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#LETTERS /
#CARD
12/23/93
GENERAL
****Newsbytes News Archives On CD-ROM Special Offer
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00001)
****Newsbytes News Archives On CD-ROM Special Offer 12/23/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Buy a
Newsbytes News Network CD-ROM -- more than 50,000 news
stories written about the worldwide telecommunications and
computer industries -- and get a $10 off coupon on the next
update disc, Newsbytes' first multimedia version, due in February.
Newsbytes Volume III, a CD-ROM which runs on both the Apple
Computer Macintosh and DOS-based PCs, contains all news,
reviews, and editorials published on the Newsbytes News Network
for nearly 11 years -- from May, 1983 through July, 1993.
The disc is available for $24.95 (plus $2.50 shipping and
handling to US addresses, $4.50 to non-US addresses) and is
now shipping with a special $10 off coupon for the next
edition, which will be a multimedia version.
"The next version of our CD-ROM, which is in its fourth annual
printing next year, will contain graphics -- shots of the
products, people, and places we're writing about. It will be an
exciting new addition to our previously text-based CD-ROM,"
said Wendy Woods, Newsbytes' editor-in-chief.
The digitized photos included on the next disc will be taken
directly from Newsbytes' new picture service, Newspix,
which provides publishers and on-line services with at least
30 digitized product, people, place, and event shots to
supplement text-based news stories.
Newsbytes is the world's largest source of independent computer
and telecom industry reporting. Newsbytes reports 30 stories
a day, or 600 a month.
The stories are first-hand reported and gathered by the
Newsbytes team of 19 daily reporters in Los Angeles, San
Francisco, Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Atlanta, Washington
DC, Boston, Toronto, London, Tokyo, Hongkong, Sydney, and New
Delhi. Newsbytes reporters provide on-site coverage of dozens
of trade shows each year, focusing on the latest marketing,
legal, business, and product trends.
A Textware search engine enables the Volume III CD-ROM disc
to be keyword searched for stories in which individual words
or text strings appear, or Boolean searched ("keyword1" plus
"keyword2" but not "keyword3"). This makes it an invaluable
tool for researchers and libraries.
One user tells Newsbytes, "I'm doing a presentation for a class
at the university I'm attending and needed some historical
computer information. I popped in the CD-ROM and found 131
articles on my topic! I marked them and saved them to a
disk file that I printed later. Talk about easy research.
You have a 'sold' customer."
Newsbytes, a pioneering electronic publication, has provided daily
coverage of the dynamic and complex computer and telecom
industries to on-line services, magazines, newspapers, newsletters,
and fax and electronic-mail news delivery services worldwide since
1983.
Newsbytes coverage has won Best Online Publication awards five
times from the Computer Press Association, the largest
organization of professional computer journalists worldwide.
Newsbytes is an independent, privately held news organization.
Those interested in ordering the CD-ROM should send a check or
money order, or their Visa or Mastercard number, with expiration
date (no American Express please) to CD-ROM Offer, Newsbytes
News Network, Carriage House, 406 West Olive St., Stillwater,
MN 55082, or fax to 612-430-0441.
Electronic mail orders should be sent to
NEWSBYTES@GENIE.GEIS.COM (Internet), NEWSBYTES1 (Applelink
or Bix), WWOODS (MCI Mail), 72241,337 (Compuserve), or
NEWSBYTES on America Online. Include shipping address.
(Newsbytes Staff/19931220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
TRENDS
Windows To Lead GUI Future, But Which Windows?
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00002)
Windows To Lead GUI Future, But Which Windows? 12/23/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Market
research group CI Infocorp says that, while several new, advanced
operating systems (OS) will be introduced in the near future,
Microsoft's Windows will most likely lead the market. The
problem is, which version of Windows?
The choices for the next round of graphical user interface (GUI)
operating systems include: Windows NT (code named "Cairo" in the
new release now under development); Windows 4.0 (code named
"Chicago"); OS/2 from IBM; Taligent from IBM and Apple; Unix; and
the Macintosh OS moving to Apple's new PowerPC-based Macintosh
machines expected next year. While Infocorp says Windows will
definitely lead in the next two to five years, the question
becomes which version of Windows?
Chicago or Windows 4.0 is the predicted winner in the near term
with an estimate of 20 million units consumed worldwide by 1997,
Infocorp maintains. While Microsoft is aiming the 4.0 version at
the current Windows 3.x market, it requires a minimum of a 386
microprocessor and eight megabytes of random access memory
(RAM). Microsoft has pre-release versions in the hands of
developers beginning this month, but the official introduction of
the product is not expected until late second or early third quarter
1994.
Chicago is said to include multiple-thread support and
multitasking like its big brother NT, as well as built in support
for object linking and embedding (OLE) 2.0. The product is also
reportedly capable of automatically "sensing" devices linked to
the PC, in order to eliminate complex configuration by the user.
As with the current version of NT, DOS will not be underneath
anymore, a requirement for the low-end Windows 3.1, but
Chicago will provide for DOS and Windows 3.x emulation.
The problem is the product is being build on a substantially new
code base, according to Infocorp, and as such can be considered a
1.0 version. To computer industry veterans, any 1.0 version is
associated with "bugs," and so a new code base could spell
concern.
Windows NT will take hold, but not in the numbers Chicago is
expected to generate until after 1997, when higher-performance
hardware is expected to shift users to more advanced operating
systems.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931222/Press Contact: Tom Roberts, CI
Infocorp, tel 619-450-1667, fax 619-450-1081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
UNIX
Lower Prices, New Features For Phase X's X Terminals
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00003)
Lower Prices, New Features For Phase X's X Terminals 12/23/93
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Phase X System
has repositioned its CA Series of color and monochrome X terminals
with a local Motif windows manager and other new features, along
with lower prices.
Encompassing 15-, 17-, and 20-inch color models and a 19-inch
monochrome model, the CA Series supports Sun, Hewlett-Packard,
IBM, DEC, and SCO Unix server systems.
"X terminals are typically priced at half the price of a
workstation. But the CA Series is priced much lower than a
comparable X terminal. The cost per seat for the CA Series is
four times less than a Sun or HP workstation," said Dr. Chong
Lee, president and CEO, in making the announcement.
The CA X terminals sport an AMD-29000 RISC (reduced instruction-
set computer) processor, plus an ASIC (application-specific
integrated circuit) chip running at 64 megahertz (MHz) as a
graphics accelerator. The X terminals offer over 65,000 XStones
in graphics performance, and all models are ISO-9001
(International Standards Organization) quality certified, says
the company.
Aside from the local Motif windows manager, other new features
include font server access, screen lock, low memory dialogs, three-
dimensional (3-D) graphical user interface (GUI) setup windows,
and remote configuration capabilities.
The X terminals support the DECnet interface and an XDM (X Display
Manager) chooser list designed to allow users login into various
hosts.
Local area network (LAN) connectivity is provided through two
thin net and thick net Ethernet LAN interfaces. The terminals also
include a serial and parallel port for supporting local peripherals
such as printers.
The CA Series is targeted at such applications as transaction
processing, commercial, finance, banking, office, manufacturing,
and two-dimensional (2-D) computer-aided design (CAD).
Phase X also sells the CE Series of X terminals, a family based on
a MIPS-compatible 33 MHz RISC LR 33020 processor from LSI
Logic. Introduced in a joint launch with Samsung at Unix Expo in
September, the CE Series performs at 120,000 XStones and is aimed
at high-speed graphics applications. Samsung manufactures both the
CE Series and the CA Series.
Phase X is a direct response company formed last year. Dr. Lee,
president and CEO of Phase X, was formerly managing director at
Samsung. Phase X also markets Unix workstations, PC and X station
applications software, and PC, X station, and Macintosh integration
software from a variety of vendors.
Under the new pricing schedule for the CA Series, the 15CA1, a 15-
inch color model offering 1024-by-768 resolution, has been reduced
in price from $1,695 to $1,495. The price of the 17CA1, a 17-inch
color model with 1024-by-768 resolution, has been reduced from
$1,995 to $1,795. The 20CA2, a 20-inch color model with 1280-by-
1024 resolution, has been lowered in price from $2,995 to $2,595.
The 19CA1, a 19-inch monochrome model with 1280-by-1024
resolution, is sold for $1,395. All prices include X server software
and a one-year warranty.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931222/Reader Contact: Phase X Systems,
503-531-2400; Press Contact, Peter Ghavami, Phase X,
503-531-2400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
BUSINESS
India - Intecos & Quality Assurance Institute In JV
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00004)
India - Intecos & Quality Assurance Institute In JV 12/23/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Delhi-based Intecos has
joined hands with the Quality Assurance Institute (QAI), to form
a joint venture--Quality Assurance Institute (India) Ltd.
Besides India, QAI (India) will also be addressing Middle East and
South East Asian countries providing quality management and
ISO 9000 (International Standards Organization) services,
especially for the software sector.
It will also offer reports, conduct quality studies, establish
quality assurance and control functions, organize seminars and
conferences on quality related issues among other services.
"Quality was merely a hype a few years ago, today it has become
a buzzword, and a business proposition too," said Navyug Mohnot,
a director of QAI (India).
While Intecos holds the majority shares in QAI (India), the exact
distribution has not yet been fixed, said Mohnot. The company, for
the time being, will use the existing infrastructure of Intecos.
Intecos's Information Systems Division, which was established in
1988 to focus on software productivity and quality, including
ISO 9000 facilitation through consultancy, studies, training,
products, tools and publications, will continue to sell the enabling
tools.
The company has recently brought out a 450-page ISO 9000 enabler
for understanding, planning and costing the ISO 9000 certification
process, which will now be sold by QAI (India).
QAI (India) will facilitate software professionals to get the
Certified Quality Analyst (CQA) designation in India. One can get
certified by sitting for an exam which will be administered in
India by QAI (India) on behalf of QAI (USA).
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931223)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
BUSINESS
NEC To Make Further Investment In Bull
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00005)
NEC To Make Further Investment In Bull 12/23/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- NEC Corp., has announced that
it has exchanged a memorandum of understanding with Bull, the
troubled French computer manufacturer, for a technology link-up
between the two companies.
As part of the link-up between the two firms, NEC will invest
around FF330 million in Bull some time during January. This
extra investment in Bull, Newsbytes notes, brings the value
of NEC's investment to more than 16,000 million yen,
Previous investments by NEC in Bull have covered computer chip
technology. Although precise details of the technology deal have yet
to be confirmed, Newsbytes understands that the new deal covers
areas such as communications, color displays and ASIC (application
specific integrated circuit) processors.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931223/Press & Public Contact: Bull SA,
33-1-6447-9164)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
TELECOM
UK - Nokia Extends Deal With Hutchison Microtel
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00006)
UK - Nokia Extends Deal With Hutchison Microtel 12/23/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Hutchison Microtel, which
will launch the UK's second DCS1800 personal communications
network (PCN) digital mobile phone network next Spring, has
announced an extension to its contract with Oy Nokia Ab for the
supply of equipment to its network.
Hutchinson's original contract, dating from 1991, was for UKP60
million. According to Hutchinson, the extension means that total
contract is worth more than UKP100 million with Nokia.
Hutchison Microtel is majority-owned by Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.,
of Hong Kong. Like the Mercury One-2-One PCN launched earlier this
year, Microtel will operate at 1,800 megahertz (MHz) -- twice the
frequency used by analog cellular phone services.
UK press sources have been speculating over the tariffs that
Hutchinson Microtel will charge the public when it launches in the
Spring. Mercury One-2-One is already offering free local calls
within the M25 outer orbital motorway area that rings London
during off-peak times. Hutchinson Microtel has said it will equal
this offer in one way or another.
(Steve Gold/19931223/Press & Public Contact: Hutchinson
Microtel, 44-992-501234)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
BUSINESS
Olivetti Prepares Way For January Restructure
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00007)
Olivetti Prepares Way For January Restructure 12/23/93
ROME, ITALY, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Olivetti has announced
provisional plans for a planned restructuring during January,
although precise details will not be revealed until mid-January,
according to Gino Giugni, the Italian labor minister.
In a prepared statement, Giugni said that Olivetti has agreed to
postpone its plans to place around 2,000 workers on a state-assisted
temporary layoff for a month over the Christmas and New Year
holiday period. Instead, full details of the restructuring will be
announced to the workforce in mid-January.
Giugni has admitted that he is optimistic about reaching an
agreement with the unions concerned prior to the mid-January
announcement, thanks to their track record with reaching
agreement in the past.
Newsbytes understands that talks will resume between the
management of Olivetti and its unions on January 11 in Rome,
when a week of talks is expected to finalize the agreement
over the restructuring.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931223/Press & Public Contact: Olivetti,
tel 39-125-523733, fax 39-125-522377)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
BUSINESS
Italy - RAI Rides Financial Storm, Italian Govt Steps In
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00008)
Italy - RAI Rides Financial Storm, Italian Govt Steps In 12/23/93
ROME, ITALY, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- RAI, the Italian broadcasting
company, has revealed that it very nearly hit bankruptcy recently,
but now the Italian government has stepped in to full the breach.
According to Maurizio Pagani, the Italian Minister for Post and
Telecommunications, plans call to rescue the broadcaster by a
combination of public and private funding. The government plans to
raise license fees for radio and television during 1994, with the
resulting projected increase in income allowing the government to
raise the "book value" of the company to stand surety against loans
the company has.
Only a few weeks ago, Claudio Dematte, RAI's chairman, hit back at
critics of the original plans to hike license fees by more than 15
percent, claiming that anything less would mean the state
broadcasting company would go out of business.
Privately, Italian government officials seem to be admitting that
liberalization of Italian broadcasting this past decade has gone
wrong. Instead of the expected price controlled competition,
dozens of small TV stations, each operating on a shoestring budget,
have sprung up, offering programming ranging from dial-in bids for
strippers to remove their clothing to horror shows.
Most of the small stations survive on donations from the public
and unofficial adverts. This has caused problems for RAI, which
has been forced to maintain its existing programming output.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931223)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
GENERAL
UK - Xedia Intros Three Intelligent Hub Products
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00009)
UK - Xedia Intros Three Intelligent Hub Products 12/23/93
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Xedia has
announced the launch of three new products in its MADway series.
The company claims that these new products will optimize the
performance of Ethernet local area networks (LANs) by workgroup
segmentation and provide low-cost expansion to existing LANs.
All three products are claimed to be compatible with Novell
Netware and are designed to be incorporated within desktop
computers or LAN servers, as well as Xedia's own intelligent
hub chassis.
First in the new range is the MADGroup, which is claim by the
company to combine the functionality of a hub repeater with an
integrated LAN bridge to reduce the loading on individual workgroup
segments. The bridging function allows access to other co-located
workgroups using Xedia's high-speed onboard real time bus or via
a thirteenth port configured as a separate bridge for access into
an existing backbone network.
Jens Montanana, Xedia's president, said that the MADGroup contains
the local traffic within the workgroup that needs to use it. "It
optimizes inter-company data traffic while only sending data to
other workgroups as and when they need it. Those packets of data
that need to go from one workgroup to another get filtered out and
bridged internally," he said.
The second new product is the MADlink card, an adapted version of
the MADGroup card. This card also provides two fully independent
bridge ports for "cross-campus-like" applications.
The third product is MADextend, a 12-port 10BaseT hub card that
claims to provide repeater functionality which can be used in
conjunction with the MADGroup card to extend workgroup or
LAN clusters cost-effectively.
Pricing on the new products has yet to be confirmed by the UK
operation. Xedia Limited is a subsidiary of Xedia Corp., of
Wilmington, Massachusetts, in the US.
(Steve Gold/19931223/Press & Public Contact: Xedia, tel
44-784-4497977, fax 44-784-449796)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
CORRECTION IBM
Correction - Comdex Theos+DOS 32 Story
(CORRECTION)(IBM)(LON)(00010)
Correction - Comdex Theos+DOS 32 Story 12/23/93
WALNUT CREEK, CA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Theos Software
Corp., has contacted Newsbytes to clarify a few points in a
Comdex story about the company's Theos+DOS 32 product.
In that story, Newsbytes reported that Theos has spun off its
multi-use DOS operating system from its networking software.
Theos has asked us to point out that this product was actually
spun off from the Theos multi-user operating system and Plus
Paks.
Newsbytes also noted that Theos+DOS 32 overlaid standard DOS.
In fact, the package creates a virtual PC and runs true DOS on that
virtual PC.
The company asks Newsbytes readers in the US wanting more
information to contact it toll-free on 1-800-600-5560.
Our apologies for any misunderstanding over Newsbytes' original
report from the Comdex computer show.
(Steve Gold/19931223/Press & Public Contact: Theos Software
Corp., tel 510-935-1118, fax 510-935-1177)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
CORRECTION TELECOM
Correction - Computer Press Assn Gets Dedicated BBS
(CORRECTION)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00011)
Correction - Computer Press Assn Gets Dedicated BBS 12/23/93
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- A
recent story about the Computer Press Association members
getting a full-time, dedicated bulletin board system (BBS)
where they can exchange mail, check job openings, and share
professional information contained an erroneous phone number.
The voice number in the byline of the original story is correct.
However, the correct number to reach the bulletin board using a
modem-equipped personal computer is 719-592-1528
The board, called CompPress, is operated by CPA member and
veteran system operator (sysop) Thom Foulks, a freelance writer.
CompPress uses Mustang Software's Wildcat! software and a
Practical Peripherals PM14400 modem. Users can access the
board at speeds up to 14,400 bits-per-second (bps).
CompPress will have some public access areas for messaging
activities as well as the private CPA members-only message and
files areas. It will also carry various freeware and shareware
computer programs that are available to CPA members and non-
members alike.
Users desiring access to CompPress should set their modem
parameters to 8 bits, no parity, and one stop bit.
(Jim Mallory/19931223/Press & Reader Contact: Thom Foulks,
tel 719-598-7828; BBS 719-592-1528)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
TELECOM
Northern Telecom Creates Two Operating Groups
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00012)
Northern Telecom Creates Two Operating Groups 12/23/93
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Trying to
streamline to meet tough competition, Northern Telecom Ltd., is
shuffling its worldwide organizations into two groups. One group
will include all product development as well as North American
sales and marketing, while the other will sell the company's
products in the rest of the world.
John Roth, who formerly oversaw Northern's wireless products,
will take responsibility for its switching, transmission, and
broadband systems products as well. Roth will become an
executive vice-president. Northern's two North American operating
subsidiaries -- Northern Telecom Canada Ltd., of Mississauga,
Ontario, and Northern Telecom Inc., of Nashville, Tennessee -- will
also report to him. All of these operations will become part of
the new Nortel North America group.
James Long, an executive vice-president whose former
responsibilities included Northern's operations in Europe, Asia,
the Pacific, and the Middle East, will also oversee Central and
South America operations as head of Nortel World Trade, said
Robert O'Brien, a company spokesman.
Northern's South, Central, and North American operations were
formerly part of its Americas group, under Roy Merrills, who is
to retire at the age of 60 in March, O'Brien said.
The switching, transmission, and broadband systems product units
have been reporting directly to Jean Monty, Northern's president
and chief executive. Now, only Roth and Long will report to Monty.
By streamlining the reporting structure, O'Brien said, Northern
hopes to be able to respond better to increasing competition and
a tough economy.
He added that the shuffle is a natural development coming about a
year after Monty assumed control of the company from Paul Stern.
In the second quarter of 1993, Northern recorded its first
quarterly loss in five years -- and warned that it expected a loss
on the year as well. At that time, the company also said it would
cut manufacturing capacity and let go about nine percent of its
global work force, or 5,200 employees worldwide.
In its third quarter, Northern lost US$35 million on revenues of
US$1.88 billion. A company spokeswoman said in October that
Northern expects a profit in the fourth quarter but still
forecasts a loss on the year.
(Grant Buckler/19931223/Press Contact: Robert O'Brien,
Northern Telecom, 703-712-8526; Maureen O'Brien, Northern
Telecom, 905-238-7206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
GENERAL
Canada's Computer Paper To Expand
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)
Canada's Computer Paper To Expand 12/23/93
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- The
Computer Paper, a monthly tabloid that currently publishes four
regional editions across the country, will launch a fifth to
extend its reach across Canada in February.
The Vancouver-based publisher will begin an eastern edition for
distribution in Ottawa, Montreal, and the Atlantic Provinces. The
new edition will join existing ones serving British Columbia,
Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario.
The Computer Paper expects a circulation of about 75,000 copies
for the new edition, bringing the monthly's total national
circulation to over 300,000 copies per month -- more than
any other Canadian computer publication, officials said.
As it is in the rest of the country, The Computer Paper will be
distributed through high-volume convenience stores, libraries
and the like in Eastern Canada, said Douglas Alder, editor and
publisher.
The new edition will carry some content specific to the region as
well as some material that appears in all editions across the
country, he said. Correspondents are being signed up in Ottawa
and Montreal, he said, and, "just by being there and circulating
it, we tend to get a bunch of press releases."
The paper will offer advertisers the ability to place their ads
in all copies of the eastern edition or, through split runs, only
in copies distributed in Ottawa, Montreal, or the Atlantic
Provinces. The Computer Paper also carries national
advertisements that appear in all editions.
The latest expansion gives the publication nationwide
distribution, but Alder noted that there is still no edition
aimed at the province of Saskatchewan, a gap that may be filled
in future. He added that the Ontario market is large enough that
the company may consider a second regional edition there in
future as well.
(Grant Buckler/19931223/Press Contact: Douglas Alder, The
Computer Paper, 604-733-5596; Public Contact: The Computer
Paper, 604-733-5596, 416-588-1580, or 613-729-0234)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
TRENDS
Buyers Ponder Client/Server, Open Systems - IDC Canada
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00014)
Buyers Ponder Client/Server, Open Systems - IDC Canada 12/23/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- The visions
dancing in Canadian information technology (IT) managers' heads
this Christmas are mostly of client/server computing and open
systems, according to a recent study by Toronto-based research
firm International Data Corp., Canada.
IDC said 65 percent of the sites surveyed either have moved or
are moving to client/server computing, and 71 percent are
pursuing open-systems strategies.
Not surprisingly given the client/server focus, networking
hardware, software, and services are absorbing the biggest
spending increases in nearly half -- 46 percent -- of the
organizations surveyed.
However, client/server database management seems to be moving
slowly. IDC reported that at 36 percent of the organizations its
researchers contacted, databases are likely to stay on mainframe
systems for the time being, while another 31.3 percent have both
central and end-user databases but said they were in no hurry
about integrating them.
About two thirds of those who responded are maintaining their
current levels of spending on information technology. About 26.4
percent said they expect an increase in their IT budgets in the
coming year.
At the same time, IDC found, information systems people are
losing only a little of their control of technology purchases to
end-user departments. Decentralization has put more purchasing
decisions in users' hands, the research firm said, but
information systems people still have a role as a central
coordinating body.
Another finding of the IDC study, entitled: "1993 Canadian IT
Customer Directions and Spending Strategies," is that Microsoft
Windows continues to increase its hegemony over the desktop. In
92 percent of the sites surveyed, Windows was in use or planned
within 12 months. Fifty percent of respondents described Windows
as an important application and/or development environment.
IDC also said about 37.3 percent of respondents are focusing on
developing and/or implementing strategic applications aimed at
boosting their organizations' competitiveness. About 23.6 percent
named migrating from older to newer hardware and software as a
key concern.
(Grant Buckler/19931223/Press Contact: Michelle Shannon, IDC
Canada, 416-369-0033)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
GENERAL
Cray Research Intros New C, C++ Products
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00015)
Cray Research Intros New C, C++ Products 12/23/93
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Cray Research
has announced two new products the company says will make C
and C++ programming easier and also help those programs
perform better on the company's supercomputers.
The company is announcing the Cray Standard C Programming
Environment 1.0 and the Cray Research C++ Libraries. The
programming environment includes the most recent version of the
Cray Standard C compiler version 4.0 and some associated tools
and libraries.
According to Mike Booth, head of compiler development at Cray
Research, the integrated approach to the company's compiler
products will provide Cray customers full programming
environment support for languages like C++ and the newest
releases of languages such as C. Booth says Cray plans to make
all future releases of its compiling technology available in this
manner. The company had previously announced programming
environments for Fortran 77 and Ada, and expects to ship a
Fortran 90 environment by the end of the year.
Cray says the Standard C Compiler, the main component of its
Standard C Programming Environment, employs advanced
parallel detection techniques to take advantage of the inherent
parallelism of its supercomputer systems.
The Cray Tools included with the programming environment are a
collection of X Window system-based utilities for debugging and
doing performance and source code analysis. ATExpert, another
component of the environment, is described by Cray as an expert
system that interprets performance data and offers suggestions
to improve code performance.
The new libraries augment the C++ compiling system that was
released in July 1992. C++ is an object-oriented programming
language that allows users to create software applications for
supercomputers using familiar objects. Class libraries are the
building blocks for simplifying application software development.
The libraries are based on products by Rogue Wave Software Inc.,
a supplier of scientific class libraries for workstations and PCs,
and are designed to enable scientists and engineers to write code
using objects such as molecules, matrices, or meshes.
(Jim Mallory/19931223/Press contact: Mardi Larson,
612-683-3538; Reader contact: Cray Research, tel 612-683-3538,
fax 612-683-7198)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
GENERAL
In Focus Systems Expands Projection Panel Line
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00016)
In Focus Systems Expands Projection Panel Line 12/23/93
TUALATIN, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- In Focus
Systems has expanded its line of notebook-sized Panelbook
projection panels with the introduction of the Panelbook 525, an
active matrix liquid crystal display unit designed to project
computer graphics and animation.
Like other members of the Panelbook line, the 525 has a form
factor of 9.5-inches by 11.5-inches by 2-inches, the width and
height of a piece of computer paper with the perforations still
attached. The Panelbooks are designed to connect to a notebook
computer and project the contents of the PC screen at 640 by 480
pixel resolution in up to 1.4 million colors. The company says the
25-millisecond response rate supports full motion animation at
30 frames-per-second.
The Panelbooks are designed to be placed on an overhead
projector for display of the screen image, and can be used with an
optional video adapter to project video signals, including NTSC
(National Television Standards Committee) and PAL/SECAM to a
television set. There is also a universal power adapter included
with the unit that allows it to be used on domestic and
international power sources.
The 525 comes with a handheld remote control device that lets the
user control the system much like a VCR control is used. A button
that can store the user's favorite or most-used command is
included on the remote control.
The Panelbook 525 has a suggested retail price of $5,499 and is
immediately available. It joins the Panelbook 450, a $3,299 color
passive-matrix LCD panel, and the 550, an $8,999 active-matrix
multimedia panel with integrated video, two stereo speakers and
microphone input. Both systems were introduced earlier this year.
All the Panelbook systems include the remote control unit.
(Jim Mallory/19931223/Press Contact: Sharon VanSickle, KVO for
In Focus Systems, 503-221-2353; Reader Contact: In Focus
Systems, tel 503-692-4968, fax 503-692-4476)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
2 12/23/93
GENERAL
Newsbytes Will Not Publish Dec 24-Jan
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MSP)(00017)
Newsbytes Will Not Publish Dec 24-Jan 2 12/23/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Newsbytes'
last issue during the holiday season will be Thursday, December
23, and the next issue following that will be January 3, 1994.
Newsbytes will not publish for the final week of December
in order to give our correspondents a welcome holiday break.
We wish all our readers a pleasant holiday season, and we'll
see you in 1994!
(Newsbytes Staff/19931223)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of - WordPerfect 6.0 For Windows
(REVIEW)(IBM)(WAS)(00018)
Review of - WordPerfect 6.0 For Windows 12/23/93
Runs on: 80386SX or better with Windows 3.1, 32 megabytes
(MB) of free hard disk space, and 6MB RAM.
From: WordPerfect Corp., 1555 N. Technology Way, Orem, Utah
84057.
Price: $495
PUMA Rating: 3.25 (1 lowest, 4 highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick
Summary: A very ambitious but somewhat buggy release of this
important word processor.
======
REVIEW
======
Windows is not my favorite operating environment -- but I don't
ignore programs which require it nor does it mean that I give
them a break just because the developers had to work around
Windows' quirks!
I have used WordPerfect for years and have no intention of
changing, but I also won't upgrade all my hardware to accommodate
WPSIXO.
First let's see what WPSIXO offers: a customizable double icon
bar packed with features such as a grammar checker; traditional
and alternative sets of function-key commands; powerful
templates; built-in graphics creation; better table creation;
many built-in spreadsheet functions; and direct import of many
file formats including dBASE, Paradox, and 1-2-3.
Now what's wrong: one icon bar is difficult to see on a 14-inch
monitor; my installation failed the first time and didn't
properly load the grammar checker on the second (despite
reporting no problems the second time); WPSIXO uses a lot of
resources to provide tools that many users already have or don't
need; there is another new file format; and lastly, WPSIXO is
incredibly slow on an older system.
Although I have powerful 486 systems that will run WPSIXO much
faster, many businesses are still running the very popular 386 SX
computer so I loaded the software there first.
Running on a 16 MHz system WPSIXO needs 15 seconds to bring up
the "save" screen - it takes an eye blink to do the same with
earlier non-Windows versions. Fifteen seconds is an eternity when
you make regular saves. Along the same line, it takes 12 seconds
to bring up the thesaurus and another nine seconds to actually
replace a word in the document from the thesaurus list, and
another 10 seconds to begin a spell check of a 10-word screen.
We are talking about software that is so slow that it might
almost be faster to grab a print thesaurus or dictionary!
Certainly you get much faster performance on other systems and
even this one could be tweaked to speed it up, but it is a common
configuration and one which the program supports.
While trying to load the software I learned that WPSIXO wouldn't
recognize my removable optical disc despite the fact that other
programs have no trouble. Therefore, I had to load Windows
onto my crowded hard disk at which time WPSIXO decided it
could be installed on the magneto-optical disc as long
as Windows wasn't also on the disc.
I have no idea what the problem was and have no intention of
finding out - life is short and troubleshooting installation
problems under Windows is a thankless task.
The installation went without a hitch except that when I tried to
use the Grammatic grammar checker WPSIXO reported that it was
missing. I also encountered some problems with the templates -
they were there, but they didn't always work properly.
File conversion from 5.0 to 6.0 seems to work fine if you don't
mind the wait, but when converting back I discovered some strange
extra formatting information that needed to be removed.
You can customize the buttons in WPSIXO, but do so at the peril
of slowing things down even further because it will increase disk
accesses as the software brings up a new text description every
time you put the cursor on that button. The text is necessary to
learn the buttons, but I couldn't find a way to shut off the
descriptions after I learned what they meant so operation was
continually slowed.
Basically, although the company doesn't say so, this is an
integrated program, a spreadsheet, graphics program, and word
processor all in one. Companies tried this once before back in
the mid 80's but most people found that software like Symphony
just didn't offer enough power in any one feature, therefore they
continued to buy separate programs that fit their needs.
There are a lot of powerful tools here, but all that code takes
up a lot of space and inevitably leads to internal errors (bugs).
Personally I don't use a grammar checker, but if I did, I would
have already bought one and wouldn't need the one in WPSIXO. I do
need a powerful spreadsheet so I have one and don't need the one
built into WordPerfect 6.0. I also have several more powerful
graphics programs than the one in WPSIXO.
Bottom line is that if you liked the compromised integrated
programs that were somewhat popular a few years back and have a
powerful, fast computer, then WPSIXO might be just what you need,
but if you already have all the writing and other tools you need
this will not enhance your ability to put words on paper.
I do look forward to trying version 6.1.
This review written in WordPerfect 4.1. When reviewing word
processors I normally write the review in the test program but I
had a deadline.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: 2 A bit buggy and very slow on any but the most
powerful systems.
USEFULNESS: 3 Very feature-packed, but probably too many bells
and whistles for most users.
MANUAL: 4 As always WordPerfect did a good job here and the
built-in help/tutor has to be considered an extension of the manual.
AVAILABILITY: 4 Very easy to find - there is a strong push to get
this software onto computers before the competition (read
Microsoft Word).
(John McCormick/19931206/Press Contact: Jeff Larsen, WordPerfect,
801-228-5034 fax 801-228-5077/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of - Packard Bell's Navigator
(REVIEW)(IBM)(LAX)(00019)
Review of - Packard Bell's Navigator 12/23/93
Runs on: Microsoft Windows-equipped Packard Bell Computers
From: Packard Bell, 9425 Canoga Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311,
tel 818-773-4400, fax 818-773-9521
Price: comes with Packard Bell Computers -- the computers are
priced between $1,200 to $1,800 depending on model.
PUMA Rating: 4.0 (1 lowest, 4 highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Linda Rohrbough
Summary: Navigator, Packard Bell's interactive, multimedia
answer to get newcomers started with a personal computer
(PC), is one of the best I've seen. With it, new PC users can
learn the basics in their spare time.
======
REVIEW
======
The group of people I always feel the most sympathy for when
teaching are adults who take the one-day introduction to
computers class. I don't fault the schools that offer these
classes, they're giving people what they say they want, but the
reality of the situation is you just can't learn to use a
computer if you've never touched one before by taking a one-day
class. That's why I find Packard Bell's Navigator product so
exciting.
One of the smartest things PC manufacturers ever decided to do
was pre-load software onto new computers, but that still isn't
enough to get new users "off the ground." Newcomers need time
and most of them need to see and hear with their own eyes and
ears how this is done. Not everyone can learn by reading a book
and it's unreasonable to expect them to do so.
So along comes Packard Bell with Navigator on a multimedia
computer. Navigator is another graphical environment to make
Windows easier to use. It is pre-loaded on the Packard Bell
computer, so it starts up first and it's aimed at brand new
computer users, via a multimedia interface that "talks" to the
user and demonstrates what to do.
I've seen plenty of these "make Windows easier" interfaces and
my conclusion has always been, you might as well just bite the
bullet and learn Windows because the cure is worse than the
disease. But Navigator is different because it teaches how to
use Windows.
What is Navigator like? Well, when it first starts up there is
a pleasant view of a computer on a desk and an agreeable female
voice welcomes you. Then it switches to the next screen where
there are six options represented by large push-button type
square boxes. The options are: 1 Getting Started, 2 Tutorials,
3 Service and Support, 4 Software, 5 Windows, 6 Exit, and
Return to DOS. The boxes have photographs on them that offer
illustrations of the concepts to the new user. For example,
the Getting Started button has a picture of a computer in a
newly opened box.
When the mouse is moved over each box, a long text box to the
right of the screen offers an explanation of what can be
accessed by double-clicking or pressing enter when the mouse is
on that box. At the bottom of the screen on the left are round
buttons. One has a question mark that brings up a help screen
when pressed, one has a lock that allows different portions of
Navigator to be accessible by password only, and another has
an envelop for the user to enter registration information.
Each of the buttons takes the user step-by-step with voice,
text, and animations, through use of the mouse, use of the
menus, how to get help, and how to navigate the screens. In
many places, Navigator uses forward and reverse arrows at the
button of the screen like those on a video cassette recorder
(VCR) which is an intuitive way for users to back up or go
forward in the presentation.
Some of the tutorials are from Microsoft and some are done by
Packard Bell. I went through the tutorials, and even picked up
some new information -- "pixel" stands for picture
element. I knew what a pixel was, but I didn't know it was
a combination of two words.
Navigator has several advantages to new users. One is it
doesn't present as much information -- choices are simple and
direct. I like Windows, but I remember feeling a little
overwhelmed at the sheer volume of visual information when I
first started it. The second was the use of the photographic-
like images on the buttons, which helps the user understand
what each item is. And third, I found Navigator attractively
designed with the choices for the user well categorized and
obviously well thought-out.
But I'm no longer a new user. So I decided to offer a friend,
who owns a photography studio and is just considering
computerizing, the opportunity to try out the Packard Bell
machine with Navigator. For this article, I'll call her Lola. I
wanted to know if a new user, with very limited or no computer
experience, could learn Windows and how to use the computer by
themselves using Navigator.
Lola not only liked Navigator, she was able to begin using the
computer to produce flyers and price sheets for her business,
using Microsoft Works (which was also pre-loaded on the Packard
Bell computer) by herself. Her long-term goal is to eventually
use a computer to do digital photo retouching, accounting, and
payroll, but she didn't have a clue on how to get started
learning to use a computer.
At first, Lola played a lot of Windows Solitaire, which some
people might consider a waste of time. I didn't, though,
because I feel like anything you can do on a computer
successfully prepares you for every other task you might want
to do. She felt guilty about it, she said, but after a while,
when she was comfortable and was able to see specific ways she
could make the computer work for her particular situation, she
got bored with Solitaire, and started to do things she
really needed to do.
Lola was also successfully able to figure out how to format
disks. This is a credit to the disk formatting program provided
by Packard Bell because it offers a visual representation of the
disk, including what capacity the disk is and how to tell if
the disk is write-protected or not. The differences between 360
and 1.2 5.25-inch disks and 1.44 and 720 3.25-inch disks are
subtle and are just about impossible for new users to figure
out on their own. Unlike other new users, I never did have to
sit down and explain the disk formatting differences to Lola,
even though she was using 5.25-inch 360 kilobyte (K) disks.
One downside to Navigator is Lola said she expected to learn
more and found it confusing that she didn't know how to use
every program and didn't understand filenames just because she
knew how to get around in Windows. With my teaching experience,
however, I realize getting a grasp on filenames is a big step
for a new user and usually just takes time and experience.
Some minor problems included some oversights and strange
explanations. For example, the explanation of how to use the
mouse is the first one in the Getting Started group, meaning
the new person probably already used a mouse to get to that
portion of the program.
One problem I thought would come up that didn't is Navigator
gives the user the opportunity to go out to DOS. I thought Lola
would call me when she got stuck out at DOS, but it never came
up. When I asked her she said she pushed the reset button a
couple of times, then later she read the instructions printed
when you first go out to DOS from Navigator and typed "Win" to
get back into Windows.
I used Navigator on a Packard Bell Legend 2001 486-based 25
megahertz (MHz) multimedia Packard Bell computer with 4
megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM), a 200 MB hard
disk drive, a Sound Galaxy sound card, a compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM) drive, and a television card. It also included
a stereo speaker system from Roland for the sound and used
standard components (such as the single in-line memory modules
or SIMMs) that are readily available almost anywhere (a real
plus compared to the proprietary systems I've had to deal with
in the past).
With a television card, the Packard Bell Legend 2001 can do
double-duty. Full-screen television is very sharp and clear on
a computer monitor, but it requires a location where there's
access to good television reception, which is not usually in
the same portion of your home or office where you might set up
your business. Of course, you can size the image down, and even
make it a tiny television icon that is still displaying a live
image. Also, there's no remote -- channel control is done via
the mouse by selecting it in the software.
Plenty of software came with the Legend 2001 as well. The CD-
ROM titles included: Microsoft Multimedia Pack for Windows
1.0 which includes Windows 3.1 and a multimedia tutorial;
Microsoft Works on CD-ROM, with a good multimedia tutorial on
using Works; the Software Toolworks Multimedia Encyclopedia;
San Diego Zoo Presents The Animals from Software Toolworks;
and CD Deluxe Pack, also from Software Toolworks that offers
The Chessmaster 3000, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing 2.0, US Atlas
3.0, and World Atlas 3.2 on the same disc.
In addition, Packard Bell offers 24-hour support via phone and
on-site service. I've been up to see Packard Bell's support
facility and was quite impressed. It was well-staffed with
plenty of folks to answer questions, and tiered so the easy
questions that can be answered by anyone can be answered
quickly. The company's support people are smart enough to
document everything on computer, so other support folks can
simply look up answers to something another person has
handled. They also take one of each new Packard Bell
personal computer apart themselves and document what's inside.
Tougher support questions are routed to more experienced
personnel, who also have the authority to make a decision right
then about what needs to be done to fix the problem.
But, the real issues in buying a computer these days appear to
be centered outside of the hardware, since computers have
become a commodity. What does the consumer get buying a Packard
Bell that he doesn't get buying a Dell or Gateway or IBM
machine? In this case, it's Navigator.
My experience has been that it takes businesses about a year to
get up to speed with a computer, meaning that it takes that
long to get one or two of the business' critical tasks onto the
computer. It also takes a year to get the business owners
comfortable with the computer and the results. After that
introductory first year, it takes a lot less time to
computerize the rest of the business functions.
The advantages to having a computer that you can teach yourself
to use are enormous, especially if you happen to be a small
business owner. I was very impressed with Navigator and the
results Lola was able to produce by using it. I would certainly
recommend it.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: 4.0 Navigator performed flawlessly. No complaints
here.
USEFULNESS: 4.0 I can't think of anything more useful than being
able to teach yourself how to use the computer.
MANUAL: 4.0 The manuals had detailed photographs and drawings
of all the procedures and users can always call if they need
technical support. Of course, Navigator talks, so what could
be better than that?
AVAILABILITY: 4.0 Packard Bell has a broad distribution network
for its computers. I've seen them in most of the major buying
clubs as well as at major department stores.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931115/Press Contact: Philip Little, The
Bohle Company for Packard Bell, tel 310-785-0515, fax 310-286-
9551)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
TRENDS
Vendors Test Interactive Titles In Bookstores
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00020)
Vendors Test Interactive Titles In Bookstores 12/23/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- The next time you
go to the bookstore, either now or after the New Year, you might
encounter "volumes" and "titles" of a different variety than you
would ordinarily expect.
Six major electronic publishers -- The Voyager Company, Apple
Computer, Time Warner Interactive Group, Macmillan New Media,
Creative Multimedia Corp., and Discis Knowledge Research --
have launched a market test of interactive entertainment
software in bookstores.
Eight participating bookstores in the US, UK and Canada have each
received a kiosk from the publishers, equipped with demonstration
computers and preview software for in-store operation, plus a
selection of titles on CD-ROM and floppy disk.
The Voyager Company is providing in-store personnel to train retail
staff and to present the demos. A number of promotional events are
also going on, including drawings for free multimedia upgrade kits
for Macs and IBM-compatible PCs.
"The best bookstores are wonderful places to browse a wide
selection of works, and typically provide a high level of service.
We wanted to bring that comfort, selection and service to the buyer
of interactive software. It makes sense because these products are
as much like books as they are like software. So the shopping
experience should be similar," explained Bob Stein of The Voyager
Company.
Noted Paul Wollston of Apple's New Media Division: "Apple
Computer is very happy to bring new media and a merchandising
solution to the bookstores. This project marks the beginning of
what we hope will be a long involvement with retailers of all
kinds who sell interactive entertainment software."
Voyager, Apple, and the other electronic publishers are planning to
run the market test through 1994, and possibly into next year's
holiday season.
Three of the participating stores are located in New York City,
two in southern California, and one each in Colorado, the UK, and
Ontario, Canada.
The New York City stores are Barnes & Noble (Upper West Side),
Shakespeare & Company (Upper West Side), and Tower Books (East
Greenwich Village).
Other participating stores include: Crown Books in Encino,
California; Brentano's at the Century City Mall, also in southern
California; The Tattered Cover in Denver, Colorado; Wendell Holmes
Bookstore in London, UK; and Coles Bookstore in Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931223/Reader Contact: Voyager Company,
212-431-5199; Press Contact: Alexandra Fischer, 212-431-5199)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
1994 12/23/93
GENERAL
PCTV Show Schedule - January
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00021)
PCTV Show Schedule - January 1994 12/23/93
MARLOW, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- PCTV is a
weekly television program hosted by Victoria Smith who covers the
latest PC and Macintosh computer hardware and software through
interviews and reviews.
The following program schedule information was supplied to
Newsbytes in mid-December, schedules are subject to change.
Check with your local cable system operator for times and
channel, or tune to Mind Extension University which carries
PCTV. The show is also syndicated to broadcast stations.
January 6, 1994 PCTV (94-1) Graphic User Interface: Victoria
Smith talks to Bill Rose of the Software Support Professionals
association about the future of tech support, we take a first
look at DeltaPoint's Graphics Tools, an image editing and
management software package. DeltaPoint shows us Animated
Desktop, a fun way to get animated icons on the Microsoft Windows
desktop.
January 13, 1994 PCTV (94-2) Getting Connected: In and Out of the
Office: Home Office Computing magazine reviews some Personal
Digital Assistants in their monthly segment. Victoria Smith gets
a first look at Traveling Software's CommWorks for Windows, an
integrated communications package, and Coactive Computing shows
us Coactive Connector for Windows, a networking solution for
those who don't like to open up their computers.
January 20, 1994 PCTV (94-3) Major Upgrades: Microsoft Excel 5.0
and Word 6.0: PC Week magazine's Dale Lewallen takes us on a walk
through financial planners. Victoria Smith gets a first look at
two major upgrades: Microsoft Excel 5.0, their spreadsheet
package, and Word for Windows 6.0, the latest version of their
word-processing package.
January 27, 1994 PCTV (94-4) Graphics Update: Aldus PhotoStyler
2.0: Home Office Computing magazine gives us some tips for making
high-impact presentations. Microtek shows Victoria Smith their
latest line of low-cost scanners, and Aldus' Amy Warfield shows
Joe Bourke the latest update to PhotoStyler their image-editing
package.
(John McCormick/19931223/Press Contact: Wayne Mohr, Executive
Producer PCTV and MacTV, 603-863-9322)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
1 12/23/93
IBM
Australia - Microsoft Ships Windows For Workgroups 3.
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00022)
Australia - Microsoft Ships Windows For Workgroups 3.11 12/23/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Microsoft is now shipping
the latest version of its Windows package in Australia. Windows
for Workgroups 3.11 is the standard product now, replacing both
Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.1.
Many Australian and imported original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs) pre-install Windows, and have switched to 3.11. These
include Osborne, Ipex, Dell, DEC, Texas Instruments, Toshiba,
Zenith and Zeos.
Microsoft spokesperson Terry Clancy said the product is easier to
integrate into exiting multi-vendor, multi-platform environments,
making it the "industry's ideal universal client software."
He said that part of the enthusiasm was due to a more open
approach to the product, with improved Novell Netware support
and disk doubling performance.
Microsoft also has a wide group of "solution providers" who
offer training, consulting, support, customization, and integration
of Windows 3.11 and existing systems. In Australia these include
Aspect, ATR, Australasian Memory Systems, DEC, Ferntree,
Helicon, LBMS, Ipex, Labtam, NCR, Praxa, Q Technology, Wordware,
and Trilogy Resources.
The full product has a suggested retail price in Australia of
AUS$225. An add-in pack for users of version 3.1 is priced
at AUS$119 per unit. The add-on for DOS allows DOS users
many of the networking features of WFW 3.11, such as allowing
them to act as print and file servers. This is priced at AUS$75
per unit.
(Paul Zucker/19931223)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
GENERAL
New Australian Magazine For PC Developers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00023)
New Australian Magazine For PC Developers 12/23/93
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Australian
magazine publisher CPS has launched a new computer magazine
for developers.
PC Developer is a monthly technical journal for DOS and Windows
programmers that comes with source code, bug fixes, algorithms,
graphics resources, executable examples, programmers tools, and
complete sample applications.
Because of the nature of many of these items, each issue of the
magazine includes a high-density disk. Much of the content comes
from Australian programmers such as Bulka, Costin, Franks,
Hubbard, Karabatsos, Liddelow, McGrath, Mingins, Moignard,
Morgan, Mutimer, Scott, Smith, Taylor, Trescowthick, and Werdiger.
Products covered include Access, Visual Basic, Clipper, Borland
C++, FoxPro (Dos and Windows), MS C++, MS Basic, dBase,
SuperBase, Paradox, Gupta SQL, TASM, TPW, SQL Server, dBFast,
Donner, ToolBook, MASM, Dataease, Omnis 7, CA Realizer
KnowledgePro, Blitzen, and GFA Basic.
The magazine has a dedicated bulletin board service (BBS) in
Melbourne, and a technical support forum on Compuserve (GO
WINSOL).
Individual issues cost AUS$18 (US$12) but there are two
subscription offers. The Early Bird offer consists of a 12-month
subscription, one hour of BBS access per day, a $50 Compuserve
passport, and a magazine binder. The Worm Burner offer has the
above plus two hours BBS access per day, Compuserve CIM
software, a $100 discount certificate, and a PC Developer
mousepad. These cost AUS$159 and AUS$179, respectively.
CPS also publishes other magazines in Australia: Windows
Solutions; Australian Multimedia; Windows Buyers Guide; and
a disk-based magazine called PC Vision.
(Paul Zucker/19931223/Contact: CPS, tel 61-3-532 0684,
fax 61-3-532 0685; or Compuserve 76711,1243)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
IBM
New For PC - Create A Check Corporate 4.
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00024)
New For PC - Create A Check Corporate 4.1 12/23/93
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Create-A-
Check Inc., has announced it is now shipping Create-A-Check
Corporate version 4.1.
The software automates the printing of checks, including the
check layout, digitized logos and signature, and the necessary
MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) coding required for
bank processing. Create-A-Check allows companies to print
their checks on blank security check paper stock using an IBM
compatible personal computer connected to a laser printer.
The company says the Corporate version of its software was
developed for large organizations with multiple bank accounts
and extensive check printing needs.
"Regarding day-to-day accounting, users will never run out of
check stock for any bank account, will never have to deal with
obsolescence costs, and will never again have to change the
check form in the printer for multiple bank account check
printing," said Keith Bateman, director of marketing and sales.
Create-A-Check spokesperson Melissa Clyne told Newsbytes that
companies with offices at multiple locations can send a check
print file to each location for on-site check printing, instead of
spending money to send completed checks via overnight courier.
That also eliminates any concern over the security of the checks
while in transit.
Create-A-Check software meets the standards for magnetic ink
and the document standards established by the American
Bankers Association as well as the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI). The software uses pop-up windows, menus, and
a mouse to select the necessary settings and print the checks.
The software includes security features to protect against
unauthorized use, including individual logins and passwords,
and a function called Trace-A-check that encodes each printed
document with information related to the user's ID, the date and
time, and the serial number of the software used to create the
check. Sensitive data is encrypted and the software is copy
protected.
Create-A-Check pricing starts at $1,695 and the company can
customize the software for the user's individual needs.
(Jim Mallory/19931223/Press Contact: Melissa Clyne, Bremer
Public Relations for Create-A-Check Inc., 801-364-2030;
Reader Contact: Create-A-Check Inc., 800-621-5720)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
GENERAL
Accounting Software For Midrange Platforms
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00025)
Accounting Software For Midrange Platforms 12/23/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) - Lawson
Software publishes business for midrange platforms such as
the IBM AS/400, as well as Unix-based platforms like IBM's RISC
System/6000 and Hewlett-Packard's HP 9000. Products include
accounting, human resources, distribution management, retail
management, and materials management packages.
The company's accounting system includes general ledger,
project accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and
fixed assets. The general ledger program can handle multiple
divisions and even multiple companies, and the relationship
between those levels can be modified as needed.
All of the Lawson applications use a language translation data
dictionary that is advantageous for multi-national companies.
The dictionary manages both multilingual operations and unique
corporate terminology, and allows users in the same office to
have different languages displayed on their respective screens,
all from the same application.
GL has a built-in report writer module that presents actual, budget,
statistical historical, variance, and computed amounts in user-
selected formats. Division and company data can be consolidated.
The reports module also ties in with the cost allocations and
flexible budgeting features to enhance the reports.
The user can select whether or not to carry forward historical data
after changes in department frameworks, and the changes have a
ripple effect on reports and consolidated balances. A GL feature
Lawson calls "drill down" allows the user to move from summary
to detail information and back again just by clicking on icons or
selecting menu options. There is also a screen entry feature that
allows the user to enter just the amounts for recurring journal
entries. Other data automatically defaults.
The accounts payable module can handle taxable and non-taxable
items on the same invoice, and invoices can be batched together
for quick processing, or you can route selected invoices to a
supervisor for approval before releasing them for payment.
In accounts receivable, there are seven different screens for
entering payments and creating applications. Each screen serves
a specific function or variation of the cash application process.
Payments can be applied to an invoice number or to the oldest
outstanding receivable. Users can take multiple deductions
against one invoice, apply payments to invoices of different
currency, make applications across customer and company
levels, and determine the general ledger date of payment
applications.
(Jim Mallory/19931223/Press Contact: Dawn Westerberg,
Lawson Software, 800-477-1357 or 612-379-2633 ext 3298;
Reader Contact: Lawson Software, tel 800-477-1357 or
612-379-2633, fax 612-379-7141)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
GENERAL
The Enabled Computer By John McCormick
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00026)
The Enabled Computer By John McCormick 12/23/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DECEMBER 23 (NB) -- The Enabled
Computer is a regular Newsbytes feature covering news and
important product information relating to high technology aids
for the disabled.
If you are reading this issue looking for technology information,
I will disappoint you because this time I have written a more
personal column to my many readers, but we will be back to
technology with the very next issue.
I wish you all a happy holiday season and hope the year went well
with you and yours.
This was not a particularly good year for the disabled community,
nor was it especially bad. It looks like we will have to wait yet
another year to see if the Americans with Disabilities Act ever
gets any real teeth.
The law is here, the technology is here, the workers are
certainly waiting, but few employers are on board and it isn't
clear yet whether the Clinton Administration will really get out
in front on this issue.
We didn't see any major court decisions which would force
companies to open up their employment policies to accommodate
disabled applicants, nor did we see any headlines made by
corporate CEOs embracing the ADA, but there were also no major
discrimination cases brought to and decided by the Department of
Labor. There was one important case regarding whether being
overweight qualified as a disability, but I don't count this
because it really had no direct connection with the ADA, it was
related more to expanding the definition of disability.
I did personally talk with one particularly companionate (born
again Christian) car dealer who, when I asked about his
employment policy, said "No disabled individual will ever work
here so I don't worry about it." Apparently he did not realize
how crippling his own attitudes are for himself and his business,
but somehow I can't extend him the compassion he may deserve for
being mentally, socially, and morally disabled. I guess he feels
that putting a copy of The Bible in each glove box is all the
social responsibility and moral stand he needs.
I was at his dealership, walking with the aid of my cane, to see
about buying a new car. We are still shopping for the right
vehicle, but, of course, we won't buy it from him. I didn't tell
him why not yet, but you can bet that I will as soon as I have
taken delivery on a new car to show that I was serious and that
he actually lost a sale.
Understand, he has no objection to taking money from disabled
individuals, he just doesn't want to see any working for him.
In this light, I urge readers to pay attention to where they
spend their money too. Both Sears and K Mart now regularly show
disabled shoppers in their TV advertisements, but the only place
I have seen disabled "employees" portrayed on TV is in the Murphy
Brown show. I know that I must have missed some - I don't watch
that much television, but I certainly don't remember any TV
advertisements showing a disabled employee serving a customer -
in other words holding down a job rather than just spending
money.
There were no major new advances in adaptive computer technology
this year, but there were refinements and prices appear to be
coming down on many products such as speech recognition hardware
and software.
The big push by Compaq, Apple, and IBM, who are all pushing
ready-to-go speech recognition computer systems in TV ads, may
have some benefits by making these products more acceptable in
mainstream office use. It is even possible that a few executives
will eventually notice that since they can use speech recognition
to help them operate computers it might, just might be possible
for disabled job applicants to do the same, but I am not holding
my breath for this revelation to strike.
I spoke at the first ADA Technology Conference in Washington, DC
this past summer and noted a relatively strong attendance for
this small show, but unfortunately none of the top Clinton
Administration officials who had been invited actually showed up
for the conference or trade show. I guess it was just too far for
them to travel since the show was held nearly a mile from the
White House.
Not too many of us who spoke or exhibited were happy with the
trade show organizer, but it looks like the conference and expo
will be a continuing event under new management - I will keep you
posted.
Two books providing a guide to computer technology for employers
of disabled workers were published, up from zero for the entire
previous decade (that is as far as my records go). One was mine
and the other came from Joseph J. Lazzaro, a visually impaired
writer in Massachusetts.
A new enabling technology newsletter hit the market and a
different version of this Enabled Computer column now appears in
John William's latest project. Mr. Williams has long written on
this topic and previously published SAINT, a magazine for
professionals interested in enabling technology.
For details on the new publication write John Williams, 19
Crescent Court, Sterling, VA 22107.
The Enabled Computer Column no longer appears in Vulcan's
Computer Monthly Magazine, mostly because the magazine itself no
longer really exists, but it is available in many other outlets,
including print, and on all the online services which carry
Newsbytes. I have been getting some letters sent to the column
and recently tried to answer some questions which had been
forwarded by Portland Computer Bits, a Newsbytes subscriber which
publishes this column.
I certainly hope that other Newsbytes print subscribers begin to
carry the column because I think it is important to their readers
whether they are themselves disabled or manage businesses. This
isn't very self-serving because I don't get paid any more if
Newsbytes commercial subscribers republish my column - except in
the extra satisfaction of helping to get the word out to more
employers that disabled individuals can make excellent employees
- or not, but that depends on the worker, not on the disability.
Another bright spot is the Clinton Administration's apparent
backing for subsidized universal access to basic
telecommunications which may help put wheelchair ramps on the
path to the Information Superhighway.
Texas appears to be out in front on employment of the disabled.
Ann Richards, Governor of Texas, wrote me a nice note about my
book, "Computers and the Americans with Disabilities Act: A
Manager's Guide," Windcrest/McGraw Hill (#4422).
(John McCormick/19931223)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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3 12/23/93
GENERAL
Object World Set For Boston, Jan 10-
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00027)
Object World Set For Boston, Jan 10-13 12/23/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Object World
Boston '94, a four-day event to be held in mid-January, will take
a multi-faceted look at the emerging arena of object technology
(OT) through keynotes by well-known experts, case studies by users,
the "Best New OT Products Awards," book signings, and a spectrum
of other activities.
A joint venture of the Object Management Group (OMG) and IDG World
Expo, Object World will feature a full day of tutorials on Monday,
January 10, followed by a three-day exhibition and conference
program from Tuesday, January 11 through Thursday, January 13.
Headlining this year's conference program is a trio of keynoters:
Gresham T. Brebach, vice president of Digital Consulting at DEC;
Joe Guglielmi, chairman and CEO of Taligent; and John Rymer, vice
president of the Patricia Seybold Group.
The more than 40 conference sessions slated for the event are
organized into three tracks, each addressing a particular aspect of
how OT is being used to solve real-world problems today.
The Objects in Business track will show attendees how OT can boost
business productivity, shorten application development time, and
reduce costs. "Thinking in Objects," "Training the Organization,"
"Promises and Pitfalls," "Business Process Re-engineering," and
"Case Study: Objects in Business," are a few of the topics on the
list.
The Technology and Objects track will examine issues related to
technical development on both the basic and advanced levels. Areas
to be covered include: "Object-Oriented Technology Overview,"
"Making Object Technology Work in a Mainframe Environment,"
"Choosing a Distributed Object System," and "CORBA (Common
Object Request Broker Architecture) Case Studies."
The Software Developers' track will hone in on the particular needs
of programmers and developers -- those who are already using OT,
as well as those who plan to do so in the future. Subjects on the
agenda include: "Object-Oriented Languages Compared,"
"Incorporating Rules in an Object Program," "Caching and Clustering
Strategies and Tactics," and "Case Study: Objects in Multimedia."
Beyond these three conference tracks, John Slitz, vice president of
marketing for the OMG, will host a series of special presentations
on "Trending Toward Objects." The series will focus on such areas
as the OMG, CORBA, "Objects in Our Future," "Distributing Objects,"
and "The Future of Software."
In the exhibition hall at Object World, more than 50 vendors will
display their wares. Exhibitors will include companies
specializing in database management systems, window management
systems, desktop environments, language and programming
environments, class libraries, training, consulting services, and
market research.
More than 20 of the vendors will present product developers'
perspectives in a series of Exhibitor Seminars. The following
companies are scheduled to take part in the series: IBM, SunSoft,
Symantec, DEC, Cadre, NCR, Poet Software, Ilog, Intellicorp, Object
Design Inc, Inference Corp., Expersoft, The Clarity Group, General
Research Corp., ADB Inc., SES, Protosoft, Syrinx Corp., Hatteras
Software Inc., Objectory, and Interactive Development
Environments.
Also at Object World, authors Joe Weiss, Rick Cattell, Rob
Mattison, Steve Halladay, and Peter Norvig will be on hand during
certain time slots on Tuesday and Thursday to sign their books
about object technology.
Wednesday will feature the announcement of both, the Industry
Judges' Award, and the Attendees' Choice Award in the first annual
Object World Boston Best New OT Products Awards.
In the keynote sessions, Brebach will explore the subject "From
Vision to Reality: Distributed Computing Through the Use of
Objects" on Tuesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. During his talk,
Brebach will provide advice on the proper selection of OT
products, services, architectures, and people resources.
Guglielmi will speak on Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 am about
Taligent, a joint venture between Apple and IBM. The Taligent
chairman and CEO plans to include discussion of Taligent's product
strategy and the impact OT will have on end users and developers.
The keynotes will wrap up on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 am
with "From Records to Objects: Commercial Perspectives on OT
in Financial Services," a keynote panel to be moderated by Rymer.
Panelists Jim Dykas, senior technical consultant of Cigna Systems,
and Amarjeet S. Garewal, senior systems engineer and vice president
of the Bank of America, will present their companies' experiences
in applying OT.
For information on attending or speaking at Object World Boston,
call IDG World Expo at 800-225-4698 or 508-879-6700. For
exhibiting information, call Deborah Paul or Dru Montgomery at
800-545-EXPO.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931223/Press Contacts: Rachel Winett, IDG
World Expo, 508-879-6700; Bill Hoffman, Object Management
Group, 508-820-4300)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
APPLE
Japan - Apple/Toshiba Abandon Multimedia Player?
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00028)
Japan - Apple/Toshiba Abandon Multimedia Player? 12/23/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Toshiba and Apple Computer
have given up the development of a multimedia player, which
was planned to be released by the end of this year.
Under an agreement signed in June 1992, both firms were
developing the multimedia player. The major reason for the
decision is reportedly due to the continuing slump in the
industry.
Toshiba and Apple started developing the multimedia player
last year. The device is based on a CD-ROM and a small LCD
(liquid crystal display). It reportedly supports voice data
and comes with business organizing features. The device is
handheld, and a major advantage is that it supports the
multimedia data description language -- Script X, which was
developed by Kaleida, a joint venture of Apple and IBM.
Some observers contend that the decision to scrap the development
of the multimedia player may affect the firms' relationship
concerning the joint development agreement. However, the two
companies have not announced a cancellation of the deal.
Toshiba's Director Shoichi Koga was quoted by the Nikkan Kogyo
newspaper as saying that both firms will continue the agreement.
Currently, Apple has agreements with Sony and Sharp concerning
the development of multimedia devices. Apple and Sharp have
already released the Newton personal digital assistant.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931220/Press Contact:
Toshiba, tel 81-3-3457-2100, fax 81-3-3456-4776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/23/93
IBM
IBM Japan's Open Client Server System Partners Group
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00029)
IBM Japan's Open Client Server System Partners Group 12/23/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- IBM Japan has officially
announced the creation of a non-profit group, called the "Open
Client Server System Partners Group," or OSPG.
A total of 63 firms have got together under the leadership of
IBM Japan. The group aims to seek ways to develop various
advanced products under a unified system.
IBM Japan advocated the creation of the organization in
October. At that time, IBM Japan expected about 50 firms and
organizations to join the group. A number of major computer
firms have joined in the group, including NEC, Fujitsu, Sharp,
Matsushita Electric, Mitsubishi Electric, Sony, Canon, Oki, Omron,
Hitachi, and Ricoh. Major software makers include Borland, Lotus,
and ASCII.
Other members come from a variety of fields, such as the research
laboratories of banks and securities firms, car firms, a security
guard firm, a whiskey firm, and trading firms. These firms are all
involved in the development of their own in-house computer
systems.
The group's headquarters is located at IBM Japan's Tokyo office
in Hakozaki. The group has five research divisions: decentralized
transaction processing; message processing; object-oriented
processing; information warehouse; and open networking.
The annual participation fee is 500,000 yen ($5,000), which
includes membership to one research division. Members need to
pay an extra 150,000 yen ($1,500) to join each additional
research division.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931014/Press Contact: IBM
Japan, tel 81-3-5563-4297, fax 81-3-3589-4645)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/23/93
TRENDS
Japan - NTT Intros ISDN Videophone
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00030)
Japan - NTT Intros ISDN Videophone 12/23/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Japan's former telecom
monopoly, NTT, has released a color videophone system,
which is based on ISDN (integrated services digital network)
technology.
The phone can be used to connect a maximum of five locations
for videoconferencing. NTT's color videophone is just as small as
a regular phone -- it measures 24-centimeters (cm) by 23-cm
by 22.7-cm.
A 5.6-inch color TFT (thin film transistor) display is attached
to the phone. The display can be folded onto the phone when it
is not used. A built-in camera is attached at the top of the
display. The screen is refreshed 15 times a second.
A major advantage of the color videophone is that it supports
multiple conferences. The screen can be divided into four small
screens, with the user being able to switch between them.
The phone can also be connected with a TV monitor, a VCR, a
video camera, and a fax machine or printer.
NTT's videophone is based on both the international and the
domestic phone standards -- ITUT and TTC. As a result, the
company says it can be used not only in Japan, but other
countries as well.
Called the Picsend, a single device costs 670,000 yen ($6,700),
with three units costing 1,850,000 yen ($18,500).
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931214/Press Contact: NTT,
tel 81-3-3509-3101, fax 81-3-3509-4290)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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#CARD
12/23/93
TRENDS
Electronic Post-It Notes With Credit-Card Sized Device
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00031)
Electronic Post-It Notes With Credit-Card Sized Device 12/23/93
FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Have you ever
just given up on leaving a note for someone because you didn't
want to scramble around hunting for a paper and pencil? Voice It
Technologies of Fort Collins, Colorado says you will never have
that hassle again with its credit-card sized record and playback
unit that uses a computer chip to take fast, easy messages.
The company claims its new Voice It Personal Note Recorder can
be used to quickly record the great idea that popped up during the
drive to work, tell the kids to look in the refrigerator for
their after-school snack, remember those grocery list items, and
record sales leads without wasting time and energy.
The message "call your office," can be left faster than it takes to
find a pencil and paper, with a more personal and informative touch
such as: "I think you should call your office right away -- your
assistant said there were several urgent messages for you,"
according to company President Michele Morgan.
Morgan said the unit has a magnetic back and a detachable clip so
it can be stuck to the refrigerator, clipped to a car visor, or
just about anywhere else. An erasable programmable read-only
memory (EPROM) chip housed in the Voice It's quarter-inch
thick case stores recordings in an analog digitized format that
can be accessed almost instantaneous because there is no tape
to wind back. The analog digital recording also provides for a
better quality message on playback, Morgan added.
The tiny recorder is equipped with record, playback, and erase
buttons, as well as allowing replay of all the messages or just
the last one. As many as 10 to 12 recordings as long as 75
seconds can be made, though most messages end up being just a few
seconds, allowing for as many as 15 to 20 messages. A light on
the front of the unit signals waiting messages.
The catch is the price. Voice It Personal Note Recorder is retail
priced at $79.95, but that does include batteries. What is pricey
is the new technology, but as the price of the technology comes
down so will the price of Voice It, Morgan told Newsbytes.
The company has Voice It in retail distribution via The Sharper
Image stores. Voice It will also be on display at the Winter
Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas January 6 through 9,
1994.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931223/Press Contact: Michele Morgan, Voice It
Technology, tel 303-221-1705, fax 303-221-2058; Susan Pizzuti,
Julie Davis Associates for Voice It Technology, tel 404-231-0660,
fax 404-231-1085; PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/23/93
TRENDS
PC Software Suite Market Up 200%, Says Dataquest
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00032)
PC Software Suite Market Up 200%, Says Dataquest 12/23/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Market research
firm Dataquest claims for the first time ever, a business
application has made it into the number one slot in its
preliminary worldwide personal computer (PC) application top ten
list of software titles. In 1993, In addition, the market for PC
software suite applications saw the phenomenal growth rate of
over 200 percent reaching $844 million.
The number one software title was the suite of applications
bundled together as Microsoft Office for Windows, kicking word
processing application Microsoft Word for Windows out of the
application software lead.
Dataquest expects the suite application market will easily
surpass the $1 billion mark in 1994. Microsoft realized $762
million in worldwide revenue from software suites, while Lotus
earned $68 million and Borland made $14 million.
In fact, the trend toward suite software products may make stand-
alone software obsolete. Chuck Stegman, principal analyst of
Worldwide Personal Computing Software at Dataquest said: "PC
software makers are bundling and integrating their business
applications in suites and are changing the rules of the software
game. It is no longer enough to build a better word processor,
core business application developers must offer a portfolio of
powerful and consistent business applications."
Microsoft Office for Windows -- combining Windows versions of
word processor Microsoft Word, spreadsheet Excel, graphics
presentation program Powerpoint -- took number one with a
revenue of $493 million and sales of 1,642 million units.
Microsoft, as expected, has the lion's share with four of the top ten.
Microsoft Word for Windows was number two at $407 million and
unit sales of 2,750,000. Spreadsheet application Microsoft Excel
for Windows nailed the number four slot with sales of $292
million and shipments of 2,100,000 while Microsoft Office
Professional for Windows was at number eight with $177 million
in sales and 500,000 units.
Wordperfect for Windows was number three grossing $390 million
and 2,900,000 units, while its DOS counterpart placed seventh
with $204 million in sales and 1,900,000 units.
Lotus gained the fifth, sixth, and ninth slots with Lotus 1-2-3
and Lotus Notes. Lotus 1-2-3 for DOS bested the Windows 1-2-3
version by taking the fifth place at $257 million and 1,490,000
units versus while the Windows version carried sixth place with
revenues of $207 million and 1,200,000 units.
At number ten was Borland's DOS database application, dBase IV,
with $117 million in revenue. However, dBase IV shipped more
units to gain that revenue with numbers of 740,000 than
Microsoft's Office Professional for Windows at number eight and
Lotus' Notes at number nine. In addition, Borland and Wordperfect
have teamed up to bundle their respective applications to fight
the Microsoft Office combination.
In a final note, analysts at the market research firm observed
that Microsoft and Lotus were the only software makers to reach
the top 10 with applications in different software categories,
and Lotus Notes is the first workgroup application to make the
top 10 list.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931223/Press Contact: Paul Wheaton,
Dataquest, tel 408-437-8312, fax 408-437-0292)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/23/93
GENERAL
Quicken/Turbotax Bundle For DOS/Windows/Mac
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00033)
Quicken/Turbotax Bundle For DOS/Windows/Mac 12/23/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- Now that the
merger of the two companies is complete, Intuit and Chipsoft are
jumping into integrating their accounting and tax software
applications. As a first step, the companies are offering the
Quicken/TurboTax combination software package.
For some time, users of Quicken as well as other accounting
programs have been able to transfer data directly to the software
tax program Turbotax from Chipsoft. However, now users can get
the latest versions of both programs for an estimated retail
price of between $49.95 - $59.95, a significant discount over the
stand alone prices of both products.
The two companies have teamed up to stave off software giant
Microsoft, who has not entered the tax preparation market, but is
moving strongly into the electronic accounting product market.
Microsoft is working with banks to offer customized electronic
banking services to Microsoft Money customers.
Scott Cook, chief executive officer and president of
Intuit said: "With ever-tighter integration of both programs, the
special Quicken/TurboTax combination is an unbeatable proposition
for consumers who prepare their taxes with a computer."
While the data still has to be entered into Quicken, once it is
there, the year-long work of keeping financial records can be
transferred to Turbotax, a few additional pieces of information
added, and a tax return can be in hand in a single sitting.
The Quicken/Turbotax bundle is available in DOS, Windows, and
Macintosh formats. The DOS bundle requires an IBM or compatible
computer with one floppy drive and one hard disk drive, 640
kilobytes (KB) of random access memory (RAM) and 512KB of user-
available memory, and DOS 3.0 or higher. For the Windows bundle,
users need an IBM compatible 286, though a 386 is recommended, 2
megabytes (MB) RAM although 4MB is recommended, 1MB user-
available memory, a hard disk with 5MB free disk space, and
Windows 3.1 or higher running in standard or enhanced mode.
The Quicken/Macintax bundle for Apple Computer's Macintosh
system line requires a Macintosh Plus or higher computer with a
hard drive, 2MB RAM with 1MB user-available memory, a hard
disk with 2MB free, and System 6.0.5 or higher.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931223/Press Contact: Debra Kelly, Chipsoft,
Debra Kelley, tel 619-453-4446 ext 482, fax 619-535-0737; PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/23/93
TRENDS
Customers Use Motorola Paging To Flag Down Waiters
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00034)
Customers Use Motorola Paging To Flag Down Waiters 12/23/93
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 23 (NB) -- At some point,
almost everyone has been in the situation of having to wait in a
restaurant for the waiter's attention. But now, at a couple
of restaurants, customers are flailing their arms no longer.
Motorola's new Table Paging system, being beta tested at two
outlets in the Friday's restaurant chain, uses the inventive
vehicle of a sugar, salt and pepper caddy to let patrons
discreetly send messages to restaurant staff.
The system revolves around a small button, built into the caddy,
that, when depressed, causes the waiter's pager to vibrate and
display the table number requesting attention.
In one of a series of alliances Motorola has forged for its Site
Connect paging technology, Table Paging system integrates
call system technology for the restaurant industry produced by
ServiceAlert, a manufacturer and system integrator of call
system products.
"Combining ServiceAlert's experience in the restaurant industry
with Motorola's commitment to Diner Delight, a concept developed
to create new value for the restaurant industry through paging
technology, greatly improves communication between the customer
and his or her server," said Steve Spiro, director of Motorola's
Customer Owned Paging.
"As focused on patron satisfaction as a server may be, he or she is
not a mind reader. The Table Paging system provides a 'fail safe'
system to ensure that the customer is heard," observed Leonard
Schlesinger, previously COO of Au Bon Pain Company and now a
professor of business administration at Harvard Business School,
specializing in service management.
Schlesinger added that research he has conducted shows service
worker effectiveness to be heavily influenced by feedback, training
and support tools. "The Table Paging system provides two of the
three primary influences," he noted.
The Table Paging system is slated to become widely available in
January. The system may be purchased or leased. Pricing varies
according to the number of call buttons and pagers.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931223/Reader Contact: Rosalie Wyatt,
Motorola Customer Owned Paging Services, 800-382-9336;
Marianne Radwan, Hi-Tech Communications for Motorola,
415-904-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
TRENDS
****HP Plans 80MHz Multimedia Chip, 125MHz PA-RISC
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00001)
****HP Plans 80MHz Multimedia Chip, 125MHz PA-RISC 12/22/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard says it will deliver the first multimedia microprocessor
and the fastest desktop system to date. Based on the company's
precision architecture reduced-instruction-set computer
(PA-RISC) chips, the new systems will be available in early 1994.
The multimedia chip, HP's PA-7100LC, is designed with on-chip
support to handle graphics-intensive, multimedia applications,
such as image processing, digital video, and digital audio. Clock
speed of the new chip is expected to be 80 megahertz (MHz)
initially, but future versions could go as high as 100 MHz
and beyond, HP said.
The new multimedia chip is planned for introduction in HP 9000
workstations and servers, HP 3000 systems and a new class of
local area network (LAN) server, the company said.
Willem Roelandts, an HP senior vice president and general manager
of the Computer Systems Organization said: "The PA-7100LC is
the first implementation of the system-on-a-chip design HP is
moving toward."
A second new chip, the 125 MHz PA-7150 chip will be the basis of
desktop systems HP believes will be the fastest when introduced
in the first half of 1994. HP claims the chip, at 125 MHz,
outperforms Digital Equipment Corp.'s 200 MHz chip in standard
benchmarks, as well as chips used by IBM, MIPS, Sun, and Intel in
competitive desktop systems.
Current HP 9000 Series 700 workstation customers will be able
to upgrade to the PA-7150-based workstation without paying an
upgrade penalty via a system board upgrade. This upgrade protects
customers' investments in system hardware, software, memory,
and input/output (I/O) devices, HP added.
In addition, chip manufacturers Hitachi, Oki, and Winbond have also
announced new PA-RISC microprocessors. Hitachi announced the
PA/50 line of low-power PA-RISC-based microprocessors designed
for use in entry-level workstations and high-end embedded
controllers. Oki announced the OP32 embedded-controller family of
PA-RISC chips for use in printers, fax machines, X terminals, and
in the telecommunications and automotive industries. Winbond
announced the W89K, an Intel 486-like, pin-similar PA-RISC chip
for embedded-control products.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931221/Press Contact: Jim Barbagallo,
Hewlett-Packard, tel 508-436-5049, fax 508-436-5152; Jim
Christensen, Precision Risc Organization (PRO), 408-447-1678)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
APPLE
Apple Opendoc Component Software In Testing
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00002)
Apple Opendoc Component Software In Testing 12/22/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Apple
Computer is moving to "component software" and says it has
already offered "selected" software developers the opportunity
to test its first component software product, Opendoc for the
Macintosh.
The concept of component software is to allow users to work much
in the same way they would if creating a document by hand, so
they do not have to focus on applications for tasks associated
with document creation, contends Apple.
For example, currently users create the text portion of a document
in a word processor, then move to a graphics application for
drawing tools, then to a page-layout application to put the text
and graphics together.
Apple asserts Opendoc will be much more intuitive, as it will be
available in pieces or parts which users will purchase as needed,
so an entire document can be created from start to finish without
jumping from application to application.
Apple is hoping software developers will build interchangeable
components for Opendoc and then users can purchase the
components that best suit their needs. The ideal is that components
will integrate transparently, hence the need for input and support
from third party vendors. In this way, Apple claims users can
have a "personalized computing experience" by combining the parts
in the way that best suits a particular need.
Opendoc is intended to be a cross-platform architecture available
on the Macintosh, Windows, OS/2, and Unix system platforms.
Apple's goal is that documents created with Opendoc should be
the same on any system platforms on which Opendoc is available.
Systems integrators and in-house developers should benefit as
well, according to Apple, who claims Opendoc will deliver the
ability to quickly and easily offer custom products. Applescript
1.1, an automation tool from Apple, is part of that picture as it
allows the automation of repetitive tasks across applications.
Word processing software developer Wordperfect, hardware/
operating system vendor IBM, and networking product software
vendor Novell will deliver Opendoc on the various system
platforms, according to Apple.
Component software is on the horizon and IBM, Novell, Oracle,
Sun, Taligent (the company formed by Apple and IBM), Wordperfect,
and Xerox are participating in the formation of the Component
Integration Laboratories (CIL) industry association. The goal of
the CIL is to support the transition to component software.
Opendoc will ship in mid-1994 for the Macintosh. In addition,
Apple says Opendoc will be available for its newly announced
PowerPC-based Macintosh computers. The PowerPC is the next-
generation microprocessor developed by IBM, Apple, and Motorola.
Apple has announced that PowerPC-based Macs will be available
in the first half of 1994.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931221/Press Contact: Emilio Robles,
Apple Computer, tel 408-862-5671, fax 408-974-2885)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GENERAL
Poland - October Stock Exchange Failure Post-Mortem
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00003)
Poland - October Stock Exchange Failure Post-Mortem 12/22/93
WARSAW, POLAND, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- As reported previously by
Newsbytes, on October 25 the Warsaw Stock Exchange closed its
day's operations due to a major computer failure. Despite a major
investigation by the Polish authorities, it seems that the cause
of the malfunction is still no clearer.
According to the Warsaw Stock Exchange, on the Friday before
the Monday failure, two computer specialists were altering the
computer's software data. Although officials with the exchange
initially assumed that the Monday crash was caused by the
actions of the two specialists, they have been unable to prove
that it was caused by the incorrect or incomplete checking of
the new data input to the system over the weekend.
Newsbytes notes that the exchange system runs on two IBM
AS/400 series minicomputers, both of which run in parallel
with each other. If one computer goes down, then the other
can quickly take over.
The current system is run on a batch basis, whereby brokers
submit their transactions on a daily basis from across Poland. The
disks are then loaded onto the computer and processed the next day.
This system, though only able to provide daily prices, has worked so
far. According to officials, the Friday changes were in preparation
for real-time working, although Monday's crash meant that plans for
on-line working have had to be postponed until the problem is fixed.
Officials with the exchange are continuing to investigate the cause
of the October crash. They have pointed out that computers, in
themselves, rarely cause problems, but most software crashes
can be ascribed to humans.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931221)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
BUSINESS
Siemens' Austrian Operation Loses Market Share
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00004)
Siemens' Austrian Operation Loses Market Share 12/22/93
VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Siemens Austria, the
Austrian subsidiary of the German electronics and computing giant,
has taken a battering on the profits front in 1993, the company has
revealed.
According to the company, profits for the Austrian operation
began shrinking in 1992, and, despite cost cutting exercises, the
situation has not improved in 1993. Siemens' officials have said
that they expect the company to turn around its figures for the
coming year.
During financial year 1992/93 Siemens Austria registered a
reduction in turnover of 3.4 percent, down to AS2,620 million,
reducing annual profits from AS70 million in 1992 to below
the AS50 million mark for 1993.
The bulk of the company's turnover was generated by computer
services in Austria, accounting for 56.2 percent, with the balance
attributable to sales of computer hardware and software.
Employees of the company are also suffering from the situation.
During 1992/93 financial year, the staffing levels were cut from
849 to 809 and further staffing cuts of around 100 are expected
during the coming year.
During the coming (1993/4) year, Siemens Austria has announced
plans to achieve profits of at least AS50 million on a turnover of
AS2,800 million.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931221/Press & Public Contact: Siemens
Nixdorf, tel 49-5251-80, fax 49-525-18-11105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GENERAL
Polish Radio & DEC Team For DEC Broadcasting Conf
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00005)
Polish Radio & DEC Team For DEC Broadcasting Conf 12/22/93
WARSAW, POLAND, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- On October 28 and 29,
1993, Polish Radio and Digital Equipment Corp., organized a
conference to discuss the use and implementation of digital radio
technology. According to journalists attending the event, the
subject of digital radio was immensely popular, with many radio
journalists looking to DEC for further information on the area.
As a result of the conference, Newsbytes understands that Polish
Radio has contracted with DEC to computerize and install digital
equipment in its Warsaw station. Technology to be installed
includes optical and integrated services digital network (ISDN)
cabling.
According to Polish Radio, the station is not acting as a guinea
pig for the technology. DEC claims that it has installed similar
technology in radio and TV stations in Western Europe and the
US, with Ted Turner's Cable News Network (CNN), which is
headquartered in Atlanta, having the system installed first.
Polish Radio's existing computer system is based around a VAX
minicomputer, Newsbytes understands. DEC is currently working on
replacing this system with a much more powerful computer based
around an Alpha AXP processor system.
Plans call for the Alpha AXP-based computer to be used on-line by
journalists to edit their text, as well as for the editing -- in digital
format -- of sound tracks and other material. According to Polish
Radio, the computer system will allow for considerable flexibility
when it comes to mixing live and recorded sound tracks, as well as
the mixing-in of adverts.
Once Polish Radio's headquarters are fully computerized, the radio
station will start work on computerizing its network, right down
to the feeds to the radio masts. In parallel with this, the Polish
state telecommunications company is busy installing digital links
for the station and other companies to use.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931221/Press & Public Contact: Polish Radio,
48-22443251)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GOVT
Ameritech Invests In Hungary's Matav Telephone Co
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00006)
Ameritech Invests In Hungary's Matav Telephone Co 12/22/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Ameritech Corp.,
has announced plans to make a $437.5 million investment Matav,
the Hungarian telephone company.
According to Ameritech, the US telecommunications company,
together with Deutsche Bundespost Telekom (DBT) of Germany,
which will act as its partner, were chosen by the Hungarian
government amidst a lot of competition from other European
telecoms companies.
Newsbytes understands that Ameritech will take a 15 percent
stake in Matav, with DBT taking a similar share. The 70 percent
remaining will stay under the control of the Hungarian government.
Richard Notebaert, Ameritech's president and CEO with effect
from January 1, 1994, said that the investment will be good for all
parties. "This investment is good for the Ameritech shareowner and
for the people of Hungary. By leveraging our communications and
technological expertise to bring people together, Ameritech is
helping the world become a smaller place," he said.
Matav provides its customers with local loop, long distance and
international phone services. Newsbytes notes that it is the first
former Eastern Bloc country to see its telecoms operations
privatized.
"This is a remarkable achievement for Hungary. In MagyarCom (the
DBT/Ameritech name for the new consortium), Hungary is getting a
financially strong, technologically advanced and operationally
capable partner -- all of which was evident in the quality of their
bid submission," explained Gyorgy Schamschula, the Hungarian
Minister for Transport, Communications, and Water Management.
Hungary has a total population of 10.5 million, although Newsbytes
notes that it only has 1.5 million phone lines. In contrast, the US
market penetration is closer to 80 percent. This, Newsbytes notes,
make Hungary ripe for new investment, particularly since a wait
for a phone line in parts of Hungary is measured in months
compared with days in the US.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931221/Press Contact:
Steve Ford (US), 312-750-5205, Ameritech)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GOVT
Greek Ex-Premier Accused Of Bugging Phones
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00007)
Greek Ex-Premier Accused Of Bugging Phones 12/22/93
ATHENS, GREECE, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- A report to the Greek
Parliament has accused former conservative prime minister
Constantine Mitsotakis and his daughter of direct involvement
in illegal eavesdropping.
The report, which was prepared by Prosecutor Achilleas Dafoulis,
has recommended a full inquiry to check if there are any other
Members of Parliament involved in the scandal.
The phone-bugging scandal kicked off earlier this year when an
employee of Hellenic Telecommunication Organization (OTE), the
state-controlled telecommunications company, admitted that he
regularly tapped the phones of Mitsotakis' rivals.
The report said that government Prosecutors had now taken the
case as far as they could and parliament must take the initiative.
Newsbytes understands that parliament would have to vote to
set up an investigating committee, to lay charges and order a
criminal trial.
Without that operation, officials admit that further investigation
would be impossible because Mitsotakis and his daughter are still
deputies in the parliament and, as a result, are protected from
criminal prosecution by "parliamentary immunity."
Parliament President Apostolos Kaklamanis has announced, that,
based on evidence and testimonies in the report, Mitsotakis and
his daughter, who holds the culture minister's office, were
"directly or indirectly" involved in the 1988-91 phone-tapping
scandal.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931221)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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27 12/22/93
GENERAL
General Strike Looms In Spain For Jan
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00008)
General Strike Looms In Spain For Jan 27 12/22/93
MADRID, SPAIN, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- The two biggest Spanish
unions have announced that a general strike will be held in Spain
on January 27, 1994. Their leaders claimed that the government's
economic policy has forced them to take such action.
Newsbytes understands that there have been several talks between
unions and the Spanish government to agree a wages pact and labor
market reforms, with the express aim of reducing Spain's current
23 percent unemployment. These talks, according to the government,
failed last month. Since then the government has been attempting to
force through the reforms unilaterally.
The unions are reported to be shocked with the government's plans
to make it easier for companies to carry out redundancies, using
apprentice schemes to fill the gap. Union officials have dismissed
such actions as useless contracts and have alleged they will be
financed by cuts in pensions and unemployment pay.
"If it is easier to fire people, there will be more unemployment,"
said union leader Nicholas Redondo.
In a related story, employees of the partly-state owned
telecommunications monopoly Telefonica de Espana stopped work
recently to protest against the company's offer to raise wages
this year by four percent. The employees claim the pay rise is
insufficient, because the Spanish inflation rate is expected to
reach 4.5 percent by the end of this year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931221)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
IBM
NEBS Intros One-Write Plus 4.0 PC Accounting Prgm
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00009)
NEBS Intros One-Write Plus 4.0 PC Accounting Prgm 12/22/93
NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- NEBS
Software Inc., has updated its One-Write Plus accounting software,
adding a graphical user interface with pull-down menus and mouse
support.
The menus in the new One-Write Plus 4.0 are organized around
tasks instead of accounting functions, the company said. While
NEBS has added mouse support, it has also expanded keyboard
shortcuts for those who do not want to use a mouse.
NEBS said it has streamlined the setup procedure in the new
release with a simplified setup menu and consolidated screens.
The program lets users choose setup options geared toward their
particular type of business. For example, the chart of accounts
setup offers 14 options for different types of business such as
retail, manufacturing, and professional, as well as an option to
design a chart from scratch.
More context-sensitive help has been added, along with what NEBS
calls "expert" help that explains accounting and financial terms
and concepts. Users will not need to exit a transaction to search
for appropriate help.
The software is modeled after the manual one-write accounting
system, the company said, and is aimed mainly at small
businesses. However, NEBS officials added, more than 20,000
accountants also use it. The software meets Generally Accepted
Accounting Principles (GAAP) and includes audit trails and
financial report formatting.
One-Write Plus is written for the DOS operating system and
requires an IBM-compatible computer with 640 kilobytes (KB)
RAM and a hard disk. It can also run under Microsoft Windows,
the company said.
A version written expressly for Windows is on the way, a
spokesman added, but at present NEBS believes most small
businesses are still relying on DOS. Version 4 also runs on
NetBIOS-based networks such as Novell Inc.'s NetWare and
Novell Lite, and Artisoft's LANtastic.
The list price of One-Write Plus 4.0 is $69.95. Users of previous
versions can upgrade free if they subscribe the company's Gold
support plan, for $24.95 with the Silver support plan, or for
$39.95 otherwise, the spokesman said.
(Grant Buckler/19931222/Press Contact: Michelle Mitchell, NEBS
Software Inc., 603-880-5118; John Coulbourn or Eric Eddy, The
Weber Group for NEBS, 617-661-7900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
TELECOM
Competitive Long-Distance Service Comes To Manitoba
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00010)
Competitive Long-Distance Service Comes To Manitoba 12/22/93
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Unitel
Communications Inc., has begun offering long-distance telephone
service in competition with the provincially owned Manitoba
Telephone System in Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba.
Manitoba becomes the eighth province served by Toronto-based
Unitel, leaving only neighboring Saskatchewan and Alberta
without competition in long-distance service.
The company got permission to begin offering long-distance
service early in 1992, and launched its first offerings later
that year. The original regulatory decision did not cover the
three prairie provinces because their telephone companies were
still regulated by provincial authorities. Since then, Unitel has
reached an agreement to offer service in Manitoba.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) has also given the company permission to serve Alberta,
but because Unitel is unhappy with the amount it must pay to
local telephone companies there to subsidize local service,
company officials say it is possible only large national customers
that deal with Unitel in other provinces will be offered service in
Alberta.
New telecommunications legislation passed earlier this year gave
Saskatchewan a five-year grace period to adjust to federal
regulation, making it unlikely long-distance competition will
appear there until late in the decade.
Unitel customers in Manitoba, like those in the other seven
provinces the company now serves, initially will have to dial an
extra 10-digit authorization code to identify themselves as
Unitel customers. Company spokeswoman Stephanie MacKendrick
said the firm expects to be rid of this inconvenience in Manitoba by
late 1994, and in the other seven provinces where service began
earlier, by the middle of the year.
(Grant Buckler/19931222/Press Contact: Stephanie MacKendrick,
Unitel, 416-345-2482; Public Contact: Unitel, 800-959-9595)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
CORRECTION TELECOM
Correction - Gore Lauds Growing Consensus On Telecom
(CORRECTION)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
Correction - Gore Lauds Growing Consensus On Telecom 12/22/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- During Newsbytes'
report on Vice President Al Gore's speech on telecommunications
policy at the National Press Club, which ran December 21, entitled:
"Gore Lauds Growing Consensus On Telecom Policy," we
erroneously reported the day he plans to outline amendments to
the 1934 Communications Act.
Specifically, Newsbytes reported that the Vice President would
outline specific legislation on amending the 1934 Communications
Act on January 4, in Los Angeles. In fact, that speech will be on
January 11.
Newsbytes regrets the error.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931222)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
BUSINESS
Reuters Buys Teknekron
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00012)
Reuters Buys Teknekron 12/22/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Reuters said
it will buy Teknekron Software Systems, a networking company,
for about $125.1 million in cash. Teknekron is privately held.
Reuters is a leader in selling information and transaction
services to the financial community. In that market, as in many
others, customers are moving beyond simple client-server
networks to complex schemes which encompass their entire
enterprises.
Teknekron, founded in 1986, specializes in those sorts of
network, not just in the financial area, but in the related area
of telecommunications, as well as manufacturing and construction.
The company also is a factor in the global supply of digital
trading systems, which is Reuters' main line of business.
At the heart of Teknekron is a patented software system called
the Teknekron Information Bus platform, which uses "subject-based
addressing" technology to allow for the seamless sharing of data
among applications and networks, regardless of data source or
type. This eliminates many common problems in networking,
especially when different types of computers are involved,
cutting the development time for new applications on networks
dramatically.
Vivek Ranadive, president of Teknekron, said the agreement will
help, "the effort to build a global information highway for
enterprise computing." He noted that much of his company's
expertise came from Wall Street, where financial clients rely
on their information 24 hours a day, every day.
The purchase of Teknekron also puts Reuters into new lines of
business, especially semiconductor manufacturing. Among
Teknekron's customers for the TIB platform are Intel and
Motorola. The goal in that area is to create "programmable
factories" which can change at a moment's notice. The transaction
is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to conclude
during the first quarter of 1994.
Reuters said in a press statement that it presently has about
212,000 of its terminals in use, many used in trading currencies.
The company has been working to extend its reach into the US
trading market and other financial instruments, including stocks
and bonds. 1992 revenues for Teknekron were $38.7 million and
pre-tax profits were $8.2 million.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931222/Press Contact: Teknekron
Software Systems, Norm Siegler, 415-325-1025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
TELECOM
Qualcomm Stock Recovering With Overseas Help
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
Qualcomm Stock Recovering With Overseas Help 12/22/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Qualcomm
stock has recovered a little thanks to new foreign contracts, but
remains well below its yearly high.
Qualcomm, best known for its Code Division Multiple Access, or
CDMA digital cellular scheme, announced new deals with China and
Japan's Matsushita supporting CDMA technology. China's Ministry
of Posts & Telecommunications will conduct a field trial of CDMA,
then develop a plan to create new phones supporting CDMA as well
as two analog systems for use throughout the country. The trial
will take place in Tianjin in the 900 megahertz (MHz) frequency
band, similar to bands used in the US.
Matsushita, meanwhile signed a license agreement for CDMA under
which it will be able to sell CDMA phones, not only for regular
cellular service but for higher frequency personal communications
services, or PCS systems. The US will auction frequencies in
the 1.8-2.2 gigahertz (GHz) range next year for PCS, which can be
networked into personal communications networks or PCNs. The
Matsushita agreement, according to Qualcomm, follows the
Japanese company's evaluation of its technology and patent
portfolio, based on a support agreement dating to March, 1992.
Qualcomm stock has been under pressure for some time, falling
from a high of $86 to as low as $49 per share. It has since
recovered to about $57. The selling pressure came as US
cellular phone companies decided to support a competing digital
standard, Time Division Multiple Access, or TDMA.
Recently, for example, BellSouth said it would buy digital cellular
upgrades from GM's Hughes division, a big TDMA booster whose
E-TDMA technology could increase system capacity beyond that of
CDMA. BellSouth, however, did not commit to a digital cellular
upgrade standard in its announcement.
Qualcomm also finds itself in court defending its CDMA patents
from an attack by InterDigital Communications, which also holds
TDMA patents. InterDigital launched its suit after buying a
portfolio of broadband CDMA patents through SCS Mobilecom over
a year ago. Those suits are expected to be heard early next year.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931222/Press Contact: Thomas Crawford,
Qualcomm, 619-658-4820)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
TELECOM
Prodigy Signs D&B To Info Service Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
Prodigy Signs D&B To Info Service Deal 12/22/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Dun and
Bradstreet will offer a simplified version of its business
information services on the Prodigy service.
D&B Solutions will be designed for novice users, a spokesman told
Newsbytes, while similar databases on Dialog and Dow Jones News
Retrieval are designed for corporate librarians and financial
officers. Prodigy estimates that 300,000 small businesses
currently subscribe to its on-line service.
The D&B spokesman told Newsbytes that the main use of the
service on Prodigy will be in creating sales prospect lists and
searching for jobs. For example, the database will be able to
offer lists of all department stores with sales of $5 million or
more, or all retail shoe stores in New York City with 15 or more
employees.
The D&B Solutions product will not include Dun & Bradstreet's
CreditScores, a measure of a firm's ability to pay its bills.
That will only be offered directly through Dun & Bradstreet and
through Find/SVP, an information broker through which the
company announced a resale agreement a month ago.
Prodigy said the agreement with D&B is similar to a deal
announced earlier this month with NYNEX to bring its Yellow
Pages on-line through the service. The new D&B service is
expected to debut early in 1994.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931222/Press Contact: Carol Wallace,
Prodigy, 914-448-2496; Joe Eckert, D&B, 908-665-5105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
BUSINESS
Banyan Stock Plunges, Oracle's Down, Despite Profits
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00015)
Banyan Stock Plunges, Oracle's Down, Despite Profits 12/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- In what many long-
time investors see as a powerful indication that the stock
market, or at least the high-tech sector, is extremely vulnerable
to even the slightest earning disappointment. Banyan Systems,
the Westboro, Massachusetts-based VINES network operating
system software producer is the latest victim of market anxiety.
Banyan's stock plunged 43 percent on Tuesday on reports from
the company that its earnings would only be up by 50 percent
over last year's numbers.
Banyan, which provides high-end enterprise networking products to
government and industry, announced late Monday that the company
would report much better earnings than for the similar period
last year, but that results would be lower than expected by some
analysts.
This produced the spectacle of a relatively strong high-tech
firm's stock almost instantly dropping by 11 1/8 points, down 43
percent to 14 1/2 on a 50 percent increase in earnings and a 25
percent increase in gross sales. However, Banyan had recovered
slightly in early trading on Wednesday.
Another network system provider, Proteon, reported lowered
expectations and dropped 2 1/2 points on Wednesday morning to
$4 per share, but that company had not been expected to produce
good results.
The big news on Wednesday was the Redwood City, California-based
database software maker Oracle, which posted 28 percent higher
revenue for the second quarter of fiscal year, 1994, (ended November
30, 1993) and a massive 86 percent profit increase to $62 million
or 21 cents per share.
Surprisingly, despite the results, Oracle's stock price was down
six points at Wednesday's opening to trade at 29 5/8 per share on
highly active trading - three times the volume of its nearest
volume competitor in early trading. Eight million Oracle shares
traded in the first 90 minutes of NASDAQ trading.
(John McCormick/19931222/Press Contact: Catherine Buan,
Oracle, 415-506-4184)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GOVT
US Takes Stand Against Japan Reverse Engineering
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00016)
US Takes Stand Against Japan Reverse Engineering 12/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- The US is reportedly
taking a strong stand over software in trade talks with Japan. Last
week saw tough talk by US trade negotiators who were in Tokyo
discussing software exports and copyright (intellectual property)
protection related to the Japanese market.
Software is, "One of the leading exports for the US. It is a
valuable export for the US and the government is going to protect
its exports," said Michael Kirk of the US Patent Office, one of the
members of the negotiating team who spoke at a press conference
in Tokyo. He pointed out that the US holds a 55 percent share of
the Japanese software market.
The problem is that Japanese firms are currently pushing their
government for a weakening in the copyright protection extended
to computer software by easing the current restrictions on what
is called "reverse engineering" - a technique in which programmers
work backwards from an existing product and try to create an
entirely new product which provides exactly the same features,
but without using any of the original software's code.
Reverse engineering is often done by disassembling the
applications program, a practice which is strongly objected to by
most software publishers. Disassembly means that programmers
use a special program to break down the program files sold by a
company into programming language code. This code may or may not
be identical to the original code which was used by the publisher
to create their software by compiling it. In any case, the
disassembled code provides a step-by-step guide to what the
applications software actually does.
Major US software publishers like IBM and Apple object to
reverse engineering because they feel that the only reason for
pursuing this process is because the programmer intends to create
a clone of the original software. This is denied by Japanese vendors
who, reportedly, could present no convincing explanation of why
they wanted to reverse engineer software if they did not intend
to copy the best features of the US programs.
However, this is not a black and white issue. At least one US
company, Storage Technology, says that reverse engineering would
benefit it and other hardware makers because it would allow the
company to make certain that its optical storage devices were
fully compatible with Japanese hardware and software. Storage
Tech's John Scroppo said in a statement broadcast on CNBC that
reverse engineering would triple hardware sales by its Japanese
office.
As a result, Japanese officials have said that they would delay
releasing a report which detailed plans by the government to
loosen restrictions on reverse engineering.
(John McCormick/19931222)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GOVT
Firms Target Mexico In Wake Of NAFTA
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00017)
Firms Target Mexico In Wake Of NAFTA 12/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Some observers
are arguing that early reports seem to indicate that across-the-
board US companies may be gaining by the North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Some toy manufacturers in Mexico are running into difficulties
because they cannot compete with high-tech US firms using
computer-aided design (CAD) and advanced manufacturing
techniques. Meanwhile, other US companies are starting to open
offices south of the border.
Just this week, a California-based radio and satellite
communications company has opened a sales office in Mexico
City and Unix software publisher Santa Cruz Operation (SCO)
says that the company has greatly expanded its Latin American
operations in 1993.
SCO already had an office in Mexico City, but the company has
expanded its size, added a new southward-looking office at the
University of Miami's Convention Center, and added new
distributors in Mexico, Columbia, and Argentina.
SCO markets a Unix business operating software for Intel-based
personal computers and file servers. The company already claims
to have some major Latin American companies as customers.
An example of a U.S. company just starting to move into the
Mexican market, and attributing the move to NAFTA's passage, is
Costa Mesa, California-based Satellite Technology Management, a
manufacturer of proprietary satellite and radio communications
hardware.
The company has announced that it has opened its first sales
office in Mexico City. In a statement by Senior Vice President
Stephen A. Strohman, the company emphasized that a "further
boost" in their sales effort in mexico would take place as
NAFTA goes into effect in a few weeks. "Major new market
opportunities are developing in applications ranging from private
business and government networks to rural telephony services,"
said Strohman.
Supporters of NAFTA argue that opening up the entire North
American market by eliminating or reducing tariffs will
stabilize Mexico's economy and lead to greater US exports.
(John McCormick/19931222/Press Contact: Elisheva Steiner,
SCO, tel 408-427-7252 or fax 408-427-5418)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GENERAL
Canon Offers Copier/Printer/Fax Combo
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00018)
Canon Offers Copier/Printer/Fax Combo 12/22/93
LAKE SUCCESS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Canon USA
Inc., has announced the GP55 Series Digital Imaging System, a
photocopier that becomes a network printer with the addition of
an interface board and is available with optional facsimile
capability as well.
The basic GP55 is a 30 pages-per-minute photocopier, a
spokeswoman said. By adding an optional printer board, you can turn
it into a network printer that supports the PCL-5 page description
language as well. Another board to support the PostScript language
is due in June, the spokeswoman added.
A second model, the GP55F, also provides Group 3 facsimile
functions. It sends and receives faxes as large as 11-inches by 17-
inches and can scan two-sided originals, Canon said. The company
plans to add the ability to scan documents for electronic storage
by the summer of 1994, the spokeswoman said.
Canon is offering an Ethernet network interface board for the
machines, allowing either model to serve as a network printer
without the need for a computer to act as a print server.
According to the company, the unit can serve as many as eight
file servers and 32 print queues at the same time.
People who need to make photocopies can temporarily stop long
print jobs while they make their copies, the spokeswoman said.
Canon said a study conducted for it by Bruskin/Goldring Research
of Edison, New Jersey, found office workers make as many as 21
trips per day to file cabinets, copiers, fax machines, and
printers, and to distribute documents. The company claimed the
multifunction GP55 machines will cut down on this walking.
In a panel discussion at the Comdex/Fall trade show in Las Vegas
in November, Barry Tepper, an industry analyst who covers
multifunction products for BIS Strategic Systems in Norwell,
Massachusetts, said he expects the sale of such machines to
grow from 119,000 units in 1992 to about 1.3 million in 1997.
However, he said many users are concerned about relying on one
machine for several functions, partly because of the chance of
the unit breaking down and partly because they fear conflicts
when several people need the machine at once. He also said that
vendors may have trouble determining who to talk to in selling
such machines, since office equipment and computer peripherals
are often been bought by different people within the same
company.
Canon's GP55 has a list price of $12,995 for the basic GP55,
which is only a copier. The PCL-5 printer board costs $2,140 and
the Ethernet board $890. The GP55F lists for $13,990. An add-on
fax option for the GP55 is $2,600. Other accessories including
paper sorters are also available.
(Grant Buckler/19931222/Press Contact: Diane Nakamura, Rowland
Company for Canon, tel 212-527-8800, fax 212-527-8989/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
TELECOM
Computer Press Assn Gets Dedicated BBS
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00019)
Computer Press Assn Gets Dedicated BBS 12/22/93
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) --
Computer Press Association members now have a full-time,
dedicated bulletin board system (BBS) where they can exchange
mail, check job openings, and share professional information.
The board, called CompPress, is operated by CPA member and
veteran system operator (sysop) Thom Foulks. Foulks, a
freelance writer like many CPA members, covers the computer
industry and is a contributing writer for various publications
including PC World, Boardwatch Magazine, Computer Sun Times,
and Windows Online Review.
Foulks told Newsbytes the board is up and running, having
undergone a week of operational testing. CompPress uses
Mustang Software's Wildcat! software and a Practical
Peripherals PM14400 modem. Users can access the board at
speeds up to 14,400 bits-per-second (bps).
Foulks told Newsbytes CompPress will have some public access
areas for messaging activities, "where the public can talk with
members of the press," as well as the private CPA members-only
message and files areas. In addition to public messaging the
board will also carry various freeware and shareware computer
utilities that are available to CPA members and non-members
alike.
Users desiring access to CompPress should set their modem
parameters to 8 bits, no parity and one stop-bit, and dial
709-592-1528. Once the on-line registration questionnaire is
completed, Foulks said CPA membership is verified within 36
hours. CompPress supports the RIP (remote imaging protocol)
graphics format as well as ANSI and ASCII terminal settings.
CompPress replaces the bulletin board service offered by CPA
Jobs Listing Coordinator Kathy Yakal, which piggybacked on a
BBS run by Yakal's husband on a trial basis. CPA also maintains
a members-only forum on GEnie and The Well.
(Jim Mallory/19931222/Press & Reader Contact: Thom Foulks,
719-598-7828; BBS 709-592-1528)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GENERAL
Document Imaging Industry Announces Awards
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00020)
Document Imaging Industry Announces Awards 12/22/93
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Xplor
International, a trade group for the electronic document imaging
industry, has announced its awards for 1993.
Almost 7,000 attendees at Xplor's 14th recent annual electronic
document systems conference and exhibit in Denver, Colorado,
gathered at the closing banquet to see Xplor members honored
for individual achievement.
For the first time in its history, Xplor International named
co-winners of its "Innovator of the Year" award. Marketing Director
Lars Arvidsson accepted the award for the International Data
Post, while Tom Baxter, national EDIPost manager accepted for
Australia Post.
The award, according to Xplor President Jim Bransford, was
created, "to recognize an organization that has reached new
heights in technical innovation, while having the most significant
impact on the use of electronic document systems to achieve
organizational goals."
International Data Post is jointly owned by the Danish, Finnish,
French, German, Norwegian, and Swedish Postal administrations.
It handles the development, support, financing, and marketing of
an electronic mail system that serves national postal services all
over the world. Its bulk mailing system sends computerized
information to one of the regional post office terminals via
tape, cassette, diskette, or electronic transmission. The post
office provides postal code sorting, printout, insertion and
distribution.
Australia Post operates an electronic service for outward mail
production and inward mail processing. It operates mail centers
in every state in Australia that uses leading edge equipment and
technology to provide electronic mail service.
The organization named Robert W. Wert Jr., of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania the recipient of this year's President's Award.
Bransford said the President's Award is given each year, "to an
Xplor member for their life-time contributions to our organization
and our electronic document systems industry as a whole."
Wert, a 26-year veteran of the Commonwealth, is the state's
manager of the Operations Division within the Office of
Administration's Central Management Information Center. The
center processes payroll, personnel, accounting, civil service,
retirement, purchasing and other documents for the entire state.
Wert has held several positions on the Xplor International board
of directors since 1985.
(Jim Mallory/19931222/Press & Reader Contact: Xplor
International, tel 310-373-3633, fax 310-375-4240)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
IBM
Landscape Design Software For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00021)
Landscape Design Software For Windows 12/22/93
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- A company
with the unusual but appropriate name Green Thumb Software
has introduced a Microsoft Windows version of its landscape
design software LandDesigner.
LandDesigner for Windows is a computer-aided design (CAD)
package that allows the user to create landscaping plans for
areas as large as 170 acres. The company says LandDesigner can
create gardens, lawn areas, walkways, and sprinkler systems, and
can generate accurate cost and materials estimates. Items are
added to the landscape design by opening the appropriate library
and clicking on the desired symbol. The program will even "turn
the sprinklers on" to test the water coverage pattern.
Characteristics of the items can also be changed to create a
custom library. For example, according to Green Thumb the user
can turn a "large sprinkler head" into a "Rainbird Impulse head"
or a "medium deciduous tree" into a "honey locust," with a few
key presses.
To simplify the designer's task the software comes with more
than 300 pre-drawn graphical symbols representing the various
landscape elements. There is also an extensive collection of
drawing and drafting tools, and a modifiable database collection
of plants that the user can search by criteria such as sun, soil,
and water requirements. Green Thumb also offers four optional
plant libraries for different regions of the country based on the
US Department of Agriculture growing zones.
Once the landscaping elements have been selected, the user can
apply a "grow" option that shows what the landscape will look
like as the plants mature. There is also a database containing
more than 800 plants available from the garden catalog company
White Flower Farm. Users can incorporate specific White Flower
Farm plants in their landscape designs, then generate a detailed
list of those plants with the quantities and costs for easy
ordering.
Another handy feature for landscape designers, according to the
company, is the ability of the user to draw a regular or irregularly
shaped area then tell the program to fill it to a desired density
with plants, or to a desired depth with "mulch." It can even create
a series of lines that indicate a fence measured in linear feet. In
the case of the flower bed, LandDesigner would calculate how
many flowers are required for that size area and flower density.
System requirements include Microsoft Windows, a personal
computer powered by at least a 286 microprocessor (a 386 or 486
will probably provide more satisfactory performance for a CAD
program), at least two megabytes of RAM, a hard drive, and a
mouse. LandDesigner for Windows supports over 300 laser, ink
jet, color, and wide carriage printers.
LandDesigner for Windows is scheduled to ship in late December
and has a suggested list price of $49.95.
(Jim Mallory/19931222/Press Contact: Judy McNary, Green Thumb
Software, 303-499-1388 or 800-336-3127; Reader Contact:
Green Thumb Software, tel 303-499-1388 or 800-336-3127,
fax 303-499-1389/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GENERAL
Motorola To Announce Site Message Client In January
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00022)
Motorola To Announce Site Message Client In January 12/22/93
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- In January,
Motorola will announce Site Message Client, a new software
product for sending faxes, electronic-mail (e-mail), and calendar
messages to a pager from the user's PC, Newsbytes has learned.
The first version of Site Message Client, for Microsoft Windows
3.1, will ship in February or March, said Steve Spiro, director of
Motorola's Customer Owned Paging Operations, in an interview
with Newsbytes. Motorola also plans to develop versions of Site
Message Client for OS/2 2.1 and Windows NT, he added.
Like Motorola's Site Alert Client, Site Message Client will operate
with Site Connect Server, a software product for connecting
desktop, telephony and monitoring applications to pagers and
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association) cards, according to Spiro.
Site Connect Server and Site Alert Client were first introduced at
Fall Comdex, along with a strategic agreement between Motorola
and WordPerfect to integrate Site Connect Server with WordPerfect
Office Version 4.0. Site Alert Client is software for notifying
users by pager of critical situations detected by monitoring
equipment.
Spiro told Newsbytes that the originally announced OS/2
2/2.1 edition of Site Connect Server and Site Alert Client,
scheduled to ship in the first quarter, will be followed by the
delivery of editions for Windows NT in March and for Unix in May.
Each version of Site Connect Server will include one Site Alert
Client, Spiro added. Site Connect Server and Site Alert Client
will run together on the same hardware server. Site Connect
Server will be priced at $5,500.
Site Message Client, on the other hand, will operate on PC client
workstations, he told Newsbytes. Site Message Client will be
separately priced at $149 per client.
The upcoming Windows 3.1, Windows NT, and OS/2 2.1 versions of
Site Message Client will all work with the OS/2 2.1 edition of Site
Message Server, according to Spiro. Motorola is also considering
the possibility of developing an edition of Site Message Server for
the Macintosh, he added.
Motorola's family of on-site paging products will incorporate a
patented rules engine specifying the times at which individual
users should be paged, he said. Motorola's rules engine will be
integrated with rules in WordPerfect Office specifying the
conditions under which individual users should be paged.
The link between the Motorola products and WordPerfect will be
made through Vendor Independent Paging, an emerging application
programming interface (API) for paging, Newsbytes was told.
Motorola intends to add support for many other interfaces in the
future, including Messaging Application Programming Interface
(MAPI), Common Mail Calls (CMC), Vendor Independent Mapping
(VIM), and Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).
In addition, Site Message Server will support a large number of
gateways, including, but not limited to, Motorola's Mobile
Networks Integration (MNI), EMBARC, Radio Mail, and X.400.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930222/Reader Contact: Rosalie Wyatt,
Motorola Customer Owned Paging Services, 800-382-9336; Press
Contact: Marianne Radwan, Hi-Tech Communications for Motorola,
415-904-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GENERAL
Faxserve 1.01 Facilitates International Faxing
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00023)
Faxserve 1.01 Facilitates International Faxing 12/22/93
ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- A New
York-based software company says it has the answer to the
problems of faxing information internationally. Cheyenne
Software has introduced Faxserve 1.01, a NetWare Loadable
Module (NLM) file server-based software program that
provides support for multi-language cover sheets.
While Faxserve does not require a dedicated fax server, a
dedicated server running Novell's NetWare network operating
system on the network is required. The program automatically
translates the cover sheet message into French, German,
Spanish, Italian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish,
or Portuguese, according to Cheyenne's Director of Business
Development David Weingard.
Cheyenne spokesperson Julie Gubbin told Newsbytes Faxserve
also provides unattended transmission scheduling so faxes can
be transmitted when phone rates are lowest.
Faxserve works with DOS, Microsoft Windows, and MHS electronic-
mail applications. It is compatible with Intel's Satisfaxtion 4001
and Commwave's Microfax fax modem boards. Cheyenne Software
says the Microfax board is popular in many European and Pacific
Rim countries. Like most fax software, Faxserve allows the user
to create documents in an application of their choice. The
document is then sent to a virtual printer, which is the fax board.
Faxserve has a suggested retail price of $995. Weingard told
Newsbytes the company plans to ship version 2.0 of the software
in mid-January 1994. The upcoming release will support DOS and
Windows interfaces, and new features include automatic inbound
routing. Its pricing will be based on the number of users.
Cheyenne Software also markets several networking products
and Inoculan, an anti-virus program.
(Jim Mallory/19931222/Press Contact: Julie Gubbin, Media
Relations Inc., for Cheyenne Software, 612-851-8702 or 800-
999-4859; Reader Contact: Cheyenne Software, tel
516-484-5110, fax 516-627-2999)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
BUSINESS
Hyundai Plans Manufacturing Base In India
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00024)
Hyundai Plans Manufacturing Base In India 12/22/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Hyundai Electronics is
planning to set up a manufacturing unit in India to service its
complete range of computer hardware in the Asian market.
It is proposed to be set up as a joint venture with Byte Systems
Pvt. Ltd., the distributor of Hyundai notebooks and PCs in India.
The joint venture is slated to manufacture a wide range of
computer hardware, including pen computers, notebooks, high-end
PCs, workstations, motherboards and machines with multimedia
applications. Hyundai already has similar manufacturing
operations in Japan and Korea.
Hyundai has already approached Byte to prepare a feasibility
report on the investment profile of the project. Byte in turn has
sought the services of Tata Consultancy Services to draw up a
detailed project report for the joint venture.
At present, Byte has an exclusive arrangement with Hyundai,
under which it can manufacture and sell notebooks, workstations
and integrated systems under the Hyundai brand name. In fact, it
already has two hardware assembly plants in Bombay and Sikkim
and is also setting up a software development unit for servicing
the needs of Hyundai worldwide.
Byte started selling Hyundai computers from the middle of this
financial year. The company intends to end the year with a
turnover of Rs 22 crore, with plans to double that amount by
the end of 1994-95.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931222)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
TELECOM
Japan - AT&T Intros Videophone, Motorola Plans Voice Pager
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00025)
Japan - AT&T Intros Videophone, Motorola Plans Voice Pager 12/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- AT&T has released its analog
videophone in Japan, following the device's release in the US,
where it has reportedly already captured about a 30 percent of
the market. Also, Motorola Japan is planning to release a new
type of pager next year, which supports voice.
AT&T Japan has released the Video Phone 2500 through Hitachi
Home Electronics and Matsushita Telecommunication Industry.
This videophone can be hooked into a regular phone line. It
supports motion pictures at a rate of ten frames-per-second.
The videophone is based on AT&T's original GVS voice compression
technology, which can reportedly also be applied to other audio
visual devices. The product is equipped with an active matrix
backlit LCD (liquid crystal display), and is sold at 188,000 yen
($1,880).
AT&T's president has announced in Tokyo that the company
wants to license the GVS technology to third parties.
Under the distribution agreement with Hitachi and Matsushita,
AT&T expects to sell between 50,000 and 60,000 units next year.
Meanwhile, Motorola Japan is planning to release a new type of
pager that supports voice messages instead of text messages,
called the Iuzou. It will be released in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya
in April, 1994. A message up to 60-seconds can be sent to the
receiver.
The new voice pager will be released at 20,000 yen ($200). The
firm plans to sell 1,000 units per month.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931220/Press Contact: AT&T
Japan, 81-3-5561-3170; Motorola Japan, tel 81-3-3280-8674,
fax 81-3-3440-0338)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
IBM
Swan Intros Cynergy & Cygnet PCs For Retail Market
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00026)
Swan Intros Cynergy & Cygnet PCs For Retail Market 12/22/93
WESTBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Swan
Technologies, a long-time player in the PC mail-order business,
has expanded into the retail market with the announcement of
two new PC product lines, to be sold through major national retail
distributors, regional superstores, and Home Shoppers Network.
Swan's new retail product lines are Cynergy, a family based on
Intel 486 technology, and Cygnet, a series using microprocessors
from Cyrix Corporation, announced Albert Agbay, chairman and CEO.
The 10-year-old company, headquartered in State College,
Pennsylvania, will continue to produce its mail-order product lines
under the existing Swan Technologies name, according to Agbay.
Swan's new Cynergy and Cygnet lines each include desktop and
minitower systems. The Cygnet family also incorporates a
"Power Tower" and Novell- and Banyan-certified server tower.
Pricing for Swan's new retail product families begins at $899
for an entry-level desktop system, including a monitor.
Under a new strategic alliance, also announced by Agbay, the
Cynergy and Cynet products are being manufactured by eight-year-
old, Huntsville, Alabama-based MGV International and its affiliates.
MGV will also serve as a major component supplier for Swan's
mail-order product lines.
Under a new multi-tiered distribution strategy, Swan recently
reached its first distribution agreements with national
distributors. According to Agbay, the two "up-and-coming"
distributors are currently selling into more than 12,000
storefront operations, and to hundreds of value-added resellers.
Agbay noted that Swan will announce the first of these national
distributors within the next several weeks, to be timed with
product availability.
In the superstore arena, Swan will focus on regionally based chains
that dominate, or have the potential to dominate, their respective
geographic regions of the US, he said.
Agbay asserted that these regional retailers -- which compete for
market share against national superstore chains and national and
regional warehouse clubs -- are more nimble and offer more in the
way of personal service and technical support.
Agbay also announced that Swan has signed a 5,000-unit deal with
Home Shoppers Network, to include the on-air sale of Swan brand
computers. The multimillion-dollar agreement will more than
double within the next 12 months, he predicted.
"Personal experience -- and current industry sales numbers --
support the notion that the Home Shopping Club represents a highly
viable, incredibly lucrative retail opportunity for our company,"
he explained.
The shop-at-home phenomenon is an example of how industry
channels and traditions are changing, and why computer vendors
must adapt to the changes to be successful in the 1990s and
beyond, he added. "Today, innovation is where it's at. If you're not
comfortable with the idea that your products may be sitting on
the same shelves as cellular phones -- or, in some instances,
coffee makers -- you'd better find a new line of work," he said.
Swan's mail-order catalog business is still growing, but there are
many prospective customers who are not comfortable ordering
though the mail, according to Agbay. "Consequently, as a result of
our exclusive mail-order focus, we were limiting our reach, our
potential recognition, our sales and corporate growth," he
maintained.
Swan's new Cygnet Desktop model provides a choice of: 25
megahertz (MHz) or 33 MHz i486SX, 33 MHz i486DX, or 50 MHz or
66 MHz i486DX2 processor; ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)
or VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) local bus; and
214 megabyte (MB), 260MB, or 340MB IDE (Integrated Drive
Electronics) hard disk drive. The PC comes standard with 2MB or
4MB of random access memory (RAM), expandable to 64 MB. The
system includes eight kilobytes (KB) internal cache. External
cache (128KB or 256KB) is optionally available.
The new Cygnet Minitower offers a choice of 33 MHz i486DX, 50 MHz
i486DX2, or 66 MHz i486DX2 processor; ISA or VESA local bus, and
260MB or 340MB IDE hard disk drive. Standard RAM is 4MB or 8MB
(expandable to 64MB). The system includes 8KB of internal cache
and 128KB of external cache, with 256KB of external cache
optionally available.
The Cygnet Power Tower includes a 33 MHz i486DX or 66 MHz
i486DX2 processor; EISA or VESA bus, and 260MB or 340MB IDE or
450MB SCSI (small computer systems interface) hard disk drive.
Standard RAM is 4MB or 8MB (expandable to 128MB). The system
includes 8KB internal cache and 128KB external cache, with 512KB
external cache optionally available.
The Cygnet Server Tower is equipped with a 50 MHz i486DX or 66
MHz i486DX2 processor and EISA bus. Hard disk drives are available
in SCSI up to 8.0 gigabytes (GB), with a SCSI-II controller. The
system comes standard with 8MB of RAM, expandable to 384MB.
Also included are 8KB internal cache and 128KB or 256KB external
cache.
The Cynergy Desktop model comes with a 33 MHz or 40 MHz 486s,
40 MHz 486D, or 50 MHz 486DX2 processor; ISA or VESA bus, and
214MB, 260MB, or 340MB IDE hard disk drive. Standard RAM is 4MB
or 8MB (expandable to 64 MB). The system includes 2KB or 8KB
writeback internal cache, and 128KB or 256KB external cache is
optionally available.
The Cynergy Minitower provides a 40 MHz 486D or 50 MHz 486DX
processor; ISA or VESA bus; and 260MB or 340MB IDE hard disk
drive. Standard RAM is 4MB or 8MB (expandable to 64MB). The
system includes 2KB or 8KB writeback internal cache, and 128KB
or 256KB external cache is optionally available.
All systems in the Cygnet and Cynergy product lines are upgradable
to Pentium Overdrive, and all systems except the Cygnet Server
Tower support Intel OverDrive. A 12-month on-site or 24-month
return-to-depot warranty is provided for all models.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931222/Reader Contact: Swan Technologies,
508-366-4003; Press Contacts: Allison Bachtell, Swan Technologies,
508-366-4003; Jim Joyal, Sterling Hager for Swan Technologies,
617-259-1400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/22/93
TRENDS
****Worldwide PC sales Up - Dataquest
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00027)
****Worldwide PC sales Up - Dataquest 12/22/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- According to
Dataquest's preliminary 1993 worldwide study of personal computer
(PC) market share, Compaq has the largest share increase of all PC
makers. Apple Computer was number two and IBM, still number one
in market share among PC makers, made the first gains in its market
share since it began losing its hold in 1989.
Compaq nearly doubled its revenue and increased its market share
by 3.9 percent. The top five PC makers -- IBM, Apple, Compaq, NEC,
and Dell -- gained 6.2 percentage points over last year's figures to
hold 44.1 percent of the total PC market. The percentage
breakdown of the $66,265 million PC market shows that IBM holds
13.6 percent, Apple has 11.0 percent, Compaq has 10.0 percent, NEC
has 5.7 percent, and Dell holds 3.8 percent.
Philippe de Marcillac, director and principal analyst of Dataquest's
Worldwide Personal Computers program said: "After years of
relinquishing market share to smaller clone manufacturers, the
top PC makers are staging their comeback. Now that pricing has
reached parity among PC makers, the top names such as IBM, Apple,
and Compaq are selling more computers than ever before and
gobbling up market share in the process."
By region, the numbers stack up somewhat differently. In the US,
the market share battle was nearly a tie between IBM and Apple,
until revenue was considered, placing IBM on top, but the other
vendors place in the same order as their market share worldwide.
However, Western Europe numbers differed with IBM clearly in the
lead at 15.3 percent and Compaq with 9.3 percent squeezing in the
number two slot over Apple's 8.7 percent.
In Japan, NEC leads with a large 52.3 percent of the market,
down from last years' 55.7 percent. Apple and IBM both picked up
market share. Apple now holds 14.8 percent, compared to 8.8
percent last year, and IBM picked up another 3.0 percent over last
year, and now stands at 11.7 percent. Dataquest says growth in the
Japanese PC market is being credited to the strength of the yen
against the US dollar in 1993.
Worldwide revenue jumped from 1992 levels of $57,045 billion
to $66,265 billion in 1993, a gain of 16.2 percent. This was
despite price slashing during the year.
Most of the top PC players have begun offering PCs via the
direct-response sales channel, a channel that is booming,
according to market research group CI Infocorp. The major players
in the PC market have all followed Dell's lead and are selling
into the growing group of sophisticated buyers who know what
they want and are looking for a deal.
Between 1989 and 1993 Infocorp claims the direct response channel
has grown 37 percent annually. This is especially noteworthy
compared to the reseller mail-order channel's growth of four
percent and nine percent growth of indirect sales, including those
from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), value-added
resellers (VARs), dealers, superstores, and mass merchants.
In 1992 to 1993, system sales directly from the major players
grew by to nearly one million units over previous years to a high
of 3.4 million.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931222/Press Contact: Paul Wheaton,
Dataquest, tel 408-437-8312, fax 408-437-0292; CI Infocorp,
tel 619-450-1667, fax 619-450-1081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
TRENDS
****Half Of Top Executives Are Computer Illiterate
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00028)
****Half Of Top Executives Are Computer Illiterate 12/22/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- At least
half of US and UK executives lack basic personal computer (PC)
skills, according to a study conducted by Robert Half International.
The reasons cited ranged from "fear" to "time pressures."
The survey asked 100 top executives in both the United States and
the United Kingdom, "In your opinion, what percentage of the
nation's top executives is not computer literate?" The answers
were 55 percent in the US and 51 percent of UK executives lack
computer skills.
PC industry guru Peter Norton once related a story about the time
he asked an IBM executive if the executive had trouble installing
OS/2. The executive replied, "I don't use a computer -- I have a
secretary."
Max Messmer, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Robert
Half International said: "Many top executives in both countries
rely heavily on their management teams for work that requires
computer use. However, it won't be too long before this skill is
a necessity. It is already for many senior executives, who use
PCs for everything from financial analysis to strategic planning
to rapid communications."
Reasons cited for computer illiteracy among executives include:
computer skills considered a low priority; intimidated by
computers; discouraged due to the learning curve involved;
resistance to change; and a lack of time.
Robert Half International, founded in 1948, is a publicly traded
personnel service specializing in permanent and temporary
placement of people trained in accounting and finance.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931222/Press Contact: Lynn Taylor, Robert
Half International, tel 415-854-9700, fax 415-854-9735)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GENERAL
Olivetti To Train Russian Ex-Officers As Managers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00029)
Olivetti To Train Russian Ex-Officers As Managers 12/22/93
MILAN, ITALY, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- Olivetti has revealed plans to
train officers leaving the Russian army for work as managers.
The idea of the scheme, which is being underwritten and paid for
by the European Commission (EC), is to train a whole new
generation of entrepreneurs and business professionals in Russia.
The scheme will cost around 6,000 million lire ($4 million) and
train as many as 16,000 officers, Newsbytes understands.
Plans call for Olivetti's training officers to work with
professional trainers from other companies, including Isvor-Fiat
of Italy, Gopa of Germany, and Thomson-Sodetag of France, to
train the ex-army officers at 15 advice centers around Russia.
This is the first time that Olivetti has been involved in a
venture of this type, Newsbytes notes. To date, the company has
concentrated its efforts on the supply of office equipment,
including computers and printers.
The operation is thought to be the first of several training
deals with the EC, although only the briefest of statements
has been issued by Olivetti's Italian headquarters.
(Steve Gold/19931222/Press & Public Contact: Olivetti,
tel 39-125-523733, fax 39-125-522377)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/22/93
GOVT
European Parliament To Fight Computer Porn
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00030)
European Parliament To Fight Computer Porn 12/22/93
STRASBOURG, FRANCE, 1993 DEC 22 (NB) -- The European
Parliament has called for the prohibition of advertising of
pornographic products, as well as restrictions on mail order
sales. It also wants the introduction of codes restricting
access to adult telephone and electronic message services.
According to the European Commission, the resolution says
that the prevention and suppression of pornography should be
harmonized in line with current European legislation. Also, sex
tourism should be banned completely, as seen in Germany's
notorious Reeperbahn area of Hamburg.
The resolution also seeks to demand heavy financial penalties
on the producers and sellers of pornographic products, with
specific regard to computerized services that promote
pornographic images involving children.
According to the EC, deputies from several European political
groups have expressed their abhorrence over pornography, and
are seeking to control the criminal aspects of pornography.
"Violent, hard-core pornography is an invidious evil in our society.
It should be the goal of this Parliament to create persistent
pressure on the European Union countries in order to undermine
and fatally weaken the pornography industry, whose fat-cat
millionaires are amongst the richest people today in our
recession-hit Europe," explained British Socialist Christine
Crawley during the debate.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931222)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
BUSINESS
Softbank Adds OEMs To On Hand CD-ROM Distribution
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00001)
Softbank Adds OEMs To On Hand CD-ROM Distribution 12/21/93
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Five months
after announcing the Softbank On Hand CD-ROM, Softbank Inc.,
has announced original equipment manufacturing (OEM) bundling
agreements with five hardware manufacturers.
The deals call for Austin Computer Systems, CompuAdd Computer
Corp., Micron Computer Inc., Mitsumi Electronics Corp., and
Northgate Computer Systems to bundle Softbank On Hand: The
Software Library with their CD-ROM-ready computer systems.
As reported by Newsbytes in July, Softbank, Merisel Computer
Products, Phoenix Technologies, and Alexander & Lord announced
the creation of the new company, called Softbank Inc., to market
the CD-ROM containing multiple software products.
The company claims that the On-Hand Library enables users to
"desktop shop" for software and other products without having
to go to a store. They simply call a toll-free number to obtain
a code to "unlock" actual software programs from the CD-ROM
disc.
Softbank claims that more than 200,000 Softbank On Hand
disc sets will be distributed per month through 1994. In addition
to OEM bundles, Softbank On Hand will be distributed through
Merisel Inc., to resellers nationwide.
In announcing the additional OEM deals, David Blumstein, chairman
and chief executive officer of Softbank Inc., said: "We are exceeding
our launch-phase distribution goals as a result of these OEM
agreements, in addition to our retail distribution through Merisel."
Software titles encrypted on the Softbank On Hand disc can be
purchased by phone, unlocked and "fulfilled immediately" to the
user's hard disk. The disc also reportedly includes multimedia
product advertisements, interactive product trials, and
demonstrations.
Softbank On Hand features applications from such major vendors
as Borland International, Computer Associates, Lotus Development,
and Microsoft, and feature everything from word processing,
spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics, education,
entertainment, finance, to communications.
Softbank says that, by January 1994, Softbank On Hand will be
in distribution channels in full volume. Starting immediately,
coupons for a free Softbank On Hand disc set are being included
with all CompuAdd, Micron, Mitsumi, and Northgate CD-ROM-ready
products.
In July Newsbytes also reported that the CD-ROM includes a
variety of free software. Users who obtain the free On-Hand Library
may also subscribe to a monthly series of CD-ROM discs containing
news, features, interactive multimedia ads, additional free
software, and additional new software titles that can be purchased.
The Softbank On-Hand Software Library runs under Windows 3.1 on
386 or 486-based PCs with multimedia-compatible CD-ROM drives
and sound capabilities.
At that time the company also claimed that traditional software
retailers are not cut out of the loop, as OEMs, distributors, and
retailers who distribute the Softbank On-Hand Library bundles
receive a percentage of revenue from products sold.
(Ian Stokell/19931220/Press Contact: Amy Wright,
tel 408-644-7800, fax 408-644-7899, Softbank Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/21/93
BUSINESS
Cadence Design Systems To Divest Division
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00002)
Cadence Design Systems To Divest Division 12/21/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- It seems that
the Automated Systems Inc. (ASI) Division of Cadence Design
Systems Inc., headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, has outlived
it usefulness to the parent. As a result, Cadence plans to sell the
business to a corporation owned by members of the ASI Division
management.
According to Cadence, ASI manufactures and provides design
services for complex printed circuit boards (PCBs). The company
has annual sales of about $12 million. The sale is expected to be
closed prior to December 31.
Joseph B. Costello, president and chief executive officer of Cadence,
explained the background to the decision to sell. "When we acquired
ASI in 1990, we were primarily interested in the Prance line of
advanced PCB physical design software. With Cadence having
successfully integrated the Prance-XL autorouting technology and
its Allegro Correct-by-Design (CBD) design system, ASI is now
focused exclusively on designing and fabricating complex PCBs, he
said. However, "Today, as primarily a hardware manufacturer, ASI
is no longer a good strategic fit with Cadence's overall business
model."
The move will help Cadence get back to basics. Continued Costello,
"Going forward, this move will provide Cadence even greater focus
on the company's core business -- software that automates and
enhances the design of integrated circuits (ICs) and electronic
systems. In regard to ASI, we are pleased that their management
will now own the business and be able to continue to grow it."
As a result of the divestiture, in the company's year-end 1993
earnings, Cadence says it will take a charge of about $12 million.
(Ian Stokell/19931220/Press Contact: Michael Busselen,
408-944-7339, or H. Raymond Bingham, 408-944-7503,
Cadence Design Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
TELECOM
****DirecTv Satellite Launched
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)
****DirecTv Satellite Launched 12/21/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Arianespace
has successfully launched Hughes' DirecTv satellite, meaning
consumers across the US will have a choice on cable service
within just six months. As of December 20 the company had gotten
signals from its satellite, but full deployment will not be complete
for about a week, Newsbytes has learned.
Eventually DirecTv will offer over 150 channels, including pay-
per-view channels, using 18-inch satellite dish antennas and set-
top converters. The antennae and converters carry the RCA brand,
which is owned by Thomsen of France. The compression and
scrambling techniques used in the system are proprietary, so
DirecTv customers will be unable to use other direct broadcast
satellite services with their equipment. The first satellite,
with 16 transponders will have the capacity for broadcasting
80 channels, and a second satellite is due to go up in June.
About a half-dozen orbital slots have been assigned for Direct
Broadcast Satellite services, but only Hughes, a division of
General Motors, has made it into the sky so far. There are also
DBS services in Asia and Europe, but they have just a dozen
channels each -- Hughes is the first firm to offer digital DBS
with signal compression that allows a higher channel capacity.
At the Summer Consumer Electronic Show the company announced
agreements with major cable program suppliers, including C-Span
and the Discovery Channel. Earlier, it had announced deals with
Turner, Disney and other major program suppliers. Later, it
announced a billing deal with Computer Sciences Corp.
In interviews at CES, DirecTv officials estimated they can break
even with about three million customers, which they could get with
just a percentage of rural homes out of reach of regular cable.
To reach these homes the company has a marketing agreement with
the National Rural Tele-Communications Cooperative, a consortium
of rural phone and utility companies.
In getting its orbital slot, Hughes made a deal to share capacity
on its satellites with United States Satellite Broadcasting, an
affiliate of Hubbard Broadcasting in St. Paul, Minnesota. Hubbard
has put $150 million into its part of the system, against about
$640 million for Hughes. USSB will offer its own slate of 25
basic cable services, using the same technology as Hughes, so
consumers could theoretically buy both.
Analysts believe the big hurdle for Hughes will be the initial
cost of the system, estimated at $900 per home with installation.
Once a home is connected to the system, costs are competitive
with wired cable. Also, all local cable operators offer local
channels, which Hughes cannot. Homes which want local stations
will need separate aerial antennae. And many operators are
looking at digital compression to offer as many as 500 channels,
plus full interactivity.
But Hughes has advantages as well. Because of its high capacity,
it was able to win agreements to offer pro football on a pay-per-
view basis, and viewers can get "season tickets" to their
favorite teams.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931220/Press Contact: Linda Brill,
DirecTv, 310-535-5062)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
IBM
Windows CD-ROM With 30 Screensaver/Wallpaper Images
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)
Windows CD-ROM With 30 Screensaver/Wallpaper Images 12/21/93
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- If you are
looking for unique screen savers or wallpaper images for your
Windows-based PC, an Oregon-based company offers 30
collections on CD-ROM disk that contain an assortment of
professional art and photographic images.
Second Nature Software offers 30 different collections, each
with 22 "high quality" 256-color images, according to the
company. Second Nature founder Michael Brown, former president
and CEO of Central Point Software, says the business was created
to support causes that in turn support nature, the arts, and
education. " We will donate all profits or 10 percent of sales,
whichever is greater, to non-profit organizations," says Brown.
Initial beneficiaries include The Nature Conservancy and the
Audobon Society.
The initial collections include: Ray Atkeson's western images,
David Muench's National Parks, Butterflies by Robert Michael
Pyle, Historic Planes by Michael O'Leary, images of Claude
Monet, and Watercolor Florals by Sara Steele.
You can also get Audobon's Classic Bird Collection, Space
Voyages by Don Dixon, Classic Cars by Ron Kimball, Cats by Siri,
and a number of other floral and nature images. The company
says it expects to add as many as 15 new titles each quarter.
The CD-ROM collections include a slide show, a Windows
wallpaper sequencer, and a screen saver control program. The
company says the slide show displays compressed images much
faster than competing products, scales images to fit all screen
resolutions, and includes a small tool bar with VCR-type controls
to sequence through the images.
There are also special transition effects like a jigsaw puzzle and
dripping paint, and a thumbnail view of all the images for easy
selection. You can also create your own image collection from
bitmap or JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) files that you
already have. Slide Show is After Dark-compatible and can
display Microsoft Scenes collections.
To use Slide Show you need 256-color VGA, Windows 3.1 or later,
and about 1.4 megabytes (MB) of disk space for the first collection.
The company says future collections will require less than 1MB of
space.
Each collection has a suggested retail price of $15 or three for
$30 until December 31, 1993. A sampler collection can be
downloaded from Second Nature's bulletin board system at no
cost or can be ordered by phone for $6.
(Jim Mallory/19931220/Press Contact: Michael Brown, Second
Nature Software, 503-221-1460; Reader Contact: Second Nature
Software, tel 503-221-1460, fax 503-221-1449; bulletin board
503-221-8744, 800-782-7000; or 503-291-9500 for phone
orders/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
GENERAL
Proteon Appoints Bergman President & CEO
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00005)
Proteon Appoints Bergman President & CEO 12/21/93
WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Bruce
J. Bergman has been named president, CEO, and member of the
board of directors for Proteon, a Westborough, Massachusetts,
company specializing in networking and internetworking products
for mixed IBM and multiprotocol environments.
Elliot (Doc) Honan, who has been serving as acting president and
CFO, will continue on with Proteon as vice president of finance
and administration, CFO, and member of the board of directors.
Bergman, a 25-year industry veteran, joins Proteon from Xylogics,
where he had been president and CEO for the past decade. Xylogics
is a networking and remote-access hardware and software vendor
headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts.
"Bruce is a proven chief executive officer, and he brings a
management background that is well suited for Proteon's needs
at this time," said Howard C. Salwen, chairman of the board for
Proteon.
Prior to Xylogics, Bergman spent 12 years in the areas of
management, sales, and marketing at Control Data Corp. In his last
assignment there, he was general manager of the IBM-Compatible
Peripheral Systems Division, a business unit with annual revenues
of about $150 million.
Earlier in his career, Bergman worked in engineering management
for Honeywell. He holds a BSEE (Bachelor of Science in Electrical
Engineering) degree from the University of Minnesota and an MBA
(Master of Business Administration) degree from the University of
Southern California.
Proteon's products include multiprotocol bridging routers, token
ring and Ethernet intelligent hubs, integrated network management,
wire centers, and token ring adapter cards.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931217/Press Contacts: Joe Grillo or Lacey
Brandt, Proteon, 508-898-2800; David Copithorne or David
Kitchen, Copithorne & Bellows for Proteon, 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/94
GENERAL
System For Interactive, Hyperlinked SGML Documents
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00006)
System For Interactive, Hyperlinked SGML Documents 12/21/94
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Westinghouse
Electric Corp., has announced Pathways Interactive Electronic
Publishing (IEPS), a system for preparing, publishing and
delivering interactive hypertext documents using SGML
(Standard Generalized Markup Language) structured data.
Officials said that the system adheres to SGML -- a document
interchange standard used increasingly within government,
aviation, the automotive industry, and a variety of other fields --
while also allowing information to be classified, navigated, and
queried in a more intuitive, content-driven way.
Designed for interactive electronic publications (IEPs) such as
technical manuscripts, training programs, and diagnostic systems,
Pathways IEP consists of three software products, each running
under Microsoft Windows on IBM-compatible PCs and Motif on Unix
workstations.
Pathways-Tools is a collection of software facilities for preparing
existing SGML data for the Pathways publishing process. Pathways
Loader is the publishing engine for transforming structured SGML
files into interactive documents. Pathways-View is the software
environment for delivering IEPS, and for allowing end users to read,
navigate, query, and annotate the documents.
Pathways uses a method called Navigational Access by Content
Classification (NACC) to let organizations classify content by
topic, skill level, or whatever other designation makes sense
within the context of the application, and to ease access by end
users.
Pathways-Tools is employed to add "content intelligence" to SGML
files, and to specify formatting and behavioral characteristics
that support Pathway Viewer. The company noted that some SGML
documents of recent origin -- which already use content tagging
as well as traditional SGML structure tagging -- will not require
additional content intelligence from Pathways-Tools.
The Pathways-Loader product converts the flat SGML files into a
collection of text, graphical, animation, audio and video objects
designed to function as a multidimensional database. The
database also contains style specifications, action scripts, link
maps, and other information for accessing and manipulating the
interactive documents.
Officials asserted that the Pathways database is automatically
linked together based on the structure and content of the SGML
file, instead of hardcoded hypertext links, eliminating manual
insertion of links, along with the problem of "links that go
nowhere."
Pathways-Viewer is a "pageless" presentation environment
displaying multiple, simultaneous views of information that
isolate and highlight critical content, like steps in a procedure,
according to the company.
The viewer features cross references, bookmarks, annotation,
query by text and content, and tables with headings that remain
locked on screen while the user scrolls the contents.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931220/Press and Reader Contact:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., 800-742-4802)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
IBM
Speech/Pen Apps From KAI & IBM Deal
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00007)
Speech/Pen Apps From KAI & IBM Deal 12/21/93
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Knowledge-
based speech recognition from Kurzweil Applied Intelligence (KAI)
will be combined with the latest speech and pen-based technologies
from IBM in a series of applications for health care and other
vertical markets, Newsbytes has learned.
In a conference call with Newsbytes, Bernard F. Bradstreet, KAI's
chairman and co-CEO, and Elton B. Sherwin, Jr., IBM's manager of
speech recognition and market development, elaborated on recently
announced plans to form a strategic alliance, outlining the
kinds of contributions each company will make to the KAI/IBM
joint development effort.
KAI, a Waltham, Massachusetts-based company founded in 1982,
produced its first speech recognition system back in 1985, and its
first knowledge-based speech application in 1987, Bradstreet told
Newsbytes.
Marketed under the VoiceMed line, KAI's knowledge-based
applications are now in their fourth generation, and include
products for emergency medicine, pathology, cardiology,
nephrology and radiology, each with a 50,000-word vocabulary.
IBM has been doing research on speech recognition for the past 21
years, but waited until earlier this year to bring its first speech
recognition products to market, said Sherwin. The IBM Speech
Server Series, a 32,000-word speech recognition system for AIX-
and OS/2-based servers and client workstations, began shipping in
January. Speech Server is a discrete speech recognition system,
meaning that it does a better job of interpreting words when there
are pauses between words.
The IBM Continuous Speech System, a small vocabulary system in
which words can be entered continuously, without pauses, was
released in June, also for servers and client workstations running
under AIX or OS/2.
The IBM Personal Dictation System, a product similar to the Speech
Server Series but aimed at standalone use on OS/2, is scheduled to
ship by the end of the year, he said. A Windows-based version of
the Continuous Speech System is targeted for delivery in January.
"In (IBM's) view, over the past 12 months, speech recognition has
crossed a point, in terms of accuracy and price, where there is
now a broad market for use by the general population," Sherwin
explained. Improved algorithms are the chief reason for the
heightened accuracy, but better microphones and faster computer
processors are also factors, he asserted.
IBM is currently concentrating its speech recognition efforts on
miniaturization, multilingual support, and "speech/pen hybrids,"
according to Sherwin. In 1994, IBM will start to introduce a
series of "hybrid" notebooks, combining speech recognition with
pen-based computing, that will ultimately include Intel-based as
well as Power PC-based systems, he added.
KAI's knowledge-based VoiceMed applications for DOS and Windows
are now being employed by 3,500 users at 800 hospitals, clinics,
and other medical sites, according to Bradstreet.
KAI also produces KurzweilVoice, a voice-enabled personal computing
and word processing system, along with tools for developing
knowledge-based speech recognition applications aimed at the
government, legal, and financial services markets. Over the past
five years, company revenues have been growing at the rate of 40
percent a year, Bradstreet said.
The VoiceMed applications speed document preparation to the point
where a doctor can create a patient-specific medical report in five
or six utterances, he maintained. The applications also include
prompts designed to help assure the completeness of a report.
By uttering "trigger" words and phrases, the user calls up a
paragraph or more of text for use in a report. The text
identifies appropriate variables, as well as "invariant" portions
that can be utilized in the report without modification by the
user.
When the trigger phrase "URI" (upper respiratory infection) is
uttered, for example, the application identifies severity and
duration of the infection as variables. The doctor is prompted to
describe the severity and duration of the patient's illness.
The VoiceMed applications are not intended to be diagnostic tools,
Bradstreet emphasized. "This isn't a situation where you put in a
bunch of symptoms, and out comes the diagnosis. But the doctor
does receive a sophisticated checklist," he explained.
Users of the discrete speech recognition applications can also move
into "free text" whenever they want. In "free text," users can say
anything they like, according to Bradstreet. The application will
interpret any utterances that are within the constraints of its
50,000-word vocabulary.
The applications to be jointly developed by KAI and IBM will
integrate the best of what each company has to offer, Bradstreet
indicated. "The knowledge-based capabilities we've developed for
speech are clearly very appropriate for a combination of speech
and pen," he told Newsbytes.
"In addition, the capabilities of the PowerPC and the other
platforms mentioned by Elton (Sherwin) will be very useful to us.
There's tremendous interest out there in combining the power of a
workstation with the power of notebooks and subnotebooks. To the
extent that these capabilities will add value and enhance
productivity for customers, we will certainly use them," Bradstreet
added.
The concept of the "speech/pen hybrid" makes business sense to
IBM due to the ready reusability of code, said Sherwin. "You're
developing a lot of the active vocabulary and other tools and
infrastructures needed for a pen application whenever you create
a speech application."
IBM has also determined that some users like to switch back and
forth between speech and pen, much as they might switch between a
mouse and keyboard. In testing, IBM has discovered that the pen is
the fastest method for editing input. "So you can start to envision
systems where the user dictates to the system by voice, and then
sits down with the pen to edit," he noted.
IBM's hybrid systems for Intel-based notebooks will use PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) cards
for holding large vocabularies, Sherwin told Newsbytes. IBM's
upcoming Power Personal Systems, which will be based on the
PowerPC chip, will not require PCMCIA cards for containing the
vocabulary.
"We intend to ship the IBM Personal Dictation System on most or all
of our Power Personal Systems. IBM's primary development effort
for speech recognition for pen is in the Power Personal Systems
Division," he reported.
In its first incarnation, the IBM Personal Dictation System will
require a half-card, according to Sherwin. The system will
typically allow a dictation speed of 75 words-per-minute, but
skilled users can achieve a rate of 90 to 95 words-per-minute.
The Personal Dictation System will initially be available in US
English, UK English, French, German and Italian. A Spanish version
is scheduled for release next year.
KAI's VoiceMed discrete speech recognition applications are
currently available in US English only, although under pilot
programs, developers have converted the applications to Dutch,
German and Italian, according to Bradstreet.
"KAI has also developed a continuous-speech prototype in Japanese,
in conjunction with Fuji Xerox. But that today is not a product,"
Newsbytes was told.
As a result of a 32 megabyte (MB) memory requirement, KAI's
knowledge-based systems are currently used only on desktop PCs
and large portable systems, such as PAC (Portable Add-In Computer)
systems from Dolch. "But we think we can reduce the (memory)
requirement," Bradstreet said.
KAI's VoiceMed applications are "speaker independent," meaning
that they do not need to be "trained" to the individual user's voice.
But the user does need to spend about four to five hours learning
the "trigger phrases" and other reporting procedures of the KAI
system, according to KAI's chairman and co-CEO.
Some of the trigger phrases are designed to help protect doctors
against malpractice suits, he said. For example, if the patient
comes to the doctor's office complaining of abdominal distress,
left-shoulder bursitis, or other problems that can sometimes be
symptomatic of myocardial infarction, a potentially fatal heart
ailment, the application prompts the doctor with questions such
as "Does the patient complain of chest pain?"
Doctors can pass over these questions if they wish. "But the
questions remind physicians to demonstrate that they realize this
could be masking a myocardial infarction, and to document that
they have tried to eliminate that as a cause," Bradstreet
explained.
The trigger phrases and structured reporting capabilities in KAI's
speech recognition applications simplify complex tasks by breaking
them into bite-sized pieces, he told Newsbytes. "So we see
additional applications in government, legal, financial, and many,
many other areas."
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931220/Reader Contacts: Kurzweil Applied
Intelligence, 617-894-0003; IBM, 800-426-3333; Press Contacts:
Mark D. Flanagan, KAI, 617-894-5151; Jan Collins or Jeff Aubin,
Brodeur & Partners for KAI, 617-894-0003; Lisa Poulson,
Burson-Marsteller for IBM, 212-614-4000/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
TELECOM
More On AT&T-Linkon Agreement
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)
More On AT&T-Linkon Agreement 12/21/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- On December 16
Newsbytes reported that Linkon Corp., will supply a hardware board
and software as part of AT&T's efforts to link clients' computers
and phone companies. The AT&T system connects all the networked
telephone systems in a company, as well as their networked
computers, and allows the two to communicate. It will be sold by
AT&T's Network Systems division as the Integrated Services
platform.
Linkon provides the voice modem compression speech recognition
and text-to-speech capability for the system on a single plug-in
card, which in turn uses AT&T digital signal processors, Bell
Labs datapumps, and some AT&T software algorithms. Linkon's
software includes a proprietary operating system and a tool kit
called Teravox through which AT&T wrote applications
About 25 percent of Linkon revenue comes from exports,
President Lee Hill noted, and he also addressed some recent
export trends.
Newsbytes asked whether he was pleased at the resolution of
the new General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
agreement. "The big issue is regulation," Hill said, not tariffs. "If
there were some method where all the PTTs could set a universal
standard it would make our life easier. At the moment you have
to be certified separately" in each country for computer or
telecommunications equipment, which in some countries can
make life difficult.
He mentioned two prominent examples among major US trading
companies. "Australia has really tough standards, while Germany
runs 3,200 volts through your board to see if your card would be
hurt by lightning." But there is hope in technology, he added.
"When it all becomes software, maybe the requirements will go
away."
Hill added that he remains skeptical of the European Union's
progress. He says he used to work with Ray Ban sunglasses, and
was heavily involved then in selling to Europe. He found that
every nation there had different standards for imagery, and thus
there were mountainous technical hurdles to climb in each nation
to sell his sunglasses.
The lesson is that the social aspects of integration are
difficult. He said that is a good lesson.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931220/Press Contact: Linkon, Lee W. Hill,
212-753-2544)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
BUSINESS
India - Siemens Establishes Bangalore Software Center
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00009)
India - Siemens Establishes Bangalore Software Center 12/21/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Siemens Information
Systems Ltd. (SISL), the joint venture of Siemens (India) Ltd., and
Siemens Nixdorf, is planning to establish a 100 percent export-
oriented unit in Bangalore to undertake turnkey offshore projects
in the telecommunications area.
As a first step in this direction, the company has set up a
software center in Bangalore to develop a telecommunications
network management system. According to Anil Laud, managing
director of SISL, its facility in Bangalore will be a competence
center for manufacturing applications, real-time systems,
business "solutions," and computerized translation.
The manufacturing applications will involve the development of
software for factory automation. Real-time systems for SCADA and
process control applications and systems integration services in
business areas like financial accounting, fixed assets management
and accounting will be two other projects. Multimedia applications
for teaching aids and mass communication, GIS (geographic
information systems) and CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/
manufacturing) applications are also on the cards.
However, in the initial stages, the key project to be executed in
Bangalore is a knowledge-based computerized translation system
which will take an estimated 60 man-years to develop. According
to Laud, SISL would invest Rs 8 crore in funding its various
projects in its centers at Bombay, New Delhi, and Bangalore.
Last year, the company recorded a turnover of Rs 16 crore with
all its revenues coming from export contracts. This year the
company is also addressing some domestic clients, such as the
Indian Railways and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd.
Laud estimates that domestic revenues this year would be about
five percent of turnover. So far the company has mostly been
catering to the requirements of Siemens AG. However, there have
been some exceptions, such as Sap and softlab, both German
software houses. In the next one year, the company intends to
generate 40 percent of its business from non-Siemens projects.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931221)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
TRENDS
****US Share Of World Printer Market To Slide - Survey
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00010)
****US Share Of World Printer Market To Slide - Survey 12/21/93
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- The US
will continue to dominate the international printer market for the
foreseeable future, but growth in Europe, Latin America and other
regions of the world is coming even faster, says a new study by
International Data Corp. (IDC).
In the study, IDC pinpoints the compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
of the worldwide printer market at 7.3 percent through 1997. On a
worldwide basis, ink jet printers will lead the way, growing at
twice the rate of laser technologies, according to the researchers.
Meanwhile, the market share for impact printers is expected to
shrink by 11 percent, with significant declines in every area of
the world.
Latin America will be the hottest region for printer sales, with
an anticipated CAGR through 1997, IDC maintained. The Framingham,
Massachusetts-based research firm forecasts a "printer boom" in
Europe as well.
Latin America's share of the worldwide printer market is projected
to reach four to six percent over the next four years. "Although this
is a relatively small percentage of the total global market, the
rapid growth offers an opportunity for printer vendors to establish
themselves (now) as market leaders," advised Marco Boer, senior
analyst for IDC's Printer Market Planning Service.
The European printer market, already the second largest market
after the US, will grow at double the rate of the US market through
1997, according to IDC. These figures do not take into account the
Eastern European market, which is predicted to expand at an even
faster pace.
The study also discovered that the substantial growth of the ink
jet market is being driven by a few vendors who have cumulatively
invested billions of dollars in research and development. These
vendors dominate global markets through wide brand recognition,
marketing power, and control of distribution channels, the
researchers said.
On the other hand, ink jet technology was found to have taken hold
most rapidly in Europe, where the number of vendors offering ink
jet printers is many times greater than the rest of the world.
Researchers cautioned, though, that many European vendors are tied
into high price structures, and may not be able to adopt quickly
enough if US-like pricing comes to the forefront in the future.
IDC also predicted that the proportion of laser printers produced
in Japan will drop from its current level of 75 percent, "as
vendors feel the pain of currency exchange rates with the yen
and seek new sources of supplies."
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931221/Reader Contact: IDC,
508-935-4055; Press Contact: Mike Ault, IDC, 508-935-4044)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
TRENDS
Xplor 1993 Technology Directions Survey Results
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00011)
Xplor 1993 Technology Directions Survey Results 12/21/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Xplor International,
of Torrance, California, has released the results of its yearly
survey which explores the outlook for changing priorities in
information management as seen by Xplor member companies.
Imaging systems will be a top priority next year according to 56
percent of the survey of 300 electronic document systems
professionals.
Xplor International, The Electronic Document Systems Association,
provides a forum for companies which provide electronic document
systems and services.
The 1992 Survey, which covered expectations for 1993, indicated
that 51 percent of responding members thought that mainframe
printers would be a top growth area.
Another trend seen in the survey is the move to integrate the
functions of the data processing department with in-plant
printing facilities. This is seen as important by 44 percent of
those surveyed, while 52 percent see coordination of data
processing and mailing operations as a major new area for
improvement.
But the biggest percentage gain came in multimedia where the
number of companies seeing this trend as representing a top
investment priority surging from eight percent in 1992 to 28
percent in 1993. However, this represents investments in
corporate MIS (management information systems) department
internal use, not applications programs sold to consumers.
Investment priorities for information processing departments
have changed as follows from 1992 to 1993 (expectations for the
following year), with the numbers representing the percentage of
respondents who felt that a certain area would be one of the top
three investment areas: Imaging systems, 56 percent versus 39
percent (first number is from 1993 survey, second from 1992
results); LANs (local area networks), 54 percent vs 64 percent;
digital networks 41 percent vs 31 percent; mainframe printers,
31 percent vs 51 percent; multimedia, 28 percent vs 8 percent;
LAN and desktop printers, 28 percent vs 37 percent; desktop
systems, 24 percent vs 28 percent; distributed printers, 22
percent vs 23 percent; and remote printers, 21 percent vs 26
percent.
The entire 53-page survey includes detailed numbers and charts,
as well as a copy of the survey with detailed breakdown of the
answers to each question.
Most surveys (49 percent) were answered by technical staff, with
22 percent being answered by middle management. Twenty-seven
of the companies are involved in the insurance business, with 18
percent being service bureaus. The companies responding are
mostly large, with 33 percent having between 1,000 and 5,000
employees at all locations and 41 percent having more.
(John McCormick/19931221/Press Contact: Jim Porter, Xplor,
tel 310-373-3633, fax 310-375-4240; Public Contact:
800-669-7567 US, 0800899067 UK, 0130816572
Germany/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
GENERAL
Japan - Capcorn Recalls Game Software
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00012)
Japan - Capcorn Recalls Game Software 12/21/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Japan's major video game
software maker, Capcorn, says it has recalled almost all the
game software cartridges which were released late last week.
Capcorn plans to correct the error and re-release them early
next week.
Capcorn's most recent video game is called the Rockman X,
which is the latest version of the firm's best-selling action
game. Capcorn was hoping to sell total one million units of
the latest Rockman X.
The corrected Rockman X will be released on December 27,
however, this will mean that the product will not be available
for the Christmas sales season. However, the company hopes
that a large number of sales will come from the New Year
sales period in Japan.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931221/Press Contact:
Capcorn, tel 81-3-3340-0700, fax 81-3-3340-0703)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
TRENDS
CD-ROM Use Increases
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00013)
CD-ROM Use Increases 12/21/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Software
vendors say that compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) titles
are becoming best sellers. At computer swaps in Southern
California CD-ROM titles and CD-ROM hardware are everywhere.
Even Dataquest concedes that the CD-ROM market is coming into
its own. Newsbytes talked with analyst Phil Devin, who said,
"CD-ROM has grown to the point where it is not going to stop."
Lynda Orban of Knowledge Adventure told Newsbytes that in her
travels to computer user groups nationwide, buyers tell her they
don't have a CD-ROM drive yet, but are buying titles for when
they do have one. This is happening even in areas that have been
traditionally behind the rest of the country, such as the southern
states. Computer user groups tend to be pioneers, but have been
slow in adopting multimedia, until lately.
The question is what is multimedia and what is only CD-ROM.
Installation of sound and CD-ROM into an existing system is a
painful process that can discourage even the most stanch do-it-
yourselfer. Dataquest says this is why they believe one in three
new computer systems now being purchased are multimedia-
ready systems preconfigured with sound and CD-ROM. The quickly
mounting number of CD-ROM titles coupled with the dropping
prices of multimedia hardware is driving the trend, according to
Devin.
But users still need some high-end hardware to be comfortable
doing multimedia, such as a super video graphics array (SVGA)
monitor, eight to 16 megabytes (MB) of random access memory
(RAM), a 16-bit sound card, speakers, a double-speed CD-ROM drive,
and a 500MB hard disk drive. Devin said prices have come down to
the point that computer users can purchase a decent multimedia
system for $1,200 to $1,500. Additionally, to really do it right, a
good quality color printer is also needed.
But is there a distinction between CD-ROM and multimedia?
Microsoft said five years ago CD-ROM is the new papyrus. That
certainly seems to be the case now with reference titles springing
up faster than they can be counted. But has multimedia arrived?
Not yet, according to Devin, although the widespread use of CD-ROM
can't hurt its arrival.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931221/Press Contact: Phil Devin,
Dataquest, tel 408-437-8211, fax 408-437-0292)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
GENERAL
Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00014)
Last Minute Holiday Gift Ideas 12/21/93
LEMMINGS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- If you are still
looking for that last minute holiday gift, but want one that will
make you a hit with your computerized friends, you might want to
try one or all of three new games on the market. One of the
versions of Lemmings from Psynosis Software is sure to be a hit
with someone on your list, and two Windows games -- Takin' a
Break Pinball and Dell Crossword Puzzles -- are likely to be
winners with those hard-to-buy-for folks.
Lemmings is a problem-solving and strategy game that comes with
200 levels in its original version. Children younger than nine will
probably need help, as it is most suitable for teenagers and adults.
The idea is to move the green-haired, purple-bodied creatures
through obstacles, sacrificing a few for the good of the whole. All
Lemmings begin as mindless walkers but can be transformed at
your command into single-minded pursuers of other tasks, such as
digging, blocking other Lemmings, climbing, and even blowing up
into a shower of confetti.
Lemmings is billed as a great stocking stuffer for about $15.
The more standard versions, such as Lemmings, Lemmings 2: The
Tribes, and Oh No! More Lemmings, are available in discount stores
for about another $10. These run on just about any IBM-
compatible personal computer (PC) that has color, although they
are better with a sound card. There are also versions for the
Macintosh, Amiga, and the Atari.
Takin' a Break Pinball and Dell Crosswords, both for Windows,
are from Dynamix, a subsidiary of Sierra Online.
The pinball title offers eight different pinball games and allows
you to hold up the flippers, capture and aim the ball, just like
in real pinball. You can even "grunch," shifting the pinball
machine to the left or the right. It is also possible to accidently
tilt it as well. However, since monitors are square and pinball
machines are oblong, the games only take up half the monitor.
Dell Crossword Puzzles offers 750 puzzles in three skill levels,
just like paper crosswords. The product has three levels of
difficulty, 20 specialty puzzles, a crosswords dictionary
included in the box, and a way to automatically check your
answers. You can cross out clues you have answered right on the
screen and print out unfinished puzzles to take along with you.
There are choices for the designs of the puzzles to choose from,
animated graphics, and if a sound card is available, there is
music and digitized speech also.
Both the Takin' a Break Pinball and the Dell Crosswords require a
video graphics array (VGA) monitor, two megabytes (MB) of random
access memory (RAM), and only come for the PC with Microsoft
Windows. You can get by with a 286 PC with the crosswords title,
but need at least a 386SX-based PC for the pinball title.
Retail price for Takin' a Break Pinball is $49.95, while the Dell
Crossword Puzzles are $34.95. An advanced crossword version
is priced at $49.95.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931221/Press Contact: Phil Sandock,
Psygnosis, tel 617-731-3553, fax 617-731-8379; Nancy Stevens,
Dynamix, tel 503-343-0772, fax 503-344-1754; Public Contact,
Psygnosis, 800-438-7794; Sierra Online for Dynamix,
800-326-6654)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
BUSINESS
CompuServe Signs Distribution Deal With Merisel
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00015)
CompuServe Signs Distribution Deal With Merisel 12/21/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- CompuServe, which
recently announced that it had surpassed the 1.5 million
subscriber mark, has also announced an aggressive move to expand
its subscriber base by signing a new distribution agreement with
one of the largest microcomputer product distributors, Merisel.
CompuServe, which is a Columbus, Ohio-based division of the H&R
Block tax preparation business, will make its $49.95 membership
kit available directly to retail stores through Merisel. The
company says that it feels this easy access both for retailers and
consumers will help to quickly double the on-line information
service's subscriber base.
El Segundo-based Merisel distributes software and hardware to
a network of independent computer stores around the country.
Merisel carries more than 20,000 products and makes them
available through 65,000 retailers.
Prodigy, a joint effort of Sears and IBM has been very successful
in adding new members, or at least getting copies of its access
software in the hands of individuals, by aggressive retail-level
marketing. CompuServe has apparently decided to expand its
efforts in this area also.
The CompuServe membership kits, which will probably be
discounted at retail, includes a one month free subscription to all
of the basic CompuServe services ($8.95 value), along with a $25
credit which can be used to sample the added-price premium
services which the company also offers.
The heart of the kit appears to be the CompuServe graphical user
interface which is intended to make access to the on-line system
much more convenient for the many novice telecommunications-
users who are uncomfortable with the sometimes confusing text
menu hierarchy or command line navigation systems also offered
by CompuServe and used by those who sign up using their own
communications software.
In the wake of moves by Prodigy to add interesting new services
for its subscribers, and the announcement that GEnie would receive
funding from a Baby Bell to enhance its on-line services, it is
beginning to look as if the on-line wars are really heating up.
One observer pointed to the increasing membership on the massive
(and free) Internet system, which some estimate as gaining a
million new users each month, as being a strong incentive for
commercial on-line services to accelerate their attempts to
preemptively lock up a solid customer base.
Although it can be very expensive to connect to Internet, actual
use of most services are free and many businesses and schools
are providing free or very low cost access to a variety of users.
Most commercial on-line systems provide electronic-mail
gateways which allow subscribers to communicate with the ten
million or more Internet users. However, one service, BIX (BYTE
Information eXchange, now operated by Delphi) actually provides
full telnet (remote system logon) and ftp (file transfer) access
to the Internet and its nearly 6,000 user news groups, all at a
relatively low fixed monthly price.
(John McCormick/19931221/Press Contact: Michelle Moran,
CompuServe, 614-538-3497, or CIS e-mail - 70000,1201)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
IBM
****IBM's Upgraded PS/2 76 & 77 Delayed Again
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)
****IBM's Upgraded PS/2 76 & 77 Delayed Again 12/21/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- New versions of
IBM's PS/2 Model 76 and Model 77, which had been expected to
reach customers this month, will not get out that door until at
least the second quarter of 1994.
The new Model 76 and Model 77, which will come with faster
processors than the existing versions, have been held up by the
chip set's failure to pass tests, company spokesman Mike DeMeo
said.
The upgrades had already been delayed once, having been originally
slated for delivery in October. While IBM has never formally
announced the modified models, a number of major customers had
been told about them, DeMeo said.
In an effort to keep those customers from turning to other PC
suppliers in the wake of the latest delay, IBM is ramping up
production of the existing Model 76 and Model 77, and looking for
other alternatives to the delayed machines. "We have to find
some substitute," DeMeo admitted.
It is the latest in a series of supply headaches for IBM, which
has won respect for some well-designed machines but has had
problems in meeting demand, notably for color models of its
ThinkPad notebook computers.
(Grant Buckler/19931221/Press Contact: Mike DeMeo, IBM,
914-766-1802)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
GENERAL
DEC Canada Boss To Be Replaced
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00017)
DEC Canada Boss To Be Replaced 12/21/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
of Canada Ltd., will get a new boss in January. Ken Copeland is
stepping down as president and chief executive of the Canadian
subsidiary of Digital Equipment Corp., to be succeeded by Ronald
Larkin.
Larkin comes to the post from Australia, where he was for two
years managing director of Digital Equipment Corp. (Australia)
Pty. Ltd. Before that, he was Copeland's right-hand man as
vice-president of sales and marketing at DEC Canada. He came to
DEC from IBM Canada Ltd. in 1987.
Copeland, who has headed the Canadian subsidiary for nine years,
will remain on DEC Canada's board of directors. The official word
from the company is that he "wanted to move on to other things,"
company spokesman Martin O'Brien said. No further details of
Copeland's future plans are available, O'Brien added.
Like other old-line computer vendors, Digital has been troubled
by losses in the past couple of years. In October, the company
reported a loss of US$83.185 million, or 62 cents per share, on
revenues of $3,015 million.
The Canadian operation earned net income of C$6.76 million on
revenues of C$1.077 billion in 1992. That represented a 14.4
percent increase in revenue, but a 27.9 percent drop in net
income, over the previous year.
The company cut about 15,000 jobs last year. In October,
officials said a two-year plan begun in June of 1992 called for
some additional cuts this year, but the number was expected
to be lower.
DEC has about 3,000 employees in Canada, and runs a sizeable
manufacturing, research, and development operation in Kanata,
Ontario, near Ottawa. That plant has been successful, expanding
even as the company was cutting back worldwide.
(Grant Buckler/19931221/Press Contact: Martin O'Brien,
Digital Canada, 416-597-3162)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
IBM
Gerstner Associate To Oversee IBM PC Business
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00018)
Gerstner Associate To Oversee IBM PC Business 12/21/93
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 Dec 21 (NB) -- IBM has completed a
realignment of its major business sectors with the appointment of
a new senior vice-president and group executive to oversee its
personal computer and printer businesses. As expected, the job
went to an outsider, but G. Richard Thoman is no stranger to
Louis Gerstner, IBM's chairman and chief executive, having worked
with him at McKinsey & Co., American Express, and RJR Nabisco Inc.
Thoman will be in charge of the IBM Personal Computer Co., the
Power Personal Systems division, the Pennant printer company,
and IBM's investment in the Prodigy on-line service.
His appointment follows closely on the assignment of John
Thompson to oversee IBM's RISC System/6000 and Personal
Software Products divisions. Thompson already had responsibility
for the company's mainframe computer line and its AS/400
midrange systems.
The RS/6000 and Personal Software Products units and the areas
now assigned to Thoman formerly reported to Jim Cannavino, who
was promoted to senior vice-president for strategy and
development in November.
In a memo to employees, Gerstner said Thompson's appointment,
"pulls together all of our high-performance systems platforms
and our operating systems into one group."
The two appointments seem to reflect the industry's current focus
on client/server computing by gathering the company's higher-
powered systems and software under Thompson and its desktop
products under Thoman.
Thoman takes over a personal computer operation that is showing
signs of strength after fading in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
As his appointment was being announced, California-based market
research firm Dataquest Inc., said IBM's market share in personal
computers rose half a percentage point in 1993, after falling
steadily since 1989. Dataquest's latest figures say IBM now has
13.6 percent of the market.
Thoman was named president of Nabisco International in 1992,
after three years as chief executive of American Express
International. Before that he had held senior posts as American
Express Travel Related Services International, and been a senior
associate at the McKinsey & Co. management consulting firm in the
1970s.
Thoman will start his new job January 3, and will be based in
Somers, New York.
(Grant Buckler/19931221/Press Contact: Rob Wilson, IBM,
914-765-6565; Paul Bergevin, IBM, 914-766-3770)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
TELECOM
****Ameritech Seeks Long Distance Waiver For GEIS Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
****Ameritech Seeks Long Distance Waiver For GEIS Deal 12/21/93
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Ameritech's
plan to put $472.5 million into General Electric's GEIS unit, which
includes the GEnie on-line service, is the latest in a long series
of moves to enter the long distance marketplace. GEIS has
estimated revenues of $600 million annually, and the Ameritech
investment values the company at about 2.4 times its annual
revenue, Newsbytes calculates.
Ameritech spokesman Mike Brand told Newsbytes the company
presently has two requests on file to waive elements in the
prohibitions against Bell company entry into long distance
service contained in the 1982 decree breaking up the Bell System.
The first, filed by all seven regional Bell companies, would waive
the long distance prohibition for information services like GEIS,
allowing all the Bells into long distance data-hauling.
The second request, filed by Ameritech alone, would allow the
company to enter the long distance telephone business in
Illinois. Ameritech sees that as the first in a series of moves
which will make it a full-fledged player in the long distance
business, allowing it to become a full-service
telecommunications services supplier to businesses and homes
in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
In exchange for getting into long distance, Ameritech has said it
will let competitors use its switches to compete for local service.
AT&T and MCI oppose the request, saying that local competition
would not be a reality until a significant portion of its customers
actually switched to alternate carriers.
In the mid-80s, Ameritech also tried to get into the long
distance and information services business through a gateway
called iNet. But that plan was dropped after waivers were not
granted. Later it bought a voice mail business called Tigon, but
sold it to Octel, which continues to supply equipment for
Ameritech's own voice mail operations in its home region.
Ameritech has also been active internationally. It owns a piece
of New Zealand Telecom, acquired with Bell Atlantic, and is
working with the Deutsche Bundespost Telekom to buy a 30
percent stake in MATAV, the Hungarian telephone company. The
company also owns parts of cellular operations in Norway and
Poland.
For General Electric, the deal means it will have capital and
control with which to expand its electronic commerce business.
Electronic invoicing, under electronic data interchange or EDI
standards, is a $2 billion business worldwide. GE estimated in a
press statement the business is growing at 20 percent per year,
and GE Information Services has built a large, worldwide data
network to service the business.
But competition is growing, with both US and international phone
companies investing heavily in it. GE also offers business
information services through its network, and the GEnie consumer
on-line service. GEnie was originally seen as a way to balance
traffic on the network, since business use of data networks is
heaviest during the day while consumer use peaks in the evenings
and at night, when costs drop.
Under the terms of their agreement, Ameritech is loaning $472.5
million to GE, which is convertible to a 30 percent equity stake
in GEIS when waivers are granted allowing it into the long
distance business. The company will continue to be headed by
Hellene S. Runtagh, a veteran GE executive, and become GE
Information Services Inc., after Ameritech converts its debt
into equity.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931221/Press Contact: Jacelyn Swenson,
GE Information Services, 301-340-4485; Mike Brand, Ameritech,
312-750-3975)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/21/93
TELECOM
Bell Telephone Company Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
Bell Telephone Company Update 12/21/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Bell Atlantic is
seeking approval for a limited upgrade of some suburban phone
networks so they can offer video services.
Newsbytes has learned the company wants to deploy so-called ADSL
(asynchronous digital subscriber line) equipment in parts of its
suburban Washington network, first on an experimental basis and
later as part of a controlled market roll-out. Right now, ADSL
offers 1.544 million bits-per-second data service on regular
copper phone lines. That would let the company offer pay-per-view
videos and transaction services on those parts of the network with
the devices.
Switching centers offering the service would have to add so-called
"video servers" -- computers with huge hard disk capacity for
storing digitized entertainment. Each line buying the service would
need an ADSL device on both ends, meaning circuit cards would
have to be installed both at subscribers' homes and at Bell Atlantic
switching centers. Set-top converters would also have to be
purchased to allow the "video dial-tone" to be used on a TV set.
While ADSL is presently of limited economic benefit, because it
can only offer pre-recorded information, the technology is
moving ahead rapidly. Bell Atlantic expects that, by 1995, ADSL
equipment will be able to deliver six million bits-per-second of
information, enough capacity to allow live feeds like regular
cable channels through today's copper phone network.
Bell Atlantic also expects that the prices of ADSL devices will
fall rapidly, just as modem prices have fallen rapidly, and that
in time ADSL converters will be pre-installed in TV sets the
same way cable converters are sold in "cable ready" sets today.
Finally, Bell Atlantic expects to offer home shopping and home
banking services over its network, since ADSL today offers
16,000 bits-per-second signaling, which will be upgraded in
1995 to 64,000 bits-per-second. That is plenty of capacity for
sophisticated banking and catalog shopping services, the
company feels.
All the regional Bells are looking to "incentive regulation" to
fund upgrades. Instead of having their profits limited, the Bells
want price caps which would let them re-capture the added profits
from automation, using the additional money to provide services
which would not be subject to regulation at all. Some states,
like Michigan, have already accepted this new form of regulation,
but other states are resisting. One of the fiercest resisters is
the District of Columbia, where the government fears incentive
regulation will keep basic phone service out of reach of poorer
residents.
Bell Atlantic's arguments in this area were formerly carried by
Delano Lewis, who is leaving to head National Public Radio. Now
they will be carried by William Freeman, 41, who has been
executive director of external affairs for the company's C&P
unit in Washington, coordinating its efforts to get a $39.6 million
rate increase. His responsibilities are not really being extended,
because in January C&P itself becomes a legal fiction, replaced
with the Bell Atlantic trademark. Operational details like
construction budgets will also be handled centrally, from that
date.
In other news from the regional Bell companies, Pacific Bell
filed a plan with the Federal Communications Commission to
start building its "California First" system, a communications
superhighway estimated to cost $16 billion over seven years.
The company previously said it would have AT&T Network Systems
handle details of the upgrade, which involves adding fiber cable to
the long distance parts of the network, with so-called "fiber nodes"
serving 500 homes each and larger "service nodes" in switching
centers handling phone services.
The first phase of the network will take 15 months to build, and
approval is expected by next July 1. Pacific Bell also hopes to use
the network to enter the cable television business, and has filed
suit against the government to do so, claiming its First Amendment
rights are violated by the 1984 Cable Act. Pacific Bell hopes to
link 1.3 million homes and businesses to its new network by the
end of 1996.
Finally NYNEX said it agreed to sell its BIS Strategic Decisions
consulting business to Friday Holdings, a limited partnership
headed by Norman Pearlstine, former executive editor of the
Wall Street Journal. Other partners in Friday Holdings include
Paramount Communications Inc., QVC Holdings Inc., and investor
Richard Rainwater. NYNEX had said several months ago it
wanted to get out of businesses not directly related to
telecommunications. BIS has about 300 employees and is based
in Norwood, Massachusetts.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931221/Press Contact: Bell Atlantic, Larry
Plumb, 703-974-2814; Pacific Bell, Craig Watts, 415-542-6864;
NYNEX, Glen Brandow, 914-644-7633)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
GENERAL
Bulletin Boards Provide Myriad Of Services
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00021)
Bulletin Boards Provide Myriad Of Services 12/21/93
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) --
Computer bulletin boards let you buy computers and peripherals,
access the Internet, get help for a computer problem right from
the manufacturer, read the news or tell an editor what you think,
or get help with your homework.
Computer Shopping Network, a reseller of computer books and
components, says it took in over $1 million in sales in its first
year of operation without placing a single advertisement. You
can get help on bulletin boards operated by hardware and
software makers like Microsoft, Gateway 2000, and nearly
all of the major sellers in the computer industry.
You can even submit "letters to the editor" or read late breaking
news and articles there was not room for at The Albuquerque
Tribune newspaper. And if you are a student in Pittsburgh's Mt.
Lebanon School District you can communicate with other
students, teachers and administrators or get help with your
homework from older students.
According to Sheri Robert, the marketing director at BBS
software publisher Galacticomm Inc., BBSes can be very flexible.
"You can simplify the system to give users as few choices as
possible or you can add on a number of specialized options, such
as a fax module, an on-line shopping module, and a connection to
the Internet."
There is no doubt that bulletin boards are popular. Boardwatch
Magazine editor and publisher Jack Richard says over 12 million
people use public access bulletin boards.
Companies like Computer Shopping Network say they benefit both
user and sponsoring company. Shoppers can order 24 hours a day
from anywhere in the world that provides phone access. Product
descriptions can be more detailed than those found in many
printed catalogs, and prices can be kept up to date more easily.
"It can take up to 45 days to get a price change printed in a
catalog and mailed out to customers. Our price updates are done
instantly. If our distributors drop the price on an item, we can put
it on-line and the next customer who calls in has the new price,"
according to Computer Shopping Network system operator Steve
Nichols.
According to Galacticomm's Robert, BBSes have evolved from a
primitive file transfer system created by computer hobbyists to
an interactive communications system, and the technology is still
emerging. "The most recent innovation has been high resolution
on-line graphics. Soon we'll be seeing interactive audio and video."
System requirements to operate a bulletin board are minimal.
Galacticomm says all it takes is a personal computer powered by
at least a 286 microprocessor and two megabytes of system
memory. Software is available for as low as $259 for a board
that can handle two simultaneous users.
(Jim Mallory/19931221/Press Contact: Erica Swerdlow, EBS
Public Relations for Galacticomm Inc., 708-520-3300; Reader
Contact: Galacticomm, tel 305-583-5990, fax 305-583-7846)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
GENERAL
Motorola Picks New CEO
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022)
Motorola Picks New CEO 12/21/93
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Motorola
Inc., did not have to go far to pick their new CEO after former
chairman and CEO George Fisher unexpectedly left to head
Eastman Kodak.
The company picked Gary Tooker as the new vice chairman and
CEO. Tooker, who has been Motorola's president and chief
operating officer, has been acting CEO since Fisher left in late
October. Tooker has been with Motorola since 1962. He was
named general manager of the semiconductor products division
in 1981 and was elected president in 1990.
Motorola also named Vice Chairman William Weisz chairman after
the board of directors decided to make that position separate
from management. Weisz will not be an employee of the
company. The board said his main focus will be to direct the
affairs of the board and to be the main link between the board
and the chief executive office.
Tooker and Christopher Galvin, Motorola's senior executive vice
president and assistant chief operating officer, were considered
the most likely candidates for the CEO job. Galvin now replaces
Tooker as president and chief operating officer. The company
says Galvin and Tooker will form a two-person chief executive
office, but made it clear that Tooker is the senior officer of the
corporation and will have total responsibility to run its affairs.
(Jim Mallory/19931221/Press Contact: Motorola Corporate
Communications, 708-576-5304)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
IBM
PageCard To Double As PCMCIA Card/Standalone Pager
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00023)
PageCard To Double As PCMCIA Card/Standalone Pager 12/21/93
HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- In April of next
year, Socket Communications plans to ship PageCard, a device that
will double as a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association) card and standalone alphanumeric pager.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Gerald Houston, vice president of
marketing, described the upcoming product as a PCMCIA card with
an attached extension that contains a two-line LCD (liquid crystal
display) and low-voltage battery.
Set to be carried by large national and regional paging
companies, PageCard will be targeted at sales people and other
mobile workers. The product is the result of a joint development
effort between Socket and its strategic partner, Mitsubishi.
On-the-go workers will slip PageCard into their pockets so they can
receive pricing and inventory updates and other messages while out
in the field, Houston said. Later, on return to the office, users
will plug the device into a PC to integrate the page messages with
e-mail, scheduling, word processing, spreadsheets and other
Windows-based software.
Houston noted that PageCard is now being beta tested for
integration with messaging software from four different vendors:
Ex Machina (the Update! and Notify! packages); Fourth Wave
Technologies (the WinBeep product); TekNow (Mobile Express);
and BPSI. The device was demonstrated at Fall Comdex running
with Update! and Notify!, as well as with WinBeep.
When PageCard ships, the product will be bundled with messaging
software for a suggested retail price of $495, according to
Houston. A decision has yet to be reached, however, on the
software vendor.
All national paging companies in the US -- including Skytel,
MobileComm, PageMart, and PageNet -- have signed letters of
intent to use PageCard, he said. MobileMedia, a large regional
paging company and a leader in the alphanumeric arena, has
also signed a letter of intent, he added.
Socket officials conceive of PageCard as offering two unique
benefits: first, the device is lighter and easier to carry than a
conventional pager; second, the product can be used for quick and
easy updates to groupware applications, the company maintains.
PageCard's extension will protrude outward, keeping the LCD
display and battery free and clear of the computer's PCMCIA slot,
according to Houston. The marketing VP also informed Newsbytes
that PageCard will be able to receive page messages when inserted
into a PCMCIA slot as well as when used on a standalone basis.
"But we expect that, inside the (PCMCIA) slot, PageCard will be
used primarily for software updates," he reported.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931221/Reader Contact: Socket
Communications, 510-670-0300; Press Contact: Gerald Houston,
Socket Communications, 510-670-0300 ext 114/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
GENERAL
MathWorks Teams Up With End Users On Vertical Apps
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00024)
MathWorks Teams Up With End Users On Vertical Apps 12/21/93
NATICK, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- MathWorks
has launched the Partner Series, a new software publishing
program for distributing toolboxes built by end users and third-
party developers for vertical applications in technical computing.
Users of MathWorks' MatLab technical computing software for PCs,
Macs, and Unix workstations create hundreds of new applications
each year, often as a result of their own research work, according
to the company.
Some of these applications have been distributed by users
themselves through electronic mail, networks, or conferences, but
until now, users had no formal mechanism for sharing the tools.
The Partner Series is designed to provide that mechanism by
bringing MathWorks' marketing, distribution and technical support
capabilities to the previously ad-hoc process.
MatLab software provides numeric and symbolic computation, a
high-level programming language, and graphics, as well as
application-specific toolboxes, according to officials. The
toolboxes are used for analyzing and visualizing data, analyzing
and optimizing engineering systems designs and algorithms, and
creating mathematical models.
Hundreds of specific operations are supplied by MatLab, including
object-oriented graphics, sound output, sparse matrix support,
and graphical user interface controls, the company maintained.
The first three products in MathWorks' new Partner Series are Hi-
Spec Toolbox, Model Predictive Toolbox, and Frequency Domain
System Identification Toolbox.
Officials said that these three products typify the Partner Series,
because they are practical tools that implement theories at the
cutting edge of scientific and engineering research, written by
users doing the research.
Hi-Spec Toolbox is aimed at higher-order spectral analysis in
areas such as digital signal processing (DSP), fluid dynamics, and
telecommunications research. The Model Predictive Control Toolbox
is for designing model-based control systems for industrial
processes in fields such as chemical engineering and process
control. The Frequency Domain System Identification Toolbox is
for frequency-based modeling of physical systems in fields like
acoustics and speech research, seismic research and oceanography,
and econometrics.
To provide users of the new toolboxes with direct access to the
underlying algorithms, thereby making the underlying mathematical
principles easier to learn and understand, the toolboxes are
implemented as MatLab scripts (M-files) and delivered as source
code.
The Partner Series Toolboxes run on all MatLab 4.0 platforms,
including MS Windows, Macintosh, Sun Sparc, Hewlett-Packard,
IBM RS/6000, Silicon Graphics, and DEC Ultrix and Alpha/AXP.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931221/Reader Contact: The MathWorks, 508-
653-1415; Press Contact: Joanne Dawson, The MathWorks, 508-653-
1415 ext 401; Gene Carozza, Rourke & Company for The MathWorks,
617-267-0042 ext 325/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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9 12/21/93
IBM
Windows Package Offers 9 Imaging Functions For $
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00025)
Windows Package Offers 9 Imaging Functions For $99 12/21/93
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- A new
Windows-based software package from Lead Technologies is
supplying nine image enhancement functions at an introductory
price of $99.
Targeted at price-conscious users who are new to imaging, as well
as imaging professionals seeking specific features, LeadView 3.0
includes "lossy" and "lossless" compression, image enhancement
tools, a paint program, a photo album, file conversion, a "screen
grab/slide show," scanning, and a communications utility.
All nine features are integrated within the same Windows interface,
according to officials of Lead Technologies, a company that
specializes in image compression. LeadView 3.0 will be regularly
priced at $195. Registered users of LeadView 1.x and 2.0 can
upgrade to the revised edition for $49.
LeadView 3.0 supports 42 different variations of the JPEG (Joint
Photographic Experts Group) Interchange File Format, an industry
standard for image compression, the company explained.
Also incorporated is LEAD CMP file, a proprietary compression
method that reportedly performs lossy and lossless compression
at the high ratios of 200-to-1 and 7-to-1, respectively. LeadView
supports CCITT Group 3 and 4 as well, in addition to more than
100 color file formats, officials said.
The image enhancement component provides 12 special effects,
edge detect for quick crops, and a set of editing tools that includes
blur, sharpen, average colors, adjust tone, hue saturation, and
contrasts. The paint program furnishes 18 features, such as
freehand cut, airbrush, eraser, and mosaic.
The photo album is designed for building "thumbnail" directories of
images from different file formats. Applications can be accessed
by dragging-and-dropping the thumbnails. The album also offers
five search options and eight sort options, including Boolean
operation and "either/or."
LeadView converts between 100 different file formats, including
JPEG, TGA, TIFF, BMP, PCX, GIF, EPS, CAL, IMG, PCT, TXT, CCITT
Group 3 & 4, and PCD (Kodak's Photo CD).
"Screen grab/slide show" is aimed at allowing the artist to grab
screens from any application, using a hot key or icon, and
automatically paste the images into a slide for multimedia
presentations. Screens grabbed in this way can also be sent to a
printer, disk or clipboard.
The LeadView slide show is equipped with more than 20 transitional
effects, including wipes, dissolves, melt, and checker display,
according to the company.
As scanning software, LeadView supports the OLE (object linking
and embedding) 2.0, DDE, and TWAIN specifications for scanners
and other peripherals.
The communications utility in LeadView, for use with a modem,
supports popular protocols such as Xmodem, Ymodem, and Zmodem,
and also includes a free image viewer.
Lead Technologies also offers the LeadTools 3.6 toolkit, which
allows developers to integrate functions from LeadView 3.0 into
other applications. Companies that have already integrated
products from Lead Technologies into their applications include
Corel, Sharp Electronics, Truevision, Inset Systems, Images, and
Books That Work, officials added.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931221/Reader Contact: Lead Technologies,
704-549-5532; Press Contact: Rich Little, Lead Technologies,
704-549-5532)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/21/93
GENERAL
IndustryWeek Recognizes Innovative Computer Firms
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00026)
IndustryWeek Recognizes Innovative Computer Firms 12/21/93
CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Two computer
companies have been recognized by IndustryWeek magazine for
their innovative technologies.
Microsoft Corp., was one of five companies and one individual
recognized in the December 20 issue of the publication. The
software company was selected for developing Windows NT.
Windows NT (the NT stands for new technology) combines an
operating system with a graphical interface that uses icons
and drop-down menus. Perhaps most importantly, Microsoft
developed Windows NT as a scalable architecture capable of
running on a variety of hardware platforms. That provides a
consistency that could save thousands of dollars in retraining
costs as a company moves to more powerful hardware.
Windows NT by itself offers little in the way of productivity.
However, Microsoft was able to interest thousands of applications
developers in writing for Windows NT. The company says it has
shipped more than 70,000 developer kits and claims more than
2,000 new Windows NT applications are in development for
release in the near future.
Austin, Texas-based Tamarack Storage Devices Inc., was picked
for its development of Multistore, a holographic storage system
for computer data. Tamarack's technology stores computer data
as microscopic holograms in high-tech polymers and crystals.
The technology is expected to be commercially available in the
second quarter of 1994.
Multistore can store up to 50 million bytes (50 gigabytes) of data
on the write-once/read-many (WORM) system. Multiple holograms
can be stored on exactly the same spot by changing the angle of
the laser beams that record the information.
David Misunas, Tamarack's marketing director, says Multistore
also reads data faster than conventional storage systems. "The
current systems read 64,000 bits at one time, compared to just
one or two bits with magnetic storage."
The magazine also selected Dr. George Heilmeier, president and
CEO of Bellcore, located in Livingston, New Jersey to receive its
Technology Leader of the Year Award. Bellcore performs
research for the seven so-called "Baby Bells." Heilmeier was a
force in the development of liquid crystal displays, and worked on
the Stealth bomber and the Star Wars national defense program.
The awards are co-sponsored by AT&T/NCR and Motorola
Semiconductor Products Inc.
(Jim Mallory/19931221/Press Contact: John Teresko,
IndustryWeek, 216-696-7000; David Chetlain, Microsoft Corp.,
503-245-0905; Barbara McClurken, Bellcore, 201-740-6467)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
GENERAL
Commercial Model Maker Uses CAD Technology
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00027)
Commercial Model Maker Uses CAD Technology 12/21/93
BLAINE, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Manufacturers
who need prototypes made quickly can now get them in a variety
of materials within 24 hours from a Minnesota-based company
that uses computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce the
models from the customer's CAD files.
General Pattern Company Inc., says it has brought prototyping
and model making into the 21st century with its newly acquired
Cubital Solider 5600 rapid prototyping system. General Pattern
President Dennis Reiland says the new system is producing 30-40
models a day, usually with overnight turnaround, compared to 15
to 20 models, patterns or prototypes per week when the work
was done by skilled model makers.
Customers can send their CAD files to General Pattern around the
clock via the company's computer bulletin board. The finished
products are returned via overnight air courier service. The
company says data compatibility is not a problem since it has the
ability to make its CAD stations compatible with most major CAD
formats.
The $500,000 Solider 5600 uses a method called solid ground
curing that analyzes the CAD files and divides them into layers.
Each layer of the model is created by selectively polymerizing,
hardening and curing a film of photo-reactive resin using intense
ultraviolet light. The next layer is laid atop the previous one until
the entire object has been reproduced.
The company says accuracy is one-tenth of one percent overall,
and it can produce models in wood, wax, plastic, and low-
temperature metals in its 70,000 square-foot shop.
(Jim Mallory/19931221/Press Contact: Alan Weinkrantz for
General Pattern Company Inc., 210-820-3070; Reader Contact:
General Pattern, 612-780-3518)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
BUSINESS
UK - Q&E Software To Open 3rd European Office
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00028)
UK - Q&E Software To Open 3rd European Office 12/21/93
LEWES, SUSSEX, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Q&E Software has
announced the opening of its third subsidiary in Europe.
Based in Lewes in East Sussex, the offices will open for business
under their new name in the new year, Newsbytes understands.
Prior to becoming Q&E Software (UK), the UK company was known
as Contemporary Software, the largest Q&E Software product
distributor in Europe.
The firm's other two establishments are located in Germany and
the Netherlands. According to Q&E, the new offices will allow it to
enhance the company's influence in Europe and promote the entire
range of products, as well as software packages and development
tools from other vendors.
"Our European expansion allow us to provide quality products and
timely support to our corporate customers who have locations
outside of the United States. In the coming months our European
distribution, sales and direct technical support will be further
developed to best serve our customers," explained Richard
Holcomb, president of Q&E Software.
Q&E Software claims to be the leader in supplying technology,
products and services which provide database access for the
client side of client/server computing. The company distributes
its products in Europe via subsidiaries and licensed republishers.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931221/Press & Public Contact:
Q&E Software, 404-325-7555)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/21/93
TRENDS
****Intel Announces 2Qtr 1994 Pentium/486 Price Cuts
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00029)
****Intel Announces 2Qtr 1994 Pentium/486 Price Cuts 12/21/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Hardware
prices are continually on the decrease. Intel, the major manufacturer
of the brains of IBM and compatible personal computers (PCs), has
announced price cuts for the second quarter of 1994 , ranging from
14 to 18 percent on its Pentium and high-end 486 microprocessors.
The microprocessor giant claims the Pentium is moving faster into
the mass market channel than any other chip introduced in the
company's history. This is despite reports that the Pentium is
not moving into the retail channels as fast as was first anticipated.
Greater capacity for building Pentium processors on the part of
Intel is being credited for the lower prices.
Paul Otellini, senior vice president, Intel's Microprocessor Products
Group, said: "Seven months after introduction, there are more than
100 manufacturers of Pentium processor-based systems on the
market -- some under $3,000. This product is on the fastest ramp
in our history. We have now shipped several hundred thousand units.
We expect to ship millions of Pentium processors in 1994, produced
at five factories, and are moving the price into a range that will
make it even more affordable for use in the high-volume PC market
segment."
However, industry analysts are saying the lower prices are driven
much faster than Intel would like by major system vendors such as
Microsoft and by competing microprocessor vendors. These forces
are pushing Intel to lower prices to stay competitive with the
introduction of cross-platform versions of popular graphical user
interface (GUI) operating systems, or compatible processors at
lower prices.
The biggest threat now to the Pentium is probably the PowerPC
processor, a less expensive, yet almost as powerful alternative
developed by Motorola in conjunction with IBM and Apple. PowerPC-
based computers have been announced by Apple for introduction in
Macintosh computers next year and are expected to be available in
IBM compatible PCs as well. Microsoft has also announced it plans
to support the PowerPC chip with Windows NT, its high-end
operating system.
Intel listed the new second quarter 1994 1,000-piece price for
the 66 megahertz (MHz) Pentium processor as $750 and the 60MHz
will be priced at $675 each, a decrease of 14 percent from the
first quarter prices. The 66MHz Intel486 DX2 processor will be
priced at $360 each in 1,000-piece quantities, down 18 percent
from first quarter prices.
Intel said it will also be lowering the second quarter prices of
other Intel 486 processors as well. This means lower prices for
all other PCs in 1994, as the move will force down the prices of
PCs across the board.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931221/Press Contact: Pam Pollace, Intel,
tel 408-765-1435, fax 408-765-1402)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/21/92
TELECOM
****Gore Lauds Growing Consensus On Telecom Policy
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)
****Gore Lauds Growing Consensus On Telecom Policy 12/21/92
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 21 (NB) -- Vice President Al
Gore lauded a "growing consensus" on changing telecommunications
policy, discussing the Administration's goals before the National
Press Club.
Gore praised a bill by Rep. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts
Democrat, and Rep. Jack Fields, a Texas Republican, saying it
represents a good first step toward the re-write of the 1934
Communications Act the Administration will propose.
Speaking from a head table alongside Laura Tyson, who heads the
President's Council of Economic Advisors, and Commerce Secretary
Ron Brown, who heads the National Information Infrastructure task
force, Gore said the Administration's goals are rapid deployment
of the NII, promotion and protection of competition, open access
to the network, universal access to broadband services, and a
flexible set of rules that can last as long as the original 1934
Act.
"How we engineer those changes is vitally important," he said.
But he insisted that government must play a role in the
transition, and described the story of the Titanic, which sank
80 years ago. Gore said the Titanic sank because radio operators
on the Titanic were under no obligation to stay on duty and hear
warnings of ice fields, and operators on neighboring ships were
under no obligation to stay on duty and hear the great ship's
distress calls. "That resulted in the first efforts to bring
order to the airwaves. There are public needs that outweigh
private interests," he said.
Gore said that changes in telecommunications are already
creating huge social changes. He talked of a family scattered
around the globe which stays in touch through the Internet, of a
child with a grave illness who was able to stay in school through
videoconferencing, and another child whose live was saved by
remote medical diagnostics. Gore chided critics who question
whether the new networks will be used, noting that when the
telephone was invented members of the London Stock Exchange
questioned its usefulness as well. "We thought of new uses each
time phones changed. We'll go through the same process with the
changes in store for the next decade.
"Today most people are primarily receivers of information through
the electronic media," he said. "In the next decade we'll each
transmit more information, over the same lines. We'll send and
receive, not just on the phone but across the full range of new
technology. We'll change from being just consumers of
information, becoming providers as well."
As he has before, Gore compared the National Information
Infrastructure, or NII, to the interstate highway system of the
1950s, which his father, former Sen. Al Gore Sr., helped shepherd
through Congress. "It used to be nations were successful based on
the quality of their transportation infrastructure," he said.
"Today commerce rolls not just on asphalt but on information
highways, and millions of US families and businesses use
computers, finding that the two-way information roads built for
telephone service are no longer adequate."
The problem is not information, he said, but how it is perceived.
"We have a low bit rate but very high resolution. We can absorb
billions of bits of information if they're in a pattern -- a
human face or galaxy of stars. To convey richly detailed images,
we have to combine computers and networks. Computers have a
rapidly growing ability to transform data into recognizable
patterns that let us use it, but to communicate that data we need
networks capable of carrying those images to every house and
business." He noted that data from 20 years of Landsat photos of
the Earth are locked away in electronic silos, just as a decade
ago excess grain was stored in food silos while millions starved.
"We have an insatiable need for knowledge, yet in many cases the
information just sits rotting away, unused."
He said the technology needed for the NII is already here, and
to create it "we need to unscramble the legal, regulatory and
financial problems that threaten our ability to complete such a
network." He noted that telecommunications now represents 12
percent of the US Gross Domestic Product, and it is growing
faster than any other sector. "But the biggest impact will be in
other sectors where technology will help US companies compete
faster and smarter. A fast flexible information network is as
crucial to manufacturing as steel and plastic.
"Think of the NII as a network of highways, much like the
Interstates," he said. "It's not just one turnpike, but a
collection of interstates and feeders made of different
materials. Some will be fiber, others coax, others wireless. But
they must and will be two-way highways, so that each person will
be able to send information in video form as well as receive it.
These new highways will be wider than today's technology permits,
because a TV program contains so many more bits than a telephone
conversation, and new uses of video, voice and computers will
consist of ever-more information....these are wide loads that
need wide roads."
Gore said that, in the future, the information industry will
consist of just four components: the owners of the highways,
the makers of information appliances, information providers, and
customers. "We won't talk about cable, telephones, cellular and
wireless," but between here and there lies a transition, a phase
change like that between ice and water. "We want to manage that
transition."
Gore then got to the heart of the matter. "The Administration
will support removal, over time and under appropriate conditions,
of judicial and regulatory restraints on all communication
companies -- cable, telephone, utilities, and satellite. Our goal
is not to design the market of the future, but to provide the
principals that shape that market, and the rules governing this
difficult transition."
Gore promised to outline the specific legislation January 4 in
Los Angeles, then went on to his goals. "First, "encourage
private investment. Morse's telegraph was a federal demonstration
project. After the first transmission most nations treated
telegraphy and telephones as a government enterprise, but the
Congress said no. Our nation has a tremendous advantage because
we encouraged private investment."
But government must still steer a course between monopoly and
regulation, he added. "We must prevent unfair cross-subsidies and
avoid information bottlenecks that limit consumer choice and the
ability of providers to reach customers. There are links that are
vulnerable to control by a few, and this can lead to expansion of
monopoly to other parts of the network. We can see this in the
regional Bell company debate, and the passage last year of the
Cable Act," and proposals like that by Ameritech to allow local
competition.
"Third, provide open access to the network. If someone has an
information service, they should be able to sell it by paying a
fair price to a network service provider. Without this
assurance, companies that own networks could use that control to
ensure their customers only have access to their programming
We've seen cable companies exclude programming that competes
with theirs." Gore endorsed a concept first credited to Lotus
Development founder Mitch Kapor. "The IBM PC is an open platform
any programmer can use. We need to ensure that the NII is open
and accessible to everyone with a good idea, just like the PC.
"Fourth, we want to avoid creating a society of information haves
and have-nots. The phrase is from Cervantes, but we're not
tilting at windmills. In the past universal service meant a
limited level of service at a limited price. The most important
step we can take is adopt policies that ensure the lowest prices
for everyone. We believe the policies we propose will provide low
prices, but we'll still need a regulatory safety net to make sure
everyone can benefit. This was easy to do with the Bell System.
We have to find new ways of doing the same thing." He noted that
new FCC chairman Reed Hundt, who was in the audience, recently
noted there "are thousands of buildings with millions of people
in them who have no prospect of broadband service. They're
called schools. Our schools cannot remain the most impoverished
institutions of our society.There must be a public right of way
on the information highway, to provide affordable services or
public health, education and government.
"Fifth, we want to encourage flexibility. That's essential to
develop policies that withstand the test of time. Policies must
be broad enough to accommodate change."
He concluded with another intellectual simile. "Once when Michael
Faraday was showing Disraeli through his lab, Disraeli asked
what good are his creations. Faraday asked, what good is a baby?
Telecommunications is barely out of diapers. We need to look
ahead, protect it when it needs protecting, but not get in the
way when it needs to walk a line. Like those telegraph operators
on the Titanic, we need to stay aware when there's danger."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931222)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
IBM
Computer Associates Shows Visual Objects To Oz Developers
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00001)
Computer Associates Shows Visual Objects To Oz Developers 12/20/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Computer Associates has been
holding developer previews of its upcoming product CA-Visual Objects
for Clipper (VO) in Australia. The seminars were held for those
Australian developers who were unable to attend CA's TechniCon 93 or
last month's Comdex Fall computer show in Las Vegas.
Visual Objects is the "wonder product" that has been in production
since before Computer Associates bought Nantucket, the developer of
Clipper. Clipper is an applications development environment and
compiler for xBase products and VO is the Windows-based 'next
generation' product. It supports both SQL/ODBC and traditional xBase
(.DBF) databases.
"CA-Visual Objects for Clipper is a hot item of interest to anybody
currently programming in CA-Clipper, FoxPro, C, C++, Visual Basic or
any programming tool required to develop robust, mission-critical
Windows applications." explained Gary Mitchell, regional manager for
Micro Products Division of CA in Australia.
According to Mitchell, CA-Visual Objects for Clipper is a natural
progression for xBase users wanting to develop Windows applications
that benefit from object-oriented programming.
"But it is also intended for the developers of the next generation
of applications like mission critical, financial, and transaction
processing applications that form the backbone of any enterprise,"
he said.
Mitchell added that the speed of VO applications is 'in a different
ballpark' to its competitors. "Because it compiles to machine code
it runs close to the performance of C, 60 times faster than CA-
Clipper and several hundred times faster than dBase."
Sydney-based xBase expert Matt Whelan presented at the events. He
developed CA's dBase compiler for Clipper and is considered one of
the world's top Clipper and xBase authorities.
According to Whelan, "Visual Objects is a watershed product - this
is the tool that the corporate world has been waiting for. With
support for both procedural and true object orientation,
repositories, native code compiler technology, GUI screen designer
tools, as well as support for xBase, SQL, ODBC and Client Server
backends, CA-VO will become a turning point in the software
development industry."
Unfortunately for CA, Newsbytes notes that the package has been a
long time coming. But, so has its main competitor, the dBase for
Windows compiler from Borland. Industry observers believe that both
products may be finally released by the middle of 1994.
(Paul Zucker/19931220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
UNIX
Australia: IDC Says "1994 Is The Year Of Client/Server"
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00002)
Australia: IDC Says "1994 Is The Year Of Client/Server" 12/20/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- After years of hype, the
industry dream of client/server software snaking across networks
looks set to make it into reality in 1994, according to IDC
Australia software analyst Merv Langby.
According to Langby, first will come the software infrastructure
such as operating systems and application engines. These will be
followed by true client/server applications creating a gentle
revolution in the way business does business with computers.
Langby claims that the action will happen where "the customer
interface is most critical to business," with service industries
such as hospitals, airlines, transportation and banks likely
examples.
Despite plenty of noise from Microsoft and industry observers, the
software infrastructure for client/server style applications won't
be a walk up start for Microsoft NT. "Unix will be there" says
Langby, whose research reveals that Australia has possibly the best
Unix development expertise in the world.
The overall growth picture for the Australian software industry
looks hopeful with IDC forecasting slightly better growth next year.
Langby said the overall Australian software market grew by around 15
percent in 1993 and will grow at a slightly faster rate of around 17
percent next year. The total value of the 1993 market was around
US$1Billion.
(Stuart Kennedy and Computer Daily News/19931220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
GENERAL
K&S Intros Wire-bond Process Decision Support Tool
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00003)
K&S Intros Wire-bond Process Decision Support Tool 12/20/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Kulicke & Soffa
Industries, which claims to be a world leader in developing and
manufacturing chip level semiconductor manufacturing equipment has
developed a spreadsheet-based tool which will help operators
troubleshoot gold ball bonded IC (integrated circuit) processes.
The K&S Fine Pitch Model is a PC-based Quattro (Borland
International) spreadsheet template which is intended to aid IC
package designers and assembly engineers model a device-package
combination to test potential problems.
According to the company, the Windows-based decision support tool
will allow engineers to test "what if" scenarios in a computer
rather than on the manufacturing floor where it would be more
expensive and cause production delays.
What the computer model does is analyze and simulate bonding
conditions based on user-supplied parameters such as material
variables, ball size, and loop height. The hardware being simulated
connects input and output signal wires to the tiny silicon-based
semiconductor chips which are the actual memory and information
processing heart of computers and telecommunications devices.
Chip manufacturers are always working to minimize connection sizes
while maintaining high-levels of manufacturing efficiency by
eliminating most defects. This software eliminates some of the on-
line physical experimentation which is now required when adjusting
wire-bonding machinery.
(John McCormick/19931220/Press Contact: Ed DiMingo, K&S, 215-784-
6000 or fax 215-659-7588)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TELECOM
BT Canada Offers Videoconferencing Unit
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00004)
BT Canada Offers Videoconferencing Unit 12/20/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Claiming to offer
greater ease of use and installation than personal computer-based
videoconferencing, but greater portability and lower cost than room-
sized systems, BT Canada has launched its VC7000 portable
videoconferencing unit.
BT Canada, a subsidiary of British Telecom, said that the system
will let small groups of users take part in remote meetings.
The self-contained unit has a camera and a nine-inch color monitor.
David Kingsland, general manager of BT Canada, said that the
standard unit is suitable for a maximum of three people per
location. It is difficult for more people than that to get close
enough to the screen and camera for comfortable viewing, he said,
but the VC7000 does have connectors for attaching external cameras
and screens so that it can handle larger groups.
The unit attaches to 56-kilobit-per-second (Kbps) or Integrated
Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines for dial-up videoconferencing,
the company said. It can communicate with a multi-port bridge to set
up multipoint conferences with two or more other locations,
Kingsland said.
Due to be available in Canada in January, the unit will sell for
C$15,416. It is already available in Europe and the United States,
he told Newsbytes.
BT does not like to describe the unit as a desktop videoconferencing
product because it is not an attachment or add-in to a personal
computer, Kingsland said. He argued that the VC7000 is easier to
install than a PC-based conferencing system, and also easier to use.
"If you can use a telephone," he said, "you can use a VC7000."
The unit measures 40 by 40 by 38 centimeters (16 by 16 by 15 inches)
and weighs 18 kilograms (39.6 pounds).
(Grant Buckler/19931220/Press Contact: David Kingsland, BT
Canada, 905-602-0444, fax 905-602-0491/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/20/93
TELECOM
AIFP Releases Host-Fax 2.0 For Big Iron, Mainframe
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00005)
AIFP Releases Host-Fax 2.0 For Big Iron, Mainframe 12/20/93
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- American
International Facsimile Products (AIFP) has announced the release of
Host-Fax 2.0, the latest version of its fax and data servers for
fax-enabling mainframe, midrange and networked computing.
The company says that the newest version of Host-Fax includes a
full-featured fax-on-demand module, additional network connectivity
options, an expanded set of Facsimile Command Language Application
program interfaces (APIs), remote system administration and support,
new performance monitoring features, improved inbound routing
options, barcode support, and extended host-notification
functionality.
Host-Fax is a scalable line of fax and data communication servers
which attach directly to any mainframe or midrange computer or a
network. It supports up to 48 simultaneous inbound/outbound faxes,
voice and data channels per server.
Each Host-Fax system utilizes the multi-tasking Unix operating
system for high speed delivery of host-based documents, and each
system is scalable to transmit/receive faxes at from 60 to 2,800 per
hour. Host-Fax automatically retries until delivery is successful,
supports unlimited fax broadcasting to multiple addressees, monitors
activity on a real-time basis and supports background forms overlay.
It also supports transmission i portrait or landscape orientation
and delayed or scheduled sending.
Host-Fax allows support personnel to dial in to a Host-Fax customer
where they can simultaneously view the customer's screen in order to
troubleshoot problems online. System changes and software upgrades
can also be done online without requiring the support technician to
visit the site.
Host-Fax server prices start at $2,675, while the fax channel boards
start at $395 depending on the number of channels supported. System
software with Unix starts at $5,995 dependent on the number of fax
channels. AIFP makes a cost comparison between the cost of mail and
the cost of faxing that shows the typical cost of mailing a letter
runs $0.80 per mailing including postage, handling and materials
while a fax only costs $0.10 per page in the user's local dialing
area.
(Jim Mallory/19931220/Press contact: Dale Paulin, AIFP, 503-641-
1611; Reader contact: AIFP, 503-641-1611 or 800-366-1611, fax 503-
644-1909)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/20/93
TELECOM
Orbitel GSM Pocket Phone Gets UK Approval
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00006)
Orbitel GSM Pocket Phone Gets UK Approval 12/20/93
NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Orbitel Mobile
Communications has announced it has received interim type approval
for connection to the cellular networks for its first two watt
global system for mobile communications (GSM) digital mobile phone.
The Orbitel 902 pocket phone can now be sold on the UK market as a
direct result, Newsbytes notes.
The approval granted applies worldwide, as well as the UK, which
Orbitel officials claim allows the phone to be sold immediately on
the 14 countries where GSM networks are operational. Plans call for
the other 37 countries, which have GSM networks are planned or being
built, to see the phone sold on those markets.
David Sims, Orbitel's managing director, said that the company has
had a lot of interest in the Pocket Phone, both from within Europe
and international. "With ITA behind us, we have begun to manufacture
volume quantities of the phone which is available initially through
appointed distributors in France, Germany and the UK," he said.
Sims added that the Orbitel Pocket Phone offers a unique combination
of style, quality and compactness placing it second to none in the
marketplace. It has already generated significant interest in Europe
and internationally. We believe it will be a very popular phone," he
added.
According to Sims, the market for GSM products is developing very
fast and we believe that by 1996, the majority of all phones sold
will be of the pocket or handportable variety. "The 902 series
Pocket Phone is the first in a planned series of phones designed to
fit our customer's needs and life-styles," he said.
The Pocket Phone tips the scales at 290 grams and is a small size
with a volume capacity of 215ccs. The unit is 27mm thick, yet still
takes a subscriber identification module (SIM) card.
(Steve Gold/19931220/Press & Public Contact: Vodafone - Tel: +44-
635-33251)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/20/93
IBM
Lotus Announces New European Support Program
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00007)
Lotus Announces New European Support Program 12/20/93
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Lotus Development
has announced six new European customer support services, covering
Lotus' entire range of Desktop and Communications products, plus a
range of Field Support Services for major corporates requiring short
term information technology (IT) project consultancy.
Lotus claims that is the latest stage of an evolving Global Support
Programme underpinned by Lotus' global support network connecting
customer support centers (GSCs) in Europe, the US, Singapore,
Australia and Japan.
According to Lotus, European CSCs provide immediate access to
telephone support services in multiple languages providing
transparent access through each country's hotline number.
From January 1st, 1994, all desktop applications will come with a
period of 90 days free telephone support. Support after the 90 day
period will be available either free of charge through a network of
bulletin boards (BBSs), fax on demand services, international
Compuserve forums, or via an annual telephone support subscription
known as Lotus Assistance, for UKP 75 a year.
For information processing centers within corporate accounts a new
two tier support program is available. At the premium level of UKP
1,475, a contract provides access to senior specialists to resolve
up to 30 support incidents a year, together with a monthly CD-ROM
(compact disc read only memory) disc update service. At the Premium
Plus level, costing UKP 3,950, the contract offers unlimited
incidents, the CD-ROM monthly update and a a 24 hour database access
and query service using Lotus notes.
"Time and again customers tell us that their main points of concern
are quality, responsiveness and the reliability of service. They
also tell us they understand the value of quality support and would
rather pay for a support program of their choice than have it
bundled with the cost of the software," explained Peter Aird,
director of Lotus International customer service and support.
"To this end, we have worked to deliver a range of programs which
both satisfies the needs of our customers, and helps Lotus meet the
challenge of maintaining quality support services in a highly price
competitive market," he added.
(Steve Gold/19931220/Press & Public Contact: Lotus UK - Tel: +44-
784-455445)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
BUSINESS
Integrated Systems Reports Record Third Quarter Revenue
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00008)
Integrated Systems Reports Record Third Quarter Revenue 12/20/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Integrated
Systems has reported record revenue for the third quarter of fiscal
1994 ended November 30, 1993.
According to the company, revenue for the third quarter of fiscal
1994 was $10.5 million, compared with $8.3 million for the third
quarter of fiscal 1993, a growth of 26 percent. Net income for the
third quarter of fiscal 1994 was $1,080,000 or $0.12 per share,
compared with net income of $723,000 or $0.08 per share for the same
period last year.
For the first nine months of fiscal 1994, the company reported
record revenue of $29.5 million, compared with revenue of $23.3
million for the same nine-month period of fiscal 1993. Net income
for the first nine months of fiscal 1994 was $2.6 million or $0.29
per share, compared with $2.5 million or $0.26 per share in the same
period of fiscal 1993.
Announcing the results, Naren Gupta, chairman of ISI, said: "We have
continued to increase our investments in worldwide marketing
efforts, which resulted in significant revenue growth in each
geographic segment in the third quarter. We were especially pleased
to report 37 percent growth in revenue outside the US, despite some
weakness in the European and Japanese economies."
Integrated Systems claims to be a worldwide developer and marketer
of software products and services for control systems design and
real-time software development.
As reported by Newsbytes, at the end of 1991, Integrated Systems and
Software Components Group Inc., signed a definitive agreement to
merge. Under the terms of the agreement, ISI reportedly issued
approximately 850,000 shares of its common stock in exchange for all
shares of SCG outstanding stock.
In April 1992 Newsbytes reported that the Microprocessor and Memory
Technologies Group of Motorola had signed a reseller agreement with
SCG to bundle SCG's real-time operating system with Motorola's 68000
family of microprocessors. By that time, SCG was a division of
Integrated Systems.
(Ian Stokell/19931220/Press Contact: Naren Gupta, or Steve Sipowicz,
408-980-1500, Integrated Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
GENERAL
Easel Adds Lotus Notes Support To Enfin Development Tools
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00009)
Easel Adds Lotus Notes Support To Enfin Development Tools 12/20/93
BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Easel
Corporation has announced plans to provide support for Lotus Notes
in its Enfin family of object-oriented development tools.
John Dove, senior vice president of research and development for
Easel, said that support for Notes will allow developers to
incorporate workgroup functionality into object-oriented client-
server applications built with Enfin.
Notes-enabled applications developed with Enfin will now be able to
transmit electronic mail messages among one another. The
applications will also be able to communicate with Notes, Lotus
cc:Mail, and other Vendor Independent Messaging (VIM)-based
messaging environments, according to Dove.
Support for Notes will also permit the creation of applications that
can read and write from Notes databases, and connect to enterprise-
wide relational and host-based data, he added.
Targeted for availability in the first quarter of 1994, the support
for Notes will be marketed as an add-on module to the basic Enfin
development environment.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931220/Reader contact: Easel Corporation, tel:
617-221-2100; Press contact: David Kitchen or Amelie Gardella,
Copithorne & Bellows Public Relations for Easel, tel: 617-252-
0606/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/20/93
GOVT
Senator Dorgan Calls For FCC To Track TV Violence
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00010)
Senator Dorgan Calls For FCC To Track TV Violence 12/20/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Late last week Senator
Byron L. Dorgan (D-No. Dakota), called for government rating of
television programs for their violence content. He subsequently
presented the press attending his conference with the results of a
Concordina College, Moorhead, Minnesota, study which ranks prime-
time television programs by the number of violent acts they present.
Some programs had more than one violent act every 30 seconds.
In a press conference replete with a five minute "show-and-tell" of
ultra violent TV clips, Senator Dorgan demonstrated just how much
violence is present in prime time television but he specifically
ruled out any attempt on his part to censor or ban any of these
shows, saying: "I am not suggesting we regulate," said the Senator,
adding that he does not support censorship.
What Senator Dorgan did was ask whether executives of top companies
whose advertisements appear on certain programs have actually ever
seen them or have any real idea just how violent they are.
Following closely on the recent violence in video games hearings
which Senator Dorgan participated in, the North Dakota (rural, low
population state) Democrat has introduced legislation calling for
the FCC to develop a quarterly TV violence report card which would
rate shows, and identify their advertisers.
He went on to say in the opening statement at his press conference:
"There is, in my judgement, an epidemic of violence in TV. By the
time a student graduates from high school they have 12,000 hours in
school and 20,000 watching TV." He also pointed out that a recent
study said that violent incidents tripled in the 80s.
"It seems to me that parents need more information," he said when
outlining his plan for publishing violence ratings.
The study involved prime time shows from the four networks and
Saturday morning cartoons.
According to the study, Fox Broadcasting came out overall as by far
the most violent network, but all four broadcast networks show large
amounts of violent acts during prime time when children watch TV.
Brisco County Junior, a Fox network program which some people get at
8 pm on Fridays, topped the non-cartoon list with slightly more than
two acts of violence per minute, actually more when you subtract
commercial breaks. Even worse, it seems are the saturday morning
cartoons, many of which are packed with so much violence that it is
hard to believe that stations can find as much time for commercials
as they do.
Although Senator Dorgan expressed interest in some non-governmental
group conducting the monitoring and rating of programs, his bill
calls for the FCC to take on the task at least in the interim.
For children to be subjected to this kind of violence, in my
opinion, is an abuse of children." The question is whether there are
times it is appropriate to ask the networks to restrict what is
broadcast.
The number of violent acts during one test week from September 28
through October 4 was measured at 325 on Fox, 224 on ABC, 187 on
NBC, and 172 on CBS - all during prime time and on Saturday morning
only.
The most violent prime time programs were: The Adventures of Brisco
County Junior, FOX (117 acts of violence/hour); ABC's Movie Beverley
Hills Cop (44/hr.); Out On A Limb, FOX (36/hr.); Walker, Texas
Ranger, CBS (32/hr.); Daddy Dearest, FOX (29/hr.); In The Shadows,
NBC (28/hr.); and In Living Color, FOX.
The most violent cartoons (Saturday morning, four networks) were:
X-Men, FOX (129/hr.); Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, CBS
(123/hr.); and Sonic The Hedgehog, CBS.
The major sponsors of the most violent programs, in order from
the most violent down is: Pepsico, McDonalds, American Express,
Ford, Proctor and Gamble, Coca-Cola, Johnson & Johnson, William
Wrigley Junior. Co., Nabisco/Nestle, Sprint, Coors, Ocean Spray,
Dominos, Clorox, US Army, Gillette, Hardees, and J.C. Penney.
Acts of violence were identified as homicides, suicide, knifings,
shootings, and similar graphic acts. By way of comparison, Monday
Night Football only ranked five violent acts using the same criteria
as used to rank other prime time shows.
(John McCormick/19931220/Press Contact: Senator Byron L. Dorgan,
202-225-2611 or fax 202-225-9436)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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6 12/20/93
GENERAL
****"Father of X Windows" Gives Sneak Preview Of Release
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00011)
****"Father of X Windows" Gives Sneak Preview Of Release 6 12/20/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- What's new in
Release 6 of X Windows? That question will be answered in detail
during the first month of next year at the X Consortium's Eighth
Annual X Technical Conference. In an interview with Newsbytes,
though, Bob Scheifler, original creator of the X Windows System, has
presented a 1993 "sneak preview" of key features of the upcoming
revision, which is slated for public distribution next April.
Release 6 of the emerging, operating system-independent graphical
user interface (GUI) standard will add "low-bandwidth X," a
capability aimed at allowing work-at-homers and employees at remote
corporate sites to send and receive the full X Windows interface
over serial lines.
Other new features to appear in the release include an "advanced C++
toolkit" by the name of Fresco, the ability to run X Windows over
Windows NT, internationalization, the X Image Extension (XIE), and
multi-threaded servers and libraries, Scheifler said.
The Fresco toolkit, under development by the X Consortium for the
past several years, is an evolution of a toolkit initially created
at Stamford University, he added. The "low-bandwidth X" and Windows
NT-compatibility features in Release 6 each represent efforts to
reach beyond the capabilities of existing commercial products.
Scheifler, credited as the "father of X Windows," is also outgoing
president of the X Consortium, a group recently spun off as an
independent entity from MIT. Scheifler will remain in his role with
the consortium through February, 1994. Luther C. Abel, Ph.D., was
hired last February to guide the group's transition to independent
status, and to lead future activities.
At the X Technical Conference, an event that will take place in
Boston from January 24 to 26, the consortium will elaborate on its
latest steps in defining X Windows as a GUI standard for use across
the entire spectrum of computer systems, from mobile PCs to
massively parallel supercomputers.
In the "sneak preview" of Release 6 for Newsbytes, Scheiler said
that the Fresco toolkit will be written in the interface description
language defined for the CORBA (Common Object Request Broker
Architecture) specification by the OMG (Object Management Group).
"So any Fresco object can theoretically be a distributed object in
the OMG sense," he told Newsbytes. "This allows us to tackle
advanced issues similar to those addressed by Microsoft's OLE
(object linking and embedding.) We will have a very natural
framework for embedding objects within objects. This framework will
be the same regardless of whether the objects are local or remote."
Fresco will also provide rich facilities for creating structured
graphics and structured text, according to Scheifler.
Low-bandwidth X is an optimization aimed at allowing efficient use
of the X protocol with 9600 bit-per-second (bps) modems and over
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), he explained. "The goal
here is to bring the full graphical user interface to the user, even
over slower lines. Traditionally, to send (X Windows) at 9600 bps,
you'd have to fall back to strictly character transmission, without
graphics." Products have been emerging from third-party vendors for
running X Windows over serial lines, he said.
"There are also a number of smaller vendors that are supplying early
forms of the ability to run X applications on Windows NT," he added.
"But what we will offer in that way is a complete application
development environment that will use the standard Microsoft
Software Developers Kit. So you'll be able to take our code as we
release it and build (X applications) on Windows NT. You'll be able
to run X applications on Windows NT and display them across a
network to X servers elsewhere."
The X Image Extension (XIE) in Release 6 will be designed for
advanced image processing, according to Scheifler. The new
internationalization feature will support input and output of
various native languages.
The X Consortium's upcoming X Technical Conference is expected to
attract 1,000 developers and users as attendees. Nearly half of the
23 presentations and 14 tutorials to be given during the three-day
conference will relate specifically to Release 6 of X Windows.
Scheifler is scheduled to present a talk entitled "The X Consortium:
A Status Report." Other speakers will include experts from MIT,
Network Computing Devices, AGE Logic, Silicon Graphics, Digital
Equipment Corp., Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Ithaca Software,
Template Graphics Software and the Open Software Foundation (OSF).
The conference will also encompass a reception at the Boston
Computer Museum, to be hosted by the X Consortium, Integrated
Computer Solutions, Network Computing Devices, O'Reilly and
Associates, and SunSoft.
If you register by January 7, the registration fee is $120. On-site
registration at the Boston Marriott Copley Place is $170. For
registration forms or a complete list of conference programs, call
MIT Conference Services at 617-253-1700.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931220/Reader contacts: MIT Conference Services,
tel 617-253-1700; X Consortium, tel 617-426-7890; Press contacts:
Susan Stevens or Tim Hurley, Copithorne & Bellows Public Relations
for the X Consortium, tel 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
IBM
Gateway 2000 Bundles Traveling's Comms Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012)
Gateway 2000 Bundles Traveling's Comms Software 12/20/93
BOTHELL, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Personal computer
maker Gateway 2000 and Communications software maker Traveling
Software have announced that Gateway will bundle Traveling
Software's Commworks for Windows with every Gateway 2000 modem.
Commworks is a collection of software that includes packages for
sending and receiving faxes, providing the user with visual and
audio notification when faxes or electronic mail arrives, remotely
controlling another PC, and Traveling Software's Laplink V for
transferring files between two computers, and standard terminal
emulation communications software.
The two companies say Commworks for Windows will be bundled with
Gateway modems that include the 2400bps data/9600bps fax PCMCIA
modem, the TelePath fax modem, the Cardinal 2400/9600 data-fax
modem, and the 9600bps send/receive fax modem. Commworks will also
be pre-installed on every Gateway 2000 PC that ships with a modem.
The communications module of Commworks, called TS Online, allows the
user to set up dialing scripts, has a capture buffer, includes a
graphics file viewer, and allows the user to create an icon for each
dialup service he or she regularly uses. The fax module, TS Fax,
sends and receives faxes in the background and includes several pre-
prepared cover sheets.
Faxes can be printed full size or in a thumbnail view that puts up
to four pages of the fax on a single sheet of paper. There is a
utility that improves the on-screen readability of incoming faxes,
and the program allows faxes to be marked up and re-transmitted.
When sold separately Commworks for Windows has a suggested retail
price of $199.95.
(Jim Mallory/19931220/Press contact: Elaina Dulaney, Traveling
Software, 206-483-8088, Mike Schmith, Gateway 2000, 605-232-2189;
Reader contact: Traveling Software, 206-483-8088, Gateway 2000, 605-
232-2000 or 800-523-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/20/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)
Canadian Product Launch Update 12/20/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: Microsoft FoxPro 2.5 for
Macintosh and Samsung's low-energy color monitors.
Microsoft Canada of Mississauga, Ontario, said its parent company
has released its FoxPro 2.5 database software for the Apple Computer
Inc. Macintosh to manufacturing (Newsbytes, Dec. 14). The Canadian
suggested retail price of Fox Pro 2.5 for Mac, due to be available
in January, is C$669. The company is offering it at the special
introductory price of C$134 through June 30, 1994.
Professional Edition is scheduled to ship in February and will have
a suggested retail price of C$939. Current licensees of Foxbase+ for
Mac and Foxbase+ run time version can upgrade to Foxpro Professional
Edition for C$399 through April 30, 1994. French and German versions
are scheduled to ship in the second quarter of 1994.
Samsung Electronics Canada of Mississauga, Ontario, introduced its
SyncMaster GL line of 14-, 15-, and 17-inch color monitors with
power-saving features (Newsbytes, Nov. 16). The 17-inch SyncMaster
17 GL is to be available in Canada in January for C$1,399. The 14-
inch and 15-inch models will ship later, at C$499 and C$699
respectively, the company said.
(Grant Buckler/19931220/Press Contact: Bernard Wong, Microsoft
Canada, 905-568-0434 ext. 4270, fax 905-568-1527; Norm Gordner or
Christina Willerding, Mainstay Communications for Samsung Canada,
416-595-5550; Public Contact: Microsoft Canada, 905-568-0434;
Samsung Canada, 416-542-3535, fax 416-542-3835)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TELECOM
Canada's Stentor Plans Budget Cuts
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00014)
Canada's Stentor Plans Budget Cuts 12/20/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Stentor, the national
consortium of Canada's regional phone companies, is planning budget
cuts in 1994 and may reduce its work force.
Company spokeswoman Cherry Foster confirmed that Stentor, made up of
nine regional telephone companies, will cut its budget by an
unspecified amount in 1994. The Financial Post, a daily business
newspaper in Toronto, recently reported that Stentor's 1993 budget
was C$300 million. Foster said the number was "a guess" on the
Post's part and Stentor does not make budget figures public, but she
did not specifically deny the figure's accuracy.
Foster said that the budget cut is a result of financial pressures
on Stentor's member companies, most of which are facing new
competition in the long-distance field. The companies are looking at
every aspect of their costs for ways to save money, she said, and
"Stentor's budget is part and parcel of that."
The cuts could well mean that Stentor's staff of about 2,000 people
will be reduced, Foster said, though she offered no specific
figures.
However, cuts in Stentor's staff will not immediately mean lost jobs
or savings for the member companies. Stentor is staffed by employees
of the nine regional phone companies seconded to the consortium. If
Stentor no longer needs those people, Foster said, they would return
to their primary employers -- Bell Canada, British Columbia
Telephone, or one of the other seven Stentor members. It would then
be up to the member companies to take the next step, which could be
laying off the employees from their own payrolls.
(Grant Buckler/19931220/Press Contact: Cherry Foster, Stentor, 613-
785-2850)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
GOVT
Vice President Gore To Make Major Telecom Speech Tuesday
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00015)
Vice President Gore To Make Major Telecom Speech Tuesday 12/20/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Amid concerns that the
fabled information superhighway will be a restricted access toll
road, Vice President Al Gore will make a major policy speech on
Tuesday outlining the Clinton Administration's proposed approach to
providing universal access for all households, probably through some
form of taxpayer subsidy.
In reality, we already have the information superhighway today,
minus only the video part. Computer users who use their modems to
contact commercial or private BBS services, and especially those who
are able to connect to the fabulous Internet network which links
tens of thousands of local computer networks in universities,
government, and businesses, are already whizzing along the
information superhighway at relatively high speed.
Newsbytes notes that those who lack this access are the poor, the
uneducated, the uninterested, and the technically illiterate --
precisely those who are unlikely to be included in commercial plans
for wiring private homes with the necessary hardware to supply
video-on- demand, access to libraries, educational programs, and
other highlights of the information age.
Of course universal access does nothing to eliminate indifference r
illiteracy and some observers point to the near universal access
already provided to a good education through public libraries and
other institutions which hardly ever attract the interest of those
living near or below the poverty level in the inner city.
But, at least the Administration's about-to-be-proposed universal
access plan will provide the tools that any one, rich or poor, needs
to be able to access the information superhighway if they really
want to use it.
Republican Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the House
Telecommunications Subcommittee, has proposed that a subsidy be paid
to telecommunications vendors to ensure that even the poorest family
has access to information technology.
(John McCormick/19931220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
GOVT
Massachusetts Man Indicted For Child Porn On BBS
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00016)
Massachusetts Man Indicted For Child Porn On BBS 12/20/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- A Medford,
Massachusetts man has been charged with distributing child
pornography through an electronic bulletin board system he allegedly
ran in his home in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Alden L. Baker
Jr. is charged with child sexual exploitation. The indictment was
returned by a federal grand jury last week.
The indictment alleges Baker ran a bulletin board called Boston
Eagle's Nest from his home in Medford, and made available on the
system graphic images of children engaged in sexual acts. It also
charges that he advertised these images on the BBS.
According to details of the indictment released by the United States
Attorney's office in Boston, callers to the BBS could download the
graphics to their own computers, and the images were transmitted all
over the United States and to other countries.
The charges laid against Baker carry a maximum penalty of 10 years
in prison for each count and a fine up to $100,000.
In a statement, US Attorney Donald K. Stern said the indictment
"emphasizes that we will vigorously prosecute any sexual
exploitation of children. The use of computerized `bulletin board'
systems which distribute pornographic images to members throughout
the country are particularly deserving of our vigorous prosecution."
(Grant Buckler/19931220/Press Contact: Kathleen Griffin, US
Attorney's office District of Massachusetts, 617-223-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
GENERAL
Nintendo To Get 64-bit Chip From NEC, Toshiba & Sharp
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00017)
Nintendo To Get 64-bit Chip From NEC, Toshiba & Sharp 12/20/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Three major Japanese electronics
firms have decided to supply their 64-bit micro processing unit to
Nintendo. Using the powerful new chip, Nintendo plans to create
a next generation of video game machines.
According to reports circulating in Japan, Nintendo is developing a
powerful video game machine based on a 64 bit reduced instruction
set computing (RISC) processor. Sources suggest that the as yet
unnamed machine, which will be released some time in 1995, will be
the successor to the Super Famicon series of games machine, using
chip technology supplied by NEC, Toshiba and Sharp.
Newsbytes understands that the 64-bit RISC chip is based on a
design created by MIPS Technologies in the US. Toshiba and NEC
already have a license with MIPS concerning the RISC chipset.
Sources suggest that Sharp will sign the agreement with MIPS
concerning the chip's manufacturing license.
Nintendo's video games machines are extremely popular around the
world. To date, Nintendo has sold almost 20 million units of its
8- and 16-bit games machines, with processor chips supplied by Ricoh
of Japan.
Industry sources also suggest that at least eight million units of
the new processors are expected to be shipped to Nintendo for the
new machine, making it an excellent deal for all the firms
concerned, Newsbytes notes.
As with all new projects of this nature, however, no-one has the
ability to truly predict sales, especially as Nintendo is under
considerable pressure from relative newcomers Sega and NEC who are
carving into Nintendo's market share, both at home in Japan and
abroad.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931220/Press Contact: Nintendo, +81-
75-541-6111, Fax, +81-75-531-1820)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TRENDS
Indian Software Exports Grow By 44.62 Per Cent In Half Year
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00018)
Indian Software Exports Grow By 44.62 Per Cent In Half Year 12/20/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Healthy growth seems to be the
order of the day when it comes to software sales from India.
According to figures just out from the Electronics and Computer
Software Export Promotion Council (ESC), the electronics and
software export industry registered 29.64 percent growth during the
period April to September of 1993 when compared to the same period
last year. When the rupee is adjusted into dollars, this growth
drops to 19.1 percent owing to the rupee's slide against the dollar.
During the six months to September, 1993, sales of software and
services from India abroad totalled 439.30 crore ($171.7 million),
producing an annual growth rate of 44.6 percent in rupee terms (34.0
percent in dollar terms).
Interestingly, the US on its own accounted for more than 50 percent
of software exports from India, closely tracked by Europe where the
total was around the 30 percent mark. Out of a fragmented market,
Newsbytes notes that Digital Equipment India, Infosys, Siemens India
and Tata Consultancy Services have emerged as the market leaders.
Hardware exports were low when compared to software at Rs 171.52
crore ($55.33 million) thereby registering a growth of 16.36 per
cent (6.98 per cent in dollar terms). The Tandon group of companies,
ICIM and the Saha group were the leading hardware exporters,
Newsbytes notes.
The telecom/instrumentation sector recorded a significant growth of
40.62 per cent (29.28 per cent in dollar terms). The leading
exporters in this sector were TCIL, W.S. Industries and Yokogawa
Blue Star. During the first half of 1993-94, exports were estimated
to be Rs 58.71 crore ($18.9 million) as compared to Rs 41.75 crore
($14.7 million ) during the same period last year.
The figures on the whole looked healthy with electronic goods,
computer software and services netting Rs 928.97 crore ($299.67
million) as against Rs 716.55 crore ($251.42 million) last year.
(C T Mahabharat/19931220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TELECOM
Annenberg Funds Online Library for Schools
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
Annenberg Funds Online Library for Schools 12/20/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Part of Walter
Annenberg's $500 million grant for education will go into an online
library. The work will be directed by the National Institute for
School Reform at Brown University, in Providence, Rhode Island,
which is being renamed for Annenberg.
Lost in the hype over the gift, which was announced at a White House
ceremony by President Clinton, Newsbytes notes, is just how bi-
partisan the gift really is. Vartan Gregorian, president of Brown
University, was chief adviser to Annenberg on the grant
disbursement, and has worked with the former "TV Guide" publisher
for years on education issues. Annenberg, 85, sold his Triangle
Publications company in 1988. He was known as a conservative who
often hosted former President Reagan at his California home during
the Christmas holidays.
The new Annenberg Institute gets the largest piece of the grant, $50
million, and $50 million more goes to the New American Schools Corp.
of Alexandria, Virginia, headed by former deputy education secretary
David Kearnes. The corporation was created during the Bush
Administration to make awards encouraging new education programs.
Annenberg also hopes to get localities and civic groups to match his
gifts as an "Annenberg Challenge" which can increase their
effectiveness. Gregorian will announce complete details on
disbursement of the money in June.
Annenberg's goal is to fund the expansion of experiments which have
worked, as Clinton noted in accepting it. The "how" of reform is no
longer in argument, he said. The main problem now is getting ideas
which work into the country's 80,000 elementary schools, which among
them have about 3.2 million classrooms.
Total spending on public education, from all sources, will total
over $250 billion this year, so the $500 million grant, spread over
five years, is not education funding, but seed money, like $400
million in annual US. government grants. Gregorian hopes that the
online library will play a role in that, holding classroom materials
with proven effectiveness. So will another $15 million going to the
Education Commission of the States, headed by Colorado Democrat Roy
Romer.
All the gifts are designed as collaborations, and the online library
is no different. Gregorian and Theodore Sizer, executive director of
the Annenberg Institute, hope to forge an alliance among colleges
and universities to develop the collection, which will be available
for only connect charges to the nation's schools. Gregorian added
that technology is a key element in the plan, saying it's
unacceptable that grocery stores have more computers than schools.
The Annenberg gift is not the only impetus education networks should
get in the next week. Sen. Bob Kerrey, Rep. Edward Markey, and
Republican Jack Fields have all proposed laws to make sure that
cable and phone companies link schools to the proposed national
"Information Superhighway," and Vice President Gore is expected to
endorse that approach in a speech on telecommunications policy
scheduled for tomorrow.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931220/Press Contact: Brown University,
President Vartan Gregorian, 401-863-2234)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
BUSINESS
Sec/Def Nominee Inman Resigns From Dell Board
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020)
Sec/Def Nominee Inman Resigns From Dell Board 12/20/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- He hasn't been confirmed
by congress yet, but President Clinton's nominee for the Secretary
of Defense job has resigned as a member of Dell Computer
Corporation's board of directors.
Dell has announced that Retired Admiral Bobby Inman, the president's
nominee to replace Les Aspin, has resigned from the director's job
he has held since 1987. Dell said that Inman was one of the first
outside directors to be named to the company's board.
Dell spokesperson Roger Rydell told Newsbytes that each Dell non-
employee board member receives $11,000 annually and $750 for each
board meeting attended in person. They also periodically receive
options to purchase stock. In fiscal 1992 Inman received $14,000 in
compensation and about 4500 shares of stock.
Inman is no stranger to the high tech world. He was one of the
owners of Tracor, a high tech electronics company that sold its
products to the military services until the company declared
bankruptcy. Inman was also associated with Microelectronics and
Computer Technology Corporation, a high tech research consortium
that is trying to get US computer companies to work together to
outdo foreign companies.
MCC spokesperson Cynthia Williams told Newsbytes that Inman was the
organization's first chairman and CEO, serving from 1983 to 1986.
MCC's latest project has been to increase the use of PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) cards in
personal computers. The cards plug into specially designed slots and
add additional capabilities such as more memory, expanded data
storage capacity or additional software.
(Jim Mallory/19931220/Press contact: Roger Rydell, Dell Computer
Corporation: 512-728-4294)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
IBM
Micron Intros Pentium-based Local Bus PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00021)
Micron Intros Pentium-based Local Bus PCs 12/20/93
NAMPA, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Micron Computer has
announced a line of Pentium-based local bus systems, with prices
ranging from $2,799.
The basic P60PCI Value Line CD desktop system is powered by Intel's
60 megahertz (MHz) microprocessor and includes up to 128 megabytes
(MB) of system memory, or RAM (random access memory); a 15
nanosecond (ns) 256 kilobyte (K) write-back cache, a 340MB hard
drive, a PCI graphic accelerator with 2MB RAM, a 14 inch color
monitor, and a double-speed CD-ROM drive.
Micron's Platinum CD system, which the company says is geared toward
high-end applications such as software development, engineering, and
studio-quality three-dimensional animation use, uses a two gigabyte
(GB) hard drive with a PCI fast SCSI (small computer system
interface)-2 controller, a Diamond Viper PCI graphic accelerator
with 2MB video RAM, a 17 inch color monitor.
The Platinum system has a suggested retail price of $6,799. Both
systems include software-upgradable BIOS (basic input/output system)
and a Microsoft mouse.
(Jim Mallory/19931220/Press contact: Pete Scamardo, Micron Computer,
208-465-3434; Reader contact: Micron Computer, 208-465-3434, fax
208-465-3424)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
BUSINESS
****New Evidence Forces Reexamination Of Compton's Patent
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00022)
****New Evidence Forces Reexamination Of Compton's Patent 12/20/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Patent and Trademark
Commissioner Bruce Lehman says he has ordered a reexamination of the
multimedia patent granted to Compton's Newmedia in August. Lehman
says he ordered the move following the US Patent and Trademark
Office's discovery of new information not considered by the patent
examiner before issuing a multimedia patent.
The US Patent Office has come under fire by trade groups and
multimedia developers for issuing "broad, non-technical" patents and
the Compton's Patent has been one of the most controversial. "Right
now we're taking a second look at a patent that has prompted a
strong and concerned reaction in a particularly dynamic and
changeable industry," Lehman said.
In the reexamination, PTO said it would look again at all claims in
the patent to determine whether Compton's claim is indeed "new" and
"non-obvious," the key criteria for awarding patents. Patent office
officials were unable to offer information as to what specific
evidence has been unearthed prompting the reexamination.
Compton's Newmedia announced at the Comdex computer trade show in
November it was issued a patent number 5,241,671 for the "Multimedia
search system using a plurality of entry path means which indicate
inter relatedness of information." The patent essentially makes the
outrageous claim that Compton's invented multimedia, according to
the Interactive Multimedia Association (IMA), a trade group with 260
member companies participating.
Compton's caused further flurries at the announcement by also
announcing a royalty schedule for those using multimedia in
everything from compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) to electronic
online services and planned interactive television services.
This is the second multimedia patent the Patent Office is re-
examining. The first, granted to educational multimedia
software developer Optical Data Corporation (ODC) of New Jersey is
for "Curriculum planning and publishing methods."
It is one of two patents ODC received in 1992, the other being
"Interactive method for the effective conveyance of information in
the form of visual images."
When challenged legally by multimedia developer Videodiscovery of
Seattle, Washington, ODC placed the first patent in the public
domain and asked the second be re-examined rather than have its
validity determined by legal processes. Videodiscovery said it
challenged ODC because ODC was using the patent to discourage
Videodiscovery customers.
PTO says interested parties can view the Compton's patent and
reexamination documentation at it's Public Search Room, 9 am to 5 pm
Monday through Friday in Crystal Plaza 3, Crystal City, Arlington,
Virginia.
In addition, PTO says it will hold public hearings to address
questions and concerns surrounding the issuance of patents for
software inventions. Two hearings are planned: one for January 26
and 27 at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, California and
the other February 10 and 11 at the Crystal City Forum in Arlington,
Virginia.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931220/Press Contact: Ruth Ford, United States
Department of Commerce Patent and Trademark Office, tel 703-305-
8600, fax 703-305-8240)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TRENDS
****Fast Ethernet Alliance Announces 100Base-T Wiring Spec
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00023)
****Fast Ethernet Alliance Announces 100Base-T Wiring Spec 12/20/93
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Traditional Ethernet
networking, the virtual mainstay of the local area network (LAN)
marketplace, offers transmission speeds of only 10 megabits-per-
second (Mbps), compared to 16 Mbps for Token-Ring. In the
increasingly demanding corporate networking world, even TokenRing
speeds are just not fast enough for many critical and bandwidth-
intensive applications, and as a result, the move is on to initiate
100Mbps speeds over Ethernet.
Now the Fast Ethernet Alliance has announced the completion of a
draft 100Base-T wiring specification that it claims will provide end
users in voice grade wiring environments with interoperable Fast
Ethernet products. The alliance maintains that the draft goes some
way to "fulfilling its commitment to support multiple wiring
structures."
Called 4T+, the alliance says that the completed specification
addresses 100Mbps Ethernet running over four-pair Category 3, 4, and
5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wiring.
The Fast Ethernet Alliance is a multivendor organization which
includes 3Com Corporation, Cabletron Systems, DAVID Systems, Digital
Equipment Corp., Grand Junction Networks, Intel Corp., LANNET,
National Semiconductor Corp., SEEQ, SMC, Sun Microsystems Computer
Corp. and SynOptics Communications.
The 4T+ wiring specification is the second deliverable from the Fast
Ethernet Alliance, because in October, it announced the completion
of the 100Base-X specification for running 100Mbps Ethernet over
two-pair Category 5 UTP, shielded twisted pair (STP), and fiber
cabling.
The 4T+ and 100Base-X specifications were chosen by the Institute of
Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) 802.3 CSMA/CD (Carrier
Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) high-speed working
group as the transmission schemes on which the Fast Ethernet
standard will be based. The IEEE standard will be known as 100Base-
T.
Announcing the draft specification, Bob Trexler, a spokesperson for
the Fast Ethernet Alliance and high-speed product manager for Intel,
said: "The completion of the 4T+ specification means that customers
with either voice grade or data grade wiring will be able to migrate
easily to Fast Ethernet through a standard that will support
multiple wiring environments,"
The alliance maintains that, because it preserves the core Ethernet
specification, CSMA/CD, the 4T+ specification will allow customers
to migrate to 100Base-T technology that requires no special training
or expertise to implement and manage. The 4T+ specification will be
available beginning in January, 1994, free of charge to anyone by
calling the Fast Ethernet Alliance Information Hotline at 503-226-
8247.
The Fast Ethernet Alliance claims that its members provide over 60
percent of the Ethernet products to the networking market.
As reported previously by Newsbytes, the Fast Ethernet Alliance was
formed in August of this year. At the time, Newsbytes reported that
specifications developed by Alliance members will be submitted to
the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.3
standards committee.
At the time, the alliance claimed that the announcement came after
the July 15 IEEE 802 meeting in Denver, at which the IEEE approved
the CSMA/CD project. At the same time, over 80 members, representing
50 companies, voted unanimously to retain CSMA/CD in the 802.3
subcommittee.
Also at that time, the alliance said that the Fast Ethernet Alliance
is "expected to exist until formal standardization of 100Mbps
CSMA/CD is complete and the relevant standards have been published
by the IEEE."
(Ian Stokell/19931220/Press Contact: Shannon Gray or Colby
Phillips, 503-221-1063, Hastings Humble Giardini Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
IBM
Ace Software Intros AtHome Software For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00024)
Ace Software Intros AtHome Software For Windows 12/20/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Targeting the
growing home PC user market, Ace Software has introduced a new
family of software applications designed to work with Microsoft's
Windows graphical user environment.
The AtHome software series comes in four titles: AtHome Household
Organizer, AtHome Home Office Organizer, AtHome Club Organizer, and
AtHome Personal Post Office.
Announcing the new line, Greg Marek, Ace's marketing director, said:
"Users want to organize important information, yet they don't have
the time or the patience to learn complex programs. The AtHome
series is unique because it offers task-specific solutions to the
customers' organization needs. With AtHome, everything is in one
place. And with so many uses in one box, the customer gets
tremendous value."
The company claims that AtHome Household Organizer contains
"everything users need to get their important household records in
order." Included in the program are Medical Records, Home Inventory,
Favorite Places, Video Collections, Music Collection, Trading Card
Collection, Other Collectibles, Auto Maintenance, and Personal Phone
Book application programs.
AtHome Home Office Organizer contains six applications: Office
Organizer, Customer List, Invoicing, Sales Lead Tracker, Office
Inventory, and Vendor Records, and includes a phone book,
appointment list, and to-do list.
AtHome Personal Post Office allows users to design, print, and send
mail. According to the company, the Personal Post Office is "ideal
for anyone who needs professional looking `one-time' envelopes or
does large mailings." Post Office also automatically creates bar
codes and FIM codes, and can place graphics anywhere on envelopes or
labels.
AtHome Club Organizer allows the user to organize all club
activities, including tracking memberships, dues, events, and the
creation of mailing lists.
The company says that the AtHome series is distributed by Ingram
Micro and is available at such major retail chains as Electronics
Boutique, Lechmere, and J&R Computer World. The series is also being
distributed on several CD-ROMs, including TestDrive and Apple's
Software Dispatch.
While the AtHome Household Organizer and the AtHome Home Office
Organizer are available now, AtHome Personal Post Office and the
AtHome Club Organizer will be available in early 1994, all carrying
the suggested retail price of $29.95.
(Ian Stokell/19931220/Press Contact: Greg Marek, 408-451-0100, Ace
Software)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
IBM
IBM Shuffle Gives RS/6000, PC Software To Thompson
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00025)
IBM Shuffle Gives RS/6000, PC Software To Thompson 12/20/93
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- IBM has put all its
high-performance hardware and operating systems under the control of
a single executive by shifting responsibility for its RISC
System/6000 and Personal Software Products divisions to John M.
Thompson, who already oversees mainframes and midrange systems.
Effective immediately, the newly renamed RS/6000 division, headed by
William Filip, is to report to Thompson, a senior vice-president and
group executive. So is Personal Software Products, headed by Lee
Reiswig. Both units had reported to Jim Cannavino until Cannavino
was promoted to senior vice-president for strategy and development
in November.
Cannavino also had authority over IBM's PowerPC division and its
personal computer business, and rumor has it the company will hire
an outsider to oversee those units some time soon. Company spokesman
Rob Wilson said IBM is "looking for a successor to Cannavino," but
would not comment further.
In a memo to employees, a copy of which Newsbytes obtained, IBM
Chairman Louis Gerstner said the decision to give Thompson authority
over the RS/6000 and Personal Software Products divisions "pulls
together all of our high-performance systems platforms and our
operating systems into one group.
"While we intend to maintain the marketplace distinctions among our
platforms," Gerstner's memo continues, "we all know there are
enormous opportunities to share development and manufacturing
capabilities across our product lines."
The move suggests that Gerstner wants to create closer ties among
different IBM units, rather than increasing their independence as
the company seemed to be doing under his predecessor, John Akers.
(Grant Buckler/19931220/Press Contact: Rob Wilson, IBM,
914-765-6565)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TRENDS
Michael Jordan `Larger Than Life' On New Video Wall
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00026)
Michael Jordan `Larger Than Life' On New Video Wall 12/20/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- "The video wall
manages to make even Michael Jordan larger than life -- which is
quite a feat in itself," said John MacLeod, assistant general
manager of Michael Jordan's Restaurant.
The video wall from Hibino Audio-Visual USA has been an integral
part of the success of the new sports/bar restaurant in North
Chicago, IL, according to MacLeod.
The life-size wall continuously displays taped and live Chicago
Bulls games. as well as other programming related to Michael Jordan
in particular or sports in general.
The sports bar video wall is made up of 17 projection cubes, each
featuring 800 lines of horizontal resolution for clear, crisp
images from across the restaurant, along with a flat, non-
reflective screen for a wide viewing angle and high visibility
under a variety of lighting conditions.
The wall was designed and installed by Hibino USA's newest branch
office, located in nearby Chicago. Other branches can be found in
Lincroft, NJ and Las Vegas, NV. The Irvine, CA-based company
provides sales as well as rental of audio-visual equipment.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931220/Reader contact: Hibino Audio-Visual
USA, tel 714-588-2906; Press contact: Steve Shattuck, Conaway &
Associates for Hibino, tel 714-744-4551)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TELECOM
CompuServe Tops 1.5 Million Subscriber Mark
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)
CompuServe Tops 1.5 Million Subscriber Mark 12/20/93
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Just a day after America
Online announced it has 500,000 members, CompuServe has issued a
press statement claiming it now has 1.5 million.
While CompuServe has not been growing as fast as AOL in 1993, it has
maintained its lead as the largest online service. Prodigy has
claimed two million members but independent analysts like Gary Arlen
or Arlen Communications estimate there are only about half that
number of actual family subscribers to the IBM-Sears service.
CompuServe this year has been concentrating on international growth,
especially in Europe, where it now has over 90,000 members. It has
also signed alliances with a number of US companies, like PC World
magazine, aimed at increasing its US subscriber base.
CompuServe executive Barry F. Berkov said that the service is
signing about 60,000 new members per month, and also credited the
company's new Windows-based software and the growth of the PC market
for the improvement.
He noted that the company also offers access at faster speeds,
including 14,400 bits/second on many US ports, and is working with
cable companies to create versions of the service for 1 million
bit/second cable modems.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931220/Press Contact: CompuServe, David
Kishler 614/538-4571)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TELECOM
****Writers Sue for Online Copyright
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)
****Writers Sue for Online Copyright 12/20/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- The National
Writers' Union is supporting a suit 10 writers against Mead Data
Central and four major publishers, hoping to secure copyright
protection for online articles.
Even if successful, the suit will have a limited impact. Full-
time employees assign their copyrights to employers as a matter
of routine, and many publishers are able to get writers to assign
their copyrights as a condition for hiring them to write stories.
But some freelance writers have succeeded over the years in keeping
their copyrights, and the benefits have usually come into play when
book publishers or others have asked to re-print their stories.
The suit charges that maintenance of a story in an online database
is the equivalent of re-publishing it. It seeks copyright protection
for the work, and royalties for the authors. None of the defendants
-- The New York Times Co.; Times-Mirror's Newsday,; Time Inc., Mead
Data Central Corporation, owners of Nexis, of University Microfilms
International, would comment on the suit, which was filed in the US
District Court for the Southern District of New York.
NWU president Jonathan Tasini said in a statement about the suit that
copyright itself is in peril from computer databases and online
services, but all those named in the suit have been successful in
defending their copyrights there.
Tasini, who is one of the plaintiffs, said that his copyrights are
infringed when his work is put onto electronic databases or CD-ROMs
without consent or further payment. "We believe publishers are
illegally making millions off unauthorized re-use," he added "It's
clear that anyone who freelances is losing significant income."
Even if the suit is successful, it's expected that publishers will
merely press to have online and CD-ROM copyrights assigned to them,
perhaps for a small fee, as a standard part of future contracts. The
other question before the court will be the awarding of damages on
past, ambiguous contracts.
A copy of the NWU release, obtained by Newsbytes through CompuServe,
noted that under current copyright law, there is an "Historical
Note" to section 106 specifically noting that display rights would
include the transmission of an image by electronic or other means.
The suit claims this provision is routinely ignored.
The National Writers Union is a unit of the United Auto Workers, but
Tasini noted the case is also supported by The Writers Guild of
America, Washington Independent Writers and The International
Brotherhood of Teamsters, which also represents some journalists.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931220/Press Contact: Jonathan Tasini,
National Writers Union, 212/254-0279)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
APPLE
****German Newton Ships, English Newton Wins Fortune Award
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00029)
****German Newton Ships, English Newton Wins Fortune Award 12/20/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Apple Computer
announced it is shipping a German language version of the Newton
Messagepad personal digital assistant (PDA) into Germany,
Austria, and Switzerland. The company is also boasting the Newton
has been honored as one of Fortune Magazine's 100 products of the
year.
Apple says the German version of the PDA is the first localized
version released since the original English language version
launched in August of this year. The German Newton is familiar
with the cultural habits of its new market, such as the fact that
the week begins on Monday, not on Sunday as in English-speaking
countries.
A 2 megabyte (MB) Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association (PCMCIA) card is being offered with the German PDA
with German Newton application software examples pre-loaded for
demonstration.
In Germany, personal computer and Telekom dealers are carrying
the Messagepad and specialist retailers such as Vobis, Karstadt,
and Systematics are guaranteeing product explanation and support.
In Austria, the retailers are Vobis and Media Markt.
Apple is also heralding the selection by Fortune Magazine of the
Newton Messagepad as one of the publication's "Products of the
Year" for 1993. The Newton was one of 100 products selected along
with other products introduced that have made a significant
impact in their respective markets such as: the Clinton Health
Plan, the 1994 Honda Accord, human embryo cloning, the Timex
Indiglo watch, the multiple sclerosis drug Betaseron, and
Okidata's multipurpose Doc.It.
The PDA was also touted by US computer industry publications PC
Laptop Computers Magazine, PC Magazine, Byte Magazine, and
Reseller Management magazine. In Germany, the Newton was praised
by the publications Macwelt and DM Magazine.
Reports are sales of the Newton have dropped down from its
enthusiastic start of 50,000 units in the first months of its
introduction, however Apple representatives have told Newsbytes
the company is satisfied with the current level of its PDA sales.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931220/Press Contact: Emma Bufton, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-4104, fax 408-974-2885)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
BUSINESS
Berkeley Systems Licenses Video Technology From Binar
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00030)
Berkeley Systems Licenses Video Technology From Binar 12/20/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Fresh from its
success in the ongoing legal battle with Delrina over the use of its
"flying toasters" trademark in software screen-savers, Berkeley
Systems has licensed Display Power Management Systems (DPMS) code
from Binar Graphics of San Rafael, California.
DPMS code is a specialized technology that controls video cards.
According to the company, the code will allow Berkeley Systems to
make their power-saving feature, EcoLogic, compatible with more
monitors. According to the company, EcoLogic, allows users to power
down their computer monitor when it is not in use after a pre-
determined period of time.
Announcing the licensing agreement Wes Boyd, Berkeley's chief
executive officer, said: "We chose to license DPMS technology from
Binar Graphics because we recognized their expertise in video
display software."
Berkeley claims that EcoLogic will be offered to "all computer
monitor manufacturers seeking compliance with the Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star Computers program, designed to
accelerate the use of energy efficient office systems and reduce air
pollution caused by power generation.
In October, Newsbytes reported that Berkeley had been granted a
preliminary injunction against Delrina Corporation, preventing that
company from marketing its new "Opus 'n' Bill Screen Saver," which
depicted cartoon characters shooting at toasters with Michelangelo
wings -- claimed by Berkeley to be the company's trade-marked
"flying toasters." As a result, Delrina was ordered to recall all
copies of the product.
Delrina, for its part, claimed unsuccessfully that Berkeley's
toasters are not original but are a take-off of a 1960's album cover
"30 Seconds Over Winterland" from rock group Jefferson Airplane. A
Berkeley representative said at the time, that while the Jefferson
Airplane predates its screen saver, the company was unaware of the
album cover until two years ago and, anyway, the Jefferson Airplane
toasters have wings and clocks.
Also in October, Newsbytes reported that Berkeley began shipping a
DOS version of its mainstay After Dark software.
Screen savers, apart from looking good on screen, protect the
computer monitor from phosphor burn-in -- which is a problem when
monitors are left on but inactive. After Dark can also increase
privacy by blocking access to a user's files, because the program
features a screen-locking security system that is deactivated only
by a user-selected password.
(Ian Stokell/19931220/Press Contact: Monica Granados, or
Steven Decker, 510-540-5535, Berkeley Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/20/93
TELECOM
****GE Invests GEnie, GEIS in Ameritech Venture
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MSP)(00031)
****GE Invests GEnie, GEIS in Ameritech Venture 12/20/93
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 20 (NB) -- Newsbytes has
learned that a joint venture has been created between General
Electric (GE) and Ameritech. Ameritech will invest $472 million
under a definitive agreement, according to Newsbytes sources,
and GE will contribute the assets of information services division.
GE owns GEIS, General Electric Information Services, and GEnie,
its online consumer service.
Staff members are to be briefed on the matter at 2pm Eastern Time.
(Wendy Woods/19931220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
TRENDS
CASE Tool Data Exchange Standard Support By 4 Vendors
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00001)
CASE Tool Data Exchange Standard Support By 4 Vendors 12/17/93
REDWOOD SHORES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Four
companies who develop computer-aided software engineering (CASE)
tools have announced they will support a standard file format,
the CASE Data Interchange Format (CDIF), so data can be shared
from one CASE tool to another. The format is being defined by the
Electronic Industries Association (EIA) in America and the
companies involved are Oracle, Bull, LBMS and Software One.
While CASE tools are attractive for custom software application
development, two major problems confront the CASE tools market.
One is the fact that CASE vendors have still produced products in
a closed architecture, meaning the industry is struggling with
the concept of moving data from one CASE product to another. Even
the simplest word processing program allows the import and export
of data at a basic level so every word doesn't have to be
rekeyed, but CASE tools have been able to get away with proprietary
approaches to the user's data. To address the problem, third
party vendor Software One has developed Exchange, products
specifically for the task of moving data from one CASE tool to
another.
The other problem is CASE tools, of necessity, are behind the
current technology. To use CASE tools, software developers either
have to ask their clients to wait for the tools to catch up with
the technology, or attempt to take on the much more complex task
of integrating low-level programming tools with the CASE tools.
The EIA is attempting to address the first problem, that of data
exchange. Mary Lomas, chair of the EIA's CDIF technical
committee, said: "The collaboration by these leading systems
development software suppliers confirms the importance of the
CDIF standard. CASE users can now exchange systems information in
a vendor-independent standard format, regardless of whether the
tools involved expressly support CDIF import/export utilities.
This product enables them to take information from a variety of
tools and export it in CDIF format; it will also accept CDIF
compliant data models and transform them for import into various
CASE products."
The first release of the CDIF standard was in July of 1991, but
the EIA is now updating to a new version. The new CDIF standard
will use the Software One's Exchange technology to deliver CDIF
compliant interfaces to Bull's Integrated Systems Development
Repository, LBMS Systems Engineer product, and Oracle's CASE
Dictionary.
Each of the four companies has boasted its long term support for
open data exchange. Software One chairman, Andrew Mercer, said
the standard is driven by the market. "In committing to this CDIF
software, the vendor companies are responding to users' demands."
(Linda Rohrbough/19931216/Press Contact: Eve Kowtko Smith,
Oracle, tel 415/506-7000, fax 415-506-7200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
IBM
UK - Novell Unveils Netware Video 1.
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00002)
UK - Novell Unveils Netware Video 1.0 12/17/93
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Novell has
announced in the UK Netware Video 1.0, a new product that it claims
allows Novell's customers to easily integrate digital video and
synchronized audio into Netware networks.
Using server-based multimedia storage and playback, the company
claims that Video 1.0 provides customers with the benefits of shared
storage, timely updates, efficient distribution, and compatibility
with existing Netware applications and networks.
By adding its easily installed Netware Loadable Module (NLM),
Netware customers can implement a wide variety of MS-Windows-based
business applications available now from Novell dealers and
partners, the company reports.
Partners providing training, education, and messaging applications
running with Netware Video 1.0 today include Aimtech, Beyond, Course
Technology, Iprax, Lotus and Vision Integration.
"Netware Video 1.0 provides an innovative, as well as a practical
solution to customers' increasing demand for business video
applications that maximize their existing investments in Netware and
networked applications," explained Lalit Nathwani, Novell UK's
product marketing manager.
"Netware Video 1.0 delivers business applications and lays the
groundwork for widespread, cost-effective multimedia deployment
across networks," he added.
Plans call for Netware Video 1.0 to ship on both sides of the
Atlantic by the end of this month in five, 10 and 25-user
configurations. Prices are, respectively, UKP 810, UKP 1,460 and UKP
2,180.
(Steve Gold/19931215/Press & Public Contact: Novell UK - Tel: +44-
344-724000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
TELECOM
Cyberdesk - Front-End To The Internet
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)
Cyberdesk - Front-End To The Internet 12/17/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- The Internet is
without question the leading on-line story of 1993. The huge
success of O'Reilly & Associate's "Whole Internet User's Guide,"
by Ed Krol, which has sold over 200,000 copies, has spawned a
host of imitators from major computer book publishers. And
O'Reilly is now working with software companies and service
providers on "Internet in a Box," which gives modem users easier
access to Internet services.
That latter move ia also spawning competition. The latest is
CyberCorp., which has a new release of its Cyberdesk program.
Cyberdesk offers a Windows-based front-end to the Internet, as
well as other services, using store-and-forward technology to cut
costs further. The latest version of the program ships in January
at $179, and automatically issues the appropriate commands to
exchange e-mail and join public Usenet newsgroups.
The software can also handle links with other major online systems
and LAN mail packages, and offers an "address book" to keep track of
correspondents on all mail networks. Cybercorp said its package
allows anyone to get inexpensive Internet access through dial-up
services like Netcom and standard Unix services.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931215/Press Contact: Nan Atwell, Cybercorp.,
404-424-6240; FAX: 404-424-8995; e-mail; cyber@netcom.com)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
BUSINESS
PC Memory Company Is Entrepreneur's Dream
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00004)
PC Memory Company Is Entrepreneur's Dream 12/17/93
NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Everyone
knows the story of Apple Computer's beginnings -- two friends
started a company in a garage that became a billion dollar
operation. But most financial analysts will probably say that rags-
to-riches dream is no longer attainable.
Those analysts probably haven't met Allen Sutker and Mark
Polinsky. The one-time computer salesperson and former stock
trader and his attorney friend launched Desktop Sales Inc., five
years ago out of the living room of a Chicago apartment selling
computer memory boards. Today Desktop Sales has six
offices across the country, employs 140 people, and expects to
end 1993 with $180 million in sales. Desktop spokesperson
Debbie Labinger told Newsbytes the company is headed to
topping the $250 million sales mark in 1994.
Desktop Sales says its success is attributable to a combination
of outlandish style, outstanding service, aggressive pricing, and a
willingness to take risks in a volatile industry. To illustrate their
willingness to take risks, Sutker and Polinsky say they maintain a
comprehensive inventory of memory boards while most suppliers
aren't willing to face the risks of unpredictable pricing and model
changes. Desktop's inventory allows it to fill virtually all
orders the same day the order is received.
That gave them the edge when an explosion in a resin factory
threatened the supply of computer chips. "Competitors either
didn't have stock or waited to ship because prices were rising
and they wanted to make more money," according to Polinsky,
Desktop's chief executive officer. "We are the only company I'm
aware of that didn't have a single back order. We shipped every
order that came in right away."
The two entrepreneurs describe the early days of Desktop Sales
as something out of the Keystone Kops. Shipping manifests were
lost, the two owners disguised their voices to make it sound like
there were more employees than actually existed, and they had
meeting to discuss how many slices of bologna should go on the
day's lunch sandwiches.
But within a year the company had moved into an office, and finished
the year with $17 million in sales. By 1990 they had moved to
larger quarters, and say they have been knocking down walls ever
since in order to expand their space.
Sutker sums up the company's philosophy of success combined
with an offbeat philosophy. "Our aim, of course, is to be Number
1. But we're going to have fun doing it."
(Jim Mallory/19931214/Press contact: Debbie Labinger, S&S
Public Relations for Desktop Sales, 708-291-1616; Reader
contact: Desktop Sales Inc, 708-272-9695 or 800-775-9695)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
GENERAL
Maxtor's 1.8-inch PCMCIA Hard Disk Drive Wins Honors
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00005)
Maxtor's 1.8-inch PCMCIA Hard Disk Drive Wins Honors 12/17/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Maxtor is
boasting its 1.8-inch Mobilmax hard disk drive with a 105-
megabyte (MB) capacity was honored by PC Magazine and
PC/Computing. The drive is Personal Computer Memory Card Industry
Association (PCMCIA)-compatible and part of the company's line of
portable mass storage products.
The drive requires a PCMCIA Type III slot, which has been
implemented by some original equipment manufacturers by placing
Type II PCMCIA slots one on top of the other. While the drive may
seem the perfect idea for the emerging personal digital assistant
(PDA) market, none of the main PDA products, such as the Newton,
the Zoomer, or the AT&T EO have Type III slots. It appears the
Mobilemax hard disk drive is aimed more at the laptop and sub-
notebook computer market.
PC Magazine named the drive Editors' Choice in Portable
Technology in its December 21, 1993 after comparing it with 32
other similar products. PC/Computing honored the Maxtor drive at
the industry trade show Comdex in November with its 1993 Most
Valuable Product (MVP) award.
Maxtor's Mobilemax drive is part of the company's Mobilemax
product line, which also includes Flash Memory Cards and the
Mobilemax Deskrunner, an internal PCMCIA (Personal Computer
Memory Card International Association) card reader/writer for
desktop personal computers.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931217/Press Contact: Holly Campbell, Maxtor,
tel 408-432-4468, fax 408-432-4239; Public Contact, Maxtor, 800-
462-9867)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
GENERAL
Microsoft Corporate Giving Reaches All-Time High
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00006)
Microsoft Corporate Giving Reaches All-Time High 12/17/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation may be a tough business competitor, but when it
comes to helping others it's a pussycat, judging by the results of
its 1993 community giving program.
The software giant says it and its employees have contributed
more than $17 million in corporate and employee donations to
charitable organizations nationwide in 1993.
Microsoft says $3 million of that came out of the pockets of its
employees, up a whopping 64 percent over last year. On the
corporate side the company reports its total contributions
exceeded $14 million, with more than $5 million of that in cash
and matching gifts.
The contributions were distributed among human services
organizations, educational institutions and causes, arts and
cultural organizations, and to aid civic and environmental
concerns. Cash contributions were up 45 percent over last year.
Microsoft donated software worth $9 million calculated at the
suggested retail price of the various products that went to non-
profit organizations across the US. Its largest corporate
donation goes to United Way and is driven by the company
matching employee gifts to that organization. Microsoft offers
employees payroll deduction of their charitable contributions and
matches those dollars on a one-to-one basis up to $12,000 per
individual employee annually.
A new program this year is the establishment of the Microsoft
Endowment for Excellence at the University of Washington. The
company has committed to a minimum of $500,000 per year over
the next several years for this project and the amount is expected
to reach the $1 million mark by the end of the decade. Like most
of its contributions, Microsoft places no limitation on the use of
those funds, allowing the university to support any educational or
program need at the school. It also sponsors a scholarship
program to aid promising high school and college students
pursue a career in computer science or a related field.
(Jim Mallory/19931217/Press and reader contact: Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
GOVT
Encore Wins Grumman/Navy Subcontract
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00007)
Encore Wins Grumman/Navy Subcontract 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Fort Lauderdale,
Florida-based Encore Computer has announced that the company has
been selected by Corp.'s Aerospace and Electronics Group to
provide the real-time computer systems for two flight simulators
being built under contract for the US Navy. Grumman is
upgrading two simulator Navy systems for the advanced E2C radar
surveillance aircraft. One will be installed at the Miramar Naval
Air Station in California and the other at the Navy base in
Norfolk, Virginia.
Encore Computer, which made the Encore CONCEPT 32/97 systems
that are present in the current simulators, will be enhanced
with advanced Encore RSX real-time computer systems and new I/O
subsystems which will provide for data exchange at up to 53
megabytes per second.
Encore will also supply three more Encore RSX systems for a new
Navy simulator.
Encore specializes in making massively parallel computers which
offer alternatives to traditional mainframes. RSX and Infinity
R/T are the company's real-time operating systems.
(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Charles Anderson, Encore
Computer, 305-797-5605)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
BUSINESS
Gates/FA Distrib Ag't With Vision, Data Race
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00008)
Gates/FA Distrib Ag't With Vision, Data Race 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- In the course of two
days, Gates/FA Distributing of Greenville, North Carolina, a
major US computer distributor, has signed two new distribution
agreements, one with a basic computer hardware manufacturer
(Vision Technologies) and the other with Data Race, a supplier of
advanced telecommunications devices.
Gates/FA will now distribute Vision Technology's bare-bone
computers which consist of case, motherboard, and power supplies
to Gates/FA resellers. Gates/FA will also customize the equipment
with CPUs, video cards, disk drives, network adapters, and other
peripherals under yesterday's agreement with the Carlsbad,
California-based manufacturer.
Vision is an Energy Star manufacturer certified by the
Environmental Protection Agency because of its use of low power
components and use of recycled/reusable packaging.
Wednesday's announcement involved Data Race, a San Antonio,
Texas-based modem manufacturer. Under the distribution agreement
Gates/FA will market Data Race's complete line of RediCARD PCMCIA
(a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association slot
for adding memory cards or peripherals, especially to laptop or
notebook computers) fax/modems, RediCELL cellular phone data/fax
adapters, Ethernet LAN adapters, and the RediDOCKit wireless LAN
and docking system.
Gates/FA will also sell the RediMODEM line of internal data/fax
modems.
Gates/FA, headed by President and Chief Executive Phil Ellett,
ended its 1993 fiscal year with a net income ($6.2 million) up
123 percent over the previous year, with total revenues up a
strong 33 percent to $307.4 million.
Gates/FA has recently increased its support of value-added
resellers (VARs) under Mr. Ellett's guidance.
(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Nancy Comstock, Comstock
Communications, 510-799-7711)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
GENERAL
****Sega Night Trap Pulled From Some Stores
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00009)
****Sega Night Trap Pulled From Some Stores 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- A December 9 joint
Senate Judiciary and Government Affairs Committee hearing on
video game violence co-chaired by Senators Joseph Lieberman (D.
Conn.) and Herbert H. Kohl (D Wisc.) has apparently spurred
consumer complaints and garnered enough industry attention that
two major toy stores have decided on their own to remove Sega's
ultra-violent, photo-realistic Night Stalker game from their
shelves.
Toys'R Us, and high-end toy store chain FAO Schwartz both
announced yesterday that they were removing Sega's Night Trap
from their shelves. The object of Night Trap is to keep hooded
men from committing violent acts against women but of course
video games are very difficult to beat so most players will be
exposed to the violent acts with their heavy sexual overtones
every time they play the game.
Night Trap was formerly carried on Toys'R Us game shelves next to
programs like PBS's Barney which are clearly intended for very
young children.
Senator Lieberman has called Night Trap's graphic depiction of
violence against women "deeply offensive." Night Trap uses actual
images of actors and actresses rather than cartoon-like
animations used by many video games which is thought to give the
game even more impact.
"Sick and disgusting," was how North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan
described Night Trap in his opening comments at the hearing when
he announced that he wanted to be named as a co-sponsor of
proposed bill calling for industry self-regulation but
threatening government intervention if the industry fails to take
steps to restrict the access of children to these extremely
violent games.
During last week's hearing, Senator Lieberman, in his opening
statements said that some video games contains "the most horrible
depictions of violent crimes." They "teach a child to enjoy
inflicting torture," said the Senator.
Sega's Bill White defended its games' sex and violence content on
the basis that they were rated and that most users of the more
advanced systems were over 21 years of age. When asked whether
there was any attempt to enforce ratings limits in advertising or
at the retail level, Mr. White made no clear statement indicating
that there was.
At that time Sen. Lieberman also chided Toys'R'Us and other toy
retailers for failing to respond to his staff's requests for
input on how these violent games could be kept out of the hands
of young children.
A new industry coalition including Sega, the Software Publisher's
Association, Atari, 3DO, Electronic Arts, and the Video Software
Dealers Association has been announced that will address the need
for video game ratings.
As the hearing wore on, Senator Joseph Lieberman stated that he
"finds Sega the most objectionable." The Senator also called
Sega's current unenforced rating system a "fig leaf to cover a
lot of transgressions."
Howard Lincoln of Nintendo called former Nintendo employee Bill
White's (now representing Sega) testimony "nonsense" after Mr.
White said that Night Trap is only targeted to adult audiences.
Senator Lieberman has called for another Senate hearing on video
game violence and the proposed new rating system in February,
1994.
In a somewhat related story DIC, a major US television cartoon
producer, has outlined its plans to greatly curtail violence and
stereotyping in its productions which include the popular Captain
Planet show which the company produces in conjunction with Turner
Broadcasting.
(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Jim Kennedy, Senator
Lieberman's Office, 202-224-4041 or fax 202-224-9750; Ilene
Rosenthaul, SPA, 202-452-1600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
GOVT
****Academics Testify During Hearing About Media Mergers
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00010)
****Academics Testify During Hearing About Media Mergers 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Barry Diller,
chairman and CEO of the QVC cable shopping network, and two
academics, appeared yesterday afternoon at a Senate hearing
called Media Mergers Impact on Consumers & Competition, chaired
by Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH).
Mr. Diller, who is currently trying to purchase Paramount, did
not face the obvious antagonism which awaited John Malone,
president, Tele Communications Inc., as he testified earlier
in favor of his company's proposed merger with Bell Atlantic.
Mr. Diller, whose merger only peripherally involves hard-wired
delivery systems, appeared to answer most questions from the
Senators to their satisfaction and his only memorable statement
came when reminded of the Delaware Supreme Court's recent
decision which opened up the way for QVC to make a competitive
bid for Paramount, prompting Mr. Diller to joke with Senator
Metzenbaum, "Winning is not just winning in court, but it does
help."
But the hearing also saw important testimony from two independent
anti-trust consultants Professor Robert Petofsky, a former member
of the Federal Trade Commission, and Henry Geller, Communications
Fellow at The Markle Foundation, an independent New York-based
group which conducts research in telecommunications issues.
The consultants were asked to comment about the dangers of media
mega-mergers such as the one between Bell Atlantic and TCI, the
country's largest cable system. Both expressed some concerns but
also pointed to potential positive effects of such mergers.
"It's possible that when these mergers are entered into, it is
really an effort on the part of the firms to keep up with new
developments in technology," testified Prof. Petofsky. "It is
often the case in dynamic changing markets that complimentary
technology is really essential to move the process ahead."
He went on to say, "I suppose that as a practical matter quite
often it is a little of both - an effort to achieve market power
[and] some effort to combine technology and it is up to the
enforcement agencies to take a very careful look to decide which
motive and effect dominates."
But he expressed more concern about First Amendment (free speech)
issues which worry some individuals and legislators as media
mergers tend to reduce information sources. "Anti-trust
usually looks at purely economic issues. I believe that
concentration of economic power in the communications field has a
direct effect on first amendment concerns," he told the Senators.
But Mr. Petofsky pointed out that this was not an immediate
concern, "We now have an amazing range of information sources -
the trick is to keep it that way."
The former FTC employee also pointed out that, unlike many other
industries, cable television and telephone service is "Not likely
to be challenged from abroad," making most earlier anti-trust
opposition less relevant in this discussion.
But in general he appeared to support such mergers saying, "I
worry about anti-trust preventing deals in which the goal is to
lower prices to consumers or improve products to consumers."
Regulators "should be solicitous about protecting incentives to
innovate. It is possible that blocking this (TCI/Bell Atlantic)
merger could harm the consumer."
Mr. Geller, a communications researcher for The Markle Foundation,
responded to the panel's question about what the Bell Atlantic
TCI merger will do to promote local loop competition by saying,
"Video dialtone [access] serves the First Amendment. Public
interest is served in this merger."
He also called on the Congress to "legislate common carriage for
cable drop and inside connection" referring to a call for forcing
cable companies to allow competitors access to homes on common
wires. This would be similar to the equal-access mandated for
long distance telephone companies.
Mr. Geller then chided Congress for failing to "legislate free
access for local competition" for telephone services.
Newsbytes carried coverage of the first part of the Senate
Hearing in its December 16 issue when TCI's Mr. Malone testified.
(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Sen. Metzenbaum,
202-224-2315 or fax 202-224-6519)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
BUSINESS
Bill Gates To Anoint New Australian MD
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00011)
Bill Gates To Anoint New Australian MD 12/17/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Microsoft boss Bill Gates
is to visit Australia in February 1994, picking up New Zealand
MD Chris Kelliher and dropping him off in Sydney where he is
to become the new Australian MD of Microsoft.
In addition to addressing the Australian National Press Club on
February 4th, Gates is coming to launch the Microsoft Home line
of products including personal productivity, education, and
entertainment software for the home market. The company has said
it will launch around 70 of these products in the next 18 months.
Observers see the Home Brand initiative as a revenue covering bet
for Windows NT which has been slow to make a showing in the desktop
operating system market.
Microsoft Australia marketing director, Tony Fraser, said that while
the NT advanced server has been doing well, NT for the desktop has
been disappointing due to a dearth of proper 32-bit applications.
Fraser admits Microsoft, as well as third party developers, have
been slow to get 32-bit apps to market but says this problem will be
addressed in 1994.
Also likely to come from Microsoft next year will be the mix-and-match
software suites and CD-ROM-based software libraries shipped with PCs.
Fraser said Microsoft Australia's revenues are slowing as the price
battle rolls on, The company's dollar per PC is stable. He believes
the days of annual growth hitting the 50 percent mark are over with
an expected revenue for Microsoft Australia next year of around 20
to 25 percent.
(Paul Zucker and Computer Daily News/19931217/PR Contact: Patricia
Gibson at Microsoft Australia on phone +61-2-870 2200 or fax
+61-2-805 1108)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
GENERAL
Japan - Magazine Error Gives Free Software To Readers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00012)
Japan - Magazine Error Gives Free Software To Readers 12/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Softbank, the publisher of
Japanese MacUser magazine, has distributed a sample CD-ROM disc
in each copy of its magazine. Although the disc was supposed to
contain only demo versions of new programs, it actually contains
a complete version of one of them, a $980 value.
The CD-ROM disk was intended as a free gift for purchasers
of the magazine. Softbank released the first issue of the
magazine on November 18.
The CD-ROM disk contains a number of demonstration copies of
various application programs plus a complete version of
Wings, which was developed by Japan's ASCII under a licensing
agreement from Informix in the US.
ASCII brought the matter to Softbank's attention, which has since
issued a massive recall of these magazines. For its part,
Softbank claims it intended to include a demonstration copy of
the program and the full version was included by mistake.
An ASCII spokesman told Newsbytes that ASCII is now talking with
Softbank and is looking into this problem in order to
determine how the mistake was made.
Although Softbank is trying to recall the magazine from
bookstores, a considerable number of them have already been sold.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931206/Press Contact: ASCII, +81-3-
5351-8065, Fax, +81-3-5351-8087)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
UNIX
Japan - NEC, Sunsoft Japan Link On Solaris, Says Report
(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00013)
Japan - NEC, Sunsoft Japan Link On Solaris, Says Report 12/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- NEC and Sunsoft Japan are
in a venture together involving Sun's Unix operating system Solaris,
according to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper. The report says Solaris
will operate on NEC's best-selling personal computer the PC-9801
family. Both Sunsoft Japan and NEC have no comment on the report.
The newspaper says NEC and Sunsoft Japan have reached an
agreement, two years in the making, concerning development of
Solaris for the PC-9801. The NEC version of Solaris is expected to
debut by the summer of 1994, the report says.
A Sunsoft Japan spokeswoman told Newsbytes that there is
no such agreement at present and she denied that there may be
an NEC version of Solaris.
Meanwhile, an NEC spokesman admitted that NEC is providing
technical information on the PC-9801 to Sunsoft Japan. This,
however, may not be significant because NEC also provides
the same information to other third party software makers.
Regarding the possibility of bundling Solaris on the PC-9801, the
NEC spokesman flatly denied that there such a plan at present.
Solaris is a Unix operating system, based on Unix System V
Release 4. The software currently operates on Sun's RISC (reduced
instruction set computing)-based SPARC workstations, Intel's
80486-based computers, and the Power PC.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931216/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3451-2974, Fax, +81-3-3457-7249, Sun Soft Japan, +81-3-3221-7133)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of - Dauphin DTR-1 Pen-based Portable Computer,
(REVIEW)(IBM)(LAX)(00014)
Review of - Dauphin DTR-1 Pen-based Portable Computer, 12/17/93
From: Dauphin Technology, 377 E. Butterfield Road, Suite 900,
Lombard, IL, 60148-9722, 708-971-3400, 800-782-7922
Price: $2,500
PUMA Rating: 3.5 (1 lowest, 4 highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Linda Rohrbough, 12/17/93
Summary: The Dauphin DTR-1 is a delightful toy, but it's also a
powerful, and handy computer. Its most practical value will
probably be in vertical market applications.
======
REVIEW
======
The Dauphin DTR-1 is a computer, about the size of a paperback
book that runs Windows and offers a pen interface. When I first
took it out of the box, it looked like a kludge, but the more I
got into it, the more I liked it. The thing that sets the DTR-1
apart, more than anything else, is its versatility.
The unit is powered by a 486ALC Cyrix microprocessor running at
25 megahertz (MHz), an internal 40-megabyte (MB) hard disk drive,
a 9600 baud fax/2400 baud internal modem, a serial port, a
parallel port, a monochrome, pen-sensitive display, a super
video graphics adapter (SVGA) port for an external monitor, an
optional Ethernet connection, and a small-sized keyboard. I also
understand Dauphin has added the option of a sound card as well.
The computer is 9 by 5.5 by 1.24 inches, weighs 2.5 pounds and it
is just about all screen. The monitor is a 6-inch diagonal
monochrome display and the unit comes with a cover that slides
over the top and effectively protects the screen and all the
ports. The cover slides off and can be turned over and slid back
on to protect the ports while you're walking around with it.
It comes with a soft, zippered case equipped with Velcro straps
that hug the DTR-1 to hold it while the keyboard fits in the
bottom of the case. You can use the DTR-1 with or without the
keyboard. If you decide to use the keyboard and want the DTR-1
propped up like a laptop, the case has a stand built-in that is
weak-kneed, but effective in a pinch.
I found I became enamoured right away with the pen interface for
Windows. I didn't do anything spectacular, but if I could trade
my desktop PC's mouse for a pen-tablet right now -- I'd do it.
The handwriting recognition was dismal, though, and I gave up on
it after about 20 minutes of trying to get it to recognize my
name one character at a time.
So that leads me to why this machine is really good for vertical
applications. Industry analysts have been saying for some time
the market for pen-based computers is in medical and
manufacturing fields and it is easy to imagine a nurse walking
around with a DTR-1 to record patient data.
However, any application that requires handwriting recognition is
sunk, but an interface with sliders and pick lists would be a
delight to work with and very fast. Dauphin was smart enough to
include a couple of those applications with my unit and I was
pleasantly surprised to discover how easy they were to use.
If writing is required, the best way to get it done would be to
call up the electronic keyboard and tap in the letters by
touching them with the pen or just plugging in the small keyboard
that comes with the unit. There is a port for a "real" keyboard
that those with larger fingers will appreciate if an attempt to
do any serious typing is made. The unit will also run a full-
sized video graphics array color display via a built-in VGA
connector either with the built-in display or without. It will
produce super VGA (SVGA) resolution if you don't use the built-in
display with another monitor attached.
I found it painless to connect to peripherals with greater
freedom than my laptop. I suppose that's because the ports are
all right there around the outside edge of the computer.
There were a couple of glitches. Along the side of the screen are
adjustments for brightness, contrast, suspend/resume, and turbo
mode, all of which are adjusted by using the pen. After I used
the DTR-1 a few times, the pen suddenly didn't work anymore. I
fiddled with it until I discovered that the pen wouldn't work
unless the unit was in turbo mode, which is selected by tapping
on the turbo adjustment to the side of the screen.
Dauphin representatives confirmed that indeed the pen doesn't
work unless the unit is in the 25 megahertz (MHz) turbo mode.
Non-turbo mode is 8 MHz, a surprisingly slow speed, but one
designed to save battery life, according to Dauphin.
I also noticed I got under two hours of battery life, although
the unit recharges the batteries in under an hour. That was
disturbing. If the DTR-1 is set to the lower clock speed, it'll
deliver more battery life, but, of course, then the pen doesn't
work. Dauphin officials told me they are aware of the problem and
will introduce a new battery in the first quarter of 1994 that
will go 8 hours.
Another, much more minor ailment was the fact that the connector
for the external 3.5-inch drive that came with the DTR-1 forces
itself between the keyboard and the computer in such a way that I
couldn't get the stand to hold the computer up very well. So I
learned I couldn't use the DTR-1 in the case with the 3.5-inch
drive plugged into it.
Overall, I'd say the DTR-1 is an interesting and versatile unit
-- but you'd have to have a special project to justify the
expense. With the built-in Ethernet connection, the DTR-1 I
evaluated is retail priced at $2,900.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: 3 The three here is for the pen's inoperational status
at the low clock speed. The unit performed admirably otherwise.
USEFULNESS: 3 I really liked this computer and found several, varied
uses for it. The only problem would be the battery life, which is why
it gets a three here.
MANUAL: 4 There were clear, straight-forward illustrations and simple
to follow instructions. No problems here.
AVAILABILITY: 4 Several major distributors have picked up the DTR-1,
including Merisel.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931216/Press Contact: Colleen Burke, Dauphin,
tel 708-971-3400, fax 708-971-8443)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
REVIEW TELECOM
Review of - The Internet Complete Reference
(REVIEW)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00015)
Review of - The Internet Complete Reference 12/17/93
From: Osborne McGraw-Hill, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17294-0701. 800-
722-4726. Written by Harley Hahn & Rick 1994, Osborne
McGraw-Hill, ISBN 0-07-881980-6.
Price: $29.95
PUMA Rating: 4 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick, 12/17/93
Summary: The essential introduction to the Internet, this book
covers everything you need to get started exploring this vast
resource.
======
REVIEW
======
Do you want access to millions of thoughtful, well-educated
people? How about a few good vegetarian recipes or information
about the latest advances in cold fusion research? All this, and
literally millions of other pieces of information are freely
available on the Internet - all you have to do is locate what you
want and that is just what this book promises to show you how to
do.
Ever wonder what Archie, Jughead, and Veronica are doing these
days? Well they are on the Internet, ready to help you find what
you need and this book will show you how to use them and dozens
of other critical Internet tools.
"The Internet is, by far, the greatest and most significant
achievement in the history of mankind," so begins this book which
promises to provide all you need to learn to navigate the vast
Internet, but is the statement mere hyperbole and is this really
a "complete reference" as the publisher claims?
My answer to both is a qualified yes.
If, as I do and the authors apparently do, you see the exchange
of knowledge as the most important aspect of society, that which
separates human beings from mere biological organisms, then you
will agree that Internet is a milestone, every bit as important
as Gutenberg's invention and quite possibly an even more seminal
event.
Of course some cultures ranging from TV network executives to
many Eastern religions, and the vast majority of US high school
students, do not see knowledge as very important so they would of
course disagree but, as I feel certain Mr. Hahn would say, "Who
cares about sharing ideas with them?"
As for this being a "complete reference," I feel that this book
does qualify for that designation despite the fact that it barely
touches on the contents of the Internet.
You see, no one really understands all of the Internet or knows
what is on this international network which connects several
million computers and local area networks (another thing no one
knows is just how many computers are connected to the Internet).
But despite the fact that this book provides a vast amount of
information about how to use the Internet and even what you can
find there, the authors don't even pretend to cover more than a
tiny part of what is out there, all they promise to do is provide
you with the tools needed to go forth and explore the Internet on
your own.
This promise they have kept - read this book and you will
understand enough about the Internet to begin what will be a
lifetime's exploration.
Starting with the basics, the authors explain what the Internet
is, explain how to connect to it, how to interpret Internet
addresses, and how to send and receive e-mail.
More advanced, but essential topics include how to connect to
remote computers, what the Usenet is, how to use the four major
Newsreaders with tips on how to decide which is best for you,
what an Anonymous FTP does, how Archie locates files for you,
uploading and downloading Internet files on PCs and Macs, and
what Gopher has to do with Veronica and Jughead.
All of those are basic essentials for using Internet resources,
but this book also covers more advanced topics which many users
won't decide to use at first. These include strategies for
tracking down a lost friend's address, Wais, the Web, and Mailing
Lists.
As you may have suspected, that there is just so much in the
Internet that the biggest problem with using it is locating what
you want. That is where this book really shines - explaining how
to find just those files or ideas you are looking for.
This book isn't for complete computer novices, but if you know
how to connect a modem and log on to a BBS or even a commercial
system like GEnie or CompuServe, you are ready to tackle the
Internet with the help of this impressive guide and reference.
An important part of this document is the massive guide to
Internet services which will show beginners and experienced users
alike just where to start looking for interesting items. The
guide fills hundreds of pages but still only skims the surface of
what exists on the entire Internet because it can only include
the organized groups and much of the power of the Internet comes
from the fact that not everything is organized.
Appendices tell you where to gain access to the Internet and the
book even includes a coupon offering a month's free access to the
net.
Of special interest to some Newsbytes readers is the fact that we
are also on the Internet and available at any subscriber location
which subscribes to the Clarinet news service. Unlike Usenet
which carries discussions and lots of useful current information,
Clarinet carries actual news from a number of sources.
Perhaps the most comforting advice provided by this book is the
assurance that, although some knowledge of Unix can be very
helpful, it is by no means necessary for anyone wishing to join
this international information-sharing network.
(John McCormick/19931215/Press Contact: Lisa Kissinger, McGraw-
Hill, 717-794-2191)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
TRENDS
VLSI, 3DO Postpone Stock Offerings
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00016)
VLSI, 3DO Postpone Stock Offerings 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- While many stock
market observers see the blue chip market as churning at or near
its all-time record highs, high-tech stocks haven't fared as well
lately. Technology stock IPOs, initial public offerings of stock
which a company sells when it wants to raise money and
potentially make early investors and executives rich from their
stock holdings, and secondary placements, have both been all over
the place as far as initial placement prices and subsequent
action. Two noteworthy stock offerings, those from VLSI and 3DO,
have recently been pulled from the market, most likely for very
different reasons.
3DO has announced that it will not bring more stock to the
market at the moment. Most observers see this as
being because of apparent diminished prospects for the company as
well as negative pressure on many technology stocks.
San Jose, California-based VLSI, which makes very-large-scale
integrated circuits (hence the company name), had planned to sell
some three million shares of the company's stock which is already
traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol VLSI.
The company's stock, which had a calendar high of 18 7/8 and a
low price of 6 1/2, as of 11 a.m. today was trading at 10 1/2, up
5/8 from yesterday's closing price of 9 7/8. The company pays no
dividend on its stock and has negative earnings per share
according to Fidelity Brokerage Services' online trading system.
The company has cited poor market conditions in the technology
sector and VLSI's own disappointing price as reasons for not
coming to market with three million more shares. Some observers
see this as a positive indication, showing that company
executives are withholding the new stock because they feel that
the company's stock is worth more than they would be forced to
accept at this time.
3DO, the maker of an advanced new video game which has been
criticized by vendors as not having very many titles available,
and for putting too high a price tag on its video game machine,
has also cancelled a stock offering of one million shares of
common stock. It launched its initial public offering earlier
this year and its stock is traded on the NASDAQ.
3DO has recently seen some major players come on board as game
developers, the latest being Accolade which announced support
yesterday, but many industry observers see major competition just
over the horizon from larger companies which expect to offer more
powerful and less expensive video game machines than the one
which Panasonic currently markets as the FZ-1 REAL 3DO
Interactive Multiplayer.
Other recent new issues have been hot when they first hit the
market but have plunged on disappointing financial results or
company statements.
One major example has been Dataware Technology, which came public
earlier this year in the mid-teens and climbed steadily to a high
of 23 1/2 before settling back near its IPO price. Then, on
negative comments about earnings, it plunged to only half its
price in a single day and is still hovering at 8 3/4 today, near
its record low of 7 3/4.
Since the CD-ROM publisher and software supplier actually has
earnings and a price earnings ratio of 49 to 1, many investors
would see it as a stronger investment (as opposed to speculation)
than either 3DO or VLSI.
(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Gregory K. Hinckley,
VLSI, 408-434-7836 )
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
TRENDS
Worldwide Transaction Processing (TP) Market On The Rise
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00017)
Worldwide Transaction Processing (TP) Market On The Rise 12/17/93
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- The 1990s
will be remembered in part as the decade in which transaction
processing (TP) technologies moved to the forefront of competition
in the commercial systems and servers industries, according to a
new survey by International Data Corporation (IDC).
The worldwide TP systems market will grow at between 1.5 to 2.0
percent per year through 1997, the study projected.
The worldwide TP database software market will experience better
than 15 percent compounded annual growth (CAGR) over the same
period, says the report, "Transaction Processing: Systems,
Databases and Middleware."
The worldwide market for TP monitor software will also register
strong growth, amounting to better than 5 percent per year CAGR
through 1997.
Markets for these TP tools have already become among the hottest in
the industry, as mounting competition forces organizations to focus
on customers, and to reduce the complexities and costs of doing
business, the researchers explained.
In addition, users want TP systems to present information through
"action-support" applications that do not require significant
browsing or searching of volumes of raw data.
"Our research clearly shows that application programming interface
like those found in leading SQL (Standard Query Language) databases
and IBM's CICS (Customer Information Control System) TP monitor are
essential to customer action-support application plans," noted
Peter Burris, director of IDC's Worldwide Commercial Systems and
Servers research program.
IBM's CICS product family owns 54 percent of the worldwide TP
monitor software market today, according to the survey. As a
result of an aggressive but achievable strategy and solid
customer demand, CICS' share of the market will rise to 64 percent
by 1997, enhancing the position of CICS as a de facto industry
standard, the researchers predicted.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931217/Reader contact: IDC, tel 508-872-8200;
Press contacts: Deborah Butler, IDC, tel 508-935-4302; Peter
Burris, IDC, tel 508-935-4216)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
GOVT
****Writers Sue Over Use Of Articles Online
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00018)
****Writers Sue Over Use Of Articles Online 12/17/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Ten freelance
writers are suing several major media outlets and two electronic
publishers over what they say is unauthorized use of their work
on online services and compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).
With the backing of the National Writers' Union, the writers have
filed a suit against The New York Times, Time Inc., the Newsday
subsidiary of Times-Mirror Corp., Mead Data Central Corp., and
University Microfilms International, a division of Bell & Howell.
They charge that work commissioned for The New York Times,
Newsday, and Sports Illustrated magazine was placed on Mead's
Nexis online service and published by University Microfilms on
CD-ROM without the writers' permission and without further
compensation, said Jonathan Tasini, president of the National
Writers' Union and one of the plaintiffs in the case.
It is the first such lawsuit filed in the United States over
electronic republication of writers' work, Tasini said.
Freelance writers, who work on a contract basis for various
publications, usually retain ownership of what they write,
selling only the right to publish the material once, unless a
contract states otherwise.
Since the first online databases of newspaper and magazine
articles appeared more than 10 years ago, some writers have
worried about their work being republished electronically without
their receiving any more money for it.
Newsbytes reached Mead Data Central in Dayton, Ohio, but a
company spokeswoman said Mead could not comment as it had not yet
seen details of the suit.
(Grant Buckler/19931217/Press Contact: Jonathan Tasini, National
Writers' Union, 212-254-0279; Monica Schiffler, Mead Data
Central, 513-865-1519)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
IBM
IBM Ships AS/400 Models, OS/400 Release
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00019)
IBM Ships AS/400 Models, OS/400 Release 12/17/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- IBM has
announced that it is shipping to customers three new models of
its AS/400 midrange computer announced in September, and an
update to the OS/400 operating system that runs on the AS/400
line.
Shipments of the AS/400 9402 Model 100, 9404 Model 135, and 9404
Model 140 began today, the company said. The machines were part
of an extensive announcement in September aimed at extending the
midrange line's appeal for client/server computing.
The new models come at prices roughly comparable to those of the
existing F02, F10, and F20 models respectively, said John
Thompson, senior vice-president and general manager of
application business systems, during the September press
conference, but will deliver three to five times better
performance than the older models when dedicated to client/server
computing.
"If you're running client/server type of work for more than 50
percent of the time," Thompson said, "then these are the models
that we would recommend."
"As a market, the client/server opportunity is a very large
opportunity," added Susan Whitney, director of midrange systems
marketing for IBM United States. The market is growing at about
25 percent per year, she said.
Earlier, in a July press conference in New York, IBM Chairman
Louis Gerstner said 60 percent of AS/400 systems in use were in
client/server installations, and claimed the company was becoming
more aggressive in going after that market.
IBM also said it is now shipping OS/400 Version 2 Release 3, the
latest revision of the AS/400's operating system. First revealed
in February, the new release improves client/server performance
and brings improvements in system management, application
development, communications, printing, and other functions,
according to IBM officials.
(Grant Buckler/19931217/Press Contact: Karla Feuer, IBM,
914-642-5473; Barbara McNair, IBM, 914-642-5357/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
TELECOM
****CompuServe Music Suit Could be Far Reaching
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
****CompuServe Music Suit Could be Far Reaching 12/17/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Music publishers
have sued CompuServe in a case which could have far-reaching
effects, but which has not had a practical impact yet.
In a complaint filed in the US District Court for the Southern
District in New York City, CompuServe is being charged with
violating the copyright on the tune "Unchained Melody," by Alex
North and Hy Zaret. The song dates from 1955, but its best-known
use was a 1965 version by the Righteous Brothers. The suit
charges that the copyright has been violated at least 690 times,
based on uploads and downloads of MIDI files in the music forums
on CompuServe.
The case has potentially far-reaching effects. If music is to
attain the same legal protections as software, then copyrighted
MIDI files will have to be purged from all of the thousands of
bulletin board systems which now post them, not just CompuServe.
It may be necessary for trade groups to launch massive education
campaigns and engage on raids on computer users homes, as is now
done with software, observers suggest. Even at that, of course, the
success of the effort may prove limited. Despite legal protections
and enforcement efforts, software piracy remains a big problem.
In the case at issue, however, the plaintiffs are trying to
simplify their task of enforcement by making the online service
responsible for infringements, as bulletin board operators are
held responsible for postings of copyrighted software. The Wall
Street Journal quoted plaintiff's attorney Alan Shulman as saying
"it's too much work" to go after the people uploading and
downloading such files. "I'll never chase them all over the
country." That's why he wants to hold the systems that post such
files liable for infringement. The suit asks $100,000 for each
infringement.
Newsbytes reached Mr. Shulman at the offices of the National
Music Publishers Association, which shares offices with the Harry
Fox music publishing firm. The association is reportedly backing
the suit, turning it into a class-action on behalf of some of its
500 members. Mr. Shulman, upon learning that Newsbytes is
distributed online, refused our request for an interview. When
asked for advice on avoiding lawsuits, he declined to give any,
and hung up the phone. CompuServe spokesmen were also unavailable
for comment at press time.
Newsbytes joined the music forums at issue, and left a note for
sysop Jim Maki, but a reply to that note had not arrived by press
time. We checked the forum's procedures for uploading files,
which might be of issue, and found this standard disclaimer --
"Under our Agreement and Operating Rules, you must own or have
sufficient rights to any information you place on the Service."
We also browsed the most recent uploads to the section and found
that, while most files are patches to MIDI programs or original
compositions, some are admitted variants of popular, and
copywritten, songs."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931217/Press Contact: CompuServe, Debra
Young, 614-538-4553; Alan Shulman, National Music Publishers'
Association, 212-370-5330)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
BUSINESS
Wang Outlines New Financial Structure
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00021)
Wang Outlines New Financial Structure 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Wang Laboratories,
the once high-flying office automation computer company which
fell on hard times because it failed to move with the industry
adoption of compatible hardware and software, has announced just
how its new public stock structure will be configured.
After bankruptcy reorganization, Wang has issued 30 million
shares of a new common stock and will distribute 20.4 million of
these shares to unsecured creditors by Christmas. The remaining
9.6 million shares are a reserve which the company will
distribute as claims against the company are settled.
The new shares will trade on NASDAQ as soon as enough shares are
transferred to make a liquid market. Share prices closed
yesterday at $14 7/8 bid and $15 1/8 asked in when-issued trading
yesterday on the NASDAQ system. The spread or difference between
bid and asked represents the difference in what people are asking
for their shares and what buyers are willing to pay.
Under the new stock plan, WangB shares (which have traded well
below $1 per share in recent months) and the thinly traded WangC
common shares will be cancelled, and the company will replace
them with 7.5 million warrants for holders of record as of
September 28, 1993. The seven-year nine-month warrants will be
calculated at a later date and will be based on an estimate of
the allowed unsecured claims divided by the 30 million shares of
new common stock which has just been issued to the unsecured
creditors.
When the new shares are issued next week this will also activate
the $60 million in proceeds from an earlier private placement of
600,000 shares of a preferred stock and 1.5 million shares of the
new common stock.
Wang will also gain access to $25 million in letters of credit
from Congress Financial Corporation and a $5 million line of loan
credit.
This announcement marks a milestone in Wang's attempt to emerge
from bankruptcy as a smaller but viable computer company.
(John McCormick/19931217/Press Contact: Frank Ryan, Wang, 508-
967-7038)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
IBM
AST Cuts Bravo Notebook Prices
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00022)
AST Cuts Bravo Notebook Prices 12/17/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- In the burgeoning
notebook computer market, like the desktop computer market,
hardware vendors are continually lowering system prices in an
attempt to increase sales. Now AST Research Inc., has cut the
price of its Bravo NB 4/25s.
Donna Kather, spokesperson for AST, told Newsbytes that prices
were cut to "remain competitive in the market. We introduced
(the Bravo) as a value line with the idea of making mobile
computing more accessible to a broader range of users."
According to the company, new estimated sales prices for the
Bravo NB 4/25s product line start at $1,650 for monochrome,
$2,350 for Dual-Scan STN (supertwist nematic) color, and
$3,275 for TFT (thin film transistor) color, which translates
into savings of $50, $150, and $175, respectively.
There is also a special skiing promotion on Bravo NB notebooks
sold until January 31, 1994. End users who purchase a Bravo NB
notebook and authorized reseller sales representatives selling
five or more Bravo NBs will "automatically qualify for a ski
vacation package, consisting of lodging and lift tickets at one
of eleven destinations in the United States and British Columbia."
The company does say however, that the package is subject to
"certain limitations."
Kather told Newsbytes that the limitations are really just, "the
timing of it -- you have to buy the notebook between now and
January 31. And there are limitations on the ski areas -- you
have a choice of ski areas from which to choose. It includes
lodging and lift tickets, but it doesn't include the airfare."
The Bravo NB notebooks are powered by an Intel 25 megahertz
(MHz) 486SX microprocessor. A Type III PCMCIA (Personal
Computer Memory Card International Association) slot is also
included which allows access to both Type III and Type II
cards for modem and fax and local area network connections.
The company says that Bravo NB systems come standard with an
integrated trackball; local bus enhanced graphics; four megabytes
(MB) RAM, expandable to 20MB; a 3.5-inch 1.44MB internal floppy
disk drive; and hard drives ranging from 80MB up to 170MB. The
nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery gives users up to three and
one-half hours of computing time on the Bravo NB monochrome
system and up to three hours on the Bravo NB Color and ColorPlus
models, according to AST. There is also an external NiMH battery
option can reportedly double the battery life.
The Bravo NB measures 8.8-inches by 11.7-inches by 1.5-inches
and features an 11-millimeter trackball imbedded into the 82-key
keyboard. It weighs in at 5.5 pounds for the Bravo NB 4/25s and
six pounds each for the Bravo NB 4/25s Color and ColorPlus
versions.
AST also says that all models come with Microsoft's DOS 6.0,
Windows 3.1, and Star Software's B-Tools business utilities,
which include a financial calculator, business plan generator,
phone book, and envelope and label print templates.
The notebooks are also covered by a one-year warranty and the
standard ExeCare Plus program includes free 48-hour repair upon
receipt at AST. The company will pay the freight both ways, and
on-site maintenance is available within a 50-mile radius of more
than 250 authorized AST on-site service locations. There is also
a toll-free customer service available 24 hours a day, seven days
a week.
(Ian Stokell/19931217/Press Contact: Donna Kather,
714-727-7943, AST Research)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
BUSINESS
3Com Posts Record Earnings, To Acquire Synernetics
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00023)
3Com Posts Record Earnings, To Acquire Synernetics 12/17/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- 3Com
Corp., has posted record sales of $205.3 million for its second
fiscal quarter ended November 30, an increase of 34 percent from
the year-earlier quarter. The company has also announced a
definitive agreement to acquire Synernetics, Inc.
According to 3Com, net income increased 131 percent to $21.5
million ($.65 per share) compared with the prior year, and orders
for the quarter totaled $202.1 million.
The company maintains that the results represent the "strongest
sequential growth in its history," with sales increasing 27 percent
from the $162.1 million reported in the first fiscal quarter, and
orders increasing 29 percent from $157.0 million. As a result,
net income and earnings per share increased 61 percent and 59
percent respectively, exclusive of "non-recurring gains in the
August quarter."
Eric Benhamou, president and chief executive officer, said:
"Sales and order growth this quarter were fueled by strength
in both our adapter and systems businesses. The company's
focus on global data networking and providing
complete desktop-to-WAN (wide area network) connectivity
systems has allowed us to penetrate new markets and expand
our customer base significantly."
The company also says that sales of its systems products,
including hubs and internetworking platforms, represented 35
percent of total sales during the quarter, while sales of network
adapters accounted for 59 percent of total sales. The remaining
six percent of its business was accounted for mainly by
communication servers and customer service.
North Billerica, Massachusetts-based Synernetics, is a major
player in the Ethernet and FDDI (fiber distributed data interface)
switching markets, and estimates that 1993 revenues will be at
about $27 million. The two companies have been joint development
partners since 1991.
According to 3Com, the acquisition positions the company as
"the leader in Ethernet switching." The addition of switching
also "strengthens the company's position in both the hub and
internetworking markets."
According to the companies, the acquisition, which is expected
to be completed in January, will be accounted for as a purchase
for $104 million. 3Com says it will write off a substantial
majority of the purchase price and related transaction costs in
the current quarter.
Said Eric Benhamou, "Together, we have more direct experience
with customers using switching technologies than any other
vendor. Combining this market experience with technology
investment and our High Performance Scalable Networking
strategy can accelerate the growth of switching product sales."
Synernetics develops and markets intelligent switching hubs.
Switching technologies are becoming increasingly important as
users demand higher bandwidth, faster throughput, more LAN
(local area network) connections, and lower per-user costs.
Synernetics says it will maintain its facilities in Massachusetts
and become 3Com's switching division, reporting to Dave
Tolwinski, currently Synernetics vice president of marketing,
who will become a 3Com vice president and general manager of
the division. Allan Wallack, Synernetics president and chief
executive, will serve in a "consulting" role during the transition.
The division will report to 3Com's executive vice president, Bob
Finocchio.
(Ian Stokell/19931217/Press Contact: David Abramson,
408-764-6621, 3Com Corp; Roman Kichorowsky, 508-670-5488
ext 6219, Synernetics)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00024)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 12/17/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
January's Computer Shopper had some nice comments about the
Newsbytes CD-ROM archives written by columnist Alfred Poor, but
the main feature of this issue was the yearly Best Buy ratings
for products in many categories. Computer Shopper differs from
many publications in rating products AND the companies which sell
them. Gateway 2000, Zeos International, and Insight came out on
top for desktop computers, notebooks, and multimedia systems. All
advertise in CS, but then almost every direct seller does, so
that is unlikely to sway the judges.
Communicationsweek for December 13 reports that Intel will launch
a major $2,000 per seat video conferencing system with data
sharing. Beta testing now, this is a fast Ethernet-based product.
InfoWorld dated December 13 says that WilTel will be the first
carrier to offer one-stop shopping for buyers of ATM
(asynchronous transfer mode) services by offering LAN-to-WAN
links, Routers, and support.
Computer Currents for December 14 reviews some multimedia upgrade
packages and looks at computer user-oriented holiday gifts.
The December 13 Computerworld takes a look at NAFTA's (North
American Free Trade Agreement) opening up of the market south of
the border with a special emphasis on the major
telecommunications problems which face any company moving into
Mexico.
Network World for the Week of the 13th predicts that IBM will be
making a major push into high-speed wireless LAN next year.
(John McCormick/19931217/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
GENERAL
Software Company Pays Nonsmokers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00025)
Software Company Pays Nonsmokers 12/17/93
PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Former
smokers - and wannabees - know how hard it is to quit smoking.
Now one Texas-based software company has made it worthwhile
for its employees to give up the habit.
MICA Accounting Software President Mark J. Lee has issued a
challenge to any of his employees who smoke. Lee says any
employee who remains smoke free during the 1994 calendar year
will receive a $1,000 cash bonus at the end of the period.
Lee, a non-smoker himself, says he has pursued a life of fitness
and nutrition, and has authored a nutritional analysis software
program that was marketed nationally during the late 1980s. Lee
believes better health and fitness leads to increased productivity
and better work attitudes so he is willing to make it worthwhile for
MICA employees to quit smoking.
"I sincerely believe that if our employees quit smoking, they will
feel better and work more productively each day. I definitely know
they will take fewer smoke breaks each day. Besides, we have
invested a large amount of time and money training each of our
employees."
A MICA spokesperson told Newsbytes three of MICA's 18
employees have already jumped at the offer. Telesales
representative Breada Junot says it's the first time anyone has
offered an incentive to quit. "It just floored me that someone was
willing to give me $1,000 to do something that could have such a
positive impact on my physical and mental health," says Junot.
Another telesales representative said the timing was perfect,
since she was already scheduled to get a nicotine patch to help
her quit. "this will just give me that much more incentive to stick
to it," said Patsy Bailey.
MICA spokesperson Alan Weinkrantz told Newsbytes Lee said the
company does expect the program to have a positive effect
on the health care program MICA provides for its employees, but
does not know yet how much the premiums will be reduced.
MICA's health insurance provider requires covered individuals to
be smoke free for one year before granting a rate decrease, said
Weinkrantz.
(Jim Mallory/19931217/Press contact: Alan Weinkrantz for MICA
Accounting Software, 210-820-3070; Reader contact: MICA
Accounting Software, 409-983-2051, fax 409-983-5106)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
BUSINESS
German Economy Continues To Improve
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00026)
German Economy Continues To Improve 12/17/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- According to the Central Bank
of Germany, part of the German economy has improved in the third
quarter 1993. However, investors are still wary of investing,
particularly in the high-tech arena.
According to the bank, fast and positive changes in the whole
infrastructure of the Eastern part of Germany are helping to build a
strong economy. The economy there has shown a lot of improvement
mainly in construction industry.
Also, many products are becoming very competitive, although
Newsbytes notes that demand for all types of products is lower than
on the Western side of the country.
According to the Bundesbank, ships in the Western side of Germany
spent more on goods generally, but these were financed from
citizen's savings rather than from income generally.
Bundesbank officials claim that food products had a lesser demand on
internal and foreign markets, but electronic goods were selling very
well, especially in the light of increasing imports from both the US
and the Far East. Officials predict that sales of electronic goods,
in particular, computers, are expected to rise during 1994.
During the third quarter of the year, company orders in Germany were
up two percent on earlier months of the year, although the
Unification of Germany is taking its toll on the German economy
generally -- orders in the former Western Germany were four percent
down on the third quarter last year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931217/Press & Public Contact: Deutsches Bundesbank
- Tel: +49-228-11518)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/17/93
BUSINESS
Sun Signs SPARC Chip Japan Distrib Deal With Mitsui
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027)
Sun Signs SPARC Chip Japan Distrib Deal With Mitsui 12/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- Japan is becoming an
increasingly important market for US-based semiconductor
manufacturers. Now Sun Microsystems Computer Corp.'s SPARC
Technology Business (STB) has signed up Mitsui & Company
Ltd., and its Electronics Group to be a distributor of all STB
microprocessor, ASIC (application specific integrated circuit),
module, and system board products throughout Japan.
Under terms of a memorandum of understanding, Mitsui plans to
utilize its local sales force to "proliferate SPARC into strategic
Japanese markets." According to Mitsui, the company intends to
maintain a "large local inventory of STB SPARC components"
available for delivery to Japanese customers beginning in the
first quarter of 1994.
Mitsui is reportedly the first Japanese distribution partner to
be named as part of STB's move into technology markets. STB
intends for its new worldwide sales and distribution channel
to meet customer requests for "a single source for SPARC
components complementing existing channels such as STB
manufacturing partner Texas Instruments."
Japanese markets to be targeted include printers, computing
applications, industrial control, and networking. SPARC products
to be sold by Mitsui include the microSPARC and SuperSPARC
central processing unit (CPU) products, CPU modules,
supporting ASICs, and SPARCengine boards.
(Ian Stokell/19931217/Press Contact: Jane Dryden,
415-336-0810, SPARC Technology Business)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
GENERAL
Non-Profit Multimedia Group Targets MM Issues
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00028)
Non-Profit Multimedia Group Targets MM Issues 12/17/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- The Multimedia
Communications Forum (MMCF), a non-profit group whose aim is to
promote networked multimedia market development, says its
December meeting in San Diego was joined by software companies
and end-user companies such as the European ISDN Users Forum,
Scotfield & Pixley, and Kaiser-Permanente.
Bob Bodine, director of Audio Visual and Teleconferencing for
Kaiser-Permanente, gave the end-user perspective describing
challenges faced in implementing video conferencing. Bodine then
offered attendees ideas on how networked multimedia will enable
telemedicine applications. President Clinton, during a recent
visit to Rocketdyne in Los Angeles, mentioned telemedicine
applications as one of the implementations of cold-war technology
to our peace time economy. The President described how the
technology could be used to help patients in rural areas get help
from experts in other locations.
Roman Nowacki of American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) talked
about potential market, especially the potential for as it
involves the CATV residential/consumer market potential.
Companies represented at the event included: Motorola, Kaleida
Labs, IIT and end users such as those from the European ISDN
Users Forum, Scotfield & Pixley, and the Multimeida Development
Group.
MMCF members include: Ascom Timeplex, ATI, AT&T, Compression
Labs, Data Communications, Deteberkom, DMS, E Systems, Ericsson,
IBM, Kemper Technologies, Luxcom, Motorola, National Computer
Systems, National Semiconductor, Northern Telecom, Siemens, and
the University of Singapore are all members of the organization.
The group describes its function as that of defining, setting
direction, and recommending standards, and it says it accomplishes
those functions by providing a forum for the interchange of ideas
and opportunities among vendors and end-users of multimedia
applications.
The group's next meeting is scheduled for March 1-3, 1994 at the
Omni Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Ron Kemper of Kemper Technologies
is handling the distribution of meeting materials concerning the
MMCF.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931217/Press Contact: Leslie Davis, National
Semiconductor, tel 408-721-2862, fax 408-721-7662; Public
Contact: Ron Kemper, Kemper Technologies, tel 512-346-1449)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
GENERAL
****Thousands Of Stolen DRAM Chips Could Be Faulty
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00029)
****Thousands Of Stolen DRAM Chips Could Be Faulty 12/17/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- OKI
Semiconductor is warning end users it cannot stand behind dynamic
random access memory (DRAM) chips it believes will be sold on the
gray market that were stolen from its production facilities on
Halloween night. An entire week's worth of production involving
hundreds of thousands of chips was taken in the robbery, most of
them untested by OKI.
Joe Baranowski, vice president of sales and marketing, said,
"Most of our stolen chips may appear to be packaged and marked
for ready sale, but they have not been tested to our
specifications. Accordingly, we will not accept any returns of
stolen devices purchased on the gray market.
"Even if the stolen chips are tested by a gray market job shop,
there is still little assurance that they will perform to
specification."
DRAMs of the type stolen are installed on small plug-in memory
modules which can contain up to 36 devices. Since nearly an
entire week's production was taken and since the chips are marked
with coded production dates, OKI officials say they feel
confident the company will be able to identify chips being
returned from sources outside its normal distribution channels.
Remarking the chips would be tedious work and might make them
look suspicious, so Baranowski is betting the thieves won't
bother.
The company confirmed that all devices purchased through OKI's
authorized distributors and sales representatives are covered by
a one-year replacement warranty to assure performance to
specification.
Headquartered in Sunnyvale, OKI has manufacturing facilities in
Tualatin, Oregon (near Portland) and is a division of OKI
America, a subsidiary of OKI Electric Industry Company Limited.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931217/Press Contact: Mary Morrison, OKI
Semiconductor tel 408-720-1900, fax 408-720-1918)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/17/93
IBM
UK - Acer Launches Power EISA Series
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00030)
UK - Acer Launches Power EISA Series 12/17/93
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 17 (NB) -- After pre-announcing
the Power EISA range of machines at Comdex Fall last month, Acer has
announced volume availability of the systems to the UK computer
business.
According to David Tanner, Acer UK's marketing manager, an intensive
advertising campaign is now under way for the new i486 and Pentium-
based systems, focusing on the aggressive price aspect of the
machines.
"We've done things in the reverse order to the US," he explained,
adding that the Pentium-based system has been announced to the
company's distributors and specialist resellers.
"These machines are extremely aggressively priced and combine an
exceptional performance and flexibility with a 32-bit EISA
architecture," he said. "Despite this, we're offering a typical buy
price of UKP 1,575," he added.
For this money, users get a base configuration of 486DX-33, 256K
cache, 4 megabytes (MB) of memory, an SVGA graphics controller,
onboard IDE disk controller and a 240MB hard disk. Further upscale,
UKP 2,945 gets users a Pentium-60 system with a 8MB of memory and 340MB
hard disk. Both systems come with a 14-inch 11D color monitor, MS-
DOS and Windows software.
On the subject of pricing, Tanner told Newsbytes that the aggressive
price tags on the machines were due to the company's attitude to
margins. "Many suppliers regard the Pentium as a cash cow, looking
for margins of 45 percent. We're prepared to look for more normal
profits, hence the price," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931217/Press & Public Contact: Acer UK - Tel: +44-753-
523024; Fax: +44-753-693739)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/16/93
APPLE
Supermac Intros Cinepak Accelerator Kit For Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00001)
Supermac Intros Cinepak Accelerator Kit For Mac 12/16/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Supermac's
Cinepak compression/decompression (codec) for video has been
adopted by major players in the multimedia industry, but has one
big drawback -- it is very slow in compressing video. As a result,
Supermac has announced the Cinepak Compression Accelerator
Kit to speed up Cinepak video compression.
Video compression schemes are popular due to the enormous size
of digitized video which, uncompressed with sound, can take up
large amounts of hard disk space. Supermac asserts Cinepak can
reduce the storage space by as much as 20 times, so an entire movie
can be stored on a single compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)
disc. In addition, playback of the video does not require special
hardware, so even those with low-end personal computers (PCs)
can enjoy video playback. However, the playback will be better on
faster PCs.
However, Cinepak compression has been time-consuming at 10 to 20
seconds per frame. This means it can take a full hour to compress
a single minute of video at 15 frames-per-second (fps) and two
hours at the full-motion video speed of 30 fps.
Supermac says its Cinepak Compression Acceleration Kit includes
hardware for the Apple Macintosh computer to cut the time it
takes to do the compression by two-thirds. The kit contains two
SuperMac Thunderstorm dual-digital signal processing (DSP) cards,
the Cinepak DSP software, a user guide, technical notes, and sample
scripts.
The DSP chips on the cards provide the muscle to speed up the
processing so what used to take an hour now can take between 20
and 30 minutes, depending on the data rate, frame rate, and quality
factors selected by the user, Supermac said.
Company officials assert the kit can do double-duty by
accelerating image processing functions in many popular
applications, such as those done by Adobe Photoshop software.
Since many CD-ROM video developers, as well as movie makers,
rely on Photoshop for preprocessing movies and creating special
effects, SuperMac claims it has made the Cinepak Compression
Software fully compatible with Adobe Photoshop 2.5 effects and
filters.
Cinepak compression software requires Macintosh System 6.07 or
later, and is compatible with Adobe Premiere versions 2.0 and
3.0, Cosa's After Effects versions 1.0 and 1.1, Equilibrium
Debabelizer in the 1.0 and 1 versions, and Adobe Photoshop 2.0.1
and 2.5. The company also maintains that all SuperMac, Apple,
and third-party graphics cards are compatible with the Cinepak
compression software.
Suggested retail price of the Cinepak Compression Accelerator
Kit is $1,499. Those who already have Supermac's Thunderstorm
hardware may obtain a stand-alone version of the Cinepak
compression software directly from SuperMac for $499.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931215/Press Contact: Dan Wald, Supermac,
tel 408-541-6100, fax 408-541-6150)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/16/93
GENERAL
CompUSA Chairman Resigns
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00002)
CompUSA Chairman Resigns 12/16/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- The chairman of one
of the country's largest superstore retailers -- CompUSA -- has
resigned.
Nathan Morton, chairman and CEO has resigned and CompUSA's
board has named the company's president, James F. Halpin, as CEO.
It has also elected Giles H. Bateman, an outside director, as
chairman of the board.
Morton joined CompUSA in May 1989 and was named president
and CEO in January 1990. He was elected chairman of the board
in May 1993.
In a prepared statement Halpin praised Morton, saying he had
done an outstanding job during the entrepreneurial period of the
company's growth. "Nathan showed tremendous vision in taking
the company from two to 66 stores and I look forward to taking
CompUSA to the next level."
Halpin joined CompUSA in May 1993 as president, chief operating
officer and a member of the board of directors. He has been
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company.
Previously he was president and CEO of Homebase, a $1.6 billion
California-based chain of 85 home center stores, and president
and CEO of BJ's Wholesale Club, a chain of 30 wholesale stores
operating in the eastern United States.
Bateman, a co-founder of The Price Club and a director of
CompUSA since December 1991 says Halpin's mandate is to
increase profitability and continue the company's growth. "His
track record shows he knows how to do that," Bateman said.
(Jim Mallory/19931215/Press Contact: CompUSA, 214-383-4000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/16/93
GOVT
Teen Gets Jail Term For Computer Death Threat
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00003)
Teen Gets Jail Term For Computer Death Threat 12/16/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- A Houston, Texas
teen, already on probation for trying to hire someone to kill a
romantic rival, has been given a 30-day jail term for sending
death threats via a computer bulletin board.
In addition to the 30 day jail term, State District Judge Denis
Collins also ordered Shawn Kevin Quinn to spend three months in
the county's boot camp for young offenders. Boot camps are
becoming a growing alternative to jail time for youth offenders
in various parts of the country. The camps operate similar to
military basic training camps and include a regimen of physical
training and strict discipline.
Quinn got into trouble with the law when he found himself in
an on-line discussion on a computer bulletin board about his
probation. The party Quinn was discussing his situation with
on-line reportedly told the teen he is "a whiny complainer who
probably belonged in jail."
Quinn, apparently incensed by the unidentified critic, responded,
"I deserve freedom, criminal conviction or not." He called the
person's comments "stupid" and "rude" and said he would
"probably think about getting a gun or other lethal weapon, Brady
bill or not, and you can guess the rest. The moment I escaped or
got paroled, guess what I'd do?"
The Brady bill is the law recently passed by Congress that
stipulates a waiting period prior to purchasing a handgun and is
intended to forestall the commission of a crime on the spur of the
moment or in the heat of passion. It is named after a presidential
staffer who was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt on
then-President Reagan.
Quinn was placed on 10 years probation in August of this year
after pleading no-contest to charges that he gave seven Atari
computer games and $5.30 to a district attorney's undercover
investigator to assassinate a fellow high school student. The
target was another boy who was favored by a girl Quinn was
reportedly enamored of.
(Jim Mallory/19931215)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
GENERAL
India - Motorola Software Center Earns Top Certification
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00004)
India - Motorola Software Center Earns Top Certification 12/16/93
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Motorola India Electronics
Ltd., the Bangalore software center of the US telecommunications
giant Motorola Inc., has gained the distinction of becoming the
third software development facility in the world, and the first
outside the US, to be formally recognized as operating at "Level 5"
by the Software Engineering Institute (SEI) of the US.
The other centers to have achieved this distinction are a joint
facility of IBM and the US National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, and the facility of US aircraft manufacturer
Lockheed.
Affiliated to the Carnegie Mellon University, the SEI is a US
government-funded research and development center. The US
Department of Defence entrusted to it the responsibility of
evaluating software sites and assessing software engineering
practices.
There are five grades, of which Level 5 is the highest. The SEI's
evaluation is believed to be more stringent than that of the
International Standards Organization (ISO).
According to George J. Smith, managing director of Motorola India
Electronics, the ISO 9000 standard applicable to software
development concerns is equivalent to Level 2 of SEI.
SEI's Level 1 grade applies to software facilities that acts in an
ad-hoc manner. Level 2 applies if the process is "intuitive and
person-oriented." Level 3 takes into account processes that are
well-defined, and in Level 4, they are also measured while retaining
the quality of Level 3. At Level 5, the entire organization is focused
on continuous process improvement resulting in the elimination of
redundant effort. The difference between Level 1 and 5 can be easily
understood by measuring the number of post-release bugs in a
software. The ratio of post release defects between Level 1 and 5
stands at 300 to 1.
Motorola's software center was created about 18 months ago to
develop engineering software for various divisions of Motorola
worldwide. Its projects so far have included paging systems,
cellular systems, digital signal processing, data communications,
and multimedia, as well as tools for parallel computing.
The facility will also supply software to Motorola's prestigious
global telecommunications project -- Iridium. Motorola has
already invested $5 million in its Indian software operations
and has committed $2 million in the coming year.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931216)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
GENERAL
Quicken Financial Software $8 Trial Edition
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00005)
Quicken Financial Software $8 Trial Edition 12/16/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Intuit says
43 percent of home computer users want to try the company's
financial program Quicken before they invest in it, according to
a recent survey, so Intuit plans to oblige. Beginning this month,
a new Trial Edition of Quicken in the DOS, Windows, or Macintosh
format will be offered to anyone who requests it for an $8
shipping and handling fee.
The company says its market research shows only 37 percent of
personal computer (PC)-owning households also own personal
finance software. As a result, 8.5 million households with
PCs do not have personal finance software.
Scott Cook, president of Intuit said in a prepared statement: "We've
talked to PC owners, and they are clearly excited about a way to
try Quicken before they pay full price. The Trial Edition is the
perfect way for us to give them that opportunity."
The $8 version will allow the user to set up eight accounts and
enter 50 transactions per account, which the company says is
about a month's worth of use of the product. A coupon good for an
$8 rebate is included with the product.
A Getting Started guide is provided with an overview of Quicken's
features, which include: multiple account tracking; electronic bill
payment; Quicken's electronic credit card statement delivery
Intellicharge; investment tracking; automatic budgeting; tax
record keeping; loan tracking; reports and graphs; and financial
planning calculators.
The suggested retail price for the software has been set at
$69.95, but careful shoppers may find the product in retail
stores for around $39.95. A proof-of-purchase is required for
the rebate.
Intuit's interest in broadening its market base is larger than
just Quicken, now that the company has completed its merger
with San Diego, California-based Chipsoft. Chipsoft makes tax
preparation software for DOS, Windows, and the Macintosh, and
has developed its products so data can be imported directly from
Quicken as well as other accounting packages. The two companies
said they are also planning a Quicken/Turbotax software bundle
for distribution in early 1994.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931216/Press Contact: Sheryl Ross, Intuit,
tel 415-329-3569, fax 415-329-3689; Public Contact, Intuit,
800-624-5071)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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1994 12/16/93
APPLE
Clarisworks 2.1 For Mac Due February
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00006)
Clarisworks 2.1 For Mac Due February 1994 12/16/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Claris,
Apple Computers' software subsidiary, has announced Clarisworks
2.1 for the Macintosh. Features of the new version include
support for System 7 Pro's Powertalk, hyphenation support for
word processing documents, and new file filters.
Powertalk support for the newly released System 7 Pro operating
system means Clarisworks users can send and receive documents
electronically from directly within the product. Claris says the
feature will make it easier for workgroups in small businesses,
corporate users, and individuals in home office settings to
consolidate and share information.
Hyphenation support for word processing documents was added
because of its importance to the company's German and
Scandinavian users, the company said. The lengthy words in those
two languages make multicolumn layouts difficult to implement
without hyphenation.
The new version includes the addition of a Microsoft Excel 4.0
filter and a Clarisworks 1.0 text filter. The Clarisworks 1.0 filter
was added to simplify the exchange of documents between
Clarisworks for Windows on the IBM and compatible personal
computer (PC) platform and ClarisWorks 1.0 on the Macintosh.
Claris claims Clarisworks has topped the one million sales mark
in fiscal 1993 and calls it the undisputed best-seller among
Macintosh integrated applications. This claim is based on total
purchased units (or licensed copies) worldwide of Integrated
(Works) software applications for the Macintosh, company
officials said.
The new version is expected in February of 1994 at a suggested
retail price of $299. Those who have the previous 2.0 version may
download the new version from America Online, Compuserve, or
the Claris bulletin board. Updates are also available on disk from
Claris for $13.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931216/Press Contact: Ines Anderson, Claris,
tel 408-987-7154, fax 408-987-3931; Public Contact, Claris,
408-727-8227)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
GENERAL
Ontario Gets Computerized Mining Library
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00007)
Ontario Gets Computerized Mining Library 12/16/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- There's gold in
them thar gigabytes. Or nickel, perhaps, or other minerals. The
provincial Ministry of Northern Development and Mines in Ontario
has launched a computerized mining library system to help
prospectors in the province.
The Earth Resources and Land Information System (ERLIS) makes
available some 120,000 maps as well as mining databases and
1.5 million pages of documents related to mining. It combines
geographic information system (GIS), database, and document
processing technology, said Cheuk Kwan, vice president of systems
at Monenco Agra, the Oakville, Ontario systems integration firm
that built the system for the province.
The data is stored on a total of 700 gigabytes (GB) of storage,
divided between two systems in Toronto and Sudbury, Ontario.
Sudbury, in the north of the province, is in the heart of Ontario's
nickel-mining region. The ministry has opened computer centers
in each city, Kwan said, each with the complete mining library
stored on 350GB of mass storage and accessible through
terminals.
Those who want to use the system can visit either computer
center, where they will be able to open computer accounts to use
the terminals. There will be fees for using the system, which the
ministry is expected to set early in 1994, Kwan said.
Documents on the system can be copied to diskettes or output
to printers or plotters at the computer centers, officials said.
The system cost C$2.4 million, and the initial contract was let
in January, 1993.
(Grant Buckler/19931216/Press Contact: Cheuk Kwan, Monenco
Agra, 905-829-5400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
IBM
****IBM Resumes ThinkPad 500 Shipments
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00008)
****IBM Resumes ThinkPad 500 Shipments 12/16/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- IBM has resumed
shipments of its ThinkPad 500 sub-notebook computer, which were
stopped in early November because of problems with the battery.
IBM stopped shipments after customer complaints about the
machines' batteries losing power. The machines are now back on
the market with a nickel metal hydride battery in place of the
former sealed lead-acid unit.
All other models in the ThinkPad line already used nickel-metal
hydride batteries and thus were not affected by the problem. The
lead-acid battery was made for IBM by another company,
spokesman Jonathan Gandal said earlier.
Gandal stressed in November that the problem was not a safety
issue. A handful of other manufacturers have recalled batteries
said to have overheated or short-circuited and occasionally
caused fires. Complaints about IBM's battery simply involved a
premature loss of power, sometimes resulting in new ThinkPads
reaching purchasers with their batteries dead, he said.
IBM said it will install and test the new battery free of charge
for owners of the ThinkPad 500.
The 3.8-pound ThinkPad 500 contains a 50 megahertz (MHz) IBM
486SLC2 processor and comes with a choice of 85 or 170
megabyte hard drives. It measures 10.1 by 7.5 by 1.6 inches.
(Grant Buckler/19931216/Press Contact: Jonathan Gandal, IBM,
914-766-1425; Michael Reiter, IBM, 914-766-1898; Public
Contact: IBM, 800-426-7244/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
BUSINESS
MicroProse, Spectrum Holobyte Complete Merger
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00009)
MicroProse, Spectrum Holobyte Complete Merger 12/16/93
HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- MicroProse
Inc., and Spectrum HoloByte of Alameda, California, have completed
their merger. The merged company takes the MicroProse name, but
will be run by former senior executives of Spectrum HoloByte and
60 percent owned by former Spectrum HoloByte shareholders.
The two makers of games software agreed on the deal in June,
following some months of financial troubles at MicroProse.
Newsbytes reported at the time that part of the deal was a
$10 million cash infusion in MicroProse from Spectrum Holobyte.
The merger terms give former Spectrum HoloByte shareholders 0.6
shares of MicroProse stock for each share of Spectrum HoloByte
stock they formerly held.
Patrick S. Feely, formerly chief executive of Spectrum HoloByte,
is now chief executive of the merged MicroProse. Also keeping
their former positions in the new company are: Frank E. Murnane,
chief financial officer; Barry James Folsom, president and chief
technical officer; and Gilman G. Louie, chairman. Eight of the 10
directors of the merged company are former Spectrum HoloByte
directors.
Murnane said Ron Boucher, former chief executive and chief
financial officer of MicroProse, will be working with him in a
senior financial capacity. MicroProse co-founder John W. Stealey
resigned as chairman in August.
Also in August, MicroProse announced it had cut about 160 workers
from its former payroll of 400 people. Those remaining with
MicroProse at the time of the merger will probably keep their
jobs, Murnane said. The firms have already combined their sales
forces without cutting any positions, he explained, though he did
not rule out the loss of a few jobs in other areas in the future.
The combined company has about 400 employees. Its headquarters
will be in Alameda, with the former MicroProse operations staying
in their former Hunt Valley offices.
In late November, MicroProse reported a second-quarter loss of
$12.7 million.
(Grant Buckler/19931216/Press Contact: Frank Murnane,
MicroProse, 510-522-3584)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
GENERAL
Japan - Sega To Intensify Video Game Development
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00010)
Japan - Sega To Intensify Video Game Development 12/16/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Tokyo-based game machine
maker Sega Enterprises says it will intensify development of
video game software.
The plan involves next-generation video game machines, and
includes not only the Japanese office, but also the European and
US offices of Sega.
According to the plan, the company will increase the number of
video game development engineers to a total of 1,000 by early
1994. In its headquarters in Japan, Sega will set up a special
project team called the Digital Media Production division.
The unit will hire specialized engineers on digital picture data,
who will work on the development of quality computer graphics
and virtual reality for inclusion in advanced video game software.
In Europe, Sega will set up a major development team office to
create advanced video game software, based on digital pictures.
In the US, Sega will hire engineers who are experts at producing
pictures and sounds for movies. The firm wants to incorporate
the technologies used in movies.
Sega Enterprises is currently developing a 64-bit video game
machine. It is reported that it will take considerable time and
effort to develop the necessary software for this advanced video
game machine.
Sega will face challenges from such companies as Nintendo, Sony,
and Matsushita, which are also developing advanced video game
machines. Matsushita and Sony have recently signed a deal with
software developer Capcorn in Osaka.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931216/Press Contact: Sega
Enterprises, tel 81-3-3743-7603, fax 81-3-3743-7830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
IBM
IBM Japan Intros DOS/V, Fujitsu-Compatible PC
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00011)
IBM Japan Intros DOS/V, Fujitsu-Compatible PC 12/16/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- IBM Japan has released an
upgraded version of DOS/V for the Japanese market. The firm
has also developed a personal computer compatible with
Fujitsu's FM Towns multimedia PC.
IBM Japan's latest DOS/V version is called PC DOS J6.1/V.
According to IBM Japan, it is designed as a 16-bit operating
system. The product has advanced operating features
designed to process the Japanese language as well as the
English language.
A major advantage of this operating system is the advanced
Japanese language processing -- it also has V-Text and it
supports Japanese language printers. Other features include
the ability to detect computer viruses, and advanced data
compression and data access capabilities. The kernel and
memory management features have also been enhanced.
The retail price of the latest version of DOS/V is 23,000 yen
($230), and an upgrade will be provided for 12,500 yen ($125).
Meanwhile, IBM Japan has released a personal computer, which
supports Fujitsu's multimedia personal computer, the FM Towns.
In an agreement with Fujitsu, IBM Japan has received a supply
of the required operating system boards. IBM Japan has equipped
the board on the DOS/V PC.
There are two types: one is a desktop model with a separate
display, and the other model includes the display and central
processing unit in a single chassis. With a built-in CD-ROM, the
PCs are sold at 480,000 yen ($4,800) for the regular desktop
model and 352,000 yen ($3,520) for the single-chassis version.
Users of both versions can switch the operating system from
DOS/V to FM Towns OS with a single click of the mouse button.
With this Fujitsu-compatible PC, IBM Japan is expected to
initiate a marketing campaign aimed at the Japanese
educational market.
Fujitsu is also planning to release a DOS/V-compatible FM
Towns system.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931213/Press Contact: IBM
Japan, tel 81-3-5563-4310, fax 81-3-3589-4645)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Links With AT Com
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00012)
Japan - Mitsubishi Heavy Industry Links With AT Com 12/16/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Mitsubishi Heavy Industry
has inked an agreement with the Massachusetts-based venture
business firm AT Com, concerning a radiowave toll-road payment
system.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry will sell this system in Japan. It will
reportedly be the first time such a device has been introduced
for Japanese toll-roads.
In the agreement with AT Com, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry will
sell the toll-road payment system, which was developed
by AT Com. The system is based on radiowave technology, a
data transmission box, and a pre-paid card.
The user's data transmission box, which is installed in the user's
car, will transmit the signal before the vehicle reaches the
toll-gate. The box will contact the main system at the toll-gate
office. The box then displays the toll fee. The user inserts the
pre-paid card in the box, and the fee is automatically deducted.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry will sell the system to the Japan Road
Association, which operates most of the toll-roads in Japan. The
major advantage of this system is that it will reduce traffic
at the gates.
However, users must purchase the transmission box and have to
install it in their vehicle. The price of the box is still unknown.
The system was already introduced in Illinois in the US in
November. A number of other states are also considering the
system.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931214/Press Contact:
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, tel 81-3-3212-3111, fax
81-3-3212-9860)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
TELECOM
MCI Mail Announces Free Express Software
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
MCI Mail Announces Free Express Software 12/16/93
RYE BROOK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- MCI Mail is
giving away a simplified version of its MCI Mail Express program
to MCI Mail Subscribers.
To get MCI Mail Express Lite, which works under MS-DOS, users
need only send an MCI Mail message with their name, address and
phone number to MCI ID number 321-8877. Allow four to six weeks
for delivery.
MCI Mail Express was originally called Lotus Express when it was
developed in the 1980s. It is designed to make MCI Mail easier to
use.
Director of marketing, Carla LaFever, said in a press statement
that by making the program a "standard issue" to current
customers, and making it available to new customers on sign-up,
new users will embrace the technology and its benefits.
The software has the capability to manage electronic mail (e-mail)
correspondence through the simple creation of "folders" for
message storage and retrieval. It requires a minimum of an IBM
compatible PC with 520 kilobytes of available memory, at least
three megabytes of available hard disk space, a Hayes-compatible
modem, and an MCI Mail account.
Among the other features of the program are simple pull-down
menus which allow the creation of "X.400" addresses for people on
different e-mail systems around the world. The complexity of
that process is seen by examining the X.400 address of MCI Mail
spokesman Alan Garrett, which is included in the press release:
C=US A=MCI S=Garratt G=Alan DDA=3577174.
Other features include on-screen hints including Zmodem support,
and a feature allowing the program to operate in the background,
unattended. There is also support for up to 10 mailboxes, an
address book, the ability to create folders within folders, and
MNP error correction -- the regular service supports Kermit error
correction.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931216/Press Contact: MCI Mail, Alan
Garrett, tel 914-934-6484, fax 914-934-6863)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/16/93
TELECOM
AT&T Announces China-Japan Fiber Cable Link
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
AT&T Announces China-Japan Fiber Cable Link 12/16/93
BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- The
international facilities management group of AT&T's International
Operations Division has announced the opening of the first fiber
cable linking China and Japan.
AT&T is a part-owner of the new cable, which goes 1,252-
kilometers, or 782-miles, between Miyazaki, Japan and Nanhui near
Shanghai. The other two major owners are KDD of Japan and China's
Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, a government agency.
Because half the length of the cable is in water less than 200
meters deep, the cable was buried about one meter under the
Continental Shelf. It is hoped that this will prevent the kinds of
problems found on some European cables, which were cut when
they got caught in fishing nets.
The new cable consists of two fiber-optic pairs operating at
560 million bits of information per second, enough capacity to
provide the equivalent of 30,000 simultaneous phone
conversations. It connects to the Chikura cable system in Japan,
using that network to transit with all the major cable systems
around the world including the APC system, the TPC-4 system
and the HAW-4 system.
Previously, AT&T spokesman Willem Zevenbergen told Newsbytes,
callers reached China via satellite. Callers should note a great
improvement in call quality as a result of the new link.
As background, AT&T noted that the first telegraph cable between
the two countries was laid in 1871, connecting Shanghai and
Nagasaki. In 1958, the first telephone lines were opened between
Beijing and Tokyo via radio. In 1976, service began on the first
coaxial submarine cable connecting China and Japan. The
Construction and Maintenance Agreement of the present cable
was signed on December 14, 1991.
AT&T said it now has ownership interests in more than 60 fiber
cable systems around the world, spanning more than 212,000
kilometers, in which it has invested approximately $2.2 billion.
In the Pacific alone, AT&T has invested more than $ 1.3 billion
in the new cables, Zevenbergen said.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931216/Press Contact: AT&T, Willem
Zevenbergen, 201-644-1581)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/16/93
TELECOM
MCI To Take $150M Restructuring Charge
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
MCI To Take $150M Restructuring Charge 12/16/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- MCI will take a
charge of $150 million against its fourth-quarter earnings to
cover costs associated with a re-alignment of operations
following its agreements with British Telecommunications.
Those re-structurings, previously announced, basically involve
the transfer of many jobs from a center in Reston, Virginia, to
a network operations hub in Cary, North Carolina, a data
operations division in Richardson, Texas, and an engineering
and network services center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Spokesman Melissa Robinson said that, over the long run, MCI
expects to save considerable money through the moves, calling
the new centers "lower cost areas," but adding quickly "that's
not necessarily why we moved there."
The charge will also include impacts on MCI's data services
division arising from the acquisition of BT North America, which
is based in San Jose, California and includes the Tymnet packet
data network. The charge does not include the actual acquisition,
however, Robinson said. The charge will also cover a contingency
fund for commercial litigation arising from the moves.
"Cary was chosen because it's on our backbone," said Robinson.
"There we have a new facility for network operations," opened
just this year. Cary is also near the Research Triangle Park in
North Carolina, a major center for telecommunications research.
"Richardson was chosen because it's the telecom technology
capital of the US, and we felt it's important to be there. That
is our headquarters for data operation. Colorado Springs is
another engineering and network services operation."
The $150 million charge should have a minor impact on MCI's
earnings report, since it brings in about $2.5 billion in
revenues each quarter. However, Robinson said she would not
speculate on the actual impact, saying, "We haven't said anything
on the earnings report."
Most analysts expect good results from MCI, noting that it
continues to take market share from AT&T in the prime long
distance market.
Joseph Nacchio recently took over AT&T's long distance
operations, with a demand that he reverse that slide in market
share.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931216/Press Contact: Melissa Robinson,
MCI, 202-887-2762)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
TELECOM
Linkon To Supply AT&T With Hardware/Software
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
Linkon To Supply AT&T With Hardware/Software 12/16/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Linkon Corp.,
will supply a hardware board and software as part of AT&T's
efforts to link clients' computers and phone companies.
Newsbytes discussed all this with Linkon President Lee W. Hill.
"The AT&T system connects all the networked telephone systems in
a company, as well as their networked computers, and allows the
two to communicate," he explained. "It's called the Integrated
Services platform, sold by AT&T's Network Systems division.
He continued: "For example, I went to a bank where I had a number
of accounts. I used their ATM (automated teller machine) and the
only information I could get was my checking account balance.
The ATM can't link with my other accounts, my mortgage and
credit cards. AT&T will allow that bank to integrate those
databases and link that over a packet network, giving the bank an
advantage. And the packet network costs less than a voice line."
This gives AT&T the chance to use all its strengths, he said.
"AT&T is using their fiber backbone, their NCR computers, their
switching equipment. It ties the totality of AT&T services into
one product."
AT&T noted in a press statement that, with this new platform,
only voice calls would require voice circuits, while transaction
calls, even those involving speech, could go over less expensive
packet networks.
What about Linkon? "We provide the voice modem compression
speech recognition and text-to-speech capability for this system.
It's all on one card, said Hill.
In reply to an observation that Linkon is also an AT&T customer,
Hill said: "We use AT&T digital signal processors, Bell Labs' data
pump, and other algorithms for text to speech and compression.
We have a proprietary operating system and a tool kit called
Teravox through which AT&T wrote applications. This lets a
developer pull-down modules for the telephone, modem, fax, or
text to speech. It's all on the card."
Dialogic's T-1 interface is also used to link clients' phone and
data networks to fast-data lines. Hill said this is not the company's
only product, and also counts such firms as Southwestern Bell of
the US and Callstream of Canada among his customers. "About 25
percent of revenue comes from exports," he said.
The company is publicly traded in the NASDAQ system under
the symbol LKON.
AT&T said its AT&T Information Services Platform will let
customers quickly and easily automate interactive access to
information by telephone, using touch tone, voice and voice
compression, data input with voice, modem, fax and speech
recognition and text-to-speech. No financial terms were
disclosed on the product, although Hill admitted it could
have a "substantial" impact on the company's revenues.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931216/Press Contact: Blanchard Hiatt,
AT&T, 908-606-3467; Linkon, Lee W. Hill, 212-753-2544)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
GENERAL
****Newsbytes Launches Picture Service
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MSP)(00017)
****Newsbytes Launches Picture Service 12/16/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Newsbytes
News Network, the independent news wire service covering
computers, electronics and telecommunications worldwide, is
expanding its text-based service. In January, 1994, Newsbytes
will launch NewsPix -- digitized pictures to accompany Newsbytes
news stories.
Newsbytes News Network's NewsPix will be available to the
existing base of 150 publishers worldwide through Newsbytes'
private First Class bulletin board system. Publishers with
Macintoshes will actually be able to see the pictures while
onscreen and can decide whether to download a full JPEG
(Joint Photographics Experts Group) graphic.
Newsbytes is also planning to install the picture service on some
on-line services which feature Newsbytes later next year. GEnie,
America Online, Applelink, Prodigy, Ziffnet, Bix, and Newsnet are
among its on-line publishers.
The pictures will be presented in both JPEG and PICT format,
and will be available daily or within a few days of a story's
publication. Current plans are to make them available at 600
dots-per-inch resolution.
"Publishers of Newsbytes have been encouraging us to include
pictures for years. This will not only enhance our service to them,
but make us competitive with other major wire services. It also
makes us the first multimedia on-line computer daily wire
service," said Wendy Woods, editor in chief.
Public relations companies are encouraged to immediately include
photos, slides and graphics with all news releases sent to Newsbytes
reporters. "We have spent ten years telling them not to include the
photos -- now we need their help to include them in all press
materials they send to us," explained Woods.
Newsbytes offers at least 30 first-hand news stories each weekday
(approximately 600 each month) covering the worldwide computer
and telecommunications industries. The reports are filed by a team
of 19 award-winning journalists, many of whom are recognized
experts in their fields. Newsbytes has five times won Best Online
Publication honors from the Computer Press Association.
Newsbytes' multimedia wire will also be available on the next
edition of its existing CD-ROM series starting in early 1994.
Published by Wayzata Technologies Inc., the Newsbytes CD-ROM,
now in its fourth annual printing, contains more than 51,000
news stories reported by Newsbytes since it was started in 1983.
Newsbytes is also published on the Computer Select CD-ROM from
Ziff Communications Company.
Newsbytes is offered for publishing to magazines, newspapers,
newsletters, fax, and data transmission services, and end-users.
For more information, please contact Editor in Chief Wendy Woods
at 612-430-1100; fax 612-430-0441; email - MCI Mail: WWOODS,
Compuserve: 72241,337; GEnie - NEWSBYTES; Applelink -
NEWSBYTES1; Internet - NEWSBYTES@GENIE.GEIS.COM
(Newsbytes Staff/19931216)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
BUSINESS
****Compaq To Quit Printer Business
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00018)
****Compaq To Quit Printer Business 12/16/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) - - Just 16 months
after announcing its first high speed high resolution Pagemarq
printers, Compaq Computer Corp., says it will get out of the
printer business during the first half of 1994.
Pagemarq printers were first introduced in August 1992.
Two models were available, and a Compaq spokesperson told
Newsbytes then that they "would be the first of many."
In addition to their high speed and high resolution, Pagemarq
printers can also receive faxes when equipped with a modem. In
June, 1993, Compaq introduced Netlinq, an array of network
interfaces that allow Pagemarq printers to be connected
to most networks.
The company said that while the printers generated market share,
the segment was "quite small" and does not provide sufficient
return to cover its current level of investment.
Compaq spokesperson John Sweney told Newsbytes the company
will continue to support its printers for a five-year period.
Compaq will continue to sell the Pagemarq printers through the
expected life of the product, which Sweney said is projected to
be mid-1994. He said impact on jobs would be minimal.
Compaq said it will cease further printer development
immediately. It does not expect the move to affect current
estimates of performance for the remainder of 1993, but
expects it will benefit 1994 operating results by freeing
investment resources for other areas.
(Jim Mallory/19931216/Press Contact: John Sweney, Compaq
Computer Corp., 713-374-1564; Reader Contact: Compaq
Computer Corp., 713-374-1459 or 800-345-1518)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
BUSINESS
Iomega Expects 4Qtr Loss
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00019)
Iomega Expects 4Qtr Loss 12/16/93
ROY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Iomega Corp., the
company that makes the Bernoulli high capacity removable
storage media drives, has reiterated that it expects to take a
write-off for the fourth quarter as previously announced. The
company also says it will record a loss from operations for the
fourth quarter as opposed to its original projection that the
period would be profitable. The period ends December 31, 1993.
The company said the loss is a result of lower than expected
revenues, a lower than expected gross margin percentage, and
higher than expected operating expenses. Iomega's board of
directors are currently reviewing the company's various
businesses and its competitive position in its markets, and
expects the review will result in a significant write-off and
in the establishment of reserves in the fourth quarter. No
estimate of the amount of the write-offs is available, but
Iomega said they will be in addition to the expected loss
from operations.
An Iomega spokesperson told Newsbytes it would be
inappropriate to comment on what specific actions will be taken
until the company's review of its business activities is complete,
but said the loss of jobs or other actions are all possibilities.
Iomega President and CEO Fred Wenninger resigned in October,
and Iomega announced earlier this month that Kim B. Edwards
would succeed Wenninger effective January 1, 1994.
Edwards was formerly President and CEO of Gates Energy Products
Inc., and spent more than 18 years ago General Electric Company
where his last position was manager of marketing and sales for
GE's battery division.
(Jim Mallory/19931216/Press Contact: Kristy Pregill, Iomega
Corp., 801-778-1000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
BUSINESS
****Zenith Cuts Mexican Operations, Takes $30M Charge
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020)
****Zenith Cuts Mexican Operations, Takes $30M Charge 12/16/93
GLENVIEW, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Zenith
Electronics says it will streamline its Mexican operations by
eliminating jobs, reducing its manufacturing output of computer
monitors and magnetics products, and automating portions of the
manufacturing processes.
In addition to the job losses in Mexico, Zenith said about 100 US
jobs will be lost. Zenith spokesperson John Taylor said the
actual number of jobs being lost in Mexico has not yet been
determined, but it will be "much larger" than the number of
employees being cut in the US.
Taylor told Newsbytes that the total number of US jobs at Zenith
will increase in 1994 because of the effect of the North American
Free Trade Agreement. Zenith recently added about 230 jobs at its
television picture tube plant in Melrose Park, Illinois. "That was
a result of NAFTA," Taylor told Newsbytes. He said a large portion
of the US job losses would be covered through attrition.
Zenith has plants in four Mexican cities, having already closed the
Chihuahua facility, and all will be affected by the cuts according
to Taylor. About 17,000 workers are employed in the Mexican
facilities. Taylor said he does not expect any further closings in
Mexico. Zenith said it will take a $30 million charge in the fourth
quarter to cover the write-downs and severance costs.
Taylor said the company has already phased out its production of
fluorescent light ballasts and other electronic lighting products.
The building of power supplies for computers, television sets and
other electronic products has been consolidated with another
plant in Chihuahua, Mexico.
(Jim Mallory/19931216/Press Contact: John Taylor, Zenith
Electronics, 708-391-8181)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
GENERAL
Michael Dell Offers Prescription For PC Industry Ills
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00021)
Michael Dell Offers Prescription For PC Industry Ills 12/16/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Address the real
needs of the consumer, tap the mass consumer market, be
responsible for multi-vendor support, and forget the techno-
speak. Those are some of the elements of Dell Computer Corp.'s
Chairman and CEO Michael Dell's prescription to solve the
computer industry's ills.
Dell made his remarks to attendees at the 1994 Personal
Computer Outlook conference held in San Francisco recently.
CEOs and senior executives from AST, Borland, Compaq, IBM,
Lotus, and Microsoft also addressed the conference, which is
sponsored by market research firm Technologic Partners.
Attendees included MIS (management information systems)
professionals, industry and financial analysts, and computer
industry executives.
Dell said the PC industry needs to bulldoze its narrow-minded
channel and technology driven approach to marketing computers.
He called the industry "a consistent under-achiever" when it
comes to creating products that address the real world needs of
its customers, choosing rather to chase rapid technology turns
faster than customer needs evolve.
He also chided the computer makers for their investment in
proprietary consortia designed to control the technology horizon
rather than broaden it, and for taking a fragmented, component-
focused approach to product development and marketing. Dell
said these short-sighted vendor practices have forced MIS
professionals to manage technology integration rather than
focusing on their intended roles as information managers.
Dell said systems providers should deliver integrated hardware
and software systems that are designed for specific,
demonstrated customer requirements and applications, versus
the prevailing approach in which vendors develop and market
new products based primarily on leapfrogging technology and
arcane technical specifications. "We need the PC equivalent of
VCR-Plus," said Dell. He also encouraged systems providers to
take responsibility for supporting multi-vendor systems rather
than consumers having to call different vendors for support on
different parts of their computer system.
Dell said the industry is presently at a crossroads and will have
to choose between broad acceptance or rejection in the mass
consumer segment. "The opportunity is ours to seize. We need to
become a responsive, no-nonsense, jargon-free industry."
(Jim Mallory/19931216;/Press Contact: Jill Shanks, Dell
Computer, 512-728-8671)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
IBM
UK - Force 2 Int'l Intros Home Series CAD Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00022)
UK - Force 2 Int'l Intros Home Series CAD Software 12/16/93
THAME, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Force 2
International has announced the release of Home Series 2.0, the
budget computer-aided design (CAD) software to the UK
marketplace.
According to the distributor, the budget package, which is
produced by Autodesk, is aimed at the do-it-yourself (DIY) PC
enthusiast. In use, the UKP59 software allows DIY designers to
view three-dimensional (3-D) design concepts, giving what the
company describes as a more realistic idea of the finished look
of a room or landscape design before the actual implementation
takes place.
Since introducing the original Home Series to the UK in April of
this year, Force 2 has been very pleased with the reception the
software has had. The Landscape and Home packages in particular
have sold very well, especially through outlets such as PC World,
Action Computer Supplies and Software Warehouse, commented
Graham Kerry, Force 2's sales director.
Kerry says he sees the release of the new Home Series "as bringing
even more flexibility and choice to home owners who wish to make
improvements to the inside and outside of their homes."
Additional new features found in Home Series 2.0 include the
ability to produce full color designs for a more realistic appearance,
plus the ability to produce a full screen version under Windows 3.1.
Force 2 claims that the Home Series 2.0 takes between 20 and 30
minutes to get to know sufficiently for the user to create their
own 3-D drawings. The package, the company claims, eliminates
the often-laborious task of hand-drawing detailed plans or ideas,
enabling home owners to explore their own creativity for interior
and exterior designing.
Home Series 2.0 requires an 8086/8-based PC or better with 640
kilobytes (KB) of memory, DOS 3.0 or higher, as well as a hard drive.
A mouse plus a minimum of EGA graphics is also required.
(Steve Gold/19931216/Press & Public Contact: Force 2
International, tel 44-564-792324, fax 44-564-794929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
GENERAL
UK - Aashima Enters Scanner Market
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00023)
UK - Aashima Enters Scanner Market 12/16/93
WITHAM, ESSEX, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Aashima Distribution
UK has added a flatbed scanner to its range of Trust "own brand"
products.
Sold through resellers by the distributor, the Trust scanner has a
300 dots-per-inch (dpi) horizontal by 600 dpi vertical optical
resolution and comes bundled with Windows-comparable optical
character recognition (OCR), iPhoto Plus, and Wordlink software.
According to Aashima, the scanner will sell to resellers for under
UKP420, and has a suggested retail price of between UKP500
and UKP550.
Announcing the scanner, David Johnson, the distributor's
commercial director, said that this is the first time that a flatbed
scanner has featured in the Trust range of products. "It has been
introduced as a result of the demands from resellers and this,
combined with the very aggressive pricing, should make the
scanner a great success as the handheld version," he said.
Aashima claims that the new scanner has a maximum scan area
216 millimeters (mm) by 356 mm and a 1.86 milliseconds per line
scanning time. A total of 16.77 million colors are available using
24 bits per pixel. The device links to a PC or a Mac using an
integral small computer systems interface (SCSI) port connection.
Aashima is a 100 percent trade-only PC and peripherals
distributor. The company claims to have a reseller base of more
than 1,500 resellers, with delivery available within 24 hours.
(Steve Gold/19931216/Press & Public Contact: Aashima
Distribution, tel 44-376-502050, fax 44-376-518780)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
IBM
Microsoft Intros Word 6.0 For Windows Developer's Kit
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00024)
Microsoft Intros Word 6.0 For Windows Developer's Kit 12/16/93
WOKINGHAM, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Microsoft
has announced the availability of a new developer's kit for Word
6.0 for Windows.
The kit comes with more than 800 pages of information and
claims to describe fully how to use Wordbasic, the macro
programming language of Word 6.0 for Windows, to customize
the Word interface, automatic routine tasks, and integrate Word
with other applications. The kit also includes a wizard that helps
developers use Wordbasic to create their own wizards for end users.
In addition to chapters on how to program in Wordbasic, the
developer's kit includes comprehensive reference information on
each Wordbasic statement and function. Advanced topics include
how to take advantage of the Microsoft messaging application
programming interface (MAPI) and open database connectivity
(ODBC) facilities using extensions to Wordbasic included on disk.
The kit also claims to describe how to use a compilable language
such as C to create add-in libraries that control Word using its
application programming interface (API).
"Software Developer's Kits are issued by MIcrosoft in order to
make it easier for in-house programmers and independent
software developers (ISVs) to write compelling applications
which interoperate with Microsoft products," explained Nigel
Burton, manager of Microsoft's solution developer group.
The Word developer's kit has a suggested retail price of UKP34.95
and is available either direct from Microsoft or through computer
book resellers. The package needs Word 6.0 for Windows, Windows
3.1 or later, DOS 3.3 or later and a hard disk with at least 1.5
megabytes of space available.
(Steve Gold/19931216/Press Contact: Shelagh Marsh, Microsoft,
44-734-270001; Public Contact: Alastair or Cress Rolfe,
Microsoft Press, 44-71-416-3000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/16/93
IBM
PC Users Face "Christmas Chaos" Claims IBM
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00025)
PC Users Face "Christmas Chaos" Claims IBM 12/16/93
PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- According to IBM,
people who buy PCs as Christmas presents face "chaos" if they do
not ensure they have adequate after-sales help and support.
IBM claims that eight out of every 10 people who buy a PC need
expert advice on how to operate it. The company backs up this
claim with the results of an independent research study carried
out on its behalf by Maritz Research.
The results prove that help-line services have become a necessity
for most PC customers. IBM says that it believes that, with the
expected Christmas surge in home and small business sales, they
will become even more important.
IBM carried out its research among 221 PC users, who bought their
PCs from a range of suppliers. The report found that 77 percent of
those with access a phone help-line service has needed to use it,
while 70 percent were either completely (43 percent) or quite
(29 percent) satisfied with the service they receive from
help-lines.
The area that people were least satisfied with was not technical
expertise or quality of advice -- but in ease of getting through on
the telephone.
In more detailed analysis of the attitudes and experience of IBM
customers, who are given free membership of a full after-sales
service and support scheme Helpware, the study showed that 77
percent of people need to use help-line services on only a few
occasions.
According to IBM, more than 77 percent of all problems faced by
people are caused by the software being used.
(Steve Gold/19931216/Press & Public Contact: IBM, tel
44-705-561000, fax 44-705-385081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/16/93
GENERAL
UK - MRC Offers Guide To Disaster Recovery Planning
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00026)
UK - MRC Offers Guide To Disaster Recovery Planning 12/16/93
OXFORD, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- MRC Business Information
has unveiled the "Guide to Disaster Recovery Planning," a UKP95
guide that claims to offer a practical approach to prevention and
survival for all businesses that "unwittingly face damage from
simple coffee cup spills to "acts of God."
A disaster recovery plan is an information resource, specifically
prepared in advance, that contains the procedures, plans,
agreements, phone numbers and other information that will enable
an organization to resume operations in the shortest possible time
following a disaster.
Disasters which result in a loss of critical information and
interrupt the day to day running of a business have been proven to
be ruinous to survival, causing crippling cash flow or more
frequently, bankruptcy, MRC claims.
To address what it claims is the core problem and motivate
companies to consider all potential outcomes, MRC has developed
the guide to offer advice on insurance, security, building services,
fire, computers, and communications. The company claims that
the guide includes full instructions for a comprehensive planning
process with the objective of preparing an organization for the
unpredictability of disasters.
"Research has shown that just 20 percent of UK firms have a viable
recovery plan. The problem is that many of these plans do not
consider any impact beyond the IT (information technology)
department," explained Angus Fleming, MRC's director.
