News addicts will jump for a new product from Pointcast that turns your Windows screensaver into an up-to-the-minute news broadcast. Called the Pointcast Network (PCN), the new program gets online news from such services as Reuters, the S&P stock ticker, PR Newswire, SportsTicker, AccuWeather, and Variety. When you’re not using your PC, newsfeeds and ad banners scroll across your screen. You can click on items to access more information on news and other features that catch your eye.
Pointcast covers national, international and top business news, offers a stock ticker and weather forecasts and maps, allows you to get the latest scores and analysis for all professional and some college sports, and provides you with the latest entertainment news, horoscope charts, and lottery numbers.
Users with direct connections to the Net have the information updated constantly; dial-up users have to tell the software to get the latest information. Pointcast, which is advertiser supported, is available free from http://www.pointcast.com.