WASHINGTON, May 24 (UPI) -- Microsoft's Windows Live is conducting an educational Tech Buzzwords 101 program to teach consumers about today's latest jargon, and, to show that while these buzzwords may sound complicated, they're actually not as difficult as they seem, and can actually make communicating with your friends and family easier, and more fun.
These days technology advances so quickly that most Americans feel they can't keep up! In fact, 57 percent of adults in the United States feel that they are not knowledgeable about the latest Tech Buzzwords. But once you get past the unusual words and strange acronyms you'll be surprised at how these seemingly strange technologies can make it easier -- and more fun -- to stay in touch with friends and family.
You've probably heard about blogging. In fact, most people (79 percent) know what a blog is, but many don't think it's for them and only 17 percent actually read them. But blogs -- like the kind you can build on MSN Spaces -- can be a great way to share news and photos with family and friends spread out across the country. They're today's version of an online scrapbook.
One in three U.S. adults don't know what VoIP is. While the name may sound unusual, it's really just a fancy way of describing talking over the Internet through services like MSN Messenger; 71 percent of U.S. adults (and even 41 percent of young people -- people between the ages of 18-34) have never heard of RSS, or Real Simple Syndication -- but it's a quickly growing technology that will become very common in the next few years. RSS allows you to subscribe to news feeds about the things you care about it -- whether it's politics, sports, movies, whatever. Sites like Live.com make it easy to create a personal homepage using RSS. It's like getting a constantly updated newspaper created just for you right at your front door -- day or night.
MSN recently announced that it is renewing and enhancing its relationship with Mark Burnett Productions by again providing exclusive programming online for the second season of CBS's "Rock Star," the reality show that revived the fortunes of international rock band INXS. For the first time, weekly behind-the-scenes episodes containing all original footage will be streamed exclusively on the Web on MSN.
ITV was tried in the past and failed but there's new excitement surrounding adding more and more broadband features. "In the early days, ITV was expensive to deploy by the cable operators and required content providers to do a lot to enable interactivity. And it was trying to force a new viewing paradigm on users," said a spokesman for Microsoft's MSN Service. "Now anyone with a PC and a broadband connection can experience great video content online, and interactivity can be provided through tools that millions of users are already familiar with -- like rich Websites, instant messaging, blogs, etc."
Just as in season one, four types of content will be available each week: extensive and immersive behind-the-scenes unscripted drama (produced exclusively for MSN); one performance show and one results show (both produced exclusively for CBS); and, as last year, extensive original wireless content (produced exclusively for Verizon's VCast service). The MSN behind-the-scenes unscripted drama will allow viewers to learn what it takes for the contestants to choose their songs, prepare for their weekly performances and follow their characters as they develop and grow under enormous pressure. It will be available at rockstar.msn.com, enabling on-demand viewing via streaming.
MSN has always had some form of broadband content, but now they really seem to be investing heavily in it. Microsoft thinks that they have the right formula to be successful.
"The great thing about the Internet is that it opens up the entire spectrum of programming to consumers -- from highly produced content from major providers to short videos uploaded by the guy down the street," added the MSN spokesperson. "We're seeing demand all along that spectrum and will continue to invest to make MSN the best place to find and watch whatever you're interested in."
This year, a lead singer will be selected for a new band, Supernova, featuring famous musicians such as drummer Tommy Lee (Motley Crüe), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses). Butch Walker, Rolling Stone's 2005 "Hot" Producer of the Year responsible for the breakout albums of Pink and Avril Lavigne, is slated to produce the band's first album. Dave Navarro and Brooke Burke will return as hosts, and each week the series will feature guest appearances by various celebrities and rock personalities.
It's interesting that so many companies are jumping onto the idea of expanding their broadband video offerings, as it is still uncertain if there is enough revenue to support all this new content. Advertisers are exploring the potential of broadband video, but they are not investing heavily in it yet.
"First, to address the advertising question, video advertising is one of the highest growth areas for MSN and regularly commands the highest CPMs on the network. MSN is selling all advertising space on MSN related to Rock Star," said the MSN spokesman.
He continued, "Rock Star ad opportunities on MSN include 15-second or 30-second streaming video ads on MSN Video, and standard Universal Ad Package (UAP) ads on the MSN Rock Star site and throughout the MSN network."
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