Telecommunications, Enterprise Computing, and the Internet in Education
SONAbeam 155-2
The recently launched SONAbeam product line offers point-to-point, line-of-sight,
full duplex synchronous transmission at speeds well beyond those provided by
802.11a and b, at a much smaller cost than fiber optic networks. The SONAbeam
series of products are capable of carrying information at data rates from 125
Mbps (Fast Ethernet) up to 1.25 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet, OC-24) over a propagation
distance of up to 2.5 miles. fSONA's products are engineered to achieve between
99 and 99.9 percent availability over their operating range-from 1.2 to 2.5
miles. The SONAbeam 155-2 transmits data at 155Mbps over two kilometers (1.25
miles). Contact: fSONA, Richmond, B.C., Canada; (877) GO-fSONA; www.fsona.com.
Enterprise Computing: Servers
Altos Servers
Designed for workgroup networking, Acer's Altos server series supports systems
for file management, a department, or a LAN or WAN. Features include multiple
processor support, large memory and cache possibilities, hot-swappable power
supplies and storage modules, and support for multiple operating systems, including
Windows NT, Novell Netware, or SCO OpenServer environments. A broad selection
of scalable configurations, from basic add-in cards to key-activated Internet,
Intranet, or RAID solutions, is also available. Contact: Acer America, San Jose,
CA; (800) SEE-ACER; www.acer.com.
PowerEdge Servers
The Dell PowerEdge Server line has three different models, the PE300, PE2400,
and PE4400. The PE300 has up to two Pentium III 800MHz processors and up to
1GB of ECC SDRAM. The PE2400 has up to two Pentium III 1GHz processor, 2 GB
of ECC SDRAM and 144 GB of Hot Swap internal disk capacity. The PE 4400 has
up to two Pentium III 1GHz processors, 4GB of PC133 SDRAM and 252GB of Hot Plug
Ultra-3SCSI internal disk capacity. Contact: Dell, Round Rock, TX; (888) 560-8324;
www.dell.com.
Snap Server 4100
The Snap Server 4100 is a slim 1U (1.75") package with up to 240 GB. Preconfigured
with RAID 5, and the option of RAID 0, RAID 1, or JBOD, this product will manage
workgroup storage, remote office, backup, and data protection needs. It automatically
responds and connects to all client protocol, and delivers multi-platform file
sharing with Windows NT, NetWare, UNIX, Linux, and Mac. Additionally, each Snap
Server package ships with the DataKeeper Snap Edition, a real-time backup solution
that automatically stores laptop and desktop files. Contact: Quantum Corporation,
Milpitas, CA; (800) 343-SNAP; www.quantum.com.
Enterprise Computing: Workstations
IntelliStation M Pro
The IntelliStation M Pro is a flexible workstation that is optimized to the
demands of engineers, media creators, software developers, and financial analysts.
Features include mission-critical reliability, a user-centric design, task-tuned
2D/3D graphics based on the IBM Fire GL2 graphics card, and a scalable tower
configuration. Additionally, this package comes equipped with either Pentium
III processors at up 1GHz or Pentium 4 processors at up to 1.5 GHz, and a choice
of either an Intel 840 or 850 chipset. System performance is enhanced by an
SCSI controller and disk and RAMBUS memory. Contact: IBM; Armonk, NY; (800)
IBM4YOU; www.ibm.com.
Octane2
The Silicon Graphics Octane2 is a multimedia workstation is capable of interactive
rendering of three-dimensional or volumetric data sets, featuring high-performance
VPro Graphics and 128MB of configurable graphics memory. The combination supports
faster drawing, display, and manipulation of large data sets-up to 1920x1200
pixels at 60Hz. Designed for high performance with big data, the Octane2 delivers
a measured 448 million pixels per second with trilinear mipmapping and depth-buffering,
and 18 million lit depth-buffered, smooth-shaded immediate mode triangles per
second. The 12-bit per color component path achieves more levels of color to
allow users to see subtle variations-extremely important in medical imaging
and other fields of science and research. Contact: Silicon Graphics; Mountain
View, CA; (800) 361-2621; www.sgi.com.
Power Mac G4
The PowerPC G4's Velocity Engine is able to process data in 128-bit chunks,
instead of the smaller 32-bit or 64-bit chunks used in traditional processors.
In addition, the PowerPC G4 can perform four (in some cases eight) 32-bit floating-point
calculations in a single cycle -two to four times faster than traditional processors.
Features include a vector permute function capable of rearranging data in the
registers, of particular benefit when converting data from one format to another.
