IMSI's NetAccelerator Product Includes Ad Blocker

International Microcomputer Software Inc. (IMSI), a developer and publisher of business productivity software, released an upgrade to its NetAccelerator product, including an Internet ad blocker.

Called Version 2 Deluxe, the product contains a suite of apps to speed Web page delivery. NetAccelerator Version 2 Deluxe pre-fetches links while a user browses. The program anticipates a user’s next move on the Internet, working in the background to download text and graphic content of desired pages, before the user gets there.

Monique Stern, product manager for IMSI’s NetAccelerator, said the software suite works in three distinct ways:

• AdsOff is an Internet advertising blocker that is integrated with a program called OnTrack. The two programs work together to create a barrier against the download of ad text, graphics, pop-up windows, and banner ads on the Internet.
• Web Sleuth from Prompt Software helps users gather, organize, analyze, and present the results of online searches effectively and efficiently. The program uses five search engines, including Yahoo and Alta Vista, to generate cross-indexed results and summary abstracts of all pages found.
• Jackhammer works to penetrate busy Web sites or FTP servers, operating in the background while users move on to browse other sites. Once a connection is made, Jackhammer opens a separate browser and displays the Web page or automatically downloads the requested file.

Key features of the upgrade include: look-ahead caching, utilizing the built-in caching support from Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and Netscape Communicator; Automatic browser recognition; Automatic prioritization of “favorite” Web sites based on number f visits and amount of time spent at sites; Automatic updates of most-commonly visited web sites; Support for Netscape Navigator, Communicator and Internet Explorer on the same machine.

The upgraded product is expected to be available in February for an estimated street price of $39.95.