(V)Host SitePal
http://www.sitepal.com/
= breakthrough tool
Online Service + Server Solution
Free To Try
MasterView International
by Luigi Canali De Rossi
May 15th, 2003
[V]Host™ SitePal creates animated characters that you can
publish on any Web page and that will say exactly what you want
them to.
Created in Flash, SitePal characters can lip-synch your
recordings, or recite any text that you write.
There are no downloads or CDs.
All the scenes are streamed from SitePal to your Web pages. In a
matter of minutes (once you have gone through the tool at least
once) is all that you will need to have one of these characters
on your site.
According to research conducted at Stanford University,
interactive characters increase trust in online information
sources and make interfaces easier to use. When given a choice,
90% of users prefer having an interactive character to having no
character at all.
The amount of controls to customize the character look, cosmetic
aspect and dressing is impressive. You can add your own audio
and background with much ease. As mentioned audio can also be
added by using an optional (+ USD $10/month) text-to-speech
converter.
Here a short list of the most impressive features:
a) 16 Different models to choose from.
See a gallery of the basic characters at:
http://vhost.oddcast.com/vhost_minisite/
vhost_gallery/index.php?edition=sitepal
b) Can record up to one minute of audio per scene.
c) Can be integrated into any html page.
d) Embed on multiple websites.
e) Runs on pure Flash.
f) File size is usually within 100 KB.
g) No software download and installation needed.
g) Change
Character's Audio Files as Often as You Wish.(.wav or .mp3)
h) Upload your own backgrounds or utilize the free bundled
background library.
i) Works on the Mac too.
You can see a great implementation of the same technology also
at: http://host.egreetings.com/
I suggest also to see another great example in action at:
http://www.speak2me.net/
Try to invite out to dinner to the kind lady that will appear on
the page. Talk to her by writing short messages in the white box
just below her face.
One month account costs USD $ 29.95 and it allows you to have
two animated scenes that you can re-edit and update anytime you
wish.
Try out this amazing new presentation tool by heading out to
http://www.SitePal.com.
Highly recommended.
You can read this article in the original issue of MasterView.
