IDG's InfoWorld Innovates IT Reviews with 'Screencast' Videos; AJAX Toolkit Editorial Series Features Six Video Companions to Text-Based Articles

Business Wire, July 31, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO -- IDG's InfoWorld, the leading integrated media brand for IT solutions management, today announced screencast "video walkthroughs" for six leading open-source AJAX toolkits. These solutions are also profiled in a recent review by InfoWorld Contributing Editor Peter Wayner on InfoWorld.com, as well as the July 31st print edition of InfoWorld. The video companions are promoted across InfoWorld.com, including the home page, dedicated AJAX toolkit review landing page, Editor's Letter page, special PDF article synopsis, as well as on areas dedicated to each screencast. For more information, visit http://infoworld.com.

Screencasts for the profiled open-source AJAX toolkits are available
at:

Dojo:
http://www.infoworld.com/video/archives/2006/07/screencast_ajax.html

Google Web Toolkit:
http://www.infoworld.com/video/archives/2006/07/screencast_goog.html

Microsoft Atlas (1):
http://weblog.infoworld.com/udell/screenroom/atlas_flv.html

Open Rico and Prototype:
http://www.infoworld.com/video/archives/2006/07/screencast_rico.html

Yahoo AJAX Library:
http://www.infoworld.com/video/archives/2006/07/screencast_yaho.html

Zimbra Kabuki AJAX Toolkit:
http://www.infoworld.com/video/archives/2006/07/screencast_zimb.html

(1) Screencast conducted by Jon Udell

InfoWorld's editorial innovations have also created unique advertising programs. Sponsorships leveraging InfoWorld screencasting editorial programs include: 15-second video advertising before each editorial session; banner advertising surrounding the companion reviews and related articles; and the optional ability to extend the program to include print advertising.

"Screencasts capture engaged prospects, while traditional video offerings focus on accessibility to the casual site visitor," said Paul Calento, InfoWorld's vice president of marketing. "By integrating video advertising with other related content and advertising techniques, InfoWorld provides an advertising platform with scale and integration that typical IT media programs just can't match."

"Screencasts are a natural progression in the evolution of the software review," said Senior Editor Stephanie McLoughlin, who worked with Wayner to pull all the pieces of the article together. "They allow you to show a single feature or even demo an entire product in just a few minutes, where it might take thousands of words to explain the same thing in print."

About Screencasts

Screencasts are online demos, with accompanying voiceovers, that step through the UI and feature set, showing off what each piece of software can do and how it does it. In addition to the traditional reviews package that focuses on what the reviewer thinks about a software solution, screencasts help IT solutions management actually use the software. This technique has been championed by InfoWorld Lead Analyst, Jon Udell, who has been credited with coining the term "screencast" and has received numerous accolades for the accomplishment, including being named to Folio magazine's Folio: 40 for 2006. Screencasts underscore InfoWorld's commitment to providing IT solutions management with a technical depth of knowledge unparalleled in IT media.

About InfoWorld Media Group

InfoWorld Media Group helps IT solutions management choose the right technology, within the context of a cohesive strategy, for maximum business impact at their organizations. Rather than merely covering the enterprise technology market, InfoWorld identifies and promotes emerging technology segments that add unique value for the organizations that implement them, as well as the vendors that provide those solutions. Using an integrated communications approach including online, events, a weekly print publication, research, and a continued investment in an independent Test Center, InfoWorld analysts and editors provide both hands-on analysis and evaluation, as well as expert commentary on issues surrounding emerging technologies and products. Visit InfoWorld at http://www.InfoWorld.com.

About IDG

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World. IDG's online network includes more than 400 Web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment, and gaming worldwide. IDG is a leading producer of more than 170 technology-related events including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Macworld Conference & Expo, DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events. Over 850 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends. Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at www.idg.com.

All product and company names are trademarks of their respective companies.