DP Tool Club 17/CD_ASCQ_17_101194.iso/vrac/cybonws2.zip/CYBO

Text File | 1994-08-30 | 48KB | 774 lines

DIGITAL ANNOUNCES PRICE REDUCTIONS ON  INTEL i486 AND PENTIUM-BASED
IN THE UNITED STATES
MAYNARD, MA (Aug. 26) --Digital Equipment
Corporation today announced price reductions in the U.S.  of up to 23 percent
across most of its Intel i486 and Pentium-based personal computers in its
Value and Premium Lines.  The cuts in list prices range as high as $330
depending on what model of DECpc LPv+, DECpc LPx+, or DECpc XL system is
purchased and are effective August 30th.
"This action reflects our commitment to be priced aggressively while featuring
price/performance value, and offering superior service and support,"  said
Raymond Weadock, vice president and general manager of the Americas Personal
Computer Business Unit.  "The new prices make Digital extremely competitive as
buyers move to higher performing PCs."
For the i486 systems the standard configuration of 4MB RAM, 170 hard drive,
and video card will sell in a range from $1049 to $2699.  The Pentium-based
computers with 8MB RAM, 535 hard drive, and CD-ROM will be available for $2924
to $3274.
Digital is one of the fastest growing PC companies worldwide.  The growth has
been fueled by an emphasis on partnerships with distributors, master resellers,
and systems integrators and Digital's recognized quality-engineered products,
manufacturing, and support.
Digital Equipment Corporation is the world's leader in open client/server
solutions from personal computers to integrated worldwide information systems.
Digital's Alpha AXP platforms, storage, networking,
software and services, together with industry-focused solutions from business
partners, help organizations compete and win in today's global marketplace.



Digital's Week Of Moves Will Help It Attain Profitability
  NEW YORK  Digital Equipment Corp. (DEC) cut prices on some products,
 sold $140 million worth of stock and announced the planned sale of a
 software unit this week.
  Yet many analysts said none of the moves was particularly surprising as the
 company attempts to reach its goal of profitability by the end of the
 calendar year.
  Digital Equipment announced earlier this week that it sold its 7.8% stake
 in Ing. C. Olivetti & Co. for about $140 million.
  Avid Technology Inc. (AVID) said today it signed a letter of intent to
 acquire Digital Equipment's BASYS Automation Systems unit. Terms weren't
 disclosed.
  Digital Equipment also said today it will reduce prices up to 26% in the
 U.S. for most of its i486 and Pentium-based personal computers in its Value
 and Premium lines.
  The company will introduce new personal-computer products in the next
 several months, Digital Equipment spokesman Howard Sholkin said.
  In addition, Digital Equipment and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) signed an
 agreement naming the Massachusetts company as a world-wide authorized
 support center in the Microsoft Solution Provider Program. The Wall Street
 Journal also reported that Digital Equipment is going to sell its database
 software unit to Oracle Corp. (ORCL) for about $100 million. Neither company
 has confirmed that sale.
  The company is wiggling ''all 10 toes'' in an attempt to turn itself
 around, Merrill Lynch & Co. analyst George Elling said.
  The price cuts on the products keep Digital Equipment in line with its
 competitors, said analyst Wendy Abramowitz of Argus Research Corp.
  International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) and Compaq Computer Corp. (CPQ)
 recently announced cuts on some 486-based products. Dell Computer Corp.
 (DELL) reduced prices on some of its Pentium-based servers earlier in the
 month.
  Digital Equipment reported a $12.64-a-share loss, including a $1.2 billion
 restructuring charge, in the fourth quarter that ended in June.
  The company lost $15.43 a share for fiscal 1994 - including the charge - on
 137 million shares outstanding, compared with a loss of $1.93 in fiscal 1993
 on 130 million shares.



-SONIC YOUTH, REDD KROSS, MATTHEW SWEET APPEAR ON 'MODERN ROCK LIVE'
CARPENTERS TRIBUTE HEATS UP ALTERNATIVE RADIO
 NEW YORK, Aug. 26 -- The following is being issued by A&M
Records:  Sonic Youth's dreamy version of the Carpenters' "Superstar" is No. 1
most-added its first week at alternative radio.
The song is the first single from "If I Were a Carpenter," the alternative
all-star tribute to the Carpenters which will be released Sept. 13.  The
record also features Matthew Sweet, Redd Kross, American Music Club, Sheryl
Crow, the Cranberries and others.
The response to "Superstar" isn't the only evidence that the alternative radio
programmers are coming out of the closet to reveal their love of the 1970s
hitmakers.  "Modern Rock Live" will host a special appearance by Sonic Youth,
Redd Kross and Matthew Sweet on Tuesday, Sept. 30 from 8-9 p.m. (Pacific
time).  The nationally syndicated show reaches 30 of the top alternative
stations in the United States.
"I'm excited," says Redd Kross keyboardist Cherry Finelli of the project,
"the first record that I ever got was a Carpenters' record when I was ten."
"I remember all those songs," says Sweet.  "Their music has poignant, strong
melodies that you still feel when you hear them now."



SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS DEVELOPS WORLD'S FIRST 256M DRAM CHIP WITH 268
FUNCTIONAL CELLS
 Samsung Electronics First to Develop Both 64M DRAM and 256M DRAM
     SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 29  -- Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
today announced the successful development of the world's first 256-mega DRAM
(dynamic random access memory) semiconductor chip with completely operating
268 million cells.  The 256M DRAM adopted process technology is suitable for
mass producing super-fast, ultra-large-scale integrated circuits with very low
power consumption -- a basic requirement for next generation products.
In addition, Samsung Electronics has used its own patented technology to
design a new architecture that facilitates input/output expansion and
overcomes current operating speed limitations.  This accomplishment will
result in major improvements in the capability to process vast amounts of data.
Samsung Electronics' new 256M DRAM, made with 0.25-micron CMOS process
technology, can store some 2,000 standard newspaper pages of data.  It is
currently suited for use in the main memory of computers and high-performance
workstations.  It is also expected to play a key role in HDTV and multimedia
products of the future.
In August 1992, Samsung Electronics was the world's first company to complete
the development of the 64M DRAM chip and just two years later has succeeded in
developing the world's first 256M DRAM chip, reaffirming the company's leading
technological position.  Company officials are confident that Samsung will
remain a leader in the world memory product market into the next century.
The 256M DRAM will be commercially available between 1997 and 1998, with
full-scale production forecast for around the turn of the century.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., headquartered in Seoul, is a world leader in
the electronics sector, with operations in more than 70 countries. The company
develops, manufactures and markets audio and video products, household
electronic goods, computers and peripheral products, display products,
telecommunication and information systems, software tools and semiconductors.




-What role can artificial intelligence technology play in mortgage u
g?
(Aug. 29) American Banker - Robert Warrington President Old Kent Mortgage Co.
Grand Rapids, Mich.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE in underwriting will become a way of life here
shortly. First, it will greatly reduce the time it takes to approve a
transaction. Second, it will offer significant cost benefits to the borrower
and to a fairly significant extent, it should reduce the cost of loan
origination.
I believe that a high percentage of loans - perhaps 50% to 70% - could be
approved subject to property appraisal at the time the application is taken.
This means adding on an electronic data interface between credit bureaus,
title companies, and, ultimately, tax assessors offices to determine the value
of the properties. We will wind up approving the whole transaction right there
upon application.
*** Greg Samp President Sibley Mortgage Co. Rochester, N.Y.
ONE OF THE THINGS that the industry is looking for is something that will help
reduce processing time, which in turn would cut costs.
AI offers a way to make the loan review process more even-handed. I think it
is particularly important to the industry that organization such as Freddie
Mac are coming out with their own programs. In reality, what most of industry
is doing is trying to underwrite to secondary market requirements. This will
mean having a secondary market agency take a look at the loan, run it through
a system and then indicate whether it is acceptable or not.
AI systems can also help us to tackle the issue of fair lending. Although this
hasn't been one of primary thoughts on everybody's mind, I think it's a great
color-blind way to at least take a first pass at underwriting. I don't think
we ever want to be in the situation where the computer says yes or no and
there's no way for individual to do anything about the noes. With any system,
the loan officer has to be able to look at the application and see if can
something can be worked out.
*** Jeff Butler President Countrywide Credit Industries Pasadena, Calif.
AI will play a major role. It will improve consistency, and the ability to run
interim decisions. It will also enable lenders to generate instantaneous
decisions based on the data submitted. When you take an application, the
customer gives you a lot of information.  Granted it's not all verified at
that time. If the sale price and appraised value are reasonably close to each
other, you could theoretically take the application information and run it
through your system right away to find if there are any weak points.
As the loan progresses and more data (are) validated, you can, at each
juncture, deal with issues the system raises and how it relates to the product
the person wants to buy. You can make decisions along the way rather than wait
for weeks. If a customer isn't going to qualify for a particular loan type,
you might be able to switch them to a different product and do it proactively
rather than waiting until the end.
The other important factor is that Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae are creating
their own AI systems that will say, in effect: "If you underwrite it through
my guidelines I'll buy the loan, no questions asked." Basically, there are
going to be a lot of automated underwriting systems out there and as an
industry, we need to come together and create an electronic data interchange
standard that says "These are the basic data elements to underwrite loans."
*** John Wolf Executive vice president Computer Power Inc. Jacksonville, Fla.
WE BELIEVE that if used properly the new automated underwriting systems will
change the velocity with which you make decisions. By having access to quality
data at the point of sale, you can make decisions earlier in the process. This
would enable you to define which loans you pay more attention to.
Similarly, AI adds value to change management or workflow management to
distinguish what areas pose a problem or raise questions. If you look at the
traditional underwriting process, we wait until we've done everything to put
it to underwriting and then if we do anything wrong or you've got something
incomplete, you have to go back into part of the process. If we impose this
review element earlier, then we might be able to do things more completely at
the inception of the process rather than at the end.
*** Philip C. Freeman President Data Select Systems Inc. Woodland Hills, Calif.
THE MAIN ROLE that AI can play is to increase productivity and give a "go" or
a "no go" decision based on profiles of successful underwriting decisions. I
also think it can play a large role in monitoring policy compliance for each
lender. You can put all your policies out there and it can go through and
check those policies and really make sure you are in compliance; and if you
aren't, it can push you back in.
AI in automated underwriting systems can also be used as a great training
tool. The decision trees of more senior lenders can guide more junior lenders.
*** Gary Snowberger President Cybertek-Cogensys Dallas
THE ORIGINAL BENEFITS OF artificial intelligence in mortgage underwriting were
the increased integrity of decisions, increased communications and knowledge
between work groups, and collapsed business transaction cycles. These benefits
still hold true. The primary difference today is that these benefits were
originally isolated for the underwriting event. With the advent of other
emerging technologies wrapped around AI technology, the industry is now
positioned to streamline and fully integrate the entire mortgage transaction
process - from data collection through servicing.
Marrying and integrating AI systems with the front-end data collection systems,
EDI networks, credit bureau interfaces, servicing systems, and document
management systems positions the mortgage lender to magnify and significantly
enhance the original benefits of AI. The end result is that the lender's
competitive advantage grows and customer service is enhanced.n




