NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE) - June 18, 1996 - Beginners and novices now easily can learn the basics of the World Wide Web and popular Internet tools with today's introduction of Internet the City, a multimedia CD-ROM tutorial program. Created by Simply Interactive Inc., of San Jose, Calif., an Intranet and Internet training and education software development company, Internet the City debuts at PC Expo. The CD-ROM title is scheduled for release during the fourth quarter of 1996 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $49.95 and will be available for Microsoft Windows 3.1, Windows 95 and a separate version for Macintosh operating systems.

Through the use of digital movies and "city tour guides," Internet the City breathes life into learning how to use tools of the Internet, specifically Email, FTP, Usenet, Gopher, Telnet and IRC, and navigating the World Wide Web (WWW). The exciting, futuristic three-dimensional city environment features simple step-by-step lessons on how to use each of the Internet and WWW tools. The product also comes with Netscape's popular Navigator Internet browser software that enables users to connect to the Internet and test out what they have learned.

Copies of a light version of Internet the City, concentrating on the Email and Usenet Internet tools, are available at Simply Interactive's booth (No. 3962) to attendees of the show. The light version supports Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Windows 95.

"Simply Interactive wanted to create a software title that would excite beginners about the Internet," said Warren J. Kaplan, president and chief operating officer of Simply Interactive. "Internet the City makes the Internet accessible and fun for everyone including those without prior experience on the Net."

"We wanted Internet the City to provide an interactive forum for beginners to get acquainted with the Internet, which is something books can't do," said Robert Rositano, Jr., co-founder and executive vice president of Simply Interactive. "The idea was to create a product that would help beginners see how fun and useful the Internet is without getting frustrated."

Internet the City aims to answer all of the questions frequently asked by the Internet beginners and novices. With three city tour guides from which to choose (Url, an animated cab driver; Edith, an energetic entrepreneur; and the Professor, a mild-mannered educator), users can select the guide best suited to their skill levels and personalities. Each city tour guide accompanies the user through all aspects of Internet the City providing commentary and light-spirited humor.

Internet Tools and NetCafe Online

Internet the City explores the most commonly used tools for the Internet and World Wide Web and explains each through five easy lessons with full-motion video and specific examples. In the NetCafe Online area, users can access their tour guide's favorite sites, scan the Web through the NetTaxi Search that provides access to six popular search engines (Magellan, Alta Vista, Excite, Infoseek and Lycos), and peruse a glossary of Internet terms.