This works in a similar fashion to Internet Explorer's Active Desktop except for the fact that there is no actual integration between the Netcaster client and the Windows operating system. This presents one advantage for Netcaster in that it is designed from the beginning as a cross-platform network interface that will work on more than just Windows platforms. Netcaster and the technology itself are both in their infancy and the results show. The preview release of the client is a serious resource hog and is slower than molasses, but future releases should benefit from attention to optimization and improvements in speed. By its official release, this client should be on an equal level with the Navigator web browser in terms of speed and use of resources.
Most channels are currently little more than typical web sites with a presentation-like interface.
While the day for this has obviously not yet arrived and likely won't do so for several more months, the signs of a new revolution have already begun to appear and that could spell serious trouble for Pointcast and other standalone push clients.