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April Fool Joke Gone didn't succeed...
Wednesday, 03/28/2007 -- by Marvin Droogsma. Subject: April Fool Joke Gone didn't succeed...
Hi Guys, tried to get you on a April first joke but as I guessed the message was removed from this forum. But maybe you can try this one on a collegue or another forum... Here is the original posting:
---
Just before next Monday the public Beta test version of IC Player will be available for a limited amount of Scala-users.
After being in development for almost two years and awaiting the last adjustments for IC5 and Vista we are proud to present you with the player you always wanted!
It's fast, it's stable, it's flexible and best of all: it's totally free!*
- Works on Microsoft Windows (Vista) and Linux based operating systems.
- Written in Shockwave / Flash (with some extra optional** components).
- Compatible with scripts from MM100 up to IC5.***
- Can display web pages and streaming content (by scripting only).
- Currently about 75% of all wipes and FX are integrated (including 3D)
- Players will send heartbeat to central server where you can view all statuses (login required)
- Player is compatible with several Content Management Systems****
- One official Scalaplayer (and dongle) should be registered in NetworkManager or ContentManager, FreeIC-player itself takes care of distribution to all others.*****
- If using standalone players, no playerdongle or official playerversion required.
- All source will be available under the Open Source protocol after release of version 1.0
- Support via email and telephone
- TV-EX integrated and compatible with ALL hardware supported by your OS.
- And much, much more!
Modules under construction (not yet compatible with Windows Vista):
- AudioGrab: Record and playback audio
- VideoGrab: Record and playback video
- VuMeter: Measure audio input and act upon it
Currently we are especially looking for testers with low-spec machines running Linux, but others are welcome too! Coders with experience in DirectX 9.0c may apply.
People wondering about the delay of Powerpoint Converter for IC3/IC5: it is in Beta too, but not scheduled for release until fall 2007.
If you want to know more or receive a copy (warning: Beta version), please reply to this message.
Kind regards,
Alex Finker
FreeIC
* With a maximum of 100 players per site.
** Linux only, Windows 98 should have latest updates.
*** IC5 Currently limited to one channel. Progres-database only.
**** Optional CMSlink module required (currently supporting about 15 different systems)
***** NM or CM padd-on automatically creates an extra (invisible) page in the script that tells the player what to distribute where.
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John Schilling quickly replied this:
It is the "best of all possible" _LOVE_LETTERS!
Scenario #1:
Its a hoax. Somebody thinks that announcing a knock-off of our product will drive traffic in their direction. [i.e. we have "market presence"]
Scenario #2:
Its a real Player at some level of development.
2a) They were sloppy and have no resources, ($$), we legally crush them
like a bug and take anything useful that they developed.
2b) They were clever and have no resources, ($$), we buy them and save
development effort on the Linux port.
Scenario #3:
They are real and clever and they have some resources, ($$$$$)--and its
"Excel" vs. "Lotus" all over again!
If we lose that battle we will, with justification, be placed on the
"Ash heap of history".
I place the probability at:
75% #1; 20% #2; 5% #3.
I don't see a problem.
--Every case is in our favor: Somebody *likes* us and wants to be like us!
--JSS
And he was (as always) right...
Take Care!
Marvin
Thursday, 03/29/2007 -- by kelly. Subject: just a thought...
Something tells me that April fools jokes are most effective when played on April fools day....
just a hunch...
Thursday, 03/29/2007 -- by Marvin Droogsma. Subject: April 1st
Not always... you have to take some time to let it settle and then have the (anti)climax on April 1st...
Thursday, 03/29/2007 -- by John Schilling. Subject: I did not pick up on the April 1 reference..
And I told management that there was a 25% chance that it was not a hoax...
So--Marvin _did_ "get me". [however, there is a strong body of opinion that he "cheated" by making it a "time delayed 01/04/07 joke!!!]
--JSS
Thursday, 03/29/2007 -- by Marvin Droogsma. Subject: Cheating
Well, I figured that it would take you about four days to get the lawyers in full warsuit and armor, just enough time to get rumours started. In Holland it is quite normal to start April Fool jokes way before April 1st, to take people when they're still offguard.
But there is a litle truth in the story. A little while ago I was seriously thinking of writing a (limited) player in Flash or other programming language that could read .sca and play accordingly. But hey, why bite the hand that feeds you (indirectly)? ;o)
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