Portfolios :: The Broadband PC Navigator Project
Overview 
BellSouth enables your PC to have high-speed access to the Internet, World Wide Web, online services and BellSouth.net--BellSouth's Internet access service. At up to 50 times faster than 28.8 modems, BellSouth makes accessing the Internet faster than ever. This technology is deployed using cable modems.
High-speed cable modems act like a miniature translator and router on your desk. It connects to your PC via an Ethernet connection. The cable modem connects to the BellSouth Entertainment coaxial cable coming into your home on the other side. In between your cable modem and the server, is the “smarts”. The cable modem can tune to the 6Mhz signal on the coax dedicated for data services. It picks up the data which was inserted at the HFC wireline system central office and is dedicated for the attached PC based on the IP address assigned, translates that data into Ethernet data and forwards it to the computer. The outgoing data is pretty much the same, except that the outgoing data is placed at a different frequency on the coax. 
Project Inception
In April 1995, BellSouth Entertainment decided to expand on the cable modem venture by offering content as well as access via the network. TSI was contacted in April 1995 to develop the new application using this technology.
Project Involvement
PC Navigator System
Thirteen Scribes, Inc. ( TSI ) participated in the development of an application designed to take advantage of the high bandwidth available via the cable modem. Thirteen Scribes spearheaded the effort that enabled BellSouth Entertainment to provide comprehensive distance learning and interactive CD-ROM environment for BellSouth Subscribers in the cable modem trial in Chamblee. The application, referred to as PC Navigator, allowed users to rent CD- ROM's over the BellSouth network. In addition billing and third party applications were controlled via PC Navigator. Some of the features of the application were:
- Access to 3rd party multimedia titles on the BellSouth server via the PC.
- Billing in a variety of forms including time based, rental, use based, and others.
- 3rd party application execution management controlled by server.