"One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is to believe that
its insurance cover is comprehensive. However, during the
preparation of the guide we discovered that insurance claims take
critical time to be realized and there is a correlation between how
long insurance supports and organization and the bankruptcy figures.
Typical compensation from insurance lasts for 18 months," he said.
The guide claims to go beyond computer disaster and is the first
step firms should take before opting for the very expensive full
service "solutions" which range from UKP3,000 upwards. Taken as
a first step to prevention and planning. the guide will make clear
what, if any, investment should be made in external resources or
contingency arrangements, claims the company.
The guide's author, David Hyams, is an architect specializing in
defining requirements for building users. It was written with the
assistance of a team of experts, including members of the fire
service and police force.
(Steve Gold/19931216/Press & Public Contact: MRC Business
Information, 44-865-200202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/16/93
GENERAL
Accolade Plans Sports Titles For 3DO
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00027)
Accolade Plans Sports Titles For 3DO 12/16/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Many analysts
believe that the success of any computer system rises or falls in
proportion to the number of software titles available for that
system. Accolade, one of the largest game title developers for a
number of game systems as well as personal computers (PC) has
announced that it will develop products for the 3DO.
Available in retail stores beginning this fall, the 3DO
Interactive Multiplayer, made by Matsushita under the brand name
Panasonic, has suffered from a low number of game titles.
Redwood City, California-based 3DO, started by Electronic Arts
founder Trip Hawkins, was the darling of Wall Street when it
went public this summer without a single product on the market.
But that affection has turned sour with a second quarter of losses
and reports by some industry insiders that 3DO may not be able to
recover.
However, 3DO officials are reminding investors it never said it
would make money at first. The company said it expected to report
losses through 1994 and is now saying it may not be profitable
until as late as 1996.
Also, 3DO is not the only new game hardware maker struggling
financially. Atari, maker of the Jaguar, another compact disc
read-only memory (CD-ROM) home entertainment player for
connection to a television, is struggling with manufacturing
problems and has been unable to deliver its product except in
relatively small quantities. The Jaguar has been heralded as the
biggest potential competitor to 3DO because of its low price
point of about $250 compared to the $700 3DO player.
Despite the problems, developers are still supporting 3DO even if
some of them say the system may not meet the high expectations
set by Hawkins when it was introduced. Well over 300 developers
have signed up to develop for the multiplayer.
Accolade's announcement is an encouraging sign for 3DO watchers.
The company has developed sports titles for the competing Philips
Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I) player and now says it is
planning to move several sports titles to the 3DO. United
Kingdom-based Psygnosis known for popular PC game, Lemmings,
told Newsbytes it plans to release a Lemmings edition for the
3DO in less than a month.
3DO claims over 10 titles are now available for its game system,
as opposed to three when the system was released. The Consumer
Electronics Show, scheduled for January 6 through 9, 1994 in Las
Vegas will probably be the forum for the introduction of titles
for the 3DO, as well as other game platforms.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931216/Press Contact: Megan Humpal, Accolade,
tel 408-985-1700, fax 408-246-1053; Cindy McCaffrey, 3DO, tel
415-574-6789, fax 415-573-7417; Phil Sandock, Psygnosis, tel
716-497-7794)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/16/93
TRENDS
HP Conference - Compatibility/Costs Key To Downsizing
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00028)
HP Conference - Compatibility/Costs Key To Downsizing 12/16/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- Compatibility,
affordability, and scalability are the top drawing cards in the
current client-server market, judging from comments raised by
users, vendors and consultants at Hewlett-Packard's Enterprise
Application Development Conference in Boston.
In one of 14 conference sessions and keynotes at the newly created
event, John Coyle, project leader for the Brattleboro, VT-based
Holstein Association, said that costs had been the chief factor in
a decision to downsize from a mainframe environment to Unix, but
that compatibility and scalability were the main reasons the
100-year-old nonprofit organization had opted to go with HP
products.
In another session, "Managing Enterprise Objects," a panel of
vendors and consultants agreed with users that compatibility
remains an issue in object-oriented (OO) development market, and
that it will take more time before OO applications extend across
the enterprise.
The Holstein Association has been using an IBM 4381 mainframe to
store a repository of cow and bull lineage, as well as evaluation
criteria for dairies seeking effective herd management, according
to Coyle. This data is used to produce the "Sire Summary," a dairy
industry reference that summarizes mating and other information
on more than 15 million cows and bulls worldwide.
The mainframe data included more than 1,600 Cobol programs
running in a batch environment, and more than 1.1 million lines
of code.
When the organization's mainframe began to show signs of age, and
finally looked like it was "about ready to go," a five-member team
spent eight months on evaluating alternative strategies, he said in
a presentation called "User Success Stories."
The group opted to downsize after discovering that the price of a
Unix-based system of servers, workstations and X terminals was
less than half the price of a new mainframe, and that maintenance
costs would be about one-twelfth as much, Coyle added.
But on the question of which Unix vendor to use, Hewlett-Packard
got the nod, based on the wide array of hardware and software
produced by the vendor, he maintained.
In an interview with Newsbytes after the presentation, Coyle said
that, unlike competing companies, which rely on third-party
development products, Hewlett-Packard provides its own
development environment. "We thought compatibility between
hardware and software would be better for this reason," Newsbytes
was told.
HP's extensive range of RISC-based hardware also played a strong
role, Newsbytes was told. "As a result, it will be easy for us to
upgrade if we need to do so," Coyle noted.
The Holstein Association's new environment consists of one HP
9000 847 server, seven HP 9000 715 workstations, and seven
HP 9000 700RX workstations.
After an alpha test, the association decided to use HP's Cobol
Softbench for Cobol development. The Cobol Softbench product is
based on HP's SoftBench Framework, and also integrates three
Cobol/HP-UX tools: the Micro Focus Cobol compiler, the Micro
Focus Cobol Animator, and the Micro Focus Cobol Profiler.
During the session on "Managing Enterprise Objects," two users
commented on the need for greater compatibility between vendors'
OO tools. One of the users also noted that, so far, OO development
seems to be limited to departmental applications.
Two panelists responded that the Object Management Group's (OMG's)
Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) standard has
addressed the issue of compatibility at the lower levels, but that
it will take a year or more before the standard is extended to the
higher application layers.
A pair of other panelists observed that corporations are now
developing objects for use in specific areas, such as financial
applications, and that later reuse of these objects will help to
hasten compatibility as well as enterprise-wide application
deployment.
Moderated by Dan Kara, technical editor of Application Development
Trends magazine, the panel was made up of: Robert C. Weinberger,
worldwide product marketing manager for HP's Workstations
Systems Group; Paul Vais, director of the RISC Business Unit for
Next; Nicholas Wybolt of Andersen Consulting, and Pieter R.
Mimno of Technology Insight Inc.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Hewlett-Packard's Roberta E.
Anslow, program manager, Enterprise Application Development, said
that HP created its first-time conference to broaden awareness of
HP's strong involvement in the software development market, and the
company's extensive range of hardware platforms for client-server
development.
The conference was held in San Jose, CA on December 6 and in
Boston on December 14. The next step for HP, said Anslow, will
be a smaller event, targeted at a vertical market such as New York
City's financial community. "Then we'll hold the Enterprise
Application Development Conference again next year, and it will
be even bigger than our first," she reported.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931215/Reader Contact: Roberta E. Anslow,
Hewlett-Packard, 508-436-5093; Press Contacts: Diane Dennis,
Hewlett-Packard, 303-229-2255; Pat Arcand, Copithorne &
Bellows Public Relations for Hewlett-Packard, 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/16/93
TRENDS
HP Conference - Eight Categories Of Client-Server Tools
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00029)
HP Conference - Eight Categories Of Client-Server Tools 12/16/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- The burgeoning
market of client-server development tools can be divided into eight
different product categories, said Dan Kara, technical editor of
Application Development Trends, a magazine known until recently
as CASE Trends.
Speaking this week at Hewlett-Packard's Enterprise Application
Development Conference in Boston, Kara delineated the categories
of "frontware," GUI (graphical user interface) code generators,
cross-platform tools, and "traditional 4GLs (fourth generation
languages) and RDBMS (relational database management systems)."
Also described in Kara's keynote were PC-based client-server tools,
CASE (computer-aided software engineering), "visual programming
environments," and an eighth category of "new tools," such as Forte
and Dynasty, that have been specifically engineered for
cross-platform client-server enterprise development.
Spurred by increasing user demand, vendors from a wide variety of
disciplines are entering the client-server tool arena, Kara told an
audience made up of executives in charge of application development
for their companies.
A study conducted by the Business Research Group, for example,
determined that 49 percent of European respondents and 67 percent
of US respondents are currently implementing client-server
technologies, said Kara. In 78 percent of the IS (information
systems) shops, respondents predicted that 40 percent of their
processing will be done on client-server architectures within the
next two years.
Many other market researchers have also detected strong growth in
this market sector, including International Data Group (IDG), the
Meta Group, Market Intelligence, and Ovum. "They all agree,"
stated Kara.
Aside from the ascendance of the client-server computing paradigm,
he added, products in the booming development tool industry reflect
four trends: the "reality of multivendor computing;" the
downsizing of development; the need for global data access; and
"the GUI as the primary means of human/computer interaction."
Commented the keynoter: "We'll never go back to the days of one
vendor supplying all of the hardware and software you need."
Most of the tools currently available follow the distributed
presentation, remote presentation, and distributed function
topologies for client-server computing, according to Kara. A few
tools follow the remote data access model, and even fewer --
represented by the "new tools" category -- can be found on the
distributed database architecture.
Kara explained that, under the distributed presentation topology,
data management and the application are server functions, while the
presentation function is shared between client and server.
In remote presentation, data management and the application are
also handled by the server, but presentation is performed by the
client alone. Under the distributed function architecture, data
management is done on the server, and presentation on the client.
The application is shared between client and server.
In the less widely adhered to model of remote data access, data
management is a client function, while presentation and the
application are client functions. The newly emerging distributed
database architecture divides client and server functions in the
same way, except that data management is shared between client
and server, instead of being done by the server alone.
In the "frontware" category of client-server development tools, the
host application is unchanged, and all processing remains on the
server, according to Kara. The GUI emulates a dumb terminal.
Although frontware tools are sometimes referred to as "screen
scrapers," they do provide a number of advantages, he said. The
possibility of data loss is minimized, and high-end operating
system features are not required. In addition, the tools offer
simultaneous access from multiple data sources. Support is
supplied for non-SQL (standard query language) sources, and
sometimes for SQL sources as well.
Representative frontware products include Intelligent Environments'
Applications Manager, Guidance Technologies' Choreographer, Easel
from Easel Corp., Flashpoint from Knowledgeware, InFront from
Multisoft, Mitem Corp.'s MitemView, and Mozart Corp.'s Mozart.
Another category of tools, GUI code generators, is designed to
reduce development time for GUIs, an application component that
is becoming almost essential, said Kara. These tools typically
produce high quality code for one or two "target GUIs," he added.
Representative GUI code generators, and their "target GUIs,"
include WinSoft's Instant Windows (Windows), IT Makers' Marksman
(Macintosh), Interface Builder from Next (NextStep), Blue Sky
Software's WindowsMaker (Windows), WNDX GUI from WNDX
(Windows), AppMaker from Bowers Development Company
(Macintosh), and CASE/PM (OS/2 Presentation Manager) and
CASE/W (Windows) from KaseWorks.
Guidance Technologies' Choreographer, which generates code for
Windows in addition to OS/2 Presentation Manager (PM), can also
be considered a member of the code generator category, said Kara.
The "cross-platform development tool" category delineated by the
keynoter includes Open Incorporated's Aspect, Visix Software's
Galaxy, Neuron Data's Open Interface, and XVT from XVT Software.
These products are used to develop applications that run across the
Windows, Macintosh, OS/2 PM, Open Look, and OSF (Open Software
Foundation)/Motif GUIs. Open Interface and XVT can also be used
for NextStep.
Products in this "cross-platform" group are typically used for
inhouse, as opposed to commercial, development, said Kara. Some
SQL support is available now, and more will be coming in the
future.
Tools in the "traditional 4GLs and RDMBS" category offer strong
support for business applications, according to Kara. The RDBMS
tools tend to work best with vendors' own RDBMSes, but some of
them also connect to other SQL databases. The 4GL tools offer
superior back-end coverage, and also leverage developers'
existing 4GL expertise.
Some vendors in the "traditional 4GLs and RDBMS" group, such as
Oracle, are also supporting CASE, he said. Across the category,
non-SQL data is supported through third-party or vendor gateways.
Outside of Oracle, vendors in this category include Uniface, Unify,
Information Builders, JYACC, Informix, Software AG, Must Software,
Cognos, Progress Software, Sybase, and Ingres.
Products in the PC-based client-server development group were
originally designed for PC and GUI-based development environments.
Some processing is performed on the client, and there is also some
support for workgroup development.
These products feature screen painters and nonprocedural languages,
Kara said. The products are not equipped with proprietary
databases. The tools connect to the back ends of SQL servers, but
typically provide little support for non-SQL data sources, he
maintained.
Vendors offering products in this category include Symantec,
Intelligent Environments, Next (DBKit), Easel, MDBS,
KnowledgeWare (ObjectView), PowerSoft, and Gupta Technologies.
Products in the CASE category can be employed for development of
large-scale, strategic, client-server applications. Applications
built with these tools can reflect the advantages of CASE
methodologies, Kara indicated. On the other hand, though, the
tools sometimes carry a large "CASE overhead," and integration
problems sometimes crop up between CASE tools and "point"
components that have been purchased by CASE vendors from third-
party developers, he added.
Tools in the "visual programming environment" incorporate process
objects as well as GUI objects, he said. These tools are easier to
use than third-generation language (3GL) and 4GL "solutions," and
allow for rapid application development. The products support 3GL
code libraries, and some support is also provided for SQL access.
Generally, these tools are used for inhouse development. Examples
include Prograph from TGS Systems and Serius Developer Pro from
Novell (Serius) Corp.
In the final product category, "new tools for client-server
development," 4GL code is used to generate 3GL code, or 3GL code
alone is used. These products support large-scale, strategic
applications with SQL access. "The learning curve, though, can be
steep," Kara observed. Forte and Dynasty, two examples in this
category, are produced by Forte Software and Dynasty Technologies,
respectively.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931215/Reader Contact: Roberta E. Anslow,
Hewlett-Packard, 508-436-5093; Press Contacts: Diane Dennis,
Hewlett-Packard, 303-229-2255; Pat Arcand, Copithorne &
Bellows Public Relations for Hewlett-Packard, 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/16/93
GOVT
****Senate Hearing On TCI/Bell Atlantic Merger
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00030)
****Senate Hearing On TCI/Bell Atlantic Merger 12/16/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 16 (NB) -- John Malone,
President, Tele Communications Inc., testified today before a
Senate Subcommittee regarding concerns which many groups have
voiced over the monopoly possibilities opened up by the proposed
merger of Bell Atlantic and TCI.
Speaking before the Senate hearing on Media Mergers' Impact on
Consumers & Competition chaired by Howard Metzenbaum (D-OH) in
defense of his company's intention to merge with Bell Atlantic,
and specifically addressing competitive concerns, Malone
pointed out that his company had helped Turner Broadcasting,
The Discovery Channel, and others, all of which increased
competition.
The Senate's concerns seemed to relate to two main areas, first
that the merger would eliminate any possibility of competition
by the cable TV industry providing local telephone service and,
second, that TCI was already so powerful that it could block new
cable programs and that TCI was investing heavily in program
suppliers.
In regard to cable monopoly, Senator Metzenbaum pointed out at
one point that there is some belief that, "If John Malone says no,
they you just aren't viable."
Malone said in respect to this concern that, "If we (TCI) can
give it broad support it is halfway there (to profitability)."
But he also pointed out that there are 52 million cable
subscribers not getting their service from TCI and that any
program supplier (cable network) would break even if it got
even half of those non-TCI households.
In defense of TCI's heavy investment in some program suppliers,
Malone said, "In reality, we carry what our subscribers want
and there are a lot of turkeys we have invested in that (failed)"
citing the Fashion Channel as an example of a major failure.
At another point in his testimony regarding the same concerns,
Malone said, "We don't invest in programming to control it
...but to profit from it."
As an example, he pointed to Turner's Cartoon Channel, which TCI
invested in, but doesn't carry in most of its service areas.
Malone also referred several times to an "FCC study (which)
showed that there was no correlation between what we carry
and what we own a share in."
Senator Metzenbaum, in a question to Malone, outlined his
position on cable competition with local phone companies
succinctly saying, "We thought that you, through your operations,
would be the leading competitor for the Bell companies and local
telephone services." He went on to point out that he had led us
to believe that TCI would use its 1.2 million subscriber base to
tear down Bell Atlantic's monopoly and expressed the concern
that this merger would end that competitive edge.
TCI's reason for wanting to merge with a major telephone company
was expressed by Malone as being that his company needs the
resources of Bell Atlantic to compete nationwide with other cable
and phone companies.
In response to Sen. Metzenbaum's question about why TCI cannot
compete with these other companies one region at a time,
Malone said that while competing in one region the other baby
bells would supersede them and preemptively lock them out of
other regions.
"We believe that we could compete with any one local telephone
company, but we lack the resources to compete with all of them
at once," Malone testified.
Again in the anti-trust vein, Sen. Metzenbaum ask, "Doesn't your
deal with Bell mean that you will be able to dominate the
phone and cable industry for decades to come?"
Malone replied, "No we will only end up with 22 percent of the
cable market at most, or 25 percent of the households in the
country." He said that TCI envisages that what will happen here
is that the entire cable industry will compete to offer phone
services and the and entire phone industry (Baby Bells) will
become cable service providers.
"We really believe in competition," Malone pointed out at one
point in his testimony.
During his comments, Senator Metzenbaum said that he would be
"greatly surprised" if the government did not impose major
restrictions on this merger. "In fact I would be shocked if they
didn't," he said.
In defense of the proposed merger, which Sen. Strom Thurmond
(R - SC) and Sen. Metzenbaum both suggested would create a new
monopoly, Malone explained his view of the future: "We
will live in a world where there will be two wires -- both of
which need to be upgraded -- and they will compete vigorously.
the world of the future won't be two regulated monopolies -- it
will be two competitors or more in every market slugging it out
on a national scale. The harbinger of this is the deal between
Bell Canada and Jones Systems which has already stated that it
intends to offer phone services in competition with Bell
Atlantic. My view is that these telephone companies are in effect
investing in cable companies so they can compete with each
other."
Sen. Thurmon pointed out that Malone had said in his testimony
that there would be as many as four information suppliers
per household and asked how this could be cost-effective.
Malone pointed out, as he had several times earlier, that today's
launch of the Hughes Direct TV Service broadcast satellite would
directly compete with all cable services in the US and much of
Mexico and Canada and that there are other direct satellites in
service or planned.
Senator Patrick Leahy (D - VT) expressed particular interest in
rural service and pointed out that where he lived in Vermont he
got 1.5 channels and jokingly suggested that after getting a
"kazillion" channels in the DC area, he was not certain which was
better.
A defining moment in the hearings came when Senator Metzenbaum
said that he felt as if he was hearing from a new Malone (who
had several years ago testified against mergers similar to the
proposed TCI/Bell Atlantic deal. Said Malone, "This technology is
moving very fast Senator." To which Sen. Metzenbaum said, "So is
TCI and Bell Atlantic unless we slow them down."
The Senator also said that he hoped the regulatory agencies could
see through all the fog and properly regulate this merger, but if
the agencies and the White House did not take a careful look at
the proposed merger that the Senate certainly would.
(John McCormick/19931216/Press Contact: Sen. Metzenbaum,
tel 202-224-2315 or fax 202-224-6519)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
IBM
Windows Software Provides Letter Templates
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00001)
Windows Software Provides Letter Templates 12/15/93
RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Windows
users who dread writing letters can now let their computers do
most of the work, thanks to software from Round lake Publishing
Company Inc., that provides templates for hundreds of common
types of letters.
The company has launched Windows versions of LetterWorks and
ReadyWorks, a line of software providing altogether about 1,700
letters, forms, and other documents covering everything from
leasing real estate to outpourings of love.
Computer-generated love letters may sound a bit much, but most
of what Round Lake's software does is in areas where the personal
touch is less important. Its templates include various legal
documents and standard business correspondence, plus a package
of personnel forms.
The company has launched six packages: Business LetterWorks
offers 400 letters covering customer relations, credit, sales,
and advertising; Legal LetterWorks includes wills, copyrights
and trademarks, leases and mortgages, and other legal documents
-- 165 in all; Personal LetterWorks includes 400 letters including
thank-you and sympathy notes, apologies, complaints to companies,
and love letters; Sales LetterWorks is a collection of 300 letters
for sales people. All four of these sell for $79.95 each.
In addition, Personnel ReadyWorks is a collection of 160 forms
for hiring, firing, health and safety policies, developing job
descriptions, and other purposes. It sells for $119.95. Finally, the
$89.95 Professional LetterWorks has 250 documents intended for
doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, and other professionals.
Each package comes with a built-in word processor, though this
is very basic, said Hank Lefcort, president of the company. Users
who want to mix fonts, merge form letters with mailing lists,
and adjust margins can send letters from Round Lake's
software to their word processors, he said.
Users can also create their own letterheads and search for
documents containing a given word or phrase. A key feature,
Lefcort said, is the ability to load more than one of the
packages under a single user interface called ViewWorks, which
makes it easy to switch from one Round Lake product to another.
Round Lake has been selling similar software for DOS and the
Apple Macintosh since 1989, Lefcort said. The company has some
sales in Canada and the Far East, but the bulk of its sales are
in the United States, he said.
(Grant Buckler/19931214/Press Contact: Hank Lefcort, Round Lake
Publishing, tel 203-431-9696, fax 203-431-6811; Public Contact:
Round Lake Publishing, 203-438-5255)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
TELECOM
Bell Canada Proposes Business Rate Changes
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00002)
Bell Canada Proposes Business Rate Changes 12/15/93
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Businesses in
Ontario and Quebec are likely to see some changes in their
telephone bills over the next couple of years as a result of two
proposals from Bell Canada, the company providing local telephone
service in those provinces.
Bell is asking federal communications regulators for permission
to restructure local business rates in some towns to bring them
more in line with the cost of providing service. In general, the
proposal would lower rates in the outer suburbs of Toronto and
Montreal, while raising them in some smaller cities.
Bell has also received approval from the Canadian
Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to
start charging businesses for local calls above a certain monthly
volume. The details have yet to be worked out, but Bell is expected
to file rates for the new threshold pricing plan in about a year.
Neither development affects residential customers or
long-distance rates directly.
Bell has applied to the CRTC to reduce the number of rate groups
for business users and reduce charges to customers in communities
on the edges of the large local calling areas around Toronto and
Montreal. Businesses in these areas now pay higher per-line rates
-- from C$51.30 to C$64.55 per month -- than those farther from
the major centers. This reflects the fact that they can call many
numbers in the large cities without paying long-distance charges,
but according to Bell the rates they pay are much higher than the
cost of providing service to them.
Businesses in smaller centers away from the big cities, on the
other hand, pay from C$10.80 to C$29.10 per month for business
lines, although those lines cost about the same to provide as
those on the outskirts of the big cities.
The Canadian market is in the process of being opened to
competition in long-distance service. With the loss of its
long-distance monopoly, Bell can no longer count on making
money on long-distance calling by businesses in smaller centers.
Under Bell's new plan, about 22 percent of business customers
will see their local rates go up by C$1.65 to C$10.30 per month,
and about four percent would see their rates go down by C$3.30 to
C$27.10 per month. Nearly three quarters would not be affected,
Bell officials said. Those unaffected include customers in
Toronto and Montreal proper.
The net effect on Bell's revenues from local service will be
about neutral, company spokeswoman Denise Sarazin said.
Bell also said the CRTC has approved the idea of threshold
pricing for business users, which would mean those customers
would pay for local calls above a certain volume each month.
The introduction of threshold pricing, likely to come some time
in 1995, will accompany the elimination of different rates for
business lines and private branch exchange (PBX) trunks. Instead,
there will be a standard business access charge.
Bell has no idea yet what the threshold for local charges will
be, Sarazin said, but it will be per-line rather than
per-business and businesses will probably be allowed to average
out their usage over all their lines for billing purposes.
Long-distance calls and calls to special numbers such as 911,
611, 411, and telephone operators will not be included in the
measured usage, Bell said, nor will calls within an
organization's PBX, Centrex service, or key system. Incoming
calls also will not be affected.
(Grant Buckler/19931214/Press Contact: Denise Sarazin,
Bell Canada, 613-781-3333; Linda Gervais, Bell Canada,
613-781-3724)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
GENERAL
Resource Partners Ships Two Fax Devices
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00003)
Resource Partners Ships Two Fax Devices 12/15/93
WAKEFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Resource
Partners Inc., has begun shipping two new facsimile devices. One
is a stand-alone fax-on-demand unit, while the other is a sort of
facsimile counterpart to voice mail.
The Fax Resource Fax-On-Demand will compete with products that
plug into a personal computer to send out faxes as callers
request them. Initially, the device will handle one incoming line
and will allow users to set up one to 99 mailboxes for documents
that callers can request, said Serge Nepomiastchy, head of
engineering for Resource Partners.
The unit will plug into an electrical outlet and a telephone
jack. To load documents into it, users will fax them from a fax
machine or from fax software running on a PC. The device will not
work as a standard fax machine.
In future, the company will probably release a version that can
handle multiple telephone lines, Nepomiastchy said.
The Fax Resource Mailbox Manager will receive incoming faxes and
store them in as many as 100 mailboxes. People will then be able
to retrieve their faxes by dialing into the system and entering
an identification code.
Users will also be able to put phone messages and other mail in
the mailboxes, the company said. The Mailbox Manager will notify
users by phone or pager when a fax is waiting for them, or forward
faxes to a designated fax machine.
Both machines will sell for $1,699.
Resource Partners sells fax software and hardware for personal
computers running Microsoft Windows and attached to local area
networks.
(Grant Buckler/19931214/Press Contact: Louise Horton, Resource
Partners, tel 603-522-9500, fax 603-522-9747)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
IBM
UK - Micro Price Intros Budget PC Card Radio
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00004)
UK - Micro Price Intros Budget PC Card Radio 12/15/93
FAREHAM, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Micro Price
Direct, a direct sales specialist, has announced the immediate
availability of Radio Track, a PC expansion card with onboard
radio facilities.
The UKP49.95 card plugs into any PC expansion card slot and allows
the PC user to tune into almost any AM/FM radio station using the
supplied Windows and DOS applications software. Up to ten channels
can be preset by the software.
According to Richard Scales, marketing manager with the European
Business Group, the parent operation to Micro Price Direct, the unit
has an built-in alarm and sleep/snooze facility. The card comes
with an FM aerial and uses either the existing PC speaker, external
stereo speakers, headphones or plugs directly into a pre-installed
sound card.
"Radio Track is an innovative product that can either be useful or
fun, depending on your needs. Whether you need to keep up to date
with the latest news, travel and weather bulletins at the office, or
merely to while away the hours at home, Radio Track is great," he
said.
Micro Price Direct is a direct sales operation that claims to
provide customers with a comprehensive range of business products
and accessories, including PCs, non-impact printers and software
packages at discount prices and with fast delivery. The company
maintains a sales order and information line on
0800-616967 (UK only).
(Steve Gold/19931214/Press & Public Contact: Micro Price
Direct, tel 44-329-221121, fax 44-320-827912)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
TELECOM
UK - Cellnet & Vodafone Battle On Connections
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00005)
UK - Cellnet & Vodafone Battle On Connections 12/15/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- As the Cellnet and
Vodafone networks come up to their busiest selling period -- the
pre-Christmas "impulse purchase" time -- the two networks are
vying with each other to tell the public who is the best.
The battle lines this year seem to be being drawn on the number of
subscribers a network has and how fast it is growing. Cellnet
reports that its sales of mobile phones are going sky-high.
According to Cellnet, during November, the new signups to the
Cellnet network were 54,500 in total, compared with 22,500
during November of last year. William Ostrom, head of Cellnet's
press office, said that he attributes the growth to the low price
of cellular handsets and tariff packages.
Cellnet aims to top this sales figure for December. The company
has stepped up its TV advertising and has begun broadcasting a new
commercial starring John Cleese of "Monty Python" and "Fawlty
Towers" fame.
Not to be outdone, Vodafone is beating the drum over its new
subscriber signups. The company has just signed its millionth
subscriber -- just under nine years after it launched its network on
the 1st of January, 1985.
The million mark was passed at 7pm on December 1 when Woodend
Communications, a Scottish service provider, connected Dr John
Haughney to the Vodafone Business Tariff.
Gerry Whent, the chief executive of the Vodafone Group, and the
man who led the original bid for a cellular license in 1982, said
he is delighted to have passed the million subscriber mark.
"In under a decade the mobile phone has become established as an
essential part of business life, and is now beginning to move
towards the domestic market. The progress we have made has
exceeded the wildest dreams of the small team who won the
original license and subsequently established Vodafone," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931214/Press & Public Contact: Vodafone, tel
44-635-33251, fax 44-635-45713; Cellnet, tel 44-753-504814;
fax 44-753-504063)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
IBM
UK - IBM Ships PS/1 Media Exploration Multimedia PC
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00006)
UK - IBM Ships PS/1 Media Exploration Multimedia PC 12/15/93
PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- The IBM
PC Co., has announced the availability of the PS/1 Media Exploration
System, the latest in its range of multimedia PC systems.
According to BIg Blue, the PS/1 Media Exploration System combines
the power and ease of use of the popular PS/1 PC with the
"excitement" of CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) technology
to bring "life-like" entertainment and education applications to the
entire family.
"The Media Exploration System allows users of all ages to experience
the exciting world of multimedia," explained Steve Rowley, manager
of the IBM PC Company UK. "The user can integrate sounds, music and
voices with computer graphics, video or animation features, play
audio compact discs, create and edit synthesized sound effects, or
combine video and sound clips into exciting presentations," he said,
adding that there is no limit on what the user can achieve.
To help novice users get started, IBM is shipping an exclusive CD-
ROM tutorial guide with the system. This, the company claims,
guides users through a series of applications. These applications
are brought to life using "realistic" graphics and a digital, 16-bit
stereo audio system.
The PS/1 Media Exploration System includes a 33 megahertz (MHz)
80486DX-based PCX with a 170 megabyte (MB) hard disk and an
SVGA color non-interlaced monitor. The machine comes with four
megabytes (MB) of memory and 1MB of video memory for faster
graphics. Also built into the machine is a Panasonic double-speed
CD-ROM drive that supports multiple sessions.
The special CD-ROM package includes Creative Lab's Sound Blaster
16 sound card, an internal audio card, two Koss HD-1 speakers
and seven CD-ROM software programs.
Aside from the specifically built-in multimedia components, the
PS/1 Media Exploration System comes preloaded with all the
standard PS/1 software, including DOS 6.0, MS-Windows 3.1,
Works for Windows 2.0, and three other PS/1 titles.
(Steve Gold/19931214/Press & Public Contact: IBM UK, tel
44-705-561000, fax 44-705-385081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
IBM
Network Peripherals' FDDI Software On NT Disk
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00007)
Network Peripherals' FDDI Software On NT Disk 12/15/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Network
Peripherals Inc., claims that its software for connecting
workstations and servers running Microsoft Windows NT to
fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) networks is the first
to be shipped by Microsoft Corp.
The NP FDDI software, for both EISA (Extended Industry Standard
Architecture) and Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) platforms, is
included on the Microsoft Windows NT release disk which is now
shipping in volume. The company says that the software drivers
are also available, from either Network Peripherals or its
resellers.
Said Mitch Strobin, product manager for Network Peripherals,
"The ability of Windows NT to support large databases has created
a strong need for high-performance networking within these
corporate environments. The combination of our FDDI adapters,
with new certified NT drivers and our EIFO client/server switching
hub, provides a solution to corporate-wide access to data stored on
high-performance NT servers."
Network peripherals says that using this combination, high-
performance servers can take advantage of the 100 megabits-
per-second (Mbps) pipe of FDDI, while clients remain undisturbed
on ubiquitous 10BaseT Ethernet. The EIFO reportedly switches
traffic between the two with very low latency and at a very low
cost. The company says that the configuration, called a server
cluster, is commonly used in downsizing situations where data
that previously resided on a mainframe or minicomputer is
distributed across several high-performance servers.
Network Peripherals claims that its FDDI products makes "efficient
use of these clustered server resources, improving the overall
throughput on the network by delivering 100 Mbps to the servers,
where it is needed, and providing clear access for the clients to
these shared resources."
The Network Peripherals' NT drivers are available to current
customers at no additional cost. Pricing for the company's FDDI
adapters starts at $995, and EIFO client/server switching hub
pricing starts at $7,495.
In April, Newsbytes reported that Network Peripherals had
announced shipment of new FDDI driver software for its line
of SBus adapters to support SunSoft's increasingly popular
Unix-based Solaris 2.x operating system.
(Ian Stokell/19931214/Press Contact: Beverly Ristow,
408-321-7307, or Gordon Stitt, 408-321-7300, Network
Peripherals)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
IBM
Future Domain's PCMCIA SCSI2GO Plug-And-Play Card
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00008)
Future Domain's PCMCIA SCSI2GO Plug-And-Play Card 12/15/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Future Domain of
Irvine, California, has announced SCSI2GO, a credit-card sized
Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) interface card aimed at
the portable computer market. The company says the card is self-
configuring and installs for "true" plug-and-play operation of
SCSI peripherals.
SCSI2GO requires a Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association (PCMCIA) Type II slot and can be used on desktop
personal computers (PCs), workstations, or PC network servers
equipped with the necessary slot. The card allows for the
attachment of SCSI devices, including optical scanners, hard
disk drives, and compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives.
Future Domain says the user can simply attach the SCSI peripheral
to the card, then plug in the card to the PCMCIA slot. The card
reconfigures and installs the peripheral without the need for the
user to manually change any system files, memory address
locations, or jumper any interrupts, according to company
officials.
The card is compatible with Card and Socket Services software
and is capable of FAST SCSI-2 data transfer rates of up to 10
megabytes-per-second (MBps). It also has a low-power Sleep
Mode to save energy.
The SCSI2GO card is expected for availability in January and it
is planned for inclusion in the SCSI Valuepak and CorelSCSI Kit
families. Retail price for the Valuepak is $329 and the CorelSCSI
Kit is $389.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931214/Press Contact: Laura Bradlin, Future
Domain Corporation, tel 714-253-0400 ext 520, fax 714-253-0913;
David Kaye, KPR, tel 818-368-8212, fax 818-368-8857; PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
GENERAL
Collaborator II & Scriptware For Scriptwriting
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00009)
Collaborator II & Scriptware For Scriptwriting 12/15/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- If you have
heard the stories about how Hollywood is buying more scripts
from new writers and are thinking about giving it a try, there
are two software programs that could help. Collaborator II is a
program for fleshing out an idea so it can stand up to scrutiny,
and Scriptware is designed to handle the tedious task of
correctly formatting scripts.
Collaborator II, from Collaborator Systems of Sherman Oaks,
California, is designed to take that idea for a play, script, or
film and define it in detail. Company co-founder Francis X.
Feighan, who has written stories for "Happy Days" and "Barney
Miller," told Newsbytes it is easy to go through all the pain of
birthing a script, submit it, and be embarrassed because you
forgot the "where" out of "who," "what," "when," "where," "why,"
and "how."
According to Feighan, just brainstorming generic ideas is not
enough in the film business and popular programs for that
purpose, such as Plots Unlimited from Malibu, California-based
AshleyWilde, fall far short of what is really needed. J. Michael
Strazcynski, co-producer of "Murder, She Wrote," said: "On our
show, if you walk in with a generic story like that you will get
bounced out the door." Strazcynski said Collaborator helped him
in writing a novel recently by asking of one if the characters in
the work would help or hurt another character -- a line of
thought he had not considered.
Collaborator II asks those critical questions directors are going
to ask when you "pitch" your proposal, then stores the answers
on 72 "cards." The product allows you to address in a systematic
approach necessary "development" issues, such as character-
bonding, conflict, plot construction, crisis, and climax, and
save all of it via the computer.
The company says Collaborator prods, pushes, and tugs to get the
scriptwriter to focus on plot twists and turns to give the story
its selling spirit. An example of how the product works is
illustrated with the classic tale, "It's a Wonderful Life,"
worked out in detail and included with the product. The detailed
treatment of the classic Christmas tale introduces the writer to
the type of knowledge needed to sell his proposed script.
As reference tools, Collaborator offers a dictionary with about
150,000 words including legal, medical, scientific, geographical,
and technical terms. A thesaurus, also built-in, offers over
550,000 synonyms, 34,000 antonyms, more than 650,000 related
words, and almost 300,000 contrasted words. Over 25 reports are
available for printing once the necessary information is entered
into the product, the company said.
Once you sell the script, Scriptwriter from Cinovation of
Boulder, Colorado, helps you write it. The software is a
terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) application that intelligently
formats input as it is typed so the writer can focus on writing.
For example, type in a few letters of the character's name and
Scriptware will finish it. It properly formats acts and scenes,
puts (more) or (CONTINUED) lines at the bottom of the pages as
you write, indicates continuing dialog from a character on the
next page, and even allows the writer to change the formatting of
the entire script in the middle or after it is finished.
The product inserts transitions and scene headings with a single
keystroke and offers spell checking from an 80,000 word
dictionary. For scripts in production, the product creates "A"
and "B" versions of the pages and scenes and adds revision marks
automatically. It also allows for scenes to be shuffled, allows
comments to be put in the script via a Notes feature, and allows
work on two or more scripts at once so work can be copied from
one script to another. Popular formats for scripts, such as film,
three-camera, filmed television, and radio are included or writers
can customize and save their own formats.
Collaborator II is available in both Macintosh and IBM compatible
personal computer (PC) versions. On the Macintosh it requires one
megabyte (MB) of random access memory (RAM), a hard disk with
two MB available, and runs under System 6 or System 7. On the PC,
it requires 640 kilobytes (KB) of RAM with 500 KB available, a hard
disk drive with 2MB of space, and DOS 3.1 (although DOS 5.0 is
recommended). The product will also support a color monitor and a
mouse, but can be used without either. Collaborator II retails
for $329.
Scriptware is only available for PCs, requires PC with 640KB of
RAM, DOS 2.1 or higher, two floppy drives (although a hard disk is
recommended), will support a color monitor, and a mouse is
optional. The product retails for $299.95 plus $9 shipping and
handling and is available directly from Cinovation.
If you would like to get a better idea of the way scripts are
formatted and presented, you might find it useful to study
scripts from hot new movies such as Fatal Instinct, Mrs.
Doubtfire, Terminator II, and Sister Act 2. Hollywood Scripts of
North Hollywood, California, offers copies of these and other
scripts. The company says it has some of the lowest prices for
scripts in the industry and offers a free catalog on request of
current film and television scripts, although company officials
told Newsbytes they can get any script a customer needs.
A holiday special, running now, allows you to get five scripts
for the price of four. Movie scripts are normally $15 each
plus $3 shipping and handling and television scripts are
$11.50 plus $2.50 shipping and handling. During the special, five
movie scripts are $72 and five television scripts are $56
and both prices include shipping and handling. (Canadian
residents add $20 for movie scripts and television scripts
$10)
(Linda Rohrbough/19931214/Press Contact: Francis Feighan,
Collaborator Systems, tel 800-241-2655, fax 818-788-4192;
Steve Fashen, Cinovation, tel 303-786-7899, fax 303-786-9292;
Hollywood Scripts, tel 818-980-3545, fax 818-566-1143;
AshleyWilde, tel 800-833-7568, fax 310-456-1277; Public
Contacts, Collaborator Systems, 800-241-2655; Cinovation,
800-788-7090; Hollywood Scripts, 818-980-3545)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
9 12/15/93
IBM
MultiUser Windows Accounting Software For $
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00010)
MultiUser Windows Accounting Software For $99 12/15/93
TAMPA, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- A Florida company
has introduced a modularized accounting program the company
says is designed for users who have outgrown programs like
Peachtree, DacEasy, or Quickbooks.
Zebra Express has introduced its eight-module accounting
program of the same name that includes General Ledger,
Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll and Personnel,
Order Entry with Invoicing and Quotations, Purchase Orders,
Inventory, and Fixed Assets.
Zebra Express (ZE) comes with all eight modules, but Zebra
Express spokesperson Nancy Garcia told Newsbytes that, like
some of the programs it is designed to replace, the user need
only load the modules they want to use. When the General Ledger
module is loaded other modules integrate with it to update
accounts automatically as entries are made.
ZE is a multi-user program that can handle multiple locations and
divisions and can produce consolidated and multi-division
reports. The Accounts Receivable module provides automatic
calculation and tracking of sales commissions, and the Accounts
Payable module can print checks in batches or individually.
The company says the Payroll and Personnel module can handle
direct deposit of paychecks, batch check processing, and
multiple pay rates per check. Multiple inventory classifications
are possible in the Inventory module, which can maintain and sell
units as stock items, manufactured units or kits.
The Purchase Order module provides last-vendor, last-cost
tracking, and recurring orders with multiple frequency options
are supported in Sales Order Entry.
The company says file size is limited only by disk capacity,
allowing an unlimited number of employees, inventory items,
customers and vendors. More than one module can be open
simultaneously, and users can add vendors on-the-fly in the
PO module and customers and inventory items in Order Entry.
ZE can import data from other programs. The suggested retail
price is $795 for all eight modules, but the company is offering
the program for $99 through the end of March 1994, according to
Garcia.
(Jim Mallory/19931215/Press Contact: Nancy Garcia, S&S Public
Relations for Zebra Express, 708-291-1616; Reader Contact: Zebra
Express, 800-401-0060 or 813-888-7500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
IBM
Software Gives PC Users Access To Unix Resources
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00011)
Software Gives PC Users Access To Unix Resources 12/15/93
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Century
Software has announced the release of CenturyNFS, a network
application for use with CenturyTCP, the company's TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) transport.
Century says the two products provide a combination of a high
performance TCP/IP network and file sharing capabilities.
CenturyNFS allows users to access and manage Unix host
resources from any PC on the network.
The bundling of CenturyNFS and CenturyTCP lets PCs share use
of files and applications residing on a local or remote host. Using
CenturyNFS, applications on the host appear to the user as if they
were installed locally and allows the user the convenience of
storing data anywhere the user chooses whether its on the PC, a
Novell file server, or an NFS server.
CenturyNFS allows Unix to function as a central file storage area
to free desktop disk space and provide access to host files for all
the PCs on the network. Installation of the software is menu
driven.
CenturyNFS can also be used as a print client or server, and
supports PostScript, non-Postscript and ASCII text files for most
applications and printer types. That makes it easier to share
printer resources on the network.
Century says CenturyNFS is being introduced at the special price
of $299 through January 31, 1994. Current users of CenturyTCP
can add NFS as an upgrade for $129, and an application program
interface developers kit is also available for $299.
(Jim Mallory/19931215/Press Contact: Tracy Wagstaff, Century
Software, 801-268-3088 or 800-877-3088; Reader Contact:
Century Software, 801-268-3088 or 800-877-3088)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
TELECOM
****Standards Work Begins On Information Highway
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)
****Standards Work Begins On Information Highway 12/15/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- At separate news
conferences, two consortia announced plans to research and
produce standards for the "Information Superhighway."
In Washington the Cross-Industry Working Team announced plans
to define the "architecture and key technical requirements" for
the superhighway, which has become a priority of the Clinton
Administration.
The Corporation for National Research Initiatives of Reston,
Virginia, will coordinate the work, which aims to make sure
people will not need five different computers and telephones
to use all the services of the superhighway.
The idea of the superhighway is to give all homes and businesses
the ability to transmit and receive "broadband" communications,
defined as anything from TV pictures and sound, down to words
and numbers.
The big expense of the superhighway is expected to be in the
"local loop," those last miles between a customer's home and the
telephone network infrastructure. US West, Pacific Bell, and Bell
Atlantic have all announced plans to upgrade their networks,
using a combination of fiber, coaxial cable and ordinary copper.
Major cable operators, like TCI, Time Warner, and Cablevision have
announced similar plans, and many Bell companies have been buying
into cable to help the process of upgrades along. Some observers
have said it could be much less-expensive to upgrade cable
networks than phone networks, since cable can retain the coaxial
cable it now runs in the local loop while phone networks will
have to replace their "twisted-pair" wiring.
While the "local loop" may represent the big expense, however,
it is the networks themselves that may need new standards to
handle the load. When individuals are able to send three megabit-
per-second files across their modems, traffic will rise
exponentially from today's 9,600 bits-per-second packet networks.
The 3 gigabit-per-second gear envisioned under the asynchronous
transfer mode standard may not be enough.
Thus Bellcore, the research arm of the regional Bells, has
announced what it called the Collaboratory, which adds such groups
as Digital Equipment, Northern Telecom, and the MIT Media Lab to
the Bellcore members. Research results will be published to
encourage industry standards, said Lanny Smoot of Bellcore.
Many companies are members of both the Collaboratory and the
Cross-Industry Working Team, which both groups consider a
strength.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931215/Press Contact: Bellcore, Barbara
Kaufman, 201-740-4324; CIWT, Don Kahn, 703-620-8990)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
TELECOM
Second Objection Raised To AT&T-McCaw Merger
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
Second Objection Raised To AT&T-McCaw Merger 12/15/93
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- A second
objection was filed to AT&T's acquisition of McCaw Cellular, but
it is not expected to halt the deal.
TPI Enterprises filed the new objection on behalf of its
subsidiary Maxcell Telecom Plus Inc. The companies have a civil
action pending in Florida against McCaw and a former Maxcell
partner, Charisma Communications, alleging fraud in the sale of
their properties in Florida to McCaw.
The action seeks return of Florida cellular properties purchased
by McCaw from Charisma and Maxcell, and wants to make approval
of the merger contingent on satisfaction in the suit. TPI's main
business is holding restaurant franchises, mainly Shoney's and
Captain D's units in the south.
In an earlier action, BellSouth asked that, as a condition of the
sale's approval, it be allowed to offer long distance services as
part of its cellular network. Ironically, BellSouth's objections
also center around Florida. In BellSouth's case, it notes that
AT&T could take McCaw calls from Florida to other states over
AT&T's long distance network as local calls, while BellSouth has
to pay AT&T an access fee for the same service, under conditions
of the Modified Final Judgement which broke up the Bell System.
Like TPI, BellSouth has said it will settle for less than the
end of the deal, specifically asking for the right to offer long-
distance calls over its cellular networks.
Reports from Washington indicate that the Justice Department,
too, may have objections, both to the AT&T-McCaw link and the
pending TCI acquisition by Bell Atlantic. New anti-trust chief
Anne Bingaman is taking a harder line on industry concentration
than her predecessor in the Bush Administration, and is also
considering an anti-trust case involving Microsoft.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931215/Press Contact: Robert Kennedy,
TPI Enterprises, 407-833-8888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
TELECOM
Ameritech Signs For AT&T ATM Equipment
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
Ameritech Signs For AT&T ATM Equipment 12/15/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Ameritech said it
will upgrade its network with equipment from AT&T Network
Systems.
The midwestern regional Bell company has signed a two-year
agreement to buy asynchronous transfer mode, or ATM, switches
and other gear from AT&T as part of an end-to-end network for
high-speed voice, data, and video services.
The deal climaxes a series of tests Ameritech has held since
February on the equipment of a variety of vendors. Included are
AT&T's GCNS-2000 ATM systems and BNS-2000 packet switches.
Ameritech hopes to offer ATM service, which moves data at speeds
from 1.544 million bits-per-second to multi-gigabit speeds,
starting late next year.
Ameritech also said it will start testing pre-paid phone calling
cards, like those used in overseas markets. The cards will be
offered in denominations from $2 to $20, and are about the size
of credit cards, with magnetic stripes in their back.
However, they are made of less-expensive material than credit
cards and are designed to be discarded after their value is used. In
Japan, the cards are popular as corporate giveaways, since they
can be printed with any logo, but there have been reports of
widespread fraud with the cards, especially the larger
denominations. If the test, using Ameritech employees, is
successful, the company hopes to be the first phone company in
the US to offer the cards.
Ameritech also said it would simplify how customers order
integrated services digital network (ISDN) services. It said
those customers who have multiple locations and need both local
as well as long distance ISDN service will be able to get it
simply by calling Ameritech, thanks to new inter-exchange
agreements with MCI and AT&T.
ISDN, first discussed over a decade ago, offers digital circuits in
increments of 64,000 bits-per-second, as well as slower signaling
channels. While many of the other regional Bells have de-emphasized
ISDN recently -- there exists as yet no residential tariff for ISDN
in Atlanta, for instance -- Ameritech has been pricing it
aggressively, at just 30 percent more than the cost of a regular
business phone line.
Finally, Ameritech released the results of a survey of small
businesses in the Midwest, calling them optimistic about the
outlook for 1994. The company interviewed 305 small
business people in its five-state region with 11 or fewer
employees, and found only 15 percent were gloomy about their
own prospects for next year. The telephone survey was conducted
in September and October.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931215/Press Contact: Robert Kennedy, TPI
Enterprises, 407-833-8888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
IBM
IBM Renames RS/6000 Division
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00015)
IBM Renames RS/6000 Division 12/15/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- IBM has
renamed its Advanced Workstations and Systems Division to
reflect the products it sells. The unit is now called the RISC
System/6000 Division.
The RISC/System 6000 line of workstations and servers, which
use reduced instruction-set computing (RISC) technology, are
the sole business of the division, company spokesman Greg
Golden said. That line includes IBM's high-end Power Parallel
systems.
The name change appears to be purely cosmetic. IBM said it does
not imply any changes in the division's activities, which include
software and hardware development, manufacturing, sales to
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), marketing support, and
other functions. About 4,000 people work in the division, Golden
said.
Bill Filip, who heads the division, becomes vice-president and
general manager, RISC System/6000 division. His duties remain
unchanged.
(Grant Buckler/19931215/Press Contact: Greg Golden, IBM,
914-642-5463)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
GENERAL
TartanWorks Ada Tool Available For Motorola 68XXX
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00016)
TartanWorks Ada Tool Available For Motorola 68XXX 12/15/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Ada, the programming
system developed for use by the Pentagon and NATO and mandated
for use in many government contracted program development tasks,
can now be more easily used to develop real-time, embedded
applications for Motorola 68XXX-based microprocessor systems.
Tartan, a major Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based developer of Ada
tools, has announced that its TartanWorks cross-development
system is now available for the Motorola family of chips.
TartanWorks, which incorporates the best-selling VxWorks
developed by Wind River Systems of Alameda, California, was
developed with Tartan's Ada Development System to generate
highly-optimized code for the most advanced Motorola
microprocessor family of 68020, 68030, and 68040 chips.
The software kit includes the Tartan Ada compiler, a multi-user
Ada Program Librarian, Tartan's Ada Runtime System integrated
with the VxWorks real-time operating system, a library of
predefined Ada packages with elementary transcendental
functions and intrinsic functions, Tartan's flexible linker, the
popular AdaScope source- and machine-level debugger, and
on-line help.
The software operates on fast Sun SPARC workstations and
VxWorks provides access to real-time optimized networking
facilities as well as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol) , ftp, and rlogin standards.
TartanWorks supports real-time POSIX (the Portable Operating
System Interface for UNIX standard set by the IEEE) 1003.1 and
1003.4.
(John McCormick/19931215/Press Contact: Wayne Lieberman,
Tartan, tel 412-856-3600 or fax 412-856-3636)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/15/93
CORRECTION APPLE
Correction - Apple Newton Industry Association
(CORRECTION)(APPLE)(LAX)(00017)
Correction - Apple Newton Industry Association 12/15/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- In the
story "Apple Newton Industry Association, Other Newton News"
that ran December 7, 1993, the statement was made that
Newtonmail requires the Newton Fax Modem Card, a credit-card
sized Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
(PCMCIA) modem.
While the Newton Fax Modem Card will work, Newsbytes has
learned that Newtonmail requires simply a modem. However,
Apple's public relations manager Emma Bufton was careful to
note that all modems do not necessarily work with the Newton
Messagepad. Consequently, Apple is only recommending its own
modem products for the personal digital assistant (PDA).
Newsbytes apologizes for any inconvenience this error may
have caused.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931215/Press Contact: Emma Bufton, Regis
McKenna for Apple Computer, tel 408-974-1856, fax 408-974-
2885; Public Contact: 800-SOS-APPLE)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
2 12/15/93
IBM
MarketPulse Database Software Offered For PS
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00018)
MarketPulse Database Software Offered For PS/2 12/15/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) --
MarketPulse, a unit of Praxis International Inc., has announced
that it is offering its MarketPulse database software for IBM's
PS/2 personal computers.
MarketPulse, a database marketing system, has previously only
been available for IBM mainframes. The new PS/2 version uses
IBM's Personal/370 option for the PS/2, an expansion card with
a coprocessor for running mainframe software.
MarketPulse is selling its software bundled with a PS/2 Model 95,
the Personal/370 adapter, a five gigabyte (GB) tape drive, and
local area network (LAN) support, for $125,000 and up. Lease
arrangements are also available at $4,150 per month with a
purchase option.
Joe Bailey, vice president of sales and marketing at MarketPulse,
said the new package is aimed at companies that want to downsize
from their present mainframe systems and at those that want to
augment their mainframes with more distributed processing using
personal computers and LANs.
MarketPulse is meant to help manage direct marketing campaigns
by managing large customer databases for various industries
such as insurance, banking, retailing, and publishing, as well as
non-profit organizations, officials said.
The stand-alone desktop system can support as much as 24GB
of storage on external disk drives connected through the Small
Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), the company said.
The stand-alone system can also be used as a server for a
distributed PC-based setup with as many as 16 ordinary PCs
attached as clients, Bailey said.
MarketPulse said its system runs the database server under IBM's
mainframe VM operating system on the Personal/370 coprocessor
card, with client software running under the OS/2 operating
system on the same PC.
(Grant Buckler/19931215/Press Contact: Victoria Winston,
MarketPulse, 617-661-9790)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
IBM
Autodesk Ships Autovision Rendering For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00019)
Autodesk Ships Autovision Rendering For Windows 12/15/93
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Autodesk
is shipping Autovision for Windows, the Microsoft Windows
version of its photorealistic rendering software package to
accompany its leading computer-aided design (CAD) software
package, Autocad Release 12.
Autovision can also be used for animation as its files can be
exported to Autodesk's 3D Studio release 3 product.
Autodesk has a version of Autovision for DOS, but feels Windows
is an important platform for its users. Laura Kawazoe, Autovision
for Windows product marketing manager, said: "A recent survey of
Autocad customers indicates that 30 percent of them are already
doing some amount of rendering, and another ten percent plan to
purchase a rendering solution within the year." Kawazoe says
Autodesk can now offer advanced rendering for the two biggest
segments of the Autocad customer base -- Windows and DOS users.
Autovision for Windows includes a toolset which allows the user
to render multiple views of a drawing, each with different
lighting effects, materials and surfaces.
Features of the product include: a materials editor to modify
existing materials or create originals and control color,
reflection, transparency, ambient characteristics, and surface
texture; procedural materials to create seamless wood, marble,
and granite surfaces and alter gain and color as desired; a sun
locator to portray the sun's intensity and angle day and year
using latitude and longitude coordinates and time of day, or by
selecting a location from one of the software's regional maps;
and lighting control to simulate real lighting by creating and
adjusting point, spot, and distant lights using color, intensity,
falloff, and shadowing.
Autovision can read and write files generated by 3D Studio
release 3 and the rendering it does is entirely within Autocad
release 12 for Windows. Once complete, the rendering
information is saved to the Autocad DWG file.
Since Autovision requires Autocad release 12 for Windows, the
system requirements are the same -- an IBM or Compaq 386/486-
based computer or 100 percent compatible personal computer
(PC) equipped with MS-DOS 3.31 or higher, Microsoft Windows 3.1
(running in enhanced mode), 8 megabytes (MB) of RAM, Windows-
supported video graphics array (VGA) display, a math coprocessor,
an Autocad-supported pointing device, and either a 1.2MB, 5.25-
inch or a 1.44MB 3.5-inch floppy-disk drive.
Retail price for Autovision is $795 from authorized Autodesk
dealers. But until January 31, 1994, owners of previous versions
of Autocad can upgrade to Autocad release 12 for Windows and get
Autovision. The two together as an upgrade are priced at $995 for
the limited offer, a savings of up to $495 if purchased separately,
according to the company.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931215/Press Contact: Garth Chouteau,
Autodesk, tel 415-491-8853, fax 415-491-8308; Public Contact,
Autodesk Customer Service, 707-794-1450; Dealer Information,
US, 800-879-4233; Europe information requests, fax
41-22-788-2144; Asia/Pacific requests, fax 415/491-8398,
Latin America requests, fax 415-491-8303/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
GOVT
****EC Open Border Policy Still Far Away
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00020)
****EC Open Border Policy Still Far Away 12/15/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Although the "open market" as
far as the European Commission is concerned kicked off on January 1
of this year, the member countries of the EC are still unable to
agree on how to implement a free access border crossing system.
Officially, as at 1 January, 1993, all borders within the EC should
have been open to all traffic without restriction. The idea is that,
EC country citizens will have free access to other countries, with
non-EC citizens checked just once on their entry into the EC.
The reality has been that most borders are still as red tape-bound
as ever, with EC country citizens traveling between countries
having to submit, at best, to spot checks on their passport and
status. This, EC ministers have agreed, is a waste of time and
resources on the part of the governments concerned.
Plans originally called for a computerized system to be operational
as of January 1 this year, allowing all citizens to pass unimpeded
between EC countries. Car registration details, together with
spot check passport details, would be keyed in or "swiped" through a
magnetic strip reader, allowing immigration and customs officials to
ensure that nothing untoward was happening.
At a meeting to discuss the so-called Schengen arrangements for EC
countries earlier this week, Bernd Schmidbauer, the German Minister
of State, admitted that the February 1, 1994, delayed implementation
date for the computer system to go live would now be missed. The
problem is that, although the database can brought on-line, the
initial nine countries involved in phase one of Schengen
arrangements cannot agree on the data formats.
The initial nine countries -- Belgium, France, Germany, Greece,
Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain -- cannot,
apparently, get their computers working with the common
information format, despite EC officials having spent more than
$6 million in configuring the computer system.
In a prepared statement, Schmidbauer said it was a scandal that the
software was not working,but he denounced politicians who he said
were using the technical hitch as a pretext "for reasons of political
strategy or ideology" to delay the abolition of border controls.
Britain has been singled out for criticism by EC officials in recent
months for stating that, whatever EC plans are drawn up for free
movement across borders, the UK reserves the right to check
everyone entering the country for immigration and customs
formalities.
Schmidbauer, who assumes presidency of the Schengen group next
month, said that an effective compromise may be to implement
staff exchanges between country police and a free transfer of data
between immigration computers, in order to minimize cross-border
formalities within the EC. Using this approach, he said, would
ensure that the February '94 implementation date could be achieved.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931215)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/15/93
TELECOM
ISDN Network Sales Rising In Germany
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00021)
ISDN Network Sales Rising In Germany 12/15/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Deutsche Bundespost Telekom
(DBT) has announced that sales of its integrated services digital
network (ISDN) services have been progressing steadily throughout
1993, with annual sales for services are expected to top the
DM2,000 million mark this year.
This compares, the state-owned telecommunications company said,
with sales of DM1,100 million during 1992. The 81.8 percent
increase is attributed to an intensive promotion of the benefits
of ISDN to business phone users.
In the UK, meanwhile, sales of ISDN technology are reported to be
reaching critical mass. BT is reported to be on the verge of
announcing a reduction of around 50 percent on the UKP400
installation rate for installing ISDN 2 (two line) services on
business lines.
This means, Newsbytes notes, that installing an ISDN 2 circuit
into a home or small office, with its support for two voice or data
circuits, will have the cost as installing two ordinary business
phone lines from January 1.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931215/Press & Public Contact: DBT, tel
49-228-1810, fax 49-229=181-8872)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/15/93
TELECOM
2nd Italian Cellular Phone Operator License Planned
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00022)
2nd Italian Cellular Phone Operator License Planned 12/15/93
ROME, ITALY, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- The Italian government has
announced that it will award a second license to operate a
mobile phone network in Italy by the end of March, 1994.
Plans call for the new network to adhere to the global system for
mobile (GSM) digital telephony standard rather than the existing
analog system, which is run by SIP (Societa Italiania per
l'esercizio delle Telecommunicazioni), the state-controlled phone
company.
According to Maurizio Pagani, the Italian state telecommunications
minister, three companies, including SIP, are thought to be bidding
against each other for the contract license. The two third-party
companies are Omnitel and Pronti Italia.
Omnitel has Bell Atlantic, Cellular International, Lehman Bros,
Olivetti and Swedish Telecom under its umbrella, while Pronto
Italia includes Marzotta, Pacific Telecom and SG Warburg in its
membership.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931215/Press & Public Contact: SIP, tel
39-6-36881, fax 39-368-82-135)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
TRENDS
Ovum Offers User-Oriented Client-Server Report
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00023)
Ovum Offers User-Oriented Client-Server Report 12/15/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Ovum has announced a new
reported, called "How to Redesign the Corporate Network for
Client-Server."
The company claims that the report is the first one in a new series
of user-oriented reports. According to the company, the UKP395
report ($735 in the US) will supply information required by
communication managers to redesign the corporate network,
therefore supporting client-serving computing.
The company claims that the report will find and identify all
critical subjects which affect corporate networking based on the
client-server developments. The report also claims to offer
guidance on how to prepare a business for client-server networking
and pointers to emerging technologies which will have an impact
on corporate networking in the medium term.
According to Iain Stevenson, the lead author of the report,
technologies which are available to support networking are
identified by the report. "The typical business today is more
decentralized with greater local autonomy, and more global
in its outlook than it was ten years ago," he explained.
Stevenson said that the pace of decision-making and of
implementing the decision is much faster these days. "Rapid, easy
access to, and exchange of, information is essential for the
modern business and the pressures on IS (information systems)
and communications managers to provide the necessary
infrastructure are intense. The technology which underlies this
infrastructure is client-server computing," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931215/Press & Public Contact: Ovum,
44-71-285-2670)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
GENERAL
UK - Andest Modems Bundled With WinDos Lite Prgm
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00024)
UK - Andest Modems Bundled With WinDos Lite Prgm 12/15/93
MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Trans-Send
International and Andest Communication have announced a deal,
whereby all Andest's "Rocket" modems will be supplied with
Trans-Send WinDos Lite communications software.
The deal means that customers purchasing Andest's Rocket modems
will automatically receive Trans-Send's communication software
as well. Using the package, they will be able to send and receive
faxes directly from their PCs and communicate with European
on-line PC systems plus various bulletin boards. The deal is being
billed as ideal for people who connect to these services.
Malcolm Messiter, managing director of Trans-Send commented:
"Bundling our software with the Rocket modem is a significant
deal for us as the modem's low price and high performance means
that it is ideally suited to the volume market."
"Trans-Send's rapid growth has largely come from our success in
bundling the software with the modem manufacturers. We work very
closely with them, tailoring the software for each market and for
the particular designs of the different modems. This means that we
can provide a higher level of service than any of our competitors
which I think is reflected in our success," he said.
Tony Sellers, Andest's managing director, echoed Messiter's
enthusiasm for the deal. "Trans-Send offers a total solution in one
package, from fax to data transmission on Windows and DOS. This
thorough approach to communications was particularly attractive
to us and will significantly add value to our modem sales," he said.
He continued: "A further notable quality about working with
Trans-Send is that as a company, they are highly responsive and
will bend over backwards to meet our requirements. This is a
distinct advantage when working a local company."
In October, Trans-Send launched its latest flagship product,
WinDOS Pro. The product is a combination Windows and DOS-
based fax and data product. The package costs UKP135 and is
sold thorough dealers in the UK, as well as directly from
Trans-Send.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931215/Press & Public Contact; Andest
Communications, 44-908-263300)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
GENERAL
McAfee Anti-Virus Software Gets Novell Approval
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00025)
McAfee Anti-Virus Software Gets Novell Approval 12/15/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- IPE Corp., which
distributes McAfee's anti-virus software in the UK, has announced
that McAfee's Netshield Netware Loadable Module (NLM) has now
received Novell approval.
According to Peter Cooper, IPE's sales manager, the certification
applies to Netware 3.11, 2.12, SFT III version 3.11, 4.01, and 4.01
for OS/2.
"McAfee has an installed base of some 11 million users worldwide
and it consistently achieves over 90 percent detection rates in
independent tests. We see NLM approval as just one further step in
confirming McAfee's position as the world's number one anti-virus
software," he said.
In parallel with McAfee's approval for use with Netware, IPE has
announced the availability of version 1.09 of McAfee, which claims
to provide detection for a further 114 new virus and 167 variants.
Netshield is an NLM that incorporates McAfee's Viruscan virus
detection technology. The package provides facilities for real-
time virus scanning on file access and at user-defined intervals,
checking for all known viruses, including stealth, polymorphic
(mutation engine) viruses.
In addition to Netware, Viruscan will work with all major
networks, including Artisoft's LANtastic, Banyan's Vines, DEC
Pathworks, Microsoft LAN Manager, 3Com Share and 3Open,
NFSNet and NetBIOS-compatible networks.
Version 1.09 of McAfee for the PC is available in two versions --
a UKP49 package for home users with a year's free updates, and
a two-year corporate license for 1-5 company users costing
UKP213, although an extra UKP70 is payable for the two year's
worth of updates.
(Steve Gold/19931215/Press & Public Contact: IPE Corp.,
44-81-631-0548)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
APPLE
First "Graphics Subsystem" For Macintosh
(NEWS)(APPLE)(BOS)(00026)
First "Graphics Subsystem" For Macintosh 12/15/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- RasterOps
has introduced Horizon 24, a single-slot product billed as the first
graphics subsystem for the Macintosh.
The initial entry in a series of products to be based on RasterOps'
new Mercury graphics technology, Horizon 24 is aimed at allowing
real-time display and manipulation of 24-bit color images up to
256 megabytes (MB) in size.
To keep processing of large image files independent of either the
Macintosh processor or the bottleneck-prone Nubus, the board
integrates a large-screen frame buffer, a 128-bit data bus, a
large onboard image space, and a QuickDraw accelerator ASIC
(application-specific integrated circuit) with integrated cache.
The large-screen frame buffer drives all Macintosh monitors up to
21-inches at resolutions of up to 1152-by-870 pixels, according to
the company. The 128-bit data bus provides a transfer rate of 250
megabytes-per-second (MBps), or 50 times the 5MBps transfer
rate of the Nubus.
The image space offers up to 256MB of dedicated memory for on-
board image processing. This space is large enough for offscreen
memory, a capability that allows an application to address a
display space larger than the physical monitor size, and also
preserves on-screen images that are temporarily hidden by an
application so they can be displayed without redrawing, officials
said.
The QuickDraw accelerator intercepts more than 90 percent of all
graphics applications calls to QuickDraw, and accelerates 15 times
more graphics primitives than any other Macintosh accelerator, the
company asserted.
The DSP accelerator, which is implemented on a daughtercard,
consists of two AT&T 3210 DSP (digital signal processing) chips
working in parallel to speed performance of Adobe Photoshop
filters.
By maintaining independence from both the central processing
unit (CPU) and the Nubus, Horizon 24 qualifies as a true graphics
subsystem, as opposed to an accelerator, according to Jon Bass,
product marketing manager.
Some other recently released accelerators also keep image
processing off of the CPU, but these products require use of either
the Quadra Processor Direct Slot (PDS) for transferring data to the
frame buffer, or the Nubus for data transfer and application of
Photoshop filters and effects, he explained.
The PDS offers higher bandwidth than the Nubus, but still boosts
performance to only 30 to 40MBps, and also confines users to the
Quadra platform. In contrast, the Horizon 24 is equally compatible
with Quadra or any other Macintosh system. The subsystem
incorporates controllers for NuBus, PCI (Peripheral Component
Interconnect) and VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)-
local bus, and is PowerPC-compatible, said Bass.
In the future, the technology can be expanded to incorporate new
capabilities, such as 32-bit CMYK display and real-time color
conversion, according to Bass.
Mercury can also be used as the basis for lower cost products for
general purpose use, rather than RAM-intensive image processing
functions, he added.
Horizon 24 comes in three configurations: retail pricing is $4,999
for a version with 4MB of image memory, $5,799 for a 16MB image
memory version, and $12,499 for a 64MB image memory version.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931215/Reader Contact: RasterOps, tel
800-SAY-COLOR; Press Contact: Nicole Ratshin, Cunningham
Communications for RasterOps, 408-982-0400/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/15/93
APPLE
****Apple Intros Hypercard 2.2, Apple Scripting Kit 1.
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00027)
****Apple Intros Hypercard 2.2, Apple Scripting Kit 1.1 12/15/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Apple
Computer has announced new Hypercard 2.2 for creating custom
software and a new Applescript Scripter's Kit containing the new
Applescript 1.1 for automating tasks on Macintosh computers.
Both new products have the ability to create stand-alone,
run-time applications, Apple added.
Hypercard was originally launched by Apple in 1988 and is
available on over eight million Macintoshes worldwide, the company
maintains. The biggest change in Hypercard 2.2 is the integration
of Applescript, which allows users to automate repetitive tasks
by launching, controlling, and exchanging data with existing
applications on the Macintosh. Some of those applications
include: 4th Dimension, Macwrite, Filemaker, Microsoft Excel,
Microsoft Word, Photoflash, Quarkxpress, Wordperfect, and 75
others, Apple said.
Apple has also bundled in Addmotion II from Motion Works
International, described as a 24-bit color paint, animation, and
sound extension for controlling and editing animations and
sounds. Quicktime support has also been maintained so users
can incorporate movies into Hypercard applications.
In addition, Hypercard 2.2 includes Colortools, for "seamlessly"
adding color to stacks and Worldscript support for creating
multilingual applications. Colortools allows for importing and
resizing of color PICT graphics. With Colortools users may select
from a palette of 256 shades to color Hypercard elements such as
buttons, fields, cards, and backgrounds.
Worldscript allows the possibility of including different
languages in a field or card to create multilingual applications.
Apple claims scripting can be done in several languages,
including French and Japanese, using the Applescript dialects
extensions.
Hypercard 2.2 applications may now be distributed royalty free.
Applications created with Hypercard can be saved with a new "save
as" option and distributed without the necessity of paying fees
to Apple.
Apple has also announced general availability of the Applescript
Scripter's Kit, released to developers only in April of this
year. The new version of Applescript, version 1.1 is incorporated
into the new Hypercard 2.2.
Applescript was released to developers first, because
applications have to be "scriptable" in order for users to
automate custom repetitive functions using the product. Another
29 independent software vendors (ISVs) have announced support for
Applescript, bringing the total number of ISVs up to 80, Apple
announced.
The Scripter's Kit allows users to create automated processes on
Macintosh desktops or across a Macintosh network that are stand-
alone applications and may be distributed without paying
royalties to Apple. The kit includes Applescript 1.1, a script
editor so scripts can be "recorded" based on user's actions, and
an interface processor for building interfaces for scripts from
Software Designs Unlimited.
Apple says both Hypercard 2.2 and the Applescript Scripter's Kit
require System 7 or higher and both are planned for release at
the end of December, 1993. Hypercard 2.2 is retail priced at
$249, but Apple says it will offer a promotional price of $139
and upgrades to registered Hypercard 2.0 or 2.1 users for $89.
Claris Hypercard 2.1 users may upgrade for only $39, Apple added.
The Applescript Scripter's Kit 1.1 will retail for $189.
The products may be obtained from Apple resellers, software
resellers, and Apple's source for developer tools -- APDA.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931215/Press Contact: Emilo Robles, Apple
Computer, tel 408-862-5671, fax 408-974-6412; Toni Giusti,
Cunningham Communications, 408-982-0400; Public contacts:
APDA, US 800-282-2732, Canada 800-637-0039, International
716-871-6555; Upgrade Information from Apple Software
Programs Customer Service, 800-769-2775; Apple Reseller
Locations, 800-538-9696)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/15/93
IBM
UK - IBM Intros PS/1 Easyoffice
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00028)
UK - IBM Intros PS/1 Easyoffice 12/15/93
PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- The IBM
PC Co., has unveiled PS/1 Easyoffice, which it claims is an easy
to use and versatile hardware/software combination designed
specifically for the small business market.
The system claims to come with everything that the small business
users requires to be fully functional and productive, according to
the company, including a 33 megahertz (MHz) 486DX-based PC plus
software designed for small business administrative work, a
built-in fax/modem, and a Logitech hand scanner for graphics input.
According to IBM, potential small business owners will find the
system invaluable because everything they require is available on a
single system. eliminating the need, the company claims, to search
out, purchase and assemble various computer and fax parts and
accessories.
"Anyone just starting a business, or needing to increase the
productivity of their office, will find the PS/1 Easyoffice a solid
investment," explained Steve Rowley, manager of the IBM PC
Company UK.
"It is without doubt the easiest, fastest, most economical way to
create an office environment, ideally suited to people purchasing a
PC for the first time and for whom the vast array of productivity
packages available on the market today, presents a confusing
proposition," he said.
The standard PS/1 Easyoffice configuration comes with a 253
megabyte (MB) hard drive, a color SVGA monitor, as well as DOS 6.0
and Windows 3.1. Lotus Amipro and Lotus Improv, respective, word
processing and spreadsheet packages, are also pre-installed.
Other pre-loaded software includes an exclusive tutorial which
claims to teach the user what the PS/1 can do and how to operate
in the Windows environment, an on-screen index which explains
how to perform many common tasks, and PS/1 Fitness, which
includes a virus checker.
Pricing on the PS/1 Easyoffice is described by IBM as extremely
competitive, and depends on what extras users want with the
system.
(Steve Gold/19931215/Press & Public Contact: IBM PC Co., tel
44-256-561000, fax 44-705-385081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/15/93
IBM
PC-SIG Intros $20 Education CD-ROM
(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00029)
PC-SIG Intros $20 Education CD-ROM 12/15/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- Sunnyvale,
California-based PC-SIG, one of the first companies to place
shareware files on CD-ROM, has introduced a new Education
CD-ROM for only $19.95.
The PC-SIG World of Education contains more than 600
educational programs for all ages from pre-school to adult,
including more than 150 programs which will run directly
from the CD-ROM without the need to copy or install the
software to a hard drive.
Math, spelling, word processing, languages, science, children's
programs, history, astronomy and space exploration, and computer
training are just some of the program categories included on this
disc.
This disc is the third in PC-SIG's six-volume Encyclopedia of
Shareware which includes the World of Windows and World of
Games along with this new World of Education title.
(John McCormick/19931214/Public Contact: 800-245-6717,
operator 2372)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/15/93
GENERAL
India - USL Opens Madras Master Education Center
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00030)
India - USL Opens Madras Master Education Center 12/15/93
MADRAS, INDIA, 1993 DEC 15 (NB) -- An Indian licensed Master
Education Center of Unix System Laboratories (USL), the first of
its kind in the country, has opened in Madras.
I-mat (which stands for Information Management and Applications
Technology), a division of Computer Techniques (India) Pvt. Ltd.,
has received the clearance from USL to offer specialized training
programs on Unix.
At present, i-mat offers four certificate courses: namely Certified
Unix Engineer, Certified Object-Oriented Programmer, Certified
Windows Programmer and Certified Networking Engineer.
These programs are based on fifteen select USL courses and i-mat
designed courses. Students successfully completing the USL
course module will get USL signed certificates. Students can take
credits for USL courses completed with i-mat in India when they go
to US to take certification examinations.
According to S. Ravindran, chairman and managing director of i-mat,
the center is targeting graduates and post graduates and plans
to introduce Certified Master Programmer and Certified Client-
Server Technologist courses soon.
Besides providing training on Unix, i-mat is the authorized reseller
of Unix SVR4.2 in South India. The center is working towards having
fifteen i-mat centers across the country by the end of December,
1994.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931215)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
GENERAL
Intel, SynOptics Creating High-Speed Data Lines
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00001)
Intel, SynOptics Creating High-Speed Data Lines 12/14/93
HILLSBORO, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Intel Corp., and
SynOptics Communications Inc., have signed an agreement to
jointly develop and market interoperable 10/100Mbps Ethernet
products.
The companies maintain that the goal of the agreement is to
"create a seamless path to high-speed Ethernet while preserving
current network wiring investments."
Peter Tarrant, director of product marketing for Synoptics,
told Newsbytes that, in terms of products that will result from
the deal, "From SynOptics, there will be a range of hub products,
primarily Ethernet switching hubs, using the 100Mbit interface.
The purpose is to remove the bottleneck in connection
to servers. From Intel there will a range of adapter cards, they
have said both EISA (Extended Industry Standard Architecture) and
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus cards initially in the
second quarter of 1994 to go with our hub products. And [they
will] follow that later on in the year with ISA adapter cards as
well."
The products will be based on the Fast Ethernet Alliance's wiring
specifications.
According to Mike Maerz, general manager of Intel's networking
division, "The Intel and SynOptics solution will provide customers
with a flexible and robust networking solution that can support
current and future applications that require a high-bandwidth
transport mechanism."
Newsbytes notes that, among managers of local area networks (LANs)
in corporate environments, higher network bandwidth
is in increased demand. However, cost is an increasing factor with
users wanting to maintain their existing financial investments in
wiring and network management.
The companies say that products developed will be an extension
of their work in the Fast Ethernet Alliance. According to the
companies, "this migration path will allow users to incrementally
apply 100Mbps when and where needed, while retaining 10Mbps
if desired."
The companies maintain that the agreement formalizes existing
relationships between the two companies. Both companies are
charter members of the Desktop Management Task Force (DMTF),
which has developed the Desktop Management Interface (DMI) to
standardize the management of PC components, software, and
networked peripherals. Both companies have products that will
utilize the DMI.
Said Tarrant to Newsbytes, "The importance [of the deal for
SynOptics] is that we are focused as a hub vendor, and are not
in the business of providing the adaptor cards. In order to
drive the market, we have to team with a partner to provide
a complete solution to our customers. Intel being the number
two adaptor card vendor, we are working with them."
(Ian Stokell/19931213/Press Contact: Nancy Pressel,
408-765-4483, Intel Corp; Amanda Jaramillo, 408-764-1180,
SynOptics Communications Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
UNIX
SCO, Novell Expand Unix Deal; SCO & Sybase Certify
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00002)
SCO, Novell Expand Unix Deal; SCO & Sybase Certify 12/14/93
SANTA CRUZ, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- The Santa
Cruz Operation Inc. (SCO) and Novell Inc., have announced, what
the companies call the next phase in their "ongoing" program of
technology exchange and standardization that "aims to unify Unix
System software development for tools vendors and application
developers. SCO has also announced that Sybase has certified its
SQL Server Version 4.2 product, along with related relational
database management tools, for compatibility with the SCO Open
Systems Software release 3.0 line of Unix.
SCO and Novell say that the latest exchange of technology means
Novell will provide SCO with tool technologies that will "streamline
and standardize object-oriented application development." The
technologies implement the object module format specified by the
Tools Interface Standard (TIS) Portable Object File Format. In
addition, SCO will provide Novell with C compiler technologies
to help application developers comply with standards established
by X/Open.
Both firms plan to incorporate the technologies into development
system products scheduled for release in 1994.
The companies maintain that the new technology exchange builds
on past agreements between SCO and Novell to unify the Unix
system development environment. In 1990, SCO and Unix System
Laboratories (since acquired by Novell) agreed to implement
the Intel Binary Compatibility Standard Issue 2 (iBCS-2) to enable
developers to target multiple Unix system platforms with a
single binary application. In 1992, SCO licensed C++ and other
tools technologies from Novell.
According to Scott McGregor, SCO senior vice president for product
development. "Working with Novell, we have established extensive
compatibility between Unix implementations on Intel platforms."
In August Newsbytes reported that SCO had licensed Novell's
NetWare Unix client technology for use in its systems. The deal
called for the licensing of NetWare Unix client technology for use
in SCO workstation and server operating systems. The company
said at the time that the move will provide customers with new
options for accessing the Novell environment.
At the time SCO also said that NetWare Unix client technology will
enable users of SCO Open Desktop and SCO Open Server systems to
access files and resources that reside on NetWare servers. The
company said that NetWare client technology for SCO systems will
also allow software developers to write client/server applications
for networks of SCO clients and Novell servers.
According to SCO and Sybase, the certification deal ensures
customers compatibility and optimal database performance. In the
first quarter of 1994, Sybase says it will advance the relationship
further by making its System 10 products available for SCO Open
Systems Software.
Sybase has certified SQL Server release 4.2 and related products
for SCO Open Systems Software release 3.0: Open Client 4.2.5,
APT Workbench 4.0.3, Data Workbench 2.1, and SQR Workbench 2.1.
(Ian Stokell/19931213/Press Contact: Ellisheva Steiner,
408-427-7252, Santa Cruz Operation; Holly McArthur,
510/596-5375, Sybase Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
BUSINESS
Motorola Reportedly Seeking Chicago Plant Site
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00003)
Motorola Reportedly Seeking Chicago Plant Site 12/14/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- The British wire
service Reuters says Motorola is searching for a 100-acre site
where it could locate a high-tech manufacturing plant in the
Chicago area that would employ 300 workers.
The Reuters story quotes Crain's Chicago Business. Motorola
spokesperson Margo Brown told Newsbytes the company is
always looking for potential sites to handle future growth. She
declined to either confirm or deny the story, telling Newsbytes
"There is no deal."
That doesn't mean that Motorola isn't looking for property, but
only that the papers haven't been signed to acquire a site. Brown
told Newsbytes she spoke to Crain's Chicago Business and was
told that the source of the report was a Chicago-area real estate
firm. According to the unnamed source Motorola will select a site
by the first quarter of 1994.
Motorola has a cellular phone manufacturing plant in Libertyville,
a suburb of Chicago.
(Jim Mallory/19931213/Press contact: Motorola, Inc, 708-576-5304)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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4 12/14/93
BUSINESS
Atari's Posts Losses, Can't Meet Jaguar Demand Til '
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00004)
Atari's Posts Losses, Can't Meet Jaguar Demand Til '94 12/14/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Atari reported
larger losses than expected in its third quarter earnings,
despite the introduction of the widely heralded Jaguar compact
disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) game system. The company said
while it expects the Jaguar to pull it out of the red, it doesn't
expect to be profitable until 1994 when it says it will ship half
a million Jaguars.
Net losses were $17.6 million, or $0.31 per share, on net sales
of $4.4 million, compared to the $1.9 million profit reported on
$34.5 million in the same quarter last year. This means another
quarter of losses for Atari, who reported a net loss of $6.6
million, or $0.12 per share) on net sales of $5.7 million in the
second quarter 1993.
The losses are being attributed to write-offs of about $7.5
million of its own personal computers Atari has in inventory, as
well as write-offs of older video game products. Restructuring
costs of $6.4 million have also dug into the company's pockets
with the "wind-down" of its Australian operations and the
declining value of real estate in Europe owned by Atari.
Atari has been struggling for some time, and its stock prices
reflected that struggle with shares going for between $1 and $2
each -- until Jaguar. The big hope for Atari has been the Jaguar,
its $250 interactive, multimedia CD-ROM game machine that
connects to a television and could give its nearest competitor,
the $700 3DO system, a run for its money. In May Atari's stock
began to see life again and by the official announcement of
Jaguar in November, Atari's stock had reached a high of over $12 a
share.
But there was speculation at the release of the Jaguar in
November of this year that Atari might not be able to meet
demand. That has turned out to be the case.
IBM is contract manufacturing the unit in its Charlotte, North
Carolina facility, and Atari said initially it expected to ship
50,000 units before the holiday season, mostly to New York and
San Francisco stores. Now Atari has lowered those numbers to
20,000 units to ship before December 31, 1993 due to production
and supply problems. The disappointing shipments appear to have
hurt Atari's stock, as it has been falling steadily since the
November high, closing yesterday down an eighth at 6 and 7/8.
Sam Tramiel, Atari president, is still very optimistic. He said
the company can get 500,000 of the game machines out the door
next year, but qualified the numbers saying the shipments are
subject to market acceptance of the Jaguar, the availability of
parts to build the units, and the transition to volume
production. Atari is also pointing to cash reserves of $34
million, down only $1 million from the $35 million it had on June
30, 1993.
"The Company is in the process of completing its transition from
a historical focus on older technology consisting principally of
16-bit personal computers and 8-bit video game systems,"
according to Tramiel. Time Warner has a 25 percent stake in the
company, which is one of the biggest reasons some investors still
hold hope that the Sunnyvale, California headquartered company
has not made its transition too late.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931214/Press Contact: August Liguori, Atari,
tel 408-745-2069, fax 408-745-8800)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
IBM
Digitalk Releases Win32 Edition Of Parts Workbench
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00005)
Digitalk Releases Win32 Edition Of Parts Workbench 12/14/93
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Digitalk is
shipping a Win32 edition of Parts Workbench, a visual environment
for assembling, re-using, and combining software components
developed through a variety of programming languages and
technologies.
Dubbed "the first component client/server integration framework" by
Digitalk officials, Parts Workbench consists of the workbench and
a catalog of over 60 prebuilt visual and nonvisual components.
The new Win 32 version, a 32-bit environment for Windows 3.1 and
Windows NT, contains the same feature set as Parts Workbench for
OS/2, a product released by Digitalk in 1992. "Parts" is an
acronym for Parts Assembly and Reuse Tool Set.
The Win 32 edition can currently be used by itself or in
conjunction with Digitalk's Smalltalk/V object-oriented development
environment and Team/V workgroup configuration management system.
Over the next six months, Digitalk will deliver a line of
components for Parts Workbench for Win32 that will support other
languages and communications protocols, as well as relational
databases, according to the company.
The OS/2 edition of Parts now has components that support COBOL and
CICS, along with the Sybase, Oracle, DB2/2 and dBase relational
databases, officials said.
In addition, Digitalk is working through its Partners Program with
Smalltalk/V ISVs (independent software developers) and developers
who use other languages to provide assistance in creating third-
party components.
A three-step process is used to build applications in Parts. First,
the developer drags-and-drops the components from the catalog into
the workbench. Then, the components, or parts, are visually "wired
together." Finally, the application is run.
"Parts Workbench (allows developers) to modify and extend the
provided based components as well as create new ones. Components
can be combined, or nested, to produce new specialized components.
These features make Parts Workbench unique among visual development
systems," maintained Jim Anderson, company chairman and CEO.
Parts Workbench is list priced at $1,995, but available now for an
introductory price of $995. The product includes an online
tutorial, sample applications, and three user manuals: a
user's guide, a scripting language guide, and a reference for
developers who are currently using Smalltalk/V.
The purchase price also includes the right to distribute unlimited
runtime applications, and the right to deliver components based on
Parts Workbench without royalty payments to Digitalk.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931214/Reader contact: Digitalk, tel 310-645-
1082; Press contacts: Digitalk, tel 714-513-3000; Donna Candelori,
Franson, Hagerty & Associates for Digitalk, tel 415-462-1605)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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4 12/14/93
GENERAL
"Interactive Information Expo" Is Set For December '
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00006)
"Interactive Information Expo" Is Set For December '94 12/14/93
FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Interactive
Information Expo, an event billed as the first world-class show and
conference devoted to interactive computing and media, will take
place December 6 to 8, 1994 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center
in New York City.
Bruno Blenheim Inc. (BBI), producer and manager of the new
extravaganza, is reserving 300,000 net square feet at the Javits
Center for exhibit space, and 195,000 gross square feet for
conference space.
An additional 150,000 gross square feet of the Javits will be used
for concurrent presentation of the first New York showing of
Blenheim's DB/Expo, a client-server and information technology expo
and conference that runs each year in San Francisco.
DB/Expo complements Blenheim's new offering because it addresses
database management disciplines that are key to interactive
computing and networking, Blenheim officials said.
Interactive Information Expo is known for short as "I-square"
(represented in print by a capital "I," followed by a "2" in
superscript).
Blenheim plans to preview the new event in a special two-day
showing on June 29 and 30, 1994 during the 12th annual PC Expo,
also at the Javits.
The "Advance Conference" in June will be comprised of introductory
and advanced-level tutorials, as well as demonstrations of
interactive computing and electronic media technologies by leading
vendors.
The event in December will feature the use of Blenheim's ShowNet
show network and special demonstration theaters for a global
interactive presentation of products in such categories as
telecommunications, data processing, networking, and multimedia.
"We are going forward with (Interactive Information Expo) based on
strong commitments from several trade magazines, top vendors and
associations who are now preparing programs for participation as
exhibitors and sponsors of special demonstration theaters
presenting various forms of interactive technology," reported Ralph
Ianuzzi, Sr., show director of Interactive Information Expo.
"All of the latest technologies will be internationally showcased
in real time, (and) selected seminars and tutorials (will) be
broadcast to an ancillary electronic audience of several hundred
thousand people throughout the world," he added.
BBI has been working on Interactive Information Expo now for
the past 12 months, according to Ianuzzi. Interactive business-
solution products are already on the market, and so are the
enabling data, audio and video technologies, he noted.
Industries ranging from financial trading and desktop publishing to
"long-distance learning" and "infotainment" will continue to be
affected by the growth of new products and services as well as
ongoing enhancements in the quantity and quality of information
delivery, he predicted.
BBI is the US IT (information technology) arm of Blenheim Group
PLC, a company that produces more than 260 events per year,
including 40 IT shows.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931214/Reader contact: Bruno Blenheim Inc., tel
201-346-1400; Press contacts: Annie Sculley, Bruno Blenheim, tel
201-346-1400, ext 145, or Mark Haviland, Bruno Blenheim, tel 201-
346-1400, ext 152)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
IBM
Commence PIM For Stand-alone PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00007)
Commence PIM For Stand-alone PCs 12/14/93
RED BANK, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- A special entry-
level, stand-alone version of the Commence 2.0 personal information
manager (PIM) for Windows is now available from Jensen-Jones.
Commence Start-Up provides mobile and desktop PC users with many of
the same basic capabilities as the company's award-winning Commence
software for workgroups, but is easier to use and priced at only
$49.95, officials explained.
Each package performs such PIM tasks as organizing your contacts,
dialing the phone via the PC, maintaining your calendar with a
drag-and-drop scheduler, and creating customized views of
information.
Like Commence 2.0, Start-Up is based on agents, categories and
views. The agents provide a dialog-driven way of defining triggers
and actions for automating routine business tasks, improving data
management, or achieving better integration with other Windows
applications, according to the company.
Unlike the workgroup software, Start-Up does not support
networking. The stand-alone version also contains fewer
customization features.
Data created in Start-Up can be used in the full version of
Commence, though. In addition, Start-Up users can use agents that
have been customized in Commence 2.0. Start-Up also comes with
pre-built agents and categories.
To make sure the new entry-level version would be quick and
easy, Jensen-Jones conducted usability tests among users of
Commence 2.0 and Commence 1.1 to see how people approach Commence,
said company president, Craig Jensen.
"People who initially don't need all of Commence 2.0's powerful
customization features will instantly gravitate to Start-Up, and
breeze through the manual, which is less than 50 pages," he
asserted.
Jensen-Jones is actively seeking OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) agreements with major manufacturers to bundle
Commence Start-Up with their new PC models, according to Jensen.
The company also foresees the combined use of the Start-Up
stand-alone and Commence 2.0 client-and-server versions within
corporate MIS (management information systems) departments.
"We hope to give companies a quicker, easier way to gain the
benefits of using Commence 2.0. Corporate developers can create
company-wide or departmental customized agents, categories and
views, which can then be deployed to end-users with Start-Up,
following a runtime-like model," Jensen said.
Start-Up users can upgrade to a full Commence 2.0 network client
version for $149. The network client version of Commence 2.0 is
list priced at $395.
RedBank, NJ-based Jensen-Jones Inc., was founded in 1988. Many of
the core features of Commence are based on IBM Current, a PIM
developed by Jensen-Jones and published by IBM. PC Magazine named
IBM Current as among the "Best of 1989," and presented the package
with the "Editor's Choice: PIMs" award for 1990.
Commence 1.1 was a winner in Windows Magazine's "Win 100" awards
for 1993. Also this year, Commence 2.0 was a finalist in PC
Computing Magazine's annual MVP Awards.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931214/Reader contact: Jensen-Jones Inc., tel
908-530-4666; Press contact: Brenda Nichols, Parker, Nichols &
Company for Jensen-Jones, tel 508-369-2100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
TRENDS
Japan's Computer Education Far Behind, Says Survey
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008)
Japan's Computer Education Far Behind, Says Survey 12/14/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- In a surprising twist on
popular perception, a new survey indicates that Japan's
personal computer education programs for its schoolchildren
are among the worst in 55 developed countries.
Japan's Educational Achievement Evaluation Association reports
last year's survey of the educational practices of 55 countries
indicated that Japanese junior high school students
averaged only 49 points out of a total of 100 points while
students in Australia and Germany achieved 69 points. In the
Netherlands, the students scored 67 points, and US students
scored 61 points.
Among senior high school students, Japanese students
were pegged at 65 points, Australian students at 86 points and
US students at 72 points.
In Japan, the testing was performed at the National Education
Laboratory and involved students in elementary schools,
junior and senior high schools.
The report concludes that Japan's poor showing is the result of
inadequate computer facilities in Japanese schools. Currently,
about 71 percent of junior high schools and 90 percent of senior
high schools are equipped with the personal computers. However,
until recently, that figure was much lower and many schools
were not equipped with PCs. For instance, until recently only
35 percent of Japan's junior high schools were equipped with
PCs.
The research does not only finger the lack of computers in Japanese
schools for the disappointing figures. Teachers are also to
blame, according to the report. Not many school teachers in
Japan can handle the teaching of computers. As a result, only
19 percent of elementary, 32 percent of junior high school
students, and 49 percent of senior high schools students were
given computer lessons last year.
The Japanese government is planning to send engineers to
schools next year to assist teachers in computer curriculum.
Also, the government is planning to install more PCs over the
next two to three years in Japan's school system.
Japan did come out on top in one area of the study -- it has
installed in schools the most powerful PCs, on average, compared
to schools in 55 other countries. The report says that most of
Japan's academic computers have 16-bit processors.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931214)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
IBM
Dell's Pentium-based PC Family
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00009)
Dell's Pentium-based PC Family 12/14/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Dell Computer
Corporation has announced a new family of Pentium-based PCs,
the Omniplex 560 and 566.
The company says the new systems are designed for the "techno-
critical" user, someone Dell defines as a user who typically works
in a mission-critical corporate environment and requires
advanced features and system performance.
The new Omniplex systems are based on Intel's Peripheral
Component Interconnect (PCI) architecture and Extended Industry
Standard Architecture (EISA) and use Pentium 60 and 66-
megahertz (MHz) processors. The systems include Small
Computer System Interface (SCSI)-II disk subsystems for high
speed data throughput; accelerated video and graphics
performance via an integrated high resolution PCI video
subsystem; processor thermal shutdown; flash memory;
embedded diagnostics; and password protection features.
The company says the new systems are ideal for applications
such as software development, financial analysis, computer-
aided design (CAD) and other engineering disciplines including
floating point-intensive applications such as three-dimensional
modeling.
Dell says the Omniplex systems can also be configured as
Pentium PowerPublishing workstations, PCs that package
leading Windows desktop publishing software and high-
resolution color peripherals with the desktop PCs. The publishing
systems include Windows 3.1, Adobe Photoshop for Windows
2.5, Adobe Illustrator for Windows 4.0 with Adobe Typealign and
Adobe Streamline, Adobe Type Manger with 200 fonts, and a
choice of QuarkXPress for Windows 3.12 or Aldus Pagemaker 5.0.
The Omniplex systems come with one year, guaranteed next-
business-day, on-site service, and toll-free around-the-clock
telephone support. Dell guarantees response to support calls
within five minutes.
A Omniplex 560 with 8MB of system memory, a 120MB hard drive,
one 3.5-inch floppy disk, one megabyte of video RAM, a 256K
cache memory, super VGA color monitor, and factory-
installed DOS 6.1 and Windows 3.1 has a price tag of $3,499. A
model 566 with a similar configuration sells for $3,999. Both
systems include two serial ports, one parallel port, a keyboard,
mouse and VGA port. There are five expansion slots available, and
Dell can factory-install tape backup devices, CD-ROM drives,
modems, network interface cards, and a variety of software.
(Jim Mallory/19931214/Press contact: Lisa Rohlf, Dell Computer,
512-728-4100; Reader contact: Dell Computer Corp, 800-289-3355
or 512-728-4400, fax 512-728-4238)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/14/93
IBM
Wordperfect Ships Software Developer Kits
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00010)
Wordperfect Ships Software Developer Kits 12/14/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Wordperfect
Corporation has announced two software developer kits (SDKs)
designed to aid developers who write software that integrates
with Wordperfect products.
The Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows SDK features WordPerfect's
new writing tools application programming interface (API), which
enhances the macro language and Wordperfect Shared Code 2.0.
The Shared Code 2.0 for Windows is a shared library of routines
used by all WordPerfect Windows products that provides third
party integrators access to the code used by Wordperfect
Corporation developers. The company says including the shared
code will expedite the development process and give third party
applications the look and feel of a Wordperfect Corporation
product. Ed Shropshire, WPCorp product marketing manager for
developer tools, says all Wordperfect products will support
Shared Code 2.0 by the spring of 1994.
The File Format SDK, which is available to developers who are
willing to sign a non-disclosure agreement with WordPerfect,
contains documentation defining the WordPerfect 6.0 format and
the Wordperfect Graphic File Format.
SDK users have access to personal technical assistance from the
Wordperfect Developer Support Group, and the company plans to
establish a special developer forum on its SpaceWorks online
information service accessible via modem. Developers can
navigate through WordPerfect's support database using
Spaceworks software that runs under Windows.
Earlier this fall Wordperfect announced assistance with marketing
and non-support technical needs for developers who participate
in the Working with Wordperfect Program, a developer relations
program.
Each of the newly released SDKs are available directly from
Wordperfect Corp for $149 and are immediately available. The
Wordperfect 6.0 for DOS SDK is scheduled to ship in mid-January
1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931214/Press contact: Deborah Hendrickson,
Wordperfect Corp, 801-228-5022; Reader contact: Wordperfect
Corporation, 801-225-5000 or 800-321-4566 (to order SDKs) or
801-225-5000 or 800-451-5151 (for SDK info)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/14/93
GOVT
GATT Agreed On, But Crippled
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00011)
GATT Agreed On, But Crippled 12/14/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- GATT, the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, a multilateral international
agreement which will lower trade barriers between more than 100
countries, has apparently cleared the final hurdle on its long
seven-year journey to acceptance, but only at the cost of many
very important agreements which have been set aside for later
negotiation.
All it took at the end was for the US to agree to drop its
demands that Europe open up its market to US movies and
television programs and demands that the EC stop subsidizing
aircraft builders - two areas where the US is highly
competitive.
After an all-night negotiating session in Geneva, Switzerland,
US Trade Representative Mickey Kantor and EC Trade Commissioner
Sir Leon Brittan announced this morning that both aircraft
subsidies and Hollywood's access to European markets would be set
aside for later negotiations.
Sir Leon called GATT a "milestone in world trade" and Mickey
Kantor said that it would "expand US exports which now support
one in 10 jobs [in this country].
The draft agreement is about 500 pages long so every detail isn't
yet widely known, but most of the major features are well
understood.
It has been a long, strange road even to get the weakened GATT
which is now apparently possible.
The French say that US films and TV threaten European culture
at a time when French-made films have no real viable
international market.
Japanese farmers say that importation of much less expensive US
food would threaten Japanese culture.
French farmers, who rioted at the threat of having to face
competition, caused the French government to block
the trade agreement for years, even after the EC and the US
reached what is known as the Blair House Agreement that
supposedly settled the major problems.
Japanese rice farmers, who this year failed to grow enough food
for domestic consumption despite charging nearly four times world
rice prices to their domestic customers, are now calling for the
resignation of the current government based on the Prime
Minister's announcement yesterday that up to 4-percent of the
total Japanese rice consumption could come from imports, with an
eventual target of 8-percent.
Other agreements will see the Japanese remove actual trade
barriers which essentially made it impossible to import other
foods from the US, most notably wheat, barley, and dairy products.
Unfortunately these barriers will be replaced by high tariffs on
imported food.
The US has four major products that people and companies in
other countries desperately want to buy: aircraft, computer
software, entertainment, and food. The final draft GATT
agreement is very weak in all of these areas, setting aside
entertainment for later bilateral negotiations, keeping EC
aircraft subsidies at the current level, and only opening up
agriculture slightly.
As for computer software, US publishers are badly hurt by
current weak intellectual property (copyright) protection in
other countries which either don't outlaw software piracy or
don't enforce existing laws. This intellectual property
protection will apparently not be strengthened for many years
under the draft GATT agreement.
Just to keep things in perspective, we are discussing not just
one, but many governments, so although the Clinton Administration
has what is referred to as "fast track" authorization from
Congress to negotiate this trade pack, that doesn't mean that
GATT will go into effect any time soon. The leverage offered by
the chance that Congress will not approve GATT may be all the
leverage US negotiators have to pressure the EC during
bilateral trade talks on television and movies.
What happens next, presuming that GATT really is signed by the
trade negotiators before the Wednesday midnight (Washington time)
expiration of US fast track approval?
Look for the agreement to be initialed by President Clinton by
April, 1994, but that only starts the legislative process because
the White House must then begin writing what is called "enabling
legislation," the actual US law which will be submitted to
Congress for passage and implementation of the GATT agreement.
Once this implementing language is codified and presented to
Congress for a vote, then the fast track comes into effect
because Congress then has only 90 days to vote GATT up or down.
Since this would put the job of implementing this legislation
into the highly political Congress during an election season, it
is thought by many Washington observers that GATT won't even be
submitted for legislative vote until early 1995.
Since trade barriers wouldn't go down until after GATT is finally
approved by all signatory countries, improvement in international
trade won't actually take place for years. Despite this, stock
markets are expected to react positively almost immediately.
(John McCormick/19931214/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
GOVT
Lorall Buys Big Blue Problems
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00012)
Lorall Buys Big Blue Problems 12/14/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Yesterday's big news
was that defense contractor Lorall had purchased IBM's Bethesda,
Maryland-based Federal Systems division for about $500 million
more than expected, and the stock prices for both companies went
up. Today's news is that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
has ordered a review of the massive cost overruns which have
taken place in a major computer upgrade project being
managed for the federal agency by IBM's Federal
Systems division.
Washington insiders have long seen trouble coming for IBM on this
contract which has encountered cost overruns at almost every turn
and is currently thought to be about $1.2 to $2.2 billion over
budget on a total contract which was only supposed to run about
$2.6 billion. The remainder of the estimated $4.6 billion total
contract value is from optional contracts which have not yet
been implemented.
The FAA modernization program, which began as a contract bid in
1986 and awarded in 1988, was intended to put inexpensive PCs on
the desks in airport control towers and navigation centers
replacing relatively ancient mainframe computers. The resulting
network, if it is ever built, would be the largest network ever
implemented and costs have soared as unforeseen (or unbudgeted)
problems developed.
One of the major problems with this contract, as so often
happens, is that the contracting agency has changed its
specifications many times during this years-long process, but FAA
insiders have often complained that IBM's work on the network was
also not up to par.
Another problem, of course, is that the management of the FAA has
totally changed due to the Clinton Administration's replacement
of both FAA and Transportation Department heads after the
election, but this problem is mostly IBM's because, since they
were not involved in awarding the contract or supervising its
implementation, the new administrators have no vested interest in
seeing a bad contract completed and were expected to be much more
likely to take a critical look at this contract.
(John McCormick/19931214/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
GOVT
US Navy Pushes CD-ROM
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00013)
US Navy Pushes CD-ROM 12/14/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Continuing a year-
long process, the US Navy has recently reinforced its move to
optical data storage for ships by designating CD-ROM as the
preferred method of storing documents.
SIGCAT (Special Interest Group, CD-ROM Applications Technology)
members have had glimpses into the military's CD-ROM orientation
for years, ranging from the Navy's tests that placed all ships'
documents on CD-ROMs for rapid updating and access of critical
information to the Defense Intelligence Agency's mapping of the
entire world on CD-ROMs.
A recent report in Government Computer News indicates that now
the Navy's upper command has instructed both Navy and Marine
Corps units that CD-ROM is to be the preferred media for
publication of all databases, technical manuals, and periodically
distributed reference data.
The US Government is one of the largest publishers in the world
and the Pentagon is perhaps its largest separate publishing
entity so a decision by a branch of the military to encourage or
even mandate optical-digital publishing instead of paper printing
is a major event with important cost-saving and paper-saving
implications.
(John McCormick/19931214/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
TELECOM
FCC Allocates Spectrum for Low Earth Orbit Satellites
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
FCC Allocates Spectrum for Low Earth Orbit Satellites 12/14/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission allocated 33 MHz of spectrum to be used
for low-Earth orbit satellite services like those proposed by
Iridium Inc., and others. Licensing of the frequencies will occur
later.
Two frequency bands were allocated, one between 1610 and 1626.5
MHz and a second between 2483.5 and 2500 MHz. Companies which
want to offer either low-Earth orbit or geostationary orbit
satellite services can apply for the frequencies. Services would
include voice, fax and data applications including mobile
telephone uses, personal locator services, inventory control and
fleet monitoring. The satellites could also provide nationwide
mobile telephony, which the agency in a press statement says will
increase competition in the cellular phone market and could lead
to development of other new services. The agency noted these are
the same bands allocated on a worldwide basis by the World
Administrative Radio Conference in 1992, which acted on a request
from Iridium.
In other action, the FCC said it would ask 35 more cable
television operators to report on their ratemaking process, part
of an ongoing study of cable rates following reregulation of the
industry through the 1992 Cable Act. Major operators being asked
for information in the rate case include CableVision, Century
Cable, Adelphia Cable, Comcast, TCI, Time Warner Cable, and
United Artists Cable, as well as smaller companies. The industry
has been accused by critics of violating the government's freeze
on revenues, "negative option" billing in which consumers are
billed for additional channels unless they specifically request
not to have them, and per-channel pricing aimed at evading
regulation.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931214/Press Contact: Rosemary Kimball, FCC
Press, 202-632-5050)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/14/93
TELECOM
America Online Claims 500,000 Members
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
America Online Claims 500,000 Members 12/14/93
VIENNA, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- America Online
said it now has over 500,000 subscribers, more than 130 percent
over last year. Almost 150,000 subscribers have joined America
Online in the past 90 days alone, the company said. In a press
statement, President Steve Case reiterated the company's goal
of becoming the largest online service provider in the US. AOL
is currently the third-largest consumer service after CompuServe
and Prodigy.
Case gave credit to his simplified pricing policy, Internet
Center, and the bundling of the service with newspapers like the
Chicago Tribune. The company also launched services under
Microsoft Windows and began alliances with makers of PDAs and
cable television companies.
AOL is the only major online service to be publicly traded.
Nearly one-quarter of the company's stock is held by Paul Allen,
co-founder of Microsoft and now head of Asymetrix. Allen had
indicated earlier this year he wanted to take over the company,
but after meetings with company officials he backed off.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931214/Press Contact: Jean Villanueva,
America Online, 703-883-1675)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/14/93
TELECOM
New Study Says Cellular Phones Safe
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
New Study Says Cellular Phones Safe 12/14/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- While 70 scientists
meet to plot further studies into cellular phone safety, the
industry is touting a new study indicating radiation levels from
hand-held cellular phones do not exceed current safe levels set
by the government.
The controversy started a year ago when David Reynaud of Florida
sued cellular phone makers charging their use caused the fatal
brain cancer of his wife. The level of controversy rose when
Reynaud appeared on the "Larry King Live" show, leading to a
hammering of stocks for both cellphone makers and system
operators on major exchanges. Those prices have since recovered.
The new study, conducted by Dr. Om Gandhi of the University of
Utah's electrical engineering department, looked at 10 handheld
phones from four makers, using computer simulations,
anatomically based models and magnetic resonance imaging. Gandhi
found that "Most electromagnetic absorption occurred in the upper
part of the ear, consisting mostly of cartilage, and the skin
behind it, with rapidly diminishing absorption for nearby tissues
in the head." And the level of radiation was just 20-25 percent
of the safety limits set by the government for radiation
absorption.
Perhaps more important to the industry, according to Scientific
Advisory Group spokesman Michael Volpe, is the presence at the
symposium of Food and Drug Administration officials who had
previously criticized the make-up of the SAG and its research
methodology. The meeting "is being co-chaired by the FDA" and
officials who launched the criticism in August. "It would be safe
to say the government has thrown its weight behind the research
program," Volpe said. Among those speakers is Dr. Elizabeth
Jacobson, deputy director for science in the agency's center for
devices and radiological health, who had declined an invitation
to attend some SAG planning meetings in September because of the
controversy.
The SAG's task this week is to come up with a research agenda
which will go through peer review in January. The group's
chairman, Dr. George Carlo, called them "phase one" studies aimed
squarely at questions where "there is a consensus that more
scientific work needs to be done." These include measurement of
the specific absorption rates for various types of cellphone
users, and a large-scale health study of groups of portable
cellphone users across the US. The group will also request
proposals for research into possible genetic effects of waves at
levels the FCC now considers safe. The most recent studies were
funded by the National Institutes of Health and McCaw Cellular.
At a press conference on the subject, Dr. Carlos indicated the
current literature doesn't indicate a problem with cellular phone
safety, adding that doesn't say further research isn't needed,
Volpe told Newsbytes. Government officials, however, did not
attend the conference and officially their position is that not
enough is known to draw conclusions about the phones.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931214/Press Contact: SAG, Michael Volpe,
703-534-5022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/14/93
APPLE
Microsoft Says Foxpro For Mac Will Ship In January
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00017)
Microsoft Says Foxpro For Mac Will Ship In January 12/14/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation says it has released Microsoft Foxpro version 2.5 for
Apple Computer's Macintosh platform to manufacturing and
expects to begin shipping the database management system in
January 1994.
Roger Heinen, Microsoft senior VP of the database and
development tools division, says Foxpro for Mac is a major
upgrade from the current Foxbase+ product and was developed
in response to requests from Macintosh database users. The
program has extensive support for the Macintosh System 7
operating system capabilities.
According to Microsoft its query optimization technology, called
Rushmore, makes Foxpro the fastest database available for
Macintosh. The company says Foxpro 2.5 outperformed both
4th Dimension and Claris' Filemaker Pro databases in a
suite of performance benchmarks conducted by third party
database consulting firm Micro Endeavors. Microsoft says the
performance tests showed Foxpro to be 36 times faster on
average than 4th Dimension and Filemaker in single-table, single-
user tests. In multi-user, multi-table benchmarks, Foxpro
reportedly performance an average of seven times faster than 4th
Dimension.
With the release of Foxpro for Mac, the database program is now
available for Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, and DOS-
based systems. Microsoft says Foxpro for SCO Unix and Xenix is
scheduled to ship in mid-1994.
Foxpro offers cross-platform compatibility -- users on
different platforms have the ability to share data
simultaneously. Applications developed in Foxpro on one of the
platforms can run unchanged on any of the other platforms,
according to Microsoft, including the Unix and Xenix versions
when they are released.
That cross-platform compatibility can be a major benefit to
developers and users alike. For developers, one application can
be used on any of the platforms. For users data an be shared
across platforms without modification, and only one database
management system has to be supported, and training can be
standardized without regard to platform.
Microsoft also announced a professional version of Foxpro 2.5
for the Mac, which allows developers to distribute stand-alone
applications royalty free and write libraries in C or C++ that are
callable from Foxpro. Microsoft says the Pro version is scheduled
to be upgraded to allow development of client-server applications
through Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) in the first quarter
of 1994.
Foxpro has a screen builder that supports more than 16 different
screen objects such as buttons, picture control, check boxes,
popup lists, and radio buttons to make it easier to create
applications that take advantage of the graphical user interface.
The program also has a report writer, menu builder and editor.
Like most of the latest versions of Microsoft programs, Foxpro
includes Wizards that aid users in creating screens reports and
graphs by answering simple questions.
There is also a Foxpro Query by Example tool that allows the user
to create queries that group, sort and perform calculations on
database records or subsets of records by pointing and clicking .
Support for System 7 allows Foxpro to integrate with other
Microsoft applications such as the spreadsheet program
Microsoft Excel through Apple's AppleEvents. Foxpro also
supports the Quicktime application, the ability to call Xcommands
and XFunctions, TrueType fonts, 32-bit addressing, and the
Balloon Help program. Object linking and embedding and
importation of 4th Dimension and Filemaker Pro data is also
supported.
Microsoft says that the suggested retail price of Fox Pro 2.5 for
Mac is $495, but the company is offering it at the special
introductory price of $99 through June 30, 1994. Professional
Edition is scheduled to ship in February and will have a
suggested retail price of $695. Current licensees of Foxbase+ for
Mac and Foxbase+ run time version can upgrade to Foxpro
Professional Edition for $295 through April 30, 1994. French and
German versions are scheduled to ship in the second quarter of
1994.
System requirements include a Mac with a 68020 or better
processor, System 7 or higher, and at least four megabytes of
system memory.
(Jim Mallory/19931214/Press contact: Catherine Miller, Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/14/93
BUSINESS
Cyrix-TI Honeymoon Apparently Over
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00018)
Cyrix-TI Honeymoon Apparently Over 12/14/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- The honeymoon
between Cyrix Corporation and Texas Instruments apparently
ended this week when TI brought suit against Cyrix, charging the
chip designer failed to live up to the intellectual property
exchange deal agreed upon nearly three years ago. Cyrix
countersued, charging that TI breached the agreement by not
providing Cyrix with chips in the quantities called for in
their agreement.
In February 1991 the two companies agreed that Texas
Instruments would manufacture microprocessors designed by
Cyrix. In exchange, Cyrix would sell designs of its chips to Texas
instruments so TI could manufacture the chips under the TI brand
name. The agreement was the catalyst that broke the virtual lock
on the chip market held by Intel Corporation until competition
from Cyrix chips forced Intel to lower its prices in order to
compete with Cyrix.
"What this case boils down to is that we simply want Cyrix to live
up to its promises. We have lived up to our side of the
agreement," Thomas Engibous, president of TI's Semiconductor
Group was quoted as saying.
The Cyrix suit asks the Texas State District Court of Dallas
County to confirm that TI breached the agreement, and asks the
court for a cease-and-desist order that would stop TI from making
and selling Cyrix-designed microprocessors for its own account.
It also requests return of all Cyrix intellectual property in TI's
possession including microcode, and that royalty payments to
Cyrix be brought up to date.
Cyrix first marketed a 486-class microprocessor manufactured by
Texas Instruments in February 1992. The company was started by
former TI engineers. The TI suit was filed in the Court of
Chancery in Delaware and asks the court to compel Cyrix to
provide the design technology and manufacturing specifications
for its 486SX and 486DX chips.
Cyrix says it "put TI in the microprocessor business" in 1992 with
its 486SLC chip and gave TI the 486DLC chip in an attempt to get
negotiations back on track. "We will no longer let TI piggyback on
our success when they continue to refuse to contribute to the
relationship," said Jerry Rogers, president and CEO of Cyrix. "TI
is on its own in trying to support its previously sold product."
Cyrix announced this week that it will supply Swan Technologies
with x86 microprocessors for Swan's entire line of Cynergy
computer systems. The new Swan line will include 486 desktop
systems, 486 mini towers, and multimedia PCs.
(Jim Mallory/19931214/Press contact: Michelle Moody, Cyrix
Corp, 214-994-8388)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
BUSINESS
Toshiba Consolidation Moves TIC HQ To Houston
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00019)
Toshiba Consolidation Moves TIC HQ To Houston 12/14/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Toshiba
International Corporation (TIC), a subsidiary of Toshiba America,
is joining the number of US companies moving to Texas. The
company said it is relocating its main office in San Francisco,
California and its Instrument division in Tulsa, Oklahoma to join
its Industrial Division in Houston.
Toshiba says the move is part of its efforts to consolidate
operations and thereby strengthen profitability and productivity.
TIC is not moving out of California, however, as its Utility
Division and the Procurement and Export Division of Toshiba
America have both been consolidated into the Toshiba America MRI
Inc. (TAMI) facility in South San Francisco.
TIC, established in 1967 as a marketing arm of Toshiba,
has manufactured low, medium and high voltage motors, motor starters
and power electronic products such as uninterruptible power
supplies and inverters at the Houston plant for over 10 years.
Since that time, TIC has expanded to include 735 employees and 11
regional sales offices across the country. In addition to
its sales in the United States, TIC exports about
15% of its products to Canada, South America and Central America
and says it is promoting export projects to Europe and Japan.
Apple USA, a division of Cupertino, California-based Apple
Computer has denied reports it is moving entirely to Texas, but
the company is purchasing a large site for expansion of
operations currently in rental facilities just outside Austin.
Company officials have said it is expected some of the Apple USA
operations will be moved to the Texas facility, but how much or
when is unknown.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931214/Press Contact: Rebecca Cradick, Toshiba
America, tel 212-596-0600, fax 212-593-3875)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
TELECOM
India's Telecom Monopoly To Be Privatized In January
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00020)
India's Telecom Monopoly To Be Privatized In January 12/14/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Come January,
Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL), India's government-owned
overseas telecommunications monopoly, will sell off
36 million shares to foreign investors, and raise US $1 billion.
This will result in dilution of the Government's stake in
VSNL to 52 percent.
The VSNL Euro-issue, worth $500 million, is the largest ever
attempted by any Indian company in Europe and may be stepped up by
$300 million more. Most of the foreign firms that have applied
have expressed the opinion that the issue is underpriced.
Salomon Brothers (Hong Kong) and Kleinworth Beacon (London)
will lead-manage the $500-million Euro-issue. State Bank of
India (SBI) will act as an advisor to VSNL.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931210)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/94
UNIX
Novell Cuts NetWare 3.12 Price; HP Endorses UnixWare
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00021)
Novell Cuts NetWare 3.12 Price; HP Endorses UnixWare 12/14/94
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Novell has cut the cost
of upgrading from NetWare 3.11 to a same-user count of NetWare
version 3.12. In other Novell news, Hewlett-Packard Co., has
endorsed Novell's UnixWare operating system running on Intel
microprocessor-based systems to be clients to HP-UX PA-RISC
servers.
In announcing the price cut, Bob Young, vice president of
marketing for Novell's NetWare products division, said: "While
many NetWare 3.11 customers are upgrading to NetWare 4, and
while we expect that trend to increase, NetWare 3.12 offers a
solid upgrade path for those customers choosing to stay
current with the NetWare product line. By reducing the cost
of upgrades, Novell is making it easier for NetWare 3.11
customers to take advantage of the increased performance,
updated utilities, and bundled network services that NetWare
3.12 provides. NetWare 3.12 provides an ideal upgrade path
for our NetWare 2.x customers as well."
Only "like-user" to "like-user" upgrade prices apply. For example,
a customer would have to upgrade from a 50-user version of
NetWare 3.11 to a 50-user version of NetWare 3.12. The company
says that prices to upgrade from NetWare 3.11 to a higher user
count of NetWare 3.12 remain unchanged.
Same-user count upgrade prices are: a five-user version of
NetWare 3.11 to a five-user version of NetWare 3.12 is now
$395, down from $495; a ten-user upgrade is down to $595
from $1,015; a 50-user pack is down to $996 from $2,035;
a 100-user upgrade is down to $1,395 from $2,845; and a
250-user upgrade is $2,495, down from $5,085.
According to the company, version 3.12 offers a number of
advantages over the previous version, including: performance
enhancements, such as support for packet burst and large
internet packets; it comes with bundled copies of Basic MHS
and Netware for Macintosh; updated Novell and third-party
local area network (LAN) and disk drivers; updated print
and management utilities; CD-ROM installation; and
compatibility with NetWare 3.11 NetWare Loadable Modules
(NLMs) that use Novell's standard APIs (application
programming interfaces).
HP and Novell have also reached an agreement to leverage their
COSE activities to increase the system integration between
HP 9000 business servers running the HP-UX OS and Intel-based
client computers running UnixWare.
The deal means that users who rely on HP client/server systems
will be able to integrate PCs as Unix clients interoperating with
HP workstations. The companies claim that users will benefit
from expanded access to applications and services provided from
HP-UX PS-RISC servers and more choices for deploying client/
server environments.
In announcing the endorsement, William P. Roelandts, senior vice
president and general manager of the Computer Systems
Organization at HP, said: "The seamless integration of UnixWare
with HP 9000 HP-UX servers and clients will give customers
the interoperability they require. UnixWare is the glue that
enables customers to integrate their PCs into an open systems
enterprise."
The two companies also say they have agreed to "explore ways
to extend the integration between HP-UX and UnixWare." They
also plan to "further integrate in the areas of development and
delivery of software, and the management of client systems."
They also intend to cooperate in a series of marketing and sales
programs.
(Ian Stokell/19931213/Press Contact: Kelly Hindley,
801-429-5870, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
IBM
No Hands Software Ships Common Ground For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00022)
No Hands Software Ships Common Ground For Windows 12/14/93
BELMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- In its ongoing
battle with Adobe Systems in the electronic document distribution
market, No Hands Software is set to ship the Windows version of
Common Ground this week. The company claims that the product
is "the first commercially available, cross-platform competition
to Adobe Acrobat."
The firm maintains that Common Ground 1.0 for Windows retains
all of the important features found in the company's Macintosh
version, which was shipped in May, 1993. Features include an
embeddable, free, compact MiniViewer, and pixel-for-pixel fidelity
to the original document. The product also offers full Postscript
support, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) compression,
and the ability to save documents into popular word processing
formats for editing.
The company says that Common Ground also acts as an OLE
(object linking and embedding) 2.0 server, providing "seamless"
integration into other applications such as electronic mail and
databases.
In announcing the shipments, Tony Stayner, vice president of
marketing at No Hands Software, said: "Common Ground users can
send documents with confidence they can be viewed and printed,
because Common Ground lets them include a small, free MiniViewer,
which runs on a minimal system configuration. Also, Common
Ground users can always count on an exact representation of their
original document, because Common Ground works well with all
font types including TrueType, PostScript, and international
character sets."
The company claims that, in contrast, Adobe Acrobat requires that
viewers be installed everywhere a user wants to send a document.
No Hands says it has incorporated Zenographics' ZScript PostScript
processor technology into Common Ground 1.0 for Windows to
provide full PostScript support. Users can also "distill" Common
Ground documents from any PostScript file, in order to get
documents from other platforms into Common Ground's platform-
independent format, where they can be viewed and printed.
Built-in JPEG compression is also included, for compressing
continuous-tone grey scale and color images in order to reduce
the size of files.
According to the company, Common Ground is an electronic
document distribution program that lets users "convert any
document to an exact representation of the original that can be
viewed, searched and printed by anyone regardless of application,
computer, and fonts."
Two major components make up Common Ground: a Maker and a
Viewer. The CG Maker converts any document from any application
to DigitalPaper, a platform independent file, which can be viewed
and printed by anyone with a Common Ground viewer. The Common
Ground Viewer features copy and paste options, text
searching, zoom capabilities, navigational tools, OLE 2.0 server
support, and on-line help. The MiniViewer features viewing and
printing only.
Common Ground for Windows requires Windows 3.1, a 386
microprocessor or faster and two megabytes (MB) of RAM (4MB
recommended). Using the CG PostScript Extension requires
4MB of RAM (6MB recommended).
The company is offering the Windows and Macintosh versions
immediately for a special introductory price of $99.95. That goes
up to $189.95 after the introduction.
No Hands plans to give 500 complimentary copies to user groups
and through online services for a small shipping and handling
charge. For more information, interested parties are advised by
the company to check the No Hands forum on America Online.
As reported by Newsbytes, the Windows version of Common
Ground was officially announced at Seybold Conference and
Exposition '93 in October.
Until products such as Acrobat and Common Ground, electronic
information distribution across different computer platforms was
usually limited to text files -- the "lowest-common-denominator"
file type, which doesn't allow documents to retain formatting
or graphics. Acrobat and Common Ground allow users to send
formatted documents created on their computers to any other
computer -- even if it uses a different operating system and
even if the recipient has neither the original software nor the
original fonts.
(Ian Stokell/199312140/Press Contact: Tony Stayner,
415-802-5800/No Hands Software)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
TELECOM
Deutsche Telekom Making Loss On Mobile Telephony
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023)
Deutsche Telekom Making Loss On Mobile Telephony 12/14/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Who said mobile telephony was
a "licence to print money?" Not Detomobile, the mobile telephony
division of Deutsche Bundespost Telekom, which has announced that
it will not turn in a profit during the current calendar year.
According to Detomobile, while the analog C-Net mobile phone
operation -- in common with all European analog phone networks --
is making money, even after paying off the capital investment in
the network, the cost of installing the digital D1 network more
than offsets this profit.
Industry experts suggest that the high cost of rolling the D1
network about across both former Western and Eastern Germany has
cost Detomobile more money than it expected. Call revenue on Global
System for Mobile telephony (GSM) networks has not been what many
telecoms operators had expected, owing to the relatively high cost
of the hardware involved.
In the UK, for example, a hand portable analog cellular phone costs
in the region of UKP 400, whereas a typical GSM handportable costs
about 50 percent more. Similar price variances are applicable in
other countries, Newsbytes understands.
Detomobile says that it should break even with its network during
1994 and hit a profit, even on its D1 network, in the following
year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931214/Press & Public Contact: DBT - Tel: +49-228-
1810; fax: +49-228-181-8872)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
TELECOM
Romania Buys South African Payphone Technology
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00024)
Romania Buys South African Payphone Technology 12/14/93
BUCHAREST, ROMANIA, 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Romtelecom, the Romania
state telecom operator, has announced that it has purchased around
800 card-operated payphones from Telkor, the South African telecom
equipment company.
The move will come as a surprise to many telecom industry
watchers, as South Africa has been largely ostracized from the
international telecom equipment market owing to the political
situation there.
Expert opinion suggests, however, that Telkor has pitched for the
contract very hard and Romtelecom, given the state of the Romanian
economy, has gone for the best deal possible.
According to Romtelecom, the 800 payphones were purchased at around
US$900 each, which is around half of the going rate for card-
operated payphones in the US and UK, Newsbytes notes.
According to Adrian Nicolae, the head of Romtelecom's telephone
network, most of Bucharest's 6,000-odd coin-operated payphones are
in very poor condition, mostly owing to vandalism and theft. "We
want to improve telephone services in Bucharest and replace public
phones in operation at present, which are technically and morally
worn-out, with modern, smart phones," Nicolae is quoted as saying.
If the first stage of the project goes well, then Romtelecom will
purchase another 1,200 phones from Telkor during 1994, for
installation in other Romanian cities.
Newsbytes understands that the bulk of the contract is being
financed by a 142 million European Currency Unit (ECU) loan from the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which was agreed
in 1991. It has taken Romtelecom two years to decide on which
cardphone technology to adopt.
According to Nicolae, an initial quality of 800,000 prepaid debit
cards have been purchased from Gem Plus, the French card supplier,
for use in the Telkor phones. Further supplies will, Newsbytes
understands, be contracted out as and when required.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931214/Press & Public Contact: Romtelecom - Tel:
+40-1-781-2711)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
BUSINESS
Switzerland - Siemens Subsidiary Still Stable
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00025)
Switzerland - Siemens Subsidiary Still Stable 12/14/93
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Siemens-Albis, the Swiss
subsidiary of Siemens AG of Germany, has announced that it has
weathered the European recession well, and will turn in a profit of
SFr 27.8 million for the year to 30 September, 1993 -- the same
level of profit as reported a year ago.
According to Siemens-Albis, the 1992/93 profits were on the back of
sales of SFr 1,273 million for the year, an increase of 4.3 percent
on the previous year. The slight reduction in overall profitability,
the company says, is due to orders having slipped by almost eight
percent in the year, meaning that sales for 1993/94 are likely to be
down on the year to date, unless orders pick up.
Siemens-Albis concentrates on a similar mix of business as its
German parent, including large contracts in the telecoms and
electronics business, as well as smaller contracts in the medical
and transport marketplace.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931214/Press & Public Contact: Siemens-Albis - Tel:
+41-1-495-3111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
TELECOM
Phone Sex In Finland Embarrasses Church
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00026)
Phone Sex In Finland Embarrasses Church 12/14/93
HELSINKI, FINLAND, 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- The Evangelical Church of
Luther Agricola is beginning to wish it had not been so open with
its facilities for the unemployed. The church, which opened a cafe
for the unemployed earlier this year, has just received a quarterly
phone bill for more than 71,000 maarka ($12,500), whereas its usual
bill is around one percent of that figure.
According to Inkeri Lonka, the accountant to the church, one of the
regular visitors to the cafe has admitted calling one of the newly
operating "sex call" phone services from the church, thereby
incurring a premium phone rate.
Lonka said that the man, who admitted to the calls as soon as news
of the bill broke at the church, had made long calls to the sex call
services, often for several hours at a time.
Because the man is unemployed and has no assets, church officials
are considering whether to take legal action. The Finnish state
telecom company is being sympathetic to the problem, church
officials said, and may waive all or part of the bill.
Aside from the bill problem, Helsinki's unemployed have no
reason to thank the habitual sex line caller -- the church,
which opened the cafe in the summer, has been forced to close
the operation down, after the phone bill was found to greatly
exceed the church's budget for the year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931214)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/14/93
BUSINESS
Olivetti Secures 20,000 Million Lire Contract In Russia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00027)
Olivetti Secures 20,000 Million Lire Contract In Russia 12/14/93
IVREA, ITALY, 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Olivetti, the troubled Italian
computer manufacturer, has signed a contract said to be worth 20,000
million lure with the Russian Ministry of Transport with computer
technology for use at Russia's airports.
The bulk of the investment will be made at the various regional
airports under the control of Russia, as well as in planes operated
by Aeroflot, the Russian state airline. Newsbytes understands that
the Olivetti equipment will allow automated messaging between the
airports and suitably equipped planes using the airport facilities.
The idea behind the messaging system is that planes will be able to
exchange messages at high speed with the ground staff, as well
as on an air-to-air basis. This would mean that a pilot wishing to
change course on a predetermined basis, could "broadcast" his
intentions over the network, making aircrew on the ground, as
well as in the air, immediately aware of what is happening.
This contrasts with some systems in use in Russia today, where
aircraft under the control of ground controllers have their details
logged on to a plastic card, which is shunted around boards on
display in the controller's main room. Since the 1970s, computers
have replaced such manual systems and it appears it is this
technology that Olivetti is being asked to supply to the Russians.
Until quite recently, this type of technology would have required
clearance from Cocom, the controlling body on technical exports to
the former Eastern Bloc. Since the decision to disband Cocom was
taken earlier this year, however, such exports now require nothing
more than rubber stamp approval from the relevant government, in
this case, the Italian government.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931214/Press & Public Contact:
Olivetti - +39-125-523733; Fax: +39-125-522377)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
GENERAL
****Bill Gates Talks Chicago
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00028)
****Bill Gates Talks Chicago 12/14/93
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Bill Gates
addressed 5,000 developers in Anaheim, California at the
Microsoft Professional Developers' Conference. The emphasis was
on getting ready for Microsoft's next release of its Windows
operating system, code-named "Chicago."
Microsoft said over 250 32-bit applications for Windows are now
available, with several hundred more expected to ship by spring
of 1994. Windows NT began shipping in July of 1993; Windows
"Chicago" is scheduled to ship in the second half of 1994; and
the next version of Windows NT, code-named "Cairo," is scheduled
to ship in the first half of 1995.
Gates said to the largest crowd of Windows developers so far:
"Our message to developers is very clear and consistent. Write
for Win32 and OLE (object linking and embedding) 2.0 today, and
your applications can run on our present and future software
platforms. By using a single set of APIs (application programing
interfaces) and following a simple set of guidelines, developers
will be able to build advanced 32-bit applications for any market
they wish to target, whether it's the high-volume desktop market,
the high-end desktop and workstation market, or the server
market.
"This strategy allows developers to maximize their development
resources and leverage the most advanced technologies in the
industry -- while also giving them access to the broadest markets
possible. Their investment of time and resources is protected,
because by following the straightforward development techniques
we're presenting this week, their products will run on Windows
3.1, or Windows 'Chicago,' or Windows NT, or Windows NT 'Cairo' -
whatever platform is most suitable for a particular customer."
Attendees at the conference received two compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM) discs, the new developer release of Windows
"Chicago," including 32-bit development tools for "Chicago" and
Win32 as well as a pre-release implementation of the next version
of OLE that provides distributed object support for 32-bit
Windows platforms. "Chicago" is not yet available for end-user
evaluation, but Microsoft plans to release it for evaluation
before its official release as it has in the past and is
predicting that will happen in the first half of 1994.
During the conference, Microsoft demonstrated PortTool, which is
designed to go through a developer's code and point out portions
that must change in order for the application to be moved from
Win16 to Win32. If an application is designed correctly, it can
be run under Windows NT, Windows "Chicago," Windows 3.1, and
Windows NT "Cairo," according to Microsoft officials.
To sell developers on that concept, Microsoft demonstrated Welcom
Software's Texim Project, an independently produced project
management application based on Win32 and OLE 2.0. The identical
executable code runs unchanged on both Windows 3.1 and on Windows
NT.
In a second example, image editing application Picture Publisher
from Micrografx was demonstrated. Picture Publisher runs under
Windows 3.1, Windows "Chicago" and Windows NT, but can also take
advantage of features of the operating system it is run under. As
a 32-bit application, it runs more than twice as fast as its 16-
bit predecessor. Under "Chicago" and under Windows NT, the same
executable code uses threads -- one per image -- to allow the
user to do image manipulation in the background while working on
another image or task. Under Windows NT, Picture Publisher also
scales to take advantage of personal computers with multiple
microprocessors.
The bottom line for developers is the opportunity for increased
sales. Douglas Hamilton, president of Hamilton Laboratories in
Wayland, Massachusetts, and developer of Hamilton C shell
utilities for Windows NT, said, "There's a tremendous sales
opportunity for 32-bit Windows-based applications for Windows NT.
That's what's important to vendors." Hamilton Laboratories claims
its sales of Hamilton C shell have expanded 1,000 percent since
the company ported the product from OS/2 to Windows NT last year.
Hamilton added that his company was able to easily move
applications from the Intel PC platform to the MIPS reduced
instruction set computing (RISC) platform, the PowerPC, and to
Digital's Alpha AXP in a matter of hours. "And we didn't need to
debug on any of the platforms," Hamilton maintains.
Microsoft has been heavily criticized by independent developers
in the past who claim the company gives itself an advantage in
developing software products for its operating system platforms.
However, Joseph Dunn, vice president of research and development
at Macromedia asserts: "Microsoft has been very effective in this
development by consistently evangelizing its software strategy
and making early versions of alpha and beta software available to
our developers." Other developers such as Adobe Systems, Wolfram
Research, and LBMS offered praise and commitments to develop for
Win32.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931214/Press Contact: Collins Hemingway,
Microsoft, tel 206-882-8080; Colleen Lacter, Waggener Edstrom,
Portland, 503-245-0905, fax 503-244-7261; Public Contact,
Microsoft, 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/14/93
IBM
NetManage Ships Beta NFS For Windows NT
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00029)
NetManage Ships Beta NFS For Windows NT 12/14/93
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- NetManage is
shipping Chameleon32, claimed to be the first TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) for Microsoft's
Windows NT operating system. The company has also released a
beta version of Chameleon32NFS for Windows NT.
The company says that both products are being demonstrated at
the WIN32 Professional Developers Conference at the Anaheim
Convention Center December 13-14.
The company claims that Chameleon32 is the first TCP/IP
application package for Windows NT that "provides a suite of native
windows communications applications featuring the ease of use
expected by Windows users."
Chameleon32 is written to the Windows Sockets API (application
programming interface) and runs on the native NT TCP/IP stack.
Chameleon32 provides a suite of TCP/IP applications, including
Telnet terminal emulation (VT100, VT220, TN3270) FTP,
NewsReader, TFTP, Ping, Bind, Finger, and Whois.
The company says that Chameleon32NFS for NT provides all of the
applications of Chameleon32 plus an integrated implementation
of both an NFS client and server. The client-server functionality
allows for file sharing and transferring of data between Windows
desktops and other network devices.
A company spokesperson told Newsbytes that the Chameleon32
is available now and shipping, priced at $495. Chameleon32NFS is
available as a beta version to NetManage customers, and will be
available in first quarter 1994. Chameleon32NFS for Windows NT,
priced at $695.
In July Newsbytes reported that NetManage had introduced the
NEWTNews Windows tool providing users of the Chameleon
TCP/IP for Windows software family to access, read, or post
Internet messages using a click-and-point GUI (graphical user
interface).
(Ian Stokell/19931214/Press Contact: Donna Loughlin,
408-973-7171, NetManage)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/14/93
GENERAL
Caere Bundles OmniScan With Corex's CardScan
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00030)
Caere Bundles OmniScan With Corex's CardScan 12/14/93
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 14 (NB) -- Bundling
software with hardware is commonplace in the scanner device
market. Now Caere Corp., has decided to bundle its OmniScan for
Windows with Corex Technologies Corp.'s CardScan business
card scanning software.
OmniScan integrates image capture and editing, OCR (optical
character recognition) and fax capabilities with a high-quality,
grayscale scanner.
The new software is included at no additional cost to purchasers
of OmniScan, which is claimed to be the first scanner to integrate
OCR, image and fax scanning into a handheld scanner by
incorporating OmniPage Direct OCR for text scanning, Image
Assistant for image editing and FaxMaster fax software to send,
receive, OCR, and compress fax images. The list price for the
Windows version of OmniScan remains at $449.
Corex will reportedly use a version of the new OmniPage 5.0 OCR
engine for the recognition portion of its CardScan product.
In announcing the deal, Jonathan Stern, president and chief
executive officer of Corex, said: "We're pleased to have this
partnership with Caere. The new OmniPage recognition
technologies provide excellent results over a wide range of
business cards."
The company says that CardScan works automatically to read and
store each card, identifying various fields on business cards and
placing them in an address book. Information can be exported into
popular personal information management programs (PIMs),
personal organizers, word processors, spreadsheets, and databases.
The program retains both the text and the image of the card itself,
keeping company logos and other graphics found on business cards.
According to the company, additional features of CardScan include:
autodial, which dials phone numbers automatically at the touch of
a single button; Smart Zoom, that displays the corresponding
information from the address book and the card image by double-
clicking on the information; and drag-and-drop capabilities, which
let users place data into various fields quickly and easily.
The company says that customers who purchase OmniScan for
Windows after December 1 will receive CardScan free of charge
when it becomes available in the first quarter of 1994 by providing
registration and proof of purchase to Caere. Current OmniScan
owners will be able to purchase CardScan directly from Corex for
a special price of $74.95, also in the first quarter of 1994.
OmniScan for Windows requires a 386 processor or above with a
minimum of four megabytes (MB) RAM (8MB recommended), 8MB of
free hard disk space, and Windows 3.1 or above.
In September, Newsbytes reported that Caere and forms and fax
software vendor Delrina Corp., had decided to expand a year-old
alliance. The previous September, Delrina licensed AnyFax
technology, which performs OCR and is designed to cope with
sometimes blurry incoming fax documents, from Caere.
The new deal called for the companies to work together to
create integrated fax and document management software and
integrated fax, image editing, and OCR software.
(Ian Stokell/19931214/Press Contact: Mike Lough,
408-395-7000, Caere Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
IBM Announces The Disney Software Collection II
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00001)
IBM Announces The Disney Software Collection II 12/13/93
PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- IBM PC Europe
and the Walt Disney Company have announced the release of the Disney
Software Collection II, a special selection of Disney programs
packaged with the IBM PS/1 computer series.
Alan Milne, European consumer products operations manager, said
that, last year, both IBM and Disney announced a partnership to
jointly market specially created Disney educational and
entertainment software with the PS/1 computer. "The Disney Software
Collection II reflects the continuing success of that partnership,"
he said.
The collection consists of five educational and entertainment
programs which IBM claims have been designed to appeal to children
of all ages. The programs come packaged with the fully equipped PS/2
in the European sales channel.
The packages, which are available in English, French, German,
Italian and Spanish language versions, are:
Memory Challenge -- a fun way to practise association and memory
skills, IBM claims.
Beauty & the Beast -- help to break the Beast's spell over Bella by
solving various problems.
Stunt island -- the only flight simulation package, IBM claims, that
offers a crash course on film making.
Coaster -- where the player designs, builds and rides the ultimate
roller coaster.
Milne describes the package as one of the most outstanding bundled
with a PC to date. "The purchaser receives both a fully equipped
PS/1 and a set of highly interactive software packages designed to
be totally compatible with the existing ease of use software that
already resides on the PS/1," he said.
IBM also claims that the PS/1 also supplies novice children and
adult users with peace of mind since it comes with Big Blue's built
in quality and Helpware. Helpware is a complete package of services
for the user, which come free for the first 12 months, including a
24 hour helpline, an easy to follow tutorial, a special members-only
club for discounts, a Helpware quarterly magazine subscription, and
a trade in program for old computer hardware.
As if all this wasn't enough, as part of a special promotional
package, IBM is offering purchasers of the PS/1 Disney package to
buy a Euro Disney holiday package at a discount.
The deal involves a single night's stay un a Euro Disney hotel, two
adult and two kids' passes to the Euro Disney complex, for around
UKP 55 -- this price, Newsbytes notes, is less than the cost of two
adult passes to the complex on their own. The resort deal is open
until the end of 1994, although it cannot be used during the high
(summer) season.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931213/Press & Public Contact: IBM UK - Tel: +44-
705-561000; Fax: +44-705-385081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
High School Student Becomes Certified NetWare Engineer
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00002)
High School Student Becomes Certified NetWare Engineer 12/13/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- After only two and a half
years in Australia, Russian-born 15-year old high school student
Boris Patoka has earned a significant recognition in the computer
industry -- he is now a Certified Novell NetWare Engineer (CNE).
Boris was introduced to the idea of attaining the qualifications
while doing work experience in the repairs and service center of
Sydney-based networking products distributor Com Tech
Communications. In the CNE exam he received over 90 percent in most
papers and 100 percent in others.
"At first I was a bit hesitant about doing the course, but I thought
I would give it a go as my father was taking it at the same time."
said Boris. "I had to attend the training three nights a week after
school for two months, which was tough going."
Ian Schofield, Training Products Manager at Com Tech's Education
Centre said that while networking courses such as the CNE are not
easy, the company recognised at an early stage that Boris had the
potential to pass.
"He has a passion for computers and wants to become a computer
engineer when he leaves school. He'll continue to work here on a
part-time basis during his school holidays," he said.
(Victoria Howarth and Paul Zucker/19931213/Contact: Com Tech
Communications on phone +61-2-317 3088 and fax +61-2-693 2629)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
Personal E-Mail Software Uses Regular Phone Lines
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)
Personal E-Mail Software Uses Regular Phone Lines 12/13/93
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- AmerCom has published
a software program that allows users to exchange electronic mail (e-
mail) anywhere there is a telephone line.
Personal-E Mailbox version 1.5 is a specialized communications
program that allows any user with a modem that transfers data at a
speed of 2400 bps or higher and a telephone line to send and receive
mail. Mail is composed off-line with the built in text editor and
read off-line.
Personal-E uses a mailbox metaphor, showing the user when mail is
waiting in the in and out trays. waiting mail can be read, printed
or deleted. There is also a chat mode for interactive communication
that displays both sides of the typed conversation on a split
screen, and an extra-large text display mode is available for people
who have difficulty reading regular size text.
Personal-E can run from a single floppy disk so travelers can pop
the disk in any available IBM-compatible PC to check their mail.
Menu choices allow you to reply to message or forward them to
another Personal-e user.
Documents of up to 30 kilobytes (10 to 12 pages) can be attached to
any message and can be ASCII or binary. There is also a conversion
utility that allows a file to be converted to a database *.dbm
format. Amercom says that allows a user to collect survey data ("did
you like our latest shampoo?") and convert the answers for use with
a database.
Personal-E has a suggested retail price of $49.95 per single copy,
$79.95 for a twin-pack (one for each user) and $199.95 for a six-
user pack. The company has a special corporate copy matching program
for proactive organizations that provides software for free to
speech and hearing impaired persons.
Amercom makes a unique offer to members of Congress and journalists
who want to allow their constituents or readers to communicate
directly with them about important issues. The company will donate
at no cost a copy of Personal-E. It also gives free copies to
schools and libraries.
Amercom spokesperson Jim Cochell told Newsbytes the company is
working on an improved DOS version and a completely new Windows
version of Personal-E.
(Jim Mallory/19931213/Press contact: Jim Cochell, Amercom - 503-531-
2880; Reader contact: Amercom 503-531-2880 or fax 503-531-2881)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GENERAL
PCWorld Readers Vote M/Soft As #1 In Five World Class Awards
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00004)
PCWorld Readers Vote M/Soft As #1 In Five World Class Awards 12/13/93
WANCHAI, HONGKONG, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Microsoft has been voted into
the top slot in five categories in a recent readership poll
conducted by PCWorld Hong Kong, the local edition of International
Data Group's flagship personal computing publication.
The survey -- the magazine's first annual World Class Awards --
asked readers to select their favourite PC products in categories
ranging from desktop PCs to vendor support.
Microsoft won the best wordprocessor category with Microsoft Word
for Windows 2.0, best spreadsheet with Microsoft Excel 4.0 for
Windows, best database with FoxPro 2.5 for Windows and best
presentation software with PowerPoint 3.0 for Windows. Microsoft
Mouse 2.0 also won hands down in the best input device category.
"We received an overwhelming response with 23 per cent of our
readership voting," said Paul Kelly editor of PCWorld Hong Kong.
"Microsoft's performance is a clear indication of our readers'
preference."
Amanda Young Application Products Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong,
said that she is delighted with the outcome of the World Class
Awards. "The results reinforce the views expressed by attendees at
the Microsoft Office 4.0 launch last month," she said.
"More than a thousand people came to see how the new software suite
can add value to their favourite applications and nearly 50 per cent
of them bought the product on the spot. That kind of success,
coupled with the PCWorld awards, tells us that Microsoft is very
highly regarded in the local PC applications software market," she
added.
(Keith Cameron/19931213/Press Contact: Sasha Skinner (Microsoft):
+852-8044261)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
Australian Windows World Show Set To Become PC World Show
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00005)
Australian Windows World Show Set To Become PC World Show 12/13/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- The Australian Expo division
of US publisher IDG Communications has announced changes to its show
lineup for 1994. Three year old Windows World Expo has been re-named
PC World and is broadening in focus.
The show will be held in Sydney on May 10-12. It will include themed
areas such as SOHO PC, Multimedia World and Mobile Business. "The
renaming of the show matches our perception of the PC market."
explained IDG Expo manager Rod Craig.
"Windows retains a high level of intense interest, but there is an
increasing excitement about several other areas of the market. By
calling the event PC World we will be better positioned to look at
all the hot topics of Personal computing," he said.
Along with the name change, the conference has been dropped "in
keeping with the re-positioning."
To be held simultaneously with the event will be Network World Expo
and Networkers Forum. IDG Australia MD Don Kennedy said: "Our
experience with Network World magazine and expo has convinced us
that networking is the dominant area of growth in the industry.
Australia's networkers deserve and want a top-quality event that
demonstrates the latest products and also serves as a forum where
they can hear top authorities from around the world."
(Paul Zucker/19931213/Contact: IDG Expo Division on phone +61-2-439
5133 or fax +61-2-439 5512)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GENERAL
Georgia Sourcebook Released
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00006)
Georgia Sourcebook Released 12/13/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Jaye Communications
has released the second edition of its Georgia Technology
Sourcebook, detailing more than 2,000 technology companies in the
state of Georgia.
Of these, 53 percent are computer-related, 42 percent have fewer
than 10 employees, and 86 percent are in the Atlanta suburbs,
although 65 of the state's 159 counties have at least one high-tech
firm.
The book doesn't cover all those 2,000 companies, just the 1,425
which provided full information, according to vice president-
marketing Alexis Caldwell. Only manufacturing, research,
distribution and service units are included, not dealers or
resellers.
Caldwell noted that the findings of her book are in line with other
products like Egil Juliessen's Computer Industry Almanac. Based on
the findings of Caldwell, Georgia seems to rank eighth among the 50
states in high technology companies, and Juliessen indicated that
the state could quickly pass New Jersey and Illinois and leap to
sixth.
The book was published in cooperation with Atlanta's Business and
Technology Alliance, which contributed sections on its new
Technology Hall of Fame exhibit at Atlanta's Scitrek museum and on
financial awards given to the community by Georgia's technology
communities.
Jaye Communications also publishes Atlanta Computer Currents, as
well as the publications Technology South and Technotes. The book
carries a retail price of $27.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931213/Press Contact: Alexis Caldwell, Jaye
Communications, 404-984-9444; FAX: 404-612-0780
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
IBM AntiVirus Now Supports NetWare Servers
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00007)
IBM AntiVirus Now Supports NetWare Servers 12/13/93
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- IBM said a
new version of its IBM AntiVirus software includes protection for
Novell NetWare local-area network (LAN) servers. According to Big
Blue, IBM AntiVirus Version 1.04 protects against computer viruses
on computers running DOS, Windows, OS/2, and NetWare.
IBM AntiVirus for NetWare uses the same detection technology used as
other IBM AntiVirus products, the firm said. It detects more than
2,000 known viruses and has facilities to spot previously unknown
viruses, and company officials claimed the software virtually
eliminates false alarms that occur with some other anti-virus
products.
Real-time scanning enables the LAN server to protect itself
immediately if a virus on a client PC is found trying to infect the
server. Network administrators also can scan selected volumes on
demand, or schedule a scan for particular times on selected days.
When it finds a virus, the software can send customized messages to
the affected user and administrators and lock infected files to keep
the infection from spreading.
IBM said that its AntiVirus for NetWare package is designed to have
minimal impact on LAN server performance, with automatic priority
adjustment to keep the added load to less than four percent on
typical servers.
Single copies of IBM AntiVirus for DOS, Windows, and OS/2 systems
cost $29.95. Site licenses are also available, and the company said
it provides monthly updates for newer viruses and rapid updates for
viruses discovered in customer incidents.
(Grant Buckler/19931213/Press Contact: Andrea R. Minoff, IBM, 914-
784-7428; Public Contact: IBM, 800-742-2493)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
Softklone Intros V2.0 of Help Development Kit For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00008)
Softklone Intros V2.0 of Help Development Kit For Windows 12/13/93
HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) --
Softklone has announced that the latest version of its Help
Development Kit (HDK) for the Microsoft Windows environment, has
started shipping in the UK.
Version 2.0 of the HDK is being distributed in the UK on an
exclusive arrangement with Virtual Media of Australia, the company
that coded the software. According to Softklone, the package's
benefit lies in its use for creating complex online manuals,
replacing the need for expensive, quickly outdated paper-based
documentation.
According to Lee Wood, Softklone UK's managing director, HDK2 is the
most powerful help systems/hypertext tool available to Windows
users, whether they are beginners or hypertext experts.
"The increased number of automatic features in this latest version
of the product can save hundreds of hours in producing online
documents and enable the user to utilize all the features in Windows
help," he said.
So how does HDK2 work in real life? Softklone cites the example
involved with the production of large documents such as
BS750/ISO9000 standards manuals.
Whereas paper-based versions of these manuals require the user to
make constant reference to other procedures in the manual and
external documentation, the facilities within HDK2 allow the user to
"jump" in an out of the appropriate documents, online, without the
need to search through multiple printed references.
Not only can the core procedures manual be easily and cost-
effectively kept up to date, but using the automatic indexing and
searching facilities in HDK2, all related documents and standards
can be identified and changed accordingly.
HDK2 costs UKP 225 in the UK and requires the presence of Windows
3.1 plus Microsoft's Help Compiler for Win 3.1. The software is
billed as having the ability to: create sophisticated online
documentation; allow enhanced support of the Windows Help engine for
online document production; and review copies available immediately.
(Steve Gold/19931213/Press & Public Contact: Softklone UK - Tel: +44-
628-819200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GENERAL
HK-Based Ex-Pat Singaporeans Meet Families By Videoconference
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00009)
HK-Based Ex-Pat Singaporeans Meet Families By Videoconference 12/13/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- The merging of
technologies, particularly video and computer-based information
technologies, is moving very rapidly. Newsbytes has learned that
family video-conferencing between Singaporean families in Hong Kong
and their relatives at home will be happening soon for some lucky
couples.
While international video-conferencing has been around for a few
years, most people would have believed it to be outside the domain
of the private family for some time to come.
The "Meet Your Family Promotion", organized by Singapore Telecom and
the Singapore Association, and sponsored by Hongkong Telecom CSL,
requires only that participants have spent US$100 or more on IDD
calls to Singapore during the month of November.
A lucky draw will be held after the closing date on December 28 to
select the five lucky families that will take part in the
Hongkong/Singapore video- conference scheduled for January 29, 1994.
"Videoconferencing is really starting to take off, with companies
using the technology to help regional and corporate management to
share input and make more effective decisions," said Franky Lai,
General Manager, Marketing, Hongkong Telecom CSL, the company which
is providing the VideoNet video communications services and a studio
to host the Hong Kong side of the event.
"Cross-border video-conferencing is a versatile medium that can be
used for a host of applications including marketing, and this
promotion is a perfect example of how it can be used to great
effect," he added.
According to Lai, there are many other areas where videoconferencing
can play an active part. In the legal field, VideoNet could easily
be used to take depositions or to arraign prisoners. And, by holding
recruitment interviews via VideoNet, an organization can have the
opportunity to screen a broad range of candidates, regardless of
where they may currently be working.
"In Singapore, we are also seeing a tremendous increase in the usage
of VideoMeet, the videoconference service provided by Singapore
Telecom," said Mrs Chong Yee Wah, Product Manager, Business Product
Management at Singapore Telecom.
"A variety of applications including press conferences by artists,
product launches, interviews and golf course design have proved
videoconferencing to be an effective communications tool in today's
dynamic business world," she said.
"A videoconference gives you all the benefits of a business trip,
but without the cost of expensive airfares, hotel accommodation or
jet-lag. It improves communications, enhances productivity, allows
instant access to key people and information and gives managers the
ability to make informed decisions faster," she added.
During the actual "Meet Your Family" videoconference, the Hong Kong
winners will be invited to the VideoNet Public Studio on the 37th
Floor of Tower Two, Exchange Square where they will have the
opportunity to chat and catch up on all the news from their families
at Singapore Telecom's VideoMeet studio.
Commenting on the promotion, Dicky Goh, Vice Chairman of the
Singapore Association in Hong Kong, expressed his support for this
innovative use of new technology.
"I am sure that the lucky members who take part in this novel
promotion will appreciate the chance to see their families, face-to-
face," Goh said. "It will allow them to communicate more
effectively."
(Keith Cameron/19931213/Press Contact: Ms Caroline Chung: +852-803
6551)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
UNIX
Omniplex Announces Planar Unicord
(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00010)
Omniplex Announces Planar Unicord 12/13/93
ST ALBANS, HERTS, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Omniplex Limited has
announced the release of Planar Unicord, a full color ANSI (American
National Standards Institute) terminal emulator and integration tool
for MIcrosoft Windows 3.
According to Omniplex, Planar Unicord allows Windows 3 users to set
up Unix systems and applications as icons within their Windows 3
graphical user interface (GUI) desktop. Using this approach means
that Unix applications can be launched under Windows as easily as if
they were Windows/DOS applications.
Using the Windows/Unicord interface, multiple Unix windows can be
scaled, iconized and resized as any Windows application can be,
Unicord can be run over a serial (RS232) cable link or almost any
network link.
Unicord is also used as an integration tool by Unix software
developers. The package allows DOS and Windows processes to be
started under the control of Unix. This allows Unix application
developers to use Windows tools and applications as utilities of
their Unix application.
Announcing the availability of the package, Graeme Youngs,
Omniplex's marketing director, said that Unicord addresses two
markets.
"The first is those users who want a trouble free way of running
Unix applications alongside their Windows programs. The second is
software developers who want to combine the worlds of Unix and
Windows to present an integrated environment for their users," he
said.
Pricing on Planar Unicord depends on the site license conditions
required. Interested parties are asked to contact Youngs direct at
the company.
(Steve Gold/19931213/Press & Public Contact: Omniplex UK - Tel: +44-
727-811301; Fax: +44-727-868836)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GENERAL
NetFrame Acquires High-Speed Tape Backup Technology
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00011)
NetFrame Acquires High-Speed Tape Backup Technology 12/13/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Back-up operations
are a vital part of server-based networking. For large networks,
tape is often the media of choice. Now superserver manufacturer
NetFrame Systems has purchased a high-speed tape backup and restore
technology from Vortex Systems.
Under the terms of the deal, NetFrame has purchased all rights to
Vortex's Tape Array Technology for $1.8 million in cash. The company
said that "other assets or liabilities of Vortex Systems were not
acquired." NetFrame said that, prior to the acquisition, it had
about $39 million in cash.
NetFrame says that the technology acquired will be used to develop a
"new class of high-performance, high-integrity back up and restore
software products, designed for large, mission-critical servers.
Along with the technology, four key Vortex employees have joined
NetFrame.
Announcing the acquisition, Enzo Torresi, president and chief
executive officer of NetFrame, said: "Our customers have repeatedly
requested mainframe-like backup and restore capabilities that meet
their performance, capacity and reliability needs. This new
technology will enable NetFrame to develop and deliver products that
meet these requirements."
NetFrame Systems was founded in 1987, and designs, manufactures and
markets a series of expandable, fault-tolerant superservers that
run NetWare, Unix SVR4.2 and OS/2 and, in the future, NT.
NetFrame's superservers, which start at $14,950 for a three
processor superserver, are expandable to a 10 processor system with
up to 240 gigabytes of mass storage.
In November, Newsbytes reported that NetFrame had begun shipments of
its Concerto software, designed to allow shrink-wrapped NetWare and
Unix SVR4.2 to run concurrently in the same NetFrame superserver.
At the time, Paul Gross, a spokesman for the company, told
Newsbytes that Concerto only works on NetFrame's superservers
because of the multiprocessor architecture.
"Concerto is an internal messaging system within the NetFrame," he
said. "The NetFrame superserver is like a local area network (LAN)
within a box. Concerto is the connections between the various
components within that LAN. It is the message-passing scheme, which
allows all of the different parts of the network to coexist with one
another," he added.
In October, Newsbytes reported that NetFrame had extended its
existing original equipment manufacturing (OEM) agreement with
Olivetti for another three years, up to December 1996. The two
companies also announced the planned formation of NetFrame
International, a joint venture, in January 1994.
Under the terms of the OEM deal, Olivetti sells NetFrame Systems
line of superservers worldwide and maintains exclusive rights in
Italy, and Spain, as well as the UK. NetFrame International,
meanwhile, will be based in Europe and will have sales, support and
marketing responsibility for all NetFrame products sold in Europe.
(Ian Stokell/19931213/Press Contact: Mark Comiso, 408-434-4173,
NetFrame Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GENERAL
SGML '93: SoftQuad 3.0 And New ApplicationBuilder
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00012)
SGML '93: SoftQuad 3.0 And New ApplicationBuilder 12/13/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- At SGML '93,
SoftQuad has introduced Version 3.0 of its Author/Editor editing
tool for Windows, Macintosh, and Unix, plus a new application
development tool known as ApplicationBuilder.
Author/Editor is installed at more sites than any other editor for
the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) document interchange
protocol, according to SoftQuad officials.
"But now that the market for SGML-based applications is growing
beyond the early adopters, the software must grow more accessible to
meet new needs. Our new version does just that," noted Yuri
Rubinsky, company president.
The new version (v3.0) adds a number of human interface enhancements
to Author/Editor, such as built-in templates, custom templates, and
simultaneous availability of Windows and Views on all platforms,
according to Dana Briggs, the company's training coordinator.
Other new capabilities include context sensitive stylesheets,
support for SGML delimiters other than angle brackets and
ampersands, and enhanced support for SGML parsing and for options in
the SGML declaration.
The update also brings support for graphics, math editing, and other
external formats, including video and sound, by allowing the user to
launch an external viewer or other specialized software, Briggs told
Newsbytes.
The product continues to provide the capabilities of previous
versions, including word processing, built-in SGML validation, on-
screen formatting, named bookmarks, on-line help, structured outline
and context views, auto-numbering, spell-checking, a thesaurus, and
context-sensitive search-and-replace.
SoftQuad's new ApplicationBuilder consists of Author/Editor along
with Scheme, a new object-oriented programming language for
customizing Author/Editor. Several sample Scheme scripts are also
incorporated in the package, he said.
Scheme is a LISP dialect that "understands SGML," he explained. The
language is easy to use, because there are few rules of syntax to
remember and each line of Scheme code is limited to just one
function. Still, Scheme is powerful enough to express complicated
relationships, he maintained.
ApplicationBuilder can be used for adding new functions to
Author/Editor, such as a database front end or a browser, or for
changing the behavior of existing functions, said Briggs.
For example, the developer might modify the security of a text
element so that a non-cleared user would only see those portions of
text that are marked as unclassified.
Author/Editor 3.0 is available now. Pricing is $995 for the Windows
and Macintosh versions and $1,995 for the Unix edition.
ApplicationBuilder is currently in beta testing. The new toolkit is
scheduled for release in the first quarter of 1994.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931213/Reader contact: SoftQuad, tel 416-
239-4801; Press contact: Linda A. Burman, SoftQuad, tel 416-239-
4801)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GENERAL
Sharp Promotes Workstation & Pocket Organizer Sales
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00013)
Sharp Promotes Workstation & Pocket Organizer Sales 12/13/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Sharp has announced plans to
promote a new workstation series and the Pencom, its latest pocket
business organizer. In preparation for the promotion, Sharp has
contracted with Sun Microsystems for the supply of the hardware and
spare parts.
Two new workstations from Sharp -- produced by Sun on an original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis -- will be launched this coming
Friday (Dec 17). The machines are known as the OA Server 4000 series
and are based around the SPARC reduced instruction set computing
(RISC) chipset running the Solaris operating system. A key feature
of the two machines is their inclusion of Sun's touch screen
technology.
Sharp claims that it is pitching for a market as big as 3,000
million yen ($300 million) worth of sales on its workstations next
year. Within three years, the company is aiming to secure 7,000
million yen-worth of sales.
Sharp is also trying to beef up sales of the Pencom, its pocket
business organizer computer. To date, the computer is selling better
than Sharp had originally envisaged, leading the company to realize
that the Pencom could be a best seller. According to Sharp, around
70,000 units were sold up until the end of November, with another
30,000 units expected to be sold in this month alone.
Sharp has said that it wants to continue selling at this rate right
through until the end of March, by which time it hopes to have sold
around 200,000 Pencoms. The Pencom sells in Japan for around 65,000
yen ($650), which Newsbytes notes is considerably less than the
Apple Newton personal digital assistant (PDA).
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931213/Press Contact: Sharp, +81-43-
299-8212, Fax, +81-43-299-8213)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
TRENDS
****Sega-Compatible Machines Expected To Debut Soon
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00014)
****Sega-Compatible Machines Expected To Debut Soon 12/13/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Sega Enterprises, a bit of a late
starter in the Japanese games market, has unveiled its latest weapon
in taking on the might of Nintendo, its major rival -- licence its
games console technology to third party companies.
According to Sega, three companies are licensing its games console
technology for use in their own 64-bit processor systems. At this
level of processor power, Newsbytes notes, three dimensional games
in realistic action are possible.
The three companies -- Hitachi, Yamaha and Victor -- are expected to
release their consoles on to the market some time next year. Sega is
also working on an advanced video games unit with Hitachi, and
expects to release the machine as a flagship Genesis unit when it is
available. The new high end games machine will come equipped with
Hitachi's reduced instruction set computing (RISC)/
Newsbytes notes that the linkup with the three third-party companies
is not the first time that Sega has been working with the companies.
As a result, it is widely expected that the new generation machines
will not be plain games consoles as Sega has released to date, but
will be true multimedia units.
The Hitachi/Sega 64-bit video game machine is expected to be
released within about a year. These compatible game machines are
expected slightly later than Sega's.
With this compatible-game machine strategy, Sega is trying to vie
with the rival firms such as Nintendo, Matsushita-3DO and NEC Home
Electronics. Also, the firm needs to compete with Sony, which,
although a relative newcomer to the games console industry, is still
a very powerful company.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931213/Press Contact: Sega
Enterprises, +81-3-3743-7603, Fax, +81-3-3743-7830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
Watermark Enhances Image-Enabling Software For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00015)
Watermark Enhances Image-Enabling Software For Windows 12/13/93
BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Watermark has
announced an upcoming OLE (object linking and embedding) 2.0-
compatible version of its image-enabling software for Windows, along
with the ability of the current version to be used with Powersoft's
client-server development environment.
In an interview with Newsbytes, David Skok, Watermark's president,
said that Watermark Discovery Edition 1.0 can be employed by end
users to quickly add images of faxes and scanned paper documents to
Microsoft's Excel, Borland's Paradox for Windows, BeyondMail,
WordPerfect for Windows, cc:Mail and Notes 2.0 from Lotus, and a
half-dozen other programs that are now capable of being OLE clients.
Discovery Edition 1.0 was named Imaging Magazine's "Most Promising
Product of 1993," and has also been awarded InfoWorld's "Buyer's
Assurance Seal." One factor setting the product apart from
competitors is a full suite of annotation tools that includes the
ability to type text on the embedded image, write freehand, redline,
highlight, draw arrows, and attach voice comments, video clips, and
other OLE objects to the image, Skok suggested.
Through Watermark's new relationship with Powersoft, developers will
now be able to use Discovery Edition 1.0 with PowerBuilder 3.0 to
image-enable specialized client-server applications, he added.
Discovery Edition 1.0 will also work with Powersoft's PowerMaker
and PowerViewer tools.
"We will have specialized documentation available that will show
developers how to integrate Discovery Edition and PowerBuilder, and
also some software code. But we're only talking one or two pages of
instructions. Essentially, the products will work together off the
shelf," he told Newsbytes.
OLE 2.0-compliance will become available in Discovery Edition in
spring of 1994, according to Skok. In Version 1.0, Discovery Edition
offers two methods of image enablement: through the clipboard using
standard Copy and Paste commands, or by clicking on the Insert
Object command that is provided in the edit menu of most current
OLE client applications.
The client software on the user's PC does not embed the entire
image, but only stores a pointer to the image, according to Skok.
The actual image is stored on a central storage system such as a
network file server, to minimize network traffic and permit multiple
users to comment on the same document and view one another's
comments.
The forthcoming OLE 2.0-compatibility will further simplify the
image-enablement process by allowing the user to drag-and-drop a
Watermark image object into another application, he explained.
Compliance with OLE 2.0 will also provide visual editing and OLE
automation, the company president noted.
Visual editing will let the user edit comments on a Watermark image
object embedded in another application without opening another
Watermark window. OLE automation will allow a macro developed in the
container application to control most of the operations of Discovery
Edition.
Other new features in the upcoming Discovery revision will include
integrated optical character recognition (OCR) and full support for
WinFax Pro, a capability that will permit sent and received faxes to
be viewed as thumbnails.
Discovery Edition 1.0 works with FoxPro, Word, PowerPoint, Mail, and
Access from Microsoft, Borland's Quattro Pro for Windows, and Ami
Professional from Lotus, in addition to Excel, Paradox, BeyondMail,
WordPerfect, cc:Mail and Notes.
The combination of Watermark and these popular end user packages
allows such applications as copying letters and sending them to
colleagues via electronic mail, sending application forms through a
lengthy approval process, and filing and retrieving faxes, contracts
and product specifications.
In contrast, the combination of Watermark and Powersoft's tools will
permit creation of high-end image-enabled applications that could
previously be developed only with the use of costly proprietary
systems such as ViewStar or FileNet, Skok told Newsbytes.
The two vendors are targeting applications that require storage of a
great deal of paperwork, such as human resources, order processing,
and accounts payable systems.
One large pharmaceutical house plans to build a system using
Watermark and Powersoft that will store all records the company has
submitted to the Federal Drug Administration pertaining to drug
approval, including highly detailed documentation of all clinical
trials, he said.
The pharmaceutical record system will initially store 6 million
documents, Newsbytes was told. After that, 1.2 million new
documents will be added every year.
"Heavy-duty Powersoft users will probably want to migrate to
Watermark Professional Edition," Skok added. Watermark's upcoming
Professional Edition will be highly scalable, from small to very
large implementations, he reported.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931213/Reader contact: Watermark Software, tel:
617-229-2600; Press contacts: Heidi Palmer, Watermark, tel: 617-
229-2600; Leahanne Hobson, Copithorne & Bellows for Watermark, tel
617-252-0606/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/13/93
IBM
KAI And IBM Team Up On Speech And Pen Medical Apps
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00016)
KAI And IBM Team Up On Speech And Pen Medical Apps 12/13/93
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Kurzweil Applied
Intelligence (KAI) and IBM have announced plans to form a strategic
alliance that will focus initially on speech recognition and pen-
based clinical reporting systems for the healthcare market.
"(This collaboration) will involve technology exchanges, joint
development projects, and comprehensive marketing and support
programs, all (delivering) powerful solutions to our existing
customers and attracting many new customers in the US and
international markets," said Bernard F. Bradstreet, KAI's president
and co-CEO, announcing the signing of a letter of intent.
Added Raymond Kurzweil, chairman and also co-CEO of KAI: "With IBM
as key development partner, we'll be able to work together on a
common user interface and API (application programming interface)
suites for speech and pen-based technologies."
Elton B. Sherwin, Jr., IBM's manager of speech recognition strategy
and market development, noted that KAI and IBM have each pioneered
in the area of speech recognition.
"This is a very important alliance for our company as well," he
said. "Over time, we'll be expanding our relationship to
incorporate pen-based technologies, take advantage of new market
opportunities, and satisfy changing customer needs. And we expect
this to happen not only in the healthcare market, but in other
vertical markets like legal, financial services and government."
Bradstreet reported that the new relationship with IBM is consistent
with KAI's strategy of aligning itself with major healthcare
providers and leading technology companies.
KAI was founded in 1982, and has been concentrating on the
healthcare industry for the past seven years. KAI's VoiceMED
product line is designed to allow physicians and other healthcare
professionals to quickly prepare complete printed medical reports by
voice.
Waltham, MA-based KAI also produces KurzweilVOICE, a voice-enabled
personal computing and word processing system.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931213/Reader contact: Kurzweil Applied
Intelligence, tel 617-894-0003; Press contacts: Mark D. Flanagan,
KAI, tel 617-894-5151; Jeff Aubin or Jan Collins, Brodeur &
Partners for KAI, tel 617-894-0003)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/13/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00017)
Canadian Product Launch Update 12/13/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: Computer Associates'
SuperProject for OS/2 and Realia-II Workbench, and FaxFirst's
FaxPak.
Computer Associates Canada of Mississauga, Ont., unveiled an OS/2
version of its SuperProject project management software (Newsbytes,
Dec. 7) as well as shipping CA-Realia II Workbench (Newsbytes, Nov.
30), software aimed at downsizing applications.
CA Canada will sell the Windows and OS/2 versions of SuperProject
together for C$649. Upgrades and competitive upgrades are C$179. For
C$69, CA-SuperProject users can replace the limited version of CA-
Realizer built into SuperProject with a full version.
CA-Realia Workbench will list for C$2,995. Users who already have
Realia COBOL can upgrade to the complete Workbench for C$1,650. CA
is also offering a competitive upgrade to users of rival Micro
Focus' COBOL Workbench for C$1,995.
FaxPak, a device that allows a computer printer to act as a plain-
paper fax machine (Newsbytes, Feb. 11), is now available in Canada.
FaxFirst Canada, Inc., of Toronto, is selling the unit for C$389. In
use, it sits beside a printer, receives faxes and prints them, or
stores them for later printing if the printer is not available.
(Grant Buckler/19931213/Press Contact: John Schoutsen, Computer
Associates Canada, 905-676-6700, fax 905-676-6734; Stephen Caffrey
or Robert Kerzner, FaxFirst, 416-391-2864)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/13/93
IBM
Software Vendor Endorses IBM's Workplace OS
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00018)
Software Vendor Endorses IBM's Workplace OS 12/13/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- It will not
actually hit the streets until some time in 1994 at the earliest,
but IBM's next operating system has already earned the endorsement
of a software company here.
Ask Group, a maker of application development tools, issued a
statement saying it endorses IBM's Workplace OS on the new PowerPC
architecture. Such endorsements, commonplace in the computer
industry, generally mean the company expects it will release
products for the system some time in the future but is not ready to
make a more specific announcement.
The PowerPC architecture is the result of an alliance among IBM,
Apple Computer and chipmaker Motorola Corp. IBM released its first
PowerPC hardware in September, and Apple is expected to release
PowerPC systems in the spring.
As for the Workplace OS, Jim Cannavino, senior vice-president for
strategy and development at IBM, said during the recent Comdex/Fall
trade show that the company hopes to release it in 1994, but "we
will serve no wine before its time." The first release will be for
PowerPC systems, he said, "to complement our existing Intel
investment."
IBM also sent signals during Comdex that Workplace OS will play a
key role in its strategy in coming years. The company said it plans
to put the new microkernel-based operating system on its AS/400
midrange computers as well as PowerPC systems and its line of
personal computers based on Intel x86 chips.
IBM assured customers at Comdex that Workplace OS would not crowd
out OS/2, but also pointed out that the new system's multiple
"personalities" will include the ability to run OS/2 software, so
customers will be able to migrate easily if they choose.
Workplace OS will also be able to run software written for DOS,
Microsoft Windows, and Unix.
(Grant Buckler/19931213/Press Contact: Shannon Hall, Ask Group,
510-748-2576)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
TRENDS
Outsourcing Conference: "Best Practices In Outsourcing"
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00019)
Outsourcing Conference: "Best Practices In Outsourcing" 12/13/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- The "best
practices in outsourcing" begin with an analysis of outsourcing and
extend to a plan for "exiting" the process, according to Barry A.
Wiegler, director of the Sourcing Interests Group, speaking at the
Outsourcing Conference in Boston.
At a presentation packed with senior corporate executives from
throughout the world, Wiegler outlined a set of outsourcing
recommendations that was developed as a service to members of the
two-year-old special interest group on outsourcing issues.
In the initial outsourcing analysis, a company should "develop a
clear understanding of strategic objectives, identify opportunities,
and assemble a multi-function team," Wiegler told the audience at
the Westin Hotel.
Also at this stage, the organization should consider a broad range
of questions, set a realistic schedule, understand technological and
political risks, maintain trust, and obtain "broad-based buy-in,"
including the support of a highly placed corporate official as
"sponsor."
The initial analysis should then be drawn upon in developing a
request for proposal (RFP) and a proposal evaluation process,
Wiegler said. Proposals should be evaluated by a team that includes
selected users.
The RFP should be distributed to a limited number of vendors, he
added. The document should outline the scope of the proposed project
so as to permit proper pricing. The organization ought to "disclose
a lot" to outsourcing vendors, but should also make sure to ask
those vendors for needed information.
In evaluating proposals, the team should narrow the list of
candidates to two. The team should view selected references, and
obtain clarifications and specifics as necessary, remaining "open to
new approaches" but also keeping options open for as long as
possible.
After deciding on an outsourcing vendor, the team should create a
term sheet or memorandum of understanding and then negotiate a
contract. "Allow sufficient time for contract preparation," Wiegler
advised.
Next, the company should develop a detailed "transition plan and
schedule," assigning at least one staff member with the right kind
of experience to lead the transition to outsourcing. Throughout
transition, the organization should maintain control, monitor
progress and service levels, and make communications with employees
clear, concise and consistent.
In working with the outsourcing vendor, the organization must
establish a "win-win" relationship in which the vendor's
contributions are viewed as strategic, said Wiegler. An "integrated
management team" should be created, with representation from both
the organization and the vendor. Processes should be established for
dealing with change and resolving disputes. The status of the
relationship should be continually reviewed.
Early in the relationship with the vendor, however, the organization
should "map out exiting," in the event the relationship does not
work out. The exiting plan should not be overly detailed, according
to Wiegler. But the plan should include an agreement on causes for
termination, and also give specifics on the return of resources.
"Moving from one (outsourcing) vendor to another can be tougher than
pulling back work inhouse," Wiegler cautioned. On the other hand,
though, "Creative outsourcing can yield substantial dividends." The
best way to assure an outsourcing relationship will be successful is
to "do business with people you trust."
The Sourcing Interest Group's outsourcing recommendations are
spelled out in detail in a white paper on "Best Practices." The full
white paper is available only to group members, but a condensed
version is available to nonmembers, said Wiegler.
The Sourcing Interest Group was formed in mid-1991, under the
sponsorship of Key Consulting Group and DuWayne Peterson Associates,
he explained. Members consist of senior officers of user and vendor
companies, along with consultants and selected attorneys.
Though most of the first members hailed from the financial
community, the Sourcing Interest Group has since grown to include
representation from a wide range of other industries. The group
maintains a rule that the ratio of user members to vendor members
must always be two-to-one or greater.
Services to members include two annual roundtable conferences, a
hotline, telephone consultation, referrals, and access to a PC-based
I/S (Information Systems) outsourcing model, along with two to three
new research reports per year.
In addition to "Best Practices," white papers have been completed on
"PC Outsourcing" and "Outsourcing Strategies and Tactics." Work is
now being done for upcoming white papers on "Strategic Alliances"
and "IT (Information Technology) Value Measurement."
The Outsourcing Conference is presented by Digital Consulting
Incorporated (DCI). Co-sponsoring this year's event were Digital
Equipment Corporation, Unisys, SHL Systemhouse, Litton Computer
Services, Acxiom Corporation, Corporate Software, and the Computer
Task Group.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931213/Press and reader contact: Reader and
press contact: Barry A. Wiegler, Sourcing Interests Group, tel 818-
784-7755; Reader contact: DCI, tel 508-470-3870; Press contact: Todd
J. Keefe, DCI, tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
TRENDS
Outsourcing Conference: Effective `IT Governance'
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00020)
Outsourcing Conference: Effective `IT Governance' 12/13/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- In the
information technology (IT) arena, outsourcing has never been
stronger, but the process is being increasingly incorporated into
broader management strategies, according to N. Venkatraman, who has
spent the past decade studying the use of outsourcing at 200
different Fortune 500 companies.
"In fact, I'd avoid the term `outsourcing' in favor of `IT
governance," advised Venkatraman, an associate professor at MIT's
Sloan School of Management, during a keynote speech at the
Outsourcing Conference in Boston.
Over the past few years, he noted, multibillion-dollar IT
outsourcing deals by the likes of General Dynamics, McDonnell
Douglas, United Technologies and Continental Airlines have been
grabbing big headlines, first in the computer trade press and then
in business publications such as Forbes, the Wall Street Journal,
and Business Week.
Traditionally, outsourcing has been typified by the transfer of
responsibility and assets to an external organization, as well as
long-term contracts of five to ten years, the professor told a crowd
of 250 top corporate executives at the event.
"But outsourcing is only one option for governing IT operations.
Outsourcing cannot be -- and should not be -- understood outside the
(context of the) broader IT strategy and business strategy," he
explained.
Aside from outsourcing, the new practice of IT governance also
includes "insourcing" and a range of possibilities that fall
somewhere in between outsourcing and insourcing, such as strategic
partnerships, he added. In the insourcing process, responsibility is
brought inside of the organization. In many other alternatives to
outsourcing, responsibility is shared.
"The challenge is to identify the locus of IT competence along the
inside/outside continuum. Recognize that (your organization) cannot
be `best-in-class' along all sources of value," Venkatraman told
Newsbytes.
Outsourcing and other forms of IT governance can bring four major
types of value to an organization, he said. These include better
service, lower costs, higher profitability, and investment in the
future.
In the past, organizations have tended to use IT governance for
operational reasons only, viewing operations as "service centers"
and "cost centers," according to Venkatraman. Now, though,
corporations are also looking at strategic factors, and the need to
establish "profit centers" and "investment centers."
Decisions on whether a function such as the data center or
telecommunications is to be outsourced, insourced, or shared with a
partner should be made individually, based on the organization's
competencies and what kind of value source the activity represents,
he recommended.
As they step into the "IT governance" approach, IT professionals
must add "relationship portfolios" to the technical portfolios they
have managed in the past, pointed out Venkatraman, who plans to
embark on a new position at Boston University in January and
continue his research there.
But the new IT approach will also let companies move beyond the
negative connotations of outsourcing, a word that can conjure up
images of "getting rid of something the organization no longer wants
to do," Venkatraman concluded.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931213/Reader and press contact: Professor N.
Venkatraman, tel 617-253-5044; Reader contact: DCI, tel 508-470-
3870; Press contact: Todd J. Keefe, tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
TELECOM
Bell Layoffs Keep Rolling
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
Bell Layoffs Keep Rolling 12/13/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Automation makes
it possible, competition makes it necessary, so phone companies
across the company continue to cut staff while Wall Street cheers.
Southern New England Telephone has confirmed it will cut 2,500 jobs
over the next two years, 25 percent of all its workers and 1,000
more than previously estimated. A $259 million charge was set
against fourth-quarter earnings.
SNET has been battling Connecticut regulators, demanding an
"incentive plan" to help it fund improvements in its network, which
covers the area around New Haven. But in announcing the cuts, it
blamed competition for in-state long distance calls from AT&T and
MCI, as well as other carriers, something demanded by the state as
the price for changes. Bankers cheered the cut, with the Standard &
Poor's bond-rating agency affirming an AA rating on its $768 million
in unsecured debt.
A few days later published reports had NYNEX cutting 22,000 workers
by 1996 for similar reasons. A spokesman refused to confirm the
specific number, but noted that the company has announced it intends
to cut costs within its telecommunications group by 30 percent over
the next several years. NYNEX has 66,000 workers in its
telecommunications group.
Unions charged the number was leaked to scare its workers into
taking small severance offers, since the stories did indicate out-
right lay-offs were possible.
"We had nothing to do with the story that started this thing,"
replied NYNEX spokesman Peter Goodale. But NYNEX had already
announced it will re-align itself, dropping artificial distinctions
between its New York and New England operations and going with the
single NYNEX brand name.
Financial analysts have previously called NYNEX the most inefficient
of the regional Bells, with the largest number of employees per
10,000 lines, and the company now faces stiff competition from MFS
Communications in New York City. When the reports emerged of the
possible NYNEX cuts, its stock rose slightly in price on the New
York Stock Exchange.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931213/Press Contact: Peter Goodale, NYNEX,
914-644-7220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GOVT
GATT Deadline Nears: Film Current Sticking Point
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00022)
GATT Deadline Nears: Film Current Sticking Point 12/13/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- After making massive
inroads in international agriculture trade support, the Uruguay
Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) is currently
hung up on the access of US movies and television programs into the
European market where the French (again) are opposing powerful US
competition in a field where the local product requires massive
state subsidies to remain profitable.
Reports out of Europe, especially those from EC Trade Commissioner
Leon Brittan and US Trade Representative Mickey Kantor indicate that
the major disputes over farm subsidies have been resolved, leaving
massive subsidies to aircraft makers and French opposition to
admitting US films and television shows as the major remaining
elements blocking the years-long trade negotiations.
Intellectual property rights, which are of major concern to US
software and other publishers, are apparently on the back burner,
unmentioned by negotiators, and many industry insiders see them
being left there despite the importance of including better
protection for software.
The current situation is, as of Monday morning, that the EC has
called for a meeting of trade ministers on Wednesday morning just
hours before the final GATT deadline and that they have rejected the
latest US proposal on audio and visual properties.
GATT is a major international trade package which, if finally
passed, would result in lowered tariffs for about 120 countries and
a major increase in trade for all GATT members.
(John McCormick/19931213/Press Contact: SPA, Terri Childs, 202-
452-1600 x320)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GOVT
NIST Announcements Of Interest
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00023)
NIST Announcements Of Interest 12/13/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- This past week has seen
a number of important announcements from NIST (National Institute of
Standards and Technology) which relate either directly or indirectly
to semiconductor development or computer technology:
New Method Puts "Trace" on the Hard-to-Measure
Trace elements, which make up just a tiny part of a particular
material, are actually the critical part of all semiconductors but
it is difficult to measure exact concentrations of such tiny amounts
of foreign material.
A new measurement technique will now help researchers determine just
how trace elements are distributed through the base material.
Developed for biological investigations, the National Institutes of
Health have built on improvements in electron energy loss
spectroscopy to analyze certain trace elements with very high
spatial resolution.
The same technique, which is capable of near single atom
measurements, can locate trace elements in specimens as small as 10
nanometers in diameter and is applicable to semiconductor materials
as well as cells.
In another important move involving semiconductor juncture
measurement, NIST and Digital Instruments of Santa Barbara, CA, are
working to develop better measures of the smallest features of
integrated circuits. The new approach involves scanning capacitance
microscopy which uses an atomic force microscope to produce images
of a silicon sample's electrical character.
The effort is intended to develop practical techniques which will
help delineate the junctions between semiconductor segments --
junctions are where the actual work takes place in a semiconductor,
a goal which the Semiconductor Industry Association calls an
essential technology for the advance of semiconductor development.
A new, more accurate capacitance standard is also in development by
the NIST. While sensitive superconducting instruments have made it
possible to very accurately measure resistance and voltage, it has
been more difficult to detect tiny changes in capacitance, but a new
series of experiments involving an electron pump and an electron
turnstile, is likely to result in a way to measure capacitance with
much greater accuracy.
For a copy of a scientific paper discussing the experiment, contact
Sarabeth Moynihan, Div. 104, NIST, Boulder, Colo. 80303-3328, 303-
497-7765. Ask for paper no. 43-93.
Along more practical lines, the NIST and the IEEE Computer Society
will co-sponsor four workshops devoted to advancing the use of open
computer systems in 1994. Each will be an open public forum hosting
participants from information technology industry vendors, major
private-sector users, and federal and state government agencies who
meet quarterly to develop technical implementation agreements needed
for interoperable open system products.
Current open systems projects focus on communications-related
services, electronic commerce, health-care information delivery,
library applications and multi-media.
OSE Implementors' Workshops in 1994 will convene at NIST in
Gaithersburg, MD, on March 14-18, June 13-17, Sept. 12-16 and
Dec. 12-16. For technical information, contact Albert T.
Landberg, 301-975-2245. To register for the workshops, contact
Brenda Gray, OSE Implementors' Secretariat, B266 Technology
Bldg., NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001, (301) 975-3664 or fax
301-926-3696.
(John McCormick/19931213/Press Contact: (all NIST) Linda Joy,
trace elements, 301-975-4403 or joy@micf.nist.gov; Fred McGehan,
capacitance, 303-497-3246 or mcgehan@micf.nist.gov Anne Enright
Shepherd, Open Systems, 301-975-4858 or aeshep@micf.nist.gov)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
Gateway 2000 Audio Products Use Media Vision Chips
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00024)
Gateway 2000 Audio Products Use Media Vision Chips 12/13/93
NORTH SIOUX CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Gateway
2000 says its sound card will use the Jazz16 chipset from Media
Vision.
Gateway 2000's sound card uses all the major functions of the
Jazz16 chipset, including implementation of 16-bit real-time audio
compression and decompression based on the International
Multimedia Association's standard.
The card can record and play back industry-standard digital
sound in either eight or 16-bit resolution in stereo or mono at
sampling rates of up to 44.1 kilohertz. It includes a 16-bit audio
controller, 16-bit codec, and audio mixer. It is 100 percent
compatible with Sound Blaster and AdLib, and has a built-in MIDI
port, joystick port, and 20-voice stereo FM synthesizer.
Based on preliminary information from the Framingham, Massachusetts-
based research firm International Data Corporation Gateway 2000
appears to have captured the number six slot on the list of the ten
top sellers of personal computers in the United States.
(Jim Mallory/19931213/Press contact: Elizabeth Fairchild, Media
Vision, 510-252-4473, Michelle Gjerde, Gateway 2000, 605-232-
2253)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
Company Uses Wireless Security System Technology
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00025)
Company Uses Wireless Security System Technology 12/13/93
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- A Wisconsin firm
says the key to cost effective security systems is substituting
wireless technology for the more expensive cabled systems.
Northern Computers says it has the solution needed to bring the cost
of security systems within reach, a technology called Spreadcom that
can increase the maximum distance between the computer controlling
the security system and the furthermost sensors by a factor of four.
The company also says the use of wireless technology reduces costs,
citing the example of large installations such as airports and
parking lots. According to Northern the need for trenching equipment
and significant electrical contracting is eliminated when wireless
technology is used.
Northern's Spreadcom uses spread spectrum technology, a technique
used extensively during World War II in military communications
systems. Signals between the transceivers and transmitter components
are sent over an entire bandwidth (902 to 928 megahertz) rather than
a single frequency. That lessens the possibility of jamming and
makes the system more reliable.
Northern says it can provide a turnkey security system that offers
access control, time and attendance reports, a video image display,
closed circuit television, guard tours, elevator control, and alarm
monitoring.
(Jim Mallory/19931213/Press contact: Heather Fabian, Northern
Computer, 708-291-1616; Reader contact: Northern Computer, 414-769-
5980 or 800-323-4576, fax 414-769-5989)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
GENERAL
Farallon Intros Timbuktu Pro For Mac, Windows Upgrade
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00026)
Farallon Intros Timbuktu Pro For Mac, Windows Upgrade 12/13/93
ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Farallon Computing
has introduced a new version of its Timbuktu remote control, screen
sharing and file exchange software for Apple Computer's Macintosh
platform -- called Timbuktu Pro. The company is also planning to
release an upgrade to its Windows version of Timbuktu.
A company source told Newsbytes that the Mac product includes a
number of new features, including "TCP/IP (Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol) support in addition to AppleTalk, that
gives users a lot more options now in the kinds of networks they
can communicate across. (The company) has also significantly
speeded up the screen-sharing capabilities (Mac-to-Mac) so that
when people are in a Timbuktu session, it works much faster." Dial-
up sessions also work much faster. Other new capabilities involve
"enhanced security options and more features for network managers."
Timbuktu Pro also supports Apple's new PowerTalk client software
(also known as Apple Open Collaboration Environment) which allows
Mac System 7 users to use its uniform directory services to locate
and connect to other Timbuktu users.
The company maintains that Timbuktu Pro for Macintosh is completely
compatible with previous versions of Timbuktu for the Mac and
Windows, and with the upcoming Apple PowerPC computers. A Timbuktu
Pro version for Windows is also planned.
Newsbytes notes that Timbuktu for Mac and Windows allow for the
transfer of files between platforms without the need for a dedicated
server. However, a suitable AppleTalk card is required to plug into
the PC which then connects, via a suitable cable, to the built-in
AppleTalk capabilities supplied with Mac computers as standard. A
Windows version of Timbuktu is then installed on the PC and a
different version is then installed on the Mac.
The company has also announced enhancements to its existing Timbuktu
for Windows product -- version 1.1. According to Farallon, these
include new printing features, faster installation and support for
more Ethernet and Token Ring network interface cards.
The company also introduced the Timbuktu for Windows EtherWave Kit
which, according to Farallon, includes everything a user needs to
"easily connect a PC to a 10BaseT Ethernet network using Farallon
daisy-chainable 10BaseT technology."
The kit includes the necessary hardware and software to attach a PC
to an existing unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) 10BaseT Ethernet
network: Timbuktu for Windows 1.1, a Farallon EtherWave ISA
(Industry Standard Architecture) card, and four meters of UTP
cabling.
Timbuktu Pro for Macintosh is available immediately at the
suggested retail price (SRP) of $199 per copy, the same as
Timbuktu for Macintosh 5.0. The product is also available in
10-, 30-, and 100-user packs, which reduces the price.
The Timbuktu Administrators' Toolkit is available separately for a
SRP of $699, but is included free of charge with 100-user packs.
Timbuktu for Macintosh users can upgrade to Timbuktu Pro for $59 per
copy.
Timbuktu for Windows 1.1 will be available in the first
quarter, 1994, priced at $199 per copy in single user versions.
Volume discounts are also available.
(Ian Stokell/19931213/Press Contact: Trudy Edelson,
510-814-5307, Farallon)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/13/93
IBM
****IBM Sells Federal Systems Unit To Loral
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00027)
****IBM Sells Federal Systems Unit To Loral 12/13/93
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Confirming rumors that
had been circulating for more than a month, IBM has announced the
sale of its Federal Systems unit. The buyer is Loral Corporation, a
defense electronics and space communications company based in New
York.
Loral will pay $1.575 billion in cash for the Federal Systems
Company. The transaction is effective January 1 and is expected
to close in the first calendar quarter of 1994.
IBM is selling Federal Systems because it was not considered a core
part of the company's business, said company spokesman Rob Wilson.
He said IBM carried out a comprehensive study of all its business
units and found Federal Systems was not vital to its strategy.
Loral officials, on the other hand, said they see the unit as a
good fit with their company's strategy. No major changes in
management or operations are planned, they said.
Wilson added that since the end of the Cold War, the unit's business
has been slowing down. About 60 percent of its business is with the
defense establishment. Federal Systems is still profitable, however:
the company expects 1993 operating income of $165 million on
revenues of about $2.2 billion, officials said.
The 40 percent of Federal Systems' business that is not defense-
related is largely made up of systems integration contracts for
agencies of the federal government. Notable contracts at the moment
are with the US Postal Service and the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA).
Newsbytes reported early in November that the FAA contract is about
three years behind schedule and is rumored to be in danger of
cancellation by the FAA.
Loral said it will finance the buyout through bank borrowings. After
the acquisition, Loral will have combined annual revenue of about $6
billion, a backlog of $5.7 billion, and more than 35,000 employees.
IBM Federal Systems Marketing, which sells standard IBM products and
services to governmental agencies, is not part of the transaction.
(Grant Buckler/19931213/Press Contact: Rob Wilson, IBM, 914-765-
6565; Michael Drake, Loral, 212-697-1105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/13/93
TRENDS
****Fusion Success At Princeton
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00028)
****Fusion Success At Princeton 12/13/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Of interest to everyone
who wants a clean environment and an inexhaustible source of power
was last Friday's announcement by the Plasma Physics Labs at
Princeton University (NJ) that researchers had succeeded in
producing nearly 4 megawatts of power in the very first test of a
new $1.4 billion fusion reactor. Unlike nuclear fission that
generates massive amounts of dangerous radioactive materials which
must be disposed of, fusion produces almost no dangerous byproducts.
Virtually every visionary who looks to the future and sees computer
technology and robots providing a totally new way of life for
mankind also sees the need for plentiful and pollution-free power
as a major part of this future. While nuclear (fission) power
advocates once predicted electricity so inexpensive that it wouldn't
be metered, the fact is that most experts always foresaw that
fission, the breakdown of massive atoms of uranium or plutonium
would involve dangerous and expensive technologies.
Fusion, on the other hand, starts with hydrogen, two thirds of the
atoms making up plain water, and ends with energy plus helium, an
inert gas with industrial uses, but which is not radioactive. Fusion
reactors are also inherently much less dangerous than traditional
nuclear power plants because if virtually any accident occurs the
reaction will instantly stop and any released materials will be
perfectly harmless.
In fact, the recent experiment which involved the donut-shaped
magnetic containment system known as a Tokamak, actually required an
extremely powerful magnetic confinement "bottle" to hold the hot
plasma. If such a field weakens or fails the hot gas will instantly
stop reacting and although there is a potential local danger in such
a bottle failure, it is strictly a danger relating to a simple
physical explosion and if such an explosion occurred it would not
result in any release of radioactive materials, thus it would only
endanger workers in the immediate vicinity, if anyone.
The major problem with fusion has been that it is so difficult to
achieve that fusion can only be sustained for a tiny fraction of a
second and at a cost that far exceeds the amount of energy released.
What has happened at Princeton's premier fusion research center is
that a fusion reaction has been sustained for several seconds and
required only about six times more power to prepare and confine the
fuel than was generated by the reaction. As fusion times and
containment strength are increased it should be possible to produce
more power than fusion takes to create and it only takes a small
improvement over break even to make fusion a practical technology.
Of course this is only a first step and years of further research
and development remain before we have commercial fusion power, let
alone the whimsical "Mr. Fusion" device used to power the time-
traveling DeLorean in the "Back to the Future" trilogy.
But the fact that deuterium, the prime hydrogen isotope used in
fusion reactions, is readily available and that tritium, the
heaviest hydrogen isotope which is also used in fusion reactions, is
produced in an operating fusion reactor, makes fusion a highly
desirable source of power.
Although fission reactors produce plutonium, a potential nuclear
fuel, this element is also a prime component of nuclear weapons and
perhaps the most dangerous element that exists. Fusion's byproducts
are not dangerous and although they might be used to a certain
extent in developing weapons, the hydrogen which fuses in a hydrogen
bomb comes from the breakup of a relatively common element rather
than from stored hydrogen gas.
As people look to computers to provide a clean work environment,
more sophisticated education systems, intelligent homes, and reduce
the need for commuting, none of the advances made possible by
computer technology will really make a big dent in pollution or
improve the quality of life even fractionally as much as the
availability of pollution-free power from fusion.
Newsbytes notes that fusion power won't be free in dollar terms, but
it will or at least can be pollution-free.
(John McCormick/19931213)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/13/93
APPLE
****Mobilesoft Newton Math Products, 1st 5,000 Get One Free
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00029)
****Mobilesoft Newton Math Products, 1st 5,000 Get One Free 12/13/93
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- Mobilesoft has
added a second product, Mobilemath, to its math products for the
Newton Messagepad personal digital assistant (PDA) and is giving
away copies to the first 5,000 Newton users who request them.
The company's first product, Mobilecalc, which was announced back in
August when the Messagepad started shipping, is now available for
retail purchase as well, the Mobilesoft added.
Mobilemath offers math ability to any Newton application, taking
advantage of the PDA's intelligent assistance and it can be
activated from within any application. To activate, users can simply
hand write an equation on a Newton screen, just as they would if
writing on paper, and get an answer to the equation by highlighting
it and tapping the Newton Assist button. In addition, formulas can
be saved and used over and over or one of the 80 pre-written
formulas that come with Mobilemath can be used.
The package is capable of handling complex problems such as
engineering equations, time-based calculations and trigonometric
calculations, as well as simple problems like figuring the tip
(gratuity) for the meal in a restaurant. Words in equations can be
in plain English, such as "cost," "change," and "hours," and
abbreviations can be used, such as "SQRT" (square root) and "STDEV"
(standard deviation).
The package is available only on diskette, requiring a Newton
Connection Kit for moving the software from the desktop personal
computer (PC) to the PDA. The software comes in either Apple
Macintosh or Microsoft Windows disk format.
Mobilecalc takes math on step further to a spreadsheet format for
the Newton. The product is written to take advantage of the small
screen and handwriting input of the Messagepad. Mobilecalc can
handle traditional spreadsheet tasks from data entry for
inventory control to complex numerical analysis. Users can also
transmit the data they collect via electronic mail, fax, or
infrared "beaming."
Mobilecalc is priced at $109, comes on a 3.5 inch on diskette,
and requires the Newton Connection Kit for either the Macintosh
or for Windows in order to install the software. In addition,
Mobilecalc requires installation on to Personal Computer Memory
Card International Association (PCMCIA) credit-card sized storage
of at least a 2 megabytes (MB) in order to function. These 2 MB
PCMCIA cards run about $300 retail each.
There have been over 50,000 Newton units sold since August,
according to Apple, although the Wall Street Journal reported
Newton sales are slowing. Apple representatives were unavailable
to confirm the reports on current Newton sales, but industry
analysts predict that by 1996, the number of units sold will
exceed 6 million.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931213/Press Contact: Lisa Croel, Edelman
Technology Communications for Mobilesoft, tel 415-968-4033, fax
415-968-2201; Emma Bufton, Regis McKenna for Apple Computer, tel
408-974-1856, fax 408-974-2885; Public Contact, Mobilemath for
Free Software, 408-376-3470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/13/93
BUSINESS
****IBM Tries Harder, Recaptures Top PC Seller Title
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00030)
****IBM Tries Harder, Recaptures Top PC Seller Title 12/13/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 13 (NB) -- There are still a
few weeks to go, but according to the Framingham, Massachusetts-
based research firm International Data Corporation (IDC), IBM has
reclaimed the title of top seller of personal computers in the
United States after losing the number one spot to Apple Computer
Corporation in 1992.
IDC says the top ten companies combined sales will account for 9.5
million of the 14.8 million PCs sold during 1993. That's about 64
percent of the market compared to 52 percent for the top 10
companies last year.
Richard Zwetchkenbaum, IDC's PC market research chief says brand
names have become more important because of their greater marketing
muscle, an ability to spend more money on research and development,
and a greater array of distribution channels.
Until last year the third-tier PC makers, brands many people never
heard of unless the product was sold in their area, accounted for a
greater portion of the market because those machines generally sold
for several hundred dollars -- or more -- less than the name brands.
However those companies lost that advantage after Compaq Computer
Corporation, the company that will probably end up in the number
three position on this year's sales list, started a price war last
summer that eliminated much of the cost difference between a name
brand PC and Brand X. With no significant price difference consumers
apparently felt more comfortable buying from well established
companies they perceived as more likely to be around when service or
support was needed.
IDC says if its projection of 14.8 million PCs shipped in the U.S. in
1993 is accurate it means a 26 percent increase from the previous
year. The research company projects worldwide shipments of
36.1 million units in 1993, up 19 percent from 1992. U.S. market
growth is expected to slow to 10 percent next year.
Compaq Computer posted the biggest growth this year, more than
doubling its U.S. sales to 1.4 million unfits in 1993. Compaq's
worldwide sales were up 96 percent to 3.05 million units.
Packard Bell holds down the number four spot on the list, followed
by Dell Computer Corporation, Gateway 2000, AST Research, Tandy
Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, and Zenith Data Systems Inc. ZDS
jumped from number 16 on the 1992 list to number 10 this year.
Although listed separately the AST and Tandy figures are related,
since AST purchased Tandy's PC manufacturing operations last year
and builds the Tandy-labeled machines as well as those sold under
the AST label. In international sales, the top three companies
listed by IDC are IBM, Apple, and Compaq.
(Jim Mallory/19931213/Press contact: International Data Corporation
- 508-872-8200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/10/93
TELECOM
Report Renews Criticism Of RBOCs
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00001)
Report Renews Criticism Of RBOCs 12/10/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- On the tenth
anniversary of the creation of the regional Bell companies,
analyst Bruce Kushnick and Probe Research have produced a five
report, two database series called "10 Years Since Divestiture"
which basically criticizes the Bells. Kushnick first discussed
his findings over a year ago with Newsbytes.
The five report, two database study summarizes the results of
studying over 2,600 documents and interviewing 1,000
consumers, as well as examining Bell annual reports, tariffs and
filings, telephone directories and phone bills.
Kushnick charges that phone bills have increased 200-600 percent
since divestiture, and the effects have been especially hard on elderly
subscribers. "The FCC's information on rates is wrong," Kushnick
wrote, "because they are based solely on telephone company-
supplied information, not actual telephone charges." Kushnick
said today's telephone bills are impossible to understand on
purpose, misleading subscribers about the actual cost of service.
Specifically, Kushnick said cable companies which got around
1992's Cable Reregulation Act by selling "insurance" on wires
that don't break, increasing the cost of the cable box, or
breaking down bills into myriad subcategories, are merely
following a strategy the Bell companies pioneered.
Kushnick said his firm, New Networks Institute, which sells its
services through Probe Research, "is calling for a nationwide
investigation, including audits, of the Regional Bells and the
exploration of potential refunds."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931209/Press Contact: Bruce Kushnick, New
Networks Institute, 212-837-7867)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
GOVT
****Senators Criticize Violent Sega Video Games
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00002)
****Senators Criticize Violent Sega Video Games 12/10/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- The US Senate held
hearings yesterday on violence in video games and the industry's
efforts to both limit such violence and to label games for their
sexual and violent content. The morning session concentrated on
the joint subcommittee members' position and was designed to
air concerns from educators and children's advocates about the
effects of viewing violence, especially interactive violence seen
in video games.
After noon the industry got its innings in the person of
representatives from Sega, Nintendo, The Software Publisher's
Association, the Amusement & Music Operators Association (arcade
operators), and the Video Software Dealer's Association.
The SPA, which represents about 1,000 software publishers,
including many which publish no games, was the major moderating
influence. Ilene Rosenthaul, SPA's general counsel, pointed
to a major upcoming meeting scheduled for April 10-11 in Chicago
where the SPA will bring together the game makers and attempt to
broker a solid and enforceable rating system.
Craig Johnson, past president of the arcade operators
association, told the Senators that there was already community
pressure to remove violent games and that arcade owners were
therefore pulling such games from some locations.
Nintendo's Howard Lincoln pointed to instances where Nintendo
demanded the removal of violent action before it would license a
game and, after being shown an objectionable advertisement for a
Nintendo game, earned Senatorial praise when he stated flatly that
he would see the ad dropped or pull his company's games from the
offending distributor. Nintendo also said that its proprietary
chips, which are used to lock competitors out of its game
machines, served the purpose of allowing Nintendo to block what
the company saw as objectionable games.
Sega defended its games' sex and violence content on the basis
that they were rated and that most users of the more advanced
systems were over 21 years of age. When asked whether there was
any attempt to enforce ratings limits in advertising or at the
retail level, Bill White (representing Sega) made no clear
statement indicating that there was.
At one point Sega's Mr. White said that the nasty scenes in his
company's games were taken out of context and compared the
sexually violent Night Trap to the movies Gone With The Wind and
Roots which, he said also contained scenes which would
appear objectionable if similarly edited.
After being shown advertisements that the Senators found
objectionable, Sega's representative indicated that his company
had no control over the companies that sell its games.
As the afternoon wore on its became obvious that the Senators
were becoming more and more frustrated with what they saw as a
lack of understanding on the part of some video game makers that
extreme violence and especially sexual violence have no place in
any games and that a rating system alone is not enough unless
there is some good way to make certain that adult games are
purchased only by adults.
Co-chairman Senator Joseph Lieberman (D. Conn.) stated that he
"finds Sega the most objectionable." The Senator also called
Sega's unenforced rating system a "fig leaf to cover a lot of
transgressions."
Howard Lincoln of Nintendo called former Nintendo employee Bill
White's (now representing Sega) testimony "nonsense" after Mr.
White said that Night Trap is only targeted to adult audiences.
Senator Lieberman commended Mr. Lincoln saying that Nintendo,
"Has shown leadership here, not perfect, but a damn site better
than your competition," obviously referring to Sega, which was
the only other game maker present. The Connecticut Senator also
upbraided Sega for not controlling the content of its games and
for failing to make any statement concerning future plans to do
so.
In his concluding remarks, an obviously disgusted co-chairman
Senator Herbert H. Kohl (D Wisc.) warned game publishers that
they "could kill the goose who laid the golden egg," and pointed
out that he wouldn't be satisfied with mere talk about
responsibility and standards. He said, "I hope you walk away
[from this hearing] with one thought from today - that if you
don't do something about this we will!"
North Dakota Democrat Senator Byron Dorgan who had earlier called
Night Trap "sick and disgusting," pointed out in regard to all
the talk from Sega and other publishers about ratings and
parental control that "more than a million children are born out
of wedlock each year" and asked just who would supervise them
when in many cases there just aren't responsible parents for many
of these children as they grow up.
Another hearing will be held in February to determine whether the
industry has taken any real steps to self-regulate, but Senator
Lieberman said that he intended to go ahead with the introduction
of legislation which would require government regulation of the
video game business if the industry failed to properly self-
regulate. Both of the co-chairmen have indicated that while self-
regulation would be preferable to government intervention, they
are quite prepared to enforce some restrictions to the limit
permitted by the Constitution if the industry offers nothing but
smoke and mirrors.
(John McCormick/19931210/Press Contact: Jim Kennedy, Senator
Lieberman's Office, 202-224-4041 or fax 202-224-9750; Ilene
Rosenthaul, SPA, 202-452-1600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/10/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00003)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 12/10/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
Jack Rickard's always interesting Boardwatch has a
December issue and while the usual arguments over the state of
American education are mostly missing, there is a fascinating
look at the new Hayes/Rockwell V.FC modem standard which makes
dial-up 28.8 Kbps data transmissions possible and may just put an
end to the long wrangling over the availability of the only
slightly faster ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network, a
telecommunications network standard that allows voice and data
transmissions on the same line).
The December 6 issue of Network World (Enterprise Computing) says
that discount stockbroker Charles Schwab is moving its network to
object-oriented management based on the OSF (Open Software
Foundation) Distributed Computing Environment by way of a $2.3
million investment with Tivoli Systems which markets distributed
management software.
The Winter 1993 issue of CD-ROM today starts a multi-part series
on how to use the Kodak Photo CD system to store and distribute
high-quality color images.
Info World for December 6 carries a front-page special report
titled "1993: The Year NT Failed To Capture The Desktop." Enough
said?
The December 6 Informationweek asks if Microsoft can deliver on
its promise of an object software revolution which will make it
easier to build applications. No, according to IBM, Novell, Sun,
Apple, and others who see Mr. Gates taking the wrong track.
Communicationsweek for the week of December 6 reports that ATM
(asynchronous transfer mode) prices will rival frame-relay and T1
T1 (1.5 megabit per second line) pricing in some wide area
networks.
Computerworld dated December 6 says that object embedding using
Microsoft's OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) may pose serious
security problems to IS departments as the new technology opens
up the doors to hackers.
PC Magazine for December 21 carries the magazine's tenth annual
Technical Excellence Awards. NT Advanced Server, the Pentium
chip, Lotus Improv for Windows Rel. 2.1, are some of the winners
described in the issue. Andrew S. Grove, head of Intel, was named
the Person of the Year. See the issue for winners in other
categories and a list of the winners back to 1984 which included
products such as Borland's Turbo Pascal, OS/2 1.2, and OS/2 2.0.
(John McCormick/19931210/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/10/93
APPLE
SGML '93 - Exoterica Intros Macintosh Edition Of OmniMark
(NEWS)(APPLE)(BOS)(00004)
SGML '93 - Exoterica Intros Macintosh Edition Of OmniMark 12/10/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- At SGML '93,
Exoterica has announced a Macintosh edition of OmniMark, along with
the opening of a new office in Paris to manage European operations.
OmniMark is a multiplatform programming language for analyzing,
modeling, and processing text-intensive information, explained Eric
R. Skinner, major accounts manager for Ottawa, Ontario-based
Exoterica, in an interview with Newsbytes.
The OmniMark language is used for a wide range of SGML (Standard
Generalized Markup Language) and non-SGML applications, including
automatic translation of rich-text information to and from SGML.
The product offers programmers concise and intuitive ways of
performing tasks that are difficult to accomplish with the C
language or other utilities, Skinner said. In particular, the
pattern matching and text manipulation capabilities of OmniMark
outperform those of dedicated C programs by far, he added.
OmniMark incorporates a high-speed validating SGML parser, a
context-sensitive SGML query language, standard recursive pattern
matching on strings and files, automatic context saving for nested
structures, and automatic creation of hypertext links and indexes.
Other capabilities include structured programming control (if-then-
else, do, do-while, case), arithmetic operators (string, standard
and binary), string manipulation, string formatting, string and
file buffering, rule grouping, associative arrays, optional
declaration of global and local variables, and optional "strong
typing" of variables.
"The move to the Mac reflects our interest in running OmniMark on
a wide range of platforms," Skinner told Newsbytes. Other recent
ports of OmniMark have included Solaris 2, DEC Alpha OSF, and
native OS/2.
OmniMark is also available for MS-DOS, SCO Unix, SunOS 4, HP/UX
700/800, Intergraph CLIX, RS/6000 AIX, DEC Ultrix MIPS, SGI IRIX,
and VAX/VMS.
Exoterica's new European office is located at 149, quai Stalingrad,
F-92137 Issy Les Moulineaux, France (tel +33 1 45 29 18 00, fax +33
1 45 29 22 77).
The new office will be headed by Benoit de La Selle, manager of
European Operations. The office will handle sales in Europe and
provide support to European value-added resellers (VARs).
Exoterica also operates a consulting office in Columbus, OH, in
addition to its North American headquarters in Ottawa.
The Macintosh, MS-DOS, OS/2 and SCO Unix editions of OmniMark are
each priced at $2,495 per copy for the first ten copies and $495
per copy for the eleventh and subsequent copies.
The Unix editions are priced at $7,995 for a fixed-CPU license and
$9,995 for a floating-CPU license. The VAX/VMS version, which
requires DECnet, is $14,995 for a fixed-CPU license and $17,995 for
a floating-CPU license.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931210/Reader and press contact: Eric R.
Skinner, Exoterica, tel 613-722-1700)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/10/93
GOVT
Canadian Piracy Group Reports Charges, Convictions
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00005)
Canadian Piracy Group Reports Charges, Convictions 12/10/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Charges of software
piracy have been laid against a British Columbia business college
and a Toronto bulletin board, and three Ottawa-area computer
dealers have been convicted on piracy-related charges, the
Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST) has reported.
These developments show progress against software piracy in
Canada, said Frank Clegg, general manager of Microsoft Canada
Inc. of Mississauga, Ontario, one of CAAST's eight member
companies.
CAAST made the announcements at a Toronto press conference where
it also welcomed its eighth member, WordPerfect Corp. of Orem,
Utah.
Late last month, CAAST said, the Federal Court of Canada granted
an Anton Piller order permitting Lotus Development Canada Ltd.,
Microsoft Canada, and WordPerfect to conduct a search and seizure
against the Vancouver Island Business College Inc. in Victoria,
British Columbia. Charges of illegal copying of software -- which
CAAST called "softlifting" -- were laid.
The college settled out of court on Thursday, a CAAST spokeswoman
said this morning.
It was the first search-and-seizure order granted in Canada in
such a case, a fact that Clegg said shows the judicial system is
taking software piracy more seriously.
Charges have also been laid against the Legion of Death, a
Toronto bulletin board. The board is charged with copyright
infringement involving software from Microsoft, Lotus, and
Quarterdeck Office Systems Canada Inc.
Both the Toronto and the Victoria action resulted from tips
received by CAAST on its anti-piracy hot line, a toll free number
where callers can request information about software piracy,
order self-audit kits to help them check their own copyright
compliance, and report suspected pirates.
The line has had about 500 calls in the past six months, Clegg
said, with about 100 of those reporting possible copyright
infringement. CAAST expects to bring further charges in the
coming year, he said.
The group also reported that three Ottawa-area computer dealers
were convicted of copyright infringement and fined amounts
between C$500 and C$2,000 per count. Those convicted were Ali
Computers of Nepean, Ontario, Chivad Micro Tech of Gloucester,
Ontario, and Ordinatek of Gatineau, Quebec.
Clegg said it was significant that the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police (RCMP) took the initiative in laying these charges with
minimal involvement by CAAST -- another sign, he said, that
Canadian law enforcers are taking software piracy more seriously.
The level of attention paid to the issue is "significantly higher
than it was last year," Clegg said.
CAAST's members are Autodesk Canada Inc., Claris Canada Inc.,
Lotus, Microsoft, Novell Canada Ltd., Quarterdeck, Symantec
Canada Ltd. and WordPerfect.
(Grant Buckler/19931210/Press Contact: Allan Reynolds, CAAST,
416-598-8988; Public Contact: CAAST Anti-Piracy Hotline,
800-263-9700)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/10/93
TRENDS
NAFTA To Be Boom For US PC Makers, According To CMC
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00006)
NAFTA To Be Boom For US PC Makers, According To CMC 12/10/93
CARROLTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Despite reports
that the personal computer (PC) hardware industry is slowing,
Channel Marketing Corporation (CMC) says US PC manufacturers have
a boom coming. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
will put billions into US PC maker's pockets, the industry
research group said.
Approximately $2 billion in computers have been sold to Mexico
alone this year by US manufacturers, but CMC asserts that number
is expected to increase by 30 percent because of NAFTA.
Tariffs as high as 15 percent have dragged down sales of
computers and electronics products shipped from the US,
prohibiting many PC manufacturers from successfully participating
in the Canadian and Mexican markets. This left Asian
manufacturers, such as Acer, with the majority of PC sales, CMC
analyst David Goldstein told Newsbytes.
NAFTA will reduce or in some cases eliminate those tariffs and US
PC makers will have a whole new market up for grabs where no
single PC brand is dominant, CMC claims. Goldstein said a
noticeable difference in sales should be evident by mid 1994 and
a drastic difference will be felt in the second half of 1994.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931210/Press Contact: David Goldstein, Channel
Marketing, tel 214-417-0850 ext 214, fax 214-418-2022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
TRENDS
Hitachi, Texas Instruments Develop 64M DRAM
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00007)
Hitachi, Texas Instruments Develop 64M DRAM 12/10/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Hitachi and Texas Instruments
Japan have jointly developed a 64-megabit dynamic random access
memory (DRAM). These two firms will release samples by the end
of this year.
Hitachi and Texas Instruments Japan began jointly development of
64-megabit DRAM in November 1991. Both firms already had the basic
design of the chip, which has 0.35 micron CMOS process technology,
before they reached an agreement. Over 256 pages of newspaper data
can be stored on this tiny 2.28 square centimeter chip.
The chip will be produced at Texas Instruments' Miura plant in
Ibaraki Prefecture and Hitachi's Device Development Center in Japan.
Both firms will produce the chip under the same specifications and
manufacturing processes. There are four version of the chip:
64 megabit x 1 bit type, a 16 megabit x 4 bit type, a
8 megabit x 8 bit type, and the 4 megabit x 16 bit type. The
chips consume relatively little electricity and are designed to
be used in various computers including supercomputers and
personal computers.
Hitachi and Texas Instruments are anticipating feedback from their
customers, most of them computer makers. That feedback will be
used to improve the chip before it goes into quantity production.
Other Japanese chip firms including Toshiba, NEC, and Mitsubishi
Electric, have also developed 64-megabit DRAM.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931209/Press Contact: Hitachi, +81-3-
3258-2057, Fax, +81-3-3768-9507)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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1993 12/10/93
TRENDS
Japan's Computer Sales Down In Fiscal
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008)
Japan's Computer Sales Down In Fiscal 1993 12/10/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- The Japan Electronics Industry
Development Association reports that computer sales nose-dived
in Japan during fiscal 1993.
The Association says sales of computers for fiscal 1993, which
will end in March 1994, will be 3.25 trillion yen ($325 billion).
This is a 14 percent decrease from fiscal 1992. This trend is
expected to continue -- the 1994 fiscal year is expected to see
a 0.3 decrease over fiscal 1993. Although the industry is
expected to suffer a decrease in fiscal 1994, the decrease will
be smaller in '94 than in '93.
Sales are expected to bottom out in '94 and increase again in '95.
Chairman Mr. Kitaoka of the Association reports sales will start to
grow again during the last half of fiscal 1994.
The chairman attributes the drop in sales to a drop in consumer
spending due to Japan's sluggish economy. There is also a pause in
sales due to a downsizing trend in computing.
The drop in sales is the worst since the Association began to
compile the statistics. 1993 saw the close of many major computer
retail stores.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931209/Press Contact: Japan
Electronics Industry Development Association, +81-3-33433-6296,
Fax, +81-3-3433-6350)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
IBM
Japan - Lotus Japanese Approach For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00009)
Japan - Lotus Japanese Approach For Windows 12/10/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Lotus, Tokyo, will release a
Japanese version of Lotus Approach Windows on December 10. To
celebrate the release of this new database program,
Lotus will offer special introductory pricing at 70 percent
below its ultimate retail pricing.
Lotus Approach R2.1J Windows supports data created with dBASE,
Oracle, Paradox, FoxPro and SQL Server. Also, Lotus is preparing
to support DB2 and ODBC. The data compatibility is accomplished with
a feature called PowerKey, which is a kind of software driver.
According to Lotus, this database is easy to use even by novices.
The program has a sophisticated interface that includes
smart icons and status bars, and jobs can be handled with the
mouse most of the time. It also offers seamless mailmerge with
Lotus AmiPro and read/write capabilities for Lotus 1-2-3 Release
4 documents.
Lotus Approach also has a so-called "relational database"
feature which allows the data to be automatically shared
in 10 kinds of databases.
The Japanese version operates on various personal computers
including NEC, Fujitsu, Toshiba and IBM. The regular price of this
program is 48,000 yen ($480), but Lotus, Tokyo, will sell the
first 30,000 units for 14,000 yen ($140).
Lotus Approach 2.1J was originally developed by Approach Software
Corporation. Lotus acquired the firm and completed the program
in June. Lotus Approach has earned more than 25 awards
and credits from a variety of US industry trade publications and
is known for its ease-of-use, relational power, and compatibility
with popular database formats.
The Windows program market has rapidly grown in Japan since the
introduction of Japanese Windows. The personal computers price war,
especially regarding IBM's DOS-compatible PCs, are helping to
popularize the Windows market. According to Dataquest, the Japanese
Windows database market is expected to grow to $30.8 million in 1994.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931208/Press Contact: Lotus, Tokyo,
+81-3-5496-3185, Fax, +81-3-5496-3407)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
UNIX
Hongkong - EDS Wins Airport System Contract
(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00010)
Hongkong - EDS Wins Airport System Contract 12/10/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- EDS Asia Pacific has won
a systems integration contract to provide software and training
to Jardine Airport Services Ltd (JASL), a Hong Kong-based company
which specializes in a wide variety of airport services.
The system, which should be operational by the end of the year at
Kai Tak Airport, was primarily designed as a job scheduling system.
JASL employees recently underwent intensive training in France to
learn how to use the system.
"Jardine Airport Services provides many different services throughout
Kai Tak at all hours of the day and night and the planning for this
has always been done manually using spreadsheets," said Eddie Yeong,
planning manager at JASL.
Now, maintenance workers will log in at one of the many terminals
located throughout the airport in order to receive specific
instructions. Because all relevant flight information is programmed
accordingly, forward planning and forecasting is expected to
be more precise.
EDS will first implement a distributed Unix-based client-server
computer system employing Sun Microsystems SPARCstations, then
install three software modules designed to support a much more
efficient resource management system.
Workers will be able to use resources using graphical representation
to chart incoming planes, supplies, maintenance needs and schedules
rather than rely on spreadsheets as they had in the past.
"Like many businesses with diverse working environments, JASL is
moving towards a more graphically based way of visualizing their
business processes rather than trying to make sense of masses of
numbers arranged in spreadsheets," said Mary Theis, marketing
manager for Sun Microsystems' Hong Kong office.
To provide the best possible software modules, EDS formed a partnership
with Air Inter, a domestic French airline owned by Air France. Air
Inter supplied two of the three modules while the third will be
custom built for JASL.
"We chose EDS because they met our three main criteria: value for money;
state-of-the-art technology; and a fully open client-server solution,"
said James Carey, director and general manager of JASL.
Greg Young, senior manager of sales and marketing with EDS Hong Kong,
said the deal is a good one for both companies. "Not only will
the software increase JASL's efficiency it will also make better use
of their manpower.
"This deal represents a huge breakthrough for EDS because it opens a
door to the entire transportation industry in Hong Kong and China.
It also positions us as an important supplier of planning and resource
tools in a market which is growing by leaps and bounds."
Young said that although it is tailor-made for airports the application
is by no means restricted to transportation-related industries.
"A factory, for example, which has a large number of employees doing
many different tasks and working staggered hours would gain equal
benefits from a similar application provided it were properly
customized," said Young.
JASL, an affiliate of Jardine, Matheson Ltd Co, specializes in the
delivery of airport ground services to more than 15 aviation
companies including Air France and a number of Chinese airlines.
Created in 1976, JASL is 40 percent owned by the China National
Aviation Corporation.
(Keith Cameron 19931210 Press Contact: Steve Leakey, EDS, 852- 867
9888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
TELECOM
India - HCL, GTE Spacenet Float Datacom Company
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00011)
India - HCL, GTE Spacenet Float Datacom Company 12/10/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- In technical collaboration with
GTE Spacenet Corp., of the US, the Delhi-based HCL Ltd. (of the group
that promoted HCL Hewlett-Packard Ltd.), is setting up a very small
aperture terminal (VSAT) network for data communication. The network
will offer links from 9.6 kbps to 64 kbps.
HCL, which is investing Rs 20 crore ($6.65 million) in the project,
has floated a fully owned subsidiary, Comnet Systems and Services
Ltd., for this purpose. The network is being positioned for financial
institutions like banks which need to transmit large volumes of
data very quickly.
Data will be transmitted from the company's host computer through
the satellite to the customer sites (where the VSATs are installed).
Each VSAT can take loads from four terminals working at 19.4 kbps.
A load-sharing arrangement can be worked out by using eight
terminals at 9.7 kbps or 16 nodes at 4.85 kbps.
Apart from helping in setting up the network, the US company will
train HCL staffers to run and maintain the network. At a later
stage, GTE may take up a stake in the new venture, informed Sanjeev
Nikore, manager, business development, HCL.
The hub will be placed at either Delhi or Bombay, and can be connected
to 8,000 VSATs. The extended C bands of Insat 2A and 2B are being
used for transmission and the hub can be used for transmission
anywhere in the footprint of the satellite.
Data communication is done either via telephone or the satellite.
"While telephones here are unreliable, through satellites the system
transmits data with one error per million bits data transfer and
intercepting is not easy since data transmission is done in different
frequencies," claimed Tom Shimabukuro, director, telecommunication
systems, GTE Spacenet Corp.
The clinching factor, says Nikore, is the cost-effectiveness of using
the satellite network. For long-distance transmission exceeding 150 kms,
satellite turns out cheaper than the dedicated leased line facility.
Offering the example of data communications between Delhi and Bombay,
he explains that a leased line costs Rs 9 lakh (about $30,000) a year
(which is paid to the Department of Telecommunications), while
satellite transmission involves a one-time charge of Rs 8 lakh
(nearly $27,000) plus expenses depending on the time and capacity
of the satellite being used.
Also, the cost of a leased line increases correspondingly with
the distance but the VSAT transmission costs the same whatever
the distance.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931210)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
EDITORIAL GENERAL
Editorial - Censorship Vs Responsibility
(EDITORIAL)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00012)
Editorial - Censorship Vs Responsibility 12/10/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- By John McCormick.
I was very disturbed by the recent Senatorial hearings on sex and
violence in video games. I see this country (and some other
"civilized" countries) falling apart with massive numbers of
functional illiterates, growing religious fanaticism among people
who want to tell everyone else how to live, an incredible growth
in illegitimate births, and the resulting children killing each
other without thought.
Of course thinking adults have seen their civilizations as
deteriorating due to the problems of youth since back in the days
or pre-Christian Greece, but this really is the first time that
this country has seen anything as bad as it is now and, except
for some bad periods in Rome during the Empire and much more
recently in 20th century Germany, the growing problems of today
are pretty much unmatched in civilized countries at times in the
past.
As a writer of sometimes controversial ideas, I was fully
prepared to sympathize with Sega and other publishers who want
the freedom to do virtually anything they want, but after seeing
Thursday's televised hearings on violence and sex in video games
and hearing what appeared to be total incomprehension on the part
of Sega's representative when he was asked about how he felt
about the fact that the company's extremely violent games were
being played by children, I am led to try and think of ways that
we can ensure that people in big business in general be required
to have at least a semblance of social responsibility in their
makeup or at least to learn how to simulate responsible
attitudes.
In recent years we have seen tobacco industry representatives
deny that they are targeting cartoon advertisements to teenagers,
brewers say that the use of beautiful young models and sports
heroes does not mean that they are trying to convince young people
to drink, and cereal makers defending their marketing of
expensive, nutritionally empty sugar-coated foods during
children's programs.
This week we also saw a company defending its right to sell violent
and even sexually violent video games based on the fact that they
are intended for adults and that parents could stop kids from
buying them. I can only view this attitude as representing
dissembling or a willful effort to ignore reality.
Sega's defense of its publication of violent photorealistic
interactive games (the one in question involved hooded men
grabbing a woman in her bedroom who proceed to cut a hole in
her throat) was that the company places labels on the violent
games. Sega seems not to realize that this makes the games
more attractive to many young buyers, many of whom have very
little parental supervision. Sega's representative also said that
these games are targeted at adults, and seemed not to realize that
children play them daily.
Along with the Senators who convened the hearing, I felt my
outrage growing against the apparent lack of concern over the way
violent games could be contributing to the awful state of affairs
in this country where gang members routinely kill people for
wearing the wrong color shirt.
Now I don't think that video games are responsible for all the
evils of today's society, but to deny that such games in the
hands of children don't have at least some negative effect is
unconscionable and I don't see anyone making this claim who
doesn't stand to profit from taking that stand.
Certainly as an adult I want access to many types of literature
and entertainment which would not be appropriate for 10-year-
olds, and perhaps not even for many 17-year-olds, but unlike some
publishers, I can see that my freedom may have to be somewhat
restricted if no way can be found to make certain that ONLY
adults obtain access to these same books, movies, and video
games.
I greatly prefer that we find a way to keep kids from getting
this material, just as I feel that they shouldn't have guns,
access to crack, or be allowed to attend live sex shows. I think
that Sega games should be available to adults and personally I
wouldn't object to the company publishing even more violent games.
I don't like them, and don't want to buy them, but if you like
the First Amendment you have to take the bad with the good.
What I don't agree with is Sega, or any other company's right to
profit from selling such products without some WORKABLE way to
keep kids from getting their hands on them. Unfortunately there
is no practical way to do this currently and in the interest of
trying to turn this country's children around, I am willing to
swallow my righteous indignation at someone fooling with the
First Amendment if that is the only way to keep these
games away from 10-year-olds.
George Mason, for which a university and college near
my former home in Virginia are named, was largely responsible for
ten brief but important sentences written back in the late
1700's.
My favorite is: "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press..."
The point of that article, the very first amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, was that without freedom of
speech tyrants would find it easy to stifle dissension and that
since some of those tyrants would be government officials, the
press requires very special protection placing it separate and
equal to the two elected and one appointed branches of
government.
But freedom of speech has also been used to protect
pornographers, those espousing hate, and other activities which
many feel are not good. The problem, of course, is that if ideas
are popular and widely acknowledged as good, then there is no
need for the First Amendment and history has shown many
times that unpopular dissenters have eventually proven to be
right.
But there is another famous saying "Freedom of speech does not
mean that you can shout 'fire' in a crowded theatre." In other
words, freedom is not the same thing to those who are
pushing the edge with their games and movies. Senator
Herbert H. Kohl (D Wisc.) concluded the recent hearings
with a warning to game publishers that they "could kill the goose
who laid the golden egg," and pointed out that he wouldn't be
satisfied with mere talk about responsibility and standards.
Senator Kohl also said, "I hope you walk away [from this hearing]
with one thought from today - that if you don't do something
about this we will!" This is a scary warning for those of us who
believe in free speech, but unless publishers stop marketing such
games, or retailers stop selling them, the Senator's warning may
see a surge of support that will once again limit our freedoms.
But the thing that really scares me is that I may find myself on
Senator Kohl's side in this argument.
(John McCormick/19931210/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
Spinoff Company Will Create Titles For 3DO
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00013)
Spinoff Company Will Create Titles For 3DO 12/10/93
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Tetragon Inc, a
spinoff from Altsys Corporation, says it will concentrate on
creating titles for the 3DO interactive multiplayer system.
The 3DO system attaches to a television set and plays interactive
entertainment, educational software, music, photo and video
compact discs. A CD-based version is available from Panasonic
under the name EX-1 REAL 3DO Interactive Multiplayer.
Mark Skaggs, president of newly formed Tetragon, says the
opportunities open to the company are unparalleled. "We've got
our resources in place and the experience on board to make
things happen."
Tetragon says during the coming year it will produce 3DO titles
tailored toward the twenty to thirty-something age group,
sometimes known as Generation X. The company says it will
introduce its first title at the Winter Consumer Electronics Show
in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show runs January 6 through 9, 1994.
Tetragon spokesperson Melinda Conkling told Newsbytes the
company's first title will be "Gridder." Gridder has a company
employee discovering he is the last person left in the factory, and
has the game player solve various mysteries in order to get the
employee to the basement of the building where the answer to the
mystery lies. "We wanted something that was more than just
button pushing, and a game that would appeal to both men and
women," according to Conkling.
In addition to publishing its own titles, Tetragon says it will
publish titles created by other 3DO licenses.
(Jim Mallory/19931210/Press contact: Melinda Conkling,
Springbok Technologies, 214-732-7086; Reader contact: Tetragon
Inc, 214-680-8101 or fax 214-680-0537)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
Wordperfect's Ashton Steps Down as President
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00014)
Wordperfect's Ashton Steps Down as President 12/10/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Saying it's time for new
leadership, Wordperfect Corporation co-founder Alan Ashton
says he will step down as president and chairman.
Ashton will be succeeded by 39-year old Adrian ("Ad") Rietveld
who presently holds the position of VP of sales and marketing.
The change will be effective January 1, 1994. Rietveld has more
than 10 years experience in software development. He joined
Wordperfect when the company purchased Rietveld's software
distribution company Deltaware.
"After 14 years of leading Wordperfect Corporation, Alan and I
have decided it is time to bring new, more aggressive, more
experienced leadership to the company," said co-founder Bruce
Bastian in a prepared statement. Ashton will join Bastian as co-
chairman. The two men's families are the major shareholders of
the privately held firm. Rumors have circulated for some time that
Wordperfect Corporation would offer its stock for public sale. The
company has not denied the rumors, but has declined to say
when the move would be made.
Ashton called Rietveld "one of the brightest and most creative
minds in the industry," saying "Although I'm thrilled to have had
this experience, new times call for new leadership. I am excited
now to turn over leadership to one of the brightest and most
creative minds in the industry, Ad Rietveld."
Wordperfect has long been the most popular word processing
software on the market, although its market share has slipped
recently after Microsoft introduced Word for Windows and Lotus
Development brought Lotus Notes to market. Wordperfect
has now introduced Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows, and Rietveld
says he is confident the company will regain market share.
In June 1992 Wordperfect established a seven-person
executive committee to strengthen the company. That panel will
be abolished as part of Rietveld's ascension to the top job. A new
Office of The President will consist of Rietveld and executive vice
presidents John Lewis and R. Duff Thompson. Thompson is
Wordperfect's general counsel.
Ashton and Bastian, each with an estimated net worth of about
$450 million, say they will no longer be involved in the day-to-day
operation of the company. Both stressed that they have no plans
to start new ventures, according to a statement released by
Wordperfect Corp.
(Jim Mallory/19931210/Press and reader contact: Wordperfect
Corp, 801-225-5000 or fax 801-222-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
TELECOM
"Spaceway" Satellite Network Before FCC
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
"Spaceway" Satellite Network Before FCC 12/10/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- General
Motors' Hughes Communications division asked for 1,000 MHz of
frequency, half of it near 30 GHz and half near 20 GHz, for a
satellite data service called Spaceway it wants to launch in
1998. The company also asked for two spaces at the prime 101
degrees longitude orbital slot.
Such high frequencies had once been deemed useless, but Hughes'
request puts a new dilemma before the Federal Communications
Commission. Currently, a company called CellularVision is using
those frequencies in New York to deliver 41 channels of wireless
cable television to customers in Brooklyn. In August Bell
Atlantic became a partner in that venture, and it might oppose
Hughes' grab for new frequency. WIC Western International of
Vancouver, British Columbia also has rights to use the
CellularVision technology in Canada.
Bell Atlantic and CellularVision might also oppose the award
because of Hughes' DirecTv, a 150-channel wireless cable offering
delivered by satellite which will go into business next year.
DirecTv will compete directly with CellularVision, and the FCC
decision could limit CellularVision's ability to compete with
DirecTv down the road. Other firms without current commercial
uses for the spectrum might also oppose the award, fearing it
would foreclose future plans for its use. Complicating the matter
still further is the fact that CellularVision head Bernard
Bossard told Newsbytes a year ago he was buying his transmitters
from Hughes.
Hughes spokesman Richard Dore said that current rules allow for
2,500 MHz of the high frequencies to be licensed, 500 MHz for
satellites. CellularVision is among a number of current ground-
based users of the spectrum, called Local Multi-Point
Distribution Services by the bureaucracy. "Before the FCC is not
only the license to operate at the orbital slot," and Hughes
wants two satellites at 101 West Longitude, "and use of the 500
MHz, but 500 MHZ of the remaining 2000." The FCC needs to re-
visit its ruling on which frequencies will be devoted to ground-
based services like CellularVision's and which will be devoted to
satellite-based services like Spaceway, based on the public
interest. "This is the first satellite application for that
bandwidth," Dore added.
In his Newsbytes interview Bossard had noted that the use of
frequency modulation, or FM, technology allowed him to make use
of very high frequencies, despite the fact that the short waves
attenuate or dissipate very, very quickly. A network of cells,
similar to those used for cellular telephone systems, solved the
problem, Bossard said. He also claimed in the Newsbytes interview
that his system could allow for the creation of an "Information
Superhighway" without wires, making the huge investments in fiber
cable planned by phone and cable companies redundant.
Hughes also claims big benefits from Spaceway. Dore said that
data transmissions could start at 384,000 bits/second, using
antennae as small as 26 inches across. The plan is to have 11,520
full-duplex circuits, which works out to a data-carrying capacity
of 4.4 billion bits/second. Digital compression would increase
that capacity still further, Dore noted. The design incorporates
what Dore called a "48-spot beam configuration that covers the
United States," with on-board signal processing and switching
that re-allocates frequencies 12 times, meaning 500 MHz of
spectrum becomes 6,000 MHz of usable bandwidth. The system could
handle up to 600,000 subscribers, Dore estimated. This would give
small businesses, even those in rural areas, the power to get
teleconferencing and other fast-data services they can't get from
their phone companies.
Hughes is looking for partners in the Spaceway venture, and
among those rumored to be discussing that possibility are AT&T,
MCI, Sprint, Ameritech, and other regional Bell companies.
Hughes is the world's largest private commercial satellite
operator. It owns and operates five C-band Galaxy spacecraft,
often used for cable television, two dual-payload Galaxy
satellites, and three higher Ku-band SBS satellites, to which
many television services are moving. It also operates a global
network of LEASAT communications satellites for the US Navy and
is a major equity investor in the American Mobile Satellite
Corp., which will begin offering a North American satellite
mobile communications service next year. The company plans to
launch the first of its DirecTv satellites this month, offering
150 channels of wireless television to subscribers who buy its
special decoder boxes. While it is part of General Motors it has
its own separate stock, known as GM Class H, stock, which is
traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol
GMH.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931210/Press Contact: Richard Dore, Hughes,
310-568-6324)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
3D Micro To Build Commodore PCs In Canada
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00016)
3D Micro To Build Commodore PCs In Canada 12/10/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Commodore Business
Machines Ltd., is turning over all manufacturing and sales of its
DOS personal computers in Canada to 3D Microcomputers Wholesale
and Distribution (Canada) Inc., of Markham, Ontario.
Doug MacGregor, president of Commodore in Canada, said his
company took the decision so it could focus on its proprietary
hardware: the Amiga personal computer and the newly introduced
CD32 game machine.
"We're finding it very difficult to compete in the MS-DOS
marketplace right now and make money," he said. "We have to put
our emphasis and focus on the Amiga, and that's the way that
Commodore can be successful."
MacGregor said Commodore's Canadian subsidiary is not the only
unit of the company turning over the PC clone business to outside
manufacturers. "That's happening in a number of countries around
the world. It's not a decision that Canada's made alone."
In fact, 3D and other third parties in Canada have built some of
Commodore's DOS machines here in the past. Others were supplied
to the Canadian unit by its parent company in the United States,
and MacGregor said these were largely made for the company by
others as well.
The real change is not the manufacturing but the distribution of
the machines. Essentially, MacGregor said, Commodore's only
involvement with most sales of the DOS line now will be its name
on the boxes.
The company will keep only the role of marketing to government,
education, and institutions.
While Commodore's DOS PCs have never gained much attention in the
United States, the company has done better in this segment of the
market in Canada and parts of Europe.
(Grant Buckler/19931210/Press Contact: Chuck Yeung, 3D
Microcomputers, 905-479-8822, fax 905-479-7688; Doug MacGregor,
Commodore, 416-499-4292, fax 416-494-9755/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
TELECOM
Canada - Digital Air-To-Ground Net Takes Flight
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00017)
Canada - Digital Air-To-Ground Net Takes Flight 12/10/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- In-Flight Phone
Canada Inc., said it has activated Canada's only coast-to-coast
air-to-ground digital telecommunications network.
The network supports FlightLink, which company officials said is
the world's first all-digital air-to-ground communications,
information, and entertainment system for both commercial
airlines and corporate aviation.
For now, though, it serves only foreign airlines that fly into or
over Canada. Neither Air Canada nor Canadian Airlines
International has contracted with In-Flight, a company
spokeswoman said. Airlines that do use the system include US Air,
American West, and Carnival in the United States, Germany's
Lufthansa, and Kuwait Air, she added.
FlightLink will let airline passengers make telephone calls, send
faxes, transmit data, play video games, and shop. The company
said it plans other services such as live radio, catalog
shopping, and car, hotel, and airline reservations. Airlines
install a FlightLink system with a VGA screen set into the back
of each seat.
Officials said In-Flight Phone Canada and its US affiliate
In-Flight Phone Corp., of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois, now operate
the only seamless North American network of digital ground
stations to process telephone, fax, and data traffic from
aircraft.
Newsbytes reported December 1 that In-Flight won the America West
contract over competitor GTE Airfone.
The 14 Canadian ground stations are located from Vancouver to
Halifax, and are integrated with the network of 69 ground
stations in the US, officials said.
(Grant Buckler/19931210/Press Contact: Gerald S. Hurlow,
In-Flight Phone Canada, 416-594-6466)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
AST To Build More PCs For Australia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00018)
AST To Build More PCs For Australia 12/10/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- AST Research was recently
ranked as Australia's fourth largest supplier of PCs by IDC
(after Osborne, IBM and Compaq). The company's PC assembly plant
was formally opened in Sydney yesterday (Thursday).
AST has been stitching up some impressive volume sales in recent
times, and finalized a mega-deal yesterday with banking group
Westpac. This comes on top of a recent $12 million tender awarded
by the Commonwealth bank and a deal to supply machines to the Trust
Bank of New Zealand.
AST's Bravo 4/33 will be the first PC assembled at the new plant,
with the production of other models tracking future market
opportunities, according to AST Managing Director Lionel Cheng.
(Ian Robinson and Computer Daily News/19931210)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
GOVT
SIA Opposes Current GATT Proposal
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00019)
SIA Opposes Current GATT Proposal 12/10/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- The US
Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has announced that
although the organization is strongly in favor of free trade and
supported NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, it does
not support the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) as
it is currently being proposed.
GATT, which has been in negotiation for more than seven years and
was supposed to be settled years ago, is a major international
trade agreement which, if it is ever accepted, would provide a
major boost to international trade between about 120 countries
because it would end many local subsidies for pet national
businesses such as rice farming, and would reduce or eliminate
nearly all trade barriers and import taxes (tariffs) on goods
coming from other GATT countries.
The problem is that while all countries are anxious to agree to
the parts of GATT which are going to benefit them, there are
several groups which are lobbying their governments to continue
special protection for their businesses. Most notably this has
included French, Japanese, and Korean farmers who all have much
higher subsidies or other trade restrictions than those given to
US farmers or those in other countries.
But, not covered by most media, are some less well-known issues
in dispute which have a major effect on other businesses, and
among these are the European restrictions on US-produced movies
and television programs, intellectual property rights (which
concern software publishers), and semiconductor duties.
The SIA, which represents US semiconductor makers and
exporters, opposes the current version of GATT which, according
to SIA President A. A. Procassini, contains clauses which maintain
high European semiconductor tariffs "while other chip producing
nations have opted for free trade in chips."
The SIA contends that while Europe is creating the illusion of
significant tariff concessions, in actual practice the tariffs
paid would change very little.
The US and, surprising to some, Japan, have no tariffs on
imported semiconductor chips, providing an open market to Asian
and European imports, while the European Community (EC) maintains
a 14 percent tariff on all semiconductor chip imports.
The SIA has also expressed its concern over weak anti-dumping
regulations in the current version of GATT and has sided with
software (and other) publishers in opposing the current GATT
stand on very slow implementation of intellectual property
protection.
(John McCormick/19931210/Press Contact: A. A. Procassini, SIA,
408-246-2711)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
GENERAL
SGML '93: Rainbow "SGML Enabler" Available On Internet
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00020)
SGML '93: Rainbow "SGML Enabler" Available On Internet 12/10/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Electronic
Book Technologies (EBT) has announced that Rainbow (RB), a
new "public technology platform" for easing the transition from
proprietary word processor (WP) data to Standard Generalized
Markup Language (SGML), is now available free of charge over the
Internet.
David Sklar, senior application developer at EBT and leader of a
team of SGML tool vendors that created Rainbow, told Newsbytes
that the new approach specifies a single Document Type Definition
(DTD) for use as an "enabler" between proprietary word processor
data formats and SGML. DTDs are used to designate rules for
SGML, an emerging standard for publication and delivery of
electronic information.
The DTD specified under Rainbow represents a variety of
proprietary word processor formats, said Sklar, in a meeting with
Newsbytes at SGML '93. The tool makers have also developed
"Rainbow Makers" for converting the proprietary WP information
into the Rainbow DTD.
Once a document is represented in basic Rainbow format, "Rainbow
Transformers" and other new tools can be used to extract the
richer SGML structures required by various industry-specific
DTDs, such as DocBook, J2008, RefBook, HTML, and AAP.
Sklar explained that SGML is gaining momentum in the
marketplace as organizations with large bodies of information --
such as technical manuals, maintenance procedures, catalogs, and
price lists -- begin to stabilize their data by converting to a
standard, vendor- and application-neutral format.
"(But) proprietary word processing formats are typically poorly
documented, highly idiosyncratic, and subject to change without
notice. Maintaining conversion tools that recognize such formats
is thus a very expensive endeavor. The goal of Rainbow is to
provide a stable data format to feed conversion tools, making the
path to SGML much more affordable and increasing the shelf-life
of such tools," he added.
Rainbow has obtained strong support from a number of leading SGML
tool vendors, including SoftQuad, Exoterica, ArborText, and
Database Publishing Systems, according to Sklar.
Rainbow Makers are currently available for several word
processing formats, including Windows RTF (Rich Text Format),
Interleaf, and Frame, Newsbytes was told. "But we are issuing a
call to the industry for greater involvement in the Rainbow
effort," Sklar told Newsbytes.
To obtain free copies of Rainbow Makers and the annotated Rainbow
DTD anonymously via the Internet, use FTP server ftp.ebt.com.
Rainbow data is located in pub/outgoing/rainbow.
To receive notification of Rainbow DTD updates and events, as
well as information on the status of Rainbow Makers, subscribe to
the Rainbow information service. You can contact the information
service by sending electronic mail to rainbow@ebt.com.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931210/Reader contact: EBT, tel
401-421-9550; Press contacts: Kent Summers, EBT, tel
401-421-9550; Paul Lamoureux, Miller Communications for EBT, tel
617-536-0470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
IBM
SGML '93 - Windows Text Editor For All SGML
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00021)
SGML '93 - Windows Text Editor For All SGML 12/10/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- At SGML '93,
InContext Systems has unveiled a user-friendly Windows-based text
editor that can be used with CALS or any other form of Standard
Generalized Markup Language (SGML), plus an optional table editor
for CALS only.
The InContext text editor and optional Table Editing Module are
aimed at letting anyone in an organization produce SGML-compliant
documents, not just individuals who already know how to work with
the emerging document interchange standard.
The text editor can be used with any Document Type Definition
(DTD), but the optional Table Editing Module, which requires
Microsoft Excel, is specifically designed to work with the DTD
for the US Defense Department's CALS Initiative. DTDs are used
to define industry- or company-specific rules for SGML.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Mike Miller, director of sales
and marketing, said that the InContext text editor loads the DTD
automatically and displays it in graphical form on the left-hand
side of the screen.
Document authors can choose to put SGML markups in the background
if they wish, to prevent the markups from distracting them from
the document's content, he added.
The Table Editing Module lets the user employ the spreadsheet
capabilities of Excel, according to Miller. The module is
accessed by clicking on table representations that appear in the
upper right-hand corner of the screen.
Single-user pricing is $795 for the SGML text editor alone, and
$995 for the text editor with the CALS-compliant Table Editing
Module. Discount pricing is available for volume purchases.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931210/Reader contact: InContext Systems,
tel 703-760-7862; Press contact: Shirley Seto, InContext, tel
416-922-0087)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
APPLE
Apple Sales Climb In UK, Europe
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00022)
Apple Sales Climb In UK, Europe 12/10/93
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Apple Computer UK
has revealed that its sales are climbing in the UK and European
markets.
According to figures for the three months to 22 November,
1993, just released by Dataquest, Apple's market share in the UK
is now 8.5 percent up from 7.1 percent in the previous three
months and 5.0 percent for the same period last year.
Apple claims that these figures show the company as drawing level
with both IBM (8.8 percent) and Compaq (8.7 percent). Across Europe,
meanwhile, Apple made similar gains and, overall, its market share
in Europe rose from 7.1 to 7.9 percent.
"Our aggressive pricing policy in the UK and Europe is paying
dividends and customers are realizing that now is the perfect
time to buy Macintosh," explained Mike Newton, Apple Computer UK's
general manager.
"In the UK, sales of Macs were up 60 percent on the same period last
year and we are seeing particularly strong growth in our mid to high
range systems. Meanwhile, our Performa line continues to gain
market share on the high street and, for new users, is proving to be
an excellent ambassador to the whole Mac line," he said.
To ensure that the sales growth continues, Apple claims it has "re-
engineered" its dealer channel strategy. In October of this year,
Ingram Micro and Frontline Distribution were appointed to act as
distributors for Apple's smaller resellers, with a dual role to
recruit new products. In early November, Apple Computer UK also
launched a mail order catalogue, targeted at the small office home
office (SOHO) marketplace.
(Steve Gold/19931210/Press & Public Contact: Apple Computer - Tel:
+44-81-730-2480)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
TRENDS
UK - Lotus Doubles Share Of Desktop Suite Market
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00023)
UK - Lotus Doubles Share Of Desktop Suite Market 12/10/93
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- The most recent
figures released by Romtec, the UK market research company, show
Lotus Development Corporation as having doubled its market share in
the Windows desktop suite marketplace.
According to Lotus, this means that Lotus Smartsuite -- an amalgam
of 1-2-3, Ami Pro, Freelance Graphics, cc:Mail and Organizer -- now
accounts for 40 percent of the UK market, up from 19 percent in May
of this year. Desktop suites now account for almost half of all PC
software sold -- between them, according to Romtec's figures, Lotus
and Microsoft now account for 95 percent of the UK suite market.
Lotus' rising share of the market was accomplished solely with
Release 1.0 of Smartsuite, which was launched at the end of last
year. Release 2.1 for Windows of the package, which had been
available since September of this year, is the first package of its
type to be workgroup enabled, Newsbytes notes.
Jemm Cooksey, Lotus UK Smartsuite brand manager, said that Romtec's
figures are based on the period May to September, 1993. More and
more corporates, she said, are looking for the combination of "best
of breed" applications and the tightest possible integration between
those applications.
"It's inevitable that the Suite market is taking off as it is.
Microsoft entered the market before Smartsuite so we have some
catching up to do -- but we've never caught them in a market quicker
than we have here, doubling our share in the past quarter alone.
With Release 2.1 now out we're confident that the market will
increasingly choose Lotus," she said.
(Steve Gold/19931210/Press & Public Contact: Lotus Development UK -
Tel: +44-784-455445)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
Network General To Acquire ProTools
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00024)
Network General To Acquire ProTools 12/10/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- Network
General Corp., has signed a "definitive agreement" to purchase
privately held network monitoring software vendor ProTools Inc.
Under terms of the agreement, Network General will acquire all
outstanding shares of ProTools capital stock through the merger
of a newly formed subsidiary of Network General into ProTools.
The companies says that security holders of ProTools will
receive two million shares of Network General common stock.
The acquisition is expected to be accounted for as a pooling-of-
interests.
As usual, the acquisition is subject to a number of conditions,
including the approval by ProTools stockholders of ProTools.
The companies hope that the transaction will be finalized by the
end of January 1994.
According to the companies, "The combination of Network General's
Distributed Sniffer System and the ProTools Network Analysis
Series will give Network General a comprehensive product
offering that addresses customers' network monitoring and
troubleshooting needs."
In announcing the deal, Les Denend, president and chief executive
officer of Network General Corp, said: "Through its Network
Analysis Series of products, ProTools has demonstrated strength in
standards-based monitoring, while Network General has attained a
market leader position with its family of distributed and stand-
alone Expert Sniffer Network analyzers."
Network General says that it plans to continue to sell and
support both companies' products after the acquisition.
Ed Snyder, president and chief executive officer of ProTools, said:
"The acquisition will provide us with an infusion of talent and
resources, which will accelerate our product development efforts.
From a customer's perspective we believe this will give them an
increased number of options that can be tailored to meet individual
needs."
It has been a busy few months for Network General regarding
alliances.
In October, Network General and intelligent switching hub
vendor Alantec announced a joint marketing agreement. That deal
allows users of Alantec's PowerHub hubs to integrate Network
General's Expert Analysis and protocol decode technology into
their network management procedures for a global view of
their network.
In April, Newsbytes reported that Network General had added to
its line of analysis products by shipping both the DSS with Expert
Analysis and the Expert Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer.
At the time, the company said that DSS with Expert Analysis is
an intelligent client-server analysis system that proactively and
automatically identifies problems on Ethernet and Token Ring
local area networks (LANs).
The Expert Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer (SIA) is designed for
router-based internetworks that incorporate different technologies.
The company says that, with real-time monitoring at speeds up to
2.048 Mbps, the SIA supports both router-based internetworks using
leased line, frame relay, or X.25 circuits and traditional terminal-
to-host networks such as async and Systems Network Architecture
(SNA).
Towards the end of September, Newsbytes reported that Network
General had signed an original equipment manufacturing (OEM)
deal with Madge Networks. Under terms of that deal, Network
General will use Madge as the sole supplier of Token Ring adapters
for Network General's AT portable Sniffer products and the
monitor cards for its Distributed Sniffer Systems.
At the beginning of September Newsbytes reported that Network
General had signed a joint technology and marketing deal with
3Com Corp.
At the time the companies said that the deal allowed, "Users of
3Com's STNM network management tool for the LinkBuilder Focus
and LinkBuilder TR Series of intelligent hubs to have the ability
to interpret RMON (remote monitoring) packet information with
network analysis applications from Network General."
(Ian Stokell/19931210/Press Contact: Riley Willcox, 415-473-
2000, Network General Corp; David Davies, 503-645-5400,
ProTools Inc)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
AST Gets New Distributor, Helps Africa
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00025)
AST Gets New Distributor, Helps Africa 12/10/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- In an effort
to speed up deliveries and respond better to increased product
demand, AST Research Inc., has signed a reseller deal with
Intelligent Electronics that allows the company to offer AST's
full line of desktop, file server and mobile computers. AST
also announced its participation in the newly formed Corporate
Council on Africa.
Intelligent Electronics, headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania,
has a network of more than 1800 reseller locations.
In announcing the deal, Safi Qureshey, AST chairman and CEO,
said: "We want to maintain the highest level of support to the
channel. Intelligent Electronics is a well established organization
with strong distribution which allows our products to be
effectively disbursed to a broader range of VARs (value-added
resellers) and resellers."
The company has also announced its participation in the
Corporate Council on Africa, a non-profit, non-partisan
organization of US corporations and individuals designed to
promote US businesses' investment in Africa.
According to the Council, trade, not aid, is the key to the
development of open market-based economies throughout
the continent of Africa.
In announcing AST's involvement in the Council, Qureshey, a
native of Pakistan, said: "The American business community can
help speed the time when African nations will be full participants
in the global marketplace. While many African nations are
embracing democratization and privatization, unique new
opportunities are emerging for US companies. We are hopeful
that the Council will be in a position to help address specific
policy and business issues."
The Corporate Council on Africa was inaugurated yesterday at
the US Department of State building in Washington, DC. Among
the Council's founding members are AST, Mobil South, General
Motors, Coco-Cola, Edlow International, Equator Bank Ltd.,
Atlantic TeleNetwork, and Emerging Markets Development Corp.
(Ian Stokell/121093/Press Contact: Hollie Chriss Cronin,
714-727-7977, or Gerry Lynne Baker, 714-727-7959, AST
Research Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
Alpha Microsystems' Public Offering, DigiDesign IPO
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)
Alpha Microsystems' Public Offering, DigiDesign IPO 12/10/93
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- It seems
the time is right for new IPOs in technology as Alpha Microsystems
is the latest to complete its public offering. Digidesign has
also announced an initial public offering (IPO).
According to the company, 2,562,000 units, including 366,999
units of the underwriter's over-allotment, were sold in the public
offering by the underwriters, Barclay Investments Inc., Princeton
Securities Corp., and Barron Chase Securities Inc. The company
says that each unit consisted of one share of common stock and
one redeemable warrant to purchase one share of common stock.
The per-unit purchase price was $1.625. Gross proceeds from the
public offering, before expenses, were $4,163,250.
The company reportedly completed its shareholder rights offering
on November 26, which entitled shareholders to subscribe on a
one-for-one basis. The number of rights exercised by shareholders
during the rights offering totaled 900,891. The subscription
price was $1.625 per unit. Gross proceeds from the shareholders
rights offering, before expenses, were $1,463,948. Total gross
proceeds, before expenses, from the shareholders rights offering
and the public offering were $5,627,198, according to the company.
Digidesign Inc., has also announced the initial public offering of
1,600,000 shares of common stock priced at $14 per share. The
company says that, of the total shares offered, 1,137,000 shares
are being sold by the company and 463,000 shares are being sold
by certain stockholders. In addition, the company and "certain
selling stockholders" have "granted the underwriters an option
to purchase up to 240,000 shares to cover over-allotments."
Robertson, Stephens & Co. and Volpe, Welty & Co. are co-managing
the offering.
(Ian Stokell/19931210/Press Contact: Joseph Allen, 714-252-
8440, South Coast Communications for Alpha; Joy Covey,
415-688-0600, Digidesign Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
****National Semi Earns Way Up
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00027)
****National Semi Earns Way Up 12/10/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- National
Semiconductor enjoyed a strong second quarter with profits and
sales at record levels and net income up 72 percent over net
income in the same quarter a year ago. The company said it
doesn't expect its next quarter to be this good due to seasonal
softness, but is looking for an upturn again in the fourth
quarter -- although it remains "cautious."
Net income for the quarter was $60.7 million, or 46 cents per
share, compared with net income of $35.3 million, or 27 cents per
share, for the year-ago quarter. Net sales were $582.4 million,
up 18 percent over net sales of $491.9 million a year earlier.
For the six month period so far in fiscal 1994, net sales were
$1,141.3 million and net income was reported at $117.8 million,
or 90 cents per share. This is an increase of 106 percent in net
income and 18 percent in sales over the same period last year.
Gilbert F. Amelio, president and chief executive officer, said:
"During the quarter gross margins improved to 41.8 percent,
compared with 34.0 percent for the comparable quarter a year ago,
and 40.8 percent in the first quarter of the current fiscal
year. Profits and sales were once again at record levels."
National Semiconductor has had its ups and downs. This is the
second year of profitability for the company, however, National
reported losses of $120.1 million in 1992 and $151.4 million in
1991. Industry analysts are saying hardware demand worldwide is
taking a dip over previously high levels and Amelio appears to
acknowledge these predictions in staying in a prepared statement:
"Our longer-term industry outlook for the second half of calendar
1994 remains cautious."
As reported industrywide, National's bookings (orders) in the
second quarter are down compared to the first quarter. The
decline is attributed to National's need to turn down some
business in some areas, such as bipolar logic, because of strong
orders in the first quarter. Also, National said Southeast Asia
orders spiked in August following announcements that other
suppliers were de-emphasizing production of some standard linear
products.
Geographically, orders remained even in North American orders
were even with last quarter and last year, Europe was up
slightly, and Japanese orders remained strong but slightly below
the previous quarter's record level.
By market, National said automotive orders were seasonally
strong, especially in North America, but communications products
demand was mixed. Some local area networking products are facing
expected price pressures, while pricing and unit demand for
standard products sold to the public networks suppliers remains
strong. The company also said its orders from mass storage
customers are improving.
The company is moving more in line to marketing directly to
consumers with agreements during the quarter with Novell and NEC.
Novell and National announced in October plans to develop and
market products that integrate Novell's popular networking
software with National's networking hardware. At the same time,
National announced that it is moving beyond the chip level to
provide its own line of end-user networking hardware and
introduced three new networking adapter cards to be marketed by
both companies under the Infomover brand name.
The NEC agreement, announced in early November, is aimed at
bringing Ethernet into the Japanese market. Market research firm
Dataquest predicts the Japanese local area network (LAN) market
is expected to double from $200 million this year to $400 million
by 1997 and the National/NEC partnership plans to take advantage
of that opportunity.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931210/Press Contact: Mary Ann McKay, National
Semiconductor, tel 408-721-2646, fax 408-245-9655)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
BUSINESS
AT&T EO Buys EO Developer Pensoft
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00028)
AT&T EO Buys EO Developer Pensoft 12/10/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- EO, makers
of the pen-based AT&T EO Personal Communicator, is buying
Pensoft. Pensoft, a major developer of software for the EO,
developed Perspective, the information manager designed into the
unit. With this purchase, AT&T finishes consolidation of the
promising pen-based computer industry. Earlier, EO bought Go
Corporation, another earlier player in this market, which created
the PenPoint operating system used in the EO.
David Atkinson, AT&T Consumer Products vice president of personal
communications said: "The acquisition of Pensoft strengthens EO's
market position." It's the database architecture AT&T EO is
after, according to the company, which plans to make that
architecture a "central information repository" for expansion of
communications services for the device and to allow delivery of
information to the device.
Alain Rossmann, president and chief executive officer of EO, said:
"Pensoft has developed a breakthrough product with Perspective,
and simultaneously created a data environment that allows
customers with AT&T EO Personal Communicators to retrieve, store
and manage a rich fabric of information from stock quotes and
airline schedules to multimedia data."
The EO has been heralded as being the first portable pen-based
computer that really delivers on the wireless communication
concept. While other portable pen-based computers, such as the
personal digital assistants (PDAs) from Apple and Tandy/Casio
come close to the same cost, when you add all the wireless
capability of the EO, the entry price for those units is
significantly lower.
AT&T is now pitching the Eo as a more full-featured competitor to
the Apple Newton. It's larger than the Newton, but AT&T spokesmen
at Comdex insisted new, smaller versions of the Eo will be
forthcoming. Unlike the Newton, the Eo comes with a modem and
cellular telephone built-in, allowing wireless faxes and e-mail
to be sent and received anywhere and anytime.
In 1991, during the initial height of excitement over pen-based
computers, Go especially had been seen as a direct challenger to
Microsoft in the operating system wars. PenPoint was seen as a
more flexible system than Microsoft's own entry, Windows for
Pens. But after acquiring Go, Eo said it would in the future
enhance PenPoint only for machines running with Eo's Hobbit chip.
While major Japanese manufacturers said a year ago they were
interested in supporting the Hobbit, none has yet come forward
with product.
Mountain View, California-headquartered EO was founded in 1991 by
AT&T; venture capital firm Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers
of Palo Alto, California; and Marubeni. AT&T purchased a majority
interest in EO in June of this year and in August merged EO with
GO Corporation, which developed the EO's Penpoint operating system.
Details as to the terms of the Pensoft merger were not disclosed.
Pensoft did say most of its employees will become employees
of EO and Robert Roblin, Pensoft's vice president of marketing,
will assume the duties of EO's vice president of marketing.
(Linda Rohrbough & Dana Blankenhorn/19931210/Press Contact: Sharon
Miller, Access Public Relations for AT&T, tel 415-904-7070 ext
272, fax 415-904-7055; Kevin Compton, AT&T, 408-452-3966)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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3 12/10/93
GOVT
Free Tax Brochure Has Tips You Can Still Use In '
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00029)
Free Tax Brochure Has Tips You Can Still Use In '93 12/10/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- If you're
concerned about what the new tax laws might mean and would like
to see if you can do something before year-end to help ease the
pain, Chipsoft says it has a free brochure that can help. The
company is offering an eight-page tax tips guide, that takes into
account the requirements of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of
1993, to anyone who calls the company's toll-free number
requesting it.
The tax guide answers questions like: will a Christmas wedding
save on your tax bill, can I help my tax bill before the end of
the year if I run a consulting business from home, if being
transferred to another location should I go now or wait until
1994, and so on.
The guide is written by Stephen M. Pollan and Nick Morrow. Pollan
is an attorney, financial advisor, and author with a private
practice in New York City (NYC) and the CNBC's personal financial
expert. Morrow is a certified public accountant with the NYC
accounting firm of Paneth, Haber & Zimmerman.
Pollan says in the guide: "The single biggest tax mistake most of
us make has little to do with money or numbers. It's attitude. We
treat taxes as something that just happens to us; something we've
no control over. But that needn't be the case. You can have a lot
to say about your taxes."
Of course, Chipsoft has an interest in distributing the tax tips
brochure as it makes tax software for DOS, Windows, and the
Macintosh platforms. Still, the brochure is free and the advice
is good.
Here are the answers to the above questions according to the
brochure. Getting married in 1993 will probably increase your tax
bill. If you're running a consulting business from home,
entertainment expenses will be 80 percent deductible but next
year only 50 percent deductible, so do that business
entertainment this year.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931210/Press Contact: Diane MacKeeby,
Chipsoft, tel 619-453-4446 ext 431, fax 619-535-0737)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/10/93
GOVT
Intergraph Wins Prague Power GIS Contract
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00030)
Intergraph Wins Prague Power GIS Contract 12/10/93
SWINDON, WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 10 (NB) -- The Prague Power
Company has invested in an Intergraph GIS (graphics information
system) for the management of its distribution networks as part of a
$450,000 contract.
The former state enterprise, which is currently being changed into a
joint stock company known as Prague Power Energy, supplies
electricity to the City of Prague, which has around 1.5 million
people.
The contract includes Intergraph's Unix workstations and servers
running FRAME, Intergraph's assets information management system
for utility companies. As well as providing a digital
representation of Prague Power's electricity net, the system will be
connected to a central accounting system running on a mainframe.
Vladimir Hybner, Prague Power's deputy manager of operations, said
that Integraph's track record in providing digital mapping and
geographic information system (GIS) systems to utilities worldwide
was a major factor in the final selection.
"We are confident that Intergraph's solution will help us to reduce
the cost of maintenance and revision, and to improve productivity of
our staff in operations, constructions, engineering and repair
services," he said.
Newsbytes notes that, in April of this year, a consortium was
established in support of the data capture for a digital base map of
Prague. Members of the consortium include the city's airport, public
transport organizations and other utilities, most of whom are
existing Intergraph users.
"Cooperation with the consortium means we can take advantage of
exchanging graphics data in Intergraph format," Hybner said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931210/Press & Public Contact: Integraph UK - Tel:
+44-793-619999)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
GOVT
****Endeavor Astronauts Repair Hubble Telescope
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00001)
****Endeavor Astronauts Repair Hubble Telescope 12/09/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- In what many saw as a
make or break effort for NASA (National Aeronautics and Space
Administration), the Endeavor Space Shuttle Astronauts have
spent a record 35 hours in space in five separate space walks to
successfully repair the flawed Hubble Space Telescope.
Although several months of testing lie ahead before the space-
based Hubble Telescope can be pronounced totally repaired, NASA
mission specialists have proven that they can perform complex
repair and maintenance tasks in orbit, an absolute requirement if
NASA is to build and maintain a space station.
After replacing a piano-sized optical package, installing a
second set of corrective optics, new gyroscopes (several of the
critical Hubble positioning gyros had failed), new solar panels,
and making a last minute antenna adjustment to overcome a
critical computer glitch, Astronauts have only to release the
giant telescope back into its 300 mile-high orbit.
After many well-publicized space failures, few of any of which
actually involved Space Shuttle missions, public confidence in
NASA was at a near all-time low at the beginning of the mission
when a poll showed that the majority of people did not believe
that NASA could repair the Hubble.
Launched on April 25, 1990, without critical final testing which
should have shown that the telescope could not be focused
properly, the Hubble Telescope was a major failure in the US
space program which, rightly or wrongly, was blamed on NASA.
The total loss of other satellites had added to the public
impression that NASA was the agency which could not shoot straight
and, when combined with federal budget restrictions, NASA's new
"can't do" image was thought by many Washington insiders to be
about to end the agency's big plans for future expansion in space.
Whether the apparent success of the Hubble repair mission will
spur public enthusiasm for spending tens of billions of dollars
on a space station is not at all clear, but at least NASA has
dodged this bullet and is still seen by many as having a
potential for continued funding.
The success has also come at a time when the 20/20 news
magazine program is about to carry a story on the Space Shuttle
program which is expected to be highly critical of NASA safety
procedures.
(John McCormick/19931209)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
TRENDS
Japan - World's Smallest Fax Machine Debuts
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00002)
Japan - World's Smallest Fax Machine Debuts 12/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- The Japanese game software
maker BPS is set to release an extremely small fax machine on
December 15. The firm claims that it is the smallest fax on the
market.
The retail price of the Alpha-X will be 79,800 yen ($798). It
measures just 28.5 centimeters (cm) by 6.5 cm by 3.5 cm, and
weighs only 650 grams.
It is claimed to be smaller than Canon's Canofax M1, which used
to be the smallest fax machine. As far as the weight is concerned,
the Alpha-X weighs only about half that of the Canon product.
The Alpha-X supports A4-sized documents under the G3 standard.
Transmission speed is an average 28 seconds per document. The
fax machine is equipped with an acoustic coupler and modular
phone jack connector. With these devices, users will be able to
hook into an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) pay-phone.
With the battery pack, a maximum of 80 pages of the documents
can be sent at a time.
However, a major limitation of the machine is that it can only
be used to transmit a document, and not receive documents from
other fax machines.
The Alpha-X was originally developed by California-based joint
venture firm Bansai. A BPS spokesman told Newsbytes that
BPS has purchased the sales license of the machine.
BPS is a game software maker. The firm is well-known as the
maker of "Tetris" for Nintendo's Super Famicom. The Alpha-X
marks the company's debut into the fax machine market. The
firm hopes to ship 20,000 units in the first year. The company
is also planning to make the Alpha-X available to OEMs (original
equipment manufacturers) next year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931207/Press Contact: BPS,
tel 81-45-472-5815, fax 81-45-472-7763)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
IBM
Japanese MS-DOS 6.2, Just System/Lotus/Borland Link
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00003)
Japanese MS-DOS 6.2, Just System/Lotus/Borland Link 12/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Microsoft, Tokyo, is set to
release the latest version of Japanese MS-DOS and an upgrade kit
on December 10. Meanwhile, Just System has linked with Lotus
and Borland on the sale of its best-selling Japanese word
processor, Ichitaro.
Microsoft plans to ship MS-DOS 6.2/V J to its OEM (original
equipment manufacturer) dealers this week. Japanese personal
computer makers, such as NEC and Seiko-Epson, are expected to
include the latest version of MS-DOS on their new PCs.
Microsoft will also release its MS-DOS 6.2/V Upgrade kit at
the same time. It will be sold for 12,800 yen ($128) and can be
used to upgrade IBM's DOSJ 5.0X/V or MS-DOS 5.0/V.
The new version has many improved features compared with the
previous version, including the well-publicized data compression
feature.
Meanwhile, Just System has tied up with Lotus and Borland
concerning the sales of its latest Windows version of Ichitaro.
Lotus and Borland plan to offer buyers of Ichitaro significant
discounts on their Lotus 1-2-3 and Quattro applications.
Lotus plans to offer a 57 percent discount on its Lotus 1-2-3 4J
Windows -- which cuts the price to 15,000 yen ($150). Borland
will cut its price 79 percent, making Quattro Pro For Windows
1.02J just 12,000 yen ($120). Also, Just System will offer a 50
percent discount on Ichitaro, making it 28,000 yen ($280),
during the campaign, which is set for December 17 to March 31.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931207/Press Contact: Microsoft,
81-3-5454-8000, Just System, tel 81-886-55-1121, fax
81-886-25-1291)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/09/93
GENERAL
New Brooktrout Voice/Fax Tools For NT, OS/2, Unixware
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00004)
New Brooktrout Voice/Fax Tools For NT, OS/2, Unixware 12/09/93
NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Brooktrout
Technology has introduced a set of applications development tools
which software publishers can use to produce support software
for fax and voice boards.
Fax applications for the advanced Windows NT, OS/2, and Unixware
operating environments are generally intended for fax servers,
fax-mail systems, fax-on-demand systems, and fax broadcast, all
of which place heavy demands on a computer system.
As new operating systems become available, the need to develop
new applications software for those platforms generates a related
need for development tools which simplify the programming and
translation of applications from other operating systems.
Brooktrout's fax and voice API (application programming
interface) consists of high-level commands written in the C
language that provide control over making and answering fax
and voice calls as well as transferring data.
Brooktrout makes and sells voice and fax boards for developers
to customize using their software. NT support is for both Intel
platform computers and the new Digital Equipment Corp. Alpha
PC platform.
Brooktrout has also expanded its TR114 universal port card line
and now offers boards that handle from two to eight channels
per card.
A new $495 prompt development tool kit from Brooktrout
reportedly makes it easier for developers to add or modify
voice prompts in fax and voice response systems.
(John McCormick/19931207/Press Contact: Maria Doyle,
Rourke & Company, 617-267-0042 ext 314)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
BUSINESS
Northern Telecom Freezes Manager Salaries
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00005)
Northern Telecom Freezes Manager Salaries 12/09/93
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Northern
Telecom Ltd., which began restructuring in July after reporting a
second-quarter loss of US$1.03 billion, has told 3,000 top
managers they will get no salary increases in 1994.
A letter from Jean Monty, Northern's president, gave managers the
news last week, company spokeswoman Maureen O'Brien confirmed.
The freeze affects Northern's top executives, including Monty
himself, she said.
The restructuring announced in July will mean consolidating
manufacturing plants, including the closure of some operations,
and cutting its 60,000 work force by about 5,200. The plan is
expected to be complete by the end of 1994.
Northern has said it expects an annual loss in 1993. The company
chalked up record revenues and earnings in 1992, but the first
quarter of this year was disappointing though profitable, and it
slipped into the red in the second quarter.
The company has also just begun contract negotiations with 3,910
members of the Canadian Automotive Workers (CAW) union who
work at four plants in Ontario. Negotiations are also under way
with about 2,500 employees represented by the Canadian Office
Employees Union and the Union of Communication Workers, most of
whom work at manufacturing plants in Montreal. Northern does
about 40 percent of its manufacturing in Canada.
Separately, Northern announced the opening of a US$2.5-million
plant in Rabat, Morocco. The plant will make digital telephone
equipment for that country's state telecommunications agency.
Northern owns 75 percent of the facility and Moroccan investors
own the balance, officials said.
(Grant Buckler/19931209/Press Contact: Maureen O'Brien, Northern
Telecom, 905-238-7206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
IBM
Winware Ships Personal Info Manager For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)
Winware Ships Personal Info Manager For Windows 12/09/93
MARIETTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Winware Inc., has
announced that it will have the newest version of its customizable
personal information manager (PIM) software package for
Windows-based PCs in general distribution by the end of the
month.
Winfo Pro includes a customizable phone book, calendar with
integrated to-do lists, and a print manager. The program can
track two addresses and seven separate phone numbers per
contact, and has the ability to add even more phone numbers by
using the custom design feature.
Winfo Pro allows the user to integrate their to-do list with the
calendar, and data can be printed in formats that match such hard-
copy planners as Day Runner, Day-Timer, Franklin, and Avery. The
program can print the address lists in a phone-book format, and it
will also print all sizes of labels, envelopes and rotary index
cards.
Winfo Pro can share its data with Delrina's Winfax through a
dynamic data exchange (DDE) link so fax numbers only have to
be entered once to be available to both Winfo Pro and Winfax.
The databases can be shared with other users on a network,
allowing other users to access your phone book or sales
prospect list, and many of the screens and reports can be
customized to show the data fields in any order. User-selectable
colors and fonts can be assigned to the fields, and the program
supports the use of multiple views.
Winfo Pro comes with 11 predefined databases, including a
phone book, mailing list, restaurant/hotel list, accounts,
inventory, recipes, business contacts, repairs, stock transactions,
and a music/video and software list. Each database comes with
its own selection of forms.
Other features include: calendar views in daily, two-day, weekly,
monthly, or yearly views; mail-merge capabilities; and musical
reminder alarms. There is also an auto dialer with up to 10 phone
and three credit card numbers, a three-tier priority system for the
to-do lists, and automatic rollover for tasks until they have been
completed.
Current users of Winfo, the predecessor to Winfo Pro, can
automatically transfer their existing lists to the newer version of
the program. However, Winware spokesperson Debbie Labinger
told Newsbytes the company is not offering any special price to
upgrade to the Pro version. Winfo Pro has a suggested retail
price of $99.95 and is available through Egghead Software,
Computer City, CompUSA and MicroCenter outlets.
(Jim Mallory/19931209/Press Contact: Debbie Labinger, S&S
Public Relations for Winware, 708-291-1616; Reader Contact:
WinWare Inc., 800-336-5985 or 404-993-3201)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/09/93
TELECOM
Multi-Tech Intros Data/Fax Modem
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00007)
Multi-Tech Intros Data/Fax Modem 12/09/93
MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Multi-
Tech Systems Inc., has announced a new desktop data/fax
modem that comes bundled with data and fax software.
The company says the ZDX -- the full designation is the
MT1432ZDX -- is available for IBM-compatible and Apple Computer
Macintosh platforms. The ZDX is a CCITT V.32bis/V.32 data and
V/17/Group 3 fax modem that can handle data at transfer rates
from 300 to 14,400 bits-per-second (bps) and faxes at rates from
4,800, 9,600 or 14,400 bps.
The external modem comes bundled with the appropriate cabling
and software for IBM PCs or Macs and has a full array of light
emitting diodes (LEDs) to monitor operations. The unit weighs
eight ounces, and measures 4.5-inches wide by 5 and 5/8-inches
deep by one-inch high.
The modem provides V.42 error correction and V.42bis data
compression. It responds to the EIA class 2 command set for
fax software and the At command set for modem configuration
and dialing. The ZDX has a suggested retail price of $349 and
is shipping now.
(Jim Mallory/19931209/Press Contact: Paul Kraska, Multi-Tech
Systems, 612-785-3500; Reader Contact: Multi-Tech Systems,
tel 612-785-3500 or 800-328-9717, fax 612-331-3180)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
GOVT
EEOC Files Age Discrimination Suit Against TI
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00008)
EEOC Files Age Discrimination Suit Against TI 12/09/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Texas Instruments
has confirmed that the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission has filed suit against the electronics company
charging it with age discrimination in conjunction with layoffs
that occurred in October of 1990.
TI spokesperson Kathy Sand told Newsbytes that the suit asks for
reinstatement, back-pay, damages, and retirement benefits for at
least four supervisors of the 450 Defense Systems employees
who were affected by the layoff. Sand said Texas Instruments
feels, "The EEOC is wrong in this case. We do not make decisions
on reductions in staff based on age, but by matching the skills,
abilities and performance of employees against the requirements
of the jobs that are available."
In June of 1990 the Defense Systems Group announced that it
would reduce its staffing by about 1,000 employees over the next
12 months. The 450 employees cut in October 1990 were part of
that group. Newsbytes reported in January 1991 that Defense
Systems would lay off about 475 people, but Sand was unable to
confirm if those cuts were part of the original 1,000. In January
1991 TI also cut about 125 positions from its Information
Technology Group and another 60 from the Semiconductor Group.
Sand told Newsbytes that the workload in the department where
the manufacturing supervisors involved in the current lawsuit
work has declined by 54 percent since 1988. "The number of
people employed in that department has dropped by a comparable
percentage," according to Sand.
She went on to explain that in that department 35 of the 45
manufacturing supervisors were over the age of 40. "It was
inevitable, therefore, that a reduction in force would impact
workers over the age if 40. (The reductions) were clearly not
based on age discriminations, but rather to matching their
skills and abilities."
The Defense systems and Electronics Group this week received
a $42.2 million contract increase from the US Naval Air Systems
Command for additional high-speed anti-radar missile hardware.
TI said the order is a modification to the original fiscal 1993
contract, which was worth about $182 million.
(Jim Mallory/19931209/Press contact: Texas Instruments
Media Relations, 214-995-3481)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
TELECOM
****Canadians Go Online To Bypass Court Ban
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00009)
****Canadians Go Online To Bypass Court Ban 12/09/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Online news
services have put huge holes in a cloak of silence imposed on a
Canadian manslaughter trial. Users of on-line services in Canada
have used the technology to read, in American newspapers,
stories which are illegal for Canadian newspapers to publish.
On July 5, an Ontario judge ordered a ban on the publication of
any evidence or proceedings in the trial of Karla Homolka, 23,
charged in the murder of two Ontario girls, Kristen French, 15,
of S. Catharines, Ontario and Leslie Mahaffey, 14, of nearby
Burlington.
The publication ban is a rare but legal prohibition in Canada.
The judge's intention is to prevent publication of information
which could influence the trial of Homolka's husband, Paul
Teale, formerly Paul Bernardo, also charged in the two
murders. Homolka is expected to testify in that trial.
So far no Canadian newspapers have violated the publication
ban although an appeal against it will be heard in January.
The ban has proven a nightmare for librarians and cable
operators. Librarians have been clipping stories from
American newspapers before the public can see them, and cable
operators have been forced to monitor feeds from American
broadcasters to black out any items related to the trial.
In Toronto, special "Bernardo BBSs" have sprung up, devoted
to information and gossip leaked from those familiar with the
case.
All that can be published about the trial is that Homolka was
convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years for her
role in the murders.
Canadians are not supposed to know her plea in court nor any
of the evidence presented at the trial, evidence so disturbing
that it left seasoned court observers sickened.
The Washington Post, however, has published some of the
evidence presented at the trial. The Post story was reprinted
November 28 in the Detroit News and Free Press and The
Buffalo News, border newspapers which have some circulation
in Canada.
At border crossings November 28, Canadian customs
agents turned back trucks delivering The Buffalo News and
confiscated hundreds of copies of the paper from individuals
who had purchased them in Buffalo. Some enterprising Canadians
had purchased as many as 25 copies of the newspaper, whose
November 28 press run was a record for its Sunday edition.
The Buffalo News and the Washington Post are archived in News
Source USA, operated by Telebase, and accessible from a number
of on-line systems, including Compuserve.
Canadian Compuserve members could access News Source USA and
by mid-week Telebase had even posted special instructions on
its opening menu, instructing users interested in the Canadian
murders to search "Unspeakable Crimes" in the Washington Post
dated November 23, or "Teale" Or "Homolka" Or "Grisly Details"
in The Buffalo News.
The special instructions came down December 3, however, after
Newsbytes asked Compuserve how much additional traffic had been
generated by Canadians accessing American newspaper databases.
Compuserve spokesperson Michelle Moran said the service was not
aware of the special menu, but when it confirmed its existence,
a Compuserve product manager asked Telebase to take it down on
the grounds of "poor taste." Moran added that, according to
Telebase, activity in News Source USA had risen 30-40 percent in
a few days following posting of the news stories in News Source
USA.
Canadians can also access some American news sources through
GEnie on-line service. Genie spokesman David McIntosh released
a statement saying that for legal reasons the service would not
discuss "possible mechanisms to reach that prohibited material."
(Paul De Groot/19931209)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
TRENDS
****New TI Chip Could "Revolutionize" Computing
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00010)
****New TI Chip Could "Revolutionize" Computing 12/09/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Texas Instruments
researchers have demonstrated a "revolutionary" new computer
chip that the company says operates over three times faster,
holds three times more functions than present chips, and
operates at room temperature.
The chip, which could be the key to development of future
generations of computers, operates on the principle of quantum
mechanics, a principle that says electronics will behave as a
wave and pass through classically impenetrable barriers under
certain conditions.
The theory was once considered to be just a laboratory novelty,
but TI researchers say they have demonstrated the quantum effect
chip at room temperature. Prior to the TI development, devices
based on quantum effects were limited to operating at -320
degrees Fahrenheit, conditions too cold for practical applications
such as desktop and portable computers.
Gary Frazier, nanoelectronics manager at TI, called the
demonstration "a significant breakthrough" and said the new
devices can now be designed into commercial systems without
the need for special cooling. TI says its scientists developed the
new chip using a technique called "resonant tunneling transistors."
The chip consists of 17 transistors which replace as many as
40 conventional transistors for the same type circuit on a
conventional chip.
TI says replacing conventional transistors with resonant tunneling
transistors would mean a significant leap in the number of
functions that could be performed by a single chip. Resonant
tunneling circuits perform an equivalent function with fewer
transistors than are currently used.
"This opens up the possibility for smaller computers that operate
faster than computers using today's technology," according to
Frazier. He said practical applications of quantum devices are
five to six years away. Applications include: microwave, X-band
analog-to-digital converter chips for military applications;
improved performance of digital cellular telephones; top of the
line computers and faster workstations; and high-bandwidth
digital video processing in high-resolution and high-definition
television (HDTV).
TI says farther down the road, extremely sophisticated quantum
effect ICs could turn today's computer dreams into reality,
predicting it might be possible to create a computer system that
can think, see, and speak as a human being does by putting all the
circuitry of a supercomputer on a single chip.
TI says its scientists have been working on quantum effect
devices since 1982. The work is funded in part by contracts
from the Air Force Wright Laboratories, the Advanced Research
Projects Agency, and the Office of Naval Research.
(Jim Mallory/19931209/Press Contact: Sheree Fitzpatrick,
Texas Instruments, 214-995-2984)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/09/93
TELECOM
Bell Atlantic Details Wireless Data Offerings
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
Bell Atlantic Details Wireless Data Offerings 12/09/93
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Bell Atlantic
Mobile has announced its wireless data offerings under the trade
name AirBridge.
Included are fax services, packet network services, and a service
which eliminates compatibility problems between modems used on
its wireless network, which covers the Bell Atlantic service
territory in the mid-Atlantic states as well as systems in the
Carolinas.
AirBridge fax and circuit-switched offerings are available
in all the company's markets, with the latter offering such
things as telemetry and "package tracking" as well as data
transfers.
The Gateway service, based on Microcom's MNP 10 data
compression and error correction protocol, is available in the
company's major markets of Philadelphia, Washington, and
Baltimore and will be available throughout the system by the
end of the first quarter of 1994. Packet service, under the
cellular digital packet data (CDPD) standard, will be available
throughout the system by the end of the year.
A statement from Benjamin Scott, the company's chief operating
officer, predicted that the volume of data traffic on his system
will equal the volume of voice traffic in just a few years. Today
just three percent of cellular traffic is data.
Applications include electronic mail, fleet management, alarm
systems, and telemetry. To support its systems, the company is
training sales representatives and setting up a "help desk" to
answer user questions.
Bell Atlantic is buying its CDPD equipment from AT&T, and that
company's Network Systems unit announced it has equipped
five cells and one switch with the system. AT&T said it expects
rapid deployment of CDPD technology because the network will
use the existing cellular infrastructure with more than 10,000
cells already in place nationally.
Bell Atlantic has nearly 800 sites. When first proposed by IBM
and a consortium of wireless companies, including Bell Atlantic,
CDPD was estimated to add five percent to the cost of the
cellular infrastructure, and deliver data at rates up to 19,200
bits-per-second.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931209/Press Contact: Bell Atlantic
Mobile, Karen Ann Kurlander, 908-306-7552)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
TELECOM
Military Technology Going Into Cordless Phones
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)
Military Technology Going Into Cordless Phones 12/09/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- RF Micro Devices
has signed a deal with TRW that will permit it to use TRW military
technology in new chips for cordless phones and other wireless
communications systems. The first application will be in new
AT&T cordless phones, which could extend their range by 400
percent.
The technology, called heterojunction bipolar transistor, or HBT,
also allows wireless products to be smaller and lighter than
previous models, and could be used in security systems, wireless
local area networks (LANs) as well, according to RF Micro founder
William Pratt.
The technology was originally developed by TRW under grants from
the Advanced Research Projects Agency, or ARPA, the same agency
which helped fund the original research into what became the
Internet in the 1970s.
AT&T executive Ben Benjamin added that, in addition to allowing
greater range and lower weight, the TRW technology will allow
future phones to offer greater privacy.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931209/Press Contact: Scott MacIver,
for RF, 312-329-7563)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/09/93
TELECOM
****Prodigy, NYNEX Announce Electronic Yellow Pages
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
****Prodigy, NYNEX Announce Electronic Yellow Pages 12/09/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- NYNEX said it
will offer its 1.7 million business listings on the Prodigy service
next year and sell ads alongside those listings. The companies
said it is the first true electronic yellow pages offering,
including advertising, on an on-line service.
The deal is non-exclusive, executives with both companies said in
a press conference attended by Newsbytes, and Prodigy is actively
seeking other regional Bells to join the system. NYNEX has
offered a text version of its listings through Minitel terminals
since 1991.
"Imagine 300 directory books with 1.7 million listings in your
den, immediately searchable," said Prodigy President Ross
Glatzer. "And this is more than listings," he added, noting that
restaurants will be able to offer menus and photos, eventually
taking reservations on-line. "This is advertiser supported. There
is no extra charge to Prodigy users. They can use it for their
regular fee," he added.
Donald MacKenzie, president of NYNEX Information Resources Co.,
addressed the teleconference from Brussels, Belgium. "Technology
is offering the chance to build a deeper service for our
customers," he said. "There are many advantages, like the area
you can search. Yellow Page companies must get in this business
now or someone else will and we'll lose the business we have.
Prodigy makes sense to partner with. They have an extremely large
customer database, heavy development in the NYNEX area, and
they've spent a great deal of money to develop their system," he
added. "We have signed a contract and hope to have a service
on-line by the fourth quarter of 1994."
In response to questions from reporters, Glatzer said no new
programmers will be hired by Prodigy as a result of the deal,
since NYNEX will be joining in development of the product.
McKenzie added that the phone company may offer Prodigy ads
at a loss, at first, noting, "It's more important to get paying
customers at reasonable prices" than turn a quick profit. He
added, "We've got to sell advertising at a low enough price so
that people want to advertise, and it will be artificially low to
begin with because we don't have a lot of statistics that will
point to value."
However, he added that Prodigy has a great capability to get and
keep statistics on the effectiveness of ads, on which prices can
later be based. "I do believe we'll see a different pricing formula
in time, because you don't price by heading in the present product,
you price by space. It is likely that this product will have a
price-value relationship that changes heading to heading."
The NYNEX deal is just the latest in a series of deals for
Prodigy. Glatzer indicated that a local version of the service
will be on-line in Atlanta early next year, in conjunction with
Cox Enterprises' "Atlanta Journal-Constitution." The same
company's Cox Cable unit is also testing the deliver of Prodigy
over its San Diego cable system.
McKenzie declined to say how much NYNEX was investing in the
Prodigy development, but did say it will be "significantly more"
than the $30 million the company has so far invested in CD-ROMs
and other database formats.
Prodigy says that it has sold 232,000 copies of its new Windows-
based access software in the last 10 days through its
1-800-Prodigy offer. The software allow photographs to be viewed.
The offer involves a $4.95 handling charge that includes a months'
free service and the software. New customers in the promotion
can also get DOS or Macintosh software.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931209/Press Contact: Prodigy Services,
Carol Wallace, 914-993-2496; NYNEX Information Resources
Company, Wayne Mitchell, 508-762-2341)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
GENERAL
HP To Hold Boston Enterprise App Development Conf
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00014)
HP To Hold Boston Enterprise App Development Conf 12/09/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard will hold the East Coast component of its Enterprise
Application Development Executive Strategy Conference on
December 14 at the World Trade Center in Boston.
Geared to individuals in charge of deploying enterprise business
and technical applications for their companies, the event will
feature a full day of conference sessions, plus an expo to begin
at 10:30 am.
The expo component of the show, to be open free of charge, will
include talks on 14 different vendors and products. Admission to
the conference component is $195. Admission may be paid at the
door, but by check only. Registration for the conference and expo
begins at 8:00 am.
The conference component of the show will kick off at 8:45 am.
with a morning keynote by Dr. Helene T. Roos, principal of HDA
Consulting, on "Managing Technological Change: Helping People and
Systems Work Together." Then, from 11:15 to noon, users will
deliver a series of industry-specific success stories.
From 1:30 to 2:15, conference attendees will have a choice of two
afternoon keynotes: "Objects in the Enterprise," by Robert
Weinberger, product marketing manager for Hewlett-Packard's
Workstation Systems Group; and "Enterprise Desktop," by Dan
Kara, technical editor for CASE Trends magazine.
During three other morning and afternoon time blocks, conference-
goers will be able to select from sessions in four different
tracks. Topics will range from "State of the Art Client/Server
Development Tools" and "Benchmarking IT Performance" to panels
on "Managing Enterprise Objects" and "Re-Engineering and Right-
Sizing."
Vendors and products to be discussed during the expo component of
the show will include Oracle, NeXT, Informix, ASK (Ingres), Texas
Instruments, IBI, Progress, Sybase, SoftBench, MPower, Frame,
SoftBench, Andersen Consulting, and Distributed Smalltalk.
The West Coast edition of HP's Enterprise Application
Development Executive Strategy Conference took place December
6 in San Jose, California.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931208/Reader & Press Contact:
Hewlett-Packard, 800-457-6298)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/09/93
BUSINESS
Unisys, Information Builders In Downsizing Alliance
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00015)
Unisys, Information Builders In Downsizing Alliance 12/09/93
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Information
Builders Inc., and Unisys Corp., have announced an alliance aimed
at capitalizing on the trend towards downsizing applications
from large mainframes to Unix-based systems and client/server
computing.
The engineering and marketing alliance is intended to help IBM
mainframe customers "rightsize" decision support and other key
applications to the Unisys U 6000 Series Unix platform using
Information Builders' Focus fourth-generation language and
Enterprise Data Access/structured query language (EDA/SQL)
client/server software, the companies said.
Focus, which operates on mainframes and Unix systems, integrates
application development, reporting, and decision support tools
with a database management system. The EDA/SQL products provide
database access from more than 100 third-party front-end tools
and applications.
Unisys and Information Builders said their relationship will make
it easier for customers to take existing Focus applications from
IBM mainframes and move them to smaller Unix-based hardware
from Unisys.
The two firms' sales forces will work together to sell their
products to prospects identified by Information Builders, said
Brian Daly, a spokesman for Unisys. They will also exchange
technology information and engineering resources to fine-tune
Unisys U 6000 servers for use with Focus and EDA/SQL.
The firms said they will also work on early integration of
Unisys' microkernel Unix technology for scalable multiprocessing
into Information Builders products.
Third, they will provide services to help downsizing customers,
drawing on Information Builders' software development experience
and Unisys' expertise in systems and network integration and
maintenance, officials said.
Daly said this alliance will be the first of a number Unisys'
client/server group will announce with software vendors.
(Grant Buckler/19931209/Press Contact: Brian Daly, Unisys,
tel 215-986-2214, fax 215-986-2312; Pamela Haas, Information
Builders, 212-736-4433)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
GOVT
****Senate Hearing Spurs Video Game Ratings
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00016)
****Senate Hearing Spurs Video Game Ratings 12/09/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- As reported yesterday
by Newsbytes, pressure from interest groups and legislators has
spurred industry action on development of a rating system for
video games.
Scheduled just one hour before a joint Senate Judiciary and
Government Affairs Committee hearing on video game violence
was set to begin, an industry group has announced plans to self-
regulate by voluntary labeling of interactive games for violence
or sexual content. However, no further details were available by
Newsbytes deadline.
The Senate hearing, which was carried live on the C-SPAN cable
network, was held by Senators Joseph Lieberman (D. Conn.) and
Herbert H. Kohl (D Wisc.) who had joined television pioneer Bob
Keeshan, known to tens of millions as Captain Kangaroo, in
holding a December 1 press conference to criticize the graphic
violence found in some video games. Keeshan said at that time
that the fact that this violence is interactive, resulting
directly from the action of the player, is far more threatening
than mere passively viewed violence seen on television and in
movies.
A bill, jointly sponsored by Sen.'s Lieberman and Kohl, calls for
industry self-regulation but specifies that if game makers do not
come up with an acceptable plan within one year, the President
will have the power to appoint a panel to create and enforce
standards.
In his opening statement, Sen. Lieberman said that the time had
come to draw the line and that violence in video games had
reached a new generation which contains "the most horrible
depictions of violent crimes." They "teach a child to enjoy
inflicting torture," said the Senator.
Sen. Lieberman also chided Toys 'R' Us and other toy retailers for
failing to respond to his staff's requests for input on how these
violent games could be kept out of the hands of young children.
The committee hearing was scheduled to open by showing scenes
from Mortal Combat, the SEGA version of which shows blood
splatters. At the end of the game the player is instructed to rip
out heart or pull off the head of his or her opponent. Unfortunately,
the staff was unable to get the equipment working at the outset
but they got the display working later when two versions of
Mortal Combat and a particularly violent segment from Night
Trap were shown. Nintendo's version of Mortal Combat leaves out
blood and decapitation but is still a violent game according to
Senator Lieberman.
In another game, Night Trap, the object is to keep hooded men
from committing violent acts against women. Sen. Lieberman
called this graphic depiction of violence against women "deeply
offensive." Night Trap uses actual images of actors and actresses
rather than cartoon-like animations.
Senator Kohl showed an advertisement where the warning label
which is found on Lethal Enforcers, a game which uses an
oversized realistic gun as the controller, is, according to the
Senator, almost entirely obscured while it is replete with gun
images.
"Government regulation should be a last rather than a first
resort," stated Senator Herbert Kohl as he warned that the
industry must take immediate and purposeful steps on its own if
it wishes to avoid compulsion. "It is up to the industry whether
they become heros or grinches."
"Sick and disgusting," North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan called
Night Trap in his opening comments as he announced that he
wanted to be named as a co-sponsor of the bill on video game
violence.
Although an industry group announced just prior to the hearing
that there would be an industry self-regulation effort, both
Senators appeared to see it as less than responsive and asked for
more details, asking such questions as: Who will rate the games?
Will the industry spend money informing parents about the system?
Will all video game makers participate? How many age ratings
will be provided?
The coalition will start the process of determining how to rate
games and how to present this information to the public. The
SPA's legal representative Eileen Rosenthaul was scheduled to
speak at the Senate hearing, but not until after Newsbytes'
deadline.
The new coalition includes Sega, the SPA, Atari, 3DO, Electronic
Arts, and the Video Software Dealers Association. However, the
SPA's spokesperson emphasized to Newsbytes that 136 other
SPA members sent letters of support for the coalition.
(John McCormick/19931209/Press Contact: Jim Kennedy, Senator
Lieberman's Office, tel 202-224-4041, fax 202-224-9750;
Dave McClure, SPA, 202-452-1600 ext 320)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
TRENDS
SPA Says 3Qtr European Software Sales Up 74%
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00017)
SPA Says 3Qtr European Software Sales Up 74% 12/09/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- The Software
Publishers Association, has released third quarter personal
computer software sales results showing a massive 74 percent
unit increase in Europe. However, there was only a nine percent
revenue increase for software publishers, due to heavy price
competition.
North American software sales were up 36 percent on unit volume,
with similar pricing pressure holding sales down to a moderate 16
percent increase in dollar volume.
Sales volume for the third quarter of 1993 verses the comparable
period of the previous year show strong sales increases in both
Europe and the North American region by volume. However, there
was only moderate increases by dollar value because of the price
wars which are ravaging the computer industry.
North American sales for the third quarter 1993 reached $1.65
billion, which was up by 16 percent over the same quarter of 1992
when the surveyed SPA members earned $1.42 billion.
North American sales of Windows applications grew by 74 percent
to $2.26 billion in the first three quarters of 1993, while DOS
applications declined by 22 percent over the same period compared
to the previous fiscal year. Mac software sales totaled $2.76
million for the third quarter, up 11 percent for the same period.
By category, word processors ($219 million) and spreadsheets
($182 million) were, as usual, the top applications sold in North
America. However, both had lower sales than they did in the
comparable third quarter or three-quarter periods in 1992.
Paint/draw software and desktop publishing programs were the
fastest growing segment in North America, growing by 110 percent
and 106 percent respectively, to $124 million and $67 million for
the quarter just ended.
Third quarter PC software sales in Europe totalled $413 million,
up a modest nine percent. Sales for the first three quarters of
1993 were $1.30 billion, up 13 percent from the equivalent
period for the previous year.
According to the SPA report, average prices for computer software
fell in Europe by 37 percent in the past year from an average
price of $211 to only $132. An average price decline of about 30
percent has been seen on a year-to-year basis for both DOS and
Macintosh operating systems.
Windows applications accounted for 73 percent of the total sales
in Europe, while DOS software sales plunged to only $70 million,
down by 42 percent over the third quarter of 1992.
The SPA also reports that Italy's crackdown on software piracy
has resulted in a massive jump in sales in that country where
legitimate PC software sales increased by 130 percent in the
third quarter.
(John McCormick/19931209/Press Contact: David Tremblay,
SPA, 202-452-1600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
GENERAL
Dataware Technologies Stock Plunges
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00018)
Dataware Technologies Stock Plunges 12/09/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Dataware Technologies
stock, which recently went public at about $14 and soon soared to
the low $20s, later falling back to $16, lost more than $8 or
half of its value in the market open this morning. The drop follows
the company's announcement that it would fail to meet the 11 cents
per share earnings estimates which analysts had projected for the
company's fourth quarter which ends on December 31.
In the announcement, made late yesterday after the market closed,
Kurt Mueller, chairman and chief executive officer of Dataware,
which is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol DWTI, stated that
"November sales were notably weaker than anticipated."
Dataware Technologies is a major supplier of CD-ROM indexing
and retrieval software as well as providing CD-ROM publishing
services to many companies and government agencies around
the world.
(John McCormick/19931209/Press Contact: G. Mead Wyman,
Dataware Technologies, 617-621-0820)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
GENERAL
DEC Asia Announces New Thailand Head
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00019)
DEC Asia Announces New Thailand Head 12/09/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
Corp.'s sales and marketing manager in Korea, Don Carkeek, has
been appointed managing director for DEC in Thailand.
Carkeek held several key management positions in Korea prior to
his current role. In the 1993 fiscal year, Digital Korea finished
among the top countries in Asia in business performance.
"Don's knowledge of Asian business practices will bring added
value to Digital's on-going investment in Thailand," said Edmund
J. Reilly, president and managing director of Digital Asia. "We
believe the country has great growth potential and our operations
there will thrive under his leadership."
In Carkeek's 21 years with Digital, he has held several field
management positions, including district sales manager, sales
manager of corporate process accounts, international area sales
support manager and other staff positions in the corporate sales
organization.
Carkeek said, "This is a most exciting possibility for me to
manage one of Digital Asia's most successful operations. Thailand
continues to be one of the major growth areas for the Asian IT
(information technology) industry. With our leadership products,
I can focus in the Thai market on desktop computing with the
Alpha AXP workstations, our successful PC families, open
client/server computing and systems integration.
He continued: "The industries of greatest interest at the moment
include banking and finance, telecommunications, manufacturing
and the education markets, where we will be offering consulting
services and multivendor customer support."
Carkeek holds a BS degree in Petroleum Engineering from the
Montana School of Mines and a certificate from the Executive
Development Management program at the University of New
Hampshire.
(Keith Cameron/19931210/Press Contact: Bonnie Engel,
852-805-3510, DEC)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
TELECOM
UK - Compuserve Cuts Mercury Packet Data Surcharge
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00020)
UK - Compuserve Cuts Mercury Packet Data Surcharge 12/09/93
BRISTOL, AVON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Compuserve has
announced that it has reduced its off-peak UK network surcharge
for the Mercury packet data network (PDN) by 40 percent. At the
same time, the on-line service has opened a new direct access
port in Edinburgh.
According to Compuserve, the rate for off-peak access to the Mercury
PDN will fall from $4.20 to $2.50 an hour for all speeds to 9,600
bits-per-second (bps). This is to encourage more users to access the
network for longer periods, the company claims. The prime time
network charge (applicable M-F 8am to 7pm) remains at $7.70 per
hour.
Compuserve claims that the rate reduction makes Mercury's PDN,
which is known under the brand name of Mercury 5000, the
cheapest access method for all UK members who are not within
a local dial area of a Compuserve node.
The new Edinburgh node for Compuserve is on-line immediately,
Newsbytes can be reveal. The company says that the new Edinburgh
node -- accessible on 031-557-5888 -- can be accessed at all
speeds to 9,600 bps.
Communication surcharges for use of the Edinburgh node are the
same as for all other Compuserve nodes in Europe: $0.00/hr off-peak
time and $7.70/hr prime time. Compuserve claims that its own
network is the most cost-effective way to connect to the service.
The Edinburgh node is the sixth Compuserve node in the UK, with
other nodes already operational in London, Reading, Bristol,
Manchester, and Birmingham.
(Steve Gold/19931209/Press & Public Contact: Compuserve,
44-272-760680)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
GENERAL
UK - Wick Hill Intros "Reflection To Go" Comms Prgm
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00021)
UK - Wick Hill Intros "Reflection To Go" Comms Prgm 12/09/93
WOKING, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Wick Hill IMX has
launched Reflection To Go, a customized version of its Reflection
1 for DOS terminal emulation package that links PC and Apple Mac
users to HP 3000 and HP 9000 host systems.
The UKP200 package, which comes on disk plus a PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) card,
has been specially designed to run on the HP 95LX and 100LX
series of portable computers from Hewlett-Packard.
According to the company, Reflection To Go provides terminal
emulation on the move, linking the user to HP 3000 and 9000
computers back in the office. The company claims that the package
is extremely useful for traveling executives, field sales forces and
employees working at remote sites. Typically, it might be used to
check electronic mail, look at host-based information or produce
quotes.
The package reportedly has the same core features as Wick Hill's
standard Reflection package, including file transfer, a powerful
command language, and keyboard mapping. It includes terminal
emulation that allows users to run all of their HP 3000 and 9000
applications from the palmtop.
Reflection To Go also supports enhanced modem dialing and screen
handling, and has been streamline coded to save on memory. Because
of the HP 95LX and 100LX's system memory, the package has been
adapted to allow "hot keying" between applications.
Announcing the package, Ian Kilpatrick, Wick Hill IMX's managing
director, said that, at the moment, there is nothing else for linking
the palmtop to HP 3000 and 9000 systems. "This product fills a gap
in the market. I believe that, as people come to appreciate its
potential, there will be a large number of applications written
for Reflection To Go."
(Steve Gold/19931209/Press & Public Contact: Wick Hill IMX,
+44-483-772280)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
TELECOM
UK Education Group Plans Super Data Network
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00022)
UK Education Group Plans Super Data Network 12/09/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- The Higher Education Funding
Councils for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed on funding for
the development of the second phase of Super JANET (the Joint
Academic Network), an advanced communications network.
JANET predates the majority of public and private packet data
networks (PDNs) in the UK. It was set up in the 1970s as a means
for educational and research establishments to move computer
data between themselves. As the Internet and Usenet grew, so
JANET was linked in those networks.
SuperJANET reportedly aims to build on the success of JANET.
According to British Telecommunications (BT), SuperJANET is
based on advanced broadband technology and is at least two years
ahead of any other network provided in the world in terms of its
speed and the types of applications it can support.
SuperJANET will, it is planned, run at 140 megabits-per-second,
which the Higher Education Funding Councils for England, Scotland,
and Wales claims is around 70 times faster than a traditional
network. For example, the network planners claim, a 5,500 page
report could be sent over SuperJANET in under a second.
To achieve this kind of speed, SuperJANET will use fiber optic
technology, rather than the usual coaxial cables that such networks
traditionally use. Installation of the network will take around
three years and will cost the Joint Information Systems
Committee (JISC) UKP13 million to implement.
A small pilot section of SuperJANET is already up and running. The
pilot system was installed between six sites -- Cambridge,
Edinburgh and Manchester Universities, Imperial College of Science,
Technology and Medicine, and London's University College, as well
as the Science and Energy Research Council's (SERCs) Rutherford
Appleton laboratory. By March of next year, plans call for a total
of 56 sites to be linked into SuperJANET.
Professor Graeme Davies, the chief executive of the Higher
Education Funding Council, said that the HEFC's for England,
Scotland and Wales recognize the need for a high performance
network to ensure that the UK maintains its position in the world.
"The advancement of SuperJANET will improve the efficiency of
current learning and research practices in order to help meet this
aim," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931209/Press Contact: Karen Evett, Penn
Communications, tel 44-81-569-9768, fax 44-81-569-9667)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
GENERAL
Hayes Extends European Sysop Discount Program
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00023)
Hayes Extends European Sysop Discount Program 12/09/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Hayes Microcomputer
Products has announced the extension of its European Sysop Program
up to the end of January, 1994. The program allows qualified sysops
(system operators) the chance to buy selected Hayes modems at
heavily discounted prices.
Sysop is the widely accepted term for operators of a bulletin
board system (BBS). Modem manufacturers tend to offer sysops
their modem hardware at reduced and even subsidized cost, in
return for a mention on the sysop's bulletin board.
Hayes has been offering a special sysop program in the UK for some
time, but the scheme was, Newsbytes understands, due to finish at
the end of September. Because of demand, Hayes has extended the
program until the end of January, as well as allowing European BBS
sysops to qualify for the reduced prices.
Under the program, Hayes V-series Ultra Smartmodem 14400s, which
normally sell for UKP679, are available for just UKP200. The ESP
(enhanced serial port) communications coprocessor card, which
normally sells for UKP79, is available to sysops for UKP40.
"The sysop program is an idea that Hayes have been promoting for
some time now. It's a good program, since it allows sysops to get
their modems and associated hardware at very low prices. We
benefit. of course, as we get a mention on their BBS," said Sue
Starie, head of communications with Hayes, to Newsbytes.
European orders under the program should be sent to the sysop
coordinator at Hayes UK. As a "gesture of goodwill," Hayes has
agreed to offer free shipping and tax on scheme products shipped
within the European Community (EC). Outside the EC, some tax
and customs duty may be levied by governments, Newsbytes
understands.
(Steve Gold/19931209/Press & Public Contact: Hayes
Microcomputer Products, tel 44-252-775500, fax 252-775511)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
CORRECTION GENERAL
Correction - "Clue" Insurance System On-line
(CORRECTION)(GENERAL)(LON)(00024)
Correction - "Clue" Insurance System On-line 12/09/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- In a story entitled "`Clue'
Insurance Anti-Fraud Computer System Comes Online In UK,"
this Tuesday, Newsbytes attributed several comments to Joe
Cash, senior vice president of Equifax, the company that supplied
the computer system to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
These comments included that the system was just the start of an
information exchange between competing insurance companies, and
that an investigations service may be introduced to complement
computer screening. We also said that insurance fraud is a problem
which is costing insurance companies and their honest
policyholders several percentage points on the cost of their
policies.
We now understand that these comments should have been
attributed to the ABI rather than Cash, whose company maintains
an independent profile in the industry. Our apologies for any
embarrassment caused to Joe Cash and/or Equifax by our
mis-attribution.
(Steve Gold/19931209)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
TRENDS
SIA Says Book-To-Bill Below 1.0 For November
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00025)
SIA Says Book-To-Bill Below 1.0 For November 12/09/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- The
Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) says the book-to-bill
ratio -- the ratio of orders to shipments for US semiconductor
companies -- is down for November to below 1.0. However, the
numbers themselves are still up significantly from the same
period last year.
The November book-to-bill is 0.99. November bookings (orders) for
the US market were $2.196 billion up 0.2 percent from the $2.192
billion in October and up 15 percent from the same period last
year. Billings were $2.068 billion, an increase of 2.6 percent
from the $2.015 billion in October and 24.7 percent higher than
last year.
Anything above 1.0 for a book-to-bill ratio is positive,
according to the SIA and there has been a small increase in
shipments. The statistics are collected by the World
Semiconductor Trade Statistics and are based on a three-month
moving average. The numbers released are also preliminary
figures, subject to revision, the SIA added.
The exceptionally high book-to-bill figures the industry has
experienced has been from a surge in the growth of the personal
computer (PC) market. However, financial analysts are beginning
to speculate that the boom is slowing and leading PC
semiconductor companies, such as Intel, may not sell as many
units as first anticipated. Apple Computer has also noticed a
slow down and has canceled $20 million in orders for integrated
circuit products from manufacturer VLSI.
In addition, some market analysts, in surveying companies, have
said to expect slow-downs worldwide in the sales of hardware,
based on the planned shift in corporations surveyed away from
hardware spending to focus on software and services.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931209/Press Contact: Doug Andrey, SIA,
tel 408-246-2711, fax 408-246-2830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
IBM
Canon Starts Criterion Unit, Intros 3-D Developer Prgm
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00026)
Canon Starts Criterion Unit, Intros 3-D Developer Prgm 12/09/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Canon says its
new Renderware three-dimensional (3-D) graphics software for
developers, marketed by its new subsidiary, Criterion Software
Limited, will change the way graphics are done on Windows-based
personal computers (PCs).
The company claims that Renderware will enable software
developers to deliver workstation-like graphics on PCs already
in the possession of consumers, without the addition of
graphics acceleration hardware.
The new company, Criterion, is based in Guildford, England, and is
the second company to be formed from the Canon Research Center
(CRE) there, the first being Canon Audio in 1990.
Dr. David Lau-Kee is the new president and Adam Billyard is vice
president of research and development, both formerly of CRE. Dr.
Mike King, formerly with Du Pont Pixel Systems, has taken the
role of vice president of marketing.
King said in a prepared statement: "Renderware is 3-D for Windows,
and provides, on low-cost personal computers, the 3-D graphics
performance and functionality of more expensive workstations.
This dramatically changes the dynamics of the multimedia market
for PCs because it allows for mid-range workstation performance
from a 486/DX at 50 megahertz (MHz)."
Renderware requires Windows 3.1 running on a 386SX-based PC
and at least 4 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM).
Criterion describes Renderware as a device-independent 3-D
graphics application programming interface (API), with a simple
object-based interface consisting of a small number of object
types and a set of associated functions, such as advanced shading
and texturing of objects. Renderware is also available for the
Apple Computer Macintosh platform, on Unix (X11) and under IBM's
graphical operating system OS/2.
Typical applications where Renderware might be used include:
multimedia, visual simulation, scientific visualization, computer-
aided design (CAD), virtual reality, presentation graphics,
entertainment/games, and education/training products.
Concerning Renderware, Lau-Kee said: "This technology provides
the opportunity to put interactive 3-D where it counts -- in
hundreds of applications on millions of desktops."
Paul Allen, chairman and CEO of multimedia software tools
developer Asymetrix and co-founder of Microsoft, said Asymetrix
plans to incorporate Renderware into future versions of its
software products. "Renderware is truly an impressive product,
one that takes 3-D graphics to new performance levels," Allen
said.
Renderware is not cheap. The software development kit is
$10,000 and includes development library, debugging library,
documentation, examples, and demos. Criterion is offering the
product directly.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931209/Press Contact: Russell Marchetta,
Canon, tel 516-328-5145, fax 516-328-5149; Alissa Blate,
The Rowland Company for Canon, 212-527-8852)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
BUSINESS
India - Microland To Sell Cisco's Network Products
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00027)
India - Microland To Sell Cisco's Network Products 12/09/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Microland Ltd., has partnered
with Cisco Systems for the sale and support of the US-based
company's complete range of routers, bridges, communication
servers and network management software. The Bangalore-based
firm has already won its first order for Cisco routers from
Morgan Stanley.
Cisco products are not unknown in India. They were also being
distributed in the country by APT Technologies which has no
formal tie up with Cisco, but buys its products on a "case-by-case
basis," according to William Messer, director, Asia Pacific, Cisco.
Instead of setting up a subsidiary in India, Cisco preferred to forge
an alliance because "we wanted to come here quickly and setting
up a subsidiary takes time," says Messer.
Cisco claims to have 51 percent of the router market worldwide,
and grossed more than $1 billion in 1992-93. The Asia Pacific
region contributes about 10 percent of its revenues, while the US
and Mexico combine accord approximately 54 percent.
A few weeks ago, Microland also firmed up an alliance with
Motorola Inc. "All our collaborations work synergistically and
none overlap each other," said Pradeep Kar, chairman and managing
director of Microland.
The partnership with Motorola is for distributing its multiplexers
and switches in India. With these two tie ups, Microland has a
total of eight foreign collaborators, the others being: Compaq
Computer Corp., ComputerLand, Newport Systems, Novell Inc.,
SynOptics, and Hewlett-Packard.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931209)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/09/93
APPLE
****1st Real-Time Video Codec Board For Mac AVs
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00028)
****1st Real-Time Video Codec Board For Mac AVs 12/09/93
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- New Video,
makers of the Eyeq series of video compression boards for the
Macintosh, have announced, what the company claims is, the first
compression and processing board for the Macintosh Audio/Visual
(AV) line of computers.
The company claims its new Eyeq AV board will allow real-time,
30 frames-per-second (fps) full-screen video recording
and full-screen playback at the same real-time frame rate.
New Video representatives said the Eyeq board has the advantage
of incorporating the Intel i750 chip for video compression and
playback. It is also claimed to be thousands of dollars less, at the
retail price of $1,895, than other video compression hardware
add-on products.
The board is specifically designed for use in the Quadra 840AV or
660AV and will interface directly with the AV's Digital Audio
Video (DAV) connector. It will allow for up to 16-bit graphics
over video, 16-bit stereo audio with a sampling rate of up to 48
kilohertz (KHz), supports displays up to 16-inches in size at 832
by 634 picture element (pixel) resolution, and supports the most
common video standards including NTSC (National Television
Standards Committee), PAL, and SECAM using the Macintosh AV's
built-in Composite and S-Video out.
The board is also fully compatible with Apple's multimedia
software extension Quicktime and most popular multimedia
authoring tools, offers resizable windows, software playback, and
supports algorithms that require an average of only nine megabytes
(MB)-per-minute of hard disk storage, company officials said. The
board can also produce files with data transfer rates that are
low enough to play back from a compact disc read-only memory
(CD-ROM) drive over a local area network (LAN) in real time with
full-motion and full-screen size.
The Eyeq board ships with: a Quicktime Player Utility; Quicktime
compression/decompression (codec) software; Director Object,
Quicktime support for capture, compression, editing, and playback
of audio and video; and an Eyeq utility for capture, compression,
editing and playback of video and audio.
The Eyeq AV requires a Macintosh Quadra 660AV or 840AV, any
Apple display up to 16-inches or any 832 by 634 pixel multisync
display, a hard disk drive with a recommended storage capacity of
200MB, 8MB of random access memory (RAM) is also recommended,
and the System 7.1 operating system.
New Media is offering the board directly and also said the company
will demonstrate the Eyeq AV at the Macworld show, January 5
through 9, 1994.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931209/Press Contact: Stefana Young for
New Media, 503-293-8171; Public Contact, New Media, 1526
Cloverfield Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404, tel 310-449-7000,
fax 310-449-0132)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
IBM
Wang Offers Database Query Tool
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00029)
Wang Offers Database Query Tool 12/09/93
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- Wang
Laboratories Inc., has announced Open/Query Builder, decision
support and data retrieval software for client/server computing
systems.
Wang said the query tool can retrieve data from a variety of
databases, including Borland International Inc.'s dBase IV,
Microsoft Corp.'s SQL Server, Sybase, and Oracle, using the Open
Database Connectivity (ODBC) standard. It runs on personal
computers equipped with Microsoft Windows, and makes it
possible to bring retrieved data into other Windows applications.
Ease of use and integration with other Windows applications are
the software's main selling points, company spokeswoman Ann
Breslin said.
Wang said Open/Query Builder will help users develop ad-hoc
queries with a graphical, step-by-step approach. Users just point
and click on icons to build a query, officials said. At each
step, the software prompts for needed information, such as names
of tables, data selection criteria, and sort order. Since each
step of the query is documented, users can reuse, modify, and
share queries.
The software will also let users integrate query results into
mail-merged documents in the Microsoft Word for Windows,
WordPerfect for Windows, and Lotus Ami Pro word processors
using built-in macros. They can also link the information in the
Microsoft Excel and Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet packages, Wang said.
Support for Microsoft's dynamic data exchange (DDE) protocol
makes it possible to integrate query results into other desktop
applications that support DDE. The first release does not support
object linking and embedding (OLE), Breslin said, but the next
release will.
Data can be sent to others via electronic mail products including
Wang's Open/Office, Microsoft Mail, Lotus' cc:Mail and Notes, and
Da Vinci. An integrated graphics package allows users to graph
the results of their queries.
Open/Query Builder requires an Intel-based computer using an
80386 or higher microprocessor, a VGA or higher resolution
monitor, four megabytes (MB) of memory, one 1.2MB or 1.44MB
diskette drive, and five MB of available space on the hard disk
or network drive. It also needs DOS 5.0 or greater, Windows 3.1
or greater and an ODBC driver for the database to be queried.
Wang said the software is due to ship in February at a standard
retail price of $395, with a special introductory price of $99.
Wang announced that The Programmer's Shop will distribute the
software. Other distributors will be announced by February,
Breslin said, and the software will be available by mail order
from Wang.
(Grant Buckler/19931209/Press Contact: Ann Breslin, Wang,
508-967-4166; Public Contact: The Programmer's Shop,
800-421-8006)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/09/93
GENERAL
SGML '93 - User-Friendly SGML & IBM GML Tools
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00030)
SGML '93 - User-Friendly SGML & IBM GML Tools 12/09/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 9 (NB) -- At SGML '93,
Grif SA has introduced a Windows edition of the Grif SGML
(Standard Generalized Markup Language) Editor. The company has
also announced a new application toolkit for its SGML Editor, and
a desktop authoring tool for IBM's legacy, SGML-like GML
(Generalized Markup Language) system.
Previously available for Unix only, the SGML Editor is designed to
allow even authors unfamiliar with SGML to work with the complex
document interchange language, said Marie-Christine Pichot,
product manager for the French-based company, in an interview
with Newsbytes at a product expo.
Grif's editing tool is based on a document model which specifies
the structure and presentations of an SGML document through a
series of screens called Logical Views.
When the user enters new SGML elements, the program inserts
them contextually, so that they conform to the document model by
default. As a result, the SGML document remains valid, according
to Pichot.
Five document type definitions (DTDs) are included in the package,
along with the following presentations: Chapter, Book, Letter,
Slide, and Sheet. DTDs define the rules for SGML documents.
Other capabilities in Grif's editing tool include SGML cut-and-
paste, automatic page and section numbering, active hypertext
links, a database interface module, a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-
what-you-get) table, and mathematical formulae editing.
Import filters are optionally available for Word, WordPerfect,
Interleaf, DCA/RFT, DCF/BookMaster, and IGES.
The new development tool for the Grif SGML Editor is called GATE
(Grif Application Toolkit Environment). Available for Windows
as well as Unix, GATE is designed to let the developer integrate
the functionality of other tools into the Grif SGML Editor.
Functions that can be added include automatic text generation,
interactivity, element validity checking, updating a version
number, making parts of the text secure, according to Pichot.
Grif's third new product, CAT (Corporate Authoring Tool), is aimed
at providing a user-friendly environment for entering composite
documents such as tables, formulae and lists into IBM's legacy,
mainframe-based GML system.
Also available for Windows and Unix, CAT allows interactive
data input, with previews, on a local PC or workstation. Batch
composition is performed at the central site on a mainframe
using IBM's BookMaster.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931209/Press & Reader Contact: Grif SA,
tel 33-1-3012-1430, fax 33-1-3064-0646)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
IBM
Delrina Adds Lotus Notes Support To FormFlow
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00001)
Delrina Adds Lotus Notes Support To FormFlow 12/08/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Delrina Corp., has
announced that FormFlow, its forms-based work-flow automation
software, has new links to Lotus Development Corp.'s Notes
workgroup software.
According to Delrina, FormFlow can now serve as a front-end to
the free-form databases created in Notes, and can rely on Notes
to replicate information across databases on multiple linked
networks.
The mail component in Notes can also now serve as the electronic
mail transport for FormFlow, said Delrina spokesman Shelly Sofer.
FormFlow uses electronic forms to route information through an
organization and as a method of access to databases. The new
support for Notes means that FormFlow can now be used to link
data in traditional databases such as dBase IV to free-form
information stored in Notes, Delrina said.
For instance, an employee evaluation system using FormFlow might
link to basic information such as name, address, and employee
number in a conventional database, and also to performance
evaluations or a spreadsheet file outlining a bonus plan stored
in Notes, the company said.
The other key value of the Notes connection is that Notes is able
to replicate databases across linked servers -- the software will
send information from each copy of the database to other copies
to ensure that each copy is kept up to date with all changes.
FormFlow will use this capability to help it track the movement
of forms across more than one network, Delrina officials said.
Without Notes, FormFlow can track where a form is within a single
network by writing the information to a database on the server.
Now it will be able to track movement across multiple networks,
the company said.
Delrina hopes to extend distribution of FormFlow, which was first
launched in May, 1993, by added current Notes value-added
resellers (VARs) to its own network of VARs, Sofer said.
(Grant Buckler/19931207/Press Contact: Shelly Sofer or Josef
Zankowicz, Delrina, tel 416-441-3676, fax 416-441-0333/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
GENERAL
UK - "Clue" Insurance Anti-Fraud System Now On-line
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00002)
UK - "Clue" Insurance Anti-Fraud System Now On-line 12/08/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- The Association of British
Insurers (ABI) has officially inaugurated Clue, a computer system
designed to tackle the problem of insurance fraud.
As previously reported by Newsbytes, the system should reduce
the amount of fraudulent claims by as much as UKP400 million,
the ABI claims.
"I issue a warning to all fraudsters and potential fraudsters," said
Bob Scott, insurance company manager in charge of Clue. "You will
be caught and insurers will encourage prosecutions and insist on
restitution of any payments made."
Many industry experts see Clue's benefits to the insurance industry
as more deterrent than active, but Joe Cash, senior vice president
of Equifax, the US company behind Clue, said that the system was
just the start of an information exchange between competing
insurance companies.
In the future, he said, an investigations service may be introduced
to complement computer screening. This would include private
investigators questioning the neighbors and employers of suspect
policy-holders about their day-to-day activities.
According to Cash, insurance fraud is a problem which is costing
insurance companies and their honest policy-holders several
percentage points on the cost of their policies.
(Steve Gold/19931207/Press & Public Contact: Association of
British Insurers, 44-71-248-4477)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
GENERAL
UK - QMS Addresses Japanese Printer Market
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00003)
UK - QMS Addresses Japanese Printer Market 12/08/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- QMS, the non-impact printer
specialist, has announced the appointment of Dicoll Technology in
Basingstoke as a new QMS Quality Center. The difference with Dicoll
is that the reseller will handle Kanji-configured printers from the
company for supply to Japanese companies in the UK.
According to QMS, within days of the contract being awarded, Dicoll
finalized the first Kanji language printer contract with Mitaka's
headquarters in Leamington. Terms of the contract call for Dicoll
to supply a Kanji QMS 1725 print system to the Japanese company.
Moira Craig, QMS managing director, said that sales of Kanji
language printers are an extremely important part of QMS'
business worldwide. "Obviously, there are a large number of highly
successful Japanese companies operating in the UK which represent
an enormous potential market for Kanji language departmental
printers right across the QMS range," she said.
Additionally, she said that: "Dicoll is a well established value-added
reseller with a high level of expertise and an excellent reputation
in sales, support and maintenance of major network products. It's
an ideal partner for QMS for our new Japanese initiative."
In addition to Kanji versions of QMS' full standard printer range,
Dicoll will sell the special PS-430 and 460J printers. These
printers comes with a free 12 month on-site warranty.
(Steve Gold/19931207/Press & Public Contact: QMS,
44-784-430900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
BUSINESS
Spinnaker Stockholders To Get Less In Merger
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00004)
Spinnaker Stockholders To Get Less In Merger 12/08/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Spinnaker
stockholders are going to get less for their stock than originally
announced in the merger between software developers Wordstar,
Softkey, and Spinnaker. The reason is that Spinnaker claims it is
having to clean up some of its dirty laundry.
The problems go back to early 1991, when Spinnaker made a deal
with Software Publishing Corp. (SPC) to purchase the PFS
product line. The deal was to be an exchange of Spinnaker's stock
for the software line, but Software Publishing said Spinnaker
never delivered the registration rights for the stock. Software
Publishing took legal action in an attempt to get paid, but when
Spinnaker stock dropped to less than a dollar a share in 1992,
SPC's financial officials advised the company to write off the
stock as a loss.
Spinnaker's finances looked even more precarious when in October
of 1992, Spinnaker's accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche, and its
chief financial officer resigned.
SPC continued to pursue the legal action and just last week an
arbitration panel decision made Spinnaker liable for at least
$1.4 million in damages -- not counting interest, attorney's
fees, the fees of the American Arbitration Association, and other
expenses. The case is not finished yet, according to SPC officials,
who told Newsbytes the company is waiting further decisions by
the arbitration group.
The effect on the merger is Spinnaker's stockholders will get
between 1.599 and 1.641 shares of Wordstar stock per share of
Spinnaker stock, instead of the 1.615 to 1.657 shares stated when
the merger was announced. Softkey stockholders will get 2.194 and
2.252 shares of Wordstar stock for each share of Softkey stock,
up from the 2.172 to 2.230 in the original announcement.
Spinnaker management says the merger will continue forward
unaffected by the arbitration decision. The company also asserts
it can borrow the money to pay SPC out of existing credit facilities.
At the close of trading Tuesday Spinnaker stock was unchanged at
2.281, Softkey stock was down 0.375 to close at 4.375, and
Wordstar stock was up 0.031 to close at 1.219.
Spinnaker is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is known
for its Calendar Creator, PFS: Windowworks and PFS: Resume and
Job Search Pro software. Boca Raton, Florida-based Softkey
develops software under the Key, New Vision Powerware and
Titanium Seal brands. Wordstar, headquartered in Novato,
California, is best known for its word processing software by
the same name.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931208/Press Contact: Paul Brauneis,
Spinnaker, tel 617-494-1200 ext 443, fax 617-494-1219;
Tom Rickey, Wordstar, 415-382-8000; John Suske, Softkey,
617-374-1450 ext 567; Fran Brooks, Software Publishing
Corp., 408-450-7129)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
GENERAL
VideoLabs Intros Low-Cost Document Camera
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00005)
VideoLabs Intros Low-Cost Document Camera 12/08/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- VideoLabs has
announced, what the company claims is, the first "affordable"
document camera intended to compete directly with the Elmo,
Canon, and Panasonic cameras at about one-third the cost.
Document cameras are intended to scan and digitize high-quality
images of any flat document or small three-dimensional (3-D)
object placed within range, as opposed to scanners which require
the object to be placed in contact with the scanner.
VideoLab's $995 FlexCam camera ($1,045 with optional stereo
mikes) is designed to scan very tiny objects (50:1 magnification
possible), traditional document pages, photographs,
transparencies, and 3-D objects.
The camera, which is mounted on an 18-inch flexible gooseneck,
provides PAL or NTSC (National Television Standards Committee)
color output which can be connected directly to a VCR,
teleconferencing system, or computer digitizing board.
Using an eight millimeter (mm) lens to cover a maximum image size
measuring about the size of a piece of typing paper, the camera can
also be focused as close as one-quarter of an inch, producing an
effective 50-times magnification when the image is displayed on a
25-inch monitor.
High-quality images are claimed in low-light conditions and
improved quality is provided in bright-light situations because
the FlexCam, unlike most electronic cameras, uses a mechanical
iris to cut light input rather than a variable-speed electronic
shutter.
Comparable competing products from Canon, Elmo, and Panasonic
range in price from $2,200 to nearly $4,000. At only 2.2-pounds,
the FlexCam is also claimed to be considerably lighter than its
competitors. The Canon RE-650, for instance, weighs about
22-pounds.
Maximum resolution for the one third-inch color CCD (charged
coupled device) is 300 TV lines horizontal and 350 TV lines
vertical.
(John McCormick/19931207/Press Contact: Chris Smith,
VideoLabs, tel 612-897-1995, fax 612-897-3597/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
IBM
Microsoft Money 3.0 Offers On-line Banking
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)
Microsoft Money 3.0 Offers On-line Banking 12/08/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corp., has announced a major upgrade to its Microsoft Money
program that adds an integrated on-line banking service.
Microsoft says Microsoft Money 3.0, "ushers in a significant era
for personal finance software" with the integration of integrated
Bank On-Line Service, a feature that allows the user to conduct
banking transactions from a personal computer.
In addition to the on-line banking service, Microsoft Money 3.0
also offers investment tracking, on-line payment of bills and the
updating of stock and mutual fund portfolios.
Bank Online gives the user electronic access to their checking,
savings and credit card accounts and the ability to check account
balances, transfer funds between account, and download
transaction information automatically. Money 3.0 automatically
balances and electronically reconciles accounts for the user by
comparing downloaded transactions with the information that the
user has entered.
Three regional banks will initially participate in Bank Online: First
National Bank of chicago, Michigan National Bank, and US Bank.
National Payment Clearinghouse Inc., is facilitating Bank Online by
providing networking switching and processing services.
With banks competing for user's checking and savings accounts,
Alan Ostroff, senior BP of Michigan National Bank, says Bank
Online also helps the banks serve their customers more
effectively. "We're seeing a growing demand from our customers
for access to their banking information. It's one way customers
choose one bank from another," he said.
To use the on-line services offered by Microsoft Money 3.0 you
need a modem and an account with a participating bank, as well
as the software itself. Cost of the on-line banking service will
vary with the individual banks, but is expected to run about $7.95
per month. Pay Online will cost $9.95 per month and will allow the
user to pay up to 20 bills per month electronically. An additional
10 monthly payments costs $3.50. Receipt of payment is
guaranteed within four business days. The clearing house pays
the bills by issuing a check or electronically transferring the
funds and debiting the Microsoft Money user's bank account.
The Quotes Online service gives the Microsoft Money user access
to the latest closing price information for more than 16,000
stocks and mutual funds listed in the NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ
exchanges, and automatically updates prides in the user's
investment accounts, says the company. For $3.95 per month, a
Money user can make four calls to Quotes Online, with an unlimited
number of individual stock of fund queries per call. Additional
Quotes Online beyond the basic four calls per month costs $0.50
each.
Microsoft Money 3.0 includes Financial Planning Wizards, tools
that assist the user in calculating loan and mortgage payments,
planning retirement, calculating savings, and estimating
interest. Investment tracking supports both summary and detail-
level tracking of investment accounts and extensive investment
reports, and works in conjunction with the Quotes Online service.
Microsoft Money is scheduled to ship in February and will have a
suggested retail price (SRP) of $34.95 through April 15, 1994.
After that date, the SRP will be $69.95. Users of Microsoft Excel
and Microsoft Works get an additional five dollars off the
suggested retail price through an in-box rebate coupon. Users of
Microsoft Money version 2.0 can upgrade to release 3.0 for $15.
Microsoft Windows is required to run Microsoft Money 3.0.
(Jim Mallory/19931208/Press Contact: Julie Larkin, Microsoft
Corp., 206-882-8080; Reader Contact: Microsoft Corp., 206-882-
87080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
TELECOM
Multi-Tech Offers Voice Over Data Comms
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00007)
Multi-Tech Offers Voice Over Data Comms 12/08/93
MOUNDS VIEW, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Multi-Tech
Systems Inc., has announced that it is enhancing its MultiModem
PCS with V.32terbo technology, a "Talk Anytime" feature, and
enhancing MultiExpressPCS Windows.
The MultiModem PCS, known as the Model MT1932PCS, supports
the AT&T open standard known as V.32terbo, and operates at
16,800 and 19,200 bits-per-second (bps) by extending current
9,600 and 14,400 modem technology, adding two new data rates.
The company says the higher speed V.32terbo technology
enhances the performance of simultaneous voice and data
communications by providing up to 33 percent more throughput.
The Talk Anytime features activates voice-over-data
communication just by picking up the handset.
Multi-Tech President Raghu Sharma says many voice-over-data
applicants need the extra throughput afforded by the V.32terbo
technology. He also cites the convenience of being able to switch
between voice over data and pure data transfer simply by handing
up the phone. "This is useful in sending a medical images during
consultation, for instance," said Sharma.
The Talk Anytime feature is hardware-only, allowing the user to
use any communications software without having to reprogram,
change setup strings, or reconfigure the modem. The
MultiExpressPCS software includes the ability to export WAV
files -- the Microsoft sound file format.
(Jim Mallory/19931208/Press Contact: Paul Kraska, MultiTech
Systems, 612-785-3500 or 800-328-9717; Reader Contact:
Multitech Systems, 612-785-3500 or 800-328-9717)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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9000 12/08/93
UNIX
Parallax Brings VideoStream Desktop Video To HP
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00008)
Parallax Brings VideoStream Desktop Video To HP 9000 12/08/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Parallax
Graphics will be porting its VideoStream desktop video hardware
technology to the HP 9000 Series 700 workstation family.
Already available for Sun workstations, Parallax's VideoStream
video hardware technology is based on a proprietary ASIC
(application specific integrated circuit) design aimed at supplying
24-bit color, 30 frames-per-second video at full resolution.
Parallax's VideoStream-based XVideo, PowerVideo, and MultiVideo
products are targeted at videoconferencing, video editing,
telemedicine, collaborative engineering, and video-on-demand.
"HP continues to see accelerated demand for high quality video in
the Unix system marketplace," said Gary B. Eichhorn, vice president
and general manager of HP's Workstation Systems Group, in
announcing the pact with Parallax.
As a result of the agreement, Parallax video products will add
compatibility with HP MPower, HP's collaborative multimedia
environment.
The HP MPower product suite includes a shared whiteboard
application, image viewing, CD-quality stereo audio, and HP
SharedX, a software tool for real-time sharing of X Windows among
remote locations.
Applications developed for the Parallax Graphics products will be
highly portable between hardware platforms, because the Parallax
products are built on standard Xt widgets, officials said.
GDE Systems, a third-party developer specializing in digital imager
processing systems, has announced its intentions to work with HP
and Parallax to port image processing applications. "Existing
applications targeted for porting include remote medical
consultation, surgical planning, and navigation," noted Mike
Vaughan, manager of new business development for GDE.
According to Douglas F. Whitman, an analyst at Montgomery
Securities, the videoconferencing market is estimated to grow
at a rate of 40 percent over the next three years, to become a
$1 billion market. Desktop systems are expected to represent
approximately 30 percent of the total market.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931208/Reader Contacts: Parallax Graphics,
408-727-2228; Hewlett-Packard, 800-752-0900; Press Contacts:
Barbara Kay, Parallax, 408-727-2220; Tim Hurley, Hewlett-
Packard, 508-436-5049)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
IBM
Fujitsu Intros Windows Software Conferencing System
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00009)
Fujitsu Intros Windows Software Conferencing System 12/08/93
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Fujitsu has
introduced Desktop Conferencing for Support (DTC-Support), a
Windows-based software support environment for medium- to
large-sized corporations.
The new, multi-party application is aimed at boosting productivity
by allowing "clients" and a variety of "experts" to communicate in
real-time over a local or wide area network, officials said in
making the announcement.
In DTC-Support terminology, a "client" is any end user who needs
assistance with a software application. "Experts" are help desk
staff, MIS (management information systems) staff, or even first-
line departmental "power users" who are capable of answering
questions for clients or providing application training.
Up to seven experts can conference with a client at any one time.
As a result, clients do not need training or experience in DTC-
Support. Experts can share control of a client's keyboard and
mouse, allowing an expert to take immediate action to solve a
problem.
DTC-Support includes a Flipchart that lets clients and experts
brainstorm ideas, annotate information, and take notes. When the
flipchart is invoked, experts and clients can each access pen and
pointer tools on blank white pages or captured screens.
A Flipchart Organizer also incorporated is designed to ease the
creation, management and storage of Flipchart pages, permitting
users to create a visual database of problem resolutions.
A File and Clipboard Transfer function allows experts to send or
receive the contents of the local or remote Windows Clipboard, or
complete files. The recipient can copy/paste text or graphics
from a file or from the Clipboard into an application.
A Messaging feature makes it possible for an expert to send text
messages of up to 240 characters to any or all of the other experts
in the conference.
Fujitsu DTC-Support is available immediately. A single client
version is priced at $99. Expert versions are $299 for a single
user, $2,490 for a 10-pack, and $17,900 for a 100-pack.
Fujitsu has also started to ship a new update to Fujitsu DeskTop
Conferencing, its flagship product. Version 1.4 features an
enhanced graphical user interface with a new Windows toolbar.
Fujitsu DTC-Support and Fujitsu DeskTop Conferencing require
Novell NetWare 2.2, 3.11, or 4.0, and the IPX (Internetwork Packet
Exchange) protocol. The applications run on any network topology.
For wide area interconnects, a bridge or router with a minimum
bandwidth of 56 kilobits-per-second is recommended.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931208/Reader Contact: Fujitsu Networks
Industry Inc., 203-326-2700; Press Contacts: Jim Zimmerman,
Fujitsu, 203-326-2723; Leahanne Hobson, Copithorne & Bellows
Public Relations for Fujitsu, 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
IBM
****IBM To Sell LANs Directly
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00010)
****IBM To Sell LANs Directly 12/08/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- The IBM Personal
Computer Co., has announced that it will sell complete local area
networks (LANs) through its IBM Direct order line.
The Net Select service will let customers order hardware,
software, desktop and network operating systems, LAN adapters,
peripherals, and LAN service and support, the company said.
Buyers will be able to obtain all the pieces they need and
install their own LANs, or order cabling and consulting services
through IBM Direct to help get the network running, said company
spokesman Mike DeMeo.
IBM expects the service to appeal to a range of customers from
small to fairly large organizations, DeMeo said, though he added
that the company does not expect very large networks will be
ordered this way. Nets of more than 500 nodes would be too
complicated for Net Select, DeMeo said.
Net Select offers customers a choice of servers and clients, IBM
said. Servers include the PS/2 Model 9585 and ValuePoint Model
6387 Mini-Tower. The ValuePoint Si, ValuePoint Desktop and
ValuePoint Mini-Tower are available as clients. Novell's
NetWare, OS/2 LAN Server, and OS/2 LAN Server Requester
come factory-installed on these servers and clients, along
with network interface cards for Ethernet or Token Ring,.
Customers can also use IBM's Soft Select pre-loaded software
service to have popular software applications factory-installed
on the client PCs.
IBM launched PC Direct in October, 1992, as a unit of IBM PC Co.,
to sell personal computers directly through a toll-free order
number.
(Grant Buckler/19931208/Press Contact: Mike DeMeo, IBM,
914-766-1802; Public Contact: IBM Direct, 800-IBM-2YOU or
800-426-2968)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/08/93
GENERAL
Cognos Brings PowerHouse Windows To DEC
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00011)
Cognos Brings PowerHouse Windows To DEC 12/08/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Cognos Inc., has
announced a new version of PowerHouse Windows, the client/server
version of its fourth-generation language (4GL), that now supports
Digital Equipment Corp.'s OpenVMS operating system.
PowerHouse Windows runs on personal computers with Microsoft
Windows installed. It provides a client connection to PowerHouse,
Cognos' fourth-generation application development software,
running on a host system. The client/server software was launched
first in February, 1992, for Hewlett-Packard Co.'s HP 3000
computers running that company's MPE/iX operating system.
PowerHouse Windows works with terminals as well as with PCs
in a client/server mode. The new release adds panel mode and an
improved block mode for terminal applications, company officials
said.
Other parts of the software are: PowerHouse Windows Run-time,
the interactive run-time environment on Windows, providing a
user interface to PowerHouse applications; PowerHouse Windows
Development, a screen painter to help developers use Windows
features; and PowerHouse Windows Services, the communication
and connectivity part of the package, which manages security
and the distributed forms library.
Although Cognos said at the introduction of PowerHouse Windows
that it planned a version for IBM's AS/400 systems, the company
has now decided against that, said Lyse Teasdale, AS/400 product
manager. Cognos found the remote presentation capabilities of
PowerHouse Windows did not deliver enough benefit for AS/400
applications, she said. Cognos will support client/server
development on the AS/400 with its Axiant software.
PowerHouse Windows 1.2 is available directly from Cognos at
C$405 for the run-time version, with the developer edition
starting at C$1,095.
(Grant Buckler/19931208/Press Contact: Roberta Carlton, Cognos,
617-229-6600 ext 2446; Public Contact: Cognos, 800-267-2777)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/08/93
TELECOM
BT & Phonelink To Offer PC-Based Directory In UK
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00012)
BT & Phonelink To Offer PC-Based Directory In UK 12/08/93
PRENTON, BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Phonelink, the
specialist telecommunications software company, has launched a
"pay as you go" version of its CD-ROM (compact disc read only
memory) -based UK phone directory package.
Previously, Phonelink's software, which was based around BT's
CD-ROM directory of UK business and residential subscribers, was
available on a flat-rate annual licensing basis. This new version,
Newsbytes notes, has had the software updated to take account of
the Windows graphical user interface and is known as
Teledirectory.
Pricing on the package is UKP300 per year, plus 12 pence per
enquiry on the package. This contrasts with BT's standard 48 pence
per call for up to two enquiries over the standard directory
assistance number.
Teledirectory has the advantage, BT says, in that it is operated
by the subscriber company's staff and is thus ideal for use on a
switchboard.
According to Phonelink, the Teledirectory software is faster than
making a call to directory assistance numbers, as each enquiry can
be completed in an average of 15 seconds. The company claims that
any user making more than five calls per business day to BT's
directory assistance service will be better off using Teledirectory.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931208/Press & Public Contact: Phonelink, tel
44-51-608-0205, fax 051-608-0119)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
GOVT
EC Plans Harmonizing Euro-Telecom/Postal Services
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00013)
EC Plans Harmonizing Euro-Telecom/Postal Services 12/08/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- After years of partial and
fragmented legislation and instruction to member state/country
governments, the European Commission's Telecommunications
Council has announced plans to adopt resolutions (legislation) on a
"global basis" for telecoms and postal services throughout the
European Community.
At a series of meetings of the Council taking place in Brussels this
month, European Commission (EC) ministers claim they will be
debating questions from companies and individuals, as well as
governments, on various topics. The Council claims that, from now
on, however, it will be considering these questions within the
context of a European-wide network, rather than on a local country
basis.
The move, though strategic, could have important ramifications for
those EC member countries who have been sluggish when it comes to
opening up their postal and telecoms markets to open competition
from within the EC, Newsbytes notes.
For example, one topic up for discussion is how to complete the
final phases of liberalizing the British and Dutch telecoms market,
which will undoubtedly drag countries such as Spain and Portugal,
whose liberalization attempts have been rather slow. When adopting
a planned timescale for England and the Netherlands, EC officials
will consider what to do about Spain and Portugal. Previously, each
country was considered and dealt with on a separate basis.
One important result from the change of strategy at the EC
headquarters is that a new draft resolution regarding universal
service is being considered. A resolution, Newsbytes notes, is a
piece of legislation that applies across the whole of the EC, just
as of a law had been passed by all the individual governments in
the Community.
The EC universal service draft resolution, Newsbytes understands,
mandates that all telecoms service providers will offer telephone
services to all comers, guaranteeing a minimum level of services
and quality for all users. This means that, even if a subscriber
lives in a remote mountain settlement, the country telecoms
company must offer them the same basic level of phone service as
would be available to a subscriber in a city.
To fund what the EC describes as "uneconomic" services (such as to
remote subscribers), the draft resolution proposes to finance them
using fees, internal transfers and other controlled mechanisms.
This is an interesting development, Newsbytes notes, as cross-
subsidizes have been banned outright by the EC in many public
services, telecoms included. Newsbytes notes that allowing
companies the ability to cross-finance uneconomic services could
be an interesting "get out" clause to allow telecoms service
providers the ability to offer basic services to all subscribers
without being forced to swallow the loss themselves or ask the
subscriber for a contribution towards the extra cost of providing
service.
Newsbytes' readers in the EC should not expect the wholesale
provision of telecoms services under the universal service banner,
however, as EC officials are still wrangling over what, exactly,
universal service constitutes.
According to some sources, officials with the English, German, and
Dutch EC groups want universal service to refer merely to basic
voice telephony, leaving services such as voice mail, advanced
messaging and Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
provision outside the scope of the resolution.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931208)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
TRENDS
Belgian Firm Intros Smart-Card Water Meter System
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00014)
Belgian Firm Intros Smart-Card Water Meter System 12/08/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Wameter has announced
the development of the Econocarte, a smart card-based water
meter system.
A smart card is a credit card-sized piece of plastic containing a
thin battery-backed memory chip with an ability to function as a
simple computer in its own right. This allows the card to be removed
and inserted in card reading and writing units and have data input
and output on request.
According to Wameter, thanks to a transfer of technology agreed by
the card's inventor, Roland Moreno, and research and tests carried
out by Lyonnaise des Eaux in Bordeaux, France, production of the
device will commence at Dison, France, where an initial investment
of BFr40 million has been approved.
Wameter officials claim that the advantage of the Econocarte
system is that the intelligence is mostly in the smart card. This,
the company claims, greatly simplifies the mechanics of the water
meter which, in turn, allows factories producing water meters to
double or even triple their meter output.
This has allowed Wameter to offer lower pricing on the Econocarte
than on conventional water meters. The company claims that the
Polish state water company has already ordered 4,000 units, while
interest has been shown from other companies around the world,
notably those in the France, Israel, and the UK.
Wameter is a pan-European division of the Peltzer Group and has
operations in the Wallon region of Belgium, as well as Lille, France
and Switzerland. The company's French and Swiss operations are
known, respectively, as Watteau and Soltex.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931208/Peltzer Group, 32-2-762-0353)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/08/93
GENERAL
HP Offers Low-Cost Router With Flash memory
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00015)
HP Offers Low-Cost Router With Flash memory 12/08/93
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard (HP)
has announced what it claims is the industry's first low-cost router
(costing UKP2,375) with built-in flash memory, advanced network
management and true "plug-and-play" capabilities.
The new router, known as the HP J2540A Router PR, claims to
expand HP's EtherTwist family of bridges and routers and is,
according to Mark Hollister, the company's UK network marketing
manager, an ideal remote-access router for companies that need a
cost-effective, easy-to-install, easy-to-manage routing "solution."
HP has also announced its Embedded Advanced Sampling Environment
(EASE) traffic-sampling technology is scheduled to be available
on the new router and all EtherTwist routers with immediate effect.
The HP Router PR supports TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol) and Novell IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange)
routing protocols as well as bridging. It also provides one Ethernet
port with a choice of AUI (Autonomous Unit Interface) or BNC
connector and one synchronous WAN (wide area network) connection
for PPP or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) links.
According to HP, router management is available through the router's
console (RS-232) port and via TELNET in-band access over the
network. As with all HP routers, the company claims, software
upgrades can be made locally or over the WAN into the router's flash
memory.
(Steve Gold/19931208/Press & Public Contact: Hewlett-Packard,
+44-344-369222)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/08/93
TELECOM
UK - Mercury Invests In "Next Century" Billing System
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00016)
UK - Mercury Invests In "Next Century" Billing System 12/08/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Mercury Communications
has signed a contract worth more than $22 million for the purchase
and development of a core billing system from GTE, the US phone
giant.
According to Mercury, the system will be brought on-line for
both residential and business customers during 1994/95. The aim
is to partially or, in some cases, totally, replace the current
in-house billing software.
Mercury claims that, as a result of these actions, it will be able
to adopt a more flexible approach to tariffs and billing, such as
expanding the "duration discount" scheme offered on calls to the US,
to other calling rates. It will also, the company claims, allow for
the introduction of universal numbering at a later stage.
Universal numbering is the system whereby callers dial a single
number for one person and, no matter where that person is, they have
calls routed to their chosen phones. The advantage with universal
numbering is that callers have just one number to dial and remember.
"Off the shelf" elements of the system, which is known as the
Customer Billing and Service System (CBSS), account for around half
of Mercury's total investment. The remainder of the money will be
spent on customizing and developing the system to suit the specific
needs of Mercury's customer base.
According to Colin Wileman, customer services and development
director of Mercury's business and consumer business unit, "The
GTE system will fulfil all of our basic requirements for a flexible,
future proof billing system and, importantly, it will allow us far
greater freedom in the type of services we plan to offer our
customers."
Don Hayes, GTE Data Services' president, who flew into the UK
to sign the contract with Mercury, said he is delighted that
Mercury has opted to go with CBSS. "By selecting CBSS, we are
confident that Mercury will see enhanced quality, new levels of
customer satisfaction and reductions in the cost of its billing
program," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931208/Press & Public Contact: Mercury
Communications, 44-71-528-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/08/93
IBM
IBM UK Offers Information Services Catalog
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00017)
IBM UK Offers Information Services Catalog 12/08/93
PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- IBM has
announced a new range of Dataguide products which is will be
offering to its major customers and dealers in the coming months.
The products are essentially a range of interactive catalogs that
run under the MVS or OS/2 operating system environments.
According to Big Blue, the aim of the on-line catalogs is to offer
users on a network access to information on all of IBM's products
and services, which can be searched or browsed on a keyword search
basis.
IBM claims that the most important feature of the Dataguide
catalogs is that they describe the available information and data
in non-technical business terms or groupings, so that it is easy for
business managers and administrators to locate information.
Once they have found this information or a data source of interest,
existing applications or tools can be used to easily retrieve it.
The creation and administration of the information catalog is
simplified by a starter set of object types and attributes, as
well as extract tools for popular IBM and non-IBM catalogs and
directories.
Initially, two products comprise the Dataguide family of catalogs:
Dataguide/2 and Dataguide/MVS. The former is the OS/2 version
which runs under OS/2 2.1 and stores its catalog information using
IBM's Database/2 OS/2 database package. The latter is the MVS
version and provides 3270-based users with information catalog
functions through the facilities of the IBM common data
facility/MVS.
IBM claims that both versions of the catalog will ship to
customers next week, each of which will be asked to take part
in a quality testing program.
(Steve Gold/19931208/Press & Public Contact: IBM UK, tel
44-705-561000, fax 44-705-385081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/08/93
TELECOM
Latin America Phone Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
Latin America Phone Update 12/08/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Trends toward
privatization and modernization are re-asserting themselves in
Latin America, despite the victory of Rafael Caldera, an opponent
of privatization, in Venezuela's presidential election. Caldera,
a former president, won a narrow plurality in a four-way race.
In Brazil, where opposition to privatizing the Telebras phone
monopoly is strong, Economy Minister Fernando Cardoso said in a
speech that the company's monopoly on service should be ended.
Competition could force a sale of the company, even at a lower
price than would otherwise be the case. Moves to sell the
monopoly have been blocked by labor and leftist opposition.
In Peru, the Tele 2000 cellular operation signed a supply
contract with AT&T worth about $36 million. The new operation,
which could serve 50,000 customers by 1995, is a cornerstone of
President Alberto Fujimori's plan to modernize the country
through private enterprise. Peru has just two phone lines for
every 100 people, the lowest ratio on the continent, mainly due
to an ongoing civil war against drug traffickers and leftist
rebels. It is the first contract for AT&T in Peru.
Perhaps more important to the long-term future of the country is
a separate contract between Tele 2000 and AT&T, under which
they will jointly install an 85 kilometer (km) fiber ring around
the capital of Lima, which could in time be used to improve phone
and data services. Lima has a population of about 7.5 million. Tele
2000 offers public pay phones, cable television services and
business communications services.
Finally, Ericsson has won a $27 million contract in Uruguay to
improve the network of Antel, the local monopoly which was
saved from privatization by popular vote last year. Antel will buy
digital Axe switches in the Montevideo, an intelligent network
node and Synchronous Digital Hierarchy, or SDH, equipment needed
to make its network 90 percent digital. Antel has a reputation
for running the best network in Latin America, which was one
reason voters opposed selling it.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931208/Press Contact: Ericsson, Kathy
Egan, 212-685-4030; AT&T Network Systems, Barbara Mierisch,
201-606-2457)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/08/93
TELECOM
SkyTel Announces E-Mail Connections
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
SkyTel Announces E-Mail Connections 12/08/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Mobile
Telecommunications' SkyTel system has announced new links
using the X.400 standard with both public and private networks.
SkyTel is a satellite paging network which has been upgrading to
offer short electronic mail (e-mail) messages using new digital
technology that lets its narrow-bandwidth channel on the 931
frequency support up to 6,400 bits-per-second (bps) of traffic.
While the parent company's stock price rose sharply, to a peak of
$39 per share, earlier this year when it was awarded a "pioneer's
preference" for a wider frequency band it will use for what it calls
a Nationwide Wireless Network, the price has since fallen to about
$24 as the paging market has become more competitive.
Standard & Poor's recently gave a B-Plus rating to $96 million in
MTel's convertible debentures, which carry a dividend and can be
turned into common stock. The rating was based on greater
competition in paging markets, offset by the potential of the NWN.
In its latest moves, the SkyTel network will be able to link with
General Electric's GEIS network, and with Internet addresses,
under X.400. Internet and GEIS subscribers with SkyTel accounts
can also be alerted to the receipt of e-mail while roaming with
their pagers, SkyTel said. The company estimated there are about
five million Internet users and 200,000 GEIS users. GEIS' links
will be through its BusinessConnect Email Service.
SkyTel also announced it can support six leading LAN (local area
network)-based e-mail systems: Lotus cc:Mail; Microsoft Mail;
WordPerfect Office; Novell MHS; Banyan Vines; and DaVinci and
Beyond. Between them, those software products have over 10
million users.
Again, users with SkyTel accounts can get alerts of new messages
in their e-mail inboxes while roaming with SkyTel pagers. SkyTel
President David W. Garrison said this can be critical to frequency
business travelers. He added that 25 million people now use
e-mail and that is growing 35 percent per year. "We expect that
messages with information, not just notification, will become a
wireless messaging standard, " he added in a press statement.
SkyTel also has links to MCI Mail and AT&T EasyLink.
To support this increased traffic, MTel said it has completed
its first field test of Motorola's FLEX multiple-speed paging
code at its highest rated speed of 6,400 bps. This will double the
capacity of SkyTel's network. Motorola-made pagers supporting
FLEX could be distributed next year.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931208/Press Contact: David Allan,
212-614-5163)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/08/93
TELECOM
Georgia Awards 2nd N11 Number
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
Georgia Awards 2nd N11 Number 12/08/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- The Georgia Public
Service Commission voted 4-1 to let Williams Communications
offer information services in Atlanta using the number 711.
Newsbytes discussed the so-called N11 situation with PSC
spokesman Harriet Van Norte. She said that a one-year trial using
the 511 number has been underway for two months, with Cox
Enterprises' Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Southern Bell
working together.
"There were an average 100,000 calls per month," she said, to the
511 number, which charges 50 cents for each five minutes of
service. That was five times the volume found in a similar trial
in Florida, where the Palm Beach Post, also a Cox newspaper, was
operating the system. "Someone asked why, and it seems to be the
advertising is greater and the calling area is larger," she indicated.
While the Cox service is automated, Williams has filed to offer a
live service with live operators. In a filing this spring,
Williams indicated it would offer a "help-all" service, providing
general information to both consumers and small businesses.
Williams will face "the same requirements as with Cox," Van
Norte said. That means it is getting a one-year trial, free
blocking of the number for consumers who do not want access,
reports to the PSC staff monthly on system traffic, and
"mandatory migration to star technology when it's available."
Star technology involves use of the "*" key to create gateways to
more services, which would allow the PSC to let any company
enter the business.
The commissioner who voted against the Williams award, Bobby
Rowan, claimed in an interview he felt "politically squeezed" to
make the award, citing the fact that Williams' owner, Virgil
Williams, is chief of staff to Governor Zell Miller.
However, an examination of "N11" applications on file at the PSC
office by Newsbytes earlier this year revealed that Williams was
the only applicant requesting use of a live operator service who
had a complete business plan and was prepared to do business
immediately upon licensing.
The state is getting no money from any of this, said Van Norte,
aside from normal business taxes. But Southern Bell has filed a
tariff calling for a set-up charge on the numbers, and regular
fees based on call volumes.
The N11 proceeding started over a year ago when Cox and Southern
Bell separately asked for permission to use the numbers, which
work just like the "411" number used for directory assistance
and the "911" number used for emergencies. The numbers work
only in a local calling area, but since they are just three digits
they are thought to be very valuable.
The aim of Cox and Southern Bell, which agreed earlier this year
to a joint-venture covering the entire BellSouth number, is to
offer low-cost audiotex services. Since that announcement, the
two have made numerous agreements with newspaper chains in
the region to operate services like Atlanta's "511" service, using
the local papers as an advertising vehicle.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931208/Press Contact: Georgia PSC, Harriet
Van Norte, 404-656-4537)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/08/93
TELECOM
****Cox, SW Bell Form Cable Partnership
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
****Cox, SW Bell Form Cable Partnership 12/08/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Southwestern Bell
and Cox Enterprises formed a joint venture which will own Cox'
cable operations and seek to purchase more, as well as buy
programming.
Cox will offer 21 of its cable operations, with 1.62 million
customers, to the deal, and estimated the value of that at $3.3
billion. Southwestern Bell will offer $1.6 billion in cash, which
will be used to buy more cable systems and acquire interests in
programming. For its investment SW Bell will get 40 percent of
the venture, with the option to buy another 10 percent.
A SW Bell spokesman told Newsbytes that the timing and size of
investments by the partners in upgrading the cable systems to
the Clinton Administration's "data superhighway" ideal have not
been determined. Cox is presently testing such a two-way system
in its San Diego operation.
Three Cox Cable operations are not part of the deal. Two of them
are within Southwestern Bell's five-state service territory. The
other is in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and owned in an existing
joint venture between Cox and Time Warner. This is the second
major investment in cable for Southwestern Bell. Earlier it
agreed to buy Hauser Communications, which owns cable systems
in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. That system is also not part of
the new joint venture.
Southwestern Bell and Cox will jointly manage the partnership
with each having two seats on an executive committee. James O.
Robbins, president of Cox Cable, will serve as CEO of the
venture. Robbins said the deal will give Cox Cable the market
power to fund growth continue to diversify. The partners will
immediately begin searching for additional acquisitions, which
should help raise the asking price of cable operators for their
systems. Robbins noted that Southwestern Bell and Cox are already
partners in cable operations in the United Kingdom, adding this
deal is just an extension. He claimed the two firms' cultures are
similar -- decentralized and customer-driven.
The deal is expected to close by the end of September, 1994. It is
just the latest in a series between phone and cable operators,
both of which will need billions more to upgrade their systems
into two-way broadband networks. US West invested $2.5 billion
into Time Warner Entertainment, getting a 25 percent stake not
only in its cable operations, but in its entertainment assets.
BellSouth put $1 billion into Prime Management, a cable operator
which once ran the system in Atlanta. And in the largest such
deal, Bell Atlantic agreed to buy TeleCommunications Inc., the
nation's largest cable operator, for $11.8 billion.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931208/Press Contact: Southwestern Bell,
Bill Dickinson, 210-351-2117; Cox Cable, Ellen East, 404-843-
5854)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/08/93
TELECOM
Ameritech Seeks Entry Into Long Distance
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
Ameritech Seeks Entry Into Long Distance 12/08/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Ameritech has
formally asked the US Justice Department for a waiver from the
Bell break-up decree that will let it begin offering long distance
services from Illinois by early 1995. The request may be expanded
to a second state, and the company hopes eventually to serve all
the states in its five-state service region.
The regional Bell companies are prohibited from terms of the 1982
decree which created them in 1984 from offering long distance
services or manufacturing. But a similar prohibition against
owning information services has since been broken, and there have
been moves in Congress and before regulators to allow the other
restrictions to lapse as well.
Newsbytes discussed the Ameritech move with spokesman Mike
Brand. "The Justice Department needs to approve the waiver and
then forward that to Judge Harold Greene, who oversees the
decree, under existing procedures," he explained.
"We're hoping for a waiver by the late summer of 1994. That would
let us into business in 1995. Obviously there's an awful lot of work
between getting the waiver and going into business. Technical
work will be hardware and software changes, working out leasing
arrangements for facilities. Marketing will be a new way of
getting people to think of Ameritech, he added.
He continued: "It's possible we'll add a second state to the trial in
the near future. While Illinois was the focus yesterday, we hope
to identify a second state. As part of our request, after December,
1995, we've left the door open to add additional states."
He concluded: "The focus on the trial is originating calls, first
within the state, and all the states, then we'll think about
terminating in the future. About half the calls that originate in
our region terminate there -- a $3-4 billion business."
AT&T and MCI immediately attacked the move, saying the company
should not be allowed into their business until there is meaningful
competition in local phone services. Brand addressed those
criticisms. "The issue is, what does the customer want? That's
what we're responding to. Customers are saying they want a single
company to serve their communications needs. Clearly the
technology is evaporating distinctions between local and long
distance service, and cable."
The latest move is part of a plan, called "Customer First," which
Ameritech announced earlier this year. Under the concept,
Ameritech will allow competitors access to its local phone
system, and allow them to compete directly for the local phone
business, in exchange for letting it into long distance.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931208/Press Contact: Ameritech, Mike
Brand, 312-750-3975)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
GOVT
Texas County Approves Apple Tax Benefits
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00023)
Texas County Approves Apple Tax Benefits 12/08/93
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- In an about-face
from a decision just days ago, Williamson (Texas) county's five-
member commission has voted to approve a revised tax benefits
plan that clears the way for Apple Computer to bring its nine-
building $80 million support facility to Round Rock, a Williamson
county city a short distance north of Austin.
It is not unusual for a lawmaking body to approve benefits in order
to attract a company and a significant number of jobs to the area.
What is unusual is that just a few days ago the county
commissioners voted to turn down the $750,000 tax break for the
computer manufacturer, saying it opposed Apple's policy of
extending benefits to same sex partners of employees.
That decision led to national media coverage and created a
waiting list of other cities across the country, including nearby
Austin, that said they would welcome Apple with open arms.
Austin offers city employees benefits coverage similar to that of
Apple.
The issue became a political as well as a moral one, with the
Texas Republican Committee supporting the commissioners and
Ann Richards, the Texas Democratic governor, encouraging Apple
to keep the facility and its 700 jobs in the state.
One commissioner, David Hays, was the center of the controversy.
Initially Hays was one of the three commissioners to vote against
the tax breaks for Apple. One week later Hays changed his vote,
supporting the revised tax abatement plan, after the new agreement
gave the county the right of way for the roads and about $1 million
in improvements to the proposed Apple site.
"Until last Tuesday I never had to choose between economic
development and traditional family values," Hays told the British
news service Reuters. He said his vote switch does not signal a
change in his values, but is "merely an acknowledgment that Apple
has the right to come into Williamson County under a very favorable
economic relationship for the people of our county."
Construction is expected to begin on the new plant, which could
eventually employ as many as 1,700 in the Spring and is expected
to be completed in 1995 according to an Apple spokesperson.
Local officials estimate the indirect impact could mean as many
as 4,000 new jobs in the county.
(Jim Mallory/19931208/Press Contact: Apple Computer Inc.,
408-974-2202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
IBM
Microsoft Intros New SQL Server Products
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00024)
Microsoft Intros New SQL Server Products 12/08/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Microsoft
has introduced two new SQL Server products it says will make it
easier for companies to integrate Microsoft client-server
platforms into heterogeneous computing environments.