-3Dlabs and RenderMorphics partner to  create an integrated 3D graph
solution; GLINT 3D processor and Reality Lab 3D API to provide a combined
geometry and rendering solution for virtual reality, games and simulation
applications
SAN JOSE, CALIF. (Aug. 29) --3Dlabs Inc. Monday
announced a partnership with RenderMorphics Ltd. to integrate its Reality Lab
3D application programming interface (API) with 3Dlabs' GLINT 3D processor.
Graphics boards using the GLINT chip will be optimized in their support for
Reality Lab, combining the high-performance software geometry processing of
the API with the advanced pixel processing silicon.  By working together,
3Dlabs and RenderMorphics aim to innovate high-value integrated geometry and
rendering graphics solutions for the games, simulation and virtual reality
markets.
"Reality Lab gains a significant improvement in rendering performance and
quality when correctly integrated with GLINT's high performance silicon," said
Kate Seekings, vice president of marketing for RenderMorphics.
"Our close relationship with 3Dlabs gives us the opportunity to provide
developers with real-time 3D performance using GLINT-based hardware
acceleration.  We believe GLINT provides unparalleled rasterization
functionality and is the most exciting 3D graphics silicon in the market
today."
"We evaluated all the major software games APIs and found Reality Lab to be
the best in terms of speed, quality and ease of use,"  said Neil Trevett, vice
president of marketing for 3Dlabs.  "This is more than just another port of an
API to another piece of hardware.  We are working intimately with
RenderMorphics to create a new class of graphics solution -- a fast
software-based geometry pipeline, with leading-edge pixel-processing silicon.
This solution will enable standard desktop PC applications to use inexpensive
hardware to bring new levels of realism to games and other interactive
applications."
"We believe this effort is complimentary to our ongoing investment in highly
optimized OpenGL drivers for GLINT," Trevett said.  "Reality Lab is attractive
for many developers of games, virtual reality and simulation applications, but
OpenGL also remains central to our product offering.  Our intent is to offer a
real choice of APIs to software developers wanting to utilize GLINT,
regardless of application."
The partnership is not exclusive to 3Dlabs or RenderMorphics. Both companies
will offer alternative choices of APIs and hardware platforms to their
customers.  However, 3Dlabs and RenderMorphics believe that by working
together they can create a new, high-value graphics solution for 3D
applications.  The Reality Lab port to GLINT will be ready for the first GLINT
silicon in September.  Reality Lab and GLINT
Reality Lab is an advanced API for high-performance, real-time software
rendering that brings developers workstation-class graphics on the desktop at
a fraction of previous costs.  This powerful API is exceptionally easy to use,
dramatically simplifying the incorporation of real-time 3D in a wide variety
of interactive applications.  Reality Lab is C based and object oriented.  It
transparently takes advantage of hardware acceleration at any stage of the
rendering pipeline and enables developers to create applications on their
chosen platform and port them easily to any other platform supported by
Reality Lab, including games consoles, UNIX workstations, Macintosh, Power
Macintosh and IBM-compatible PCs.
3Dlabs' GLINT processor contains the equivalent of a high-end workstation
graphics board-set onto a single chip and is capable of 300K shaded, depth
buffered, anti-aliased polygons per second. GLINT provides complete 32-bit
color, 2D and 3D acceleration, an on-chip PCI-complaint local bus interface
and integrated LUT-DAC control, making a complete graphics subsystem possible
with minimal chip count.  GLINT implements all the OpenGL API's rendering
operations in silicon, including Gouraud shading, depth buffering,
anti-aliasing and texture mapping, which makes it ideal for accelerating
OpenGL or any other polygon-based 3D API. Company information
RenderMorphics Ltd. provides outstanding real-time interactive 3D rendering
technology on desktop PCs for a variety of applications, including games,
multimedia, interactive entertainment, virtual reality, visualization and CAD.
The company's high-performance real-time 3D rendering library, Reality Lab,
supports multiple platforms and 3D graphics acceleration hardware.  Recently,
RenderMorphics has formed alliances with Kaleida Labs and Autodesk Multimedia
Division.  Founded in 1991, RenderMorphics is based in the United Kingdom and
has a strong international presence.




