Trading pixels for pace, Intel has developed server software it claims will cut download times in half for end users viewing image-intensive Web pages. The Quick Web compression and caching software is designed to run on NT-based servers located at the ISP, which in turn will be able to charge users for the juiced-up service.
Essentially, the software uses an algorithm to weed out some of the pixels in GIF and JPEG files, letting the user download an incomplete yet clear version of the image. After the initial download, a Java applet appears that gives users the option of viewing the image in the original, high-resolution format, which has been cached on the ISP's Quick Web server. On the client side, a Java-enabled browser and a tweak of its proxy server setting is all that's required.
"There are some ISPs that are experimenting with caching, but this puts caching and compression together in one nice, clean package," said David Preston, a marketing manager for Intel. "A lot of pixels are unnecessary to the human eye ... this gives you images about two times as fast, on average."
Sprint, Netcom, and GlobalCenter will begin trials in October, and one source said that MAE-West will also be testing the technology.
For ISPs willing to assume the licensing, maintenance, and support of an NT server mixed with primarily Unix-based networks, the Quick Web technology could be a boon. For Intel's technology, ISPs would be able to charge an additional fee of around US$5 to the modem-bound users the service targets. Intel claims the compressed packets will also help ISPs reduce the amount of internal network traffic.
"This is really their entry in trying to break the Unix barrier into ISPs," said Barbara Ells, an analyst with Zona Research.
EarthLink was offered a trial, but chose instead to watch the results and then decide, said Sky Dayton, co-founder of the ISP. "Developments like this are a good thing, and we'll continue to watch it," he said. "The whole Internet is Unix-centric, but NT does have a position. Since this is such a specialized app, the server choice is less of an issue."
The technology may also be a Trojan horse of sorts, as Intel "recommends" - but doesn't require - that it be run on a quad Pentium Pro machine with 18 Gbytes of hard-drive space for caching.
Intel has even included a consumer-friendly "Web-o-Meter" - a Java applet in the form of a car's RPM gauge that pops up to show the user if a page is loading at a "normal," "quick," or "quicker" pace. Vrrrroooomm, vrroooooom.
