The Wildfire technology enables secure collaboration, including instant messaging (IM), chatting and file transferring, to meet the security needs of consumer and enterprise/government users alike. An icon-based system allows users to "strike up a conversation," or turn off their ringer when incoming messages are unwanted. With the click of a mouse, connected users can search for specially marked content on the other user's system, and reduces the need for e-mail by enabling the ability to send files directly.

Unlike other IM clients, TNG doesn't have a scripting program susceptible to script viruses, company officials said. The program also works differently from conventional "central server" instant messaging and file sharing systems like ICQ or AOL Instant Messenger, because it directly connects users over local or wide area networks, instead of forcing data to flow through central or third party servers. Conventional systems normally connect through Web port (80), and can be easily monitored by a third party. TNG can be configured on the fly to support any one of over 65,000 ports not used by standards. If someone doesn't know the group's port and IP address, they can't join in.

Other security features include direct connections, secure socket support, dynamic IP addressing and plug-n-play encryption. TNG ships with a 40-bit version of DES (data encryption standard), or users may apply their own encryption programs such as Blowfish. Users less concerned with security can use HBN's free Lookout program, which allows both public and private servers to facilitate finding and connecting other Wildfire users.

Using TNG and a mouse, both novice and power users can use public and private networks to search for, find, launch, download, manage and securely exchange files, photos, favorite music and other information, as well as watch movies, listen to music, view art, follow sports, shop and get news.

Company officials said the goal behind TNG was to combine the best concepts in today's file managers, search engines, peer-to-peer programs, cable/television guides and instant messengers.

The company's Web-free Digital Content Locator, meantime, works like a digital television guide that gives registered users access to HBN's database of over 75,000 handpicked Web pages and Web-Free streaming audio and video content locators. This database is continually updated as new content becomes available, particularly streamed media, which is not yet abundant online.

TNG also gives users control over content in their own computer. The program has a tool that manages, organizes, finds and exchanges virtually all types of computer data. The "associated links" feature gives users one-click access to the different files and programs they use together most often.

TNG is available free from download sites worldwide, officials said. It is compatible with Windows 95 /98 /2000 /NT /ME /XP, and requires a minimum of a 200 MHz MMX processor, 64 Meg of RAM, 10 MB of free hard drive space, and a TCP/IP Internet connection (dial-up). HBN plans to port TNG to the Palm, CE and Linux operating systems by mid 2003.

So if TNG is free to the user, how will HBN make money? Through what it calls "non-intrusive" advertising. HBN will utilize user profiles to deliver "intelligent" ads to consumers. For advertisers whose products are sold at multiple locations, intelligent ads direct consumers to the location nearest their zip code. These intelligent ads can deliver phone numbers, e-mails, addresses, maps, specials, video, audio and a URL. The ads run uninterrupted for 30 seconds in a small window.

The intelligent ads are priced per impression. Another option is sponsorship ads, which, for a yearly flat fee, are included in every distributed copy of TNG.

Meantime, "The Enterprise Guide" (TEG) is expected to be available for license from Eugene, Oregon-based HBN by early 2003. TEG includes HBN's powerful iMAT (information management technology) engine that lets government agencies or corporations with large-scale data distribution needs securely chat, distribute and manage data over their own corporate intranets and virtual private networks (VPNs). iMAT is compatible with databases like Oracle, SAP, SQL or Back Office.

Bob Woods is the managing editor of InstantMessagingPlanet.