---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Pat Clawson <patclawson@delphi.com>
Newsgroups: comp.infosystems.www.providers
Subject: NEWS:TELEGRAFIX RELEASES RIP 2.0 ONLINE MULTIMEDIA
Date: Tue, 24 Jan 95 05:21:45 -0500
News Release
For Immediate Release
TeleGrafix Ships First RIPscrip 2.0 Online Multimedia Software
(Huntington Beach, CA) - January 24, 1995 -- TeleGrafix Communications Inc. is
now shipping its long-awaited RIPterm(tm) Professional 2.0 telecommunications
software, the first product based on the company's revolutionary new RIPscrip
(tm) 2.0 online multimedia technology.
It is believed to be the first commercial software to have dropped all support
for the popular GIF imaging format following recent actions by CompuServe and
Unisys to restrict usage of GIF images and demand royalties from the online
communications industry.
***RIPscrip Technology Sets New Multimedia Standard***
RIPscrip 2.0 (Remote Imaging Protocol scripting language) dynamically
integrates text, digital sound and high-resolution JPEG video images with up to
16.7 million colors into a single computer screen. Images are dazzling, with
scaling, color mapping, and image placement happening in real-time. Serial
communications and multimedia effects are handled simultaneously so that music
can be played while graphics are displayed without interrupting incoming
information. The selection of fonts is virtually unlimited, because RIPscrip
2.0 can import Adobe(tm) Type 1 and TrueType(tm) fonts. A new
device-independent bitmap (BMP/DIB) icon format gives computer information
system operators cross-platform compatibility for their screens, so images will
be virtually identical on both PC and Macintosh computers.
Multimedia products based on RIPscrip 2.0 can be transmitted over ordinary
residential telephone lines virtually instaneously, depending on modem speed.
Unlike proprietary imaging systems, RIPscrip 2.0 is fully compatible with the
Internet, CompuServe and other networks that use 7-bit ASCII text.
Release of the software follows two years of research and development directed
by TeleGrafix's programming team of Executive Vice President Jim Bergman; Vice
President/Chief Technology Officer Mark Hayton; and Chairman of the Board &
Cyberwizard Jeff Reeder.
"RIPscrip 2.0 technology is a milestone technological advance. Online
multimedia will change the way people use computer networks to work, play, and
communicate. It's fast, fun and easy to use," said Patrick Clawson, President
& Chief Executive Officer of TeleGrafix.
***RIPterm Is Powerful, Inexpensive Communications Link***
The new RIPterm Professional 2.0 communications software provides powerful
universal access to the Information Superhighway in an inexpensive,
full-featured communications package.
RIPterm Professional 2.0 supports data transfer rates from 300 to 115,200 baud.
Major file transfer protocols are supported, including ASCII text, QuickB,
Kermit, X-Modem, Y-Modem, and Z-Modem. Terminal emulations include RIPscrip,
ANSI, Doorway, TTY, and VT100. Users can print screen images in Epson, HP
Laserjet, and Postscript(tm) modes.
The dialing directory holds up to 1,000 phone numbers. Preloaded are 35 of
America's top commercial online information systems that are the first users of
RIPscrip 2.0 technology. Among those systems are BBS Direct & Internet Access
in Bay City, MI; World Data Network in Reston, VA; Space BBS in Menlo Park,
CA; Calypso Online Services in San Clemente, CA; Multiverse in Cleveland, Ohio;
and others.
RIPterm Professional 2.0 is available now for DOS users. The software's
introductory price is $10 per copy through April 1, 1995, when the price will
increase to $29.95. Bulk quantity discounts and site licenses are available.
A freeware "RIPterm 2.0 Test Drive" sampler program with limited functionality
will be provided at a later date to online information system operators for
widespread, free electronic dissemination to the public.
RIPterm Professional 2.0 will be available later this year for Macintosh,
Windows, and PowerPC computing platforms. In the early second quarter of 1995,
TeleGrafix expects to release RIPaint 2.0, a program that helps create online
multimedia documents and products, along with the first products from its
"Project Apache" research team that apply RIPscrip 2.0 solutions to the
Internet and World Wide Web.
***TeleGrafix Urges CompuServe Protest***
In a related announcement, Clawson stated that TeleGrafix has removed all GIF
imaging formats from RIPscrip 2.0 products and will no longer support the
format. The action was forced by the December 28, 1994 announcement of
CompuServe and Unisys to demand royalties for using GIF, and to restrict its
use to the CompuServe Information Service as a proprietary file format.
Introduction of RIPterm 2.0 Professional was delayed recently so it could be
reengineered to remove GIF capability. Clawson said many software and online
communications companies like TeleGrafix have been injured by unexpected
product recall and reengineering costs associated with the GIF controversy.
"We think it is outrageous and morally wrong for these large corporations to
make a demand for money, threaten the online community with patent infringement
lawsuits, and restrict usage after allowing GIF to be freely licensed on a
non-royalty basis for seven years," Clawson said.
"Jeff Reeder and Mark Hayton of TeleGrafix have developed a method by which GIF
images could continue to be used on a royalty-free basis without infringing the
Unisys LZW algorithm patent through substitution of a different algorithm. We
have asked CompuServe, which holds a copyright on the GIF file format, for
permission to distribute our software solution to the online community free of
charge as a public service. CompuServe has ignored our repeated telephone
calls and Internet messages, although they have disparaged our efforts in
comments to the news media. We encourage our customers to protest directly to
CompuServe President Maury Cox about the GIF controversy," Clawson added.
Media Inquires can be directed to:
Pat Clawson
TeleGrafix Communications
16458 Bolsa Chica, Suite 15
Huntington Beach, CA 92629
United States of America
Phone: (714) 379-2140
Fax: (714) 379-2132
Internet: rip.support@telegrafix.com
Note: RIPscrip, Remote Imaging Protocol, RIPaint, and RIPterm are trademarks of
TeleGrafix Communications Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
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