Microsoft SQL Bridge for the Windows NT operating system is a
protocol gateway that connects Microsoft client-server platforms
with Unix environments from Sybase Inc. That allows clients and
servers to communicate across dissimilar networks without
having to use host-based protocols on desktop PCs.
Microsoft Database Transfer Utility provides a method for
migrating databases from other platforms, such as Unix or Novell
Netware, to Windows NT-based servers. It also provides the
ability to transfer databases between Intel-based and RISC
(reduced instruction-set computing)-based implementations of
SQL Server for Windows NT.
Prior to the availability of tools such as the Microsoft SQL
Bridge, deploying large scale client-server applications in mixed
computing environments has necessitated the use of common
network protocols on all platforms. For example, a company
trying to integrate Unix-based servers and PC local area networks
(LANs) would need to use TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol) protocols and connectivity software at each PC.
That could cost as much as $400 per workstations.
SQL Bridge serves as a router, automatically applying the proper
transport protocols to network traffic. Bridge has a suggested
retail price of $2,495 per server for an unlimited number of users.
It replaces Microsoft SQL Bridge for OS/2. It supports Novell's
IPX/SPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet
Exchange), Named Pipes, TCP/IP sockets, and Banyan Vines/IP.
Support for VMS-based servers and DECnet protocols is
expected in the future.
Microsoft's Data Transfer Utility is a new tool being included with
Microsoft SQL Server that simplifies the process of integrated
Windows NT-based platforms into existing Unix or Netware
environments. It provides for the migration of databases from
other SQL Server-based platforms, including those running Unix,
OS/2, or Netware, to Windows NT. either Microsoft or Sybase SQL
Server can be the source server, with the destination server
running Microsoft SQL Server for Windows NT.
DTU also includes functions for transferring databases between
Intel and RISC-based Microsoft SQL Server installations.
Databases can be transferred from one architecture to another
in a one-step procedures. The utility has multithreaded 32-bit
architecture and runs on Window NT or windows NT Advanced
Server. A pre-release version is available for downloading from
the Microsoft SQL Server forum on the Compuserve information
service (GO MSSQL). Both products are scheduled to ship in
January 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931208/Press Contact: Catherine Miller,
Microsoft, 206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
TRENDS
SGML '93 - IBM, DEC, Novell & Intergraph Move To SGML
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00025)
SGML '93 - IBM, DEC, Novell & Intergraph Move To SGML 12/08/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- IBM, DEC,
Novell and Intergraph are each moving some or all of their
documentation to SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language),
officials of the four computer industry giants said in a
presentation at SGML '93.
DEC's Unix Publications Software Group, IBM, and Intergraph are
migrating from legacy SGML-like, but proprietary, architectures.
Novell, on the other hand, decided to place its documentation
on-line just a year ago. Novell's documentation is being authored
in a commercial desktop publishing program, and then converted to
SGML.
IBM's legacy documentation language, BookMaster, is based on an
in-house architecture known as GML (Generalized Markup Language).
DEC's SGML-like architecture is called SDML (Standard Digital
Markup Language), while Intergraph's legacy system goes by the
acronym IRITE, speakers told the audience.
IBM's new SGML documentation language, IBMIDDOC, is based on the
company's new InfoMaster architecture. DEC's emerging SGML
system is known as DECBook, and Intergraph's as Proteus.
IBM first developed BookMaster about ten years ago as an in-house
corporate standard, and later expanded the use of the language to
external distribution of product information, specifications, and
correspondence, said IBM's Wayne L. Wohler.
IBM now has several million pages of BookMaster documents on hand
and tens of thousands of trained BookMaster users, according to
Wohler. "But there are urgent needs to support more platforms and
delivery vehicles, and to interchange information with outside
enterprises," he added. Also, users are demanding processing on PCs
and workstations, and better on-line editing tools. "Our conclusion?
To migrate IBM Information Development operations to SGML," he
said.
IBM's new InfoMaster architecture combines architectural forms
borrowed from the HyTime approach to SGML with a "retrieval-based
processing model" invented by IBM, according to W. Eliot Kimber,
also of IBM.
The architectural forms from HyTime allow semantics to be re-used
on different processing systems, he said. IBM's retrieval-based
processing model "removes sequential processing biases," preventing
a situation, occurring in other SGML systems, in which searches are
affected by where information lies in the SGML information
hierarchy. Unlike other systems, Kimber added, InfoMaster "views
all relationships between elements as hyperlinks."
InfoMaster will ultimately spur major changes in content creation,
so that the task of technical writing becomes much more abstract,
Kimber predicted. But until tools become available that will
support the new approach, IBM is avoiding anything drastic. "Right
now, it's still relatively easy to create a paragraph in InfoMaster,"
he reported.
DEC's Unix Software Publishing Group, the company division that is
migrating to SGML, handles documentation for all of DEC's Unix-
based systems, said Eve Maler of DEC. Documentation for VMS and
other DEC systems is generated by other groups within Digital.
DEC adopted SDML and a proprietary reader called BookReader at
about the same time IBM started to use GML and BookMaster,
according to Maler. But in DEC's Unix Software Publishing Group,
tech writers have been free until now to use either SDML or any
desktop publishing or word processing package of their choice.
The Unix group opted to switch to SGML for two different but
complementary reasons, she added. On the one hand, officials of
the division wanted greater internal structure and consistency. On
the other hand, there was a need to communicate more easily with
customers and to respond to market changes in a more
entrepreneurial way.
Getting the tech writers to adjust to SGML is posing a challenge,
she conceded. But the Unix group has already converted some of its
Document Type Definitions (DTDs) to the Arbortext SGML format,
and has also begun to use Interleaf's WorldView, an SGML-capable
document viewer. DTDs are used to specify rules for SGML
documents.
In the future, the DEC division plans to submit its DECBook
specification for SGML, a variant of the DOCBook model, to the Open
Software Foundation for consideration as a standard, she stated.
At Intergraph, the proprietary IRITE documentation system has
been little used, because the language is unstructured and also
difficult to learn, said Beth Micksch, who heads up a project
team that is introducing SGML at the company. Instead of IRITE,
tech writers have been employing an array of different desktop
publishing and word processing programs.
Intergraph's SGML system needed to support Unix, Windows NT and
DOS/Windows, as well as the four document types used by the
company. "The system is named after Proteus because he was a
Greek sea god capable of changing forms," Miksch noted.
Proteus runs on a PC, and contains filters for converting documents
from existing tagged ASCII and Controlled FrameMaker formats.
The system was jointly developed by Intergraph's Systems
Integration, Electronic Publishing, and Corporate Publishing
Services divisions, with additional input from one customer
representative, one independent tester, and six users (tech
writers) from three beta sites within the company.
Resistance to Proteus was minimized, she maintained, by obtaining
early "buy-in" from all parties concerned: management, developers,
and tech writers. "Now, we refer to IRITE as IROTE," she joked.
Out of all the companies discussed during the session, Novell is
the only one to come to SGML without a legacy on-line documentation
system. Novell's Jon Bosak advised other companies in similar
situations to "Start with native SGML if politically possible."
Over the past year, said Bosak, Novell has succeeded in converting
41,000 pages from a commercial desktop publishing format into a
commercial SGML format. These pages have included documentation
for the NetWare Software Developers Kit (SDK) and four different
versions of NetWare. But the process has been far from easy, he
emphasized.
Desktop publishing programs and SGML are as different from each
other structurally as relational and object-oriented databases, he
asserted. The authors of documentation typically lack the
specialized knowledge required for carrying out the conversion,
necessitating a "guru" at each site. "And many of us (the gurus)
look and feel ten years older than we did a year ago."
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931207/Reader & Press Contact: Tanya
Bosse, Graphic Communications Association, 703-519-8160)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
IBM
Managing Your Money DOS Update, Windows Version Planned
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00026)
Managing Your Money DOS Update, Windows Version Planned 12/08/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- MECA Software
has released version 10 of Managing Your Money for DOS. Also,
Newsbytes has learned that the first Windows-based version of the
package is now in the works.
In a visit with Newsbytes on a press tour of Boston, Jennifer
Moeller, product manager, personal finance, said that the DOS-based
Managing Your Money 10 adds the Clinton Administration tax laws,
plus a new Debt Reduction Module and Reconcile Magic Key and
enhancements to existing help, check register, and check printing
capabilities.
The Fairfield, CT-based software vendor plans to release a Windows
edition of Managing Your Money in March or April of 1994, Moeller
revealed.
Like previous editions of the financial package, Version 10 for DOS
provides on-line assistance with banking, bill paying, investments,
tax planning, insurance planning, and figuring out your personal
net worth.
Specific capabilities include account reconciliation, cash
forecasting, asset allocation, electronic bill payment,
IRA/retirement planning, on-line stock price updating, tax
estimation, and expert financial advice from author Andrew
Tobias.
The new Debt Reduction Module in the DOS edition is aimed at the 60
percent of people who now revolve their personal debts, according
to Moeller. During the meeting, the product manager demonstrated
to Newsbytes how the module analyzes personal debts and devises a
strategy for paying off debts quickly and cost effectively.
Users are shown how to pay off the highest-interest debts first,
and how to continue to apply the same monthly payments to the
remaining debts, with increasing portions of those payments going
towards principal. You can also see how much money you will save
by following this payment strategy.
Moeller also demonstrated how the new Reconcile Magic Key
searches for and instantly identifies common user errors, such as
inversion of a pair of digits.
In addition, she displayed the expanded help menu and the enhanced
check register in Managing Your Money. The help menu has been
embellished with a new help index, accessed through the F1 key, and
a "how-to" option listing commonly asked questions and answers,
accessed via F3. Tutorials on paycheck entry and portfolio account
set-up are new, as well.
The check register in Managing Your Money is now able to let the
user switch between one-, two-, and three-line modes. Also new in
version 10 is the ability to add and edit transactions directly
within the register. Further, the user can now display a check,
together with the register, on the same screen.
MECA's personal finance program is newly able to print budget
allocations on business check stubs, and support has been added
for three-per-page laser checks.
As in the past, Managing Your Money can also print out over 85
reports and graphs related to personal finances. A pie chart
showing "distribution of expense categories" is one example.
Custom reports can be generated, too.
Moeller also gave Newsbytes a look at the beta version of the
upcoming, more graphically oriented Windows edition of Managing
Your Money.
The menu to the Windows edition consists of a color drawing of a
home office, complete with a desk, file cabinets, bookshelves, and
a scenic view of the out-of-doors through the office windows.
The new menu is known as "MECAland." Features in the Windows-
based program are accessed by clicking on appropriately labeled
books and drawers for taxes, reports, and so forth.
One capability of the Windows edition has a name ("Snapshot")
but not an assigned function, as yet. "We're thinking about using
`Snapshot' to let customers generate custom graphs," Moeller
said. A chart depicting "income versus expense growth" might
be one possibility, she advised.
The suggested retail price (SRP) for Managing Your Money 10 is
$79.95, but the package is typically available for around $40
through software specialty chains, independent distributors, mail
order outlets, and direct mail, according to Moeller. Upgrades
from previous editions of Managing Your Money are available
directly from MECA for $29.95.
The DOS-based package requires an IBM-compatible PC with a
hard disk, 640 kilobytes of RAM, and DOS 3.0 or later. A mouse
and modem are optional.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931208/Reader Contact: MECA Software,
800-820-7457; Press Contact: Lydia Trettis, Connors
Communications for MECA, 212-995-2200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
BUSINESS
AOL Offers 1 Million More Shares Of Common Stock
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00027)
AOL Offers 1 Million More Shares Of Common Stock 12/08/93
VIENNA, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- America Online
(AOL), a provider of graphical electronic information services,
is offering another one million shares of common stock. The stock
is priced at $66 per share, pushing the total number of
outstanding shares to 6.98 million.
While most analysts believe AOL is destined to make money, there
is variation as to how much. Taking a cross-section of analysts,
the Institutional Brokers Estimate System (I/E/B/S) is predicting
earnings of $4.9 million or $0.82 per share by June of 1994. This
would be a 78 percent increase over the $0.46 per share the
company earned on $40 million in revenues in fiscal 1993.
In deals made with hardware manufacturers, AOL, like Prodigy, has
managed to get its software bundled with new computer systems.
The service has also boasted it is up to over 450,000 subscribers.
In addition, it is the darling of the burgeoning personal digital
assistant (PDA) hardware platform. The AOL access software is
built into the operating system of the Zoomer PDA marketed by
Tandy and Casio and Apple Computer has licensed the AOL
technology for Newtonmail, an electronic mail service for the
Newton Messagepad PDA.
To avoid take-over, the company instigated a "poison pill" in
April of this year, giving existing shareholders one share of a new
preferred stock for every 100 shares of common stock held if an
investor attempted to gain 25 percent of the then existing 5.98
million outstanding shares. The investor AOL was trying to fend
off is multi-millionaire Paul Allen, who made his millions by co-
founding Microsoft with Bill Gates and is now head of multimedia
software corporation Asymetrix.
Allen told the Securities and Exchange Commission in May his
interest in AOL is a proposed joint development of multimedia
network software for use over the faster on-line links telephone
and cable companies are working to develop. Allen might still be
able to make in roads via Commodore Holdings and Tribune, who
each hold 10 percent. But AOL's Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Lennert Leader told Newsbytes there is nothing to report
concerning Allen since the SEC meeting in May and nothing
further is expected.
Despite what appears to be a bright financial future, there is a
downside. Standard and Poors points out that the earnings will
now be divided over 22 percent more stock, AOL faces a high cost
in gaining revenues as it gives away software and on-line time to
attract subscribers, and the company is facing higher costs.
Wall Street appears to be less than enthusiastic about the new
stock offering. AOL (NASDAQ: AMER) stock had fallen almost a
point in Wednesday morning trading from yesterday's close of 66
and 1/2.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931208/Press Contact: Lennert Leader,
America Online, tel 703-448-8700, fax 703-448-0793)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
GOVT
****SPA To Rate Video Games?
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00028)
****SPA To Rate Video Games? 12/08/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Reports from several
sources in Washington indicate that the Software Publishers
Association will step into the growing controversy over violent
video games by forming a rating group which would determine how
to label video games with violent or sexual content. The SPA is
expected to announce the new rating system on December 9,
possibly at a congressional hearing.
Senator Joseph Lieberman (D. Conn.) and Herbert H. Kohl (D Wisc.)
are scheduled to hold a joint hearing on video game violence and
voluntary rating systems December 9 at 11 am. The hearing is
scheduled to be carried live by CSPAN.
Sen. Lieberman's press spokesperson, Jim Kennedy told Newsbytes
that the Senator's office is aware of some efforts to form an
industry rating group and that the Senator is personally in favor
of self-regulation in the software game industry rather than
having to promulgate new legislation.
Although Newsbytes has not yet been able to confirm it directly
with the SPA, reports out of Washington and from other sources
indicate that the trade association of more than 1,000 software
companies will take the lead in rating video games in an attempt
to head off federal government action.
Nintendo, according to a report on the CNBC cable business
channel, says that its games are family-oriented and therefore do
not require such rating, but it is not clear whether that major
game maker will join in the SPA-sponsored group. SEGA already
rates its games.
Apparently this rating system would set up a panel similar to the
motion picture rating group headed by Jack Valenti which is
responsible for giving movies their G, PG-13, R, and X ratings.
The SPA-sponsored group would apparently award some
combination of letter and number ratings to video games based
on their violent or sexual content.
Recently there has been an increasing demand by legislators and
interested groups that video games, some of which graphically
portray extreme violence and sexual acts or violence against
women, be rated for their content.
The most recent of these calls came back on December 1, when
beloved children's program pioneer Bob Keeshan, known to tens of
millions as Captain Kangaroo, joined two Senators in holding a
press conference to criticize the graphic violence found in some
video games. Keeshan said that the fact that this violence is
interactive, resulting directly from the action of the player, it
is far more threatening than mere passively viewed violence seen
on television and in movies.
Senators Joseph Lieberman (D. Conn.) and Herbert H. Kohl (D
Wisc.) joined Keeshan in calling for voluntary labeling of
such violent programs and suggested that if the publishers do
not take action on their own that Congress will step in with
some new legislation.
Specifically cited in last week's press conference were two
SEGA games, Mortal Combat, and another which reportedly
shows the graphic abuse of women.
(John McCormick/19931208/Press Contact: Jim Kennedy, Senator
Lieberman's Office, tel 202-224-4041 or fax 202-224-9750;
Dave McClure, SPA, 202-452-1600 ext 320)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
GENERAL
Bruno Blenheim 1994 Trade Show Schedule
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029)
Bruno Blenheim 1994 Trade Show Schedule 12/08/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Fort Lee, New Jersey-
based trade show organizer Bruno Blenheim has released the
schedule for its 1994 information technology shows. Show
listings follow:
Networks Expo '94 Boston, will be held from February 15-17 at the
John B. Hynes Convention Center in Boston, Massachusetts. This is
the sixth annual show and will focus on "real-world" network
computing applications. Tutorials start one day earlier.
Networks Expo '94 San Francisco is the first such event and will
be held from April 19-21 at the Moscone Convention Center in San
Francisco, California. Blenheim says that this will be the only
major networking show to be held in the Bay Area next year.
DB/Expo '94 will also be held at the Moscone Convention center
from May 23-27. The organizer says that this show will be the
world's largest database, client/server, and information
technology exposition and conference, having more than 700
exhibitors and hosting more than 30,000 attendees.
PC Expo in New York will be the twelfth annual occurrence of this
major personal computer show and this year. It will be held on
June 28-30 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York
City.
Networks Expo '94 Dallas will be held for the ninth time in
Dallas, Texas at the Dallas Convention Center from September
20-22.
The eleventh annual Unix Expo will be held from October 4-6 at
the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in NYC.
The ninth annual PC Expo in Chicago is scheduled for McCormick
Place in Chicago, Illinois from October 19-21.
HRMS/Expo '94 will be held at the San Jose (California)
Convention Center from October 24-26 where the 100 leading
companies will exhibit human resources information technology
software and hardware.
DB/Expo New York, will be held from December 5-9 at the Javits
Convention Center in New York City.
The first annual Interactive Information Expo will be held from
December 6-8 in NYC at the Javits Convention Center.
(John McCormick/19931208/Press Contact: Jill K. Reynolds, DB and
HRMS Expos, 800-232-2976; or Annie Z. Scully, for the other shows
at 800-829-3976, 201-346-1400 ext 145, or fax 201-346-1532,
both of Bruno Blenheim)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/08/93
TRENDS
Hitachi & Matsushita Develop Advanced Memory Devices
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00030)
Hitachi & Matsushita Develop Advanced Memory Devices 12/08/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 8 (NB) -- Hitachi claims that it has
developed a significant single electronic memory unit which
can store 1,000 times more data than that of current semiconductor
memory chips. Matsushita Electronics has also developed a highly
integrated optical circuit device, which reportedly has considerable
potential in multimedia devices.
Some electronics firms, including Hitachi, have already developed
a single electronic memory. However, these existing single
electronic memory devices should be used under temperatures
at minus 273 degrees. Unless the memory units are cooled down,
the data is lost due to excessive heat.
Hitachi has overcome this problem by putting the electronic device
into a silicon container. As a result, this single electronic memory
unit can function in room-temperature. It is reported that the data
will not be lost even when the switch is turned off.
Meanwhile, Matsushita Electric has developed an optical electronic
integrated circuit (OEIC), which has 64 units of semiconductor
lasers and a driver transistor. It is a two-tier structured IC,
and the transistor is placed on the semiconductor laser.
With this structure, each laser unit is controlled directly. As a
result, the processing speed is increased almost 10-fold. The
size of the IC unit is just one third of a current IC.
Matsushita needs to improve the IC unit before it can be used
commercially. The OEIC can be used in a multimedia data
transmission control device, for example. Matsushita aims to
use the IC in home-use optical network devices, which receive
and transmit voice and picture data via optical fibers.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931208/Press Contact: Hitachi,
tel 81-3-3763-2411, fax 81-3-3768-9507, Matsushita Electric,
tel +81-3-3578-1237, fax 81-3-3437-2776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TELECOM
PacTel Completes Wireless IPO
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00001)
PacTel Completes Wireless IPO 12/07/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Pacific Telesis has
spun-off its wireless businesses with a public offering of a 12
percent stake for $1.38 billion, one of the largest public offerings
of stock ever. The shares started trading at $23 each and rose to
$25.50 on the first day's trade.
The next step in the spin-off is for PacTel to give existing holders
of its shares new shares in the spin-off, which will have revenues
of $1.1 billion this year and 900,000 cellular subscribers along
with 821,000 paging customers and 40,000 customers in foreign
markets.
The spin-off will be free of the kind of regulation faced
by units of other regional Bell companies, but will also be cut off
from funding from its former parent.
Many analysts have criticized the spin-off for just that reason, but
others are touting the new PacTel, calling it among the few "pure
plays" in the business, meaning it's only involved in wireless
communications. The parent company's shares traded at about $55 per
share at the time of the spin-off, and moved little in early trade
on December 6.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GOVT
India's Govt Spins Off Software Companies
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEL)(00002)
India's Govt Spins Off Software Companies 12/07/93
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Three months ago, National
Aeronautical Laboratory set up a new company, Naltech, to
commercialize its technologies. Earlier was the creation of Antrix
Corp., the commercial front of Indian Space Research Organization.
Now it is the turn of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc),
Bangalore, India's premier research institute, to set up an outfit
to market high-end scientific application software.
The yet-unnamed company will develop and export software used in
areas as diverse as crystallography and biophysics to research
institutes abroad. Coordinated by the Department of Supercomputer
Research and Development of IISc, the subsidiary is expected to
start functioning by the end of 1994.
While the main objective of the company would be software
development in frontier areas of research, it would also seek to
market other technologies developed by IISc. The company would have
a core group of about 100 software professionals, drawn from the
institute's various departments. The developers would work on
application-specific software already existing in the IISc's
software bank and customize it according to the needs of the foreign
laboratories. The company would also take up software development
jobs on behalf of foreign clients. IISc has already begun
strengthening its software bank by gathering together the software
developed by the various laboratories of the institute.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
IBM
Japan - Fujitsu, IBM Team Up On Multimedia PC
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00003)
Japan - Fujitsu, IBM Team Up On Multimedia PC 12/07/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Fujitsu and IBM Japan
have agreed to produce and sell a multimedia personal
computer. This is an unprecedented agreement because it
represents the possibility that a unified multimedia personal
computer will be created by IBM Japan, Fujitsu and Apple
Computer.
The agreement between Fujitsu and IBM Japan is still tentative
-- these two firms are working out the details. But based on
preliminary talks, Fujitsu will provide IBM Japan with the
board that includes the operating system of the FM Towns,
Fujitsu's popular multimedia personal computer. IBM Japan will
use this board on its new personal computer that will be
released in the near future. The new Japanese IBM PC is
expected to operate both Fujitsu's and IBM's applications.
Fujitsu's FM Towns uses Fujitsu's original operating system.
The PC is already well accepted in Japan's school market
where it is considered the premier multimedia personal
computer. This will benefit IBM Japan, which is still behind
in the multimedia personal computer business.
Fujitsu is also planning to release a personal computer which
operates both its own and IBM's software. Fujitsu is a member
of IBM Japan's Open Architecture Developers Group where it has
access to technical information on the development of
IBM-compatible personal computers.
Meanwhile, Fujitsu has recently signed an agreement with Apple
Computer concerning mutual use of each company's applications.
This means that Macintosh programs may be used on both
Fujitsu and IBM computers in the future.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931206/Press Contact: Fujitsu,
+81-3-3215-5236, Fax, +81-3-3216-9365)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TRENDS
IDC Says Oracle Accounting Software Leader
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00004)
IDC Says Oracle Accounting Software Leader 12/07/93
REDWOOD SHORES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Oracle has
been named the market leader in client/server and Unix accounting
software applications, according to analysts at International Data
Corporation (IDC). In addition, Oracle announced its Applications
products are now available for Digital Equipment Corporation's
(DEC's) 64-bit Alpha AXP reduced instruction set computing (RISC)
hardware platform.
An IDC study to be released later this month reports 28.5 percent
of the $263 million packaged applications software market is held
by Oracle's accounting products. Oracle's nearest competitor,
SAP, holds only 16 percent. In addition, Oracle has the lead in
the Unix-based accounting software market with 12 percent of the
$156 million market in 1992, IDC said.
Oracle plans to further extend its market reach in offering its
application software line for the OSF/1 (Unix) and OpenVMS
operating environments from DEC, both of which are running on
DEC's most recently released microprocessor, the AXP Alpha.
The company has long boasted its leadership in cross-platform
database application software market with its Oracle7 product
line. The IDC study also claims Oracle's human resources
applications have the lead with an 11 percent market share.
Clare Gillan, director of applications and information access at
IDC, said: "Among leading business applications vendors, Oracle
was the first to provide a broad portfolio of client/server
capable applications. The breadth of its applications product
line, support for numerous server platforms, and its commitment
to multinational companies has strongly positioned Oracle to
maintain leadership in the client/server application market."
Headquartered in Redwood Shores, California, Oracle (NASDAQ:
ORCL) software runs on personal digital assistants (PDAs),
personal computers (PCs), workstations, minicomputers,
mainframes, and massively parallel computers. The company
reported $1.5 billion in revenue for its 1993 fiscal year and
more than doubled its earnings with net income of $141.7 million.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931207/Press Contact: Christine Mossmer,
Oracle tel 415-506-3117, fax 415-506-7815; Clare Gillan, IDC,
508-935-4267)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Ricoh To Sell NEC, Apple, Compaq
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00005)
Japan - Ricoh To Sell NEC, Apple, Compaq 12/07/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Japan's major office equipment
firm Ricoh has agreed to sell personal computers from
NEC, Apple and Compaq. This is significant because Ricoh has
until now, been in a tight alliance with IBM Japan -- it sells
IBM Japan's personal computers under its own brand name. The
move also continues a trend by major sales firms to spread out
their eggs among several baskets.
Other major sales firms such as Otsuka Shokai and Fujitsu's
PFU have also started selling a variety of personal computers.
Ricoh has received supplies of personal computers from IBM
Japan on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis.
These PCs are mainly Japanese versions of the PS/2. Ricoh and
IBM are also co-owners of a software development firm.
Ricoh's decision to be non-exclusive in personal computer
sales is the result of customer demand. Ricoh wants to sell
a variety of personal computers as part of its system
integration unit, which bundles personal computers, printers,
and other peripheral equipment such as fax machines and
copiers. Customers are demanding the most economical systems,
and many want Macintosh or NEC-compatible systems.
Ricoh has been doing fairly well despite the sluggish economy in
Japan. The firm has developed a hybrid copier, which can be used
not only as a copier but as a computer printer and fax
machine. Ricoh has been selling PCs with this system.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931206/Press Contact: Ricoh, +81-3-
5411-4704, Fax, +81-3-3403-1578)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TRENDS
Japan - Mitsubishi Develops Technology For 256Mb DRAM
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00006)
Japan - Mitsubishi Develops Technology For 256Mb DRAM 12/07/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Mitsubishi Electric says it has
developed the technology to draw extra-thin circuit lines to
create a 256-megabit dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The
firm is planning to release sample versions of a 256Mb DRAM
within 4 years.
Mitsubishi's 256M DRAM technology is based on what's called
the exima-laser and electronic cyclone resonance etching method
which reportedly allows circuit lines 0.25 microns in width to be
drawn.
Mitsubishi Electric will release a prototype version of the
256M DRAM by 1997, and by the year 2000, will release
actual product.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Electric is preparing to release a
64-megabit DRAM this month. Toshiba, Fujitsu, and Hitachi
will also release 64M DRAMs by the end of this month.
NEC is slightly ahead in this 64M DRAM race since it has been
selling this chip on a sample basis.
The 64M DRAM is expected to become popular within two years
and chip firms will launch quantity production of the chip
around the end of 1995.
Other chip firms are working on 256M DRAMs in parallel with
Mitsubishi Electric.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931206/Press Contact: Mitsubishi
Electric, +81-3-3218-2332, Fax, +81-3-3218-2431)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TELECOM
O'Reilly Offers Internet-in-a-Box
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)
O'Reilly Offers Internet-in-a-Box 12/07/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- In the latest
effort to make joining and using Internet networks easy, O'Reilly
& Associates announced Internet-in-a-Box.
The product, developed with Spry Inc., of Seattle, includes
Spry's applications combining Microsoft Windows and the
Internet's TCP/IP protocol, along with a version of the O'Reilly
book "The Whole Internet User's Guide," by Ed Krol of the
University of Illinois. The Krol book, which drew top ratings
from Newsbytes and other reviewers, has since sold 200,000
copies and has led to a flood of copycat books from major
computer book publishers.
To complete the offering NovX InterServe will provide Internet
services to buyers of the package using Sprintnet's packet
data network and a toll-free number for access.
The Internet has become a hot topic this year for a number of
reasons. It's a key component in the Clinton Administration's
"data superhighway" planning, and many officials, including the
President, now have Internet addresses. Internet traffic has been
growing at 15 percent per month, in part because most use is
subsidized by colleges and government agencies. The net's public
profile was further raised by a series of "Doonesbury" panels,
most recently a series of cartoons in which Kennedy assassination
buffs discuss their latest theories on it.
O'Reilly estimates 150,000 new users are logging onto the
Internet each month, despite the fact access has been difficult
for those without dedicated data lines or Unix-based workstations.
Most major online services, including CompuServe and America
Online, have allowed access to Internet mailboxes for some time,
and America Online recently introduced Internet Center, an easy-
to-use way to access Usenet conferences or news groups and
databases stored under systems like Gopher and WAIS under
Microsoft Windows. Internet-in-a-box is similar, offering a
Windows-based access to all those services as well as Telnet
database access and Mosaic.
David Pool, president of Spry, said this will open use of the
Internet to a host of new home-based and small business users.
Buyers of the package automatically get subscriptions to
O'Reilly's Global Network Navigator, an online resource
launched in October on Internet resources, providing
direct links to over 600 of them, along with news, an online
magazine, an interactive catalog, and a global marketplace
containing advertiser-sponsored information on a range of
products and services.
NovX InterServ offers buyers Domain and Network number
registration, e-mail, fully interactive access to major networks
like CIX and NSF, Gopher databases, news servers, and more. The
Windows version comes out in the first quarter with the Macintosh
version to follow. Distribution will be through bookstores and
retail software stores.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931207/Press Contact: Ron Pernick, for
O'Reilly, 415/615-7891; FAX: 415/615-7901; e-mail:
pernicknetcom.com; Spry, Deanna Leung, 206/442-8231 FAX: 206/447-
9008; e-mail: deannaspry.com; Customer Contact: O'Reilly GNN,
800/998-9938, Spry, 800/SPRY NET)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TELECOM
AT&T Launches 155-Megabit Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)
AT&T Launches 155-Megabit Service 12/07/93
BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- AT&T has
launched a service called Accunet T155 under the Sonet fiber
networking standard which moves data as fast as 155 million
bits/second. The service was recently tested with Comdisco, which
offers disaster recovery services and back-up computing to large
businesses.
T155 thus becomes the top of AT&T's Accunet line of fast-data
offerings. It's also the fastest network speed now commercially
available, AT&T said. The company said that, like other Accunet
services, T155 is supported by its FASTAR technology, offering
Fast Automatic Restoration in case of cable cuts or natural
disaster through an automatic system of finding alternate routes
for data through the AT&T network.
AT&T said medical imaging, links between supercomputers, and high
definition TV can all use the new service, which combines
equipment from several vendors. Medical X-rays will move across
the country using T155 in less than one-tenth of a second. The
service can also be multiplexed, meaning it can combine slower
lines linking local and wide area networks.
The service will be priced upon customer requests, with the
price based on the specific city-to-city links being purchased,
although AT&T said term and volume discounts will also be
available. The company estimated prices will be 10-15 percent
below the price of equivalent bandwidth offered through the
company's T45 45 million bit/second lines. Accunet technicians
will be in charge of the network, and their service assurance
warranties apply to the new service.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931207/Press Contact: Shelly London, AT&T,
908/221/4355)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GOVT
SofTech Sells Govt Services Division
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00009)
SofTech Sells Govt Services Division 12/07/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Waltham,
Massachusetts-based, SofTech, a systems integration and project
management consultant, has announced that it has sold its
Government Sales Division to CACI International on the same terms
as were announced in the October 13, 1993 letter of intent
released by the two companies.
In the deal, CACI paid about $4.2 million in cash to acquire
SofTech's ongoing contracts with the government, along with about
$900,000 worth of computer hardware.
SofTech expects to show a stronger position at the end of the
fiscal year due to the deal which does not transfer the already
earned receivables.
Of the 327 former SofTech Government Sales Division employees,
the company reports that CACI has already hired 216, and expects
to eliminate about 15 headquarters jobs which were formerly based
in Waltham.
(John McCormick/19931207/Press Contact: Joseph Mullaney, VP and
CFO SofTech, 617-890-6900 or fax 617-890-6055)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00010)
Canadian Product Launch Update 12/07/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- This regular
feature, appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further
details for the Canadian market on announcements by international
companies that Newsbytes has already covered. This week:
Microsoft adds Creative Writer and Fine Artist to its Microsoft
Home line of software.
Microsoft Canada Inc., joined its US parent company in unveiling
two software packages meant for children. Creative Writer and
Fine Artist (Newsbytes, Dec. 3) are the company's first creative
arts packages for elementary and middle school-aged children.
Creative Artist is now available, and Fine Artist is due to be
available early in 1994, the company said. Both have Canadian
list prices of C$89.95, with single-user teacher editions
available for C$59.95.
(Grant Buckler/19931207/Press Contact: Linda Carnell, Microsoft
Canada, 905-568-0434 ext. 4238, fax 416-568-1527)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GOVT
Meca Fined, Will Relabel Head Start Tax Software
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00011)
Meca Fined, Will Relabel Head Start Tax Software 12/07/93
FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Meca Software
will relabel the 1993 Head Start Edition of its Andrew
Tobias' TaxCut software and offer refunds to any customers who
want them after being accused of misleading labelling. Meca is
also to pay $17,500 in penalties and costs to the Massachusetts
Attorney General.
The dispute arose after Meca changed the way it sells the Head
Start and Final Editions of the tax software. Eric Jacobsen,
director of marketing at Meca, said that like other vendors of
tax software, Meca sells a Head Start Edition that does not
include final Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms and is meant
for tax planning. Until this year, the company shipped the Final
Edition free of charge to all buyers of the Head Start Edition
once the IRS forms for the year were ready.
In 1993, Jacobsen said, Meca tried a new approach. It sold the
Head Start Edition for $10, and included with it a coupon for a
$10 discount on the Final Edition. The idea was to encourage new
customers to buy the Head Start Edition and try it out -- and to
make the purchase less confusing, Jacobsen claimed.
The second goal apparently wasn't achieved. The Massachusetts
Attorney General's office was alerted -- by competitor Chipsoft
Inc., of San Diego, California, Jacobsen said -- because Meca's
box bore the printed claim that the Head Start software could
print approved IRS forms. That was a mistake, Jacobsen admitted:
"We shouldn't have said that."
Jacobsen said Meca is placing stickers on all new boxes of TaxCut
to correct the error, and is sending the stickers to distributors
to be put on boxes already in the distribution channel.
He said no users have complained to Meca about the software, but
any who are unhappy can have their money back. That would have
been true anyway, he added, "We have always had ... an
unconditional guarantee."
As a result of this dispute, Jacobsen added, the Massachusetts
Attorney General is now going to require that Head Start Editions
of all tax preparation software clearly explain on the front
panel of their boxes what a Head Start Edition is and that an
update to the Final Edition will be needed to file a return.
(Grant Buckler/19931207/Press Contact: Eric Jacobsen, Meca
Software, 203-256-5000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TRENDS
Bell Labs Develops 0.1 Micron Room Temp Silicon Chips
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00012)
Bell Labs Develops 0.1 Micron Room Temp Silicon Chips 12/07/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Ran-Hong Yan, leader
of a 16-person research team at AT&T's Bell Laboratories, ignored
traditional wisdom to produce the first-ever room temperature 0.1
micron silicon device. It has generally been believed that such
tiny components would only operate at reduced temperatures.
The problem with such tiny devices is that there is very little
material available to conduct electricity and in order to provide
enough impurities (doping) to make the transistor junctions
operate, they would normally become resistors.
Silicon-based semiconductors (transistors) operate because the
extremely pure silicon is selectively contaminated with arsenic
and boron which alter the atomic structure of the material and
allow electrons to pass through the silicon crystal lattice in a
very special way. Silicon in its pure form is an insulator.
Transistors with smaller amounts of boron and arsenic can operate
at lower temperatures, but until the recent development, current
leaks from the tiny devices caused them heat up too much at room
temperatures and they ceased to operate.
The newly patented process uses a new "vertical doping
engineering" system to eliminate or greatly reduce the leakage
making it possible to build much smaller and faster
semiconductors.
The current generation of fast integrated circuits use 0.5 micron
components and operate at 2.7- to 5-volts while the new 0.1
micron circuits operate at only 1.5 volts.
The developer said in his announcement that he doesn't see 0.1
micron as the smallest possible size for the newly developed
process and predicts that 0.05 micron devices are possible.
This and other developments in semiconductor technology are being
announced this week at the International Electron Devices Meeting
being held at the Washington Hilton and Towers, Washington, DC.
Of course this new development is just a technological advance
and is not a practical manufacturing process at the moment so
initial mass production of 0.1 micron integrated circuits is
years away and 0.05 micron devices are only a theoretical
possibility.
Even the 0.1 micron device is capable of switching speeds up to
116 gigahertz and Bell Labs says that current testing technology
is inadequate to properly evaluate the integrated circuits if
they went into mass production.
By mid-1995 AT&T Microelectronics and NEC have plans to mass
produce 0.35 micron complementary metal oxide semiconductor
(CMOS) chips in volume and on November 15, the two companies
entered into another agreement to develop a process to
manufacture ICs using 0.25 micron designs.
(John McCormick/19931207/Press Contact: Bert Vorchheimer, AT&T
Bell Labs, 908-582-7889 office or 908-464-9512 home)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
BUSINESS
TI Restructures Top Management
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00013)
TI Restructures Top Management 12/07/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Texas Instruments has
restructured the office of chief executive, naming the heads of its
semiconductor and defense electronics units as vice chairmen.
William Weber, currently executive VP of semiconductor, materials
and controls, consumer businesses, and international operations; and
William Mitchell, executive VP of Defense Systems & Electronics and
the Information Technology Group, will assist TI Chairman, President
and CEO Jerry Junkins.
Both individuals currently report to Junkins, but as vice chairmen
will assist Junkins in strengthening TI's position as a global
company, according to TI spokesperson Buddy Price. Price denied that
the creation of a triumvirate to lead TI dilutes Junkins powers or
responsibilities. "This only formalizes the team concept Junkins has
always stressed," according to Price.
The company also announced the election of four executive vice
presidents, who will share the duties formerly held by Weber and
Mitchell.
Junkins led TI through some of the company's most difficult years as
the defense electronics fell off due to dwindling defense contracts.
TI has recovered from huge losses to report a record profit in the
third quarter. The semiconductor group under Weber's leadership has
moved from being a commodity producer to becoming a custom designer
of computer chips, while the Information Technology group has
shifted its focus towards software and related services.
(Jim Mallory/19931207/Press contact: Texas Instruments,
214-995-3481)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TRENDS
Hardware Spending To Drop, Software/Services Go Up
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00014)
Hardware Spending To Drop, Software/Services Go Up 12/07/93
ROME, ITALY, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- It comes as no surprise
to those following the computer industry that the Xtra '93 Global
Directions survey says there is strong interest in open systems
and companies are increasing spending. However, it might come as
a surprise that the survey asserts hardware spending worldwide
will fall, while software and services spending will jump up
significantly over the next three years.
Of the companies surveyed, spending on open systems will increase
from the 35 percent allocated now to 58 percent by 1996. By
region, the figures are a 48 to 70 percent increase in Europe; 32
to 59 percent jump in North America; and the lowest increases in
industrialized Asia (Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea,
and Taiwan) with 16 to 36 percent predicted.
Interoperability is the number one reason for the interest in
open systems. Interest is high in open systems during purchase
decisions as the migration from mainframe systems to
client/server computing continues. Also highly rated were access
to applications and data across a network as well as portable
software and data. Conversion costs and incompatibility are the
biggest barriers, according to survey respondents, however the
benefits appear to outweigh the potential problems, the survey
added.
The emphasis on software and applications was in the portion
of the survey on budget spending. Spending on hardware is
expected to drop dramatically between 1993 and 1996 as it is
partially replaced by spending on software. Hardware spending in
Europe will fall 42 to 33 percent; in North America 38 to 33
percent; and the biggest drops will be in Asia where hardware
spending is expected to decrease from 51 to 42 percent. Software
spending will jump 33 to 38 percent in Europe, Asia, and North
America.
Spending on services is also expected to increase. An additional
25 to 29 percent is being budgeted in Europe, while North
American spending will go up 29 percent and Asian companies are
planning 19 to 20 percent increases.
The research was conducted by the X/Open Company with
international market research firm Dataquest during the summer of
1993 and involved 57 prominent computer user groups in Asia,
Africa, the Middle East, the Americas, and Europe. Those surveyed
were senior information technology (IT) managers from more than
750 enterprises representing over 40 countries and six continents
(Linda Rohrbough/19931207/Press Contact: Jeff Hansen, X/Open
Company, 415-323-7992; Elizabeth Chaney, Regis McKenna for
X/Open, tel 415-494-2030, fax 415-494-8660)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GOVT
Texas Commissioners May Offer Apple Deal
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00015)
Texas Commissioners May Offer Apple Deal 12/07/93
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- When the Williamson,
Texas county commissioners voted to turn down Apple Computer Inc.'s
request for tax breaks in exchange for building a $80 million
support center in the North Central Texas area, they said they made
the decision based on moral standards.
Specifically three of the five commissioners turned down Apple's
request for $750,000 in tax breaks because of the computer maker's
policy of offering health benefits to employees' same sex partners.
The commissioners said that that violated the community's moral
standards.
But now the commissioners will reportedly consider a new proposal in
which the county would get the right of way for a road and related
improvements worth $1.5 million. And Apple would pay their taxes
like any other county resident but would get $750,000 in rebates
over a seven-year period.
One commissioner explained the difference between the old plan and
the new one is that under the old proposal it was taxpayer money
involved. Under the new plan it's Apple's dollars. The deal is
reportedly being drafted by at attorney for the commission's
consideration later today.
(Jim Mallory/19931207)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GENERAL
Artisoft Shipping Low-Cost Home Office Network
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00016)
Artisoft Shipping Low-Cost Home Office Network 12/07/93
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Artisoft has announced
it is now shipping Simply Lantastic, a low-cost entry level network
system for small business and home offices.
Simply Lantastic provides basic file, printer, and drive (including
CD-ROM drive) sharing, with the basic kit containing everything
necessary to connect two computers. Additional add-on kits and
software-only kits for adding one additional computer to the network
are also available.
Artisoft says it has designed a new internal 10-megabit-per-second
Ethernet-capable network adapter for use with the Simply Lantastic
software that uses plug and play technology to eliminate the cabling
problems often encountered when installing more complex networks.
The company says an external network adapter is expected to ship in
early 1994, eliminating the need to open the cover on PCs being
connected via Simply Lantastic.
Simply Lantastic software is compatible with Artisoft's Ethernet
series adapters as well as a variety of other third party network
adapters, and works with PCs running either DOS or Windows. It can
be used with older PCs using an 8088 microprocessor or the latest
486-based systems.
The Simply Lantastic network starter kit includes two software
licenses, two internal network adapters, one 25-foot connecting
cable, and the necessary documentation. Suggested retail price of
the starter kit is $299. To add one additional PC to the network,
you can purchase the Simply Lantastic Network add-on kit which
includes one software license, one internal network adapter, one
25-foot cable, and documentation for $149. The software can be
purchased separately for $79, allowing the user to connect a PC to
the basic network using a third party adapter and providing their
own cable.
A menu interface provides all the necessary control functions,
including sharing or accessing network drive and printer
connections, print job display and control, and an electronic mail
capability. Three levels of drive access control are possible: full
access, read-only access, or no access.
(Jim Mallory/19931207/Press contact: Joe Stunkard, Artisoft Inc,
602-270-7145; Reader contact: Artisoft, 602-670-7100 or
800-233-5564, fax 602-670-7101)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Interactive Training To Ship In January
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00017)
CD-ROM Interactive Training To Ship In January 12/07/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) - Wilson Learning
Corporation has announced it will begin shipping the first of several
CD-ROM-based interactive training programs for Macintosh and
PCs in late January.
The company says the interpersonal, sales, and management skills
development training programs are being developed in conjunction
with Sony Electronic Publishing Company. A total of 10 titles will
be produced in the joint project with Sony, while Wilson will also
develop further titles independently.
The first programs, scheduled to ship January 24th, are "Connect
for Success: Connect With Others and Influence Them;" Sell to Needs:
Sell the Way People Like to Buy;" Relate with Ease: Build and Keep
Interpersonal Relationships;" and "Decide For Sure: Add Certainty to
Your Decision Making."
According to Dave Ehlen, Wilson Learning Corporation CEO, studies
show that computer-based multimedia training programs enhance
learning by as much as 35 percent. "CD-ROM training programs are
the next step in computer-based training - a natural progression
from the more expensive interactive video discs." Ehlen says the
lower cost of the CD-ROM programs make them more readily accessible
to individuals and small businesses, as well as large organizations.
"We like to think of these programs as 'serious fun,' providing
users with engaging, real-life situations that draw them into the
learning process," says Ehlen.
Wilson Learning Corporation spokesperson Julie Fusella told
Newsbytes the programs will be available for both Macintosh and
Windows platforms. Wilson spokesperson Nancy Brenny said the first
four titles to be released will be available through retail
outlets such as Computer City and Software, Etc at the suggested
retail price of $69.95. They will be distributed by Navarre
Corporation, a Minneapolis-based company specializing in the
marketing, merchandising, and distribution of prerecorded music,
multimedia, and computer software products.
(Jim Mallory/19931207/Press contact: Julie Fusella, Kovak-Thomas
Public Relations for Wilson Learning Corporation, 212-246-0540;
Reader contact: Wilson Learning Corp, 612-944-2880 or 800-328-7937)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
IBM
Claris Says Filemaker Pro Easier To Use Than Access
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00018)
Claris Says Filemaker Pro Easier To Use Than Access 12/07/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Claris is
pleased to report its Filemaker Pro for Windows 2.1 outscored
Microsoft's Access 1.1 for Windows in usability tests conducted
by Usability Sciences Corporation of Irving, Texas. While Claris
commissioned the tests, it says this is the second test in which
its product outdid Access, the other being a set of tests for
ease-of-use conducted by Software Digest/NSTL.
The main claim Claris is making for Filemaker Pro for Windows is
ease of use. In the Usability Sciences study novice database
users were able to complete an identical set of tasks 20 percent
faster with the Claris product than with Microsoft Access. The
tasks were: creating a database, entering records into the
database, querying the database, creating a form, adding two new
records into the form, adding a scroll bar to the record field,
and stamping a system date onto the form.
While it took both groups of participants well over an hour to
complete the tasks, participants using Access took nearly 17
minutes longer. Study participants were intermediate PC users
with little or no database application experience.
Microsoft representatives told Newsbytes Access has won a few
usability tests of its own. PC Computing's December issue named
Access number one in ease of use in tests not commissioned by
Microsoft. In addition, Microsoft has shipped 1 million copies of
Access in a market that International Data Corporation (IDC)
estimated in 1992 was 1.2 to 1.4 million strong.
Claris, the Santa Clara, California-based software subsidiary of
Apple Computer, has cut the price of Filemaker Pro 2.1 for
Windows to $129, and is offering upgrades for $20, and competitive
upgrades from other database software products for $99. A
Macintosh version of the product is available for $399.
Microsoft Access 1.1 is retail priced at $495, however Microsoft
has frequently offered the product for $99 since its introduction
over a year ago.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931207/Press Contact: Kevin Mallon, Claris,
tel 408-987-7227, fax 408-987-3931; Public Contact, Claris, 800-
544-8554 or 408-727-8227; Public Contact, Microsoft, 800-677-
7377)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
APPLE
Interactive CD-ROM Vietnam From CBS, Apple, NY Times
(NEWS)(APPLE)(WAS)(00019)
Interactive CD-ROM Vietnam From CBS, Apple, NY Times 12/07/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Joining forces with
the formidable reporting resources and archives of the New York
Times and the CBS television network, Apple Computer will publish
and market "The Vietnam War" late in 1994. Chief reporters on the
interactive CD-ROM will be veteran reporter Dan Rather, anchor
and managing editor of the CBS Evening News, and R.W. Apple Jr.,
Washington bureau chief for the New York Times.
Other Vietnam War-oriented CD-ROM publications have been
available for years from Quanta Press and Wayzata
Technologies but these have been more in the nature of
archives of data related to the War. While they are highly
useful to historians and as reference materials, they lack
the immediacy of war reportage which the publisher apparently
expects this new disc to bring to the educational environment.
The multimedia disc will include more than 700 news articles from
The Times and film and video from CBS News' archives. Maps, and
even audio recordings will also be included on the CD-ROM, along
with the names of US military personnel either killed or missing
in action.
High points will be a time-line that will let users pick any
point during the Vietnam era and call up pictures and text
related to US and Vietnam events; interactive maps that can be
used to view geographical and political detail of Vietnam; and an
extensive photo library of the weapons used by the United States
and Vietnam.
The disc will also include biographies of political and military
leaders; documents relating to the war; a comprehensive
bibliography with thousands of titles; and a roster of winners of
the Congressional Medal of Honor, complete with the details of
their heroic acts.
The New York Times' William Adler told Newsbytes said that he was
not familiar with other CD-ROMs published about the Vietnam War
but that their "goal is to make this the definitive encyclopedia
on the war."
He pointed to the fact that all the names listed on the Vietnam
Memorial in Washington, DC would be cross-referenced on the disc
with their location on the memorial as an important feature of
the new disc.
Asked about pricing, platforms, and whether the disc would
contain information relating to current-day Vietnam, Mr. Adler
told Newsbytes that they are still developing the exact
contents of the disc and that price as well as just which
computer platforms, other than the Macintosh, would be supported,
had not yet been determined.
(John McCormick/19931207/Press Contact: William Adler, 212-556-
7077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
IBM
CA Adds OS/2 Version Of SuperProject
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00020)
CA Adds OS/2 Version Of SuperProject 12/07/93
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Computer
Associates International Inc., has launched a version of its
CA-SuperProject project management software for IBM's OS/2
operating system. It is the second product CA has announced that
will combine code for Microsoft Windows and OS/2 in a single box,
said Marc Sokol, the company's vice-president of product
strategy.
CA will sell the Windows and OS/2 versions of SuperProject
together for $649. The company will also continue offering
version of the software for DOS and for Digital Equipment Corp.'s
VMS minicomputer operating system. Versions for Unix and
Microsoft's Windows NT are in development. The company hopes to
have a version for Sun Microsystems' Solaris version of
Unix in beta testing in the first quarter of 1994, said Chris
Frew, SuperProject product owner at CA, and the NT version will
come later.
All the versions are binary-compatible, CA said, meaning that a
project file created on one system can be opened unchanged on
another.
Because the OS/2 version of SuperProject is a native 32-bit
application, it can handle as many as 64,000 tasks, about four
times what the Windows version can manage, said Jean-Luc Valente,
marketing manager. Computer Associates has tried to take full
advantage of the power of OS/2 with this release, Valente said in
a telephone press conference.
The software also comes bundled with TimeSheet Professional for
Windows, a time-card and expense system, and with a limited
version of CA-Realizer 2.0 as a macro language. Several new
training tools are also included.
The software also has a "help assist" mode that Valente likened
to the "wizards" in some Microsoft consumer software --
facilities that walk new users through common operations.
Speaking during the CA-run teleconference, Greg Schmidt, project
manager for wide-area network implementation at MCI Corp., in
Colorado Springs, Colorado, said MCI was happy to get the OS/2
version of SuperProject because the company uses OS/2 widely in
addition to Windows. OS/2's preemptive multitasking makes it
possible to run SuperProject and do other things at the same
time, he noted.
Upgrades and competitive upgrades are $149, and for $59
CA-SuperProject users can replace the limited version of
CA-Realizer built into SuperProject with a full version.
(Grant Buckler/19931207/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2391, fax 516-342-5329; Public Contact:
Computer Associates, 516-342-5224)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TRENDS
SGML '93 - Progress In Government, Industry, Publishing
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00021)
SGML '93 - Progress In Government, Industry, Publishing 12/07/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- SGML (Standard
Generalized Markup Language) first took hold in government and
the automotive and aerospace industries, and is now starting to
move into such areas as wire services and newspaper publishing.
In "Reports from the Front," a presentation at the SGML '93
conference yesterday, representatives of these fields reported on
the current status of the document interchange language, which is
designed to allow data to be easily shared, retrieved and re-used
among applications, regardless of hardware or software platform
and independent of format.
The federal CALS Initiative released a revised SGML standard
called MIL-M-28001B in June, calling for an electronic review
capability along with an operating system enhancement, reported
Beth Micksch.
Meanwhile, a prioritized list of 30 target capabilities (TCAPS)
for MIL-HDBK-SGML has been submitted to the Roadmap 2000 review
body. MIL-HDBK-SGML concerns the tutorial information on CALS.
Comments on the TCAPS are due December 8, and a comment
consolidation meeting is slated for the week of January 13.
Pending approval of the TCAPS, the 28001 standard will be revised
again, to include a CALS SGML Registry and a CALS SGML Library,
according to Micksch. The revision will also include changes to
page methodology and a reorganization of 28001. The
reorganization will be aimed at streamlining the standard and
making information easier to find, she explained.
Another speaker, Eddie Nelson, said that the ATA, a consortium of
aircraft manufacturers, component makers, and other companies in
the aviation industry, is currently defining a series of seven
different Document Data Types (DTDs), or rules for specifying
SGML document structure.
The DTDs will be used for technical manuals ranging from parts
catalogs to operating and flight manuals, Nelson added.
"But the DTDs can be very difficult to put together, because we
all have our own issues to deal with," he commented.
Complicating the process is the fact that "a new generation of
aircraft is on the way."
Dianne Kennedy, a representative of the Society of Automotive
Engineers (SAE), noted that progress of SGML in the automotive
industry has been especially swift, due to the need for
compliance with the federal government's 1990 Clean Air
Amendments by 1998.
The amendments require auto manufacturers to provide better on-
board diagnostics capabilities for detecting excessive emission
levels, as well as improved emissions-related training and
service information to the "aftermarket," or technicians who work
with automobiles after the cars have come to market.
In June, 1987, the SEA Motor Vehicle Council formed the Vehicle
Electronic/Electrical Systems Diagnostic Committee, along with a
number of task forces, including the J2008 task force.
The mission of the J2008 task force is as follows: "Original
Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will make emissions-related
service information publicly available in a standard organization
and defined structure." J2008, however, does not require OEMs to
provide presentation formats or application delivery systems.
The J2008 Task Force is fulfilling its mission with an SGML
specification that includes graphics standards, a relational data
model, and provisions for data interchange, as well as DTDs.
In July, 1993, the J2008 Task Force sent out a 2000-page draft
document for straw vote, Kennedy said. The final document is
being prepared this quarter, and is expected to be ready in the
first quarter of 1994. "We hope that our document can be used as
a model by other industries," she stated.
In the wire service and newspaper publishing industry, the
progress of SGML has been spurred by the annual SGML conference,
said Kevin M. Roche, news systems manager for the Wall Street
Journal.
At previous meetings of the conference, two industry groups, the
American Newspaper Publishers Association (ANPA) and the
International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC), discovered
that each had been working separately on a standard that would
allow wire service copy to be used by newspapers and other mass
media in a device-independent manner.
Since then, the two groups have started to collaborate on a joint
SGML standard known as UTF (Universal Text Format), according to
Roche.
The UTF specification improves on current methods of wire service
transmission to newspapers, which are based on the requirements
of newspaper typography, he said. UTF takes into account data
types such as audio, graphics, and video that will facilitate
multimedia publishing, he elaborated.
Participating in UTF's development are such key industry players
as the Associated Press, the New York Times, and the Chicago
Tribune, as well as the Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones'
electronic publishing arm, he added.
The joint UTF committee plans to hold its next meeting in Miami,
FL during January. Another meeting will take place during March,
in Windsor, the UK.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931207/Press and reader contact: Tanya
Bosse, Graphic Communications Association, tel 703-519-8160)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
BUSINESS
Stratus Acquires Isis Distributed Systems
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00022)
Stratus Acquires Isis Distributed Systems 12/07/93
MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Stratus
Computer, Inc., said it has signed a definitive agreement to buy
Isis Distributed Systems, Inc., a software developer in Ithaca,
New York. Isis' software is meant to ensure the reliability of
distributed computing and client/server applications.
Stratus Computer spokesman Paul LaBelle said the acquisition is
the most significant in Stratus' history, because it extends the
company's business from fault-tolerant computers to a broader
range of continuous availability products.
The company will pay about $24 million in cash and shares for
two-year-old Isis, a spinoff from Cornell University, that expects
to sell about $3 million worth of its software by the end of
1993, LaBelle said.
Isis makes "middleware" -- software that manages the message
traffic among distributed computers. Paul Jones, former
vice-president of engineering at Stratus and now vice-president
and chief operating officer of the new Isis subsidiary, said the
software provides services to distributed applications to ensure
reliable messaging.
For instance, the Isis software will see that messages get
through by retrying or sending them by an alternate route if
problems arise, he said. The software will also ensure that
information is kept consistent. For instance, if a piece of data
is to be sent to three different database files, the software
will make sure it reaches all three or will restore all three
files to their previous state, much as database software will
"roll back" a transaction if a problem occurs to ensure data
remains consistent, Jones said.
Dealing with such consistency issues is "probably the most
difficult problem in distributed computing," Jones said, and by
providing services to handle this for applications, Isis makes
life simpler for application developers.
Isis is to become a wholly owned subsidiary of Stratus and keep
its present name, officials said. The company's roughly 25
employees will all keep their jobs, LaBelle added. Dr. Kenneth P.
Birman, founder of Isis, will remain as the company's chief
scientist.
(Grant Buckler/19931207/Press Contact: Paul LaBelle, Stratus
Computer, 508-460-2068; David Hayword, Stratus Computer,
508-460-2796; Public Contact: Stratus Computer, 508-460-2000, fax
508-480-0416)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TELECOM
In-Flight Phone Begins Beta Tests With German Airline
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023)
In-Flight Phone Begins Beta Tests With German Airline 12/07/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Mercury In-Flight Phone Europe
has announced that it will undertake a series of tests in
conjunction with Mercury Communications on board Lufthansa Airlines'
jets operating in the European area.
The tests, which are scheduled to start next March, will involved
limited public and staff testing of the digital mobile phone system,
which will bounce signals to the nearest ground station, rather than
use satellite or VHF radio links as other plane-based phone systems
make use of.
The IFPE service to be used on the Lufthansa jets uses a similar
concept to cellular, with base stations handing calls over to other
base stations as the plane travels through Europe. Up to 60 base
stations will ensure that total coverage is available throughout
Europe and nearby areas.
As previously reported by Newsbytes, the system will be compatible
with digital systems already in use in the US and some parts of
Europe. Base stations are expected to be installed around Europe at
diverse locations.
Services available in flight will include digital phones, fax
machines and ISDN (integrated services digital network)-like
services such as interactive games, news services and even the
ubiquitous phone shopping facilities seen on some intra-US flights.
Plans call for onboard equipment to include a switched broadband
local area network (LAN) on the plane, with under-seat computers,
telephone handsets and LCD (liquid crystal display) "seat back"
screens. Users are to be offered a choice of five languages,
including English, French and German. Up to sixteen calls per plane
can be made.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931207/Press Contact: Mercury Communications - Tel:
+44-71-528-2561; Fax: +44-71-528-2577)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GOVT
British Social Security Fraud Reaches Mammoth Proportions
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00024)
British Social Security Fraud Reaches Mammoth Proportions 12/07/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Britain's social security fraud
problem is now estimated to top the UKP1,000 million mark each year,
according to a report just issued by the Commons Public Accounts
Committee (CPAC). The report calls for more computerization and
enhanced anti-fraud facilities in order to beat the problem.
The report clearly rejects the assertion made by Sir Michael
Partridge, permanent secretary at the Department of Social
Security (DSS), that "no government has ever proceeded on the
basis that you simply staff the Civil Service on the grounds of how
much money you can recover."
The report notes that the recent appointment of another 10 people to
combat fraud within the DSS in recent months is marginal and calls
on the ministry to "carefully consider the degree of priority they
are giving to this type of work."
The report claims that, where cases are referred to the Organized
Fraud Branch (OFB) teams, a high rate of success in prosecutions is
recorded. However, because of limited resources, the OFB teams only
accept between 12 and 21 percent of referred cases.
"In view of the difficulties in the exchange of information between
investigating teams, and the absence in many offices of formal
investigation review systems, we are concerned that some cases of
organized fraud may not be being detected and pursued," the report
said.
MPs in the CPAC are also highly critical of the Ministry and the
Benefits Agency for failing to provide training for fraud staff,
for "bad coordination and delays" in introducing a new computer
system to coordinate fraud detection.
The report notes that the Ministry is studying the use of identity
cards but felt that a more secure system was appropriate. "Nearly
everything was capable of being forged. So far they had not found a
solution," the report said.
The report is available through Her Majesty's Stationary Office
outlets in the UK and aboard. It is entitled "The Department of
Social Security and Benefits Agency: Combating Organised Fraud; 48th
Report of the Public Accounts Committee. HMSO #11)
(Steve Gold/19931207/Press & Public Contact: HMSO London - Tel: +44-
71-873-0011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
TRENDS
Chase Manhattan Intros Electronic Check Retrieval
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00025)
Chase Manhattan Intros Electronic Check Retrieval 12/07/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Chase Manhattan Bank
has introduced Imageaccess, which it claims is the next generation
of check processing technology. The system is the world's first
corporate electronic imaging archive and retrieval system from a
major bank.
The new state-of-the-art electronic check retrieval service is
designed specifically for customers such as insurance companies,
broker/dealers, mutual funds operators and other organizations which
process as many as 500,000 checks and field an estimated 1,500
payment enquiries in a single month.
According to Chase, Imageaccess will enable them to dramatically
improve customer service, reduce internal operating expenses, and
reduce the risk of check fraud, which the bank claims is currently
increasing at 20 percent a year.
In use, Image access scans and stores pictures of the front and back
of a check in digital form on an optical disk, so that a customer
can access a copy of a check in as little as nine seconds simply by
entering an account number.
Once checks are stored, customers can retrieve electronic images of
them in one of two ways. They can be transmitted directly over an
electronic network to a customer's computer and stored in an
organization's customer correspondence and account payable files.
Or, they can be exported in bulk. Bulk check images are stored on
digital tape or optical disks, which are mailed to customers, who
can load them onto their own image platforms.
Prior to the introduction of Imageaccess, account reconciliation and
customer service staff had to retrieve checks physically to respond
to customer payment enquiries. They could shuffle through paper
checks in numerical order and make a photocopy. Or, they could look
through microfilm or microfiche, find the check, and make a copy.
Either way, Chase claims that the entire process could take up to
eight days. With Imageaccess, the system takes a few minutes.
According to Chase, Imageaccess fights check fraud by speeding up
the process for reviewing questionable checks which don't tally
with issuance information such as serial number, date and amount.
(Steve Gold/19931207/Press & Public Contact: Chase InfoServ
International - Tel: 212/552-6224)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
BUSINESS
Olivetti Sheds 2,000 Staff - Temporarily
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00026)
Olivetti Sheds 2,000 Staff - Temporarily 12/07/93
TURIN, ITALY, 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- After several days of speculation
fuelled by a firm "no comment" from the company itself, Olivetti has
announced plans to lay off around 2,000 staff from its Italian
workforce in the middle of January.
Although Olivetti is referring to the layoffs as temporary only, it
has told the unions concerned that the staff will be offered a
percentage of their salary for a fixed period, in compensation for
the fact that some of them may not get their old jobs back.
The unions concerned are reported to be up in arms over the layoffs,
but Olivetti officials said that, since official discussions on
staffing levels broke down late last week, the company now has no
choice in the matter.
Union officials have said that a further meeting with Olivetti's
management will now go ahead on December 16, although Olivetti has
refused to comment on the subject.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931207/Press & Public Contact: Olivetti - Tel: +39-
125-523733; Fax: +39-125-522377)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
BUSINESS
Multimedia Developer Great Bear Buys Bulgarian Firm
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00027)
Multimedia Developer Great Bear Buys Bulgarian Firm 12/07/93
MORAGA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Multimedia
software developer Great Bear has announced it has acquired
Sofia, Bulgaria-based software development company Logatronix.
Officials at Great Bear said the acquisition is expected to
significantly enhance the company's custom multimedia title
development capability.
Great Bear describes Logatronix as staffed by more than 25
computer scientists and programming professionals who
participated extensively in computer software development for the
former Eastern Bloc and Soviet Union. Logatronix president,
Kostadin Yanev, is a senior research associate at the Institute
of Computer Sciences in Sofia and received his PhD in computer
science from the Polytechnical University, Sofia.
In addition, Great Bear announced private venture capitalist and
consultant William D. Jobe has been named as a director and as
chairman of the company's board of directors. Jobe has been
associated with companies such as MIPS Technology Development and
MIPS Computer Systems, Chatham Venture Corporation, VMX, and Data
General Corporation.
Moraga, California-based Great Bear (NASD EBB: GTBR) is a
recently formed interactive, multimedia software development
company. Its recently released titles include reference materials
such as medical dictionaries and health guides.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931207/Press Contact: John Lukrich, Great
Bear, tel 510-631-1600; Bruce Russell, Russell Communications
Group for Great Bear, tel 310-216-1414, fax 310-216-1223)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
APPLE
Apple Newton Industry Association, Other Newton News
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00028)
Apple Newton Industry Association, Other Newton News 12/07/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Apple
Computer says it is launching the Newton Industry Association at
the first International Newton Development Conference being held
this week in Apple's home town of Cupertino, California. Apple
also announced it would work with Swedish company Telia to bring
Newton products to mobile computer users in Sweden.
Apple says the Newton Industry Association is aimed at promoting
growth and interoperability of the Newton platform and associated
devices. Standards is another focus for the association in the
areas of wireless communications, telephony support, and office
automation.
One of the areas receiving attention right now is infrared
communications between personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Infrared standards do not currently exist, meaning that even
though the Newton Messagepad and the Zoomer PDAs from Tandy and
Casio both have infrared sensors, the devices use conflicting
standards. The upshot is Apple's PDA won't talk to a Zoomer and
vice versa. Apple representatives were unavailable to comment as
to what the company or the Newton Industry Association are
planning to do concerning standards.
Apple listed beginning participants in the Newton Industry
Association as licensees, original equipment manufacturers
(OEMs), component suppliers, and marketing partners. Companies
represented included: Alcatel, ARM, Bellsouth Mobilecomm, British
Telecom/Cellnet, Cirrus Logic, Deutsche Telecom, GEC Plessey, LSI
Logic, Matsushita, Motorola, Paragraph, Scriptel, Sharp,
Siemens/ROLM, Telia, Toshiba, Traveling Software, and US West.
For Swedish users, Telia is hoping its alliance with Apple will
bring integrated mobile technology, using the Newton, to Telia's
current mobile services. Stig Johansson, director of marketing
for Telia, said: "Telia's growing number of mobile customers need
integrated services which work seamlessly with today's computer
technology... The collaboration between Telia and Apple enables
Newton technology to be integrated into some of Telia's mobile
services such as Minicall text, NMT 900, GSM, and the PLUS and
Access information system. Products based on Newton technology
may even be sold in Telia's retail outlets."
While the Newton has been well-received by enthusiastic users who
have snatched up 50,000 units since the product was launched in
August, reports from mainstream media have expressed
disappointment and sharp criticism for the PDA. It appears,
however, that things may be turning for Apple as four industry
publications have awarded the unit top honors. PC Laptop
Computers Magazine called the Newton the "Most Promising
Portable," PC Magazine awarded the Newton MessagePad first place
in its "Design Category," Byte gave it the 1993 Byte Award of
Excellence, and Reseller magazine called it the "Best-To-Sell
Products of the Year."
In new announcements concerning the Messagepad, Apple said
Newtonmail is expected to be available in a final commercial
release throughout the United States in January 1994. Newtonmail
allows Newton users to exchange text messages easily with each
other and anyone who can be reached through online services
available on the Internet and is currently available in a limited
commercial release in the United States. Newtonmail requires the
Newton Fax Modem Card, a credit-card sized Personal Computer
Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) modem, for
communication via online services as well as the ability to send
faxes.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931207/Press Contact: Emma Bufton, Regis
McKenna for Apple Computer, tel 408-974-1856, fax 408-974-2885;
Wolf Fernlund, Apple Computer Europe, 46 8 703 33 33; Michael
Gunnarsson, Telia, 46 8 713 25 38)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GENERAL
Trellis Expose 2.0 Provides Distributed SNMP Management
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029)
Trellis Expose 2.0 Provides Distributed SNMP Management 12/07/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- Trellis, the
Southborough, Massachusetts-based developer of network
applications software for the Banyan Systems VINES operating
system, has announced that its new Expose Distributed Network
Manager will include a large number of major enhancements which
will provide network managers with the tools they need to monitor
and troubleshoot SNMP or simple network management protocol
devices.
Expose 2.0 (written with an accent sign on the final e) will
introduce the SuperMIB (management information block) tool that
presents vendor's MIB information in an easily understood
display. The main object of SuperMIB is to filter out the
extraneous data which is not really useful in managing a
particular network.
Several other new functions will support VINES 5.0 network
performance statistics, alphanumeric pager alarm notification,
performance graph printing, and bitmap image generation for
network topology diagrams.
Pricing for the software, which will ship this month, starts at
$1,500.
(John McCormick/19931207/Press Contact: Chip deVillfranca,
Trellis, 508-485-7200 or fax 508-485-3044)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/07/93
GENERAL
SGML '93 - 5 Electronics Vendors Create "Pinnacles"
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00030)
SGML '93 - 5 Electronics Vendors Create "Pinnacles" 12/07/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 7 (NB) -- It isn't easy
for competing companies to work together in preparing an SGML
(Standard Generalized Query Language) specification, but five
electronics vendors are meeting this goal so well that they
deserve to be held up as a role model, said Yuri Rubinsky,
conference chair and president of SoftQuad, introducing a session
at SGML '93.
Employees of the five companies -- Intel, National Semiconductor,
Texas Instruments, Philips, and Hitachi -- have been
collaborating so closely that these activities extended to the
joint preparation of the presentation they gave at the conference
yesterday, "Multi-Company SGML Application Standard Development
Process."
The collaborative SGML effort, "Pinnacles," was formed because
staffers at each company had faced similar problems in the area
of publishing product data sheets, and republishing these
documents into compilations, or databooks, said the first speaker
from the group, Bob Yencha of National Semiconductor.
These documents are typically small in size, but very complex,
"with many dependencies and relationships, many of them
implicit," he noted. Company employees had found paper-based
publishing too slow and expensive, and were interested in placing
the documents online.
Speaking next, Jeff Barton of Texas Instruments said that the
idea of a joint development program was appealing for several
reasons, including the ability to build on existing development
partnerships, the opportunity to minimize costs, and the chance
to avoid "the major risk of individual companies implementing
proprietary SGML solutions."
To get the ball rolling, employees of Texas Instruments, National
Semiconductor, Intel, and Philips began to meet, learning about
SGML applications in other industries, testing assumptions about
their own document types, and defining a common approach.
Hitachi came into the program a little later.
After meeting for nine months, the members of "Pinnacles"
submitted an identical proposal to top management at their
respective companies.
"Interestingly, although we used exactly the same proposal, the
objections raised at each company were different," noted Barton.
Top management at each firm did "buy into" the program, though,
and the stage was set for the "Process" phase.
During the "Process" phase, Pinnacles developed a timeline and
vendor selection process, "defined the deliverables," analyzed
its own actions to that point, and drafted and reviewed a
standard, said Alfred Elkerbrout of Philips.
The group decided to base its specification on SGML due to the
modularity and extensibility of the SGML architecture, and its
ability to accommodate print as well as future electronic
publications, he explained.
Pinnacles opted to work with a consultant, but specified that the
same consultant should be used throughout the process. The group
further decided to hold four one-week "document analysis"
sessions, to be followed by one or two "reconciliation" sessions.
Each session was to consist of "participants" as well as two
"observers" from each company. Two-thirds of the participants
would be "content experts" (such as engineers, product managers,
and standards experts).
One-third of the participants would be "publications experts" and
information consumers (technical writers, editors, component
managers, actual consumers).
The observers would be invited to assure continuity, and to serve
as an additional resource to the participants. They would
consist of "politically necessary people from each host company,"
as well as "people that will be responsible for implementing or
supporting an SGML-based information system" and external and
internal consultants.
Tom Jeffery of Hitachi said that, in drafting the SGML standard,
Pinnacles took a "modularization approach" and took into account
"what to adopt from other standards." The group was looking for
the ability to handle structure as well as content models.
Once completed, the draft standard will be reviewed by invited
semiconductor companies, third-party vendors, customers, and
vendors of authoring, publishing, and EDA (Electronic Design
Automation) tools.
Patricia O'Sullivan of Intel stated that the draft standard is
due for completion by December 31 of this year. The review
process is set to be completed by March, 1994. In April, 1994,
Pinnacles plans to submit the specification to a standards body.
What has Pinnacles learned in the process? "Plan, plan,
plan...but be flexible, too. And constant communication is
critical," Yencha advised.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931207/Reader and press contact: Tanya
Bosse, Graphic Communications Association, tel 703-519-8160)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GOVT
Slovak Police Break Up DTP Counterfeiting Ring
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00001)
Slovak Police Break Up DTP Counterfeiting Ring 12/06/93
BRATISLAVA, SLOVAK REPUBLIC, 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- The Slovakian
Government has announced it has broken a counterfeiting ring whose
activities led the National Bank of Slovakia to abruptly withdraw
all 1,000-crown federal Czechoslovak notes from circulation on
October 18.
Police raided a Bratislava apartment in late November, arrested
three men and found 91,000 counterfeit stamps, Slovak Interior
Minister Jozef Tuchyna said.
Newsbytes notes that Government officials marked the former
Czechoslovak notes with stamps to distinguish them from Czech
currency after the monetary union between two countries ended on
February 8 this year.
Had the counterfeit stamps been used on withdrawn notes, about 100
million crowns would have been put illegally into circulation,
police said. The abrupt termination of the notes caused Slovaks to
flood banks for fear of being left with worthless paper.
Tuchyna said that the three men faced charges of counterfeiting and
manufacturing and holding counterfeiting equipment. Police said they
also found guns and forged bank notes in the apartment. Newsbytes
understands that the forgers used computerized desktop publishing
(DTP) equipment to forge the notes, although officials have refused
to disclose what equipment was used.
In a related story, the Slovak Republic has just issued a new 500
Crown note. As a result, from early December onwards, the country
has all new banknotes. Old-style notes will be withdrawn from
circulation at the end of 1993, although banks will still change
them until the end of March, 1994.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
BUSINESS
Germany: Citibank Privatkunden Bank Centralizes Euro Network
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00002)
Germany: Citibank Privatkunden Bank Centralizes Euro Network 12/06/93
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY, 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Citibank Privatkunden Bank,
the German operation of Citibank, has announced plans to centralize
control of its European networks at its control center in the
Rhineland.
According to board member Alexander Mettenheimer, the networks of
Belgium, Spain and the UK are being linked together and networks of
other countries will be linked by 1994. The bank claims that it is
the first bank in Germany to operate a European on-line banking
network in the private customer sector.
Citibank claims that the main reason for linking its country banking
networks together is the increasing liberalization of Europe's
telecoms services, as mandated by the European Commission (EC). The
EC has instructed all European telecoms companies to open their
markets to free market competition by 1998.
Earlier this year, almost all of the remaining telecoms companies in
Europe, who had not opened up their markets, announced plans and
time scales on the phased introduction of an open market to their
respective countries. It is this initiative, in the case of the DBT,
the German telecoms giant, that appears to have allowed Citibank to
link its disparate European networks together.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931206/Press & Public Contact: Citibank
Privatkunden - Tel: +49-30-310-196)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
TELECOM
US Robotics Ships Free Guide To Online Services
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00003)
US Robotics Ships Free Guide To Online Services 12/06/93
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- US Robotics Limited,
the UK operation of the US-based modem manufacturer, has confirmed
it is shipping "The Sportster Guide To Online Services," a free
color booklet that is designed to extol the benefits of high speed
modems to potential first-time buyers of modem technology.
Although the booklet was pre-announced last month at a press
conference in London, the company has only today announced the color
booklet, which contains what must arguably be the UK's most
comprehensive guide to online services, detailing most services
available, as well as a selection the most popular bulletin board
services (BBSs).
According to Clive Hudson, Managing Director of US Robotics, around
300,000 of the booklets have been printed and are being distributed
as inserts in the PC press, as well as offered via computer dealers
in the UK. The booklet will also be made available to schools,
colleges and public libraries,
"The modem has moved from being a rather dull technical product to a
consumer product with a wide range of possibilities, We felt the
guide would stimulate increased use of the amazing range of services
that are out there," Hudson said,
"It's not just the big boys though, We have included a number of
smaller BBS operator and we will be offering a hotline for anyone
who wants information they cannot find in the booklet," he added.
Readers of Newsbytes who want a copy of the guide should contact
Sally Roberts at the company.
(Steve Gold/19931206/Press & Public Contact; US Robotics - Tel: +44-
753-811180)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
Networks Expo'94 Scheduled For February In Boston
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00004)
Networks Expo'94 Scheduled For February In Boston 12/06/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Networks Expo'94, the
eight-annual edition, will be held in Boston from February 15
through 17 where the latest in distributed computing hardware and
software will be shown to corporate users. Seventy-six conference
sessions will be the key to learning about the current state-of-
the-art, while the more than 30,000 expected attendees will see
actual products at the three days of exhibits.
A special tutorial session scheduled for Monday, February 14,
1994 will cover topics such as LAN (local area network) Disaster
Planning; Using Bridges, Routers, and Gateways; Analyzing Netware
LAN Performance; Internetworking with Netware and TCP/IP
(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol); and using
Windows In A Corporate Environment.
Showing that the conference and exposition will focus on practical
applications, Tuesday's keynote speaker will be Travers Waltrip, VP
Telecommunications Division, for The Travelers, a diversified
financial services organization instead of a computer hardware or
software company executive.
(John McCormick/19931206/Press Contact: Bruno Blenheim, 800-829-
3976, 201-346-1400, or fax 201-346-1602)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
IBM
Floorplan Plus 3D For Windows Debuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)
Floorplan Plus 3D For Windows Debuts 12/06/93
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- ComputerEasy
International has announced an upgrade of their Floorplan Plus for
Windows software. The new version is called Floorplan Plus 3D for
Windows, and includes a virtual reality capability that allows users
to "walk through" their designs.
The company claims that novice and expert alike can quickly design,
plan, layout, modify and view in 3D everything on the top of the
dining room table to a 20 story office building.
Floorplan Plus 3D for Windows can support drawings of up to 27
million square feet, and comes with an object library that includes
hundreds of items ready for placement, or you can design your own
equipment, furniture, or landscaping using the built-in drawing
tools. The user can also import 3D drawings created with
ComputerEasy's 3D Design Plus V2.0 program.
A 3D button initiates a viewing plan then automatically renders the
drawing in three dimensions, while a shade tool renders the 3D
surfaces using a user-positioned light source. A stair tool creates
straight or spiral staircases, there is a roof editor to customize
the roofs of your designs, and the program automatically tracks the
required building materials. Files can be exported in ASCII format or
you can create an Estimator Plus file for job costing, bidding and
quotation purposes.
The program can import 3D Plus Files with their DXF format, and can
export to the DXF format. Printing can be done in wire frame or
shaded model, automatic layering is supported, and a floating tool
box includes measuring tools.
(Jim Mallory/19931206/Press contact: D. Thomas Sibbio, Computereasy,
602-829-9614; Reader contact: Computereasy International,
602-829-9614 or fax 602-829-9616)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
APPLE
Great Plains Software Intros New Accounting Modules
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00006)
Great Plains Software Intros New Accounting Modules 12/06/93
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Great Plains
Software has announced two new modules in its Great Plains Dynamics
accounting product line. The new modules include Invoicing and
Federal Magnetic Media, and bring to 15 the number of Dynamics
modules currently shipping.
Invoicing can be used as a stand-alone package for processing and
printing custom invoices, returns, and packing slips; or it can be
integrated with other Dynamics modules. Invoicing has a suggested
retail price of $1,000.
The Federal Magnetic Media module integrated with the Payroll-United
States module and provides users with the ability to file W-2
information electronically. It has a suggested retail price of $500.
The Dynamics module line is a LAN-ready graphical accounting system
for Apple Computer's Macintosh platform and Microsoft Windows. It
supports object linking and embedding (OLE), dynamic data exchange
(DDE), open database connectivity (ODBC), Apple Script AppleEvents,
and Apple's Open Collaboration Environment (AOCE).
Great Plains says it plans to ship a client/server accounting
package called Dynamics C/S+ with scalable server hardware targeted
at midrange corporation with revenues from $25 - $100 million in the
first half of 1994. Also scheduled to ship by mid-1994 are major
upgrades to the existing Dynamics product line, that will be called
Dynamics Release Two.
(Jim Mallory/19931206/Press contact: Terry Kalil, Great Plains
Software, 701-281-3130; Reader contact: Great Plains Software,
800-456-0025 or fax 701-281-3700)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
IBM
Infobusiness CD-ROM Helps Job Seekers
(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00007)
Infobusiness CD-ROM Helps Job Seekers 12/06/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Introduced at last
month's Las Vegas Comdex trade show, Orem, Utah-based Infobusiness's
two new CD-ROM titles, Job-Power Source, and Job-Power Source
Professional target the growing need and recognition among
professional workers that they need to be prepared to change jobs on
a regular basis in today's rapidly moving job market.
Job-Power Source, at $59.95, is a Windows/MPC-compliant multimedia
CD-ROM-based resource containing thousands of pages of text
describing career advancement techniques and the current outlook for
new jobs in more than 200 areas.
Training and educational requirements for the jobs, along with
salary information and prospect for career growth are given for each
job and the disc also includes more than 200 examples of resumes and
job search letters to help the job seeker get a head start on the
competition.
Job-Power Source Professional, at $149.95, is the job placement
counselor's version of the same information, with information on
more than 12,000 job titles.
An earlier CD-ROM release, The Ultimate Job Finder ($60), also
targets the job seeker with listings for more than 4,500 trade
publications, directories, hotlines, and job matching services.
(John McCormick/19931206/Press Contact: Michael Terpin, The Terpin
Group, 310-798-7875 or fax 310-798-7825)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
TELECOM
France Telecom Victim Of Minitel Fraud
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00008)
France Telecom Victim Of Minitel Fraud 12/06/93
VAL-DE-MARNE, FRANCE, 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- France Telecom (FT) has
taken three of its engineers to court at Creteil, Val-de-Marne. The
engineers are charged that they deliberately increased to the number
of logged calls to the Minitel viewdata network, as well as their
duration, in order to allow Cap France, which provides service
facilities to France Telecom, to bill FT for additional units.
The three engineers have been found to be co-owners of Cap Telecom,
which offers database services to Minitel subscribers.
Unlike Prodigy in the US, which are is run completely by the
company itself, the French Minitel network is a universal public
carrier of information, with the carrier allowing callers to gateway
into services provided by third parties. Minitel makes its money on
the commission charged for the services, as well as a charge to the
information providers for routing their data across the Minitel
network.
Newsbytes notes that this is the first time that France Telecom has
found its own engineers to working a scam with Minitel. The telecoms
company claims that it is now interviewing its staff as they join the
company for any conflicting interests.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931206/Press & Public Contact: France Telecom -
Tel: +33-1-4444-6094; Fax: +33-1-4657-8802)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GOVT
Presidential Guard Claims Pres. Mitterand Ordered Bugging
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00009)
Presidential Guard Claims Pres. Mitterand Ordered Bugging 12/06/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- A former senior security guard of
French President Francois Mitterand has claimed that the president's
office ordered the illegal bugging of phones being used by
journalists and politicians in the early 1980s.
In court last week, Patrick Rizzo, a solicitor, quoted his client,
former gendarmerie captain Paul Barril, as telling an investigating
magistrate that the telephone buggings were being managed by a close
presidential aide, Gille Menage.
Menage, then deputy director of Mitterrand's cabinet, currently
heads up EDF, the French state electricity company.
According to Rizzo, the anti-terrorist unit at the Elysee Palace set
up a computerized filing system at the presidential palace in August
of 1982, with the express intention of processing buggings at the
Elysee and managed by the highest state institutions.
"My client said that under the cover of the anti-terrorist fight,
his file was used to wiretap lawyers, journalists and politicians,"
Rizzo said, adding that Barril had declared genuine the accounts of
bugged phone conversations reported in the French press last spring.
Newspapers reported shortly before last March's general election
that the anti-terrorist unit at the Elysee had bugged the telephones
of dozens of people between 1983 and 1986. They included
journalists, an actress, a lawyer and an author. The division,
Secure Computing understands, has since been dismantled.
Press reports of the time said that at least 114 wiretaps were
requested for reasons ranging from suspected arms trade to terrorist
links or presidential security, but it was not clear if all of the
buggings were actually carried out.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
TELECOM
Nynex Denies Broadband Plans Set
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)
Nynex Denies Broadband Plans Set 12/06/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Nynex appears to
be backing away from statements by its chairman that it has firmed
up plans to upgrade its network.
While William Ferguson was responding to questions from reporters at
the Western Show, a cable convention at which the "information
superhighway" was a primary theme, his executives remained engaged
in negotiations with regulators. The company wants a "new kind of
regulation, and part of that will allow us to build the broadband
network," according to spokesman Maureen Flanagan.
What Nynex is seeking, like other regional Bells, is so-called
"incentive regulation" which will let it accelerate depreciation of
its current plant and guarantee revenues from new broadband systems.
"We've been saying we'll build the broadband network of the future,
and we're still working with regulators to make that happen," said
Flanagan. "That's something we have to discuss with the regulators."
All the Regional Bells are caught between their current status as
regulated monopolies and their future as competitive pipelines.
Nynex faces not only potential cable competition, but real
competition in New York from MFS Communications for business
customers.
MFS recently won the right to compete directly with Nynex in
Manhattan, and plans to expand into the rest of the city and its
suburbs. A unit of Time Warner's cable operation, in which US West
holds an interest, is also seeking approval to offer phone services
in competition with Nynex in New York, and in competition with
Rochester Telephone in Rochester.
Once competition comes to a market most regulators, including those
in New York, want rate regulation ended. But that's a long process,
which will begin first in high-density business markets, and much,
much later in low-income and rural neighborhoods. Nynex wants to
guarantee that its investments in broadband equipment -- whether
made in the Catskills or Harlem -- will bring it a pay-back. But
when competition comes to a market, guarantees end, analysts agree.
Nynex is also among the companies making risky investments in
program content. It has put $1.2 billion into Viacom, partly to
finance its struggle for Paramount with QVC Network. QVC is backed
by, among others, BellSouth. US West has $2.5 billion in Time Warner
Entertainment, while Bell Atlantic is buying TCI, the nation's
largest cable operator, and Southwestern Bell has bought a piece of
Jones Intercable to go along with its buy last year of Hauser
Communications, a Washington, D.C. cable operation.
None of these investments guarantees a return. As a result,
brokerage firms like Kidder Peabody are changing the way they
evaluate phone stocks, looking for growth rather than steady
dividends, and bond rating agencies like Moody's are looking at the
risk in new investments and considering rating downgrades which will
raise the cost of debt.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931206/Press Contact: Maureen Flanagan, Nynex,
914-644-7633)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
****NetWare For Local Area Transport Now In Beta Testing
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00011)
****NetWare For Local Area Transport Now In Beta Testing 12/06/93
WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- NetWare for LAT
(Local Area Transport), a new product aimed at simplifying desktop
and network configurations on NetWare networks running DEC
applications, is now in final beta testing and will ship in January,
according to Ray Combs, product manager for Novell.
Novell's new series of NetWare Loadable Modules (NLMs) lets Windows,
Windows NT, Macintosh, DOS, OS/2 and Unix users access applications
running on VAXes, Alpha workstations, and other LAT-compliant hosts
without installation of a LAT protocol stack on the desktop, said
Combs, in a presentation attended by Newsbytes at the Novell office
in Wellesley, MA.
By moving the LAT protocol stack from the client PC or workstation
to the NetWare server, the product saves memory on the workstation,
and spares end users and network managers from dealing with
potential conflicts between the LAT protocol stack and the NetWare
shell, he explained at the briefing.
NetWare for LAT also extends the use of DEC applications beyond the
Ethernet networks commonly supported by DEC's LAT protocol to any
local area network (LAN) topology, including token ring and Arcnet,
he added.
Running on a NetWare 3.x or 4.x server, NetWare for LAT "speaks LAT"
to the DEC host over a dedicated Ethernet link, but communicates
with client PCs and workstations on Ethernet, token ring, and Arcnet
LANs using Novell's IPX/SPX protocol, Apple's AppleTalk protocol, or
TCP/IP.
By isolating LAT from other network traffic, the product lets
organizations take advantage of the DEC protocol's high-speed
performance for host-based printing and file transfer applications,
while eliminating the need to run LAT all the way from the host to
the desktop, said Combs.
Client workstations connect to the NetWare server and NetWare for
LAT through the NetWare shell, removing the requirement for desktop
installation of the LAT protocol stack. Terminal emulation software
continues to be required on the desktop, however. Emulators will be
available through third-party vendors.
In "quarantining" the non-routable LAT protocol to the host-to-
server link, NetWare for LAT also facilitates remote access to DEC
applications over wide area networks (WANs), said Combs.
Organizations routing IPX/SPX or TCP/IP on their WANs will no longer
be required to install and maintain a series of remote bridges to
transport LAT across the WAN.
Novell's development of NetWare for LAT was inspired by NetWare for
SAA, an existing product that provides desktop connectivity to IBM
mainframe and AS 400 applications. "Research has shown that a very
large percentage of people who have NetWare for SAA also have
VAXes," Combs remarked.
In the future, Novell will introduce additional NetWare products in
this category, including an offering for Telnet to be launched next
year, he said.
NetWare for LAT is not just a gateway, but also a platform for
application solutions that integrate the NetWare and DEC
environments, indicated Wood.
Novell's third-party partners have announced applications that
integrate DEC printing services with NetWare printing services,
integrate DEC mail services with NetWare Global Message Handling
Services (MHS), and allow files and data to be transferred between
DEC systems and NetWare servers. The products consist of NLMs that
run on NetWare servers and VMS programs that run on DEC hosts.
InterConnections' Gateway File Transfer Services will provide file
and data services. Mail service integration will be supplied by
Wingra Technologies' Missive NetWare Global MHS to VAX/VMS gateway.
Printer services will include Firefox's Novax for NetWare for LAT,
Meridian's SuperLAT HostPrint, and InterConnections' Gateway Print
Services.
Third-party products for terminal emulation will include Novax
for NetWare for LAT, InterConnection's Leverage Gateway Terminal
Services, Wall Data's Rumba for VAX, and the Reflection series
from Walker Richer & Quinn (WRQ). The emulators will use IPX/SPX,
AppleTalk, or TCP/IP to connect to a NetWare for LAT server.
WRQ has developed an interface to NetWare for LAT for its Reflection
terminal emulators for the Windows, Macintosh and DOS environments,
said John Vanderwall, product manager for WRQ, also at the briefing.
Reflection emulators support multiple host sessions and VT340
emulation, including graphics, command language macros, and file
transfers, according to Vanderwall. When used with NetWare for LAT,
the emulators will allow sessions with LAT hosts via IPX or
AppleTalk.
NetWare for LAT is priced at $3,495 for a 16-user pack, $5,995 for a
32-user pack, $9,995 for a 64-user pack, and $16,995 for a 128-user
pack.
Each user is assigned one connection and can use up to four
simultaneous sessions. The product will be offered in 3.5-inch
diskette and CD-ROM packages. NetWare Runtime is included.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931206/Reader contacts: Curtis J. Cowley,
Novell, tel 617-431-8316; John Vanderwall, WRQ, tel 206-324-0350;
Reader and press contact: Novell, tel 801-429-7000; Press contact:
Linda Lewis, WRQ, tel 206-324-0350)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
IBM
Electronic "Whiteboard" Comdex Award Finalist
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012)
Electronic "Whiteboard" Comdex Award Finalist 12/06/93
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Softboard, the
electronic "whiteboard" reported on by Newsbytes in September of
this year, was selected as a finalist in the "Best of Show" category
at the computer industry's fall exposition Comdex.
Softboard is a $2,995 electronic version of the ubiquitous
whiteboard found in nearly every conference room, that lecturers
seem to love to scribble on with colored markers. Marketed by
Microfield Graphics, the electronic version is connected to a
Macintosh or IBM-compatible PC and displays everything written on
the board on the PC's monitor. Each screen can be saved for later
viewing and/or printing.
That by itself is a useful feature, but Softboard goes even further.
Using a modem and ordinary phone lines, the Softboard sessions can
be shared interactively with conference participants in other
locations. Multi-site sharing is possible.
Softboard uses two invisible infrared beams located near the top
corners of the board to continuously scan the entire area of
the whiteboard. When a user writes on the board using a special dry-
erase marker, the lasers locate, identify and track the position of
the markers in real time and translate that data onto the computer
display.
The special dry-erase markers are equipped with bar-coded sleeves
which are scanned by the laser. Information about the marker's
position and color is fed to a digital signal processor, where it is
converted into a screen image and graphic file. A special eraser
functions in a similar manner.
One of the potential uses for a product like Softboard is to train
users of the pen-type devices that are currently coming to market. A
Softboard integrated with an LCD projector and a pen-based operating
system could provide a huge input tablet for demonstrating the
pen-based software or for training users at multiple sites.
Microfield Graphics says it is developing a software developers kit
(SDK) that will allow software developers and integrators to
incorporate Softboard into their applications. The SDK is scheduled
to ship in January 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931206/Press contact: Karl Damhave, Microfield
Graphics, 503-626-9393; Reader contact: Microfield Graphics,
503-626-9393 or 800-334-4922, fax 503-641-9333/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
Book 'Em, Identix -- Police Subcontract Awarded
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)
Book 'Em, Identix -- Police Subcontract Awarded 12/06/93
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- IBM and Westinghouse
Electric, the prime contractors putting in a new booking system for
the Maryland Department of Public Safety, have chosen Identix of
Sunnyvale, California, to supply optical live-scan fingerprinting
and photo image capture products.
The Identix products will capture fingerprints and mug shots to
be stored in the system's electronic files.
The Arrest Booking System (ABS), is due to be installed early in
1995 in Baltimore's new Central Booking Facility, currently under
construction. According to state law enforcement officials, about
half of all bookings in Maryland are handled in Baltimore.
Identix said it has received an initial purchase order of about
$100,000 as the exclusive supplier of live-scan hardware and
software for the project, now in development at IBM's Baltimore
facility. The company said it expects further orders for custom
engineering work on the system.
According to IBM, the system is meant to be fast, so the arresting
officer can get back to street patrol as quickly as possible, and
easy to use. It will be the front end for a program the state is
developing called Offender-Based Management Information System
(OBMIS), which will be able to track a suspect's entire history with
the Maryland correctional system.
Identix makes identity verification systems for security and law
enforcement use.
(Grant Buckler/19931206/Press Contact: James P. Scullion,
Identix, 408-739-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/06/93
TELECOM
****Stentor, Kodak Canada In Image Alliance
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00014)
****Stentor, Kodak Canada In Image Alliance 12/06/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Stentor, the consortium
of regional Canadian phone companies, and Kodak Canada have formed
an alliance to transmit digital images over the telephone network,
private data networks, and local-area networks (LANs).
A key result of the deal will be availability in Canada of the Kodak
Picture Exchange (KPX) service. Recently launched in the United
States, KPX is to become available in Canada early in the new year,
said David King, executive director of corporate accounts at Kodak.
According to King, KPX will allow publishers, advertising houses and
others who use stock photos to look for the pictures they need
online and have only their final choices delivered in physical form.
Kodak said that the service will save time and expense for the
customers of stock photo agencies, which would otherwise have to
send batches of photos for customers to choose from.
Others will also be able to send and receive photos by wire,
officials said. "We see quite a wide range of applications involving
imaging," said Don MacNeil, multimedia planning manager for Stentor
Resource Centre Inc. An example is a project Stentor has done with
the National Aviation Museum, which allows people to view museum
exhibits in an online multimedia encyclopedia.
The financial sector is showing interest in using the technology to
transmit images of checks and other financial documents, MacNeil
added, and business training, tele-medicine, and document image
systems are other possible applications.
It will be possible to transmit and receive photos using a 9,600-
bit-per-second (bps) modem over an ordinary telephone line, or for
those who need faster service, using dedicated switched 56-kilobit
or Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines.
King said a "mini-thumbnail" version of a photo -- about the size of
a 35-millimeter slide -- would take four or five seconds to transmit
using a 9,600-bps modem. The largest image the system will handle, a
three-by-four-inch design proof, would take 20 to 30 seconds to send
by 9,600-bps modem, somewhat less with a faster connection, he said.
The Kodak Picture Exchange will arrange with stock photo suppliers
to provide online access to their photo libraries, officials said.
After viewing photos online, users will place an electronic order
for the photos they want and the stock suppliers will then contact
the customers directly.
Using the KPX will cost C$106 per hour for connect time, plus
C$11.50 for each design proof image downloaded. Image providers may
add a surcharge for design proofs downloaded. Downloading thumbnail
images will be free except for connect-time charges, and there is no
monthly minimum charge, officials said. These costs do not include
the fees payable to the owner of the image for using it in a
publication.
(Grant Buckler/19931206/Press Contact: Cindy Willins, Stentor, 613-
781-7828; Sue Paterson, Kodak Canada, 416-766-8233 ext. 35454)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
Electronic Entertainment Show Set for Atlanta
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00015)
Electronic Entertainment Show Set for Atlanta 12/06/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Atlanta has been
announced as the site for the new Electronic Entertainment Expo,
a show on interactive entertainment promoted by Infotainment
World and Knowledge Industry Publications.
Infotainment is a publication of IDG, which also produces PC World,
InfoWorld, and the Game Pro and Electronic Entertainment magazines,
among other titles.
Spokesman Bill Freed told Newsbytes that Atlanta was chosen in part
because it had a hall big enough for the show -- the 340,000 square
foot East Hall of the Georgia World Congress Center. That would make
the new show about one-third the size of the annual Spring Comdex
and Windows World shows scheduled to arrive in Atlanta the week
before Memorial Day. Over 300 exhibitors have been signed up.
Freed said the new show should attract over 30,000 buyers of
interactive software, along with publishers, rights owners, the
media and financial community. An estimated 10,000 titles are on the
market, including systems for video game systems like those of
Nintendo and Sega and a variety of CD-ROM machine formats, including
the 3DO multiplayer, and multimedia personal computers.
Freed said that a portion of the show will be dedicated solely to
developers and programmers, including makers of authoring platforms,
replacing and packaging services and software required to create new
titles.
Infotainment World president Patrick Ferrell that said there are now
over 150,000 retail outlets for the wares to be shown at this show.
IDG unit Link Resources estimates $6 billion is spent each year on
home gaming, with nearly 20 million PCs used for entertainment, and
3 million households having CD-ROM drives.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931206/Press Contact: Bill Freed, for
Infotainment, 415-328-5555)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
TRENDS
****Chip Makers Hit By Downgrades
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00016)
****Chip Makers Hit By Downgrades 12/06/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- An industry insider and
no less than the Merril Lynch brokerage firm had negative comments
about both the microprocessor industry in general and Intel in
particular this morning, resulting in more than a 10 percent drop in
Intel's stock price in early trading in the over the counter trading
(NASDAQ Stock Exchange). According to reports, Intel 486
microprocessors aren't selling as well as earlier, while Pentium-
base computers aren't taking up the slack much as the company had
expected.
Intel's popular 80486 line has been hit by inroads from competing
chip makers which offer low-cost alternatives, and at the same time,
the new Pentium (80586) microprocessor has not proven as popular as
many industry observers had expected. But even if it had, pricing
pressures from competitors who make compatible, but slower chips has
caused Intel to establish less profitable prices for the Pentiums it
has sold.
On the basis of the brokerage's analyst's report which lowered
Intel's earnings estimate from $7.20 per share to $6 per share,
Merril Lynch brokerage cut its rating on Intel.
Motorola, the telecommunications company which also makes the 680XX
microprocessors which form the heart of all CD-ROM drives and Apple
computers, was also hit by concerns over the strength of the
microprocessor market in general and trading in the stock was
delayed.
Merril Lynch lowered its rating on Motorola and the stock was down
by about three percent in early stock trading on Monday but
Motorola's chip making division is not the only source of revenue to
that company so it would not be as badly hit by a drop in
microprocessor sales.
Just last Friday VLSI Technology, a San Jose, California-based
specialty chip maker, that Apple Computer had notified the company
of the computer maker's intention to reschedule or cancel some
orders which may reduce VLSI's 1994 sales by up to $20 million.
(John McCormick/19931206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
Toys For Tutorials - Computer Show Takes Toy Donations
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00017)
Toys For Tutorials - Computer Show Takes Toy Donations 12/06/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- National Trade
Publications of Alexandria, Virginia, has gotten into the spirit of
the season by announcing that it would accept toy donations in lieu
of the normal $15 exposition admission price for this week's
Baltimore Computer Conference.
Working with the US Marine Corps in their annual Toys for Tots
campaign to gather new toys for disadvantaged children, national
Trade Productions has set up drop-off points for Baltimore Computer
Conference Expo (BCCE) attendees who are invited to donate one new,
unwrapped toy in exchange for a free exposition pass to the show
floor where hundreds of major computer companies are displaying
their latest products.
Exposition hours, at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore,
Maryland, will be Wednesday, December 8th, and Thursday, the 9th,
from 10 am to 4 pm.
NTP and the BCCE made the same offer last year and collected more
than 300 toys for local children in 1992. The exposition organizer
says that they hope to double that number for this year's event and
encourages those who have already purchased tickets to make a toy
donation anyway.
The Baltimore Computer Conference and Exposition is an annual event
held each December for the many business and government agency
computer buyers who are located in the Baltimore-Washington, DC
corridor.
(John McCormick/19931206/Press Contact: Rosanne Desmone, NTP,
703-683-8500 or fax 703-836-4486)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
TELECOM
Jones Deal Signals Cable Future For BCE
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00018)
Jones Deal Signals Cable Future For BCE 12/06/93
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- BCE, the holding
company that controls Northern Telecom Ltd. and Canada's largest
regional phone company, wants into the cable television business. A
deal signed last week, giving BCE a 30-percent stake in Jones
Intercable of Englewood, Colorado, is not quite the first step and
almost certainly will not be the last.
BCE was already involved with Jones Intercable in a cable television
operation in the United Kingdom. The company is also working with
another Montreal firm, Groupe Videotron, in a second cable joint
venture in the UK.
Both companies are in the London area. Derek Burney, chairman,
president, and chief executive of BCE's subsidiary BCE Telecom
International, told Newsbytes those projects have given his firm
valuable experience and BCETI sees growth opportunities in the cable
business.
The British ventures will continue, Burney said, but now BCETI
wants to gain a foothold in the United States. The company felt that
cable "was an appropriate entry for BCE into the world's most
dynamic market for telecommunications, namely the US," Burney
said. He added that BCETI officials "came to know and respect" Jones
Intercable over the past 18 months of working with the Colorado firm
on the Encom cable venture in the UK.
As Newsbytes reported Friday, BCETI is to buy about 10 million
shares of Jones Intercable's common stock for US$275 million, giving
it 30 percent of Jones. For another US$55 million, BCETI will get
the option to purchase control of the cable firm later. Third, the
Canadian company has committed itself to take part in future equity
financings up to US$125 million, increasing its total investment to
US$400 million.
Company officials said the BCE purchase is to follow a planned deal
in which Jones Intercable is to buy Jones Spacelink. Both Jones
Intercable and Jones Spacelink are controlled by Glenn R. Jones.
Burney said he would not describe the BCE deal as being contingent
on the Jones Spacelink purchase, but said his company's plans were
based on the assumption the Spacelink buyout would be completed and
might have to be adjusted if that deal did not take place.
Burney also said he would not rule out BCETI investments in cable
ventures elsewhere in the world. He hinted that BCE might even
get into that business in Canada. It is not clear whether the
company might run into regulatory problems in doing that.
Canadian telephone companies are not allowed to enter the cable
TV business, but BCE is a holding company and Burney suggested
the rule might apply only to its regulated subsidiary, Bell
Canada. However, Burney added that as head of BCE's international
subsidiary, possible domestic cable ventures are not his direct
concern.
(Grant Buckler/19931206/Press Contact: Derek Burney, BCE Telecom
International, 514-392-2300; Patrick Lombardi, Jones Intercable,
303-792-3111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
Next Generation Best UPS Series Announced
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019)
Next Generation Best UPS Series Announced 12/06/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Best Power Technology, of
Necedah, Wisconsin, has announced the fifth major upgrade to its
popular Ferrups uninterruptible power supply (UPS) line, increasing
performance and reliability through the use of a new, more powerful
microprocessor control system.
The FE series Ferrups UPS systems come in sizes from small 500 VA
for single computers, to powerful 18 KVA units capable of powering
an advanced network server for long enough to properly shut down the
network.
New for the UPS line is something called active voltage regulation
(AVR) which the company says will improve performance across the
board regardless of the line power problems encountered.
Best reports that AVR intelligently supports the three major kinds
of computer power supplies: linear, switch-mode, and power-factor
corrected and will handle voltages as low as 72 volts or a surge as
high as 138 volts without switching to battery power.
AVR samples supply voltage 4,000 times each second and is thus able
to better manage the need for tapping actual reserve battery power,
while maintaining near perfect power output for sensitive computer
systems.
New software supports more than 50 interfaces which let systems
automatically and safely shut down Windows, network, or other
operating environments as reserve power dwindles during long
power outages.
Data links provide communications between computers and the
Ferrups power conditioners at baud rates from 50 to 38.4
Kilobytes per second.
(John McCormick/19931206/Press Contact: Kenneth Urban, Best Power
Technology, 800-356-5794, 608-565-7200 or fax 608-565-2929/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
Network Replaces Charles Schwab's Mainframe
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00020)
Network Replaces Charles Schwab's Mainframe 12/06/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Charles Schwab & Co has
purchased a software program to manage the client/server network
that will replace the discount stock broker's mainframe.
The Tivoli Management Environment from Tivoli Systems will manage
Schwab's computer network that will connect several hundred retail
brokerage offices and regional telephone centers across the US and
includes service, support and training in addition to the software.
Tivoli says the deal will be worth more than $2.3 million over the
next two years.
Tivoli Systems says initially Schwab will use the software to manage
hundreds of networked nodes at regional telephone centers in
Phoenix, San Francisco, and Denver. Over the next few years, the
software will be deployed nationwide to manage the thousands of
server workstations and desktop broker workstations.
Networked servers will enable Schwab brokers to get real-time market
data, process customer orders, and generate confirmations more
quickly. Schwab reportedly processes about 30,000 transactions daily
worldwide. The company says that's an increase of about 13,000 per
day over the 1990 transaction rate.
The Schwab system is based on Unix and standards such as TCP/IP
network protocol and the Open Software Foundation's Distributed
Computing Environment. To handle the necessary volume Schwab says it
will distribute data, applications and processing power over three
types of computer systems.
At corporate headquarters and the company's regional data centers
Hitachi mainframe computers will handle non-transactional customer
information. Cluster of Unix servers will handle time-sensitive
transactions such as trades and requests for market data. At the
regional offices, local servers will allow brokers to access the
customer data maintained on the mainframes, while PCs will support
word processing and other local applications.
(Jim Mallory/19931206/Press contact: John Hime, Tivoli Systems, 512-
794-9070; Reader contact: Tivoli Systems, 512-794-9070, fax 512-794-
0623)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
IBM
Comshare Adds Commander Budget To PC Financial Apps
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00021)
Comshare Adds Commander Budget To PC Financial Apps 12/06/93
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Comshare today
announced Commander Budget, a Windows- and DOS-based client-server
application meant to combine "top down" and "bottom up" budgeting
approaches on the corporate enterprise network.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Mark N. Wood, the company's director
of marketing, Financial Applications Division, explained that the
terms "top down" and "bottom up" refer to the needs of an
organization at different levels of the corporate ladder.
"From the top of an organization, looking down, you want to have
consistency and control. From the bottom, looking up, you want
flexibility and the ability to control your own destiny," he told
Newsbytes.
Before producing Commander Budget, Comshare undertook a two-year
study of more than 700 finance and budgeting professionals,
according to Wood. When asked to characterize their budget process
as either "top-down" or "bottom up," about two-thirds of the
respondents said "both."
Like other members of Comshare's growing family of PC-based
financial applications, Commander Budget draws on Comshare's three
decades of experience in the mainframe world, while adding features
developed with the client-server environment in mind.
The budgeting application maintains all corporate budget data in a
secure, centralized multi-user relational database, which is
currently based on Novell's Btrieve database manager, said Wood.
Commander Budget also incorporates Commander Prism, Comshare's
Windows-based "multidimensional modeling spreadsheet." Unveiled at
Business Software Solutions in Boston last summer, Commander Prism
provides a visual interface for "slice and dice" query and analysis
of up to nine different planning dimensions.
Within Commander Budget, Commander Prism lets users employ newer
budgeting practices such as multidimensional business segment
budgeting and activity-based budgeting.
Comshare's inclusion of multidimensional business segment budgeting
reflects a recent trend toward business segment reporting, or
"breaking down financials by line of business." This trend is being
spurred by activities of the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB), a private cross-industry group that sets financial
accounting standards in the US, Newsbytes was told.
"Business segment reporting is there for the benefit of the
community, so everyone can better understand all the risks and
opportunities involved in a conglomerate's financials. There's been
a lot of talk about raising the level of business segment reporting
required by FASB 19, a standard that tells companies their
requirements for business reporting. So most companies have been
gearing their financials increasingly toward business segment
planning," Wood maintained.
Commander Prism also incorporates "what if" tools, including a "Goal
Setting" tool aimed at automatically scaling cost center budgets to
achieve a consolidated, corporate-level target.
Commander Budget shares the same database structure as Commander FDC
(Financial Data Control), a Comshare application used for statutory
consolidation and management reporting of financial actuals, added
Wood. As a result, the two applications are able to share
information for integrated management, analysis and variance
reporting of budgets and actuals.
Commander Budget also integrates an "intelligent" general ledger
interface, he pointed out. "The bottom line is that the interface
understands the way accounting systems store numbers. So when you
bring numbers out of the accounting system into the budgeting
system, you don't have to write a program. You merely check off
boxes and fill in blanks on a form."
Many other features are also oriented to ease of use by non-
technical business analysts and managers, according to Wood. These
include a drag-and-drop organizational chart, as well as direct bi-
directional interfaces to Microsoft Excel on Windows-based PCs, and
to Lotus 1-2-3 in both the Windows and DOS environments.
Commander Budget is designed to overcome several limitations of
traditional spreadsheets that Comshare uncovered in its survey, he
indicated.
Comshare's research showed that, although most companies have
already downsized all budgeting to spreadsheet-based solutions,
users are not entirely satisfied with traditional spreadsheets.
Respondents said that the transition to spreadsheets has improved
bottom-up empowerment, but at the expense of complicating most top-
down corporate processes.
The top four problems cited with regard to traditional spreadsheets
were an inability to perform meaningful "what if" planning across
consolidated corporate structures, "difficulty in tracking
assumptions behind bottom-up assessments from pass to pass," "delays
in making changes to inflexible consolidation and allocation
procedures," and the high cost of building and maintaining links to
accounting and other corporate systems.
Comshare also found, though, that these four problems were rarely
reported among the segment of surveyed companies that were already
supplementing spreadsheets with multidimensional modeling products
such as Comshare's System W or IFPS, according to Wood.
In addition, many respondents who use traditional spreadsheets
reported spending half their time on such time-consuming tasks as
rekeying data, re-creating standard reports, and re-programming
macros.
Commander Budget is available immediately. Pricing is based on
number of users. A 50-user license is priced at $60,000.
The product runs under either Windows or DOS, on any NetBios local
area network (LAN). "But in its current release, Commander Budget
has special value on Novell LANs, in that the Btrieve database can
run on a NetWare server as an NLM (NetWare Loadable Module)," said
Wood.
A future update to Commander Budget, slated for announcement in
mid-1994, will support additional database managers through the
Microsoft ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) specification, he
told Newsbytes.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931206/Reader contact: Comshare Marketing,
tel 800-922-7979; Press contacts: Ricia Hughes, Comshare, tel
313-769-6068; Tim Hurley, David Copithorne or Nick Berents,
Copithorne & Bellows for Comshare, tel 617-252-0606/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
Outsourcing Conference To Be Held In Boston This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00022)
Outsourcing Conference To Be Held In Boston This Week 12/06/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- What are the
benefits of outsourcing? What are the risks? How can you selectively
outsource portions of your network without losing corporate control?
What are the best methods to use in evaluating outsourcing proposals
or systems integration deals?
These questions and many others will be addressed Wednesday,
December 8 and Thursday, December 9 at the Outsourcing Conference.
The two-day event, being held in Boston by Digital Consulting Inc.
(DCI), is aimed at helping corporate executives and consulting
organizations to determine how and when outsourcing is the right
tool for improving a company's bottom line.
This year's edition of the annual conference will revolve around six
separate keynote presentations, along with 14 other sessions within
the three tracks of Opportunities, Strategies, and Realities.
Day One of the event will conclude with a Networking Reception and
Solutions Showcase. Day Two will feature a special luncheon in which
participants, divided into focus groups, will share ideas with
industry experts, experienced users, and fellow attendees around
areas of common interest.
The Outsourcing Conference is being co-sponsored by Digital
Equipment Corporation, Unisys, SHL Systemhouse, Litton Computer
Services, Acxiom Corporation, Corporate Software, and the Computer
Task Group.
Keynote speeches at this year's conference will include "Making the
Outsourcing Decision," by Dale Kutnick, conference chairman and also
president and research director, META Group; "Outsourcing: The
Latest Update," by Rita Terdiman, program director, Gartner Group;
and "Maintaining Value Throughout the Outsourcing Process," by
Robert E. Zahler, partner, Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge.
Also on the keynote agenda are "Effective I/T Strategy: Not by
Outsourcing Alone," by N. Venkantraman, professor, MIT Sloan School;
"Understanding the Economics of the Outsourcing Contract," by Dennis
McGuire, president, Technology Partners; and "International
Outsourcing: A Challenge to the US Software Industry," by Capers
Jones, founder and chairman, Software Productivity Research.
The Opportunities track will offer sessions entitled "Systems
Management Services as Part of a Downsizing Survival Strategy,"
"Outsourcing: The Key to Making Client/Server a Reality,"
"Transitional Outsourcing: Implementing and Open Application and
Information Architecture," and "Selecting the Right Outsourcing
Partner."
The Strategies track incorporates these three presentations:
"Outsourcing, The Modular Company, and the New CIO,"
"CompaniesHelping Each Other to Evaluate and Implement Sourcing
Options," and "Users Speak Out: Q&A Panel Discussion."
The Realities track will supply real-life case studies of
outsourcing experiences at Occidental Petroleum Services, McDonnell-
Douglas Corporation, and elsewhere.
The topics in the Realities track are "Outsourcing or Insourcing: A
True-Life Adventure," "$3 Billion Outsourcing Agreement: Early
Lesson Learned," "PC Software Support: Is It a Tactical or Strategic
Requirement?" and "A Computer Task Group User Story."
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931206/Reader contact: DCI, tel 508-470-3870;
Press contact: Todd J. Keefe, DCI, tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
TELECOM
****CompuServe Launches Graphics on Shopping Mall
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
****CompuServe Launches Graphics on Shopping Mall 12/06/93
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- CompuServe now offers
graphic images on its Electronic Mall, an effort to make it more
competitive with printed catalogs.
After a year of testing, the photos were offered in August, the
service said, and so far nearly one-third of the mall's 125
merchants have offered pictures. The pictures are in the .GIF
format, a compressed file format pioneered by CompuServe, and take
about one minute each to download at 9,600 bits/second.
They are only available to users who use the company's CompuServe
Information Manager graphical interface, which is available in
Macintosh, Windows and DOS versions. Resolution is 640 x 480 pixels,
and while a regular EGA monitor will show the pictures, VGA or Super
VGA monitors are preferred, said spokesman Debra Young.
The company emphasizes that its technology platform and use of
graphics are still evolving. Recently it announced it will begin
testing delivery of the service through cable television, and at 10
million bits/second, the speed with which the new Intel and Zenith
cable modems operate, pictures like those being offered now would
arrive practically instantly.
Other major online services, including America Online and Prodigy,
are planning to work with cable systems to expand access to their
services, and PSInet, which offers access to the Internet, has a
deal with Continental Cablevision to link its subscribers.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931206/Press Contact: Debra Young, CompuServe,
614-538-4553/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
GENERAL
2,000 Developers Converge For Lotusphere Conference
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00024)
2,000 Developers Converge For Lotusphere Conference 12/06/93
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- More than 2,000
commercial and corporate software developers have converged in
Orlando, FL today for the first day of Lotusphere '93.
Now through December 6, the developers will view a showcase of new
products, and hear Lotus officials outline the future directions for
its Lotus Notes platform for creating groupware applications.
More than 70 companies are unveiling new products and services
designed to enhance Lotus Notes, and more than 100 third-party
developers are displaying new tools for Notes, Lotus 1-2-3, and
cc:Mail.
Also at the conference, Lotus is holding technical sessions to brief
attendees on the latest technologies for group-enabling
applications.
One featured topic is Notes/FX, a Lotus technology that establishes
a connection between Notes and desktop applications launched from a
Notes document.
Notes/FX is designed to make it easy to store desktop documents as
Notes documents, where they can take advantage of Notes services
such as field-based views, multiple user access, security,
replication, and workflow process management.
Notes/FX-enabled documents include Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.0.1, Improv
Release 2.1 for Windows, Ami Pro Release 3.01, and Freelance
Graphics Release 2.01.
When embedded in Notes, these documents can exchange information
with fields in a Notes form, enabling the information to be used
as the basis for categorizing, viewing and searching.
Via the latest Notes Application Programming Interface (API),
Notes/FX is available to all software developers who choose to
integrate their products with Lotus Notes, or who want to use
Lotus' desktop applications as extensions to the Notes form-based
interface.
Also being highlighted at Lotusphere is Lotus VIP (formerly code-
named Notebook), a technology that extends Notes in four key
areas: query and update of Notes and SQL database, event-driven
programmability, report generation, and creation of sophisticated
GUIs (graphical user interfaces).
Featured, as well, is LotusScript. An integrated macro
environment for all Lotus applications across computing
environments, LotusScript also communicates with other scripting
languages and interfaces, such as Visual Basic and OLE 2.0.
Additional Lotus technologies in the spotlight at Lotusphere include
Lotus Forms, a new technology designed to provide sophisticated
forms capabilities, ScreenCam, a technology that lets developers
capture application screen activity and sound into multimedia
"screen movies," and Video Notes, which enables developers to store
video in Notes databases.
To encourage third-party development, Lotus is providing all
Lotusphere attendees with a free CD-ROM containing all Lotus APIs
and toolkits, along with the latest versions of Lotus Notes,
cc:Mail, Improv, and the entire Lotus SmartSuite of desktop
applications.
The product and service announcements at Lotusphere '93 are wide
ranging. Wang, for example, is introducing OPEN/image for Lotus
Notes, a product that integrates Wang's production-grade multiple-
platform imaging software with Lotus Notes, allowing Notes users to
display and share OPEN/image documents.
Powersoft is announcing that its PowerBuilder libraries for Notes
will be the first client-server development tool to integrate
unstructured Notes information with structured relational data.
Simpact Associates is showing its latest version of Remark!
PhoneClient, the first voice processing system to support Lotus
Notes. PhoneClient 2.0 allows mobile or non-Notes users to
participate in business processes by dialing into a Remark! server
and recording and playing back voice information contained in Notes
databases.
WorkFlow Designs is demonstrating one of the early Lotus Notes 3.0
end user applications. ActivityBase, which organizes contact
information and provides tools for increasing communications between
organizations, is the first in a series of offerings in the
company's new TeamBase product family.
Mail/Utilities and ACL/Updater, two add-on products for Notes 3.0,
are being released at Lotusphere by Distributed Systems Solutions
International (DSSI). Mail/Utilities features a Vacation/Agent and a
Timed Deliver/Agent, along with a Mail Deleter.
The Vacation/Agent provides an automatic, customized response to
mail addressed to users when they are away from the office. The
Timed Deliverer/Agent holds messages in a unique mailbox until the
delivery time specified by the author occurs.
ACL/Updater provides facilities to Notes systems administrators for
managing the Access Control Lists of Databases and Templates on
Notes servers and OS/2 client workstations. These functions include
adding, deleting, or replacing ACL entries of databases throughout
the network.
CompuServe is announcing the immediate availability of a new mail
service that connects Notes users with each other, as well as with
such mail services as MCI Mail and the Internet.
Wolf Communications is announcing the January 1 availability of
WorldCom, a public communications hub for Notes as well as cc:Mail
users. WorldCom subscribers and send messages, attach files, and
replicate databases. All users have access to the Internet and to
other public mail services via X.400.
A start-up venture known as nett Information Products is launching
nett infoWare, a Notes-based, bidirectional information highway for
computer professionals worldwide. The new online service will
deliver product information in standard format, regardless of vendor
or data source, making the information easy to find, the company
claims.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931206/Reader contact: Lotus Development Corp.,
tel 617-577-8500; Press contact: Meryl Franzman, McGlinchey & Paul
for Lotus, tel 617-862-4514)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/06/93
IBM
Book Aids DOS Users With Wit, Cartoons
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00025)
Book Aids DOS Users With Wit, Cartoons 12/06/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- All over the country
professors who teach marketing 101 are probably reaching for their
high blood pressure medicine as they see the title of the latest
book intended to make using MS-DOS easier to use and understand.
The cause of the skyrocketing apoplexy quotient is a book titled DOS
for Dummies written by Dan Gookin, part of the MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade
for Dummies package that also includes the MS-DOS 6.2 software.
Microsoft released MS-DOS 6.2 mostly to correct the problems users
claimed they were having with the data compression features of DOS
6.0. There was no MS-DOS 6.1, probably because Microsoft wanted to
appear to be one step ahead of IBM's PC-DOS 6.1. That's the
same reason Microsoft went from Version 2.0 of Microsoft Word for
Windows to Version 6.0 of the program; rival Wordperfect had released
its Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows.
Gookin's book DOS for Dummies is supposed to be easy to read and a
gold mine for the millions of PC users who are secretly - and in
many cases openly - intimidated by PC software. "The book covers 100
percent of the tasks users will be performing with their computers"
according to Gookin. He describes the style of the book as engaging,
informative and humorous.
In addition to instructions on how to turn on the computer -- some
people actually have a problem finding the power switch -- Gookin
includes topics such as "Ten Common Beginner Mistakes," "Ten
Things You Should Never Do," and "After You Panic, Do This."
So if your favorite computer user is willing to admit he or she is a
dummy, this book might be just the thing for the Christmas stocking.
MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade for Dummies has a suggested retail price of
$77.95.
(Jim Mallory/19931206/Press contact: Collins Hemingway, Microsoft
Corp, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp, 206-882-8080 or
800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/06/93
BUSINESS
****Clinton's Rocketdyne Visit -- Peace-Time Technology
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00026)
****Clinton's Rocketdyne Visit -- Peace-Time Technology 12/06/93
CANOGA PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- President Bill
Clinton met with political and business leaders Saturday at
Rockwell's Rocketdyne division located in Canoga Park in the San
Fernando Valley of Los Angeles to discuss ways to solve economic and
social problems in California and the nation.
Computer manufacturer AST was represented by its Chief Executive
Officer Safi Qureshey who joined the round table discussion with
other business leaders in his second time in the lime-light with the
White House. Earlier this fall the AST hosted a visit by Vice
President Al Gore on the subject of reinventing government.
Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, California Senators Dianne
Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, and Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan
were also present for Clinton's round table discussion.
The upshot was the Clinton administration is pushing for the use of
technology developed in conjunction with national defense for use by
the general public. For example, Clinton pointed to video surgical
techniques developed for the battlefield need to be used now in
helping ill patients in rural settings. These techniques involve the
use of video conferencing technology and could allow doctors in
remote areas to tap into medical experts at a moment's notice on an
as needed basis.
Emphasis was placed on the space station by the White House, a cause
Clinton said his administration fought hard to keep. In addition,
Clinton repeatedly said California's economic recovery is essential
to the recovery of the nation's economy as a whole and claimed new
programs at the federal level were likely to benefit California
disproportionately to the rest of the nation.
Officials at the event said Rocketdyne is the most likely to be
responsible for the power system for the orbiting space platform.
Rocketdyne already produces engines for the space shuttle, many of
which were in evidence on the manufacturing floor where Clinton
addressed over 1,500 Rocketdyne workers.
Despite the company's business in aerospace, however, Rocketdyne has
announced it will join other California companies in layoffs,
placing another 1,000 of its 6,800 workers in the unemployment
lines. This is despite the fact that the company is one of 66
awarded federally backed defense conversion projects under the
Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP). Rocketdyne is responsible
under the program to develop a portable environmental monitor to
identify low concentrations of toxic chemicals.
Clinton spent an extra two hours in the round table discussion while
Rocketdyne workers waited, most standing in cramped conditions in a
space shuttle engine hanger. Clinton apologized for being late
saying there were just too many people who had come too far with
specific suggestions and ideas for him to cut them off.
In his address to Rocketdyne workers, Clinton said there were no
easy answers. It has taken 20 to 30 years to get into the current
state of affairs, it will take some time to get out, the President
added. He focused on federal programs that should benefit California
and warmly greeted members of the standing crowd after his address,
wading into the crowd and shaking hands.
Clinton's visit also included an exclusive dinner and reception in
Beverly Hills, put on by Creative Artists Agency to benefit the
Democratic Party. Dinner tickets were $25,000 a couple and others
paid over $2,000 to attend the reception where the President was
present.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931206/Press Contact: Christie Varns, Rocketdyne,
tel 818-586-4252, fax 818-586-4465)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/06/93
IBM
Lots of Software Choices For Compaq Buyers
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00027)
Lots of Software Choices For Compaq Buyers 12/06/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Buyers of Compaq
computers have lots of software choices available to them under two
new programs recently announced by the company.
Compaq says it is offering three additional free software programs
to anyone who purchases a Compaq Presario or Compaq Prolinea PC
before January 31, 1994.
The "Pick 3 For Free" program includes Time Almanac (on CD-ROM),
Calendar Creator Plus, My House, LandDesigner, MasterCook II, Typing
Teacher, Under Cover, KeyDraw! Plus, Instant Resume, Correct
Grammar, Easy Working Business Letters, The American Heritage
Dictionary, and KidDesk.
To get the free software, purchasers fill out a software claim form
available from their retailer and mail it to Compaq with a copy of
proof of purchase of one of the included Compaq PC models.
Compaq has also joined several other companies in offering buyers
the ability to purchase software from a CD-ROM disk that is included
with their PC.
Called Compaq QuickChoice CD, the program was developed and is
supported by Boulder, Colorado-based InfoNow. Each Compaq Presario
buyer gets the QuickChoice disk that allows them to real electronic
literature, test drive, and ultimately purchase applications that
include spreadsheet program Microsoft Excel; word processor
Microsoft Word, software suite Microsoft Office, and other popular
applications. Programs from Berkeley Systems, Metz Software,
Micrografx, Symantec Corporation, and T/Maker are also included.
The user can access and use any of the included applications as many
as three times. If you decide to buy the program, all you have to do
is call a toll-free number and the InfoNow operator will provide you
with an electronic "key" to unlock the software in exchange for your
credit card number. No waiting for the software to arrive or being
told your retailer is temporarily out of stock.
(Jim Mallory/19931206/Press contact: Ann Theriault, InfoNow,
303-545-5012 or Compaq Computer, 713-374-0484; Reader
contact: InfoNow, 303-545-5012, Compaq Computer Corp, 713-374-1459,
fax 713-374-4583)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/06/93
TRENDS
Cirrus Teams With German ITT Semi For Low-Cost Multimedia
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00028)
Cirrus Teams With German ITT Semi For Low-Cost Multimedia 12/06/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Cirrus Logic, based
in Fremont, California, has announced an alliance to develop low-
cost, multimedia integrated circuits (ICs). The alliance is with ITT
Semiconductors of Germany and also includes the Plano, Texas-based
Cirrus subsidiary Pixel Semiconductor.
ITT says its strengths lie in analog to digital conversion, digital
signal processing, as well as encoding and decoding in the various
video formats including those used both in the US and in Europe.
The company claims it developed the world's first fully digital
video and audio television (TV) decoding chip set, highly integrated
digital signal processors (DSPs) dedicated to audio and video
processing, and low cost teletext, caption and tuning
microcontrollers. Cirrus hopes to contribute personal computer (PC)
expertise in the areas of graphics, video processing, and video
teleconferencing.
Eric Meurice, ITT Semiconductors' worldwide marketing and
business development director said: "The successful multimedia
companies will be the ones which can effectively combine the
expertise required in the consumer, telecom, and data processing
markets. This alliance positions us to become a formidable
supplier to the emerging PC video market."
Both companies say the combination of their very-large-scale
integration (VLSI) silicon technologies should allow them to make
multimedia hardware more affordable for the end user. The
companies expect to begin production on their first commonly
developed products in early 1994.
ITT Semiconductor is a division of the $21.7 billion ITT
Corporation, which also controls ITT Business and Financial
Services, ITT Manufacturing, ITT Rayonier, and ITT Sheraton.
Cirrus Logic (NASDAQ: CRUS) does $354 million annually and also
owns subsidiaries Pacific Communication Services of San Diego,
California and R. Scott Associates of Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931206/Press Contact: Donna Buckmaster, Cirrus
Logic, tel 510-226-2014, fax 510-226-2240; Reinhard Preuss, ITT
Semiconductors, 49-761-517337; Gerald Wineinger, Pixel
Semiconductor, 214/985-2340; Reader Contact: Frank Averdung, ITT
Semiconductors, 49-761-517340)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/06/93
BUSINESS
****Cities Line Up For Apple Plant After Texas "Gay Snub"
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00029)
****Cities Line Up For Apple Plant After Texas "Gay Snub" 12/06/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Cities across the country
are standing in line to get a 700-employee Apple Computer plant
after one Texas county snubbed the PC maker over its health care
coverage for same sex partners.
The whole thing started last week when, as reported by Newsbytes, a
majority of the commissioners of Williamson County, just north of
Austin, Texas, said they couldn't abide Apple's policy of applying
health coverage to all its employee's partners regardless of sex.
Texas Governor Ann Richards got into the act over the weekend,
reportedly "taking tough" to the commissioners. However the
politicians got support from the Texas Republican Committee when
that group issued a statement supporting the conservative stand. The
city of Austin also quickly entered the fray, holding a rally to
show Apple it is welcome in the state capitol.
Newsbytes Telecommunications Editor Dana Blankenhorn reports today
that the Atlanta Constitution has now made its position known,
carrying an editorial urging the Peach State to lobby for the support
center and saying the facility could "jump-start our re-emergence as
a high tech center."
Blankenhorn points out a fact that most news reports have ignored,
that most of jobs involved aren't really that high tech, primarily
being in the $5 per hour category.
More than 500 company CEOs and others who were willing to ante up
the $2,000 attendance fee will get a chance this week to hear a
panel discussion titled "Can Apple Survive?". That's one of the
seminars being offered during the Personal Computer Outlook
Conference being held in San Francisco this week.
The panel discussion was reportedly originally titled "Is Apple
Dead?" but was changed after Apple executives contacted show
organizers. Show organizer Richard Shaffer reportedly told the San
Francisco Examiner that the title was "an attention getting device."
He said that the 90 minute debate scheduled for Tuesday afternoon is
really aimed at discussing changes in the computer industry that can
be expected in 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/06/93
APPLE
****Apple Gets $1 Million Contract To Investigate Newton Uses
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)
****Apple Gets $1 Million Contract To Investigate Newton Uses 12/06/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 6 (NB) -- Apple Computer has
announced it has received a $1 million contract from the Department
of Defense's (DOD) medical sector to investigate how use of the
Newton Messagepad might help cut costs and facilitate the gathering,
management, and sharing of information.
Called the ProMED project, Apple in collaboration with the
consulting arm of the well-known accounting firm KPMG/Peat Marwick,
is to spend 11 months focusing on Messagepad personal digital
assistant (PDA) use in the DOD medical system. Apple representatives
said other PDA vendors were considered for the ProMED contract, but
it was awarded the project.
Specific issues to be looked at during the course of the contract
include: how the PDA can be used to gain productivity and cut costs,
how processes might need to be changed in health care in order to
employ the PDA, and what technology needs to be developed to ensure
successful use of the Newton.
Analysts have been saying for some time that the health care
industry will be one of the first to really benefit from the use of
portable pen-based computers such as the Newton.
Colonel Fred Goeringer, ProMED program director for the US Army
Medical Materiel Agency said: "Apple's Newton technology has the
potential of providing timely information and streamlined processes
in a cost-effective manner, thus enabling the DOD to provide leading
edge patient care while reducing health care costs for the
government. The findings and applications which result from the
ProMED study will benefit not only the DOD, but also the private
sector health care industry which will probably find direct
application of ProMED-developed solutions."
The study will be concentrated at three sites: the Walter Reed
Army Medical Center-Washington, D.C., Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base-Dayton, Ohio, and Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio,
Texas.
The first phase focuses on use of the PDA for personal productivity
through personal organizer functions such as the electronic calendar
and database, provider-to-provider communications using Newton's
beaming and faxing capabilities, and rounds note-taking which allows
for free text entry and printing on demand.
The second phase of the project will introduce applications such
as ordering of lab and radiology diagnostics, results
notification through Newton paging capabilities, and prescription
ordering.
The third phase will be focused on bidirectional data sharing
applications such as physicians downloading their schedules into a
Newton Messagepad, linking and sharing of clinical documents such as
problem lists, progress notes, visit/encounter notes, medical
histories and treatment protocols between health care workers, and
the linking of clinical documents with the ordering of lab and
radiology diagnostics.
This investigation into the use of the PDA is expected to conclude
in August of 1994 and will be watched with interest. "The ProMED
project will have a great impact on setting the technological
direction of the DOD," asserted Goeringer.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931206/Press Contact: Eric Wee, Apple
Computer, tel 408-862-7797, fax 408-974-2885/PHOTO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00001)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 12/03/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
The IEEE Spectrum for December carries a head-to-head comparison
of the recent crop of 32- and 64-bit microprocessors with special
attention to the technology involved and takes a look at upcoming
developments.
Federal Computer Week dated November 29 says that President
Clinton's health care plan is sparking major concerns about data
security and the difficulties involved in connecting thousands of
computer systems together to share medical and billing data.
January's Macworld looks at the year's top Macintosh games and
rates "Lemmings for the Macintosh," Psygnosis Software and
"Diamonds 2.0," Varcon Systems as the best arcade entries with
Sierra On-Line taking top honors in the adventure category with
"King's Quest VI: Heir Today, Gone Tomorrow." For the other nine
top games see the article.
The November 29 issue of Computer Reseller News reports that IBM
will control distribution of its upcoming Power PCs so tightly
that wholesale distributors will likely be excluded from the
pipeline.
Government Computer News for the week of November 22 carries a
front page story indicating that a gigaflop computer system may
be harder to develop because software tools just aren't available
to take advantage of today's most advanced hardware, let alone
the next generation of computers being proposed in the High-
Performance Computing and Communications program.
(John McCormick/19931203/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/03/93
TRENDS
Japan - NEC Home Electronics Offers 32-bit Video Game Machine
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00002)
Japan - NEC Home Electronics Offers 32-bit Video Game Machine 12/03/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- The scramble to release next-
generation video game machines that sport the latest sound, graphics,
and even video movies. The latest in the battle is NEC Home
Electronics which announced plans to compete with Nintendo, Sega,
Matsushita, and others in the 32-bit video game machine market.
NEC Home Electronics plans to release its powerful game player
by the end of 1994.
NEC Home Electronics is currently selling a video game machine
called the "Game Gear" but sales have not been overwhelming due
to technology improvements advanced by the competition.
NEC Home Electronics' 32-bit game machine will offer a
CD-ROM drive and an advanced color motion picture board, which
compresses and decompresses pictures extremely fast.
The new device will support full-color and full-screen mode, and
NEC claims the unit will be as powerful as Sega's 64-bit game
device, which is currently under development.
The price will be between 20,000 and 30,000 yen (around $250).
NEC Home Electronics wants to ship 500,000 units for the
first year.
The video game machine market is becoming extremely competitive.
Matsushita recently released an advanced game device in cooperation
with 3DO of California. Japan's Pioneer also released a laser
disk game machine. Sony has started development on a 32-bit game
machine jointly with Tokyo-based game software maker Capcorn.
Nintendo and Sega are also developing next-generation game
devices.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931202/Press Contact: NEC Home
Electronics, +81-3-5232-6110, Fax, +81-3-5232-6161)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/03/93
GENERAL
Digital-Apple Ending Relationship In India, Other Briefs
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00003)
Digital-Apple Ending Relationship In India, Other Briefs 12/03/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- In our news roundup, Tata-IBM
rethink manufacturing of PS/2s, Digital India relationship with
Apple is tasting sour, and US Robotics enters India market.
Tata-IBM Rethinking Manufacturing
Tata Information Systems Ltd., the Tata-IBM joint venture, has
deferred its manufacturing plans. The PS/2s and PS/Value Points,
that were slated to roll out in September last, will "possibly"
come out in February, next year. The company is understood to be
evaluating what should be its manufacturing levels and where
should it do so. TISL chief Michael Klein has already said a
no-no to establishing an SMT line. In fact, the company has
lately been talking to several hardware manufacturers for using
their facilities on contract basis. The changes in duty structure
has turned the facilities of a many a company into burden.
While Digital Equipment India Ltd., IDM, PSI Data Systems,
Pertech Computers Ltd. have either started contract manufacturing,
or are looking for customers, others like HCL Hewlett-Packard
and Modi Olivetti are thinking of taking the export route.
Meanwhile, to strengthen its marketing arm, TISL is planning a
reshuffle in the top and middle management. It is rumoured that
Anal Jain, vice president, marketing would take up an overseas
IBM assignment, while Venky Raman, who used to head IBM's
Singapore offshore operations, would take charge of marketing
at TISL.
Digital India May Fade Out On Mac
As Wipro Infotech Ltd. is gearing up to distribute Apple Macintoshes,
Digital Equipment India Ltd. (DEIL) is slowly getting out of the
picture. In the last couple of months, the company got rid of its
LC II inventory. A senior executive of the company indicated that
DEIL may probably not sell Centris machines. While the
manufacturing agreement with Apple Computer still stands, there has
been no move from Apple to renew the order. As a DEIL spokesman
puts it, a renewal is likely only if Apple's volumes pick up
phenomenally. But then, it will be at least a couple of years
before Mac volumes can swell to the extent that it justifies
local manufacture. With DEIL making it clear that it would not
be a volume distributor of Macs, boosting volumes depends entirely
on Wipro Infotech. If the volumes go that high, Wipro would probably
want to undertake manufacture by itself. In other words, DEIL's
relationship with Mac is off for all practical purposes.
US Robotics Enters India
The growing popularity of networking in India and the opening
up of the value-added services is luring the world leaders in
internetworking equipment. The latest to enter has been US
Robotics Inc., that has made its product range available
through the Bombay-based Microsense Computers Pvt. Ltd.
While US Robotics is primarily a modem manufacturer, and has
an installed base of over 3 million modems worldwide, its
product range also includes network system products, and
communications software.
Microsense, which is already the distributor for Devlon, Canada
for the latter's range of hubs, bridges and routers, and Datarace,
USA, for its high-speed fax/data/voice multiplexers, have announced
a five-year warranty on all US Robotics' Sportster modems.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931203)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/03/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Lotus, Microsoft, Just Systems Take Aim At Schools
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00004)
Japan - Lotus, Microsoft, Just Systems Take Aim At Schools 12/03/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- The Japanese public schools have
taken on a special lure for software manufacturers since PC
education became compulsory in Japan's junior high schools in
April.
Aiming at this market, Lotus will release a school bundle of
its Japanese version of Lotus 1-2-3 R2.4J this week. The package
includes 21 copies of the program. The price is 348,000 yen
($3,480) -- 70 percent cheaper than the regular price. Also,
Lotus has already released its "Academic Package" to
personal computer dealers in Japan. It offers eight different
software packages including Lotus 1-2-3 and AmiPro. Students and
teachers will be able to purchase these programs at a 44 to 66
percent discount if they show their school ID cards.
Microsoft Tokyo has also been selling an academic package in
Japan. The bundle offers 14 programs including Windows 3.1,
MS Word and MS Excel. The students and teachers are offered
the bundle at 50 percent off the price of buying them all
separately.
Shikoku-based Just System is a native Japanese company at
the forefront of the battle for the school software market.
Its best-selling Japanese word processor Ichitaro is
being sold in bundles of eleven units. So popular is this
bundle that Just System claims it has already sold a whopping
200,000 packages.
The Japanese Education Ministry is preparing to install more
personal computers in schools over the next few years.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931122/Press Contact: Lotus, Tokyo,
+81-3-5496-3185, Fax, +81-3-5496-3407, Microsoft, Tokyo, +81-3-
5454-8000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/03/93
APPLE
DayMaker Organizer 3.0 Ships
(NEWS)(APPLE)(MSP)(00005)
DayMaker Organizer 3.0 Ships 12/03/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- DayMaker Organizer 3.0,
Pastel's personal organizer for the Macintosh, is being shipped.
Version 3.0, the company reports, was inspired by feedback from
many of the nearly 50,000 users of DayMaker whose experiences
helped refine the new product.
"The key to DayMaker Organizer's superiority is the natural
integration of contact and phone-call management to the most usable
calendar and to-do list program," said Hank Williams, president of
Pastel.
DayMaker Organizer 3.0 now allows users to manage contact information
and track phone calls in a structured format that includes fields
for name, company, address, phone numbers, and other contact-related
information. To instantly find any contact, or group of contacts,
type the first few letters of a first name, last name, or company
name. Users can view all of the "linked items" such as to-do's
and phone-calls associated with a person by selecting them from the
"contact view."
Users can manage phone calls by creating items linked to a specific
contact. These call items can be viewed in any calendar or to-do
list, and can be opened as floating Phone-Notes for tracking calls.
Users can keep notes, track call duration, and automatically
set up follow-up actions for each call. Automatic dialing is also
included and contacts can be dialed directly from anywhere in the
program.
DayMaker Organizer 3.0 also includes an on-line help system
with tutorial, a sample file with U.S. Holidays through 1997, and
over 100 useful 800 numbers.
DayMaker Organizer 3.0 lists for $149.95. Current DayMaker users
can upgrade for $29.95 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling.
After December 31, the upgrade price will be $39.95.
DayMaker users should send a check plus a copy of their
sales receipt or the cover of their DayMaker manual to: Pastel
Development, 113 Spring Street, New York, NY, 10012, or call
Pastel's order department at: (800) 249-8316 in the US.
(Wendy Woods/19931202/Press Contact: Steve Schaffer, Director of
Marketing, Pastel Development, 212-941-7500 ext. 228)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
TELECOM
Japan - Science Technology Databases Online
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00006)
Japan - Science Technology Databases Online 12/03/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Japan's major personal computer
networks, Nifty-serve and G-search, are each offering new
science and technology data in both English and Japanese.
Both Nifty-serve and G-search have linked with Japan Information
Center for Science and Technology and are providing its
database called JOIS online. The database has seven categories and
is claimed to be the largest science and technology-related database
in Japan.
G-search is a Tokyo-based database firm affiliated with
Fujitsu. Nifty-serve is also affiliated with Fujitsu, and is the
second largest personal computer network in Japan following NEC's
PC-VAN. It has a gateway with CompuServe.
Meanwhile, Nifty-serve has developed an interlink mail system
for both Nifty-serve and CompuServe users. In the past,
Nifty-serve users needed another ID to access CompuServe. However,
this barrier has been lifted and e-mail users on both Nifty-serve
and CompuServe can now exchange e-mail.
The e-mail can be sent from Nifty-serve to CompuServe very
easily. Nifty-serve users just type in "CIS>" to send their
mail to Compuserve, and the message is transmitted.
This connection is made via international protocol X.400.
Nifty-serve created a similar e-mail link with PC-VAN this
past April.
Nifty-serve claims to have over 560,000 registered members.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931203/Press Contact: Nifty, +81-3-
5471-4857, Fax, +81-3-5471-5890)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
APPLE
****Macintosh Gets "Industrial Strength" Dev't Environment
(NEWS)(APPLE)(BOS)(00007)
****Macintosh Gets "Industrial Strength" Dev't Environment 12/03/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Uniface Corp.
has unveiled a Macintosh implementation of Uniface, a client-
server development environment, equipped with a central
repository and extensive database links, that is already
available for MS-Windows 3.1, MS-DOS, OS/2, VMS, OpenVMS, and
multiple varieties of Unix.
In announcing the product yesterday, at a briefing attended by
Newsbytes in Boston, Uniface Corp. and Apple officials said that
Uniface for the Macintosh will allow development of robust
business applications that support the native look-and-feel of
the Macintosh, while letting Macintosh users access enterprise
data.
Developers will also be able to build applications with Uniface
in other environments, and then deploy those applications for the
Mac without rewriting code, company executives told a packed-to-
capacity audience of journalists, analysts, and developers in the
Independence Room at the Sheraton Boston Hotel.
"This product combines the power of Uniface with the graphical
standard and ease-of-use of the Macintosh," summed up Anu Shukla,
vice president of marketing for Uniface Corp.
Uniface Corp. decided to port its development environment to the
Macintosh for two main reasons, Shukla elaborated. First, many
of the company's Fortune 1000 customers have multivendor
computing environments that include "a lot of Macs."
Second, she explained, Uniface perceived an opportunity in the
Macintosh marketplace for a set of "industrial-strength, high-
end" development tools.
The new Macintosh edition of Uniface is the outcome of a joint
development agreement first announced in April, 1992, said George
Frazier, regional integration manager for Apple. "We're very
pleased with (Uniface Corp.'s) progress," he noted.
"Why are the tools from Uniface important to Apple?" Frazier
asked. "Apple needed a good crossplatform development
(platform). Now, mission-critical applications can be developed
on multiple desktops that support the native Macintosh interface,
instead of a generic interface or the lowest common denominator."
About 26 percent of Apple's worldwide revenues now come from the
business market, he asserted. Apple, he added, is strongly
committed to this segment, which is becoming characterized by a
transition from host-based systems to multivendor client-server
environments that include mobile as well as desktop computers.
Mark Hersey, chief Macintosh architect, and two other staffers
from Uniface Corp. showed the crowd a demo of how Uniface and the
new Macintosh version would come in handy at a hypothetical
establishment called "Unibank."
Viewers saw a graphical user interface equipped with such icons
as a piggybank and a pile of coins. Employees of Unibank could
query the database for information on accounts, investments and
the like by clicking on the icons. In one vignette, a Uniface
staffer playing the role of Donald Trump phoned the bank, and got
an instant answer as to the status of his loans.
Bank staff could also use the Uniface-created environment to call
up video clips. In another scenario, a rock musician phoned to
request a loan. To review the musician's qualifications, a loan
officer for Unibank accessed clips of the band's performance.
The need for a Mac edition of Uniface became apparent when one
bank employee asked another to conduct a query for him. He
couldn't do a query himself because the enterprise environment
wasn't easily extensible to his Mac, he said. "And I won't give
up my Mac!" he maintained. His colleague then suggested to him
that the new Uniface for the Macintosh would resolve the issue.
Another speaker, Irving Shapiro of Metamor Technology (formerly
ISA), reported on how his company has used Uniface to develop
real-life applications for a pair of multivendor environments.
One of these situations involved a Fortune 100 telecommunications
company requiring simultaneous storage of 150 million billing
transactions, along with access to these transactions from
Macintoshes, IBM-compatible PCs, and character-based terminals.
In the other application, doctors on a VAX-based network of 90
medical clinics needed to share access to medical records. The
doctors were using a mix of Macs, PCs, and X terminals, according
to Shapiro.
Metamor approached these projects like any other, basing the
selection of development tools on the needs posed by the specific
applications, he said. Uniface was chosen for the jobs as a
result of its central repository, and its support for multiple
operating systems, GUIs, and databases.
Hersey told the journalists, analysts, and developers that Uniface
incorporates middleware called PolyServer that provides networked
client-server applications with simultaneous access to 22
different relational and nonrelational databases. Uniface for
the Macintosh supports MacTCP and DECNet networking protocols
for connection to PolyServer on remote platforms.
The new Mac edition also supports local access to Oracle for the
Macintosh and sequential files, and Sybase Open Client for
connectivity to remote Sybase databases, he said.
A Central Model Repository stores reusable application logic,
business rules, and graphical objects. Another tool, the Model
Synchronizer, can be used to synchronize the model repository
with 16 CASE (computer-aided software engineering) tools.
A tool called Universal Presentation Interface supports the
Windows, OS/2 Workplace Shell, Motif, and Macintosh GUIs, as well
as character-based interfaces. Also in the toolset is an
Information Engineering & Design Facility for defining
application logic and business rules, creating printed reports,
and building screens, forms and windows.
Other tools include database-specific drivers and Uniface
Reporter, a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) facility for
allowing users to create their own reports within an application.
Hersey also said that Uniface for the Mac supports System 7
features like Apple and application menus, Balloon Help, and
standard keyboard shortcuts. Images and text can be cut, copied
and pasted through the Clipboard.
The Mac version also supports standard Macintosh window controls
and icons, and the Mac's native folder structure. Report
printing is managed by native Macintosh printing mechanisms. The
Required Apple Events Suite is supported, as well. The product
handles 3GL code as code resources.
For Uniface-specific commands, the developer employs a control
bar containing icons for Macintosh menus, next/previous mode,
insert/outstrike mode, detail editing, and a Uniface Universal
Gold editing function.
The Uniface Preference Editor is used for setting system and user
preferences, such as default system fonts, colors, and user
interface compatibility settings.
Uniface for the Macintosh is available in controlled release
immediately. General release is slated for the first quarter of
1994. The product will run on any 68030 or 68040 Macintosh with
4 megabytes of random access memory, 15 megabytes of available
disk space, and System 7.0.1 or higher. A single Macintosh
development license is priced at $4,400.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931203/Reader contact: Uniface Corp., tel
510-748-6145; Press contact: William Ryan, Niehaus Ryan Haller
Public Relations for Uniface, tel 415-615-7906)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
GENERAL
Hong Kong - Mass Transit Picks Sybase, PowerBuilder
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00008)
Hong Kong - Mass Transit Picks Sybase, PowerBuilder 12/03/93
KOWLOON BAY, HONG KONG, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- The Mass Transit
Railway Corporation (MTRC) has entered into a five-year
software bulk purchase agreement with HCL Leung & Associates
to facilitate new information systems development and migration
of existing systems to an open, client-server architecture.
The contract covers the provision of Sybase Inc's Sybase SQL
Server database management system and PowerSoft PowerBuilder
object-oriented development tools, together with consultancy
and training.
HCL Leung & Associates won the MTRC tender following an extensive
evaluation by the corporation of competing database systems and
development tools. Having made the critical software decisions
the MTRC is free to choose from a variety of open system hardware
platforms.
"The decision to migrate from our current proprietary, host-based
information architecture to an open, client-server configuration
is based on the need to provide a better service to our end-users
and through them to the travelling public," said HK Tsang, technical
systems and computer services manager of the MTRC.
"As a public corporation the MTR must maintain extremely high
operational standards. Adopting the client-server architecture
means that we will be able develop new applications more quickly,
delivering information to our users where they want it, when they
want it and in the form they want it."
The MTRC currently runs an extensive range of operational support and
management information systems on Digital Equipment VAX computers.
Over the next five years it plans to redevelop these systems and
create a range of new, distributed applications running on
Windows-based PC clients and Unix servers.
"The combination of SYBASE SQL Server and PowerBuilder provides the
best client-server application development platform available on
the market. We are also providing the most professional
client-server consultancy and training in Hong Kong," said Gary
Leung, managing director of HCL Leung & Associates.
"The MTRC runs one of the most effective mass transit networks
in the world. With the move to open, client-server computing it will
have an information system to match."
Tsang said the adoption of open systems was driven by a desire to
have greater software choice and because open systems hardware
provides better price/performance and lower maintenance cost.
"We also wanted to provide more user-friendly access to management
information and better integration with PC-based software tools,
so client-server architecture is a good choice," he said.
Although the MTRC has yet to decide on its new hardware, development
of new applications is already underway and one has already been
completed. According to Tsang, demand for station automation
systems are such that application development began before the
contract with HCL Leung was signed.
"Until now, the focus of our systems development has been to enhance
management information at the corporate level," said Tsang. "Between
now and 1995, however, we will be developing a new series of
applications to automate station administration procedures.
"We have already completed software development work on a system for
handling ticket sales, refunding faulty tickets and generating
station accounting reports. Implementation of this system awaits
the installation of networks at our 38 stations."
Among the applications due for development under the station
automation project are a lost property information system, a
station supplies administration system and an equipment
failure reporting and enquiry system. Migration of corporate-level
information systems such as accounting, personnel and maintenance
management is due to start in 1995.
(Keith Cameron/19931124/Press Contact: Laura Duggan, HCL,
852- 5762878)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
TELECOM
Hongkong - CT Phone Usage Survey
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00009)
Hongkong - CT Phone Usage Survey 12/03/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- The Office of the
Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) reports CT Phone usage reached
107,367 in October - equivalent to around five percent of the
working population.
Coming just 17 months after the service was launched in Hong Kong,
this milestone means that CT2 telephones have far outpaced their
cellular cousins in speed of market penetration. In its first
year of operation, CT2 amassed more subscribers than cellular
telephony did in four years. It continues to grow at twice the
cellular market with 8,000-12,000 new subscribers signing up
each month.
"The OFTA figure confirms the widespread acceptance and use of
CT2 in Hong Kong," said Neil Montefiore, managing director of
Chevalier (Telepoint) Ltd. "Its rate of growth rivals that of the
Sony Walkman, one of the most successful products in consumer
marketing."
Montefiore said Hong Kong was an ideal market for CT2. He cited the
geography of the territory, its density of population and Hong Kong
people's readiness to try new technology as among the reasons for
CT2's dramatic acceptance. "With these underlying features the
market was primed for success," he said.
"The OFTA findings are actually very close to the performance we
predicted. It's particularly interesting to look at the demographics
behind the numbers. The typical user profile is shifting. Originally
CT2 was bought by young Chinese males but now it's being bought
by women and younger groups. It really is becoming a people's phone."
One of the first companies to offer a CT2 service in Hong Kong,
Chevalier Telepoint contends that healthy competition from two
other operators has helped to fuel substantial growth. "It also
puts the customer in the strongest position from a coverage, price,
and service standpoint," said Montefiore.
Chevalier (Telepoint) is a joint venture between Chevalier (OA)
International Holdings, a Hong Kong office automation and
telecommunications equipment supplier, and Telstra Corporation,
Australia's national and international telecommunications carrier.
With planned investment of HK$400 million, Chevalier (Telepoint)
is Hong Kong's only dedicated supplier of CT2 cordless telephone
networks. Founded in March 1991, the company employs 100 staff in
Hong Kong.
(Keith Cameron/19931124/Press Contact: Neil Montefiore, Chevalier,
852 - 828 1218)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
TELECOM
More On AT&T Job Cut Plans
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)
More On AT&T Job Cut Plans 12/03/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Newsbytes
discussed AT&T's plans for its consumer long distance unit with
company spokesman Mark Siegel. He confirmed the firm will
probably cut staff next year in the division, but called reports
that 4,500 may lose their jobs "speculative."
"We have not formulated definitive plans for reducing the size of
the workforce," he said, but "obviously we have to be aggressive
about driving costs down in all areas of the business, and we're
doing that. We'll only use work force reduction as a last resort,
but will we have a need to reduce the workforce? Probably yes."
He said recent news reports on possible cutbacks were based on
"unnamed sources" who were misinformed.
Most of AT&T's cutbacks until now have involved operators, which
Siegel blamed on automation. "We've announced the elimination in
1992-93 of about 6,000 operator jobs. We anticipate more than
half of those will be placed elsewhere within AT&T, and based on
what we've seen so far that's proven to be the case." He said
that, if any other workers in the division are removed from it,
the company will make every effort to place them elsewhere in the
company.
This is not the only move AT&T has made to raise its share of the
long distance market, which continues to decline. Joseph Nachio
became president of the consumer long distance operation business
in August, replacing Merrill Tutton, who became president of AT&T
UK. And AT&T removed NW Ayer from the consumer long distance
account, replacing it with Foote Cone last month, although Ayer
will continue its work on the corporate "You Will" campaign.
Also, "We are moving away from the i Plan as an advertising tag
line, an element in marketing, because people had a hard time
understanding it. But that does not effect the services consumers
can get from us, or the offers we provide," Siegel said.
The company's problems in long distance are in contrast to its
recent string of successes in selling equipment, through its
Network Systems Unit. There, recent press reports indicate AT&T is
gaining market share, and now has over half the market, despite
its moves to compete directly with the companies it supplies.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931203/Press Contact: Mark Siegel, AT&T, 908-
221-8413)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
TELECOM
This Month on Ziffnet
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
This Month on Ziffnet 12/03/93
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Ziffnet released
highlights of its service on CompuServe for December.
The chief highlight will be live appearances from top industry
leaders in its Executives Online forum. Included are executives
with Compton's New Media, who will discuss the impact of their
multimedia patents on the field during the week of December 6.
Also featured will be online appearances from Dave LeFevre of
WordPerfect, John Landry of Lotus, and Ken Whittington from
Central Point software. The fast-evolving world of electronic
books will be the focus of a round-table discussion hosted by
Robin Raskin of PC Magazine -- Ziffnet has published a number of
books online as ASCII text files.
The month's special download offer is Microsoft's MS-DOS v6.2,
with current users allowed to upgrade for free. Typing "go
dosupgrade" from any Ziffnet prompt will bring details of
Microsoft's new "stepup" upgrade with instructions for
downloading the file -- connect time charges do apply.
The service's Christmas present to CompuServe members is a free
test-drive of the service, without the $2.50 monthly membership
fee, although again connect time charges still apply. In
addition, those users will get a free download of an image
viewer which can read GIF or MPEG files. Those who sign-up for
the service during the month will also get their first month's
membership fees waived.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931203/Press Contact: Lisa Landa, Ziffnet,
617-252-5211; Customer Contact: ZiffNet 800/666-0330)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
TELECOM
BellSouth Wants To Offer Wireless Long Distance
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)
BellSouth Wants To Offer Wireless Long Distance 12/03/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- BellSouth asked US
District Judge Harold Greene to let it offer long distance
services on its wireless network before letting the AT&T merger
with McCaw go through.
In a filing before Greene's court December 2, the company
contended it would be harmed if the merger goes through without
the relief, and that the merger might in fact violate the 1982
Bell break-up decree overseen by Greene. But rather than stop
the merger, BellSouth's goal is regulatory parity with its rival,
a spokesman told Newsbytes.
John Schneidawind of BellSouth's Washington office said that Green
is "capable of letting us into long distance. They could give us
a waiver. Even without the filing, we've asked them for this
several times already."
Schneidawind said the filing made the case for his company using
an example in Florida, where McCaw provides statewide coverage.
It gives the example of a long-distance, in-state call between
local calling areas, or LATAs. If the merger goes through without
the waiver, AT&T will be able to take such a call on its own
network and treat it as a long distance call, perhaps even
pricing it as such. BellSouth, however, now has to take that call
over a competing network, and pay AT&T an access fee to link with
that network.
"What we're asking for in this filing is wireless relief,
in wireless long distance," Schneidawind concluded. "We just want
to compete with McCaw in wireless, and that's something Greene
can grant. We have other petitions in regular long distance, but
this addresses the inequities in the wireless market."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931203/Press Contact: BellSouth Washington,
John Schneidawind, 202-463-4183)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
GOVT
US Economy Surges -- New Jobs Up
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00013)
US Economy Surges -- New Jobs Up 12/03/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- As stock markets
around the world dance up and down, today's latest snapshot of
the US economy from the US Department of Commerce shows that
the business outlook picked up strongly in the third quarter,
generating more than 200,000 new non-farm jobs. Coupled with
other recent numbers, today's unexpectedly high new job number
paints a rosy view for computer sales despite lower chip order
levels.
Unemployment for October dropped to only 6.4 percent, the biggest
one-month drop in 10 years, while new jobs were created at a
strong 208,000 level. Leading Economic Indicators, a measure of
how well the economy is expected to do in the next six months, was
also up a relatively strong 0.5 percent for October, following on
a downward revised 0.2 percent growth for the LEI for September.
The detailed numbers showed that 30,000 of the new jobs were in
the high-paying manufacturing sector which had been very
depressed, while another 27,000 were added in the construction
sector. Another 152,000 new jobs were created in the service
sector which often includes lower-paid jobs.
Factory orders were also up a strong 1.2 percent for October, up
from a respectable 0.7 percent for September and housing was also
strong.
All this, combined with a recent surge in consumer confidence as
reported by the Conference Board, is good news for computer
makers and software publishers because no aspect of our economy
can grow without generating a corresponding increase in the
demand for computers.
Although one major chip maker has announced that it has
significantly lower new orders, the rest of the economy is
growing at a rapid pace. Industry observers blame the drop in
microchip orders on a fire last July that destroyed the Japanese
plant which supplied the world's chip makers with a critical
chemical. Computer makers apparently ordered heavily to stock up
in anticipation of possible shortages and although computer
production and orders are still strong, manufacturers are
bringing down inventories, resulting in lowered chip orders.
(John McCormick/19931203/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/03/93
GOVT
GATT Talks Encouraging
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00014)
GATT Talks Encouraging 12/03/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- As the deadline for
GATT (Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade)
nears, the outlook is brightening that there may actually be a
world trade agreement, despite the obstacles imposed by French
negotiators who are supporting domestic farm subsidies.
GATT, at least the right GATT, is seen as important to US software
publishers because included in the current proposal is a world
intellectual properties agreement, one which noted author Pat
Choate has said is not very good in its present form.
(GATT), which has been going on for more than seven years, is
nearing what the US says is a final deadline as the "fast
track" authority to approve the agreement will expire on December
15, 1993. Therefore, it is important to note that French and US
negotiators appear to be coming close to an agreement that would
allow more than 100 countries to lower their trade
barriers.
The Clinton Administration has been applying pressures to
European countries ever since NAFTA, the North American Free
Trade Agreement, was ratified by the US Congress (Canada's
anti-NAFTA Prime Minister Jean Chretien agreed yesterday to
implement the agreement) and President Clinton met with Asian
political leaders to discuss possible Pacific trade agreements.
Earlier this week the White House let it be known that if Europe
did not agree to GATT by the December 15 deadline then the US
would look elsewhere, specifically to South America and Asia for
new trade agreements.
Pat Choate, advisor to former presidential candidate Ross Perot
and author of both an anti-NAFTA book and "Agents of Influence,"
which laid bare the major influence of foreign-paid lobbyists in
Washington, told viewers on yesterday's CNBC business program
that while GATT could be a major boost to the US and world
economies, some current provisions are very bad, but this time he
was apparently on the same side as the administration as a
Clinton representative agreed that GATT couldn't be accepted as
it stood on Monday.
One major problem with GATT, according to Mr. Choate is that the
new protection for intellectual properties (specifically computer
software) would only be phased in over a 10-year time frame, far
too slowly to offer US publishers any real protection.
The next major step toward GATT approval will come next Tuesday
when US Trade Representative Mickey Kantor and EC Trade
Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan will present the latest negotiating
results at a meeting in Geneva.
(John McCormick/19931203/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
TELECOM
Cox Cable Using Zenith Decoders
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
Cox Cable Using Zenith Decoders 12/03/93
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Cox Cable, a unit
of Cox Enterprises, said it will use set-top decoders from Zenith
Electronics for its test of interactive television in Omaha,
Nebraska.
Omaha has long been seen as an excellent test markets for
products and services. US West plans to install high-capacity
interactive phone network in Omaha first, as well. Cox will
install the Zenith equipment in its Omaha network in stages,
starting next year, and it will include an interactive platform
from ICTV in Santa Clara, California, which uses video servers
from IBM, capable of storing thousands of movies, catalogs and
games.
It's a big win for Zenith, which also offers a high-speed cable
modem. Cox said its customers in Omaha will use the consumer-
friendly Zenith decoders with ICTV remote controls to interact
with the cable system. On-screen billing systems from New
Century Communications will also be used, as will an electronic
program guide and VCR from StarSight Telecast Inc.
Zenith and Cox officials were both in Anaheim for the Western
Cable Show, a major showcase for technology purchases by cable
companies, since it comes close to the end of the year, when
they're setting their capital budgets for the next year. Zenith
officials did not return calls from Newsbytes by press time.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931203/Press Contact: Zenith Electronics,
John Taylor, 708/391-8181)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/03/93
TRENDS
25% Of North American Firms Report Database Breaches
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00016)
25% Of North American Firms Report Database Breaches 12/03/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- About one quarter of
North American organizations responding to a recent survey have
seen their databases corrupted or tampered with over the past two
years. Ernst & Young, the consulting firm that did the study,
maintains organizations need to do better at making employees
aware of security issues.
Ernst & Young surveyed about 870 organizations in the United
States and Canada, said John Kearns, who coordinated the study.
These included a variety of businesses as well as government
agencies.
Hollywood films might lead one to think first of teenagers
breaking into corporate computers through the phone lines as the
major hazard, but Ernst & Young found that only about 23 percent
of the incidents involved an outsider penetrating the database.
The bigger threat was inside, with about 30 percent of reported
incidents involving malicious or greedy action by an employee.
These cases included fraud for personal gain as well as sabotage
by disgruntled staff, Kearns said.
Natural disasters accounted for about 25 percent of the cases,
and the balance were due to technical problems such as system
malfunctions or network failures.
The worst reported cases cost the affected organization as much
as $1 million, Kearns said.
The solution to the problem does not lie in better security
technology, Kearns said. "The technology is there to provide the
protection. It just isn't being used properly."
What organizations need to do is make employees more aware of
security issues and improve their procedures, he added. "I think
the first thing that needs to be done is for senior management to
send the appropriate signals to their employees to make it very
clear that information security is an important matter and will
be treated seriously within the company."
New employees need to be taught security policies and procedures
as part of their orientation, and organizations need a plan to
keep them aware of security issues, Kearns said.
He added that many organizations have a golden opportunity to
improve their security provisions as they re-engineer their
organizations around new information technology.
(Grant Buckler/19931203/Press Contact: John Kearns, Ernst &
Young, 416-943-3668)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
BUSINESS
Apple Cancels $20 Mil In Orders From VLSI
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00017)
Apple Cancels $20 Mil In Orders From VLSI 12/03/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- VLSI Technology
has announced it expects significantly lower earnings, especially
in the first half of 1994, due to Apple Computer's notice that it
will cancel $20 million in orders and reschedule shipments.
Over two-thirds of that $20 million in cancellations could occur
in the first half of 1994, cutting the company's earnings per
share by $.15. The company did say it expects to maintain its
strong relationship with Apple.
VLSI produces integrated circuit (IC) and application specific
products for use as components for personal computers (PCs) as
well as other communication, industrial, consumer, and military
applications. The company has been boasting about its increased
activity in the IBM and compatible PC market that pulled it out
of several quarters of red ink to show record second quarter 1993
revenues of $128 million.
The stock market is already beginning to react to the
announcement and VLSI stock (NASDAQ:VLSI) is down over 3 points
in this morning's trading from yesterday's close of 14 5/8.
Apple's stock (NASDAQ:AAPL) is down slightly as well from
yesterday's close of 31 and 3/4.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931203/Press Contact: John Batty, VLSI
Technology, tel 408-434-7861, fax 408-434-3181)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
GENERAL
****Multimedia Trade Group Poised To Fight Compton's Claims
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00018)
****Multimedia Trade Group Poised To Fight Compton's Claims 12/03/93
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- The Interactive
Multimedia Association (IMA), populated by 260 organizations
involved in the multimedia industry, says it will support legal
efforts against the claims of Compton's Newmedia that it holds a
patent on multimedia. But more importantly, the IMA is concerned
over the issuance of such broad, non-technical multimedia patents
by the US Patent Office.
Philip Dodds, IMA director, said, "The Patent Office is issuing
extremely sweeping patents that are for basic computer and
multimedia processes that have been used for many years which are
obvious and not novel." One multimedia developer told Newsbytes:
"Next someone will be getting a patent for driving on the right
side of the street."
Compton's Newmedia announced at Comdex computer trade show it was
issued a patent number 5,241,671 for the "Multimedia search
system using a plurality of entry path means which indicate inter
relatedness of information." Compton's patent states: "...it is
contemplated that this invention can be used with any information
that can be stored in a database. While the present invention has
largely been described with reference to an encyclopedia, other
databases of published graphical or textual information could be
included."
The IMA asserts that Compton's claim that it invented multimedia
and wants royalty payments as a consequence stunned the
multimedia industry. Representatives from Compton's said the
patent isn't dependent on the delivery method for multimedia and
therefore covers not only software but interactive television and
graphical online services as well.
Evidently, the Compton's patent is not the first questionable
multimedia patent the US Patent Office has issued. Educational
multimedia software developer Optical Data Corporation (ODC) of
New Jersey received two patents in 1992, "Interactive method for
the effective conveyance of information in the form of visual
images" and "Curriculum planning and publishing methods." ODC
sent letters in early 1993 to several companies claiming patent
infringement as well as letters to three state education
superintendents to inform them other products could be
infringing.
Videodiscovery of Seattle, Washington, also an educational
multimedia publisher, filed a complaint in August 1993 against
ODC in the US District Court, Western District of Washington, in
Seattle. The complaint asked the two patents be declared invalid
based on the "obviousness" of the both. Last month, on the day
ODC was to answer in court, it issued a press release saying it
was donating the first "Interactive method..." patent to the
public and asked the Patent Office to re-examine the other rather
than have the validity of the second determined by legal
processes.
Joe Clark, chief executive officer of Videodiscovery maintains:
"It's obvious that the Office of Patents and Trademarks needs
more expertise and data in the area of software and multimedia as
shown by the awarding of these patents. These represent at best
nuisance patents and at the worst, a severe hindrance for the
growth of the multimedia industry."
One of the suggested answers to this dilemma is the suggestion
that Patent Office form an industry commission made up of those
in the field of multimedia to review pending patents.
The IMA is a leading multimedia trade group, headquartered in
Annapolis, Maryland. The group's board of directors and officers
include: Victoria Vance of Apple Computer, Sueanne Ambron of
Paramount Technology, Michael Braun from IBM, Nat Goldhaber
representing Kaleida Labs, Joe Clark of Videodiscovery, Robert
Harris from Philips, Hal Josephson of 3DO, Georgia McCabe
representing Eastman Kodak, and Robert Pearson from Sun
Microsystems.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931202/Press Contact: Philip Dodds, IMA, tel
410-626-1380, fax 410-263-0590; David Kaufer, Kaufer Miller
Communications for the IMA, 206-450-9965)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
TELECOM
Canada Gets First All-Digital Province
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00019)
Canada Gets First All-Digital Province 12/03/93
SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, CANADA, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- The
telephone network serving this small province is now entirely
digital, making New Brunswick the first Canadian province with
all-digital service and, telephone company officials believe, the
first province or state in North America with totally digital
service.
While it is hard for New Brunswick Telephone to be quite sure of
the North American first, company spokeswoman Sue Clack said, the
company and supplier Northern Telecom Ltd. believe that while
there may be all-digital phone companies in the United States,
the existence of small local telcos in some areas means there is
no state where all service is digital.
Telephone subscribers in the province are less likely to care
about firsts than about what the milestone means for their
telephone service, though. What it means is that the standard
telephone service in New Brunswick today includes touch-tone and
built-in voice messaging, and by early 1994 it will also include
the ability to return calls automatically when they are missed or
encounter a busy signal, plus three-way calling.
The all-digital network has taken 12 years to build and cost the
company about C$236 million, company officials said.
New Brunswick Telephone recently held a ceremony to take its last
analog phone switch out of service. At the ceremony, Frank
McKenna, premier of New Brunswick, said the fully digital network
will help the province become a center of high-technology
communications.
That description would be rather too grand for New Brunswick
today. However, the modern network may help to attract some
businesses. For example, MediTrust Pharmacy Inc., which plans to
run a string of multimedia kiosks that will let consumers order
prescription drugs for delivery, has located its national call
processing center in Saint John, Clack said.
The all-digital network will make it possible for the phone
company to offer services such as desktop videoconferencing to
customers, Clack said.
Like those across Canada, though, businesses in New Brunswick
still face high costs for many telecommunications services
compared to those in the United States. Helmut Becker, director
of computing services at Mount Allison University in Sackville,
New Brunswick, said recently the cost of high-capacity services
such as T1 lines is "killing us right now."
(Grant Buckler/19931203/Press Contact: Sue Clack, New Brunswick
Telephone, 506-694-2992 or 800-267-2057, fax 506-658-7163)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
UNIX
Bull Updates ISM Object-Oriented Net Management Tool
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00020)
Bull Updates ISM Object-Oriented Net Management Tool 12/03/93
BILLERICA, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Bull
Worldwide Information Systems has launched Integrated System
Management (ISM) Version 2, a feature-rich update to a network
management tool that is designed to work with virtually any
network operating system.
In a meeting with Newsbytes at corporate offices in Billerica,
MA, officials told Newsbytes that the application programming
interface (API) that Bull developed for ISM has been adopted by
the Open Software Foundation (OSF) for implementation as the
industry standard API for network management.
ISM, a product first announced in April, 1992, is an open
framework for network management, said Margaret Landry, software
product manager, Systems & Network Management, and Gerry Crow,
marketing manager for Distributed Computing.
ISM Version 2, a product now in "early ship" and scheduled for
general availability by the end of the year, adds an integrated
network monitor, along with the ability to customize icons and
background filters and set alarms and thresholds.
ISM Trouble Ticket, a help desk capability based on Remedy's
Action Request System, and ISM Backup/Restore, a capability based
on Raxco's BACKUP.UNET, have also been integrated into the base
package.
Also new in Version 2 are plug-in application modules for
PC/workgroup management, hub management, software distribution,
router management, database management, user management, and
management of Bull's GCOS operating system.
The PC/Workgroup Management module provides agents and the other
capabilities needed for managing Microsoft LAN (local area
network) Manager as well as Bull's OpenTeam. OpenTeam
incorporates LAN Manager for Unix, NetWare for Unix, and NetBios
for Unix.
ISM Version 2 Set 2, which is scheduled for delivery in the first
quarter, will add a separate plug-in module for managing Novell
LAN NetWare.
ISM can also manage any device with an SNMP (Simple Network
Management Protocol) or CMIP agent, according to Crow.
The ISM Developer's Toolkit, another product from Bull, allows
for the development of SNMP and CMIP agents for devices that do
not already have such agents, as well as for customization of
existing ISM components and the creation of new network and
system management applications.
Due to its object-oriented architecture, though, ISM provides
much more sophisticated network management capabilities than
either SNMP or CMIP, he maintained.
SNMP, a "scalar" protocol based on numbers and letters, tends to
live up to its name, Crow told Newsbytes. "SNMP truly is
simple," he explained. Even so, SNMP has started to become a de
factor network management standard, he added.
CMIP is more intelligent, offering if/then reasoning, he
asserted. Generally speaking, CMIP is much less prevalent
network management protocol than SNMP, but the rival standard has
been gaining favor in the telecommunications field, Newsbytes was
told.
ISM is the smartest of all the protocols, because it takes into
account variables as well as procedures, or "the things that can
happen based on those variables," he explained.
Telephone companies that are Bull customers have found ISM to be
a more efficient means of network management than CMIP, according
to Crow.
ISM is sold bundled with Bull's DPX20 hardware platforms.
Pricing for turnkey hardware-and-software systems starts at
$25,000.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931203/Reader contact: Bull Worldwide
Information Systems, tel 508-294-6000; Press contact: R.J.
Davisson, Bull, tel 508-294-6928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
GENERAL
Sony Rolls Out 50 Millionth CD-ROM Disc
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00021)
Sony Rolls Out 50 Millionth CD-ROM Disc 12/03/93
TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- CD-ROM (compact
disc-read only memory) drives are rapidly becoming as commonplace as
the color monitor, a luxury once reserved for high-end PCs.
If you don't think that's true, some statistics released by Sony
Corporation may change your mind. The company says its Digital Audio
Disc Corporation recently produced its 50 millionth CD-ROM disc.
Sony first started turning out audio CDs for music at its Terre
Haute, Indiana plant in 1984 and began producing CD-ROMs in May
1986. Since then CD-ROM production has grown by more than 100
percent every year and is up more than 160 percent the past two
years.
Sony Electronic Publishing Company's Olaf Olafsson predicts the
market will continue at that explosive pace at least through the end
of the decade. "The international multimedia market has virtually
exploded in the past two years as CD-ROM - with its enormous
capacity for information, presentation and creativity - has become
widely accepted," says Olafsson.
Olafsson says five years ago there were only about 200 CD-ROM titles
available, while today there are more than 3,700. He expects the
number to jump to 6,000 by the end of 1994. One of the reasons for
the popularity of CD-ROMs is because of the massive amounts of data
that can be stored on a single disk. That has become more important
with the growing use of computers to create and store complex still
and motion video images, which take large amounts of storage space.
(Jim Mallory/19931203/Press and reader contact: Sony DADC,
812-462-8100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
GENERAL
Color Camera Stores Images On PCMCIA Media
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022)
Color Camera Stores Images On PCMCIA Media 12/03/93
LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Two California
companies say they have teamed up to produce a color digital camera
that can capture and store images on PCMCIA media.
Personal Computer Cameras Inc., says it has formed a strategic
partnership with Campbell, California-based Aura Associates to
produce the S-400 color digital camera and a family of patented
digital camera products.
The S-400 requires no special hardware or software interface, as is
the case with other digital cameras currently on the market. The
system uses a 1.8-inch, 63-megabyte PCMCIA hard drive developed by
Aura to store as many as 400 color images on a single removable
drive.
Once the images are captured, you simple remove the PCMCIA device
from the camera, insert it into the PCMCIA slot on your PC, and
perform any desired image editing.
The two companies say the S-400 will come to market at a price point
below $1,000 in production quantities and is expected to be in
retail stores by Christmas 1994. The device weighs about two
pounds.
(Jim Mallory/19931203/Press and Reader contact: PC Cameras Inc
510-606-1225 or Aura Associates, 408-252-2872)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
IBM
Microsoft Announces Kid Productivity Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00023)
Microsoft Announces Kid Productivity Software 12/03/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation, serious about its intent to make the consumer software
market its next growth area, says it will introduce two software
packages for children next week.
The rollout of Creative Writer and Fine Artist will be done in
Microsoft's usual high style, with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates
renting a New York mansion that the company will fill with
demonstration computers and software. Gates will introduce the new
products.
Creative Writer is a word processing program for children age 8 to
12, while Fine Artist is a drawing program for the same age group.
The two applications join the Microsoft Home line of software for
consumers that was launched in October. Gates has said the home
market could become Microsoft's biggest business within five years.
Marketing Director Charlotte Guyman says the programs have been in
development for about two years, with programmers working with
hundreds of children, parents and teachers.
Neither $55 application comes with a printed manual, but they do
include animated characters who provide tips on writing and drawing
for the young users. The word processing program allows the kids to
add drawings and sound effects to their documents.
Microsoft says it will give away about 15,000 copies to schools and
will sponsor "family technology nights" at schools during which the
software will be available for sale. The participating schools will
get one free software package for every 10 sold.
Microsoft is expected to announce shortly agreements with several
banks to provide online financial services in conjunction with
Microsoft Money 3.0, the latest version of Microsoft's home finance
management package. Money 3.0 is being offered for $34.95 through
April 15, 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931203/Press and reader contact: Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
BUSINESS
AmCoEx Index Of Used Computer Prices
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00024)
AmCoEx Index Of Used Computer Prices 12/03/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- By John Hastings.
During 1991, the Big Three computer makers, IBM, Apple Computer,
and Compaq, began cutting prices to compete with low-cost clones. At
that time, many predicted the demise of most of the clone makers.
While it is true that Tandy, Everex, and a few others have exited
the business, several have remained far longer than many predicted.
Why would anyone purchase a clone when they could buy a name brand
computer at a comparable price?
The survivors exist primarily because the Big Three cannot
manufacture enough computers to meet the demand. Some experts
believe this backlog of orders will disappear early next year due to
increased production facilities. Ample supplies of name brand
computers could be the death knell for the remaining clone makers.
The resulting oligopoly will surely result in higher prices and
better margins for the victors of the shake-out.
Many computer users feel they have no need for some new
technologies like voice synthesis and voice recognition. New
applications of these technologies may change their opinions. For
example, QVoice Inc. in Newton, N.J. has developed an inexpensive
voice security system. Based on voice recognition, it identifies the
voice of the appropriate user and allows access to the system. This
eliminates the need for password protection.
John Hastings is the president of the American Computer
Exchange. The American Computer Exchange matches buyers and sellers
of used microcomputers. For more information contact the American
Computer Exchange at (800) 786-0717.
The AmCoEx Index of Used Computer Prices
The following prices are for November 29, 1993
Average Average
Buyer's Seller's
Machine Bid Ask Close Change($)
IBM PS/2 Model 30/286 20MB $300 $525 $325 **
IBM PS/2 Model 50Z 30MB 300 650 350 -25
IBM PS/2 Model 70 120MB 600 900 600 -50
IBM PS/2 Model 80 70MB 550 850 575 **
IBM ThinkPad 300 1250 1650 1200 -100
IBM ThinkPad 700 1700 2400 1950 -100
AST 286/12, 40MB 275 675 325 **
AST 386/20, 80MB 550 950 625 -50
Dell 325SX, 50MB 400 800 575 **
Dell 386/20, 120MB 600 1000 650 -25
Gateway 286/16, 40MB 250 550 325 +25
Gateway 386SX/20, 80MB 500 950 625 **
Gateway 386/25, 80MB 600 1000 700 -75
Clone 286 40 MB 250 550 325 **
Clone Notebook 286, 40 MB 350 750 500 -25
Clone Notebook 386SX, 40 MB 500 950 700 -75
Clone 386/SX 40MB, VGA 450 950 600 -25
Clone 386/25 80MB, VGA 450 950 650 -50
Clone 386/33 80MB, VGA 550 1050 750 -25
Clone 486/25 120MB, VGA 800 1450 900 -50
Compaq SLT/286 20MB 250 500 350 -50
Compaq LTE 286 40MB 400 775 500 **
Compaq Portable III 40MB 250 650 275 **
Compaq Deskpro 286 40MB 250 650 300 **
Compaq Deskpro 386/20e 100MB 600 900 700 -50
Macintosh SE 20MB 350 650 400 -25
Macintosh SE/30 40MB 450 800 550 **
Macintosh II 40MB 500 950 600 -100
Macintosh IIcx 80MB 600 1100 725 -50
Macintosh IIci 80MB 700 1300 1000 -100
PowerBook 100 4/20 600 1000 700 -50
PowerBook 140 4/40 900 1400 1000 -75
PowerBook 170 4/40 1100 1700 1475 +25
LaserWriter IINT 700 1000 750 -25
Toshiba 1200XE 300 650 350 +50
Toshiba 1600 300 600 300 **
Toshiba 2200 SX 60MB 800 1300 875 -25
Toshiba T-3100SX 100MB 500 900 600 -75
Toshiba 5200 100MB 850 1250 1050 -100
HP LaserJet II 400 850 625 +25
HP LaserJet IIP 325 950 475 -25
HP LaserJet III 750 1200 900 -25
The American Computer Exchange matches buyers and sellers of used
microcomputer equipment. For more information contact the American
Computer Exchange at (800) 786-0717.
(AMCOEX/19931203)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of: Puddles To Pondwater,
(REVIEW)(IBM)(WAS)(00025)
Review of: Puddles To Pondwater, 12/03/93
Runs on: MS-DOS compatible 286 or faster PC with 4 megabytes (MB)
of free hard disk space, VGA, mouse, and 640 kilobytes (K) of
memory.
From: NIAD Corp., 85 River Rock Drive, Suite 200, Buffalo, NY
14207, phone 905-470-0868 or fax 905-513-8179.
Price: $60 (U.S.)
PUMA Rating: 3 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick
Summary: An ecology awareness game for kids ages 8-15 and their
parents which explores the effects of common pollutants such as
detergents, oil, paint thinners, and even road salt on various
animals, fish, and insects.
======
REVIEW
======
This game is designed to teach which pollutants are causing
problems in various parts of the world to nearly 100 different
creatures. Along the way you learn a lot about nature and
how to damage it.
This is a game/education program for students from about second
grade to high school according to the publicist, but I would set
the appropriate age level at about 10-13 years old.
Installation takes about 15 minutes on a 16 megahertz 386 SX
because the program is obviously expanding or creating many
graphics files from the three 3.5-inch high-density floppy
diskettes.
A mouse is definitely not an option with this program - you
can't even begin installation without an active mouse,
but the software will recognize a non-Microsoft mouse.
Despite the claim of "Stunning VGA Graphics" they seemed pretty
tame on my system but that also means that there were no annoying
waits for high-quality images to build up. To the game's credit,
the images are better than many I have seen in "education"
software, but don't expect them to compete with arcade games.
I also have some question about the age level because terms like
"carnivorous" and "larvae," frequently cited in the scenarios,
are not defined and will (unfortunately) prove beyond the
understanding of most children below the age of 10.
That isn't a problem if, as they should, parents use this
software with their young ones, but it is important to bear in
mind that this is primarily an educational program, quite
obviously designed for use in a school environment.
This review is written in pieces as I test the software (so I
don't forget anything) and I may have spoken too soon about mouse
compatibility because I found that my old Logitech 3-button mouse
would control the software but didn't generate any cursor on the
screen, making everything harder for me, but I have to assume
that a cursor would show up using the specified Microsoft-
compatible mouse.
Overall, I think this is a good program which provides a fine
introduction to problems of pollution but is only appropriate for
home educators or as an adjunct to formal class instruction.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The company sent along an "incentive" to review
their product, something which normally earns a quick toss in the
trash at this bureau office, but the software looked so relevant
that I broke my standing rule and went ahead with a review -
after giving away the bird feeder of course.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: 3 Hypertext links for complex terms or longer text
would be very useful.
USEFULNESS: 3 Better animation and more explanations would
improve the educational impact.
MANUAL: 3 Not great, but good enough.
AVAILABILITY: 3 You aren't likely to see this one in stores.
(John McCormick/19931201/Press Contact: Lucrezia Motta, Thetis
Marketing Group, 905-470-0868 or fax 905-513-8179)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
REVIEW APPLE
Review of - Where in America's Past is Carmen Sandiego
(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00026)
Review of - Where in America's Past is Carmen Sandiego 12/03/93
Runs on: Macintosh
From: Broderbund, 500 Redwood Blvd., Novato, CA94948 (415)
382-4700
Price: $49.95
PUMA rating: 3.5 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)
Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach
Summary: Another in the famous line of Carmen Sandiego games.
This one concentrates on American history and has a new
crime fighting tool, new gang members, and sometimes funny
animated sequences. The digitized photographs are also interesting.
=======
REVIEW
=======
Where in America's Past is Carmen Sandiego continues the
popular Carmen Sandiego series. This time Broderbund is tackling
American history. As is usual with these games, the big box contains
six installation disks, an eight-page manual, a registration card,
a request card for Broderbund's latest software catalog, 16
cards that contain pictures and descriptions of Carmen's gang
members, and a clue book called "What Happened When."
The manual is made to look like an antique newspaper edition,
supposedly published in 1879. It does contain all of the
information required to install and operate the game on any of
the supported machines. Aside from that, the manual also has a
bit of background information that is mainly intended to put
you into the proper frame of mind to play the game.
The main piece of gear needed to play the game is the "What
Happened When" volume. This 1500-page volume is full of facts and
will be referred to here simply as "the book."
The player takes on the role of a brand new detective who just
joined the Acme detective agency. The initial startup routine
shows you some of Carmen's foul deeds and places you in front
of the agency's San Francisco offices. Upon entering the
building, one is in front of a secretary who is furiously
typing on her word processor. At this point, she is too
busy to do more than gesture at the visitor's book which
is on the table next to her. Once you click on that,
you can do one of two things -- either register yourself
as a new detective, or you identify yourself as a returning
detective who just took a break.
Once the program knows who you are, the secretary pays more
attention to you. Now I should warn you that in the beginning,
everyone at Acme has very little patience and time for you!
That is part of the charm of this game, and accounts for the
very sour grimace that one receives from her. A player starts in
the rank of Greenhorn and should expect some pretty shoddy
treatment. The Chief will not even look at you. Stretch,
your crime fighting sidekick (the dog), will actually growl at
you. As you progress through the ranks, your greeting will
change for the better. But you must prove yourself worthy
of better attention - it doesn't come free!
The Chief will arrange for you to get a Chronoskimmer 450SL.
This crime fighting gear and will be your constant
tool and it occupies the complete screen. One part is
touch-sensitive areas that are used to navigate through different
program options. The second is a row of four buttons labeled
Search, Evidence, Map, and Launch. The third region of the tool
contains a whole bunch of LEDs and lights that are mostly there
for entertainment purposes. There are also two small displays
that give you status information about your location and
time zone as well as how much time is left in your particular
case. Finally there is also a mail button used to retrieve
any mail that might come in for you while you are in the field.
Game play starts with an assignment. A player gets some information
about what happened and places you at the site of the crime.
The idea is to gain enough information about the crime's
perpetrator to get a warrant issued for his or her arrest.
The second task is the tracking down and capturing of the criminal.
You search the location of the crime by pressing the Search
button on your Chronoskimmer. In response, the tool will show
you three soft buttons that allow you to get information about
the next place to which the suspect went. This information is
not given out freely of course. You have to figure it out
from the clues.
This is where the book comes in. Let us say that the clue stated
something like "He went to see General Lee surrender at Appomatox."
The book will tell you that this event was the end of the Civil
War and happened in the south of the US. Once you have these
facts, you can press the map button. The display on the tool
changes to a map of the US with a row of buttons underneath.
The rows of buttons denote years in which these events
happened. Continuing with our example, the Civil War ended in
1865 so you would want to choose the range of years that included
that year. That would be the 1850-1875 range. Next, you need
to identify the Southern region of the United States and
finally, you need to press the Launch button. All of this
will get you to that region of the country at that time.
Once at that next location, one must search it. If it is the
right place and time, a small animation of one of Carmen's
henchmen appears. If it's the wrong place, a statement to that
effect is made. As you are playing against a clock here, it is
important that you not make too many mistaken side trips. Each
launch and each search causes you to expend some time. The
amount of time left is displayed on one of the Chronoskimmer's
displays.
Every so often a mail message will arrive. Within this
mail message you will find clues to the identity of the criminal.
Perhaps the color of their eyes, or their hair, or maybe their
favorite artist, athlete, or animal. This information is entered
into the Evidence area. When enough data has been collected
(normally three items), you can ask for a computation to occur.
This causes all the data to be compared to the agency's files
to see if any one specific member of Carmen's gang has been
uniquely identified.
There are three possible responses. The best one, of course, is
that a single gang member is identified and a warrant for their
arrest is issued. A second result may be that not enough data is
present which means that more than one member meets the criteria.
In this case, you must continue working on the case until more
data is collected. The last case is the most difficult one. This
is the case in which the data eliminates all of the potential
suspects. This is difficult since you must somehow decide which of
the data items that you collected is wrong and what to do about it.
Let us say that you have tracked the suspect through several
times and places. You will find yourself in a corridor, looking
at a door. Stretch will appear sniffing at the ground. Suddenly,
he will stop and start sniffing the air and barking. This means
that he has detected the smell of one of Carmen's gang members.
After you knock on the door, an eye will appear in the eye hole
(interestingly enough, this eye will be colored according to
which member of Carmen's gang is behind the door) and look you
over. After a bit, the eye hole will close and the door will
open. If you brought the right search warrant along, the
gang member will be arrested and you will be congratulated.
Otherwise, you will be reprimanded by the chief. When this is
all over you will be given a chance to tackle another case.
After every set of successful crime solutions, you are promoted.
This means that the people at the agency are nicer to you and
the cases that you are given get longer. After you have achieved
the rank of Scout, you will be given a chance to track down the
head cheese herself - Carmen Sandiego. When you have solved 80 cases,
your name gets inscribed in the Hall of Fame. After that, you can no
longer use that name. Should you want to play some more, you will
need to log in as a new Greenhorn and start all over again.
Carmen Sandiego is the premier game in this genre. Not only is
it the one that defined the whole genre, but it sports its own
TV show and is known far and wide. Consequently you can
imagine my surprise when I realized that I was getting very
bored with playing the game. The only reason that I completed
80 cases was so that I could see and report what happens
when one is placed in the Hall of Fame.
Problems with the game are that there was no difference in game
play - outside of number of locations and clues needed to catch
up with the criminal - between the initial level and the final,
supposedly most difficult, level. Secondly, game play is remarkable
monotonous. After a while, I noticed that most of the clues
were repeating themselves and I had very little need of the
book.
=============
PUMA RATINGS
=============
PERFORMANCE: 4 The game worked flawlessly. Performance is crisp and
when you get tired of certain aspects of its operation, they can
be changed or speeded up.
USEFULNESS: 3 The basic game premise is the same as all of the
others in the Carmen Sandiego line. The focus on American history
is the only difference.
MANUAL: 4 Relatively straightforward and logical.
AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from mail order and software stores.
Broderbund does not have a toll-free number for support.
(Naor Wallach/19931021/Karen Omholt, Broderbund Software)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
BUSINESS
Broderbund Says Revenues Down, But Earnings Up
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00027)
Broderbund Says Revenues Down, But Earnings Up 12/03/93
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Broderbund, known
for its Print Shop and Carmen Sandiego software programs, says
its net revenues will be below analysts expectations for its
fiscal first quarter of 1994. The quarter results will be
announced December 22, 1993 and the company says revenues will be
closer to $33 million compared to the $34 to $39 million
projected.
However, the bright side is earnings per share are expected to be
higher than anticipated. Earnings are expected to be
approximately 60 cents to 63 cents compared to analysts'
expectations of 55 cents to 63 cents per share, the company
added.
Broderbund officials told Newsbytes part of the reason for the
analysts' expectations are its first quarter of last year
results. That quarter is simply a tough act to follow, due to
Broderbund's sudden opportunity for expansion into the retail
channel that occurred then, company representatives told
Newsbytes.
Wall Street has reacted negatively to the announcement. The
company's stock (NASDAQ:BROD) was down in morning trading over 5
points from Thursday's close at 47 and 1/4. Some of that negative
reaction may be from financial news publications which have
reported that some software sales chains are reporting lower
sales in what is usually traditionally strong months. Both
Broderbund and Electronic Arts stock has fallen this week
since those reports were issued.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931203/Press Contact: Robin Linstrom,
Broderbund, tel 415-382-4449, fax 415-382-4582)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
BUSINESS
Siemens Nixdorf Belgium To Post 92/93 Profit
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00028)
Siemens Nixdorf Belgium To Post 92/93 Profit 12/03/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- The Belgian subsidiary of
Siemens Nixdorf, the computer division of Germany's Siemens, has
announced it will post a profit for financial year 1992/93. The news
comes in stark contrast to the German operation, where accounts are
stained with red ink.
According to Siemens Nixdorf Belgium, the accounts -- which
Newsbytes understands have yet to be approved by the board of
directors -- show turnover approaching BFr 10 billion, although
profits are reported to be well below the BFr 302m posted in 1991-
92.
The Belgian subsidiary has also confirmed it has no plans to shed
any staff, as has happened with the German parent. The company
claims it will maintain its current Belgian workforce of 1,100,
despite plans to cut Siemens' worldwide workforce to 38,400 by
September of next year. Newsbytes notes that, in financial year
1990/91, the company's worldwide workforce was 51,600, an all-time
high for the group.
Siemens' plans to increase its market share outside the domestic
home market of Germany. According to figures released by Siemens, its
worldwide telecoms market share is around 2.5 percent, making it
eighth in the world telecoms arena.
In Europe, the figures look more rosy, with market share at around
seven percent, while in Belgium and German it has 11.5 and 20
percent, respectively, of the country telecoms markets.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931203/Press & Public Contact: +322-702-42-11)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
TRENDS
Chip Resin Supply Back On Stream
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00029)
Chip Resin Supply Back On Stream 12/03/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- First the good news -- the resin
shortage that has caused the surge in chip prices since July is
over. The bad news is that DRAM (dynamic random access memory) chip
prices will not fall as quickly as they went up.
This week has seen the Sumitomo Chemical Company's resin production
plant in Japan, which blew up on July 4, resume production.
According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the
current shortage will soon be alleviated.
The story at the sharp end of the industry in the UK is somewhat
different, however. Fergus Campbell, senior product specialist with
Datrontech, a major supplier of chip products to dealers in the UK,
said that the market has advanced since the July explosion.
"The problem is that supplies of the 4Mbit SIMMs have been cut back
as manufacturers move to 16Mbit. But 1Mbit users have migrated to
4Mbit SIMMs (single inline memory modules), meaning that the 4Mbit
chips are still in short supply," he told Newsbytes.
Datrontech's prices on 4Mbit SIMMs are currently just under UKP100.
Three months ago, they were at an all-time high of UKP145. A year
ago they were 70. Campbell said that it would be a long time before
the UKP70 price point was realized again.
Mike Lunch, general manager of Toshiba's Personal Systems division,
said that easing of shortages in DRAM supply, rather than a price
fall, was good news for the company, since it would allow memory
card supplies to get back up to volume.
"Although chip prices make up only a small part of our end user
pricing, DRAM shortages have caused up problems with memory cards
for our portables. These cards add value to our portables," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931203/Press Contact: Datrontech - Tel: +44-252=-
313155; Toshiba - Tel: +44-932-841600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
BUSINESS
Conner Adds California Jobs, Reduces Need For Suppliers
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00030)
Conner Adds California Jobs, Reduces Need For Suppliers 12/03/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- On the heels of
layoffs and restructuring, Conner Peripherals is now adding to
its workforce. The company says it wants to reduce its dependence
on other suppliers for hard disk drive platters and is therefore
adding jobs to its expanded Milpitas, California plant.
Conner blamed increasing price pressure in the hard disk for
losses of $372 million in its last quarter and the restructuring
for closure of its manufacturing in Scotland. While layoffs have
been as high as 20 percent, Conner representatives said the
layoffs included the elimination of duplicate functions obtained
when the company finalized the purchase of tape drive
manufacturer Archive -- a purchase that set the company back
about $150 million.
In this current expansion, the company is adding 77,000 square
feet to its Milpitas production plant, more than doubling the
previous space of 55,000 square feet. Nearly three and a half
times more employees will be added to the initial number of 200
for an anticipated total of 700 in the coming months, company
officials maintain. Some 70 employees of the hundreds laid off
this year accepted jobs at the expanded site, just five miles
away from their previous work site.
The thin-film disks manufactured in clean room conditions at
the site will be for the 2.5-inch and 3.5-inch rigid disk drives,
Conner said. However, company officials said the disk drive
manufacturer doesn't plan to increase production of drives, but
is wanting to decrease the ratio of disks purchased from outside
suppliers to less than 50 percent.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931203/Press Contact: Mike Seither, Conner,
tel 408-456-3743, fax 408-456-4501)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/03/93
TELECOM
Canada's BCE To Buy Interest In Jones Intercable
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00031)
Canada's BCE To Buy Interest In Jones Intercable 12/03/93
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1993 DEC 3 (NB) -- Taking another step
to prepare for the telecommunications convergence that is widely
said to be just around the corner, BCE Inc., has announced plans
to buy a 30-percent interest in Jones Intercable, Inc., of
Englewood, Colorado.
BCE is Canada's largest company and the parent of Northern
Telecom Ltd., and the country's largest regional phone carrier,
Bell Canada. It also has interests in Mercury Communications Ltd.,
in the United Kingdom and Clear Communications Ltd., in New
Zealand.
Jones Intercable is one of the 10 largest cable television
operators in the United States, with the bulk of its operations
in California, Florida, Illinois, and the Washington, D.C. area.
It runs 55 cable systems in the US. Jones is also a major cable
operator in the United Kingdom, and has a 38-percent interest in
Mind Extension University, which runs The Education Network on
cable.
BCE and Jones have also been involved together for about 18
months in Encom, a British operation which provides cable and
telephone services to an area in Greater London with about
680,000 homes.
The deal says BCE, through its BCE Telecom International
(BCETI) unit, will buy about 10 million shares of Jones
Intercable's common stock for a total of US$275 million, giving
it a 30-percent stake in the Colorado firm. For another US$55
million, BCETI will get the option to purchase control of Jones
later. Third, the Canadian company has committed itself to take
part in future equity financings up to US$125 million, increasing
its total investment to US$400 million.
BCETI's investment is to come after Jones Intercable completes
the proposed purchase of Jones Spacelink, Ltd., another company
controlled by Glenn R. Jones, who controls Jones Intercable.
This is not BCE's only investment in cable television. BCETI
Cable Ltd., which is 80-percent owned by BCETI and 20-percent
owned by Cable & Wireless plc of the U.K., holds 30.8 percent of
Videotron Holdings Ltd., a joint venture with Montreal-based
Groupe Videotron that operates in London. BCETI Cable also owns
85 percent of Encom, the balance of which is held by Jones
Intercable and its affiliates.
(Grant Buckler/19931203/Press Contact: Derek Burney, BCE Telecom
International, 514-392-2300; Patrick Lombardi, Jones Intercable,
303-792-3111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TRENDS
Japan - HDTV Video Player
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00001)
Japan - HDTV Video Player 12/02/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Japan Victor Corporation (JVC)
will release a video cassette tape recorder for high definition
television sets (HDTV) at the end of this month.
Based on the W-VHS system, the unit can also play current
VHS standard tapes. This is the first VCR for HDTV on the market,
but at a price of 620,000 yen ($6,200), it is not expected to
attract substantial consumer interest for some time.
JVC will take orders for the W-VHS VCR starting December 20, and
plans to ship the decks by the last week of December.
A major sales campaign to promote the device will be launched
in consumer electronics stores in February. However, due to
the unit's high price, JVC expects a slow start. The firm will ship
only 2,000 units per month until 1995, at which time shipments are
to double. By 1996, JVC hopes to ship 100,000 units per year,
but that will be when the price drops.
JVC is confident that the W-VHS format may become a future
industry standard because it has won the support of
Matsushita Electric, Hitachi, Mitsubishi and Sharp. In fact,
these companies plan to release their own W-VHS VCRs next year.
Some will receive the products from JVC on an OEM (original
equipment manufacturer) basis.
Despite these prospects, some industry analysts are still
skeptical about the future of the W-VHS. The major concern is
the fact that the W-VHS VCR is an analog system. Other electronics
firms such as Sony and Philips are developing a digital
HDTV VCR. Also, the price of cassette tapes is extremely
expensive at present -- a 120-minute tape costs 4,900 yen ($49)
and a 180-minute tape costs 5,900 yen ($59). By the time HDTV
broadcasting starts on a regular basis on TV, these tapes
are expected to become more affordable. Regular broadcasting will
start in Japan in 1997.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931202/Press Contact: Japan Victor
Corporation, +81-3-3241-6311, Fax, +81-3-3246-1254)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Catena Acquires 3 Software Firms
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00002)
Japan - Catena Acquires 3 Software Firms 12/02/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Catena will acquire three mid-sized
software firms on April 1 of next year, which will make it a
major distribution and software company in Japan.
Catena will acquire Japan Software Development, Soft Wing, and
Resource Sharing, all of them located in Tokyo. Japan
Software Development develops software for large-scale general
purpose computers. Soft Wing develops software but also
is a software distributor in Japan. Soft Wing, formerly
owned by Japan's ASCII, was sold to Catena with ASCII ran into
financial difficulty. Resource Sharing develops custom software
applications. All of these firms are reportedly profitable.
Catena expects the combined companies will do well. In fiscal 1995,
the firm expects to make 72.5 billion yen ($725 million) sales,
about 35 percent coming from the acquired firms.
Catena has been involved in computer distribution and
information services for over 20 years in Japan. The firm
distributes IBM PCs and Apple computers.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931201/Press Contact: Catena,
tel 81-3-3615-3211, Fax, +81-3-3615-9059)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
Hong Kong - Microsoft Addresses Skills Shortage
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00003)
Hong Kong - Microsoft Addresses Skills Shortage 12/02/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Microsoft has stepped up
Solution Providers, its partner branding program launched in June,
to cover the full spectrum of professional service partners. Solution
Providers are one of the main distribution channels for Microsoft
Windows NT, Windows NT Advanced Server and SQL Server, the company's
enterprise computing platform.
With the extension of Solution Providers to cover training and support,
the growing number of Hong Kong companies that rely on Microsoft
products to keep their businesses running will be able to look to
a single, consistent brand as a guarantee of high quality service,
Microsoft contends.
"Solution Providers are a key element of the Microsoft customer
service umbrella. While Microsoft is well positioned to provide
broad services such as product support and information services,
we believe our resources are best leveraged through partners when
it comes to delivering focussed and tailored services," said Fan Look,
marketing manager of Microsoft Hong Kong Ltd.
"For example, Microsoft customers typically use software products from
other vendors as well and our Solution Providers partners are far
better positioned than we are to provide the kind of multi-vendor
integration and support that customers are demanding."
The Microsoft Solution Providers program in Hong Kong now has over
20 participants offering systems integration, on-site support, and
training services. These companies have met Microsoft's
criteria for accreditation, including corporate references
and technical qualifications.
By joining the Microsoft Solution Providers program they commit to
meet specified performance levels, and in turn, get support
from Microsoft, ranging from subscription to the Microsoft
Developers Network and TechNet information services to joint sales
and marketing activities.
According to Look, the introduction of Microsoft Windows NT has
created many new business opportunities and as a result Microsoft
expects to double the number of Solution Providers in Hong Kong by
the end of next year.
"We already have a strong application skills-base covering banking
and finance and the garment industry. By working with Microsoft
through the Solution Providers program we gain access to training,
technical information and marketing support. As a result we are
now able to offer industry-leading solutions based on Windows NT
and industry standard hardware," said CK To, managing director of
WinClient Technologies Ltd.
WinClient is one of a growing band of systems integrators signed up
for the Solution Providers Program. Others include Asian
Electronics Ltd, Chevalier (Computer) Ltd, Data Systems Ltd, Expert
Systems Ltd, Netband Technology (Far East) Ltd, Pacific Technology
Ltd, System-Pro Computer Ltd, Universal Electronics Ltd, Winbliss
Technology Ltd and World Express Computer Systems Ltd.
Since implementing networked, enterprise-wide systems is more complex
than installing PC applications, Microsoft Hong Kong is also
recruiting Solution Providers to act as Authorized Support Centres
(ASCs). To date, local Solution Provider ASCs include Asian
Electronics, System-Pro Computers and Digital Equipment Hong Kong Ltd,
with other major computer system vendors in the process of joining.
To alleviate the problem of skills shortages Microsoft Hong Kong has
also been expanding its Authorized Training Centres (ATCs) under
the Solution Providers umbrella. Drake Training, the latest
Solution Provider ATC, joins the City Polytechnic, the Computer
Power Training Institute, System-Pro Computers and Swire Systems
Ltd in offering comprehensive training on Microsoft system and
application products.
"We're focussed on what we see as an important but as yet
unoccupied area of the market: Windows NT-based systems management
and developer training," said Sean Stone, general manager of Drake
Training.
"Windows NT-based client-server systems are a very viable option
and with the ability to build whole solutions around Microsoft
products we foresee significant demand in this area."
(Keith Cameron/19931123 Press Contact: Fan Look, Microsoft 852-804
4262)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
Frog-Saving Software - "Compufrog"
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00004)
Frog-Saving Software - "Compufrog" 12/02/93
MADRAS, INDIA, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- The Madras chapter of Blue Cross
of India has developed software which can serve as an alternative
to dissection and killing of frogs. Named Compufrog, this
menu-driven software has been designed to carry out experiments,
detailed examination, and study as well as show animated sequences to
explain the working of the organs of the frogs.
It is believed that millions of frogs are killed every year
worldwide to carry out experiments in laboratories in the name
of research and teaching.
By using Compufrog software, the same practical work and teaching
can be explained more easily to the students. Moreover, by
switching over to the use of computers from the existing method of
killing frogs for educational purposes, the software ensures that
the attitudes and lives of children forced to perform the
experiments on animals are not adversely affected. Most students
have to endure and participate in utmost cruelty towards animals.
An example of such an experiment is one when a live frog is pinned
on a dissection tray, its abdomen slit open and its heartbeat count
noted with the insertion of pins in different parts of its body
until it dies.
Blue Cross, a name synonymous with animal care, has been active
in the field of providing aid to abandoned and injured animals.
Compufrog is the first step toward showing compassion for the
hapless creatures. Blue Cross has plans to distribute the
software on a subsidised basis to India's schools and colleges and is
currently developing similar software on rats.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TELECOM
Japan Telecom To Enter Cable TV Business
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00005)
Japan Telecom To Enter Cable TV Business 12/02/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Japan Telecom will launch
a cable television service, representing the first
time that a telephone company has entered cable in Japan.
Japan Telecom has an agreement with Japan Railway Construction
to lay out cables along the new Hokuriku bullet train tracks.
Some 120 kilometers of cable will be laid out along this railway,
which is under construction.
Japan Telecom will offer cable TV service to households along
these railways, a market estimated at about 12,000 people.
Actual service is expected to start in the fall of 1997.
Japan Telecom competes with Japan's dominant telecom
firm NTT, and the market is locked in the grips of a price
war. Japan Telecom's phone charges were originally less than
NTT's. However, NTT recently lowered its rates, and Japan
Telecom was forced to again drop prices to stay competitive.
Telecom firms are expected to experience an overall sales decline
and must seek out new markets and products to survive.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931124/Press Contact: Japan Telecom,
+81-3-3222-6655, Fax, +81-88-22-8900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
Microsoft To Telecast Free Seminars
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00006)
Microsoft To Telecast Free Seminars 12/02/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Thanks to Microsoft
you can get a free look at Microsoft's answer to all your business
problems next week.
Well, maybe not all your problems, and sure it's promotional for
Microsoft products.
However, if you want to know more about Microsoft's products, you
can sign up for two no-cost Microsoft seminars to be telecast
consecutively on December 9, 1993. The Microsoft Business Solutions
Telecast is a three-hour program that will be beamed to hundreds of
sites worldwide and will probably be seen by about 20,000 according
to Microsoft.
BST features a keynote address from Microsoft Chairman and CEO Bill
Gates, and offers case studies of real Microsoft customers who
use Microsoft products.
There will also be demonstrations of Microsoft Office and Windows NT
applications. Microsoft VP for worldwide sales and support will wrap
up the session by holding a live question and answer session with
viewers.
The telecast will be seen outside the US in three languages, and in
Europe it will be broadcast on transponder 47 on the Astra satellite
system. For more information contact Microsoft Corporation.
(Jim Mallory/19931202/Press contact: Bev Auld, Microsoft
Corp,206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp, 206-882-8080 or
800-426-9400; For info about receiving the telecast outside the US:
303-743-9554)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GOVT
Japan - Worldwide Postal Ministries Link Up
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TYO)(00007)
Japan - Worldwide Postal Ministries Link Up 12/02/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- The Japanese Ministry of Posts
& Telecommunication says it will participate in Post Net, a
project of the United Postal Union, in December. Through this
network, the Ministry plans to link with Postal Ministries in
over 20 countries via electronic mail, fax, and an express mail
tracing system.
Post Net was created by United Postal Union in cooperation with
the International Air Telecommunication Association. The Union is
preparing to add faxing, computer-based data communication, and
an express mail tracing system by April, 1994. Eventually, the
Union hopes for the support of all of Union members, and to
establish e-mail with 186 countries around the world through
this network.
The express mail tracing system will enable users to know the
location of their express mail, wherever it was shipped,
worldwide.
The Japanese Posts & Telecom Ministry will install terminals
to access this system in local postal offices in Japan. The
Ministry is planning to link Post Net with the its
domestic telecommunication network called the P-net later.
The only hurdle that the Japanese Ministry must mount before
this plan can be implemented is the fact that Japan has a VAN
(value added network) agreement with only 25 countries. This
means that the Ministry can connect with only these countries at
present.
The International Air Telecommunication Association
registered for an international VAN service license in Japan in
May.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931124)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
Hong Kong - Digital Veteran To Head Operations
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00008)
Hong Kong - Digital Veteran To Head Operations 12/02/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Philip J. Curran
has been appointed general manager of Digital Equipment Hong
Kong Ltd.
A 17-year Digital veteran, Curran most recently completed a
six-year assignment as managing director of Digital Equipment
Thailand and Digital Equipment Solution Services Thailand.
Under Curran's leadership, Digital Thailand achieved its
overall business goals every year and has today become one of
the largest revenue producing countries in the Asia Region.
Markets in Thailand for the company include financial services,
banking, manufacturing, education, telecommunications and
government.
According to Edmund J. Reilly, president and managing director
of Digital's Asia Region, "Phil Curran has been in Asia for many
years, including six years managing the finance and administration
side of the Japan operation. His move to Hong Kong will bring his
leadership qualities and expertise to this fast-growth area.
He will continue to be a member of our Asia Management Team."
Curran, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University
of Massachusetts and an MBA from Boston University, has worked
at Digital since 1976 in a variety of executive positions. His
14 years' experience in Pacific Rim countries includes periods
in Australia and Japan as well as Thailand.
(Keith Cameron/19931124 Press Contact: Bonnie Engel, Digital,
852-8053510)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
SGML '93 Conference To Be Held In Boston Next Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00009)
SGML '93 Conference To Be Held In Boston Next Week 12/02/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- SGML '93, a
comprehensive conference on the current status and use of the
Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), will be taking place
in Boston most of next week.
Sponsored by the Graphic Communication Association (GCA), the event
encompasses everything from poster sessions, product demos, and an
overview for SGML novices to advanced discussions on the technical
ins-and-outs of applying the emerging document interchange
language.
Speakers will include Yuri Rubinsky, president of SoftQuad and
conference chair, along with Dr. Charles Goldfarb of IBM, Ludo van
Vooren and Eric Severson of Avalanche Development, David Sklar of
Electronic Book Technologies, and industry luminaries from DEC,
Intel, Intergraph, Texas Instruments, and dozens of other
companies.
Activities will start out Sunday, December 5 with two preconference
tutorials: "Just Enough SGML," for SGML beginners, and "SGML
Database Migration."
The conference rolls into full swing on Monday, December 6 with
presentations that include "SGML Year in Review," "Reports from the
Front," and a pair of panels: "Archetypical Early Adapters?
Documentation of the Computer Industry," and "Multi-Company SGML
Application Standard Development Process."
A meeting of the International SGML Users' Group is scheduled
to be held Monday evening from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
On Tuesday, the conference sessions will diverge into two separate
tracks. Attendees taking the Novice Track will hear talks with
such titles as "Welcome to the Burning Issues," "SGML System
Evaluation and Selection," and "Looseleaf and Structured Text."
Topics on the Expert Track will consist of "HyTime: Today's
Toolset," "SGML Transformers: Five Ways," and "A New Semantic
Delivery Language," to name a few.
Both tracks will continue Wednesday and Thursday. Highlights for
novices will include "The Whirlwind Guide to SGML Tools," "Database
Models for Managing SGML," and "What Just Happened? Novice
Question and Answer Session."
Experts will be able to brush up such areas as the ISO 12083
announcement, the conversion of legacy technical documents into
interactive electronic manuals, and the attachment of processing
information to SGML data in large systems. Attendees will also
hear reports from the SGML Open Technical Committees.
Wednesday afternoon at 3:00, vendors will deliver product
announcements. A series of "Product Table Top Demonstrations" will
come immediately afterward, from 3:45 to 9:00 p.m.
SGML '93 will wrap up Thursday afternoon with lunch and a closing
keynote by Michael Sperberg-McQueen of the Text Encoding
Initiative, plus an SGML Open general membership meeting and
reception.
The conference will be followed on Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00
p.m. by meetings of the SGML Open Technical and Marketing Working
Groups.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931202/Reader and press contact: Tanya Bosse,
Graphic Communications Association, tel 703-519-8160)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GOVT
Shuttle Crew To Repair Myotic Hubble
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00010)
Shuttle Crew To Repair Myotic Hubble 12/02/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- As NASA faces media
reports that the FBI has run a successful sting operation against
agency purchasing management, the Space Shuttle Endeavor was
launched Thursday morning on a mission to repair the nearsighted
Hubble Telescope in what scientists say is the most technically
ambitious mission since the moon landings.
In what many see as a make or break mission for NASA - one which
Mission Commander Richard Convey admitted could be viewed as a
test of whether astronauts can maintain and service a space
station - NASA mission specialists will spend a total of five
days making outside repairs to the Hubble Telescope which was
first launched from a Shuttle mission back in April of 1990 and
subsequently found not to have been tested to see if it actually
worked.
That failure, following on the total loss of a shuttle and crew
just a few years earlier in the fiery explosion of the Challenger
on January 28, 1986, and such other notable problems such as the
loss of the $1 billion Mars Explorer, has caused an increasing
undercurrent of complaints from Congress and the public over the
large budgets of this federal agency which lately doesn't seem to be
able to do much right.
Despite the obvious danger to NASA's budget and perhaps its
actual existence which would be posed by any failure in the
current mission, Mission Director Randy Brinkley told a news
conference Wednesday that he was not worried about this being a
do or die mission for NASA.
Meanwhile, NASA has reportedly been the target of an FBI sting
operation where agents posed as corrupt contractors who offered
bribes and kickbacks to award contracts. CNN is reporting on
Thursday morning that the results of the Justice Department probe
have gone to a grand jury which may bring criminal indictments.
(John McCormick/19931202/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
****Captain Kangaroo Scolds Violent Vid Games
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00011)
****Captain Kangaroo Scolds Violent Vid Games 12/02/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- At a press conference
held in Washington on Wednesday, beloved children's program
pioneer Bob Keeshan, known to tens of millions as Captain
Kangaroo, joined two Senators in criticizing the graphic violence
found in some video games. Mr. Keeshan said this violence is
interactive, resulting directly from the action of the player,
making it far more threatening than mere passively viewed violence
seen on television and in movies.
Senator Joseph Lieberman (D. Conn.) and Herbert H. Kohl (D Wisc.)
joined Captain Kangaroo in calling for voluntary labeling of such
violent programs and suggested that if the publishers don't take
action on their own that Congress will.
Specifically cited in the Wednesday press conference were two
SEGA games, Mortal Combat, and another which shows graphic abuse
of women.
There have been increasing calls for television networks to label
programs according to their violence level and even demands from
some Senators for physical devices built into TV sets which
parents could set to block such programs.
(John McCormick/19931202/Press Contact: Senator Lieberman 202-
224-4041 or fax 202-224-9750, Sen. Kohl 202-224-5653)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TELECOM
A Modem With a Seat Belt
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00012)
A Modem With a Seat Belt 12/02/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- "Road Warriors" -
people who spend a lot of time on the road and need to connect their
portable computers to various types of telephones - may want to
consider a unique line of modem products from Unlimited Systems
Corporation.
USC offers its Konexx line of computer-to-telephone interface
products that can hook you up to just about any type phone situation
you could encounter in today's world of digital, PBX, key, hotel,
cellular, international, and public pay phones.
The Konexx Konnector Model 109 is a simple device designed for use
with a desktop computer that plugs into the handset jack of a
telephone and provides a standard RJ-11 connection for any type
modem, including line-powered types. It features automatic switching
between voice and data modes, which makes it ideal for people who
dial voice calls then need to send data. The 109 supports data
transfer rates up to 14.4K bps. It comes with an AC adapter and has
a suggested retail price of $139.
The Konexx Konnector Model 112 is designed primarily for portable
applications. It connects into the handset jack on the telephone and
provides an RJ-11 connection for any modem except line-powered
types. It operates on an internal 9-volt battery, supports baud
rates up to 14.4K and has a suggested retail rice of $149.
The Konexx Koupler Model 204 is the successor to the original Konexx
device first reported on by Newsbytes at Comdex 1991. The Model 204
resembles a telephone handset with rubber ear and mouth pieces. The
user places the Model 204 against the telephone handset to be used,
fastens the two together securely by means of the Velcro "seat
belt," and plugs the Koupler into the PC's modem. The rubber mouth
and ear pieces swivel for a good fit on different type phone
handsets, and the unit will even work with a cellular phone. The
Model 204 is powered by a 9-volt battery that the company says will
provide up to 30 hours of modem time. This unit also works with baud
rates up to $14.4K and sells for $149.
USC also markets their Model 305, designed specifically for portable
computing or even PDA (personal digital assistants). It physically
resembles the Model 204 but connects to the PC via an attached cord
with a 9-pin serial connector. Model 305 includes a 2400 baud
data/9600 baud fax modem with the acoustical coupler and is powered
by a 9-volt alkaline battery that USC says will give the user up to
six hours of modem operation. Windows and DOS-based communications
software to send faxes and data is included. Suggested retail price
for the Model 305 is $299.
A Konexx Kit includes the Model 204 acoustical coupler, a 7-foot phone
cord, alligator clip adapter, duplex adapter, Merlin phone adapter,
spare 9volt battery, combination Phillips-standard screw driver, and
a custom carry case for $279.
(Jim Mallory/19931202/Press contact:Erica Swerdlow, EBS Public
Relations for Unlimited Systems Corp, 708-520-3300; Reader contact:
Unlimited Systems Corp, 800-275-6354 or 619-622-1400, fax
619-550-7330)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
APPLE
Business Expense Software For Newton Messagepad
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00013)
Business Expense Software For Newton Messagepad 12/02/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Business expense
reporting software Expense It! for the Newton Messagepad personal
digital assistant (PDA) is shipping from accounting software
developer State of the Art. The new software package allows the
capture and recording of travel, entertainment, and other
business-related expenses for export to desktop computers or to
be printed in expense reports.
The company said expenses can be organized by trip, event,
project, or time period and reports allow for compliance with US
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidelines. Pop-up lists let the
user personalize the product by entering names of restaurants,
airline carriers, hotels, car rental companies, and other
preferences. The software can also export to State of the Art's
other accounting software packages, the company added.
Expense It! is available on a floppy disk for $139.95, but
additional hardware is needed to connect the Newton to a desktop
computer for transfer of the software to the unit. However, the
software also comes in the Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association (PCMCIA) credit-card sized format,
which can be inserted directly into the Messagepad, for a retail
price of $159.95.
State of the Art says distribution agreements with Apple
Computer, Ingram Micro, and Merisel will enable Newton users to
obtain Expense It! through a variety of sources. These include
mail-order catalogs aimed at Macintosh users and retail outlets
both in the US and internationally.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931201/Press Contact: Geri Schanz, State of
the Art, tel 714-753-1222, fax 714-753-0930)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
BUSINESS
Promark Branches Out Into Educational Games
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00014)
Promark Branches Out Into Educational Games 12/02/93
NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) --
Promark Software Inc., which has built its business on mail
management software, is launching a new line of business with the
release of an educational geography game. The new MicroClas game
will be sold through the National Geographic Society and other
distribution channels worldwide, and Promark plans more games
using the same core technology over the next few months.
MicroClas teaches geography by having students fit geographic
pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle. For instance, in the United
States version, the game presents individual states and asks the
student to place them where they belong, then add other features
such as state capitals and major rivers.
Promark also has versions of MicroClas for Canada, Australia, the
United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy, said John Henry,
president of the company. All these will be available January 1,
at a price of US$39.95 (C$50).
The National Geographic Society has signed a deal with Promark
giving the society exclusive rights to sell the US version of
MicroClas worldwide. National Geographic will also have
non-exclusive rights to sell versions of the software for other
countries, but Promark will sell those versions through other
channels as well, Henry said.
Versions are being developed for South America, Africa, and Asia,
the company said.
According to Promark, the core technology used in MicroClas will
be easy to adapt to other games that use graphics in similar
ways. Within the first six months of 1994, Henry said, the
company plans to release about 20 more packages dealing with
geography, biology, history, and mechanics.
Having spent about a year to develop the core of the software,
Promark can now create a new game based on it in only a week to
10 days, he said.
Promark is 20 years old and for the past seven years has sold
software used to produce mass mailings. The company said it will
continue selling and enhancing that product line while expanding
its new games business. The firm has 12 full-time employees and
annual revenues of about $1 million, Henry said.
(Grant Buckler/19931202/Press Contact: John Henry, Promark
Software, 604-988-2051, fax 604-988-3040)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TELECOM
Unitel Questions Regional Telcos' Cost Allocations
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00015)
Unitel Questions Regional Telcos' Cost Allocations 12/02/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- As hearings into the
way Canadian telecommunications are regulated continue, Unitel
Communications Inc., of Toronto is claiming Canada's regional
telephone companies are making local service look more expensive
than it really is.
Unitel maintains that the regional telephone companies, members
of the Stentor consortium, are allocating too much of their costs
to local service and to subscriber access, and understating what
it costs them to provide long-distance service -- the area in
which they compete with Unitel -- said company spokeswoman
Stephanie MacKendrick.
Data Stentor has presented to the CRTC shows its cost of
providing long-distance service to be slightly less than half
that of AT&T in the United States, and slightly more than half
that of MCI and Sprint, other US long-distance carriers,
MacKendrick said.
She also pointed to Stentor's allocation of about $120 million of
costs associated with an alliance with MCI to the subscriber
access category.
In the decision last year that allowed Unitel and others to
compete with the regional telcos in providing long distance
service, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) said long-distance competitors must pay the
regional phone companies a contribution for local service, which
in Canada has long been subsidized by long-distance rates. Unitel
maintains that by misallocating costs, its competitors are
inflating this contribution while at the same time clearing the
way for "predatory pricing" of their own long-distance services.
To stop this, MacKendrick said, Unitel wants the CRTC to impose
price caps on local telephone service, forcing the telephone
companies to apply more of their productivity gains from new
technology to bringing local rates down.
Unitel is not calling for American-style separation of local from
long-distance carriers, as in the breaking up of the old AT&T
that created the regional Bells and today's long-distance-only
AT&T. "We're not advocating it because we think there's probably
less drastic things that you can do," MacKendrick said, but she
added that if those less Draconian measures are not taken soon,
divestiture might be necessary in the long run.
Unitel is also seeking several other regulatory changes,
including greater portability of toll-free 800 numbers. At
present, an 800 customer in Canada can change carriers and keep
the same number, but cannot have more than one carrier provide
service using the same 800 number. MacKendrick said this makes it
difficult for customers to try Unitel's service without
transferring all their business right away, and prevents
customers from guarding against network problems by splitting
their business across carriers.
(Grant Buckler/19931202/Press Contact: Stephanie MacKendrick,
Unitel, 416-345-2482)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
DEC Offers `Service In A Box'
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00016)
DEC Offers `Service In A Box' 12/02/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- With its eye
on personal computer users frustrated by the finger-pointing they
encounter when trying to get software support, Digital Equipment
has launched a comprehensive software support offering
called Service In A Box.
Unveiled during the recent COMDEX/Fall show in Las Vegas, Service
In A Box offers PC users 24-hour, seven-day support on more than
400 software packages, including Microsoft's Windows and
major applications from a number of vendors, for a flat annual
fee.
DEC will sell the package for a list price of $99, said Cheri
Wissinger, US mass merchandising marketing manager at DEC. It
will also be offered through retailers, whose prices may vary.
Digital has not announced any retail distribution agreements for
the package yet, but is talking with a number of candidates,
Wissinger said.
Customers who buy the package will be able to make unlimited
calls to a toll-free support line, where support specialists will
tackle problems with any of the supported software. They will
also get access to an electronic bulletin board where they can
exchange questions and information, DEC said.
Hardware repairs are not included, but the package does provide a
coupon for $25 off the cost of hardware repairs at any DEC
service depot, and it promises a fixed labor price for repairs.
DEC is currently offering the service only in the United States,
Wissinger said.
(Grant Buckler/19931202/Press Contact: Cheri Wissinger, Digital
Equipment, 508-467-5996; Public Contact: Digital service,
800-PC-BY-DEC or 800-722-9332)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GOVT
GTSI Adds Everex On GSA Schedule
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00017)
GTSI Adds Everex On GSA Schedule 12/02/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Government Technology
Services Inc. or GTSI, of Chantilly, Virginia, a major supplier
of personal computers and software to government agencies, has
announced that the company will add Fremont, California-based
Everex Systems computers to the products it offers to federal
buyers on its General Services Administration and other
government contracts.
Specifically, GTSI will add the powerful STEP MP Multiprocessor
server systems to its offerings. These computers, which are used
as network file servers, can be equipped with one to six
Intel processors and provide performance beyond that offered by
minicomputers just a few years ago.
GTSI already carries Banyan, Oracle, and Santa Cruz Operation
(Unix) network products, but the addition of the Everex
multiprocessor servers greatly enhances the power of the high-end
systems GTSI can supply without going through the complex and
time-consuming process of negotiating specific contracts with
each agency.
GTSI's current offerings include 23,000 software and hardware
products as provided by 350 manufacturers. The company has GSA
Schedule A and B/C contracts as well as providing computers under
the Navy DoD Companion, NASA SEWP, Senate Office Automation, and
Desktop IV contracts.
(John McCormick/19931202/Press Contact: Carter B. Cromley, GTSI,
703-631-3333, X 1035)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
IBM
First Software To Connect Zoomer To PCs Debuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00018)
First Software To Connect Zoomer To PCs Debuts 12/02/93
LOS ALTOS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Palm Computing
has made available Palmconnect, the first product to link the
Zoomer personal digital assistant (PDA) to IBM-compatible
personal computers (PCs). Palmconnect ships with intelligent
software for moving data between the PDA and a PC and a serial
cable.
The software allows for the backup and exchange of information
between the Zoomer and the PC or an electronic organizer such as
the Casio BOSS. In addition, the Palmconnect software includes
the same technology as the Zoomer so both ink and text are
compatible between the PC and the PDA.
One of the main concerns for PDA users, getting information into
the address book on the PDA from their desktop PC, is handled
nicely by the software. Joe Sipher, product manager at Palm
Computing, said an intelligent import allows any ASCII comma-
delimited (also known as comma separated values) file to be
imported. The user is allowed to set the order the information
comes in from the imported file so the name, address, city,
state, phone, and other information end up in the correct places
in the Zoomer's Palmaddress application.
In addition, the Palmconnect software is a standard DOS
application, but works under Microsoft Windows. An icon is
included so the application can be launched in a fashion familiar
to Windows users.
The serial connection cable that comes with the Palmconnect
package is 5 feet in length and has both a 9-pin and a 25-pin
serial (RS-232) interface converter.
Retail price for Palmconnect is $129. The product is currently
available in Radio Shack and Casio retail outlets that carry the
Zoomer PDA as well as directly from Palm Computing.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931202/Press Contact: Nancy Blake, Eastwick
Communications for Palm Computing, tel 415-306-4192; Ed Colligan,
Palm Computing, tel 415-949-9742, fax 415-949-0147; Public
Contact, Palm Computing, 800-881-7256)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
IBM
Compaq To Include Phone Directory On CD-ROM
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00019)
Compaq To Include Phone Directory On CD-ROM 12/02/93
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- American Business
Information Inc., has teamed up with Compaq Computer Corporation to
include its 11 Million Businesses Phone Directory on CD-ROM with
some of Compaq's recently introduced Presario models.
As its name implies, the CD-ROM is a listing of more than 11 million
businesses in the United States and Canada. "This single CD-ROM
provides a desktop US and Canadian business directory assistance
database," according to ABI VP of Optical Products Bill Chasse.
Chasse says the directory allows you to find businesses and phone
numbers in seconds, and reduces phone costs by eliminating
directory assistance charges.
The company says that in addition to the phone directory being
bundled with Compaq Presario PCs, it will also offer two additional
CD-ROM titles to Compaq buyers at substantial savings. The titles
include a 9-digit ZIP Code directory and a Health and Medical
Industry Directory.
(Jim Mallory/19931202/Press contact: Bill Chasse, ABI, 402-593-4595;
Reader contact: American Business Information, 402-593-4500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
APPLE
Powerlaunch II For The Macintosh
(NEWS)(APPLE)(MSP)(00020)
Powerlaunch II For The Macintosh 12/02/93
AURORA, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Interealm is
shipping PowerLaunch II v1.1 for the Macintosh, a Macintosh desktop
launching agent (DLA) that allows users to store applications,
documents, control panels, desk accessories, sounds, and any
other "double-clickable" file on a series of icon palettes.
The company says files launched from within PowerLaunch II can be
configured to temporarily modify the Macintosh's sound and video
settings or even hide other open windows, as the file is launched.
This is much faster for the user than having to select each control
panel, modify these settings, launch the file, and reset the settings
upon program termination, the company says.
PowerLaunch II also features group launching and auto-launching
capabilities. Group Launching allows "groups" of files to be launched
together. Auto-Launching allows files or "groups" of file to be launched
at predetermined times for purposes such as timed backups.
"Most users find that PowerLaunch greatly increases their productivity
by allowing access to many different types of files, quickly, and
easily. If you are the type of user that finds Finder navigation too
sluggish, hierarchical Apple menus a pain, and other palette programs
too 'square' for your tastes, then PowerLaunch is the product for you,"
said Roby Sherman, president of Interealm.
PowerLaunch II will run on any Macintosh series computer with 2MB of
RAM and System 7 or later. The commercial, list price of PowerLaunch
is $35. PowerLaunch II and other Interealm products are available
directly from Interealm and also distributed in the US, Canada, and
worldwide through the internet, American Online, and AppleLink.
Interealm claims it is one of the few remaining publishers committed
to the shareware and freeware philosophy of software distribution
and marketing.
For more information about Interealm or its products, contact the
company at Interealm, P.O. box 110177, Aurora, CO. 80042.
Voice : (303) 366-8327; Fax : (303) 360-9118. Internet :
interealm@aol.com
(Wendy Woods/19931202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TELECOM
Germany - Digital Mobile Net Data/Fax Services
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00021)
Germany - Digital Mobile Net Data/Fax Services 12/02/93
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Mannesmann Mobilfunk, the
telecoms subsidiary of Mannesmann, the German conglomerate, has
announced plans for its D2 digital cellular phone network to offer
mobile data and fax facilities some time during the first quarter of
the New Year.
According to Peter Mihatsch, Mobilfunk's general manager, this makes
the D2 network the first digital network in the world to offer true
data and fax facilities. He said that, even though the new services
may not begin operations in January, as was previously expected,
"when they begin they will be available everywhere."
Mihatsch added that the reason for this was that the digital nature
of the network allowed fax and computer data to be routed anywhere
on the network, just as if it were a digital data voice call.
Newsbytes understands that the D2 network covers around 80 percent
of Germany, including most of former Eastern Germany. Plans are in
hand to have roaming agreements with at least 12 other countries
around the world. Roaming agreements allow users of one country's
network to place outgoing calls on another network, with calls
billed back to their home country network.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931202/Press & Public Contact: Mobilfunk - Tel:
+49-211-5330; Fax: +49-211-533-2200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
BUSINESS
Compaq Opens For Business In Poland
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00022)
Compaq Opens For Business In Poland 12/02/93
WARSAW, POLAND, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Compaq has formed a new Polish
subsidiary based in Warsaw. The new operation -- the 29th in
Compaq's growing list of non-US subsidiaries -- is known as Compaq
Computer Spolka z ograniczona odpowiedzialnoscia and will supply,
service, and support all the company's range of machines.
To date, all of Compaq's PCs and peripherals were routed through
third-party distributors in Poland. During the third quarter of this
year, however, the company saw sales in Poland of its hardware rise
by more than 170 percent, with unit shipments rising more than 240
percent.
Andreas Barth, senior vice president of Compaq's European, Middle
Eastern and African operations, said that the changes in Poland over
the last few years have enabled Compaq to set up a complete
operation in Warsaw.
"With the restructuring of the country's economy and the need to
advance the information technology infrastructure, distributed
client-server networking has become pervasive in Poland," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931202/Press & Public Contact: Compaq Computer GMBH
- Tel: +49-89-99330; Fax: +49-89-930-2897)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TRENDS
Lotus UK Publishes Report On Future Of Software Sales
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00023)
Lotus UK Publishes Report On Future Of Software Sales 12/02/93
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Lotus Development
Corporation has published "Harnessing the Potential of Groups," a
report on how major corporates are concerned that they will lose
sight of their customers.
According to Lotus, the survey involved more than 100 UK and multi-
national organizations, each employing in excess of one million
people and with a combined turnover of UKP 140,000 million.
Organizations such as the Institute of Directors, Rank Xerox, the
Confederation of British Industry, British Gas, the Sema Group and
the Institute of Management, were asked to identify how groups and
teams are being used to tap people's potential and deliver "what the
customer wants."
Dr Colin Coulson-Thomas, the author of the report, said that
organizations were asked to rank the importance they place on the
contribution that groups made to achieving corporate objectives. At the
top of the objectives list were the ability to deliver customer
satisfaction, achieve total quality and overcome departmental
barriers.
"The role of managers is increasingly defined in terms of
empowering, enabling and supporting groups and teams. Yet the
reality of corporate life does not always match these aspirations
and intentions. There is a danger that groups or teams are focusing
excessively on their internal dynamics at the expense of their
external customers," he said.
Nigel Thomas of Lotus, which commission the report from Coulson-
Thomas, said that there is an increasing responsibility on
management to ensure the successful implementation of groups and
teams.
"Companies should be concentrating on providing all the tools,
techniques and approaches to ensure that groups are focused upon
tasks that relate directly to the delivery of customer value and the
achievement of business objectives," he said.
Executive summaries of "Harnessing the Potential of Groups," are
available free of charge from Lotus Customer Services division on
+44-753-532443. Full copies of the report cost UKP 95.
(Steve Gold/19931202/Press & Public Contact: Lotus UK - Tel: +44-
784-455445)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
Mitac To Open UK Production Plant
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00024)
Mitac To Open UK Production Plant 12/02/93
TELFORD, SHROPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Mitac's UKP4
million computer production facility, which has been under
construction this past year, officially opens for business in
Telford, England next on December 13, at which time it will start
manufacturing the company's Europe-bound desktop PCs.
In parallel with the opening, Mitac has just started shipping its
new 4021 series of modular notebooks. According to John Clarke,
sales manager for the company's portable division, the new plant
will eventually handle portable and monitor production, but probably
not for another six months or so.
"The new plant will mean that we can manufacture all of our desktop
PCs without the need to import the parts from Taiwan, add in the
disk drives and assemble them in the UK. There are considerable
advantages for us with local manufacture," he said.
The new factory will have a monthly production capacity of 20,000
computers. Some 30 percent of Mitac's expected 1993 revenues of
$11,000 million will be from Europe, the company claims.
Mitac claims that the primary reason for opening a plant in the UK
is that Europe is a major sales area and, in order to take advantage
of the unified European marketplace, the company has established a
plant here to meet rising European demand for products.
Clarke told Newsbytes that the eventual plan is to move all
European-bound production of all products to the Telford facility,
certainly within the next year. Currently, he said, the new 4021
series of portables, which tip the scales at around the 6.6
pounds mark, are imported as components into the UK for assembly and
local configuration.
"The new portables met with an excellent reception from interested
parties in the UK. They're highly desirable. That's why five of the
nine sample machines we had over from Taipei were stolen," he quipped.
The new machines are VESA local bus-equipped and come PCMCIA slots,
as well as modular, removable screens and hard disks. Pricing for a
high-specification 486DX machine with a colour active matrix screen,
has been set at UKP 2,700, which Clarke called "highly competitive."
(Steve Gold/19931202/Press & Public Contact: Mitac UK - Tel: +44-
952-207200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TELECOM
NYNEX Consolidates NYNEX Name
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)
NYNEX Consolidates NYNEX Name 12/02/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- NYNEX joined
Ameritech and Bell Atlantic in junking the names of its operating
units in favor of emphasizing the NYNEX brand.
Gone will be New York Telephone and New England Telephone, the
company said. Instead it will launch a new ad campaign in its New
England and New York territories under the slogan "NYNEX Right
Now." Mary Alice Williams, one of the original CNN anchors, who
later had a short stint at NBC and now heads her own marketing
agency, will be featured on the new ads.
The seven regional Bell companies were all formed in 1984 out of
smaller operating units in what had been the Bell System. US West
was the first to junk these operating units and reorganize in a
centralized structure, soon after the break-up. In the last year
both Ameritech and Bell Atlantic have made similar moves. The
irony here is that the regional Bells' names do not pre-date the
1984 break-up while many of the older operating units, like New
York Telephone, have long histories in customers' minds. But,
since New York Telephone wouldn't play well in New England, or
vice versa, the new companies all chose more generic-sounding
names on their creation, and those names became identified
brands.
NYNEX isn't yet going as far as US West, however, or even
Ameritech, which wants to organize the provision of services
around market segments rather than geographically. In New York,
the company will have the same three market areas it has today,
covering Manhattan, the rest of New York City, and the rest of
the state. In New England the company will be organized into two
market areas -- one for Massachusetts and one for the other five
states in the area. Delivery and support functions, corporate
planning, and mergers and acquisitions will all be centralized,
however. As with Ameritech, the names New England Telephone and
New York Telephone will be retained for regulatory purposes.
The new campaign also represents the first major move by Williams
in the role of corporate spokesman. She had been considered a
major asset at CNN before leaving for NBC, but her pregnancy and
a failed news magazine called "Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow" faded
her star quickly, many believe. In the weeks leading up to this
announcement, she defended her decision to enter the marketing
arena, saying she would work only for organizations she feels
are credible.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931202/Press Contact: Glen Brandow, NYNEX,
914-644-7633)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TELECOM
AT&T Confirms Job Cuts
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)
AT&T Confirms Job Cuts 12/02/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Blaming MCI and
automation, AT&T confirmed that it will have to cut thousands of
jobs at its long distance unit next year. It will cut hiring,
offer incentives to employees who leave, and force lay-offs as a
last resort.
Some moves had been expected after the head of its long distance
unit was replaced, and AT&T acknowledged that it continues to
lose market share. It now has an estimated 60 percent of the long
distance market, and its "i Plan" calling plan has been termed a
disappointment next to MCI's highly-successful "Friends and
Family" plan.
Some cuts were expected anyway. The fact is that today's highly
computerized, fiber-intensive networks don't need as many
employees to maintain them as older networks. Voice response
technology has improved dramatically, so there's less of a need
for operators than in the past. AT&T had earlier announced the
intention of cutting up to 4,000 operator jobs by early 1995, and
consolidating those operations into fewer service centers. The
company's consumer communications services unit has about 32,000
employees.
But it's now becoming clear that, without job cuts, AT&T will be
unable to meet its goals of 10 percent annual earnings growth.
And the strength of its management may now be open to criticism.
The company has already announced plans to cut 7,500 jobs at its
NCR computer unit. Chairman Robert Allen thought he put those
criticisms to rest by acquiring NCR after a takeover fight and,
later, acquiring McCaw Cellular in a friendly deal earlier this
year. But the latter deal is now being challenged by regional
Bell companies who charge it violates the 1982 consent decree
which broke up the Bell System.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
TELECOM
****Cable Modem Shakes Online Industry
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)
****Cable Modem Shakes Online Industry 12/02/93
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- The
demonstration of a modem running at 10 megabits per second over
cable television lines shook up the industry at its annual
Western Show.
Because it comes at the end of the industry's fiscal year, when
capital budgets are being set, the Western Show has long been one
of the industry's main technology showplaces, alongside the
National Cable Television Association show itself.
The focus of the excitement was really a simple demonstration of
technology which General Instrument Corp., a leader in supplying
set-top converters and other equipment to cable operators, and
Intel plan to bring to market next year. To serve customers with
the new modems, a General Instruments spokesman indicated to
Newsbytes, cable operators will merely need to feed a digital
line from a major phone company into their cable head-ends, and
connect it to one of their existing channels. Many operators
already have, or are planning, such links in order to get into
the alternative access business, moving calls from large
businesses to long distance networks. Teleport Communications
Group, the leader in this business, is now owned by five cable
operators.
While Zenith has had a similar product available for some time,
cable companies are comfortable dealing with General Instruments,
and they're further impressed by Intel, the leading supplier of
chips, in the deal. With 31 percent of US homes now owning at
least one PC, they also see that the online market is moving into
an area they're familiar with serving. The companies estimated it
will cost consumers about $500 to buy and install such a modem,
with the first buyers likely to be telecommuting engineers and
computer programmers who need fast-access to data and programs on
corporate mainframes.
At the show Comcast and Viacom, both major cable operators, said
they would field-test the technology next year. Online services
like America Online, Prodigy, and CompuServe, all announced they'll
support the new modems with versions of their services at the
higher speed. Prodigy was the first into this market, and has a
test of its services planned with Cox Enterprises' San Diego
cable system already. Online services are very interested in
cable because, while they have about four million customers among
them, cable has 60 million customers. Prodigy is especially keen
on the market because many consumers have complained its service
is slow at the 9,600 bit/second speed available on most PC modems
used on phone lines.
The cable modem was just one of many computer-related
announcements at the Western Show. Time Warner joined the group
of cable operators which own Teleport, the largest alternative
access company, which should make most major US cable systems
cable modem-ready in short order, since those systems will be
used to offer services to business customers anyway. Scientific/
Atlanta and Motorola joined with Kaleida Labs in launching a new
chip called Malibu, which they'll put into set-top converters
accessing interactive systems. S/A and Hewlett-Packard both said
they'll begin supplying set-top converters to Tele-Communications
Inc., the largest cable operator, and H-P will begin delivering
printers that work with video images to Time Warner for its full
service network in Orlando. Finally Eastman Kodak said
its Picture Exchange, an online imaging service which allows for
the sharing of photos over cable, is now operational.
The one warning note was given by America Online President Steve
Case at a Western Show news conference. While joining Intel and
GI in a test of the new cable modem, and working directly with GI
on services for interactive television, he warned that the
financial impact from all this won't be apparent for 3-5 years.
"We are investing early in these new technologies because we
believe they represent the future and will move interactive
services into the mainstream," he said in a press statement
released at the news conference.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931202/Press Contact: General Instrument,
312-541-5030; Pam McGraw, America Online, 703-883-1675; Intel,
John Thompson, 408/765-1279)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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5 12/02/93
IBM
Disk-Based Shakespeare Books For $4.
(NEWS)(IBM)(MSP)(00028)
Disk-Based Shakespeare Books For $4.95 12/02/93
MAHAFFEY, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Covered Bridge
Classics, a division of John A. McCormick, Inc., is offering
the first of a series of new computer-based books, created and
written by Beth Goldie.
The initial hypertext "DiskBook" in the English 101 series
is: "A Midsummer Night's Dream - Annotated," by Beth Goldie,
Copyright 1993, John A. McCormick, Inc., $4.95. A DiskBook
is created and read on a computer and can't be printed on paper
because of its unique way of presenting information known as
"hypertext."
"A Midsummer Night's Dream - Annotated" contains the complete
original text of the play, along with definitions of unusual
words and phrases as taken from the Oxford English Dictionary and
other sources. Character names are highlighted when they first
appear in the play so readers can quickly see an explanation of
just who the player is and what his or her relation is to other
characters.
Just what is so special about these books? While
traditional print books can only provide additional information
about words or paragraphs through the clumsy use of footnotes, a
hypertext book lets readers highlight any significant word or
sentence and, if desired, obtain further information about that
portion of the text.
Each book in the English 101 series also contains a guide to the
life of the author and notes concerning the plays.
The English 101 series is expected to eventually include all of those
classic plays, novels, and poems which are read by high school
and college students, beginning with 12 major Shakespeare plays.
Future DiskBooks will include original mysteries, science
fiction, computer tutorials, novels, and more college- and high
school-oriented course aids, including introductory books on
astronomy, physics, chemistry, and psychology.
DiskBooks are supplied on 3.5-inch floppy diskettes which
are the present industry standard. The books can be read on any
MS-DOS based (IBM, Tandy, etc.) computer, including the laptop
and notebook computers so popular with students.
A number of other companies are attempting to enter this same
market, but the publisher believes that DiskBooks are unique
because of their low price and the ability to access the
information without the need of a hard disk drive or a computer
fast enough to support Windows.
Because these books concentrate on just the text of literary
works, which were originally published without any illustrations
of any sort, they can be kept small enough to fit on one high-
density floppy diskette. DiskBooks are priced so low (some
comparable books on diskette cost as much as $30) that students
can easily justify their purchase for just one course and then
erase the program and text to gain a blank $2 high-density floppy
diskette.
DiskBooks differ from traditional publications such as Monarch
Notes because they include the entire text of the original
document along with special comments and other annotations.
Covered Bridge Classics was formed to provide low-cost publishing
services in all fields. Because of the low cost of digital
publishing, the company can publish books which traditional
publishing companies either can't afford to produce because of a
limited market, or won't publish because of their controversial
Covered Bridge Classics is actively seeking authors who wish to
take advantage of this new publishing technology.
DiskBooks can be ordered directly from the publisher, John A.
McCormick, Inc., RR #1 No. 99, Mahaffey, PA 15757, or through
an electronic bulletin board, at 814-277-6337, seven days each
week from 8 p.m. East Coast time to 6 a.m. at 814-277-6337. The
electronic bulletin board system also includes sample DiskBooks
which can be downloaded and run. John McCormick is also the
Washington bureau chief for Newsbytes.
(Wendy Woods/19931202/Press Contact: 814-277-6476)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
GENERAL
UK - Micom Integrated Data/Voice Server
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00029)
UK - Micom Integrated Data/Voice Server 12/02/93
GUILDFORD, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- Micom Europe has
announced Sprinter, a data plus voice networking server that
integrates remote office data/voice communications. The company says
that the system allows the addition of free phone and fax facilities
on top of new or existing data or local area network (LAN)/wide area
network (WAN) connections at a breakthrough price point of UKP
1,350.
Using Sprinter, Micom says that any UK organization seeking to
generate new cost savings can now eliminate office-to-office long
distance voice and fax calls by using Sprinter.
According to a recent IDC study, transmission costs over leased
circuits can represent as much as 35 percent of a company's total
networking budget. By running voice or fax over under-used data
lines, companies can achieve savings that pay off equipment costs
usually with 12 to 18 months, the study says.
"Any company with an hour of phone/fax calls a day will pay for
their Sprinter connection within a year, if not less," explained
John Hammond, International manager for Micom Europe.
"For almost three years, Micom has offered data/voice integration
solutions at a very affordable level. Today, with the announcement
of Sprinter, literally any company can justify adding the unit as it
pays for itself in a matter of months," he said.
So how does the Sprinter work? By using speech compression, dynamic
bandwidth allocation and silence suppression technology, Micom
claims. Since most voice conversations are 60 percent silence, voice
conversations can be compressed down. Fax calls, meanwhile, use
modem tones confined to a specific part of the audio spectrum.
Again, these can be compressed down. The resultant data is then
interleaved with the existing data stream and the full bandwidth
allocation used.
Micom is not giving out prices on the Sprinter, preferring to quote
potential users on a total system installation price. The company
claims that the actual cost of the Sprinter is quite modest.
(Steve Gold/19931202/Press & Public Contact: Micom - Tel: +44-483-
451969; Fax: +44-483-451883)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/02/93
IBM
Typing Short Cut Software For Wordperfect Users
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00030)
Typing Short Cut Software For Wordperfect Users 12/02/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 2 (NB) -- If you're a
Wordperfect for DOS user who would like to speed up your typing,
Electronic Ink has a product for you. The company has introduced
Flashforward, a memory-resident software package that works with
Wordperfect to allow the user to just type one or two letter
versions of words and have the entire word automatically typed
with the correct formatting.
The company calls the abbreviations short versions and offers
twelve built-in, such as the names of the longer months of the
year. For example typing "jan" and the space bar automatically
produces "January." Flashforward resides in high memory once
installed, so it doesn't conflict with Wordperfect, and users can
add their own short versions of commonly used words to the
program, company officials said.
The company has reported long-time Wordperfect users who have
installed Flashforward have been able to increase their speed up
to 30 percent. The speed comes from cutting down keystrokes.
Statistically, even cutting down the typing of the word "the" can
produce results as "the" accounts for 7 percent of the words
typed daily.
While the program is capable of tracking thousands of short
versions, company officials say the optimum number is between 50
and 100. Commonly misspelled words can be added to the list as
well and Wordperfect macros can be renamed so fingers can be kept
on the home row for faster typing. The product can also be used
for formatting text and for adding endings to words, such as
typing "t" and getting "tion."
A Wordperfect for Windows version is being planned, company
officials said. A Microsoft Word version is unlikely, as
Microsoft has introduced similar functionality in its latest
version of Word 6.0 for DOS.
Flashforward works with Wordperfect for DOS versions from 5.0 to
6.0 on IBM PC, XT, AT, PS/2 and compatibles, requires 640
kilobytes (K) of random access memory (RAM) and DOS 2.0 or
higher. The product is available from Berkeley, California
headquartered Electronic Ink for $129 and comes with a 30-day
money-back guarantee.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931202/Press Contact: Taylor Milsal,
Electronic Ink, tel 510-862-0502, fax 510-339-9837; Barbara
Marsh-Wetherell, Marsh-Wetherell Market Relations for Electronic
Ink, 510-933-1907; Public Contact, Electronic Ink, 800-653-6826)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
TRENDS
****Philips Confused Over Matsushita CD-I Reports
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00001)
****Philips Confused Over Matsushita CD-I Reports 12/01/93
UNION CITY, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Despite
widespread reports to the contrary, Tokyo headquartered
Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, says it has no intention
of abandoning the Compact Disc-Interactive (CD-I) format.
Matsushita appears to have made a long-term commitment to
the manufacture of the 3DO player and CD-I manufacturer
Philips said it finds Matsushita's statements confusing.
Telegraaf, an Amsterdam newspaper, claims a research and
development director at Matsushita said CD-I was "dated" and was
being abandoned in favor of the newer 3DO format. Several other
publications are echoing the report as well.
However, Matsushita says any reports concerning the abandonment
of CD-I are erroneous. Company representatives emphatically
stated that Matsushita has not stopped developing CD-I and has no
intention of stopping CD-I development.
Representatives from Philips said they are confused as to why
Matsushita feels a need to make a statement concerning CD-I,
either positive or negative. They say the statement is even more
puzzling considering the fact that Matsushita has never brought a
CD-I player to the US market, despite its repeated displays of
prototype units at CD-I trade shows.
A representative at Matsushita told Newsbytes the report appears
to be a misunderstanding. However, the New York Times said Wall
Street analysts are advising clients to sell their 3DO stock now,
at a loss, because of concern that 3DO might not be able to live
up to its high claims. Software developers for the 3DO platform
have quietly expressed similar concerns to Newsbytes.
San Mateo, California-based 3DO, started by Electronic Arts
founder Tripp Hawkins, went public this year without a product
and was enthusiastically greeted by Wall Street. Matsushita
picked up the manufacture of the hardware for the platform and is
manufacturing it under the brand name Panasonic. Contrary to its
flying start, 3DO appears to be struggling. The company reported
losses so far this year and is now in a quiet period upon the
issuance of more stock.
CD-I was introduced nearly three years ago, but now has a broad
base of titles available and also offers playback of popular
movies on CD through a partnership with Paramount. Philips is
also advertising heavily in the form of "infomercials" concerning
the CD-I player and products. 3DO is using a similar approach to
advertise its product, but only four titles are available for
the unit to date though more are promised soon.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931130/Press Contact: Justin Camerlengo,
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., tel 201-392-4437, fax 201-
348-7579; David Elliot, Cohn and Wolf for Philips, 404-880-5276)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
APPLE
Apple VP Heads To Silicon Graphics
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00002)
Apple VP Heads To Silicon Graphics 12/01/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Apple
Computer's Applesoft Products Group Vice President Kirk M.
Loevner is heading to workstation hardware manufacturer Silicon
Graphics Inc., as vice president and general manager of its
Applications and Markets Division.
Loevner has been with Apple for ten years, five of which he
headed efforts with third-party Macintosh developers. Before
that he directed product marketing for Apple USA.
While such moves in Silicon Valley are normal, Apple executives
have been under scrutiny since the past few months of losses,
layoffs, and turn-over in top management. Former Apple Chief
Executive Officer John Sculley shifted suddenly from Apple to the
CEO slot at wireless communication company Spectrum Technology
after 10 years. The shift was so sudden that free passes to the
largest US computer industry trade show Comdex still bore
Sculley's smiling photograph as the keynote speaker, a spot that
was filled by Apple's new CEO Michael Spindler.
Former board of directors member Albert A. Eisenstat is still a
casualty of the layoffs, but his lawsuit against Apple was
recently dismissed. Eisenstat publicly stated that top executives
such as Sculley were being forced out as part of his suit against
Apple over his final financial settlement.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931130/Press Contact: Ginny Babbin, Silicon
Graphics Incorporated, tel 415-390-2527, fax 415-960-1737)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
IBM
NEC's Color Notebook Selling Well In US
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00003)
NEC's Color Notebook Selling Well In US 12/01/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- NEC's color notebook
personal computer, called the "Ultra Light Versa," is reportedly
selling well in the US market.
Due to the good sales, NEC has not lowered the price of the
product since it was released in March. As many as 8,000 units
are being sold every month, at a price around $4,500.
NEC's Ultra Light Versa is equipped with a color TFT (thin film
transistor) display and an 80486SL processor. The display and the
keyboard can be detached. Additionally, an extra battery can be
inserted into the floppy disk drive space.
NEC is currently shipping the TFT display from Japan to the US,
although manufacturing also recently began in the U.S. By January,
the company expects to ship between 25 to 50 percent more
Ultra Light Versas.
NEC is hoping to increase the notebook PC's market share in the
US from its current 13 percent to 20 percent next year. The
company is also planning to introduce low-end versions of the
Ultra Light Versa -- both monochrome and low-cost color.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931126/Press Contact: NEC,
tel 81-3-3451-2974, fax 81-3-3457-7249)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Microsoft & ASCII Plan Windows NT Deal
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00004)
Japan - Microsoft & ASCII Plan Windows NT Deal 12/01/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Microsoft and Japan's ASCII
have reportedly agreed on a joint business in Japan again. Both
firms used to have ties in Japan until a few years ago.
Now, they will reportedly cooperate on the sale of Microsoft's
Windows NT operating system in Japan. The deal is also
expected to involve other Japanese firms.
An ASCII spokesman told Newsbytes that both firms are
currently discussing ways to handle business in Japan. There
are couple of possibilities. One is that both firms will create
a joint venture firm involving Windows NT. Another is that
ASCII will purchase MIS International, which is ASCII's
affiliate firm, and change its name to ASCII NT. Then, Microsoft
will invest 20 percent of the new firm's capitalization and
ASCII will invest 50 percent. The rest of the capitalization
will be paid by other Japanese firms such as NTT Data, Japan
Kogyo Bank, and Nomura General Research Institute.
An ASCII spokesman said the company has been sounding out
these firms for the possibility of their participation in the
new company.
The new firm will help develop corporate information systems
and application programs based on Windows NT. The corporate
information systems may be based on NTT Data's hardware
system.
An agreement on the new firm is expected to be reached
by early next year, according to an ASCII spokesman.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931116/Press Contact: ASCII,
tel 81-3-5351-8065, fax 81-3-5351-8087)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
IBM
India - "Success Planned" Project Mgt For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEL)(00005)
India - "Success Planned" Project Mgt For Windows 12/01/93
BOMBAY, INDIA, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Tata Consultancy Services
(TCS) has launched a project management software product, called
Success Planned.
According to L.C. Singh, TCS executive vice-president of marketing,
the software got such a name because, "success does not happen
by accident, but has to be planned for." Based on Windows, the
software costs Rs 14,950 (about $480).
According to Jeevan Prakash, associate consultant, TCS, Success
Planned scores over other project management software on the
market because, "It offers a facility by which a project manager
can determine the optimum deadline for completing a project
which can enable him to be through with his assignment before
the scheduled time." It also offers a wider array of pie charts
and graphs, as well as resource scheduling.
It reportedly has an edge over a similar TCS package, PRISM
(Project Monitoring and Planning System), because the latter is
DOS-based and does not support a mouse, Prakash said. Another
advantage is that, with Success Planned, a user can open and see
nine screens at once, whereas only one screen can be viewed
with PRISM. The new software supports a variety of color and black-and-
white laser printers, plotters, and dot-matrix printers.
A feature in Success Planned provides a complete picture of the
project, indicating the past and present performance at various
levels. The software offers options for exchanging information
with programs like Dbase III and Wordstar to generate specific
reports. During network computations, Success Planned can carry
out a topological analysis of networks.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931201)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
GENERAL
Lotus, Revelation Working To Link Products
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00006)
Lotus, Revelation Working To Link Products 12/01/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corp., and Revelation Technologies have announced
plans to make Lotus' Notes software work closely with
OpenInsight, Revelation's database development tool.
Jim Acquaviva, president of Revelation in Stamford, Connecticut,
said the tighter integration of his company's product with Lotus'
workgroup software will serve two purposes. First, Notes will be
an aid to software developers working with OpenInsight. They will
be able to use Notes to communicate and to share changes to
applications as they develop them, he said, adding that the link
with Notes, "really extends our collaborative development
capability."
As Notes spreads across networks, Acquaviva continued, it will be
able to serve as a vehicle for software distribution as well.
Also, the connection between Notes and OpenInsight will allow
developers to incorporate Notes' capabilities into the
applications they develop with the Revelation software. This
will require that end users be supplied with Notes.
Revelation said it will enhance OpenInsight's object-oriented
repository to provide non-procedural access to Notes data. This,
along with interoperability between the products and delivery of
development tools for Notes-enabled OpenInsight applications,
will be the first phase of the integration effort.
These pieces are due to go into beta testing in January, Acquaviva
said. After that -- by the end of the second quarter, Acquaviva
predicted -- the firms plan to add mail-enabling tools supporting
the Vendor Independent Messaging (VIM) and Messaging Application
Program Interface (MAPI) standards.
Revelation will also cooperate with Lotus on the marketing front
as a member of the company's partnership program for Notes.
(Grant Buckler/19931130/Press Contact: Carl Nelson, Ruder-Finn
for Lotus and Revelation, 212-715-1593)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/01/93
TELECOM
Hughes Beats Motorola For BellSouth Upgrade
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)
Hughes Beats Motorola For BellSouth Upgrade 12/01/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Hughes Network
Systems has won a $400 million contract to upgrade BellSouth's
cellular systems in the Southeast US, so they can provide
digital services.
Hughes won the contract in part because its GMS 2000 system can
support TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), which offers three
times the capacity of analog networks, as well as Hughes' E-TDMA,
which would support 15 times analog capacity. It will also be able
to support CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), a competing digital
cellular standard offering 10 times the capacity of analog. Under the
contract, Alcatel of France will provide new switches to BellSouth
as a sub-contractor of Hughes.
BellSouth spokesman Nicole Lipson said the company has not
decided yet what type of digital service to offer, although it is
committed to increasing its system capacity with demand. The
company has tested the TDMA system in Los Angeles, and is
conducting a trial of E-TDMA in Mobile, Alabama. BellSouth
plans trials of CDMA in the spring of 1994, she added.
TDMA divides a calling channel into parts and sends digitized
conversations in each smaller channel. CDMA sends digitized voices
throughout a calling channel, unscrambling them at the other end
of the call. E-TDMA, developed by Hughes, is an enhancement to
TDMA.
Recent decisions like that of BellSouth have scrambled the
digital cellular market, which seemed to be moving toward CDMA.
Qualcomm, which developed CDMA and is part-owned by PacTel
and NYNEX, has seen its stock fall by 40 percent in recent months.
Motorola, whose stock had been over $100 and has invested heavily
in CDMA technology, has seen its stock price fall below $95.
InterDigital Corp., which holds patents on TDMA and has cross-
licensed them with Hughes for E-TDMA, has claimed for years that
its technology would prove superior to CDMA in technical trials,
while Qualcomm has worked hard to offer low-priced phones for its
CDMA system, signing contracts with a number of Korean companies.
InterDigital and Qualcomm are also in court over the CDMA
patents, while InterDigital is engaged in litigation with
Ericsson concerning TDMA rights. The lawsuits are expected to be
heard early next year, but will not impact cellular phone users.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931201/Press Contact: Nicole Lipson,
BellSouth Cellular, 404-604-6493; Judy Blake, 301-428-7113)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
TELECOM
In-Flight Wins America West Contract
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)
In-Flight Wins America West Contract 12/01/93
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- In-Flight Phone,
founded by former Airfone founder Jack Goeken, won the contract
to service America West airplanes with its FlightLink system.
The decision is yet another defeat for GTE Airfone, which
dominated the field of air-ground telephony throughout the 1980s.
GTE had bought Airfone from Goeken but wound up in court with
him after he founded In-Flight, with Goeken accusing his former
partner of deliberately slowing expansion of the market in order
to lower payments to him.
Since that legal fight ended, McCaw Cellular has entered the
market with its Claircom Communications unit, and that unit's
AirOne service has since won major contracts with America
Airlines and Air France, among other carriers. Claircom was
originally a joint venture with GM's Hughes division, but McCaw
recently bought out the Hughes interest.
Under the America West deal, In-Flight will begin converting the
airline's 85 planes to its FlightLink system in January, with
equipment installations due to be complete in May. The contract
also calls for In-Flight to install its equipment in future
America West planes.
The system uses digital cellular technology which also allows for
data transfers, and can be customized by the airline for its
passengers. Goeken noted that in 18 months of service his
company has proven that customers want the additional
entertainment and information services his equipment provides.
In addition to placing phone calls at $2 per minute, users can
also play video games at $3 per flight, or send faxes at $1.50 per
page and get stock quotes at 75 cents each. Laptop computer
data is supported at speeds up to 9,600 bits-per-second, and the
company offers a radio service with nine channels of music, news,
sports, and entertainment, programmed by ABC Radio.
The company plans to add paging, airport and gate information,
car/hotel/air reservations, weather information and news
headlines to its service. The America West deal is the sixth
for In-Flight.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931201/Press Contact: Daphne Dicino,
America West, 602-693-5729)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
TELECOM
AirSoft & Ericsson GE In Remote Alliance
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)
AirSoft & Ericsson GE In Remote Alliance 12/01/93
TOTOWA, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Ericsson GE and
AirSoft have signed a non-exclusive alliance to provide Mobidem
users with remote access to their home PCs and networks.
AirSoft will adapt its AirAccess wireless distributed file system
to the Mobitex standard used by the RAM Mobile Data network in
the US, a packet data network.
AirAccess is an application-generic utility, meaning it can take
data from spreadsheets, data bases, or word processing files
at-will. "It could be the horizontal application which moves
wireless computing beyond messaging," said Henrik Hogberg,
vice president and general manager of Ericsson GE Mobile
Communications, in a press statement. The deal includes joint
marketing of the product as well as joint development.
"This will allow people to use the power of their PCs without
wires," explained Ericsson-GE spokesman Al Danza to Newsbytes.
"The key element is a concept called the virtual disk. You'll be
able to access files and data that may have been left behind
either on your PCs' hard drive or your network's file server.
It's very practical. While the amount of data being communicated
may not be extensive, it's virtual access. This lets your remote
PC think it's attached to the PC back at the office."
AirSoft was founded in January specifically to develop software
for wireless networks.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931201/Press Contact: Lauren Sonstrom,
for Airsoft, tel 415-588-5700, fax 415-588-1643; Al Danza,
Ericsson-GE, 201-890-3637)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
TELECOM
SkyTel Offers Single-Number Access
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)
SkyTel Offers Single-Number Access 12/01/93
WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- SkyTel said it will
offer a single toll-free number to access all its paging services,
including the SkyTalk voice messaging service, the SkyWord text
messaging service, and the basic SkyPage paging service.
All messages to all services will now be dialed into 1-800-759-
8888, or 800-SKY-8888. At that point the touchtone keypad on the
calling telephone enters the subscriber's personal identification
number, then selects the mode of communication from a recited
list of messaging choices.
Subscribers who have their own personal 800 numbers will have
it even easier, the company said, since callers to those numbers
will go directly to the menu of messaging options, without the
need to enter the PIN. All subscribers will access their messages
through the single number. Message senders who wish to use the
traditional means of accessing the various SkyTel services may
continue to do so.
When it won the right to start a higher-capacity wireless
network, called the Nationwide Wireless Network, a few months
ago, parent MTel's stock took off, reaching a high of $39 per
share. It has since fallen back to around $25, based in part on
increasing competition and price-sensitivity in the paging
market.
SkyTel had 265,400 subscribers in the United States as of
September 30, while the parent company had a total of
318,800 units in service worldwide as of that date.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931201/Press Contact: David Allan,
for SkyTel, 212-614-5163)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
IBM
IBM & Micro Focus Extend CICS Alliance
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00011)
IBM & Micro Focus Extend CICS Alliance 12/01/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- IBM and Micro
Focus Inc., have extended their cooperation around IBM's CICS
software and Micro Focus' software development tools. The deal
will allow Palo Alto, California-based Micro Focus to include
more of IBM's technology in its COBOL and PL/1 programming tools.
Micro Focus will integrate more IBM technology into its CICS
Option for Application Development, said IBM spokeswoman
Deborah Siegel. This will make it easier for customers of the two
companies to develop applications on personal computers that
take advantage of CICS.
Micro Focus also resells IBM's CICS OS/2 software for use with
its own COBOL Workbench development tools.
The deal, an extension of earlier cooperation, provides for
Micro Focus to offer application development tools and IBM to
offer CICS production platforms, so that each company can focus
on its traditional strength, officials said.
No additional joint marketing of software is included in the
deal, Siegel said. Micro Focus said it will work with IBM to
develop CICS application development software for both IBM
and non-IBM systems in the future.
Micro Focus also announced that its Micro Focus COBOL for AIX
works with IBM's DB2/6000 database software, which runs on the
company's AIX variant of Unix on RISC System/6000 workstations
and servers. Pre-compiler services in Micro Focus COBOL for AIX
are now integrated with DB2/6000, company officials said, so that
developers can embed structured query language (SQL) statements
that work with the database.
(Grant Buckler/19931201/Press Contact: Deborah Siegel, IBM,
914-642-5377; Joanne Sperans Hartzell, A&R Partners for Micro
Focus, 415-363-0982)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
GENERAL
Hospital Auth Builds Hong Kong's Largest internetwork
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00012)
Hospital Auth Builds Hong Kong's Largest internetwork 12/01/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- The Hong Kong Hospital
Authority is undertaking development of the largest multi-site,
multi-protocol intelligent data network in Hong Kong, using 3Com's
NETBuilder family of network bridge/routers. When completed, the
Hong Kong Health Communications Network will link the Authority's
39 hospitals and over 50 specialist clinics in a seamless data
communication fabric.
Project implementation has been going on since the start of the
year, following the award of an open tender contract to Winbliss
Technology Ltd., one of 3Com Asia's system integrators. The
Winbliss tender included a complete network design and phased
expansion plans to cover the Hospital Authority's (HA's)
communication requirements to the year 2,000.
"3Com's global data networking technology is enabling the Hong
Kong Hospital Authority to realize its vision of a distributed
information environment," said Roy Johnson, managing director
of 3Com Asia Ltd. "In pursuing its goal for providing a high quality
service to all its hospitals and clinics, the Hospital Authority has
put in place what must be one of the largest internetworks of Asia
and has set an example that will be very influential for other large
organizations across the region."
To date the HA headquarters and 32 hospitals have been installed
with 3Com NETBuilder II and NETBuilder Remote bridge/routers.
Network implementation at the remaining hospitals is due to be
completed by March 1994 and specialist clinics will be integrated
into the network over the following year.
Last year the HA initiated a study of its long-term networking
requirements that Winbliss, which had worked on several early
HA projects, was invited to provide input. The study team's
recommendation was to build a multi-protocol routed network
which would provide projected savings of up to HK$1 million per
year.
"Our wide area network (WAN), a mixture of synchronous point-to-
point lines and X.25 for connection with various host systems, had
grown up in a somewhat ad hoc manner, driven by the implementation
of a number of enterprise-wide applications. We realized that this
represented an inefficient use of resources and did not provide the
sort of robust foundation we needed to build new distributed
applications," said John Tse, head of IT at the Hospital Authority
and an IT industry veteran.
"By using network routers we only need one communication line
per site, or two if resilience is required. We're experiencing better
network performance, with the advantage that this architecture is
easier to manage and easier to expand," he said.
Network installation, driven by the implementation of the HA's
Integrated Patient Administration System, has gone very smoothly
according to Tse. "Winbliss hooks up the network at each hospital
the day the leased line is installed, all we have to do is fax them
our schedule. Migration to the new network has been invisible to
the users," he said.
The HA's larger institutions have "collapsed backbone"
configurations, whereby 3Com LinkBuilder 10BTi local area network
hubs are connected through the NETBuilder II's high-speed backplane,
providing the equivalent of a very high performance backbone
network for the hospital. 3Com NETBuilder Remote brouters have
been installed at smaller-to-medium sized sites.
Each hospital is currently connected, via 64 kbps digital lines, to
the HA's data center at the Princess Margaret Hospital and, over
19.2 kbps lines, to at least one other site, providing alternative
routing paths for network traffic. In the next phase of is WAN
development the HA plans to run alternative routing through its
second data center operational since the end of August at the new
Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, thus creating full
network redundancy.
Real life benchmark testing by the HA shows that the new routed
network, with its data compression and low overheads, is achieving
greater throughput over 19.2 Kbps lines than was previously
achieved with the 64 kbps X.25 connection through the public data
network.
At the HA Data Center six 3Com NETBuilder IIs are used to handle
WAN connections with the hospitals, while another pair of
NETBuilder IIs handle translation bridging between the Ethernet
backbone and a Token Ring network to which the IBM ES/9000
mainframe is connected.
(Keith Cameron/19931201)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
IBM
Super Linguist Translates Menus, Prompts On Fly
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00013)
Super Linguist Translates Menus, Prompts On Fly 12/01/93
EAST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Modifying
software to reflect the many languages spoken around the world
has long been a headache for software developers. Now, software
developer Ultrasoft has proposed a new way to deal with the
problem.
Ultrasoft's Super Linguist software does not change the
application itself. Instead, it sits in the personal computer's
memory and translates words and phrases in the menus, dialog
boxes, and other elements of the application as they are sent to
the screen.
Super Linguist works with any application written for Microsoft
Windows, said Henwell Chou, president of Ultrasoft. However, he
added, the software's translation dictionary has to be updated to
handle any words or phrases it has not encountered before.
Since the software uses a customizable dictionary, it potentially
can translate any language into any other, and users can tailor
the translations to suit themselves. The software can also work
in a client/server computing setup, even where the application
being translated is on the server and used simultaneously by
several users.
In fact, users with Super Linguist on their workstations might
share the same server-based application and have their menus
and prompts translated into different languages, Chou said.
What Super Linguist will not do is translate large blocks of
text -- it works only on individual words and phrases.
Ultrasoft, through its distribution arm KT International, is
selling Super Linguist to software developers and distributors
and to large corporate software users and schools, Chou said. The
company does not plan to sell the software directly to individual
users, since its dictionary must be customized to work smoothly
with every application.
(Grant Buckler/19931201/Press Contact: Henwell Chou,
Ultrasoft, tel 203-289-0728, fax 203-289-0379)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
IBM
Exabyte Enters DOS/Windows Backup Field
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00014)
Exabyte Enters DOS/Windows Backup Field 12/01/93
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Exabyte
Corp., best known for its automated tape backup systems
for minicomputers, has entered the DOS and Windows backup
market.
The company has announced FileSecure for Windows/DOS, a
software package that performs backup and restore functions.
FileSecure will be bundled with all Exabyte-packaged tape
systems. The program can be run from within Windows or in
DOS using menus or from the command line.
While tape backup has long been a popular way to backup
standalone or networked PCs, the huge files necessary to store
still- and motion-video and graphics images make high-capacity
automated tape systems such as those marketed by Exabyte
viable for the desktop market.
FileSecure features include the ability to save specific backup
criteria such as file section, backup device, and other options
for repetitive use. Procedures can also be revised, modified,
scheduled and distributed to other users systems or run
unattended.
FileSecure comes with a scheduler utility that allows the user to
set up an unattended backup activity, and data compression can
extend the capacity of the selected storage media by as much as a
factor of two. The program runs in the background, allowing the
user to perform other tasks.
Exabyte says FileSecure for Windows/DOS is compatible with
Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Micro Channel Architecture
(MCA) and Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus
computers. It is also compatible with Novell's Netware V2.x and 3.x
and works with Exabyte's entire line of Small Computer System
Interface (SCSI)-based backup systems that can handle storage of
up to 10 gigabytes.
Exabyte says FileSecure for Windows/DOS has a suggested retail
price of $169 and ships on 3.5 inch diskettes.
(Jim Mallory/19931201/Press Contact: Susan Merriman, Exabyte
Corp, 303-447-7434; Reader Contact: Exabyte Corporation,
tel 303-442-4333, fax 303-442-4269)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
BUSINESS
Random Access Reports Record Quarter
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00015)
Random Access Reports Record Quarter 12/01/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Aided
substantially by significant revenue increases by the service,
training, and networking divisions, Random Access Inc., has
reported a record fourth quarter and fiscal year.
Random Access, says spokesperson Beth Lawrence, is a value
added distributor. "We aren't Computer City. Everything we do is
to corporate and institutional clients such as schools,
businesses, and government."
The company says sales in the fourth quarter, which ended August
31 , 1993, increased 73 percent to nearly $35.9 million. That is up
from just under $20.8 million for the same period last year. Sales
for the entire year were reported up 51 percent to $113.86 million
from the $75.33 million the previous year.
Net income for the period was $526,378, or $0.13 per share
compared to a net a loss of just about the same amount last year.
Random Access CEO Bruce Milliken says the company's ability to
internally generate this type of revenue growth is a direct result of
investments made during previous fiscal years in infrastructure,
sales, support and the expansion of the company's market territory
throughout the western United States.
Chief Operating Officer Richard Crawford said the strong
performance of the branch operations was led by the training
division, which doubled its revenue over the last year. "Value
added services typically generate higher margins, and sales
growth has been strong," according to Crawford.
Random Access completed a public offering in the fourth quarter
that generated net proceeds of about $10 million. Millikin says the
company will use that capital to finance projected growth needs.
Random Access reports total assets of $33.04 million, working
capital of $14.64 million, shareholders equity of $17.05 million,
and long term liabilities of $657,772.
(Jim Mallory/19931201/Press contact: Bruce Milliken, Random
Access, 303-745-9600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
GOVT
Texas County Denies Apple Tax Incentive To Build Plant
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00016)
Texas County Denies Apple Tax Incentive To Build Plant 12/01/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Calling Apple
Computer Inc.'s policy of granting the same health benefits to
partners of gay and lesbian employees that it does to heterosexual
spouses "wrong", a Texas county has refused to give the computer
maker a tax incentive to build a new plant in the county.
Apple had reportedly sought about $750,000 in tax breaks over a
seven year period if it built an $80 million, 700-employee
facility in Williamson County, located north of Austin, Texas.
The commissioners were not unanimous on the issue, voting 3-2 to
reject Apple's request. As a result, Apple spokesperson Lisa Byrne
now says it is unlikely Apple will locate in Williamson County.
The debate over the tax break has reportedly gone on for several
weeks, centered on Apple's domestic partner policy ."I cannot in
good conscience extend that benefit to (Apple) because of the
conviction I have that same-sex partners is wrong,"
Commissioner Greg Boatwright reportedly said.
Charlie Culpepper, the mayor of the Round Rock, disagreed with
the commissioners. "I don't agree with the idea of same-sex
marriages, but government needs to stay out of business. Families
need jobs," he told the Associated Press. Round Rock is the
largest town in Williamson County.
When Apple Computer was considering bringing a manufacturing
facility to Fountain, Colorado near Colorado Springs, the issue
never came up, according to Economic Development Corporation
President Robert Scott. The EDC approved some tax incentives
for Apple and that plant now manufactures most of Apple's
Powerbook systems.
(Jim Mallory/19931201/Press contact: Lisa Byrne, Apple
Computer Inc, 408-974-2202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
CORRECTION APPLE
Correction - Experimental CD Catalog Debuts From Apple
(CORRECTION)(APPLE)(LAX)(00017)
Correction - Experimental CD Catalog Debuts From Apple 12/01/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- In the story,
"Experimental, Interactive CD Catalog Debuts From Apple" that ran
November 29, 1993, there are two typographical errors. The name of
one of the catalogs featured on the CD should have been LL Bean,
not LL Beam and the name of the director of business development
for Apple's New Media Division is Steve Franzese, not Steve
Franzier.
Newsbytes apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931201/Press Contact: Chris Espinosa, Apple
Computer, 408-974-2042)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
TELECOM
BE & All India Radio Plan Radio Paging Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00018)
BE & All India Radio Plan Radio Paging Service 12/01/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- For the first time in the
country, the public sector giant, Bharath Electronics (BE), and
All India Radio (AIR) plan to jointly introduce a radio paging
system through FM transmitters. The Department of
Telecommunications (DoT) recently cleared a proposal by AIR
to use its FM stations to provide radio paging services.
AIR has about 80 transmitters positioned in various parts of the
country which are currently used for FM stereophonic radio
broadcast. These transmitters have an additional, built-in data
channel that are not used. The same channels would now be used
for radio paging. Besides the 80 functional transmitters, AIR has
acquired 55 more which will be installed in the coming months.
Most of the FM transmitters used by AIR are manufactured by BE.
According to a BE spokesperson, the public sector unit may also
take on the monitoring of the radio paging service. The service
is expected to be operational by mid-1994.
The basic concept of FM paging is to use the available extra channel
capacity for adding digital information to FM broadcast signals.
The paging network relays a dialed-in message via the telephone
network to FM radio stations which broadcast the message over
30 kilometers around the transmitter.
The FM pager receives and displays the message. The paging
receiver signals the receipt of a message with a beep. A pager can
store several such messages which can be retrieved by the called
person at his convenience. Each message could be up to 40 alpha
numeric characters. Typically, a pager stores up to 80 such
messages.
According to the BE spokesperson, the paging service would be
along the lines of those offered in Europe. If dedicated transmitters
were used the cost of the transmitters would be passed on to the
customer making it more expensive. This way, it will be a lot
more cost-effective, he said.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
GOVT
India - ELCOT Plans Semiconductor Complex
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEL)(00019)
India - ELCOT Plans Semiconductor Complex 12/01/93
MADRAS, INDIA, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- The state-run Electronic Corp.
of Tamilnadu (ELCOT) has been actively engaged in promoting
electronics in the state of Tamilnadu. ELCOT was started in 1980,
primarily as an unit to set up public sector undertakings (PSU)
as well as joint sector undertakings (JSU) in the field of
electronics.
But soon after the liberalization drive began in 1985, the
corporation concentrated more on JSUs than on PSUs. Today,
ELCOT has around 25 JSUs manufacturing, for example, computers,
communications systems, transformers, and medical equipment.
Lately, ELCOT has identified software exports as an area of
interest. The corporation is even prepared to have a 50 percent
equity holding on software export projects. ELCOT has placed
advertisements in US, Canada, and UK calling for potential
entrepreneurs for joint ventures in Tamilnadu. Currently, ELCOT
is working on a joint venture with New Era Technologies Pvt. Ltd.,
to set up a software center at Madras.
The project is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter
of 1994. The software center will offer one lakh square feet of
space for the use by software companies in convenient modules of
five thousand square feet on a four-story building with central air
conditioning, uninterruptible power supply and a communication
facility through VSNL.
ELCOT has also planned to set up an Electronic City at
Sholinganallur, near Madras. ELCOT will provide infrastructural
facilities like developed plots, power supply, tool room, an
electronics testing and development center, warehousing, a
materials testing laboratory and a communication link through
VSNL. The project was originally set to become operational by
the middle of 1993 but has been bogged down by a land cost
problem and the litigation over land acquisition.
Meanwhile, ELCOT has drawn up a plan to set up a semiconductor
complex jointly with Bharath Electronics and in technical
collaboration with SGS Thompson of Singapore. A memorandum of
understanding has already been concluded with Bharath Electronics.
The second of its kind in the country, after the Semiconductor
Complex Ltd.'s facility near Chandigarh, the VLSI chip making
technology in the semiconductor complex is planned to be at the
one micron level currently and ultimately at the 0.6 micron level.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
IBM
Wordperfect Office Passes IBM LAN Certification Program
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00020)
Wordperfect Office Passes IBM LAN Certification Program 12/01/93
ADDLESTONE, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Wordperfect
Corp., has announced that WP Office 4.0 for Windows and DOS has
become the first integrated workgroup communication tools
application to be certified by the IBM Personal Software Product
Division's local area network (LAN) Systems product certification
program.
According to the company, the IBM LAN Systems product certification
program recognizes products that have been tested in Big Blue's
integrated test laboratory. The test laboratory is designed to test
products in a real customer-like environment to ensure that products
like Wordperfect Office 4.0 are interoperable, compatible and can
co-exist within the LAN Server environment.
Newsbytes understands that WP Office 4.0 was tested on more than
200 IBM and IBM-compatible PCs that were running OS/2, DOS,
Windows, LAN Server, and Netware.
"This certification is great news for our current and future
Wordperfect Office customers who are using or planning to use
IBM's LAN system environments,' explained Eldon Greenwood,
product marketing director for Wordperfect Office at Wordperfect.
According to Greenwood, the certification process gives
Wordperfect's customers the added assurance that WP Office
works efficiently in multiple LAN operating environments.
According to IBM, meanwhile, the idea behind the certification
process is similar to the Intel 'Pentium ready' certification
system, giving potential buyers a clear reassurance that the
product they are buying is certified for use in LAN Server
configuration.
(Steve Gold/19931201/Press & Public Contact: Wordperfect
Corporation, tel 44-932-850500, fax 0932-843497)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
GENERAL
Canon UK Launches Compact Personal Laser Printer
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00021)
Canon UK Launches Compact Personal Laser Printer 12/01/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Canon UK has launched the
LBP-4u, a new four pages-per-minute (ppm) laser printer pitched
at the personal printer marketplace. According to Canon, the
UKP649 printer is capable of providing quality printing at a very
budget price that will appeal to both home and office users.
Graham Salmons, project manager for Canon's text and data products,
said that small business and home users today are demanding the
highest quality and will not sacrifice print speeds. "With the LPB-4u,
we will satisfy this demand. It's a compact, feature rich machine
that will appeal to those requiring top quality output for business
communications, but who don't have the desk space for a larger
printer," he said.
He added: "With a print speed of four ppm, it's also ideal for
writers and authors who may be printing large documents, or
require multiple copies."
Newsbytes notes that the new printer has no front panel. Printer
configuration setup is performed using DOS or Windows utilities.
This feature, Canon claims, simplifies the configuration process
and, with on-screen help, reduces the need to refer to the manual.
Canon claims that the LBP-4u is a very versatile machine and can
print on a full range of media, including envelopes, labels, and
overhead transparencies. As supplied in the UK, it comes with nine
resident scalable fonts (four dutch, four swiss, and symbol) which
can be printed in any size and with full ornamention effects.
An overlay function allows forms, stationary layouts and logos to
be stored in the printer, allowing standard documents to be printed
faster and reducing the need for expensive pre-printed stationary.
In the UK market, the LBP-4u comes with a 100-sheet cassette
feeder for A4 paper as standard, a Microsoft Windows printer
driver and a range of MS-DOS software drivers. The printer has a
parallel printer port interface.
(Steve Gold/19931201/Press & Public Contact: Canon UK,
44-81-773-3173)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
TELECOM
Nokia Reports Rocketing Global Cellular Phones Sales
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00022)
Nokia Reports Rocketing Global Cellular Phones Sales 12/01/93
HELSINKI, SWEDEN, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Nokia Mobile Phones has
announced that sales of its portable cellular phones are "going
through the roof," with the Finnish company setting two phone
production records as a result.
In late October, Nokia's factory in Hong Kong produced its one
millionth phone, while the company's German production unit in
Bochum, surpassed the 500,000 unit production mark.
Earlier this year, Newsbytes notes, Nokia's factory in Masan, Korea,
surpassed the two millionth unit production mark. In Fort Worth,
Texas, meanwhile, Nokia Mobile Phones opened its fifth factory at
the beginning of the year. The aim with the Texan factory, Nokia
claims, is to service the growing South American marketplace.
So why is Nokia experiencing such growth in the cellular
marketplace? While the company's aggressive marketing of its
products may be partially the reason, it may have a lot to do with
rash of new cellular networks -- both analog and cellular -- that
has been taking place over the last few years.
Anssi Raty, managing director with Technophone Manufacturing Ltd.,
(TML), as the Hong Kong division of Nokia is known, notes that his
company's production of cellphones has rocketed in the last year.
"The skills and commitment of the production operators and our
support staff have made it possible to produce one million mobile
phones in just four years," he said, adding that having the world's
busiest port on the doorstep has been a contributor factor.
He also notes that having China, with its massive potential
mobile phone population, "next door" has also had its effect on
the company's operations.
In Germany, Nokia claims to have invested more than $6 million
in factory plant to increase its Bochum facility's production
numbers. The Bochum facility primarily manufacturers the Nokia
1011 global system for mobile communications (GSM) digital
hand-portable which is being used on the German digital phone
networks.
Risto Makinien, managing director of the Bochum plant, said that
Germany has around 500,000 digital cellular subscribers and
around 60,000 new subscribers are being added every month.
"Our factory is now equipped with the latest new technology, so we
are prepared to increase capacity. The location of the factory is
excellent, right in the heart of Europe's fastest growing cellular
phone market," he said.
Newsbytes notes that, currently, there are more than 27 million
cellular subscribers around the world, with 14 million of these
in the US alone. Nokia claims that virtually all networks across
the world are experiencing double digit growth in their network
numbers.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931201/Press & Public Contact:
Nokia Mobile Phones, 358-24-3011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
IBM
CA-Supercalc For Windows On Beta Test In UK
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00023)
CA-Supercalc For Windows On Beta Test In UK 12/01/93
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Computer
Associates has revealed that, over the past two weeks, more
than 80 UK users have received beta copies of the company's
long-awaited Windows version of its popular CA-Supercalc
spreadsheet package for PCs.
George Kafkarkou, the company's assistant vice president, said that
a formal announcement of CA's marketing plans for the package will
be made shortly, with full availability expected early in the New
Year. "Initial user reactions in the UK have been most encouraging
and, following this evaluation phase, we expect to bring this new
generation spreadsheet rapidly to market," he said.
As well as providing full spreadsheet functionality in the Windows
environment, CA plans to introduce a number of new features,
including multi-dimensional spreadsheets and English language
formulae, features which the company claims have never before
been included in a fully functional Windows spreadsheet.
Kafkarkou said that pricing on the package has yet to be decided,
adding that "a great deal of development has gone into CA Supercalc
for Windows which will ensure that it enters the market with
performance levels which are well ahead of anything Lotus or
Microsoft can deliver with Excel or 1-2-3. CA-Supercalc for
Windows will be priced to give hot competition to products like
these."
(Steve Gold/.19931201/Press & Public Contact: Computer
Associates, tel 444-753-577733, fax 44-753-825464)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/01/93
TELECOM
****Time Warner Joins Teleport
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)
****Time Warner Joins Teleport 12/01/93
STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Time Warner
said it will become a partner in Teleport Communications Group.
It joins other major cable players like Cox, Comcast, TCI, and
Continental Cablevision as partners in the venture.
Teleport is one of the two largest alternative access
providers or "bypass" companies in the US, the other being MFS
Communications. The industry started when companies began
installing fiber "rings" around major cities and taking long
distance traffic from major companies in buildings along the
rings to the switches of major long distance companies, in effect
"bypassing" the local phone network.
Over the last year two major trends have emerged in this
industry. The alternative access carriers have been expanding
their offerings, becoming more like true competitors to the
regional Bells and GTE. Also, cable companies have become
dominant players in the alternative access business.
Cable companies have been installing high-capacity digital lines
to link their head-ends in their metropolitan networks. With the
upgrade to digital transmission, which with compression will
allow them to offer up to 500 channels to their residential
subscribers, they see fast-data and phone services as a natural
line extension.
Time Warner, of course, is one of the leaders in the 500-channel
cable revolution, with its Full Service Network now under
construction in Orlando, and plans with US West to upgrade all its
cable systems, making them interactive. The investment in
Teleport, however, is being made by the parent company, not by
the Time Warner Entertainment unit which is part-owned by US
West.
For these reasons, TCI and Cox bought Teleport from Merrill Lynch
in mid-1992. Since then, Comcast and Continental have joined
their consortium. With the latest deal, once it is approved by
regulators, Time Warner will hold a 16.67 percent interest, as
will Comcast and Continental, while Cox and TCI will hold about
25 percent each, with Cox holding a slightly larger share.
The plans of Teleport to offer fast-data and phone services
dove-tails nicely with other trends of interest to the cable
companies, including the move to all-digital networks, upgrades
to fiber, an increase in interactivity, and a move to buy PCS
(personal communication services) frequency licenses at next
year's government auctions, moving into competition with cellular
carriers.
By working through a company like Teleport, which caters to
business customers, cable companies can also concentrate on
their existing residential market, while generating new cash
that help pay for their upgrades at the same time.
Since it was bought by cable operators, Teleport has become the
largest payer in its market, with networks serving over 125
communities in 11 metro areas. The company also announced
earlier this year it would set-up joint ventures with other cable
operators to set-up networks in St. Louis, Providence, Phoenix,
Detroit and south Florida. It is expected that all the Teleport
partners will be upgrading their networks to similar standards,
so Teleport can offer business phone services through their
cables in the future.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931201/Press Contact: Robert Atkinson,
Teleport, 718-983-2160)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
TRENDS
****DRAM Crisis Averted, Prices Will Continue To Fall
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00025)
****DRAM Crisis Averted, Prices Will Continue To Fall 12/01/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- The shortage of
epoxy resin that drove up random access memory (RAM) prices to
more than three times their normal levels need not be feared any
longer, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association
(SIA).
The computer industry trade group said while the last shortage
caused some panic buying, double ordering, and hoarding, any
potential shortage of the resin has been averted. Industry
analysts are agreeing, saying no future shortages are expected
and the gradual drop in prices the computer industry is
accustomed to will continue with RAM as well.
The crisis began on July 4 of this year when an explosion at the
Sumitomo Chemical plant in Niihama, Japan, killed one person and
halted production of epoxy cresol resin. The epoxy resin is the
key ingredient in the manufacture of the plastic housings used to
make most integrated circuits and Sumitomo supplies 50 to 60
percent of the worldwide supply of the resin.
The immediate effect of the explosion was a sharp climb in the
prices of dynamic RAM (DRAM) in the form of single in-line memory
modules (SIMMs) used in most personal computers (PCs) sold today.
DRAM prices went from $30 a megabyte (MB) to levels of $95 per MB
or more. When the news came out this fall that Sumitomo would be
back on-line in December, RAM prices began falling to $60 per MB
levels and are now back to pre-explosion prices.
But concern over the supply of resin for use in integrated
circuits has not dissipated. To allay fears, the SIA said the
crisis caused an admirable cooperative spirit between rival
companies in the worldwide market, who rushed in to fill the
gap. SIA officials in Japan have also closely followed the resin
supply and are assuring the industry that production at
Sumitomo is up to previous levels.
Jim Handy, senior industry analyst in the Memories Group at
market research company Dataquest said the price climb would have
occurred to a lesser degree anyway because demand was beginning
to outstrip supply just before the Sumitomo incident. The people
who were hurt the most by the jump in prices were the spot-market
purchasers like the Taiwanese personal computer (PC) clone
manufacturers who only buy DRAM as they need it from the lowest-
priced source.
To avoid similar problems in the future, Handy added that smart
buyers make contingency plans for critical components. These
buyers look not only at their suppliers, but they look upstream
at their supplier's supplier.
Handy agrees with the SIA that the crisis has been averted and
expects prices on DRAM as well as other computer hardware
products to continue slow erosion as they have historically. "In
three years we'll look back and we won't believe we paid $30 a MB
for DRAM."
(Linda Rohrbough/19931201/Press Contact: Angela Newlove,
Semiconductor Industry Association, tel 408-246-2711, fax 408-
246-2830; Jim Handy, Dataquest, tel 408-437-8228, fax 408-437-
0292)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
12/01/93
IBM
Japanese Windows NT Delayed
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00026)
Japanese Windows NT Delayed 12/01/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Microsoft, Tokyo, has
delayed the release of Japanese Windows NT.
The problem is reportedly due to a delay in the development of
a Japanese language environment for the next-generation
operating system. The actual release will now be between late
January and early February.
Microsoft was initially planning to ship the Japanese version of
Windows NT by the end of this year. The firm announced in
September that it would release the program and the Japanese
version of Advanced Server in December. Personal computer
firms such as NEC, Fujitsu, and Compaq have already prepared
beta versions of the programs, and are looking for the trial users.
Some Japanese personal computer makers are even skeptical
about the new date for the release of NT. They are preparing
for further delays and they have been reportedly telling their
customers that the program will be released around next spring,
which means March or April.
Meanwhile, Microsoft, Tokyo, has been getting a backlash from
the readers of the personal computer magazine "The BASIC,"
which is published by Gijitsu Hyoron-sha in Tokyo.
According to press reports, the publisher had to suspend one of
its articles due to pressure from Microsoft. Author Shozaburo
Nakamura's criticism of Japanese Windows 3.1 reportedly touched
a nerve of Microsoft, and the firm told the publisher to stop
providing information on Microsoft's products in the future,
according to the Asahi newspaper. Nakamura divulged the problem
on personal computer networks and readers of the magazine have
since made their feelings known.
Microsoft claims that the offending article carried confidential
information, given to the publisher through a confidential
agreement with Microsoft.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931201/Press Contact:
Microsoft, Tokyo, 81-3-5454-8000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/01/93
IBM
IBM Japan Creates Personal Computer Business Unit
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00027)
IBM Japan Creates Personal Computer Business Unit 12/01/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- IBM Japan has announced that
it will set up a large scale personal computer business operation,
which will deal with all Personal computer businesses.
Through this unit, the firm hopes to reduce various costs,
including those associated with development and management.
This is seen as part of IBM's overall policy on personal computers.
In the US, the company created the Personal Computer Co., in
September.
Currently, IBM Japan's personal computer business is handled by
its subsidiary -- IBM Japan Information Systems. However, as of
January 1, IBM Japan takes over the business.
The new personal computer operation will handle all necessary
PC business, including the development, distribution, sales and
maintenance services. Also, the new operation plans close contact
with its dealers, such as Canon and Ricoh, and will ship PCs to
South East Asian regions as well as the Pacific regions.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931201/Press Contact: IBM
Japan, +81-3-3586-1111, Fax, +81-3-3589-4645)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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12/01/93
GENERAL
****Novell's NetWare Video For Multimedia Networking
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00028)
****Novell's NetWare Video For Multimedia Networking 12/01/93
WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A, 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Novell has
introduced NetWare Video 1.0, a new software product designed to
let users easily integrate digital video and synchronized audio
into NetWare networks.
The new Netware Loadable Module (NLM), which is shipping
immediately, will provide server-based playback, the first stage in
a three-tier strategy that Novell has developed for business-
oriented multimedia applications, said Richard King, executive vice
president of the NetWare Systems Group, in a press conference
attended by Newsbytes at the Novell office in Wellesley, MA.
"This is a key milestone for Novell," commented King. Novell will
proceed to a second stage of live broadcast and a third stage of
videoconferencing in the future, as asynchronous transport mode
(ATM) becomes available for 100 Mbps transport, and other
necessary hardware emerges, he added.
Neil Ferris, vice president and general manager of the Novell
MultiMedia Group, explained that NetWare Video 1.0 uses patent-
pending scalable video technology developed by Novell to separate
video and audio data streams and dynamically adapt video data
rates to available network bandwidth and number of users.
The product eliminates the cost of installing CD-ROM drives on each
desktop, as well as the task of manually distributing updated media,
by allowing multiple users to simultaneously store, manage and play
compressed digital video and audio files from a standard NetWare
server, said Ferris.
The NLM works on popular NetWare-supported topologies such
as Ethernet and token ring. Novell officials expect NetWare
Video to experience greatest use in applications involving
sales communications, corporate communications, and
education/training.
Also at the press conference, Lotus Development Corp., Beyond Inc.,
Aim Tech, Vision Integration, Course Technology, and Iprax Corp.,
demonstrated applications they have developed to run on NetWare
Video 1.0.
In addition, Intel, Microsoft, National Semiconductor, AT&T,
Compaq, and SynOptics all announced their support for NetWare
Video 1.0.
Initially, the product will support all applications developed for
Microsoft Video for Windows desktop multimedia software.
Ultimately, support will be extended to the Macintosh operating
system via QuickTime, and to all other major operating systems
supported by NetWare, including OS/2 and Unix, officials told
journalists and analysts who were present at the press conference,
as well as others, in the US and UK, who were linked to the
proceedings via telephone.
Novell is also considering extending support to QuickTime for
Windows, said Paul W. Armstrong, Ph.D., manager, product line, and
Rose J. Saia, technical marketing manager, of Novell's Multimedia
Products Division, in a meeting with Newsbytes at the close of the
press conference.
NetWare Video 1.0 is also compatible with multiple compression
technologies, including Intel's Indeo, Microsoft Video 1, and
SuperMac Cinepak.
Intel's Indeo is a software video technology that supports low-
cost, software-only video playback on desktop computers, said
Claude Leglise, director of Video Brand Marketing for Intel, during
the press conference.
Lee Wilson, development manager for multimedia communication at
National Semiconductor, told Newsbytes afterwards that National
Semiconductor is developing a hardware codec aimed at providing the
two-way and multi-party real-time video communications needed for
live broadcast and video conferencing,
Among Novell's other partners in NetWare Video 1.0, AT&T plans to
integrate its AT&T TeleMedia Personal Video System and MultiPoint
Control Unit technologies with NetWare Video and Telephony
Services for NetWare.
The TeleMedia Personal Video System is a desktop videoconferencing
system that allows users to see each other while they collaborate
of computer files, according to AT&T officials. The MultiPoint
Control Unit -- a product based on AT&T's Definity Communications
System -- lets users bring together as many as 24 locations in a
single videoconference call.
Compaq plans to support NetWare video with its ProLiant Servers and
lineup of multimedia PCs, said John Paul, vice president of systems
software for the Compaq Systems Division.
NetWare Video 1.0 is priced at $1,100 for a five-user pack, $1,900
for a 10-user pack, and $2,975 for a 25-user pack.
In response to a question raised in a question-and-answer session
that followed the press conference, officials said that video
compression technology has progressed to the point that all the
applications being demonstrated can be shared simultaneously by
at least five users on an Ethernet or token ring network, despite
the bandwidth limitations of these topologies.
Vision Integration demonstrated an informational kiosk system the
company has created for use on a NetWare Video network at the
Texas Medical Center, a NetWare Video 1.0 beta site.
Aim Tech showed a computer-based freshman algebra course that
the University of Alabama has developed for a NetWare Video
network, using Aim Tech's IconAuthor multimedia development tool.
Course Technology demonstrated "Managing International Business,"
an educational multimedia product based on three Harvard Business
School case studies.
An official of Course Technology told Newsbytes that "Managing
International Business" was previously available only on CD-ROM
disk. Now, she added, the product will run on NetWare Video,
allowing simultaneous access by multiple users.
BeyondMail showed how video images embedded into BeyondMail
messages can be quickly distributed throughout an organization via
NetWare Video.
Lotus demonstrated NetWare Video-compliant multimedia
publishing, training, and marketing communications applications
for Lotus Notes.
Iprax Corporation (formerly Interact! Multi-Media Software)
displayed Novell-compatible versions of Iprax Deliver and Iprax
Build, two products designed to let users present, create and
administer interactive and linear video learning programs.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931201/Reader Contact: Novell Inc., 801-
429-7000; Press Contact: Melanie King, Novell, 408-321-1888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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12/01/93
IBM
Stac Developers Kit Offers Royalty Free Compression
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)
Stac Developers Kit Offers Royalty Free Compression 12/01/93
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Stac Electronics
says it is offering software developers a runtime version of its
LZS data compression technology royalty free in the form of a
Stacker Developer's Tool Kit 3.1 for Windows and DOS.
Company officials say the biggest advantage to developers in
using the tool kit is that data can be moved around without the
overhead of decompressing then recompressing the data as is
necessary now. So backups, moving data on a network, and other
operations, can be done faster because the data can be moved in
the more compact form.
Stac's "technical evangelist" Bruce Behymer told Newsbytes one
developer has already written a database application that loads
LZS compressed data into memory and only decompresses the
data when it is directly accessed in memory. Behymer said the
developer has reported the application runs two to three times
faster than previously by using this technique.
Stac officials were quick to point out the company's agreement
with Novell, who plans to use LZS compression in the future in
its networking products. Novell already announced LZS will be
used in Novell DOS 7.0 when it is released.
While the Stacker Tool Kit is royalty free, Stac has placed a few
restrictions on the use of the product. The company says
developers may not use it to make a Stacker clone and special
permission will be needed to use the compression and
decompression algorithms in the tool kit as part of another
developer product. In addition, applications developed using the
LZS runtime technology need to have a special logo from Stac
displayed somewhere on the resulting product's packaging.
In addition, Stac claims the LZS Server technology included in
the tool kit is intelligent enough to use the hardware compression
chip developed by Stac if it is available on a computer. Stac
officials are hoping hardware developers will build the Stac
compression chip into systems the way math coprocessor chips
are built in to systems now. However, no specific announcements
of any hardware vendors making such plans have been made and
the only way the compression chip is currently available is in
add-on boards from Stac itself.
Independent software vendors (ISVs) are required to purchase one
copy of the tool kit for each application in which the product is
incorporated, although no further fees are required for
distribution of the application. The Stacker Developer's Tool Kit
is $295, includes a copy of Stacker 3.1 for Windows and DOS, an
example in the C programming language of how to use it, a
discussion of testing considerations, and a sample installation
program.
Those interesting in doing more checking before purchasing the
kit can find technical specifications available on-line as a
Windows 3.1 help file which can be downloaded from Stac's own
bulletin board system (BBS), from its Compuserve forum, or from
America Online.
Stac reported in its last earnings statement that legal battles
with software giant Microsoft are draining its increasing
revenues. The company filed suit against Microsoft earlier this
year, claiming the compression used in MS-DOS 6 incorporates
technology that it owns. Microsoft has countersued, making a
similar claim.
Novell has made no secret of its plans to take on the software
giant in the marketplace. Stac is hoping the incorporation of LZS
technology in the popular networking software from Novell coupled
with the increased popularity of networking will help it survive
the battle in the marketplace as well as in the courts.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931201/Press Contact: Lois Leslie, Stac
Electronics, tel 619-431-7474; Gregory Spector, Jennings & Co.
for Stac, tel 415-974-6200, fax 415-974-6226; Public Contact,
800-522-7822; Stac's BBS, 619-431-5956, Compuserve type
GO STAC; America Online, keyword STAC)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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1994 12/01/93
TRENDS
Data Processing Salaries/Turnover Up For
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00030)
Data Processing Salaries/Turnover Up For 1994 12/01/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 DEC 1 (NB) -- Edward Perlin
Associates, a New York City-based management consulting firm,
has released the results of a survey of data processing
professionals. According to the company, increasing budgets and
staff turnover both indicate that salaries will be up for next year.
Because of the sluggish employment picture for 1993, there have
been few increases in either pay or bonus structures for the
year. However, while base salary budgets for next year are about in
line with last year, Edward Perlin Associates expects a base pay
increase of about 1.9 percent for 1994. The company says that
about one-fourth of respondents said that they expected turnover
to increase over 1993's average of 10.2 percent.
Staff turnover is a good measure of the strength of the economy,
or at least a particular job sector, because when jobs are tight
people tend to stay where they are as long as possible.
Edward Perlin, president of the consulting company said, "In
recoveries, we notice first an increase in turnover as companies
compete for more experienced staff and for specific skills."
If you are wondering how your company stands, the survey found
that the average merit budget (where the money comes from for
base pay increases) was up about 4.4 percent for 1993, while
bonuses averaged 8.9 percent for data processing professionals
and went as high as 17.5 percent.
Bonuses for management were much more generous, averaging 14.4
percent for middle managers (low five percent - high 39 percent).
(John McCormick/19931201/Press Contact: John Warlikowski,
Edward Perlin Associates, 212-714-0588 or Michael Roos, PR,
212-714-1881)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/30/93
TRENDS
New, Smaller CD Format Supported By Kodak, Panasonic
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00001)
New, Smaller CD Format Supported By Kodak, Panasonic 11/30/93
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- A new, smaller
compact disc (CD) drive is beginning to appear and is gaining
support. Panasonic featured the new 80 millimeter (mm) CD drive
in a notebook computer displayed at Comdex in Las Vegas recently
and Kodak has announced it will offer its Photo CD discs in
the smaller format as well.
Standard CDs are 120 mm, but the drives are not practical for use
in the smaller notebook, handheld, and personal digital assistant
(PDA) computers that are taking a strong hold in the computer
marketplace.
The 80 mm discs fit the portability requirements for smaller
computers, use the same format as the larger discs, and are
compatible with most of the compact disc read-only memory
(CD- ROM) drives, such as CD-ROM drives, Photo CD players, and
the Compact Disc Interactive (CD-I) players from Philips.
A small cavity inside the drive has already been designed to hold
the 80 mm discs during playback. If for some reason the drive
does not have the built-in compatibility, an adapter ring can be
placed on the disc to make it work.
While the discs can be used to hold anything from music to a
dictionary, Kodak is using the discs as a delivery vehicle for
photographs. Called Photo CD, a player connected to a computer or
television set can display photographs stored in a digital
format on the CDs.
Fred Geyer, general manager and vice president of Kodak CD
Imaging said: "Hardware manufactures have identified the 80 mm
format as the best way to bring the benefits of CD-ROM digital
storage to a range of transportable devices, from notebooks to
PDAs. We believe the 80 mm and the 120 mm formats both will be
widely used. As a result, we intend to offer Photo CD media in
both sizes."
Panasonic demonstrated a six-pound notebook computer equipped with
a prototype 80 mm CD-ROM drive. Portability means some sacrifice,
as the 80 mm discs have one-third the capacity of the 600-plus
megabyte (MB) capacity of their 120 mm counterparts. Kodak said
the smaller capacity means the 80 mm discs will hold only 36
photos instead of the 100 images that can be placed on the 120 mm
disc.
Kodak said owners of Kodak Photo CD Imaging Workstations (PIW)
for production of the 120 mm Photo CD discs can expect a software
upgrade from the company to enable them to offer the 80 mm disc
capability. Company officials said the 80 mm format should be
available in late 1994.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931129/Press Contact: Paul McAfee, Kodak, tel
716-724-6404, fax 716-724-9829; Kodak Public Contact, 800-242-
2424)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/30/93
GENERAL
Jurassic Park Screen Saver From Asymetrix
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00002)
Jurassic Park Screen Saver From Asymetrix 11/30/93
BELLVUE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- If you liked
the movie, you'll love the screen saver, claims Asymetrix. The
company announced a Jurassic Park screen saver with film images,
sound effects, dialog, and graphics from the hit motion picture.
The screen saver contains modules that can be run separately,
such as the Jurassic Park Computer System module, Dinosaur Eyes,
and The Chase in which the T-Rex hunts the Jeep all across your
computer screen. The product also features digital video, behind-
the-scenes information, and interviews about the making of the
movie. In addition, it can be run as a module under the popular
Berkeley After Dark screen saver.
Jurassic Park, the movie, has become a hit in every country where
it has opened. Asymetrix plans to take advantage of that by also
introducing French, German, and Japanese versions of the screen
saver which will ship in December, company officials said.
A floppy disk version is available to US computer users now and a
compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) version will be available
in December as well. The floppy disk version is $19.95, while the
CD-ROM version is $34.95. Upgrades to the CD-ROM version from the
floppy disk version are an additional $24.95.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931129/Press Contact: Susan Pierson,
Asymetrix, tel 206-637-2428, fax 206-455-3071; Asymetrix
Public Contact, 800-448-6543)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
IBM
Astound Multimedia Presentation Prgm For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00003)
Astound Multimedia Presentation Prgm For Windows 11/30/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Gold Disk
has unveiled a Windows-based counterpart to Astound for Macintosh
1.0, a presentation program initially introduced last December.
Like the existing package for the Mac, the new Astound for
Windows 1.5 allows for the creation of multimedia as well as
static presentations, company officials said.
Astound for Windows 1.5 will read Astound for Macintosh 1.0 files
in fully editable form. In addition, an Astound for Windows file
can be saved as an Astound for Macintosh file.
The Windows-based package comes with a Windows runtime player,
which permits royalty-free distribution of presentations prepared
in either Astound for Windows or Astound for Macintosh.
The new release for Windows is also bundled with a CD-ROM
containing more than 1,200 animations, graphics, sound effects,
and musical and video clips that can be added to presentations.
According to Kailash Ambwani, CEO and president, since Astound for
Macintosh 1.0 began shipping in May, the product has exceeded Gold
Disk's sales forecasts. The Macintosh presentation package has
also received critical acclaim from MacWorld magazine (four stars),
MacWeek (five diamonds), MacUser (four-and-a-half-mice), Publish
(five stars), and PC Letter.
The Windows and Macintosh editions of Astound both let the user
apply animation effects to charts as well as other graphics. The
two packages also include drawing, charting, and text editing
tools, along with support for digital video and sound.
Astound for Windows permits presentations developed in Microsoft
PowerPoint 3.0 and Lotus Freelance to be imported as fully editable
files, officials reported. The program also imports graphics in
the TIF, PCX, GIF, BMP, DIB, CGM, TGA, RLE, Metafile, and Photo CD
formats.
Animated clips can be imported in AWM or AWA formats from Gold
Disk's Animation Works Interactive. Support for object linking and
embedding (OLE) allows users to embed or dynamically link charts
and other data and objects from other OLE-compliant applications
for Windows.
Astound for Windows also supports the Digital Video Interactive
(DVI) specification, Apple's QuickTime for Windows, and Microsoft's
Video for Windows.
Presentations can use WAV, MIDI (musical instrument digital
interface), and CD-Audio sound effects, music, and voice narration.
Through a sound editor included in the package, the user can
integrate and synchronize sounds to match events in the
presentation.
In the tradition of Astound for Macintosh, the Windows-based
product also provides a "timeline" for controlling the duration of
slides and animation effects, adding pauses, and synchronizing
events.
Dozens of graphs are incorporated in the new package, plus a pop-up
drawing tool palette, outline view, and a text editor with rulers,
tabs, spell checking, and four levels of bullet formatting. Outline
view allows text to be viewed, edited and repositioned throughout
a presentation. Changes made in outline view are immediately
reflected on slides, and vice versa.
Astound for Windows supports 24-bit color, officials noted.
Users can select from built-in color schemes, create their own
colors with the use of a color mixer, or match colors by means of
an eyedropper tool. Users can also create interactive buttons that
can be put to work for playing sounds or going to other slides
during a presentation.
Astound for Windows 1.5 is available for a special introductory
price of $129 through January 31, 1994. After that, the software
will be priced at $395.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931130/Reader Contact: Gold Disk, 416-602-
4000; Press Contact: Michaela Brehm, Gold Disk, 408-982-0200
ext 124)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
TELECOM
Unitel Says Edmonton Telecom Service Threatened By Regs
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00004)
Unitel Says Edmonton Telecom Service Threatened By Regs 11/30/93
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Unitel
Communications, the Toronto-based company recently given
permission to compete in long-distance telephone service across
most of Canada, has said it may delay offering service in the city
because of special terms imposed by federal regulators.
Unitel will have to pay twice as large a share of its long-distance
revenue from calls dialed in Edmonton to established phone
companies as it does in the rest of the country. Company officials
said that could mean they cannot make a profit on the service.
"We can't pay for the privilege of offering service in a market,"
said Stephanie MacKendrick, a Unitel spokeswoman. "We're doing
our math still, but it doesn't look very promising."
In a speech to the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce in mid-November,
George Harvey, Unitel's chairman, said it is "unlikely that we will
be in a position to launch here in the immediate future."
In a decision giving Unitel permission to compete in Alberta, the
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) said the company must pay 14 cents to AGT Limited, the
established phone company serving Alberta, for each long-distance
call it carries within or from the province. On top of that, Unitel
must also pay six cents per call to Edmonton Telephones, which
serves only the city of Edmonton, for calls originating from
Edmonton.
Because Unitel will only be allowed to connect its network to that
of AGT and not to that of Edmonton Telephones, Unitel spokesman
Ken Stewart added, the company must pay both AGT and Edmonton
Telephones for calls from Edmonton. That makes a total of 10 cents
per call, or twice what Unitel has to pay other regional phone
companies across the country.
The payments to the regional phone companies are meant to help
pay the cost of local telephone service, which in Canada has
traditionally been kept artificially low through subsidies from
long-distance revenues.
According to the CRTC, revenues from telephone service in
Edmonton -- one of the province's two main cities -- help
subsidize service in rural areas of Alberta.
(Grant Buckler/19931126/Press Contact: Ken Stewart,
Unitel Communications, 416-345-2094; Bill Allen, CRTC,
tel 819-997-0313, fax 819-994-0218)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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4 11/30/93
TRENDS
Business Card Reading (BCR) Market To Explode In '
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00005)
Business Card Reading (BCR) Market To Explode In '94 11/30/93
NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- The
emerging market of business card reading (BCR) is poised to explode
in 1994, according to a new study by BIS Strategic Decisions.
US sales of business card readers will expand from 4,000 units in
1993 to more than 200,000 units in 1997, and potentially, to over
one million in 1998, the Norwell, MA-based market research firm
predicts.
Business card readers allow users to enter business cards into
their PCs, where software automatically places names, addresses,
phone and fax numbers, and other information into the appropriate
fields on a searchable database. Typically, the readers incorporate
a small scanner and a special optical character recognition (OCR)
application.
Although business card readers have existed for several years, at
prices above $2,000, the machines are new to the US market, where
street prices below $300 are becoming common.
Recently introduced readers from Microtek, CypherTech, and Pacific
Crest Technologies are spurring interest within the US, and the new
product category carries significant practical advantages for end
users, the BIS researchers explained.
"BCR is the first scanning solution to have a realistic mass-market
potential," said Kristy Holch, director of BIS Scanning Marketing
Strategies service. "No other recognition product is so intuitive,
nor do any (others offer) such easy-to-understand benefits. It is
a concept that every business person can relate to, since we all
have to deal with organizing, storing, and retrieving business cards."
Sales of business card readers will get an extra boost from the
fast growing personal information management (PIM) and contact
management markets, the researchers suggested.
Many other vendors will soon be releasing business card readers,
according to the report, "Business Card Reading Outlook." The
report also covers sales of business card reading software, both
bundled and off-the-shelf.
The report includes perspectives on BCR from a 1993 study by BIS on
Fortune 1000 corporations. In one of the results, 10 percent of 52
MIS (management information systems) managers queried reported
that their companies "would want business card readers."
BIS forecast that one out of ten MIS managers who answered the
question in the affirmative expects to buy a large number of BCR
systems for a particular department or application within the
company, such as outfitting the entire sales force with a unit.
But sales to MIS managers represent only the tip of the iceberg,
BIS added. Penetration within the Fortune 1000 is actually likely
to approach 100 percent, when sales of the inexpensive devices
direct to end users are taken into account, the researchers
concluded.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931129/Reader Contact: BIS Strategic
Decisions, 617-982-9500; Press Contact: Kristy Holch, BIS,
617-982-9500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/30/93
GENERAL
Meridian Data Intros Meridian Visual CD Mgt Prgm
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00006)
Meridian Data Intros Meridian Visual CD Mgt Prgm 11/30/93
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Hoping
to take advantage of the growing trend towards CD-ROM-based
systems and multimedia products, Meridian Data has introduced
Meridian Visual CD, which it claims automates installation,
management and operation of multimedia CD-ROM titles in a
Windows environment.
According to the company, when Windows users insert a CD-ROM
title, they typically must learn the commands necessary to load
information from the disc to their PC. Once loaded, users must
have special utilities to view or listen to the disc's contents.
Users must then manually organize CD titles on their desktop.
The company says that, with Visual CD, the user just inserts a disc.
The program then automatically scans the disc, identifies it, and
prompts the user -- the software loads, organizes information
and provides the necessary tools to review the disc's contents.
As new discs are inserted, the company maintains that Visual CD
adds them to a library, which gives the user a detailed listing of
all the desktop titles. The product also includes a sample Photo CD
application, which recognizes the original disc as a Photo CD disc,
which once installed, gives users access to 36 pre-recorded photos.
In announcing the product, Frederick P. Meyer, founder and executive
vice president of Meridian Data, said, "CD ROM is a very powerful
media, and it has become affordable even for home users. But just
because CDs are affordable doesn't mean they're simple to use.
Users might be in for a unpleasant surprise when they insert a new
title into their CD ROM drive. With Visual CD, the user is given a
familiar visual format and an easy way to manage and navigate
through CDs. Visual CD acts like an extension of Windows."
The company says that, Visual CD appears on screen like any other
application, and that, when opened, titles that have been installed
are displayed, as well as a tool bar. The user can then click on a
title to review the contents of the disc. When the user clicks on a
listed file or photo, the application indicates which physical disc
to insert in the drive. The company says that the toolbar on screen
can be used to enlarge photos, listen to audio, or review data.
Visual CD carries a suggested retail price of $69.95 and is
available immediately.
(Ian Stokell/19931129/Press Contact: Richard Krueger,
408-438-3100, Meridian Data Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/30/93
TELECOM
British Telecom To Expand Local Call Areas In UK
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00007)
British Telecom To Expand Local Call Areas In UK 11/30/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- British Telecommunications
(BT) has announced plans to enhance the local calling area for its
more rural subscribers. The idea behind the plan is to balance the
fact that city-based subscribers have a much larger number of
phone users they can contact in their local calling area.
BT officials said recently that firm details of the plans have
yet to be decided upon, but it is to counter comments by rural
subscribers than many calls -- to the nearest major town, for
example -- are a short-haul trunk call.
Until the 1960s, when most telephone exchanges were mechanical,
the then Post Office (BT's forerunner) used to route special circuits,
typically with an 8 prefix, for "out of area" local calls. The
arrival of large electronic exchanges meant that many small rural
exchanges were folded into the nearest major exchange, meaning
that periphery routing on a local call basis was no longer possible.
The result has been that some formerly local calls are now short
haul trunk calls. By expanding the local calling area, BT says it
hopes to redress the balance.
(Steve Gold/19931130/Press & Public Contact: British Telecom,
44-71-356-5000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/30/93
TELECOM
Nokia Oy Signs $30M Contract With KDD Japan
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00008)
Nokia Oy Signs $30M Contract With KDD Japan 11/30/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Nokia Oy's mobile phone
division, which now claims to be the world's second largest
manufacturer of mobile telephones, has signed a contract with
Kansai Digital Phone (KDP) of Japan for selling digital mobile
phones into the Japanese telecommunications marketplace.
Terms of the agreement call for Nokia to sell digital phones
directly to KDP for onward sale to KDP's customers. The value of
the contract, which runs until the end of next year, is thought to
be around the $30 million mark.
According to Pekka Ala-Pietila, Nokia's president, the deal is an
extension of an original cooperative agreement signed by both
companies in October of 1992. This new agreement, he said, will
allow Nokia to design and supply a digital mobile phone for sale to
KDP and its subscribers.
"We are very pleased to continue our close cooperative effort with
Kansai Digital Phone. This is further evidence of our leading
position in the global digital phone market. We are committed to
fulfilling the high demands of the competitive Japanese market,"
he explained.
The digital phones to be supplied by Nokia will operate on KDP's 1.5
gigahertz cellular network which is scheduled to open for business
in the Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe metropolitan areas. The coverage area
has a total of more than 20 million inhabitants.
Nokia was the first European manufacturer to gain access to the
cellular phone market in Japan. In 1994, Nokia estimates that a
total of 1.6 million phones will be sold in Japan, with digital
mobiles accounting for around 20 percent of this figure.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931130/Press & Public Contact: Nokia Oy,
tel 358-8-793-8430, fax 358-8-793-8441)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
TELECOM
Hungarian Telecoms Market Heats Up
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00009)
Hungarian Telecoms Market Heats Up 11/30/93
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- A consortium comprising
of GTE in the US, Telefonica of Spain, and PTT Netherlands has been
formed to enter the bidding for a share in MATAV, the Hungarian
state telecommunications company.
According to press reports in Hungary recently, the three
companies have been in informal discussions with their
counterparts within the Hungarian state telecoms company.
Imre Bolcskei, the Hungarian state secretary, meanwhile, has
confirmed that meetings have taken place between MATAV staff and
those from Telefonica. "It was announced officially that there are
talks going on between the two companies which would probably
result in an agreement," he said.
According to a spokesman with PTT Netherlands in London, the
consortium bid for MATAV is for a 30 percent stake in the company.
The spokesman referred to PTT President Wim Dik as saying this in
the Magyar Hirlap, a Hungarian daily paper.
As reported previously by Newsbytes, the 30 percent selloff of a
stake in MATAV, is being carried out to obtain much-needed foreign
investment in the state telecoms company. MATAV is said to be
looking for another phone company, or group of phone companies, to
ally with, so as to draw on the third party's technical expertise, as
well as cash resources.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931130/Press & Public Contact: PTT Telecom,
tel 44-31-7034-39709, fax 44-31-343-2285)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
TELECOM
Netherlands Plans Global Toll-Free Numbering Scheme
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00010)
Netherlands Plans Global Toll-Free Numbering Scheme 11/30/93
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- PTT Telecom
Netherlands has announced plans to organize a global toll-free
numbering system, accessible using the same number from around
the world.
The idea behind the system, according to the Dutch state-controlled
phone company, is to offer the same number on a global scale for
major companies such as airlines, to use in their advertisements on
a worldwide basis.
The idea will take a lot of turning into reality, Newsbytes notes,
not least because of the fact that different countries have
different toll-free numbering schemes.
Although the Dutch telecommunications giant has yet to decide on
the numbering plan it intends to use, it has a choice of either
electing to use a completely new dialing code, or requesting foreign
telecoms companies to allow access to its international country
code (31) followed by a special numbering scheme within its
national code allocation.
According to PTT, plans call for the new service to start next April
but, before this can happen, bilateral agreements must be signed
between other country telecoms companies. So far, France Telecom
has signed the deal, and others look set to follow.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931130/Press & Public Contact: PTT Telecom
tel 44-31-7034-39709, fax 44-31-343-2285)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/30/93
GENERAL
Germany - Eagle Adapters Gain Novell Approval
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00011)
Germany - Eagle Adapters Gain Novell Approval 11/30/93
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Eagle Technology has
announced that, following an agreement with Novel, Eagle's "value
brand" of Ethernet adapters, announced in September of this year,
are now shipping with unmodified Novell NE2000 software drivers,
thanks to their being granted Novell "tested and approved"
certification.
According to the German technology company, this brings a 100
percent guarantee of compatibility with Netware, as well as an
aggressive price point when the Etherxpert family of cards were
announced in September.
"Our Etherxpert value brand is designed to compete with the many no-
name clones on the market," explained Karen Hansen Diedrich, Eagle's
European sales manager. "We're confident that the guarantee of
compatibility with Netware, the competitive pricing and the
extensive distribution channels will make this a popular choice
among customers who are driven by price considerations," he added.
Graeme Allan, Novell's marketing director, said that the company's
aim is to encourage the fast growth of the networking market. "The
availability of low cost, highly compatible adapter cards, removes
one constrain to the adoption of networking. We support Eagle's
efforts to expand this market," he said.
According to the International Data Corp. (IDC), the worldwide
installed base for local area network (LAN) adapter cards grew to
37 million last year, up from fewer than 27 million in 1991. Of
these, Ethernet network interface cards (NICs) represented
around 67 percent of all shipments,
Eagle's share of this Ethernet NIC market is around 11.5 percent,
making it the third largest vendor in the world. IDC says it
estimates that almost 20 percent of the market is held by a
large number of smaller players.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931130/Press & Public Contact: Eagle
Technology, tel 49-211-596742, fax 49-211-591240)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
BUSINESS
Germany - Proteon & DEC In Manufacturing Deal
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00012)
Germany - Proteon & DEC In Manufacturing Deal 11/30/93
LEIDERBACH, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Proteon has announced
it has signed a multi-million dollar contract with Digital Equipment
Corp., terms of which call for DEC to build Proteon's P1392, 1892,
and 1990 Plus series of Token Ring adapter cards and other
sub-assemblies.
According to Proteon, the non-exclusive contract is the first such
agreement between the two companies.
"We chose to extend our relationship with Digital because of the
breadth of contract manufacturing services it offers," explained
Alan Swan, Proteon's European general manager. "Digital provides
manufacturing and engineering expertise, and also offers the
expertise to build and custom package our products. This is a
substantial extension of our partnering style of relationship."
James Wallis, Digital's original equipment manufacturing (OEM)
vice president, was equally enthusiastic over the deal. He said that
Digital has always aimed to provide its customers world-class
design, manufacturing, engineering and distribution services after
more than 30 years in the industry.
"Proteon's decision to select Digital among other contract
manufacturing companies emphasizes our leadership and
strengths in those fields," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931130/Press & Public Contact: Proteon,
49-6931-4237)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/30/93
GENERAL
SynOptics' Optivity 2.0 For NMS, Adds WAN To LattisCell
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00013)
SynOptics' Optivity 2.0 For NMS, Adds WAN To LattisCell 11/30/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- SynOptics
Communications Inc., has announced version 2.0 of its Optivity
for NMS network management system, to go with Novell's new NMS
(NetWare Management System) version 2.0. The company has also
announced new interfaces and SBus adapter cards for its LattisCell
ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) switch, which are designed to
allow ATM to be used across local and wide area networks.
According to the company, the new version of Optivity offers
management capabilities previously found only on Unix platforms.
In announcing version 2.0, Brian Brown, SynOptics' group product
line manager, network management, highlighted the company's
relationship with Novell, saying: "SynOptics' strategic development
agreement with Novell has enabled us to link our product
development with theirs, and deliver advanced networking solutions
to customers sooner. The fact that we're able to deliver Optivity 2.0
for NMS in conjunction with Novell's NMS 2.0 is a prime example of
how the customers benefit when two industry leaders partner this
closely."
According to the company, the most significant new capabilities of
Optivity 2.0 for NMS include AutoTopology and Nodal View with a
new graphical user interface.
The company says that the AutoTopology capability "leverages the
intelligence embedded within the network fabric to provide real-
time, automatic discovery of hubs, bridges, switches and end
devices, as well as multiple views depicting the physical and
logical relationships of the elements within the network."
Nodal View, meanwhile, helps analyze Ethernet and Token Ring
networks by providing a graphical representation of all
end-stations in a network, their status and physical connection
to the hub.
Optivity 2.0 for NMS carries a suggested US retail price of $3,495,
and is shipping the first week of December. It is also available as
a bundled package with NMS 2.0 for $4,995.
According to SynOptics, the new interfaces and SBus adapter cards
for LattisCell take advantage of existing wide area network (WAN)
transmission services such as DS3 and emerging fiber optic
technologies like SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) and SDH
(Synchronous Digital Hierarchy).
SynOptics claims that the new interfaces and adapter cards enable
customers to "expand the reach of their local area networks (LANs)
and remove the barriers associated with geographically dispersed
locations."
Five new models of the LattisCell ATM switch are being introduced
over the next four months -- each with a different interface
combination of physical layers and media types, and all
compatible with the ATM Forum specifications.
SynOptics introduced its first LattisCell ATM switch in March,
based on the company's FastMatrix architecture. The products
feature 16 interface ports of up to 155Mbps dedicated network
bandwidth. LattisCell began shipping in August.
A number of new products have been introduced.
The model 10114 features 16 ports with multi-mode fiber
SONET/SDH interfaces, and is designed for use in workgroup
networks and in campus backbones as internetworking vendors
bring out SONET interfaces. It costs $35,950 and is available
now.
The model 10114-SM, features 14 ports with multi-mode
fiber SONET/SDH interfaces and two ports with single-mode
SONET/SDH interfaces. It is designed to provide access to WANs
where carriers can provide SONET/SDH services or lease optical
fiber, and will be available in the first quarter of 1994.
The model 10114-DS3 features 14 multi-mode fiber SONET/SDH
interfaces and two ports with coax DS3 interfaces. The company
says that the DS3 interfaces will enable LANs to extend through
the WAN with widely available and more economical 45Mbps T3
services. It will be available in first quarter of 1994.
The model 10115 features 12 ports of Category 5 UTP (unshielded
twisted pair) SONET/SDH interfaces and four ports of multi-mode
fiber SONET/SDH interfaces. The company maintains that the UTP
interfaces will provide low-cost, high performance desktop
connectivity. Although delivery of the interface is expected in the
first quarter of 1994, it is dependent on the development of an
ATM Forum specification. Pricing is expected to be under $28,000.
The model 10124-S features 12 ports with multi-mode fiber 100
Mbps interfaces and four ports of multi-mode fiber SONET/SDH
interfaces. The switch can be used in environments where users
want to connect workgroups with the 100 Mbps interface and
maintain SONET in the backbone.
The SONET/SDH 155.52 Mbps ATM SBus Adapter card reportedly
occupies a single SBus slot in SPARC 2 and 10 workstations, and
will support the SONET UNI 155 Mbps Physical Layer as defined
by the ATM Forum.
(Ian Stokell/19931129/Press Contact: Amanda Jaramillo,
408-764-1180, SynOptics Communications Inc; or Susan Ice,
408-764-7360, Thomas Associates Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/30/93
TRENDS
AMD Intros Local Bus SCSI Controller, Single-Chip PCI SCSI
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00014)
AMD Intros Local Bus SCSI Controller, Single-Chip PCI SCSI 11/30/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- The PCI
(Peripheral Component Interconnect) local bus specification
continues to gain in popularity, as does SCSI (Small Computer
Systems Interface) technology. Now Advanced Micro Devices has
announced, what the company claims is, a "complete, low-cost
hardware and software package facilitating the design of SCSI
onto PCI local bus personal computer motherboards."
AMD says that its PCSCSI is a single-chip Fast SCSI-2 controller
paired with software in order to support a wide range of operating
systems and SCSI peripherals. It is reportedly optimized for use on
PCI local bus motherboards and provides a "glueless interface to
the PCI bus."
AMD claims that the cost to implement SCSI on the motherboard
with PCSCSI (including all passive components and software) is
less than $30.
PCI is a 32-bit local bus technology that reportedly eliminates
the traditional input/output (I/O) bottleneck between CPUs (central
processing units) and high-performance components such as
graphics controllers. A SCSI controller allows PC users to connect
up to seven high-speed SCSI peripherals to the CPU through a
common interface.
In announcing the products, Andy Robin, director of operations
for AMD's I/O and network products division, said, "To be a viable
player in SCSI you need to have a complete suite of software
drivers complementing your hardware. We're enabling SCSI to
become a standard in IBM-compatible PCs by offering
manufacturers a complete solution at the lowest possible cost."
AMD says that PCSCSI contains: a Fast SCSI core, which provides an
8-bit SCSI interface supporting single-ended SCSI with transfer
rates of 10MB-per-second (MBps); a bus master DMA engine, which
contains a 96-byte FIFO which allows 32-bit memory transfers in
burst mode across the PCI bus at 132MBps speeds; and a PCI bus
interface unit, that consists of configuration space and a PCI
master/slave interface as defined in the PCI Revision 2.0
specification.
AMD provides SCSI software to customers royalty-free after
payment of a "nominal, one-time licensing fee." The software is a
C-based, two-layer architecture portable across all major
operating systems, claims the company.
Samples of PCSCSI are now available, with volume shipments
commencing in the first quarter 1994. PCSCSI is available in a
132-pin PQFP, priced in 1,000-piece quantities at $24.95.
(Ian Stokell/19931129/Press Contact: Jim Lochmiller,
408-982-7880, Advanced Micro Devices Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
BUSINESS
DEC Plans Joint Venture In China
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00015)
DEC Plans Joint Venture In China 11/30/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
Corp., has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the
Founder Corporation Group in the People's Republic of China (PRC)
to begin negotiations to establish formal agreements.
The Founder Group Corporation is a fast-growing computer company
in the PRC, enjoying favorable connections and affiliations with
Peking University and other institutions there.
The MoU states the intention to initiate feasibility studies for the
establishment of more cooperative activities between the two
parties. At the conclusion of the studies, and based on market
conditions, both parties are considering establishing a factory in
China to produce Digital's personal computer products.
At the signing, which took place at the People's Great Hall, Enrico
Pesatori, US-based vice president and general manager of Digital's
personal computer business unit, said, "We are very excited by the
market potential in China and we expect to be a leader in the PC
market by working together with the Founder Group Corporation at
Peking University."
he continued: "We see the Asia Pacific region doing 25 percent of
our worldwide PC business by the end of 1994. To be successful
globally in the personal computer industry, we have to be successful
in China. This agreement with Founder Corporation Group at the
Peking University will help us accomplish that."
Alan Cheung, vice president of the Founder Group, said, "We expect
to sell 50,000 Digital PCs in 1994 in the PRC. Our customers
appreciate Digital's engineering capabilities and we look forward
to delivering the most competitive offering in the PRC today."
(Keith Cameron/19931124/Press Contact: Bonnie Engel,
852-805-3510, Digital Equipment Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
BUSINESS
Dell In Black Again, But '93 Sales Target Not Met
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00016)
Dell In Black Again, But '93 Sales Target Not Met 11/30/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Dell Computer
Corp., has returned to profitability in the third quarter of
this fiscal year, but earnings are far below what they were a year
ago and the computer maker says it will not reach its 1993 sales
target.
Dell says earnings for the third quarter are 60 percent below what
they were a year ago, and Chairman Michael Dell said sales will
not meet the company's $3 billion sales target for the year.
There were some bright spots on the report, with Dell showing an
improvement in cash flow and inventories, and new higher-margin
products selling well and getting favorable reviews.
The company reported earnings of $12 million, or $0.26 per share,
for the third quarter, which ended October 31. For the same
period last year earning were reported at $29.6 million, or $0.72
per share. Revenue for the third quarter was $757.3 million,
up 33 percent from the $570 million reported for the same period
last year.
Until this year, Dell has reported doubling of its year-over-year
sales every quarter. The growth rate slowed to 84 percent in the
first period and fell to 50 percent in the second period. Industry
watchers generally attribute Dell's problems to its failure to
keep up with the exploding notebook PC market and a Dell
spokesperson agreed.
"There's no question that was responsible for our difficulties,"
Roger Rydell told Newsbytes. Rydell said the company is gearing
up to re-enter the notebook business "in a big way," but confirmed
that Dell will announce a new product sometime in the first half
of 1994. "We won't announce anything until it's ready to ship."
(Jim Mallory/19931130/Press Contact: Roger Rydell, Dell
Computer, 512-728-4100; Reader Contact: Dell Computer,
800-289-3355)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
IBM
Microsoft Cuts Price Of Works For Windows 3.
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00017)
Microsoft Cuts Price Of Works For Windows 3.0 11/30/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Microsoft
has temporarily reduced the price of Works for Windows version
3.0, and will bundle it with its personal financial management
software.
Until January 31, 1994 buyers who purchase Microsoft Works for
Windows 3.0 will get the integrated software suite for $89. If they
buy Works before January 1, 1994 the company says it will throw
in a copy of Microsoft Money 2.0.
Works for Windows 3.0 is available in a "regular" version and also
a CD-ROM version that includes video clips and some other
features. Once the introductory period is over the suggested
retail price for either version of Works for Windows will be $199.
Works includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database,
charting, drawing, and auto-dialing features and can merge
boilerplate text with addresses and other information to produce
personalized multiple mailings. Version 3.0 supports object
linking and embedding (OLE) making it compatible with other
OLE 2.0-compliant applications. That allows users of Works to
link data between documents, perform in-place editing, and use
"drag-and-drop" within a document or between documents or
modules.
The new release includes Cue Cards -- on-screen help that
teaches basic computing skills and provides step-by-step
help in completing a specific task.
Current users of Windows or DOS versions of Works can upgrade
by buying the new product and sending in the $10 rebate coupon
that is in the product box.
System requirements include at least a 386 microprocessor, four
megabytes (MB) of memory, a hard disk with at least four MB, and
preferably 15MB, of available space, MS-DOS 3.1 or higher, a VGA
or better display, Windows 3.1 or higher, and a high-density
(1.44MB) floppy drive. To use the multimedia edition a CD-ROM
drive is required, along with a sound board and headphones or
speakers.
(Jim Mallory/19931130/Press Contact: Julie Larkin, Microsoft
Corp, 206-882-8080; Reader Contact: Microsoft Corp, 206-882-
8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
IBM
Wordperfect Ships Medical Spell Checker
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00018)
Wordperfect Ships Medical Spell Checker 11/30/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Wordperfect has
announced that it is shipping a 140,000-term medical spell
checker that links to its Wordperfect word processing program.
Called Dorland's Electronic Medical Speller, the program
integrates with the spell checking capabilities of Wordperfect
so one pass through the document checks both medical and non-
medical terms.
The medical-term spell checker is based on the 27th version of
Dorland's Medical Speller and Dorland's Illustrated Medical
Dictionary. Wordperfect has recently formed alliances with
several third-party software publishers to enhance Wordperfect
for the healthcare and legal industries. Dorland's Illustrated
Medical Dictionary was first published in 1900.
Current users of Dorland's Electronic Medical Speller who
purchased the product after May 1, 1993, can upgrade at no cost
by calling Wordperfect. System requirements include 600
kilobytes (KB) of available disk space. It is compatible with
Wordperfect 5.1, 5.2 and 6.0 for Windows, and versions 5.1 and
6.0 for DOS.
The single-user version sells for $89, while a five-user pack has a
suggested retail price of $245. The 20-user pack carries a $499
price tag, the 50-user version is priced at $999, and the 100-user
version costs $1,499.
(Jim Mallory/19931130/Press Contact: Ken Merritt, Wordperfect
Corp, 801-228-5059; Reader Contact: Wordperfect Corp,
tel 801-225-5000 or 800-451-51541, fax 801-228-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
GOVT
****Supreme Court To Hear MCI Tariff Appeal
(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00019)
****Supreme Court To Hear MCI Tariff Appeal 11/30/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- The full US
Supreme Court will hear an appeal by MCI of decisions which
would force it to publicly disclose details of special deals it
enters into with big customers.
AT&T had originally filed a demand for the filings in an
"administrative complaint proceeding" with the Federal
Communications Commission in 1989. The FCC had declined to
settle that on AT&T's terms, and AT&T had sued successfully
in lower courts in an effort to force the disclosures.
Most recently a US District Court ruled that AT&T would have to
find relief in the case from the FCC, which requires far more
detailed filings from AT&T than its rivals under its "dominant
carrier" rules.
All this has resulted in periodic public shouting matches between
AT&T and its rivals in which both sides assert the truth. AT&T
spokesmen claim that they continue to lose market share because
MCI and Sprint do not file the same tariffs as AT&T, while MCI and
Sprint assert they are both in full compliance with the law. Both
statements may be true. AT&T's market share in long distance has
continued to fall since the 1984 Bell System break-up and now
stands at about 60 percent.
This is the background of the case. AT&T's original 1989
complaint charged MCI with violating Section 203 of the 1934
Communications Act, which mandates public filings on tariffs.
MCI's defense was the FCC relaxation of tariff rules for "non-
dominant carriers." The FCC's response, in denying AT&T's
complaint, was to set up an expedited system for possibly
modifying or allowing for appeal on the "dominant carrier" rules.
The US Court of Appeals then stayed the FCC's decision on the
AT&T complaint, saying it did not have the authority to relieve
phone companies of tariff filings. So far, that has been AT&T's
most important victory in its battle against the "dominant
carrier" straitjacket.
MCI, the FCC and the Clinton Administration all say that the FCC
can act in this way, in essence supporting the "dominant carrier"
concept. They have been joined by most of the US telephone
industry, including IBM.
Now, all those petitions have been consolidated into a single appeal
in which MCI's position is being carried by US Solicitor General
Drew Days III, arguing that the permissive de-tariffing policy of
the FCC is "almost as old as the competitive long-distance market"
and the appeals court failed to consider the section of the
communications act giving Congress authority to modify it.
The Supreme Court will schedule oral arguments in the case for
early next year, and should rule by June.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931130/Press Contact: David Thompson, MCI,
202-887-2223)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
BUSINESS
D&B Signs Resale Deal For Credit Ratings
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00020)
D&B Signs Resale Deal For Credit Ratings 11/30/93
MURRAY HILL, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Dun &
Bradstreet has signed an agreement to let FIND/SVP, a New York-
based information brokerage and market research firm, resell
D&B credit reports, including CreditSources ratings, starting
next month.
Dun & Bradstreet data is available on many on-line services,
including Dialog, but that data does not include D&B's credit
ratings -- its' short-hand estimate of corporate credit-worthiness
based on its own analysis of the numbers.
Until now, spokesman Pamela Spiridon told Newsbytes, "I believe
it's only been available directly before. Now FIND/SVP is "going to
be selling our business information report, which includes the
credit rating. We're not delivering it directly to their client. They
are. They're in fact our client, and we're supplying them a license
to, in turn, distribute our products to their clients."
FIND/SVP is not an on-line service, but it began as a company
which searched databases for corporate clients by request. It
later expanded with agents across the country, and began
performing market research like polls and surveys as well.
Under the agreement FIND/SVP will charge $55 for D&B summary
reports, which include "financial, payment and public record
information as well as the business history and operations,"
according to a press statement from the two companies.
"FIND/SVP can also offer D&B's Summary Report that contains
just the business history and operations for $35," said the
company. D&B hopes the agreement will help it reach more
customers among the small and mid-sized US businesses
among FIND/SVP's 2,000 clients.
"D&B reports are among the bet sources of information on
companies, especially privately held firms," said FIND/SVP
president Andrew Garvin in a press statement. "Many of the 13,000
executives we serve in smaller and medium-sized companies don't
understand the potential information value of these reports. Now
we can not only explain it, but can provide it as well."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931130/Press Contact: Dun & Bradstreet,
Pamela Spiridon, 908-665-5105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
TELECOM
Bell Video Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
Bell Video Update 11/30/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- The
regional Bells and GTE are all aboard with First Amendment
arguments, while Bell Atlantic prepares for the first market
test of its own court-given rights.
Pacific Telesis became the latest Bell company to file a court
case against the 1984 Cable Act, arguing that its First Amendment
rights to free speech were abridged by the act's prohibitions
against its entry into cable television. US District Judge T.S.
Ellis had agreed with Bell Atlantic's similar arguments in a
decision handed down earlier this year, but that decision holds
only within Bell Atlantic's service territory. Thus, if they are
not to be left behind, the nation's other phone companies must
follow suit, and they have.
PacTel's suit will be heard in San Jose, and the company is
seeking outright repeal of the law. It also wants the right to
make contracts with producers and take a financial interest in
its video ventures.
Bell Atlantic, meanwhile, said it will begin a market trial of
its own video-on-demand services in northern Virginia on March 1.
It will set up, what it calls, a Video Dial Tone Sales Center in
January hoping to recruit up to 2,000 customers, and is
encouraging both video programmers and other information service
providers to participate in the trial. The improved phone system
it is building in Alexandria, Virginia, capable of providing
video, can serve up to 60,000 customers.
All of these issues will, in time, have to be dealt with by the
Federal Communications Commission, now officially headed by Reed
Hundt, an anti-trust attorney with the Los Angeles-based firm of
Latham and Watkins. After a long "hold" on the nomination in the
full Senate by Republicans upset that President Clinton has
failed to name enough Republicans to open seats on independent
agency boards requiring Republicans, Hundt's nomination was
finally approved just before the Senate adjourned for the year.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931130)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
TELECOM
Motorola Licenses Patents For CDPD
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
Motorola Licenses Patents For CDPD 11/30/93
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Motorola has
licensed patent and intellectual rights used by the Cellular
Digital Packet Data, or CDPD, consortium in their final
specification for the technology. The move eliminates any
potential patent cloud on the CDPD spec.
Spokesman Sheri Benjamin told Newsbytes Motorola had been
committed to such a move ever since it said it would participate
in the development of a CDPD spec, and work to produce network
infrastructure and subscriber products implementing it.
"They knew it was possible that the specification might violate
their rights" as preliminary versions were drawn up, she explained.
"When they looked at the new, final version of the specification,
Motorola recognized that it still had a problem. This addresses
that problem by allowing licensing of rights to technology that
was already part of the spec."
CDPD defines a packet data network using unused cellular calling
channels. Motorola will hold discussions with other equipment
makers as well to license its patents, under the guidelines and
policies of the Telecommunications Industry Association and the
American National Standards Institute.
"Licensing our patented technologies to other manufacturers, on a
fair and reasonable basis, will ensure that these companies can
fully proceed in offering products meeting the CDPD standard
which incorporate technologies covered by Motorola's patents,"
explained Bob Growney, executive vice president of Motorola and
general manager of the Paging and Wireless Data Group, in a press
statement.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931130/Press Contact: Sheri Benjamin, for
Motorola, 408-559-6090)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
BUSINESS
****DEC, Microsoft In Object-Oriented Alliance
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00023)
****DEC, Microsoft In Object-Oriented Alliance 11/30/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment Corp., and Microsoft Corp., have announced they will
work together to link object-oriented technology from the two
companies. By making Microsoft's Object Linking and Embedding
(OLE) and DEC's ObjectBroker software work together, the firms
said they will help customers meld applications on different
hardware into integrated systems.
Both OLE and ObjectBroker let different programs communicate and
cooperate. For instance, with a word processor and a spreadsheet
package that both support OLE, a computer user who wants to edit
a table in a word processing document can use the functions of
the spreadsheet package to do so, without leaving the word
processor.
OLE provides this kind of function in Microsoft's Windows
operating environment, and a version for the Apple Macintosh
entered beta testing earlier this fall. DEC's ObjectBroker offers
similar capabilities on DEC's OpenVMS and Ultrix operating
systems and on several variants of the Unix operating system.
The companies said their new Common Object Model (COM)
architecture will let the two work together seamlessly.
Rod Hodgman, manager of strategic alliances at DEC, said
integrating OLE and ObjectBroker will mean that, for example, a
user will be able to click on a cell in a Lotus Development 1-2-3
worksheet and invoke software running on a Sun Microsystems
server.
This will let information systems personnel build custom
applications that run across multiple computers by tying together
shrink-wrapped applications, he said. It will also allow personal
computer users to create their own links. For instance, a
stockbroker who uses a spreadsheet program to massage numbers
taken from a remote database on a network server might now be
able to work with the database without leaving the spreadsheet.
Digital and Microsoft will be updating their software to
implement the new integration, Hodgman said, but the changes will
be invisible to users. This means that applications that now work
with OLE or ObjectBroker will be able to take advantage of the
new integration without any changes. The companies plan to
release further details of how the links will work in the first
quarter of 1994, Hodgman added, and in the meantime users and
developers can build applications using OLE and ObjectBroker and
expect them to work with the new Common Object Model
architecture later.
ObjectBroker already has a gateway to Microsoft's dynamic data
exchange (DDE) protocol, which allows data copied from one
application to another to retain a "hot link" so that when the
original is updated the copy will also change. Hodgman said the
COM will provide tighter integration and users and developers
will not have to understand that they are dealing with a gateway.
ObjectBroker complies with the Common Object Request Broker
Architecture (CORBA) specification.
(Grant Buckler/19931130/Press Contact: Richard Price, Digital,
508-486-5198; Beverley Flower, Microsoft, 206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
IBM
CA's Realia Workbench Aimed At Offloading, Downsizing
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00024)
CA's Realia Workbench Aimed At Offloading, Downsizing 11/30/93
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Computer
Associates International Inc., is seeking sales to companies that
want to take some of the software-development load off their
mainframe computers, and those downsizing production systems
to personal computers, with a new software development tool set.
CA-Realia II Workbench is a set of development tools for personal
computers. It includes the company's CA-Realia COBOL compiler
as well as other utilities to help develop software on a standard
PC equipped with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows software.
Marc Sokol, vice-president of product strategy at CA, said the
bulk of the initial market for Realia Workbench will probably be
companies that want to take some of the strain off their
mainframe computers by moving software development work to PCs.
Realia Workbench will let them develop software on PCs that will
eventually run on the larger machines, he said.
"The largest market today is to go into large mainframe shops
that are using relatively old techniques on 3270s (mainframe
terminals) to maintain COBOL systems," Sokol said.
In time, though, CA also expects the new software to be used more
and more for developing software that will actually run on PCs.
As customers get used to developing on PCs, Sokol said, they are
likely to start looking more seriously at using them to run
production systems as well.
In addition to the COBOL compiler, which will still be sold
separately, Realia Workbench includes an interactive source-level
debugger, and life-cycle management features, and
"COBOL-intelligent navigation" that lets a developer step forward
or backward through the logic of a program. It also emulates the
mainframe CICS (customer information control system)
transaction processing monitor and VSAM (virtual storage access
method) file system, and supports other mainframe and PC
database file structures, CA officials said.
CA-Realia COBOL as a stand-alone product will continue to appeal
to customers who just need to compile COBOL source code and do
not need all the features of the Workbench tool set, Sokol said.
The compiler will continue to sell for $995, while CA-Realia
Workbench will list for $2,500. Users who already have Realia
COBOL can upgrade to the complete Workbench for $1,250. CA is
also offering a competitive upgrade to users of rival Micro Focus
Inc.'s COBOL Workbench for $1,500.
Shipping now, CA-Realia Workbench will run on any PC equipped
with Windows 3.1 running in enhanced mode, plus DOS 3.3 or later,
said Sokol. It is also compatible with local area networks,
according to the vendor.
(Grant Buckler/19931130/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, tel 516-342-2391, fax 516-342-4864)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
BUSINESS
Systemhouse Reports Loss, Forecasts Profit Soon
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00025)
Systemhouse Reports Loss, Forecasts Profit Soon 11/30/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- SHL Systemhouse
Inc., has reported losses in its fourth quarter and fiscal 1993, but
the company said it expects to turn a profit again in the first
quarter of the new fiscal year.
In its fiscal 1993, ended August 31, the systems integration and
outsourcing firm lost C$145.1 million on total revenues of C$912.9
million. The net loss includes a C$135 million restructuring charge
in the fourth quarter. These figures compare with a loss of C$9.5
million on revenues of C$738.6 million in fiscal 1992.
In the fourth quarter, after the restructuring charge, Systemhouse
lost C$149 million on revenues of C$225.3 million, compared
to a loss of $7.4 million on revenues of C$190.4 million in the
fourth quarter of last year.
The restructuring charge is made up of four items, officials
said. One is a C$50 million charge for completion of all the
company's remaining mainframe-based complex systems
integration projects, a business Systemhouse is abandoning.
Another C$24 million was set aside for cost reduction provisions
in various business units. This will not include staff cuts,
company spokesman Rick Gray said.
Another C$24 million was earmarked to write off unamortized
pre-operating expenses from new offices the company has set up
in the past two years. Finally, the company wrote down by $37
million Canadian trademarks of its ComputerLand Canada operation,
because ComputerLand Corp., recently sold the US trademark to
distributor Merisel Corp.
Before the restructuring charges, Systemhouse had a
fourth-quarter operating loss of C$8.6 million, compared with
C$600,000 net income in the same quarter last year. Gray said
this was due to delays in signing and beginning work on large
contracts, commitment of resources to finish those contracts,
and efforts to reach milestones on certain large government
contracts in the United States.
Systemhouse believes it will earn profits in the first quarter
and throughout the coming fiscal year, he said.
The company is moving away from mainframe systems integration
work to transformational outsourcing and downsizing jobs. To
help it move in that direction, Systemhouse has acquired several
smaller firms in the past year, picking up expertise in
client/server computing and related areas.
The company said its operating revenues were C$401.9 million
in the full fiscal year, up 45 percent from 1992, and C$108.8
million in the fourth quarter, up 46 percent from the
year-earlier quarter.
(Grant Buckler/19931130/Press Contact: Rick Gray, SHL
Systemhouse, 312-697-5668)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
BUSINESS
Correction - Fulcrum Technologies Launches Public Offering
(CORRECTION)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00026)
Correction - Fulcrum Technologies Launches Public Offering 11/30/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- In a news item
with the above headline that appeared in Newsbytes' daily edition
November 22, the annual revenues of Fulcrum Technologies Inc.,
were incorrectly given as $150 million. This figure is in fact
the annual revenues of Datamat Ingegneria dei Sistemi S.p.A. of
Rome, Fulcrum's sole shareholder. Newsbytes regrets the error.
(Grant Buckler/19931130/Press Contact: Barbara Johnson, Fulcrum,
613-238-1761; Wendy Rajala, for Fulcrum, 905-338-8532)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
GENERAL
Lotus Upgrades Document Imaging System For Notes
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00027)
Lotus Upgrades Document Imaging System For Notes 11/30/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Lotus
Development is shipping release 2 of Lotus Notes: Document
Imaging (LN:DI), and Newsbytes has learned that a number of further
enhancements will be made to the PC-based product family over
the next six months.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Scott Cooper, senior product
manager, explained that LN:DI (pronounced "Lindy") is designed to
allow easy incorporation of paper-based information into Lotus
Notes documents.
LN:DI consists of two main components, he added. The essential
element is LN:DI Image Viewer for Windows, a tool that lets end
users capture and archive faxes, correspondence, photos, brochures,
and other paper-based documents, and then view, manipulate, share,
and route the data in electronic form.
The LN:DI Image Viewer can be used in conjunction with the Lotus
Notes database. When large volumes of document images are
involved, however, Cooper recommends use of an optional software-
based storage subsystem called the LN:DI Image Mass Storage
System (MSS) for OS/2.
Both LN:DI components, said Cooper, are tightly integrated with
three more imaging products from Lotus: Incoming Fax Gateway,
Outgoing Fax Gateway, and Optical Character Reader (OCR) Server.
This product trio, revised over the past three months for higher
capacity and greater reliability, is now in release 1.02A.
In release 2 of LN:DI, Image Viewer has been given the ability to
work with color and grayscale images, in addition to the black-and-
white images handled under release 1. "Many of our customers have
told us they'd like to use LN:DI to distribute marketing collateral,
or to capture research in which the colors or shades of gray on the
charts really matter," Cooper commented.
Release 2 also brings newfound support for the OLE (object-linking
and embedding)-compliant Notes 3. According to Cooper, OLE allows
for a variety of usability improvements to LN:DI, including the
ability to use thumb-nails for accessing documents, in place of the
icons employed in release 1. Also in release 2, the document
viewer is newly compatible with both the Kodak Photo CD and
TWAIN specifications.
The optional MSS subsystem for LN:DI works with storage media
ranging from fast hard disks to slower, less expensive optical disk
jukeboxes and digital tape, Cooper told Newsbytes.
"MSS keeps the most recently accessed objects on the fastest
on-line storage media. Then, as objects drop, they are moved on to
slower media," he maintained. "With the first release of MSS, we
gave you the ability to migrate (information) one step. But now,
with release 2, you can chain any number of (storage) devices
together."
Taken together, the technical enhancements in release 2 add up to
greater ease of use, Cooper said. But also in release 2, Lotus has
made the LN:DI "easier to buy" by changing the pricing structure.
"Release 1 was priced at $295 per license, whether for client or
server," he reported. In release 2, Image Viewer and MSS are
separately priced: Image Viewer at $99 and MSS at $3,000.
By lowering the price of Image Viewer, Lotus is encouraging more
widespread use of LN:DI, Cooper told Newsbytes. LN:DI can be
utilized with or without MSS, but Image Viewer is central to the
system. "Once people get Image Viewer, they 'get the point.' They
understand what they have in LN:DI," he said.
The raised price on MSS reflects the greater complexity of the
storage subsystem in relation to the document viewer, and also
brings MSS into closer alignment with competing products,
Newsbytes was told.
For LN:DI, the next six months will bring a series of additional
enhancements to include an announcement in December related to
greater openness, a "server-side release" in January or February,
and a "really big announcement" in June, according to Cooper.
Lotus plans to pursue interoperability on a variety of fronts, he
suggested. "We want our documents to be able to read (other
vendors') documents. We want their documents to be able to read
our documents. We'd also like to build interchange gateways
between high-end imaging systems and LN:DI in the office," he
told Newsbytes.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931130/Reader Contact: Lotus Development
Corp., 617-577-8500; Press Contact: Meryl Franzman, McGlinchey
& Paul for Lotus, 617-862-4514)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
TELECOM
Fujitsu Plans Chinese Mobile Phone Joint Venture
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00028)
Fujitsu Plans Chinese Mobile Phone Joint Venture 11/30/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Fujitsu says it will set up a
joint venture firm involving mobile phones and telephone switching
devices in China next year. Fujitsu already has a software joint
venture firm called Fukken-Fujitsu Telecommunication Software
in China.
Fujitsu is currently producing parts for telephone switching
devices through a Chinese firm in Shanghai. The demand for
mobile phones is increasing in China. It is expected that Fujitsu
will spend a total of four to five billion yen ($40 million to $50
million) in establishing the new firm.
Fujitsu is currently shipping Motorola's TACS-based mobile
phones to the Chinese market. By mid-next year, Fujitsu expects
to ship 10,000 units per month to China. The mobile phones are
currently shipped from Japan and the US.
The telecommunication market has been growing rapidly in
China, and devices include, not only mobile phones, but also
telephones and pocket pagers. Due to the growing demand, a
number of Japanese electronics makers are preparing to set
up joint venture firms in China.
Most recently, Casio decided to create a joint venture in
cooperation with Nichimen. NEC is also preparing to set up a
joint venture firm next year, and will ship pocket pagers next
February at the rate of 360,000 units per annum.
Matsushita Telecommunication Industry has already created a
joint venture firm, formed in June 1992. The firm previously
shipped 100,000 pagers per year, but that doubled to 200,000
units this year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931126/Press Contact:
Fujitsu, tel 81-3-3215-5236, fax 81-3-3216-9365)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
BUSINESS
Hong Kong - Top Stockbroker Outsources COL Computing
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00029)
Hong Kong - Top Stockbroker Outsources COL Computing 11/30/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- One of Hong Kong's
leading stockbrokers, Baring Securities, has joined the growing
trend towards computer outsourcing by handing over its main
system to COL Ltd., the territory's largest independent computer
services company.
COL will operate and manage the Digital VAX 6410 system for
Baring Securities, giving some 50 on-line users round-the-clock
access to foreign exchange, trading, and accounting applications.
The move will enable Baring's systems management staff to
concentrate on development of new applications without having
to supervise day-to-day operations.
"It's difficult for a company like ours to recruit, let alone retain,
computer operators in Hong Kong," said Assistant Director Patrick
Lawlor. "Quite reasonably, they all want to move into systems
development, but we have only limited opportunities available. A
company the size of COL can offer a career path, so it is able to
maintain a very stable operations department with experienced
people."
He continued: "Another important factor is office space. As our
business grows, it makes less and less sense to have computers
taking up space in Exchange Square that could be used by people.
When you add the need for uninterruptible power supplies and
special airconditioning, COL's data center in Kwun Tong looks
very attractive."
The cost of office space in Hong Kong has reached unbelievable
levels, which often exceed that of Tokyo and New York. Kwun Tong
is an industrial district three miles across the harbor from the
main business district, known as Central. The fully digital
telecommunications network enables the concept of remote data
centers to come into reality.
Lawlor said COL's 24-hour service has improved Baring Securities'
job scheduling. "We're on-line from 8.30 in the morning till around
midnight," he explained. "When we go off-line, COL runs batch
systems that update all our records. This takes about six hours and
ensures that all our positions are up-to-date when dealing begins
again in the morning. If necessary, backup can be done on a Sunday
because COL operates seven days a week."
The Baring system, known as Super XTAS, was developed in London
and is still supported from there. COL staff call London direct to
resolve any operational problems that may occur, relieving the
local office of support responsibility. "In effect, we have a turnkey
system that looks after itself," said Lawlor. "We don't have to
worry about support at all."
Baring Securities joins Inchcape Pacific and Hill Samuel as recent
converts to outsourcing with COL. "In the UK and North America,
outsourcing is a major trend in the financial industry and I expect
to see more and more Hong Kong companies adopting this solution,"
said Lawlor. "While staff are cheaper here than in the West, space
costs are higher. Even so, the cost-benefit calculation still comes
out looking good."
Baring Securities is considering the possibility of relocating some
of its overseas computer systems to the COL data center. "Operators
are becoming more and more expensive in the West, while
international communications are getting cheaper and increasingly
reliable," said Lawlor. "It may be more cost-effective to support
users in Europe from a data center in Hong Kong than from
a local installation. We will be exploring that option early next
year."
(Keith Cameron/19931129/Press Contact: Peter Fishwick,
852-798 4798, COL)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/30/93
GENERAL
Microsoft Australia Gets New Zealand Boss
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00030)
Microsoft Australia Gets New Zealand Boss 11/30/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 30 (NB) -- Microsoft has chosen
a New Zealand executive to head its Australian operation.
Microsoft Australia has been headless since the sudden
resignation of former head Gary Jackson in mid-August over
troubles with a golf sponsorship deal. Since then, one of the
plum jobs in the Australian information technology (IT) scene
has been up for grabs. Now, Microsoft New Zealand Managing
Director Chris Kelliher has been chosen to fill the position.
Kelliher will take the reins as Microsoft Australia MD in the new
year. According to a prepared Microsoft statement, Kelliher
presided over a five-fold increase in sales during his two-year
tenure as NZ MD. Before that he was a DEC hand for five years,
holding two jobs as senior sales executive and local sales manager
of the computer special systems group in NZ capital Wellington.
"Microsoft conducted an extensive international executive search
internally and externally for a new managing director and Kelliher
was the best candidate, with excellent qualifications for the role."
said former holder of the job and current Microsoft Asia Pacific
Boss Daniel Petre.
In New Zealand, Autodesk was responsible for two NZ software
pirates being convicted after pleading guilty to four charges of
using an altered or reproduced document with the intent to
defraud -- AutoCAD and Autodesk software and manuals. They
have yet to be sentenced.