The G4 features a pre-installed graphics card in the 4x AGP (Advanced Graphics
Port) slot capable of transferring digital video data at up to four times the
speed of the original AGP bus. The system bus has increased in speed from 100
to 133 megahertz, with data throughput of over 1 gigabyte per second, and PCI
throughput has increased from 100 up to 215 megabytes per second. Contact: Apple
Computer; Cupertino, CA; (408) 996-1010; www.apple.com.
Precision Series
The Dell Precision Series supports high-performance capabilities in digital
content creation (DCC), computer-aided design (CAD), geographic information
systems (GIS), software development, and financial analysis markets. For those
who run computationally-intensive applications, the Precision Series offers
the Precision Workstation 330, featuring a Pentium 4 processor at 1.40 and 1.50
GHz , and a 400 MHz system bus which is optimized for RDRAM and a broad selection
of professional graphic solutions. Contact: Dell Computer; Dallas, TX; (800)
624-9897; www.dell.com.
Quadro2 Pro
This full-featured board provides advanced 3D and 2D performance for the engineering
professional. Features include a hardware antialiased line engine, a 6.4GB/sec
bandwidth that enables work in fully textured mode while achieving real-time
frame rates, and a 64MB unified frame buffer that supports high-resolution,
32bpp textures. With 1.0G pixels/sec and 31M triangles/sec geometry processing
capabilities, the Quadro2 Pro can support just about any engineering design
environment. The NVIDIA Shading Rasterizer (NSR) makes realistic material properties
possible through per-pixel shading effects. Now with all NVIDIA second-generation
GPUs high-quality, dynamic per-pixel shading is possible, and features such
as per-pixel bump mapping can be utilized to a more dramatic visual effect.
Contact: NVIDIA; Santa Clara, CA; (408) 615-2500; www.nvidia.com
Visualize X-Class
Hewlett Packard's Visualize X-Class is designed for users performing simulations,
virtual prototyping, complex modeling, and other high-end visualization tasks.
This package includes single or dual Intel Pentium III processors with 256KB
of high speed transfer cache, two clock frequencies to choose from (866 MHz
and 1GHz), and greater mass storage expandability (up to 72GB internal disk)
for the disk space and performance needed to work on large models and multiple
designs. The X-Class features interactive model lighting and rotation and is
able to allocate very large amounts of memory for texture mapping. Contact:
Hewlett Packard; Palo Alto, CA; (650) 857-1501; www.hp.com.
Enterprise Computing: Notebooks
Acer TravelMate 520 Series
The Acer TravelMate 520 series notebooks come in four separate configurations.
All come preloaded with Microsoft Windows 98, are compatible with Windows 2000
and NT 4.0, and feature an Intel Pentium III processor with Intel SpeedStep
technology and up to 700MHz. Also included are a 56K modem and 10/100 integrated
LAN. Each notebook weighs 6.78 pounds, and is equipped with 128 MB of system
memory and 10 GB of hard drive space. Contact: Acer America, San Jose, CA; (800)
SEE-ACER; www.acer.com.
iBook
At only 6.6 pounds each, the Apple iBook series offers powerful, compact notebooks
with up to 466 MHz processor speed and 64MB or RAM (expandable to 320MB). Additional
features include a 10GB Ultra ATA hard disc drive, a CD-ROM, and an ATI RAGE
Mobility 128 graphics accelerator. The display is 12.1 inches, and the notebooks
themselves are 2.06 inches at their thickest point. Contact: Apple Computer;
Cupertino, CA: (408) 996-0275; www.apple.com.
Inspiron 8000
Dell's Inspiron 8000 notebook measures 1.71" high and comes equipped with Intel
Pentium III processors up to 850MHz, Celeron processors up to 600MHz, and 512MB
SDAM memory capabilities. Multimedia features include a high-resolution display,
featuring Ultra XGA, 2D and 3D performance, and Harman/Kardon audio. The Inspiron
8000 offers a variety of configuration choices, and comes preloaded with MS
Windows ME, and your choice of either Microsoft Works Suite 2001 or Microsoft
Office 2000 Small Business Edition. Contact: Dell Computer Corp., Round Rock,
TX; (800) 999-3355; www.dell.com.
LifeBook C-6577
The LifeBook C-6577 by Fujitsu features a 750 MHz Pentium III processor, complete
with Intel SpeedStep technology, two built-in speakers, and a wireless infrared
mouse. Also included are a 56K modem, 20 GB hard drive, 128MB of memory, and
a built-in CD-ROM. The LifeBook C-6577 weighs 7.3 pounds and is less than two
inches thick. Contact: Fujitsu, Sunnyvale, CA; (408) 746-6000; www.fujitsu.com.
