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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Pipeline USA 703-904-4100 x 1356 ntetaa@psi.com
|
Jon Boroshok Poppe Tyson 201-539-0300 jborosho@nj.poppe.com |
VICARIOUS REALITY:
RIDING SHOTGUN CROSS-COUNTRY VIA THE INTERNET
Herndon, VA, January 11, 1996 --Much has been written about the road and its meaning within the American soul. With forward movement grounded as an ideal, the road has laid its place in our culture like an ancient prophet. Jack Kerouac set out on the road, Charles Kuralt chronicled his cross-country mobile home jaunts, and Bruce Springsteen's music glorified the highway for a generation born to run.
In the 1990s, technology replaced the open road with the information highway. Now, in 1996, Matt Krasner, a marketing manager for Internet Service Provider PSINet (Nasdaq: PSIX), takes today's technology out on the roads of yesterday.
Krasner is in the process of a three month cross-country tour in his Ford Explorer as he relocates from suburban Potomac, MD to Seattle, WA. He is documenting the trip over the World Wide Web as it happens. His writings can be found at the "Roadsigns" site on the World Wide Web at: http://www.roadsigns.com. The site is also linked to the web page of Pipeline, PSINet's award-winning Internet online service (http://www.usa.pipeline.com).
"The Internet needed a place where friends from all over can share and enjoy the wonder of the road," says the 27-year-old Krasner. "With its bright images, 3-D display of voice, music and words, the Net's the ultimate medium for a road documentary."
Krasner's pilgrimage has been influenced by several factors. He was inspired by the earlier writings of Jack Kerouac, and the fact that his childhood sweetheart and still significant other lives in Seattle.
While Krasner is making the trip alone, he can be joined through virtual reality by millions of Internet users. "It's more like Vicarious Reality," quipped Krasner. "Even people confined to their office can ride shotgun via the Web."
The trip will record the best of America's varied landscape: the big city, corporate and entertainment engine of America in New York City; the Green, Smoky, and Rocky Mountains; charming musical towns like New Orleans, Austin, Nashville; the great desert lands of New Mexico; the California coast; and an eventual end in one of America's technology hot spots -- Seattle.
Krasner left Potomac in late December, and is currently en route. So far, the road hasn't always been a smooth one. "The Blizzard of 1996 seems to be following me down the east coast," he said.
His scheduled stops include: New York City, Vermont, Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans, Austin, Santa Fe, Colorado, the California Coast, and finally, Seattle. His stops represent the newest additions to PSINet's 241 world-wide local points-of-presence (POPS) for Internet access. Krasner will be constantly reporting back though the Roadsigns web site, and will be available to meet with local media along the way. He will also be a featured guest in Pipeline's new travel newsgroup (pipeline.travel).
Web surfers and Internauts can interact with Krasner, and feel like they are in the front seat, through captured video. They can meet up with the driver in their hometowns, and reach him via email at roadsigns@psi.com. Krasner hopes that people find this site as an escape even if it's just for a few moments a day.
Headquartered in Herndon, Va., with an established, content-rich "Virtual Neighborhood" in New York City, Pipeline is the nation's first Internet online service that offers unlimited Internet access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at a flat rate ($19.95 per month). Pipeline software is available free by calling 1-800-453-PIPE (7473). Pipeline recently received PC Magazine's "Editors' Choice" award as an excellent package for new users. The Winter 1996 edition of Your First PC describes Pipeline as "the best nationwide Internet service provider."
Further product availability and pricing information can be obtained by calling 703/904-4100; through PSINet's Web site at http:// www.psi.net; or by sending an e-mail request to info@psi.com.
All brands, products and service names mentioned are trademarks or registered service marks of their respective owners.