(Computer Daily News/19931126)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
GENERAL
Fast Ethernet Alliance Well Received In Hong Kong
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00001)
Fast Ethernet Alliance Well Received In Hong Kong 11/29/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- In response to demands for
high-speed networking solutions, the industry coalition known as the
Fast Ethernet Alliance recently announced the first Fast Ethernet
specification that will provide customers with interoperable
products.
Known as 100Base-X, the newly completed specification addresses
100Mbps (megabits per second) Ethernet running over two pairs of
Category 5 unshielded twisted pair (UTP), shielded twisted pair
(STP) and fibre optic cabling.
The 100Base-X specification was jointly developed by the members of
the Fast Ethernet Alliance which includes SynOptics Communications,
Sun Microsystems and 3Com, as well as a number of third party
computer and computer networking vendors. It is the first offering
from the Fast Ethernet Alliance since its inception in August 1993
as a multi-vendor effort committed to providing customers with open,
cost-effective and interoperable Fast Ethernet solutions.
"Interoperability is the key to providing a solution that allows
customers to migrate seamlessly to Fast Ethernet technology,"
explained Peter Woo, General Manager, North Asia for SynOptics
Communications.
"The completion of this specification is a significant step towards
an industry standard for Fast Ethernet," he said.
Mary Theis, Marketing Manager for Sun Microsystems Hong Kong office,
views the announcement as an important milestone in the development
of larger, more powerful client-server computing networks.
"We are approaching a time where processing is becoming so widely
distributed that the network will effectively become the computer,"
she said. "Technologies like Fast Ethernet will supply the huge
bandwidths that future applications such as multimedia will need."
"The announcement of this specification will provide users with the
assurance that as they implement high-speed, 100Mbps links within
their systems, they are investing in an open and upgradable
solution," she said.
At 3Com, Asia Regional Managing Director Roy Johnson said that the
new specifications meant a new base from which a new networking
industry would blossom. "Next year will see 3Com rolling out a
complete range of Fast Ethernet hubs and network adapters," he said.
"With the rapid progress being made to formalise this standard,
customers will be able to start migrating their networks to our new
high-performance platforms secure in the knowledge they are buying
into industry-wide interoperability," he added.
"What's more, the Fast Ethernet Alliance specification preserves all
the essential characteristics of Ethernet, which means that
customers do not have to make changes to the applications to enjoy
this forklift boost to network performance," he explained.
(Keith Cameron/19931129/Press Contacts: Peter Woo (SynOptics): 852-
878 1021 Mary Theis (Sun): 852-802 4188 Roy Johnson (3Com) : 852-868
9111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
GENERAL
Sun CEO Scott McNealy Meets Hong Kong Industry Leaders
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00002)
Sun CEO Scott McNealy Meets Hong Kong Industry Leaders 11/29/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Scott McNealy, Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Sun Microsystems, recently
held a series of meetings about global computing trends with several
leading Hong Kong companies, and key government officials. The visit
to Hong Kong is part of a two-week tour of Asia by McNealy and most
of Sun's senior management team.
During his meetings with Asian business leaders, McNealy discussed
the important role of open technologies, such as Sun's
SPARC/Solaris, in the creation of client-server environments.
Asia is quickly embracing this worldwide computing trend, in which
networks of workstations and servers are replacing the older
mainframe/terminal computing model. "Asia has the world's fastest-
growing economies and its computer industry growth is 40 per cent
greater than the US market," said McNealy.
"Unlike their counterparts in the US, Japan and Europe, companies
operating in these markets aren't burdened with mainframe models of
computing but can quickly adopt the cost-effective client-server
computing trend," he added.
McNealy said that he is personally meeting with the industry leaders
"who will be driving this growth in the coming years to seek out new
opportunities that will be a win/win for Sun and local Asian
economies."
McNealy is also trade chairman of the Computer Systems Policy
Project (CSPP), an organisation of 13 CEOs of the largest US
computer companies committed to develop and impact US public policy
on technology trade issues.
In this capacity, he met with Asian industry and government trade
officials and address the realities of global competition in the
computer industry and focus on the need for policies that will allow
US computer companies to share and leverage technology with Asian
companies for mutual benefit.
According to regional research organisations, Sun controls over 40
per cent of the workstation/server market in Asia, and is ranked
number one in Hong Kong, PRC and Korea. Sun's local offices are in
Singapore, Korea, PRC, Taiwan, Hong Kong and its business spans 13
countries.
Sun products have been applied to a variety of Asian industry
markets such as banking, transportation, government, finance,
manufacturing, oil/gas, education, and telecommunications.
(Keith Cameron/19931129/Press Contact: Mary Theis (Sun): 852-802
4188)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
GENERAL
Infosys Unveils Motor Control Software
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00003)
Infosys Unveils Motor Control Software 11/29/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Bangalore-based Infosys
Technologies Limited (ITL) and US-based Analog Devices Incorporated
(ADI) have announced a joint venture to launch Gamana, a software
package capable of making AC (alternating current) induction motors
achieve high performance with variable speed.
Traditionally, induction motors have had only a small "window" of
top performance where speed is concerned. If the speed is too low,
then the induction forces required frequently drain much of the
electrical power. If the speed is too high, other forces start to
drain the electrical power prematurely.
While the software was developed by Infosys, ADI supplied the
digital signal processing (DSP) chips. Newsbytes understands that
Gamana will be marketed in the US by ADI, while Infosys will get
royalties on sales. ADI and Infosys jointly own the patents and
trademarks on the product.
According to ADI, Gamana provides motion control engineers with a
development system comparable to those which computer system
designers have been using for years. The package claims to reduce
the complexity of implementing vector control (a system for
dynamically controlling the speed and torque of AC induction and DC
brushless motors by controlling magnetic fields).
Gamana VT, the first phase of the development tool kit, allows
designers to run motor simulations on PCs. This, ADI claims, gives
them an understanding of the principles and methods involved in
vector control.
Under the second phase of the tool kit, system designers can develop
their own control architecture and simulate the results of the
benchmark control systems in real-time with a motor model of the DSP
development system.
The idea behind introducing a PC to the development mix is to hook up
a power inverter and motor to test the robustness and performance of
the control system.
In the third and final phase of the toolkit's usage, the software
that has been developed under phase two is targeted to the DSP and
an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM) chip with the
appropriate chipset. After this stage has been completed, the system
can be moved into production without further delay.
The motor control chipset is based on ADSP 21XX and AD 2S 100 with
embedded Gamana software. The motion control development system
includes PC add-on boards that actually control the motor and a PC-
based software that could be downloaded from the host development
system.
According to ADI, Gamana's development took 15 man years of effort.
The project also involved the Bangalore-based Indian Institute of
Science (IISc), as well as ADI and Infosys. The IISc was ably to
offer support on issues relating to vector control.
According to Nandan Nilekani, ITL's deputy managing director, Gamana
is mainly pitched at the AC induction motor marketplace. Nilekani
claims that the motor control market in the US is worth between $162
and $243 million, a figure which is expected to rise to $2,000 to
$3,000 million by the end of the decade.
ADI and Infosys are now in the process of adding on more features to
Gamana. Features like rotor time compensation, sensorless control
and PMSM control are expected to be incorporated by 1994.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931129)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
TELECOM
Matsushita & NEC Provide Music Services Online
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00004)
Matsushita & NEC Provide Music Services Online 11/29/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Matsushita Electric has started
selling music CDs and video cassette tapes through its online
computer network. NEC, meanwhile, has gone one step further by
allowing users to download music files over its PC-VAN service/
The idea behind the Matsushita service is that subscribers can order
cassettes and CDs for delivery by mail. Because of the interactive
nature of the online services, customers can download information
and graphics relevant to their purchase, before choosing to buy the
product. In theory, it should also be possible to supply excerpts
from albums for subscribers to download and play on suitably
equipped PCs.
The Matsushita service costs 500 yen ($5) a month to subscribe to.
The NEC service, meanwhile, involves the transmission of MIDI data
over PC-VAN, NEC's Japanese online network, for downloading and
playing on MIDI-equipped PCs and musical instruments.
Subscribers to PC-VAN are able to choose which music files they wish
to download from comprehensive lists. Initially, around 300 titles
are available, with around 100 new titles being added every month.
NEC claims it wants to see at least 2,000 titles online by the end
of 1994.
The cost of downloading a set of MIDI files has been set at 350 yen
($3-50) per title. NEC expects that around 10,000 users will sign up
for the service.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931129/Press Contact: Matsushita
Electric, +81-3-3578-1237, Fax, +81-3-3437-2776, NEC, PC-VAN, +81-
3-3798-6511, Fax, +81-3-3798-9170)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
GENERAL
Mannesmann Tally Launches Postscript Laser w/Appletalk
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00005)
Mannesmann Tally Launches Postscript Laser w/Appletalk 11/29/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Mannesmann Tally (MT) has
announced the availability of the T9005PS, a five pages per minute
Postscript language compatible laser printer. The average buy price
(MT does not publish RRPs) of the unit is UKP 769, which the company
claims is inexpensive, given the fact that its is compatible with
PCs and Apple Macs, thanks to the inclusion of an Appletalk
interface.
According to MT, the 300 dots per inch (DPI) printer comes with its
own Microsoft Windows driver and, as well as being Postscript
language compatible, has PCL 5, Epson and IBM printer emulations
built in as integral features.
Serial and parallel ports are standard on the printer, with data
being accepted from several sources thanks to the auto interface
switching facility. The printer also features an auto emulation
protocol system for ease of use.
MT claims that the unit has been designed for a 3,000 pages per
minute office environment, but is capable of a maximum of 10,000
pages per month. The single developer unit has been designed to last
up to 15,000 copies, and is refillable with toner every 2,800 pages.
This makes the printer cost-effective and environmentally sound, MT
officials claim.
(Steve Gold/19931129/Press & Public Contact: Mannesmann Tally - Tel:
+44-734-788711)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
IBM
Page Financial Controller Upgraded For Europe
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00006)
Page Financial Controller Upgraded For Europe 11/29/93
SEATON, DEVON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Software Resource has
unveiled a full Intrastat option for its popular Page Financial
Controller accountancy package. The Intrastat facility claims to boost
the package's ability to handle European value added tax
arrangements.
Page Financial Controller (PFC) was first launched three years ago
and, the company claims. was designed to develop to provide a low=-
cost, highly reliable and fully integrated accounts package
specifically for the small to medium-sized business. The initial
single currency option was followed by a multi-currency, the company
said.
The Intrastat facility, Newsbytes notes, claims to have all
facilities and features necessary to generate the information needed
to complete the VAT return form 100; the EC sales lists (ESL) form
101 and the supplementary statistical declarations (SSDs).
Hilary Briers, a spokeswoman for Software Resource, said that Page
Financial Controller provides fully integrated accounting between
sales, purchase, nominal and stock ledgers. Its design, she said, is
such that there is no degradation of performance as usage increases
-- Software Resource's parent company, Shareware Publishing, use
the package themselves for their 50,000 customers and 200,000-plus
transactions a year.
The single currency version of PFC starts at UKP 199, while the
multi-currency edition costs UKP 299. Multi-user licences are
available.
(Steve Gold/19931129/Press & Public Contact: Software Resource -
Tel: +44-297-625666)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
GOVT
US Economy Shows Continuing Growth
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00007)
US Economy Shows Continuing Growth 11/29/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Because the overall
level of business activity has a great bearing on computer sales in
general, Newsbytes often takes note of important financial events
which may not seem to have a direct relationship to the industry and
last week was no exception as the US Durable Goods orders numbers
surged a very strong 2-percent, while jobless numbers increased only
slightly.
Durable goods are those products, such as refrigerators and
automobiles, that are designed to last several years and their sales
are a good indication of the strength of the economy because they
are big ticket items which many families won't invest in unless they
have some reasonable confidence that their finances will improve.
This month's strong increase in Durable Goods orders follows several
months growth in the numbers, indicating a strengthening trend in
the economy and not just a one-time uptick in the numbers.
Newsbytes notes that jobless numbers were slightly worse, with new
claims climbing a meager 1,000, while the unemployment trend has
been showing a steady improvement.
(John McCormick/19931129)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
APPLE
English Language Talmud On CD-ROM
(NEWS)(APPLE)(WAS)(00008)
English Language Talmud On CD-ROM 11/29/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- While the Bible and
related religious documents have long been available in electronic
format, the massive, 5,000-page Talmud containing Judaic law and
commentary, has not been widely available. Now, Chicago, Illinois-
based Davka, in cooperation with the Institute for Computers in
Jewish Life, has published English and Hebrew versions of the Talmud
on an Apple Mac-compatible CD-ROM.
Besides making the documents more widely available, the electronic
version of the Talmud, which includes Rashi's commentary in Hebrew,
as well as the respected Soncino English translation in addition to
the original Hebrew, is also fully indexed. The company claim that
this allows the programs to be searched electronically using a bi-
lingual search engine using just a word or two.
Both versions of the text can be displayed simultaneously and
scrolled together and there is also a topic index as well as the
full-text search capabilities.
The Macintosh CD-ROM is priced at $299.
(John McCormick/19931129/Press Contact: Davka - 312-465-4070)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
UNIX
More On The Sunsoft/Next Deal
(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00009)
More On The Sunsoft/Next Deal 11/29/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Former rivals
Sunsoft and Nextstep announced a series of agreements which the
companies say will have two basic ramifications. One is to attempt
to gain industry-wide adoption of Next's Nextstep object-oriented
architecture by freely publishing the application programming
interfaces (APIs) and the other is the purchase by Sunsoft of
Nextstep's object-oriented technology for incorporation into Sun's
Solaris system software.
Next has been praised for its object-oriented technology for custom
application development. The open API is being called "Openstep" and
Next representatives said that the company is "...trying to provide
the industry an alternative to Microsoft's Cairo."
Cairo is the internal code name for the next generation graphical
operating system being developed at Microsoft.
Newsbytes understands that Sunsoft has essentially purchased the
object-oriented technology, including the Common Object Request
Broker Architecture (COBRA), from the Nextstep 3.2 operating system
for a $10 million minority share in Next Computing. In addition,
Next has agreed to move Nextstep to Sun's Sparc architecture.
Next Computing, started by former Apple Computer co-founder Steve
Jobs, claims that, while it is true that it used to have a strong
foothold in the academic community, it is now stronger in the
financial services, healthcare, telecommunications, and government
markets.
Next dropped the manufacture of its own hardware platform earlier
this year and developed a version of its operating system for Intel
80486- and Pentium-based PCs which started shipping this summer. Sun
is a leading hardware vendor in the Unix community.
Industry analysts, such as those from International Data Corporation
(IDC) are saying that Unix vendors such as Next and Sun have much to
fear in the next 18 to 24 months from Microsoft in the form of the
graphical Windows NT and Cairo operating systems.
By freely licensing the Nextstep API, the companies are hoping the
market will adopt and standardize on the object-oriented technology
offered, instead of continuing to waiting for technology from
Microsoft.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931129/Press Contact: Karen Andre, Sunsoft,
415-336-3890; Karen Logston, Next Computing, tel 415-780-3786,
fax 415-780-3950)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
IBM
UCLA Storyboarding Course To Use Autodesk 3D Studio
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00010)
UCLA Storyboarding Course To Use Autodesk 3D Studio 11/29/93
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Autodesk has
announced that the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
will be the first to offer publicly available courses in a non-
degree program for film and television script previsualization, also
known as storyboarding, using its 3D Studio Release 3 software
product.
The courses, aimed at professionals in the animation, videography,
and motion picture industries, are entitled entitled "Computer
Animation and Storyboarding with 3D Studio: Parts I and II" and are
planned for the upcoming Winter and Spring curriculums. The focus is
to learn the fundamentals of 3D Studio and then to apply those
fundamentals in film and television previsualization.
The courses will be taught by Nancy Fulton, a computer aided design
(CAD) and animation instructor and Frank Foster, vice president of
previsualization at the in-house visual effects unit of Sony
Pictures.
Autodesk has donated copies of its Animator Pro, Autocad, and other
software products for use with the copies of 3D Studio Release 3
purchased by UCLA at a discount through a special educational
account program.
To help students find work, Autodesk and UCLA Extension are also
cooperating on the development of a "talent bank" service for those
who successfully complete one or both of the 3D Studio workshops.
Prospective employers in the entertainment industry will receive the
names of students who have requested to be contacted for possible
employment opportunities.
The two courses can be taken separately at a cost of $495 and $545,
respectively, but the combined tuition for the two courses is less
at $995. The courses will be taught at UCLA Extension Center on
Universal Citywalk in Universal City, California and more
information and a catalog is available from the UCLA Extension.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931129/Press Contact: Garth Chouteau, Autodesk,
415-491-8853; Richard Macales, UCLA Extension, tel 310-825-1901,
fax 310-206-5123; Public Contact, UCLA Extension, 310-825-9064,
Autodesk, 800-879-4233)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
IBM
Australian Bulletin Boards Hit In Anti-Piracy Crackdown
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00011)
Australian Bulletin Boards Hit In Anti-Piracy Crackdown 11/29/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- The Business Software
Association of Australia (BSAA) has been busy looking after its
member's rights. In particular, the not-for-profit organization has
been investigating certain bulletin board systems (BBS) in Australia
that it accuses of illegally distributing copyright software.
Proceedings have been filed in the Federal Court of Australia
against Jarrard Webb, operator of the Cove bulletin board in
Adelaide and against Gareth Morgan, operator of Terminal Velocity
bulletin board in Melbourne. The applicants in the action against
Cove were Aldus Software, Autodesk and Microsoft. The applicants
against Terminal Velocity were Autodesk, Lotus Development,
Microsoft and WordPerfect.
Newsbytes understands that Anton Pillar court orders were served
simultaneously on November 10 against the two BBSs. The orders
allowed BSAA companies' representatives to enter the premises of
the two men operating the two BBSs and to search for and seize
computer disks, tapes and documents relating to the allegedly
illegal distribution of their software. The Federal government gave
interim orders restraining Webb and Morgan from illegally copying or
distributing the applicants' software.
The court also made orders requiring Webb to deliver up to the
applicants' solicitors all computers, disks and tapes in his
possession and to file an affidavit giving the names, addresses and
telephone numbers of any BBS operator or other sources from which he
obtained copies of the applicants' software.
On Friday, 26 November, in the Federal Court of Australia in Sydney,
permanent restraining orders were granted against Morgan as part of
the settlement in the case. He agreed to pay substantial damages
(the amount is confidential) and to have equipment confiscated.
The case against Webb, meanwhile, continues, with the court granting
the applicants leave to file contempt of court charges against Webb
and his wife Reneta for failing to comply with the court requests
for information.
The BSAA said it has been investigating Australian BBSs for almost
12 months now and expects more action to be taken. The BSAA claims
that it has intercepted warning messages on the BBS networks.
One reads, in part:
"Some of you are aware that some boards in Melbourne and South
Australia have been busted or have closed down of their own accord.
The authorities have been looking for business software such as
Microsoft products, AutoCAD, WordPerfect, etc. Currently Victoria
and South Australia are under investigation, but this could spread."
(Paul Zucker/19931129/Contact: BSAA on phone +61-2-439 3655 or fax
+61-2-906 4562)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/29/93
TELECOM
Telecom Australia Launches Public Phone For Hearing Impaired
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00012)
Telecom Australia Launches Public Phone For Hearing Impaired 11/29/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Australia's prime telephone
carrier has a number of specialised payphones which cater for people
with special needs, but never before did it offer a phone for people
who are hearing impaired. Now Telecom has unveiled the TTY payphone,
a text/modem terminal-equipped payphone that allows users to
interact with other TTY phone units.
Similar TTY payphones were installed recently in London, Newsbytes
notes. The phones double up as ordinary payphones, but, when
required, can be set up to function as text phones for ASCII-based
communications.
In a sign language presentation in Sydney last week, Colin Allen,
the president of the Australian Association of the Deaf said: "The
communication requirements of people in Australia who are deaf are
often overlooked. Telecom has recognised the need to provide public
payphones for people with special requirements and the TTY payphone
will greatly assist our members and give them the opportunity to
communicate while they are away from home."
Telecom now has a Payphone Access Policy which refers to all people
who may currently have difficulty using payphones, including people
who use wheelchairs or walking aids; who suffer from impaired
vision or hearing; or with language or reading difficulties.
Telecom claims to be developing a standard for future designs of
payphones to ensure that they will include facilities to accommodate
people with special needs. The majority of existing payphones
already have hearing aid couplers, volume control and touch-pad
dialling, automatic dialling once a phonecard is inserted (these can
be programmed for use at any phonecard phone) and many allow access
to wheelchairs and walking frames.
Chris Wilkinson of Telecom's Payphone Services, said that the TTY
payphone is one of the first initiatives of the policy and ease of
use, suitability of location and effectiveness of the calling guide
were some of the key considerations in the design process.
According to Wilkinson, all deaf and hearing impaired people in the
area near the first TTY payphone have been offered $5 phone cards so
they can try the new service.
The TTY payphone works like this:
The user places the handset in a cradle, inserts a phonecard and
dials the number of another TTY phone. A signal light indicates if
the called number is busy or ringing.
Once the call is answered, a drawer under the payphone opens to
reveal a keyboard and screen. If a hearing person answers, they can
be alerted to connect the TTY system at their end by pressing a
button. This activates a recorded explanation.
The caller conducts a conversation using the keyboard and screen.
TTY phone etiquette requires users to type "GA" to indicate that it
is the other person's turn to 'talk'. "SK" indicates that the call
is over. After the call, when the handset is replace, the drawer
closes.
(Paul Zucker/19931129/Contact: Colleen Duffy, Telecom Australia
Payphone Services on phone +61-2-895 9780)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/29/93
BUSINESS
Intelligent Electronics 3rd Quarter Dividends Up 100 Percent
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00013)
Intelligent Electronics 3rd Quarter Dividends Up 100 Percent 11/29/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Intelligent Electronics,
the Exton, Pennsylvania-based computer product and services
distributor, has reported strong third-quarter results, led by a 40
percent revenue increase which, combined with marketing
efficiencies, resulted in a 92 percent increase in earnings.
Intelligent Electronics has a network of more than 1,800 resellers
who brought the company $675.9 million in sales for the third
quarter of fiscal year 1993 (ended October, 30) versus only $484.1
million gross sales for the same period in 1992, but more
importantly, income for the quarter was $10.9 million or 30-cents
per share, verses $5.7 million or only 15-cents per share for the
third quarter last year.
By offering popular new services and using strict cost controls, the
company was able to grow earnings more than twice as fast as sales.
For fiscal year 1993 year-to-date, Intelligent Electronics has
achieved an overall 84 percent increase in earnings over the first
three quarters of FY 92, but sales revenues increased only 32
percent.
According to Richard D. Sanford, the company's chief executive
officer, a major reason for the improvement has been a new financing
arrangement for resellers.
(John McCormick/19931129/Press Contact: W. Evelyn Walker,
Intelligent Electronics, 215-458-6668)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/29/93
BUSINESS
Japan Stock Market Plunges - Result? Reduced Imports
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00014)
Japan Stock Market Plunges - Result? Reduced Imports 11/29/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- A continuing and
apparently accelerating drop in the Tokyo Stock Market's Nikkei
Average has brought uncertainty to exporters wishing to sell into
the Japanese market and calls for the government to intervene in a
major way to end what has become a 25 percent drop in stock values
since September.
Although international markets have shrugged off the Tokyo problems,
many countries, including the US, have been looking to Japan to
increase imports and help spur the world economy, something which
is unlikely to happen during a recession.
Sony, almost alone among the high-tech stocks was almost untouched
in Monday (Tokyo time) trading, dropping only a minute 0.0008
percent, but major microchip and computer maker NEC plunged more
than 11 percent in one day and NTT, the Japan Telephone Company
approximately equivalent to AT&T, fell more than 7 percent on
Monday.
These domestic pressures will inevitably lead the Japanese
government and business communities to concentrate even more on
exports, the only strong part of the economy, and reduce their
imports further, not helping -- and possibly hurting -- the world
economy.
Analysts say that, despite the high Japanese consumer savings
rate, the government, even with its massive reserves of money on
deposit with the Post Office (Japanese families often save money
through the Post Office rather than their banks), can't stimulate
the economy, support the tottering Japan-based international and
domestic banks, and buy stocks all at the same time.
Many observers saw this entire year's run up in the Tokyo stock
market as being due to heavy government investment just prior to
the year's end closing of financial books at the major banks,
many of which were badly hit by the tremendous fall in the value
of Japan and especially Tokyo's real estate markets where they
were also heavily invested.
The only bright point in the international trade picture as concerns
Japan was today's suggestion that the Tokyo government, after last
week pushing through some campaign financing reforms, was about to
agree to allow some rice imports, only a small percentage starting
about 4 percent and eventually rising to 8 percent.
Observers see this as having an important impact on the vital
Uruguay Round General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) talks
where the major hurdle to lowering international trade barriers is
the French government's fear of reaction from their powerful (and
highly aggressive) farmers who enjoy a high level of subsidies.
(John McCormick/19931129)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
EDITORIAL GENERAL
EDITORIAL: Christmas Shopping Don'ts
(EDITORIAL)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00015)
EDITORIAL: Christmas Shopping Don'ts 11/29/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Although computer owners
aged from 5 through 80 will probably enjoy getting an interesting
game or entertainment program geared to their interests, there are
some pitfalls that could lead many buyers to spend $50 or even more
for what appears to be a great gift, only to see the recipient's
happy smile quickly fade as they read the minimum requirements to
run the software.
The general quality level of computer games has risen
dramatically since the days since this writer wrote a game column
for the small Tandy-oriented PCM Magazine. Many of those early games
were text-based, while CGA was the top-of-the-line when it came to
graphics. Some games were a bit on the basic side, but in some ways
I wish those days could return.
You see, back then every game I received would run on one or more
of my basic home-type computers. Many were innovative, all were
somewhat fun and perfectly suitable for some computer users,
while a few were fantastic considering that they came on a
maximum of about three 360K floppy diskettes.
Today's games offer complex graphics, sophisticated simulations,
and stereo sounds (I have one that comes on three CD-ROMs!), but
they pay a heavy penalty for that sophistication by being
incompatible with the vast majority of home computers and even a
lot of business-grade systems.
Let's take a look at a couple of games I have here for testing. I
have no complaint about the quality, sophistication, complexity,
or entertainment value of these programs, but I bet a lot of
disappointed kids and adults will open them up on Christmas only
to find that they require several thousand dollars worth of
computer to run, and that their home system won't come near being
able to even load them.
Spectrum Holobyte's National Lampoon Chess Maniac promises "Great
laughs and great chess" in sick, nasty, and sexy play levels. It
also requires 27 megabytes of available hard disk space just to
load, but at least a sound card is optional rather than mandatory.
Consider next the three great Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
interactive multimedia games from ICOM. These are fantastic games,
but they won't even load unless they detect a compatible sound
board. Users who have computers with speakers, or those who have
relied on the headphone port on their CD-ROM drives, need not apply.
During the installation I also found that I had to change my boot
files several times to make enough DOS space available to run the
program.
Don't get me wrong, I do this for a living and have a dozen
computers available to try out different software so I am not
lodging any personal complaint and I love most of these hot new
games myself - no, my only point is that parents, grandparents,
and friends who walk into a store looking for just the right
present for a computer owner should probably steer away from
sophisticated software, especially game software.
How many such gift buyers would know the importance of having the
right sound board, or whether the intended recipient has DOS 5 or
DOS 3.11?
Even when you can see the small print on the package, few people
buying for someone else's computer would know it well enough to make
a compatible purchase and it is important to remember that most home
computers have a 386SX (or slower) processor, no sound, 2 MB memory
(or less), and small hard drive along with poor quality monitor, in
other words, one of the entry-level computers sold at Radio Shack.
So don't get carried away with buying computer-oriented presents for
someone who has a computer. Just because you think that knowing
their hobby makes them easy to buy for, that doesn't make it so.
Want a suggestion? Give a gift certificate good at a computer-
oriented store that carries lots of software! Trying to buy computer
books, hardware, supplies, and software is a bad idea unless the
product can be returned or you really know the details of the
recipient's system and needs.
(John McCormick/19931129)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
IBM
Second Generation Ergonomic Keyboard To Ship
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00016)
Second Generation Ergonomic Keyboard To Ship 11/29/93
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Kinesis
Corporation has announced it will begin shipping the second
generation of its Kinesis Ergonomic keyboard in early December 1993.
You almost have to see this unique keyboard in order to realize how
it is configured. Physically it is about the same shape as your
current keyboard and contains all the keys you are used to, with a
few additions. For example there are 17 Function keys and one
additional key action to support the international 102-key keyboard.
The specific action of the additional key varies from language to
language.
But the biggest difference is the layout of the board itself. The
keys are still in the traditional QWERTY configuration, but the
keyboard has been divided into two sections, with about six inches
of space between them. Also the keys are set up in a concave
configuration with the depth a little more than a saucer. The
company says that the division of the keys keeps the hands at
shoulder width and reduces the possibility of carpal tunnel
syndrome.
Another feature of the keyboard is a tone that sounds when you
change the state of the caps lock, num lock, scroll lock, keypad and
insert keys. The tone can be disabled. There is also an optional
foot switch that activates the numeric keypad as long as it's held
down. On earlier models the foot switch acted as a toggle to
activate and deactivate the keypad. A second foot switch can be
installed to act as a Shift key.
While the keyboard may look strange, Kinesis says it's easy to get
used to since most of the keys are exactly where you expect them to
be. The company estimates it takes about eight hours to be
completely familiar with the board.
The most difficult changes users will have to adjust to are the
changes in location of the backspace and delete keys and the space
bar. The navigational keys Home, End, PgUp and PgDn now occupy the
area where your thumbs touch the board and are divided between the
left and right sides.
Each side has a Control and Alt key, and the traditional space bar
across the bottom of the keyboard has been replaced by a key grouped
with the right-side navigational keys. That is also where the Enter
key is found.
The Kinesis Ergonomic Keyboard has a suggested retail price of $390,
and the company gives discounts for volume purchases.
(Jim Mallory/19931129/Press contact: Shirley Lunde, Kinesis
Corp, 206-455-9220; Reader contact: Kinesis Corp, 206-455-9220
or 800-454-6374, fax 206-455-9223)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/29/93
TELECOM
The Latest from Steve Roberts
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
The Latest from Steve Roberts 11/29/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Mobile computing
pioneer Steve Roberts remains in San Diego, working on the
Microship, a sailboat filled with high-tech computing and
communications gadgetry.
Roberts, who gained fame by peddling a bicycle across America
loaded with a Radio Shack Model 100, and later expanded his efforts
into a 350-pound, electronics-loaded recumbent bike called Behemoth,
is now aiming to take mobile computing to the inland waterways of
America.
But that will demand more of his electronics, and that delicate
balance among weight, power, and reliability which all mobile
computing users must deal with everyday. The current "visiting
scholar" at the University of California at San Diego begins with an
appropriate quotation from an anonymous sailor. "You know how to
simulate sailing? Stand in a cold shower and tear up $100 bills."
Taking advantage of over 40 volunteers from the university, Roberts
has remodeled the Microship from a kayak into a "kayacht" -- "a 30-
foot center hull 4' wide at the waterline, 18' overall beam, and
1.5-ton estimated weight." Retained are outriggers which are
"detachable pedal- and paddle-powered double kayaks based on Current
Designs 'Libra' hulls."
"The center hull is being designed by Nelson/Marek, the San Diego
yacht design firm that created the Stars & Stripes catamaran as well
as a number of custom yachts and racers," he writes. "It's not fully
defined yet, but we're dealing with a number of odd concepts that
may make this the Behemoth of multihulls." Behemoth turned into a
powerful electronic machine which was very hard to pedal up-hill.
But change could come quickly.
"None of this exists yet, but we've been working on design concepts
gathering composite materials information, working on frame stress
analysis, and learning boatbuilding techniques. No doubt there are
surprises in store, but that's part of the appeal... think how
boring it would be to just go out and buy a yacht!" he said.
"Incidentally, as we study multihull design an interesting parallel
is becoming apparent: multihulls are to monohulls as recumbent
bicycles are to diamond frames. They're faster, more interesting,
annoying to old-timers, and cover a wide quality range from
exquisite to garbage They both attract wizards and nutcases, leading
to odd alliances against Old Methods; they've both been banned from
traditional sanctioned races after blowing everyone else off the
course. And they are both so undefined that designs have not
converged upon a few established standards, but instead show up in
ever more radical configurations as designers are drawn inevitably
to the challenge of pushing the envelope. In short, both are where
the action is," he added.
But what about the electronics? Roberts is planning to link a dozen
or so Forth 68HC11 processors using a multi-drop networking system
into a network hosted by a single circuit board as a hub. "This
whole network requires so little power that it can stay on most of
the time, and the hub's low-level user interface is a simple 2-line
LCD and keypad," he writes.
"Atop that, however, will be a very robust PC," based on an Intel
chip and Ampro's PC/104 design. "The net effect here is a single
integrated environment for all shipboard electronics, data
collection, power control, navigation, charting, software
development, control network graphic user interface, and so on, he
said."
On the same Ethernet will be a pair of Macintoshes and a PowerBook
Roberts can walk away with, "linked via RF AppleTalk from Digital
Ocean. This will be the work environment for writing, email, video
production, database, and all those things that I use my PowerBook
for right now." The Mac and PC will share a single waterproof
keyboard and pointing device.
"Of course, the Internet connection is critical, and we have put a
Tadpole SPARCbook on the Net here at UCSD with the intent of using
it as a central file server on the Microship and repository for all
the unix networking tools," Roberts adds. Some of the Behemoth
technology, like the audio crossbar assembly, will also be used.
If you want to help Roberts on his way, he's still taking equipment
donations, and money to buy equipment. But he's also taking cash
contributions to defray out-of-pocket expenses. A plaque or other
display on the finished Microship will commemorate your donation,
and you'll get a special t-shirt, still being designed.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931129/Press Contact: Steve Roberts,
Internet: wordy@ucsd.edu)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
APPLE
****Experimental, Interactive CD Catalog Debuts From Apple
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00018)
****Experimental, Interactive CD Catalog Debuts From Apple 11/29/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Apple Computer is
sending 30,000 registered compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)
users an experiment in digital catalog shopping on a CD-ROM disc.
Called "En Passant," the new CD offers 21 catalogs from 18 retail
companies as well as interviews and video segments.
The CD is unique as it attempts to maintain the "flavor" of each of
the catalogs it contains. Williams-Sonoma, Tiffany & Co., Pastilles,
LL Beam, The Nature Company, The Apple Catalog, and Pottery Barn are
a few of the catalogs included.
The CD allows the user to choose what to look at, dynamically
formatting the requested information on the fly, even if it is in
several catalogs on the disk, Apple said. One of the most attractive
features of En Passant is the ability for users to take advantage of
the digital information format to get an even better idea of what
the items in the catalog are like. For example, a user can click on
a color swatch for say a dress, and watch the dress actually change
to that color on the model in the picture.
Users can access the information on the CD by looking at individual
catalogs, or by topic, performing a search across the disc and
bringing back information from several catalogs. In addition,
Quicktime videos or audio are also available with certain catalog
items.
The disc includes interviews and articles as well. Video clips of
experts such as management consultant Tom Peters and fashion
consultant Leah Feldon are available for playback. Editorial
selections are taken from publication like The Wall Street Journal
Guide to Understanding Personal Finance and Family Life and range
from financial planning to the 20 best places to drive.
Apple USA Vice President Ian Diery said the company hopes to take
advantage of the growing trend in home shopping, which has increased
over 30 percent since 1988 to $100 billion annually. Television
shopping is the fastest growing segment, but Apple believes
interactive CD-ROM could also play an important role. Diery said
online services were still to immature to offer the kind of visual
information Apple wants users to experience, but CDs could prove to
be an important delivery vehicle.
Inexpensive and fast to produce, CDs as a catalog delivery vehicle
require the user have a CD-ROM drive. Apple has already boasted it
is "seeding" the personal computer (PC) market with the drives in
hopes to help create a market for its CD-ROM-based products.
Analysts say CD-ROM drives are increasing in popularity and 10
million CD-ROM users will be available by 1994.
The main catalog shopper tends to be the young, educated female with
young children, while television shoppers tend to be older females,
according to Steve Franzier director of business development for
Apple's New Media Division. Men are the most frequent users of
online shopping and buy mostly commodity items like airline tickets,
Franzier added. Apple hopes with En Passant it can cut across these
traditional boundaries using CD-ROM.
Franzier said that revenue for the CD, should it survive the test,
will come from catalogs who want to be involved in addition to a
portion of every sale from the catalog, and subscription revenue
from consumers on later CDs. Orders can be tallied while viewing the
CD, but must be delivered by phone to a central 800 number for
tracking, after which the caller is transferred to the retailer of
their choice. Apple implied this might change to a more direct
method like an online connection for electronic order processing.
The backbone behind the project is Redgate Communications,
headquartered in Vera Beach, Florida, who is supplying the funding
for the project. Redgate says it was responsible for initiating the
CD catalog along with Apple, recruiting EDS of Dallas, Texas for the
hardware and systems side, and is supplying the management, market
research, sales, and promotion of the concept.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931129/Press Contact: Bruce Milligan, Redgate
Communications, tel 407-231-6904, fax 407-231-0968; Katy Gillin
Boos, Apple Computer, 408-974-2042)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
TELECOM
IDB Makes New Moves
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
IDB Makes New Moves 11/29/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- IDB has
followed-up on its move to help troops in Somalia call home by
welcoming that African country back to the world's
telecommunications mainstream.
The company's Worldcom unit told a UN conference on the
rehabilitation of Somalia that it had agreed to provide
international satellite earth stations and phone service to two
private Somali companies, Somaliland Telecom Corp. and North East
Telecom Corp. The earth stations will be installed in Hargeysa, in
Somaliland, and Boassso, in Somalia, by early next month, with
Worldcom handling service starting later in the month.
The company installed its first earth station in November, 1992, for
the UN, and has since provided six more for the US and other
governments participating in Somali relief efforts. Both local
carriers have permission from local governments for their services
and have kept the UN informed of the project throughout its
development.
Rates are expected to be in line with those elsewhere in the
region. IDB's Broadcast unit, meanwhile, signed a five-year deal
with Prime Ticket Network covering its new Spanish-language sports
network, La Cadena Deportiva Prime Ticket, and its San Diego feed.
IDB has provided satellite transmission services to Prime since
1986.
Prime is based in Century City, near Los Angeles. The deal also
includes support for digital compression. The Spanish-language
station began televising 15 hours of programming per day in mid-
November. Prime Ticket, one of the largest regional sports networks,
has more than 4.2 million cable subscribers in Southern California,
Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii. Its San Diego feed includes coverage of
the San Diego Padres baseball club.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931129/Press Contact: Lori Gutknecht, IDB
Communications, 213-240-3758; Bob Gold, Prime Ticket Network,
310-286-3711; Kim Dewling, IDB Worldcom, 212-478-6185)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
1994 11/29/93
IBM
****First Portable Videoconferencing System Set For
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00020)
****First Portable Videoconferencing System Set For 1994 11/29/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Dolch Computer
Systems and GTE Vantage Solutions plan to jointly develop the first
portable videoconferencing system, and to deliver this product in
the fourth quarter of next year.
The new system will combine Dolch's Portable Add-in Computer (PAC)
family of ruggedized 386-, 486-, and Pentium-based portable PCs with
GTE Vantage Solutions' Desktop Video Teleconferencing Systems
(DVTS), a system that provides live video, voice and document
conferencing over switched 56 and Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN) telephone services.
Officials expect a DVTS-PAC system with built-in video camera, sound
system and teleconferencing capabilities will weigh about 20 pounds,
and to carry a pricetag of under $20,000.
The document conferencing feature in DVTS permits exchange of
images and graphics, according to the two companies. All of the
conferencing capabilities allow for simultaneous display of
annotations in Microsoft Windows.
In April, 1993, DVTS earned the Gold Award in the corporate
category in NewMedia magazine's InVision 1993 Multimedia Awards
contest. In September, DVTS was named the winner of the Video
Teleconferencing Shootout, a competition co-sponsored by Imaging
and Teleconnect magazines.
Dolch's PAC family of power portable PCs is designed for mobile
applications demanding desktop-like performance and expandability.
The PAC computers have won numerous media awards. The Pentium-
based models, displayed by Dolch at Fall Comdex, are the first
portable PCs to sport Pentium processors, officials said.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931129/Reader contact: Dolch Computer Systems,
tel 408-957-6575; Press contact: Steve Fritz, Dolch, tel 408-957-
6575)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/29/93
APPLE
Lasermaster Intros High-Volume Ink Color Printer System
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00021)
Lasermaster Intros High-Volume Ink Color Printer System 11/29/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Lasermaster
Technologies has announced it will soon begin shipping a high-volume
ink delivery system for its Displaymaker Digital Color Printer that
can increase the ink capacity of the system more than 10 times.
The new unit, designated the Big Ink Delivery System, replaces the
Displaymaker's standard 40 milliliter ink-jet cartridge with an
online replenishment system that has a capacity of 440 milliliters
of ink. The system is designed to work with Lasermaster's
proprietary Colormark color management system which manages all the
variables of the printing process by providing specific color
profiles for the ink and a variety of output media.
Each ink pack ships with precisely matched color profiles loaded
onto a Colormark profiler that the user plugs into the Colormark
docking system. Dan Vatland, Lasermaster VP for advanced product
development, says Big Ink users can reduce their consumable costs by
as much as 70 percent and still ensure that they have consistent
color-matching information.
The Displaymaker is an ink-jet printer and multiplatform color
server that prints on roll-fed or cut-sheet paper up to 36 inches
wide and 110-inches long, depending on the software application. The
$19,995 printer connects directly to a user's existing Apple Mac
and/or IBM-compatible computer or computer network without the need
for special font-end hardware and software.
Lasermaster says it will factory install Big Ink if it's ordered
with Displaymaker, or it can be retrofitted by the company's field
technicians. The system has a suggested retail price of $4,995 when
ordered with a Displaymaker Digital Color Printer.
Lasermaster expects to begin shipping the Big Ink system in December
1993. Displaymaker was selected as one of the three finalists for
Byte Magazine's "Best of Show" award at the recently concluded Fall
Comdex computer trade show in Las Vegas.
The company says it will soon open a model "Big Color" Digital
Printing Center in the Minneapolis skyway system in order to help
potential customers evaluate the system.
(Jim Mallory/19931129/Press and reader contact: Lasermaster
Technologies, 612-944-9457)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
GENERAL
Manufacturing Software Updated, Will Be Released For NT
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00022)
Manufacturing Software Updated, Will Be Released For NT 11/29/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 26 (NB) -- Agra Software has
updated its FastMan manufacturing software, which lets manufacturers
try out possibilities much as a spreadsheet program lets users
experiment with numbers. The company also announced a deal with
Microsoft that will bring the software to that company's new Windows
NT operating system this spring.
FastMan is personal computer software -- currently running on the
DOS operating system -- that can pull manufacturing resource
planning (MRP) data down from a mainframe database and test various
scenarios much more quickly, the company said, than a mainframe
system could.
MRP software deals with planning the raw materials and machine time
needed to manufacture goods. Manufacturers use it to optimize the
use of their resources. Martin Horne, vice-president of customer
services at Agra, said a mainframe MRP system might take 10 hours to
do the calculations that FastMan can do in a few minutes, and
because of that manufacturers who rely on traditional mainframe
systems tend not to experiment with as many possibilities as they
might.
"This is what a financial spreadsheet was to a financial analyst,"
explained John S. Page, general manager of systems integration for
Monenco Agra Inc., a unit of Agra Industries.
An example of the kind of issue FastMan would help with, Horne said,
is replacement of one product line with another. A manufacturer
usually has various parts in inventory. Some of these parts may not
fit in the new products, and thus will be wasted if they are not
used up. On the other hand, the manufacturer may be in a hurry to
begin making the new product because there is strong demand. FastMan
could help work out the optimum point at which to change over.
The software has been on the market about three years. One major
user is Hewlett-Packard -- in fact, Page said, it was a big order
from HP that got FastMan on its feet at a time when Agra was
considering shutting down the then-fledgeling operation.
FastMan is now installed at sites in Singapore, Ireland, and the
United Kingdom, as well as the United States. Ironically, the
Canadian company is hoping soon to announce its first sales in
Canada.
The new Version 3.3 has several added features such as faster cost
roll-ups, automatic end-to-end lead-time calculations, one-button
excess inventory reporting, and The Numbers, an index of 30
individual plan performance measurement factors.
FastMan 3.3 requires a personal computer with a 486 processor, 16
megabytes (MB) of memory, a VGA display, and a mouse. The software
uses four MB of hard disk space. It costs from C$25,000 to C$50,000,
depending on the modules selected.
(Grant Buckler/19931129/Press Contact: Martin Horne, Agra
Software, 613-236-4478, fax 613-563-9406)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
BUSINESS
Computer Associates Announces Buenos Aires Subsidiary
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00023)
Computer Associates Announces Buenos Aires Subsidiary 11/29/93
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Computer Associates
International, of Islandia, New York, has set up a wholly owned
subsidiary to serve Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
Computer Associates de Argentina SA will have between 15 and 20
employees initially and will sell the company's mainframe and
midrange software products to the three countries from its head
office in Buenos Aires, starting on January 1.
Laura Lempe, CA's vice-president of sales, said offices in Uruguay
and Paraguay may be added later, depending on the subsidiary's
success.
All of CA's software sales in the region have gone through an
independent distributor, Buenos Aires-based Conorpe SA. The US
company has now ended its distribution agreement with Conorpe for
mainframe and midrange software, Lempe said, but Conorpe will
continue to sell CA's microcomputer software in the region.
The bulk of the initial staff of Computer Associates de Argentina
will be former Conorpe employees, she added. "We'd like to keep the
people that are technically good with the products."
Computer Associates would not reveal what the company's revenues
have been in the three countries or in South America as a whole. A
company spokesman did say that CA earns about half its total revenue
in the United States and the other half in international markets.
Its revenues in fiscal 1993 were more than $1.8 billion.
The company already has a subsidiary in Brazil. Vincenzo Dragone,
managing director of Computer Associates do Brasil in San Paulo,
will also head the new Argentinian operation.
(Grant Buckler/19931129/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2391)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
IBM
Micro Focus Releases SDK for 32-Bit OS/2 And Windows NT
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00024)
Micro Focus Releases SDK for 32-Bit OS/2 And Windows NT 11/29/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Micro Focus has
released a software development kit (SDK) for 32-bit IBM OS/2 and
Microsoft Windows NT.
An extension of the company's existing 32-bit product line, which
has focused on Unix up to now, the new SDK allows for creation of
new 32-bit applications, as well as migration of 16-bit OS/2,
Windows and DOS applications to a 32-bit execution environment.
According to MIcrosoft, the new SDK is aimed at removing the
restrictions associated with the 16-bit architecture, such as 64K
system limits and the need for segment-crossing code, officials said
in making the announcement.
Micro Focus expects the greatest benefits to appear in applications
that are calculation-intensive, involve access to a high volume of
data, or require large numbers of modules to be executed and
debugged. Calculation-intensive applications will typically run two
to five times faster in the 32-bit environment, and so will
applications using tables greater than 64 Kbyte, the company
estimates.
The 32-bit SDK supports mixed-language applications. For example, C
programs can directly call COBOL applications, and vice versa. 32-
bit application programming interface (API) routines in OS/2 and
Windows NT, such as PM and WIN 32, can be called from COBOL.
The product is capable of producing Micro Focus Intermediate (.INT)
code, Micro Focus native code (.GNT), and standard object code
(.OBJ) files. Portability is provided at both the source and object
level through .INT code.
In addition, generated .GNT code is portable across operating
systems based on the 32-bit Intel ix86 architecture, including SCO
(Santa Cruz Operation) Unix as well as OS/2 v2.x and Windows NT. The
product is also designed to smooth mixed-language debugging.
Developers can use the company's Animator v2 to debug COBOL modules,
and then transfer to the "foreign" debugger to debug non-COBOL
programs. Animator v2 allows debugging of programs compiled to .GNT
and .OBJ linked into executables (.EXE) or dynamic link libraries
(.DLL).
By supporting the mainframe COBOL syntax, the new kit facilitates
downsizing, asserted Geoff Wells, 32-bit COBOL product manager. "It
is clear from the demand we have received to date from our corporate
customers that 32-bit systems on both the IBM OS/2 and Microsoft
Windows NT platforms are key to their future strategies for
downsizing and implementing high-performance client-server
solutions," he said.
The Micro Focus 32-bit SDK for Intel ix86 processors is shipping
now, at a price of $2,500 to new users. Upgrades from Micro Focus
16-bit products are also available.
When additional tools and components from the Micro Focus Workbench
become available for 32-bit environments, they will be sent free of
charge to customers participating in the Micro Focus SDK Program,
according to the company.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931129/Reader contact: Micro Focus, tel 415-
856-4161; Press contact: Joanne Sperans Hartzell, A&R Partners for
Micro Focus, tel 415-363-0982)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
GENERAL
Conference/Expo On DSP/Real-Time/Image Processing
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00025)
Conference/Expo On DSP/Real-Time/Image Processing 11/29/93
BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- A one-day
conference and exposition honing in on digital signal processing
(DSP), real-time computing, and image processing is set to happen
December 8 in Burlington, MA.
The Fifth Annual Real-Time Technical Computing Symposium will offer
special interest group (SIG) meetings on each of these three areas,
along with comprehensive training tutorials on DSP, real-time
operating systems, and imaging basics/camera selection.
The SIG meetings, an ongoing tradition, will feature presentations
and panel discussions by vendors and users. The tutorials are new
this year.
More than 50 companies plan to display their wares on the show
floor. Hewlett-Packard, Digital Equipment Corp., Kodak, Univision,
Ampersand Inc., PV-Wave, White Mountain DSP, Matlab, Data
Translation, Sky Computer, PEP Modular Computer, and Adaptive
Solutions are a few of the names on the list.
Applications to be addressed in the tutorials and SIG sessions will
include speech, sonar, radar, simulation, communications, signal
intelligence, scientific image processing, machine vision, and
measurement and control.
The tutorial on DSP will supply an overview on the origins of DSP,
industry trends, and products and applications. The SIG on DSP will
delve into computer mathematics software, operating systems, DSP
libraries, compilers, debuggers, and new PC and VME boards based on
the TMS320C40, Motorola 96000, Analog Devices ADSP-21020, and AT&T
3210 DSPs, in addition to SPOX.
The tutorial on real-time computing operating systems will examine
such issues as VxWorks versus LynxOS, mainstream real-time operating
systems versus Solaris and Windows NT, and POSIX compliance.
Embedded systems, PCs, Unix workstations, the latest Sparc boards,
high-performance mass storage systems, and application software will
all be covered in the SIG on real-time computing. The tutorial on
imaging basics/camera selection will take a look at camera
selection, lighting, algorithm basics, frame grabbers, and turnkey
application software.
The SIG on image processing is slated to examine high resolution
cameras, as well as emerging new image capture and processing
techniques.
The symposium on DSP, real-time computing, and image processing is
being sponsored by ESI Computing Inc., a Carlisle, MA-based
independent sales organization (ISO) and value-added reseller (VAR)
specializing in engineering, scientific and industrial computing.
The event will be held Wednesday, December 8 from 8:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. at the Burlington Marriott Hotel, Burlington, MA.
Registration is $35 in advance and $50 at the door (subject to space
availability).
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931129/Reader and press contact: ESI, tel 508-
369-8499)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
TELECOM
US Order, Litle & Co. in Strategic Alliance
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)
US Order, Litle & Co. in Strategic Alliance 11/29/93
HERNDON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- US Order, a leader in
home shopping services provided by screen-based telephones, has
signed a strategy alliance with Litle & Co. of New Hampshire, the
largest credit card processor for catalogs and other direct
merchants, processing over 150 million transactions each year for
over 600 member marketers, about 22 percent of total direct
marketing credit card sales.
One outgrowth of the alliance is a new company, InterMedia
Marketing, which will be a subsidiary of US Order. The practical
impact of the new deal is to allow hundreds of catalogs offer their
wares through PCs, screen telephones, interactive TVs and other
media, with US Order handling the order processing in conjunction
with Litle & Co., using InterMedia as an intermediary. Technically,
orders will be placed through an online service, screen phone or
interactive TV show to InterMedia for processing, forwarding the
payment and delivery information to Litle's system for fulfilment.
"InterMedia's relationship with Litle will create a portfolio of
high quality, brand name merchants" using screen telephone
technology, explained William Tobin, who put together the deal, in a
press statement. "By supplying merchants with a processing structure
and universal ordering gateway to all types of interactive
platforms, we intend to make it quicker, easier, and more economical
for merchants to participate in the interactive home retail market."
InterMedia will be based at US Order offices, while head William
Tobin will remain based in Stamford, Connecticut." Tobin told
Newsbytes he'd be in charge of marketing the services of InterMedia
to the interactive networks, including cable networks. "We
approaching videotex, audiotex, smart phones, interactive TV and
personal digital assistants," he explained.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931129/Press Contact: Brent Robinson,
InterMedia, 703-834-9208)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
GENERAL
Canada's Northern Micro To Build Alpha System
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00027)
Canada's Northern Micro To Build Alpha System 11/29/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Northern Micro, a
Canadian personal computer manufacturer and integrator, plans to
build systems using the Alpha AXP line of processors from Digital
Equipment Corp.
The company will sell the reduced instruction set computing (RISC)
systems mainly in Canada, said Michael Whitehead, vice-president of
research and development at Northern Micro. Whitehead expects the
initial buyers to be those with a pressing need for more computing
power, including people such as computer-aided design users, stock
traders, engineers, and multimedia developers.
"In the first six months we're expecting to be somewhat missionaries
and looking for early adopters," Whitehead said. He added that
Northern Micro expects the market for Alpha systems will take a few
months to develop.
The Canadian federal government, already one of the Ottawa-based
firm's main customers, is also a likely market, Whitehead said. He
added that Northern Micro has only very limited plans to sell the
machines outside Canada. The company has some connections in Africa
and may sell some units there, Whitehead said.
Northern Micro's Spirit/150 Alpha-based system will use Digital's
150-megahertz (MHz) version of the Alpha chip. According to the
vendor, the RISC chip will give the computer four times the
performance of a 66-MHz Intel 486 DX2 chip, and nearly twice the
performance of a 66-MHz Intel Pentium.
Alpha systems will not, however, run DOS applications. Northern
Micro is promoting the Spirit/150 as a platform for Microsoft's
Windows NT operating system, which supports the Alpha and other RISC
chips as well as the Intel chip line.
The Spirit/150 will have 16 megabytes (MB) of memory, 16K bytes of
internal cache, 512K bytes of external cache, a six-slot Extended
Industry Standard Architecture (EISA) bus, a 32-bit Fast Small
Computer Systems Interface 2 (SCSI-2) disk controller and 525-MB
hard disk, a double-spin compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM)
drive, a 3.5-inch diskette drive, a 32-bit 1,280-by-1,024 graphics
adapter and 15-inch non-interlaced color monitor, serial, printer,
and mouse ports, and Windows NT.
Larger monitors and hard disks, and more memory, will be options.
Northern Micro will sell the system in a choice of desktop or tower
cases. The standard unit will list at C$9,995.
In business since 1985, Northern Micro also builds desktop computers
and network servers around the Intel 386, 486, and Pentium chips,
and does systems integration, Whitehead said.
(Grant Buckler/19931129/Press Contact: Michael Whitehead, Northern
Micro, 613-226-1117 or 800-563-1007)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
BUSINESS
Cisco In Network Sys Integration Deal With Unisys
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)
Cisco In Network Sys Integration Deal With Unisys 11/29/93
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Marketing
and distribution deals are often highly profitable for networking
hardware vendors. Now Unisys Corp., and Cisco Systems Inc., have
announced a network systems integration deal, which calls for
Unisys to resell, install and support Cisco's internetworking
products in the US.
The two companies also maintain they will coordinate sales
efforts when customers require "total network systems
integration solutions."
In announcing the deal, John Chambers, senior vice president of
Cisco, said, "We have already teamed with Unisys on a number of
accounts to provide total networking solutions for our clients.
This kind of teamwork is an important component for success in
the internetworking marketplace, where no single vendor has the
breadth of product and service offerings and expertise to meet
all of a client's needs."
According to Unisys, the agreement calls for Unisys Network Enable,
the company's US multivendor network systems integration unit, to
market Cisco's high-end and remote-access routers.
The companies maintain that up to 100 Unisys Network Enable
engineers will be trained to install and support Cisco's products.
Said John Drew, vice president and general manager of Unisys
Network Enable, "This agreement leverages our internetworking
services infrastructure and further strengthens Unisys position
as a leading network systems integrator in the open-systems
internetworking market."
Cisco claims to hold over half of the worldwide router marketplace.
Network Enable is Unisys' US network systems integration unit,
and claims to offer a nationwide technical staff of 50 Network
Systems Engineers and 165 Certified NetWare Engineers.
At the beginning of November, Newsbytes reported that Cisco
reported first quarter, 1993 results ended October 24, as
$248,457,000 in net sales, which amounted to net income of
$63,485,000, or $0.48 per share. The company said that the figures
compared to net sales of $126,379,000 and net income of
$33,243,000, or $0.26 per share in the same period the previous
year, and were increases of 97 percent, 91 percent, and 85 percent,
respectively.
In September Newsbytes reported on Cisco's agreement to acquire
Crescendo Communications Inc., a privately held, networking
company. Under terms of the deal, Cisco agreed to acquire all of
the outstanding stock and assume all the outstanding employee
stock options and warrants of Crescendo in exchange for
2,000,000 shares of Cisco common stock.
In August Newsbytes reported that Cisco entered into a "strategic
partnership," in order to ensure compatibility between routers
from Cisco Novell's NetWare network operating system products.
At the time, the companies said that the first phase calls for
Novell to certify that Cisco routers support all necessary IPX
(Internetwork Packet Exchange) router functionality. It will also
entail Cisco implementing Novell's NetWare Link Services Protocol
(NLSP) to improve internetwork performance and scalability.
(Ian Stokell/19931129/Press Contact: Jeff Stives,
215-986-6036, Unisys Corp; or Jackie Brinker, 415-903-7598,
Cisco Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
IBM
****Canon To Show Interactive 3D Software For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)
****Canon To Show Interactive 3D Software For Windows 11/29/93
BURLINGAME, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Canon says it is
getting into the software development business to offer workstation
performance without a big price-tag. The company is holding a
conference on Friday to demonstrate software from its new subsidiary
formed to develop interactive, three dimensional (3D) software for
the Microsoft Windows graphical environment.
Historically, workstation computers have been known for their
powerful performance in manipulating 3D graphics, but at a cost that
makes these computers unrealistic for the mass market. Canon is
claiming, however, that its new software will provide interactive 3D
graphics at one tenth the cost of current workstation-based
products.
Canon has been the majority shareholder in Next Computer, the
company started by Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs. Next
Computer developed and marketed a unique Motorola microprocessor-
based workstation computer and a graphical operating system, but
canceled production of the workstation early this year. Instead,
Next came out with a version of the it graphical operating system
for Intel microprocessor-based personal computers (PCs) -- the
Nextstep 486.
Just last week, Next announced a deal with the Sunsoft subsidiary of
leading workstation vendor Sun Microsystems. Sunsoft is investing
$10 million into Next in order to get the rights to integrate Next's
object-oriented technology from Nextstep into Sun's own Solaris
systems software. Next also said it would develop a version of
Nextstep for Sun's proprietary Sparc microprocessor-based
workstations.
Canon has said the new software it will announce on Friday will not
only work with Microsoft Windows, but with the Motorola
microprocessor-based Macintosh and with Sun's workstation hardware
as well.
While Canon has been an exclusive dealer of Next computers in
Southeast Asian and Asian countries including Japan, the company
said this new software subsidiary is aimed at the US market. The
company plans to show off the new software and announce the name of
the new subsidiary Friday morning at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco
Airport in Burlingame, California.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931129/Press Contact: Christin Fabos, Smith &
Shows for Canon, tel 415-329-8880, fax 415-329-1408)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/29/93
IBM
****IBM's Ambra Announces Six New Portable PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00030)
****IBM's Ambra Announces Six New Portable PCs 11/29/93
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 29 (NB) -- Ambra Computer
Corporation, a recently established IBM subsidiary, today announced
six new mobile 486-based PCs. Three of the machines are geared
towards "road warriors," while the other three are pitched at the
desktop replacement market.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Richard Ritzema, product marketing
manager, said that the new portables are split evenly among Ambra's
brand new SN Series of ultra-light PCs and new additions to Ambra's
original N Series of notebooks, now enhanced with 33 MHz and 50 MHz
processors and hard drives of up to 200 MB.
Like other PCs from Ambra, the new portables are aimed at budget-
minded "enhanced" or power users, and at allowing for individual
customization, Ritzema told Newsbytes. But in the mobile market,
market segmentation is happening at an especially rapid clip,
spurring Ambra to offer two separate lines of notebooks, he
explained.
Ambra's N Series continues to be oriented to users who need the
power of a desktop PC in portable form, Ritzema said. The new SN
Series, in contrast, is targeted at people who do a lot of on-the-
road computing, and who require a PC that is easy to pack and carry.
Ambra's new N443C, N450C, and N450T mobile PCs each feature a dual-
scan or active matrix TFT color display, a PCMCIA Type III slot, a
3.5-inch diskette drive, and a full-size 86-key keyboard with an
integrated 16 mm trackball.
Members of the N Series weigh 6.6 pounds each, and are standard
notebook size. Processors range from an Intel 33 MHz 486SX to a an
Intel 50 MHz 486DX-2, and hard drives from 120 to 200 MB.
Members of the new SN Series are 41 percent smaller than a standard
notebook (measuring 11.0-by 7.0-by 1.5-inches), and weigh only 4
pounds apiece. The smaller notebooks feature an color or monochrome
passive matrix display, a PCMCIA Type II slot, and a removable 80 MB
or 170 MB hard drive, along with a full-size 86-key keyboard and
integrated 16 mm trackball.
Each of the SN models is also equipped with an Intel 25MHz 486SX-SL
enhanced processor and 4 MB of RAM (expandable to 20 MB). Optional
docking stations are available for each series. The docking station
for the N Series can accommodate a total of four 16-bit expansion
cards: 2 ISA and 2 ISA/VESA local bus.
The docking station for the SN Series accommodates two 16-bit ISA
expansion cards. Also for the SN family, Ambra is offering an
optional port replicator aimed at quick and easy cable management.
Also to allow for individual customization, Ambra is providing
optional packages consisting of special configurations of monitors,
desktop keyboards, fax modems, and other peripherals. The packages
are known as Road Warrior, Quick Dock, Traveler, and Instant Office.
Ritzema, who handles product marketing for all of Ambra's PC lines,
told Newsbytes that rapidly changing work patterns are causing
segmentation to happen more quickly in the portable PC market than
on the desktop side.
Many business people are spending more time out on the road, and
working more closely with customers, giving rise to the "Road
Warrior" lifestyle, he theorized. At the same time, other
individuals are starting to work at home, where they require a PC
that offers the same power as a desktop system, plus the ability to
be transported occasionally.
In the future, the trend toward segmentation will intensify, and so
will Ambra's customization efforts, Ritzema predicted. Ambra will
continue to "refresh" its mobile PCs with greater processing power,
he said. More PCMCIA options will probably become available.
The company plans to provide an active matrix color TFT display in
a lightweight and low-cost portable PC package, when that becomes
technically feasible, according to the product marketing manager.
Ambra is also taking a look at pen input. The use of the PowerPC
603 processor in the mobile PCs is a possibility for Ambra, and so
is the use of the Pentium chip after 3.3-volt technology becomes
available for Pentium.
The six new mobile additions to Ambra's current PC lineup are
scheduled for delivery in January. All models will ship with MS-
DOS 6.0 and Windows 6.1.
Members of the new SN Series range from a $1,399 model with an 80
MB hard disk drive and monochrome display (the SN425) to a $1,899
system with a 170 MB hard disk drive and color display (the
SN425C). The SN425 is also available with a 170 MB hard drive, for
$1,549. Any of the SN models can be outfitted with an external
3.5-inch diskette drive, for an extra $99.
Within the N Series, the new N433C notebook, priced at $2,299,
features a 33 MHz 486SX processor, 4 MB of RAM (expandable to 12
MB), a 120 MB hard drive, and a dual-scan color display.
The N450C, priced at $2,699, offers a 50 MHz 486DX-2 processor, 4
MB of RAM (expandable to 12 MB), a 200 MB hard drive, and a dual-
scan color display.
The N450T, sold for $2,699, comes with a 50 MHz 486DX-2 processor,
a TFT active matrix color display, 8 MB of RAM (expandable to 12
MB), and a 200 MB hard drive.
Among the optional packages, Road Warrior, available for the SN425
model, provides a PCMCIA 14.4 Kbps fax modem, carrying case,
battery, and battery charger for a price of $386. Quick Dock, also
offered for the SN425, includes a port replicator, a 14-inch UVGA
monitor, and a full-size desktop keyboard for $417.
Traveler, supplied for the N433 and N450 models and priced at $386,
includes a PCMCIA 14.4 Kbps fax modem and battery. Instant Office,
for the N433 and N450 as well, consists of a docking station, a 15-
inch flat square monitor, and a full-size desktop keyboard.
Instant Office is priced at $927.
Ambra's original notebook, the N425, came in two models, each with
a 25 MHz 486 processor and 120 MB hard drive. The N425C provided
a dual-scan passive matrix color display, and the N425T an active
matrix color TFT display.
Ritzema told Newsbytes that Ambra is discontinuing both of the
first two models. The N425Ts are already sold out. Some N425Cs
are still available, though, reduced in price to $1,999 from the
initial $2,199.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931129/Reader contact: tel 800-25-AMBRA; Press
contact: Craig Conrad, Ambra, tel 919-713-1550; Scott Hopley or
Anne Marie Clark, Cunningham Communications for Ambra, tel 617-494-
8202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
GENERAL
****Paul Allen Buys Majority Stake In Ticketmaster
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00001)
****Paul Allen Buys Majority Stake In Ticketmaster 11/24/93
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Asymetrix
founder and former Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has bought
the majority stake in Ticketmaster, the dominant force in
computerized concert ticketing, for an undisclosed price
estimated by the media at $275 million. He bought it from the
Pritzker family of Chicago, owners of the Hyatt Hotel chain.
The move follows, by just a few days, Allen's agreement to buy a
14 percent stake in Telescan, which operates a number of on-line
services for the financial industry. Allen also holds nearly one-
quarter of America Online, and has spoken often of finding
"synergy" to create larger, multimedia services for the coming
digital superhighway and the convergence of phone and cable
services.
Allen, now 40, left Microsoft in 1983 when he was diagnosed with
Hodgkin's Disease, a type of cancer. The cancer went into
remission, and he re-entered the business world by founding
Asymetrix Corp., which makes multimedia software. He retains a
large Microsoft stake, however, and his estimated net worth is
now $2.9 billion. He also continues to sit on the Microsoft board
of directors. At Ticketmaster, he takes the title of chairman,
but the company will continue to be run by Fredric Rosen out of
Los Angeles. He also owns the Portland TrailBlazers basketball
team.
Ticketmaster has been highly successful in recent years, buying
up competitors and becoming a sole source for automated ticket
purchases for many rock concerts and sporting events. As a
monopoly supplier, Ticketmaster has been criticized for levying
hefty "service charges" on ticket buyers, who otherwise have to
go to the event site to purchase their tickets. The company
presently sells an estimated 52 million tickets each year,
earning an estimated $200 million in annual service and
sponsorship fees on total turnover of $1.3 billion.
In a press statement, Allen mentioned the digital superhighway
and called Ticketmaster a "complement" to his other technology
holdings. Analysts speculate he may attempt to link the
Ticketmaster network with those of other companies in which
he holds a stake, like America Online and Telescan, to offer
concert-goers the chance to buy their tickets in their homes,
rather than going to record or video stores, where Ticketmaster
presently does business.
In his statement, Rosen also mentioned Ticketmaster's database,
which not only includes information on coming events but also on
arenas and customers. Reportedly, Allen out-bid a who's who of
entertainment companies for Ticketmaster, including Time Warner,
QVC Network, and the Kohlberg Kravis Roberts investment banking
firm.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931123/Press Contact: Ticketmaster, Larry
Solters, 213-381-2277; Susan Pierson, 206-637-2428)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
GOVT
GTE In Court Fight To Enter Cable
(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00002)
GTE In Court Fight To Enter Cable 11/24/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- GTE has
gone to court in an effort to enter the cable business, using the
same First Amendment arguments that worked for Bell Atlantic
in a Virginia court.
The case at issue involves GTE's trial of a number of video and
interactive services, including the "Main Street" services, in
an expanded network it had built in Cerritos, California, under
a 1989 waiver of FCC rules against phone-cable cross-ownership.
The test was done with Apollo Cablevision, and a unit of that
company actually laid the expanded cable.
However, the cable industry fought the waiver in court, and in
its final rulings on the case, courts held that, while the test was
okay, the relationship with the cable operator might not be. The
FCC, after reviewing that decision, went along with it November
9, rescinding its approval of the Cerritos trial.
While GTE considers the test valuable, some press reports have
criticized it, noting that few of those eligible for the service
have signed up. But in its press release on the case, GTE called
the five years of experience "valuable" and criticized the FCC
for refusing to allow the assets it paid for to continue to
provide service.
However, as GTE spokesman Dick Jones in Irving, Texas told
Newsbytes, that is just part of it. "The main thing is it's an
opportunity for us, because of the situation here, to raise the
First Amendment question raised by the regional Bell companies,
saying that by rescinding the authority, they're violating GTE's
right to free speech in providing video programming. The
application there is if the petition is approved, that will open
up things for GTE in offering video in California and other
states under jurisdiction of that court."
Ameritech has sued to win the right to enter the video business
on First Amendment grounds and Bell Atlantic won the right to
enter the business on the same grounds in a Virginia district
court, after which it announced plans to buy TCI, the nation's
largest cable operator. "We were involved in the Bell Atlantic
case because we have operations there," said Jones. "We filed a
motion to intervene, saying that if this is unconstitutional in
Virginia, it should be unconstitutional in any market. We
recommended that the cross ownership restrictions be lifted so
we would not have to offer court cases in every market. "
Meanwhile, there are growing indications that people might buy
interactive video services after all. TCI, AT&T and US West said
results from the first phase of their "viewer-controlled cable
television" trial in Colorado indicate "high usage and high
demand" for a 24-channel pay-per-view system and a video on
demand service. Customers watched an average of 2.5 movies per
month in the movie-on-demand system, which is 12 times the
national average buy rate. Early market estimates of Paul Kagan
Associates were that each home with video-on-demand
available would buy 2.6 movies per year in 1993. Customers
paid from 99 cents to $3.99 for programs.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931123/Press Contact: GTE, Dick Jones,
214-718-6924; TCI, Lela Cocoros, 303-267-5273)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TELECOM
Scientific-Atlanta Wins Latin Distribution Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00003)
Scientific-Atlanta Wins Latin Distribution Deal 11/24/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Less than a week
after the NAFTA vote, Scientific-Atlanta (S-A) has made a major
move into the Latin American market by signing a deal with
Antec Corp.
The two companies formed a joint venture called Communicaciones
Broadband S.A., which will be based in Miami and will sell S-A
broadband equipment throughout Latin America. Facilities are
planned for Argentina, Brazil and Mexico -- the first two are
part of the large Mercosur free-trading bloc. A Scientific-
Atlanta executive, David Morales, will be president of the new
venture, while an Antec executive will be his second.
Antec is a technology integration company with experience in
international markets, specializing in the design, manufacture,
and distribution of broadband network telecommunications
products for both fiber optic and coaxial networks.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931123/Press Contact: Bill Brobst,
Scientific-Atlanta, 404-903-6306; Shellie Rosser, ANTEC,
708-439-4444)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
GENERAL
India - Infosys Launches Motor Control Software
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00004)
India - Infosys Launches Motor Control Software 11/24/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Bangalore-based Infosys
Technologies Ltd. (ITL) and Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) of the US
have linked up to launch Gamana, a software product that enables
AC induction motors to achieve high performance with variable
speed.
While the software has been developed by Infosys, ADI supplied
the digital signal processing (DSP) chips. Gamana will be marketed
in the US by ADI and Infosys will collect royalties on sales. ADI
and Infosys will jointly own the patents and trademarks of the
product.
Gamana is claimed to provide motion control engineers with a
development system comparable to those which computer system
designers have been using for years. The package reduces the
complexity of implementing vector control (a method of
dynamically controlling the speed of torque of AC induction and
DC brushless motors by controlling magnetic fields generated
rotors).
Gamana VT, the first phase of the development tool kit, allows
designers to run motor simulations on a PC-compatible computer,
thereby giving them an understanding of the principles and
methods involved in implementing vector control.
With the second phase, system designers can develop their own
control architecture and simulate the results of the benchmark
control systems in real-time with a motor model of the DSP
development system.
The PC platform then provides for the hook-up to a power inverter
and motor to test the control robustness and performance. In the
last phase, the software developed by the designer in phase 2 is
targeted to the DSP and an EPROM (erasable programmable read-
only memory) with the appropriate chipset. After this, the system
can be moved into production implementation without further
development.
The motor control chipset is based on ADSP 21XX and AD 2S 100
with embedded Gamana software. The motion control development
system includes PC add-on boards that actually control the motor
and PC-based software that can be downloaded from the host
development system.
The development of Gamana reportedly took 15 man-years of effort.
The project also involved the Indian Institute of Science in
Bangalore, as well as ADI and Infosys. The institute contributed
theoretical support on issues relating to vector control.
According to Nandan Nilekani, deputy managing director of ITL,
Gamana is primarily targeted at the AC induction motors market.
The motor control market in the US is estimated to be between
$162 million and $243 million, and is expected to swell to $2.3
billion by 1999. Product support for Gamana will be offered by
both Infosys and ADI. While applications support will be offered
by both companies, customization support for target board designs
will come from Infosys.
Electric cars, air-conditioners and refrigerators, washing
machines and vacuum cleaners, elevators, and machine tools are
the target markets for Gamana, according to Nilekani.
ADI and Infosys are now in the process of adding more features
to Gamana. Features such as rotor time compensation and
sensorless control are expected to be incorporated by 1994.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
GENERAL
Taiwan Firm Picks Alpha AXP Chips For NT Motherboards
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00005)
Taiwan Firm Picks Alpha AXP Chips For NT Motherboards 11/24/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Aquarius Systems
Inc. (ASI), a leading Taiwan supplier of motherboards and PCs to
worldwide markets, will use Alpha AXP microprocessors from
Digital Equipment Corp., in a new family of motherboards and PCs
designed to run the Microsoft Windows NT operating system.
Digital claims that its Alpha AXP chip family are the fastest RISC
(reduced instruction-set computer) microprocessors on the market,
providing the "power to unlock the full potential of Windows NT."
Digital's recently announced DECchip 21066 and DECchip 21068
microprocessors are the first to integrate the would-be industry-
standard Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), says the
company.
"The ASI announcement is another positive step towards the Alpha
PC's emergence as a market force for high performance personal
computing requirements," said Jeff Gustafson, Asia Region Alpha
PC Product Manager. "Coupled with a similar venture announced
last month with Elitegroup of Taiwan, this is certain to position
Alpha AXP PC architecture firmly into high volume markets."
"Our goal is to leverage the performance leadership of the Alpha
AXP architecture microprocessor family into volume markets
where there is currently an unsatisfied demand for very high
performance," added Gustafson. He noted that analysts have
predicted the price of PCs based on the Alpha AXP architecture
will soon fall to around US$3,000.
ASI says it chose DEC's Alpha AXP chips because of their attractive
price/performance and their support for PCI and Windows NT.
"Digital's Alpha AXP architecture raises the ceiling on
microprocessor price/performance significantly," said Chairman
Paul Liu. "Digital's leadership performance, combined with PCI
support, provides the Windows NT market with a solid platform for
high-performance servers and desktop systems. We plan to deliver
a family of PCI motherboards and systems for these markets based
on Digital's DECchip 21064 and DECchip 21066 products."
"We are also very impressed with Digital's new PCI component
21040, which delivers high performance and high-level integration
for customers' PCI interface needs. The software drivers available
for Novell, Windows NT, SCO Unix, OpenVMS and OSF/1 give us a
great opportunity to expand our business in both the Intel-based
and RISC-based markets."
ASI anticipates strong downstream demand from OEMs (original
equipment manufacturers) for servers and power desktop systems
for its new line of Alpha AXP based boards. The company will begin
manufacturing the boards in early 1994 and plans to demonstrate
its first Alpha AXP based PC at next Comdex/Spring show.
Digital and ASI are working closely together during the company's
system design phase. ASI will use Digital's Evaluation Board Kit,
which includes a sample motherboard design, to expedite
software development and testing, and hardware design and
evaluation.
Future generations of Alpha AXP microprocessors will be developed
and built at a new, state-of-the-art research and fabrication plant
that Digital will open in 1994. Mitsubishi, the world's eighth
largest semiconductor supplier, is the second source for Alpha
AXP architecture microprocessors.
(Keith Cameron/19931123/Press Contact: Bonnie Engel,
852-805-3510, DEC)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TRENDS
Micron Semi Intros 1MB SRAM Chips
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00006)
Micron Semi Intros 1MB SRAM Chips 11/24/93
BOISE, IDAHO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Micron Semiconductor
has announced engineering samples of its one megabyte (MB) static
random access memory (SRAM) chips for use as cache memory in
personal computers.
The company says the chips are available in 64 kilobyte (KB) X 16,
128KB X 8, and 256KB X 4 organizations. The chips use a center-pin
power and ground design Micron says allows faster operation and
minimizes noise at the higher speeds.
Micron also claims the chips are designed specifically for cache
memory in workstations, file servers, desktops, and portable PCs,
and will be available in both five- and 3.3-volt versions. The
five-volt chips are available in speeds as fast as 12 nanoseconds
(ns) and the 3.3-volt versions in speeds as fast as 15 ns.
The company says engineering samples can be ordered now, with
production qualities expected to be available in the first quarter
of 1994. The five-volt 64KB X 16 chip at 12 ns is priced at $35 in
100-piece quantities. Sample pricing for the 3.3 volt 64KB X 16
15 ns chip is $30 in quantity.
Micron has also announced that its board of directors has approved a
$0.05 per share dividend to shareholders of record on December 2,
1993. Payment will be on January 6, 1994. The current dividend is
the same amount the company paid in the past two years. Micron
reported earnings of $2.57 per share for fiscal 1993.
(Jim Mallory/19931124/Press Contact: Sharron Bittick, Micron
Semiconductor Inc, 208-368-4400; Reader contact: Micron
Semiconductor, tel 208-368-3900, fax 208-368-2536)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
GENERAL
Niwot Networks Demos High Speed File Transfer
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00007)
Niwot Networks Demos High Speed File Transfer 11/24/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Niwot Networks
demonstrated high speed file transfer over ISDN (Integrated
Services Digital Networks) using its Direct File Transfer (DFT) Kit
during Comdex, the annual computer industry trade show held in
Las Vegas recently.
The company says the DFT combined with Adtran's ISU 128 is
particularly suitable for companies who need to transfer extremely
large files such as medical images, video files, or large databases
over a wide area network (WAN), and eliminates the need for
leased telephone lines. According to Niwot, DFT provides raw link
utilization of up to 98 percent of selected bandwidth and uses
built-in compression that can typically double throughput..
Boulder, Colorado-based Niwot's DFT is a hardware/software
combination that can be used with the new high speed DSU's IMUX's,
ISDN terminal adapters and modems which support V.25 bis. The
package has a suggested retail price of $895.
Adtran's ISU 128 is an ISDN terminal adapter with an integrated
NT-1 and power supply allowing a network to utilize high-speed
ISDN service with a single device between the computer and the
telephone network. The company says it can be viewed as a 128
kilobyte-per-second ISDN modem, and can provide up to six times
the speed of analog modems with the reliability of digital
technology.
The ISU 128 works with other data communications technologies
such as switched 56 DSUs (digital service units) and V.32 bis
modems, as well as various ISDN terminal adapters and inverse
multiplexers. In areas where ISDN service is not available, the kit
can be used with switched 56 service and DSUs.
(Jim Mallory/19931124/Press contact: Sally Smith, SSSmith &
Associates for Niwot Networks, 513-897-0654; Reader Contact:
Niwot, tel 800-326-3700 or 303-444-7765, fax 303-444-7767)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TELECOM
IDB Offers Somalia Troops Telecom Services To US
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)
IDB Offers Somalia Troops Telecom Services To US 11/24/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- In a holiday
tradition which began with the Gulf War, US troops are getting
the chance to call home at Thanksgiving.
This year the focus is on Somalia, where IDB Communications
Group is providing service to US military and support staff who
want to reach relatives in the US, Puerto Rico or the Virgin
Islands. The service, called Phone Home, is provided via
satellite and optical fiber facilities.
As usual, there is a marketing reason behind the service. IDB in
the last few years has worked hard to become a "complete"
international long distance company which can sell time under
its own label, rather than offering it indirectly through other
carriers.
When IDB got its first circuits into Russia, for instance, that
capacity was re-sold through Sprint and AT&T. Now it wants to
be seen as a reliable carrier even in the worst of situations. In
a press release Steve Carroll, president of IDB's Worldcom unit,
noted that the current communications systems in Somalia are
totally unreliable.
Calls, charged collect or to a credit card, will go via satellite
to New York, then switched over US networks to their
destinations. IDB will continue to serve the market until US
forces return home.
IDB also won a major contract, signing an agreement with
Telefonica Larga Distancia of Puerto Rico, a unit of Telefonica
of Spain, to be its international carrier. TLD is the dominant
reseller of long distance services to Puerto Rico, with a 40
percent market share. Its service features multi-lingual
operators.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931124/Press Contact: Kim Dewling,
IDB Worldcom, 212-478-6185)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TELECOM
US Long Distance Corp. Reports Higher Profits
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)
US Long Distance Corp. Reports Higher Profits 11/24/93
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Having
completed the shake-out of what had been the "alternative
operator" business, US Long Distance Corp. is seeing fast
profit growth.
The "alternative operator" business began in the 1980s as gas
stations, hotels and hospitals won control of their pay-phones
and with it the right to choose a long distance carrier. A number
of companies entered the business at that time, offering large
royalties to pay-phone owners if they would make their long
distance service the mandatory carrier on their phones. Many of
these companies then simply re-sold calling capacity from major
carriers, charging very high prices on callers' telephones.
The shake-out started when, facing consumer complaints, US
regulators began requiring that all pay phones be able to reach
all networks. To stay in business, carriers had to create their
own economies of scale and offer services on their own, not
just act as resellers. They also had to begin offering more
competitive long distance pricing.
Under Parris H. Holmes, Jr., US Long Distance has gone on to do
just that, buying smaller operators, expanding its network, and
handling billing for many of the remaining small carriers. For
the year ending September 30, the company reported net income
of $5.2 million, up from $2.4 million a year ago, on revenues of
$134.1 million.
A look inside the numbers shows how the new market works.
Holmes said in a statement that US Long Distance now has three
core businesses: operator services; billing clearing-house and
information services for other small carriers; and long distance.
Thanks to acquisitions, operator services revenue rose 83
percent, to $63.5 million, making it the largest source of
revenue. As in the older alternate-operator days, most of the
money came through serving privately-owned pay phones, or phones
owned by hotels. At the end of its fiscal year the company served
44,800 of these, up from 15,900 a year earlier. Revenue to the
company per phone was down as major carriers like AT&T taught
consumers how to use their calling cards to reach their preferred
carrier rather than using the "default" used by the pay phone
owner.
Billing clearing-house and information services grew 35 percent,
Holmes reported, to $42 million, producing an average of 15.1
call records per month, calls for which US Long Distance
handled billing on behalf of other carriers with pay phone
contracts. Long distance revenues were $28.6 million, up 49
percent, and averaging 17.2 million minutes per month. Most of
those calls originated in the Pacific Northwest and Southwest,
where the firm has most of its pay phone contracts.
US Long Distance also ended the year with a strong balance
sheet, Holmes reported. That is important, because the early
players in the business were all thinly-capitalized. As of
September 30, working capital stood at $9.1 million and the
company had just 40 cents in long-term debt for each dollar
of equity. Total stockholders' equity grew from $10.5 million
to $38.1 million during the year, reflecting greater investor
confidence in the stock and the industry's long-term future.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931124/Press Contact: US Long Distance,
Tabitha Zane, 210-525-6228)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TELECOM
****Paramount, AT&T Join For Interactive TV
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)
****Paramount, AT&T Join For Interactive TV 11/24/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Paramount
Communications, which is in the process of being acquired either
by QVC Network Inc., or Viacom Inc., has also begun a battle with
Warner Brothers to create the fifth TV network in the US.
Many analysts believe only one will succeed, because there are not
enough independent stations left for both to win coverage of the
70 percent of the country they need to be a viable national
advertising vehicle.
Paramount hopes "interactivity" will give it an edge in lining up
affiliates, and announced it will work with AT&T on it. The two
companies said they will first work to create interactive
versions of the "Entertainment Tonight" and "Madison Square
Garden Sports Desk" shows, retaining options to deliver
interactivity over cable television, telephone lines, and
satellite dishes.
Networks, cable operators, and third parties continue to disagree
over what interactivity means, although all agree it includes
offering a way for viewers to respond to what they see.
ABC is working with Eon Corp., on its interactive system, using
newly licensed radio frequencies and services including home
banking and home shopping. NBC is working with Interactive
Network, whose route back from consumers' homes uses packet
data networks like Tymnet and whose offerings are mainly games.
Fox Broadcasting has also discussed interactivity in broadcasting
trade papers, but for them it mainly means offering caller-paid
"900" numbers so viewers can respond to questions posed on its
shows.
Paramount said it will use new authoring software from AT&T Bell
Labs to format its shows for the interactive environment. AT&T
added that its communication assets can also be of help in the
effort.
In addition to its authoring software and networks, AT&T also
owns a small division in Maitland, Florida, which sells multimedia
software to the broadcasting industry. The company's flagship
packages are called Rio and Panorama. and it was shown at the
AT&T booth during the last Fall Comdex show.
Christine Colborne of AT&T said that for 1994 the unit's main
goal is to break into the broader multimedia authoring market,
and introduce versions of its systems for Microsoft Windows NT,
using the same development team which originally created Rio
under MS-DOS.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931124/Press Contact: AT&T Multimedia,
Christine Colborne, 407-662-7266; Paramount Technology, Trudy
Nicolay, 415-812-8255; AT&T, Mary Barksdale, 908-221-7375;
Carl Folta, Paramount, 212-373-8530)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00011)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 11/24/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
The November 22 Computerworld says that while users are eager
to get their hands on Microsoft's new 32-bit Chicago version of
Windows, they are also wary of any modification of the popular
user interface.
Jack Rickard's popular Boardwatch (BBS) Magazine contains his
usual interesting and provocative editorial exchanges with
readers for November, but it also has a good explanation of where
to find automatic time update software on The Internet. The
software works with the NIST's Automated Computer Time Service
which provides computer users with an ASCII time stamp by
dialing 303-494-4774 at 300-1200 bits-per-second.
Informationweek for November 22 looks at NAFTA's impact on
corporate information systems, saying that it will mostly affect
the way IS (information systems) managers view the Mexican
market for their services, leading to openings for US and
Canadian experts to work south of the border.
InfoWorld for the week of the 15th reports that WordPerfect's
once-hot reputation for customer support has been tarnished by
the Utah company's outsourcing of support for the WordPerfect 5.1
MS-DOS version of its software, a move which has led to a lot of
disappointed callers.
Communicationsweek dated November 22 says that Novell will
soon release workflow software and communications middleware
for its AppWare development environment.
Computer Reseller News for the 15th is a 450-page issue that
contains the publication's annual look at the top 25 computer
company executives. The 1- to 2-page look at executives such as
Jim Manzi (Lotus) and Bill Gates (Microsoft) gives ages,
education, jobs held, salaries, and such gossip columnist fare as
favorite music (Ray Charles for Manzi and National Public Radio
for Gates). It also lists professional "fantasies:" Gates - "Having
dinner with Albert Einstein and Richard Feynman (famous physicist
and educator); Eckhard Pfeiffer (Compaq President) - "To see a
Compaq computer on everybody's wrist."
(John McCormick/19931124)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TRENDS
Canadian Computer Show - Gibbons On "Info In Your Face"
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00012)
Canadian Computer Show - Gibbons On "Info In Your Face" 11/24/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- The computer
business will have to make it easier for computer users to locate
the information they want for themselves, rather than relying on
the services of information systems professionals to do it for
them, Fred Gibbons, chairman and chief executive of Software
Publishing Corp., told a Canadian Computer Show audience.
Today, Gibbons said, users have only passive tools to get at
information, and what they get is mainly hindsight -- what
happened last week or last month. He called for a move to active
tools for gaining immediate access to current information. "You
have to have the right information that people can make the right
decisions earlier in the cycle."
Gibbons used the phrase "information in your face" to evoke the
kind of immediacy he had in mind.
Without putting more power in the hands of users, Gibbons said, the
computer industry simply cannot meet the demand for information.
He drew an analogy with the telephone, noting that early in this
century it was thought there could never be a telephone in every
home because too many operators would be needed to run the system.
Allowing customers to dial their own calls solved that problem, he
said.
Gibbons said the industry is moving toward giving customers more
tools for getting at the data they want. He cited an example from
his own company, which set up a system to track the performance
of its customer support operation. Using this system, Gibbons can
touch an on-screen button to look at call volume, average call
duration, or service level for a given product and period.
Recently, he said, some customers complained about waiting too long
for a response on support calls concerning the company's Harvard
Graphics for Windows software. Gibbons thought of moving some
engineers to handle support lines temporarily, but first checked
the statistics on the system. He found that while call volumes had
gone up just after the release of a new version, service levels
were within the company's targets -- and so concluded no drastic
action was needed.
He cited another example -- a system at the San Francisco police
department that gives police on-line access to a variety of
information including fingerprints and audio recordings of
wiretaps. The system also performs fingerprint and mugshot
matching, Gibbons said.
(Grant Buckler/19931123)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
GENERAL
****Canadian Computer Show Appears Hurt By Comdex
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)
****Canadian Computer Show Appears Hurt By Comdex 11/24/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- The 24-year-old
Canadian Computer Show, which grew throughout the 1980s until it
strained the capacity of the International Center of Commerce in
Toronto, has fallen back to occupy no more floor space than it did
at the beginning of the 1980s, before personal computers were a
serious force.
While show organizers play down the impact of new competition
from US-based trade show operator The Interface Group, they admit
the debut of Comdex/Canada this past summer has hurt the older
show. Others are blunter, saying aggressive competition from
Comdex/Canada has crippled the Canadian Computer Show and may
yet kill it.
The show floor plan this year shows booths for about 250
exhibitors. Last year, there were about 300.
Industrial Trade and Consumer Shows, the Toronto company that
runs the event, said pre-registration was up by two thirds from
last year. Ron Horton, manager of computer shows for Industrial,
said he was happy with opening-day crowds. However, the show's
aisles were not crowded on Monday, although attendance at
conference sessions was generally good.
Some visitors noted that attendance might peak later in the week,
as many Canadians who attended the Comdex/Fall show in Las Vegas
the previous week might be taking a day or two to catch up at the
office before visiting the Canadian show. The event runs through
Thursday.
But the drop in the number of exhibitors was clear. The show is
"not what it used to be" said one executive with a prominent
computer company.
In a tough economy, computer companies are finding it tough to
attend two national Canadian shows in a year, and many are opting
for Comdex/Canada, observed an account executive at a public
relations firm that handles several high technology accounts.
Several prominent companies are missing from the show floor.
Apple Canada Inc., is not present, nor is Digital Equipment of
Canada Ltd. Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd., did not exhibit, nor did
Sun Microsystems of Canada Ltd., nor Lotus Development Canada
Ltd. However, IBM Canada Ltd., Microsoft Canada Ltd., Borland
Canada Software Inc., Computer Associates Canada Ltd., and
WordPerfect Corp., are all on the exhibitors' list.
Horton admitted that Comdex/Canada has hurt his show to some
degree. "I don't think that we an say that it hasn't had any effect
at all," he said. But he added that a generally weak economy was
another factor. And he rejected the possibility that the
long-running show could be nearing its end. "We're not going away,"
Horton said.
Horton said the Canadian Computer Show has evolved from its roots
as an event for data processing professionals to offer more to
consumers. This was obvious this year in the number of booths run
by dealers, selling software, computer books, and accessories. This
event is more consumer-oriented than Comdex/Canada, said Horton,
who described the Interface Group event as "business talking to
business."
Meanwhile, The Interface Group held a reception for potential
exhibitors at a nearby hotel on the Canadian Computer Show's
opening day, where it announced an expansion of the 1994
Comdex/Canada to the SkyDome stadium as well as the Metropolitan
Toronto Convention Center, and said it will launch regional Comdex
shows in Vancouver in 1994 and in Montreal in 1995.
(Grant Buckler/19931123/Press Contact: Gail Bergman or Betsy
Taylor, Context Marketing for Industrial Trade and Consumer
Shows, 416-422-1414; Industrial Trade and Consumer Shows,
tel 416-252-7791, fax 416-252-9848)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
IBM
New Video For Windows Offers Improved Image Playback
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00014)
New Video For Windows Offers Improved Image Playback 11/24/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- The new
version of Video for Windows 1.1 from Microsoft, planned for
early December release, will include Supermac's video
compression/decompression (codec) technology, called Cinepak,
as well as the Intel codec Indeo. Aimed at multimedia developers,
Microsoft claims the new version offers better digital image
quality and is widely supported.
Key features of the new version include: improved video
playback performance with 30 frames-per-second playback in a
320 by 240 picture element (pixel) window; utilities for playing
back Video for Windows files on Apple Computer's Macintosh
hardware platform; utilities for converting files in Apple's
video playback format Quicktime to Video for Windows; support
for multiple streams of information, such as audio and video,
in a single Video for Windows file; and compression of audio.
Jonathan Roberts, group product manager for Windows at
Microsoft said: "We've improved the image quality, made the
architecture more flexible, and provided tools to support
cross-platform development. We're making it even easier for
third parties to create compatible products and giving
developers the ability to add interesting functionality to
their applications and titles."
Some of the functions developers will be able to take advantage
of include the ability to add multiple language tracks in a
single Video for Windows file, or spin, flip, shrink, or dissolve
video images, Microsoft said. In addition, a new clip art library
is included, as is the ability to capture screens for use in self-
running demos or training applications.
The new Cinepak codec in Video for Windows 1.1 can compress
full-length movies on compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)
discs, according to Supermac. The company has licensed the
codec to Apple Computer, Atari, Cirrus Logic, Creative Labs,
Sega of America, 3DO, and Weitek.
End users will be most likely to see the new version of Video
for Windows in run-time software or included with new
multimedia computer systems. Manufacturers Gateway, Packard
Bell, Toshiba, and IBM are pre-installing the run-time portion
of Video for Windows on new systems. In addition, developers
tools such as Adobe's Premier, ATI Technologies' Mediamerge,
Digital Media's Spice 2.0, and Gryphon Software's Morph support
Video for Windows, as does hardware from Intel, Media Vision,
and Creative Labs.
Video for Windows 1.1 is available for $199 to developers from
Microsoft directly. End users may download the run-time version
from Microsoft's Compuserve forum.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931124/Press Contact: Beverly Flower,
Microsoft, tel 206-882-8080; Kathleen Mallory, Waggener Edstrom
for Microsoft, tel 206-637-9097, fax 206-637-9963; Public
Contact: Microsoft, tel 800-426-9400, CIS Forum, GO WINMM)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
GOVT
GSA In Disorder Over Computer Contract Schedule
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00015)
GSA In Disorder Over Computer Contract Schedule 11/24/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Recent years
have seen increasing disarray at the General Services
Administration when it came to negotiating contracts with
various microcomputer hardware and software vendors,
often resulting in new contracts being implemented months
after the beginning of the next fiscal year.
But this year's debacle, where Microsoft and other major players'
software was not even available to GSA Schedule buyers, has
led to a complete reassessment of GSA contracting procedures.
The two positions are relatively simple to understand. Vendors
believe that, because there are so many products available so
readily through mail order and other sources, there is no need
for the government to have such detail about any company's
other sales contracts because the marketplace forces will
result in fair prices.
The General Services Administration, for its part, says that it
needs even the most confidential sales records for companies
-- those providing the discount prices they charge their largest
buyers -- to ensure that the US tax payer gets a fair deal.
This impasse has caused literal chaos in some agencies because
buyers could not obtain important products off a GSA-negotiated
standard contract, forcing them to negotiate their own purchases
or just place buys on the open market -- exactly what the GSA
Multiple Award Schedule or MAS was designed to eliminate.
The GSA will reportedly avoid these problems next summer by
simply continuing as many GSA contracts as possible, while
developing new procedures without regard to the yearly contract
deadline.
The Clinton Administration has proposed a national computerized
buying system to shortcut many federal purchases of PCs and
software.
(John McCormick/19931124)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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400 11/24/93
IBM
IBM Intros JustMail For AS
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)
IBM Intros JustMail For AS/400 11/24/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- The name
says it all. If you need just the electronic mail function of IBM's
OfficeVision/400 software for the AS/400 computer, you can
now buy JustMail.
The company has separated electronic mail from the word
processing, calendar and scheduling functions, and document
searching of OfficeVision/400, and packaged it as a separate
product. JustMail also includes simple note editing and document
filing, functions also found in OfficeVision/400.
According to IBM, JustMail/400 is a simplified subset of the mail
and editor functions of OfficeVision/400. It cannot run on the
same system with the full OfficeVision/400, but JustMail users
can exchange mail with OfficeVision/400 users on other AS/400
machines, company spokeswoman Barbara McNair said. Those who
have used OfficeVision's electronic mail functions will find
JustMail looks exactly the same, she added.
JustMail/400 can also be upgraded to the full OfficeVision/400 if
a customer wants the other functions later, company officials
said.
JustMail/400 will run on all AS/400 models, IBM said, though the
company warned that the software uses a lot of memory and thus
may require memory upgrades to run. It is due to be available
December 17, at a base price of $995. That price tag covers as
many as five users; further users can be added for $49 each, or
$12,250 per block of 250.
(Grant Buckler/19931124/Press Contact: Barbara McNair, IBM,
914-642-5357)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
TRENDS
****Touch The Screen, Send A Wireless Message
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00017)
****Touch The Screen, Send A Wireless Message 11/24/93
CLEVELAND, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Evtek Corp., has
announced the release of Fingers, a portable touch screen message
entry device that sends messages to alphanumeric pagers,
personal digital assistants (PDAs) such as Apple Computer's
Newton and Radio Shack's Zoomer, and other hardware products
capable of communicating through a serial port.
Fingers resembles a PDA itself, and measures eight-inches wide
by 6 and 5/8-inches high by one and 5/8-inches deep. A flip-down
stand on the bottom of the back of the unit allows it to sit at
about a 45 degree angle. Up to 30 pre-programmed messages can
be store and dispatched at a finger touch of the Fingers screen.
Up to 500 addressee numbers can be stored in the device.
Messages of up to 250 characters can be sent to single
addressees or to a group, with a maximum of 30 groups possible.
There can be as many as 500 members in a group. The user can
also create temporary groups. Fingers automatically appends the
end of every message with a name or company location, and can
also add a date/time stamp to the messages. When not in use,
Fingers displays the time and date.
Fingers can keep a log of the last 100 messages you sent, and
has the ability to review, print or resend any of them. The user
can print a message log, a list of addresses (Evtek calls them
"members"), a group list, system settings and any of the stored
messages on a serial or parallel printer.
The device uses a rechargeable nickel cadmium (NiCad) battery,
which the company says will provide up to two hours of portable
use. There is also an AC adapter for office use. Fingers can even
plug into the RJ-11 phone jack being provided on some cellular
phones, and a detachable cover protects the touch screen when
Fingers is not in use.
Evtek spokesperson Britton Young told Newsbytes the messages
are broadcast over the cellular network operated by the company
providing the user's alphanumeric pager service.
Evtek also provides an optional software package for
programming and importing data. The device weighs two pounds
five ounces, has a built-in 300/1200 baud modem, has a backup
battery to protect the data in memory, and can queue up to 20
messages at a time.
Fingers has a retail price of $599.95. The company also provides
software that performs a similar service using your Macintosh,
DOS or Windows-based personal computer in place of the
Fingers hardware device, and uses your PC's modem. The
software-only version comes in two editions, regular and
junior. The junior version can store a single message, and has a
suggested retail price of $79.95, while the regular version sells
for $129.
(Jim Mallory/19931124/Press contact: Britton Young, Evtek Corp,
800-388-8499 or 216-267-8499; Reader contact: Evtek Corp,
tel 800-388-8499 or 216-267-8499, fax 216-267-8487)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
GENERAL
CompuAdd Founder Hayden Resigns
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00018)
CompuAdd Founder Hayden Resigns 11/24/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Just two weeks after
his company emerged from a bankruptcy that resulted from the
closing of its retail outlets nationwide, CompuAdd Corp.,
founder Bill Hayden has resigned as the company's chief
executive officer.
Hayden had owned most of the CompuAdd stock prior to the
company seeking bankruptcy protection after being unable to
resolve the claims of landlords and suppliers for its 110 retail
outlets across the country a few months ago. Under the
reorganization plan he retains 20 percent of Compuadd's stock.
The company emerged from bankruptcy earlier this month after
its reorganization plan, which gave about 75 percent of the
company stock to unsecured creditors, mostly PC component
makers and wholesale suppliers.
Hayden was not available for comment but said In a prepared
statement it is time to move on and leave the new directors in
charge of the company.
CompuAdd spokesperson John Pope told Newsbytes Hayden's
resignation is not related to his losing control of the company.
"Bill felt the time was right for him to move on. He is the
consummate entrepreneur." Pope said Hayden will focus his
attention initially on a CompuAdd spinoff company, CompuAdd
Information Services, a developer of software for point-of-sale
applications.
Pope said CIS's largest customer is Sears, Roebuck & Co. Hayden
also plans to start a new business in the first quarter of 1994,
but has not revealed detailed information about that venture.
Hayden said he will remain active in the affairs of a software
company he owns. Richard Krause, CompuAdd president and chief
operating officer, will assume Hayden's duties until a successor
is named.
CompuAdd was reportedly the 11th largest PC maker in the US
last year, and reported sales of about $525 million. After it
closed its retail outlets, it focused on sales to businesses and
government agencies.
(Jim Mallory/19931124/Press contact: John Pope, CompuAdd
Corp, 512-250-2530)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
GENERAL
Newsbytes' LA Bureau Chief Featured On Radio Show
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00019)
Newsbytes' LA Bureau Chief Featured On Radio Show 11/24/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Linda Rohrbough, Los
Angeles Bureau Chief for Newsbytes News Network and author of
the forthcoming Windcrest/McGraw-Hill book, "Mailing List
Services On Your Home-Based PC," will be appearing live on the
Paul and Sarah Edwards Home Office radio program, this Sunday
evening, November 28.
The interview program, which airs live at 10 pm EST, or 7 pm
PCT, is actually produced in the Edward's home studio.
Newsbytes readers wishing to tune in should be able to hear the
interview on the following stations:
Albany, GA - WWGS AM 1430; Alexandria, LA - KSYL AM 970;
Amarillo, TX - KGNC AM 710; Atlanta, GA - WPBE AM 1050; Boise, ID
- KFXD AM 580; Buffalo, NY - WWWS AM 1400; Charlotte, NC - WSTP
AM 149O; Colorado Springs/Pueblo, CO - KKPC AM 1230; Erie, PA -
WPSE AM 1450; Greenville/Spartanburg, SC - WPCI AM 1490;
Lexington, KY - WLAP AM 630; Nashville, TN - WGNS AM 1450; New
York City - WLAD AM 800; Norfolk/Newport News, VA - WYAB AM 1550;
Phoenix, AZ - KFNN AM 1510; Portland/Poland Spring, ME - WLPZ AM
1440; Portland, OR - KBNP AM 141O; Salt Lake, UT - KMXB AM 1230;
Santa Barbara/Santa Mariam, CA - KSMA AM 1240; Seattle, WA - KEZX
AM 1150; Spokane, WA - KSBN AM 1230; Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL -
WTMY AM 1280; Traverse City, MI - WMKT AM 1270; and Washington,
D.C. - WPGC AM 1580.
(John McCormick/19931124/Press Contact: Linda Houser Rohrbough,
tel 818-996-7000 or fax 818-996-0008)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
UNIX
X Consortium To Hold Annual X Technical Conf
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00020)
X Consortium To Hold Annual X Technical Conf 11/24/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- The
X Consortium Inc., newly spun off from MIT as an independent
entity, will hold its Eighth Annual X Technical Conference in
Boston from January 24 to 26, with release 6 of the X Windows
System as the focus.
Nearly half of the 23 presentations and 14 tutorials to be
offered during the three-day conference will relate specifically
to release 6, said Bob Scheifler, creator of the X Windows
System, and outgoing director of the MIT X Consortium, in an
interview with Newsbytes.
New features of X Windows to be covered at the conference include
"low-bandwidth X," the ability to run Windows NT applications on
X, multithreaded servers and libraries, internationalization, the
X Image Extension (XIE) for advanced image processing, and the
Fresco object-oriented interface, according to Scheifler.
The "Father of X Windows" told Newsbytes that a desire of the
consortium for a stronger industry orientation was the chief
reason for the spinoff from MIT, announced in October.
Luther C. Abel, Ph.D., was hired last February to guide the
group's transition to independent status and to lead future
activities. Scheifler will remain in his role with the
consortium through February, 1994.
The MIT X Consortium was founded in 1988 to manage the
distribution and evolution of X Windows, an operating system-
independent, network-transparent, client-server graphical user
interface standard aimed at use with the entire spectrum of
computer systems.
The use of the academic setting as an initial "home base" was an
experiment on the part of the consortium, predicated by the fact
that X Windows was born at MIT, Scheifler said. "But by now, the
X Windows Consortium has outgrown the university environment,"
he explained.
As an independent entity, the X Consortium will be able to pay
industry-level salaries and thereby attract top-notch staff, he
said. The group will also be able to focus more strongly on
external communications.
The X Consortium currently has nearly 100 members from
throughout the world. Members include systems manufacturers
and independent software vendors (ISVs), as well as academic,
government and research organizations.
At the consortium's upcoming Eight Annual X Technical Conference,
Scheifler will deliver a talk entitled "The X Consortium: A
Status Report." Staff members from Network Computing Devices
will speak on the subject "NetAudio: Make Your Applications
Work." A representative of AGE Logic will examine the topic,
"Experience with XIE: Server and Client, Past, Present and Future."
Other speakers will include experts from MIT, Silicon Graphics,
Digital Equipment Corp., Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard,
Ithaca Software, Template Graphics Software Inc., and the Open
Software Foundation.
The conference will also include a reception at the Boston
Computer Museum, to be hosted by the X Consortium, Integrated
Computer Solutions, Network Computing Devices, O'Reilly and
Associates, and SunSoft.
The conference fee is $120 if registered by January 7. On-site
registration is $170. For conference registration forms or a
complete list of conference programs, call MIT Conference
Services at 617-253-1700.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931124/Reader Contacts: MIT Conference
Services, 617-253-1700; X Windows Consortium, 617-426-7890;
Press Contacts: Susan Stevens or Tim Hurley, Copithorne &
Bellows, 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
GOVT
France's Bull Starts Long Road To Recovery
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00021)
France's Bull Starts Long Road To Recovery 11/24/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- The French government has
confirmed its plans, as reported last month by Newsbytes, to
invest FF9,200 million ($1,600 million) into Groupe Bull, the
troubled French computer and electronics group.
At the same time, the company has announced it is offering all
shareholders -- both public and private -- whether they want to
invest a proportion of the money themselves. The move could lessen
the financial cost to the French government, Newsbytes notes, as
IBM and NEC, who have a joint stake of 10 percent in the company,
would have to invest FF920 million in order to share fully in any
profits and, possibly, the full proceeds, should a sale to a third
party company or organization be agreed upon.
Media sources have suggested that IBM and NEC will not be asked
to put in the full FF920 million, but a reduced amount of FF 700
million. Neither company, Newsbytes understands, has made a
decision on how much to invest.
Media sources also suggest that France Telecom has been asked to
invest around FF1,600 million into the company, since it has around
16 percent of Groupe Bull's shares. If all three companies take up
their option to invest, the French government's investment will
only need to be FF6,900 million.
As previously reported by Newsbytes, the French government has
already spent around FF11,000 million in propping up the computer
company, but French newspapers, as well as Cable News Network
(CNN) International have reported that the cost of allowing the
company to go bust would be far greater, owing to the long-term
effect on the country's unemployment rates, which are already
nudging 12 percent.
While Groupe Bull itself is refusing to comment on what it calls
"industry speculation" as to possible investment, CNN International
has suggested that Edouard Balladur, the French Prime Minister, is
interested in selling off the company in the near future. Clearing
the group's debts, rather than having them hanging around the
company's neck for the potential purchaser, is a logical step for
the French Government to take, Newsbytes notes.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931124/Press & Public Contact: Groupe Bull,
33-1-6447-9164)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
TRENDS
EC Unveils New Proposals For European Digital TV
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00022)
EC Unveils New Proposals For European Digital TV 11/24/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- After getting egg on its
face earlier this year after the European TV industry rejected
plans for a European digital television standard, the European
Commission (EC) has picked up the cudgels again and started
"requesting" the industry to follow its lead.
According to a statement issued by the EC, European TV
manufacturers should dramatically increase their levels of research
into future digital TV systems and cooperate with their counterparts
in both the US and Japan. The request, Newsbytes notes, is a
complete about-face from earlier instructions for Europe to develop
its own incompatible D2-MAC digital TV standard.
According to an EC spokesman, the original aims of the D2-MAC
standard are not reduced in any way. The idea is to create a movie-
quality TV system that is as leading-edge technically as possible,
but as generic as possible, so as to apply economies of scale to
production.
Despite this enthusiasm, EC officials claim that it will be well
into the second decade of the next century before the TV industry
can abandon analog TV systems such as NTSC, SECAM and PAL --
the three TV systems currently in use around the world.
(Steve Gold/19931124)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TELECOM
Nokia Scores Major Telecoms Deals In UK
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023)
Nokia Scores Major Telecoms Deals In UK 11/24/93
HELSINKI, FINLAND, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Nokia Oy, the Finnish
telecommunications group, has announced that it has secured
contracts to supply telephone exchange equipment to Yorkshire
Cable and Videotron, two cable television/telephone operators
in the UK.
The contracts are a major coup for Nokia, since it is the first time
that the company has sold its telecoms switchgear -- as distinct
from telephone handsets -- into the British market.
Financial terms of the deals have not been revealed, although
Newsbytes understands that both contracts revolve around the
supply of state-of-the-art DX200 exchange systems.
Of the two companies taking the DX200 systems, Yorkshire Cable,
with its six franchises throughout Yorkshire, is the largest. Over
the next ten years, the telecoms operator plans to offer its
service to around two million people.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931124/Press & Public Contact: Nokia Oy,
tel 358-8-793-8430, fax 358-8-793-8441)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TELECOM
Ericsson Secures First Hungarian Telecoms Contract
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00024)
Ericsson Secures First Hungarian Telecoms Contract 11/24/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Ericsson has secured
one of its first major contracts for the supply of
telecommunications equipment behind the former Iron Curtain.
Newsbytes understands that a contract for the supply of a global
system for mobile (GSM) digital phone network has been signed with
Westel, a joint venture company consisting of Matav, the Hungarian
state phone company and US West, the US telecoms operator. The
deal is worth a total of 300 million crowns.
Plans call for the network to be up and running in the Helsinki city
area by the end of the next month, with three months of preliminary
testing taking place to the commercial launch in the spring of next
year. If the city area network is a success, then the GSM network
will be rolled out across Europe by the end of 1995.
GSM, which operates in the 900 megahertz (MHz) waveband, uses a
13,000 bits-per-second (bps) data stream between mobiles and the
radio base station. In addition, the mobile phones makes use of
smart card technology to record subscriber IDs and phone numbers.
To subscribe to GSM, a user rents a smart card with his/her details
recorded on the card. Whenever the card is slotted into a GSM phone,
the phone accepts and places calls on that number.
Because GSM networks are all-digital, all GSM-compatible networks
are slowly linking together so that subscribers on one network can
use their smart cards on other networks, slotting it into a phone on
that network, allowing them to place and receive calls -- albeit at
a cost.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931124/Press & Public Contact: Ericsson,
tel 46-8-719-0000, fax 46-8-184085)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
BUSINESS
Correction - Microsoft To Centralize Distribution In Ireland
(CORRECTION)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00025)
Correction - Microsoft To Centralize Distribution In Ireland 11/24/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Following the publication of
Newsbytes' report on Monday about Microsoft's plans to centralize
its distribution in Ireland, a spokesman for Microsoft UK has
contacted us to clarify a number of points.
The story stated that the reason for Microsoft centralizing its
distribution operations in Ireland is reap the tax benefits.
According to Tim Dyson of Text 100, Microsoft UK's public
relations company, this is not the case.
"The company centralized its distribution in Ireland as part of a
move to simplify the distribution chain between manufacturer and
distributor. The decision to have a distribution center in Ireland
was made because the (company) manufactures products for Europe
in Ireland and because the company wants distributors to be able
to place orders directly with the manufacturing division, using
electronic data interchange links," he told Newsbytes.
Dyson also pointed out that Microsoft did not recently centralized
its manufacturing operations in Ireland, as was stated. He said that
the company has carried out its European manufacturing in Ireland
for the past eight years.
Newsbytes regrets any confusion with its story.
(Steve Gold/11931122/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK,
44-0734-270001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
EDITORIAL TRENDS
Editorial - The Rise And Fall Of PCs
(EDITORIAL)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00026)
Editorial - The Rise And Fall Of PCs 11/24/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- By John McCormick.
Now, at the peak of computer sales, it may seem ridiculous to talk
about the fall of PCs, but that is exactly what is happening. The
era of the truly personal computer is rapidly ending just as prices
fall so low that even our antiquated education system is beginning
to install them and a few teachers are learning as much about the
monsters as the average 5th grader.
The key to understanding the bewildering statement lies in
semantic confusion over just what a PC consists of, because in
one sense PCs are rapidly gaining a place in most industrial
nation's more affluent homes, but in another sense, PCs are
rapidly disappearing.
Just consider the following definitions of a PC, all of which are
considered valid by many people:
"A PC is a relatively inexpensive computer which individuals, as
opposed to just businesses, can own."
"A PC is any variant of the IBM-PC computer which uses an iAPX86
family variant processor and runs MS-DOS (or PC-DOS)."
"A PC is a computer which is personal in the sense that beginning
and experienced enthusiasts alike can get their hands dirty, and
their minds activated, by tweaking operating systems, programming
new drivers, creating utilities, and generally interacting in a
very personal manner with their computer, the same way an
automotive enthusiast will spend a Saturday tuning up their old
Mustang or Vette."
All three definitions, and many variants, are equally valid, but
terribly confusing for many novices and the different meanings
even trip up many experienced users.
For instance, many new Macintosh owners are shocked to learn
that their "personal computer" is not PC compatible!
But when I talk about the end of the PC I am, of course, talking
about the third definition.
The first computer I owned was a Tandy Color Computer, which not
only allowed, but almost required innovative programming on the
part of the user if you wanted it to do more than play the
simplest of games. Back when the first Macs were glacially slow
and used a tiny black and white screen, the far less expensive
CoCo offered color images with Unix-like multitasking and
multiuser capabilities using Microware's OS-9 operating system -
the hitch was that you had to basically learn Unix and program
your own device drivers to make use of the software.
Even my first IBM-PC was a primitive creature with a 360 kilobyte
(KB) floppy disk drive and a massive 10 megabyte (MB) hard drive.
If you wanted to do more than run a relatively simple version of
Lotus 1-2-3 or WordStar, or even to run them well, you had to
involve yourself intimately with TSRs (terminate-and-stay-
residents), IRQs (Interrupt ReQuest), batch files, RAM disks, and
many other items now nearly forgotten by all but what are
referred to as Power Users, or even actual programmers.
Those were the days when people could integrate a few basic
utility programs and, through good marketing, build a
multimillion dollar business in a year or two and when working
with a game meant, as often as not, writing or modifying one, not
just passively following prompts.
Those were personal computers in my definition and they have
disappeared. Oh, the hardware is still compatible, but modern
operating environments are so complex as to make any attempt to
modify how the computer works, even through something as simple
as changing a parameter in an AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS file a
major undertaking requiring special utility programs or many
years experience.
Don't get me wrong, I am not bemoaning the ease of use of modern
computers, merely pointing out that we have lost something while
we gained that ease of use and what we lost may have been very
important - a feeling of personal control, something which is
rapidly being replaced by a rising concern even among daily
computer users over the increasing control computers are exerting
over our lives.
And, just stop and ask yourself what the average user has gained
from operating environments and applications software which are
so complex that only a few experts really understand all their
features and no-one actually uses all of them.
My old IBM-PC only had a 4.77 megahertz (MHz) clock speed and,
combined with the slow hard drive, was about one-hundredth as
fast as a 486-66. I could only access 640 KB of memory and had to
use a TSR to have a pop-up calendar and notepad.
But I could still key, edit, spellcheck, and print my magazine
articles working as fast as 70 words per minute - just about the
same speed I can hit today.
Sure, I had to learn a lot about the tool I made a living with,
but I didn't consider that to be a great burden any more than I
regret having had to learn the difference between a lathe and a
drill press when I use machine tools.
Now I expect some nasty notes from propeller heads who will
authoritatively tell me that I am full of it and that lots of
people still do basic programming of their own PCs, but you can
bet that they have either memorized Microsoft Technical Manuals
for Windows, or are Unix literate.
I will also get notes from the other side, people who will tell
me that computers are "just tools." It would surprise them to
learn that I view computers as tools also, but I am of the old
school of craftsmen which believes that when something is very
important to your life, the lives of your kids, and the way you
make a living, it is a mark of incredible stupidity if you fail
to learn something about how it really works - to me it is just
common sense, and a survival trait.
PCs are dead, long live the PC! But if in another decade they
turn around and bite you because you didn't understand them,
don't blame me.
(John McCormick/19931126)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
TRENDS
UK - Banyan Reveals "True Cost" Of E-Mail
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00027)
UK - Banyan Reveals "True Cost" Of E-Mail 11/24/93
CRAWLED, WEST SUSSEX, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Research
company Infocorp Consulting maintains that the cost of ownership
of an electronic mail (e-mail) system should be the deciding
factor, rather than the official price.
The figures, just released by Banyan Systems, claim to show that
the annualized cost of ownership of e-mail systems ranges from
UKP59,425 a year per 1,000 users on a Banyan system, to a high
UKP393,893 a year per 1,000 users on a Wordperfect Office-based
system.
According to Banyan, these figures show how significant amounts
of an IT (information technology) budget is being lost to e-mail
system maintenance.
The research also claims to show that Banyan Intelligent Messaging
is dramatically cheaper than all its competitors. Infocorp counted
the '"lost dollars" for four local area network (LAN)-based e-mail
systems: cc:Mail, Microsoft Office, Wordperfect Office, and Banyan
Intelligent Messaging.
The researchers interviewed 250 administrators, with e-mail
systems supporting at least 250 users split across three sites or
more. The sites has been in continuous operation for at least six
months.
Connie Reagan, Banyan's European Marketing Director, said that it
is the administration and management of networked e-mail that
generates the real cost of e-mail and wastes the time of skilled
employees. It is critical that IT budgets diverted to non-productive
work needs to be identified,, measured and reduced, she said,
In the research, Reagan said that it had examined every component
of the cost of ownership of the software. In each area, Banyan
came out on top, the company claims.
Of the four packages under consideration, Banyan was said to be
the cheapest, with the annual cost of ownership per installation
of UKP59,425. Lotus cc:Mail reportedly cost UKP95,101, MIcrosoft
cost UKP115,682, while Wordperfect came out top at UKP393,893.
(Steve Gold/19931124/Press & Public Contact: Banyan Systems,
44-293-612284)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
BUSINESS
HP Earnings Up, Employees Benefit
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00028)
HP Earnings Up, Employees Benefit 11/24/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard, a consistent financial performer, is reporting a
higher bottom line, which it says it will again share with its
employees. In announcing its year-end 1993 results, the company
claims a 21 percent increase in net earnings and a 24 percent
increase in net revenue.
Net earnings for fiscal 1993, ending October 31, were $1.2
billion up from $972 million in 1992, and net revenue is up to
$20.3 billion compared to $16.4 billion last year. HP says it has
grown to be the second largest computer company in the United
States.
Lewis Platt, HP chairman said, "Our performance throughout the
year was more consistent than last year, and we achieved better
balance of profitability across our businesses. We're also very
pleased that we reduced operating-expense ratios as much as we
did. These accomplishments are a tribute to HP's people, who
showed great resourcefulness in identifying more effective ways
to work."
It is difficult to quantify how much of the company's performance
can be linked to its generous profit sharing practices with its
employees. HP is distributing $123 million of its profits to more
than 91,100 eligible employees out of its total 96,200 employed
worldwide.
The company says it shares its profits twice a year, once in
November and once in May, with checks that, combined, could
total as much as four weeks of extra pay.
Other events this fiscal year include the resignation of co-
founder Dave Packard, a move that surprised the industry. Packard
stepped down as chairman in September of this year at age 81.
Bill Hewlett, the other founder, resigned from the board of
directors in 1978, but still serves as a consultant to the
company, which is known for its computational and scientific
equipment.
Investors appear to be pleased with the company's performance. In
Wednesday's trading HP stock (NYSE: HWP) was up two points from
the previous day's close of 71 and 1/2.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931124/Press Contact: Cornelia Bayley,
Hewlett-Packard, tel 415-857-5654, fax 415-750-5238)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/24/93
APPLE
Apple Links With Fujitsu On Multimedia Software
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00029)
Apple Links With Fujitsu On Multimedia Software 11/24/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Apple Computer has signed
an agreement with Fujitsu involving multimedia software.
The agreement calls for both firms to jointly develop
software that will operate on both firms' personal computers.
According to an industry source, discussions concerning such a
deal began a year ago.
To begin with, Apple will license its multimedia software,
QuickTime, to Fujitsu, which will support QuickTime on its
multimedia personal computer, FM Towns.
Additionally, next spring, both firms will release CD-ROM-based
software, which will run on both Fujitsu's and Apple's Macintosh
computers.
Both companies will cooperate in an effort to standardize the
multimedia software platform. They are thought to be considering
suggesting the software specifications to other firms with the
hope of making them some sort of industry standard in the future.
Fujitsu has quite a strong penetration of the school market,
especially with the FM Towns. The system was first released in
1989, and a total of 350,000 units have already been sold. About
800 application programs are reportedly available for the system.
Some analysts predict that, by the year 2000, the multimedia
personal computer market will have grown to between 50 to 60
trillion yen (around $600 billion) worldwide.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931123/Press Contact:
Fujitsu, tel 81-3-3215-5236, fax 81-3-3216-9365)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/24/93
IBM
Japanese-Chinese Language Translation Software For PC
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00030)
Japanese-Chinese Language Translation Software For PC 11/24/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 24 (NB) -- Create Osaka has developed
a translation program for the Japanese and Chinese languages.
The program is called "Songoku" and it operates on personal
computers. The program will be released for around 250,000
yen ($2,500) next spring.
Software maker Create Osaka's Songoku was named after the
legendary magic monkey in China. The program translates the
Japanese language into Chinese. The user needs to type in a
document or may use a scanner.
The program was developed with the help of China's Dairen
Science and Technology University. It is said this system analyzes
both sentences and words. Then, it translates the document into
an intermediary language. The program supports about 50,000
words.
Currently, Japanese-Chinese language translation software is
available for workstations, but not for personal computers.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931123/Press Contact: Create
Osaka, 81-6-340-5624)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
TRENDS
****Canadian Computer Show - Portable Boom Heralded
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00001)
****Canadian Computer Show - Portable Boom Heralded 11/23/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Look for more powerful
notebooks computers with longer-lasting batteries and Personal
Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) slots as the
standard for expansion.
And you can expect a growing number of "road warriors" to rely on
these systems as their primary PCs. This was the word from speakers
at the Canadian Computer Show and Conference here in Toronto.
Hiroyuki Furokawa, vice-president of new products for the computer
systems group at Toshiba America Information Systems, kicked off the
conference's first day, which had portable computing as its theme.
Furokawa said that today's most powerful microprocessors will soon
be built into notebook computers. He also said two pieces of
equipment will become widespread standards on portable machines:
PCMCIA slots and compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives.
According to Furokawa, new processors that use less power, and
memory chips that are also less power-hungry, will join forces with
new battery technology to make next year's notebooks run longer on a
single charge, Furokawa added.
He pointed to lithium ion batteries -- Toshiba was recently among
the first to launch a notebook using this new battery design --
which will offer about 1.9 times the battery life that can be had
from a nickel cadmium battery of the same weight. (Nickel metal
hydride falls between the two, lasting about 1.2 times as long as an
equivalent-weight nickel cadmium battery.)
Furokawa made his projections concrete by describing the new
notebooks of 1994. A notebook computer will be built around an 80486
microprocessor with power-saving technology, come with a hard disk
drive that holds from 500 megabytes (MB) to one gigabyte (GB) of
data storage, and have 8MB of memory with advanced caching, he said.
Coming in a package weighing less than seven pounds, the unit will
have an active-matrix color screen, wireless communications
capabilities, PCMCIA (personal computer memory card international
association) slots, sound and animation capabilities, as well as a
local area network (LAN) connection.
A subnotebook due next year will have four to eight MB of memory,
a 500MB hard disk, an active-matrix color screen, and about a six-
hour battery life, Furokawa forecast.
Later, Tom Villani, director of marketing for mobile networked
solutions at AT&T's NCR unit, focused on how people will use the
technology for "nomadic computing." He said there are already 24
million "road warriors" -- people who work on the move with
technology's aid -- in the United States alone, plus another 37
million who work from home or from some locations outside the
office.
But Villani also said that technology is by means all that is needed
to let people work on the move. Organizations have to adapt to make
use of the technology, he said. "You have to empower the employee."
In AT&T's own experience, Villani said, people resist the change
that true mobile computing can bring. "Middle managers are the
worst," he noted. "They think somebody's taking something away from
them." People have to learn new ways of managing to cope with an age
in which subordinates may rarely be in the office, he added.
But he said that the economics at least are on the side of mobile
computing. In the 1960s, Villani recalled, the average salary in an
office setting was in the range of $16,000 to $18,000, and giving an
employee a dumb terminal link to a mainframe could easily cost
$60,000 all told. Today, the salaries average $60,000, and the cost
of a complete mobile office is about $5,000, he said.
The speakers agreed that portable computing is the major growth area
in personal computing today. By the end of 1995, Villani forecast,
one in two personal computers will be portable.
(Grant Buckler/19931123)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
IBM
Canadian Computer Show - 80486-Based Notebook Debuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00002)
Canadian Computer Show - 80486-Based Notebook Debuts 11/23/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Europak International,
a Canadian notebook computer manufacturer, rolled out a new notebook
computer line that uses Intel's 80486 microprocessor and comes with
assorted upmarket features at the Canadian Computer Show here in
Toronto.
Europak's Eurocom 8200 is meant to serve as a customer's only
computer, replacing the desktop machine thanks to a docking station
that brings the unit added capabilities such as four expansion slots
and two drive bays. Two of the slots are 32-bit VESA local-bus
slots.
The 8200's microprocessor is upgradeable by the user, according to
Janusz Rydel, marketing manager at EuroPak. A small panel just
behind the computer's keyboard provides access so one can snap one
chip out and snap another in.
The basic setup has four megabytes (MB) of memory, which can be
expanded to 20 MB. A 128K-byte static RAM cache is optional. EuroPak
offers a choice of monochrome, dual-scan passive-matrix color, or
active-matrix color screens, all meeting the VGA display standard.
Available hard disk drives range from 80 to 340 MB. The unit also
comes with a 128K-byte flash BIOS, which the company said will make
it easy to upgrade in future.
The 8.5-by-11-by-two-inch unit weighs about 6.7 pounds with battery
pack, company officials said. With a monochrome screen it can run
five hours on a battery charge, they added, while color models will
run for about two and a half hours.
Prices start at about C$2,000 for a unit with an 80486SX
microprocessor, 4MB of memory, and a 120MB hard drive, Rydel told
Newsbytes, adding that EuroPak, which has been in business for about
eight years, is actively selling the machines in the United States
and Europe as well as Canada.
(Grant Buckler/19931123/Press Contact: Anna Korutowska, 613-224-
6122)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
BUSINESS
Viking Office Products Sets Up Shop In Australia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00003)
Viking Office Products Sets Up Shop In Australia 11/23/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- US office supplies company
Viking has opened in Australia, and like many US ideas transplanted
to other countries, it may revolutionize the way people expect to
buy their office supplies. Viking already operates in Europe.
Direct ordering is not a common way of buying office products in
Australia -- most people tend to order from their local office
supply shop. Not only is Viking offering an alternative to this, but
claims to be offering significant price reductions as well.
The entire operation is being operated from a central warehouse and
order-taking site in Sydney. Orders will be delivered next day to
main centers along the eastern coast, and a day later to other
areas. Orders of AUS$50 (US$33) and more are delivered free, and
orders below this are delivered for $4.95.
Payment is taken via credit card or 30-day account for most buyers.
As an extra incentive to buy, all products come with at least a
years warranty and 30-day free trial. If you don't like the goods,
the company claims they will be collected free and your account
credited immediately.
Here are some samples of Viking's pricing: Economy copier paper for
$3.99 (US$2.66) per ream; 3M high density diskette $2.99 (US$1.99);
letter-sized sheets of copier labels $21.74 (US$14.40) per hundred;
and genuine LaserJet IIP toner cartridges for $147.68 (US$98).
Viking told Newsbytes that it has no intention of selling computer
equipment other than consumables, but it does sell a small range of
fax machines, answering machines and photocopiers. It also sells a
range of furniture which it may expand, depending on demand.
Spokesperson Alan Very said that he was also considering adding
coffee-break consumables to the existing list of "must haves" which
includes toilet paper.
(Paul Zucker/19931123)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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3000 11/23/93
APPLE
Andataco Ports Apple Mac Emulation Software To DEC
(NEWS)(APPLE)(WAS)(00004)
Andataco Ports Apple Mac Emulation Software To DEC 3000 11/23/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- San Diego, California-
based Andataco has signed a strategic agreement with Maynard,
Massachusetts-based Digital Equipment to port the Liken Apple Mac
emulation software to the DEC Alpha AXP platform. Other versions of
Liken currently available allow let standard Macintosh applications
software run on Sun, Hewlett-Packard 9000 Series 700, and IBM
RS/6000 workstations.
The current single-user price for a copy of Liken is $299 and the
software will let five models of the Alpha AXP Unix workstation run
the majority of popular Mac applications programs on the powerful
workstations, the company claims.
The new version of Liken, which is being created just for the
Digital Unix platform, will also run as a client/server application
for Alpha AXP servers including the desktop DEC 2000 Model 300 to
the DEC 10000 enterprise computing server systems.
Besides emulating an Apple Mac, the Liken software will let the DEC
systems easily connect to existing or future Macintosh networks or
individual computers.
(John McCormick/19931123/Press Contact: Steven W. McAllister,
Andataco, 619-453-9191)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
IBM
Sequoia Publishing Announces Updated PC Pocket Book
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00005)
Sequoia Publishing Announces Updated PC Pocket Book 11/23/93
LAS VEGAS. NEVADA. U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Sequoia Publishing
claims that its revised Pocket Ref, a $14-95 320-page PC reference
book, is not just another PC reference book to add to the hundreds
already published. The reason, the company claims, is that the book
is logically structured and, as it's only 3.2 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
big, it really does slip into the pocket.
Kathy Hodack, marketing representative for the Littleton, Colorado-
based company, told Newsbytes at Comdex last week that the book
sells to all types of PC professionals, ranging from home users to
business users.
"We first published the book back in 1991. Since then, it's become a
best seller in our lists. It contains a wealth of industry phone
numbers, plus a history of PC technology," Hodack explained.
Sequoia is keen to get its book onto the desks of as many PC users
as possible. To this end, the company is offering companies the
chance to pay from $10 (for the die costs) and 13 cents per book
extra to have their details printed on the cover. Offering the book
as a customer thank-you is a good way of getting your company
noticed, Sequoia officials said.
According to Hodack, a deal for Australian distribution of the book
has just been signed with Senjoe Limited, a Terrigal, New South
Wales-based company.
(Steve Gold/19931112/Press & Public Contact: Sequoia - Tel: 303-972-
4167; Fax: 303-972-0158; Australian Contact: Senjoe Pty - Tel: +61-
43-85-1711; +61-43-85-1943)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
IBM
Wordperfect Bundles Legal Software With WP 6.
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)
Wordperfect Bundles Legal Software With WP 6.0 11/23/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corporation has
announced it will bundle some legal software with its recently
launched Wordperfect 6.0 word processor.
Bundled with the word processing package will be Jurisoft
CompareRite 5.0, CAPS Personal 1.0 and Jurisoft Directconnect 2.0.
The four programs are designed to work together, allowing the legal
professional to utilize the other programs without leaving
Wordperfect, the company claims.
The bundle will be available for Windows and for DOS-based systems
in early December 1993, and will have an upgrade price of $199 for
users of earlier versions of Wordperfect and $229 for users of
competitive word processing programs. Windows users will also
receive a bonus disk which contains legal templates, LEXIS access
macros and the WESTLAW/Wordperfect integration.
CompareRite performs "redlining", a term used to describe the
process of making changes in a document but retaining the original
text with strikeout marks (usually slashes or dashes) to show what
is being changed.
CAPS Personal 1.0 is a document assembly tool that uses master
documents imported from Wordperfect to create intelligent document
templates that generate customized documents and sending them to
Wordperfect for final editing, printing, and storage.
Directconnect 2.0 installs a Jurisoft Button Bar in Wordperfect to
provide the integration between Wordperfect and legal tools such as
Jurisoft's Legal Toolbox, CAPS Personal, and Lexis/Nexis research
software. Directconnect was first introduced in June of this year as a
companion product for Wordperfect 5.1 for DOS.
Wordperfect has tools designed specifically for legal professionals,
such as pleading macro, watermarks, and a table of authorities. It
also has outlining capabilities.
(Jim Mallory/19931123/Press Contact: Ken Merritt, Wordperfect
Corporation, Tel: 801-228-5059; Reader contact: Wordperfect
Corporation, Tel: 800-225-5000; Fax 801-228-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00007)
Canadian Product Launch Update 11/23/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: the DECpc XL and new
software from WordPerfect and Borland.
Digital Equipment of Canada, in Toronto, unveiled the DECpc XL line
of PCs with 486, Pentium, and Alpha processors (Newsbytes, Nov 8).
Prices start at C$3,500 for a standard configuration 433DX with
eight megabytes (MB) of memory, 340-MB SCSI hard drive, 3.5-inch
diskette drive, S3-928 PCI video card, one MB of video memory, and
Microsoft's MS-DOS and Windows software. Digital Canada has not yet
announced prices for the other three models in the new line.
Quantity shipments of the 486-based models are due to start in
December. The XL 560 will be available from December 15, and the XL
560 from early January. The Alpha upgrade card will ship by mid-
1994, the company said.
WordPerfect brought its Main Street line of consumer software
(Newsbytes, Nov 18) to Canada at the Canadian Computer Show, which
is taking place this week in Toronto. A total of 12 products are to
be introduced in the first quarter of 1994, the company said.
WordPerfect has also joined with Borland International in
introducing the Borland Office 2.0 software suite (Newsbytes, Nov
16) -- which includes WordPerfect's word processing software -- to
the Canadian market. Canadian prices were not immediately available.
(Grant Buckler/19931123/Press Contact: David Paolini, Digital
Canada, Tel: 416-597-3529; Blake Stowell, WordPerfect, Tel: 801-228-
5063; Fax: 801-228-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
TRENDS
Canadian Computer Show - A PDA Perspective
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00008)
Canadian Computer Show - A PDA Perspective 11/23/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Personal digital
assistants (PDAs) still have maturing to do, but they will be
important products in the next few years, visitors to the Canadian
Computer Show and Conference here in Toronto were told.
Craig Hustadt, former general manager of marketing and planning for
Sharp Electronics of Canada, said that PDAs have been getting a
rough ride in the press. He admitted, however, there is a reason for
that: Manufacturers, he said, "have a very big and ugly habit and
that is to over-promise and under-deliver."
"And if they would only learn to under-promise and over-deliver, I
think the press would probably be kinder to them," he added.
Hustadt said that there are some problems with today's PDAs, partly
because today's technology simply can't deliver everything buyers
would like in a package as small as they want at a price they want
to pay.
He questioned the complaint that PDAs are overpriced, asking
rhetorically where else one would find all the capabilities of a PDA
for less than $1,000.
On the other hand, he agreed with another common criticism: that the
handwriting recognition technology available today is not good
enough. While PDAs may achieve from 65 to 95 percent accuracy in
translating handwriting, Hustadt said, optical character recognition
typically delivers better than 99 percent -- and that still means
that on a page with 2,000 characters, there will typically be about
20 errors.
"PDA devices require assistance from software houses," Hustadt
said, explaining that software developers need to write
applications that can use the context in which data is entered to
make intelligent guesses about what entries are likely to be, thus
making up for the deficiencies of today's handwriting recognition.
Another problem facing the infant market, he said, is the
proliferation of pen-based operating systems. "What we need is a
winner," Hustadt said, because application developers lack the
resources to write to the myriad platforms now on the market.
Commenting on the various PDAs now on the market, Hustadt had
most praise for the Zoomer being marketed by Tandy and Casio, saying
that it was "designed with the customer in mind."
He said that Sharp's recently launched PT-9000 is powerful but may
have to wait for customer acceptance due to its size, which is
larger than that of many PDAs.
(Grant Buckler/19931123)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
GENERAL
First Third Pty Developer Products For GEOS 2.0 Ship
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)
First Third Pty Developer Products For GEOS 2.0 Ship 11/23/93
DAVIS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- The Association of
GEOS Developers (AGD) has announced that the first third-party
applications for the GEOS 2.0 operating system are now available.
AGD says their members have been working on a variety of
applications for the GEOS operating system developed by Berkeley,
California-based Geoworks. The first application to come to market
is Maze Runner, a shareware game developed by LesInk Products in
Huntsville, Alabama. Maze Runner can be downloaded from Geoworks
libraries on America Online, GEnie, or Compuserve.
Lysle Shields III, a supporter of GEOS on the Commodore computer and
one of the programmers at LesInk Products, says he expects LesInk
will produce a multiple game package shortly that will run on PC
compatibles and personal data assistants (PDA's) such as Zoomer that
will include both shareware and commercial releases of a number of
popular games.
LesInk says that additional products are currently being beta tested
by AGD's product testing department. Beta testing is the final step
in working out any bugs in a software product before it ships.
The GEOS operating system has been adopted by several PDA makers
because of its adaptability to system resources. With the
availability of GEOS for IBM-compatible PCs users of palmtop devices
will be able to create files on either platform and transport the
information to the other platform without the need for any type
conversion.
Geoworks also publishes Ensemble 2.0, a software productivity suite
that includes word processing, a flatfile database, drawing and
spreadsheet software.
AGD is a non-profit corporation that offers membership to all
supporters of GEOS. The group offers its members substantial
discounts on a variety of products and is active on America Online,
Genie, and Compuserve subscription-based online information
services.
(Jim Mallory/19931123/Press and public contact: Geoworks, 510-644-
0883)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
IBM
Virtual Reality Stock Trading Coming Of Age
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00010)
Virtual Reality Stock Trading Coming Of Age 11/23/93
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Imagine trading
stocks by putting on glasses and a glove, reaching out and grabbing
one of many colored bars representing 100 shares and placing the
shares in your open portfolio. That is what's coming, according to
Avatar Partners of Boulder Creek, California.
Avatar has announced a marketing agreement with Data Broadcasting
Corporation (DBC) for vrTrader, a software package that allows users
to enter a virtual world of stocks complete with sounds, colors and
movement. While vrTrader doesn't allow users to buy and sell stocks
by picking them up in the virtual reality world, that is the next
step.
The system works by connecting a PC to a DBC Signal Receiver, which
brings in real-time data from a cable television connection, and FM
radio signal, or even direct via satellite. The stocks are then
presented to the user as three dimensional objects with graphics and
text around them.
Each stock is a color coded pole coming out of the ground of an area
resembling a three-dimensional football field. Each pole can grow,
spin, blink or emit a sound that indicates the movement of that
security.
Up to 300 stocks can be viewed from a choice of over 9,500 from the
NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ exchanges. The overall scene is a startling
visual picture of a subscriber's portfolio in action at any given
moment of the trading day. The software further updates related
factors, like the existence of recent news reports.
Maurice Doucet, one of the two founding partners of Avatar Partners,
told Newsbytes that the big concern in making the stock market fully
electronic is the loss of the visual elements that now make up the
trading. "How do you see the traders on the floor with an electronic
stock market? You still can, if the market is in a virtual reality
setting," he said.
Doucet says he can foresee a completely virtual stock market where
traders are all represented by virtual forms moving in and out and
trading by exchanging virtual objects. The auditory element allows
for a user to be alerted by a sound coming from the direction of the
stock that has passed a pre-set threshold, for example.
The software supports most high-tech hardware so stocks may also be
displayed on a television screen or on a projection system as well,
company officials added.
The virtual reality version of vrTrader is rather expensive,
Newsbytes notes, with $1,995 required for the software plus
additional costs for the DBC receiver and the VR equipment.
For those who would like the experience without the expense, the
company is planning a Windows version of the software for individual
users that will cost under $700 and will be available in February of
next year.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931123/Press Contact: Julie Craig, Data
Broadcasting, tel 415-571-1800, fax 415-571-8507)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
GENERAL
Legent Intros New LAN Backup & Recovery
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00011)
Legent Intros New LAN Backup & Recovery 11/23/93
HERNDON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Legent Corp.,
has introduced Enterprise Storage Manager (ESM) for managing
enterprise file servers, designed to provide both local and
off-site backup and recovery for LAN (local area network)-
based servers connected to MVS/ESA mainframes.
According to the company, ESM features a new dual backup
architecture that backs up LANs to local compressed disk storage
on the LAN as a "hot spare" and to the mainframe for long-term
storage.
Kathy Shuman, spokesperson for the company, told Newsbytes that the
system resides on a LAN-based server. "The company has traditionally
been strong in the MVS-mainframe area, so as our customers move to
the client-server environment, we are helping them to do that," she
said.
Phil Carrai, vice president of Legent's Resource Management unit,
said that, "today, over 85 percent of all LAN servers are not backed
up. Enterprise Storage Manager meets the needs of large
organizations to quickly recover lost data using the inexpensive
medium of LAN disks, while providing the capability to use tape
storage on the mainframe for archiving and disaster recovery," he
said.
ESM uses a dual backup strategy that backs up each LAN server to
both compressed disk storage on other local servers and to the data
center over existing telecommunications links. The data stored on
the LAN can be restored "quickly and automatically," according to
the company. ESM also transmits a second copy of the backup data to
a mainframe where it is stored on tape.
According to Legent, ESM is the first deployment of its exclusive
binary object technology, which allows for the management of
unlimited amounts of data. The technology is claimed to provide
automatic elimination of duplicate files during the backup process
at the server, site and enterprise level. In addition, it can
reportedly determine which data have been changed and which remain
static, and backs up only the data with changes.
Jim Woodhill, chief product architect for ESM, said that, "unlike
other technologies, ESM has a LAN-centric rather than a mainframe-
centric design. LAN storage is growing too rapidly for a mainframe-
centric approach to be viable in the 1990s. Large organizations want
centralized control and data vaulting, but need the bulk of the
actual processing to be done out on the LANwhere the MIPS and DASD
(Direct Access Storage Device) are cheap."
The initial release of the product supports OS/2, with plans to
support Novell NetWare and Windows NT in 1994. ESM supports OS/2-
based file servers running LAN Manager or LAN Server network
operating systems connected via OS/2 Communications Manager or DCA
CommServer to MVS/ESA mainframe environments.
The company says that ESM will be available as a controlled release
in December, 1993, with general availability scheduled for April
1994. ESM pricing starts at $30,000 and is based on the number of
customer LANs and the amount of storage associated with each.
(Ian Stokell/19931123/Press Contact: Kathy Shuman, 703-708-3118,
Legent Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
APPLE
Ex-Apple CEO John Sculley Left Company With Millions
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00012)
Ex-Apple CEO John Sculley Left Company With Millions 11/23/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- John Sculley
walked away from Apple Computer last month with millions, according
to preliminary documents released by Apple to the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Sculley, who left Apple in the midst of turmoil
on October 14, a Friday, joined New York- based Spectrum Information
Technologies the following Monday.
Apple representatives have stressed the numbers in the preliminary
proxy statement sent to shareholders are not final and won't be
finalized until the company's annual meeting scheduled for January
16, 1994.
However, Newsbytes notes that the statement reveals Sculley will
probably receive $1 million in severance pay, an annual salary of $1
million and a bonus of $412,000 for 1993. In addition to all this,
he will receive $750,000 in pay as a consultant to Apple for a year,
and can exercise about $2.24 million in stock options.
And in addition to all this, Apple is buying Sculley's home in
Woodside, California for fair market value, picking up his moving
expenses to Greenwich, Connecticut, and buying his Lear jet.
Rumors are Sculley was forced out due to Apple's sagging bottom line
and those rumors have been fueled by a former board of directors
member who has filed suit against Apple. However, until recently
Sculley was known internally at Apple as "Teflon John," according to
Newsbytes' sources who said that nothing bad ever seemed to "stick"
to him.
Other sources said that Sculley is pulling $1 million annually in
his new chief executive officer (CEO) post at Spectrum. Sculley is
also credited for some internal cleanup at Spectrum with the
resignations of key executives this month, cost cutting measures,
the settlement of a class-action suit brought against the company by
its shareholders, the purchase of Yield TechniGlobalmoval, and a
deal with US Robotics for its wireless modem technology.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931123/Press Contact: Kate Paisley, Apple
Computer, 408-974-5453, fax 408-974-2885; Dae Chang, Spectrum, 516-
627-8992 x136)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
TELECOM
Hayes, Cardinal End Patent Litigation
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
Hayes, Cardinal End Patent Litigation 11/23/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- The communications
industry has decided to stop fighting over patents and get back to
making products. Newsbytes has learned that, at about the same time
when Spectrum and Microcom ended their patent battle, Hayes and
Cardinal were ending theirs.
The settlement between Hayes and Cardinal involved Hayes' '302
patent for an escape sequence with guard time, a standard feature on
many modems which allows users to hit the Escape key to reach a
command menu for uploading, downloading, and performing other
functions.
Hayes sued for patent infringement in May, 1991, and Cardinal had
been planning to challenge the patent based on "obviousness," the
idea being that such escape sequences have been common features on
communications systems since the invention of the telegraph in the
1830s.
Under the settlement, announced at the beginning of November,
Cardinal agreed to pay Hayes' attorneys fees, acknowledge Hayes'
patent, and license the technology. Hayes says it now has 40
licensing arrangements or settlements regarding its patent.
Newsbytes had earlier reported that Spectrum Information
Technologies and Microcom settled their patent dispute, which
involved Spectrum's claims that Microcom's MNP 10 error-correction
scheme violated Spectrum's patent on SPCL, another error-correction
scheme used in wireless modems. That agreement involved a cross-
licensing of patent rights and a business alliance.
Hayes also announced it has joined the growing price war on PC Card
modems under PCMCIA standards, shaving $100 off the price of its
Optima 144 + Fax 144, to $399. The unit supports all modem speeds to
14,400 bits per second as well as 9,600/14,400 bps faxes and the
V.42bis data compression and error correction system.
According to Hayes, the personal computer memory card international
association (PCMCIA) type II modem also supports the Hayes AutoSync
system, a modem system that allows an asynchronous modem hook up to
a distant synchronous modem.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931123/Press Contact: Beth Malanoski, Hayes,
404-840-6824)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
IBM
****Microsoft Shipping MAPI Developer's Tools
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00014)
****Microsoft Shipping MAPI Developer's Tools 11/23/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation has announced it is now shipping the beta version of the
software developer's kit (SDK) for its Messaging Application
Programming Interface (MAPI) version 1.0.
MAPI is a standard set of application programming interfaces for
Microsoft Windows that enables software developers to write
messaging and workgroup applications for Microsoft Windows and
Microsoft Windows NT. It provides interfaces for front-end client
applications and back-end messaging systems. A MAPI-capable
application on the front end can operate seamlessly with any MAPI-
capable back-end system.
This allows users to choose the best of each to fit their needs with
the assurance that the two will work together smoothly. For example
a user can communicate through MAPI with users of various local area
network (LAN) messaging systems such as Microsoft Mail or Novell
Mail Handling System (MHS), public e-mail systems such as AT&T
Easylink or Compuserve, or host-based systems such as IBM Profs.
All the user has to do is create electronic mail and select the
addressees. MAPI allows the mail to be delivered regardless of the
e-mail systems in use by the sender and recipients.
Microsoft says that more than 80 developers are working on various
back-end services for MAPI applications and another 70 independent
software vendors have expressed their intentions to develop MAPI
applications. Microsoft competitor Wordperfect has also committed to
the MAPI standard.
According to Eldon Greenwood, product marketing director for
Wordperfect Office, Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows and Wordperfect
InForms utilize simple MAPI as a mail-enabling technology. He says
that MAPI support will also be embedded into WordPerfect Office.
Microsoft says that MAPI 1.0 will be included in future versions of
Windows and will also be available on the new Microsoft Developer
Network Level II CD-ROM subscription service in January 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931123/Press contact: Beverley Flower, Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp, 206-882-
8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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17 11/23/93
IBM
IBM's DB2 Version 3 Scheduled To Ship December
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00015)
IBM's DB2 Version 3 Scheduled To Ship December 17 11/23/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- In a major
upgrade to its DB2 relational database for mainframes, IBM is adding
a series of enhancements meant to boost data availability, reduce
the time needed for performing complex queries, and increase
connectivity across distributed multivendor client/server
environments.
During an interview with Newsbytes, Tom Lockwood, DB2 brand manager,
said that the DB2 Version 3 will be delivered December 17. DB2
Performance Monitor (DB2PM) Version 3, a new release of IBM's
performance analysis tool for DB2, is scheduled to ship at the same
time.
New features in DB2 Version 3 include multi-site update, partition
independence, and hardware and software compression/decompression,
Lockwood told Newsbytes. DB2PM Version 3 supports the enhancements
in DB2 Version 3, and brings additional functionality geared to ease
of use.
The new multi-site update in DB2 is designed to assure data recovery
and integrity across multiple relational databases in the event of
system or network failure before updates have been completed, the
DB2 brand manager said.
The update capability is made possible by IBM's latest
implementation of DRDA (distributed relational database
architecture), a client/server architecture aimed at allowing remote
relational data to be accessed across IBM and non-IBM platforms.
The new partition independence feature lets users work on one
partition of a table space or index space without locking out other
partitions. The enhancement speeds up database administration, while
also improving concurrent database access, especially for queries
involving large amounts of data, according to Lockwood.
Version 3 is the first edition of DB2 to include built-in data
compression/decompression, Lockwood told Newsbytes. "Third-party
vendors did provide (compression/decompression) tools for previous
releases (of DB/2). But (these tools) were not an integrated piece
of DB2. And they did not take advantage of hardware compression,
which shows (particularly) promising performance measurements," he
said.
According to Lockwood, the built-in compression/decompression system
is yielding strong benefits in data utilization as well as I/0
(input/output) performance. Lockwood told Newsbytes that customers
can select between hardware or software compression, depending on
the hardware requirements of the particular site.
A total of 15 third-party vendors have announced support for DB2
Version 3 and its implementation of DRDA, he explained.
DRDA was first used at the mainframe level in DB2 Version 3 Release
2. Other implementations of DB2 -- including DB2/6000, a recently
released client/server edition for the AIX operating system, and
DB2/2, a client/server implementation for OS/2 -- are also based on
DRDA. DB2/6000 and DB2/2 "are both implementing DRDA Level 1, and
are working hard to implement DRDA Level 2," Lockwood said.
In the future, DRDA will be available for clients running Microsoft
Windows, DOS, and multivendor non-IBM Unix operating systems, he
added.
At Unix Expo in September, Janet Perna, IBM's director of database
technology, and Lucia Mikasa, section manager, CSO Information
Management, for Hewlett-Packard, told Newsbytes that IBM and HP are
targeting HP-UX on HP 9000 workstations for the first port of DB2 to
a non-IBM platform.
"Windows and DOS (client implementations of DRDA) will be coming
within the next year," Lockwood told Newsbytes this week.
Lockwood also said that the partition independence feature in DB2
Version 3 for the mainframe permits database maintenance or I/O
operations to be performed on parallel partitions of a table space,
rather than serially on individual partitions, as in the past. When
I/O operations are carried out in parallel, query response time can
be significantly reduced, he claimed.
In another enhancement, DB2 Version 3 offers a substantial increase
in the number of concurrently active distributed connections
available to database clients. Up to 10,000 connections are now
permitted, he said.
The DB2 Performance Monitor will be improved in Release 3 with a new
online history of near-term DB2 performance, expanded customization
capabilities, and an "explain" facility that uses plain English to
describe both static and dynamic SQL (standard query language).
Third-party vendors that have announced support for DB2 Version 3
include BMC Software, Bachman Information Systems, Boole & Babbage,
CDB Software, Candle Corp., Compuware, Landmark Systems, Platinum
Technology, Optima Software, Princeton Softech, Programart, the SAS
Institute, and Tone Software.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931123/Reader contact: IBM, tel 914-765-1900;
Press contacts: Amy Palladino, GCI for IBM, tel 212-546-1764;
Barbara Cerf, IBM, tel 914-642-4664; Molly Morgan, IBM, tel 914-642-
5886)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
TELECOM
NIST Moves To Make ISDN Available To Small Businesses
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00016)
NIST Moves To Make ISDN Available To Small Businesses 11/23/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- In a move to improve
small business access to the communications highway being proposed
by the Clinton Administration, a joint government-industry group has
targeted the complex wiring needs of offices which need to connect
to Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN, a telecommunications
network standard that supports voice and data transmissions on the
same line.
The ISDN system is seen by many large and small businesses as the
telecoms wave of the future when it comes to advanced
communications, but its acceptance has been greatly slowed by the
fact that most installations are targeted at large companies. NIUF,
the North American ISDN Users' Forum, a joint government and
industry group, is working to change that.
NIST, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly
the National Bureau of Standards), is the division of the Commerce
Department charged with advancing technology's acceptance in US
companies and often works with industry groups to advance acceptance
of standards.
The NIUF has formed a Wiring and Powering Working Group to develop
guidelines for those who install ISDN wiring for residential and
small business customers.
Connecting to the ISDN system can be a complex technical task and
most information relating to the process is, according to the NIST,
incomplete. This means that only larger companies which have their
own sophisticated telecommunications engineers, or which can afford
to hire high-priced telecom consultants, can currently enjoy the
benefits of ISDN.
As Newsbytes reported on November 12, Communicationsweek for the 8th
of November reported that on a national basis, ISDN is gaining
ground as far as increasing availability from service providers, but
this isn't resulting in more ISDN-compatible installations, because
less than one percent of ISDN-capable lines actually meet ISDN
standards. That report indicated that there are only a few thousand
Bell Communications Research National ISDN-1 standard lines
installed in the US
(John McCormick/19931123/Press Contact: Anne Enright Shepherd,
NIST, 301-975-4858 or Internet aeshep@micf.nist.gov)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
GENERAL
Extraordinary Sales of MS-Office 4.0 At Hong Kong Launch
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00017)
Extraordinary Sales of MS-Office 4.0 At Hong Kong Launch 11/23/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 23RD NOV 1993 -- Demand for the new Microsoft
Office 4.0 suite of applications proved so strong that nearly half
the 1,125 people who attended the Hong Kong launch bought the
product on the spot, company executives have revealed.
In one of the territory's most up-beat product launches, live jazz
helped presenters to convey the message that synergy is achieved
when Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Mail are used as an
integrated suite rather than as standalone applications.
Telephone registrations sold out the Microsoft Office 4.0 in Concert
event well before the closing date. More than 100 callers who were
too late to register accepted places at a follow-up seminar,
Switching from DOS to Windows with Office, which starts today at the
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
"Microsoft Office 4.0 has generated a fantastic level of interest
both with existing Microsoft customers and users of competitive
products," explained Amanda Young, application products manager of
Microsoft Hong Kong Ltd. "The launch filled the Lyric Theatre to
capacity and the next day calls on our Product Support and
Information hotlines more than doubled with people asking for more
information about Office, she said."
According to Young, approximately a third of the people who attended
the launch were users of competing products. The rest were mainly
users of individual Microsoft applications, or users of Office 3.0
who intend to upgrade.
Attendees at the launch were given a sneak preview of the Chinese
version of Microsoft Office 4.0 which is planned for availability
early next year. Development is also underway to produce Japanese,
Korean and Thai language editions.
(Keith Cameron/19931123/Press Contact: Amanda Young (Microsoft):
+852-804 4263)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
GENERAL
Elimination of Microsoft Charges Welcomed in Hong Kong
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00018)
Elimination of Microsoft Charges Welcomed in Hong Kong 11/23/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 23RD NOV 1993 -- The decision by Microsoft to
make its client networking software available at no extra cost to
all customers that run networks based on Microsoft LAN Manager,
Microsoft Windows NT, Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server or
Microsoft for Workgroups.
"Customers told us that the process of acquiring client software for
our networking servers was complex. We have therefore moved to a
consistent price structure for our networking platforms to make it
as easy and straight-forward as possible for our customers,"
explained Steve Tsiu, System Products Manager at Microsoft Hong Kong.
The full set of Microsoft network clients, including the Remote
Access Services software, is available in the Microsoft Network
Client Pack (formerly known as the Microsoft Workgroup Connection).
According to Microsoft, this software collection enables PCs to run
in all popular network environments.
Since multiple network protocols, including NetBEUI, TCP/IP and
IPX/SPX, are supported, Microsoft Network Client Pack software
allows simultaneous communication with Microsoft LAN Manager,
Windows NT, NT Advanced Server and NetWare servers.
This facilitates smooth transition from older networking
environments such as LAN Manager or NetWare and new generation
Windows NT-based networks, the company claims.
(Keith Cameron/19931123/Press Contact: Steve Tsiu (Microsoft): +852-
804 4261)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
GENERAL
ODS Adds Fiber To Infinity Hubs, Provides Hubs For RSNAnet
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00019)
ODS Adds Fiber To Infinity Hubs, Provides Hubs For RSNAnet 11/22/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Optical Data Systems
(ODS), has added single mode fiber optic capabilities to its
Ethernet and Token Ring modules, transceivers and adapter card
lines. The company has also announced that it will supply
intelligent switching hubs for the RSNAnet for the 79th
annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA)
in
Chicago November 28 through December 3, 1993.
According to the company, the fiber optic capability upgrade allows
Ethernet 10BaseFL transmission distances to more than double from
2,000 meters for multi-mode fiber to a maximum of 4,572 meters for
single-mode fiber. The company also says that the Token Ring
distances increase from 2,700 meters with multi-mode fiber to a
maximum of 32,000 meters for single mode.
The capability is reportedly available on any ODS product with
multi-mode fiber optics and is also available as a retrofit to
any existing ODS multi-mode product in the field.
Announcing the expanded capabilities, Terry Gaston, vice president
of marketing for ODS, said: "Single mode fiber capabilities can
allow customers to do away with expensive leased T1 lines running
Token Ring and Ethernet networks in lieu of cheaper single mode
fiber optic lines."
Continued Gaston, "This allows campus-type and geographically
dispersed sites to set up metropolitan area networks (MANs) and
wide area networks (WANs) via single mode fiber. This also allows
full bandwidth 16Mbps Token Ring and 10Mbps Ethernet performance
versus a maximum of 1.544 Mbps over T1 lines.
The bottom line is that single mode fiber can substantially increase
performance of networks currently constrained by T1 lines and can
increase transmission distances on networks currently utilizing
multi-mode fiber."
The company says that the targeted user for single mode technology
is sites that are using T1 lines to tie together Ethernet or Token
Ring networks because of distance limitations and sites that have
installed or are installing single mode fiber either as a
requirement or as a future wiring capability consideration.
ODS claims that the Infinity Hub product line, announced in January,
1993, represents a significant advance in intelligent hub
technology, including port switching, high density modules, superior
RMON-based network management, and seamless integration of multiple
networking standards -- Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI (fiber
distributed data interface) and ATM.
The RSNA meeting will be held in Chicago's McCormick Place, and is
expected to draw over 50,000 attendees and 600 exhibitors. It is
billed as "the largest medical meeting in the world."
According to ODS, the RSNAnet will reportedly use Infinity hubs
running FDDI operating at 100 Mbps and Ethernet running at 10Mbps.
The company says it will also provide ODS Ethernet management and
user module cards and ODS/Wellfleet integrated Link Node Ethernet-
to-FDDI routers.
Gaston said that ODS is extremely pleased to be involved with
the RSNA meeting. "Medical imaging is a vitally important, rapidly
changing field that requires very high performance networking
equipment," he said.
(Ian Stokell/19931122/Press Contact: Terry Bazzoon,
214-234-6400, Optical Data Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
APPLE
Aldus ships Freehand 4.0 For Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00020)
Aldus ships Freehand 4.0 For Mac 11/23/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Aldus Corporation
has announced it is now shipping release 4.0 of Aldus Freehand for
the Apple Computer Macintosh.
The company says that the new release is a major upgrade, and
includes enhanced text controls, intuitive color controls, a
streamlined user interface, extensive graphic capabilities, and
multi-page layout functions. According to Lorene Lee, Aldus product
marketing manager, the changes will provide graphics professionals a
broader set of readily accessible tools that replicate a natural way
of working.
The revised user interface replaces almost all of Freehand's dialog
boxes with floating palettes that position tools for quicker access,
while providing real-time numerical feedback and a greater
maximization of workspace.
There is also a new pasteboard that allows users to layout multiple
pages in any combination of sizes and orientations and move text and
objects between pages. Aldus says that will let users create,
combine, review, and color-separate all from a single file.
Version 4.0 allows users to type directly into their design,
eliminating the need to use a dialog box for text entry. They can
also create columns and rows, link text blocks, wrap text around or
inside objects of any shape, drag and drop tabs right into the
design, and use professional track kerning.
New custom color features allow the user to mix, then drag and drop
color from wells in the enhanced Color and Tints palettes right into
their design, even into objects that are not selected. Aldus claims
that graduated and radial fills are now easier, and the new palettes
allow for automatic mixing, defining, and naming saved colors and
tints.
Aldus has included editable Freehand EPS files and built-in editable
arrowheads, a polygon tool for drawing stars and regular polygons,
and a calligraphic pen mode with a variable nib width and angle for
use with pressure sensitive tablets.
Aldus Freehand 4.0 for the Apple Mac runs under System 6.0.7 or
System 7. Aldus recommends any Mac IIci series or greater, a
Powerbook or Mac Quadra, at least 8 megabytes (MB) of memory, a
mouse or drawing digitizing tablet with stylus, and a 120MB hard
drive. The product has a suggested retail price of $595. Registered
users of earlier versions of Freehand can upgrade for $150.
(Jim Mallory/19931123/Press contact: Belinda Young, Aldus Corp,
206-386-8819; Reader contact: Aldus Corp, 206-628-2320)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/23/93
TELECOM
MCI Signs to Help Cable Company Develop Phone Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
MCI Signs to Help Cable Company Develop Phone Service 11/23/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- MCI will work with
Jones Intercable on two trials linking phone and cable service on
Jones' cable systems, the telecoms giant has announced.
Plans call for the first test to take place in Alexandria, Virginia,
where a Bell Atlantic network upgrade, with the stated intention of
competing with Jones' cable system there, became the focus of a
court case resulting in Bell Atlantic's winning the right to enter
the cable business throughout its service territory, on First
Amendment grounds. A few months after that decision came, Bell
Atlantic announced plans to buy TCI, the nation's largest cable
operator.
MCI spokesman Kevin Inda told Newsbytes that in his company's
Alexandria trial, "50 MCI and Jones employees will test the
technology," using equipment supplied by Scientific/Atlanta.
"We'll just put another phone into the house and let them send long
distance calls over Jones' cable system to MCI," he said, adding
that the Jones cable will carry calls to an MCI switch for
transmission over its long distance network.
Far more interesting, to MCI, is what will happen next. Assuming the
technology proves out, MCI and Jones will launch a market test of
their joint phone-cable service in the Chicago area. Inda said the
company hopes to get 1,000 people to sign-up for the service, which
will include local as well as long-distance phone services.
"Illinois is one of four states that allows full and open
competition for local phone service," he explained.
A Bell Atlantic spokesman called the MCI-Jones link "expected" and
renewed the industry's call for "regulatory parity" with cable
companies. It could win that, based on a bill recently offered by
Rep. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, which would allow
cable companies to offer phone service and phone companies to offer
cable service.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931123/Press Contact: Kevin Inda, MCI, 202-887-
3000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/23/93
IBM
****Ambra Targets Power Users With PCI-Based Pentium PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00022)
****Ambra Targets Power Users With PCI-Based Pentium PCs 11/23/93
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Ambra Computer,
the US IBM spinoff launched last August, has announced a new line of
Pentium computers based on the PCI local bus.
As with Ambra's opening series of 16 models, which ranged from
notebooks to a tower PC, the new PCI-based machines are highly
customizable, and targeted at the budget-conscious enhanced or
"power" user, according to Craig Conrad, a company spokesperson.
At the low end of the new Ambra DP60 PCI lineup is a machine that
offers a 60 megahertz (MHz) superscalar Pentium processor, a 340
megabyte (MB) hard drive, 8 MB of memory, a 256 kilobyte processor
cache, a 3.5-inch diskette drive, seven expansion slots, six storage
bays, a PCI graphics accelerator, and a 14-inch Super VGA color
monitor. Also included are MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows, a mouse, and a
keyboard, for a total price of $2,799.
Of the DP60's seven slots, four conform to the Industry Standard
Architecture (ISA, or the AT bus), two are PCI slots, and one is a
hybrid PCI and ISA slot.
A high-end model, priced at $3,499, substitutes a 440 MB hard drive
and 15-inch flat-square monitor, while adding a double-speed CD-ROM
(compact disc - read only memory) drive and Diamond Viper PCI
graphics accelerator complete with 2 MB of video-random access
memory (VRAM).
"In our ads and press releases, we always provide you with a couple
of sample configurations," Conrad explained to Newsbytes, adding:
"But every model is completely made to order. What we're really
offering are base units that you can build all the way up to what
you want."
Among the Ambra models shipped so far, the addition of 9600 Kbps and
14.4 Mbps fax modems has proven quite popular, Conrad said. "Various
network cards, such as Ethernet or token ring, are also sometimes
applicable," he told Newsbytes.
Ambra also is also offering customers a list of 26 software packages
that can be "hotloaded" to the user's system. Hotloading refers to
the practice of loading a package onto a PC's hard disk at the pre-
installation stage during manufacture. Hotloading a program is a lot
faster than ordinary floppy disk-based installation routines, since
data can be fed at high speed straight on to the hard disk bus.
Hotloadable selections available for customer selection include
Quicken, Corel Draw, Borland Quattro Pro, Microsoft Excel,
WordPerfect, and Word, to name a few. Many other packages are
available from Ambra in traditional retail style.
Other options for the DP60 PCI systems include a 17-inch color
monitor (separately priced at $1,740), as well as 120 and 240MB tape
backup devices, and up to 128MB of memory.
Adding a double-speed compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive
and Diamond Viper's PCI graphics accelerator with 2MB of
video random-access memory (VRAM), and substituting a 440MB hard
drive and 15-inch flat square color monitor brings the price to
$3,499.
To appeal to its audience of power users, Ambra plans to keep
refreshing its product line with the latest technologies, Conrad
said. The initial set of 16 models, introduced in August, offered
the VESA bus, which was then the hottest PC architecture on the
In the future, Ambra plans to stick to its strategy of selling
affordable, customizable configurations to enhanced users. "I
think you'll see some pretty aggressive PCI configurations coming
out of Ambra in the first quarter, perhaps using PCI SCSI adapters,
for example, matched to the appropriate hard drives," Conrad told
Newsbytes.
Ambra is also taking a hard look at up-to-the-minute trends in
graphics cards and CD-ROM drives. "Hopefully, we'll be offering a
triple-speed CD-ROM drive in the first quarter," he said.
David Middleton, president of Ambra, told Newsbytes he expects the
Pentium to move into the mainstream of the PC market faster than
previous new processors, largely because PC manufacturers are not
demanding a large price premium for the new chip.
The new Pentium-based machine, for instance, is priced at about $500
more than a 66-megahertz 486DX2 system, Middleton said, and that
simply reflects the difference in the cost of the processor chips
and supporting circuitry.
Middleton said that the PCI bus offers higher performance than the
existing VL bus backed by the Video Electronics Standards
Association (VESA), though he allowed that the speed of the VL bus
depends largely on the implementation. Another advantage of the PCI
bus, Middleton said, is that cards configure themselves when added
to the system.
(Grant Buckler & Jacqueline Emigh/19931123/Reader contact: tel 800-
25-AMBRA; Press contacts: Craig Conrad, Ambra Computer Corp., tel
919-713-1550; Steve Hopley or Anne Marie Clark, Cunningham
Communication for Ambra, tel 617-494-8202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/23/93
GENERAL
****Lotus Adds CDPD Prong To Wireless Messaging Strategy
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00023)
****Lotus Adds CDPD Prong To Wireless Messaging Strategy 11/23/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- In a move that
adds a third prong to Lotus' wireless messaging strategy, Lotus and
McCaw Cellular Communications have announced their intentions to
work together to provide wireless communications solutions based on
Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) technology.
The move fulfills many of Lotus' connectivity expert Larry Crume's
predictions about wireless technology made at Comdex Fall last week.
The technology will also, Newsbytes notes, allow Lotus Notes users
to "replicate" their files over the fast (9,600 bits per second)
data pathway of CDPD technology, rather than rely on conventional
analog cellular modem links, assuming Lotus supports Notes
technology in products stemming from the technology link-up.
"There will be a product coming out of this. That's the purpose. But
right now, all we're announcing is a statement of direction. There
are no specific products," explained Glenn Kaufman, business
development and product manager in Lotus' Mobile Computing Group,
during an interview with Newsbytes.
Lotus forged a similar agreement for two-way messaging with RAM
Mobile Data more than a year ago, pointed out Kaufman. The
relationship with RAM resulted in the release of Wireless cc:Mail in
September.
Lotus has also announced a Skytel gateway to Notes for one-way
messaging, Kaufman added. "One-way and two-way messaging are both
important components of Lotus' messaging strategy," Newsbytes was
told.
Kaufman explained that McCaw, a major player in cellular telephony,
is interested in becoming a leader in CDPD, a technology designed to
convert unused cellular radio channels into packet networks running
data at 19,200 bits-per-second (bps). "We felt it was important to
get out there early with them," he commented.
McCaw and RAM both concentrate on the horizontal messaging market, a
strategy that complements Lotus' leadership role in local area
network (LAN)-based messaging, he said.
"This is by no means a retrenchment with RAM. We're very happy with
RAM. RAM has a product here today, and we think that's very
important," he remarked.
Like Lotus' earlier pact with RAM, the agreement with McCaw will
allow both parties to explore and leverage one another's technology
and marketing capabilities, Kaufman maintained. The announcement
also represents an endorsement by Lotus of McCaw's CDPD technology.
The CDPD architecture supports multiple protocols, meaning that
existing applications require few modifications to use CDPD, Lotus
officials stated in making the announcement.
"We will benefit one day by being able to offer our customers CDPD
connectivity," Kaufman told Newsbytes. "We can certainly increase
traffic over McCaw's network, and we can provide a very efficient
means for McCaw to access our installed base."
Lotus is not yet ready to say whether the CDPD product that emerges
from the deal with McCaw will be based on Notes, cc:Mail, or either
of these two current messaging offerings from Lotus, according to
Kaufman.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931123/Press contacts: David Grip or Victor
Cruz, McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus, tel 617-862-4514)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/23/93
TELECOM
Wireless Standards Group Approves AT Command Set
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)
Wireless Standards Group Approves AT Command Set 11/23/93
BROOKDALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- The wireless
modem standards committee of the Portable Computer and
Communications Association approved a standard interface for
wireless modems based on the "AT" command set used by wired modems.
Extensions of the command set were also adopted, using the same
scheme.
What this means is that wireless packet networks like ARDIS and RAM
Mobile Data, as well as the Cellular Digital Packet Data, or CDPD,
being installed by McCaw and others on current analog cellular
networks, will respond to the same set of commands.
The committee which made the recommendation was chaired by Bill
Frezza of Ericsson GE. His group plans to complete its technical
work and submit a final specification to the full PCCA for formal
adoption before the end of the year.
Founding president Andy Seybold noted in a prepared statement that,
before this, "software vendors had to choose among a dozen or more
interfaces to wireless modems."
"The PCCA standard not only provides a single vendor independent
interface but it relieves software developers of the burden of
choosing a network," added Rodney Hilton, Manager of Connectivity at
ARDIS.
Among the members of the PCCA, a non-profit trade association,
are networks like ARDIS, Bell Mobility ARDIS of Canada, the
RadioMail gateway and RAM Mobile Data, chip companies like Intel
and Advanced Micro Devices, software companies like Microsoft,
Traveling Software and Wildsoft, and Motorola, the dominant force
in wireless communications.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931123/Press Contact: Andy Seybold, PCCA,
408/338-0924, FAX 408/338-7806)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/23/93
APPLE
****Former Board Member Eisenstat Settles With Apple
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00025)
****Former Board Member Eisenstat Settles With Apple 11/23/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Apple Computer's
vocal former board of directors member, Albert A. Eisenstat, has
been stalled in his pursuit of a lawsuit that claimed his
compensation in leaving the company was too low. Eisenstat's
position was eliminated as part of the restructuring at Apple
announced this summer under which 2,500 employees lost their jobs.
As part of the suit, Eisenstat claimed he and former chief
executive officer (CEO) John Sculley were forced out by former chief
operations officer (COO) Michael Spindler who now holds the CEO
slot. The suit appeared to be aimed at embarrassing Apple, which was
already suffering from apparent turmoil with millions in losses, a
class action shareholder suit filed against company executives, and
the overt job hunting John Sculley was doing via interviews with
major publications.
63-year-old Eisenstat joined Apple in 1980 as general counsel and
corporate secretary, was promoted to executive vice president in
1987, and subsequently appointed to the board of directors in 1985.
Apple's contention has been that Eisenstat was generously
compensated as one of the highest paid executives in Silicon Valley.
His salary in 1992 was $749,164 and he received an additional
$760,000 in bonuses between 1990 and 1992. He also owns a number of
shares of Apple stock and has stock options as well, Apple
representatives said.
Eisenstat's suit has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning the
former Apple board member has no further recourse. In a stinging
announcement, Apple said mediation determined that the allegations
contained in Eisenstat's complaint "were not supported by the
facts."
Apple representatives are not disclosing whether or not the
severance package Eisenstat has settled for now is the same as the
one offered when he was originally laid off or a better offer. The
company said the only statement it will make is the package is
commensurate with Eisenstat's years of service and position within
the company.
In addition, John Sculley's exiting benefits were recently disclosed
in a preliminary proxy statement aimed at company shareholders,
revealing the former CEO will walk away with millions.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931123/Press Contact: Kate Paisley, Apple
Computer, 408-974-5453, fax 408-974-2885)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/23/93
UNIX
****Next/Sunsoft Team Up Against Microsoft's Windows NT
(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00026)
****Next/Sunsoft Team Up Against Microsoft's Windows NT 11/23/93
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- Unix vendors
Sunsoft and Next Computer have announced a partnership to bring
Next's object oriented operating system to the Sun hardware
platform. Sunsoft has said it will bring a $10 million investment to
the deal, while Nextstep says it will contribute its object-oriented
technology expertise.
Next and Sun are concerned about software giant Microsoft, whose
Windows NT graphical operating system is threatening to move in on
the Unix marketplace. Last week at the computer trade show Comdex
Fall, analyst David Card from International Data Corporation (IDC)
said that the Unix world needs to watch out for NT.
Microsoft's marketing of Windows NT as a combination of the best of
the PC, workstation, and minicomputer worlds combined is a major
threat to the Unix market, especially within the next 18-24 months.
Next had its own hardware platform, a sleek black box workstation
called the Nextstep, but was forced to shut down manufacturing of
the hardware and decided to focus exclusively on development of the
operating system. Next has been looking for an infusion of cash
since its major investor, Canon, appeared to pull out earlier this
year. However, Next officials claim all is well between the two
companies.
This summer, Next announced a version of its operating system for
Intel 486- and Pentium-based personal computers (PCs). The most
recent release of the Next operating system, version 3.2 announced
in October, includes the capability to run DOS and Windows
applications via integration with Softpc from Insignia Solutions of
Mountain View, California.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931123/Press Contact: Karen Gordon, Hi-Tech
Communications, tel 415-904-7030 ext 227, fax 415-904-7025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/23/93
BUSINESS
Fujitsu To Merge With Hal Computer Systems
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00027)
Fujitsu To Merge With Hal Computer Systems 11/23/93
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- A little over two
years after taking a sizeable share of Hal Computer Systems, Fujitsu
has now swallowed up the company and turned it into a wholly owned
subsidiary.
Under the terms of the "merger" agreement, Hal will serve as the
"principal development center for advanced 64-bit open systems
hardware and for operating systems products for the Fujitsu group of
companies."
Pam Sloane, spokesperson for Hal, told Newsbytes to: "expect Hal to
announce products in the near future. They are very excited about
that. (The merger) is probably so that (Fujitsu) can play a stronger
role as the product is closer to announcement."
Concerning products under development, Sloane said that they consist
of: "a family of high performance systems -- both hardware and
software. What is significant about these systems is that they are
based on SPARC version 9 64-bit architectures."
Hal Computer Systems was founded in 1990. Fujitsu originally bought
into Hal in August, 1991, as reported by Newsbytes. At the time,
Fujitsu reportedly obtained a 44 percent share of the company for an
initial financial commitment of $40.2 million.
Announcing the deal, Scott Metcalf, president of Hal, said: "This
agreement is good for Fujitsu and Hal's employees because Hal now
assumes an expanded development responsibility with greater
importance to Fujitsu's open systems strategy."
"The agreement insures that Hal will continue to contribute to
exciting and challenging projects, and that we can benefit from the
success of the products we develop," he added.
T. Tsuchimoto, a member of the HaL board of directors and an
executive of Fujitsu Limited, commented, "We have great expectations
for the products under development at Hal. This merger illustrates
Fujitsu's ongoing efforts to focus our expenditures on open systems"
Concluded Sloane to Newsbytes: "We are not saying at this time when
Hal will be announcing these products. They have been under
development and that development is progressing very well. It will
be in the near future."
(Ian Stokell/19931123/Press Contact: Pam Sloane, 408-379-7000 ext
1413, Hal Computer Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/23/93
GENERAL
NetFrame's Concerto Allows Multiple O/S On Superserver
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00028)
NetFrame's Concerto Allows Multiple O/S On Superserver 11/23/93
MILTPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- NetFrame has
begun shipments of its Concerto software, designed to allow shrink-
wrapped NetWare and Unix SVR4.2 to run concurrently in the same
NetFrame superserver.
Paul Gross, a spokesman for the company, told Newsbytes that
Concerto only works on NetFrame's superservers because of the
multiprocessor architecture.
"Concerto is an internal messaging system within the NetFrame. The
NetFrame superserver is like a local area network (LAN) within a box.
Concerto is the connections between the various components within
that LAN. It is the message-passing scheme, which allows all of the
different parts of the network to coexist with one another."
Continued Gross, "Because NetFrame has this unique architecture,
called MPSA (Multi-Processor Parallel Server Architecture), it
can create a messaging scheme such as Concerto, with the end
benefit that you can run multiple different types of operating
systems at the same time. NetFrame is the only company
that allows that to happen."
Announcing the shipments, Enzo Torresi, president and chief
executive officer of NetFrame Systems, said: "Concerto has generated
a lot of interest from current as well as potential customers.
NetFrame is the only company that offers customers an Open
Application Environment, which lets them run the applications they
need -- regardless of operating system. Companies can quickly add
Concerto in conjunction with a 486 or Pentium-based application
processor to a NetFrame superserver."
Newsbytes questioned Gross as to how the system works. He replied
that, when NetWare is running at the main system processor, it is
possible to have Application Processors, which in effect are
application servers within the NetFrame superserver.
"At the moment, one of those Application Processors may have
UnixWare running on it and running an independent version of Oracle
or some database, or another application, or a NetWare Loadable
Module (NLM)," he said.
NetFrame's Concerto is available for Unix or NetWare at $1,995.
NetFrame says that its servers superservers, which start at $14,950
for a three-processor superserver, are expandable to ten processors
with up to 240 gigabytes (GB) of mass storage.
"At some point we will be able to run more than two operating
systems -- NetWare and Unix -- such as NetWare, NT, Unix, whatever,"
Gross told Newsbytes.
(Ian Stokell/19931123/Press Contact: Paul Gross, 408-383-4515,
NetFrame Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/23/93
GENERAL
OEM Keyboard-Maker NMB Enters Retail Market
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00029)
OEM Keyboard-Maker NMB Enters Retail Market 11/23/93
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- NMB
Technologies, a supplier of keyboards to the OEM (original equipment
manufacturing) market, has decided to enter the retail channel with
the introduction of its new Professional Series keyboard. The
company's first retailing partner is CompUSA.
Susan Shippey, spokesperson for the company, told Newsbytes that:
"CompUSA saw the demand for the Professional Series keyboard. They
asked NMB to fill that shelf space with those keyboards because of
the high quality, and they knew they wanted a high quality keyboard
on the shelves."
Concerning future plans for NMB in this arena, Shippey told
Newsbytes that, "they will be getting new retailing partners. It
doesn't end with CompUSA. They also anticipate a new series to enter
the retail market, and that will be the Value Series keyboard."
Announcing the company's entry into the retail market, Myron D.
Jones, president of NMB, said: "This is an exciting new channel for
our products, and we are confident that our experience and expertise
in the OEM marketplace will help provide a solid foundation in the
retail arena."
The company says that the Professional Series keyboard features
AT/PS-2 output for system compatibility, and the famous mechanical
keyswitch that includes an audible "click" sound at the make point.
The keyboard carries a manufacturers' suggested retail price of $80
and comes with a three-year warranty. NMB also claims that its
products are the only standalone keyboards to receive Novell network
compatibility approval.
"They will remain in contact with their OEM customers. One of the
reasons they did hold back on retail for so long is because they
didn't want to step on any of their (OEM) customers' toes," Shippey
said.
(Ian Stokell/19931123/Press Contact: Susan Shippey, 818-889-9100,
Capital Relations Inc., for NMB Technologies)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/23/93
IBM
Business Card Reader Software Bundled With Scanner
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00030)
Business Card Reader Software Bundled With Scanner 11/23/93
CARROLLTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 23 (NB) -- NISCA says it will
bundle Names&Numbers, a business card reader software program for
Microsoft Windows 3.1 , with its NISCAN Page portable scanner
through the end of the year at no extra cost.
Names&Numbers has a suggested retail price of $149 when purchased
alone. After the first of the year owners of NISCAN Page scanners
can purchase Names&Numbers for about $99.
NISCAN Page is a 400 dot per inch (dpi) gray scale scanner that is
powered by a NiCad (nickel cadmium) rechargeable battery pack
similar to those used in notebook and laptop computers. The unit
also comes with an AC adapter/charger. NISCAN Page connects to the
PC through the serial port and requires no interface card, allowing
it to be used with notebook computer as well as desktop systems.
NISCA spokesperson Bo Willyard told Newsbytes that the NISCAN Page
is a sheet feed scanner but can be converted to handheld use for
documents such as books by snapping off the base and moving the
scanner across the page. It includes a TWAIN source that gives the
user compatibility with a variety of Windows 3.1 applications.
NISCAN Page comes with Words&Pictures software, which integrates
image-capturing and editing, optical character reader (OCR) and fax-
on-the-fly capabilities.
Willyard claims that Names&Numbers is an ideal tool for easily
capturing information from business cards for use in contact
managers and database applications without having to re-key the
information.
In use, Names&Numbers automatically recognizes the information and
categorizes the field such as company name, address, telephone
number, and contact for most business cards. If desired, the program
can also save the card as a graphic image.
Willyard told Newsbytes that NISCAN Page has a suggested retail
price of $799, making the street price (the actual price you can buy
a product for) in the $580 to $600 range.
(Jim Mallory/19931123/Press and reader contact: NISCA Inc, 214-242-
9696 or 800-466-9096, fax 214-245-0942)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/22/93
TELECOM
UK - Mercury Looks To Bypass BT Lines
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00001)
UK - Mercury Looks To Bypass BT Lines 11/22/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- After seeing its UK telecom
market share grow from zero to around 10 percent in ten
years, Mercury Communications has announced plans to shed its need
for links with British Telecom to support its indirect customers.
As in the US with non-local long distance companies, Mercury relies
on BT lines into subscriber's houses and offices to route calls to
its nearest network node. The area of inter-network connection fees
has been the subject of intense wrangling between the two companies,
with Oftel, the British government-appointed telecom regulator,
having to step in and set a rate.
The success of Mercury in the UK telecom market has meant, however,
that Oftel has eased off from its role in internetwork charge rates,
meaning that Mercury has begun to pay the "market rate" for such
interconnections. Industry experts have suggested that this increase
in inter-network connection fees payable by Mercury may be behind
Mercury's decision to hike some long distance rates a few months
ago.
Mercury officials have made a formal statement this week of the
company's intention to adopt a similar system to Ionica for the
delivery of its network direct into subscriber's premises. Ionica, a
fully licensed telecom service provider which plans to commence
operations some time next year, will bypass BT lines entirely by
routing its cable head end links into the subscriber's home or
office using a radio link.
This avoids the need, Newsbytes notes, to have to tear up the roads
for the final few yards of line into a subscriber's premises. It's
this local loop provision that has proven to be the stumbling block
for free market competition in the telecom arena, owing to the high
cost of such installations.
Now Mercury says it wants to do the same. According to Mike Harris,
Mercury's chief executive, Mercury has the license to be able to
offer a radio link into the home or office for the last section of
its cabling. He said that a decision on which technology to be used
had yet to be taken.
Lord Young, Cable & Wireless' chairman (C&W is Mercury's parent
company), was equally enthusiastic. "The great prize for us in doing
it the last mile is that we save the interconnect charges," he said,
adding that, by using a radio link, the high cost of the interconnect
link could be avoided.
(Steve Gold/19931119/Press & Public Contact: Mercury Communications
- Tel: 44-71-528-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/22/93
TRENDS
Mitsubishi To Ship 64M DRAM Chip
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00002)
Mitsubishi To Ship 64M DRAM Chip 11/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Mitsubishi Electric has plans
to release samples of a 64-megabit dynamic random access memory (DRAM)
by the end of this year, and plans to produce the chip in quantity
at a future date.
Mitsubishi will be the second firm to release a 64-megabit DRAM
following NEC.
Mitsubishi Electric's 64-megabit DRAM is based on a 0.35-
micron CMOS process technology. The chip has 140 million
transistors on its surface and consumes very little
electricity -- 3.3 volts. The access time is also fast at
32 nanoseconds.
Mitsubishi Electric will sell this state-of-the-art chip
to makers of personal computers, workstations and digital television
sets, considered a lucrative future market.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Electric is trying to restructure
its memory chip production units. The firm will concentrate
manufacturing of 4-megabit and 16-megabit chips at its
plants in Kochi and Saijyo, respectively. In this way, it
hopes to reduce production costs.
Mitsubishi also plans to increase production of 16-megabit DRAM in
the middle of 1994. Currently, Mitsubishi is shipping 400,000 to
500,000 units of the chip per month and will raise this amount to
over one million units monthly next year.
In other news, many Japanese electronics makers including Mitsubishi
are suffering from slow sales of home electronics products.
As a result, they plan to reduce their winter "bonus" payment to
their employees.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931116/Press Contact: Mitsubishi
Electric, +81-3-3218-2332, Fax, +81-3-3218-2431)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
IBM
Comdex - "Imaginaria" Screen Saver Package From Claris
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00003)
Comdex - "Imaginaria" Screen Saver Package From Claris 11/22/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- A highly
imaginative collection of animated screen savers for Windows,
appropriately entitled "Imaginaria," has been unveiled by Claris
Clear Choice at Comdex.
"Imaginaria" is not only artistically impressive, but technically
pragmatic, said John Socha, one of three creators of the
package, and Bruce Chizen, VP and general manager of Claris Clear
Choice, in a meeting with Newsbytes at the show.
The 15 surrealistic story modules and 11 transition screens in
the package -- ranging from soothing nature scenes to uproarious
cartoons -- are the work of award-winning multimedia artists John
Mason and James Marsh of Carmel, CA.
Socha, an extensively published author and recognized expert on
DOS and Windows, gave technical guidance to the project to
prevent the difficulties with compatibility and disk space
requirements that have plagued PC screen savers of the past.
"Imaginaria" implements a proprietary compression scheme that
stores more than 10 megabytes (MB) of sound, graphics, and
animation in only 3 MB, Socha told Newsbytes.
The package also incorporates an adjustable "animation priority"
for sharing computer resources, to ward off potential system
conflicts and make room for background operation of processes
such as printing and data communications.
Also provided are password protection for assuring security when
the system is unattended, and a hot key for instantly concealing
the screen from curious passers-by.
Socha's authoring credits include "PC World DOS 6 Complete
Handbook," "DOS 6 Power Tools," and three other books about the
PC operating environment.
In a demonstration, Socha and Chizen entertained Newsbytes with
several story modules and transition screens from "Imaginaria."
One module brings the user along on a tranquil journey through
Yosemite Falls, complete with lush greenery, grazing deer,
twittering birds, and a flowing waterfall.
Another, "Midnight Sonata," follows the full moon as it arcs
across the night sky, to the accompaniment of Beethoven's
"Midnight Sonata."
Other modules will give you a close-up look at prehistoric
dinosaurs, a present day rain forest, exotic fish swimming along
through a coral reef, or the stars and planets of the galaxy.
If you want to have your funnybone tickled, you can view the
antics of Kitty Katz, a pair of table tennis-playing iguanas, and
other members of an offbeat crew of cartoon characters called
"The Associates."
Or if you're in another mood altogether, you can venture into
the dark and spooky "Chem Lab," where a human skull laughs out
loud, skeleton dances toward a coffin, a ghost plays the piano,
and a world of other eerie surprises await.
The transition scenes in the package are just as innovative,
featuring personalities like Paw Verity, an opera-singing
bulldog; T. Rexx, a tuxedo-wearing dinosaur; and Strumm'n
Cowpoke, a singing cowboy.
Chizen told Newsbytes that, like other titles in the Claris Clear
Choice series, "Imaginaria" represents the mission of the
consumer-oriented software unit to use the resources of a large
company in bringing the creative efforts of small,
entrepreneurial software shops successfully to market.
The Clear Choice unit was established by Claris in November,
1992. Claris also produces a separate series of business
software. During 1994, the Clear Choice unit intends to
aggressively expand its product line, according to Chizen.
In addition to "Imaginaria," the Clear Choice lineup
currently includes "Retrieve It!," "Brushstrokes," "Power To Go,"
and "From Alice to Ocean," a photojournalistic essay of a woman's
solo eight-month-long trek across the Australian outback.
Also at Comdex, Claris has introduced a Windows version of "From
Alice to Ocean," a package previously available for Macintosh
only.
"From Alice to Ocean" and "Imaginaria" each fall into the
"edutainment" heading under "personal enhancement," one of the
four product categories that Clear Choice plans to support,
Chizen said. Additional headings under "personal enhancement"
include games, home education, and content-based.
The other three categories on the Clear Choice agenda are
"primary productivity" (integrated, database, graphics and word
processing), "utilities" (desktop utilities, mobile utilities,
and desktop enhancement), and "personal productivity"
(organization tools, color painting).
"Imaginaria" and the new Windows version of "From Alice to Ocean"
are both being shipped. "Imaginaria" is priced at $49, and
"From Alice to Ocean" is $69.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931119/Reader contact: Claris, tel 800-
3CLARIS; Press contact: Natalie Lingo, Claris Clear Choice, tel
408-987-7487)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Adult Titles Appear
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00004)
Comdex - Adult Titles Appear 11/22/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Adult movies have
long been a feature of the Consumer Electronics Show, where they
have their own separate showcase at the Sahara Hotel. This was
the first time such publishers visited Comdex offering CD-ROM
products, and they were mixed in with the general run of
publishers in the South Annex, which was dedicated to multimedia
this year.
Their wares ranged from simple reproductions of movies, to an
adult interactive version of the kids' game "rock, paper, scissors."
Some, like Laurence Miller of Dream Machine, said they were
looking for a way to enter the CD-ROM market and found they
could add something new to erotica, like the ability for players
to paste themselves into scenes. Others, like Zachary
Holland of Vivid, among the largest adult video players at CES,
merely said they liked the sales potential in the new medium,
calling it "the same as video."
The last may have been the key marketing point, although The
Interface Group was reportedly embarrassed by the porn presence
at its computer show. Adult titles were the first big sellers
among videotapes, and dominated the sales charts early-on.
Adult services also were the first into pay-per-call services,
and still represent the largest presence in that technology.
Many vendors, like Ali Joene of Digital Playground, said they were
anxious to tap into existing markets, noting that Blockbuster
Entertainment has begun renting CD-ROMs and they are thus getting
a lot of interest from video stores. Others, like distributor
Thomas Gaida, said they were opening new sales channels with the
discs like computer swap meets, while their traditional video
channels were ignoring the discs.
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931119)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
BUSINESS
Hewlett-Packard Australia Sets Financial Records
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00005)
Hewlett-Packard Australia Sets Financial Records 11/22/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard has carved
a juicy net profit from a flat Australian economy, hauling in
AUS$28.6M (US$18.9M) for financial year 92/93, a 160 percent
improvement on the prior year's net profit of AUS$11M.
Revenue for the year was AUS$496M (US$327M), a 34 percent increase
over the prior year.
"We've substantially improved our productivity," said HP Australia
MD Bill Hilliard, adding that the profit and revenue increases came
with the same staffing level as 1992. Despite the booming performance,
HP won't be putting on extra people in the coming year either,
though staff lost to normal attrition would be replaced.
This year's revenues had a touch of 'puff' due to orders written in
1992 not being delivered until 1993 financial year. Hilliard said
product delivery delay was a problem area which had been improved
this year. Exports constituted ten percent of revenues, with 85
percent of this coming from HP's Australian Telecommunication
Operation (ATO) which makes testing equipment for digital
communications lines - a worldwide boom business at the moment.
ATO grew more than 120 percent in the year.
Hilliard estimates that the Australian subsidiary will have less
spectacular growth in revenues and profit during the coming year,
predicting increases of around 25 percent for both. Computer products,
which includes HP's highly successful laser and inkjet printer
lines was the big money spinner this year. The medical division grew
73 percent. Hilliard said HP was heading toward open systems and
client/server computing.
(Stuart Kennedy and Computer Daily News/19931119)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
TELECOM
Australia - Big Changes In Toll-Free Phoning
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00006)
Australia - Big Changes In Toll-Free Phoning 11/22/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- There's no doubt about it -
introducing the second carrier to Australia has meant new and better
services for phone users. The latest change is to the toll-free
number system.
The regulatory body Austel has decreed that the existing 008 prefix
for toll-free numbers will change to 1-800 over the next two years.
The reason given is that it will "make us fall in line with
international standards." Some speculated that this could lead to
difficulties when people viewing an overseas television
program or reading an overseas magazine respond to it, only to
get a plumbing supply house in Melbourne, for instance, which just
happened to have the same 1-800 number, but in different countries.
Optus (the second carrier) hasn't introduced toll-free services
yet, but expects to do so with a huge advertising campaign at the
end of this year.
While Optus wasn't able to say what services it will be offering,
Telecom has introduced one called HomeLink. The service
allows domestic phone users to have their own "mini toll-free"
service for friends and family members. The cost is a flat
Australian 10c above the call cost. Better than that,
it costs nothing to have the service. Of course, the number
issued to you is your responsibility to police, so Telecom
calls part of it a PIN (Personal Identification Number) to
emphasize the security aspect.
The HomeLink number takes the form 1-800-90-NNNN-PPPP where
NNNN is the last four digits of your existing number and PPPP
is the PIN. In some cases the 90 might be 91.
One might ask why a HomeLink 1-800 number can't be used for business
instead of paying the startup and monthly fees for a full 1-800 service.
The answer is that Telecom won't stop you, but a full 1-800 service
has shorter numbers and the calls cost significantly less than toll
calls (though more for local calls).
Telecom's business 1-800 service normally costs AUS$160.00 to set up,
but this fee is being waived until the end of November. For
intra-state calls only, the monthly fee is AUS$10 and for national
service, $20.
(Paul Zucker/19931119/Contact: Austel on phone +61-3-828 7300)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
BUSINESS
Maryland Game Maker Microprose Reports Net 2Q Loss
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00007)
Maryland Game Maker Microprose Reports Net 2Q Loss 11/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Hunt Valley,
Maryland-based Microprose, the simulation-oriented game maker
which is expected to merge with Spectrum Holobyte, has reported a
second quarter 1994 fiscal loss of $12.7 million or just over
$1.90 per share, down drastically from a $1.19 million or 18-cent
per share profit for the comparable period in 1993.
The company experienced a significant operating loss, but it also
had some extraordinary losses due to downsizing efforts including
a one-time $4.9 million loss relating to the company's decision
of a purchase agreement for German-based United Software GmbH.
Because of some irregularities in the purchase agreement
Microprose is now exploring other distribution options in the
German market which by itself accounted for about five percent of
Microprose's 1992 holiday sales.
Gross for the quarter were a substantial $9.48 million, but this
was down by 30 percent compared to the same period last year. The
firm attributed this to the fact that the comparable 1992 period
saw a large number of new product releases.
Another $2 million of the second quarter loss was due to
professional fees and expenses directly related to the pending
merger with Spectrum Holobyte or ongoing financial needs or
business activities.
(John McCormick/19931118/Press Contact: Ronald J. Bueche, chief
executive officer Microprose, 410-771-6722, or fax, 410-785-8963)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
BUSINESS
Second Quarter Egghead Results Down 25 Percent
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00008)
Second Quarter Egghead Results Down 25 Percent 11/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Computer software
retailer Egghead has reported second quarter 1994 financial
results show a 25 percent drop in earnings to $500 thousand,
or three cents per share, down from $700 thousand or four cents
per share for the comparable period in fiscal 1993. This drop in
earnings was on a 12 percent increase in sales to $156.7 million.
Direct sales to corporate, government, and education users
accounted for $87.2 million for the quarter, up $7 million or
eight percent from the previous year, while retail store sales
jumped 12 percent for a total retail sale gross of $62.4 million,
up a full 19 percent from the earlier period. Egghead
operates 194 retail stores and also sells through mail order.
The company says that lowered earnings on increased sales were
due to lowered profit margins that were the result of lowered prices
across the board to improve its competitive stance. Egghead
management sees a continuation of lowered margins for the second
half of the fiscal year. But a look at the balance sheet shows
that selling, general and administrative expense also increased
by 10 percent for the first half of fiscal year 1994.
Despite earning three cents per share for the quarter ending
October 16, 1993, Egghead actually lost 9 cents per share or
$1.558 million for the 28-week fiscal half ending on the same
date. That compares to a profit of $2.4 million or 14 cents per
share for the comparable period in 1992.
(John McCormick/19931118/Press Contact: Carolyn Tobias, Egghead
Software, 206-391-6191)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
BUSINESS
Fulcrum Technologies Launches Public Offering
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00009)
Fulcrum Technologies Launches Public Offering 11/22/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Fulcrum Technologies
Inc., a maker of document indexing and retrieval software, has
announced a public offering and the beginning of trading of its
shares on the National Association of Securities Dealers NASDAQ
trading system in the United States.
Fulcrum's sole shareholder, Datamat Ingegneria dei Sistemi S.p.A.
of Rome, is selling 1.75 million shares of Fulcrum, leaving
Datamat with about 74 percent of Fulcrum, a spokeswoman for the
company said. The underwriters have a 30-day option to buy
another 262,500 shares to cover over-allotments.
The initial share price is US$11 per share, making the expected
proceeds from the offering in the neighborhood of US$19.25
million. Fulcrum officials said they plan to use some of the
money to repay outstanding long-term debts to Datamat and
short-term bank debt, and to complete the company's purchase of a
minority interest in Exoterica Corp., an Ottawa-based maker of
desktop publishing, design, and testing software with annual
revenues of about $3 million.
The balance of the proceeds are to be used for working capital
and to finance product development and expansion of Fulcrum's
sales and marketing operations.
Fulcrum was founded in 1983, and was acquired by Datamat in March
of 1990. The company has slightly more than 100 employees and
annual revenues of about $150 million.
Underwriters for the offering are Pacific Growth Equities in San
Francisco and SoundView Financial Group in Stamford, Connecticut.
(Grant Buckler/19931120/Press Contact: Barbara Johnson, Fulcrum,
613-238-1761; Wendy Rajala, for Fulcrum, 905-338-8532; Public
Contact: Pacific Growth Equities, 415-274-6800; SoundView
Financial, 203-462-7292)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
IBM
Lotus Adds Multimedia Features To 1-2-
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00010)
Lotus Adds Multimedia Features To 1-2-3 11/22/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Lotus
Development has introduced a multimedia edition of its
1-2-3 for Windows spreadsheet software, and a utility that can
make "movies," with sound, of operations performed on the PC.
1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows: Multimedia Edition has several
features that support its claim to multimedia capability. The
first is Multimedia SmartHelp, a set of learning tools that Lotus
has offered for some time. These tools include an animated and
narrated guided tour of the software, animated clips that
describe the way the program works, an audible proofreader, and
on-line documentation.
The package also comes with Lotus Sound, Lotus Media Manager, and
Lotus Annotator. Lotus Sound lets users create, edit, save, and
play sound as .WAV files. Lotus Media Manager is used to preview
multimedia files, and Lotus Annotator makes it possible to create
and embed multimedia notes in Windows applications.
The final multimedia feature in 1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows:
Multimedia Edition is ScreenCam, software which can record
operations a user performs on the computer -- much as a macro
recorder records actions -- add audio such as a running
commentary on what the user is doing, and then play the "movie"
back.
ScreenCam will initially be sold as part of the multimedia
edition of 1-2-3 for Windows, but will later be offered as a
stand-alone project and bundled with other Lotus applications,
the company said.
A spokeswoman for the company said the stand-alone version of
ScreenCam can be expected in the first quarter of 1994, and other
Lotus applications will be released with ScreenCam during the
coming year.
In the meantime, customers who buy 1-2-3 for Windows: Multimedia
Edition with ScreenCam can use the utility with other Windows
applications as well as the spreadsheet. They can also create
ScreenCam movies that involve more than one application, the
spokeswoman said.
ScreenCam requires a PC with at least a 386 processor and about
one megabyte (MB) of memory beyond what the application with
which ScreenCam is to be used requires. To use the audio
capabilities, the PC must also have a sound card or portable
sound device, microphone, and speakers. ScreenCam can be used
without audio if the PC is not equipped for it, the spokeswoman
said.
ScreenCam movies take less than one megabyte of disk space per
minute, the spokeswoman told Newsbytes.
1-2-3 Release 4 for Windows: Multimedia Edition needs at least a
386 processor, four MB of memory with a two MB swap file, Windows
3.1, a VGA 16-color graphics adapter and monitor, and a compact
disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive with a transfer rate of at
least 150K per second, the company said. Some features call for a
sound card, speakers, or headphones, and a mouse is recommended
but not required.
The suggested retail price of the multimedia 1-2-3 for Windows is
$495, Lotus said, and upgrades from all other releases and from
competitive spreadsheets will cost $129.
Lotus has no public plans for a multimedia edition of 1-2-3 on
the Apple Macintosh or any other hardware, a company spokeswoman
said, but a further announcement is likely in 1994.
(Grant Buckler/19931120/Press Contact: Dana Lieske or Stacey
Breines, McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus, 617-862-4514; Public
Contact: Lotus, 800-343-5414)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Horizons Technology LAN Management
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00011)
Comdex - Horizons Technology LAN Management 11/22/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Horizons Technology
has unveiled a new suite of LAN (local area network) management
software. Launched at Comdex Fall '93 last week, LAN Auditor 3.0 is
claimed to be a head above competing LAN management packages, as it
allows network inventories across different operating systems and
hardware platforms, specifically DOS, Windows (for Workgroups), OS/2
and the Mac System operating system.
In use, the package is designed to automate the LAN administrator's
task of keeping a detailed record of hardware and software on a
network, as well as stand-alone PCs linked into the network.
According to Bernard Harguindeguy, Novell's Enterprise Products
Division, v3.0 of LAN Auditor allows a greatly expanded number of PC
(DOS and Windows) audit functions to be completed.
"With LAN Auditor 3.0. Horizons Technology extends the capabilities
of the Netware management system to the workstation, improving our
customer's ability to centrally manage all aspects of their
enterprise," he explained.
One interesting feature of LAN Auditor is a structured query
language (SQL)-like report generator that allows users to design
their own customized reports. Once created, these reports can be
accessed online, printed out or even exported to an external file or
program on the network.
According to Horizons Technology, LAN Auditor allows even novice
network users to "interrogate" and even change the report using
drag-and-drop menu options. Customizable features include page
layout, font manipulation, header/footer annotation, printer set-up
and printer preview.
A 50-workstation site licence for LAN Auditor costs $495, rising to
$1,580 for a 400-user licence. Users of version 2.1 can upgrade to
v3.0 for between $55 and $110, while an annual support and
maintenance contract for all users costs $95.
(Steve Gold/19931122/Press & Public Contact: Horizons Technology -
Tel: 619-277-7100; Fax: 619-292-9439)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
GENERAL
Christmas Shopping? See December's PCTV
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00012)
Christmas Shopping? See December's PCTV 11/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Victoria Smith,
hostess of the New Hampshire-based PCTV weekly television
program, will spend December trying to help last-minute holiday
shoppers find hot ideas to stuff those computer user's stockings.
PCTV is produced and transmitted by satellite live and delayed on
Thursdays, then carried by a number of cable and independent
broadcast TV stations around the country as well as the Mind
Extension University educational channel.
December 2, 1993 PCTV (93-48) "Holiday Gift Ideas: Young Adults."
Victoria Smith looks at a number of holiday gift ideas for older
children and adults. Among these are Spinnaker Software's
Calendar Creations, a software package for creating and printing
custom wall calendars, and Master Cook II, for gourmet recipes
and nutritional analysis.
December 9, 1993 PCTV (93-49) will cover "Holiday Gift Ideas:
Edutainment." Victoria Smith shows us Inline Software's Swamp
Gas/USA and Swamp Gas/Europe, "edutainment" software for teaching
geography. Edmark shows us Kid Desk Family Edition, a "desktop"
for children that gives them their own workspace while locking
them out of parents' files, and we look at more holiday gift
ideas for the computer user.
(John McCormick/19931122/Press Contact: Wayne Mohr, Executive
Producer PCTV and MacTV, 603-863-9322)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
IBM
COMDEX - One-Chip Video Processor To Be Used By 15 OEMs
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00013)
COMDEX - One-Chip Video Processor To Be Used By 15 OEMs 11/22/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- At Comdex,
AuraVision has unveiled the VxP500 Video Record and Playback
Processor, a product that incorporates far-reaching PC video
processing functionality in a single chip.
Also at the show, Creative Labs, Dolch Computers, Diamond
Computer Systems, and a dozen other vendors have introduced the
first PC video boards to be based on AuraVision's new integrated
circuit (IC).
Microsoft, Adobe, Asymetrix, Xing Technologies, Mathematics,
Canyon, and Lenel have announced software support for the
chip. SGS-Thomson, C-Cube, and Zoran have also hopped aboard the
AuraVision bandwagon, developing reference designs for building
complete PC compression systems with the VxP500.
The new VxP500 supplies all the capabilities of a traditional
board-level video processor and more, explained Steve Chan,
president and founder of AuraVision, in an interview with
Newsbytes.
The chip is equipped with hardware acceleration capabilities that
allow full-motion (30-frame-per-second) video to be displayed at
full-screen resolution without the usual visual degradation, said
Mark Hopper, sales director for the Fremont-CA-based startup
company.
The product also features a unique time scaling feature that
eliminates the "jerkiness" of motion common to other systems,
he maintained.
Although separate audio hardware is still needed, the VxP500
allows simultaneous capture of video and audio in real time,
added Tommy Lee, senior applications manager. In contrast,
other processors require video and audio to be captured in
different sessions.
Also unlike competing video processing systems, the VxP500 supports
color keying as well as chroma keying, according to Lee. Color
keying refers to overlaying graphics on top of video, while chroma
keying refers to overlaying video on top of graphics.
By integrating all video processing into a single IC, the VxP500
supplies cost savings to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
that will in turn be passed on to end users, Lee told Newsbytes.
The price of the VxP500 to OEMs is less than $100, and boards
based on the chips will sell to end users for as low as $300, he
estimated. "In comparison, (other) boards now on the market
cost $400 or more, and the quality of their output isn't nearly
as high," he asserted.
The VxP500 can capture video in RGB, Palettized VGA, YUV, and YUV
compressed formats under Microsoft Video for Windows, and in RGB,
YUV, and Palettized VGA formats under AVI. Support is provided for
all AVI video codecs, including JPEG, MPEG, Indeo, Cinepak, and
Captain Crunch.
The VxP500 also supports VGA, NTSC, and PAL input, and VGA, NTSC,
and Control/L (LANC) videotape output. NTSC support is available
for both the composite video and S-Video formats. The chip
permits display of up to 16 million colors at up to 1024-by-786
resolution, he said.
In a demo for Newsbytes, Lee blew up a full-motion video clip to
full-screen (640-by-480) VGA resolution from half-screen
(320-by-240) resolution using two different boards, one based on
the VxP500, and the other based on traditional video technology.
When the non-VxP500 board was used, the full-screen picture
became grainy and ghost-ridden, and the motion uneven. With the
VxP500-based board, though, the picture and motion remained
smooth and even.
Lee informed Newsbytes that the VxP500 achieves a high-quality
full-screen picture through a combination of hardware
acceleration, or "hardware zoom," and filtering. While most
other systems use a method called "pixel duplication" for
filtering, the VxP500 employs "vertical interpolation."
AuraVision's hardware zoom technique allows the picture to be
expanded without graininess, he explained. The use of vertical
interpolation reduces "motion artifacts," or ghosts, and also
promotes more realistic colors.
Video for Windows software, available to OEMs for bundling with
VxP500-based boards, makes it possible to capture audio from a
separate sound board into a .wav file and to combine the video and
audio in an interleaved format for synchronized playback, he
said.
The chip's time scaling feature comes into play when a system
lacks sufficient bandwidth to store 30-frame-per-second video,
according to Lee. Video processing systems deal with this
situation by dropping some of the frames. Time scaling is
designed to drop frames in a smooth and even way.
In a press conference at Comdex, Orchid Technologies rolled out a
whole family of VxP500-based boards, including the Vidiola Pro/D
full digital video editing; the Vidiola Pro/C for "cuts only"
video editing without hard disk video storage; and the Vidiola
Premium, a daughter board supplying MJPEG (motion JPEG)
compression and decompression.
Aside from Orchid, Creative Labs, Dolch, and Diamond, other OEMs
announcing VxP500-based boards at Comdex included U-Max Data
Systems, Micro Star, Hauppauge Computer Works, CEI, GVC
Technologies, VisionEx, Micro Star, ASCO Corp., Leadtech Research,
Lung HWA Corp., and Resonant Research.
In addition to Microsoft's Video for Windows, the following
third-party software is available to OEMs for bundling with the
boards: Premier for Windows and Photoshop from Adobe; Compel and
MediaBlitz! from Asymetrix; Lenel's Multimedia Manager; Xing
Technology's Picture Prowler and MPEG Prowler; Mathematica's
Tempra Pro authoring package; and ICap video capture software
from Canyon.
The VxP500 is the first product to be released by AuraVision, a
company established by Chan in July 1992. Chan had previously
served as corporate VP and general manager at Chips &
Technologies, VP of engineering for Headland Technology, VP of
ASIC design for LSI Logic, and staff engineer at Ampex Corp.
AuraVision was formed with the financial backing of a venture
capitalist team led by William Tai, general partner of The Walden
Group; John Hawkins, partner at Burr, Egan, and Deleage; and
private investors, including Dave Jackson, founder of Altos
Computer Systems and lead investor in both Wyse Technology and
Informix.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931122/Reader contact: AuraVision, tel 510-
440-7180; Lisa Kimura, Technology Solutions for AuraVision, tel
415-617-4514)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
IBM
Germany - Big Blue To Slash 6,000 From Payroll
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00014)
Germany - Big Blue To Slash 6,000 From Payroll 11/22/93
STUTGART, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- IBM has announced plans to
shave 6,000 jobs from the company payroll in Germany over the next
two years. The move, the company claims, is in line with IBM's plans
to shed around 35,000 staff from the payroll by the end of next
year. IBM currently has around 260,000 on the payroll.
In Germany, 4,500 jobs are expected to disappear from a total of
25,000 in Germany during 1994, followed by a further 1,500 jobs
in 1995.
IBM said in a prepared statement that the cuts were not forced upon
the company by the current difficult market in Germany. IBM claims
that the cutbacks have been planned for some time. "This is part of
a broad strategy of bringing down expenses. It's not a local
economic situation," a spokesman said.
Details of the cuts filtered out from IBM Germany late last week,
when Edmund Hug, the company's country president, announced the
plans to employees and then to the press. He said that the cuts
formed part of plans for IBM's European operations that had been
worked out since Louis Gerstner, the company's president, joined Big
Blue in April of this year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931122/Press & Public Contact: IBM Deutschland -
Tel: +49-7-111-333; Fax: +49-711-785-0)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
BUSINESS
Microsoft To Centralize European Distribution In Ireland
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00015)
Microsoft To Centralize European Distribution In Ireland 11/22/93
MUNICH, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Following the well-trodden
path of many other technology companies, Microsoft has announced
plans to centralize its European distribution operations to Ireland.
The move, according to the software giant, will take advantage of
the pool of available employees in Ireland, as well as the tax
breaks that the Irish government is reknowned for offering to
companies willing to relocate operations to the country.
According to Microsoft, the new distrubution center will be located
in Dublin, in one of the industrial parks of the city. Plans call
for the distribution center to be operational by the middle of next
year, with full-scale distribution transferred from individual
country operations in Europe by the end of the year.
The move is strategic for Microsoft, Newsbytes notes. Microsoft
recently centralized its European manufacturing operations into
Ireland and, at the time, promised that it would centralize its
distribution from individual country operations once the
manufacturing facility had stabilized its output.
(Sylvia Dennis/11931122/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK - Tel:
+44-0734-270001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
TELECOM
UK - Cellnet's Success With Consumer Cellular Tariffs
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00016)
UK - Cellnet's Success With Consumer Cellular Tariffs 11/22/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- After just over a year of
operations in the consumer marketplace, Cellnet, one of the two
cellular networks operational in the UK, is claiming that its
strategy has been a tremendous success.
To date, Cellnet claims, more than 200,000 people have signed up to
the consumer tariff, known as Cellnet Lifetime. This pushes
Cellnet's subscriber levels, as at the middle of November this year,
to 818,500.
"When we launched Lifetime in November last year, a lot of observers
considered our target of 200,000 by the end of 1993 to be very
ambitious," explained Robert Warner, Cellnet's newly installed
managing director, who added that the company had hit its target a
clear six weeks ahead of schedule.
While Vodafone is claiming that it has around 55 to 60 percent of
the overall cellular market in the UK, Cellnet has been extremely
aggressive in the consumer (as distinct from the business)
marketplace, Newsbytes notes. As a result of the company's strategy
of offering cellular dealers (and their customers) the best deals,
the company now claims it has more than 60 percent of the consumer
tariff marketplace.
(Steve Gold/19931122/Press & Public Contact: Cellnet - Tel:+44-71-
Tel 0753-504814)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
GENERAL
Grants Aid Developers, Computing Companies
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00017)
Grants Aid Developers, Computing Companies 11/22/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Recently announced
grants and fellowships will aid software developers and give
marketing boosts to some workgroup computing companies.
Aldus Corporation has announced it will award three Additions
software developers more than $100,000 in grants to help fund the
design, implementation, and marketing of Additions for Aldus
Pagemaker. The company says the grants will average from $30,000
to $50,000.
Additions technology provides a specialized language of commands
and queries that enables developers to tailor Pagemaker for special
publishing needs. The developers can write complex code modules
and then communicate with Pagemaker via commands that can
perform any action that a user can do manually. Additions could be
considered mega versions of macros.
The companies selected for the grants are Integrated Software,
Zephyr Design, and Group Logic Inc. Aldus says factors such as a
proven record in developing add-on products and a keen
understanding of customer requirements in the advertising and
workgroup publishing markets, rated highly in the selection process.
Each recipient will receive half of their award in advance, with the
balance due when the Addition is completed.
Karen Howe, Aldus senior product marketing manager, says the
company hopes the program will stimulate the creation of third-party
Additions that would have taken Aldus too long to develop or would
not have ever been developed at all.
The grants program is still open to interested parties.
The Groupware 94 Boston conference has announced its Emerging
Technologies Fellowship Program designed to provide a glimpse
into the future of workgroup computing, stimulate market
growth, and give a marketing boost to about 30 young
workgroup computing companies.
The fellowships provide the opportunity for promising young
workgroup companies to exhibit alongside major vendors and
provide them with access to venture capitalists, potential investors,
corporate partners, and users looking for new and innovative
approaches to business problems.
The group is offering full and partial fellowships. A full fellowship
covers $2,250 of the exhibition fee for a 10 ft by 10 ft booth at
Groupware Boston as well as one complimentary admission to the
Groupware 94 Boston conference. The group says the admission is a
$995 value. The booth will be in a designated emerging
Technologies aisle.
Fellowships are still available to companies who product is not
commercially available or was released after September 1, 1993.
(Jim Mallory/19931122/Press contact: Barbara Burke, Aldus Corp,
206-628-6594, Bob Bierman, The Conference Group, 602-661-1261;
Reader contact: Lisa Wise, Aldus Corp, 206-343-7692 (for grant info),
The Conference Group, 602-661-1260, fax 602-661-0449 (fellowship
info)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
TELECOM
Cellular Phone Thieves May Have Your Number
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00018)
Cellular Phone Thieves May Have Your Number 11/22/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Authorities say
the cellular phone industry spends $5 million annually to stop
sophisticated cellular phone fraud, and your phone might be the
culprint's next target.
US West Cellular spokesperson Wendy Carver-Herbert says the
criminals are starting to look at smaller cities. "As the carriers
crack down in major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles and New York,
the criminals begin looking at other markets where enforcement isn't
as tough yet."
Cell phone providers are reluctant to provide information about how
many cell phones are reported stolen, and local and federal law
enforcement agencies don't track that data, but admit that cell phone
fraud is rampant nationwide. Authorities say it's difficult to catch the
thieves because of the sophisticated electronic techniques used by
the crooks that could mean you won't even know you are a victim
until it's too late.
Denver-based Secret Service agent Bill Bresnahan told Newsbytes
the Secret Service is tasked with investigating cellular phone fraud,
and says his agency has investigated several incidents of cell phone
fraud in the Rocky Mountain local area. Bresnahan and Carver-
Herbert say the crimes take various forms. The simplest form of theft
is the actual stealing of a phone. More insidious, and less likely to
be noticed immediately, involves gaining access to a cell phone and
obtaining the unique Electronic Serial Number assigned to every
phone, then leaving the phone in place. The ESN is then
programmed into another phone, a technique known as "cloning."
Herbert she says that is currently the biggest fraud problem
industry-wide.
Agent Bresnahan describes an even more sophisticated technique in
which the criminals use sophisticated electronic monitoring
equipment to capture the ESN and phone number right out of the
airways from phones operating nearby. The numbers are then
programmed into stolen cell phones to make expensive long
distance calls. Bresnahan says investigative techniques include
monitoring cell activity for an unusually high number of long
distance calls, and the use of direction finding equipment to track
down the illicit phones while they are in operation.
Herbert and Bresnahan say there are some steps that cell phone
users can employ to help foil phone theft or catch thieves. They
encourage cell phone users to step up the physical security they
provide their phones. "If you are going to leave your car with a
parking attendant or parked on the street for several days, remove
the handset and the antenna to avoid drawing attention," says
Carver-Herbert. She also recommends activating the electronic lock
when you are away from the phone.
They also recommend monitoring your cell phone bill closely. If you
see calls you are sure you didn't place, contact your service provider
immediately, and if your phone is stolen the company can block calls
from that number. US West Cellular has programmed its computers
to watch for anomalies in each customer's calling pattern as another
way to foil this high tech crime, and the company employs security
personnel to contact customers when calls fall outside the normal
pattern.
Another problem cell service providers encounter is what they call
"subscription fraud," in which false billing information is provided,
then the phone is used until the billing system catches up with them.
That can take as long as 30 days. Crooks also use a technique called
"tumbling," or using a phone programmed with a false ESN and your
phone number to place a long distance call in another carrier's
service area. By the time the two computers compare information the
calls have already been completed. The carriers are beginning to
install computer programs that can instantaneously check with the
home service area to determine if the number is legitimate and will
immediately terminate the call if the ESN is bogus, but that
technology is not yet in wide use. In the meantime some carriers
require you to get advance permission to use your cellular phone in
their service area when you're on the road.
(Jim Mallory/19931122)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
TELECOM
Court Rules Against AT&T In Tariff Filing Dispute
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
Court Rules Against AT&T In Tariff Filing Dispute 11/22/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- US District Court
Judge Stanley Harris dismissed suits AT&T launched in February aimed
at making MCI, WilTel and Sprint file the same detailed tariffs
it must file on contracts with large customers.
AT&T initiated the suit after winning a court case last year in
which it overturned Federal Communications Commission rules that
gave the commission authority over who should file tariffs. AT&T
has long complained that, since it must release details on
proposed contracts with big customers, its rivals do not have to
release the same details and they can therefore undercut AT&T's
prices and take business in a way AT&T cannot. All this goes back
to the concept that AT&T is a "dominant carrier" in the long
distance business, a concept AT&T says is no longer valid. The
company has an estimated 60-65 percent of the US long distance
market.
"Our view is this is a procedural development in a lengthy
process, and there's been no ruling" on the merits, AT&T
spokesman Jim McGann told Newsbytes. "We're free to pursue this
at the commission, and we're reviewing that option now. We would
have to request a proceeding of some kind before them." A press
release from Sprint, however, praised the dismissal, noting that
Sprint tariffs are on file with the FCC -- "are and always have
been."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931122/Press Contact: Jim McGann, AT&T, 202/
457-3952)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
TELECOM
Spectrum Settles Patent Fight With Microcom
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
Spectrum Settles Patent Fight With Microcom 11/22/93
NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- In another
indication of the direction former Apple chairman John Sculley is
taking at his new company, Spectrum Information Technologies
Inc., Spectrum announced a settlement of its patent litigation
with Microcom Inc.
Spectrum had sued Microcom, charging that Microcom's MNP 10
error-correction protocol violated a patent it held on SPCL,
a forward error-correction protocol also used on wireless
systems. In its suit, Spectrum had claimed that its patent
covered all error-correction on wireless systems, while Microcom
argued that MNP 10 was a completely separate system not covered
by Spectrum's patents.
In the settlement, jointly announced by both companies, the two
firms formed an alliance and jointly licensed each others'
patents in the error-correction area. This will help Spectrum
since most technical experts consider MNP 10, which can adjust
the speed of a connection based on line conditions, a superior
solution to V.42, the standard used on wired modems. MNP 10 can
increase the speed of a connection when line conditions clear,
while V.42 can only slow a connection when it encounters noise.
Microcom also said it had formally acknowledged the validity of
Spectrum's patents, and said it would work with Spectrum to
create reliable fast-data services for notebook computers, PDAs,
and other mobile devices.
The legal issue, namely the claims Spectrum has made regarding
the breadth of its patent protections, remains in dispute. The
company is engaged in ongoing litigation with Data Race Inc.
involving similar claims on a different patent, for a cellular-
modem connector. In that suit, too, Spectrum claims its patents
cover all such connectors. At the Fall Comdex show in Las Vegas,
Data Race released its own connector, which it says does not
infringe on Spectrum's patents.
In the headline on its press release on the settlement, Spectrum
said that US District Court Judge Buckmeyer had declared
Spectrum's basic patent valid, but Microcom spokesman Dave Powers
questioned that assertion. He noted that the case ended on a
settlement, and that no decision on the validity of the breadth
of Spectrum's claims was made in the case. The patent suit
against Data Race continues to be pending.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931122/Press Contact: Spectrum, Dae Chang,
516/627-8992x136; David Powers, Microcom, 617/551-1955)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
CORRECTION TELECOM
Correction - Briefing On The Govt's NII Infrastructure
(CORRECTION)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
Correction - Briefing On The Govt's NII Infrastructure 11/22/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- In a Comdex story
regarding Clinton Administration official Larry Irving's
appearance by satellite at a Byte Magazine press breakfast
which ran on this wire on November 17, Newsbytes erred in giving
his Internet address.
Mr. Irving, in charge of the Administration's planning for the
National Information Infrastructure, sometimes called the "data
superhighway," had urged that his audience contact him directly,
over the Internet, with comments and questions concerning policy
decisions to be taken on the NII over the next six months.
Newsbytes had given Mr. Irving's address as lirving@nist.doc.gov,
and this was in error. The correct address is
lirving@ntia.doc.gov -- our thanks to Ted Carpenter for following
up on this. The NIST is the National Institute for Standards and
Technology, a separate Department of Commerce agency formerly
known as the Bureau of Standards. The NTIA is the National
Telecommunications and Information Agency, the government's chief
planning agency for technology and telecommunications.
Newsbytes regrets the error.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931122)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
APPLE
Apple Ships Multimedia Authoring Package
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00022)
Apple Ships Multimedia Authoring Package 11/22/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Apple is shipping the
Apple Media Tool, a new multimedia authoring package aimed at
non-programmers.
To create a title with Media Tool, users work within a screen metaphor,
upon which they can lay out the various text, graphic and movie elements
of their title, including PICT graphics, QuickTime movies, and sound
files in AIFF, SND and WAVE formats. Screen elements are assembled as
icon aliases in a holding area resembling a regular Finder folder.
Dragging an alias from the folder onto the screen expands it to a full
graphic, movie or sound element, and double-clicking it launches a
user-chosen editing application, such as Photoshop for image-editing,
Director for animation editing, etc. Media Tools is bundled with
VideoFusion 1.5, a $649 QuickTime-editing program.
Used in conjunction with the Media Kit (also new), which is aimed at
multimedia developers and includes Media Tool, a user can port their
title to the Windows platform.
To provide interactivity in titles, Media Tool elements can be
associated with user actions, such as a mouse click. For example,
you can assign a movie to play whenever a button is clicked. A title
can feature any number of screens, arranged in a Map section of
Media Tool. The Map view shows thumbnails of each screen and any
links between them.
The Media Kit, designed for programmers, uses an object-oriented
program language and scripting to allow translation to Windows format.
The Apple Media Tool (including VideoFusion) lists for $1,195, but has
an introductory price of $995. The Apple Media Kit (including Media
Tool and VideoFusion) lists for $3,995. For Media Tool info, call
800/371-0612, and for Media Kit info, call 800/282-2732.
(Chris Oakes & Computer Currents/19931122)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
APPLE
New Macintosh Products
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00023)
New Macintosh Products 11/22/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Here is a brief
look at some new Macintosh products on the market: File Clerk
software, ColorScript Laser1000 printer, PowerBook 145B Plus Pack,
Americans in Space CD-ROM, new Adobe Typefaces.
Nisus Software (Solana Beach, Calif.) announced File Clerk, software
due this fall designed to make it easier to track down information on
data-packed Macs.
To organize and retrieve files, users navigate through a hierarchy of
keywords assigned to files, selected through pop-up menus. These
descriptive keywords are pre-assigned to files using File Clerk.
The file selection list shrinks as more keywords are chosen in a search.
This list can be filtered by creator, volume and creation/modification
date as well. Once found, the file, whether text, graphics, sound or
video, can be previewed or launched. Suggested list will be under $100.
For more information, call 619/481-1477.
ColorScript Laser1000
Is this the first "desktop" color laser printer? QMS is shipping a
$12,499 color laser printer, and claiming a price that is half
that of competing products. It features four-color 300dpi laser
printing, color matching capabilities and PostScript Level 2
emulation. It prints 24-bit-color images as halftones, instead of
as continuous-tone color images, with a printing speed of
two to eight pages per minute. Sixty-five resident typefaces and
12MB of RAM are standard. Mobile, Ala.-based QMS can be reached at
800/523-2696 or 215/633-4300.
PowerBook 145B Plus Pack
This PowerBook 145 package, distributed through such channels as
Circuit City, Montgomery Ward, Best Buy, Staples, and Officemax,
combines a 4/80 PowerBook 145B with an internal Global Village
Powerport Bronze send/receive fax/modem and a software bundle.
The software includes Touchbase Pro, Datebook Pro, Macintosh PC
Exchange, AppleLink, and Zterm terminal emulation software. Prices
in the retail outlets are expected to be between $1,549 and $1,699.
For info, call Apple (Cupertino, Calif.) at 800/776-2333.
Americans in Space
This new CD-ROM turns your Mac into Mission Control for American
space flights, allowing you to view crew photos, hear audio clips,
and watch video or animation of the American space program. It
includes over sixty minutes of video clips, including the last
launch of the shuttle Challenger, and more than 90 minutes of
narration. There are also nearly 600 images, including crew and
mission photos and artists' renditions of the space station
Freedom. Suggested retail price is $69.95. For more info, call
206/622-5530.
New Adobe Typefaces
Twenty-eight new Adobe (Mountain View, Calif.) typefaces include
designs from type foundries such as ITC, Monotype and Berthold,
bringing the total number of typeface packages in the Adobe Type
Library to over 360. Adobe has also announced the new Sanvito
and Caflisch Script multiple-master typefaces for the Macintosh.
Multiple-master faces allow users to modify many characteristics of
the typefaces to suit their preferences. Through December 31,
Sanvito and Caflisch Script and the other multiple-master
typeface packages are available for $89 through Font & Function,
Adobe's recently updated type catalog. After December 31,
Sanvito and Caflisch Script will be available for $185 and $95
respectively. For more info, call 415/961-4400.
(Chris Oakes & Computer Currents/19931122)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
TELECOM
Japan - New Cable Service To Link To PCs
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00024)
Japan - New Cable Service To Link To PCs 11/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Tokyu Cable TV is getting
ready to launch a hybrid telecommunication service, which is
a combination of cable TV signals and personal computer-based
telecommunication. This industry first is expected
to start in April 1994.
Tokyu Cable TV, owned by Tokyu Electric Railways, has
already been providing cable TV service to its registered
users along the railways. These people will also be the
first recipients of the new service.
Tokyu Cable TV will link with Tokyu Electric Railways'
computer network, named "Seran" to provide news and information
at first, and links to value-added networks in the future.
No other technical details are available at this time.
Tokyu Cable TV will submit an application to the Japanese
Ministry of Posts & Telecommunication in early 1994 in order
to get permission to start the service. The Japanese
Ministry is expected to accept it because the new Hosokawa
government is pushing the deregulation of businesses
in Japan.
Other telecommunication firms are also planning to create
multimedia telecommunications services in Japan. For example,
NYNEX and Tomen are planning to set up a cable TV network
that combines with regular telephone services.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931122/Press Contact: Tokyu Cable
TV, +81-45-912-1205)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
BUSINESS
China - Pocket Beeper Factory
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00025)
China - Pocket Beeper Factory 11/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Tokyo-based Casio Computer has
signed agreements with two Chinese firms to set up joint
ventures in China designed to produce pocket beepers and
other consumer devices. The papers will be signed in December,
at which time the business is also expected to start.
Casio will link with the Chinese firms to create two joint ventures --
one will be created with Japan's Mitsui Bussan Trading
and China's Shanghai Kokumyaku, which is affiliated with China's
Telecommunication Ministry. The other joint firm will be
created with China's Rocho Electric and Japan's Nichimen.
The first firm will be capitalized with US$1.5 million,
which will be paid 21 percent by Casio, 19 percent by Mitsui
Bussan and 60 percent by the Chinese firm. The second firm will
have more money to start -- US$7.5 million -- with
29 percent from Casio, 21 percent from Nichimen Trading,
and 50 percent from Rocho Electric.
These new firms will manufacture pocket beepers. At
Rocho Electric's plant, Casio will also manufacture Chinese word
processors and cash registers. In the future, Casio wants to
manufacture portable phones and mobile phones at these plants.
Some 150,000 pocket beepers are expected to be shipped from
these two firms in the first year.
Demand for pocket beepers has been growing rapidly in
China. This is because more foreign firms are creating a
base of operations in China.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931122/Press Contact: Casio
Computer, +81-3-3347-4830, Fax, +81-3-3347-4669)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
GENERAL
Improper Grounding Major Cause Of System Failures
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00026)
Improper Grounding Major Cause Of System Failures 11/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- According to a
recently published report from CBEMA, the Computer and Business
Equipment Manufacturing Association, 90 percent of information
technology equipment failures are due to internal causes, and
three-quarters of those causes are related to poor grounding.
CBEMA has published a new set of guidelines establishing
recommended methods for grounding power supplies and computer
systems.
The Power Interface Committee of CBEMA has determined, according
to Committee Chairman John Roberts of IBM, that inadequate
electrical grounding is a major cause of problems in many
sophisticated computer systems, especially distributed processing
or networked installations.
Committee recommendations are provided free of charge to
interested readers in the form of a report titled "Guidelines for
Grounding Information Technology Equipment. The report is
available by sending a request to: Christine Zvonkovich, CBEMA,
1250 Eye St., N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005, or faxing to
202-638-4922.
CBEMA represents the leading US information technology
providers with combined sales of nearly $300 billion annually.
(John McCormick/19931119/Press Contact: Jan Goebel, CBEMA 202-
626-5725, fax 202-638-4922)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
TRENDS
****LSI Logic, Zenith Join To Develop Digital Cable TV Chips
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00027)
****LSI Logic, Zenith Join To Develop Digital Cable TV Chips 11/22/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Digital cable
television is gaining in public attention as the industry becomes
increasingly connected with telecommunications. Now, in an
alliance that the two companies hope will "accelerate the
deployment of high-performance, cost-effective digital cable
television systems," Zenith Electronics Corp., and LSI Logic Corp.,
have teamed up to develop advanced integrated circuitry for
digital cable TV boxes.
John Taylor, spokesman for Zenith, told Newsbytes that the
alliance involves, "a joint development effort for a chip that
will be inside of the digital cable boxes of tomorrow."
Under terms of the deal, Zenith will work with LSI Logic to
develop a chip to be used in digital decoders based on Zenith's
16-level vestigial sideband (16-VSB) digital transmission
systems.
Taylor said that there is no joint venture planned, and that
it is, "their engineers working with our engineers."
Zenith claims that these systems increase the amount of digital
information that can be transmitted on cable TV systems
without additional video compression. This will expand the
capabilities of digital cable TV systems beyond the expected
500 channels to 1,000 or more channels.
Zenith says it plans to use LSI Logic's chip in its digital cable TV
decoders, which are scheduled for introduction in 1994. The
company also plans to license its 16-VSB technology to other
manufacturers of digital decoders. LSI Logic plans to sell
the chips as application specific standard products (ASSPs) or
customized ASSPs to Zenith licensees.
The 16-VSB digital transmission system can reportedly deliver as
many as 23 movies or nine live video programs in each six megahertz
(MHz) channel. The system can also send two digital high-definition
television (HDTV) signals on a single 6-MHz analog cable channel.
The companies maintain that the jointly developed chip, based on
LSI Logic's proprietary Reed-Solomon forward error correction
(FEC) and optimized demodulation building blocks, will be able to
handle such functions as forward error correction, adaptive
equalization, and synchronization detection. The chip can also
switch from 16-VSB to 8-VSB.
Zenith Electronics has also announced that it has sold $42
million of 8.5 percent senior subordinated convertible debentures
in a private transaction to institutional investors. The debentures,
due November 19, 2000, are convertible into Zenith common stock
at a conversion price of $9.76 per share. Proceeds from the sale
are intended to be used to redeem the company's 12-1/8 percent
notes.
(Ian Stokell/19931122/Press Contact: John Taylor,
708-391-8181, Zenith; or Carey Mitchell, 408-433-7175,
LSI Logic)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/22/93
IBM
Cray Comms LAN Connection For Remote PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00028)
Cray Comms LAN Connection For Remote PCs 11/22/93
ANNAPOLIS JUNCTION, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- In
a world where a company's workforce is increasingly dispersed,
access to centralized corporate resources is vital. Now Cray
Communications Inc., has introduced RemotePC, an access server
that allows up to 24 simultaneous users to dial in and use the
resources available in an enterprise network.
In announcing the product, Scott Rey, Cray's director of marketing,
said: "RemotePC meets the three criteria network managers set for
remote access: it provides strong and flexible security; it gives
remote users the same network access and functionality as
in-house users; and it provides full control of costs and network
use."
Rey told Newsbytes that the RemotePC, "installs at the central
and not the remote site, and acts as a server/bridge." He also
said that the product "allows connectivity to multiple devices."
The company says that RemotePC is designed for users such as
salespeople, telecommuters, branch offices too small to justify
a router, and dial-in network services, whose usual environment
is remote from the main local area network (LAN).
RemotePC client software supports DOS, Windows, or OS/2. It
is priced at $2,595 for the base unit. The product is available
immediately. Rey told Newsbytes that ports are added by way
of add-in boards, consisting of "six ports per card," at the cost
of $1,395 for each group of six ports.
The company says that RemotePC enables remote users to access
network resources -- such as printers, electronic mail, and data
bases -- as if they were directly connected to the network. The
product reportedly works as a bridge on the main LAN, and can be
implemented in any Ethernet LAN without regard to the network
operating system or transport protocols.
Continued Rey, "RemotePC is a better alternative than the most
common solution, where a remote PC dials into another PC in the
main office, and simply provides a remote keyboard and screen
function. RemotePC lets the remote user do anything a local user
can do."
Cray Communications is a division of Cray Electronics Holdings
PLC. In its latest fiscal year, which ended April 30, 1993, Cray
Electronics says it recorded earnings of $26.5 million on sales of
$303 million.
In June, Newsbytes reported that Cray Communications was part
of a group of British modem manufacturers that joined together
under the mantle of the Modem Approvals Group (MAG), which was
formed to voice their concern about the lack of enforcement of UK
approvals for modems.
In July Newsbytes reported that the MAG was stepping up its
campaign against unapproved modems by asking magazine
publishers to ensure that advertising for such products are not
illegal.
(Ian Stokell/19931122/Press Contact: Scott Rey, 301-317-7218,
Cray Communications)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/22/93
APPLE
Adobe Streamline For Macs In Japan, Deals
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00029)
Adobe Streamline For Macs In Japan, Deals 11/22/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems has announced availability of version 3.0J of Adobe
Streamline for the Macintosh, software for converting color,
grayscale as well as black and white bitmapped images into
PostScript language line art. The software is designed for the
Japanese market. The company has also announced its PostScript
Level 2 Emerald RIP is available from Linotype-Hell, and that
Agfa is now shipping Adobe's PostScript Level 2 Emerald RIP
with both the Star 400 and 600 series of RIPs, as well as the
MultiStar 400 and 600 RIPs.
According to Adobe, version 3.0J includes new image processing
tools, powerful color capabilities, scanner driver support, a
redesigned user interface, extensive pre- and post-processing
features and improved interoperability with Adobe Illustrator
and Adobe Photoshop software.
Patricia J. Pane, spokesperson for Adobe told Newsbytes that,
for US users, "You can order it through a distributor in the US.
We do have a lot of Japanese language users in the US, and they
do like to be kept up with what's happening. There is a market,
although it is certainly not the size of what we get in Japan."
In announcing the new Japanese version, Katsunori Tanaka,
marketing manager for Adobe Systems Japan, said: "With Adobe
Streamline's new conversion options and pre- and post-processing
tools, users have more control over the end results. This new
version has also been completely redesigned to permit interactive
and intuitive image conversion and to provide a visual consistency
with our other graphics programs."
Said Yoshifumi Hyodo, sales manager for application products,
Adobe Systems Japan, "Adobe Streamline is an important tool for
professional users, and releasing this major upgrade concurrently
with the US version gives users in Japan access to the identical
feature set US users have, the most up-to-date, powerful
enhancements of the product that Adobe has to offer."
The company claims that enhancements in the new version provide
the ability to scan artwork directly into the program using any
Adobe Photoshop-compatible plug-in, to retouch images with an
assortment of pixel-editing tools, and to convert images using a
variety of options or through custom settings.
Users can posterize both color and grayscale images, and convert
them into filed and stroked PostScript language objects. The
company says that the resulting PostScript language paths can
then be recolored and edited. Once converted, the artwork can be
edited further in a drawing program or incorporated directly into
a page layout.
System requirements for Streamline 3.0J include: a Macintosh
with a 68020 processor or higher; two megabytes (MB) of
application RAM; a hard disk; and Apple KanjiTalk 6.0.7 or greater,
including System 7.l. However, Adobe recommends 4MB of
application RAM and a color monitor.
Adobe Streamline 3.0J for the Macintosh is available immediately
at a suggested retail price of 35,000 yen. Registered users of
Adobe Streamline 1.2J for the Macintosh may upgrade for 15,000
yen.
Adobe's PostScript Level 2 Emerald RIP will ship with Linotype's
RIP 50 and will drive Linotype's complete line of imagesetters.
Linotype-Hell says it is also shipping the Vulcan RIP, a RISC
(reduced instruction-set computer)-based add-in card with
Adobe's PostScipt Level 2 software for the Macintosh series II
and Quadra personal computers.
The company says that the Vulcan RIP replaces the RIP 20
product and drives Linotype's range of imagesetters through the
Linotronic 560 and allows a single Macintosh configuration for
both applications and RIPing.
Agfa's deal with Adobe also involves the PostScript Level 2
Emerald RIP. In announcing the deal, Steve MacDonald, senior vice
president and general manager of Adobe's Systems Products
Division, said: "Agfa's large installed base of Emerald RIPs now
has access to the latest in Adobe's PostScript technology --
PostScript Level 2. By offering PostScript Level 2 on its Star
and MultiStar series products, Agfa's users can now take
advantage of the software's many benefits, including device
independent color, compression capabilities and performance
enhancements."
The companies said that PostScript Level 2 Emerald RIP is
available immediately on Agfa's Star 400 and 600 and MultiStar
400 and 600 products, and is expected to be available on the
Star 200 next month. Upgrades for the existing Star, Star
Plus, and Star Plus SX RIPs are expected to be available
mid-December.
(Ian Stokell/19931122/Press Contact: Patricia J. Pane,
415-962-3967, Adobe Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/22/93
APPLE
Apple Computer, AST, AT&T Equipment Auctions
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)
Apple Computer, AST, AT&T Equipment Auctions 11/22/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 22 (NB) -- Apple
Computer is auctioning off some of its inventory in auctions
held by national auctioneers, Ross-Dave. But Apple isn't the
only one as AST, Martin Marietta, AT&T, and Hughes Missile
Systems are also holding auctions through the same group.
The first Apple Computer auction took place November 20 in
Chicago, but two auction dates remain -- one in Boston on
December 4, and one in Washington, DC on December 11. Equipment
is varied, but will include about 6,000 items of older and some
discontinued, though new, Apple hardware.
Apple representatives told Newsbytes the auctioned equipment is
mostly buy-backs, meaning Apple has bought it back from its
dealers when it released a new version of the product in
question. Some examples are: the Duo Dock 210, the Mac IIsi,
the Apple CD-ROM 150, and the Apple IIgs. Four peripheral items
included are not buy-backs: the Laserwriter 310, the Apple 16-
inch RGB monitor, the Color One Scanner, the Apple Color
Printer.
Any product still in the shrink-wrap at the time of the
purchase comes with a one-year warranty, Apple said. In
addition, there is no minimum bid, but Ross-Dove does charge a
5 percent buyers premium which is added to the total bid.
Claris, Apple's software subsidiary, will be on hand at the
auctions offering new software to go with the purchases and
Apple items such as t-shirts and hats with the Apple logo will
be available as well.
Other auctions include the AST auction, scheduled for December
11 in Menlo Park, California and a Hughes auction, on the
calendar for December 1 in Pomona, California. AT&T equipment
goes on the auction block in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Martin
Marietta's auction is slated for Orlando, Florida.
Auction brochures containing location information and further
details are free for the asking by calling Ross-Dove toll-free.
Admission is also free.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931122/Press Contact: Kate Paisley, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-5453, fax 408-974-2885; Public Contact:
Ross-Dove, 800-445-3683)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - Low Priced GPS Debuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00001)
Comdex - Low Priced GPS Debuts 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Couriers, truck
fleets, taxi fleets, and other auto-intensive businesses will
soon be able to get the services of a global positioning satellite,
or GPS system, for under $500 per vehicle.
Road Scholar will combine a Rockwell GPS receiver, which connects
to any PC with a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Industry
Association) Type II slot, with its City Streets for Windows
program, a mapping product. With the combination, drivers will be
able to track their position and find alternate routes on their
rounds, while fleet managers will be able to make better use of
their resources.
Such systems have been around for years, and TV stations have
been among the first users, combining GPS data with maps to show
viewers exactly where the bad accident is and precisely where
their news trucks are en route to the scene.
But now, Keith Hendrick of Road Scholar told Newsbytes, virtually
any business will be able to pull off the same trick. "We have been
maps for the masses. Now we're going to be GPS for the masses."
Hendrick said he is already arranged for distribution through firms
like Ingram and Merisel, as well as leading retailers. City
Streets for Windows ships in January at $100, the Rockwell GPS
receivers a few months later at under $400 each.
Road Scholar is also looking to new applications for the system.
"You can take the software, take the card, and build what you
want. It has database import capabilities -- we use Q&A, but the
product will support anything."
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931119/Press Contact: Keith Hendrick,
Road Scholar, tel 713-266-7623, fax 713-266-4525)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Polaroid Intros C5500i Scanner
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00002)
Comdex - Polaroid Intros C5500i Scanner 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Polaroid is
releasing a new version of its color scanner designed for faster
throughput. The C5500HC is a successor to the C5500i shown at
Comdex a year ago.
Scott Wicker of Polaroid demonstrated the unit for Newsbytes.
There are versions for Windows-based PC and Macintoshes, and they
plug into the computer's SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)
port. They can work directly with Adobe Photoshop, and handle
photos as large as four-inches by six-inches, roughly 10
centimeters (cm) by 17 cm.
Wicker took a Polaroid of a reporter's family and scanned it twice --
once in a preview mode at 125 dots-per-inch (dpi), again at 500 dpi.
The resulting files can vary widely in size -- at 125 dpi you have a
20-30 kilobyte (KB) file, while at 500 dpi you have a 12 megabyte
(MB) file. The entire operation, including using Photoshop to crop
the photo on-screen, took less than 30 seconds. The main
difference with the older unit is that there is a door which opens
for easy cleaning. The unit can also adjust easily to handle slides.
The unit also comes with a plastic carrier, standard, to allow
the scanning of thin, fragile or paper media as small as a few
square inches. Wicker said that, while Polaroid and Kodak are
known as fierce rivals, one of the key uses of the Polaroid
scanner is the creation of Kodak Photo CDs.
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931119/Press Contact: Polaroid, tel
617-577-2000, fax 617-577-3888; Customer Contact: 575
Technology Square, Cambridge, Mass., 02139, 800-225-1618)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Simon Wins Byte Magazine "Best Of Show"
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00003)
Comdex - Simon Wins Byte Magazine "Best Of Show" 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Simon, a cross
between a cellular phone and a PDA (personal digital assistant)
made by Mitsubishi, designed by IBM and distributed by BellSouth,
won the "Best of Show" Shelly award from Byte Magazine.
The Shellys are named for Interface Group Chairman Sheldon
Adelson, and go to products offering technical excellence.
Byte Editor-In-Chief Dennis Allen said in a press statement that,
"because it integrates phone, fax, and paging functions so well
with its software, Simon is indispensable for mobile
communications." The product was displayed at the IBM OEM
(original equipment manufacturer) booth in the Main Hall of the
Las Vegas Convention Center. Some, however, have criticized
the product because it uses a proprietary operating system.
Simon also won in the "Best Portable" category.
Another winner was Apple's Firewire, an implementation of a new
technology technically called the 1394 High Performance Serial
Bus. The magazine's editors said the new technology, which has
been implemented in silicon by Texas Instruments, could help
greatly improve consumer electronics products as well as
computers. Other companies which helped develop the technology
included Adaptec, Maxtor, AT&T's NCR unit, and Maxtor.
VRex Inc., won the "Rookie" award for its Micropol, a manufacturing
technology which puts a checkboard pattern of tiny polarizing
filters over a screen, providing three-dimensional (3-D) effects
without eyestrain using inexpensive glasses with oppositely-
polarized lenses.
Also, the Apple Quadra won for "Best System," combining Macintosh
and Windows technology in the same product. The DataPort
Multimedia Communicator from AT&T Paradyne won for "Best
Connectivity/Hardware." A PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory
Card Industry Association) removable hard disk storage system
from SyQuest, called the SQ1080, won for "Best Peripheral."
LinkWorks from Digital Equipment won for "Best Connectivity
Software." Austek's A1060, a graphics accelerator, won as the
"Best Multimedia Hardware," and Ultimedia Video IN/2 from IBM
won as "Best Multimedia Software." The QMS 2001 Knowledge
system, which combines computing, scanning, copying, faxing,
modeming and printing won as "Best Printer."
Microsoft Windows NT, which was essentially a technology
demonstration and did not ship until months after it was shown,
was the "Best in Show" winner at the Spring Comdex in Atlanta.
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931119)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
TRENDS
Comdex - A CD-ROM Playground
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00004)
Comdex - A CD-ROM Playground 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- The Multimedia
Showcase at Comdex was filled with new CD-ROM titles. David
Hoeh, director of international sales for Max Media, a distributor
with a booth at the show, estimated to Newsbytes there are now
3,500 titles, of which 850 or so are commercially viable.
These range all over the lot, from CDs for kids to adventure
games for teenagers to strictly adult-only titles. There were
even titles for distributing other titles like Rainbow
Technologies' VendorSystem, a software distribution system
under Apple Computer's new Software Dispatch program,
which lets customers try software before they buy it.
A number of companies offered whole catalogs of titles. Warner
New Media's catalog offered 18 new titles, including a jokes disk
called Funny, an interactive adventure called Hell Cab, as well
as titles from "Time" and "Sports Illustrated" magazine, and a
children's game called Word Tales.
The catalog from the CD-ROM Source offered four religious titles
alone, including all major versions of the Old and New Testaments,
and a disc which also includes 20 religious reference books with
concordances, the equivalent of 134,000 pages. The Tribune Co.'s
Compton's New Media unit, which caused controversy with its
multimedia patent, offered a catalog with over 100 titles.
Learning titles were very big. BayWare offered Power Japanese for
Windows, while PageWare by Advance offered a range of computer
training discs for MS-DOS, Macintosh, and OS/2 software. Allegro,
a long-time creator of floppy-disk titles, also began offering
software training on CD-ROM, as well as multimedia references,
and graphics for desktop publishing and presentations.
Kids were a major target market for this year's CD-ROM
publishers. MacMillan offered a Dictionary for Children and a CD-
ROM on firemen, from its explorer series. Media Vision offered
the Forever Growing Garden and Professor Gooseberry's I Can
Read Club. Knowledge Adventure introduced a series of adventure
disks, from dinosaurs to zoo animals to bugs, outer space and
Peter Rabbit. Older kids might like Will Vinton's Playmation, a
three-dimensional (3-D) motion picture studio on CD-ROM with
powerful rendering features and exclusive animation technology.
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931119/Customer Contact: Knowledge
Adventure, 818-542-4200; Warner New Media; 800-593-6334;
Compton's New Media, 800-216-6116; CD ROM Source,
800-346-2323; Ranbow Technologies, 714-454-2100; Will
Vinton's Playmation, 206-750-0042; Media Vision, 800-845-5870;
Macmillan New Media, 800-342-1338; Advance, 403-237-0426;
Allegro New Media, 800-424-1992; Bayware, 415-312-0980)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
GENERAL
Comdex - New Company Offers Records Management
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00005)
Comdex - New Company Offers Records Management 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Lots of
companies at Comdex/Fall are trumpeting the paperless office.
After Inc., is recognizing there will be no such thing any time
soon, and offering software to manage the paper instead.
Newly formed After is a Toronto-based joint venture between
Alumni Computer Inc., a supplier of software for legal firms,
and a records management company. It has launched at Comdex
a personal computer software package also called "After,"
intended to track paper files or other physical units.
"After" lets users store such information as the date when a file
was created, its location, and when it should be destroyed. It
also works with bar codes, allowing a user with a bar-code reader
to record movement of files quickly. After also supplies bar code
labels, and company technical support specialist Dean Polley said
these are more durable than bar codes printed with an ordinary
computer printer.
Users can also search for files by the name and other information
placed on the file label. In addition to storing the permanent
location of a file, After will store the temporary location when
a file has been taken out.
Priced at $99 for a single-user copy, After is available now
through retailers and direct from the company, Polley said. The
software is also available for networks.
(Grant Buckler/19931119/Press Contact: After Inc., tel
416-292-0893, fax 416-292-1638; Public Contact: After Inc., 800-387-
9785)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Jensen-Jones Intros Entry-Level PIM
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00006)
Comdex - Jensen-Jones Intros Entry-Level PIM 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Thanks to the
growth of notebook computers and the multi-tasking capability of
software such as Microsoft Windows, personal information
managers (PIMs) are appealing to a larger market. Jensen-Jones
Inc., of Red Bank, New Jersey, is out to lure in first-time PIM
buyers with a simplified version of its Commence software.
Commence Startup, launched at Comdex/Fall, lacks some of the
features of the full-fledged Commence package, notably those
designed to make the package useful to work groups. But, said
Craig Jensen, president of the company, it will appeal to people
who have not used a PIM before and who mainly need to organize
personal, rather than group, information.
Commence is essentially the same software that IBM sold as
Current, Jensen said. IBM still sells the software as a front-end
for its OfficeVision office automation system, and it can
exchange data with Commence, according to Jensen.
More than half of sales of Commence are to people who use the
software in work groups, Jensen said.
The full version of Commence includes a synchronization
capability meant to simplify life for people who use the software
on two or more computers -- a desktop and a notebook, for
instance. It will keep track of what changes have been made in
one version of the software, and on request will write only the
changes to a diskette file for use in updating the other copy.
This feature is missing from Commence Startup, Jensen said. So
are the ability to import and export data, and support for work
groups. Startup also stores a more limited amount of information,
he said.
However, while Commence sells for $395, Startup will cost $49.95.
People who buy Commence Startup and later decide they need the
full version will be able to upgrade without having to re-enter
or re-format their data, Jensen added.
(Grant Buckler/19931118/Press Contact: Brenda Nichols, Parker
Nichols & Co. for Jensen-Jones, tel 508-369-2100, fax
508-369-2106; Public Contact: Jensen-Jones, 908-530-4666)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - IBM Licenses Object Technology
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00007)
Comdex - IBM Licenses Object Technology 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- IBM announced
licensing agreements with five companies for its System Object
Model (SOM) and Distributed System Object Model (DSOM)
technology during Comdex/Fall. Deals were signed with Digitalk,
MetaWare Inc., Objective Inc., ParcPlace Systems, and Watcom
International Inc.
Cliff Reeves, director of the Object Technology Products group
at IBM, described the technology as a glue to bind together
object-oriented applications across networks.
Digitalk said it has licensed IBM's SOMobjects Kernel and
Workstation DSOM for OS/2 and AIX, and will be including them in
future products. The two companies said they are working together
on Digitalk's support for SOM and on advanced features of SOM. At
Comdex/Spring earlier this year, Digitalk showed its Parts
Assembly and Reuse Tool Set (PARTS) working with IBM's
SOMobjects Developer Toolkit.
MetaWare said it has started shipping beta-test copies of its
High C and C++ compilers for IBM's AIX 6000 variant of Unix and
for OS/2 2.1 that include SOM and DSOM support. The compilers
come with DirectToSOM support, which the vendor said will let
developers create SOM binaries by compiling standard C++ source
code.
Objective is working to incorporate SOM and DSOM support into its
product Macroscope, an object-oriented development environment.
At an IBM press conference during Comdex, Objective demonstrated
an application developed with Macroscope and SOM. The company
said it will release a MacroScope interface layer in the first
quarter of 1994 that will provide a generic message interface to
objects developed with SOM or DSOM. This will let MacroScope
developers send messages to invoke any facility created with SOM
or DSOM, company officials said.
ParcPlace said its VisualWorks application development
environment, which includes the Smalltalk object-oriented
language, will incorporate SOM and workstation DSOM support,
allowing Smalltalk developers to use objects created in C++ or
any other language that supports the IBM specifications.
Watcom International said it plans to use SOM in its development
tools, starting with its multiplatform C and C++ compilers in the
first quarter of next year. Later, the company said, it will put
SOM support into its VX-REXX visual development environment
and its Watcom SQL (structured query language) database
products.
(Grant Buckler/19931118/Press Contact: Bill Robbins, IBM,
512-823-1779)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - IBM Offers Special LAN Server For Multimedia
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00008)
Comdex - IBM Offers Special LAN Server For Multimedia 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Pointing out that
multimedia applications put special demands on local area
networks (LANs), IBM has launched a version of its LAN Server
operating system intended for multimedia use.
One of the key points about LAN Server Ultimedia is that it
recognizes that when a running multimedia application needs
video or audio data from a LAN server, it requires that data
immediately.
Wally Casey, director of marketing for Personal Software Products
at IBM, said multimedia is, "About to explode, but one of the
problems you have with that is that multimedia has an enormous
bandwidth."
At a press conference during Comdex/Fall, IBM demonstrated
full-motion video being displayed on two PCs, with the signal
coming from a network server. One PC was set up with the standard
version of LAN Server, while the other was equipped with LAN
Server Ultimedia. As other applications were started up to bring
the load on the network close to capacity, the video on the
standard LAN Server machine began slowing down and becoming
jerky. The video on the other PC did not.
John Albee, brand manager for Ultimedia products at IBM,
explained that LAN Server Ultimedia gives higher priority to
multimedia applications so the data they need in real time is
delivered fast enough to keep the presentation going.
Full-motion video displays require that the screen be rewritten
30 times every second. Some other products cope with the demands
on the network by "scaling" the video display to fewer frames per
second, but IBM said its software is the only offering that takes
the other approach -- guaranteeing the multimedia application the
bandwidth it needs.
The software supports Ethernet and Token Ring networks, and works
with client PCs running DOS, Microsoft Windows, and OS/2, company
officials said.
The software is due to be available in early December, at a list
price of $3,195 for the first server and $3,015 for each
additional server. LAN Server 3.0 Advanced is needed to run the
product.
(Grant Buckler/19931118/Press Contact: Deborah R. Wood,
IBM, 512-823-3258; Public Contact: IBM, 800-3IBM-OS2 or
800-887-7771)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00009)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 11/19/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
November 15's Telephony says that DARPA or the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency has selected Bell Atlantic Federal
Systems to manage a four-year, $12.7 million contract to build
and operate a high-speed data testbed linking DARPA, NASA, the
Defense Information Systems Agency, the Defense Intelligence
Agency, The NSA, and the Naval Research Laboratory.
Network World for November 15 says that SunNet Manager will get a
new core of object capabilities from NetLabs Inc. These will add
a distributed object-oriented manager, support for cooperative
management domains, and support for hundreds thousands of nodes.
Computerworld puts IBM's "humanized" PCs on the front page,
describing the new voice interface "conversational surrogate"
as a Max Headroom-like virtual person which will use facial
expressions to make its responses more user-friendly.
(John McCormick/19931119)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/19/93
GOVT
NIST Technology Program Guide On Internet
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00010)
NIST Technology Program Guide On Internet 11/19/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- A new 116-page
"one-stop" industry guide to NIST (National Institute of Standards
and Technology) programs and services is now available either in
print or electronic form.
NIST, a division of the US Department of Commerce, helps set
standards and develop new technology both through its own work
and from coordinating and funding other research projects.
Cost-shared funding for commercially significant projects is one
major way that NIST works with US research and development
companies which are developing high-risk technologies. However,
to participate, companies need to know what projects are being
pursued and this information is contained in the free "Guide to
NIST."
Interested parties can obtain a copy of the report by sending a
self-addressed label to the NIST Public Affairs Division, A903
Administration Building, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD 20899. The
fax number is 301-926-1630.
The NIST report is also available electronically on the Internet
Gopher system. Instructions for locating the file are: key in
"telnetgopher.nist.gov", answer the log-in prompt with "gopher"
or, if logging in from a gopher client, use the gopher server as
"gopherserver.nist.gov" with port 70 (access information
supplied by NIST).
(John McCormick/19931119/Press Contact: NIST,
301-975-2762)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/19/93
IBM
****Comdex - PowerPC, Workplace OS Central To IBM
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00011)
****Comdex - PowerPC, Workplace OS Central To IBM 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- If IBM is ever able
to unify its fragmented product line, it will probably be around
the company's PowerPC microprocessors and its forthcoming
Workplace OS operating system.
IBM was reportedly discussing products and strategy with some
1,800 customers, resellers, and other business contacts from
around the world at a series of breakfast meetings during
Comdex/Fall. The company also held a press briefing for
reporters.
"To achieve the full benefit of (the PowerPC architecture), it must
be able to pervade the entire IBM product line from the very bottom
to the very top," said James Cannavino, newly appointed senior
vice-president for strategy and development.
Later, Lee Reiswig, president of IBM's Personal Software
Products (PSP) division, said the company is, "Going to scale
Workplace OS as far as we can across the product line."
Specifically, Cannavino said the group that builds IBM's midrange
AS/400 computers is already planning a move to the PowerPC
architecture.
At the same time, Cannavino was careful to reassure users of the
company's current PCs that it will not soon abandon the Intel
processors that are the current personal computer standard. He was
also cautious in discussing plans for Workplace OS, a new operating
system that IBM is building around a micro-kernel developed in
cooperation with Carnegie-Mellon University, and AIX, its variant
of Unix.
IBM will continue developing those systems in parallel with
Workplace OS, a system that will be able to take on multiple OS
"personalities" and run software written for Unix, OS/2, Windows,
or Apple Computer Inc.'s Macintosh.
Cannavino said IBM is working to have Workplace OS ready for
release in 1994, but added "we will serve no wine before its time."
The first release will be for PowerPC systems, he said, "To
complement our existing Intel investment."
While Cannavino maintained Workplace OS will not replace OS/2 or
AIX -- and IBM Chairman Louis Gerstner echoed that message in a
video shown to customers and reporters -- Cannavino's comments
made clear that customers using either OS/2 or AIX will be able to
migrate to Workplace OS, and in the long term it could become the
upgrade path for both sets of users.
IBM is not standing still on OS/2, though. The company announced
OS/2 for Symmetric Multiprocessing (OS/2 SMP), a version of the
operating system that will run on multiple-processor systems.
Wally Casey, director of marketing for Personal Software
Products at IBM, said this will enter beta testing by year-end with
a number of independent software vendors. It will support as
many as 16 processors.
(Grant Buckler/19931116/Press Contact: Rob Crawley,
IBM, 512-823-1779)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Toronto Firm Rebuilds PCs, Moving To Software
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00012)
Comdex - Toronto Firm Rebuilds PCs, Moving To Software 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A, 1993, NOV 19 (NB) -- LCC Computers
Inc., recycles computers. The Toronto-based company replaces
components -- processors, disk drives, memory, monitors -- to
upgrade obsolete systems so they can continue to be used.
Don Fetherstonhaugh, vice-president of sales for the Western
region at LCC, said his company was the first to offer this kind of
service, though it has a number of competitors now. Its ability to
do so is due in part to a new open-mindedness at IBM, which is now
willing to sell LCC motherboards and other components for use in
upgrading used IBM systems.
Launched in November, 1991, LCC has sold more than 7,000 of its
rebuilt computers, Fetherstonhaugh said. Sales were $2.9 million
in the first year, $12.6 million in the second year, and is shooting
for $22 million this year.
Fetherstonhaugh attributes the company's success so far to tough
economic times and the fact that many companies can no longer hand
down older PCs to those who formerly had none -- because the hand-
me-downs have trickled down through the whole organization.
"People are just getting tired of throwing stuff away," he said.
However, LCC is not relying entirely on rebuilding hardware. The
company is now moving into software, Fetherstonhaugh said,
developing a package that will let corporate microcomputer
managers keep track of the configurations of networked PCs and
monitor their performance. This software -- which can do such
things as track the amount of time each application package is
being run each day -- will help managers work out what personal
computers may need upgrading.
A DOS version of the software is available now, and an OS/2
version is under development, Fetherstonhaugh said.
The Canadian company is now doing a significant portion of its
business in the US, he added, though officials believe there is
still room for further growth here.
(Grant Buckler/19931116/Press Contact: LCC Computers,
800-265-3552)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/18/93
IBM
Comdex - Leading Edge PCs Add VESA Local Bus
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00013)
Comdex - Leading Edge PCs Add VESA Local Bus 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- At Comdex,
Leading Edge has announced the addition of advanced features to
its WinTower 486 and WinPro 486e line of PCs that are aimed at
boosting performance for sophisticated multimedia applications
and graphics-intensive CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/
manufacturing) programs.
The WinTower minitower systems for networks and power users,
and the WinPro 486e desktop and multimedia systems, have all been
enhanced with VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association)
local bus capability. Further, the WinTower 486 now incorporates
VESA local bus Windows accelerator video and integrated IDE
(Integrated Drive Electronics) interface technologies, officials
said in making the announcement.
The updated systems are being offered in several configurations
based on Intel's 486SX/25, 486SX/33, 486DX/33, 486DX2/50, and
486DX2/66 megahertz (MHz) processors. The WinTower 486 is also
Pentium OverDrive ready, with a 238-pin upgrade socket.
Upcoming WinTower 486 models will be equipped with a VL-bus IDE
drive interface on the motherboard, designed to provide hard drive
data transfer rate improvements of up to 280 percent over standard
IDE controller technologies.
Other new features for WinTower will include two 32-bit VESA
expansion slots. One of the two VESA slots will house a Windows
accelerator Super VGA controller, aimed at improving video
performance, especially on Windows applications, by offloading
processing power from the central processing unit to the
graphics board.
The Windows accelerator video controller will support up to 16.8
million colors and bring graphics performance to as much as
20.4 million Winmarks, according to officials. The second VESA
slot will be available for custom configuration.
"The combination of the VESA local bus IDE interface and Windows
accelerator video controller will provide accelerated hard drive
throughput and enhanced graphics for the power desktop user,"
said Steve Elias, director of product development.
WinTower 486 is also useful as a cost-effective file server for
small- to medium-sized businesses, Elias maintained.
The enhanced WinTower 486 systems will feature four megabytes
(MB) of main memory, expandable to 64MB on the motherboard, plus
a ZIF (zero insertion force) socket for quick microprocessor
upgrades.
Other capabilities will include: 1MB of video RAM (expandable to
2MB), 64 kilobytes (KB) external cache (upgradable to 256KB),
flashBIOS for field upgrades, five drive bays, four 16-bit ISA
(Industry Standard Architecture) expansion slots, dual floppy
drives, one parallel port, two serial ports, and a mouse.
The updated WinPro 486e desktop and multimedia systems will
provide two VESA local bus sockets: one socket for the VL-bus
video card, providing up to 1024-by-768 resolution and 1MB
of video RAM (upgradable to 2 MB); and the second socket
available for custom configuration.
The WinPro systems will also supply 4 MB of main memory
(expandable to 32 MB), a 170MB hard drive, a 169-pin low insertion
force (LIF) socket for Intel OverDrive microprocessors, and
optional external cache up to 256KB.
The systems also offer dual floppy drives, four drive bays, four
16-bit expansion slots, one parallel port, two serial ports, one
mouse port, a 101-key keyboard, and a mouse.
To the capabilities offered by the WinPro 486e desktop systems, the
486e multimedia systems add a Philips LMS CD-ROM drive, a Media
Vision Pro Audio Spectrum 16 audio board, stereo speakers, and
headphones.
All Leading Edge systems are sold with pre-installed software,
including Microsoft Windows 3.1, MS-DOS 6.2, MS-Works for
Windows, MS-Money, MS-Productivity Pack, MS-Entertainment
Pack 4, and Leading Edgue Utilities Control Center.
Pricing on the updated systems is expected to start at $1,359 for
the WinTower 486, $1,059 for the Winpro 486e desktop systems,
and $1,649 for the Winpro 486e multimedia systems.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931118/Reader contact: Leading Edge, 508-
836-4800; Press Contacts: Susan Zephir, Leading Edge, 508-836-
4800 ext 1219; Amelie Gardella or Nick Berents, Copihorne &
Bellows for Leading Edge, 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Dealers Predict Larger Monitor Use
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00014)
Comdex - Dealers Predict Larger Monitor Use 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- What do dealers
and resellers see in their "crystal balls" for monitors? The results
of a survey held on the opening day of Comdex are now in, and the
findings indicate a trend toward stronger sales of large monitors.
A vast majority of the more than 200 dealers and resellers
questioned in the Mitsubishi-sponsored study perceived a swing
toward the bigger computer screens (93 percent), and more than
half (56 percent) thought the movement to be most prevalent
from 14- to 17-inch monitors.
Dealers and resellers rated 14-inch models as the best selling
products at present, with 15- and 17-inch displays ranking
second and third, respectively.
"But we envision that in the near future, 17-inch models will
become the top-selling size, given the inclination towards bigger
monitors," stated Craig Sloss, product marketing manager for the
Display Products group.
In response to a question on which monitor features are most
important, high-resolution ranked first, followed by flicker-
free (high refresh rate) display and multiscan capability.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931118/Press contact: Alejandro
Hernandez, Mitsubishi News Bureau, 800-828-6372)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - Turn Any Computer Into A Pen-Based Computer
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00015)
Comdex - Turn Any Computer Into A Pen-Based Computer 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- FTG Systems
says it can turn any computer into a pen-based computer. To prove
it, the company had a caricature artist sketching portraits of
Comdex attendees directly onto the surface of a standard
computer monitor using a graphics software package and its
Pendirect hardware.
FTG says it offers a variety of pen input devices for
connection to either an Apple Macintosh or IBM compatible
personal computer (PC). The hardware, in the form of a box the
size of a paperback book, simply plugs into the serial port of a
PC or the ADB port of a Macintosh. A light pen then connects to
the box. The user may use the pen directly on the computer
screen.
Tony Park, one of the artists, told Newsbytes the pen interface
worked well for him. When asked if he would like the computer
laying down with the monitor up instead of facing him on a
desktop, Park said either would be fine.
Those PC users interested in adding Microsoft's Pen Extensions
for Windows to their system can find Pendirect products with
the software included for less than $500. The company also
offers pens with different weights, appearance, and sensitivity,
including a pen that works like an artist's airbrush. Interface
boards for installation inside the PC that connect to the pens
are also available.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931119/Press Contact: Douglas Lippincott,
FTG Data Systems, tel 714-995-3900, fax 714-995-3839)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
GENERAL
Comdex - An Overview
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00016)
Comdex - An Overview 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Comdex is always
filled with wonders and intrigue. This year was no exception. For
perspective, Newsbytes talked to some show veterans and
newcomers.
One of the newcomers is comedian Gallagher, who said the aim of
Comdex should be a "calm desk." This was echoed by IBM Personal
Computer Co. Vice President Joseph Formichelli, who said the
industry is just waking up to its responsibilities, not only to
the world but for the world its work has made. So he has coined the
term "natural computing." That means computers should be simple,
easy to buy, use, and service. They should also be comfortable --
meaning ergonomic and generating good feelings -- and their
makers should be responsible, recycle and be "good corporate
citizens."
Said Formichelli, "They'll be a big switch thrown and people will
understand it. You've got to design it into the products, into the
plants and into the companies."
This was the year Hollywood came to Comdex. Those who attended
the 7th Level reception spent the rest of the week comparing notes
on celebrities they had seen. A partial list included Penn Jillette
of "Penn and Teller," Linda Ronstadt, Quincy Jones, Steve Winwood,
and Shelley Duvall.
Visicalc creator, and current Slate Corp., vice president, Dan
Bricklin, said the trends come down to one term -- new media.
New Media encompasses anything beyond letters and numbers,
including desktop video, video art, CD-ROMs, even the best part
of pen computing. "The one thing people caught onto with pens is
electronic ink, and that's a New Medium," he explained.
Handwriting recognition may not have been ready for prime time,
but handwriting does offer "control and free form input, compared
to old types of data." The mass market now understands this as a
big business, and some analysts argue that computing will never
be the same.
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931118)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
REVIEW GENERAL
Review of - Forminco Personal Workstation, Model PW-1L
(REVIEW)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00017)
Review of - Forminco Personal Workstation, Model PW-1L 11/19/93
From: Forminco Inc., 9610-A Ignace., Brossard, Quebec, Canada,
J4Y 2R4 514. Telephone: 514- 444-9488; Fax: 514-444-9378
Price: $249
PUMA Rating: 3.95 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Dana Blankenhorn
Summary: The best computer desk yet, designed with real users in
mind. But no one's perfect.
======
REVIEW
======
Let's admit some bias up-front. I loved the Forminco desk the
first time I saw it, at the Fall 1991 Comdex. The model shown
then was the company's biggest model, the Power Center, which
includes space for a printer, along with a Forminco chair, and a
footrest that doubles as a massager. Many Comdexers may also
remember the Forminco desk from the last Spring Comdex, when
IBM offered use of both the Personal Work Station and chair as
part of its "OS/2 Test Drive Center."
But when the review unit arrived, I kept my skeptic's hat on. As
with a lot of furniture these days, the Forminco desk comes from
UPS in a box, as pieces, and takes time to build. I was stymied
right away, when it turned out two of the main parts, which act
as the front and back end of the desk, were mislabeled. My wife,
who is far more mechanically-literate -- and more computer-
literate -- than I, figured that out in about three seconds. She
then did most of the assembly work, requiring only a Philips-head
screwdriver and some Allen wrenches which came with the unit.
She found the instructions straightforward, and the rest of the
pieces each to find and assemble. She did it while I slept, and I
found a nice note the next morning. "I didn't put the wheels on
'cause I couldn't tighten the four screws under the table top,"
she wrote. "Then you can read how to adjust this thing for you."
Jenni always gets a PUMA rating of 4.0 from me.
We next called in Tommy Bass, a Newsbytes reviewer, to finish
the work. He had no problem with the wheels. His problem came in
mounting the main computer unit onto the desk. He called
Forminco, and learned that there were two small pieces whose
assembly hadn't been documented because of improvements made in
the unit after the documents were printed. He found the customer
service people who helped him to be knowledgeable and friendly.
He also enjoyed their Quebecois accents -- he's from south
Georgia.
The second problem came when he followed the customer service
folks' directions. With the Forminco desk, the computer's main
box is mounted on its side, and lashed to the main desk. Tommy
found that the plate which holds the box on the bottom -- the
side opposite the floppy disks -- was narrower than the box
itself. This meant he needed my help while he lashed the top
using the "CPU (central processing unit) clamp assembly," the part
whose use hadn't been documented yet. Pulling the two clamps
apart far enough so they would be secure against the box and he
could turn a knob holding it fast took real strength. It was also
just a bit scary, since I had to hold my precious box on that short
lower plate while Tommy worked above me. When we brought this
up with Forminco, they took careful notes, and I think they may
change the design.
Once everything was done, I fell in love all over again. The
black metal is attractive. The design is very adjustable. As I
write this, my monitor sits on top of a MasterPiece Plus "power
station" which acts as a surge protector, next to my CD-ROM drive
and modem. There's plenty of room in front of the monitor for my
Far Side desk calendar and a few papers. I'm left-handed, and the
desk can be set-up that way, or right-handed. In my case, to the
left of the monitor I've placed my phone, a standard residential
desk-set, and there are Velcro strips to secure it. The phone is
now very convenient to my hand while I work. On the left of the
keyboard is a "Mouse Arena," with a wire holder for the mouse
cord. There's a tiny wrist-rest in front of the arena, and plenty
of room for my mouse to roam. The keyboard rest is also
adjustable, using a handle which sits just under the tabletop.
The keyboard can be put under the desk at the end of the day,
using a handle, and my 5-year old, Robin, has plenty of strength
to work it. She also found using the mouse on programs like
"Reader Rabbit 3" a pleasure, something that wasn't true with my
old desk.
You want your keyboard height to adjust in such a way that your
hands are not bent up as you work, but slide across the keyboard.
That's the best way to avoid carpal-tunnel syndrome. Since you
can adjust the keyboard during the day with the Forminco desk,
you now have no excuses. Another round utility area, to the right
of the keyboard, swings away from the CPU when you need to insert
floppies, and has enough space to hold a full-size notebook
comfortably. It can also hold coffee cups and soda cans away from
the computer, but close to the hand.
The best part of this desk is yet to come. If your company does a
lot of moves and changes, you really need this desk. For one
thing, it has wheels. For another, there's a cable spooler below
the tabletop around which you can wind all those extra wires
which go between parts of the computer. This means the floor
stays clean. When you need to move the computer, simply unplug
the phone and power from the wall, unplug the printer cable,
detach the network connection if you have one, and vamoose.
The only problem may be getting out a door, but removing the Mouse
Arena and utility area takes just a few moments, and the rest of
the desk slides through easily. What had been a two-hour job for
two people now takes one person two minutes. Plus, as we said,
your workers have more protection from carpal tunnel syndrome
and other hazards which can raise health-care costs.
Of course, everyone's set-up is different. I mentioned my
MasterPiece power center, and its position below the monitor.
This lifts the monitor to a position about level with my head,
from one about three inches below it. Since the tabletop itself is
not adjustable and I can't raise my current chair any higher,
this means I have a glare on the screen, near the top. I can cut
that glare by turning off my overhead light, but that won't work
at night -- I wouldn't be able to see the keyboard. The situation
now is no worse than it was before the desk came, but the point
is that the table-top itself is the one thing you can't adjust. A
higher chair would help, if I left the keyboard locked into its
highest position, but that's something I'll have to buy later.
Another answer is to sit-up straight and not slouch so much.
Forminco also offers answers. An optional Riser Monitor, which
retails at $79, attaches to the back of the desk and can give you
additional adjustment options. The company's EAC Chair, at $349,
goes up and down so you can get above the monitor situation.
There's also a bi-focal mount system, which unfortunately is only
available through the contract market so far, which lets you
mount the monitor below the surface of the desk. That's where a
lot of Big Cheeses want theirs these days.
One other minor quibble is that, since all the parts are metal
and the keyboard is attached to the tabletop, and because I tend
to pound pretty heavily on the keyboard and have a wood floor
without a carpet, the monitor bounces a bit when I type. Come to
think of it, so does the phone. This is no big deal, but it's
something you should be aware of.
Here's the bottom line, however. I get a lot of stuff in here for
review. There are very few things I'd gladly pay to keep after I
review them. Memo to Forminco -- send me a bill. And let me see
one of those chairs and footrests. I'm sold.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: 3.9. I have only minor quibbles, based on the
system I've chosen to use.
USEFULNESS: 4.0. You need a desk like this, especially if your
company does a lot of moves-and-changes. If your home-based
business is making money, remember this is a valid expense at
tax-time.
MANUAL: 3.9. The set-up directions are crystal-clear, but there
were a few pieces which changed and weren't documented.
Fortunately the company's customer service people came to the
rescue.
AVAILABILITY: 4.0. Forminco has an 800-number and a growing list
of re-sellers. Also it's available through IBM Direct, their new
mail-order operation.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931021/Press contact: Gayle Ferland,
Forminco, 514-444-9488)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
BUSINESS
Review of - "CEO - Building A $400 Million Company"
(REVIEW)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00018)
Review of - "CEO - Building A $400 Million Company" 11/19/93
From: Written by Sandra Kurtzig with Tom Parker, W. W. Norton &
Company, 500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110. Book number:
ISBN 0-393-02963-8.
Price: $22.95 Hardcover.
PUMA Rating: (1 lowest, 4 highest) 4.0
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Linda Rohrbough
Summary: Sandra Kurtzig, the woman who took $2,000 and built
$400,000,000 ASK Computer, has written with Tom Parker one of
the most insightful, detailed, and personally encouraging
autobiographies I have ever read.
======
REVIEW
======
It's difficult to imagine that anyone who starts a $400 million
a year software company is ordinary, especially if it's a
woman. And yet that's the way Sandra Kurtzig, the woman who
started ASK Computer, views herself according to her
autobiography, CEO: Building a $400 Million Company From The
Ground Up.
I talked with Sandra, and besides having a personality that is
warm and unimposing, she's one of the most practical people
I've had the pleasure of meeting. When she offered to send me
her book, I took her up on it.
Sandra Kurtzig was a 24 year-old working wife when she
decided to start writing software in the spare bedroom of her
apartment. She was meeting a critical need companies had to
track their business via computer, and her software
tracked data such as orders, bills of materials, and inventory.
It was on that need that Sandra built ASK Computer, the
company she recently stepped out of altogether.
In an interview upon her resignation as chairman of the board
at ASK, I asked her what was most different in running a
small company from running a huge corporation. The constant
worrying and watching you have to do to keep from being sued
was her answer.
She also said that if you have a half-way compelling product,
you can sell it, even if you're a small company. The trick is
selling people on yourself. This book is the story of how
Sandra sold herself and her product.
I found the book as compelling as a good novel with
foreshadowing and a catch at the end of each chapter that kept
you turning to the next one. But I read it to compare myself to
Sandra, as I suppose most people do when they read
autobiographical material. What I discovered is Sandra is
ordinary, but in an extraordinary way.
It's almost become a cliche to talk about focus and hard work
making the difference, but it's obvious that Sandra's
determination and hard work had a lot to do with ASK's success.
She's also fearless -- not afraid to try and not afraid to be
uncomfortable or take risks. Sandra went as far as to set up
cots, actually sleeping at Hewlett-Packard when she was working
on an important system in the early years.
One of the most encouraging items to me in the book was
Sandra's description of when ASK went public. It wasn't her
brilliant maneuvering or timing that impressed me, it was her
fingernails. She said earlier in the book that she and her team
didn't understand the "dress for success" principles, but I
didn't understand what she meant until I read how her
investment banker took her aside and asked her to cut her long
red fingernails and paint them with clear polish before they
went on the road with her IPO.
When I read that, I suddenly understood why she'd been mistaken
for a secretary by men all through the book, having read the
dress for success materials myself. She cut her nails, though
she didn't want to, but I suddenly got a glimpse of something
new. Sandra Kurtzig made it warts and all. She didn't have to
be perfect to succeed and neither does anyone else. Sandra said
when she'd hear the phrase, "What's a nice girl like you doing
in a business like this?" she'd simply smile and think to
herself, "I'm going to get your business and your respect."
She used those qualities about herself that were different to
get herself and her products attention in a "man's" world. She
had a robot at a company function (it was remotely controlled
with a person behind it using a microphone to speak to guests)
follow the key person in a business deal around the room. In
the end, she simply instructed the person running the robot to
ask for his business. Did she get the account? Yes. But she
didn't make a big deal or an issue out of being a woman. She
just doggedly did what she instinctively knew to do.
I suppose the best example of Sandra's instincts is when she
went out to buy a sports car, as a symbol of her success. She
wore a jogging suit down to a dealer of exotic cars in Los
Gatos and chose the sleek red one that everyone was standing
around. It was a Ferrari. She drove the car, liked it and asked
how much. The dealer said she should make him an offer. Her
guesses were $100,000 or maybe $50,000 but she didn't know.
Did she guess? No -- she made a few calls, but when she couldn't
reach any of her knowledgeable friends, she went to the library
and called another Ferrari dealer.
The catch was the other Ferrari dealer said the same thing,
make me an offer. So Sandra said she didn't want to waste her
time or his and she wouldn't pay a penny over $60,000. The
dealer agreed. So she kept calling Ferrari dealers, lowering
her offer by $5,000 each time until a dealer said, "Lady, if
you can get someone to sell you a three-oh-eight GTSI for
$40,000, go for it."
She then walked back across the street to the Ferrari dealer
and offered $38,000. She said the man acted "aghast," like she
was taking advantage of his good nature. But after some
negotiations, she got her Ferrari and for less than $40,000.
Harvard Business School's Smaller Company Management Program
was one of Sandra's stops on her way to success when ASK was
eight years old, to fill in the gaps in her knowledge. She
started as the person with the smallest company and ended her
course of study as the person with the most successful company.
Sandra wasn't shy about getting information when she needed it
and she's not shy about sharing it in her book. The detail in
the book is great. If you've ever wondered about doing an IPO
or what a "red herring" is, this is definitely the book to read.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: 4.0. It reads like a novel, pulling the reader from
one chapter to the next, even though at the outset, the ending
is obvious.
USEFULNESS: 4.0. I found it personally encouraging, but it also
has a lot of detail on the making of a large company.
AVAILABILITY: 4.0. I understand Sandra's book is coming out in
paperback from the Harvard Business School Press in May of
1994. Until then it is only available in hardcover.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931110/Press Contact: Renate' Steiner,
ASK Group, tel 415-969-4442, fax 415-968-1354)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
000 11/19/93
UNIX
Comdex - SunSoft Ports Solaris x86 To Unisys U
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00019)
Comdex - SunSoft Ports Solaris x86 To Unisys U6000 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- At Comdex,
SunSoft announced plans to port Solaris 2 to IBM's Power PC
environment and Solaris x86 to the Intel processor-based Unisys
U6000 Series of Unix systems. In addition, SunSoft and Locus
Computing Corp. have agreed to provide the Merge PC compatibility
environment for the Solaris x86 and Interactive Unix environments.
Merge PC will let users run DOS and Windows 3.1 applications
under both Solaris and Interactive Unix, said John G. Felahi,
director of x86 product marketing, in an interview with
Newsbytes.
Solaris is now in version 2.3 on the Sparc platform, while
Solaris x86 for Intel processors is still in version 2.1, he told
Newsbytes. The first release of Solaris x86, announced in June
for Unixware, has already sold about 30,000 copies, according to
Felahi.
In the spring of 1994, SunSoft plans to deliver version 2.4 of
both Solaris for Sparc and Solaris x86 for Intel-based systems,
he added. The port of Solaris 2 to PowerPC will also come in
1994.
Solaris x86 version 2.4 will incorporate the enhancements made in
Solaris for Sparc 2.3, including improved database performance,
a new cache file system, increased security, and support for a
higher client/server ratio.
More than 500 third-party applications are scheduled to ship or
Solaris x86 by the end of the year, Newsbytes was told.
Solaris x86 and Solaris 2 for the PowerPC environment will also
run Microsoft Windows applications through SunSelect's Wabi, a
technology that uses a mixture of native execution and emulation.
IBM's PowerPC environment will run four other operating systems,
as well: AIX, Workplace OS, Windows NT, and Taligent. AIX will
also employ Wabi to run Windows applications on PowerPC.
Also on PowerPC, OS/2 will be supported natively via Workplace
OS. DOS applications will be supported on Workplace OS via the
same type of Multiple Virtual DOS Machines as on OS/2 2.1.
DOS applications will be supported on AIX via PC Sim, and
Macintosh applications using a Macintosh emulation technology
that is the result of a cooperative effort between Apple and IBM.
Windows NT support for DOS applications will be the same as for
all versions of NT.
Availability of Merge PC for Solaris x86 and Interactive Unix is
expected in the first quarter of 1994, Felahi told Newsbytes.
Merge PC will run Windows applications under OpenWindows via
X11 and will also operate DOS VGA applications in full-screen
mode. Merge PC will support Windows 3.0 and 3.1, MS-DOS 5.0,
and DR DOS 6.0.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931119/Press contact: Emily Wanderer
Cohen, Hi Tech Communications for SunSoft, 415-904-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
GENERAL
Comdex - FileWizard Manages Novell Network Storage
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00020)
Comdex - FileWizard Manages Novell Network Storage 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Knozall
Systems says it is offering FileWizard, a product to help Novell
network administrators efficiently use existing storage space
as well as predicting when and how much storage will be needed
in the future. The company claims the product can reclaim 30
percent or more of server file space on any Novell network.
FileWizard performs a disk space analysis then allows the
network administrator to perform housekeeping functions, such
as deleting or archiving old files. The product also maintains
a history of file activity from which it predicts the future.
Bill Kroll, a representative for Knozall, told Newsbytes that,
"FileWizard can accurately forecast when any given file server
will be out of space based on the actual usage history." This
feature is useful for determining how much additional storage
space is needed on a network, so money is not wasted on too
little storage space, or too much.
The product also performs unattended and lists of files meeting
a certain criteria, such as those that have not been touched for
180 days, can be sent out to everyone on the network to give
notice that the files will be deleted on a certain date.
FileWizard retails for $495 in a single server version and goes
up to $2,195 for a corporate version. The Chandler, Arizona-
based company also offers scheduling software for automating
tasks on the network with its NLMAuto and MLMAuto Professional.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931119/Press Contact: Gail Lundell, Knozall
Systems, tel 602-545-0006, fax 602-545-0008)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
GOVT
****Clinton Approves Cray Supercomputer For China
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00021)
****Clinton Approves Cray Supercomputer For China 11/19/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- As President Clinton
takes his win on NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement),
with him to use as leverage with Asiatic trading partners at the
Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation conference being held in
Seattle, Washington, he is faced not just with Japan's trade
barriers, but with the US Administration's traditional human
rights stand, which angers Chinese officials.
However, another weapon in his armory is the approval for sale
by Cray Computer of a $10 million supercomputer to China.
After years of negotiation, Communist China has finally
won permission to purchase and install a powerful Cray
supercomputer which the government says will be used only
for weather prediction.
Successive US Presidents have opposed this sale because of
China's human rights violations, as well as concerns over whether
Chinese scientists and military would use the supercomputer for
chemical and/or nuclear weapons research -- the two other major
uses of such a computer besides weather forecasting.
The Clinton administration says that the sale provides for rigid
controls which will limit the use of the Cray computer to
meteorological studies. However, precise details of just how such
controls could be enforced once the computer is installed in China
were not provided.
Political observers point out that China continues to sell
advanced weapons technologies to third-world countries and that
there is little or no likelihood that the Communist government
will suddenly agree to stop such sales.
The US Department of Commerce also approved sale of a
supercomputer to Iraq, by way of a Brazilian intermediary, just
weeks before the start of Operation Desert Shield, which led to
armed conflict between US coalition forces and Iraq during
Operation Desert Storm.
(John McCormick/19931119)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
GOVT
AT&T Videophone To Be Used In Arizona Courts
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00022)
AT&T Videophone To Be Used In Arizona Courts 11/19/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- The municipal (city)
courts in Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Gilbert, and Chandler Arizona
(the Greater Phoenix area) have selected the AT&T Videophone
2500 to provide an inexpensive substitute for, what they hope
will eventually become, a full teleconferencing network linking
courts, jails, and police stations.
The criminal justice system expects to experience significant
savings by having prisoners arrested and held in custody in one
of the Phoenix-area jurisdictions make their initial court
appearance by videophone rather than having to be transported
to every jurisdiction where he or she may face an outstanding
warrant.
Initially the videophones will be installed in each of the five
regional municipal courts, along with jails and police stations,
but plans call for an expansion of the system to other nearby
municipal courts, county jails, and even offices of Justices of
the Peace.
The Videophone 2500 is a full color, motion video picture phone
which operates over standard telephone lines and connects to
existing RJ-11 phone sockets. It draws power from standard
electrical outlets. Single units retail for $1,000 each.
(John McCormick/19931118/Press Contact: Ray Zardetto,
AT&T, 201-581-4342)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
GOVT
****COCOM Votes Itself Out Of Existence
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00023)
****COCOM Votes Itself Out Of Existence 11/19/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- As predicted previously by
Newsbytes, COCOM -- the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral
Export Controls -- has voted itself out of existence. The move has
immediately been welcomed by both Western and Eastern nations
alike.
Cocom, which was set up in 1949 (after World War II) to prevent
Eastern Bloc countries from gaining access to Western technology
goods, has had an increasingly lessening reason to exist in the last
few years after the end of the Cold War and the opening up of the
former Eastern Bloc to democracy. Over the last two years in
particular, COCOM has busied itself with actively promoting
exports to the East, rather than blocking them.
Analysts are divided on whether, overall, COCOM has achieved what it
set out to do. The advent of PC technology in the early 1980s meant
that Russians, Poles and other Eastern Bloc citizens were unable to
lay their hands on even an 8086/8-based PC from the West until
late in the decade.
The result was predictable. Russians gained access to PCs illegally
imported from the West and set up production lines to clone the
machines without permission. The so-called Red PC, seen in Russia
in the mid-1980s, was a classic example.
Western PC manufacturers were incensed at this cloning -- not only
were they deprived of what they saw as a legitimate export market
in the East, but they had to stand by and watch helplessly as their
technology was being virtually stolen. Western nations, because of
the Cold War, were unable to pursue the cloning companies due to
a lack of inter-country agreements on copyright.
Speaking in Moscow recently, Grigory Karasin, the Russian
Foreign Ministry administrator, said that he welcomed the abolition
of COCOM, but felt that it was a little late in the day for such
actions. He added that this was only the beginning of the Ministry's
lobbying plan for removal of all East/West trade barriers.
"Russia will insist on the immediate lifting of all restrictions on
export of commodities and dual technology to our country imposed
for ideological reasons," Karasin said in a prepared statement.
Officially, COCOM will take some time to disband, with the 17
countries that make up the technology control organization voting to
formally abolish the group on March 3, in line with COCOM rules of
the organization. In practice, however, the rules should be lifted
by the end of this year.
COCOM officials have said in the past that they hoped that COCOM
would diversify its field of operations so as to formally promote
high-tech exports to the former East, rather than hinder them.
Newsbytes notes that the majority of the 17 nations' governments
have voted to discontinue funding of COCOM from next March,
effectively squashing this plan.
Karasin said that Russia was still open to discussion on the
creation of a new organization to assist in high-tech exports, but
privately, has acknowledged that such an organization would be
difficult to fund.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931119)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - Good English's Text Style Checking For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00024)
Comdex - Good English's Text Style Checking For Windows 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Comdex has been
a great success, according to Richard Jones, managing director of
The Good English Company, a St Charles, Illinois-based company.
Jones, who is the MD of Absolute Research, the UK publishing
and consultancy house, launched his new firm, The Good English
Company, at Comdex. The firm offered a package called
Stylewriter onto the US market for the first time.
Stylewriter, a Windows-based PC application, claims to be a lot
more than a grammar checker. "It's a style checker that helps users
simplify and enhance their writing using proven techniques drawn
from educational sources in the UK," Jones told Newsbytes.
According to Jones, the $145 package is unique on both sides of the
Atlantic and, after selling the package in the UK and getting
excellent feedback, he decided to take the plunge and start selling
in the US as well.
"We've found Comdex to be excellent, both in terms of numbers
attending, but also in the quality of the attendees. Instead of
finding company staff coming to our stand, we've had MDs and key
decision markers walking up to our stand and asking about our
software," he said.
This, Jones added, has meant that The Good English Company expects
to more than break even on Comdex, despite the relatively high cost
of exhibiting at the show. "It's been a very good first foray for us
into the US market," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931119/Press & Public Contact: The Good English
Company, 800-819-9876)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - Printing Faxes On Printers The Easy Way
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00025)
Comdex - Printing Faxes On Printers The Easy Way 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Teledisk
Systems claims that its Faxpak unit, a device that adds fax
capabilities to a number of printers, has been greatly enhanced to
cover what the company claims is the widest number of printers
on the market today.
According to officials with the Sausalito, California-based company,
Faxpak is now compatible with the HP Deskjet and Canon Bubblejet
series of printers, as well as Epson and IBM nine- and 24-pin dot-
matrix printers. The existing support for HP and compatible lasers,
as well as the Canon Laser series, has also been enhanced.
Dan Claxton, president of Teledisk, said that Faxpak now makes it
a lot easier for computer users to enjoy plain paper fax facilities,
rather than put up with thermal paper that curls and fades.
"It's an affordable plain paper fax solution that uses an existing
high quality printer and lets users save time and money over
thermal fax output," he explained.
Claxton says that, since plain paper is a lot cheaper than thermal
paper and suffers from none of thermal's disadvantages, that the
Faxpak unit will quickly pay for itself, giving users all the
advantages of plain paper faxes at no cost, once the payback has
been achieved.
Faxpak sells for $299 and is a standalone fax modem with its own
power supply and 768 kilobytes (KB) of memory. This gives the unit
the ability to store up to 40 pages of faxes for when the host
printer is turned off. It is possible, for example, to use the Faxpak
on the road to receive faxes -- using the battery option -- and
then plug the unit into the nearest available printer when available.
Despite the relatively low price tag, Faxpak has an integral
voice/fax switch system that allows users to receive (as well as
make) voice calls on the same line. Officials with the company at
Comdex said that this also allows users to piggy-back the Faxpak
onto a line which already has a fax modem plugged in for outgoing
faxes.
Faxpak does not require a PC to operate, Newsbytes notes. Instead,
the unit either functions on a standalone basis, or plugged into a
compatible printers. Configuring the unit is done by keying in
commands from a touch tone phone.
(Steve Gold/19931119/Press & Public Contact: Teledisk
Systems, tel 415-332-1122, fax 415-332-0122)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - Interactive Lets PC Handle Calls
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00026)
Comdex - Interactive Lets PC Handle Calls 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Voice messaging systems
based on PC technology that function as an automated operator
facility are nothing new. But Interactive, a company showing its
wares at Comdex, claims that its Interactive Communicator is
cheaper and more effective than the competition.
Prototypes of the system were on show at Comdex. The system is a
PC-based voice-activated personal office communications system.
Using voice commands, the system can answer a phone, take
incoming messages and place outgoing calls, as well as
send/receive faxes and multimedia electronic mail (e-mail).
The essence of the system, according to Gary Kappenman, the
company's president, is that it offers voice e-mail on incoming
calls, as well as a host of other facilities, both from the caller
and callee's perspective. The system draws on the power of the
PC to make life easier for the user.
"We are leading the way for the PC to be the center of business
communication and expanding its capabilities as an information
creation device," he explained. "Our mission is to provide products
that enhance business communication," he added.
In use, the system accepts voice commands and speaks the results
of the actions (i.e. "send fax to John" would return a message
"would you like to call again" if the line were busy). The system
can be configured by the user to react under certain situations.
Not unexpectedly, Interactive Communicator requires a powerful
PC to work fully. The unit requires an 80486-based or better PC
running Windows and fitted with additional hardware and software.
Plans call for the system, which is as yet unpriced, to work
with a variety of hardware, meaning that users with existing
telecommunications hardware, such as fax boards and voice
recognition technology, do not need to abandon their existing
system.
(Steve Gold/19931119/Press & Public Contact: Interactive,
tel 605-363-5117, fax 605-363-5102)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/19/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Computerized Foreign Language Conversion
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00027)
Comdex - Computerized Foreign Language Conversion 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Globalink has launched
a wide range of DOS, OS/2, Mac and Unix software at Comdex,
which is capable of translating French, German, Russian and
Spanish to and from English. The Power Translator software is
claimed to be faster, up to 60,000 words an hour, and more
efficient than competing products.
A spokesman for the company, on the show stand at Comdex,
told Newsbytes that one of the problems with language translation
software to date has been the inability to apply fuzzy logic
techniques to translation. Globalink's software, he said, gets round
this by applying known language skill routines to the translated
text file, looking for language idiosyncrasies.
"English is an idiosyncratic language and this makes it possible for
mistakes to occur that cannot be spotted by conventional software.
Our packages look for these potential problems and idiomatically
translate the text," he said.
William Gregory, Globalink's executive vice president, claims that
the company's software will greatly enhance a company's ability to
trade with foreign companies. "In may respects, language represents
the final hurdle to the globalization of business and societies. Our
technology makes it easy for everyone to clear that hurdle," he
explained.
In use, Globalink's software translates documents on a sentence-by-
sentence basis, rather than word-by-word. Despite this, the company
is honest enough to admit that its idiomatic translation routines
are only effective 90 percent of the time. Each version of the
software has 250,000-plus word and general dictionary and is
capable of sourcing and outputting text to/from several word
processors, as well as plain ASCII.
Newsbytes viewed the PC version of Power Translator in the
English/German version. The package runs under DOS (3.1 or later)
and requires at least 450 kilobytes (KB) of memory and 14
megabytes (MB) of hard disk space to function.
Pricing on the Globalink software depends on the platform and
operating system required, as well as the language and the number
of users. Example pricing on the Russian/English version for DOS
is $1,450.
Globalink is based in Fairfax, Virginia and offers support via a
toll-free number (1-800-255-5660) to the US and Canada. The
company has been producing translation software for several years,
but the range announced at Comdex is a new series, Newsbytes
understands.
(Steve Gold/19931119/Press & Public Contact: Globalink, tel
703-273-3866, fax 703-272-3866)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - Theos Intros Multi-User DOS
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00028)
Comdex - Theos Intros Multi-User DOS 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- Theos Software
Corp., has announced that its has spun off its multi-user DOS
operating system software from its networking software. The
package, known as Theos DOS, will sell for $599 for up to five
users, with various site license deals available.
Brian Jackson, national accounts representative with the Walnut
Creek. Californian-based company, said that the idea behind this
version of DOS is to allow users to attach slave dumb terminals off
a high powered PC, rather than have users link low-cost (and low-
power) PCs together using a network.
"Theos DOS is very cost-effective for power users wanting to use a
multi-user DOS. The networking aspects of the operating system are
not proprietary, and support Novell, 3Com and Artisoft LANtastic
networks, meaning users can plug into those networks if required,"
he said.
Power requirements on the host PC are modest for low usage
situations, Newsbytes notes. Two users can use a 33 megahertz (MHz)
386-based PC with 4 megabytes (MB) of memory, while five users
bump up the system requires to a 25 MHz 486-based machine with
8MB of memory.
Up to 16 users can run on a 66 MHz 486-based PC fitted with 24MB of
memory. These system requirements, Newsbytes notes, are based on
a user expecting to get the equivalent performance of an 8 MHz 286-
based PC from the system. Increasing host system hardware
capabilities enhances the actual performance of the operating
system, as does a lower number of users running on the host system
at any one time.
Theos DOS is also compatible with Pentium-based PCs, and can
function across ISA (Industry Standard Architecture), EISA
(Extended ISA) or local bus architecture. The company claims that
the key to the compatibility of the operating system is that it
overlays MS or PC-DOS 3.1 or later, rather than starting from
scratch.
"This approach not only assures compatibility, but also allows users
to make cost-effective use of their existing DOS licenses," Jackson
explained to Newsbytes.
(Steve Gold/19931119/Press & Public Contact: Theos Software
Corporation, tel 510-935-1118, fax 510-938-4367)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - File Corruption Alert Software For NT
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)
Comdex - File Corruption Alert Software For NT 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- File Alert for
Windows, a software tool for detecting data corruption under
Windows NT, does more than just provide the functionality of
anti-virus software. The company claims the 32-bit application
software monitors for file corruption from a variety of sources
and offers instant notification at the first sign of problems.
File corruption can occur for a number of reasons, including
deliberate causes such as rogue computer programs like viruses,
or simply decay or failure of the hard disk drives, power
supply, or other hardware. The idea is to find data corruption
problems early, before they cause serious concerns.
Executive company officials say File Alert will not overrun the
system while protecting it. The product automatically runs in
the background at the lowest level of Windows NT priority
settings so it only uses time when the central processing unit
(CPU) would be idle anyway.
According to the company, when a file is seen to be corrupted,
the product not only notifies the system administrator, but also
creates and maintains a journal of any corrupted files it finds,
including a log of deleted files.
The product works with NT on Digital's Alpha AXP personal
computer (PC), Intel-based PCs, and those from MIPS. Retail
pricing for the product is $99.
Glendale, California-based Executive Systems has moved into the
Windows NT market from developing products for the VAX platform.
The firm is known for its VAX on-line disk defragmenter, Diskeeper.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931119/Press Contact: Executive Software,
Jobee Knight, tel 818-547-2050, fax 818-545-9241; Public
Contact, 800-829-4357)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/19/93
IBM
Comdex - Dual Group Intros Upgradable SKD Notebook
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00030)
Comdex - Dual Group Intros Upgradable SKD Notebook 11/19/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 19 (NB) -- The Dual Group
displayed its SKD Notebook, an upgradable notebook computer
with easily removed and replaced monitor, hard disk, and
central processing unit (CPU) components.
SKD reportedly plays off the acronym for the term "semi knocked
down," which is a way to refer to the level of assembly of
imported goods.
The SKD Notebook basic unit is a 486SX 25 megahertz (MHz)
computer with a monochrome monitor. Upgrades can be made to a
486DX 33 MHz, a 486DX2 50 MHz or a 486DX2 66 MHz CPU (central
processor unit) by simply sliding out one component and plugging
in another. The monitor can be upgraded in a similar manner from
the basic monochrome all the way up to active TFT (thin film
transistor) color.
Removable hard disks are a feature as well, and becoming more
popular industry wide. Epson also introduced a new notebook
computer with a removable hard disk drive. The advantages to
removable drives include the ability to get critical data out
of the notebook, should something happen to it, and put that
data into a new notebook. Also, several users can share a
notebook, each with their own hard disk drive.
Like most notebook computers, the SKD Notebook can be upgraded
from 4 to 20 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM).
Other options include the ability to add a Personal Computer
Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA) slot, a fax/modem,
local area network (LAN) capability, a Small Computer System
Interface (SCSI), a scanner interface, a second serial port, and
other components.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931119/Press Contact: Dual Group,
tel 310-542-0788, fax 310-214-0697)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - PCI Local Bus Design Guide Approved
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00001)
Comdex - PCI Local Bus Design Guide Approved 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- The Peripheral
Component Interconnect (PCI) Special Interest Group (SIG) announced
at Comdex that it has approved a design guide that will enable the
development of PCI-based multimedia devices that are hardware
platform independent.
The PCI SIG, which owns and manages the PCI local bus specification,
was formed in June of 1992 when the PCI local bus was announced.
The SIG offers membership to any member of the industry and
promotes an open, non-proprietary standard for implementation of
local bus technology. The standard is analogous to a plan to build a
highway which designates how many lanes will be built and in
which direction each lane would go.
Local bus is an architecture to tie together the central processing
unit (CPU) and the PC's peripheral devices. As newer devices and
technologies such as full motion video have been developed, the
standard expansion bus has become the bottleneck to efficient
performance of the new devices. The local bus is seen as the
answer to these problems by bringing the peripheral functions
closer to the processor. For it to be widely accepted a standard is
necessary.
The SIG says it has approved a design guide that will meet that
need for standardization and expansion. PCI expansion is defined as
allowing up to four functions to be integrated on a single add-in
card, and a cardtop connector is also being evaluated. PCI can be
used as a secondary bus on an expansion card for professional
quality multimedia applications.
The SIG says it has approved a licensing agreement that allows all
PCI SIG members open and royalty free access to any patent claims
necessary to implement PCI-compliant products.
(Jim Mallory/19931118/Press contact: Mike Basiley, PCI SIG,
503-696-8450)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Video Compression Technology Booming
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00002)
Comdex - Video Compression Technology Booming 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Video compression
was a hot topic of discussion at Comdex, the computer industry's
annual fall trade show. That is because the emerging market for the
technology is a multi-billion dollar business that ranges from
interactive video for educational purposes to video clips in kiosks
to show short excerpts of MTV titles as a sales tool.
Other applications include archiving film, providing on-line
instructional manuals, broadcast and cable television, and video
conferencing. One of the problems the industry faces is the variety
of compression "standards" or methods that currently exist. There
are at least 11 algorithms presently in use that vary widely in the
quality of the finished product and the hardware needed.
Compression is increasing in importance as more uses are found
for storage of data on CD-ROM disks because the products that it
usually applied to -- still and moving images and sound -- require
huge amounts of disk space in uncompressed form.
To further compound the problem, new algorithms are continually
evolving, improving the quality of the images by a factor of two
about every six months. Another disadvantage, according to Gene
Haigmere, VP at Horizons Technology Inc., is that, "People
who are not video experts are defining the future of video
standards." The variety of playback equipment available to the
home consumer further acerbates the situation.
As the technology continues to evolve, television and cable viewers
can expect to see localized commercials aired using a technique
called "digital commercial insertion." DCI allows national
advertisers to target audiences down to the ZIP code level, and is
expected to be a cheaper way to advertise.
(Jim Mallory/19931118)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Future 500 Cable TV Channel System DIscussed
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00003)
Comdex - Future 500 Cable TV Channel System DIscussed 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- In the not too distant
future there will be 500 cable television channels to choose from.
What we do not know is what will be offered on all those channels.
That is also what a few hundred people attending Comdex,
mostly people involved in the production or delivery of all that
programming, wanted to know. So the Comdex organizers put
together a panel to shed some light on the subject.
What they found out was that the television, video games,
and personal computers that presently reside in our home will
likely merge into still another form that will be far more
interactive. Additionally, remote control devices will get
smarter, but simpler to use, and will add a point-and-click
capability. Also, offerings will be far more interactive.
Regarding television, the panel, which included Dr. Gerald
Bennington, CEO of Denver-based X'Press and Patrick Ford of
Microsoft, said that users will be able to call up a menu from
which they can select time-delivered TV (a ballgame or game
show at 6pm, for example) or pick a pay-for-view movie to be
shown at a time specified by the viewer.
Another feature, according to Dr. Bennington, will be the ability to
browse the currently running programs on other channels without
interrupting the viewing of what is presently on the screen. The
viewer's home security system - and perhaps lights, heating, and a
picture of who is at the front door - can also be expected to be
controlled from the TV set. Stock portfolio prices can already be
viewed on a TV set for those willing to pay for the service.
Ford says the market for more interactive video applications is
going to mushroom in order to meet the nearly insatiable demand
by the public for new titles. Microsoft says the number of licenses
for its Microsoft CD ROM Extensions For Windows have tripled in
the last quarter.
Some experts predict that the price of MPC-capable personal
computers will continue to drop. Ford estimates prices for a basic
MPC-compliant system will be as low as $1,000 or perhaps even
less in 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931118)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
TELECOM
Comdex - "Doing Business On The Internet" Book Intro'd
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SFO)(00004)
Comdex - "Doing Business On The Internet" Book Intro'd 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- A new book, titled
"Doing Business On The Internet," was introduced at Comdex. The
book by Mary J. Cronin provides tips and insights into the way the
world's largest information highway is now being commercialized,
despite its campus and government roots.
The report, published by Van Nostrand Reinhold (ISBN 0-442-
01770-7, $29.95) offers strategies for connecting a company to
the data and users it wants to reach. Case studies include Internet
usage by Motorola, Intel, and Rockwell International.
Firms are not only exchanging electronic mail but are sending back
and forth huge chunks of code, graphics and other megafiles when
linked on the Internet to T3 or high-speed networks. For example,
technical support personnel at IBM and Apple are using these
high-capacity lines to send parts of programs back and forth.
Cronin told Newsbytes there are over 100 large corporations
regularly using the Internet for commercial purposes.
Although the main advantage of the Internet is that it is cheap,
security issues remain a problem for users. Set up as the best
way for universities and the government to share information, it
is inherently less secure than private network services, unless
a company finds a way to encode its messages.
A rich and seemingly boundless array of information sources
is also on-line through the Internet, including government
data, financial and statistical databases, Treasury rates,
employment statistics, international business information,
and demographics.
The trouble, says Cronin, is that businesses will receive this as
"raw" data and must interpret it themselves without the help of
intermediaries.
Before the Internet is more widely used, however, Cronin suggests
universal interfaces are necessary. Currently, users must navigate
through a virtual "Tower of Babel," and learn commands necessary
to access information on diverse systems, all with different menu
structures.
CIX (commercial Internet exchange) or ANS (advanced network
services) providers, set up to be the intermediaries in a
company's links through the Internet, are increasingly taking
the effort to offer training and support for their users as a
result of these navigating complexities.
For companies trying direct sales through the Internet, she said,
there have been problems. A company may send out "junk mail" to
advertise its database on the Internet, in order to attract
potential customers. Those kinds of messages are frequently met
with hatred by Internet users. "There is ultimately the realization
that people don't want junk mail. (The companies) get 'flamed'
(angry messages sent to them) if they continue," she explained,
noting that there are cultural barriers to doing Internet business.
(Wendy Woods/19931118/Press Contact: Mary Cronin e-mail
Cronin@BCVMS.BC.EDU; or Myra Sincoff, 212-254-3232 ext 426)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - New Interactive CD-ROM Magazine Demo'd
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00005)
Comdex - New Interactive CD-ROM Magazine Demo'd 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- A demo
version of a new and interactive multimedia magazine was
being demonstrated at Comdex, called substance.digizine.
The user interface is designed so the smaller-than-full-screen
video playback offered by Video for Windows is part of the overall
design. The content of the first issue is cyber-punkish and
featured interviews with heavy metal Grammy award winner Trent
Reznor, of the band Nine Inch Nails, and Jim McKay, co-founder of
C-OO Film Company, known for creating "anti-ads" in the form of
public service announcements as well as independently produced
videos.
Published in compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) format,
the magazine's publishers claim that the substance is truly
interactive, because it is never the same twice.
The publishers, Substance Interactive Media of San Francisco,
California, are offering a demonstration issue for $10.95.
Substance.digizine requires some high-end hardware in order
to run, including 20 megabytes (MB) of hard disk space on at least
a 486SX running at 25 megahertz. It also needs a 256 color video
graphics array (VGA) display, 4 megabytes (MB) of RAM, a 16-bit
sound card, a double speed CD-ROM drive, Windows 3.1 and Video
for Windows.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931118/Press & Reader Contact: Mark
Behm, Substance Interactive Media, tel 415-626-2147,
fax 415-252-0221)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - $50,000 Wooden Custom-Made PCs Displayed
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00006)
Comdex - $50,000 Wooden Custom-Made PCs Displayed 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- For $50,000
you too can have the solid mahogany portable computer of your
dreams. At Comdex, Westcomp Systems of Germany was
demonstrating computers with keyboards and cases hand-made
from solid hard woods, The painstaking process takes two
months per computer to complete.
The Mahogany unit is a briefcase that opens to reveal a screen
built into the top and a gold-plated 3.5-inch drive with ports
in the bottom. The keyboard is also made from fine wood, but
the keys themselves are plastic. A smaller desktop unit made
from teak is also available.
Each computer is custom built to the users individual
specifications, including the hardware inside. Weight is not a
consideration and Helmut A. O. Weber, the company's owner
said the computers are quite heavy when completed.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931118/Press Contact: Helmut A. O. Weber,
Westcomp Systems, tel 08105-22069, fax 08105-9020)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
IBM
Comdex - Wordperfect Intros Main Street Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)
Comdex - Wordperfect Intros Main Street Software 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Wordperfect
has rolled out its new Wordperfect Main Street software line
at Comdex. The program offers 28 software titles in the small
and home office, personal productivity, entertainment, and
infotainment categories, and will be available in several
languages
Following the initial release in the first quarter of 1994,
Wordperfect says it will eventually having more than 50 titles
in the line by the end of next year.
"With the current erosion of PC prices and increased growth to more
than 33 million computers in home and small offices, the consumer
software market is the fastest growing segment in the world," says
Jeff Mallett, senior director, Wordperfect consumer products
division. Mallett cites a Software Publisher's Association report
that predicts sales of consumer software will reach the $1.5 billion
mark by 1996.
Products to be initially released in the Main Street line include:
Wordperfect Works for Windows, the Macintosh, and DOS;
Letterperfect for the Mac and for DOS; ExpressFax+ for Windows;
Random House Webster's School and Office Dictionary for
Windows and the Mac; ClipArt Premium Collection on CD-ROM
for Windows and the Mac; ClipArt for Home for Windows and Mac;
and ClipArt for the Office for Windows and Mac platforms.
In the personal productivity category are Personal Information
Manager for Windows and Grammatik 5 for Windows, the Mac, and
DOS. Education titles include: Wallobee Jack and the Bingi Burra
Stone on CD-ROM; Wallobee Jack and the Thai Sun on CD-ROM; Kid
Karaoke and the Kid Karaoke Additional Song Pack for Windows and
Mac; and ClipArt for Kids.
The company also says 11 Disney titles will be available for the
German, Austrian, and Swiss markets and might be made available
for other European countries in 1994. Disney titles reportedly
will include Mickey's ABC's, and Beauty and the Beast. No US
distribution for the Disney titles was mentioned.
The infotainment titles will not be announced until next year.
Several of the Main Street products were being demonstrated
at Comdex. Wordperfect Main Street products will have
suggested retail prices from $29 to $149 in the US.
(Jim Mallory/19931118/Press Contact: Blake Stowell,
Wordperfect Corp., 801-228-5063)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
IBM
Comdex - Midisoft Intros Presentation Partner
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00008)
Comdex - Midisoft Intros Presentation Partner 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Multimedia
software developer Midisoft Corp., has unveiled Presentation
Partner, a package meant to simplify the creation of multimedia
presentations.
It is the latest of nine products for the Bellevue, Washington,
company, which started in 1986 as a creator of audio applications
using the musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) standard.
Presentation Partner is designed for business computer users who
want to create multimedia presentations but lack the time and
expertise of professional multimedia developers and do not want
to hire outside producers to do the work for them.
The software is not meant to compete with existing presentation
software, said Ron Risden, president of Midisoft. Instead, it works
with those packages.
Working with a presentation graphics package such as Aldus'
Persuasion, WordPerfect Presents, or Asymetrix's Compel,
Presentation Partner asks the user a series of questions to
determine the sort of presentation to be created, and then builds
the presentation. For instance, a user can specify a traditional,
modern, or "fun" look-and-feel for a presentation.
"In a real way, Presentation Partner takes my place," said Chris
Brown, a multimedia production consultant with San Francisco-
based Interrobang who worked with Midisoft on the package's
design.
For those who do not already have presentation graphics software,
Presentation Partner comes bundled with Super Show and Tell, a
package from AskMe Multimedia.
Due to be available in the first quarter of 1994, Presentation
Partner will have a suggested retail price of $149.95. It requires
a PC with a 386 or higher processor, at least four megabytes of
memory, a compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive, a Super
VGA graphics card, Windows 3.1, a Windows-compatible sound
card, and a mouse.
(Grant Buckler/19931117/Press Contact: Chuck Robb, Midisoft,
tel 206-881-7176, fax 206-883-1368)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
IBM
Comdex - Frye Adds Wide Area Support To Distrib Pgrm
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00009)
Comdex - Frye Adds Wide Area Support To Distrib Pgrm 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Frye Computer
Systems Inc., has added support for wide area networks (WANs) to
its system for distributing and updating software electronically.
Frye announced a Wide Area Network Distribution (WAND) module
for its Software Update and Distribution System (SUDS). The SUDS
software is designed to let organizations with many computers
attached to a network send out new software or updates to
existing software, electronically.
Microcomputer managers find this kind of capability useful because
it saves them the trouble of going from PC to PC installing or
updating software, and because it helps ensure that all users in an
organization are using the same version of a package.
The new release extends SUDS, which allows for software
distribution over a single local area network (LAN), so that it
can also distribute software over WANs.
Russell Frye, president of the company, said users can set up a
variety of different distribution lists to send each software
package out to the desired users. "You can pick exactly who you
want it to go to," he said.
The software is written for Microsoft Windows, but will also
support OS/2 clients, Frye said. It requires Novell Inc.'s NetWare
LAN operating system. Frye also said that most of his company's
customers are Fortune 500 companies with "tens of thousands"
of personal computers.
Due to be available in December, the WAND module will cost
$1,495 per server and must be installed on every server on the
distribution list.
Frye also said it updated SUDS itself with several new features,
including: distribution lists that can be saved for later use; a new
procedure type that provides a menu of procedures; alarm options;
master procedures that let users consolidate sub-procedures; the
ability to re-try user-defined procedures when they fail; and more
detailed information on procedures that have been run.
(Grant Buckler/19931117/Press Contact: David Seuss, Frye
Computer Systems, tel 617-451-5400, fax 617-451-6711)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Fast Growth For Multifunction Office Products
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00010)
Comdex - Fast Growth For Multifunction Office Products 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Thanks partly to
Microsoft's At Work software, office machines that do several
jobs are expected to be a major growth area in the next few years,
Comdex/Fall attendees were told.
Barry Tepper, an industry analyst who covers multifunction products
for BIS Strategic Systems in Norwell, Massachusetts, said he
expects sales of multifunction office machines to grow from
119,000 units last year to about 1.3 million in 1997.
Multifunction office machines include any device that does the job
of any two or more office machines, usually facsimile machines,
printers, and photocopiers.
Speaking in a conference panel on future office systems, Tepper
said Microsoft At Work -- software designed to allow communication
and data exchange among office machines, and provide a graphical
user interface for controlling them -- could be "a major enabler"
for this market.
Another panel member, Michael Ahern, product manager for At Work
at Microsoft in Bellevue, Washington, said that while digital
technology has grown more common in office machines, few
machines today have the ability to receive or send data digitally
from or to other machines. This will be one of the functions of At
Work, he said.
Ahern said Microsoft expects facsimile machines using At Work to
come to market first, followed by telephone systems, digital
copiers, and personal digital assistants. He said Microsoft is also
showing a computer printer with the At Work software at Comdex.
Tepper said that while multifunction devices will be a growth area,
there are some problems to be resolved. One concern facing vendors
is to whom the machines will be sold. Most companies today have
different people in charge of buying computer equipment and office
machines, so vendors are not sure who to approach to sell, for
instance, a combination fax machine and printer.
A big concern for potential buyers, he said, is the "eggs in one
basket" issue, which really has two parts: reliability and
contention. Users worry that if the single machine breaks, they
will lose all their functions at once. They also worry that people
will have to wait to make copies while a machine is printing, or
vice versa.
Garry Waddell, manager of system products at Ricoh Corp., a maker
of office equipment in Caldwell, New Jersey, said vendors do have
to make choices about priorities in designing these machines. For
instance, he asked, should someone who wants to make a photocopy
have to wait while a multifunction machine finishes a print job, or
should the person be able to interrupt the print job and have it
resume when the copies are finished.
(Grant Buckler/19931117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
IBM
****Comdex - Lotus Previews 1-2-3 4.0 For DOS
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00011)
****Comdex - Lotus Previews 1-2-3 4.0 For DOS 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Visitors to
Comdex/Fall were offered a sneak peek at the upcoming next release
of Lotus Development Corp.'s 1-2-3 spreadsheet for DOS. 1-2-3
release 4 for DOS will again unify the two paths the spreadsheet
took with the introduction of release 2, which could run on older
XT-class computers, and release 3, which offered three-
dimensional (3-D) spreadsheets and other added features.
Release 4 for DOS will need at least a 286 processor with one
megabyte (MB) of memory to run, and will need 1.5MB of memory if
its full graphical interface is to work, Jon Chait, product
manager, told Newsbytes. Lotus plans to continue selling 1-2-3
release 2.4 for DOS to accommodate users whose machines do not
have the horsepower to handle the new release.
The new release, due to be available in the first quarter of 1994,
has a highly graphical look-and-feel and adds some features
formerly only available in the Windows version of the package.
The Version Manager, technology which lets users store multiple
versions of the same worksheet with different sets of data, has
been added to the DOS version with the new release. It works much
like the Windows offering, but lacks some capabilities designed for
work groups, such as the ability to capture a user's name or ID and
record who has made what changes.
Lotus is aiming 1-2-3 4.0 for DOS at individual users, while the
Windows software is intended to provide features for work groups,
Chait said.
SmartIcons, which had already been brought to versions 2.4 and
3.4 for DOS from the Windows version of 1-2-3 where they first
appeared, have been reorganized in the new version to make them
easier to use, a Lotus demonstrator explained. Lotus has also
improved the help function in this release to make topics easier
to find.
The software's tools menu has been expanded to provide access to
functions that, while they were in the software before, were harder
to get at. The tools menu now provides access to add-in software,
as well.
Borrowing an idea that several vendors of 1-2-3 add-in packages
had tried out some years ago, Lotus has built electronic sticky
notes into the software. Users can attach small yellow notes to any
worksheet cell. These notes can be hidden, or popped up when a user
wants to look at them.
Fine-tuning in the new version includes such improvements as the
fact that if a user enters a label beginning with a digit, release
4.0 will recognize it as a label rather than assuming it is a
number and then returning an error message because there are
letters in the entry. A user can also now enter a number with a
leading dollar sign and 1-2-3 will recognize it as a numeric value
-- and format it as currency.
New worksheet tabs let users move to any page of a multi-page
worksheet file by clicking on the right tab. And a live status bar
provides added status information at the bottom of the display.
The software is expected to have a list price in the $495-$595
range and a street price of about $350, Chait said. Upgrades from
versions 2.4 and 3.4 are likely to be $129.
(Grant Buckler/19931117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
IBM
Comdex - Computer Assoc Intros Database Query Tool
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00012)
Comdex - Computer Assoc Intros Database Query Tool 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Joining several
other vendors who offer tools to let personal computer users
obtain data from local and remote databases, Computer Associates
International Inc., has unveiled a query tool for Microsoft
Windows, called CA-Visual Express.
Marc Sokol, vice-president of product strategy at CA, said the new
software is designed to let end users create their own queries to
retrieve data from popular databases on personal computers and
larger systems. It also allows information systems professionals to
set up complex queries for users, and to control end users' access
to data.
CA-Visual Express works with databases that support the widely
used structured query language (SQL), Sokol said, but it can also
draw out data from certain other popular formats, including the
mainframe VSAM (Virtual Storage Access Method) format. The
software also supports Microsoft Corp.'s Open Database
Connectivity (ODBC) standard, and comes with ODBC drivers for
20 database products.
Users can define their queries on a point-and-shoot screen in which
they pick database fields from a list. Visual Express also supports
a query-by-example format for defining queries. Professionals
defining queries to be used by less technically knowledgeable users
can set them up to prompt the user for certain information so a
given query definition can be used in different ways.
The software incorporates CA's QbyX query software and its Caret
report writer, and the Watcom SQL database server from Watcom
International Corp., of Waterloo, Ontario.
Visual Express is in beta testing now and is expected to be
available in the first quarter of 1994, Sokol said. The suggested
retail price is expected to be $495, though this is still subject
to change.
(Grant Buckler/19931117/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2391)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
IBM
Comdex - Inex Demos Beagle Computer Prototype
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00013)
Comdex - Inex Demos Beagle Computer Prototype 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Inex
Technologies brought in a single prototype version of a new,
portable computer with a 1950's science fiction look which
company officials say they plan to equip with just about every
portable electronic gizmo available.
Code named the Beagle, the gray, elongated oval-shaped case
opens up to reveal a pen-based computer with built-in speakers,
a camera, a television, a cellular phone, a keyboard, and a
printer. One of the most unusual features of the Beagle are the
silver rabbit-ear antennae on top for television reception,
that can retracted and folded down to lay against the case for
travel.
The non-working prototype model was on display under a glass
cover in the Inex booth. Cami Rogers, a sales representative
for the company, told Newsbytes working prototypes of the unit
are planned for next year's Comdex and Inex is talking about
shipping the Beagle in 1995.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931118/Press Contact: Cami Rogers, Inex,
800-783-4639)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
IBM
Comdex - Deneba Offers 10,000 "Free" Graphics Pkgs
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00014)
Comdex - Deneba Offers 10,000 "Free" Graphics Pkgs 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Deneba Software
is giving away 10,000 copies of its graphical software package
Canvas for Windows to Comdex goers. Each person who watches
the company's demo gets a full version of the award-winning
graphical software, formerly only available on the Macintosh.
Deneba has been developing and marketing Canvas for Apple
Computer's Macintosh platform for over six years, but this is
the company's first attempt at a Windows graphic product. The
Macintosh version has been called the top choice of graphics
professionals and has numerous awards to its credit, claims
the company. The Windows version includes a host of features
and built-in functions that cover art, science, and even technical
drawing applications.
Company officials claim Canvas' claim to fame is that it is the
first Windows program to integrate vector "drawing," where
images are treated as objects, with bit-map "painting" where
each picture element (pixel) on screen is separate.
There is a catch -- the software is a special version that
automatically shuts down on December 15, 1993. Users who
wish to continue to use the software, normally retail priced at
$399.95, can upgrade for $99.95. Other interested users who
have any other graphics program may also get the upgrade price
as well, company officials added.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931118/Press Contact: Douglas Levy,
Deneba Software, tel 305-596-5644, fax 305-273-9069)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
APPLE
Apple Japan Replaces President
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00015)
Apple Japan Replaces President 11/18/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Apple Computer, Tokyo, has
replaced its president. Shigechika Takeuchi left the company early
this week. Reportedly, recent slow sales of the firm triggered his
resignation.
Shigechika Takeuchi assumed the position in 1988. Under his
leadership, Apple Computer Japan was able to raise sales
almost ten-fold during his time as president. One of Takeuchi's
major achievements was the "localization" of the Macintosh
platform, as well as the localization of Apple's Tokyo office,
which now reportedly conforms to the way business is
handled in Japanese society.
Takeuchi's official reason for resigning is his desire to find new
challenges. However, some reports link the resignation with the
executive changes at Apple US headquarters.
Five years ago, Shigechika Takeuchi was appointed by former
Apple head John Sculley. Apple Computer Japan's annual sales,
up to September, went down sharply. John Floisand assumed the
presidency of Apple Computer Japan on November 15.
Apple Computer Japan has been trying to survive a fierce
personal computer price war in Japan. The firm's products must
compete with low-cost DOS/V-compatible PCs, as well as with
multimedia PCs from NEC and Fujitsu.
As a result, Apple Computer Japan has recently cut the price
of its notebook computers by an average of 30 percent.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931118/Press Contact: Apple
Computer, Tokyo, 81-3-5411-8715)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
GENERAL
Japan - Apple Kanji/Canon Display/Windows NT Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00016)
Japan - Apple Kanji/Canon Display/Windows NT Update 11/18/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Apple Computer's Japanese
version of System 7 Pro will debut next year. Canon's extra-thin
computer display for IBM PCs is set to ship, and introduction of
Microsoft's Japanese Windows NT has been delayed.
Apple Computer, Tokyo, has announced that it will ship the upgrade
kit of Kanji Talk 7 Pro, which is the Japanese version of System
7 Pro, around the first quarter of 1994. The price is still
unknown. The upgrade kit does not include Kanji Talk 7 itself,
but does include AppleScript 1.1, Japanese PowerTalk 1.0,
QuickTime 1.6.1, and Kanji Talk version-up module 7.1.1.
Meanwhile, Canon is preparing to release the firm's latest FLC
ferro-electric liquid crystal display for IBM PCs in July 1994.
Canon's FLC is only seven centimeters thick. It is a color display
and supports very clear screen mode at 1,280 by 1,024 pixels.
The device is 15-inches in size and the company is planning to
create a 21-inch color display by 1995. Canon is also planning
to create a version for the Macintosh and NEC's PC-9801. The
FLC can be used for high definition televisions.
The only concern at present is the price. The PC version will cost
around one million yen ($10,000).
Meanwhile, the release date of the Japanese version of Windows
NT has been delayed. According to Microsoft, Tokyo, it was initially
set for a December. However, due to some revision of the program,
the release has been put back to January, 1994. Microsoft has
already given a test version to Japanese application developers.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931115/Press Contact: Apple
Computer, 81-3-5411-8715; Canon, tel 81-3-3348-2121,
fax 81-463-55-8626; Microsoft, 81-3-5454-8000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
GOVT
****NAFTA Clears Biggest Hurdle
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00017)
****NAFTA Clears Biggest Hurdle 11/18/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Despite the fact that
President Clinton's arm-twisting team was publicly wringing its
hands over every vote up to the last minute, when it came to a
final vote in the US House of Representatives, NAFTA (North
American Free Trade Agreement), was a relatively easy win for
the Administration which needed 218 votes and eventually got
234 "yea" verses 200 "nay" votes.
NAFTA supporters say that the agreement between Mexico, the
US, and Canada (the latter two already have a similar agreement
between them) will increase trade and benefit US workers,
because it will reduce or eliminate tariffs in three five-year
stages. The largest tariffs are imposed by Mexico on imports.
NAFTA opponents point to the ten-to-one wage disparity and lax
enforcement of environmental laws and say these will result in
many factory jobs going south of the border.
Others argue that the truth probably lies between the two, with
some low-skilled jobs moving south and high-skill jobs remaining
north of the Rio Grande, resulting in more exports and more
imports for all three countries.
For the computer industry there is little doubt that NAFTA will
increase sales and probably jobs in the US. This is because it will
result in lowered tariffs between the US and Mexico, and because
that country will still have a relatively high import tax on
European and Asian computer systems.
Microsoft Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bill Gates praised
NAFTA, saying, "President Clinton showed tremendous leadership
and played a vital role in educating the country about NAFTA's
benefits. A majority of the House of Representatives recognized
that the agreement represents a historic opportunity for the
nation in terms of opening the Mexican market to US exports
and building a stronger US economy in the long run."
NAFTA will also strengthen copyright and intellectual property
rights in Mexico and that too will lead to more US and Canadian
sales to that country. Proponents also say that the most important
impact of NAFTA is that it will encourage other Western
Hemisphere countries to join in with the northern three in
forming the world's largest trading block (370 million
consumers) to counter existing Asiatic and European blocks.
As President Clinton travels to Seattle, Washington, today to
attend the Asian-Pacific trade talks, the White House says that
NAFTA's passage will strengthen his position as he tries to open
up Asian markets to US goods. Japanese Prime Minister Hosakawa
said of the affirmative NAFTA vote that it was good for Japan-US
trade relations because it showed that Washington was not leaning
toward protectionism.
NAFTA has also passed the House just one month before the
last "final" dead-line for the seven-year-long Uruguay Round
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and many
Washington observers see this as an important lever to encourage
those countries which are balking at opening up their markets,
such as France, to sign GATT. The agreement would provide a
NAFTA-like open trade framework for more than 100 countries
around the world.
NAFTA opponent and former presidential candidate Ross Perot had
earlier promised legal action in an attempt to block NAFTA's
implementation if it passed and last night he stated that his
supporters would work to remove those Congressmen who had
voted in favor of NAFTA from office.
NAFTA still has to pass the Senate, but that is seen as an easy
vote for the President and the pact is expected to take effect on
January 1, 1994. However, Perot pointed out in a press conference
that there would be more sustaining NAFTA votes in 1994 and 1996.
While Mexico's president supports NAFTA, north of the border, the
newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien says that he
will not sign the treaty until certain agreements are reached on
energy, government subsidies, and product dumping.
(John McCormick/19931118)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
TELECOM
****Scientific Atlanta Adds Phone To Cable TV
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00018)
****Scientific Atlanta Adds Phone To Cable TV 11/18/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Just as the Baby
Bells are getting a foot-hold in the cable industry, the
pioneering telecommunications company, Scientific Atlanta, has
announced a development which may put cable TV providers into
the telephone business.The announcement involves allowing users
to make and receive telephone calls over their cable TV
connection, instead of needing a separate telephone line installed.
Adding telephone to cable TV is seen as a major step in helping
to make TV interactive by providing an integrated feedback
mechanism, but it will also eliminate the need for local
telephone wiring, which is currently used to make long distance
connections, a major source of income for the local telephone
companies.
About 40 percent of all long distance charges are actually paid
to the local phone company for connecting the user to the long
distance network provider, a fee structure which many consumer
advocates see as outrageously high and which would be eliminated
by customers who opt to use the new Scientific Atlanta system.
Of course cable operators may continue to demand a similar fee,
but the chances are that connection costs will drop for both
cable users and those who continue to use standard telephone
wiring, because many users will for the first time have an option
as to which technology they will use.
(John McCormick/19931118)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TRENDS
****Comdex - MIPS Shows Fast R4200-Based PCs
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00019)
****Comdex - MIPS Shows Fast R4200-Based PCs 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- At Comdex, MIPS
Technologies and its partners are demonstrating newly developed
notebooks, PC upgrade boards, and workstations based on MIPS' new
R4200, a microprocessor billed as faster and less costly than the
Pentium, Alpha, or PowerPC 601.
The new MIPS platforms, and the reference designs that made
them possible, were announced at a press conference headlined by
speakers from MIPS and three hardware allies: NEC, ShaBlamm!
Computers, and Deskstation Technology,
Tom Whiteside, president of MIPS, told journalists that MIPS has
created four R4200 reference designs: a notebook designed for
high performance; a notebook designed for long life; a desktop PC
designed for high performance; and a low-cost desktop model.
R4200-based notebooks and desktop PCs, running Windows NT,
are on display at Comdex in the MIPS booth, with an additional
notebook in the NEC booth, Whiteside said.
"We're very well positioned," he added. New benchmarks show that
PCs based on a 150 megahertz (MHz) R4200 MIPS processor runs
202 percent faster than 60 MHz Pentium-based PCs, 297 percent
faster than PCs with an Intel 80486 DX-2 microprocessor, and 34
percent faster than Alpha AXP-based PCs when the systems are
running Windows NT, he asserted. The MIPS chip can also run Unix,
he noted.
Further, the R4200 costs one-tenth as much as the Pentium, and
consumes one-tenth the power, according to the MIPS president.
Already, about 150 independent software vendors (ISVs) have
committed to support the new MIPS chip, said Whiteside. "And
around 100 of these ISVs represent (major companies)."
In addition, two chip foundries -- NEC and Integrated Device
Technology (IDT) -- have licensed the R4200 technology from MIPS
and are now manufacturing the new chip in sample quantities. NEC is
calling its product the MR4401-75, while IDT's product is dubbed
the Orion R4600.
"We're producing the chip at lower cost and lower power consumption
than expected," said Dave Corbin, director of marketing for NEC,
The MR4401-75 is ideal for use in notebooks, as well as in game,
set top, and many other devices, he added.
Don Peterson, president of Desktop Technology, told the journalists
that the MIPS 4400 offers greater performance than either the
Pentium or the PowerPC 601, the only PowerPC chip shipping in
volume quantities up to now.
DeskStation Technology is using the MIPS chip for the Tyne Series,
a new family of RISC (reduced instruction-set computer)-based
workstations that is similar in size to a 486-based PC. Models in
the Tyne Series will be priced at under $3,000, according to
Peterson.
"If any of you believe that PowerPC will offer a more compelling
platform, nine months from now, I'll eat your hats," Peterson
remarked.
Sheblamm! Computing is employing the chip on an upgrade board for
486-based systems aimed at providing installed PCs with
workstation-level performance, said Tom North, company president.
North also noted that Sheblamm! is the acronym for "Sizzling Hit
Accelerator Board Highly Affordable MIPS Microsoft Windows NT."
The four reference designs for MIPS 4200 announced this week
will complement existing reference designs for MIPS-based PCs,
according to Whiteside.
In addition to notebook and desktop PCs, the new MIPS and
derivative core products are aimed at use in hand-held and other
consumer products as in embedded applications such as laser
printer controllers, X-terminals, and communications devices.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931118/Press contact: Steve Schick,
MIPS, 415-390-2573)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
IBM
Comdex - SCSI & IDE Controllers For PCI & VESA Buses
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00020)
Comdex - SCSI & IDE Controllers For PCI & VESA Buses 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Acculogic has
announced five new SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) and
IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controllers at Comdex, including
one product in each of these categories for the newly emerging
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus.
PCIpport, a new, full 32-bit PCI-bus master, supports the
increasingly popular fast and wide SCSI-2, as does Acculogic's
other new SCSI controller, VESApport.
The company's new IDE controllers are the sIDE-2/PCI, for PCI
local bus systems; the sIDE-4/VL, for VESA (Video Electronics
STandards Association) VL-bus systems; and the sIDE-4/HP, for
ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bus systems.
The PCI bus controller supports up to 10 megabyte-per-second
data transfer with the enhanced IDE drives that are just starting
to come to market, and also speeds performance of standard IDE
drives by 20 to 500 percent, said Michael P. Zachan, president of
Acculogic.
Acculogic, a company formed in 1989, started out in the memory
board business, and then moved on to produce SCSI and IDE
controllers, Zachan explained, in an interview with Newsbytes at
the Sands Convention Center. Over the years, the vendor has based
new product entries on needs created by new bus technologies,
Zachan told Newsbytes. "Right now, for example, the PCI bus is
just hitting the streets."
Acculogic now markets the widest available range of SCSI
controllers, IDE controllers, and memory boards for ISA, EISA
(Extended Industry Standard Architecture), VESA VL, and PCI
architectures, the company chief asserted.
EISApport, a previously released full 32-bit EISA bus master, also
supports fast and wide SCSI-2, according to Zachan. EISApport is
priced at $599.
Acculogic's new PCIpport is slated to ship in January. Pricing is
$449 for PCIpport/40, a version that includes CorelSCSI software,
and $349 for SPIpport20, a version sold without the software.
Acculogic's other new SCSI controller, VESApport, is expected to be
available next month at prices of $479 for VESApport/40 (with
CorelSCSI software) and $379 for VESApport/20 (without software).
Acculogic's new sIDE-2/PCI is scheduled for delivery in December at
a price of $55. Acculogic's sIDE-4/VL and sIDE-4/HP are already on
the market, at prices of $138 and $85, respectively.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931117/Reader Contact: Acculogic,
800-234-7811; Press Contact: Mike Kilroy, Les Goldberg Public
Relations for Acculogic, 714-545-3117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Sony Shows Multimedia Line
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00021)
Comdex - Sony Shows Multimedia Line 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- At Comdex,
Sony is highlighting its broad range of multimedia products for
title creation through desktop and mobile viewing.
In a press briefing, company officials gave journalists an in-depth
guided tour, showing off and elaborating on offerings that included
Sony's CD Authoring Workstation, desktop and portable playback
platforms, high resolution Trinitron monitors, and a desktop
videoconferencing system based on the new PCS-V2 audio/video
peripheral.
The CD Authoring System is a complete system for creating
instructional manuals, training applications, and other titles in
CD-ROM, CD-1, CD-ROM XA and EBG (Electronic Book) formats,
Sony representatives said.
The workstation is based on Sony's CDW-9000 CD Write Once drive, a
double-speed write once subsystem that lets multimedia developers
produce, prototype and premaster CD applications for low-volume
distribution, beta testing, or input to a mastering and replication
facility.
Titles can be played back on a family of CD-ROM drives that
includes the newly announced entry-level CDU-33!, plus two other
portable drives that are similar to the CDU-33A but provide a SCSI-
2 implementation and 256 kilobyte (KB) buffer.
Desktop playback mechanisms demonstrated for the press included
the Desktop Library and Multimedia CD-ROM Player. The Desktop
Library system incorporates a double-speed CD-ROM drive, shielded
Sony speakers, and a 16-bit sound board.
The Multimedia CD-ROM Player integrates a CD-ROM drive supporting
the CD-ROM XA standard, a PC-compatible microprocessor, a LCD
(liquid crystal display) panel, and a speaker, keyboard and cursor.
Also in the booth at Comdex, Sony is displaying a variety of new
titles for the Multimedia Player, including a Real Estate Multiple
Listing Service demo disk, additional custom titles for vertical
market applications, and the IBM Multimedia Studio's new Mescon
Group Business Series.
Sony also showed the journalists a series of 14-, 15-, 17- and 20-
inch monitors, including the newly launched Multiscan 17e. The
Multiscan 17e is designed to automatically adjust image geometry
and sharpness across a continuous range of scan frequencies, to
produce the consistently high quality images otherwise found only
in single-scan video board/monitor systems.
The 17e "green" monitor, which is compatible with both Macs and
IBM-compatible PCs, also supplies an energy-saving power
management system that meets both EPA (Environmental
Protection Agency) Energy Star and VESA (Video Electronics
Standards Association) DPMS guidelines.
All monitors in the Trinitron series offer a vertically flat
screen, lack tinting, and an anti-reflective coating, features
aimed at reducing ambient light reflection for a picture that is
easier on the eyes.
The final stop on the booth tour was Sony's PCS-V2, a tool for live
computer-to-computer video and audio communication. The new
product brings together a color video camera, microphone and
speaker into a single unit that fits on top of a desktop computer
monitor.
PCS-V2 must be integrated with video software, a codec and
transmission path for video communication capabilities, according
to Sony. The system can be used with most types of computers or
workstations.
At Comdex, the system is being shown in a PC system incorporating
Sony's new SBX1793-01/21 video input module with Tseng Labs'
VIPER image video processor integrated circuit.
As they listened to the description of the new desktop
videoconferencing system and its components, members of the
press were captured on camera. The journalists could view
themselves taking notes and asking questions in a monitor on
top of the PCS-V2.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931118/Reader Contact: Sony, 2010
930-7669; Press Contacts: Manny Vara, Sony, 201-930-7005;
Marily Young, Technology Solutions for Sony, 415-617-4524;
Barbara Hagin, Technology Solutions for Sony, 415-617-4523)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
IBM
****Comdex - 7th Level's Tuneland Multimedia Cartoon
(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00022)
****Comdex - 7th Level's Tuneland Multimedia Cartoon 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- At a penthouse
suite in the Mirage Hotel, Newsbytes got a tour of 7th Level's
"Tuneland" multimedia cartoon, from vice president and former
Pink Floyd saxophonist Scott Page.
The demo of "Tuneland" debuted at a props warehouse on November
15, at a party attended by, among others, Linda Ronstadt, Michael
Milken, Quincy Jones, and Newsbytes.
Page explained that it is based on a graphics "engine" written in
Assembly language, designed to get the most performance possible
from Microsoft Windows. The technical team was headed by Robert
Merrick, who had previously headed the group responsible for the
graphics engine in IBM's OS/2 2.1.
Beyond its speed -- in the demo we saw 13 individual elements on
a single cartoon screen singing and dancing independently of one
another -- the engine is really important because it is designed
around Hollywood post-production terms and techniques, Page
explained. The images are also anti-aliased, meaning they are as
good or better than those on Saturday morning TV. In "Tuneland,"
narrated by Howie Mandel, Kids can use a mouse to click on dozens
of elements in any picture, and see multiple sound-and-motion
effects on each one.
"Think of the database of characters and backgrounds you can
build, and the ability to re-use them," he said. 7th Level hopes
to license its engine to all the major studios, so they can build
a mass market of interactive products quickly. "Tuneland" itself
will be distributed in music stores and discount stores like Wal-
Mart, as well as computer stores like Comp USA, when it is
released in January, at an expected price of $49.95.
The story of the company is nearly as interesting as the product.
Page, Micrografx co-founder George Grayson, and music producer
Ezrin, whose credits include albums by Peter Gabriel, Rod
Stewart, Alice Cooper, and Kiss as well as Pink Floyd's "The
Wall," first got together to create the "Grand Scientific Musical
Theater" at last Comdex' Micrografx Chili Cook-Off. It was a
fund-raiser for the National Center for Missing and Exploited
Children, combining multimedia software and rock music.
All three saw in this the potential of a grand marriage between
Hollywood and Silicon Valley, but Micrografx turned the business
plan down. So Grayson quit the company he founded and decided to
use Hollywood funding to start the new firm, 7th Level. The deal
was nearly closed when the three heard from Milken. He shared
with them a vision it turned out they all had in common, namely
that multimedia could revolutionize education. He also brought
in Merv Adelson, co-founder of Lorimar Telepictures, in on the deal.
The result is a new company with high credibility among
Hollywood studios. Among 7th Level's other managers are veterans
of MTV, Micrografx, and Coleco, makers of the Cabbage Patch
dolls. Page says that, while 7th Level will use its graphics
engine to produce other CD-ROMs, including one based on the old
"Monty Python" show, the real hope is it can be licensed to the
other Hollywood studios to create a new industry. "People say
computers aren't as good as television, but that's not true,"
said Page. Time will tell if he is right.
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931118/Press Contact: John Bevilacqua,
7th Level Inc., tel 818-547-1955, fax 818-246-5198)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Notes From The Sands Expo Center
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00023)
Comdex - Notes From The Sands Expo Center 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- The big players
in computing have huge booths at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Smaller players buy lesser booths at the Sands Expo Center.
A quick tour of Sands started at UPS' booth, where a new method
of bar-coding, called Maxicode, was on display. Maxicodes can be
read much faster than regular bar codes, and can hold the entire
Statue of Liberty inscription on two thumb-print sized blocks.
Dots in each block carry meaning based on their distance from
four circles, like bulls-eyes, in the center of each graphic.
A regular bar code holding the quote from Emma Lazarus would
stretch two feet. UPS also introduced a new, smaller hand-held
computer for its couriers, the DIAD II, which can accept
signature input, and showed off a plaque from McCaw Cellular
showing its record use of cellular services for transmitting data
between couriers and central computers.
Samtron, a unit of Samsung, gave Newsbytes a quick tour of the
state-of-the-art in monitors. The latest models are all Super VGA,
and carry power management features as standard. The high-end
models for the Macintosh and Windows retail at $1,099. Nearby,
Goldstar offered similar wares. Another new advance, shown
by spokesman Dain Percifield, is a set of controls as extensive
as those found on regular TVs.
Rockwell's newest innovations are smaller than ever. It is a
complete line of Type II PC Cards under PCMCIA standards covering
multiple wireless and wired protocols. Included are the Mobitex
and Ardis packet radio standards, the CDPD packet cellular
standard, and global positioning satellites.
Supporters of the products include America Online, Boca Research,
Cardinal Technologies, Delrina, BellSouth's MobileComm unit, and
Hayes' Practical Peripherals unit. Rockwell has also licensed the
wireless data patents of Spectrum Information Technologies,
meaning modem makers who use Rockwell chip sets are safe from
that patent litigation.
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931118/Press Contact: Julie Seymour,
Rockwell, 714-833-4379; Dain Percifield, for Samtron,
212-704-8252; UPS, Monica Spigelman, 201-512-4982)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
BUSINESS
Packard Bell Gets $30M From Congress Financial
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00024)
Packard Bell Gets $30M From Congress Financial 11/18/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Chatsworth,
California-based Packard Bell, a maker of low priced business
and home computers, has received another cash infusion from
Congress Financial, this time totaling $30 million. In August,
Congress Financial provided Packard Bell with $70 million in
financing to help the company continue funding growth in the
US market.
Packard Bell has projected net income of $1.25 billion on sales
of about one million personal computers during 1993, compared to
a net of $925 million on sales of 30 percent fewer PCs.
Zenith Data Systems and France's Groupe Bull (which owns ZDS)
purchased almost 20 percent of Packard Bell in July and now
supply Zenith notebook computers under the Packard Bell label.
Congress Financial is a subsidiary of CoreStates Financial, a
holding company with assets of $22.8 billion.
Packard Bell, which markets computers worldwide, claims to
be the fourth-largest PC supplier in the United States, selling
mostly through mass merchants, superstores, retail, and
department stores.
(John McCormick/19931118/Press Contact: Philip Little, The
Bohle Co., 310-785-0515)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
GENERAL
Autodesk Gives Ecuador Schools Copies Of AutoCAD
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00025)
Autodesk Gives Ecuador Schools Copies Of AutoCAD 11/18/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Sausalito,
California-based Autodesk, maker of leading computer-aided design
(CAD) and professional graphics software, has donated 92 copies of
its popular AutoCAD software to the University of Quito in
Ecuador, South America.
Although the company is an aggressive pursuer of groups which
pirate its software, Autodesk has a reputation for donating copies
of its popular CAD software to educational institutions.
Through the University of Quito, the copies will actually be
distributed to more than 20 different university locations in
Ecuador where they will be used to train potential mechanical
and civil engineers, as well as architects.
Autodesk is just one of the high-tech companies which is rapidly
expanding their presence in Latin America. The region is seen by
many as a major economic growth area for the next thirty years,
offering North American companies an even larger market than
Asia and Europe put together.
AutoCAD software and documentation is available in 18
languages and sold in 80 countries.
(John McCormick/19931118/Press Contact: Andrew Mackles,
Autodesk, 415-491-8778)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TELECOM
Comdex - Rockwell's Low-Power Radio Data/Fax Modem
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00026)
Comdex - Rockwell's Low-Power Radio Data/Fax Modem 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Rockwell
International has announced the RC32ACM, its first combined
packet radio/phone line modem unit. Plans are also in hand for
a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association)
version of the unit to be shipped some time next year.
Essentially, the RC32ACM combines the packet radio facilities
of the RAM/Mobitex packet radio technology in the same box as a
conventional high-speed PSTN (public switched telephone network)
modem. The idea is that packet radio software will run in the
background under Windows on a portable PC so that, if the user is
within range of the RAM network (which accounts for 80 percent
of the US), they can receive electronic messages and files
"on-the-fly."
The conventional modem aspect of the unit is intended for those
occasions when you want to send data but are not in range of the
RAM network, or where you want to send or receive a large amount
of data -- a more expensive business on the RAM network where
usage is charged on the basis of data transmitted and/or received.
Mark Chapman, Motorola's product line manager for packet data, told
Newsbytes that there are plans to offer the RC32ACM in a PCMCIA-
style box, but, at the moment, the technology is not sufficiently
miniaturized.
"We've got many of the facilities down to a Class II PCMCIA card,
but we still need to hook up a RAM packet radio modem. We estimate
that the whole bundle -- data pump, modem and packet radio modem
-- can be compressed into a PCMCIA Class III unit, which is about
twice the thickness of a Class II card," he told Newsbytes.
Interestingly, Chapman said that he views the RC32ACM as a product
that stands distinct from Rockwell's other products, which include
conventional "wireline" (PSTN) modems, analog and digital cellular
modems and personal communications services (PCS) products.
Rather than competing, the RC32ACM is a complementary product,
he claims.
The RC32CM is available in two versions: a two package low profile
RC32ACM data pump; and a three package RC32CM integrated modem.
Both packages support all modem speeds to 14,400 bits-per-second
(bps) data and fax.
As with many of Rockwell's communications products, no end user
pricing is quoted, as the company supplies in quantity to third-
party companies on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) basis.
The idea of this is that the third-party company will add its own
software and/or hardware for onward sale as a "total solution" to
the public.
(Steve Gold/19931118/Press Contact: Eileen Algaze,
714-833-6849)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TELECOM
Comdex - Rockwell Intros GPS On A PCMCIA Card
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)
Comdex - Rockwell Intros GPS On A PCMCIA Card 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Rockwell
International has formally announced the Navcard at Comdex. The
company claims that the Navcard is the industry's first original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) global positioning system (GPS)
device that comes in a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
Industry Association) format.
Pricing on the unit is $749 for 100-up quantities supplied only to
third-party companies on an original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
basis. The idea of this marketing strategy, according to Stuart
Thomson, marketing manager for commercial GPS business, is
that the name Rockwell will not appear on the Navcards sold to
the end user.
"We sell them at $749 each to other companies who then add their
software and/or hardware as they think fit. It's up to them what
price they charge the end user," he said.
GPS technology is not new, Newsbytes notes, but integrating it
onto a PCMCIA card allows the power consumption to be reduced
considerably -- by around 50 percent on existing larger GPS
systems. Power consumption on the Navcard is down to 750
milliwatts, Thomson said.
The Navcard is a five channel unit that comes in a PCMCIA II card
case. The unit includes a built in, removable antenna for what
Rockwell claims is a "truly hands free system solution."
In use, Navcard has a first time to fix on GPS of between 20 and 30
seconds and works under dynamic conditions. Rockwell claims that
the card is designed to function under foliage and in urban
environments where shock and vibration is present.
GPS is a satellite-based location system that was originally
created for use by US government agencies. The service, which is
now available to allcomers, is provided free of charge and allows
mobiles to locate themselves to within a few hundred meters
from almost anywhere on the earth's surface.
(Steve Gold/19931118/Press & Public Contact: Rockwell
International, tel 714-833-4497, fax 714-833-6544)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Startek's Computerized Fingerprint Verifier
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00028)
Comdex - Startek's Computerized Fingerprint Verifier 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Startek, the Taiwanese
company, has unveiled the Fingerprint Verifier FC100, a $2,700
peripheral for PCs that allows fingerprint scans to be taken and
compared. The technology has been designed for biometric security
applications, according to Rudolf Hauke, the company's product
manager.
One of the biggest problems with fingerprint scan systems in the
past, Hauke told Newsbytes, is that the fingerprints need to be
stored on disk in a digital data format. The FC100 gets round this
by connecting to the PC's bus port and storing the image on disk as
a series of X-Y coordinates, plus relationships between line ends,
and other features that make up a typical fingerprint. The
resultant file is known as a minutia file.
"Each minutia file is capable of being stored as a 256 byte image.
This means that a typical fingerprint profile can store as many as
4,000 prints per megabyte," he explained.
Hauke said that, since smart cards can now store up to one kilobyte
(KB) of data with ease at low cost, it is possible to store a minutia
file plus 768KB of personal data on the card. Then, when the card is
inserted in the FC100, the card holder's ID can be verified.
Newsbytes asked Hauke whether, with such a small amount of data,
whether it was possible for two people's fingerprints to have an
identical set of coordinates. He replied that the false acceptance
rate is around 1 in 100,000.
Hauke stressed that the FC100 is not designed for use as a standalone
security system. It was designed, he said, for use with a password
or a physical token system of security. The standalone aspect is
something that the company is working on.
"We are currently testing adding skin and other test systems to
the image verification. This has the added advantage that, if
someone is desperate enough to slice someone's finger off to gain
access to their secure system, the system will be able to detect
whether the tissue is alive or not," he told Newsbytes.
(Steve Gold/19931118/Press & PUblic Contact: Rudolf Hauke,
tel 49-711-5777-275, fax 49-711-5777376)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
TELECOM
Comdex - GTE Gets Into The Mobile Revolution
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00029)
Comdex - GTE Gets Into The Mobile Revolution 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, 1993 NOV 18 (NB) -- Not content with its
share of the cellular and packet radio mobile communications
marketplace, GTE is readying its cellular digital packet data
(CDPD) technology for when the FCC gets around to licensing the
frequencies for use in the US.
CDPD is unlike other mobile data systems in that, instead of using
the frequencies available on a dedicated basis, it uses the
company's existing analog cellular network time when speech is not
being transmitted. CDPD is being promoted for use by several of the
US mobile data communications companies, including GTE, Nynex,
Sprint, and US West.
"The idea is to make use of the finite length of idle time when
speech is not being used. Under CDPD, data transmissions of 19,200
bits-per-second are possible, although, because of the complex
error correction required, this drops to around half this figure,"
explained Jon Austin, wireless data manager with the company.
Austin added that CDPD is a third option for using cellular networks
on the move for data. The two conventional technologies, he said,
are MNP Class 10 error correction using standard modems, and the
AT&T enhanced throughput cellular (ETC) system which is an
advanced version of the old CCITT V.42Cell data transmission
standard.
According to Austin, CDPD will shortly go live in the San Francisco
Bay Area, as well as in Houston. CDPD is flexible, he said, because
it interfaces well with the existing analog AMPS (American System
for Mobile communications System) used by most mobile phones.
Although currently untried in a public environment, CDPD has the
edge over the competition, GTE claims, since it can make use of
existing cellular base stations and networks, rather than requiring
the installation of a new network.
Furthermore, the company claims, CDPD has a fast data throughput of
around four times that of existing cellular modem technology, even
when error correction is taken into account.
GTE is planning to roll out its CDPD technology rapidly across the
US during 1994. By the end of next year, the company expects to
offer the service in at least 61 cellular regions. Roaming between
regions will be automatic, as it is with the GTE analog AMPS mobile
phone network.
(Steve Gold/19931118/Press & Public Contact: GTE Telecoms,
404-391-8000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/18/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Mobile Comms Industry Discussion (Part 3)
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00030)
Comdex - Mobile Comms Industry Discussion (Part 3) 11/18/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- This is part
three of a three-part report on a conference on mobile
communications with several of the industry majors attending at
the Comdex Fall computer show. Today, we report on what Pradeep
Singh, group manager for mobile services with Microsoft and Larry
Crume, vice president of electronic messaging with Lotus, had to
say.
Singh asked the interesting question as to who, exactly, using
mobile comms technology today? He answered this rhetorical
question by noting that there is a wide mix of users, many of
whom were slowly being drawn into computers.
"There is a major sea change taking place in the market, away from
the mobile computing and cellular phone using community and towards
an integrated type of user. We see the market changes continuing for
some time to come," he said.
This situation, he added, has resulted in the industry representing
something of a challenge for Microsoft. The one thing driving the
industry, he noted, is the fact that network usage is increasing all
the time.
Crume, meanwhile, said that mobile comms is based on several key
components: notebook/laptop technology; palmtop and personal
digital assistants (PDAs); the arrival of more operating systems in
the market; wireless and wireline technology improvements; and the
integration of technologies generally.
"What users are looking for are software enhancements. You have to
look at the electronic management of information," he said, adding
that, as an electronic mail (e-mail) user of the last 20 years, he
himself found himself spending up to six hours a day dealing with
the 100 to 150 e-mail messages that drop into his mailbox each
working day.
"One interesting feature is that I'm finding is that around 20 percent
of my e-mail is coming in over the Internet. That shows that the
Internet is becoming a major force in telecommunications," he said.
The one thing that Crume claims that he has discovered about e-mail
is that he needs to be selective about the type of information he
receives while on the move. There is no point, he said, in
downloading all his e-mail to his mobile. All he needs are the
headers and, if possible, users should have software agents scanning
their land-wired mailboxes for specific messages and keywords.
Only when these are present should a priority message be sent to the
mobile.
Last but not least, Crume said that he sees the biggest restriction
in mobile comms as the baud rate that can be transmitted over a
radio link. Unless baud rates increase dramatically, he said, users
will need to be highly selective in what data they receive while on
the move.
(Steve Gold/19931118)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
GOVT
****Compton's Claims Ownership Of Multimedia
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00001)
****Compton's Claims Ownership Of Multimedia 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Does anyone own
multimedia? Compton's New Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Tribune Publishing, claims it does and it has the patent to prove it.
According to the company, anyone selling information in a
multimedia format will need to pay license fees to Compton's no
matter what the device used to distribute multimedia. Company
officials say interactive television services like those announced
by Time Warner and GTE, graphical on-line services such as
America Online and Prodigy, and compact disc read-only memory
(CD-ROM) title developers will all be obligated to pay or face
legal action.
The US Patent Number is 5,241,671 titled: "Multimedia
Search System Using A Plurality Of Entry Path Means Which
Indicate Inter-relatedness Of Information." The patent was
issued on August 31, 1993, and describes the technology as: "A
database search system that retrieves multimedia information
in a flexible, user friendly system. The search system uses a
multimedia database consisting of text, picture, audio, and
animated data. That database is searched through multiple
graphical and textual entry paths."
Compton's was purchased by Tribune around the time the patent
was issued. When asked why wait so long to make the patent
announcement, Norm Bastine, executive vice president and
general manager of Compton's said the company wanted to
complete the sale first.
Tribune Publishing describes itself as an information and
entertainment company with six daily newspapers, seven
television, and six radio stations, as well as offering
syndicated information and programming to a variety of print,
electronic, and broadcast media.
The announcement has angered a variety of multimedia
developers, some of whom claim they developed the same
technology before Compton's development of its multimedia
encyclopedia, on which the patent is based. Brower Murphy of
The Library Corporation in Inwood, West Virginia, claims he
was using similar technology in 1984.
Bastine says Compton's should be compensated for its
"pioneering work" which it submitted for patent in the mid-
1980's and was granted patent pending status in 1989.
Four ways were enumerated for the licensing: one percent of the
net profits, rising to three percent for those who do not comply
by June 30, 1994; a strategic licensing agreement; distribution
of multimedia information which it will buy for resale at a 65
percent discount; or purchase of a Compton's tool set for title
development with accompanying run-time fees for distribution.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931117/Press Contact: Pat Meier, Pat Meier
Associates for Compton's, 415-957-5999; Christina Germscheid,
Compton's New Media, 618-929-2500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Quattro May Link With WordPerfect & Ichitaro
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00002)
Japan - Quattro May Link With WordPerfect & Ichitaro 11/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Borland (Tokyo) has been
talking with WordPerfect Japan and Just System concerning
a possible link between their application programs. If an
agreement is reached, three major application programs --
Quattro Pro for Windows, WordPerfect for Windows, and
Ichitaro -- may be linked with each other.
Discussions between the three companies are going on at
present, according to the Nikkei Personal Computing magazine.
In the US, Borland has already entered into an agreement and has
been selling a software bundle which includes Quattro Pro 5.0
Workgroup Edition and WordPerfect 6.0 for Windows.
The link with Just System is seen as significant because that
company's Ichitaro has the largest share in the Japanese PC
word processing market. Bundling Quattro along with Ichitaro
in Japan will benefit Borland a great deal. Just Systems does
not have a powerful spreadsheet program for Windows.
The three firms are also reportedly considering the development
of similar macro features for their application programs. However,
initially, Borland may just sell the three programs in a single
bundle.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931115/Press Contact:
Borland, Tokyo, tel 81-3-5350-9380, fax 81-3-5350-9369)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
IBM
Japan - Dell Offers Low-Cost PC
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00003)
Japan - Dell Offers Low-Cost PC 11/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Dell Computer, Tokyo, has
begun a major sales campaign marketing a personal computer
package that involves Canon, Just System, and Intel Japan.
The package includes a powerful Dell PC, Just System's
best-selling Ichitaro Japanese word processor, and a Canon
printer -- at a total cost of only 298,000 yen ($2,980).
Dell Computer's sales campaign is intended to compete with
Japanese word processing machines, which are sold for
slightly less.
The package consists of Dell's NetPlex 425s/P, which is based
on a 25 megahertz (MHz) 486SX processor. It has an eight
megabytes (MB) of memory, a 3.5-inch floppy disk, a 5.25-inch
floppy disk, and a 120MB hard drive.
DOS/V 5.0 is already installed on the PC. Also, Ichitaro and the
Sanshiro spreadsheet program are bundled with the system.
Japanese Windows 3.1 is also included. Ichitaro can be upgraded
to the Windows version free of charge.
The PC package is also equipped with Canon's BJ-10V Lite
bubble-jet printer.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931115/Press Contact: Dell
Computer, Tokyo, 81-3-5420-5353)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
BUSINESS
India - Public Telecom Firm Seeks Funding
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00004)
India - Public Telecom Firm Seeks Funding 11/17/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Mahangar Telephone Nigam
Ltd. (MTNL), the profitable public sector company that manages
Delhi and Bombay telecommunications circuits, is seeking to
generate greater resources at lower costs.
