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MillimeterCompaq Expands "Give Thanks America Program "
Jan 8, 2002 12:00 PM
Compaq, along with its strategic technology partners, has expanded the "Give Thanks America Program" so that the public can now send video e-mail messages to U.S. troops deployed in the war on terrorism directly from their home.
Already, thousands of digital video messages have been sent from computers set up for the public at 22 locations around the country. Now Compaq Computer Corporation and its strategic technology partners, Sorenson Media and Digital Island, have announced the second phase of the initiative, making it possible for the general public to send free video messages from their homes via a unique technology solution. The announcement came at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
With a digital video camera, computer and an Internet connection, anyone can send a video message to the service man or woman of their choice from the privacy of their own home. To get started, simply go to www.givethanksamerica.comand download the Sorenson Vcast client that was created for the GTA initiative. The rest is easy.
Sorenson Vcast stores the compressed video file on a Compaq server and generates a "video ticket". This ticket is embedded in the e-mail message and is sent instantaneously to the service man or woman. A copy of the e-mail message is sent to the original sender. Because a reference file or "video ticket" is placed into the e-mail the file size remains small.
Vcast also instantaneously sends out a reference file or second copy of the video file onto the Digital Island 2Deliver content delivery network, which will be replicated out domestically and internationally. The video message is stored on Digital Island's global streaming media content delivery servers. Service personnel may then open the e-mail message and click on the "video ticket". As the video ticket opens Digital Island's 2Way Web Services infrastructure will properly route the video message.
"Americans have shown an incredible ability to give since the tragic events of September 11th," said Jim Sorenson, president of Sorenson Media. "Give Thanks America is another way that we can all make a difference. For those at the front lines of this war, good news from home is possibly their most valuable resource. Sorenson Media is thrilled to give Americans an automated e-mail solution to express gratitude to those that are giving so much."
The unique solution empowers simple e-mail messaging without burdening the military's computer networks and systems.
"Digital Island is pleased to be a partner with Compaq and Sorenson Media to enable the delivery of personalized video messages that will help inspire, uplift and bring our appreciation directly to those who are helping us in the war on terrorism," said Ruann Ernst, president and CEO of Digital Island. "By working closely with Compaq and Sorenson Media, we all have used innovation and ground-breaking creativity to bring the Internet to life to touch people's lives. This is a first and we are proud to be involved."
Mike Winkler, executive vice president, global business units for Compaq said the initiative grew out of employees' desire to honor the memory of five Compaq employees who were victims of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and to show their support for the military effort.
"All Americans are, by association, victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11," said Winkler. "Five of our employees lost their lives. It is in their memory and in memory of all who lost their lives that we launched this initiative. We realize that we can't reach everyone who wants to send a message, but with Sorenson's Vcast client we will be able to accommodate many more people in 2002."
Continue the discussion on “Crosstalk” the Millimeter Forum.