Asia's Web Directory

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If you have an Asian or Asian-related Web site or are looking for Asian information, check Orientation to see if it's there. If not, please use Add URL (http://www.orientation.com/addurl/addurl.html) to add it to the directory

. THE BLACK BOX TO LAUNCH "ORIENTATION" - THE FIRST PAN-ASIAN WEB DIRECTORY
HONG KONG -- OCTOBER 1, 1996 -- The fast expanding Internet is set to enter a new age with the introduction of the first Pan-Asia value-added Web directory. Orientation, a dynamic and comprehensive Internet directory, is dedicated to opening the world to Asia's rapidly growing market of abundant business opportunities, its travel destinations, and its culture.

From October 1, 1996, Internet users in search of Asian information will no longer need to spend hours surfing through millions of pages in the World Wide Web. They will find a useful starting point at http://www.orientation.com.

Utilising the BlackMagicTM software developed by The Black Box Limited, Orientation allows instant access to quality Asian information through its well-designed Web directory -- which groups subjects under such headings as trade and finance, arts, culture and entertainment -- and value-added services such as business news, headline news, and Java chat.

Mr Ben Gilbey, Director of Business Development, The Black Box, says, "Orientation breaks new ground among Asian Web services as an essential guide to the region's fast growing pool of Web-based information and other services."

"Orientation is a meeting ground for a global on-line community sharing a common interest in Asia. Free to all our users, Orientation will prove to be a quality on-line resource."

Orientation also enjoys a competitive edge over such Web directories as AltaVista and Infoseek, which indiscriminately amass millions of URLs. Each Web site in Orientation has been individually visited and evaluated. Users requesting information can either browse or search with key words.

As Mr Rick Green, The Black Box's Director of Content Development, says, "Orientation distinguishes itself with a clear Asian focus and value-added content including live Asian financial and business news from leading regional information sources."

"These exclusive features are made available with the support of leading IT corporations including Microsoft, Dow Jones Telerate, Sun Microsystems and Hong Kong Telecom CSL."

Orientation currently has more than 15,000 URLs with Asian information on Web sites representing companies, educational institutions and individuals from more than 20 nations in the region. It is expected to increase at a monthly rate of 2,000 URLs and by the end of this year, The Black Box estimates it will have 25,000 URLs.

In addition to English, Orientation has devised a multilingual access interface aimed at addressing the language diversity in Asia. Access is currently available via major Asian languages including Chinese (in simplified and traditional characters) and Japanese. Additional languages will be added based on demand.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, The Black Box Limited is a leading Asian interactive media company specialising in developing multi-purpose multimedia on disc and on-line for both consumer and corporate markets. Orientation is the company's latest consumer product, and can be accessed at http://www.orientation.com.

Issued by The Black Box Limited. For more information, please contact:

Ben Gilbey (bentheblackbox.com)
Director, Business Development

or

Rick Green (rick@theblackbox.com)
Director, Content Development

The Black Box Limited
LB3 No. 40 Conduit Road
Mid-Levels, Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 2915-1288
Fax: (852) 2858-4843
E-mail: whatsup@theblackbox.com
Web: http://www.theblackbox.com

___________________________________________________________________

  Rick Green
  Director, Content Development
  The Black Box Ltd.                 "Man's gotta know his limitations."
  LB3 No. 40 Conduit Road                      - Dirty Harry
  Mid-levels, Hong Kong

  Tel: (852) 2915-1288               E-mail: rick@theblackbox.com
  Fax: (852) 2858-4843               WWW: http://www.theblackbox.com
  Mobile: (852) 9190-2724
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