Presario 1800 Series
The Compaq Presario 1800 series notebooks feature an Intel Pentium III processor
with SpeedStep technology, a 56K modem, and either the Windows 2000 Professional
or Windows Millenium Edition. Also included is a one-touch Internet Zone and
2-Way Internet Scroll. The display size can be up to 15 inches, with a maximum
total notebook weight of 7.8 pounds. Contact: Compaq Computer Corp., Houston,
TX; (281) 370-0670; www.compaq.com.
Toshiba Portégé 7200Cte
The Toshiba Portege 7200CTe is a highly compact notebook, measuring only 1 inch
thick and weighing less than five pounds. It features an Intel Pentium III processor
with speeds of up to 650 MHz and SpeedStep technology, 64 MB of memory, a 12BB
hard drive, and an integrated V.90 modem. Multimedia capabilities include an
S3 Savage/IX8 graphics controller, 13.3" diagonal TFT active-matrix color display,
and an optional DVD Network Dock II. Contact: Toshiba American Consumer Products,
Inc., Wayne, NJ; (800) 631-3611; www.toshiba.com
Enterprise Computing: Thin Clients
Capio II
Boundless's Capio II is a 266 mHz thin client appliance featuring on-board audio,
dual USB ports, and a number of expansion options including a 56K modem card.
Boundless offers an optional 10-year warranty on Capio products. The Capio II
200 is a DOS-based ICA-environment thin client, while the 320 and 325 models
are Windows-based. Capio's thin unit can be positioned horizontally as well
as vertically to fit into any work space and its metal case and internal power
supply are designed to withstand lots of abuse. Contact: Boundless Technologies,
Hauppauge, NY; (800) 231-5445; www.boundless.com.
MaxTerm and +One Station
MaxTerm Windows-based terminals from MaxSpeed offer relatively low acquisition
cost and the highest speed of any thin client appliance currently on the market.
The +One Station device is a useful piece of hardware that doubles computing
power at a fraction of the cost of a new terminal. The little device, about
the size of a deck of playing cards, allows two users to share applications,
hard drive, and peripherals. By adding only a monitor, keyboard, and mouse,
individuals or network administrators can turn two terminals into one. +One
Station isn't a practical solution for creating multi-user networks, but it
d'es work as a just-in-time device when one extra computer is needed. It's also
a handy unit to use at home where two or more individuals may share the same
CPU. Contact: Maxspeed; Palo Alto, CA; (800) 877-7998; www.maxspeed.com.
NeoStation 3000C Series
Neoware's NeoStation 3000C Series supports audio, printers, serial devices,
high resolution, and two USB ports for additional uses. Remote Manager software
lets customers who have implemented Linux-based, Microsoft Windows CE, and/or
Windows NT Embedded computing appliances manage all of these different technologies
from a single software interface instead of different tools for different models.
Neoware software is locked and protected with exSecure, protecting the appliances
from tampering or virus infection. EzSecure also provides administrators the
ability to completely lock down a Neoware computing appliance, so that their
desired desktop configurations can't be changed. Contact: Neoware Systems; King
of Prussia, PA; (610) 277-8300; www.neoware.com.
Sun Ray Appliances
Sun Ray Systems appliances use Sun's Hot Desk Technology to give users instant
access to existing applications and resources on the campus network, whether
the underlying platform is Unix or Windows. Hot Desking allows a user to move
his or her session from one desktop to another without logging on or off. Users
simply plug the smart card into a Sun Ray appliance; that card can then be taken
to another desktop where the session comes up exactly as it was left. Secure
passwords authenticate the user's identity. Sun Ray desktops have a relatively
small footprint, requiring less desk space than other appliances. Contact: Sun
Microsystems, Palo Alto, CA; www.sun.com.
The Internet in Education: Web Authoring Tools
Educational Partner Tools
Tandberg's Educational Partner Tools is authoring software that allows teachers
and materials developers to create their own multimedia learning resources.
Partner Tools is available in two versions: the Designer and the Browser. The
Designer enables teachers to choose the best medium to convey their message
- a still picture, video clip, or audio clip - and store the resulting materials
in digital format. Using the Browser, students can navigate the multimedia experience
via a linear sequence random access, but are not able to change the format.
Contact: Tandberg Educational; Brewster, NY; (800) 367-1137; www.tandberg-us.com.