There are a number of ways for the company to achieve its goals,
including: strategic investment alliances with multinational
telecommunications firms and raising Euro-issues of global
depository receipts (GDRs). MTNL is also considering going ahead
with the debt issue alone, instead of an equity-cum-debt issue
of Rs. 1,800 crore it had slated for release in the Indian market
by the end of 1993.
The shift comes in view of the higher premium that MTNL can
gross from the multinationals. During the disinvestment of
MTNL's equity by the government last year, the Indian financial
institutions valued its scrips based on its net asset value at
Rs. 64 per share (face value Rs. 10).
The maximum premium that the Indian capital market can fetch
the company is Rs. 100 for a Rs. 10 equity share -- much less
than the premia (Rs. 250) offered by the MNCs for a Rs. 10 share.
MNCs evaluate MTNL's equity by the profit earning capital value
(PECV) method, based on which was also the evaluation of other
international merchant bankers. Salomon Brothers and Lehmann
Securities informally valued the shares at between Rs. 250 and
Rs. 300. The former had also offered earlier to underwrite a
minimum amount of $750 million (Rs. 450 crore) for an equity
issue of Rs. 100 crore.
With Bombay Telephone acquiring the distinction of being the
first telecommunications carrier in the country to have an
installed base of one million lines, a milestone was reached
with the recent expansion of exchange equipment at Mulund.
Bombay has come a long way since the half-million lines-capacity
had been transferred to MTNL in 1986. Also the first city to get a
10,000-line state-of-the-art digital telephone exchange from
Fujitsu of Japan earlier this year, Bombay was also the first to
have an alphanumeric radio paging service.
The latest challenge for MTNL is providing a telephone line
within two days of a request for service.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
BUSINESS
Wang Finally Posts Profit For Quarter
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00005)
Wang Finally Posts Profit For Quarter 11/17/93
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Wang
Laboratories Inc., has finally managed to post a profit - for the
first quarter of fiscal year, 1994, ended September 30, 1993.
The company reported operating income for the quarter of $12.4
million on revenues of $210.9 million. First-quarter income before
gain on debt discharge and reorganization items was $11.9 million.
First-quarter operating income included "non-recurring income" of
about $5 million from settlements under licensing agreements
regarding single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) that are
protected by two Wang patents.
In announcing the results, Joseph M. Tucci, chairman and chief
executive officer, said, "The new Wang is profitable. As a result
of our new cost structure and sharpened business focus, Wang
achieved positive operating results on a lower revenue base.
These results confirm our belief that the company's cost reduction
programs have been effective."
Net income for the quarter was $306.3 million, reflecting "an
extraordinary" gain of $329.3 million and reorganization expenses
of $34.9 million. According to the company, the one-time
extraordinary gain and reorganization expenses relate to
implementation of the company's reorganization plan,
restructuring initiatives, and the adoption of "fresh-start"
accounting, which applies to companies that have emerged from
Chapter 11.
The company says that, as a result of the one-time extraordinary
gain, net income for the quarter is "not comparable to prior
quarters or indicative of future period results."
As reported previously by Newsbytes, Wang emerged from
Chapter 11 protection on September 21, 1993, when its
reorganization plan was confirmed by the Court.
(Ian Stokell/19931117/Press Contact: Frank Ryan,
508-967-7038, Wang)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
TELECOM
Infonet Extends World Network To More European Cities
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SFO)(00006)
Infonet Extends World Network To More European Cities 11/17/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Infonet Services Corp.,
has extended its World Network to 11 additional cities in Europe,
including Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Italy.
Infonet claims that its World Network serves multinational
companies at 10,000 sites worldwide, and is accessible in about
150 countries for data, file transfer, store and forward,
electronic-mail, and facsimile transmissions.
Infonet has recently installed new high-speed communication
facilities in various European locations: Hamburg, Berlin,
Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, and Munich, in Germany; Lyon and Lille in
France; Lausanne and Zurich in Switzerland; Barcelona in Spain;
and Rome in Italy.
The company claims that, as a result, multinational enterprises
with offices in these cities can now gain access to Infonet's
World Network by making an inexpensive local phone call.
Multinational users based in other countries can just to log onto
the World Network, using a laptop and modem, when visiting
other others of Europe.
The company maintains that it has local sales, service, and
support organizations in all countries where it has World
Network communication facilities, and regional "support centers"
in Belgium and North America to assist worldwide users.
(Ian Stokell/19931117/Press Contact: Mike Radice,
310-335-2877, Infonet Services Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
BUSINESS
Comdex - DEC, Microsoft Partnership Strengthened
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00007)
Comdex - DEC, Microsoft Partnership Strengthened 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment Corp., and Microsoft Corp., have strengthened their
partnership, with DEC showing Comdex showgoers an Alpha-based
notebook computer running at 320 megahertz (MHz) that can run
Windows NT.
DEC's Jesse Lipcon, VP of systems marketing, calls the DEC Low
End AXP Notebook (LEAN) system "The fastest PC in the world." It
is one of the two DEC systems that run on DEC 21066 chips. LEAN
has two PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Industry
Association) slots, an estimated two-hour battery life, a color
monitor, and up to 64 megabytes (MB) of system memory in 16MB
increments. It weighs in at less than seven pounds.
DEC is also showing the DEC 2000 server model 500 which has
started shipping. The 2000/500 runs Windows NT, Unix, and Open
VMS.
Paul Maritz, Microsoft senior vice president, systems division, said
there are well over 100 Win32 applications already available that
run on the Alpha system, and that over 700 developers -- including
Autodesk, Intergraph, and Microsoft -- have committed to Win32
Alpha applications. Several hundred of those are expected by year
end.
Maritz says over 200,000 copies of Windows NT have already
shipped, but called that "ridiculously low" when you consider the
number of PCs in use. He says Microsoft has devoted tens of
millions of dollars to the development of Windows NT, and says
the next version will include enhanced object oriented and
distributed computing.
(Jim Mallory/19931117/Press Contact: Alan Ryan, Creamer
Dickson Basford, Digital Equipment Corp., 401-456-1697)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
IBM
Comdex - Metz Intros Phones 5.0 For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00008)
Comdex - Metz Intros Phones 5.0 For Windows 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A. 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Metz Software
previewed its Metz Phones 5.0 for Windows for Newsbytes at
Comdex, the computer industry's annual fall trade show.
Metz Phones is a Windows-based address and telephone manager,
but has a number of features that set it apart from the multitude
of contact programs now available.
One of those features is the low system resources required. Metz
told Newsbytes Phones 5.0 only requires about nine percent of the
system resources when running, and that drops to about three
percent when the application is minimized to an icon.
Metz says Phones can function as a replacement for Windows
Cardfile, the simple database that comes with Windows, but his
program offers some advantages over Cardfile. It has a freeform
text field that can hold a lot of data, and Phones can be sorted and
searched by various assigned categories. It will also attempt to
anticipate what the user wants by examining the database as you
enter a particular retrieval criteria.
Installed on a network, Phones 5.0 for Windows can allow all
network users access to a common phone book, and each user can
also maintain an individualized listing. The program also offers
a brief explanation of each icon on the button bar as the mouse
is passed over it.
The Metz Phones 5.0 for Windows database screen has a clean
appearance, with the selected record appearing in the lower right
two-thirds, the iconized menu across the top, an alphabetical menu
below that takes you to any letter of the alphabet by clicking
on the appropriate letter, and a list of the names in the database at
the left side of the screen. Today's date, the current time, and
the number of selected records appears across the bottom of the
screen.
Metz can also operate as a pop-up application invoked by a hot key
combination from within another application. Pointing at any phone
number in the application and clicking dials that number. Phones
will automatically format and print envelopes and mailing labels of
varying preset sizes, or you can edit the label sizes to meet your
own needs.
Art Metz, president of the company and also the developer of the
software, says there is a growing need to simply and effectively
manage common address and telephone databases on networked
PCs. "We developed Metz Phones to fill the need, giving workgroups
and networked offices easy access to shared database information."
Metz Phones is ready to ship except for completion of the packaging,
which is expected to be ready by the end of the year. In the
meantime, beginning December 1, 1993, you can download Phones
from Compuserve or America Online by typing GO METZ on either
service. Metz says registered users of any other Metz products can
purchase Phones 5.0 for $29.
(Jim Mallory/19931117/Press contact: Ann Revell-Pechar, Reed,
Revell-Pechar for Metz Software, 206-462-4777; Reader contact:
Metz Software, 206-641-4525, fax 206-644-6026)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
GENERAL
****Comdex - Gates Keynote Looks At The Future
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)
****Comdex - Gates Keynote Looks At The Future 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Bill Gates looked
at the future of computing in his keynote speech at Comdex. He
said he sees the walls coming down between applications.
From Gates' perspective, the future of computing, not surprisingly,
is based on present and future versions of Microsoft Windows.
Gates claims there are currently 50 million personal computers in
use today and 40 million of them are using Windows.
Gates cheerfully spoke the lines of the script he and some fellow
actors had learned, even donning a hard hat as he was shown how
more powerful computers running Windows NT (New Technology),
Microsoft's second generation of Windows that no longer relies
on an underlying operating system, to run computer controlled
machines in factories and other applications.
Gates predicts that within the next two years, a CD-ROM drive
will be as commonplace in all PCs as hard drives are now. He also
said the use of sound will expand greatly in the next few years
and PCs will be used to run interactive movies and act as
terminals for videoconferencing.
Gates teased his audience, some of whom saw the speech via closed
circuit television in various venues, with a glimpse behind the veil
that currently surrounds "Chicago" -- the current project name
under which the next version of Microsoft Windows is being
developed.
Chicago will support plug-and-play, one of the better technologies
to emerge recently as far as the user is concerned -- which
allows the operating system and the base hardware to recognize
peripherals and applications that are added, automatically
reconfiguring the base system to work with those add-ons. Chicago
even allows the changes to take place while the system is running.
Gates also spoke briefly about Cairo, the next generation of
Microsoft Windows NT. Cairo, expected to ship in 1995, will make
much greater use of object-oriented and distributed computing.
Gates cautions that all these developments will take time, but
says by the end of the decade most will be a reality.
(Jim Mallory/19931117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
IBM
Comdex - Microrim's "In The Black" Windows Accounting
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00010)
Comdex - Microrim's "In The Black" Windows Accounting 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Microrim Inc., has
introduced In The Black, a Windows-based accounting program for
small business and home use.
In The Black includes small business accounting, a personal finance
manager, and a contact management system based on Microrim's
database technology. A unique feature of In The Black is the ability
to switch between accounting terminology and plain English, such
as substituting "categories" for GL Accounts. The program uses
generally accepted accounting principles and a double-entry system
with an audit trail.
In The Black arrives with a chart of accounts already set up,
a daunting task for many do-it-yourself accountants. Accounts-
payable and receivable, invoicing, budgeting, financial analysis using
about 20 pre-formatted reports, income statements, balance sheets,
asset and liability tracking, and graphing are all supported.
The program also includes some special features for use as a home
accounting package. You can keep track of credit cards, manage your
bank accounts, and do financial planning for college, loans, savings,
and retirement, or compute your net worth.
There is also a Task Minder that works in tandem with the built-in
contact manager to prompt the user when is time to pay bills,
collect money, or even return phone calls. The contact manager
permits an unlimited number of records.
The company maintains that, what makes In The Black different
from other double-entry accounting packages is the way the
various elements work together. Information in the accounting
modules is the available to the Task Minder. Accounts Payable can
be filtered to decide which invoices to pay based on the available
cash, and In The Black displays how much money is currently in
the bank.
Icons to activate various functions are placed at the top and
bottom of the well-designed screens and their descriptions are
easy to read, says the company. Passing the mouse pointer over
an icon causes an explanation of the icon's function to be displayed.
In The Black has a suggested retail price of $89.95. Microrim
spokesperson Peter Card says the product is expected to ship by
the end of the year.
(Jim Mallory/19931117/Press contact: Peter Card, Microrim,
206-649-2551; Reader contact: Microrim, tel 206-649-9500,
fax 206-746-9438)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
IBM
Comdex - IBM Pushing "Natural Computing"
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00011)
Comdex - IBM Pushing "Natural Computing" 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- IBM has offered up
a new buzzword to Comdex/Fall attendees -- "natural computing."
The phrase is a marketing umbrella for a variety of features
IBM is adding to its personal computers to address such issues
as ease-of-use, ergonomics, energy efficiency, and esthetics.
At a customer briefing during Comdex, Bob Corrigan, president of
the IBM Personal Computer Co., said his company intends to make its
products easier to use, safer, and more efficient. As examples of
this direction, he pointed to several products launched in recent
months, including: the PS/2E energy-saving computer; the TrackPoint
pointing device used in the company's ThinkPad and PS/Note notebook
computers; the Rapid Resume feature that automatically saves a
user's work when a computer is turned off; and new speech
recognition technology.
"We're not alone in the effort to put people in control their
computers," Corrigan said, "but we believe we have a unique
advantage." That advantage, he said, is the technical expertise of
IBM's research operations.
That expertise is behind speech recognition technology and an
automated language translation program that can recognize a
spoken phrase in one language, and then speak the translated
phrase in another language.
To build on that knowledge, IBM earlier announced the creation of a
Center for Natural Computing in Somers, New York, which is also the
home base of the Personal Computer Co.
As Newsbytes reported in early September, the center, which starts
its formal life with a staff of about 36 people, is to explore ways
to make computers work more the way people naturally expect
them to work.
Bill McCracken, who heads the Personal Computer Co.'s operations
in Europe, Africa, and the Far- and Middle-East, said the average
person's expectations of computers is based largely on science
fiction movies and television programs. Today's computers do not
meet those expectations, he said, but they will move in that
direction in coming years. However, he said, "Just because we're
talking simple, doesn't mean it will simply happen." The
developments will take time.
Besides ease-of-use features, IBM trumpeted environmental
responsibility, pointing to the energy-efficient PS/2E computer it
launched earlier this year. The PS/2E was one of the first of a now
substantial number of energy-efficient computers, a trend driven
mainly by the United States government's decision to buy only PCs
that meet a new standard called Energy Star.
Recycling is another aspect of IBM's Natural Computing platform.
The company said it is using recycled materials to make the
casings of new machines, and is designing them so that they can
be disassembled easily for later recycling.
(Grant Buckler/19931116/Press Contact: Michael Corrado,
IBM, 914-766-1813)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
IBM
Comdex - ATI Aims At High-End Video, Low-End Graphics
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00012)
Comdex - ATI Aims At High-End Video, Low-End Graphics 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Three new
products from ATI Technologies Inc., of Markham, Ontario, are out
to attract visitors at Comdex/Fall who want better video capture
and video processing or low-end graphics acceleration.
The Video Wonder card captures, compresses, and plays back motion
video. Company spokesman Andrew Clarke said that unlike other
cards, it allows users to play back compressed video from their
hard drives at full motion and using the entire screen. Most would
only be able to display such video in a window, Clarke said.
The Video Wonder is among the first devices to use the Shared Frame
Buffer Interconnect specification developed by ATI and Intel Corp.
This allows various video and graphics functions to share the same
memory, simplifying interaction among different functions.
It comes with two megabytes (MB) of video RAM, and can be upgraded
with 2MB of dynamic RAM. With the DRAM added, Clarke said,
video capture functions can use the added DRAM, leaving the full
2MB of VRAM free for compression.
The new Video It card is a video capture device, essentially a
subset of the Video Wonder for those who already have the video
accelerator, Clarke said. The Graphics Wonder card is a low-end
graphics accelerator designed to work with VGA graphics adapters.
The Graphics Wonder card is to be available in January for $199.
The Video It card is to ship in March at $499, and the Video Wonder
is to be available in April for $999.
(Grant Buckler/19931116/Press Contact: Andrew Clarke, ATI
Technologies, tel 905-882-2600 ext 8491, fax 905-882-2620)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
APPLE
Comdex - Mac Version Of Street Atlas USA
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00013)
Comdex - Mac Version Of Street Atlas USA 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Delorme Mapping,
of Freeport, Maine, has launched a version of its Street Atlas USA
software for the Apple Macintosh. The company also unveiled at
Comdex/Fall a new release of the existing Windows version of
Street Atlas USA.
Dave Eshelman, sales manager at Delorme, said the Macintosh version
is essentially like the Windows version except that, in its first
release at least, it lacks the overview map and legend found in the
Windows version. That was due to time constraints as the company
tried to get the software out in time for the Christmas buying
season, he said, and the features may be added in future versions.
Delorme expects the Macintosh version of the software to generate
in the neighborhood of 20 percent of the sales volume the Windows
version chalks up, Eshelman said.
Demonstrated at Delorme's booth at Comdex, Street Atlas USA lets
a user select any location in the United States -- including rural
areas, the vendor said -- and display a detailed road or street
map. The maps can be zoomed in or out to get the desired level of
detail. Users can search by place name, zip code, or telephone
number, the company said.
Delorme offered both the Windows and the Macintosh version of
Street Atlas U.S.A. during Comdex at a special show price of $99.
(Grant Buckler/19931116/Press Contact: David Purcell, Delorme
Mapping, tel 207-865-1234, fax 207-865-9291)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Sharp Intros "Personal Information Assistant"
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00014)
Comdex - Sharp Intros "Personal Information Assistant" 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Sharp Electronics
Corp., unveiled the anticipated high-end addition to its line of
organizers and personal digital assistants at Comdex/Fall.
The new PT-9000, which Sharp calls a personal information
assistant, accepts input from a pen but also has a detachable
keyboard. It uses the GEOS operating system and applications
from Geoworks of Berkeley, California.
The unit also comes with communications software meant to provide
access to the America Online service. It has two Personal Computer
Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA) slots -- one Type II
and one Type III -- plus serial, parallel, and diskette connectors.
It weighs 2.5 pounds and its grey plastic case is 9.2- by 6.4- by
1.4-inches.
The PT-9000 will run on batteries for 22 hours of continuous use,
said Fran Caracciolo, national marketing manager. It is expected to
be available early in the first quarter of 1994, she said, and will
be sold in several different bundles, with a typical package
costing about $1,300. That price is likely to drop as the unit gets
into volume production, Caracciolo said.
According to Sharp, the new unit fits into the gap between personal
digital assistants -- including Sharp's earlier PI-7000 Expert Pad
-- and sub-notebook computers.
The PT-9000 is the second such device to use Geoworks' GEOS, the
first being the Zoomer PDA sold by Casio and Tandy. Stewart Noyce,
product manager at Geoworks, said one of the system's strengths is
the ability to exchange data with a personal computer. The PT-9000
can import text, data, and graphics files in a variety of popular
PC formats, Noyce said.
(Grant Buckler/19931116/Press Contact: Ray Vincenzo or James
Sciales, Dorf & Stanton for Sharp Electronics, tel 212-420-8100
or 800-223-2121, fax 212-505-1397)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
IBM
Comdex - New Notebooks, Lasers From Sharp
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00015)
Comdex - New Notebooks, Lasers From Sharp 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Sharp Electronics
Corp., has unveiled a pair of new notebook computers and two new
laser printers with 600 dots-per-inch (dpi) resolution. One of the
laser printers has a suggested retail price of $1,199, and Sharp
officials said they expect its street price will be less than $1,000.
Both of Sharp's new notebooks have color screens. The PC-8650 has
an active-matrix screen, while the PC-8150 uses dual-scan passive
matrix technology -- a relatively new development that improves on
the quality of existing passive-matrix screens but is cheaper and
easier to make than active-matrix.
Fran Caracciolo, Sharp's national marketing manager, said her
company is not having the supply problems with active-matrix
screens that many other vendors are, because Sharp is among the
handful of companies that actually manufacture the screens. But
she said the dual-scan passive-matrix screen offers customers a
lower-priced alternative.
Both units weight 6.4 pounds, use 33 megahertz (MHz) 486
processors, and have Personal Computer Memory Card Industry
Association (PCMCIA) Type II slots, 200 megabyte (MB) hard
drive, 4MB of memory, and power management software. Both
are available now. Suggested retail prices are $3,199 for the
PC-8150 and $3,699 for the PC-8650.
The two new laser printers differ in print speed, six pages-per-
minute (ppm) with the JX-9460PS and eight ppm with the
JX-9660PS, and in a second paper tray provided with the 9660.
Both support the PostScript page description language.
A company spokesman said Sharp's SoftBand memory technology
allows the printers to do with 2MB of memory what would
otherwise take four, and that is one reason for the low prices.
The JX-9460PS lists at $1,199, the JX9660PS at $1,399.
(Grant Buckler/19931117/Press Contact: Ray Vincenzo or James
Sciales, Dorf & Stanton for Sharp Electronics, tel 212-420-8100
or 800-223-2121, fax 212-505-1397)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
TRENDS
Comdex - VRex Offers Notebook With 3-D Display
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00016)
Comdex - VRex Offers Notebook With 3-D Display 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Now that color
screens have grown fairly common, what can notebook computer
makers do next? VRex Inc., a Hawthorne, New York, company thinks
it knows the answer, by offering three-dimensional (3-D) graphics.
The technology works somewhat like the 3-D movies for which
viewers wore colored glasses in the 1950s. VRex software
processes display information from ordinary computer applications,
separating each image into two -- one for each eye. A special filter
fits over the computer screen, and the user wears special glasses
to view the display.
VRex demonstrated the products at its booth at Comdex/Fall
along with an earlier product from the company -- an overhead
projection unit that also produces 3-D displays. Newsbytes found
the devices do create a 3-D effect, though with slightly less
clarity than a normal display.
VRex resells Apple PowerBook and Panasonic notebooks fitted
with the special screen filters and software, said David Swift,
the company's engineering manager. Swift said the notebooks
can display ordinary two-dimensional (2-D) images as well.
The PowerBook version, called the CyberBook-Mac, costs $4,250 or
$4,450, depending on the size of hard disk. The CyberBook-PC is
$4,950. VRex also sells an upgrade package that converts notebooks
with active-matrix color screens to 3-D for $1,500. The special
glasses are $5 for the basic version, $10 for clip-ons, and $18 for
"Deluxe Executive-Style" spectacles. VRex's projection panel is
$8,995.
(Grant Buckler/19931117/Press Contact: Suzanne K. McBride,
VRex, tel 914-345-8877, fax 914-345-8772)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Sony Intros Storage Devices, 1st PCMCIA Cards
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00017)
Comdex - Sony Intros Storage Devices, 1st PCMCIA Cards 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- At Comdex, Sony has
announced its first foray into the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory
Card Industry Association) market, along with the development of
two brand new storage mechanisms -- "metal servo micro floppy disk"
and "QIC Wide tape."
As another component in Sony's extensive suite of storage product
introductions, Sony added an entry-level PhotoCD-compliant model,
priced at only $199.95, to its double-speed CD-ROM line.
Sony's new storage products are geared to a broad range of
computer systems, from PDAs (personal digital assistants) to high-
end workstations, and from individual PCs to network servers,
officials said in making the announcements at a press briefing.
The company's PCMCIA card launch encompasses ten different
Type I flash memory cards and static RAM (SRAM) cards with
capacities ranging from 256 kilobytes (KB) to 16 megabytes (MB).
The new metal servo micro floppy disks are capable of storing
21MB of data on a single 3.5-inch disk. With their high storage
capacity, the new disks are designed for such applications as
backing up hard disk drives and storing graphics files.
"Sony invented the 3.5-inch floppy disk in 1980. Today we have
responded to market demands for larger capacity micro floppy disks
with the development of a 21MB model," stated Art Rancs, vice
president, data media products for the Sony Recording Media
Products Group.
The metal servo micro floppy disks offer three times the linear
density and four times the track density of conventional double-
sided high density disks, Ron Crowley, marketing manager for data
media, told the journalists. This is made possible chiefly by two
new technologies from which "meal servo" draws its name: "metal
magnetic particle technology" and "sector servo tracking
technology."
Two other technologies also help to achieve 21 MB formatted
capacity, Crowley added. "Zone management" is aimed at allowing
more efficient storage of data on the outer portion of the disk.
The second technology, "2-7 RLL (Run Length Limited) coding"
increases the density of data encoding.
The second brand new storage mechanism, QIC Wide tape, is a Sony-
developed, QIC Committee-approved minicartridge tape product
billed as achieving a 27 percent higher storage capacity than
existing minicartridges of the same length.
The higher capacity is achieved by using a standard .315-inch tape
that is wider than the previous .25-inch tape, but is housed in a
shell with the same exterior dimensions, according to Crowley.
The wider tape is initially being supported by QIC drive
manufacturers Tandberg Data Storage and Conner Peripherals.
Sony's new entry-level double-speed CD-ROM drive -- the CDU-33A
-- is able to read Photo CD-compliant multisession disks, explained
Jackie Cao, another Sony representative. Images on a Photo CD disks
can be viewed on a computer monitor via the CDU-33A.
The CDU-33A can also play audio compact disks. The new CD-ROM
drive is slated to be available through standard retail channels in
December for a suggested retail price of $199.95.
Also in the booth at Comdex, Sony is demonstrating a Digital Data
Storage (DDS) autoloader system that stacks four DDS-2 cartridges
for up to 16 gigabytes (GB) of storage, new CD mastering systems,
and new storage options in high capacity magnetic, write once, and
rewritable optical hardware and media.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931116/Reader Contact: Sony, 201-930-7669;
Press Contacts: Manny Vara or Brian Levine, Sony Electronics,
201-930-6432; Patricia Mozzillo, Technology Solutions for Sony,
212-505-9900 ext 221)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Ricoh Intros PC-Connective Office Peripherals
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00018)
Comdex - Ricoh Intros PC-Connective Office Peripherals 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- In a press
conference at Comdex, Ricoh Corp., has officially stepped beyond the
world of traditional office machines and into the emerging universe
of PC-connective multifunctional peripherals.
In this new product category, the capabilities of a copier, fax,
printer, and scanner are rolled into a single piece of equipment,
officials said in making the announcement.
Eric Steenburgh, president of Ricoh, explained that the
multifunctional peripherals will save time for users by changing
the usual office scenario from copying first and distributing later
to distributing first and then copying, but only as needed.
HIroshi Hamada, president of Ricoh's parent company, Ricoh
Company Ltd., noted that Ricoh has been marketing a digital
multifunctional copying system which offers (PC) connectivity
since 1987. "We have been eagerly awaiting the shift toward PC-
connective office machines in the US. Now this trend has started,
and we are confident that Ticoh will play a major role in this new
market," he added.
One of Ricoh's new machines -- the FAX3500L -- integrates the
functionality of plain paper facsimile, a copier, and laser
printing into a single desktop unit. An optional computer
interface, with RS232C and Centronics parallel ports and auto
switching, provides 10 page-per-minute (ppm) printing at 300
dots-per-inch (dpi) from IBM-compatible PCs.
Another new device, the FAX800, brings together plain paper fax, a
copier, an ink jet printer, and an auto-switching telephone into a
single unit.
The FAX800 is aimed at allowing functions such as printing and fax
receiving and sending to be performed simultaneously. Incoming fax
and voice calls are automatically routed to either the fax or an
attached phone or phone answering machine.
For high-end office applications, Ricoh's new MB715 combines the
capabilities of a high-speed laser fax hub, digital copying, and
optional 10 ppm printing.
A high-speed modem transmits documents to other 14.4 kbps
devices at a rate of six seconds per page, officials said. Documents
can be scanned into memory for later transmission while the unit
is printing, receiving or sending documents from memory.
The device is also an advanced digital copier that provides 400 dpi
resolution, along with such features as reduction and enlargement
from 25 to 400 percent, directional magnification, and series
copying.
A fourth device, the IFS66, is specifically designed for
compatibility with Microsoft at Work. The IFS66 is both a walk-up
fax machine and PC fax server that transmits to other 14.4 kbps
devices, also at six seconds per page. The unit provides 10 ppm
laser printing at 300 dpi resolution, utilizing new Microsoft At
Work print rendering technology.
The IFS66 also allows documents to be scanned into a connected PC.
Bit-mapped scanned images can be downloaded to Windows or DOS
applications and saved in TIFF, PCX or DCX file formats.
The IFS66 can also be used as a communication server for fax
transmissions, electronic mail, and PC file transfer. Text and
graphics files can be exchanged locally --through users' "in" and
"out" mailbox locations -- or through a remotely connected wide
area network.
(Jacqueline Emigh/111693/Reader Contact: Ricoh Corp., 201-882-
2000; Press Contact: Gil O'Brien, Robert Wick Public Relations for
Ricoh, 212-727-2500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
TELECOM
Comdex - Traveling Software's Laplink Wireless
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
Comdex - Traveling Software's Laplink Wireless 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- These are good
times for Mark Eppley's Traveling Software Inc. The company's new
Commworks communications program is getting good reviews, and
copies are being bundled on a new Toshiba laptop. A version of the
company's flagship Laplink file transfer product was demonstrated
by Apple Chairman Michael Spindler in his keynote address, and his
company now has well over 100 employees.
Eppley demonstrated Traveling Software's newest product, Laplink
Wireless, to Newsbytes at the company's booth at Comdex. The
recently announced Laplink Wireless comes with a small piece
of hardware from National Semiconductor. It can move data
through the air at up to 115,000 bits-per-second (bps).
Drawing a crowd around him, Eppley closed the notebook computer
he was holding and walked away. The crowd stood looking at a
Windows screen on which nothing was happening, while Eppley
marched around the adjacent booths. Then he returned, saying,
"Let's just come back to our office."
"Oh, what's this?" he cried, pointing to the screen. "My files
are automatically synchronizing!" He whipped out the notebook,
and there was Laplink Wireless running. The action of lifting the
computer's cover put the Nat Semi device on top of it into a
line of sight with another such device on the wall, linked by a
cable to the desktop machine at its left.
The display showed a number of files which were slightly altered
on the notebook, and then pop-up windows began asking questions
about which copy should be kept. "I could do all this automatically,
just walking into the room," he said. In moments, about 50
kilobytes of data had moved from one computer to the other.
"List price $229," he added. "Show special $179. Step right up."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931117/Press Contact: Elaina Dulaney,
Traveling Software, tel 206-483-8088, fax 206-487-1284)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
TELECOM
****Comdex - Briefing On The Govt's NII Infrastructure
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
****Comdex - Briefing On The Govt's NII Infrastructure 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- The man in
charge of the government's National Information Infrastructure
(NII) initiative, Larry Irving Jr., was scheduled to come by Byte's
press breakfast at the Alexis Park Hotel. However, he was suddenly
called into a meeting with the Vice President and Secretary of
Commerce, and could not make the trip.
As a result, he appeared live via satellite, in an interactive
videoconferencing link. There was one humorous note, as the
crowd watched an assistant put make-up on his face while they
had breakfast. But he was eventually introduced, and launched
into his spiel.
"We don't want to own, operate and maintain an information
superhighway," he said. "We want to help the private sector get
it built and use it." The NII will be "as ubiquitous as the
telephone system, able to carry information 1,000 times faster."
Irving touted uses for the NII in education and medicine, and
pointed to $1 billion in grants for NII projects, most of which
are claimed to be continued from the Bush Administration, that
the new government has won funding for. Irving also said it is
important that everyone get access to the NII, noting that while
he had noticed on a recent trip to California that students in
Cupertino had vast computer experience, but that poor students
in San Jose had none.
Then he got to the points which have proven controversial. "We
think there's a role for the government," he said, citing the
grants, the need for regulatory reform, and the need for
universal access, among his concerns. "There will be a clash of
cultures between those who are used to getting data free on the
Internet and content providers who want to be compensated for
their copyright. We have to start looking at these issues."
Hearings on that will start Comdex week in Crystal City,
Virginia, across the river from Washington.
Then Irving made a pitch, not for money or political support, but
for advice. "It's important that we communicate honestly and
completely over the next year. It's vital that government and
industry work together to make sure that information is
transferrable on disparate networks, without compromising
content."
He insisted that the real decisions and control of the NII must be
private, noting that in his life he had bought a Betamax, an eight-
track tape player, even a Quadraphonic stereo system. "We can't
outforecast the market, and we're not going to try. What we want
to do is understand this and work closely with you," he concluded.
"Believe this. I'm here from the government and I need your help.
(Dana Blankenhorn/199931117/Press Contact: Larry irving Jr.,
Internet: lirving@nist.doc.gov)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
IBM
Comdex - Sigma Designs Intros Mac Reelmagic, Dell Deal
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00021)
Comdex - Sigma Designs Intros Mac Reelmagic, Dell Deal 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Sigma Designs
believes consumers will jump at the chance to get its low-cost
video playback board in their personal computers. Dell Computer
has even committed offer the Reelmagic board pre-installed
option on its high-end PCs.
Sigma has also announced that Radius, known for its video
display products, will develop a version of the board for the
Apple Macintosh.
The Reelmagic board has created a stir in the multimedia
industry since its recent announcement, because it offers the
playback quality of boards that cost four to five times more,
yet is priced at about $400. The board delivers television
quality playback of Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-1
compressed files from slower and less expensive single-speed
compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives and works
with a standard video graphics array (VGA) card.
The playback is good quality, but not as good as consumers
would see if they install a television card in their PC and
playback video from an analog input, such as a video cassette
recorder (VCR). However, Bill Crow, director of technology at
Sierra Online said Sierra believes the consumer market is
hungry for and will invest in better quality video playback
sooner than they will spring for better quality sound.
"Consumers are still buying the cheapest eight-bit sound card they
can find. (However) we saw the entire extended graphics array
(EGA) display market disappear in a matter of 12 months once
the VGA became available -- and VGA is not cheap," said Crow.
Sierra, Aris Entertainment, and Compton's New Media have all
announced CD-ROM educational and game titles that will work
with the Reelmagic product. Three Aris titles, World View, MPC
Wizard, and Video Cube, are being bundled by Sigma Designs with
the Reelmagic product.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
TELECOM
Nynex To Enter Japanese Cable TV Market
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00022)
Nynex To Enter Japanese Cable TV Market 11/17/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- US-based telephone carrier
Nynex is planning to begin cable television services in Japan.
The firm will provide service in cooperation with a major
conglomerate, Tomen. It is reported that the firm has already
submitted an application form for the business draft plan to the
Japanese Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications.
Nynex is planning to begin service in the spring of 1995. The firm
will start an experimental service next spring, which will be
accomplished with the help of Nikki and Fujitsu, as well as Tomen.
It will be handled by the Yokohama TV Station, which is backed
by Fujitsu and Nikki.
The firms will install optical fiber cable to about 100 households
in the Yokohama area, which will provide cable TV programs as
well as a telephone service. The telephone lines will be connected
with NTT's phones lines. Users will be able to make telephone calls
throughout Japan. An estimated 200 million yen ($2 million) will
be spent to lay out the optical cable.
Nynex has reportedly already begun a similar service in the United
Kingdom through a subsidiary company. Nynex may also create a
joint venture firm with Tomen, Fujitsu, and Nikki. Nynex and
Tomen will reportedly contribute, respectively, 15 to 16 percent
of the capitalization in the new firm.
Through the new cable service, Japanese users will be able
to get telephone shopping along with "video on-demand." The
Japanese government is currently discussing the deregulation
of telecommunication laws which would make these services
possible.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931117/Press Contact: Tomen,
81-3-3588-7111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/17/93
GOVT
German Privatization Agency Hit By Computer Fraud?
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00023)
German Privatization Agency Hit By Computer Fraud? 11/17/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Prosecutors have raided a
series of offices and private apartments in 10 cities across
Germany, on suspicion of an organized fraud against the Treuhand
privatization agency.
According to media reports in Germany, several packets of
documents were confiscated during the raids, which were in
connection with allegations that Funk und Zenkner, the investment
house, used computers to manipulate the costs of cleaning up
environmental damage when it acquired East German-based Plasta,
Kunstharz und Perssmassenfabrik Erkner from the agency.
Prosecutors in Germany say they are also investigating an official
at Treuhand and an executive of Funk und Zenkner who used to work
for Treuhand. Sources suggest that the privatization agency may
have lost as much as DM 10 million on the contract.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931117/Press & Public Contact: Der Treuhand,
49-228-355682)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/17/93
TELECOM
Europe Falling Behind US In Info Superhighway?
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00024)
Europe Falling Behind US In Info Superhighway? 11/17/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- As momentum gathers in
the US for President Clinton's plans for a data superhighway for
companies to use across the US and beyond, British
Telecommunications (BT) Chairman Iain Vallance has lambasted
the British government for failing to respond.
According to the BT head, Europe, and in particular, the UK,
stands a good chance of being left behind in the race to build the
superhighway, with the probable result that Europe's trade will
be left behind when it comes to the multimedia revolution.
Speaking at the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI's)
conference, Vallance said that: "We, as Europeans, are in danger of
being left behind by the Americans and Japanese where plans are
well underway for information superhighways,"
Vallance conceded that the British government was doing all it
could to spur interest in a similar data superhighway to the
proposed US and Japanese networks, but was being met with
indifference from the rest of Europe, notably the European
Commission.
Europe's problem, Newsbytes notes, is that while most of Western
Europe has a good telecoms infrastructure, Eastern Europe, which is
being drawn in the European web, has an out-of-date infrastructure.
The result is, Newsbytes notes, that any possible funding that could
be used to finance a superhighway for data in Western Europe is
being diverted to meet the needs of Eastern Europe, so as to
facilitate trade between all of Europe.
(Steve Gold/19931217)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/17/93
TELECOM
****Major French-German Telecoms Deal Firming Up
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00025)
****Major French-German Telecoms Deal Firming Up 11/17/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Plans for a major telecoms
alliance between France and Germany are now firming up, despite
intense pressure from other European telecoms administrations.
As reported recently, both countries' telecoms companies have been
discussing the possibility of a joint venture firm being formed
to offer Europe an even worldwide telecoms services on a similar
scale to the British Telecommunications/MCI alliance.
According to reports in Sueddeutsche Zeitung, the German daily
newspaper, the alliance could go a lot further than this, with both
companies effectively merging their operations for all matters
except "local loop" phone calls.
The paper asserts that a draft "memorandum for a strategic
partnership" has been presented to the European Commission, in
preparation for the implementation of the plan over the next five
years. TV sources in Germany, meanwhile, have reported that the
EC has given a provisional thumbs up to the deal, claiming that no
problems over lack of competition apply to the deal.
Newsbytes notes that this is almost certainly due to the fact
that, by the time 1998 rolls around, the EC has mandated that all
telecoms services in Europe will be on at least a partial free
market basis. This perhaps explains why the French/German
telecoms deal has been implemented on a five year plan basis.
Although DBT, the German telecoms administration, has confirmed
that discussions are taking place at a high level, and that seniors
from France Telecom and DBT have been to Brussels, no further
comments have been forthcoming.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung, meanwhile, has gone as far as publishing
alleged extracts from the memorandum, which show that the
memorandum lays down a number of stages in the joint initiative.
The first stage, Newsbytes understands, involves the setting up of
a European-wide data communications network to service major
international companies' telecoms needs. BT's Syncordia operation
is currently the only major competitor in this field, Newsbytes
notes.
By the time 1998 rolls around, when the EC telecoms market is due
to be liberalized, DBT and France Telecom are aiming to have a joint
voice and data comms network spanning Europe, with only local
calls serviced by their local country operations.
The German paper quotes the memorandum as saying that the two
companies admit that they do need a third partner to stave off the
competition. Sources suggest, the paper asserts, that the companies'
Eunetcom initiative will be used as the basis for expansion of the
proposed European network.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931117/Press & Public Contact:
France Telecom, tel 33-1-4444-6094, fax 33-1-4657-8802)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/17/93
TRENDS
Comdex - More On Mobile Comms Industry Discussion
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00026)
Comdex - More On Mobile Comms Industry Discussion 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- This is part two
of a three part report on a conference on mobile communications
with several of the industry majors attending at the Comdex Fall
computer show. Today, we report on what Jack Bartlett, worldwide
product line executive with IBM's mobile computing operations,
had to say.
In his speech, Bartlett cited the interesting analogy of the current
states of the mobile comms industry with the famous Peanuts
cartoon, where Lucy -- on board a cruise ship with Charlie Brown --
asked Charlie whether he is looking forward or backward from the
ship. Charlie Brown replies that he cannot get to that stage
because, "I can't even get my deck-chair open."
This situation, though comical, sums up the current state of the
mobile comms industry, he asserted, adding that, fortunately for
everyone, things are starting to change, albeit on a localized scale.
He said that some elements of the industry making enormous
strides, while other stagnate.
The mobile comms industry, according to Bartlett, is highly
fragmented, mainly on account of the vast number of variables
restricting the technology. These variables are: keyboards, pen-
stylus systems, display, power availability, need for paper
output, and voice telecoms facilities.
On the portable computing front, he said, there are four major
growth areas: notebooks, sub-notebooks, holdables, and pocketables.
All four categories, he claimed, are very different in their
approach to the needs of the user.
"Every month it seems that one or another manufacturer makes a
breakthrough in portable computing technology. This trend will
continue, with companies like IBM producing innovative machines
such as the Thinkpad 750/750C series meeting users' needs," he
said.
Bartlett claimed, however, that portable computing still has an
enormous way to go before users are satisfied. What the industry is
looking for, he said, is a "no compromise solution." This solution,
he said, is not around at the moment, as subnotebook technology
still has a long way to go in maintaining full power while reducing
the weight of the portable.
"Ideally, what every wants is a Power PC system with minimal battery
requirements that fits on the wrist in a watch casing. We're still a
little way off that, but the industry is moving towards that goal,"
he said, adding that the main problem in achieving this goal was not
one of miniaturization, but power.
The current trends may conquer this limitation, he asserted, adding
that 2.5-inch hard disk technology is reducing the bulk of portable
PCs. "Next year we're looking at 500 megabytes (MB) on a PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association) card, while
1 gigabyte will be attained in 1995/96," he said.
Bartlett places great store in PCMCIA technology. He claims that
color screen technology is also advancing very quickly, with the
arrival of hand portable color machines expected within two years.
Battery technology continues to bug the industry, he told the
audience. At the moment, where lead-acid rated 35 and nicad 40,
new technologies such as lithium ion could 100 points, and lithium
polymer could achieve 200 points.
Once the problems of power weight ratios are solved in the portable
computing marketplace, he said, then technology will leap-frog
ahead.
In the third and final report on mobile computing tomorrow,
Newsbytes will report what Pradeep Singh of Microsoft and Larry
Crume of Lotus have to say.
(Steve Gold/19931117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/17/93
TELECOM
Comdex - Motorola's Emarc Systems Examined
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)
Comdex - Motorola's Emarc Systems Examined 11/17/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- There is fierce
competition underway between the manufacturers of
personal digital assistants (PDAs), from such companies as Apple,
Casio, and Tandy.
Central to the success of the respective products is wireless
communications technology. Newsbytes stopped by the Motorola
stand at Comdex to speak with Brad Davies, director of strategic
marketing with Motorola's Embarc communications service.
Emarc is an extension of Motorola's paging technology, which
operates in the 900 megahertz (MHz) waveband. Operating at 1,200
bits-per-second (bps), Embarc uses a $249 PCMCIA (Personal
Computer memory Card Industry Association)-style pager that
slots in to several PDAs, notably the Apple Newton and the
Casio/Tandy Zoomer series.
Contrary to popular belief, Davis said, Emarc is a simplex (one-way)
transmission system that uses existing paging technology and
frequencies -- hence the relatively pedestrian 1,200 bps.
This is not a limiting factor, he said, since the transmissions can
include selective routing information to one or all Embarc receiver
units. "Software on the user's PDA then interrogates these
transmissions," he explained.
Aside from the obvious use of transmitting pager-style electronic-
mail to the PDA user on the move, Embarc also introduces the
concept of selective information publishing. Davis said that
Motorola is currently feeding copies of USA Today on-line and
Reuters news feeds over its network, with the PDA downloading
the information into memory.
The advantage of this method of transmission is that only one
transmission needs to be made to all users, with the users' Embarc
unit selecting what information to take. Furthermore, Motorola can
send various control signals over its network to configure an
Embarc unit on the fly.
"Not only can we control what data we transmit, but we can control
what information the user actually receives on his individual Embarc
system. It's that precise," Davis said.
Each issue of USA Today, the wireless edition, is around 700
kilobytes long. Since only one edition is transmitted to all users,
and it is up to the user to select which stories he wants to read,
either by flipping between "pages" and "stories" or programming the
computer to look for certain key words and mark them for reading.
The number of possible private groups on Embarc is also very wide.
Davis explained that there are 256 possible sub-groups on the Emarc
system, meaning that special interest groups -- set up over the
Embarc network -- can be set up on a permanent, semi-permanent or
even a single transmission basis.
Emarc, as a system, has been running since July of last year. The
technology, Davis said, has several applications, notably in
information publishing and corporate applications. Although Davis
acknowledges the technical and administrative issues, he wants
Emarc to go global, so that users can receive their news and
messages on the move, wherever they are.
Does Davis have a message to get across to the industry? "I want
to say that Embarc is not paging. It's not two-way - it's a new
broadcast technology that all mobile users should be looking at,"
he told Newsbytes.
How much does Embarc cost to use? Aside from the $249 buy-in for
the PCMCIA paging unit itself, the usage charges are $18 a month plus
data charges for messaging. "Included within that $18 a month charge
is free access to publishing services such as USA Today," Davis said.
(Steve Gold/19931117/Press & Public Contact: Motorola Emarc
Communication Services, tel 407-364-3856, fax 407-364-3683)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/17/93
GENERAL
India - Telco Intros Relational Tool
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00028)
India - Telco Intros Relational Tool 11/17/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- After the success of its
CASE (computer-aided software engineering) workbench, Turbo
Analyst, Telco's Management Services Division has introduced
Relational Designer, a Windows-based relational design tool.
Relational designer provides functionality for entity relationship
modeling, schema diagram generation, normalization, transaction
analysis, denormalization and performance tuning through optimal
index selection while converting files from a third-generation
language environment to tables in a database.
While creating entities and their inter-dependencies with key and
non-key attributes, it supports two conventions -- Chen's and
Martin's. The schema diagram depicts tables and foreign key
relationships, indexes on tables, transactions with their SQL
(structured query language) statements and storage requirements
of various database structures.
Designer checks the current normalization status of tables, and
identifies dependencies between data elements. The transaction
analysis module generates a consolidated matrix showing, not
only logical costs of various transactions, but also of accessing
the various tables on specific keys. These matrices are taken as
inputs in making various trade off decisions between performance
improvement of the system and data inconsistencies.
The user selects the transactions based on which indexing is to
be done. It will generate a set of SQL statements to be executed
on the target machine to evaluate the relative access cost. Using
this relative cost data, a cost matrix depicting actual execution
cost against the corresponding index for each transaction is
generated.
Priced at Rs 25,000 (about $820), Relational Designer supports
RDBMS platforms like Oracle, Ingres, Unify, Sybase, RDB, DB2,
Adabas and Informix.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/17/93
GENERAL
India - Bringing IT and Biodiversity Together
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00029)
India - Bringing IT and Biodiversity Together 11/17/93
MADRAS, INDIA, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- The Madras-based Center for
Research on Sustainable Agricultural and Rural Development
(CRSARD), belonging to M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, has
developed a database package on mangroves aimed at helping
preservation of global biodiversity and ecological balance. M.S.
Swaminathan is a renowned agricultural scientist.
Mangrove Ecosystem Information Service (MEIS) is an integrated
package of four databases namely: Mangrove Experts Directory
(MANEXP), Mangrove Bibliography (MANBIB), Mangrove Resources
and Inventorying Database (MANRES), and Mangrove Genetic
Variability Database (MANVAR).
MANEXP contains a directory of around 500 experts in the field
from 54 countries including the entire membership of the
International Society of Mangrove Ecosystem (ISME). The database
presents the biodata of all these experts with their areas of
specialization and their achievements.
MANBIB is a database on the bibliography of mangrove literature
published by the UNESCO covering the period 1600-1975 and
further covers another 2,100 bibliographic entries updated till
1993.
MANRES provides information on mangrove ecosystems at
different levels ranging from the national to the site level.
Further, MANRES provides visuals of sites, which can be enlarged
using high resolution.
MANVAR consists of information on variability at three levels,
namely: ecosystem, species (interspecific), and intraspecific. The
database is a compilation of the morphological variations of
mangrove fauna reported so far in journals and indexed.
Originally designed to have six databases, MEIS package now offers
five databases. The database consisting of mangrove sites named
Mangrove Visual (MANVIS) has been merged with MANRES. The
fifth one, named Mangrove Socio-Economic (MANSOC), will be
ready soon. MANSOC is a database on the survey of socio-economic
information related to human population who live in the vicinity on
mangroves worldwide.
MANEXP and MANBIB have been developed on microcomputer version
of CDS/ISIS, a package developed and distributed by UNESCO, so
that these databases can be used worldwide. The other two
databases MANVAR and MANRES were developed using Dbase IV.
MEIS has two design components. One is the design of databases
and the other is the design of a software platform to enable on-line
access, integration of CD-ROM components and image-editing
software. The second component of software integration through a
Unix server is being carried out in collaboration with Indian
Institute of Technology, Madras.
Says M.S. Swaminathan, chief of the foundation, "MEIS is aimed
at converting generalized information into a relevant need-based
application by bringing in more effectiveness." MEIS is targeted
at policy makers, researchers and foresters.
Sponsored by the International Tropical Timber Organization
(ITTO), Japan, the project is being supported by the India's
Department of Biotechnology, along with the Ministry of
Environment and Forests.
CRSARD has recently installed a 10 KVA solar photovoltaic
generator, the biggest in South India, designed and developed by
Central Electronics Ltd. The Center will be soon equipped with a
computer center named the Honda Informatics Center (HIC), after
the sponsor Honda Motors of Japan, which will be the first
computer center in the country to function on solar power.
HIC will be have two 486- and five 386-based systems, supported
by a variety of peripherals, including a color scanner and image
printer, with CD-ROM drive and a modem as add-on features.
The CD-ROMs have been made available by Commonwealth
Agricultural Bureau International (CABI), UK. Further, the center
has obtained on-line connection to over 300 databases through
Dialog Corp. CRSARD has also plan to establish a CD-ROM library
in collaboration with CABI, that would have a local area network,
an on-line information system, CD-ROM information services and
an electronic database in the field of agriculture and allied areas.
Also on the cards is the full-fledged training program on
CD-ROM.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/17/93
GENERAL
India - Management Education Via Satellite
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00030)
India - Management Education Via Satellite 11/17/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 17 (NB) -- Delhi-based All India
Management Association (AIMA) has taken management education
to distant locations in the country, thanks to modern satellite
communication technologies.
In a three-day pilot experiment, experts in Delhi recently reached
out to 500 students in 10 centers spread all over the country. The
students could seek clarifications by means of a telephone link
satellite interactive channel using a one-way video and a
two-way audio instruction technology.
Conducted in collaboration with the Indian Space Research
Organization (ISRO) and Indira Gandhi National Open University
(IGNOU), AIMA's Center for Management Education (CME) used
Extended C band transponder on board Insat-2B.
Named Satellite-based Network for Education and Training (SINET),
the entire program was recorded from the teaching end (studio in
IGNOU) over a satellite earth station to broadcast live or taped
programs and received by means of a dish antenna, slightly
modified for the purpose. Another unique feature of the program
was the simultaneous transmission of fax, using the satellite
route to multiple receive stations.
The program was beamed from a small studio with an uplink
transportable remote area communication terminal (TRACT) at
the IGNOU Complex. Live or specially pre-recorded cassettes
would be transmitted from the studio.
Costs involved in making this experiment a reality are, however,
prohibitive. AIMA hopes to bring in institutions like the Indira
Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the Institution of
Engineers and the Institution of Chartered Accountants of India
among others to share time and cost.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Federal Express Demos High Technology
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00001)
Comdex - Federal Express Demos High Technology 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- More than one
attendee at Comdex, the computer industry's annual fall
extravaganza, wondered why Federal Express was exhibiting at
the trade show in Las Vegas this week.
But the red, white and blue shipping company wants the country to
know that it is high technology all the way, from the minute the
driver picks up the package until someone signs for it at the
destination.
To get their message out, 20-year old FedEx, as it is known to many
people, is here in force, showing videotapes of its commercials and
demonstrating PowerShip, its proprietary hardware and software
that generates the requisite air bill and then keeps track of the
package in nearly real time until it is signed for at its final
destination.
Powership is a Unix-based system that includes a thermal printer.
Once the user enters an air bill number, Powership automatically
dials into FedEx's main computer system, checks the status of the
package, displays that information and logs off. The phone call is
to a toll-free number.
The man in charge of the technology is Dennis H. Jones, FedEx's
senior VP of information and telecommunications, as well as the
company's chief information officer.
Newsbytes recently reported on Powership 2 and 3, hardware and
software provided at no cost to FedEx shippers that tracks the
package at each major transition point in its journey, prints a
FedEx air bill for the package - a process sportswear company
Nike says saves it 5.5 hours of labor per day - and can tell the
shipper who signed for the parcel and when. Powership is available
to FedEx shippers who dispatch as few as three packages a day,
and can even automatically summon a FedEx courier to pick up
outbound shipments.
Jones says Powership is neither the end of technology offerings
for FedEx customers nor is a plateau on which the company can
rest. "Technology is what allowed us to build a very different
product and create the type market we have today," the senior
executive told Newsbytes. "Technology has been one of the
critical success factors that has allowed us to create a
business like we have."
Jones told Newsbytes Powership is not just a way to keep track of
packages in transit. Instead, it is a tool that shippers can use to
better serve their own clients. "It's a process they can employ to
manage their businesses better. They use our service to better
serve their customers.
While Jones would not provide specifics, he told Newsbytes that
shippers can expect a major technology product announcement
within the next 12 months, possibly at Comdex 1994. He said the
company has no plans to compete with the US Postal Service in
delivering first class mail.
(Jim Mallory/19931116/Press Contact: Kevin Patsel, White &
Cromer for FedEx, 415-274-8100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/16/93
IBM
Comdex - Borland/Wordperfect Intro Borland Office 2.
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)
Comdex - Borland/Wordperfect Intro Borland Office 2.0 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- In a multi-screen
multimedia sound and light show, frequently punctuated by gentle
joshes at competitors, Borland International and Wordperfect
Corp., rolled out Borland Office 2.0.
The software suite consists of spreadsheet program Quattro Pro 5.0
for Windows, database Paradox 4.5 for Windows, and word processing
application Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows. WP 6.0 for Windows has
recently begun shipping. The two companies took advantage in their
announcement of the fact that all three products had been picked as
PC Computing magazine's Most Valuable Product in their respective
categories, and displayed MVP trophies on greek column-type stands
that followed through with the motif of Caesar's Palace, the site
for the rollout.
A feature of Office 2.0, according to the two companies, is what
they call "perfect fit technology" that includes a common install
routine that automates installation of all three programs in one
routine. Common icons are used throughout the three applications,
and the user can elect as standard, either the Borland or the
Wordperfect pictures. Selection can be designated during
installation - the Wordperfect icons are the default - and can be
changed during use.
The desktop application director (DAD) icons can be located on
either side or the top or bottom of the screen, or can float, like
the button menu included with Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows. Buttons
can display icon images or text descriptions of the button function,
and can be deleted just by dragging them off the button bar.
Additional button bars can be created - a feature borrowed from
Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows - and applications can be launched by
clicking on a file name. Common file management functions such as
move, delete, or rename can be performed from within Office using
the Desktop Finder feature.
Representatives of the two companies also stressed the ability to
integrate data across applications, demonstrating the creation of a
Paradox database, then publishing that data for use by Quattro Pro.
A set of application programming interfaces (APIs) and a software
developers kit (SDK) is scheduled to ship in December, 1993.
Alan Ashton, Wordperfect president and CEO, reiterated that
Borland and Wordperfect would not merger, but will work closely on
sales and marketing of Office 2.0. The earlier version of Office was
sold only by Borland.
Ashton's disclaimer was supported by Borland President and CEO
Phillipe Kahn. "We can work together and still retain our separate
corporate identities," Kahn told reporters. The two companies say
they will conduct joint training, seminars, and executive training
on Office 2.0, and will launch a concentrated effort to get more
shelf space in retail outlets and more page space in mail order
catalogs. Distributors fight spirited battles in retail outlets of
all kinds to retain as much "frontage" on a store's shelves as
possible.
Borland Office 2.0 is scheduled to ship in December, 1993, and will
have a suggested retail price of $595. Users of earlier versions or
competitive products can upgrade for $299.
Borland also had a second product announcement, saying it is
showing Borland C++ 4.0 for DOS, Windows, and Windows NT at
its booth at this year's Comdex.
(Jim Mallory/19931116/Press Contact: Jeff Larsen, Wordperfect
Corp., 801-228-5034; Reader Contact: Wordperfect Corp.,
800-331-0877)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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00 11/16/93
TELECOM
Comdex - Videophone A Reality For Under $2,
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00003)
Comdex - Videophone A Reality For Under $2,000 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Videoconferencing is not
big news - its been around for a while, if you are willing to pay the
price. But now a Wilmington, North Carolina, company has introduced
C-Phone, a device that combines audio and the necessary interfaces
for use with a desktop personal computer -- for under $2,000.
C-Phone, officially known as a PC-to-PC video phone system, was
introduced Comdex, the annual computer industry trade show held
each fall in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Developed by Twincom, C-Phone reportedly uses high-quality audio,
full-motion 30 frames-per-second video, and the users' existing
local area network wiring in an office workgroup. By adding some
additional technology, the system can be extended to call anywhere
there is a PC.
Twincom Chairman and CEO Daniel Flohr said existing
teleconferencing systems are conference-room based, requiring
users to leave their offices and PCs to make a video conference
call, and can only transmit images over special telephone lines to
remote sites.
Newsbytes recently reported that equipment would soon be
installed in Kinko's copy centers around the country for video
conferencing. The cost of such a service is expected to be $25 to
$30 per half-hour.
According to the company, C-Phone's proprietary technology allows
users to make live, television quality video phone calls from their
own desktop PCs to other people on the network, as well as over
high-speed phone lines to remote sites.
C-Phone runs on 386 and 486-based PCs running Microsoft Windows
on a Novell Netware or Artisoft LANtastic-based network. The
system supports up to 32 simultaneous two way calls without
impeding network efficiency, according to Flohr. C-Phone can also
be connected to a standard television cable or antenna for viewing
television channels throughout the network, or for company-wide
broadcasts.
C-Phone uses a camera/microphone/speaker unit that sits on top of
the user's PC monitor. The unit is specially engineered to make it
appear that the user is looking right into the eyes of the video caller
and the voice is coming directly from the other party. The video
window size is user-selectable.
Flohr said the company's goal was to design a unit that did the
things a conventional phone does, including call waiting, call
forwarding, and the recording of messages. In C-Phone's case the
message left can be a video one. The device also offers
speed-dialing by clicking on the icon of the party you want to call.
Flohr says C-Phone will be available in December, 1993, and will
be sold and installed through value-added resellers.
(Jim Mallory/19931116/Press contact: Glynnis Gibson, Gibson
Communications for Twincom, 312-868-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/16/93
GENERAL
Sun Micro Backs Australian America's Cup Bid
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00004)
Sun Micro Backs Australian America's Cup Bid 11/16/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Sun Microsystems
Australia has become the official supplier of information
technology (IT) to the Australian challenger for the America's
Cup -- One Australia. The race is to be held in May, 1995.
Sun is supplying all of the team's workstations and notebooks (the
SPARCbook), as well as supercomputer time. The project is probably
the largest single sporting effort in Australia other than Olympic
games preparation. Australia One Executive Chairman John Bertrand
said "It's bigger than a boat race - it's an opportunity to focus a
nation towards the benefits of technology and leave a legacy well
beyond 1995."
One Australia's technology partner, Fluid Thinking, has development
projects in five Australian sites as well as Canada and the US. As
a result, it has communications needs as well as computing
requirements. This includes networks in the Sydney and Melbourne
sites. Software used includes word processing, electronic-mail,
spreadsheet, finite element modeling, computer-aided design,
along with race simulation programs. The software come from 15
different vendors.
As many team members come from DOS and Mac backgrounds, their
transition to the Sun environment must be as smooth as possible,
says the company. Fluid Thinking's Alan Ramadan said this was
possible with Sun's graphical user interface and Solaris operating
system.
Bertrand said the power of the computer came in developments
cycles. To test a new design in the water takes six months. In a
towing tank that period can be reduced to just six weeks. However,
that can be cut down to just six hours by using a computer.
The method used is computational fluid dynamics (CFD), which
simulates the three-dimensional (3-D) flow of fluids and air
traditionally created in the tank or wind tunnel. The results can
then be used to analyze their effects on various yacht and sail
designs at the computer stage of development. The technology
can also be used for aircraft and automobile design.
(Paul Zucker/19931115/Press Contact: Lorraine Golden,
tel 61-2-844 5000, fax 61-2-418 2014, Sun Microsystems
Australia,)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/16/93
IBM
INSCI Will Not License Document Archival System To IBM
(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00005)
INSCI Will Not License Document Archival System To IBM 11/16/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Information
Management Technologies's INSCI Corp., has been in licensing
discussions with IBM's Pennant Systems concerning the INSCI
COINSERV document archiving system. However, the company now
says that the talks have terminated.
Since IBM will continue to market INSCI software for use with its
RS/6000 systems, the company's management says that ending
discussions will actually be a benefit, because it will end possible
marketplace confusion over several versions of the company's
COINSERV products.
The software provided by INSCI offers advanced indexing and
retrieval programs for optical disk-based storage systems which
can contain gigabytes of data. Indexing and retrieval software is
vitally important for managing such massive libraries of
information, because the performance of the entire system will
often depend mostly on how efficient the retrieval software is.
(John McCormick/19931115)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/16/93
TRENDS
****Comdex - Intel & Motorola Processor Wars
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00006)
****Comdex - Intel & Motorola Processor Wars 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Intel and
Motorola are both attempting to outdo the other at this Comdex,
in Las Vegas, Nevada. While Intel has a giant simulated wafer
fabrication plant for show goers to walk through, Motorola has
Bret Spiner, who plays Lt. Commander Data on the science fiction
television show "Star Trek" signing autographs.
The Intel exhibit is reminiscent of a Universal Studios
Hollywood tour and features a giant 486DX2 computer which
is upgraded to a Pentium chip during the demonstration.
While Intel is boasting it was the first to invent the
microprocessor chip in 1971, Motorola is showing demonstrations
of a prototype Macintosh equipped with its new MPC 601 PowerPC
chip running three-dimensional (3-D) graphics compared to
Pentium-based personal computers (PCs) running Windows and
the same graphical simulation.
The Motorola-based Macintosh is obviously running the graphical
program faster. Motorola officials told Newsbytes the hard disk
access times and graphical controllers of the computers
compared were comparable.
However, Motorola officials did admit the fastest Pentium-based
PC in the demonstration was the 60 megahertz (MHz) model
because they were unable to obtain a 66 MHz Pentium-based PC
before the presentation. They also mentioned that the 66 MHz
Pentium would run as fast as the MPC 601.
Compatibility is an issue with the PowerPC. The Pentium is
currently compatible with all the DOS and Windows software
titles on the market. However, Microsoft announced last week it
will port Windows NT to the PowerPC. While Windows NT will
run DOS and Windows applications, it does run those applications
slower than they would run without NT because of the system
drain placed on the processor to handle all the "layers."
The PowerPC does have significant backing. Both Apple and IBM
are behind the chip as well as Motorola, and IBM is suggesting
at the show that consumers will see PowerPC-based AS 400
minicomputers in the foreseeable future.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931116/Press Contact: Anne-Marie
Larking, Motorola, tel 512-891-3160, fax 512-891-3798)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Intel Verification Program For Pentium Upgrade
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00007)
Comdex - Intel Verification Program For Pentium Upgrade 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Intel said at
Comdex that users would be able to upgrade to the Pentium on
486DX2 personal computers (PCs) that were "Intel Verified."
The announcement deals with potential heat problems with
motherboards designed for the 486 microprocessor that are
suddenly equipped with the hot-running Pentium chip.
With 3.1 million transistors, consumers can expect heat,
according to Intel officials, but heat is the enemy of
integrated circuits. Intel says it has been, and will continue
to, offer its stamp of approval to motherboards for upgrade
to the Pentium by testing motherboard samples in its labs.
Part of the problem with upgrading to a faster microprocessor
is consumers may still find performance lower than expected if
they do not also upgrade their memory and hard disk drives.
Often the total cost of upgrading, including labor, is more
than simply purchasing a new PC with the desired components.
Intel said demand for PCs equipped with its microprocessors
is at 40 million units a year and analysts are saying those
numbers should continue to increase over the next six years.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931116)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
IBM
****Comdex - Lotus, IBM Broaden OS/2 Agreement
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00008)
****Comdex - Lotus, IBM Broaden OS/2 Agreement 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- As part of IBM's
continued push to build momentum for its OS/2 operating system,
the company has broadened its sales and marketing relationship
with Lotus Development Corp.
Lotus announced it is ready to deliver the OS/2 version of its Ami
Pro word processing software right away, and it will offer its
SmartSuite collection of applications for OS/2, which includes the
new Ami Pro release, starting in December.
At a press conference run by IBM, Jim Manzi, Lotus' president
and chief executive, also said the company plans to bring its
applications for OS/2 into parity with those for other platforms,
meaning that new upgrades to Lotus packages will come out for
OS/2 at the same time as they come out for rival Microsoft
Windows.
The companies also said IBM's own Personal Software Products sales
force will now sell and support SmartSuite for OS/2. This is an
extension of a deal the two companies signed in June 1991, under
which IBM sells and supports Lotus' Notes workgroup development
software and cc:Mail electronic mail software through its own
sales force.
Over the past year, said Lee Reiswig, president of IBM's Personal
Software Products (PSP) division, the company has built up its
PSP sales force to more than 1,000 people around the world, and
wants to use that sales force to sell applications as well as OS/2.
The alliance is a perfect example of the old adage that the enemy
of my enemy is my friend. Microsoft has become a bitter rival of
IBM in the systems software field and of Lotus in the application --
and notably the software suite -- arena.
Manzi joined several IBM executives at the IBM press conference
in getting a dig in at their mutual rival, saying that a few years
ago, "system clarity from IBM was oxymoronic -- I think system
clarity from another company right about now might be
oxymoronic."
SmartSuite for OS/2 includes Ami Pro, the Lotus 1-2-3
spreadsheet package, Freelance Graphics, and cc:Mail. It is to be
available in retail stores in the US in early December, and
versions in French, German, Spanish, and Italian are due in the
first quarter of 1994, Lotus said.
(Grant Buckler/19931115/Press Contact: Bryan Simmons,
Lotus Development, 617-693-1697)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Corel Extends SCSI, CD-ROM Support
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00009)
Comdex - Corel Extends SCSI, CD-ROM Support 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Corel Corp., is
extending its software for compact disk read-only memory
(CD-ROM) drives and the Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI)
standard in both directions. At Comdex, the company launched a
new low-end package of tools for CD-ROM users and a beefed-up
version of its Corel SCSI 2 software.
Soon, the firm plans to follow up with new high-end SCSI
software, designed for corporate local area networks and with
built-in support for disk arrays.
The CD-ROM market is "just exploding right now," said David Madden,
product manager for the SCSI and CD-ROM software. He said the cost
of CD-ROM drives has come down, and enough CD-ROM titles have
now appeared that many users are making the move to CD-ROM.
Corel is going after new CD-ROM users with CD PowerPak, a
collection of software that supports both SCSI and non-SCSI
CD-ROM drives. CD PowerPak includes: CD-Audio, which allows users
to play audio compact disks; a WAV file editor for editing sound
clips; headphones that attach to the CD-ROM drive: a photo CD
conversion utility called Photo CD Lab; the CorelMOSAIC visual file
manager; a CD-ROM with 100 royalty-free Photo CD images; a
CD-ROM of sound clips for multimedia presentations; CD-ROM
extensions, including caching software and support for Microsoft's
Windows for Workgroups; and CorelBook, an application that
provides media and systems information.
Corel also announced version 2 of its CorelSCSI software. Madden
said Corel is moving this product upmarket to serve customers who
formerly bought CorelSCSI Pro. It includes most features of the CD
PowerPak. New features include support for more SCSI devices and
adapters.
Company officials said a new SCSI Network Manager, will be formally
launched soon. Madden said the company has built into this release
all the features of its former high-end offering -- CorelSCSI
Pro -- plus support for Novell Inc.'s NetWare 3.12 and 4.01 local
area network operating systems.
CD PowerPak and CorelSCSI 2 are available now, at $99 and $129
respectively. The new Network Manager will list for $595.
(Grant Buckler/19931115/Press Contact: Julie Galla, Corel,
613-728-8200 ext 1672)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
GOVT
****Delaware Court To Decide Viacom-Paramount Fate?
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00010)
****Delaware Court To Decide Viacom-Paramount Fate? 11/16/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- The battle between
Viacom and QVC over the movie assets of Paramount has moved
from Wall Street and federal anti-trust regulators to the Delaware
courts. The courts may have the final word on whether QVC will
get an even chance to compete for Paramount, despite the fact
that Viacom has the favor of the Paramount board of directors.
Paramount owns production facilities and holds copyright to a
vast number of hot video properties and is therefore a plumb
acquisition for any telecommunications-related company which
wants to become a major cable or interactive media player.
Since the Federal Trade Commission gave the nod to QVC indicating
that it did not consider the purchase to be monopolistic, the
fight for Paramount has come down to the $90 per share bid by QVC
verses the $85 per share bid by Viacom. However, some argue
that the playing field is not level, which is why the fight has been
brought into the Delaware Chancery Court.
Because Paramount's managers favor a merger with Viacom, the
board of directors has adopted a "poison pill" arrangement which
would make Paramount far less valuable if it is bought by QVC
than if Viacom wins the fight.
QVC has gone to court for a decision as to whether Paramount
constructively put itself up for open bid by certain actions,
thus making it illegal for the board to give preference to any
one bidder. If QVC wins this case then it has a good chance of
acquiring Paramount, but if it loses there is a likelihood that
it may drop its efforts to buy the company.
The irony of this case stems from the fact that QVC is making
exactly the same argument that Paramount itself made several
years ago when it attempted to acquire Warner.
Many companies incorporate in Delaware precisely because that
state's business court system is designed to provide fast and
authoritative decisions based on 200 years of case law.
The case for both sides is being presented today and the judge
is expected to reach a decision within a few days.
(John McCormick/19931116)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
APPLE
****Comdex - Spindler Keynote Promises RISC Everywhere
(NEWS)(APPLE)(ATL)(00011)
****Comdex - Spindler Keynote Promises RISC Everywhere 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- In his inaugural
Comdex address, Apple Chairman Michael Spindler promised a
RISC (reduced instruction-set computer) machine on every desk,
a Newton for every pocket, and a new attitude toward
price-performance.
Sounding like a successful politician now charged with making
his plans a reality, Spindler said, "We won't price technology at
a premium, never again. We'll use technology to drive volume, and
be price-performance leaders," he said. "This is what I promise:
it does more, it costs less, it fits in, it stands out. It's just
that simple."
As Spindler spoke, he demonstrated his vision using a number of
Apple computers, including what he called a "low-end" PowerPC-
driven Macintosh which seemed to operate faster than the Pentium-
based PC next to it. But he downplayed that apparent speed
advantage. "The importance is not speeds and feeds, it's making
RISC the volume mainstay on the desktop," said Spindler, who
promised very aggressive pricing for PowerPC-based Macs when
they are rolled-out early next year.
Spindler said his vision for Apple is to make it, "The customer
advocacy company in this industry." That means Apple will offer
comprehensive "solutions," spread multimedia everywhere, and put
Apple technology onto many different platforms, running multiple
operating systems, he said.
Spindler told most of his story through demonstrations of new
media and new or pending products. His themes were managing
information, mobility, and the new price-performance paradigm
of moving Apple's entire product line to the PowerPC RISC chip.
He demonstrated AppleSearch going through many databases and
presenting stories on NAFTA (North American Free Trade
Agreement) in order of relevance. He said search software should
be an agent that eliminates "SQL (structured query language),
boolean structures, and things that are non-human." Spindler said
that idea should then be extended to use with visual databases.
Spindler called this the "re-purposing" of information. The aim
is not just to make it digital but to make it usable. He
demonstrated two CD ROMs linked to phone lines for shopping --
one for clothes and one for software. This will not only make
catalog shopping more immediate and exciting, he said, but will
help small software vendors reach their market and end software
piracy.
Spindler also demonstrated mobility in a demonstration linking a
Lotus Organizer database to a Newton database, synchronizing the
two so they became identical in a few moments. "This will change
the nature of communication," he promised. The Newton Connection
demonstrated in this section of the speech was created through an
alliance with Traveling Software Inc., makers of Laplink.
Mostly, though, Spindler's talk centered on changing the nature
of Apple, from a high-cost technology company to a mass-market
customer advocate. Making that vision a market reality is the
challenge of his new Administration.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931116/Press Contact: Chris Escher,
408-974-2202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
APPLE
****Comdex - Spindler Outlines Apple Strategy
(NEWS)(APPLE)(ATL)(00012)
****Comdex - Spindler Outlines Apple Strategy 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Michael Spindler's
first Comdex press conference as Apple CEO was a group affair. He
took the stage at the Aladdin Hotel surrounded by his top
executives, all of whom took questions from the media.
The effect was to emphasize that Apple is no longer the one-man
band it was under former Chairmen Steve Jobs and John Sculley,
but a large, disciplined organization out to capture multiple
markets.
Not only is Apple out to re-establish its position on the
desktop through aggressive pricing of current Macs and future
PowerPC Macs, but it is also out to take the mobile market with
Newton, the applications software market with AppleSoft and
Claris, and even the on-line market. Apple will no longer cede
anything, the executives emphasized, aiming at Windows users
with the Quadra 610, featuring an Intel 486 daughter board which
can run Windows, at network markets with new client-server
products, and at mobile markets with the Newton.
"Apple is now a multiple-business company," concluded spokesman
Chris Escher. The effect, perhaps unintended, was of a "kinder,
gentler IBM," with the discipline to quickly cut its losses --
employees, managers, or products -- when they no longer
contribute to the bottom line.
"This represents Apple's business streams," said Spindler,
introducing the strategy. "The technologies we're investing in
are tied together, but each has a distinct view on how they
compete and who they compete with." Spindler credited former
Chairman Sculley, now with Spectrum, for setting the strategy
in motion back in 1993.
Spindler was immediately asked how he was attacking the
installed base of Windows users. "Our first product is a plug-in
card with the 486DX. But we believe the PowerPC has enough
hardware to do emulation at a 486-level. It's not a flat-out
attack on the Windows market, but going forward we'll be bridging
investments in Windows and bringing them over" to the Mac. "We
don't want to pit against anything, we want to be broader and let
people move between platforms."
What about licensing the Macintosh operating system, Spindler was
asked. "We have the chance to re-set our business model, which has
been a distribution game" until now. "We haven't finalized any
license strategy, but we're working on it."
Bastiaens was then asked about Spindler's commitment to the
Newton. "It's a total commitment, not just of Apple but a large
industry. Ten major corporations have agreed on industry
licenses, technology licenses, and companies are committed to
bringing products to market. There are 2,000 developers working
on Newton applications you'll soon see. Plus we have plenty of
happy customers."
Ian Diery was asked about the short-term future of the Macintosh,
and in his understated British accent showed the fighting spirit
Apple is now trying to emphasize. "We've found a pent-up demand
for the Macintosh. About 56 percent of our buyers in the fourth
quarter are first-time users. When we get our price to the point
where they can get Mac for the same price" as Windows, "they opt
for the Mac. In business, the biggest complaint has been price. Large
accounts are now looking at the Mac again, because we took away
the issue of price."
Spindler then took up the theme, discussing the PowerPC Macs
due out next year. "The PowerPC architecture will be driven by
volume. The volume is in desktops -- we will make RISC the
mainstay in desktop space." On networks, Spindler said he would
favor Unix, and standard NetWare. But Apple will always remain
the home of the Mac. "The Mac OS drives the volume," even
though, "we are upgrading all our products to PowerPC."
Spindler next predicted that AppleLink will become the wireless
networking software of choice. "We're now defining chip sets to
put it in PowerBooks." Apple will also build gateways between
AppleLink to the Internet, and bundle on-line services with
Windows, Macs, and Newtons.
Spindler was asked how he could continue to spend 10 percent of
revenues on research and still drive prices down. "We have been
using the PC engine profit to fund R&D," he admitted. But, "These
businesses can now stand alone. Because of the size of our PC
business, over $8 billion, there's enough money to innovate. If a
manufacturer drops to gross margins of distribution, you can't
innovate. We're a systems company with enough size and enough
profit to apply it to research."
Spindler also took a crack at his image, that of a dour manager
succeeding the visionary Sculley. He called the comparisons
unfair. "If you're a meat and potato guy you can't have a vision,
and if you're a visionary you're not a meat and potatoes guy. We
put emphasis on every business by forcing management to keep
an eye on their objectives, and managing for those objectives."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931116/Press Contact: Chris Escher,
408-974-2202)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TRENDS
****Comdex - PDA's Galore
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00013)
****Comdex - PDA's Galore 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- It is a flashback
and the future all in one. Bunches of PDAs (personal digital
assistants) are on display all over the Comdex show floor. Some
have cute names like Newton or Simon, while others carry
industrial numbers like PT-7000 and GridPad 2390.
In some ways, it is like the good old days of the S-100 bus, with
everyone requiring their own special software, and no one
agreeing even on what the thing should look like. There is the
IBM-BellSouth-Mitsubishi Simon, which looks like a slightly-
overgrown cellular phone. On the other end there is the AT&T-Eo
Personal Communicator, a sort of notepad with wings. Between
them are devices like the Apple Newton, the GridPad 3690 --
actually a clone of the Tandy-Casio Zoomer -- and others.
Gaston Bastiaens, general manager for the P.I.E. division of
Apple Computer Inc., which developed the Newton, said the
success of any of these products will lie in third-party
applications. That requires not just development kits, but easy-
to-use development tools, he told Newsbytes. "Newton Toolkits
are an object-oriented scripting system that allows creative
developers to work in record time," he said. "Most of the
products you see here took only a few months, and 40 will ship in
the coming weeks. By Christmas they'll be 30 times that number,"
and there are over 2,000 developers working now on even more
products.
Applications already released range from Fingertip Golf, which
combines golf scoring with details on the course, to Hippocrates,
a serious tool for doctors. New markets are being opened up.
"About 25 percent of Newton buyers have never used a computer
before," he said.
Apple is not even the only company offering Newton technology.
Sharp makes the Newton, and sells a version of its own called the
Expert Pad. But at this show it is also displaying the PT-9000, a
larger machine based on the Geoworks operating system, as well
as Wizard, which still has 60 percent of the organizer market.
The three sit side by side in a corner of the company's booth
commanded by Gil DeLiso, director of marketing for the consumer
business products division. "We're offering appropriate
technology to all segments that exist," he said, from "sub-
notebook users who want an add-on keyboard" like that on the PT-
9000, to "communication-intensive users who are not doing a lot
of data entry" and might prefer the Expert Pad, to managers who
need "a highly evolved personal information manager with
communications," like the Wizard.
Neither Tandy nor Casio has a booth at this show -- both are
expected at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. The
closest thing to a Zoomer at Comdex is the GridPad 2390 from AST
Research Inc. The 2390 runs Geoworks, like the PT-9000, but looks
more like the Newton. Spokesman Lauren Baker said her firm's
strength is it can put vertical market applications onto the
platform, using Grid's PenRight! application development
environment. "We're trying to get it out that we're a player in
this market," added Baker. "At Comdex we're having conversations
with distribution channels to see where it makes sense to carry
the product," and seeking software developers to write
applications.
What the PT-9000 and AST 2390 have in common is Geoworks, an
operating system that was originally written as a low-end
competitor to Microsoft Windows. Spokesman Deborah Dawson said
its real value is found in the mobile environment. "It's got full
functionality, but because it runs on lower-speed chips it allows
far longer battery life" than units based on RISC (reduced
instruction-set computer) processors.
Geoworks is also flexible. "The AST 3690 and Sharp PT-9000 look
completely different, but run the same operating system and
applications." Geoworks' flexibility lets applications adapt to
their environment -- they don't have to be re-written," she said.
AT&T's strategy, with its Eo Personal Communicator, is to build a
full-function computer, with communications built-in, then bring
the price down over time, said Wayne Dyer, vice president of
product management for the Eo unit. AT&T, through Eo, also owns
Go, which created the Personal Communicator's operating system,
PenPoint. Future releases of PenPoint will run only on the Hobbit
processors used in the Eo units.
The Eo is heavier and larger than its rivals, and costs twice as
much. But it is far more powerful, says Dyer. "We have a fax send
and receive modem, which can work on wired networks or cellular.
You can place cellular phone calls with this, using a headset. We
have full-featured applications" and 18 are being demonstrated
in AT&T's booth at Comdex. "Of those companies who are thinking
serious project, we haven't lost one to Newton," Dyer claimed.
AT&T's Phone Center stores, and its links to cellular phone
retailers, give it another advantage.
The biggest advantage, Dyer added, is that the Eo has been on the
market a year, and so applications for it are proven. "We're
faxing from the beach, and it's not hype or promises." And watch
at future Comdexes for more Eos, Dyer added, smaller and more
compact, as well as less costly. "It's not one size fits all --
they'll be a whole product line."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931116)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Dauphin To Expand Into "Super PDA" Line
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00014)
Comdex - Dauphin To Expand Into "Super PDA" Line 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Dauphin is
unveiling the DTR-Sound System at Comdex. The new sound-capable
version of Dauphin's DTR-1 represents the start of wider expansion
plans for the pen-notebook convertible.
Alan Yong, company president, told Newsbytes that Dauphin plans
to add video, wireless and voice capabilities to the DTR-1 in 1994,
thereby transforming the hand-held computer into a "super PDA"
(personal digital assistant).
Also in the future, the DTR-1 will come with a choice of processors
beyond the 486 SLC chip from Cyrix now used in the DTR-1 and new
DTR-Sound System, he said. Dauphin plans to produce models using
the low-power Intel S series of processors, to be offered all the
way up to the DX66 level, he said. Further, Pentium processors
will be added when these chips start to incorporate 3.3-volt
technology.
Dauphin's newly introduced DTR-Sound System brings a 16-bit
sound card to the Dauphin PC, along with an internal microphone,
an external microphone, two external speakers, and software for
performing such tasks as recording voice memos and attaching
sound files to documents. The system is slated to ship in the
first quarter of 1994, at a retail price of $2,995.
When video, wireless and voice are added to the sound capabilities,
Dauphin will have produced a "super PDA" that offers all the
functionality the mobile user needs, including desktop-quality
computer processing, according to Yong. Dauphin will present the
"super PDAs" as a family of products that offers the user a choice
of processors, he said.
Unlike the DTR-1, all models in the upcoming family will come with
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association) slots,
he noted. Use of these slots with the variety of PCMCIA cards that
are becoming available will allow users to select from among a
wide range of wireless options, including Ardis, RAM, CDPD,
infrared, and spread spectrum radio, he told Newsbytes.
But ultimately, PCMCIA slots will be used mainly for additional
storage, because wireless and other communications capabilities
will come to be integrated entirely at the board level, Yong
predicted.
The new DTR-Sound System supplies 16-bit sound quality, sample
rates up to 48 kilohertz (KHz), stereo sound, 64-level digital audio
output volume control, 20-voice FM synthesis, and Sound Blaster
Pro Mixer Register emulation.
The 16-bit sound card incorporates the Codec, Yamaha Synthesis,
and Mozart chips, according to the company president. Mozart is
an integrated 16-bit digital sound controller designed to be fully
compatible with Sound Blaster Pro, Ad Lib, and the Microsoft
Windows Sound System.
Like the DTR-1, Dauphin's DTR-Sound System offers an internal
fax/modem, four to eight megabytes of RAM, standard
input/output ports, a six-inch backlit VGA display, and pre-
installed DOS and Windows.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931116)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
IBM
Comdex - Goldmine Groupware For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00015)
Comdex - Goldmine Groupware For Windows 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- In a press
conference at Comdex, Elan Software introduced Goldmine 2.5 for
Windows, claimed to be the first non-DOS edition of a contact
management program specifically designed for networked users.
Goldmine, a package on the market since 1989, differs from other
network contact management applications by virtue of integrating
electronic mail capabilities and a client database with the usual
network scheduler, said Jon Ferrara, executive vice president, at
the briefing.
Used by Sony/Columbia Pictures, Honeywell, State Farm Insurance,
Novell, Banyan, and a variety of other corporate customers, Elan's
groupware also offers such features as remote synchronization,
fax/merge, user-definable screens, sales forecasting and analysis,
call analysis, and telemarketing scripts.
The new Windows version offers "99 percent" of the capabilities of
Goldmine 2.5 for DOS, while adding an "objects view" feature and a
multiple document interface (MDI), Ferrara said. The Windows
version is 100-percent compatible with the DOS edition.
The new features were added to take advantage of the graphical
capabilities of Windows, Ferrara explained. "Objects view" gives
the user three separate graphical views: a contact view showing
all the contact's pending and completed activities; an activity
view showing the user's pending and completed activities; and
a calendar view.
Goldmine for Windows 2.5 is written in C++, Ferrara said. The
three views are made possible through the use of a contact object,
activity object, and calendar object.
The MDI capability in the Windows package allows simultaneous
screen viewing of multiple contact, activity, and calendar views.
Users can quickly toggle between calendars, detailed contact
information, and facts pertaining to phone calls, meetings,
electronic-mail messages, and other actions, according to
Ferrara. The contact information is stored in tabbed file folders.
Goldmine will not end with DOS and Windows, the executive vice
president suggested. "We want to be multiplatform, and we're
now exploring Unix and Macintosh," he said.
Elan Susser, president of Elan Software, told Newsbytes at the
close of the press conference that the "one percent" of features
in the DOS version that have not been carried over to Windows
consist of functions related to "DOS issues."
These features include terminate-and-stay resident (TSR)
capabilities, shelling out to other programs, and certain keyboard
preferences, such as macros. "Macros are very difficult to
implement in Windows," Susser told Newsbytes.
Goldmine 2.5 for Windows is slated to ship in the first quarter of
1994, at prices ranging from $295 for a single-user edition to
$1,495 for a ten-user license.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931115/Reader contact: Elan Software
Corp., 310-454-6800; Press contact: Brenda Christensen, Elan
Software, 310-454-6800)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Samsung Intros Notebooks/Monitors/Printer
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00016)
Comdex - Samsung Intros Notebooks/Monitors/Printer 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Samsung
Electronics America intends to double its annual revenues by the
year 2000, and to get the ball rolling, the US subsidiary of the
Korean electronics giant has announced a plethora of new hardware
at Comdex.
Made known at a press conference in Las Vegas, the new entries
from Samsung include the SyncMaster GL series of 14-, 15- and 17-
inch "green" monitors, the NoteMaster S3995 series of monochrome
and active matrix color notebooks, the quiet SP-2417 dot-matrix
color printer, and an array of hard disk drives.
"We're here to stay, and we plan to be number one," said Eric J.
Korman, director of monitor marketing, in an overview of the new
hardware. To meet this goal, Samsung is moving further and further
beyond its role as an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) into
the arena of private labeling, while also placing a concerted
company-wide emphasis on quality, he explained.
Speaking next, John Grundy, product marketing manager for monitors,
said that all three models in the new "green" series operate with
Macintoshes as well as IBM-compatible PCs, and all three offer a
PowerSaver feature that operates at four levels.
In addition, the 17-inch GLs, a monitor engineered for graphic
intensive applications, provides on-screen programming and digital
controls on the front panel for making quick and high accurate
screen adjustments, he said. Digital readouts for each adjustment
are displayed on the monitor screen, and can be stored for future
use.
Another feature, RealColor, allows the user to adjust saturation
and hue for consistent color between the display and input/output
devices.
Each of the new monitors operates in "on," "standby," "suspend" and
"off" modes, according to Grundy. In the "on" mode the monitors run
at 100 percent power. In the "standby" condition, the screen has no
video and power recovery is instantaneous. In the "suspend" mode,
power consumption falls to less than 30 watts and recovery takes
about three seconds. In the "off" state, energy usage falls to less
than five watts of power and recovery time is slightly longer.
Samsung's new NoteMaster S3935T is the thinnest active matrix
color notebook on the market, and also one of the lightest, said
James Yim, senior international planning coordinator.
Dimensions for the color unit are 11.2- by 8.57- by 1.85-inches,
and the weight is 6.2 pounds. The S3935 -- the monochrome unit
in the new notebook series -- measures the same, but weighs
only 5.5 pounds.
Samsung's color notebook comes with a 9.4-inch active matrix
screen, and the monochrome notebook with a 10-inch backlit LCD
(liquid crystal display).
Each notebook also offers a choice of an Intel 487SX or 486SX
processor, 4 megabytes (MB) of memory (expandable to 20MB), an
integrated trackball, a PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
Industry Association) Type II slot, local bus video, simultaneous
display on the notebook and an external monitor, and an advanced
power management system.
Samsung's new SP-2417 color dot matrix printer is aimed at
providing full-featured color printing capabilities at a price of
only $349.
The printer offers 360-by-360 dot-per-inch graphics resolution
and a choice of top, rear or bottom printing. It also offers the
following paper handling features: paper parking, paper feed, push
tractor, auto paper loading, friction feed, and micro adjustment
reverse line feed.
In the hard disk drive arena, Samsung is a new player, having
entered the market only 12 months ago, said James Yim, senior
international planning coordinator. But the company expects to
be one of the top five manufacturers in the field by 1997, he
asserted.
Samsung now produces four models of drives: a 125MB, a 178MB,
a 251MB, and a 356MB, he said. All four have recently received
ISO 9001 certification for high quality engineering, design and
manufacture. The company is investing heavily in research and
development on hard disk drives, and plans to offer models with
even larger storage capacity, according to Yim.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931115/Reader contact: Samsung
Electronics America, 201-229-4000; Press contacts: Bob
Rinklin or Stephanie Friedman, HWH Public Relations for
Samsung, 212-355-5049)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
GENERAL
****Newsbytes CD-ROM Wins 1993 Digital Quill Award
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00017)
****Newsbytes CD-ROM Wins 1993 Digital Quill Award 11/16/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- The Birmingham,
Alabama-based Digital Publishing Association has announced the
winners in most categories for the second annual Digital Quill
Awards. Newsbytes took first place in the "Miscellaneous"
category for its archive CD-ROM of past stories.
Due to the large number of entries the decision on the
announcement of the winners of the Short Story Category was
delayed. The DPA, founded by President Ron Albright, is the only
trade association for electronic publishers - that is, those who
publish information and fiction primarily on-line or in other
digital format such as on CD-ROM or diskette.
Upon releasing the names of the winners, President Albright
stated, "While the industry press shows that the big players are
just sticking their toes in the electronic publishing waters, the
grassroots authors and publishers are already swimming about in
the waters. This year's Quill entries were an amazing array of
quality works that are pushing paperless publishing to the limit
of their imagination and skills."
He went on to say, "It is clear to the DPA that 1993 was a
breakthrough year for digital publishing and that the industry
is poised to take off in the next 12 months."
The Digital Quill winners for 1993 included a variety of
subjects.
Serial Publication - a weekly, monthly or otherwise
regularly-scheduled publication that has been issued for at least
six months (or at least three editions) available prior to July,
1993. This category included both fiction and non-fiction
magazines and newsletters. The winners were: First Place - Ruby's
Pearls (Del Freeman, Editor); Second Place - WonderDisk (Walter
Gammons, Editor); and Third Place (TIE) - Smoke & Mirrors (Lucia
Chambers, Editor) and Random Access Humor (Dave Bealer, Editor).
Fiction Book - an original fiction work. Minimum: 30,000 words.
The winners were: First Place - Vamp! (Larry Blasko); Second
Place - The Angel of Death (Bruce Gilkin; FloppyBack); and Third
Place - Eternal Man (Vernon Davis).
Non-Fiction Book - an original non-fiction book in digital format.
Length: 35,000 words minimum. The winners were: First Place -
Civil War Computer Archive (Bob Patterson); Second Place -
Prism Guide (Gary Smith); and Third Place - Financial Survival
(Vernon Davis).
Publishing software - a software program (Shareware or
traditionally marketed) designed for publishing text and/or
graphics and facilitating their distribution and viewing. The
winners were: First Place - DART (Ted Husted); Second Place -
ReadRoom (Michael Gibbs; Exhibit A Communications); and Third
Place (Tie) - Orpheus (Rod Willmot) and HyperRead Generator
(David Leithauser).
Miscellaneous - a niche to encompass poetry, graphic collections,
comics, CD-ROM and other publications outside the standard
categories. The winners were: First Place - Newsbytes Archives
(Newsbytes Staff; CD-ROM); Second Place - "It All Comes Does
to ___" (Robert Kendall); and Third Place - "Mack the Mouse"
(Don Lokke).
Announcement of the winners for the "Short Story" category
(featuring a single original story appearing either alone or as
part of an anthology or magazine and published in digital
format) will be delayed due to the complicated judging involved
in evaluating the nearly fifty entries in this category.
Announcement of the winners will be made later this week.
The Digital Publishing Association is located at 1160 Huffman
Road, Birmingham, AL 35215. DPA Digital Quill Awards are open to
all entrants regardless of whether they are members of the DPA,
and are limited to works primarily published in digital format.
(John McCormick/19931116/Press Contact: Ron Albright, DPA,
tel 205-856-9510, fax 205-853-8478)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
BUSINESS
Computer Superstore Opens In Sydney, Australia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00018)
Computer Superstore Opens In Sydney, Australia 11/16/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Australian retail
maestro Gerry Harvey has opened his first capital city computer
superstore. The event went virtually unadvertised and was
designed to give the 14,000 square foot complex a "soft start."
The first of his Harvey Norman Discounts computer superstores
opened a few weeks ago in regional center Newcastle, a few
hours north of Sydney, but the Sydney store is seen as the
make-or-break site. Not that the industry has much fear that it
will break, as Harvey Norman has operated extremely successful
stores on the floor of recent computer shows in Sydney.
"I could write a million dollars in the first week with a bunch of
superspecials" said Harvey. He decided on the "soft" opening
as a way of letting the store find its retailing feet. The plan is to
have the store up to speed in time for the Christmas rush. Harvey
expects a revenue flow of around AUS$300,000 (US$200,000) a
week, or more than US$10M a year.
Other stores are planned for Brisbane and Canberra, and eventually
20 to 30 sites Australia wide, making it the largest information
technology retailer in the country. Sydney will get another three
stores.
Street consumers are not the only target in the Harvey strategy.
In the new year a direct sales task force will go after large scale
PC and networking contracts and Harvey hopes to eventually make
large business and government sales 40 percent of the superstore
business. On hand for the big jobs are Novell-certified network
technicians. Brands on the shelves for the opening included Apple,
IBM, Compaq, Olivetti, Acer, and Hartland PCs.
There is a separate mobile phone department, and a service
counter at the front of the store hopes to do a brisk trade in
hardware service and upgrade work. For example, the installation
charge for an expansion card is AUS$25 (US$16), and for a
motherboard, $99 (US$66).
(Computer Daily News and Paul Zucker/19931115/Press Contact:
Frank Gutteridge or Gerry Harvey at Harvey Norman Discounts,
61-2-647 2611)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
IBM
Australian Style Checker Better Than US Checkers?
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00019)
Australian Style Checker Better Than US Checkers? 11/16/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- StyleWriter for
Windows is an Australian-developed writing style checker, and
the developers claim it has several advantages over exiting
US-written products.
The product was created for UK-based software house Editor
Software by Australian company Stanton Software and was
released in the UK in September. Director Peter Stanton said that
the product mimics the work of a professional editor. "It checks
over 25,000 common style faults an grammar problems in text
written in any Windows application. It also picks up over 2,000
of the most commonly mis-spelled words and their derivatives. It
highlights and corrects errors on screen with advice showing how
to redraft for better style and greater clarity."
He said the product highlights passive verbs and checks for
correct word usage and hyphenation. It has a graphic display of
sentence length analysis and shows how to adapt writing to make
it more effective. "With StyleWriter, everyone with a word
processor can quickly turn out clear and concise documents."
He added that the product used advice from more than 1,000 books
on good writing, and draws on the Editor Software's experience
in running plain English courses for government and corporate
departments.
The program also checks for foreign words, weak words,
overwriting, jargon and cliches, and redundancies. Users
can modify the program to skip any advice or add their own
house style. The product retails for AUS$265 in Australia
(around US$170).
(Paul Zucker/19931112/Press Contact: Editor Software in UK,
or Stanton Software in Australia, tel 61-2-875 3810, or
fax 61-2-418 2048)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
GENERAL
India - Tata Telecom Intros Voice Processor
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00020)
India - Tata Telecom Intros Voice Processor 11/16/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Tata Telecom has launched
a new product -- the Orator - a voice messaging system priced at
Rs 5-6 lakh ($16,000-20,000) for the minimum standard features.
The product is being distributed in India, but Tata Telecom claims
to be the first company in India to have obtained a software
duplication license from Brite Voice Systems Inc.
Voice messaging allows for the recording, storing and retrieval
of voice in a digital form. What is noticeable in the process is
the good output of the recorded voice, claims the company,
which is a feature that makes it acceptable for most of the
applications it is intended for. The system can be linked to a
database to give out requested information.
Such interactive voice response systems can be used in banks,
stock exchanges, airlines, railways, travel agencies, and
wherever a computer database is used.
Auto Attendant can be understood as an automated switchboard
operator, according to the company. Fax messaging provides
facilities such as fax-on-demand, one-call and two-call faxing,
scheduling, broadcast, and text-to-fax conversions.
Other applications are also available from Tata Telecom that have
been manufactured by Brite. However, the cost goes up by Rs
40,000 ($1,300) for each. TATA hopes to sell Rs 10-15 crore
($3.5-$5 million) worth of the product annually once the system is
established.
On whether Tata Telecom is considering offering some other
value-added services in view of recent favorable Department of
Telecommunications regulation, Vijay Gupta, the company's
managing director said: "Not in the near future. We have pumped
in Rs 30 crore ($10 million) in investments during the last
couple of years and are yet to realize any returns.''
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TRENDS
Toshiba Released Digital VCR For HDTV
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00021)
Toshiba Released Digital VCR For HDTV 11/16/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Toshiba has announced that
it has released a digital video cassette tape recorder for high
definition television (HDTV) sets. It was jointly developed with
Germany's BTS Inc., and is claimed to be compatible with both
Japanese and European HDTV standards.
Toshiba's digital VCR is called the GBR-1000. HDTV programs
can be recorded on the cassette tapes, which come in three
different sizes. The longest L-size tape accepts up to 64
minutes of recording.
Under Toshiba's method, the VCR does not use a compression
method. Instead, the video data is recorded on the three-
quarter-inch tape in real-time at 1.2 gigabit-per-second.
A major advantage of Toshiba's digital VCR is claimed to be
compatibility with the European standard.
Other Japanese electronics firms such as Sony and Matsushita have
already released digital VCRs. Toshiba's latest digital VCR is
designed for business use, and is priced at 2.9 million yen
($29,000).
Meanwhile, Japan's Posts & Telecommunication Ministry has just
introduced a provisional HDTV broadcasting license system
for each private TV broadcasting firm, set for 1995.
Currently, Japanese TV broadcasting firms, including NHK, are
broadcasting HDTV programs through the HDTV Promotion
Association on an experimental basis. This experiment will stop
at the end of December 1994. The Ministry is planning to launch a
broadcast satellite by the summer of 1997.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931116/Press Contact: Toshiba,
tel 81-3-3457-2100, fax 81-3-3456-4776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
GENERAL
Magic 5.5 Wins Best Database Development Product
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00022)
Magic 5.5 Wins Best Database Development Product 11/16/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Irvine, California-
based Magic Software Enterprises's Magic 5.5 development system
was declared the winner at the recent International Developers
Competition held on November 6 and 7 in Duram, North Carolina.
Competing against the industry giants, this is the second year in
a row that Magic was found to be the overall winning database
management development system at the IDC.
Coming in behind Magic in the overall ratings were Borland
Paradox for Windows, Gupta's SQL Windows, Oracle, Microsoft's
FoxPro, dBase IV and C++ (also from Borland), Clarion's Clarion,
WordPerfect's DataPerfect, DataEase, and Powersoft's
Powerbuilder.
The judging, by a team of six, was based on "real-world"
categories, including: user interface, reporting capabilities, and
data entry module functionality. Magic scored 96 out of a possible
112 total points.
Magic is based on a unique table-driven methodology which the
company claims allows programmers to build flexible mission-
critical applications much faster than most other systems.
(John McCormick/19931115/Press Contact: Lisa Parkhurst,
Magic Software Enterprises, 714-250-1718)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
BUSINESS
Toshiba EMI Links With Sega, Sony Ties With Namco
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00023)
Toshiba EMI Links With Sega, Sony Ties With Namco 11/16/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Toshiba EMI, a music joint-
venture between Toshiba and EMI, has signed an agreement with
Sega Enterprises, which calls for Toshiba EMI to release
music CDs and video of Sega's game software.
Under the agreement, Toshiba EMI will collect Sega's game
software music and will release it in CD format in January,
1994. The first CD will be called the "Virtual Fighter," and is
taken from Sega's game software. The firm will also use
motion pictures in the game software in its video software.
A video cassette tape, called "Computer Graphics Video,"
will be released in February, 1994. Toshiba EMI has already
created a special team to produce the CDs.
Meanwhile, Sony has signed an agreement with Tokyo-based
game developer Namco. Under terms of the agreement, both firms
will jointly develop three-dimensional game software for Sony's
new game machine.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931116/Press Contact: Toshiba
EMI, 81-3-3587-9111; Sony, tel 81-3-5448-2200,
fax 81-3-5448-3061)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TRENDS
Comdex - NT & Netware Threaten Unix Market
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00024)
Comdex - NT & Netware Threaten Unix Market 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- International
Data Corp., held a conference at Comdex titled: "The Emerging Server
Operating Systems and Impact on Unix Market Strategies," by analyst
John Morrell. IDC's main thrust was that Novell Netware and
Microsoft Windows NT both pose new threats to Unix systems
positioned as servers.
IDC says the companies it surveyed are looking for a personal
computer (PC) local area network (LAN) technology -- an area
where the Unix market has been traditionally weaker. Novell's
Netware product and Microsoft Windows NT are rapidly moving in
to fill that gap, posing a threat to Unix.
IDC spent more time on Windows NT, and analyst David Card said
Microsoft is attempting to market NT as a combination of the
best of the PC, workstation, and minicomputer worlds combined.
Card said NT is a big threat to the Unix world, especially in
the commercial desktop market and will move in within
18-24 months on small-to-midsize servers.
Unix is well-positioned today and will stay that way in the
enterprise-information server and for specific, lower volume,
local application server business -- especially in high capacity,
mission critical applications.
To service the larger, local application server market, however,
Unix will need to move toward a simplistic end-user, services-
oriented model that IDC believes NT and Netware will
successfully drive.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931116/Press Contact: Deborah Butler,
IDC, 508-872-8200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TRENDS
****Comdex - Visa Reveals Fraud Prevention Tactics
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00025)
****Comdex - Visa Reveals Fraud Prevention Tactics 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Visa International has
announced that it has started field-trials of new technologies
that prevent alteration or duplication of a card's magnetic stripe.
The real life testing, which ultimately will involve 70,000
cardholders on both sides of the Atlantic, reportedly comes after
several years of laboratory research and evaluation, the card
issuer claims.
The live user trials will test the reliability of new technologies
under normal, day-to-day conditions. According to Visa, the idea
behind the scheme is to implement a global system to prevent card
fraud -- no mean feat, Newsbytes notes, since around 15 percent
of many plastic payment card issuer's profits are now lost due to
card fraud of one type or another.
According to Visa, complete protection of the magnetic stripe is a
key component of Visa Cardshield, a worldwide program reported on
previously by Newsbytes, to provide what the card issuer claims is
the ultimate in card security.
Visa claims that, following the outcome of the trials in early
1994, the payment card industry will be in a position to choose a
technology capable of protecting cards against the most
sophisticated electronic counterfeiting method known as
"skimming." The new technology could be implemented on all
Visa cards by 1998.
"Incorporation of advanced card authentication technologies into
Visa cards represents the most significant card security feature
since Visa first introduced its Card Verification Value (CVV)
program in 1989," explained Roger Peirce, Visa International's
executive vice president for Delivery Systems.
"The Visa Cardshield program is committed to implementing high-
tech weapons that will drive criminals out of the Visa card
counterfeiting business - ensuring that our brand stands for the
most secure and convenient way for people to pay," he said.
According to Peirce, in markets such as France, where Visa cards
are already protected by integrated circuits, the counterfeit-proof
magnetic stripe will provide cardholders and financial institutions
with the same level of security when they use their cards abroad.
One technology currently being tested by Visa is Watermark
Magnetics, developed by Thorn Secure Science International in the
UK. The technology is based on a proprietary process which embeds
a digitized number into a conventional magnetic stripe at the
manufacturing stage.
This number cannot be erased, copied, or altered. Peirce said that
this technology was proven very reliable and highly secure during
Visa's laboratory tests. Alternative anti-counterfeit technologies
will be tested by Visa early next year, he said, adding that Visa is
also analyzing the feasibility of integrating low-cost computer
chips in cards as a means of anti-counterfeit card protection.
According to Peirce, Visa has been intensifying its attack on card
fraud in two different areas. One is organizational, with Visa
organizing fraud committees in major cities. The other, he said, is
technological, involving the distribution of a simple piece of card-
reading hardware to law enforcement agencies.
The card association put both to the test in Los Angeles, one of the
capitals of counterfeiting. According to Visa, approximately 50
percent of all people arrested in that city carry forged cards. In the
Los Angeles fraud committee, which started last January, Visa
brought together investigators from 15 of the issuing banks in the
city that suffer significant losses.
San Francisco was the second city to have such a committee. Visa
expects to have five more committees running by the end of the
year. In the second initiative, Visa is giving devices called "BIN
checkers" to the police, customs and immigration, and other
agencies. BIN checkers get their name from the bank identification
numbers (BIN) encoded in the cards' magnetic stripes and read the
encoded data to verify that a card is valid.
When the plastic card is swiped through a checker, the machine can
detect a counterfeit and identify its type. A card might be
completely fake or might have been lost or stolen and then tampered
with, either by altering the information in the magnetic stripe or
re-embossing the raised account number on the front of the card.
Newsbytes notes that BIN checkers are not entirely new. For the past
two years, Mastercard International has been distributing them in
the US, as well as in Asia, an area renowned for its card fraud.
According to Visa, the first 15 Visa-issued machines have already
been issued and, by the end of this year, around 300 units will have
been distributed.
(Steve Gold/19931116/Press & Public Contact: Visa International,
415-570-2039)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TRENDS
Computer Assisted Fraud Hits China - Report
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00026)
Computer Assisted Fraud Hits China - Report 11/16/93
BEIJING, CHINA, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- More types of computer-
assisted crime are being committed in China, but officials insist
that the situation is under control.
According to Lu Zhiqian, a senior official from the Public Security
Ministry in Beijing, "The law and order situation is basically
stable. But the number of problems concerning law and order has
increased and the damages incurred have intensified.""
Zhiqian said that the increase in crimes might continue in the face
of the "transition from the old system to a new system", referring
to the replacement of a planned economy by a market economy.
He said that a team of public security officers able to tackle
emergency crime cases, including computer and other high
technology crime, was urgently needed in China.
"Hard-fisted social control is essential for the preservation of
social stability," he said, adding that the recent severe crackdown
on serious crimes had acted as a deterrent in the country.
Zhiqian added that a worrying trend in crime in China is that
crimes of violence have sky-rocketed in recent months, as have the
incidence of computer crime, which he admitted is causing concern
in government circles, owing to the technology involved.
(Steve Gold/19931116)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TELECOM
Comdex - Radiomail System Under Active Test By Newsbytes
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)
Comdex - Radiomail System Under Active Test By Newsbytes 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Following
pre-Comdex publicity by Radiomail Corp., a wireless data
communications company in San Mateo, Newsbytes is undertaking
a field test of the company's technology. In the test, Newsbytes'
team of reporters at Comdex has been issued with a series of
Motorola Infotac wireless modems, which operate in the 890
megahertz (MHz) waveband, and will be using these units,
along with the Radiomail software, to keep in touch with each
other.
According to Bill Hipp, Radiomail's president, the Radiomail
software has been designed to operate over a range of wireless
topologies. "We're currently using Ardis and Embarq technologies,
but our software is flexible so we can work over almost any
wireless technology that comes along.
So how does the system work? Users of Radiomail are issued with an
Ardis or a Motorola radio modem. The units under test by Newsbytes
are the latter and retail for $849. The Radiomail software, which
runs under DOS or Windows, is configured and, providing the wireless
modem is within range of a base station, your network link is live.
Radiomail currently only offers inter-subscriber messaging, as well
as conventional access to the Internet for seven-bit electronic
mail. According to Hipp, tests are under way to evaluate telnet and
FTP (file transfer protocol) links over the Internet, but such real-
time data calls are expensive in terms of network resources.
"The Motorola units operate at 4,800 bits-per-second and our
network has been tailored to meet this level of data transmission.
With Telnet links, the load on the Radiomail network is a lot higher
than with store and forward electronic mail, which is much more
what Radiomail is about," Hipps told Newsbytes.
Radiomail started life under Hipps back in 1988, but it took him
some time to get the network up and running or, as he put it, "For
the technology to catch up with us."
Today, Radiomail has around 30 staff and a number of companies who
use the network for their mobile staff to keep in touch with each
other. Newsbytes understands that a total of around 100 journalists
attending Comdex have been issued with Radiomail systems, so the
industry can expect a number of reviews/evaluations in the printed
press over the coming months.
Since Newsbytes is an electronic and daily publication, however, we
are in a position to report back a lot faster. Newsbytes intends to
publish a second story about the network at the end of this week,
reporting on how effective the system was.
(Steve Gold/19931611/Press & Public Contact: Radiomail, tel
415-286-7811, fax 415-286-7801; Email on the Internet:
hipp@radiomail.net)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/16/93
TELECOM
Comdex - Mobile Communications Industry Discussed
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00028)
Comdex - Mobile Communications Industry Discussed 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- The great thing about
Comdex Fall other than the hundreds of exhibitors are the lectures.
With company majors in hand, the Interface Group (the show
organizers) tap their knowledge and arrange special conferences
at which these major companies explain their rationale and the
way they see the business heading.
So it was that Newsbytes found itself listening to Larry Crume,
vice president of electronic messaging with Lotus; Pradeep Singh,
group manager for mobile services with Microsoft; and Jim
Bartlett, worldwide product line executive with IBM's mobile
computing operations.
Over the next three days, Newsbytes will be reporting to readers on
the details of this conference. Today, we'll look at the background
to the conference and how William Ablondi, the conference's
chairperson, views the industry. Tomorrow we'll look at what Jim
Bartlett has to say, and on Thursday, we'll hear what Pradeep Singh
and Larry Crume have to say on the subject.
First on the podium was Ablondi, vice president of BIS Strategic, a
company that has specialized in issuing reports of leading edge
technology such as mobile comms.
Ablondi explained that there are numerous forces involved in the
mobile communications market. These range from the rate at which
networking has evolved -- forcing the industry to offer seamless
mobile communications "solutions" to the mainstream businessman.
"The mobile market is worth around $20 billion at the moment. We
expect that figure to rise to $44 billion by 1998," he explained to
the audience, clearly demonstrating why the industry is so keen for
us to use the technology.
"Partnerships are forming as the industry matures," he said, adding
that, because of the nature of the free market that the comms
industry finds itself in, many of them are uncontrolled technology
linkups between companies.
Because of the changing nature of the business, BIS decided a year
ago to undertake a major survey into the needs of the mobile user.
The results threw up some interesting facts. For starters, around 86
percent of mobile comms technology users are managers and, of this
86 percent, around 33 percent are involved in sales in one way or
another (sales involvement is defined as spending 25 percent of
one's time in connection with sales).
So what is a mobile comms user? According to Ablondi he is a
technology user that spends 20 percent or more time away from
base. But why, he asked, do users need to make use of mobile comms
technologies? There are three reasons, Ablondi explained: the need
to collaborate; the need for workflow technology; and the need for
single user applications.
But who is using what technology? Ablondi revealed that the BIS
report turned up the fact that 35 percent of users use cellular
technology, 23 percent use portable PCs, 22 percent use pagers,
seven percent electronic organizers and three percent palmtop PCs.
On the portable PCs front, a hefty 88 percent use desktop PCs for
work, a figure that is much higher than usual, he said.
Of this 88 percent, 17 percent intent to acquire a new portable PC
within the next year, a figure, Newsbytes notes, that extrapolates
out to 2.8 million portables being bought in the next year in the US
alone. That figure, Ablondi said, will rise at the rate of 20.2
percent over the next five years, reaching 21.1 million unit sales
in 1998.
Tomorrow, Newsbytes will look at what Jim Bartlett, worldwide
product line executive with IBM's mobile computing operations has
to say on the subject of mobile communications.
(Steve Gold/19931116)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/16/93
TRENDS
Comdex - Infra-Red Data Assoc Reveals Plans
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00029)
Comdex - Infra-Red Data Assoc Reveals Plans 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- The Infra Red Data
Association (IrDA), a group of 50 companies aiming to promote and
standardize infra-red wireless link technology, has announced its
timetable for standards. According to John LaRoche, IrDA's
administrator, plans have been formalized for an IR standard, a
logo and a certification plan.
Plans call for IrD to formally unveil its IR connectivity standard
for data devices during March of next year, specifically, at the
Cebit '94 computer show in Hannover, Germany.
Also in hand are plans for a logo, details of which will be
announced shortly, and a certification process for member's
products, as well as those from third parties.
John Romano, IrDA chairman, who is also a senior Hewlett-Packard
manager, the standard will allow data communications of up 115,200
bits-per-second, but with an emphasis on ease of use and the ability
to use the technology anywhere within line of sight of the two
communicating devices.
"Infrared data transmission has a number of strong and practical
advantages of mobile computer users in today's environment. No
present domestic or international regulatory constraints exist and
interference problems are minimal. Implementation costs are low
and data exchange between IrDA devices will be simple, fast and
convenient," he said.
Fundamental to the concept of IrDA is that infra-red transmission
technology is not for technically minded users. At the launch of
IrDA earlier this year, the association said that the idea behind
the group was that users have come to expect and demand that the
technology works under all conditions.
IrDA's membership includes more than 50 companies in the technology
industry, including AND, AST Research, Compaq, IBM, Intel, Siemens,
Toshiba, Traveling Software and VLSI Technologies. The next meeting
of the association will be on December 14-15 and will be hosted by
AT&T in San Jose, Ca.
According to IrDA, extensive use of the Internet is being made to
enable worldwide communications between members. So far, IrDa
has around 200 of its members on an Internet "reflector" list for
information and conferencing. The association claims it welcomes
new members all the time and is inviting anyone with Internet
access to take out a test drive of the association's membership.
(Steve Gold/19931116/Press & Public Contact: John Laroche, IrDA -
Tel: 510-943-6546; Fax: 510-934-5241; Email over the Internet -
jlaroche@netcom.com)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/16/93
TRENDS
Comdex - AER Announces First 20-Hour Portable PC Battery
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00030)
Comdex - AER Announces First 20-Hour Portable PC Battery 11/16/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, 1993 NOV 16 (NB) -- Advanced Energy Resources
(AER) has announced that its existing AER Energy Power 20 battery
system has entered beta testing for portable PC users.
The Energy Power 20, Newsbytes notes, is a standalone battery unit
that will run most portable mono PCs for between 15 and 20 hours
between charges. The battery used a rechargeable zinc-air battery
system that has a claimed 200 to 400 percent advantage over
existing nicad battery technology.
According to Dave Dorheim, president of the company, the battery can
also be used by portable phone users. To this end, the unit comes
with two 12-volt DC sockets to drive both a portable PC and a
cellphone.
Under the beta tests, around 30 Energy Power 20 batteries are being
supplied to mobile workers who will test the battery in real life
conditions. The tests, which will last between 90 and 120 days, will
involve the use of software to analyze usage patterns and power
consumed.
"We're looking forward to learning how beta users react to the
freedom and convenience of full day portable computing and
communications capabilities," Dorheim explained. "Pending tests
results, we plan to begin selling the Energy Power 20, our first
product, to mobile workers next year," he said.
Dorheim said that he is confident about the success of the Energy
Power 20. So much so, in fact, that the company has been talking to
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in recent months about
supplying zinc air technology to them for use in third party
products.
(Steve Gold/19931116/Press & Public Contact: AER, tel 404-433-
2127, fax 404-433-2286)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
BUSINESS
Delrina Licenses Microsoft At Work
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00001)
Delrina Licenses Microsoft At Work 11/15/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Delrina Corp., has
licensed the Microsoft At Work protocol from Microsoft for use in
its personal computer facsimile products. Delrina said it is the
first software vendor to incorporate Microsoft At Work into its
products.
The protocol is meant to let information flow among office
machines -- such as fax machines, photocopiers, and telephones --
and personal computers. It can transmit binary files and allow
for higher-quality fax transmission, the company said.
According to Microsoft, the software will also make it possible
to use the existing telephone network to share information across
distances, allowing easy digital communication between remote
offices, for instance.
Delrina said it will use Microsoft At Work in its WinFax Lite,
WinFax Pro, and the upcoming WinFax Pro for Networks software.
Company spokesman Josef Zankowicz said the benefits will include
the ability to send a data file, rather than simply a fax image,
from a PC running Delrina's fax software to a stand-alone fax
machine that supports the Microsoft At Work protocol. That will
mean the document can be sent with error correction -- not
available with regular faxes -- and the data file can carry
formatting with it so that the document printed out at the far
end is exactly as formatted on the sending PC.
Delrina plans to launch versions of its software using Microsoft
At Work early in 1994, Zankowicz said. He acknowledged, though,
that the real benefits will appear only when the software is
communicating with fax devices that also support the new
protocol.
Newsbytes reported in June that Microsoft expected to have
applications and development kits available for telephony, fax,
and handheld devices by the end of this year, and also expected
fax machines using Microsoft At Work to ship by year-end.
Delrina also recently signed alliances with MCI International,
Bell Canada subsidiary WorldLinx Telecommunications Inc., and
Vodata Ltd., a subsidiary of Vodaphone Group Plc in the United
Kingdom, as it seeks to strengthen its hand in communications.
(Grant Buckler/19931112/Press Contact: Josef Zankowicz or
Shelly Sofer, Delrina, 416-441-3676)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
IBM
Logitech Intros ScanMan PowerPage Scanner
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00002)
Logitech Intros ScanMan PowerPage Scanner 11/15/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Hoping to entice
potential users with bundled software, Logitech Inc., has introduced
the ScanMan PowerPage boardless, 256-grayscale, full-page scanner.
According to the company, it features motorized control and sheet-
fed or hand-held scanning options.
Betty Skov, spokesperson for the company, told Newsbytes that,
"The intended market is the small office or home office. Because
it (ScanMan PowerPage) performs multiple functions -- text and
image scanning, plus fax and copy -- with all the utilities
included in the software, we think that it is going to be very
desirable in that environment, where a more expensive flat-bed
scanner would take up a much larger foot-print, and not be a
personal desktop tool."
According to Skov, what differentiates the product from other
scanners on the market, "Is the integrated software that we
have bundled with it."
The company says that integrated software included with the
package offers image capture and editing, optical character
recognition, fax interface and a copy utility. ScanMan PowerPage
is set for availability in early 1994 at a suggested retail price
of $799.
Software applications shipping with ScanMan PowerPage will
include: Logitech's FotoTouch Color image editing software; Caere's
OmniPage Direct AnyFont OCR (optical character recognition)
software for Logitech; Delrina's WinFax LITE faxing software;
and a copy utility that the company says produces high-quality
gray-scale copies using a printer. The tools immediately appear
onscreen in a PowerPage "Control Center" when the scanner is
activated upon contact with a document.
PowerPage communicates with the computer by means of the
parallel port and requires no interface card. It can be used as a
sheet-fed, full-page scanner or in hand-held mode, with the
motorized scanning head detached from its base. An optional
document feeder is also available.
The company says that additional product features include: TWAIN-
and Microsoft OLE (object linking and embedding)-compliance for
direct scanning into applications; software-controlled
communication between computer and scanner head; 25 - 400
dots-per-inch (dpi); and special thresholding and dithering features
to automatically adjust contrast for text and images for producing
high-quality copies and faxes.
According to Patricia Smith, product marketing manager, "It offers
the control and full-page capability of a flatbed scanner while
retaining the flexibility of a hand-held unit. Its small form factor
means it is ideal as a personal unit for both desktop and travel,
while the software included makes it a truly complete
'plug-and-play' solution."
In September, Newsbytes reported that Logitech had announced
a product called Cyberman in the UK. At the time, Logitech claimed
it is the world's first interactive three dimensional (3D) controller
for PC-based computer games. The product was first announced in
the US on August 18.
Also in September, the company introduced the Soundman Games
stereo sound card, which is compatible with Soundblaster,
Soundblaster Pro and Ad Lib boards.
(Ian Stokell/19931112/Press Contact: Betty Skov,
510-713-4463, Logitech Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
BUSINESS
Cabletron & Horizons Target Japanese LAN Market
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00003)
Cabletron & Horizons Target Japanese LAN Market 11/15/93
ROCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Like
everywhere else, the local area network (LAN) market in Japan
is growing rapidly. Now, in two unconnected announcements,
both Cabletron Systems Inc., and Horizons Technology Inc., have
announced deals targeting the Japanese LAN marketplace.
Cabletron has signed an agreement with Itochu Corp., to resell
Cabletron's products throughout Japan. The deal calls for Itochu,
through its subsidiary C'Itoch Techno-Science Company Ltd (CTC),
to resell Cabletron's full product line. The move will result in
CTC being able to provide an extensive array of networking
products and services, including hardware, network management,
service, support, network design and installation, and training
throughout the Japanese market, says the company.
In announcing the deal, Gary Davis, Cabletron's vice-president of
international operations, said: "CTC views customer satisfaction
and high quality product offering as top priority. Cabletron intends
to offer the same customer service and support through its
resellers in Japan as it does in the United States and throughout
the world."
Cabletron develops, manufactures, and markets Ethernet, Token
Ring, FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) and ATM (asynchronous
transfer mode) networking products based on its Integrated
Network Architecture (INA). The company maintains that its INA
strategy provides standards-based products and services
necessary to build and manage a global, distributed platform of
interconnected local and wide area networks (WANs).
Horizons Technology Inc. (HTI), meanwhile, has signed an agreement
with Nettool Inc., to "localize" and resell its LANauditor inventory-
management software in Japan. The product automates tracking of
all hardware configurations and software applications on a local
area network (LAN).
As part of that deal, Nettool will begin immediate distribution
of the English version of LANauditor and will release the Japanese
version by the second quarter of next year.
Nettool maintains that it is currently signing major software
distributors and resellers throughout Japan to carry LANauditor.
LANauditor 3.0 has been newly upgraded to include auditing for
Macintosh, OS/2, and Windows for Workgroups workstations and,
according to the company, provide more comprehensive
information on DOS/Windows workstations and file servers.
Said Yukio Iida, president of Nettool, "HTI's LANauditor allows
Nettool to enter one of the fastest-growing segments of the
Japanese market -- network inventory management. LANauditor is
a comprehensive, 'localized' solution. HTI provides a mature
product along with the support and service that the Japanese
market demands."
Research firm International Data Corp., reportedly values the
Japanese LAN market at over $120 million and expects
Japan to have the largest network concentrator market by 1996.
At the end of October, Newsbytes reported that, as part of its
three-phase network management strategy, Cabletron had
announced Spectrum Data Gateways., designed to provide a link
between the firm's Spectrum enterprise management platform
and other network managers, permitting cross-platform network
information exchange.
At the time, Michael Skubisz, Cabletron's director of product
management, told Newsbytes that, "Spectrum is our network
management platform. It competes in some ways with HP
OpenView and SunNet Manager. What Spectrum Data Gateways
allows us to do is interoperate at a very high level with those
products. It essentially allows us to become the manager of
managers."
In August Newsbytes reported that Horizons had begun shipping
a tool that the company claimed was designed to let developers
quickly and cost effectively embed "fuzzy search" as a native
feature in DOS- and Windows-based applications - called the
Fuzzy Search Engine Developer's Kit.
(Ian Stokell/19931112/Press Contact: Lesley Johnson,
603-337-1635, Cabletron Systems Inc.; Lisa Fisher,
619-277-7100, Horizons Technology Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
TRENDS
AMD Intros Single-Chip Ethernet Controllers
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00004)
AMD Intros Single-Chip Ethernet Controllers 11/15/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- As the
move towards networking becomes even more popular, hardware
vendors seek to include local area network (LAN) technology as
part of their products. Along those lines, Advanced Micro Devices
has added three new PCnet single-chip Ethernet controllers for
PC motherboards.
The company claims that the PCnet product line now supports all
local bus standards as well as Microsoft's new ISA (Industry
Standard Architecture) Plug and Play configuration technology.
According to the company, PCnet devices include all the
functionality of bus-mastered, Ethernet adapter boards on one
chip.
The PCnet-PCI and PCnet-32 are claimed to be the first single-
chip Ethernet controllers supporting high-speed PCI (Peripheral
Component Interconnect) and VL local bus designs, and the
PCnet-ISA+ is the first Microsoft ISA Plug and Play compatible
Ethernet chip. Software drivers are also provided by AMD,
supporting virtually all local area network operating (LAN)
systems. A single set of drivers is compatible across the entire
PCnet product line.
In announcing the new devices, Andy Robin, director of marketing
and operations for AMD's I/O (input/output) and network products
division, said: "AMD now has a complete high-performance hardware
and software Ethernet solution for any PC platform, including ISA,
EISA (Extended ISA), VL, 486 local bus or PCI bus."
Local buses provide a high-bandwidth link for connection of
high-performance peripherals such as video, storage, and
networking. PCI is a new high-speed, 32- or 64-bit local bus
technology supported by several leading manufacturers. The
VL-Bus is from the Video Electronics Standards Association
(VESA).
The company maintains that all PCnet products use a high-
performance bus-master architecture based on Novell
NE2100/1500T adapter cards. As a result, the company says that
a single set of software drivers can be used across the entire
PCnet product line regardless of whether the device is connected
to the ISA bus, or the PCI, and VL local buses.
Network operating systems supported include: Novell's NetWare
2, 3 & 4; Microsoft's LANManager, Windows NT, and Windows for
Workgroups; IBM's LANServer; Banyan Vines; SCO Unix; and
Artisoft's LANtastic. AMD says that it licenses all of its drivers
with royalty-free distribution rights after payment of a "nominal,
one-time fee."
PCnet-PCI, PCnet-32 and PCnet-ISA+ are currently available in
sample quantities with volume shipments set for the first quarter
of 1994. PCnet-PCI ships in a 132-pin PQFP package, priced at
$29.95 in quantities of 1,000. PCnet-32 ships in a 160-pin PQFP
and is priced at $29.95 in quantities of 1,000. PCnet-ISA+ ships
in a 132-pin PQFP, priced at $25.75 in quantities of 1,000.
(Ian Stokell/19931112/Press Contact: Jim Lochmiller,
408-982-7880, Advanced Micro Devices)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
IBM
Sequent Intros Entry-Level Winserver
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)
Sequent Intros Entry-Level Winserver 11/15/93
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Sequent
Computer Systems has introduced Winserver 500, an entry-level
member of its Winserver family of application and database
servers running the Microsoft Windows NT operating system.
Winserver 500 is a deskside system that runs on one 60 megahertz
(MHz) Intel Pentium processor. Sequent says Winserver 500 will be
upgraded to two Pentium processors in the first quarter of 1994.
The company says Winserver 500 is positioned as a departmental
database server of local area network (LAN) consolidation server
as well as for small workgroups.
Winserver 500 comes with a five-year warranty that covers all
system components and provides next day response for the first
two years and return-to-factory coverage for the following three
years. The warranty can be upgraded at additional cost to a
four-hour response, and users will have access to a new integrated
support program that Sequent says will be introduced later this
quarter. That program will offer a consolidated package of
technical support, consulting services, information by fax and a
dedicated Winserver technical support team.
In September, Sequent took its Winserver on the road, equipping a
semi-trailer with several members of the line and a number of
PCs acting as clients on the servers.
Winserver 500 configurations can be from 24 megabytes (MB) to
384MB of system memory with parity checking, two integrated fast
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) channels, disk storage
from one gigabyte (GB) to 18.9GB, and pre-installed Microsoft
Windows NT Advanced Server software. Pricing starts at $13,200
for the base configuration, and tops out at $61,900.
(Jim Mallory/19931115/Press and reader contact: Sequent
Computer Systems, 503-626-5700)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
IBM
American Intros DesignCAD Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)
American Intros DesignCAD Windows 11/15/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- One of the
companies showing new products at Comdex, the computer
industry's equivalent of a New York fashion show, is American
Small Business Computers with its DesignCAD Windows.
The program is a Windows version of American's computer-aided
design DesignCAD 2D (two-dimensional) with a number of new
features added. DesignCAD Windows can open an unlimited number
of views at any size and placement, if enough RAM is available. It
also uses scroll bars at the side and bottom of a window that
allows the user to see more of the drawing.
Users can draw, setting points from view to view and you can open
multiple DesignCAD Windows so you can work on both a floor plan
and an elevation simultaneously. The on-line help can call up
information about any DesignCAD Windows command, and a Hot
Tool Box feature allows users to place their most-used commands
in the tool box for instant use with a mouse click.
Bitmapped image files loaded in CAD drawings stay linked so users
can place bitmapped scenery from other programs into their CAD
images. Users can copy, cut and paste, using either the real CAD
entities or bitmapped (BMP) images. Clicking twice on an object
displays a dialog box to change color, layer, line width, line type,
text, dimension and other features. With the proper monitor users
can display 256 named layers and 256 colors from a user-definable
palette and text manipulation allows text to fit around an arc. The
program also supports the use of macros, recorded keystrokes that
can be played back at will.
In addition to being offered as a stand-alone product, DesignCAD
Windows is available bundled with DesignCAD - The Expert Series,
which combines DesignCAD Windows or DOS, DesignCAD 3D,
ScanPro, and DesignSYM. The latter program is a library of 6,700
pre-drawn architectural and industrial symbols, while ScanPRO is
a raster-to-vector conversion program.
Pryor, Oklahoma-based American says DesignCAD Windows will
sell for $349, the same price as the DOS version. DesignCAD Expert
has a suggested retail price of $995.
(Jim Mallory/19931115/Press contact: Keith Campbell, American
SBC, 918-825-4985; Reader contact: American Small Business
Computers, tel 918-825-7555, fax 918-825-6359)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
IBM
Industry Standard Plug-and-Play BIOS Finalized
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)
Industry Standard Plug-and-Play BIOS Finalized 11/15/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- A coalition of more
than 20 computer hardware and software companies have released
the final Plug and Play BIOS (basic input/output services)
specification, and say it is a milestone in the drive to make
personal computers easier to use.
Compaq Computer Corp., and Phoenix Technologies co-developed
the new specification as part of a working group of companies.
It is reportedly available at no cost to the entire industry.
Microsoft and Intel provided interface specifications to make
the first implementation of Plug and Play available for Windows
3.1 and Windows For Workgroups 3.11.
Plug-and-play is a concept that allows the computer to adapt
itself to a variety of standard hardware and software products,
as well as add-on cards, making configuration of new devices or
programs much easier for the user. One example cited by the
consortium is inserting a notebook computer into its docking
station while the PC is running. When the PC is removed from
the docking station, the system would automatically re-configure
itself to recognize the undocked state, without the user having
to re-start the PC.
On the drawing boards is reportedly a system that would allow a
plug-and-play capable notebook computer that is infrared capable
to automatically set up a printer and inform applications the
new printer is available.
The first implementation to come to market is expected to be
the next generation of Windows, and the first plug-and-play
computers are expected to ship in early 1994. Compaq says its
new Compaq Deskpro XE, introduced earlier this month, is
plug-and-play compatible with future operating systems.
Specifications of the system are posted on a Compuserve forum
(GO PLUGPLAY).
(Jim Mallory/19931115/Press contact: Nora Hahn, Compaq,
713-374-8316; Dave Ramey, Intel Corp., 916-356-2746; Collins
Hemingway, Microsoft, 206-882-8080; Albert Saraie, Phoenix
Technologies, 714-440-8000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
IBM
Microbase Software Helps Users Be Eco-Friendly
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00008)
Microbase Software Helps Users Be Eco-Friendly 11/15/93
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Computer software
does lots of things - processes words, crunches numbers, keeps
track of information, communicates, and plays games. Now you
can use your PC to make sure your home of office is "eco-friendly."
Microbase Inc., has introduced Green Explorer a software package
the company calls "Your blueprint to an eco-friendly world." The
program begins with a home tour that takes the user through a
typical home to unveil the environmental potential of commonly
used household items.
The Project section is a how-to guide for thousands of actions
ranging from contacting recycling hot-lines or writing to a
legislator, to setting up a curb-side collection program and the
proper way to dispose of hazardous household waste.
Users who are concerned about the environmental impact of
specific products can use the Quick Find feature to look up
information. An address base contains the names and addresses
of thousands of organizations associated with the environment.
There is also a history section which details the past, present and
future of environmental concerns such as waste disposal, consumer
action, garbage collection and product packaging, and you can even
take a test of your newly acquired environmental knowledge.
Microbase says the Green Explorer triangular packaging is made
of recycled paper. Green Explorer runs on a 80286-based or higher
IBM-compatible PC with at least two megabytes (MB) of memory
and 4.5MB of available disk space, Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher,
EGA or better monitor, and a mouse. Microbase will be
demonstrating Green Explorer in its booth at Comdex in Las Vegas.
The program has a suggested retail price of $79.95
(Jim Mallory/19931112/Press contact: Stephanie Silverman,
Microbase Inc, 602-897-7800; Reader contact: Microbase,
602-897-7800 or 800-897-3637, fax 602-897-9799.
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00009)
Canadian Product Launch Update 11/15/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- This regular
feature, appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further
details for the Canadian market on announcements by international
companies that Newsbytes has already covered. This week:
Autodesk's AutoVision, Compaq's new PC models, HP's OmniBook
425, and Toshiba's T3400 and T4700.
Autodesk Canada Inc., of Markham, Ontario, unveiled the
AutoVision photorealistic rendering software (Newsbytes,
October 4). Already shipping, the software has a suggested retail
price of C$1.049, and the company said there is a special promotion
for users of its AutoShade software, who should contact their
dealers for information.
Compaq Canada Inc., of Richmond Hill, Ontario, joined its US
parent recently (Newsbytes, November 1) in launching an assortment
of new models in its Deskpro, ProLinea, and Presario personal
computer lines.
The new ProLinea Net 1/25s comes in four models ranging in price
from C$1,749 to C$2,149. The ProLinea 4/33 Model 200/CDS is
C$2,499. Prices on the Prolinea MT line range from C$1,559 to
C$3,569. The new Deskpro XE models range from C$1,929 up to
$5,429. An assortment of monitors, hard drives, software, and
other accessories were also introduced. All the new products are
available right away, Compaq said.
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Ltd., in Mississauga, Ontario, unveiled
the HP OmniBook 425, its first subnotebook with a 486 processor
(Newsbytes, November 9). The 2.9-pound unit will sell for C$3,019
with a 40 megabyte (MB) hard disk or C$3,374 with a 10MB
flash-memory mass storage unit. Other accessories are also
available.
Toronto-based Toshiba of Canada Ltd. announced the T3400 series
of subnotebook computers and the T4700CT, a notebook computer
with a 486 processor and sound and graphics features (Newsbytes,
November 8). The T3400 and T3400CT are to be available in Canada
starting in January. List prices are C$3,999 for the T3400 and
C$5,999 for the color-display T3400CT. The T4700CT is to be
available in December at a suggested retail price of C$8,999.
(Grant Buckler/19931112/Press Contact: Al Steel, Autodesk Canada,
416-946-0928; Joh Robinson, Compaq Canada, 416-229-8808;
Martha Terdik, HP Canada, 905-206-3311; Jo-Ann Austin, Austin-
Tayshus Public Relations for Toshiba Canada, 416-596-1390;
Public Contact: Autodesk Canada, 800-879-4233)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
IBM
QSound Licenses Virtual Audio To IBM
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00010)
QSound Licenses Virtual Audio To IBM 11/15/93
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- QSound Labs
Inc., has announced that IBM Microelectronics has licensed
QSound's Virtual Audio technology for use in its Mwave technology
platform. According to QSound, this will mean the first use of
the multi-dimensional sound localization technology with musical
instrument digital interface (MIDI) technology.
IBM Microelectronics is now offering Virtual Audio as an upgrade
to existing Mwave-based products, and will use it in future
products to be sold by various IBM divisions and provided to
third-party original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). OEM
products should be available in the first quarter of 1994, said
QSound Labs spokeswoman Joanna Varvos, and IBM may be selling
its own products using QSound before the end of 1993.
The QSound technology is said to make sound appear to come from
anywhere in a room using only existing stereo speakers. QSound
has promoted it for a variety of purposes, including use in
production of audio compact disks and record albums. The company
also claims its technology adds realism to computer games.
While QSound technology has not been used in MIDI devices before,
it has been brought to the PC world through agreements between
QSound Labs and a variety of companies, Varvos said. Among those
deals is one with Creative Labs, which uses QSound in its ASP-16
sound board, and one with AT&T, which uses the technology in its
Multimedia Library.
Developed in the late 1980s, QSound gained attention in the
recording industry in 1990 when Madonna used it in recording her
Immaculate Collection album.
David Gallagher, president of QSound Labs, said in a prepared
statement that the deal with IBM "provides further credibility to
the fact that QSound is indeed becoming the industry standard in
high-quality spatialized sound technology."
Varvos could not comment on what the deal means to QSound in
financial terms.
(Grant Buckler/19931112/Press Contact: Christine Anderson,
QSound Labs, 403-291-2492; Jim Smith, IBM Microelectronics,
914-892-5389)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
GENERAL
****Comdex Preview - Bigger, But Better?
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00011)
****Comdex Preview - Bigger, But Better? 11/15/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Comdex has
become so large it is hard to tell what the big story or
announcement will be. Will it be the battle between Novell's
UnixWare and Windows NT? Will it be the Apple Newton, or some
other personal digital assistant (PDA)? Will it be multimedia, by
whatever name it is going by these days?
In fact, it will be all that, and more. The user base is so
splintered, with different types of people in different types of
situations requiring radically different tools, that it is hard to
tell what will happen. This at a time when Microsoft Windows is
as big a standard as DOS once was -- the DOS market is drying up.
For now, it seems that PDAs, personal communicators or hand-held
mobile devices are giving Microsoft's rivals one last chance to
shine. Devices running Microsoft at Work, a stripped-down version
of Windows, are not due until next year. Meanwhile there are three
versions of the Zoomer under Geoworks -- from AST, Tandy, and
Casio -- the Apple Newton, and the AT&T Personal Communicator
with its PenPoint operating system. All will try to get a piece of
the market before the 800-pound gorilla, now known as Bill Gates,
decides where to sit down.
Speaking of Microsoft, many are featuring the Microsoft Office
suite of applications -- including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint --
which is putting pressure on Borland, WordPerfect and single-
purpose programs. By selling a collection of applications at a
discount, all of which work together, some argue that Microsoft
is making major application software into a two-horse race --
with itself and Lotus, with help from Notes, being the two
horses.
The show itself will be housed in four venues -- the Las
Vegas Convention Center, the Las Vegas Hilton next-door, the
Sands Expo Center, and Bally's -- but that does not mean it is
getting smaller.
Instead, cozy tents have been set up, some for exhibits, others
for functions like the press center. Parking will be impossible,
but at least there will not be the long rides to the Tropicana or
Riviera to worry over. Speaking of long rides, however, many
people are literally staying 50 miles or more from the show,
and cabbies are taking people in suits to hotels they would be
scared to visit most days. The official noise is 170,000 expected,
although the word on the street is more like 185,000.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931914/Press Contact: Cheryl DelGreco,
The Interface Group, 617-449-6600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Shareware Association Markets Wares
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00012)
Comdex - Shareware Association Markets Wares 11/15/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- The Software
Trade Association And Resources, or STAR, is the latest group to
try and serve shareware authors, and it hosted a party at the
Excalibur.
Unlike other groups serving the shareware community, however,
STAR is open to commercial publishers. Like Ted Gruber Software,
which showed its Fastgraph graphics library for programmers.
It used to write games and educational programs, Gruber explained,
and was originally developed so Gruber himself could produce an
IBM PC version of his Apollo 18 for Accolade in 1987. Today
hundreds of shareware authors use the product, Gruber said, which
retails at $199. "A lot of people don't like to go through publishers.
We've gone both ways," he added. And right now the way he is going
is commercial -- the only shareware version of Fastgraph available
is a glorified demo called Fastgraph Lite.
The problem was explained by Morrie Wilson, president of Wilson
Windoware. "With shareware, the buyers understand it. They're
computer literate. Technical support and retail discount costs
are lower. We decided commercial wasn't what we wanted to do."
But the risks remain. Wilson has been recently making extra money
sending "out of business" notices to customers of Quicksoft,
makers of PC Write. "They didn't move with the times. The DOS
word processing market is hard. There weren't enough new users
to pay the bills," he explained.
Wilson makes Windows shareware. His best-sellers are: WinBatch,
a batch-file writer at $69.95; and WinEdit, a Windows text editor
in versions selling for $30-$90. The latter is not a true word
processor, he adds, but it is fine for most users and delivers
straight ASCII output. It was suggested he might want to offer it
as an upgrade to PC Write users, while providing whatever minimal
technical support they still need. He said he and his 12-person
staff were considering it.
The party was put together by George Campbell of Ososoft. Campbell
has long pushed shareware as a good deal for users and developers
both. Users get bargains, while developers get the chance to try out
new ideas with low risk. Campbell's current catalog includes:
Rockford, which designs business cards; WinClip, which handles bit-
mapped clip art; Burnin, which tests new computer components; and
MicroText, which prints word processing files in very small print
so they can be stored.
Campbell also has some freeware in his catalog. At the party,
where there were a total of 12 developers, he was ebullient.
"Shareware is finally becoming accepted as a viable alternative
marketing method," he said. "And it was my idea for this first
party. It's true. I suggested it."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931914/Press Contact: George Campbell,
Ososoft, 805-528-1759; Morrie Wilson, Wilson WindoWare,
800-762-8383; Ted Gruber, Ted Gruber Software, 702-735-1980)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
GENERAL
Get A Headstart On 1993 Taxes With $10 Software
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00013)
Get A Headstart On 1993 Taxes With $10 Software 11/15/93
FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- It is not too
early to start preparing your 1993 taxes, even though the federal
tax forms have yet to be printed. A $10 software package for
DOS, Windows and the Mac, already available in stores and
elsewhere, can help you to do your financial leg work now.
When tax time comes near, you can use a coupon included in the
Headstart Edition of Andrew Tobias' TaxCut to get a $10 rebate on
the Final Edition, a product with a street price of around $40.
"The Headstart Edition contains everything the Final Edition does
except the final forms," explained Eric Jacobsen, director of
marketing for MECA, the company that produces TaxCut. "You can
input your data now on Headstart, install the Final Edition when it
becomes available, and then simply file your taxes electronically
or print out your return in hard copy," he told Newsbytes.
MECA plans to release the Final Edition of TaxCut in mid- or late-
January, after the IRS has approved the final layout of the 1993
federal tax forms.
Beyond preventing a last-minute tax crunch, the Headstart Edition
lets you assess your tax situation before the year ends and take
financially favorable action while you still can, Jacobsen told
Newsbytes.
"You might find, for example, that you can reduce your tax
liability by selling some of your capital loss stocks, or by making
charitable contributions," he illustrated. "You can't do those
things after December 31."
Both editions of TaxCut have been enhanced this year with a new
user interface called "Navigator," along with other embellishments
aimed at making it painless to prepare even the most complex tax
return.
Jacobsen told Newsbytes that TaxCut starts out with a simple
interview that asks questions about personal finances. The program
then chooses the appropriate forms and worksheets for the return.
You can work step-by-step through the whole program, or skip steps
that do not apply. You can also go back to review sections already
completed.
At each step along the way, TaxCut does all calculations and
assigns inputted data to the appropriate sections. TaxCut also
aims to assure that users receive the most deductions possible for
their particular tax scenarios. Ultimately, the program audits the
entire return and highlights any sections with missing, inaccurate,
or questionable data, Jacobsen said.
The new Navigator interface represents the various program modules
in TaxCut with buttons that lead directly to specific program
functions. Always visible down the left-hand side of the screen,
Navigator informs users where they are in the program and advises
them on what to do next, Newsbytes was told.
Aside from Navigator, TaxCut contains several other new features
designed for greater ease of use. A capability called Helpful User
Reports shows last year's and this year's returns on the same
screen, and allows information to be imported to the current forms.
Also on a split screen, you can import data from most other
financial programs, including Quicken, Managing Your Money,
TurboTax, and any program that supports the tax exchange format.
Another new feature in TaxCut, Keyed-Entry Quick Check, is a
central report that lists each fact and figure keyed into the
program. The feature lets you double-check individual items
against original W-2 receipts. Corrections made in the Quick Check
report are automatically entered into the appropriate locations on
the tax return.
Further, said the marketing director, the Interview section has
been updated with branching logic that intuitively determines what
to ask next, explains how to answer each question, and enters the
responses in every place required in the appropriate forms.
MECA Software specializes in financial productivity products, and
has been putting out TaxCut for the past five years. The company
recently agreed to be purchased by H&R Block.
The Macintosh version of this year's Headstart Edition of TaxCut
has already started shipping. The Windows and DOS versions have
been available since earlier this fall.
Jacobsen told Newsbytes that sales of TaxCut are up 400 percent
over last year, a fact he attributes to Navigator and the other
ease-of-user enhancements, together with the rebate coupon, a
marketing promotion introduced this year. When users mail in the
rebate coupon with proof of purchase of the Final Edition, they will
receive a check for $10.
TaxCut for Windows requires an IBM-compatible PC, Windows 3.1,
5.5 megabytes (MB) of disk space, 2MB of memory, a 3.5-inch
high-density disk drive, and a VGA monitor or better. TaxCut for
DOS requires a 640 kilobyte (KB) PC with a hard drive, DOS 3.3 or
later, and a VGA monitor or better.
TaxCut for Macintosh requires System 6.0.2 or later, Mac Plus or
later, and a hard drive with 2 MB of memory. The Mac edition is
System 7 compatible.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931112/Reader contact: MECA,
800-820-7461 ext 446; Press Contacts: Lydia Trettis or Bob
Bogard, Connors Communications for MECA, 212-995-2200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
GENERAL
UK - Insurance Fraud Computer System
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00014)
UK - Insurance Fraud Computer System 11/15/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- If ever you were tempted
to try and cheat your insurance company out of extra cash by either
claiming more than you should, or even falsifying a claim entirely,
think again. If you are caught, you may never get insurance again
or, even worse, you may find yourself on the receiving end of a
prosecution if the insurance company realizes what you are up to.
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has commissioned a
computer that links the computers of all British insurance
companies for the first time from ABI and Equifax.
According to the ABI, the computer system will be the biggest
anti-fraud initiative of its kind ever when it goes on-line early
next year. ABI executives claim that insurance claims have more
than doubled in the last four years, forcing them to raise
insurance premiums and lose customers in the processor.
The ABI claims that the fraudulent element of these claims has
also more than doubled and is now costing them around UKP400
million a year - around UKP13-50 a year for one of the 30 million
every policyholders in the UK today.
The ABI also claims that, because of the high incidence of fraud,
around 12 percent of insurance claims out of a total of eight
million claims paid out every year, is fraudulent in one way or
another.
The ABI's computer project will be known as the Company Register
for Identifying Potentially Dishonest Insurance Claims (CRIPDIC).
According to officials with the ABI, the incidence of fraud in
insurance claims has been accelerated by the recession generally.
Officials with the ABI claim that the CRIPDIC project will slow down
or even reverse the growth in insurance fraud experienced over the
last four years and, as a result, will ease the upward pressure on
insurance premiums.
Will this mean that insurance premiums will fall? Not quite, the
ABI hedges. It claims that its members have had to trim costs and
profits drastically over the last few years in order to restrain
premium increases to tolerable levels for policyholders. CRIPDIC
will restore the balance, it claims, although it could prevent
increases for a short while and even minimize possible increases
for some time to come.
The ABI has admitted to the media that the sheer scale and
centralized nature of the CRIPDIC computer system has implications
for civil libertarians, but officials claim that: "insurers would be
failing their honest policyholders were they not to proceed."
Newsbytes understands that CRIPDIC is simply a computerized log
of all present and pass insurance claims, spanning back three years.
The system, which will go live early next year, will take several
months to get up to speed.
Initially, Lloyds syndicates, an area of the insurance market that
is highly computerized, will feed details of their client's claims
for the last three years in the home contents and building insurance
categories. Other insurance companies will do likewise as 1994
progresses.
Only when the entire UK home contents and building insurance
claims registers are entered for the past three years, will the
insurers be asked to enter details of travel, bank, life and motor
insurance details of their clients.
As each claim is entered into the computer, so a giant cross-
matched register of all claims will be created, using fuzzy logic
so that slightly different names can be matched up.
Although the aim of the system initially is to prevent new insurance
frauds, especially multiple claims on the same incident, the ABI
plans to backtrack its computer matching so as to identify any
previous potentially fraudulent or duplicated claims on different
insurance companies.
According to Tony Baker, head of public affairs with the ABI, said
that CRIPDIC will quickly spot fraudulent claims that have occurred
in the last three years. Officials say they have not yet decided
what action to take on frauds that have already occurred, but said
that people may take this opportunity of confessing previous
crimes to the ABI.
"We are keeping the precise details of what we intend to with do
with these people quiet until the launch, but you can assume we will
take the detection of any fraud very seriously. Insurance companies
have a clear duty to their honest policyholders to come down hard on
those who push up premiums by making fraudulent claims," he said.
One other area of claims that will come under investigation very
quickly with CRIPDIC are those people who make frequent insurance
claims. The ABI says that such claimants may just be genuinely
unlucky, but all incidents will be investigated.
Another area of claims where the CRIPDIC computer will pay off is
in establishing patterns and averages for given crimes in certain
areas. For example, "opportunist" thieves frequently break into
suburban houses in the evenings and steal a TV and a video recorder.
This makes the average claim for such a break-in around the
UKP600 mark.
The ABI says that if, for example, a policy holder tried to claim
UKP1,500 for such an incident, then the insurance company might be
advised to send an employee round to discuss the matter with the
claimant.
(Steve Gold/19931112/Press & Public Contact: Association of
British Insurers, 44-71-248-4477)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
GENERAL
Superstore Expo Lines Up Major Exhibitors
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00015)
Superstore Expo Lines Up Major Exhibitors 11/15/93
HUNTINGTON STATION, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) --
Superstore Expo Inc., has lined up major exhibitors, launched a
massive ad campaign, and selected the exact sites for a series of
computer shows set to roll into large US cities after the New Year.
The five new Computer Authority shows will have the "look and feel"
of a PC Expo or MacWorld, except that visitors will be able to buy
computer hardware and software as well as browse, said Marc
Winkler, vice president of sales and marketing for SuperStore
Expo, the company that is hosting the events.
Each show will encompass a huge superstore, along with conference
sessions, keynote speeches, product demos, and on-site "help desks"
for attendees. Attendees will benefit by having a store and a
trade show under one roof, and exhibitors will gain from the chance
to sell their products as well as expose the items to 30,000 or
40,000 users at each site, he told Newsbytes.
About 75 exhibitors have already signed up, including IBM, DEC,
NEC, WordPerfect, Borland, NEC, Peachtree, Texas Instruments, and
Computer Associates. Other leading vendors will be joining them
soon, he asserted.
Computer Associates plans to give away its Simply Money program,
Winkler added. SoftBank, a CD-ROM arm of Merisel, will be
supplying a CD-ROM disk "at either no cost or for a couple of
dollars." Set to be announced at Fall Comdex, the disk will
contain locked and unlocked versions of 100 to 125 applications,
including WordPerfect and programs from Microsoft and Borland.
The unlocked versions will be full working editions of these
programs, except that users will not be able to save or print
documents. "If a user decides to buy a program, he can call up and
purchase an unlocking number," he explained.
About 70 percent of the Computer Authority exhibitors have signed
for all five shows. "That shows a lot of trust in what we're doing
and how it's working," Winkler commented. SuperStore Expo has
also lined up major distributors, the latest of which is Merisel.
In addition, SuperStore Expo is making a strong effort to help,
rather than hinder, local resellers, he emphasized. Arrangements
will be made for the resellers to provide follow-up service and
support on products sold at the shows.
"And in cooperation with the distributors we're working with,
we'll be holding a 'Vendors' Night,' in which the local dealers will
be invited to get together with the manufacturers," he said.
The new trade show venture has purchased a quarter of a million
dollars of advertising for each of the five shows, including 210
radio spots, 115 TV commercials, and 42 pages of advertising in
major newspapers, plus 20 pages of four-color inserts in Sunday
papers.
The Computer Authority shows for 1994 will be held at the
following sites: the Moscone Center in San Francisco, February 18
to 20; the Anaheim Center in Los Angeles, May 13 to 15; the
Rosemont in Chicago, August 26 to 28; the Bayside Exposition
Center, Boston, September 23 to 25; and the New Pennsylvania
Center, Philadelphia, December 2 to 4.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931113/Press and public contact:
Victoria Spedale, SuperStore Expo Inc., 516-321-4008)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
IBM
Active Matrix Touch Panel For Desktops/Kiosks
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00016)
Active Matrix Touch Panel For Desktops/Kiosks 11/15/93
METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- MicroTouch
has unveiled the TruePoint SP-30, an active matrix color touch
panel aimed at eliminating the need for bulky monitors, keyboards
and mice on the desktop and in point-of-sale kiosks.
The touch flat panel comes in a compact enclosure only 2.5-inches
deep, and is ideally suited to graphics as well as applications
requiring extended use or rapid data entry, said Janet Pannier,
director of marketing, in an interview with Newsbytes.
The TruePoint SP-30 is the first touch monitor to combine an active
matrix color LCD (liquid crystal display) with capacitive-sensing
technology, she added. The panel uses an active matrix LC-10CIU
LCD display from Sharp, together with a ClearTek capacitive touch
screen from MicroTouch.
An active matrix LCD provides higher contrast than the passive
matrix LCDs commonly used in color touch monitors, Pannier told
Newsbytes. Moreover, capacitive technology offers greater
precision than the two types of screens that appear most
frequently in flat panel touch monitors, she maintained.
One of the other touch technologies, resistive membrane, consists
of a membrane of plastic sheets that is highly prone to scratching
and general wear-and-tear, the marketing director said. Another
alternative -- the infrared screen -- relies on a grid of criss-
crossing infrared beams that can tend to overreact, misinterpreting
movements above the screen for touch commands, Newsbytes was
told.
In contrast to the wireless radio signals detected by the infrared
screen, the capacitive screen senses a voltage field that is
generated by the user's body, Pannier explained. Further, the
capacitive screen offers an all-glass construction that is
impervious to scratches and environmental contaminants, she
added. "So capacitative screens are much more accurate than any
other type of touch technology," she asserted.
Measuring 12.5-inches-wide by 9.56-inches-high by 2.31-inches-
deep, the new SP-30 flat panel display comes with an adjustable,
tiltable stand for use on the desktop. The device can also be
mounted on a wall, placed on a store shelf, or built into a
countertop.
The panel displays up to 4,096 colors at 640-by-480 standard VGA
resolution. The product also provides a resolution of 1,024-by-
1,024 touch points, a level that works well even with demanding
graphics applications, according to Pannier.
The panel's precision allows accurate registration of even a light
touch, so users can work on the desktop for long periods of time
without tiring as easily as they might with a mouse or keyboard,
she told Newsbytes. "Touch down detection time" is only eight
milliseconds, for the rapid data entry needed in many point-of-sale
and desktop applications.
The TruePoint SP30 active matrix color touch panel is available
immediately through Sharp's Professional LCD Products Dealer
Network, as well as directly from MicroTouch.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931115/Reader contact: MicroTouch, 508-
659-9000; Press contacts: Mirena Reilly or Janice Rosen, The
Weber Group for MicroTouch Systems, 617-661-7900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
IBM
Stac Intros Stacker 1.1 For OS/2 & DOS
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00017)
Stac Intros Stacker 1.1 For OS/2 & DOS 11/15/93
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Stac
Electronics said it is releasing a new version of its data
compression product for OS/2. The company says Stacker 1.1 for
OS/2 and DOS will allow users to convert to Stacker drives
compressed with Microsoft's technology or IBM's Superstore/DS.
Since Stacker is compatible with OS/2 and the new OS/2 for
Windows, the company said users will be able to access both
DOS and OS/2 applications and data with Stacker installed.
The procedure is to first install Stacker, which converts the
existing compression scheme to the proprietary LZS scheme,
then install the OS/2 product.
In addition, this new Stacker allows network users to install
the LZS data compression scheme on any computer connected to a
network. Stac says that, previously, users had to use floppy disks
to install Stacker on each computer on the network. No checking
for license numbers or copy protection is implemented in the
software, representatives for Stac added.
However, the software is licensed on a per machine basis, but
at discounted prices as low as $30 per machine for an installed
base of 5,000 or more personal computers (PCs). A single manual
and set of disks is offered with each site license, and users
can expand the number of computers under the license by paying
the additional fees under its Enterprise License Program, Stac
said.
The new Stacker 1.1 for OS/2 and DOS will be available near the
end of November and is retail priced at $119. However, current
users of version 1.0 may upgrade for $19.95. Ninety days of
free technical support is offered as well, the company said.
Like the other data compression companies on the market, Stac
is benefiting from Microsoft's endorsement of data compression
by its inclusion of the technology in MS-DOS 6.0. However, Stac
has taken on a legal battle with Microsoft that is sapping its
increased sales revenue.
The Carlsbad, California-based data compression company filed
suit against Microsoft claiming Microsoft has infringed on its
compression technology, and Microsoft has filed a counter suit.
Stac reported higher revenues, but said its fight with the
software giant left its net income plummeting 95 percent
compared to the same period last year.
Ironically, Stac was one of the companies whose technology
was considered by Microsoft for inclusion in DOS 6.0. However,
Microsoft ended up making a deal with Verisoft, authors of
Doubledisk. IBM has a similar deal with disk compression maker
Addstor for the Superstore/DS compression in its PC-DOS 6.1
product.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931115/Press Contact: Lois Leslie, Stac
Electronics, tel 619-431-7474; Gregory Spector, Jennings & Co.
415-974-6200, fax 415-974-6226)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
GOVT
Indian Govt's VSNL Free To Form Joint Ventures
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEL)(00018)
Indian Govt's VSNL Free To Form Joint Ventures 11/15/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- The Videsh Sanchar Nigam
Ltd. (VSNL) the public sector corporation, solely responsible for
overseas communications, has been permitted to form joint
ventures.
The permission becomes significant in the light of the fact that
VSNL wants to introduce a host of business services such as
electronic mail, video conferencing and globally managed data
network services. VSNL will also be allowed to choose its
transmission mediums and establish its own link for
interconnecting its international gateways.
VSNL will also be allowed to interconnect its gateways with its
earth stations. The VSNL can install its own point-to-multipoint
transmission system if the Department of Telecommunications
does not provide digital access at fast enough speeds.
The VSNL operates gateways in the metropolitan cities and also
satellite earth stations at Arvi near Pune, Dehradun and Bangalore,
besides the four metros. It provides high-speed, digital leased
lines with speeds ranging from 64 kilobits-per-second to two
million bits per second. Around 50 such high-speed data links
enable real-time transmission between host computers abroad
and clients in India.
VSNL also wants to participate in the multinational undersea
fiber optic digital cable system (SEA-ME-WE) costing $1 billion.
VSNL will have to seek prior approval from the government for
each joint venture it plans to enter into, such as in projects with
INMARSAT and Iridium.
The international telecom circuits are derived from the INTELSAT
and INMARSAT satellites and wide-band submarine telephone
cables across the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. INTELSAT and
INMARSAT are government consortia where the VSNL is the tenth
and eighth largest operators respectively. VSNL also provides
direct dialing services to 233 countries.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931115)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/15/93
TRENDS
Australia - PDAs Compete For Market
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00019)
Australia - PDAs Compete For Market 11/15/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Casio's Zoomer PDA
(personal digital assistant) is now available in Australia. The
device is up against Sharp's Expert Pad, Apple's Newton
MessagePad, and Amstrad's Pen Pad.
The Zoomer has a list price of AUS$1,695 (around US$1,100) and
will be sold in the Dick Smith Electronics chain and other retail
outlets. Distributor Mobex claims its features include long battery
life (up to 100 hours from three AAA batteries versus around 20
hours for the Newton), more built-in applications and hand-writing
recognition to convert written characters to text.
The Zoomer uses a seven megahertz (MHz) NEC V20 processor
(essentially the same as the Intel 8088/8086 from the earliest
IBM PC), has an infra-red beamer, PCMCIA (Personal Computer
Memory Card Industry Association) slot and the GEOS multi-
threaded, multitasking, graphical operating system.
Applications include an address book, a date book, a note book, a
calculator, a world clock, a 26-language translator, a spelling-
checker, three games, and an expense tracking feature.
Meanwhile, Apple is still having trouble getting its Newton
communicating in Australia. There is nothing wrong with the
machine, just regulations. The Newton's fax/modem is still
going through Austel's authorization processing, but Apple
expects good news by year end. Also, the PCMCIA radio pager
cards that are available in the US are unusable in Australia where
the band is a much lower -- 150 MHz compared to the 930 MHz
US band.
(Paul Zucker/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
GOVT
****Supreme Court Gives RBOCs OK On Data Delivery
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020)
****Supreme Court Gives RBOCs OK On Data Delivery 11/15/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- The US Supreme
Court has cut the ground from beneath publishers wishing
to block the regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs) from
delivering data directly to consumers. By letting stand an
earlier decision by a lower federal court, the Supreme Court
effectively gave the green light to the Baby Bells which want to
offer such basic services as electronic yellow pages or even
advertising directly to the home.
Challenged by computer on-line services, cable television
operators, newspaper publishers, MCI Communications, and
broadcast television and data services, the telephone companies
had won a 1991 decision by federal judge Harold Greene who
ruled that the Bells could provide all sorts of data and not
violate various monopoly rulings.
Since the telephone companies were broken up by the federal
courts, they have taken aim at profitable cable television and
other information services, resulting recently in major mergers
and discussions between radio and cable operators.
The existing information delivery services see the telephone
company's entry into the data delivery market as providing an
opening for a new monopoly grip because the Bells already own the
wires and telephone switching networks which are used by on-line
services.
Some analysts argue that the Supreme Court's failure to overturn
Judge Greene's ruling which made it legal for the Bells to enter
the data delivery field, makes it inevitable that the telephone
companies will continue to expand their presence in this market.
(John McCormick/19931115)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
TRENDS
****Wash Post Says On-line Will Compliment Print
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00021)
****Wash Post Says On-line Will Compliment Print 11/15/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- In an exclusive
interview with Donald K. Brazeal, Washington Post Editor and
newly named Publisher/Editor of Digital Ink, the Post's forthcoming
on-line information service, Newsbytes has learned that beta
testing of the prototype system will begin early in the second
quarter of 1994 with 100-200 users. Although the pricing
has not been set, it is expected to be very reasonable.
Brazeal told Newsbytes that he sees the new on-line daily
publication of the Post's stories, with additional supporting files
and advertisements, as complimenting the print version of the
paper. He thinks it will provide far more value to local readers
than simple story listings found on CompuServe and other
information providers.
Images will be a part of the final package, according to the
publisher, but the bandwidth does not exist currently for real-
time animation, so more sophisticated graphics will be
downloadable in files.
While pricing has not been determined yet, Brazeal told
Newsbytes that the cost would be kept as low as possible,
competitive with any other on-line information service, and
comparable to the $0.25 daily cost for the paper.
He also said that the company wanted to make this service as
widely available as possible, but that certain graphics
requirements would be an important part of the decision as to
which platform would be needed to run the Post-supplied
software.
The publisher also told Newsbytes that a basic platform had not
yet been selected, but named both Windows and Macintosh systems
as definite targets of the service. He also said that if appropriate
software could be located, the new Post service would also be
made available to DOS users.
According to Brazeal, the potential market for a local
enhanced electronic version of the Washington Post is quite
large, with about 50 percent of the local households having a
computer and a full 30 percent having both a computer and
modem, making the possible market for Digital Ink about
150,000.
Just as the final presentation platform has not yet been chosen,
the new service may or may not contain archives of Washington
Post articles. Brazeal said that he hopes to include access
to Post story archives, but that there are some technical problems
interfacing to what he admits is the less than user friendly
search engine that is now used to internally access the Post's
Morgue.
(John McCormick/19931115/Press Contact: Donald K. Brazeal,
Washington Post, 202-334-6000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/15/93
TRENDS
Cyrix Intros Clock-Doubled 486SLC
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00022)
Cyrix Intros Clock-Doubled 486SLC2 11/15/93
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Cyrix Corp.,
has followed its recent announcement of a clock-doubled
386SX upgrade chip, with its clock doubled Cx486SLC2-50,
a 50 megahertz (MHz) microprocessor for the entry level
notebook computer market.
The newest chip utilizes the "green PC" power management
features such as static mode operation, and on-the-fly stop clock
operation. The chip operates at five volts and is currently
available in volume shipments. Pricing is $89 per unit in 1,000
unit lots. A companion math coprocessor, the Cx87SLC, is also
available.
Cyrix says the new chip will be used in Epson's new ActionNote
series notebook computers, which are available in monochrome
and color models. Epson Product Marketing Manager Sanford
Weisman says the new ActionNote 4SLC2-50 and 500C clock
doubled models will be offered at the same price as the earlier
Cx486SLC-33 systems.
(Jim Mallory/199311/15/Press Contact: Michelle Moody, Cyrix
Corporation, 214-994-8302)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/15/93
TRENDS
****Comdex - The Luxor High-Tech Casino
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00023)
****Comdex - The Luxor High-Tech Casino 11/15/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- The center of
gravity in Las Vegas' casino district has made a big move south.
A year ago Flamingo Road, where the Dunes, Caesars Palace, the
Flamingo Hilton and Bally's met, held the worst traffic jams.
Now they are a mile further south, at Tropicana Blvd.
There the Trop sits opposite Excalibur, and the new MGM Grand
will open soon on opposite. But the big excitement now is Luxor,
which opened a week ago next to Excalibur and is owned by the
same company, Circus-Circus Enterprises.
The casino and hotel are both contained in a giant black pyramid.
At night a white searchlight points straight up from its top,
while the Las Vegas Boulevard front is dominated by a stone Sphinx
and Obelisk, which play a laser show every 15 minutes. It is the
hottest show in town since the Mirage Volcano, and it has the
same intent, to draw crowds to the waterfalls and building --
Luxor's waterfalls are a Las Vegan's idea of ancient Egyptian
irrigation systems.
The Egyptian theme is also played out in the architecture, the
uniforms of workers, and the names of bars like "Tut's Hut." The
kick here, however, is technology. At that bar, for instance,
workers use a touchscreen-based cash register with its own
integrated mag-stripe reader -- all the registers are networked.
Nearby is a booth called "Pharoah's Photos." It is really owned by
a unit of Kodak, and customers can have their photos taken with
any of eight computer-driven backgrounds. However, what they are
really in front of is a green screen. Four monitors show passersby
what the prospective photos look like -- live. Manager Jim Baxter
said his staff gets three days of training on the four Kodak 7720
electronic printers, which can have finished work back in just a
minute. He is proud of the fact that the cash register is actually
tied-into the computer imaging system.
The big news is that Luxor's main floor, with its striking
atrium, is not the casino, but a funway you can take the kids
through. It features theaters with short films on archeological
and technology themes using technology similar to Caesar's
Omnimax, and a Pioneer "video wall" in one corner. But more
important there is "Sega World," a theme area developed by the
video game company. You walk into "Sega World" through
advertising, and inside kids can play either videogames or
carnival games, winning tickets they can redeem for toys, just
like at "Circus Circus" and dozens of other theme parks around
the country, such as Atlanta's "American Adventures.
Perhaps the best ride is "Virtual Formula" car racing. There are
eight replicas of Formula 1 racing cars lined up across from big
movie-like screens. Each player races the other seven inside a
cartoon universe on the screens, and the winner gets their picture
taken.
Each screen shows that driver's own race, giving spectators a lot
to look at. If a player takes a turn hard, the car pivots, and it
jerks if the player crashes. Spectators and drivers also get
constant data on the standings of each 2.5-minute race, and four
small monitors display the leading players' faces as they play.
There are two larger monitors above all this, with an overhead
view of the whole race and an announcer talking about the contest.
It costs $4 to play, but you can watch free.
Up an escalator is "Virtual Land." It is mainly conventional video
games, with two notable exceptions. R-360 is a gyroscopic ride,
controlled by the rider through a television screen and controls. It
really does rotate 360 degrees in multiple directions, and people
must empty their pockets before climbing in and being strapped-
down tight. The second ride, called AS-1, is a fully-enclosed car
that holds eight people -- there are two of them.
Inside, players become the "crew" of a futuristic shuttle. The ride
is "hosted" by Michael Jackson, who narrates, gives directions, and
warns players of danger. After shooting at invaders for a few
minutes, the crew member who does the best gets the chance to
land for everyone -- solo. Like the cars, the AS-1 moves a bit, in
time to its programming.
The Casino itself has just a few innovations. There are change
machines at most tables, not just buttons that call people, and
the "sports book" is filled with little TVs on which bettors can
watch the events they want -- if you want to see Baylor knock the
stuffing out of Rice while all around you people are cheering
Florida State and Notre Dame, that's your privilege.
Luxor is the start of a new direction for Las Vegas, which faces
a loss of its gambling market share thanks to new casinos on
Indian reservations, on riverboats, and even in New Orleans.
While remaining the only city which can host a huge trade show
like Comdex, Las Vegas now wants to take on Orlando as a family
vacation center.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931115)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/15/93
APPLE
****Comdex - Apple Announces Newton Add-Ons
(NEWS)(APPLE)(ATL)(00024)
****Comdex - Apple Announces Newton Add-Ons 11/15/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- The PDA
(personal digital assistant) race may be won by the company which
most quickly brings out valuable applications, so Apple has made
a number of Newton announcements at Comdex.
First is the Newton Connection kit for Windows, which will start
shipping November 22. It lets Newton users exchange information
with any Windows-based PC. If this sounds like Laplink, it was
indeed done as a joint development with Laplink maker Traveling
Software. The product costs $165 and comes with a free upgrade
to the next version. It allows databases on the PDA and PC to be
jointly updated and synchronized whenever they are connected.
Apple said it will make its NewtonMail service available in the
next 60 days, which it calls the first of a series of new on-line
services being developed by Apple Online Services, another part
of its PIE unit which created Newton. NewtonMail will be
connected directly to all major mail systems, including
CompuServe, America Online, MCI Mail, AppleLink, SprintMail,
EasyLink and the Internet.
All Newton products sold so far have been packaged with a
response card that can bring NewtonMail Starter kits. Service
costs $8.95 per month with two free hours, plus additional hours
at $4.95, plus a $2.95 per hour prime-time surcharge for all US
usage. There are no start-up fees, and the Internet gateway
comes at no extra charge.
Finally, Apple has announced it is shipping its Newton FaxModem
card, developed with Megahertz Corp., on a PC Card under the
PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association)
Type II standard. The card runs a data line at 2,400 bits-per-second,
and a four page-per-minute fax line. It is compatible with the
Hayes AT command set, Group 3 fax standard, and MNP 2,4,5, as
well as V.42bis error correction standards. The retail price is $220.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931115/Press Contact: Jennie Shikashio,
for Apple, 408-974-4104)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/15/93
GENERAL
Comdex - Data Race Intros 19,200 Bps PCMCIA Modem
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00025)
Comdex - Data Race Intros 19,200 Bps PCMCIA Modem 11/15/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Data Race has
announced what it calls, the first 19,200 bits-per-second (bps)
data and 14,400 bps fax modem on a PC Card under the PCMCIA
Type II standard, supporting the V.32terbo standard. PCMCIA cards
are credit card-sized plug-in modules developed a few years ago
to add memory, software, and features to mobile computers.
V.32terbo is an enhancement to the CCITT's current V.32bis
standard used on conventional 14,400 bps modems. It supports
additional speeds of 16,800 bps and 19,200 bps, as well as
slower speeds supported by V.32bis.
Many modem makers, however, are skipping V.32terbo in favor of
faster standards like V.Fast, which can run data at up to 28,800
bps. The RediCARD 1914 will retail at $449, and send six blank
fax pages-per-minute (ppm) when connected to a fax machine
supporting that speed. It will ship in the first quarter of 1994.
Data Race also announced a half-card version of the same modem
for standard PCs with ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) slots
at $399. It, too, will ship early next year.
Data Race's main product at Comdex, however, will remain its
cellular phone-modem connector cards. Spectrum Information
Technologies insists in a lawsuit that its patent covers all such
connectors, but Data Race is seeking a patent for this connector's
technology, which it calls "markedly different." Data Race decided
not to license Spectrum's patents, saying at the time that the
terms were too high.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931115/Press Contact: Garrick Colwell,
Data Race, 210-558-1900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/15/93
GENERAL
Hitachi To Reduce Business Fax Machine Production
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00026)
Hitachi To Reduce Business Fax Machine Production 11/15/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Hitachi says it has stopped
the development of new business fax machines because of a
downturn in the market. The firm will now concentrate on
developing fax machines for individual home use.
The firm plans to transfer the 50 engineers to other departments.
About half of the engineers will move to the telecommunication
device department and the other half will go to multimedia-
related operations.
Hitachi is currently shipping 2,000 units of business fax machines
per month from its plant in Japan. The firm used to ship 10,000
units per month during its busy seasons. Hitachi plans to cut that
to 1,000 units this month.
Hitachi will now focus on the sale of fax machines for individual
use at home. These fax machines costs around 100,000 yen
($1,000). Only a reported five percent of households currently
have fax machines.
Hitachi is currently producing 4,000 fax machines per month for
home use. The firm wants to raise this production level by about
1.5 times.
Japan's business fax machine market suffered an eight percent
loss in units shipped last year -- down to a total of 1.17 million
units. It will decrease further this year. Hitachi reportedly has
about a five to six percent share of the business fax machine
market.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931115/Press Contact: Hitachi,
tel 81-3-3258-2057, fax 81-3-3768-9507)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/15/93
BUSINESS
ALR Supplies Siemens Nixdorf With PCs
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00027)
ALR Supplies Siemens Nixdorf With PCs 11/15/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Advanced Logic
Research has announced that the it has been chosen to supply
Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems with a full line of
high-performance personal computers, including the Evolution
VQ Pentium processor-based system.
As part of the two-year agreement, Siemens will be allowed to
sell ALR hardware in the US under both the ALR and Siemens
Nixdorf brand names.
Siemens Nixdorf is already a major supplier of RISC (reduced
instruction-set computers)-based workstations in the US. The
deal with ALR is seen by many as a simple way to expand into
the low- to high-end PC marketplace. ALR will provide Siemens
with everything from entry level 386SX systems to the fastest Pentium-
based file servers.
Siemens Nixdorf Information Systems is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Siemens AG, a European company with total sales
over $49 billion last year.
(John McCormick/19931115/Press Contact: Dave Kirkey,
Advanced Logic Research, 714-581-6770)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
APPLE
****Comdex - Apple Steals 1st Day With Quadra 610/DOS
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00028)
****Comdex - Apple Steals 1st Day With Quadra 610/DOS 11/15/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A. 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Comdex opened
today and, despite IBM and Microsoft's best intentions, Apple stole
at least the first morning, with a raft of new product and strategy
announcements, centering on opening up the Mac operating system
environment into Intel territory, as well as enhancing its
networking product range.
Spearheading the new product announcement is a DOS-compatible
Mac Quadra 610 that is based, in part, around a 25 megahertz (MHz)
Intel 486 microprocessor. The idea is that the machine will run
Mac, DOS, and Windows applications with minimal effort in
switching between environments.
The idea of integrating an Intel processor into a Mac environment is
nothing new, but Apple is claiming that its implementation is the
fastest and best available to date, requiring the user to press just
two keys to flip between the disparate environments.
The convergence between the Mac and PC environments is not one
way either. Apple CEO Mike Spindler says he is considering licensing
an "Intelized" version of the Mac's System software to third party
(PC) companies for bundling with their machines. The aim is to
mimic Microsoft's success in promoting Windows on multiple
platforms.
"We don't want compatibility to be an issue with our customers,"
explained Ian Diery, executive VP of Apple's personal computer
division. "By developing its most compatible PC, Apple intends to
provide its users with all of the advantages of the Mac platform
while protecting their investment in DOS and Windows-based
software. Our plans for the Mac Quadra 610, DOS-compatible
version, are just part of Apple's overall effort to provide
multiple-platform compatibility," he added.
The most fascinating feature of the new Quadra is its ability to
run a DOS/Windows environment concurrently with the Mac's
System operating system. The last time Newsbytes saw true
concurrency of this type was on the Commodore Amiga 3000 a
few years back.
Newsbytes notes that machines such as the Bluemaq, a PC/Mac hybrid
released two years ago, required the use of extensive TSR (terminate-
and-stay-resident) packages under DOS to achieve concurrency. The
Quadra 610/DOS does not appear to require such system tweaking for
dual environment concurrency.
Shipment and pricing information for the Quadra 610/DOS was not
available by Newsbytes' press time.
So what about existing Mac users? Apple officials are not leaving
them out of the frame. The company says it hopes to have a DOS
compatibility card for the Quadra 610 and Centris 610 series
shortly with a projected price tag of under $500.
(Steve Gold/19931215/Press Contact: Apple Computer,
415-354-4460)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/15/93
APPLE
****Comdex - Apple Enhances Networking Range
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00029)
****Comdex - Apple Enhances Networking Range 11/15/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Apple has greatly
enhanced its range of Apple Remote Access (ARA) products. One
client and two server packages were unveiled at Comdex, allowing
Mac users to remotely access Localtalk, Ethernet, and Token Ring
networks. The bad news is that ARA 2.0, which ships next spring,
is not backwards-compatible with existing versions (1.0) of ARA
technology.
The new ARA range includes the Multiport Server ($1.799 for a
server/4 port configuration) and the Personal Server ($249 for a
client/server system plus $79 per node) , as well as the Client
package ($69 per user, $599 for a ten pack, $29 for existing user
upgrade). The new ARA series replaces the existing ARA v1.0
series of products, Newsbytes understands.
Morris Taradalsky, vice president and general manager for the
Apple Business System division, said that the aim of these new
networking products is to give mobile workers and telecommuters
the same access to resources as they would have had in their
offices, but out in the field -- accessible using modem, network
(local and wide area) plus X.25 data networking links.
"Growth in the mobile workforce, including business travelers and
telecommuters, means remote users increasingly need to access
pertinent information no matter where they are -- in the office, at
home or traveling abroad. Our new remote access product family
allows them to easily perform anytime, anywhere computing with
the flexibility and improved security our customers have asked for,"
he explained.
All three of the new ARA 2.0 products are already shipping in
the US. Worldwide shipment follows around the turn of the year.
Extension products, such as the X.25 upgrade, will ship early in
1994, Newsbytes understands.
(Steve Gold/19931215/Press Contact: Apple Computer,
415-354-4460)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/15/93
GENERAL
Supercomputer Conf To Pit Old Guard Against Upstarts
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00030)
Supercomputer Conf To Pit Old Guard Against Upstarts 11/15/93
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 15 (NB) -- Some observers see
this year's largest supercomputer conference -- Supercomputing'93 --
co-sponsored by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM),
as the first major head-to-head battleground between the old-style
vector-based supercomputer makers and companies which build
very high-performance systems based, not on single high-speed
processors, but a massive array of relatively slow parallel
processors, each of which can simultaneously work on a tiny
piece of a problem.
According to the current issue of ACM's flagship publication --
Communications -- massively parallel computers (MPPs) have
caught the industry by surprise by proving much more versatile
than had been previously expected. Early views of the MPPs saw
them as having a minor supplementary role in the supercomputing
field, taking some of the load off the much more sophisticated
vector processors.
Now, MPPs are being used for everything from neural-network
processing to modeling global warming and even transaction
processing tasks. However, while it is relatively easy to build
a massively parallel computer, programming it has proven a
major challenge.
Operating systems which make the most of such systems just
do not exist yet, while languages and compilers which can easily
break up a program or problem into tiny pieces which can be
efficiently processed by MPPs, are still under development.
Meanwhile, as the US continues to argue open markets with
Japan, Cray Research has apparently become the only bidder on a
major superconductor project for MITI, the Japanese Ministry of
International Trade and Industry.
(John McCormick/19931115/Press Contact: John A. Osmundsen,
ACM, 212-626-0531)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
TELECOM
ATM Will Take Center Stage at ComNet'94 In Washington
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00001)
ATM Will Take Center Stage at ComNet'94 In Washington 11/12/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- The ComNet'94
Conference and Exhibition scheduled for January 24-27, 1994
in Washington, DC, will highlight ATM or asynchronous transfer
mode high-speed data transfer technologies. ComNet is one of the
major communications industry forums in the US and always draws
a large number of companies wanting to demonstrate their latest
products both to government buyers and business users.
As part of the plenary session, a special market research panel
will discuss ATM's place in the communications net and the second
annual LiveNet event will feature a coast-to-coast ATM
demonstration that seamlessly connects legacy and advanced
network technologies including ATM, Ethernet, FDDI or Fiber
Distributed Data Interface Standard, Fast Ethernet, Token Ring,
and others.
More than 40 companies will be involved in demonstrations of
hardware and software during the LiveNet operation.
The Tuesday, January 25 plenary session given by Dr. John M.
McQuillan will feature a multimedia presentation titled "ATM:
Strategies for Success."
Market analysts participating in the panel include Berge Ayvazian
from the Yankee Group, Joel Noel of Dataquest, Doug Gold of IDG,
and Charlie Robbins of the Aberdeen Group.
A number of conference sessions and tutorials will be held on
topics that include ATM transition, moving beyond the ATM hype,
and an overview of broadband services.
Other IDG-sponsored ComNet events scheduled for 1994 include the
May 25-27 Prague, Czech Republic and September 12-15 Seoul, Korea
shows.
(John McCormick/19931111/Press Contact: Rachel Winett, IDG, 508-
820-8608, fax 508-875-1573, MCI Mail 601-3136, or Internet 601-
3136@MCIMail.com)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/12/93
TRENDS
****Sharp Develops Ultra-thin Color LCD
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00002)
****Sharp Develops Ultra-thin Color LCD 11/12/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Japan's Sharp has developed an
extra-thin color liquid crystal display (LCD) which it expects
will be used on handheld multimedia telecom terminals and business
organizers.
Sharp has a 40-percent share of the worldwide LCD market and is
expected to further increase its share with this new color
LCD.
The LCD consists of thin-film-transistor (TFT) technology and
has a 6.4-inch screen, only 6mm to 8mm thick. This is even thinner
than the 10 millimeters of current LCDs used in notebook-type
personal computers. The screen resolution is 640 x 480 pixels,
which is compatible with VGA mode. This LCD supports over
5,120,000 colors and offers extremely clear screen contrast.
The LCD is also energy-saving in that it consumes only 1.5 watts,
which is about a fourth of the energy consumption of Sharp's
8.4-inch LCD.
Sharp is expected to begin quantity production by the end of
next year. The first place this new LCD will appear is on a
Sharp handheld terminal which currently has a monochrome LCD.
Sharp will also sell them to other personal computer makers
for use on multimedia PCs and other devices. Apple Computer
is expected to buy them for a future color version of the Newton.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931111/Press Contact: Sharp, +81-43-
299-8212, Fax, +81-43-299-8213)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
GENERAL
Japan - PC Shipments Slow
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00003)
Japan - PC Shipments Slow 11/12/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Personal computer shipments in
Japan for the first half of 1993, according to the Japan
Electronic Industry Development Association, were up, mostly
due to a new counting system which includes shipments by four
new foreign firms.
According to the Association, total PC shipments for the
April-September period went up by 31.7 percent over the same
period last year. Some 1.441 million units were shipped
during this period. This does not mean that Japan's PC market is
recovering. Rather, this is due to the different counting system.
The Association was not counting shipments by the foreign firms
in Japan last year, but began doing so in April. Now included
in the survey are IBM Japan, Apple Computer, Japan Digital Equipment,
and Japan Unisys. Without counting the shipments by these four
firms, total shipment in Japan be about 5 percent less than that of
the same period last year.
The survey also indicates that more Japanese PCs were sold in
overseas -- about 420,000 units were shipped to the North American
market -- 2.4 times more than that of the same period last year.
Sales of color notebook-type personal computers were a large part
of the gain. Notebook-type PCs made up 39 percent of total PC
shipments -- 5 percent more than last year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931111/Press Contact: Japan
Electronics Industry Development Association, +81-3-3433-6296,
Fax, +81-3-3433-6350)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
GOVT
****Accounting Rule Change May Harm High-Tech Firms
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00004)
****Accounting Rule Change May Harm High-Tech Firms 11/12/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- As part of a proposed
overhaul of accounting practice standards, the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has proposed a change in the
way stock purchase options, which are often used by small high-
tech companies to attract talented workers that they could not
otherwise afford, are carried on the company books. Under the
proposed changes all options granted would be charged as expenses
to reduce reported earnings, even though the workers have not
exercised their options.
Stock options, the right to purchase a specified number of shares
of a company's stock at a set price, usually for a specified
period of time, have led to the creation of many new millionaires
among workers and even consultants working for emerging high-tech
companies because the usually cash-poor start-up companies can
dole out large numbers of options at no current cost, offering
workers the promise of eventual riches if the company succeeds
and the public starts clamoring for its stock.
The Software Publishers Association recently testified before the
Senate Subcommittee on Securities that the proposed new rules
would greatly hamper the ability of small growth companies to
fund research and development.
According to the SPA, a 1991 survey of high-tech companies showed
that nearly seventy percent of those with one hundred or more
employees used stock options as a means of compensating all
workers. By way of comparison, only about thirty percent of all
businesses make extensive use of stock options for any workers
outside the executive suite.
In addition to the opposition voiced by the SPA, which represents
more than 1,000 computer software publishers, a number of major
accounting firms have also stated their opposition to the
proposed rule change.
One Washington insider told Newsbytes that an implementing bill
submitted by Senator Carl Levin (D. Mich.) was being pushed
because the Senator was responding to the recent backlash against
high executive compensation and that he apparently did not
understand the differences between small high-tech companies
where stock options went to all employees and multinationals
where this form of compensation mainly went to senior executives.
Since the small companies are generally already owned by the
executives, the only people getting rich from stock options were
the workers who were willing to accept lower pay with an eye to
possible future profit sharing.
According to Mark E. Nebergall, Counsel for the SPA, there has
been no further activity in Congress since the SPA testified
against the proposed FASB rule back on October 21, but members of
the Subcommittee were definitely not friendly to the proposed
rule, or to Senator Levin's attempts to force through this change
"using a cattleprod on the FASB" as one committee member said.
(John McCormick/19931109/Press Contact: Mark E. Nebergall, SPA,
202-452-1600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
IBM
Fall COMDEX To Feature Biggest PCMCIA Display Ever
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00005)
Fall COMDEX To Feature Biggest PCMCIA Display Ever 11/12/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- The largest array of
PCMCIA products ever put together in any one place is set to be
showcased at Fall COMDEX '93.
This year's 4000-foot PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
Industry Association) Gallery will feature PCMCIA cards, compatible
computers, and Card and Socket Service software from more than 100
member companies of the PCMCIA.
The goals behind the massive gallery are to show not only how many
PCMCIA-compatible products are now available, but how well they
work with one another, according to Anthony Wutka, PCMCIA chairman.
"In there past, only a limited number of products was available,
and users had concerns about functionality and compatibility. Now,
with the broader presence or Card and Socket Service software,
users really have a choice of quality products that do what they
are expected to do," said Wutka.
"This is a great example of how much support there is for the PC
card technology and how rapidly the technology is being adopted
across the board," he explained.
Added Brendan McGuire, executive director of the PCMCIA: "Never
before have so many vendors worked so closely to demonstrate such
a breadth of PCMCIA-compatible products. And with the broad mix of
attendees at the Fall COMDEX show, it's only fitting that this
venue be chosen to showcase them."
PCMCIA cards that will be on view in the Gallery include memory
cards, data/fax modems, LAN (local area network) adapters,
combination modem/LAN adapters, wireless cards, rotating disk
drives, and more.
To encourage attendees to see as many of the products as possible,
PCMCIA buttons will be awarded to those who visit a given number of
exhibitors' booths.
An updated PCMCIA Reference book, listing all of the latest PCMCIA-
based products, will be distributed in the Gallery. Also at
COMDEX, a panel discussion on PCMCIA will be held Monday, November
15 at 2:30 pm.
The PCMCIA, the group that has established the PCMCIA standard, is
a nonprofit international association with over 475 members.
Members of the association manufacture computer systems, software,
semiconductors, components, connectors, and peripherals.
Executive members of the PCMCIA include Advanced Micro Devices,
Apple Computer, AT&T Paradyne, Cirrus Logic, Compaq Corp., Dr.
Neuhaus, Fujitsu Microelectronics Inc., Fujitsu Personal Systems,
Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, M-Systems, Maxtor Corp., and Motorola.
Other executive members of the association are National
Semiconductor, Phoenix Technologies Ltd., SCM Microsystem,
Motorola, National Semiconductor, Phoenix Technologies Ltd., SCM
Microsystem, Sierra Semiconductor, SunDisk Corp., Syquest
Technology, Texas Instruments, Toshiba Europe (I.E.) GMBH, Unisys,
and Zenith Data Systems.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931112/Reader contact: PCMCIA, tel 408-720-
0107; Press contacts: Brendan McGuire, PCMCIA, tel 408-720-0107;
Tony Wutka, PCMCIA, tel 407-982-5206)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
TRENDS
Japan - New Product Roundup
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00006)
Japan - New Product Roundup 11/12/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Fujitsu has released a low-cost
and powerful multimedia personal computer. Canon has released a
color scanner for the Macintosh, Kodak Japan has released a
portable Photo CD player, and Fuji Xerox has released a handy
copier.
Fujitsu's latest multimedia personal computer is from
the FM Towns family. It is equipped with a CD-ROM drive, a high
quality stereo sound recording feature, and a microphone.
The price is competitive with existing multimedia personal
computers at 198,000 yen ($1,980). The processor on the basic
unit is a 25-megahertz 80486SX and the high end version offers
a 66-megahertz 80486SX processor.
This multimedia PC is expected to directly compete with NEC's and
IBM Japan's multimedia personal computers, which were recently
released.
Canon's color scanner, called the "IX-4015," is the smallest in
the industry, according to Canon. It is slightly larger than an
A4-sized document, and is less than 10-cm thick. Despite the size,
it supports full-color scanning at about 20 seconds per document.
It is intended for use with Apple Computer's Macintosh, and
comes with color scanning software called Color Management
System. The retail price of this latest color scanner is
138,000 yen ($1,380).
Kodak Japan's photo CD player, the "PCD970," is portable
and looks similar to Sony's CD Walkman. The device weighs only
540g, and costs 49,800 yen ($498). It can be connected to
a regular television set. Kodak Japan will process images and
write them directly to the CDs.
Finally, Fuji Xerox has an upgrade to its handy copying machine
called "Sharaku." The latest version has an electric motor to
automatically scan the document. The device moves along a piece
of paper with a push of a button. The result is a crisp and
clear copy of a document. It weighs only 680g, and is sold ]
at 64,800 yen ($648).
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931110/Press Contact: Fujitsu, +81-3-
3215-5236, Fax, +81-3-3216-9365, Canon, +81-3-3348-2121, Fax, +81-
3-3349-8765, Kodak, +81-3-3503-1261, Fuji Xerox, +81-3-3585-3211,
Fax, +81-3-3505-1609)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
TELECOM
AT&T Postpones Voicespan
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00007)
AT&T Postpones Voicespan 11/12/93
LARGO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Less than two weeks
after AT&T Paradyne said it would make announcements regarding
Voicespan at Fall COMDEX in Las Vegas next week, the company now
says it has postponed the announcement.
Voicespan is a technology AT&T Paradyne says can send and receive
still images, graphics, or data while the user is talking on the
phone. The conversation and the multimedia all use the same
phone line by splitting the line into two virtual channels.
AT&T Paradyne Media Relations Manager Garrick Case told
Newsbytes the announcement delay was not related to Voicespan,
but rather to announcing the companies that would be licensing
Voicespan, calling the delay a logistics problem. "We were probably
too ambitious in trying to get everything organized," Case said.
The AT&T Paradyne spokesperson said the company still plans to
demonstrate Voicespan at COMDEX using an AT&T Dataport 20001
Multimedia Communicator, a modem-like device that makes it
possible to transmit the mixed signal types.
AT&T Paradyne says users can send text, slides, music, graphics
and voice using the Dataport 2001, and describes it as ideal for
distance learning, for meetings and sales presentations, and to play
interactive PC games while talking with another player.
Jean-Claude Vrignaud, AT&T Paradyne's VP of Personal
Communication Technologies, says the Dataport 2001 is just a step
towards the company's final goal, full motion video transmission.
Dataport 2001 can also be used as a regular 14.4K bps data or fax
modem, and is expected to ship before the end of the year with a
price tag of under $600.
(Jim Mallory/19931112/Press contact: Derrick Case, AT&T Paradyne,
813-530-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
IBM
****Microsoft To Offer Windows NT for PowerPC Machines
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00008)
****Microsoft To Offer Windows NT for PowerPC Machines 11/12/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation confirmed rumors that began in August of this year,
saying it has teamed up with Motorola Inc to develop a port to
connect the Microsoft Windows NT operating system to the PowerPC
architecture.
PowerPC is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC)-based
architecture being developed jointly by IBM, Apple, and Motorola.
Microsoft says it will offer Windows NT for PowerPC as original
equipment manufacturer (OEM)-licensed software as well as a
Microsoft packaged product.
Motorola, Apple Computer, and IBM teamed up to make chips for the
PowerPC technology that is supposed to make Apple and IBM
personal computers compatible. The three companies opened an
80,000-square-foot, $500 million design center and put 300
engineers to work on the project.
PowerPC is actually an acronym for Performance Optimization With
enhanced RISC. IBM shipped the first PowerPC chips to Apple in
October 1992. In May 93 Apple demonstrated a prototype 80
megahertz Macintosh PowerPC system and said it expected the unit
to come to market by the first half of 1994. IBM began shipping
production volumes of the first PowerPC chip in September 1993.
Hundreds of developers are reported to be working on software for
the PowerPC. A Unix-based operating system is available for the
systems. Only time will tell whether Windows NT will be the
prevailing choice for users over Unix, an operating system
which has never become as popular with PC users as DOS and later
Windows.
No announcement date was released for Microsoft Windows NT for
PowerPC.
(Jim Mallory/19931112/Press contact: Microsoft Corporation, 206-882-
8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
TELECOM
Washington Post Creates Own Online Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)
Washington Post Creates Own Online Service 11/12/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- While major online
services continue to draw new offerings, there are also new
players emerging.
The Washington Post newspaper has announced that starting
next year the entire publication will be made available to
computer users in the greater Washington, DC area. Post stories
are currently available on CompuServe (Executive News Service),
but the new service will offer images and advertisements as well
as news and editorials.
In addition to the straight text news reports and editorials
carried on electronic services, the Washington Post's new
publishing arm, Digital Ink, will provide a full electronic
newspaper which includes soundbites, classified advertisements,
and supplemental information related to stories carried in the
day's issue.
Readers will also be able to communicate with Post editors and
reporters using e-mail.
The head of the new publishing enterprise is Donald K. Brazeal.
According to a Post representative who spoke with Newsbytes,
Brazeal was named both publisher and editor of the project
which has so far involved only a very few Post employees such
as Post new media editor, Mike Potts.
Neither Mr. Brazeal or Mr. Potts were available for comments
before today's deadline.
The Post already has an audiotex system called Post Haste,
but this is its first formal move into online services.
An article in the newspaper described a prototype which
looks much like the newspaper itself, with the same typefaces and
graphics. By contrast, newspapers on conventional online
services usually list headlines in a box -- the Newsbytes wire
uses four *s to indicate lead stories.
While the Post noted that 150,000 area households have the modems
and PCs needed to get the new edition already, it seems aimed
more toward an age beyond modems, where fast-data services at T-1
speeds and higher can allow immediate delivery of interactive
graphics. With Bell Atlantic re-building its networks for cable
service, and Southwestern Bell buying a local cable
service, the Washington area seems poised to have such services
in abundance.
Brazeal described today's links this way: "Right now, the
superhighway is a dirt road and the tools we are using are like a
Model T." The Post hopes, in time, to bring its advertisers into
Digital Ink, and make their ads interactive.
(John McCormick & Dana Blankenhorn/19931112/Press Contact:
Washington Post, Donald K. Brazeal, 202/334-6000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
TELECOM
Online Services Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)
Online Services Update 11/12/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Major online
services keep forging ahead with new features, products.
Prodigy added sound and graphics to its services, offering
pictures of baseball games, for instance, and launched a
new "Live on Prodigy" ad campaign. The pictures require
fast modems, 9,600 bits/second and faster. They're most
important in showing merchandise -- Prodigy's business
plan has always depended heavily on advertising and home
shopping revenues.
The service also added four new color-coded categories to
its main screens, up from six, and began offering an e-mail
link to the Internet.
The Quote Track service on Prodigy was also upgraded to allow
more calculations and more company news. Finally, Prodigy will
begin shipping is long-awaited software for Windows this month,
and current members will get it as a free upgrade.
CompuServe's big move has been to win IDG's PC World as a major
information provider. This means both major computer publishers
are allied with CompuServe -- Ziff Publishing's Ziffnet has
run its service on CompuServe for years. Like Ziff, PC World will
offer forums with its editors, and a shopping service. CompuServe
also continues to push into Europe, hoping to increase the
proportion of its total user base overseas. Its latest addition
there is the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, a German-language news
service. Just 85,000 of the service's customers are in Europe,
but Prodigy and America Online have no presence there.
America Online surged past the 450,000 subscriber mark,
solidifying its place as the number three service in the market.
The company unveiled its new Internet Center, which includes
access to news groups and databases, and announced an alliance
with Hachette Filipacchi Magazines to create online editions of
popular special-interest magazines including Road & Track,
Popular Photography and Stereo Review. In a press release,
President Steve Case took another dig at Prodigy. "Instead of
going the Prodigy route of spending millions on slick TV
commercials, we've invested directly in our subscribers by adding
dozens of new features and reducing our prices." AOL is also
looking for divine intervention to win the marketing battles --
it announced a live, interactive event with evangelist Billy
Graham for November 12 at 8 PM Eastern Time. Graham will
personally go online with subscribers from his office in North
Carolina.
Finally, Apple's AppleLink made a major announcement, adding the
HeadsUp service from Individual Inc., to its roster of offerings.
HeadsUp delivers a customized report of news chosen by customers
through profiles in their e-mail boxes. HeadsUp access over
10,000 articles each day from over 300 news sources. Individual
and Apple Online Services, a unit of Apple's PIE division, are
offering free 30-day trials of HeadsUp to AppleLink users.
AppleLink currently has an estimated 60,000 members, and HeadsUp
usually costs $39.95 per month, or $795 per year.
(Dana Blankenhorn & John McCormick/19931112/Press Contact:
Prodigy Services, Brian Ek, 914/993-8811; Jean Villanueva, America
Online, 703/883-1675; Individual, Rich Vancil, 617/354-2230ext.
403; Apple Computer, Lynda Lucero, 408/974-7899)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
EDITORIAL TELECOM
Editorial - The Online Future
(EDITORIAL)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
Editorial - The Online Future 11/12/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- By Dana Blankenhorn.
There's a great and growing paradox online. Users remain tied
to modems running, at best, at 9,600 bits/second. Their main
choices are among CompuServe, GEnie, America Online,
Applelink, and Prodigy on the consumer side, Dialog, Dow
Jones, or Mead Data Central on the business side. Meanwhile,
billions are being spent to "dominate" the coming world of
multi-megabit services linked to cable TV.
While information providers and service providers work at arms-
length in today's online world, and anyone with an idea has a
shot at the market, there's a growing assumption that only "brand
names" need apply in the future. The need to control such brand
names has created a feeding frenzy among players, who like
BellSouth, are determined to be "survivors" in a game that hasn't
really started.
I don't know if anyone has noticed it or not, but Prodigy has yet
to turn a profit, and will never, ever, make back the $500
million IBM and Sears invested to open it. This is because
Prodigy continues to think it can control what people say and
read online, choices best left to free people and free markets.
The same hubris is now consuming such otherwise intelligent men
as Bell Atlantic's Ray Smith, BellSouth's John Clendenin and
TCI's John Malone.
The reasons for it can be found in the Bells themselves. The
networks they offer are, compared to their promises, pitiful. If
I were Ross Perot, comparing the Bells' promises and performance,
I'd be a little crazy too. A decade ago the Bells promised a raft
of new services based on a digital standard called ISDN. ISDN
delivers two 64,000 bit/second data channels and a 16,000
bit/second signaling channel to residential customers. Today ISDN
is offered in only a few places, and I still can't get it in
Atlanta, despite living just a block from a major urban switch.
Even Bell-heads are in on this joke -- if the Bells were selling
sushi they'd call it cold dead fish. Bell-head suppliers were
happily pinning "cold dead fish" buttons to their lapels at this
year's Supercomm trade show, and the Bell-heads were laughing
right along.
The problem today remains the same as it was 10 years ago, when
ISDN was the big buzzword. The Bells like to talk about
competition, but all they really understand is monopoly. They
won't make investments in plant and equipment unless they see a
guarantee of profit. The same is true of the cable companies.
That's what this feeding frenzy over Paramount is really all
about -- control. The Bell-heads and cable-head ends figure if
they don't control what goes over their systems, its cost, and the
ability to keep others' content off, investments in the
"information superhighway" just aren't worth it.
As Ross likes to say, "I find that fascinatin'." Every other
business in the world seems to have figured out there's a
difference between content and distribution. The former must
always be risky, in the way that art and science are risky. There
can be no guarantees the product will be as promised. There's no
way to guarantee against a movie like "Ishtar" or "Popeye," no
way to prevent a "Paula Poundstone Show" from reaching the air
for two weeks. The risks are inherent in the process of trying
something new. Distribution risks are different. They're about
balancing the cost of obtaining business with the cost of
providing service. Producers don't know if there will be any
business. Distributors just worry about getting their share, and
at what price.
My point -- billions and billions of dollars are going to be lost
in the next few years, billions and billions of dollars that
could have been profitably invested in fiber wires and high-
capacity switches, billions and billions of dollars which will go
instead to lawyers, deal-makers and accountants. The Japanese
thought they had this game wired too, so Sony bought Columbia
while Matsushita bought MCA-Universal. Now Matsushita wants out --
even deep pockets have a bottom to them. You'd think the Bell-
heads would take a lesson from that and stick to their knitting.
Not a chance -- like those old ladies fleeced by Zero Mostel in
Mel Brooks' "The Producers" a quarter-century ago, they've got
stars in their eyes and sawdust in their veins. The tragedy is
this time we'll all pay for that, in the form of higher phone
rates, and less technology online than we'd like, that we
deserve, and that we'd pay for.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00012)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 11/12/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
Informationweek dated November 8 asks the burning question
"What's Next for Novell?" and partially answers it by saying that
it definitely isn't going to be Unix. The article quotes insiders
as pointing out that Windows NT, the Microsoft networking
software, isn't the first Redmond attempt to challenge Novell in
this market, notable earlier failures being OS/2 and LAN Manager.
Computerworld for the week of the 8th points out that Cyberpunks
aren't just influencing art, comic books, and literature, they
are also working in many MIS departments. Some departments treat
them as a threat while others see them as an important high-tech
resource.
Communicationsweek for the 8th of November says that National
ISDN or Integrated Services Digital Network, a telecommunications
network standard that allows voice and data transmissions on the
same line, is gaining ground as far as increasing availability,
but this isn't resulting in more ISDN-compatible installations,
because less than one percent of ISDN-capable lines actually meet
ISDN standards. The story says that there are only a few thousand
Bell Communications Research National ISDN-1 standard lines
installed in the US.
(John McCormick/19931112/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
TELECOM
BellSouth Joins QVC Bid For Paramount
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
BellSouth Joins QVC Bid For Paramount 11/12/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- After a week of
rumors and what was apparently some hard bargaining, BellSouth
joined QVC Inc., in its bid for Paramount Communications.
The BellSouth investment of $1.5 billion is contingent upon QVC's
success in its struggle with Viacom, which presently has an $85
per share bid on the table, topping QVC's $80 cash offer.
If QVC wins, BellSouth will buy $1 billion of its common at $60
per share, and another $500 million in preferred stock
convertible into about 7.6 million more shares of QVC common, at
almost $66 per share.
BellSouth would get three seats on the QVC board, and along
with Arrow Investments and Comcast become controlling
shareholder, with BellSouth holding a 14 percent stake.
Each of the three will also be permitted to acquire
additional shares, and even if QVC loses Paramount, BellSouth has
a six-month option to buy $500 million of QVC common at $60 and
join the controlling shareholder group. QVC was recently trading
at under $52 per share.
In addition Liberty Media Corp., which is being acquired by TCI
which in turn is being acquired by Bell Atlantic, agreed to sell
its interests in QVC if the Paramount bid succeeds, and withdrew
its offer of $500 million in financing for Paramount. That would
clear up antitrust problems with the QVC bid. Viacom had sued to
block the bid claiming it was part of a plot by TCI head John
Malone to monopolize the cable industry. That part of the deal
has already been cleared with the staff of the Federal Trade
Commission, which would have to approve any merger. If the full
commission approves the deal, what is called the Hart-Scott-
Rodino waiting period relative to the QVC bid would be ended.
The next moves by QVC head Barry Diller are expected to be a bid
topping Viacom's present offer, and a move in court to void
Paramount's "poison pill" agreement with Viacom, which was
designed to thwart an outside bid for the company. Sensing a move
like the one made by BellSouth, Viacom had previously amended its
antitrust suit, naming Comcast along with Liberty Media.
The head of BellSouth's union slammed the agreement, which came
just after the company announced an additional layoff of 2,200
employees, mostly union members. BellSouth becomes the fourth
regional Bell to announce a major investment in the information
services business since the rules prohibiting such investments
were thrown out by the courts. Bell Atlantic plans to buy TCI and
Liberty Media, US West has a $2.5 billion investment in Time-
Warner Enterprises, including its entertainment unit, and NYNEX
is an investor in Viacom.
In a statement on the move, BellSouth Chairman John Clendenin
also noted a separate joint venture being formed with QVC to
pursue interactive television. "This alliance provides us with a
valuable foundation to pursue other interactive entertainment
opportunities and to capitalize on opportunities within
electronic retailing and entertainment programming," he wrote.
In addition to its QVC deal, BellSouth also has an agreement
with Cox Enterprises, which previously announced a QVC
investment, in audiotex services, and an agreement with Prime
Management, the 14th largest US cable operator, which includes
an option to buy that company.
And what of Malone? The CNBC cable channel reported he may be
planning a bid for MCA, the largest of Hollywood's movie studios,
which is now owned by Matsushita but has been an earnings
disappointment for the Japanese.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931112/Press Contact: Michael Rourke, QVC,
212-371-5999; Tim Klein, BellSouth, 404-249-4135)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
TELECOM
Canada - Calls For Telecom Deregulation Continue
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00014)
Canada - Calls For Telecom Deregulation Continue 11/12/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Canadian federal
regulators have been hearing continued calls to ease controls on
the country's telephone companies.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC) is now in the midst of hearings aimed at updating the
regulatory structure. It recently heard from Stentor Resource
Centre inc., an arm of the Stentor consortium of regional
telephone companies.
Like one of the Stentor member companies, AGT Ltd., that made its
own presentation at the hearings' outset, Stentor urged the CRTC
to loosen the regulatory reins on all but critical monopoly
services, and to reconsider the way it controls telephone
companies' profits.
Stentor also called for an end to controls on the businesses in
which the phone companies can operate. "Customer choice should be
extended beyond long distance to include access to all
information and interactive services, including cable TV," says a
document prepared by Stentor for the hearings. Currently, the
telephone companies in Canada cannot enter the cable TV market.
Stentor also argued that its member companies, which have a
monopoly on local telephone service and until recently controlled
all long-distance service as well, should not be treated
differently from their new competitors in the long-distance
market. "We maintain that AT&T/Unitel, Call-Net/Sprint and
resellers are as well equipped as Bell (the largest of the
Stentor member companies) and its Stentor partners to attract a
solid customer base," the document says.
Unitel Communications Inc., of Toronto is partly owned by AT&T,
and Call-Net Telecommunications Inc., also of Toronto, has a
relationship with US long-distance carrier Sprint. Both are now
competing with Stentor in long-distance service.
Stentor said the long-distance revenues of the telephone
companies should be separated from the local-service operations
which are still monopolies, and the long-distance service freed
from regulation.
The consortium also called for a move away from the present way
of regulating the companies' prices and earnings. Currently, the
CRTC sets a range into which the telephone companies' return on
investment must fall. This is outdated, Stentor said, and should
be replaced with an alternative such as price caps on basic
services.
(Grant Buckler/19931112/Press Contact: Marg Eades, Bell Canada,
613-781-2456, fax 613-781-4918)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
BUSINESS
Microsoft Mega Discount Deal With Australia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00015)
Microsoft Mega Discount Deal With Australia 11/12/93
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Microsoft Australia has
done a deal with the Australian federal government which means
dramatic reductions in price on software for government
departments. The prices are believed to be 60 percent below list.
Announcing the deal, Australian Senator Bob McMullen said that
Microsoft was a good corporate citizen and had made a strong
commitment to Australia and the development of Australian
software. He said the price reduction was immediate and he
expected it to flow through to state and local governments as
well.
"The contract could result in up to $5 in savings to the
Commonwealth in the first full year of operation, based on
current purchasing trends."
The contract allows government users to purchase additional
licences for the low price, copying their existing disks.
Industry observer John Hilvert told Newsbytes "You can
imagine how easy that makes it for the departments. They
get a new employee, raise the purchase order and immediately
copy the software onto the user's PC."
Hilvert said he believed that under the terms of the arrangement,
the department of administrative services received a five percent
processing fee from each purchase, with the nominated dealer and
distributor also getting a small cut, but around 86 percent of the
money going to Microsoft.
Lotus is also believed to have struck a deal to supply its
SmartSuite software to government departments - not in the
standard form, but a customized version including Improv, to suit
government preferences.
(Paul Zucker/19931112/Contact: Ken Erwood at Purchasing Australia
on phone +61-6-275 4480 or fax +61-6-275 4448)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
BUSINESS
Dell Computer To Create PC Plant In Asia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00016)
Dell Computer To Create PC Plant In Asia 11/12/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Dell Computer is planning to
create a personal computer manufacturing plant in Asia
to mainly supply the Japanese market.
Dell Computer is now considering whether to locate the plant
in Japan, Korea or Taiwan. The goal is to reduce production
costs by purchasing cheaper PC parts in the region.
The final decision on the location of the will be made soon.
Actual production is expected to start in mid-1994. Dell Computer
will produce desktop-type personal computers at the new plant.
Dell is currently seeking a Japanese partner to produce
notebook-type personal computers on an OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) basis. Dell is reportedly talking with several
Japanese PC firms on this agreement.
Currently, Dell Computer is manufacturing personal computers at
plants in the US, Ireland and Mexico. Dell recently created a
customized integration center in Kawasaki, Japan where personal
computers are made-to-order based on customer requests.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931112/Press Contact: Dell Computer
Japan, +81-3-5420-5353)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
GENERAL
Sumitomo Chemical To Resume Epoxy Resin Production
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00017)
Sumitomo Chemical To Resume Epoxy Resin Production 11/12/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Sumitomo Chemical will resume
production of epoxy resin in early December. Epoxy resin is
necessary to produce memory chips, and the return of
production means a worldwide shortage of memory chips may
end soon.
Sumitomo Chemical has dominated worldwide production of epoxy
resin. The supply was interrupted in July with an explosion at
the plant. That led to a reduction in the general chip supply.
Sumitomo Chemical will not resume production of a 16-megabit
DRAM yet. The company says it must await a report from the
fire department and the police concerning the actual cause
of the explosion.
Meanwhile, another chemical firm, Nippon Kayaku, says it will
produce resin for 16-megabit DRAM. Its production line
is currently under the construction.
Since the accident, most Japanese semiconductor firms
have started to look for other materials to replace
epoxy resin. But due to the costs, that search is expected to
take some time.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931112/Press Contact: Sumitomo
Chemical, +81-6-220-3891, +81-3-3278-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
REVIEW GENERAL
Review of - Fujitsu 3.5-inch Magneto-Optical Drive
(REVIEW)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00018)
Review of - Fujitsu 3.5-inch Magneto-Optical Drive 11/12/93
Runs on: Macintosh or PC under Unix, MS-DOS, Windows, or System
7.
From: Fujitsu Computer Products of America, 2904 Orchard Parkway,
San Jose, CA 95134. Actual source - Insight/Hard Drives
International, 2415 S Roosevelt, Tempe, AZ 85282. Phone 800-
767-3475.
Price: $1,000 street price as delivered with four blank discs.
PUMA Rating: 4 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: John McCormick, 11/12/93
Summary: This removable, rewritable optical drive offers
unlimited archival and online storage at a reasonable price.
======
REVIEW
======
Running out of hard disk space? Sure, we all are. The first hard
lesson learned by anyone new to personal computers is that no
hard disk is ever large enough to hold everything that users find
a need to have online.
Floppy diskettes are not the solution, nor are tape drives nor
even the well-known Bernoulli and other brands of disk drives
with their removable magnetic disks - the only real solution
currently available is optical because of its high storage
density and very rugged design.
But the large business-grade 600 megabyte to 1.2 gigabyte magneto
optical drives are priced in the $3,000 range, out of the
question for home or small business users who often have less
than that invested in their computer and laser printer together.
WORM or write-once drives are less expensive, but for many users
their inability to rewrite data on the same disc makes the medium
cost too high.
M-O drives, on the other hand, are highly reliable and, unless
subjected to vigorous physical abuse, the removable disc itself
comes as close to permanent storage as most users need.
The particular drive reviewed has been operating in the Newsbytes
Washington Bureau for about four months and, as originally
expected, the 128 MB data limit has posed no problem because
although gigabytes of data and programs are accessed in this
office, no single research task requires more than about 100 MB
of archival data to be online except for the massive databases
which are already stored on CD-ROMs.
The relatively inexpensive M-O drive is perfect for many
businesses both as a way to backup data and as an inexpensive way
to move data around between offices. Even multimedia productions,
which are notorious for requiring vast amounts of storage, can
use relatively small chunks of images and sounds stored on these
3.5-inch discs.
Break even costs for this drive, compared to purchasing a sealed
hard drive, comes at about 2 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity,
but this is not an easy to determine point for many users because
removable storage is slower and sometimes less convenient than a
massive internal hard drive.
On the other hand, the removable media is far more durable. For
instance, backups can be removed and stored off-site, and if the
drive mechanism fails, the data is not endangered.
Because they offer different advantages, intensive data users
would generally want both a hard drive and an M-O drive.
The removable discs cost $40 each, but the $1,000 street price
paid for our external unit included about 500 MB of discs so even
the starter package provided archival, removable storage at a
price of about $2 per megabyte, only about double the cost of
more vulnerable hard drives and, of course, it actually has an
unlimited capacity. Counting the drive and media costs, storing 3
GB of data only costs about 60 cents per megabyte.
These M-O drives are SCSI-2 based and either come with a SCSI
board that can daisy chain CD-ROM or other devices, or can be
connected directly to computers, such as Macintosh systems, which
come with a SCSI port built-in.
The disc comes low-level formatted and only needs about 20
seconds processing to be ready to accept data, and the disc can
also be used to boot the system, so this provides an easy way to
access different operating systems on the same system.
Average access time for the Fujitsu drive is 30 milliseconds
(ms.) compared to the average hard drive which is about twice as
fast. The external drive (internal mount version is also
available) is quite small, measuring only about 1.5-inches high,
by 5-inches wide, by 8-inches deep. The M-O media is hard cased,
much like a 3.5-inch floppy diskette, and only a bit larger.
Installation, including the internal Trantor Systems' SCSI board,
was very easy and the system has performed flawlessly since
installation.
Because support is a very important part of any purchase of such
exotic equipment, I want to point out that Insight/Hard Drives
International, the mail-order hard drive supplier where our
system was purchased, was extremely helpful both in helping to
select the proper drive to meet this bureau's needs, and in
clearing up a minor confusion that resulted in the drive arriving
without the SCSI-2 adapter. The correct hardware arrived less
than 24-hours after we discussed the problem - and at no charge!
M-O drives are not for everyone, but anyone dealing with
relatively large amounts of data or large numbers of programs
that can easily be segregated into about 100-megabyte chunks,
will find that these drives are not only highly cost-effective,
but may even be easier to use than gigantic hard drives because
there is far less data to search through and you can easily
archive less-often used data, while keeping it available with
only a few second's delay.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: 4 At 30 milliseconds, it is a bit slow for today's
users, but certainly fast enough for most users who will
keep programs on 12 ms. hard drives while using the M-O
for data storage.
USEFULNESS: 4 Puts an unlimited amount of online data on the
desktop and also provides archival and backup storage.
MANUAL: 4 Very short, but entirely sufficient.
AVAILABILITY: 4 Mail order suppliers such as Insight carry the
drive and media in stock and ship same day.
(John McCormick/19931112/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
REVIEW GENERAL
Review of - New Optical Storage Technology
(REVIEW)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00019)
Review of - New Optical Storage Technology 11/12/93
From: By John A McCormick. Irwin Professional Publishing,
1333 Burr Ridge Parkway, Burr Ridge, Illinois, 60521,
800-634-3961, ISBN 1-55623-907-6
Price: $30.00
PUMA Rating: 3.0 (1 lowest, 4 highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Linda Rohrbough, 11/12/90
Summary: The New Optical Storage Technology is a good resource
book for those interested in distributing vast amounts of
information via optical storage.
======
REVIEW
======
The most interesting thing about John McCormick's new version
of Optical Storage Technology is the benefit the reader gains
of John's thorough understanding of both analog and digital
storage technology. The book itself is aimed at companies
interested in taking advantage of the storage advantages of
compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and users who are
looking for the types of CD-ROM titles available in the
marketplace.
Using metaphors that anyone can understand, John does an
excellent job of explaining how analog technology is different
from digital and the situations in which one is more desirable
than the other. He also thoroughly covers the different formats
in which digital storage technology comes, including optical
tape, which I didn't know existed. John spends the majority of
his time on CD-ROM and Compact Disc Interactive (CD-I)
technologies.
Half of the book's approximate 350 pages is devoted to
information on optical technology. The remainder is divided
into 15 appendixes of resource material on titles in various
optical media and resources for both hardware and manufacturing
of optical storage media. These resources would be especially
useful to someone who wanted to investigate publishing a CD-ROM
title. And, as John points out, CD-ROM publishing is a very
practical and cost-effective way to distribute a mass of
information, even if as few as 10 copies are needed.
The only criticism I have of the book is it could have been
better organized. The introduction isn't an introduction that
lets you know what to expect, but is instead a short overview
of the types of optical media. The problem with being hit with
the amount of detail offered in the introduction so early on is
it sets a precedent that the rest of the book is going to be
that way and could discourage potential readers from going any
further. I would advise readers to skip to Chapter 1, read up
through Chapter 2, then go back and read the Introduction.
If readers can hang on through the first few chapters, however,
they will be richly rewarded.
As a reference book for those interested in CD-ROM publishing,
it's definitely an excellent resource that would be turned to
again and again. John offers excellent explanations and has
done his homework researching publishing via optical
technology. As a resource book and guide to CD-ROM
publishing, Optical Storage Technology is excellent.
The publisher has a toll-free number and takes credit card
orders, and only charges about $3.50 for shipping and handling
on a single book. The book is retail priced at $30.00.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931110)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
BUSINESS
Tandem Sells Applied Coms Subsidiary To Management
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00020)
Tandem Sells Applied Coms Subsidiary To Management 11/12/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Tandem
Computers Inc., has reached an agreement with senior management
of its Applied Communications Inc. (ACI) subsidiary under which
the group will buy Tandem's complete interest in ACI, as well as
Applied Communications Incorporated Limited (ACI Ltd.), based in
the United Kingdom.
Michael E. Carter, spokesman for ACI, told Newsbytes that, "Tandem
is a hardware provider, while we are a software provider. The
hardware industry of late is becoming increasingly competitive
as far as price and profitability goes. Tandem has an array of
assets of subsidiary companies that represent opportunity to raise
resources for them, that they can use to remain competitive in
their market."
Under terms of the deal, Tandem will sell all of the outstanding
capital stock of ACI and ACI Ltd. for an undisclosed amount in cash.
The purchase is subject to the "completion of due diligence on
behalf of outside investors. According to the company, it is set to
close on December 31, 1993.
In announcing the deal, James G. Treybig, president and chief
executive officer of Tandem, said: "ACI became a subsidiary more
than two years ago. As an independent company (ACI) can now be
even more aggressive in pursuing new markets, new products, and
new opportunities. ACI will remain a key partner for Tandem."
Continued Carter to Newsbytes, "(The deal) does not represent any
departure, or decrease in the relationship between Tandem and ACI.
We sell solutions that run exclusively on Tandem platforms. For
what we do -- electronic funds transfer -- we believe that Tandem
is the best platform for that."
Asked by Newsbytes whether Tandem will be keeping any financial
interest in the company, Carter replied, "No they are not."
ACI develops, markets and supports application software products
for electronic payment systems. The company claims that it
partners with 300 customers running over 600 systems in 47
countries.
(Ian Stokell/19931112/Press Contact: Tom Waldrop,
408-285-7277, Tandem Computers Inc; Michael E. Carter,
402-392-7406, Applied Communications)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
GENERAL
Novell Confirms Noorda Replacement Search
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00021)
Novell Confirms Noorda Replacement Search 11/12/93
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Novell Inc., has
confirmed that it is looking for a successor to Raymond J. Noorda
to take the position of chief executive officer at the networking
software vendor. Noorda is expected to stay on as chairman of
the board focusing principally on "strategic issues."
Peter Troop, spokesman for Novell, told Newsbytes that the
announcement today confirms what Noorda has been saying for a
year. "He has publicly said that the company is looking to identify
his successor. When he has been asked why he has said that he is 69
years old, and he will be 70 next year. He has consistently made
that point."
The company says that the board of directors has been "conducting
an executive search and a number of candidates are being
interviewed."
In a prepared statement, Noorda is quoted as saying, "At 69, it's
natural for me to be looking for a successor, and I expect to have
one in place long before my birthday in June of next year. Novell
is in an excellent financial, technology and market position
to name a new president and chief executive officer from either
inside or outside the company. The Office of the President,
organized last summer, is performing very effectively."
The Office of the President was formed in August. Since then,
Noorda has maintained his focus on "strategic relationships and
company direction," with day-to-day operations being centered
in the office of the president, with Mary M. Burnside as chief
operating officer and James R. Tolonen as chief administrative
officer. The company also says that Kanwal S. Rekhi assumed an
expanded role as executive vice president corporate technology,
responsible for coordination of product and technology strategies.
As to whether it would involve any restructuring of the Office
of the President, Troop said to Newsbytes, "Not necessarily. It
is hard to say. The Office of the President is a device that has
been created as part of this process of Ray transitioning away
from being CEO. It is certainly integral to the way this is
unfolding. What has become clear is Ray's expectation that he
will be able to identify a successor before June of next year,
which is his birthday."
Novell is the supplier of the market-leading NetWare network
operating system (NOS) and associated networking products.
NetWare holds as much as 65-70 percent of the NOS market.
(Ian Stokell/19931112/Press Contact: Melanie King,
408-473-8381, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
TELECOM
Netherlands PTT Hit By Phone Line Fraud
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00022)
Netherlands PTT Hit By Phone Line Fraud 11/12/93
THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Police in the
Netherlands are reported to be receiving an increasing number of
complaints from phone subscribers concerning allegations of fraud.
The Postal and Telecommunications Arbitration Commission has
reported a big rise in the number of complaints about the size of
customer's phone bills.
Complainers are claiming that unauthorized persons have been
illegally making use of their phone lines, and rumors are
circulating of an alleged conspiracy between hackers and operators
of telephone sex services, to boost the income of the operators.
M. Plaschek, a spokesman for PTT Telecom, the state-controlled
telecom company in the Netherlands, has told the Dutch press that
the country's phone system is not absolutely watertight, but said
that in the majority of cases the subscribers themselves were
responsible for incurring the large phone bills.
He added that in many households it was unusual for family users to
admit that they had been ringing phone sex services, since that
could lead to embarrassing situations if the company's
investigations revealed this to be the case.
Following an extensive complaints procedure, however, he admitted
that a number of cases remain where there is no evidence of blame on
the part of the subscriber. Of all the cases examined by the
arbitration commission, approximately 10 percent appear to have some
foundation, he said, adding that, in such cases, the subscriber had
been given the benefit of the doubt.
Both the commission and police investigating alleged phone fraud
face a serious problem, however, as they are wholly dependent on
information from PTT itself, while the criminals must be sought
from within the company's own ranks.
PTT Telecom has not disclosed whether it has found any evidence of
fraud involving the illegal use of subscribers' lines. Some of those
alleging fraud have been faced with bills totalling several thousand
guilders, and in extreme cases the situation has led to
disconnections, the confiscation of goods by bailiffs, and court
orders for the automatic deduction of the sum involved from the
victim's wages.
According to the commission, complainant's bills show a remarkable
similarity, with sex line numbers being called for hour-long periods
at times when subscribers have proven they were not even at home.
PTT officials have said that the disputed calls are usually very
short in duration, with new numbers being dialled in quick
succession. Victims have argued that it is not physically possible
to dial new numbers so rapidly, and that the fraud must have been
carried out with the help of a computer.
Unlike in the UK and US, where the bulk of premium rate calls are
billed for in time units, PTT Telecom's premium rate services are
billed on a per-call basis. This means that several short calls
to different services can quickly rack up a large bill.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931112/Press & Public Contact: PTT Telecom - Tel:
+31-7034-39709; Fax: +31-343-2285)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
TELECOM
****AST Entering PDA Arena
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
****AST Entering PDA Arena 11/12/93
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- AST, which
became the fourth-largest US computer maker by buying Tandy's
computer operations, announced it will offer a personal digital
assistant (PDA) next year. The company has made no secret of
the fact it planned to use the technology acquired from Tandy's
Grid pen-based manufacturing to enter the PDA market, but
demonstrations of the Model 2390 at COMDEX are the first actual
glimpses of a product from AST.
The Model 2390 was made by AST's Grid Systems unit, a long-time
leader in pen and mobile computing technology acquired with the
Tandy operations. Tandy moved Grid to Fort Worth, and now that
AST has taken over, the company will base its North American
manufacturing, repair and service out of the Texas location to
take advantage of lower labor and land costs. Grid has the
largest installed base of pen-based systems, the largest number
of corporate users, and the broadest range of products in the
market.
The Model 2390 will, like Tandy's own Zoomer, be based on the
Geos operating system from Geoworks, and will include a suite
of personal information management (PIM) and financial
management software built-in. PenRight, an operating
environment developed by Grid, will be available as an option,
opening that system's software to Model 2390 users.
PenRight will run off a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry
Association (PCMCIA) Type II card from SunDisk and supports
over 1,000 vertical market applications. International Data
Corporation says 80 percent of the pen-based applications
available have been developed under Penright and AST says most
applications will run on the Model 2390 with just minor
modifications.
PIM software announced from the unit will be from Palm
Computing and includes an address book, note book, to-do list
manager, travel data, calculator, dictionary, foreign language
translation dictionary and thesaurus. Palm Computing has
developed a similar application that ships with the Zoomer.
Pocket Quicken financial management software from Intuit will
also be built-in and will be linkable to the version of Quicken
for desktop computers. There's also an option for the America
Online electronic consumer service, and the EAASY Sabre travel
service.
The Grid 2390 weighs in at 1 pound, about 1/2 kg., and has a
320 by 256 line touch-sensitive liquid crystal display (LCD)
screen, a stylus for detailed input, and a battery life of over
100 hours with three standard "AA" batteries. The main chip is
an Intel 8086-compatible 7.4 MHz model made by Casio, which is
also a partner on the Zoomer.
The product comes standard with a megabyte (MB) of random
access memory (RAM), and 4 MB of read only memory (ROM) which
holds the built-in software applications. The retail price of
the unit is estimated under $1,000. The company is offering
evaluation units to independent software vendors (ISVs) to
encourage application development when the units ship in
quantity early next year.
(Dana Blankenhorn & Linda Rohrbough/19931112/Press Contact: AST
Research, Lauren Baker, tel 817-491-5369, fax 817-491-5998;
Public Contact 800-876-4AST)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/12/93
APPLE
****Apple's Mac/PC -- Quadra 610 With DOS Extensions
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00024)
****Apple's Mac/PC -- Quadra 610 With DOS Extensions 11/12/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Apple
Computer briefed analysts Thursday on its new Macintosh that
will run IBM-compatible personal computer (PC) software. Dubbed
internally "Houdini," Apple is expected to unveil the unit next
week, although Apple representatives will not comment on the
product now.
What was demonstrated to analysts was a color Quadra 610 with
DOS Extensions. The DOS part is on a board that is inserted
into the Quadra, called internally the "Houdini," containing an
Intel 486SX chip. Apple has already licensed DOS 6.2 from
Microsoft for the new Quadra, but users who want to run Windows
will have to add it themselves, Newsbytes sources said. The
board will also be available separately as an option for
addition to existing Quadras.
Walter Miao, an analyst with Link Resources, told Newsbytes the
board was very clean and appeared to be ready for production,
and he was surprised Apple doesn't plan to release the product
until next year. "I told them 'Move it into the educational
market now!'" Miao said.
Also, a window of opportunity is open to Apple now with a
tremendous number of buyers who are wavering between a PC and a
Macintosh, but who will purchase one or the other in the next few
months, Miao asserted. If the price isn't too high, those
buyers could very well choose this new Apple product, according
to Miao.
Some reports are the Quadra 610 with DOS Extensions could be as
much as $1,000 more, but Miao says that's too much. "If it's
that much more I can go down to Orange Micro and get a board
that will do the same thing." Miao said he understood the DOS-
equipped Mac would be $300 to $500 higher than a Quadra 610
without the card. "But we're talking a pretty well-equipped
Quadra here, with at least 12 to 14 megabytes of memory. Apple
is clearly not on an economy kick."
Apple's hold-off on releasing the new Quadra has to do with
usability testing issues and sound capability. There's an
incompatibility between Macintosh and PC sound files and right
now there's no way to add a PC sound board right now. Also,
there is no compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) yet, though
Apple says there will be.
The hard disk is divided into a PC and Macintosh portions, each
of which is kept separate, according to Newsbytes sources.
Eric Lewis of International Data Corporation said the unit
performed without a hitch. Other reports are Apple was running
Excel 4.0 and transferring graphics and data back and forth
between the Windows and Macintosh.
Will this Macintosh/PC hybrid help Apple? Lewis says it will.
"Apple is looking to lessen the issue of compatibility to
increase its sales. But don't over-blow this announcement. This
isn't changing the face of Macintosh, it is just offering an
additional option. It is not Macintosh trying to compete as a
better Windows machine."
(Linda Rohrbough/19931112/Press Contact: Constance Clark, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-2042, fax 408-974-2885)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
GENERAL
****Newsbytes Reports From Comdex Next Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MSP)(00025)
****Newsbytes Reports From Comdex Next Week 11/12/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Newsbytes
News Network will spread out across the Fall COMDEX trade show
in Las Vegas to deliver up-to-the-minute coverage of the
most newsworthy products and happenings of the show.
Newsbytes will have seven reporters on the scene from Monday
through Friday, to supplement the rest of the US and worldwide
coverage of the computer and telecommunications industries.
Managing editor for the week will be Ian Stokell. Editor-in-chief,
Wendy Woods, will serve as field editor for the Newsbytes
team in Las Vegas.
(Newsbytes staff/19931112)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
GOVT
Germany - Privatization Agency Hit By Possible Computer Fraud
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00026)
Germany - Privatization Agency Hit By Possible Computer Fraud 11/12/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Prosecutors raided a series of
offices and private flats in 10 cities across Germany at the end of
October, on suspicion of an organized fraud against the Treuhand
privatization agency.
According to media reports in Germany, several packets of documents
were confiscated during the raids, which were in connection with
allegations that Funk und Zenkner, the investment house, used
computers to manipulate the costs of cleaning up environmental
damage when it acquired East German-based Plasta, Kunstharz-
und Perssmassenfabrik Erkner from the agency.
Prosecutors in Germany say they are also investigating an official
at Treuhand and an executive of Funk und Zenkner who used to work
for Treuhand. Sources suggest that the privatization agency may have
lost as much as DM 10 million on the contract.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931112/Press & Public Contact: Der Treuhand - Tel:
+49-228-355682)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
TELECOM
Ireland - Police Smash UKP250,000 Int'l Phone Fraud
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)
Ireland - Police Smash UKP250,000 Int'l Phone Fraud 11/12/93
DUBLIN, IRELAND, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Telecom Eireann (TE) claims
that it has broken a sophisticated and elaborate international fraud
that has cost the Irish telecom company more than UKP250,000.
Detectives in Dublin Criminal Court were told this week that Anjum
Zaida, a 23-year-old university graduate from India, was the
mastermind of the electronic conspiracy, whereby he forged
electronic serial numbers for connection to Eircell, the Irish
analogue cellular phone network, and used the phone lines to link up
conference calls between various countries.
Zaida was sentenced to a four years suspended sentence after
pleading guilty to having sold his services to businesses in
Ireland at a cut-price rate. He was accused of defrauding TE of
IR262,238 (approx. $350,000) by unlawfully using the Eircell
cellular network. He also admitted to conspiring with persons
unknown between May 28 and July 14 of this year to provide
international telephone services in Ireland without holding a
licence.
According to Detective Sergeant Mike Clifford, a spokesman for the
Garda, the Irish police force, Zaida arrived in Ireland in early May
to work as a cook and cleaner. Clifford told the court that he
investigated incidents involving legitimate Eircell subscribers
who were billed for international calls they did not make.
Investigations carried out in conjunction with TE led the Garda to
Zaida's flat, where he was arrested on July 9 this year. Police and
TE officials found computer hardware and software, plus around 20
mobile phones being used to make conference calls linking people in
different countries.
After he was arrested, Zaida is quoted as admitting to Garda police
that he knew what was going on and admitted he knew it was "dodgy."
The court heard he had no previous convictions and was told by Zaida
this type of crime was prevalent in the US and the UK.
Garda officials say that Zaida is only the little fish in a bigger
scam, but seniors involved in the fraud were not accessible to the
Irish courts. Garda police said that they are aware of those
involved in the case who are abroad and have notified the
appropriate authorities.
(Steve Gold/19931112/Press & Public Contact: TE - Tel: +353-1-661-
1111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
GOVT
Dutch Anti-Fraud Computer System May Violate Public Laws
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00028)
Dutch Anti-Fraud Computer System May Violate Public Laws 11/12/93
THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- The Dutch banking
industry association, Nederlandse Vereiniging van Banken (NVB), may
be coming into direct conflict with the population registration
office.
Several years ago, the banks established a blacklist of cheque
fraudsters, money launderers, and loan defaulters which is stored on
computer known as Iris and distributed to banks. NVB officials have
admitted that the compilation of the list may have infringed on
citizen privacy laws.
As a result of this, the Dutch Data Registrar's office is discussing
the Iris computer system with NVB. Officials with the NVB say that
the issue at stake is the free exchange of data on bank frauds,
involving customers, details of which are swapped via the Iris
computer.
Newsbytes understands that, under current Dutch legislation, anyone
included on a blacklist must be notified of this. Banks and NVB
officials say they are uncertain as to whether those included on the
banks' blacklist have been informed.
Under the Iris system, if anyone suspected of fraud is identified by
the system, other banks may contact the institution responsible for
his or her inclusion on the list.
The NVB claims that anyone responsible for deliberately defrauding a
bank of more than DFl 10,000 is put onto the blacklist, which also
includes details of those bank borrowers who are in arrears with
their payments.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931112/Press & Public Contact: Nederlandse
Vereiniging van Banken - Tel: +31-70-345-1149)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
BUSINESS
Motorola Licenses Handwriting Technology
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00029)
Motorola Licenses Handwriting Technology 11/12/93
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Motorola,
known for its wireless communications and its development of
chips that power Apple Computers, announced it has acquired
Palo Alto, California-based Lexicus Corporation. Lexicus is a
privately held developer of hand-writing recognition software.
Hand-writing recognition is the basis of the new personal
digital assistants (PDAs), hand-held computers that recognize
handwriting and convert it to characters as though it had been
typed on a computer keyboard. Lexicus' product is Longhand, a
handwriting recognition product that started shipping this
fall.
AST just jumped into the PDA market by announcing its one-
pound Model 3290 PDA, planned for demonstration next week
at the computer trade show COMDEX in Las Vegas. Apple Computer
says it has sold 50,000 Newton Messagepads since the introduction
of the unit in August and Tandy and Casio have just released
Zoomer, a Geos-based PDA compatible with the IBM personal
computer (PC) platform.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931112/Press Contact: Terri Green, Motorola,
tel 407-364-3279, fax 407-364-3299)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/12/93
BUSINESS
Watcom, Cognos Sign Bundling Deal
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00030)
Watcom, Cognos Sign Bundling Deal 11/12/93
WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 12 (NB) -- Watcom
International Corp. has announced a bundling deal that will see
Watcom's database software, Watcom/SQL, sold along with the new
Axiant line of client/server development tools from Cognos
of Ottawa.
It is the second such bundling deal for Watcom, noted Dave
Boswell, vice-president of sales and marketing. The first was
announced in April, with PowerSoft Corp. of Burlington,
Massachusetts. Earlier this week, PowerSoft announced its
intention to acquire Watcom.
Boswell said further bundling deals for Watcom/SQL are likely.
The company is "aggressively pursuing a strategy of making
Watcom/SQL the standard desktop database," he said.
Watcom/SQL supports American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
standard Structured Query Language (SQL), and according to the
vendor it provides advanced development capabilities. It also
supports Open Database Connectivity (ODBC), a standard for inter-
database communication backed by Microsoft Corp.
In launching Axiant last month, Cognos said the tool set
introduces features needed to develop serious business
applications using client/server architecture. The company said
existing tools do not address such needs at complex application
logic, portability across many operating systems, hardware
platforms, and graphical user interfaces (GUIs), scalability from
small to large systems, concurrent access to multiple data
sources, and version control.
Cognos said it will provide Axiant first for Microsoft Windows
client PCs and servers running Unix, DOS, and Digital Equipment
Corp.'s VMS operating system. This software is to be available by
the end of this year. Software for IBM AS/400 and Hewlett-Packard
Co. MPE iX servers is planned later, the company said. Software
development tools for resellers and third-party developers are
due to be available in the second quarter of 1994.
The Windows-based development environment will cost from $3,000
to $5,000, Cognos said, and full deployment of Axiant will cost
about $1,000 per user.
Boswell said he could not discuss financial terms of the deal
such as how much revenue it might bring Watcom.
(Grant Buckler/19931111/Press Contact: Hans Galldin, Cognos, 613-
738-1440 ext. 3133; Dave Boswell, Watcom, 519-883-6303)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
BUSINESS
****AST Cuts Jobs In California, Adds In Texas
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00001)
****AST Cuts Jobs In California, Adds In Texas 11/11/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- AST is
restructuring because of its acquisition of Tandy's manufacturing
operations. As a result, the company says it will have to perform
a job shuffle that will result in the loss of 200 jobs.
The company says 16 percent, or 1,050 jobs will be impacted by
the move, but 850 new jobs will be added in the Fort Worth,
Texas, and Limerick, Ireland, manufacturing facilities.
Officials at AST said the company hopes to move current
employees into the new positions, but does not know how many
can be handled in this manner. Over half the jobs will be lost in
California with 450 planned cuts in the company's Fountain
Valley facility. An additional 200 service and repair positions
in California will be eliminated. Some cuts will be made in Fort
Worth in the sub-assembly manufacturing, because AST plans to
outsource those operations, but 500 jobs will be added in that
same location to increase manufacturing capacity, repair, and
service operations.
Overall, AST claims it has increased its unit shipment growth
111 percent in its first fiscal quarter of 1994, ending October
2, 1993, when it combined with Tandy's manufacturing.
The company plans to establish two manufacturing centers for
mobile computers in Fountain Valley and Taiwan. The Fort Worth
facility will be the manufacturing center for multiprocessors,
the company added. The company's manufacture of desktop and
server computers for the Americas, Asia, and Europe will take
place in Texas, Hong Kong, and Ireland, respectively. The aim
is to improve time to market and to lower costs.
Overseas, AST plans to shift all its European production to
Limerick under a newly announced agreement with the Irish
Industrial Development Authority. The plan is to move
production from the East Kilbride, Scotland, facility to a
larger plant in Limerick and center European distribution
and repair in Ireland.
In Texas, AST plans to purchase land around its Fort Worth
facility for future expansion and consolidate its other leased
facilities in Texas to the Western Center complex in Fort
Worth.
A new facility in Tianjin, China, is also planned and will open
in the third quarter of calendar year 1994, AST added. AST
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Safi Qureshey told
Newsbytes the company is pursuing opportunities in the Chinese
market and its next move will be for the large untapped Indian
market.
Number 367 on Fortune Magazine's list of the top 500 US
companies, AST reported sales of $1.412 billion and shipment
increases of 69 percent for fiscal 1993. The acquisition of
Tandy's manufacturing makes Irvine, California, headquartered
AST the fourth largest computer company in the US and the sixth
worldwide, according to International Data Corporation (IDC).
(Linda Rohrbough/19931111/Press Contact: Emory Epperson,
AST, tel 714-727-7958, fax 714-727-9355)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
GOVT
UK - Austin Computer Wins Dutch Health Contract
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00002)
UK - Austin Computer Wins Dutch Health Contract 11/11/93
KEMPSTON, BEDS, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Essex Electric BV,
the Dutch distributor for Austin Computer Systems in the UK, has
secured a contract worth UKP1 million to deliver a total of 825
486-based PCs to Netherlands-based Bazis over the next 15
months.
Bazis is the Dutch government subsidized information technology
coordinator who will, in turn, provide the systems to hospitals
throughout the Netherlands. To start the contract off, Austin will
deliver 200 PCs -- 150 25 megahertz (MHz) and 50 33MHz
systems -- before the end of the year.
The machines to be supplied to Bazis are 486SX-25 and 486DX-33
systems and feature integrated local bus video, 4 megabytes (MB)
of memory, 129 kilobytes (KB) of cache RAM, a 170MB IDE
(Integrated Drive Electronics) hard drive. Also standard on the
machines are 1MB local bus accelerator cards, plus a 14-inch
super VGA monitor.
According to Richard Choi, Austin UK's sales and marketing director,
the machines are pre-loaded with MS-DOS 6.0 and Windows 3.1. In
addition they have a three year warranty -- all for UKP885.
Said Choi: "This is just the kind of accomplishment that now
typifies our operation. We now know that we have the perfect
product range priced at an optimum level."
(Steve Gold/19931110/Press & Public Contact: Austin Computer
Systems, tel 44-282-618866; fax 44-282-618214)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
GENERAL
Tecmars New Concurrent Transfer Backup Technology
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00003)
Tecmars New Concurrent Transfer Backup Technology 11/11/93
READING, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Tecmar has announced
what it claims is a brand new technology -- concurrent transfer.
According to the company, concurrent transfer technology (CXT)
provides unparalleled network backup performance and reliability.
Tecmar is handling distribution of CXT products in Europe on
behalf of the developers, Rexon.
The company also claims that Proserve CX (Tecmar's name for its
product) has been developed in response to the increasing amount
of valuable data that organizations are generating which needs
to be backed up efficiently and securely.
So what is CXT? According to Tecmar, it allows the backup of up
to eight clients to one tape drive simultaneously, and will ship
initially with Tecmar's new Proline CX Novell data management
tape backup system.
The idea is that the Proline range will consist of a series of high
performance digital audio tape (DAT) and QIC drives coupled with
CX technology to provide claimed superior performance.
Announcing CXT, Charles McCarthy, the president of Rexon Europe,
the company that developed the technology, said: "With CX
technology, our product line will be able to meet the large volume
backup demands of networks quickly while improving restore
operations."
CXT features several software technologies that work together to
maximize the available network bandwidth. Firstly, CXT uses
distributed processing via Fileflow and active clients to improve
the performance of individual clients on the network. Dynamic load
balancing then makes maximum use of the bandwidth on the network,
with all clients backing up at the same time. The backup speed
thus becomes the sum of all the clients on the network.
Distributed processing allows each client on the network to
operate at their own top speed for both backup and restore
operations. To speed up backup operations, Tecmar's Fileflow
technology allows each client agent to communicate with the
tape server to share the workload.
The idea with Formflow, according to Tecmar, is to establish what
needs to be done before the transaction takes place, rather than
the client constantly polling the tape server with individual
requests.
Pricing on the CXT systems varies depending on customer
requirements. The systems, Tecmar says, are available to ship
worldwide now.
(Steve Gold/19931110/Press & Public Contact: Rexon Europe,
tel 44-734-810072; fax 44-734-810475)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
TELECOM
UK Telecom Firms Seek Indian Joint Ventures
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00004)
UK Telecom Firms Seek Indian Joint Ventures 11/11/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- IBPI's (Indo-British
Partnership Initiative) Telecom Group is expecting many joint
ventures to take shape during the "UK Week" to be held November
16-19 in India.
Rajive Kaul, chairman of the Telecom Group, claims that the Indian
telecommunications sector offers tremendous scope for private
sector initiatives and foreign collaboration.
The demand for phone lines in India is expected to reach 100 million
by the year 2010. With only Rs. 25,137 crore being allocated
for the telecom sector by the government, against a reported
Rs. 40,555 crore requirement, a large gap has been left for capital
investment which Indian and foreign private companies can fill.
Financial investment required in the year 2000 will reach
Rs. 80,000-100,000 crore. That, and the Department of
Telecommunication's decision to auction licenses ensures there
will be tremendous potential for investments, and that the
atmosphere is conducive for joint ventures.
UK firms, since the Indian visit of Prime Minister John Major
some months ago, have shown special interest in the telecom
sector, especially rural, and in voice and non-voice services.
They have also expressed particular interest in data transmission,
facsimile, mobile radio, radio telephones and leased line services
catering to both the residential and business markets.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
IBM
IBM Considers Sale Of Federal Systems Unit
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00005)
IBM Considers Sale Of Federal Systems Unit 11/11/93
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- IBM is looking
into the possibility of selling its Federal Systems Company, IBM
officials have confirmed. The company said it has talked with
several potential buyers, but company spokesman Rob Wilson
would not name any of the interested parties.
Federal Systems is based in Bethesda, Maryland, and employs
some 11,400 people. Last year, it recorded revenues of $2.2
billion. The unit sells information technology products and
services, primarily to the US Department of Defense and other
federal agencies.
A published report in The Washington Post said the division
could be worth from $750 million to $1 billion. Wilson said he
could not comment on that estimate.
He also had no comment on whether IBM might consider a joint
venture with another company, as it did in spinning off its
printer manufacturing operation to become Lexmark, now
partially owned by IBM. However, a prepared statement from
IBM referred to the possible sale of "all or part of" the division.
(Grant Buckler/19931111/Press Contact: Rob Wilson, IBM,
914-765-6565)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
GOVT
Ontario Legislators Want Action Over Sexy Video Game
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00006)
Ontario Legislators Want Action Over Sexy Video Game 11/11/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Opposition
members of the provincial legislature called on the Ontario
government recently to take action against an animated computer
game that includes scenes of partial nudity.
Elizabeth Witmer, Progressive Conservative member of provincial
parliament for Waterloo North, urged the government to introduce
controls on the sale of video games involving both sex and
violence. Her target was a game called Metal and Lace: The Battle
of the Robo Babes, from Megatech Software of Torrance, California.
Metal and Lace uses a Japanese animation technique called anime,
which is derived from American comic-book art of the 1940s and
1950s. The action is mostly typical of other action video games --
armored characters in battle. However, some of the animated
characters are attractive young women who sometimes remove
their armor and, in a version of the game meant for players 18
years of age or over, all their clothes above the waist. There is
no nudity in a version of the game intended for those under 18,
noted Ken Wu, president of Megatech.
Witmer called on the New Democratic Party government to "limit
who can purchase this type of video game," suggesting a legally
enforced rating system like that used for movies.
Wu told Newsbytes he is all for a rating system, and Megatech has
in fact placed ratings on its games. The company used the same
ratings used by the Motion Picture Industry Association (MPIA)
until the association told Megatech it was violating MPIA
copyrights by doing so, he said. Now there are versions of Metal
and Lace rated NR-13 (not recommended for those under 13) and
NR-18 (not recommended for those under 18). "We feel we're being
as responsible as possible," Wu said.
As for the Ontario government, Marion Boyd, the minister
responsible for women's issues, replied to Witmer's comments by
saying the provincial government has limited power to control the
sale of games. She said the provincial government has discussed
the matter with the federal government, which has jurisdiction.
She also suggested that members of the public who object to such
games can refrain from buying them, prevent their children from
doing so, and put pressure on the manufacturers and on retailers
that carry them.
Wu at Megatech said Ontario was the only area where Metal and
Lace has provoked such a reaction. The game has gone over very
well in Europe, he said, and has not provoked controversy in the
United States.
(Grant Buckler/19931111/Press Contact: Sharon Rummery,
Megatech Software, 415-583-6422; Elizabeth Witmer, Ontario
MPP, 416-325-3865)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
IBM
Microsoft Ships 32-Bit Fortran For Windows NT
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)
Microsoft Ships 32-Bit Fortran For Windows NT 11/11/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corp., has announced it is now shipping its Microsoft Fortran
32-bit PowerStation 32 development systems for Windows NT.
Fortran is computer shorthand for "formula translation" and is
one of the earlier computer languages, developed to express
computer programs through the use of arithmetic formulas.
The development tools is designed primarily for the scientific and
engineering workstation market and for organizations that are
downsizing applications from mainframes, minicomputers, and Unix
workstations to PCs. Independent software developers will also be
able to use PowerStation 32 for Windows NT to port their existing
Fortran applications to Windows NT.
Microsoft says the 32-bit flat memory model of the windows NT
operating system allows access of up to four gigabytes (GB) of
addressable memory. In addition to the standard local and global
optimizations common in Unix workstation compilers, Fortran
PowerStation 32 includes specific Intel i486 and Pentium
optimizations as well as automatic inlining of procedures to reduce
procedure call overhead. That allows users to run large simulations
on PCs that would previously have required a mainframe or
minicomputer or a Unix workstation.
The software supports symmetric multiprocessing, multithreaded
applications and preemptive multitasking in order to reduce the run
time of applications. Microsoft does not charge a fee for run-time
modules distributed with developer's applications.
The program includes Visual Workbench, a Windows-based
integrated development environment that is consistent with
PowerStation for DOS and the Microsoft family of Visual C++ tools.
Microsoft says that will reduce development time by eliminating
the need to exit and load separate tools.
Features include an editor with syntax coloring that allows columns
one to six, each colored differently, and comments colored differently
from code. There is also an automatic "make file" generator that
generates a make file using point-and-click operation to specify
the file to be added and the desired compiler options.
Double clicking on a syntax error located by the compiler
automatically loads the editor and brings up the line in which the
error occurred, and an integrated debugger allows the user to toggle
break points on and off by clicking with the mouse, and to view and
step through assembly language listing and source code at the same
time in the same window.
Three kinds of windows can be open: watch windows, to see the
changing values of local and global variables and expressions; local
windows, to view changes in local variables only; and register
windows, to see register values change during debugging.
A browser displays the program's structure and allows the
programmer to jump to a specific routine or variable.
To use Fortran PowerStation 32 for Windows NT you need an IBM-
compatible personal computer powered by at least a 25 megahertz
386 microprocessor, 16 megabytes (MB) of system memory, one
floppy drive, 12MB of available hard disk space, and Windows NT
version 3.1. The product has a suggested retail price of $795, but is
available for $495 through January 31, 1994. Current users of earlier
versions of Microsoft Fortran can upgrade for $299, and users who
switch from a competitor's C Fortran compiler can do so for $495.
(Jim Mallory/19931111/Press & Reader Contact: Microsoft
Corp., 206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
GOVT
****VP Gore Visits Colorado High Tech Plant
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00008)
****VP Gore Visits Colorado High Tech Plant 11/11/93
LOUISVILLE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Vice President
Al Gore is taking the administration's campaign for passage of the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to the people, telling
them to write their members of congress to support the campaign.
"If we have the courage to make the right decision the entire world
will follow us. If we yield to fear, the consequences will be
catastrophic," he said during an appearance in Colorado this week.
Gore made his plea during an appearance at Storage Technology
(Storagetek), a high-tech company based in Louisville, Colorado,
that manufactures computer data storage systems.. He spoke to
about 200 Storagetek employees and another 200 college students,
Colorado lawmakers, and small business representatives from
around the state.
At the beginning of the Vice President's appearance, technicians
encountered a pothole on their own information highway when
they could not get a phone connection to the White House working
correctly, but quickly smoothed over the glitch in time for the
surprised audience to hear President Bill Clinton praise Gore for
his showing in a debate over the merits of NAFTA with former
presidential candidate Ross Perot.
Gore, obviously in high spirits following the debate, declined to
characterize Perot's performance on the event carried live on CNN.
The VP said the issue was not who is the best debater but rather
whether NAFTA is good for the nation's economy.
Several business leaders from around Colorado extolled the virtues
of the plan to smooth out the tariff difference between the US,
Canada and Mexico, estimating that they could increase their job
opportunities by as much as 15 percent and pledging they would not
take their plants to Mexico as NAFTA opponents fear. "A 20 percent
increase can make a tremendous difference to startup companies,"
said one high-tech business official. He was referring to the
dropping of import tariffs of up to 20 percent that are currently in
effect for goods shipped into Mexico, which would be gradually be
reduced to zero if NAFTA becomes law in its current form.
Another high-tech Colorado business owner compared Mexico City's
altitude and environment to that of the Colorado Front Range area,
and said if NAFTA passes the development of environmental
technology "will really explode."
Speaking about the reluctance of Congress members to put into
effect something that could result in adverse headlines, Gore said:
"Congress worries about headlines about job losses, but thousands
of companies will add jobs if NAFTA passes." The loss of jobs is a
strong theme in criticism of NAFTA leveled by Ross Perot.
Gore predicts a huge increase in US sales across a broad spectrum
of the economy if NAFTA becomes law, and estimates that the
volume of goods sold in Mexico would double. He believes the
adoption of NAFTA would be the opening wedge that will allow US
companies to gain a foothold in other markets such as Latin America
and Asia.
Following his 30 minute talk Gore toured a portion of the Storagetek
facility and got to see Storagetek's long-awaited data storage
product, Iceberg, being built. A number of the devices, the size of
two large refrigerators, were in various stages of assembly.
Storagetek Director of Public Relations David Reid declined to say
exactly how many Iceberg units had already been assembled. Reid
told Newsbytes the computer code to run Iceberg, long the delaying
element in bringing the product to market, was still being tested.
"We expect revenue from Iceberg in 1994," said Reid.
(Jim Mallory/19931111/Press Contact: David Reid, Storatetek,
303-673-4815)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/11/93
GOVT
****VP Gore Says NAFTA Good For Computer Sales
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00009)
****VP Gore Says NAFTA Good For Computer Sales 11/11/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- This week's 90-
minute debate between Ross Perot and Vice President Al Gore on
CNN's Larry King Live talk show, resulted in a win with the
viewing public for both Gore and NAFTA, the North American
Free Trade Agreement, according to several media polls. However,
it was not a pretty sight, according to more than one Washington
insider who pointed out that it was Congress, and in particular
about 30 Representatives, and not citizens, who need to be
convinced.
Interspersed with a series of personal attacks on his opponent,
Vice President Al Gore cited one major reason for computer
executives to be in favor of NAFTA. According to the Vice
President, NAFTA would eliminate the 20 percent tariff now
imposed on computers going from the US to Mexico, while
maintaining the same import tax on computers from Europe and
Asia, leading to increased US computer sales, he argued.
But while computer managers see the opening of the Mexican
market as an unmixed blessing -- one Intel executive calling it a
"no brainer" -- electronics workers and their unions are not so
certain. Intel, which has several billion dollars in sales of
semiconductor products to Mexico each year, is strongly anchored
in the US, with plans for new manufacturing facilities and
expanded research efforts. However, workers at smaller
companies which are struggling to match Intel's marketing
strengths with low-priced alternative products, are worried
that a move south could be an attractive proposition for some
semiconductor companies.
On his side, Perot pointed to the "dictatorial" government in
Mexico which he says oppresses workers and fails to enforce its
own anti-pollution laws as a good indication of how life will
continue to be hard on Mexican workers even with the passage of
NAFTA, which is intended to eventually eliminate most trade
barriers among Canada, the US, and Mexico.
Perot emphasized that sales numbers given by the Administration
showing a lot of high-tech trade with Mexico are "cooked" numbers
which count every item that crosses the border on the way South,
even the large amount of components that are actually installed
in products which are then sold back into the US.
One of his favorite points was that, since Mexican workers only
earn about $10 per day, it is obvious that they cannot be buying
many US goods. He proposed a different trade agreement which
would encourage Mexico to raise the standard of living of its
workers before lowering barriers.
For his part, the Vice President attacked Perot at every step.
After the debate, the White House immediately declared
victory and showed an "undecided" Florida Democrat who, just
a few minutes after the debate ended, held a live and obviously
pre-arranged press conference where he announced that the Vice
President's arguments had caused him to come out in favor of
NAFTA.
Looking directly into the camera and addressing members of
Congress with the reminder that the entire House was going to be
up for reelection soon, one-time presidential candidate Ross
Perot said, "We'll remember in November when we step into that
little booth." Gore referred to this as a threat, asking Perot if
that meant his United We Stand organization would work to
defeat any members of Congress who voted in favor of NAFTA.
The obviously frustrated Perot at one point called the Vice
President a "liar" when accused of personally lobbying the House
Ways and Means Committee for tax breaks in the 1970's. For his
part Perot said that he had no idea what Gore was talking about
and continued his attack on the foreign lobbyists who, he says,
are influencing the government to the detriment of the US people.
Gore's main argument in favor of NAFTA appeared to be that
unless it was passed, Japan would make a similar deal with Mexico
displacing the US, and that without the prestige generated by
ratifying NAFTA, it would be impossible for the US to complete
the even more important Uruguay Round General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT) which is now about four years overdue.
No real details were cited to support either argument.
A parting shot from Perot warned that if the US keeps exporting
manufacturing jobs it will not be able to provide the military
hardware needed by the Pentagon if we ever get into a major
armed conflict.
(John McCormick/19931110)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
TRENDS
Stand-Alone Fax-On-Demand Device Coming
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00010)
Stand-Alone Fax-On-Demand Device Coming 11/11/93
WAKEFIELD, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Resource
Partners is preparing to release a stand-alone device that will
fax documents to callers on request. The unit will compete with
products that plug into a personal computer to do the same job.
Initially, the device will handle one incoming line and will
allow users to set up one to 99 mailboxes for documents that
callers can request, said Serge Nepomiastchy, head of engineering
for Resource Partners. Later, the company will probably release a
version that can handle multiple telephone lines, he said.
The unit will just plug into an electrical outlet and a
telephone jack. To load documents into it, users will fax them
from a fax machine or from fax software running on a PC.
Nepomiastchy said Resource Partners' existing fax software
would work well for this purpose, since PC-based fax software
produces cleaner faxes than a stand-alone fax machine.
The device will not function as a standard fax machine.
While the unit is not yet formally announced, Nepomiastchy
said it is likely to be available either late this year or in the
first quarter of 1994, at a price somewhere around $1,200.
Resource Partners sells fax software and hardware for personal
computers running Microsoft Windows and attached to local area
networks.
(Grant Buckler/19931111/Press Contact: Louise Horton, Resource
Partners, 603-522-9500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/11/93
APPLE
Didatech Brings Crosscountry USA To Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00011)
Didatech Brings Crosscountry USA To Mac 11/11/93
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) --
Didatech Software has announced an Apple Macintosh version of
Crosscountry USA, a geography education program that the
company already offers for DOS personal computers and the
Apple II.
Home and school versions of Crosscountry USA will be available
for the Macintosh in the first week of January, the company said.
Paul Melhus, president of Didatech, said that while sales of the
Apple II version of the package are still quite strong, schools
are clearly moving away from the older machine toward either the
Mac or DOS computers. Some buyers are now reluctant to buy new
Apple II software unless they know they will be able to upgrade
to a Macintosh version when they change hardware, he said.
To address that concern, Melhus said any school that has a site
license for the Apple II version of Crosscountry USA will be able
to buy a Mac site license for half price.
The software teaches American geography by letting a child play
the role of a truck driver hauling freight across the country.
According to the vendor, it helps children learn map-reading,
distance and time concepts, anticipating and solving problems,
and other practical skills.
Melhus said Didatech will release a Macintosh version of
Crosscountry Canada, its Canadian geography program, in the
spring. The company also sells specialized state versions of the
program called Crosscountry California and Crosscountry Texas. No
decision has been made yet about producing Mac versions of these,
Melhus said.
The school edition of Crosscountry USA for the Macintosh,
including a teacher's manual and software for one computer, will
cost US$79. Lab packs are US$159 and site or network licenses are
US$595.
(Grant Buckler/19931111/Press Contact: Paul Melhus, Didatech
Software, 604-299-4435)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
IBM
Eicon Intros OS/2, AS/400 Products
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00012)
Eicon Intros OS/2, AS/400 Products 11/11/93
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Eicon Technology
Corp., has enhanced its Access for OS/2 terminal emulation
software and launched new software that lets personal computers
work with IBM's midrange AS/400 systems.
Release 3.15 of Eicon's Access for OS/2 3270 and Access for OS/2
5250 now work with OS/2 2.1. Both products provide display and
printer emulation allowing users to use the OS/2 graphical user
interface (GUI) to reach IBM mainframes (the 3270 version) and
midrange systems (the 5250 software).
Both packages can run on the same desktop machine at the same
time, Eicon officials said. Multiple Document Interface (MDI)
support also lets users run multiple sessions without additional
copies of the software.
Both new versions of Access for OS/2 are due to ship in
mid-December. A single-user package will cost C$495. Eicon will
also offer a 10-user pack for C$3,900, a 25-user pack for C$6,500,
and a LAN (local area network) gateway pack, allowing an unlimited
number of users per gateway, for C$9,750.
Eicon's new Workstation Support for AS/400 works with the
company's SNA (Systems Network Architecture) Gateway products
to connect stand-alone PCs or those attached to LANs to local or
remote IBM AS/400 computers. By emulating the AS/400 PC
Support Router (Adapter Handler) interface, the software lets
PCs use AS/400 PC Support applications.
The software can be used with Eicon's Access for DOS 3270 and
Access for Windows 3270 products, which provide access to
mainframe systems from IBM, company officials said. It can also
work with the company's Access for DOS VT220, providing access
to ASCII hosts, or its Access for DOS 5250, which connects with
AS/400, System/36, and System/38 midrange machines.
Now shipping, Workstation Support for AS/400 costs C$130 per
single-user package. A 10-user pack is C$650, a 25-user pack is
C$1,300, and a LAN Gateway pack is C$1,950.
(Grant Buckler/19931111/Press Contact: Cynthia Yacowar, Eicon
Technology, 514-631-2592)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/11/93
GOVT
Apple And IBM Distance Themselves From Fed Markets
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00013)
Apple And IBM Distance Themselves From Fed Markets 11/11/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- As reports
proliferate that IBM may be selling its Federal business division
which deals directly with federal government buyers in support of
some massive contracts, Apple Computer appears to have almost
closed its Washington operations, leaving sales and support
efforts almost entirely to third-party resellers.
Although Apple has apparently just left its federal efforts
quietly fade into the background, IBM Federal has an estimated $2
billion in direct sales and thus is much more likely to either
maintain its office or sell it than just let it fade away.
The Washington Post has named Hughes Aircraft as having the
inside track on the purchase, but Washington insiders point out
that the defense contractor may not be interested in all of IBM's
federal contracts - especially not the FAA (Federal Aviation
Administration) air traffic controller system reform.
Hughes was the loosing bidder when it went up against IBM to win
the multi-billion dollar, decade-long FAA computer system
overhaul. However, despite the efforts of IBM's Gerald Ebker who
immediately made contact with the interim FAA administrator
during the Clinton Administration changeover, the FAA project
seems to be collapsing in an acrimonious exchange of charges
from both sides.
One Washington observer told Newsbytes that the first real
appearance of trouble on the FAA project, which is now about
three years behind schedule, came when Ebker started winding
down his associations with Ada (the government-mandated
programming language) standards groups and backed off from
direct control of the FAA project.
The new permanent FAA administrator is apparently not happy with
IBM's performance on the contract. A knowledgeable insider
told Newsbytes, that the FAA is often regarded as an agency
where everyone "goes their own way," something indicated by the
way air traffic controllers testing the proposed new system were
always making changes in their requirements -- therefore making
it nearly impossible to meed contract deadlines.
Reports from Washington maintain that the FAA may pull
the plug on the IBM contract, after Big Blue spent billions of
dollars on preliminary development of specialized software.
IBM's federal offices have reportedly had a lack of IBM
employees recently, with many positions ranging from the
receptionist to guards, to press representatives being filled by
outside contractors.
Apple Computer, which used to have a considerable direct presence
in the federal marketplace has, according to a number of reports
from Washington technology reporters, repeatedly failed to follow
through on offers of review hardware and software, a strong
indication that Apple may have lost interest in the market
despite a prominent contingent of strong Macintosh supporters
among federal users. SOme reports have the Apple Washington
contingent down to a skeleton crew.
Of course this does not mean that Macintosh computers are no
longer being sold to federal users, or that they are not being
supported by resellers. Falcon Microsystems was formerly an
Apple-only federal supplier and did quite well by doing the leg
work necessary to sell and support computers in the Washington
market.
However, taken with today's suggestion that IBM may be selling its
federal operations, and the long-standing feud between Microsoft
and other major software publishers and the General Services
Administration, it certainly looks like major hardware and
software suppliers are finding direct sales to the government to
be either too much hassle or unprofitable.
Procurement reform has long been the target of several
Congressional critics and this trend of big companies virtually
abandoning direct federal marketing may add some added
impetus to these moves.
(John McCormick/19931111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
GENERAL
Retix Fastest Growing European Router Vendor
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00014)
Retix Fastest Growing European Router Vendor 11/11/93
GUILDFORD, SURREY, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Retix, which has been
pushing hard to establish its presence in the UK networking market
over the last year, claims it has succeeded in its quest. The
company is now citing surveys that point to it being the fastest
growing router vendor in Western Europe.
Retix is well-known in the US as a supplier of open networking
products. It is only in the last few years, however, that the company
has started actively promoting itself worldwide, Newsbytes notes.
Retix claims that its growth of has been particularly strong in the
UK, where the company has increased its share of the router market
to 13.5 percent. The company claims that this makes Retix second
only to Cisco in the UK, with its 22.7 percent market share.
According to the International Data Corp. (IDC) report, Retix
is the leader in the remote bridge market in Western Europe with a
hefty 29.1 percent share of the market. This puts Retix ahead of IBM
which has a 15.95 percent market share. In the UK, the company
claims an even bigger slice of the market, with 44.2 percent of
sales of remote bridges.
Pim Bilderbeek, manager for IDC's Network Expertise Center in
Europe, said that routing technology is a major requirement of
modern companies updating their networking systems.
"Routers represent the fastest growing segment of the LAN (local
area network) internetwork market. By leveraging its position as a
leading bridge vendor and, at the same time, expanding its range of
routers offerings, Retix is poised to take advantage of that
expanding opportunity," he said.
Retix claims to have sold more than 50,000 routers and bridges
around the world. The company has more than 260 open systems
integration (OSI) licensees worldwide.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931111/Press & Public Contact: Retix UK,
tel 44-483-300600, fax 44-483-300333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/11/93
IBM
UK - Texas Instruments Intros New Color Notebook
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00015)
UK - Texas Instruments Intros New Color Notebook 11/11/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Texas Instruments (TI) has
unveiled the TravelMate 4000E WinSX/25 Color, a new portable
PC which it claims is one the lightest color notebooks currently
available.
According to TI, the TravelMate can compete on pricing and
performance terms with all of the color 486-based notebooks
currently on the market, even with many monochrome 486-based
machines. The company describes it as being enriched with a
new advanced passive color display that provides good colors
due to improved filters, smaller pixels, and better contrast ratios.
The 8.2-inch VGA screen displays 256 colors and supports
simultaneous display with an external monitor. Also, the company
says that the TI designed ASIC (application specific integrated
circuit) with a high-speed video bus and 512 kilobytes (KB) of
video memory enables Windows users to run their typical
operations much faster -- erasing or dragging Windows, creating
hatches and fills, as well as screen painting.
Since both MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 are pre-installed on the 120
megabyte (MB) hard disk, user can power up straight into Windows in
about 15 seconds. There is also BallPoint mouse attached without a
cable -- straight into QuickPort connection and supporting an
oversized cursor.
Other key features of the TI 4000E include an advanced BatteryPro
power management system for quick entry in and out of Windows.
For the keyboard, the TravelMate introduces a new feature that TI
claims to prevent lock up when multiple keys are depressed. In
addition, separate F11, F12, Page Up, Page Down, Home and End
keys come with the computer.
Apart from the three to four hours average for battery-powered
operations, the TO 4000E notebook claims to be very low on power
consumption and environmentally friendly. Including batteries, its
total weight is six pounds.
As supplied, the TravelMate 4000E WinSX/25 Color comes with
4MB of memory, expandable to 20MB internally, and costs UKP1,995.
The machine is available through TI's distribution network and
dealers on a world-wide basis.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931111/Press & Public Contact: Texas
Instruments, 44-234-223273)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
GOVT
EC Opens Investigation Into Air France Subsidies
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00016)
EC Opens Investigation Into Air France Subsidies 11/11/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- The European Commission
(EC) has announced the opening of a full inquiry into the cash
investment of FF1.5 million ($250 million) into Air France in
March of this year.
EC officials say they regard the investigation as very serious,
since sources suggest that it may have been a subsidy -- which
is something that flies directly in the face of several EC laws
on free market trade and competition.
In a prepared statement, officials say that they had decided to
start the enquiry without a complaint from a third party -- as is
the norm in such cases -- because of the dubious nature of the
cash investment by a state-owned company, the Caisse des
Depots et Consignations et Participations.
Newsbytes notes that the EC has the power to demand inspection of
the books of Air France to determine where the investment is going.
Newsbytes understands that the only possible getout for the French
government is if the investment was linked to some sort of
financial restructuring upon which the future of the airline
depended.
If this is the case and the French government is forced to admit it,
then it could involve a severe loss of face for both the government
and Air France. If, on the other hand, the investment was not some
form of rescue bid, then the EC has the power to force Air France
to hand back the money, in one lump sum, if it sees fit.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/11/93
TELECOM
****Mercury Returns BT Fire In UK Telecoms Price War
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00017)
****Mercury Returns BT Fire In UK Telecoms Price War 11/11/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Just a few weeks after
British Telecommunication (BT) announced it was introducing a new
weekend economy call rate for all standard non-local calls in the
UK, Mercury Communications has hit back with a number of discount
offers which it claims will beat BT all the time.
The first discount is the introduction of a new "weekend rate"
of 2.5 pence per minute for all trunk calls. This represents a
considerable saving on the standard economy rate normally
applicable during the weekend of up to 5.3 pence per minute.
The new rates take effect on December 4.
The second discount is the introduction of the "Friends and Family"
concept as seen with MCI calls in the US. Subscribers nominate up
to five regularly called numbers, one of which can be international,
to qualify for an extra five percent discount during off-peak times
-- outside the Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm periods.
This scheme is called "Your Call" and starts from March of next
year. According to Mercury, subscribers will be polled for their
"Your Call" details from January, 1994.
If the phone users at the frequently called numbers then go on to
register for Mercury's long distance service themselves, a further
'special bonus," details of which will be announced in due course,
will be given. Mercury officials have said that subscribers will be
allowed to change their "Your Call" numbers at will.
The third discount is a "special" lasting through December and
January and involves a further reduction of four percent on short
haul trunk calls and eight percent on long haul trunk calls. Mercury
claims that this effectively beats BT's rates by a further five
percent -- over and above the 10 percent guaranteed savings that
Mercury claims to offer.
These new rates are in addition, Newsbytes notes, to the existing
five percent discount offered to all standard subscribers whose
calls are in excess of UKP20 a month.
Announcing the new deals, Andy Coleman, Mercury's managing
director of business and consumer operations, said that he
welcomes recent press comments by the Consumers Association
and the Telecommunications Users Association in favor of
Mercury's long-standing and time-based tariffs. "We listened to
our customers and restructured our tariffs in September to make
them easier for customers to compare our prices with BT's and
to give guaranteed savings," he said.
Continued Coleman, "With our announcements today, we have
confirmed our commitment to leadership in the residential market.
We intend to stay ahead on value and customer service. Customers
will be missing out if they do not add Mercury's long distance
services over their local BT line."
(Steve Gold/19931111/Press & Public Contact: Mercury
Communications, 44-71-528-2651)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/11/93
BUSINESS
****Intel To Double California Folsom Expansion
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00018)
****Intel To Double California Folsom Expansion 11/11/93
FOLSOM, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Intel says it
will more than double its previously announced expansion of its
Folsom, California, facility to the tune of $52 million. The
company says the change of plans could add as many as 1,750
badly needed new jobs, as opposed to the 750 jobs announced in
July.
The change is mainly due to changes on the part of the state of
California to attempt to prevent more business from leaving.
California's hostile business climate has run off a number of
major corporations and cuts in defense spending, a major
industry for the state, has not helped matters.
Companies are eyeing the greener and less expensive pastures
of other states and Texas has been very aggressive in winning
several major corporate relocations. In addition, the Golden
State lost big when Intel decided to expand its Rio Rancho, New
Mexico, manufacturing facilities by $1 billion this year instead
of expanding in California -- a move that surprised state
officials.
Robert Perlman, vice president of Intel's Finance Group said:
"We are extremely pleased with the successful efforts of the
legislature and Governor Wilson to reduce the costs of doing
business in California." Intel claims it has invested more than
$500 million in capital additions in California over the past
three years and increased the number of California-based
employees over 25 percent since 1990 -- going from 5,300 to
6,700 in its Santa Clara and Folsom sites.
The state legislature worked overtime to put in place several
incentives to entice businesses to stay including: a tax credit
for cost of equipment used in production or research and
development (R&D); permanent extension of the R&D tax credit;
and a watering down of the "unitary" taxation of the global
profits of multinational corporations.
The Folsom site, originally opened in 1984, will be expanded by
adding a four-story, 360,000 square foot building, as opposed
to the two-story 160,000 facility which would house 750 new
employees that was originally announced. The 256 acre site has
had permanent buildings since 1985 and has grown an average of
11 percent a year to today's employee count of 2,600. The new
construction will begin in early 1994 and should be completed
in early 1995, Intel said.
Intel has the money to stay in California. The boom in the
personal computer (PC) market has propelled Intel to its
current position as the world's largest semiconductor
manufacturer and each quarter's earnings has been a record
breaker for nearly two years now. The company announced just
last month it made more money in the first nine months of 1993
than it did all year in 1992 with net income so far this year
of $584 million on revenues of $2.24 billion.
While Intel has decided to expand, other high-tech companies are
still announcing plans to move jobs out of the state. AST just
announced it would cut 650 California jobs and is expanding its
North American manufacturing operations in Fort Worth, Texas,
instead. Apple Computer has denied reports that it is moving
Apple USA out of California. But the company is negotiating
with the city of Round Rock, a suburb of Austin, Texas. to build
permanent housing for its employees there and has said it will
move more of Apple USA operations out of the high-cost
California economy to Austin.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931111/Press Contact: Howard High,
Intel, tel 408-765-1488, fax 408-765-1402)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
TELECOM
International Telecom Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
International Telecom Update 11/11/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- In Asia,
Japanese, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysian telecommunications
firms have began work on a fiber network worth $335 million.
Chinese traffic, Philippine traffic, and even Australian traffic
could be easily linked to the network via spur lines.
All this follows the successful first leg of the privatization of
Singapore Telecom, which was designed in part to increase the
size of that nation's stock exchange. The company said it expects
to post good results for the second half of the year, after a
profit rise of 18.8 percent in the first half. That should give
it capital to expand its investments throughout the region.
But Singapore's neighbors continue to hedge their bets, hoping
diversification can prevent Singapore from dominating the
region. PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia, for instance, set a
cooperation agreement with PTT Telecom of the Netherlands. The
five-year plan of PT Telkom Indonesia is to add seven million lines
over the next five years and double its employment, and as part
of that move it will link its Jakarta telecommunications district
with that of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, rebuilding the central
business district's network to Dutch standards.
The laggard in all this remains Vietnam, which remains under a
US embargo imposed after the Vietnam War. But that is changing,
with evidence seen at the second Vietnam Telecom trade show in
Hanoi early this month. The big headline from this show is the
participation of an American company, Motorola, which had the
largest booth, according to the Pac Rim Intelligence Report. A
total of 70 companies from 19 countries exhibited, as did a
number of local companies.
In China, the debate over liberalization continues. The
government is trying to tighten and control wireless traffic, as
well as reign-in inflation and maintain political control. But
Western executives, who have urged their governments to ignore
China's human rights abuses and expand trade, are also telling
the Chinese government that market liberalization is the only
way to unleash dramatic development.
In Latin America, debate continues over whether Chile's long
distance market will become competitive. Chile's lower house
re-affirmed its decision to allow Compania de Telefonos de Chile,
or CTC, to enter the market, but the current monopoly power,
Entel, still hopes to win in the Senate. CTC dominates local
services.
Generally, however, all eyes will be on Mexico until the NAFTA
treaty is voted on by the US House next week. While opponents
claim they have the votes to defeat the treaty, US businesses
still remain hopeful. AT&T said it is exploring the possibility
of Mexican alliances, and could move ahead if NAFTA wins.
Finally, Millicom of the US expanded its activities in Russia.
The company owns 45 percent of a consortium which won the
right to operate a cellular system in Moscow's suburbs -- it
already has a license in the city itself. Service starts on
that urban network in January, using Motorola equipment.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
TELECOM
FCC Cable Rate Freeze Extended
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
FCC Cable Rate Freeze Extended 11/11/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission has decided to extend a freeze on US
cable television rates until February 15. Commissioner Andrew
Barrett dissented from the decision, which came on a 2-1 vote.
Rates were frozen in April, through September, by the commission,
which is trying to enforce a 1992 law re-regulating rates, but
many operators raised rates in that month, citing benchmarks from
the commission. After complaints from rate-payers and Congress,
the rate freeze was extended through the middle of this month.
The commission noted in its orders that its benchmarks were only
a first step in rate regulation. Local governments can now be
certified to be rate-making authorities, they can seek lower
rates, and the FCC would then have the final say.
But the commission said just 5,000 jurisdictions out of a
possible 33,000 have filed to regulate rates so far. Without local
government certification, local operators will be able to raise
rates on "basic" service, which includes local and government
channels, thus increasing overall rates.
In Georgia, many small cities have filed to regulate rates
because they are sharing the resources of the Georgia Municipal
Association, their private trade group. But many large counties,
like Cobb County in the Atlanta suburbs, are declining to
regulate, saying the cost and complexity are not worth it.
But Cobb and other counties have another option. They could ask
the FCC to do their job for them. If governments refuse to
regulate, the FCC warned, cable companies could combine basic
and expanded basic packages into a single offering free of all
regulation.
An FCC survey last month of the 25 largest cable operators saw
that 68 percent of subscribers have seen decreases in their
monthly charges while 31 percent experienced increases since
the re-regulation law came into effect. The FCC said it will hold
public hearings on cable reregulation in Boston, Atlanta, Kansas
City, Seattle, Chicago and San Francisco early next year, in
part to drum up support for local certification.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931111/Press Contact: FCC Press Office,
202-632-5050
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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#CARD
11/11/93
TELECOM
Paramount Drama Claims A Victim
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
Paramount Drama Claims A Victim 11/11/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- The struggle for
Paramount Communications has claimed a victim -- namely the
third quarter results of Information America Inc.
Information America, which offers databases of legal records in
a number of cities, reported a loss of $677,000 for the quarter
ending in September.
The company reported it spent $1.3 billion on the proposed
acquisition of the information services and software units from
Paramount Publishing, but discussions on that were terminated
after the Viacom-QVC battle for Paramount heated up. Had the
deal gone forward, Paramount would have gained a huge share of
Information America common, and the company itself might
have become a subject of the takeover fight.
As it was, Information America President Mary Madden said, the
company reported revenues of $6.734 million, up 44 percent from
the $4.667 million reported for the same quarter a year earlier.
Without the Paramount costs, it would have reported earnings of
three cents per share for the September quarter. Operating results
were impacted by the costs of handling a new government
contract, and with the first phase of a series of enhancements
affecting the entire product line, including a new desktop
software product called Liaison and new enhancements to the
company's search software due for completion next January.
Madden also said that a continuing recession in the law means
"softness in sales to existing customers" and that Information
America is increasing its work with banks, government, and
private investigation firms.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931111/Press Contact: Mary A. Madden,
Information America, 404-892-1800)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
TELECOM
BellSouth Cuts, PacTel Buys
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
BellSouth Cuts, PacTel Buys 11/11/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- BellSouth has
increased its estimate of jobs to be lost due to its continuing
automation by 2,200. The company now says that 10,200
positions will be gone by the end of 1996 from a current work
force of 83,000.
The company set a $1.2 billion restructuring charge to handle
the cuts, cutting earnings for the last quarter by $760 million.
All US telephone companies have been cutting staff in recent
years thanks to computerized switching, which requires far less
maintenance, and the replacement of operators by computer-
assisted voice recognition systems. By 1996, BellSouth said, it
will have fewer than 35 employees per 10,000 access lines,
down from 43 per 10,000 now.
BellSouth has continued to refuse comment on reports it will
invest in QVC's bid for Paramount Communications, as negotiations
on terms of the investment continue with QVC head Barry Diller.
Pacific Telesis, meanwhile, signed AT&T as lead contractor for
its previously-announced plan to greatly expand the capacity of
its network. Pacific Bell President Phil Quigley, who will
command the full company once wireless operations under current
PacTel Chairman Sam Ginn are spun-off, estimated the cost of the
project at $16 billion, and said that 1.5 million phone lines
will have access to the resulting fast-data services by 1996.
Pacific Bell serves California while Pacific Telesis' Nevada Bell
operation serves Nevada. The San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles,
Orange County, and San Diego will be the first areas hooked up,
and five million lines will access it by the end of the decade.
The PacTel spin-off will result in the third largest US stock
offering ever, although US West is also planning a major stock
offering soon to offset debt. The stock in all regional Bell
companies has risen sharply in price this year as they move to
acquire cable franchises, expand the data-carrying capability of
their networks, and win increased profits from wireless
operations, with the prospect for more once the 200 megahertz
(MHz) in new spectrum for personal communication networks
(PCNs) is auctioned next year.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931111/Press Contact: BellSouth, Scott
Ticer, 404-249-2824; Pacific Bell, Scott Smith, 415-542-0597)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
TRENDS
Windows NT, Pen Systems Gaining In Software Support
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00023)
Windows NT, Pen Systems Gaining In Software Support 11/11/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Out of all
hardware platforms, pen-based systems will receive the greatest
rise in software support in 1993. Among operating systems, the
same will hold true for Windows NT, according to a newly
released study.
Interactive video will be the fastest growing software market in
the horizontal arena, and legal applications will lead the way in
the vertical sector, according to the 929 software company
executives who took part in the 1993 Software Industry
Business Practices Survey.
In the programming language area, the executives projected the
greatest growth in internal use for three object-oriented
languages: C++, Object C, and Smalltalk. On the other hand,
respondents foresaw a slight decline in the use of object-
oriented techniques, reports Price-Waterhouse, the international
accounting and consulting firm that undertook the study.
In the hardware category, pen-based systems garnered a projected
growth rate of nearly 200 percent. Other up-and-comers were: the
DEC Alpha, at just over 160 percent; massively parallel systems, at
about 150 percent; handheld computers, also at 150 percent; Sega,
at 120-percent; Nintendo, at 100 percent; and the Apple Macintosh,
at 46 percent.
Among all hardware platforms supported, actual and projected,
Intel 386/486 ranked number one, at over 80 percent. Apple
Macintosh was number two, at more than 30 percent, followed in
descending order by the IBM RS/6000, Sun Sparcstation, Digital
VAX, HP 9000, IBM mainframe, and DEC Alpha.
Among operating systems, support for Windows NT was predicted
to rise by over 700 percent. Next came Pen Windows, at about 350
percent; Penpoint, at above 200 percent; OSF/Mach, at around 150
percent; and OSF Unix, MS Windows 3.x, IBM OS/2, and Apple Mac
OS, three systems rated in the 50 to 100 percent range.
Among all operating systems supported, actual and projected, MS
DOS came in first, at around 70 percent, with MS Windows a close
second. Novell's Netware got the nod from about 40 percent of the
companies, and Windows NT from approximately 35 percent. Mac OS
was supported by around 30 percent of those surveyed, followed by
IBM OS/2 at a few percentage points behind. IBM AIX and Sun
OS/Solaris were supported by about 20 percent of the companies
surveyed.
In horizontal markets, interactive video, multimedia and speech
processing were each expected to grow at over 90 percent this year.
Other rising application areas, in declining order, were groupware,
animation, games/entertainment, network administration, and
image processing.
In the vertical markets, legal applications were closely followed
by entertainment, with each of the two areas projected to rise at
about 30 percent. Also anticipated to expand were sales support,
"other business services," customer support, education, and the
categories of transportation/utilities/communications and
agriculture/mining/construction/real estate.
Among programming languages, C++ showed the greatest incidence of
actual new usage for 1993 (161 vendors, or 18 percent growth). But
in the 1992 version of the same study, the projected increase for
C++ was an even-greater 100 percent, according to Price Waterhouse.
The movement to C++ may not be as great as vendors originally
expected it to be, Price Waterhouse conjectured.
Further, actual use of object-oriented techniques was down in all
four areas studied: user interface, programming languages,
analysis and design, and database. Theorized the researchers,
"The gap between C++'s popularity and the low number of
respondents who say they use object-oriented techniques for
programming may be explained by the fact that C++ may appeal
more to respondents as 'a better C' than as a programming tool."
The survey also discovered large increases in the use of
client/server development tools and graphical user interface (GUI)-
builders, along with a slight decline of three percent in the use of
CASE (computer-aided software engineering) tools.
Among areas of industry concern, the respondents rated customer
satisfaction number one, followed by profitability, price
competition, system software trends, and hardware trends.
Among areas of company concern, customer satisfaction also took
the top spot, followed by profitability, cost-effective marketing,
short-term cash flow, and new product flow.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931111/Reader contact: Price Waterhouse,
617-439-4390; Press contacts: Paula Sinclair, Price Waterhouse,
617-439-7364; Ion Bielat, Price Waterhouse, 212-819-5120)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
TELECOM
Japan - Sega To Distribute Games Via Cable TV
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00024)
Japan - Sega To Distribute Games Via Cable TV 11/11/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Major Japanese game machine
firm Sega Enterprises says it will start distributing its game
programs via cable television. It will be on an experimental basis
and Sega also plans to begin testing in the US early next year.
Sega Enterprises will start the experiment in cooperation with
Tokyo Cable Network and a telephone facility firm Kandenko. The
experiment will start in Japan by the end of this December. Sega
will choose 500 household in Tokyo to test the system.
Under the service, Sega will upload about 50 to 100 kinds of game
programs to the cable TV's host system. The users will download
the programs into their adapters, which are placed on their TV
sets. Then, the users can play the games by connecting Sega's
game machine, called the Mega Drive, into the adapter.
In the US, Sega will test the system around mid-January in
cooperation with Time-Warner and Telecommunications (TCI).
Sega will choose about 2,000 household for the US experiment.
Observers speculate that the experiments will fuel sales of Sega's
game machine, called Genesis, which is the overseas version of
the Mega Drive.
It is reported that the fee to download the game programs
will be cheaper than comparable personal computer networks.
Large programs with three-dimensional features can
be sent at high speed via a cable network.
Sega is also thinking of developing an interactive game system
for use over the network.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931110/Press Contact: Sega
Enterprises, tel 81-3-3743-7603, fax 81-3-3743-7830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
TELECOM
Netherlands PTT Telecom Teams With Indonesian Firm
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00025)
Netherlands PTT Telecom Teams With Indonesian Firm 11/11/93
THE HAGUE, THE NETHERLANDS, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- PTT Telecom
of the Netherlands has announced a joint cooperation deal with
Telekomunikasi Indonesia, the Indonesian telecommunications
company.
Terms of the arrangement call for both companies to work together
on special projects in South-East Asia. The deal, Newsbytes notes,
will effectively allow Telekomunikasi Indonesia to tender for
contracts all over South-East Asia, without having to set up sales
offices -- PTT Netherlands can draw on its alliances in the region
with other telecoms suppliers.
Newsbytes also understands that the deal will involve both
companies exchanging staff for training purposes, allowing
experience gained in one country to be shared with the other. The
ultimate aim of the deal is to allow Jakarta, the capital of
Indonesia, to achieve the same level of telecoms sophistication
as seen in Rotterdam, which now has a state-of-the-art telecoms
infrastructure.
According to PTT Telecom, Telekomunikasi Indonesia has around
2.8 million lines installed in Indonesia. The Indonesian state-
controlled telecoms company plans to increase this to around seven
million lines by 1998, a task it can only achieve by increasing its
staffing levels by more than 50 percent to 60,000 over the next few
years. It is this expertise that Telekomunikasi Indonesia wants to
draw upon from the Dutch telecoms company.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931111/Press & Public Contact:
PTT Telecom, tel 44-31-7034-39709, fax 44-31-343-2285)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
TELECOM
BT Plans Entry Into Satellite-Based Services For Planes
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00026)
BT Plans Entry Into Satellite-Based Services For Planes 11/11/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- British Telecommunications
(BT) is reported to be on the verge of making a major investment in
satellite telecoms equipment development for the airline industry,
according to television reports in the UK.
Although BT officials are refusing to elaborate on their plans, they
have confirmed that they are looking very seriously as the matter.
The news comes in the wake of a similar investment by Mercury
Communications, which is already installing test phones and faxes
in British airliners, Newsbytes understands.
Today's London Financial Times, meanwhile, said that BT has
around UKP130 million to invest in the right operation.
This news comes in the wake of BT's ongoing expansion in
multimedia technology over the last year. Earlier this year BT
started retailing satellite TV systems at its "Phone Shops" around
the UK. Tests are currently under way -- much to the chagrin of the
cable TV operators -- involving the use of video-on-demand
services into people's homes using the phone line as a video
conduit for films and audio-visual entertainment services.
(Steve Gold/19931111/Press & Public Contact: BT,
44-71-456-5000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/11/93
TRENDS
Dutch Shoppers Get Their First Taste Of Smart Cards
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00027)
Dutch Shoppers Get Their First Taste Of Smart Cards 11/11/93
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- After years of
seeing smart cards spread into widespread usage in France, Dutch
citizens are starting to experience their own use of the technology.
Shoppers at Albert Heijn, the supermarket chain, in Amsterdam are
being allowed -- under careful controls -- to scan in their own
shopping and download it to their own smart card.
On arrival at the check-out, these shoppers then hand over their
card, whose contents are printed out and the goods paid for. Only
"credit worthy" customers are being given the cards, the
management of the 600 strong chain has admitted. Spot checks
on the honesty of the shoppers are also taking in place. If
customers make too many "mistakes," their smart cards are
withdrawn.
Despite the cost of installing bar code readers and simple keyboards
on the shopping trolleys, Albert Heijn officials claim that they can
still make money, providing their shoppers are honest. In announcing
the scheme, which Newsbytes notes is just in time for Christmas,
officials said that their check-out staff will be trained to quickly
assess whether a customer's printouts match what is in the trolley.
Coupled with spot checks, where customers will be asked to run
their shopping through a standard check-out system, as a "check on
the accuracy of the bar code readers," officials say their system is
fairly reliable.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931111/Press & Public Contact: Albert Heijn,
31-20-691-2228)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
TRENDS
****Cyrix Intros 486 Upgrade Chip For 386SX Systems
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00028)
****Cyrix Intros 486 Upgrade Chip For 386SX Systems 11/11/93
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Cyrix Corp., the
company that dared challenge Intel Corp., in its strangle-hold on the
personal computer chip market, has announced a new member of
its upgrade microprocessor family.
The new chip is designated the Cx486SRx2 and is a 386 to 486
upgrade chip that allows users to upgrade their 16, 20 or 25
megahertz (MHz) 386SX-based PCs to 486 class performance. Cyrix
says the upgrade extends the life of existing 386SX desktop systems
by delivering up to a 70 percent improvement on application
performance.
Cyrix upgrade chips are now available nationwide from CompUSA
under a distribution agreement signed by the two companies, and
can be purchased in the 60 CompUSA stores designed as upgrade
centers.
Cyrix says the new SX upgrade chip uses the same microprocessor
core used in the company's DX upgrade. Features include: clock
doubling circuitry; a one kilobyte on-chip cache; improved input/
output (I/O) operation of data; single-cycle execution; and a
hardware implemented integer multiplier.
Cyrix has also implemented cache coherency logic that is designed
to ensure data integrity between the upgrade microprocessor's
internal cache and the system's external memory. A clock duty
cycle correction circuit compensates for variable clocks on 386
motherboards.
To make installation easier, Cyrix teamed up with Augat Inc., to
develop a clip-on device that snaps the upgrade chip onto the
existing 386SX microprocessor. That automatically disables the
original chip and lets the upgrade chip take over all microprocessor
functions. Cyrix says the chip cannot be installed in notebook
computers because of the spacing required for the chip and heat
sink. The company is working on plans for upgrade products for the
386SX-based notebook market.
The upgrade kit comes with the chip, the clip-on device, an
installation manual, and cache installation software on 3.5 and 5.25
inch diskettes. The cache software can be installed on systems
using DOS, Microsoft Windows, or IBM's OS/2. Cyrix says installation
takes about 15 minutes. Users can obtain a free upgradability test
disk to determine if their microprocessors are compatible with the
special float pin that makes automatic takeover of the original chip
possible.
The chip to upgrade 486SX 25 MHz systems has a suggested retail
price of $299. A similar chip designed to upgrade 16 MHz and 20 MHz
systems sells for $269.
(Jim Mallory/19931111/Press contact: Katherine Dockerill, Cyrix
Corp., 214-994-8461; Reader contact: Cyrix Corp., 800-462-9749)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
BUSINESS
Wordperfect To Buy SoftSolutions Tech, Cuts Jobs
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00029)
Wordperfect To Buy SoftSolutions Tech, Cuts Jobs 11/11/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corp.,
has announced it will purchase Softsolutions Technology
Corp., a document management application provider for local
area network (LAN)-based systems. The software company also
announced it will cut some jobs.
Wordperfect says the Softsolutions acquisition will allows it to
incorporate cross-platform document management technology into
its workgroup applications.
The company says Softsolutions, headquartered in Orem, Utah,
also the home of Wordperfect, will continue to operate as an
independent business unit for the foreseeable future. Formed in
1989, Softsolutions has over half the DOS, Microsoft Windows
and Unix-based LAN document management market, according to
research firm International Data Corp.
"Wordperfect has two distinct customers needs to address," said
Dave Moon, Wordperfect vice president of development. "The first
is to provide complete product solutions by bridging document
processing and workgroup applications -- acquiring Softsolutions
will enable us to build this bridge. The second need is to provide
connectivity with multiple document management players. For this
reason, we will continue our partnerships with other document
management companies."
Softsolutions will retain its name and continue under the
leadership of Ken Duncan, its founder and president. The company
employs about 125 people.
Wordperfect says it will likely cut some jobs in early 1994, the
first layoffs in its 14-year history. "We've kind of been on a path
to change our ways in a few areas," said Senior Vice President
John Lewis.
The company declined to say how many jobs might be lost, but
spokesperson Deborah Hendrickson told Newsbytes she is not
aware of any plans to reduce Softsolutions staffing.
Wordperfect has lost some market share to Microsoft after holding
leadership in the word processing market for a number of years.
The company employs 4,700 people in the US, most at company
headquarters in Orem, Utah.
(Jim Mallory/19931111/Press contact: Deborah Hendrickson,
Wordperfect Corp., 801-28-5022, Ronda Shill, Softsolutions,
801-226-6000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/11/93
GOVT
Creative Gets Injunction Against Covox Over "Blaster"
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00030)
Creative Gets Injunction Against Covox Over "Blaster" 11/11/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 11 (NB) -- Creative
Technology, the parent company of Creative Labs, announced it
has obtained a temporary injunction against Covox. Both
Creative Labs and Covox make sound cards for personal computers
(PCs) and Creative is concerned that the Covox product could be
mistaken by consumers for its own product.
The fight is over the name "Blaster." The preliminary injunction
granted by the US District Court in San Francisco, California,
requires Covox to provide stickers to its distributors and retailers
to place on its Voice Blaster product, indicating it is not
associated with Creative's Sound Blaster. The stickers must be
out by December 1. By January 1, the order says Covox must
change the packaging so it does not use the Blaster name at all.
Ed Esber, president and chief operating officer (COO) of
Creative Labs, said: "The preliminary injunction sets a strong
precedent for manufacturers who leverage the success of
standard-setting companies and their products." Esber is well-
known as the chief executive officer (CEO) of the notoriously
litigious database company Ashton-Tate, who resigned just
before the failing giant was purchased by Borland International
in 1991.
Larry Robertson, executive manager at Covox, said his company
has opposed Creative Technology's application for trademark of
the "Blaster" name, so Creative has resorted to litigation.
"Creative currently has no registered trademark for the name
Blaster, though they still have an application pending,"
Robertson said.
But despite the lack of an official trademark, Creative
Technology claims its case is strengthened by Covox's apparent
acknowledgement of its trademark on the Voice Blaster
packaging. The wording on the current Covox Voice Blaster
packaging reads: "Sound Blaster and Sound Blaster Pro are
trademarks of Creative Labs Inc."
Robertson told Newsbytes the case could be settled out-of-court
before it goes to trial in March of 1994. For now, Robertson
said Covox will probably rename its Voice Blaster product in
line with its other "Master" product line.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931111/Press Contact: Benita Kenn, Creative
Labs, 408-428-6600; Larry Robertson, Covox, tel 503-342-1271,
fax 503-342-1283)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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#CARD
11/10/93
IBM
Epson Intros ActionNote Notebooks
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00001)
Epson Intros ActionNote Notebooks 11/10/93
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Just a few
months after announcing the first of the product line, Epson has
now introduced the ActionNote 500C and 700 series of portable
computers.
Epson's new ActionNote 700 series features 486DX/33 processors
running at 33 megahertz (MHz), and includes monochrome, dual-scan
passive matrix color or TFT (thin film transistor) active matrix
color versions. The 9.5-inch monochrome sidelit LCD (liquid crystal
display) screen version offers 64 shades of grey, while the 9.5-inch
passive matrix and 8.5-inch TFT active color screens feature 256
simultaneous colors. All versions support simultaneous display on
LCD panel and external monitor, and offer built-in local bus video
capabilities for faster video and graphics processing.
In announcing the new products, Sanford Weisman, product marketing
manager, portable computing, Epson, said: "In a nutshell, the new 700
series delivers high performance features in the smallest and
lightest package available, while the ActionNote 500C breaks new
ground offering a quality color product for under $2,000."
The monochrome versions of the ActionNote 700 series weighs 4.4
pounds, while the passive matrix color weighs 4.9 pounds and the
TFT color matrix weighs 4.9 pounds. The systems measure 8.6- by
11- by 1.4-inches for the monochrome version and just 1.6-inches
for the color models. A wall socket AC adaptor pushes the color
ActionNote models up to just under 5.5 pounds.
The models feature a NiMH battery and power management features
including 3.3 volt technology, and a battery gauge to give users
extended battery life. The monochrome version offers four to six
hours of battery life, while the color versions give three and a half
to five hours of extended battery life.
The ActionNote 700 includes an integrated, front and center
trackball, PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Industry
Association) Type II slot, 3.5-inch 1.44 megabyte (MB)
diskette drive and a built-in 9600/2400 baud send/receive
fax/modem on the motherboard.
All three models include a removable hard disk drive in a variety of
versions, from 80MB to 213MB. They also include 4MB of on-board
RAM expandable to 20MB.
MS-DOS 6.2, Microsoft Windows 3.11, Delrina WinFax Lite 3.0,
PCMCIA services and utilities, a mouse cursor and screen enhancer,
and on-line documentation software are preloaded.
Epson will also add the ActionNote 500C, an enhanced passive
matrix color notebook with a 486SLC/2-50 clock-doubled processor
and local bus video. Estimated street price for the 500C is expected
to be under $2,000, according to the company.
The ActionNote 500C portable computer features a fixed hard disk
drive and is covered by Epson's On-Site Warranty Service. The
ActionNote 700's removable hard disk drives are covered by Epson
Extra Care Road Service. Warranties for all ActionNotes are offered
free to purchasers as part of Epson's limited one year warranty.
Extended warranties are also available.
In August Newsbytes reported that Epson had announced shipment
of its ActionNote 4SLC/33 notebook computer. At the time, the
company said that the new notebook offered 30 percent faster
processing, improved power management and a brighter LCD
screen than its predecessor, the ActionNote 4SLC/25, which
was released in April.
In June, Newsbytes reported that Epson was introducing the
ActionNote series to complement its existing NB Series, and
not as a replacement.
(Ian Stokell/19931109/Press Contact: Jan Marciano,
310-782-5161, Epson America Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
GENERAL
Australia To Participate In Germany's 1994 Cebit
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00002)
Australia To Participate In Germany's 1994 Cebit 11/10/93
HANOVER, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Deutsche Messe AG, the
company that organizes the annual Cebit computer fair, which
takes place every March in Germany, has announced a special
agreement with the Australian Trade Commission.
Starting with next year's show (1994), the Australian Trade
Commission (Austrade) will coordinate Australian companies
attending the event. For the March 1995 show, Austrade will invest
AUS$2 million in the show, in return for which Deutsche Messe will
allow Austrade to control what looks like becoming an Australian
pavilion at the event.
According to Deutsche Messe, around 75 companies are expected to
attend the 1994 show. Officials with Austrade, meanwhile, are
enthusiastic about the possible of setting up a mini-Australian
computer show at Cebit '95, as they claim that there are more than
300 computer and telecommunications companies in Australia,
all of whom export more than AUS$1,600 million worth of goods
and services every year.
Newsbytes notes, however, that the bulk of the export activities
of the high-tech Australian companies tend to be in the Asian
marketplace. It is this trend that Austrade wants to divert into
Europe, which it sees as a market ripe for development.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931109/Press & Public Contact: Deutsche
Messe, tel 49-511-890, fax 49-511-893-2626)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
GENERAL
Modem Price War In UK
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00003)
Modem Price War In UK 11/10/93
BRADFORD, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- A war of attrition has
broken out in the UK modem industry, with two major players
apparently seeing how far they can push each other in terms of
retail and dealer pricing.
Pace Micro Technology (PMT) kicked off the battle in October
with a price cut on its PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
Industry Association) modems. This was met, as reported by
Newsbytes recently, with a swift round of price cuts on US
Robotics Sportster modems from UKP399 to UKP299.
Now Pace has responded by shaving UKP100 off the price of its
Microlin FX V.32Bis fax/modem, taking the retail price down to
UKP299. As this issue of Newsbytes goes to press, US Robotics has
announced it is giving its resellers room to beat the Pace price by
reducing its dealer pricing to 1UKP less than Pace's dealer
price.
Dave Downey, Pace's sales and marketing director, upon hearing
about US Robotics latest pricing strategy, said that he was not
in favor of reducing pricing on his company's products still
further, on the grounds that a price war would not do either
Pace or US Robotics any favors.
"It sounds like a two horse race, but it's a lot more than that.
What we're all battling for isn't a bulk share of today's market,
but a slice of what will almost certainly be a major market in
the future for fax modems. This is why the price war is so
intense," he told Newsbytes.
In response, US Robotics' Hudson told Newsbytes that his
company has a lot more room for manoeuvre on pricing. "I can go
a lot lower," he said. "Our pricing is based on the fact that our US
parent has covered the bulk of research and development costs
for the Sportster in the US market."
Dave Kurl, marketing manager with Pace, was as skeptical as
Downey about US Robotics' claim on R&D costs. "Many features of
UK-specific modems take a lot of designing in. Whether US
Robotics admits it or not, there is a definite cost in producing a
modem specifically for the UK market, which the Sportster has
been modified for," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931109/Press & Public Contact: Pace,
49-274-532000; US Robotics, 49-753-811180)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
IBM
Syquest's Matchbox-Sized Removable PCMCIA Hard Drive
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00004)
Syquest's Matchbox-Sized Removable PCMCIA Hard Drive 11/10/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Syquest,
maker of removable Winchester hard disk drives, says it has
introduced the SQ1080 microstorage system, a removable hard
disk drive for laptop, palmtop, and notebook computers that
uses a Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association
(PCMCIA) slot.
The actual hard disk drives for the unit come in either 60 or
80 megabyte (MB) capacities and are the size of a matchbox,
Syquest added.
The company claims that the biggest advantage to the removable
PCMCIA hard disk drives is a fraction of the cost per MB than
other PCMCIA hard disk or flash storage when more than one
storage cartridge is used. Original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
prices for the drives are below $300 and additional cartridges
start at $40 each.
The drives require a PCMCIA Type III slot, which can also be
simulated by stacking two PCMCIA Type II slots, Syquest said.
The drives can take 2,000Gs of force when dropped, which the
company says is 10 times greater than conventional PCMCIA
drives. They also have a 32 kilobyte (KB) buffer size, and an
average access time of 16 milliseconds (msec).
The drives offer a mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) reliability
rating of 150,000 hours, Syquest claims. The 80MB drive has a
sustained data transfer rate of 1.6 MB/second while the 60MB
cartridge can transfer data at 1.3 MB/second.
Syquest says camera companies are strongly interested in the
possibility of including the SQ1080 in digital photography
applications.
Joel Levine told Newsbytes: "Since up to 50 digital photos can be
stored on one 80MB cartridge, this drive is being considered as
the ideal storage solution for digital cameras. Also, because it
is rugged, tiny, portable, high-capacity, and cost-effective, it
could also be used with many hand-held mobile instruments for
medical, scientific, and field data capturing applications."
The company also points out that while damaged notebook and
palmtop computers can also be a graveyard for the data stored
on them, the SQ1080 drive can simply be removed from a damaged
computer and used in another unit. Users can easily exchange
information via the removable hard disks as well.
Users will not be able to buy the drives directly from Syquest
until June of 1994, Syquest officials told Newsbytes, but OEMs
are buying them now. The Newton Messagepad and Zoomer personal
digital assistants (PDAs) do not currently have PCMCIA Type III
slots, but several portable computers do have them, Syquest
officials said.
The SQ3270, a 3.5-inch, 270MB removable Winchester cartridge
disk drive for desktop, laptop and notebook computers, has also
been introduced by Syquest. Aimed at the laptop and notebook
computer market, the drive will also read 105MB cartridges
from Syquest's previous 3.5-inch removable drive product and
has an average seek time of less than 13.5 milliseconds.
The new 3.5-inch drive averages less than four watts of power,
requires only a single five-volt power source, has an
AT/Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface, in addition to
a 100,000 hour MTBF rating. OEM prices are $465 each, which
includes one cartridge. The company has not said when the drive
will be available to end users.
Currently involved in legal battles with a French maker of
compatible cartridges for its 5.25-inch drives -- Noami -- Syquest
claims no company has the right to make cartridges compatible
with its drives. The company maintains that its technology is
proprietary and has gone as far as to say that users who are found
to be using cartridges other than its own, can consider their
warranties invalid.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931109/Press Contact: Joel Levine, Syquest
Technology, 510-226-4000; Michelle Mihalick, Neale-May &
Partners for Syquest, tel 415-328-5555, fax 415-328-5016)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
GENERAL
Geoworks Intros Geoworks Publisher For Developers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00005)
Geoworks Intros Geoworks Publisher For Developers 11/10/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Geoworks, the
company that developed the Geoworks integrated software suite and
the operating system used in several personal digital assistants,
has introduced Geoworks Publishing.
GP is a tool for software developers working in the GEOS operating
system that the company says will aid third-party developers in
achieving maximum product and market potential.
Geoworks Chairman and CEO Brian Dougherty says support in the
areas of product design, targeted distribution support, cost-
effective manufacturing, and innovative marketing is critical to
the small software companies trying to become successful in
the emerging consumer computing device (CCD) market.
One of the specific ways Geoworks can aid developers is through
its electronic distribution system, a cost effective way to bring
software to market that is gaining in popularity, claims the
company. Geoworks Publishing is scheduled to offer electronic
distribution in the first quarter of 1994. The system will allow
software buyers to browse through an on-line software catalog,
make their application buying decisions, and download the
program either to a GEOS-based device or to a desktop via modem.
GP says it also offers developers access to standardized packing
to ensure merchandising opportunities, volume discounts on
components, competitive pricing, and timely shipment on PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association) cards.
Geoworks says the marketing component will provide widespread
exposure for software partners through trade show participation,
public relations support, and innovative marketing programs.
Developers interested in exploring the possibilities and advantages
of GP can approach Geoworks with the product concept, then work
one-on-one with the company to determine product commercial
viability.
(Jim Mallory/19931110/Press contact: Deborah Dawson,
Geoworks, 510-204-8550)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
IBM
Microsoft Demos OpenGL 3-D Graphics Technology
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00006)
Microsoft Demos OpenGL 3-D Graphics Technology 11/10/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Showgoers at the
AutoFact trade show being held in Chicago this week got to see
Microsoft Corp., demonstrate the integration of OpenGL 3-D
graphics technology and Microsoft's Windows NT operating system.
OpenGL is an interface for three-dimensional (3-D) color graphics
programming frequently used for engineering, visualization,
simulation and other graphics-intensive applications running on
high-end technical workstations. The technology is licensed from
Silicon Graphics.
Microsoft says it has worked with Silicon Graphics since 1991 on the
development of OpenGL for Windows NT, with efforts focused on the
integration of the two software packages. Microsoft says it will
support the OpenGL application programming interface (API) as part
of the Win32 API for 3-D requirements.
Applications using the OpenGL technology include mechanical
computer-aided design (CAD), architectural, product design, color
publishing, medical imaging, computer animation, scientific
visualization, and clothing design. It was defined by an industry
consortium named the OpenGL Architecture Review board which
includes Microsoft, Digital Equipment Corp., IBM, Intel, and Silicon
Graphics.
(Jim Mallory/19931110/Press contact: Beverley Flower, Microsoft
Corp., 205-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp., 800-426-
9400 or 206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
IBM
Cirrus Logic Intros Enhanced PCMCIA Host Adapter
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00007)
Cirrus Logic Intros Enhanced PCMCIA Host Adapter 11/10/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association) boards
are becoming increasingly popular as a means of adding
additional features to portable computers. Now Cirrus Logic Inc.,
has announced the CL-PD6722 PCMCIA Host Adapter that the
company claims provides enhanced I/O (input/output) performance.
According to Cirrus, the new CL-PD6722 is essentially a dual-slot
host adapter with direct memory access (DMA) support for
peripherals on the ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) bus.
In announcing the new host adapter, Douglas J. Bartek, president of
Cirrus Logic's User Interface Products Co., said: "Personal computer
cards are the most efficient method for adding peripheral
functionality and memory to portable computers. With the advent
of the PCMCIA standard, demand has soared for a broad range of
peripherals."
The CL-PD6722 offers DMA support to provide enhanced I/O
capability, says the company. System performance can be
using DMA because it relieves CPU (central processing unit)
intervention when large data transfers are required from a
PCMCIA I/O card device. The company says that, because the
system DMA controller is specifically designed for moving data
from an I/O device to memory, it can complete this task faster,
using less bandwidth than the CPU would by doing the equivalent
I/O cycles to the card.
DMA-capable cards can be used for a variety of applications,
including PCMCIA-interfaced floppy disk drives, local area
network (LAN) cards, sound cards, and hard disks or CD-ROM
drives.
Cirrus says that universal card support is provided by offering full
PCMCIA compatibility and BIOS (basic input/output)-level software
that interfaces the host adapter hardware to the host operating
system. The PCMCIA interfaces reportedly comply with the Intel
Exchangeable Card Architecture (ExCA) Specification release 1.5,
which accommodates different card architectures, and Socket
Services 2.1, which permits a variety of applications to be run.
The CL-PD6722 is backwards-compatible with the CL-PD6720.
The CL-PD6722 dual-slot PCMCIA host adapter is packaged in a
208-pin quad flat pack (QFP). The company says that samples will
be available, and production will begin, in the first quarter of
1994. The CL-PD6722 is priced at $20 each in quantities of 1,000.
At the beginning of October, Newsbytes reported that Crystal
Semiconductor, a division of Cirrus Logic, had introduced the
CS4920, claimed to be the first semiconductor to include all
audio decompression and digital-to-audio conversion operations
on a single chip.
In September, Cirrus Logic's Pacific Communication Sciences
division announced that it would supply the modules used in IBM
ThinkPad 750 portable computers which will access cellular
packet networks under the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD)
protocol.
(Ian Stokell/19931109/Press Contact: Donna Buckmaster,
510-226-2014, Cirrus Logic Inc; Reader Contact: Kasturi
Gopalaswamy, 510-226-2261)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/10/93
TELECOM
India - Private Sector Telecom Project Planned
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00008)
India - Private Sector Telecom Project Planned 11/10/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Following the decision of
the Telecom Commission on October 28, 1992, to allow private
parties to provide telecommunications services in the new
industrial townships and rural areas, the Foreign Investment
Promotion Board (FIPB) has cleared the first such project.
A $100 million proposal by a combine of the US West and
Electronics Corp. of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), and the Tamil Nadu
Industrial Development Corp. (TIDCO) has been given the go-ahead
for setting up a telecommunication network using fixed wireless
lines at the hosiery export center of Tirupur.
The US company will provide $50 million with the remaining to be
contributed by the Indian partners. The move ends the Department
of Telecommunications' (DOT) monopoly in providing basic telephone
service. The exchange is expected to become operational in
October, 1994, and will charge DOT rates. Transition to a fiber
optic network will follow.
The US West-led proposal, however, is not the only one for Tirupur
that the government is considering. Indian Telephone Industries has
proposed the establishment of a 2000-line exchange for the Tirupur
Exporters Association. The DOT has also received proposals from
44 private parties for setting up a network for the Greater Noida
Industrial Development Area (GNIDA), in the outskirts of Delhi. The
bidders include Fujitsu, Siemens, France Telecom, AT&T and US
Telecom International.
AT&T, Seimens and Singapore Telecom are exploring the idea of other
projects, also in association with state governments, which is a
precondition laid down by DOT in awarding licenses for operating
private sector telecom networks.
The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has
permitted RPG Telecom Ltd., to set up a network connecting 22
industrial estates in Maharashtra in association with the US-
based company, Qualcomm.
In the first phase of implementation, 16 areas will be covered,
followed by the remaining six in a second stage. The locations for
the proposed network include Satpur, Ambad, Sinnar in Nashik
district, Butibori, Mauda, Akola, Chandrapur, Waluj, Baramati,
Kukum, Chikalthana, Ratnagiri, Dhule, and Nanded.
The DOT may not give clearance for the 22 locations being planned,
but that stage will come after the feasibility study is complete,
which is currently being conducted by MIDC and RPG. The percentage
of equity in the joint venture company (JVC) to be held by the MIDC
and its nominees will not be less than 11 percent of the total
initial equity capital of the JVC. The equity held by MIDC and its
nominees will be purchased by RPG Telecom and/or its nominees.
Other foreign companies -- including AT&T, Singapore Telecom,
and Seimens -- have also approached the MIDC and have been asked
to submit concrete proposals. A JVC will be set up in the assisted
sector with one or more Indian companies and one or more foreign
companies as its partners. MIDC is planning to approach financial
institutions for term loans for the proposed JVCs.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931110)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
BUSINESS
Develcon Back In The Black
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00009)
Develcon Back In The Black 11/10/93
SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- After
several rough years, Develcon Electronics Ltd., has at last reported
an annual profit. The company, which makes networking hardware,
reported net income of C$166,000 on revenues of C$10.89 million
for the year ended August 31.
These results compare with a loss of C$1.34 million on revenues
of C$8.64 million last year. Net income per share in fiscal 1993
was one cent, compared with a 17 cent-a-share loss in fiscal
1992.
Audrey Schneider, corporate secretary at Develcon, said the
company has continued to be profitable in the last two months
and expects to report a profit in fiscal 1994. "Everything seems
to be going as projected."
New internetworking product lines are accounting for about half
the company's sales today and their contribution to revenue is
growing, she said.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 1993, the company recorded net
income of C$106,000, or half a cent per share, compared with a
net loss of C$175,000, or two cents per share, in the fourth
quarter of 1992.
Develcon attributed its regained profitability to reduced debt
costs, increased revenues, better margins, and control of
expenses. The company also said it has not recorded income tax
recovery on the 1992 loss, meaning that loss will be available
to offset future taxable income.
(Grant Buckler/19931110/Press Contact: W.D. Vancoughnett
or Audrey Schneider, Develcon, 306-933-3300)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
IBM
IBM Splits Networking Division
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00010)
IBM Splits Networking Division 11/10/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- IBM has split its
networking operations, creating the networking software and
networking hardware divisions. The company also lured away a
Digital Equipment Corp., executive to head its new networking
hardware Division.
William R. "BJ" Johnson, Jr., formerly vice-president of
corporate marketing at DEC, will take charge of the networking
hardware division on November 15, company spokesman Ray
Gorman said.
Donald A. Haile, who will have responsibility for the networking
software business, had been networking systems director of IBM's
network access business since 1990. Johnson and Haile will both
report to Ellen M. Hancock, senior vice-president and group
executive.
Gorman said splitting the network operations into two divisions
will allow them to focus more closely on their respective areas
"to better meet the needs of our customers."
The networking software division includes: enterprise management,
including the SystemView and NetView products; computer-aided
telephony, including CallPath and DirectTalk; transaction systems,
including CICS and MQSeries; networking products, including VTAM
(Virtual Telecommunications Access Method), TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), and OSI (Open Systems
Interconnection); and enterprise work-group networking, including
OS/2 Communications Manager, AIX SNA services, and PC 3270
emulation.
The networking hardware division includes: wide area networking
(multimedia, wireless, high-bandwidth switches, and networking
controllers); and campus networking (local area network adapters,
intelligent hubs, and routers).
Of the roughly 8,500 people currently working in IBM's networking
operations, about 4,100 now have jobs in the new hardware unit
and the remaining 4,400 in the software unit, Gorman said. The
new structure is effective immediately, and both units are based
in Somers.
(Grant Buckler/19931110/Press Contact: Ray Gorman, IBM,
914-642-5434; Deborah Siegel, IBM, 914-642-5377)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
BUSINESS
Powersoft To Buy Watcom
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00011)
Powersoft To Buy Watcom 11/10/93
WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Watcom
International Corp., one of Canada's oldest software firms, is to
be sold to Powersoft Corp., of Burlington, Massachusetts, in a
share exchange worth about US$48 million.
Powersoft will exchange 1.4 million of its shares for all
outstanding shares of Watcom, said Ian McPhee, president of
Watcom. He said the deal is "effectively a merger," though in
accounting terms it is an acquisition of Watcom by the larger,
publicly traded Powersoft.
Both companies make programming and application development
software. Watcom is best known for programming languages. The
company was founded in 1974 by McPhee and Wes Graham, a
computer science professor at the University of Waterloo. It is
one of a long list of companies that have grown out of Waterloo's
strong mathematics and computer science programs.
McPhee said the deal will let Watcom take advantage of
Powersoft's established marketing organization to promote new
products that are aimed at a wider market than its previous
offerings.
Watcom SQL, a data query tool, was launched for the DOS operating
system in 1992 and for Microsoft Windows at the beginning of
1993. A version for DOS network servers is also on the market
now, and versions for Novell NetWare, OS/2, and Windows NT
servers are in beta testing, McPhee said.
Watcom's next investment would have had to be to develop a sales
force to reach Fortune 1,000 companies, McPhee said. Through the
Powersoft deal, Watcom can instead take advantage of the sales
force the U.S. company already has. "We think it allows us to
fast-forward our business plan" by about two years, McPhee said.
All of Watcom's roughly 85 employees will keep their jobs,
McPhee said. "This is not a deal where the synergy comes from
rationalizing the combined organizations."
(Grant Buckler/19931110/Press Contact: Ian McPhee, Watcom,
519-886-3700)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
BUSINESS
France Telecom & Deutsche Telekom To Form Company?
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00012)
France Telecom & Deutsche Telekom To Form Company? 11/10/93
MONTROUGE, FRANCE, 1993 NOV 10 -- After almost a week of
steadily building rumors, France Telecom (FT) has confirmed it is
"discussing the possibility" of teaming up on a Pan-European
telecommunications venture with Deutsche Telecom (DT).
Reporting on the rumors on Cable News Network International
(CNNI) this morning, reporters quoted France Telecom as
confirming that talks were taking place, but nothing else.
A spokesman for France Telecom said that both companies have
a long history of working on joint projects, but that this project is
potentially so large that the European Commission (EC) may have to
be informed if it goes ahead.
Other media sources have quoted Jacques Delors as saying that the
two telecoms companies approached the EC in late September to
explain their possible plans, but that no formal application has
been agreed. EC officials told Newsbytes yesterday that this
situation has not changed.
According to the EC, representatives of Marcel Roulet, president of
France Telecom, and Helmut Ricke, president of Deutsche Telecom,
flew to Brussels on September 27 to discuss their respective plans,
but nothing further had been officially since then.
Industry experts are claiming that any pan-European project --
possibly along the lines of British Telecommunication's Syncordia
project -- would almost certainly have to involve a US partner to
give them the vital transatlantic routes.
As news of the possible deal between FT and DT broke earlier this
week, BT executives were reported to be up in arms over the affair,
claiming that any inter-country deal of this nature, especially
bringing AT&T into the fold, would break EC anti-monopoly
legislation.
In an official statement issued late on Monday, BT officials said
that any comments to the press about the possible joint venture
would be irrelevant "because such an alliance would fly in the
face of EC attempts to liberalize telecommunications in Europe."
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931110/Press & Public Contact:
France Telecom, tel 33-1-4444-6094, fax 33-1-4657-8802)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
GOVT
Swiss Telecom Brings Forward Privatization Schedule
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00013)
Swiss Telecom Brings Forward Privatization Schedule 11/10/93
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- While most of the
European Community has knuckled down to the inevitable and
begun privatizing its telecommunications authorities, Swiss
Telecom, the Swiss state telecoms company, has remained
stoically against opening up its market, despite strong and
scarcely-veiled warnings from the European Commission in
Brussels.
There are signs that that attitude may be changing, however, as the
authorities at the company's Zurich headquarters have called upon
the Swiss government to give it the necessary legislation to
allow it to move towards privatization and competing in an open
marketplace.
This surprise move, which comes ahead of expected legislation in
1997 from the European Commission (EC), seems to have been
precipitated by the conditions that the government has imposed
on its operating license.
Newsbytes notes that previously high profit-making international
routes have become leaner picking grounds in the light of free
market international companies moving in the market, while trunk
and local calls are kept artificially low to keep political face in
Switzerland.
According to Swiss Telecom, all the company wants is a more
open marketplace to offer its services on. "We are looking for
a level playing field," a spokesman said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931110)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
GOVT
****Olivetti's De Benedetti Released After Questioning
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00014)
****Olivetti's De Benedetti Released After Questioning 11/10/93
MILAN, ITALY, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) Carlo de Benedetti, the head of
Olivetti, has been released from the house arrest that occurred
when he surrendered himself for questioning over the alleged
government bribes scandal early last week.
Newsbytes understand that de Benedetti was released from his
house arrest terms in Rome late on Friday last week, following
which he flew in a private jet from Rome to Milan, where he has
an apartment. Newsbytes also notes that Milan is the
headquarters of Compagnie Industriali Riunite (CIR), his own
company.
Olivetti officials have confirmed that de Benedetti is now in
Milan, but were unable to say what charges, if any, are being
considered against him. An official statement issued by Olivetti,
quotes de Benedetti as saying that the courts have allowed him
to leave Rome to fly to Milan, so that he can follow CIR's
activities more closely.
As reported last week, de Benedetti, the respected head of
Olivetti, surrendered himself to Rome's police headquarters
after a warrant was publicly issued for his arrest in connection
with the postal bribes saga.
The warrant for the 58-year-old head of Olivetti was issued 12
days ago following months of painstaking investigation by police
and government officials. The investigation was prompted by de
Benedetti's admission earlier this year that his company
voluntarily paid several million dollars in bribes to secure
major government contracts, notably in the Ministry of Posts.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931110/Press & Public Contact: Olivetti,
tel 39-125-523733, fax 39-125-522377)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
GOVT
COCOM Ready To Disband After "Work Completed"
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00015)
COCOM Ready To Disband After "Work Completed" 11/10/93
OSLO, NORWAY, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Following a secret meeting in
Norway recently, representatives of member countries in the
Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Control (COCOM)
have voted to scrap the informal committee that was set up in the
late 1940s to control exports of technical products to the former
Eastern Bloc.
Although details are sketchy as this issue of Newsbytes goes to
press, the Norwegian Trade Ministry is understood to have announced
that COCOM will disband early next year, ready to reform for other
purposes.
The reason for scrapping COCOM is that the majority of countries for
whom the group was supposed to be preventing access to high-tech
exports from the West have now opened up their markets and have
all but allied themselves with the West.
Officials with the Norwegian trade ministry have gone on record as
claiming that the nucleus of COCOM may be reformed to deal with
the export problems associated with Russia and many of the former
Soviet republics.
Newsbytes understands that, at last week's meeting in Oslo, Sten
Lundbo, a Norwegian foreign minister, was chairman with the other
16 countries in attendance. Lundbo said that the meeting was highly
constructive, but that precise details, along with plans for the
immediate future, were not available for public consumption.
The moves to disband COCOM follow in the wake of the announcement
of British government plans, announced last month, that aim to ease
up on restrictions on technology exports to China and former Soviet
bloc countries. According to Richard Needham, the British Trade
Minister, last month's easing follows COCOM's refocussing of late
last year.
COCOM, which used to be the international agency with the role of
controlling the export of high-technology goods to the former Soviet
bloc, changed its role in the light of the liberalization of those
countries last year.
At a meeting in Paris before Christmas 1992, COCOM members voted
to change the role of the agency to assist, rather than prevent, the
flow of high-tech information to the 25 newly independent nations
of the old Soviet empire. Also in attendance at the meeting were
representatives of those states.
At last December's meeting, US officials with COCOM pledged $11
million to the group to help the former Eastern Bloc countries
develop systems to safeguard advanced technology.
John McEntee, the US Department of Commerce's under-secretary,
said that everyone recognizes that, "The world is still not a safe
place" and that there are still "people that we are going to want
to keep this technology from."
(Steve Gold/19931110)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
IBM
****IBM Counters NT With OS/2 For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)
****IBM Counters NT With OS/2 For Windows 11/10/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- IBM has made a
direct assault on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows and Windows NT by
announcing OS/2 for Windows, a way those now using Windows
on top of the DOS operating system can move more easily to OS/2.
By simplifying the move from Windows to OS/2, IBM is clearly
seeking to steer Windows users away from the obvious
progression from Windows on DOS to Windows NT.
Lois Dimpfel, director of IBM's Boca Raton programming center,
said OS/2 has advantages over NT in running Windows applications,
such as its ability to run each application in a separate virtual
machine so that the failure of one program will not affect others.
Officially named OS/2 Special Edition for Windows, the new
software installs on a personal computer already equipped with
DOS and Windows. The existing Windows software remains on the
machine and is used to run Windows applications. This also means
IBM will not have to pay royalties to Microsoft on sales of OS/2
for Windows, since its product does not include Windows code.
The existing DOS also remains. OS/2 for Windows bypasses DOS
and runs as a full 32-bit operating system delivering all the
features of OS/2 2.1, Dimpfel said, but the previously existing
DOS remains available and is accessible to run DOS applications
under OS/2 or through a dual-boot option.
Other software installed on the computer does not have to be
removed or re-installed when OS/2 for Windows is added.
The software occupies about 20 megabytes (MB) of disk space,
Dimpfel said. The combination of OS/2 for Windows and
Windows 3.1 demands the same memory and storage as OS/2
2.1, she added.
OS/2 for Windows comes with IBM's Multimedia Presentation
Manager and, like OS/2 2.1, with support for the Personal
Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) 2.0
standard for plug-in memory cards and peripherals.
Generally available now, the software has an introductory price
of $49 when sold on diskettes or $39 on compact disk read-only
memory (CD-ROM), in effect until February 9. Additional licenses
without manuals are $29. After February 9, the prices will be
$149 for the diskette version, $139 for CD-ROM, and $119 for
additional licenses. IBM said the software is now available in
more than 13 languages, through its reseller channels and IBM
Direct.
(Grant Buckler/19931110/Press Contact: Rob Crawley, IBM,
512-823-1779; Public Contact: IBM, 800-3IBM-OS2)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
TELECOM
Will Viacom Be Paramount Winner?
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
Will Viacom Be Paramount Winner? 11/10/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Many observers
maintain that, for the first time in weeks, Viacom looks like it
may win Paramount Communications after all.
BellSouth seems to be behind this, although the company repeated
its refusal to comment on its discussions. Press reports indicate
that the south's regional Bell is taking a hard line on a potential
investment in QVC, which might total as much as $1.5 billion. As
a result, QVC head Barry Diller has recently made statements
indicating he might be interested in "other opportunities" besides
Paramount.
Diller must move quickly, because Viacom has increased the value
of its cash tender offer for 51 percent of Paramount, putting its
price ahead of that offered by QVC. QVC seemed to be moving
toward an increased bid of its own in recent weeks, with
BellSouth reportedly poised to take-out Liberty Media's interest
in QVC, easing anti-trust concerns, and with QVC ending merger
discussions with the Home Shopping Network.
Meanwhile, Viacom continued to turn on the heat. It amended its
anti-trust suit against Tele-Communications Inc., a QVC investor,
adding Comcast Corp., as a defendant. The suit alleges that
proposed mergers among Bell Atlantic, TCI and Liberty are a part
of the pattern of anti-competitive conduct. In its demand for
damages it points to the $2 billion it has added to its Paramount
bid, claiming it would not be necessary without those actions. The
suit adds that even without Bell Atlantic, defendants TCI, Liberty,
Comcast and what Viacom called "their co-conspirators" -- recent
QVC allies Cox and Advance -- "control approximately one in three
cable television subscribers."
Finally, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People and the League of United Latin American Citizens filed
papers asking the Federal Communications Commission to block
QVC Network Paramount bid, claiming that TCI has not complied
with affirmative action and equal employment laws.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931110/Press Contact: Viacom, Raymond
A. Boyce, 212-258-6530)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/10/93
TELECOM
Boca Modem Says Premium Exists For Wireless Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
Boca Modem Says Premium Exists For Wireless Service 11/10/93
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- A year ago,
wireless and wired modems were selling at equal prices and were,
in fact, the same. Now, thanks to Spectrum's patents, that is no
longer the case. But that may not be a bad deal for cellular data
users.
To be fair, wireless modems have always required special
connectors to work with cellular phones. Each connector had to
be customized to the phones, because the connectors on cellular
phones are not standardized. Also, circuits are required to fool
a modem into thinking the cellular line is just like a regular
phone line, which it isn't. The "dial tone" you hear when you
pick up an unengaged line on a regular phone, for instance,
does not exist in the cellular world.
What Spectrum has offered in the past are special connectors
called Axsys and Axcell, which included the needed circuits. Now,
under new Chairman John Sculley, Spectrum is working hard to
make those needed circuits a standard feature on modem chip sets,
however, one which must be "turned on" by software supplied by
modem makers in the after-market. The company recently signed a
license agreement with Rockwell, the largest maker of modem chip
sets, to this effect, and has also concluded a similar agreement
with US Robotics, which uses digital signal processors its
engineers customize in its modems.
Megahertz Corp., another Spectrum licensee, last week announced a
"PC Card" modem under PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
Industry Association) standards which includes the Spectrum
technology, at $459 retail. Now Boca Research has announced its
own PCMCIA modem, which runs at the same speed as the Megahertz
model -- 14,400 bits-per-second (bps). However, the Boca modem
sells for $369.
A Boca spokesman told Newsbytes the company's modem is
not intended for wireless data service, including neither the
Spectrum-patented technology nor MNP 10, an error-control
protocol which works better than the industry-standard V.42bis
in a wireless environment. Like the Megahertz modem, of course,
the Boca PCMCIA modem includes support for fax service, at a
maximum speed of six pages-per-minute, under a standard called
Class 2 which allows a variety of software to work with it.
Boca is not really a newcomer to the modem market though. It
now owns The Complete PC, a long-time supplier of modems to
the retail channel.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931110/Press Contact: Boca Research, Gale
Blackburn, 407-997-6227; Reader Contact: tel 407-997-6227,
fax 407-997-0918)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
TELECOM
Nextel Signs Deal With Japan's NTT
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
Nextel Signs Deal With Japan's NTT 11/10/93
RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB)--- A day
after announcing it would acquire many of Motorola's SMR radio
frequencies for $1.8 billion in stock, Nextel Communications
has signed a technology alliance with NTT of Japan.
Nextel said NTT would loan its engineers to help it design and
manage its nationwide license of SMR services, and Nextel will
pay $7 million for those services. Nextel now has licenses for
frequencies covering nearly the entire US, and will use Motorola
technology to digitize and increase the calling capacity of those
frequencies.
It will also re-design its local networks in line with cellular
networks. NTT is expected to help Nextel link those networks to
offer "roaming" service like that of cellular networks. In addition,
NTT will buy 1.5 million Nextel class A common shares for $75
million and win a seat on the Nextel board.
An NTT executive, quoted in a Nextel press release, noted the
company is also keen to work with Motorola, Northern Telecom,
Matsushita and Comcast in supporting Nextel's development.
Nextel stock had already risen sharply in the wake of the
Motorola agreement, which covers 2,500 licenses in such markets
as New England, the mid-Atlantic states, California, and Texas.
The deal followed similar agreements among Motorola and two
other SMR companies -- Dial Page and CenCall Communications --
in which Motorola sold SMR licenses for stock in the hopes it will
also be able to sell more equipment to the companies down the
road. Dial Page and CenCall both have the equivalent of "roaming"
agreements with Nextel.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931110/Press Contact: Nextel
Communications, Jack Markell, 201-438-1400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/10/93
TELECOM
CompuServe Announces PC World's Shopping Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
CompuServe Announces PC World's Shopping Service 11/10/93
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- PC World will open
what it calls an "on-line high technology shopping mall" on
CompuServe. PC World Exec/Direct will open December 15.
The deal means that CompuServe has firm agreements for
services from both major computer publishers. It already hosts
Ziffnet, produced by the same company that publishes PC Magazine.
In addition to shopping services, Ziffnet offers on-line access to
the company's writers, messaging forums on technical subjects,
and collections of software. Ziffnet, however, is an option for
CompuServe users, sold directly through Ziff, while the PC World
section will be a standard feature.
A PC World spokesman told Newsbytes that the company's flagship
PC World magazine is also available to America Online users as
well as those on CompuServe. The shopping service is exclusive to
CompuServe, noted Lloyd Benson, but parent International Data
Group is far from done on-line. "IDG's got plans for much bigger
things in the future," he said.
In addition to the shopping service and PC World, PC World Online
also features current editions of its Lotus Edition and Multimedia
World, as well as a daily news and press release service, product
reviews and "Best Buy" recommendations, and a forum where
users can download software and post questions for editors.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931110/Press Contact: Lloyd Benson, for PC
World, 617-661-6330)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
TELECOM
Telescan Reports Profit On Increased Revenues
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
Telescan Reports Profit On Increased Revenues 11/10/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Telescan, the second
on-line company to go public, following America Online, reported a
small profit on greatly increased revenues for the quarter ending
in September.
The company, which hosts financial services for Charles Schwab
and Fidelity, database services for Editor & Publisher and the
Hollywood Reporter, and other services offered on what amounts
to an "OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis," meaning they
are sold by other companies, said it earned $3,336 million for the
quarter on $1.76 million in revenue.
This compares with a loss of $283,883 a year ago, on revenues of
about $978,000. The quarter included a loss of $32,000 from
Knowledge Express, a technology transfer database service and
the first Telescan service in which the parent company holds a
majority interest.
In interviews with Newsbytes, Telescan officials have said that
the strength of their service is the speed with which complex
database searches can be performed, adding that in general they
offer fast response to user queries. Many services, like America
Online, have reportedly had trouble in recent months with response
times due to fast growth, but Telescan reports no such problems.
Analysts like Joshua Harris of Jupiter Communications have also
said in recent months that they expect large media companies to
renew their efforts to buy-out on-line specialty companies in
coming years, as the on-line market becomes more important and
merges with the planned "Information Superhighway."
America Online recently had to convince investor Paul Allen, a
co-founder of Microsoft, not to make a move to acquire all of it.
By going public, as it did only this month, Telescan puts itself
in a better position to attract some of this new capital entering
the on-line market.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931110/Press Contact: David L.
Brown, Telescan, 713-952-1060)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
TELECOM
INDE Rethinks Course On 900 Calls?
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
INDE Rethinks Course On 900 Calls? 11/10/93
SHERMAN OAKS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) --
Independent Telemedia Group has apparently reversed course,
just months after changing its name to reflect its integration
of 900-number pay-per-call operations with information services.
Independent Telemedia, whose NASDAQ stock trading symbol is
INDE, said it agreed to sell most of its service bureau and
ConnectCard assets for $2.42 million to Network Telephone
Services Inc. ConnectCard was a form of pre-payment for 900-
number services. Of the price, $2 million is in cash, the rest is
a note payable in 10 months with the first payment in four
months.
NTS had, in October, 1991, acquired the remaining assets of
Telesphere, once the fourth-leading provider of 900-number
services, after that company met financial difficulties
following negative publicity about the exchange.
In a statement on the sale, INDE officials said that, "The sale
disposes of certain underperforming assets and provides for
favorable service bureau rates for its remaining ongoing
Information Provider division," although it will cut the
company's revenues by about one-third.
In a July interview with Newsbytes, INDE Chief Financial Officer
Lewis Eisaguirre had said the company won agreements with
regional Bell companies and major independents for exchange of
what is called "BNA" (billing number and address) data. Such
databases are the most accurate way of telling exactly where to
bill someone for phone calls.
INDE was at that point combining BNA data with its own database
of 900-number deadbeats, hoping to cut the non-payment rate on
such calls from a high of 66 percent at the height of negative
900-number publicity and government action to something
like 1-2 percent.
Eisaguirre also said in July that INDE hoped to win the business
of information providers from AT&T and MCI, the other participants
in the industry, because it knows the business running information
services not just on the 900 area code, but on the toll-free 800
number code as well.
No comment was available from Independent Telemedia and its
public relations counsel concerning this transaction by
Newsbytes press time.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931110/Press Contact: Independent
Telemedia Group Inc., Lew Eisaguirre, 818-501-4633)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
TELECOM
Killen & Associates Report On Multimedia In Education
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
Killen & Associates Report On Multimedia In Education 11/10/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Education
should be a primary target market of the "information
superhighway," according to a new report by Killen & Associates,
designed for sale to technology companies like Bell Atlantic/TCI,
Liberty Media, Microsoft, IBM, and Intel.
Michael Killen says the potential education market for
technology is huge. There are 80 million functionally illiterate
adults, 105 million literate adults, 70 million of whom are
currently computer users, 45 million school-age children, and 20
million pre-school children. They could be a $250 billion market
for multimedia products and services.
"The nation has already invested $4.8 trillion in today's dollars
to 'educate' the country's 80 million functionally illiterate
adults -- those who lack the essential skills to free themselves
from a life of poverty and dependency and are an economic burden
on society," Killen wrote in a press statement.
"Lifelong Learning: Multimedia Opportunities," is a 160-page study
that focuses on business opportunities created by lifelong learning.
It is backed by five discussions on "Education Markets" sold as an
Executive Video briefing.
Speakers include Michael Sullivan, executive director agency for
Instructional Technology; Dr. Pamela Pease, vice president and
director of educational development for the Mind Extension
University; Mary Eicher, distance learning solutions operations
manager for Hewlett-Packard; Dr. Lionel Baldwin, president of the
National Technological University, and James Ginsburg, senior
information officer for Jones International Inc., and The Mind
Extension University.
Newsbytes discussed the topic with Killen. "Education is a
difficult sell" in the mass market, he admitted, "Everyone talks
about it but it's certainly not a national priority." But among
"elite" audiences it is a different story. "People who've been in
education marketing for years have been frustrated with public
schooling, the budget process, and teachers' unions."
Continued Killen, "I'm not trying to change public opinion, or the
school system. We're fighting no battles. What we're saying
is that technology is going to change the control the public
school system has on education. We see it happening. We can
forecast that technology is going to break the hold unions,
principals and school systems have. As soon as you give a child
access to a desktop computer and information services, that child
will take off on their own path of lifelong learning, and to an
extent the school and teachers remain important, but they're
irrelevant to a lot of things that child is doing. What that
means to marketeers and business people is a market in the
home for education products like we've never seen before."
Some analysts contend that a major danger is that, while upper
and middle class parents might use technology to provide their
kids the best education, poor parents will not be able to, thus
increasing the gap between rich and poor. Killen said he is
personally very sensitive to that equity issue.
"We've raised three kids, but we have a 12 year old adopted child,
a black child, he said. "I can see the elitists' gaining more benefit
from this trend, but I can also see Washington recognizing this
and doing something. Clinton has a plan to limit welfare payments
to two years -- after that it's tied to education. We could give
each welfare mother a computer, an account on a cable and telco,
and require that if they take money for raising kids they must
turn on that terminal and learn."
Killen concluded, "If people can package education properly, it's
a perfect market for the information superhighway in the mass
market."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931110/Press Contact: Killen &
Associates, Jules Street, 415-323-3842)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
IBM
Maxtor Intros New PCMCIA Products
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)
Maxtor Intros New PCMCIA Products 11/10/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Maxtor has
introduced the Mobilemax family of mass-storage products for
the Personal Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA)
market. The cards include hard disk drives, flash memory
products, and a card reader called the Deskrunner.
Predictions are that the mobile computing market is on the edge of
skyrocketing growth from current levels of one million units to
over 30 million units. Dataquest says shipments of 1.8-inch
PCMCIA hard drives alone will increase from 150,000 units to 13
million units between 1993 and 1996. Even desktop computers
will be equipped with PCMCIA slots in order to transfer data
and several such announcements have been made by IBM, Hewlett
Packard, and Digital Equipment Corp (DEC).
Newsbytes understands announcements planned at the computer
industry trade show Comdex next week will include portable
computer products from several manufacturers equipped with
PCMCIA slots that are Type III or stacked Type II (two Type II
drives on top of one another which acts as a Type III slot).
Maxtor's Mobilemax hard drive is a 1.8-inch, 105 megabyte (MB)
PCMCIA Type III hard drive. Other hard disk drive manufacturers
are expected to announce large PCMCIA drives requiring the Type
III slot at the computer industry trade show Comdex next week.
The new Flash Memory Card product line from Maxtor consists of
a series of PCMCIA Type I cards in capacities of 2MB, 4MB, 8MB,
12MB, 16MB and 20MB. Deskrunner is a PCMCIA Type III slot that
fits into a 3.5-inch drive bay on desktop personal computers (PCs).
The product requires a minimum of a 286 PC running at eight
megahertz (MHz) and can read and write to the credit-card sized
cards using standard DOS or Windows commands.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931110/Press Contact: Holly Campbell,
Maxtor, tel 408-432-4468, fax 408-432-4698)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/10/93
TRENDS
Semiconductor Book-To-Bill Down In October
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00025)
Semiconductor Book-To-Bill Down In October 11/10/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- The book-to-
bill ratio, the main indicator in the semiconductor industry, was
down slightly for October. However, the Semiconductor Industry
Association (SIA) which publishes the numbers, says the ratio
indicates the skyrocketing growth that has been going on for
nearly two years, is reaching a plateau.
October bookings (orders) were $2.175 billion, up .05 percent
from September and up nearly 21 percent over last year.
Billings (shipments) were $2.180 billion, up 1.7 percent from
September, and nearly 35 percent higher than 1992 figures.
The preliminary ratio is at 1.0 for October, down from 1.01 in
September and down from last year's 1.11 figure. The figures
for the book-to-bill are based on a three-month moving average
determined by numbers collected from leading semiconductor
companies participating in the World Semiconductor Trade
Statistics (WSTS) program.
The SIA says the market remains strong and is predicting 29
percent growth to $77.3 billion worldwide for 1993 and a
continued climb to $103.4 billion by 1996. The North American
market is expected to take the lead this year for the first
time since 1985.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931110/Press Contact: Tom Beerman, SIA,
tel 408-246-2711, fax 408-246-2830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
GENERAL
****Happy Birthday, Computer Virus -- Born At USC
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00026)
****Happy Birthday, Computer Virus -- Born At USC 11/10/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- On
November 11, ten years ago, a graduate student named Fred Cohen
introduced the first program for a working computer virus in a
computer security class taught by Leonard Adleman, a professor
at the University of Southern California (USC). Adleman, upon
viewing the rogue program, was the first to dub it a "virus."
Cohen, now a Ph.D. and head of Management Analytics in Hudson,
Ohio, has since published over 30 journal articles, several
papers, and even a couple of books on the subject. The first
paper was at the International Federation of Information
Processing (IFIP) conference in April of 1984.
"I was sitting in class one day and it just came to me, just
like the picture of the light bulb going on over someone's
head," Cohen told Newsbytes.
Adleman told Newsbytes that when Cohen first expressed interest
in writing a virus, he wondered why anyone would bother. "It's
just too obvious and easy." Cohen recalled hearing about a
university who instructed students to write a computer virus as
part of the coursework in computer science, but dropped the
assignment after a year because it was just too easy.
While Adleman named the rogue program a virus, he says there
may be a reference in a science fiction book published in the
1960's that predates his use of the term. "But if I had called
it something else, I'm sure we'd be using that term now."
Introduction of the computer virus was inevitable, Adleman
indicated, when asked if he felt he or Cohen could be blamed
for the problem. "It was necessary and significant research,
and part of our jobs," Adleman added.
The reaction of the scientific community to Cohen's work was
mostly indifference or disbelief, Cohen commented to Newsbytes.
"The scientific community failed -- they were just so bound
into their own context. When they finally woke up, they ignored
the five years of research I had done by 1991."
Now Cohen is on the other side of the fence, pushing the
concept of benevolent computer viruses. Cohen says benevolent
viruses could offer many useful functions to computer users,
especially on a network. These functions could include such
rudimentary tasks as deleting unnecessary temporary files that
have been forgotten, checking to see if an update to a program
has been distributed throughout a network, optimizing systems
to make them more efficient, and automating network management.
As for unexpected side effects to such benevolent viruses,
Cohen said lots of widely accepted programs have unexpected and
undesirable side effects -- that doesn't mean we shouldn't use
them. He offered the example of the bug in Windows 3.1 that
went through and deleted all the README files on the entire
hard disk drives of the millions of users who installed it.
The same people who were resistant to the concept that computer
viruses in the beginning are the ones now who are resisting the
concept of benevolent computer viruses, Cohen maintains. But he
plans to persevere with the idea and has written a book on the
subject, scheduled for publication by John Wiley & Sons in 1994
entitled "It's Alive."
(Linda Rohrbough/19931110/Press Contact: Eric Mankin, USC PR,
tel 213-740-9344, fax 213-740-7600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/10/93
UNIX
SunIntegration Intros Sun Enterprise Toolset
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00027)
SunIntegration Intros Sun Enterprise Toolset 11/10/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) --
SunIntegration Services, the recently formed integration arm of
Sun Microsystems, has announced the first five packages in a new
line of commercial products for easing the transition from
mainframe-based to client-server computing.
The new Sun Enterprise Toolset stems from technologies developed
internally to assist Sun Microsystems in its own migration to the
client-server environment, officials told journalists in a
teleconference.
The initial suite includes: SunDANS (Distributed Administration of
Network Software), a product for automatically distributing,
managing, tracking, and installing software products across any
network; and SunRAI (Remote Application Interface), an interface
for direct, unmodified communications between Unix-based and
legacy system-based applications.
Also in the set are: Sun Paperless Reporter, a general-purpose
electronic distribution and viewing system; Sun ConsoleServer, a
product for permitting control of multiple local and remote systems
from a single location in the data center; and Sun DataCenter
Scripts, a set of programs for automating and customizing data
center administration tasks.
Over the past year, SunIntegration has established itself, set up
an infrastructure, and launched its first projects involving
integration services for customer companies, said Bill Coleman,
vice president and general manager of SunIntegration.
"But now, we've entered a new phase, in which we are
commercializing Sun's internal technologies," Coleman added.
These technologies have been developed over the past four-and-
a-half years as part of a company-wide campaign to "run Sun on
Sun," he explained. "In doing this, we've discovered many holes in
the software environment."
In response, Sun has built applications for managing the
multivendor computing environment effectively and securely, and
for reducing costs. "Thus we're announcing the beginning of that
solution for our customers, the Sun Enterprise Toolset."
SunIntegration's first commercial offerings are unique, right
now, in the marketplace -- bringing another dimension to existing
rightsizing solutions such as Computer Associates' CA Unicenter,
asserted Ajay Singh, manager of marketing support services.
"We believe that, over time, some of the packages (from other
vendors) will start to adopt some of these features as they start
to get their (products) adopted and used in a distributed
environment," he said. However, Sun has no current plans to
license the technology.
The new tools generally require a fair amount of customization,
especially for integration in multivendor environments, but
can in some instances be used right off the shelf, the officials
suggested.
"For instance, SunDANS uses NFS (Network File Server) for remotely
loading and controlling the application software. So any system
that uses NFS, including PCs, can take advantage of it immediately,
with no modification," said Coleman.
Users can purchase the set of products individually, or as
an entire suite, according to Singh. Over the coming fiscal year,
SunIntegration will be announcing more packages, also based on
internally developed technologies, he added.
The first five market entries from SunIntegration represent only
25 percent of all the tools that have been developed by Sun's
internal organization, pointed out Bruce Hoiem, director of
technical services.
SunDANS, the new distribution and management tool, is unique in the
range of functions it performs, according to Coleman. "(SunDANS)
maintains information on what software goes to whom,
automatically installs the software, keeps the versioning up to
date, manages floating licenses, and basically takes all the tedious
work out of the applications management process," he said.
Sun is using the tool internally to manage and distribute more than
250 versions of over 100 applications. "We have reduced our system
administration support load by 20 percent worldwide just with this
one application," Coleman maintained.
SunRAI, on the other hand, allows a client-server relational
database management system (RDBMS) to synchronize transactions
with an IBM mainframe database management system. Sun is
employing SunRAI to synchronize the transactions of mainframe
databases with those of Sybase and Oracle on the company's
worldwide internal network.
"SunRAI has reduced our operating expenses by eliminating any dual
entry for the distributed databases and also by (speeding up) such
things as order entry and order compliance," he told the journalists.
Sun Paperless Reporter, another member of the Sun Enterprise
Toolset, has been saving Sun about a quarter of a million pages of
paper a week, he claimed.
Paperless Reporter allows reports originating on IBM mainframe,
Sun, and other systems to be automatically distributed to local
file servers for viewing by authorized end users. In addition to
eliminating the need to keep hard copy reports on file, the system
provides reliable and instantaneous distribution, according to
Coleman.
Sun ConsoleServer, a tool for systems administrators, allows
console functions to be accessed from remote locations, and also
logs a history of console messages.
A fifth product in the suite -- Sun DataCenter Scripts -- consists
of tools for automating and customizing system administration
as well as Sybase and Oracle administration.
"We've had a number of requests (from customers) for (other)
products that we use ourselves," stated Coleman. For example,
one other tool being used internally is a sales desk product for
processing sales orders and configuring systems, he illustrated.
SunIntegration is now monitoring its customer base to determine
which of the remaining internal products are highest in demand,
said Singh. The assessment process will also include a return-on-
investment (ROI) evaluation.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931110/Press contacts: Carol Sacks, Sun
Microsystems, 415-336-0521; Eileen Smith, Hi-Tech
Communications for Sun, 415-984-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/10/93
TRENDS
Sharp Links With Asahi On Solar Power For The Home
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00028)
Sharp Links With Asahi On Solar Power For The Home 11/10/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Sharp says it has signed an
agreement with Asahi Solar concerning the development of a
solar energy device for individual consumers.
The agreement calls for Sharp to develop the system, and Asahi
Solar to sell and provide maintenance services. The companies
expect to release the solar energy device for individual
households within two years.
The device will actually be developed by Sharp, which has
advanced technology concerning solar energy batteries. The device
will be placed on the roof of a house, and will reportedly supply
almost all the necessary electricity for the household.
When the sun is not out, regular electricity can be obtained from
an electric power station. However, the price is high. It will cost
eight million yen ($80,000) to 10 million yen ($100,000).
The Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry is
planning to support the cost by contributing about two thirds of
the price. The Japanese government expects that about 70,000
households will install this kind of solar energy device by the
year 2,000 in Japan.
Asahi Solar is currently selling solar energy-based water
warmer units.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931108/Press Contact:
Sharp, tel 81-43-299-8212, fax 81-43-299-8213)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/10/93
APPLE
****Apple PowerBook Sales Pass One Million
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00029)
****Apple PowerBook Sales Pass One Million 11/10/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 (NB) -- Apple
Computer has announced that it has sold over one million
Powerbook notebook computers since the introduction of the
product line in 1991.
Much later to the market with its notebook computer than the
IBM compatible personal computer (PC) world, the unit was a
success from the beginning for Apple's portable-hungry users.
The notebook was initially only available with a monochrome
display. Apple has since introduced color models and just
las month announced the lightest active-matrix color
Powerbook at under five pounds.
The Powerbook has had its problems. The company beefed up the
hard disk drives to 40 megabyte (MB) capacity in the 100 models
shortly after their introduction because customers complained
that 20 MB drives were just too small. Then in September, 1992,
Apple had to recall 60,000 of the 100 models in order to fix a
long lead extending from the motherboard that was melting a
hole in the plastic outside housing of some of the units.
The success of the Powerbook has helped keep Apple going,
despite losses in other areas. Like most notebook computers,
the Powerbook has steadily dropped in price. The 100 model,
introduced at a retail price of $2,299, has since been
discontinued. Now the low-end Powerbooks start at a retail
price of $1,599. The PC notebook world has also begun to
imitate the notebook's distinctive built-in track-ball mouse
controller placed just below the space-bar.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931110/Press Contact: Betty Taylor,
Apple Computer, tel 408-974-2042, fax 408-974-2885)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/10/93
IBM
****IBM Unveils Multi-Pronged PowerPC Strategy
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00030)
****IBM Unveils Multi-Pronged PowerPC Strategy 11/10/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 10 -- IBM's recently
established Power Personal Systems division has unveiled a
multi-pronged strategy for PowerPC that includes ports of
Windows NT, Sun Solaris, and Taligent to PowerPC, along with
the development of a "human interface" equipped with an
intelligent agent.
IBM also announced three new PowerPC-based computer systems,
set for shipment in the second half of 1994, and the PowerPC
Reference Platform, a set of technical specifications for other
vendors to follow in migrating to PowerPC.
The ultimate goal of the wide ranging strategy is to promote an
application-rich, open systems RISC (reduced instruction-set
computer)-based environment that is able to run across a wide
range of hardware, right on down to the mobile PC level, said
Richard A. Guarino, general manager, systems development and
marketing, in a teleconference held today, in which Newsbytes
participated.
The first PowerPC systems to ship will be AIX and Workplace OS,
according to Guarino. The newly introduced Windows NT, Taligent,
and Sun-based PowerPC systems will be delivered later on.
With today's announcements, IBM hopes to encourage more
independent software developers to create PowerPC-based
applications, Guranino said. IBM hopes that, eventually, all
32-bit operating systems will move to PowerPC, he added.
The new PowerPC implementations will include a traditional
desktop PC based on the already shipping 601 chip, an "ergonomic"
bookshelf-type desktop PC based on the 603, and a notebook PC,
also based on the 603.
All three implementations will incorporate an internal CD-ROM
drive, built-in microphones, speakers, and options for pen-based
input, video playback/recording, image capture, audio-graphic
conferencing (shared whiteboard) and telephony.
The systems, which will be displayed at Comdex, will support
applications written for OS/2, Macintosh, Unix, DOS and Windows.
Planned for the future, and also set to be shown at Comdex, is
a "human interface," complete with intelligent agents and
"conversational surrogates," or animated personalities that
talk and listen while reacting with facial expressions.
In years ahead, IBM plans to add continuous dictation recognition,
wired and wireless videoconferencing, and software-generated
three-dimensional graphics to the PowerPC's human interface,
Guarino said.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931110/Press contact: Tim Ohsann, IBM,
914-766-3764; Technology Solutions for IBM, 212-505-9900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
GENERAL
****Atari Jaguar Intro'd, Can Atari Meet Demand?
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00001)
****Atari Jaguar Intro'd, Can Atari Meet Demand? 11/09/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- The Atari
Jaguar, introduced last Thursday in New York, has impressed
Wall Street, but may not be able to meet demand. The
enthusiastically received $250 video-game player is priced
hundreds of dollars below the competing 3DO product and has the
backing of IBM and Time Warner.
About 50,000 Jaguars are expected to ship before Christmas,
with 10,000 slated for the European market and the remaining
40,000 divided between stores in the New York and San Francisco
areas. But Newsbytes sources said already the machines are
almost sold out and manufacturing more, in time for a planned
national rollout in January, could be difficult. IBM is contract
manufacturing the Jaguar at its facilities in Charlotte, North
Carolina.
Atari said the Jaguar runs on a 64-bit chip and can display
over 16 million colors as well as three-dimensional (3D)
objects. A compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive can
also be added. Several well-known game developers announced
support for the system including: ID Software, Virgin
Interactive Entertainment, Accolade, Interplay, Microprose
Ltd., Microprose US, Gremlin Graphics Ltd., 21st Century
Software, and UBI Software.
The Jaguar is targeted to bring Atari back into markets now
dominated by Nintendo and Sega. Atari has faced hard times, but
Wall Street appears to be enthused about the company's comeback,
as the stock price has climbed from dismal levels of
below a $1 per share in April to close Friday at 11 and 3/8.
The company is publicly held with the chairman holding 46
percent and Time Warner holding another 25 percent.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931108/Press Contact: Monique Marchi,
Cunningham Communications for Atari, tel 408-982-0400, fax 408-
982-0403)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/09/93
GENERAL
New Hard Disk Drives From Quantum "Industry Firsts"
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00002)
New Hard Disk Drives From Quantum "Industry Firsts" 11/09/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Quantum has
announced six new high performance hard disk drives, aimed at
computer systems ranging from subnotebooks and notebooks all the
way up to workstations, servers, and disk arrays.
The four new Quantum Daytona drives and two new Quantum Empire
drives each represent important industry "firsts," Quantum
officials emphasized in an interview with Newsbytes.
Quantum Daytona, a brand new product family, includes the first
hard drive to offer 256 megabytes (MB) of storage in a 12.5
millimeter (mm)-high subnotebook form factor, plus a 256 MB, 19
mm-high model for full-function notebooks that is billed as the
first drive from an independent supplier to break the 500 MB mark.
The new Empire 1440 and 2160 incorporate a new PRML (Partial
Response Maximum Likelihood) read channel that is the first to come
from an independent supplier and also the fastest in the industry,
stated Kathryn Kelson, product line manager for Quantum's High
Capacity Storage Group. The 1440 and 2160 fill out the high end of
Quantum's Empire line of ultra high capacity drives.
With this week's introduction of the new Daytona series, Quantum
now offers a selection of 16 different drives for notebooks and
subnotebooks, according to John Klonick, product line manager for
Quantum's Desktop and Portable Storage Group.
Additional members of the new Daytona series include a 127 MB, 12.5
mm-high drive for subnotebooks and a 341 MB, 19 mm-high model for
notebooks.
"The two new 12.5 mm-high drives are for very small mobile PCs,
where space is at a premium. The two new 19 mm-high drives would
typically be used in full-featured notebooks, for people don't want
to give up any of the functionality of the desktop. Generally,
these would be active matrix color models," he told Newsbytes.
The Daytona series provides the fastest internal data rate
available in a 2.5-inch drive, spinning at 4,500 RPM with an
average seek time of 17 milliseconds, according to Klonick.
The Daytona drives share the same highly integrated electronics as
the company's GO Drive GLS 2.5-inch drives announced in September.
Consisting of a single-sided print board with five custom chips,
the subnotebook and notebook drives achieve a small form factor
along with fast time-to-market, he said.
Also like the GO Drive GLS family, the Daytona drives include
DischCache and WriteCache firmware for optimizing cache management.
"But we've managed to add an extra disk for each of the Daytona
drives, thereby increasing drive capacity," he pointed out.
The Daytona series also adds several features that have been
adopted from the company's 3.5-inch desktop PC drives, Newsbytes
was told. These include a 128-kilobyte buffer with Adaptive
Segmentation firmware, for helping the cache buffer accommodate
more data, and adds faster functionality for AutoRead,
AutoWrite, and AutoTransfer, three command capabilities that have
been moved out of firmware and into hardware.
The Daytona drives are available with either a SCSI-2 or IDE-AT
interface. The drives are also compatible with VL and PCI-BUS
local bus protocol. The products use Fast Multiword DMA to achieve
burst transfer rates of up to 13 Mbps.
"Since these drives live in the portable world, we've also included
a variety of features for ruggedness and power conservation,"
Klonick commented. Non-operating shock protection has been raised
to 300 G in the Daytona series.
The drives draw only 0.2 watts of power, he added. The products
also incorporate AutoIdle and StackWrite firmware. AutoIdle shuts
down the actuator and selected electronics automatically after five
seconds of inactivity.
StackWrite is aimed at allowing instantaneous response to write
commands during standby modes without spinning up the disk. "In
typical applications, StackWrite alone can increase battery life by
10-percent," he asserted. Another feature, AutoPark, automatically
parks the drive heads over the dedicated landing zone to increase
data protection during idle mode.
Bill Abbott, manager of advanced recording channels, told Newsbytes
that the PRML read channel technology included in Quantum's latest
Empire drives, is more effective than the analog peak detect read
channel being used in most disk drives today. The advantage is
especially important for disk-intensive applications such as
multimedia and graphics, he maintained.
PRML has been used in digital data communications since the 1970s,
but was first introduced in hard disk drives by IBM in 1990,
according to Abbott. By using a more efficient coding scheme, PRML
raises data rates and also allows more data bits to be packed onto
a disk surface, thereby increasing disk capacity, he explained.
When bit density on a disk is increased, the analog signal "peaks"
detected during data read operations tend to stream through the
drive's read/write head and its read channel at high rates, said
Abbott. At these high rates, signal peaks tend to overlap
significantly, a situation known as inter-symbol interference
(ISI). ISI, in turn, can lead to data errors.
Analog peak detect technology deals with ISI by using an encoding
scheme that "separates the peaks" during read operations. The
peaks are then detected by analog detection circuitry. Although
the older technique is accurate, it also reduces the amount of data
that can be stored on a disk, according to Abbott.
In contrast to "separating the peaks," PRML read channels use
digital filtering techniques to compensate for ISI, thereby
achieving "partial response." The method then employs digital
processing and "maximum likelihood" data detection to determine the
most likely sequence of data bits that were written to the disk.
Quantum has improved upon earlier industry implementations of PRML
to the point where the new Empire drives achieve an internal data
rate of 64 megabits per second (Mbps), a speed up to 50-percent
higher than that of other drives. In addition, the data transfer
rate for the Quantum drives is 5 Mbps, one of the fastest available
today, said Abbott.
"One improvement we've made to PRML, adaptive filtering or adaptive
equalization, allows us to continually optimize the channel even
with changes in mechanics or the environment," he told Newsbytes.
Quantum's implementation of PRML also works with and takes
advantage of embedded servo and multiple zone recording, two
features offered in all Quantum drives.
Abbott compared embedded servo to the older technique of dedicated
servo. "In embedded servo, a small portion of each disk is
dedicated to head positioning information, instead of an entire
surface of one of the disks," he stated.
Multiple zone recording, a technique also designed to bring higher
aerial densities, varies the frequencies in which data is stored at
different radial positions on the disk.
Also, unlike some earlier implementations of PRML, which could be
used only with thin zone heads, Quantum's implementation can be
used with magneto-resistive (MR) as well as thin heads, said
Abbott.
Kelson told Newsbytes that the latest Quantum drives also
incorporate advanced features first introduced in the previously
released Empire 540 and 1080. These features include Internal
Thermal Update (ITU) firmware for enabling continuous streams of
data in multimedia applications, MultiCache firmware for improving
random performance, and ORCA (Optimized Reordering Command
Algorithm), a method of further enhancing random performance.
The new Empire 2160, which offers 2.1 gigabytes (GB) of formatted
capacity, is the first 3.5-inch drive from Quantum to provide more
than 2 GB of capacity, she said. The new Empire 1440 is a
low-profile model with a formatted capacity of 1.44 GB.
Each of the new Empire drives provides a rotational speed of 5,400
RPM, an average seek time of 9.5 milliseconds (reading), and a
projected Mean-Time-Between-Failure rating of 500,000 hours. The
drives also provide low power consumption of 8 to 9.5 watts (idle)
and a reduced parts count, two features geared to high reliability.
Samples of the new Empire and Daytona drives are shipping now to
OEMs. The Daytona 127, 256, 341, and 514 MB drives and the Empire
1440 and 2160 are priced at $250, $350, $495, $695, $1.195, and
$1,495, respectively, per single unit. Mass production is slated
to start in the first quarter of 1994.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931108/Reader contact: Quantum Corporation,
tel 408-894-4000; Press contacts: Susan Fallon, Quantum, tel 408-
894-5361; Kelli Trask, Quantum, tel 408-894-4000; Eileen Smith,
Hi-Tech Communications for Quantum, tel 415-904-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/09/93
IBM
Borland Intros C++ 4.0, Three New Add-on Tools
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00003)
Borland Intros C++ 4.0, Three New Add-on Tools 11/09/93
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Borland,
with over one million C compilers shipped, says it has
introduced a new version of C++, version 4.0, aimed at software
development under Microsoft Windows. In addition, the company
has announced three new tools to aid in that effort: Borland's
Visual Control Pack, a video training course entitled "Beyond
the World of C++," and Borland Turbo Assembler.
