Microsoft Hatches 'Blackbird'

Tools for building new interactive multimedia apps

May 9, 1995

Microsoft has outlined new tools to support independent content providers (ICPs) for The Microsoft Network (MSN), Microsoft's planned online service, including a sophisticated design environment for online applications, code-named "Blackbird."

These tools will allow content providers to design, manage, and deliver a new generation of interactive multimedia applications and services. The tools include the Blackbird design environment, tools for creating, updating, and managing forums, and a software development kit (SDK) containing direct APIs to MSN services. The tools will be available to companies that have an established independent-content-provider relationship with MSN.

"With The Microsoft Network tools, we think ICPs will be able to create content never before seen in the online world, and they will be able to develop that content at reasonable production costs," said Russ Siegelman, general manager of the Online Services Group at Microsoft. "We feel development of a broad range of content and services will attract new online users and expand the online market."

Blackbird features a one-button publishing environment in which a user can automatically manage dynamic content, and a customizable viewer that takes full advantage of the capabilities of Windows 95. Content providers can use Blackbird to build online publications, consumer-oriented applications, business-to-business services, interactive advertising, electronic-commerce applications, and even interactive games for MSN.

Microsoft is also providing forum-management tools that allow content providers to control fully their online forums, update information, manage user access, handle transactions, and create forums such as bulletin boards, chat rooms, and file-download areas. These tools include a bulk upload tool and e-forms, and were first distributed in March at a conference of forum managers.

Microsoft will also make available additional development tools for MSN. The SDK provides access to chat, e-mail, and other APIs for MSN. With these APIs, developers can create their own client-server applications or use their own multimedia development tools for the MSN platform. A client-server version of the Microsoft MediaView multimedia development tool will also be available for MSN ICPs.