Eye Candy 4000
This graphics plug-in from Alien Skin Software offers users 23 special effects
filters including wood, fire, and marble for backgrounds, images, or text. The
Drip filter-complete with 3D-like drops-turns text and images into dripping
paintings, while the Melt filter allows users to stretch and distort using realistic
melting effects. Hundreds of presets create effects instantly, but tools such
as the Bevel Profile Editor and Color Gradient Editor allow users complete control
over shape and color. Users can switch from one filter to another in the large
preview window and can see effects with all layers visible. Real-world parameters
create resolution-independent images that will look the same when printed at
72 dpi or put onto a Web site at 300 dpi or higher. Contact: Alien Skin Software;
Raleigh, NC; (888) 921-7546; www.alienskin.com.
GoLive
This Adobe software features WYSIWYG page layout with one-pixel accuracy-the
layout grid lets users place elements anywhere on the page, and they will display
that way in a Web browser. Users can manage a Web site with a tool that provides
a graphical map of each page, showing pages that are linked to it and including
a list of graphics and other media, links, and e-mail addresses that appear
in the page. Users can also update an entire site at once if they change a filename,
URL, or e-mail address. While working on a Web page or a site in GoLive, users
can easily preview it as it would appear in different browsers on different
platforms. In addition to the source and layout views common to many WYSIWYG
Web page editors, GoLive has a useful HTML outline view that allows users to
instantly see connections between related tags. Contact: Adobe Systems; San
Jose, CA; www.adobe.com.
LiveMotion
LiveMotion makes it easy to animate images for the Web and to import Photoshop
and Illlustrator files. The animation timeline in LiveMotion is object-based
so that each part of an image can be animated separately, even if the parts
are on the same layer. Animations can be exported as GIFs or SWFs. LiveMotion
also lets users create and save styles for rollovers, making it easy to create
a set of similar buttons without having to repeat tedious steps. Contact: Adobe
Systems; San Jose, CA; www.adobe.com.
Quest 6.0
A reusable and extensible object-oriented architecture lets the Quest 6.0 enhance
the development of interactive training and education applications. Features
include FastTracks, multiple libraries of pre-built screen layouts, buttons,
and interactions. QuestNet+, a 16-bit version for both novice and expert developers,
offers interactive training via CD-ROM, the Internet, an intranet, LAN, or a
hybrid mix of delivery vehicles. Users need a 32-bit operating system-Windows
95 or higher or Windows NT-to take full advantage of the multimedia capabilities.
Contact: Allen Communications, Salt Lake City, UT; (801) 325-7850; www.allencomm.com.
SmartSound
This family of audio software products from Sonic Desktop enables Web site builders
to create soundtracks in minutes. Music and sound effects files are embedded
with information that allows the software to manipulate the audio automatically.
The Maestro feature quickly locates the type of music required and automatically
edits it to the specified length-accurate to 1/10 of a second. SmartSound comes
with CDs of royalty-free music, and users can also import their own audio and
edit it manually in the BlockClipper. The Maestro feature presents up to 10
arrangements for any specific soundtrack, and imported audio can be mixed with
automated soundtracks. Contact: Sonic Desktop; Northridge, CA; (800) 454-1900;
www.smartsound.com
Toolbook II Assistant 8
The Toolbook II Assistant 8 enables registered ToolBook users to instantly deliver
and manage public or private e-Learning courses via click2learn's e-Learning
Network. Developers are able to create content that complies with virtually
every major learning standard today - including AICC, IMS, Microsoft's LRN,
and the SCORM standard. Also included is an upgraded suite of interactive e-Learning
features and tools to automatically export course scores, student information,
and data to corporate databases such as SQL Server or Oracle. Contact: Click2learn;
Seattle, WA; (800) 448-6543; www.click2learn.com.
VideoFactory
Users can create high-quality, low-bandwidth videos in a format that d'esn't
take up a lot of hard drive space with Sonic Foundry's VideoFactory. The software
allows users to animate text to scroll credits or focus on key points; fly in
text in a number of ways; and set the font size, color, angle, and timing, and
apply drop shadows and glows. MP3 audio files can be used to enhance a video
project, either through adding multiple MP3 files to the same project or crossfading
them on the same track. The product includes a Getting Started tutorial and
a content CD containing hundreds of video clips and images, sound effects, music
beds, and stingers. Users can record an audio track or narrate a video in real
time during playback, as well as add images and pictures that have been scanned
in, captured on screen, or received via e-mail. Contact: Sonic Foundry; Madison,
WI; (608) 256-3133; www.sonicfoundry.com
Web Design 101
Macromedia's Web Design 101 is a package of tutorials and evaluation software
for Web design classes, and is based on Director 7, Freehand 8, Flash 4, Fireworks
3, and Dreamweaver 3. It is a complete short course on Web design for beginners.
