AltaVista Licenses PowWow Technology
for Real-Time Internet Communications
AltaVista, AT&T WorldNet and Freeserve Embrace
Open Solution, Offer Messaging Clients for Interoperability with AOL and MSN
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1999-- AltaVista Company, the premier new media and
commerce network and a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI - news), is
developing a real-time text and voice instant messaging service that is designed to be compatible with
AOL and MSN instant messenger clients.
Based on Tribal Voice's PowWow technology, ''AltaVista Messenger'' is leading a new class of
real-time communication clients that combine an open, interoperable instant messaging capability with
a full-set of communications and community building features. The AltaVista Messenger beta will be
released this winter.
''AltaVista Messenger reflects our fierce commitment to giving our users what they want, and to
advocating open, Web-wide solutions,'' said Rod Schrock, president and CEO, AltaVista Company.
''Our free service will provide the benefit of rich features and multiple communication modes without
imposing limitations on the users with whom they may communicate.''
AltaVista Messenger is an interoperable client that allows Internet users to exchange messages in
real-time without the use of an email inbox. AltaVista users will be able to communicate with each other
and with users of a new version of Tribal Voice's PowWow that also powers Freeserve's Communicator
and AT&T WorldNet IM Here service. These new services are compatible with America Online's Instant
Messenger (AIM) and Microsoft's MSN Messenger Service, collectively representing over 40 million
users worldwide.
The availability of these new messaging clients will significantly advance the spread of open,
interoperable and Web-wide communications on the Internet. And the integration of powerful community
and communications features, such as universal buddy lists and simultaneous, real-time text and voice
chat, will result in the most useful and feature-rich offering in the marketplace.
AltaVista Messenger will offer unequalled features, including:
-- Interoperable instant text messaging
-- Instant voice messaging
Buddy List consolidator that displays all users who are online, across multiple systems
Web cruise option that allows users to guide the browser of the person with whom they are
communicating
-- File exchange
The new service will sit open on a user's desktop with buddy list icons that change color to indicate
when users are present or not. Users can create their own user profiles, which can be viewed and
amended as desired, and form lists of friends, buddies and work colleagues. AltaVista users will also
have the option to launch a Web browser directly from the client to access the legendary AltaVista
Search comprising the most comprehensive Web index with more than 250 million pages or to access
other personally-relevant information from AltaVista or the Web.
''Tribal Voice is proud to work with AltaVista to provide best-in-class instant messaging solutions based
on the PowWow technology platform,'' said Tribal Voice Vice President Lee Finck. ''Our relationships
with companies such as AltaVista, AT&T WorldNet, Freeserve, and CMGI bring Tribal Voice closer
toward our goal of managing the largest network of interoperable messaging clients.''
AltaVista Messenger is being developed to communicate with AOL's AIM through its previously
published public source code and with Microsoft's MSN Messenger Service through its publicly
published and sanctioned methods for communicating with other messaging users. AltaVista
Messenger is based on the PowWow technology designed and developed by Tribal Voice.
Novell® eDirectory Services®, the world's leading provider of directory-enabled networking software, will
provide Internet management and security for the new AltaVista Messenger. As a part of AltaVista's
software infrastructure, Novell provides a real-time security solution that quickly authenticates users of
AltaVista Messenger.
About AltaVista Company
AltaVista Company is the premier media and commerce network offering Internet users up-to-the-minute
news, live video, content, search and shopping resources. The company integrates unique technology,
products and services to deliver relevant results faster for both individuals and businesses. By combining
distinctive 'best of the Web' relationships with personalized service, the AltaVista Network at
www.altavista.com creates the smartest Internet experience. AltaVista is building on its heritage of
technology and innovative leadership, offering informative services including AltaVista Live!, AltaVista
Search, AltaVista Shopping.com, AltaVista Local, and Free Access combined with the AltaVista
microportal. AltaVista is a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI - news),
Andover, MA. Compaq Computer Corporation holds the remaining minority stake in AltaVista. AltaVista
is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.
About Tribal Voice
Tribal Voice is the leading provider of instant messaging, interactive communications and online
community solutions based on its PowWow technology. On December 1, CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI -
news), the world's largest and most diverse network of Internet companies, agreed to acquire Tribal
Voice, Inc. as a majority-owned operating company. Founded in December 1994, by anti-virus software
guru John McAfee, Tribal Voice maintains offices in Scotts Valley, Calif. and Woodland Park, Colo.
More than five million worldwide users participate in over 18,000 communities via the company's
PowWow software. For more information on Tribal Voice and to download its PowWow client software,
please visit tribal.com or call 831/461-3100. Companies interested in working with Tribal
Voice to develop their own instant messaging/interactive communications solutions should visit
tribal.com, e-mail sales@tribal.com or call 1-877-4POWWOW. If you are outside North
America, please call 831/461-3100.
About CMGI
With more than 50 companies, CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI - news) represents the largest, most diverse
network of Internet companies in the world. This network includes both CMGI operating companies and
a growing number of synergistic investments through its venture capital affiliate, @Ventures. CMGI
leverages the technologies, content, and market reach of its extended family of companies to foster
rapid growth and industry leadership across its network, and the larger Internet Economy. Compaq,
Intel, Microsoft and Sumitomo hold minority positions in CMGI. CMGI Corporate headquarters is located
at 100 Brickstone Square, Andover, MA 01810. Telephone: 978/684-3600. Fax: 978/684-3814.
Additional information is available on the company's Web site at cmgi.com.
AltaVista is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Shopping.com and Homebase are
trademarks of AltaVista Company or its affiliates. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks
and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Contact:
AltaVista Company
David Emanuel, 650/617-3496
david.emanuel@av.com
or
Copithorne & Bellows
LaurieAnne Lassek, 415/975-2236 |