Siemens To Develop Multimedia Switch in Conjunction with Cascade
Communications Corp.
WESTFORD, MA (Aug. 29) -August 29, 1994-- Siemens Network
Systems and Cascade Communications Corp., have signed a cooperative agreement
to address the world-wide market for broadband networking.
Siemens will introduce the IMX (Integrated Multiple Service X-change) for
networking PBXs, local area networks, Frame Relay wide area networks and SMDS
wide area networks via a common broadband network.  The Siemens IMX is based
on Cascade's B- STDX 9000 Multiservice WAN Switch.
As a result of this cooperation, end users will achieve considerable cost
reductions through greater use of existing bandwidth for data traffic as well
as ATM-based multimedia applications.
Siemens currently markets its first version of the IMX product. This product
will be positioned for both corporate networks and complement the Siemens
EWSXpress end-to-end broadband network for carrier solutions.  The cooperative
agreement with Cascade will reflect Siemens' knowledge of ATM technology and
voice transmission gathered from extensive internal experience and
international user projects.
Under the terms of the cooperative agreement, Siemens Network Systems will
resell Cascade's entire product offering, provide enhancements and complement
with an SNMP-based Customer Network Management System. Siemens has already
sold Cascade products to its customer base, including Bell Atlantic in the
United States and the Deutsche Bundespost Telekom in Germany.
The two companies have also agreed to joint engineering development including
projects in the areas of ATM circuit emulation and SDH/SONET interfaces.
Cascade Communications Corp., headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts, is a
high-growth, worldwide supplier of Multiservice WAN Switch products and
services, providing support for Frame Relay, SMDS, and ATM.  Large end-users,
US public network service providers (Regional Bell Operating Companies,
Inter-Exchange Carriers, and Competitive Access Providers), and International
PTTs are among Cascade's installed customer base.





New PC Magazines Multiply With Home Computer Surge
  NEW YORK  As consumers rush to outfit their homes with the latest in
 personal computers, magazine publishers are hoping to profit from this
 surge.
  Ziff-Davis Publishing Co., a unit of Ziff Communications Co.; Scholastic
 Corp. (SCHL) and privately held CMP Publications are all launching new
 consumer-oriented computer magazines.
  ''The timing is right for magazines to focus on a new type of computer
 user,'' said Michael J. Wolf, partner in charge of Booz Allen & Hamilton
 Inc.'s media and entertainment practice. ''There is a plethora of new
 products, and the magazines will serve an important role in showing people
 how to use them.''
  Publishers predict success in a quickly expanding market. Last year, more
 than 5.8 million computers were bought for use in the home. That number is
 expected to rise to 6.5 million by the end of this year, according to Link
 Resources, a New York research firm. And the percentage of households with
 PCs will jump from 33% last year to 50% by 1998, Link Resources estimates.
  Although there are numerous computing magazines, the new publications will
 be the first to target consumers, and in many cases, families. Until now,
 well-known publishers such as Ziff-Davis - publisher of the largest computer
 magazine, PC Magazine, with a circulation of 1 million - have specialized in
 jargon-filled magazines for executives or computer experts.
  The new magazines will offer basic advice on how to use PCs, features on
 PCs in the school and glossy trend pieces on the latest in CD-ROM
 technology. And for advertisers, the new magazines will provide a more
 direct access to the consumer market.
  Among the new batch of magazines, CMP Publications led the pack with Home
 PC, a monthly publication that made its debut in May. The first issue of
 Family PC, a joint venture of the Walt Disney Co. (DIS) and Ziff-Davis, hit
 newstands two weeks ago. And Ziff-Davis will unveil another monthly
 magazine, Computer Life, on Sept. 13.
  It doesn't stop there. Family Computing, a quarterly from Scholastic, is
 slated to appear in October. In addition, PC World, published by
 International Data Group Inc., and Child magazine, recently purchased by a
 unit of Bertelsmann AG, will team up to produce a quarterly magazine
 supplement for both magazines called Smart Computing for Kids. PC World
 already publishes a quarterly computer supplement for Newsweek magazine that
 targets consumers and small business owners.
  Industry experts said they aren't sure how many home computer publications
 can survive in the increasingly crowded field.
  ''At the end of the day, it will come down to who has the best editorial
 focus,'' said Paul Sweeney, a media analyst at Wheat First Butcher & Singer.
 ''It's true that everyone seems to have a PC now, but the question is
 whether all of these magazines will be able to attract advertisers.''
  The magazine publishers say they are responding to a dramatic shift in the
 market. ''If we don't do something, we're likely to lose market share,''
 said Greg Jarboe, director of public relations for Ziff-Davis.
  Ziff-Davis currently holds 46.4% of the computer magazine market, while IDG
 holds 23.9% and CMP Publications has 19.2%. The remaining share is split
 among various publication companies.
  Sweeney noted that Scholastic, which launched a similar magazine 10 years
 ago, is proceeding with caution this time, publishing on a quarterly basis
 while the company gauges the market. Scholastic first introduced Family
 Computing in 1983, but the market wasn't strong enough to support it, the
 company said. Five years later, the magazine was transformed into Home
 Office Computing, which is now published monthly.
  For Scott Briggs, president of Ziff-Davis Consumer Media Group, the idea
 for consumer computer magazines first started to float around 10 years ago.
 But plans for the magazines didn't start to heat up until about 18 months
 ago when Ziff-Davis reasearch showed a surge in use of home computers.
  ''I saw the increase in CD-ROM use and I could feel it in my bones that it
 was time,'' said Briggs, who gave up his position as president of Ziff-Davis
 publishing to start the Consumer Media Group, a division of Ziff-Davis set
 up to focus on consumer publications.
  Computer Life will be aimed specifically at the individual home computer
 user, as opposed to businesses or families, Briggs said. The magazine will
 launch with a first run of 800,000 copies and initial paid circulation of
 300,000. Family PC and Home PC also have a circulations of 300,000 each.
 Scholastic's Family Computing, which will be delivered as a supplement to
 Home Office Computing and Parent and Child, will have a circulation of 1
 million.
  ''The important thing is that people want to plug in their computers,''
 Briggs said. ''We'll be there to help them out.''




