Asymetrix Announces ToolBook II -- Enabling Internet Distributed Learning; First Authoring Environment to Deliver Native HTML and Java Only Solution to Enable Certified Understanding.BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 1996--Asymetrix Corp. today unveiled ToolBook II, the industry's first comprehensive solution for developing and deploying Internet-based Distributed Learning Distributed Learning means a method of instruction that relies primarily on indirect communication between students and teachers, including internet or other electronic-based delivery, teleconferencing or correspondence; (British Columbia, School Act, 2006). applications. Building on the success of ToolBook(r), the award-winning multimedia authoring product line, ToolBook II is the next generation solution designed principally to provide organizations with a competitive advantage through computer assisted training and education over the Internet. ToolBook II is a complete solution that includes tools for authoring, managing and accessing Distributed Learning applications. It includes the first authoring environment that delivers training and education applications in the native Internet formats of HTML HTML in full HyperText Markup Language Markup language derived from SGML that is used to prepare hypertext documents. Relatively easy for nonprogrammers to master, HTML is the language used for documents on the World Wide Web. and Java. Much more than an authoring environment, ToolBook II is the only solution with a server-based course management system that takes full advantage of the interactive, two-way communications offered by the Internet. In this way "certified understanding" is now possible where instructors are able to certify that courseware has been received and the extent to which the content has been understood. Finally, ToolBook II includes easy to install, end-user access tools, simplifying the configuration and deployment of multimedia ready Web browsers The following is a list of web browsers. Historical Historically important browsers In order of release:
"The emergence of the Internet has created a significant opportunity for business, government, and education to adopt Distributed Learning as a competitive advantage for responding to ever greater pressures to reduce costs while increasing productivity," said Jim Billmaier, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Asymetrix Corp. "ToolBook II harnesses the power of the Internet to provide an easy, low cost solution for conducting training and education anywhere in the world, with the ability to update information instantaneously." Distributed Learning combines the advantages of Computer Based Training (CBT (Computer-Based Training) Using the computer for training and instruction. CBT programs are called "courseware" and provide interactive training sessions for all disciplines. ) with the powerful new communications capabilities of the Internet. The potential for Distributed Learning was cited in Training Magazine (October 1995) when they found that 48% of U.S. businesses were implementing Computer Based Training, while as many as 9% were already using the Internet for Distributed Learning. The complete ToolBook II solution combines the industry's leading product family with Asymetrix(r) Advantage, a comprehensive purchase and services program, making it the ideal solution on which to standardize an organization's entire Distributed Learning needs. Asymetrix Advantage includes a volume purchase program for software, maintenance, and support, as well as individual support, training, and consulting services (see related announcement). The Asymetrix Advantage purchase program enables organizations to acquire, distribute and maintain software efficiently, lowering the total cost of software ownership. The ToolBook II Product Family ToolBook II is a comprehensive product family that provides all the components necessary for developing and deploying Internet-based Distributed Learning applications. Based on the award-winning Multimedia ToolBook(r) product line, ToolBook II has been significantly enhanced and modularized mod·u·lar·ized adj. Having or made up of modules: modularized housing. for use with the Internet. Customers are able to choose from a family of authoring, management, and access tools to customize a solution that best meets their needs. Authoring Tools With ToolBook II's support for native Internet standards See Internet Engineering Task Force. , authors are now able to create WebBook(tm) applications based on HTML and Java. The familiar page and hyperlink metaphor used by ToolBook to create native Windows-based applications is easily applied to the development of WebBook applications as this is the same metaphor on which the World Wide Web is based. Absolutely no knowledge of HTML and Java is required when developing a WebBook application. Animated widgets, course templates, and automated specialists allow applications to be developed at the click of a button. Developers can also choose to use ToolBook II's powerful OpenScript(r) scripting language A high-level programming, or command, language that is interpreted (translated on the fly) rather than compiled ahead of time. A scripting, or script, language may be a general-purpose programming language or it may be limited to specific functions used to augment the running of an or Java programming for additional customization. ToolBook II applications or books offer the most flexibility for distribution. With the click of a button, authors are able to choose between a WebBook application for Internet delivery or a native ToolBook application for CD-ROM CD-ROM: see compact disc. CD-ROM in full compact disc read-only memory Type of computer storage medium that is read optically (e.g., by a laser). or LAN (Local Area Network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographical area. The "clients" are the user's workstations typically running Windows, although Mac and Linux clients are also used. delivery. The best of the Internet and CD-ROM's can be married by developing hybrid CD-ROM applications. Media rich content, such as video, is released on a CD-ROM and time sensitive content is dynamically updated over the Internet. Previous investments in ToolBook applications are protected with ToolBook II's ability to convert native ToolBook applications to WebBook applications. ToolBook II's authoring products include: ToolBook II Instructor - Although extremely easy-to-use, ToolBook II Instructor is targeted at instructional designers and developers who need the full power of a scripting language, providing the highest level of customization for training and education applications. Authors can choose from over 250 Java widgets that have been tailored for use in Distributed Learning applications. ToolBook II Instructor is the next generation of the award winning Multimedia ToolBook CBT