Multimedia "Learning University" Brought to You by Street Inc.

STREET Technologies establishes itself as more than just a streaming multimedia toolmaker by creating an Internet distribution venue for multimedia education and training content.

During the past year STREET has developed first-rate technology for streaming multimedia to the desktop called StreamMaker, now in its 3.2 release. But they have recently separated themselves from the likes of Progressive Networks and Vxtreme by supporting the creation and distribution of content on the Internet.

The company's distribution center, dubbed Learning University, already offers streamed performance support and training modules in 50 titles, including Windows 95, Windows NT, MS Word and MS Excel, Lotus Notes & Smart Suite, Internet Explorer 4.0, Netscape Communicator, Getting Started with HTML, and others in production.

Individuals can subscribe to a week, a month, 6 months, and to annual access to, for example, the MS Office 97 Suite for $69.95 and the entire library of all titles for $99.95. Reseller partners buy at up to 90% discounts and markup as their market will permit. Corporate clients get group rates.

Viewing these modules on the Net is far better than watching the training videos that most of us have seen at one time or another. For one thing, you are watching video on your PC and not a fuzzy video screen. The buffered full-screen pictures and audio track stream in smoothly, giving the user the impression that the application is running on his or her own desktop, with full synchronization. This is the core technical element of STREET's technology.

As the mouse moves the most important features and actions are highlighted and, since you can control the stream like you would a video, you can start, stop, go backwards or forwards whenever you want. You can easily set aside the training module and go right into the actual application when you get the answer to your question or learn the technique you need.

An attractive feature of Learning U. is "Instructor-Lead Virtual Classrooms" that allow users to ask questions and take tests from experts. Threaded-discussion groups called "Virtual Forums" enable users to exchange information with other students. Internet chat "Auditoriums" allow users to ask questions in real time from special guests such as top executives, authors, and other experts.

Version 3.2 of StreamMaker has just been released, and it will offer the developer even greater functionality, including interaction between the streaming media and the actual applications--like MS Word--running on the desktop of the person viewing the training module. STREET has built the browser communication right into its user interface.

Version 4.0 will be out in the last quarter of 1997. This will enable the trainee to use the application while the streaming training module observes, records, and comments on their actions. Like the 3.2 version, it will also incorporate interaction between the user and a database, enabling the organization offering the training to track the progress of trainees and guide them along the appropriate path.

STREET's technology is an important departure from other forms of streaming media. The company appreciates more than others the huge business opportunity available in offering streaming content you can create on a computer screen--as opposed to full-motion video. The Net won't be ready for video until significantly higher bandwidth is widely available, but full-screen, full-motion computer-generated images can be enjoyed today.

There are great opportunities for entertainment and "edutainment" presented in this format. Animation, training materials, scientific information, and many other interesting and amusing types of content can be streamed this way, without giving up anything in terms of image size and quality to TV.

Ward Bitter, STREET's EVP of Business Development, says that the company intends to provide a lot more content from its content development partners via Learning U., and it is actively seeking content creators and multimedia developers to convert existing content into its format. STREET is unique in providing its content development partners with an advanced distribution solution and its distribution partners with a new product form.

STREET's next goal should be to raise an army of content developers--in the fashion of Macromedia with its 100,000 Director developers. If it accomplishes this there will be no shortage of content.

As the company has correctly seen, a content creator's biggest hurdle is distribution. STREET can offer global access via the Net as well as the means of collecting money on a pay-per-view basis. Consequently, independent interactive multimedia developers won't be locked out of the marketplace because they can't obtain shelf space or sell sufficient advertising to maintain a Web site.

At last there will be a level playing field for independent content creators. Finally, every product will be able to find its niche--whether its a global audience of 100 or 100 million.

This is the beginning of an era of networked multimedia that will offer what Public Access TV offered to television and e-zines offered to print--low cost access to a large audience. It will bring us more voices and more innovation.

Perhaps, five years from now the planet's most popular media programming will emanate, not from Hollywood or New York, but from an apartment in Cleveland or a college dorm room in the Prague. It could happen.