-AT&T SONET SERVICE GOES THE DISTANCE ON  THE NORTH CAROLINA INFORMA
AY
RALEIGH, N.C. (Aug. 29)  AT&T today announced
that it is providing the super high-speed telecommunications linkages to help
build the backbone of the North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH).
The linkage is providing AT&T's OC3 Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), which
operates on an all-fiber optic network at speeds of 155.52 Mbps, the
equivalent of sending the entire Encyclopedia Brittanica in one second or a
medical X-Ray across the country in less than one-tenth of a second.  The
network will connect the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switches provided by
the local telephone companies in each of the seven LATAs in North Carolina.
"The impact this technology will have, especially in rural portions of our
state, is immense", said North Carolina Governor James B. Hunt, Jr. "And, with
respect to all citizens of this state, the opportunities offered by the North
Carolina Information Highway are far-reaching and will change the way we do
many things, both in state government and in private business."
The North Carolina Information Highway will be used for education, criminal
justice, economic development, government and medical applications.  Video
teleconferencing will be used to provide courses to students around the state,
giving them access to subjects not currently available in many locations.  In
addition, rural communities will also have access to medical specialists via
video.
When completed, the NCIH will link thousands of government agencies, schools,
medical research facilities and businesses with the ATM network.
"Only AT&T has the reliability, technological resources and unparalleled
service to bring the conceptual notion of the information superhighway to
life", said Bob Aquilina, vice president, AT&T Data Communications Services.
"Our unique OC3 SONET service is being used in a way that will benefit many
people in the state of North Carolina."
The initial State of North Carolina Information Highway network is equivalent
to more than 1,235 T1.5s, growing to at least 3,708 T1.5s over the life of the
multi-year contract.




Microsoft, Key Tronic -: Keyboard Designed For Chicago
  NEW YORK  Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) will unveil a new keyboard built by
 Key Tronic Corp. (KTCC) on Sept. 6 that is designed to activate features of
 ''Chicago,'' or Windows 4.0, and Windows NT.
  Microsoft spokeswoman Deborah Johnson confirmed the release date and said a
 recent story about the keyboard in PC Week, a trade magazine, was accurate.
 Johnson declined to comment further.
  Key Tronic executives weren't immediately available for comment.
  PC Week said the modified version of the standard 101-key AT keyboard
 includes three new keys. The three added keys are an ''Applications'' key, a
 ''Left Windows'' key and a ''Right Windows'' key.
  Sources told PC Week that two of the keys will be embossed with the Windows
 logo. The Applications key replaces the right mouse button in applications
 that use it, such as Microsoft Word or Excel.
  The Left and Right Windows keys reportedly activate features in the Chicago
 user interface.
  Microsoft officials told PC Week that users will have access to all of
 Chicago's features even if they don't have the new keyboard. That would be
 similar to today's situation with Windows and mice. A mouse isn't required
 to use the Windows interface, which responds to keyboard commands, but a
 mouse does make it much easier to navigate.
  The Microsoft officials added that the keyboard won't affect the
 performance of other personal computer operating systems. Other operating
 systems presumably wouldn't have been designed with the new keys in mind.
  Key Tronic was up 1 1/2, or 23.1%, at 8 on Nasdaq volume of 43,600 shares,
 compared with average daily volume of 25,100.
  Microsoft was up 3/4, or 1.2%, at 57 5/8 on Nasdaq volume of 2.6 million
 shares, compared with average daily volume of 5.1 million.



FTP Software Unveils Network Analyzer >FTPS
  NORTH ANDOVER, Mass.  FTP Software Inc. (FTPS) unveiled its LANWatch
 4.0 network analyzer.
  In a press release, the company said LANWatch 4.0 captures and displays all
 network traffic, allowing users to troubleshoot problems, monitor network
 usage and gather statistics.
  The company said LANWatch 4.0 runs on virtually any DOS PC and is available
 in a ''Generic Driver'' version and a card-specific version for Madge Smart
 16/4 Ringnode adapters.
  LANWatch 4.0 for DOS is available immediately for a suggested retail price
 of $1,200. Upgrades are available for $145.


