REDMOND, Wash., March 4, 1997 — Microsoft Corp. today added a Web-connectable CD-ROM to its Site Builder Network, making it faster and easier for independent Web publishers and developers to access large software downloads for their sites. The WebCD will be distributed free of charge to level 2 and 3 members of the Site Builder Network.
The Web-connectable CD-ROM, or a WebCD
™
, looks like the Site Builder Network on the Web, yet it has the speed, portability and capacity of a CD-ROM. It includes the complete contents of the Site Builder Network Web site – including Microsoft software and tools from Adobe Systems Inc., Inters
é
Corp., Macromedia Inc. and Netobjects Inc. – increasing the speed and reliability of tools delivery compared to downloading large files from the Internet.
To ensure that members can always access the most up-to-date versions of software, the WebCD can jump directly to the online Web site, enabling users to get current information. Microsoft plans to offer periodic updates of the WebCD to Site Builder Network members.
“With the WebCD, the Site Builder Network now offers the best of both worlds – the up-to-date information of the Web with the speed and multimedia of a CD-ROM,” said Tod Nielsen, general manager, applications and Internet client group at Microsoft. “We’re giving customers a more convenient way to obtain Web-based tools and information so they can spend less time downloading files and more time creating the most lively, sophisticated and useful Web sites.”
Microsoft is using MarketScape Inc.’s WebCD software to create the Site Builder Network WebCD. MarketScape’s software facilitates Web-to-CD publishing.
“We solved the technical challenges in hybrid Web and CD publishing, so companies such as Microsoft can deliver the best content to their customers, much as Microsoft’s Site Builder Network WebCD now enables Web professionals to deliver the best Web sites for their customers,” said Pete Hallett, director of marketing at MarketScape. MarketScape is on the Web at (http://www.marketscape.com/)
The Site Builder Network consists of nearly 500,000 independent Web professionals. The site enables them to create interactive, revenue-generating, traffic-building and visually appealing Web sites. It provides ongoing information, training, technology, support and business-development resources to designers, site producers, site planners, site administrators and developers. The Site Builder Network is on the Web at http://www.microsoft.com/sitebuilder/
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
WebCD is a trademark of MarketScape Inc.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
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