PictureTel International Inc, the company that wants to bring the faces of telephone callers into the office or living room, has added real-time application and data sharing between users to its personal computer-based videoconferencing system, PictureTel Live PCS 100. The result is that users can see and manipulate data contained on each other’s personal computers, even if the other person is not there. This represents a potential security nightmare, although password clearance is required. With LiveShare, users can hold video calls via Integrated Services Digital Network and can share applications, even if only one of the two users is running or has the application, and it is not even limited to one application only the size of the memory. Does this mean that applications are transmitted? Of course not, because that would be breaching copyright laws. The caller accesses the application on the other computer and takes control of that computer. The caller can then save the amended document without the application. Live PCS 100 will run on any 80386 with 8Mb, it does not drain the microprocessor as the work is done on the two boards in the package, fitted with AT&T Corp chips and PictureTel’s own chips. Video calls can be made to any other system that conforms to the H.320 international standard. Videoconferencing call charges, using an Integrated Services Digital Network, are roughly UKP10 an hour in the UK, and UKP75 an hour for transatlantic calls, via Mercury Communications Ltd. The Live PCS 100 costs UKP5,000, and for 90 days LiveShare will be free, thereafter costing UKP185. Live PCS 100 is already available via IBM Corp resellers and will be included as standard on some of the new Compaq Computer Corp range of personal computers.