McAfee Unveils 2 New Software Releases >MCAF
  SANTA CLARA, Calif. McAfee Associates Inc. (MCAF) unveiled VirusScan
 2.1 anti-virus software and HelpPlus 2.0 software for Microsoft Corp.'s
 (MSFT) Windows workstations.
  In a press release, McAfee Associates said HelpPlus provides diagnostic
 information to help users in troubleshooting.
  VirusScan is priced at $129.99 for one user and site licenses are available
 for as few as five users. HelpPlus is priced at $20 per node for one to 10
 nodes and $16 per node for more than 75 nodes.




Video gamers need not wait 'til late 1995 to  experience 64-bit pow
Wolfenstein 3D, Alien Vs. Predator, Kasumi Ninja and Doom among many hot new
titles available by Christmas on the award-winning, 64-bit Atari Jaguar
SUNNYVALE, CALIF. (Aug. 29) --Sega, Nintendo, 3DO
and Sony continue to tell game enthusiasts that they must wait until late 1995
to experience advanced video game technology and performance.
But the Atari Jaguar, the world's first 64-bit multimedia home entertainment
system, already is available.  "By Christmas 1994, Jaguar fans will be playing
30-50 new game titles on their 64-bit systems while our competitors continue
to play catch up and beg their followers to be patient," said Sam Tramiel,
Atari president and chief executive officer.
"It's nice to know American companies are once again leading the way in
technology."
The Atari Jaguar is the only video game system manufactured in the United
States.  Jaguar, the most powerful multimedia system available, was recently
named the industry's Best New Game System (Video Games Magazine), Best New
Hardware Systems (Game Informer), and 1993 Technical Achievement of the Year
(Die Hard Game Fan).
Jaguar also recently was given the European Computer Trade Show Award for Best
Hardware of the Year.  "We still have the best hardware on the market.  And
now we have great titles rolling in," said Tramiel.  "So if you can buy 64-bit
power today for under $250, why should you wait until 1995 to spend close to
$500?" said Tramiel.
In September, Atari will launch an aggressive advertising campaign
highlighting the great gameplay made possible by the Atari Jaguar's 64-bit
power.  One of the campaign spots stresses the immersive, 3D nature of Jaguar
games by focusing on upcoming title Alien Vs. Predator.
"The 3D Graphics and texture mapping take full advantage of the Jaguar's
technological superiority and create an experience that is out of this world,"
said Tramiel.




-COMDEX/Fall '94 information now available on  Internet
NEEDHAM, MASS. Aug. 30 1994--It had to happen.
Information about COMDEX/Fall, the world's largest computer conference and
exposition, is now available to PC users "surfing" across the Internet and the
Ziff-Net service on CompuServe.
Peter Shaw, marketing vice president for the sponsoring Interface Group, notes
that while COMDEX/Fall '94, Nov. 14-18 in Las Vegas will continue to be
promoted via direct mail brochures, trade press ads and press releases,
"On-line access to information about the show is an important addition to our
marketing plans."
"The personal computer is changing everybody's marketing plan, including
COMDEX's," Shaw said.  "It's essential that we now add to our promotional
'mix' the new, interactive media as exemplified by Internet and by such
commercial services as CompuServe and Ziff-Net."
Information about COMDEX/Fall--including exhibit descript
speakers and more--will be updated to the participating networks on a regular
basis, Shaw concluded.
Three different routes to COMDEX.COM are available on Internet:
* World-wide Web URL -- http://www.comdex.com:8000
* Gopher Server      -- gopher://gopher.comdex.com:8001
* E-Mail             -- info(at)comdex.com
On CompuServe, Ziff-Net subscribers can access COMDEX information by
keyboarding GO TOCOMDEX (enter).
More than 2,000 companies from 20-plus countries will exhibit at COMDEX/Fall
this year.  Total attendance is projected by The Interface Group at a
record-breaking 190,000-plus.  Again this year the COMDEX/Fall event has been
certified by the U.S. Department of Commerce for its Foreign Buyer Program.
In addition to the domestic spring and fall COMDEX events, The Interface Group
also produces COMDEX conferences and expositions in Brazil, Canada and Mexico.



