A program from Real Media for playing audio over the INTernet, and the lossy audio compression format it uses. The system is implemeNTed as a clieNT/server architecture. The RealAudio server incorporates an encoder which compresses sound iNTo RealAudio files. The clieNT side is a web browserplug-in or add-on (a receNT version of INTernet Explorer appareNTly has built-in support for RealAudio) which allows the stream of data seNT from the server to be uncompressed and output using the normal sound facilities of the computer, such as a sound card. A 14.4 KBps or better modem is required, and a 28.8 KBps connection is recommended for music-quality sound. Start . (2001-12-13)