The new Borland C++ 4.0 is an integrated development
environment (IDE) for DOS and Windows featuring support for 16-
and 32-bit Windows development. The product offers new visual
programming tools, project management, and editing facilities
aimed at increasing the productivity of programmers and the
product offers enhancements to the Objectwindows Library (OWL),
a set of pre-defined visual objects. Borland claims the product
will ease developer and application migration to Microsoft's
Windows NT operating system and the upcoming version of Windows
code-named Chicago, which will not have DOS underneath as
Windows does now.
Borland also announced a deal with multimedia hardware
developer Creative Labs under which the new compact disc read-
only memory version of C++ 4.0 will feature an application
programming interface (API) for Creative's speech recognition
software product, Voiceassist. The API will be provided as
documentation and a sample run-time version of the Voiceassist
will be offered C++ 4.0 programmers at no extra charge, Borland
said.
New features in C++ 4.0 include a new programmer's editor based
on Brief technology which includes the ability to perform
regular expression matching, keystroke macro recording, column
marking, multi-pane editing and enhanced color syntax
highlighting. An integrated GUI debugger is also included.
Other features include: a Multi-target Project Manager to
visually manage all the components of a project, an
Objectbrowser for graphical displays of the relationships of
classes in an application, context sensitive Speedmenus that
prompt the user with the next logical step, and an open
environment for the integration of third-party development
tools.
New visual programming features are: the Appexpert which
creates Windows applications with the click of a
button but still allows control for the advanced developer, the
Classexpert which customizes the application being created
while managing underlying code with a built-in editor and
integrated debugger, the design tool Resource Workshop
Integration, and the compatibility with Visual Basic Control to
incorporate existing VBX controls. Objectwindows 2.0 is also
included in C++ 4.0.
To further aid in Windows software development Borland says the
first of the add-on tools, its Visual Control Pack, is a set of
prebuilt, reusable components that allow Borland C++ 4.0,
Visual C++ and Visual Basic developers to add functionality to
Windows applications. These visual parts allow developers to
drop in database front ends that access dBASE and Paradox
tables, spreadsheets, notebook tabs, what-you-see-is-what-you-
get (WYSIWYG) word processors, three-dimensional (3D) charts,
communications interfaces with terminal emulation, and binary
file transfer. In addition, controls such as animated buttons,
gauges, spinners and sliders are also provided to give user-
interfaces a professional look, Borland added.
The video training course, "Beyond the World of C++," is the
sequel to Borland's "World of C++" video and features author and
instructor, Bruce Eckel. The company says the video focuses on
exception handling, multiple inheritance, templates,
input/output streams (iostreams), containers and interators,
and C++ programming techniques. The package contains two video
tapes, a workbook, and a sample code disk. Borland claims the
training provided will give programmers an extra edge in
developing elegant and robust applications.
No self-respecting C programmer would be without an assembly
language tool. Borland says its Turbo Assembler has been
enhanced in both speed and features to aid developers in
providing faster and enhanced applications. In addition, the
Turbo Assembler can be used to get down and dirty when needed
in conjunction with other tools such as C, C++, Pascal,
Fortran, and Cobol. The package includes the Turbo Debugger for
DOS and Windows, the IDEAL and MASM assembly modes, interfaces
to various programming languages, and the TLINK 16-and 32-bit
linker utility.
Borland C++ 4.0 is retail priced at $499, with an upgrade price
of $149.95 for owners of any previous versions of Borland C++
or Turbo C++ Professional. A competitive upgrade offer is also
being made to current owners of any other Borland product and
owners of Microsoft or Symantec C or C++ of $199.95.
The three add-on tools carry a retail price of $99.95 each, but
upgrades are available for $29.95 to current owners of any
version of Borland C++ or Turbo C++ Professional. Those who
purchase more than one tool may also receive additional
discounts, the company said. Special pricing is also available
for multi-product purchases of these products.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931108/Press Contact: Gillian Webster,
Borland, tel 408-431-5862, fax 408-431-4175; Public Contact:
Information, Borland, 800-331-0877, Upgrade Information, 800-
UPGRADE.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
TELECOM
Sculley Cleans House At Spectrum
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00004)
Sculley Cleans House At Spectrum 11/09/93
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Spectrum
Information Technologies signed modem market-leader US Robotics
to a license agreement for its wireless modem technologies, and
made a number of other announcements.
Terms were not disclosed on the US Robotics agreements, under
which USR will adapt Spectrum's technology in selected portable,
desktop and rack modems. The deal is similar to an agreement
Spectrum already has with Rockwell, under which the wireless
segment of Rockwell modem chip sets will be "turned on" through
the purchase of a product in the after-market. But Spectrum
spokesman Dae Chang did not know if USR uses Rockwell chip sets,
and a call to USR was not returned by the time this story went to
press.
Spectrum also announced a change in strategy and the resignations
of key executives involved with the older strategy. Gone are
founder Dana Verrill, vice president cellular marketing John
Rule, and investor relations head Kathy Bachand, who had been
based in the Dallas area. Data One, a portable computer reseller
the two had built-up, will also be scaled-back to "reduce
operating losses," according to Sculley.
Instead of concentrating on the marketing side, Spectrum will
work harder on the engineering side. The company announced an
agreement to buy Yield TechniGlobal, a Staten Island-based
contract engineering firm with 200 employees and revenues of
about $12 million. Chang said that TechniGlobal's people will
mainly work with Spectrum customers, but could be called in as a
resource for Spectrum's own in-house engineering. For now Andrew
Migliorini, president of Spectrum Cellular, the company's
research group, is still based in the Dallas area.
The acquisition of Yield TechniGlobal represents a homecoming of
sorts for president Peter Caserta, who yielded the top job at
Spectrum to Sculley in bringing the former Apple chairman on-
board. Chang said Caserta, an electrical engineer by training,
was founder of Interglobal Technical Services, a contract
engineering firm which made a profit for 10 years and was sold in
1988 to CDI, a NYSE company.
On the legal front, Spectrum announced the settlement of a class
action lawsuit brought in May, after Caserta made grand
predictions following the signing of a license agreement with
AT&T, causing a sharp rise in Spectrum's stock price which
reversed after AT&T indicated Spectrum would not make "hundreds
of millions" from its license. Without admitting any wrongdoing,
the company said it will pay $1.5 million cash, and issue 750,000
in new warrants, to shareholders who were part of the suit. The
settlement is subject to what Spectrum called "confirmatory
discovery" by the plaintiffs, execution of a formal settlement
and court approval. Spectrum also hired Christopher Franco,
formerly with Kelley Drye & Warren, as its new general counsel.
Sculley said Franco has considerable experience with securities
law and corporate legal work.
Finally, Sculley issued a statement on the company's goals going
forward. He wants a world-class company which can turn its patent
portfolio into a broadly supported technology platform, he wants
a bigger contract engineering group focused on solving mobile
communications problems, and he wants to continue to look for
other acquisitions, investments, partnerships and alliances which
will turn Spectrum into "a major player" in communications
services. Chang said that Sculley, whose home is in Greenwich,
Connecticut, is commuting to Manhasset on Long Island every day
when he's not traveling.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931108/Press Contact: Dae Chang, Spectrum,
516-627-8992x136)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
BUSINESS
Creative Technology Licenses Intel's Indeo, Deal With Borland
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00005)
Creative Technology Licenses Intel's Indeo, Deal With Borland 11/09/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Creative
Technology Ltd., parent of Creative Labs Inc., has licensed Intel's
Indeo video technology and will incorporate Intel's i750 Video
processor in future digital video products. The company has also
announced a partnership with Borland International in
which Borland's new CD-ROM version of the C++ 4.0 product will
feature an application programming interface (API) for the
Creative VoiceAssist speech recognition software program.
According to Creative, Intel's i750 video processor will allow the
company to implement Intel's scalable Indeo video compression, as
well as its own proprietary video compression algorithms
designed for video conferencing into new video offerings. The i750
includes programmable capabilities. The company says that
the programmability also enables end-users to upgrade their
systems with various compression algorithms.
The i750's one-step recording process requires less hard disk
storage space by eliminating the need for video files to be saved
to the hard disk and then later compressed, says Creative.
In announcing the licensing deal, K.S. Chay, president and chief
operating officer of Creative Technology, said: "The i750 video
processor family offers the ideal format for third-party hardware
developers to provide high-performance digital video solutions on
a single add-in board. Creative believes that Intel's technology
will also be particularly useful for porting ShareVision's
compression technology into new products for the emerging
desktop video-conferencing marketplace."
Intel's Indeo video is a software technology that allows for
software-only playback on Intel 486 and Pentium processor-
based PCs.
In announcing the API/CD-ROM deal with Borland, Arnold Waldstein,
Creative Labs' director of software product marketing, said:
"Creative strongly believes that multimedia is a proven concept
in the entertainment and home productivity markets. By integrating
VoiceAssist into (Borland's) C++.....authoring tool, we are able to
create widespread availability of the multimedia format in the
business community and provide an easy and efficient mean for
developers to incorporate speech recognition into their
applications."
The CD-ROM version of C++ will feature the VoiceAssist API along
with documentation and a sample run-time version of the program
at no extra charge. Special CD-ROM price offers are also being
offered to C++ 4.0.
Michael Hyman, business unit manager of languages at Borland,
said: "Borland believes that speech recognition's enabling
technology will soon become an integral aspect of multimedia
computing. The decision to include Creative's powerful VoiceAssist
API with C++ 4.0 reinforces our commitment to the multimedia
marketplace."
According to Creative, its VoiceAssist product is a single-utterance
speech recognition system that yields "high accuracy, offers a quick
response time, and allows for the customization of Windows
applications with voice commands." The company claims that the
program automatically recognizes and activates all menu
commands and allows for a user-defined vocabulary of over 30,000
words.
(Ian Stokell/19931108/Press Contact: Steffanee White,
408-428-6600, Creative Labs Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/09/93
GENERAL
Madge Networks Token Ring Hubcard, Deal with Novell
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00006)
Madge Networks Token Ring Hubcard, Deal with Novell 11/09/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Madge
Networks Inc., has introduced the Smart 16/4 AT Hubcard. At the
same time the company has also announced a deal with Novell
that will result in the marketing of products designed for the
branch office market.
According to Madge, the Smart 16/4 AT Hubcard is a cost-
effective, server-based Token Ring hub. The device features a
number of capabilities including automatic fault recovery, remote
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol)-based management,
and "full compatibility" with Novell's NetWare Management
System (NMS) 2.0.
The Smart 16/4 AT Hubcard is part of Madge's new Branch Office
Strategy, which is designed to address the "specific requirements
of customers whose NetWare networks are expanding to support
branch office LANs (local area networks)."
In addition to providing integrated products, Madge and Novell
will work together various joint sales and marketing programs.
In announcing the new strategy, Martin Taylor, director of product
marketing for Madge, said: "Branch offices are becoming a critical
component of our customers' networking strategies. There is
increased demand for solutions that provide a vital link from the
central office to the branch without requiring on-site LAN
administration, rewiring, or component integration."
The Smart 16/4 AT Hubcard is a NetWare server-based hub that
supports up to ten Token Ring stations over unshielded twisted pair
(UTP) or shielded twisted pair (STP) cable. According to the
company, managers can daisy-chain multiple Smart 16/4 AT
Hubcards together to form larger Token Ring networks.
Gerry Machi, vice president and general manager, Enterprise
Systems Group for Novell, said: "Customers are demanding new
levels of support for the growing base of branch office networks.
Through Novell's Branch Office Solution's strategy, Novell has
worked to increase the level of network support for these
remote, business-critical LANs."
The company says that the Smart 16/4 AT automatically locates
and isolates network faults, even under multiple network fault
conditions. Fault recovery is fully automatic and requires no
intervention from the network administrator. Once a fault has been
isolated, the hubcard notifies the network administrator of the
problem and its location, claims the company.
Network administrators can manage the hubcard remotely via the
Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) over Internetwork
Packet Exchange (IPX), allowing management across IPX routers,
NetWare bridges, and Internet Protocol (IP) routers.
Each card ships with NetWare Hub Services, licensed from Novell,
which allows administrators to manage the Smart 16/4 AT Hubcard
either locally, in the branch office, or remotely, using Novell's
RCONSOLE utility.
The Smart 16/4 AT Hubcard will be available in the fourth quarter
of 1993, priced at $895.
Speaking of Madge's new branch office strategy, Madge Networks
chairman and CEO, Robert Madge, said: "Madge's success has been
in delivering superior Token Ring solutions for enterprise-critical
networks. An increasing number of these networks are now
expanding to include connectivity to branch office LANs."
Interestingly, Machi said, "Novell's research shows that 50 percent
of branch office networks will employ Token Ring."
Madge says that its Branch Office Strategy focuses on server-
based "solutions" that save money and minimize network support.
Integrating intelligent cable management, bridging, routing, and
network management directly into the NetWare server results
in a "compact network solution that is remotely manageable, has
fewer devices to support, and is available at a lower cost per
network node."
In terms of the two companies' joint sales and marketing programs,
Madge says its newly created national account sales team will join
forces with Novell's national accounts group to assist companies
with planning and implementation of branch office network
strategies. Under the program, the two sales teams will work
directly with customers to help them optimize their branch
office networks.
(Ian Stokell/19931108/Press Contact: Marina Donovan Ekman,
408-383-1420, Madge Networks Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
UNIX
X Consortium Spinoff From MIT
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00007)
X Consortium Spinoff From MIT 11/09/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- The X
Consortium has been separated from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) and is now an independent, not-for-profit
organization, President Luther C. Abel, Ph.D., has announced.
The MIT X Consortium was founded in 1988 to manage the distribution
and evolution of the X Window System, an operating system-
independent, network-transparent, client-server graphical user
interface standard (GUI) aimed at use with the entire spectrum of
computer systems, from portable PCs to massively parallel
supercomputers.
Abel, a 20-year computer industry veteran and former Data General
and DEC executive, was hired in February, 1993 to guide the
consortium's transition to independent status and to lead future
activities of the industry group.
The X Consortium now has nearly 100 members from throughout the
world, including academic, government and research organizations,
systems manufacturers, and independent software vendors (ISVs).
The group has recently been incorporated, and has moved from the
MIT campus in Cambridge, MA to One Memorial Drive, also in
Cambridge, MA.
In making today's announcement, Abel said that he hopes to expand
the membership of the consortium to include additional ISVs and end
users.
"The X Consortium will remain a vendor-neutral organization, which
has been at the root of the organization's success over the past
six years. I further intend to take the consortium to new heights
in terms of membership support and visibility, so we can build a
stronger foundation from which to enter the 21st Century," he
stated.
The X Consortium will also launch a new X Interoperability Center
for X, Xlib, XIE (X extension to imaging), PEX, and PEXlib
interoperability testing.
The X Interoperability Center will incorporate the operations of
the PEX Interoperability Center, founded in 1992 by Convex,
Hewlett-Packard, DEC, IBM, Sun and other leading vendors to conduct
PEX interoperability testing and to foster seamless
interoperability for 3D graphics.
The PEX/Interoperability Center intends to move from its current
base in Richardson, TX to the Cambridge, MA headquarters of the X
Consortium, and to be known under the umbrella of the X
Interoperability Center.
Abel said today that he expects to issue an agenda and strategy in
early 1994 that will detail his plans for the X Consortium's future
growth.
"We formed the MIT X Consortium in 1988 in response to industry
demand for the X Window System, and because, at that time, no other
vendor-neutral organization was capable of serving in this
capacity," commented Bob Scheifler, founder and director of the MIT
Consortium, and creator of the X Window System.
"Today's announcement puts management of the X Windows System where
it now belongs -- in the hands of the computer industry," he added.
Scheifler will remain with the X Consortium through February, 1994.
Leading Unix systems vendors including Hewlett-Packard, IBM and DEC
first standardized on the X Window System in 1987, in an effort to
provide a common windowing/graphics standard for application
portability.
The MIT X Consortium, a member-funded initiative, was established
the following year to supply technical and administrative support
for the further development and improvement of X software.
The X Business Group, an industry consulting firm, projects there
will be nearly 3.5-million X-capable seats by the end of this year,
including X terminals, workstations with X, and PCs with X server
capabilities.
X is a co-standard of the Unix operating system, as well as a
major element of the recently announced common open software
environment (COSE).
Members of the X Consortium review proposed standards, test sample
code, and assist in writing standards and in developing sample
implementations.
The X Consortium also sponsors the X Technical Conference, an
annual event designed to promote the exchange of information about
the X Window System.
(Jacqueline Emigh/110893/Reader contact: X Consortium, tel 617-
374-1010; Press contact: Susan Stevens or Tim Hurley, Copithorne
& Bellows for the X Consortium, tel 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
TRENDS
Japan - 2.5-inch 500MB Hard Disks From IBM Japan, Fujitsu
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008)
Japan - 2.5-inch 500MB Hard Disks From IBM Japan, Fujitsu 11/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- IBM Japan and Fujitsu have
separately developed 2.5-inch hard disks which have more than
500 megabytes of storage. The units are also smaller than
other 2.5-inch hard disks currently available in the market.
Both of the disks are lightweight and designed for use in
notebook-type personal computers.
IBM Japan's 2.5-inch, 540-megabyte disk can hold 57 percent more
data than its previous 2.5-inch hard disk. Only 17-mm thick, the
unit weighs only 180g. IBM Japan is planning to release it for
66,000 yen ($660) in February, 1994.
Fujitsu's 2.5-inch hard disk is also lightweight at 200g, and
is as thin as IBM Japan's. The device has three internal disks
and can store 528 megabytes of data -- almost twice that of
older unit. Fujitsu reports the disk will cost 100,000 yen ($1,000)
when it is released commercially in March 1994. This is higher
in price than IBM Japan's, but prices are expected to drop when
quantity production begins.
Until now, Toshiba has had the largest capacity 2.5-inch hard disk
with a storage of 520 megabytes.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931108/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-
3-3586-1111, Fax, +81-3-3589-4645, Fujitsu, +81-3-3215-5236, Fax,
+81-3-3216-9365)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
APPLE
Macworld Expo/Tokyo 94 Preview
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00009)
Macworld Expo/Tokyo 94 Preview 11/09/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- IDG World Expo Japan claims
that next year's Macworld Japan will be the largest show ever.
IDG reports that there will be more than 1,000 booths at the
show, which will be held at Makuhari Messe between February
17 and 19.
According to IDG's Tokyo office, 245 firms will display their
products at 1,063 booths.
Macworld Expo/Tokyo, which is expected to feature multimedia
technology prominently, is expected to attract a large number of
public school teachers. Japanese development of educational
software for personal computers lags behind America's, and
consequently teachers are particularly interested in the latest
developments.
Conferences will feature the future of the Macintosh, desktop
computing for business users, and "consumer computing" for home
users. The consumer computing topics are CD-ROM, public domain
programs, and game software. Sessions are titled "Apple's Newton
Technology," "PowerPC Technology," "Future of Application Software,"
"Hollywood's Digital Special Effect," "QuickTime Film Festival,"
"Creating Multimedia Software," "Graphics Computing," "Apple's Latest
Technology," "New Multimedia Standard," "Cross Platform Computing,"
"Networking" and "Report From Educational Fields."
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931108/Press Contact: IDG World
Expo/Tokyo, +81-3-5276-3751, Fax, +81-3-5276-3752)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
CORRECTION IBM
Correction - Datalogic Intros Wireless Auto Dialer
(CORRECTION)(IBM)(DEN)(00010)
Correction - Datalogic Intros Wireless Auto Dialer 11/09/93
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- A
typographical error appeared in a recent Newsbytes story about the
introduction by Datalogic Corporation of its wireless PC-To-PBX
automatic dialer interface.
The story reported that the device uses 900 megahertz radio
frequency technology to communicate with the PBX. The story
should have said the dialer uses 315 megahertz technology.
Newsbytes apologizes for the error.
(Jim Mallory/19931109/Press contact: Liz Wax, S&S Public Relations
for Datalogic Corporation, 708-291-1616; Reader contact: Datalogic
Corp, 800-397-2200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
2000 11/09/93
BUSINESS
****Tandy Chairman Looks Ahead To Year
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00011)
****Tandy Chairman Looks Ahead To Year 2000 11/09/93
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- In an
exclusive interview this week Tandy Corporation Chairman John
Roach talked to Newsbytes about personal computing in the year
2000.
Roach, in Colorado for the opening of Computer City stores in
Colorado Springs and Denver, told Newsbytes his vision of personal
computing in the year 2000 includes personal digital assistants
(PDAs) as widely used as are cellular phones today, more people
working at home as a "anywhere anytime" society evolves, more
powerful computers that make voice and handwriting recognition
commonplace, and most computers having multimedia capabilities.
"We've come a long way in the past 15 years, and I think we will be
more amazed as we go further."
The Colorado Springs Computer City Express outlet is the first in the
nation to open. With a staff of 20 people and about 3,000 stock
keeping units (SKUs) on hand, it is about half the size of the typical
Computer City outlet. Roach said that is because Tandy Corporation
wants to test the concept of placing scaled-down Computer City
stores in markets smaller than cities such as Denver. "We're hopeful
that having an excellent assortment on hand plus the items in our
Computer City catalog readily available to the marketplace will allow
us to learn how well the stores will do in the smaller markets."
Attendees at Comdex, the annual computer industry trade show that
opens in Las Vegas next week, shouldn't expect to see the latest
Tandy items in display. "Tandy is out of the Comdex business now
that we are not a manufacturer. Our efforts are primarily focused on
retail now." However the company will be represented at Comdex as
its staffers visit the hundreds of displays to see the latest
technologies.
Roach told Newsbytes product development has already started on
the next generation of Zoomer, Tandy's entry in the PDA field that
was developed jointly by Sharp, Tandy and Casio. The current
version of Zoomer weighs less than one pound, uses the Geoworks
graphical operating system, has a suggested retail price of $699, and
will run up to 100 hours on its three AAA batteries. It includes some
games, America Online access software, a date book with to-do list
and alarms, address and note books, a multi-language translator,
dictionary, thesaurus and a host of other reference information. It can
communicate with other Zoomers or PCs through a mini-serial port
and has a infrared port for wireless communications.
The companies involved in the development of Zoomer are
scheduled to meet at Comdex to discuss the features of the next
generation machine. Roach predicts there will be multiple versions of
Zoomer, some with more power and some downsized for people who
use the device as a task organizer. "You are likely to see versions in
the medium term that will combine cellular telephone with electronic
mail and fax capabilities," says Roach.
Roach also told Newsbytes a "significantly upgraded" version of
Tandy's Sensation PCs will soon be released that will make
multimedia more accessible to the entire family in the home
environment. "You won't have to know Windows, and it will have a lot
more functionality as an entry-level machine."
The Tandy executive predicts newly evolving personal computers will
contain more memory to handle the memory-hungry software being
developed and will rely more on voice and handwritten input. "The
stylus is an excellent way to communicate with the computer. "He
also believes that chip prices, key to affordable memory, will
continue to drop slowly and foresees single chips with greater
individual capacities.
(Jim Mallory/19931109/Press contact: Meike Henderson, Computer
City, 817-347-7624)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
IBM
Compuadd "Green" PC Models
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00012)
Compuadd "Green" PC Models 11/09/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Compuadd Computer
Corporation, recently reorganized and out from under protection
under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy laws, has announced it will begin
shipping personal computers next month that meet the energy saving
guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The company says it will also begin bundling newly released
Microsoft's Windows For workgroups version 3.11 later this month
with all of its PCs at no extra charge.
The "green" PCs are designed to reduce the power drain to less than
30 watts during periods of inactivity. Compuadd says it will add
"green" monitors to its product line beginning in January 1994. The
new energy efficiency models will be available in desktop and mini-
tower models, and can be purchased with Intel 486SX, 486DX, and
DX2 microprocessors.
Earlier this year Newsbytes reported that Compuadd had started
using recyclable plastic bezels for its PCs and had started using
plain brown, unbleached cardboard shipping boxes and low-density
foam space filling material to reduce waste. The company includes a
shipping container for buyers to return the foam for reuse.
Compuadd says it is pricing its "green" PCs at the same price as its
regular configurations, which start at $1,695 for a 33 megahertz
486SX system with four megabytes (MB) of system memory, a 128-
kilobyte (K) cache, 212MB hard drive, 3.5-inch high density floppy
drive, 14 inch monitor, 1MB of video memory, MS-DOS 6.2
(Microsoft's newly released upgrade to MS-DOS 6.0 which is
supposed to fix problems with the Doublespace compression utility)
and Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
The company says its energy efficient PCs will be on display in its
booth at Comdex, the annual fall trade show that opens in Las Vegas
November 15th.
(Jim Mallory/19931109/Press contact: John Pope, CompuAdd
Computer Corporation, 512-250-2000; Reader contact: Compuadd
Corporation, 800-456-3116)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
IBM
Zeos Multimedia PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00013)
Zeos Multimedia PCs 11/09/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Zeos
International has announced new 486-based multimedia personal
computer systems that include hi-fidelity stereo sound, business
audio and full-motion video.
Other features include double speed multisession Multimedia PC
level 2 (MPC2) CD-ROM drives and 16-bit digital sound cards. Zeos
says the speakers included with its multimedia systems are specially
designed for use with PC-based multimedia products and have
internal magnetic shielding to prevent damage to monitors or data
stored on hard and floppy drives. The speakers can be mounted on
the monitor or located elsewhere.
Zeos International spokesperson Rick Apple told Newsbytes other
features include up to two gigabytes of hard drive capacity (at least
200MB is required to be MPC2 compliant), as much as 64 megabytes
of system memory, 128 kilobytes of cache, a Windows-accelerated
local bus video card, two floppy drives and a mouse. Software
includes MS-DOS, Windows, and a choice of one Lotus Corporation
application for Windows. Pricing for the new systems starts at under
$1,800 depending on configuration.
Asked about the recent rumors of a possible merger between Zeos
International and Compuadd Computer Corporation, the PC maker
that recently emerged from bankruptcy after getting its
reorganization plan approved by unsecured creditors in only five
months, Apple declined to comment. However he would not deny the
possibility the two companies might get together at next week's
Comdex trade show in Las Vegas to discuss the merger.
(Jim Mallory/19931109/Press contact: Rick Apple, Zeos International,
612-623-9614; Reader contact: Zeos International, 800-423-5891)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
GENERAL
Battle Of The Operating Systems
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(NYC)(00014)
Battle Of The Operating Systems 11/09/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- The Battle of
the Operating Systems was the theme of this year's fall press
breakfast hosted by the Northeast Technical Association. Several
dozen analysts, software executives, and members of the media
attended. "The next 18 months are going to be hell," said one
attendee, because of the transition in the operating systems
market.
Businesses buy computers to run the software that solves business
problems. They don't really care what operating system the software
requires, just that the software does the job, moderators said.
For data entry, it is still a text-based world. GUIs (graphical
user interfaces) are useful if one needs to analyze and manipulate
information. Windows will have to move from "a pretty face pinned
on DOS" to a true operating system, most agreed. Windows NT
was seen as being "Windows NT 1.uh.oh," by one user. But given
a couple of years to mature and gain applications, Windows NT
has potential at the high-end and server market.
Unix will continue to be a boutique OS, most agreed. There are
lessons to be learned from Unix because vendors chose to add their
own proprietary extensions which do not work together, they
said. The Mac will continue to be a niche player and Apple
Computer has to worry if Mac applications become available on
other platforms that have more power.
Ted Needleman, Accounting Technology, noted that accountants are
very conservative and that most are still using DOS and
moving to Windows for reporting and analysis because the tools for
those tasks are much better under Windows. He felt that in 15 years
there would be one homogenized operating system.
Eric Grevstad, Computer Shopper, felt that 70-80% of users
would be happy with a task-switching, networked, DOS since
Windows is mostly used as a shell to run DOS applications.
Jonathan Matzkin, Windows Magazine, felt Windows would continue
to be the cutting edge for software development. He also felt
that on the business side, a war was on between Windows and
Windows as a DOS shell. On the technical side, the matter
is still unresolved.
Scott Mace, InfoWorld, thought that the biggest stumbling block
with client/server computing is that many pieces of the software
puzzle are missing. He also commented that application
developers, for their own sanity, are going to start
demanding common API (application program interfaces) so they
don't have to rewrite an application for each OS.
Edwin Black, OS/2 professional, thought that a "workplace OS"
that runs all operating systems is the future direction but he
sees this as happening in a couple of years. He also sees
OS/2's greatest blessing as its greatest curse. OS/2, with
multitasking and multithreading, is probably the best way to
run DOS and Windows applications. In fact, one vendor found
that their Windows application ran 12% faster under
OS/2 running Windows than when run under native Windows.
So there isn't a compelling reason to switch to native
OS/2 applications when one's standard applications work even
better under OS/2 than under DOS.
Mary Cerasia, Arthur Anderson, noted that generally a 1$ million
to $20 million dollar company will be LAN-based, a $20-$50
million dollar company will be LAN-based or split between LANs and
a proprietary system on a midrange computer, and $50 million
dollar-plus companies are midrange computer-based. Ms. Cerasia
also noted that clients want open systems. Her clients have
a mixed environment that they need to glue together and they
want the same software to run on all platforms. Ms. Cerasia
also noted that her clients are their own worst enemies since
many of them don't even have a basic migration plan. The
migration plan doesn't have to be "War and Peace" in size, a
dozen pages will often do the trick, she quipped.
Edwin Black, OS/2 Professional, an investigative journalist with
eight Pulitzer prize nominations, commented how, after dealing
with people like Farakan and other extremists, he was surprised
at "how computer company executives can take themselves very very
seriously." This comment drew a big chuckle from the audience
and panelists.
This view accurately summed up the feelings of many panelists
and audience members. Users have a job to do, programmers have
to write applications, and both have finite resources available.
All this operating system "one-upsmanship" is making it harder
for software companies to be taken seriously by non-computer
professionals such as managers and accountants. The feeling
is that the accountants will force software companies to form
strategic alliances and work together.
Unix was felt to be an example of what happens when everyone
wants to go their own way. Unix, they agreed, is not
likely to become mainstream because there are too many
incompatible variations.
(Nigel Hudson/19931109/Press Contact: Northeast Technical
Association, Bruce Freeman, 201-716-9457, FAX 201-533-0463)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
IBM
IBM Positioning Parallel Systems As Servers To Servers
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00015)
IBM Positioning Parallel Systems As Servers To Servers 11/09/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- IBM is out to take
its parallel processing technology, which has been used mainly
for scientific and technical purposes to date, into the
commercial market as a server to servers.
The company discussed its parallel processing strategy at a
briefing for reporters and analysts. Nick Donofrio, general
manager of IBM's Large Scale Computing Division, emphasized three
elements of IBM's plans: client/server computing, open systems,
and an effort to reduce cost.
Officials talked about two groups of parallel systems: those
built on its System/390 mainframe architecture and its Power
Parallel Systems line, which use reduced instruction set
computing (RISC) processors.
Donofrio claimed IBM is currently improving the price/performance
of its parallel systems by 30 to 34 percent per year, a better
rate than the 15 to 20 percent the company has traditionally
achieved.
He said IBM plans to sell parallel systems into the commercial
market as "a server for servers," offering large amounts of
memory, storage, and processing power for demanding applications.
Among those applications are queries on vast amounts of data and
large-scale transaction processing. To address those niches, IBM
has put together a parallel Query Server and a Transaction
Server. Both use multiple System/390 processors and special
software aimed at their specific niches. IBM showed prototype
systems at the briefing, but did not specify planned delivery
dates or pricing.
Officials did make some specific statements about future plans,
though. Donofrio said the company plans to add compliance with
the widely accepted POSIX and X.Open Portability Guide standards
to its MVS mainframe operating system in 1994. He also said IBM
is rewriting MVS, along with various software subsystems such as
CICS, IMS, and DB2, to take advantage of parallel processing
hardware without requires customers to rewrite their existing
applications.
Linda Sanford, general manager for the System/390 line, said
customers have told IBM that compatibility with existing software
is "absolutely number one" on their priority lists. Customers
also want a single system image so that they don't have to manage
multiple processors individually, and they want cost reductions,
she said.
To provide compatibility and a single system image, Sanford said,
IBM has chosen a shared data approach to parallel processing
rather than the partitioned data approach many vendors of the
technology use. All processors have access to all data. This also
means capacity can be re-allocated dynamically, she added.
On the hardware side, Donofrio said IBM is working to rebuild its
large System/390 machines around microprocessors that run the
System/390 instruction set. Already used in smaller members of
the System/390 line, these chips will be introduced into larger
models "as soon as we can" after 1995, Donofrio said.
The result, he said, will be that "these things will get a lot
smaller: about a tenth the power (consumption), about a tenth the
floor space, about a tenth the cooling -- and hopefully about a
tenth the cost."
The prototype servers IBM showed use "six-packs" of six
System/390 microprocessors on a single plug-in circuit card. Each
server can accept multiple plug-in cards.
For its Power Parallel Systems hardware, IBM sees three principal
markets, said Irving Wladawsky-Berger, general manager of IBM
Power Parallel Systems: users scaling up from IBM's RISC
System/6000 systems; the traditional highly parallel computing
market, which has been mainly in universities and laboratories
but is expanding to business; and the data center.
Commercial users are starting to need systems able to store and
process vast amounts of data, Wladawsky-Berger said. "We already
have customers telling us that they are getting a terabyte of
data a day or they are worried that they will soon be getting a
terabyte a day." He described this as a new "grand challenge" (a
term widely used to describe certain scientific problems that
gobble up large amounts of computer power) facing commercial
computer users.
For the data center, IBM plans to bring more and more of the
capabilities found in its proprietary MVS operating system to its
AIX variant of Unix, Wladawsky-Berger said.
He also described the Power Parallel Systems as "basically the
high end of the RS/6000 family," able to run any application
written for the RS/6000 hardware.
Another priority for IBM will be high-bandwidth connections among
these powerful systems, Wladawsky-Berger said. The company
expects to announce improvements in this area in 1994, he said.
It will also increase memory to as much as 50 or 100 gigabytes,
he added, and he promised "trillions and trillions of bytes" of
external storage.
(Grant Buckler/19931109/Press Contact: Ed Trapasso, IBM,
914-642-5359; Paula Smail, IBM, 914-642-5467; Nadine Taylor, IBM,
914-642-5425)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
IBM
First Third-Party Board To Use IBM's Mwave DSP Chips
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00016)
First Third-Party Board To Use IBM's Mwave DSP Chips 11/09/93
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Best Data
Products has rolled out ACE (Advanced Communication Enhancement),
a single PC board, priced at $259, that combines the functionality
of CD-ROM interface, fax modem, telephone answering machine, and
sound card.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Bruce Zayman, company president,
said that ACE is the first third-party product on the market to
make use of Mwave, a digital signal processing (DSP) technology
from IBM that integrates fax modem, phone, and sound capabilities.
To IBM's Mwave chips, Best Data has added a CD-ROM interface, as
well as its own fax modem, telephone, and audio front ends, he told
Newsbytes.
Mwave technology allows communications to be carried out in a
background mode, so the user can keep working at the computer while
a fax is being sent or a phone message is being received, for
example.
Because Mwave is also fully software-upgradable, the user can add
new capabilities such as V.Fast and voice recognition by floppy
disk as these technologies become available, said Zayman.
The multiple functionality of the ACE board saves valuable real
estate inside the PC, he noted. ACE is currently equipped with a
14,400/9,600 bits-per-second (bps) data/fax modem, a voice
messaging system, and Multimedia PC (MPC) II-compliant 16-bit
stereo audio, together with a Panasonic CD interface.
Fax capabilities include full send/receive, fax back, fax forward,
and optical character recognition (OCR) for conversion of faxes to
editable text.
The ACE voice messaging system offers 999 mail boxes, two levels of
password protection, on-line hold music, primary and secondary
greetings, and message saving, forwarding, and reply, among other
features.
Sound functionality includes stereo mixing of wave audio, MIDI
synthesized audio, line-in audio, and microphone in.
ACE also provides a CD-ROM control panel and a multi-input mixer
for audio, microphone, phone, and the ISA (Industry Standard
Architecture) bus.
In the future, ACE intends to add software upgrades for V.Fast,
voice recognition, color fax, fax-to-voice, 3D sound, video
teleconferencing, improved compression, and integration with
virtual reality products, according to Zayman.
The board requires an IBM-compatible PC with a 386SX processor or
above and an available ISA slot, plus a telephone handset or
microphone, speakers or headphones (32 ohms or greater), and
Windows 3.1 or OS/2 2.0.
OS/2 2.0 will support the board's communications functions only,
while Windows 3.1 supports audio as well as communications
functions, the company president told Newsbytes.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931109/Reader contact: Best Data Products,
(818) 773-9600; Press contact: Lauren Finkelman, S&S
Communications for Best Data, tel 708-291-1818)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
BUSINESS
Amstrad German Reports Improved Sales, Profits
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00017)
Amstrad German Reports Improved Sales, Profits 11/09/93
WEITERSTADT, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Amstrad Gmbh, the German
subsidiary of UK-based Amstrad, has announced that its sales and
profits for 1992/93 were above expectations, with satellite and
telecom products selling especially well.
In the year to June 30, 1993, Amstrad Gmbh pushed its turnover by
1.7 percent to DM 242 million, while profits rocketed to DM 5.0
million from DM 1.9 million a year earlier.
According to Franz Simais, the company's managing director,
Amstrad's market share in the satellite TV business is currently
around 30 percent of the German marketplace with around 450,000
units sold.
Simais said that sales in the audio marketplace were not as good,
owing to intense price competition and the arrival of no-name
manufacturers from the Far East -- likewise with the PC marketplace,
which Amstrad claims has lost its momentum. Simais did not say that
the company will withdraw from the German PC market, but said that,
in the light of falling sales, he will decide on the future levels
of investment the company will make on a month-by-month basis.
In the medium to longer term, Amstrad said it plans to invest more
in the telecom market, which it claims is expanding.
Newsbytes notes that in July of this year, Amstrad Gmbh took over
responsibility for the parent company's Eastern European activities.
Amstrad has sales agreements in the Czech Republic and Poland.
(Steve Gold/19931109/Press Public Contact: Amstrad Gmbh - Tel: +49-
6151-9250; Fax: +49-6151-925-200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/09/93
BUSINESS
Siemens To Invest In Spanish Production Plant
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00018)
Siemens To Invest In Spanish Production Plant 11/09/93
MALAGA, SPAIN, 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Siemens has announced plans to
relocate much of its condenser manufacturing facilities to Malaga in
Spain. The German electronics giant says it plans to set up a new
Spanish operation as part of a joint venture with Matsushita of
Japan.
Siemens has allocated around Pta700 million for the commissioning of
the Malaga plant, with Matsushita investing a similar amount to be
used for research and development, as well as fixtures and fittings.
Plans call for the Malaga facility to source most of its components
from existing Siemens plants in Brazil and Germany. As part of the
planned changes, Siemens is reorganizing its operations in Spain,
which Newsbytes understands will involve the integration of the
Tecosa plants in Jaen, which used to be owned by the Nixdorf group,
which was folded into Siemens during the 1980s.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931109/Press & Public Contact: Siemens-Nixdorf -
Tel: +49-89-7220; Fax: +49-89-722-61304)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
BUSINESS
Philips Back In Black In Third Quarter
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00019)
Philips Back In Black In Third Quarter 11/09/93
EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS, 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Philips, the troubled
Dutch electronics giant, has clambered its way back into
profitability in its third quarter. Despite this, the company has
declined to predict its fourth quarter profits, nor will managers
comment on projections for the future.
Philips managers are cheerful about the results, however, which show
a 133 million guilder ($71 million) third quarter profit, a complete
turnaround on the 139 million guilder ($76 million) loss reported
for the third quarter last year.
Dudley Eustace, the company's vice president and financial director,
said that anyone who starts forecasting profits -- or losses --
based on a single quarter's results, would be guessing wildly.
Turnover for the first nine months of financial year 1992/93 was 353
million guilders ($188 million), up from 102 million guilders ($55
million) a year previously. This net cash flow increase, Eustace
said, meant that bank borrowings were a lot less -- hence the
increase in profits.
Eustace said that the recession that continues to dog Europe is
still giving cause for concern. He said that the worldwide spread of
Philips' operations has made the company resilient against potential
problems. "If we were totally dependent on Europe, it would be a
disaster," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931109/Press & Public Contact: Philips
- Tel: +31-40-736242 Fax +31-40-733983)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/09/93
TELECOM
British Telecom Bullish On First Half Year Results
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00020)
British Telecom Bullish On First Half Year Results 11/09/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- British Telecom has second
quarter profits of UKP 743 million -- up from UKP 431 million
reported during the second quarter of lass year. The figures produce
half yearly profits of UKP 1,607 million on a turnover of UKP 6,760
million -- up from UKP 1,027 million on a turnover of UKP 6,530
million a year ago.
Iain Vallance, head of British Telecom, said that he is optimistic
about the future, especially now that BT is making healthy inroads
into the international marketplace.
"Strategy will be defensive in the home market but attacking
internationally," he said, adding that it is vital to compete at
home as well and BT will be doing this by offering new services and
greater value for money.
Vallance said that demand for the company's products and services
continue to show encouraging signs of growth in the half year. He
revealed that call volumes for domestic calls, on a 12-month moving
average, grew by three percent, while international call volume on
the 12-month moving average grew at seven percent.
Access line growth was 1.8 percent for residential and 1.9 percent
for the business sector, over the year, giving an increase of 1.9
percent overall. Despite the increase in productivity, the company
has still managed to reduce its workforce by 4,400 in the last six
months, with 3,200 of these staffers leaving the company in the last
quarter. At the end of September, the payroll amounted to 166,300.
City reaction to news of the results was one of indifference. Many
analysts said that the figures were as expected. The share price
bobbed a little as the results were announced, but no rush to sell
or buy BT shares was noted in the market.
Newsbytes notes that Mercury Communications now has about 10 percent
of the phone market in the UK, the increase in recent months being
boosted by cable TV companies contracting out their cable TV phone
services to Mercury. Over the last few weeks, however, BT has been
striking back with an intensive marketing campaign, delivering
leaflets to all houses with cable TV/phone links.
(Steve Gold/19931109/Press & Public Contact: BT - Tel: +44-71-356-
5000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/09/93
GENERAL
HP Design Program, DAT Autoloader, Plugs Infrared
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00021)
HP Design Program, DAT Autoloader, Plugs Infrared 11/09/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard
has introduced a number of new products and enhancements for a
diverse variety of applications. The company has announced
HP Precision Engineering (HP PE)/ME10 Revision 6.0, an enhanced
version of its 2-D design, drafting and documentation system for
mechanical engineers, along with an enhanced version of its
HP Precision Engineering (HP PE)/SolidDesigner three-dimensional
(3-D) product-modeling design system. The company has also
announced a new digital audio tape (DAT) autoloader and banged
the drum for its infrared data communications technology.
HP claims it has achieved "broad progress" in its effort to expand
the computer industry's use of infrared communications technology.
Using the technique, data can be transferred among PCs and
peripherals via beams of infrared light.
HP claims that more than 20 companies, including Apple Computer,
Acer Corp., AST Research, Fujitsu Inc., Advanced Micro Systems,
National Semiconductor, and EO Inc., have licensed its Serial
Infrared (SIR) technology since June. It also claims that 40
additional companies are currently in the application process.
HP says it first began using its SIR interface in calculators during
the mid-1980s and now includes the technology in its handheld,
mobile and desktop PCs, including the HP Vectra XM PC desktop
systems.
According to the company, HP Precision Engineering (HP PE)/ME10
Revision 6.0 has a number of new features, including a context-
sensitive cursor for fast and accurate specification of geometry,
an intent-capture capability to capture geometric relationships
during the creation and modification of designs, and an associative-
annotation feature.
HP claims that more than 40,000 HP PE/ME10 seats are installed
worldwide. Revision 6.0 is claimed to incorporate a new parts-
structure editor that helps the user maintain control of complex
assembly structures. HP PE/ME10 Revision 6.0 is expected by the
end of 1993 and is priced at $7,100 for a single-user license.
The enhanced version of HP Precision Engineering
(HP PE)/SolidDesigner includes a new surface-modeling module,
that reportedly improves its product-styling and complex-
geometry modeling capabilities. HP says PE/SolidDesigner is
used by mechanical engineers in a variety of manufacturing
industries.
HP PE/SolidDesigner, with the addition of the optional surface-
modeling module, offers such capabilities as: interactive surface
creation, control and analysis to model any sculptured shape;
dynamic surface shaping and optimization; complete leverage of
surfaces to create sculptured solid models and add design details;
digitized data import with point, curve and surface smoothing and
optimization; and a wide range of standard data import capabilities
for surface and wireframe models, which can be converted into
solid models.
The HP PE/SolidDesigner surface-modeling module is the result of
a technology-sharing agreement signed by HP and Cisigraph in
April 1993 to incorporate surface-modeling aspects of Cisigraph's
STRIM100 into HP PE/SolidDesigner.
HP PE/SolidDesigner with the surface-modeling module will be
installed in test sites in December, with shipments expected to
begin in the second quarter of 1994. Prices will be announced later.
HP says it has also introduced, what it believes is, the industry's
highest capacity and fastest digital data storage-2 (DDS), digital
audio tape (DAT) autoloader -- the HP C1553A.
The 5.25-inch form-factor product allows for automated backup
of typically 48 gigabytes (GB) of data every night. The autoloader
is also claimed to be compatible with data-management systems
for Unix-based and Novell environments.
The new autoloader holds six DDS cartridges in a "compact,
removable" magazine. Each 12 millimeter (mm) DDS-2 cartridge
typically stores 8GB. The autoloader uses the HP C1533A DAT
drive. According to HP, the product offers users an "ergonomically"
designed front panel with liquid-crystal display (LCD), which
shows the number of the cartridge in the drive, whether the drive
is reading or writing, and whether data compression is on or off.
The drive is already available.
(Ian Stokell/19931109/Press Contact: Irene Economou,
408-447-7371, Hewlett-Packard Co.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/09/93
CORRECTION APPLE
Correction - Newton Shareware Available On ZiffNet/CompuServe
(CORRECTION)(APPLE)(LAX)(00022)
Correction - Newton Shareware Available On ZiffNet/CompuServe 11/09/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Newsbytes
has been informed there was an error in the Ziffnet/Mac press
release from which information was used in the story "Newton
Shareware Available On ZiffNet/CompuServe" that ran November 3,
1993.
The Ziffnet/Mac forum says it does not have the most shareware
of all online services. In addition, the CompuServe Newton/PIE
forum has informed Newsbytes it has more shareware titles than
the Ziffnet/Mac forum.
Ziffnet wishes to clarify the situation by saying that its
philosophy is "editor's choice" shareware. Ben Templin,
editorial director of Ziffnet/Mac told Newsbytes: "We take the
cream of the crop. There are a couple hundred new applications
out there now, but we take a select set so people aren't
downloading stuff they can't use."
Neil Shapiro, co-manager of Compuserve's Newton/PIE forum tells
Newsbytes, "In the Newton/PIE Forum we have 77 unique programs
related to the Newton platforms. These include many programs not
offered on ZMAC as of this writing, including a patch to the
old beta Connection Kit allowing it to operate while people
await their version 1.0 software through the mail."
(Linda Rohrbough/19931109)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
BUSINESS
****Wordperfect, Borland Merger Rumor Fueled
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00023)
****Wordperfect, Borland Merger Rumor Fueled 11/09/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Will they do it or won't
they? That seems to be the question these days, with both
companies neither denying nor confirming a possible "marriage."
The "they" in this case are Wordperfect Corp., the publisher of
Wordperfect, the word processing program used by more people
worldwide than any other, and Borland International, the parent of
spreadsheet program Quattro and database program Paradox.
Wordperfect maintains a running battle with Microsoft Word, while
Quattro tries to displace heavy hitters Lotus 1-2-3 and Microsoft
Excel. The "it" is a possible merger between the two companies that
has been rumored for months.
One computer publication reported this week that Wordperfect CEO
Alan Ashton acknowledged during an appearance at the Boston
Computer Society that the two companies have had merger
discussions but declined to give further details. However when
contacted by Newsbytes a Wordperfect spokesperson denied that
any merger talks had taken place, and also denied that the two
companies would meet at the Comdex trade show that opens next
week in Las Vegas to discuss a merger.
Wordperfect did tell Newsbytes that it will meet with Borland
representatives during Comdex to discuss the contributions each
company will make to the Borland Office software applications suite
the two companies are developing.
The may or may not marry, but they certainly appear to be engaged.
More than a year ago Borland offered special pricing on an upgrade
to Quattro Pro for Windows to users of Wordperfect for Windows,
drawing the two companies closer in their running battle with
heavyweight Microsoft, publisher of spreadsheet Excel and word
processor Microsoft Word.
In April of this year Borland announced Borland Office for Windows,
a software suite consisting of Wordperfect for Windows, Quattro
Pro, and database Paradox for Windows, also a Borland product.
That put the two companies head-to-head again with Microsoft and
its Microsoft Office combo that includes Microsoft Word, Excel, and
Access.
The latest step in the mutual courtship was the announcement in
September that Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows would be bundled with
Quattro Pro 5.0 Workgroup Edition. Wordperfect users are able to
launch Quattro or specific Quattro spreadsheets from within
Wordperfect by clicking on the assigned button, and Wordperfect
can directly import spreadsheet data from Quattro Pro into a table in
the document, with the formatting and formulas remaining intact.
There have also been repeated rumors that Wordperfect would go
public. Ashton told reporters in Boston that would happen, but
declined to disclose a schedule. "We're positioned where we can go
public, and we eventually will do that." However, he said various
factors including the current state of the economy are affecting the
timing of the IPO.
(Jim Mallory/19931109/Press contact: Hank Heilesen, Wordperfect
Corp, 801-228-5035)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
TELECOM
****Motorola-Nextel Create Largest Wireless Network
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)
****Motorola-Nextel Create Largest Wireless Network 11/09/93
RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Motorola sold
the rest of its specialized mobile radio licenses to Nextel for
a 20 percent stake in the company. The deal, worth $1.8 billion,
gives Nextel the largest wireless network in the nation, with 180
million potential customers.
The SMR licenses being acquired were originally given by the
Federal Communications Commission in the early 1980s, and were
intended to be used for local voice communications, often between
dispatchers and cabs or ambulances. But Motorola, the largest SMR
licensee, has been pushing a digital technology called Enhanced
SMR, which greatly increases the capacity of such channels. When
combined with a network of antennae similar to that of a cellular
network, SMR network operators can compete directly with cellular
service providers.
The latest transaction is the culmination of about 150 deals in
the last few years, Chairman Morgan O'Brien said on the CNBC
cable network, and another $1 billion will still be needed to
turn the licenses into a national wireless voice and data system,
using Motorola technology. While Nextel has very little equity in
relation to its debt load, O'Brien said in the interview he
expects most of that money will be raised through new debt,
based on the large asset base represented by the licenses.
An SMR license is not like a cellular license, however. The
frequencies are lower, so that while antennae can be farther
apart, it takes more power to generate a signal, so phones must
be larger and require more power than conventional cellular
units. Also, separate SMR licenses are offered for each calling
channel, so merely having a license in a market doesn't guarantee
that a license holder has the spectrum necessary to provide real
competition to cellular operators. Each cellular operator has
dozens of calling channels available, at the same frequencies, in
each market. SMR license holders must acquire their licenses
channel-by-channel, and may not have the same frequencies in
adjacent markets.
More competition is coming to the market as well. Wireless data
networks like ARDIS and RAM Mobile Data, which use similar
frequencies to SMR, have been in business for some time, aiming
at the same fleet market as Nextel. Cellular operators are
digitizing their networks and rolling out new packet data options
like CDPD. And another 200 MHz of frequencies will be auctioned-
off by the US government next year in the 1.8-2.2 GHz band,
for use by new voice and data services.
In the CNBC interview, O'Brien said that his network will offer
more integrated services with more geographic reach than any
potential competitor, and said he'll fight to keep every customer
he can. Dispatch companies and large fleets are expected to be
the markets most attracted to Nextel's technology.
Before this transaction, Motorola made deals with CenCall and
Dial Page to sell half its SMR licenses for stakes in those
companies. While this deal will bring Motorola big orders for
ESMR equipment and cell sites, there's also risk in it for
Motorola. If SMR fails to reach its market, Motorola's stake in
SMR operators will decline in value.
Further consolidation could come to the SMR business soon, as
Pittencrieff Communications Inc., which owns many SMR licenses
in the Southwest US, said it appointed Gleacher & Company to advise
it on those holdings. Gleacher is associated with London-based
Morgan Grenfell & Co. Ltd., and Pittencrieff itself has its
corporate offices in Scotland. The decision could lead to a sale
of the SMR licenses, which Pittencrieff calls the third-largest
SMR network in the US.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931109/Press Contact: Jack Markell, Nextel,
201-438-1400; Pittencrieff Communications, C.G. Whitten, 915/691-
1021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
TELECOM
FCC Moves Ahead With Digital HDTV Test
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)
FCC Moves Ahead With Digital HDTV Test 11/09/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- An advisory
committee of the Federal Communications Commission approved a
possible standard for High Definition TV which will be tested
early next year.
If the tests are successful, the committee will recommend the
standard to the full commission in early 1995.
The new proposal is a compromise among digital HDTV proposals
from AT&T, the David Sarnoff Research Center, General Instrument,
MIT, Philips, Thomson and Zenith. All had undergone previous
technical trials, but deficiencies were found in all of them,
with General Instruments' offering coming out on top. In May, the
four competing groups formed a "grand alliance" and agreed to
share both technology and revenues. The new decision is an
outgrowth of that.
Technically, the new proposal includes a digital audio system
employing 5.1-channel Dolby sound, and a picture delivery system
which would be compatible with both the "interlaced" TV screens
of today and the "progressive" scanning found on computer
screens. The compression technology will be based on the Moving
Pictures Experts Group, or MPEG, standard originally brought to
the group by General Instruments and described as a "compression
language" by Scientific Atlanta chief scientist, Allen Ecker.
Alan Stillwell of the FCC office of engineering and technology
warned, however, that this is just one step on a long road. "This
isn't the standard. It's a go ahead to build a prototype. They'll
test the prototype, and if they like it they'll recommend the
system to us," he told Newsbytes. "It means the commission isn't
telling the advisory committee how to do its work. We don't
oversee every step of their work. We could reject what they
propose to us," although that's unlikely.
Newsbytes also discussed all this with Paul Meisner, who's
working directly with the advisory committee, headed by former
FCC chair Richard Wiley. "It's all but one sub-system of a
prototype" that's been approved, not the whole system. "We have
approved the system designs for everything but the transmission
sub-system.
"Compromise isn't the right word" for the results, Meisner
added. "It sounds like a deal was cut. We brought the best
elements of each system together. Instead of having four
different systems with similar performance, we have the best
elements of all and have a single system that's superior. We have
every confidence it will work. By February we'll have the entire
system approved for construction, after a competing test of two
major transmission systems in January lab tests." Final lab tests
of the total system will occur in the fall of 1994.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931109/Press Contact: FCC Press Office, 202-
632-5050; Paul Meisner, advisory committee, 202-828-7506)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
TELECOM
McCaw Deals with Cantel, Rockwell
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)
McCaw Deals with Cantel, Rockwell 11/09/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- McCaw, which is
being acquired by AT&T, announced two new deals aimed at
increasing the reach of its networks.
McCaw's Claircom Communications Group, an air-ground phone
service, signed deals to extend service to Canada and Mexico.
Cantel of Canada will buy 10 percent of Claircom, which does
business as AirOne, in exchange for 20 percent of Cantel's own
Canadian operation. The deal will offer Claircom's AirOne service
through a ground station network integrated with Claircom's US
operations.
In recent months AirOne has won a big piece of the business
away from market-leader GTE AirFone, signing American
Airlines, Alaska Air, Southwest Airlines and Northwest Airlines.
Claircom de Mexico, a Mexican company in which Claircom is a
minority investor, also won a license to build a ground network
in Mexico, providing coverage there. Recently, Claircom also
announced it had signed a fleet-wide contract with Air France as
its first European customer.
On another front, McCaw announced a deal with Rockwell
International to develop wireless packet networks under the
cellular digital packet data, or CDPD standard. Rockwell is
already working with McCaw and its partners to incorporate CDPD
technology on Rockwell's modem chipsets, enabling modem makers
to build packet data capabilities into their products. The two
companies said their agreement assures consumers that equipment
will be available as CDPD networks are implemented by cellular
carriers.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931109/Press Contact: Rockwell
International, Eileen Algaze, 714/833-6849; McCaw Cellular, Todd
Wolfenbarger, 206/828-1851; Rogers Communications, Sally Moyer
Kent, 416/864-2353)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/09/93
TELECOM
Ameritech, Citibank Set New Screenphone Test
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)
Ameritech, Citibank Set New Screenphone Test 11/09/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Ameritech and
Citibank signed an alliance that will result in a new test of
screenphone technology next spring in the Chicago area.
Both companies have long been interested in screenphone and home
banking technology. Ameritech wants to sell more custom calling
services like Caller ID, which so far have reached just 18
percent of customers who might buy it. Citibank wants to solidify
its brand presence in customers' homes, and will offer bill
payment as well as the ability to check account balances through
the test.
If the test is a success, Ameritech and Citibank could extend the
screenphone test throughout the region and, theoretically,
nationwide, using a service platform developed by Ameritech. The
alliance had been rumored for months, and follows the launch of a
home banking-phone services test by First Tennessee Bank and
BellSouth in Nashville which could be turned into a market roll-
out, according to those companies.
Screenphone advocates have also been cheered recently by the
announcement of PhonePlus, a new screen phone from US Order which
combines a low retail price point of $199 and the ADSI display
standard of Bellcore, the regional Bells' research arm. ADSI is
designed to allow phone companies to offer services like Caller
ID on the same platform that information providers and shop at
home services use.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931109/Press Contact: Steve Ford, Ameritech,
312-750-5205; Susan Weeks, Citibank, 212-559-0580)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
IBM
HP's 1st Multimedia PC, 1st 486-Based Omnibook
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00028)
HP's 1st Multimedia PC, 1st 486-Based Omnibook 11/09/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- Hardware
vendors continue to introduce products designed for the growing
multimedia market. Now Hewlett-Packard has announced its first
multimedia PC, which includes a 16-bit sound card, a CD-ROM drive
and a variety of multimedia software tools. The company has also
introduced its first 486-based sub-notebook PC - the HP OmniBook
425.
The HP Vectra 486/25VL model 170MM, is intended as a "low-cost
platform designed for easy access to the growing number of
multimedia software applications," according to the company.
HP has also announced reduced prices on its midrange desktop PCs
by up to 12 percent. The company has also enhanced a number of
existing systems with larger mass-storage options and increased
memory.
The company is also expecting to announce the availability of a
high-end PC bundled with Microsoft's Windows NT operating
system in December.
In announcing the new multimedia PC, Robert J. Frankenberg, an HP
vice president and general manager of HP's Personal Information
Products Group, said: "Multimedia capabilities are an important
part of our strategy to offer a broad range of enhanced capabilities
in our HP Vectra PCs at a competitive price."
The HP Vectra 486/25VL model 170MM is priced at $1,649, and
includes four megabytes (MB) RAM; a 3.5-inch, 1.44MB floppy-disk
drive; a 170MB hard-disk drive; and 512 kilobytes (KB) of video
memory.
The system meets the multimedia PC (MPC)-2 specifications and
features a 16-bit digital signal processor (DSP) sound card with
integrated SCSI-2 (Small Computer Systems Interface type 2)
interface (backward compatible with SCSI-1); a double-speed,
multisession SCSI-1 CD-ROM drive; headphones with volume
control; Voyetra MultiMedia software, including AudioStation,
Orchestrator, Windows Jukebox, Say It! and a number of music
clips or multimedia presentations; and Kodak PhotoEdge CD
software for manipulating Photo CD images.
The price reductions of up to 12 percent apply to selected models
in the HP Vectra M/MI and N/NI PC series. The company says that
prices for the HP VectraM/MI series now range from $1,249 to
$2,899, and for the HP Vectra N/NI series, from $1,169 to $2,479.
All of the new models, including the HP Vectra 486/25VL model
170MM multimedia PC, are expected to be available mid-month,
and carry a limited three-year warranty.
The HP OmniBook 425, at 2.9 pounds, is claimed to be the
lightest 486-based portable PC with full-sized keyboard and the
first 486-based portable with a suite of Windows applications
built in.
HP is calling the 425 a "superportable," because "it gives users
full-size-PC convenience anytime, anywhere with no boot-up and
no set-up."
The 425 measures 11.1- by 6.4- by 1.4-inches, and includes a
25 megahertz (MHz) 486 processor. It comes with an enhanced
reflective display, PCMCIA hard-disk drive or flash-disk-based
mass storage, and can run on four AA batteries.
HP says that the OmniBook 425 also includes: "instant-on"
applications in the form of hot-key access to a built-in suite of
Microsoft Windows applications; a full-size keyboard; a built-in
pop-up mouse; and long battery life. The company claims that
"typical continuous use" is up to eight hours in systems using
flash disks and up to four and one-half hours in systems with
hard disks. All models run eight to 10 hours on AA lithium
batteries, and flash-disk models also can run on AA alkaline
batteries.
The 425 is available with two storage options: a 40MB PCMCIA
Type III hard disk or a 10MB flash disk located on a PCMCIA
type II card. The company says that both storage options use a
built-in DoubleSpace compression program to provide twice the
storage capacity -- 80MB and 20MB respectively. The HP
OmniBook 425 with 40MB hard disk is priced at $2,125, and the
HP OmniBook 425 with 10MB flash disk costs $2,375.
(Ian Stokell/19931109/Press Contact: David Schneider,
408-553-2922; Lucy Honig, 503-750-2038, Hewlett-Packard Co.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
GOVT
Gore Vs Perot NAFTA Debate Tonight
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00029)
Gore Vs Perot NAFTA Debate Tonight 11/09/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- As the division
between big labor and big industry hardens into a bloody no-
holds-barred battle line over the proposed ratification of
NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, the Clinton White
House appears shaken enough by the struggle to get the final 30
needed votes in The House of Representatives that it is willing
to gamble on one throw of the dice by pitting Vice President Al
Gore against Texas firebrand and NAFTA opponent Ross Perot on
national television.
Tonight's Larry King Live talk show on CNN will feature an
expanded 90-minute debate between the Administration's champion
and former presidential candidate Perot who heads the first major
and third party organization of the past 40 years which did not
collapse with the defeat of its candidate.
Still 30 votes short in the House of Representatives, the White
House is only a little more than a week away from its own self-
imposed deadline to pass NAFTA through Congress, but most
commentators are ignoring the fact that although NAFTA is a "fast
track" legislative priority, that actually means that it must be
voted up or down within 90-days of its formal submission last
week, not within the often mentioned two weeks.
Republicans are strongly in favor of NAFTA and therefore there is
no anticipated problem in the Senate, but strong opposition from
labor unions, a traditional strength of the Democratic Party, has
caused a number of Democrats in the House and Senate to either
sit on the fence, or announce their opposition to NAFTA.
This includes Democratic Representatives from California and
other high-tech areas where many companies are strongly in favor
of NAFTA because they expect it to improve exports to Mexico.
Unfortunately for NAFTA supporters, even in these areas labor has
been a major supporter (read financial contributor) to Democratic
candidates and is calling in its chits.
NAFTA, which was opposed by Presidential Candidate Clinton and
now embraced by President Clinton after what many see as
meaningless changes to some side agreements, is also strongly
opposed in its present form by the new Canadian Administration
which has called for it to be renegotiated.
Most Washington insiders see tonight's televised debate between
the often unflappable Gore and the very explosive Perot as a
major gamble on the part of the Administration which, many feel,
must be getting pretty desperate to boost Mr. Perot's status by
having him appear on stage with the Vice President.
The debate, which may include a limited number of telephone
questions from viewers, will be held this evening on CNN (Cable
News Network) from 9 pm to 10:30 pm East Coast time.
(John McCormick/19931109/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/09/93
TRENDS
****Humans Versus Pentium Computer In Chess Match
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00030)
****Humans Versus Pentium Computer In Chess Match 11/09/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 9 (NB) -- The Harvard Cup, the
only contest which pits actual human chess masters against the
world's top computer chess programs, was contested for the
fourth time last Saturday, November 6 at The Computer Museum in
Boston, Massachusetts. This year's contest was being posed as
human vs. the Pentium (586) chip.
The human contestants this year included the defending Harvard
Cup champion Michael Rohde from New York City; US Chess
Champion Patrick Wolff of nearby Summerville, Mass., and Former
Soviet Chess Champion and current Fairlawn, New Jersey resident
Boris Gulko.
Since the first Harvard Cup where the computers won only about
ten percent of the points back in 1989, the software has improved
to where the computers won 28 percent of the possible points in
the Third Harvard Cup Contest.
Silicon entrants this year include: Socrates Exp from Heuristic
Software; Kasparov's Gambit by Electronic Arts, a principal
sponsor of the event; the animated BattleChess 4000 SVGA from
Interplay Productions; M-Chess Professional from programmer Marty
Hirsch; Renaissance SPARC, a dedicated chess playing computer
from Saitek Industries; and ChessSystem R.30, another dedicated
system built by Dutch TASC.
The six competing grandmasters will play each of the six
computers in a series of 50-minute games where each side has an
equal 25 minutes to complete his or its moves. Each win counts
for one point with a draw giving each contestant a half point.
Besides the Electronic Arts game company, other major sponsors of
the event include Intel, IBM, Amerigames International, and two
chess groups.
Getting computers to play chess at the level of a chess
grandmaster has been the goal of computer programmers since the
early days of the Artificial Intelligence Lab at MIT.
Programming a computer to play chess is relatively simple because
of the limited number of rules and possible moves and even
producing one that will play a passable game for advanced players
has been fairly easy but making the move from playing a good game
to the rarefied atmosphere of chess masters and grandmasters has
proven much more difficult even for dedicated chess computers,
let alone software that will run acceptably quickly on standard
desktop PCs.
The major problem with making PCs competitive with master-level
players is that the easy way to get a computer to play chess is
to program it to test every possible move and every possible move
after that move ... and so on for as many steps as possible.
This, along with some set opening and closing game scenarios is
how basic chess software works, but it is a very processor-
intensive job and to compete at a professional level the
programmers must either have access to very fast processors like
the Intel Pentium or else incorporate a great deal of artificial
intelligence into the software and that also takes a lot of
processor power.
Socrates Exp did best for the computer side on Saturday,
accumulating a total of three points out of a possible six in
competition with human grandmasters. The Human winner, with a
perfect 6 and 0 record against the computers was 29 year-old Joel
Benjamin, an International Grandmaster from NYC.
The Heuristic program ran on a computer equipped with the fast
new Intel Pentium chip which enabled the software to perform more
calculations within the 30-minute time limit per game, but that
Grandmaster-level performance may be misleading because overall
computers did slightly less well this year than they did last.
Overall the total accumulated score for human players was 27
verses only 9 for computers, a few percentage points poorer than
last year.
In other results of the human vs. machine chess battle, Alexander
Ivanov, a nearby Brookline, MA resident and current New
England Champion, came in second place with 5 out of a possible 6
points; US Chess Champion Patrick Wolff scored 4.5 points;
former Soviet Chess Champion Boris Gulko also scored 4.5, as did
Ilya Gurevich, the former World Junior Champion from New York
City.
New York City's Michael Rohde, the defending 1992 Harvard Cup
Champion, scored last among humans with only 2.5 out of a possible
6 points.
On the hardware side, ChessSystem R30 beat two grandmasters and
won a draw with a third; BattleChess 4000 SVGA left with one win
and a draw against the human champions, an unexpectedly strong
result for this animated computer chess program; M-Chess
Professional had one draw and one win; the Renaissance SPARC
chess machine got one draw; and Electronic Arts Kasparov's Gambit
came in last with no wins but reportedly had a strong showing
until it encountered time problems.
(John McCormick/19931109/Press Contact: Alex Chisholm, The
Computer Museum, 617-426-2800 ext. 422 or fax 617-426-2943)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
IBM
Report Shows Many Anti-Virus Programs Not Updated
(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00001)
Report Shows Many Anti-Virus Programs Not Updated 11/08/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Although every anti-virus
software publisher promotes the fact that the company's product is
constantly updated to catch the latest strains of computer viruses,
a report by Virus Bulletin, a UK anti-virus newsletter claims that
the terminate and stay resident (TSR) portion of some anti-viral
programs are not updated as often as they should be.
The report singles out McAfee Associates' Viruscan TSR, a product
that McAfee claims to have the highest level of virus detection, as
missing more than 20 percent of viruses in a recent test.
A computer virus is a small computer program created by a
computer-literate vandal with the purpose of destroying data or
even applications programs in other people's computers. Anti-
virus software and hardware comes in two types, those which
detect the presence of viruses and those which prevent all
unauthorized changes to files. The programs tested were all virus
detectors which depend on knowing what tell-tale pieces of code
to look for to catch each newly-written virus.
Microsoft's anti-virus tool in MS-DOS 6 came out the worst in the
recent test catching only 58.4 percent of the infections, but
McAfee Associates' program only detected 78.8 of the tested
viruses, about the same as Central Point Software's Anti-Virus
and the respected Frisk Software F-PROT which was until recently
shareware.
The problem with all of these anti-virus programs came in the TSR or
memory-resident portion of their software which is intended to catch
a virus before it ever enters the computer's files or operating
system. Another part of these anti-virus programs is the scanner
which searches the hard drive for the imprint of an existing virus
infection.
Although McAfee's VSHIELD anti-virus software caught 96.8 percent of
the tested viruses in the scan portion of the test, it missed many
of the same viruses in the equally important TSR scan showing,
according to the September, 1993 issue of Virus Bulletin, that the
TSR was not being updated in a timely fashion.
The same was true of Microsoft's Anti-virus code in DOS 6, F-PROT,
and Central Point's program, with the important note that of all
these F-PROT actually caught 99.6 percent of the existing infections
during the scan, second only to RG Software's Vi-Spy anti-virus
program which caught 100 percent of the infections both during the
scan and TSR tests.
Second to Scottsdale, Arizona-based RG Software's program was Dr.
Solomon's TOOLKIT and GUARD software which only missed a couple of
percent of the infections in both the scan and TSR modes. But Vi-Spy
was the only one of the six popular programs which actually detected
every single virus.
Readers may remember that there was a major flap last year when the
McAfee Associates' CompuServe Forum was found to have live viruses
posted where they could be downloaded.
(John McCormick/19931108/Press Contact: Sharon Paskow, Wallace
Resources, 602-860-5108 or fax 602-860-5099)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
IBM
Traveling Software Intros Wireless Docking Station
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)
Traveling Software Intros Wireless Docking Station 11/08/93
BOTHELL, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Traveling Software
and National Semiconductor Corporation have teamed up to introduce
what they claim is the first wireless docking station.
The wireless docking station, Laplink Wireless with Airshare, allows
portable computers to share information with desktop PCs without the
need for connecting wires or using floppy disks to transfer
information. Instead, it utilizes radio frequency (RF) transmission
technology to automatically connect and synchronize directories on
the two computers using a module called Airshare.
Airshare modules allow the two computers to communicate within a
radius of 30 feet. The user can also use a portable computer to
print documents to local or network printers through the PC. Laplink
Remote Access, a remote control software package included with
Traveling Software's Commworks communications software and also sold
as a separate program, provides remote drive and printer control
between two PCs in 'Windows or DOS.
Laplink Wireless also includes Traveling Software's new Synchro Plus
software that runs in the background in Windows and provides
automatic synchronization whenever a connection is detected.
The Airshare modules weigh three ounces each and measure 2.25 inches
by 3.5 inches by 0.5 inches and can be fastened directly to the
computers for portability. The companies say Airshare is adaptable
to personal computer memory card industry association (PCMCIA)
standards.
A switch on the Airshare unit allows the user to select from several
radio frequencies, assuring a clear channel. Power supply options
include a mouse port pass-through connector, a battery pack that
uses one 9-volt battery, and an AC adapter.
Traveling Software told Newsbytes that it will be demonstrating
Laplink Wireless with Airshare at Comdex, the annual fall computer
trade show that opens in Las Vegas on November 15. The product is
scheduled to start shipping in January 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931108/Press contact: Elaina Dulaney, Traveling
Software, 206-483-8088 or Margaret Mehling, National Semiconductor,
408-721-2639; Reader contact: Traveling Software, 206-483-8088, fax
206-487-1284 or National Semiconductor, 408-721-5000, fax 408-721-
4115)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
APPLE
Distributor Promotes Australian Multimedia Development
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00003)
Distributor Promotes Australian Multimedia Development 11/08/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Australian multimedia
distributor Firmware Design used this week's MacWorld and Multimedia
expo in Sydney to announce new support for local multimedia
developers. One of these is a special version of Authorware
Professional software.
The product retails in Australia for AUS$7495, but students and
staff of education institutions, and the institutions themselves can
buy for just AUS$995, half of the normal educational price. The
offer ends on December 31.
The only requirements for buying either the Mac or Windows product
is to show evidence of existing multimedia development -- such as
ownership of another development tool, including HyperCard, ToolBook
or SuperCard. The only limitation of the product is that it is not
licensed for commercial software production.
At the expo, Firmware introduced three local multimedia developers.
Erica Dale has developed an early childhood CD-ROM (compact disc -
read only memory) "Playtime in the Park" developed in Macromedia
Director. It is due for February release.
Peter Dodds of Brilliant Interactive Ideas has developed a
comprehensive selling skills package for Hunter Douglas. This
interactive CD-ROM was developed with Authorware professional and
Macromedia Director and is to be exported to five countries.
Arthur Richardson of Applied Multimedia explained that his company
has been active in computer based training (CBT) for a number of
years and is now developing a range of multimedia CBT projects.
(Paul Zucker/19931108/Contact Firmware Design on phone +61-47-21
7211 or fax +61-45-21 7215)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
GENERAL
Wordperfect Picks Worldwide Training Vendor
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)
Wordperfect Picks Worldwide Training Vendor 11/08/93
BLOOMINGTON, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Drake Training &
Technologies has announced it has signed an agreement with
Wordperfect Corporation to provide certification testing for
professionals who use and support Wordperfect products.
Wordperfect's partnership programs set standards to certify
individuals and organizations who provide service and training to
WPCorp customers. The programs provide testing, training evaluation
and courseware development.
Drake says that exams will be offered to quantify an individual's
product-specific, technical proficiency at various levels. Certified
Systems Engineer (CSE) certification assesses systems integrators
and administrators who plan, install, maintain and troubleshoot
Wordperfect products in a networked environment.
Advanced Professional Credential (APC) holders are technical experts
who serve as help desk personnel, trainers, and other service
professionals. The Advanced Business Credential (ABC) exam
identifies the advanced proficiency of office staff, students, and
other qualified Wordperfect users with the critical skills required
to succeed in the business environment.
Drake says that CSE exams will be offered for Office 4.0 and Informs
1.0, with APC exams available for Wordperfect for DOS 6.0 and
Informs 1.0. ABC testing will be provided for Wordperfect for
Windows 6.0 in the spring of 1994. The CSE Office 4.0 and the
Wordperfect for DOS 6.0 APC exams will be the first ones available.
A Drake registrar told Newsbytes that the tests are still in the
beta form being used to test the final product. Cost to take the
beta tests is $60, while the cost to receive the final product
testing is expected to be about $120.
(Jim Mallory/19931108/Press contact: Alan Hupp, Drake Training &
Technologies, 612-921-6478 or Laura Funkhauser, Wordperfect Corp,
801-228-6807; Reader contact: Drake Testing & Technologies, 800-297-
3926)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
TELECOM
New War On Modem Standards Set for Comdex
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00005)
New War On Modem Standards Set for Comdex 11/08/93
BOCA RATON, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Businesses and
individuals seeking faster modems face a new war on standards this
month at Comdex.
Following Hayes' release of a new 28,800 bits per second (bps) modem
based on the interim V.FC standard, Boca Research has announced a
24,000bps product that also conforms to the V.FC standard. Boca
indicated that more companies are expected to join its move to
V.Fast, using a new Rockwell chip set which also transmits faxes at
six blank pages per minute, or 14,400 bps.
While the new modems will be a big advantage to companies which want
to link offices at higher speeds and bulletin board system
operators, their utility is limited. Most packet networks maintain
9,600 bps as their highest speed, and most fax machines transmit at
a top rate of 4 blank pages per minute.
With continuing confusion on standards and speeds going higher than
that, it's unlikely many networks will commit to any upgrades. Most
networks, in fact, have yet to offer 14,400 bps service even though
the V.32bis modulation and V.42bis data compression and error
correction standards are well-established.
Boca said that the starting price of its new V.Fast Class product,
$395, is about the same as 14,400 bit/second modems were selling at
earlier this year. The 14,400 bit/second product now carries a
street price of about $150. Lower prices are made possible by
standardized chip sets based on digital signal processing technology
and a host of modem makers, resulting in fierce competition with
high-quality products.
Boca was founded by Tim Farris, who had formerly started another
add-in board company called Quadram in the early 1980s, which was
eventually folded into National Semiconductor. At Quadram, Farris
was the technical expert, and Boca has maintained a reputation for
quality even while expanding its product line.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931108/Press Contact: Boca Research, Gale
Blackburn, 407/997-6227)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
BUSINESS
OWP Becomes NEBS Software
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00006)
OWP Becomes NEBS Software 11/08/93
NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- OWB, a subsidiary
formed by business forms maker New England Business Services (NEBS)
last January to buy the One-Write Plus accounting software, has
changed its name to NEBS Software.
The name change is meant to capitalize on the name recognition the
parent company has, officials said. NEBS has supplied forms and
other supplies to small businesses and home offices for more than 40
years.
OWB was set up to buy One-Write Plus from Meca Software, of
Fairfield, Connecticut, for $8.25 million in cash at closing and
another $1 million to be held in escrow and paid out over the next
12 month period. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of NEBS, a company
spokeswoman said.
Meca had bought the accounting product along with its former
publisher, Great American Software, a year earlier for $4.35
million in cash and shares, plus contingent amounts. The company
resold One Write Plus because of financial pressures.
First published in 1985, One Write Plus uses the one-write
accounting system that is popular in smaller businesses. NEBS
Software also offers two other software packages: One-Write Plus
Payroll and FastPak Mail, a mailing list program.
(Grant Buckler/19931108/Press Contact: Michelle Mitchell, NEBS
Software, 603-880-5118, fax 603-880-5102; Public Contact: NEBS
Software, 603-880-5100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
APPLE
Ian and Stuart's Australasian Mac CD Debuts
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00007)
Ian and Stuart's Australasian Mac CD Debuts 11/08/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Ian Webster and Stuart
Marburg,Two Australians from the Apple Mac community have released a
CD collection of over 10,000 public domain, freeware, shareware,
happiware, GNUware, shelfware and various otherware files for the
Mac. The two men claim that their disc is the most up-to-date
collection available on CD.
The disk also includes the work of over 50 Australian and New
Zealand developers including "Mac legends" like John Rotenstein,
Peter Lewis, Victor Tan and Paul Bourke whose programs are known
throughout the Mac community. There are also program demos from 30
Australian commercial Mac software developers.
But wait, there is also a collection of Australiana such as the
Australian Constitution, Maps, Politician's Database and PostCode
files. And there's even more -- information on the Australian Mac
user community, including user groups and Mac BBS systems.
Webster told Newsbytes that the Mac Community Archive currently
stands at around four Gigabytes, with around eight Megabytes added
each week. Typical popular programs include ZTerm, Compact pro,
BBEDit, Bolo, Maelstrom, Mayhem and Space Madness.
The disk is available for AUS$79 from MacDirect, Apple resellers and
Mac user groups. (AUS$79 = US$53 approximately)
(Paul Zucker/19931108/Contact: Ian Webster on phone +61-2-674 6888
or fax +61-2-838-7875)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
APPLE
MacWarehouse Arrives In Australia
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00008)
MacWarehouse Arrives In Australia 11/08/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- US catalog reseller Micro
Warehouse is now operating in Australia. Leading Australian direct
mail supplier of Mac products, MacDirect, has signed as a franchisee
with the US company.
MacDirect was established in 1991 and now claims to be the largest
supplier of third party software and hardware for Macs in the
country. The franchise agreement gives MacDirect access to Micro
Warehouse's MacWarehouse trademark, telemarketing technology and
catalog production resources.
"This agreement will give Australian Mac users the same level of
service and product range that MacWarehouse offers in the US" said
MacDirect general manager John Selvaggi. He added that MacWarehouse
is the largest reseller of Mac products in the US, and also operates
in Britain, France, Germany and Scandinavia. MacDirect remains
Australian owned and operated, but will operate under the
MacWarehouse trademark.
The new business was launched last week at the MacWorld expo in
Sydney. Every visitor received the brand-new MacWarehouse catalog
which feels more like a computer magazine than anything else.
Included with the magazine is a bonus Power User's Toolkit 19.0 disk
of utilities for Mac users. Typical prices in the catalog (shown in
US$ equivalents for comparison) are: Dinosaur Adventure with
Jurassic Park paperback for US$32; Quicken 4 for Macintosh for
US$56; and Radius monochrome pivot display for US$900.
(Paul Zucker/19931108/Contact: MacDirect on phone +61-2-838 8388 or
fax +61-2-838-7875)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
GENERAL
New Dev't Environments For Solving Portability Problems
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00009)
New Dev't Environments For Solving Portability Problems 11/08/93
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- A duo of new products
from XVT are aimed at helping C/C++ developers solve such
portability problems as providing context-sensitive help across
environments and creating applications that automatically adjust to
the varying screen sizes of hardware platforms.
XVT Development Solution or C (XVT-DS) and XVT Development Solution
for C++ (XVT-DS++) each come with the company's new XVT Portability
Toolkit 4.0, an offering that includes geometry management and the
ability to create a hypertext help file.
XVT-DS++ also provides XVT-Power++, an object-oriented hierachical
application framework purchased in September from InfoStructure
Inc. In XVT-Power++, all elements communicate according to a
standard set of rules. Other capabilities include nested views,
object delegation, runtime type identification, and automatic data
propagation.
The hypertext help file that can be created with Toolkit 4.0 lets
the developer include portable bitmaps for illustrated, context-
sensitive help across environments, officials said. On platforms
with native help systems, the application uses the native help
systems to display help. Otherwise, the XVT Help Engine is used.
Each portable bitmap must be created only once. After than, it can
be used on any platform. The bitmaps can be created with XVT's
Bitmap Editor, or by converting native bitmap file formats.
The geometry management capability allows graphical user interfaces
(GUIs) to adjust automatically to different screen sizes or
character sets. For example, an application could adjust
automatically from a nine-inch Macintosh Classic screen to a 19-inch
Silicon Graphics Iris workstation screen, the company claims.
Other features include support for multibyte and wide characters, to
ease Asian-language application development, along with enhancements
for taking advantage of the fonts available on various platforms in
establishing a native look and feel.
The Bitmap Editor is supplied in VXT-Design 3.0, also a new addition
in XVT-DS and XVT-DS++. Other capabilities of XVT-Design 3.0 include
a GUI object browser and a GUI object palette and layout toolbar.
XVT-Power++, offered only for XVT-DS++, provides a defined
communication scheme, known as object delegation, that is designed
to allow various levels of the object framework respond to the same
event, according to officials.
The nested views feature in XVT-Power++ permits an object to contain
other objects. The other objects then inherit the environment of the
enclosing object.
Runtime type identification, currently being considered as an ANSI
standard, lets a program ask an instance of an object what type it
is. Automatic data propagation allows high-level objects, such as
view objects associated with document objects, to be notified of
changes in application data.
XVT-DS and XVT-DS++ are priced at $1,950 for PCs and Macintosh and
$6,300 for workstations. All XVT products, including XVT-Power++,
are also available a la carte. XVT-Power++ is priced at $495 for
Intel 486 and similar microprocessor systems and $1,795 for
workstations.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931108/Reader contact: XVT Software Inc., tel
303-443-4223; Press contacts: Kim Smith, XVT, tel 303-443-4223;
Linda R. Barker, L.R. Barker & Co. for XVT, tel 303-628-5442)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/08/93
APPLE
Wireless E-Mail Via The Internet For Newton
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00010)
Wireless E-Mail Via The Internet For Newton 11/08/93
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Radiomail says it
can allow users to send a message from any electronic mail system
with Internet access to a Newton Messagepad or any other pager-like
device. Using standard Internet-type addresses, users simply send
electronic mail the way they would normally and the personal digital
assistant (PDA) owner equipped with the Messagecard can receive it.
The service costs $149 a year, plus whatever charges the user would
normally pay Mobilecom, the company that offers the wireless
services to Messagepad owners. Radiomail has been able to offer the
ability to pager owners for some time and expects to be able to soon
announce similar services for the Newscard, the Messagecard
equivalent aimed at Geos-based PDAs such as the newly released
Zoomer.
Radiomail also offers two-way electronic mail, but this service
requires the user have a radio modem. The average radio modem costs
around $800 and allows the user to be completely independent of any
wire links to send electronic messages, Radiomail officials said.
The radio modems are only available as external units now, however
next year the company expects to announce internal radio modems for
portable and notebook computers.
Anyone with access to one of the many electronic bulletin board
services offering Internet access, such as Compuserve, GEnie,
America On-Line, Applelink, MCI Mail, and a host of others, can send
messages wirelessly to a radio mail user if they have the Radiomail
address.
Radiomail operates over ARDIS and RAM Mobile Data nationwide radio
frequency (RF) networks using Motorola Infotac and Ericsson Mobidem
RF modems. The company says its implementation of a packeted
wireless protocol is developed specifically to handle the noise and
interruption problems associated with radio transmission.
Basically, Radiomail messages are bundled into packets and
transmitted in pieces, a process that is transparent to the user.
Company President William Hipp said, "...you can be in the midst of
sending a message, enter a long tunnel, and transmission resumes
automatically when you come out the other side. Nothing is ever
lost."
A Radiomail application programming interface (RAPI) is also
available to developers who want to get into the area of wireless
communications. Especially with the two-way Radiomail service,
opportunities to develop applications so individuals can ask for and
obtain critical information in a mobile environment are possible
using the RAPI, company officials said.
For example, specific applications could be developed so a mortgage
banker could submit a wireless query as to current interest rates
and get an immediate answer, or a salesperson who needs current
inventory on a specific product could get those figures remotely.
RAPI for DOS is $250, is available from Radiomail, and includes the
necessary tools and samples. Technical support is charged an
additional fee. RAPI kits for Windows, Macintosh, and HP100LX
Palmtops are planned for availability in the first quarter of 1994.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931108/Press Contact: Ed Forman, Radiomail, 415-
286-7800; Janis Ulevich, Ulevich & Orrange for Radiomail, tel 415-
329-1590, fax 415-329-1542)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
BUSINESS
BASF & Hitachi Team Up On Mainframe Computer Sales
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00011)
BASF & Hitachi Team Up On Mainframe Computer Sales 11/08/93
MANNHEIM, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- BASF has teamed up with
Hitachi of Japan to pool their respective talents on the mainframe
computer sales front. The idea is to combine their sales forces and
divide the mainframe computing market in Europe between themselves.
Both companies are reforming their respective mainframe sales
operations -- Comparex Gmbh and Hitachi Data Systems -- to sell
Hitachi mainframe computers into the German marketplace.
Terms of the agreement call for Comparex to withdraw from the UK,
France, Sweden and Switzerland and close its sales offices in those
countries. In return, the company will have sole sales rights for
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Spain,
Portugal, Greece, South Africa and all of eastern Europe including
Russia. HDS, meanwhile, will take over sales in all other countries.
Both companies claim that the deal is the most equitable solution to
the twin problems of falling sales and increasing competition
between their respective staff.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931108/Press & Public Contact: BASF - Tel: +49-621-
43820)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
GENERAL
Document Imaging Dev Toolkit To Be Shown At Comdex
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00012)
Document Imaging Dev Toolkit To Be Shown At Comdex 11/08/93
HONOLULU, HAWAII, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- At Fall Comdex next
week, Diamond Head Software will be showing a development toolkit
specifically designed for document imaging, scanning, optical
character recognition (OCR), and intelligent character recognition
(ICR) applications.
The company claims that the newly announced ImageBasic 1.1 is the
first major release of a package that allows users with little
programming experience to add image processing, image manipulation,
scanning, and recognition features to Visual Basic applications.
A spokeswoman for the company told Newsbytes that the package is the
first document imaging development toolkit to include support for
OCR, ICR, check box recognition, and microfilm scanners, she
maintained. ICR allows recognition of hand-printed characters, she
explained.
ImageBasic supports ICR and check box (mark-sense) recognition
technology from Nestor, in addition to OCR systems from Nestor,
Xerox, Calera Recognition Systems, and Ocron. The toolkit also
supports more than 70 different scanners, including microfilm
scanners. Microfilm represents about half of all data archived
today, the company spokeswoman said.
A typical application that includes image manipulation, scanning,
image post-processing and OCR requires fewer than 30 lines of code
in ImageBasic. In contrast, the same application written in C
would need to address four different C libraries, and require
thousands of lines of code, she said.
Visual Basic provides ImageBasic's backbone and image handling
database engine. ImageBasic also incorporates software engines
from Pixel Translations, Calera, Sequoia Data, and Kofax Image
Products.
An integrated suite of ImageBasic modules can be purchased at a
special Comdex price of $2,500 through November 19. Modules can
also be purchased individually for $895. Most modules are
available now. The ICR and check box recognition capabilities are
slated for availability by year end, with pricing to be determined.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931105/Reader contact: Diamond Head Software,
tel 808-545-2377; Press contact: Amy Bermar, Corporate Ink for
Diamond Head Software, tel 617-969-4036)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
GENERAL
Rockwell Iintros FDDI Driver For HP's Real-Time Systems
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00013)
Rockwell Iintros FDDI Driver For HP's Real-Time Systems 11/08/93
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- The high
bandwidth offered by fiber networking is especially important to
users of real-time computer systems. Now Rockwell International
Corp.'s CMC Network Products business has introduced the CMC-1156
FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) Link Level Driver (LLD),
which provides 100Mbps FDDI networking for Hewlett-Packard's real-
time computer systems.
The company claims that the CMC-1156 FDDI VMEbus Adapter coupled
with the new HP-RT LLD software provides a "complete plug-and-play
solution for Hewlett-Packard's real-time 742rt computer system."
CMC Network Products claims to be the only vendor currently shipping
a VMEbus FDDI product for the HP9000 Series 700rt systems. The
company also claims to have been a Complementary Hardware Vendor
(CHV) with Hewlett-Packard since 1992, providing the VMEbus local
area network (LAN) adapter cards used with HP systems.
The two companies are also completing joint development of a
HP-UX driver for the same HP system platform.
According to the company, the new driver for the CMC-1156 FDDI
adapter board interfaces with the TCP/IP (Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol) network protocol software designed
into HP's industrial computers.
The CMC-1156 HP-RT LLD reportedly minimizes bus and CPU (central
processing unit) utilization while providing support for multiple
LAN protocols. The HP-RT driver incorporates adapter-resident code
supporting ANSI X 3T9.5 compliant SMT 6.2, host-resident hardware
drivers, and installation/de-installation scripts.
The CMC-1156 FDDI Adapters for VMEbus incorporate Rockwell's FXP
Full-Throughput architecture, which provides an intelligent,
distributed interface between the VMEbus host system and FDDI
network, with the adapters off-loading the networking task from the
CPU, which allows TCP/IP packet throughput to reach speeds up to 35
Mbps to 45 Mbps over the FDDI network.
The CMC-1156 HP-RT software, version 1.1, is now shipping at
the list price of $595.
(Ian Stokell/19931108/Press Contact: Eileen Algaze, 714-833-6849,
Rockwell International)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
IBM
ATI Intros Video Wonder Video Board
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00014)
ATI Intros Video Wonder Video Board 11/08/93
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- The trend towards full-
motion video has been highlighted again with ATI Technologies'
introduction of the Video Wonder add-in board for PCs. According to
the company, the Video Wonder is the "first product to combine full-
motion video and high-performance graphics on a single card."
The board captures and compresses motion video in real-time in a
single-step, claims the company. It also displays live "video-in-a-
window" at full-motion (30 frames-per-second), at any graphics
resolution. The board also allows users to playback compressed video
sequences from their hard drive at full-screen, full-motion.
The company also maintains that Video Wonder is also easy to install
and use, with no cables to connect because all the graphics are on-
board, which in turn reduces hardware conflicts.
All the components are designed and optimized to work together, says
the company, resulting in "functionality and performance that is
unattainable with either two-board solutions or video boards that
have VGA components attached to them."
High quality video playback is supported, which allows video images
to be played back at full-motion without being limited to the
original captured image size. The company claims that the newVideo
Display Processor inside the mach32 accelerator performs the image
scaling functions. This eliminates jerky, unnatural playback common
in other products, claims the company.
Video Wonder provides accelerated 65,000 colors at 1024 by 768
pixel resolution with flicker-free 76 hertz (Hz) vertical refresh
rate, 16.7 million colors at up to 800 by 600 resolution, and 1,280
by 1,024 resolution at 256 colors and 74Hz refresh rate for
resolution-critical applications.
Other features include: video capture under both DOS and Windows;
full-color still image capture; video capture preview mode; two
megabytes (MB) of video RAM as standard, upgradable to 4MB using an
additional 2MB DRAM; and bundled Windows capture and editing
software.
Video Wonder is priced at $999, and is set to ship in April, 1994.
It will be available in Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, as
well as PCI and VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) Local
Bus versions. The company will also be displaying the board at Fall
Comdex.
Just last week Newsbytes reported that ATI announced a graphics and
video accelerator and a video capture controller compatible with the
Shared Frame Buffer Interconnect (SFBI) specification developed by
ATI and Intel. The ATI 68800DX Advanced Graphics and Video
Accelerator and the ATI 68890 Video Capture Processor are to be
available in the second quarter of 1994
Also in October, the company announced an initial public offering
of its stock in Canada.
In October the company also announced a version of its Graphics
Ultra Pro graphics accelerator card for Micro Channel Architecture
(MCA) expansion slots, plus OS/2 2.1 drivers for several of its
products.
(Ian Stokell/19931108/Press Contact: Andrew Clarke, 905-882-2600 ext
8491, ATI Technologies)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
APPLE
SuperMac Preproofing Display System For Mac Debuts
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00015)
SuperMac Preproofing Display System For Mac Debuts 11/08/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- SuperMac has launched its new
preproofing display system at MacWorld Expo in Sydney. The system
consists of a SuperMac PressView 21" computer controlled monitor and
the Thunder II GX.1360 graphics card.
Australian distributor Mitsui Computer probably broke a record at
the MacWorld expo when it issued at least 25 press releases as it
introduced the visiting SuperMac team to the Australian press.
The PressView 21 system is designed to provide prepress and color-
publishing professionals with the necessary tools for on-screen
color correction, matching the screen to the printed output. The
Thunder II card is claimed to combine the fastest Quickdraw
acceleration, image processing and CMYK to RGB color conversion, all
done seamlessly with standard Mac applications such as Adobe
Photoshop.
According to the company, PressView 21 allows users to create and
work with CMYK files and convert these to RGB on the fly.
Performance is claimed to be 700 percent faster than other systems.
The system resolution is up to 1360x1024 pixels, 39 percent more
than the next largest 1152x870 pixels. Other components include a
ColorShield adjustable hood for the monitor, ColorMatch software and
the SuperMatch Display Calibrator Pro. It supports a true color
temperature of 5000 degrees Kelvin (full daylight).
The calibrator has three colorimeter sensors to measure gamma and
color temperature. Color management profiles are included for color
matching systems including Apple ColorSync, EFI EfiColor, Kodak
Precision Color Management System and Agfa's FotoFlow.
Retail price in Australia is AUS$8295 for the monitor and AUS$8795
for the Thunder II card. (AUS$3=US$2 approximately)
(Paul Zucker/19931108/Contact: Mitsui Computer on phone +61-2-452
0452 or fax +61-2-452 0404)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
IBM
Parsons Joins Free Software Parade
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00016)
Parsons Joins Free Software Parade 11/08/93
HIAWATHA, IOWA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Parsons Technology has
announced it will join the software giveaway program, offering
250,000 free copies of its Tax Mate software.
Tax Mate is a special edition of Parsons' tax package Personal Tax
Edge. The software is available in DOS and Windows versions. The
company says that the software is free for the asking, and is
scheduled to ship in late December, as soon as the final version of
the IRS forms are available.
Parsons Technology guarantees the accuracy of the tax preparation
program, saying it will pay any IRS penalties incurred as a result
of computational software.
Tax Mate includes IRS forms 1040, 1040A and 2441 and schedules
A,B,D,R, and EIC. The company says IRS statistics show that these
forms will handle preparation of more than 70 percent of the
nation's tax returns.
Parsons also markets state modules to accompany its federal tax
preparation program, providing state modules for all 42 of the
states that require filing except Hawaii.
The DOS version of Tax Mate requires an IBM-compatible PC running
DOS 3.0, 640 kilobytes of memory, and two megabytes (MB) of
available disk space. Tax Mate for Windows requires Microsoft
Windows 3.1 or higher, 2MB of system memory, and 2MB of disk space.
(Jim Mallory/19931108/Press contact: Joan Dyal, Parsons Technology,
319-395-9626; Reader contact: Parsons Technology, 800-682-96283)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
CORRECTION IBM
Correction: Screen Savers For Baseball, Hockey Fans
(CORRECTION)(IBM)(DEN)(00017)
Correction: Screen Savers For Baseball, Hockey Fans 11/08/93
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- A recent Newsbytes
story about personal computer screen savers designed for baseball
fans carried an incorrect reader contact phone number. The correct
tollfree number for Quadrangle Software, publisher of Lights Out
Sports Fans: Major League Baseball Screen Saver program is 800-253-
8397.
The screen saver, which prevents an image from being burnt into the
monitor screen due to screen inactivity, displays baseball-related
action such as a blimp towing a user-defined message, player antics
in the dug-out and even a home run contest.
(Jim Mallory/19931108/Press contact: Ann Rawland-Warner, Rawland-
Warner Communications for Quadrangle Software, 319-337-0547; Reader
contact: Quadrangle Software, 800-253-8397)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
GOVT
****"Super Hacker" Phiber Optik Handed Down Jail Sentence
(NEWS)(GOVT)(NYC)(00018)
****"Super Hacker" Phiber Optik Handed Down Jail Sentence 11/08/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Mark Abene, known
by the hacker handle "Phiber Optik," has been sentenced in federal
court to one year and one day in federal prison for activities
related to computer intrusion. Abene will surrender himself on
Friday, January 7, 1994 to authorities to begin his sentence.
Abene pleaded guilty on July 2, 1993 to two counts of computer
related crime. Count One involved conspiracy with four other
individuals to commit computer crime while Count Two involved
breaking into a computer belonging to Southwestern Bell Telephone
Company.
The four other persons named on the conspiracy indictment, Elias
Ladopoulous (aka Acid Phreak), Paul Stira (aka Scorpion), Julio
Fernandez (aka Outlaw), and John Lee (aka Corrupt), had pleaded
guilty prior to Abene and, with the exception of Fernandez, are all
currently serving prison sentences. A federal prosecutor told
Newsbytes that a date will be set shortly for Fernandez's
sentencing.
Justice Louis Stanton, presiding over Abene's case, began the
proceeding by asking whether there were any objections to the report
prepared by the probation department concerning Abene. Paul Ruskin,
attorney for Abene, stated that he believed that the report seems
"unreasonably harsh."
Stanton replied that, while that may be the case, it was just one of
the items that he would consider in determining sentence. He added
that he had received more correspondence concerning this case than
for "any that he could remember."
Stanton then said that the parties should understand that he was not
considering in his decision an incident involving New York City
television station WNET where computer intruders interrupted the use
of a computer system -- Abene had denied involvement and the US
Attorney's letter of October 29th to Judge Stanton concerning
Abene's sentencing said that "the Government does not have any
information that Abene was actually responsible for the destruction
of WNET's information. It is clear that Abene's co-conspirators were
responsible."
The judge then asked for statements from the attorneys and Abene.
Paul Ruskin, representing Abene, said the teenager that committed
the acts to which Abene pleaded guilty is not the person sitting
in court and that Abene hopes to use his computer skills for the
benefit of society to atone for his actions. Ruskin mentioned a
letter sent to Judge Stanton by ex-military intelligence officer
Robert Steele, offering to secure Abene a position with a government
agency to fulfill community service. Ruskin then asked that the judge
consider that as an alternative to incarceration.
Abene then spoke, saying that he apologized for his actions and was
"sorry that they were misconstrued malicious."
Assistant US Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that he found it
difficult to believe that Abene's actions disconnecting the phone
service of rival hackers was not malicious. He also said that Abene
"does not show contrition even today for his actions."
He also said: "Hacking crimes constitute a real threat to the
expanding information highway. A message must be sent that breaking
into other people's computers is a serious crime and will be treated
as serious."
Stanton then began his sentencing by reviewing some of the issues,
saying, in part, "One argument concerning the defendant's actions is
that they took place when he was young, from seventeen to twenty. At
that age, people excited by things may do reckless things... The
objectives of punishment are both to change the behavior of the
person (sentenced) and to deter others from similar actions...
Invasion of computers is seductive to the young both because of the
intellectual challenge and the risk. A message must be sent that it
is serious... The defendant stands as a symbol because of his own
efforts; therefore, he stands as a symbol here today."
Stanton then imposed a sentence of 12 months and one day of
incarceration in federal prison, as well as 600 hours of community
service, which Stanton expected to involve the use of Abene's
computer skills. Judge Stanton also imposed three years of supervised
probation plus a $100 special assessment.
Stanton said that he was imposing no fine, other than the required
special assessment, because it was clear that Abene has no real
assets. He said that he was imposing no restitution to the victims
of Abene's actions because it was not evident what expenditures
could be traced directly to his actions rather than to needed
security improvements and because the victims had not been able to
clearly show what services of theirs that Abene had used and to what
extent. He added that he had been tempted to impose a longer
sentence but decided that this was sufficient.
Berman told Newsbytes, "The government feels that the sentence was
appropriate. Judge Stanton clearly understands the issues and his
use of this knowledge in determining the sentence was extremely
important."
Berman added: "Abene was the most culpable of the MOD (Masters of
Deception). He was the only member of the conspiracy active for the
entire life of the conspiracy. Agents seized highly incriminating
documents from him in 1990. His response was not to walk the
straight and narrow, it was rather to continue his illegal actions."
Berman said that Abene has shown no contrition for his acts and "has
continually portrayed himself as one of the top computer hackers in
the country."
"The sentence is important because it sends a message that it is a
crime to intrude in public data networks. MOD was one of the biggest
hacking organizations in the country. The case was very
significant," he added.
Abene's attorneys. Lawrence Schoenbach and Paul Ruskin, also spoke
to Newsbytes after the verdict. Schoenbach said: "While I'm
disappointed that Mark is going to jail, I recognize the judge's
concern for deterring this type of crime -- this is the crime of the
"next century." Mark has always been the message bearer for computer
hacking. When it was for hacking, he was the leader; now he is
punishment -- the Leona Helmsley of computer hacking."
Paul Ruskin, Abene's other attorney, said: "The government and the
court is taking the position that it is better to deter in this area
by punishment rather than deterring through effective use of
technology."
Mike Godwin, staff counsel for the Electronic Foundation, commented
on the sentence to Newsbytes, saying: "The sentence is harsher than I
had hoped for but I'm pleased that the judge gave a lot of attention
to the underlying issues involved in such a case."
(Barbara E. McMullen & John F. McMullen/19931108)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
GENERAL
Adobe Font Folio CD-ROM 6.0 & New Japanese Type Packages
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00019)
Adobe Font Folio CD-ROM 6.0 & New Japanese Type Packages 11/08/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Adobe Systems
has announced the availability of the Adobe Font Folio CD-ROM
(compact disc - read only memory) version 6.0. The company has also
introduced three new Japanese type packages. Additionally, the
company says that Xerox's new 4220 network printer includes
PostScript Level 2 software and offers PostScript Fax as an option.
According to Adobe, the Adobe Font Folio CD-ROM 6.0 includes more
than 1,900 Type 1 typefaces for Macintosh and IBM and compatible
personal computers. The company says that, for the first time, Adobe
Font Folio customers have access to the Adobe TypeLibrary on one
disc for use in either the Macintosh or Windows environment.
The new version offers packages 1 through 360 from the Adobe Type
Library as well as Adobe Acrobat Reader software, for viewing and
printing type technical notes and any other document in Adobe's new
Portable Document Format (PDF).
The Adobe Font Folio CD-ROM comes with a two-printer license, for
use on any two output devices. The CD-ROM also contains: Adobe Type
Manager software; Adobe Type Reunion software (Macintosh only);
Multiple master typefaces (Macintosh only); Adobe TypeAlign software;
Adobe Wild Type font software; Adobe Acrobat Reader software; and
Macintosh utility packages Suitcase 2 for organizing fonts and Copy
Doubler for copying files.
The FontMinder utility software is provided for organizing fonts
on the PC. Documentation and technical notes are also included.
The suggested retail price of the Adobe Font Folio CD-ROM is
$14,000, a saving of 81 percent below the suggested retail price of
the packages purchased separately, claims the company. After March
31, 1994, the price will be $17,000. Version 6.0 is available
immediately
Adobe has also announced three new PostScript Japanese font packages
for the Macintosh: Heisei Min W9, Heisei Maru Go W4, and Heisei Min
W3 Gaiji.
Adobe claims that the Heisei Min W3 Gaiji package offers users the
choice of thousands of additional characters not typically available
on the Macintosh. It also contains the Japanese version of Adobe
Type Manager, and Adobe Type Composer for including the Gaiji
characters in some of Adobe's other Type 1 fonts.
Heisei Min W9 is described as a "very heavy display weight face,"
for headlines and signage; while Heisei Maru Go W4 is a "medium
weight suitable for text or headline use." The fonts contain JIS 83
level 1 and 2 Kanji, complete Kana and Roman sets, and a
collection of commonly used symbols.
Heisei Min W9 and Heisei Maru Go W4 are available immediately, and
the Heisei Min W3 Gaiji package will be available in early November.
Each package is compatible with KanjiTalk 6.0.7 and 7.1, and each
has a suggested retail price of 35,000 yen. In the United States,
they are available from SystemSoft Florida.
Adobe also says that Xerox Corporation, has integrated its
PostScript Level 2 software and offers PostScript Fax as an option
on the new Xerox 4220 workgroup printer. The printer includes 65 of
Adobe's Type 1 fonts, and is designed for multi-platform networked
environments.
The Xerox 4220 offers Adobe's PostScript Level2 software, Hewlett-
Packard's PCL5 emulation and a sensor to automatically switch from
one printer language to another. The optional PostScript Fax card
enables the 4220 to serve as a plain-paper fax printer capable of
sending and receiving very high-quality faxes. The Xerox 4220
carries a suggested retail price of $8,750, with the PostScript Fax
option set at $395.
(Ian Stokell/19931108/Press Contact: Patricia J. Pane, or Sonya
Schaefer, 415-962-2630, Adobe Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00020)
Canadian Product Launch Update 11/08/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered in its US reporting. This week:
Cabletron's Spectrum Data Gateways, Claris' Imaginaria, Microsoft's
Home line, price reductions and longer warranties for Toshiba's
notebooks.
Cabletron Systems introduced its Spectrum Data Gateways (Newsbytes,
Oct. 28) to the Canadian market. Designed to link the company's
enterprise management system to third-party management tools, the
gateways were described as phase two of the company's open systems
network management plan.
Claris Canada launched Imaginaria (Newsbytes, Sept. 16), a
multimedia screen saver collection for Microsoft Windows. Available
now, Imaginaria has a Canadian suggested retail price of C$59.
Microsoft Canada launched MS-DOS 6.2, the latest upgrade of its
widely used operating system (Newsbytes, Nov. 2). Customers who
already have MS-DOS 6.0 can get the new release for C$12.95. For
others, the upgrade is C$93.95.
Microsoft Canada is also offering a package of MS-DOS 6.2 and a
special edition of the guide book DOS for Dummies, in co-operation
with IDG Books. Distributed by Macmillan Canada and available in
bookstores and computer stores starting this month, the package will
sell for about C$60.
Microsoft Canada also began promoting the company's Microsoft Home
line of software (Newsbytes, Oct. 4). The software packages include:
Microsoft Dinosaurs, listed at C$99.95; Encarta Multimedia
Encyclopedia 1994 Edition, C$129.95 until Dec. 31 and C$529.95
thereafter; Flight Simulator 5.0, C$89.95; Microsoft Money, C$34.95;
Microsoft Publisher, C$189.95; and Cinemania '94, C$99.95.
Toshiba of Canada Ltd.'s Information Systems Group cut prices and
extended warranties on several portable, notebook, and pen-based
computers and on CD-ROM drives (Newsbytes, Nov. 1). A new three-year
warranty applies to Toshiba's T4500 and T4600 series of computers,
its T6600C portable, the T100X pen-based notebook, and the Desk
Station IV, if purchased after Nov. 1.
The company said that many new products launched in the future will
also have the three-year warranty. Toshiba also cut prices on T1900,
T1900C, T1950, T4600, and T4600C machines, as well as CD-ROM drives,
by five to 20 percent.
(Grant Buckler/19931108/Press Contact: Rick Doyon, Hill & Knowlton
for Cabletron, 613-786-9935; Martti Kangas, National Public
Relations for Claris Canada, 416-586-0181; Joan Wilson, Claris
Canada, 416-941-9611; Betty Alexander, Hill & Knowlton for Microsoft
Canada, 416-483-5228, fax 416-483-4441; Jo-Ann Austin,
AustinTayshus! Public Relations for Toshiba of Canada, 416-596-1390;
Joanne Musico, Toshiba of Canada, 905-470-3478 ext. 274 Public
Contact: Cabletron Canada, 905-564-7280, fax 905-564-7180; Microsoft
Canada, 905-568-0434)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
TELECOM
International Telecoms Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
International Telecoms Update 11/08/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- China's attempt to mix
total control over political thought with free market economics
has continued this past week.
The same week that five Shanghai banks joined the SWIFT bank trading
network, and the group's regional director noted that messaging
through China has grown 50 percent a year, the government announced
new regulations designed to restore control over broadcasting and
publishing.
In the long run, the latter move is expected to benefit large
vendors like Motorola and Ericsson, which can easily buy-off corrupt
officials in Beijing to gain control over frequencies. Whether the
central government can exert real control over communications at
this date is another question -- the nation now has over 460,000
cellular phone users and 6 million pagers in service, in addition to
new phone networks and fax machines. The government is also trying
to ban unauthorized satellite dishes, to cut ties to Western media,
but there are six million such dishes.
In Latin America, the big news continues to be made by new cellular
phone tenders. A consortium including AT&T and GTE of the US
submitted the highest bid for new networks in Argentina. Columbia
will open tenders for its first nationwide cellular network this
week, with six licenses available for three regions. In all regions
there will be one private group and a state-private consortium
selected.
Elsewhere, Telmex of Mexico set a $100 million capital budget for
next year, and managers said they'll work harder to enter Central
American markets. But the company faces new competition in long
distance services and growing competition in cellular operations,
with Bell Atlantic recently buying a major stake in private operator
Iusacell. Shares in Telmex fell in price last week.
In Eastern Europe, four groups entered the bidding for a minority
stake in Hungary's MATAV network. STET of Italy, Telefonica of
Spain, France Telecom and US West, and a grouping of Germany's DBT,
Britain's Cable and Wireless and America's Ameritech are all in the
running. Also, Alcatel of France and Siemens of Germany won major
contracts to overhaul the Slovak phone network. The Slovak Republic
was divided from the Czech Republic late last year. The new
contracts will divide the company into two zones for the
installation of digital switches.
Finally, in Southeast Asia Nokia of Finland won the big supply
contract for Thailand's new TAC cellular phone network. The country
is experiencing annual growth in cellular use of over 70 percent, in
large part because the the poor quality of the wired network, which
is also undergoing extensive renovation. In Indonesia, Siemens of
Germany won a $125 million order for new digital switches, and the
country signed a new co-operation agreement with Iran which includes
telecommunications.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931108)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
IBM
Puckett Out, Cannavino In As IBM Strategy Guru
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)
Puckett Out, Cannavino In As IBM Strategy Guru 11/08/93
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Bernard Puckett, who
was appointed senior vice-president for strategy and development at
IBM in June, is leaving the company and will be replaced by James
Cannavino, a prominent IBM executive and currently senior vice-
president and group executive for personal systems businesses.
New Chairman Louis Gerstner appointed Puckett, a 26-year veteran of
IBM, to the strategy position soon after taking the chairman's
title. A statement from IBM said Puckett was leaving "to explore
opportunities to go into business for himself." A company spokesman
would not comment on speculation that Puckett was being replaced
because of disappointing performance in the strategy job.
Puckett joined IBM in 1967 as a marketing representative, and has
held a variety of marketing management and executive positions,
including president of the Data Systems Division and general manager
of Applications Solutions.
Cannavino has been with the company since 1963, when he was hired as
a customer engineer. He was president of the Data Systems Division
before Puckett, and become president of the personal computer
business in 1988. He has been responsible for all personal systems
business since 1989.
Both men are 49 years old.
Puckett's departure date is not firmly set, the company spokesman
said, and he and Cannavino will work together to complete a
transition over the next month. A replacement for Cannavino as group
executive for the personal systems operation is to be named soon.
(Grant Buckler/19931108/Press Contact: Roger Bolton, IBM, 914-765-
6640; Rob Wilson, IBM, 914-765-6565)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
GENERAL
****DEC Adds Four High-End PCs
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00023)
****DEC Adds Four High-End PCs 11/08/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
Corporation has launched a line of personal computers using Intel
486 and Pentium processors and with provision for future upgrades to
DEC's own Alpha processors. The new DECpc XL machines also use the
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) local bus and have compact
disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives as standard equipment.
Of the initial models, two are based on 486 processors and two use
Pentium chips. The 486-based systems are the DECpc XL433dx and the
DECpc XL 466d2, while the Pentium boxes are the DECpc XL 560 and the
DECpc XL 566.
The PCs use a motherboard-and-daughtercard design to make the
processors upgradeable, DEC said. The 486 machines will be
upgradeable with Pentium processor boards, and all of the existing
models will also accept upgrade cards with DEC's Alpha processor.
Company spokeswoman Michelle Hoey said that the new PCs are the most
upgradeable in the industry. She added that the Pentium-based units
also offer the best graphics performance available. "It's a pretty
significant announcement for us," Hoey said.
The chassis used for the new models comes with two variable-speed
fans that are heat-sensitive and activate automatically, to deal
with the Pentium's well-known high operating temperatures.
The box also has a combination five- and 3.3-volt, 300-watt power
supply, an Industry Standard Architecture system bus plus PCI local
bus with an integrated Small Computer Systems Interface II (SCSI-II)
controller, five drive bays, six slots, dual-speed CD-ROM drive, and
upgradeable flash BIOS. The main board can hold as much as 192
megabytes (MB) of memory, DEC said.
Prices start at $2,899 for a standard configuration 433dx with eight
MB of memory, 340 SCSI hard drive, 3.5-inch diskette drive, S3-
928PCI video card, one MB of video memory, and Microsoft's MS-DOS
and Windows software. In similar configurations, prices are $3,299
for the 466d2, $3,999 for the 560, and $4,599 for the 566.
Pentium upgrade cards are $1,199 for the 60-megahertz (MHz) and
$1,999 for the 66-MHz version. DEC said its Alpha upgrade card will
be priced below $2,000.
Quantity shipments of the 486-based models are due to start at the
end of November. The XL 560 will be available Dec. 15, and the XL
560 in January. The Alpha upgrade card is to ship by mid-1994, the
company said.
(Grant Buckler/19931108/Press Contact: Michelle Hoey, DEC,
508-496-8972; Public Contact: DEC, 800-722-9332)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
TELECOM
****Prodigy Tries to Blunt AOL Momentum with Live Ads
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)
****Prodigy Tries to Blunt AOL Momentum with Live Ads 11/08/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Prodigy is trying
out live ads in its continuing bid to find new users.
The IBM-Sears joint venture has taken out time on ABC's "Monday
Night Football" and CBS' "Northern Exposure" for ads in which
spokespeople use the service live in front of a camera. The spots
will continue on a variety of broadcast and cable networks through
December 19 and are the product of the J. Walter Thompson ad agency.
They're directed by Mark Lucas, who specializes in this kind of
work.
Prodigy is also hoping a Windows version of its software and pending
alliances with cable operators and newspapers can help it become
profitable by next year -- it had earlier hoped to become profitable
in 1993 but publicly company officials had always claimed they would
be turning a profit only in the "mid 1990s."
Prodigy claims two million members but analysts estimate it has only
half that number of accounts, noting that it counts individual users
of each account separately. America Online now has about 450,000
members.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931108/Press Contact: Press Contact: 914-993-
2496)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
TELECOM
Megahertz Releasing New PC Card Modems
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)
Megahertz Releasing New PC Card Modems 11/08/93
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Megahertz
Corporation has announced it will make new PC Card modems under
PCMCIA standards for Mitsubishi and NEC cellular phones.
"With these agreements, we now have the opportunity to address a
market of approximately 1.5 million cellular phone users," explained
Ryan Ashton, senior vice president of marketing and sales for
Megahertz in a press release, predicting that other alliances will
be announced soon.
Megahertz will start by making 14,400 bit/second wireless modems for
the Mitsubishi 3500SPK and 4000SPK, NEC P100 series, and Diamondtel
20 and 22 cellular telephones. The company's modems will be able to
be connected directly to the phones without an interface device and
will also support transmission over regular phone lines.
The modems are compatible with PCMCIA Type II, Type III, and Toshiba
16mm slots, and feature MNP-10 and V.42bis error correction. The
modems will ship in the first quarter of next year with a retail
price of $459.
Newsbytes discussed the new modems with Ashton, who confirmed that
they make use of technology the company recently licensed from
Spectrum Information Technologies, whose new chairman is former
Apple head John Sculley.
"Spectrum has patented certain concepts and ideas on how a cellular
modem operates, and we're using that in this product," he said.
Spectrum has also signed an agreement with Rockwell to put the
technology into Rockwell modem chip sets, but Ashton said that
Megahertz is not using Rockwell chips.
Ashton also addressed the direction of cellular phone-modem
technology. "Cellular phones have different physical connectors
and different interfaces -- some of the logic is different," he
said.
"For now that means modem makers must have different modems for each
phone. "Eventually, sometime in 1994, you will actually be able to
buy a 14.4 modem and, a different cable for each phone. We're
putting more of the logic onto the modem, and the difference becomes
the connection," he added.
The new Megahertz 14.4 modems are priced as high as new 28,800
bit/second modems from major vendors such as Hayes, and Newsbytes
asked Ashton about this.
"It's hard to know" when intense price competition will start in the
PCMCIA modem market, he said. "Prices are always going down -- at
what rate I can't speculate." Ashton also said the new Megahertz
modems will be on display next week at the Comdex trade show.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931108/Press Contact: Megahertz, Andy Capener,
801/273-6914)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
GOVT
TCS Embroiled In Law Suit Over US Visa Rules
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEL)(00026)
TCS Embroiled In Law Suit Over US Visa Rules 11/08/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- The thorny problem of US visa
rules for Indian software exporters is once again in the news.
Newsbytes understands that Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has filed
a suit against Californians for Population Stabilisation (CAPS), a
US lobby group.
TCS claims that it is responding to a case taken out by CAPS against
itself and Hewlett-Packard, accusing them both of fraudulent labour
practices. TCS is India's largest software company and has
operations worldwide.
According to TCS, CAPS alleges that both HP and itself have violated
state worker protection legislation in importing contract computer
programmers from India.
CAPS, which has been lobbying for stronger immigration laws in
California, has alleged that TCS' contracts with Indian programmers
working in the US contain several illegal provisions in them,
including paying less than minimum wages, discouraging female
workers from becoming pregnant and requiring them to share housing
with other programmers.
TCS, on the other hand, claims that the suit is malicious and is
intended to cause harm to its growing business. TCS president, Y.P.
Sahni, recently pointed out that the Californian group is being
represented by the same attorney who defended a programmer who
had the company by refusing the return to India after 12 months.
TCS is equally vociferous in criticising a report televised by CBS
on foreign software programmers, which seems to have been inspired
the CABS suit.
The TV program interviewed some programmers earning less than their
American counterparts. The programme also accused non-US companies
(particularly those from India) of body-shopping practices and
flouting US fiscal laws.
TCS claims to have paid personal tax, state tax, federal tax, social
security and workmen's compensation, for all its employees. It
claims that it does not discourage or forbid pregnancies while
abroad and claims to merely advise employees to make use of
maternity facilities in India as they are less costly.
Indian software exporters have been hit hard by tightening of rules
of B-1 visas and are keeping their fingers crossed about further
changes in visa regulations. A B-1 visa entitles the holder to work
in the US, despite the fact that they are not ordinarily resident,
for which a green card would be required.
(C T Mahabharat/19931108)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
TELECOM
JCM To Support Multimedia Data Transmission
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00027)
JCM To Support Multimedia Data Transmission 11/08/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Japan City Media has announced
plans to support a super-fast modem data transmission speed --
19,200 bits per second (bps), by 1996.
The idea behind moving on up to the higher data speeds is to
accommodate the transmission of multimedia files and programs over
the phone network. The company currently limits its network to 9,600
bps, Newsbytes notes.
This 9,600 bps modem speed is actually much lower, however, since it
must include a data cipher/decipher and correction system. Because
of this, the effective data transfer speed is reduced to 4,800 bps.
In parallel with the effective doubling of the data transmission
speed, the company is investigating quad data compression, which it
claims will quadruple the effective data transfer speed to 38,400
bps or higher on an error-corrected 19,200 bps link.
As if all this wasn't enough to persuade new customers to sign up to
its service, Japan City Media is looking at cutting its fees to
attract new customers to the world of data transmission.
Thanks to all these changes, JCM claims it expects to sign up
another 30,000 registered users, a situation it says will help it
return to a profitable situation within a year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931108/Press Contact: Japan
City Media, +81-3-5476-8611, Fax, +81-3-5476-8613)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
GENERAL
****Lotus and Gupta Planning New SQL Capabilities For Notes
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00028)
****Lotus and Gupta Planning New SQL Capabilities For Notes 11/08/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Lotus
Development and Gupta are planning to provide a common interface
that will offer access to standard query language (SQL) and Notes
data using Gupta SQLWindows applications.
In addition, Lotus cc:Mail has earned the highest overall scores in
two comparative tests of local area network (LAN)-based electronic
mail systems, published by InfoWorld and Software Digest Ratings
Report, respectively.
The new joint effort by Lotus and Gupta will allow Notes users to
employ Gupta SQLWindows applications for querying both traditional
structured database management (DBMS) data and the unstructured data
commonly stored by Notes, officials said.
Structured data has typically been stored in fixed-field legacy and
relational databases ranging from Gupta SQLBase to Oracle and DB2.
Unstructured data includes text documents, bitmaps, objects and
other freeform information.
Also as a result of the new partnership, Gupta will link the
workgroup capabilities of Notes with the team programming features
of Gupta's client/server development tools.
The effort will result in a series of enhancements to SQLWindows,
Gupta's client/server development tool, and Quest, Gupta's end-user
query tool. First, SQLWindows and Quest will become mail-enabled,
an enhancement expected to be made during the first quarter of 1994
via a maintenance release of SQLWindows 4.1.
Through mail-enablement, applications developed with Gupta tools
will be able to send, receive and view mail messages as well as
distribute application modules using Notes services, the two
companies said.
In a later enhancement, due during the second half of 1994, Gupta's
tools will be equipped with full support for the Notes application
programming interface (API), adding Notes to the list of databases
accessible from SQLWindows and Quest.
The new API will allow applications developed with SQLWindows to
readily read and write to Notes databases, officials reported.
Additionally, SQLWindows developers will be able to use Notes as a
storage and distribution system for the deployment of SQLWindows
applications or their components. Users will be able to store
Quest queries, forms, graphics and reports directly in Notes
databases.
In the recently announced test results for Lotus cc:Mail, cc:Mail
outranked six other e-mail packages in an analysis performed by
InfoWorld, and also achieved the highest overall score in ratings
designated by Software Digest.
The InfoWorld analysis covered messaging, messaging handling,
administration, documentation, and technical support, Lotus
officials said. Published in October, the review cited cc:Mail's
ease of installation, "extremely well implemented" messaging tools,
and extensive controls for configuring the program for individual
users.
In the October issue of the Software Digest Ratings Report, cc:Mail
received an overall evaluation of 8.6, scoring above its competitors
in five of the six test criteria and tying for first place on the
sixth measure, according to Lotus.
In addition, cc:Mail was one of only two of the systems evaluated
to win Recommended status as providing expanded connectivity
options and the broadest range of support for other e-mail systems.
Software Digest is published by the National Software Testing
Laboratories, an independent organization that rates personal
computer software.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931108/Press contacts: Mark McHarry, Lotus,
tel 415-335-6786; Betsy Kosheff, Lotus, tel 413-232-7057; Meryl
Franzman or Brenda Nashawaty, McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus, tel 617-
862-4514; Dan Berkowitz, Gupta, tel 415-617-4617)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
APPLE
****New Apple Macintosh Computer Viruses Discovered
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00029)
****New Apple Macintosh Computer Viruses Discovered 11/08/93
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) --
Two new Apple Macintosh computer viruses, the Code 1 and the MBDF B,
have been reported in the US. The more dangerous of the two is the
Code 1 virus, which has been reported in the North Eastern portion
of the US.
The Code 1 virus is a stealth virus, meaning it monitors the system
for attempts to find a virus and actively avoids discovery. A
Macintosh system infected with the virus will have its hard disk
renamed to "Trent Saburo" if booted on October 31 of any year.
While the virus does have a data mechanism, Triangle said that
system crashes and other damage can occur at any time of the year,
as CODE 1 attempts to alter system files. Since October 31 has
recently passed, infected hard disks were renamed and this is how
the Code 1 was discovered, according to developers at the Triangle
Software Division of Datawatch. Formerly the Utility Products
Division of Microcom, the Virex development division was purchased
by Durham, North Carolina-based Datawatch last year.
Andrew Mathews, general manager of the Triangle Software Division,
said: "CODE 1 is the first Macintosh virus to utilize 'stealth'
techniques, indicating growing sophistication among virus writers."
Stealth viruses have been causing concern in the IBM and compatible
personal computer (PC) world for some time.
The other new virus is the MBDF B, a modified version of the MBDF A,
that attacks system files, finder, and application files. While the
MBDF strain is not designed to do intentional damage, it can cause
system crashes. However, it is easily detected and removed, company
officials say.
The Code 1 virus has prompted Datawatch to ship a new version of
Virex, version 4.1, to subscribers of its annual subscription
service. Other registered users will be mailed virus detection
strings to update their copy of Virex to detect Code 1 and the
strings can be downloaded from America Online and Datawatch's own
Bulletin Board Service, "DataGate." Versions 3.6 or older of Virex
will stop the MBDF strains, since the new strain is simply a
modification of a strain the software already handles, company
officials said.
Other software developers are announcing fixes as well. John
Norstad, author of Disinfectant 3.3 for the Macintosh says his
product handles the Code 1 as well. The software is available for
download on the Ziffnet/Macintosh forum of Compuserve (ZMC:DOWNTECH)
in the Anti-Viral Tools section, Library 8, and is called
DISINF.SIT. Those without Compuserve access can still access
Ziffnet/Mac by making arrangements via phone.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931108/Press Contact: Steven Winegar, Datawatch,
tel 919-549-0711, fax 919-549-0065; Public Contact: Datawatch
Product Information, 919-549-0711, Datagate BBS 919-549-0042,
settings, B, 1, N; Ziffnet/Mac Access Information, 800-666-0330)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/08/93
IBM
****Toshiba Intros Color Notebooks, Data Encryption Card
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00030)
****Toshiba Intros Color Notebooks, Data Encryption Card 11/08/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 8 (NB) -- Toshiba America
Information Systems has introduced the T4700C series of multimedia
notebook computers, along with the Portege T3400 sub-notebook with a
color TFT-LCD (thin film transitor-liquid crystal display) active
matrix screen. The company has also introduced the CryptCard data-
encryption card compatible with the T4600 and T4700C notebooks, and
announced an alliance with KPMG Peat Marwick that focus on sales
force automation applications.
The T4700C notebooks Include Intel's new 50 megahertz (MHz) SL
Enhanced 486DX2 processor; 8 megabytes (MB) RAM standard on the
motherboard; a 200MB or 320MB hard disk drive; a choice of9.5-inch
color TFT active matrix or Dynamic-STN (SuperTwist Nematic) color
screens; and built-in Microsoft Windows Sound System compatibility
for wave-audio files.
Toshiba says it has integrated "advanced multimedia capabilities
into the T4700C Series to meet the increasing demand for mobile
presentation tools." Microsoft's Windows Sound System wave-
compatibility is integrated on the motherboard to provides 16-bit
stereo wave-audio functionality and a built-in microphone and
speaker for audio input/output.
The T4700CT features a super-bright, 9.5-inch active matrix SVGA
color TFT-LCD with 256 colors from a 262,144 palette at 640 by 480
resolution. Dynamic-STN dual scan color VGA technology in the
T4700CS model. The T4700C Series does not include a monochrome
model.
A lightweight removable, rechargeable NiMH battery powers the T4700C
Series for two-plus hours, according to the company, and recharges
the system in three hours when it is on and 1.5 hours when it is
off.
The T4700C Series also contains two side-by-side PCMCIA expansion
slots. Other T4700C Series standard interfaces include a built-in
SVGA color monitor port, a parallel port, a serial port, a PS/2
keyboard port and a PS/2 mouse port. The T4700C Series is pre-
installed with MS-DOS 6.0, Windows 3.1 and UltraFont.
Suggested retail pricing for the T4700CT/200 is $5,299; the
T4700CT/320 is $5,699; the T4700CS/200 is $4,599; and the
T4700CS/320 is $4,999. The T4700CT models are set to ship at the end
of November and the T4700CS models will ship in January.
The company says that its new Portege T3400 includes a local-bus to
enhance Windows performance, an integrated pointing device, and a
Lithium-Ion battery to provide up to eight hours of battery life.
The Portege Series also features a 33 megahertz (MHz) SL Enhanced
i486SX (3.3 volt) CPU (central processing unit) with Western
Digital's RocketCHIP WD24 graphics accelerated local-bus video
controller, 120MB hard disk drive, one PCMCIA Type II 2.01-compliant
expansion slot and optional port replicator.
The super-bright 7.8-inch color TFT active matrix display supports
256 simultaneous "Super VGA" colors from a 262,144 color palette at
640 by 480 resolution. A monochrome model features a large 8.4-inch
screen that displays 64 gray scales at 320 by 200 resolution and 16
gray scales at 640 by 480.
The Portege comes pre-installed with MS-DOS 6.0, Windows 3.1,
UltraFont and CommWorks for Windows from Traveling Software. Other
standard features include 4MB RAM, expandable to 20MB via single in-
line memory modules (SIMMs) and an external 3.5-inch floppy drive.
The Portege T3400 monochrome model has a suggested retail price of
$2,599, and the Portege T3400CT is priced at $3,999.
The CryptCard comes in the form of a PCMCIA Type II card and is
compatible with the T4600 and T4700C Series notebooks. Shipping in
December, the CryptCard has a suggested retail price of $499.
The company says that the CryptCard offers varying levels of data
security and a choice of additional security variations for data
tracking, user-tracking, communications control, and data access
rights. An extension to the BIOS (basic input/output) on the PC
ensures that the system will only boot up when it receives the right
message from the CryptCard, claims the company.
Toshiba and KPMG Peat Marwick have announced a "business alliance in
which the two companies will provide systems solutions focusing on
sales force automation applications." Under the terms of the deal, a
KPMG Peat Marwick consultant will be positioned at each of
Toshiba's three US regional sales offices to work jointly with
Toshiba national account development executives.
(Ian Stokell/19931108/Press Contact: Howard Emerson, 714-583-3925,
Toshiba America Information Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/05/93
TRENDS
Nat'l Semi/NEC Aim To Bring Telecommuting To Japan
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00001)
Nat'l Semi/NEC Aim To Bring Telecommuting To Japan 11/05/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- After last
week's announcement of a networking product partnership with
networking software maker Novell, National Semiconductor has
announced a deal with NEC. The companies hope they can make the
electronic highway more available to the Japanese and
eventually bring telecommuting to Japan.
Keith Kolerus, president of National Semiconductor Japan,
explained, "The standardized Ethernet networking capability
that NEC and National will be making available to the Japanese
market through this semiconductor technology partnership will
have a major impact on day-to-day life. Many business
productivity tools that we take for granted in the US, like e-
mail, PC-based faxing, data/file transfers and online
information databases, soon will be commonly available in
offices throughout Japan.
"Once networking is more common, the ability to link up to
office resources from home or remote locations also will become
more prevalent. Then, the option of 'telecommuting' or working
out of the home may become an accepted alternative to today's
long commutes."
International Data Corporation claims personal computer (PC)
use and the local area network (LAN) market in Japan is at
least 2-3 years behind the United States. Dropping Japanese PC
prices, the availability of laptop and notebook computers that
are more practical for the Japanese, and the development of
Japanese-language and user-friendly PC and network operating
systems are driving the growth.
According to market research firm Dataquest, the Japanese
Ethernet market will double from current levels of about $200
million to over $400 million by 1997. IDC claims the number of
networked PCs in Japan will jump from 6.7 percent to 12
percent by 1996.
National Semiconductor, a major supplier of Ethernet components
with an estimated 60 percent of the US market, sees itself in a
role more adjacent to the consumer than in the past. The
company has already started to distribute communication
products through retail channels directly to consumers instead
of merely supplying components.
The agreement between the National and NEC brings National
closer to the Japanese consumer as well. It includes joint
product development of a low-power, high-speed Ethernet
controller dubbed the Sonic-T and a buy/resell arrangement for
National Semiconductor's family of Ethernet LAN products. NEC
will market these products under the NEC logo in Japan.
National also expressed hope that this relationship will open
new doors for both companies to cooperate on other high-tech
projects.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931104/Press Contact: Steve Bauer, National
Semiconductor, tel 408-721-6255, fax 408-245-9655; Joany
Winkler, NEC, 415-965-6495)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/05/93
BUSINESS
UK - Apricot CD-ROM-Based Dealer Service
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00002)
UK - Apricot CD-ROM-Based Dealer Service 11/05/93
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Apricot has announced a free
of charge, easy-to-use service, for all its resellers, known as the
Insight CD-ROM (compact disc - read only memory) disc. According to
James Blackledge, marketing director with Apricot, the disc is
designed to assist dealers in improving the quality of information
provided to the customer.
Plans call for the disc to be updated on a quarterly basis. The
first issue of the disc, which contains a wide range of technical
information on the company's products, technical support and third
party services, has just been mailed out to dealers.
The disc offers information on all Apricot hardware and
software products, electronic bulletins on product
developments from Apricot, Infocus, a directory of services
available from Apricot and other third-party service
providers, and more.
The minimum system required to run the Insight CD-ROM disc is an
80386-based PC running Windows 3.1 or later, with 4MB of memory, 1MB
of hard disk space, VGA monitor and a CD-ROM drive.
(Steve Gold/19931103/Press & Public Contact: Apricot Computers -
Tel: +44-21-717-7171; Fax: +44-21-717-0132)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
GENERAL
Japan - TDK To Enter Optical Disc Market
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00003)
Japan - TDK To Enter Optical Disc Market 11/05/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Japan's TDK will sell
optical discs, supplied by Kyoto-based Kyocera, in
December.
TDK will sell 3.5-inch optical discs with a capacity of
128 megabytes for a retail price of 7,900 yen ($79). Some
5,000 to 6,000 optical discs will be supplied to TDK per
month.
Kyocera is currently manufacturing 15,000 to 20,000 optical
discs at its Shiga plant per month.
TDK, best known for its magnetic media including audio
and video tapes, may be hiring Kyocera as a stop-gap measure,
since the firm is building its own production line for
optical discs at its Chikuma plant in Nagano prefecture. However,
this is a prototype production line and TDK needs to invest more
money into the facility before it starts quantity production. TDK
estimates that current world demand for the optical discs is
around 100,000 units per month, and the market is still immature.
Other Japanese firms such as Konica are getting supplies
of optical discs from Mitsubishi Kasei on an OEM basis in
order to avoid the risk in facility investment.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931104/Press Contact: TDK, +81-3-
3278-5235, Fax, +81-3-3278-5358)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/05/93
GENERAL
UK - Crosscomm Next Generation RISC-Based Routers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00004)
UK - Crosscomm Next Generation RISC-Based Routers 11/05/93
HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Crosscomm UK, the
joint venture networking company established earlier this year by
Tricom and Crosscomm in the US, has announced the release of a new
generation of reduced instruction set computing (RISC)-based
routers.
Using multiple switching engines, the company claims that the ILAN
XL80 and 20 routers solve the long-standing reliability problems
that are caused by a single point of failure.
The company argues that reliability is the biggest issue for
companies migrating their IBM/SNA (Systems Network Architecture)
applications to client/server networks. By using up to eight
switching engines, rather than the usual one, the ILAN XL range is
able to maintain nonstop networking, even in the event of a
switching failure, the company claims.
Crosscomm UK claims that these are the first products available to
be developed specifically for non-stop corporate networking in
IBM/SNA environments.
According to Crosscomm, the non-stop networking capabilities of the
high-end ILAN XL80 and midrange XL20 routers mean that users will
not be disrupted by SNA or other protocol session loss; network
maintenance; changes; line congestions; line faults and other common
network events that can bring routers to a halt.
"More than anything, IBM customers need non-stop networking
technology that is easy to maintain, easy to use, offers the highest
performance and is positioned for accepting future technologies. If
the router stops while running mission-critical networks, business
stops and revenue plus profits are lost. The ILAN XL routers are t e
first to address these problems," explained Tad Witkowicz, president
and CEO of Crosscom Corporation.
The ILN XL80 is available immediately with a list price of UKP
15,000, depending on system configuration. The XL20, meanwhile,
costs from UKP 10,000 upwards.
(Steve Gold/19931104/Press & Public Contact: Crosscomm UK - Tel:
+44-494-680555)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/05/93
TRENDS
Japan - TV-PC Converter From Computer Technica
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00005)
Japan - TV-PC Converter From Computer Technica 11/05/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Computer Technica has developed a
color TV screen converter for personal computers which enables
a regular color TV set to be used as a computer display. It
costs 75,000 yen ($750).
Computer Technica's TV converter, called the RGB Scan Converter,
has an automatic switching feature which allows it to change to
RGB mode when hooked up to a personal computer. When the PC is
not on, it can be used as a regular television set.
The device is flat, shaped like a book, and weighs only
470g with the internal battery, making it portable.
It supports a 640 x 400 pixel mode as well as a 640 x 480
pixel mode. The device can be connected to NEC's PC-9801,
IBM PCs, Fujitsu's PC and Apple's Macintosh series, which
support the 13-inch screen mode. Computer Technica has
applied original technology to stop blinking on the
screen, enabling it to display computer data quite
clearly, the company reports. There is also an automatic
mode selection feature which adjusts the screen mode for
each personal computer.
Computer Technica is aiming this device at corporate use who
would want to use it for presentation of new products or at
seminars. The firm aims to sell 5,000 units for the
first year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931102/Press Contact: Computer
Technica, +81-3-3722-6490, Fax, +81-3-3721-1304)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/05/93
APPLE
****Apple Forced To Recall All Newtons Sold In Australia
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00006)
****Apple Forced To Recall All Newtons Sold In Australia 11/05/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Apple Computer Australia has
been forced to recall and modify all Newton personal assistant
computers sold in Australia. The problem is the tone-dialling
feature.
Austel, the Australian telecommunications regulatory body,
discovered that Newtons have a tone-dialling feature, a
feature they hadn't authorized. The tones are not electrically
connected to the phone system, but are simply played through
the internal speaker and picked up by the telephone handset.
Nonetheless, Austel can and did force the recall as a result.
Apple has requested the return of all 6000 Newtons sold
before the problem was discovered. Apple will pay for
courier transport both ways, and claims a two-day
turnaround. The procedure simply consists of reprogramming
the Newton firmware, and disabling the function.
The Sharp version of the Newton is said to be unaffected by
the recall, though Apple said this is not surprising as it
claims that Sharp is unable to ship product until 1994 anyway.
The Newton is still on sale, and there is only a short delay
in replacing stock in the channel with the modified version.
The move by Austel seems strange to many observers as
tone-dialing watches, calculators, and keypads have been for
sale for many years around the country, for as little as US$6.
(Paul Zucker/19931105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
GOVT
US High Technology Research Grants Awarded
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00007)
US High Technology Research Grants Awarded 11/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Fifty businesses,
universities, and research laboratories expect to receive money
from the NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)
under high-technology research grants announced yesterday in 4th-
Round NIST Advanced Technology Program Awards. Commerce Secretary
Ronald H. Brown announced 29 separate awards but the
funding will depend on whether the money actually becomes
available to the NIST.
Just last week President Clinton signed legislation boosting
funding for the program from $68 million in fiscal year 1993 to
$200 million this year. These technology development awards to
companies pursuing high-risk research and development are an
important part of the new administration's technology strategy
which calls for NIST project funding to increase to $750 million
annually by 1997.
This number isn't as big as it seems at first because of cuts in
defense research funding, but although some of the research will
eventually have military applications, it is focused on consumer-
and manufacturing-related research which should have an even
more direct impact on US competitiveness and local economies.
Research projects to be funded by the NIST program range from
biotechnology to computer-related research. Some of the announced
awards include:
Advanced Power Technology, of Bend, Oregon expects to receive
funding for research into manufacturing processes related to
production of very high power MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor)
which would be used in high-power solid-state switches.
Micron Optics, in Atlanta, Georgia will conduct research into
tunable optical filters using ferroelectric liquid crystals which
would form a part of a high-speed switching system for optical
fiber networks using about $1.8 million in federal funds.
The Beaverton, Oregon-based American Display Consortium will get
$6.4 million that will go toward research into manufacturing
color flat-panel computer and video displays.
Wayne, New Jersey's Thomas Electronics will get about $700
thousand to develop a new barium dispenser cathode for flat-panel
displays.
Another $2 million will go to FED Corporation in North Carolina's
Research Triangle Park for the development of large-scale flat-
panel displays based on arrays of field emitters.
Wilmington, Delaware's Hercules corporation will also do display-
related research using $1.6 million to develop a method of
optically aligning liquid crystals in the display manufacturing
process. The new system will make use of polarized light to
increase display yield and lower costs.
Perception, a Farmington Hills, Minnesota-based company, will get
about $1.2 million to develop a standardized set of algorithms
that will allow industrial robots to model images in three-
dimensions.
Hughes Aircraft Company will get $1.2 million to develop a new
mounting technology for gallium arsenide monolithic integrated
circuits for microwave wireless communications systems.
Kurzweil Applied Intelligence of Waltham, Massachusetts will get
$1.77 million to produce a speech recognition system for personal
computers based on the use of natural language instructions.
Natural language is the use of artificial intelligence to let
computer users give commands using their own terminology rather
than a rigidly defined set of specific computer commands.
Vitesse Semiconductor Corp., Camarillo, California, will get $2
million to work on a project that may develop low-power gallium
arsenide (GaAs) integrated circuits which may lead to 500
megahertz microprocessors. The entire research project is
expected to cost about $8.3 million.
IBM expects to receive about $2 million to develop new conductive
polymers which may be used to replace metallic solder in
electrical circuits and another $4 million to produce a high-
performance optical bus that will be used to link clusters of
microcomputers.
MicroFab Technologies will get a grant to develop ink-jet
printing technology into a way to apply solder droplets to
electronic circuit boards.
Other grants related to the computer industry include other flat-
panel display developments and the programming of a Chinese
language pen computer interface.
None of these grants will cover the entire cost of the research
or development projects.
(John McCormick/19931105/Press Contact: Michael Baum, NIST, 301-
975-2762 or baum@micf.nist.gov)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/05/93
EDITORIAL GENERAL
The Enabled Computer
(EDITORIAL)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00008)
The Enabled Computer 11/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- By John McCormick.
The Enabled Computer is a regular Newsbytes feature covering
news and important product information relating to high
technology aids for the disabled.
This issue follows up on the previous column where I addressed a
reader's question about setting up a computer workstation for a
visually impaired individual.
Since the writer didn't provide any information about what the
user would be writing I specified a business-type word processor
setup using WordPerfect and Hexagon Product's BIG for WordPerfect
in the earlier column.
The major reason for selecting WordPerfect is the popularity of
that word processor which means that learning it will put a
person in a good position when they encounter it in a workplace.
Sure it has hundreds of features, but like an exotic camera, they
need not be used, so it really isn't that difficult to learn
unless you ask it to do complex tasks.
The same would apply to an equally powerful word processor like
WordStar except that its command structure is not as widely
accepted in businesses. Add to that the fact that older versions
of these sophisticated programs can often be found floating
around at a substantial discount and they can be a real bargain
packed with features that may come in handy some day.
But what if the person only needs a very basic editor and will
never need to apply keyboard skills in a business
environment?
If that is the case then another Hexagon product, B-EDIT might
fill the bill for this user. The $40 editor includes all basic
word processor features such as block copy and even has a spell
checker, but doesn't have any real printer support so it is best
suited for programming or very basic writing.
On the other hand, to turn this simple editor into a word
processor only requires the addition of a print formatter to
produce acceptable printed output. Hexagon used to include this
tool in the form of the B-PRINT program which I believe is still
included with the $40 B-EDIT.
B-PRINT uses the old WordStar-style dot commands inserted into
plain ASCII text files for formatting. B-EDIT itself outputs
plain ASCII suitable for manipulation by the separate B-PRINT
program or any other text application as well as for speech
synthesis software.
Hexagon Products, P.O. Box 1295, Park Ridge, IL 60068, 708-692-
3355.
On a similar topic, Manchester, Vermont's AI Squared has just
announced the release of a new low-vision software product for
PCs.
The $495 VisAbility is designed to take scanned images and
magnify them on a PC screen up to 32 times. Besides manual
control, the software offers automatic scanning of entire pages or
columns and the enlarged images can either fill the entire screen
or just a window.
Enlarged text output is also available at magnifications of up to
eight times for those documents in which one needs to read hard
copy, while printed forms are also supported with a
fill-in-the-blank editing feature for both text and signatures.
I haven't seen this product but AI Squared has a good reputation
and I expect that it will work as advertised. To use VisAbility
you will need a VGA graphics computer with a minimum of 2
megabytes of memory and a Hewlett-Packard compatible scanner.
A mouse is highly recommended and an HP or PostScript (inkjet or
laser) printer is needed to print out the enlarged text.
AI Squared, P.O. Box 669, Manchester Center, VT 05255, 802-362-
3612.
(John McCormick/19931105/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
REVIEW APPLE
Review of: Pararena 2.0, game for Macintosh
(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00009)
Review of: Pararena 2.0, game for Macintosh 11/05/93
Runs on: Macintosh
From: Casady & Greene ,22734 Portola Dr., Salinas, CA
93908-1119, 408-484-9228
Price: $49.95
PUMA rating: 3.25 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)
Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach
Summary: A sports simulation game that requires hand/eye
coordination. Some simple strategies need to be developed
to become really good.
=======
REVIEW
=======
Pararena (pronounced pair-a-reena) is a simulation of a
futuristic sports game in which you take on one side and the
computer supplies you with a range of opponents on the other
side. The game seems to rely on such diverse influences as soccer,
football, roller derby, and skateboarding.
Basically, you and one opponent are placed in a saucer-shaped
arena. You both wear protective equipment and carry a shield.
You stand on a round thing that looks like a skateboard.
Each of you has a goal which is marked by two posts. A ball
is fired along the rim of the saucer and you need to go and
catch it. Whoever catches the ball, needs to skate to their
goal and throw the ball in there.
The opponent is trying to you from accomplishing this, of
course. The score is kept using two digital readouts and
that determines who wins.
There are a few more rules that add a bit to the complexity, but
essentially that is all there is to game play. The trick is
for you to get comfortable controlling your character using
the mouse and to learn to handle the effects of the three
dimensional surface in which your character is operating.
The game comes on one diskette and is accompanied by a
registration card and a 6-page manual. The manual is pretty
skimpy on details which means that you will be constantly
learning from observation. For instance, once you capture
the ball, you can only hold on to it for a certain length
of time. If you do not take a shot within that time period,
you are charged a foul and the ball is released. Nowhere
is this described in the documentation.
There are several levels to this game. For instance, you have
your choice of playing against one of six different opponents.
Each of the opponents has a different style of play and
are ranked in order of difficulty. You also select the league
level. This mainly affects the size of your goal (your
opponent's goals always stay the same small size). Finally,
you can choose to play practice games or go for a tournament
in which you can win trophies and other prizes.
In addition to level of difficulty, the game offers you other
ways to customize the game. There are settings on the sound
effects, replays, announcements, and other factors.
You can also get a statistical summary of how you are doing.
I found this an easy game to learn, but very difficult
to master.
The first opponent is called Simple George and he truly fits
that description. It takes almost no effort at all to learn
how to defeat him. This is not true of the others. By the
time you are ready to play Ms. Teak, you have a very good
shot at winning the tournament. Since each opponent has a
different style of play, your playing technique must change
with each one, which is part of the fun.
Let me tell you that trying to knock Heavy Otto off
his course can be a bruising experience!
=============
PUMA RATINGS
=============
PERFORMANCE: 4 The game runs smoothly and without any glitches.
USEFULNESS: 4 I spent altogether more hours than I should have
trying to figure out what strategy to use against these guys.
Some of the battles were tough!
MANUAL: 2 It is rather sparse. More information would help the
customer understand what's going on.
AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from mail order and software stores.
There is no toll-free number for technical support.
(Naor Wallach/19930901/Judy Frey, Casady & Greene)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of: Time Riders in American History, PC Edutainment
(REVIEW)(IBM)(SFO)(00010)
Review of: Time Riders in American History, PC Edutainment 11/05/93
Runs on: PC Compatibles
From: The Learning Company, 6493 Kaiser Dr, Fremont, CA94555,
800-852-2255, 510-792-2101
Price: $59.95
PUMA rating: 4 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)
Reviewed for NEWSBYTES by: Naor Wallach
Summary: A great game that teaches you American history. Has a
unique twist in a really absorbing story line full of
surprises that keep you glued to your chair.
=======
REVIEW
=======
Over the past few years, one category of computer program has
skyrocketed in sales and breadth of offerings. This is the
"edutainment" category. Edutainment products are really
educational offerings disguised as games. In the last year
alone I can think of some half dozen or more reviews of
such games that I personally have done. With Time Riders
in American History, I have found an edutainment program
that I believe is head and shoulders above the rest in
this category.
The program comes in both 3.5" and 5.25" floppies. There are
four of the former and seven of latter in the box. Also in
the box is a Project Handbook which contains all the
information necessary to install the game and play it.
It also contains a wealth of background information on
the scenario and some additional tidbits that will prove
useful as you start playing the game.
In the game, you play the role of the Team Leader of the
Time Riders group. The organizer of the team is a mysterious,
rich person called The Benefactor. The Benefactor is concerned
with doing good deeds and helping others out. The main opponent
is a guy called Thanatopsis Dread who runs a company called
DreadCo. It seems that Dread wants to rule the world.
To accomplish this, he has decided to take over the main
communications satellite and start sending out scrambled and
false news messages. By keeping the world confused, Dread will
eventually work his way into becoming ruler of the world.
The Benefactor realizes what is happening when Dread's
satellite captures the communications satellite and he
immediately springs to action by calling the Time Riders
team together. His instructions to you are to continuously
stop the false transmissions. This will keep Dread busy and
will buy time for the Benefactor to put together a rocket
that will release the communications satellite.
The headlines that Dread transmits all have to do with events in
American history between the years of 1492 and 1908. Although
the event is scrambled, there is always some truth in each
Dread transmission which allows you to get started on tracking
the correct versions. Your team is comprised of Josh, Amanda,
and Kat.
Amanda is an expert at operating what is essentially a
database of events. By using her expertise, you can
narrow down the event's time. To do this you go to her room.
That's where the machine is located. The machine offers you
three sets of dials. The first allows for the selection of
an era, the second set is for the selection of a period,
and the third set is for the selection of an actual year.
While you fiddle with the knobs, a display above the dials
will show information regarding the dial selections.
One of the nice features here is that although the dials do not
change, the information does. And further, it seems to
be keyed to the actual task at hand. This helps keep up
interest in the game.
Josh is your second helper. Like Amanda he is an expert at
operating a machine and stands ready to assist you. His
specialty is geography. His machine will allow you to locate
the exact place where the real event occurred. And just like
Amanda's time machine, there is a series of steps that you
need to take to get to the locations desired.
When you first turn the machine on, you are placed in a
regional map of the United States. By using a special button
you can move the cursor to the different regions. Pressing
the selection button while in a region will take you to a
closeup map of that region in order to select the state.
A state selection will bring up a screen of information
about that state.
Once you have identified the year and place of the event,
you are ready to use KAT. KAT stands for Knowledge Access
Terminal and in reality she is a droid. One of her special
gifts is the ability to go into the Time Tube to a certain
location in time. There she contacts witnesses and gathers
information. The information is presented to you in a series
of vignettes when the proper buttons on the Time Tube are
pressed. If you send KAT to the right location and time,
she will bring back a lot of information about the person
or event of interest. If you send her astray, she will
bring back a lot of information that will not make sense
for that event, but will be interesting nonetheless.
Once you have all of the data, you must access the Biodata
machine and identify the real person involved in the event.
The Biodata machine is again a multistep process but the
end result is a portrait of the person and a brief
biography including more information about the event
in question.
When you have all of the data, your personal communicator
is used to link the proper information to Dread's satellite.
Should you have the proper information, Dread's transmission
will cease and be replaced by the proper event description.
An example of the kinds of misinformation that Dread is using
to gain control of the world can be instructive here. "Boogie
Board Dread Spins Declaration of Independence While
Skateboarding." As you work through this example you will
find that the correct event was the writing of the
Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson in 1776.
Your task is to keep correcting the botched up headlines
that you see, and in the process one can learn a lot about
the different events and time periods.
The graphics are superb and truly enhance the information
presented.
But this is not all that this game provides. You see, every
time you fix a headline, you get a little closer to foiling
Dread's scheme. So, of course, Dread has to react to you in
some way. In other games in this genre, all that normally
happens is that you are told that you have won after a set
number of successes. This game is done differently. Nowhere
can you find any mention of how many headlines you need to
fix. Instead, after every so many successes, you are presented
with a little animated vignette that moves the storyline along.
For instance, there is a tug of war between you and Dread
as he comes to realize what is happening and takes
countermeasures. During this portion of the program we get
to meet other interesting characters and see a whole range
of animated sequences.
There is one last piece of machinery that I will mention.
In your "locker," you will find a video camera. If you want
to review the storyline at any point, you can use it to
view only those animated sequences that you have seen.
This is a fun way to get back into the story if you had
to exit the program and could not come back for a little
while. It is also useful in getting the sense of what is
happening if you lose track.
The Learning Company has thrown other little twists in
to keep your interest. For instance, in Amanda's room, on
the bookshelves, is a painting. Pay close attention to it
during your visits throughout the game.
There are several hints strewn throughout the game that make
me believe that this game is simply the first in a prospective
series. For instance, when you start the game and the team
is being formed, The Benefactor looks at the resumes of
two other team members who are not chosen due to various
reasons. Perhaps they will appear in a different game?
Also, at the conclusion of the game, part of the finale
is Dread leaving the message "I will be back!"
As you can probably tell, I really liked this game.
The unique features that it sports are enough to elevate
it above and beyond all of the other games that I have had
the pleasure of reviewing recently. Although this game is
directed at ten-year-olds, it is my belief that people
from 10 to adult will enjoy playing this game and learning
from it. I certainly did.
=============
PUMA RATINGS
=============
PERFORMANCE: 4 Game play is quick and smooth. The animated
sequences are smooth.
USEFULNESS: 4 This program stands head and shoulders above
most of the competition within this category of games.
MANUAL: 4 All of the information needed is presented in a
logical and consistent manner. There are plenty of examples
and other material that helps in understanding the game
situation.
AVAILABILITY: 4 Available from mail order and software stores.
The Learning Company maintains a toll-free number for support.
(Naor Wallach/19930924)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
GENERAL
US Economy Unexpectedly Strong
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00011)
US Economy Unexpectedly Strong 11/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Although readers would
be forgiven if they looked at this week's worldwide stock market
plunge and thought that it indicated problems for the US and
world economies, the exact opposite happens to be true - the
stock market is falling precisely because the economy is showing
the first strong signs of strength. Today's employment
report showed an unexpectedly strong increase in employment
across the board and led to fears that the Federal Reserve Board
would increase interest rates to compensate.
The US economy has been very slowly growing for about one year
now, but the increase in the number of full-time jobs has been
mostly confined to the service sector and hasn't resulted in a
major surge in computer or software purchases as would be
expected in a strong growth environment.
This month's employment numbers showed an increase in
manufacturing jobs and in the number of work hours which are
essential to really fuel a rapid recovery in the rest of the
economy.
A close look at the Commerce Department report shows that despite
the 177,000 increase in jobs, nearly 70,000 were only temporary
jobs, but the bond market shrugged that off in early trading,
focusing instead on the 30,000 new high-paying construction jobs
and 12,000 new manufacturing jobs which were added to the economy
last month.
Earlier this week good retail sales numbers in the US spurred
investor expectations that the US would soon move to tighten
the money supply to combat inflation and prevent overheating
of the economy. This led to a surge in interest rates
and a resulting drop in bond prices.
If the economy really is heating up, then all segments of the
computer and telecommunications industries will also experience
increased sales and profits and the rest of the world may also
experience a surge in their economies.
Although this is not the first time during this very slow
recovery that interest rates have backed up and employment
numbers have shown a positive trend, there are a number of other
indicators simultaneously showing that the US economy is
starting to grow at a faster rate.
Roy Blumburg of CNBC's Wall Street Bureau reported this morning
that semiconductor companies' stock prices were especially strong
as they did not experience their usual summer slowdown and showed
good long-term strength.
(John McCormick/19931105/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00012)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 11/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
November's PC World carries a point-by-point comparison of
Windows NT and OS/2, the competing 32-bit operating systems from
Microsoft and IBM, and finds that both are slow, memory-hungry,
but exceptionally stable and although not suitable for stand-
alone use, make good multiuser systems.
Computerworld for the week of November 1 says that IBM has
decided to support rival Microsoft's NT operating system on its
PowerPC computers despite the fact that NT is a direct competitor
of IBM's own OS/2 and WorkPlace OS software.
Network World dated November 1 says that Digital Equipment (DEC)
is pushing into the ATM or asynchronous transfer mode market with
13 new products announced at the European INTEROP trade show.
ATM, which has nothing to do with bank teller machines, is a
popular high-speed data transfer system.
This week's Infoworld says that IBM is targeting corporate
downsizing efforts by porting its popular mainframe DB2 database
software to the RISC (reduced instruction set code) RS/6000
workstation computer. The software, which costs as little as
$2,000, can manage 512 gigabytes of data on the AIX (Unix) based
computers.
(John McCormick/19931105/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
TELECOM
Canadian Cellular Firm Cutting Back
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00013)
Canadian Cellular Firm Cutting Back 11/05/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Rogers Cantel Mobile
Communications Inc., the national cellular carrier, has announced
plans to cut 350 to 400 people from its payroll, saying the cuts
are needed to adapt to changes in the cellular market.
The market for cellular telephones is evolving from one made up
mainly of business users to one in which ordinary consumers play
a large part, said David Gergacz, president of Cantel. That means
a growing market, but it also means the average customer will use
the service less. Thus Cantel needs a leaner cost structure to
serve this market, Gergacz told Newsbytes.
The company is tightening its belt by consolidating
infrastructure and back office functions from its four regions
across the country to a single national operation, Gergacz said.
For instance, instead of a vice-president of engineering for each
region, there will be one for the whole country. At the same
time, he said, Cantel will put more of a regional emphasis on
marketing and sales.
Between 350 and 400 employees will be told within the next few
weeks that their jobs will disappear. That works out to about 14
percent of the company's present work force.
The company may also close, sell, or franchise some of the 47
service centers it owns across Canada.
Gergacz said the move is in preparation for where he expects the
market to go, not a reaction to current troubles, and he
maintained that with the cost-cutting behind it Cantel will be
well placed for the future. "Our company is still growing very
rapidly," he said.
The company recently reported its third-quarter financial
results, chalking up an operating profit of C$54.9 million in the
three months ended Sept. 30. With a special provision of C$75.3
million for restructuring, plus other factors, the final loss was
C$84.5 million, or 90 cents a share. That compares with a
C$22.4-million loss in the same quarter of 1992. Revenue in the
quarter rose to C$159.2 million from C$135.1 million in the
year-earlier quarter.
In the nine months ended Sept. 30, Cantel lost C$138.6 million
compared with C$113.8 million in the same period of 1992.
Operating loss was C$129.4 million, up from C$89.8 million.
(Grant Buckler/19931105/Press Contact: David Gergacz, Rogers
Cantel, 416-440-1400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
GOVT
Clinton Health Care Plan Available Online
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00014)
Clinton Health Care Plan Available Online 11/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- While the President
and First Lady are traveling around the country handing out
summary copies of their Health Care Plan to various libraries,
you don't necessarily have to wait for them to personally get
around to your local area before you can get a look at the entire
plan -- it is also available electronically from a number of
sources.
Fans of the Internet will already know that virtually everything
is available some place on that vast network, but many readers
many not realize just how all-inclusive that database can be. One
of the more popular file areas on the Internet and the bulletin
board systems which carry Internet files, are government
documents and press releases from the White House, including many
documents related to the proposed changes to US health care
programs.
GEnie's WhiteHouse forum contains the National Health Plan, The
President's Report to the American People on Health Security, and
the Health Security Act Legislation, while files in the Internet
forum carry a summary of the plan as provided by The White House.
But not everyone has access either directly to the Internet or
any of the commercial or private BBS which carry Internet and
White House files, so one enterprising Virginia company,
Washington Business Information of Arlington, is offering the
entire 1,342-page Health Security Act in ASCII file format on two
3.5-inch IBM compatible diskettes for only $39.
This company is following in a long line of other Washington-area
businesses which try to profit from reselling public information
in another format, but in this case the cost is very reasonable
and having such information in computer format is certainly much
more useful than having to work your way through the massive
printed documents available from the Government Printing Office.
(John McCormick/19931105/Press Contact: Denise Elliott,
Washington Business Information, 703-247-3418)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
GENERAL
Computer City Campaign Aimed At Ailing Children
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00015)
Computer City Campaign Aimed At Ailing Children 11/05/93
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- A non-profit
organization has announced Computer City Supercenters will help in
its efforts to make dreams come true for critically and chronically
ill children.
The Dream Factory spokesperson Denis Heavrin told Newsbytes
Computer City Supercenters will sponsor a nationwide "Name The
Elf" contest as part of a "Dare To Dream" program. "Name The Elf"
coloring books will be available for $1.99 in the Computer City
outlets across the country, with proceeds going to The Dream
Factory. The computer seller says some of its vendors will also
donate a portion of the profits from the sale of their products or
donate hardware and software to the "Dare to Dream" program.
Computer City spokesperson Mieke Henderson told Newsbytes the
company will also distribute more than 800,000 Dream Factory
brochures through their outlets in 21 markets nationwide. The
brochure explains how the program started, lists The Dream
Factory's board of directors, and explains how to start a local Dream
Factory chapter.
The Dream Factory was started in 1980 when Hopkinsville, Kentucky
businessman Charles Henault decided he wanted to do something to
help children in his town who were critically ill. "When I saw a
television program about a policeman in Philadelphia who helped
children in his city, I had to do it," says Henault.
Henault says more than 90 percent of the funds raised go to
fulfilling the wishes of what the organization calls "our
dream children." Those wishes include trips to Disney
World, a visit to one of The Dream Factory's "Camp Rainbows"
or the chance to meet a famous celebrity. One child received
his special wish, a pink electric wheelchair. Heavrin told
Newsbytes the group operates two Camp Rainbow week-long
summer camps for critically ill children. One facility is in
Missouri and the other is in Tennessee.
(Jim Mallory/19931105/Press contact: Mieke Henderson, Tandy Corp,
817-347-7624, Denis Heavrin, The Dream Factory, 502-584-3928 or
800-456-7556)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
BUSINESS
Compuadd Reorganization Approved, May Merge With Zeos
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00016)
Compuadd Reorganization Approved, May Merge With Zeos 11/05/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Compuadd Computer
corporation has received formal approval to emerge from bankruptcy
and may merge with PC maker Zeos International or another firm.
The reorganization plan was approved by the company's unsecured
creditors just five months after the compute reseller sought
protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code when it
couldn't reach an agreement with landlords and suppliers after it
closed more than 100 retail outlets.
Compuadd spokesperson John Pope told Newsbytes that the
company is having preliminary discussions with "about half a dozen
companies" including Minneapolis, Minnesota-based personal
computer maker Zeos International regarding a possible merger. In a
prepared statement, ZEOS Chairman Gregory Herrick called the
discussions "exciting but very preliminary." Herrick said no terms
have been reached, and the talks might go on for some time.
The Compuadd reorganization plan calls for creation of a five-person
board of directors and issuance of 75 percent of the company's
stock to unsecured creditors. CompuAdd founder and CEO Bill
Hayden will get 20 percent of the stock and the remaining five
percent will be reserved for issuance to management and
employees.
Compuadd President Rick Krause says the company is resilient and
has a loyal customer base. "With Chapter 11 behind us, Compuadd's
new mission is to leverage 11 years as a direct marketing leader to
provide the best combination of product, price, delivery, service and
support in the industry."
Compuadd continued to operate while under Chapter 11 protection
and shipped new systems, expanded its service offering and
honored all product warranties. When the retail outlets closed,
calls were automatically redirected to Compuadd's headquarters.
(Jim Mallory/19931105/Press contact: John Pope, Compuadd, 512-
250-2000 or Chuck Henderson, Zeos International, 612-623-9614)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
TELECOM
Second Major Online Service Goes Public -- Telescan
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
Second Major Online Service Goes Public -- Telescan 11/05/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Telescan Inc., became
the second online firm to go public today, winning a listing on
the National Association of Securities Dealer NASDAQ market under
the symbol TSCN.
While America Online, which has been public for some time, is
well known to online service users and stands as the third-
largest consumer online service, Telescan is almost invisible, in
part by design. It operates online services on what might be
called an OEM basis, handling the details for others' services.
It first made its name handling stock listings and orders for
Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab & Co., and other brokerage
firms. Those services now have over 80,000 subscribers among
them. The fast-moving nature of those files helped the company
tune its systems.
Another major Telescan operation is called Knowledge Express, an
online system used by universities and the federal government for
technology transfers. It features a proprietary plain English
query system called relevant/optimal search, a feature which has
been extended throughout Telescan's system.
Recently Telescan has gotten into the business of providing
customized online services for trade groups and publishers. Among
the ventures here are the American Institute of Architects'
AIAOnline, Editor & Publisher Online, and BPI Communication's Online
featuring the Hollywood Reporter, Billboard Magazine and other
titles. Finally, Telescan runs online networks for other
businesses dedicated to online services, notably Enterpreneurs
Online. It also owns the Computer Sports Network, which runs
baseball and tournament golf leagues.
So far, half-a-dozen brokerages have signed as market makers in
the stock, including Sanders Morris Mundy, Paragon Securities,
Herzog Heine Geduld, N AIB Securities, Troster Singer, and WM
Frankel Securities.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931105/Press Contact: Telescan, Richard Ames,
713-952-1060)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/05/93
TELECOM
Latest on Paramount - BellSouth
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
Latest on Paramount - BellSouth 11/05/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- After weeks where it
was reportedly near its own bid for Paramount, BellSouth was
reportedly close to buying out Liberty Media's stock in QVC, and
participating in its Paramount bid, according to press reports.
BellSouth said it could neither confirm nor deny the reports, and
a spokesman told Newsbytes she did not anticipate release of any
press releases November 5.
The New York Times reported that BellSouth is expected to put $2
billion into the QVC bid, helping Barry Diller to trump a
competing bid from Viacom and its head, Sumner Redstone. In
recent weeks, as the price being bid for Paramount passed $10
billion, many analysts have begun saying that the winner in this
battle will be a loser, and that the assets -- which include the
Prentice Hall computer book publishing operation -- aren't worth
the price. Both bids are also hurt this week by a falling stock
market -- equity prices have been falling in line with bond
prices, which in turn are falling because of indication economic
activity is picking up, raising inflation fears.
If BellSouth takes out Liberty Media's QVC interest, it also
takes the legs out of Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone's major
argument against his rival, namely that it represents an attempt
by Liberty Media head John Malone to monopolize the cable
industry. Malone is presently merging Liberty into his parent TCI
cable operation, and merging TCI in turn into Bell Atlantic, the
regional Bell for the mid-Atlantic states.
Viacom, meanwhile, said it received commitments for a $4.5
billion credit line in its bid, and added the loan was
oversubscribed. Both QVC Network Inc., and Viacom Inc., have made
tender offers of $80 cash for 51 percent of Paramount shares,
with plans to buy the rest of the company for stock. But few
shares have been tendered so far, with most large holders
expecting an even higher bid from QVC, perhaps as high as $88
per share. Viacom's partners in its bid include Blockbuster
Entertainment and NYNEX, but major ratings' services have lowered
their ratings on its debt anyway, raising its cost.
If the bidding gets too rich for Viacom, it retains the option to
take 20 percent of Paramount and a $100 million break-up fee.
That "lock-up" agreement is said to be worth about $350 million.
While QVC has filed suit to block that agreement, and that suit
is due to be heard in Delaware November 16, Redstone could always
negotiate with Diller to honor the agreement in return for his
backing down. The bidding war for Paramount began in September
when Viacom and Paramount announced a friendly merger, and
accelerated when QVC launched its unfriendly tender offer a few
weeks ago.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
TELECOM
PacTel Spin-Off Moving Ahead
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
PacTel Spin-Off Moving Ahead 11/05/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Pacific
Telesis Group directors have moved quickly to finish the split
between their wired and wireless operations, setting a $1.2-
billion public stock offering in their new wireless company,
PacTel Corp.
The California Public Utilities Commission, in a split decision,
approved the spin-off, but set some tough conditions. It wants
Pacific Telesis to pay consumers $41.3 million for their
investments in the cellular operation, said the company could not
sell more than 2.24 percent of the new company to any single
party, prohibited non-compete agreements between the spin-off and
the parent, and insisted on a financial plan within 60 days.
Opponents of the plan also said they'll challenge it in court,
meaning it may be impossible for PacTel to forge alliances in
advance of the sale of 200 MHz in new frequencies for microwave-
based wireless services, called PCNs, next year.
Perhaps more troubling, many analysts have turned thumbs-down on
the deal, with Kidder Peabody & Co., Smith Barney Shearson Inc.,
and Goldman Sachs dropping their ratings on the company's stock.
Speculation has arisen that the new PacTel might make a quick
takeover candidate, with AT&T the most likely acquirer, although
that is prohibited by the commission's order.
PacTel Chairman Sam Ginn, however, has bet his career on the
spin-off. In a press statement he claimed "the commission sent a
strong signal that California is open for business." Ginn will
move to the wireless unit after the spin-off, with Pacific Bell
head Phil Quigley taking the wireline businesses, and relations
between the two men have reportedly turned frosty as they
prepared for their new roles. Ginn has claimed the spin-off would
result in new wireless jobs in California, but most wireless
equipment is made by Motorola and Ericsson in other states while
jobs in operations are spread throughout the country.
In other news involving regional Bell companies, Ameritech filed
a suit in Detroit, seeking to overturn the 1984 Cable Act's
provisions against its participation in the cable business within
its region. Bell Atlantic won a ruling on an identical suit,
filed on First Amendment grounds, from a Virginia court, but that
ruling was not extended beyond its territory. And NYNEX agreed to
sell its AGS Computers unit, hoping to raise cash to invest in
wireless systems.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931105/Press Contact: Michael Runzler,
Pacific Telesis, 415-394-3643)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
TELECOM
Cox Denies Southwestern Bell Cable Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
Cox Denies Southwestern Bell Cable Deal 11/05/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Cox Enterprises is
denying a report in its own flagship newspaper it will take a $1
million investment from Southwestern Bell in its cable
operations. "There is no deal," spokesman Dave Anderson told
Newsbytes. "I won't deny there have been discussions, and the
author of the story," Charles Haddad, "knows that."
Haddad wrote on November 4 that Southwestern Bell would invest
over $1 billion in Cox, which the company would use to double the
size of its cable system, the sixth-largest in the industry with
1.7 million subscribers. Southwestern Bell has been silent in the
big "data superhighway" bidding so far, although it did agree to
buy a Washington, DC-area cable operator, Hauser
Communications, last year.
Since reducing debt following the acquisition of its formerly
publicly traded Cox Communications television unit in the 1980s,
Cox has recently become more aggressive under Chairman James Cox
Kennedy, a grandson of company founder James Cox, who was a
three-term Ohio governor early in the century and the Democrats'
1920 candidate for President. Cox has an alliance with BellSouth,
the local regional Bell, to enter the audiotex business, and
invested $500 million in QVC's bid for Paramount. The company
owns 17 daily newspapers, 24 cable television systems, 20 radio
and television stations and an automobile auction business. Cox
and Southwestern Bell are already partners in cable ventures in
the United Kingdom.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931105/Press Contact: Cox Enterprises, Dave
Anderson, 404-843-5855)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
BUSINESS
Geac Buys Another Australian Company
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00021)
Geac Buys Another Australian Company 11/05/93
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Geac Computer Corp.
Ltd., has announced the purchase of another Australian company.
The Canadian firm paid an undisclosed amount for Convergent
Solutions Pty. ltd., a supplier of manufacturing and distribution
software with annual revenues of about $4 million, Geac
spokeswoman Heidi Riffert said.
Convergent supplies software called Tims, and has some 70
customers primarily in New South Wales, officials said.
It is the latest in a string of acquisitions for Geac, and one of
several this year in Australia. In October, the company acquired
Datamark International Ltd., of New Zealand and its subsidiary
Dmark International Pty., Ltd., of Australia.
In May, Geac bought MAI (UK) Ltd., and Tekserv Computer
Services, both of Hemel Hempstead, UK, and NBI Canada Inc., a
network reseller in Toronto. Computer Library Services
International (Australia) Pty. Ltd., a Melbourne, Australia,
software distributor, was acquired in April.
In March, Geac bought Mentat Computer Systems Pty. Ltd., an
Australian maker of manufacturing software. At the same time, the
company picked up Concord Management Systems Inc., of Tampa,
Florida, which makes software for construction companies.
The largest part of Geac's revenues comes from library automation
systems, but the company also produces vertical-market software
for the financial sector, hotels, property management, and
distribution, as well as construction and manufacturing.
(Grant Buckler/19931105/Press Contact: Heidi Riffert, Geac,
905-475-0525)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
BUSINESS
Germany - Grundig, Exabyte In Mammoth Chip Venture
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00022)
Germany - Grundig, Exabyte In Mammoth Chip Venture 11/05/93
MUNICH, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Grundig has announced the joint
development of a new high capacity DRAM (dynamic random access
memory) chip with Exabyte, the US IC (integrated circuit)
specialist.
According to Grundig, which is majority-owned by Philips of the
Netherlands, plans call for the giant capacity DRAM chip, known as
the Mammoth series, to be jointly marketed in volume by the end of
1994, when it ships.
The main aim of the chip, said Grundig officials, was to service the
growing need for data protection devices. Mammoth has been adapted,
the company claims, to work as a battery-backed data storage device
that is protected from external influent. Grundig says its has
developed a commercial scanner for the chips.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931105/Press & Public Contact: Grundig - Tel: +49-
89-62280)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
BUSINESS
Germany - Computer Sciences Diversifies
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00023)
Germany - Computer Sciences Diversifies 11/05/93
MUNICH, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Computer Sciences Gmbh, the
German defense computing specialist and subsidiary of Computer
Sciences Corporation of the US, has announced it is
diversifying into the civilian computing marketplace. The
reason is falling demand for the company's services in
the defence arena, company officials said.
Plans for call for future business activities to be expanded
in the areas of trade, transport and sales, in the
manufacturing sector, and in the public and private
services sector.
The company claims that is has been adopting the strategy of going
for civilian computing market growth over the last year. During
the 1992/93 financial year, the company's turnover went to DM 26
million, from DM 19 million a year earlier, a rise of around 37
percent.
According to Friedrich Froeschl, the company's managing director,
this result is all the more remarkable, as Computer Sciences
now looks to be on target for profitability, after 12 years of
losses.
Froeschl added that, as a result of this turnaround for the
company's fortunes, the parent firm, Computer Sciences Corporation
of the US, plans to invest around DM 100 million in German
operations, a situation that would have been unthinkable just a few
years ago.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
BUSINESS
Finland - Computer 2000 Subsidiary Profits Up 150%
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00024)
Finland - Computer 2000 Subsidiary Profits Up 150% 11/05/93
HELSINKI, FINLAND, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Computer 2000 Oy, the Finnish
subsidiary of Computer 2000, the pan-European computer distributor
with its headquarters in Germany, has reported a massive increase in
sales over the last financial year.
During the 1992/93 financial year, which ended on September 30,
Computer 2000 Oy reported sales of FM 302 million, an increase of
approximately 147 percent on financial year 1991/92. According to
company officials, this puts the firm into the top ten computer
company category for Finland.
Officials are not resting on their laurels. They claim that their
1993/94 target has been set at DM 400 million, a figure that many
industry experts claim is pushing the envelope, but is just about
achievable, given the company's track record in recent years.
Newsbytes notes that the company's ebullience is attributable to the
fact that recently it became a distributor for Apple Computer in
Finland, enabling it to become a distributor for the Apple Mac and
all Apple peripherals across the country. This fact, company
officials claim, will enable them to take on more staff. Currently,
Computer 2000 Oy employs around 80.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931105/Press & Public Contact: +35-80-682-791)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
TELECOM
UK - Hutchison Pulls Plug On Rabbit CT-2 Phone Net
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00025)
UK - Hutchison Pulls Plug On Rabbit CT-2 Phone Net 11/05/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Hutchison Whampoa, the Far
Eastern parent company to Hutchison Telecom in the UK, has decided
to pull the plug on its Rabbit CT-2 (cordless telephone type 2)
public network in the UK.
CT-2 is the digital equivalent of the analogue cordless phones that
millions of people have installed in their homes. A CT-2 phone can
be used as a digital cordless phone, provided the user has a bought
a private base station and plugged it in, either at home or in the
office.
Of the four companies (Ferranti, Mercury, Phonepoint and Hutchison
Rabbit) that have launched their CT-2 public networks, only Rabbit
has maintained its presence in the market until now. The buy-in
costs of a Rabbit phone are around UKP100 for a GPT-made handset and
a modest monthly subscription of UKP9-99 per month plus call charges
similar to those of a payphone.
Private base stations can be purchased for around the UKP100 mark.
Recently, Motorola entered the CT-2 market with its own phone, the
Silverlink, which can also be used on the Rabbit network.
Hutchison Whampoa claims that the closure of the Rabbit CT-2 network
at the end of December forms part of its long-term plan for UK
telephony and follows an in-depth review of these operations over
the last month.
Existing subscribers to the Rabbit network are to be offered a
choice of what Hutchison calls "generous options" ranging from a
straight cash buyback of the hardware, to a voucher entitling them
to a free DCS-1800 digital mobile phone, when the Hutchison DCS-1800
network is launched early next year. Other options include a voice
mailbox plus pager system or a free cellular phone with discounted
sign-up and subscriptions for the first year.
In parallel with the closure of the Rabbit network, Hutchison will
be selling off its mobile data division, which has been on hold in
the UK for some time.
In announcing the closures, Hutchison is claiming that this in no
way affects the development or the future of its CT-2 networking in
Hong Kong, which it says is progressing satisfactorily. The HK
service now has more than 70,000 subscribers, the company claims,
after just a year and a half of operation.
Hans Snook, group managing director of Hutchison Telecoms UK, said
that he is disappointed that, despite the technological success of
the CT-2 system, the Rabbit service was unable to "attract
sufficient subscribers to cover operating costs." He adds,
"We are totally confident for the future success in our PC
business and continued growth for cellular reselling and our
paging business."
Snook lashed out at the manufacturers in his network closure
statement, blaming "lack of timely support from various electronics
and telecom product manufacturers" in offering a good range of
affordable handsets and home base stations.
"This was a key contributing factor to the slow take-up of
subscribers, as was our own inability -- as a sole operator -- to
properly educate the market on the cost-effective benefits that
telepoint provides and as proven by the successful take-up of the
service in Hong Kong," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931105/Press & Public Contact: Hutchison Telecom -
Tel: +44-992-553318; Fax: +44-992-500991)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
IBM
****Microsoft DOS 6.0 May Face Lawsuit
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00026)
****Microsoft DOS 6.0 May Face Lawsuit 11/05/93
ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- A Roswell, New
Mexico-based accountant and computer consultant says Microsoft
Corporation may face a class action lawsuit over the problems users
are experiencing with the DOS 6.0 Doublespace compression utility.
He also alleges Microsoft Corporation attempted to "buy off" the
California man who commissioned him to survey Doublespace users
to determine the extent of the alleged problem.
William Golden told Newsbytes he has been commissioned by DOS
6.0 user William Ty to survey DOS 6.0 users. Ty reportedly lost
valuable data as a result of Doublespace problems. Golden said he
has posted electronic mail messages on one online service and
received more than 60 responses in two days. He said about half of
those may be legitimate complaints.
Golden told Newsbytes he plans to post similar messages on
Compuserve and America Online this weekend. The Compuserve
request for information is expected to appear in the IBM and
Stacker forums. Stac Electronics publishes a competitive
data compression utility, Stacker, and has recently clashed
in the courts with Microsoft, with suits and countersuits
flying over the trade secrets involved.
Stac reported in October that its year to date income had dropped
95 percent. It blamed the litigation with Microsoft partially
for that.
Golden claims Microsoft offered Ty $5,000 in Microsoft products and
asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement if he dropped the
issue. Golden says Ty alleges that he has voluminous
correspondence and lengthy phone calls with Microsoft regarding
his problem, and says Microsoft had Ty send his hard drive to
Microsoft for evaluation.
Reports of problems with Doublespace have repeatedly surfaced in
support forums on several online services. Microsoft told Newsbytes
that they have been unable to reproduce most of the reported
problems and others were related to the application being used. This
week Microsoft announced DOS 6.2 which is supposed to solve the
problems with Doublespace. The documentation that accompanies a
utility program released earlier for DOS 6.0 by Microsoft includes
some corrections to the Doublespace portion of the DOS 6.0
technical reference manual.
Microsoft has said that most user DOS 6.0 problems received by its
technical support staff fall into three categories: user setup
problems, difficulty with DOS 6.0 memory management utility
Memmaker, and Doublespace.
Newsbytes was unable to contact a Microsoft spokesperson prior to
its press deadline.
(Jim Mallory/19931105/Press contact: William Golden, Nationwide
Business Systems, 505-622-1100; Microsoft Public Relations, 206-
882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
IBM
Symantec Norton Desktop 3.0 For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00027)
Symantec Norton Desktop 3.0 For Windows 11/05/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Symantec
has introduced Norton Desktop 3.0 for Windows, a set of utilities and
productivity tools for the Microsoft Windows graphical user
environment.
Christiane Petite, spokesperson for Symantec, told Newsbytes
that new enhancement to version 3.0 includes new productivity
tools -- FileAssist, Day Planner, and Script Maker -- a new
on-line tutorial and "Treasure Chest" help, new Control Center
configuration console (which was not on the old version),
"and new network features and an add-on network menuing
program." Added Petite, "The Norton Desktop for
Windows Network Menuing Admin Pack is $295 per server."
According to the company, the new version offers "the latest
diagnostic/repair, backup and anti-virus technology. New features
include: Norton Disk Doctor, which fixes problems under WIndows
without having to exit to DOS; Speed Disk, which optimizes hard
disk performance in order to maximize speed under WIndows;
FileAssist, which reportedly enhances Windows' common dialogs,
allows access to file management tools, and supports long file
name descriptions; and Day Planner, and all-in-one appointment
calendar, to-do list and address/phone book.
The company says that Norton Antivirus 3.0 for Windows provides
round-the-clock virus protection, features a faster scanning
engine, detects over 2,300 known viruses, and has the new ability
to detect unknown viruses.
Norton Backup 3.0 for Windows allows user to automate the
backing up of data with a "new easy, step-by-step '1-2-3 Go'
interface," claims the company. The utility supports more
media than in the previous version including server shared tape
drives and Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI) backup
devices.
A new Control Center feature provides a centralized "push button"
console for making changes to the desktop and for configuring all
program options. Users can customize pull-down menus, drive
icons, background colors, and tool bars. The Center's interface
graphically demonstrates the changes before they are made.
Version 3.0 can be installed either on the network, or as a
workstation-based application with extensive feature support
for all major network operating systems, including Novell's
NetWare, Banyan Vines, Microsoft's LAN Manager and Windows
for Workgroups, and Artisoft's LANtastic.
Petite told Newsbytes that Norton Desktop 3.0 for Windows and
the Admin pack add-in product are available now. Version 3.0 is
priced at $179. Registered users can upgrade for $49.
Version 3.0 requires a 386SX-based PC or higher, Windows 3.1 or
better, MS-DOS 3.3 or higher, at least four megabytes (MB) of RAM,
15MB of hard disk space for full installation, as well as a VGA,
XGA, SVGA or 8514/A video card and mouse, which are recommended.
(Ian Stokell/19931105/Press Contact: Ana Shannon,
310-449-4140, Symantec)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/05/93
BUSINESS
Cisco Systems Sales Up 90%
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)
Cisco Systems Sales Up 90% 11/05/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- As a further
indication that networking, and especially internetworking products
that hook together individual networks, is the place to be, Cisco
Systems Inc., has reported first quarter results ended October 24,
1993. Net sales were $248,457,000, and net income was
$63,485,000, or $0.48 per share.
The company says that this compares to net sales of $126,379,000
and net income of $33,243,000, or $0.26 per share in the same
period last year, and are increases of 97 percent, 91 percent, and
85 percent, respectively.
In announcing the results, John Morgridge, president and CEO of
Cisco, said: "Cisco was pleased with the level of business for the
quarter, which was highlighted by a number of new business
partnerships, including the company's first acquisition. In
September Cisco acquired Crescendo Communications, forming the
Cisco Workgroup Business Unit. The technology acquired from
Crescendo will be a key element in providing complete switching,
hubbing, and routing solutions to this part of our market."
The licensing deal with IBM was also a highlight. "Two other items
of significance during the quarter were Cisco's signing of an
agreement with IBM to license IBM's APPN (Advanced Peer-to-Peer
Networking) technology for integration into our products, and the
nomination of two new members to our board."
In September Newsbytes reported on Cisco's agreement to acquire
Crescendo Communications Inc., a privately held, networking
company. Under terms of the deal, Cisco agreed to acquire all of
the outstanding stock and assume all the outstanding employee
stock options and warrants of Crescendo in exchange for
2,000,000 shares of Cisco common stock.
In August Newsbytes reported that Cisco entered into a "strategic
partnership," in order to ensure compatibility between routers
from Cisco Novell's NetWare network operating system products.
At the time, the companies said that the first phase calls for
Novell to certify that Cisco routers support all necessary IPX
(Internetwork Packet Exchange) router functionality. It will also
entail Cisco implementing Novell's NetWare Link Services Protocol
(NLSP) to improve internetwork performance and scalability.
Cisco is a leading supplier of multimedia and multiprotocol routers,
bridges, workgroup systems, and communication servers.
(Ian Stokell/19931105/Press Contact: Jeff Paine,
415-903-7191, Cisco Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
TRENDS
Germany - Too Many Software Developers
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00029)
Germany - Too Many Software Developers 11/05/93
MUNICH, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Alldata, the German software
house, has announced plans to consolidate its software development
resources. The company blames the fact that there is a surplus of
software development resources over demand in Germany at the moment,
a situation that it claims is unlikely to improve over the next few
years.
Hans Joachim Erhardt, Alldata's chairman, said that the net result
of this situation over the last year has been a general downturn in
the cost of software development which, although good for consumers,
could cause problems in the longer term as the market rate of DM 70
(around $45) per hour was below cost in many cases.
Erhardt attributed the excess supply of software development
resources as due to a sudden influx of new entrants to the market.
He said that recent entry of Daimler-Benz subsidiary Daimler-Benz
InterServices (Debis) AG of Berlin had made problems worse.
He claimed that, even though DBI could afford to stomach losses in
the short term, it could not afford to continue offering its
services below cost in the longer term.
According to Erhardt, Alldata plans to merge its three computer
centers bought from Treuhandanstalt in the new federal states. This,
he said, will cut the company's payroll from more than 1,100 to
around 670. In parallel with the cost reduction, he said, income
from software development is expected to fall by around 20 percent
to around DM 190 million this year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931105/Press & Public Contact: Alldata - Tel: +49-
89-455105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/05/93
GENERAL
****Software Execs To Battle In Airplanes Over Las Vegas
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00030)
****Software Execs To Battle In Airplanes Over Las Vegas 11/05/93
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 5 (NB) -- Software company
executives Philippe Kahn of Borland and Ed Esber of Creative
Labs, among others, will be flying real planes but
participating in simulated dogfights in the skies over Las
Vegas, Nevada during the world's largest computer trade show
Comdex November 15-19.
Nearly 50 executives from software companies are going up in
Marchetti SF 260 aircraft over the Las Vegas desert to fight it
out. The executives will be flying out of the North Las Vegas
Air Terminal and the event includes training, flying, scoring,
and video documentation from Air Combat USA of Fullerton,
California.
Mike Blackstone, the founder of Air Combat USA and a pilot for
16 years with American Airlines, came up with the idea of
allowing aviators the chance to experience real air-to-air
combat without having to join the military. All of the action
is videotaped from three different cameras mounted in the
cockpit of the aircraft while a gunsight-mounted camera
confirms each "kill."
Everything is real except the bullets, according to Air
Combat officials, who said smoke even comes out of the
plane that is hit. The bullets are simulated via a
patented tracking system that uses microwaves. Would-be
participants do not need a pilot's license or previous flying
experience, as they go up with an experienced pilot.
Air Combat has 30 sites in cities nationwide, claims its planes
are maintained to the strictest FAA standards, and says over
7,000 have participated without a single incident. The company
said Spectrum Holobyte's programmers went up in Air Combat
planes to experience dog fights before writing the popular
combat simulation game Falcon 3.0.
The event is being organized by Softbank, a company produces a
compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), Softbank On Hand,
containing software titles that users can try out and then
purchase by phone. The participants are from companies who have
allowed Softbank to distribute their software titles. Software
executives will begin flying Sunday afternoon, November 14, and
will continue throughout the week, company officials said.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931105/Press Contact: Patrick Crisp,
Alexander Communications for Softbank, tel 415-923-1660, fax
415-92309863; Air Combat, 800-522-7590)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/04/93
UNIX
Switzerland's Workstation AG's Unix Terminal Emulators
(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00001)
Switzerland's Workstation AG's Unix Terminal Emulators 11/04/93
GLATTBRUGG, SWITZERLAND, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Workstation AG,
the Swiss Unix software company, has announced a range of
terminal emulation packages for Unix workstations.
According to the company, three types of packages - emulating DEC,
IBM and Unisys workstations on DEC, HP, IBM, Next, Silicon Graphics,
Sun and generic Intel 486-based environments - are available.
Support for other systems are planned for the future.
All the packages allow the workstation to emulate a terminal on a
mainframe. According to the company, this means that mainframe
applications can be extended to the Unix workstation environment
over a variety of connectivity links.
Workstation claims that all the terminal emulators are fully
integrated within their respective window systems. This is an
advantage over existing passive Unix emulators, the company
claims, since it means that all control and status indicators of the
original terminal can be set in their original parameter windows.
It is also possible to "cut and paste" between the emulator window
and another windows on the workstation. This is not normally
possible on a standard terminal, Newsbytes notes, nor is the
ability to access context-sensitive help on a concurrent basis.
As with X-Window terminals, Workstation's software terminals
can be customized to meet the user's needs. This even extends to
remapping the "terminal" on to buttons on the Unix workstation
screens, polling these buttons as and when required.
The packages support a total of four different emulation
environments: WE-UTS, which supports the integration of mainframe
applications written for U100, U200, UTS 400, UTS 40, UTS 60 color
graphics and SVT Unix terminals in workstation environment;
WE-COMD, a communication protocol server installed on a Unix
processor which can act as a protocol server for the entire network;
WE-D320, a terminal emulator that supports applications written
for DEC VT100, VT200 and VT320 terminals without needing to
modify the mainframe software; and WE-I3179, which reportedly
allow workstations to communicate with IBM mainframes over
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) Ethernet,
SDLC (synchronous data link control), or X.25 networks.
Pricing on the various packages depend on the emulations required
and site licensing conditions. The company is offering a demo
version for $99 that includes the complete package running in full
mode with time and data limits, full documentation and all shipping
charges.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931103/Press & Public Contact: Workstation AG,
tel 41-1-828-9555, fax 41-1-828-9570; E-mail over The Internet:
info@wag.ch)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
TELECOM
Swiss Telecom Clamps Down On "Dial A Porn" Services
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00002)
Swiss Telecom Clamps Down On "Dial A Porn" Services 11/04/93
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Following the lead of
other European telecommunications companies, PTT, the Swiss
telecoms administration, has introduced a new code of conduct
for its premium and general access telephone subscribers.
The aim of the code of conduct is to prevent the booming number
of premium rate "sex lines" or "dial a porn services," that are
springing up in the country, where laws on such services are
somewhat relaxed.
The Swiss telecoms administration was forced to act after a
Lausanne court imposed a fine of around $13,000 on Felix Rosenberg,
the head of PTT, for breaking obscenity laws in carrying telephone
services of a sexual nature. The court has also, Newsbytes
understands, imposed a suspended prison sentence of two months on
Rosenberg, the suspension being valid for two years, providing
Rosenberg and PTT take steps to stamp out the phone sex services.
According to Swiss media reports, PTT is paying Rosenberg's fine
and has undertaken to clean up its act in relation to sexual phone
recordings.
According to a report on CNN International, almost 1,500 sex line
services are available in Switzerland, which has a relatively small
telephone population of around four million lines for 7.3 million
people. CNN said that more than 3.3 million calls are registered a
month on the sex line services.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931103)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
GOVT
European Commission Boosts Technology Investment Fund
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00003)
European Commission Boosts Technology Investment Fund 11/04/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Following a seemingly
pitched battle between Members of Parliament (MPs) in the European
Commission over community funding generally these past few years,
ministers have agreed to an increase in special project funding, as
well as introduce low interest loans for technology projects
undertaken by EC small businesses.
The move comes in the wake of an acrimonious battle in the EC
chambers over the shrinking funding of high definition television
(HDTV) research and development. While EC ministers wanted to
invest several hundred million dollars in HDTV projects, Britain
effectively blocked the investment, claiming it was inappropriate.
Newsbytes understands that the so-called Edinburgh fund, which
would have been tapped for the HDTV project, is now being increased
to 8,000 million European Currency Units (around $16,000 million)
and will be used to offer low interest rate loans to small businesses
anywhere in the EC that want to undertake high tech research and
development, provided that R&D will benefit the EC overall.
Previously, the Edinburgh fund was broadly restricted to
investments in road, rail and telecommunications services
in the EC.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931103)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
IBM
****First Pentium-Based Portables Set For Comdex
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00004)
****First Pentium-Based Portables Set For Comdex 11/04/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- At Fall Comdex,
Dolch plans to display the new PAC-586, a PC billed as the world's
first Pentium-based portable.
The company will also show A-PAC, a stereo sound version of the
system. Operating at 47 MIPS, the Pentium-based machines are
the fastest mobile PCs to be available yet, officials maintained.
The new PAC and A-PAC models offer five full-length open slots,
three VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) local bus
slots, and 275 watts of system power. The platforms will also
accommodate a combination of three drives, selectable from among
a floppy drive, a hard drive up to 1 gigabyte (GB), and a 5.25-inch
drive, such as a high performance CD-ROM or Bernoulli drive. Each
unit weighs in at under 20 pounds.
The A-PAC, in particular, is aimed at presentation professionals,
the company said. Users can order the model as a ready-to-go
system with CD-ROM, AVI (Video for Windows), and DVI, JPEG or
MPEG video compression and playback, in addition to built-in
stereo sound.
The Pentium-based portables come with a choice of four flat panel
displays: active matrix color TFT (thin film transistor), passive
matrix color dual-scan STN (SuperTwist Nematic), monochrome EL
(electroluminescent display), or color touchscreen. The active
matrix display shows 256 colors, from a palette of 185,000 colors,
at 640-by-480 resolution, according to Dolch. Contrast ratios
exceed 60:1.
A 101-key keyboard is included with the unit. A trackball system,
is optionally available for integration into the front panel.
Officials stated that the company's liquid cooling system
makes it possible to include Pentium and other high-speed CPUs
(central processing units) in a relatively small amount of PC real
estate.
In contrast to most mobile PCs, which use a plastic inner chassis,
Dolch's chassis is made of metal, the company explained. Heat is
conducted from the CPU through a highly transmissive fluorocarbon
liquid to a proprietary heat sink that, in turn, conducts the heat
into the inner chassis. The metal chassis acts much like a radiator
in dissipating heat.
Dolch is now taking orders for both the PAC-586 and the A-PAC,
with deliveries running four to eight weeks after receipt of order
(ARO). The PAC-586 is available in ISA (Industry Standard
Architecture) configurations with 60 and 66 (megahertz (MHz)
Pentium processors. A-PAC models are available with 386 and
486 processors as well as the Pentium processors. Small Computer
Systems Interface (SCSI) and IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
hard drives are available from 120 megabyte (MB) to 1GB. Pricing
starts at about $6,000 for a PAC-586 and about $4,000 for the
A-PAC models.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931103/Reader contact: Dolch Computer
Systems, 408-957-6575; Press contact: Steve Fritz, Dolch,
408-957-6575)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
BUSINESS
Sierra Still Losing Money On-Line
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00005)
Sierra Still Losing Money On-Line 11/04/93
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- In its fiscal
second quarter 1994 earnings statement, Sierra On-Line has
announced losses, and separated its software earnings from the
company's graphical, interactive, electronic service.
Despite the loses, American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) is
investing an additional $3 million to finance development of
software for Sega and 3DO home gaming systems to connect users
to The ImagiNation Network (INN).
Earnings for the software publishing business were $47,000 on
revenues of $13.4 million, compared to a loss of $532,500 on
revenues of $9.4 million in the year-ago quarter. In the six
month period, losses were $3.2 million on revenues of $22.1
million, as opposed to earnings of $432,000 on revenues of
$18.6 million a year earlier. Sierra credits strong sales of
compact disc (CD) software titles for the revenue gains.
INN second quarter losses are up to $2.3 million on quadrupled
revenue of nearly $2 million, compared to losses of $923,000 on
revenue of $485,000 for the same quarter a year ago. For the
six month period, INN has lost $4.1 million on revenues of $3.9
million, compared to a loss of $1.8 million on revenues of
$862,000 in the same period in 1992.
Sierra continues to pour its financial resources into INN,
saying it is already beginning to create virtual communities
with interactive shopping, video and audio libraries, and even
classrooms. Company officials have stopped announcing the
head-count of members of the service, but Sierra President and
co-founder Ken Williams once said the network needed 50,000
members to break even. Early last year, before the AT&T deal,
the company had over half of the needed members.
AT&T and General Atlantic each took an equity investment in
Sierra in July. AT&T bumped up its $10 million initial investment
another $3 million to finance INN access software for the Sega
and 3DO systems aimed at the home market.
Officials from AT&T said in a press conference recently that the
company sees enormous opportunities in the home video market,
which is ten times the size of the personal computer (PC) market.
The INN access software should be available in the summer of
1994, Sierra said.
Prodigy, another graphical on-line service, is involved, as its
members are being offered access to INN via the Game Point
package. INN expects to receive revenues from Prodigy members
who access its gaming and educational service. Prodigy estimates
it has two million members, although some industry analysts
dispute those numbers.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931103/Press Contact: Richard Gelhaus,
Sierra On-Line, tel 206-637-4941 fax 209-683-3633; Eugene
Heller, Silverman Heller Associates for Sierra On-Line, tel
310-208-2550, fax 310-208-0931)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
TRENDS
New Weitek Chip To Use Captain Crunch Compression
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00006)
New Weitek Chip To Use Captain Crunch Compression 11/04/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Media Vision
says Weitek, known for its graphics accelerator products, has
licensed its Captain Crunch video compression technology for
use in the Video Power processor, which is designed to bring
television quality digital video to personal computers (PCs).
Media Vision says Captain Crunch can playback video in a 320 by
240 window at 30 frames-per-second at compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM) data rates with 24-bit color. Like other video
compression (codec) technologies, it is designed to address the
problem of getting video down to as size that makes it
transportable by currently available media or communications
channels.
The company claims Captain Crunch's advantages over competing
Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) or Digital Video Interactive
(DVI) compression schemes is that it is one tenth the expense,
can compress as well as decompress in real time, and is scalable.
Scalability, the biggest sales point, means video developed
using Captain Crunch allows software-only playback on a 386-
based PC or Macintosh IIci or above without degradation of the
picture quality, a common problem in running video on slower
computers. Media Vision says users may choose to play smaller
pictures or slower frame-rates based on their own system
performance without intrinsic loss of picture quality. Media
Vision points to video conferencing as one of the applications
that will benefit most from its compression technology.
Weitek plans to offer the Video Power chip to third party board
makers in a new 32-bit chip, the Power 9100. With the aid of
the Video Power chip, digital video can run full screen at
normal speeds of 30 frames-per-second at resolutions as high
as 1280 by 1024, Weitek said.
Sunnyvale, California headquartered Weitek estimates users will
see third party video boards with the incorporated Video Power
chip and Captain Crunch compression in the second quarter of
1994. Prices will range from $500 to $600.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931103/Press Contact: Elizabeth Fairchild,
Media Vision, tel 510-252-4472, fax 510-252-4499; Public
Contact, Weitek, 408-738-8400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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4 11/04/93
GENERAL
London's Future Entertainment Show Set For Nov 11-
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00007)
London's Future Entertainment Show Set For Nov 11-14 11/04/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Future Events has announced
that plans for The Future Entertainment Show Mark II, which takes
place at London's Olympia from November 11 - 14, have now been
finalized. This time around the show will fill the entire Grand Hall
at Olympia, making it more than 30 percent larger than last year's
inaugural show.
Unlike last year's show, Future has signed most of the leading
lights in the computer games and entertainment business to attend.
Commodore, Electronic Arts, Nintendo, Ocean, Sega, US Arts, and
Virgin Interactive Entertainment have all agreed to attend to show
off their latest and, in some cases, unreleased products.
Future has also persuaded BBC Radio One and the Gamesmaster TV
show to broadcast live from the event, which many in the computer
entertainment industry have unofficially agreed is the product
launchpad for the Christmas computer games season.
According Andrew Godsall, a spokesman for Cape Cowley Associates,
the company that is promoting the event to the press, there are more
than 100 new computer games being readied for announcement at the
show.
The main heavyweight contenders this year include: Jurassic Park
from Ocean; Winter Olympics from US Gold; Streetfighter II Turbo
from Nintendo; FIFA International Soccer from Electronic Arts; F1
from Domark; Zool 2 from Gremlin Graphics; Robocop vs Terminator
from Virgin; and three new Sonic the Hedgehog games from Sega.
"It's bigger than last year and better than last year," said Tony
Keefe, Future Events' exhibition organizer, who said that, "It all
ads up to an event of such significance for the industry that it
won't be eclipsed until the Future Entertainment Show 1994."
Readers of Newsbytes interested in obtaining tickets to the
event can call the Future Ticket Hotline on 051-356-5085.
(Steve Gold/19931103/Press & Public Contact: Future Events,
tel 44-225-442244, fax 44-225-462590)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
IBM
UK - SST Intros Low-Profile 3.5-Inch 1GB Hard Drive
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00008)
UK - SST Intros Low-Profile 3.5-Inch 1GB Hard Drive 11/04/93
BICESTER, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Standard
Storage Technologies (SST), which claims to be one of
Hewlett-Packard's largest European distributors of storage devices,
has announced the HP C3322A low-profile hard drive with a data
capacity of one gigabyte (GB).
The company says that the drive has been designed for the original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) marketplace and has all the features
of the earlier 1GB drive, but in a one-inch high drive casing. This has
allowed HP to improve on the previous unit's performance, pushing
read/seek time down an impressive 9.5 milliseconds. The drive also
has a 512 kilobyte (KB) buffer and the ability to burst 48 megabits-
per-second at top speed.
The drive comes with three different SCSI-2 (Small Computer
Systems Interface type 2) interface options: single ended,
differential, and wide differential. Up to 16 devices can be linked
on the same channel and a synchronous data transfer rate of up
top 20 megabytes-per-second are possible.
Announcing the availability of the drive in the UK, Jim Spooner,
SST's technical director, said that HP has already secured 23
percent of the non-captive worldwide market for 3.5-inch drives
of 1GB and over.
"Now, once again, with the launch of the C3322A, we see HP
responding quickly to the evolving demands of the OEM marketplace
with a cost-effective, high performance drive of outstanding
reliability," he claimed.
Pricing on the drive has not been announced. The company maintains
that exact pricing depends on the volume requirements of the
purchaser.
(Steve Gold/19931103/Press & Public Contact: SST,
44-869-249499)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
GENERAL
UK - Apricot Boosts Storage Capacity Of Servers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00009)
UK - Apricot Boosts Storage Capacity Of Servers 11/04/93
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Apricot Computers has
announced that it is boosting the capacity of its server ranges in
response to customer demand for increased data storage,
According to James Blackledge, marketing director of the company,
the new DDS tape drive for Apricot's FT//e and FT//s fault tolerant
server ranges uses data compression techniques to provide as much
as eight gigabytes (GB) of data storage on a single tape.
Blackledge added that the UKP1,795 device also features very fast
data transfer rates and enables 8GB of data to be backed up in less
than two hours.
In parallel with the tape drive's introduction, Apricot is expanding
the hard disk storage capacity of the FT//s server to 20GB with the
introduction of a new 2GB hard disk -- up to ten of the units can be
installed on a single machine.
(Steve Gold/19931103/Press & Public Contact: Apricot Computers,
tel 44-21-717-7171, fax 44-21-717-0132)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
GENERAL
A Screen Saver For Hockey Fans
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00010)
A Screen Saver For Hockey Fans 11/04/93
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- The puck
whistling through the air, the crash of bodies into the boards and the
roar of the crowd! That's what hockey fans can expect to hear, not
when they next attend a hockey game, but when their computer sits
inactive for a while.
That is because Quadrangle Software Corp., is following up its
major league baseball-oriented screen saver with a version for
hockey fans. Screen savers put moving images on the screen during
periods of computer inactivity to prevent image burn-in. Lights Out
Sports Fans: National Hockey League Screen Saver will debut at
Comdex, the computer industry's annual fall extravaganza in Las
Vegas. The show opens November 15, 1993.
Similar to MLB, the hockey-based program allows the user to select
home and visiting teams from the 26 NHL competitors and any of the
ten different "game plans". You can even have teams from different
divisions facing off. The user can permit penalties to give the home
team an advantage or allow the computer to determine the winner.
The program's attention to detail has the "Zamboni" machine (a
street-sweeper-type machine that smoothes the ice between
periods in a hockey match) dissolving team logos, fans performing
the "wave," a slap shot contest, and a floating scoreboard with user-
definable messages that updates statistics as the on-screen game
plays in the background. "Hidden treasures" are uncovered during
ice cleaning.
Lights Out Sports Fans: National Hockey League Screen Saver has a
suggested retail price of $55 and requires a Macintosh computer
using a 68020 microprocessor or better, system 6.0.5 from Apple
Computer, and 3-5 megabytes (MB) of hard drive space depending on
whether color or monochrome display is desired. There is also a
Microsoft Windows-based version that runs in standard or
enhanced mode. It requires just over 2MB of disk space.
Quadrangle spokesperson Ann Rawland-Warner told Newsbytes the
company has recently signed distribution deals with American
Software & Hardware, Software Resource, and Kenfil. The Lights
Out products can be found in Computer City, Elek-Tek and Micro
Center outlets. The company says it expects other sports-based
screen saver products to be released by mid-1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931104/Press contact: Ann Rawland-Warner,
Rawland-Warner Communications for Quadrangle Software,
319-337-0547; Reader contact: Quadrangle Software,
800-253-8397)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
BUSINESS
Aldus Reports Strong 3Qtr
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00011)
Aldus Reports Strong 3Qtr 11/04/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Giving most of
the credit to the latest release of its flagship software program
Pagemaker 5.0, Aldus Corp., has announced record revenues and a
significant improvement in earnings for the third quarter, which
ended October 1, 1993.
The company said revenues for the period were up 37 percent to
$62.2 million, compared to $45.3 million for the same period last
year. Earnings were $4.3 million, or $0.32 per share and included a
one-time pre-tax charge of $2.3 million or about $0.11 per share
related to the acquisition of The Company of Science and Art.
Aldus year-to-date sales rose to $149.4 million from $128.2 million
for the first nine months of last year. "The results reflect the
positive response from customers and the trade press to the new
version of Aldus Pagemaker 5.0," according to Aldus VP of Finance
Bill McAleer. He said the quarter was a record sales period for
Pagemaker, a high-end desktop publishing program. Pagemaker
upgrades brought in $16.1 million, or about one-quarter of the
company's total revenue during the quarter.
Aldus announced several new products during the period being
reported. In addition to Pagemaker 5.0 for the Macintosh, the
company shipped new versions of Fetch and Photostyler, and Mac
versions of Trapwise and Presswise. Aldus also recently
announced that a new Macintosh version of Freehand, its
high-end illustration product, will ship by the end of the year.
(Jim Mallory/19931104/Press contact: Brad Stevens, Aldus Corp,
206-628-2361; Reader contact: Aldus Corporation, 206-622-5500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
IBM
IBM, Kodak In Service Joint Venture
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00012)
IBM, Kodak In Service Joint Venture 11/04/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- IBM and
Eastman Kodak Co., have formed a joint venture to provide service
for IBM workstations, personal computers, and point-of-sale
systems. The deal grew out of an alliance the companies
announced in May.
The new organization, called Technology Service Solutions, will
initially service IBM products only. Kodak spokesman Al
Brakoniecki said it is too early to speculate about the company
providing service for other vendors' products - that will be up to
the management of Technology Service Solutions, he said.
IBM customers will continue to hold maintenance contracts with
IBM, the company said, and will use the existing 800-IBM-SERV
number to request service.
Brakoniecki said Kodak sees the alliance as a chance to build on
its strength in service by combining it with IBM's technology
background. Kodak, "has a long-standing reputation for providing
service," he said, and one of its key strengths lies in the
infrastructure -- for example, call management, parts,
logistics -- which can be applied to new areas such as IBM
hardware. "This was an opportunity to leverage that strength,"
Brakoniecki said.
The companies named Richard J. Hernandez, formerly business
executive for services at IBM Asia Pacific, to head Technology
Service Solutions. The new company will be based in Valley
Forge, Pennsylvania.
(Grant Buckler/19931104/Press Contact: Ken W. Sayers, IBM,
914-765-2176; Al Brakoniecki, Kodak, 716-724-3057)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
GENERAL
Unisys Unveils GIS Plan
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)
Unisys Unveils GIS Plan 11/04/93
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Fresh from
completing its acquisition of Computervision Corp.'s System 9
geographic information systems (GIS) technology, Unisys has
introduced Hemisphere Solutions, its framework for geographic
information management.
According to Unisys, Hemisphere Solutions can be applied to GIS
problems in land records management, waste-water facility
management, utilities, and transportation management.
The company unveiled Hemisphere Solutions at the Geographic
Information System/Land Information System (GIS/LIS) '93
annual conference and exposition in Minneapolis.
System 9 -- software used to capture geographic information
from existing maps, surveys, and aerial photographs and build a
geographically referenced database -- is one key element of
Hemisphere Solutions, officials said. The software runs on
Unisys' U-series Unix machines and on Unix systems from Digital
Equipment Corp., Sun Microsystems Inc., and Hewlett-Packard Co.,
said Unisys spokeswoman Lisa Conrads.
The other is Hemisphere Information Services, including executive
GIS planning, needs analysis, project management, installation, and
post-delivery review.
For more than five years, Unisys has been delivering GIS in Europe,
primarily in land records, utilities, and telecommunications.
The company's first GIS installation in North America was in
Harris County, Texas, in cooperation with Computervision. That
joint project led to the deal to buy System 9, Conrads said.
In late October, Unisys took over the System 9 trademarks from
Computervision, of Bedford, Massachusetts. The purchase price and
terms were not disclosed. The companies said most of
Computervision's System 9 personnel have accepted new positions
at Unisys.
The firms said that transaction fit both companies' strategies,
allowing Unisys to build on its existing GIS business and
Computervision to concentrate on its computer-aided design and
manufacturing (CAD/CAM) products.
An upgrade to the System 9 software, planned by Computervision
before the acquisition, is still on target for release by the end
of this year, Conrads said.
(Grant Buckler/19931104/Press Contact: Judith K. Maxfield,
Unisys, 215-986-2243)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
GENERAL
Author Tom Peters To Address Electronic Document Pros
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00014)
Author Tom Peters To Address Electronic Document Pros 11/04/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Best-selling book
author Tom Peters will be the keynote speaker when members of
the electronic document systems association Xplor International
meet in Denver, Colorado, later this month.
Peters, who's latest book is titled "Liberation Management:
Necessary Disorganization for the Nanosecond Nineties," will be
the opening speaker at Xplor International's 14th annual conference
and exhibit being held at the Denver Convention Center November
14-19, 1993.
Nancy Austin, president of Nancy K. Austin Inc., and co-author with
Peters of "A Passion for Excellence: The Leadership Difference," will
deliver the closing keynote speech later in the week. She is also the
author of "The Assertive Woman," a book for women on how to
develop and apply assertive skills in their personal and professional
lives. Austin was formerly manager of advanced management
development at Hewlett Packard.
Peters will speak Sunday afternoon, November 14, while Austin
will appear Friday morning, November 19.
Xploring New Heights is the theme of this year's event, which
organizers say will offer more than 200 state-of-the-art technical
and application sessions, industry reports, workshops, informal
roundtables, and a three-day exhibit that will feature the latest
advancements in information technology. More than 6,000
attendees are expected.
(Jim Mallory/19931104/Press contact: Jim Porter, Xplor
International, 310-373-3688; Reader contact: Xplor International,
tel 800-669-7567 or 310-873-3633, fax 310-375-4240)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
TELECOM
Datalogic Intros Wireless PC-To-PBX Auto Dialer
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00015)
Datalogic Intros Wireless PC-To-PBX Auto Dialer 11/04/93
GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Datalogic
Corp., has introduced a hardware interface between personal
computer and PBX (private branch exchange) system telephones
that allow PC users to autodial from their computer without
any extra wires or cables.
Datalogic spokesperson Liz Wax calls it "Look Ma, no hands"
conversation. Wax told Newsbytes the main feature of the system,
dubbed Digidial, is that it tracks billable calls, recording the date
and length of the call. "It's ideal for lawyers, accountants, or
anyone who tracks billable phone hours when calling a client,"
said Wax.
The company says Digidial not only tracks phone usage for billing
purposes, it saves time and eliminates the possibility of
misdialing. Instead of having to dial up to 12 digits, pressing one
or two keys on the PC keyboard does the work. It also assures that
every call is tracked. Datalogic says that could result in a
significant increase in billings.
George Vallillee, Datalogic president, said the company expects to
release a product early next year that will permit users to scan
business cards directly into the computer, then autodial those
numbers. "People who have old fashioned Rolodexes with hundreds
of business cards will be able to conveniently scan them in, so
converting their Rolodex to work with Digidial will be easy."
The Digidial hardware consists of a receiver that connects to the
phone and a transmitter that connects to a free serial port on the PC
and comes with dual connectors for both nine-pin and 25-pin ports.
The device is compatible with the Hayes AT command set, requires
no external power source, and uses 900 megahertz radio frequency
technology to communicate with the PBX. It is available for
Northern Telecom, AT&T, and Rolm PBX equipment.
Wax told Newsbytes Digidial works with many popular contact
manager software programs, including Packrat, Act! and Telemagic.
The system has a suggested retail price of $139.
(Jim Mallory/19931104/Press Contact: Liz Wax S&S Public Relations
for Datalogic Corp, 708-291-1616; Reader contact: Datalogic Corp,
800-397-2200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
BUSINESS
Sega Enterprises To Create Joint Venture In China
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00016)
Sega Enterprises To Create Joint Venture In China 11/04/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Tokyo-based video machine
maker Sega Enterprises is planning to set up a joint venture
in China. The new firm will not only sell the game machines, but
will also create amusement facilities in the country.
Some reports claim the Chinese government is preparing to loosen
restrictions concerning foreign firms operating amusement
facilities in the country around the end of this year. Upon the
relaxing of the regulations, Sega Enterprises will immediately
begin preparations for the joint venture firm.
The new joint venture firm is expected to manufacture and sell
Sega's video game machines. Sega has been shipping game machines
to China since May 1992. The new joint venture will also offer
maintenance services for the game machines.
Currently, the Chinese government reportedly bans amusement
facilities because they may encourage gambling. Other Japanese
amusement facility makers such as Taito and Namco may also
move into China next year if the regulations are removed.
Sega Enterprises has been actively involved in the sale of game
machines and amusement facilities in overseas markets. The firm
has already been doing well in game machine markets in the US
and Europe through its subsidiaries.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931104/Press Contact: Sega
Enterprises, tel 81-3-3743-7603, fax 81-3-3743-7830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
GENERAL
ChipSoft Offers Tax Guide And TurboTax HeadStart
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00017)
ChipSoft Offers Tax Guide And TurboTax HeadStart 11/04/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Many people these days
seem to be using computer tax preparation software, but did you
realize that few people really pay any attention to their tax
situation until after New Years Day? According to tax experts,
this is a big mistake because it is too late then to do anything
more than gather your records and possibly add money to an IRA.
However, San Diego, California-based Chipsoft, publisher of the
tax preparation software Turbotax, has two ways to help planners
reduce next April 15's bill while there is still time.
A software tax planning guide containing more than 250 tax-
reducing tips and strategies shows how to implement specific
suggestions and take advantage of the latest changes in the tax
laws.
There are three different ways to locate help using Chipsoft's
TurboTax Tax Savings Guide. The first is to answer a series of
questions about your situation which causes the program to
activate specific suggestions. The second method is designed for
more experienced tax preparers, and allows direct key word
searches of the database. Lastly, there is a complete index,
listing the various suggestions by topics.
Tax Guide includes all the new Clinton Administration tax
changes and carries a list price of $20 for Windows, MS-DOS, or
Macintosh systems.
The 1993 Head Start version of the TurboTax tax preparation
software includes all the applicable tax laws and IRS rules at
the time of publication. However, because there may be last
minute changes, purchasers all receive a final version that
can import the data entered into the Head Start planning version.
This two-step tax system makes it possible for individuals and
small business operators to complete their tax planning and enter
actual data prior to all forms and rules being finalized by the
IRS, yet not have to duplicate any earlier work when the final
version becomes available.
TurboTax has consistently is available in MS-DOS, Windows, and
Macintosh versions.
After calculating the entire tax return, TurboTax can also print
out the final forms using IRS-approved forms which users can
generate on their own laser or inkjet printers - eliminating any
transcription errors. Buyers of Head Start TurboTax just send in
a coupon to receive a final version with all approved forms
sometime in January, 1994, in plenty of time to file taxes.
TurboTax also imports data from the popular Quicken personal
accounting software and the previous year's TurboTax data.
This year's TurboTax includes a special deduction finder that
helps locate more potential deductions, such as depreciation of
assets, and color graphs which show income sources, tax
analysis, deductions, and cash flow.
(John McCormick/19931102/Press Contact: Debra Kelley,
ChipSoft, 619-453-4446)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
UNIX
Banyan Expands Access To Intelligent Messaging
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00018)
Banyan Expands Access To Intelligent Messaging 11/04/93
WESTBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Banyan
Systems has introduced an Intelligent Messaging interface for Unix,
which reportedly allows organizations with mixed Unix and PC
networks to communicate through an integrated, enterprise-wide
messaging information system.
Intelligent Messaging is one of Banyan's core enterprise network
services. According to the company, it is an open platform that
provides message transport and management functions to
electronic mail and mail-enabled applications from a variety of
vendors.
Said Bob Martin, Banyan director of product marketing, "As
customers move mission-critical applications to client/server
networks, they depend increasingly upon electronic mail as the
backbone for effective, enterprise-wide sharing of applications
and information. Banyan's Intelligent Messaging service
facilitates the use of electronic mail and mail-enabled
applications by providing the most open, manageable and
scalable messaging infrastructure possible."
Banyan's Intelligent Messaging interface for Unix is an option for
Vines for Unix that lets any users with access to a Vines for Unix
server send and receive electronic mail throughout their
enterprise network. This includes users of Unix workstations,
asynchronous terminals, X-terminals, and PCs running terminal
emulation software.
The company says that the product is fully interoperable with all
Vines, ENS, and Vines for Unix Intelligent Messaging services.
Banyan says that the Intelligent Messaging interface for Unix is
currently available for Vines for SCO Unix and will be available
in the future as a Vines server option for Hewlett-Packard HP/UX,
IBM AIX, and Sun Solaris environments.
Intelligent Messaging interface for Unix is also claimed to be fully
integrated with StreetTalk III, Banyan's global directory service.
It also supports mobile communications by allowing organizations
to implement a multi-user remote access mail server.
Intelligent Messaging configures itself, operates with any Banyan
network server, including Vines 5.x, Vines for Unix and ENS, and
automatically adapts to network changes, claims the company.
It also reportedly determines the best route to deliver data without
manual configuration, which in turn minimizes administration and
management costs.
The Intelligent Messaging interface for Unix is available
immediately as an option to Vines for SCO Unix version 1.0 and is
bundled with that product free of charge until December 31, 1993.
After December 31, 1993, it will be priced at $895.
(Ian Stokell/19931102/Press Contact: Siobhan Carroll,
508-898-1000, Banyan Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
TRENDS
****Intertainment '93 - SGI's Clark Says 3DO Can't Dominate
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00019)
****Intertainment '93 - SGI's Clark Says 3DO Can't Dominate 11/04/93
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Jim Clark,
the chairman and founder of Silicon Graphics Inc. (SGI), said
he believes computer technology will dominate consumer
electronics in the future. The main players will not be
companies like 3DO, but computer companies such as Digital
Equipment Corp. (DEC), IBM, and SGI.
Clark was the keynote speaker at the Intertainment '93
conference held at the Lowes Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa
Monica, California beginning Wednesday. His company made a deal
this summer with Time Warner to provide set top boxes and the
computer horsepower on the distribution end to deliver
interactive television to residents of Orlando, Florida.
SGI also announced Project Reality in August, a joint venture
with Nintendo aimed first at the video arcade market and then
at the home user. The Project Reality home systems will have a
MIPS reduced instruction-set computing (RISC) chip as the core,
will be released in late 1995, and will be direct competitors
with 3DO.
It appears that 3DO is beginning to take a strong hold in the
consumer market with over 300 developers and companies such as
AT&T who are investing heavily in the development of software
access products for interactive networks that already exist. The
electronic game network provider Sierra On-Line announced this
week that AT&T has put in another $3 million to finance the
development of software to access Sierra's ImagiNation Network
(INN), making AT&T's total investment since July $13 million.
Panasonic claims sales of the Real 3DO player, which it started
shipping last month under license from 3DO, are very good.
However, Panasonic company officials did not provide Newsbytes
with sales figures.
Clark mentioned several times that while 3DO could survive, it
will not dominate the consumer electronic market in his opinion
because it does not control the core technology -- the
microprocessor -- that is the basis of its hardware.
Ideally, the consumer electronic device, such as a set top box,
should be binary compatible with a computer system so that
software title development can be more widespread. SGI has
control of its core technology because it owns MIPS, the
company that builds the RISC chips used in SGI systems.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931104/Press Contact: Jill Grossman, Silicon
Graphics Incorporated, tel 415-390-1516, fax 415-390-3156; Bob
Alexander, Alexander & Associates, 212-684-2333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
GENERAL
New Storage Products From DEC
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00020)
New Storage Products From DEC 11/04/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment Corp., has added to its line of storage products for
original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with new magnetic disk
and tape products and extensions to the StorageWorks grouping of
subsystems and disk arrays.
DEC announced new drives based on its Asabet chip set. According
to the vendor, the Special Performance (SP) and Value Performance
(VP) drives offer transfer rates of 8.5 megabytes (MB)-per-second
and mean-time-between-failures (MTBF) of 800,000 hours. They
include the SP3430, a 3.5-inch, 4.3 gigabyte (GB) drive, the
VP3215 2.15GB drive, and the VP3107 1.07GB drive.
The DLT4000 half-inch tape drive holds 20GB of data in a
5.25-inch unit, and Digital claimed a transfer rate of 1.5 MB-per-
second. The company also unveiled a factory upgrade to add the
capacity and the Fast Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI)
connection of the DLT4000 to users of the existing DLT2000 tape
drive.
The company also announced the DLT2500 mini-library, with 50GB
of formatted capacity and a data transfer rate of 1.25 MB-per-
second.
The new ESP580 solid-state disk holds 856MB of data, and DEC
said it can execute more than 800 input/output requests per
second.
These products are aimed mainly at the high-performance desktop
and server market, said Charles Christ, vice-president of DEC's
storage business unit. He said the company has focused on the
high end of the storage market, believing that is where its
technology gives it an edge.
The new disks are the first to use the Asabet chip set, in which
DEC has squeezed the functions that formerly took five chips into
two. The chip set provides powerful error-correction code that
handles 32 bits of data at a time, Christ said, and
power-management features allowing the products to use 15
to 25 percent less power than competitive offerings.
DEC extended its StorageWorks portfolio with desktop and
desk-side enclosures for Novell NetWare 3.11 networks, plus an
optical library family, a redundant array of inexpensive disks
(RAID) system, and a storage management subsystem combining
DEC's tape drive with Palindrome Corp.'s Network Archivist and
Backup Director software. A desktop subsystem enclosure and a
desk-side RAID array were also announced for Sun Microsystems
Inc., systems.
DEC began moving into the OEM storage business in 1991 with its
thin-film head technology, Christ said, and expanded further with
disk and tape products in 1992 and the StorageWorks line earlier
this year.
DEC's OEM storage revenues grew six-fold this year, and the total
revenues of the storage unit -- including internal sales to other
parts of DEC -- were more than $1 billion in fiscal 1992, Christ
said. The company does not expect it can maintain the same growth
rate as it becomes a larger player in the storage market, he said,
but it is aiming to be one of the top three suppliers in this field.
(Grant Buckler/19931104/Press Contact: Tom Madden, DEC,
508-841-5365; Liz Baird, DEC, 508-841-6439)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
TELECOM
New On-line Links
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
New On-line Links 11/04/93
DAYTON, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Both of Ohio's major
on-line systems announced new features.
Perhaps the most important is on Mead Data Central's Lexis and
Nexis. They are adding a new search strategy called Freestyle,
along with Boolean operators such as "and," "or," and "with."
The feature processes a search request by identifying significant
terms and phrases, and removing words that do not contribute to
the search. Then, using mathematical algorithms, the system
weights the statistical relevancy of search terms with terms in
the data being searched.
A Freestyle search with unusual words, in other words, will be
based mainly on those words. Mead said that searches done with
Freestyle will often yield different results than those made
with Boolean operators. The feature will be rolled out slowly
starting this November and through 1994.
CompuServe added new gateways under the X.400 standard, allowing
users to send mail to more remote systems. The new gateways are
to the Telebox-400 service of the Deutsche Bundespost, and to
Infonet's Notice system. The DBT's Telebox system is one of the
largest in Europe, and CompuServe said in its press statement it
is committed to doubling its current European subscriber base of
85,000 in the next year. CompuServe has a total of about 1.4
million members.
Finally, Business Link Communications said it will support Xerox'
new VerdeFilm technology, becoming the first PostScript imaging
service bureau to offer it. President Todd Melet told Newsbytes
this is a very significant breakthrough. VerdeFilm is imaged
using Agfa imagesetters at resolutions of up to 3,600 dots-per-
inch, using a patented Xerox process that charges and heats
selenium molecules in the media to cause film exposure. Business
Link, which requires the use of digital lines, connects ad
agencies, publishers and designers in New York and elsewhere.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931104/Press Contact: Todd Melet, Business
Link, tel 212-268-0777, fax 212-268-6058; Mead, Monica
Schiffler, 513-865-1519; Dave Kishler, CompuServe,
614-538-4571)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
TELECOM
Data Race Makes Pre-Comdex Announcements
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
Data Race Makes Pre-Comdex Announcements 11/04/93
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Data Race made
major moves into the wireless LAN (local area network) market
with new products for release at this month's Fall Comdex show.
The company is aiming its new Redi family of wireless LAN
adapters at mobile computing users who may need to access the
LAN while in meetings, without using cables.
The new products operate at 2.4 gigahertz (GHz), available for
instrumentation, scientific and medical applications. According
to the company, this allows it to use a proprietary modulation
technique to send up to 9.5 million bits-per-second, and the
shorter wave lengths allow use of an embedded antenna. The
internationally-accepted frequency band also requires no user
licenses. The rejected alternative, according to Data Race, would
be to use the congested 900 megahertz (MHz) and its limited
bandwidth.
Among the new products in this family are a wireless Ethernet
adapter, an RF (radio frequency) module, a wireless Ethernet
adapter which goes into a PCMCIA "PC Card" slot, and a Wireless
Docking System which allows wireless remote control of a
desktop computer, synchronization of files to update or copy
programs, and wireless access to LAN resources like printers
and disk drives.
The new product is compatible with DOS, Windows, and such LAN
operating systems as Novell's Netware and Microsoft Windows for
Workgroups.
Finally there are new repeaters called the RediROAM system,
which can be linked using twisted pairs cables and allow adapters
to operate throughout a building. Because of the high frequency
being used, adapters must be within 30-100 feet of a repeater
node or wireless LAN connection to work.
Data Race also will announce its own family of cellular phone
data adapters called the RediCell family. Versions will be
available from major cellular phone models from AT&T, Oki, NEC,
Motorola and Pioneer. Data Race is presently involved in a patent
lawsuit with Spectrum Information Technologies, which claims its
patents cover all wireless phone-modem connectors. Data Race
has applied for a patent on the technology used in its own adapters.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931104/Press Contact: Alan Weinkrantz,
210-820-3070)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/04/93
TELECOM
MFS Acquires More New York Networks
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
MFS Acquires More New York Networks 11/04/93
OMAHA, NEBRASKA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- MFS expanded its
presence in New York state by reaching an agreement to buy
FiberNet Inc., for MFS common stock. The price is about $17
million, based on MFS' current stock price of about $46-$48 per
share.
Fibernet operates fiber rings in Rochester, Albany and Buffalo,
New York, with a total of about 410 miles of cables serving a
little over 100 large buildings in the three cities.
Since New York regulators have already given MFS equal standing
with New York Telephone and Rochester Telephone, and allowed
MFS to operate its Intellenet basic phone services in direct
competition with New York Telephone in New York City, it is
expected that the new acquisition means the competition could
in time extend upstate as well.
MFS will also link the three cities to its Datanet network, which
offers long distance data communications services between the
cities where the company does business.
While the acquisition is subject to various Federal and New York
regulatory approvals, those are not expected to take long. MFS
expects to take over the networks in early 1994. James Q. Crowe,
chairman and chief executive officer of MFS, added that the new
networks will also provide MFS with a gateway to Canada, whose
telecommunications market is also being liberalized.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931104/Press Contact: MFS, Steve Ingish,
708-218-7316)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
1997 11/04/93
TRENDS
****Computer Fax Unit Sales To Soar 138% By
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00024)
****Computer Fax Unit Sales To Soar 138% By 1997 11/04/93
NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- US sales of
computer fax units will rise 138 percent over the next four years,
from 5.1 million units in 1993 to 12.1 units by 1997, according to
a new survey by BIS Strategic Decisions.
Fax modems now constitute the bulk of unit sales, and will continue
to do so in the future, but LAN (local area network) fax servers and
centralized fax servers are also contributing to the growth, the
researchers found.
The Norwell, MA-based market research firm projects sales of fax
modems to soar to 11.6 million units in 1997. Market drivers for
the fax modems include aggressive price cuts, fax integration with
data and voice, and the booming mobile computer market, said Janet
Fugazzotto, senior market analyst for BIS's Image Communications
Systems market requirements service.
Price cuts on high-speed fax modems are facilitating upgrade sales
and pushing prices down on lower-speed products, Fugazzotto
explained. As a result, fax modems are becoming affordable to a
new end user base, and also inexpensive enough for OEMs (original
equipment manufacturers) to preinstall in portable and desktop
computers.
"At the same time, the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
Industry Association) card is making the fax capability easier to
add to mobile computers, especially the emerging PDA (personal
digital assistant) market," she said.
The LAN fax server market expanded 125 percent from 1992 to
1993, and the future of this segment also looks particularly
bright, the researchers determined.
Fax server vendors are carrying out strongly focused marketing and
product improvements, and establishing third-party relationships
that will fax-enable new applications and, in turn, increase user
demand for fax server systems, Fugazzotto reported. Further, new
players are entering this segment, she added.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931104/Reader contact: BIS Strategic
Decisions, 617-982-9500; Press contact: Janet Fugazzotto,
BIS, 617-982-9500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/04/93
IBM
"ActiveBook" Electronic Books On Personal Finance
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00025)
"ActiveBook" Electronic Books On Personal Finance 11/04/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Vertigo
Development Group has announced ActiveBook, a series of
interactive electronic books that will be aimed at helping
consumers make decisions about investing, buying a home, and
other personal finance matters.
The first volume in the ActiveBook series, "The Wall Street Journal
Personal Finance Library," will be available in two ways, a Vertigo
spokesperson told Newsbytes. The book will be included in Intuit
Inc.'s new "Quicken for Windows CD-ROM Deluxe Edition," a CD-ROM
slated to ship November 15. In addition, Vertigo plans to deliver
the Windows 3.1-based "Wall Street Journal" on floppy disk in
December.
"Vertigo expects to release a total of about a half dozen
electronic books by the end of 1994," she noted. Developed in
collaboration with financial authors and publishers, the ActiveBook
series is designed to provide practical information in a highly
accessible way.
The first book in the series combines recent articles from The
Wall Street Journal's "Your Money Matters" column with
ActiveInformation, a series of interactive pages originated by
Vertigo. The book was jointly created with Dow Jones and
Company Inc.
The ActiveInformation pages are intended to let users read
electronic books in the same way they read traditional books, the
spokesperson maintained. Users can read the text sequentially,
look things up in the index or table of contents, skip back and
forth, or add a notation or bookmark.
Readers can also get individualized, expert-guided suggestions by
inputting personal information. In a section called "Putting the
Kids Through College," for example, an ActiveInformation page
prompts the reader to supply household status and expected
educational costs.
Using federally approved formulas, the software calculates the
amount a family can be expected to contribute to college costs, and
also provides other information relevant to the reader's particular
situation.
Through a context-sensitive Help system, authors will "pop into"
the "Wall Street Journal" program to offer advice or clarification,
suggest alternative approaches, or point out potentially incorrect
information entered by the reader.
In addition to Vertigo's first ActiveBook, Intuit's new CD-ROM
Deluxe Edition will include the new Quicken 3 for Windows and
Quicken Companion, "The Wall Street Journal Video Guide to Money
and Markets," "The Wall Street Journal Personal Finance Library,"
IDD Information Services' "Tradeline Electronic Stock Guide,"
and over 20 US government publications on personal finance.
Intuit expects street pricing on Quicken for Windows CD-ROM
Deluxe Edition to run at approximately $69.99, the Vertigo
spokesperson said. Vertigo's floppy disk edition of the ActiveBook,
which can be employed by users without CD-ROM drives, will be
list priced at $69.99.
Vertigo has already formed relationships with, and licensed content
from, a number of additional publishers and authors for upcoming
books in the ActiveBook series, according to the spokesperson. One
expert who will author an ActiveBook is Jonathan Pond, who
also covers the financial planning beat for NBC-TV's "Today" show.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931104/Reader contact: Vertigo Development
Group, 617-225-2065; Press contact: Janice Brown, Janice
Brown and Associates Inc., for Vertigo, 617-332-8066)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/04/93
TRENDS
Intertainment '93 Show Overview
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00026)
Intertainment '93 Show Overview 11/04/93
SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- The focus
at the Intertainment '93 conference in Santa Monica was on the
how-to's of getting interactive software and services developed
and to consumers, and not on the technology itself. However, in
getting the implementation of technology people can use now,
the service providers appear to have scaled down their plans.
Technology companies appear to be moving out of the "grandiose"
and into the practical realm. While the dreams of truly
interactive systems are still there, conference speakers in
several sessions began by asserting that, really, isn't a
television remote control interactive. Compared to a television
remote control, the various button-oriented devices talked
about were more interactive.
Larry Taymor, president of the Interactive Network, that has
3,200 subscribers in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Chicago,
showed the network's football score playing device. Users
attempt to guess the next play in a football game and get
points for their correct answers. By plugging the unit into a
telephone, they can send in their score and compare it with
the scores of other players around the country. Taymor said
subscriber turn over rate is low for his service, and the
potential market is 90 million users.
A new handheld device called Zing from Denver, Colorado-based
Zing Systems was demonstrated, as well as the GTE Interactive
Network in Cerritos and E*On from Interactive Video Data
Service (IVES). Some of the new devices demonstrated had no
subscribers yet, and some had less than 100. GTE is the most
interactive and Mark Dillon, director of interactive publishing
for GTE said the Discovery Channel has benefitted the most from
interactive information being shown while the program is airing
with a jump in viewers over the national norms.
Financing and job hunting in the new world of electronic and
interactive media companies were also the focus of several
sessions. It was mutually agreed that discrimination of any
kind, especially because of age or race, is not a problem
because the industry is too harried looking for talent to even
consider those other issues.
One demonstration of the Peoplevision electronic mannequin was
an example of the compromises being made in technology. The
"virtual person" was a combination of mannequin and video to
create the appearance of a real person. The mannequin's face
was designed to closely resemble the features of a real actor,
minus the eyes and the mouth. Then a video image of the actor's
face is projected on the face of the mannequin and the results
are erie, but surprisingly real.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931104/Press Contact: Bob Alexander,
Alexander & Associates, 212-684-2333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/04/93
IBM
UK - PS/2 Gets Power Boost With Add-2 Board
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00027)
UK - PS/2 Gets Power Boost With Add-2 Board 11/04/93
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- ACT Computer Support
has signed an agreement with Xtend Micro Products to become the
sole distributor in the UK and Eire of the Add-2 systems upgrade
card, an upgrade module for IBM PS/2 computers.
ACT claims that the module can increase the memory and processing
power of an 286-based machine to that of a 386 or 486-based
system by simply slotting in a single card. Plans call for the
module to be sold through the company's system upgrade
specialists -- Technology Sales Division.
"Operating systems such as Windows and OS/2 demand fast
processing power and lots of memory, especially as business
applications become more complex," explained Andy Peart of
ACT's customer support operations. "This agreement to market
Add-2 in the UK gives PS/2 users access to the power needed for
complex, business critical programs, without investing time and
additional capital in new machines."
"Add-2 also enabled users to retain expensive add-in cards whilst
uprating the performance of the processor and memory. The USA
has already benefitted extensively from this technology -- our
agreement with Xtend brings the same benefits to the large
number of UK-based PS/2 users," he added.
The Add-2 systems sold through ACT can take up to 24 megabytes
(MB) of high speed memory and are fully compatible with all 16-
and 32-bit Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) systems. The card
works with PS/2 Model 50, 50Z and 60 systems equipped with a
25 megahertz (MHz) 80386SX or 486SLC/25 chipset.
The upgraded systems, Newsbytes notes, have built-in support
for a maths coprocessor, and are complemented by Xtend's range
of memory modules, which will be marketed by ACT Computer
Support. Pricing on the cards has yet to be finalized, but will be
announced when the cards start shipping towards the end of this
month.
(Steve Gold/19931104/Press & Public Contact: ACT,
44-21-511-1234)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/04/93
TELECOM
UK - Cleveland Police Use RAM Mobile Data
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00028)
UK - Cleveland Police Use RAM Mobile Data 11/04/93
CLEVELAND, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- The Cleveland police
force claims that it has dramatically reduced its response times
by implementing wireless data communication technology from
RAM Mobile Data and S-Com Computer Systems Engineers.
According to the police, the mobile data system allows for much
faster turnarounds of requests for assistance from members of
the public than the original voice system. The radio signals also
cannot be "listened in" by crooks, which Cleveland police say
means that catching criminals in the act is now a much more
likely occurrence.
The system is currently being used by a fifth of the police force's
vehicles, with plans in place to extend the technology to the
entire fleet in the near future.
The system works by transmitting information on the nature and
location of the incident from the police force's command and
control center to terminals located in police vehicles. As an
incident is reported, so the operator at the control center keys
the information into the command and control computer system
and then assigns it to an officer by touching a button.
The data is then transmitted over the RAM network to the terminal
in the car, where messages can be acknowledged by the officers
concerned with a few key depressions. Using this method of
communication means that the control center is able to keep
much closer tabs on what jobs are being handled by whom.
"Speed of response is absolutely vital in police work and can often
make the difference between catching the perpetrators at the
scene of the crime and being moments late," explained Andy
Lombard, head of information technology (IT) with the Cleveland
police force. "Not only is this technology faster, its security
features also mean that there is no chance of messages being
intercepted, increasing the element of surprise."
John Jarvis, CEO with RAM Mobile Data said that he is very pleased
that such a high profile customer has endorsed the RAM network.
"In addition to any benefits of this system, it is also a building
block for a number of other applications. The next step is to add on
an automatic vehicle location (AVL) system enabling operators to
track the exact location of each vehicle at all times," he said.
According to Jarvis, the next stage will be to link into centralized
information systems, giving access to databases such as the Police
National Computer, the Electoral Register and the Driver and
Vehicle Licensing Center. "This could bring enormous benefits to
policemen on the move, such as the ability to check the validity
of driving licenses in a matter of seconds," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931104/Press & Public Contact: RAM Mobile Data,
44-81-990-9090)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/04/93
GOVT
Accounting Rule Change May Harm High-Tech Firms
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00029)
Accounting Rule Change May Harm High-Tech Firms 11/04/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- A part of a proposed
overhaul of accounting practice standards by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is a change in the way stock
purchase options -- which are often used by small high technology
companies to attract talented workers that they could not
otherwise afford -- are carried on the company books.
Under the proposed changes, all options granted would be charged
as expenses to reduce reported earnings, even though the workers
have not exercised their options.
Stock options -- the right to purchase a specified number of
shares of a company's stock at a set price, usually for a specified
period of time -- have led to the creation of many new millionaires
among workers and even consultants working for emerging high-
tech companies. Cash-poor start-up companies can give out large
numbers of options at no current cost, offering workers the
promise of eventual riches if the company succeeds and the public
starts clamoring for its stock.
The Software Publishers Association recently testified before the
Senate Subcommittee on Securities that the proposed new rules
would greatly hamper the ability of small growth companies to
fund research and development.
According to the SPA, a 1991 survey of high-tech companies
showed that nearly seventy percent of those with one hundred or
more employees used stock options as a means of compensating all
workers. By way of comparison, only about thirty percent of all
businesses make extensive use of stock options for any workers
outside the executive suite.
In addition to the opposition voiced by the SPA, which represents
more than 1,000 computer software publishers, a number of major
accounting firms have also stated their opposition to the
proposed rule change.
One Washington insider claimed to Newsbytes that an implementing
bill submitted by Senator Carl Levin (D. Mich.) was being pushed
because the Senator was responding to the recent backlash against
high executive compensation and that he apparently did not
understand the differences between small high-tech companies,
where stock options went to all employees, and multinationals
where this form of compensation mainly went to senior executives.
It is argued that, since small companies are generally already
owned by the executives, the only people that would benefit from
stock options are the workers who were willing to accept lower
pay with an eye to possible future profit sharing.
According to Mark E. Nebergall, counsel for the SPA, there has
been no further activity in Congress since the SPA testified
against the proposed FASB rule back on October 21, but members of
the Subcommittee were definitely not friendly to the proposed
rule, or to Senator Levin's attempts to force through this change
"using a cattle-prod on the FASB" as one committee member said.
(John McCormick/19931104/Press Contact: Mark E. Nebergall,
SPA, 202-452-1600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/04/93
UNIX
****Data General Announces New Software Options
(NEWS)(UNIX)(ATL)(00030)
****Data General Announces New Software Options 11/04/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 4 (NB) -- Data General announced that
20 major software vendors have agreed to port their applications
to its AViiON servers under DG/UX, the company's version of Unix.
At a London press conference, the company claimed it had sales of
$400 million from the AViiON hardware line in fiscal 1993, up
nearly 30 percent from a year earlier, making it the fastest-
growing Unix-based systems vendor worldwide. Adding the
CLARiiON storage management sub-systems, services, and
software, that means two-thirds of Data General's last year
revenues of $1.1 billion came from open systems.
Data General claims it is committed to moving from its base on
Eclipse minicomputers, which used a proprietary operating system,
to a LAN (local area network) systems business based on open
standards. The company's Enterprise Solutions are designed to help
companies make the transition from mainframe-based to LAN-based
operations.
DG/UX is already more than 90 percent compatible with both the
Spec 1170 for Unix announced on September 1, and is fully compliant
with X/Open XPG3, the company claims.
The company said it is committed to complying with Unix standards,
but officials said in an interview with Newsbytes recently they
haven't yet decided whether to drop the DG/UX brand in favor of the
Unix label offered by Novell to Spec 1170 compliant software
systems.
Among the companies saying they will port the latest version of
their applications to DG/UX and AViiON are Centerline, Cincom,
Datalogiz, Datamatics, Dun & Bradstreet, Forte, Hewlett-Packard,
IBI, IMC, Integris, Patrol Software, PeopleSoft, Platinum
Software, Saros, Sterling Software, Sybase, Symix, Syncsort,
Tivoli Systems and Uniplex.
Data General also announced at the London conference that
Computer Associates will finish porting its Unicenter systems
management product to AViiON by the first quarter of 1994, six
months earlier than planned. And it said the Oracle Parallel
Server for the AViiON platform is scheduled for beta test by the
end of the year, with general availability in the first quarter
of next year.
Newsbytes discussed the new announcements with Steve Gardner,
Data General's vice president-corporate marketing. Newsbytes
first asked about the difficulty of porting Unix software to DG/UX.
"CA Unixcenter, which takes the operating system down to the
kernal, is one of the most difficult things to port, yet it came
across ahead of schedule," said Gardner.
All the talk now is of unifying Unix under Spec 1170. Why all this
talk about porting? Newsbytes asked. "Spec 1170 is fairly new,
and right now no-one is 100 percent compliant," said Gardner.
"We anticipate by the end of 1994 we'll have DG/UX 100 percent
compliant. What remains has more to do with technical, single-
workstation applications, where we don't see our systems used a
lot."
So will Unix software become shrink-wrapped, available in stores
next to Windows software? "At the work station level, you'll see
shrink-wrapped software for Unix in the next year," predicted
Gardner. "I think UnixWare with its branding program will increase
the volume of small server and workstation software. The
enterprise software world is just more complex. if I told one of
those customers you could shrink-wrap his software and not
require services, I'd be laughed out of the room."
He continued: "At the desktop level, if I were a Unix desktop vendor
which I'm not, I'd be trying to get people to shrink-wrap
applications. At the server level, where we work, there are certain
applications that need to be shrink-wrapped as soon as possible.
But the expectation of the user is different -- there are no
applications at the server level which are shrink-wrapped. Unix
is getting there quickly, and there's a push toward that," with
many programs now coming out on CD-ROM.
"Installation on some of our complex products will be shrink-
wrapped, but the learning curve isn't like PC software.
Shrink-wrapped physical delivery in CD-ROM is one thing -- more
important is transferring the expertise to use the product. You
need computer-based training and personal training to use the
software coming out over the next 24-36 months."
Data General supports OSF Motif and the X/Open graphical user
interfaces. Newsbytes asked when Unix software will begin to look
like Windows software, with a uniform graphic appearance. "The
majority of applications on the market today are still text-
oriented," said Gardner. "A year ago almost all of them were.
Most mainframe applications weren't re-engineered when they
came client-server. What's happening today is VARs (value-added
resellers) and software vendors recognize that without a more
graphic interface on client-server, to reduce training costs, that
they're going to be left behind. It's an incredible shift -- it's still
60 percent character oriented today, but that changes every
quarter. Peoplesoft has a beautiful graphical interface for their
integrated financial package for human resources," he said.
Finally, he said: "I doubt there ever will be a single GUI for Unix,
and NT has a shot at that. But the world is a heterogenous enough
place that there will be numerous GUIs to Unix clients. The Unix
world is moving more to Motif, but will it ever be 100 percent?
I doubt it. Our view is that as a server company we have to be ready
to support all GUIs, because that's the point where users express
personal preference."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931104/Press Contact: Kundra Collins, for
Data General, 212-768-0550)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
TELECOM
UK - BT Halves Cost Of Weekend Trunk Calling
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00001)
UK - BT Halves Cost Of Weekend Trunk Calling 11/03/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- In what is clearly the latest
round in a cut-price UK telephone charges war, British
Telecommunications (BT) has announced plans to introduce a new
weekend economy rate for its trunk calls. The new rate will apply
on a permanent basis from December 4 onwards.
To date, BT has had three main tariffs for its calls -- peak (9am to
1pm weekdays), standard (8am to 9am and 1pm to 6pm weekdays)
and economy (all other times). Distance rates are local, sub-35
miles, over 35 miles "low cost" routes, and over 35 miles.
The new weekend economy rate reduces some self-dialed long
distance calls by more than 50 percent, with most non-local calls
(with the exception of charge card, premium rate and mobile phone
calls) being given a flat 90 seconds for one unit of BT time (4.2
pence).
The key theme of the new weekend economy rate is the
reintroduction of the "three minute call to almost anywhere for 10
pence," which was a theme for BT in the 1970s. Group Managing
Director Mike Hepher said that the new tariff is a permanent price
cut from BT.
"Last year BT offered calls charged at the cheap rate from 15:00 to
midnight on Sundays as a special offer in the run up to Christmas.
It was extended to the new year and was followed by cheap call
offers to North America and elsewhere in Europe," he said, adding
that, after listening to its customers, BT had decided to introduce
a method of allowing residential customers to call long distance for
less during quieter periods.
The more cynical onlookers in the telecoms trade in the UK have
noted that BT is obliged by Oftel rules to increase prices by the
retail price index less 7.5 percent. With inflation running at two
percent, this means that BT can cut its overall basket of prices by
as much as 5.5 percent and stay within Oftel's pricing rules.
Hepher and other BT seniors have declined to comment on this
suggestion, but, in his announcement, Hepher said that the move will
cost around UKP500 million a year off consumer's phone bills.
The pricing move is highly strategic for BT, Newsbytes notes. Later
this week, the telecoms giant will announce its half year results.
Analysts are quoted as expecting pre-tax profits of UKP1,470
million, and increase of around 43 percent on last years results.
(Steve Gold/19931102/Press & Public Contact: BT -
44-71-356-5000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/03/93
GENERAL
Wang Updates E-Mail With Broader X.400 Support
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00002)
Wang Updates E-Mail With Broader X.400 Support 11/03/93
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Wang
Laboratories Inc., has begun shipping an updated version of its
Open/office electronic mail (e-mail) software for local area
networks. The new release expands support for the international
X.400 standard, allowing mail exchange with e-mail products
from third-parties.
Open/office also supports the X.500 e-mail directory standard,
and Wang has added directory synchronization with third-party
products, a feature not yet covered in the X.500 standard, said
Ginny Creese, Open/office product manager.
People who do not work at the user company but receive mail
frequently from the company can be added directly to the
Open/services directory in the new release, Wang said.
Wang said the new release has also improved response time,
ensures interoperability across global networks, and improves
addressing for large distributed systems.
Users can store private distribution lists on the client and mail
these lists to other users. When a mail item cannot be delivered,
Open/office E-mail updates the Mail Status item and posts an
alert to the sender.
The software uses a Unix-based system from either IBM or
Hewlett-Packard as a server, and supports client PCs running
Microsoft Corp.'s Windows. Support for the object linking and
embedding (OLE) technology means users can send mail from
popular Windows applications such as Word for Windows,
Lotus Development Corp.'s 1-2-3 and Ami Pro, Microsoft Excel,
and WordPerfect, said Wang officials.
The software will compete to a degree with the popular cc:Mail
from Lotus and Microsoft Mail, Creese said, but its major market
will lie among users who need more robust client/server mail
systems.
Server software for IBM's RISC System/6000 running AIX is
available now, and server software for Hewlett-Packard's HP-UX
operating system is due to ship at the end of November, Wang
said. Server licenses are priced from $4,995 for 16 users to
$46,800 for 512 users. Software for client PCs is $100 per user
or $1,500 for a 25-user package.
Client PCs must have at least a 386 processor, four megabytes
(MB) of memory, 2.5MB of available hard disk space, a VGA monitor,
DOS 5.0 or later, and Windows 3.1.
(Grant Buckler/19931102/Press Contact: Tom Mitro, Wang,
508-967-2081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/03/93
IBM
Mediablitz! 3.0 Multimedia Software For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)
Mediablitz! 3.0 Multimedia Software For Windows 11/03/93
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Asymetrix
Corp., has announced an upgrade it its multimedia software for
Microsoft Windows.
Mediablitz! 3.0 for Windows allows users and programmers using
Microsoft Visual Basic and Microsoft Visual C++ to add multimedia
to their applications or just personalize their PCs with multimedia
screen savers they create.
According to the company, Mediablitz! 3.0 allows users to combine
and synchronize sound, graphics, video and animation into a
"complete" multimedia presentation that can be used by itself or
embedded within any application that supports object linking and
embedding (OLE). Asymetrix says no programming knowledge is
required, although Visual Basic and Visual C++ users have some
additional custom controls.
Mediablitz! 3.0 uses a utility called Scoremaker to create
multimedia screen savers and play them back. The program comes
with more than 100 megabytes (MB) of clip media that can be used,
as well as four sets of sample screen savers. The sets -- called "The
Planets: Atlas and Tour," "Orca Whales," "Sci-fi Movies," and "Ocean
Habitats" -- each include multiple screen savers. The media clips can
be edited with utilities that come with Mediablitz 3.0. The program
also includes bitmap transition effects and a text-to-bitmap
generator that makes it easier to create titles.
Most popular image formats, including WMF, TIF, PCX, GIF, TGA, and
PIC, are supported. A runtime module is included that allows users
to play the scores on any PC running Windows, even if Mediablitz! is
not installed. The company says most Mediablitz! users are small
businesses that create presentations that include company
information and product descriptions, while home users use it to
create multimedia photo albums.
The elements of Mediablitz! include: Clipmaker, which lets users
create multimedia clips; Scoremaker, which arranges clips and files
along a time line into a multimedia show; and Scoreplayer, which
plays the user-created scores. Mediablitz! supports digital video,
CD audio, waveform audio, MIDI (musical instrument digital
interface), animation, and Windows bitmaps.
System requirements include a 33 megahertz 386-based PC or better;
Windows 3.1 or later; DOS 3.1 or higher; a Windows-compatible VGA
(the company recommends a Super VGA) display; six MB of system
memory; a hard disk with 10MB of free space; and a mouse or
compatible pointing device.
Asymetrix spokesperson Isabelle Boucq told Newsbytes the program
conserves space on the user's hard drive by only loading the program
software there, with the media clips being accessed on the CD-ROM
drive.
The program has a suggested retail price of $95, and registered
owners of previous versions can upgrade for $29. Users that
purchased Mediablitz! 2.0 after September 25, 1993, can upgrade
for free, plus the cost of shipping and handling.
(Jim Mallory/19931102/Press contact: Susan Pierson, Asymetrix
Corp, 206-637- 2428; Reader contact: Asymetrix Corp, tel
206-462-0501 or 800-448-6543, fax 206- 455-3071)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
IBM
Medio Intros CD-ROMs For PC
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)
Medio Intros CD-ROMs For PC 11/03/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Medio Multimedia
Inc., has introduced a series of interactive CD-ROM multimedia
titles that include the historical, the entertaining, and the
educational.
The new company, founded in August 1993 by former employees of
Microsoft Corp., and the Boston Consulting Group, is offering
Midnight Movie Madness with Gilbert Gottfried; Exploring Ancient
Architecture; and JFK Assassination: A Visual Investigation.
Midnight Movie Madness features an introduction by late night
television and movie personality Gilbert Gottfried and includes
movie trivia, quizzes and the comedy talents of two former National
Lampoon editors, with more than 40 minutes of full-motion video
clips from 100 classic and Grade B horror, science fiction, and
comedy movies from the 1930s to the 1970s. Titles include "The
Blob" and "King Kong versus Godzilla."
Exploring Ancient Architecture lets users take a self-guided,
three-dimensional animated tour inside seven famous architectural
wonders from the Neolithic, Egyptian, Greek and Roman time period,
including the Parthenon and Stonehenge. The user chooses his or her
own route through the buildings.
JFK Assassination: A Visual Investigation contains full motion, full
screen video clips from four witness films, including the famous
Zapruder footage, three-dimensional animations, and the complete
text of the book "Crossfire" by Jim Marrs, as well as the text of
the Warrant Commission Report. Medio President Steve Podradchik
says JFK includes a 20-minute narrated overview similar to a
television documentary. Users can then zoom in on the information
that most interests them by clicking on the appropriate image or
selecting a particular piece of text.
Each product has a suggested retail price of $59.95, or can be
purchased as part of the Medio Explorer Collection with a price tag
of $119.95
(Jim Mallory/19931102/Press contact: Steven Podradchik, Medio
Multimedia Inc, 206-867-5500: Reader contact: Medio Multimedia,
tel 206-867-5500 or fax 206-885-4142)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
UNIX
MainSoft Claims MainWin SDK Is Better Than Wabi
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00005)
MainSoft Claims MainWin SDK Is Better Than Wabi 11/03/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- MainSoft is
positioning its newly released MainWin Software Development Kit
(SDK) as a better way of moving Windows applications to Unix
than Windows applications emulators like Wabi (Windows
Applications Binary Interface).
Benchmark tests show that Windows applications ported to Unix
with the MainWin SDK run 10 to 20 times faster than Wabi-based
applications, asserted Jeff Elpern, MainSoft's vice president of
sales and marketing, in an interview with Newsbytes.
Wabi, SoftWindows, and other new Windows emulation products
belong to a new generation of "superemulators" that go one step
beyond earlier emulators, Elpern said. "Earlier emulators
emulated both the Windows code and the application code. Wabi
and SoftWindows emulate only the application code. The Windows
code is native," he told Newsbytes.
But MainWin takes yet another step, so that Windows code and
Windows application code both become native Unix code, according
to Elpern. By eliminating the extra layers of software associated
with the two forms of emulation, the product provides much greater
performance, the company vice president maintained.
Although Wabi and the other emulators constitute a different
product category from MainWin, their purposes are similar, Elpern
suggested. The emulators are aimed at letting Windows applications
run unchanged on Unix platforms. Wabi, the best known of the
emulators, works by intercepting Windows API calls and remapping
them into X Windows APIs.
In comparison, MainWin SDK is designed to provide a single
source code base for Windows and Unix systems, with only minor
modifications to the code.
But Windows applications run dramatically faster when ported to
Unix with MainWin than when run with Wabi on a Unix workstation,
Elpern told Newsbytes. In one benchmark test, for example, it took
Gnu's "Chess" application seven minutes and 52 seconds to perform
an "expert first move" when operated with Wabi on a Sparc Classic,
he noted. In contrast, a Unix version of the same application,
ported from Windows with MainWin, took only 26 seconds to conduct
this move on a Sparc Classic.
MainWin SDK includes a Windows API, a conversion library, a
toolkit, and widgets, said Elpern. Services are implemented
natively on Xlib, a low-level X Windows library. The product works
with an end user environment called MainWin for Workstations.
MainSoft's product also differs from those of Bristol, the
company's closest competitor in the "source port" arena, according
to Elpern. Bristol's toolkit runs on top of the Motif toolkit, which
runs above the X toolkit, which in turn, runs above Xlib, he said.
"We, on the other hand, communicate straight from MainWin to
Xlib."
MainWin also provides direct support for Windows controls, allowing
the user to switch back and forth, on the fly, between a Motif and
Windows "look and feel," he told Newsbytes. "As far as we know,
MainWin is the only product that currently offers this capability."
Several application developers have already used MainWin, Elpern
reported. Computer Associates, for example, employed MainWin for
a prototype Unix version of its Superproject project management
software that was demonstrated in September at Unix Expo, he said.
AutoTrol Technology is beta testing a Unix version of its
mechanical CAD (computer-aided design) package, also ported from
Windows with MainWin, he added. Visual Solutions is using MainWin
to create a consistent user interface for enterprise applications
running across multivendor computing environments.
Initially, the MainWin technology supports AIX for IBM's RS/6000
computers, HP-UX for Hewlett-Packard's Apollo 9000 Series 700
workstations, Solaris 2.2 and SunOS 4.1 for Sun's RISC platforms,
and IRIX 5.1 for Silicon Graphics workstations.
But Elpern informed Newsbytes that MainWin will also support
at least some of the upcoming PowerPC platforms, when these
become available. "We'll support any PowerPC platform that uses
AIX, unconditionally. We might also support other PowerPC
platforms, as well," Newsbytes was told.
MainWin SDK is priced at $5,000 for the first copy and $2,000 for
additional copies. MainWin for Workstations is priced at $195.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931101/Reader Contact: MainSoft Corp.,
415-966-0605; Press Contact: David Kitchen, Copithorne &
Bellows for MainSoft, 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
TELECOM
UK - ISDN On The Radio With Classic FM
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00006)
UK - ISDN On The Radio With Classic FM 11/03/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Britain's first national
commercial radio station is introducing the "home work" way of
operating to its programs. Instead of disc jockeys going to the
studios to work, the station is using integrated services digital
network (ISDN) technology to link a home-based studio to the main
station.
The first man to use the ISDN technology will be Quentin Howard,
a mainstay presenter for the Classic FM who lives in Wiltshire.
Howard had turned his living room into a full-blown broadcasting
studio for the radio station.
Links back to the studio are enabled using BT's ISDN-2 circuits,
which support two 64,000 bits-per-second (bps) data channels for
carrying audio and computer data.
With the help of ISDN technology, Howard will be able to broadcast
his "Six of the Best Quiz" show live without traveling to London.
According to Howard, the quality of the audio provided by the ISDN
system is excellent and ensures the same standards as compact disc
and FM radio in London. By using two ISDN lines, Quentin can play
music, prepare the quiz and stay in contact with studio receiving
instructions and calls from listeners.
Howard can also remotely control the music on a player in the
studio using a computer link, just in case he does not have a
particular disc at home.
The digital, compressed signal, sent via ISDN from Howard's home,
can be received in the London studio and then broadcast without
the use of the fiber optic cable or satellite technology, as would
be the case normally in such "outside broadcasts."
BT's ISDN-2, which is available across 75 percent of the UK, costs
around UKP400 to install plus the same again per year to rent.
Inland call costs are the same as for standard analog phone calls.
(Steve Gold/19931102/Press & Public Contact: BT,
44-71-356-5000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
GENERAL
London Transport Museum Uses Amiga CD32 System
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00007)
London Transport Museum Uses Amiga CD32 System 11/03/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- As part of an innovative
UKP4 million redisplay, The London Transport Museum (LTM) has
introduced a Commodore Amiga CD32-based audio-visual
computer-based system.
The museum claims that the system has allowed it to move to
state-of-the-art interpretation techniques, to communicate
effectively with their visitors and, in particular, to use to the full,
the wealth of imagery and data at their command which cannot be
presented in conventional displays.
At the heart of many of the new displays is the Commodore CD32,
a CD-ROM equipped computer system. The LTM claims that the
machine's high quality graphics, double-speed CD-ROM drive, 32-bit
processor and custom display hardware provide the ideal platform
for audio visual and interactive displays (AVID's).
When completed, as many as 109 CD32's will be used to provide
interactive information, video, animations, interactive sound
effects, display control, and background sound effect. Plans call
for all the machines to be networked together using an expansion
system currently being developed by Index Information, the
company producing all the computer displays.
"We plan to take this opportunity to introduce new methods of
interpreting the collection, using the latest developments in
design, graphics, audio visual and interactive displays," explained
Rob Lansdown, head of LTM's communications and display.
According to Lansdown, the computer system has allowed the museum
to tell the 200 year story of London's urban public transport. "We
have taken the linear, chronological, sequence of story panels off
the walls and associated them directly with the objects in the
collection," he said. "In this non-linear, object oriented approach
we will create 'islands' of interest and ensure that the vehicles
and other original material tell the story."
"The visitor becomes free to explore the Museum, its collection and
stories in a non-linear way, letting their own particular interest
lead them around the Museum. Visitors will choose their own
priorities and interests, navigating between the principle story
'islands' to follow say, a social history or a technological theme,"
he explained.
According to Lansdown. the multimedia world has already
experimented with the idea of a "Hyper-Museum" in the form of a
virtual museum on videodisc, CD-ROM, and hard disk.
"The intention is to take this concept one step further. We want to
take this Hyper-media and use it to go beyond the database to
interact with and interpret a real museum. Instead of being shown
images of the collection as you Hyper-link around the disc, we will
take you to the actual objects!," he said.
In the real object-based Museum the visitor is free to wander
through the displays, dipping into the electronic HyperMuseum when
they want to. As the Museum's core displays will also be written in
a non-linear style, the electronic sections will form an integral
part of the whole interpretation, adding a further dimension to the
visitor's experience, Lansdown explained.
"Many of the qualities that will make the CD32 such a successful
home entertainment system also make it the ideal commercial
multimedia player," said Mick Tinker, technical director of Index
Information, the developers of the museum system. "A high quality
and low cost delivery unit combined with a powerful development
platform is allowing us to provide advanced displays at much lower
costs than competitive systems," he added.
Tinker said that the company has had a very positive response from
early demonstrations of the projects. "We feel that the concept will
attract the attention of museums and visitors from around the
world," he said.
"One of the new underground train simulators was shown at an
exhibition and ever since the museum has been receiving regular
requests from companies wishing to hire the display for their own
exhibition stands," he added.
Index Information claims to be one of the major commercial
developers of Amiga- and CD32-based custom software and
graphics applications for a wide range of interactive multimedia
and broadcast graphics displays.
Formed in January 1991, the company is rapidly expanding and
currently has eight staff, supplemented by additional experts and
consultants as required. Current and previous customers have
included the London Transport Museum, British Telecom (for the
CD-ROM Interface), BBC Scotland (for the Catchword game show
software), and the Amiga Center Scotland (for the Harlequin
graphics card software).
The London Transport Museum first opened its doors in 1980, in
the former Covent Garden Flower Market. Since then, the museum
has been at the center of the renaissance of Covent Garden as one
of London's liveliest places.
(Steve Gold/19931102/Press & Public Contact: Index
Information - tel +44-256=703426; Email on the Internet:
index@cix.compulink.co.uk)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
BUSINESS
Finland - Scribona Distributes TI Portable PCs
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00008)
Finland - Scribona Distributes TI Portable PCs 11/03/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Scribona Computer Products,
a division of Scribona of Sweden, the office equipment company, has
signed up as the master reseller for Texas Instruments' portable
computers in Sweden.
Plans call for the activities of Texas Instruments' existing sales
operation in Sweden to transfer its operations to Scribona, which
will handle most of TI's functions in the country.
Scribona currently acts as a reseller of Hewlett Packard, Toshiba,
and IBM portable PCs. The company has several sales outlets in major
cities in Sweden, and also supplies equipment through its direct
sales force.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931102)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
GENERAL
Starter Training Kit For Networked Multimedia
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00009)
Starter Training Kit For Networked Multimedia 11/03/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Hooking up
a multimedia system on a network so everyone can access it can be
problematic. As a result, Starlight Networks Inc., claims it has
introduced the industry's first complete networked multimedia
training product -- the Starter Suite Training Kit.
The company claims that the Starter Suite takes the confusion out
of assembling a networked multimedia system by combining "industry-
standard products from leading vendors into a complete,
low-cost system."
The kit reportedly gives users everything they need to install a
five-user networked multimedia training application on an existing
network of Windows PCs. The kit includes Windows Basics, a
video-based interactive training course on Microsoft Windows
from Comsell Inc.
The video networking capability is provided by StarWare video
networking software, which Starlight Networks says it is
exclusively distributing. StarWare is a NetWare Loadable Module
(NLM) that runs on a NetWare server. The kit can also be upgraded
to support up to 10 users.
Starlight Networks claims it developed Starter Suite to address
the market need for multimedia applications. Starlight also says
it will make available Starter Suites "oriented toward developing
custom applications, as well as Starter Suites focused on specific
video-based applications, such as the training kit."
Comsell's Windows Basics course is a three- to five-hour video
course that provides training on how to use the Microsoft Windows
graphical user interface (GUI).
The Starter Suite Training Kit includes Comsell's Windows Basics
CD-ROM with a five-user license; ActionMedia II video cards; five
Labtec speakers; and Starlight Networks' StarWare.
The Starter Suite application runs on existing Ethernet, Token-Ring,
or FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) NetWare networks of PCs.
Hardware needed includes a 386/486 33 megahertz (MHz) CPU
(central processing unit) NetWare server to run StarWare video
networking software and the Comsell course, and 386/DX-25 or
higher Windows PCs as video playback stations for the training
application.
The Starter Suite Training Kit is offered on a promotional basis
through December 31, 1993, priced at $9,995 for five users.
(Ian Stokell/19931102/Press Contact: Barbara A. Baker,
415-967-2774 ext 305, Starlight Networks Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
IBM
TouchStone Intros CheckIt PRO: Analyst For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00010)
TouchStone Intros CheckIt PRO: Analyst For Windows 11/03/93
HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- PCs
running Microsoft's WIndows are notorious for compatibility
problems between different components. Now TouchStone
Software Corp., has announced CheckIt PRO: Analyst, a
Windows-based diagnostic utility.
According to the company, CheckIT PRO: Analyst for Windows offers
an easy-to-use Windows interface, and makes it simple to collect
configuration and performance data, test hardware integrity and
access an extensive technical reference library.
The product can also reportedly evaluate a system to find changes,
compare performance with other systems to determine upgrade
needs, assess the compatibility of hardware and software
upgrades, and recommend setup specifications for add-on
equipment.
In announcing the product, C. Shannon Jenkins, president and CEO of
TouchStone Software, said: "We have improved CheckIt PRO in three
main areas by adding a Windows interface, developing a new data
collections approach, and creating an expert analysis module"
The new data collection approach features the CKDATA applet
(mini application) that reportedly creates a data file containing all
the information about a system needed to provide technical support.
Said Jenkins: "The data file created by CKDATA can be interpreted
by CheckIt PRO: Analyst, to find configuration changes, analyze
performance, or check for hardware and software setup
compatibility."
A new Upgrade Analyst module allows users to rate the performance
of their system against other computers, compare systems to find
configuration differences, perform a system setup analysis, and
access a software compatibility library.
The software also features charts, graphs and displays that
describe the hardware, software and system setup information. The
technical reference library is indexed and fully cross-referenced,
says the company, and provides access to standard mode values,
error codes, reference tables, and an embedded glossary of special
terms.
CheckIt PRO: Analyst is already available for $149.95. Licensed
users of CheckIt PRO can upgrade to CheckIt PRO: Analyst for
Windows for $39.95. CheckIt 3.0 users can purchase the upgrade
for $59.95. CheckIt PRO: Analyst installs on systems running
Windows 3.1 or later.
(Ian Stokell/19931102/Press Contact: Leigh Ann Panaro,
800-531-0450 or 714-969-7746, TouchStone Software)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
GENERAL
Novell Intros New NetWare For SAA
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00011)
Novell Intros New NetWare For SAA 11/03/93
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Novell Inc., has begun
shipping a new version of its NetWare for SAA network operating
system designed for users integrating enterprise-wide IBM host
connectivity "solutions" into their NetWare networks. Novell
claims that the product offers "transparent access to IBM host
applications and data."
According to Pam Eaken, spokesperson for Novell, the main
significance of version 1.3B is that, "You get NetWare 3.12 as
well as NetWare 4.01 in the same box. And its the Runtime
versions."
Eaken said that another significant advantage of the new
version is that it comes on CD-ROM, along with the necessary
documentation. NetWare for SAA 1.3B and NetWare Runtime 4.01
come on CD-ROM with on-line documentation. NetWare 3.12 users
get NetWare for SAA on 3.5-inch diskettes with printed manuals,
and NetWare Runtime 3.12 on 3.5-inch diskettes with on-line
manuals. The product also includes Novell's Synchronous Plus
driver for QLLC/X.25 connections.
The company said that NetWare for SAA now ships with Runtime
versions of NetWare 4.01 and 3.12, giving customers "a choice of
the NetWare version best suited to their networking needs."
Additionally, says Novell, on-line manuals can be installed at
the client workstation or at the server to be shared by all users
with access to the server and CD-ROM drive. The on-line software
provides windows-based access to specific information via
search tools and utilities. All or just parts of the manuals can
be printed out at a local or remote printer.
Eaken told Newsbytes that the pricing is based on a matrix,
depending on how many users are involved. For example, a 16 user
version of NetWare for SAA 1.3B cost $1,995; a 64-user version
costs $5,995; and 128-user version costs $8,495, and a 254-user
version costs $14,995. Upgrade pricing is also available. For
example, upgrading from the previous 16-user NetWare for SAA
version to a 16-user version of 1.3B costs $250; and upgrading
from the previous 16-user version of NetWare for SAA to a 64-
user version of 1.3B costs $4,650.
(Ian Stokell/19931102/Press Contact: Pam Eaken,
408-747-4984, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
APPLE
Newton Shareware Available On ZiffNet/CompuServe
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00012)
Newton Shareware Available On ZiffNet/CompuServe 11/03/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Now that
the Newton Connection Kit is available for the Macintosh,
Newton Messagepad users can try out the number of software
titles available as try-before-you-buy shareware. The Macintosh
forum under Ziffnet claims it has more Messagepad shareware
titles than any other forum and the Newton forum on Compuserve
offers Newton shareware titles as well.
Modem-equipped Macintosh owners can download Messagepad
titles and using the Connection Kit, transfer those titles to the
personal digital assistant (PDA). Users can expect to find
everything from games to shopping list programs as shareware.
Some of the new titles available on the Ziffnet/Mac forum
include: Black Box for Newton 1.0, a strategy game in which the
user fires beams into an 8 by 8 grid to locate hidden balls;
Newton 15 Puzzle 1.0, the old slide 15 numbered tiles into
ascending order on a 4 by 4 grid game; Newton Billy Draw, a
scratchpad with a background picture of President Clinton that
users are encouraged to add features to; and Newton Addtodict
1.0, which allows you to add a group of words to the User
Dictionary or paste in words brought in with the Connection
Kit.
Version 1.04 of the Newton system software is available for
download and version 1.05 with further bug fixes and
enhancements is expected soon. Users may also upgrade to
version 1.04 of the system software if they have a Newton
modem by calling Apple's Newton helpline toll-free.
Ziffnet/Mac is a private on-line service hosted on Compuserve,
but new users may access directly without a Compuserve account.
Interested parties may make arrangements for access by calling
Ziffnet/Mac's toll-free number. Compuserve users can access
Ziffnet/Mac by typing GO ZMAC and access the Newton forum by
typing GO NEWTON.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931102/Public Contact: Ziffnet/Mac, 800-666-
0330; Newton Operating System Download, 800-NEWTON9; Newton
Voice Support Line, 800-SOS-APPL)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
GENERAL
Two New Document Scanners From Pentax
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00013)
Two New Document Scanners From Pentax 11/03/93
BROOMFIELD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Pentax
Technologies Corp., has announced two new members of its
document scanner family and a bundling deal that will include
image enabling software with the new units.
Pentax says the DS6 and DS10 scanners are immediately available
and have a suggested retail price of $789 and $2195 respectively.
The DS6 is a small-footprint sheet-fed unit that can scan up to
seven pages-per-minute (ppm) at up to 300 dots-per-inch (dpi)
resolution and 256 levels of gray-scale scanning.
The DS10 is a flatbed scanner with a built-in 50-page document
feeder that can handle up to 11 ppm at the same resolution and
gray-scale levels as the DS6. The DS10 has upgrade capabilities
to provide it with color capability.
Pentax says both units are compatible with 386-based personal
computers and come with the necessary scanner interface card
and all cables.
Pentax is still offering its three ppm throughput IQ Scan desktop
scanner, known as the SB-L301, at the reduced price of $799. It is
a 300 dpi gray-scale flatbed desktop scanner for Macintosh, IBM-
compatible, and PS/2 computers. An optional $595 first-in first-
out (FIFO) automatic document feeder (ADF) for the IQ Scan scans
documents in the order in which they are loaded.
Previously the IQ Scan scanned documents from the top of the
stack, Pentax Director of Marketing Steve Juhasz told Newsbytes.
The scanner comes bundled with Wordscan optical character reader
(OCR) software from Calera.
Pentax has also announced that the DS6 and DS10 will be bundled
with Watermark's Discovery Edition image enabling software, an
implementation of Microsoft object linking and embedding (OLE)
version 2.0.
(Jim Mallory/19931103/Press contact: Steve Juhasz, Pentax
Technologies, 303-40-1608; Reader contact: Pentax Technologies,
tel 303-460-1600, fax 303-460-1628)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
TELECOM
Canada - CRTC Hears Call For Reduced Telecom Regs
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00014)
Canada - CRTC Hears Call For Reduced Telecom Regs 11/03/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- The Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) began
public hearings this week to review the way it regulates Canada's
telecommunications industry, and immediately was told it should
loosen the reins.
The first submission to the hearings came from AGT Inc., the
telephone company serving the province of Alberta. While AGT is
a member of the Stentor consortium of established regional
telephone companies, which will make its own submission later,
it chose to make a separate presentation to the regulators.
AGT's brief calls for phasing out the present practice of
subsidizing local phone service from long-distance rates, for a
switch from regulating telephone companies' rates of return to
regulating the prices of essential monopoly services, and for
doing away with regulation of all but certain monopoly local
services. Even those services, AGT said, could eventually become
competitive.
At present, the regional phone companies provide local and
long-distance services and are regulated by the CRTC, which sets
their allowable rates of return. Last year, the CRTC opened the
doors to competition in long-distance service, but told new
competitors they would have to pay the established phone
companies to help cover the cost of local service.
AGT is proposing that the cross-subsidy be phased out over three
to five years. A basic local access charge would rise gradually
while long-distance prices went down, with a formula used to
ensure that customers' over-all average bills would not go up.
To address concerns that higher local rates would deprive the
poor of essential services, the company also proposes a
"lifeline" service that would provide access to local and
long-distance calling, but would mean charges for local calls
above a certain number per month. This service would be available
to any household -- people would not have to prove financial
hardship -- except those with more than one phone line.
In its submission, AGT said the CRTC hearing "provides an ideal
opportunity to implement a number of important and wide-ranging
reforms with a view to streamlining and redesigning regulation to
better meet the needs of telecommunications users and the
industry which serves them."
Briefs from Stentor, from major long-distance competitor Unitel
Communications Inc., of Toronto, and from others in the
telecommunications industry are expected over the coming weeks.
(Grant Buckler/19931103/Press Contact: Betty McLennan, AGT,
403-493-3215; CRTC Public Affairs, 819-997-0313, fax
819-994-0218)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/03/93
IBM
****Battery Trouble Stops ThinkPad 500 Shipments
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00015)
****Battery Trouble Stops ThinkPad 500 Shipments 11/03/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- IBM Personal
Computer Co., has stopped shipping the ThinkPad 500 notebook
computer because of customer complaints about the machines'
batteries losing power.
Company spokesman Jonathan Gandal stressed that the problem is
not a safety issue like those that have occurred with a handful
of other manufacturers that recalled batteries said to have
overheated or short-circuited and occasionally caused fires.
Complaints about IBM's battery simply involve a premature loss of
power, sometimes resulting in new ThinkPads reaching purchasers
with their batteries dead, he said.
"Any product quality problem within the ThinkPad line is totally
unacceptable," said Gandal, who added that the company is
"playing it safe" by stopping shipments until it decides what to
do about the problem. IBM expects to announce a solution by
mid-November, he said.
That solution might or might not be to substitute different
batteries used in other ThinkPads for the type used in the 500.
The ThinkPad 500 has a lead-acid battery made for IBM by another
company, while all other models in the ThinkPad line use
nickel-metal hydride batteries and thus are not affected by the
present problem.
IBM may have acted decisively to counter a problem that would mar
the popular ThinkPad line's good reputation for quality, but in doing
so, the company has been forced to add to what has been its
handicap with the ThinkPad all along - availability. Color models
in particular have been in short supply and some customers are
frustrated with IBM's inability to build ThinkPads fast enough to
fill orders.
(Grant Buckler/19931103/Press Contact: Jonathan Gandal,
IBM, 914-766-1425)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/03/93
IBM
IBM Toronto Manufacturing To Be Named Celestica
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)
IBM Toronto Manufacturing To Be Named Celestica 11/03/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- IBM Canada Ltd.,
has named the subsidiary it will create January 1 to spin off its
Toronto manufacturing operations. The new company is Celestica
Inc., and will be a wholly owned subsidiary of IBM Canada Ltd.
Celestica will initially have about 800 employees in Toronto and
in Endicott, New York. A recent arrangement with the parent
company in the US means about 40 people in a power systems
design and development group in Endicott now report to the
Toronto plant, which makes the products they design. They will
become employees of Celestica through a US subsidiary,
Celestica Corp., said IBM Canada spokesman Mike Quinn.
The Toronto site is only one of IBM's manufacturing plants in
Canada. The other, in Bromont, Quebec, will remain part of IBM
Canada.
When the spinoff was announced in April, the Toronto
manufacturing operation had about 900 employees. The numbers
have shrunk due to early-retirement incentives and attrition,
part of worldwide cost-cutting by IBM, Quinn said.
While IBM Canada will be a major Celestica customer, the new
subsidiary is already lining up work for other companies. Some
such contracts are already in progress, Quinn said, though he
could not name customers. Celestica plans to build its non-IBM
sales to about half its business by 1995, he said.
The operation makes memory products, power systems, and
cards that fit the Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association (PCMCIA) standard.
(Grant Buckler/19931103/Press Contact: Mike Quinn, IBM Canada,
905-474-3900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/03/93
GENERAL
Epoch Offers Client/Server Backup For PCs, Unix
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00017)
Epoch Offers Client/Server Backup For PCs, Unix 11/03/93
WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Going
after the increasingly high-profile client/server computing
market, data-management software vendor Epoch Systems Inc.,
has announced backup software intended to work with personal
computers and Unix systems, and especially with relational
database management systems on those platforms.
Epoch Enterprise Backup is a client/server backup system for PC
local area networks (LANs), stand-alone or networked Unix
machines, and mainframe storage subsystems, the company said.
According to the vendor, it deals with problems that arise with
large amounts of data distributed across client/server setups. It
provides unattended, automatic backup and recovery across the
whole system, the vendor said. Features include flexible backup
scheduling, reporting, a graphical user interface for end users
and administrators, error resiliency, and special support for
major database software.
The package consists of server software that manages the over-all
backup operations, and client software that sends files to the
server for backup on request. Client support for Novell NetWare
servers is included, which Epoch claims makes Epoch Enterprise
Backup the first single product that can back up data from a
NetWare LAN and a Unix server network at the same time.
Epoch has also worked with Oracle Corp., and DataTools Inc., to
provide seamless backup for Oracle and Sybase relational
databases, officials said.
The software works with tape and optical backup media. A server
component for Sun Microsystems Inc., servers running the SunOS
operating system is to be available November 30, at prices from
$2,200 for five nodes to $50,000 for 500 nodes. Support for
Solaris servers is planned in the first half of next year,
company spokesman Andy Hettinger said, with IBM's AIX and
Hewlett-Packard Co.'s HP-UX to follow, probably in the third
quarter of 1994.
Support for Novell NetWare clients is due by year-end, at $1,500
for five nodes to $40,000 for 500. Support for Sybase 4.X is due
at the end of December, and support for Sybase System 10 will
be available when that software ships, Epoch said. Support for
Oracle 7.X is due in March, 1994. Database clients will cost from
$2,200 for five nodes to $50,000 for a 500-node license.
(Grant Buckler/19931103/Press Contact: Andy Hettinger, Epoch
Systems, 508-836-4300)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/03/93
GOVT
****Oregon Thieves Heist Computer Chips Worth $2M
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00018)
****Oregon Thieves Heist Computer Chips Worth $2M 11/03/93
TUALATIN, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- In what sounds like
the script for a bad movie, five armed men wearing overalls and
nylon stockings over the heads burst into a Oki Semiconductor plant
recently and got away with $2 million worth of computer chips.
But the incident was no joke for the 13 people in the Tualatin,
Oregon plant who were had their hands tied with duct tape during
the early morning heist. Two employees were struck during what
may be the largest armed theft of computer chips to date in the
US according to FBI Special Agent Bart Gori.
Tualatin Police Lieutenant Bruce Bass said witnesses reported the
bandits spoke what sounded like an Asian language, but said so far
there are no other clues to their identities. Bass said the robbery
appeared to be professional. "The witnesses said they seemed to
know where to go and what to do." Detectives believe the chips will
be sold quickly on the black market.
Bass told Newsbytes the robbers were armed with handguns and
carried two-way radios. He said one of the victims was treated at
the scene by paramedics and released, while the other was treated
at a local hospital and released.
Gori said FBI agents are looking into the possibility that the robbery
might be connected to similar crimes in California and Florida. Bass
said this was the first such incident in Oregon.
Intel Corp., which has a chip plant in nearly Hillsboro, Oregon
said it will beef up is security "to levels that are adequate to
prevent it happening to us." Tektronix Inc., and Fujitsu
Microelectronics Inc., also said they are tightening security at
their Oregon plants.
Newsbytes reported recently that Intel has decided to imprint
individual serial numbers on each of its 486 and Pentium
microprocessors, used to run personal computers.
(Jim Mallory/19931103)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/03/93
GENERAL
Screen Savers For Sports Fans
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00019)
Screen Savers For Sports Fans 11/03/93
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Quadrangle
Software Corp., has introduced a screen saver that is designed
specifically for sports fans.
Lights Out Sports Fans: Major League Baseball Screen Saver, uses
actual Major League Baseball team logos and other game images to
prevent screen burn in, which leaves a ghost image of whatever
screen display is left on a monitor for too long a period. Screen
savers detect computer inactivity and replace the static image
with moving images.
The baseball screen saver allows the user to select 10 "game plans,"
then displays various moving images and typical ballpark sounds.
The user selects home and visitor teams from an illustrated list
of all 28 American and National League teams listed by division.
Depending on the game plan selected, you might see a blimp
emblazoned with the home team logo devouring the logos of
divisional rivals. Speed of movement and sound volume can be
controlled, and the message on the blimp-towed banner is user-
definable. Dugout antics such as players blowing bubbles or
chewing sunflower seeds, fans performing the "wave" or the
performance of the card section, a home run contest between
two players and a floating scoreboard with a user-defined
message are also possible.
If the "Spring Training" game plan is chosen, activities like
players exercising are displayed. It is also possible to have
multiple home team logos flying around the screen.
Mac users need a 68020-powered system using System 6.0.5 or
higher and three to five megabytes (MB) of available hard drive
space. The program is also available for Microsoft Windows 3.1-
based systems with 2.1 MB of disk space.
(Jim Mallory/19931103/Press contact: Ann Rawland-Warner,
319-337-0547; Reader contact: Quadrangle Software,
800-253-8307)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/03/93
TELECOM
****BBS Network Targets Home Buyers
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
****BBS Network Targets Home Buyers 11/03/93
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- A new network
of computer bulletin board systems (BBS) is targeting home buyers.
The Home Connections BBS now has nine boards around the country,
running Spitfire BBS software and a BTrieve database, and
offering pictures of listings as well as text data on them.
Faye Campbell of Duluth, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb, started one
of the first Home Connections bulletin boards two years ago. Her
main business is as a commodity broker handling poultry, and she
says that, while she isn't highly technical, she saw Home
Connections as a good business opportunity. "The idea is to give
consumers another way to shop for property," she says. "Each
Home Connections BBS is called the Home Connections BBS of
whatever state or city they're in."
Campbell explained how the system works. "The listings are the
source of income. The listings are put on by agents. They pay a
fee for advertising their listings. At the bottom of each listing
is the agent's name and phone number. After the individual looks
at the property, the agent receives a fax showing how many people
have seen the listing and how many want to see the property. The
fee varies by the number of agents, and number of listings. It
has nothing to do with the value of the property. If an
individual agent wants to put listings on, it's $95 per month for
all their listings. If they have 30 agents we'll cut them a deal
to allow them in at a lower price."
The board is doing well, she says. "This board was very much a
trial and error board. I had to find the best way to advertise,
the best way to reach agents and help them with accesses and
getting listings on. Now we feel it's bounced up and everyone's
receptive to it. It's given the other boards they've set up some
inside information on how to make boards work quickest."
The Home Connections of Atlanta BBS now has four lines, and two
are busy most of the time. "How busy they are depends on how
much advertising there is. An ad I put into the Atlanta Journal-
Constitution business section a week ago got a lot of activity."
Campbell says she's also hoping to do a barter deal with a major
realtor, like Century 21, under which Home Connections will offer
a cut-rate on a mass of listings in exchange for being mentioned
in the realtors' ads.
Mike Thacker of Raleigh, North Carolina is the franchisor. He's a
professional programmer and real estate investor who says he was
shown another agent's real estate board a few years ago and saw
possibilities in it. Of Spitfire, he says, "It's easy to use, and
it's customizable for me. All I need is a communications platform
to answer the phone and get into the database. We're not a true
BBS, because we're mainly doing databases. It's a BTrieve
database."
Thacker says he decided against programs like TBBS because the
dBase database is too simplistic. Spitfire, however, doesn't
care what kind of program is acting as a "door" or adjunct to
it, making it very compatible with the BTrieve database format.
"We wanted a relational database that was maintenance free. Our
operators are salespeople, not operators.
"I was an investor myself, looking for properties in upstate New
York," he continues. "A guy called me about software on how to
find properties, with cash flow potential. He saw it wasn't what
we wanted. At the same time I saw in the paper a real estate
person with computer experience had a little blurb to call his
BBS and check out properties. That gave me the idea. I called and
got on, and saw it was a great idea."
Thacker says that when new users sign on, they are shown ANSI
graphics, and if users indicate they can't see the graphics
they're given just ASCII text. This is common on most bulletin
boards. "We do have RIP graphics with the new version," a
graphical BBS standard now accepted by majors like Mustang
Software's Wildcat and Galacticomm's Major BBS as well, "and
we're coming on with Fracterm Fractalvision the first of the
year. You'll hear a lot about that in the future. We have color
pictures now as GIF files. We package each file with a self-
contained viewer. The problem with that is we have to send a
32 kilobyte (KB) viewer with each 20KB picture. With the
Fractalvision we will be able to send that same picture with a
better resolution and half the file size, and we'll be able to do
it interactively, so you don't have to view it off-line. We send
the viewer once. It's bigger than 32KB, but we only send it once."
Who calls the Home Connections BBS? "The majority of calls come
in from buyers. We have a cross-section. The average person is
male, 30-50. A lot of investors do call. That's how I got into
it." Calls are free to home buyers.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931103/Press Contact: Home Connections
BBS of Atlanta, Faye Campbell, 404-447-0264; Mike Thacker,
Home Connections, 919-257-1401)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/03/93
TELECOM
More On LCI-PSI Deal For Internet Access
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
More On LCI-PSI Deal For Internet Access 11/03/93
DUBLIN, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- LCI International Inc.,
a small long distance company, is aiming its Internet access
through Performance Systems International Inc.'s PSINet at major
corporate accounts for now.
PSI had announced an agreement with Continental Cablevision
to link its residential customers to the PSInet network. PSI runs
a large frame relay network called InterFrame which can run
under the TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol) protocol used by the Internet.
Newsbytes discussed the deal with Scott Booth of LCI. "A lot of
our corporate customers buy T-1 access from us and want to use
one of their extra channels off those T-1s for Internet access,"
he said. A T-1 line is a standard trunk line offering 1.544
million bits-per-second (bps) traffic, which can be configured as
up to 24 64,000 bps lines, or as a combination of fast and slow
data lines.
"PSI is doing co-locating on our network and it was a perfect fit,"
linking its InterFrame frame relay network to LCI's own frame
relay network. "Initially we're doing dedicated access and frame
relay. We are contemplating dial-up but we're concerned with
hacker issues. PSI doesn't want us in the dial-up market because
that's their bread and butter." PSI installs nodes of its InterFrame
network in many cities then offers dial-up access to the full
network.
Booth indicated, however, that PSI and LCI are still in the early
stages of their relationship, and it's possible standard LCI long
distance services could be packaged with PSI Internet access at
some future date.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931103/Press Contact: Scott Booth, LCI,
614-798-6011; Melisa Parker, Performance Systems International,
703-904-4100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/03/93
TELECOM
More On MFS Universal Access Telecom Petition
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
More On MFS Universal Access Telecom Petition 11/03/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- MFS Communications
is hoping the Federal Communications Commission will set a
national policy on universal access and local telephone
competition so it can avoid battling on the issue in all 50 states.
The competitive access provider, whose $45 million in quarterly
revenues is dwarfed by all of its regional Bell competitors,
filed an initiative with the FCC this week asking that a Universal
Service Assurance Fund be created to guarantee low-cost
telephone services to all and prevent regional Bell companies
from co-mingling funds.
Many regional Bell companies, in opposing MFS' and other
competitors' entrance into their markets, have asked for direct
subsidies to assure that everyone has access to regular phone
service. They charge that local competitors are "cream-skimming,"
taking the best, most profitable customers while leaving them
the less profitable opportunities.
Newsbytes discussed the issue with Cindy Schonhaut, MFS' vice
president of government affairs. "What we're asking for is that
the FCC take a national leadership role, that it take the current
federal subsidies and reform them into our new Universal
Assurance Fund. We also suggest that similar state subsidies be
incorporated in this new fund, meaning the FCC would have to
pre-empt state regulation or work with the states."
Schonhaut insists, "We're not asking for the FCC to tell the
states what to do. We're asking them to give national leadership
and a model for subsidies. There are subsidies where if the FCC
doesn't pre-empt, it's up to the state. Intra-state toll service
can subsidize local service, in some states. The FCC proceeding
here could be turned into rules for states."
She then gave an example, based on MFS' start-up of its
Intellenet service in New York, in competition with New York
Telephone, a division of the NYNEX regional Bell company. "In the
New York proceedings, the New York Commission required us to pay
a 'universal service element' for inter-connection" of MFS' and
New York Telephones' networks. "We pay that on a per-circuit
basis, for every circuit. It's $50 per month per DS-1 circuit,"
sometimes called a T-1. A T-1 or DS-1 can handle about 24
voice-grade lines at once. At the present time, MFS is not
offering simple voice-grade lines, but, "If we did provide a
voice grade line, there is a subsidy built into the tariff that's
proportionally equivalent" to the DS-1 filing.
Schonhaut continued, "When New York Telephone provides its own
DS-1, they're supposed to impute to themselves $50 to keep basic
rates low. We pay that money and they're audited to make sure
that's done." But MFS does not believe that the subsidy should
be that high, and that it is based on New York Telephone's real
costs. "We have asked the New York commission to limit or
eliminate that contribution, and we'll pursue that in the state
proceeding, The New York Commission staff says they picked a low
number, but we say it's not based on cost evidence, and even if
New York Telephone is supposed to impute it, it drives people to
not to go to our services. We have to pass it through, and we're
not sure Bell does" pass it through to its customers.
While this seems like an extreme case, Schonhaut insists that New
York's regulators are very pro-competitive. "It can be a lot
worse in North Carolina, where you have to get the law changed in
order to compete" because the Bell System monopoly was assured
in order to encourage AT&T to provide services in the rural
South decades ago.
"The first and best thing to do in New York and everywhere is,
rather than have us write a check to New York Telephone, for us
to send that money to a neutral third party who also collects
the same fees from New York Telephone. That part would then make
sure everyone got a credit on their bill" for the contributions.
Schonhaut says that a detailed, cost-based analysis of subsidies
might show some surprises. She says rural customers of New York
Telephone and other carriers actually pay lower rates than urban
customers -- sometimes less than half the rate for the same basic
service. "That's a great irony. Why should that be subsidized?"
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931103/Press Contact: MFS Communications,
Claire Fennell, 202-424-7709)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/03/93
TELECOM
BellSouth, IBM Roll Out Mitsubishi Simon
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
BellSouth, IBM Roll Out Mitsubishi Simon 11/03/93
ORLANDO, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- With great fanfare,
BellSouth rolled-out a new personal digital assistant (PDA) called
Simon, made by Mitsubishi and designed by IBM. The product is
made by a Mitsubishi plant located in Georgia, near BellSouth's
headquarters in Atlanta.
Simon looks more like a cellular phone than the Apple Newton,
Tandy Zoomer or AT&T Personal Communicator. It weighs about 0.5
kilograms (kg), or 18 ounces. It features a microphone near its
bottom and a speaker near its top, separated by a small, backlit
flat screen, which is the main interface. A stylus can be used on
the screen, as can a finger. The stylus can be used to hand-write
messages which are then faxed using the built-in modem and
software.
Simon features a PCMCIA "PC Card" slot for which BellSouth will
sell a paging card linking it to its MobileComm paging network.
The device also can also handle electronic-mail, using a version
of Lotus' cc:Mail. It will retail for $899.
While most PDA makers are pitching their devices as
communicators or computers, BellSouth is selling Simon first as a
cellular phone. While there is a graphical user interface, most of
the software is built-in, with features like a calendar, address
book, to-do list, and calculator.
A BellSouth spokesman told Newsbytes that Simon will be shown
in IBM's booth at the coming Fall Comdex trade show, and BellSouth
may make its own announcements there. BellSouth Cellular will
roll the product out this year in its Florida markets and continue
with a national roll-out next year.
A number of PDAs are already available. Apple claims it sold
50,000 Newtons since August, and AT&T has offered its Personal
Communicators since early this year. Tandy and Casio have just
begun marketing the Zoomer, and Compaq and Motorola are both
expected to release PDAs next year. Go's PenPoint runs the
Personal Communicator, Geos' GeoWorks runs the Zoomer, a
proprietary Apple system runs the Zoomer, and Microsoft at Work
is expected to be used on new products from Compaq, Motorola and
perhaps others.
While BellSouth has exclusive rights on the present device, IBM
is expected to add more computer-like applications and offer a
more powerful version of the product in the middle of next year,
under the IBM brand. FCC type approval is still pending, and
sales of Simon cannot be made until that is achieved.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931103/Press Contact: Tim Klein,
BellSouth, 404-249-4135; Mike Corrado, IBM, 914-766-1813)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/03/93
TELECOM
****California Regulators Approve PacTel SpinOff
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)
****California Regulators Approve PacTel SpinOff 11/03/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- The
California Public Utilities Commission has approved Pacific
Telesis' plan to spin-off its wireless operations, with some
conditions.
The commission ruled that PacTel must transfer $41.3 million to
Pacific Bell, the regulated wireline company, representing the
value of cellular research done by AT&T from 1974 until 1983,
when Pacific Telesis was spun-off as one of seven regional Bell
companies. But, in a surprise, the commission agreed with PacTel
and rejected calls that the cellular company compensate rate-
payers for the loss of potential profits and cash flow from the
spin-off.
While the proposal has come under criticism recently on business
grounds, Pacific Telesis stock jumped nearly 10 percent on news
of the approval, to nearly $60 per share. PacTel had been selling
at about $40 when the spin-off was first proposed a year ago.
While Pacific Telesis has been concentrating on the spin-off,
other regional Bell companies have been investing heavily in
cable television properties.
Analysts say Pacific Telesis Chairman Sam Ginn, who will join
the wireless company after the spin-off, must now move quickly
and set alliances so that his new company can do well in next
year's auction of microwave frequencies for personal
communication networks, or PCNs. MCI has already signed up
hundreds of companies for a national network of PCN suppliers,
Bell Atlantic and TCI will have billions to invest in licenses,
and AT&T-McCaw is expected to also bid high.
Meanwhile, there's a lot for PacTel to do before the spin-off.
No-compete deals between Pacific Bell and the wireless company
are prohibited by terms of the commission's order, and the
company has 60 days to submit a plan showing how it will insure
the new company's stability. And that must be done without
bringing in major new investment -- the commission ruled that no
one may own more than 2.24 percent of the new company's stock at
the time of the spin-off. Pacific Telesis directors must still
review these conditions before going ahead, and while they're
expected to approve the deal, they may back-off.
However, they have already approved the sale of $1.2 billion in new
stock for the wireless operation, 50 million shares at $21. The
spin-off will be named PacTel Corp., while the original company,
which includes Pacific Bell in California, Nevada Bell, and some
directories units, will keep the name Pacific Telesis Group.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931103/Press Contact: California PUC,
415-703-2423)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/03/93
TELECOM
BellSouth, SW Bell File Against McCaw/AT&T Merger
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)
BellSouth, SW Bell File Against McCaw/AT&T Merger 11/03/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- BellSouth and
Southwestern Bell filed papers asking the Federal Communications
Commission to block the merger or McCaw Cellular into AT&T.
When the deal was first announced in August, Bell Atlantic was
the only regional Bell company to announce formal opposition.
BellSouth issued a statement similar to that of Ameritech,
asking that, if the deal is to be done, it should win the right to
compete in long distance as well.
Most of the regional Bell companies charge that the McCaw deal
gets AT&T back into the local phone system business -- a charge
AT&T denies. BellSouth and Southwestern Bell, which shares the
Cellular One brand name with McCaw in some markets, say they
will drop their objections if the 1982 restrictions against their
entry into long distance and equipment manufacturing are dropped.
The filings create the first showdown of the new FCC under
Clinton appointee Reed Hundt. The Administration seems divided
on anti-trust questions, with Commerce officials generally
applauding big mergers while Justice Department officials warn of
dangers. The FCC, however, is an independent agency, and most of
its members were appointed by Republican Presidents.
The FCC action is a second front in the Bells' attempts to eliminate
line-of-business regulation. Bell Atlantic successfully sued for
entrance into the cable television business, and Ameritech has
recently filed a similar suit.
The regional Bells charge that AT&T has, through mergers,
succeeded in overthrowing the 1982 decree breaking up the old
Bell System, and it is time to scrap the restrictions. Failure to
do that, they charge, gives AT&T a competitive advantage.
AT&T's position is that the Bells should not be allowed into long
distance until there is real, meaningful competition in local
service. It defines such competition strictly, saying 75 percent
of local customers should have choices on local phone service
and 30 percent should have exercised that choice. While Ameritech
has proposed that such competition be allowed, the largest
competitive access provider right now, MFS Communications, is
just a tiny fraction of the size of any of the Bells.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931103/Press Contact: Tim Klein,
BellSouth, 404-249-4135)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/03/93
TELECOM
PCSI Launches Universal CDPD Communications System
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)
PCSI Launches Universal CDPD Communications System 11/03/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Cirrus Logic's
Pacific Communication Sciences Inc., unit has announced the
Ubiquity 2000 -- billed as the first communications system for
the Cellular Digital Packet Data, or CDPD, packet network for
IBM-compatible mobile computers.
PCSI has worked closely with IBM on CDPD, defining the
specification, acting as systems architect, and performing the
role of prime contractor in trials of the technology. When AT&T
announced a CDPD system for its cellular phones in August,
spokesmen acknowledged to Newsbytes that PCSI made the parts
for that system. PCSI won a contract from IBM to develop CDPD
modules for the IBM ThinkPad in September.
CDPD is a system which turns unused cellular calling channels
into digital packet networks capable of handling 9,600
bits-per-second (bps) of data. The Ubiquity 2000 will also be able
to handle regular circuit-switched cellular data calls, as well as
voice calls, wireline voice and data calls, and wireline fax
calls.
With its ability to transfer wireless data over either CDPD or
circuit-switched cellular, the Ubiquity 2000 allows the mobile
worker to access data in areas where CDPD has not yet even
been installed.
The retail price of $1,595 includes communication applications,
drivers for MS-Windows and DOS, cables to connect to both a user's
computer and the public telephone system, an AC power adapter, a
manual, and a holster for mounting the device to a computer. It
will be exhibited at the Sands Expo Center during the coming Fall
Comdex show.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931103/Press Contact: Cirrus Logic, Connie
Duncan 510/226-2346)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
GENERAL
Japan - Hitachi's Electronic Art Museum System
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00027)
Japan - Hitachi's Electronic Art Museum System 11/03/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Hitachi has developed an
electronic art museum system, which is claimed to support
extremely high definition pictures.
The system allows for pictures of various works of art, such
as oil paintings, to be shown on the display. The system was
jointly developed by domestic and international art museums.
The system consists of Hitachi's workstation and an optical
disk system. The system accepts images of art works in a color
positive film form. The color data is processed using the parallel
processor of the computer system. The pictures can then be
enlarged onto a 70-inch screen. The system will also be able to
play music in the background.
The company claims that the major advantage of this system
is the extra clear pictures. The average pictorial data can use
2,048 by 1,280 pixels. The system can also support a maximum
of 4,000 by 5,000 pixels, which is over 60 times more than those
in regular personal computers.
The screen is the same as that of an analog-type high definition
television, which supports 1,125 horizontal lines.
Another advantage of this system is that the digital pictorial
data can be transmitted to distant locations. Hitachi has already
shown the prototype of the system at the Tokyo Metropolitan
Museum.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931101/Press Contact: Hitachi,
tel 81-3-3258-2057, fax 81-3-3768-9507)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
IBM
Japan - OADG Begins Application Product Department
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00028)
Japan - OADG Begins Application Product Department 11/03/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- The Open Architecture
Developers' Association (OADG) has officially created the
Application Product Department, which supports peripheral
equipment makers, software makers, and distributors.
OADG is backed by IBM Japan, and aims to encourage the
manufacture of DOS/V-compatible PCs.
The Application Product Department already has 213 members.
The department was announced in June, and was officially
created just recently. The member firms aim to develop
application programs by getting the latest information from IBM
Japan through the organization.
They will also test the compatibility of the developed application
programs. Also, they will hold technical seminars and publish
periodical magazines. The member firms will be able to use the
OADG logo on its products.
The member firms of the Application Product Department include:
Advance System, ASCII, Intercom, ASR International, NTT software,
Catena, Something Good, CSK, Just Systems, Sord, Software Japan,
Softbank, Dynaware, Japan Oracle, Word Perfect Japan, Novell,
Personal Media, Hitachi Maxell, Borland, Lotus, Aiwa, and Roland.
The member firms for the regular OADG (hardware) number
26 firms including major personal computer firms such as
Fujitsu, Sony, Toshiba, Sharp, Dell Computer, Japan Acer,
Hitachi, Matsushita, Mitsubishi, and Ricoh.
Many of the IBM PC-compatible makers are now members of the
OADG. They have been getting the required technical information
and developing DOS/V-compatible PCs. As a result, IBM-compatible
PCs are increasing their market share in Japan.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931103/Press Contact: OADG,
Tokyo office, tel +81-3-3231-1901, fax +81-3-3231-1888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
TRENDS
MIS Quarterly Studies Computer Privacy Issues
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00029)
MIS Quarterly Studies Computer Privacy Issues 11/03/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- Although many people
believe that computers make their lives easier, they do not like
having their privacy invaded by technology. That is just one
conclusion of a study by Mary J. Culnan -- entitled "How Did They
Get My Name?" -- published in the September, 1993, issue of MIS
Quarterly.
Dr. Culnan, Associated Professor at the Georgetown University
(Washington, DC) School of Business, concludes in her article
that one major problem causing consumer distrust of computer
systems is that they are used to store personal financial and
buying pattern information. However, she maintains that people
can easily have their names removed from direct mail advertising
lists.
Another conclusion reached by Dr. Culnan is that there is not yet
a good methodology for measuring just what people dislike about
such information tracking and sales. This makes it difficult for
companies to really determine in advance just what leeway they
have between collecting information and profiting from sales of
the same data.
The announcement in 1990 that Lotus Development intended to
place a huge amount of personal financial information on the
proposed MarketPlace: Households CD-ROM caused such a furor
that the company withdrew plans for that project. Soon
afterwards, Blockbuster Video met the same sort of opposition
when video tape renters who used the company learned that
Blockbuster planned to sell lists of their customers sorted
according to what kinds of tapes they rented.
Studies into just what consumers object to in the way of
information gathering about their habits, is vital if information
processors and direct sales (catalog) companies are to combine
their efforts to provide buying opportunities to the right
individuals. Some argue that this effort is being blocked by state,
local, and even federal privacy legislation.
Since many people prefer to shop by mail, this is not just a
question what affects the profits of businesses. The way
companies interact with their potential customers will also
affect the way catalog ordering grows, and how well it can serve
those who really wish to take advantage of its convenience and
savings.
The article in MIS Quarterly, published by The Management
Information Systems Research Center of the University of
Minnesota, is an academic study complete with detailed
demographics and methodology data rather than a mainstream
"feature" article.
(John McCormick/19931102)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/03/93
TELECOM
US West/France Telecom In Bid For Hungarian Telecoms
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00030)
US West/France Telecom In Bid For Hungarian Telecoms 11/03/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 NOV 3 (NB) -- France Telecom has announced
it has signed an agreement with US West to tender for a 30 percent
share in the MATAV, the Hungarian state telecommunications
company that is being readied for partial privatization.
According to the Hungarian government, the aim of the partial
privatization is to obtain investment for the modernization of the
national and international network that dates from the 1960s and
1970s, when the last major modernization of MATAV took place.
French Telecom, meanwhile, has said that it will lead the two
companies in bidding for the company share. Preliminary tenders
for the stake are due November 5, with final offers to be in by
the end of the month.
According to US West's Spectrum Enterprises International (SEI)
division, which is handling the US West side of the bid, France
Telecom is being given the upper hand in the negotiations, as its
staff are closer to the ground in Europe.
Steve Andrews, president of US West's SEI division, has said that
France Telecom had proven its abilities in the non-US and
non-French markets, especially in the Argentinian and Mexican
markets. "We thought it was important to have a partner who'd
done this before," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931103/Press & Public Contact: France
Telecom, tel +33-1-4444-6094, fax +33-1-4657-8802)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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50 11/02/93
APPLE
Apple Rebates On Powerbooks $100 To $
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00001)
Apple Rebates On Powerbooks $100 To $450 11/02/93
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Apple Computer
cut prices recently, but Apple USA just announced that from
today to January 31, 1994 it will offer rebates from $100 to
$450 on select Macintosh Powerbook notebook computers and
peripherals.
The rebates are mostly on Powerbook notebook computers, the
Powerbook Duo notebook, and the Powerbook Duo Dock into which
the Duo notebook inserts to make the unit a desktop computer.
The Apple 16-inch color display and the Apple Color Printer are
also included in the program.
Apple says consumers can receive the rebate immediately upon
purchase by signing a verification form. Not all Apple
resellers are participating in the program so users are
encouraged to call Apple toll-free (800-538-9696) to find
the participating resellers in their area.
The rebates are on the following products: Powerbook 145b $150,
Powerbook 165 $100, Powerbook 165c $100, Powerbook 180 $200,
Powerbook 180c (color) $450, Powerbook Duo 230 4/120 $350,
Powerbook Duo 230 4/80 bundle (floppy adapter and external
drive) $350, Powerbook Duo 230 4/160, Powerbook Duo Dock $150,
Powerbook Duo Dock with 230 megabyte (MB) hard disk (HD) $300,
Powerbook Mini Dock $100, the Apple 16-inch color display $200,
Apple Color Printer $300.
The company is also planning heavy television and radio
advertising to promote the program, Apple representatives said.
Apple has also said its intention is to disassociate itself
with the notion that Apple computers cost more by making them
cost less. Also, it is discontinuing the practice of
advertising inflated suggested retail prices (SRPs) and is
moving to pricing that more closely reflects what users will
see on the street, which it calls the "Appleprice."
However, Apple representatives said those new lower prices
won't be out for another week to two weeks. Consumers might be
wise to wait until the Appleprices come out before purchasing a
new Apple Computer product under the rebates.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931101/Press Contact: Stacy Williams, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-6076, fax 408-974-2885; Public Contact,
Apple Reseller Locations, 800-538-9696)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/02/93
BUSINESS
Verdix, Rational To Merge -- Lost Jobs Possible
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00002)
Verdix, Rational To Merge -- Lost Jobs Possible 11/02/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Object-
oriented programming is one of the hot topics in software
development circles. As a result, Verdix Corp, maker of compilers
and other development tools, has signed a letter of intent to merge
with Rational, a provider of object-oriented software development
tools and technical services.
Kara Myers, spokesperson for Rational, told Newsbytes that the
new company would be headquartered in Santa Clara, California,
site of Rational's offices.
In reply to a Newsbytes question concerning lost jobs, Myers said:
"Certainly there are issues of redundancy that will need to be
addressed, because there are currently two separate headquarters
staff." Jobs "in administrative functions," are the most at risk.
"For the most part, the two field organizations, and development
organizations would most likely be kept," she said.
The companies claim that they both offer these services to the
federal government and major corporations worldwide. The deal
structured as a tax-free merger and accounted for as a
pooling of interests.
According to the companies, Rational shareholders would receive
newly issued shares of Verdix common stock, totalling about 60
percent of the "common shares outstanding upon completion of
the combination."
The new board of directors will be made up of five current Rational
directors and three current Verdix directors. The deal is subject
to shareholder approval of both companies, "the receipt of
fairness opinions from each company's financial advisor,
negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement, and certain
other conditions."
The companies' shareholders are both expected to vote of the
merger in the first quarter of calendar year 1994.
In announcing the letter of intent, Ralph E. Alexander, president
of Verdix, said: "As a result of the combination, customers would
benefit from the two companies' complementary Ada products and
technologies and Rational's object-oriented software development
tools.
In reply to a question by Newsbytes regarding discontinued products
and overlaps, Myers said: "Right now we have just announced the
letter of intent. We have set up transition teams to look at the
various operations of the company -- specifically the products
group, finance and administration, international field organization,
and national field organization. That's really an issue that the
transition teams would need to address."
(Ian Stokell/19931101/Press Contact: Ralph E. Alexander,
703-318-5800, Verdix Corp; Paul D. Levy, 408-496-3891,
Rational)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
TRENDS
Media Vision Dives Into Digital Signal Processing
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00003)
Media Vision Dives Into Digital Signal Processing 11/02/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Hoping to speed
the development of its next-generation of audio products, Media
Vision has licensed technologies from Spectron Microsystems
and Microsoft.
Under the terms of a letter of intent, Media Vision has licensed
Spectron's SPOX operating system and Microsoft's Windows-
based DSP (digital signal processor) resource manager and DSP
application programming interface (API). According to the
company, the technology simplifies the development of
applications software for use with DSPs.
In announcing the deals, Satish K. Gupta, Media Vision's vice
president of strategic product marketing and development, said:
"It is well known that DSP-based products need sophisticated
software. Since SPOX enables easier development of computer
code for use with DSPs and since Microsoft is working to make
this technology pervasive, we at Media Vision expect to be able
to lead the introduction of industry-standard DSP-based audio
products with rich libraries of applications."
Media Vision claims that the new deal is the "continuation of a DSP
product strategy" which it "began to disclose with the early October
announcement that it had signed a letter of intent with Analog
Devices for exclusive license of Analog's DSP core."
Digital signal processors are specialized microprocessors used
to handle incoming and outgoing signals from the "real" world
such as sounds, communications data, and video.
Blake Irving, product manager, Microsoft Audio Product Unit Group,
said, "We believe that the Microsoft DSP architecture and SPOX,
combined with integrated DSP hardware platforms from companies
like Media Vision, will accelerate the market growth of audio and
communications functions in Windows-based computing."
At the beginning of October, Newsbytes reported that the
company had entered into a deal with integrated circuit
manufacturer, Analog Devices. The companies signed a letter of
intent to work together to develop "next generation" multimedia
semiconductors for PCs.
The deal called for Media Vision to have an exclusive license to
use Analog's core DSP technology in the PC sound market for four
years. The technology will be integrated into its 16-bit audio
architecture, and in such areas as sound effects and waveguide
synthesis, to "create next generation chips for adding audio and
other features to PCs."
In mid-October Media Vision introduced ten new multimedia
CD-ROMs. The titles fell into three categories: interactive motion
pictures, children's educational, and "edutainment," and a new
category Media Vision called the multimedia daily planner.
In August Media Vision introduced its first add-in sound board
with sampled-sound music synthesis -- the Pro AudioStudio 16XL.
The PC card was the first result of a joint development and
marketing agreement with Korg USA, a manufacturer of electronic
musical instruments.
(Ian Stokell/19931101/Press Contact: Elizabeth Fairchild,
510-252-4472, Media Vision)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
IBM
CD-ROM Expo - Windows Version Of Personal Recording Device
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00004)
CD-ROM Expo - Windows Version Of Personal Recording Device 11/02/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- At CD-ROM Expo,
JVC has introduced a Windows edition of Personal Archiver, a system
that allows users to record CD-ROMs in three different modes.
The first version of Personal Archiver, which works with DOS, was
announced in March, according to officials. The systems support
the following three modes: Track-at-Once, Incremental, and
Multisession.
Track-at-Once recorded discs will play on any standard CD-ROM
player. Multisession CD-ROMs will play on JVC's CD-R system, or on
CD-ROM drives with Orange Book II Multisession drivers.
Incremental recording, a mode the company says is unavailable on
other systems, lets the user record and play back increments of
data before finalizing the CD-ROM. After finalization, the CD-ROM
media is playable on standard CD-ROM drives.
JVC Personal Archiver is sold in three configurations: an internal
5.25-inch drive, an external half-height drive, and a
stand-alone tower system. The tower systems includes both a CD-ROM
drive and a SCSI hard disk. Pricing for the archiver starts at
$4,300.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931101/Reader contact: JVC, tel 714-965-2610;
Press contact: Jack Moran, JVC, tel 714-965-2610)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
GOVT
News From NIST
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00005)
News From NIST 11/02/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- NIST (National
Institute of Standards and Technology), formerly known as the
National Bureau of Standards, has begun testing a new electronic
delivery system for its twice-monthly NIST Update newsletter
which alerts media-types to new developments and ongoing projects
targeting every field from computer science to biology.
There is no indication as yet from NIST as to how this is working,
but Newsbytes has been availing itself of the service for
several months and finds it very helpful.
The online newsletter delivery is available on Internet, MCI
Mail, and other systems, but is just for journalists.
The most recent issue carried two items of particular interest to
many business computer users and MIS (management information
services) departments.
Password computer access security can either be very good or
terrible, based mostly on two simple factors - how well each user
protects their password (taping it under your center desk drawer
is NOT a good idea) and how easy it is to guess.
Most users who are allowed to choose their own password use an
easy-to-remember word such as the name of a pet, child, or well-
liked car. If a co-worker is inordinately proud of his or her new
BMW then the chances are pretty good that their self-chosen
software is some variation of BEEMER and ten minutes guessing
could probably gain someone access to their confidential
accounts.
The problem with much more secure randomly generated passwords is
that they are difficult to remember and are therefore almost
always written down.
The answer for many computer departments may lie in NIST's
Automated Password Generator as specified in Federal Information
Processing Standards Publication 181 (FIPS 181). This algorithm
creates random passwords that are also pronounceable, easily
remembered, stored, and used, but because they are not chosen by
the user they are not easy to guess.
The new standard complements rather than replacing the Password
Usage Standard (FIPS 112), which specifies basic security
criteria for the design, implementation and use of passwords.
FIPS PUB 181 will be available for purchase from NIST.
Another interesting development at NIST is the naming of an
interagency panel which will review open system network
specifications and eventually recommend how federal agencies can
implement this vital specification which will eventually lead to
an easy way to network computer systems using the two major and
incompatible protocols.
IPS (the Internet Protocol Suite) and OSI (Open Systems
Interconnect) are two very popular networking systems, but
despite government policy which requires computer systems to be
compatible, IPS and OSI are difficult to connect together. The
final committee report, which is due early next year, may provide
some ammunition to Congressional procurement watchdogs who are
always complaining that federal computer purchases, especially
large systems, are not made with an eye to how well they can be
integrated into other, pre-existing systems.
(John McCormick/19931102/Press Contact: Anne Enright Shepherd,
NIST, 301-975-4858 or Internet aeshep@micf.nist.gov)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
TRENDS
64M Flash Memory, 500MHz RISC Processor Developed
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00006)
64M Flash Memory, 500MHz RISC Processor Developed 11/02/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- NEC has developed a 64-megabit
flash memory, which it claims is an industry first, as well as
a 500 megahertz RISC (reduced instruction set computing)
processor.
NEC reports that the 64-megabit flash memory consumes very
little power -- 3.3 volts. Flash memories are considered
the memory of the future. They allow data to be written
and erased, and it is retained even when the electricity
is cut off.
Currently, most flash memories are 1-megabit and 4-megabit
products, and 8-megabit products have started to hit the
market. Intel recently released a 32-bit version on a
sample basis.
NEC will seek ways to produce the chip in quantity, but
that is expected to take a couple more years and will
be based on market demand.
Another new product from NEC is a 500 megahertz RISC
processor created with a 0.4 micron process. Details of the
unit, including information about its architecture, have
yet to be released.
NEC will publicly announce these two products at the International
Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) in February 1994.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931101/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3451-2974, Fax, +81-3-3457-7249)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
TRENDS
NEC's Electric Book
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00007)
NEC's Electric Book 11/02/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- NEC has released an
electronic book player called the Digital Book which sells
for 29,800 yen ($298) in Japan. This is much cheaper than
CD-ROM or IC card digital book players currently on the
market. The Digital Book reads 3.5-inch floppy disks, and
its drive can be used with a personal computer.
NEC's Digital Book measures 16.9 x 1.3 x 3 cm and weighs 430g.
The device has a monochrome 5.6-inch display. It can be used
continuously for four hours with removable batteries.
The device reads 3.5-inch floppy disks and the proprietary
disk drive unit is available for personal computer users.
Regarding the software, NEC has linked with major Japanese book
publishers such as Iwanami Shoten, Shincho-sha and Asahi
Newspaper. Already 30 software disk titles are available
and include novels and comic books. NEC is encouraging
more book publishers to support the device and expects to
see published more than 100 book software titles by the
end of this fiscal year, which ends in March 1994.
The Digital Book player can store up to three
books in its memory. The price of book software is between
2,000 yen ($200) and 3,000 yen ($300).
NEC's Digital Book player supports automatic paging and page
search features, and can magnify a page of the book.
NEC aims to ship 200,000 units for the first year, and 1 million
units within three years.
Future improvements to the device should include a
color LCD and telecommunication features, according to NEC.
NEC's Digital Book player costs less than half of Sony's
electronic book player. Other Japanese electronics makers
such as Fujitsu are also preparing to release electronic
book players. Fujitsu is claiming that its will be smaller
and cheaper than NEC's.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931102/Press Contact:
NEC, +81-3-3451-2974, Fax, +81-3-3457-7249)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
BUSINESS
Compaq Japan Gains Record Sales In Third Quarter
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00008)
Compaq Japan Gains Record Sales In Third Quarter 11/02/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Compaq Computer Corporation's
record sales this quarter are due in part to the success of
its Japanese subsidiary.
Compaq last week reported record sales for the fifth
consecutive quarter. Third quarter sales were $1.75 billion,
which is a 64-percent increase over the third quarter of 1992.
Among others, Japan, Latin America and the Pacific Rim regions
all grew at rates in excess of 100 percent. Compaq Japan
recorded a whopping 600 percent increase in sales compared
to the same period in 1992, according to a Compaq Japan
officer.
Due to the popularity of DOS/V-compatible personal computers,
Compaq has been doing extremely well in the Japanese market as
well as in Southeast Asian countries. Compaq also created a
subsidiary in China in this third quarter.
Despite the slump in the personal computer market in Japan,
Compaq has been selling more PCs and is gradually eating
away at NEC's share. The next target for Compaq will be the school
market in Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Education is planning to
install a hundreds of PCs into elementary schools and junior high
schools within a few years.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931102/Press Contact: Compaq Japan,
+81-3-5210-3011, Fax, +81-3-5210-3973)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
BUSINESS
Mitsubishi Sells "Simon" To BellSouth, IBM
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00009)
Mitsubishi Sells "Simon" To BellSouth, IBM 11/02/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Mitsubishi Electric has started
manufacturing a multimedia pocket digital organizer for IBM and
BellSouth. This pocket device was developed by IBM, and it will
be sold by BellSouth.
The device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), according to
Mitsubishi, is called "Simon" by Bellsouth. Mitsubishi has been
manufacturing this multimedia device at its Georgia plant
in the US. This device is equipped with a telecommunication
feature as well as a set of business organizing tools.
Bellsouth, in a release today, calls the Simon "the first
fully integrated handheld cellular phone, wireless fax machine,
pager, electronic mail, calendar, appointment scheduler,
address book, calculator, and pen-based note pad/sketch pad."
Bellsouth sill sell it for "under $1,000."
Physically, the device looks like a small portable phone
with a brightly lit liquid crystal display which serves
as a keypad and touchscreen. A graphical user interface uses
icons to help the customer move from application to
application.
It is expected that IBM will put additional features on this
one-pound device and may sell it under its own brand name
some time next year.
The product is expected to be distributed by Bellsouth in
the Orlando, Daytona Beach, Jacksonville, and Melbourne,
Florida markets in December and rolled out nationwide in
April, pending FCC approval.
Multimedia organizers are also on the market from Apple Computer
(Newton) and Tandy (Zoomer).
Mitsubishi Electric, a supporter of IBM Japan's OADG (Open
Architecture Developers' Group) project concerning personal
computers, has linked up with IBM to create this new
device. Mitsubishi is expected to be a valuable partner
to IBM due to its expertise in producing telecommunications
devices.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931102/Press Contact: IBM Japan,
+81-3-3586-1111, Fax, +81-3-3589-4645)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
TELECOM
International Phone Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)
International Phone Update 11/02/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- As the US moves to
elect new governors, mayors, and school boards, international
telephone firms look for new frontiers.
Solan Communications and Computers Ltd., of Israel said it's
looking to Cuba for new growth. The company made its name by
linking Israelis and Arab countries despite continuing boycotts,
mainly by using computers in London which can connect with both
countries.
Cuba denied any contact with Solan, and the US State
Department said it would seek to block the calls, but no
permission is really necessary. Cuban callers could connect with
a number in England, and then be patched automatically to the
US from there.
Another option is for the US to seek to deny Solan the right to
operate in London, but that would cut off calls between Israelis
and Arabs, something the US doesn't want. The only real option
for the US is to deal with Solan, convincing him to desist or
paying him off.
Meanwhile, Eastern Europe has emerged as a new frontier for
state-owned Western phone companies frustrated by their inability
to crack the Greek market with the collapse of the OTE sale. The
Czech Republic is booming, and Hungary had been considered a
strong growth market before the Soviet collapse.
Hungary wants to sell 30 percent of its MATAV network, along with
operating control, and the usual suspects are gathering around
it. US West said France Telecom will lead its bid. NTT of Japan
and STET of Italy, both of which had been on the Greek short-
list, are also submitting bids. Another bid will come from
Germany's DBT, in cooperation with the UK's Cable & Wireless and
Ameritech of the US.
Also on the privatization front, the Czech Republic decided to
limit foreign investment in its SPT Telecom to 15 percent, in an
attempt to keep the network in Czech hands. That's down from an
earlier 27 percent limit. The Czech economy is looking stronger,
and there may be local investors who can pick up the new slack.
The next move may be coming from Bangladesh, which has ended a
state monopoly on telecommunications and opened the sector to
foreign investment. The nation's cabinet will also speed
privatizations.
In Southeast Asia, profit-taking finally limited gains after the
sell-off of a small stake in Singapore Telecom. The shares were
tendered at S$3.60, and rose to S$4.14 before falling back to
S$4. That's a price-earnings multiple of 54. Records continued to
be set throughout the region, in Hong Kong, the Singapore market,
and Bangkok, while older markets like Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney
showed small losses. The strength came despite the Malaysian
government's decision to reject a 20 percent rate hike request
from Telekom Malaysia.
The next market to watch is Thailand, where the local
Shinawatra Group beat a host of foreign firms on bidding to
develop the nation's rural telephone network. That network may
take off like Singapore's after TelecomAsia Corporation shares are
floated later this month.
In China, contracts continue to be signed despite moves by the
government to tighten licensing of phones and satellite dishes.
Ericsson won another $27 million switch contract, this time in
the province of Guangzhou, following the signing of a $60 million
contract in Guangdong province. Compression Labs of the US also
won a big contract, for $3.5 million, directly from the Ministry
of Posts and Telecommunications, the China Transportation and
Telecommunications Center, and the Customs House. The groups
will buy Rembrandt videoconferencing systems to link with 32
provinces.
In Europe there was sad news and good news. The sad news was the
arrest of Olivetti Chairman Carlo de Benedetti in Rome on
corruption charges despite the fact that de Benedetti
himself had gone to prosecutors in Milan last May saying he was
forced to make pay-offs in order to do business. Rome and Milan
prosecutors must sort out the mess.
Ericsson of Sweden won a contract from Spain's Telefonica to begin
installing a fast-data network under the emerging ATM standard. A
trial of Ericsson's ATM switches will be held in Spain next year.
Fujitsu of Japan is currently considered a market leader in ATM.
Also, Siemens of Germany moved to buy a stake in Spain's Amper.
The news from Latin America was not good. Columbia postponed the
opening of bidding for a new cellular network, following passage
of a new law on the process. Baring Securities downgraded the
stock of Indetel, a Mexican equipment maker in which Alcatel of
France holds a big stake. Bolivia remained troubled by strikes
held to protest moves by state-owned companies, including the
telecommunications monopoly, to reduce the workforce. And Entel
of Chile announced lower net income, which could dampen Western
enthusiasm for investments in the telecom sector -- Telefonica
of Spain owns a 20 percent stake in Entel.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931101/Press Contact: Compression Labs, Joyce
Strand, 408/922-4610; Ericsson, Kathy Egan, 212/685-4030)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
TELECOM
AT&T Looking For Stake In UK Telecoms Company?
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00011)
AT&T Looking For Stake In UK Telecoms Company? 11/02/93
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- According to a report in the
Sunday edition of the Independent daily newspaper, AT&T and Sprint,
the two US telecom companies, are said to be in discussions on
taking a stake with Energis, one of the UK's newer telecom companies.
Neither Energis, nor its parent company, the National Grid Company,
has made any comment on the report. Media reports suggest that the
US telecom companies have declined comment as well.
Energis is a division of the National Grid Company, the firm that
provides the network for electrical power distribution in the UK.
The company has said previously that it intends to link up with
telecom partners to provide the links between its fiber optic comms
network that runs alongside its power distribution network, and the
public switched telephone network (PSTN) in the UK and abroad.
As reported in July of this year by Newsbytes, Energis has confirmed
it is actively courting a US partner to enable it to compete with BT
and Mercury in the UK telecom market.
At the time, David Dey, the chief executive of Energis, said that he
was looking closely at a number of US operators with a view to
working with them. "We are looking to North American operators where
there is a very competitive market and delivery of very advanced
systems," he said.
Speaking at a press conference at the time, Dey said that any deal
may involve the US partner taking a stake in the telecom operation.
He added that the company is planning to double its cash spending to
UKP 200 million over the next year.
Thanks to its existing national network of power lines, Energis
claims that it can offer its telecom service at rates much lower
than those of BT and Mercury. The company has been talking about
calling rates of between 10 and 15 percent less than those of its
main rivals, BT and Mercury.
Because of this pricing strategy, it could take up to three years
before the Energis operation makes any money, according to John
Uttley, the company's financial director. "Start-up costs mean
Energis would likely lose money for about three years before moving
into the black. It inevitably won't make a profit right away," he
said.
(Steve Gold/19931101/Press & Public Contact: Energis - Tel: 071-936-
5555)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
BUSINESS
Dutch Computer Company Opens PC Superstore
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00012)
Dutch Computer Company Opens PC Superstore 11/02/93
DORTMUND, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Computer Company of The
Netherlands has set up a new German company of the same name and
opened a PC Superstore in Dortmund. This is the first store
of its type in The Netherlands.
The floor space of the new store is around the 2,000 square-meter
mark, with large displays given over to industry majors such as
Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Toshiba.
Computer Company started life as a discount cash-and-carry operation
in The Netherlands in the early 1980s. Since then, the company has
diversified into one the largest Dutch computer suppliers.
In 1989, the company was taken over by Riess, the investment group,
at which stage it began to model itself on the US PC Superstores
such as Frys and others.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931102)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
TELECOM
Gulf Digital Phone Net Venture Underway
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00013)
Gulf Digital Phone Net Venture Underway 11/02/93
MUNICH, GERMANY, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Siemens AG of Germany has teamed
up with Motorola's German and US Divisions in a contract to supply a
digital mobile phone network for the United Arab Emirates.
Plans call for the network, which will use the global
mobile (GSM) communications system, to be up and running by May of
next year. Siemens claims that the short installation cycle is due
to the UAE's relatively modest network requirements -- a maximum
capacity of around 30,000 subscribers.
Siemens claims that the UAE government chose GSM over competing
digital phone technology owing to the system's technical advantages.
GSM, which operates in the 900 megahertz (MHz) waveband, uses a
13,000 bits per second (bps) data stream between mobiles and the
radio base station. In addition, the mobile phones makes use of
smart card technology to record subscriber IDs and phone numbers.
To subscribe to GSM, a user rents a smart card with his/her details
recorded on the card. Whenever the card is slotted into a GSM phone,
the phone accepts and places calls on that number.
Because GSM networks are all-digital, all GSM-compatible networks
are slowly linking together so that subscribers on one network can
use their smart cards on other networks, slotting them into a phone
on that network.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931102/Press & Public Contact: Siemens AG - Tel:
+49-89-7220; Fax: +49-89-722-61304)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
TELECOM
Swedish Telecom Company Gets UK Operating Licence
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00014)
Swedish Telecom Company Gets UK Operating Licence 11/02/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Telia AB, the Swedish state-
controlled telecom company which was renamed from Televerket last
month, has been granted an operating licence for telecom services
in the UK.
The licence, which was issued unexpectedly by the British
Government, allows Telia to offer international telephone links
between the UK, Australia, Canada, and Sweden. According to Telia,
the deal mandates the use of a BT link in the UK, in order to link
with the international Telia network.
Officials with Telia say that discussions on interconnection charges
with BT are underway and should be concluded soon.
Newsbytes notes that, curiously, telecom charges in Sweden are
quite high compared with the rest of Europe.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931102/Press & Public Contact: Telia - Tel: +46-8-
781-0500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
2 11/02/93
IBM
CA-Realizer Code Now Portable Across Windows, OS
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00015)
CA-Realizer Code Now Portable Across Windows, OS/2 11/02/93
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Computer
Associates International has announced Version 2.0 of
CA-Realizer, its BASIC-language development tool. A key feature
of the new release is that the code it generates will run on
either IBM's OS/2 operating system or Microsoft's Windows,
needing only to be recompiled.
CA also plans a version of Realizer for Microsoft's Windows NT
operating system, said Jack Kramer, director of application
development products. No date has been set to release that
product.
CA-Realizer's support for both Windows and OS/2 is a key
competitive advantage against what is likely its major competitor
in the Windows market, Microsoft's Visual BASIC. "We don't expect
Visual BASIC for OS/2 any time soon," quipped Marc Sokol,
vice-president of product strategy, referring to the rivalry
between Microsoft and IBM.
Besides being available as a stand-alone development tool,
CA-Realizer has been chosen as a common macro language for CA
applications. So far, it is offered with the company's CA-Compete
decision support software and with its Superproject
project-management package.
CA also uses the software for some of its own internal
development, Sokol said.
FormDev, a new design tool built into Realizer, lets developers
lay out the visual elements of a program using standard graphic
objects, the company said.
Additions in the new release also include support for Open Data
Base Connectivity (ODBC) standards that simplify retrieving data
from remote databases, and the ability to work with more types of
files created by other applications programs, including
Xbase-format database files. The vendor's CA-RET report writer is
now integrated with Realizer.
During a teleconference run by CA, CA-Realizer user Mark James,
engineering manager at Intellipower in Irvine, California, said
the software helped his company create "sophisticated-looking"
monitoring programs for its uninterruptible power systems without
much time and effort.
"Our customers just want the fast turnaround," said Joseph
Tibollo, manager of PC development for Back Information Services
in Toronto, "and without Realizer we could really give them the
fast turnaround." Tibollo said Version 2 is easier to use than
the previous release of Realizer.
CA has begun shipping Realizer 2.0, at an introductory price of
$99 through March 31, 1994.
(Grant Buckler/19931102/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2391)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
IBM
Toshiba Cuts Pen/Notebook Prices, Extends Warranties
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00016)
Toshiba Cuts Pen/Notebook Prices, Extends Warranties 11/02/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- In an increasingly
competitive market, hardware prices continue to decline. Now Toshiba
America Information Systems has cut prices on its pen, notebook and
portable computers. The company has also launched a series of
service and support programs that include an extended three-year
limited warranty on selected products and a "no-fault protection
plan" for display screens.
The company has cut prices of its Satellite notebook models, and
estimated street prices are as follows: the T1900 with a 120-
megabyte (MB) hard drive was previously between $1,700 and $1,900,
but is now between $1,549 and $1,649, a cut of 13 percent; T1900
200MB, down 16 percent to between $1,749 - $1,849; T1900C 120MB,
down 12 percent to $2,149 - $2,299; T1900C 200MB, down 14 percent
to $2,349 - $2,499; T1950 120MB, down 13 percent to $1,949 - $2,049;
T1950 200MB, down 15 percent to $2,149 - $2,249; T1950CS 120MB, down
10 percent to $2,549 - $2,699; and the T1950CS 200MB, down 11
percent to $2,749 - $2,899.
Toshiba says that the series have no suggested list prices. However,
the suggested retail prices for the pen, notebook and portable
computers affected by the price reduction are: T100X with a 40MB
hard drive, down 30 percent from $2,999 to $2,099; T4600 120MB, down
12 percent from $3,299 to $2,899; T4600 200MB, down 13 percent from
$3,599 to $3,149; T4600C 120MB, down 4 percent from $4,699 to
$4,499; T4600C 200MB, down five percent from $4,999 to $4,749;
T4600C 320MB, down six percent from $5,499 to $5,149; T6600C 510MB,
down six percent from $7,699 to $7,199; T6600C/CD 510MB, down six
percent from $8,299 to $7,799; T6600C/CDV 510MB down five percent
from $9,499 to $8,999.
Announcing the new services and prices, Michael Winkler, vice
president and general manager of the Toshiba Computer Systems
Division, said: "These programs are designed to give customers
unlimited access to Toshiba support by increasing their productivity
with their portable computers and minimizing their downtime,
inconvenience and expense involved in computer service and repair."
Continued Winkler, "We are the first to protect our customer's
investment by providing no-fault protection, at a modest price, for
screen replacement regardless of how it was damaged. No other
company is willing to offer this type of customer protection,"
he said.
Toshiba is offering a variety of service plans and warranties.
According to the company, its "T-Plan Warranty," offers standard
limited three-year parts and labor coverage for all T4600, T6600,
Dynapad T100X and Desk Station models including bundled accessories.
Any purchase of a T4600 or T6600 prior to November 1 can upgrade to
the three-year warranty for $149.95 for color models and $99.95 for
the monochrome and Desk Station models.
Any purchase of other portables and accessories prior to November 1
are covered by a one-year parts and labor warranty, but have the
option of purchasing two additional years of coverage for $199.95
for the color models and $139.95 for the monochrome and Desk Station
models.
The "T-Plus Program," lets buyers of its Satellite Series' notebook
computers purchased after November 1 obtain two additional years of
coverage for $139.95 for monochrome models and $199.95 for color
models.
The "T-World Warranty," is a free program with required enrollment
that involves an international warranty sticker. This serves as
proof of purchase for warranty coverage.
The "T-Pak Service," provides no charge packaging, insurance and
overnight shipping, via participating Mail Boxes Etc., locations, to
and from a Premier Authorized Service Provider for warranty repair.
At a price of $22.50 annually, the service may be used indefinitely
throughout the enrollment period.
The "T-Site Support," offers on-site service for $49.95 annually
during the Toshiba limited warranty, with the service being provided
by GE Computer Services. The program begins December 1.
According to Toshiba, the "T-Care Service," is designed to offer
expedited service for those outside the geographical boundaries of
T-Site service for $49.95 annually throughout the Toshiba limited
warranty period. Toshiba offers next business day turnaround for
repairs, or a loaner unit can be requested should the repair take
longer.
The "T-Screen Warranty," program offers no-fault coverage against
portable computer screen damage. Protection for the monochrome model
is $49.95 and $179.95 for the color model annually throughout the
warranty period.
(Ian Stokell/19931101/Press Contact: Howard Emerson, 714-583-3925,
Toshiba America Information Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00017)
Canadian Product Launch Update 11/02/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: Hewlett-Packard's new
printers, IBM's LAN NetView products, and Sun's latest workstations.
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Limited unveiled the 600 dots-per-inch
(DPI) LaserJet 4P and LaserJet 4MP printers and its new color
portable printers, the DeskJet 310 and DeskWriter 310 (Newsbytes,
Oct. 25).
The new LaserJet models replace the LaserJet IIIP and IIIP
PostScript models. The 4P is C$1,699 in Canada, and the 4MP is
C$2,390.
The DeskJet and DeskWriter 310 are color ink-jet printers. The
DeskJet 310 is meant for use with DOS-based portables, and the
DeskWriter for use with Apple Computer notebook machines. Both are
C$506, with a cut-sheet feeder available for C$111. The printer and
paper feeder are available together for $607.
IBM Canada unveiled the LAN NetView line of products (Newsbytes,
Oct. 29). There are seven pieces. LAN NetView Manage is the
management framework. It costs C$2,385. LAN NetView Enabler, priced
at C$115, provides management services for OS/2 clients. LAN NetView
Agents for DOS, C$97, contains management agents for DOS and
Windows. LAN NetView Agents Extended, also C$97, provides management
agents for OS/2 servers.
LAN NetView Monitor monitors the performance of OS/2 clients or
servers. It costs C$1,030. LAN NetView Fix lets the system
administrator receive and deal with error messages from remote
sources. Its price is C$1,620. LAN NetView Tie, C$2,590, provides a
connection to NetView/MVS to allow central management from the host
system.
A package of LAN NetView Manage, Monitor, and Fix costs C$4,535.
All the products are due to be available in Canada Nov. 3.
Sun Microsystems of Canada unveiled three new workstations, the
Sparcstation 10SX and 10M and the Sparcclassic M (Newsbytes, Oct.
21).
Available now, the Sparcstation 10SX is meant for image
manipulation. Prices start at C$23,250 with a 535-megabyte (MB) hard
disk, 32 MB of memory, and a 16-inch color monitor. The Sparcstation
10M and the Sparcclassic M are aimed at multimedia applications. The
Sparcstation 10M starts at C$25,650, and the Sparcclassic M costs
C$7,491 in quantities of 12 or more. Both are due to ship Dec. 15.
(Grant Buckler/19931101/Press Contact: Martha Terdik, Hewlett-
Packard Canada, 905-206-3311; Janet Carnegie, IBM Canada, 416-485-
1582; Michael Douglas, Sun Canada, 905-477-6745)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
IBM
****IBM Ends Free Health Coverage In US
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00018)
****IBM Ends Free Health Coverage In US 11/02/93
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Another tradition has
crumbled at IBM. The troubled computer company, which a few months
ago ended its tradition of never laying off employees, has now told
its workers in the United States they will have to pay part of the
cost of their health-care benefits plans.
Saying it expects to save about $280 million per year, IBM told
employees to start paying premiums for their health coverage and
raised the minimum annual deductible for major medical and surgical
expenses to $250 from $150.
Retired IBM employees, and those on disability leave, will not
have to pay premiums, the company said.
A typical employee will pay from $34 to $83 per month for the same
level of coverage the company previously offered at its own expense.
IBM has provided free health care since the company was founded in
1914. That, along with its no-layoff tradition, was one of the
factors giving the company a reputation for taking good care of its
employees.
But IBM's revenue has been declining since 1990, and it has reported
large losses in the past two years. The company recently reported a
third-quarter loss of $48 million.
Continued staff cuts have brought IBM's worldwide workforce down to
about 267,000 people, 41,000 less than a year ago and 34,000 less
than at the beginning of 1993. The company said it expects its
payroll to drop to 255,000 by year-end.
Veteran IBM-watcher Bob Djurdjevic, president of Annex Research in
Phoenix, recently told Newsbytes he expects IBM's tough cost-cutting
efforts of recent years will start to bring some results next year.
(Grant Buckler/19931101/Press Contact: Rob Wilson, IBM, 914-765-
6565)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo - Image Browser Licensed To Top Publishers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00019)
CD-ROM Expo - Image Browser Licensed To Top Publishers 11/02/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Adobe and six
other major CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) publishers have
licensed Imspace Systems' Kudo Image Browser to act as a visual
browsing tool for their newest CD-ROM titles.
The seven pacts were announced last week at CD-ROM Expo, along with
two new editions of a shrink-wrapped package of Kudo sold direct to
end users: the first Windows version of the package, and an update
to the existing browser for Macintosh.
Aside from Adobe, the new CD-ROM licensees for Kudo include Educorp,
Form and Function, The Appelbaum Publishing Group, Sense Interactive
Corp., Wizard Computer Graphics, and the Seattle Support Group.
Kudo displays files as a visual gallery of thumbnail images, rather
than a textual list of file names, officials explained in making
the announcement. With Kudo as a tool, users can easily search,
preview and retrieve digital media, including graphics, clip art
libraries, Photo CD images, sound files, and Quicktime video clips.
Search and retrieval can be carried out in three different ways.
Users can employ the scroll bar for visual browsing, or search by
file name, type, size, location, modification date, or other
textual information.
Under the third approach, Kudo's "Riffle" feature, users can view
series of single thumbnails, presented at the rate of 10 frames per
second in one area of the window.
If the desired file is "offline," Kudo will prompt the user to
insert the appropriate CD or removable disc, or to mount the
appropriate network volume.
Once the user finds the file, the file can be previewed at full
resolution, edited, copied, or placed directly into a document.
Kudo is scheduled to appear in these upcoming CD-ROM titles: the
Deluxe CD-ROM Edition of Adobe Illustrator 5.0; Educorp's The
Desktop Publishing CD 3.0; and Wizard's ColorMagic clip art
library.
The tool will also be used in Form and Function's Page Overtures
One, a library of background textures, and in three volumes of
stock photography: Seattle Support Group's Vintage CD Library,
Sense Interactive's Earth, Sky, Power and Water; and a Photo CD-
compliant disc from Appelbaum to be known as Kudo with Environs.
The new Windows and Macintosh Kudo packages for end users each
support many popular outside file formats. The Windows version
allows the user to select an image from the Kudo catalog and drop
it into any application that supports drag and drop from the File
Manager, or into any OLE (object-linking-and-embedding) 2.0-
compliant application.
Also supplied are "place modules" that let users drag and drop
images into other applications, including Microsoft Word,
QuarkXPress, PageMaker and Harvard Graphics. In addition, the
Windows edition supports standard copy-and-paste clipboard
operations.
The Macintosh update brings such enhancements as full AppleScript
support, the ability to catalog RIFF and JPEG image files, and OPI
Linking, a technique that eliminates the need to preview files by
placing thumbnails that contain OPI information directly into
QuarkXPress documents.
"Drag & Place" -- the ability to select an image and place it into
another application in a single operation -- is extended in Kudo
1.1 for the Mac to several new applications, including Adobe
Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premier, Aldus Freehand, and
Fractal Design Painter.
The shrinkwrapped packages of Kudo for end users are scheduled to
ship this month. Pricing is $99 for the Windows edition and $195
for the Apple Computer Macintosh version.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931101/Reader contact: Imspace Systems Corp.,
tel 619-272-2600; Press contact: Tom Toperczer, Imspace, tel 619-
272-2600, ext 4100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
BUSINESS
AmCoEx Index of Used Computer Prices
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00020)
AmCoEx Index of Used Computer Prices 11/02/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- By John Hastings.
Prices of used Macintosh computers continued to fall last
week following Apple's announcement of its revamped product line. In
addition, many dealers need to clear inventories of some older models.
For example some dealers are advertising the 25 MHz Macintosh LC III
with a color monitor for less than $1000.
Intel's most powerful processor chip, the Pentium, is not
likely to be seen in a notebook computer until 1995. That is when
smaller, cooler versions of the chip will be produced. In the
meantime, Dolch Computers is ready to announce its PAC-586
luggable computer using the existing version of the Pentium.
The computer weighs over 20 pounds and uses a special liquid
cooling system. With a price of more than $6000, it should have
little effect on the portable market.
The lines of distinction between Apple and IBM will continue
to blur next year. The two companies are working together on a new
operating system called Taligent. Both companies will have a complete
line of computers using the PowerPC CPU chip. Both companies appear
to be contracting with Samsung to manufacture those computers. The two
companies seem to have more similarity than difference.
John Hastings is the president of the American Computer Exchange.
The American Computer Exchange matches buyers and sellers of used
microcomputers. For more information contact the American Computer
Exchange at (800) 786-0717.
The AmCoEx Index of Used Computer Prices
The following prices are for November 1, 1993.
Average Average
Buyer's Seller's
Machine Bid Ask Close Change($)
IBM PS/2 Model 30/286 20MB $300 $525 $375 -$25
IBM PS/2 Model 50Z 30MB 300 650 425 -25
IBM PS/2 Model 70 120MB 600 900 725 **
IBM PS/2 Model 80 70MB 550 850 625 **
IBM ThinkPad 300 1250 1650 1300 -25
IBM ThinkPad 700 1900 2500 2100 **
AST 286/12, 40MB 275 675 350 -25
AST 386/20, 80MB 550 950 700 **
Dell 325SX, 50MB 400 800 625 -25
Dell 386/20, 120MB 600 1000 725 -25
Gateway 286/16, 40MB 350 600 325 -50
Gateway 386SX/20, 80MB 600 950 675 **
Gateway 386/25, 80MB 600 1000 850 **
Clone AT 40 MB 250 550 350 -50
Clone Notebook 286, 40 MB 350 750 600 **
Clone Notebook 386SX, 40 MB 700 1050 800 -25
Clone 386/SX 40MB, VGA 450 950 650 **
Clone 386/25 80MB, VGA 650 1150 725 +25
Clone 386/33 80MB, VGA 750 1250 850 **
Clone 486/25 120MB, VGA 800 1450 1000 -50
Compaq SLT/286 20MB 350 700 425 **
Compaq LTE 286 40MB 400 775 475 -25
Compaq Portable III 40MB 250 650 275 **
Compaq Deskpro 286 40MB 250 650 300 -25
Compaq Deskpro 386/20e 100MB 600 900 800 -25
Macintosh SE 20MB 350 650 425 -50
Macintosh SE/30 40MB 500 900 650 -50
Macintosh II 40MB 600 1150 775 -50
Macintosh IIcx 80MB 700 1300 875 -25
Macintosh IIci 80MB 900 1500 1250 -150
PowerBook 100 4/20 600 1000 700 -25
PowerBook 140 4/40 900 1400 1075 -25
PowerBook 170 4/40 1100 1700 1400 -25
LaserWriter IINT 700 1000 800 -50
Toshiba 1200XE 300 650 325 **
Toshiba 1600 300 600 325 **
Toshiba 2200 SX 60MB 800 1300 925 +25
Toshiba T-3100SX 100MB 500 900 725 +25
Toshiba 5200 100MB 950 1450 1100 **
HP LaserJet II 400 850 650 -25
HP LaserJet IIP 325 950 500 -25
HP LaserJet III 750 1200 1000 -25
The American Computer Exchange matches buyers and sellers of used
microcomputer equipment. For more information contact the American
Computer Exchange at (800) 786-0717.
(AMCOEX/19931102)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
IBM
****DOS 6.0 Gets Airbags, Anti-Lock Brakes
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00021)
****DOS 6.0 Gets Airbags, Anti-Lock Brakes 11/02/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Microsoft Corporation
has announced an upgrade to its MS-DOS disk operating system 6.0 that
one senior Microsoft official called "the software equivalent of
passenger-side air bags and anti-lock brakes."
The analogy was made by Brad Silverberg, Microsoft VP of personal
systems, in describing the MS-DOS 6.2 changes to Doublespace disk
compression technology. MS-DOS 6.0 was plagued by so many reported
problems with Doublespace that many users and VARs refused to
install that portion of the program.
In addition to what Microsoft called "enhancements" to Doublespace,
the newest version of MS-DOS also includes new data protection
technology and faster CD-ROM access.
Microsoft says Doublespace now includes a feature called Doubleguard
that automatically provides extra protection for user data by
verifying data integrity before writing the data to disk. There is
also a hard disk maintenance tool named Scandisk that is designed to
find and repair problems on both compressed and uncompressed hard
drives. Microsoft says Scandisk can repair file system errors and
physical disk errors, and keeps a log of the repairs its makes.
Scandisk is invoked by Doublespace before it begins compression.
There is also a new memory test for MS-DOS' extended memory manager
that automatically tests the PC's memory chips for reliability at
bootup, and Smartdrive defaults to the most conservative setting,
which can be changed by the user. Smartdrive is a cache program that
uses extended memory to speed up disk access time. Microsoft has
also revised the Move Copy and X Copy commands so they now ask the
user to confirm before they write one file over another of the same
name.
MS-DOS 6.2 has added an Uncompress option that makes it easier to
decompress a Doublespace-compressed drive, and Smartdrive now caches
CD-ROM drives, a feature designed to speed up the operation of
CD-ROM-based programs. Other new features include a smaller memory
requirement for Doublespace - Microsoft says as little as 33
kilobytes (K) - all of which now resides in upper or high memory.
That leaves more conventional memory available for applications.
A new feature called Automounting allows Doublespace to automatically
read compressed removable media such as floppy disks, and some new
troubleshooting features are supposed to make it easier to identify
problems in system configuration or in batch files.
The Defrag utility can now defragment disks that contain
nearly twice as many files as before, and Microsoft says
Defrag performance has been increased significantly.
Defragmentation of a disk collects all the segments of
files and places them contiguously on the disk, speeding
up performance.
Three upgrade versions of MS-DOS 6.2 are available. The Step-up
version is available for users who already have MS-DOS 6.0. The
MS-DOS 6.2 upgrade is for users who have DOS 2.11 or higher but
haven't installed version 6.0 yet, and MS-DOS 6.2 Upgrade for
Dummies, Special Edition, includes a special edition of the Dan
Gookin book "DOS For Dummies."
The "Upgrade" and "Dummies" versions have a suggested retail
price of $77.95. "Step-up is available through retail outlets
for $9.95 or you can get it free from Microsoft by downloading
it from the Microsoft Download Library on Compuserve (Go
MSDOS62). You still have to pay the cost for the call
and the CIS downloading time charges. Step-up will only work on
systems that already have version 6.0 installed.
(Jim Mallory/19931102/Press contact: Collins Hemingway, Microsoft
Corp, 206- 882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp, 206-882-8080 or
800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
TELECOM
Canada - Ruling On Long Distance, Local Rates In Alberta
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00022)
Canada - Ruling On Long Distance, Local Rates In Alberta 11/02/93
EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- The Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has
laid out the rules for competitive long-distance telephone
service in Alberta. The federal regulatory body also ruled on an
application to raise local telephone rates, denying AGT Ltd., a
further hike in basic rates but directing the telephone company
to increase charges for certain other services.
Long-distance competition will follow essentially the same rules
in Alberta as in British Columbia and the six eastern provinces,
on which the CRTC has already ruled. The Alberta ruling comes
later because the province was until recently under provincial
telecommunications regulation.
The decision contains some special provisions to deal with a
subsidy paid by Edmonton Telephones, a company providing local
service in that city only, to AGT to help defray the cost of
providing service in remote areas of the province.
The CRTC also told AGT it can have no increase in basic local
rates in 1994. An interim rate increase granted in May of this
year will stand, however.
The CRTC set the company's allowable rate of return at 11.25 to
12.25 percent, rather than the 12.25 to 13.25 percent AGT had
requested. Recognizing that AGT will need added revenue to reach
that band, the regulators told the phone company to increase its
rates for Centrex service, certain other business services,
directory assistance, some terminal equipment, and mobile
telephone service. Those increases will take effect Jan. 1.
AGT officials said they were pleased with the decisions. However,
the company also called for a further reduction in regulation of
telecommunications. In a submission to hearings just begun by the
CRTC to review industry regulation, AGT favored gradually
increasing local rates to cover the true cost of the service,
with an accompanying cut in long-distance charges.
(Grant Buckler/19931102/Press Contact: Bill Allen, CRTC,
819-997-0313, fax 819-994-0218; Betty McLennan, AGT,
403-493-3215)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
GOVT
NASA Loans Russia Hardware To Complete Internet Link
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00023)
NASA Loans Russia Hardware To Complete Internet Link 11/02/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- The National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, has announced that
after several year's work the agency is now proceeding with the
loan of hardware and software to the Russian Space Agency that
will allow a direct high-speed link between Moscow scientists
and the Internet.
Charles Redmond of NASA told Newsbytes on Tuesday that the system
now in the process of being installed is basically an upgrade to
computer facilities at the Soviet Space Agency offices. The deal
began with an agreement between President Bush and Premier
Gorbachev which is only now being implemented with the
current Russian Space Agency because of delays having to do
with obtaining permits to ship high-tech equipment to the
former Soviet Union.
This constitutes the first direct hard-wired link between the
Russian scientific community and the worldwide Internet
scientific, and academic communications network. Mr. Redmond told
Newsbytes that an indirect link has existed for years but that
it was made through a gateway located in West Germany and
therefore only operated at a relatively slow 9600 bits per second
rate.
The new linkage between the Space Agency facilities just north of
Moscow, Russia, NASA, and everyone else on the Internet is a
high-speed 56-kilobit link using a combination of land lines and
a satellite linkage.
According to NASA, the new network link will provide a means for
the two major space agencies to carry on much more intensive
liaison activities which just wasn't possible using the much
slower gateway.
To provide a high-speed Internet link, NASA had to receive
Department of Commerce permission to ship about $480 thousand
worth of routers and front-end computers, including a MiniVAX, to
the Russians on loan from NASA.
The equipment will be in operation by the beginning of 1994 and
should eventually link a number of Moscow-based and outlying
scientific stations' networked computers with the Internet
although those outlying locations will still be linked only
through relatively slow dial-up modem lines to the high-speed
Moscow center.
Shipment of the hardware and necessary software has already
begun, but not everything is yet in place, according to the NASA
spokesperson in Washington, DC.
(John McCormick/19931102/Press Contact: Charles Redmond, NASA,
202-358-1757)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
IBM
Geos-based PDAs Get Wireless Messaging
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)
Geos-based PDAs Get Wireless Messaging 11/02/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Geos-based
personal digital assistants (PDAs), such as the newly released
Zoomer and the planned Sharp PT-9000, are getting their own
wireless communications system. A credit-card sized peripheral
called the Newscard is being released into retail stores that
will pick up wireless messages and allow users to read those
messages on their PDAs.
Motorola calls Newscard "grown up paging." The Personal
Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA) Type II card
can be carried in a shirt or jacket pocket and pick up messages
even when it is not connected to a PDA. A small light on the
card lets users know they have incoming messages.
The Newscard is the same "guts" and size as the Messagecard for
the Newton Messagepad PDA from Apple, but with some significant
differences, Motorola sources said.
The first major difference is in the significantly extended
length of the messages users can receive. With the 128
kilobytes (K) of memory in the card itself, very long messages
wirelessly. If the card is in connection with a computer, such
as the PDA, the 128 K storage can be emptied as it is filled,
so there is not a limit on the size of the file that can
transmitted, according to Motorola.
In addition, the unit is set up for 8-bit data transfer, so it
can receive binary files, such as computer programs,
spreadsheets, and databases, instead of just letters and
numbers as the Newton's Messagecard does. That means functions
can be automated, so a program or batch file may be transmitted
with a stream of data that can automatically update a
spreadsheet, database, or calendar on the PDA.
The wireless messaging service is via Motorola's separate
Electronic Mail By A Roaming Computer (EMBARC) division and has
been available for desktop computers under the brand name
"Newstream." Motorola created the division when it got a
satellite paging license from the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC).
The Newscards are retail priced at about $249 and come with
instructions and an 800 number by which users can subscribe on
a monthly basis to the messaging service. The service costs
include a $25 start-up fee and a base rate of $18 per month.
But instead of a flat rate for a region, like the Messagecard,
Newscard messages are individually charged by the number of
kilobytes in each message. Motorola representatives said they
expect the average user would have a total monthly bill of
between $60 and $70 per month.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931102/Press Contact: Jim Calhoun, Oglivy,
Adams, and Rinehart for Motorola, tel 312-988-2918, fax 312-
988-2683)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
TELECOM
MFS Proposes Universal Service Solution
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)
MFS Proposes Universal Service Solution 11/02/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1992 NOV 2 (NB) -- MFS Communications
offered federal regulators a solution to problems of universal
service caused by local phone competition.
Universal service at reasonable rates has been a goal of
telecommunications policymakers in the US for a century, and
was the centerpiece of Theodore Vail's concept of the Bell System
early in the 20th century. The idea is that service to poor and
rural neighborhoods, where costs are higher, are subsidized by
wealthier and business ratepayers so that everyone will have the
chance to get phone service at a reasonable price.
As MFS has moved to offer service in cities like New York,
competing with local phone companies like New York Telephone,
lobbyists for regional Bell companies have begun protesting,
accusing the smaller companies of "cream-skimming" their best
customers and putting universal service at risk. They have
demanded that state regulators order competitors to pay them to
maintain universal service. In the MFS proposal, a portion of
business and urban rates will be pooled under an independent
third party, then paid out to phone companies serving poor and
rural areas.
MFS is anxious to see this issue dealt with as it seeks to expand
service from Manhattan Island, through New York and its suburbs,
and into the dozens of other markets where it does business.
There, it will meet a variety of phone companies with a variety
of policies, and a variety of state regulators with a variety of
positions. If the Federal Communications Commission can preempt
the discussion and settle the matter, it could put MFS in a
better position.
So far, none of the regional Bells has had a chance to respond to
the MFS filing, which was made formal November 1. But most of
them also want more power to compete. Ameritech has filed a
lawsuit seeking to get into cable television, a right Bell
Atlantic won recently on First Amendment grounds. BellSouth has
asked for permission to enter the long distance business in its
nine-state region, something Ameritech is also seeking. MFS
President Royce Holland cited those events, and the Bell
Atlantic-TCI merger proposal, in announcing the MFS proposal.
MFS spokesman Steve Ingish told Newsbytes, "One part of the
local companies' argument is that allowing us into competition
drains money used to subsidize universal service. We say there's
no threat. We're willing to provide funds on a fair basis, but we
want it going to a separate fund. We mentioned a third, neutral
party. We've not indicated who the party should be. That would be
an FCC decision." MFS reported that for the quarter ending in
September it had revenues of $42.5 million, compared to revenues
of $27.9 million a year earlier.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931102/Press Contact: MFS Communications,
Steve Ingish 708-218-7316)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
TELECOM
Rockwell To Put Spectrum Technology Into Modem Chipsets
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)
Rockwell To Put Spectrum Technology Into Modem Chipsets 11/02/93
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Rockwell
International said it will add Spectrum's wireless data
technology into its modem chipsets sold for portable
modems.
The technology will allow portable modem owners to access
cellular telephone networks for data automatically, without using
a separate modem. Software drivers enabling the chipsets to
support a wide selection of cellular phones will be developed
through joint engineering efforts by Rockwell and Spectrum. The
two companies will cooperate in establishing marketing channels
for the software drivers. The chips will have to be activated by
the modem owner through the purchase of a separate product from
Rockwell and Spectrum. However, companies which make modems will
not have to create separate product lines for customers using
wired or wireless data access. Rockwell and Spectrum said that
"after-market activations" will also provide those modem makers
with new revenue opportunities they don't have now.
Rockwell is the largest maker of modem chipsets, so the deal
is very important to Spectrum. In the wake of the announcement,
the stock of Spectrum rose to over $10 per share for the first
time since John Sculley became chairman.
Rockwell products featuring Direct Cellular Access technology
will be available in early 1994 in Rockwell's standard portable
modem family.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931102/Press Contact: Rockwell International,
Eileen Algaze, 714/833-6849)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/02/93
TRENDS
****Xerox Invention Obsoletes Traditional Film For Printers
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00027)
****Xerox Invention Obsoletes Traditional Film For Printers 11/02/93
STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Xerox Corporation
has introduced a new type film that the company says will make
obsolete the traditional silver halide film and also provide an
environmentally sound alternative for many printing industry
applications.
Xerox says the patented product, called Verdefilm, eliminates the
need for chemical processing, using instead a dry processing process
and produces images that are equal to or better than the best silver
halide film.
Disposal of the chemicals used to develop, stop and fix traditional
films has become a concern of environmentalists and environmental
agencies in recent years. Some local regulatory groups inspect film
processing facilities in order to assure proper disposal of the
chemicals.
Xerox says another benefit of Verdefilm is the elimination of the
costs associated with chemical processing, including disposal
charges. It requires no special handling or storage, and is not
affected by accidental exposure to daylight.
Designed for use by commercial printers, who capture images on film
then transfer them to plates that are used on the presses to produce
magazines, catalogs, and other commercial jobs.
Verdefilm will be marketed by a new Xerox business unit, VerdePrint
Technologies and is the first of several products based on
technological innovations developed at the Xerox Research Centre of
Canada.
Verdefilm images are created using a thin layer of minute particles
of selenium that are electrically charged, exposed to light, and
developed using heat in a process similar to feeding paper into a
fax machine. The particles, encased in a polymer coating, remain
there throughout the life of the film. A combination of heat and
light in the image areas causes the selenium molecules to migrate
deeper into the polymer, which creates a visible image. Selenium is
produced as a byproduct of copper refining.
The company says printers will be able to upgrade or modify existing
equipment to use Verdefilm. Xerox spokesperson John Rasor told
Newsbytes printers can expect to recoup their changeover costs
within a year, then only about 60 percent of the previously required
processing equipment will be needed.