-AT&T LEADS IN IMPROVING DIGITAL  CELLULAR VOICE QUALITY
N.J. Aug. 30 1994--Thanks to recent efforts by
AT&T, voice quality over digital cellular telephones will be better than
previously thought possible. This breakthrough in Code Division Multiple
Access technology -- the emerging standard for digital cellular communications
in the United States -- will enable cellular telephone users to get voice
quality comparable to that of the U.S. long distance wired network. Digital
communications require that the caller's voice be converted to the stream of
"bits" -- ones and zeroes -- that computers recognize.  This not only reduces
or eliminates noise and interference, it enhances privacy and sets the stage
for wireless data services to come. The current Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA) standard uses an 8 kbps (kilobits per second) digital voice encoder, or
vocoder for short,
to compress the voice and send it over the air between the caller and the
cellular base station, which puts the call on the network.  However, while
digital systems eliminate the 'pops' and 'crackles' of analog systems, this 8
kbps encoding scheme does not provide the full sound quality to which users of
the AT&T wired network are accustomed. AT&T researchers found that by using a
13 kbps vocoder, they could significantly improve voice quality within the
constraints of current CDMA technology standards:  It can be implemented with
the same electronic component densities, packaging, processing power and, as a
result, price range. "Excellent voice quality over the wireless network is
probably the single most important factor in the market success of the new
CDMA digital cellular technology," said Jim Brewington, president of AT&T's
Network Wireless Systems division.  "Our experience in analog and digital
cellular technology has given us keen insights into the factors affecting
cellular voice quality, and we have shared this knowledge base with industry
groups to help design a better vocoder for CDMA." AT&T funded research
comparing and benchmarking various alternatives from several equipment vendors,
both 8 kbps and 13 kbps, in a high-tech listening laboratory to ensure
objective comparisons. The results of these tests validated AT&T's internal
findings, and were brought to the industry groups that set the standards for
CDMA technology. Customers are anxiously awaiting CDMA systems, and for the
sake of timely deployment through these customers' networks, AT&T will
introduce an 8 kbps vocoder-based CDMA on its digital cellular system -- the
AUTOPLEX(R) System 1000 -- early in 1995. AT&T intends to roll the enhanced
voice quality capability into its CDMA platform as soon as it can assure
compatibility with existing 8 kbps standards:  Commercial availability of the
13 kbps, high quality voice system is targeted for first quarter 1996. "It
would have been much easier for us to simply follow the industry's path in 8
kilobit vocoder technology," said Dave Poticny, AT&T's vice president for
Autoplex system engineering.  "But we've decided to take a more thoughtful
approach, despite competitive pressures, to ensure that our products meet or
exceed our customers' expectations." AT&T Network Systems is one of the
world's largest manufacturers of network telecommunications equipment.  It
offers communications service providers virtually everything they need to build
and operate their networks.




-Computer dealers in three Eastern states  sued for software copyrig
infringement
WASHINGTON  Aug. 30, 1994 -- The Business Software
Alliance (BSA) announced today lawsuits filed against two computer hardware
dealers -- Easterntech Corp. in Massachusetts and New York, and Kita
International Corp. in Connecticut and New York -- for software copyright
infringement.
Both suits alleged that the computer dealers were installing pirated copies of
copyrighted Lotus, Microsoft, and WordPerfect software on computers they sold
to the public.  In addition, the suit against Easterntech alleged that the
company was also selling on their retail shelves counterfeit copies of
Microsoft's MS-DOS and Windows.
BSA's international enforcement activities have assisted in bringing more than
300 cases over the last 18 months against suspected copyright infringers in
the distribution channel -- including hardware dealers, distributors, and
resellers.  Software piracy costs the industry more than $12.8 billion each
year, including losses to the distribution channel.
The suits announced today followed numerous calls to the BSA and its members
dating back to 1993, reporting that both companies were illegally loading
unlicensed software onto machines manufactured and sold.  Easterntech and Kita
were warned by BSA to refrain from these illegal activities.  Despite these
warnings, investigations showed that the companies continued to violate the
software companies' copyrights.
As part of the investigations, BSA conducted trap purchases at Easterntech
offices (Wolburn, Mass. and Forrest Hills, N.Y.) and Kita offices (Milford,
Conn. and Massapequa, N.Y.) to determine if illegal software was being sold.
Legal motions based on the investigations prompted federal judges in two
districts to issue search orders of all four offices.  The searches were
carried out with the assistance of U.S. Marshals, and evidence of the illegal
activities was seized. Easterntech and Kita have been placed under a
preliminary injunction for copyright and trademark infringement.
"Hard-disk loading computers for sale amounts to stealing software and, in
many cases constitutes consumer fraud against customers who are unaware that
they are receiving illegal goods," according to Robert Kruger, director of
BSA's North America enforcement program. "This practice injures the software
publisher -- who is deprived of a return on his labors, the customer -- who
receives none of the benefits of acquiring legal software, and honest dealers
-- who lose sales to businesses which do not respect the law."
BSA promotes the continued growth of the software industry through its
international programs in the U.S. and more than 60 other countries throughout
North America, Europe, Asia and South America. BSA represents the majority of
the leading U.S. software companies including Aldus, Apple Computer, Autodesk,
Intergraph, Lotus, Microsoft, Novell, Santa Cruz Operation and WordPerfect.
The BSA also initiates audits of organizations suspected of using copied
software.
BSA operates more than 30 hotlines around the world for callers seeking
information about copyright matters or to report suspected incidents of
unauthorized copying of software.  Callers in the U.S. can dial 800.688.BSA1
(2721) to speak with experts who regularly staff the hotline.




