SAMPLE SOFTWARE FOR 3-D INTERACTIVE CONTACT

Worlds Inc. is offering free software that allows you to navigate 3-D virtual environments, and interact and communicate with any real people you meet there. The software is based on VRML+, similar to VRML but with an added capacity for interaction. Users are represented by digital actors, or avatars, that move through the 3-D spaces. Currently, the software only supports the Windows platform, though Mac and Windows 95 versions are in the works. Be forewarned that the compressed program is almost 3 MB, and can take a very long time to download.

FINALLY..... Windows 95 is out....

Just as promised, for a change, Mr Bill did unleashed his Windows 95 on the expecting World on 24 Aug. Judging from preliminary reports, it's been a hit. Of course, not everybody is happy and the launching wasn't a totally smooth affair. For example, expecting eager buyers in Quebec turned out to be very unhappy puppies when they learned that the French-language version would be delayed a few months while people in France could get 'their' copies! Too bad because there was hardly anybody in France to take advantage of that fact because they were all away on their sacred summer vacations. Oh well, c'est la vie!

WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE!

For those who like clipping coupons and checking up on the financial market, there's good news. The Wall Street Journal is now available for free online (for how long... nobody knows). There is quite a lengthly sign-on procedures complete with some rather personal and nosey questions to answer but, it's worth a check.

DISCOVERY CHANNEL ONLINE

Discovery Channel is online and more interesting than ever. While surfing last night, I chanced upon that address and decided to give it a try. Ten minutes later, I was hooked. As mentioned earlier, it is a community which exists in cyberspace and to which people from all over the world have temporarily moved their roots. The sign on is fairly easy and once you obtain the OK from the community elders to move in, you do just that. What is the big deal you say? Well, for one thing, this is one bunch of interesting neighbours you move into. And, what's even more interesting is that you move in with your very own HOMEPAGE and they don't skimp either.... the page can include graphics and other goodies and ... can be as large as 200K!!!!!

It is also a fantastic place to see some pretty sharp Homepages. Shortly after getting my key, thus allowing me to move in, I checked some of the neighbours' Homepages. I e-mailed a "well done" message to one of my future neighbours and, lo-and-behold, immediately received a thankful reply with the "see ya later, neighbour" sign-off. Nice feeling... makes you feel welcome like in the real world. Enough said! You owe it to yourself to check it out!

Free Internet Phone now available in Duplex Mode. I mentioned in my Homepage the link to obtain the software required to call anywhere in the world for the cost of a local phone call but here's how to get the DUPLEX version. If your sound card can handle duplex operation, you're in. Of course, the good thing about duplex is that you don't have to wait for the other party to stop yakking and say "Over" on and on... With the shareware version, you are still limited to One Minute calls but hey... it's free, no? Get it here

LIKE TO PLAY SOLITAIRE?

Here's one of the latest (and newest) card game for Windows95 called Hardwood Solitaire. Download it and have fun. Hardwood Solitaire is a beautiful True Color rendition of three popular solitaire games; Klondike, Pyramid & Golf. Be warned though ....it's 3.4 Meg big! But worth it.

NOW, YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE FOR NOT BEING ON THE NET!

Well, that's it folks for now. Be on the lookout for the next issue!

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