The tutorials themselves are free from Macromedia, but the CD-ROMs come with
a printed instructor's guide and six lessons per product. Contact: Macromedia,
San Francisco, CA; (415) 252-2000; www.macromedia.com.
Web Learning Studio
Macromedia's three-product bundle includes Authorware 5.2, Flash 5, and Dreamweaver
4. Authorware enables users to incorporate rich media through direct support
for Flash 5, QuickTime 4, and other common digital video and audio formats.
Users can add content and then choose from eleven response types including buttons,
hotspots, and hot objects. Flash allows users to create animations and include
narration and soundtracks. Dreamweaver 4 provides an environment for authoring
HTML and JavaScript through a visual approach, and enables users to create interactive
Flash buttons. Special pricing for educators is available. Contact: Macromedia;
San Francisco, CA; (415) 252-2000; www.macromedia.com
webSavant
Learn how to create Web pages, write and edit HTML code, and tweak HTML code
in WYSIWYG Web page editors with this four CD-ROM package from Savant Interactive.
With more than 11 hours of instruction, including hundreds of sample files and
demos for the software and shareware covered in the training, webSavant begins
with an introduction to the Internet and moves on to HTML, page design, image
creation, animated GIFs, JavaScript, audio, video, and other topics. Users will
learn to properly convert graphics to a Web format; write JavaScript to create
mouse-over effects, image swapping, and form data validation; and customize
CGI scripts to e-mail form data and perform searches on their sites. Advanced
lessons cover frames, forms, PDFs, and an introduction to Flash. Contact: Savant
Interactive; Lisle, IL; (866) 4SAVANT; www.websavant.com
WebStock
Artbeats' multimedia production tool and reference library contains more than
550 MB of data comprising more than 2,000 movies, animations, bitmapped graphics,
sounds, and Flash files. Web designers can get vector images and fast-downloading,
fully animated buttons that can be imported into multimedia authoring programs.
Most of the bitmapped images consist of more than one frame or state and can
be used to create roll-over effects, while the multi-frame buttons can be used
as animated gifts. The reasonable price includes an online manual and technical
support. Contact: Artbeats; Myrtle Creek, OR; (541) 863-4429; www.artbeats.com
The Internet in Education: Online Course Delivery and Management
Blackboard 5
Blackboard 5 is a software platform that allows for a course management system,
customizable institution-wide portals, online campus communities, and integration
of multiple administrative systems. It can be licensed at three levels. Level
One provides basic course management tools such as discussion boards, posting
course material, chat rooms, and online assessments. Level Two provides course
management as well as customizable institution-wide portals for faculty, students,
and alumni, facilitating online communities, Web-based e-mail, calendar, announcements
and tasks. Level Three offers a more advanced package that includes Java-based
APIs for unifying online campus systems into one platform. Contact: Blackboard,
Washington, D.C.; (202) 463-4860; www.blackboard.com.
eCollege.com
eCollege.com's CampusPortal 4.0 is an enterprise-wide solution for providing
campus services and community access online. Academic features include student
access to self-service, asynchronous learning through courses and productivity
tools, both on and off campus. Users can also develop and deliver a robust campus
Intranet in about 45-90 days, offer personalized home pages for everyone in
the community, track users and site usage statistics, and generate automated
reports and analysis. Contact: eCollege.com, Denver, CO; (888) 884-7325; www.ecollege.com.
e-Education
e-Education, by JonesKnowledge.com, provides full-service access to all facets
of online education. In addition to online course management, these products
are designed to replicate services provided by a traditional college or university
campus, and market online education programs regionally, nationally, or internationally.
A broad selection of software tools allows faculty to create, edit, and manage
online courses, while an online course catalog and electronic library are also
available. Contact: JonesKnowledge.com, Englewood, CO; (800) 701-6463; www.e-education.com.
HorizonLive 2.0
The HorizonLive 2.0 system for live online learning features integrated chat,
instant polling, a whiteboard for both instructor and student use, application
screening, and a One-Click Archive that records live sessions for on-demand
review. HorizonLive is accessible on any standard Web browser and runs on Mac,
UNIX, or Windows platforms. Contact: HorizonLive, New York, NY; (212) 533-1775;
www.horizonlive.com. JenzaEducator JenzaEducator is a comprehensive online course
development tool with personal calendars for instructors and students, personalized
and centralized instructor home pages, and student profile software. Also included
are Instant messaging, chat rooms, and forums, along with syllabus posting and
easy expansion. Contact: Jenzabar, Cambridge, MA; (617) 492-9099; www.jenzabar.com.