-TELE-COMMUNICATIONS, INC., VIDEO-ON-DEMAND TRIAL ANNOUNCES ADDITION
CHOICE TV
     DENVER, Aug. 30 - Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI), today
announced that Your Choice TV will join its Denver-based pay-per- view (PPV)
video-on-demand (VOD) trial (formerly VCTV), thus pooling the resources of two
leaders in the field of advanced television research and development.  Your
Choice TV is a content delivery service that allows viewers to order and watch
popular television programs at their convenience.  It gives the Denver trial
its first opportunity to experiment with popular television programs in the
VOD environment. Starting today, Your Choice TV will provide hundreds of
program titles on a 24-title menu that changes daily.
According to John S. Hendricks, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Discovery
Communications, Inc. (DCI) as well as Founder and Chairman of Your Choice TV,
"The uniqueness of the Your Choice TV/TCI partnership is that is brings
together two committed, credible research organizations with one common goal
-- to learn what advanced television applications viewers want in their homes.
After two years of research and development, Your Choice TV has traveled a
long way down the path toward the future and gained critical insight into the
emerging marketplace."
John Malone, TCI President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "The addition
of Your Choice TV to TCI's market test
video-on-demand entertainment services is extremely valuable.  The customers
participating in this test have an opportunity to experience firsthand the
future of television -- more choice and more control over what they watch, and
when they watch it."
At a press conference today at TCI's Denver trial facility, Nancy Stover,
Senior Vice President of DCI and General Manager of Your Choice TV,
highlighted the unique aspects of the Denver trial.  "This test is Your Choice
TV's first opportunity to measure consumer reaction to our service offered on
a video-on-demand basis.  For the first time, consumers can control the start
time of a program as well as pause, stop and re-start the program at their
convenience.  Popular television titles have never been tested in this
environment and we are very interested to gauge consumer reaction."
According to Myles L. Hustad, TCI Director of Technology for the Denver trial,
approximately 300 homes in Littleton, Colo., a southern suburb of Denver, can
now tune their TVs to channel 99, the Your Choice TV free preview channel, and
select the television program of their choice for unlimited viewing.  "With
the addition of television programs, we will have the opportunity to learn if
the enthusiasm we have seen for a new way to deliver movie product translates
to television product," said Hustad.
TCI has been evaluating customer demand for and acceptance of enhanced PPV and
true VOD in the Denver suburbs for over two years.  The Denver trial has
generated a usage rate of 12 times the national PPV average. Your Choice TV
program prices range from 79 cents to $1.49. Titles available will include
documentaries, news specials, entertainment shows and top-quality children's
programs from various broadcast and cable program providers.
To order a program, a viewer simply tunes their TV set to channel 99, the Your
Choice TV Free Preview Channel, and selects a program for viewing.  Once
ordered, the program will immediately start airing from the beginning of the
episode and be available for unlimited viewing as long as it is on the Your
Choice TV menu.  Weekly programs are available for the entire week and daily
programs are available until the next day's episode airs.
Your Choice TV has concluded testing with Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq-NNM:
CMCSK) in West Palm Beach, Fla.; Time Warner in Columbus, Ohio; and
NewChannels Corporation in Syracuse, N.Y.  A 24-channel test is still on-going
as part of the TCI 124-channel multi-media test in Mt. Prospect, Ill., along
with a separate 24-channel test with Times Mirror Cable Television in San
Diego, Calif.  Your Choice TV will launch a test with Continental Cablevision
in Dayton, Ohio, on September 13, 1994. Additional test sites will include
partnerships with Cox Cable Communications and Cable Vision Systems
Development Corporation.
Stover also announced that in furtherance of its research objectives, Your
Choice TV will commission a Nielsen meter test in the Denver market.  "Your
Choice TV's goal is to gain substantive information from every test we launch.
Not only do our existing market tests create a national sample of nearly
20,000 homes, but each site incorporates a unique research component.  We and
our programming test partners are acutely interested in studying the impact of
Your Choice TV on traditional television viewing patterns.  We all agree that
Nielsen's independent meter test is an excellent vehicle to accomplish that
objective."
According to Ceril Shagrin, Senior Vice President of Market Development for
Nielsen Media Research, "The Nielsen meter test will track actual television
and VCR usage -- including Your Choice TV usage -- that will help answer
important questions facing Your Choice TV and the entire cable industry.
Nielsen is known for its leadership in the television research arena and we
are proud to partner with your Choice TV and TCI, two credible and futuristic
test organizations."
The number of subscribers in each test tests have been designed to measure
spending at varying levels of show offerings as well as potential expansion or
erosion of broadcast and cable network viewing habits.
Your Choice TV, Inc., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DCI, a privately held,
multimedia company headquartered in Bethesda, Md.  DCI is owned by four
shareholders:  John S. Hendricks, Cox Cable Communications, Newhouse
Broadcasting and TCI.




H&R Block's CompuServe To Offer Internet Networking Svcs
  COLUMBUS, Ohio  CompuServe Inc.'s network services division will offer
 high-speed dedicated Internet and Internet Protocol access via its FRAME-Net
 frame relay service.
  CompuServe is a subsidiary of H&R Block Inc. (HRB).
  In a press release, CompuServe said it will also offer asynchronous access
 via point-to-point protocol for dial-up sessions.
  The company said it will begin both services in November.
  CompuServe also said it will deliver access to World Wide Web, or WWW, and
 Gopher servers on the Internet to CompuServe members beginning in the first
 half of 1995.
  CompuServe said it intends to offer WWW consulting and management services
 to Information and Service Providers who wish to establish a presence on the
 Internet.
  The company said a letter of intent has been signed for CompuServe to fund
 a new company dedicated to WWW services. Further details were not available.