Lotus adds media to Notes

Messaging specialist Lotus has added integrated streaming multimedia to Release 5 (R5) of its popular Notes client and Domino server.

The enhancements will allow users to view, create and stream media using RealSystem G2, the media delivery system for the Internet and corporate intranets developed by RealNetworks, Lotus say.

RealNetworks' RealProducer G2 and RealPlayer G2 will be distributed with Lotus Notes R5 at no extra cost. RealProducer allows Notes users to actually create and code-up streaming media at their desktop, while RealPlayer lets them embed media and play it back within any Notes document or Web page.

Mark Elder, a vice president at consultancy firm Transaction Information systems, said the integration of multimedia streaming would not only enrich users' messaging experience, but could also boost e-business: "It will make it easier to develop highly visual Web sites and applications that facilitate the buying process," he said.

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