit sound card, with Windows 95 driver and speakers/headphones
  • Minimum of 16 MB RAM
  • Minimum of 14.4k bps modem (28.8k bps recommended)
  • Microphone or headset (with microphone)
  • At least 13 MB free disk space
  • Support for VGA or SVGA
Register to become a Utopia beta tester and download the software.

Multimedia

Real Audio

Real Audio allows instantaneous playback of audio files via the Internet. Through your Web browser, you can pause, rewind, fast-forward, stop and start. With Real Audio, you can listen to music, speeches, audio greetings and sound effects on the Web.

Requirements:

  • 14,400 bps modem
  • Windows 3.1, Windows 95 or Windows NT
  • 486/33 SX
  • 4 MB of RAM
  • 2 MB Disk space
  • 16-bit sound card
Download Real Audio and start hearing the Web.

Hear some examples of Real Audio sound in Techbabble, a Real Audio magazine

Xing Streamworks

Streamworks allows playback on demand of sound and video over the Internet. You can also watch and listen to live concerts, radio broadcasts and events over the Net with Streamworks.

Requirements:

  • 9600 bps modem to hear audio
  • 14,400 bps modem for video
  • Windows 3.x or higher
  • Sound card and speakers
Download Streamworks to see and hear live events over the Internet.

Check out the weekly concerts at Seattle's Moe's Mo'Roc'N Cafe with Streamworks.

VDOLive

VDOLive enables web sites to incorporate video that can be viewed from any browser, and eliminates lengthy download times and additional hardware requirements. The VDOLive Video Player can be used with any browser as a helper application, or as a plug-in with Netscape Navigator 2.0 to playback video inline.

Requirements:

  • Windows 3.x, Windows 95 or Windows NT
Download VDOLive and test live video on the Internet.

Test different examples of multimedia Internet technologies at ITV.Net.

Communications

CU-SeeMe

CU-SeeMe is a leading desktop video conferencing tool for the Internet. It allows audio and video communications from your desktop over the Internet. It currently runs on all Windows platforms and will be available soon for the Macintosh.

Requirements:
To receive:

  • 14,400 bps modem
  • 486 DX/33 or higher processor (video receive only); 486 DX/66 or higher processor recommended (video send/receive, audio send/receive)
  • Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Windows NT or Windows for Workgroups 3.11
  • 256-color (8-bit) video with 640x480 or higher resolution
  • Sound card with 8-bit sound, with microphone input (needed for sending) and speaker output.
  • Minimum 4 MB RAM (8 MB or more recommended)
To send:
  • Bandwidth of 28.8kb or better
  • Video capture board not using overlay technology
  • Video camera with standard NTSC output (like a camcorder) and RCA cable (composite video) or S-video if supported by capture board
  • Separate microphone or headset for better "phone-like" use (recommended)
Download CU-SeeMe to communicate with others using sound and video.

Internet Phone

Internet Phone allows telephone-like voice communication over the Internet. You can have phone conversations through your computer with others on the Internet around the world for the cost of your normal Internet connection fees.

Requirements:

  • 486/25 SX
  • 8 MB RAM (recommended)
  • 14,400 bps modem
  • Windows 3.1 or higher
  • Windows-compatible sound card
For Full Duplex Audio, you also need:
  • 486/50 PC
  • A Full Duplex sound card, or two standard sound cards
Download Internet Phone and talk to other Internet users around the world.

Web Phone

Web Phone is another professional, full featured Internet telephone from NetSpeak. Web Phone provides telephone quality, real-time voice communication over the Internet. You can talk to anyone with an Internet connection, anywhere on earth without incurring long distance charges.

Requirements:

  • 486DX-33
  • Windows 3.1 or higher
  • 4 MB of RAM
  • MCI compliant sound card
  • Winsock 1.1 compliant stack
  • 14.4Kbps modem with compression and error correction turned on
  • VGA card capable of displaying 256 colors
Download Web Phone to test telephone-like communication over the Internet.

Webtalk

Webtalk is Quarterdeck's Internet-based phone product that allows you to talk to anyone, anywhere in the world, for no more than you're already paying for your Internet connection. Meet new people or talk privately with friends and family. With just a click of a mouse, you can place a call.

Requirements:

  • 486DX50
  • Windows 95, Windows 3.1, or Windows for Workgroups
  • 14,400 bps modem
  • 16-bit recording sound card, full- or half-duplex
  • Speakers and microphone, or headset
Download Quarterdeck Webtalk and connect to others around the world.
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