Monday September 15 8:30 AM EDT
Company Press Release
Source: Sentius Corp.
ClariNet and Sentius Announce Partnership Creating
Innovative Online News Service for English and Humanities
Students
`Sneak Preview' at Online World Introduces New Technology That Makes
Related Information Just A Mouse Click Away
WASHINGTON, ONLINE WORLD, Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- ClariNet Communications, a
subsidiary of Individual Inc. (Nasdaq:INDV), and Sentius Corporation will sneak-preview
ClariNews Educational Edition, a new annotated version of ClariNet's ClariNews news service
specially-geared for education. ClariNews Educational Edition uses Sentius' new RichLink
technology to automatically annotate each daily ClariNews article so that readers can click on a
word and instantly be provided the appropriate dictionary definition. The technology will be
shown at the Individual/ClariNet Booth 308 at Online World in Washington DC from September
15-17.
To be introduced in October, RichLink technology automatically annotates documents for Web
sites or CD ROMs, with each word or picture linked to supplemental text, multimedia content or
information from other Web sites. RichLink embeds this link information directly in the
document. When a reader desires additional information -- such as a definition, translation or
example -- a simple mouse click presents the information in a ``pop-up'' display. RichLink
conveniently enriches the reader's learning experience while not altering the face of the
document, accidentally misinterpreting content, or forcing the reader to travel to another site.
Students learning about the American economic system and stock market can read on-line
articles well above their current reading levels, an art student reviewing Michelangelo's
biography can pop-up the artist's works, or an ESL student can review content providing native
language definitions and word-by-word sound clips demonstrating proper English pronunciation.
Applications that are most appropriate for RichLink include education, online journalism and
publishing, technical and legal documentation and ``internationalizing'' Web site information.
Educators -- such as those teaching English literacy, ESL, foreign languages, and the humanities
-- and online news and feature publishers are expected to be early adopters of the technology.
For example, ClariNet and NiftyServe (Japan's largest Internet service provider) announced this
week in Japan that NiftyServe will use RichLink technology to annotate ClariNews' English
language news articles to allow readers to instantly display the Japanese language equivalent.
``As a former educator, I realize the problem students have in understanding and that teachers
have in making sure instruction results in true communication. Here is a tool that satisfies
everyone from faculty to students,'' said Dr. Judith Sturnick, President, The Sturnick Group for
conflict resolution and past-president of a prestigious women's college.
``The appetite for daily news crosses all age groups and interests, from grammar school to
post-graduate students, making it the ideal format to introduce RichLink technology to educators
and consumers alike,'' said Marc Bookman, Sentius founder and president.
``Using RichLink, ClariNet is the first online news provider to offer an educational tool that
takes advantage of the interactive nature of the Internet,'' said Mike Rehmus, ClariNet vice
president of sales. ``Today, we are just starting with word definitions; tomorrow, we'll provide
a variety of supplemental information, including foreign language dictionaries and encyclopedic
works.''
ClariNews Educational Edition will be co-marketed to educators by Sentius and ClariNet, with
Sentius focusing on K-12 schools and community colleges. ClariNet will market the service to
colleges and universities, building upon relationships it has established with such large
institutions as Harvard, Stanford, and Yale universities. For more information about ClariNews
Educational Edition, contact Sentius at +1-650-856-1296.
About ClariNet Communications Corporation
ClariNet Communications, a subsidiary of Individual Inc. (Nasdaq:INDV), offers the premier
globally branded electronic newspaper on the Internet, the ClariNews. As the first commercial
Internet news provider, ClariNet Communications is one of the most visible and recognizable
names associated with electronic publishing, with the largest paid subscription base on the
Internet of more than 1.5 million users. Together, ClariNet and Individual have a subscriber base
of more than 2 million users. ClariNet Communications can be found on the web at
www.clari.net.
About Sentius Corporation
Founded in 1993, Sentius develops software designed to improve communication and learning.
Through innovations in database, publishing, linking and user interface technologies, Sentius
makes the information acquisition process more efficient and productive. Sentius' products have
been licensed by major OEM customers and are in use in over 100 educational institutions in the
US, Japan and other countries worldwide.
NOTE: Visit Sentius on the World Wide Web at sentius.com. Sentius corporate
headquarters is located at 580 College Avenue, Palo Alto, California, 94306; +1-650-856-1296;
fax +1-650-856-1297; info@Sentius.com.
SOURCE: Sentius Corp. |
