CompuServe Inc on Monday launched an interactive audio service that makes use of the messaging capabilities of the CompuServe Forums areas. CompuServe Interactive Radio is the first offering in the line of new web-based products due as part of the C initiative (CI No 3,268) which will be fully rolled out before the end of the month. In addition to listening to the online radio talk shows, CompuServe says subscribers can interact directly with other members, call up information from a related CSi Forum or database and interact with the show host while listening to a broadcast. Although many of the C services will be free to non-members on a listen- or read-only basis, interactivity and access to archives will set you back some cash. Pricing for the C package has yet to be finalized, but CompuServe still insists that it will be less than $10 per month. Programs on CompuServe Interactive Radio will be presented in RealAudio format, permitting users to tune in while performing other tasks on their PCs simultaneously. Audionet, a provider of audio programming and services, will provide facilities for netcasting. Programs will be archived for 90 days for on-demand access after the live broadcast. CompuServe also announced that Xerox Corp spin-off PlaceWare Inc’s PlaceWare Auditorium will be packaged with the C offering for large-scale interactive web-based presentations. PlaceWare Auditorium provides interaction among participants, audience polling, and the ability to ask questions and receive answers in an organized fashion.
