HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 16, 1999--Networks On-Line, Inc. (NOL)-- a subsidiary of ComTech Consolidation Group Inc. (OTCBB:CCGI - news) today announced that VIDWATCH.COM has ranked the NOL Internet public Video Chat Server as one of the top five CUSEEME (NASDAQ: WPNE - news) servers world wide. Internet based Video Conference users could submit their vote for their favorite server by going to http://www.vidwatch.com/ and casting their vote.
``NOL believes it's use of the VIDWATCH.COM monitoring service gave it's conference rooms a unique edge over the competition and played a major role in allowing NOL be ranked as 1 of the top 5 CUSEEME servers world wide,'' commented Don Brown, President of NOL. Don Brown went on to say, ``VIDWATCH.COM and NOL are currently in discussion regarding partnering on new and innovative Internet video conferencing solutions.''
The growing demand for video enable chat rooms and other services is the result of the lower cost and usage of inexpensive net-cams that allow PC's connected to the Internet to send live video images. Acceptance of videoconferencing as a viable medium is growing, with ``net-cam'' sales projected to grow at a 72% annual pace through 2002.
``We view Internet videoconferencing as a powerful new medium that's emerged from hobbyist stage to become a truly productive communications tool,'' said Bill Towey, VIDWATCH.COM's CEO. ``Our goal is to help both consumers and companies building web communities to get the most from videoconferencing, which is by far and away the 'stickiest' of all possible content services for a website.''
NOL (mpcs.nol.net) is a huge Internet video chat room full of fast-paced fun. The fact that it can hold up to 40 people makes it a reliable room for finding a spot and a crowd. Best of all, it's G rated and monitored, so you can feel safe knowing VIDWATCH.COM monitors are standing by. Because dependability and optimum performance is critical in the conferencing environment NOL uses White Pine MeetingPoint for Sun Solaris server software and has plans to migrate to the Linux solution for MeetingPoint in the near future.
About NOL.NET
Networks On-Line, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary company of ComTech Consolidation Group,Inc. (OTCBB:CCGI - news) is a partner of White Pine (NASDAQ:WPNE - news) NSP - ISP group which includes Time Warner Cable and CompuServ. NOL provides high speed DSL Internet access, Internet video conferencing service, web hosting and ecommerce solutions to the greater Houston and Galveston TX areas. The Company's web site can be viewed at http://www.nol.net/.
AboutVIDWATCH.COM
Internet videoconferencing allows on-line users to visually connect with each other, without leaving their office desks or homes, using either a point-to-point (private) or a multi-point (conference) format. VIDWATCH.COM business customers include a diverse client base of Internet content providers, operators of business-to-business web sites and companies seeking to establish vibrant customer and shareholder communities. VIDWATCH.COM also promotes educational use of videoconferencing, providing discounted classroom rentals, training to educational institutions and a host of other services.
About White Pine Software
White Pine Software develops multimedia conferencing applications tailored to business, education, and training. The company is focused on providing application-specific solutions that enrich the way people interact, moderate, and administer conferences in real-world conference situations. The company's vision is to enable the convergence of audio, video and data to provide users an enjoyable and rewarding conferencing experience. White Pine Software can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.wpine.com/. All trademarks are recognized.
Statements regarding financial matters in this press release other than historical facts are ``forward looking statements'' within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company intends that such statements about the company's future expectations including future revenues and earnings, and all other forward looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Since these statements (future operational results and sales) involve risk and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the company's actual results may differ materially from expected results.
Compass Point Group,
Bob Sullivan, 619/525-0800
or
VIDWATCH.COM
Peter Heymann, 253/383-8767 x253
pheymann@vidwatch.com.
or
White Pine Software
Tanya Prather, 603/886-9050 ext. 359
tprather@wpine.com