Edition. ToolBook II Assistant - Designed for exceptional ease-of-use, ToolBook II Assistant empowers content experts to create courseware themselves, eliminating their dependency on professional developers for certain types of training applications. Users answer a few questions to get started, drag-and-drop the appropriate content and let ToolBook II Assistant do the rest. Further customization is possible by seamlessly modifying applications with ToolBook II Instructor or ToolBook II Publisher. ToolBook II Publisher - The next generation of Multimedia ToolBook, ToolBook II Publisher provides the perfect solution for native Internet multimedia applications, such as Internet kiosks and online books, that do not require training specific features. Internet support includes HTML, and GIF GIF in full Graphics Interchange Format Standard computer file format for graphic images. GIF files use data compression to reduce the file size. The original version of the format was developed by CompuServe in 1987. and JPEG JPEG in full Joint Photographic Experts Group Standard computer file format for storing graphic images in a compressed form for general use. JPEG images are compressed using a mathematical algorithm. graphics. Future versions will also include specialized Java applets. To add training capability, any application created with ToolBook II Publisher can be transparently enhanced with ToolBook II Instructor. Management Tools ToolBook II Librarian - A core component of the ToolBook II solution and the only one of its kind, ToolBook II Librarian is a server-based course management system that oversees the Internet deployment of ToolBook II WebBooks. Built on the popular Java network programming language, ToolBook II Librarian allows course instructors and administrators to monitor student activity anywhere in the world. By leveraging the unique, two-way communications capability of the Internet, it is now possible to certify that a student has received a course; observe a student's progress; and record test results and other valuable feedback. In this way, instructors are able verify each student's level of understanding enabling certification programs and accredited accredited recognition by an appropriate authority that the performance of a particular institution has satisfied a prestated set of criteria. accredited herds cattle herds which have achieved a low level of reactors to, e.g. degrees. Access Tools ToolBook II Desktop - Designed for trainees and students, ToolBook II Desktop is an easy to install and configure desktop access tool, consisting of the Netscape Navigator An earlier Web browser for Windows, Macintosh and X Windows from Netscape that provided secure transmission over the Internet. Soon after its introduction in 1994, Navigator, or just "Netscape," as it was commonly called, quickly became the leading browser on the Web. pre-configured with video and audio Plug-Ins, as well as the ToolBook II Plug-In (previously announced on 5/6/96). Although ToolBook II applications are accessible with most off-the-shelf Web browsers, ToolBook II Desktop provides users with a fully configured environment for easily accessing and experiencing multimedia rich ToolBook II applications. Support for the Microsoft Internet Explorer See Internet Explorer. will be available later in the third quarter. Neuron Plug-In - With a beta release See beta version. available today on the Asymetrix Web site (www.asymetrix.com), Neuron, the ToolBook II plug-in, provides trainees and students with Internet access See how to access the Internet. to native Windows-based ToolBook applications from within a Netscape Navigator Web browser The program that serves as your front end to the Web on the Internet. In order to view a site, you type its address (URL) into the browser's Location field; for example, www.computerlanguage.com, and the home page of that site is downloaded to you. . Support for the Microsoft Internet Explorer will be available later in the third quarter. Pricing and Availability ToolBook II Instructor and ToolBook II Publisher will ship in July, 1996 and will be available for Windows 3.x Windows 3.x can refer to either an individual or all of the following versions of Microsoft Windows:
ToolBook II Librarian will ship in July, 1996 for the Solaris UNIX UNIX Operating system for digital computers, developed by Ken Thompson of Bell Laboratories in 1969. It was initially designed for a single user (the name was a pun on the earlier operating system Multics). platform and Q4, 1996 for the Windows NT platform. Pricing will be available 30 days prior to release. ToolBook II Desktop and the Neuron Plug-In will ship in July, 1996 and will be available for Netscape Navigator on Windows 3.x, Windows 95, and Windows NT. Microsoft Internet Explorer versions will follow in Q3, 1996. The ToolBook II Plug-In will be included with all ToolBook II products and will be available free of charge from www.asymetrix.com. ToolBook II Desktop pricing will be available 30 days prior to release. ToolBook II Assistant will ship in Q4, 1996 and will be available for Windows 3.x, Windows 95, and Windows NT. Pricing will be available 30 days prior to release. About Asymetrix The Asymetrix Corp. is a leading supplier of easy-to-use Internet authoring and development tools for Distributed Learning, Web Publishing, Internet Application, and Database Development. Asymetrix products include ToolBook II, SuperCede Verb 1. supercede - take the place or move into the position of; "Smith replaced Miller as CEO after Miller left"; "the computer has supplanted the slide rule"; "Mary replaced Susan as the team's captain and the highest-ranked player in the school" , 3D F/X F/X Effects , Web 3D, InfoAssistant, and InfoModeler. Asymetrix, a privately held software company based in Bellevue, markets to customers and clients around the world including leading corporate, government, and educational institutions. For more information, visit the Asymetrix web site at http://www.asymetrix.com. -0- Asymetrix, Asymetrix 3D F/X, Digital Video Producer, InfoModeler, Multimedia ToolBook, Neuron, OpenScript, and ToolBook are registered trademarks of Asymetrix Corp., are registered in the U.S.A. and in certain other countries. Asymetrix Web 3D, Certified Understanding, InfoAssistant and WebBook are trademarks of Asymetrix Corp. All other company and/or product names are the property of their respective owners. CONTACT: Asymetrix Corp. Ann Bagley, 206/637-5859 annb(at)asymetrix.com Web Site: http://www.asymetrix.com or GCI GCI Ground Circuit Interrupter GCI Getty Conservation Institute GCI Global Commerce Initiative GCI Green Cross International (non-profit international environmental organization) GCI Growth Competitiveness Index GCI Great Cities Institute San Francisco Suzy Bauter, 415/974-6200 sbauter(at)gcigroup.com |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion