[824] in OS/2_Discussion
comment -- http://www.versions.com
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Anonymous User)
Wed Feb 21 23:40:49 1996
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 1996 22:39:41 -0500
From: Anonymous User <nobody@MIT.EDU>
To: os2www@MIT.EDU
Cirrus Arts Corporation solves upgrade puzzle with VERSIONS!
FREE service allows WWW users to automatically track software and receive
e-mail notification when versions change.
PATAGONIA, Arizona. -- February 20, 1996 -- Cirrus Arts Corporation, in
cooperation with Pangalactic Transport, has announced VERSIONS!, a free
service for the citizens of the Internet.
"VERSIONS! was developed to solve a frustrating problem faced by most
computer users," Lawrence Lee, president and CEO, Cirrus Arts
Corporation, said. "For a variety of reasons, it has become almost
impossible for most users to keep track of current software versions.
Companies change hands, registration cards are forgotten or lost. For the
user, it has become a major chore to keep up-to-date on version changes.
Not only do developers lose important upgrade revenues, but users can
waste hours searching for version information from a wide variety of
sometimes very obscure locations on the Internet and commercial on-line
services."
Provides a free and easy way for computer users to remain current on
software versions.
Any Internet user with a forms-capable Internet browser such as Netscape
can now register at "http://www.versions.com" to receive e-mail
announcements automatically whenever the developer of a product in which
they are interested announces an upgrade. VERSIONS! has developed a
custom unix database and search engine (programming by DesertMoon
Software: http://www.desertmoon.com) to track over 30,000 different
software products used on all the major operatingsystems.
Provides quick access to current information.
In its initial implementation, the VERSIONS! database is searchable by
Product and Developer keywords, and allows users to determine easily
whether they have the latest released version of software products they
use. With just a few more clicks of the mouse, they can register to
receive free e-mail notification when that version changes.
Provides options to receive other information.
Users may choose to receive other important information about developers,
products, or categories of special interest. Those interested in new
product announcements from specific developers, for instance, can elect
to receive e-mail notification and information concerning new products
offered. Others might be interested in receiving notification whenever a
new game is released, or a new Web browser. With VERSIONS!, it is easy to
keep up-to-date without having to wade through mountains of irrelevant
information.
Other features coming soon.
Over the next few months, VERSIONS! will be introducing additional
features such as links to news stories about developers or products,
on-line upgrade orders, and a new product rating and review system.
VERSIONS! will also provide one-stop access to bug fixes and free
upgrades made available by developers. Rather than search the Internet
for developer FTP sites, users can surf to VERSIONS! for quick and easy
access to these free downloads.
Pricing and availability.
VERSIONS! is FREE to subscribers, and developers may register their
products at any one of several levels beginning at only $199 per year.
Full details on how developers may register their software products is
available on-line at "http://www.versions.com" on the Developers' Page.
Chicken or egg?
"We have something of a "chicken-or-egg" problem in that we had to prime
our database with information on products before their developers even
had a chance to register them with us," said Lee. "We expect, though,
that the developers will quickly recognize the phenomenal opportunities
offered to them by VERSIONS! and register their products with us rapidly."
Cirrus Arts Corporation Cirrus Arts Corporation is a privately held
corporation headquartered in Patagonia, Arizona. Lawrence Lee, president
and CEO, has been involved in telecommunications entrepreneurship for
over 10 years and is currently spearheading a number of creative Internet
projects.
CONTACT: pr@versions.com
+1 (520) 394-2866