Rasor said there are no plans he is aware of to make Verdefilm
available to professional and amateur photographers using 35mm
cameras. "The technology is there but we know of no one doing that
or even considering that." The company says Verdefilm will be
marketed at a price comparable to traditional films.
(Jim Mallory/19931102/Press contact: John Rasor, Xerox Corporation,
716-423- 4476)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/02/93
IBM
UK - Compaq Desktops, Minitower Systems
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00028)
UK - Compaq Desktops, Minitower Systems 11/02/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Following on from yesterday's
plethora of product launches in the US, Compaq Computer UK has
unveiled 18 new machines, which it claims address the needs of a
broad range of PC users -- from major corporate to small business
users.
Announcing the new machines in the UK, Joe McNally, Compaq's vice
president and general manager of UK operations, said that they range
from powerful desktop systems to a unique "all in one" easy-to-set-
up PC. This, he claims, delivers business users with the latest in
PC technology, including built-in networking, advanced graphics and
Enhanced Business Audio (EBA) on some models.
The new machines launched in the UK today are: Compaq Deskpro XE
-- a new line of high-performance desktop PCs with super-fast
graphics, business audio technology and energy conservation
features, priced from UKP 1,135; new versions of the Prolinea
family, including the Compaq ProLinea Net1/25, a unique new "all in
one" business PC with integral networking capabilities, priced from
UKP 1,049; and the Prolinea MT, an expandable mini-tower PC system.
All the new Compaq PCs come standard with a three-year warranty with
the first year onsite maintenance free to registered users. All the
new systems also feature pre-installed Tabworks, a new easy-to-use
Compaq-exclusive software alternative to the Windows Program Manager
for organizing and accessing files. Tabworks is designed to look and
function like a notebook, which Compaq claims provides an intuitive
user interface.
In parallel with the new machines, Compaq UK has cut pricing on its
desktop systems by up to 19 percent on Pentium-based machines and up
to 10 percent on Prolinea PCs.
(Steve Gold/19931102/Press & Public Contact - Compaq Computer UK:
+44-81-332-3000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/02/93
GENERAL
3DO Int'l Assn, 3DO Club Started
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00029)
3DO Int'l Assn, 3DO Club Started 11/02/93
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- 3DO has
started two support groups, one for people in businesses
related to 3DO technology, the 3DO International Association
(3DOIA), and the 3DO Club for consumers. The compact disc read-
only memory (CD-ROM)-based 3DO hardware was shipped into retail
outlets by Panasonic in September.
Panasonic, the only hardware manufacturer currently offering
the 3DO player, says sales of the Real 3DO are going very well,
despite the fact that there are only three software titles for
the player to date. The 3DO boasts a reduced instruction set
computing (RISC) chip, is specially designed to offer fast
graphics rendering, and connects to a television set. The unit
will also play audio CDs and Kodak Photo CDs.
Twenty more entertainment titles are expected by Christmas and
in excess of 300 developers have signed up to either move
existing software titles or create new ones for the 3DO market.
The 3DOIA is $95 per year and is aimed at developers,
publishers, producers, dealers, distributors, and manufacturers
of 3DO products. The group has been formed to offer a forum and
information about 3DO as well as information exchange between
members and will offer a newsletter, special interest groups
(SIGS), and conferences.
The 3DO Club is the source for fun information aimed at
consumers or would-be consumers who are willing to spend $19.95
per year to learn more about 3DO. Members can expect a
quarterly newsletter with information about new 3DO products,
behind-the-scenes previews, and profiles of those who have
licensed 3DO's technology. Contests, special events, and
sweepstakes will also be a part of the club, 3DO added.
To entice membership, those purchasing Panasonic 3DO systems
now will receive free one-year memberships and a sweepstakes
with a grand price of an all-expense-paid trip to Universal
Studios is also being offered. Ten first prizes of 3DO software
titles will be awarded as well, the company said.
Those interested in joining 3DOIA are encouraged to call 3DO
for more information. Information on the 3DO Club may be
obtained by mail. Janet Strauss, director of marketing for 3DO
said the company has already received thousands of letters from
people who want to joint the 3DO Club.
3DO has as its largest competitor Philips with the Compact Disc
Interactive (CD-I) player. Philips has announced a deal with
Paramount to introduce 72-minute movies for the CD-I player
that will play with the addition of special Motion Picture
Experts Group (MPEG) hardware module for decompression of the
video. The company recently cut the price of the CD-I player so
with the MPEG module it is comparable to the 3DO price of about
$700. Philips is also doing "infomercials" on national
television and has more game titles available as it has been
marketing the CD-I player for over a year. However, 3DO claims
other game systems are no match for the graphics capability of
its system.
One other player in this market could be the Atari Jaguar
system. While Atari officials hope the Jaguar will be as
popular as the now ancient Commodore 64 home computer, the
company has lost nearly all its momentum in the US market and
is struggling to manufacture the Jaguar systems in large enough
quantities to meet demand. However, Atari does have backing
from C-Cube, a maker of video compression hardware chips.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931102/Press Contact: Cindy McCaffrey, 3DO,
tel 415-261-3236, fax 415-573-7417; Karen Wickre, 3DOIA, 415-
261-3212; 3DO Club Mailing Address, Attention: The 3DO Club,
600 Galveston Drive, Redwood City, CA 94063)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/02/93
TELECOM
LCI Signs Deal With PSI For Internet Access
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)
LCI Signs Deal With PSI For Internet Access 11/02/93
DUBLIN, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- LCI International, Inc.,
a small long distance company, announced an agreement with
Performance Systems International, Inc., a commercial provider of
services linked to the global Internet, for linking its customers
directly to PSINet.
Earlier, PSI had announced an agreement with Continental
Cablevision to link its customers to the network. PSI runs a
large frame relay network called InterFrame which can run under
the TCP/IP protocol used by the Internet.
LCI said in a statement that Internet access is fast becoming a
requirement for many business customers who want to link with
colleagues and access databases worldwide. The company hopes the
link with PSINet will offer it an advantage as it calls on
business customers. Under the agreement, LCI customers will
subscribe to Internet services through PSI, initially via a
router on their LANs through a leased line to an LCI switch
office. Customers may also be able to use dial-up access to LCI's
own frame relay network.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931102/Press Contact: Scott Booth, LCI, 614-
798-6011; Melisa Parker, Performance Systems International, 703-
904-4100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/02/93
GENERAL
Novell Intros NetWare For DEC Connectivity
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00031)
Novell Intros NetWare For DEC Connectivity 11/02/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- Novell
has announced NetWare for LAT, a NetWare-to-DEC host
connectivity product that enables NetWare users to access DEC
and NetWare services at the same time from anywhere on the
network.
Bernard Harguindeguy, spokesman for Novell, told Newsbytes that,
"Today, if someone wants to access DEC services, applications
on minicomputers from a network, and access other services
such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
or NetWare, typically that user has to load a multiple protocol
stack on his workstation. He has to load DECnet or LAT, he has to
load TCP/IP and IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange). NetWare for
LAT simplifies all of that. It allows users to use a single multiple
protocol stack on the workstation and gain access to both the DEC
world, the NetWare world, and even the Unix world."
Continued Harguindeguy, "The product basically is a LAT gateway.
It will let any client -- DOS, Windows, Macintosh, Unix, Windows
NY, OS/2 -- use the protocol stack to connect with that server
running NetWare for LAT. The local area network (LAN) protocol
stack will be either IPX or TCP/IP or AppleTalk."
In announcing the product, Gerry Machi, vice president and general
manager of Novell's Enterprise Systems Group, said: "Currently,
customers are successfully using NetWare for SAA and LAN
WorkPlace products to connect to their IBM and Unix host systems.
They have been asking for DEC connectivity to round out their
enterprise-wide computing needs. Netware for LAT is a powerful
communications tool giving customers seamless DEC connectivity,
support for industry standard desktop workstations, comprehensive
network management capabilities and an open applications
development environment."
There are multiple benefits for the user Harguindeguy told
Newsbytes. "The user can run a single multiple protocol stack on
the workstation. That simplifies the installation and maintenance
of the LAN. There are also huge compatibility problems typically
on a workstation. By running a single multiple protocol stack you
eliminate" compatibility problems. Another benefit is that, "You
use less memory on the workstation," he said.
The company says that, because terminal emulators connect to
NetWare for LAT using the Novell standard IPX/SPX or TCP/IP
protocols, customers no longer need to install LAT or DECnet
protocols on each client workstation. The LAT connections to the
DEC host are secured and managed by NetWare for LAT.
Netware for LAT also reportedly reduces the complexity and
management of wide area connectivity to DEC hosts. The company
claims that users can now use their existing TCP/IP and IPX/SPX
wide area networks to connect to remote DEC hosts, and no longer
need to bridge LAT or route DECnet across their WANs.
NetWare for LAT, a set of NetWare Loadable modules (NLMS), allows
up to 128 simultaneous users access to DEC applications and data
over any NetWare supported topology including Token Ring,
Ethernet, and Arcnet. The product reportedly supports third-party
terminal emulators for DOS, MS Windows, Apple Macintosh, OS/2,
Unix, and MS Windows NT workstations.
Users connect to a NetWare for LAT server using IPX/SPX, TCP/IP,
or Apple Computer's AppleTalk protocols. The product, in turn,
provides the protocol processing, security and management to
access multiple DEC hosts. It can run on a dedicated server, or on
an existing server with other NetWare services, and does not
require any special software on the DEC host.
NetWare for LAT can be installed on NetWare 3.x or 4.x, and will
begin shipping in December, 1993. Suggested list pricing is
$3,495 for 16 users, $5,995 for 32 users, $9,995 for 64 users,
and $16,995 for 128 users.
(Ian Stokell/19931102/Press Contact: Pam Eaken,
408-747-4984, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/02/93
GOVT
****Olivetti Chief De Benedetti Arrested
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00032)
****Olivetti Chief De Benedetti Arrested 11/02/93
ROME, ITALY, 1993 NOV 2 (NB) -- In a bizarre twist to the long-
running saga of government contract corruption, Carlo de Benedetti,
the respected head of Olivetti, has surrendered himself to Rome's
police headquarters, after a warrant was publicly issued for his
arrest in connection with the postal bribes saga.
According to RAI-Uno, the Italian state TV station, which is
broadcast across Europe on the Astra satellite TV network, de
Benedetti surrendered himself along with his lawyer, at a Rome
police station last night, following lengthy negotiations between
his lawyers and local magistrates over the weekend.
A warrant for the 58-year-old head of Olivetti was issued on Friday
following months of painstaking investigation by police and
government officials. The investigation was prompted by de
Benedetti's admission earlier this year that his company voluntarily
paid several million dollars in bribes to secure major government
contracts, notably in the Ministry of Posts.
According to senior officials with the Italian government on Italian
TV, however, the decision to arrest de Benedetti was taken after
"new evidence" was unearthed. Officials are not saying what this new
evidence is, but have alluded to the fact that it involves
corruption.
Italian state TV has commented that, while de Benedetti has admitted
paying bribes to secure postal computer contracts, he has accused
the Italian political parties of acting like racketeers, on a pay up
or no contract basis.
De Benedetti's lawyer, Marco De Luca, appeared on TV over the
weekend, saying that both he and his client were bewildered by the
arrest warrant, especially after his client's openness and
willingness to cooperate with the authorities ever since the
investigation began early last year.
RAI Uno noted that this is not the only investigation in which
de Benedetti is involved. The state TV station says that he still
faces a six-year jail term for his alleged involvement in the
collapse of Banco Ambrosiano, the major Italian bank, 11 years ago.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931102)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
BUSINESS
Australian Company Adds "Czech" Option To Accounts Software
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00001)
Australian Company Adds "Czech" Option To Accounts Software 11/01/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Sybiz, the Australian
accounting software house, has added another export market to its
list, though one that requires a little more modification to the
product. It already exports to the US, UK and Asia, but now it has
started selling into Europe, with Czechoslovakia being the most
recent success.
Managing director Peter Lucas said that the normal way of selling
software into a market with a different language was to hope the
locals knew enough English to cope. With Sybiz, he claims this is
not the case, as the company wants to offer something different to
its foreign users.
"Sybiz believes that it is necessary to put in just as much effort
with foreign versions of software as we do with our original
Australian versions. We work closely with local experts to ensure
that local users have no problems. Support is the name of the game,
and that starts long before the software is released."
He said that not only was it essential to do a 100 percent language
translation, but to make all adaptations necessary to make the
software comply with local laws, local accounting practices and
local computer differences.
"We then set up a complete support structure using local people who
are then fully trained in our software, just like the support here
in Australia."
(Paul Zucker/19931101/Contact: Sybiz Software on phone +61-2-954
5211 or fax +61-2-954 5240)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/01/93
IBM
STB Intros Video Card For Multiple Display Devices
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)
STB Intros Video Card For Multiple Display Devices 11/01/93
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- STB Systems has
announced the release of a composite NTSC/PAL multimedia video card
that supports output to various devices, including a standard
television set or VCR.
The company says that Channel One is an add-in video card that
supports VGA, S- VHS and composite NTSC/PAL video signals. It's
based on the Cirrus Logic 5426 video controller chip and comes with
up to one megabyte (MB) of 60 nanosecond dynamic random access
memory (DRAM) video memory. The chip supports up to 16.7 million
colors at a resolution of 640 by 480 and 16 colors at 1280 by 1024
resolution.
NTSC (National Television System Committee) refers to the 525 line
standard for television signals in the US. Critics say the acronym
stands for Never Twice The Same Color. PAL refers to Phase
Alternating By Line and is the 625 line European standard.
STB has added a Sony CXA1145 RGB (red-blue-green) encoder to the
board to convert VGA signals to NTSC/PAL video formats. Channel One
comes with a 15- pin connector for VGA, F connector, S-VHS and a
VESA compatible feature connector.
STB says the Channel One board is designed to provide corporate,
finance, transportation and education users with the ability to
display computer generated data and graphical images on regular
NTSC/PAL television sets. The data can be output directly to the TV
or to a VCR for storage on a video tape.
The company says that users with a multiple frequency VGA monitor
can display the same video signal on the VGA monitor and on an NTSC
television set simultaneously. You can install multiple Channel One
boards for multiple screen operations in VGA or NTSC environments.
The board comes with an installation utility, VGA drivers for a
number of popular software packages, and a STB NTSC/PAL driver for
Windows 3.1. A line averaging utility eliminates flicker when static
images are being displayed in the NTSC or PAL modes.
Channel One went into full production last month, and has a
suggested retail price of $459. STB says it replaces more expensive
graphics/character generators. Product Manager Greg Martin says
Channel One graphics quality is equal to or surpasses systems in use
in production houses.
"The introduction of Channel One places professional quality
computer graphics within the reach of the average computer user at a
fraction of the cost associated with expensive television studio
graphics/character generators." he said.
(Jim Mallory/19931101/Press contact: Robert Haskins, STB Systems,
214-234- 8750, ext 402; Reader contact: STB Systems, 214-234-8750,
fax 214-234-1306)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/01/93
IBM
Musicware Piano For Windows Debuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)
Musicware Piano For Windows Debuts 11/01/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Musicware has
introduced a Windows-based software program that turns your personal
computer into a piano teacher.
The company says that Musicware Piano for Windows combines proven
piano teaching methods with the power and ease of Windows, taking
users step by step from the basics to an advanced level of two hand
playing competency.
The program is used in conjunction with a Musical Instrument Digital
Interface (MIDI) piano keyboard with four octaves or more and a
sound card with built-in MIDI support to provide more than 200 piano
lessons. Musicware says that's equivalent to thousands of dollars of
music lessons in a traditional teacher/student setting.
MIDI is a standard for communications between electronic musical
instruments and is used to transfer performance and control
information around a music system with MIDI instruments. The
instruments are controlled externally so as to select what notes are
being played and what other effects are to be added.
Secondary functions of the interface involve the transfer of timing
information and other data relating to instrument voice parameters,
digital audio samples and setup information. A PC serves as the
controller.
Piano for Windows provides instruction in sight reading, ear
training, rhythm, and music theory fundamentals. The program
includes tests and tracks each student's progress. The
teaching techniques were authored by Christine Hermanson, technology
coordinator for the Music Teachers National Association. Musicware
President Dan Peterson says not only is the program convenient, but
users can learn at their own pace in the privacy of their own home
and on their own schedule.
The company says that the package is ideal for novices age seven to
adult, or for musicians who simply want to brush up on their piano
skills. The software, with a suggested retail price of $129.95,
comes with all necessary cables.
System requirements include a 386 or better personal computer
running Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher, a hard disk with at least
three megabytes (MB) of free disk space, a minimum of 2MB of system
memory (Musicware recommends 4MB), VGA or higher resolution monitor,
mouse, a MIDI piano keyboard with four octaves or more with full
size keys, and a MIDI interface or sound card with built-in MIDI
support.
Musicware says it will introduce programs for intermediate to
advanced players later this year. The company will be demonstrating
Piano for Windows in the Yamaha booth at Comdex, the industry's
annual fall trade show in Las Vegas. Comdex opens its November 15,
1993.
(Jim Mallory/1991101/Press contact: Dan McFadden, MorseMcFadden
Communications for Musicware Inc, 206-821-7385; Reader contact:
Musicware: 206-881-9797, fax 206-881-9664)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
IBM
Sydney PC User Group Ends Membership Drive With Triple Numbers
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00004)
Sydney PC User Group Ends Membership Drive With Triple Numbers 11/01/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Sydney PC Users Group now has
3,000 members thanks to a recent membership drive. The group had
dwindled to less than a thousand a couple of years ago, but has
found new life with the increased home user and small business PC
market. More than $15,000 in prizes have been awarded in the drive.
Ian Triffit is the lucky winner of the grand prize. He only joined
the group a few weeks ago, but he now has a $3,000 486 PC from Custom
Built Computers to run all his favourite shareware on. There was
also a prize for the member who introduced the most new members, and
some were very active, doing letter box drops, placing BBS messages
and haranguing work colleagues.
The drive brought in more than 750, and this was in addition to good
results the group had at the home computer show earlier in the year
where its stand was very popular.
For the AUS$35 annual membership fee (around US$22) members get a
monthly magazine, membership discounts, 13 BBS lines, 22 special
interest groups, a shareware library and telephone help services.
Melbourne PC User Group is still a much larger group, with more
facilities, but the Sydney group said this situation will be
remedied soon.
(Paul Zucker/19931101/Contact: Sydney PC Users Group info line on
phone +61-2-313 8021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
UNIX
CA's Charles Wang To Speak At Unix Reseller Show
(NEWS)(UNIX)(WAS)(00005)
CA's Charles Wang To Speak At Unix Reseller Show 11/01/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Computer Associates Chief
Executive Officer Charles B. Wang, and Informix Software's CEO
Philip E. White will be the keynote speakers at next Spring's Unix
Reseller Conference and Exposition scheduled for April 18 - 21, 1994
in Dallas, Texas.
In his presentation, Wang will outline his ideas on the strategy for
resellers to use in convincing top management that they should
maintain or move to open systems. These include interoperability,
lower costs, and portability of data and applications.
White will provide an overview of the latest developments in
relational database technology, a primary concern of his company.
The four-day Unix Reseller Conference will include more than 300
hours of seminars and training sessions as well as exhibits by 250
UNIX vendors.
This show, which is intended only for Unix resellers or VARs (value
added resellers), saw more than 3,000 dealers attend last year and
the sponsor expects to host more than 5,000 resellers at next
spring's conference.
(John McCormick/19931101/Press Contact: Lincoln Sperry, Expoconsul
International, 609-987-9400 or fax 609-987-9490)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
GENERAL
Czech Company Imports HP Hardware; Publishes Local Catalog
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00006)
Czech Company Imports HP Hardware; Publishes Local Catalog 11/01/93
SOUTH MORAVIA, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- PEQ, the Uherske
Hradist-based computer distributor, has begun importing Hewlett-
Packard PCs and peripherals into Czechoslovakia.
The company claims that it expects the machines to sell well and, to
ensure this is the case, has begun publishing its first sales
catalog, marketing the HP hardware under the "PEQ Appeal" brand
image to Czech companies.
The first print run of 20,000 copies of the catalogue is, Newsbytes
understands, all but sold out. The catalog has almost the full range
of HP Vectra PCs, as well as printers and plotters, plus monitors
and scanners.
Plans call for the company to import the complete range of HP kit,
if the demand is there. Because of the shortage of computer
magazines in Czechoslovakia, Newsbytes understands that PEQ will be
publishing the catalogue on a monthly basis.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931101/Press & Public Contact: PEQ - Tel: +42-632-
40660; Fax: +42-632-61781)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo - Discport Access Device Lives Anywhere On LAN
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00007)
CD-ROM Expo - Discport Access Device Lives Anywhere On LAN 11/01/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Microtest has
introduced Discport, a product designed to allow multiple CD-ROM
drives to be accessed from a network without connecting the drives
to a fileserver or to individual workstations.
The new, videotape-sized device attaches directly to network
cabling, anywhere on an Ethernet local area network (LAN), explained
Robert Brainard, software engineer.
Up to seven CD-ROM drives can be attached to one Discport, and
unlimited Discports can be attached to the LAN, Brainard added,
during a demonstration for Newsbytes at CD-ROM Expo last week.
Discport takes only minutes to install and requires no network
downtime, he asserted. The system works with either thin Ethernet or
10BASE-T wiring, and uses a SCSI (small-computer-system interface)
connector to daisy chain external CD-ROM drives.
The CD-ROM access device also integrates seamlessly with Novell
Netware 3.11 or 4.0, without a redirector or terminate and stay
resident (TSR) loaded on a workstation, according to Brainard.
Integration with Netware permits users to take advantage of such
features as high-speed disk caching, drive mapping, and security,
he noted.
Discport is priced at $695 for an unlimited user license. The
product ships with Microtest's Discview, a Windows-based software
application that provides three levels of operation for Discport
installation and CD-ROM management and use.
Brainard showed Newsbytes how Discview guides the LAN administrator
through the installation process, and also allows point-and-click
organization of and access to the entire collection of CDs available
on the network.
Once Discport installation is complete, the task of CD-ROM
management can be delegated to an individual without a LAN
management background, Brainard told Newsbytes.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931101/Reader contact: Microtest, tel 602-957-
6400; Press contacts: Gina Kilker or Teresa Poppin, Microtest, tel
602-952-6400; Cheryl Snapp, Network Associates for Microtest, tel
801-225-7888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/01/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo - Largest Electronic Cookbook Unveiled
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00008)
CD-ROM Expo - Largest Electronic Cookbook Unveiled 11/01/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Right in time for
the upcoming holidays, TeleTypesetting has unveiled an electronic
cookbook billed as the largest on the market. Shown last week at CD-
ROM Expo, Digital Gourmet Deluxe is available on CD-ROM and floppy
disk, and in Macintosh and Windows versions.
The CD-ROM and floppy editions each contain over 6,000 speciality
and international recipes, but the CD-ROM disc offers 100 photos as
an extra bonus, according to officials of Brookline, MA-based
Teletypesetting.
Culinary areas covered in the cookbook include Japanese, Greek,
Kosher, African, French, Russian, Chinese, lactose-free, soups,
salads, breads, desserts, and more.
Users can add unlimited numbers of other recipes, search for recipes
containing specific ingredients, adjust recipe sizes, and print out
recipes and shopping lists, the company said.
The electronic bookbook also offers online reference materials,
encompassing sections on cooking tips, cooking terms and
definitions, and nutritional information.
The nutritional information database gives the facts on more than
500 foods, and users can add more foods. Users can also calculate
calorie, fat, carbohydrate, protein, and sodium content, along with
the percentage of calories from fat.
Digital Gourmet Deluxe is an expanded edition of Teletypesetting's
original Digital Gourmet, a product that received a Top 100 Gift
Software award from MacUser Magazine for 1992.
The CD-ROM version of the new Digital Gourmet Deluxe is priced at
$195, and the floppy disk version at $145. Upgrades are available
to current owners of Digital Gourmet.
The Macintosh edition of the electronic cookbook is HyperCard-
based. HyperCard Version 2.1 is included at no extra charge.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931101/Reader and press contact: Marleen
Winer, Books-on-Disk Division, Teletypesetting, tel 617-734-9700)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
GENERAL
Xionics To Show Print Accelerator At Fed Imaging Show
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00009)
Xionics To Show Print Accelerator At Fed Imaging Show 11/01/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Peabody, Massachusetts-
based Xionics, will demonstrate its XipPrint Network Image Print
Accelerator, the first add-on network image printing solution for HP
printers at next week's 1993 Federal Imaging Show to be held in
Washington, DC.
XipPrint is an MIO (multiple input/output) slot device which plugs
into the MIO slot on Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 4, 4Si, and 4Si MX
printers and provides either a Centronics parallel port or network
interface.
This image print accelerator will allow the LaserJet printers to
transparently print compressed document images and fax documents
along with text print tasks at full rated speed and 600 dot per inch
resolution.
The XipPrint module is operating system and network independent,
allowing the LaserJets to print scanned document, fax, and TIFF
images on the same printer that is normally used for PostScript
printing.
Xionics will also take the opportunity presented by Federal
Imaging to announce its new long-term product development and
marketing agreement with Israel-based Top Image Systems Ltd. as
well as a strategic marketing relationship with Pixelink of
Hudson, Mass. which will resell the Xionics XipView Windows Image
Display Controller.
(John McCormick/19931101/Press Contact: Brian Bissett, Xionics,
310-402-0393)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
IBM
Insight Announces Pentium-based Workstation
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00010)
Insight Announces Pentium-based Workstation 11/01/93
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Insight Direct has
announced it will begin shipping its Pentium-based workstations on
November 15. The company was formerly known as Insight Distribution
Network Inc.
The company says that the new systems will compete for direct sales
with Gateway 2000's P5-60. Insight's 60 megahertz (MHz) Pentium-
powered PCI P60 CD carries a price tag reading $3,699 and ships with
16 megabytes (MB) of system memory, a 320 millisecond double-speed
CD-ROM drive, a parallel and two serial ports, a 101-key keyboard
and a mouse.
You also get a Super VGA non-interlaced monitor, a 256 kilobyte
cache, and one 540MB 12 millisecond hard drive. MS-DOS, Microsoft
for Workgroups, and four CD-ROM titles come with the system. The
system has two PCI (peripheral component interconnect) four ISA
(industry standard architecture) and one PCI/ISA slots. PCI is a new
high performance local bus that supports multiple peripheral devices
and can provide wider, faster throughput.
Insight VP of Marketing Valerie Paxton told Newsbytes that the
system is designed for heavy number crunching, high end graphics,
and desktop publishing. The company expects to sell about $500,000
worth of P60's in November and as much as $2 million worth in
December.
Insight says that future plans call for its Pentium-based systems to
include additional memory and a hard drive capable of storing up to
one gigabyte of files for about $300 more than the systems being
announced presently.
Insight provides toll free around-the-clock sales and tech support.
systems ship via Federal Express and include a one year parts and
labor warranty. The warranty period can be extended one additional
year at a cost equal to nine percent of the purchase price. The
company offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
(Jim Mallory/19931101/Press contact: Valerie Paxton, Insight, 602-
350-1611; Reader contact: Insight Direct, 800-927-7848)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
GENERAL
Seagate's High Capacity Storage Conf Set For Comdex
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00011)
Seagate's High Capacity Storage Conf Set For Comdex 11/01/93
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- High capacity
disk drives may be becoming increasingly popular as applications
continue to take up huge amounts of storage space, but they can pose
architectural problems for hardware vendors. Along those lines
Seagate Technology says it will host a conference designed to
address such problems, which is planned for Tuesday, November 16, in
Las Vegas, Nevada, coinciding with the Comdex trade show.
According to the company, the High Capacity Storage Integration
Conference will address the "current system limitations in
integrating AT-interface hard disc drives of greater than 528
megabytes (MB), and SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) devices
of greater than 8.4 gigabytes (GB) into personal computers,
workstations and file servers."
Tim Sutton, spokesman for Seagate, told Newsbytes that there
is no cost for attending the conference. "The only thing that we
require is that attendees RSVP as soon as possible, as there
will be no walk-in registration."
The company also maintains that the event will "span all the
major blocks of computing architecture," including Adaptec,
Motorola, Novell, Phoenix Technologies, Quantum, and Western
Digital among its participants.
In giving Newsbytes further details, Sutton said: "It will run
from 9am to 2pm. Initially there will introductions, and then an
outline of some of the issues involved. There will then be a
couple of different proposals or presentations by various
companies. There is still some discussion as to the timing of
the events and how much time we're actually going to have for
the proposals and discussions."
Said David Tang, Seagate's marketing manager and committee
co-chairperson: "To avoid unnecessary compatibility and
upgradeability issues the industry needs a unified approach to
this problem. Cross-platform enablers like Windows NT and
PowerPC make an industry-wide solution that supports the
highest level of interoperability of the utmost critical need."
According to Tang, users want assurance that the hardware, operating
system and storage options that they select today will not restrict
their choices to migrate to more advanced capabilities when their
needs increase. "By our standardizing for the future, users will be
able to evolve to advanced platforms more smoothly without the need
to recreate their previous work or replace expensive hardware," he
said.
Seagate maintains that the issue requires industry-wide consensus
and not just a device-level "solution." The company says that, by
forming the link between major suppliers and the individual
standards committees of key industry segments, it hopes for a widely
accepted, expedient resolution.
The company says that the conference "invites interested technical
representatives to present, discuss and collaborate on solutions to
integration limitations."
Interested technical representatives should contact Tim Sutton at
Seagate Technology by telephone on 408-439-2880, or by fax on 408-
438-4127.
(Ian Stokell/19931101/Press Contact: Julie Still, 408-439-2276; or
Tim Sutton, 408-439-2880, Seagate Technology)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
IBM
****Toshiba Cuts Pen/Notebook Prices, Extends Warranties
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00012)
****Toshiba Cuts Pen/Notebook Prices, Extends Warranties 11/01/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- In an increasingly
competitive market, hardware prices continue to decline. Now Toshiba
America Information Systems has cut prices on its pen, notebook and
portable computers. The company has also launched a series of
service and support programs that include an extended three-year
limited warranty on selected products and a "no-fault protection
plan" for display screens.
The company has cut prices of its Satellite notebook models, and
estimated street prices are as follows: the T1900 with a 120
megabyte (MB) hard drive was previously between $1,700 and $1,900,
but is now between $1,549 and $1,649, a cut of 13 percent; T1900
200MB, down 16 percent to between $1,749 - $1,849; T1900C 120MB,
down 12 percent to $2,149 - $2,299; T1900C 200MB, down 14 percent
to $2,349 - $2,499; T1950 120MB, down 13 percent to $1,949 - $2,049;
T1950 200MB, down 15 percent to $2,149 - $2,249; T1950CS 120MB, down
10 percent to $2,549 - $2,699; and the T1950CS 200MB, down 11
percent to $2,749 - $2,899.
Toshiba says that the series have no suggested list prices. However,
the suggested retail prices for the pen, notebook and portable
computers affected by the price reduction are: T100X with a 40MB
hard drive, down 30 percent from $2,999 to $2,099; T4600 120MB, down
12 percent from $3,299 to $2,899; T4600 200MB, down 13 percent from
$3,599 to $3,149; T4600C 120MB, down 4 percent from $4,699 to
$4,499; T4600C 200MB, down five percent from $4,999 to $4,749;
T4600C 320MB, down six percent from $5,499 to $5,149; T6600C 510MB,
down six percent from $7,699 to $7,199; T6600C/CD 510MB, down six
percent from $8,299 to $7,799; T6600C/CDV 510MB down five percent
from $9,499 to $8,999.
Announcing the new services and prices, Michael Winkler, vice
president and general manager of the Toshiba Computer Systems
Division, said: "These programs are designed to give customers
unlimited access to Toshiba support by increasing their productivity
with their portable computers and minimizing their downtime,
inconvenience and expense involved in computer service and repair."
Continued Winkler, "We are the first to protect our customer's
investment by providing no-fault protection, at a modest price, for
screen replacement regardless of how it was damaged. No other
company is willing to offer this type of customer protection,"
he said.
Toshiba is offering a variety of service plans and warranties.
According to the company, its "T-Plan Warranty," offers standard
limited three-year parts and labor coverage for all T4600, T6600,
Dynapad T100X and Desk Station models including bundled accessories.
Any purchase of a T4600 or T6600 prior to November1 can upgrade to
the three-year warranty for $149.95 for color models and $99.95 for
the monochrome and Desk Station models.
Any purchase of other portables and accessories prior to November 1
are covered by a one-year parts and labor warranty, but have the
option of purchasing two additional years of coverage for $199.95
for the color models and $139.95 for the monochrome and Desk Station
models.
The "T-Plus Program," lets buyers of its Satellite Series' notebook
computers purchased after November 1 obtain two additional years of
coverage for $139.95 for monochrome models and $199.95 for color
models.
The "T-World Warranty," is a free program with required enrolment
that involves an international warranty sticker. This serves as
proof of purchase for warranty coverage.
The "T-Pak Service," provides no charge packaging, insurance and
overnight shipping, via participating Mail Boxes Etc., locations, to
and from a Premier Authorized Service Provider for warranty repair.
At a price of $22.50 annually, the service may be used indefinitely
throughout the enrolment period.
The "T-Site Support," offers on-site service for $49.95 annually
during the Toshiba limited warranty, with the service being provided
by GE Computer Services. The program begins December 1.
According to Toshiba, the "T-Care Service," is designed to offer
expedited service for those outside the geographical boundaries of
T-Site service for $49.95 annually throughout the Toshiba limited
warranty period. Toshiba offers next business day turnaround for
repairs, or a loaner unit can be requested should the repair take
longer.
The "T-Screen Warranty," program offers no-fault coverage against
portable computer screen damage. Protection for the monochrome model
is $49.95 and $179.95 for the color model annually throughout the
warranty period.
(Ian Stokell/19931101/Press Contact: Howard Emerson, 714-583-3925,
Toshiba America Information Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)
Canadian Product Launch Update 11/01/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: Hewlett-Packard's new
printers, IBM's LAN NetView products, and Sun's latest workstations.
Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Limited unveiled the 600 dots per inch
(DPI) LaserJet 4P and LaserJet 4MP printers and its new color
portable printers, the DeskJet 310 and DeskWriter 310 (Newsbytes,
Oct. 25).
The new LaserJet models replace the LaserJet IIIP and IIIP
PostScript models. The 4P is C$1,699 in Canada, and the 4MP is
C$2,390.
The DeskJet and DeskWriter 310 are color ink-jet printers. The
DeskJet 310 is meant for use with DOS-based portables, and the
DeskWriter for use with Apple Computer notebook machines. Both are
C$506, with a cut-sheet feeder available for C$111. The printer and
paper feeder are available together for $607.
IBM Canada unveiled the LAN NetView line of products (Newsbytes,
Oct. 29). There are seven pieces. LAN NetView Manage is the
management framework. It costs C$2,385. LAN NetView Enabler, priced
at C$115, provides management services for OS/2 clients. LAN NetView
Agents for DOS, C$97, contains management agents for DOS and
Windows. LAN NetView Agents Extended, also C$97, provides management
agents for OS/2 servers.
LAN NetView Monitor monitors the performance of OS/2 clients or
servers. It costs C$1,030. LAN NetView Fix lets the system
administrator receive and deal with error messages from remote
sources. Its price is C$1,620. LAN NetView Tie, C$2,590, provides a
connection to NetView/MVS to allow central management from the host
system.
A package of LAN NetView Manage, Monitor, and Fix costs C$4,535.
All the products are due to be available in Canada Nov. 3.
Sun Microsystems of Canada unveiled three new workstations, the
Sparcstation 10SX and 10M and the Sparcclassic M (Newsbytes, Oct.
21).
Available now, the Sparcstation 10SX is meant for image
manipulation. Prices start at C$23,250 with a 535 megabyte (MB) hard
disk, 32 MB of memory, and a 16-inch color monitor. The Sparcstation
10M and the Sparcclassic M are aimed at multimedia applications. The
Sparcstation 10M starts at C$25,650, and the Sparcclassic M costs
C$7,491 in quantities of 12 or more. Both are due to ship Dec. 15.
(Grant Buckler/19931101/Press Contact: Martha Terdik, Hewlett-
Packard Canada, 905-206-3311; Janet Carnegie, IBM Canada, 416-485-
1582; Michael Douglas, Sun Canada, 905-477-6745)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
IBM
IBM Ends Free Health Coverage In US
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00014)
IBM Ends Free Health Coverage In US 11/01/93
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Another tradition has
crumbled at IBM. The troubled computer company, which a few months
ago ended its tradition of never laying employees off, has now told
its workers in the United States they will have to pay part of the
cost of their health-care benefits plans.
Saying it expects to save about $280 million per year, IBM told
employees to start paying premiums for their health coverage and
raised the minimum annual deductible for major medical and surgical
expenses to $250 from $150.
Retired IBM employees, and those on disability leave, will not
have to pay premiums, the company said.
A typical employee will pay from $34 to $83 per month for the same
level of coverage the company previously offered at its own expense.
IBM has provided free health care since the company was founded in
1914. That, along with its no-layoff tradition, was one of the
factors giving the company a reputation for taking good care of its
employees.
But IBM's revenue has been declining since 1990, and it has reported
large losses in the past two years. The company recently reported a
third-quarter loss of $48 million.
Continued staff cuts have brought IBM's worldwide work force down to
about 267,000 people, 41,000 less than a year ago and 34,000 less
than at the beginning of 1993. The company said it expects its
payroll to drop to 255,000 by year-end.
Veteran IBM-watcher Bob Djurdjevic, president of Annex Research in
Phoenix, recently told Newsbytes he expects IBM's tough cost-cutting
efforts of recent years will start to bring some results next year.
(Grant Buckler/19931101/Press Contact: Rob Wilson, IBM, 914-765-
6565)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo: Image Browser Licensed To Top Publishers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00015)
CD-ROM Expo: Image Browser Licensed To Top Publishers 11/01/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Adobe and six
other major CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) publishers have
licensed Imspace Systems' Kudo Image Browser to act as a visual
browsing tool for their newest CD-ROM titles.
The seven pacts were announced last week at CD-ROM Expo, along with
two new editions of a shrink wrapped package of Kudo sold direct to
end users: the first Windows version of the package, and an update
to the existing browser for Macintosh.
Aside from Adobe, the new CD-ROM licensees for Kudo include Educorp,
Form and Function, The Appelbaum Publishing Group, Sense Interactive
Corp., Wizard Computer Graphics, and the Seattle Support Group.
Kudo displays files as a visual gallery of thumbnail images, rather
than a textual list of file names, officials explained in making
the announcement. With Kudo as a tool, users can easily search,
preview and retrieve digital media, including graphics, clip art
libraries, Photo CD images, sound files, and Quicktime video clips.
Search and retrieval can be carried out in three different ways.
Users can employ the scroll bar for visual browsing, or search by
file name, type, size, location, modification date, or other
textual information.
Under the third approach, Kudo's "Riffle" feature, users can view
series of single thumbnails, presented at the rate of 10 frames per
second in one area of the window.
If the desired file is "offline," Kudo will prompt the user to
insert the appropriate CD or removable disc, or to mount the
appropriate network volume.
Once the user finds the file, the file can be previewed at full
resolution, edited, copied, or placed directly into a document.
Kudo is scheduled to appear in these upcoming CD-ROM titles: the
Deluxe CD-ROM Edition of Adobe Illustrator 5.0; Educorp's The
Desktop Publishing CD 3.0; and Wizard's ColorMagic clip art
library.
The tool will also be used in Form and Function's Page Overtures
One, a library of background textures, and in three volumes of
stock photography: Seattle Support Group's Vintage CD Library,
Sense Interactive's Earth, Sky, Power and Water; and a Photo CD-
compliant disc from Appelbaum to be known as Kudo with Environs.
The new Windows and Macintosh Kudo packages for end users each
support many popular outside file formats. The Windows version
allows the user to select an image from the Kudo catalog and drop
it into any application that supports drag and drop from the File
Manager, or into any OLE (object-linking-and-embedding) 2.0-
compliant application.
Also supplied are "place modules" that let users drag and drop
images into other applications, including Microsoft Word,
QuarkXPress, PageMaker and Harvard Graphics. In addition, the
Windows edition supports standard copy-and-paste clipboard
operations.
The Macintosh update brings such enhancements as full AppleScript
support, the ability to catalog RIFF and JPEG image files, and OPI
Linking, a technique that eliminates the need to preview files by
placing thumbnails that contain OPI information directly into
QuarkXPress documents.
"Drag & Place" -- the ability to select an image and place it into
another application in a single operation -- is extended in Kudo
1.1 for the Mac to several new applications, including Adobe
Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premier, Aldus Freehand, and
Fractal Design Painter.
The shrinkwrapped packages of Kudo for end users are scheduled to
ship this month. Pricing is $99 for the Windows edition and $195
for the Apple Macintosh version.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931101/Reader contact: Imspace Systems Corp.,
tel 619-272-2600; Press contact: Tom Toperczer, Imspace, tel 619-
272-2600, ext 4100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/01/93
IBM
Iomega Intros IDE-compatible Bernoulli Drive
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00016)
Iomega Intros IDE-compatible Bernoulli Drive 11/01/93
ROY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Iomega Corporation has
announced it is now shipping a new internal model of its Bernoulli
Multidisk 150 drive with an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)
interface.
The Insider 150 IDE is an internal 150 megabyte (MB) Bernoulli drive
designed to connect directly to the IDE interface in IBM-compatible
computers. Bernoulli drives use a removable storage disk that
resembles an oversized 3.5 inch floppy disk. The new drive fits in
an empty 5.25 inch drive bay.
Iomega says that the Insider 150 IDE can be used as a second drive
to an internal IDE hard drive for additional removable storage, and
is 100 percent compatible with other Bernoulli models. In other
words, data stored on a Bernoulli disk used in the IDE-compatible
drive can be used in another computer equipped with a SCSI (small
computer system interface)-compatible Bernoulli drive.
Disks of varying capacities are available for the 150 drives,
including 35MB, 65MB, 105MB and 150MB. The drives can also read and
write the earlier Bernoulli 90MB disks and can read Bernoulli 44MB
disks.
Bernoulli drives have an average access time of 18 milliseconds and
a 256 kilobyte (K) cache. The ability to remove the disks makes it
possible to easily exchange data with other computers in the same
manner as floppy drives, and data can be safeguarded more easily.
The new drive is compatible with MS-DOS 4.0 or higher and Windows
3.0 or later. It ships with software drivers, mounting screws, and
one 150MB cartridge that is preloaded with a number of shareware
programs.
Iomega says it has raised the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) rate
for all its Bernoulli drives to 175,000 hours, and recently
increased the warranty period to two years.
The Insider 150 IDE has a suggested retail price of $589. The
company also produces external and dual-drive Bernoulli models,
minicartridge tape drives that can read both QIC-80 and Irwin-
formatted tapes, and a 21MB floppy drive that uses Floptical
technology.
(Jim Mallory/19931101/Press contact: A. Cory Maloy, Iomega Corp,
801-778-3712; Reader contact: Iomega Corp, 801-778-1000, fax 801-
778-3450)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
BUSINESS
****Counterfeiter Agrees To Pay Microsoft $8.5 Million
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00017)
****Counterfeiter Agrees To Pay Microsoft $8.5 Million 11/01/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation has announced that a New Jersey company has agreed to
pay $8.5 million because it allegedly produced tens of thousands of
unauthorized copies of Microsoft software.
CMOS Technologies, located in Passcataway, New Jersey reportedly
agreed to a judgement entered in a federal court, according to
Microsoft attorney Jim Lowe. CMOS also reportedly agreed to a
permanent injunction prohibiting it from producing any copies of
Microsoft Windows software.
CMOS had held a license from Microsoft to produce copies of Windows
to sell with its personal computers. Microsoft does not grant
licenses to sell copies of its software except to accompany PCs.
Microsoft said that the license was terminated in 1992 but alleged
CMOS continued to produce and sell the software until earlier this
year. CMOS allegedly produced about 90,000 copies of Windows and had
sold all but about 10,000 copies.
At an estimated value of about $50 per copy, the unauthorized copies
were worth approximately $4.5 million, according to Lowe. A separate
Microsoft suit against CMOS distributor GD Systems and its Canada-
based parent firm Golden Dragon is still working its way through the
court system.
(Jim Mallory/19931101/Press contact: Microsoft Corporation, 206-882-
8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/01/93
IBM
IBM Updates Communications Adapter, Cuts PS/2 Prices
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00018)
IBM Updates Communications Adapter, Cuts PS/2 Prices 11/01/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- IBM has launched a new
version of its WindSurfer Communications Adapter for personal
computers using its Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, and
upgraded the features of the existing version for the Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) or AT bus. The company also cut prices
on its PS/2E and PS/2 Model 90 computers.
The new WindSurfer MCA card has a modem that transmits data at
14,400 bits per second (bps) and facsimiles at 9,600 bps. The old
version handled both data and fax at 9,600 bps, company spokesman
Rich Frostig said. Other features of the card include voice
messaging, telephone answering, digital audio, and music synthesis.
The WindSurfer Communications Adapter, which fits in a single
expansion slot, is aimed at small business and home office users who
want assorted communications and multimedia functions in a small,
low-priced package, Frostig said.
It can be used with most Sound Blaster games and works with IBM's
internal Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) compact disk
read-only memory (CD-ROM) player.
The original WindSurfer card for the ISA bus, announced in May,
will also ship with the 14,400/9,600-bps modem and game support
found in the new MCA version, the company said.
IBM also launched the WindSurfer MIDI Pac, designed to work with
the Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) specification.
The new WindSurfer MCA card costs $429, and the MIDI Pac is $79.
IBM also cut prices on the PS/2E personal computer, which complies
with the Energy Star power-saving specification set up by the US
Department of Energy, and on its PS/2 Model 90 servers. The company
also added two PS/2E models with a 340-megabyte (MB) hard drive.
The new PS/2E Model 9533-GBD, with a 50-megahertz (MHz) 486SLC2
processor, eight MB of memory, 340-MB hard drive, the OS/2 2.1
operating system, and a Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association (PCMCIA) slot, is $2,765.
The PS/2E Model 9533-DBD, similar but shipped with DOS 6.1 and
Microsoft Windows 3.1 instead of OS/2, is also $2,765. The price of
the PS/2E Model 9533-GB7, which has the same features as the 9533-
GBD except for a 120-MB hard drive, has been cut from $2,785 to
$2,235.
IBM cut prices by 13 to 20 percent on six PS/2 Model 90
configurations. New prices range from $1,335 for the Model 9533-1BX,
which has a 50-MHz 486SLC2 processor, an Ethernet interface, and
four MB of memory and ships without a hard disk, to $4,135 for the
Model 9590-DLG, which has a 50-MHz 486DX2 chip, eight MB of memory,
and a 540-MB hard disk.
(Grant Buckler/19931101/Press Contact: Rich Frostig, IBM, 914-766-
1555; Mike DeMeo, IBM, 914-766-1802)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/01/93
GENERAL
IBM, DEC Announce Details Of NetView Association
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019)
IBM, DEC Announce Details Of NetView Association 11/01/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- IBM and Digital Equipment
Corporation have given out further details on their joint program
for third-party developers working with IBM's NetView 6000 and
Digital's Polycenter systems management products.
The plan, the outline of which was announced in August, is to be
called the NetView Association. It will combine developer programs
previously run by each company for their respective products.
The association will feature a comprehensive support program for
independent network and systems management developers who will
incorporate the function of IBM's NetView/6000 and Digital's
Polycenter on NetView Manager into their offerings.
In August, the companies announced plans to make IBM's
NetView/6000 network management system available on Digital's
Alpha AXP 64-bit computers early next year.
The companies said they will work together on several aspects of
network and systems management. Among the first fruits of the
deal will be Polycenter NetView, a version of NetView/6000 that
will run on the DEC OSF/1 operating system -- a variant of Unix
-- on Alpha computers.
With the delivery of this software in the first quarter of 1994,
DEC and IBM customers will get consistent application program
interfaces (APIs) to NetView across both IBM and DEC hardware,
said Dennis Biedrzycki, Polycenter marketing manager at DEC in
Nashua, New Hampshire.
The NetView Association is the result of a merger between IBM's
NetView/6000 Association and Digital's Polycenter Partners
program. Members of these previous programs have been invited to
join the new group. About 50 members currently take part in the
Polycenter Partners program, and more than 200 in IBM's plan,
Biedrzycki said.
Developers joining the program will get an invitation to an
annual technical forum, training on application program
interfaces (APIs) for the DEC and IBM software, access to
hardware and software, product qualification testing, listing in
an association catalog, technical support, and access to a
"Relationship Manager."
The association will continue a certification procedure
introduced in IBM's program, validating 17 elements of vendors'
products through a series of tests.
(Grant Buckler/19931101/Press Contact: Ray Gorman, IBM,
914-642-5434; David Lynch, Digital, 508-467-7724)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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11/01/93
IBM
****Compaq Gets Serious About Market Leadership
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00020)
****Compaq Gets Serious About Market Leadership 11/01/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Compaq Computer Corporation
says it's stepping up its assault on the number one position in the
PC market. To prove it the company has launched a wave of 46 new
models aimed at both home users and big and small businesses.
The new systems include Deskpro, Prolinea and Presario models, and
the company has cut prices up to 23 percent on selected existing PCs
and portables, as well as as much as 35 percent on some portable
computing options.
For business users Compaq is offering 486 and Pentium based Deskpro
models with fast graphics, speedy drives, energy saving features and
beefed up audio capability. The fast Pentium-based systems prices
start at $2,799.
Ten new Presario family models are being introduced, including
multimedia models with stereo sound, customized pre-installed
software and CD-ROM applications.
All the new Compaq PCs come with a three year warranty and include
TabWorks, the Compaq substitute for the Microsoft Windows Program
Manager that uses a notebook or three ring binder visual metaphor
with tabbed pages instead of program groups. Watch for a Newsbytes
review of TabWorks, which can replace the Windows Program Manager on
any PC running Windows.
With the models being introduced the Presario family now includes 13
different models including an all-in-one design that integrates the
computer and the monitor reported on by Newsbytes recently, an
expandable desktop series, and an expandable, upgradable minitower
configuration.
The company has also unveiled its multimedia CD8 Presario 600 and
800 series that include a CD-ROM drive, microphone, speakers and
more than a dozen preinstalled software and CD-ROM packages. The 600
and 800 series will be sold through CompUSA, Computer City,
MicroCenter and ElekTek outlets.
Upgrades to Compaq's Deskpro include the XE family, which includes a
faster QVision local bus graphics Compaq says provides more than 100
percent faster graphics performance over the current QVision
available in the Deskpro/i line.
(Jim Mallory/19931101/Press contact: Reader contact: Compaq
Computer Corp, 800-345-1518)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
TELECOM
US Order Rolls Out New Screenphone
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
US Order Rolls Out New Screenphone 11/01/93
HERNDON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- US Order, the
claimed leader in a screenphone market which has yet to live up to
its promise, has introduced a new model called PhonePlus at a price
point of $199. The new model was developed with Verifone, a leader
in transaction terminals, and is made by Verifone. An earlier model,
the ScanFone, had sales of about 10,000, according to US Order.
While the company said major catalog retailers have already
agreed to sell the phone, its success will depend far more on
tests of the system now going on in Nashville, Tennessee with
BellSouth and a test planned early next year by GTE. Bell
Atlantic already has a co-marketing agreement to sell the
ScanFone in the Washington, D.C. area.
US West has a tentative deal to test the phone, and US Order said
it's in active negotiations with NYNEX, Southern New England in
Connecticut, and New Brunswick Telephone in Canada. BellSouth has
said that if its test is successful it will roll the phone along
with banking services out throughout its nine-state service region.
The unit has a four line by 20 character screen, and the telephone
keypad can be lifted up to reveal a 48-key typewriter-style
keyboard.
PhonePlus is compatible with the Analog Display Systems Interface,
or ADSI, standard of Bellcore. Critics of ADSI have charged it would
be impossible to create a low-priced ADSI-compatible phone which
merchants would write programs to. The PhonePlus is the US Order
answer to those critics.
Regional Bell companies have long been interested in screen-
baseds telephones because they help sell services like Caller ID,
which display callers' phone numbers. While all the companies
offering Caller ID services also sell small screens for use with
the service, the penetration rate remains low, with even the most
optimistic estimates by companies like Illinois Bell showing that
four in five consumers who could buy Caller ID don't buy it.
Along with the phone companies, Knight-Ridder has offered to
promote information services using the PhonePlus, while Banc One
of Columbus, Ohio and First National Bank of Maryland have
offered their banking services through it. Damark, Hammacher-
Schlemmer and Sharper Image will all offer the device through
their catalogs.
In addition to selling phones, US Order offers services using the
phones, which are fulfilled through Litle & Co., Salem, New
Hampshire, a leading credit card processing firm for catalog
merchants. The company claims its price point, under $200, is
crucial to potential market success, citing surveys from the
Yankee Group.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931101/Press Contact: Elizabeth England, for
US Order, 212-979-9645)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11/01/93
TELECOM
Datapoint Joins Patent Suite Trend
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
Datapoint Joins Patent Suite Trend 11/01/93
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Datapoint has sued
VTEL Corp., one of three leaders in videoconferencing equipment,
charging it is violating two of its patents for videoconferencing
networking. The suit was filed October 22 in the US District
Court in San Antonio, and seeks unspecified damages and an
injunction against future infringement.
VTEL issued a press releasing saying it does not violate the
Datapoint patents, numbers 4,710,917 and 4,847,829. Allison
Raffelovich, a spokesman for VTEl, told Newsbytes "I know that
back in July Datapoint said they felt they had patents related to
technology on switching for multi-wave video. They felt that many
of the industry manufacturers and providers might be in
violation.
They said they'd suggest licensing. Since then they've been in
contact with most manufacturers -- we'd been working with them to
examine the patents, and we're continuing to evaluate." It's
expected that, if settlements are not reached, Datapoint will sue
other major makers of videoconferencing gear, including Compression
Labs and Picturetel.
This is just the latest in a series of patent cases involving
broad claims by patent holders on key technologies. Spectrum
Information Technologies Inc., now headed by John Sculley, has
sued Microcom, claiming its patents protect all error correction on
data traveling over wireless networks, for instance.
So Newsbytes also contacted John Yates of Morris, Manning & Martin,
Atlanta, Georgia, whose firm handles litigation on both sides of
patent cases. He calls such cases a growing trend.
"It's been going on for years with larger companies like Motorola
and IBM -- it's been behind the scenes. The smaller companies are
now getting patents issued to them for the first time. The courts
have been more likely to enforce the patents now than 10 years ago.
Some companies are now viewing patents as a major strategic
marketing tool for them to use in promoting their product," Yates
explained.
Yates said that a judgement against General Electric in a case
involving windshield wipers has prompted many patent holders toward
more vigorous prosecution of claims.
"When you have a patents, its strength is based on claims. And
claims are broadly worded. You've got to figure you're not going to
intentionally narrow those, so you see broad-brush claims being
raised."
Many patent holders, like Peter Tsakanikas, who holds an "Alphabet
Phone" patent, may ask billions from infringers in such letters, but
express a willingness to settle for much less. "Often it's not
lawsuits so much as letters to infringers asking money. If you get
10% to pay because it's not worth litigating, you can reap big
bucks."
There is now a growing concern among experts like Yates that
innovation can be stifled if the broadest claims are upheld.
"Opponents to that view say that if you're going to motivate
people to invent and disclose, you need to have an incentive.
It's a trade-off. But a patent is not publicly available until
it's granted. You can be infringing without knowing it.
"We're stuck with this situation for the time being," he
concludes. "The broadest rule is to conduct an extensive
defensive patent search before developing a new technology. But
that's expensive, and there's no guarantee" it will protect
against claims. Perhaps, Yates suggests, policy-makers should re-
visit the patent law and clarify such questions. "There are no
clear rules now."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931101/Press Contact: Datapoint, Patricia
Coble, 210-593-7910; VTEL, Alison Raffalovich, 512/314-2720;
John Yates, Morris, Manning & Martin, 404-233-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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00 11/01/93
UNIX
Unix Common Desktop Conference Attracts 1,
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00023)
Unix Common Desktop Conference Attracts 1,200 11/01/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- If nothing else,
the introduction of Microsoft's Windows NT has jump-started
the multitude of Unix vendors to cooperate on a single specification
in order to appear less confusing to users. As a result, over 1200
software developers reportedly attended the first Common Desktop
Environment (CDE) Developers Conference which took place between
October 26-28 in San Jose, California. The conference was organized
by the UniForum Association.
Larry Lytle, spokesman for Novell, one of the participants in
the UniForum Association, told Newsbytes that, "The CDE conference
was really the culmination of about a year's worth of activity
between a set of vendors, primarily Novell, IBM, Hewlett-Packard,
Sun Microsystems, Santa Cruz Operation, and Digital Equipment.
Those were the companies putting most of the resources to work
on CDE. They have also been the companies that have largely been
driving a lot of the unification activities, such as the common
operating system specifications, that are called SPEC11.70. That
set of specifications was worked on by those vendors."
Elaborating on Novell's Unix strategy, Lytle maintained that, "Novell
has also basically placed the Unix trademark with XOpen, for the
same reason -- one set of specifications, one trademark. Now the
CDE is another piece altogether, it is a cooperative activity that is
associated with all these other things. Basically it a set of vendors
that have been driving the unity activity."
Lytle gave extensive background to Newsbytes, saying: "The
specifications were actually announced on September 1. In March,
these companies got together and said 'We are going to
cooperatively work on a set of specifications, in a number of
areas.' One area was the common desktop so everything in a Unix
environment would look alike and would work together."
Other areas identified by Lytle included multimedia,
object-oriented programming, systems administration and
management, and Digital Equipment's "federated naming."
Continued Lytle, "All of these areas were identified as areas
where companies would need to do some cooperative work. That
was in March at the UniForum show. That led to the announcement
on September 1 that there was a common set of specifications
that would define a single operating system -- Unix." He also
added that, "That set of specifications was going to be
administered and maintained by XOpen."
He added that, in October, "Novell essentially put the Unix
trademark in the public domain. The decision there was that, any
company that adhere's to that set of specifications for an operating
system -- and that would be tested a certified by XOpen -- would
be able to call their product 'Unix' and it would be compatible,
whether that Unix came from IBM, or Sun Microsystems or whoever."
Referring to the San Jose conference, he said that "What you had
last week was the first real tangible results of a single look-and-
feel, a single desktop environment across Unix machines. That's
the work that all really started back in March."
Added Don McGovern, vice-president of business development for
Novell's Unix Systems Group, said: "This conference represents a key
deliverable from the COSE (Common Open Software Environment)
process we announced at UniForum last March. We promised
developers source code and tools by October. Through an
unprecedented cooperative effort by technical teams from Digital
Equipment, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novell, SCO, Sun, and other
forward-looking open system companies, we have reached and
exceeded our own expectations."
According to the company, the three-day conference "underscored
the progress achieved by open system suppliers who are cooperating
through the COSE process for assure a consistent, standardized
environment for application development."
(Ian Stokell/19931101/Press Contact: Larry Lytle,
908-522-5186, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
IBM
TMM/IBM Deal On Fractal Video Compression
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)
TMM/IBM Deal On Fractal Video Compression 11/01/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Total
Multimedia, a company co-founded by the brother of rock star
Michael Jackson, and IBM announced a joint marketing agreement
at the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers
(SMPTE) show in Los Angeles October 29. TMM, known for its
pioneering work in fractal video compression technology will
move its compression technology to the IBM Powervisualization
parallel processing computer to speed up the image compression
process.
Developed by Iterated Systems of Atlanta, Georgia and
exclusively licensed by TMM, the fractal compression technology
is a way to mathematically define complex video images and
store those images as mathematical equations. Described as
"Postscript for Images," the idea is very similar to that of
vector-based images used in the computer graphics world.
The implication is an image compressed and stored as a mathematical
equation instead of a bunch of pixels is smaller and can be
reproduced in almost any size on almost any computer without the
distortion or blockiness that accompanies video compressed in other
ways. The company calls the technology "resolution independent"
meaning it can be displayed at any resolution, without special
hardware.
In theory, fractal compression can put a full two-hour movie on
a single CD-ROM disc. The most that has been placed on a so far
CD-ROM is 72 minutes, using Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)
compression technology and special hardware is required for
playback. However, TMM officials readily admit they haven't
done this yet and are pointing to IBM's Powervisualization
system as the ticket to getting a full movie on a CD.
One of the problems of fractal compression is it takes even the
fastest single-processor computers days to compress the
whopping 162,000 megabytes (MB) of data in a single two-hour
video film. However, decompression and display of the image
once it is compressed is very fast. The Powervisualization
system from IBM, with 32 Intel i860 processors working together
in parallel, is intended to solve the compression speed problem
bringing compression speeds into the range of hours instead of
days.
The other problem is playback of an image at higher resolution
or larger than it was originally recorded slows the frame rate.
The effect is much like that of pressing a slow-speed playback
button on a video cassette recorder (VCR). The amount of video
information increases so quickly at higher resolution that even
the fastest personal computers (PCs) have difficulty throwing
the video up on the display fast enough for normal playback.
Taylor Tucker, co-founder and chief technical officer at TMM,
says this is because the company is simply ahead of the
hardware. The beauty of this fractal compression scheme is the
faster new hardware becomes, the better images compressed with
TMM's scheme will look, Tucker asserts.
TMM is heavily involved with the public educational system. The
company has already accomplished a cooperative effort with the
California's Hueneme school district of the first educational
title on compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), the subject of
which is the Lewis and Clark expedition. Both the Hueneme
school district and TMM have agreed to share the profits from
the distribution of the title, and TMM says it is gearing up to
offer other such co-development programs with other schools.
The program allows the Hueneme school district to use its
educational expertise combined with TMM's computer expertise to
shore up school coffers. TMM asserts that the work done will be
of a more lasting nature because the fractal compression
technology will stand up well to break-neck speed at which
computer hardware is advancing.
As a company, TMM has an unusual approach to business. Company
officials are enthusiastic, energetic, fast-talkers, who get an
amazing amount of attention for how distracted and disorganized
they appear to be. But that's to be expected considering the
company's backers. Randy Jackson, a co-founder and rock singer
Michael Jackson's youngest brother, is a TMM director and
serves as Honorary Chairman for the Joint Education Initiative.
He is also at work on his debut album for Third Stone/Atlantic
Records. Taylor Kramer, before becoming involved with CD-ROM
technology, was a bass player and vocalist for the popular rock
band, The Iron Butterfly.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931101/Press Contact: Taylor Kramer, TMM,
tel 805-371-0500, fax 805-371-0505)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
TELECOM
A Fourth National Paging Operator
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)
A Fourth National Paging Operator 11/01/93
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Taking advantage
of years of hard work and a new FCC order, Metrocall Inc. has
become the fourth vendor to offer a nationwide paging network
using satellites, joining MTel's SkyTel, BellSouth's MobileComm
and Motorola's EMBARC in the rapidly-growing market.
Metrocall says it is presently serving the top 78 US markets
with paging services that allow messaging. Users can send longer
messages in increments of 200 bytes each, in the form of
successive pages. The company says it will begin serving the
other 22 top markets early this month.
Very quietly, paging has become a high-growth market, as longer
messages are offered to users, as PCs and portable computers
become media for transmitting and receiving long paging messages,
and as paging vendors are able to push more data through their
narrow 25 KHz wireless channels.
Metrocall chief executive officer Christopher Kidd told Newsbytes he
expects growth to get another jump from the new Personal Digital
Assistants like the Apple Newton, Tandy Zoomer and AT&T Personal
Communicator, all of which have wireless communications built-in.
In its most recent quarter Metrocall had revenues of $9.7 million,
but recorded a loss of $4.5 million mainly due to $5.3 million in
one-time, non-cash charges related to its new nationwide network. A
year earlier, the company reported profits of $1.0 million on
revenues of $9.2 million. Pagers in service increased to 230,208 at
September 30, up 8 percent over the prior quarter and representing
an annualized growth rate of 32 percent.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Kidd elaborated on the growing
market, and Metrocall's place in it. "There is no contrast"
between his offering and those of the other satellite paging
services, he began.
"We buy the same transmitters, and are in many case are on the same
satellite. "The FCC did not and has never licensed for satellite-
based paging systems," he added. "That goes beyond their purview.
The FCC originally licensed three nationwide channels under Part 22
of their rules on common carriage to what became EMBARC, MTel and
Mobilecomm. "Each carrier got one channel," about 25 KHz in width,
"and national exclusivity."
"Rather than going to the commission and asking for a channel, we
asked for a channel in different locations. We made sure that
when the channel was assigned it was the same in every market,"
and within a few Megahertz of the other satellite paging
channels, which are at about 931 MHz.
"Subsequently, the FCC came out with a notice of proposed rulemaking
which is now law, saying that if you're operating on the same
channel in at least 300 transmitters covering X number of markets,
you are de-facto a nationwide carrier" and the FCC will not license
anyone else to use that channel.
"I suppose other carriers can use this" new rule to get into the
market, Kidd added, but "There's an economic hurdle to get over.
You don't throw up 500 transmitters overnight. We've been in
local markets since 1965." Kidd joined the company in 1986 from
Booz, Allen & Hamilton. The company came public in July.
It's sometimes difficult to know who is doing what in the paging
market, Kidd acknowledged, because many of the larger players are
small divisions of big companies, which don't break out their
paging results separately. Metromedia Paging, for instance, is
owned by Southwestern Bell, Mobilecomm by BellSouth. "Among
publicly traded companies, we're 4th or 5th," he estimated.
Kidd said all the major paging operators are moving into
messaging, and said computers are the key to the new growth in
the market. "We were born with phones. We know how to dial the
phone. That's the key to paging today. You have ubiquitous access
through the telephone" to paging networks. "When you talk about
sending ASCII text, it becomes more difficult. The telephones
don't have that alphanumeric capability, but it's a lay-down for
anyone with a PC" to send a text message to a pager. "The
exciting thing now is the PDA and portable computer. We're taking
this infrastructure and adding paging on to it."
And demand is skyrocketing. "We have latent demand for product
and services in advance of its availability. We have customers
and users on mobile wireless communications who want to send and
receive from their computers. You're seeing a tremendous demand
from a latent customer base, which is in advance of the
technological capability. And that's different from other
technological innovations. Right now, based on current demand,
there's room for everyone because we're sending 10 digit phone
numbers or an announcement to call voice mail, and only to a
limited extent are we sending 200 character pages."
Kidd said that to satisfy anticipated demand, paging companies
are increasing the amount of bits they send per second, to as
fast as 6,400 bits/second. With file compression, that can mean a
speed of up to 10,000 bits/second. And that may be fast enough,
considering that many pages are as short as 10 characters long,
the length of a phone number. "At that point we're starting to
exceed the saturation capability of the person at the other end -
- we tend to use mobile communication terminals for data that's
time-sensitive. If the data volume is really large, you need to
ask how time sensitive it is, and whether there aren't lower-cost
methods" for handling the message. "I don't believe wireless
communication is going to supplant or do away with the wired
network. This is an ancillary set of services that improves the
quality of life, the operating efficiency, and the net economic
capability of the end user."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931101/Press Contact: Metrocall, Christopher
Kidd, 703-660-9343
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
BUSINESS
****Microsoft Moves Corporation Base Again
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00026)
****Microsoft Moves Corporation Base Again 11/01/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- In its twelve year
history, Microsoft appears to have had several identity crises.
First it incorporated in Washington state, then it became a Delaware
corporation, and now it has re-incorporated in Washington state
again.
But appearances can be deceiving. It's not an identity crisis, but
good business that has caused the changes. Five years after the
company incorporated in Washington state in 1981, it decided to take
advantage of the favorable incorporation laws of the state of
Delaware because of concerns over liability limits placed on the
amount of liability protection afforded corporate directors under
Washington law.
Now the state has rewritten its laws to allow companies to better
indemnify its officers, so Microsoft shareholders voted recently to
re-incorporate in Washington. The action was taken at Microsoft's
annual shareholder meeting.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates repeated for shareholders a warning he
and other company executives have been sounding for several months,
that the company's growth has slowed. However most companies wish
they had the same problem. Microsoft revenue grew nearly 50 percent
in 1992, but dropped to "only" 36 percent growth in fiscal 1993. For
the first quarter of FY 94, which ended September 30, 1993 the
company reported a profit of $239 million on revenues of $983
million.
The slowing is due in part to declining software prices and also
because of the millions of dollars Microsoft has been pouring into
new product development, according to Executive VP Steve Ballmer.
(Jim Mallory/19931101/Press contact: Microsoft Corporation, 206-882-
8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
GENERAL
Japanese PC Online Network Users Exceed Two Million
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00027)
Japanese PC Online Network Users Exceed Two Million 11/01/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- The number of personal computer
online network users in Japan has reached the two million mark,
according to the New Media Development Association (NMDA).
According to the NMDA, the number of online users has been rising
steadily over the past few years. The two million mark should have
been passed, as the NMDA's survey was carried out in June, when
there were 1.957 million users.
NMDA claims that the number of online service users has risen by
around 70 percent in the last two years alone, with the bulk of new
users being signed up to PC-VAN and Niftyserve, Japan's most popular
(and largest) online systems. Currently, the association claims that
there are around 2,600 different host systems of PC users in Japan.
This figure, Newsbytes notes, includes both non-profit and
commercial networks.
NMDA's figures claim to show that the bulk of online service users
are male, with only 8.5 percent being female. However, the NMDA
reports that the small percentage is increasing all the time and is
expected to continue increasing.
Newsbytes notes that major PC networks such as NEC's PC-VAN and
Fujitsu's Nifty-serve have been trying hard to sign up new users by
adding new features, databases and forums, as well as offering
electronic mail links to other networks.
Some networks have gone one stage further, as witnessed by PC-VAN,
which has begun discussions with ASCII to open a link between the
two company's networks. Newsbytes also notes that, under an
initiative from the japanese Post and Telecom Ministry, a messaging
handling system (MHS) link will soon be opened on most Japanese
online services, to allow inter-system messaging.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931101/Press Contact: New Media
Development Association, +81-3-3457-0671)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
GENERAL
Sun No 1 Ranking Helps Business in Hong Kong
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00028)
Sun No 1 Ranking Helps Business in Hong Kong 11/01/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- Being awarded first in five
out of seven workstation categories in the Reader's Choice Awards of
CIO Magazine will have a positive impact on Sun's business systems
market in Hong Kong, according to Mary Theis, marketing manager for
Sun Microsystems Hong Kong office.
"We have seen sales to business users increase dramatically as
companies from all areas of enterprise rightsize their information
technology," Theis said, adding that: "leading Sun commercial system
customers now include the Chase Manhattan Bank, Hongkong
International Terminals, U-Freight, Hong Kong Housing Society, and
Nike Asia."
CIOs also voted Sun as the company they would most likely consider
purchasing products from within the next 12 months. According to a
study, CIO Magazine's readers control the spending of IT budgets
that average US$23 million each annually.
According to the international market research firm Dataquest, the
number of workstations used for business applications will grow 97.7
per cent between 1991 and 1996. Workstations in commercial
applications will account for US$18.1 billion of the US$35.5 billion
workstation market in 1996.
In a recent IDC report, Sun servers accounted for the largest share
of the market 39.8 per cent of the worldwide unit shipments of "as-
sold" workstation servers for 1992.
"As the world's leading workstation and server vendor, we anticipate
increased opportunities in Hong Kong, particularly as more
businesses move to a Sun client-server computing model to reduce
overall IT costs and improve a company's competitive advantage,"
said Theis.
(Keith Cameron/19931101/Press Contact: Mary Theis (Sun): +852-
8024188)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
IBM
****CD-ROM Expo: IBM Rolls Out Eight New Multimedia Titles
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00029)
****CD-ROM Expo: IBM Rolls Out Eight New Multimedia Titles 11/01/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- At CD-ROM Expo,
IBM's Multimedia Publishing Studio (MPS) rolled out eight new
interactive CD-ROM titles, including a space encyclopedia, four
volumes of specialized digital imagery, and online editions of The
Lawnmower Man, MacBeth, and Star Trek.
MPS has been producing multimedia software since 1991, and CD-ROM
titles since late 1992, officials said during a news briefing at the
show. But the new market entries are the first to emerge from MPS'
new Affiliated Labels Program, an effort in which IBM is teaming up
with third-party developers.
Also at the briefing, IBM announced delivery dates of before the
end-of-the-year for a string of previously announced titles now
under internal development by the company. This group includes "The
Playboy Interviews," ""Adventures of Curious George and the ABCs,"
"Biosphere 2," and "Peter and the Wolf."
The IBM studio's solo and joint ventures cover Windows, DOS and
Macintosh platforms, in addition to just about every conceivable
subject matter, Crista C. Freeman, director of the Affiliated Labels
Program, noted at the briefing. "There's room for everything," she
commented.
Of the eight new CD-ROM joint productions, four run on Windows as
well as Macintosh. These are "Rick Doyle Digital Imagery" and Sound
Source Unlimited's "Lawnmower Man," "Star Trek, The Original TV
Series," "Star Trek, The Next Generation."
Two titles -- Plum Productions' "Shapes, Volume Two: Design in
Nature," and "Shapes, Volume Two, Man-Made Design" now operate on
the Mac only. The other two -- Andromeda Interactive's "The
Interactive Space Encyclopedia" and Animated Pixels' "Karaoke
MacBeth" -- are currently for DOS only.
"But the ultimate intent is for all eight titles to run on Windows
and Macintosh," stated Terry Jenkins, a communications consultant
to IBM.
The two "Shapes" titles are much more than mere collections on
images, suggested Norman Clark, a partner in Plum Productions, a
company based in Brockenhurst, Hants, UK.
The 100 source images in each volume are supported with three
variants that are overlaid with a wide variety of creative effects,
meant to show the graphic possibilities of image manipulation, said
Clark, also at the briefing. Further, the images are accompanied by
text captions aimed at helping users analyze the composition of the
natural and manmade environment.
"The Interactive Space Encyclopedia" also deals with the natural
and manmade environment, but in this case, the environment is that
of outer space.
The disk contains over 1,000 text documents, with interactive
keywords, along with 2000 photos and 150 3D animations illustrating
scientific concepts and moonwalks, space launches, and other
spectacular events, Jonathan Taylor, president of Alamdeda, CA-
based Andromeda Interactive, explained at the briefing.
After the briefing, Newsbytes viewed "Interactive Space
Encyclopedia" and "Karaoke MacBeth" on the exhibition floor at
CD-ROM Expo. Mike Cox, creative producer, showed how the new
encyclopedia lets users conduct an online exploration of outer
space from a wide range of perspectives, including timelines, maps
of the solar system, and searches for words, still images, and
animation. The title is narrated throughout by Patrick Moore.
Newsbytes also saw how "Karaoke MacBeth" permits users to play the
roles of MacBeth, Lady MacBeth, MacDuff, the Witches, and other key
characters in the famous Shakespearean drama. Up to 10 users can
take part at once, enacting their roles against the voices of
professional actors on the disk.
"Karaoke MacBeth" is replete with other audio effects, as well,
including blaring trumpets and the sounds of the crowd at London's
Globe Theatre. On the visual front, graphics and animation are
both to be found.
Among the other newly announced titles, the two Star Trek titles
and the virtual reality-oriented "LawnMower Man" all present full-
motion video clips and sound bytes from their movie and TV
namesakes.
In addition, each comes with a utility that lets users assign the
clips to system events and other computer functions. You might
start up your computer to a clip in which Spock announces,
"Computing now, Captain," for example -- or delete a file to the
sound of a photon torpedo blast. "It's quite a way to liven up
your desktop," Jenkins pointed out.
Digital Imagery, on the other hand, is a volume of sports photos by
Rick Doyle, an internationally known photojournalist whose credits
include cover photos for Sports Illustrated and Surfer Magazine.
The photos were scanned in on a high-end Hell 341 drum scanner and
saved in TIFF formats.
Also according to Jenkins, IBM's upcoming, internally developed
"The Playboy Interviews" and "Adventures of Curious George and the
ABCS" will be released within the next two to three weeks. "The
other internally developed titles will be out by the end of the
year," he added. "Curious George and the ABCs" could be the first
of a series of Curious George titles, he revealed.
Another title under internal development, "Biosphere 2," will take
users inside of the innovative Biosphere 2 ecological research
program, for an exploration of the program's technology and basic
research results.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931101/Reader contact: IBM's Multimedia
Publishing Studio, tel 800-898-VTGA; Terry Jenkins, Multimedia
Publishing Studio, tel 404-988-9957)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
11/01/93
TRENDS
****Custodians of Visual Truth Gather At SMPTE
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00030)
****Custodians of Visual Truth Gather At SMPTE 11/01/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 NOV 1 (NB) -- The conference
for the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers started
Friday at the Los Angeles Convention Center and will go through
November 2, 1993. One conference attendee described the gathering as
the largest group of "custodians of visual truth" assembled
anywhere.
With multimedia coming in strong, cinematographers, video, and
multimedia "purists" are extremely concerned about visual truth or
the quality of visual reproduction at every level from broadcast
television to compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) titles on
personal computers (PCs).
The kind of issues this group is most concerned about are best
represented by a story told Newsbytes by Richard Doherty, an
analyst. Doherty is an amateur guitarist who told how he got seats
at a Paul Simon concert in New York, just five rows back so he could
see Simon's every move. A favorite of Doherty's, Simon's younger
brother, Eddie Simon, was his guitar instructor.
To impress his instructor, Doherty describes how he once recorded
from late-night television Paul Simon's technique in strumming and
fingering motions from the song "American Tune" and practised them
over and over by replaying the recording. When he had the technique
perfected, he taught it to his instructor, Paul's own brother.
At the Paul Simon concert, Doherty was again able to observe, from
his prime seating, Simon's guitar techniques. Afterward, he said he
realized that a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) I or II
recording of Simon's concert would not be detailed enough upon
playback to allow him to study and learn Simon's fingering and
strumming techniques because they simply wouldn't be visible enough.
But an analog technique would record in the necessary level of
detail. "Is this the legacy we want to leave to our children?"
Doherty asked.
Will Stackhouse, SMPTE imaging project director, told attendees of
the Winter Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Chicago in 1991 that
if we were foolish enough to limit our resolution horizons for high
definition television (HDTV) to finite numbers, we would be doomed
to be cursed by our children, their children, and our children's
children's children. Those who are seeking finite numbers for HDTV
have been dubbed "finitives" with disgust by the purists of visual
truth.
Video compression of digital information, such as Joint Photographic
Experts Group (JPEG) and MPEG, is what the visual truth seekers
watch the most carefully. The compression decimates high definition
images and that is wrong, they say. Hollywood directors of movies
such as Jurassic Park, speaking to attendees at the Seybold Digital
World conference in Beverly Hills, California last summer said while
they'll use computers to generate special effects, they put the
digital effects back onto celluloid, simply because celluloid is
better.
However, the 135 year-old SMPTE conference is heavily effected by
the computer industry. The keynote address was offered by James
Clark of Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI), digital video and compression
was a favorite subject of the sessions, and the show floor was
heavily populated by computer industry hardware and software
vendors.
It appears the outcry isn't one to stop the advance of technology
into visual information, but one that says we simply haven't gone
far enough with the digital technology to start drawing lines and
limiting ourselves. As long as the analog technology is better, that
cry will continue.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931101/Press Contact: Richard Doherty, The
Envisioneering Group, tel 516-783-6244, fax 516-679-8167)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/29/93
IBM
IBM To Ship LAN NetView, LAN Distance
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00001)
IBM To Ship LAN NetView, LAN Distance 10/29/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- IBM is due to
begin shipping two new local-area network (LAN) products today.
LAN NetView is an extension of the company's system management
product line to the LAN arena. LAN Distance allows remote access
to a local-area network without a dedicated server.
All of the new products were shown at the NetWorld show in Dallas
in early October.
LAN NetView, for IBM and compatible personal computers, joins
versions of NetView for RISC System/6000 workstations and for IBM
mainframes running the MVS operating system. IBM said it will
allow network administrators to run IBM's other vendors' network
management applications on an assortment of LANs.
The software allows central management of clients running DOS,
Microsoft Windows, and IBM's OS/2. It also supports a variety of
network servers, the company said.
IBM said LAN NetView is the first network management product to
incorporate elements of the Open Software Foundation's
Distributed Management Environment (DME).
There are seven pieces. LAN NetView Manage is the management
framework. It costs $1,839. LAN NetView Enabler, priced at $89,
provides management services OS/2 clients. LAN NetView Agents for
DOS, $75, contains management agents for DOS and Windows. LAN
NetView Agents Extended, also $75, provides management agents for
OS/2 servers.
LAN NetView Monitor monitors the performance of OS/2 clients or
servers. It costs $795. LAN NetView Fix lets the system
administrator receive and deal with error messages from remote
sources. Its price is $1,249. LAN NetView Tie, $1,995, provides a
connection to NetView/MVS to allow central management from the
host system.
A package of LAN NetView Manage, Monitor, and Fix costs $3,495.
LAN Distance is remote access software that can work with
networks running IBM's LAN Server, Novell's NetWare, Banyan's
VINES, or Artisoft's LANtastic. It lets a remote system act like
any other LAN client, the company said.
IBM is due to ship both client and server portions of LAN
Distance for its OS/2 operating system today. A client for
Microsoft Windows has entered beta testing, but a date for
general shipment has not been set, company spokeswoman Deborah
Wood said.
Administration features in the software track remote connections
and log errors. For security, the software uses pass phrases (of
multiple words), which the company claimed offer better security
and are easier to remember than single passwords. Different
privileges can be assigned to different groups of users. The
software can also be set up to hang up and call back a remote
user at a predetermined number, a feature often used to ensure
that callers are who they say they are.
The LAN Distance Remote software costs $59. An eight-port
connection server is $595 and a server that can handle 32 ports
or more is $1,995.
IBM also announced a LAN systems certification program. The
company will test products from third parties and certify that
they work in multi-vendor networks.
The company also said it is offering distribution agreements to
third parties, allowing them to purchase its LAN Systems software
for bundling with their products.
(Grant Buckler/19931028/Press Contact: Deborah Wood, IBM,
512-823-3258)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/29/93
TELECOM
New Canadian Telecom Act Takes Effect
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00002)
New Canadian Telecom Act Takes Effect 10/29/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Although the
nine-year reign of Canada's Progressive Conservative party ended
with an unprecedented electoral drubbing Monday, the defeated
government left behind it one legacy generally popular in
telecommunications circles. Its new Telecommunications Act came
into effect this week, replacing an 85-year-old law and almost
unifying a balkanized regulatory system.
The bill asserts federal jurisdiction over telecommunications
across Canada, although one province -- Saskatchewan -- will be
allowed to keep provincial regulation for five more years.
In the past most of Canada's telephone companies were
provincially regulated, while those in Ontario, Quebec, British
Columbia, and the Northwest Territories were regulated by the
federal government. Some provincial phone companies have accepted
federal jurisdiction in the past three years, since a 1989 court
decision that said the federal government had the right to
regulate all telecommunications companies.
That decision included companies owned by lower levels of
government, but said Ottawa must first assert its authority in
law. The new act does this. However, the act gives the province
of Saskatchewan -- which owns its own phone company and has
staunchly resisted federal regulation -- a five-year grace period
before it comes under federal control.
Joseph Schmidt, president of the Canadian Business
Telecommunications Alliance (CBTA), a lobby group of major
telecommunications users, earlier criticized this provision,
saying it gives the province "five more years to shut out
competition." But Schmidt said his group is pleased with the law
over all, and accepts that some compromises were necessary.
The Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC), also
supported the bill. A statement from ITAC said the law
"acknowledges that we are on the threshold of major telecom
transformations, and that Canada intends to be a leader in
telecom internationally."
Under the new law, the CRTC can decide not to regulate areas of
telecommunications where it judges there is enough competition to
serve as an alternative to regulation.
The act also removes regulations on companies that resell
telecommunications services, though all those that own their own
networks continue to be subject to regulation.
The original law, introduced in February, 1992, would have
required all telecommunications carriers in Canada to obtain
licenses from the federal government. It has since been amended
to remove the licensing provision, instead giving the Canadian
Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
authority to enforce a rule limiting foreign ownership of
licensed carriers to 20 percent.
Earlier, Toronto telecommunications consultant Eamon Hoey said
the 20-percent limit on foreign ownership would effectively shut
out foreign investment, since no investor would want to pour
money into a venture in which it cannot hold a controlling
interest. Therefore, he forecast, no new telecommunications
competitors will appear.
(Grant Buckler/19931029/Press Contact: Paul Villeneuve, Dept. of
Communications, 613-990-4842; Joseph Schmidt, CBTA, 416-865-9993;
Bob Crow, ITAC, 416-602-8510 ext. 229)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
IBM
Image Processing Software From India
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEL)(00003)
Image Processing Software From India 10/29/93
BOMBAY, INDIA, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Bombay-based Ravi Database
Consultants Pvt. Ltd., has launched the first version of its Image
Workbench (IWB), an image acquisition, storage, retrieval and
processing system.
The Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 4 lakh (about $12,000) system comprises a PC
486 with a super video graphics array monitor, frame grabber card,
a database management system, and the IWB image processing software
and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. A laser printer is an
optional add-on.
The software alone costs Rs 1.25 lakh. Says Rajesh Jain,
director, RDCPL, "The Workbench treats images as combinations of
256 grey shades as compared to the 40 to 50 shades which a human
eye can distinguish and the enhancement helps exposing hidden
information existing in the images."
He claims RDCPL to be the first company in India to take up
computerized image processing on a commercial basis.
Image Workbench can interface with any equipment which can produce
a video signal. It functions as an image enhancer and processor
to provide more details in the image. This technique is of use in
fields like medical (for tumor detection, blood vessel detection,
chromosome analysis, blood cell counting), industrial automation
(parts inspection on an assembly line, object analysis), process
industry (inspection and quality assurance of processed products),
metallurgy and materials science (structure and texture analysis
of materials, particle counting), forensics (fingerprint
matching, analysis in automated security systems), remote sensing
(classification of satellite images into urban, agricultural
and marine areas), character recognition (label reading, mail
sorting, bank cheque processing, text reading) and cartography
(map making from photographs, synthesis of weather maps).
Development of the product took about nine months.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931029)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
BUSINESS
Japan's Akihabara Electronics Shopping Mall Suffers Slump
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00004)
Japan's Akihabara Electronics Shopping Mall Suffers Slump 10/29/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Tokyo's most active discount
electronics shopping mall area, "Akihabara," has been experiencing
extremely slow sales and two major shops have gone bankrupt.
Akihabara's Shintoku shop filed for liquidation this month.
Another major shop, Hirose Musen, will close at the end of
October, according to Japan's major newspaper, Asahi. The report
indicates that Hirose Musen is in 1.9 billion yen ($19 million)
of debt. As a result, this summer's bonus payment to its employees
was cut by half.
The sales of audiovisual equipment have been declining for
five years in a row now. Also, sales of air conditioners were
slow due to an unusually cool summer. One other factor is
the rapid appreciation of the Japanese yen -- the number of
foreign customers has declined dramatically.
There are 500 electronics shops in Akihabara which have
generally made 400 billion yen ($4 billion) per year. It is
expected that the amount will drop by about 10 percent this
year.
Despite the slump in the market, some shops are doing
well in Akihabara. They include Yamagiwa and Ishimaru Electronics
which sell lighting devices. Laox is also doing well with
sales of personal computers.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931027)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
BUSINESS
Microsoft Doubling Tokyo Dealers
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00005)
Microsoft Doubling Tokyo Dealers 10/29/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- The Tokyo office of Microsoft has
unveiled a plan to increase its dealers in Japan. Microsoft
wants to nearly double its dealers by the end of this
year in an attempt to push sales of MS-Windows and other products.
Microsoft, Tokyo, has sent its employees to major personal
computer firms including Fujitsu and NEC, in order to give them
first-hand knowledge on the use of each personal computer.
Through this training, Microsoft hopes to give them not only
product information but technical knowledge as well. These
trained people will be dispatched to the dealer shops to
support customers.
Currently, Microsoft has 650 Microsoft Official Dealers in Japan.
The firm is sending two employees, called Microsoft Official
Trainers, to each shop. By the end of this year, Microsoft
hopes to increase its dealers to over 1,000. The firm aims to
bring in 25 billion yen ($250 million) in fiscal 1994, a
20-percent increase over fiscal 1993.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931026/Press Contact: Microsoft,
Tokyo, +81-3-5454-8000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
APPLE
CD-ROM Expo - Apple Previews Upgrade To Apple Media Tool
(NEWS)(APPLE)(BOS)(00006)
CD-ROM Expo - Apple Previews Upgrade To Apple Media Tool 10/29/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- At CD-ROM Expo,
Apple is previewing the initial upgrade to an object-oriented,
crossplatform multimedia authoring environment known as the Apple
Media Tool.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Steve Sklepowich, product marketing
manager, said that the upcoming Version 1.01 will bring three new
features to the new development tool for non-programmers, adding up
to greater speed and multimedia functionality for title creators.
First launched in September as one of two components of the
Apple Media Kit, the Apple Media Tool is aimed at letting
multimedia designers use the Macintosh to assemble media for Mac
and Windows titles and add interactivity, all without scripting.
Media elements can include Quicktime movies, PICT images, AIFF or
WAVE sound files, and editable or noneditable text in rich text
format (RTF).
If Apple's speech technology, sprite animations, conditional
branching, or other highly sophisticated interactivity is desired,
the project can be saved as a text program and brought into the
Apple Media Tool Programming Environment, the second component of
the Apple Media Kit.
Although all development is done on the Mac, each title created
with the Apple Media Kit can be played back on both Macintosh and
Windows platforms, Sklepowich said. The Media Kit is also
forward compatible with ScriptX, an advanced object-oriented
programming environment now under development by Kaleida Labs, a
joint venture between Apple and IBM.
Sklepowich told Newsbytes that Version 1.01 of the Apple Media Tool
will let nonprogrammers develop titles more quickly by permitting
multiple objects to be brought into a program simultaneously. In
contrast, he explained, Version 1.0 requires objects to be brought
in one by one.
Version 1.01 will also add the ability to build media properties
and a movie controller into multimedia productions, Newsbytes was
told. The media properties can include transparencies, horizontal
and vertical scroll bars, and more.
The Apple Media Tool currently ships on seven floppies and one CD-
ROM disc. The floppies and CD-ROM disc each contain the Apple
Media Tool and Runtime Maker software. The CD-ROM disc also
provides four sample projects.
The first upgrade to the multimedia tool is slated for delivery by
the end of first quarter 1994, according to the Apple product
marketing manager.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931029; Reader and press contact: Apple
Computer Inc., tel 408-996-1010)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
UNIX
Fujitsu's Notebook Color Unix Workstation
(NEWS)(UNIX)(TYO)(00007)
Fujitsu's Notebook Color Unix Workstation 10/29/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Fujitsu has released a
notebook-type Unix workstation equipped with a TFT (thin film
transistor) color display. The firm claims that this is the first
A4-size color notebook-type workstation in the industry.
Called the FMG-1500NX, it is sold at 780,000 yen ($7,800)
and although small in size, is heavy at 3kg. The color screen
supports 640 x 480 pixel mode.
The notebook workstation is equipped with Motorola's 20-megahertz
68030 processor and a 60 to a 240-megabyte hard disk. This
workstation will also operate Fujitsu's versions of MS-DOS
programs with the addition of an 80386SX board, inserted into
a socket of this workstation.
Fujitsu is currently preparing the release of various proprietary
programs including electronic mail, a print server, client server
and multiple transaction server.
Fujitsu expects to sell 40,000 workstations within two years.
Other Japanese personal computer makers including Toshiba
are also preparing to release low-cost color Unix workstations.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931026/Press Contact: Fujitsu, +81-3-
3215-5236, Fax, +81-3-3216-9365)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
BUSINESS
French Bank Share Trading Jams French Stock Exchange
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00008)
French Bank Share Trading Jams French Stock Exchange 10/29/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- The French Stock Exchange has
revealed that several hundred small "trades" in the newly issued
shares of the Banque Nationale de Paris last week almost caused the
stock exchange to grind to a halt.
Although computer engineers on the exchange battled for several
hours every day, the problem with "Group K" trades, as such sales
and buys are known, caused problems so severe for the exchange as a
whole that trading in them is being suspended at peak times.
This has caused more than a few headaches for anyone wishing to buy
and sell shares in Group K, which includes BNP stocks, as more often
than not, the latest traded price is not likely to be representative
of the buy/sell rate. As trading resumes, the price can go one way
or the other.
The problems has been caused because brokers can do -- and are doing --
trade shares on a one-by-one basis, taking advantage of price rises
and avoiding a slight dip in price whenever a sale of a block of
shares is required to be carried.
BNP shares have only been actively traded on the French exchange for
the last few weeks, meaning that no one is sure of the long-term
value of the stock. As a result, there has been a lot of buying and
selling of small trades as brokers nervously test the water.
Stock exchange authorities are watching the situation with interest
as, if the BNP share trades continue to close the exchange, it will
mean the exchange's computer capacity will have to be increased to
cope with the extra business, something that will add considerably
to the cost of share trading in France.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931029)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
TELECOM
Ericsson Secures Russian Cellular Phone Project
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00009)
Ericsson Secures Russian Cellular Phone Project 10/29/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Russia's public switched
telephone networks may be overloaded, but installing new networks
takes time and a lot of money, not least at the "local loop" -- the
subscriber's end of the line. So it comes as no surprise to learn
that sales of cellular phones have gone through the roof. It's
against this backdrop that Ericsson has secured a major cellular
deal with Bashinformsvyaz Telecom, the telecom company in the
Russian republic of the same name.
Terms of the contract call for the Swedish telecom giant to supply
and install a major AXE digital exchange, to be used as the heart of
a new cellular network spanning the region. An important spin-off
from the cellular network deal is that part of the AXE exchange can
be used for routing some trunk and international phone calls to and
from the region, so easing the strain on the existing network.
The exchange will, Newsbytes understands, be plugged into an NMT-450
cellular phone network that Ericsson has also contracted to supply
to the republic. Plans call for the network to initially service the
population of Ufa, the capital of the republic, before being slowly
rolled out to other city regions of the area.
What's interesting about the deal is that the republic is in the
southern part of Russia. The republic has a total population of
around four million, with its primary production being petrol and
petrol-based products. Ericsson claims that, if all goes well with
the installation, other contracts for far-flung areas of
the former Soviet empire will be forthcoming.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931029)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
IBM
IBM Opens Production Line In Russia
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00010)
IBM Opens Production Line In Russia 10/29/93
ZELONOGRAD, RUSSIA, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- IBM has opened its first PC
production line in Zelonograd, a city near Moscow. PS/1 machines
have already started rolling off the IBM production line at the
Kvant factory of the Nauchnyy Tsentr science park.
All of the production plant and components were laboriously
transported from IBM's Greenock plant in Scotland. Future plans
call for components to be sourced from around the world and, if local
sources permit, from within Russia itself.
The Kvant factory was previously used for military equipment
product, but the authorities have allowed IBM to rent and re-equip
the factory to handle PC production, now that the cold war with the
West is over.
Officials in Kvant claim that, by the end of October, around 400 PCs
will have been produced at the facility. Plans are in hand for the
plant to produce around 2,000 PCs a month by the early part of next
year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931029)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
TRENDS
First Extended Temperature Flash Card From SunDisk
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00011)
First Extended Temperature Flash Card From SunDisk 10/29/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Santa Clara,
California-based SunDisk has begun shipping its SDP5I flash
memory cards which operate in relatively extreme conditions from
minus 13 degrees F (-25 C) to 167 F (75 C). Other flash cards
operate only between 32 F (0 C) and 140 F (60 C), and are
therefore just a bit more temperature tolerant than standard hard
disk drives.
Many computers, especially those used in scientific and
industrial applications, must operate in extreme temperature
ranges and until now there has been no acceptable storage device
which could match the range of other computer components.
Flash memory cards, which usually fit a Personal Computer
Memory Card Interface Association slot (PCMCIA) for adding
memory cards or peripherals, especially to laptops or notebooks,
provide rugged, low current, mass storage equivalents to hard
drives but without the delicate moving parts.
The new extended temperature FlashDisk cards are Type II (5
millimeters thick) PCMCIA PC-compatible and come in capacities
ranging from 1.8 megabytes ($250 each) to 40 MB ($2,500 each).
SunDisk has also announced that it will premier its new SDP5A-40
40 MN FlashDisk card, the highest-capacity solid-state storage on
the market, at its booth during this year's Fall COMDEX computer
dealer trade exposition scheduled for November 15-19 in Las
Vegas, Nevada.
(John McCormick/19931028/Press Contact: Bob Goligoski, SunDisk,
408-562-3463 or 408-562-0503)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
BUSINESS
More Cray Computer Inside Trading Revealed
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00012)
More Cray Computer Inside Trading Revealed 10/29/93
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Another
incident of possible insider trading in Cray Computer
Corporation stock has been revealed.
A California couple have been charged with avoiding more than
$20,000 in losses by selling Cray stock while in possession of
confidential company information. The woman is a former Cray
Computer employee.
Cray Computer Corp., was spun off Cray Research in 1989 and is led by
Seymour Cray. Since then Cray has sought a way to build much faster
supercomputers by using gallium arsenide instead of silicon for
critical elements of the machine.
This is at least the second incident of alleged insider trading that has
come to light. In late 1992 a senior lawyer at the Department of
Energy's Lawrence Livermore Laboratories was charged with insider
trading. The Securities and Exchange Commission charged that the man
made more than $27,000 by using insider information. He was accused
of "selling short," or selling borrowed shares after he learned that
Livermore Labs would cancel its $30 million contract to purchase the
first Cray-3 supercomputer. A settlement was reached in which the
attorney turned over his profits and paid an equal amount in fines.
In the current case a former Cray Computer administrative assistant
was allegedly told by her supervisor that the information about the
loss of the Livermore Labs contract was confidential and would not
be released until after the market closed that day. The woman
allegedly informed her husband who sold 4,000 shares of Cray
Computer common less than an hour before the markets closed on
December 23, 1991. Cray Computer stock dropped more than $5 per
share the day after the announcement. The SEC claims that the
couple's attorney said he hasn't seen the complaint yet, but denied
any wrongdoing by his clients. The SEC is reportedly seeking
repayment of the avoided losses plus fines and penalties.
The loss of the Livermore Labs contract was a major blow to Cray
Computer. Since that happened the company sought financial partners,
apparently without success, and in June found additional financing
through the sale of more stock - much of it to Seymour Cray. That
stock, about 12.9 million shares, was registered with the SEC
earlier this month. They also scaled back their development
process, saying they would work on a supercomputer with fewer
processors. Recently they installed a test unit at the National
Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado. The company
has reported multi-million dollar losses for the past two quarters.
Cray Computer stock is currently selling at about $3.
(Jim Mallory/19931029/Press and reader contact: Cray Computer
Corporation, 719-579-6464)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
GENERAL
New PowerPlay Release Does Multidimensional Data
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)
New PowerPlay Release Does Multidimensional Data 10/29/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Cognos Inc., has
announced an Administrator Edition of its PowerPlay data query
software. The most noteworthy feature of the new release is the
Transformer, software that organizes data into multiple
dimensions.
Company spokesman Colin McAlpin said there is a growing demand
for multidimensional data handling in decision-support tools like
PowerPlay, notably for sales analysis and manufacturing
applications. The idea is to be able to look at data from
different angles, easily switching among views that break down
the numbers by product line, sales territory, or time period, for
instance. The idea is similar to that of Lotus Development
Corp.'s Improv spreadsheet, which lets users rearrange the
spreadsheet rows and columns as if they were playing with a
Rubik's Cube.
The Transformer in PowerPlay also lets users set up an exception
condition as a data dimension, McAlpin said. For instance, sales
figures might be organized by whether they are below, within, or
above quotas, and the user could then zero in on products or
territories that are below quota and "drill down" to get more
detail on the problem areas.
The Transformer can take data from various relational databases,
spreadsheets, and text files and reformat it as text file
information. While users might take such data into a spreadsheet
program and then reformat it themselves, Cognos officials said
their software automates the process, saving time and money.
The PowerPlay Administrator, now shipping in volume and available
directly from Cognos, is priced at C$895 or US$795. An end-user
version with the Transformer is C$795 or US$695. A full-function
version of the PowerPlay Administrator is available, one per
customer, at C$325 or US$299.
(Grant Buckler/19931028/Press Contact: Colin McAlpin, Cognos,
613-738-1440 ext. 3150; Public Contact: Cognos, 800-267-2777 or
613-738-1440)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
TELECOM
Canada - AGT Brings Phone Mail To All Calgary Phones
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00014)
Canada - AGT Brings Phone Mail To All Calgary Phones 10/29/93
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- AGT Ltd., the
telephone company serving most of Alberta, has extended its trial
of a phone-mail service not quite like any other offered by a
North American phone company.
AGT's TalkMail, which was already being tested in Medicine Hat,
Alberta, is based on technology similar to that providing call
answering services in other areas. But unlike those services,
TalkMail allows any caller to leave a message for anyone in the
areas served. Neither the caller nor the person called must
previously have subscribed to the service, and it is the caller,
rather than the recipient of the message, who pays.
If an AGT subscriber in Calgary or Medicine Hat calls a number in
either of those areas and gets no answer or hears a busy signal,
he or she can hang up the phone, then pick it up again and dial *99
(or 1199 on rotary-dial phones). The caller can then leave a
message as much as one minute long. When the person called next
picks up the phone, a broken dial tone will signal that a message
is waiting. Some phones have flashing lights for this purpose. To
retrieve the message, the subscriber dials *98 (or 1198 on a
rotary dial phone). The caller pays 25 cents per message or,
said AGT spokesman Tim Feist, callers can buy packages of 100
messages for C$10.
Feist said AGT worked with IBM to develop the system, which the
company believes is the first of its kind. Most phone company
message services require that the recipient subscribe to a
service and pay a monthly fee, and all callers then hear a
recorded message like that from an answering machine.
With TalkMail as with other telcos' phone messaging services,
phone subscribers can retrieve their messages from any phone
using a pass code. They can do this from outside their own local
calling areas. However, callers from outside the areas served
cannot leave messages, nor can Calgary and Medicine Hat callers
leave messages for people outside those areas. AGT does plan to
extend the service to other areas that it serves, Feist said, but
dates have not been set. AGT does not serve Calgary's other major
city, Edmonton, which has its own local phone company.
(Grant Buckler/19931028/Press Contact: Tim Feist, AGT,
403-530-3996)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
TELECOM
Hong Kong - Loophole Lets AT&T Offer Long Distance Services
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00015)
Hong Kong - Loophole Lets AT&T Offer Long Distance Services 10/29/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- The exclusive franchise
for outward international telecommunications traffic in Hong
Kong has long been held by Hong Kong Telecom, formerly Cable
& Wireless Hong Kong.
Although the monopoly franchise for voice services runs until 2006,
Hutchison AT&T has bypassed the exclusive terms of the
franchise by offering its existing customers voice services on
circuits which it has leased in Canada.
Hutchison AT&T did not outline details of its new services but
in a report in the South China Morning Post, the territory's
major English language newspaper, there was speculation that
the company was leasing 800-numbers from Teleglobe Canada and
then repackaging and reselling that capacity in Hong Kong.
Using the 800-number system in an unusual way, the company ensures
that any call from Hong Kong is actually charged as an international
call from Canada, thus by-passing the monopoly in Hong Kong.
Mr John Kyriaco, managing director of Hutchison AT&T, said that
the company was wary of upsetting Hong Kong Telecom but he
added that the company would continue to pursue new revenue
streams wherever regulatory conditions and profitable opportunity
allowed.
(Keith Cameron/19931015/Press Contact: John Kyriaco, Hutchison
AT&T)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
BUSINESS
Unisys Completes Computervision GIS Buyout
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00016)
Unisys Completes Computervision GIS Buyout 10/29/93
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Unisys Corp.,
has completed its purchase of System 9 geographic information
systems (GIS) technology and related expertise from
Computervision Corp., of Bedford, Massachusetts.
Unisys will take over the System 9 trademarks and will support
existing System 9 users. The purchase price and terms were not
disclosed.
The companies said most of Computervision's System 9 personnel
have accepted new positions at Unisys. Unisys spokeswoman Judith
Maxfield said between 40 and 50 former Computervision employees
have been hired so far, with some offers still outstanding.
Officials said the deal reflects the long-term strategies of both
companies. Unisys wants to move further into GIS, while
Computervision wants to focus on its core business in
computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software and
services.
Unisys has been doing integration and installation work in GIS
for several years, the company said. In a statement, Clive
Ingham, vice-president of commercial marketing, said System 9
will become a foundation for the firm's continued investment in
GIS.
(Grant Buckler/19931029/Press Contact: Judith K. Maxfield,
Unisys, 215-986-2243; Barbara Marx, Computervision, 617-275-1800)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
GENERAL
Vietnam - Digital Open Systems Conference
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00017)
Vietnam - Digital Open Systems Conference 10/29/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
Corporation successfully presented Vietnam's first conference
on advanced systems for top scientists and officials in Hanoi
earlier this month.
According to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment
(MOSTE), which hosted the conference, the aim of the seminar was
to familiarize high-ranking Vietnam government officials and
computer scientists with the latest computing and information
technology from the United States.
Around 160 people attended the conference, which was held at
the Military Guest House in Hanoi. They included representatives from
the Office of the Prime Minister, MOSTE, the State Bank of Vietnam,
and other financial institutions, and representatives from ministries
involved with planning, public administration, telecommunications,
oil and gas exploration, education and training, infrastructure
development and construction.
Digital assembled technology and product experts from seven countries
and eight business units to present information and lead the
discussions.
"Digital Equipment Corporation was the first US information technology
company to come to Vietnam to meet with us in January," said
Professor Tran Van Dac, director of the Technology Promotion
Department at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.
"Over the last nine months, we have had many meetings with Digital to
discuss how the company can use its products and services to create
an information technology infrastructure that will support economic
growth of the people of Vietnam. This successful conference is one
positive result."
The conference theme, Open Systems, covered Digital's products
and services, such as the Alpha AXP family of 64-bit RISC processors
and operating systems such as OpenVMS, OSF/1, Digital's Unix system,
and Windows NT. Digital's network hardware, software and services,
such as network management services, were featured together with
a presentation on the benefits of Digital's line of PCs.
According to Maureen Flanagan, Digital's business development manager
for Vietnam, the country's major need is networks. "Most systems
installed in Vietnam today are stand-alone PCs, "she explained.
"Government ministries and computer planners intend to use these
systems as a base on which to grow the country's information
technology future. Digital's open systems, client-server technology
is ideal for the Vietnamese environment."
(Keith Cameron/19931020/PRESS CONTACT: Bonnie Engel, Digital,
852 - 805 3510)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
IBM
Desktop Publishing Comes To Windows NT
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00018)
Desktop Publishing Comes To Windows NT 10/29/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- When software
developers got together at the Seybold Conference in San Francisco
earlier this month one of the hot product lines being shown was
desktop publishing software for Windows NT. Microsoft Chairman Bill
Gates came to close the conference by demonstrating some ISV
(independent software vendors) software.
Fifteen ISVs from the publishing world showed off the Windows-based
products at the Microsoft booth, while others were scattered
elsewhere around the show floor. At least 10 companies were showing
Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server-based programs.
Adobe was there with its Adobe CPSI raster image processor (RIP) on
Windows NT. Autologic was demonstrating SoftPIP on a Digital Alpha
AXP-based machine driving an Agfa SelectSet 5000, the AGT photo CD
authoring system. Graphic Enterprises, Compumation and Archetype
were showing Postscript spooling and RIP programs, and Harlequin
demonstrated Scriptworks for Windows NT on a 486. Color Age showed
its first digital color copier connectivity technology, and
Micrografx demonstrated its multithreaded Windows NT imaging
application, Picture Publisher 4.0. Aldus was showing Freehand 4.0.
Robb Kerr, president of the Windows Prepublishing Association, says
Windows will replace the Macintosh for desktop publishing before the
end of the decade. "We see the Windows platform growing twice as
fast as the Macintosh for publishing solutions," said Kerr. With
products such as Pagemaker 5.0, Photoshop and QuarkXPress now
available for Windows, the Intel price-performance advantage, the
power and functionality of Windows NT, and the huge installed base
of Windows operating systems in corporation and institutions, we
expect Windows to become the platform of choice for publishing over
the next five years."
During Gates' keynote speech, which closed the conference, he
demonstrated Photoshop for Windows from Adobe and Picture Publisher
4.0 for Windows NT from Micrografx, showing how symmetric
multiprocessing can improve performance by dividing the computing
tasks among several processors.
Microsoft spokesperson Beverley Flower told Newsbytes Microsoft is
listening to the feedback it gets from software developers and will
be responsive to as much of that information as is feasible. "We
will be incorporating it into the next version of the Windows
operating system," said Flower.
Gates said Microsoft is committed to desktop publishing and
announced a deal with Hewlett-Packard to include TrueType fonts with
HP printers.
(Jim Mallory/19931029/Press contact: Beverley Flower, Microsoft
Corp, 206-882- 8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp, 206-882-8080 or
800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
TELECOM
Nextel To Lead Specialized Mobile Radio
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
Nextel To Lead Specialized Mobile Radio 10/29/93
RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- In a complex
series of transactions involving, among other companies,
Motorola, Nextel Communications Inc., has set itself up to become
the largest owner of specialized mobile radio frequency licenses
within a year. The moves will help it create a nationwide network
of digital wireless phone systems to compete with cellular phone
operators.
Such a network has long been the dream of NexTel head Brian
McAuley. The company was called Fleet Call Inc., until earlier
this year. McAuley, a former FCC attorney, wants to use digital
technology from Motorola called Enhanced Specialized Mobile
Radio, or ESMR, to increase the calling capacity of his licensed
frequencies, and to use networks of small low-powered antennae to
offer voice and data service just like cellular phone companies.
At that point a nationwide network of SMR licenses could compete
directly with cellular phone operators for the business of large
companies.
SMR licenses, however, are given out on a channel-by-channel
basis, while cellular phone licenses are given out in larger
blocks. There may be many SMR licensees in any particular market,
each holding different blocks at different frequencies. Having a
license in a market, therefore, is not the same for SMR service
providers as it is for cellular phone operators, who have one of
two designated sets of channels in each city where they offer
service.
SMR licenses were given out in the early 1980s and were supposed
to offer single-channel calling services from single antennae.
But early on, Federal Express Inc., acquired licenses around the
country and combined them into a data network for use in tracking
packages. Later, companies like Racotek Inc., of Minneapolis began
offering digital equipment to expand companies' use of the
frequencies. But until recently, most licenses were local, and
most services were voice-only, mainly for things like taxi and
ambulance dispatching. Motorola, which has urged licensing of
the SMR spectrum -- at around 800 MHz it's lower in frequency
than cellular operations -- quickly became the largest SMR
licensee, and has retained that position to this day.
In the latest transaction, Nextel said it is buying PowerFone
Holdings Inc., for $370 million in stock, currently worth about
$49 per share. It's the fourth major transaction announced by
Nextel in just the last two weeks. Earlier, it agreed to buy
Questar Telecom Inc., and a unit of Advanced Mobilecomm Inc., for
$290 million, expanding into San Diego and Las Vegas. It also
agreed to take a $490 million equity interest in CenCall
Communications Inc., in exchange for its licenses in several
Western and Midwestern states. Separately, Motorola agreed to
sell about half its SMR licenses to CenCall and another company,
DialPage, in exchange for $1.22 million in stock from both those
companies.
CenCall, DialPage, Nextel and other companies will all in time
install the ESMR technology in their licensed systems and work on
the equivalent of "roaming" technology and financial agreements,
allowing callers to access a nationwide network of SMR service
just as they can now buy nationwide cellular roaming service. A
spokesman for Nextel said that, after all the deals are
completed, Nextel will be the nation's largest SMR licensee,
supplanting Motorola in that position.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931029/Press Contact: Walt Plasy, Nextel,
201-438-1400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
TELECOM
PacTel Spin-Off Strategy Questioned By Analyst
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
PacTel Spin-Off Strategy Questioned By Analyst 10/29/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) --Pacific
Telesis' strategy of spinning-out its wireless units seems to be
unraveling, and the opportunities missed while it's been obsessed
with the question could cost Chairman Sam Ginn his job. That's
the view of Michael Killen, president of Killen & Associates, who
discussed the results of his new report on the company with
Newsbytes.
The spin-off was just a bad business decision, which has driven
the company's entire strategy, he said. "Two years ago they
announced they would divest Pacific Bell -- 90% of the company,"
he said. "After they made that announcement they discovered Wall
Street was not enthusiastic. We think Pacific Telesis should have
known that before the announcement. It's a simple thing to call
investment bankers and ask them that before you make a public
press release and get people stirred up.
"They had to back away from selling Pacific Bell, and decided to
spin off PacTel," the wireless arm. Top executives just "want to
get away -- they don't like the California regulatory
environment."
The gold mine Chairman Sam Ginn and his chief lieutenants saw
was the emerging market for personal communications services,
networks in the microwave frequencies between 1.8-2.2 GHz
where spectrum is due to be auctioned by the US government
next year. The spin-off was based on the idea that regional
Bell companies might be prevented from being players in
PCS, and the idea was to position Pacific Telesis and
its subsidiaries to ensure maximum spectrum in the auction. "They
were frantic about being excluded from the bidding process,"
Killen said. "In the end no one was excluded."
Based on the rules adopted by the FCC last month, "Pacific
Telesis, the holding company, can go and bid on 30 MHz of licenses
outside its own territory throughout the US. That's an open
opportunity. PacTel, the cellular unit, can go and increase its
spectrum by 10 MHz," a 50% increase, "wherever it has a license
now.
"All those machinations were unnecessary," Killen concluded, and
meanwhile Ginn and his chief lieutenants were ignoring important
opportunities elsewhere. "They took a look at video on demand and
cable and said they're not real. Actually top level executives
told me personally they had taken a look at the Bell Atlantic
cable numbers and said they couldn't make money. So they sold
their cable operations in England and put all their focus on
wireless. All of a sudden US West made its Time Warner
investment, and the people on Kearny Street" in San Francisco,
where Pacific Telesis is based, "started to wiggle in their
chairs. When Ray Smith and John Malone announced their deal, they
said 'oh god, we've had blinders on.'"
Bell Atlantic-TCI doesn't just threaten PacTel's wireless
strategy, Killen believes, but its home market. "Bell Atlantic and
TCI are looking to get PCS licenses throughout the state of
California, especially where TCI has its cable plant. (Pacific
Telesis) didn't think about advanced television, and didn't
think another RBOC would ... come into their territory."
What happens next? "I think they may not go ahead with the spin-
off. They've been having intense discussions the last few days,
trying to get the amount of money ratepayer advocates are
demanding" as the price of allowing the spin-off "reduced from $1
billion to something more manageable.
He says that the board of directors, taking a look at the
strategic position Pacific Telesis is in now, has told the
negotiators "you can pay a little, but if it's real money,
refuse, let the deal blow up, pull our horns back and start
thinking about big strategic moves that will give PacTelesis
and its companies more options."
Someone has to be held responsible for these mistakes, and
Killen feels it should be Chairman Ginn. "His plan was to
leave for PacTel," and Pacific Bell head "Phil Quigley was
supposed to take over. It's going to be difficult if the
spin-off doesn't go through. Phil will be bent out of shape.
Sam didn't want to stay there in the first place. The board
urged Sam to go with the wireless side."
Killen says he got a lot of insight into all this when he sought
an interview with both men. "I make TV shows, and I invited both
Sam and Phil to come on my show. Sam's people accepted. Phil's
people declined. Two weeks later Sam's people withdrew him."
Meanwhile, the clock is ticking on the spin-off. "Tuesday is the
next date on which the California PUC has agreed to air the
matter. Ginn had said if they don't rule by November 1 they've
made it difficult to go ahead."
Meanwhile MCI has drawn hundreds of companies large and small
into an alliance aimed at forming a national network of PCS
providers, which was PacTel's grand design all along.
Killen, meanwhile, has moved ahead on PCS himself, preparing a
series of executive video briefings on the PCS auction process
for release next month.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931029/Press Contact: Killen & Associates,
Jules Street, 415/323-3842)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00021)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 10/29/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
Communications Week dated October 25 carries a large special
Mobile Computing supplement which contains industry forecasts
along with a list of all major suppliers.
Network World for the week of the 25th says that more than 65
percent of surveyed industry insiders think that the Regional
Bell Operating Companies (Baby Bells) should be released from
most federal government restrictions.
CD-ROM Today for November-December carries a review of four cache
programs that can speed CD-ROM as well as hard drives and offers
a basic introduction to MIDI technology.
(John McCormick/19931029/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
GENERAL
The Enabled Computer
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00022)
The Enabled Computer 10/29/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- By John McCormick.
The Enabled Computer is a regular Newsbytes feature covering
news and important product information relating to high
technology aids for the disabled.
A little housekeeping is the first item on this issue's agenda.
The Enabled Computer BBS at 814-277-6337 is still in operation
but, due to a major loss of funding from the now-defunct Computer
Monthly Magazine, I am only able to operate it on weekends, so
don't waste your money trying to call except from Friday night
through early Monday morning because the number is used by a fax
machine during the week. I hope to return to 24-hour operation at
some time in the future.
My BBS, which is based on The Major BBS software, carries a lot
of old Enabled Computer columns and hundreds of shareware
programs and files useful to disabled computer users. Most of the
same information is available from other sources, so by all means
use a local BBS which supports enabling technologies if you know
of one in your area.
For those of you who have just encountered this column, I want to
mention that the Job Accommodation Network offers a good toll-
free BBS at 800-342-5526 for the use of individuals and
businesses needing information on adaptive technology which will
help companies comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
More and more publications are picking up this column, and I
appreciate hearing from both the publishers and their readers. I
welcome mail and reply to all of it unless it gets lost in the
press releases and other junk mail, so if you want to contact me
just drop me an e-mail on GEnie at NB.WAS or if you are reading
The Enabled Computer in print write in care of the local
publisher.
I recently got a couple of notes which were passed along by the
publisher of Portland Computer Bits in Forest Grove, Oregon. One
of them, from Irv L. of Florida, asks for some advice on
assembling an inexpensive word processor system for a visually
impaired friend.
The first specific question relates to what MS-DOS word processor
software would be simple to operate using mostly the standard
typewriter keys (as opposed to function keys) and if possible
would include an enlarged font option.
The letter didn't specify what the person would be writing, but
if it is more than just an occasional letter I would recommend a
combination of two programs. WordPerfect, although it has a lot
of complex options, is actually easy to use if you ignore those
extra tools and you can easily customize its operation. That,
along with the fact that it is the most widely used word
processor in the US, makes it a prime choice, especially if you
can get your hands on an older version such as release 4.1 which
doesn't have all the fancy font and graphics support that you
probably don't need anyway.
To get enlarged text I suggest adding BIG for WordPerfect, a $40
program from Hexagon Products, P.O. Box 1295, Park Ridge, IL
60068, 708-692-3355.
A second part of the question involved the addition of voice
synthesis to the text creation program. Although he asks about a
sound card, I would suggest adding a voice through the Covox
Speech Thing which connects directly to the parallel printer port
(the printer can remain connected too), doesn't occupy an
expansion slot, and can also be used with laptops.
The Speech Thing comes complete with software to read ASCII files
and it does specifically work with one word processor, QWERTY,
from HFK Software, 68 Wells Road, Lincoln, MA 01773.
Using Speech Thing in conjunction with First Byte's Monologue
software should provide all the speech synthesis most users need,
but for a more sophisticated system you can look at the products
from GW Micro, 310 Racquet Drive, Ft. Wayne, IN 46825, which
provides powerful speech synthesis boards for PCs.
First Byte is located at 19840 Pioneer Ave., Torrance, CA 90503.
On a totally different subject, my old television station, WGBH
in Boston, where I worked in the late 60s, has begun offering
classic and modern movies on VHS video tape in a special
descriptive video format intended for visually impaired users.
As seen occasionally on some obscure cable networks, descriptive
videos include the normal video and sounds, along with carefully
planned audio descriptions of the action - sort of the vision-
impaired equivalent of closed captioning.
Produced by the Descriptive Video Service of the WGBH Educational
Foundation, these video tapes cost between $15 and $30, about in
line with the standard commercial versions of the same movies.
For a catalog (specify large print or Braille), write DVS Home
Video, 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134, 800-736-3099.
WGBH has always had a fond place in my heart because of the time
I spent there and all the wonderful people I met who included
Julia Child, Thalassa Cruso (gardening expert), Dave Garroway (TV
personality and founder of the NBC Today show), Bill Veeck
(baseball sports legend), and many others.
GBH produces such shows as Nova and Masterpiece Theatre, but this
isn't a plug for them because they need the money. Rather, I
have included this information because I think it is an important
service which will be of interest to many readers.
GBH was also a pioneer in closed captioning but these descriptive
videos require no special equipment, just a standard TV and VHS
player because the descriptions are inserted in the normal audio
track during dialog breaks.
(John McCormick/19931029/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo - DinoSource, Theseus and Zeep For Kids
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00023)
CD-ROM Expo - DinoSource, Theseus and Zeep For Kids 10/29/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Lake Ariel, PA
isn't exactly an urban center, the kind of place where artists
typically congregate. But at Westwind Media, a company
headquartered in that rural Pennsylvania community, a colony
consisting of graphic designers, writers, and a music composer is
busily at work creating CD-ROM titles for children.
This week, the Westwind employees have travelled to Boston to
display some of the results at CD-ROM Expo. In a booth on the show
floor, CD-ROM fans from throughout the world are viewing the
vendor's first three titles: "DinoSource," "Meet the Wild Zeep!,"
and "Theseus: Caught in the Maze of Minos."
Top quality animation, fast action, and catchy tunes are especially
important in creating work for young CD-ROM users, due to
children's relatively short attention spans, staff members said
during an interview in the Westwind booth.
But Westwind also instills educational content, along with a "moral
to the story," the employees emphasized. In a series of demos for
Newsbytes, Tim Howland, director of sales and marketing, gave
examples from all three works.
Howland told Newsbytes that "Meet the Wild Zeep!" is a CD-ROM
storybook that aims to teach reading skills and "stick-to-it-
iveness" to kids in the pre-kindergarten to fourth grade age
groups by taking them along on the adventures of Zeep.
In one of the three tales, the purple-and-green, Eggplant-shaped
Zeep accidentally swallows a cloud. The cartoon character then
becomes a cloud himself. But he never gives up on returning to his
former self, and manages to succeed in time to get back home for
his dinner appointment.
Zeep plays 72 violins, and children are able to hear them all.
Graphics and animation used in the title were rendered in 3D, 24-
bit color software on an Amiga, before being brought to the
Macintosh and the MPC (Multimedia PC) Windows platforms, where they
are seen in 8-bit color.
The title contains a text version of the tales, as well as full
voice narration. Children can check out the meaning of difficult
words, and hear them pronounced, by highlighting the words. Slated
for release December 1, "Zeep!" is priced at $59.
"Theseus," a Greek mythological tale on CD-ROM, is targeted at
grades 5 through 12. Through text, narration, originally composed
music, and hundreds of hand-drawn illustrations, viewers trace the
journey of Theseus on the Road to Athens. Along the way, the hero
meets and conquers a pair of evil men, and also encounters
Adriadne, a young woman in search of independence, and Ariadne's
teacher, Daedalus.
By clicking with a mouse, kids can bring up genealogical charts of
Greek gods and heroes, maps, a glossary and index, and other
background information and reference tools. "Theseus" is also
scheduled to ship December 1, at a price of $59. Like Zeep!," the
title runs on the Mac and MPC Windows.
A third title, "DinoSource," is already shipping for the Mac, and
is now being readied for December 1 availability on MPC Windows.
The title is targeted at teaching children age 6 and up, as well as
adults, about our prehistoric past through a pair of interactive
games, "Dinosaur Dig" and "Dinosaur Dilemma," and two additional
sections, "Dinosaur Database" and "Fact and Fiction."
"There are other dinosaur titles on the market, but I think ours is
clearly the best," Howland told Newsbytes. In "Dinosaur Dig,"
participants must locate a key, equipment and a pilot before
departing for Raptor Ridge, a fictional island off the coast of
North America. Once there, they look for fossils buried in the
rock, and identify the dinosaurs they find, based on clues that
emerge during the dig.
"Dinosaur Dilemma" is a lively section, complete with jazzy music
and sound effects. patterned after a game show. Players compete to
complete a dinosaur skeleton by correctly answering questions in
five categories: "Time & Place," "Anatomy," "Diet," "Mystery," and
"Classification."
Viewers can "bone up" for the dig and dilemma game by working with
"Dinosaur Database" and "Fact and Fiction." The database contains
rendered illustrations and textual information about more than 200
dinosaurs, said Howland. "Fact and Fiction" explores the truth
about such topics as what dinosaurs were, as far as we know; what
times were like when dinosaurs ruled; and when and why the animals
became extinct.
"DinoSource" also offers 5 CD-audio tracks of original music that
are playable on any CD player. The tunes include "Tyrannosaurus
Rob," "Textures," "Long Green 'n' Lumpy," "Tribal Trouble," and
"Dawn." The CD-ROM title is priced at $99 for the Mac version and
$79 for the upcoming MPC Windows edition.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931029/Press and reader contact: Westwind
Media, tel 800-937-8555)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
IBM
Wordperfect Office 4.0 To Integrate MCI Mail Functions
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00024)
Wordperfect Office 4.0 To Integrate MCI Mail Functions 10/29/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corporation
has announced an agreement with MCI for the two companies to
integrate Wordperfect Office 4.0 with MCI Mail.
The agreement calls for Wordperfect Office post offices to be
incorporated into the MCI Mail network, enabling WordPerfect
Office users to exchange electronic mail with users outside
the WordPerfect Office system. That eliminates the need for
additional connectivity software.
WPCorp says the new capability will be available to all WP
Office 4.0 users, whether they are operating in a
LAN environment or on a mobile computer. Office 4.0 users
will also be able to exchange electronic mail with users
on any of the 54 public electronic mail services in 40
countries that are interconnected with MCI's messaging
service to exchange faxes, telexes and paper-based services.
WPCorp says the Office 4.0-MCI Mail combination will greatly
simplify messaging among mobile users and facilitate the
creation of "virtual global networks." The company expects
the new messaging services to be available during the
second quarter of 1994.
According to Carla LaFever, MCI director of marketing for MCI
global messaging services, this alliance will make things
easier for network administrators. "Administrators can
off-load the management of their intra-enterprise LAN
messaging network to MCI. Users will get seamless
connectivity to off-net electronic mail and other messaging
services."
(Jim Mallory/19931029/Press contact: Brian Chapman, Wordperfect
Corp, 801-228-5037, Jane Levene, MCI, 914-934-6480; Reader
contact: Wordperfect Corp, 801-225-5000 or 800-451-5151, fax 801-
222-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
TRENDS
Wireless Pen Computing For Truckers
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00025)
Wireless Pen Computing For Truckers 10/29/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Wireless
communications technologies are especially attractive to
industries involving transportation and large field-based sales
forces. Now Fujitsu Personal Systems Inc., has signed a deal with
Transdatanet Corp., to provide integrated wireless mobile systems
for the trucking industry.
Under the terms of the agreement, Transdatanet will integrate
Fujitsu's 325Point pen-based mobile computers with its forms-
based trucking application software. The mobile system will
use Motorola's cellular modems and other PCMCIA modem cards.
The companies maintain that the resulting mobile systems are
designed to "make delivery verification, dispatch communications,
messaging, and vehicle monitoring easier and more efficient by
providing drivers with real-time access to dispatch information
for pick-ups and deliveries."
According to the companies, the systems will reduce operating
costs, increase driver productivity, and improve the quality of
the data collected.
In announcing the deal, Jim Fleming, executive vice president
of Transdatanet, said: "Providing integrated mobile systems
based on Fujitsu's 325Point enables us to increase our
customers' competitiveness by automating driver documentation,
giving them immediate invoicing and signature capture
capabilities. The protocol provided by our software consumes
less time and space, and decreases the amount of errors
typically found in bills-of-lading, driver's logs, and
vehicle condition reports."
The companies say the Fujitsu 325Point running Transdatanet's
application software is easy to use, with pen-based capabilities
that can be easily operated using only one hand. They also maintain
that it will also support custom in-vehicle "cradle" mounting so
mobile devices can be safely affixed during travel and easily
removed during deliveries and pick-ups.
Transdatanet specializes in transportation productivity. The
company plans to extend its service bureau approach of
automating documentation to rail, air and oceanic
transportation.
Early in October Newsbytes reported that Fujitsu Personal
Systems had announced the PadPlus RF pen-based computer with
wireless communications built-in. The PadPlus RF incorporates
the Proxim RangeLAN wireless adapter and radio inside the
computer, complete with retractable antenna.
(Ian Stokell/19931029/Press Contact: Bill Wittmann,
408-764-9484, Fujitsu Personal Systems; Jim Fleming,
206-737-9790, Transdatamet Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
BUSINESS
Cypress To Acquire Performance Semiconductor
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)
Cypress To Acquire Performance Semiconductor 10/29/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- Cypress
Semiconductor Corp., has signed a letter of intent to acquire
Performance Semiconductor Corp., in an asset purchase.
According to the companies, they are both "performing due
diligence regarding the proposed acquisition which is subject to
completion of a definitive agreement and regulatory approvals."
Cypress Semiconductor designs, develops, and manufactures of a
broad line of digital integrated circuits, fabricated using its
proprietary 0.5-, 0.65- and 0.8-micron CMOS (complimentary
metal oxide semiconductor) and BiCMOS technologies. Cypress
also offers a range of products, including PLDs (programmable
logic devices), static RAMs, CMOS PROMs (programmable read-only
memories), high-speed ECL (emitter-coupled logic) devices,
multichip modules, frequency synthesizer products, and data
communications products.
Performance Semiconductor claims to use advanced CMOS
technology to serve identified market segments. Its product line
includes the PR4000 and PR3000 MIPS microprocessors, and the
PACE1750A military standard processor.
No one was available for comment at either company by
Newsbytes deadline.
(Ian Stokell/19931029/Press Contact: John Hamburger,
408-943-2902, Cypress Semiconductor)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo - System For Distributing Software On CD-ROM
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00027)
CD-ROM Expo - System For Distributing Software On CD-ROM 10/29/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- In a press
briefing this week at CD-ROM Expo, Digital Delivery introduced CD
Product Portfolio, a system for distributing software on CD-ROM
using "lock and key" technology.
Mark Hastings, company president, explained that the system lets
publishers ship CD-ROMs containing demonstration and locked full
versions of their products at low cost. Users can browse through
the previews and instantly purchase the full version from the same
CD.
The new system consists of three components, Hastings said. The
Digital Delivery tool is an application employed by end users for
browsing, unlocking and installing software from the CD-ROM disc.
Title Builder is a tool that publishers can use to assemble discs,
add search and retrieval capabilities, encrypt software, and port
CD-ROM titles between Macintosh, Windows and Sun platforms. Key
Safe is the key generation module used by the publisher to
authorize access to products.
"Not much of the software on the market uses encryption yet,"
Hastings stated. But that situation will change soon, particularly
as vendors try to circumvent the rising problem of software piracy,"
he predicted.
CD Product Portfolio differs from its relatively few competitors in
several ways, he maintained. First, Digital Delivery licenses all
source and object code to the publisher, giving the publisher full
control over security.
Second, a one-time license fee covers all licensing, meaning that
publishers do not have to pay continuing charges, he added. "And
third, we have the most complete production tool on the market," he
asserted.
In a demonstration on the show floor, Newsbytes saw how Title
Builder allows fast custom assembly of CD-ROM discs. By pointing
and clicking, publishers can determine which titles will be
included on a disc, and on what platforms they will run.
Text search capabilities can be added by assigning key words.
Vendors can also instill the ability to search image, sound and
video files by attributes, such as colors or subject content.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19921029/Press and reader contact: Digital
Delivery, tel 617-275-3830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/29/93
TELECOM
Olivetti, BT, Team Up On ISDN Videoconferencing
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00028)
Olivetti, BT, Team Up On ISDN Videoconferencing 10/29/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- British Telecom and Olivetti
have teamed up to market what they claim is one of the most cost-
effective videoconferencing systems on the market, the
VC8000/PCC system.
The system consists of BT's VC8000 visual communications hardware
and Olivetti's Personal Communications Computer (PCC) software. The
PC card costs around UKP 3,000, while the software costs UKP 595.
According to Andy Irvine, sales and marketing manager with BT's
visual communications division, the system effectively turns a PC
into a full videoconferencing system that uses BT's integrated
services digital network (ISDN) service to route calls.
"There's nothing else like it on the market. We're selling the card
to Olivetti, who are routing the card and software through their
outlets. We're getting a very positive reaction," he told Newsbytes.
A new survey by Olivetti of major UK companies testing the PCC
technology has revealed that a PCC or similar system would have to
be used, on average, for only seven hours a week to be cost
effective. According to BT, one multinational consultancy estimated
that, once fully installed, PCC would save their company, around UKP
500,000 per year in European travel costs alone.
The survey, which covered the financial services and consultancy
sectors, also showed that after their experience as a test site, 75
percent anticipated purchasing a PCC or similar system within the
next six months. Some 63 percent of respondents also agree or
strongly agree that this technology could be used to re-engineer the
way their organizations operate.
Steve Maine, BT's director visual and broadcast services said:
"Modern businesses have an increasing need to share, examine and
exchange information. This will enhance and accelerate decision
making and improve the way the whole business operates, while saving
time and money."
(Steve Gold/19931029/Press & Public Contact: Olivetti - Tel: +44-81-
785-6666)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/29/93
IBM
Microsoft Czech Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00029)
Microsoft Czech Windows 10/29/93
PRAGUE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- A year after opening an
office in Czechoslovakia, Microsoft has unveiled what a lot of Czech
PC users have been waiting for -- a local language version of
Microsoft Windows 3.1.
According to Ivan Pilny, Microsoft's director of Czech operations,
the package has been on sale on a limited basis for the past four
month, but only now has been formally launched at the Invex computer
fair in Prague.
Microsoft has been waiting to formally launch the Czech version of
Windows 3.1, while its programmers have been beavering away on
creating localized versions of Word for Windows, Excel for Windows
and Foxpro for Windows, which are now available on request.
According to Pliny, these local language versions of Microsoft's
popular Windows applications have attracted a lot of attention. Even
so, during its first year of operations, the Czech branch of
Microsoft has generated sales of around $5 million by handling US
versions of the software.
The company currently employs 13 staff, including Pliny, who said
that, mainly as a result of the local language software's
availability, he expect sales to rise by as much as 50 percent this
coming year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931029/Microsoft SRO - Tel: +42-2-268320; Fax: +42-
2-2-266020)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/29/93
TELECOM
South Africa To Get Its First Major Mobile Phone Net
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00030)
South Africa To Get Its First Major Mobile Phone Net 10/29/93
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, 1993 OCT 29 (NB) -- The Astec Group, the
UK's largest independent mobile phone supplier, has formed a joint
venture company with Plessey Tellumat, the South African division of
Plessey Electronics, to service a new cellular phone network planned
for South Africa.
The new venture has received the formal approval of the SA
Government, which had previously insisted that it retain
a majority shareholding in the two existing cellular network
companies -- Mobile Telephone Networks (MTB) and Vodacom --
both of which have yet to confirm their plans for an AS network.
"The announcement that Vodacom and MTN, the mobile telephone
licensees, may now proceed to roll out their networks has paved the
way for the formation of our new company," said John Temple, group
managing director of Plessey Tellumat, said in a prepared statement.
According to Temple, the new joint venture company will be known as
Astec Plessey Communications (APC) and should have its network up
and running before the competition.
(Steve Gold/19931029)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
GENERAL
PressLink Online News Service Adds New Sources
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00001)
PressLink Online News Service Adds New Sources 10/28/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- PressLink, a Reston,
Virginia-based online news and image source owned by Knight-
Ridder, has recently announced several new additions which boost
the size of the image archive to well over 120,000 images.
PressLink is a dial-up 9600 baud service that offers forums and
subscriber-only press information to more than 3,000 individuals
at 1,000 customer locations.
A new database provided by International Color Stock, a Miami,
Florida-based stock photography agency, carries preview images
which can be viewed by subscribers after which the publisher can
order a reproduction-quality image from the company. Another
newly added image source is United Press International's
Newspictures.
Other image files previously found on PressLink include
newspaper-type graphics, maps, and charts provided daily by
Knight-Ridder, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, The New York Times
News Service, Gannett Newspapers, the White House Photo Office,
and other news services.
Newspaper customers subscribing to PressLink include Knight-
Ridder publications, Ganett's USA Today, and others.
Open forums carried on PressLink include several related to the
US military and the Pentagon, as well as a White House
information database.
PressLink's Special Projects Manager Donald Kent told Newsbytes
that users access PressLink at 9600 bits-per-second through a
local telephone number provided by a General Electric network
GEIS or a toll-free 800 number.
The company has also announced that it can provide subscribers
with access to the massive Dialog Online Service through the
Advanced Research Technologies' ARTIST Gateway.
(John McCormick/19931027/Press Contact: Robert Nicholson, Redgate
Communications, 703-518-4182)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
GENERAL
Digital Imaging Demo, Exhibit Scheduled In NY
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00002)
Digital Imaging Demo, Exhibit Scheduled In NY 10/28/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Tomorrow, October 28,
will see a New York City debut of a major new book on digital
imaging along with exhibits of Agfa, Kodak PhotoCD, SuperMac,
Tektronix, and Wacom digital imaging hardware and software. The
afternoon panel discussion and evening party will be held at The
Apple Market Center located on the 17th floor of 135 East 57th
Street in New York City.
Besides providing an introduction to Sally Wiener Grotta's
digital imaging work as she produces a digital portrait of a
party guest, the evening event will also highlight Dan and Sally
Grotta's forthcoming Windcrest/McGraw-Hill book "Digital Imaging
for Visual Artists." Digital imaging is the computer manipulation
of photographs and computer generated illustrations.
This event is geared to introduce New York media and publishers
to the entire field of digital imaging from scanning
photographs and capturing images with electronic cameras to
editing the images and printing them out in color or publishing
them on CD-ROMs.
Besides the book and hardware being shown, this event kicks off a
one-woman exhibit of Sally Grotta's digital images which will run
from October 28 through December 1, 1993.
(John McCormick/19931027/Press Contact: Dan Grotta, 215-367-9496,
fax 215-367-7130 or MCI: DGROTTA)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
GOVT
Stratus, Motorola, Chosen For India's Stock Exchange
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEL)(00003)
Stratus, Motorola, Chosen For India's Stock Exchange 10/28/93
BOMBAY, INDIA, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- US-based Stratus Computers has
bagged India's National Stock Exchange order, winning over the Wipro
Ltd-Tandem Computers combine, for supplying hardware for the
prestigious Rs 20 crore ($6.7 million) project, a report in
Business Standard newspaper said.
According to sources in the Industrial Development Bank of India
(IDBI), which is managing the project, the decks have been cleared
for the launch of the screen-based exchange by January '94.
The proposal was first cleared by the critical appraisal team formed
by the IDBI and thereafter formally by the NSE board. Stratus and
Tandem are two companies that manufacture fault-tolerant computers.
Sources claim that considerable focus was put on the ability of
the main contenders, both with established expertise, to provide
upgrades as and when the NSE expanded its operations.
With this, the IDBI has finalized the consortium for the project
in which Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., will be the prime
contractor. US-based TCAM services has bagged the software deal,
while Motorola will supply the switches for the exchange.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931028)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
GOVT
FAA Taps Indian Firm For Big Aviation Contract
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEL)(00004)
FAA Taps Indian Firm For Big Aviation Contract 10/28/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- A non-resident Indian (NRI)-owned
company has been awarded a multi-million dollar contract by the US
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The contract envisages
System Resources Corporation (SRC), based in Burlington,
Massachusetts, to serve as the prime contractor of a team
that includes Systems Control Technology, JIL Systems, and CTA Inc,
according to an India Abroad News Service (IANS) report.
The deal is to provide technical support services to the FAA's
prestigious navigation and landing program, which is part of the
US National Airspace System (NAS).
The contract, according to a spokesman, has a potential value of
approximately $48.5 million, including options which could run
for seven years.
Sam Desai, SRC's CEO, citing the importance of the contract to the
company's continued growth and expanding role in aviation said, "We
are delighted to play a major role in this critical program.
Initiatives such as this will ensure that the US is maintaining
the world's highest standards of aviation reliability and flight
safety."
With an emphasis on hi-tech, SRC was set up in 1985 and since has
registered strong growth. A trailblazer of sorts, SRC won the US
Small Business Administration (SSA) administrator's award for
excellence and was selected by Inc Magazine as one of America's
fastest growing companies.
The FAA contract is a step up for the company, which had major
branches of the US government and leading companies in the
private sector on its client list. The US army, Air Force,
Coast Guard and many other government organizations are clients.
(C. T. Mahbharat/19931028)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
GENERAL
Sun Training Center In Siberia
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00005)
Sun Training Center In Siberia 10/28/93
NOVISIBIRSK, RUSSIA, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- The Novosibirsk, Russia-
based Sun Microsystems learning center is widening its activities.
The center is active in building computer networks among various
university teaching and research departments, as well as promoting
an open systems computing approach.
According to spokesman Alexander Golenkov, the center has five
workstations and servers with a total hard drive capacity of four
gigabytes. It is a center of computer networking in the university
and local research institutes.
"As a part of our educational effort, we are participating in the coming
Sibkomputer-93 computer show in Novosibirsk, promoting Sun's ideas and
architectures," Golenkov said.
The center has been equipped with powerful Sun workstations and servers
as a result of the discounted purchase of 120 computers for education
establishments, financed by the Russian Republic Higher Education
Committee.
Novosibirsk is home to a Siberian center of the Russian Academy of
Sciences, where the special Akademgorodok (Academy Town) was
built in the late 1960s. It has been an important center of
research ever since.
(Kirill Tchashchin/19931028)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
BUSINESS
Sony Enters Video Game Machine Market
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00006)
Sony Enters Video Game Machine Market 10/28/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Sony is jumping into the
video game machine market jointly with its subsidiary Sony Music
Entertainment in November. This is Sony's first stab at the
video game machine market, a territory dominated by Nintendo
and Sega.
Sony's new game machine firm will be called Sony Computer Entertainment.
Some 480 million yen ($4.8 million) of capital has been sunk into the
company in equal shares by both firms.
Chairman Toshio Ozawa of Sony Music Entertainment will assume the
presidency. Sony Computer Entertainment will develop not only
video game machines but games as well.
Sony is expected to offer a RISC (reduced instruction set computing)
chip-based 32-bit video game machine. The RISC chip would enable
the unit to process data at 500 MIPS (500 million instructions per
second) -- extremely fast for a video game machine. The unit is
expected to support three-dimensional computer graphics, and come
with a CD-ROM drive.
Sony expects to release this new game machine in Japan
by the end of next year, and overseas in 1995. Sony plans to set
the price around 50,000 to 60,000 yen ($600), which is
expensive for a game machine.
Nintendo and Sega Enterprises are also each developing 64-bit
next-generation video game machines but the graphics on
Sony's are expected to be superior.
Another major Japanese electronics firm, Matsushita, is
preparing to release a game device jointly developed with 3DO
of the US. Consequently, the industry is bracing itself for a
CD-ROM-based video game machine war in Japan late next year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931028/Press Contact: Sony, +81-3-
5448-2200, Fax, +81-3-5448-3061)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
BUSINESS
Chipsoft Offers Lower Prices, Rebates On Tax Software
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00007)
Chipsoft Offers Lower Prices, Rebates On Tax Software 10/28/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- The tax
crunch this year may be even more painful, but Chipsoft is
attempting to ease the pain by offering its tax preparation
software at lower prices and offering rebates and coupons to
retail purchasers of its products.
The company offers Turbotax for the IBM and compatible personal
computer (PC) market and Macintax for the Macintosh. The
company has announced that retail packages of the Turbotax and
Macintax Federal versions contain a $10 rebate coupon. The
company is also offering lower prices.
Retail prices will be $69.95 (compared to $79.95 last year) for
the federal versions for DOS, Windows, and the Macintosh, and
$39.95 (compared to last year's $49.95 price) for the state
versions.
Users who have bought from Chipsoft before can save even more
by purchasing the renewal versions directly from the company
which will also be less than last year at $29.95 for the
Federal versions and $19.95 for the state versions. Those
interested in renewal copies may call toll-free or write the
company directly, Chipsoft said.
Also new from Chipsoft is a software Tax Savings Guide in which
users answer questions about their financial situation and the
software recommends tax-saving tips based on the user's input.
The product offers 250 tax tips and includes a coupon for up to
$15 off on the retail federal and state versions of Turbotax
and Macintax. The Tax Savings Guide is retail priced at $14.95
The Tax Planner software is available again this year and is
aimed at those faced with quarterly filings, such as the self-
employed. Users with fixed assets and other more complex tax
inquiries will find the $14.95 product helpful as well, company
officials said. The company also offers software for
professional tax preparers.
Chipsoft announced in September it would merge with Intuit,
known for its Quicken accounting software product and the
merger is expected to be complete by December of this year.
One of the expected results of the merger is better integration
between the accounting software and tax software of both
companies. However, current users of Quicken may export their
financial information into Turbotax or Macintax to speed tax
preparation.
Headquartered in San Diego, California, Chipsoft is one of the
leading tax preparation software companies. Standard and Poors
reported Chipsoft had earnings in fiscal 1993 of $3.7 million
on revenues of $69.7 million.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931027/Press Contact: Diane MacKeeby,
Chipsoft, tel 619-453-4446 ext 431, fax 619-535-0737; Public
Contact, 800-964-1040, Mailing Address, Chipsoft, Personal
Order Department, 2650 E Elvira Road, Suite 100, Tucson,
Arizona, 85706)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
TRENDS
Matsushita, Sundisk Develop 16Mb Flash Memory
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008)
Matsushita, Sundisk Develop 16Mb Flash Memory 10/28/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Matsushita Electronics Industry
has developed a 16-megabit flash memory with California-based
Sundisk. Matsushita Electronics will produce the memory chips
in quantity by early next year, and will supply them to
Sundisk. Sundisk will use this chip in its memory cards.
Data is written on and erased from the flash memory.
Matsushita Electronics' flash memory chip is made with
original technology based on a 0.5 micron process. The chip will
be manufactured at the firm's Uozu plant in Toyama Prefecture,
Japan.
Sundisk's flash memory card will store 40 megabytes. This is
twice as large as others available on the market. It can also
hold the Windows program on this single card making it handy
for notebook-type personal computers.
Matsushita Electronics and Sundisk first entered their
alliance 1990. Since then, they have jointly developed a 4-megabit
and an 8-megabit memory card. Both firms are now developing a 32-bit
flash memory. Matsushita Electronics is expected to begin mass
production at the end of next year.
Sundisk is a joint venture firm created by a former president
of Intel in 1988.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931026/Press Contact: Matsushita
Electronics Industry, +81-726-82-5521)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
APPLE
Apple Australia Boss Moves Aside
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00009)
Apple Australia Boss Moves Aside 10/28/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- David Strong, managing
director of Apple Computer Australia, is stepping aside from
running the company. He has announced changes that he says are
necessary for the development of Apple.
Strong said that over the next few months Apple Australia will be
expanded in two key areas: the Macintosh personal computer business
and its associated Applesoft, Apple Business Systems (ABS), and
Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE) businesses; and a new
ventures operation which will initially concentrate on
developing opportunities in mobile information services.
Strong said that Apple's Macintosh PC business and the associated
Applesoft, ABS and PIE businesses will be run by a new managing
director, yet to be appointed. Apple is searching internally and
externally and this will no doubt form a pastime for some
industry watchers.
Strong said he will take over responsibility for building the
new businesses of mobile services and general messaging, while
remaining as chairman of the Australian organization. He added
that the plans are consistent with the whole company's plans as
outlined by Apple Pacific President John Floisand.
"Apple will only remain a great company if we can literally
make the transition from Apple Computer to Apple, where 'Apple'
is defined more broadly by the information needs of our
users." Strong said. "By the year 2000 it's essential that we
have a robust Macintosh personal computer business, including a
balanced portfolio of the associated businesses.
This naturally includes strategic architectures such as PowerPC
and PowerOpen, along with a continued focus on mobility, imaging,
and multimedia. But we also have to build new businesses that
are founded on the delivery of information to individuals wherever
and whenever they want it."
Strong said that as founder of Apple Australia 10 years ago he
delivered this announcement with a sense of optimism and excitement.
He said his new role would let him do what he likes best - starting
new businesses from the ground up.
(Paul Zucker/19931028)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
TRENDS
Flash Mass Storage Cards From Zilog/Catalyst, Intel
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00010)
Flash Mass Storage Cards From Zilog/Catalyst, Intel 10/28/93
CAMPBELL, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Zilog and
Catalyst Semiconductor have announced a partnership under which
they will combine Zilog's microcontroller and software
expertise with Catalyst's flash storage technology to make
credit card-sized mass storage. The cards will be aimed at the
growing storage needs of the mobile computing market.
While the original announcement said the companies could offer
the mass storage cards at prices per megabyte (MB) comparable
with magnetic disk technology, Zilog representatives backed off
those numbers when Newsbytes mentioned hard disk storage is
running now at about $1 per MB. Chris Bradley of Zilog said a
more realistic cost estimate might be a 2 to 1 ratio or a 3 to
2 ratio of dollars to MBs.
The size of the mass storage devices planned are in the 80 to
140 MB range, although exact sizes have not yet been decided.
The drives will be offered in the Personal Computer Memory Card
Industry Association (PCMCIA) Type II form factor, which is now
the most popular, Bradley said.
Flash storage offers the speed of integrated circuit (IC)
chips, the retention of magnetic memory, and it is light
weight. Unlike most ICs, flash solid state memory subsystems do
not lose the data stored when the power source is cut off. The
technology is relatively new, however, and Zilog and Catalyst
face such giants as Intel and Sharp electronics as competitors.
Intel has over two-thirds of the flash memory market and has
announced it too will product mass storage products, but with
lower capacities of 40 MB or less.
Zilog is headquartered in Campbell, California, employs 1,500
people, and had 1992 revenues of $145.7 million. Catalyst
Semiconductor is based in Santa Clara, California and employs
about 105 people. Catalyst lost $1.8 million last year, the
first year it went public, on sales of $32.2 million, but has
since moved into the black with doubled revenues in the first
quarter of its 1994 fiscal year.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931028/Press Contact: Chris Bradley, Zilog,
tel 408-370-8246, fax 408-370-8056; Don Witmer, Catalyst
Semiconductor, tel 408-764-0260)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
TELECOM
QVC-Viacom Battle Plays Washington, Atlanta
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
QVC-Viacom Battle Plays Washington, Atlanta 10/28/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Major figures in
the battle for Paramount Communications testified before the
Senate's Antitrust Subcommittee, while BellSouth considered
entering the fray.
Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone and Bell Atlantic Chairman Ray
Smith battled before Senator Howard Metzenbaum, who opposes Bell
Atlantic's pending purchase of TCI. Redstone's testimony
continued his tack of demonizing TCI head John Malone, who he
claims is trying to extend his monopoly of the cable industry by
backing QVC's bid for Paramount. Redstone charged that any
enhancement of TCI's market power will further "choke competition
and lead to a closed communications 'superhighway' built, and
ultimately controlled, by TCI."
Smith tried to go on the offensive, refusing to be drawn into a
lengthy defense of Malone, and saying that the TCI-Bell Atlantic
merger will speed the upgrade of both networks to the benefit of
customers, increasing competition. But he was put on the
defensive over his company's changed position on cable
reregulation in the wake of the TCI deal. That morning "The
Washington Post" had detailed how Smith and Bell Atlantic had
filed suit to force larger cable rate cuts before it bought TCI,
then said it would reconsider that position after the buy.
Metzenbaum fears cable rates will increase with the reduced
competition from phone companies that the Bell Atlantic-TCI deal
implies, and this turn-around just confirmed his suspicions.
To allay concerns on antitrust questions, Smith told Metzenbaum
he would put Bell Atlantic's programming and information assets
into a separate subsidiary. But Redstone called that a "shell
game," comparing it to Malone's spin-off of Liberty Media in
1991, which the Bell Atlantic deal is reversing. That may not be
enough. Anne Bingaman, assistant attorney general for antitrust,
told the committee that the department will analyze the deal under
"all plausible theories of competitive harm" and oppose it if
such harm is found.
Independent analysts say they see no problem with the deal,
since the two companies combined would only have market shares
of 10-15 percent in either cable or telephony.
Meanwhile, BellSouth continued to refuse comment on rumors it
might make a play for Paramount. Chairman John Clendenin,
interviewed by "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" over a separate
deal with Cox Enterprises, told reporter Maria Saporta he didn't
want to talk about a potential offer, but cut the interview short
claiming he was busy. The result was a pair of front-page stories
claiming the company was edging toward a decision, with one
arbitrageur saying there's a 60 percent chance BellSouth will
bid.
For the record, spokesman Larry Stevens told Newsbytes the
company does not comment on speculation, rumors, or possible
business combinations.
Speculation concerning BellSouth pushed the value of Paramount
shares to $81 in October 27 trading, above the $80 per share
tenders now on offer from QVC and Viacom. Viacom's bid has
been approved by regulators, while QVC's bid is still pending
before government officials. QVC is also expected to raise its
bid again, leading to a higher price for Paramount stock in the
open market.
Earlier in the story, BellSouth reportedly talked to both
Viacom and QVC, where it discussed making a bid of its own.
BellSouth is worth about $30 billion, has 1992 revenues of $15.2
billion, debt of just $9.7 billion. Thus, arbitrageurs say, it's
in a position to afford Paramount.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931028/Press Contact: Larry Stevens,
BellSouth, 404-249-2832)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
BUSINESS
****Motorola Chairman Fisher Leaves For Kodak
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00012)
****Motorola Chairman Fisher Leaves For Kodak 10/28/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Motorola Chairman
George Fisher stunned his employer and Wall Street by agreeing to
become chairman and chief executive of Eastman Kodak Co.,
effective December 1. Fisher is also expected to remain as
head of President Clinton's Council on Competitiveness, a part-
time position he took while at Motorola.
At a press conference, where he was introduced by Coca-Cola
Chairman Roberto Guizueta, who had headed Kodak's search for a
new boss, Fisher said he based his decision on Kodak's technology,
saying it's very strong, and the company's prospects are much as
Motorola's were when he joined that company from Bell Labs in
1976.
"At Kodak you have a franchise and a market position second
to none on the content side of the information revolution. If you
think about taking photographs, the imaging side of the business,
you have the most highly distributed information gathering
capability in the universe. The question is how does that tie to
the exciting things taking place in computing and communications?
"My contention is Kodak plays a very important part at the front
end of that process, and has the core competencies to really
drive some exciting things."
Beyond that, Fisher said he didn't want to discuss Kodak in
detail, saying he's still "in a rapidly learning stage on all
these things." But while saying the company remained committed to
its home base of Rochester, New York, he did acknowledge that
further layoffs will be necessary to restore the company to
profitability.
"The first step is making sure our financial house is in order.
But in the end we'll concentrate on fundamentals. First you focus
on your customers, because they pay the bills. If you do that
right everything else follows. You have to focus on cycle times --
how quickly you make products, develop new products, make
decisions, do everything in a corporate context aimed at serving
customers. And you have to have leadership products.
"My enthusiasm for Kodak is not a lack of enthusiasm for
Motorola. They're on a great track. We put together a great
management team. Kodak has a great franchise. My hope is we can
build on that and get out some exciting growth and make our
public happier than they have been -- customers, employees and
shareholders."
Motorola's stock fell in the wake of Fisher's announcement, but
still stands at over $103 per share, up from $20 just a few years
ago and more than double the price of early this year, when
shares were depressed over a health scare on cellular phones.
Kodak shares also rose sharply on the news, despite a $68 million
for the most recent quarter due to a huge restructuring charge, a
freeze on research spending, and announcements it will cut 12,000
of 132,000 jobs by the end of 1995.
Motorola moved quickly to fill the gap, issuing a statement
calling the news unexpected. For now, vice chairman William Weisz
becomes chairman of Motorola, while president Gary Tooker becomes
chief executive. A board meeting is scheduled Friday and a press
conference may follow. The company is not expected to look
outside for its next leader.
Meanwhile, Kodak's board of directors asked former CEO Kay Whitmore
to step down in August claiming Whitmore wasn't bringing needed
change. This fall, even Kodak's customers got involved in the CEO
search as they petitioned the company's executive search firm
to hire John Sculley, former CEO of Apple Computer. The choice
seemed a natural one, as Sculley made it clear he was looking
for another job and Kodak is one of the largest corporate users
of Apple computers in the world.
Kodak's new direction appears to be a bee-line for the electronic
imaging market. Its Photo Compact Disc (CD) format for digital
images has been widely accepted and it has already announced the
Eastman Exchange, an online, electronic imaging service now a
prototype.
But Sculley was out of the picture when, just two weeks ago on
the heels of Apple's barely-break-even fourth quarter, he
accepted the helm at Spectrum Information Technology, a company
with a dismal financial past. Sculley said he was attracted to
Spectrum because of its patented analog computer-to-cellular
communication technology which it has licensed to American
Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T), Rockwell, and IBM.
Kodak, however, found its high-tech CEO further up the hardware
supply line at Motorola. Motorola's connection with Apple is
significant -- it's the company that makes the central processing
unit (CPU) or the "brains" of the current Apple Macintosh computer
line. Motorola is about half the size revenue-wise of
Kodak at $9.5 billion annually.
Kodak was founded in 1880 and went public in 1901. The report
of a new CEO has been good for Kodak's stock which is up 1.5
points from yesterday's close of 62 1/4.
(Dana Blankenhorn & Linda Rohrbough/19931028/Press Contact:
David Pinsky, Motorola, 708-523-2841; Paul Allen, Kodak, tel
716-724-5802, fax 716-253-6275)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
TRENDS
****Fisher's Motorola Legacy
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(ATL)(00013)
****Fisher's Motorola Legacy 10/28/93
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- At Motorola,
George Fisher built one of industry's most highly respected
management teams and helped revolutionize business through a
coherent strategy focused on wireless communications.
The company didn't win every battle. It was aced-out in the PC
chip market by Intel, which won dominant market share for its
80X86 series over Motorola's 68XXX chips. But under Fisher the
company concentrated on new wireless markets, becoming a dominant
player in cellular phones and cell sites. The company also
retained its dominant position in pagers, even opening the
Japanese market a crack after a long struggle.
One policy which helped Motorola keep its equipment markets open
was a decision by Fisher and his management team to avoid
competition in the services sector. While Motorola eventually got
one of three satellite paging licenses from the Federal
Communications Commission, for instance, it created a completely
different service with it, called EMBARC, for Electronic Mail By
A Roaming Computer. It became the largest licensee of Specialized
Mobile Radio frequencies, but after creating new technology which
could turn those licensees into competitors to cellular phone
companies, it sold most of them to some of its big customers --
Cencall, Dial Page, and NexTel -- in exchange for stock.
Contrast that with AT&T, another major cellular equipment supplier,
which drew fire from regional Bell companies for buying McCaw
Cellular. That's the kind of move Fisher's Motorola would have
resisted.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931028/Press Contact: David Pinsky, Motorola,
708-523-2841; Eastman Kodak, 716-724-4000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
TELECOM
SkyTel Launches Quote Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
SkyTel Launches Quote Service 10/28/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- MTel made a move
into a new market by launching SkyQuote, a service of its SkyTel
paging service that delivers real-time quotes to the company's
SkyWord pagers.
SkyQuote will use headlines from Dow Jones as well as the quotes
from the major US exchanges. Users will be able to select up to
four companies on the exchanges, and in addition to regular
quotes, they'll get Dow Jones headlines on those stocks at two
times each day, specified by users. The service costs $10 per
month on top of SkyTel's usual charges. It's part of a broader
new product line that includes SkyNews, a headline service from
Reuters.
SkyQuote and SkyNews, combined with SkyWord, illustrate an
important trend which Motorola and its EMBARC service led.
Paging services are becoming information services, despite their
narrow frequency bandwidths and short messaging capabilities.
Like SkyTel, BellSouth's Mobilecomm service is also moving into
online news. EMBARC was designed from the beginning as an
electronic mail service for mobile computers, and the SkyWord
paging device is made by Motorola and also used by EMBARC.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931028/Press Contact: Elisa Fershtadt, for
SkyTel, 212/614-4254)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
TELECOM
AT&T Extends Frame Relay To Europe
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
AT&T Extends Frame Relay To Europe 10/28/93
BASKING RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- AT&T
expanded its InterSpan frame relay service to Europe by
announcing that it will offer customers there the ability to link
their local area networks directly to InterSpan. AT&T will also
sell those customers frame relay equipment, install it, and
maintain the network interfaces. The official announcement was
made at the Interop-Europe trade show in Paris, France.
AT&T said this Extended Connectivity Option is based on a global
structure, and ECO has been available as an option since January.
The new announcement will mean customers in 16 countries can have
AT&T handle the complex regulatory dealings which are required
for provisioning such networks across national boundaries,
starting early next year. Also, multinational companies can get a
single point of contact for their international frame relay
networks. The service is managed through the company's management
center in the United Kingdom.
The frame relay announcement is yet another challenge to Europe's
decisionmakers, where voters have resisted moves to privatize
phone companies and allow greater competition despite a European
Community decision to allow greater competition starting in 1998.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931028/Press Contact: Carolyn Tommie, AT&T,
908-221-8541)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
TRENDS
CD-ROM Expo - Keynoter Says Market Growing 40%/Year
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00016)
CD-ROM Expo - Keynoter Says Market Growing 40%/Year 10/28/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- The CD-ROM
market is expanding at a steady clip, and new developments such as
standardization, better search-and-retrieval engines, and booklike
reading devices will bring an even brighter future, speakers said
yesterday in a keynote session at CD-ROM Expo.
Since 1985, when the CD-ROM industry was born, the market has grown
at an annual rate of 40 percent, stated Julie B. Schwerin,
president of Infotech, and one of three members of a keynote
panel moderated by Tim Bajarin of Creative Strategies Research.
From its initial use as text-based reference tool for libraries,
CD-ROM made its way into multimedia in 1991 and 1992, opening the
door to new applications in areas like entertainment and education,
according to Schwerin.
CD-ROM products are now being marketed in 35 countries worldwide,
for 15 different desktop and set top platforms, noted the head
of the Woodstock, VT-based marketing research firm. In contrast,
back in the mid-eighties, the technology was available only in the
US, and for PC DOS alone, Schwerin recalled.
For 1986, Infotech counted 52 commercial CD-ROM titles shipping.
By 1991, the company found 2,119 and by 1992, the number had risen
to 3,256.
Infotech has projected a $3 billion market this year for commercial
titles, and the firm will be adjusting that figure upward due to a
recent boom in the multimedia arena, she reported. The figures
for commercial titles do not even include other widespread
applications, such as CD-ROM for inhouse use, she added.
Up to this point, CD-ROM has achieved higher penetration among
businesses and home offices than households, acknowledged Walter
Miao, vice president, Technology, for another market research firm,
New York City-based LINK Resources Corp.
The proportion of medium/large businesses with CD-ROM is now 11.2
percent, according to LINK. Comparative figures are 6.9 percent
for small businesses, 4.8 percent for home offices, and only 0.2
percent for households.
Yet the advent of standardization will yield better opportunities
for CD-ROM vendors in the consumer marketplace, emphasized Miao.
Currently, the number of protocols in use by the industry amounts
to a whopping 25. In the future, though, there will be greater
consolidation around shared, open standards, he predicted.
"CD-ROM will not compete with online services," he added.
ISDN and other networking technologies that would allow delivery of
video to the desktop are still a long way off, he explained.
Meanwhile, PCs have achieved fairly high household penetration.
Exactly 16.6 percent of households are currently equipped with PCs,
compared to 42.9 percent of home offices, 67.2 percent of small
businesses, and 99.2 percent of medium/large businesses, according
to Miao.
The creation of new CD-ROM reading and writing devices will spell
greater success among consumers of tomorrow, said Bob Stein,
cofounder of Voyager.
And although some insist that books are still easier to read in
print than electronic form, "electronic books" already offer one
clear advantage, he maintained.
The electronic book provides "hands-free operation," a capability
that becomes especially important if you want to read while lying
in bed or flopping on a couch, he said. In these situations, an
Apple PowerBook, or even a notebook PC, is preferable to a
conventional book.
CD-ROM is being further advanced by the development of new, more
capable search-and-retrieval engines, according to Stein. He
demonstrated Voyager's use of such tools in several recently
released multimedia titles, including "A Hard Day's Night," "A
Portrait of Dorian Gray," "Who Built America," "MacBeth," "A Silly
Noisy House," and "Take 5."
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931028)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/28/93
GENERAL
Cabletron Intros Spectrum Data Gateways
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00017)
Cabletron Intros Spectrum Data Gateways 10/28/93
ROCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- As
part of its three-phase network management strategy,
Cabletron Systems Inc., has announced Spectrum Data Gateways.
The Gateways are designed to provide a link between the firm's
Spectrum enterprise management platform and other network
managers, permitting cross-platform network information
exchange.
Michael Skubisz, Cabletron's director of product management,
told Newsbytes that, "Spectrum is our network management
platform. It competes in some ways with HP OpenView and SunNet
Manager. What Spectrum Data Gateways allows us to do is
interoperate at a very high level with those products. It
essentially allows us to become the manager of managers."
Skubisz explained the gateways further to Newsbytes, saying: "The
Data Gateway is essentially an agent that resides on HP OpenView,
SunNet manager, or IBM's NetView 6000, and extracts information
from those systems using those platform's published APIs
(application programming interfaces). That information is then
exported up to Spectrum, so you have a centralized view of the
world, if you will."
According to the company, Spectrum Data Gateways permit the
"dynamic exchange of information between Spectrum and element
managers." This exchange reportedly allows Spectrum to create
models for all devices managed by other platforms, enabling it to
distribute polling and threshold monitoring tasks. Management
databases are also synchronized through the process.
Skubisz told Newsbytes that, "Spectrum in the platform has some
features that the other platforms do not offer. One of them is
artificial intelligence, which allows us to do intelligent isolation.
When something breaks, instead of telling you about the hundred
devices you can't reach any longer, we tell you about the single
device that has caused the problem."
Spectrum Data Gateways permit the correlation of network
management data retrieved from disparate management systems.
The aggregate management data is filtered by Spectrum, and
then reported to the network administrator. The company adds
that the process permits enterprise network management to
take place from a single console.
Concluded Skubisz, "We extract information out of these other
platforms. Then we apply that raw information through the
modeling, the artificial intelligence engine, and present you with
a value-added report system." He said that the Data Gateways
would be available in the first quarter of 1994.
(Ian Stokell/19931028/Press Contact: Jennifer Ace,
603-337-1063, Cabletron Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
IBM
Computer Associates Tax Software Is Almost Free
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00018)
Computer Associates Tax Software Is Almost Free 10/28/93
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Encouraged by
strong response to a giveaway of personal financial management
software earlier this year, Computer Associates International
is now offering a new income tax package free to all
callers. Well, almost -- the company will charge $9.95 for
shipping and handling to send out the new CA-Simply Tax software.
Simply Tax was developed by SoftKey Software Products Inc., a
Cambridge, Massachusetts, software developer, which has sold a
version of the software for the DOS operating system as EasyTax.
CA is offering the DOS version plus a version for Microsoft
Windows that has not previously been sold.
CA said it will send an unlimited number of free copies of Simply
Tax to anyone in the United States who calls its toll-free order
line -- 1-800-7-FREE-TAX -- before April 15, 1994. That is the
deadline for filing 1993 income tax returns.
Early callers will get a head start edition of the software,
without all details of the still-to-be-finalized 1993 tax form.
They will be able to update that software later, when the tax
form is final, for an added $3.95 shipping charge, said Marc
Sokol, CA's vice-president of product strategy. Customers can
also wait and get the final edition later for $9.95.
CA also plans to sell the software through retail stores. Sokol
said the price at retailers will probably be between $10 and $15.
The company will make its money on later updates and add-ons for
the package. Income tax software typically requires an annual
update to keep up with continual changes in tax rules. Sokol said
no price has been set for such updates yet.
Simply Tax uses a question-and-answer approach to walk users
through the tax preparation process. It automatically fills data
in on the correct form. The software also includes a facility for
filing electronically through a modem or by loading forms onto a
diskette to be sent to the Internal Revenue Service.
Computer Associates also said it has add-on programs to handle
state income taxes for 30 states, at $19.95 each.
The software is also able to import personal financial records
from the company's CA-Simply Money software to aid in preparing
tax returns, Sokol said.
CA said it will offer both Simply Tax and Simply Money together
free except for shipping and handling until April 15.
When CA launched the Simply Money offer, the company's order
lines were jammed with callers and it had to add more operators.
Officials said they think they are ready for the call volume this
time.
(Grant Buckler/19931028/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2391, fax 516-342-4864; Public Contact:
Computer Associates, 800-7-FREE-TAX)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
BUSINESS
Wordperfect Forms Small Business Unit
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00019)
Wordperfect Forms Small Business Unit 10/28/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corporation has
announced the creation of a new corporate sales group designated to
meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses in the US and
Canada. The unit will cater to business using 50 to 299 personal
computers.
Clive Winn, WPCorp VP of sales, said the unit was formed as a result
of listening to customer needs. "Our customers indicated a need for
greater focus in the small to medium business arena."
Called SMB, the unit will have in-house sales representatives
designated to handle requests for help, update customers on
products, purchase opportunities, and WPCorp sponsored seminars
being conducted in the customer's region. Seminars will be conducted
by WPCorp authorized training centers. "Our goal is to provide SMB
accounts with more personalized attention from a new sales force, a
series of product seminars, and new purchasing and maintenance
programs," according to Russ Warner, WPCorp SMB account director.
The company said the SMB unit will utilize Wordperfect Office 4.0 to
communicate with accounts via electronic mail and other public mail
systems. "If the customer has Office 4.0 or some other mail system
we can e-mail them information and if they have a problem they can
e-mail it to us," WPCorp Laura Funkhauser told Newsbytes.
WPCorp says a survey last month by Computer Intelligence showed that
59 percent of establishments using 50 to 99 PCs use Wordperfect word
processing software, while in the 100 to 299-PC category 64 percent
are WP users. It also cites a recent CNN/Gallup Organization poll
that shows mid-sized businesses are increasing their budgets for
software purchases. In June mid-sized businesses reportedly spent
more than twice as much as they had planned on PC products. June was
the fourth consecutive month this year in which spending outpaced
projections.
Funkhauser told Newsbytes a business can become an SMB account just
by calling the unit's toll-free number. "We will assign an inside
representative, send information about seminars and products, and
can arrange for someone to make a personal visit," she said.
(Jim Mallory/19931028/Press contact: Laura Funkhauser, WPCorp, 801-
228-5051; Reader contact: WPCorp, 800-321-0034 or 801-225-5000, fax
801-222-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
GOVT
****Microsoft Deals Directly With Mexico
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00020)
****Microsoft Deals Directly With Mexico 10/28/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Microsoft isn't
waiting for Congress to approve the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA). The software giant says it has signed a software
licensing agreement with the Mexican Ministry of Trade that will put
Microsoft products throughout the ministry, and eventually possibly in
other branches of the government.
"The key news here is that the Mexican government has never bought
software before. Because of the copyright laws in Mexico it wasn't
necessary for them to do that," Microsoft spokesperson Michelle
Mathews told Newsbytes. "It's an unprecedented move, with the Mexican
government setting the precedent for the private sector to follow."
She said the Software Publishing Association estimates that
presently 85 percent of the business software used in Mexico is
pirated.
Mathews told Newsbytes the deal involves Microsoft Windows, Foxpro,
and Microsoft Office.
Microsoft said the deal signals support for the intellectual property
provisions of NAFTA and is the first in a series of agreements the
Mexican government intends to sign with various software vendors.
Wordperfect Corporation spokesperson Michelle Mathews told
Newsbytes WPCorp officials are negotiating CAP (Customer Advantage
Program) agreements, the company's large account agreements, with
numerous Mexican government agencies but declined to discuss details,
citing the delicacy of the negotiations.
"Wordperfect is glad to see the Mexican government setting the
standard for legally purchased software," Mathews said. Those
agreements are expected to be signed in the next few weeks.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates called the agreement a "great first
step" by the Mexican government in support of the intellectual
property rights outlined in NAFTA. "Today's agreement is part of
a broader campaign by the Mexican government to protect intellectual
property and encourage the use of legal software in Mexico." Gates
said it is a positive indicator for the entire US software industry.
Earlier this month the Mexican government formed a major interagency
commission to coordinate the prosecution of intellectual property
pirates and to educate the Mexican public. "We understand that
intellectual property protection is fundamental to the economic,
cultural and social development of Mexico, and we are completely
committed to the actions necessary to promote this. By purchasing
state-of-the-art software, we are advancing our goal of making
Mexico more productive and competitive in today's global markets,"
stated Dr. Jaime Serra Puche, Mexican secretary of trade and
industry.
NAFTA defines software as a literary work requiring the highest level of
copyright protection. It also calls for guarantees that US copyright
owners will benefit directly from the royalty fees and other specified
levies. Experts believe that will increase the market in both Mexico and
Canada for software publishers. NAFTA gradually decreases and
eventually eliminates the current 10 percent tariff imposed by the
Mexican government on software and computer hardware.
Microsoft says its sales in Mexico increased by 86 percent in 1992 and
are up nearly 200 percent this year. The company attributes that to the
improvement in the Mexican legal environment resulting from NAFTA
negotiations. Microsoft says staffing to support its Latin American
operations has jumped over 300 percent in the last two years. The
company operates a facility devoted solely to order processing,
production, and shipping of products destined for Latin America.
(Jim Mallory/19931028/Press contact: Michelle Mathews, Microsoft Corp,
206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/28/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo - Toshiba's New Midrange Drives
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00021)
CD-ROM Expo - Toshiba's New Midrange Drives 10/28/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- At CD-ROM Expo
this week, Toshiba is introducing its first midrange CD-ROM drives.
Jerald B. Higgins, vice president of marketing for the Disk Product
Division, told Newsbytes that the new double-speed XM-4101 Series
offer most of the same capabilities as the previously released,
premium double-speed XM-3401 Series, the only other CD-ROM drives
that Toshiba has brought to market.
In addition, the XM-4101 brings the unique capability of being able
to be mounted either vertically or horizontally, Higgins said.
During an interview on the show floor, Higgins showed Newsbytes how
the XM-4101 uses a tray with a specialized lock-in spindle to keep
the drive in place during loading and ejection, even when the drive
is mounted vertically.
The XM-4101 is somewhat slower than the XM-3401, but will also be
priced lower to OEMs, according to Higgins. Ultimately, these cost
savings will be passed on to end users, he added.
Toshiba developed the new drive to extend the core technology of
the XM-3401 to a more price-conscious market, Higgins explained.
Typical average access times are 320 ms for the XM-4101 and 200 ms
for the XM-3401. Data transfer rates are 300 KB/sec for the XM-
4101 and 330 KB/sec for the XM-3401.
Available to OEMs in internal (XM-4101B) and external (TXM-4101L)
models, the drive is Multimedia PC-2 (MPC-2)-compliant, supports
Kodak multisession Photo CD, and also comes standard with a 64 KB
buffer and fully integrated audio.
Mean time between failure (MTBF) is a high 45,000 hours, according
to Higgins. In addition, the device consumes only three watts of
power, a capability targeted at the new generation of energy-
conscious "green PCs."
Toshiba's XM-4101 and XM-3401 drives can be connected through
installation kits to IBM PS/2 and XT/AT-compatible PCs and all
Macintosh computers.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931028/Reader contact: Toshiba America
Information Systems, tel 714-457-0777; Press contact: Karen Allen,
The Benjamin Group for Toshiba, tel 714-753-0755)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
TELECOM
UK - US Robotics New Products, Shuffles Prices
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00022)
UK - US Robotics New Products, Shuffles Prices 10/28/93
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- US Robotics has
slashed the cost of the Sportster V.32Bis fax modem from UKP 399 to
UKP 299, while the basic 2,400 bits per second (bps) version falls
from UKP 199 to UKP 149.
In parallel with the price cuts, the company has pre-announced plans
to launch a new range of Courier modems on November 22. The two
new modems will include support for HDLC/cellular and V.32Terbo
connections. Two models will be available -- the V.32Terbo-only at
UKP 699 and the UKP899 DS with cellular link support.
"The DS supports cellular links at rates of up to 16,800 bits per
second," Clive Hudson, US Robotics' managing director, told
Newsbytes, adding that both modems include support for 14,400 bps
fax. Hudson revealed plans are also in hand for portable and PCMCIA
versions of the new Courier modems to ship in the first quarter of
next year.
The new modems also support the V.32Terbo standard. Hudson
said that the company is getting behind in the continuing absence of
the V.Fast (28,800 bits per second) modem standard. "We think there
is a significant window of opportunity with V.32Terbo, as V.Fast
modems will not arrive until next summer," Hudson said, adding that,
since the V.32Terbo modems will be upgradable to V.Fast, these new
modems will appear to users who want the fastest speeds now.
According to Hudson, the Sportster price cuts have been made
possible by the massive growth in modem sales that US Robotics has
enjoyed on both sides of the Atlantic. Dataquest figures cited to
support this claim show that the company was in second position in
the high speed modem market-place in the UK with 11.4 percent of the
market in the year to September, 1993.
This contrasts with UK market leader Craycom with 13.2 percent, but
ahead of BT with 10.6 percent and Tricom and Hayes with,
respectively, 4.8 and 3.1 percent.
"The Sportster has really caught the competition napping. We took
the decision to offer a combination of high performance and low
price which we knew would be difficult to match. As a result, I
believe that we have grown the overall market size, as well as
increasing our share of the market," Hudson said.
"The decision to focus on the high speed of the market is justified
by the fact that, according to Dataquest, 75 percent of the modem
market by 1997 will be V.32Bis and above," he added.
(Steve Gold/19931028/Press & Public Contact: US Robotics - Tel: +44-
753-811180; Fax: +44-753-811191)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
TELECOM
British Telecom Dukes It Out For Ireland
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023)
British Telecom Dukes It Out For Ireland 10/28/93
DUBLIN, IRELAND, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- British Telecom has announced
it is opening a business office in Dublin with the express aim of
competing with Telecom Eireann in the long distance and
international telecom market.
The telecom situation in Ireland is somewhat unusual, Newsbytes
notes, as Northern Ireland is in the UK and therefore covered by BT.
This means that Telecom Eireann (TE) has to contract with BT for
calls between Southern and Northern Ireland. TE, however, has been
charging more than BT for such calls, owing to a near monopoly for
Ireland-UK calls.
BT claims that, because of pricing differentials between TE and its
rates, it will scoop up a large number of company contracts. BT
officials claim that the company has already signed contracts with
the Irish Trade Board, which ironically is a division of the Irish
Government.
BT has employed 12 staff to run the Dublin office, which
opens at the beginning of November.
(Steve Gold/19931028/Press Contact: BT - Tel: +44-71-356-5573)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
TRENDS
Canada's High-Tech Marketing Units Shrinking -- Study
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00024)
Canada's High-Tech Marketing Units Shrinking -- Study 10/28/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Canadian
information technology companies have been cutting back their
marketing operations in the past two years, relying more on
outside contractors and in many cases depending on parent
companies south of the border to do more of their marketing for
them. This is one conclusion of a study carried out by consulting
firm KPMG Peat Marwick Stevenson & Kellogg and the Information
Technology Association of Canada (ITAC).
The researchers contacted 150 of Canada's most prominent
information technology firms. The response rate was 29 percent,
or about 45 companies.
Forty-five percent of those responding said their marketing
departments had shrunk in the past two years. Of those, 38
percent -- that is 17 percent of all respondents -- said their
marketing units were less than half the size they had been two
years earlier.
To make up for this, a number of companies are relying more on
outside contractors to help with their marketing work. However,
many are also depending more heavily on the marketing programs of
their parent companies in the United States -- a decision, the
study noted, that means marketing programs are not tailored to
the Canadian market.
The study noted that the marketing resources of US parent
companies are "now more accessible" than before, presumably a
reference to the Free Trade Agreement in place between Canada and
the United States.
In general, the study said, marketers in Canada's high-tech
sector are being asked to do more with less. As a result, Peat
Marwick and ITAC predicted a move toward more focused marketing
tactics such as direct mail and telemarketing, and away from
trade shows and other general marketing methods.
(Grant Buckler/19931028/Press Contact: John Calhoun, Peat
Marwick, 416-777-3034; Barry Gander, ITAC, 613-256-5060)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/28/93
UNIX
Novell Offers NetWare Over TCP/IP
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00025)
Novell Offers NetWare Over TCP/IP 10/28/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Novell
claims it has further accelerated the integration between NetWare,
Unix and TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
environments with the introduction of NetWare/IP.
NetWare/IP is claimed to be a software option for NetWare
that enables customers to run NetWare network services and
applications over TCP/IP environments.
Rene Siegel, marketing communications manager for Novell's
Connectivity Products Division, in reply to a question concerning
TCP/IP support already available in NetWare, told Newsbytes
that, "There is already a TCP/IP stack included in NetWare so
that TCP/IP clients can be added to a NetWare network server.
NetWare/IP is not equivalent to NetWare, and it is not a
replacement. It is a set of NLMs (NetWare Loadable Modules) that
sit on the NetWare server that allow you to run NetWare
completely transparently over an existing TCP/IP environment."
Continued Siegel to Newsbytes, "The main difference is that,
before you absolutely had to use (Novell's) IPX (Internetwork
Packet Exchange) to run NetWare. Now you don't have to. You have
a choice. If you have an existing TCP/IP environment, you don't
have to yank out the IP (Internet Protocol) to run NetWare."
That has been a problem in the past, she elaborated. "That has
been a big issue for a lot of our major customers. For example,
the large manufacturers, such as the auto companies, oil
companies, and a lot of the big TCP/IP shops, they have been
hesitant to move over to NetWare because it has meant an
administrative nightmare for them."
Corporate customers whose businesses are standardized on TCP/IP
can integrate NetWare services with their protocol of choice, says
the company. In addition to running NetWare over the IPX transport,
NetWare/IP enables customers to select the IP as their network
protocol.
Said Bob Young, vice president of marketing for Novell's NetWare
Systems Group, "Both TCP/IP and IPX protocols are key to our
strategic direction and product offerings. By providing customers
with the freedom to choose a network protocol - either IP or IPX -
we can further integrate NetWare into TCP/IP environments."
"Many large companies in the US and abroad have standardized on
TCP/IP and the market demand for integration of NetWare into
TCP/IP environments is exploding," said Bob Davis, vice president
of marketing for Novell's Unix Systems Group.
NetWare/IP is a set of NLMs that enables existing NetWare 3.1x
or 4.01 servers to use IP as a transport protocol option. The
company says that the ability to choose the network protocols
frees network administrators to build the network infrastructure
that best fits their requirements. NetWare/IP can also act as a
gateway by connecting native NetWare and NetWare/IP networks.
The company also says that the software includes both client
and server components; enables traditional IPX-based applications
to run on an IP transport; and provides two services to emulate
the IPX protocol's broadcast mechanisms.
NetWare/IP is priced at $500 for a five-user version; $900 for a
10-user version; $1,400 for 25-user version; $1,800 for a 50-user
version; $2,600 for a 100-user version; $4,700 for a 250-user
version; $7,900 for a 500-user version; and $14,500 for a
1000-user version.
Novell has also announced three native language versions of its
LAN WorkPlace for DOS 4.1 product -- French, German, and Japanese.
The company says that LAN WorkPlace for DOS is a member of its
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
connectivity product family and provides DOS, Windows and mobile
computing users with concurrent access to Unix systems and
NetWare resources. LAN WorkPlace for DOS is installed directly at
the desktop, giving users direct access to TCP/IP resources with
or without NetWare.
(Ian Stokell/19931028/Press Contact: Marie Gunter,
408-321-1669, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
APPLE
DCA Crosstalk For Mac 2.0; Enhanced Token Ring Drivers
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00026)
DCA Crosstalk For Mac 2.0; Enhanced Token Ring Drivers 10/28/93
ALPHARETTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Digital
Communications Associates has introduced version 2.0 of its
Crosstalk for Macintosh asynchronous communications software.
The company has also announced new Ring Advanced Communications
Executive (RACE) software enhancements for its IRMAtrac line of
Token Ring adapters.
Crosstalk for Mac provides support of Apple's Comm Toolbox
standard for connection, file transfer, and terminal tools. The
company says this allows users to access all third-party tools
which support Comm Toolbox.
The company also says that the product provides cross-platform
compatibility to ensure script, QuickPad and keyboard files as
well as user interface capability between environments. As an
example, the company claims that a user of Crosstalk for Windows
can migrate to Crosstalk for Macintosh and use existing scripts
that were written for Crosstalk for Windows.
The Macintosh version also includes a built-in text editor. The
user can also communicate with multiple systems concurrently.
File transfer protocols offered include: IBM IND$FILE, XMODEM,
XMODEM-Checksum, XMODEM-CRC, XMODEM-1K, XMODEM-G, YMODEM,
YMODEM-G, YMODEM-BATCH, ZMODEM, Kermit, CompuServe B+,
and QuickB and ASCII upload and download.
Also, the software supports a number of terminals, including:
ANSI PC; DEC VT320, 220, 100, 102, 52; IBM 3101; WYSE 50, 50+,
and 60; ADDS Viewpoint+, FTTERM (asynchronous 3270);
Lear-Siegler ADM3a; Hewlett-Packard 700/94; Hazeltine 1500;
TTY (teletype); VIDTEX (for CompuServe); and Televideo 912, 920,
and 925.
Crosstalk for Macintosh 2.0 is already available, priced at $195.
Users of existing Crosstalk software or competitive software
can trade up to Crosstalk for Macintosh 2.0 for $49 directly from
DCA.
The new RACEtrac 3.1 software for the company's own IRMAtrac
Token Ring adapters includes support for Microsoft Windows NT,
Novell NetWare 4.01, 4.0 and 3.12 servers, and a memory-efficient
NetBIOS stack.
DCA says that RACEtrac 3.1 also includes support for DOS ODI
"promiscuous" mode which allows users to access IRMAtrac in
"copy-all-frames" mode. DOS ODI "promiscuous" mode reportedly
allows users to use such network monitors as Novell's LANalyzer
for NetWare, which monitors network performance.
The company also claims that the new RACE software provides
high-performance NDIS and ODI Token Ring drivers as well as a
fine-tuned media access control interface. RACE off-loads
protocols such as NetBIOS, allowing them to run on-board.
RACE on-board processing frees up PC memory for applications.
RACEtrac 3.1 is available free of charge to existing worldwide
IRMAtrac customers. The software can be obtained via DCA's
corporate bulletin board system at 404-740-8428, or by calling
DCA Sales Operations at 1-800-348-3221.
(Ian Stokell/19931028/Press Contact: Kerry Stanfield,
404-442-4519, DCA)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
TRENDS
****29% Growth Predicted In 1993 World Chip Market
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00027)
****29% Growth Predicted In 1993 World Chip Market 10/28/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Growth is the
key word in the semiconductor market and the North American
market is expected to lead even the Japanese by the end of this
year. The Semiconductor Industry Association says personal
computers (PCs) and related products will spur 29 percent
growth in the 1993 world market to $77.3 billion with a
continuing climb to $103.4 billion by 1996.
The North American market will be the strongest player in this
semiconductor growth spurt, with $24.8 billion in shipments in
1993, surpassing Japanese shipments of $23.7 billion, Asia
Pacific shipments of $14.4 billion, and European shipments of
$11.5 billion.
By 1996, North America is still expected to lead with projected
shipments of $32.5 billion. The Japanese are predicted to be at
$31 billion, the Asia Pacific will hit $21.4 billion, and the
European market will reach $18.5 billion.
This year will be the first time since 1985 that the North
American shipments will be larger than Japan's. The North
American rate of growth is expected to be higher as well at
34.5 percent for 1993, compared to 22.3 percent growth for the
same period in Japan.
The projected numbers do not compensate for the appreciation of
the yen versus the dollar, which inflates the growth
percentages. SIA officials say when the numbers are balanced
out, Japan's 1993 growth rate will be just 5.9 percent.
Worldwide, semiconductor shipments are predicted to grow to
$87.8 billion in 1994, $92.5 billion in 1995, to the $103.4
billion figure in 1996, SIA officials said.
The largest growth product-wise is expected in the integrated
circuit (IC) market, specifically including metal oxide
semiconductor (MOS) devices such as MOS micro, MOS memory,
analog products, and digital bipolar products. This market is
expected to increase 32.2 percent from 1992's figures of $50
billion to $66.1 billion in 1993 and reach $90.2 billion in
1996.
The forecasts were prepared by the World Semiconductor Trade
Statistics (WSTS) organization which polls semiconductor
manufacturers worldwide. The SIA manages the distribution of
WSTS data in North America.
The SIA recently reported the September book-to-bill ratio, a
three-month moving average of the number of semiconductor
orders (bookings) compared to the number of shipments
(billings), was down to 1.01 from August's figure of 1.08.
However, the actual bookings and billings have been climbing
compared to last year's figures and are expected to continue to
climb.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931028/Press Contact: Tom Beerman, SIA, tel
408-246-2711, fax 408-246-2830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
BUSINESS
Conner To Stop Scotland Manufacturing
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00028)
Conner To Stop Scotland Manufacturing 10/28/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- Increased
competition has led to Conner Peripherals Inc., suspending its
manufacturing operations in Irvine, Ayrshire. The company plans
to continue its European distribution and service activities there,
however.
Conner plans to review its worldwide manufacturing requirements
and capacity annually to determine whether conditions might
support a resumption of manufacturing in Scotland.
About 200 employees at the Irvine facility will be laid off at the
end of 1993, and approximately 100 employees will remain at
the distribution and service centers.
The company says that its decision to suspend manufacturing is
due to competition from products produced in non-European
countries which have lower costs and duty free access to European
markets.
This company says that the decision is part of the restructuring
program announced in conjunction with its report of third quarter
financial losses totalling $372 million, which included a
restructuring charge of $78 million, write-downs of $213 million
in goodwill and intangibles, and a $39 million charge for other
reserves and contingencies.
No comment was available from Conner by Newsbytes deadline.
(Ian Stokell/19931018/Press Contact: Kevin Burr or Mike Seither,
408-456-3134 or 408-456-3743, Conner Peripherals Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo - Sony Codeveloping New Titles
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00029)
CD-ROM Expo - Sony Codeveloping New Titles 10/28/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- At CD-ROM Expo
this week, Sony Electronic Publishing has announced partnership
pacts with five information publishers for the codevelopment of
CD-ROM-based multimedia software products.
In its booth on the exhibition floor, Sony is displaying "Mayo
Clinic Family Health Book" and "Mayo Clinic -- The Total Heart,"
two titles that have been jointly produced with IVI Publishing
Inc., Minneapolis, MN.
Aside from IVI, Sony's other new partners include Houghton Miflin
Co., Boston, MA; Interactive Media Communications, Waltham, MA;
MindBank, Inc., Ingomar, PA; and Wilson Learning Corp., Eden
Prairie, MN.
At an interview with Newsbytes, officials said that the titles
combine CD-ROM technology from Sony with high-quality multimedia
content from the third-party vendors.
All titles that emerge from the relationships will integrate
graphical user interfaces (GUIs), video, art work, and original
written content, explained Mark J. Hart, national manager for sales
and publishing.
The two titles that have been codeveloped with IVI make use of
Sony's Full Text Retrieval Authoring Set, according to Hart.
The "Family Health Book," which has already been released, has sold
300,000 copies by now, he said. Both titles are aimed at health
care consumers.
In a demonstration, Newsbytes saw how IVI's "The Total Heart"
provides an in-depth look at a variety of aspects related to
coronary health, including the "normal" heart, "reducing risk,"
"heart disease," and "heart tests."
Within the "heart tests" section, the user can witness -- in full
3D -- how laser, balloon, and PCTV heart testing is conducted.
Also among the first batch of titles are "Get in Touch: Building
and Keeping Personal Relationships," from Wilson Learning; "Name
Game," from MindBank; and "First Aid Basics: A Family Primer,"
from Interactive Media Communications.
In "Name Game," viewers will learn name-recognition techniques
while playing a role in solving an interactive mystery, according
to Hart.
Other upcoming titles will require longer development times, he
told Newsbytes. An example is Houghton Miflin's "The Challenge of
Democracy," a CD-ROM title that will incorporate a college
textbook.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931028/Reader contact: Sony Electronic
Publishing Company, tel 212-702-6273; Press contact: Peter Dille,
Sony, tel 212-702-6273)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/28/93
BUSINESS
AmCoEx Index Of Used Computer Prices
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00030)
AmCoEx Index Of Used Computer Prices 10/28/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 28 (NB) -- By John Hastings.
IBM and Motorola have combined forces to produce a new family
of CPU chips to challenge Intel's dominance in that field. The
first PowerPC CPU chip is designated the 601. This chip delivers
586-class performance at half the price of Intel's Pentium chip.
The Pentium chip, which sells for over $900, is expected to drop to
under $500 by next spring. Meanwhile, the second generation PowerPC
603 is ready for introduction. While it is not as powerful as the
601, the 603 is smaller, uses less power, and is expected to sell
for less than $225.
The low power requirements of the 603 chip make it make it
an ideal high performance CPU for notebook computers. Intel's current
Pentium is unfeasible for any portable computers because it runs too
hot and uses too much power.
IBM is expected to announce a notebook computer using the
new PowerPC chip before the end of the year. The new notebook computer
may be the first IBM product to include a built-in connector for
AppleTalk. AppleTalk is the network used with Macintosh computers.
The new computers are expected to run software for DOS, Windows, OS/2
and the Macintosh.
John Hastings is the president of the American Computer
Exchange. The American Computer Exchange matches buyers and sellers of
used microcomputers. For more information contact the American
Computer Exchange at (800) 786-0717.
The AmCoEx Index of Used Computer Prices
The following prices are for October 25, 1993.
Average Average
Buyer's Seller's
Machine Bid Ask Close Change
IBM PS/2 Model 30/286 20M 300 525 400 **
IBM PS/2 Model 50Z 30M 300 650 450 **
IBM PS/2 Model 70 120M 600 900 725 -50
IBM PS/2 Model 80 70M 550 850 625 **
IBM ThinkPad 300 1250 1650 1325 -25
IBM ThinkPad 700 1900 2500 2100 -75
AST 286/12, 40M 275 675 375 **
AST 386/20, 80M 550 950 700 -25
Dell 325SX, 50M 400 800 650 **
Dell 386/20, 120M 600 1000 750 -25
Gateway 286/16, 40M 350 600 375 -25
Gateway 386SX/20, 80M 600 950 675 **
Gateway 386/25, 80M 600 1000 850 +25
Clone AT 40 Mg 250 550 400 +25
Clone Notebook 286, 40 MB 350 750 600 **
Clone Notebook 386SX, 40 MB 700 1050 825 +25
Clone 386/SX 40M, VGA 450 950 650 +25
Clone 386/25 80M, VGA 650 1150 700 **
Clone 386/33 80M, VGA 750 1250 850 +50
Clone 486/25 120M, VGA 800 1450 1050 **
Compaq SLT/286 20M 350 700 425 **
Compaq LTE 286 40M 400 775 500 -50
Compaq Portable III 40M 250 650 275 -25
Compaq Deskpro 286 40M 250 650 325 -25
Compaq Deskpro 386/20e 100M 600 900 825 -25
Macintosh SE 20M 350 650 475 **
Macintosh SE/30 40M 500 900 700 -25
Macintosh II 40M 600 1150 825 -25
Macintosh IIcx 80M 700 1300 900 **
Macintosh IIci 80M 1200 1600 1400 -25
PowerBook 100 4/20 600 1000 725 -25
PowerBook 140 4/40 900 1400 1100 -50
PowerBook 170 4/40 1100 1700 1425 +50
LaserWriter IINT 700 1000 850 **
Toshiba 1200XE 300 650 325 **
Toshiba 1600 300 600 325 **
Toshiba 2200 SX 60MB 800 1300 900 +25
Toshiba T-3100SX 100MB 500 900 700 +25
Toshiba 5200 100MB 950 1450 1100 **
HP LaserJet II 400 850 675 +50
HP LaserJet IIP 325 950 525 **
HP LaserJet III 750 1200 1025 -25
The American Computer Exchange matches buyers and
sellers of used microcomputer equipment. For more information contact
the American Computer Exchange at (800) 786-0717.
(AMCOEX/19931028)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
IBM
STB Intros Dual-Monitor Accelerator Card
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001)
STB Intros Dual-Monitor Accelerator Card 10/27/93
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- If you need to
display two applications simultaneously and don't want to do it
with Windows, you'll be happy to hear that STB Systems Inc., has
released a dual monitor graphics accelerator card that can drive
two monitors at the same time.
STB says the card, designated the MVP-2X, integrates two video
channels versus the usual single channel. The card supports a
full suite of Windows 3.1, OS/2, and DOS applications, including
AutoCAD release 12.
STB says the MVP-2X is based on two Tseng Labs ET4000-W32 video
chips, and allows users to view two different monitors at the
same time via two independent video ports. Windows and OS/2 uses
can work in a virtual screen environment which provides one
virtual screen across both monitors. Windows, OS/2 and DOS users
can utilize a port switching mode that permits two different
applications to run at the same time, one on each monitor. The
card is backwards-compatible with all existing STB MPV video
cards based on the Tseng ET4000 video controller chip.
Each of the two video ports utilizes one megabyte (MB) of 60
nanosecond dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and its own
digital analog converter (DAC). Each monitor supported will have
a maximum resolution of 1024 by 768 and can provide up to 32,000
colors at 640 by 480 resolution. The card is ISA (Industry
Standard Architecture) and MCA (Micro Channel Architecture)
bus-compatible.
The cards come with drivers for Windows 3.x, Windows NT and OS/2.
Panacea's DLD386-VGA Deluxe Autodesk drivers are available as an
upgrade option for CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided
manufacturing) users.
The MVP-2X will begin full production runs this month, and has a
suggested retail price of $1,099.
(Jim Mallory/19931026/Press contact: Robert Haskins, STB Systems
Inc, 214-234-8750, ext 402: Reader contact: STB Systems, 214-234-
8750, fax 214-234-1306)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/27/93
IBM
Retire ASAP 2.0, Retirement Planning For PC
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00002)
Retire ASAP 2.0, Retirement Planning For PC 10/27/93
KIRKLAND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Calypso
Software Corp., has announced an upgrade to their Retire ASAP
software. The company says changes include revised economic
rates, added flexibility, and more comprehensive reports.
"Planning for retirement involves many significant factors, like
social security, plans from work, investments, and inflation.
Retire ASAP is the layperson's tool for putting it all together,"
according to Calypso founder and President Beth Kerman.
Retire ASAP is designed to help individuals age 30 to 60 see the
numbers and concepts of planning for their own retirement. It
also offers investment strategies, what-if scenarios, and an
on-line guide to finance. The program was initially released two
years ago.
Kerman says the market for a program such as Retire ASAP is
significant. "There are about 77 million 'Baby Boomers' in this
country today. In less than 20 years they will begin to retire.
How will this large segment of today's work force support
themselves?" Kerman says sources like social security and pension
plans will only cover a portion of one's retirement expenses,
typically about two thirds. The rest will have to come from
investments made before retirement.
Retire ASAP shows the user his or her current financial position
and the steps necessary to reach financial goals. The company
says the information provided in the printed reports and on-
screen graphs is similar to what you could expect if you went to
an expert financial planner.
Changes in the newest release include revised long term growth
and updated social security estimates -- new calculations
encompassing choice of stat-quarter for investment growth and
flexible rate-of increase for defined contributions. The reports
have been expanded to offer a variety of personalized reports
ranging from a "Retirement Planning Overview" to detailed charts
and projections.
The screen formats have been improved for data entry, tracing
calculations and navigating through the program. The "what-if"
scenario management facilities have also been revised, and the
user's manual has been expanded to include new descriptions and
screen shots for every screen, as well as more details about
retirement planning. The company says the program is written
to be understood by novices.
Retire ASAP 2.0 has a suggested retail price of $104 including
the $5 shipping fee, and runs on any IBM-compatible PC with DOS
3.0 or higher, 640 kilobytes of memory, and at least 1.5
megabytes of available hard disk space. A mouse can be used if
available. The company also publishes Retire ASAP PRO, designed
for financial professionals. Calypso says the PRO version is more
detailed and sophisticated than the consumer version and can be
used to prepare retirement analyses for many clients or employees.
(Jim Mallory/19931026/Press contact: Rose Fechko, Calypso
Software, 800-225-8246 or 206-822-8581; Reader contact: Calypso
Software, 800-225-8246 or 206-822-8581, fax 206-889-1611)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/27/93
GENERAL
Baltimore Computer Conference Set For December
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00003)
Baltimore Computer Conference Set For December 10/27/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- The fifth annual
Baltimore Computer Conference and Exposition, which is held at
the Baltimore, Maryland Convention Center each year, will feature
two women as the conference keynote speakers. Linda R. Renfro of
Martin Marietta and Patricia M. Wallington, Xerox's chief CIO,
will speak at the conference on, respectively, December 8 and
December 9.
The Baltimore Computer Conference, sponsored by National Trade
Publications of Alexandria, Virginia, is a relatively small show
hosting only about 12,000 attendees. However, it is particularly
important because, being near Washington, DC, it serves a region
with a high concentration of federal government computer buyers
and companies which serve the government.
Renfro, who is vice president of software services at the
Baltimore Martin Marietta Services Group, will discuss new
technologies, and competitive pressures affecting business
systems professionals. As manager of the defense contractor's
east coast technical services contracts, one of Renfro's
charges includes the Social Security Administration in Baltimore.
Wallington is responsible for planning, integration, and operation
of information technologies at Xerox in Stanford, Connecticut. The
subject of her keynote speech will be process re-engineering in
information management.
(John McCormick/19931026/Press Contact: Rosanne Desmone,
NTP, 703-683-8500, Public Contact: NTP 800-687-7469 or fax
703-836-4486)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/27/93
IBM
New Deep River CD-ROMs To Show At Comdex
(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00004)
New Deep River CD-ROMs To Show At Comdex 10/27/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Just in time for an
appearance at the company's Multimedia Showcase booth at the Fall
Comdex trade show, Portland, Maine-based Deep River Publishing
has announced the release of several Microsoft Windows-based
multimedia CD-ROM titles for producers and travelers.
Sound Kitchen, a $50 CD-ROM with more than 500 eight-bit 11
megahertz (MHz) and 16-bit or 22 MHz format stock sounds is
intended for the use of presentation developers who want to add
some spice to their multimedia productions using quality,
royalty-free sound files along with Sound Shaper, a full-featured
Windows-based digital sound editor. A floppy diskette-based set
of 100 eight-bit sounds is also available for $40.
Fractal Sideshow is available on 3.5-inch diskettes for $25 or in
a much expanded version on a $50 CD-ROM. Fractals are complex
images which are used in computer graphics to provide startling
backgrounds or area fills that can be enlarged to any desired
size, with the image adding ever greater details as it is enlarged.
The Mandelbrot set devised by IBM scientist Benoit Mandelbrot is
the oldest and best known fractal.
The Fractal CD-ROM title includes more than 1,000 full-color
images and, like Sound Kitchen, runs on MPC-compatible personal
computers equipped with Microsoft Windows.
Both of the titles are used by multimedia producers to enhance
their shows, or in the case of the fractal disc, just for
entertainment. Deep River has also announced Everywhere USA
Travel Guide, a $50 multimedia CD-ROM title containing a listing
and description of more than 3,000 events, special attractions,
festivals, museums, historic sites, national parks, sports teams,
and other items of interest to those vacationing in the United
States.
(John McCormick/19931026/Press Contact: Daniel Bacon, Pat
Meier Associates, 415-957-5999)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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2 10/27/93
IBM
First 3rd-Party PCMCIA Modems To Support OS
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00005)
First 3rd-Party PCMCIA Modems To Support OS/2 10/27/93
DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Apex Data has
released an OS/2 driver for PCMCIA card modems that is billed as
the first to be available from a third-party vendor.
The driver, which allows PCMCIA modems to be used with any OS/2
2.1-based communications package, can currently be obtained only
through Apex and IBM, said Glen Cordero, director of technical
services for Apex, in an interview with Newsbytes. "We purchased
the source code from IBM. This was a big expense for us, but it
was definitely worth it," said Cordero.
The OS/2 driver is being included with all Apex Data PCMCIA modems
now on the market. Current users can download the driver from the
Apex Data bulletin board system (510-803-2039), or request
shipment of the driver on diskette for a nominal shipping charge.
The data/fax PCMCIA modems from Apex also come with DOS and
Microsoft Windows drivers, plus the CardSoft super-client enabler
from System Soft, which provides support for other PCMCIA devices
aside from modems.
Prior to the release of the OS/2 driver, Apex customers could use
windows in OS/2 to access communications packages from the DOS
shell or Windows Program Manager, said Cordero. "But they couldn't
access packages designed for OS/2," he added.
Apex modems are less costly than their counterparts from IBM,
according to Cordero. This month, Apex dropped the pricing on all
of its PCMCIA modems. New prices from Apex are $279 for a
2400/9600 bits per second (bps) V.22 data/fax modem, $299 for
a 9600/9600 bps V.32 data/fax modem, and $389 for a
14,000/14,000 bps V.32 bis data/fax modem.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931026/Reader contact: Apex, tel 800-841-
APEX; Press contact: Lauren Finkelman, S&S Public Relations for
Apex, tel 708-291-1616)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
TELECOM
MCI Claims Victory In 800 Portability
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)
MCI Claims Victory In 800 Portability 10/27/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- MCI said it has
gained four points in market share on AT&T in the toll-free
market since "800 portability" began in May, about in line with
what analysts estimated would happen before customers were
allowed to take their numbers with them.
MCI spokesman Mark Pettit, however, told Newsbytes the gain
was double his company's expectations, adding that customers
are continuing to switch. "It's a window of opportunity that's
been jammed open," he said.
Toll-free numbers on the "800" area code can now be taken with a
customer if they change carriers, thanks to a new database of
numbers and their long distance carriers. Before May, long
distance carriers controlled entire exchanges in the "800" area
code, which simplified call handling and set-up, but locked
customers into their carriers, especially if they advertised the
numbers heavily.
AT&T continues to hold a big lead in this market, having begun
the business 25 years ago, but MCI is now bringing the numbers
closer to those in the general long distance market, where AT&T
holds a 60-65 percent share and MCI about 16 percent. MCI claims
its toll-free traffic has grown 20 percent since May.
The company operates its toll-free business from Atlanta, home
of its Business Markets unit. In addition to taking away some
AT&T customers, MCI said it has been able to get many mid-size
companies to use the technology for the first time.
It offers businesses 800-numbers for as little as $10 per month,
plus regular toll charges. The company also offers consumers
their own toll-free lines, which include a four-digit "personal
security code" which also acts as an extension, for just $5 per
month, plus toll charges.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931026/Press Contact: MCI, Mark Pettit,
404-668-6012)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
GENERAL
UK - Workgroup Computing Show Details
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00007)
UK - Workgroup Computing Show Details 10/27/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Future Events, a division of
Future Publishing, has teamed up with the "Independent" newspaper
to organize what it claims is a unique exhibition -- Workgroup
Computing -- which takes place at Olympia in London from
November 3 - 5.
According to Future Events, a revolution is taking place in the way
people work together. This trend has already permeated businesses,
financial institutions, universities and government departments,
the organizers claim.
The exhibition will comprise of more than 80 exhibitors who will be
showing off various products based on a wide theme of workgroup
computing. Apricot Computers has said it will be introducing several
new additions to its range of network servers, while Digital
Equipment has said it will be demonstrating its new Linkworks
software, which it claims is the first object-oriented groupware
for departmental and line of business managers.
Borland International has committed to demonstrating its new
workgroup technologies incorporated into its core spreadsheet and
database software, which will be available through a Workgroup
Enabling Kit for use in third party software development.
Running parallel with the exhibition is the Workgroup Computing
Conference -- ten optional half-day sessions which Future claims
are "packed with essential information for business users and
information technology professionals." Details of the half day
sessions can be obtained in advance from Quadrilect Conferences
and Training on +44-71-242-4141.
According to Andrew Godsall, a spokesman for Future Events, the
three day show will cost UKP10 to get in. "As usual with shows of
this type, bona-fide business people will be allowed free admission
if they will in a show registration card and/or present their
business card at the door," he explained, adding that interest in
the show has been excellent so far.
(Steve Gold/19931026/Press Contact: Cape Cowley Associates,
tel +44-61-480-9811; Public Contact: Future Events,
tel +44-225-442244)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
TRENDS
Microsoft Sees Growth In Mid East Software Market
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00008)
Microsoft Sees Growth In Mid East Software Market 10/27/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Microsoft
expects the Persian Gulf region's software market to grow by a
factor of four, riding on the back of rising sales of oil and
petroleum products as the recession starts to end.
In a news conference, Charles Allen, Microsoft's Middle East
general manager, said that he sees the whole Middle Eastern
software market as growing to be worth between $150 and $200
million a year by 1996.
This contrasts, Allen said, with the current market's value of
around $50 million.
Newsbytes notes that sales of Microsoft software has been
increasing in unit terms worldwide. However, recent actions by
Borland and others, following the lead of Computer Associates,
have been pushing the unit price of software generally. This has
resulted in a general downturn in software revenues for many
software companies.
Despite this trend, Microsoft's first quarter results, which were
announced recently, showed that sales had actually increased by
around 20 percent to $973 million.
(Steve Gold/19931026/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK,
+44-734-270001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
GENERAL
Eagle Intros Low-Cost WAN Adapter
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00009)
Eagle Intros Low-Cost WAN Adapter 10/27/93
DUSSELDORF, GERMANY, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Eagle Technology
has unveiled the NW2000, a low-cost general-purpose wide area
network (WAN) adapter card for use on Novell networks running
Netware Multiprotocol Route (MPR) 2.11 software.
According to the German networking company, the NW2000
provides hardware support for the new frame relay protocol
enhancements recently announced by Novell.
The adapter is a two-port card capable of supporting both
synchronous and asynchronous transmission on each port. The card
can be configured, the company claims, to support V.35, RS-232
and RS442/449 plus X.21 network interfaces. This flexibility, the
company claims, makes it capable of supporting a wide variety of
data communications equipment and network topologies.
"We've taken our long-standing relationship as a premier provider
of Netware-compatible local area network (LAN) hardware and
applied it to the WAN marketplace," explained Jerry Dusa, Eagle's
president.
"The NW2000 takes advantage of technical breakthroughs and
provides functionality equivalent to other WAN adapter cards an
about half the cost. We believe that the NW2000 will become the
WAN adapter industry standard, just as the NE2000 has become
the standard for LAN adapters," he said.
The NW2000 will be supplied through Eagle's European distribution
outlets at a price of UKP399 or its local equivalent. The card
will come with software and documentation that complements
Netware, the company claims, when it ships towards the end of
this year.
Eagle Technology is a division of Anthem Electronics and claims to
be the world's largest manufacturer of Ethernet adapter cards and
leading manufacturer/marketeer of Novell brand plus Eagle
EtherXpert networking hardware.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931026/Press & Public Contact: Eagle
Electronics, tel +49-211-596742, fax +49-211-591240)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
GENERAL
CD-ROM Expo Opens Today In Boston
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00010)
CD-ROM Expo Opens Today In Boston 10/27/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- CD-ROM Expo,
a three-day event revolving around a 150,000 square-foot exhibit
area plus scores of conference sessions, opens today at the World
Trade Center in Boston.
Honing in on the use of CD-ROM in entertainment, education,
business, and government, this year's 50 conference sessions fall
into eight concurrent tracks, on topics ranging from creating
titles to distributing CDs, and from maximizing multimedia to
transitioning from print.
The conference tracks are topped off by two keynote sessions,
each headlined by a panel of experts on digital media. In a keynote
this morning, "Digital Publishing Today: A State-of-the-Art
Report," the panelists are: Tim Bajarin, Creative Strategies
Research; Steve Case, president, America Online, Bob Stein,
co-founder, Voyager; and Bruce Stephen, director, PC Hardware
Research, International Data Corp.
Tomorrow morning's keynote, "Digital Publishing Tomorrow: Future
Trends, Emerging Technologies," features Linda Stone of Apple
Computer; Michele DiLorenzo, senior VP at Viacom New Media; Craig
Mundie, VP of Advanced Consumer Technology, Microsoft; and Floyd
Wray, "Researcher/Technologist/Victim."
On the exhibit floor, more than 150 companies will be displaying
their CD-ROM wares, including such famous names as Apple, Digital
Equipment Corp., Eastman Kodak, NEC, Phillips, Random House, Sony,
and Toshiba.
For the price of an "exhibits only" ticket, attendees will be able
to participate in a series of some 20 Bonus Seminars on
"Understanding CD-ROM Jargon," "Evaluating CD-ROM Products,"
"CD-ROM in the Home Office/Small Business," and other aspects of
"Mastering the Mechanics" and "Reaping the Benefits."
Meanwhile, the 50 seminars on the full conference slate will cover
these eight tracks: "Creating Your CD," "Industry Watch," "Cases
in Point: How We Did It," "Maximizing Multimedia in CD
Production," "Financing/Marketing/Distributing CDs," "Transitioning
from Print/Online to Digital," "How-To-Get-Started," and "You
Asked For It!"
Specific subjects to be tackled in the 50 conference seminars will
include digital video, CD-ROM XA, copyright and licensing, text
search and retrieval, animation techniques, interface design,
distribution channels, and structuring partnerships.
Conference hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 am to
5 pm and Friday from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm. Exhibition hours are
Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Friday
from 10 am to 3:00 pm.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931027/Reader & Press Contact: Mitch
Hall Associates, 617-361-2001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
TELECOM
International Phone Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
International Phone Update 10/27/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- The march toward
privatizing phone monopolies has run into a roadblock -- voter
opposition.
The victory of socialist Andreas Papendreou in Greece, which
rolled back the planned privatization of the OTE network,
followed by less than a year Uruguayan voters' rejection of the
sale of their Antel network. Now Germany's Social Democrats are
rejecting the privatization of the Deutsches Bundespost Telekom,
and a violent strike has thrown into question the future
privatization of France Telecom.
Now the brakes are being applied elsewhere. A constitutional
court in Turkey has canceled a government decree designed to
privatize that nation's PTT at a price estimated at $15 billion.
This despite the fact that the government has carefully prepared
the way for the privatization by selling off telecommunications
manufacturing operations, despite a soft market, with control
going to foreign concerns. Those moves have succeeded in the
marketplace, but the court's decree seemed popular. Shares in all
stocks were off on the news.
The reason might be found in Greece, where Papandreou offered to
offer shares in OTE on the local stock exchange. The Turkish
move, like those elsewhere, was to be accompanied by an end to
the PTT's monopoly and its subsidies on local service. Many
people, especially the poor, fear loss of service without the
subsidies. Many people also fear that assets they own as voters
being given away to foreigners. Thus, a move to slowly privatize
on a local stock market, as Papendreou offered, may prove
popular, since it gives a value to the publicly-held shares and
assures that the public interest will remain protected.
Bankers and other analysts have underestimated the depth of
feeling on this issue, and its source. German Economics Minister
Guenter Rexrodt last week accused the postal workers' union for
slowing the DBT sale, but the slowdown would not have happened
had the Social Democrats not changed their policy of acceptance
on privatization. And the SDP is looking toward the next election
in Germany, scheduled for 1994.
Perhaps as a result, the biggest noise on privatization now comes
in countries not subject to democracy. The World Bank has sent
the Kuwaiti government a report calling for massive
privatizations of state-owned industry, including the nation's
telecommunications net. This comes as members of the Gulf
Cooperation Council, Kuwait's ally in its war with Iraq, move to
integrate their networks as part of a move toward full economic
union. The GCC move will include standardizing cellular service
and linking networks with fiber cable.
Cooperation is also the word in Southeast Asia, where telephone
companies in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand set a plan to cut
charges for calls made between their countries, and begin joint
efforts to link their networks. The participating companies
include Telekom Malaysia, PT Indosat of Indonesia and the
Communications Authority of Thailand.
While economic growth was said to be the reason for the move,
the first companies to grow will be the locally-owned telephone
companies, and that seems intentional. Singapore said it will
increase the size of its sell-off of Singapore Telecom to over 10
percent, from 7.2 percent, thanks to higher-than-expected orders
from local investors linked to the nation's mandatory retirement
savings plan.
Thailand seems poised to offer its latest concession, for a
rural phone network, to a local company, Shinawatra Computer and
Communications, bypassing Alcatel of France, Mitsui of Japan, and
Marubeni of Japan, among others. Equipment, however, is still
coming to Thailand from overseas. Nokia of Finland won the
equipment contract for the nation's new digital cellular service,
which is operated by Total Access Communications.
To the north, in China, indications are growing that growth is
slowing, and telecommunications will be the first sector to feel
the brakes. Special Assets US Holdings Ltd., of Hong Kong cut its
stake in First Pacific Networks of the US First Pacific sells
switches used by cable television companies to provide telephone
service, and which could be used by power companies as well. MTC
Electronic Technologies of Vancouver, Canada, also was moved to
send out a press release claiming it would not be impacted by
recent moves by the Chinese government to tighten control of the
sector, including a ban on foreign ownership of local networks.
In Latin America, seven groups signed for Argentina's tender of
two new cellular licenses covering rural parts of the country.
Both foreign and local interests are involved there. And Telecom
Argentina's controlling shareholder, Nortel Inversora, which is
held by STET of Italy, France Telecom, JP Morgan and Perez
Companc of Argentina, set a swap of its preferred stock for
Telecom Argentina common, another indication that the sector's
outlook continues to improve. In Peru, Tele 2000 signed a deal
with MTel of the US to bring that company's SkyTel paging
service to the country, starting next May, with 12 Peruvian
connections linked to the same frequencies used by SkyTel in the
US, Mexico, Canada and elsewhere. And AT&T signed a contract
worth an estimated $88 million to double the size of Honduras'
telephone network.
In South Africa, a deadlock between the African National Congress
and the government over who will get new cellular licenses was
broken. Plessey Tellumat of South Africa joined with Astec Group
Plc of the United Kingdom in a new venture to serve that nation's
cellular market.
There was also some good news which didn't focus on any
particular nation. Kidder Peabody created US-style put and call
warrants on a basket of 12 major telecommunications companies,
giving investors the chance to bet on the future of the whole
world's networks. NYNEX of the US started what could be a
worldwide price war on international fiber service, offering 20
percent discounts to companies which use its round-the-world
FLAG network when it goes into operation in December, 1996. And
Infonet Services Corp., owned mainly by local phone companies
around the world, announced a service called Infolan Switched
Access which will let multinational companies link their local
area networks worldwide using TCP/IP (Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol).
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931027)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/27/93
TELECOM
Motorola Looks For On-Line Niches
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)
Motorola Looks For On-Line Niches 10/27/93
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- A new unit of
Motorola called INFO Enterprises is searching out, and finding,
small high-value niches in the on-line business.
Spokesman Marilyn Teplitz discussed the strategy with Newsbytes
after the company announced EnGenius, a new database on
electronic components aimed at product engineers. "It's run by a
distributed network on Sun workstations under Unix," she said.
"It's a combination of technologies Motorola developed, which
includes some patented technologies."
Earlier, the company had rolled out LegaLink, a document
conversion service for the legal community marketed by Arthur
Andersen. "We provide the conversion technology for Andersen,
which markets to the firms. The pricing is based on the type of
conversion, and what additional services are provided," Teplitz
said. Andersen is already a leader in serving that market.
"These are the first of what we hope are many services," she
added. "We look at several issues when determining what vertical
markets to enter into. We want to see a large number of
information providers, and a large number of users with
computers. The other key issue is a market where the data is
mission-critical, where you have to have current information
now, where the data is changing. There's lots of services with
archival information," and Motorola isn't interested in that
market.
For EnGenius, Motorola is offering an introductory price of $20
per month, plus line charges, through March. After that the
charge goes to $39 per month, but large firms can subscribe a
wide area network for $65 per month. There is also volume
pricing available, Teplitz said.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931027/Press Contact: Motorola INFO
Enterprises, Marilyn Teplitz, 602-267-4426)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
IBM
MCC Seeks To Boost PCMCIA Use In PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00013)
MCC Seeks To Boost PCMCIA Use In PCs 10/27/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- The Microelectronics
and Computer Technology Corp. (MCC), has launched the first phase of
its campaign to increase the use of Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association (PCMCIA) cards in personal computers.
PCMCIA cards plug into computers and add such capabilities as fax
modems, additional memory, or expanded data storage capacity. They
can also contain software programs. The credit card sized devices
were originally developed for use in laptops and palmtops where
space is at a premium and according to MCC are now found in about
40 percent of the notebook PCs being marketed this year. MCC
expects they will also show up in greater numbers in all types of
PCs as well as in digital cameras, printers, and other similar
devices.
MCC will kick off their effort with a cost tradeoff analysis of
circuit board technology alternatives for advanced PCMCIA
applications including surface mount, tape automated bonding, and
flip chip. It will also perform a worldwide competitive analysis of
existing PCMCIA card products and produce a benchmark study of
supporting electronic packaging processes and suppliers.
Dennis Herrell, VP of MCC's high value electronics division, says
the cards are an important technology for portable computing and
communication devices. "We intend -- without participants -- to
better understand the technology as well as fully define and
comprehend the related competitive considerations, from the current
state of the art to the suppliers and processes available to produce
these components." Herrell says MCC wants its participants to have
the information they need to be competitive users, as well as
suppliers of the technology.
MCC expects to complete the initial phase of the project by the end
of the year. The next phase of the project is expected to see
development of a PCMCIA design advisor based on MCC's Design
Advisor tool originally developed for multichip module applications.
The group says it also plans to accelerate commercial availability
of cost-effective, high-density laminate technology required for
advanced PCMCIA applications and accelerate the commercial
availability of flip chip technology for PCMCIA applications. It
also expects to achieve cost reductions for PCMCIA connector
components and connector assembly operations.
MCC's high value electronics division's work is directed toward the
underlying issues of systems engineering and design, materials and
processes, fabrication and assembly, manufacturing equipment, and
supplier infrastructure.
(Jim Mallory/19931027/Press contact: Cynthia Williams, MCC,
512-338-3512)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/27/93
GENERAL
Sequent Intros Pentium-Based Multiprocessing Computers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00014)
Sequent Intros Pentium-Based Multiprocessing Computers 10/27/93
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Sequent Computer
Systems Inc., has announced a new family of Unix-based Symmetry
2000 symmetric multiprocessing computers that use Intel's
Pentium microprocessor.
The Symmetry 2000 systems are marketed for use as centralized
business systems or for consolidating networks of PCs supporting
hundreds of users. The 2000 family has four members. The Symmetry
2000/990 consists of a range of Symmetry clusters, while the 790
supports up to 30 processors. The 990s are linked in clusters of two
nodes and share data stored on common disks or tape unit. They can
be configured with two 790, two 490 or two 290 systems. The 490
offers from two to 10 processors for departmental computing, and
the 290 uses two to six processors for applications such as branch
office or workgroup computing. Sequent is offering upgrade kits for
present customers who want to convert to a clustered configuration.
Earlier this year Sequent began delivering clustered systems, and
recently demonstrated its "soft fail-over" capability on a clustered
system running Oracle7 Parallel Server Software. In the
demonstration, one of the two servers is turned off and the users in
the cluster are able to resume operation with no loss of data and
without having to recover data or files from backups.
The company says the Pentium-based 2000 systems perform at levels
twice that of the Intel i486-based 2000's they will replace, but
retain full compatibility with the older systems. Each Pentium
processor is capable of executing two instructions at once and can
perform at speeds of more than 1000 million-instructions-per-
second. The units use 3.5 inch SCSI-2 disk technology, which
Sequent has implemented in a 16 bit-wide data bus designed to
double the input/output throughput.
Pricing ranges from $85,500 to $725,600 depending on the number
of processors, amount of memory and storage capacity, software
and user licenses.
(Jim Mallory/19931027/Press contact: Mike Green, Sequent
Computer Systems, 503-626- 5700)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
IBM
IBM, Argonne Labs Announce Supercomputer Project
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00015)
IBM, Argonne Labs Announce Supercomputer Project 10/27/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- IBM and Argonne
National Laboratory have announced an agreement that will put
IBM's most powerful parallel processing computer at the
laboratory.
The University of Chicago runs the Argonne lab for the US
Department of Energy. The 128-node parallel-processing system
will be used by the laboratory, the university, and a number of
private companies.
Already installed at the lab, the system has 128 processors, each
equipped with 128 megabytes (MB) of memory and one gigabyte (GB)
of local disk storage, and all linked by high-speed communications.
Rick Stevens, director of the high-performance computing and
communications program at Argonne, said the machine is twice as
powerful as IBM's top commercial parallel processor today. IBM
rates it at 16 gigaflops (billions of floating-point operations
per second). It is also equipped with a 64-terabyte robotic tape
library.
According to Irving Wladawsky-Berger, general manager of IBM
Power parallel systems, the system cost something under $15
million.
Stevens said the project has two main goals: to create a research
environment where Argonne and IBM researchers can study new
scalable parallel computing technologies; and to advance the use
of the technology in both business and scientific applications.
Joe Mambretti, director of strategic technologies at the
University of Chicago, said the university is particularly
interested in using the system for work in advanced computational
science. He mentioned an application modelling the behavior of
molecules during chemical reactions.
On the private-sector side, one company planning to use the
facility is petroleum firm Amoco Ltd. Joe Golab, an Amoco
research scientist, said the system will give his company a
chance to tackle problems an order of magnitude beyond what
commercially available hardware can handle today.
Other private-sector participants include AlliedSignal, DuPont,
and Phillips Petroleum Co. The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA), the Illinois Institute of Technology, the
University of Maryland, the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and
Pacific Northwest Laboratory also have plans to use the system.
The research agreement between IBM and the laboratory is worth
$3.9 million over three years. IBM's participation is officially
by way of the company's Federal Systems unit. IBM will provide
$1.95 million in services and expertise, and the Department of
Energy's Office of Scientific Computing will provide the balance
through Argonne.
(Grant Buckler/19931027/Press Contact: Dave Baurac, Argonne
National Laboratory, 708-252-5584; Nadine Taylor, IBM,
914-642-5425; R. Pierce Reid, IBM Federal Systems,
713-282-7773)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/27/93
TELECOM
Another Quarterly Loss For Northern Telecom
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00016)
Another Quarterly Loss For Northern Telecom 10/27/93
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Northern
Telecom Ltd., has chalked up its second consecutive quarterly
loss, due in part to spending cuts by its sister company Bell
Canada, the country's largest regional telephone company. In its
third quarter, Northern lost US$35 million on revenues of US$1.88
billion.
That compares with net earnings of US$113 million on revenues
of US$2.02 billion in the third quarter of 1992. In the second
quarter of this year, Northern lost US$1.03 billion on revenues
of US$1.87 billion. This included a large provision for
cost-cutting measures.
The company reported sales growth in the Asia-Pacific market,
particularly in China where Northern recently signed a major
contract. European sales also grew, with the consolidation of
joint ventures in Turkey and France given much of the credit.
However, the news at home was not as good.
Bell Canada, which serves Ontario and Quebec, began this year to
face competition in providing long-distance telephone service.
The company also faces continued pressure from alternative
services such as cellular telephones. In response, the company
asked federal regulators earlier this year to allow it to boost
local rates. The request was denied, and earlier this fall Bell
announced cuts in its capital spending plans.
These cuts have hurt Northern, a major supplier to Bell, and
company spokesman Bob O'Brien said they are likely to continue
to have an impact in coming quarters. "Clearly the whole
telecommunications market is undergoing what appears to be
fundamental change," he said. He added that new competition for
Bell is not the only issue. "Both the Canadian and US markets are
becoming more mature," he said.
O'Brien said Northern has for some years trying to lessen its
dependence on the North American market by building its presence
overseas. It has done this through moves such as its purchase of
STC PLC in the United Kingdom and its current focus on Asia.
However, observers have said that the company is still heavily
dependent on the North American market, and this dependence
appears to be haunting the company this year.
In July, Northern announced it will cut manufacturing capacity
and shed 5,200 jobs worldwide over 18 months. O'Brien said this
process is under way, but would not say exactly how many jobs
have been cut so far. Northern has closed plants in Amherst, Nova
Scotia, in London, Ontario, and in Mountain View, California, and
last week announced the sale of an integrated circuit plant near
San Diego, California, to SGS Thomson, which will continue to
supply Northern from the plant and will hire the factory's staff.
Northern officials said they expect to return to profitability in
the fourth quarter, but O'Brien confirmed that as the company
warned in July, it still expects to lose money on the year.
(Grant Buckler/19931027/Press Contact: Tom Tropea, Northern
Telecom, 905-566-3178; Gary Brandt, Northern Telecom,
905-566-3098)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/27/93
BUSINESS
Motorola To Buy Western Digital's Irvine Plant
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00017)
Motorola To Buy Western Digital's Irvine Plant 10/27/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- The Western
Digital six-inch silicon wafer fabrication plant that Rockwell
backed out of buying earlier this month has been tentatively
sold to Motorola. The new plant will help Motorola boost its
production capacity of microcontrollers and other advanced
integrated circuits (ICs) used in automobiles, electronic
devices, and consumer products.
Known for its microprocessors used in Apple Computers, among
others, Motorola is a strong player in the world of wireless
communications. Western Digital is best known for its hard disk
drives used in personal computers.
Motorola says it will pay between $112 and $115 million, which
appears to be a lower offer than Rockwell's $115 million offer.
Western Digital, which has been struggling with red ink since
1991, needs the sale to reduce its debt load, listed June 30 as
$137 million.
If this goes through, it will be Motorola's first major metal-
oxide semiconductor (MOS) semiconductor production facility in
California, and will be known internally as "MOS-10." MOS is a
way of layering circuits that offers low power dissipation and
tight placement of transistors while avoiding heat problems.
Motorola also has US semiconductor manufacturing facilities in
Austin, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona as well as in Europe and Asia.
The purchase is expected to close at the end of this year with
Motorola production beginning in the facility by early 1994. A
portion of the agreement includes a deal under which Western
Digital will continue to get silicon wafers for its disk drives
and microcomputer products from the facility for years after
the sale.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931027/Press Contact: Jeff Gorin,
Motorola, tel 602-952-3854, fax 602-952-4067)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
IBM
Windows Tool For Mainframe-Based Super Natural
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00018)
Windows Tool For Mainframe-Based Super Natural 10/26/93
RESTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Software AG has
announced a Windows-based reporting and presentation tool for
Super Natural, its mainframe-based system for accessing
multivendor databases throughout the enterprise.
Entire Reporting Workstation is a graphical, point-and-click
front end to Super Natural, a program that runs on IBM MVS and
VSE hosts, said Tony Cooke, director of workstation marketing,
in an interview with Newsbytes.
The new Windows 3.1-based software lets users display, query,
manipulate, and download reports stored in Super Natural. Super
Natural generates reports in formats such as lists, graphs and
tables from a wide range of databases, including DB2, Rdb, IMS/DB,
VSAM, ADABAS, DL/1, and PC and sequential files. The databases
can reside anywhere on the enterprise network, Cooke maintained.
Prior to the development of Entire Reporting Workstation, PC users
could access Super Natural from Windows via Software AG's Entire
Connection software, but the user interface was then text-based,
he stated.
Entire Connection is a 3270 terminal emulation and data and file
transfer package residing on both the PC and the host. The first
Windows version of the package was released a year ago, and the
second just last week.
In the update, the Windows version of Entire Connection has been
enhanced with increased support for 3270 emulation and the
TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
internetworking protocol, according to Cooke. Entire Reporting
workstation interfaces to Entire Connection.
Cooke told Newsbytes that the user sees a table of up to 50 reports
in Entire Reporting Workstation after logging on. The report
queues can include reports in users' own "private libraries," as
well as other Super Natural libraries they are authorized to access.
Upon accessing a table, the user can mark rows and columns of data
to be employed as a base for any of some 15 different types of
graphical business presentations, ranging from "standard line" to
"3D stacked bar" and from "scatter" to "hi-lo close."
Users can also move or "fix" columns, change headers, add or delete
data, sort data via criteria, perform column calculations, and
query databases in a variety of ways.
Data can be stored for further use, printed out, and exported into
other applications. Data can also be imported from outside
programs. Entire Reporting Workstation supports the Windows
Clipboard and the following PC file formats; dBASE III, Multiplan,
DIF, Lotus 1-2-3, Excel, Symphony, ASCII, and Encryption.
In addition, a special utility allows merges between Entire
Reporting Workstation and Microsoft Word or Microsoft Word for
Windows data.
Entire Reporting Workstation is available immediately. Pricing is
$300 for up to eight copies and $270 for nine or more copies.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931026/Reader Contact: Software AG,
800-423-2227; Press Contact: Leahanne Hobson, Copithorne &
Bellows for Software AG, 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
BUSINESS
Italy's STET Sells AT&T Div Stake Back To US Giant
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00019)
Italy's STET Sells AT&T Div Stake Back To US Giant 10/27/93
ROME, ITALY, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- STET Telefonica, the Italian
state-controlled telecommunications company, has sold its 20
percent stake in AT&T Network Systems International (NSI), the
Dutch division of parent AT&T, back to its original owner, AT&T.
According to STET, the deal was made automatically under a
provisions clause in an inter-company agreement between STET
and AT&T, dating from 1989, when the two companies exchanged
shares with their respective European companies -- AT&T NSI and
Italtel.
Officials with STET have confirmed that AT&T has no plans to sell
off its 20 percent stake in Italtel for the foreseeable future. The
cash raised, details of which have not been revealed by STET, will
be used to finance further investment in new projects by the Italian
telecoms giant.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931027/Press & Public Contact: STET
Telefonica - Tel: +39-6-85891; Fax: +39-6-858-9537)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
TRENDS
Germany - Cable TV On Crest Of Wave
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00020)
Germany - Cable TV On Crest Of Wave 10/27/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Deutsche Bundespost Telekom
(DBT), Germany's state-controlled postal and telecommunications
authority, has revealed that its diversification into cable
television technology in recent years has paid off in a big way.
According to DBT, its cable TV subscriber based has jumped by more
than 16 percent to 13.2 million in the first nine months of this
year. The company claims that it is gaining around 153,000 new
subscribers every month.
The real growth area on cable TV is in former East Germany, where
the terrestrial TV network is relatively limited in its penetration.
As a result, former East Germans have woken up to the fact that
there is a wealth of programming available from the former West.
While the Astra satellites supply more than a dozen channels to
Germany using a simple receiver and a 35 centimeter dish, the cost
of a satellite installation ($250 or more) has tended to put off
potential purchasers. Cable TV, with costs of around $10 a month
and no installation charges, seem to be a much better option.
Newsbytes notes that only a fifth of Eastern German households
have access to cable TV. Despite this, DBT reports that its
subscriber base jumped an amazing 162 percent in the first nine
months of this year, pushing the numbers to 750,000.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931027/Press & Public Contact: DBT -
Tel: +49-511-870-2609; Fax: +49-511-870-2699)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
IBM
UK - Lexmark Intros New IBM Printers
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00021)
UK - Lexmark Intros New IBM Printers 10/27/93
MARLOW, BUCKS, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Lexmark
International, the former IBM division spun off as an independent
company, has unveiled a range of new desktop printers that it
claims offer big office features to small businesses and
individuals.
Pricing on the new printers, which include the IBM 4037-5E, the
Execjet II 4076 and the 2300 series, starts at under the UKP625
mark.
The 4037-5E page printer has a typical buy price (TBP) of UKP620
and uses a new electrophotographic (EP) printer engine which
Lexmark claims offers superior reliability, ease of use and
exceptionally crisp text and graphics at five pages-per-minute
(ppm).
The Execjet II 4076 printer, meanwhile, has a TBP of UKP299 and
claims to use Lexmark's first internally developed inkjet printer
engine. The machine offers laser printer features such as scalable
fonts, optional advanced flash memory and 600 by 300 dots-per-inch
(dpi) printing with what Lexmark officials describe as print quality
enhancement technology (PQET). The printer runs at three ppm.
Last, but not least, is the 2300 Plus series nine and 24-pin dot-
matrix printers, with four models available, ranging from UKP330
to UKP440. Lexmark claims that these machines offer new levels of
convenience and flexibility for customers who need extra reliability
in printing multi-part forms and labels.
All the new printers were designed and manufactured at the
company's facility in Lexington, Kentucky, in the US. According to
Marvin Mann, Lexmark's chairman, they continued the company's
prolific launch of new units since the company was spun off
from IBM.
"Since becoming independent from IBM more than 30 months ago,
we have introduced new printers at an average rate of one a month.
Every printer we sell today has been introduced in the past 12
months, is Energy Star compliant and is backed by our service and
technical support," he said.
As in the US, all Lexmark printers sold in the UK come a one year
on-site warranty. In the UK, the printers are sold through a network
of more than 1,000 resellers.
(Steve Gold/19931027/Press & Public Contact: Lexmark
International - Tel: +44-628-481500; +44-628-481886)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
BUSINESS
UK - Staples Opens New Superstore In Leeds
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00022)
UK - Staples Opens New Superstore In Leeds 10/27/93
LEEDS, YORKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Staples UK has
opened its fourth office superstore at the Crown Retail Park in
Leeds, England.
The official opening comes in the wake of the first three stores,
which were opened in: Swansea (April); Staples Corner, London
(August); and Cambridge (September). Plans also call for a
Birmingham store to open early next year.
According to Roger Paffard, Staples UK's managing director, the
opening of the Leeds store marks yet another new opportunity for
small businesses and others to change their PC-related buying
habits.
"Until now, small businesses have been paying almost twice as much
for their supplied as larger organizations with their greater buying
power. We believe we can save most small businesses around
UKP200 per employee per year," he said. "Against this background,
the Staples concept really does represent a significant new
opportunity for businesses looking to buy everything they need from
a single source at low prices."
In the UK, Newsbytes notes, Staples is a partnership between
Boston, Massachusetts-based Staples Inc., and the Kingfisher Group,
a British retail company. Kingfisher is company that owns and
operates major retail stores such as B&Q, Comet, Superdrug and
Woolworths in the UK and Darty, the electrical retailer, in France.
(Steve Gold/19931027/Press & Contact: Jim Fisher -
Tel: +44-81-686-5602; Fax: +44-81-680-3861)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
APPLE
UK - Open University Chooses Apple Macs
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00023)
UK - Open University Chooses Apple Macs 10/27/93
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Apple
Computer UK has revealed that the Open University, a "distance
learning" university, has placed what it claims to be one of the
most significant information technology (IT) educational orders
with the computer manufacturer.
According to Apple, the company beat offers from more than 30
other PC manufacturers when bidding for the contract, which
involves the supply of around 1,600 Mac LC computers with
printer, integrated software, and modem bundled in.
The Open University is buying in the new systems to go with its
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) program. Around 1,400
primary and secondary schools will receive a Mac-based system for
students of the university to use.
Professor Bob Moon, the director of the PGCE program at the Open
University said that, "The Open University is shortly to become one
of the country's largest providers of postgraduate teacher training."
"Information Technology (IT) is a key part of the initiative, which
has attracted worldwide interest. The link with Apple -- a company
which has the distinctive position in the British market -- offers
exciting possibilities for future development across the whole
spectrum of provision in teacher education."
Moon added that the IT emphasis in the course is on personal
capability. "We believe that Apple Computer will provide our
students and their tutors with a computer that they can use
productively in a very short space of time," he said.
Mike Newton, Apple UK"s general manager, said that the order is of
major strategic importance for the company. "It means that a
significant proportion of primary and secondary schools will soon be
equipped with Mac computers, increasing the Mac's presence in some
sites and breaking new ground for Apple in others," he said.
"Education remains one of Apple's key markets and we will continue
to work closely with educationalists to ensure that Mac solutions
meet both curriculum and management needs."
(Steve Gold/19931027/Press Contact: Russell Brady, Apple
Computer UK, +44-81-569-1199)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
IBM
Aldus Intros Enhanced Database Edition For Pagemaker
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00024)
Aldus Intros Enhanced Database Edition For Pagemaker 10/27/93
OLD ISLEWORTH, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Aldus
UK has announced an upgrade to its Pagemaker 4.0 Database Edition
database publishing module. The new package, known as
Infopublisher Database Addition 2.0, is the first standalone Aldus
addition for Pagemarker 5.0, the company claims.
According to the company, key new features of the package include
support for more database applications, extended font access and
automatic updating of data.
The package was developed by PageAhead Software Corp., of
Seattle. In use, it allows users to link Aldus Pagemarker 5.0 for
Windows to database management systems, This, the company
claims, is an important connection for users needing to create
professional quality publications using information from computer
database files.
New databases support by Infopublisher include Paradox 3.5,
Microsoft Access, Foxpro, and Microsoft Access. As with the previous
version, support for Borland dBase III and IV is provided, along
with Excel and plain ASCII text files. This new version, Newsbytes
notes, complies with Microsoft's open database communication
(ODBC) protocol, a key requirement, the company claims, for
working with future Windows database products.
Pauline Tyack, marketing director with the company, says that the
package is shipping now for UKP199. Registered owners of version
4.0 database edition can upgrade to the Infopublisher edition for
UKP50.
The Infopublisher Database Addition for Aldus Pagemaker 5.0
requires Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later and Windows 3.1-
compatible hardware. The suggested configuration is an 486-based
PC with between six and eight megabytes (MB) of memory and an
80 MB hard disk.
(Steve Gold/19931027/Press & Public Contact: Aldus UK,
44-81-568-8868)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
BUSINESS
****Stac Income Down 95 Percent; Microsoft Blamed
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00025)
****Stac Income Down 95 Percent; Microsoft Blamed 10/27/93
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Stac
Electronics says its fourth quarter revenue is up 25 percent.
However, the company still reported a loss for the quarter of
$420,000 and net income for the year down 95 percent.
The company blames litigation with Microsoft and higher costs
associated with bringing new products to market.
Stac claims that Microsoft is in violation of its patents on data
compression. Microsoft has counter-sued, alleging Stac is in
violation of its earlier patents and in August unsuccessfully
attempted to get the new version of Stacker that integrates
with MS-DOS 6.0 off retail store shelves.
Stac is also fighting a class action suit from its shareholders.
Some sources say Stac should have revealed the knowledge it
had before going public in 1992 that Microsoft was going to
enter the data compression market. However, Stac company
officials told Newsbytes they did put that information in
company statements before going public.
Stac's revenues for the quarter were $7,796,000 compared to
revenues of $6,245,000 for the same period last year. For the
year, revenues were $36,984,000, up 11 percent over last year's
$33,356,000.
The increases did not keep Stac in the black however, as fourth
quarter losses were $420,000 compared to income of $526,000 in
the year-ago quarter. For the year, net income was $415,000,
down 95 percent from the $8,362,000 reported for fiscal 1992.
Stac's President Gary Clow says the company is pleased with the
increased revenues and that Stac is shipping three products:
version 3.1 of Stacker for Windows and DOS; version 1 of
Stacker for Macintosh; and Stacker for OS/2. Stacker 3.1 for
Windows and DOS is the version that integrates Stacker
compression with MS-DOS 6.0.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931027/Press Contact: John Witzel, Stac
Electronics, tel 619-431-7474, fax 619-431-0880)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
BUSINESS
Novel & Nat Semi Ally On Networking Products
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00026)
Novel & Nat Semi Ally On Networking Products 10/27/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- National
Semiconductor has announced a strategic alliance with Novell to
produce the Infomover line of products, which will integrate
network hardware and software from both companies. The
announcement was made at a teleconference, which Newsbytes
participated in.
The goal is to bring networking to every computer with the
integrated products, the first of which are scheduled for
availability in early 1994.
Starting as low as $109 for the hardware/software bundle, the
Infomover product line will include workgroup connectivity
products, multimedia networking products, and high-performance
networking products.
National Semiconductor's Group Communications and Computing
President Richard Beyer, said the company supplies chips and
components for two-thirds of the networking hardware currently
on the market. Beyer claims that while the personal computers
(PCs) in large corporations are 75 to 80 percent networked, less
than 50 percent of the PCs in medium companies have network
capability, and less than 10 percent of companies with 10 or
fewer employees enjoy networking.
In addition, growth in the low cost peer-to-peer networking
market of 40 percent per year indicates there is an interest
among those not currently networked to share information.
According to Beyer, the major barrier to networking is the
cost. However, the opportunity is there, with an estimated 18
million PCs out in the market by 1994 that can be upgraded to be
network- and multimedia-compatible. It is that market the two
companies are after.
Novell says it will enhanced its Netware Lite product,
changing the name to Personal Netware in order to include the
software in the Infomover bundles, on which the logos of both
companies will appear. The workgroup connectivity products
start with the Infomover 2000 Plus Ethernet card for $109. For
fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) adapter capability, the
companies are offering the Infomover 3000 16-bit Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) card for running Ethernet and Token
Ring networks alongside FDDI connections, at a retail price of
$1,345.
A product aimed at the mobile computer market, the Personal
Computer Memory Card Industry Association (PCMCIA) Infomover NE
4100 adapter card will allow connection to networks and is priced
at $249.
In addition, the companies offered the usual multimedia video
conferencing demonstration where two or more parties can see
each other on their PCs and can also see graphics, spreadsheets,
and other applications.
The two companies say they have developed technology to together
for both client and server that will lead the transport of video
over a network using high-performance Ethernet and asynchronous
transfer mode adapter technologies.
Gil Amelio, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of National
Semiconductor, and Novell President and CEO Ray Norda, said that
products should be expected out of this alliance with the capability
to perform multimedia conferencing, but no time frame for these
products was announced.
High-performance computing products were mentioned, but the
companies said specifics on those products would come later.
The Infomover products will carry a lifetime guarantee, 24-hour
800 number support, support on-line via National Semiconductor's
bulletin board system (BBS), and support on a Compuserve forum.
To combat the obvious reaction from integrators that this move
could be their demise, National Semiconductor paraded system
integrators, a representative from the distributor Merisel, and
representatives from large companies like Kaiser Permanente to
all say how beneficial this new alliance will be to them. One
integrator said the people who are the most scared are
competitors with Novell and National Semiconductor.
The biggest benefit to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
is the integration between the products from Novell and
National Semiconductor. There will be no need for OEM customers
to write Netware drivers or perform interoperability testing
because that work will have already been done, the companies
maintain. Novell said it will also train its Platinum and Gold
resellers on National products.
This alliance is not a new one for the two companies who have
been working together since 1984. However, it marks the second
move National Semiconductor has made to offer products in a
more direct line to consumers, a course Amelio says National
will continue. The first product in that direction was the
company's Tyin 2000, a retail market all-in-one card that
offers modem, fax, and voice messaging capabilities.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931027/Press Contact: Celeste Martino Sa,
National Semiconductor, 408-721-4210; Public Contact, National
Semiconductor, 800-227-1817; Kelli Christensen, Novell, tel
801-429-5933, fax 801-429-5775)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
TRENDS
****Mid-Western Flood Firms Reject Data Recovery Plans
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00027)
****Mid-Western Flood Firms Reject Data Recovery Plans 10/27/93
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Not only did
Mid-Western flood area businesses not have regular data protection
plans, a majority of them do not plan to take any additional
precautions even now.
According to a recent study of businesses in the Upper Mississippi
Valley, commissioned by 3M Corp., about half of the organizations
surveyed did not have a disaster recovery plan and only 22 percent
plan to take new or special precautions to prevent PC data loss in
the future.
The survey was conducted by Fleishman-Hillard Research and covered
1,200 firms in the region. 3M said most of the businesses had
received warning of imminent flooding in time to lessen the
likelihood of data loss, and many were able to either move their PCs
out of the affected building, raise their computer systems off the
floor or back up their data and transfer the backups to a safe,
off-site location.
One third of the respondents said they either do not back up PC data
at all, or back up only a portion of their data, and about one third
do not do daily backups. About the same number said they keep most
of their backed-up data on site.
Michael Stevens, 3M director of tape technology, said the flood
offers important lessons for the US business community if they are
heeded. "The big lesson is that every company - every employee - in
every region must become aware of just how valuable PC data is and
how data backup must be everyone's responsibility."
However, according to Stevens, too many businesses continue to
gamble. "for want of a secondary storage device and a comprehensive
backup policy, crucial data remains at risk." News reports estimated
the economic loss from the floods at $12 billion dollars. "Companies
simply can't afford not to back up," says Stevens.
He recommends several steps PC users should follow. Backup of
modified files should be done daily, except on Friday, when a full
backup should be performed. He also recommends creating at least
two sets of backup data each time the backup process is done, and
says at least one set of backup data should be kept off-site in a
cool dry location. Backup copies should also be made of
applications software.
The company says companies with less than 100 workers are less
apt to take precautions. Researchers found that smaller firms are
substantially more likely to store data on-site, where it is still
vulnerable to loss. They are also less likely to have a disaster
recovery plan in place.
PC users often complain about the time needed to backup data.
However, current technology makes unattended backups during off
hours simple and cost effective.
Forty-four percent of the businesses surveyed had less than 100
employees, 35 percent employed over 100 but less than 500, and 21
percent had 500 or more workers. Financial services, insurance,
manufacturing, retail, medical and construction firms were
represented in the study. They averaged about 100 PCs each, and
60 percent were networked.
(Jim Mallory/19931027/Press contact: Larry Teien, 3M Data
Storage Products, 612-736-5961)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
IBM
Microsoft Slashes Price Of Multimedia Encyclopedia
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00028)
Microsoft Slashes Price Of Multimedia Encyclopedia 10/27/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Microsoft
has cut the suggested retail price of its Encarta multimedia
encyclopedia to $99 through December 31, 1993. The product
has been priced at $395.
Encarta was introduced in March 1993. The 1994 edition includes
26,000 articles; more than 8,000 photographs, illustrations and
graphics; an atlas; an illustrated time line of world history; an
educational game; and a dictionary and a thesaurus based on
Webster's electronic versions.
Encarta is currently available for Microsoft Windows-based PCs.
The company says it will release an Apple Macintosh version early
next year.
CD ROM-based Encarta is one of the products included in
Microsoft Home, a collection of software Microsoft introduced
earlier this month as part of its campaign to capture a chunk of
the growing home computing market. Microsoft Home also includes
Microsoft Works, an integrated software package of word
processing, charting, spreadsheet and database software. It also
contains Microsoft Art Gallery - the Collection of the National
Gallery, which includes images of about 2,000 paintings.
(Jim Mallory/19931027/Press contact: Karen Frey, Waggener
Edstrom, 503- 245-0905; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp.,
206-882-8080 or 800-426- 9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
BUSINESS
India - Synoptics Signs Up Microland
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00029)
India - Synoptics Signs Up Microland 10/27/93
BOMBAY, INDIA, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Microland has made yet
another strategic addition to its list of alliances. The company
recently announced a deal with Synoptics Communications Inc.,
a US-based $300 million networking company.
The deal enables Microland to offer networking products based
on Synoptics' range of intelligent hubs, routers and network
management software. Microland has also been the distributor of
Compaq in India for over a year.
Intelligent hubs, which are fairly new in the domestic market,
should give Microland a crucial competitive edge over rivals. Hubs
offered by Synoptics are media independent. For example, they
enable Ethernet networks to operate alone or co-exist with Token
Ring, fiber distributed data interface (FDDI), or asynchronous
transfer mode (ATM) technologies, thereby providing integrated
connectivity.
A key feature of these hubs is their scalability. Traditionally,
increasing the number of ports meant buying a new hub. In an
intelligent hub, one can do it by simply adding a card. Fault
diagnosis, especially in networks spread across different
buildings is much easier with intelligent hubs. Then there are
automatic switch-overs for fault tolerance. To achieve better
throughput, a network backbone could be collapsed into a hub.
They address large heterogeneous networks.
Last year, eight percent of the networks in India used unshielded
twisted pair (UTP)-based hubs. By the end of this year, that is
expected to grow to 40 percent. "We expect at least 50 percent
of the UTP market to shift to intelligent devices in the next year
and a half," said Pradeep Kar, chairman and managing director of
Microland.
With the agreement, Synoptics has an early lead over its
competitors, such as Cabletron or Networth, which are not yet
represented in India. A big market for Microland is its existing
clientele. Synoptics' range of products, which also include
network management software and routers, should enable the
company to enlarge its customer profile.
"We will also offer post-sales support to existing Synoptics
installations," said Kar. Microland also plans to take up wide area
networking in the near future. "We are talking to some leading
companies," disclosed Sharad Heda, general manager of marketing.
The company will shortly be launching Compaq's pen based
notebook computers.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931027)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/27/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Canon To Stop Low-Cost Camcorder Manufacture
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00030)
Japan - Canon To Stop Low-Cost Camcorder Manufacture 10/27/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 27 (NB) -- Canon says it plans to reduce
the production of low-cost camcorders. Eventually the company
wants to stop production altogether, in favor of expensive high-
quality camcorders.
Canon's decision to stop producing low-cost camcorders has come
about because of fierce competition in the marketplace and a
camcorder price war. Prices have dropped to around the $1,000
level -- reducing profits to a minimum.
Canon is reportedly already shifting to high-quality models. The
firm has stopped the sale of camcorders which cost less than
$1,500. Currently, the firm is been selling the UC series, which
costs 200,000 yen ($2,000), along with the LX-1 and the A1 Digital,
both of which cost around 270,000 yen ($2,700). Canon wants to
discontinue the UC series and sell only the LX-1 and A1 Digital.
Canon wants to go even further by reducing production of all of
the camcorders within a couple of years. Then, the firm wants to
focus on corporate-use camcorders.
Currently, Sony and Matsushita are selling extremely low-cost
camcorders, which are sold for about $900.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931027/Press Contact: Canon,
tel 81-3-3348-2121, fax 81-3-3349-8765)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/26/93
GENERAL
Interleaf Rolls Out Version 6 Of Document Software
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00001)
Interleaf Rolls Out Version 6 Of Document Software 10/26/93
WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- In a major
upgrade, Interleaf has outfitted its document software with a new
graphical user interface (GUI), along with new authoring, help,
data exchange and revision management features.
The company also unveiled new advanced color and Standard
Generalized Markup Language (SGML) editions of the product, plus
a separately packaged Document Object Application Programming
Interface (API).
The standard Motif and Windows GUIs in the new Interleaf 6 are
aimed at easier integration with outside programs, said David
Weinberger, marketing fellow, in an interview with Newsbytes.
Weinberger told Newsbytes that the new GUIs offer tear-off menus,
drag-and-drop document and object manipulation, image editing
palettes, a file browser and customizable tool bar, a command-
line interface, and more.
New document creation capabilities in Interleaf 6 consist of
wildcard search-and-replace, text undo and redo, word count, and
a graphical tab ruler, he explained. Also provided are automatic
date and time insertion within documents, support for Adobe Type
1 fonts, and improved tables, spell-checking, and find/change
options.
Newly added help functions include a "Preferences" dialog box for
defining document and other parameters "point-and-type" templates
for common document types, an online Keyboard Tool, and
hyperlinked online documentation with full-text search, bookmarks
and annotation.
Further, Interleaf 6 embodies such data exchange enhancements as
native clipboard integration for copy/paste, support for Word and
WordPerfect graphics, FrameMaker-to-Interleaf import, Interleaf-
to-TIFF export, and many other new file exchange functions, he
said.
Also offered standard with the package is a revision management
feature that furnishes a graphical "tree" representation of
document versions. This function allows multiple edits and
reviews to be managed across workgroups, Newsbytes was told.
Interleaf 6 started shipping last week for Unix workstations
running Motif, according to Weinberger. The software is expected
to become available for Windows and Windows NT in the first
quarter. In the same time frame, Interleaf expects to add Common
Desktop Environment (CDE) compliance.
Over the next four to six months, Interleaf plans to release
options for systems integration and on-demand printing, in
addition to Interleaf 6 Advanced Color, Interleaf 6 SGML, and the
Document Object API.
The new printing option will allow on-demand printing on Xerox
DocuTech, Hewlett-Packard LaserJet, and QMS PS Series printers,
Weinberger reported. The option also supplies such capabilities
as scaling, crop marks, and duplex, output tray and output bin
selections.
Interleaf 6 Advanced Color, the first package of its kind from
Interleaf, will include 24-bit color support, color matching to
industry standards, automatic trapping, batch and interactive
color separations, support for most popular scanners, advanced
color image editing, and editable text-to-graphics.
Interleaf 6 SGML, an update to Interleaf 5 SGML, will bring full
WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) structured editing, native
SGML support, and enhanced tools for converting documents into
SGML and maintaining them in SGML, Weinberger stated. Further
details will be announced before the product ships, he noted.
The new integration options include an Active Link Tool for live
linking to external data files, DBLink for "intelligently"
populating a document with information stored in an SQL (Standard
Query Language) database, and HyperLeaf Toolkit for point-and-
click creation of hypertext links.
The Document Object API is an object-oriented interface for
calling Interleaf 6 from outside C/C++ programs, according to
Weinberger.
An Enhanced Developer's Toolkit for professional customization is
already shipping, he informed Newsbytes. The toolkit supports
the UIL standard user interface description language.
The toolkit also incorporates an object system with multi-
inheritance, property inheritance, and before/after methods,
online documentation, and improved Emacs support for editing,
evaluating and debugging of Interleaf Lisp.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931025/Reader contact: Interleaf, tel 617-
290-0710; Press contacts: John Squire, Interleaf, tel 617-290-
0710, ext 4470; David Weinberger, Interleaf, tel 617-290-0710,
ext 5563)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
APPLE
****Turn A Mac Network Into A Telephone System
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00002)
****Turn A Mac Network Into A Telephone System 10/26/93
LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Instead of
installing a new inter-office phone system, why not use your
Macintosh network, says 2 Way Computing. The company has
developed 2Way Talker 2.0.1, real-time voice communication
software that works on networked Macintosh computers.
The product allows users who have microphones for their
Macintosh computers to simply call someone on the network and
utilizing the Mac's sound capability, talk just as they would
on a speaker phone. Leslie Burcham, marketing manager for 2 Way
Computing, told Newsbytes the product is popular in Europe
where companies are struggling with their phone systems.
The company has released earlier versions of the product, but
this is the first version that allows full-duplex, real-time
communication without the pauses and one-at-a-time talking like
that necessitated in citizen band (CB) radio communication.
Burcham said 2 Way found a Russian programmer who had figured
out how to do full-duplex transmission and teamed up with him
to offer the new version of 2Way Talker.
The product will not work with the old Mac Plus computers and
doesn't perform well on a modem connection. It will work with
later versions of System 6 or System 7, Burcham added.
The 2Way Talker 2.0.1 product is available from 2 Way Computing
in La Jolla, California for $49.95 per Macintosh and the
product is copy-protected. Site licenses are available as well.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931025/Press Contact: Leslie Burcham, 2 Way
Computing, tel 619-481-3295, fax 619-452-3077; Public Contact,
619-452-3888; Address correspondence to, 2 Way Computing, 4370
La Jolla Village Drive Suite 400, San Diego, CA 92122)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/26/93
TELECOM
Russia - Ural Region Buys Siemens Phone Exchange
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00003)
Russia - Ural Region Buys Siemens Phone Exchange 10/26/93
IZHEVSK, UDMURTIA, RUSSIA, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- The Udmurtian
republic government has signed a deal with Siemens to supply an
8,000-line digital phone exchange worth DM7.5 million (US$4.7
million).
The exchange, to be installed in the city of Izhevsk in summer
1995, will provide local, domestic and international long
distance service.
According to Sergey Fomichev, chief of Udmurtian Rossviasinform,
the state-run communications company, the republic now has only
2,000 phone circuits. "The installation of the exchange will
solve the telephonization problems for a number of years ahead.
It will also help in developing of cellular communications
systems," he said.
The local government will provide 100% of required finances.
Udmirtia is a small region in the Ural mountains part of Russia, full of
various defense industry establishments, now being privatized and
internationally developed.
(Kirill Tchashchin & Newsbox Monitor/19931025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
TRENDS
Neuro Chip Used In Artificial Hand
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00004)
Neuro Chip Used In Artificial Hand 10/26/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- NTT has developed an artificial
hand which simulates the movement of a human hand. The robot is
equipped with NTT's top-of-the-line neuro chip which is
expected to be applied to a virtual reality system in the near
future.
NTT's artificial hand is called the Cyber Finger and was
developed by NTT's Human Interface Laboratory. The neuro chip
enables the artificial hand to make realistic hand and finger
movements. A user, wearing a wrist band, is connected to the
Cyber Finger through an electric cord, and thereby uses
the hand real-time.
After "learning" for two minutes, the Cyber Finger was able
to move its fingers according to the instructions given by
the laboratory technicians. The robot was able to move
nearly all its individual fingers correctly, NTT reports.
NTT's latest neuro chip is used in the unit to recognize
data at an extremely fast speed -- the chip recognizes a
change in electric voltage. Each electrical pole can emit
10 different electric voltages for a total of 20 kinds of
signals to be recognized.
NTT says this robot will be able to replace the "Data Gloves"
which are used for virtual reality devices. With a computer
and radiowave unit, a user will ultimately be able to control
this robot at a remote location, NTT hopes. The firm continues
to improve the system and hopes to employ it commercially
in the near future.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931025/Press Contact: NTT, +81-3-
3509-3101, Fax, +81-3-3509-4290)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/26/93
IBM
PicoPower Energy Efficient PC System Controller
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)
PicoPower Energy Efficient PC System Controller 10/26/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Picopower
Technology has announced its "Redwood" system controller for use
in IBM AT-compatible energy efficient desktop PCs.
Redwood is a two-chip set that Picopower says brings the power
management features of notebook computers to high performance 486-based
desktop systems and go beyond the standards of the Environmental
Protection Agency's Energy Star program.
In addition to energy efficiency, Redwood features a no wait state
level 2 cache controller, level 1 cache writeback support, write
buffering, memory bank interleaving, VESA local bus master support,
and local bus IDE.
To qualify for the Energy Star designation a system has to keep standby
power requirements to less than 30 watts. Energy Star sets no level
for active-state power. Picopower says that a typical Energy
Star-compliant PC without the monitor would use 150 watts or more
during normal daily usage and 25 to 30 watts at night when idle, if
left on around the clock. A Redwood-based system might use as
little as 20 watts peak power, 10 watts in normal usage, and have a
standby power requirement of less than two watts.
The company says an EPA study indicates that PC power usage will
grow to 10 percent of the total commercial electrical demand by the
year 2000.
Redwood uses both passive and active power management. Passive power
management saves power while the system is idle, while active
management saves power while the computer is in use by reducing the
PC's CPU (central processing unit) clock speed during wasted cycles
and by matching CPU clocks to slower subsystems. It also turns
off the cache SRAMs (static random access memory) during input/output
cycles. The company says cache SRAMs can consume from three to 15
watts even when not being used.
The company says sample chips will be available in January 1994 with
volume production beginning in March.
(Jim Mallory/19931025/Press contact: Carolyn Rogers, Picopower,
408-954-8880, fax 408-954-9898)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/26/93
GENERAL
FedEx Offers Free Package Tracking Software For Macs, PCs
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00006)
FedEx Offers Free Package Tracking Software For Macs, PCs 10/26/93
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Federal Express
(FedEx) is offering shippers who use its service free computer
software to keep track of where their packages are and even who
signed for them and when.
Called FedEx Tracking Software, the free program is available for
any Macintosh system as well as DOS and Windows-based PCs. FedEx
Program Management Advisor Dan Keath told Newsbytes the company has
discussed publishing a Unix-based program but has no plans to do so
at this time.
The program comes on a single floppy disk, only takes up 500
kilobytes of space on a hard disk, and supports color. Senior Public
Relations Specialist Carolyn Freeman told Newsbytes users can
determine the status of a package within minutes of delivery, since
FedEx employees utilize scanning devices at each step of package
handling to send information to Federal Express's Unix-based file
server.
When the user launches the program it auto-dials an 800 number hard-
coded into the software that connects the user with the file server
at no cost. The user can enter up to 14 tracking numbers and see on-
screen the current status of each package. The information can be
saved or printed. The display includes when it was picked up, when
it was dropped off, who signed for it and when.
Keath said there are also international versions of the software for
users outside the continental US, and US shippers can track
packages shipped to addresses outside the US.
FedEx first introduced the program in June of 1992 but has only
advertised its heavily in the past few weeks. Shippers can call
FedEx's toll-free customer service number to order the program or can
complete and send in the business reply card in the back of their
FedEx service guide.
FedEx also offers PowerShip, a hardware-software combination, to
shippers who send at least five packages a day via Federal Express.
PowerShip is provided at no cost, and eliminates hand-preparing the
air bill by printing a thermal label. Data is entered via what Keath
describes as "user friendly screens" and the information can be re-
used. FedEx Tracking software evolved from the interest of customers
in obtaining PowerShip so they could track their packages. PowerShip
users can also obtain FedEx Tracking for use in other offices.
Keath said the program is shipped via FedEx and is usually received
within two business days after ordering.
(Jim Mallory/19931025/Press contact: Carolyn Freeman, Federal Express,
901-395-3771; Reader contact: 800-238-5355 or 901-369-3600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
TELECOM
Inventor Seeks Legacy In Patent Fight
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)
Inventor Seeks Legacy In Patent Fight 10/25/93
GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Inventor Peter
Tsakanikas wants the whole cellular industry to chip-in on a billion
dollar legacy he wants to leave his children.
Tsakanikas, who has sent out letters and press releases over the
last week asking for billions of dollars from AT&T, McCaw, Bell
Atlantic and now Pacific Telesis for alleged violation of his
"Alphabet Phone" patent, told Newsbytes in an exclusive interview
that cellular phones use his technology -- it involves either
"counting up the buttons" or using a Morse Code-like scheme to
input letters on a 12-button phone.
Tsakanikas, who admits his health is poor, told Newsbytes that
he expects to leave the bulk of the money, should he win in
his patent fight, to his adult children, including a son who's
already an inventor in his own right.
He said his lawyers feel safe in asking all cellular phone users
to pay $2 per month, through their network operators, through the
year 2001, when his patent expires.
Bell Atlantic and McCaw have denied any liability
for Tsakanikas' patents. "Bell Atlantic has taken a look
at this and we see no liability for our company," said spokesman
Larry Plumb told Newsbytes. Said McCaw spokesman Bob Ratliffe,
"We are aware of it. We think it's without merit. We will pursue
it through legal channels." A spokesman for the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association said he wasn't aware that
the technology was in wide use in the industry.
Tsakanikas is undeterred. In an interview with Newsbytes'
telecommunications editor, Dana Blankenhorn, he said: "Under
patent law, the inventor has the right to proceed against
the manufacturers, the sellers, or the users. My choice is to go
to the sellers who purchase licenses on behalf of the users,
because they have control of this." He said he's asking just a
2.5 percent royalty on all cellular revenues for the technology,
which he said is inherent "in the cellular network itself."
While the technique of counting along the buttons is most
common in services like name dialing and name searching, he
added, "The Mitsubishi phones use my relevant character scheme,
based on a time duration -- hold your finger down a long period,
about .25 second, for the letter A, a short and long for B, and
two shorts and a long for C." Major Japanese cellular phone
manufacturers have all licensed the patents, so they're safe, he
added, including Fujitsu, Sanyo, Fujitsu, Mirata and Mitsubishi.
"Murata filed a request for the patent office six months ago to
re-examine my patent, and that was denied by the patent office
based on the prior art they had shown. Once it was re-affirmed,
that I taught the apparatus how it would be done, within one week
they bought a license. I have a five-page memo from my patent
attorney providing the legal grounds for this infringement."
In his latest letter, Tsakanikas asks $1.63 billion from PacTel
for violating his patents. As with earlier letters to AT&T,
McCaw, and Bell Atlantic, he threatens treble damages if he
can't reach a settlement. Tsakanikas said that letters will
eventually go out to every cellular phone network operator in
the nation.
"We're also going to be proceeding against the manufacturers as
well, but the problem is they can't afford to cut a check as big
as I expect. The operators get $80 per month per subscriber, and
the manufacturers sell the instruments for a few hundred
dollars." He will also consider licenses on the instruments, from
companies like Motorola, but says that in his view, he can win
royalties both from instruments and use of the instruments.
Tsakanikas also addressed the point of operators working
together to try and beat his patent. "I might point out that any
conspiracy that might develop among the suppliers and service
providers to refuse to buy a license or consider the merits of
buying a license would be restraint of trade under the anti-trust
laws, which could bind both suppliers and telephone operators to
a separate claim by me. I have a real property interest in this
by the US Patent Office, and am entitled to money from it."
He's not greedy, he insists. "I would be willing to
negotiate, and have asked them to submit a counteroffer or
suggest language changes."
Tsakanikas admits that he's been slow to enforce his patent,
which was awarded to him in January, 1984. "Under the doctrine
of latches you're allowed to go back six years for infringements,
from the date you know of them. I only learned of infringements a
year ago today, and proceeded immediately to go after the
infringers. There are so many...I started with the point of sale
industry, companies like Verifone and Omron, who bought licenses,
as well as DataCard and Hypercom and International
Verifast...Then I moved to fax, and Sharp, Murata and Canon are
the largest there. It's difficult for a small inventor to know
what everyone is doing, and big companies don't always know."
He continued, "We now have a full time staff of 10 and a private
investigator. Before I make an allegation we have to get documents
that disclose how they're entering the names in the phones,
normally user guides. Then I have to make sure I have a solid
case and have the patent attorney perform an element-by-element
analysis. This takes a while. Now we're concentrating on the
cellular industry."
He adds he's already gotten some resistance from phone makers.
"Motorola asked us not to talk to customers, Oki filed a suit
against us" in California "and we filed a countersuit" in Maryland.
He adds that he's not surprised at the quick public rejection of
his patent claims. "On the same date Bell Atlantic got my notice
Michael Strauss, their in-house patent attorney, was told to hire
outside patent attorneys, and that situation is now in their
hands. Trust me, they're just beginning to look at it. They all
start in general denial, and you can expect that right until the
time they settle."
Even though he's compelled to make final license agreements
confidential, he says, "I've been able to convince licensees that
I must let people know who the good guys are," so reporters will be
notified of settlements.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931025/Press Contact: Peter Tsakanikas, 1-
301-208-8000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
UNIX
Cray, Sun Join To Create "Superservers"
(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00008)
Cray, Sun Join To Create "Superservers" 10/26/93
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Cray Research
Corporation and Sun Microsystems have jointly announced Cray's new
superserver product line of Cray Superserver 6400 systems, which
will use up to 64 processors. The products were developed by Cray
Research Superservers under a January 1992 technology agreement
between Cray Research and Sun Microsystems. The products are a
binary-compatible upward extension of Sun's product line, the
two contend.
Les Davis, Cray Research chief operating officer, said Cray Research,
known as a supercomputer company, is getting into the superserver
industry for several reasons. Davis said CRC has changed over the
past few years and has been selling lower performance-lower
priced systems. This year the company announced its first desktop
supercomputer.
"This (announcement) gives us a product offering from $125,000 to
up to $30 million." CRC says it is also familiar with desktop systems
since many users access Cray Research supercomputers from desktop PCs
and workstations.
The CS6400 runs the current version of Sun's Solaris operating
system, which is an implementation of Unix System V Release 4. "Any
program that runs on a Sun system will run on the new CRS systems without
modification, and vice versa," said Scott McNealy, Sun chairman and CEO.
Davis said the CS6400 will allow CRS to address commercial markets
with non-traditional Cray applications. CRS Marketing Manager Martin
Buchanan said the CS6400 systems are expandable and can scale with
customers' data processing needs. The systems are offered with four to
64 superSPARC RISC microprocessors which initially will run at 60
megahertz (MHz) and have, 256 megabytes (MB) to 16 gigabytes of
central memory, 1.3 gigabytes per second peak memory bandwidth,
and more than two terabytes of online disk.
Pricing begins at under $400,000 for the four processor version,
and at $2.5 million for the top of the line 64-processor systems.
Buchanan said CRS expects to sell hundreds of the new systems, and
has already received at least two orders. The German electronics
firm SICAN, based in Hannover, is scheduled to receive one system
in the first quarter of 1994 and the research division of
Electricite de France, the world's largest electric utility, has
ordered a 16-processor system with two gigabytes of central memory
for delivery in November of this year. The system will be
upgraded to double the number of processors and the amount of memory
next year.
Sun Microsystems Chairman and CEO Scott McNealy told assembled
reporters and analysts the combination of companies allows the
CS6400 to take advantage of the Solaris operating environment and
the benefits it offers. "It is an unparalleled application binary
interface. This is the scalability the customer is looking for,"
said McNealy.
CRC has made sure there are operating systems and applications
ready to run on the CS6400 line. There are memorandums
with Oracle Corporation to make the Oracle7 cooperative server
available on the CS6400; the ASK Group, developers of the ASK Ingres
intelligent database system for availability of that product on the
superserver; and a similar deal with Informix Software to make Informix
On-Line, its high performance online transaction processing database
server, available.
Other deals announced included an agreement with Brixton Systems
to make Brixton's connectivity software available (Brixton software
links IBM mainframes with open systems computers), and a version of
Sybase database software to run on the systems. Other companies also
announced support for the CS6400.
CRC said initial target markets for the new system are financial
service and investment banking, general engineering, government,
petroleum, and telecommunications. The line will be sold by CRC's
sales force and jointly with Sun.
A major feature of the system is the built-in redundancy. If a
component fails, the system automatically reboots, identifies the
fault, and reconfigures itself to bypass the failed module.
The faulty component can be replaced while the system continues
to operate, a feature called "hot swap." Upgrades can also be done
without taking the system down. An independent service processor
performs online and remote diagnostics, logging, and monitoring
functions and data is protected through features such as disk
mirroring, page isolation, and memory scrubbing.
(Jim Mallory/19931026/Press contact: Mardi Larson, Cray Research,
612-683-3538; Chuck Mulloy, Sun Microsystems, 415-336-6424)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
IBM
AMD Gets "Windows-Compatible" Logo, Intros New Chips
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00009)
AMD Gets "Windows-Compatible" Logo, Intros New Chips 10/26/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Advanced Micro Devices
has introduced two new members of its 486-based microprocessor
line and said it has signed a licensing agreement with Microsoft
Corporation that gives AMD the right to use the "Windows-
compatible" logo on its 386 and 486-based chips.
The company announced a 40 megahertz (MHz) 486DX-based microprocessor
that incorporates power management features, and a clock doubled
486DX2-66MHz chip. The 40MHz 486-based CPU is targeted at the emerging
energy efficient "green" desktop and notebook PC markets, and costs
no more than a standard 33MHz 486DX chip, said the company. The clock
doubled Am486DX2-66 processor is being offered as an alternate source
for a 486 device type. The new chips are plug-in replacements for the
currently available Intel offerings.
AMD says shipment of both chips will begin this quarter. The 40MHz
unit is offered in a 168-pin PGA package priced at $283 each in
1,000-unit lots. The clock doubled chip, also in a PGA package, is
priced at $463 when bought in quantity.
(Jim Mallory/19931026/Press contact: Marvin Burkette, AMD,
408-749-2818)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
TELECOM
Japan - NEC, ASCII Link On PC Networks
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00010)
Japan - NEC, ASCII Link On PC Networks 10/26/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Two major Japanese online networks
have announced plans to provide gateway services to each other.
PC-VAN will interconnect with the ASCII network. Users of
both networks will be able to exchange not only electronic mail
but view each others' databases and online information.
An ASCII spokeswoman told Newsbytes that both firms will make
the official announcement in the near future.
NEC's PC-VAN and ASCII Network have paved the way for this event
for many months. The actual connection for the public is slated
for mid-December.
ASCII Network users will be able to access hundreds of databases,
forums, and news from the world. (Newsbytes News Network is
accessible via PC-VAN's gateway into GEnie.) Also, ASCII users will
be able to use PC-VAN's nationwide Japanese access nodes (local
phone numbers to log into the system). Currently, ASCII
Network has 27 access nodes, while PC-VAN has 118 access nodes in
Japan.
NEC's PC-VAN users will also be able to get access to information
from ASCII Network, which provides mainly technical information on
personal computers.
The charge for accessing the others' network from within either
ASCII Network or PC-VAN will be 10 yen (10 cents) per 3 minutes
besides the normal usage charges.
PC-VAN is Japan's largest personal computer network with
about 614,000 registered users. ASCII Network has about
85,000 users.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931026/Press Contact: NEC PC-VAN,
+81-3-3798-6511, Fax, +81-3-3798-9170, ASCII, +81-3-5351-8065,
Fax, +81-3-5351-8087)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
GOVT
Kulicke & Soffa Wins Patent
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00011)
Kulicke & Soffa Wins Patent 10/26/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Kulicke & Soffa, a
major worldwide microchip manufacturing hardware supplier, has
received US patent number 5,205,463 for "A Method of Making
Constant Clearance Flat Link Fine Wire Interconnections," a new
way to produce the wire bonds needed to connect microchips to
their packages and thus to electronic circuits.
K&S says that the new process is especially useful for
Multi-Chip-Module production and the latest generation of
integrated chips because connections are not restricted to the
edges of chips.
Readers who have seen the usual wire bonding techniques
used to wire microchips to the external circuits with which they
need to communicate, will remember that they always connect to
the near edge of the microchip based on where the other end of
the connection is made. The newly patented K&S system allows the
leads to be run across the chips up to one millimeter making it
practical to pack even more circuits on a single chip.
Thin Small Outline Packages, Thin Quad Flat Packs, and the
SmartCard, all of which are seeing growing demand, will all be
affected by the development which allows manufacturers to place
two sets of leads near the edge of a chip die, one very close to
the edge, and another further in.
The inventors of this process are Lee Levine, a staff engineer at
K&S, Douglas Gaunt, senior engineer of the K&S wirebonding
engineering group, and William Holdgrafer, a former product
manager at K&S.
The new technology allows equipment to produce flat, controlled
height loops in the connecting wires with loop heights of less
than 150 microns, using existing K&S gold ball wire bonders.
(John McCormick/19931026/Press Contact: Ed DiMingo, K&S, 215-784-
6000 or fax 215-659-7588)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
APPLE
National Instruments' Labview Used On Shuttle Mission
(NEWS)(APPLE)(WAS)(00012)
National Instruments' Labview Used On Shuttle Mission 10/26/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- A major element of
the current Columbia Space Shuttle mission is the attempt to
discover and eliminate the causes of space sickness, a motion
sickness-related problem which affects many astronauts during
their first few days in space.
National Instruments Macintosh Labview data collection and
analysis tools are being used to evaluate the sensor data
generated by experiments conducted on Columbia's crew.
Television news viewers who have been following the latest US
space mission have probably seen members of the shuttle's crew
sticking their heads into what appears to be a rotating drum
splattered with paint spots apparently seeing if it made them
dizzy.
Actually that is exactly what they are doing while Austin, Texas-
based National Instruments Macintosh hardware and software
samples signals from head-mounted sensors in an attempt to
isolate just what causes a persistent space motion sickness
problem that has bothered some space travelers since the early
days of the space program.
The Rotating Dome Experiment, as it is known, is studying how the
conflict between visual clues that tell the shuttle crew members
that they are either at rest or moving, and inner-ear balance
signals which send a very different message because they are not
subject to the usual gravitational effects that keep the two
in sync for earth-bound individuals.
As the astronaut looks at the inside of the dome it is rotated in
either direction and at one of three set speeds while five
sensors pickup biometric signals from his or her body.
One sensor is a joystick which the viewer uses to indicate the
direction they perceive the dome to be moving, while a second is
mounted in a special dental bite board held in the mouth. This
sensor measures involuntary movements triggered by visual clues.
Two more sensors are attached to the head and neck to measure
gross head movements and the last is connected to the dome itself
to record its instantaneous state of motion.
Data is digitized and fed into a Macintosh Powerbook 170 where it
is analyzed by Labview and a NASA (the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration)-developed expert system named CLIPS, then
the results are sent to HyperCard which displays differences
between different test subjects.
(John McCormick/19931026/Press Contact: Jane Jutchison, NASA,
415-604-4968 or Roxanne Greene, National Instruments, 512-794-
0100 or fax 512-794-5732)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
GENERAL
CA Brings Unicenter To New Hardware, CD-ROM
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00013)
CA Brings Unicenter To New Hardware, CD-ROM 10/26/93
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Computer
Associates International has broadened the reach of its
CA-Unicenter systems management software by announcing progress
on versions for several more systems, a client/server edition of
the software, and a new distribution format using compact disc
read-only memory (CD-ROM).
The company said a version of Unicenter for Sequent computers has
entered beta testing, and four more -- for Sun Microsystems,
IBM RS/6000, Hewlett-Packard 7000/900, and Data General Aviion
systems -- will begin beta testing this quarter.
Computer Associates also announced CA-Unicenter/Star, a
client/server version of the software for Microsoft Windows and
IBM's OS/2 operating system.
According to CA, CA-Unicenter/Star will let systems
administrators define, monitor, and analyze CA systems management
servers running on IBM's MVS mainframe operating system, OS/2,
Unix, and Novell's NetWare at the same time and through the
same functional window. Eventually, company officials said, all
CA-Unicenter platforms will be able to be managed as servers by
CA-Unicenter/Star.
Jay Yesselman, director of systems strategies for CA, said
Unicenter/Star will make systems management operations work the
same way on all the platforms it supports. If a user knows how to
do something on one platform, he said, he or she will be able to
do it on the others. A common graphical user interface will bring
together information on all connected systems. This GUI can also
be customized, officials added.
The software includes the ability to delegate systems management
responsibility across the network where appropriate, the vendor
said. Through individual CA-Unicenter/Star workstations, systems
administration functions can be distributed across the entire
network.
CA also said it will offer a software development kit (SDK) for
creating links to let Unicenter manage software from other
vendors and third parties. A built-in macro language called CA
Basic Language Engine (CA-BLE) is meant for building customized
applications tightly integrated with CA-Unicenter/Star. The
software also has a spreadsheet-like reporting feature.
The CD-ROM version, called CA-Unicenter/CD, is currently only for
IBM mainframes running the MVS operating system. CA applies the
Unicenter name to a collection of mainframe system management
tools that are also sold individually, whereas Unicenter for
other hardware is a single platform. The files can be loaded to
the mainframe directly or by way of a networked personal computer
running OS/2 or Windows, the company said.
CA-Unicenter/CD also provides documentation in IBM BookManager
format or Interleaf for Windows format. The documentation works
with extensions to CA-Docview, a free service to CA clients that
provides online viewing, storage, and management of CA product
documentation. Data can be cross-referenced, searched and
queried.
Yesselman said the company plans CD-ROM editions of Unicenter for
other platforms "in the relatively near future." He would not
elaborate on how near is relatively near, but did say Sun
Microsystems hardware would probably be near the top of the
list, since CD-ROM is a popular distribution medium in that
market.
(Grant Buckler/19931026/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2391; Michael Kornspan, Computer Associates,
516-342-2463)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
BUSINESS
Modatech Systems Buys Richmond Software
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00014)
Modatech Systems Buys Richmond Software 10/26/93
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Modatech
Systems Inc., a maker of high-end sales automation software, has
bought Richmond Technologies & Software, the developer of the
PC-based contact management package The Maximizer. Both companies
are based in Vancouver.
Modatech acquired all shares of Richmond in a stock swap for
400,000 of its own shares.
All of Richmond's staff will move into Modatech's nearby
Vancouver office, said Tom O'Flaherty, founder and former
president of Richmond, who becomes vice-president of marketing at
Modatech.
O'Flaherty said an interim upgrade of The Maximizer is shipping,
with "about eight new features." These were in the works anyway,
but the update was shipped sooner than planned due to the
acquisition, he said.
Modatech plans to improve integration between its own sales
automation software and The Maximizer, O'Flaherty said, with the
first steps in that direction likely to be announced in January
or February and available in the early spring.
Modatech has previously sold customized software aimed at the
upper end of the sales automation market. Company officials said
they now expect to address all levels of sales automation, with
The Maximizer focused at the low-cost end, Modatech's existing
software at the upper end, and both offerings converging on the
middle.
(Grant Buckler/19931026/Press Contact: Tom O'Flaherty, Modatech,
604-736-9666, fax 604-737-4996)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
IBM
****IBM Ready To Launch OS/2 Without Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00015)
****IBM Ready To Launch OS/2 Without Windows 10/26/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Unhappy at
paying royalties to rival Microsoft Corp., IBM is preparing to
launch a version of its OS/2 operating system without built-in
code to run applications written for Microsoft's Windows
operating environment.
The Windows-less OS/2 would let users run Windows applications
provided they already had Windows installed on their PCs. OS/2
would establish where the Windows code was stored and would call
on it directly when asked to run a Windows application.
This is a practical idea largely because many personal computer
vendors are bundling their hardware with copies of Windows. That
means a fair number of buyers of OS/2 already have Windows on
their PCs. By not duplicating the code in OS/2, IBM would not
only avoid paying royalties to Microsoft for its use, but reduce
the size of its OS/2 package and possibly save disk space for
users who don't take the trouble to remove the pre-installed
Windows files when they install OS/2.
The company should also be able to pass on to customers some of
what it saves on royalties. This would free buyers of PCs with
Windows bundled from paying twice for the code -- once in the
price of the PC and once in the price of OS/2.
Sources said an announcement can be expected by mid-November. The
Comdex/Fall trade show, which begins in Las Vegas Nov. 15, would
be a likely venue.
An IBM spokeswoman said the company does not comment on
unannounced products.
(Grant Buckler/19931026/Press Contact: Rob Crawley, IBM,
512-823-1779; Mee Lin Sit, IBM, 914-251-5996)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
IBM
IBM Canada Adds To Cooperative Projects In Education
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)
IBM Canada Adds To Cooperative Projects In Education 10/26/93
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- IBM Canada Ltd., has
announced three more in a long-standing series of cooperative
projects with Canadian schools, aimed at fostering math and
science literacy.
The company has been running the cooperative program since 1982
and has provided about C$60 million worth of products and
services to schools under the initiative in that time, said
company spokesman Mike Quinn.
The latest projects are in Quebec, Ontario, and Manitoba.
A partnership with the Commission Scolaire de Sainte-Croix
(Saint-Croix School Board) and the University of Montreal's
Faculty of Education will aim to help children in kindergarten
through grade six learn scientific principles through robotics.
IBM will work with the Dufferin-Peel Roman Catholic School Board
in Ontario in a project focusing on mathematics education in
grades one to three. The program, covering teacher training,
classroom implementation, and program strategies, will use
IBM-developed math curriculum software and color ThinkPad
notebook computers.
In Manitoba, IBM is working with the Seven Oaks School Division
to set up a classroom computer network with curriculum software
and compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) software at its Forest
Park School in Winnipeg.
IBM Canada typically announces four to five such projects per
year, Quinn said, and they run for one to three years.
(Grant Buckler/19931026/Press Contact: Mike Quinn, IBM Canada,
905-474-3900 or 800-563-2139)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
BUSINESS
AST Posts Record 1Qtr Revenues; Intros Pentium Premmia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00017)
AST Posts Record 1Qtr Revenues; Intros Pentium Premmia 10/26/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- AST Research Inc.,
has posted record revenues of $514.4 million for the first quarter
ended October 2, 1993. The company has also introduced the
Premmia LX P/60 PC, which features Intel's Pentium 228
processor and PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) local-bus
technology.
The company says that first-quarter revenues increased 80 percent
over the comparable prior-year period and 26 percent over the
immediately preceding quarter. Fiscal year 1994 first quarter net
income was $8.2 million compared to $7.6 million for the prior-year
period. Earnings per share were 26 cents for the first quarter of
fiscal year 1994.
In announcing the results, Safi Qureshey, AST president and chief
executive officer, said: "This quarter has been a period of significant
change and momentum for the company. As we integrate the
purchased assets of Tandy Corp.'s PC manufacturing operations, we
have continued to increase our revenues and market share position."
AST completed the acquisition of Tandy's PC operations during the
first quarter. A final purchase price of $111.7 million was paid
with $15 million in cash and a $96.7 million three-year promissory
note.
AST also announced record PC shipments worldwide during the
quarter of 332,000 units, representing a 111 percent increase over
the prior year period and a 38 percent increase over the preceding
quarter. More than 53,000 notebook systems were shipped in the
quarter.
North American sales were $355.1 million, representing a 115
percent increase over first quarter fiscal year 1993 levels. North
American sales growth increases were strongest in the consumer
retail channel during the quarter, reaching an all-time high of
$146 million, said the company. Total international sales increased
31 percent to $159.3 million, with European revenues up 44 percent
during the quarter.
The company says that the Premmia LX P/60 was designed from
the board up to optimize the 64-bit data path of the Pentium and
equipped with the fastest video accelerator chip from ATI on the
PCI local bus.
According to the company, the Premmia LX P/60 features a base
system targeting AST's VAR (value-added reseller) community.
The Premmia LX comes with 256 kilobytes (KB) second-level cache;
two PCI expansion slots for PCI-compatible peripherals; three ISA
(Industry Standard Architecture) slots; FlashBios; and four drive
bays for high-capacity storage.
The company says that the integrated PCI local bus graphics
subsystem features 1 megabyte (MB) of VRAM standard, expandable
to 2MB for 1280 by 1024 resolution, 256 colors. The system is
designed with two buffered serial ports and one enhanced
bidirectional parallel port, and comes with password security
and a chassis lock.
AST provides a three-year warranty on its Premmia systems
which includes one-year on-site and two years depot service.
The company also offers a 24-hour, 7-days-per-week toll-free
technical hotline, as well as Info-Fax and AST On-Line
24-hour bulletin board service.
(Ian Stokell/19931026/Press Contact: Gerry Lynne Baker,
714-727-7959, AST Research)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
BUSINESS
Avid Posts 94% Revenue Increase
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00018)
Avid Posts 94% Revenue Increase 10/26/93
TEWKSBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Avid
Technology Inc., has reported revenues of $31 million for the third
quarter ending September 30, 1993, an increase of 94 percent
over third quarter 1992 revenues of $16 million.
Avid says that its net income grew 156 percent to $2.1 million,
or $0.18 per share, from $815,000 or $0.10 per share in the
corresponding quarter in 1992.
In announcing the financial results, Curt Rawley, president and
chief executive officer of Avid Technology, said: "We are extremely
proud of these results. They represent the best revenue and earnings
performance of any quarter in Avid's history and mark our tenth
consecutive quarter of record revenues. While revenues grew 18
percent from the second quarter to the third quarter, operating
expenses grew only two percent."
During the quarter, Avid began shipping version 5.01 of its Media
Composer software; Media Suite Pro 2.0 with two high performance
options; and VideoShop 2.0, a QuickTime movie editing software
program. The company also introduced the Media Composer 1000,
billed as "an affordable, online-only digital video editing system
targeted at the high end of the corporate digital editing market."
Said Dan Keshian, vice president and general manager of Avid's
Professional Products Group, "It became clear to us that a segment
of the corporate market was looking for a turnkey, online-only
solution, with one level of image quality suitable for most
corporate video presentations. The 1000 is designed to meet that
need."
In August, Newsbytes reported that Avid had announced three new
business units to deal with desktop, broadcast, and professional
video. New products for each division were also been announced.
In September Newsbytes reported that Avid had received an Emmy
Award at the 45th annual ceremony by the Academy of Television
Arts & Sciences for its Media Composer system. The award was in
recognition of outstanding achievement in engineering and
development of the Avid digital non-linear editing system.
(Ian Stokell/19931026/Press Contact: Ned Hazen, 508-640-3211,
or Mimi Englander, 508-640-3157, Avid Technology Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
IBM
****IBM's Third-Quarter Loss
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00019)
****IBM's Third-Quarter Loss 10/26/93
ARMONK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- IBM has reported a
loss of $48 million in its third quarter, ended Sept. 30, on
revenues of $14.7 billion.
This compares to a loss of $2.8 billion on about the same level
of revenues in the third quarter of last year. Last year's
third-quarter loss included heavy restructuring charges; before
these charges the company had net income of $86 million in the
1992 quarter.
Veteran IBM-watcher Bob Djurdjevic, president of Annex Research
in Phoenix, Arizona, told Newsbytes the results brought no major
surprises. While admitting the results were slightly worse than
he had expected, he said it was "basically a break-even quarter."
One disappointment, Djurdjevic said, was that IBM's revenues
depended more heavily than expected on its personal computer
business. Because margins in that sector are thinner than in
areas such as mainframe computers, that is bad news for IBM's
profitability.
The company said its hardware revenues fell one percent year over
year, to $7 billion. Revenues from all other products and
services grew 1.5 percent to 7.8 billion.
Revenues from personal computer sales grew significantly,
officials said, while revenues in other hardware categories,
including mainframes, mid-range computers, and workstations,
declined.
Weakness in the European and Japanese markets hurt IBM as it has
other old-guard computer companies, including Digital Equipment
and Unisys Corp., that have reported results in recent
days. The North American market was somewhat stronger.
Operating expenses were down 11.8 percent compared with the third
quarter of last year, IBM said. Continued staff cuts have brought
IBM's worldwide workforce down to about 267,000 people, 41,000
less than a year ago and 34,000 less than at the beginning of
1993. The company said it expects its payroll to drop to 255,000
by year-end.
Djurdjevic said the cost-cutting measures were "long overdue" but
benefits have been slow to accrue. Some time in 1994, he
forecast, IBM shareholders should start to see some payback for
the large writeoffs the company has taken to pay for its
restructuring efforts.
(Grant Buckler/19931026/Press Contact: Rob Wilson, IBM,
914-765-6565)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
TELECOM
Bell Earnings Continue Strong
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
Bell Earnings Continue Strong 10/26/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- The quarterly
earnings season continued with strong reports from most major
telecommunications companies.
BellSouth said its earnings rose 26 percent, to $434.6 million,
from $344.9 million a year earlier. Revenues, however, were up
just 8 percent, to $4.01 billion from $3.73 billion. BellSouth
has yet to be heard from in the QVC-Viacom battle for Paramount,
and some analysts have been speculating it might come in with a
"topper" bid of its own. The company already has an option on
Prime Management, Austin, Texas.
Southwestern Bell's stock price has done the best of all the
regional Bell since the 1984 Bell System break-up. The sharp
rise in its stock's value is due in large part to its purchase of
11 percent of TelMex, the Mexican phone company, and after the
purchase it moved its main offices from St. Louis to San Antonio.
For the quarter it earned $388.6 million, just slightly more than
the $385.6 million it earned last year. Revenue was $2.8 billion,
up nearly 7 percent from the year earlier's $2.6 billion. Profits
were hurt by one-time charges for the Midwestern flood and the
restructuring.
NYNEX, considered the weakest of the seven regional Bells because
competitive access providers can most easily compete with its
compact but profitable New York City and Boston markets, earned
$298.3 million, down from $319.7 million a year ago. Revenue of
$3.330 billion was also down from $3.332 billion a year ago.
NYNEX' earlier diversification efforts have been widely lampooned
-- they included a computer store chain. But it did put $1
billion into Viacom's pocket as part of the Paramount takeover
battle. Analysts, however, say that whoever wins that war is a
bad investment because of the high price Paramount is now
drawing.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931026)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
TELECOM
****FCC To Look Into Cable Complaints
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
****FCC To Look Into Cable Complaints 10/26/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission will conduct a formal inquiry into its
new cable rate regulations, following release of a preliminary
survey showing nearly one-third of subscribers got higher bills,
not lower bills, when the regulatory regime began in September.
The staff will look into whether "loopholes" are allowing
operators to raise rates in defiance of the clear intent of
Congress that they be lowered. At issue are higher rates for
"basic-basic" service, based on a per-channel "baseline" charge
mandated by the FCC, and new "a la carte" pricing, in which
separate charges are imposed for each new channel. The baseline
rates were based on a per-channel charge. Also at issue are new
tiers of service, like the GCTV "value pack" in Atlanta which
bundles three popular basic services -- WGN, WOR and the Weather
Channel -- at $1.70 per month.
While many congressional sponsors of the 1992 reregulation act
are angry and embarrassed, with Republicans crowing that all
regulation is inane and the 1992 act should be rolled back, the
September bills are not the final word on cable rates. The FCC is
now certifying thousands of cities and counties to conduct their
own rate-making proceedings. Rate reductions could be ordered,
back-dated to September, and appeals of those orders would be
heard by the same FCC which now expresses such anger at the
industry.
In addition to the "baseline" ratemaking, the FCC staff
has promised a formula for "cost-based" pricing, and some cable
operators may be considering a move to that system if they don't
like the baseline rates.
In fact, there is some speculation that the outgrowth of cable
regulation could be lower rates in Democratic-controlled areas
than Republican-controlled areas.
The Democratic city of Atlanta, for instance, has filed to be
certified for rate-making, while the Republican government of
suburban Cobb County has decided not to go ahead, for now. If
that proves a general rule, and if governments which do regulate
end up with significantly lower rates than governments which
don't, it could prove a political embarrassment. However, the
Georgia Municipal Association, which is coordinating efforts by
cities in that state to impose rate regulation, is charging about
14 cents per subscriber per month for its assistance, and if new
city-based rate cuts are less than that, it could embarrass
Democrats.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931026)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
TELECOM
Equifax, Dun & Bradstreet In Credit Report Alliance
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
Equifax, Dun & Bradstreet In Credit Report Alliance 10/26/93
MURRAY HILL, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Equifax and
Dun & Bradstreet agreed to cooperate in an alliance aimed at
creating business credit reports for all businesses, even mom and
pop enterprises.
Under the agreement, Equifax will apply a version of Dun &
Bradstreet's "Credit Scores" model of credit-worthiness to some
of its consumer credit reports, when D&B customers ask for
reports on companies too small to be covered directly by the
company. D&B is the leader in the production of business "credit
reports" often used by other businesses to make decisions on whom
to do business with. Equifax is one of the three major "consumer
credit report" agencies -- the other two are Trans-Union and TRW.
Dun & Bradstreet will market the service to its client list, but
spokesman Pam Spiridon indicated to Newsbytes that some marketing
details remain open, and additional products could be created
from the link. The small business credit reports should be
available to D&B customers next year.
Stung by criticism of inaccuracies in its reports, Equifax has
tried in recent years to mend its public image, offering a toll-
free number to consumers interested in checking their credit, and
sponsoring an annual survey by Louis Harris & Associates on
consumers' attitudes about privacy. Equifax also removed itself
from the business of selling databases based on its consumer
information.
In this deal, however, Equifax and Dun & Bradstreet say they are
also going to investigate how to combine their databases to
create new products, as Frank S. Sowinski, executive vice
president of marketing and analytical services at D&B, noted in a
press statement. "We expect this alliance to open doors and
allow us to develop and distribute new, more sophisticated risk
management tools that will help our customers make more
profitable decisions," he said. A statement from an Equifax
executive indicated that the company is interested in
international expansion through the alliance.
Added Spiridon in an interview with Newsbytes, "We don't feel
there are any privacy issues on our part. We're just providing
the Credit Score model for them which they'll apply to their
information, in the absence of any information on a business.
They'll apply their data to our model. If you inquire about a
small company with no business information, we will then offer
the Credit Score we've developed from Equifax' data on the
principal."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931026/Press Contact: Dun & Bradstreet,
Pamela Spiridon, 908/665-5105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
TELECOM
Broadband Posts Loss, Sets New Offering
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
Broadband Posts Loss, Sets New Offering 10/26/93
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) --
The "information superhighway" story continues to bring in
investors, with a good example being the story of Broadband
Technologies Inc.
Broadband set a secondary offering of public stock, now trading
at over $40 per share, despite reporting continued losses. The
company makes a fiber-to-the-curb system called FLX, which could
be used by phone companies to upgrade their lines in order to
deliver fast-data services and video to homes. Among its big
customers are Bell Atlantic. But for the quarter ending in
September it reported a loss of $4.979 million on sales of just
$3.828 million, indicating there is as yet no great rush by phone
companies to buy this kind of equipment. In a press statement,
the company called the results "in line with the company's
plans," noting that sales rose 56 percent over the previous
quarter, and its backlog of $15.1 million in orders remains
higher than its previous year's revenues. The stock is currently
trading at levels over 60 percent higher than its low for the
year.
Why the excitement? Not only is Broadband continuing to get
technical trials and small orders from US phone companies, but
it's also moving ahead internationally. The company signed a deal
with Modacom Co. Ltd., and Taihan Electric Wire Co. Ltd., of Korea,
major suppliers to Korea Telecom. That company has bought a
pilot FLX system for providing "video dialtone services" in that
country, which could lead to big orders. Big orders may also be
coming from Canada, where Bell Canada said it will launch a test
of FLX in Montreal, Quebec.
In the US, while Broadband has sold trial systems to five of
the regional Bells and GTE, its biggest customer is Bell
Atlantic, which has committed to FLX technology for two systems
in New Jersey.
Broadband stock fell sharply, however, on the announcement it
filed a registration statement to offer three million new shares
of stock, two million from existing shareholders. The company now
enters a "quiet period" during which it will not be responding to
questions on its financial statements.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931026/Press Contact: John Gorman, BroadBand
Technologies, 919/544-0015)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/26/93
IBM
****National Semi/Novell In Network/Com Agreement
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00024)
****National Semi/Novell In Network/Com Agreement 10/26/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Novell
and National Semiconductor are forming a strategic alliance for
networking and communications. The two companies are
announcing details of the alliance today.
National Semiconductor has moved into the personal computer
(PC) communications market with its Tyin 2000 card that
integrates modem, fax, and voice mail capabilities on a single
add-on card. Novell is known for its networking hardware and
software for PC and has made several deals to expand its
market.
Today Novell announced an agreement with Geoworks, makers of
the Geos operating system for the new Zoomer Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA), that will give the new PDA devices access to
Novell's Netware servers. Under the agreement Geoworks will be
able to license and distribute the Novell Netware Client (SPX,
IPS, and network shell) with the Geos operating system.
Geos will also be the operating system of the new Sharp
Electronics PT-9000 Personal Information Processor (PIP). Sharp
is the company that makes the Newton Messagepad for Apple and
is shipping a Messagepad work-a-like of its own called the
Sharp Expertpad.
Motorola also announced today it would support wireless
communication for Geos-based PDAs via its Electronic Mail
Broadcast to a Roaming Computer (EMBARC) system.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931026/Press Contact: Jennifer Johnson,
Novell, 801-429-5804)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
IBM
HP Laser Printers Add Postscript For Mac, Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025)
HP Laser Printers Add Postscript For Mac, Windows 10/26/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard says its new Laserjet 4 series printers come in two
models, the Laserjet 4MP and the Laserjet 4M. Both printers are
aimed at the small business market, but the 4MP printer is
specially equipped for both Macintosh and Microsoft Windows
mixed computing environments.
Besides offering a faster printer speed at four pages per minute
and higher resolution at 600-dots-per-inch (dpi), the 4MP model
has Adobe's Postscript Level 2 built-in as well as HP's own PCL
5 page description language. The 4MP printer also includes 35
of Adobe's Type 1 typefaces and rasterizers for Type 1 and
Truetype fonts.
Each printer is powered by an Intel 80960 KA reduced
instruction set computing (RISC) processor and offers a
universal 250-sheet paper cassette that adjusts for letter,
legal, executive, and A4 sizes. Users can also print 3-by-5-
inch cards, labels, wrinkle-free envelopes, and custom paper
sizes, HP maintains.
The 4P model comes with 2 megabytes (MB) of random access
memory (RAM) expandable to 26 MB, while the 4MP offers 6 MB of
RAM expandable to 22 MB. The RISC processor of the 4P model is
a little slower at 18 megahertz (MHz) than the 20 MHz processor
in the 4MP printer.
The Laserjet 4MP is $1,729 and the Laserjet 4P is $1,229.
The 4P model may be upgraded to incorporate the Postscript
language with the addition of an optional single in-line memory
module (SIMM) for $299, HP added. Also, to print Postscript at
600 dpi, the 4M model must have an additional 4 MB of RAM added
at a cost of $309, which makes the total cost of upgrading the
4P to print Postscript at 600 dpi higher than the purchase
price of the 4MP model.
HP is introducing the new Laserjet printers worldwide.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931026/Press Contact: Patricia Pane, Adobe,
tel 415-962-3967; Marlene Somsak, Hewlett-Packard, tel 415-857-
6805, fax 415-857-7299, Public Contact, Hewlett-Packard Sales,
800-752-0900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
TELECOM
Nokia Wins Thai Phone Contract
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00026)
Nokia Wins Thai Phone Contract 10/26/93
HELSINKI, FINLAND, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Nokia has won a significant
contract for the supply of a DCS-1800 digital mobile phone equipment
to TAC, the Thai telecom company. Precise terms of the contract
have not been revealed, but Nokia's official statement on the deal
says that it is worth "tens of millions of dollars."
The deal is significant for DCS-1800, the main competitor to the
Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications, which, until the
launch of the Mercury One-2-One DCS-1800 network in the UK a few
months ago, had virtual dominance of the digital mobile telecom
market in Europe and Australasia.
DCS-1800 is also gaining favor in the US, Newsbytes notes, where GSM
has failed to make an impact. Because DCS-1800 uses the 1,800
megahertz (MHz) waveband -- twice the frequency of GSM's 900MHz --
its signal "cells" (defined as the transmission area around the base
station aerial) can be made much smaller if need be, making for more
effective use of radio frequencies in cities.
DCS-1800 technology's only limitation is that mobile phones cannot
hop between base stations in vehicles moving in excess of around 100
kilometers an hour (kph). This contrasts with GSM's "hand off" speed
limit of around four times that speed, which is the approximate
speed of two TGV trains in France moving towards each other on the
same set of tracks.
This higher speed hand off limit was implemented in GSM owing to the
European development team's technical requirements. DCS-1800 was
developed by a number of international companies.
According to TAC, the first stage in the Thai DCS-1800 network
should be operational by next spring, covering Bangkok and the
outlying areas of Pattaya and Ayutthaya. Plans call for the network
to be national by the end of the decade.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931026/Press & Public Contact: Nokia
Oy - Tel: +358-8-793-8430; Fax: +358-8-793-8441)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
TRENDS
Europe - EC Approves European Satellite Venture
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00027)
Europe - EC Approves European Satellite Venture 10/26/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- The European Commission (EC)
has given its clearance to a joint venture between PTT Telecom BV,
the Dutch public telephone company and Nederlands Omroepproduktie
Bedrijf NV, the company that provides most television services in
the Netherlands. The new company will be called Intrax and will
offer satellite-based news feeds into and out of the Netherlands.
According to the EC, it has approved the venture, despite possible
monopolistic overtones, on the basis that the Dutch market will
still be open to competition in the TV and telecom market.
Newsbytes notes that PTT Telecom is major provider of satellite data
capacity in Europe and specifically, the Netherlands.
For its part, PTT Telecom has guaranteed the EC that it will
continue to grant satellite capacity to competitors on the same
basis as the new company.
In line with European Community regulations, the EC must ensure that
any joint ventures such as Intrax do not harm competition. Newsbytes
notes that the EC has the power to block what it considers to be
harmful activities or enforce any changes it sees fit in a venture
that it views as damaging competition.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931026)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
BUSINESS
Computers Fail At Polish Stock Exchange
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00028)
Computers Fail At Polish Stock Exchange 10/26/93
WARSAW, POLAND, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- On Monday the 25th of October
the Warsaw Stock exchange suspended all operations after its
computer failed completely. This is the first major failure of its
type in a stock exchange for several years.
According to officials with Gielva, the Polish Stock Exchange, the
online computer system failed to accept orders from brokers from
around Poland. As a result of this, Michal Nastula, head of the
Securities Commission, the body that runs the Gielva, made the
decision to close the exchange down.
According to Nastula, the Gielva was back in operation this morning
(Tuesday), although brokers are being requested to process Monday's
instructions before today's.
This situation could easily have caused a major international
incident, since confidence in Polish companies is recovering
from decades of Communist rule. It's only in the last few
years, in fact, that the Polish Zloty, the unit of currency in
which Polish company shares are valued, has been freely
exchangeable with US dollars and other Western currencies.
The Warsaw exchange was very prosperous until the outbreak of the
Second World War. After the war, in 1945, the Communists took over
control of all industry, banking, and services in Poland, effectively
prohibiting any form of official stock exchange.
In April of 1991, the Gielva was officially reopened -- more than 50
years after it closed at the start of WWII -- when the Communists
were official ousted from power in Poland. Since then, the growth in
the number of transactions on the exchange has been explosive,
causing some problems with data capacity on the exchange computers.
To cope with the volume of data, the Gielva computers are only
online three days a week for active trading, giving Gielva officials
two other working days to ensure that paper-based systems can play
catch up. It has been suggested that the reason for Monday's
computer failure was a lack of capacity to handle transactions.
In any one trading day the Gielva handles around $70 million worth
of shares trading hands.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931026)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
GOVT
EC Moves On Pan-European Computer Resource
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00029)
EC Moves On Pan-European Computer Resource 10/26/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- Martin Bangemann, in an
clear attempt to kick-start technology plans for a pan-European data
superhighway into life, has penned a paper on a "common computer
information space" and submitted it to the European Commission (EC).
Bangemann, the EC industry commissioner, has been a staunch
supporter of the EC's provisional plans for a data superhighway,
accessible to all on an "at cost" basis -- as the Internet's
services are offered to non-commercial organizations -- for some
time. Plans for the highway have fallen by the wayside this past few
months, however, as budget cuts have become the main issue of the
day at the Brussels headquarters of the EC.
This draft paper appears to approach the problem of funding the
data superhighway from a different angle. Bangemann's idea is to
establish a high-ranking "think tank" of officials from all types of
European technical organizations in order to discuss pan-European
technical issues. If the idea takes off, Bangemann says that he
foresees a committee being formed to advise the EC on funding for
technology projects across Europe.
Newsbytes notes that the proposals appear to be a mirror image of
President Clinton's suggestions of a few months ago that a super
data highway be implemented in the US. However, Bangemann's office
has refuted any suggestions of copycat tactics, pointing to the fact
that he (Bangemann) came up with the idea first.
Regardless of who thought up the idea first, Newsbytes notes that
persuading industry heads to form a committee -- almost certainly on
a self-funding basis -- could be a precursor to an EC request for
intercompany and organization funding on a data superhighway. This
raises the interesting prospect of a superhighway being established
with little or no EC funding.
(Steve Gold/19931026)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/26/93
GENERAL
Network General, Alantec Team On Hub Mgt
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00030)
Network General, Alantec Team On Hub Mgt 10/26/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 26 (NB) -- The ability
to analyze and manage an internetwork from a central location
can be a sizeable benefit for many administrators. Along those
lines, Network General Corp., and intelligent switching hub
vendor Alantec have announced a joint marketing agreement.
The move comes nearly two months after Network General
announced a joint technology and marketing deal with 3Com Corp.
The deal allows users of Alantec's PowerHub hubs to integrate
Network General's Expert Analysis and protocol decode technology
into their network management procedures for a global view of
their network.
In announcing the deal, Les Denend, president and chief executive
officer of Network General Corp, said: "Customers are asking hub
and network management providers for more integrated solutions
that they can manage from a central location. Alantec and Network
General are committed to working together to provide our
customers with solutions that allow them to leverage problem-
solving capabilities across the multiple platforms and systems
found in their networking environments."
Alantec says that its Port Monitoring feature works in conjunction
with an Expert Sniffer or Distributed Sniffer System (DSS) by
dedicating one of the 12 PowerHub Ethernet segments to the
Network General products. This allows users to monitor traffic on
any Ethernet segment connected to a PowerHub through a single
Network General device as though it were physically connected to
that segment.
According to the companies, that integration provides users with
more extensive troubleshooting capabilities and greater visibility
into multiple network segments simultaneously.
George Archuleta, president and chief executive officer of Alantec,
claimed that, "The combination of the PowerHub with the Port
Monitoring feature and Network General's Expert Sniffer or DSS
offers users substantial time and cost savings and tremendous
flexibility in managing their networks."
Combined with the Expert Sniffer or DSS, the Port Monitoring
feature lets network managers perform analysis and monitoring
of critical network segments from a central location.
The joint technology and marketing deal with 3Com was
announced at the beginning of September, as reported by
Newsbytes. At the time, Donna Stein, spokesperson for 3Com,
told Newsbytes that the deal, "Allows us to tap into benefits of
Network General's network analyzer without having to have the
whole analyzer."
In April, Newsbytes reported that Network General had added to
its line of analysis products by shipping both the DSS with Expert
Analysis and the Expert Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer.
At the time, the company said that DSS with Expert Analysis is
an intelligent client-server analysis system that proactively and
automatically identifies problems on Ethernet and Token Ring
local area networks (LANs).
The Expert Sniffer Internetwork Analyzer (SIA) is designed for
router-based internetworks that incorporate different technologies.
The company says that, with real-time monitoring at speeds up to
2.048 Mbps, the SIA supports both router-based internetworks using
leased line, frame relay, or X.25 circuits and traditional terminal-
to-host networks such as async and Systems Network Architecture
(SNA).
Towards the end of September, Newsbytes reported that Network
General had signed an original equipment manufacturing (OEM)
deal with Madge Networks. Under terms of that deal, Network
General will use Madge as the sole supplier of Token Ring adapters
for Network General's AT portable Sniffer products and the
monitor cards for its Distributed Sniffer Systems.
(Ian Stokell/19931026/Press Contact: Robert Berger,
415-473-2914, Network General Corp.; or Lori Lux,
408-944-2311, Alantec)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
GENERAL
Modi Olivetti Intros More PCs
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00001)
Modi Olivetti Intros More PCs 10/25/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- With the competition in the
high-end PC market on the rise, a mad rush to spruce up companies'
PC ranges is on. The latest to join the race is Modi Olivetti, a
joint venture between Olivetti in Italy and Indian local interests.
According to Modi Olivetti, plans are in hand to unveiled nine new
machines in the personal computer systems (PCS) range during the
next two months. As in the UK, the new PCS range will start with a
25 megahertz (MHz) 80486-based system and range up to a 66MHz
80486DX2 computer. Pricing on the new PCS machines, which include
VESA bus and PCI technology as standard, start at Rs 70,000 ($2,300)
and range up to Rs 5 lakh ($16,000).
Even though Shashi Ullal, vice president of Modi Olivetti
operations, claims that he doesn't see much of a market for 80286-
and 80386-based systems, the company is not scrapping any of its
existing ranges. "But the emphasis will definitely be on the 486-
based systems, the market of which has grown by 146 per cent last
year," he said.
Plans call for the company to customise the new machines according
to user needs and this, Modi Olivetti claims, will lead to a
difference in price. For instance, the price of a 33 MHz M486SX may
vary from Rs 85,000 (around $2,800) to Rs 1.41 lakh (around $4,700)
according to the features, while the price of a PCS 486DX-33 MHz
mini tower will vary from Rs 1.35 (around $4500) lakh to Rs 2.31
lakh (around $7700).
A multi-user full tower 486DX2-66MHz-based LSX5025E will vary from
Rs 3.75 lakh (around $12,500) to Rs 4.95 lakh (around $16500). Ullal
said that he doesn't feel the necessity to introduce a Pentium-based
machine just now. "It will be there in the first quarter of the next
year," he told Newsbytes.
Newsbytes notes that the new series has to take on the new Dell
range from Pertech Computers, Super Genius from Wipro Infotech,
Tata Unisys' high-end offerings from Unisys and a beefed up Busybee
from HCL Hewlett- Packard.
"There is market for all. Networking has become de rigueur,
client/server computing flourishing, pushing up the demand for high-
end machines," Ullal said. "Besides, we can offer our machines at
very competitive prices. After all, we have cut overheads by
restructuring the firm."
(C T Mahabharat/19931025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
BUSINESS
Australian IT Revenues On The Up And Up
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00002)
Australian IT Revenues On The Up And Up 10/25/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Better times appear to be on
the way for the Australian information technology (IT) industry,
with total revenue already rising eight percent to AUS$19.5 billion
in 1992-93, the Australian Information Industry Association's (AIIA)
annual conference revealed last week.
But, on the other hand, in a blow for the "clever country" concept,
IT exports -- frequently held out as a key to a recovery -- actually
fell slightly for the year, from AUS$1118M to AUS$1103M.
At the same time, IT imports increased by some eight percent to
$2297M -- still around $400M less than the levels of 1990-91. And
there were other worrying figures for the industry with capital
investment and R&D both down on the previous year with the outlook
for 1993-94 suggesting only marginal improvement in 1993-94,
according to AIIA chairman Peter Rehn.
Employment in the industry shrank 5.47 percent from 101,716 to
96,154. There are now around 11,000 fewer people employed in the
industry than there were in 1990-91 when the total was 107,122.
The figures were compiled from a survey of AIIA member companies.
With a total membership of 267 companies, the association represents
most of the larger players and a good number of the smaller
operators in the industry.
Rehn told the conference that, though the latest result for exports
was disappointing, it was not surprising, given the difficult
Australian and international economic climate and the uncertain
global outlook. Another speaker -- Geoff Squire, executive VP of
Oracle Corporation -- told the conference that Australia was poised
to become a major player on the world IT scene.
(David Frith and Computer Daily News/19931025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
IBM
Word For Word Gets Compound Document Conversion
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)
Word For Word Gets Compound Document Conversion 10/25/93
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A. 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Mastersoft has
announced that the next retail version of its Word For Word document
format conversion utility will integrate compound document
converters (CDCs) as a standard feature.
According to the company, Word For Word converts documents saved in
the format of one application to the proper format for use in a
different application. For example a document created in Wordperfect
5.1 could be converted and used in MacWrite II without losing any of
the formatting applied to the original document.
Integrating the CDCs in Word For Word means users can create
compound documents that combine text and graphic images then convert
to another format to include converting the graphics. The
Wordperfect WPG graphic could be converted to Microsoft's Word For
Windows WMF format. The text and graphics are converted in a single
pass.
Previously, Word For Word could only convert the graphics if the
original and target applications used the same graphics format. The
new CDCs also make it possible to perform pure graphic-to-graphic
file conversions.
The DOS and Windows versions of Word For Word contain a file viewer
that allows the user to preview any text file that can be converted.
The Windows viewer allows the user to view both formatted text files
and compound document files. While in the viewing window you can
print, launch an application, zoom in and out, search and highlight,
and perform other functions.
Lise Lambert, Mastersoft senior VP of sales and marketing, says
that, as text-based applications increasingly integrate graphics
capabilities, the need to exchange compound documents will continue
to grow. "The CDCs will provide our retail customers with a complete
conversion solution for compound documents. Additionally, CDC
support allows our viewer technology to provide the user with a
highly reliable document view, complete with graphics."
Lambert said that CDCs will be integrated into both the Windows and
DOS versions of Word For Word. The new products are expected to ship
in time for Comdex, the computer industry's annual fall trade show
in Las Vegas, Nevada. Comdex opens its five-day run November 15,
1993. Mastersoft spokesperson bob Kaplan told Newsbytes that Word
For Word can convert formats between more than 100 applications.
Mastersoft publishes several versions of its document conversion
software pricing varies depending on the version. The Windows
version has a suggested retail price of $149.
(Jim Mallory/19931025/Press contact: Bob Kaplan, Mastersoft, 602-
948-4888; Reader contact: Mastersoft, 602-948-4888, fax 602-948-
8261)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
IBM
Valuepoint PCs Include Electronic Software Catalog
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)
Valuepoint PCs Include Electronic Software Catalog 10/25/93
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- The IBM Valuepoint
personal computers announced earlier this month will come with a
CD ROM-based electronic software catalog from which users can
immediately access numerous popular software programs.
Called Options By IBM, the software catalog is provided by
Infonow Corporation, a Boulder, Colorado-based company. The disk
contains more than 80 popular software titles including Microsoft
Excel, Word and Office as well as programs from Central Point
Software, Metz Software, Micrografx, Symantec Corporation and
T/Maker. The user can browse through the catalog test driving
programs that interest them.
If you find a program you want to purchase, all you have to do is
call a special tollfree number and provide the operator with your
credit card number. You will receive an electronic code number that
unlocks the software as soon as it is entered. Entering the code
automatically installs the selected program on your hard drive and
the software is ready for use.
"The market for electronic software distribution is clearly on the
rise,:" explained Infonow CEO Sat Tara S. Khalsa. He said that
Infonow's electronic catalog is a way for PC makers to offer their
customers a quick, easy way to evaluate, test and buy a broad range
of business and entertainment software.
(Jim Mallory/19931025/Press contact: Anne Theriault, Infonow .3
Corp, 303-545-5012; Reader contact: Infonow Corp, 303-442-6666)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
TELECOM
Microsoft Checks Out Australian Fax Modems
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00005)
Microsoft Checks Out Australian Fax Modems 10/25/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Microsoft Australia has
dispatched a system engineer to its US headquarters in Seattle,
carrying a suitcase load of Australian made fax modems. It intends
to "certify" these for use with the "E-mail over fax" facility
offered by Windows for Workgroups 3.11, which was launched last week
in Australia.
The E-mail over fax facility allows electronic mail messages
incorporating data files and OLE (object linking and embedding)
objects to be sent over a fax connection, using a custom Microsoft
fax/E-mail applet.
A receiving WFW workstation will then present the incoming data as
an E-mail message, with embedded files. If a standard fax is
received, it will be presented as a page image. However, the E-mail
over fax only works with Group 1 fax modems -- Group 2 modems will
not support this feature.
According to Microsoft, various Australian modems, including models
from NetComm, Avtek and Banksia, have been sent to its US
laboratories to test them for support of the new feature. If it
works, they will then be officially certified as compatible with
Word for Windows 3.11.
(Kester Cranswick and Computer Daily News/19931025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
APPLE
Aldus Intros New Gallery Effects Library
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00006)
Aldus Intros New Gallery Effects Library 10/25/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Aldus Corporation
has announced a new library of Gallery Effects for the Apple
Macintosh and for Microsoft Windows-based PCs.
The new library is called Gallery Effects: Classic Art, Volume 3.
It's a collection of image enhancement effects that can be applied
while you are working in your graphics program through plug-in
filters or from within the accompanying Gallery Effects version 1.5
application.
Volume 3 includes several classic painting and drawing methods
including the Sumi-e effect that replicates an ancient Japanese
brush-painting technique. Ink Outlines is a scribbled drawing style,
and effects like Cutout, Plaster, and Plastic Wrap create other
distinctive effects.
The 16 plug-in filters that come in Volume 3 include Conte
Crayon, Crosshatch, Cutout, Glass, Halftone Screen, Ink Outlines,
Neon Glow, Paint Daubs, Plaster, Plastic Wrap, Reticulation,
Sponge, Stained Glass, Sumi-e, Torn Edges, and Water Paper.
Each effect can be applied by itself or in concert with other
effects to a single area of the user-created image or just to
selected areas. There is a preview feature that lets you see what
you will get by applying each effect. You can save a particular
combination of effects for use on other images without recreating
the customized effect.
The plug-in filters can integrate with Aldus Photostyler, Aldus
Superpaint, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Fractal Design
Painter and other programs that use Photoshop or Photostyler-
compatible plug-in filters.
Aldus says both platform versions will be available within 30
days. For Mac users, the recommended system configuration is a
Mac II series, Mac LC, or SE/30 computer with a color monitor,
four megabytes (MB) of system memory, a hard drive, System 6.0.5
or later including System 7.0, Finder 6.1 or later, and 32-bit
QuickDraw 1.2.
Windows users need Windows 3.1 or later, at least a 386-based PC
with 4MB of memory, an 80MB hard drive, a 16 or 24-bit color
display, and a mouse or other pointing device. Gallery Effects:
Classic Art, Volume 3 has a suggested retail price of $199.
(Jim Mallory/19931025/Press contact: Kathy Episcopo, Aldus Corp,
619-558-6000, ext 5302; Reader contact: Aldus Corporation, 206-
622-5500, fax 206-343-4240)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
IBM
Eccentric Software Intros Windows Rhyming Dictionary
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)
Eccentric Software Intros Windows Rhyming Dictionary 10/25/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Eccentric
Software has introduced A Zillion Kajillion Rhymes, a rhyming
dictionary for Windows-based personal computers. An Apple Mac
version has been shipping since April 1993.
"It's like a thesaurus for rhymes, but a lot more fun," explained
Eccentric Software Marketing Director Maureen Judge. She said that
the user just types a word and clicks the "find" button, then
scrolls through the list of rhyming words.
David Goldstein, one half of the songwriting/programming team that
also includes Neil Radisch, claims that the program is more than
just a dictionary with a search engine added. "We tried to draw upon
our experience both as songwriters and computer users, to discover
the unique advantages of a rhyming dictionary in electronic form,"
he said.
Judge says that a Zillion Kajillion Rhymes appeals to a much broader
audience than just the poets and lyricists who need it, since
everyone rhymes their words from time to time. She points out that
rhyming dictionaries are standard on most reference book shelves.
Eccentric Software says the Mac version released in April appealed
to teachers, school kids, lovesick lawyers, singing psychology
professors, and several Grammy and Tony award-winning songwriters.
The software comes on one 3.5 inch high density floppy disk and has
a suggested retail price of $49.95, but Eccentric is offering it for
$39.95 if you order directly from the company. The program requires
less than one megabyte of hard disk space.
(Jim Mallory/19931025/Press contact: Maureen Judge, Eccentric
Software, 206-628-2687; Reader contact: Eccentric Software, 206-628-
2687 or 800-436-6758, fax 206-628-2681)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
TRENDS
UK: Trend Monitor Announces Electronic Print Plans
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00008)
UK: Trend Monitor Announces Electronic Print Plans 10/25/93
PORTSMOUTH, HANTS, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Trend Monitor, which
publishes a regular abstract of most matters in the press and other
publishing outlets, has announced it is moving into electronic
publishing. According to Jan Wyllie, a director of Trend Monitor
International (TMI), by their very nature, printed books have proven
to be inadequate for keeping up to date with fast moving subjects.
"Even journals with peer review cannot keep up. Magazines and
newspapers cover the news, but are unable to provide the thought-out
structure and the background of books. Publications, such as `The
Economist', do attempt to provide a context and a consistent
structure, but the news comes through on a random basis based on
whatever happened to occur in that week. Last week's stories may or
may not be followed up depending on the vagaries of events. The
result is confusion," he said.
TMI has produced a regular printed synopsis of the news, published
by category, for five years now. According to Wyllie, this
information is now being produced in a more timely format known as
the Trend Monitor eBook.
The eBook, the company claims, presents the most significant
information in a systematically synthezised and structured form,
along with lists of thousands of key references as a means of
accessing more detail, if required.
TMI also claims that eBooks are not only easily updatable, either by
telephone, disk or compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), but they
"can also enable users to create their own information bases around
the structure and the content supplied with the eBook."
TMI's eBooks come with software capable of free text and hypertext
access facilities with a special version of Blackwell's text search
software, a package that normally retails for UKP 275.
As a special launch offer, TMI is offering the eBook version of its
reports at below the cost of the printer version, despite the fact
that the eBook expands to 20 megabytes (MB) on the user's hard disk.
Several "package deals" on the eBook are available. The flagship
package costs UKP 995 and offers all TMI reports in eBook format
from December 1989 to the end of this year.
The second offer is the latest 1992/93 editions in eBook format at
UKP 135 per edition. There are current four editions: computing,
communications, media and socio-technologies.
The third offer is a restricted eBook on the specific elements of
the four editions, chosen on the basis of their being fast moving
subjects. Each eBook costs UKP 75. The categories available are:
[] Computing (only microchips, operating systems and databases)
[] Communications (only modems, LANS, ISDN and ATM)
[] Media (only HDTV, CD-ROM and multimedia)
[] Socio-technologies (only Groupware, DIP and teleretailing)
To convince people what eBook is capable of, TMI is offering a
single disk version for UKP 12-50. This is based on a 380 record
sample and, according to Wyllie, is very much a sample disk.
(Steve Gold/19931025/Press & Public Contact: Trend Monitor
International - Tel: +44-705-864714; Fax: +44-705-828009; Email over
the Internet on trendmon@cix.compulink.co.uk)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
TRENDS
****ICL Unveils New High-Speed Computer Technology
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00009)
****ICL Unveils New High-Speed Computer Technology 10/25/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 25 NB) -- International Computers Limited,
better known by initials, ICL, has unveiled a new high-speed
computer known as the Goldrush Megaserver. The new machine is based
what ICL describes as a radical new implementation of parallel
processor technology.
Parallel processor technology involves the use of two or more
processors, with the various program tasks allocated between the
processors on a controlled basis. Single processors "share time"
between various tasks, which frequently requires the processor to
"freeze" and hop between various tasks.
Using parallel processor technology means that each processor can
concentrate on single tasks wherever possible, saving time spent
freezing and hopping between tasks as would happen in a single
processor environment.
According to Tom Hinchcliffe, ICL Corporate Systems' managing
director, said that the new computer handled programs a data faster
than normal by the simple expedient of using parallel processor
technology and drawing heavily on experienced gained from the
European Esprit information technology (IT) project.
Hinchcliffe said that European Commission (EC) had agreed to pool
its Esprit resources with those of ICL, a process that Martin
Bangemann, the EC's Industry Commissioner, said proved that Europe
could compete on an equal footing with the US and Japan in this
respect.
"It is a clear example of the fact that Community-funded research
and development can deliver practical results... that are of real
relevance to information technology vendors and their users," he
said.
Newsbytes notes that ICL is an internationally-owned company, 80
percent owned by Fujitsu of Japan and 20 percent owned by Northern
Telecom of Canada. There have been a few political troubles about
ICL's involvement in the Esprit project in the past, Newsbytes
notes, but Bangemann said that this posed no problem now.
Goldrush has cost ICL a small fortune, company officials said. Press
sources quote ICL as claiming that the project has cost a total of
UKP 42 million to date, although this only around 20 percent of the
company's annual R&D budget, Newsbytes notes.
ICL remains coy on the exact cost of the Goldrush technology.
Officials with the company say that machines, produced to order,
will be available early next year, but declined to quote prices,
other than claiming that it will be around a tenth of the cost of
comparable machines with the equivalent processing power.
So who will buy the Goldrush technology? According to John Bennett,
ICL's marketing director, banks, building societies and government
departments are the most likely people to use the technology. He
said that interest from these market sectors had already been high.
"70 organisations came along to a presentation last night and the
general reaction was enthusiastic. The key thing is that Goldrush
will enable a big organisation to hold one copy of its information
in one place and then to network access to that to anywhere across
the world," he said.
Now the slightly bad news. The minimum buy-in to Goldrush technology
will set you back UKP 750,000, with system prices measured in
millions of pounds. For the time being then, RISC (reduced
instruction set computing) based computers and mini manufacturers do
not have too much to fear.
(Steve Gold/19931025/Press & Public Contact: ICL - Tel: +44-
344-487842; Fax: +44-344-487832)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
GENERAL
CASE World/Objex: Bringing Methodology Into Planning
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00010)
CASE World/Objex: Bringing Methodology Into Planning 10/25/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Applied Business
Technology (ABT) has announced Methods Architect 1.0, a tool that
lets developers customize methodologies created inhouse or by
outside vendors for use in project planning and estimating.
In an interview at CASE World/Objex, officials told Newsbytes that,
until recently, integrating a methodology into hands-on project
planning was such a cumbersome process that it was rarely done.
Companies would purchase methodologies from outside vendors, with
the intention of using those methodologies in project planning, but
the products would usually end up on the shelf, unused.
In a demo for Newsbytes on the show floor, Newsbytes saw how the
Windows-based Methods Architect lets developers customize a
methodology to company needs and send the customized methodology
into ABT's Project Bridge Modeler to plan and estimate a project.
The project is then sent to the company's Project Workbench for
scheduling, tracking and analysis.
A spokesperson explained that Methods Architect also provides a
special re-engineering function that lets developers draw upon past
projects in planning new projects.
Another capability in Methods Architect is designed to let
developers convert Project Workbench projects into new "routes," so
they can standardize development approaches across multiple project
teams. This capability is aimed, in particular, at organizations
without formal methodologies.
A newly announced Project PAC includes Methods Architect, Project
Bridge Modeler, and Project Workbench, together with a Needs
Assessment component and an Implementation Assistance professional
services consulting package. Project PAC is targeted at project
teams of up to 25 members.
A new Enterprise PAC adds ABT's Metrics Manager to the software
suite, along with Needs Assessment and Implementation components
that are suited more to entire departments and larger organizations
with 50 to 100 project team members.
Also, in a newly unveiled agreement with Andersen Consulting,
Andersen will integrate its Foundation for Co-operative Processing
client-server development tool set with ABT's Methods Architect,
Project Modeler and Project Workbench for delivery to Andersen
customers.
In turn, ABT will adopt Foundation's repository and client-server
architecture as the basis for a new generation of ABT products.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931025/Reader contact: ABT, tel 212-219-8945;
Press contacts: Michael D. Thomas, Geltzer & Company for ABT, tel
212-575-1976; Todd J. Keefe, Digital Consulting Inc., tel 508-470-
3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
IBM
Time Logger Program For Windows Increases Cash Flow
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00011)
Time Logger Program For Windows Increases Cash Flow 10/25/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- The time spent
on a single project is often very important when it comes to
billing the customer, especially for small companies. Now
Responsive Software has introduced the Responsive Time Logger
time tracking and reporting software for Windows program,
designed to increase cashflow for users that bill for their time.
According to the company, the program captures billable minutes
that might otherwise slip through the cracks. The software's report
generator then analyzes how to use their time more profitably.
Announcing the package, Responsive Software President Alan Macy,
said: "I wanted something for tracking time that was as simple to
use as a stopwatch. I also wanted users to be able to easily
generate professional-looking reports that are ready to send,
because the faster users can send a bill, the sooner they'll get
paid."
According to the company, a single mouse click starts timing a new
task. The program automatically compiles the information for
generating reports. The company maintains that, logical screen
layouts and typical WIndows conventions help users navigate Time
Logger's features, while the WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get)
reports formats may be modified using "drag-and-drop."
Time Logger also allows simultaneous time tracking of multiple users
by allowing them to share a single task database on a single
computer or a local area network (LAN). The program will reportedly
run on any network that allows users to share a common disk drive.
The company says that the program is targeted primarily at
independent consultants and small legal, accounting, marketing and
engineering firms which bill clients hourly for their services.
The software requires and IBM PC or compatible, running WIndows 3.1,
at least two megabytes (MB) of RAM, and 1.5MB of hard disk space.
Time Logger carries a suggested retail price of $139, although the
company is offering it at the introductory price of $99 until
November 30.
(Ian Stokell/19931025/Press Contact: Alan Macy, 510-843-1034,
Responsive Software)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
GENERAL
Artisoft LANtastic For Home Offices; Deal With Visisoft
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00012)
Artisoft LANtastic For Home Offices; Deal With Visisoft 10/25/93
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- The small and home
office (SOHO) markets are increasingly lucrative areas for network
software companies. Now Artisoft has introduced the entry-level
Simply LANtastic network operating system (NOS) that it claims
offers basic sharing of files, printers, and CD-ROMs (compact disc
read only memory).
The company has also announced a deal with Visisoft to develop a
network management system for LANtastic networks.
The program is intended as a low-cost NOS and will begin shipping
in early December priced at $79 per node for the software only.
There will also be two hardware bundles available as well.
The hardware bundles feature new internal and external adapters.
The first bundle is priced at $149 and combine one node of the
software with a new internal adapter and two different lengths
of cabling.
The 10Mbps (megabits per second), Ethernet-capable, self-terminating
adapter is designed to reduce the complexity of network installation
and operations, says the company. It also features plug-and-play
cabling using a standard RCA connection for easy network
installation.
The second bundle includes the software and a new external
adapter. The 10Mbps adapter plugs into the PC's parallel port and
includes an RCA connector, which the company says allows for
immediate, one-step installation. Pricing for the second bundle
has yet to be announced.
The company says that the Simply LANtastic NOS works with either a
DOS or Microsoft Windows environment, and offers a single integrated
install program. The program works with a range of PC processor
architectures, from the old 8088 to 486s.
A single menu interface provides all control functions, including
sharing or accessing network drive and printer connections, print
job display and control, as well as electronic mail. The software
also offers help files and pop-up screens. It can also integrate
with Artisoft's LANtastic 5.0 NOS, for increased performance and
security functions, and added connectivity options.
Three levels of access control the sharing of either an entire
drive or specific subdirectories - full access, read-only access,
and no access - using Access Control Lists (ACLs). Multiple
machine names can also be grouped in "wildcard" accounts within
the ACls.
Peer-to-peer networks are becoming increasingly popular because
they are easier to install and manage that fully fledged NOS
(network operating systems) such as the market-leading
NetWare from Novell. They are also easier to use and allow each
node on the network to be set up as either a client or a server
or both.
In this way, network resources, such as printers and individual user
hard disks, can be used and accessed by everyone on the network.
However, the easy availability of all resources brings problems for
the network manager, such as increased security headaches and
difficulty in backup of vital data stored on multiple hard drives.
The deal with Visisoft calls for the development of a network
management software customized for LANtastic users
who require "sophisticated" management capabilities in their
networks. The product is scheduled for release by the end of
1993, and will be marketed through Artisoft's reseller channels.
Pricing has yet to be announced.
The software will let administrators monitor and troubleshoot
LANtastic local area networks, and will include such features
as real-time monitoring, inventory management, report
capability, and administrative security.
(Ian Stokell/199310252/Press Contact: Joe Stunkard, 602-670-7145,
Artisoft)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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GOVT
****British Government Announces ID cards Under Active Consideration
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00013)
****British Government Announces ID cards Under Active Consideration
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- The British Government has
revealed plans to introduce national ID cards as a means of stamping
out social security fraud. Ministers have admitted, however, that
the spin-off will be a form of national identity cards that could be
used by the authorities (i.e. the Police) for identification
purposes.
Announcing the proposals today, John Major, the British Prime
Minister, said that social security fraud is costing the British
Government around a billion pounds ($1,500 million) every year.
"We are looking at a whole range of options that may be appropriate
to combat that fraud," Major told a BBC radio interviewer this
morning. "We are examining whether it would be practical to deal
with it by ID cards, whether it would be helpful."
In an interview on British TV, Peter Lilley, the UK's Minister for
Social Security said that he wanted any system to be rock solid in
terms of its security before the system was introduced. Lilley also
confirmed that the Government is also looking at options other than
a physical token system, including biometric technology such as palm
prints.
Welfare claimants in the UK are issued with voucher books to cash at
post offices for their social security. The problem with the books,
Newsbytes notes, is that, apart from the recent introduction of
computerized bar coding, the books are years old in their design. As
such, they can be easily forged.
As the day progressed after the announcement, several civil liberty
groups have openly criticized the proposals, claiming that they
social security aspect is merely a back door to a national ID card
system.
Newsbytes notes that national ID cards were scrapped in the UK in
1952, their having been introduced in the Second World War. Other
European Community (EC) countries, with the exception of Ireland,
have retained their ID card systems.
(Steve Gold/19931025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
TRENDS
Japan's PC Software Sales Top $490 Million Mark
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00014)
Japan's PC Software Sales Top $490 Million Mark 10/25/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- The Japanese Personal Computer
Software Association (PCSA) has announced the results of its
research into sales of PC software in Japan. This was, Newsbytes
notes, the first time that the association carried out the research,
which concluded that sales reached $492 million last year.
The research was carried out by the 36 member companies of the PCSA,
which includes Lotus, Microsoft and Just Systems in its ranks. The
association reports that a total o 3.32 million units of software
were sold last year, the packages sold including operating systems,
applications and games software.
The details of operating system sales make for some interesting
reading, since it is these figures that enabled the industry to
assess how operating systems are faring against each other.
Unsurprisingly, sales of MS-DOS were way ahead of the rest of the
package, with Windows clocking up second place. Apple System, Unix
and OS/2 held third, fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
The PCSA reported, however, that sales of the MS-DOS operating
system have gradually been declining -- during the first half of
1992, the sales ratio of MS-DOS against total sales was 83.4
percent. In the second half of 1992, this ratio fell to 75.5
percent.
Unix sales over the period also went down from 3.5 percent to 3.0
percent, while sales of Macintosh and OS/2 went up by, respectively,
1.8 to 3.2 percent and 04.4 to 2.7 percent.
On the application programs from, best selling packages were Lotus
1-2-3, Ichitaro, dBASE III/IV, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and
Kiri, the Japanese word processor. Newsbytes notes that the Japanese
version of Lotus 1-2-3 -- Release 2.4J -- gained the number-one
position in September of this year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931025/Press Contact: Japan Personal
Computer Software Association, +81-3-3221-7481)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
UNIX
****CASE World/Objex: First 3D Tool For CASE Unveiled
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00015)
****CASE World/Objex: First 3D Tool For CASE Unveiled 10/25/93
PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- At the CASE
World/Objex show, Cadre Technologies has unveiled Ensemble Viewer, a
package that is billed as the first 3D tool for the CASE (Computer-
Aided Software Engineering) market. According to the company, the
package is an interactive 3D and 2D graphical tool for visualizing,
constructing, reusing, testing, and documenting C programs on Unix
workstations.
The object-oriented tool is designed to allow point-and-click
display, querying, and browsing of information on all three
program aspects: program flow, data structure, and physical file
structure.
By interacting with graphical representations of software design,
code and files, and seeing the impact of program changes, users
are prevented from having to read through detailed source code,
the company maintained.
The information and test results displayed in Ensemble Viewer are
stored in a database generated by Cadre's Ensemble Understanding
modules for reverse engineering.
Ensemble creates views of the source code and test results, as
well as module specifications, control flow diagrams showing
internal logic flow, and formal and actual parameter reports
showing invocation information, officials said.
The software is meant to let users start with simple views, and
then gradually add more information as their understanding grows.
For example, a user might begin with a simple call graph, and
then add in global variables to see how data is shared. In so
doing, the user might become interested in a specific structure,
check to see where else it is used, and then check to see where
each of its elements is used.
Ensemble Viewer is expected to become available for Sun
Sparcstations in December of this year, and for HP9000 and IBM
RS/6000 workstations in February of 1994. Pricing starts at $2,400.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931025/Reader contact: Cadre Technologies
Inc., tel 401-351-5950; Press contacts: Harry Merkin, Cadre
Technologies, tel 401-351-5950; Dana Pantos Harris, Rourke &
Company for Cadre, tel 617-267-0042;
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
GENERAL
Trade Show Firms Blenheim, NDN Join Forces
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00016)
Trade Show Firms Blenheim, NDN Join Forces 10/25/93
FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Blenheim, producer
of the annual New York-based PC Expo and other computer industry
shows, has acquired NDN Enterprises of Mountain View, California,
which produces the DB/Expo show in San Francisco.
Blenheim, a unit of Blenheim Holdings, also runs the NetWorld show,
soon to be renamed Networks Expo, and Unix Expo.
Plans call for NDN to become Blenheim NDN and remain in Mountain
View, company officials said. Norm DeNardi, president of NDN, is to
remain as chief executive of the new subsidiary.
A Blenheim spokeswoman could not provide financial details of the
agreement at Newsbytes' deadline.
Officials indicated the purchase will allow NDN to expand the
DB/Expo show in San Francisco and launch spin-offs in other American
cities and in Europe.
NDN also runs HRMS/Expo, a show aimed at human resources
professionals, and manages the Santa Cruz Operation Inc.'s annual
SCO Forum.
Blenheim runs 35 information technology events.
(Grant Buckler/19931025/Press Contact: Annie Scully, Blenheim,
201-346-1400 ext. 145; fax 201-346-1532)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
GENERAL
Hewlett-Packard Intros Budget 600 DPI Laser Printers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00017)
Hewlett-Packard Intros Budget 600 DPI Laser Printers 10/25/93
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard has
announced what it claims is the industry's cheapest-ever 600 dots
per inch (DPI) laser printer. Costing UKP 979, the Laserjet 4P is
also available in an enhanced version, the Laserjet 4MP, which costs
UKP 1,379.
According to HP, the Laserjet 4P series are designed for users who
want a low-cost printer that produces professional looking print in
a variety of media formats.
HP claims that both the 4P and the 4MP are capable of superb print
quality thanks to the use of HP's Resolution Enhancement Technology
(RET) and microfine toner, both of which enhance the resolution by
smoothing and sharpening the edges of laser-printed graphics and
text.
Both units, HP claims, have been designed to print on smaller paper
sizes and/or heavier cards if required. The printers operate on
index cards as small as 7.6 cm x 12.7 cm and paper up to 157 grammes
per square inch in weight.
Both the new printers are compatible with the original Laserjet 4.
The 4P, the standard unit, comes with 2 megabytes (MB) of memory
expandable to 26MB internally, and 45 scalable typefaces. The 4P is
driven by a 16 megahertz (MHz) 80960 RISC (reduced instruction set
computing) processor.
HP claims that the LaserJet 4MP offers the best price and
performance for Mac and Windows users. The printer comes with
20 Mhz RISC processor, two SIMM (single in-line memory module) slots
and hot I/0 switching plus support for LocalTalk, the Apple Mac's
networking technology.
Gail Noble, HP's printer product manager, said that both printers
are very low in their power consumption, HP claims. In use, they
consume 10 watts in standby mode and remain powered down when not in
use.
The 4P and 4MP series are designed to replace the Laserjet IIIP and
IIIP Postscript units which will be withdrawn from sales as the new
printers start to find their ways into the shops.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931025/Press & Public Contact: Hewlett-Packard -
Tel: +44-344-36000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
UNIX
****Re-invention of Data General Continues
(NEWS)(UNIX)(ATL)(00018)
****Re-invention of Data General Continues 10/25/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Data General was
holding major meetings for its sales staff, its re-sellers and its
users in Atlanta today, so Newsbytes took time out to have breakfast
with Stephen P. Gardner, vice president-corporate marketing, to take
the company's pulse.
It's strong, he said. DG is a company which now knows precisely what
it's about. That is, it designs, builds and maintains client-server
computing environments for companies which previously relied on
mainframes. Gardner himself came to the company just seven months
ago from Integris, a spin-off from Groupe Bull specializing in open
systems integration and software.
Now he's with the company which had been one of his primary
suppliers. Data General's major products today are its AViiOn
client-server platform and Clarion disk arrays. Since 1988, "We got
out of the disk drive business, got out of the terminal business,
got out of the silicon business. That let us change the economics of
the company and focus on the real value of what we were doing,
integrating commodity technology better than others."
Data General started that work with a natural base of customers,
companies relying on its proprietary Eclipse mini-computers. "We
want to show we're keeping faith with them," he said of the Eclipse
customers, "launching new products and showing new ways for moving
from that to the open systems world."
But the company's future is totally based on the AViiON, a Unix-
based server. At this week's Atlanta events the company announced
the AV 5500, a new version of the server priced below $15,000.
According to International Data Corporation (IDC), Data General is
currently the leader in servers priced at $100,000 to $1 million,
with the company's server revenues growing four times faster than
the market as a whole. The new product is an attempt to broaden the
line, and the possible customer base. The new server is intended for
companies with between 20 and 125 computer users.
The new product means re-sellers are an increasingly critical part
of the company's distribution strategy, Gardner said. "They bring in
a lot of applications and lets us bring our servers into a vertical
market. They also provide a distribution channel that lets us reach
a larger audience than we could through our sales force."
Gardner credits Tom West, an engineer profiled in Tracy Kidder's
book "The Soul of a New Machine," about the original Eclipse, with
the changes in Data General since 1988, but says that readers of the
book wouldn't recognize the man.
"Tom West made a fundamental choice. He saw the old integrated model
was wrong -- we should integrate closer to the customer. That
decision was made in 1988, and the AViiON was the fruit of it. We
got out of the disk drive business, got out of the terminal
business, got out of the silicon business, and that let us change
the economics of the company to focus on the real value of what we
were doing, integrating commodity technology better than others."
Today in fact, Data General is in a position where it doesn't even
care about the winner in the new battle between Windows NT and
Unixware for the client-server market. "There are clearly going to
be 2 major operating systems. One is Unix, the other NT. Unix has
spent the last 10-15 years maturing enough so a data center manager
can have confidence in using it. NT has to go through the same
maturation, but it will be shorter than for Unix."
But if NT wins, DG will make products running NT. Not that Gardner
expects it. He has high praise for Novell's recent moves to
integrate Unix with Netware, to pass the trademark Unix to the
X/Open group, and to create a new specification level 70 which will
make all the current proprietary versions of Unix, including DG/UX,
roughly compatible.
"We've been a primary advocate behind Spec 1170 out, have Novell
work to move the trademark out to X.open -- we didn't want this to
deteriorate to a Microsoft-Novell war. We already support NT as a
client operating systems. It may be a powerful server system, but we
don't think it's ready for prime time. Unix is there, but we confuse
a lot of customers with fragmentation of standards. To have one
organization with one brand and a guarantee of commonalty is
wonderful. We've taken streams to make sure that DG/UX is
compatible. And now we can use the Unix name."
What about the company's long term strategy? Newsbytes asked.
"Expectation levels are moving to where it is in telecommunications.
If you know the number, you can talk to anyone at anytime, without
using a specialist. That's what client server does for computing
issues. It means that anyone should be connected, without wires, to
wherever you want to be, and you shouldn't have to ask any experts"
for information," he replied.
"Companies like Data General become invisible to the end user,
unless we have a tag on the device, the same way Northern Telecom
and and other back office providers are largely invisible" to
telephone users.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931025/Press Contact: Kim Sarkisian, Data
General, 508-898-6392)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
BUSINESS
****Gateway 2000 Announces Initial Public Offer
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00019)
****Gateway 2000 Announces Initial Public Offer 10/25/93
NORTH SIOUX CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Personal
computer marketer Gateway 2000 has announced plans to offer nearly
11 million shares of its common stock for public purchase. The
offering manager says that the shares should sell for $13 to $15 per
share, a project that is expected to raise about $163 million.
The direct marketer says it will offer 8.72 million shares in the
US and 2.18 million in a concurrent international offering. Goldman
Sachs & Company and Paine Webber will manage the deal.
Gateway 2000 and one of its current stockholders have granted the
underwriters an option of 30 days to purchase up to an additional
1.635 million shares. Privately held Gateway 2000 is owned by its
president, Ted Waitt, and brother Norman Waitt.
In December 1991 Gateway was named the fastest growing privately-
held company in the US by Inc magazine. In 1986 Gateway reported
$1 million in sales. In 1987 sales grew to $1.5 million, and jumped
to $12 million in 1987. In 1989 the company reported $70.6 million
in sales, followed by $275 million in 1990. By December 1992 Gateway
was shipping over 100,000 units each quarter and had completed a
250,000 square foot production, shipping, technical support and
product development facility.
In March 1993 Gateway reported it had topped $1 billion in sales in
1992, a 76 percent increase over the previous year, on shipment of
473,000 units. In April 1993 the company shipped its one-millionth
PC. Government Computer News reported in July 1993 that Hewlett
Packard and Gateway had tied for the most popular PC in a survey by
the magazine. GCN said nearly 500 readers responded to the survey.
Last month Gateway began offering Mastercards for customers and non-
customers, with interest rates of 12.9 and 13.9 percent
respectively. The company also announced it was entering the
European market with the opening of a facility near Dublin, Ireland
to service that country and the UK. It said it plans to service
additional markets on the continent in 1994. Gateway 2000 employs
more than 2,000 people.
(Jim Mallory/19931025/Press contact: Glynnis Gibson, Gibson
Communications for Gateway 2000, 312-868-9400; Reader contact:
Gateway 2000, 605-232-2000 or 800-523-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/25/93
GENERAL
Motorola TPU Gets Motion Control Functions
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00020)
Motorola TPU Gets Motion Control Functions 10/25/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Motorola's Advanced
Microcontroller Division has announced the addition of motion
control functions to its Time Processor Unit (TPU).
The TPU is an on-chip co-processor with a microengine dedicated to
complex timing tasks and are used on the chips that power
camcorders, cellular telephones, plotters, printers, bar code
readers and auto engine controllers. The TPU relieves the central
processor unit (CPU) of time-intensive tasks.
Motorola says that the motion control functionality is optimized for
time-critical applications such as motion control and motor control.
A TPU function library gives customers the ability to access
additional timing functions which can be loaded into random access
memory via software to upgrade and differentiate customer's products
without changing hardware designs.
The new motion control functions include an input capture transition
counter that can capture the value of a specified timer count
register at the occurrence of each transition or series of
transitions and then generate an interrupt, and a queued output
match that generates complex pulse sequences without CPU
intervention.
The chip can also accumulate a 32-bit sum of high time, low time, or
period of an input signal providing an instantaneous or average
frequency measurement, and can generate sophisticated pulse-width
modulation outputs suitable for H-bridge AC and DC motor control. It
also provides asynchronous communications of up to eight RS232-type
channels at 9600 baud, and can generate phase commutation signals
for a variety of brushless motors or count the number of input
pulses to a TPU channel within a user defined time period.
Twenty timing functions are currently available in the TPU library
on two standard microcoded ROMs. All are available on Motorola's
freeware electronic bulletin board. The functions can be mixed and
matched by downloading them into the microcontroller TPU emulation
RAM.
Motorola's Advanced MCU Division is conducting eight customer
seminars across the country to educate its customers about the TPU.
The seminars kick off November 18th in Hauppauge, New York and
Indianapolis, Indiana and finish January 26th, 1994 in San Jose,
California. Readers of Newsbytes are asked to contact Motorola for
information about seminars in their area.
(Jim Mallory/19931025/Press contact: Holly Hunter, Cunningham
Communications for Motorola, 408-982-0400; Reader contact: Judy
Racino, Motorola, 512-891-3465)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/25/93
IBM
Design Your Dream Home Or Remodel Using Your PC
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00021)
Design Your Dream Home Or Remodel Using Your PC 10/25/93
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- You can imagine
and design your dream house, that remodeling job, or just put
in the dimensions of a house and arrange your furniture inside
and color schemes with Broderbund's new 3D Home Architect or
the Autodesk Home Series Release 2 software products.
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB),
Americans spent $103.4 billion on home improvement and upkeep in
1992, a six percent increase from 1991's figures. And of the one
million new home buyers a year, 20 percent are taking control of the
planning process themselves instead of buying builder's ready-made
models or paying big money for an architect's original plans.
Ambitious modeling projects, such as adding a bedroom or a new wing,
are the order of the day as well, NAHB officials said.
Software developers recognize this as an opportunity. Autodesk
decided it could expand into the home market sometime back with its
Retail Products Division and this Home Series is the second release
of its products for budding do-it-yourselfers. Broderbund, whose
main products have been educational and entertainment software, says
this is a departure from its regular software line, but was too good
to pass up.
The Broderbund product runs in Microsoft Windows and allows users to
create plans from remodeling designs to designing an entire house.
"Interactive 3D Editing" allows switching between two dimensional
(2D) drawings and three dimensional (3D) views at the click of a
mouse as well as display both of views simultaneously.
Interactive walk-thrus are not part of the product, but the user can
see the space from any angle by moving a camera icon. Users can get
a bird's-eye view to edit the big picture or zoom into a room to
adjust details. Changes made to either the 2D or 3D views are
automatically updated in both views, the company added.
The tool bar provides all tools necessary to create a complete
floorplan, including walls, openings, cabinets and much more, and
without confusing switching back and forth between menus. The
program also provides 50 professionally designed houseplans
(including kitchens and baths) and automatically labels dimensions
and calculates areas.
3D Home Architect may also be used for interior design. A
Rainbow tool allows experimentation with colors and shades to
create a color scheme both on the walls and with the library of
over 200 furniture, fixtures, and appliances included with the
product.
Broderbund also says that the package attempts to guide users
through the design process to avoid mistakes and the overlooking of
important details. A built-in system Broderbund calls Smartparts
technology offers users guidance so, for example, a user couldn't
place an object -- such as doors, windows or appliances -- where it
couldn't be properly installed. Broderbund describes the Plancheck
feature as a "built-in building inspector" that takes do-it-yourself
designers on a room-by-room tour of the design and suggests possible
changes.
Once a design is created, users can automatically prepare a
spreadsheet of all the needed materials, and if the cost of the
materials is added by the user, the program can even calculate the
expense involved. The data may also be exported to spreadsheet
programs, such as Microsoft Excel or Lotus 1-2-3, for further
manipulation or analysis.
Complete designs may be exported to other computer aided design
(CAD) programs in the .DXF file format or printed and given to an
architect, contractor or interior designer. Broderbund doesn't say
the program will eliminate the need for those professionals, but it
can help users avoid mistakes like designing a room with all windows
with no place to put a couch or a fireplace except in the center of
the room.
Broderbund representatives said they were originally approached with
the product by Morgan Hill, California-based Advanced Relation
Technology. The two companies have since worked together to make
enhancements to 3D Home Architect and Broderbund is marketing the
product.
Autodesk, known for its market-leading CAD program Autocad, also has
similar software in its Home Series Release 2 product line. The
Autodesk series appears to go into more detail, allows users a walk-
thru, and has the ability to add surface textures to objects in the
design. The Autodesk Home Series includes four products: Home,
Kitchen & Bath, Deck, and Landscape.
To run the software, users will need at least an IBM PC or
compatible with a 386SX or greater microprocessor. A math
coprocessor is optional, but it will speed up the program. Microsoft
Windows 3.1, 4 megabytes (MB) memory, a video graphics array (VGA)
or Super VGA display, a hard disk, a mouse are also required, and
the more memory the better.
The Autodesk product line requires less horsepower, running on an
IBM compatible PC/XT/AT with 640 kilobytes (K) of memory, an
extended graphics array (EGA) card for color, a hard disk, and a
mouse. Broderbund's 3D Home Architect product is priced at $59.95
and Autodesk's Home Series line is retail priced at $69.95.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931025/Press Contact: Dawn Montoya, Broderbund,
tel 415-382-4637, fax 415-382-4582; Public Contact, Broderbund, 800-
521-6263; Jill Miailovich, Autodesk Retail Products, tel 206-487-
2233, fax 206-483-6969; Public Contact, 800-228-3601)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/25/93
TELECOM
****Viacom Matches QVC Offer for Paramount
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
****Viacom Matches QVC Offer for Paramount 10/25/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Owners of Paramount
Communications stock woke up this morning to two competing, but
almost identical, offers of $80 per share for their stock.
QVC launched a hostile take-over of Paramount, offering $80 per
share cash for 51 percent of the company, last week. Now Viacom has
matched the offer. In both cases, individuals who don't tender will
be taken out for stock.
Paramount's directors endorsed the new deal, as they had endorsed
the previous $70 per share Viacom offer, again saying they see
enormous synergies in matching Paramount's product assets to
Viacom's cable programming assets. The fall in Viacom's stock price
since that makes the current value of that offer about $64 per
share. Paramount has yet to begin any negotiations with QVC, and
that company moved last week in part so it could begin filing papers
on the acquisition without waiting any more for the board to act.
Viacom head Sumner Redstone had said repeatedly over the last
weeks he would not raise his offer, but the increase was widely
expected. In buying Viacom itself a number of years ago, he
raised his offer three times before winning the day. Asked why he
was raising his bid this time, Redstone claimed the Paramount
assets were worth more than he first believed.
There were reports on the CNBC cable channel that Viacom and QVC
had been negotiating on a joint effort to buy-out Paramount and
avoid the bidding war, but those reports were unconfirmed. Viacom
has charged that QVC's bid was part of an attempt by TCI head
John Malone to control the cable industry, but anti-trust
officials are expected to approve that proposal, as they recently
approved Viacom's bid.
A Viacom lawsuit making that allegation is also expected to go
nowhere. QVC is also expected to sue Viacom and Paramount over what
it calls unfair treatment by the companies' boards regarding its
bid. Neither suit is expected to be heard, however, before the issue
is decided in the market-place.
Speculation continues on what might happen next. BellSouth and
Ameritech are among the regional Bell companies which have yet to
be heard from, and both have huge amounts of cash. They also have
an incentive to get into the fray because of Bell Atlantic's
pending acquisition of TCI.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/25/93
IBM
ATI Launches Video Accelerator, Capture Chips
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00023)
ATI Launches Video Accelerator, Capture Chips 10/25/93
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- ATI Technologies has
announced a graphics and video accelerator and a video capture
controller compatible with the Shared Frame Buffer Interconnect
(SFBI) specification developed by ATI and Intel.
The ATI 68800DX Advanced Graphics and Video Accelerator and the
ATI 68890 Video Capture Processor are to be available in the
second quarter of 1994, the company said. Board-level products
using both components will be shown at Comdex/Fall in Las Vegas
in mid-November.
The ATI-68800DX joins ATI's mach32 line of graphics controllers,
which also includes the ATI-68800LX and ATI-68800AX. Unlike the
others, it supports SFBI and comes with a video display processor
(VDP), which improves full-motion video performance and allows
full-screen playback without compromising the frame rate,
according to ATI.
The ATI-68800DX can also scale an image horizontally and vertically,
do color conversions from RGB to YUV and vice versa, and support
special effects such as mixing and fading video images, ATI said.
The single-chip controller supports the Industry Standard
Architecture (ISA) system bus and the Video Electronics Standards
Association (VESA) and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) local
buses, ATI officials said.
The ATI-68890 is meant for stand-alone video subsystems and
integrated video and graphics subsystems, according to ATI. It can
capture the full picture quality of NTSC or PAL video transmissions
into RGB or YUV format. Video is scaled and captured directly into
shared memory, so it can be displayed in a window or compressed.
SFBI is a specification meant to let video and multimedia components
share memory and work together easily.
Introductory prices are expected to be $90 for the ATI-68800DX
and $50 for the ATI-68890, falling later as volume production
brings costs down, and evaluation boards are due to be available
in February, ATI said.
(Grant Buckler/19931025/Press Contact: Andrew Clarke, ATI
Technologies, 905-882-2600 ext. 8491, fax 905-882-2620)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/25/93
UNIX
Sun Intros Desktop Videoconf'cing Pgrm; Sandia Nat Lab Deal
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00024)
Sun Intros Desktop Videoconf'cing Pgrm; Sandia Nat Lab Deal 10/25/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Sun
Microsystems' SunSolutions division has introduced the ShowMe 2.0
videoconferencing software. The company has also announced a
technology transfer partnership with the Department of Energy's
Sandia National Laboratories research and development laboratory.
According to the company, ShowMe 2.0 is, "the industry's first
complete, easy-to-use desktop video conferencing solution that
enables workstation users to collaborate interactively, in real
time, with a full range of video, audio and screen sharing tools."
Cindy Walden, marketing manager for the company, told Newsbytes that
the product allows for real-time video over any local area network,
but, "there are bandwidth considerations. Depending upon how much
motion there is in the picture or what the size of the video window
is, it will take more bandwidth." She said that if there is not
enough bandwidth available, then it will still be possible to use
the videoconferencing element of the product but, "your frames-per-
second slow down."
In terms of enhancements over version 1.1, she told Newsbytes that
the previous version, "Was simply a shared whiteboard. We've added
the video, the audio and the application sharing capability, the
shared whiteboard."
The company also says that users can display, discuss, edit or
annotate documents or images, display or send video, and share
applications through a graphical user interface.
ShowMe 2.0 is set for shipment in December, 1993, running on
SPARC systems in the SunSoft Solaris operating environment.
Versions of ShowMe for Hewlett-Packard and IBM workstations,
and for Intel platforms running on Microsoft Windows and
Solaris X86 are scheduled to ship in 1994.
ShowMe 2.0 consists of a number of components: ShowMe Video,
ShowMe Audio, ShowMe SharedApp, and ShowMe Whiteboard. The
company says that the capabilities work together. ShowMe is based
on the Motif graphical user interface and operates on SPARC
workstations over TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet
Protocol) networks.
The company says that ShowMe Video and ShowMe Audio enable users to
hold face-to-face meetings from their desktops. A ShowMe video
camera mounted on each user's workstation provides a live, full-
color image of each participant, with audio input through
SunMicrophone and output through the workstation's speakers.
Users can reportedly modify the size of the video window and adjust
the sound level through a graphical menu. Automatic bandwidth
allocation lets users adjust the transmission rate to optimize
network usage. ShowMe Video also includes a one-way conference
feature that supports multicast and allows participants to receive
video without a SunVideo capture/compression SBus card.
The ShowMe SharedApp software enables multiple users to interact
with a live application simultaneously in real time, with
participants seeing the same view on their workstation screens.
Remote users need not have the application loaded on their
workstations in order to participate in the on-line meeting.
SPARC systems running Solaris applications based on the X Window
system version 11 standard work with ShowMe SharedApp. Also,
Microsoft Windows applications supported by SunSelect's Wabi
software are also shareable.
SunSolutions' whiteboard software provides a shared "desktop
conference board" that makes allows for the simultaneous viewing and
annotation of drawings, spreadsheets and other documents. Each user
has a separate, personalized on-screen marker that is visible to all
participants and can be used to express ideas visually by pointing,
gesturing and making annotations.
ShowMe 2.0 is set for availability at the end of 1993 at the price
of $3,270 for a single license, and $8,430 for a three-user license.
A video camera and a SunVideo card are included with each
right-to-use license, along with CD media and documentation. An
audiographics configuration, which includes ShowMe SharedApp,
ShowMe Whiteboard and ShowMe Audio, is available for $899 for
a single license, $1,650 for a three-user license, $3,750 for
a 10-user license, and $26,200 for a 100-user license.
The company also says that, through the National Competitiveness
Technology Transfer Act of 1989 passed by the US Congress, Sandia
and SunSolutions have signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement
allowing SunSolutions to build on technology developed by Sandia
engineers "to make their own work more productive and to lower
costs."
By using Sandia technology as a base, SunSolutions claims to have
developed commercially available videoconferencing application
sharing software years faster than if it had conducted development
on its own. That software is now part of ShowMe 2.0.
Said Al Narath, president of Sandia National Laboratories: "This
partnership advances the goal of more effective collaboration
between government and industry, and is a great example of the
many technologies available at the national laboratories that can
contribute to the nation's economic well being."
Scott McNealy, chairman and chief executive officer of Sun
Microsystems, said: "Sandia created the technology to increase their
productivity internally. Because of the technology transfer
legislation, Sun is able to bring application sharing software to
our workstation customers years before we could have done so on our
own. The US is now reaping full benefit from its investment."
(Ian Stokell/19931025/Press Contact: Kathryn Watson, 415-336-6851,
SunSolutions; Ken Frazier, 505-844-5550, Sandia National
Laboratories)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00025)
Canadian Product Launch Update 10/25/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: new Apple Macintosh
hardware and software, and Microsoft Office software.
Apple Canada of Markham, Ont., joined its US parent (Newsbytes, Oct.
21) in shifting Macintosh Centris models into the Quadra lineup and
announcing new LC and PowerBook computers and a new LaserWriter
printer. The company also eliminated suggested retail prices in
Canada, saying it will quote estimated street prices instead.
In Canada, the company expects the new Macintosh LC 475 to sell for
C$2,000 to C$2,700. The Quadra 610 will range from C$3,400 to
C$4,400, and the Quadra 650 from C$4,300 to C$5,700, including
monitor, keyboard, System 7.1 operating system software, and
Ethernet local-area network interfaces. The PowerBook Duo 270c will
sell for C$5,000 to C$5,500, Apple said, and the new LaserWriter
Select 360 laser printer from C$2,300 to C$2,400. The new Performa
models unveiled in the Us were not announced in Canada.
