E3Expo/Alpha Software Launches Air Force One, an Add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator; Lets Armchair Pilots Take a Flight Adventure With the Commander-In-Chief.ATLANTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 29, 1998-- E3Expo Realistic Flight Adventure Tests Skills While Transporting President of the United States The head of the Executive Branch, one of the three branches of the federal government. The U.S. Constitution sets relatively strict requirements about who may serve as president and for how long. Attention Flight Sim enthusiasts: The President is on board. Alpha Software Corporation, a subsidiary of SoftQuad International Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :SWEBF); (TSE See Tokyo Stock Exchange. TSE 1. See Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). 2. See Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE). :SKI), announced Air Force One, an add-on to Microsoft Flight Simulator Microsoft Flight Simulator is a flight simulator program for Microsoft Windows, marketed and often seen as a video game. One of the longest-running, best-known and most comprehensive home flight simulator series, Microsoft Flight Simulator that enables armchair pilots to fly authentic versions of Air Force One and other planes commissioned by the President of the United States. Developed by a professional pilot, Air Force One includes photo-realistic instrument panels, landscapes, buildings and working gauges that provide a lifelike flying experience. Air Force One, which shuttles the President and members of his cabinet around the world, commands the respect of aviators Well-known aviators People largely known for their contributions to the history of aviation While all of these people were pilots (and some still are), many are also noted for contributions in areas such as aircraft design and manufacturing, navigation or everywhere. Alpha Software's Air Force One allows anyone to experience first-hand how this specially crafted airplane handles. "Piloting Air Force One is the pinnacle of achievement for any pilot, real or imagined," said Richard Rabins, 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. , Alpha Software Corporation. "We're proud to be able to offer our users the chance to experience flying this one-of-a-kind aircraft. Air Force One goes beyond the typical Flight Simulator add-on by providing a chillingly realistic series of disaster avoidance scenarios." Air Force One features an extensive "flight adventure" in which the pilot must safely fly the President from Moscow to Paris amid storms, fog, turbulence and even engine failure. The Moscow Sheremetjevo airport and scenery are authentic, as is the runway into Paris International Airport. According to one flight simulator enthusiast, "There's nothing else like Air Force One - you have the fate of the most powerful man in the world in your hands. It's a real high!" Air Force One features five new aircraft: Boeing 747-200, the current Air Force One; Boeing 707, the recently retired original Air Force One; Boeing 707 E3-A AWACS AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) Mobile, long-range radar surveillance-and-control centre for air defense. Used by the U.S. Air Force since 1977, AWACS is mounted in a specially modified Boeing 707 aircraft, with its main radar antenna affixed to a rotating dome. surveillance aircraft; Boeing 707-153 KC135 A/E A/E Architect/Engineer A/E Architecture and Engineering Services A/E Air Entry (by auscultation) A/E Activity Elements A/E Ascent and Entry (spacecraft; NASA) A/E Attitude Ephemeris A/E Anarchy and Equality Stratotanker; and Boeing 707-153 VC 137 A Stratolifter in MATS livery. The program gives users separate control over all four engines and includes technical specifications and a historical background for each plane. The Air Force One guide includes a special section that helps beginners get up to speed. The program can also be used in conjunction with Alpha Software's 747 Jumbo Jet, so users can fly the presidential aircraft into 747's exclusive airports, which include Dusseldorf and Frankfurt Main in Germany. Air Force One takes advantage of all the features of Flight Simulator 98, including multi-player gaming, auto-pilot, dynamic scenery, direct 3D, MMX (MultiMedia EXtensions) A set of 57 additional instructions built into the Pentium MMX chip for improved multimedia and modem performance by performing mathematical operations on multiple sets of data at the same time (see SIMD). support and accurately rendered navigation aids. In conjunction with Microsoft flight simulator, the program allows users to experience every aspect of flight, from first throttle-up to a safe landing. Users can even maneuver through dangerous weather conditions such as high winds and thunderstorms thunderstorms a storm characterized by thunder and lightning caused by strong rising air currents; identified as agents of animal disease because of their involvement causing (1) spasmodic colic; (2) lightning strike; (3) injuries of cattle acquired in stampedes initiated by storms. . Air Force One will be made available at computer and software retailers by Alpha Software, in partnership with Data Becker GmbH. It will have a suggested retail price of $29.95. Program requirements include Microsoft Flight Simulator 98 or 95, Windows 95 or NT, 486/66 or better processor, 8MB of RAM, SVGA (Super VGA) A screen resolution of 800x600 pixels. Third-party vendors extended IBM's VGA display standard and were the first to use the term. SVGA has also referred to 1,024x768 resolutions. See PC display modes. , 256 Colors and a CD-ROM Drive. About Alpha Software Corporation Alpha Software Corporation (Alpha, Alpha Software), based in Burlington, Mass., and SoftQuad Inc. (SoftQuad), based in Toronto, Canada, are wholly-owned operating companies of SoftQuad International Inc. The mission of Alpha Software Corporation is two-fold. Expanding on its tradition of providing solution-based software, Alpha now develops and publishes a diverse array of leading products in the utility, business and consumer software categories. These products are sold nationwide through the retail channel. Through its Internet Database Group, Alpha develops and markets Web database products under the WebFiler(tm) DB (http://www.webfiler.com/) brand. SoftQuad Inc. provides a broad range of multi-platform, standards-based software tools that help information creators, gatherers and providers create and publish information. SoftQuad is a founding member and active participant in the World Wide Web Consortium, the Internet Engineering Task Force (c/o Corporation for National Research Initiatives (CNRI), Reston, VA, www.ietf.org) Founded in 1986, the IETF is a non-membership, open, voluntary standards organization dedicated to identifying problems and opportunities in IP data networks and proposing technical solutions to the and Editorial Review Boards. SoftQuad International Inc.'s European operations are based in London. CONTACT: Alpha Software Corporation Tracey Graham, 781/229-2924 ext. 215 press@alphasoftware.com OR SoftQuad International Inc. Steven H. Schneider, 781/229-2924 investor@softquad.com OR Edge Communications, Inc. Ken Greenberg, 818/591-1173 keng@idt.net |
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