FreeLoader, Inc. will in two weeks
debut a namesake software package aimed at novice Net users who want to
surf the Web but don't want to rack up big online charges. Online access
via FreeLoader is free to users. The company plans to support the service
with advertising revenue.
The goal of FreeLoader, which is essentially an interactive
screensaver, is to provide simplified Web access for beginning Net users,
officials said. The company plans to license the FreeLoader software to
Web site partners, who will then distribute the package free to users.
FreeLoader will include utilities for automating surfing, logging on,
and downloading files. The software will also include a toolbar that works
on top of a user's existing browser. The toolbar will allow users to
subscribe to certain Web pages so that future access is simplified. In
addition, users can configure the software so that updated Web pages are
automatically downloaded to a PC's hard drive during off-peak hours.
In the future, the company plans to provide a Java-based version of
FreeLoader that will enable offline viewing of multimedia applications.
