New In This Upgrade

 

Thank you for upgrading and welcome to the newest version of the PointCast Network. Version 2.6 includes:

Client Improvements
Channel changes

 

  Client Improvements


Improved performance and reliability

The PointCast Network version 2.6 has greatly improved performance and reliability by reducing the service's consumption of system resources. The benefits of these changes are:

  • If you run several applications at once, the PointCast Network will run more easily.
  • PointCast SmartScreens can be dismissed faster than before.
  • Switches between PointCast and other applications are faster than before.
  • There is more GDI available to run other applications.

PointCast achieved these improvements through an 88% reduction in GDI (graphic display interface) usage. GDI is a set pool of memory that is used to display graphics on computer screens.

Note on SmartScreens

If you've turned the PointCast SmartScreens off because of graphics performance issues, now is a great time to try the SmartScreens again. The GDI changes mentioned in the previous section have significantly reduced the amount of time it takes to switch from a SmartScreen to your work or to a PointCast article. Try PointCast SmartScreens again to receive breaking news headlines - without the wait.

To set PointCast SmartScreens as your screen saver:

  1. Click on the Personalize button and choose Application Settings. Click here to go directly to the dialog.
  2. Click on the SmartScreen tab (if it isn't currently selected).
  3. Check the "Replace your screensaver with PointCast" box.
  4. Click OK.

Take advantage of the SmartScreens and let them bring the news to you!

Faster channel update times

Some popular channels, such as the New York Times channel, update much faster than previous versions. This is due to the elimination of outdated articles that are fetched in the update process in some channels.
 

  Channel changes


New tabs in Lifestyle

New tabs in the Lifestyle channel's Features category allow you to track Books and Music, Computers and Internet, Film, and TV. In these new tabs, you'll find breaking new from Reuters Variety and columns and reviews from the literati at Salon Magazine.

The Film tab also includes film reviews and behind-the-scenes reports from TNT's Rough Cut. The Computers and Internet tab also includes daily computer tips and a weekly syndicated column from Kim Komando.

New PointCast Industry-specific channels

We've recently released an expanded set of rich, deeper, industry-specific channels. You may not have seen the following group of new channels; we'd encourage you to explore them.

Insurance Channels

The Insurance channels bring you the latest industry news and insights for professionals in the insurance industry. These channels were developed with KPMG. Add one of these channels now.

  • Life & Health Insurance - provides authoritative information, including commentary and analysis by KPMG and industry experts, about the life and health insurance market.
  • Property & Casualty Insurance - provides authoritative information, including commentary and analysis by KPMG and industry experts, about the property and casualty insurance market.
  • Reinsurance - is designed for reinsurance professionals who require timely, industry-focused knowledge. This channel delivers authoritative information, including commentary and analysis by KPMG and industry experts, on issues, trends and related markets.

Utilities and Energy Channels

The Utility and Energy channels delivers information for professionals in utilities and the energy industry. These channels were developed with PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. Add one of these channels now.

  • Energy News - provides breaking news and up-to-date analysis of developments in the utilities/energy industry. Articles focus on the activities of key industry players, state and national regulatory/legislative rulings, global trends and opportunities, and industry events.
  • Energy Operations - provides day-to-day news, analysis, research findings and insights that address current issues facing the areas of finance, marketing, operations and engineering in the utilities/energy industry.
  • Energy Technologies - provides the latest information on promising, new technologies in the utilities/energy industry and their applications in the development of new products and services.

Consumer Markets Channels

The Consumer Markets channels bring you the latest industry news and insights for professionals in consumer-driven businesses. These channels were developed with KPMG. Add one of these channels now.

  • Apparel & Accessories - Covers participants at all levels within this industry's supply chain, from mass merchants to specialty retailers, from manufacturers to department stores. The channel offers news and information on consumer issues, technology, marketing, finance and strategy, events and conferences, supply chain management tools and industry trends.
  • Consumer Products Channel - Provides news and information for product categories such as health and beauty aids, toys and sporting goods, appliances, household goods and services and home improvement. As with the Apparel & Accessories channel, this channel covers the breadth of the supply chain and offers the same types of information described in Apparel & Accessories.
  • Food Channel - Covers participants at all levels within this industry's supply chain, from agribusiness concerns to grocery stores, from restaurants to convenience stores. The channel offers the same types of information described in Apparel & Accessories.
  • What's New! - Offers industry headlines, legal updates, reports from Washington D.C. on industry issues, interviews and CEOs, tax updates and more.

Banking Channels

The Banking channels bring you the best in banking and financial services news, analysis and insights. These channels were developed with KPMG. Add one of these channels now.

  • Consumer Banking - Focuses on the business of banking with individuals. The channel provides detailed coverage of consumer needs, behaviors and preferences. Additional news and information covers banking products and services, competitive initiatives and methods of distribution.
  • Investment Management - Addresses the business of providing asset and investment products and services to individuals, corporations, not-for-profits and governments.
  • Corporate Banking - Broadcasts news and information from KPMG, industry experts and thought leaders about the business of banking to business, not-for-profits and governments. Designed for banking professionals who required the latest industry news and insights, the channel covers products and services associated with providing debt and equity capital, capital growth, capital preservation, wholesale financing and risk management.

 

  If you need help...

If you experience problems with PointCast, please visit the PointCast Technical Support page at http://www.pointcast.com/support.

To learn more about what you can do with the PointCast Network, see Using The PointCast Network.

 

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