[MSNBC]
Mark --
Take a look at this and see if our missing clues are hidden in here somewhere.
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REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- MSNBC on the Internet (www.msnbc.com) today officially released the redesigned MSNBC.com, which combines the worldwide resources of NBC News, the technological expertise of Microsoft and the connective power of the Internet to provide a new concept in the delivery of news and information that is specially tailored for the online information age.
A sneak preview of the new MSNBC.com has been under way for the past several days. To showcase the new site's features, MSNBC on the Internet will also launch an extensive $2 million dollar promotional campaign.
Merrill Brown, MSNBC on the Internet's editor in chief, will host a live chat on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 1997, at 6:30 p.m. ET to discuss aspects of the redesign with users. The chat can be found at www.msnbc.com/chat/default.asp.
"The new MSNBC.com has been designed to integrate interactivity, personalization and convergence in a manner that changes the conventional face of news on the Web," says Peter Neupert, Vice President, News & Commentary, Microsoft Corp. "Headlines, text, pictures, applications, audio and video will now be brought together in ways not possible in other mediums."
To better involve viewers in a host of ways, the new Web site features an entirely new look and structure, shifting from a vertical, scrolling screen to an enhanced, easy to use 640x480 design. Stories are just a click away with a new cascading menu system that enhances navigation by providing a comprehensive look at the day's news. Each of MSNBC's main sections has been expanded with new content and interactive multimedia features giving stories a greater level of depth. Enhanced personal delivery tools give users the news they want when they want it. While compatible with all browsers, the new MSNBC site is optimized and best viewed through Microsoft's Internet Explorer 4.0.
Number One in News Made for the Medium
The new MSNBC features constantly updated news from around the globe, produced to take advantage of the capabilities of the Net. Interactive, immediate and in-depth coverage of major events and issues from News, Commerce, Sports, Weather, Technology, Living and Local News as well as original material produced in collaboration with NBC News, MSNBC Cable and CNBC are all provided to users, free of charge.
"MSNBC on the Internet is the first major news and information service created for this medium," says Brown. "It blends a premiere broadcast and cable news organization with a team of expert Internet journalists and the world's finest technological organization to make news truly valuable to customers worldwide."
MSNBC on the Internet's various sections are now all easily accessible from the menu bar on MSNBC's front page, allowing easy navigation from one section or story to another. Content enhancements to MSNBC's sections include:
* News: Formerly the World section, MSNBC on the Internet's new News section displays top stories from across the country and around the world in a compelling multimedia presentation complete with photos, graphics, video and audio clips and an automated slide show with news stories on topics users can choose.
* Commerce: The new Commerce section features up-to-the-minute business news, enterprise stories and collaborations with MSNBC Cable, CNBC and Microsoft Investor all displayed on one easy-to-use, dynamic front.
* Sports: In-depth coverage of the big stories and major sports, with commentary, analysis, interactive special reports and interaction with users.
* Technology: Formerly the SciTech section, the new Technology section is designed to keep users on the cutting edge by exploring the latest developments and profiling the individuals and companies that are making things happen.
* Living: Formerly the Life section, MSNBC on the Internet now takes full advantage of the Internet by offering the chance to interactively explore movies, music, health, travel, the arts and food, style and family.
* Opinions: The Opinions section combines one of the Internet's most highly rated op-ed sites with a leading edge "community desk" operation that provides easy access to MSNBC on the Internet's online bulletin boards and chats. Commentary on the day's political, social, economic and international events is provided by a dozen regular columnists and outside contributors.
* Weather: Current weather conditions are available for virtually any spot on the globe. As with all other sections, users can customize by selecting their local weather forecasts.
Television + Internet = MSNBC
MSNBC on the Internet is leading the way in the convergence of the television with the computer to create the most comprehensive news product. The new site offers links to companion pieces produced in collaboration with NBC News, CNBC and MSNBC Cable, creating an on-demand, interactive experience for the user that has never been achieved before. This interactive approach has allowed MSNBC on the Internet to expand the very concept of news coverage beyond the traditional boundaries of TV or print journalism. Through the integration of Microsoft NetShow technology, MSNBC has dramatically enhanced its video streaming capabilities.
"We have redesigned the site using the latest technology," says James Kinsella, general manager, MSNBC on the Internet. "These advances have allowed us to create a site that is engaging, easy to use, comprehensive, in- depth and television-friendly."
New convergence features include:
* On Air: The new On Air section now offers previews, in-depth reports and interactive features, ranging from part of a "Today" series or a "Dateline NBC" story to original reporting from some of the industry's most respected broadcast journalists, including Tom Brokaw, Jane Pauley, Andrea Mitchell, Robert Hager and Brian Williams.
* Local News: From local to national to worldwide, MSNBC on the Internet provides all the news in one place. Links are provided to local news sources in cities across the nation, that give the user everything from regional breaking news and weather to local high school football. Nearly 100 NBC affiliate stations provide this comprehensive local coverage, with additional cities being added continuously.
Personalization
As part of the redesign, MSNBC on the Internet can be personalized, offering news and information that's most relevant to individual users, from top headlines, local weather reports, individual stock quotes to favorite sports scores and local news.
Personal Toolkit has been improved to better personalize the news and enhance delivery. With such tools as Personal News Alert, Personal Delivery, Personal NewsLink and Personal Desktop Tickers, users can design news reports that are most relevant to them.
* Personal News Alert instantly notifies users of breaking news without interrupting their work. The alert icon flashes in the taskbar as news breaks, stocks fluctuate or events occur. When the icon is clicked, News Alert delivers breaking headlines in a window with hot links to the stories.
* Personal Delivery sends a Personal Front Page via email every day, delivering a customized edition of today's news with rich multimedia interactivity.
* Personal NewsLink is an email message with convenient links to significant MSNBC special features.
* Personal Desktop Tickers automatically track sports scores, stock prices and top headlines, which all update automatically.
MSNBC is a partnership between NBC (NYSE: GE), a leading provider of news and information, and Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), the leader in personal computer software and a major provider of Internet online services. Built on the worldwide resources of NBC News, MSNBC is a 24-hour cable news network and an Internet news service.
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If so, this means we have two mysteries and not just one. Hmmmmm. . . Back to square one???? Nah, we're further along than that. I think Microsoft has started an advertising blitz and it won't impact Amati much, if at all. :((((
I also think GTE will eventually have a blitz of its own that will impact Amati. :))) Now, back to the drawing board.
Tenacious to a fault.
Pat |
