Panorama and SGML

[Earl Young]

     The RealAudio example is one that I was pushing pretty hard.  We 
     discussed their freeware and payware relationship specifically.
     
     Earl


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Panorama and SGML
Author:  tdowling at OHIOLINK.edu at INTERNET
Date:    3/5/97 5:54 AM


> >There is a difference between Panorama Pro and the viewer you can 
download
> from 
> >their site.
> 
> No kidding  ;-)
     
Namely a major release of the software.  Nothing on SoftQuad's site 
suggests that they're about to update the free viewer.
     
> 
>   They are trying to generate revenue in order to support more 
> >development - like all other software firms - and we talked at 
length about 
> >their pricing model.  But I would caution against deciding about the 
product 
> >based on experience with only their "free, downloadable" viewer.  It 
is a
> niche 
> >product - designed to provide the ability to view SGML - but it does 
not have 
> >the flexibility of their Panorama Pro product.
     
SoftQuad also wishes to be seen as a force for SGML evangelism, which 
makes it incumbent on them to make any product they offer easy to 
install and use.  They could take a few lessons from people like 
RealAudio, Adobe, and Shockwave whose freeware offerings remain current 
with their commercial products, and which have proven very successful 
at driving both their sales and the visibility of streaming audio, PDF, 
and Shockwave animation on the net.
     
> I'm still waiting to hear about another SGML viewer to come on the 
market,
> myself.
     
Have you talked to Open Text lately about SGML *indexing* software? 
:-\
     
Thomas Dowling
Ohio Library and Information Network 
tdowling at ohiolink.edu