Compaq Expands "Give Thanks America Program "

Compaq, along with its strategic technology partners, has expandedthe "Give Thanks America Program" so that the public can now send videoe-mail messages to U.S. troops deployed in the war on terrorismdirectly from their home.

Already, thousands of digital video messages have been sent fromcomputers set up for the public at 22 locations around the country. NowCompaq Computer Corporation and its strategic technology partners,Sorenson Media and Digital Island, have announced the second phase ofthe initiative, making it possible for the general public to send freevideo messages from their homes via a unique technology solution. Theannouncement came at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in LasVegas.

With a digital video camera, computer and an Internet connection,anyone can send a video message to the service man or woman of theirchoice from the privacy of their own home. To get started, simply go towww.givethanksamerica.comand download the SorensonVcast client that was created for the GTA initiative. The rest iseasy.

Sorenson Vcast stores the compressed video file on a Compaq serverand generates a "video ticket". This ticket is embedded in the e-mailmessage and is sent instantaneously to the service man or woman. A copyof the e-mail message is sent to the original sender. Because areference file or "video ticket" is placed into the e-mail the filesize remains small.

Vcast also instantaneously sends out a reference file or second copyof the video file onto the Digital Island 2Deliver content deliverynetwork, which will be replicated out domestically and internationally.The video message is stored on Digital Island's global streaming mediacontent delivery servers. Service personnel may then open the e-mailmessage and click on the "video ticket". As the video ticket opensDigital Island's 2Way Web Services infrastructure will properly routethe video message.

"Americans have shown an incredible ability to give since the tragicevents of September 11th," said Jim Sorenson, president of SorensonMedia. "Give Thanks America is another way that we can all make adifference. For those at the front lines of this war, good news fromhome is possibly their most valuable resource. Sorenson Media isthrilled to give Americans an automated e-mail solution to expressgratitude to those that are giving so much."

The unique solution empowers simple e-mail messaging withoutburdening the military's computer networks and systems.

"Digital Island is pleased to be a partner with Compaq and SorensonMedia to enable the delivery of personalized video messages that willhelp inspire, uplift and bring our appreciation directly to those whoare helping us in the war on terrorism," said Ruann Ernst, presidentand CEO of Digital Island. "By working closely with Compaq and SorensonMedia, we all have used innovation and ground-breaking creativity tobring the Internet to life to touch people's lives. This is a first andwe are proud to be involved."

Mike Winkler, executive vice president, global business units forCompaq said the initiative grew out of employees' desire to honor thememory of five Compaq employees who were victims of the terroristattacks on the World Trade Center and to show their support for themilitary effort.

"All Americans are, by association, victims of the terrorist attackson Sept. 11," said Winkler. "Five of our employees lost their lives. Itis in their memory and in memory of all who lost their lives that welaunched this initiative. We realize that we can't reach everyone whowants to send a message, but with Sorenson's Vcast client we will beable to accommodate many more people in 2002."