Apple Canada has also unveiled System 7 Pro (Newsbytes, Oct. 4), an
advanced version of the System 7 operating system with Apple's
PowerTalk, QuickTime, and AppleScript extensions built in. System 7
Pro is available now from Apple Canada and its dealers.
Microsoft Canada unveiled Microsoft Office 4.0 (Newsbytes, Oct. 19),
an update to its application suite for Windows. The
Canadian list price is C$999.95, and customers who already have
any of the applications included can upgrade to the whole suite
for C$329.99. Users of competitive products can trade for
C$379.99. Microsoft Office Professional, which includes the
Access database management system, lists for C$1,199.95.
(Grant Buckler/19931025/Press Contact: Franca Miraglia, Apple
Canada, 905-513-5511; Jeff Dossett, Microsoft Canada,
905-568-0434, fax 905-568-1527)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/25/93
TELECOM
Nokia Secures Second Phase Of German Digital Mobile Network
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00026)
Nokia Secures Second Phase Of German Digital Mobile Network 10/25/93
ESPOO, FINLAND, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Nokia, the Finnish telecoms
company, has secured the contract for the second phase of the E-Plus
DCS1800 digital mobile phone network in Germany.
Terms of the DM 220 million ($120 million) contract call for Nokia
to supply and install a series of its DX200 electronic mobile
exchanges (EMXs) and radio base stations, as well as maintenance and
operations systems. Nokia will also be called upon to provide
services, training and equipment installation.
DCS1800 is a digital mobile cellular system which operates at 1800
megahertz (MHz) - twice the frequency of the global system for
mobile (GSM) communication networks seen elsewhere in Europe. The
main advantages of DCS1800 over GSM is that DCS has small cells,
making for better channel usage, Nokia claims. In the UK, the
Mercury One-2-One system, launched a few months ago, uses DCS1800
technology.
Plans call for the E-Plus network one of the largest Personal
Communication Networks (PCS) in the world. The network will cover
high-density urban environments and suburban areas throughout
Germany.
The E-Plus consortium estimate that the DCS-1800 network should go
live in the early part of next year. Plans call for the first cities
where the network will be up and running to be Berlin and Leipzig
The E-Plus company estimates the opening of the E-Plus network in
early 1994. The first cities where the network will be functioning
will be Berlin and Leipzig, the two largest cities in the former
Eastern Germany. By the end of 1995, the E-Plus network should cover
88 percent of Eastern Germany.
E-Plus is concentrating its efforts on getting the network up and
running in Eastern Germany first, as the Western half of the country
is well covered in terms of mobile phone networks.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931025/Press & Public Contact: Nokia - Tel: +358-8-
793-8430; +358-8-793-8441)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/25/93
APPLE
****Experimental New Macintosh TV Intro'd In US
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00027)
****Experimental New Macintosh TV Intro'd In US 10/25/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Apple Computer
has put a television in its Macintosh and will begin marketing the
new combination product to consumers. Called Macintosh TV the
product is an experiment on the part of Apple to see which way the
consumer electronic wind is blowing.
Macintosh TV is similar to the Performa 460, the low-end of the new
Performa products introduced last week, but includes a compact disc
read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive as well as a television card and is
being aimed at the US educational market, Apple said. Apple is
introducing the product in consumer retail stores including Best
Buy, Select Video Concepts, Silo Yes, and Tops, through its programs
on higher education campuses, and through the Apple Catalog.
While users have been able to obtain and install a television card
for their Macintosh computers, this is the first time Apple has
offered the combination pre-installed. The advantage to television
displayed on a computer screen is that in full-screen mode the
television is much sharper and clearer than the picture on a
standard television set.
The disadvantage is that the display is only 14-inches and that
computers are normally placed on a desktop instead of in a place
where users can relax while watching. This could make it perfect for
a college dorm room, but it remains to be seen if consumers will buy
into that concept.
Apple says Macintosh TV comes cable ready and is also equipped
with a double-speed CD-ROM drive that can double as a CD player
producing high-quality stereo sound and it can display Kodak
Photocds.
A video cassette recorder (VCR), camcorder, laserdisc player, or
video game player can also be connected to the Macintosh via an RCA
port and it comes with an infrared remote that can control both the
television and the CD player. Apple claims that software is
available to accomplish frame grabbing, closed captions displays
during television watching, channel scanning, and password
protection of the television mode.
Brodie Keast, director of product marketing for the Apple Personal
Computer Division said: "With Macintosh TV, Apple extends its
popular all-in-one computer design with new media capabilities that
create a whole new category of computing and entertainment devices."
"With this special edition of the Macintosh, Apple hopes to learn
more about the needs of this market and to apply that knowledge to
future product development," he added.
Not forgetting the computer end of Macintosh TV, Apple is offering:
Clarisworks 2.0, an integrated spreadsheet, word processor, and
database program; the American Heritage Dictionary; Mavis Beacon
Teaches Typing; Homework Templates; and the Performa Click Art
Collection. CD-ROM titles bundled in with Macintosh TV include:
Grolier's Multimedia Encyclopedia; World Atlas; Space Shuttle;
Wonders of the World, Volume I; Time Almanac 1993; and the Kodak
Photo CD Sampler.
Inside, Macintosh TV is equipped with a Motorola 68030
microprocessor running at 32 megahertz (MHz), 5 megabytes (MB) of
random access memory (RAM) expandable to 8 MB, a 160 MB hard disk
and a 1.4 MB Apple Superdrive floppy disk drive. The Superdrive is
capable of reading IBM PC 1.44 MB disks via Macintosh PC Exchange
software, which must be purchased separately.
A small computer systems interface (SCSI) port is built-in that will
support up to six daisy-chained SCSI devices, such as additional
hard disk drives or an optical scanner. Two serial ports are
included for printers, modems, and Appletalk networks and two Apple
Desktop Bus (ADB) ports are available for keyboard, mouse, and other
input devices. Built-in Appletalk networking is also included.
The display is an 8-bit, 14-inch color Sony Trinitron with 640 by
480 picture element (pixel) resolution and a .26 millimeter dot
pitch capable of displaying of 256 colors. In addition, 512 K of
video RAM (VRAM) is built-in, Apple said.
Last week, Apple introduced the a low-cost line of Performa
products, including the low-end model Performa 460, starting at
$1299 and its Quadra product line now starts at just under $1000. In
this latest round of price cuts, Ian Diery, executive vice president
of Apple's personal computer division said: "We have smashed the
price barrier long associated with Apple products."
The company also announced last week it will no longer be
advertising a retail price, then offering discounts to quantity
buyers or special groups. The "Appleprice" is now the only price and
the Appleprice for Macintosh TV is $2,079.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931025/Press Contact: Betty Taylor, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-3983, fax 408-974-2885)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/25/93
GENERAL
Legato's NetWorker 2.2 For NetWare Debuts
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00028)
Legato's NetWorker 2.2 For NetWare Debuts 10/25/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Backing up
data, along with the ability to recover lost data, are two
increasingly important aspects of networking. Now Legato Systems has
announced the availability of NetWorker 2.2 for NetWare.
The company claims that the new version features new capabilities
that increase performance, simplify installation and operation, and
expand the range of supported systems and backup devices.
The package is billed as a software system that backs up all the
files on the network server or desktop system and is claimed to
allow easy recovery when a needed file is destroyed or damaged.
Enhancements include support for the NetWare 3.11, 3.12, and 4.01
operating systems, support for concurrent tape devices, client file
compression, tape duplication, built-in diagnostics and expanded
autoloader support. The company claims that using NetWorker 2.2
allows for the reduction of backup time and the automation of system
administration.
A new option -- called Concurrent Device Support (CDS) -- allows for
the writing to multiple storage devices at the same time, which cuts
the time required for overnight backups, for example. The company
also says that client file compression maximizes data throughput,
and minimizes network bandwidth usage and tape space utilization.
Increased performance comes from compressing files and volumes
during backup.
The company says the version 2.2 takes just 10 to 15 minutes to
install.
Announcing the new version, Edward Cooper, vice president of
marketing at Legato said, "NetWorker 2.2 meets the data protection
needs of the simplest to the most complex networks through
centralized management of distributed backup operations resulting in
significant cost savings."
"For example, users can be empowered to perform their own file
recovery, providing network administrators with more time to
evaluate new products, perform network maintenance and provide more
network services to their users," he added.
The company says that version 2.2 supports all the leading storage
devices and tape auto changes for 4 millimeters (mm), 8mm and
QIC formats.
Two versions of the product have been made available: NetWorker
and NetWorker Advanced. While NetWorker is reportedly best-
suited for small NetWare workgroups with a single server, the
Advanced version is targeted at NetWare departments and large
enterprise networks with multiple servers.
NetWorker for NetWare 2.2 is currently in beta testing. It is set
for shipment in later October, 1993. Pricing ranges from $750
to $7,500. Additionally, any user that is covered by the company's
six-month initial support or extended support can get updates
at no charge. Those not covered by these plans are charged a
"nominal fee," to upgrade to version 2.2.
In August, Newsbytes reported that Legato had signed a deal with
Compaq, under which the PC vendor would integrate and resell
NetWorker. Compaq plans to offer customers a complete disaster
recovery system that includes SCO Open Server and Open Desktop
products, Compaq servers, and Legato NetWorker.
(Ian Stokell/19931022/Press Contact: Suzan Woods,
415-812-6112, Legato Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/25/93
GENERAL
Banyan Posts 3Qtr Profits; Supports Apple's PowerTalk
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00029)
Banyan Posts 3Qtr Profits; Supports Apple's PowerTalk 10/25/93
WESTBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Banyan Systems
has reported net income for its third quarter ended September 30,
1993, was $3,473,000, an 88 percent increase over the prior year's
third quarter net income of $1,850,000. The company has also
announced support for Apple Computer's PowerTalk and other AOCE
products.
According to the company, net income per share was $0.19 in the 1993
third quarter, versus $0.11 per share in 1992's third quarter.
Revenues for the third quarter were $32.4 million compared with
$28.3 million in the third quarter of 1992.
For the first nine months of 1993, Banyan reported net income of
$9,745,000, or $0.53 per share, compared with $5,310,000, or $0.34
per share in the same period in 1992. Revenues for the first nine
months increased to $95.0 million from $82.9 million in the same
nine month period of last year.
Revenues from Banyan's North American business increased to $27.5
million this quarter from $23.5 million for the same period last
year. The North American software revenues increased 35 percent to
$20.1 million this quarter.
International revenues were $4.9 million compared with $4.7 million
in the third quarter of 1992. However, the company says
international software revenues were essentially flat at $3.9
million, while hardware revenues declined in this traditionally
slower seasonal quarter.
In a different announcement, Banyan says that it will support Apple
Computer's PowerTalk and other AOCE products in future releases of
its networking products. According to the company, Banyan's
Enterprise Network Services will integrate PowerTalk into the
network.
This will allow Macintosh users, the company claims, to have
"unlimited access" to information and applications anywhere on the
network, regardless of operating system or hardware platform in use.
The company claims that PowerTalk client software will provide a
strong tool for using, searching and displaying Banyan's StreetTalk
global directory service. PowerTalk delivers a single user
interface to all Apple desktop applications and information with
"transparent" access to system resources and services, regardless of
location. Banyan's StreetTalk includes the entire global network.
By combining PowerTalk's client electronic mail directly with
Banyan's Intelligent Messaging service, users can collaborate on an
enterprise scale. Banyan says that its Intelligent Messaging will
allow Mac users to send and receive electronic mail regardless of
location on the network or the recipient's electronic mail software
package.
(Ian Stokell/19931025/Press Contact: Gary Wolfe or Siobhan
Carroll, 508-898-1000, Banyan Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/25/93
GENERAL
Hewlett-Packard Intros Compact Printers For PC/Mac Portables
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00030)
Hewlett-Packard Intros Compact Printers For PC/Mac Portables 10/25/93
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 25 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard
has introduced a series of personal printers that it claims provide
full desktop functionality and portability as well as colour
capabilities. The new family of printers includes: the HP DeskJet
310 printer for notebook PCs and the HP DeskWriter 310 printer for
MacIntosh PowerBooks.
According to HP, printing facilities on these UKP 230 machines is
similar to that of the HP DeskJet 500C and HP DeskWriter C series.
The new printers give a high quality black & white or color printing
on plain paper and other media, HP claims.
Both printers, which use thermal inkjet technology with 300 dots per
inch (DPI) resolution for printing text and graphics in both black
& white and color, print at three pages of text a minute in b&w, and
one page a minute in color mode.
As supplied in the UK, the two printers come with b&w print
cartridges. For color printing, a color kit is available for UKP
38.00. ATM and TrueType fonts are full supported by both printers,
HP officials claim.
The DeskJet 310 printer, which cimes with Windows printer drivers
and six built-in typefaces, has a centronics parallel interface,
while the DeskWriter comes with the AppleTalk interface.
According to Andrew Gunyon, HP's Inkjet Printers Program Manager,
both printers are extremely compact -- around half the size of a
notebook PC and weigh approximately 1.95 kilos (four pounds). There
is also a cut-sheet feeder unit available as a bundle for UKP
280.00. The feeder normally costs UKP 55.
"Notebook PC and Mackintosh PowerBook users who need desktop
functionality in a portable package should find these products
attractive. Full-featured printers with convenient portability are
the ones most likely to bridge the gap," explained Gunyon.
"These products are the only choice for users who need high
performance and colour printing capability on the road," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931025/Press & Public Contact: Hewlett-Packard -
Tel: +44-344-36000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
GENERAL
Seybold - Common Ground Slugs It Out With Acrobat
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00001)
Seybold - Common Ground Slugs It Out With Acrobat 10/22/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Newcomer No
Hands Software is challenging Adobe Systems in the electronic
document distribution arena. No Hands Software's Common Ground
for Macintosh shipped in May 1993. At the Seybold Conference and
Exposition '93, No Hands Software announced the Windows version
of Common Ground, which will ship in December for a list price
of $189.95.
Until products such as Acrobat and Common Ground, electronic
information distribution across different computer platforms was
usually limited to text files -- the "lowest-common-denominator"
file type, which doesn't allow documents to retain formatting
or graphics. Acrobat and Common Ground allow users to send
formatted documents created on their computers to any other
computer -- even if it uses a different operating system and
even if the recipient has neither the original software nor the
original fonts.
Adobe Systems' Acrobat product has three key components. The
Acrobat Reader allows users to view, navigate, and print documents
in the Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). Acrobat Exchange
allows users to annotate files as well as view, navigate and print
them. Acrobat Distiller translates PostScript language files into
PDF files.
Common Ground consists of two major components. The Common
Ground Maker converts any document into Common Ground's DigitalPaper
format. The Common Ground Viewer lets users navigate and
print documents, and supports Microsoft's Object Linking and
Embedding (OLE) 2.0 as a server. The MiniViewer allows viewing
and printing only.
Tony Stayner, vice president of marketing for No Hands Software,
described some of the differences between Common Ground and Adobe
Systems' Acrobat. Common Ground includes the CG PostScript
Extension to convert PostScript documents to Common Ground.
(To get this capability, Acrobat users must purchase Adobe's
$695 Acrobat Distiller.) No Hands Software also claims that
the Acrobat Reader requires significantly more disk space
than Common Ground's Viewer.
Also, Common Ground's MiniViewer can be included with
documents so readers need not own Common Ground.
Adobe, however, previewed some of the new capabilities it will
add to Acrobat early next year. Adobe Systems CEO John Warnock
described during the Seybold Conference keynote how Adobe is
positioning Acrobat to address such corporate information
issues as security, document delivery, document access, and
document management. He described an "experiment" underway at
Adobe since last February, when the company installed Acrobat
at the desk of each of its more than 1,000 employees who work
on a mixture of Unix, Macintosh, Windows, and DOS machines.
Instead of using Federal Express or the photocopy machine,
employees now post documents for distribution on the Acrobat
server, then notify anyone who needs the document that it is
available.
"I can't describe to you how this changes the way you
work," Warnock said.
Adobe discovered that managing thousands of documents is no
trivial task. The next version of Acrobat, therefore, will
contain some sophisticated document management capabilities.
For example, Adobe has created a program that monitors the
document server. When a user adds a document, the monitoring
program automatically extracts the document's text, indexes
it, and merges the resulting index with the master index used by
Acrobat Exchange to locate documents. Users won't have to worry
about how other users will find their information.
Also at the Seybold Exposition, Adobe Systems and Frame Technology
announced that future releases of Frame Technology's FrameMaker
and FrameBuilder publishing software will support the Adobe
Acrobat pdfmark function, which automatically preserves tables
of contents, indexes, cross references, and hypertext links
within an Acrobat PDF file.
Adobe Systems, Inc., Mountain View, CA, (415) 961-4400. No
Hands Software, Belmont, CA, (415) 802-5800. Frame Technology,
San Jose CA, (408) 433-3311.
(Audrey Kalman/19931022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
IBM
CASE World/Objex - New Release Of Navigator Systems
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00002)
CASE World/Objex - New Release Of Navigator Systems 10/22/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- At CASE
World/Objex, Ernst & Young has announced a major upgrade to
Navigator Systems Series, a Windows-based system for developers
working on CASE (computer-aided software engineering) projects.
Navigator gives developers stand-alone and networked access to
methodology traditionally stored on paper, and also lets project
team leaders create, electronically distribute, and print out
project charters, plans, budgets and risk management strategies,
said Brett Roeder, manager of marketing programs, during a
briefing.
The object-oriented system consists of three main components, which
can be used individually or as a suite, he stated. Enterprise
Standards Assistant (ESA) is the system's knowledgebase.
Performance Support Assistant (PSA) provides electronic access to
methodology stored in the ESA, as well as to CASE and development
tools and training modules that are needed to work on the project.
The third component, Project Planning Assistant (PPA), is a
knowledge-based tool for guiding team leaders through the project
planning process.
The new Version 2.1 adds a new, intuitive picture-based interface
to the PSA, and a customization tool called HyperProject for the
PPA. In addition, the PPA is now five times faster than Version
2.0 at generating a workplan, and 13 times faster at generating
task assignments for developers, according to Roeder.
The new interface to the PSA was developed with Microsoft
Multimedia Viewer, rather than the Microsoft Help tool that was
used in Version 2.0.
During a demonstration, another Ernst & Young official said that
the next edition of Navigator after Version 2.1 will include sound
and full-motion video.
The new HyperProject allows the project manager to create tailored
methodologies for developers on the team, after defining project
parameters with the PPA, according to Roeder.
Roeder told Newsbytes that the customized methodology streamlines
the jobs of developers, by saving them from having to deal with
materials extraneous to the tasks at hand.
Version 2.1 also adds Passage/AP, which supplies interfaces to
KnowledgeWare's Application Development Workbench (ADW) and
Powersoft's object-oriented PowerBuilder 3.0.
Passage/AP permits developers to take their business requirements
as defined in the ADW and automatically generate PowerBuilder
components, Roeder noted. Developers can also use Passage/AP
strictly as a link between PowerBuilder and Navigator's own object-
oriented Automated Methods Environment (AME).
Ernst & Young employs more than 65,000 people in over 100
countries, according to spokespersons for the company. The firm
provides clients with management consulting as well as audit and
tax services.
The management consulting practice is divided into two areas:
Information Technology (IT) and Performance Improvement (PI). In
1992, Ernst & Young's worldwide revenues were $5.4 billion.
Revenues from the management consulting practice were almost
$1 billion.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931022/Reader contact: Ernst & Young, tel 214-
444-2100; Press contacts: Cheryl M. Hardy, Ernst & Young, tel 214-
444-2191; Howard Bailen, Ernst & Young, tel 212-773-6148; Dave
Murray or Robin Foster, Neale-May & Partners for Ernst & Young, tel
415-328-5555; Todd J. Keith, Digital Consulting Inc., tel (508)
470-3870).
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
IBM
CASE World/Objex - TI's Tools For Dynamic GUIs
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00003)
CASE World/Objex - TI's Tools For Dynamic GUIs 10/22/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Texas
Instruments (TI) has unveiled Windows-based tools that let
developers and end users create GUIs which change dynamically based
on underlying data. The GUIs can also be used to quickly update
the data.
In a meeting with Newsbytes at CASE World/Objex, C.J. Richey,
senior re-engineering specialist, and Susan M. Bigda, product
specialist, said that the new GrAF (Graphical Applications
Facility) allows developers to build interactive front
ends to applications built on TI's IEF (Information Engineering
Facility) data model.
PowerGrAF, on the other hand, lets end users customize and enhance
their own application interfaces, giving them greater control over
applications and also helping to ease the work backlog for
developers, according to the TI officials.
The types of applications GrAF and PowerGrAF can be used for range
from decision support to software development, from network
plotting to operations management, and beyond.
In a demonstration, Richey showed Newsbytes an internal application
she created with GrAF. The application graphically depicts complex
COBOL programs, and allows the COBOL programs to be modified by
pointing and clicking.
Richey and Bigda told Newsbytes that, in working with GrAF,
developers select the view style they prefer -- such as
numeric or stacked bar charts, table view, hierarchy tree charts,
and interactive images with "hot spots" -- and then sort and filter
the view elements to suit their needs.
In the sorting process, information is sequenced in ascending or
descending order according to defined attributes. In the filtering
process, the developer can isolate and emphasize pertinent
information from the "big picture." Developers can also allow
include zoom and merge functions in the GrAF applications.
PowerGrAF lets end users customize GrAF applications with new
views, sorts and filters. End users are protected, though, from
inappropriately accessing data, or from changing data structures
that are not part of the application, the officials noted.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931022/Reader contact: Texas Instruments, 214-
995-2011; Press contacts: Luane Kruse, Texas Instruments, tel 214-
575-5729; Dana Pantos Harris, Rourke & Company for Texas
Instruments, tel 617-267-0042; Todd J. Keefe, Digital Consulting
Inc., tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
CORRECTION APPLE
Correction - UMax Bundles Apple Software With Scanner
(CORRECTION)(APPLE)(BOS)(00004)
Correction - UMax Bundles Apple Software With Scanner 10/22/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- In a story that
ran in Newsbytes earlier this week, Apple's new PhotoFlash photo
publishing software was mistakenly referred to as "PhotoFinish."
In the UMax UC630LE/MAC scanner package, Apple's PhotoFlash and
Adobe's PhotoShop LE imaging editing software are bundled with the
UMax UC630 24-bit color scanner for a price of $999. Newsbytes
regrets the error.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931021/Press contact: Yvonne Lynott for UMax,
tel 303-530-2492)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/22/93
IBM
CASE World/Objex - Expert Systems Tool For End Users
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00005)
CASE World/Objex - Expert Systems Tool For End Users 10/22/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- At CASE
World/Objex, Cincom has launched a Windows-based tool for quick and
user friendly development of expert systems.
XpertRule 2.1 requires no programming knowledge, and can even be
employed by end users, said Terrence L. Ohr, senior product
manager, Application Development Technology, at a meeting with
Newsbytes.
Ohr told Newsbytes that users enter information about subjects they
know about, or facts obtained from experts, into XpertRule. The
software then uncovers hidden patterns in the data, and presents
these findings to the user.
In a demonstration, Ohr showed Newsbytes how a major bank used
XpertRule to analyze the typical behavior of its officers in
granting loans. The bank found that its loan officers had been
treating "time at bank" as the number one criterion.
"Gender," on the other hand, ranked number 12 out of a possible 14
factors. "If `gender' had ranked number three or four, for
example, the bank would have seen that it had a truly massive sex
discrimination problem on its hands," he explained.
DePaul University of Chicago has used XpertRule to build a student
registration system, and Tokyo Nissan has used the product to
create a custom car ordering system.
Channel 4 of the United Kingdom has applied the software for
optimizing advertising placement. Norwich Union, also of the UK,
has underwritten insurance claims with XpertRule, and Traversum AB
of Sweden has generated a stock system.
XpertRule gives the user a choice of two different methods, said
Ohr. One technique, "generation from examples," invites the user
to enter a small number of examples, and then automatically
generates a "decision tree" for the user's review.
The user then generates more examples to further refine the
decisions in the tree, repeating this process until a satisfactory
decision tree is obtained, said Ohr.
In an expert system on "what to do if your car won't start," for
instance, the examples might include whether the starter motor is
dead or spins, whether the engine fires, whether the gas gauge
shows some gas or none, and whether the ignition is automatic or
standard.
The status of these examples, when combined with the status of
other examples, would lead to different decisions on the tree. If
there is gas on the gauge but the motor is dead, the decision would
be to "push start."
If there is gas on the gauge, the motor spins, and the ignition is
automatic, the decision would be to "try later." But if the
ignition is automatic, the decision would be to "get help."
The other technique, "truth tables," speeds the process by creating
a full set of examples. All the user must do is to specify the
outcome of each example, and edit an "outcome column" that is
automatically generated by XpertRule.
Ohr told Newsbytes that XpertRule can be used on a stand-alone
basis, or to generate program source code in Cobol, C, Pascal, or
Mantis, Cincom's application development language, for deployment
to other systems.
Mantis is a component in Cincom's AD/Advantage Windows-based life
cycle application development system, he said. Mantis can also be
deployed to a wide range of other systems, including IBM MVS, VSE,
and VM; Digital Open VMS and OSF/1; Hewlett-Packard, Sun, SCO and
other Unix systems; and DOS and OS/2.
John Wills, marketing manager for Application Development
Technology, told Newsbytes that Cincom is a 25-year-old company
with 60 offices worldwide. The vendor provides software
technologies in application development, database management,
manufacturing and financial applications, text management, and
process, product and resource management, Wills noted.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931021/Reader contact: Cincom, tel 513-662-
2300; Press contacts: Mike Boehmer, Cincom, tel 513-662-2300;
Todd J. Keefe, Digital Consulting Inc., tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
TELECOM
Octel Adds Fax Processing To VoiceMail
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)
Octel Adds Fax Processing To VoiceMail 10/22/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Octel, a
leader in voice mail systems, began shipping its new family of
fax processing products, including FaxAgent, FaxBroadcast,
and FaxStation.
The new products, announced in April, have already drawn over 300
orders, the company said. They allow Octel users to create
"multimedia mailboxes" and access both faxes and voice messages
through the same system.
FaxAgent allows access to mailboxes through any touch-tone phone
to retrieve both voice and fax messages, and lets faxes be
archived or forwarded in the same manner as voice messages.
FaxAgent allows a user to print a fax from their mailbox at any
fax machine, and includes privacy safeguards. FaxBroadcast
allows a fax document to be sent to thousands of fax devices in a
single transaction. FaxStation is an overflow mailbox which
eliminates busy signals by storing faxes for over-filled
mailboxes in a buffer.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931021/Press Contact: Octel Communications,
Diane Sink, 408/321-3338)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
TELECOM
Ericsson In India Fiber Optic Venture
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00007)
Ericsson In India Fiber Optic Venture 10/22/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Ericsson Cables AB of
Sweden has entered into a joint venture with one of India's
major business groups, the Birlas, to set up a Rs 47.5
crore (around $15.8 million) optical fiber project.
To be implemented by a new company, Birla Ericsson Optical Ltd., the
project will have the capacity to manufacture 4,000 cable kilometers
of optical fibers per annum. The Swedish company and the
Birla group are taking up to a 30 percent stake each in the Rs 25
crore (around $8.3 million) equity capital of the new company.
The project will manufacture fiber optic communication cables of
various designs tailor-made to the specifications of customers like
the Department of Telecommunications (of the government of India),
Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (the government-owned corporation
that provides telephone services in the metros), railroad and
defense companies.
Commercial production is expected to start in December. In
order to part finance the cost of the project, the company has
entered the capital market with the public issue of 87.50 lakh
equity shares aggregating Rs 8.75 crore (around $3 million).
(C T Mahabharat/19931021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
TRENDS
Toshiba, AT&T Japan Release RISC Processors
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008)
Toshiba, AT&T Japan Release RISC Processors 10/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Toshiba and AT&T Japan have
developed advanced RISC (reduced instruction set computing)
processors. Toshiba claims its RISC processor is more
powerful than Intel's Pentium. AT&T Japan's RISC is a high-end
version of the Hobbit.
Toshiba's RISC processor, which vies with Intel's Pentium, is
based on a design by MIPS Technologies in the US. It was
developed jointly with Integrated Device Technology and Quantum
Effect Design in the US. The chip, called the R4600, has a clock
speed of 50 megahertz. As far as the integer calculation is
concerned, the chip is about 5 percent faster than that of the
Pentium, and in floating point calculations is about 7 percent
faster, according to Toshiba. Sample chips will be sold for
around 40,000 yen ($400) in April 1994.
Meanwhile, AT&T Japan has announced RISC processors for next-
generation handheld terminal devices. There are three of
these processors, which are high-end versions of the Hobbit
family. The ATT92020S is energy-saving, consuming 20-percent
less electricity than the original Hobbit. The ATT92020M
reduces the number of peripheral ICs from 4 to 2 units. The
ATT92020MX is space-saving, able to reduce the number of
peripheral ICs from 4 to only 1 unit. The price
of these chips are 4,200 ($42) to 4,900 yen ($49).
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931020/Press Contact: Toshiba, +81-3-
3457-2100, Fax, +81-3-3456-4776, AT&T Japan, +81-3-5561-3170)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
TRENDS
Fujitsu Enters DOS/V-PC Market
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00009)
Fujitsu Enters DOS/V-PC Market 10/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Fujitsu has released
DOS/V-compatible personal computers, its first foray into
the DOS/V-compatible PC market in Japan. Fujitsu will continue
to sell its original personal computers as well as the DOS/V PCs.
Fujitsu's FMV series include desktop and notebook-type
PCs. There are six models with 17 variations ranging from
a 25-megahertz to 66-megahertz 80486 processors. Japanese
Windows 3.1 are included. The units offer extremely fast
graphic processing speed, according to Fujitsu. The notebook-type
PCs include a color LCD (liquid crystal display) version and
a monochrome version.
To celebrate the release of the first DOS/V-compatible
PCs in Japan, Fujitsu has released 3,000 limited versions
of the computers with a graphic accelerator. These limited PCs are
available at the regular price tag on a first-come first-served
basis. The low-end version of Fujitsu's DOS/V-compatible PCs costs
178,000 yen ($1,780), which is about the same price as those
of IBM Japan or other DOS/V-compatible computer makers.
Fujitsu has been receiving a supply of DOS/V PC parts from
overseas PC makers -- about 70 percent of them are supplied
by Taiwanese firms, including Acer.
Fujitsu hopes to ship one million units of these DOS/V PCs
within a couple of years, and seeks to raise its PC market
share in Japan from the current 12 percent to 30 percent by
1996. Currently, NEC has the major PC share in Japan, and
Fujitsu is in second place.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931019/Press Contact: Fujitsu, +81-3-
3215-5236, Fax, +81-3-3216-9365)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
EDITORIAL TELECOM
Editorial - The Split On NAFTA
(EDITORIAL)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)
Editorial - The Split On NAFTA 10/22/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- By Dana Blankenhorn.
While most Americans are divided on the North American Free
Trade Agreement, the high tech community is almost uniformly
in favor of it.
The deal, which would eliminate tariffs among Canada, the US
and Mexico over 15 years, and includes some side agreements on
labor and environmental issues, is in big trouble otherwise. The
reason has to do with the nature of our politics, in fact the
nature of most politics in the last decade of the 20th century.
Put simply, nationalism is making a comeback. It was the driving
force in world politics for hundreds of years, but the Cold War
put it in cold storage. That conflict created military treaties
like NATO, economic groupings like the European Community, and
political groupings like the United Nations, along with the image
of a world moving toward internationalism. But that was a chimera
-- when the Cold War thawed, all the old fears returned.
Yugoslavia, frozen into place under Communism, exploded into
ethnic violence. So did the old Soviet Union, where Cold War
peacemaker Edvard Schevardnadze now watches his Georgia home
disintegrate before him.
Nationalism is behind a lot of current opposition to the Clinton
Administration's foreign policy. Conservatives want to base our
military policy solely on America's narrowest national interest.
If people are starving in Somalia or being oppressed in Haiti,
they see no threat, absent an overriding enemy in Communism, which
might advance in a vacuum.
But most conservatives are Clinton's allies on NAFTA. They see
that NAFTA is in our narrow national interest. Neither tariffs
nor a high wall will keep low-wage jobs from moving to Mexico,
while lower tariffs hold the promise of higher exports. Mexican
wages will rise under NAFTA, reducing immigration, and the
prospects for real democracy there will rise. The relatively low
wages there can be an ace-in-the-hole for the US economy,
countering Europe's reliance on Portugal, Greece and Turkey, as
well as Japanese reliance on Chinese production. And NAFTA can be
extended throughout Latin America, giving the Americas the kind
of independence, and interdependence, the Monroe Doctrine only
hinted at. Presidents Reagan, Bush and Nixon, as well as
Democratic President Carter, are all for NAFTA.
What's changed is on the left. Labor is fighting this pact hard,
and so far it's winning. It might be because organized labor is
the most conservative group a society can have, seeking mainly to
keep work as it is while gaining more for it. During the Cold
War, US unions supported our internationalist aims, but just as
Vietnam turned many young people off to containment at-any-price,
so the Reagan era made labor an enemy of internationalism. After
all, while Reagan was using deceit, deficits, and defense to
speed the fall of the USSR, he was also using every weapon at his
command to reduce the power and wages of labor. He succeeded on
both counts.
That still leaves President Clinton, sole heir of an
internationalist foreign policy tradition which goes back 50
years, but without a unifying vision on which to base that
policy. That legacy was originally couched in idealistic terms
like freedom, democracy, and economic liberty. The United Nations
came into the lexicon in 1942 to represent only those nations
fighting Germany and Japan. In World War II and the succeeding
Cold War, American leaders saw themselves leading an alliance of
free people against an alliance of slaves. It was never that
simple, but it gave a coherence to world politics that's missing
today.
While the President is trying to win the NAFTA fight by making
deals with the 50 or so Democrats he needs to get a majority --
assuming Republican support remains firm -- NAFTA should be seen
as only part of a larger whole. And a larger problem. What's
lacking in US foreign policy today, all of it, is a coherent
doctrine of what our aims are, and what means we'll use to
achieve those aims.
The elements are there. The US stands as it always has, for
democracy, for human rights, and for free markets. These are in
our narrow national interest, and in the interest of all people.
We must employ every weapon at our disposal, starting with our
example, but also including our diplomacy, our economic strength
and -- only when absolutely necessary -- our military. To win
Clinton will have to make all this coherent, he'll need a
"Clinton Doctrine" to define our policies in the decades ahead.
NAFTA represents a vital application of our economic strength to
these higher goals.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931020)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
APPLE
Japan - Apple Macintoshes Now Sold In Electronics Shops
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00011)
Japan - Apple Macintoshes Now Sold In Electronics Shops 10/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Apple Computer Japan has
expanded its sales of the Macintosh to major home electronics
shops in Japan.
Apple Computer Japan has inked deals with major home electronics
chains Daiichi Kaden and Kojima, among others. These shops
are franchised throughout Japan and could increase Apple Computer
sales significantly.
Apple Computer Japan will sell a special Macintosh bundle
through these shops. The package is called the Macintosh Performer
and it includes a basic software set, preinstalled on the
computer, to make it easy for first-time buyers.
The Macintosh Performer includes the Color Classic II, which
is intended for the Japanese market, and the LC475, which is
equipped with a super-fast 68040 processor. A major advantage
for users could be price -- these home electronics shops
heavily discount their products and Apple is leaving pricing
up to them.
Although the Macintosh is gaining popularity in Japan, NEC
still dominates the market. Apple Computer Japan wants to
sell 250,000 units per year, now that electronics stores are
added to its retail sales mix.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931022/Press Contact: Apple Computer
Japan, +81-3-5411-8715)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
TELECOM
A While-You-Were-Out Fax Service From Delrina, Vodafone
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00012)
A While-You-Were-Out Fax Service From Delrina, Vodafone 10/22/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Delrina Corp., a
facsimile and forms software maker here, and Vodata Ltd., a
subsidiary of cellular service provider Vodafone Group plc in the
United Kingdom, have announced an alliance in which they
plan to offer enhanced message services to simplify personal
computer communications.
According to the companies, a new service due to be available in
the first quarter of 1994 will let users of Delrina's facsimile
software receive incoming faxes while they are away from their
offices or their personal computers are switched off.
The service will provide PC users with a fax mailbox to which
their faxes can be sent regardless of where they are, said
Delrina spokesman Shelly Sofer. They will then be able to call
the mailbox and download the faxes to their PCs.
In the UK, users will also be able to have the system notify
them via a cellular phone or pager when a fax comes in. Sofer
said the companies may be able to offer the same service
elsewhere in the future, if it can make arrangements with a
cellular carrier or paging company.
The service will be offered to every buyer of the Delrina fax
software, Sofer said, but those who want it will have to sign up
and pay additional fees.
He said this move is part of a wider strategy that includes the
recent formation of Delrina's communications services division
and alliances with MCI Communications in the US and
Canada's Worldlinx, a Bell Canada subsidiary.
(Grant Buckler/19931021/Press Contact: Josef Zankowicz, Delrina,
416-441-3676; Shelly Sofer, Delrina, 416-441-4702; Larry Levy,
Delrina, +44-081-207-3163; Public Contact: Delrina, 800-268-6082)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
GOVT
Super Conductor Super Collider Cancelled
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00013)
Super Conductor Super Collider Cancelled 10/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Saying that the
projected final cost of $10- to $12-billion is not justified by
the expected scientific benefits, the US Senate has killed the
Texas-based Super Conductor Super Collider, earmarking this
fiscal year's $640 million, which was intended to continue the
project, as funding to be used to close down the project.
The SCSC is currently a gigantic circular tunnel being bored into
the Texas landscape. It was intended to eventually contain the
world's largest particle accelerator and employs more than 2,000
local workers and 13,000 around the US.
Although more than $2 billion has already been spent on this
project, which was intended to explore properties of the minutest
subatomic particles, the entire project had years to go in the
construction stage and was only about one-fifth complete at the
time it was cancelled.
Although there were no direct benefits expected for the computer
industry, basic research in particle physics has always led to
advances in computer technology in two ways. First, particle
physics requires the development of massive supercomputers along
with advanced programming techniques and second, the results of
the research itself often leads to new microchip technology.
But there has been an increasing outcry against the massive
spending on high-profile scientific projects which are not
expected to have important practical results, especially when
amateur scientists like Rolex Award Winner Forrest Mims produce
an inexpensive ozone layer measuring device that actually
outperforms a multi-million dollar NASA satellite.
Recent NASA and other expensive space project failures have also
caused former scientific research supporters to reevaluate their
support for projects like the Space Station Freedom and the SCSC,
both of which have a large presence in Texas, an important
Democratic vote stronghold.
Washington observers say that although the SCSC is now gone and
the Space Station is still in considerable danger, the much-
touted "Information Superhighway" is not a candidate for the
budget axe, partially because of Vice President Gore's strong
support, partially because its benefits will be real, immediate,
and, very importantly, will involve every region of the country.
(John McCormick/19931022/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00014)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 10/22/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
Computerworld dated October 18 reports that Microsoft wants to
eventually develop a database unification strategy based on a
repository architecture which would let applications run on any
database regardless of what base language was used to create the
application software.
Communicationsweek for the week of the 18th says that Microsoft
is still struggling to convince business users that Windows NT is
necessary to their enterprise networks. The biggest problem is
that the much-touted Hermes and Microsoft's Enterprise Messaging
Server are missing from the product lineup and won't appear until
next summer or even later - both are necessary to corporate users
building a powerful enterprise-wide system.
Cynthia Morgan says in the October 11 Government Computer News
that green (energy-saving) PCs won't sell until the price comes
down.
Voice Processing Magazine for October says that managers should
"always review the effectiveness and efficiency of any call
processing application under operational conditions" when
deciding to make changes to voice mail and suggests that "call
activity flow is an important gauge of operational efficiency and
performance."
Informationweek for October 18 puts the Bell Atlantic/TCI merger
on the cover and says that the real story is a communications
revolution that will benefit business users first.
(John McCormick/19931022/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
APPLE
Australia - Apple Revamps Mac Line
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00015)
Australia - Apple Revamps Mac Line 10/22/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCTOBER 22 (NB) -- Apple Australia has
launched a broadside of new and revamped Macintosh models aimed
at expanding the company's market share. Apple's position as number
one PC supplier in Australia is under increasingly heavy attack
from Compaq, Osborne and IBM.
Many of the new models feature Motorola 68040 processors and CD-ROM
drives at prices as low as AUS$3095 (US$2000) as Apple strikes
back at the 486-powered IBM PC clones which have been eating
into its market share. Some will also be upgraded to PowerPC
processors next year.
"This introduction sends a clear message to the marketplace --
we have smashed the price barrier long associated with Apple
products" said David Rigg, Apple Australia marketing director.
"Today one of the last remaining obstacles to greater Macintosh
acceptance - price competitiveness - tumbles down."
Apple has simplified its Macintosh line-up by folding the mid-range
Centris line into the Quadra family with high-performance business
machines. The all-new Quadra 605 has a 68LC040 processor, Ethernet,
and standard CD-ROM drive, all in a slimline case for AUS$3095.
In the LC range, aimed at education and home users, the current
LCII and III "pizza box" models are joined by the LC 475 - the
first LC with an 040 chip - and the LC 520, a multimedia 68030
one-piece model with built-in color monitor, CD-ROM drive,
stereo speakers and microphone. They have suggested retail
prices of AUS$3395 and AUS$3295.
The PowerBook Duo family of lightweight portables has been joined
by two new siblings with active-matrix screens: the mono Do at
AUS$4995 and the color model at $5595.
(David Frith and Computer Daily News/19931022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
1 10/22/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of - ButtonFile Version
(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00016)
Review of - ButtonFile Version 1 10/22/93
Runs on: PC-AT, PS-2, and 100% compatibles running MS-Windows
plus at least 2 megabytes of extra storage space. Windows
requirements: 4 megs of RAM, using PC/MS-DOS 3.1 or higher, and a
EGA, VGA, or SVGA monitor.
From: ButtonWare, P.O.Box 96058, Bellevue WA 98009-4469,
Phone:206-454-0479, FAX:206-454-1838
Price: $89.95
PUMA Rating: 3.75 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378
Summary: Buttonhole your data in Windows with ButtonWare's
ButtonFile.
======
REVIEW
======
ButtonWare's ButtonFile, a CardFile-type program with
limited database capabilities, has an attractive Rolodex-style
interface. This makes for easy data entry once the card is
designed and the deck is identified.
The ButtonFile program also has 14 templates with which you can
quickly set up simple databases. The titles are: Book Library,
Business Cards, Credit Cards, Data/Boxes, File Folders, Home
Inventory, Mailing List, Music Collection, Notes, Personnel
Records, Recipes, Rolodex Cards, Software Library, and Video
Library. The templates can be used as-is or modified by adding or
deleting fields. The cards can also be set up "from scratch."
Getting started is no muss, no fuss! Just use the normal Windows
setup installation and you are on your way.
The database capabilities of ButtonFile are somewhat limited, but
there's plenty here for most purposes. A card, which is
ButtonFile's name for a record, can consist of a maximum of 40
fields with up to 256 characters each. A record can also have a
single note field with up to 8192 characters.
While the number of records are limited by the availability of
disk space, it is recommended that there be no more than 200,000
records per database, or card deck. That is still a lot of
records for most personal uses.
Several common databases interact with ButtonFile. It will import
and export to dBase, PC-File, Windows CardFile, WordPerfect, and
ASCII comma delimited (CSV) files.
ButtonWare reports that ButtonFile will print on all common
business forms including over 1,000 pre-defined Avery and
Dennison laser and tractor-fed forms, mailing & shipping labels,
Rolodex cards, envelopes, name tags, lists, rosters, catalogs,
and more.
Screen presentation can be cards or tables. Tables
have a spreadsheet look and feel.
The spreadsheet presentation is weak in that a field can appear
truncated when it really isn't. The information can be massaged
into sight by expanding the column size. A wide column,
beyond 40 characters, can become cumbersome. If the column is a
Note field there is an alternative way to view it -- a table view
-- which is easier to use.
The Boolean record searching capabilities are a big plus. The
search pattern can be exact or based on similar sounds. A
specific field can be searched with "beginning with" or "not
beginning with" as well as "containing or not containing,"
"equal to," "greater than," or "less than" the pattern chosen.
Also, more than one field can be selected for searching.
The shortcoming of ButtonFile as a database is it has no
calculation capabilities in its reporting feature. This means
that totaling up the Home Inventory value is out. In other words,
a record consists of Text fields of varying sizes and the
possibility of a single Note field. No Numeric or Date fields
selections are provided.
Other features include password protection and encryption, data
sorting for up to three levels, and powerful clipboard support.
The Index Tab Bar provides quick movement through the cards
within a deck. And a Tool Bar contains most of the commonly used
features including auto-dialing if a modem is available.
At under $100, ButtonFile is really a nice add-on for Windows.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: (3) Easily installed and quick to use. The weakest
points are the spreadsheet-like Table, the presentation, and lack
of numeric, calculable, fields, and the lack of a date field.
USEFULNESS: (4) For organizing and accessing database information
ButtonFile is great.
MANUAL: (4) Though it is hardly needed. There a few explanations
and descriptions that can make operating easier. As with most
Windows oriented products, the HELP feature is easy to use.
AVAILABILITY: (4) ButtonWare product can be found at EggHead
Software, 800-344-4323, where ButtonFile is sold for $59.99 or
$56.99 to its Cue members. It can be special ordered from
CompUSA, 800-451-7638, for $57.99 or purchase ButtonFile by mail
from MicroWarehouse, 800-367-7080, for $54.95. Shopping around
for the best price is generally worth it. Buttonware products can
ordered direct by calling 800-528-8866 at suggested retail plus
$6.50 for shipping and handling.
(tbass HNDYPRSN/19930916/Press Contact: Laura Clark, Buttonware,
206-454-0479, FAX:206-454-1838)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of: Uninvited
(REVIEW)(IBM)(ATL)(00017)
Review of: Uninvited 10/22/93
Runs on: PC-AT, PS-2, AND 100% compatibles using PC/MS-DOS 3.3 or
higher, running Windows 3.1, a SVGA monitor, with 4MB RAM, 8MB free
storage space, and mouse. A Windows-compatible sound card is
recommended.
From: ICOM Simulations Inc., 648 South Wheeling Rd.,Wheeling IL
60090, V: 708-520-44400, FAX:708-459-7456
Price: $59.95
PUMA Rating: 3.875 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest )
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: tbass HNDYPRSN, MCI:379-5378
Summary: The Uninvited is a demanding adventure game. Although it
offers nice graphics and good sound, it requires deduction,
attention to detail, and tenacity to master. The "Hint" book is
helpful.
======
REVIEW
======
Although The Uninvited comes in a Macintosh version, we reviewed
the Windows-based version of this adventure game by ICOM
Simulations Inc.
The story begins as follows. The car you're driving
wrecks in front of Aleister Crowley's mansion in Loch Ness,
Scotland. You must find your brother who disappeared from the car
after the wreck, before you regained consciousness. You must
also get out of the car before it catches on fire. If you can
do that, you then enter the spooky mansion at your own risk.
Movement and information about what's taking place are monitored
via four windows: Main, which shows the visual scene; Self, your
player; Inventory, where collectibles are stored; Exits, a
diagram of the current rooms' exits; and Text, the written
description of the adventure.
Like most adventures you move-and-save so that when you get
creamed you don't have to start at the beginning!
The audio is not exquisite over the PC speaker. In fact it is
fuzzy, and almost inaudible. I agree with ICOM and advise having
a sound card attached to some kind of speaker system. My nephew,
Nick, age 15, liked the graphics and if I had a sound card
he would have appreciated the audio too.
ICOM Simulations is a recent acquisition of Viacom
International, owner of such cable networks as MTV, MTV Europe,
VH-1, Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite. It looks like Uninvited is
another opportunity for my nephew to spend more time with Viacom
programs.
An order card for the "Uninvited Hint Book" is included with the
registration card and it costs $5.00. It is worth it!
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: (3) It works well and the graphics are excellent.
The sounds are not as good on a PC-Speaker as expected, but the
sound is geared for use with a sound card. Also, programs which
protect against viruses must be disabled.
USEFULNESS: (4) If you have a teenager for the weekend and need
to get something else done, this game can certainly occupy some
time.
MANUAL: (4) The installation could hardly be easier.
The directions are short and to the point. A hint book may be
needed to complete the adventure.
AVAILABILITY: (4) Can be ordered direct from the producer by
dialing 800-877-4266 and selecting the order desk. It is marketed
at many stores.
(tbass HNDYPRSN/19930923/Press Contact: Michele Boeding, ICOM,
708-808-6458)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
TELECOM
QVC Launches Tender for Paramount
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
QVC Launches Tender for Paramount 10/22/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- QVC Network Inc.,
has launched a hostile tender offer for Paramount Communications
Inc., offering $80 per share cash for 51 percent of the company.
Once control is achieved, QVC said it would buy the rest of
Paramount for stock.
The bid puts intense pressure on Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone
and on the Paramount board. Redstone must now raise his bid in
order to meet QVC in the market, and Paramount must now consider
QVC's offer seriously. Viacom had been able to file its papers on
the merger and go through most of the required waiting period,
since it had negotiated an agreement to buy the company and QVC's
bid had not been formally considered. Now QVC can file papers on
the purchase, since it's planning a hostile takeover. The earlier
stock-cash offer, also worth $80 per share, was considered
friendly.
Viacom started the ball rolling by offering cash and stock worth,
it said, about $70 per share for Paramount, an offer Paramount's
board has accepted. Viacom has also said that the added money QVC
is offering isn't worth it, since no one else can offer Paramount
the synergies of an alliance with Viacom, whose cable programming
holdings include MTV and Nickelodeon. But now that arbitrageurs
have had weeks to accumulate the company's stock, it's expected
an all-out bidding war will develop.
There's one more possibility. When he signed to acquire
Paramount, Redstone accepted some provisions which will give him
cash and a lot of Paramount stock in the event it's eventually
acquired by another company, like QVC. Redstone could make
hundreds of millions of dollars by walking away and letting QVC
head Barry Diller take the prize.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
TELECOM
FCC Releases Cable Rate Findings
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
FCC Releases Cable Rate Findings 10/22/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission released preliminary results from its
review of cable television rates, showing that while most bills
did fall, about a third did receive rate hikes.
The FCC staff surveyed 250 cable systems owned by the top 25
cable companies, representing over 75 percent of the nation's 57
million subscribers. The findings are preliminary because 11 of
the 25 companies surveyed have not yet answered the query.
Critics charged that the answers came from a sample too small to
be worthwhile, representing just 8 million subscribers. The House
author of the cable law, Democratic Congressman Edward Markey of
Massachusetts, reacted by asking the General Accounting Office to
conduct its own new survey. The FCC refused to answer questions
at a press conference, promising more complete figures next
month.
While, in advance of regulators, many cable operators began
creating new "tiers" of service in what had been basic cable,
making consumers pay added charges for popular services like CNN,
there's now a new trick made possible by the cable act, called "a
la carte" pricing. In this system, each channel is sold
separately, although the operators can also offer bundles of
channels at a discount. Such prices are not regulated, and the
survey indicates those operators using a la carte pricing showed
huge increases for consumers choosing that option.
In Atlanta, GCTV added a third tier of "basic service" called a
"Value Pack," consisting of The Weather Channel and two
superstations, WGN and WWOR, at $1.70 per month. September bills
were slightly higher than those in August, but October bills,
after a re-calculation, were actually a bit lower. November bills
are expected to be in line with those in August.
But that's not the end of the matter. Local governments can opt
to start their own rate-making procedures. Certification by the
FCC sets off a long chain of events under which operators send
the local governments information on how their rates were
calculated, which the government can accept or reject. That's
followed by an appeals process under which the cable operator can
ask the FCC to overturn what it considers unfair rates. In
Georgia, many small cities have banded together, through their
trade associations, to share expertise and start rate regulation.
Conservative counties, like Cobb County in the Atlanta suburbs,
have for now decided against starting the process.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931022/Press Contact: FCC Press Office, 202-
632-5050)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
TELECOM
Online Services Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
Online Services Update 10/22/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- So many major
online services have begun offering new features, and so many new
networks have announced openings, that we decided to pull them
together into one wrap-up.
Time Warner formed an alliance with CompuServe under which its
book authors and editors will participate in CompuServe forums.
Expert guests will also be solicited in a variety of subjects.
CompuServe also said it will offer the text of 12 New York area
newspapers owned by Gannett on its service, at its regular rates
of $8-16 per hour. The Gannett Suburban Newspapers serve the
northern suburban counties of Westchester, Putnam and Rockland.
Genentech, a South San Francisco, California biotechnology
company, said it will work with America Online to open a network
called "Access Excellence" that will help biology teachers
exchange lesson plans and other information with teachers and
other scientists. Genentech staff will manage the new service.
AOL also has a similar service for teachers called the Scholastic
Network.
Telescan, which operates online services in specialty areas for
such clients as Editor & Publisher and the American Institute of
Architects, but is best known for stock quote services now being
organized into a service for investors and business owners called
Entrepreneurs Online, added a service for licensing executives.
LES Online will help the Licensing Executives Society's 7,000
members with databases and resources called vital to technology
transfer professionals, like comprehensive information on
companies and their technology needs, as well as electronic mail,
forums, and roundtables.
Finally, two women have opened a San Francisco service called
the Women's Information & Resource Exchange or WIRE, the first
online service devoted exclusively to women. There are a number
of services where women are very active, but this is the first
time that market has been singled out explicitly. The service
costs $15 per month for two hours of use, with added time at
$2.50 per hour. In addition to news, mail, and bulletin boards,
the service will offer interactive chats on issues of interest to
women.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
TELECOM
More On US West's Plans To Serve Russia
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00021)
More On US West's Plans To Serve Russia 10/22/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- US West jointly with one Russian
and two Russian-American companies announced the opening of United
Telecom Far East, a company which is to provide cellular services in
three Eastern regions of Russia.
Other cofounders of the company include Daltelecom International, former
state-run long distance phone communications provider for the Far East
region; Vartelecom, a Russian-owned communications company, and United
Telecom, partly owned by US parties.
The companies did not unveil the size of investments and shares in the
new company's ownership.
United Telecom has already acquired a license to build and operate a 900
MHz AMPS analog cellular phone system in the Khabarovsk region. It also
hopes to buy rights to operate 900 MHz GSM systems in Khabarovsk, Amur,
and the Kamchatka regions, according to the company.
The fast-growing business climate, and the large number of international
companies coming into the region makes building the cellular network
a very profitable business, according to Valery Moloenkov, the
new company's general manager.
In the tender sales of the cellular licenses held by the Russian Ministry
of Communications in January, 1993, US West led the consortia which won 8
out of 12 exclusive licenses to establish cellular communications
networks in various parts of Russia.
(Kirill Tchashchin/19931022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/22/93
APPLE
Rasterops Cuts $850 From Moviepak2 Upgrade Price
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00022)
Rasterops Cuts $850 From Moviepak2 Upgrade Price 10/22/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- For 90
days, Rasterops says it will offer its new Moviepak2 for $850
off the retail price of $1,849, in exchange for old Moveiepak
boards.
The company says Moviepak2 offers MoviePak2 full-motion 60
fields-per-second video, real-time 30 frame-per-second video
digitizing, and full-screen 640 by 480 picture element (pixel)
playback from the hard disk. Users can still use the LSI Joint
Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) compression technology and
video-in-a-window, and Moviepak2 can support display
resolutions up to 26 inches in diameter.
Scott Rawlings, Rasterops product marketing manager, said
regarding the board exchange that once users pay their $999,
they don't have to return the old board until the new one
arrives. This means those dependent on the board will lose less
time in the replacement process.
The upgrade offer begins 90 days after the initial ship date of
MoviePak2, which is scheduled for late October, 1993.
Rasterops stirred up a hornet's nest of protest last week when
it publicly announced that competitors Supermac and Radius were
in violation of patents it claims it has on video-in-a-window
technology. Both Radius and Supermac took special exception to
implied threats made by Rasterops to their customers and
distributors.
Plagued with red ink in its 1993 fiscal year, Rasterops blamed
lower sales and a restructuring charge for its $12.1 million
loss on revenues of about $100 million, according to Standard
and Poors.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931022/Press Contact: Diana Iles, Cunningham
Communication for Rasterops, tel 408-982-0400, fax 408-982-
0403)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
TELECOM
Bell Atlantic, McCaw Deny Patent Infringement
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
Bell Atlantic, McCaw Deny Patent Infringement 10/22/93
POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Peter James
Tsakanikas, who holds a patent he calls the Alphabet Phone
patent, is taking aim at the cellular industry and meeting
resistance. In August, the inventor sent a letter to AT&T and
McCaw cellular asking $20 million for infringing the patent,
while threatening to sue for $1 billion if no settlement was
reached. Now he's asking $12 billion of McCaw, and demanding
another $1.5 billion from Bell Atlantic.
But now, claiming he's learned that his technology, patent number
4,427,848 is integral to cellular telephony, he's demanding more.
He first issued a press release asking $1.5 billion from Bell
Atlantic for infringing the patent, under which you can input
letters on a phone by "dialing up the button," pressing the
number 2 once for the letter A, twice for B and three times for
C. In his press statement Tsakanikas charged that his patent is
being used in a Bell Atlantic cellular service sold as Name
Dialing in both their cellular telephone equipment and network
services. The Bell Atlantic figure was calculated based on $2 per
month per subscriber for each year the patent has been enforced.
A spokesman for the inventor told Newsbytes that the fact that
wired telephones are an integral part of cellular networks "makes
this case much stronger" and is behind the higher figure.
A day later he went further, issuing a press release on AT&T and
McCaw, with this explanation. "On August 23, 1993 I only was
asking $20 million each from AT&T and McCaw when I put both on
notice of their continuing infringement of my intellectual
properties." Since then, "I learned that the cellular telephone
network itself infringes. Now I am asking $2 per cellular
subscriber per month through the year 2001."
He added, "I feel if AT&T can elect to purchase McCaw Cellular
Communications for over $13 billion, making Mr. Craig O. McCaw
a billionaire, it is only fair and equitable that AT&T also make
me a billionaire as revenues being generated on the AT&T and McCaw
cellular telephone networks are significantly and favorably
impacted by using my intellectual property."
In both cases, the inventor said, he'll ask treble damages
if he doesn't get a settlement. That would be $4.5 billion
from Bell Atlantic, and $36 billion from AT&T-McCaw.
He told Newsbytes he's willing to make a settlement, and
acknowledged that, while suits have been filed on the patent
before, they've all been settled before trial.
Among the companies Tsakanikas says have settled with him in the
past are fax machine makers such as Canon, Sharp, and Brothers,
who use the technique to let users enter data on where their
faxes are coming from into their machines, as well as point of
sales terminal companies like Verifone and audiotex companies
like VoiceQuote.
Both companies denied the charge. "Bell Atlantic has taken a look
at this and we see no liability for our company," said spokesman
Larry Plumb. Said McCaw spokesman Bob Ratliffe, "We are aware of
it. We think it's without merit. We will pursue it through legal
channels." A spokesman for the Cellular Telecommunications
Industry Association said he wasn't aware that the technology was
in wide use in the industry.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931022/Press Contact: Peter Tsakanikas, 1-
301-208-8000; Bell Atlantic, Larry Plumb, 703-974-2814; McCaw
Cellular, Bob Ratliffe, 206-828-8685; CTIA, 202-785-0081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
BUSINESS
S&S International Goes Public
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00024)
S&S International Goes Public 10/22/93
BERKHAMSTEAD, HERTS, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Dr Alan Solomon,
the founder of S&S International, the developers of Dr Solomon's
Anti-Virus Toolkit, has announced his intention to prepare the
company for stock market flotation.
S&S is riding high after winning the Queen's Award for Technological
Achievement earlier this year. Recently, the company claimed to be
extending its lead over the competition with the release of new
software technology which is designed to defeat the mutating
viruses which have been plaguing the computer industry.
S&S International distributes its products in over 60 countries
worldwide. With a multimillion-pound-a-year turnover, the company
has prospered in spite of a severe UK recession. Although in
business for just nine years, the company claims to have captured a
sizable slice of the corporate market for security products.
According to Pat Bitton, the company's sales and marketing manager,
S&S's prospects are excellent. "Our sales predictions show continued
growth," she said. "We have a number of new products which we are
planning to release in the new year and initial reaction from
corporate customers who are aware of their development is extremely
encouraging."
Dr Alan Solomon, the company's founder and chairman, told Newsbytes
that the company's decision to float S&S on the stock market follows
the normal progression of a successful enterprise. "This is just
what you'd expect from a company which has reached our sort of
size," he said.
Solomon would not comment on the exact timetable of the sale but
said that it was likely that S&S International would be a publicly
quoted company in 1995. "We are looking forward to a number of
advantages from this move," he said. "We will of course have access
to capital markets and it will give us considerable flexibility as
far as mergers and acquisitions are concerned."
The utilities market has been changing rapidly of late. Symantec
recently acquired Fifth Generation Systems and before that NOVI.
(Paul Robinson/19931022/Press & Public Contact: S&S International -
Tel: +44-442-877877)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
GOVT
UK To Ease Technology Export Rules To Far East
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00025)
UK To Ease Technology Export Rules To Far East 10/22/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- British Government officials
have announced plans to ease up on restrictions on technology
exports to China and former Soviet Bloc countries.
According to Richard Needham, the British Trade Minister, the easing
follows the refocussing late last year of the COCOM, the
coordinating committee on multi-lateral export controls.
Newsbytes notes that the Government's hand in this respect appears
to have been forced, as Needham has refused to drawn on a precise
time scale.
Needham was replying to a written Parliamentary question, a
procedure that takes place on a regular basis in British Government,
to allow Members of Parliament (MPs) to ask questions of senior
ministers that they would otherwise be unable to ask. The downside
of the procedure, Newsbytes notes, is that the questions must be
"asked" in advance and vetted by the Ministers answering the
questions.
In Parliament earlier this week, Needham said in his reply that,
although many ex-COCOM members had eased their rules on technology
exports, the UK still had significant barriers in place. "We are
considering the practical issues of implementing in the UK this more
relaxed export control policy," he said.
COCOM, which used to be the international agency with the role of
controlling the export of high-technology goods to the former Soviet
Bloc, changed its role in the light of the liberalization of those
countries last year.
At a meeting in Paris before Christmas 1992, COCOM members voted to
change the role of the agency to assist, rather than prevent, the
flow of high-tech information to the 25 newly independent nations of
the old Soviet empire. Also in attendance at the meeting were
representatives of these states, who are being co-opted into
membership of COCOM.
At last December's meeting, US officials with COCOM pledged $11
million to the group to help the former Eastern Bloc countries
develop systems to safeguard advanced technology. John McEntee, the
US Department of Commerce's under-secretary, said that everyone
recognizes that "the world is still not a safe place" and that there
are still "people that we are going to want to keep this technology
from."
(Steve Gold/19931022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
GOVT
Russia Adopts "Get Tough" Policy On Monetary Exchange
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00026)
Russia Adopts "Get Tough" Policy On Monetary Exchange 10/22/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 19993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Following last month's decision
by President Yeltsin's Government to ban foreign (i.e. non-rouble)
currency from circulation is Russia from the end of the year, the
Government has announced new policies for the monetary operations in
Russia.
According to the Government, plans are in hand to step up foreign
exchange controls on banks in coming months to fight capital flight
and tighten monetary policy.
Although there will be no cash dollar transactions allowed from the
beginning of next year, bank transfer and credit card transactions
in dollars will still be allowed. This had worried some sections of
the technology community which still relies heavily on the West for
its components and software.
The main reason for the re-introduction of harsh exchange control
mechanisms, according to the Government is that annual consumer
price inflation is expected to top the 1,300 percent mark by the end
of this year. The Government Center for Economic Analysis has also
revealed that average monthly inflation is now running at around 20
percent -- down from a 29 percent high in August of this year.
Bankers have accepted this new hard-line strategy, believing it to
be the best solution to what is fast turning into a civil war
situation. According to Russian bankers, they full expect a strong
military aggression towards Boris Yeltsin's hard-line opponents.
The ultimate aim of these changes, noted Dmitry Tulin, the deputy
chairman of the Central Russia Bank, is to yield a stronger
government in fight with the high rates of inflation.
"Now we have a better opportunity to implement tougher monetary
policy following recent political developments. There will be a
striker foreign exchange policy to stop companies smuggling dollars
abroad," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
TELECOM
Selling Cheese To The Swiss -- Telecom Style
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)
Selling Cheese To The Swiss -- Telecom Style 10/22/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- LM Ericsson, the Swedish
telecom and electronics giant, has scored a coup in selling its
network hardware and expertise to the Swiss, a country which already
has an indigenous telecom industry.
According to Ericsson, Telecom PTT of Switzerland has chosen the
Swedish company as a primary supplier of its packet data network
backbone. The contract is the direct result of the European
Commission (EC) mandate issued earlier this year that threatened to
force EC member countries to open up their markets to free
competition.
As part of the contract, Ericsson will supply SDH (synchronous
digital hierarchy) technology based on ETNA, the Ericsson Transport
Network Architecture) to the Swiss Telecom PTT.
Telecom PTT estimates the value of orders under the contract to be
around 2,700 million Crowns over the ten years of the contract.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931022/Press & Public Contact: Ericsson - Tel: +46-
8-719-0000; Fax: +46-8-184085)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
TRENDS
****Intel To Serialize CPUs To Help Prevent Theft
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00028)
****Intel To Serialize CPUs To Help Prevent Theft 10/22/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Intel is
planning to put serial numbers on the outside of its
microprocessor chips to identify the chips and help prevent the
violence chip thefts that are becoming common in Silicon
Valley.
"The level of violence in these robberies has prompted us to
begin this effort," said John Raftrey of Intel. "Guns are being
used and recently someone actually pulled the trigger but the
gun didn't fire. The police are telling us we can help solve
the crime problem by making the microprocessor chips
traceable."
Intel's immediate effort will be to tighten up its shipping
procedure and use those numbers applied to microprocessor chip
packages to begin identifying the chips. But eventually, the
company plans to serialize the chips themselves with an
identification mark that will either be visible to the naked
eye or readable by a scanner. No plans are in the works now to
put the number within the chip so it can be read within the
computer using software.
Most of the thefts have been of 486 chips, just because of the
quantity of those chips in the market. Intel claims it will
produce 30 to 35 million 486 chips in the coming year. Some of
the thieves have been caught using video surveillance
equipment, but serializing the chips will make the job easier.
"Right now, if someone has a trunkload of chips, there's no way
to know if they're stolen or not," Raftrey added.
"We're also working on training our customers on other ways to
recognize stolen chips and asking them not to purchase chips
gained in this manner. We're telling people, 'If the deal seems
too good to be true, it probably is,'" Raftrey added.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931022/Press Contact: Nancy Pressell, Intel,
tel 408-765-4483, fax 408-765-5677)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
IBM
Borland 2Q Net Income Half Of Last Year's 2Q
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)
Borland 2Q Net Income Half Of Last Year's 2Q 10/22/93
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- Borland
announced lower second quarter earnings and net income of
almost half of its net income in the same quarter a year ago.
However, it is showing overall higher earnings for the first
half of the 1993 fiscal than last year.
Philippe Kahn, Borland chairman, president, and chief executive
officer (CEO), said the lack of red ink for three consecutive
quarters is due to the introduction of Windows, DOS and
Workgroup editions of both its spreadsheet product Quattro Pro
5.0 and database product Paradox 4.5. The court order in the
company's legal battle with Lotus that made Borland pull
Quattro Pro off the shelves earlier this year hurt Borland's
bottom line as did seasonal weakness in European sales, Borland
maintains.
Second quarter 1994 revenues were $107.4 million, a 16 percent
decrease compared with the $127.8 million for the year-ago
quarter. Sixth month revenues $230.8 million, a 4.9 percent
decrease compared with $242.6 million in fiscal 1993. Second
quarter earnings were $2.8 million (11 cents per share)
compared with net income of $5.4 million (20 cents per share) a
year ago and for the sixth month period earnings were $9.0
million (34 cents per share) compared with $7.1 million, (26
cents per share) in the same period the year before.
Borland introduced a 32-bit dBASE Compiler recently, but the
long awaited dBASE for Windows is still not forthcoming. The
company is making guarded predictions the product might be out
late this year.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931022/Press Contact: Bonnie Johnson,
Borland, tel 408-431-1133, fax 408-431-4117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/22/93
IBM
CASE World/Objex - New IBM Tools Are Geared To Reusability
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00030)
CASE World/Objex - New IBM Tools Are Geared To Reusability 10/22/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 22 (NB) -- "The degree to
which IBM succeeds with ReDiscovery and VisualAge is the degree to
which we allow for reusability," said Dr. Eric Bush, IBM consultant
for AD (Applications Development), in an interview with Newsbytes
at CASE World/Objex.
During the 1970s, in particular, and even into the 1980s,
developers pushed to develop new code. By now, though, 80% of all
development activity actually consists of "redevelopment," Bush
told Newsbytes.
Redevelopment falls into two separate categories, according to
Bush. "There is the `one-time fix,' and there is continuous
redevelopment," he noted.
To gain effective reuse of older COBOL data, developers must often
straighten out disorganized strings of "spaghetti code" that have
been created at various times in the past, by various programmers,
with no cohesive overall objective in mind, said Bush.
Beyond that lies the ongoing need to update programs with new
languages, databases, and other capabilities, he added. Developers
can get help with the "one-time fix" at IBM's Worldwide Application
Redevelopment Center in Chicago.
In contrast, IBM's recently announced off-the-shelf VisualAge and
ReDiscovery tools are designed for continuous redevelopment. But
although these two tools share the same general purpose, they are
targeted at somewhat different audiences, he said.
VisualAge, a 3GL (third-generation language) product, is aimed at
allowing experienced programmers to quickly build client-server
applications, according to Bush.
VisualAge contains a large library of already constructed parts,
plus a full object-oriented Smalltalk environment for writing new
parts. Alternatively, parts written in C or COBOL can be "wrapped"
in Smalltalk to behave as objects in applications.
VisualAge also offers built-in support for IBM's DB2/2 relational
database management system (RDBMS) and Systems Object Model (SOM),
a system for providing component reusability and interoperability
across languages.
The product also provides optional support for Sybase and Oracle,
plus add-on components for COBOL language, communications, and
multimedia.
VisualAge is available for stand-alone developers, as well as in a
VisualAge Team package that adds library support, version control,
and configuration management for teams of developers. The tool is
shipping now for OS/2. Versions for Windows and AIX are planned
for the near future.
Bush said that ReDiscovery, on the other hand, is a 4GL (fourth-
generation language) tool that lets programmers of all experience
levels, as well as corporate data administrators, create searchable
catalogs of reusable parts within the enterprise.
Users can call up the parts when needed, from reusable libraries on
OS/2 workstations or IBM MVS file systems, he said. The tools also
helps users to keep track of development components.
A user might find, for example, that the company has dozens of
time-date functions on hand, added Mike Rhoads, redevelopment
manufacturers' rep for IBM. The user could then replace these
functions with one reusable time-date module, eliminating redundant
code, he illustrated.
In the future, as the trend toward redevelopment continues, end
users will be able to build their own applications out of reusable
parts, predicted Bush. Organizations will still have a need for
highly experienced programmers, but fewer will be needed than in
the past.
(Jacqueline Emigh/199311222/Reader contact: Rick Jackson, IBM, tel
415-780-2838; Press contacts: Carol Felton, Technology Solutions
for IBM, tel 415-617-4525; Karla Feuer, IBM, tel 914-642-5473; Todd
J. Keefe, Digital Consulting Inc., tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
IBM
Speech-Enabled Modem Is "Electronic Secretary"
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00001)
Speech-Enabled Modem Is "Electronic Secretary" 10/21/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- NetComm, the Australian modem
manufacturer, has unveiled its upcoming range of modems which it
plans to ship with Cooee software for data, fax and voice comms.
NetComm calls the combination "the NetComm Electronic Secretary".
While a number of modem manufacturers are releasing voice-enabled
modems using the Rockwell and other chipsets, NetComm claims that
its package was unique because the Australian-written Cooee
communications software gives the modem almost unlimited flexibility
as a message handling system.
The hardware uses a simple programming/script system to automate
tasks such as voice mail, data forwarding and fax-on-request. Cooee
is a Windows application that comes with "out of the box" scripts
and a digitised voice system so that users can have the system
running within minutes, the company claims.
While sound can be played through an enhanced speaker in the modem,
or by any speaker connected to the PC, there is a jack on the modem
for a telephone handset. This allows the user to record messages for
use in scripts. The software compresses voice files to 25 percent of
their normal size, meaning that an average hard disk can store
hundreds of phone messages.
The Cooee modules include:
[] Answering machine. It can receive and data messages, play a
welcome message to voice callers, then record their messages. All
types of messages are managed by the InBox.
[] Remote Message Retrieval. Users have a PIN (number) enabling them
to retrieve their messages form a remote phone or computer.
Faxes can be forwarded to a computer or another fax number.
[] Automatic Message Forwarding. Cooee will dial a pager service,
cellular phone or another phone number on instructions from the
script. For instance, an urgent message may try a sequence of
numbers trying to deliver the message. As each number answers, a
digitized voice announces that there is a message for a
particular person. If the correct response code is not given, the
machine tries the next programmed number.
[] Receptionist. Cooee answers incoming calls and forwards them to
another person or phone extension.
Because the system is driven by scripts or "modules," NetComm claims
it can perform an almost unlimited range of communications
functions. NetComm will sponsor a module writing competition in 1994
to encourage the creation of "off-the-shelf" modules for Cooee
users.
Prices for the systems range from around US$400 to US$1,000 depending
on the modem specifications.
Newsbytes notes that, according to the Macquarie Australian
Dictionary Cooee is defined as - "a prolonged clear call, the second
syllable of which rises rapidly in pitch, used most frequently in
the (Australian) bush as a signal to attract attention."
(Paul Zucker/19931021/Contact: NetComm on phone +61-2-888 5533 or
fax +61-2-887-2839)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
TRENDS
Indian Dept Of Telecoms Eases Value-Added Services Licensing
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEL)(00002)
Indian Dept Of Telecoms Eases Value-Added Services Licensing 10/21/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 21 (NB) _-- The Department of
Telecommunications (DoT), a division of the Government of India, has
decided to cut down its regulatory role with regard to value added
services (VAS).
As part of the changes, the DoT has also decided to grant licences
for all pending and future proposals for setting up non-wireless
value added services in the private sector, provided the proposals
abide by specified technical, commercial and financial parameters,
including tariff and the licence fee payable to DoT.
To ensure what it calls "transparency in the evaluation process,"
the DoT has also prepared a schedule of the parameters which
intending service providers will have to comply with to get a
licence. According to the DoT, it will have to evaluate every bid
strictly according to these parameters, which will soon be made
public for the information of all intending service providers.
In an ironic parallel decision, the DoT -- which has so far rejected
the privatization of value-added services -- has also decided to
launch a major promotional campaign to invite private companies to
join in the value added services sector.
According to the DoT, the value added services sector is a large
market-place and, because of this, it claims that there is a
considerable need for a large and disparate number of players.
Services which are covered by the VAS banner include electronic
mail, videotex, videoconferencing, voice mail, morning alarm
service, audiotex, private data domestic services, bulletin board
services and direct access code billing. The service providers are,
however, free to submit proposals for any other value added service
provided they do not use radio frequency.
The DoT has also, for the first time, laid down the terms for
the provision of high-speed (64 kilobytes per second) data service
using very small aperture terminals (VSATs) and a central hub. DoT
claims that the service will be permitted using satellite
transponders on the INSAT-2B (indigenously built communications
satellite) and the extended C-band radio frequency portion of the
hub will be operated and maintained by DoT.
The licence fee payable to the DoT will be Rs 50,000 (around $1,600)
per subscriber per annum, subject to an overall minimum fee of Rs
1.5 crore (around $500,000) per annum. The minimum licence fee
payable is independent of the number of cities for which licence is
obtained.
The DoT claims that the E-mail licence can be taken for any number
of cities. However, Newsbytes notes that the service must start
within a year of the effective date of issue in all the cities for
which the licence is granted.
The DoT has also fixed a ceiling on the tariff that can be charged
from subscribers. The licensee shall be free to fix his own tariff
within (under) the ceiling cap which is a registration fee of Rs
1,000 (around $30) and an annual rental of Rs 4,200 (around $140)
for a mail box of 500 kilobytes.
In case of voice mail, the licence fee will vary, depending on which
city the service is to be offered in. Fees will be Rs 40 lakh
(around $130,000) for Bombay, Rs 30 lakh (around $100,000) for Delhi
and so on. The licensee will be allowed to charge the same tariff as
fixed by the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam (the Government of India-
owned company which provides telephone services in the metros) which
also provides the service in Bombay and Delhi.
The current tariff for service involves a monthly rental of Rs 100
(around $3) and a nominal amount per message of 10 seconds duration
stored for two hours. Alternatively the licensee is free to charge a
flat monthly rental of Rs 125 (around $4) irrespective of the number
of messages, their duration and period of storage.
The licence for audiotex will be provided on a trial basis for a
period of two years. Initially, the service will be provided city-
wise locally and may be extended to the zones later.
The annual licensee fee payable will be Rs 25 lakhs (around $80,000)
per metro and Rs 10 lakhs (around $30,000) for other cities. DoT
will charge at a pulse rate of 8 seconds, which means a charge of
around Rs 10 per minute (around 30 cents) to subscribers.
For bulletin board services, DoT will charge a fee of Rs 1,200
(around $40) per subscriber per annum subject to a minimum of Rs 15
lakh (around $50,000) per annum. The tariff cap is a registration
charge of Rs 1,000 (around $30), annual subscription of Rs 1,500
(around $50) and connect-time charge of Rs 4 (around 10 cents)
during peak hours and Rs 2 (around 5 cents) during non-peak hours.
The fee and tariff cap for other value added services -- such as
videoconferencing, videotex, morning alarm service -- are still
being worked out, Newsbytes understands. The intending service
providers are, meanwhile, free to submit their proposals to the DoT
and to offer suggestions on licence fee and tariff to the
organisation.
All the licensees have to also submit a bank guarantee of Rs 5 lakh
(around $16,000) each for electronic mail, videoconferencing and
voice mail services to the department of telecommunications. The
bank guarantee is Rs 50 lakhs (around $160,000) for VSAT services.
(C T Mahabharat/19931021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
GENERAL
SynOptics Products Enable New Architectural Approach For LANs
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00003)
SynOptics Products Enable New Architectural Approach For LANs 10/21/93
CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- SynOptics
Communications has rolled out a comprehensive solution that it
claims will allow customers to build and manage their networks as a
single, highly structured system.
Structured networking is a powerful, multi-tiered architecture in
which intelligent hubs in wiring closets are linked to centralised
hubs at key switching control points called network centers.
The SynOptics' solution, Newsbytes notes, is based on a new class of
intelligent hub, the Lattis System 5000, and Optivity 4.0, a major
new release of SynOptics' Optivity network management system.
"Structured networking will do for enterprise networks in the 1990s
what structured wiring did for LANs in the 1980s," explained Peter
Woo, SynOptics' Hong Kong-based General Manager for North Asia.
"With these new developments, SynOptics is giving users the ability
to significantly increase the performance and reduce the operating
costs of their existing networks, while providing a solid foundation
for integrating emerging switching technologies," he said.
Structured networking mirrors the major shift that SynOptics
pioneered in 1986 when the first intelligent hubs gave customers a
blueprint to redesign their bus-based Ethernet local area networks
using a structured wiring architecture. This structured approach has
gained acceptance among customers because it brings order to their
ad hoc networks.
Woo claimed that SynOptics' new Lattis System 5000 is the first
intelligent hub to offer the flexibility, performance, embedded
management capabilities and resilience required to support the
central connection and control points that are the basis of
structured networks. The version 4.0 release of Optivity is the
first network management system specifically designed to take
advantage of the capabilities of structured networking.
"When added to the current Lattis System 3000 and Lattis System 2000
hubs in a structured networking architecture, the System 5000 can be
used to leverage the entire system creating a network with greater
configuration flexibility, higher performance, enhanced management
and increased reliability," he said, adding that the entire system
can be managed and maintained at a lower cost than today's networks.
According to Woo, configuration flexibility is a key feature of the
System 5000. When deployed in a structured network, the System 5000
enables a network manager to create and re-configure logical
networks of users, and assign physical network resources, such as
servers and routers, to specific logical networks.
The System 5000 is also a key platform for integrating SynOptics'
Fast Matrix ATM and Fast Frame Ethernet switching technologies, and
its CelliFrame ATM/Ethernet translation capability, into the
network.
SynOptics' new Optivity 4.0 network management system leverages the
capabilities of the structured network architecture to give users
the power to visualise their network in ways not possible before and
deploy their resources more cost-effectively. It features a new,
object-oriented user interface, enabling a network manager to view
his networks, servers and other services as objects, providing the
new level of simplicity required for managing highly-complex
structured networks.
"With System 5000 hubs installed in the network center, System 3000
and System 2000 hubs in wiring closets, and Optivity 4.0, network
managers now have the tools they need to manage their entire network
as one cohesive system not simply as a collection of boxes," Woo
said.
(Keith Cameron/19931021/Press Contact: Peter Woo (SynOptics): +852-
878-1021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
GENERAL
Venture Capitalist Winblad Targets Hot Markets
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MSP)(00004)
Venture Capitalist Winblad Targets Hot Markets 10/21/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Ann Winblad, a
venture capitalist and partner in one of the most influential
funding firms in the computer industry, Hummer, Winblad Venture
Partners of Emeryville, CA, claims that venture capital funding is
flowing into some surprising new industry segments.
Winblad, the featured speaker at the Minnesota Software
Association's annual awards banquet Wednesday evening, said her
firm's investment targets are a far cry from the soldered boards and
microcomputers of the 80s, and now zero in on three areas:
client/server computing, the "janitorial" area, and those firms
cashing in on the "price/performance curve."
The client/server market, she said, is erroneously termed
"downsizing" by many in the industry, and its importance is not to
be underestimated. She said that there remains a proliferation of
software writing for individual PCs, "when it shouldn't be there"
but on servers instead.
The "janitorial area" is made up of firms that write software to
connect to other software and devices. "For instance, the home as a
node on a network," she said, is one area software companies are
finding opportunities. She added that there are opportunities also
in systems management and "the communications segment," in which she
is looking actively for investment possibilities.
The third area her firm is funding is those companies engaged in the
"price/performance curve" wherein "market real estate has to be
sizable." This includes the scientific and engineering software
markets, as well as the consumer software segment.
As an example of the latter, she cited Broderbund, founded in 1981,
which is now seeing its stock trade at 45 times its earnings. "Most
people thought Broderbund was dead, but it's had amazing growth."
She says that the driving force behind Broderbund's and other
consumer software companies' success is kids. "Kids have engaged in
a long-term love affair with computers so they are driving demand."
50 million PCs will be sold this year alone, said Winblad.
Another example of a successful consumer software company is
Berkeley Systems, she adds. After Dark did $20 million in sales
while the average selling price of the screensaver software is $19,
she explained. "That's a lot of flying toasters."
She quoted Craig McCaw of McCall Cellular, which is being acquired
by AT&T, as saying that the 90s are the new "Ice Age" with three
themes: information, communication, and entertainment.
Although there are opportunities, it has taken shrewd insight to
make the most of them. Winblad says that of 2,100 companies she and
her partner John Hummer have considered, only 16 have been funded.
In those firms there is $95 million of her company's money.
The software industry, the fastest growing industry segment in the
US, she said, continues to challenge investors. She once asked her
friend Bill Gates where the software industry is going. His reply,
she said, was "'I can tell you exactly what's happening. Sooner or
later software is going to take over the world and people will
become carbon-based pets.'"
(Wendy Woods/19931021/Press Contact: Pat Schultz, Minnesota Software
Association, 612- 338-4631; Hummer Winblad, 510-652-8061)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
UNIX
Seybold: Sun's Low-Price Multimedia; Adobe & Kodak Lend Support
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00005)
Seybold: Sun's Low-Price Multimedia; Adobe & Kodak Lend Support 10/21/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- At the
Seybold Computer Show, Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation (SMCC),
the workstation and server division of Sun Microsystems, has
announced three new Sun workstations. These machines -- the
SPARCstation 10SX, the SPARCstation 10M, and the SPARCclassic M --
claim to give users the same speed and functionality as workstations
costing more than $60,000 for between $5,000 and $17,000.
According to SMCC, the SPARCstation 10SX provides high performance
image processing, full 24-bit color, 3-D graphics, and hardware-
accelerated video playback for introductory pricing beginning at
$15,495. The price includes a 535 MB hard disk, 32 MB of RAM, and a
16-inch color monitor. The SPARCstation 10M, for $17,095, adds real-
time video capture/compression and a video camera to the 10SX
configuration.
"The SPARCstation 10SX is a big step forward for what's available in
imaging for users," said Jay Puri, SMCC's vice president of product
marketing. SMCC's strategy, he said, will be to go after a high
volume of business with its low pricing. However, he noted that
platforms need applications if they're to flourish.
At the same time, SMCC announced that Eastman Kodak Company will
incorporate the SPARCstation 10SX system in several imaging products
that produce Kodak Photo CD discs. In addition, the next release of
the Solaris operating environment from SunSoft (Sun Microsystems'
system software company) will incorporate Photo CD display and
editing capabilities.
SMCC announced a second partnering venture with Adobe Systems: The
SPARCstation 10SX system will come with a coupon redeemable for a
complimentary copy of Adobe Photoshop.
The greatest price/performance breakthrough appears to be the
SPARCclassic M. At $4,995 (for quantities of 12 or more), the
workstation will provide video capture/compression, a video camera,
a 207 MB hard disk, 16 MB of RAM, a 15-inch color monitor, and
networking capabilities.
SMCC compares the SPARCclassic M to similarly configured systems
available from Apple, other UNIX vendors, and vendors of '386-class
machines for between $7,300 and $10,000. According to SMCC, the
SPARCclassic M gives corporations a fully integrated desktop video
conferencing system for less than $5,000.
SMCC also announced a multimedia bundle consisting of the SunVideo
capture/compression card, video camera, and multimedia CD-ROM disc.
The multimedia bundle, priced at $1,895, lets users equip any
existing SPARCstation (of which there are 886,000, by SMCC's count)
as a multimedia machine.
The SPARCstation 10SX is shipping now. The SPARCstation 10M and the
SPARCclassic M will be available beginning December 15, 1993.
(Audrey Kalman/19931021/Press & Public Contact: SMCC, Mountain View,
CA. Tel: 415-960-1300)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
APPLE
****Seybold: Mike Spindler Commits Apple To Desktop Publishing
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00006)
****Seybold: Mike Spindler Commits Apple To Desktop Publishing 10/21/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Michael
Spindler, president and CEO of Apple Computer, kicked off the
Seybold Conference and Exposition '93 this week with some
interesting and wry observations on the computer industry.
"I won't bother you with flashy demos and overlapping windows," he
said. Instead, he commented on changes in the business of
publishing, outlined Apple's rededication to the publishing market,
and described Apple's current and future plans to support computer
publishers.
According to Spindler, publishing continues to move away from
closed, proprietary systems in which the processes and roles are
clearly defined. Spindler outlined several trends that illustrate
this move.
"No longer do images come from photographers only... Today, film-
originated images are coming from all sources," he said, adding that
the methods of distribution and the types of media available to
publishers (for example, sound and full-motion video) have expanded.
Publishers are struggling to understand how they'll ship their
products, the tools they'll use to create the products, who will do
the work, and how they'll make money
"There's a trend toward color -- color in everything," Spindler
noted. In the past, skilled craftspeople tightly controlled every
aspect of how a color image appeared on the printed page using
carefully calibrated equipment. Today, the person who produces an
image on a computer screen may have no understanding of the eventual
printed product. This, combined with the diversity of methods
available for capturing color images, has created a great need for
color correction technology.
The automation of publishing has brought another need. "Keeping
track of what's where and what needs to be approved by whom is often
a profession in itself," Spindler said. This, he added, calls for
software, in a category known as workflow software, that allows
people to collaborate more easily on projects (including publishing
projects).
"The computer is not simply a tool, but becomes the essence of the
work,." he said, adding that he sees workflow management as a big
opportunity for vendors of publishing systems and products.
Spindler described Apple's activities in response to the evolving
needs of the publishing community. Its AppleScript product automates
routine workflow tasks and "opens the door for on-demand
publishing," according to Spindler. Apple plans to introduce new
technology to address workflow problems.
Noting that it's no longer "a war of GUIs (graphical user
interfaces)," he speculated that applications as we know them today
may disappear, and "ease of use" will become "ease of doing."
Apple is also leading the push for color management standards with
the announcement that Kodak and other key players have agreed to
support ColorSync 2.0, Apple's standard for color management.
Finally, Spindler said that Apple will introduce during the first
six months of 1994 a new line of PowerPC machines specifically
geared toward publishing. (An alliance among Apple, IBM, and
Motorola is developing the PowerPC family of microprocessors built
on reduced instruction set computing (RISC) technology).
These new machines, he said, will deliver three to five times the
performance of existing Macintosh Quadra machines. However, they
will provide a migration path for customers currently using
Macintosh machines.
Apple's rededication to publishing came in the form of support for
the newly formed World-wide Publishing Consortium (WWPC). Don
Strickland, vice president of Imaging for Apple Computer, is
spearheading Apple's involvement with the consortium (see separate
story).
(Audrey Kalman/19931021/Press & Public Contact: Apple Computer,
Cupertino, CA - Tel: 408-996-1010)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
TRENDS
****Seybold: Forum For WW Publishing Consortium
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00007)
****Seybold: Forum For WW Publishing Consortium 10/21/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Apple
president and CEO Michael Spindler took time out during his keynote
at the Seybold Conference and Exposition '93 to introduce
representatives from the founding members of the Worldwide
Publishing Consortium (WWPC).
According to Spindler, the consortium will serve as a forum for
exchanging information and will include both traditional (paper-
based) and new media publishers.
Paul Brainerd, president and chairman of the board of Aldus
Corporation, said he was pleased that the consortium will involve
both customers and vendors.
"Customers working with developers is more required than ever. We
are going to enter a new age of interactive media," he said, adding
that he reckons that it's time to sit down as an industry and try to
solve some of the industry's common problems.
"We are producers of information that will travel on electronic
highways," said John Warnock, CEO of Adobe Systems. "We have to
figure out what kinds of cars are going to travel those highways."
Terry H. Schwadron, Deputy Managing Editor of the Los Angeles Times
and acting president of WWPC, brought the ever-valuable user's
perspective to the discussion.
"We at the LA Times are basically mad as hell... and we don't want
to put up with it any more," he said. What makes him mad? Real
"open" applications are not as "open" as they appear. One EPS file
is not like another EPS file. What happens on screen is not what you
see when the image is put on recycled newsprint moving through a
printing press at 35 miles per hour. Editors spend more time
discussing how to manipulate TIFF files than talking about the
content of news photos. Color is not seen as a process. Real
networks have limitations.
Apple deserves credit, Schwadron said, for taking a leadership role
in the consortium. "The answer to [all these complaints] is to
develop standards... so that what starts in the IBM world can end up
in the Apple world."
Apple Computer will serve as a consortium sponsor and will help
support the non-profit educational group. Don Strickland, Apple
Computer's vice president of imaging, will lead this effort. The
consortium plans various activities to help members learn about new
technology. These include creation and maintenance of a publishing
lab that will be available for workshops, compatibility testing,
executive briefings, and showcasing state-of-the-art publishing
solutions.
Apple has already recruited individuals and companies from all parts
of the publishing industry to serve on the board of directors,
including professionals from Banta, the Dallas Morning News, and
Time Magazine. Vendors who have signed up to participate include
Adobe, Aldus, Kodak, Linotype-Hell, Radius, and SuperMac. It hopes
to identify and sign up more members at the Seybold Conference and
Exposition in San Francisco.
(Audrey Kalman/19931021/Press & Public Contact: Worldwide Publishing
Consortium, Cupertino, CA, Tel: 408-438-3630 or 800-865-WWPC)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
BUSINESS
Olivetti & NetFrame In Joint Venture
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00008)
Olivetti & NetFrame In Joint Venture 10/21/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Olivetti and
NetFrame Systems have extended their existing original equipment
manufacturing (OEM) agreement for another three years, up to
December 1996. The two companies also announced the planned
formation of NetFRAME International, a joint venture, in January
1994.
Under the terms of the OEM deal, Olivetti sells NetFrame Systems
line of superservers worldwide and maintains exclusive rights in
Italy, and Spain, as well as the UK.
NetFrame International, meanwhile, will be based in Europe and will
have sales, support and marketing responsibility for all NetFrame
products sold in Europe.
Announcing the deals, Corrado Passera, general managing director of
Olivetti said, "Our investment and OEM agreement with NetFrame have
been very successful and we intend to continue marketing the
Olivetti NetFrame line in worldwide markets with special emphasis in
Europe, where we see the superserver opportunity to be real and
growing. In the past three years, Olivetti has sold close to 800
NetFrames."
Said Enzo Torresi, president and CEO of NetFrame Systems: "NetFrame
International will add strength to our joint marketing efforts in
Europe, by providing direct technical support in all markets where
Olivetti is present and in new markets where NetFrame is not
currently represented."
In August, Newsbytes reported that NetFrame signed two distribution
deals within one week. One involved ComputerLand and the other,
Ingram.
The terms of the deal with ComputerLand called for the distributor's
locations that meet NetFrame's authorization criteria to sell and
service NetFrame's superservers.
The deal with Ingram Micro involved NetFrame's Authorized VAR
Associate Program. Under the terms of that agreement, the Ingram
Systems Sales Division will "target, identify and recruit Unix
network VARs (value added resellers) and system integrators, who may
apply to be authorized by NetFrame to resell the company's
superservers."
NetFrame Systems designs, manufactures and markets a family of
expandable, fault-tolerant superservers that run NetWare, Unix, and
OS/2. NetFrame's superservers start at $12,950 for a three processor
superserver, and are expandable to a 10 processor system with up to
89 gigabytes of mass storage.
(Ian Stokell/19931021/Press Contact: Paul Gross, 408-383-4515,
NetFrame Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
TRENDS
Sun Intros Ultra Low-Emission 20-Inch Color Monitor
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00009)
Sun Intros Ultra Low-Emission 20-Inch Color Monitor 10/21/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- The trend
towards environmental concerns is widespread throughout the industry
- from the absence of chlorofluorocarbons in manufacturing
processes, to reduced emissions from desktop systems. Now Sun
Microsystems Computer Corp., has introduced, what the company claims
is, the industry's highest-performance, lowest electromagnetic
emission color monitor.
According to the company, the new 20-inch color monitor is priced
the same as the standard 19-inch color monitor it replaces. The
monitor offers a maximum resolution of 1280 by 1024 pixels at 76
hertz (Hz).
The monitor also reportedly complies with Europe's new TCO
electromagnetic emissions standard, which mandates emissions about
half those for the established European MPR 1990:10 standard.
According to the company, the monitor offers a new picture tube and
improved circuitry, which allows for visibly better clarity and
sharpness than comparable products from other suppliers.
Sun also claims that better magnetic shielding makes this monitor
less sensitive to ambient magnetic fields. It also has more accurate
color reproduction and a tighter convergence specification.
The 20-inch color monitor features an innovative infrared
remote control device that is stored in a pocket below the screen
and more than doubles the number of monitor adjustments. It gives
users control over such new elements as tilt, horizontal image
position, and image size.
The company says that users can shrink or expand their display areas
to the very edges of the workstation screen without losing any
clarity or focus. Future versions of the 20-inch monitor will
support software-driven screen controls.
(Ian Stokell/19931021/Press Contact: Deanna Franklin, 415-336-7226,
Sun Microsystems Computer Corporation)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
TRENDS
****World's Fastest Neuro-board & Powerful VR Processor Debuts
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00010)
****World's Fastest Neuro-board & Powerful VR Processor Debuts 10/21/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Mitsubishi Electric has developed
an analog neuro board, which it claims operates mathematical
calculations in neural network at 20 trillion times per second. The
company also claims that this speed is about 1,000 times faster than
that of latest super-computers -- faster, in fact, than any other
computer currently in existence.
Mitsubishi Electric's latest neuro board is equipped with 18 units
of proprietary neuro LSI chips. These chips have total 1,800 units
of neurons or neuro element. With these elements, it provides super
fast calculation speed as well as the fast learning speed of 50 giga
times (500 billion times) per second.
This neuro board measures at 33.7 x 55 cm. The unit can be connected
with engineering workstations via a regular bus. Mitsubishi Electric
claims it wants to improve the device and release it for voice
recognition systems and graphic processors within three years.
Meanwhile, Aizu University's Professor Tsuneo Iketo has developed an
advanced Virtual Reality (VR) computer graphics processor, which has
about 5 times faster drawing speed of graphics or pictorial data.
The processor is capable of drawing around 10 million polygons per
second. Working at these speeds, the processor will be able to draw
quality graphics even in the foreground of the real-time motion
pictures of high definition TVs.
The professor's development team is reported to have already been
discussing the technology with a private electronic firm. Plans call
for the team to develop a single chip, which has the Virtual Reality
computer graphics processing feature. It will be released as the
application specific IC around the spring of 1994.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931021/Press Contact: Mitsubishi
Electric, +81-3-3218-2332, Fax, +81-3-3218-2431, Aizu University,
Professor Tsuneo Iketo, +81-242-37-2500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
IBM
Nexis/Lexis Macros For Wordperfect 6.0 For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00011)
Nexis/Lexis Macros For Wordperfect 6.0 For Windows 10/21/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corporation has
teamed up with Mead Data Central to integrate Lexis/Nexis access
macros for Windows with Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows.
Mead Data Central's Lexis/Nexis systems are online services that
allow researchers to verify legal citations and retrieve cases and
statutes when researching relevant case law. Wordperfect 6.0 for
Windows is the most recent version of Wordperfect Corporation's
popular word processing program, released earlier this week.
The access macros are stored series of keystrokes that allow a
searcher using Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows to link to the
Lexis/Nexis service from within their Wordperfect software. The data
retrieved can be incorporated into a Wordperfect document.
Lexis and Nexis were separate services until Mead Data Central
merged them two years ago. Lexis is a collection of legal
information while Nexis is a news data service. In addition to case
law, Lexis includes patent, trademark and copyright information, a
trade regulations library, labor case law decisions, and a library
of bankruptcy cases.
In June of this year, Wordperfect announced Jurisoft DirectConnect,
a software product that provides links between Wordperfect software
and Jurisoft's Legal Toolbox software that includes CompareRite,
CiteRite II, Full Authority, and CheckCite. CompareRite is a tool
for redlining documents, a process that highlights the differences
between two versions of the same document.
CheckCite, meanwhile, uses the Lexis service to automatically
retrieve information and produce a customized report showing the
accuracy y and standing of all cites in a legal brief. FullAuthority
compiles tables of authorities for a legal brief, and CiteRite
checks cites for proper citation form. Jurisoft is a division of
Mead Data Central.
(Jim Mallory/19931021/Press contact: Judi Schultz, Mead Data
Central, 513-865-7466, Ken Merritt, Wordperfect Corporation, 801-
228-5059; Reader contact: Wordperfect Corporation, 801-225-5000 or
800-451-5151, fax 801-222-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
BUSINESS
****Compaq 3Q Income Up 116 Percent
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00012)
****Compaq 3Q Income Up 116 Percent 10/21/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation says the cost controls it implemented are a significant
factor in its third quarter net income jump of 116 percent over the
same period last year.
Compaq reported net income of $106.8 million or $1.25 per share.
Sales were up 64 percent for the period to a record $1.75
billion. The company said that net income for the first nine months
of the fiscal year were up 153 percent over 1992, reaching $311.4
million or $3.68 per share. Sales at $4.99 billion for the first
three quarters were up from $2.68 billion in 1992.
European sales grew 37 percent; Japan, Latin America and Pacific Rim
sales were up over 100 percent; and North American sales jumped 75
percent. Compaq said its worldwide sales growth of 64 percent was
accompanied by a 70 percent increase in worldwide unit volumes.
Compaq President Eckhard Pfeiffer said the performance is a result
of the company's ability to compete aggressively in all key segments
of the PC market.
"Compaq not only delivered excellent quarter-to-quarter growth over
last year, we also broke with normal industry trends in this
seasonally soft quarter by achieving growth over the second quarter
of this year," he said.
"Our continued strong financial performance is the result of our
ability to compete aggressively in all key segments of the PC market
and in all major markets around the world," he added.
According to Pfeiffer, the company's continued focus on total cost
control has allowed it to complement our sales achievements with
solid growth in net income. "During the quarter we increased our
strategic investments in product development, marketing, advertising
and geographic expansion while successfully cutting operating
expenses as a per cent of sales," he said.
Over in Europe, Compaq Computer Europe reported third quarter 1993
revenues of $624 million, representing a 37 percent increase
compared to a similar period in the previous year. Due to
fluctuations in European exchange rates, actual growth in local
currency was significantly higher, the company claimed.
The European organisation continued its expansion in third quarter
with the opening of local offices in Portugal and Hungary. Compaq's
business in Eastern Europe doubled in the third quarter.
(Jim Mallory/19931021/Press contact: Compaq Computer Corporation,
713-374-1564)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
BUSINESS
Microsoft Earnings Up 14.3 Percent -- Analysts Disappointed
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00013)
Microsoft Earnings Up 14.3 Percent -- Analysts Disappointed 10/21/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- After the close of
trading (4 p.m. east coast time) on Wednesday Microsoft Corporation,
the publisher of MS-DOS, Windows, and popular applications programs,
announced a 14.3 percent profit increase for the first quarter of
its current fiscal year.
Despite this impressive jump to 79 cents per share earnings, in the
face of the ongoing recession, Wall Street analysts and investors
were disappointed and the software giant's stock was down slightly
in early trading on Thursday.
The first quarter earnings for the period ending September 30, 1993,
were $239 million on sales of $983 million. This represents a 20
percent increase in total sales revenues but only a 14.3 percent
increase in earnings which is the basis of the financial community's
disappointment in the results - Microsoft earnings did not keep pace
with the increase in sales.
Sales for the corresponding period of last year were $818 million
with earnings (profit) of $209 million or 70 cents per share.
Systems software sales accounts for 36 percent of Microsoft
revenues, up from the previous year, while applications accounted
for 59 percent of revenues in the last quarter with hardware
contributing only 5 percent.
Sales to the US and Canada account for 33 percent of revenues, down
from 38 percent for the same quarter last year, with international
sales dropping from 44 percent to only 41 percent of the revenues.
The big increases came in sales to computer manufacturers.
The US Justice Department is currently investigating Microsoft on
charges of unfair trade practices related to the company's giant
share of the original equipment manufacturer's market which installs
MS-DOS and Windows on the majority of computers sold. In fact,
Microsoft's earnings from such OEM sales account for nearly 26
percent of the company's total sales according to Microsoft, up from
only an 18 percent share in the same quarter last year.
This is a worrying situation for some investors who see a potential
major impact on Microsoft's earnings if the Justice Department finds
against the company. The Federal Trade Commission was unable to
decide on any action against Microsoft after about a year of
investigation, but Justice is a far more powerful agency with many
more resources.
On the other hand, Microsoft is also involved in developing and
marketing word processing and other office-oriented applications
which are unlikely to be affected by the results of any Justice
Department investigation.
Microsoft has contended all along that it has done nothing but
operate a highly profitable business based on good business
practices.
Microsoft was founded in 1975 and gained early dominance in the
personal computer operating system business by winning an
agreement from IBM to supply its MS-DOS operating system for all
IBM-brand PC computers in the form of a special version known as
PC-DOS.
For years Microsoft tried to match Apple Mac graphical interface
popularity and profits by introducing a series of versions of
Windows, but only in the last two years has that software really
caught on with users.
Its main accuser is Novell, the network company which also owns
DR-DOS, the Digital Research operating system which is fully
compatible with Microsoft's basic operating system.
Some industry observers point out that DR had nearly a decade to
compete head-to-head with Microsoft and the biggest problem was that
the small company just failed to compete aggressively with Microsoft
despite often having a superior product at many stages of software
development cycles.
(John McCormick/19931021/Press Contact: Raymond B. Ferguson,
Microsoft, 206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
IBM
Microsoft Assistant For Word Version 6.
(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00014)
Microsoft Assistant For Word Version 6.0 10/21/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Intended for all
users, but especially useful for small business operations,
Microsoft's new Assistant for Version 6 of the popular Microsoft
Word word processor provides 25 new TrueType type fonts, 100 new
clip-art images, and two font management utilities for Word
users.
Particularly helpful for small business users, the company claims,
is the inclusion of specialty paper templates that make it easy for
Word users to take advantage of New Jersey-based PaperDirect's wide
selection of unusual papers.
Along with the new fonts provided by the utility comes a greater
need for font management, and Assistant's Font Selector allows users
to view and select fonts in text or WYSIWYG (what you see is what
you get) mode. The new graphics come from The clip-art comes from 3G
Graphics.
A Macintosh version of the same software has been announced for
delivery early next year and Word Assistant for Word (Windows) is
available now at a list price of $65.
(John McCormick/19931021/Press Contact: Chris Clemens, Waggener
Edstrom, 408-986-1140)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/21/93
BUSINESS
Computer Associates Income Up In Second Quarter
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00015)
Computer Associates Income Up In Second Quarter 10/21/93
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Computer Associates
International even managed to do well in the slumping European
market and in mainframe software sales in the second quarter of its
fiscal year 1993, which ended September 30, turning in net income of
$87.54 million, up 86 percent from $46.97 million in the second
quarter of last year.
Deborah Coughlin, vice-president of investor relations at CA, said
that the company was hurt somewhat by unfavorable currency
translations, as a number of other US companies in the industry have
been. But she said the company did well in all product lines and all
geographic areas.
That is in sharp contrast to others reporting results in recent
days. Most have pointed to weakness in Europe in particular.
Coughlin acknowledged the European market over all is sluggish, but
said Computer Associates' long history there and its wide range of
products have enabled it to maintain sales growth regardless.
Sales of mainframe software also held up. Coughlin said that
while mainframe hardware makers such as IBM may be shipping fewer
units, the machines are more powerful, and it is the over-all
processing power installed that affects CA's sales prospects
most. She added that despite widespread rumors of its demise, the
mainframe is not dead. CA expects mainframe software to remain a
growth area for a while yet, Coughlin forecast.
The company had revenues of $516.97 million in the second
quarter, up 20 percent from $431.95 million in the year-earlier
quarter. Earnings per share were 51 cents in this year's quarter
versus 28 cents in last year's second quarter.
For the six months ended September 30, the company chalked up net
income of $118.29 million, or 69 cents per share, on revenues of
$940.35 million. That compares to net income of $66.23 million,
or 38 cents per share, on revenues of $799.42 million in the
first half of 1992.
(Grant Buckler/19931021/Press Contact: Deborah Coughlin, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2173, fax 514-342-5329; Public Contact:
Computer Associates, 516-342-5224)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/21/93
IBM
Corel Unveils Its First Release Of Ventura Publisher
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00016)
Corel Unveils Its First Release Of Ventura Publisher 10/21/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Corel Corp., which
acquired the Ventura Publisher desktop publishing software
earlier this fall, has put its own stamp on the package by
announcing Corel Ventura 4.2.
The new release combines the basic Ventura package with Ventura
Database Publisher, a utility that helps users format data for
desktop publishing. The whole combination, plus a sizeable
library of clip art and fonts, will sell for US$249 or C$299.
The software runs on Microsoft Windows, and needs personal
computer with at least an 80286 processor, 4 megabytes (MB) of
memory (6MB is recommended), a mouse or other pointing device,
at least 14 MB of free disk space, and an EGA or better,
Windows-compatible display. Corel also recommends a compact disk
read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive.
The package includes Ventura Publisher, Ventura Database
Publisher, the Ventura Separator utility for color separations,
the Ventura Scan utility, 75 style sheets, and two CD-ROMs loaded
with more than 600 TrueType and PostScript Type 1 fonts, more
than 10,000 Encapsulated Postscript clip-art images, and 100
royalty-free photos in Kodak PhotoCD format. The clip-art library
is the same one supplied with the CD-ROM edition of Corel's
flagship graphics package, Corel Draw, said company spokeswoman
Julie Galla.
Corel has also worked to make Ventura Publisher work better with
Corel Draw, adding some import and export capabilities in this
release. Future releases will improve the integration further,
Galla said.
Release 4.2 includes support for the Adobe Acrobat software's
pdfmark operator, which simplifies creation of electronic
documents that can be moved easily among systems, the company
said.
Corel is offering current users of either Corel Draw or Ventura
Publisher the chance to upgrade to a bundle of both packages for
US$299 or C$379. Registered users of Corel Draw can also buy the
new Ventura Publisher for US$99 or C$129, and users of previous
versions of Ventura Publisher can upgrade to the new release for
the same price.
The English-language version is to ship world-wide in November,
Galla said. Versions in Italian, German, and French are to be
released in the first quarter of 1994. Those are the only
languages in which Ventura Publisher has been available to date,
she added, but Corel expects eventually to add other languages in
which Corel Draw is already available.
(Grant Buckler/19931021/Press Contact: Julie Galla, Corel,
613-728-8200 ext. 1672, fax 613-728-9790)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/21/93
APPLE
Apple's Photoflash -- Easier Than Photoshop
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00017)
Apple's Photoflash -- Easier Than Photoshop 10/21/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Apple Computer
has introduced Photoflash, a software package it claims has all the
basic tools needed to get photos into documents, but without the
steep learning curve required by high-end products such as Adobe's
Photoshop.
Photoflash has three key components, a browser that offers thumbnail
sketches of the photos available, photo preparation tools to enhance
images, and scripting capabilities that place images into popular
page layout-applications and automate routine tasks.
The browser not only makes it easy to see what photographs are
available via the thumbnail sketches, it allows the user to "drag
and drop" the images into applications such as Aldus Pagemaker and
Quarkexpress.
It will also allow the use of images from the up-and-coming Kodak
Photocd format, assuming the user has a CD-ROM drive from which the
product can access the images. The product even includes accelerated
Photo CD routines to speed access to the images.
Katherine M Harris, Kodak Vice President and General Manager for
Professional Printing, Publishing and Imaging, said: "Photoflash is
designed to enable people of all skill levels to use Kodak's
scanners, digital cameras, and Photo CDs to easily access, enhance,
and output their images."
Once an image is selected, Photoflash offers the ability to adjust
and change the image. Users can adjust the brightness and contrast
of photos, remove scratches and dust from pictures, and straighten
scans. The tools to sharpen, blur, resize, rotate, and crop images
are also available. Changes to the image can be previewed
immediately, Apple said, to the user can better anticipate and
control the photo manipulation efforts.
Apple's scripting language, Applescript, works with Photoflash to
allow for automation of repetitive tasks, such as adjusting photos,
creating contact sheets, and performing file format conversions. The
scripting language also allows for links with other software
applications to streamline work flow. Scripts for Pagemaker and
Quarkxpress that work with the press of one button are included in
the product and Photoflash can automatically place photos into
documents created with page layout applications such as Pagemaker
and Quarkxpress.
Apple claims that Photoflash is optimized to manage digital images
and requires much less memory and disk space than other similar
applications. The product also includes integrated image compression
technology and a selective compression feature so users can choose
to compress different areas of a photo at different levels. Since
levels of compression result in loss of some of the clarity of the
image in question, this allows users to get needed compression
without giving up as much image quality.
Accelerator cards such as the Thunderstorm and Thunder II from
Supermac Technology and the Charger series from Daystar Digital also
work to speed up Photoflash. Adobe Photoshop plug-in modules for
special effects and import/export capabilities also work with
Photoflash.
The package can accept a variety of file formats including: PICT,
TIFF, JPEG, Photo CD, Photoshop, EPS, DCS, RGB, CMYK, and grayscale
image. Apple recommends a Macintosh or Powerbook with a 68020
processor, at least 8 megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM)
with 3.5 Mb allocated to the Photoflash application, and System 7.0
or a later version as the operating system.
Apple has an exclusive license of the product from its developer,
Storm Technologies, who developed the Thunderstorm and Thunder II
accelerator cards for Supermac. The target launch date for the
product is November, and the retail price will be $279.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931021/Press Contact: Kate Paisley, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-2042, fax 408-974-2885; Macello Wucher, Storm
Technology, tel 415-513-0975)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
IBM
Software Makers Cold On Big Blue's Offer
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEL)(00018)
Software Makers Cold On Big Blue's Offer 10/21/93
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- IBM seems to have lost some of
the glamour it once had in the Indian computer market-place, judging
from the lack of reaction from the software industry to Big Blue's
offer to market their RS/6000 packages for them.
Newsbytes notes that, during the first few weeks of July, a high-
level team from IBM visited India and promised to take three
packages for the RS/6000 series for world-wide marketing, subject to
testing their market potential.
The Indian Government's Department of Electronics, wrote to 25
Indian companies with a known expertise on the RS/6000 systems,
asking them to submit their products for evaluation. But three
months down the line, the DoE has received just one package from an
Indian company, a modelling software from Bombay-based Godrej &
Boyce.
Although Square D, a Madras-based company, has written that its
package is under development, the response from the others has been
extremely discouraging so far.
Major software firms like Tata Consultancy Services, DCM Data
Products and ITC among others, which have packages, they claim they
are for in-house applications and, as such, are not suitable for
marketing by IBM. Some companies, Newsbytes notes, have not
responded at all.
(C T Mahabharat/19931021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
GOVT
****Russian Computer Hackers Almost Get Away With $57 Million
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00019)
****Russian Computer Hackers Almost Get Away With $57 Million 10/21/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- According to the Russian Central
Bank, a computer-assisted robbery, which the media is already
calling a "computer hack," nearly allowed a group of thieves to make
off with 68,000 million roubles (around $56 million) from the
Central Bank of Russia.
According to bank officials, the audacious theft was only the latest
in a while chain of attempted fraud and robberies at the Russian
Government-run bank. Since the USSR was dissolved and banks turned
into private entities, officials have recorded a surge in crimes of
this type.
The hackers are said to have gained access to bank's computer
network thanks to the use of random access code attempts. Once in,
they then attempted to move the money across to other banks with
commercial interests.
It seems that Russia's archaic bank clearing system let the
supercrooks down as, as the money edged its way around the network,
bank officials discovered their loss and retrieved the stolen cash
before it could be collected.
Vladimir Yefremov, a bank spokesman, is quoted as saying nothing
other than the fact that the Police are still investigating the
matter.
Sources close to the Russian Central Bank, which is now heavily
computerized, suggest that the hackers gained access to personal
computer codes to carry out the attempted fraud. Most frauds of this
type, Newsbytes notes, are usually carried out with inside
assistance.
Yefremov has gone on record previously as saying that, since the
start of the year, the bank has had a series of attempted frauds
with a total value of 300,000 million roubles (around $250 million).
Ironically, the main reason the Central Bank computerized itself in
recent times has been the large incidence of paper-based fraud
involving forged bank instruments, known as avisos in Russia, which
are, in effect, bearer bonds used for moving large amounts of cash
between banks.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
BUSINESS
Germany: Peacock AG - Sales Up 80 Percent; Margins Down
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00020)
Germany: Peacock AG - Sales Up 80 Percent; Margins Down 10/21/93
WUNNEBERG-HAAREN, GERMANY, 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Peacock AG, the
German computer manufacturer, has announced that its sales for the
first nine months of the year were up by more than 80 percent, but
that profit margins were only around 30 percent up on the same
period the year before.
The reasons for the profits shortfall compared to sales, is that the
company has begun marketing its products overseas, as well as
venturing into the field of digital mobile communication. The
company blames the high start-up costs for these two activities as
causing the difference in expected profits on sales.
For the full year, the company expects to turn in sales of around DM
650 million ($370 million). The company says it will press on with
its expansion into overseas countries. Currently, Peacock has
offices in the US, the UK, Austria, Taiwan, Holland, Spain, France
and Belgium, and this year has opened new offices Copenhagen.
World-wide, the company has around 550 staff.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931021/Press & Public Contact: Peacock-AG - Tel:
+49-2957-790; Fax: +49-2957-1291)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
TELECOM
International Phone Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
International Phone Update 10/21/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- The importance of
telecommunications was emphasized once again in Burundi, where the
first thing army units staging a coup did was cut off international
phone traffic to the capital of Bujumbura.
Analysts said army units linked to the minority Tutsi tribe were
seeking to overthrow President Melchior Ndadaye, a member of the
Hutu tribe who was also the nation's first elected leader. Ndadaye
survived an attempted coup in June after his Frodebu Party won
multi-party elections. His whereabouts and the fate of his
government were unknown as this was written. Following an attack on
the government's offices, army officers next went after the radio
and television networks, knocking them off the air.
In the Philippines the outgoing monopoly, Philippine Long Distance
Telephone Company, proposed local rate hikes to make domestic
network operations more attractive. PLDT's president, Antonio
Cojuangco, wants the government of president Fidel Ramos to follow
policies in other nations where subsidies on local service are ended
and the market dictates prices.
He also welcomed moves by two foreign-backed firms, Globe Telecom
and ICC Telecoms, to build a national transmission network which
would challenge PLDT dominance of the local industry, and expressed
no objection to divide the capital of Manila into three areas where
competitors can concentrate their energies. The Philippines has one
of the lowest phone-line penetrations in the world, PLDT controls
over 90 percent of the market, and the company has a huge backlog of
unfilled orders for service, which is hampering economic
development.
In Singapore, which is backing one of the Philippine contenders,
Globe Telecom, the nation began work on a new telecommunications
technology park, hoping to dominate fast-growing Southeast Asian
markets. The move followed the successful sale of a small stake in
state-owned Singapore Telecom, which drew over 250,000 local
requests for shares in a 1.1 billion share flotation. Locals were
given a discount on their purchases of up to 600 shares each. Also,
ACMA of Singapore signed a joint venture with the Moscow City
Telephone Network in Russia aimed at installing more public pay
phones in that city, with ACMA holding a 70 percent interest. The
venture will install phones which use pre-paid calling cards.
In China, the government announced a crackdown on the telecom
sector, ordering cordless, pager and online vendors to get new
permits and banning foreign-owned operations. The government has
also tried to ban foreign satellite television channels, but its
ability to really assert control over the sector is questioned by
analysts, who admit that despite inflation the economy continues to
grow rapidly, and rampant corruption makes all laws hard to enforce.
Offshore, Northern Telecom launched its Companion wireless
communications system in Taiwan.
In Latin America, workers at Bolivia's telecommunications
companies staged what the government called an illegal strike to
protest the lay-off of about 8,000 workers in a restructuring of
state-owned industry. The government also claimed only 10 percent
of workers were participating in the walk-out and service
remained normal. In nearby Brazil, AT&T entered the local data
communications market through a local representative, Brazil CPM
Informatica S.A., winning a supply government with state-owned
Telepar.
Finally, in London, the brokerage firm of Goldman Sachs created a
"market basket" of world telecomm shares, including AT&T and
British Telecom, but also including firms such as TelMex of
Mexico, New Zealand Telecom, Telefonica de Espana and Hong Kong
Telecom. Options called warrants will be issued on the basket so
that traders can speculate on the overall health of the world's
telecommunications sector.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
TELECOM
US West Rumored To Be After Cablevision
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
US West Rumored To Be After Cablevision 10/21/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 -- US West and Cablevision
Systems Corp., the nation's third-largest cable operator, were not
commenting on rumors that they were merger negotiations. The reports
indicated U S West would pay $1.8 billion for Cablevision, and try
to close the deal at the same time it finalizes its purchase of an
interest in Time Warner Entertainment, including its cable
operations.
Stocks of both Cablevision and Comcast, another rumored telephone
buy-out candidate, both rose sharply on the rumors. Cablevision has
about 2 million subscribers in 19 states, but it has big operations
around New York, Chicago and Boston. It also holds stakes in
programmers like Rainbow Programming, American Movie Classics,
Bravo, Courtroom Television and sports channels.
Reverberations extended to Washington, where executives urged that
government keep its hands off the industry, but where policy-makers
resisted the idea. At the Networked Economy Conference, Commerce
Secretary Ron Brown suggested a major role for government in
building the "information superhighway," and he was immediately
taken to task by MCI chairman Bert Roberts and former Apple Computer
chairman John Sculley, now head of Spectrum Information
Technologies.
Both said the government should stay away from the private sector,
and expressed fear that well-intentioned action could thwart
progress. Even government work in defining standards for the new
systems was attacked.
The proposed merger of Bell Atlantic and TCI seems to be the
flash-point where the industry and the Clinton Administration
diverge. Sculley, who sat next to first lady Hillary Clinton
during the President's state of the union speech, praised the
merger and said government should limit its role to things like
protecting security, privacy and intellectual property.
But Attorney General Janet Reno said the government will take a hard
look at the BA-TCI deal, and Congressman Edward Markey, who chairs
the House telecommunications subcommittee, also warned against quick
approval of the deal. Meanwhile, TCI head John Malone tried to re-
assure policymakers that they'll be plenty of "electronic shelf
space" for all comers, despite the fact that he has also said that
the Bell Atlantic deal also hinges on his agreement to buy Liberty
Media, a major owner of cable programming.
In other news involving the regional Bells, the California Public
Utilities Commission said it will decide on Pacific Telesis'
proposal to spin-off its wireless operations on October 28.
PacTel wants the spin-off to occur this year, and hopes to raise
$1.2 billion through a public offering while existing PacTel
shareholders retain 89 percent of the new shares.
PacTel's wireless operations now have 934,000 subscribers, with
income from domestic cellular operations up 61.2 percent over a year
earlier. As in the information superhighway dispute, PacTel
executives complain that regulation soured the California economy, a
conclusion disputed by economists who point to defense cuts and an
overbuilt real estate sector. The break-up is opposed by consumer
groups, who fear it will mean higher prices for basic phone service.
Finally, Ameritech reported the best results yet among the regional
Bell companies reporting earnings. It said its quarterly profit was
up 29 percent, to $425 million, against $330.5 million in profits a
year earlier, crediting its sale of interests in New Zealand
Telecom. Revenues were up just five percent, to $2.95 billion from
$2.81 billion.
Ameritech also signed an alliance with Wireless Access of
California, agreeing to sell Wireless' AccessCard, a PC Card under
PCMCIA standards that offers messaging services. The product will be
combined with Ameritech messaging services and software and sold as
Wireless Field Messenger II. The deal is non-exclusive -- Wireless
Access has similar agreements with BellSouth's MobileComm and MTel's
SkyTel paging operations. This is the first deal with a cellular
operator, however.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931021/Press Contact: Ron Dullie, US West,
303-896-9488 MCI Press Office, 202-887-3300; Wireless Access,
Jerry Askew, 408/383-1900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
TRENDS
CASE World/Objex - Classifying Object-Oriented Tools
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00023)
CASE World/Objex - Classifying Object-Oriented Tools 10/21/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- If you've seen
one object-oriented (00) development tool, or even a bunch of them,
you definitely haven't seen them all, according to Paul Harmon,
editor of the Object-Oriented Strategies newsletter, who was
speaking yesterday at Digital Consulting's CASE World/Objex.
With the number of OO tools on the market proliferating, developers
of all disciplines need to understand the distinctions, suggested
Harmon, in a presentation entitled "Classifying Object-Oriented
Products."
Harmon told the audience that current development tools can be
roughly divided into three categories: "conventional," "object-
enhanced," and "object-oriented."
The products present a continuum in which the developer can make use
of objects to create some or all of the following: graphical user
interfaces (GUIs), data structures, transactions, and dialogues.
Today, most tools that call themselves "object-oriented" are really
only OO at the interface level, according to Harmon. Some products
go further to let the developer use objects for data structures, and
a few go further still to extend objects into transactions. But not
very many permit objects to be used for dialogues.
Smalltalk and Eiffel are two examples of "pure" OO products, Harmon
added. C++, Pascal, and COBOL are examples of "hybrid" forms that
combine objects with a procedural approach. CLOS and Prolog are also
hybrid forms, mixing objects with a declarative method.
Hybrid or object-enhanced products can be very useful to
organizations that wish to transition to OO development
incrementally, but they do not allow for the creation of custom
objects, he warned.
C++ is currently the most popular approach in the object world,
followed by Smalltalk, he noted. C++ is being promoted to C
programmers as "a better C than C," while Smalltalk remains popular
among its long-time fans.
Developers should look upon "pure OO" as their ultimate goal, but
should evolve toward this goal gradually if this makes sense in
light of their requirements. "You have to live in reality," Harmon
remarked.
Developers should also be aware that many products that consider
themselves "object-oriented" are not yet paying much attention to
things like class libraries and OO methodologies, he maintained.
Some of the differences between tools are being lost in the
scramble to get off of mainframes and to adopt GUIs and
client-server architectures instead, according to Harmon.
In the future, the choices will get harder, as even more products
enter the fray, he said. As has already been happening, some of
the new tools will emerge from the artificial intelligence (AI)
arena, and others from the realm of CASE (computer-aided software
engineering).
Some products will double-bill themselves as 4GL (fourth generation
language), database or client-server tools. Others will be domain-
specific, to areas like CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-
aided manufacturing).
"The AI vendors are saying `We're not AI any more. We're OO.' The
CASE vendors are saying, `We've moved beyond CASE now. We're 4GL
(fourth generation language), database, or OO,'" reported Harmon.
But users will become better attuned to the distinctions between
products as their experience with OO development grows, Harmon
predicted.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931021/Reader and press contact: Paul Harmon,
Object-Oriented Strategies, tel 617-648-8700; Press contact: Todd
J. Keefe, Digital Consulting Inc., tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
IBM
CASE World/Objex - Pair Of Pen Computing Tools For CASE
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00024)
CASE World/Objex - Pair Of Pen Computing Tools For CASE 10/21/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- If you've heard
that CASE (computer-aided software engineering) is falling behind
the times, it's worth your while to take another look. A pair of pen
computing tools for CASE have been drawing large and highly
enthusiastic crowds this week at Digital Consulting Inc.'s CASE
World/Objex.
The PenPoint-based products from Hitachi include PenAnalysis
Process Modeling, for developing data flow and decomposition
diagrams, and the newly announced PenAnalysis Data Modeling, for
building entity-relationship diagrams.
The two pen products are available in TabletStyle and MeetingStyle
configurations, said Sumi Shohara, marketing rep, in an interview
with Newsbytes. The highly portable TabletStyle consists of
PenAnalysis software, along with an Eo computer from Go! Corp.
MeetingStyle includes PenAnalysis Data Modeling, plus an IBM-
compatible PC, a digitizing white board, and an LCD overhead
projector display.
Each tool is a handwriting recognition-capable front end to
KnowledgeWare's Application Development Workbench (ADW) Analysis
Workstation.
The developer uses TabletStyle to conduct interviews with end users
in their offices, according to Shohara. MeetingStyle, on the other
hand, is employed to obtain group input -- from other developers as
well as end users -- on CASE projects.
"CASE development has traditionally been a `back room' job. We
wanted to give developers a chance to bring the process out into
the `real world,'" she told Newsbytes.
The CASE developer goes out into the field to interview end users
about their requirements anyway, but then the data must be brought
back into the back office for entry into a computer, she
elaborated. This process is time consuming, secludes the
developer, and also introduces the risk of errors.
TabletStyle lets the developer build diagrams on an Eo in the end
user's presence, check the input with the user, and then quickly
send the data into ADW.
MeetingStyle provides much the same basic functionality, except
that the pen interface is projected on to the LCD screen, allowing
groups of developers -- or groups of developers and end users -- to
jointly work on a project.
MeetingStyle will replace such outdated alternative methods as
presenting diagrams to groups on old-fashioned, easily erasable
chalkboards, or spreading out reams of hard-to-read paper diagrams
in front of the room, she predicted.
Developers can use PenAnalysis in either electronic ink or
handwriting recognition mode, she added. If electronic ink is
used, the data will remain in handwritten form, and cannot be fully
integrated with the ADW database.
But if the developer converts the information to text via
handwriting recognition, ADW will recognize the pen-generated input
as part of its own data.
Daniel J. Oullette, a pen computing industry analyst and author who
gave a talk at CASE World/Objex, told Newsbytes that, to the best
of his knowledge, Hitachi is now the only vendor with a pen-based
interface to CASE.
Oullette said that he came upon this finding after interviewing
every vendor in the field. Develops can create their own pen
interfaces, but they must make sure that, if they need a
Windows-based interface, they are using Microsoft Windows for Pen,
he advised. Pen computers vary from vendor to vendor in the
operating systems they run, he noted.
Terri Stowell, a consultant to Oracle and one of the enthusiastic
attendees who viewed an ongoing demo of MeetingStyle, told
Newsbytes that PenAnalysis would solve a true dilemma for her.
Stowell explained that she goes out to utility companies to interview
end users in relation to custom CASE projects that Oracle is
building. "Up to now, I've been spreading out pieces of paper in
front of the room to present my work," she said.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931021/Reader contacts: Hitachi Software
Engineering America, tel 415-615-9600 or 415-615-7661; Reader and
press contact: Daniel J. Oullette, Strategic Systems, tel 313-429-
7378; Press contacts: Sumi Shohara, Hitachi, tel 510-655-4411; Todd
J. Keefe, Digital Consulting, tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
IBM
****Tandy Now Shipping Zoomer Digital Assistant
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00025)
****Tandy Now Shipping Zoomer Digital Assistant 10/21/93
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Tandy Corporation has
announced it is now shipping its Zoomer Personal Digital Assistant
(PDA) to participating Radio Shack stores nationwide.
Tandy spokesperson Tony Margoulas told Newsbytes that the Zoomer has
a suggested retail price of $699. He said all the company owned
stores are selling Zoomer, and the franchised stores will decide if
they want to carry the unit.
The Zoomer weighs less than one pound, has an electronic pen for
handwriting notes, and operates on three AAA batteries. Tandy says
the batteries will operate Zoomer for up to 100 hours. Data can be
exchanged with other Zoomers, desktop PCs and online data services.
The Zoomer, a joint product of Sharp, Casio and Tandy, first saw the
light of day as a prototype being demonstrated at the Consumer
Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada in January 1993. It was then
shown in Europe at the Cebit Computer Faite In Hannover in March of
this year, followed by an appearance at the CES Chicago show in June
with America Online, Quicken, Motorola and Sundisk all announcing
support. The Tandy and Casio models are virtually identical, but the
Casio and Sharp models are expected to have a suggested retail price
slightly higher.
The Zoomer uses the GEOS graphical interface developed by Geoworks.
It has an address book, to do list manager, alarms, notebook,
calculator, world clock, a translation dictionary and spell checker.
Intuit says it will offer a pocket version of its Quicken personal
finance management software, while Sundisk has announced a flash
mass storage device.
Data entry is accomplished by writing the information, which is then
translated by Zoomer's handwriting recognition software. Data can
also be entered through an on-screen standard keyboard. The keys are
"pressed" by touching the letters with the pen.
Motorola will provide wireless compatibility for Zoomer through a
version of its EMBARC (electronic Mail Broadcast to a Roaming
computer) technology.
The PDA market is expected to reach 3.5 million units by 1995
according to a BIS Strategic Decisions study announced in June of
this year.
Apple Computer released Newton, its entry in the PDA field, three
months ago, and said it had already sold 50,000 units as of last
month.
The key to consumer acceptance of PDAs is the accuracy of the
handwriting technology. There have been complaints about Newton's
ability to learn and recognize the user's handwriting one company
told Newsbytes it takes several weeks to reach a 95 percent
recognition accuracy level. That could be too long for many
consumers.
(Jim Mallory/19931021/Press contact: Tony Margoulas, Tandy Corp,
817-878-4852)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
IBM
Cray Research To Enter PC Software Market
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00026)
Cray Research To Enter PC Software Market 10/21/93
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Cray Research, a
company known for its supercomputer hardware, operating systems, and
applications software, has announced the launch of a new business
entity that will develop and market software for PCs, Apple
Macintoshes, workstations and servers.
Called CraySoft, the new company will ship its first product by
year-end. Network Queuing Environment (NQE) is a software tool that
allows workloads to be balanced across a variety of computer
systems. CraySoft Manager Leary Gates says other Cray Research
products such as its Fortran 90 programming environment will also be
marketed by CraySoft.
"The CraySoft initiative reflects Cray Research's vision for open
supercomputing - a cohesive environment, united by standards-based
software, that extends from the microcomputer to the supercomputer,
including PCs, workstations, clusters, MPP (massively parallel
processing systems) systems and traditional supercomputers,"
explained Irene Qualters, Cray Research VP of software.
Gates says that CraySoft products will include compilers, tools,
libraries, networking and applications software for systems across a
full range of performance.
NQE assigns jobs to the best available resource on the network. That
could be a single workstation, a workstation cluster, a server or a
supercomputer.
"This product allows users to share network resources more
effectively," says Gates. NQE consists of a server and a client. The
server includes an enhanced, compatible version of the public domain
Network Queuing System software, a network load balancer, and a file
transfer agent for Unix workstations.
The client is a simplified queuing environment which allows users to
submit jobs to the NQE server directly from workstations or PCs. NQE
support for IBM RS6000, SGI IRIS, Hewlett Packard and DEC Alpha
workstations is scheduled for the first half of 1994. Pricing for a
10-server license is about $3,000 and includes an unlimited number
of clients.
Cray Research spokesperson Steve Conway told Newsbytes the
company doesn't have plans to develop end-user applications such
as word processing, spreadsheets or databases, but would develop
market-specific tools for database use.
"Our aim here is to market our software on systems even in
situations where they don't have any kind of supercomputer. Cray
Research has developed very strong software over the years. With the
convergence of workstations and PCs they need higher performance
software," he said.
Conway said that the company would concentrate on operating systems,
batch processing and network software, as well as industry- specific
applications "that might be used with popular databases."
(Jim Mallory/19931021/Press contact: Steve Conway, Cray Research,
612-683-7133)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/21/93
IBM
Photoshop Accelerator For Windows From Storm
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00027)
Photoshop Accelerator For Windows From Storm 10/21/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- To speed up
editing of photographs in Adobe's popular Photoshop 2.5 graphics
editing software for Windows, Storm Technology has announced a
hardware product with commonly used Photoshop functions built in.
Called accelerators, the new Storm hardware can help users whisk
through Photoshop tasks up to 10 times faster.
If a computer function can be programmed into the computer hardware,
it is always significantly faster than the same function performed
by software alone. Macintosh users have enjoyed hardware
acceleration of Photoshop functions for some time. Storm has been
making hardware accelerators, distributed by Supermac, for the
Macintosh version of Photoshop, but this is the first Windows-based
accelerator card.
The card is equipped with a dual American Telephone and Telegraph
(AT&T) Digital-Signal processor (DSPs). It's designed to perform the
most common Photoshop functions, such as Image Size, Rotate,
Gaussian Blur, Blur More, Motion Blur, Unsharp Mask, Sharpen Edges,
Sharpen More, Feather, and Despeckle.
Standard graphics accelerators have little effect with Photoshop,
according to Storm officials. The company said it designed the new
line of graphics accelerators for users of Intel 386 and mid-range
486 personal computers (PCs) with an industry standard architecture
(ISA) bus so users can get increased graphics performance out of
equipment they already own.
The Photodsp 400 is aimed at users who have Photoshop 2.5 already
and is retail priced at $399. The Photodsp 800 offers the same
hardware accelerator but includes a copy of Photoshop 2.5 for
Windows and is $899. Both packages are expected to ship December 1,
1993, the company said, and are available directly from Storm or
through its resellers.
Storm will show off its new Windows accelerators at the Seybold
Publishing Seminar in San Francisco this week along with Photoflash,
a Macintosh photographic enhancement software tool it developed for
distribution by Apple Computer.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931021/Press Contact: Marcello Wucher, Storm
Technology, tel 415-513-0975, fax 415-513-0985; Public Contact,
Storm Technology, 800-275-5734)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/21/93
TELECOM
LCI Joins Frame Relay Gold Rush
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)
LCI Joins Frame Relay Gold Rush 10/21/93
DUBLIN, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- LCI International has
announced FramePlus, a frame relay service which extends into Canada
and to Tokyo, Japan. The service will be available at a variety of
speeds, from 56,000 bits/second to so-called "T-1" speeds of 1.544
million bits/second, and are being marketed for inking Local Area
Networks.
A number of companies are now active in the frame relay business,
seeing it as a natural successor to current leased lines, a multi-
billion dollar industry. Dataquest analyst Joe Noel estimated last
year that frame relay could be worth over $1 billion by 1995, saying
the early leader was WilTel.
LCI said that FramePlus also will support IBM's System Network
Architecture through dedicated permanent virtual circuits dedicated
specifically to that traffic. LCI said it will provide channelized
local access for SNA traffic to eliminate competition for bandwidth
from other LAN-based traffic.
FramePlus is available from every city in the United States plus
Tokyo and Windsor, London, Chattam and Toronto, Canada. DataFrame is
scheduled to be available in Europe in the first quarter of 1994.
The company's goal is to have FramePlus mirror the company's
international private line availability, the company said.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931021/Press Contact: Scott Booth, LCI, 614-
798-6011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/21/93
BUSINESS
****Crowds Gather At Spectrum Shareholders Meeting
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00029)
****Crowds Gather At Spectrum Shareholders Meeting 10/21/93
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- Spectrum
Information Technologies, Incorporated held its annual shareholders
meeting last evening in at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena,
California to crowds of 2,000 plus. The company's recent high
profile status in hiring former Apple chief executive officer (CEO)
John Sculley has placed its dismal financial past under close
scrutiny and interest on the part of stockholders was high.
Sculley was not present at the meeting, but called in from
Washington, D.C. to address shareholders. He said he was in the
nation's capital to address the National Forum on Wireless
Communications in Washington, D.C. as the keynote speaker on the
popular public-interest television network C-Span.
Peter Caserta, former CEO of Spectrum, who remains as company
president said he can still hardly believe that John Sculley has
accepted the leadership of the tiny company. There are only three
people in the US business industry who are recognized world-wide,
Lee Iacocca, Bill Gates, and John Sculley, Caserta said.
In telling about the "historic moment" when Sculley decided to
accept the company's leadership, Caserta said he saw an opportunity.
The Newton Messagepad, Apple's first personal digital assistant
(PDA), has been so widely criticized for poor handwriting
recognition as well as its lack of wireless communication ability,
and Spectrum's analog Axcell wireless cellular communication product
could change that.
A long time employee of Sculley's at Pepsi intervened for Caserta so
Sculley would take his call. A day or two later in a demonstration
Caserta gave Sculley at his Greenwich, Connecticut home, Sculley
wrote on his Newton, without translating the handwriting, and faxed
it to himself via a fax machine in another room using the Axcell
product and a cellular phone. When it worked, history was made, and
that Newton Messagepad is now hanging on the wall at the Spectrum
company headquarters in New York, Caserta quipped.
There were three reasons Caserta outlined as to why the Sculley deal
worked: the core technology actually worked, Sculley's vision and
that of Caserta for the industry were the same, and the chemistry
was right.
Spectrum hopes the number of mobile computers needing communication
abilities will equal the 100 million personal computers (PCs) the
company boasts are now connected via software over telephone lines
or on local area networks. The company said there are 80,000 mobile
computers now, but expects the numbers to reach the 100 million mark
in five years.
Sculley congratulated in his telephone address to the shareholders
Caserta on his foresight in getting key patents re-issued and in
negotiating deals with companies such as AT&T, NCR, IBM, and
Rockwell.
Much was made at the meeting of the Direct Connect patent, which
Spectrum says will allow it to miniaturize the Axcell technology
down to a single chip for use in mobile computers aimed at the
consumer market. Caserta said Spectrum is also investigating making
modems and performing cellular activation as part of its overall
business strategy. Caserta called Spectrum the "Microsoft of mobile
computing and the Intel of wireless communications."
Apollo 10 astronaut Tom Stafford, who is on the board of directors
of the company, was expected to attend the meeting, Caserta promised
shareholders, but Stafford never arrived.
Stockholders at the meeting were only allowed to submit questions in
writing beforehand and some complained loudly about not being able
to ask questions from the floor. The financial community has harshly
criticized Spectrum for its disreputable past business practices and
class action suits for insider trading are pending against the firm.
However, Spectrum officials assured stockholders the company was on
firm financial ground with good credit and money in the bank.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931021/Press Contact: Dae Chang, Spectrum
PR, tel 516-627-8992)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/21/93
APPLE
****Apple Tries To Up Sales W/ New Products, Price Cuts
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)
****Apple Tries To Up Sales W/ New Products, Price Cuts 10/21/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 21 (NB) -- In a flurry of
announcements, Apple Computer has announced a new business strategy
along with price cuts on its computers and network cards, two new
Powerbook models, and two new printers.
Insiders at Apple told Newsbytes that the strategy is to meet
Apple's business plan, which requires a 50 percent increase in
product sales, a goal it fell short of in the last quarter with only
a 35 percent increase.
Apple's plan is now to aim the Macintosh LC computer at the
educational market, and the Quadra line at the business market,
according to Bill Keegan of Apple. The company is also cutting
prices, again to "smash the price barrier long associated with Apple
products."
Apple says that business users can now get a low-end Quadra for just
under $1,000. In addition, the Centris line has been folded into the
Quadra line and will no longer be a separate product line, Apple
said.
Nine new computers have been introduced: three new Performas, a
new LC, three new Quadras, and two new color Powerbook notebook
computers.
The new Performas are the 460 with a Motorola 68030 33 megahertz
(MHz) microprocessor, a 470 based on the Motorola 68040 25 MHz
microprocessor, and the 550 that has an all-in-one design, a compact
disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive, stereo sound, and a Sony
Trinitron color monitor.
The new Macintosh LC 475 offers a Motorola 68040 25 MHz
microprocessor and will be offered for $1,082 to schools who
qualify, Apple added. The model also complies with the EPA's Energy
Star Program.
Three new Quadras, the 605, 610, and 650, have been added and Apple
says the 610 and the 650 are revamped Centris models. Prices start
at $969, Apple said and some models are equipped with CD-ROM drives
and built in Ethernet connections for networking.
The new color Powerbook Duos make Apple the first to introduce 16-
bit color in a notebook computer and the first to introduce active
matrix color notebooks weighing less than 5 pounds. Apple also
boasts the notebooks offer 50 percent longer battery life than
former models.
The Apple Ethernet Nubus (NB) Twisted-Pair Card was also introduced
and prices were dropped on other networking products. The new card
offers a built-in 10-Base-T network port (RJ-45) and retails alone
for $179 or in a bundle with either a thin coax, twisted pair, or
AUI media adapter for $279.
Two new Laserwriter printers, the Select 360 and the Pro 810 can be
connected to both Macintosh and DOS/Windows networks. Both printers
also support Postscript Fax options for plain paper, network fax
capability. The 360 model is $1,599 and the Pro 810 model is $4,899.
As part of its new marketing strategy, Apple will eliminate the use
of the term "suggested retail price" (SRP) in its product
announcements, price lists, and advertising. SRPs from Apple have
traditionally been higher than the "street price" and Apple says
this is a move to more representative pricing.
Apple also appears to be eliminating volume discounts as it said it
will sell its products to customers for the same price, the
"Appleprice," whether its one unit or many. The company has also
announced it will begin television advertising to promote its
products.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931021/Press Contact: Bill Keegan, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-5460, fax 408-974-1199)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
UNIX
New Nextstep 3.2 Offers Windows Compatibility
(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00001)
New Nextstep 3.2 Offers Windows Compatibility 10/20/93
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Next
Computers has announced that a new release of its Nextstep
operating system, version 3.2, will be available in early November.
The main benefit of the new version is compatibility with
Microsoft DOS and Windows environments.
Nextstep 3.2 for Intel processors will include a version of
SoftPC for Nextstep that has Microsoft Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS
5.0 installed. Users may experiment with the SoftPC portion for
30 days, after which it will lock up unless the user obtains a
licensing agreement for the software from the its developer --
Insignia Solutions of Mountain View, California. Insignia told
Newsbytes users can expect to pay $249 to obtain a code key
that will permanently unlock the SoftPC portion of Nextstep.
Next says it has worked closely with Insignia to optimize
SoftPC with the Nextstep operating system. Marc Munford,
product manager at Insignia Solutions said: "The result is
fast, 100-percent compatible, DOS and Windows performance.
With SoftPC for Nextstep, customers can be guaranteed they are
always up-to-date with Microsoft's latest release of MS-DOS
and Windows, and that they can continue to develop custom
applications on Nextstep without being concerned about
compatibility with the latest DOS and Windows applications."
While the latest release of DOS from Microsoft is version 6.0,
most of the functionality in terms of memory management and
capability is in the DOS 5.0 product, and software applications
that will run under DOS 6.0 will run under DOS 5.0. The biggest
feature of DOS 6.0 is data compression, a feature SoftPC
decided not to include in its product.
The Nextstep Developer version's claim to fame is its
reputation for being a fast, object-oriented development
platform for custom applications. Most of the new enhancements
to version 3.2 are in the direction of developer support tools.
For example, the new version of Nextstep will include
additional driver support to increase the number of hardware
configurations Nextstep can support. Driverkit, new to the 3.2
version, is described by Next as an object-oriented framework
that for use by developers to write device drivers. Next claims
device drivers can be written using Driverkit in less time with
significantly less code than traditional methods of writing
Unix drivers.
In addition, public application programming interfaces (APIs)
are included to allow sound, small computer system interface
(SCSI), graphics, and local area network (LAN) devices to be
supported by drivers that can be loaded when needed. A variety
of new graphics adapters are supported and for the first time,
full support for 32-bit color graphics is included.
A new Filemerge application can be used by developers to
compare two directories and to show which files are added,
deleted or modified. Developers can also take a pair of files
that are different and have Filemerge show them side-by-side in
a view that marks all differences in a graphical manner, Next
said. The developer can choose to create a third file and
selectively merge the two files by choosing which of the two
files the changes should come from for each set of differences.
The idea is to be able to quickly tell what has changed and
merge changes between the different source files with a few
mouse clicks.
For C++ developers, Next added the GNU libg++ class libraries.
Initial support for portable distributed objects (PDOs) has also
been added. The Projectbuilder feature of Nextstep has always
been able to build objects or applications remotely over the
network on another Nextstep machine, but now Projectbuilder can
communicate via PDOs to a non-Nextstep machine so objects or
applications can be built in the target environment. This will
allow PDO developers to build their object services for their
servers from a Nextstep client utilizing the same Projectbuilder
facilities they use for Nextstep applications.
Nextstep Release 3.2 for Intel still requires a 486 or Pentium
microprocessor, 120 megabytes (MB) of hard disk space for the
user version and 330MB for the Developer's Release, and 16MB
of random access memory (RAM), although 24MB of RAM is
recommended.
Pricing for Nextstep for Intel processors release 3.2 is $795
and the Nextstep Developer release 3.2 product is $1,995.
Upgrades to Nextstep for Next Computers and Nextstep Developer
for Next Computers are $195 and $495 respectively. Customers
who purchase the full version of Nextstep release 3.1 (excludes
evaluation or promotional copies) and return the registration
card before October 31, 1993 will receive release 3.2 free.
Representatives for Next say the company has an installed base
of 50,000 users and another 50,000 to 60,000 copies of its
software has been ordered for delivery over the next 18 to 24
months. The company plans to show release 3.2 of Nextstep at
the trade show Comdex in Las Vegas, Nevada next month.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931019/Press Contact: Karen Logsdon,
Next Computers, tel 415-366-9000, fax 415-780-3714)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
IBM
Arkenstone's Open Book Unbound For Notebooks
(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00002)
Arkenstone's Open Book Unbound For Notebooks 10/20/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Arkenstone, a
non-profit Silicon Valley organization supported by the computer
industry which supplies hardware and software for disabled
individuals at a discount, has announced that An Open Book
Unbound, the company's reading machine software, will now
support notebook computers.
Since the first practical system was developed by Kurtzweil more
than ten years ago, the use of optical scanners, computers, and
special optical character recognition software, often combined
with voice synthesis software and hardware, but sometimes used
with braille output, has become a major technology in the arsenal
of those visually impaired individuals who wish to remain
independent of personal helpers yet still gain an education or
pursue a career.
The scanner is used to capture an image of the printed document,
whether it is a letter, brochure, or page from a book. That image is
then processed by the OCR software into a computer-understandable
text file. The next step uses special software to "speak" the file as
words for the listener, either through a headset or speaker.
Using a Hewlett-Packard ScanJet IIp scanner in combination with a
notebook PC, visually impaired users can have a complete twenty
pound scanner-OCR reading system. Arkenstone supplies the
scanner, software, and parallel-to-SCSI (small computer systems
interface) port adapter for $2,093 only through its network of
dealers to qualified individuals. The required notebook computer
and speech synthesis hardware that allows the visually impaired
user to hear the scanned text, is not included in the under $2,100
price tag.
Open Book software supports Adapter, Accent SX & SA, DoubleTalk
LT, Keynote Gold External, Artic Transport, and Litetalk speech
synthesis systems.
Although there is no support for the latest generation of PCMCIA
(Personal Computer Memory Card Interface Association) cards,
Arkenstone says that the company does intend to develop such
support. PCMCIA slots are used for adding memory cards or
peripherals, especially to laptop or notebook computers.
Arkenstone has a network of 60 dealers worldwide who
specifically work with the visually impaired. Arkenstone is
located at 1390 Borregas Ave, Sunnyvale, CA 94089. The
telephone number is 800-444-4443, or 408-752-2200, and
the fax number is 408-745-6739
(John McCormick/19931019/Press Contact: Jim Fruchterman,
Arkenstone President, 800-444-4443)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
BUSINESS
Adobe Bundles With Sun, Licenses With Seiko
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00003)
Adobe Bundles With Sun, Licenses With Seiko 10/20/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems Inc., has announced a bundling deal with Sun Microsystems
Comper Corp., and a licensing deal with Seiko Instruments USA Inc.
The deal with Sun calls for the bundling of Adobe Photoshop 2.5
software with the hardware vendor's Sun SPARCstation 10SX
workstation. Seiko Instruments, meanwhile, a manufacturer of
color printers for Macintosh computers, PCs and Unix-based
workstations, has signed a licensing deal giving the company
rights to Adobe's PostScript software.
According to the deal with Sun, each Sun system sold through
March 1994 will include a coupon redeemable from Adobe for a
complimentary copy of the image editing software package.
In announcing the deal, Steve MacDonald, senior vice president and
general manager, systems products division at Adobe Systems,
said: "Adobe and Sun have worked together to provide solutions that
strengthen and broaden each company's market position."
According to Jay Puri, vice president of product marketing at SMCC,
"SMCC has targeted the networked publishing and color imaging
markets."
Adobe says that its Photoshop software is used to manipulate
scanned or computer-generated continuous tone, bitmap, grayscale
or color images. The program also provides special effects filters
and 16-million-color paint capability.
Adobe says that, initially, Seiko plans to embed Adobe's
PostScript Level 2 software in its new Professional ColorPoint
2 PSF Model 14 printer. The new printer also includes 104 of
Adobe's Type 1 fonts.
In announcing the licensing deal, John Warnock, Adobe's chairman
and chief executive officer, said: "Coupling Adobe's PostScript Level
2 software with Seiko's new generation of color printers means
Seiko's users in the graphic arts, CAD (computer-aided design) and
desktop publishing communities will have access to the industry
standard for high quality, compatibility and performance in printing."
The company says that, because Seiko plans to embed Adobe's
PostScript Level 2 software within the new printer, rasterization
will occur at the output device rather than at the user's computer.
That leads to reduced network traffic and faster time-to-print
for most jobs.
(Ian Stokell/19931019/Press Contact: Patricia J. Pane,
415-962-3967, Adobe Systems Inc; or Craig Lynar, 408-922-5950,
Seiko Instruments USA Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
IBM
UK - IBM Touchmobile Works With Ram Mobile Data
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00004)
UK - IBM Touchmobile Works With Ram Mobile Data 10/20/93
HOUNSLOW, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) --IBM has
announced that its Touchmobile can now be used over the RAM
wireless data communications network. The Touchmobile is a
handheld touch-screen computer that IBM claims is designed for
use on the move.
IBM officials also claim that, when the portable is used in a
mobile situation, the Touchmobile really comes into its own, since
it can allow mobile workers to access remote databases over the
RAM radio-based packet data network.
The Touchmobile is built around a touch-screen computer that
combines bar-code scanning and electronic signature capture with
powerful processing and wireless comms facilities. The resulting
benefit, according to Ram Mobile Data, is that it enables
organizations to respond quicker to customers, reduce operating
costs, and provide higher levels of customer service.
"The range of uses for the Touchmobile are endless -- from retail
distribution to warehousing to field service. Any logistical
operation can benefit from the ability to send and receive vital
data on the spot, especially those who still equip their mobile
staff with little more than a clipboard or a bleeper," explained
John Jarvis, CEO of Ram Mobile Data. "Using the Touchmobile
system helps organizations to manage their resources more
effectively and ultimately reduce operating costs."
Plans call for Ram Mobile Data-equipped Touchmobile computers to
ship towards the end of this year. Newsbytes notes that this is the
first time that a packet radio-based system has been marketed as
a bundled system with a portable PC in the UK. Pricing on the
system will be announced closer to shipment date.
(Steve Gold/19931019/Press & Public Contact: Jane Banham,
Ram Mobile Data, +44-81-990-9090)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
GENERAL
QMS Unveils 860 Print System In UK
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00005)
QMS Unveils 860 Print System In UK 10/20/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- QMS has announced that the
860 Print Plus System is now available in the UK. Company officials
claim that the system is designed to work with the QMS 860 eight
pages-per-minute laser printer to boost resolution and offer a
range of enhanced facilities.
The 860 Plus adds 1,200 by 600 dots-per-inch (DPI) to the choice of
resolutions available in the 860 range, full bleed 11-inch by 17-inch
printing capabilities for further flexibility in page layout and
design, as well as an increase in standard memory to 24 megabytes
(MB).
Ian Friar, QMS' marketing manager, explained that the 860 has been
successful in business and graphics arts environments since its
launch last year. "And, even though the basic 860 will continue to
meet most of the demands of these sectors for some time to come,
there is also a significant requirement in some areas of the market
for an enhanced version," he said.
Languages emulated by the new system include Postscript Level 1 and
Postscript Level 2, HP PCL4, and HP-GL 7475A. LN03 Plus emulation is
provided with the DEC-net option. The QMS Plus's emulation sensing
processor (EPS) analyzes incoming file data from all the printer's
interfaces, selects the appropriate printer language from those
installed and processes the work -- a process that QMS claims
eliminates the need to change printer settings or issue software
commands to select different printer languages.
The typical buying price of the QMS 860 Plus Printsystem is
UKP4,995. Newsbytes notes that QMS no longer publishes
recommended prices for its hardware.
(Steve Gold/19931019/Press & Public Contact: QMS,
0784-430900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/20/93
TELECOM
Call-Net Becomes Sprint Canada
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00006)
Call-Net Becomes Sprint Canada 10/20/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Call-Net
Telecommunications Ltd., a Canadian reseller of long-distance
telephone service, has changed its name to Sprint Canada Inc.,
reflecting an earlier alliance with the US-based long-distance
operator.
The newly named Sprint Canada is one of three subsidiaries of a
holding company which will retain the name Call-Net Enterprises
Inc. Another Call-Net Enterprises subsidiary is Lightel Inc., one
of the companies authorized by federal regulators last year to
build its own long-distance telecommunications network and
compete with Canada's regional telephone companies.
There are no plans to apply the Sprint name to Lightel, said
Susan Jeppesen, vice-president of marketing and product
development at Sprint Canada. She said the well recognized
Sprint name will help Call-Net increase its penetration in the
Canadian market.
An alliance between Call-Net and Sprint, announced in early
August, gave Sprint a 25 percent stake in Call-Net and brought
the Canadian company access to Sprint's advanced intelligent
networking technology.
Sprint Canada has also announced the first service based on that
technology. It said the Clarity service will offer its customers
volume discounts and consolidated detailed billing. More services
using the intelligent networking technology will follow, the
company said.
(Grant Buckler/19931020/Press Contact: Susan Jeppesen, Sprint
Canada, 416-496-1644, fax 416-496-2175)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/20/93
BUSINESS
Unisys 3Qtr Revenue Down, Earnings Up
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00007)
Unisys 3Qtr Revenue Down, Earnings Up 10/20/93
BLUE BELL, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Despite
a drop in revenue, cost-cutting has enabled Unisys Corp., to post
improved earnings in its third quarter, ended September 30.
The computer-maker's revenues for the quarter were $1,810
million, down from $2,070 million in third quarter of last year.
However, net income rose to $84.1 million, or 29 cents per share,
from $68.3 million or 23 cents per share a year ago.
Unisys said about 35 percent of the revenue decline was due to
the impact of negative currency translation. A drop in defense
business and lower-than-expected revenues from the company's
client/server computing business were also to blame, officials
said.
Excluding the positive effect of one-time tax items in each year,
earnings per share in the quarter were 20 cents versus 17 cents a
year ago.
Unisys said cash flow from operations was $119 million and total
debt was reduced $131 million in the quarter. Standard & Poor's
upgraded the company's credit rating.
The European market slumped most, and the Japanese market was
also weak, Unisys said. The commercial business in the United
States, the Pacific Rim other than Japan, and Latin America did
well.
Officials admitted revenue from the client/server business
declined and did not meet their expectations over the first nine
months of 1993. This was partly because of global economic
factors, a company spokesman said, and partly because of a
product transition. The new U6000/300, a Unix server based on
Intel Corp.'s Pentium microprocessor, began shipping at the end
of the third quarter, along with the Intel 486-based U6000/DT
desktop and U6000/100 server products. More Pentium- and
486-based products are planned in the fourth quarter, officials
said.
During the quarter, Unisys created a new client/server business
unit that it hopes will boost its client/server business over time.
The company expects sales to the traditional defense market will
continue to slide, the spokesman said, but its Paramax unit,
which has focused on that area in the past, is trying to build
more business in other areas. An example, he said, is Paramax's
sale to the US Weather Bureau of 175 weather radar systems
using technology originally developed for military use.
Given current economic trends, fourth-quarter revenues will
probably be down from last year's figure, the spokesman said, but
Unisys hopes to be able to turn in improved earnings.
"We will continue to reduce costs during this period of economic
weakness to position the company to benefit from an economic
recovery," said James A. Unruh, chairman and chief executive, in
a prepared statement.
For the nine months ended September 30, net income was $447.7
million or $1.83 per share. The nine-month period included a net
gain from one-time items in the first quarter of $203.8 million
or 83 cents per fully diluted share. In the nine-month period
one year ago, net income was $222.0 million or 79 cents per
common share, including $27.0 million or 16 cents per share from
the tax benefit of operating loss carry-forwards.
Revenue was $5,640 million in the first three quarters of 1993,
down from $6,170 million in the first nine months of 1992.
Just as the figures were being announced, Storage Technology
Corp., and Amperif Corp., filed a lawsuit against Unisys, accusing
the company of trying to restrain the manufacture and sale of
disk systems. Unisys filed a lawsuit against Amperif on September
1, alleging infringement of Unisys patents. Storage Technology
has announced plans to acquire Amperif.
(Grant Buckler/19931020/Press Contact: J. Peter Hynes, Unisys,
215-986-6948)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
GENERAL
Textware Lite For Mac & WIndows
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00008)
Textware Lite For Mac & WIndows 10/20/93
PARK CITY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Textware Corp.,
says it will unveil its text retrieval software Textware Lite 1.0
for Macintosh and Windows-based PCs at CD-ROM Expo 93. The
product is scheduled to ship in November 1993.
Textware Lite is a royalty free text retrieval software
program for CD-ROM and electronic publishing applications,
similar to Textware Lite 4.0 for DOS.
Textware Corp., says Textware Lite is typically licensed by
individuals wishing to publish textual databases called cardfiles
which have been created using Textware's authoring software.
Full text indexing, hypertext linking, automatic image tagging,
and multimedia support are provided.
The Textware license lets a publisher include the retrieval
software and one or more cardfiles on an unlimited number of CD-
ROMs or other magnetic media. The royalty cost is a one time fee
of $2,500 per operating system.
Textware Lite users can access a cardfile to retrieve, display
and print information, view text, follow hypertext links, jump to
bookmarks, view sticky notes, and perform full text searches.
Boolean, phrase, proximity, wildcard and synonym searches are
supported. Hypermedia links can display images or access audio or
video. Group 3 and 4 TIFF and PCX image viewer programs are
included.
The DOS version of Textware Lite has been shipping since
February 1993.
(Jim Mallory/19931020/Press contact: Reynolds Bish, Textware
Corp, 801-645-9600; Reader contact: Textware Corp, tel
801-645-9600, fax 801-645-9610)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/20/93
GENERAL
Wordperfect Outlines New Support Policies
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00009)
Wordperfect Outlines New Support Policies 10/20/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corp., has
announced new support programs for large accounts and says it
will continue its free and toll-free end-user support.
The new large account programs are designated "Platinum" and
"Gold" and include enterprise membership, guaranteed response
time, access to senior-level technicians, CD-ROM based support
information databases (infobases), technical bulletins, a private
bulletin board system (BBS), and listings of local area certified
systems engineers (CSEs).
A Platinum or Gold subscriber is assigned an account coordinator
who services as the account's point of contact at Wordperfect
Corp. The company said the account coordinators have extensive
technical experience and will focus on managing all the service
and support needs of a few accounts within the same vertical
market.
Wordperfect will provide diagnostic software for installation on
a customer workstation that is dedicated to support. When a
problem arises the system engineer and a customer representative
will use the software to diagnose problems.
The two programs differ in several ways. Platinum accounts can
designate up to four employees as contacts to work with the
customer support account manager. Platinum accounts receive
guaranteed four-hour response time, around the clock support, and
the diagnostic software. Gold accounts can designate up to two
employee contacts to receive support during regular business
hours and are guaranteed response within eight hours.
Annual cost for Platinum support is $15,000, while Gold contracts
sell for $10,000 per year. CSEs and Wordperfect CAP (Customer
Advantage Program) accounts with a minimum number of licenses
on CAP Maintenance are eligible for a discount.
The company said it will continue to provide its free and toll
free support for end users. "Alan Ashton and Bruce Bastian
founded Wordperfect Corporation with two basic objectives," said
Ad Rietveld, senior VP of sales and marketing. "The first was to
write software that enables people to be more productive, and the
second was to offer the best customer support. We hold to these
objectives today."
In addition to telephone support, end users can get help through
the company's BBS, a toll-free fax-back system, and an automated
telephone system that allows the customer to navigate through
the company's technical support infobase via their Pc and a modem.
(Jim Mallory/19931020/Press contact: Deborah Hendrickson,
Wordperfect Corp, 801-228-5022; Reader contact: Wordperfect
Corp, 801-225-5000 or 800-451-5151, fax 801-222-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/20/93
BUSINESS
Gates Denies Microsoft Job Cuts Coming
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00010)
Gates Denies Microsoft Job Cuts Coming 10/20/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Microsoft
Chairman Bill Gates has denied widely circulated reports that the
software company plans to reduce costs by cutting jobs.
The report apparently first appeared in the Wall Street Journal.
The paper cited an unnamed source as saying personnel
redeployment could affect as many as 700 of the 14,000 Microsoft
employees. Most are employed at the company's Redmond,
Washington, headquarters.
"We have no groups that will be shrinking in any way like that,"
Gates told reporters. The company did say that employees who
complete their current projects will be able to transfer to
available jobs on other projects, and overall employment is
expected to continue to grow, although not at the previous rate.
Microsoft has hired an estimated 8,000 people over the last three
years.
However, Gates didn't leave himself a way out if the situation
should change. "We're not going to be like IBM used to be, where
if we have too many people answering the phones we find a new
way to answer the phones with them."
(Jim Mallory/19931020/Press and reader contact: Microsoft
Corp., 206-882-8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
TELECOM
Knight Ridder Buys Stake In US Order
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
Knight Ridder Buys Stake In US Order 10/20/93
HERNDON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- US Order, which
makes screenphones and screenphone-based services, won a $6
million investment from newspaper chain Knight Ridder that will
bring the company a six percent stake. Knight Ridder also owns
Dialog, Vu/Text, and specialized on-line services for the
financial community.
The deal is contingent on US Order raising another $6 million in
equity, and it expects to close the deal in the next few weeks.
The company has had difficulty creating mass markets for
screenphones, charging that a Bellcore screenphone standard
called the ADSI results in phones that are too-expensive. The US
Order position is that screenphones must be priced below $200 to
be a mass market item. Despite this, the company is involved in a
test of ADSI screenphones with BellSouth in Nashville, Tennessee.
US Order markets its screen phone under the name Scanfone.
US Order is one of two main businesses for its main corporate
parent, WorldCorp, whose troubles are not limited to the slow
pace of screenphone acceptance. The company said recently it will
need $15 million to cover its cash requirements over the next
five months. Its other business, World Airways, is a charter
airline for passengers and freight and is expected to lose $10
million for the quarter ending last September.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931020/Press Contact: William Gorog,
US Order, 703-834-9481)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
TELECOM
Phone Company Earnings
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)
Phone Company Earnings 10/20/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Third quarter
earnings are trickling in for major phone companies, and they
make interesting reading.
GTE earned $468 million on sales of $4.94 billion, in line with
figures a year ago. But it did take a $90 million after-tax
charge for retiring high coupon debt, which would have made
profits look better. It blamed the lower revenue on lower
charges to long distance companies for access to its local
networks. GTE's local phone operations have been larger than
those of any of the regional Bell companies since it bought
Contel a few years ago.
Bell Atlantic, whose buy of TCI may not be complete for a year,
said its net income dropped slightly, to $378.5 million, which it
blamed on a federal tax increase on corporate profits and one-
time accounting charges. Revenues were actually up four percent,
to $3.18 billion. As with GTE, there were big gains in sales and
profits from cellular phone operations -- the actual local phone
network business remains flat with limited profits.
Pacific Telesis, which wants to spin-off its cellular interests,
reported earnings of $323 million on revenues of $2.6 billion. It
credited other new federal tax law changes besides the corporate
rate hike for its gains, and said without them earnings would
have remained at 1992 levels. Chairman Sam Ginn, who wants to
move to the cellular side after the spin-off, called the numbers
respectable considering the sluggish California economy. PacTel
also completed the purchase of NordicTel Holdings of Sweden, a
cellular phone company, for $153 million. NordicTel operates one
of Sweden's three digital GSM networks, and two analog networks.
It also owns cellular operations in Denmark, and PacTel owns a
quarter of Mannesmann Mobilfunk's GSM network in Germany, as
well as stakes in Portugal and Spain.
US West took it on the chin to the tune of $3.15 billion in
special charges, changing the way it accounts for big capital
expenditures. Revenues rose to $2.58 billion, and earnings would
have been $293.9 million without the accounting change. As it is
the company reported a net loss of $3.54 billion. The company has
applied to the FCC for permission to start upgrading its networks
using a hybrid copper-coaxial-fiber system, and the number of its
phone lines served rose to 469,000, up 3.5 percent, over the
previous year.
Beyond the Baby Bells, Rochester Telephone announced slightly
higher earnings, $19.237 million against $18.448 million, on an
equivalent revenue rise to $147.763 million from $142.116
million. As with the regional Bells, profits were re-stated to
reflect the retro-active increase in federal corporate tax rates
dating back to January.
Sprint, which operates local, long distance, and cellular
operations, reported a 34 percent jump in profits from long
distance services as well as big gains in profits from local and
cellular service, owing to its acquisition of Centel. Total
earnings, however, were just $1.22 million on revenue of $2.87
billion, against earnings of $120 million and revenue of $2.63
billion a year ago.
In other earnings news, small long-distance company LCI
International reported a strong quarter, with revenues up 35
percent to $90.4 million over a year ago, and operating income
up 58 percent to $9.4 million against $5.9 million. DSC
Communications continued its strong comeback from 1991's
technical embarrassments, posting profits of $23.3 million,
triple the $6.9 million of a year earlier, on sales of $188
million, up 32 percent from the $142.4 million of 1992's third
quarter. And Intermedia Communications, a competitive access
provider against BellSouth in Florida, reported revenues up 25
percent, to $2.16 million, with a small net loss.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931020)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/20/93
GENERAL
PowerOpen Specification Targeted By Year End
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00013)
PowerOpen Specification Targeted By Year End 10/20/93
BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- The
PowerOpen Association is eyeing the end of this year as the target
date for wrapping up the baseline definition of the PowerOpen
Application Binary Interface (ABI), said Tom Mace, the new
president of the industry group, in an interview with Newsbytes.
But the effectiveness of the ABI in achieving cross-platform
interoperability among PowerOpen-compliant products is more
important than the date the specification is delivered, added Mace,
who took over the reins of the association's top spot when Domenic
LaCava resigned from the post last week.
"The plans are to continue what we've been doing, because things
are going in the right direction. The standards are being defined
as we speak. Our current goal is to have them defined, at least at
the baseline level, by the end of this year. But I won't give any
promises on dates. We want to make sure we do it right, rather
than worrying about the timing," Mace told Newsbytes.
The PowerOpen Association's emerging ABI is a hardware and
software interface designed to let binary-compatible applications
run across compliant PowerPC-based systems from multiple
vendors.
The association was founded by IBM, Apple, Motorola, Bull, Thomson-
CSF, Harris, and Tadpole Technology. The group also has about 130
associate members, including Oracle, Frame, Informix, Sybase and
other major independent software vendors (ISVs), said Pat Riemitis,
who continues in her position of vice president of marketing for
the group.
"Nobody is releasing a PowerOpen operating system at this point.
(Vendors are) delivering their own operating systems to their own
sales forces. What they want to do is to make sure they are
compliant with the ABI standard that we're putting together," noted
Mace.
"In the mean time, one of the key considerations is to assure that
we get 'applications capture,' by which we mean that existing
shrink-wrapped applications will have the strongest opportunity to
run on these machines as they are brought to market," he said.
Applications capture, he explained, is being achieved through a
combination of porting the toolbox activity of various operating
systems -- such as Macintosh, for example -- into machine language,
while also emulating some code.
To this end, the association is now supplying ongoing documentation
and technical support to members, said Riemitis. Meanwhile, the
group is also developing ABI certification tests and tools that
will be designed for use in porting applications to the completed
PowerOpen environment, she added.
Specific information on the tools will be released to members over
the next 60 days, she told Newsbytes. The first of the tools will
be in place by this spring, when the first PowerOpen-compliant
systems start rolling out the door, she projected. Also by spring,
the association will have readied a catalog of PowerOpen software.
"The software catalog will be distributed by our members on a very
large base of advertising. Our list of members is continuing to
get more impressive," she maintained.
Mace, the new president of the PowerOpen Association, has been
president and CEO of x88open for the past four years. Previously,
he was a co-founder and vice president of marketing for Unix
International. He has also held key positions with Unisys,
Convergent Technologies, Raytheon and DEC.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931020/Press Contacts: Pam Preston or
Joshua Weinberg, Technology Solutions for PowerOpen Association,
tel 212-505-9900; Pat Riemitis, PowerOpen Association, tel
617-273-1550; Reader contact: PowerOpen Association,
tel 617-273-1550)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
TRENDS
Japan - Toshiba's CD-ROM Drive For Notebook PCs
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00014)
Japan - Toshiba's CD-ROM Drive For Notebook PCs 10/20/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Toshiba has developed an
extra-thin CD-ROM drive, which is claimed to be about 40 percent
thinner than existing products on the market.
The new drive can be used with notebook computers. Toshiba will
release the drive on an experimental basis in November. The price
of the sample CD-ROM drive is 70,000 yen ($700).
Toshiba's latest drive is called the XM-4101B. It is only 2.5
centimeters (cm) thick. Although it is thinner, the product
reportedly has enough power to be used with regular CDs.
Toshiba is planning to ship 1.2 million units in its first
year of production. Currently about 6.5 million CD-ROM drives are
used worldwide. That number will reportedly reach 10 million by
the end of next year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931020/Press Contact: Toshiba,
tel +81-3-3457-2100, fax +81-3-3456-4776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Hitachi & Sharp To Increase LCD Production
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00015)
Japan - Hitachi & Sharp To Increase LCD Production 10/20/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Hitachi and Sharp have
been building up their manufacturing facilities in order to
make more liquid crystal display (LCD) products.
Hitachi plans to spend 30 billion yen ($300 million) to create
a LCD production line. Sharp will also spend 40 billion yen
($400 million) to build a large-scale LCD plant.
Hitachi plans to convert its Braun-tube display plant into a
LCD facility. The firm has been shifting the production of
Braun-tube displays to South East Asian countries.
It is reported that Hitachi will soon begin building a three-
story LCD plant at its Mobara site in Ibaraki Prefecture. Clean
rooms and manufacturing lines will also be created. The firm
expects to start shipping 30,000 units of the TFT (thin film
transistor) LCDs a month by mid-1994. Hitachi is currently
producing LCDs at the plant, but only 5,000 units per month.
By fiscal 1996, Hitachi hopes to raise production to 110,000
units monthly, in order to gain an anticipated 15 percent market
share.
Meanwhile, Sharp will invest $400 million to create a new LCD
plant in Mie Prefecture. The firm will start building the facility
in January. It will be completed by early 1995. Sharp plans to
begin shipping the TFT LCDs from the plant in the fall of 1995.
This will be the third LCD plant for Sharp, which currently holds
about a 40 percent share of the worldwide LCD market. At the new
plant, Sharp plans to ship 200,000 units per month. If true, it will
become the largest LCD plant in Japan.
Sharp is currently producing LCDs in the US and Taiwan. The firm
is planning to increase production of other types of LCDs, such as
super twist nematic types, in the near future.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931020/Press Contact: Hitachi,
tel +81-3-3258-2057, fax +81-3-3768-9507, Sharp, tel
+81-43-299-8212, fax +81-43-299-8213)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
IBM
IBM UK Intros New PS/1 Series
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00016)
IBM UK Intros New PS/1 Series 10/20/93
PORTSMOUTH, HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- In a move
that the company claims aims to make computers as easy to use as
household appliances, IBM has announced a family of powerful
Personal System/1 (PS/1) machines for small business, home
office and home consumers.
According to IBM, all the machines in the redesigned PS/1 family
feature the company's patented smart energy system technology.
IBM officials claim that there are also two energy-saving models
that exceed the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star
program. These machines are called Rapid Resume and Standby,
according to Steve Rowley, IBM PC Co's UK's manager, who
explained that, "The IBM PS/1 brand has grown remarkably over
the last year. The new PS/1 will enable consumers to use Windows
the way it was meant to be used."
Rowley dismissed any suggestions that this revamp is in response to
falling sales of the PS/1 line. "Since the introduction of the brand
for consumers in 1990, the PS/1 line has seen several enhancements
and design changes that have helped to increase sales. First half
shipments 1993 shipments of PS/1 units were 80 percent more
than in the same period the previous year," he said.
"Based on extensive input from consumers and retailers, we have
redesigned the PS/1 family and implemented new features to
enhance productivity. These features reiterate a key element in
our vision of 'natural computing' -- making computers adapt to
the way people actually work," he added.
IBM claims that using the PC is "child's play" with Rapid Resume.
The program is designed to operate in the same way as people do
their work in the office, the company maintains.
According to IBM, normally, users take documents out of folders and
open them in any order they like. At the end of the day everything
is left on top of the desk. The next morning users come back and
pick up the same documents without searching for them all over
again. Likewise with Rapid Resume, the company claims.
Rapid Resume also helps conserve energy and money with its
Automatic Power Off option. This option, the company claims,
helps conserve energy with its auto power off facility. When the
system is powered back up, after turning off automatically when
not in use for between 15 and 90 minutes, it returns the user to
the point under Windows or DOS they were at the point of
switch-off.
Configurations of the new machine vary widely. Processor types
range from 25 megahertz (MHz) 486SX to 66MHz 486DX2, with
hard disk options starting at 129 megabytes (MB) and ranging to
253MB. Four MB of memory are supplied as standard, with
expansion facilities to 64MB.
Pricing on the new PS/1s will be set by retailers, IBM said, but
as a rule of thumb, they are expected to range from UKP999 to
UKP2,399.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931020/Press & Public Contact: IBM UK.
tel +44-705-561000, fax +44-705-385081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
TELECOM
UK - Cellnet Says Mobile Phone Use Growing
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00017)
UK - Cellnet Says Mobile Phone Use Growing 10/20/93
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Based on
information supplied by Cellnet, there is still a fast growing
interest in mobile phones. Sales are increasing and, Cellnet claims,
the network's growth is higher than ever before in the history of
the cellular phone industry.
In September of this year, around 37,500 people decided to
subscribe to Cellnet. The total number of connections to Cellnet
was 63,000 during the third quarter of 1993. Cellnet claims that
these figures show an increasing demand for mobile phones.
Despite the fact that Cellnet has been lagging behind its main
competitor, Vodafone, in recent years, the company claims that it
is clawing back its market share. Cellnet now claims it has more
than 776,000 subscribers on its network -- an increase of more
than 200,000 on those on-line a year ago.
Cellnet says it has achieved this remarkable increase in
subscribers by offering a strategy that combines business sense
with care for customers. Recently, the company has cut prices
on all its tariff and introduced a new phone tariff for London.
Despite this surge in sales, Cellnet maintains it is not resting on
its laurels. The company has just announced the largest marketing
campaign in its history to back its services, and forecasts that it
will continue to outstrip Vodafone in the number of subscribers it
signs up over the next year.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931020/Press & Public Contact: Cellnet,
+44-753-504814)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/20/93
APPLE
Play Detective On Your Apple Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00018)
Play Detective On Your Apple Mac 10/20/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Mysterium Tremendum claims
that the launch of Moriarty's Return, a new game for the Apple Mac,
will allow users to have a lot of fun. The game, which was
announced at the Paris Mac World computer expo last month, is
now shipping.
According to the company, Moriarty's Return is a Sherlock Holmes-
type of entertainment. The package has been designed to enhance
users' knowledge of world's history, geography, and cultures.
The rules of the games are simple: the aim is for players to trace
criminals around the world -- from city to city trying to gather
maximum information and clues to define the criminal's appearance,
location, and identity.
Part of the information required in the game comes from witnesses,
who do not always tell the truth. To win the game, players must pick
the criminals out of a line up.
During the game, players can create a picture of the villain, using
the built-in 'Sketch-a-Wretch.' And that is not all. Crooks can
behave differently, depending on their physical appearance. They
can also be disguised, the company claims.
According to James Harvey, author of the game and president of
the company, this combination of strategies is unique and cannot
be found in other games anywhere.
Harvey also claims that the game has a high degree of flexibility
in its construction: it can be played by a group. It has also been
designed for two age groups: one division is for children ages 9 to
15, while the other is designed to be more challenging for the
older generation.
Moriarty's return ships in both color and black and white versions on
the same disk. The package requires a Mac Plus or better equipped
with System 6.0.5. or later. The color version needs two megabytes
(MB) of memory. UK/European pricing have yet to be confirmed by the
company, but are expected to be in line with the US version, which
ships at $59.95.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931020/Press & Public Contact: Mysterium
Tremendum - tel (US) 412-551-7790, fax 412-661-7790;
Email on Applelink - Mystre; Email on the Internet -
Mystre@Applelink.com)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
IBM
UK - Lotus Intros Improv For Windows 2.
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00019)
UK - Lotus Intros Improv For Windows 2.1 10/20/93
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Lotus
Development UK has announced shipment of Improv for Windows
release 2.1, an upgrade to its spreadsheet package.
The company claims that the new versions features network-ready
installation, compatibility with .WK4 file format of the new 1-2-3
Release 4 for Windows, and integration with Lotus Notes workgroup
computing software.
In the UK the suggested retail price for the software has been set
at UKP365. A companion upgrade package is also selling for existing
users of earlier editions for UKP149.
"With the companion upgrade, Lotus is providing an affordable option
which is attractive to existing traditional spreadsheet users who
need different tools for different tasks," explained Andrew Wyatt,
brand manager for spreadsheets with Lotus UK.
"Improv's unique dynamic viewing and analysis, ease in spreadsheet
modification, and its capabilities for auditing and sharing of
spreadsheets make it the ideal complement to both Lotus
spreadsheet and competitive spreadsheet customers," he claimed.
Improv for Windows release 2.1 runs on a 386 or better-based PC
fitted with 4 megabytes (MB) of memory and a hard disk with at
least 12MB of free hard disk space.
(Steve Gold/19931020/Press & Public Contact: Lotus
Development UK, 0784-455445)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
TELECOM
UK - Oftel Outlines Calling Line Identification
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00020)
UK - Oftel Outlines Calling Line Identification 10/20/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Don Cruikshank, the
director general of the Office of Telecommunications (Oftel), the
government-appointed watch-dog on UK telecommunications
affairs, has published a consultative document discussing calling
line identification (CLI).
CLI allows the telephone exchange to transmit the number of the
calling party along with the first ring on the called party's phone.
This allows features such as the ability to spot who is calling
before the call is answered.
"The modernization of our telecommunications networks has led to
the prospect of innovative services such as CLI. For many customers,
such a service would solve persistent problems -- for example, such
as being able to identify nuisance calls before accepting the call,"
he said.
According to Cruikshank, CLI also opens up the possibility of
implementing extra facilities such as "call back when free" and
"selective call forwarding." But CLI, he notes, does raise a number
of important questions.
Even subscribers who might not choose to take the service
themselves would reveal their number to those they call unless
they block the ID details on every call they make by dialing
special prefixes.
"I am therefore anxious to receive the views of a very wide range of
telephone users in response to this consultation exercise. I can
then do my best to ensure from the start that the service offered is
the one that customers want," he said.
Copies of the consultative document, called CLI, are available free of
charge from Oftel's press office in London. Comments on the issues
involves are requested to be in by the November 19, this year.
(Steve Gold/19931020/Press & Public Contact: Oftel Press
Office, +44-71-634-8754)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
APPLE
What's New About Apple's Quicktime 1.6.
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00021)
What's New About Apple's Quicktime 1.6.1 10/20/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Apple
Computer has announced its latest version of the multimedia
extensions, Quicktime 1.6.1, at the announcement of the new
Macintosh operating system, System 7 Pro.
The company says that, key differences between this new release
and Quicktime 1.5 include less memory use, better performance,
better integration with Apple technology, new interfaces, and
increased reliability.
Quicktime offers users the ability to imbed sound, video, and
animation into ordinary documents or applications on the
Macintosh. While the new version of Quicktime still takes the
same amount of memory when operating, it unloads a large
portion of itself from memory when not in use.
The 1.5 Quicktime version took up 160 kilobytes (KB) of RAM when
installed, but the new version only requires less than 18 KB upon
installation. This also means less memory is required for movie
playback as well, Apple representatives said.
The new version is also more reliable, as Apple claims it fixed
all known bugs present in the 1.5 version. For example, 1.6.1
adds tear-free movie playback support to the image compression
manager which reduces the tearing visible when playing back
movies with large amounts of background motion, Apple maintains.
In addition, the latest Quicktime version integrates better
with Apple's technology by offering explicit support for the
grayscale Powerbook, Mac Easy Open, and Color Sync. Also, a
new 3.0 version of the Sound Manager, offered with Quicktime
1.6.1, allows for a faster movie playback environment than under
Quicktime 1.5.
Quicktime users will notice a few new enhancements in the
Quicktime 1.6.1 user interface as well. For example, the movie
import component is now a drag-and-drop operation, allowing
users to import compact disc (CD) tracks as easily as they
can open PICS or AIF files.
Apple is offering a toll-free order line to accommodate those
who wish to upgrade to Quicktime 1.6.1. There is a $10 charge
plus tax where applicable for the upgrade, but no shipping and
handling charge, according to staffers on the toll-free line.
The new version is also now available in the System 7.1 upgrade
and upgrade kits or from Apple bulletin boards and user groups,
company officials said.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931020/Press Contact: Whitney Greer,
Apple Computer, tel 408-974-3886, fax 408-974-5470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
TRENDS
****Dataquest - CD-ROM Market Exaggerated
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00022)
****Dataquest - CD-ROM Market Exaggerated 10/20/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- There is a
strong shift on the part of multimedia hardware makers towards
software in the form of CD-ROM titles.
Apple Computer, Media Vision, and Creative Technologies have all
announced their intention to offer CD-ROM software titles in
various forms. Traditional book publishers, such as Harcourt Brace,
are getting to the act as well. However, Dataquest analysts say
the race to CD-ROM may be premature.
Media Vision's Allen Thygensen, senior director and general
manager of multimedia publishing, told Newsbytes: "Content,
long term, is where the money is."
Ian Diery, executive vice president of Apple Computer's
Personal Computer Division, said the company sees such strong
opportunity in the direction of content that it has gone as far
as to spend $100 million to populate the market with CD-ROM
hardware so it can sell CD-ROM titles.
Harcourt Brace and Company, a publisher in the educational
market, just recently purchased Archipelago Productions, a
California-based developer of CD-ROM and interactive computer
software and educational products, for the purpose of entering
the educational software market. Random House, another
educational publisher, recently announced a joint venture
agreement with multimedia software publisher Broderbund to
develop and distribute CD-ROM titles.
However, the market for CD-ROM drives and titles may not grow
as fast as these companies anticipate, according to Bruce Ryon,
principle multimedia analyst with the market research firm
Dataquest. Ryon said exaggerated reports have had the CD-ROM
market as high as $3 billion, but Dataquest has been unable to
find any supporting evidence for a market larger than $600
million right now.
A recent Dataquest survey revealed only seven percent of a sample
population of 200 consumers with computers have CD-ROM drives
attached to their computers. Ryon says independent surveys he has
seen have held to the same proportions. This means the current
market for CD-ROM titles is a small subset of the PC market as
a whole.
In addition, Ryon said he found a whopping 85 percent of the CD
software titles are sold bundled with CD-ROM drives and those
surveyed said they were happy with the software that came in
the bundle. Less than fifty percent bought additional titles
after buying the CD-ROM bundle and most buyers said they did not
plan to purchase any more CD-ROM titles. As the CD-ROM drive
market becomes more competitive, manufacturers are considering
cutting their costs by eliminating the expense of the bundled
software, but Ryon says these companies are also afraid to
eliminate the bundles because they fear CD-ROM sales will drop
off altogether.
The main demand in the CD-ROM market is driven by the needs of
home business and home education, according to Dataquest. A
family can easily justify the purchase of a CD-ROM drive
bundled with an encyclopedia on CD as opposed to the $1,700 or
higher expense of an actual book set of encyclopedias, Ryon
said. In addition, other reference materials, medical
encyclopedias, and early learning software titles are also
finding acceptance in the home and small business markets. As
for the rest of the titles out there, Ryon quipped, "There's a
lot of content chasing not many potential buyers."
While there appears to be a nice growth curve ahead of 30 to 40
percent, the steep growth curves hyped by the multimedia
hardware companies are probably not going to occur, Ryon
claims. A handful of companies are doing well, such as Software
Toolworks with a $28 million revenue stream and Compton's in
the $26 to $28 million range. However, the vast majority of
content developers are small shops with total revenue of under
$50,000.
Why all the hype? Ryon says it is in the interest of the
multimedia hardware vendors to make the market sound lucrative.
These companies sell more hardware and get more developers to
make titles for the hardware, Ryon maintains.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931019/Press Contact: Bruce Ryon,
Dataquest, tel 408-437-8000, fax 408-437-0292)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
TELECOM
Mitel To Make ATM Components
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00023)
Mitel To Make ATM Components 10/20/93
KANATA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Mitel Corp., said it
will develop circuitry to let local area networks carry voice and
video signals using asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology.
The work will be part of a cooperative venture organized by the
Semiconductor Microelectronics Consortium (SMC), an Ottawa-based
group that includes many of Canada's microelectronics companies.
Under the same initiative, Newbridge Networks Corp., also of
Kanata, will develop ATM-based network interface cards, and
PMC-Sierra, of Burnaby, British Columbia, will develop other
integrated circuits for ATM.
Howard Tweddle, vice-president of integrated circuit marketing
at Mitel, said his company brings to the ATM effort a strong
background in real-time communications. Mitel is most
prominent in telecommunications systems.
ATM is a high-speed networking technology capable of carrying
data, voice, and video information. To date, it has been used
mainly for data. However, according to Mitel officials, customers
are demanding applications that integrate computing and
telephony, and ATM is a way of providing them.
Mitel expects products resulting from this work to emerge
by the third quarter of 1994.
The company said its circuits will be able to work with the
components being developed by PMC-Sierra. The components might
also be used on Newbridge's network interface cards, Tweddle
said, but that is not formally agreed upon to date.
No official specifications for running voice and video over ATM
exist today, Mitel said, but its approach will allow real-time
applications without waiting for those specs. It will use
eight-kilohertz (KHz) synchronization to internetwork with the
public switched network, and allow portions of bandwidth to be
assigned dynamically.
(Grant Buckler/19931020/Press Contact: Bonnie Perrigard,
or Mel Roberts, Mitel, 613-592-2122)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
BUSINESS
****DEC Loses Again In 1Qtr
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00024)
****DEC Loses Again In 1Qtr 10/20/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment Corp., has reported a revenue drop and a net loss in its
first quarter, ended October 2.
The loss reverses an upturn that took DEC into the black in the
fourth quarter of last year, but this was not unexpected. In
commenting on the fourth-quarter results in July, officials
admitted to being unsure the company could turn a profit in the
traditionally weak first quarter.
DEC lost $83.185 million, or 62 cents per share, on revenues of
$3,015 million, in the quarter. That compares to a loss of
$260.546 million, or $2.04 per share, on revenues of $3,314
million in the first quarter of last year.
It compares to net income of $113.2 million, or 85 cents per
share, on revenues of $14,370 million in the most recent
quarter -- the fourth quarter of last year. DEC's first quarter is
traditionally weaker than its fourth.
In a telephone conference with reporters, William M. Steul, DEC's
chief financial officer, admitted the first-quarter loss was
disappointing. But, he added, "the company is on its recovery
plan and the management is confident about the future." Steul
pointed out that DEC has chalked up four straight quarters of
improved results year over year.
He said weakness in Europe, along with unfavorable currency
exchange rates, contributed to the loss. Sales in Germany and
Italy were particularly weak, Steul said, while sales in the
United Kingdom and Asia grew and those in the United States
slipped slightly.
Edward Lucente, the former Northern Telecom Ltd., executive who
joined Digital earlier this year as vice-president of worldwide
sales and marketing, said DEC is working to improve its marketing
and sales performance. "I am very impressed with DEC's product
line," he said. "There is no technology gap or product gap that
needs to be filled."
To do a better job in sales, Lucente said, the company in July
introduced a commission plan for its worldwide sales staff, and
has also launched a worldwide education program and efforts to
have more sales staff working directly with customers.
Officials laid heavy stress on DEC's efforts in client/server
computing, which were the subject of a major announcement
recently. The announcements, "open up many new opportunities for
our Alpha systems," said Lucente, referring to DEC's new Alpha
AXP hardware architecture. Steul said about one fifth of DEC's
first-quarter systems revenues came from Alpha hardware.
Restructuring of the company will continue over the coming year,
the officials said, although they forecast fewer job cuts than in
the past year. Steul said about 15,000 jobs were cut during the
past year. He added that while a two-year plan begun in June of
1992 calls for some additional cuts this year, the number is
expected to be lower.
There will also be other cost-cutting measures in the
coming year, Steul said, with the cost covered by an existing
restructuring reserve.
In response to a question, he said significant cuts in research
and engineering are unlikely in the coming year.
DEC also announced a minor reshuffling of its reporting
structure, saying that five customer business units created at
the beginning of the fiscal year will now report to Lucente
rather than directly to Robert B. Palmer, president and chief
executive.
Company spokesman Mark Fredrickson described this as a
fine-tuning of the new business-unit structure that took
effect at the beginning of the year.
(Grant Buckler/19931020/Press Contact: Bradley D. Allen,
Digital, 508-493-7182; Jim Chiafery, Digital, 508-493-8009)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
GENERAL
****CASE World/Objex - Firms Getting Complacent
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00025)
****CASE World/Objex - Firms Getting Complacent 10/20/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Many of
today's top corporations, in and outside of the computer industry,
have become bogged down by complacency, said Fran Tarkenton,
CEO of KnowledgeWare Inc., and former quarterback for the
Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.
Meanwhile, innovative individuals and smaller companies are seizing
the day by making the most of their potential, and refusing to
settle for anything but the best, added Tarkenton, speaking last
night to a packed audience in a special presentation at Digital
Consulting Inc.'s CASE World/Objex Conference in Boston.
In the computer field, Bill Gates' multibillion dollar success with
Microsoft is a case in point, he emphasized. Other examples
include Ted Turner, who skyrocketed to the pinnacle of the
entertainment world by taking a gamble on cable TV, and the
founder of Walmart.
While the profitability of the other major TV networks continues to
decline, Turner's empire keeps on flourishing, noted Tarkenton.
Yet when Turner first embarked on his cable enterprise, others in
the entertainment industry did little but jeer.
Similarly, the man who founded Walmart began his career as the
franchiser of a single Franklin Discount Store. In an effort to
boost sales, he talked to the store's customers, who told him they
were looking for "better value, more quality, and better service."
The franchiser then went to Franklin's headquarters in Chicago to
present his findings, but company higher-ups dismissed his
findings. Undaunted, however, the man went on to launch Walmart,
and grew the company into a $60 billion business.
No business, no matter how large, can afford to rest on its
laurels, and that includes KnowledgeWare, Tarkenton asserted.
After Tarkenton took the helm of the major CASE (computer-
aided software engineering) vendor in about 1980, profitability
rose year by year for about a decade, he recalled. But then,
about two years ago, profits declined for the first time.
"We had become complacent and arrogant," Tarkenton reported. In
response, the CEO directed a major company overhaul. To begin with,
he sent out a letter to all of the company's customers, asking them
to call him personally, at home or at work, with any problems or
suggestions. He began to receive about 150 phone calls a day.
Tarkenton indicated that he took this action in part to let
customers know of his deep, day-to-day involvement with company
operations, and his concern for customer needs. Many people had
erroneously assumed that, as a former football player, he was
merely the titular head of KnowledgeWare, or that he was the
company's public relations rep.
Bringing KnowledgeWare to its current status has been no easy
task, he emphasized. "I stand before you in a grey suit, with black
socks, and lace-up shoes...because I am in Boston," he remarked, to
empathetic chuckles from the audience. But in fact, running
KnowledgeWare is a shirt-sleeve job that has required him to
stay up all night, at times.
To remain competitive, companies must always adhere to the highest
standards, and they must not be afraid to demand the best from all
their employees, the CEO stated. They must not be afraid to take
risks. Above all, they must never become complacent. Gates,
Turner, and the founder of Walmart never did.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931020/Press contact: Todd J. Keefe,
Digital Consulting Inc., tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
GENERAL
****Case World/Objex -- GUIs/OOP Tools Everywhere
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00026)
****Case World/Objex -- GUIs/OOP Tools Everywhere 10/20/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- At least two
dozen vendors are introducing new products at the CASE World/Objex
Conference & Exposition in Boston this week, with faster and easier
software development as their common goal.
Newsbytes reports that Windows- and OS/2-based graphical user
interfaces (GUIs), aimed at furthering that end, can be seen
everywhere on the exhibition floor. So, too, can object-oriented
(OO) tools, in keeping with Objex, a conference component newly
added to CASE World this year.
Information Engineering Systems Corp., is introducing a new, multi-
user client-server version of its Universal CASE (computer-aided
software engineering) tool for building platforms, architecture
and language, handling reverse and forward reengineering projects,
and supporting the whole development life cycle. Version 6.1
operates in Windows and runs on Novell networks.
Micro Focus is showing its new COBOL SQL (standard query language)
Development Option 1.0, a tool for interactively developing and
testing new and existing SQL queries for COBOL programs using a
"point-and-click" approach on Windows, OS/2, or DOS platforms.
Applied Business Technology Corp., is debuting Methods Architect
1.0, a Windows-based program designed to let Information Systems
(IS) organizations customize and automate in-house and vendor-
created development technologies. Officials said that the
customized methodology can then be used with ABT's Project
Bridge Modeler to plan and estimate a project before it is sent
for scheduling, tracking and analysis to the company's Project
Workbench.
IPSYS Software is displaying IPSYS Object Information Engineering,
a new implementation of its product which uses OO features to
facilitate generation of client-server applications. The toolset
does not impose any process model, and can be used to
develop applications, according to the company.
McCabe & Associates is rolling out the McCabe Object-Oriented Tool,
a product aimed at providing software testing and metrix for OO
systems. The tool provides a clear visualization of OO
applications architecture from the perspective of either a single
object or a group of objects, officials asserted. The software
also contains features for migrating systems from traditional
languages to OO.
Other companies that are introducing new products include AGPW
Inc., ALYDAAR, Associative Design Technology, Burl Software
Laboratories, CGI Systems Inc., Cincom, Coopers & Lybrand, Esprit
Systems Consulting Inc., Future Tech Systems, Hitachi, IBM,
Interactive Development Environments, KnowledgeWare, Marconi
Systems Technology, Mark V Systems Ltd., McCabe & Associates,
and Meta Software Corp.
Also on the list are Performance Development Corp., Price
Waterhouse, Popkin Software & Systems, Softool Corp.,
Structured Solutions, Texas Instruments, Virtual Software
Factory, Westmount USA Inc., and Wizdom Systems Inc.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931020/Reader contact: Digital Consulting
Inc., tel 508-470-3870; Press contact: Todd J. Keefe, Digital
Consulting Inc., tel 508-470-3870)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
GENERAL
Library of Congress' First Fully Digitized Video Demo
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00027)
Library of Congress' First Fully Digitized Video Demo 10/20/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- The Library
of Congress has its first digitized video multimedia display.
Horizon Technology Incorporated (HTI), the developers of the
interactive demonstration, says library users experience real-
time capture of a digitized image for playback or can use a
touch screen to choose from a variety of video clips.
Located in the National Demonstration Laboratory (NDL) for
Interactive Information Technologies within the Library of
Congress, the HTI display is one of 20 to 30 demonstrations of
multimedia. What makes the HTI one unique is it is the only
demonstration that is fully digital, not using any analog
storage for video at all.
An Intel-based 486 computer running Microsoft Windows provides
the horsepower to run the Action Media II capture and playback
board developed by Intel and IBM. The computer is linked to a
video camera and provides real-time capture of digital video
images for immediate playback on a video graphics array (VGA)
monitor.
The touch-screen choices include six video clips. One of the
clips is of an actual fetus in the womb and was a voluntary
effort of one of the employees of HTI, who has since delivered a
healthy baby boy, company officials said. Other demonstrations
include comparisons of video compression, a series of
informational text blocks on video-compression capabilities,
and an interactive curriculum guide for teachers called
"Learning to Live Drug Free" which links text and video.
Part of the purpose of the program is to demonstrate how
digital video compression is more effective and provides
greater flexibility than comparable analog techniques, such as
laser video disks. The program features both real time video
(RTV) and production level video (PLV) in a presentation that
allows viewers to investigate these emerging digital video-
compression technologies.
HTI was considered for the display in the library because of
its work on other multimedia projects, including the record of
Desert Storm on CD and the "Learning to Live Drug Free" video
which was done for the Department of Education. The San Diego,
California-based privately held company is 16 years old and
employs about 450 people.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931019/Press Contact: Lisa Fischer, Horizons
Technology Incorporated, tel 619-277-7100, fax 619-292-9439)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
GENERAL
****India - Telecom Giants Help In Quake Relief
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00028)
****India - Telecom Giants Help In Quake Relief 10/20/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- While India's Department
of Telecommunications, with its limited resources, was trying to
set up an effective telecommunications network for speeding up
relief and rescue work in the earthquake-hit areas of Maharashtra,
foreign telecommunications firms decided to lend a helping hand.
Motorola and AT&T, offered to set up wireless networks in the
affected areas to restore the telecommunication links with the
rest of the world.
Motorola had its equipment on standby to supplement the DOT's
efforts at activating the communications network. At a later
stage, this became a critical component in effective use of relief
measures pouring into the area.
The equipment that Motorola offered was valued in excess of
$250,000. Of this, $100,000-worth of equipment was provided as a
gift from Motorola to the Indian government, while the rest was
loaned. The equipment included a wireless in local loop (WILL)
communications system that could provide mobile or fixed
telephony services for about 100 or more users over a geographic
area in excess of a 40 kilometers (km) radius.
The portable communications system, specifically designed for
providing instant communication in disaster-hit areas, was
compatible with DOT exchanges and very small aperture terminals
(VSAT). The 100 handsets and 50 two-way radios along with six
repeaters helped in coordinating the relief and rescue efforts
among the various agencies on the ground.
AT&T too offered its multiple access digital radio system, capable
of providing telecommunications links within a radius of 80 km.
The system was spread over three different locations capable of
providing 24 connections. The company also donated $75,000
for earthquake relief efforts. The contribution included a $50,000
donation to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and $25,000 for
disaster relief to the Washington-based National Federation of
Indian Americans association.
Apart from these two offers, a non-resident Indians provided
wireless communications in the villages. The equipment was
jeep-mounted and could easily be shifted from one place to other.
Meanwhile, the devastation reinforced the need for an extended
national satellite-based seismic networking for continuous
monitoring and measurement of slow deformations. The precise
measurement of such deformations using modern techniques, such
as the very long baseline interferometry and global positioning
system, over a period of time could have helped to determine
whether there was any unusual activity in the region, feel many
scientists.
Striking on the night of September 30, the earthquake, with its
epicenter in the western-Indian village of Latur, caused havoc
in the area. Though it measured just 6.5 on the Richter scale, the
devastation and loss of life was of a disastrous scale. Unofficial
agencies put the death toll at over 30,000 people, though the
government maintains that little over 15,000 people lost their
lives in the disaster.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931020)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/20/93
GENERAL
Hong Kong - DEC Opens Multivendor Service Center
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00029)
Hong Kong - DEC Opens Multivendor Service Center 10/20/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
Corporation Hong Kong (Digital HK) has opened its first Super
Service Center in Asia, offering cost-competitive maintenance
services for all leading makes of PCs, workstations, terminals
and other computer products.
In addition to hardware maintenance, the Super Service Center
will offer customer support for a wide range of systems and
application software, and will act as a showroom and sales outlet
for Digital hardware, software and services. Customers can take
their products to the Super Service Center or can arrange for
collection and return by Digital.
"Digital has a decade of experience in providing multivendor
services direct to our large, corporate customers," said Bruce Dahl,
general manager of Digital Equipment Hong Kong Ltd. "Now we're
extending this one-stop service concept to the retail level,
enabling anyone to bring us their Digital or non-Digital computer
products for fast, economical repair or support. With the Super
Service Center, Digital hopes to set a competitive benchmark for
service that will help to raise standards throughout the territory."
Customers of the Super Service Center will have access to expert
trouble-shooting through a special telephone hot-line which will be
continually manned during normal office hours, said the company.
Customer support staff will help users to resolve problems with
industry standard operating systems, databases, query languages
and popular application packages as well as advise on networking
issues.
"The Super Service Center is a completely new concept in the
computer services market," said Matthew Liang, multivendor
customer services manager at Digital Hong Kong. "Digital is now
providing low-cost, off-site, flexible services on multivendor
products."
He continued: "If open systems means anything, it means the
ability to pick and choose products from a wide variety of vendors
supporting industry standards. In this environment, a customer's
interests are well served by a company that can offer single-
source maintenance and support."
Although the Super Service Center is open to all-comers, it will
operate a preferential membership scheme, offering discounts and
special services to members. They will also receive periodic advice
on subjects such as performance tuning and system upgrades to
meet expanding business needs. Members will also have access to
a bulletin board system (BBS) through which they can share
information and experience, download shareware and freeware,
exchange files and use electronic mail.
Last month, Digital was selected by leading Taiwan PC and
workstation manufacturer President Technology Inc., to provide a
global warranty service for its systems. It also recently became
the first worldwide reseller of maintenance on Microsoft products
across all hardware platforms. Product upgrades, upgrade licenses
and documentation for Microsoft products are all available from
the Super Service Center.
(Keith Cameron/19931014/Press Contact: Marian Xavier,
805 3100, DEC)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/20/93
TELECOM
Australia - NEC Mobile Phones Seek Opportunities
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00030)
Australia - NEC Mobile Phones Seek Opportunities 10/20/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 20 (NB) -- NEC wants to sell
between 20,000 and 30,000 mobile phones to upmarket Australian
households over the next year,
The marketing angle will be "safety and security." The company
has launched a new "affordable" model, the Sportz, for sale in the
retail channel at around US$510.
According to NEC Marketing Manager Bruce Croad, the company
sold 100,000 of the Sportz model in the US in just three months.
In the US it is called the HotDog. NEC officials considered calling
it the 'Meat Pie' in Australia. Croad said that NEC wants to
increase sales of the phones by selling to high-income households
with parents in the 35 to 55 age group.
A NEC marketing film called "A day in the life of a Sportz," depicts
an up-market Australian mother handing out mobile phones to her
offspring like candy.
NEC plans to spend $2 million advertising the phone over the next
three months. It has also launched its new business mobile - the
US$700 P3-10 which uses Australian developed software.
(Stewart Kennedy and Computer Daily News/19931015)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/19/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00001)
Canadian Product Launch Update 10/19/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- This regular
feature, appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further
details for the Canadian market on announcements by international
companies that Newsbytes has already covered. This week:
Commodore's Amiga CD32.
Commodore Business Machines Ltd. of Toronto launched the Amiga
CD32 (Newsbytes, September 13), a 32-bit game console with a
double-speed compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive, which
its parent company launched at the Amiga World show in California
in mid-September.
(Grant Buckler/19931018/Press Contact: Ray Prachun, Commodore,
416-499-4292 ext. 211)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/19/93
GENERAL
Japan - Portable CD-G Player, Upgraded Data Discman
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00002)
Japan - Portable CD-G Player, Upgraded Data Discman 10/19/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Sony's affiliate, Aiwa, has
developed a portable CD-Graphic player that will retail for 26,000
yen ($260). Sony has released an upgraded version of its electronic
book player, Data Discman, which can be used on a personal computer
through an RS-232C port. The new Discman is selling for 69,000 yen
($690) in Japan.
Aiwa's portable CD-G player, the XP-80G, looks like Sony's portable
CD Walkman. However the device has sockets that allow it to be connected
to a digital echo microphone and a television set. This portable
CD-G player can also be used as a regular CD player.
Meanwhile, Sony has developed a powerful version of its electronic
book player the Data Discman. The latest version is equipped with
a 16-bit microprocessor chip and a backlit-type 4.4-inch display.
With the chip, the operating speed is about 2.5 times faster than
that of the previous versions. Also, with the larger display, the
text size on the screen is larger.
The new Data Discman is equipped with an RS-232C socket for
connection of the device to a personal computer. The Data Discman
supports pictures, voice and sounds and has gradually been gaining
in popularity in Japan. Over 150 software titles including dictionaries
and travel guides are now available for the Data Discman.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931013/Press Contact: Aiwa, +81-3-
3827-2370, Sony, +81-3-5448-2200, Fax, +81-3-5448-3061)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
GOVT
Australia's Software Problems Blamed For Govt Losses
(NEWS)(GOVT)(SYD)(00003)
Australia's Software Problems Blamed For Govt Losses 10/19/93
CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Alleged faults within
computer systems operated by the Australian Department of
Employment, Education and Training (DEET) have led to almost AUS$4M in
social security overpayments, according to David Ives, computer
editor of the Canberra Times newspaper.
Ives wrote a one-page article on the story in his computer section in
the paper this week. He described how a method of dealing with
overpayments activated a glitch in the software that caused additional
payments to be sent to recipients who had already been overpaid. He
said that DEET sources suggest that $4M is quite possibly just the
tip of the iceberg and the real figure could be many times that amount.
Based on documents sent to the Canberra Times and to individual
members of parliament, the article also claims that DEET departmental
management had been aware of the software problems since 1990, but
little had been done to rectify them. Another area allegedly open to
fraud is the Jobstart scheme which is jointly administered by DEET
and the department of social security. By registering bogus clients
and employers, the potential exists for fraudulent use of the Jobstart
system, according to Ives.
(Computer Daily News and Paul Zucker/19931014)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
IBM
IBM Japan Launches Open Client Server Group
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00004)
IBM Japan Launches Open Client Server Group 10/19/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- IBM Japan has announced that it
will create a non-profit organization, Open Client Server Promotion
Group, or OSPG, to seek ways to unify development of various advanced
systems.
IBM Japan will provide members with access to multimedia technologies
and the latest information on its computers. The OSPG will be launched
at the end of November.
IBM Japan expects 50 firms and organizations will join this
group and has formally extended an invitation to as Fujitsu, NEC,
and Hitachi to be among them.
The group will be divided into five research divisions:
decentralized transaction processing, message processing, object
oriented processing, information warehouse and open networking.
The annual participation fee is 500,000 yen ($5,000), which
includes the cost of membership into one research division. Members
need to pay an additional 150,000 yen ($1,500) to join other research
divisions.
IBM Japan has been encouraging an open policy regarding its
technologies. One example is its Open Architecture Developers
Group which has been providing technical information on
personal computers to the member firms in order to encourage the
development of IBM-compatible personal computers.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931014/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-
3-3586-1111, Fax, +81-3-3589-4645)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
TRENDS
Japan - Optical Disk Breakthroughs
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00005)
Japan - Optical Disk Breakthroughs 10/19/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Hitachi reports that it has
developed an optical disk drive that is able to store three times more
data compared to existing optical disk drives. It is based on the
European ECMA industry standard. Matsushita Electric has also developed
an optical disk with larger data storage capacity.
Hitachi's latest optical disk drive, the OD152S/D-1, is based on
the "Mark-edge" method. This 5.25-inch read-write drive can store
a whopping 2 gigabytes of data, according to Hitachi --
three times more than current optical disk drives. The cost of
the unit is 400,000 yen ($4,000).
Meanwhile, Matsushita Electric has developed its own optical disk
technology to increase data storage. The firm has applied a
red-type semiconductor laser, an industry first, to reduce the
noise level on the disk. Engineers report that this method allows
30 percent more data to be written on the optical disk.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931014/Press Contact: Hitachi, +81-
3-3258-2057, Fax, +81-3-3768-9507, Matsushita Electric, +81-3-3578-
1237, Fax, +81-3-3437-2776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
GENERAL
Gene Amdahl, Mainframe Evangelist
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00006)
Gene Amdahl, Mainframe Evangelist 10/19/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Gene Amdahl was in
Hong Kong to open the Asian headquarters for his company Andor
International recently. He brought with him an almost evangelistic
message on mainframes.
The South China Morning Post reports that Amdahl said that mainframes
are far from dinosaurs. "The mainframe is by far the most complex
of computing vehicles and, as such, it had to wait longer in
the technology revolution for the technology to reach a point to
produce a really economical mainframe system. And that time is
approximately now," he said.
Amdahl talked about Andor International, his latest venture which
currently has only one product, the CacheXchange, which boosts mainframe
performance by providing disk caching and dual copy facilities. He said
that Andor's prototype "mainframe on a board" ran at about 10 million
instructions per second (MIPS) and produced one-third of the heat
generated by the average PC. By the time it is released, the firm
should be able to improve the performance to 40 to 50 MIPS which will
make it a desktop mainframe, he suggested.
Andor's Asian arm will be a joint venture with local partners. The
subsidiary has sales and marketing rights for Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
(Keith Cameron/19931014)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
CORRECTION APPLE
Correction - Eisenstat Name
(CORRECTION)(APPLE)(LAX)(00007)
Correction - Eisenstat Name 10/19/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- In recent
stories concerning Apple Computer executives, Newsbytes has
been spelling name of the former executive vice president and
member of the board of directors who resigned last month as Albert
'Einstat.' We have since learned the correct spelling is Albert
'Eisenstat.' We apologize for any inconvenience this may have
caused.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931019)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
BUSINESS
Sanyo Restructures
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00008)
Sanyo Restructures 10/19/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Sanyo Electric will halt
development of new workstations, and will shift the PC production to
its affiliate firm. These are two measures in Sanyo's restructuring
plan, designed to relocate 1,150 employees and ride out the slow
economy.
Sanyo will shift 1,150 employees to other departments or
affiliate firms and will transfer personal computer production
to its affiliate firm "Sanai Kogyo" in Gumma Prefecture.
Sanyo is also planning to create a PC production plant in Mexico next
spring. PCs created at the new plant will be shipped to the US or
the European market. This measure is expected to bypass the high price
of Japanese labor and production.
Under these plans, Sanyo will transfer about 500 employees
from the PC-related division to other divisions such as home
electronics and semiconductors. 1,150 employees are expected to be
affected in total in this restructuring plan.
Sanyo's workstation development department will be closed but
the firm will continue to manufacture current workstation models.
Also, Sanyo will continue its OEM (original equipment manufacturer)
supply of workstations to NEC and others.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931019/Press Contact: Sanyo, +81-3-
3837-6206, Fax, +81-3-3837-6381)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
IBM
Compaq Offers Windows PM Alternative
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00009)
Compaq Offers Windows PM Alternative 10/19/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation has announced a graphical interface to replace the
familiar Microsoft Windows Program Manager. The new product is
called TabWorks, and every Compaq desktop PC and Contura laptop
will have it installed at the factory.
TabWorks was designed for Compaq by XSoft, a division of Xerox
Corporation and uses a three-ring binder metaphor. "It looks like
a Daytimer," Compaq spokesperson Nora Hahn told Newsbytes. Compaq
says it has the exclusive worldwide marketing rights to TabWorks
for one year. The product is compatible with MS-DOS, Microsoft
Windows, and MS Windows-based applications.
Hahn said TabWorks allows the user to assign file names to
documents that are longer than the eight-character DOS limitation
that applies to Windows files. The user assigns names to
graphical Tabs. Clicking on a tab displays user-named pages.
Icons representing documents and applications are grouped on each
page. Clicking on a document icon launches the associated icon,
and files can be moved to another tab of page using drag-and-
drop.
The icons representing frequently used applications of documents
can be assigned to a button strip that is always visible, for
quick launching, and a task switcher is also available to move
between running applications.
In addition to installing TabWorks on all its desktop PCs and the
entire Contura notebook line, Compaq is offering TabWorks as a
stand-alone product. It will have a suggested retail price of $69,
but will sell for $49 through December 31, 1993.
(Jim Mallory/19931019/Press contact: Nora Hahn, Compaq, 713-374-
8316; Reader contact: Compaq Computer Corporation, 713-370-0670,
fax 713-374-4583)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
TELECOM
Teleglobe To Spin Off Memotec
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00010)
Teleglobe To Spin Off Memotec 10/19/93
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Memotec, the
company that bought satellite communications carrier Teleglobe
Canada from the federal government in 1987, will re-emerge from
Teleglobe under its old name. Teleglobe Inc., the new name that
the former Memotec Data Inc., took on in the spring of 1991, has
announced plans to sell shares in a newly formed Memotec
Communications Inc., to the public.
The new Memotec will comprise the same networking technology
operations that made up Memotec Data up to 1985, when the company
acquired two insurance software firms, said Claude Seguin,
vice-president of finance and chief financial officer. The
insurance operations remain with Teleglobe for the time being,
but Seguin said the company does not see them as part of its core
business and is interested in spinning them off as well.
The new Memotec will take with it 340 of Teleglobe's roughly
2,000 employees, Seguin said.
Teleglobe does not plan to keep any stake in the spun-off
Memotec, he added. Financial details of the offering are due to
be released around the end of November. An underwriting group of
several Montreal- and Toronto-based securities firms has been set
up.
Teleglobe Canada, the key operating unit of Teleglobe Inc.,
provides satellite communications services linking Canada to
countries overseas. It retains a monopoly on providing those
services, though it is required to sell capacity to certain other
companies that are permitted to resell services. Its rates
continue to be regulated by the federal government.
The divestiture of Memotec seems to follow from a 1992 power
struggle in which William McKenzie, former president of Memotec,
lost the helm to Charles Sirois, a Montreal businessman with the
backing of Bell Canada, the country's largest phone company. He
became chief executive July 1, 1992. Sirois' group said it wanted
the company to focus on global telecommunications.
(Grant Buckler/19931019/Press Contact: Claude Seguin, Teleglobe,
514-868-7974)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
IBM
Merisel To Distribute IBM ValuePoint
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00011)
Merisel To Distribute IBM ValuePoint 10/19/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- IBM Personal
Computer Co. has named Merisel Inc., one of the major personal
computer distributors in the United States, to handle its
PS/ValuePoint and ThinkPad lines.
Merisel, which already sells other IBM PC products, said it will
begin shipping the machines immediately. However, Merisel may
have trouble doing that with some models, since IBM is widely
reported to be having trouble meeting demand, especially for
certain models in the ThinkPad line of notebook computers.
The distribution deal closely follows IBM's announcement of
several new ValuePoint models, and it falls close to the first
anniversary of IBM's launch of the desktop line, which is aimed
at price-conscious buyers.
Jim McGann, manager of value business at IBM, told Newsbytes the
company's objectives for the ValuePoint line remain the same as
when it appeared a year ago. There are three, he said: to offer a
high-value machine; to do so at a price competitive with IBM's
major desktop competitors, Dell Computer and Compaq
Computer Corp.; and to become a reliable supplier. Alluding to
the supply problems, McGann said the third objective has been
"the most difficult," but said IBM expects to resolve its
ValuePoint order backlog by the end of November.
(Grant Buckler/19931019/Press Contact: Cathy Quattrocchi,
Merisel, 310-615-1230; Bill Amanna, IBM, 914-766-3317)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
TELECOM
Sculley Faces Spectrum Credibility Gap
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)
Sculley Faces Spectrum Credibility Gap 10/19/93
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Spectrum
Information Technologies, the company former Apple Computer
chairman John Sculley now heads, holds some interesting patents
but continues to have credibility problems.
Spectrum holds patents on a series of connectors between cellular
phones and modems, which can mimic dial tones and other signals
that tell a wired modem what's going on around it. The company
also patented a "forward error-control protocol" for wireless
modems called SPCL, and has applied for patents on a technology
which can let a cellular operator distinguish between data and
voice calls.
But the company has been accused of inflated claims, stock
touting and misrepresenting analysts' views in its press
releases. For instance, when the company announced its patent
application for the technology on distinguishing voice from data,
its press release quoted extensively from Strategic Telemedia's
Mark Plakias, who insisted to Newsbytes he was not endorsing the
company's patent claims.
Some analysts consider Spectrum's claims on its patents overly
broad. While the company holds valid patents on the technology
contained in its Axcell and Axsys connectors, it has claimed in a
lawsuit against Data Race Inc., of San Antonio that its patent
covers any cellular phone-modem connection. While it holds valid
patents on its SPCL error-control protocol, it has claimed in a
lawsuit against Microcom Inc., of Massachusetts that its patent
covers any error-control protocol used in a wireless environment.
The company has also used commercials on channels like CNBC to
tout its stock, which is traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the
symbol SPCL.
Perhaps most damaging to its credibility were Spectrum's claims,
after licensing its technology to AT&T, that the agreement would
be worth "hundreds of millions" to the company. The stock ran up
to $13 per share from $3, but fell back again. The claims have
since become subject of a shareholder rights' suit.
But, under former chairman, now vice chairman, Peter Caserta,
Spectrum had also won some important victories. In addition to
signing its license deal with AT&T, the company signed licenses
with Megahertz, NEC America, Rockwell International and Apex
Data. It even became an authorized supplier for IBM's portable
computer line. After losing nearly $10 million for the year
ending in June, the company reported a small profit in its most
recent quarter. As a result, the company's stock price had begun
recovering, and the hiring of Sculley took the stock to the $11
per share mark once again. It fell to about $10 in early trade
October 19.
In a TV interview on the CNBC cable channel, Sculley acknowledged
the problems and promised to run a "squeaky clean" company.
Sculley, who ran Pepsico before moving to the West Coast to join
Apple, has kept his home in Greenwich, Connecticut and had been
on the East Coast for months before the Spectrum announcement was
made. Sculley said he only made the decision to go to Spectrum
over the weekend, and first became intrigued with the company
after Caserta demonstrated the company's technology to him using
the Apple Newton.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931019/Press Contact: Peter Rosenthall,
Howard J. Rubenstein Associates for Spectrum, 212-489-6900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
TELECOM
BellSouth Quietly Closing TUG Gateway
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
BellSouth Quietly Closing TUG Gateway 10/19/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- BellSouth is
quietly closing its Transtext Universal Gateway, known as TUG,
six years after opening it.
When first proposed, TUG was seen as an easy-to-use link between
major services like CompuServe and modem users in the Southeast.
Local information providers were also invited to join the
gateway, and some did earn money from their participation. But
the gateway, like other gateways sponsored by other regional Bell
companies, were basically seen as a way around the prohibition
against Bell companies owning information products. That ban has
since been overturned by the courts. TUG was also hampered by
rules which required that, if a Bell company wanted to set up a
gateway, it had to have separate equipment in each local calling
area. As a result, TUG was never active outside Atlanta.
While the Atlanta Journal-Constitution was for a time a part of
TUG, it later went to its own Atlanta Access service.
Meanwhile, BellSouth and Cox are partners in a new "N11" service
in Atlanta, through which callers can call the number 511 and
hear information from the newspaper for 50 cents for 5 minutes,
a low price compared to other pay-per-call services. Georgia
regulators want to monitor the financial performance of the
511 service as they consider a BellSouth petition to offer
other such numbers. The first reports on it are due within a
few weeks.
BellSouth said TUG will close in about 60 days.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931019/Press Contact: Larry Stevens,
BellSouth, 404-249-2832)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
IBM
Microsoft Office 4.
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00014)
Microsoft Office 4.0 10/19/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Microsoft has
introduced version 4.0 of its Microsoft Office software suite
that includes Microsoft Word word processor, Microsoft Excel
spreadsheet, Microsoft Powerpoint presentation graphics,
Microsoft Access database, and a workstation license for
Microsoft Mail.
Microsoft held with its tradition of rolling out products in a
big way, hiring New York's Hudson Theater at the Hotel Macklow
for the announcement as well as beaming the show via satellite
downlink to an audience the company estimated at over 50,000
people worldwide. The announcement was really four product
rollouts, since Microsoft was also premiering new versions of
Excel, Word and Powerpoint.
Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates said Office 4 represents a major
shift in the way people will be using desktop applications. "Just
as the move from MS-DOS-based applications to graphical
applications resulted in new levels of usability and
productivity, we believe the move from the current generation of
applications to the new world of information-centric applications
will result in tremendous increases in user productivity."
Pete Higgins, Microsoft senior VP of desktop applications, said
the company had three goals in developing Office 4. "We wanted to
move beyond current standards in ease of use, integration, and
customization. With IntelliSense technology, we've made the
individual applications in Office dramatically easier to use."
IntelliSense attempts to sense what it is the user is trying to
do and produce the desired result. Microsoft says the 100 most
common tasks performed by users can now be accomplished in a
single step. IntelliSense will automatically correct common
typing and misspelling, and can format an entire document in a
single step. Excel 5.0, part of Microsoft Office, has a tipWizard
feature that offers tips on how to get the current task done
faster, and Powerpoint 4.0's Autocontent Wizard helps the user
develop appropriate content for a presentation.
Eight of the nine menu title bars are identical and are located
in the same position to access applications, and two-thirds of
the toolbar icons are the same and located in the same position
across the various Office applications for consistency. There are
also shortcut menus that appear at the click of the right mouse
button.
All of the Office components share the spelling checker, custom
user dictionary, Microsoft Graph, Microsoft Query Tool, equation
editor, clip art gallery, font effects, graphics filters, setup,
and text conversion filters. Office uses Object Linking and
Embedding (OLE) 2.0 to share information among the applications.
OLE allows the user to edit objects such as a spreadsheet chart
within another application such as the word processor without
leaving the document, then drag and drop objects across
applications. It's also easier now to insert objects.
In addition to the productivity applications in Office, Microsoft
has also included Microsoft Office Manager (MOM), a tool with a
customizable toolbar that contains icons to launch or switch
between applications. MOM also has an uninstall feature that
cleans up files associated with applications the user decides he
or she doesn't want.
Two versions of Office are being offered. Microsoft Office
Standard for Windows includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the
Microsoft Mail license. Microsoft Office Professional includes
all of those plus Access. A Macintosh version of the standard
version is also available, and files created for either platform
are cross-compatible. Office for the Mac is expected to ship in
the first half of 1994. Microsoft says it is working on 32-bit
versions of the Office applications that will run on Windows NT.
Intel-based versions of Word and Excel are scheduled to ship in
the second quarter of 1994, with Digital Alpha AXT and MIPS
versions scheduled for the third quarter of 94. Other platform-
specific versions are scheduled for next year also. Microsoft
said Office will be available in more than two dozen languages.
Microsoft said it will continue to offer no-cost standard support
for all its desktop applications from 6AM to 6PM PDT. Evening and
weekend support is available for $2 per minute, $25 per incident,
or $195 for an annual support subscription.
Office 4 has a suggested retail price of $750, and Office
Professional is priced at $899. Users of any Office application
can upgrade through February 1, 1994 to Office Standard for $259.
Users of competitive programs can switch to Office for $299
during the same period.
Various installation options are available to meet the available
disk space and memory configurations of laptop and desktop
systems. Minimum requirements include 16.5 megabytes (MB) of disk
space and 4MB of memory.
(Jim Mallory/19931019/Press contact: Marianne Allison, Waggener
Edstrom for Microsoft, 503-245-0905; Reader contact: Microsoft,
206-882-8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
GENERAL
Franklin Puts Mayo Clinic Experts On ROM-Card
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00015)
Franklin Puts Mayo Clinic Experts On ROM-Card 10/19/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Mount Holly, New
Jersey-based Franklin Electronic Publishers, which made its name
by producing electronic Bibles and dictionaries, both foreign
language and English-English dictionaries, has announced that it
will produce a ROM-card version of the popular William Morrow &
Co.'s "Mayo Clinic Family Health Book" for use in Franklin's
Digital Book System (DBS-2).
A Book-of-the-Month Club main selection, the family home health
guide carrying the name of the famous Rochester, Minnesota-based
Mayo Clinic, contains more than 1,000 print pages covering
detailed descriptions of common diseases, self-help information,
first aid tips, and, important for anyone who ever talked with a
doctor, a large glossary explaining many of the common terms used
by physicians and other health care professionals.
Although Franklin says that it has an exclusive license to
publish the book, this is a bit misleading because that license
only applies to the proprietary Franklin DBS-2 reader.
Actually, other companies publish similar home medical references
for other systems and Interactive Ventures produces a Sony
Electronic Publishing version of the same Mayo Clinic book in
Macintosh-compatible CD-ROM version.
In addition to this consumer-oriented health book, Franklin also
publishes medical reference materials for its DBS-2 multimedia
player. Both the well-known Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) and
The Merck Manual are available on ROM-cards. These books are seen
in many bookstores and are considered both physicians' reference
books and books for non-professionals who wish to have access to
the most advanced references available.
Consumer versions of the Digital Book player, priced at about
$100, are already on the market along with a number of general
interest titles. The PocketView matchbook-size ROM-card
cartridges can be accessed and even written to by PCs through a
serial port built into the Digital Book DBS-2 reader and special
technology built into the cartridges themselves.
The Franklin device is a competitor of portable CD-ROM and
Minidisk players which cost much more and have battery
lives measured in a few hours. Battery life for the Digital
Book is nearly 60 hours - the equivalent of several months
of normal use.
Having a capacity of more than 200 megabytes, the IC-ROM cards
used by Digital Books can store a massive amount of text as well
as sounds and still or motion graphics.
(John McCormick/19931019/Press Contact: Mindy Fendrick, Franklin,
609-261-4800)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
IBM
Dell Desktop PCs For "Techno-boomers"
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00016)
Dell Desktop PCs For "Techno-boomers" 10/19/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Dell Computer
Corporation has announced a new line of its Dimension PCs
designed for what the company calls the "techno-boomer," the
small office or home office user who wants a good value for the
money spent and can upgrade as new technology becomes available.
Pricing for the new Dimension systems starts at $1,230 with a
color monitor. Dell says the new systems will begin shipping in
early November in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
The new systems are all Intel 486SX or DX-based, with clock
speeds from 25 megahertz (MHz) to 66MHz; have system memory, or
RAM, up to 64 megabytes (MB); and include 1MB of video RAM and
local bus graphics. The PCs are upgradable to use Intel's Pentium
Overdrive technology, and external cache of 128K or 256K can be
added. Options include tape backup devices, fax/data modems, and
CD-ROM drives that support Photo CD.
Dell has also introduced some tower models of its Dimension XPS
line which incorporate six external drive bays and use Intel
486DX2 microprocessors running at 50 or 66 MHz. The XPS tower
models have a minimum of 8MB of RAM and are upgradable to use
Pentium chips. Options include factory-installed CD-ROM drives,
sound cards, and amplified speakers. XPS tower prices start at
$2,149 with an Ultrascan color monitor. The XPS line was launched
as desktop systems in August.
Dell systems come with one year of next-business-day onsite
support, unlimited around the clock telephone support with
guaranteed five-minute response, and a 30-day money-back
guarantee.
(Jim Mallory/19931019/Press contact: Kellie Leonard, Dell, 512-
728-4100; Reader contact: Dell Computer Corporation, 512-728-4400
or 800-289-3355, fax 512-728-4238)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
GENERAL
CASE World/Objex Conference Opens Today In Boston
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00017)
CASE World/Objex Conference Opens Today In Boston 10/19/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- CASE World, an
annual conference and expo newly enhanced with an Objex component,
opens today at the John B. Hynes Convention Center in Boston.
The event will feature three days of keynotes, seminars, and special
presentations, plus two days of product presentations and show
floor browsing, with advanced application development technology as
a unifying theme.
The new Objex Conference & Exposition consists of three separate
conferences: Object Methods, Languages & Environment, and
Commercial Applications & Results.
The CASE World Conference & Exposition covers another four areas:
Client/Server & Open Systems, Enterprise CASE, Software
Engineering, and Business & Software Re-Engineering.
Produced by Digital Consulting Inc., the dual-purpose show boasts
12 industry co-sponsors: IBM, Digital, Unisys, Price Waterhouse,
Texas Instruments, Integral, LBMS, IntelliCorp, Interactive
Development Environments, Information Engineering Systems Corp.,
KnowledgeWare, and Popkin Software & Systems.
Activities begin this morning with a pair of talks apiece by the
two conference chairs. Ed Yourdon, chairman of CASE World, will
present "An Overview of CASE World," plus a lecture on "The State
of CASE."
John Coad, chairman of Objex, will deliver "Objects 101," along
with "OOA + OOD + OOP: A Live Example, from Concept to Code."
This evening at 6:00, Fran Tarkenton, CEO of KnowledgeWare, will
give a special guest presentation entitled "Unnatural Acts -
Kicking the Complacency Habit in Your Organization."
Other special presentations to be offered over the next three days
include "What the Old Goats Know," "The Great Debate: O-O (Object-
Oriented) Development," "The Steps to Client/Server Computing,"
"Look Out Pandora! Opening the Box on Corporate Politics," "Re-
Engineering IS (Information Systems) for Business Process
Innovation," and "The Effects of CASE on the Politics of
Information Management."
Like the special presentations, the more than 100 keynotes and
seminars happening at the conference range from the business-
oriented to the highly technical.
Sample topics include "The Real Cost of Doing Business as Usual,"
"The Promise of Object-Oriented Environments," "How to Screw Up
Your Methodology," "Software Engineering: What's Hot and What's
Not," "A Layered Approach to Class Libraries," and "Writing High
Performance Smalltalk Programs."
On the exhibition floor, more than 140 companies will be displaying
their wares, including such names as Hewlett-Packard, Informix,
Oracle, Ernst & Young, and Next.
A series of "Real World Product Presentations," featuring products
from a dozen vendors, will take place Tuesday and Wednesday from
2:00 to 2:50 p.m.
Conference hours are Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and
Wednesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. The show floor
will be open from noon to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10:30 a.m.
to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931019/Reader and press contact: Digital
Consulting Inc., tel 508-470-3880)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
APPLE
Apple's New PhotoFinish Bundled With UMax Color Scanner
(NEWS)(APPLE)(BOS)(00018)
Apple's New PhotoFinish Bundled With UMax Color Scanner 10/19/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Apple Computer's
PhotoFinish, a new photo publishing software package being
unveiled this week, is being included with the UMax UC630 color
scanner.
A UMax spokesperson told Newsbytes that UMax is the first scanner
vendor to bundle PhotoFinish, a product that provides image
browsing, a drag-and-drop capability for direct placement of
photos, automated tools for image adjustment, and real time
"adjustment preview" that lets the user experiment with results.
Apple's PhotoFinish is also equipped with AppleScript, a scripting
language for automating repetitive tasks, and JPEG image
compression for saving disk space, she said.
Priced at $999 and available immediately, the UC630LE/MAC bundle
includes Adobe's PhotoShop LE for image editing as well as the
UC630 color scanner and PhotoFinish. PhotoFinish accepts PhotoShop
plug-in modules for import, export, and special effects.
The UC630 color scanner is a 24-bit, 600 dpi (dot-per-inch) flatbed
color scanner with a hardware resolution of 600-by-300 dpi,
according to the spokesperson. Resolution is enhanced to 1200-by-
1200 dpi through software interpolation, she noted.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931019/Reader contact: UMax, tel 800-562-0311;
Press contact: Yvonne Lynott for UMax, tel 303-530-2492)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
BUSINESS
ATI Technologies Makes IPO
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00019)
ATI Technologies Makes IPO 10/19/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- ATI Technologies
Inc., a maker of graphics enhancements and modems for personal
computers, has announced an initial public offering of its stock
in Canada.
Common shares of the company are to be offered in all Canadian
provinces. The offering is not registered for sale in the United
States. A company spokesman said the stock is likely to be listed
on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
ATI makes graphics accelerator boards for PCs and sells
chips used to boost graphics performance. Earlier this week, IBM
announced its use of ATI's Mach32AX graphics accelerator chip in
its new Pentium-based PS/ValuePoint machine, the P60/D. ATI also
sells data and facsimile modems.
ATI has its manufacturing operations in Thornhill, Ontario, near
Toronto, an operating subsidiary in Munich, and sales offices in
Los Angeles and San Jose, California.
(Grant Buckler/19931019/Press Contact: Lance McIntosh, ATI
Technologies, 905-882-2600 ext. 8306)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/19/93
GENERAL
New Chips From IBM, DEC
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00020)
New Chips From IBM, DEC 10/19/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Both Digital
Equipment Corporation and IBM have announced additions to
their most advanced microprocessor lines.
IBM announced first production of the PowerPC 603 chip, a
low-power member of the PowerPC line that resulted from an
alliance of IBM, Motorola Corp., and Apple Computer.
Samples of the 603 are now being delivered to selected customers,
said Jim Smith, a spokesman for IBM Microelectronics in Somers,
New York. Volume production is expected in 1994, he added.
With lower power consumption than the 601 chip used in current
PowerPC-based systems from IBM and Apple, the 603 will be aimed
mainly at the portable computer market. Like the 601, it is being
manufactured at an IBM plant in Burlington, Vermont.
Digital announced two new versions of its Alpha AXP processor,
boosting the top speed of the Alpha design to 275 megahertz
(MHz). The new versions of the DECchip 21064 run at 225 and 275
MHz, joining existing versions at 150, 175, and 200 MHz.
DEC said samples of the new chips are to be available in
December, and they will ship in quantity in July, 1994. In
quantities of 5,000, the 225-MHz chip will sell for $877 and the
275-MHz version for $1,442.
Like earlier Alpha chips, the new processors will be made at DEC
plants in Hudson, Massachusetts, and South Queensferry, Scotland.
However, unlike the slower chips, they will use a new
0.50-micron, 3.3-volt, four-layer metal complementary metal-oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing process. The older chips are
made using a 0.68-micron CMOS process, DEC said.
Under a second-source agreement announced earlier, Japanese
semiconductor manufacturer Mitsubishi will also make the Alpha
chips.
(Grant Buckler/19931019/Press Contact: Jim Smith, IBM
Microelectronics, 914-892-5389; Lisa Lipson, DEC, 508-568-4352;
Patricia McGloin, DEC, 508-568-5102)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
GENERAL
Novell Intros Personal NetWare
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00021)
Novell Intros Personal NetWare 10/19/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Novell has
announced the much-touted Personal NetWare, marketed as a major
upgrade to the outgunned NetWare Lite 1.1 peer-to-peer network
operating system (NOS).
Novell claims that Personal NetWare "provides unmatched, low-cost
networking technology for DOS and MS Windows users to share
resources such as files, printers, and CD-ROMs," as well as such
network applications as electronic-mail and database packages.
Personal NetWare will be available by the end of 1993. Novell
also claims that it "provides seamless integration with NetWare
through a consistent user interface across all NetWare networks,
a single network view, simplified network administration,
increased security, and desktop management from any computer
on the network."
Peer-to-peer NOS products are increasing in popularity as more
small companies and departments seek to link their computers,
printers and peripherals. Peer-to-peer products allow users to
connect up resources without the need for a dedicated server. All
nodes on the network can be either a client, a server, or both.
In that way everyone's hard drives, for example, can be accessed by
everyone else. This makes expensive resources such as hard drives,
printers and CD-ROMs accessible to everyone.
Newsbytes notes that peer-to-peer NOS products bring with them
their own problems though. They are more problematic from a
security viewpoint, and they make backing up vital data more
complex, because it can be dispersed over a wide number of hard
drives. They also lack some of the advanced features and
connectivity capabilities of dedicated-server NOS products.
In announcing the new product, Richard King, executive vice
president and general manager, NetWare Systems Group, said:
"Personal NetWare was designed for customers who need entry-
level networking, as well as for NetWare customers who need to
extend network resources to the desktop. Personal NetWare
provides customers with a growth path in the NetWare family as
their networking needs increase."
Personal NetWare uses the same Universal NetWare client as
NetWare 2.x, 3.x and 4.x. The company says that this provides a
common interface to view and access services and resources of
NetWare, as well as Personal NetWare.
Novell claims that Personal NetWare is the only peer-to-peer NOS
that provides users with a distributed and replicated resource
directory which is similar to Novell's NetWare Directory Services.
This provides users and administrators with a single network view,
and allows users to access all available network services and
resources through a single login.
The product includes a Simple Network Management Protocol
(SNMP) agent and Novell's Network Management Responder (NMR).
The company also says it will be managed as one system under
the umbrella of Novell's NetWare Distributed Management Services
(NDMS).
It also includes auto-reconnect functionality, claims Novell. If a
server is turned off or removed from the network, users can access
remaining resources without interruption. When a resource comes
back on line, it is dynamically reconnected to the workgroup.
Personal NetWare will carry a single-user price of $99 and a
five-user price of $395. A 90-day upgrade price exists for NetWare
Lite and DR DOS users of $39.95.
The company also says that localized versions will begin to appear
in German, Spanish, French, Italian and Japanese about six weeks
after the first shipments in the United States.
(Ian Stokell/19931019/Press Contact: Roberta Alfred,
408-970-1478, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
IBM
AST PowerExec 4/33SL PC Notebooks
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00022)
AST PowerExec 4/33SL PC Notebooks 10/19/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- The trend towards
upgradable computer systems is not just confined to the desktop
market. There is also increased demand from portable computer
users. Now AST Research has introduced the PowerExec 4/33SL
upgradable notebook computer.
The system includes a 33 megahertz (MHz) Intel 486SL
microprocessor and accommodates either a Type II or two Type II
PCMCIA cards. The system is available in thin film transistor (TFT)
ColorPlus and monochrome versions, priced at $4,370 for the
ColorPlus model and at $2,700 for the monochrome model.
In announcing the new products, Dan Sheppard, director of product
marketing, said: "The performance increase of the 33MHz processor
gives mobile professionals the power they need to efficiently
execute a range of high-level computing tasks."
Battery power management is claimed to be a big benefit of the
new notebooks. According to the company, the PowerExec 4/33SL
incorporates the power saving aspects of the i486SL
microprocessor with AST's proprietary power conservation
technology to ensure users maximum battery life.
AST claims that its power management features "learn" the user's
work habits and adjust the system accordingly. Heuristic
algorithms monitor the user's work habits to learn when to
power-off idle peripherals and adjust system operation. Other
power management features include the "SmartSleep" enhanced
suspend state that the company says saves a mirror image of
memory to the hard disk drive and automatically shuts off the
system after a specified period of inactivity. There is also a
Suspend/Resume mode that shuts down all computer functions
except for main memory.
According to the company, the system's power management features,
combined with a 12-cell nickel metal hydride battery give users up
to six hours of uninterrupted computing time. Battery recharge time
is claimed to be 60 minutes with the system off, and 90 minutes
while the system is being used. A battery hot swap capability is also
featured, which allows users to change batteries without turning
the system off.
The PowerExec 4/33SL offers RAM memory expansion to 32MB and
removable hard disk drives with up to 340MB capacity. The company
says that the removable drives can also be used in a desktop system
via AST's drive bay adapter.
The notebooks also feature an upgradable display which allows
users to upgrade from monochrome to active matrix color screens.
Current PowerExec 4/25SL users can upgrade their systems to a
33MHz processor with AST's 4/33SL upgrade kit. The
factory-installed upgrade kit includes an Intel 486 33MHz
microprocessor, and 4MB RAM with one Type III and two Type II
PCMCIA connectors.
Standard features in the PowerExec 4/33SL include 4MB RAM, a
200MB hard disk drive, a 1.44MB floppy disk drive; and AST's
SmartPoint cableless trackball that connects directly below the
space bar.
Both the ColorPlus and monochrome versions feature 9.5-inch
diagonal displays. The company says that the 6.9-pound PowerExec
4/33SL ColorPlus provides up to 256 simultaneous colors with
640 by 480 pixel resolution. The PowerExec 4/33SL, weighs in at
5.9 pounds and supports 64 shades of gray at 640 by 480. Both
systems support simultaneous external video. The notebooks are
covered by a one-year warranty.
(Ian Stokell/19931019/Press Contact: Donna Kather,
714-727-7943, AST Research Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
APPLE
Claris Posts Record 4Qtr Revenues
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00023)
Claris Posts Record 4Qtr Revenues 10/19/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Apple
Computer's Claris subsidiary has announced record revenues
for the fourth quarter and fiscal year, ended September 24, 1993.
Claris said net revenues for the fourth quarter were $42.7 million,
a 51 percent increase over the same quarter of 1992. For fiscal
1993, net revenues were $154.4 million, a 48 percent increase
over the $104.3 million recorded in fiscal 1992.
International sales continued to increase as a proportion of Claris'
overall business, said the company, amounting to 43 percent of
total for both the fourth quarter and the 1993 fiscal year.
In announcing the financial results, Daniel L. Eilers, Claris
president and chief executive officer, said: "1993 marked our
successful entry into the Windows marketplace. ClarisWorks and
FileMaker Pro gained share, won awards and set new standards
for usability. In addition, our investments in Japan and Germany
are paying off with dramatic growth."
In discussing plans for 1994, he said that Claris plans
to launch a new cross-platform family of business graphics
packages and bring to market products for Apple's coming PowerPC.
As reported by Newsbytes, Claris has introduced a number of
products in the past month or so.
In the middle of September the company introduced the multimedia
screen saver collection for the Windows platform, called Imaginaria.
According to the company, the program offers 11 animated
transition screens and 15 "surrealistic story modules," ranging from
a primeval jungle complete with dinosaurs, to a trip into a dark,
haunted attic.
At the beginning of September, Newsbytes reported that Claris
had announced the shipment of its FileMaker Pro 2.1 for Windows
and Macintosh cross-platform database. The company said at the
time that the new version offers expanded peer-to-peer networking
support.
(Ian Stokell/19931019/Press Contact: Steve Ruddock,
408-987-7202, Claris)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/19/93
BUSINESS
AmCoEx Index Of Used Computer Prices
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00024)
AmCoEx Index Of Used Computer Prices 10/19/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- By John Hastings.
(Editor's Note: We are switching to the American Computer Exchange
rather than the Boston Computer Exchange for a weekly list of
used computer prices on Newsbytes. The AMCOEX begins monthly with a
market analysis -- this is the October analysis. Tables of used
computer prices follow below.)
Many people feel an analogy exists between the transportation industry
at the turn of this century and the computer industry of the last
decade. As the story goes, the corporate mainframe computer was
analogous to the railroads. Efficient, but inflexible. The micro
computer is analogous to the automobile. Catering to the needs of
the individual, it is relatively inexpensive and extremely flexible.
Just as the automobile decimated the passenger train business,
the PC has diminished the roll of the mainframe.
Railroads and mainframes will continue to serve a purpose,
but they will never return to the heyday they once knew.
In the early 1900's, dozens of auto makers struggled for
market share. But names like Pierce-Arrow and Reo gave way.
Ultimately, only the Big Three survived. Many feel the computer
industry is undergoing the same type of consolidation.
During the first ten years of the existence of the
automobile, there was no used car market. Today, every car dealer
handles trade-ins. Many feel the same will soon be true with computer
dealers. This is the first year where the majority of computers sold
will be used to replace existing systems.
As many experts in the computer industry understand, software
drives hardware sales. Regardless of how advanced the hardware is, if
software applications are not available, the hardware will not sell.
NeXT Computer ceased its hardware production because few software
developers produced applications for their machines. For Apple
Computer, it is a good news/bad news situation. The good news - there
are currently 40% more applications available for the Macintosh
computer than for Windows computers. The bad news - at the current
rate of increase, the number of Windows applications will equal the
number of Macintosh applications within the next six months.
The point may become moot, however, during the next six
months when IBM and Apple begin marketing there new computers based
on the PowerPC CPU chips. It is expected that these computers will be
able to run both Macintosh and Windows applications. The new CPU chip
reportedly has more power than the 586 generation Pentium chip at a
lower price than the mainstream 486 chip. In a recent demonstration,
a Macintosh using the PowerPC chip was shown to handle some
applications up to 30 times faster than a 486 PC. It is likely the
software will need to be modified to achieve this level of
performance on the new chip. If the majority of software vendors are
willing to make these modifications, the new systems may be a big
hit.
Apple Computer has delayed the planned introduction of its
PowerPC based computer. It had hoped to announce the new system in
January, which is the tenth anniversary of the Macintosh. However,
limited supplies of the new CPU chip have force a postponement until
March. One advantage of the postponement may be a faster computer.
Currently, the 66 MHz version of the chip is the most powerful. By
March, an 80 MHz version may be available.
Apple Computer is replacing its 25 MHz PowerBook 160 with the
new 33 MHz PowerBook 165. A little over a year ago, a 33MHz 68030 CPU
was considered one of the fastest in the Macintosh lineup. Soon, it
may be the slowest that Apple offers.
This "need for speed" may soon be put to good use with new
extensions to the Macintosh operating system. One extension will
allow for voice-independent speech recognition. Previous speech
recognition systems were voice-dependent, requiring the speaker to
train the system for each voice. The other extension, called
PlainTalk, provides text-to-speech conversion. While text-to-speech
is not new, past incarnations were slow and erratic. The voices did
not sound natural. The new system provides extremely smooth speech
with both male and female voices available.
No other computer peripheral has held its value in the used
market better than the color monitor, especially the large 17" to 20"
models. The supply in the used market is slim because most people
keep these monitors when they upgrade to new computers. The demand is
increasing as many realize the productivity gains possible when using
Windows applications with larger screens. Some users have a problem
with the size and weight of the largest screens. These problems may
soon be solved with new active matrix color screens. These are the
same screens used in color notebook computers. Prices have fallen to
the point where they are becoming feasible as large, thin desktop
screens.
The following prices are for October 4, 1993.
Average Average
Buyer's Seller's
Machine Bid Ask Close Change
IBM PS/2 Model 30/286 20M 300 525 350 -75
IBM PS/2 Model 50Z 30M 300 650 400 -25
IBM PS/2 Model 70 120M 600 900 775 +50
IBM PS/2 Model 80 70M 550 850 600 -25
IBM ThinkPad300 1250 1650 1375 -75
IBM ThinkPad700 2100 2700 2200 -150
AST 286/12, 40M 275 675 350 -50
AST 386/20, 80M 550 950 725 +50
Dell 325SX, 50M 400 800 700 +50
Dell 386/20, 120M 800 1200 825 -100
Gateway 286/16, 40M 350 600 375 -75
Gateway 386SX/20, 80M 600 950 675 -50
Gateway 386/25, 80M 600 1000 725 -50
Clone AT 40 Mg 250 550 350 -100
Clone Notebook 286, 40 MB 350 750 600 +50
Clone Notebook 386SX, 40MB 500 1050 725 -50
Clone 386/SX 40M, VGA 450 950 600 **
Clone 386/25 80M, VGA 650 1150 725 +25
Clone 386/33 80M, VGA 750 1250 825 **
Clone 486/25 120M, VGA 800 1450 1000 +75
Compaq SLT/286 20M 400 800 400 -50
Compaq LTE 286 40M 400 775 500 -100
Compaq Portable III 40M 250 650 375 **
Compaq Deskpro 286 40M 250 650 300 -100
Compaq Deskpro386/20e 100M 600 900 775 -50
Macintosh SE 20M 450 750 525 **
Macintosh SE/30 40M 600 900 700 -50
Macintosh II 40M 600 1150 825 -50
Macintosh IIcx 80M 800 1300 925 -75
Macintosh IIci 80M 1200 1600 1425 -125
PowerBook 100 4/20 700 1100 800 -100
PowerBook 140 4/40 900 1400 1100 **
PowerBook 170 4/40 1100 1700 1325 -100
LaserWriter IINT 700 1300 875 -25
Toshiba 1200XE 300 650 375 -50
Toshiba 1600 300 700 350 -75
Toshiba 2200 SX 60MB 800 1300 825 -50
Toshiba T-3100SX 100MB 500 900 600 -100
Toshiba 5200 100MB 900 1400 1227 -75
HP LaserJet II 400 850 650 -100
HP LaserJet IIP 325 950 575 -50
HP LaserJet III 750 1200 1025 **
John Hastings is the president of the American Computer
Exchange Corporation. The American Computer Exchange matches buyers
and sellers of used microcomputer equipment. For more information
contact the American Computer Exchange Corporation at (800) 786-0717.
(AMCOEX/19931019)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
IBM
Reelmagic Kit Offers High Res Movies On 386 PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00025)
Reelmagic Kit Offers High Res Movies On 386 PCs 10/19/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Sigma Designs
has announced its Reelmagic Compact Disc Read-only Memory (CD-
ROM) Upgrade Kit to upgrade IBM compatible personal computers
(PCs) to Multimedia PCs. The company also claims the kit will
be able to play movies in the VideoCD format on a PC.
While the company offers several CD-ROM upgrade kits, Sigma
says this one is different as it offers the first, low-cost,
technology to play back full-motion video with orchestrated 16-
bit sound on 386/25 SX or DX PCs. In this way, users can adapt
their 386 PCs to play movies in VideoCD format on their
computer monitors, which offer much clearer and sharper images
than a television set.
Sigma Designs claims movie titles are slated for later this
year in VideoCD, but Newsbytes was unable to discover from
Sigma representatives who is planning to release these movies.
The VideoCD standard has been backed by a consortium of
hardware manufacturers including C-Cube, Philips, JVC,
Goldstar, Commodore, and Samsung. However, no VideoCD players
are available and there have been no announcements as to when
the players will be available.
Philips, part of the consortium, announced a deal with
Paramount under which CD movies for its for its Compact Disc
Interactive (CD-I) player (that connects to a television set)
will be available this month. Newsbytes asked Philips
representative David Elliot if those movies would play on a
VideoCD compatible device and Elliot said he didn't know.
Philips hasn't pursued specifics about VideoCD since it is
still in its infancy, Elliot said.
Sigma representatives said the issue here is that full-motion,
high-resolution video can be displayed on a 386-based PC and
not so much who will deliver movies in a format that can play
on the Reelmagic hardware. Newsbytes was left with the
impression Sigma hopes to set the standard with its hardware.
The high resolution of which Sigma is boasting comes from a
daughterboard controller, available either in the kit or
separately, that makes the PC capable of displays with 32,768
colors at resolutions of up to 1024 by 768 at 30 frames per
second (fps) -- the same playback speed used with today's home
TV, but with a much better image. The Reelmagic controller
attaches to the video graphics array (VGA) feature connector
found on almost all VGA and Super VGA (SVGA) display
controllers, so it can display all 32,768 colors on even a
basic 16-color VGA card.
Newsbytes asked Sigma Designs what movies would be released,
but the company officials didn't know any specifics.
In addition, a version of the kit ships with one Activision
game and several Aris titles. They are: Activision's Return to
Zork adventure game; Video Cube, a game to unscramble images to
solve a puzzle; MPC Wizard for correction of any
incompatibilities with an MPC computer; Best of Mediaclips, a
collection of over 120 images and sounds; and Worldview, a disc
of images, sounds, and motion video.
The Reelmagic industry standard architecture (ISA) stand-alone
controller bundled with Activision's Return to Zork is retail
priced at $449. The ReelMagic CD-ROM Upgrade Kit has a list
price of $849 and includes an MPC Level 2 CD-ROM drive, the
Reelmagic controller, four premiere entertainment and
educational titles, a demo CD-ROM, an installation disk,
Windows and DOS drivers, and documentation. Reelmagic says it
offers an extended five-year warranty and covers the CD-ROM
drive with a one-year manufacturer's warranty.
The Reelmagic controller will begin shipping at the end of
October 1993 and the Reelmagic CD-ROM Upgrade Kit will ship in
November 1993, Sigma added.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931015/Press Contact: Letty Dupuy, Sigma
Designs, tel 510-770-2673, fax 510-770-2640; Public Contact,
800-845-8086)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
APPLE
Cheat At Computer Games With New Utility For Mac, PCs
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00026)
Cheat At Computer Games With New Utility For Mac, PCs 10/19/93
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- If you've ever
had an overwhelming desire to cheat at a computer game, here's
your chance. Baseline Publishing has announced Axis The
Gamecheater, a utility designed to give you the ability to
bamboozle your favorite game.
What kind of cheating can be done? Well the game cannot be
modified, but the variables in a game can be manipulated. So by
pressing a hot key you can add points, lives, or whatever to
the game you're currently playing. For example, in Prince Of
Persia from Broderbund, the goal is to rescue the princess in a
certain amount of time. You have the resources of time, health,
and lives to accomplish the rescue. Baseline Marketing Director
Howard Zimmerman said Gamecheater allows you to press a hot key
and add time in increments of five minutes, add units of health
so you can take a lot more blows in a fight, and additional
lives.
Zimmerman said the best part of the product is the reaction on
the part of people who first hear about it. "Most people say,
'What a cool idea,'" Zimmerman added.
The program is memory resident and works in the background.
Over 50 games are supported, including Prince of Persia,
Lemmings, Hellcats, PGA Tour Golf, Spectre & Spectre Supreme,
Dogs of War, Simcity, A-Train, and more.
Both Macintosh and IBM compatible personal computer (PC)
versions are available. The Macintosh version will run on any
Macintosh from a Mac Plus to a Powerbook as long as there is 1
megabyte (MB) or more of memory and System 6.0.7 or higher is
running. The program is also System 7 friendly, Baseline added.
On a PC, the game needs at least a 286 microprocessor with 640
kilobytes of random access memory (RAM) and a 3.5-inch floppy
disk drive. However, the program can be obtained on 5.25-inch
disks upon request.
Retail price of Axis The Gamecheater is $69.95 on the PC and
$59.95 on the Macintosh. The company says the product is
available through major software retailers via distributors
such as Merisel and Baker & Taylor.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931019/Press Contact: Howard Zimmerman,
Baseline Publishing, tel 901-682-9676 or 800-926-9677, fax 901-
682-9691)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
TELECOM
US West Teams Up For Russian Cellular Phone Venture
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)
US West Teams Up For Russian Cellular Phone Venture 10/19/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- US West has
teamed up with DAL Telecom, United Telecom, and Vartelecom, three
Russian electronics and communications companies, in a project to
offer analog cellular phone services in the Eastern region of Russia.
Plans call for the as-yet unnamed joint venture company to acquire
the rights to existing digital mobile telecom services in the
region. The idea is that the whole of the Eastern region of Russia
will be criss-crossed with several networks of cellular services,
all of which will be interconnected.
Currently, the global system for mobile (GSM) communications
services which operate in the Khabarovskii Krai, Kamchatskaya
Oblast, and the Amurskaya Oblast regions are not yet interconnected.
Unusually, plans call for the new analog cellular services to be
based on the American Mobile Phone System (AMPS) technology, rather
than the Total Access Communications System (TACS) technology seen
in Moscow and imported from Europe.
In the US, William Bobb II, US West's vice president, said that he
is extremely pleased to see his company on the leading edge of the
introduction of cellular telephony into the Russian Federation.
"With our new partners, we are excited about the opportunity to
participate in the modernization of the telephone infrastructure in
the Russian Far East," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930819/Press & Public Contact: US West - Tel:
303/793-6500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
GOVT
France To Invest $1,200 Million Into Groupe Bull
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00028)
France To Invest $1,200 Million Into Groupe Bull 10/19/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- After weeks of rumors, the
French Government has confirmed plans to invest around $1,200
million into Groupe Bull, the troubled French computer manufacturer.
Almost immediately, the French Government flew into a storm of
controversy, as the news spotlight swung over to Brussels, waiting
for the European Commission (EC) to announce a full-blown
investigation. Officials with the EC, however, have refused to
comment on the matter yet.
According to Gerard Longuet, the French industry minister, the idea
behind the cash injection is to prepare the company for sale, so
regaining the $280 million that the French Government has invested
in Groupe Bull to date.
"Bull must be put back on its feet in order to become, as quickly as
possible, a profitable enterprise, more efficient, more mobile,
better able to serve its clients," he said.
Longuet added that the extra cash investment into Groupe Bull was
the start of an intense program to privatize several French state-
owned companies, so realizing the investments made of the years. The
aim of the program is to eventually sell off the 20-plus
state-owned and controlled companies which the French Government
has acquired over the last decade.
French media sources, meanwhile, suggest that Rhone Poulenc will be
the second company to be sold off by the government. France
has a 43 percent stake in the media manufacturer, making it
relatively easy to sell off the shares in a matter of weeks.
Longuet has gone on record as saying that he plans for Bernard
Pache, the current chairman of Bull, to be replaced by Jean-Marie
Descarpentries, the former chairman of the French divisions of the
Metal Box group.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931019/Press & Public Contact: Groupe Bull - Tel:
+33-1-3502-9090)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
TELECOM
German Telecom Privatization Under Threat
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00029)
German Telecom Privatization Under Threat 10/19/93
BONN, WEST GERMANY, 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- The German coalition
Government has gone on record as saying that plans for the
privatization of Deutsche Bundespost Telekom (DBT), in preparation
for the opening up of the market in 1997/98, as per the European
Commission's directive on telecom services, is now in jeopardy.
According to Elmar Mueller, the deputy chairman of the German
Government's telecom committee, said that he is bitterly
disappointed in the outcome of the privatization project.
The stumbling block appears to have been the opposition, the Social
Democrats, who have gone on record as stating they are against
privatizing any of Germany's state-run operations, regardless of
EC mandates on the matter.
Mueller said that, regardless of what reconciliations the Government
put forward, the SPD came up with more new demands. The net effect
of this had been to stifle any possible privatization, he added.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931019)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/19/93
GOVT
****Wordperfect-Microsoft Settlement Expected Today
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00030)
****Wordperfect-Microsoft Settlement Expected Today 10/19/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 19 (NB) -- Newsbytes has learned
that an out-of-court settlement is expected today in the short-
lived lawsuit filed by Wordperfect Corporation against Microsoft
regarding which company's word processing software is the most
popular in the world.
At issue is the phrase "most popular," and the lawsuit is in
response to a recent Microsoft ad campaign which WP says
violates US federal trademark statutes prohibiting false and
deceptive claims. Also at stake is an estimated $1.6 billion
dollars in worldwide software sales for 1993, according to one
Newsbytes source.
WP says there are two accepted industry standards for the
popularity of a software product - the total installed base and
the total units sold. The two numbers differ because the total
number of packages sold includes those still in the distribution
channel. WP quotes data from the Massachusetts-based
International Data Corporation (IDC) and analysis by the Software
Publishers Association (SPA) to support their claim that
Wordperfect is the leader by both measurements.
Wordperfect and Microsoft attorneys were reportedly drafting an
announcement at Newsbytes press deadline that would remove the
phrase "most popular" from Microsoft's ads. "Microsoft's
attorneys are wanting to settle and settle quickly," a
Wordperfect source told Newsbytes. WP had not asked for
monetary damages.
Winner of the "most popular" category is important to Wordperfect.
Corporate Communications Specialist Ken Merritt told Newsbytes
"The world's most popular word processor title influences
customers, your advertising, and what type message you're getting
across. When people perceive you have the most popular word
processor, they are more apt to buy it." Another reason "most
popular" is important to WP is because it is releasing its
Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows today.
"We take our leadership position seriously and will not allow
competitors to make false claims that can be misleading to both
existing and potential customers," says WP Senior VP of Sales
and Marketing Ad Rietveld.
WP says it has sold more than 14 million copies of
Wordperfect, citing SPA's first quarter 1993 analysis. It also
claims its total user base is twice that of Microsoft Word,
quoting Santa Clara, California-based Infocorp's 1993 Market
Model. It also cites a July 1993 Computerworld survey that had 62
percent of the respondants using Wordperfect software while 26
percent used Microsoft Word.
A Microsoft spokesperson told Newsbytes the company doesn't
dispute that WP has sold more DOS-based word processing
packages but says in the past 18 months Word for all platforms
has outsold Wordperfect worldwide. That was the basis for
Microsoft's "most popular" claim.
(Jim Mallory/19931019/Press contact: Ken Merritt, WPCorp, 801-
228-5059)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
BUSINESS
IBM Opens Office In Czechoslovakia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00001)
IBM Opens Office In Czechoslovakia 10/18/93
EAST BOHEMIA, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Continuing
its steady expansion in countries behind the former iron curtain,
IBM has opened an office in Hradec Kralove, a city in the East
Bohemian region of Czechoslovakia.
According to IBM's Czech operations, computer sales are soaring in
the country, now that capitalism has taken hold in a big way. The
influx of Western money into Czechoslovakia has meant that
companies, for the first time, have had hard currency to buy
Western computers, a trend that IBM is hoping to exploit.
Petr Ryvola, of IBM Czechoslovakia, said that plans are in hand to
open a production line in the country and that the company is now
looking for partners to supply PC components for building
machines.
If the IBM Czechoslovakian manufacturing operation takes off,
Newsbytes notes, it will join similar production lines scattered
across Europe in France, Germany, Italy, Scotland and the newly-
opened facility in Russia.
IBM's new offices (IBM Pobocka Hradec Kralove) in East Bohemia
can be contacted on +42-49-32245.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931015/Press & Public Contact: IBM Praha,
tel +42-2-710-7611, fax +42-2-710-6401)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
GENERAL
Boeder Acquires German Rights To Memorex Name
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00002)
Boeder Acquires German Rights To Memorex Name 10/18/93
FLOERSHEIM, GERMANY, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- What's in a name?
Quite a lot if Boeder, the German electronics company, is to be
believed. The company has just paid an unspecified amount for
the sale rights to peripheral equipment marketed under the
Memorex title in Germany.
Rather than import hardware from Memorex Telex's factories in the
Netherlands, Boeder plans to produce the peripherals in Germany
at its own factories, but use the Memorex name to quickly carve
out a name for itself in the home marketplace.
According to Luzt Boeder, the chairman of Boeder, the long-term
aim of the deal is to establish a PC peripherals operation -- under
the Memorex name -- in those European countries (i.e. outside the
Netherlands) where Memorex does not have a presence in the
peripherals industry.
Boeder said that he planned to push turnover for the company;s
European operations from DM 237.9 million to around DM 300 million
over the next year. In anticipation of this, Boeder is planning to
build a new administration center at its existing headquarters in
Floersheim. Work on the new center should start at the beginning of
1994 and, when complete in the latter half of that year, the
possibility of Boeder going public will be discussed, he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931015/Press & Public Contact: Boeder,
+49-61-455020)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
GENERAL
The Enabled Computer
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00003)
The Enabled Computer 10/18/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- The Enabled Computer
is a column devoted to providing the latest information on
computer technology which is intended for use by or is useful to
disabled individuals.
Not much has been happening recently other than the usual
conferences. The impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act is
not really being felt much yet because expected court challenges
to companies violating the anti-discrimination law have not
put much teeth into the Act, but companies are becoming more
aware of the needs of disabled workers.
Henter-Joyce has announced a new program, WordScholar, intended
as an educational tool for individuals with learning disabilities.
By adding text-to-speech to the American Heritage Dictionary's
syllable break and definition tools for any highlighted word,
WordScholar can help some learning-disabled individuals write
better sentences.
There are reports of several new continuous speech recognition
systems coming on the market, but I view these claims with
skepticism until I have actually tested the products personally.
I talked with representatives of Dragon Systems during the ADA
Expo'93 conference where I spoke this past July, and they showed
me a demo of DragonDictate, about the tenth I have seen, but once
again the word is that a hands-on evaluation unit will not be
forthcoming.
Of course, DragonDictate is not continuous speech and can take a
lot of getting used to, what with the need to speak each word
separately as if you were reading it from a list rather than
dictating, but I have used it in a company-controlled environment
and it works well enough that I can recommend it with
reservations and the reminder that I, and as far as I can
determine, no other independent reviewers, have had the
chance to set up and train the system from scratch.
As for continuous speech, I won't add to the hype by mentioning
the names of the companies which are supposed to be on the verge
of announcing practical, and reasonably priced, systems. However,
one of these systems has been promised to me for full, independent
review and I will report on it as soon as it arrives, as well as
after completing tests.
Another continuous speech system which is priced in the multi-
thousand-dollar range claims to recognize 40,000 words. The word
from some people who tell me that they have actually seen
Tarzana, California-based Speech Systems' Phonetic Engine 400 is
that it will recognize continuous speech, but only a few words at a
time!
If any of my readers are familiar with the Phonetic Engine,
please let me know, but, other than mailing me a glossy
advertising brochure which doesn't provide any useful details, so
far the company won't return my phone calls or answer my fax
messages so I can't report on how well, or even if, it works.
For office managers needing to comply with the ADA, Planix for
Windows, an office furniture and computer equipment design
program which includes an easy-to-use floor-plan CAD (computer-
aided design) system with more than 400 included design elements,
provides guidelines and plan symbols that will help meet the
physical access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities
Act.
Planix also provides complete inventory tracking of office items,
such as desks and electronic equipment, and maintains employee
records, including employment dates, salaries, and phone
extensions.
Very important for computer system designers, Planix also
calculates cable run lengths for telephones and computer
networks.
If you need to locate business-type computer hardware or software
designed for disabled individuals, my book, "Computers and the
Americans with Disabilities Act: A Manager's Guide," John A.
McCormick, August 1993, Windcrest/McGraw Hill (#4422), ISBN 0-
8306-4445-8 (paperback) $22.95, ISBN 0-8306-4444-X, is now
shipping from the publisher.
It contains extensive descriptions of many specialized products
and lists of vendors as well as information intended to help
managers fit disabled workers into their offices and to comply
with the ADA.
I haven't seen it myself, but I got a call from fellow writer Joe
Lazzaro, who has also written an ADA book, "Adaptive Technologies
For Learning And Work Environments," American Library
Association, $35.
As I say, I haven't seen Joe's book, which appears to be about
half as big as the one I compiled, but after talking with him I
am anxious to see what he has produced - he certainly seems to
know what he is talking about, and my sincere hope is that we
have covered the subject differently enough that every business
in the country will want to buy both books; certainly it is a big
enough topic to allow for two books.
(John McCormick/19931012/Press Contact: John McCormick,
814-277-6476 or day fax 814-277-6337)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
APPLE
Australia - "Apple Means Business" Campaign
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SYD)(00004)
Australia - "Apple Means Business" Campaign 10/18/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Apple Australia has a new
campaign to sell computers to business buyers. Until October 31,
"Apple Means Business" offers a range of hardware and software
for small business buyers.
Marketing Manager David Rigg said that this was the time for people
who had been vacillating over the choice of a system to take the
plunge. "Now is a better time to buy than ever and all of the models
on special are well-priced."
The specials (with approximate US$ equivalent prices) include:
the Mac Classic 4/40 with Claris Works for US$1,100; the Mac LCII
4/40 with Claris Works for US$1,150; the Performa 250 4/40 for
US$1,150; the Performa 400 4/40 for US$1,250; and the PowerBook
145B 4/40 for US$1,500.
The Personal LaserWriter 300 is an extra US$850, and a CD Drive
with either home education or business software pack is US$650.
Apple is supporting the promotion with a newspaper and radio
advertising campaign directing people to authorized Apple
resellers. The first three people to ask at each reseller will
receive a video tape "In business with Apple Macintosh" giving
expert advice on improving business productivity with a Mac.
(Paul Zucker/19931015/Contact: Apple Australia,
tel +61-2-452 8000 or fax +61-2-452 8160)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
TRENDS
Hong Kong - HDS Tops Mainframe User Survey
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(HKG)(00005)
Hong Kong - HDS Tops Mainframe User Survey 10/18/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- For the third year in a
row, Hitachi Data Systems has been ranked first for overall
customer satisfaction in the Datapro Mainframe User Survey. For
the second year running, HDS finished in first place or shared the
top spot in all 12 categories.
The survey shows that HDS was the uncontested leader in 10 out
of the 12 categories: systems reliability, responsiveness of
service, ease of operation, ease of upgrade, ease of programming,
connectability, training time, price-performance, quality of
application packages, and availability of application packages.
In the other two categories - effectiveness of service and
documentation - HDS shared the top honors.
"This is a very satisfactory result that mirrors the findings of the
most recent local customer satisfaction survey," said Hong Kong
Manager Geoff Kennedy. "The Datapro survey is the best respected
assessment of mainframe user satisfaction in the US. Our strong
showing year after year demonstrates that no one else in the
industry can match HDS for product quality, reliability and breadth
of support."
Earlier this year, Hitachi Data Systems topped the annual Hong
Kong customer satisfaction survey carried out by Graham Mead
Research with an overall rating of 7.5, compared with the industry
average of 6.7. HDS was one of only two companies to score more
than 7 in the local poll, which assessed user reactions to 18
vendors in 44 categories. HDS was rated at 8 or above in 16
categories, while the highest industry average for any category
was 7.6.
In the latest Datapro survey, mainframe users were asked to
evaluate their equipment on a five-point scale from poor (1) to
excellent (5). HDS received a ranking of 4.3 or above in every
category. HDS won the highest rating for any company, 4.9, for
system reliability - the area that 77 per cent of respondents
said concerned them most.
In overall satisfaction, HDS was rated 4.5, a score that Datapro
called "impressive." Amdahl finished second, while IBM came in
third. Other vendors covered by the survey were Bull, Digital, and
Unisys.
Datapro mailed 1,872 surveys to mainframe users throughout
the US and received 685 valid responses.
(Keith Cameron/19931011/Press Contact: Geoff Kennedy,
521-6275, HDS)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
GENERAL
India - Informatics Institute Opens Training Centers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00006)
India - Informatics Institute Opens Training Centers 10/18/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Singapore-based
Informatics Computer Institute is steadily making inroads in India.
The institute has recently opened a center in Madras, which is its
seventh in the country.
Informatics already has four centers in Bombay, and one each at
Pune and Cochin. Started in 1983 with one center in Singapore,
Informatics now has a network of 45 centers in eleven countries,
including Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Bahrain,
Taiwan, Oman, Philippines, Hongkong, China, and India.
The institute offers a variety of courses, many of which are
recognized by Western universities. For example, the institute's
Diploma in Computer Studies (DCS) course is validated and certified
by the University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate (UCLES)
UK. The courses are also approved by the Ministry of Education in
Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Informatics facilitates credit transfers to many universities in
the US, UK, and Australia.
The center is also planning to enter into software development in
the near future. Informatics plans to set up a hundred centers all
over the country within the next five years.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931018)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
TRENDS
Sega To Create 64-Bit Video Game Machine
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00007)
Sega To Create 64-Bit Video Game Machine 10/18/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Sega Enterprises has been
developing a 64-bit video game machine, which is expected to
be released around the fall of 1994.
The video game device will be equipped with Hitachi's 64-bit
processor. Another major game machine maker -- Nintendo --
has also been developing a 64-bit video game machine.
Sega's next generation video game machine is nicknamed the
"Saturn." It is reported to be a duel processor machine,
and it will be equipped with both a 64-bit processor and a
32-bit processor. The 64-bit processor will be used to produce
high quality screen movement, as well as voice and sound
features. It is claimed that the picture can be three-dimensional
and highly realistic.
Sega has already been planning the creation of software for the
new game device. The firm will set up a software development
center, called "Creative Center," in Shibuya, Tokyo. At the center,
Sega aims to develop multimedia software with help from a
variety of people, including those in video-related businesses,
musicians, fashion designers, and professional sports players.
Sega is also planning to set up a software development studio,
called "Multimedia Studio," next April. At the studio, Sega wants
to create advanced software incorporating video and sound
technologies. Movie producers, broadcasting firms and music
companies will participate in the project. Sega has reportedly
already signed deals with movie and broadcasting firms.
Rival Nintendo is also developing a 64-bit video game machine,
which is set for release sometime in 1995.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931018/Press Contact: Sega
Enterprises, +81-3-3743-7603, Fax, +81-3-3743-7830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
GENERAL
America Online Adds Magazines
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00008)
America Online Adds Magazines 10/18/93
HERNDON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- America Online
has added new publications to its roster, and drew a higher rating
from an analyst.
America's only publicly-traded on-line service said that The
Atlantic Monthly and Windows Magazine will both become
available on the service, in full-text versions. The Atlantic has a
circulation of about 450,000. Windows is a publication of CMP
Publications, whose flagship is Computer Reseller News.
Also, America Online said in a press statement it now has 400,000
members, almost surely making it the third-largest service, after
Prodigy and CompuServe. At the beginning of the year, AOL was
the number-four service, behind GEnie. Since April, AOL claims,
150,000 people have joined AOL, which has drawn a host of new
affiliation agreements, bundling deals, and new services in that
time.
As a result of its results, the Wheat First brokerage firm raised
its earnings estimates on AOL stock, upgrading it from a "hold" to
an "accumulate," and estimating it will earn 85 cents per share
in fiscal 1994, and $1.35 per share in fiscal 1995.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931018/Press Contact: Jean Villanueva,
America Online, 703-883-1675)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
TELECOM
Latest On Bell Atlantic-TCI
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)
Latest On Bell Atlantic-TCI 10/18/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- The US government
will appeal a district court decision allowing Bell Atlantic to
run cable television operations in its home market. In the wake
of the decision the value of Bell Atlantic stock fell, and TCI
shares were still trading more than 10 percent below their
indicated value in a merger, indicating markets feel the deal is
at risk.
Judge T.S. Ellis had ruled that a provision of the 1984 Cable Act
preventing phone companies from running cable operations within
their home markets violated Bell Atlantic's rights under the
First Amendment to the Constitution. But the Justice Department
formally has given notice it will appeal that ruling to the
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Bell Atlantic said it was not surprised at the Justice Department
decision, and that even a loss in the case would not impact the TCI
merger, because Bell Atlantic plans to sell TCI operations within
its region in any case. But the case, if overturned, will scuttle Bell
Atlantic's plans to offer cable services on its upgraded networks,
although it has signed agreements with other cable companies in
Pennsylvania and New Jersey to use its upgraded networks there.
The decision, and the merger, do put more urgency on moves in
Congress to re-write the 1934 Communications Act. Some in
Congress fear that events are overtaking existing regulations,
and the US Commerce Department is forming a committee which
will look at the 1934 act as part of its review of the National
Information Infrastructure.
Generally, Republicans seem to like the Bell Atlantic merger, and
want to encourage the trend, while some Democrats are fearful of
new monopolies and want to make sure competition is the result
of merger-mania through legislation.
Two bills under consideration include one from Congressman Ed
Markey's telecommunications subcommittee which would let phone
companies into cable, but also accelerate local phone competition,
mandating that states allow it, while forbidding telephone
companies from using rate-payers money on cable investments.
The Senate is considering a similar bill from Democrat Daniel
Inouye and Republican John Danforth which would allow the regional
Bells into cable in exchange for more local phone competition. The
Bells want all restrictions on their activities lifted.
In other news involving multimedia merging, QVC moved to firm-up
its bid for Paramount by winning investments of $500 million each
from Cox Enterprises and Advance Publications. Both Cox and
Advance are privately-held. Cox had at one time been reported to
be going-in with the Viacom bid for Paramount. Advance is owned by
the Newhouse family, and its publications include The New Yorker.
QVC is also reportedly looking for more backing from TCI, but
news reports indicate TCI is also interested in buying MCA from
Universal or Sony Pictures, formerly called Columbia, from Sony.
Many analysts are already speculating on TCI head John Malone's
future, assuming the merger will go through. He was recently
named the entertainment industry's most powerful figure by
Entertainment Weekly magazine. Few people expect him to "go
fishing," as he indicated he would do at a press conference
announcing the merger, and some analysts are comparing his role
at Bell Atlantic to Ross Perot's brief run as a big General
Motors' shareholder. What is clear is that both Malone and Bell
Atlantic head Raymond Smith are dedicated to improving the local
telecommunications infrastructure, and it is that meeting of the
minds on which this merger is based.
Bell Atlantic is pressing ahead with improvements, even without
approval on the TCI deal. The company renewed its contract with
DSC Communications Corp., for that company's Digital Lool Carrier
system, Litespan-2000. DSC will also begin supplying its Starspan
Fiber-in-the-Loop gear to Bell Atlantic. Financial terms were not
disclosed.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931018/Press Contact: Terry Adams, DSC
Communications, 214-519-4358; Dave Sewall, Bell Atlantic, 215-
963-6488)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/18/93
IBM
Aldus Ships First Standalone Pagemaker Addition
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00010)
Aldus Ships First Standalone Pagemaker Addition 10/18/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Aldus
Corp., has announced shipment of its first standalone Aldus
Addition for Pagemaker.
Infopublisher Database Addition is an application that links the
desktop publishing program to database management systems.
"Anyone who needs to produce graphically appealing information
retained in a database needs Infopublisher, especially if they
already use Pagemaker," says senior product marketing manager
Karen Howe.
The company says Infopublisher Database Addition is an upgrade to
the Aldus Pagemaker 4.0 Database Edition. Users can now place
data from Paradox 3.5, Microsoft Access, Foxpro and Excel into
documents. The importing of ASCII text files have been improved,
and Microsoft's Open Database Communication (ODBC) protocol is
supported.
Aldus says it has made a number of enhancements, including:
better control over in-line graphic images, necessary for the
production of catalogs; added automatic reflow of stories when
data or formats are changed; made the user interface easier to use;
and added a new tutorial and expanded the documentation.
Infopublisher can be launched as an Addition from within Pagemaker,
several columns can be grouped as one for use in side-by-side
paragraphs, and style and graphics compatibility has also been
improved.
Other Infopublisher Addition features include: the ability to
combine data from multiple databases into a single database
publication; conditional formatting of data to format a field
based on the content of the database; the ability to compute row
summaries and create new columns from data in existing columns;
and formatting by number, date, or time.
Aldus publishes three types of Additions: script Additions
automate specific Pagemaker tasks; loadable Additions allow the
user to write modules that perform more complex tasks than
scripts; and standalone Additions rely on application-to-
application communications.
Infopublisher Database Addition for Pagemaker 5 requires
Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later. Aldus recommends a 486-based PC
with six to eight megabytes (MB) of system memory, an 80MB hard
disk, a high resolution graphics display, and a mouse.
Infopublisher Database Addition has a suggested retail price of
$199, but Aldus is offering it at the introductory price of $129
through the end of November. Registered owners of the Database
Edition 4.0 can upgrade for $79. If you purchased Database
Edition 4.0 after June 29, 1993 the upgrade is free.
(Jim Mallory/19931018/Press contact: Barbara Burke, Aldus,
206-628-6594; Reader contact: Aldus Corporation, 800-685-3548
or 206-622-5500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
GENERAL
Ford Autos Get TI Anti-theft Device
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00011)
Ford Autos Get TI Anti-theft Device 10/18/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- There may not be a
Ford in your future if you are a car thief in Europe.
That is because some 1994 Ford models being shipped to
European dealerships this month have a special radio frequency
identification system installed that keeps the car from being
started without a special key.
Called TIRIS (Texas Instruments Registration and Identification
System), the anti-theft system will be installed on Ford Fiesta
and Escorts being shipped to Europe this year, a could appear on
some US models as early as 1995.
TIRIS uses a technology called radio frequency identification to
provide what TI says is a tamper-proof electronic link between
the driver's key and a specific vehicle's ignition system. An
electronic code is embedded in the head of the key and a radio
frequency reader is installed in the auto's steering column. When
the ignition is turned, the reader checks for its 20-digit unique
code. If it does not read the code it expects, the car's fuel
system or some other critical component depending on the model
of auto, will not work.
TI says the system is much easier to use then personal
identification number (PIN) systems which require the driver to
remember and enter a code on a dash-mounted keypad. The company
also says the system cannot be overridden, as can an infrared
system. The entire recognition process takes place in less than
one second.
TI says the special keys are no larger than present ignition keys
topped with a rubberized head. In some configurations of the
system the vehicle's owner gets a master key which can be used
only to copy duplicate keys. The duplicated keys will start the
car, but cannot be used to produce other workable keys. In other
systems, duplicate keys can be made from other duplicates.
TI says TIRIS has other automotive-based potential applications,
including: auto entry and locking; personalized seating that can
remember the position and angle of your seat; personalized
climate control; and automatic access to garages and parking
lots.
TI spokesperson Mike Bettua told Newsbytes the relationship
with Ford is expected to be worth almost $25 million to Texas
Instruments over the next three years.
(Jim Mallory/19931018/Press contact: Mike Bettua, Bridgeman
Communications for TI, 617-451-3325)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/18/93
GOVT
****Wordperfect Sues Microsoft Over Ad Claims
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00012)
****Wordperfect Sues Microsoft Over Ad Claims 10/18/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corp., has
filed a lawsuit against Microsoft Corp., in a dispute over who has
the most popular word processing software in the world.
Wordperfect filed their suit in the US District Court of New York,
citing an independent research firm's report that Wordperfect
sells 1.67 Wordperfect packages for each Microsoft Word package.
Wordperfect communications specialist Ken Merritt told
Newsbytes that Wordperfect is not seeking any monetary award.
"We're just asking to stop Microsoft from making their claims."
Asked why this is an important issue, Merritt told Newsbytes, "The
world's most popular word processor title influences customers,
your advertising, and what type of message your getting across.
When people perceive you have the most popular word processor,
they are more apt to buy it."
Merritt said the sales figures were provided by Massachusetts-
based International Data Corp.
A Microsoft spokesperson told Newsbytes the company does not
dispute that Wordperfect has sold more DOS-based word
processing packages. However, the spokesperson said that, in the
past 18 months, Word for all platforms has outsold Wordperfect
worldwide.
Microsoft is expected to introduce an updated version of its
Microsoft Office suite of applications soon which will
include Word for Windows 6.0. Microsoft Office includes Microsoft
Word, spreadsheet Excel and graphics presentation program
Powerpoint. Wordperfect has recently released version Wordperfect
6.0 for Windows.
(Jim Mallory/19931018/Press contact: Ken Merritt, Wordperfect
Corp, 801-225-5000; Reader contact: Wordperfect Corp, tel
801-225-5000 or 800-41-5151, fax 801-222-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/18/93
IBM
Reflex Intros Disknet 2.1 Anti-Virus Disk Checker
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00013)
Reflex Intros Disknet 2.1 Anti-Virus Disk Checker 10/18/93
BRIER, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Reflex Inc.,
has announced version 2.1 of its anti-virus software - Disknet.
The company claims that Disknet establishes a barrier between
floppy disks and the PCs they might be used on. One PC is set up
as the Administrator, and is used to verify that diskettes are
virus-free. Disknet then codes the disks so they are usable on the
client PCs.
A diskette that does not contain the electronic "stamp of approval"
signature cannot be used by a client. If a diskette is written to,
after it has been checked, it has to be re-checked before it can
be used again. Disknet is not itself a virus checker, so you will
need at least one copy of a virus scanning program.
Reflex says one of the new features in version 2.1 is a utility
that maintains an audit trail of found viruses. The audit trail
is saved in an ASCII-format file which can be viewed by most word
processors or text editors. A utility program provides password
access control and keeps a PC equipped with a hard drive from
being booted from a floppy. A lock utility keeps an unauthorized
user from removing Disknet from the PC.
Disknet is menu-driven but the latest release adds command-line
capability which allows diskettes to be virus-checked directly
from the system prompt. The company has also added network
modules that allow automatic installation on a client Pc from the
network server. The program also reports if Disknet is active
when a client PC logs onto the server, and Disknet can be locked
onto the client PC from the server.
The program also provides virus protection from incoming COM port
data transfers, and stops a virus from trying to replicate itself
onto another program. The user is alerted that an attempt was
made to infect a program.
Disknet requires less than four kilobytes (KB) of memory and is
compatible with DOS, Novell Netware, and Windows. Suggested
retail price is $95 per PC for one to five units. Discount
pricing for larger systems is available.
(Jim Mallory/19931018/Press contact: Ann Revell-Pechar, Reed,
Revell-Pechar for Reflex Inc, 206-462-4777; Reader contact:
Reflex Inc, 206-487-2798 or 800-673-3539, fax 206-486-5139)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/18/93
APPLE
**** Ex-Apple CEO Sculley Accepts Spectrum CEO Slot
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00014)
**** Ex-Apple CEO Sculley Accepts Spectrum CEO Slot 10/18/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Reports that
John Sculley may become the next head of Eastman Kodak have
been dashed as Sculley, who resigned from Apple Computer recently,
has announced he is accepting the appointment to chief executive
officer (CEO) of Manhasset, New York-based Spectrum Information
Technologies.
Spectrum, with revenues of about $100 million annually, develops
wireless data communications products, especially in the areas of
connecting modems to cellular phones.
This could be a good fit for Sculley, who has received the
credit for Apple Computer's Newton Messagepad personal digital
assistant (PDA), which has sold over 50,000 units since its
introduction in August of this year. Wireless communications is
the next frontier for a number of computer-oriented products,
including PDA's, personal communicators, and handheld computers
that are now entering the market. Spectrum claims its patents
cover any wireless data phone-modem connectors and any wireless
error-control protocols.
Spectrum has managed to pull itself out of a five-year long
stream of red ink by licensing, in the past few months, its
patented wireless data transfer technology to AT&T, IBM, and
most recently to Rockwell International. Standard and Poors
reported the company's first quarter in fiscal 1994 showed
revenues up 32 percent with a small operating profit.
Meanwhile at Apple, Sculley is being replaced as chairman of
the board at by A.C. (Mike) Markkula. An Apple founder, 51 year-old
Markkula served as the Apple's first chairman of the board
from 1977 to 1981, and has served as vice chairman since then.
Michael Spindler will remain as Apple's CEO. Chief financial officer
(CFO), Joseph A. Graziano, has also been elected to the board to fill
the slot left vacant by Albert Eisenstat's resignation last month.
Sculley was joined by Apple USA Division Manager Robert Puette,
whose resignation was announced recently, and was also effective
October 15. Puette is being replaced by his boss, Ian Diery, who
will also continue to oversee the other two of the three
"geographies" at Apple, Apple Europe and Apple Pacific, as well
as taking over Apple USA.
There has been quite an exodus at Apple since it began its
restructuring and change of direction this summer. At least one
executive - Eisenstat, who resigned last month - a former executive
vice president and member of the board of directors, has publicly
stated he and Sculley were forced out by Spindler. Apple denies the
allegations, claiming the resignations of key officers are simply
part of the restructuring process.
Spectrum's current CEO and president, Peter Caserta, claims to
have recruited Sculley for the CEO slot, but company officials
were unwilling to talk about how long the deal has been in the
works. Caserta will step down to vice chairman, but will
continue in his role as president.
Sculley said in a prepared statement regarding Spectrum: "This
company is a gem and well positioned with unique technologies
in the booming data transmission wireless world. I am very
excited and look forward to Peter and I working together as a
team to build Spectrum into a major global leader in the future.
Peter's successful licensing negotiations with companies like
AT&T and Rockwell International are indicative of the company's
potential."
It appears Sculley's introduction has already been good for
Spectrum's stock, although its stock prices have been climbing
regularly for a year. Trading on NASDAQ under SPCL, the
company's stock has climbed from an October 16, 1992 closing
price of 1 and 5/16 to close Friday at 7 and 7/8. However, upon
today's announcement of Sculley's appointment, Spectrum's stock
has already climbed over 2 points in early morning trading.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931018/Press Contact: Peter Rosenthall,
Howard J. Rubenstein Associates for Spectrum, tel 212-489-6900,
fax 212-765-7755; Kathy Bachand, Spectrum, 800-233-2119;
Christopher Escher, Apple Computer, tel 408-974-2042, fax
408-974-5470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/18/93
TELECOM
Ericsson Teams With Inmarsat On Satellite Phones
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00015)
Ericsson Teams With Inmarsat On Satellite Phones 10/18/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Inmarsat has revealed
it has a technology-sharing agreement with Ericsson, the Swedish
electronics company, on its planned network of low earth orbit
(LEO) satellites. Plans call for the LEO network to service users
of portable phones wherever on the earth's surface they are.
Although Motorola's Iridium LEO satphone project has been in the
news a lot in recent months, Newsbytes notes that it will take
another four years for the project to get under way and for the
first phone calls to be made. In contrast, Inmarsat has gone on
record as predicting that its network could be up and running around
18 months ahead of Iridium, since it already has plans for radio
channel satellites under way.
According to Per Bengtsson, head of information with Ericsson, the
deal with Inmarsat will speed up the rate at which the project gets
under way. "We have declared our intention to participate with our
technology on the cellular side, and we see this as an excellent
complement to existing cellular networks," he said.
Inmarsat has yet to reveal precise plans for its network of LEO
satellites, Newsbytes notes. This situation contrasts with that of
the Iridium project, which was named in the late 1980s after the
atomic number of the element in the atomic tables. The number (and
name) were selected after scientists calculated that 77 satellites
were required to ring the earth to service a hand portable phone
anywhere on the planet's surface.
In the event, the scientists were slightly out in their calculations
and, by the middle of 1992, Motorola, the leading light in the
Iridium consortium, announced that only 66 low earth orbit (LEO)
satellites were actually needed to ensure global coverage for mobile
phones.
Motorola, meanwhile, having invested $150 million in the project,
and actively seeking around 20 times that amount from other
investors, did not see the point in changing the network's name to
Dysprosium, which has an atomic number of 66.
Motorola has already achieved around a third of the required
investment funds and, with the backing of its bankers, has begun
getting the project under way. The announcement that Ericsson is
climbing on board rival Inmarsat's project bandwagon will come
as a blow to the computer and electronics giant, especially since
Ericsson has been a strong supporter of global systems for mobile
communications (GSM) digital mobile telephone technology.
(Sylvia Dennis & Steve Gold/19931018/Press & Public Contact:
AB Ericsson - Tel: +46-8-719-0000; Fax: +46-8-184085)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/18/93
TELECOM
British Telecom & Swiss Telecom In Packet Data Link
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00016)
British Telecom & Swiss Telecom In Packet Data Link 10/18/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- British
Telecommunications (BT) has signed a joint cooperation and
technology sharing agreement with Plusnet, a start-up Swiss
telecommunications company.
Terms of the deal call for both companies to pool their resources
in the field of packet data network (PDN) and other data network
technologies.
According to BT, plans call for Plusnet to service PDN needs
in Switzerland, while BT will scoop up the international side
of the business.
Rene Burgener, Plusnet's managing director, said that the
cooperation agreement was a natural evolution for the two
companies.
Newsbytes notes, however, that the Swiss deal allows both
firms to compete on a level footing with Unisource, a new
consortium of telecoms companies in the Netherlands,
Sweden and Switzerland.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931018)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
TELECOM
Ericsson Secures Portuguese Cellphone Contract
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00017)
Ericsson Secures Portuguese Cellphone Contract 10/18/93
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Ericsson has secured a
contract for the supply of cellular phone equipment and services
for the second stage of the Telecel project in Portugal.
According to Ericsson, the deal brings the total value of
hardware ordered from the Swedish company to K500 million.
Ericsson also says that the second stage of the contract had been
brought forward owing to unexpected growth in demand for digital
cellular phone technology in Portugal.
This situations, Newsbytes notes, mirrors that of the UK, whose
analog cellular phone networks -- Cellnet and Vodafone -- were
launched in 1985. Demand was way over what the networks
expected, resulting in a sales bonanza for cellular hardware
suppliers, a situation that now seems to be mirrored by events
in Portugal.
Ericsson claims that, despite the fact that the Telecel digital
network has only been in operation for just over 18 months, it is
already the third largest in the world.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931018/Press & Public Contact: AB Ericsson,
tel +46-8-719-0000, fax +46-8-184085)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
BUSINESS
Computer 2000 Profits Increase
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00018)
Computer 2000 Profits Increase 10/18/93
MUNICH, GERMANY, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Computer 2000, the
computer distributor with operations throughout Europe, has
revealed it will be announcing an impressive round of sales
and profits figures for the full year to September 30, 1993.
According to the German company, provisional figures for the year
show that sales were excellent, but that pre-tax and net profits
are way up on last year. Company officials have declined to give
precise details of the profit figures, which are expected
towards the end of this month.
Last year, Newsbytes notes, Computer 2000 generated profits of
DM 23.7 million on sales of DM 1,820 million. This year's sales
have soared 53 percent to DM 2,790 million, the company revealed.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931018/Press & Public Contact: Computer 2000,
tel +49-89-780400, fax +49-89-7804-0100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
UNIX
****IXI Develops Win-Tif Windows-like Unix Front-End
(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00019)
****IXI Develops Win-Tif Windows-like Unix Front-End 10/18/93
CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- IXI has announced the
development of Win-tif, a Unix application that takes the graphical
user interface (GUI) of most Motif-interfaced Unix packages and
recodes it to look exactly like a Windows interface, despite the
fact that the package remains operational under Unix.
This Windows-like facility is similar to the Sunselect WABI and
Insignia Soft Windows Microsoft Windows emulation environments
for Unix, Newsbytes notes. The difference, according to IXI, is that
no use of a Windows environment -- other than mimicking the
Windows GUI -- is required, so avoiding any licensing issues.
To promote Win-tif, IXI has done a deal with parent company Santa
Cruz Operation (SCO) to incorporate Win-tif with future editions of
SCO's Open Server and Open Desktop packages.
Anil Malhotra, IXI's director of marketing, maintains that Wintif
is something of a peace offering to industry watchers who seem
polarized between Unix and Microsoft.
Malhotra told Newsbytes that a large amount of open systems
software is accessed from PC Windows "terminals" rather than
from specialized Unix desktops. This situation is complicated, he
noted, by the all-out war been Microsoft and open systems vendors
over each other's desktop operating software.
"For IXI and SCO to effect a meaningful peace, users must be able to
maximize the benefits of both Unix application environments and
Microsoft desktop PCs. With the Windows-friendly strategy,
IXI plans to lead the industry in the fulfillment of this vital
objective," he said.
So how does Win-tif work? According to Malhotra, the technology
allows users to run applications installed on Unix servers from
desktop PCs, simply by modifying the appearance and behavior of
that software to the Windows GUI.
"Many users access Unix systems with the desktop PCs. What we've
done is to give Windows users a chance to continue using their
machines to access Unix systems, but retaining the look and feel of
the Windows user interface. This is infinitely more referable than
have them run a Windows emulation window under Unix," he said.
Malhotra confirmed to Newsbytes that Win-tif, as a product, has no
retail price. "It's more of a technology that we plan to license for
inclusion with other Unix software. The SCO deal means that the
technology will be quick to penetrate the market," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931018/Press & Public Contact: IXI,
tel +44-223-236555, fax +44-223-236550)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/18/93
TELECOM
Racal Secures $1M Australian GSM Aerial Contract
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00020)
Racal Secures $1M Australian GSM Aerial Contract 10/18/93
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, 199 OCT 18 (NB) -- Racal Antennas
Ltd., has announced it has contracted to Vodafone, the Australian
digital cellular network provider, for the supply of global system
for mobile communications (GSM) base stations aerials. The
contract is worth more than AUS$1 million.
The first phase of the contract has already been completed, with
the official launch of the Vodafone GSM network in Australia having
taken place earlier this month. The Vodafone GSM network is now
live in Melbourne and Canberra.
According to Racal Antennas, even though Vodafone Australia is
linked with parent company Racal in the UK, it still had to beat off
the competition for the contract. The key to the successful bid,
the company claims, was its ability to meet the Australian
government's requirement for a high percentage of Australian
industry involvement.
To meet this requirement, Racal Antennas has set up a local
manufacturing plant in Sydney, with Interscan International Ltd.,
being licensed to produce directional and omni-directional antennas
based on Racal's existing cellular designs, using Australian-sourced
materials and labor.
Racal Antennas, based in Southampton in the UK, claims to have
been a leading manufacturer of aerials for a wide variety of
frequencies for the past 40 years. It also claims to have become
a significant supplier to the mobile communications industry
around the world for both analog and digital cellular radio
technology.
Racal Australia of Ashfield in New South Wales, meanwhile, has
been operational for the past 30 years. The company, which
represents a number of Racal group firms in Australia, specializes
in defence electronics and radio communications.
(Steve Gold/19931018/Press & Public Contact: Racal Antennas,
tel 0734-669969, fax 0734-262121)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
2 10/18/93
IBM
Digitalk Ships First 32-Bit Smalltalk For Win
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00021)
Digitalk Ships First 32-Bit Smalltalk For Win32 10/18/93
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Digitalk
is shipping the first 32-bit version of the Win32 edition of its
Smalltalk/V object-oriented development environment.
The new 32-bit edition lets developers deliver Smalltalk/V
applications for Windows 3.1 and Windows NT that run up to twice
as fast as those created with the previously released 16-bit
edition, according to Jim Anderson, chairman and CEO.
Smalltalk/V Version 2.0 for Win32 also provides about 25 new
features, including an events-driven user interface like the one
added to Smalltalk/Version 2.0 for Macintosh, a product released at
the end of August.
The new interface is designed to make it easier for developers to
move applications between Windows, Windows NT, Macintosh and
OS/2 platforms, the company said.
Crash protection, another new feature in the 32-bit edition for
Win32, is aimed at letting developers trap Windows protection
violations before the violations cause applications to crash.
Addition enhancements include: a new compiler interface for greater
control of the Smalltalk/V compilation process; a new facility for
partitioning Smalltalk/V class libraries into components; and
"exception handling," a capability that helps developers determine
how runtime errors are handled in applications.
Smalltalk/Version 2.0 for Win32 comes with three user manuals,
including a tutorial for learning object-oriented programming, a
reference manual, and an encyclopedia of classes.
The package lists for $995. Registered users can upgrade for $295
through October 31. Installation technical support is available by
phone and through electronic support forums on CompuServe, Bix
and Direct Connect, Digitalk's hotline product support system.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931018/Reader contact: Digitalk, tel 714-513-
3000; Press contact: Barbara Noparstak, Digitalk, tel 714-513-3000;
Donna Candelori, Franson, Hagerty & Associates for Digitalk, tel
408-453-5220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
IBM
IBM Adds Pentium, Other Models To ValuePoint Line
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)
IBM Adds Pentium, Other Models To ValuePoint Line 10/18/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- IBM Personal
Computer Co., has launched several new PS/ValuePoint models,
including one based on Intel Corp.'s top-of-the-line Pentium
microprocessor and new 486-based machines that meet the US
Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star guidelines for
power conservation. IBM also extended the ValuePoint MVP line
of multimedia PCs.
The new ValuePoint P60/D has a Pentium processor running at 60
megahertz (MHz), which IBM said will more than double the
performance of a 66-MHz 486-based computer. It comes with four
expansion slots and five bays for storage devices. Customers can
choose a 424 megabyte (MB) or 527MB hard disk drive. The machine
comes with 16MB of memory, expandable to 128MB, IBM said, plus
1MB of video memory, expandable to 2MB.
The system also comes with PCI local bus architecture, 256
kilobytes (KB) of Level 2 cache, and the Mach32AX graphics
accelerator chip from ATI Technologies Inc., of Markham, Ontario.
These features make the P60/D a "very balanced system," said
Jose Garcia, director of ValuePoint development at IBM.
Ozzie Osborne, general manager of value systems at IBM, said the
P60/D is aimed mainly at desktop power users who need a faster
processor for demanding applications such as computer-aided
design, desktop publishing, software development, financial
modeling, and multimedia. It is not meant to be sold as a
network server, he said, although he said some of the machines
probably will be used that way. Available now, the P60/D starts
at $4,700, IBM said.
IBM also added to its ValuePoint Si line models based on the
66-MHz 486DX2 processor. With 4MB of memory standard and a
choice of no hard drive, 120MB drive, or 212MB drive, the new
Si models start at $1,620. IBM DOS 6.1 and Microsoft Windows 3.1
are bundled with the PCs.
The new models comply with the Energy Star guidelines, IBM said,
consuming less than 30 watts of power in standby mode using
power-management software.
Garcia said IBM expects all of its ValuePoint systems will
eventually meet Energy Star guidelines. The company decided to
make its low-priced systems the first priority, he said, and will
move on to the rest of the product line in the near future.
Additions to the MVP multimedia series include the 425SX/Si, with
a 120MB hard drive, and the 433DX/Si, with a 212MB hard drive.
Both models have 4MB of memory and come with DOS and Windows.
There is also a new multimedia model using the 50-MHz 486DX2
processor. All of these come with a Panasonic double-speed
compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive and a Creative Labs
Sound Blaster 16 audio card, plus an encrypted CD-ROM disk
containing more than 80 software packages that customers try out,
then buy if they wish by calling a toll-free order number.
Finally, IBM added nine new ValuePoint models using the 50-MHz
486DX2 processor, offering a range of hard drives up to 424MB
and standard memory of 4MB or 8MB.
The new models replace the 6384 and 6387 models, said Jim
McGann, manager of value business, but customers in the midst of
corporate rollouts of the older models will still be able to get
them. Manufacturing of the older models will continue until about
the end of this year, McGann said.
McGann also said the new models are already being built and can
be ordered today. Commenting on IBM's ongoing problems meeting
demand for some models, McGann said the company is making
progress, and had cleared up 85 percent of its order backlog as
of the end of September. Even with the new introductions, he
said, IBM expects to be meeting demand for ValuePoint systems
by the end of October.
IBM has been optimistic about clearing its backlog in the past;
in July company spokeswoman Liz Arends told Newsbytes the
company was "almost there with supply and demand."
(Grant Buckler/19931018/Press Contact: Liz Arends, IBM,
914-766-1004; Dave Dasgupta, 914-766-1885)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
TRENDS
Sharp Claims World's Smallest Copy Machine
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00023)
Sharp Claims World's Smallest Copy Machine 10/18/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Sharp has developed, what
the company claims is, the world's smallest copy machine. It is
slightly larger than a notebook computer.
The machine is part of Sharp's Z-20 series. It measures 36.2 by
35.3 by 9.8 centimeters, and weighs 6.7 kilograms. According to
Sharp, the device is about 55 percent smaller that existing
small-sized copy machines, such as those offered by Canon.
The Z-20 copy machine accepts everything from postcard-size
paper to A4-size. It has an automatic system to adjust the
clearness of the copied document, and a feeder which can handle
a maximum of 20 sheets of paper.
The retail price of the entry-level version of the device is
70,000 yen ($700), and 85,000 yen ($850) for the high-end version.
The machines have a toner cartridge capable of copying about
2,000 sheets of paper.
Sharp is planning to ship the low-end machine in November and
the upper-end version in December. A total of 25,000 units are
planned to be shipped in the first year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931018/Press Contact: Sharp,
+81-43-299-8212, Fax, +81-43-299-8213)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
BUSINESS
Matsushita Links With AT&T On 3DO Video Player
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00024)
Matsushita Links With AT&T On 3DO Video Player 10/18/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Matsushita Electric has signed
an agreement with AT&T concerning a multimedia video game player
based on the 3DO technology. Matsushita and AT&T will jointly
develop the modem for the player.
Also, Matsushita will supply the player to AT&T on an OEM
(original equipment manufacturer) basis. The agreement is based
on the multimedia video game player which was jointly developed
by Matsushita and 3DO. It is reported that the modem will be
released around next summer by both Matsushita and AT&T.
To start, Matsushita will supply the video game device to AT&T
in the spring of 1994. It is expected that AT&T will sell the
device just as a game machine. Later, the firm wants to advertise
it as an educational system as well.
The video game player is equipped with a 32-bit processor and a
CD-ROM drive. It is reported that the device also supports an
interactive mode.
The machine has already been released in the US under the
Panasonic brand name, for around $700. Matsushita will also
release the device as a game machine in Japan early next year.
Matsushita sees a lot of potential in the device because it can
also be used as a PhotoCD player. The firm has already been
developing software in cooperation with printing and publishing
firms.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931018/Press Contact:
Matsushita Electric, tel +81-3-3578-1237,
fax +81-3-3437-2776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
GENERAL
India - Aplab Develops Access Control System
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00025)
India - Aplab Develops Access Control System 10/18/93
BOMBAY, NEW DELHI, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Bombay-based Applied
Electronics Ltd., (Aplab) has developed an access control system
that enable organizations to monitor the movement of visitors
and employees.
The main door to the office opens only after a person has inserted
their card into a slot in the machine and the machine has approved
it. P.S. Deodhar, president of Aplab expects initial orders to come
through within this financial year.
Aplab, which spends about 15 percent of its turnover on research
and development, is also engaged in developing transaction control
systems for gasoline usage. That system enables customers to
purchase gasoline with cards which function like ATM (automated
teller machine) cards.
Aplab has sold two of its ATM and eight branch teller machines
(BTM) within five months of their launch in February, to Indian
banks. While the ATM costs Rs 12.5 lakh (around $40,000), the
BTM is priced at Rs 2.5 lakh (around $8,000). Deodhar expects
about Rs 6 crore (around $2 million) business from ATMs and
BTMs this year.
The Bombay-based company has also installed smartcard-based
payphones. The cardmate programmable PCOs, which were launched
in 1987, are priced at Rs 25,000 (around $833). The PCOs can be
used for local, trunk, international and toll-free emergency calls.
Intel Instruments & Systems Ltd., the export unit of the group,
earned Rs 3.45 crore (around $1.15 million) in 1992-93 from the
sale of Aplab systems abroad. The total income of Aplab in
1992-93 was Rs 27.88 crore (around $9.2 million), a 23.6 percent
growth from Rs 22.54 crore (around $7.5 million) of 1991-92.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931018)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
IBM
Borland Intros 32-bit dBASE Compiler
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00026)
Borland Intros 32-bit dBASE Compiler 10/18/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Speed is the key
feature behind Borland's new dBASE Compiler 2.0 for DOS. The
compiler takes advantage of the greater processing capability of
the 386, 486, and Pentium family of Intel central processing units
(CPUs), offering faster dBASE applications by a factor of two as
well as cutting the size of the executable file by 50 percent
simply by recompiling.
Compiling is the last step in developing a stand-alone
application, turning the programmer's code into machine
readable instructions, also known as an executable application
or .EXE file. Aimed at the estimated five million database
users worldwide, Borland claims the new dBASE Compiler is
100-percent compatible with the dBASE language so existing
applications from dBASE III, dBASE III PLUS, and dBASE IV can
be recompiled and run faster without modification.
The new compiler offers 32-bit .EXE file generation, with the
option of creating 16-bit .EXE files to run on older 16- bit
IBM compatible personal computers (PCs). It also offers .EXEs
that are 50 percent smaller than those created by the 1.0
version. A new menu-driven user interface so the compiler
options may be set via pull-down menus and dialog boxes instead
of passing the parameters via one or two character codes in a
command line statement. New Autocompile and Autolink features
allow the location, compilation, and linking of specified
programs into an executable file and a Date and Time Stamp
function allows the programmer to specify the recompiling of
only the modified portions of code to speed the compiling
process.
The compiler automatically accesses up to four gigabytes (GB)
of memory via Borland's dynamic Virtual Memory Manager, offers
optional .DBO file creation for better management of object
libraries, and MAP file creation that assists developers in
documenting and modifying programs.
The dBASE Compiler 2.0 for DOS supports 16-bit .EXE generation
on all Intel 286 or higher IBM-compatible PCs running DOS 3.3,
4.01, 5.0, or 6.0. A 386 or higher CPU is required to run 32-bit
compiled applications. At least one megabyte (MB) of extended
memory is needed to run the compiler, although Borland
recommends 4MB or more of RAM.
Retail price for the dBASE Compiler 2.0 in the US and Canada is
$495, but Borland says it will offer the compiler for $195.95
until January 31, 1994. Registered dBASE Compiler version 1.0
users may upgrade for $99.95, the company added. Prices
outside the US and Canada will vary.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931018/Press Contact: Steve Curry, Borland,
tel 408-431-4863, fax 408-431-4117; Public Contact 800-331-
0877)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
GENERAL
Peter Norton Says Bet On Windows-NT
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00027)
Peter Norton Says Bet On Windows-NT 10/18/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- In a speech at
Atlanta's Apparel Mart trade mart sponsored by Symantec, which
bought his publishing company a few years ago, author and guru
Peter Norton drew over 200 members of the Atlanta PC Users
Group to a night-time speech where he held forth on the future of
operating systems. He seemed to endorse Windows NT as the best
bet for the future.
The speech was part of a full day for Norton, who earlier had
signed some of his company's latest books at the Oxford Book
Store in Atlanta, the city's biggest general-purpose book
emporium.
Norton started by saying there needs to be a single standardized
operating system for PCs. The reason for that, in a word, is
efficiency. "We can crank out only so much code which will only
be somewhat bug free," he said. When a single system is accepted
bugs can be dealt with quickly with the limited programming
talent available.
He said the three top operating systems are OS/2, Unix, and
Windows-NT. He dismissed the Apple Macintosh system, saying its
best days are behind it. He called OS/2 a dead-end operating
system, and said not many systems are running Unix. He added
that Windows-NT is where the industry is heading. But he also
said that it doesn't really matter which is the best operating
system, from a technical standpoint -- what matters is which OS
wins the marketing wars. The winner there, hands down, he
said, is Microsoft.
When questioned about why the question of operating systems
needs to be dealt with, Norton again went back to the problem of
efficiently using limited programmer resources. There needs to be
a clear winner of the operating system struggles, he said, so we
can get on with development and training. "If you look at a
diagram of the training and development funding today, it looks
like a Mickey Mouse cap," with ears representing diverse
directions on top of a main body composed of DOS-Windows users.
In closing, Norton praised his audience of users and programmers.
"We are the backroom boys of much of the technology that will run
the world in the 21st century." He won a big hand, indicating
that to those backroom boys, Peter Norton remains a hero. Even if
most of the writing work at his shop is now done by others.
(tbass/19931014/Press Contact: Atlanta PC Users Group,
BBS 404-879-5985)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
GENERAL
Wang Prepared For New Directions in Asia Region
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00028)
Wang Prepared For New Directions in Asia Region 10/18/93
CAUSEWAY BAY, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Unlike its parent
company, Wang Pacific has remained profitable throughout the
troubling times in the US.
The regional headquarters in Hong Kong commenced business in
1972. According to Joseph Lau, area director (Asia) of Wang Pacific,
staff had been reduced from 180 to 140, but that was minimal
compared to the worldwide reductions.
Lau said that despite the decision to shed the traditional computer
manufacturing businesses, the company would continue to support
all its regional installed base of VS systems.
"Of course, we will provide our customers with the tools with
which to migrate to open systems and we will continue to provide
hardware enhancements to the VS as long as they are needed. This
is our commitment to our customers," he said.
(Keith Cameron 19931014)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/18/93
GENERAL
Hitachi Intros 2GB Magneto-Optical Drive
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00029)
Hitachi Intros 2GB Magneto-Optical Drive 10/18/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Hitachi America has
introduced a new, higher-capacity 5.25-inch magneto-optical (MO)
drive which allows users to store as much as 2 gigabytes (GB) of
data on a single cartridge. Many MO drives with the same form
factor only store about 600 megabytes (MB) of data on a single
disc.
Hitachi's new OD152 drive is not ISO (International Standards
Organization)-compatible because there is no ISO standard for this
general capacity of 5.25-inch drives. However, it does comply
with a European standards organization, the European Computer
Manufacturing Association.
Hitachi's previous standard 5.25-inch MO drive had a capacity of
only 650MB and the new data density is made possible using zoned
constant angular velocity recording and other techniques.
This new drive has the highest capacity of any 5.25-inch MO drive
disc and the discs formatted for this drive are not compatible
with other manufacturer's drives.
Hitachi has also introduced a new OL-152 MO jukebox (or library)
system which allows users to access more than one terabyte (TB)
or 1,000GB of on-line data.
Two models are available, each of which can daisy-chained for a
total of up to three units. The smaller jukebox can store up to
121GB (363 for three), while the larger can store 388GB in a
single unit for a total of 1.16TB in a three-unit system.
Magneto-optical storage drives used with PCs and PC-based small
network file servers range in size from 3.5-inch 130MB drives to
these newly-announced 2GB drives from Hitachi. MO drives use a
combination of strong magnetic field and powerful laser beam to
record data by changing the physical structure of the recording
medium, which in turn changes the way it reflects the light from a
weaker read-only laser.
Unlike WORM (write-once, read-many) drives and discs, MO discs
can be erased and rewritten to a number of times, making them the
operational equivalent of very large, rather slow hard drives,
with removable cartridges.
Maxell, Verbatim, and 3M will all provide media for this new
1.73GB (1024 bytes per sector) or 2.022GB (512 bytes per sector)
capacity drive. The new drive can be installed in a half-height
drive bay or as an external drive.
Average access time for the new drive is 50 milliseconds (ms),
rotational speed is 3,000 revolutions-per-minute (rpm), and it is
SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)-2 compatible.
The average access time for a particular cartridge in the jukebox
units is about eight seconds. A jukebox is, as the name implies,
similar to the familiar music systems which can store a number of
records and load them on demand into the player. An optical
storage jukebox uses from one to several drives and contains as
many as several hundred individual cartridges.
Wholesale (original equipment manufacturing) prices for the 2GB
drive are about $3,300 each, with costs for the newly announced
jukeboxes set at $24,000 for the smaller capacity unit, and
$39,000 for the larger.
Initial evaluation drives will ship in November, with the large-
capacity jukebox shipping in December and the small-capacity
(low-type) library unit shipping in January 1994.
(John McCormick/19931014/Press Contact: Dave Martin,
Hitachi America, 415-244-7847)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/18/93
APPLE
Mangia! Offers Recipe Database For Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(BOS)(00030)
Mangia! Offers Recipe Database For Mac 10/18/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 18 (NB) -- Interested in
cooking, but short on time? Then you might find Mangia! made to
order. The new Mac-based package from Upstill Software can help
you store and locate recipes, prepare shopping lists, and keep
stock of your cupboards efficiently.
From an index card-inspired user interface, Mangia! offers an
extensive database, a dictionary of food terms, a recipe formatter,
a shopping list generator and editor, an editable recipe clipboard,
and a "standing kitchen pantry," among other food-related features.
Upstill Software, creator of the product, was launched by Steve
Upstill in 1991, with a mission of "marrying cooking to computers,"
a spokesperson said. Upstill had previously authored the Renderman
Companion for Pixar, and was employed there for years as product
manager of Pixar ShowPlace.
Upstill's startup is now in talks with major publishers about a
prospective series of "electronic cookbooks" that would be designed
to work with the Mangia! database, the spokesperson told Newsbytes.
Meanwhile, you can use and adapt the 300 recipes that come with
Mangia!, or insert your own.
Mangia! provides a much more powerful search engine than competing
products, the spokesperson asserted. The recipe database takes a
layered approach. To initiate a search, you start with the Recipe
Browser, which lists all the recipes in the files.
You can call up categories within the Browser's list by selecting
from a pop-up menu at bottom left. Categories include nationality
and course, along with others. Within a category, you can focus
more tightly on a particular kind of recipe by clicking on the
Match What button to open a dialog.
In the dialog, you can ask for foods with certain "ratings"
(sliding-scale evaluations for attributes like Spicy Hotness and
Kid Appeal). You can also search for foods with specific
ingredients, or "lock out" certain ingredients (meat if you're a
vegetarian, for instance, or eggs if you're allergic).
Alternatively, you can look for recipes that only use ingredients
you happen to have around the house, by asking for dishes with
ingredients from the "standing kitchen pantry."
The pantry is equipped with a long roster of possible kitchen
contents, the spokesperson said. To enter the contents of your
own kitchen, you simply click on items on the list.
The Recipe Clipboard in Mangia! is intended to let you quickly
earmark certain recipes, without interrupting the browsing process.
Recipes are sent to the clipboard by clicking on a Clipboard button
at the bottom right of the screen.
From the Clipboard, the recipes can be "rescaled" (a meal for four,
for example, can be doubled to serve eight), ordered in the list
via click-and-drag, grouped with other recipes into a meal, or sent
off to the Shopping List.
A Shopping List can be generated by clicking on the Shopping Cart
button on the selected recipe. And before you head out to the
store, you can trim off any ingredients you already have in the
kitchen. The Shopping List window marks Pantry ingredients with
an asterisk, and lets you rapidly select and delete them en masse.
To add your own recipes to Mangia!, you open a file, provide a
recipe title, and then step through a series of other windows,
including categories, ratings, description, ingredient list, yield,
cooking times, source reference, free-text notes, and free-text
instructions. All but "description" and "yield" are automatically
indexed for later searching.
The spokesperson stressed to Newsbytes that, unlike other recipe
packages, Mangia! comes with multiple fonts. Recipes and meals can
be printed out on standard paper or recipe cards, with user control
over the format, fonts, and type style and size to be used on each
part of the page.
Further, most other recipe packages are for IBM-compatible PCs,
the spokesperson stated. "But the Mac is really ideally suited to a
consumer-oriented product like this," she added. Mangia! is priced
at $49.93.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931015/Reader contact: Upstill Software, tel
510-486-0761; Press contact: Gina Rubattino, Pixel Relations for
Upstill Software, tel 415-474-0407)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
IBM
UK - Interactive PC Fax-Back System Unveiled
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00001)
UK - Interactive PC Fax-Back System Unveiled 10/15/93
COBHAM, SURREY, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Von Bulow
Associates has announced the Voice Tree & Fax Tree System, a
programmable interactive computer-based fax response system.
Based around a PC equipped with voice and fax modem cards, the
system allows users to call in and interactively select which
faxes can be sent to them.
The idea behind the system is that the human element of fax
requests is removed, so saving companies fax information services,
the cost of manning phone lines constantly, as the Voice Tree does
at no extra charge.
Olaf von Bulow claims that the system has been on sale in the US
and, to date, more than 120 sites have been installed there.
In use, the system allows the full automation of processes which
previously required human intervention -- i.e. the taking of
requests for fax information. Von Bulow claims that, unlike
competing systems, the Voice Tree & Fax Tree System can be
reprogrammed very easily, using a special scripting language.
The system is based on a single PC, yet can handle up to 32 calls at
one time. A basic two voice line entry level system, complete with
hardware. software and full fax facilities, costs UKP5,300, while a
four line system boosts this price to UKP6,200.
"Experience in the American market has shown that the Voice Tree &
Fax Tree System raises levels of efficiency and, at the same time,
cuts operating costs," explained von Bulow. "It can be bought and
installed directly by experienced users, but the big market is where
there is no information technology (IT) expertise, yet the need for
the efficiencies of the system are plainly obvious. This is the
market for value added resellers."
Von Bulow added that, over the last 50 years, there have been a
number of changes in the introduction of new technologies. "I
believe that this system is a new business tool, as basic as the
fax and the word processor, and will become as widely used, as
it opens up for real voice information processing," he said.
Von Bulow Associates was formed in 1987 by Olaf von Bulow to
focus on the merging automated call distribution market and
related technologies in Europe.
(Steve Gold/19931013/Press & Public Contact: Von Bulow
Associates - Tel: +44-932-860970)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
GENERAL
Visa Intros Cardshield - Credit Card Protection
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00002)
Visa Intros Cardshield - Credit Card Protection 10/15/93
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Visa
International has launched Visa Cardshield, which it claims is a
comprehensive program that provides Visa member financial
institutions with the most complete range of high technology
weapons to protect their cardholders against payment card fraud.
Cardshield is billed as a program of upgrades to Visa cards which
will take member financial institutions several years to implement.
The list of enhancements include counterfeit-proof magnetic
stripes, integrated circuit cards, neural networking, and special
card activation programs.
The idea behind the program, according to Roger Peirce, Visa
International's executive vice president, is to turn up the heat on
the card criminals.
"Visa Cardshield represents the most aggressive assault on card
fraud in Visa's history. Thanks to the hard work, enthusiastic
support, and wise investment in Visa's delivery system, our
members are dealing a devastating blow to criminals around the
globe," he said. "Maximizing the strength of Visa's centralized
systems, we will deploy, in rapid succession, Visa Cardshield's
anti-fraud initiatives to ensure Visa cardholders receive the
maximum protection."
According to Peirce, Cardshield will form an integral part of
Paymentservice 2000, Visa's strategic plan for streamlining
payments and accommodating the meteoric demand for cashless
payment services. Visa claims that, by the end of the century
Visa transactions are expected to reach more than $1,000,000
million worldwide per annum.
The most immediate security feature, which Visa affiliates are
currently implementing, is the Card Verification Value (CVV)
system. The CVV system, which began in April of this year, adds
a checksum to the card number but only on the magnetic strip on
the back of the card.
This number is checksummed in a way that only EFTPOS (electronic
funds transfer at point of sale) and other on-line transaction
machines can verify, Visa claims. The CVV of a card actually varies
between cards, and depends on the type of card, rather than just on
the account number. This makes it extremely difficult for forgers
to copy a card with the correct CVV.
(Steve Gold/19931013/Press Contact: Albert Coscia, Visa
International - Tel: 415/570-2039
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
IBM
Wordperfect Ships Language Modules For WP 6.
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)
Wordperfect Ships Language Modules For WP 6.0 10/15/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corp., is
now shipping 20 different language modules for its Wordperfect
6.0 for DOS. The modules allow users to combine international
versions of a hyphenation module, thesaurus, spell checker,
and/or keyboard with the word processing program.
The available modules include Afrikaans, Danish, Dutch, English-
Australian, English-Canadian, English-UK, Finnish, French-
Canadian, French, German, German-Swiss, Greek, Italian,
Norwegian, Portuguese, Portuguese-Brazilian, Russian, Spanish,
and Swedish.
Launched nearly three months ago, Wordperfect 6.0 for DOS has
already shipped about 700,000 copies. The company says the
program accounts for more than 90 percent of all domestic DOS-
based word processor sales.
The language modules have a suggested retail price of $99 and are
available through software outlets or direct from Wordperfect.
(Jim Mallory/19931014/Press contact: Blake Stowell, Wordperfect
Corp, 801-228-5063; Reader contact: Wordperfect, 801-225-5000,
fax 801-228-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
IBM
Microsoft Offers 2 Versions Of Windows Sound System
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)
Microsoft Offers 2 Versions Of Windows Sound System 10/15/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Microsoft
says it will begin shipping two versions of its Microsoft Windows
Sound System version 2.0 by the end of the month.
One version includes the Sound System software and a directional
microphone. The other version adds an audio board and headphones.
The MS Sound System 2.0 audio board package provides Sound
Blaster compatibility under the MS-DOS operating system without
requiring Windows.
Microsoft says Sound System 2.0 supports virtually all audio
boards and includes drivers for Creative Labs, Media Vision,
Microsoft, and Microsoft-compatible audio boards. Since the
software is hardware-independent users who already have an audio
board in their PC can add voice recognition, annotation and other
voice features to their applications.
Microsoft says version 2.0 has increased voice-recognition
accuracy as well as audio-compression technology that greatly
reduces the size of the audio files. The compression algorithms
allow one minute of audio to take up just 62 kilobytes (KB) of
disk space. The voice recognition technology, called Voice Pilot,
allows users to create custom vocabularies, automatically
extract vocabularies from any Windows-based application, or
use the existing vocabularies.
While recording, the user can issue a verbal "Go to sleep"
command that shuts down the audio pickup. When ready to resume
work, a "Wake Up" command resumes the operation. The microphone
can be attached to the PC monitor or sit on a desktop stand.
Microsoft says a feature called "Quick Train" enables the user to
train the program to recognize his or her voice in three minutes
by reading a Microsoft-developed list of 52 phonetically balanced
words.
The software also includes VoiceWizards that allow the user to
create voice macros that automate tasks such as launching the
spell checker by issuing a "spell check" verbal command.
The software version, which includes the microphone, has a
suggested retail price of $79. The audio board version will sell
for $219. System requirements include windows 3.1 or higher, an
available expansion slot in your 386SX 25 megahertz or better PC,
at least 2 megabytes (MB) of system memory, 10MB of space on the
hard disk, a floppy drive, and at least a VGA monitor.
Microsoft plans to ship French and German language versions of
Sound System 2.0 in the first quarter of 1994, with Japanese,
Italian, and Spanish versions to follow.
(Jim Mallory/19931014/Press contact: Julie Basnaw, Microsoft,
206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp, 206-882-8080,
fax 206-936-7329)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
IBM
20/20 Ships Windows Version Of PC-Install
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00005)
20/20 Ships Windows Version Of PC-Install 10/15/93
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- 20/20 Software
has introduced a Windows version of its PC-Install program the
company says makes it easier to distribute software.
Developers, consultants, and corporate system administrators
can use PC-Install to distribute applications or data files
instead of having to build batch files or developing their own
installation routines.
To use PC-Install the creator tells the program what files need
to be copied or decompressed and what messages to display. All
the disk recipient has to do is type "install." PC-Install checks
for adequate disk space on the target computer, checks for a
particular CPU (central processing unit) type, and updates
autoexec, configuration, and Windows .INI files.
The Windows version of PC-Install includes PC-Shrink, a file
compression utility that keeps the number of disks needed to a
minimum and also splits large files across multiple diskettes.
PC-Install for Windows has a suggested retail price (SRP) of $179.
Users of the previously released DOS edition can upgrade for
$129. The DOS version has a SRP of $149, which includes PC-
Shrink, or 20/20 will sell you a bundle of both versions for $249.
(Jim Mallory/19931014/Press contact: Tom Gifford, 20/20
Software, 503-520-0504; Reader contact: 20/20 Software,
503-520-0504)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
TELECOM
New Forums On CompuServe, AOL
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00006)
New Forums On CompuServe, AOL 10/15/93
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Major consumer
on-line services continue to add forums and news.
America Online said the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has
agreed to host a forum on its network, which serves about
350,000 people. The forum offers a window to the nation's largest
and most comprehensive library on multiple sclerosis as well as
the opportunity to monitor breaking news on the disease.
As with other services on the network, it is part of a five hour
per month, $9.95, bundle. The deal is non-exclusive, however, and
the society said it plans to expand its representation on "other
key computer networks." later this year.
On CompuServe, U.S. News & World Report said it will make news
stories and other information from its weekly publication available
by the end of the year, with postings scheduled the weekend
before the magazine reaches subscribers.
The magazine will also host forums on various topics, and its
editors will have electronic mail boxes on the service. CompuServe
has nearly 1.5 million members in 120 countries, and hopes to add
400,000 members this year.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931014/Press Contact: Arney Rosenblat
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 212-476-0436; Jean
Villanueva, America Online, 703-883-1675; Dave Kishler,
CompuServe, 614-457-8600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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3 10/15/93
IBM
Learning Company Intros Reader Rabbit
(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00007)
Learning Company Intros Reader Rabbit 3 10/15/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- The Learning
Company has released Reader Rabbit 3, the fourth in what has
become its flagship series of programs which teach reading
skills to youngsters on IBM PCs and compatibles.
The company, which said its sales were up 32 percent for the
quarter ending September 30 from a year earlier, credited the
new program with helping improve its numbers.
Other programs in the series include: "Reader Rabbit's Ready for
Letters," which teaches basic letter recognition to pre-schoolers;
"Reader Rabbit 1," which teaches pre-reading skills; and "Reader
Rabbit 2," which is aimed at beginning readers.
The new program, unlike previous programs in the series, requires
use of an IBM AT-type computer and VGA graphics. Earlier
programs, including the best-selling "Reader Rabbit 2," could
run well on an old IBM XT.
The new program concentrates on recognition of sentence structure
and parts of speech, although it replaces such terms as noun and
verb with descriptors of what those words mean. While earlier
programs used the motif of a factory and a farm, the new program
uses a newspaper office as its unifying theme, and after students
finish an exercise on each of four skills, they are rewarded with
the ability to print-out a "newspaper."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931014/Press Contact: The Learning Co.,
Sharyn Fitzpatrick, 510-792-2101; Customer Contact:
800-852-2255)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
TRENDS
Dataquest Survey Finds Interactive TV Hot
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00008)
Dataquest Survey Finds Interactive TV Hot 10/15/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- In the wake of the
merger frenzy in the telephone and cable TV industries,
Dataquest, the San Jose, California-based subsidiary of Dun &
Bradstreet, has released a $3,495 study of potential consumers
for interactive television that shows a strong interest in the
concept, at least in upscale households which already have
computers or video games.
According to Dataquest, which surveyed 200 consumers having a
minimum income of $30,000, more than 67 percent say that they
would purchase interactive television services, especially when
it comes to customized news reports.
More than 80 percent of the 200 households surveyed already have
cable television, and 47 percent of those, or about 80, also
subscribe to premium channels, mostly those that provide movies.
Video on demand was cited as a desirable feature by 73 percent,
but interactive news and educational programming ranked even
higher.
The company said that more than 40 percent of the sample
population own a television-based video game system, while
seven percent of the sample own a CD-ROM drive for use with
their personal computer.
In announcing the survey, Bruce Ryon, principal analyst of
Dataquest's Multimedia service, said: "There is a very receptive
audience for interactive products in the home, but execution and
pricing will be key for product success. Consumers want more
control over the type of information and entertainment that comes
into their homes, especially when it comes to television news.
They are looking to interactive television and computer-based
interactive titles to help them get control of all possible options."
Respondents indicated a willingness to buy interactive devices
to be connected to the television when the price reaches $76 to
$100, according to the survey results.
"Demand for Multimedia in the Home," is available from Dataquest.
(John McCormick & Ian Stokell/19931014/Press Contact: Paul
Wheaton, Dataquest, 408-437-8312)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/15/93
TRENDS
UK - New Business Security Guidelines Published
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00009)
UK - New Business Security Guidelines Published 10/15/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- A group of information
technology (IT) managers from all areas of British business have
thrashed out a set of guidelines, published by the British Standards
Institute (BSI), designed to allow data processing and IT managers
to secure their computer data to a much greater degree.
The idea behind the guidelines is to protect businesses from the
massive potential losses caused by breaches of the systems on
which their companies now depend.
The group, which includes the Midland Bank, British
Telecommunications, Shell, and Unilever, says it is concerned about
the growing vulnerability of companies that use computer networks
to talk to organizations outside their own. They claim it is no
longer sufficient for a company to be conscious of its own weak
spots.
If a supplier's system is open to attack, for example, from a
computer virus, an infection could spread quickly owing to
communications links with other companies they exchange data
with.
According to John Nicholas, the deputy director general of the
Institute of Directors, the new code of practice covers all manner
of threats to computers, ranging from "computer viruses, hackers,
bombs, industrial espionage, fraud, and petty crime."
The guidelines include suggestions on how companies should handle
aspects of physical security, as well as the latest virus and trojan
horse programs that may attack their computer systems.
The Department of Trade and Industry, which helped put together
the new guidelines, estimates that security failures cost British
businesses about UKP1,100 million a year. Half of this can be put
down to disasters such as flood, fire and power failures, while the
other half is attributable to malicious intrusions.
The guidelines are published in "A Code of Practice for Information
Security Management" available from BSI Publications in Milton
Keynes in the UK, priced at UKP5.
(Steve Gold/19931014/Press & Public Contact: BSI Publications -
Tel +44-908 221166)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
GENERAL
UK - Abbey National Admits ATM Ghost Withdrawals Exist
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00010)
UK - Abbey National Admits ATM Ghost Withdrawals Exist 10/15/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Abbey National Bank has
admitted that its automated teller machines (ATMs) are not
infallible. It claims, however, that its systems can catch errors
and that any money lost is reimbursed to customers in due course.
In common with other ATM card issuing institutions, the Abbey
National has, to date, claimed that its cash machines are infallible
and card holders experiencing problems should check that their
personal identity numbers (PINs) have not been compromised.
The admission that the banks' ATMs are not infallible adds to the
concern over the so-called "phantom withdrawals" case that is
passing through the courts.
The Abbey National Bank was forced to admit to its ATMs having
problems after Bill Phillips of Glasgow turned to the Guardian
newspaper for help in an argument with the bank.
Phillips said that he used his Abbeylink ATM card in an attempt to
withdraw money from his current account via a cash machine on
September 21. When the machine refused, saying that his daily
UKP250 withdrawal limit had already been used up, he complained
to his branch.
"I told them I'd been a victim of a phantom withdrawal. I had not
previously taken any money out of my account that day, my card had
been with me the whole time and no one else knew my PIN. Yet money
had somehow disappeared from my account without my permission,"
he said.
After interviewing Phillips as to his whereabouts on the day in
question and whether the security of the card had been compromised,
bank staff said that they would look into the affair. Two days
later, he received a letter from Abbey's card services center in
Milton Keynes saying that it had also identified an error on his
account and arrangements were in hand to re-credit his account.
The bank described the problem was a "rare and temporary
occurrence which has now been corrected" and apologized for
the distress and inconvenience caused.
As Newsbytes goes to press, Phillips was writing back to request
an explanation, something that as a customer and shareholder, he
felt he was entitled to.
Abbey claims that the problems with Phillips' account have yet to be
identified, but has suggested that the problem was caused by one of
the bank's two computer systems going off-line. One computer
controls the ATMs, while the other controls the branch computers. If
one or the other computer goes down, then a communication problem
can occur. Bank officials have suggested that this is the problem
that Phillips' account experienced.
(Steve Gold/19931014/Press & Public Contact: Abbey National
Bank - Tel: +44-71-612-4000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
APPLE
Apple Spends $100M On Mac/DOS Multimedia
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00011)
Apple Spends $100M On Mac/DOS Multimedia 10/15/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Apple
Computer's executive vice president of its personal computer
division, Ian Diery, said Apple continues as a technology
leader and will continue to prepare the market for multimedia
advances.
Diery said Apple is willing to make sacrifices for those advances,
even if it means selling some products without profit, in his speech
titled, "Building on the Standard" given at the Multimedia Expo
in San Jose.
Ian Diery pointed to Apple's sale of its CD-ROM drives, which it is
selling at cost and incorporating into all its new desktop products,
as an example. Diery said the company plans to bring down
technology barriers to multimedia in its own Macintosh market
and in the DOS world as well.
Diery pointed to the introduction of the Macintosh 128K in 1984
and said by having the computer introduce itself Apple was
foreshadowing its vision for the future. Now the Macintosh
Quadra 840AV offers text-to-speech via a digital signal
processor (DSP) and the company's Plaintalk technology that
allows the Quadra to phonetically interpret written text. Diery
also highlighted Quicktime, the video technology for the
Macintosh and DOS-based computers running Microsoft Windows.
Apple sees text-to-speech and video compression becoming
mainstream in the company's product offerings as part of
establishing multimedia as mainstream technology. "Building
a critical mass of people with CD-ROMs connected to their
computer systems should not be the concern of the developer
community. That is our problem," Diery said.
Over $100 million has been invested by Apple to jumpstart the
multimedia industry, Diery said. He quoted market research
figures that indicate the industry is growing, with projections
of 4.5 million CD-ROM drives in active use by the end of 1993,
and over 10 million CD-ROM players in use by 1995.
With such a large market opportunity out there, Apple sees
itself linked to the developer community in the effort to
develop multimedia products for both the Macintosh and the DOS
platforms.
Paul Wollaston of Apple Computer joined the presentation to
demonstrate Rika from Supermac and Picard from Radius, products
for a CD-Mastering system that will allow product development
for both Macintosh and DOS on the same CD.
Diery emphasized Apple's technology leadership. "Sometimes
that leadership is great, other times that leadership is small.
But it is always a technology leadership edge."
Apple recently announced that Diery will head the company's Apple
USA division after the resignation of Robert Puette. Diery was
Puette's boss, as well as leader for the heads of the other two
Apple divisions, Apple Europe and Apple Pacific.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931014/Press Contact: Lynn Waller, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-5431, fax 408-974-5470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/15/93
GOVT
Opus 'n' Bill Screen Saver Recall Ordered
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00012)
Opus 'n' Bill Screen Saver Recall Ordered 10/15/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- After
granting Berkeley Systems a preliminary injunction against
Delrina Corp., recently, United States District Court Judge Eugene
Lynch has ordered that Delrina must recall all copies of its "Opus
'n' Bill Screen Saver."
The controversy began when Delrina started shipping the screen
saver that depicts Outland comic strip characters Opus, a
penguin, and Bill, a cat, shooting at toasters with
Michelangelo wings. Berkeley filed suit, claiming the flying
toaster is a trademark and cannot be used by Delrina at all.
Delrina says the judge made it clear it is specifically
toasters with Michelangelo wings and that Berkeley's toasters
are not original but are a take-off of a 1960's album cover "30
Seconds Over Winterland" from rock group Jefferson Airplane.
Berkeley representative Joan Blades said while the Jefferson
Airplane predates its screen saver, the company was unaware of
the album cover until two years ago and the Jefferson Airplane
toasters have wings and clocks.
Last week's preliminary injunction required Delrina to halt the
selling, marketing, advertising of the Opus n' Bill product.
However, Berkeley went back to the court and asked for a
clarification of the injunction and says the court has specified
a recall of the Opus n' Bill product.
Delrina will also have to account to Berkeley for the software
in the distribution channel. This includes copies of a special
notification to be sent to distributors before week's end,
lists of distributors and retailers carrying the recalled
product, as well as an itemization of all product on store
shelves, and in distributor warehouses.
To comply with the court, Delrina representatives said the
company intends to simply put propellers on the toasters
instead of wings and rename the screen saver the "Censored
Toaster Module." However, Delrina officials were unavailable
for comment concerning the recall announcement.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931014/Press Contact: Michelle Mihalick,
Neale May & Partners for Berkeley Systems, tel 415-328-5555,
fax 415-328-9051; Shelly Sofer, Delrina, tel 416-441-3676,
fax 416-441-0333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
IBM
Zeos Upgrades Ambra PC Line
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00013)
Zeos Upgrades Ambra PC Line 10/15/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Zeos
International has announced six new models of its Ambra
personal computer line, all using 486 microprocessors.
Zeos spokesperson Rick Apple told Newsbytes the new systems are
available with 25 megahertz (MHz) and 33 MHz SX and 33MHz DX
chips. All systems ship with Super VGA color monitors, one floppy
drive, MS-DOS 6.0, and Microsoft Windows software pre-installed,
a mouse, 128 kilobyte (KB) cache, and local bus video. Standard
configuration includes four megabytes (MB) of RAM and a 214MB
hard drive, or 8MB of memory and a 340MB drive.
The 4MB 486SX 25MHz system with a 214MB hard drive is priced at
$1,295, while the 8MB of RAM system with a 340MB hard drive sells
for $1,595. For either system with a 486SX 33MHz chip add $100.
An Ambra with a 486DX 33MHz microprocessor adds $200 to the
base price.
Apple told Newsbytes there is no connection between the Zeos
Ambra family of PCs and personal computers with the same name
built by IBM. In August 1992, IBM established ExperComp Services
to sell its Ambra PCs in Canada, and later offered the line in
Europe. About three months ago IBM said it would establish a US
subsidiary to distribute its Ambra in the US. Big Blue opened
Ambra Computer Corp., in Raleigh, North Carolina in early
August. IBM's Ambra PCs range from 486SX desktop models to dual
Pentium-processor models, with prices starting at $999. An Ambra
Computer spokesperson told Newsbytes the company would offer
new or refreshed systems every three to four months.
Asked about two companies using the same name, Apple told
Newsbytes there is no connection between the two models. "It's
unusual, but we believe we have the right to the name. We're
selling a product named Ambra and they are selling a product
named Ambra, but they are not associated."
Apple said ads for the new Zeos systems will appear in various
trade publications in about two weeks. The systems are shipping
now.
(Jim Mallory/19931014/Press contact: Rick Apple, Zeos
International, 612-633-5877 ext 1096; Reader contact:
Zeos International, 612-633-5877 or 800-423-5891)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
GENERAL
Roundup: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00014)
Roundup: Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 10/15/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
received here this past week.
Computer Reseller News dated October 4 reports that Borland
International has been sued by its own insurance companies
because they fear the massive potential losses in the ongoing
copyright infringement case brought by Lotus Development.
Unix World for November looks at the choice between Pentium- and
RISC-based Unix servers, but while the author decides that either
platform is far superior to 486s he says the choice between the
two is both technical and emotional. The article does point out
that Pentium's major advantage over the 486 - fast coprocessor
speed - is largely irrelevant to file servers.
October's Software Magazine explores the uses of BLOBS (binary
large objects), which can be images, sound, text, or even video.
All major new database systems for IS (information systems)
departments either include BLOB support or have plans to build
in such support.
Network World for the week of October 4 reports that one way MCI
Communications stays ahead of its competitors is by streamlining
its batch-processing. IS efficiency lets this $12 billion company
implement entire new marketing schemes, such as "Friends and
Family," in only six weeks.
HighTech Marketing News for October carries a large feature on
why PR types can't crack TV news shows. The main conclusion is
that the PR pros don't understand the visual needs of television.
KRON-TV's (San Francisco, Calif.) Richard Hart says "software
companies have consistently made the worst pitches."
Informationweek for October 4 reports on lax security at large IS
departments and says that its study of IS departments shows that
20 percent of the surveyed group having 5,000 or more employees
have suffered a loss of $100,000 or more during the last two
years due to data security breaches.
November's Macworld evaluates 14 color flatbed scanners priced
less than $2,000 and finds them good. With street prices under
$1,000 for some scanners, Macworld says they "are on their
way to becoming mainstream Mac accessories."
(John McCormick/19931015)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/15/93
GOVT
****Two Arrested In Toronto Phone-Fraud Scheme
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00015)
****Two Arrested In Toronto Phone-Fraud Scheme 10/15/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Metropolitan
Toronto Police have arrested two people in a telephone scam that
involved computers with auto-dialers and 976 numbers.
Martin James Halcro and Zena Conery have been charged with
defrauding the public and fraud over $1,000.
According to the police, the accused ran a business from May 1992
until recently, under the name Info Bureau, which sold personal
computers equipped with auto-dialling equipment to a number of
individuals. At least 110 small investors paid about C$2,100 each
for the computers, which they were told would make calls to
people in their areas and encourage those people to call a 976
number for information on travel vouchers, financial
opportunities, and other discounted goods or services.
The 976 exchange is used for calls where the caller pays for
access to a message. In this case, each caller to the 976 numbers
was to be charged C$10 through his or her telephone bill.
Investors were told they would get C$6 of the charge from each
call their machines produced. They never received the money,
police said.
Investors were also offered the chance to pay C$595 for
"exclusive" sales territories, which police said were never made
exclusive.
Police spokesman Tom Rataj told Newsbytes he knew of a number
of schemes of this sort in the Toronto area, which "walk the fine
line between fraud and poor or shady business dealings."
The basic idea of selling or renting the equipment to make
automatic calls that solicit calls to a 976 number is legal, but
such schemes often mislead investors as to the returns or what
will be expected of them.
In this case, for instance, while investors were told their
computers were soliciting 976 calls that would bring them
revenues, Rataj said the machines in fact spent much of their
time soliciting more investors for the scheme.
However, the grey areas could be eliminated in the near future.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC), which regulates telecommunications in Canada, has made
public a proposal to ban auto-dialers for all purposes except
certain public-service uses and product recalls.
(Grant Buckler/19931015/Press Contact: Tom Rataj, Metropolitan
Toronto Police, 416-324-3010)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/15/93
GENERAL
Canada To Get National Gov't Computing Magazine
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00016)
Canada To Get National Gov't Computing Magazine 10/15/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Hum Magazine, a
two-year-old Ottawa publication, has announced plans to expand to
national circulation and go after the government computing market
nationwide.
Hum, which started life as a local computer magazine, has given
increasing prominence to the subtitle "The Government Computing
Magazine" on the covers of recent issues. With its November
issue, the publishers plan to start distributing the magazine
across Canada, although Ottawa, as the national capital, will
clearly still be a major market.
Publisher Lee Hunter said there will be no dramatic changes in
the magazine's editorial content as a result of the move. "We've
been very much evolving toward being a government computer
magazine for quite some time now," he said.
A few cosmetic changes will reduce the emphasis on Ottawa -- for
example, a section called Ottawa Innovations will become simply
Innovations. But Hunter said the issues the magazine covers will
remain much the same as in recent issues. There will be some
increased emphasis on provincial and local government concerns,
he said.
Hum reported qualified controlled circulation of 8,255 for its
May, 1993 issue. The publishers expect to increase that figure to
about 11,500 with national circulation, and said that number
represents the people with important influence on the buying of
computers for government in Canada.
(Grant Buckler/19931015/Press Contact: Lee Hunter, Hum
Communications, 613-237-0957)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/15/93
TELECOM
Micom Releases Voice Piggyback System
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
Micom Releases Voice Piggyback System 10/15/93
SIMI VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Micom
Communications Corp., has released Sprinter, a product that lets
companies put voice or fax calls onto the data links now
connecting their local area networks (LANs). The result, according
to the company, can be to eliminate office-to-office long-distance
toll-call charges, at a price of $1,450.
Sprinter can work with any data network, including IBM's
proprietary SNA (Systems Network Architecture) and AS/400 links,
the public X.25 protocol, and commercial bridges and routers. Voice
calls are sent as 56,000 bits-per-second (bps) or 64,000 bps data
calls, while faxes are multiplexed at 9,600 bps each.
Since many fast-data lines are leased by the month instead of
metered by the minute, the result is that voice or fax calls go
out without per-minute charges. The caveat, of course, is that
this is available only between offices that already have a data
connection for use of LANs.
Micom noted that if a remote bridge is already installed on a
corporate network, a company can simply add Sprinter to it.
Micom is a unit of publicly traded MB Communications Inc.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931015/Press Contact: Micom
Communications, Sharon Porter, 805-583-8600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/15/93
TELECOM
International Phone Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
International Phone Update 10/15/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Communications
stocks around the world got a big boost from the US
announcement of a pending merger between Bell Atlantic
and TCI.
British and Canadian stocks were especially favored with
rallies, although communications stocks also rose sharply in
Stockholm, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo. Singapore prices were
also helped by a domestic event, the float of about eight percent of
Singapore Telecom by the government. Many analysts began
marking-up the values of telecommunication shares, hoping that
the merger-mania between cable and telephone companies will
extend to their markets.
In the Philippines, stock in near-monopoly carrier PLDT rose
despite growing competition. Globe Telecom, which is backed by
Singapore Telecom, and International Communications Corp.,
backed by Telstra of Australia, said they would form an alliance to
build a digital switching systems linking telephone networks in
different parts of the country. The government of President Fidel
Ramos has encouraged competition to PLDT, which faces a huge
backlog of orders for service and has been the subject of
corruption charges. PLDT has also been active, announcing it will
switch US-bound calls to MCI of the US as well as AT&T. The
rise in PLDT shares was attributed to foreign buying -- the
shares are listed on the American Stock Exchange in the US.
Elsewhere, Ericsson of Sweden won a $40 million contract from
Malaysia's Mobikom cellular network to supply a system which is
both analog and digital. Digital services will be offered in
major cities, analog channels in the countryside. Frequencies and
standards are along the US model. Nationwide service for the
new system is due in 1995.
In Latin America, the state of Aragua said it may file suit
against AT&T of the US because one of its back-hoes, busy
installing a long distance link for the nation's CANTV phone
network, hit a natural gas pipeline which exploded. As many as 60
commuters may have been killed by the blast, but AT&T notes that
a local firm had been contracted for the work.
Also, Crowley Maritime bought a very small aperture terminal, or
VSAT, communications system from MCI, which will link its 40
offices to a central system in Maimi via the Intelsat VI
satellite, with services provided by Comsat, that consortium's
US affiliate. Also, SR Telecom of Canada won $2.4 million in
additions to a contract with TelMexi of Mexico, mainly for spare
parts on an existing rural telecommunications system.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931015)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/15/93
GENERAL
****Lotus Strategy Includes Skytel Paging, Client Upgrades
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00019)
****Lotus Strategy Includes Skytel Paging, Client Upgrades 10/15/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- In addition
to previously spelled out products and services, Lotus Development
Corp.'s new messaging strategy will include wireless connectivity
over the Skytel paging network for both cc:Mail and Notes,
Newsbytes has learned.
The strategy also calls for new client versions of cc:Mail,
including cc:Mail Windows Mobile 2.0, cc:Mail for Macintosh 2.1, an
upgrade to cc:Mail for DOS, and ports to new Unix platforms.
Lotus has demonstrated a Skytel gateway to Notes, Mark McHarry,
a company spokesperson, told Newsbytes. The gateway to Notes
is now in beta, and will ship by the end of the year, he said. "There
will absolutely be a Skytel gateway to cc:Mail, too, but we don't
have a delivery date on that yet," McHarry added.
The cc:Mail client is now available on Unix for Open Look only, but
versions are also planned for Motif, according to McHarry. A new
Open Look version for Solaris x86 is currently in beta, he said.
The cc:Mail client also resides in ROM, together with Lotus 1-2-3,
on the HP 100LX Palmtop. "We've certainly been talking with
(other) PDA (personal digital assistant) suppliers, but we don't
have any announcements to make," he told Newsbytes.
McHarry also confirmed reports that cc:Mail Windows 2.0, cc:Mail
for Macintosh 2.1, and an upgrade to cc:Mail for DOS, are now in the
works.
As announced recently at InterChange '93, Lotus' new messaging
strategy will revolve around the Lotus Communications Server
(LCS), along with two enhancements of the cc:Mail client -- the
new cc:Mail Post Office Edition and cc:Mail Client/Server
Edition -- and special editions of cc:Mail for use with other
vendors' messaging transports.
In a written statement, officials described LCS as a cross-platform,
multiprotocol messaging service that will be based on cc:Mail and
Notes technology, with the addition of SMTP/MIME and (1988) X.400
open systems transports and native X.500 directory support. The
company said that LCS will run on DOS as well as multitasking
operating systems such as OS/2, Unix, Windows NT, and Novell
NetWare.
On the client side, cc:Mail Post Office Edition, cc:Mail
Client/Server Edition, and Notes will share a common user
interface and set of services, according to the announcement.
The company also stated that cc:Mail will continue to run on
Windows, Macintosh, DOS, Unix, and PDAs, and that services for
cc:Mail and Notes will include support for dial-in servers using
standard protocols, synchronization of mobile and LAN messages,
and improved support for mobile security and mobile wireless
operation.
Further specifics on client platforms or wireless support were not
provided in the statement. Some reporters and analysts, however,
have been briefed on Lotus' messaging strategy.
In addition to elaborating on Lotus's plans for Skytel paging and
PDA and Unix clients, McHarry corroborated an account published
elsewhere earlier this week about upcoming Windows, Macintosh
and DOS clients, cc:Mail Post Office Edition, and cc:Mail
Client/Server.
According to the report, the new cc:Mail for Windows Mobile 2.0
will offer the functionality of cc:Mail 2.0, which shipped last
spring, along with wireless connectivity, filters for incoming
mail, and added security. The product will be released this
quarter.
The new Macintosh version will offer a spelling checker, improved
performance, and support for Apple Events, AppleScript, and the
Vendor-Independent Messaging interface for Macintosh. The
upgrade is due next year.
The next version of cc:Mail for DOS, also planned for release next
year, will feature tighter integration with Lotus 1-2-3 and the
forthcoming Lotus Organizer for DOS personal information manager,
plus a new user interface with character-based windows, mouse
support, pull-down menus, and an on-line help system. The DOS
upgrade will be delivered simultaneously for LAN (local area
network) and mobile use.
Also according to the report, cc:Mail Post Office Edition is based
on a post office, or message store, with hierarchical directories
and folders for better control over messaging and mail traffic.
The post office will use the LCS for DOS as its back end. Further,
the new cc:Mail Client/Server Edition will provide server-based
processing and "selective replication" for mobile users.
Analysts briefed on Lotus' strategy expressed enthusiasm to
Newsbytes about the vendor's comprehensive messaging approach.
"Lotus is continuing to come at the market from both sides, placing
an emphasis on both the client and the infrastructure. Now, with
the LCS, a much more powerful long-term infrastructure alternative
will be provided," David Whitten, an analyst at the Gartner Group,
told Newsbytes.
Some analysts, however, held a few reservations over how Lotus is
going to carry out the strategy, or whether the goals can be fully
achieved. "Lotus is saying they're going to do a lot -- solve the
current problems, become more open, be able to deal with other mail
systems better, become an X.400 backbone. The question is how well
they can deliver. But I think the commitment is definitely there,"
said David Marshak, an analyst at the Patricia Seybold Group.
Mike Osterman, manager of market research at Creative Network
Strategies, stated that Lotus has done a good job of delivering on
its promises in the past. Integrating cc:Mail and Notes is a
logical next step for the company to take, he added. "But one of
the things that is unknown at this point is whether people will
really want a Notes back end for cc:Mail mail services. It's
really too early to tell," he told Newsbytes.
Responded David Ferris, president of Ferris Networks: "What
Lotus has described is a substantial development effort. The
requirements they've defined are really quite right, but I think
they need to fill out the gaps and say how they're going to address
those requirements. It's going to be interesting to see how they
proceed to the details of implementation."
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931015/Press contact: Mark McHarry,
Lotus Development Corp., tel 415-335-6786)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/15/93
GENERAL
India - BPL Transfers Technology To Foreign Firms
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00020)
India - BPL Transfers Technology To Foreign Firms 10/15/93
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Bangalore-based BPL
Systems and Projects Ltd., is offering a technology transfer
deal to foreign companies for the manufacture of solid state
digital answering machines.
The two foreign companies involved are Taiwanese and will
be supplying devices to Analog Devices Inc., the US-based
supplier of mixed signal integrated circuits.
The answering machine is reported to be priced at $75 each.
BPL will receive a four to five percent royalty on the sale of
each machine. The device records speech directly on a
microchip and offers voice prompts and speech recognition
in any one pre-set language and an ability to integrate
networks for audio, video and data.
A novel feature is that of speech compression, which deletes
silent pauses that normally account for about 20 percent of
the speech time, but reintroduces them in the playback.
BPL is a leader in consumer electronics goods - from televisions
to electronic digital exchanges. The company also has a
collaborative relationship with the Japanese giant Sanyo.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19931015)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/15/93
TRENDS
Japanese Pen-ups Application Builder Debuts
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00021)
Japanese Pen-ups Application Builder Debuts 10/15/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Slate Japan, a subsidiary of
an Arizona-based software developer, says it will release the
Japanese version of the pen-computer application software
development tool, called "Pen-ups Application Builder" this
November.
The firm will get help from Tokyo-based Softbank concerning
distribution of the product in Japan.
Slate Japan says it has almost developed the Japanese version
of Pen-ups Application Builder. The program operates on Go's
pen-computer operating system, and is claimed to provide a
smooth operation just like using a regular pen and a piece of
paper. Also, the program is said to support a database feature.
Under the distribution deal with Softbank, the Japanese firm
has already sold the product to a number of pen-computer vendors,
such as Fujitsu, Mitsubishi, Hitachi, and Oki Electric through
Softbank's subsidiary Softbank Giken.
Also, Softbank has been requesting Japanese software makers to
develop application programs for pen-computers using the Pen-ups
Application Builder. It is reported that about 10 developers are
currently building such software.
Slate Japan released the Windows version of Japanese Pen-ups
Application Builder last September.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931013/Press Contact: Slate
Japan, +81-3-5642-8166)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
BUSINESS
Hong Kong - ITS To distribute Cisco Net Products
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00022)
Hong Kong - ITS To distribute Cisco Net Products 10/15/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- ITS Asia Pacific, one
of Asia's leading data communications system integration
companies, has been chosen by Cisco Systems to be a systems
integrator for the company's complete line of routers throughout
the Asia Pacific region.
Cisco's family of more than a dozen remote access routers range
from the Cisco CS 500, which delivers routing and telecommuting
services to small offices and individual users, to the Cisco 4000,
which is claimed to provide the modularity and performance
needed to address the requirements of the largest offices.
Cisco's broad product line is attractive, said Barry Bonnett,
managing director of ITS Asia Pacific. "The company offers
everything from full-featured modular devices with high
performance and expandability to specialized dial-up routers
that support asynchronous routing and telecomputing."
"Our relationship with ITS is an important part of our global
distribution strategy," said Bill Messer, regional director of Cisco
Systems (Hong Kong). "Our products, combined with ITS's
acknowledged strengths in providing integrated solutions to banks,
multinationals and airline networks, should prove to be a strong
relationship for years to come."
"Cisco products have been adopted as standards in the airline
industry," said Bonnett, "The company has already shipped in excess
of 80,000 routers to various customers around the world and we
are confident we'll be able to help them continue this strong
record of growth. Our global maintenance capability, including
complete turnkey solutions for LAN/WAN (local/wide area network)
applications, will allow us to provide Cisco users with a single
point of contact for both sales and service, particularly where
international communications are required."
All Cisco remote access routers are equipped with simple network
management protocol (SNMP) software and are able to participate
in an integrated network management strategy by providing
resource accountability, network performance monitoring and
tuning, fault detection and correction, and configuration
management, said the company.
SNMP also allows communication between remote agents running
in the routers and centrally located management stations. From
these management stations, managers can ascertain the status
of remote devices and networks, fix problems, determine
configurations, and tune performance.
Current Hong Kong customers include Chase Manhattan Bank,
Citibank, Hewlett-Packard, Hong Kong Polytechnic, Hongkong
Telecom and Motorola.
(Keith Cameron/19931015/Press Contact: Wayne Merrick,
852-831-0506, ITS)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/15/93
GENERAL
Tool For Developing Apps With Multiple Databases
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00023)
Tool For Developing Apps With Multiple Databases 10/15/93
NORTH SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) --
Unify Corp., has announced Vision, an object-oriented tool designed
for point-and-click development of client-server applications
using the Unify, Oracle, Sybase, Informix, and Ingres databases.
Vision offers simultaneous access to multiple databases and also
allows heterogeneous database joins within a single application,
according to the company.
The product is unlike most other database-independent development
tools, which access multiple databases with a minimal common set
of structured query language (SQL) statements that ignore the
specific features of each database, officials claimed.
Instead, Vision is fully SQL-compliant, and also has intelligence
for each database built-in, the company said. Access to the
intelligence comes through SmartView, an graphical environment
that is intended to automatically exploit the specific functionality
of each target database.
SmartView also automates forms design, pre-forms and post-forms
processing, and graphical user interface programming and debugging,
Unify asserted. As users proceed to build applications, they are
prompted to set preferences, create icons, and customize the
application to the company's business requirements.
Vision is built on an object-based architecture aimed at allowing
reuse of components without additional programming, the company
maintained. Components can also be shared among multiple
programmers.
Beta versions of Vision are available now for PCs running Microsoft
Windows and Sun SparcStations and SparcServers, HP 9000, and
RS/6000 workstations running Unix and Motif or Open Look.
Production versions for these platforms are slated for November.
The company said that support for Windows NT and Macintosh
System 7 will follow. Pricing starts at $1,459.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931015/Press contacts: Mary Camarata,
Unify Corp., 916-928-6321; Stacy Pena or Susan Thomas,
Thomas Associates, 415-325-6236)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/15/93
GENERAL
Australia - New Computer TV Show
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00024)
Australia - New Computer TV Show 10/15/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Australian PC Week
Editor Geoff Ebbs is giving up his choice job to try his hand at
television. The SBS network is buying a new computer show, called
"The Big Byte," and Ebbs will become its story producer.
"I'm excited by the new opportunity, though naturally I'm
disappointed to be leaving PC Week, Australia's best computer
publication." Ebbs told Newsbytes. The show has already been sold
to New Zealand TV and Star satellite TV which is beamed
throughout Asiafrom Hong Kong.
Production will start later this year and the first show will air in
the second quarter of 1994. Ebbs is set to leave PC Week by the
end of 1993.
The show is aimed at educating home and small business computer
and office technology users. Ebbs told Newsbytes that he was
unsure if he would face the cameras or not. "I still have to
convince the producers." he said.
SBS or Special Broadcasting Service is the fifth of five Australian
TV networks. It is a government-funded public broadcasting system
with a high proportion of non-English programming, together with
high quality education and news programming which would not
necessarily fit into the programming of other networks.
While SBS has no advertising, unlike the other public broadcaster,
the ABC, it does have sponsors who get to play a "message" at the
beginning and end of programs. SBS is available only on UHF bands
throughout the country and only has a small market share (less
than five percent).
(Paul Zucker/19931015)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/15/93
BUSINESS
Texas Instruments Reports Record 3Qtr
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00025)
Texas Instruments Reports Record 3Qtr 10/15/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Texas Instruments (TI)
has reported a record third quarter for 1993, with earnings-per-
share nearly tripling over the same period last year.
TI reported revenue of $2.16 billion for the period and net
income of $146 million. For the 1992 same period net revenue was
$1.89 billion, while net income was $57 million. Earnings per
share were $1.54, up from $0.58 for the same quarter last year.
TI spokesperson Buddy Price told Newsbytes that although defense-
related electronics orders were down from the third quarter of
192, semiconductor orders and shipments reached record levels due
to strength in end equipment markets, particularly computers and
telecommunications. Semiconductor margins were also stronger
than in the second quarter, the sixth consecutive quarter of
improvement.
Price said TI is accelerating its investment in research and
development (R&D), allocating $570 million for R&D in 1993,
up about $100 million over last year.
The third quarter results reflect an accrual of $26 million for
employee profit-sharing plans, bringing the total for the year to
$52 million. Year to date profit after tax return on assets was
7.6 percent, compared with four percent for the full year of
1992. The company says it has set a goal of after-tax return on
assets of eight to 10 percent.
In a letter to TI shareholders, Chairman, President and CEO Jerry
Junkins said semiconductor orders and shipments were better than
the typical seasonal pattern. "TI semiconductor revenues grew
faster than the total market, supported by increased shipments of
linear mixed-signal and advanced bus interface products, memory
and application-specific products," Junkins told stockholders.
He also said the company continues to ramp up its joint wafer
fabrication venture with the Singapore Economic Development
Board, Canon, and Hewlett Packard. "This facility is ramping up
production of super-shrink 4-megabit dynamic RAM chips and is
scheduled to begin producing 16-megabit DRAMs in 1994."
The company also announced construction of a new TI
semiconductor wafer fab plant in Dallas in the second quarter
which will produce circuits on eight-inch wafers.
(Jim Mallory/19931015/Press contact: Buddy Price, TI,
214-995-2355)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/15/93
APPLE
****Apple's Sculley Out, Revenue Up/Earns Down
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00026)
****Apple's Sculley Out, Revenue Up/Earns Down 10/15/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Apple
reported that while it has enjoyed the highest quarterly sales
level ever, its net profit is less than three percent of the
year-ago figures. In addition, John Sculley, who stepped down as
chief executive officer (CEO) this summer, has now resigned his
post as chairman of Apple's board of directors and is no longer
employed by Apple, effective today.
There have been accusations that some of the executives that
have left Apple were forced out, due to the company's sagging
bottom line. Apple announced recently that Apple USA division
manager, Robert Puette would resign effective today as well.
Apple denies the allegations, claiming the resignations
of key officers were just part of the restructuring process.
However, Albert Einstat, former executive vice president and
member of the board of directors who resigned last month filed
suit against Apple charging he and Sculley were forced out by
the new CEO Michael Spindler.
Sculley, former CEO of Pepsi before his ten-year tenure at
Apple Computer, has been looking at various CEO positions since
before the company's restructuring announcement in June.
He told interviewers he was considered by the CEO search
committee engaged by IBM earlier this year and reports are that
he is in the running for the CEO position at Kodak.
Kodak representatives will neither confirm nor deny Sculley is
being considered for the CEO slot, but in September Kodak retailers,
led by Mich Goldstone, owner of privately held 30-Minute Photos
in Irvine, California, began petitioning the company's CEO search
firm to hire Sculley. Kodak officials told Newsbytes the company's
board of directors has postponed their decision once, but has
promised to announce the new CEO by the end of the year.
Meanwhile, Apple is changing direction. Michael Spindler said
regarding today's earnings statement: "We have challenges ahead
of us, but I believe we are beginning to turn the corner."
Apple has been cutting prices all year on its Macintosh product
line and unit shipments of the Macintosh line are up 36 percent
compared to a year earlier. The new Workgroup server line is
strong as well. Revenue for the fourth quarter was $2.14
billion, up 21 percent from the same quarter last year. But net
income was $2.7 million down from $97.6 million for the same
quarter a year ago. International revenues were up 22 percent
compared to last year, accounting for 41 percent of the
company's total revenues.
Executive vice president of the company's personal computer
division, Ian Diery, said recently that Apple is intent on building
the market for multimedia software, even if it has to sell
products without a profit to do so. Diery said Apple has invested
over $100 million to jumpstart the multimedia industry, including
selling compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives for both
Macintosh and DOS computers at its cost. The company's gross
margins were down to 25.7 percent of sales this quarter, down
from 42.7 percent of sales in 1993.
Apple again pointed at the whopping 50,000 Newton Messagepads
and the 1,500 Newton developer kits being sold worldwide.
However, investors have expressed concern that margins on the
Newton are too small. This appears to be another case of
investment to build a market base on the part of Apple.
The company appears to be shifting its business plan to earning
profits from its software and not its computer hardware
products. Apple reported that Claris, its wholly owned
applications software subsidiary grew 48 percent compared to
its fourth quarter a year ago with software products for both
the Macintosh and Windows. Taking a hint from Claris, Apple
has announced a new CD of applications software which
allows a look-see at the software but requires a telephone call
to Apple and a credit card to unlock a particular application.
The applications software on the CD is from a variety of
developers, some of whom have complained their profit margins
are too small. However, Apple representatives told Newsbytes no
one has turned down the chance to offer their products on the
first CD. The CDs are free to users and over 80 applications
populate the first disc for distribution. A Microsoft Windows
applications CD has also been announced for delivery in early
1994, Apple said. Apple was going to announce a deal with
Citibank in New York last week, which the company would neither
confirm or deny was an announcement of an Apple/Citibank credit
card, but Citibank backed out at the last minute.
For the year, Apple's revenues were $7.98 billion, an increase
of 13 percent, despite the $321 million before taxes
restructuring charge in the third quarter that drove that
quarter into the red $188.3 million. Net income for 1993 was
$86.6 million compared to $530 million in 1992. Spindler
credits much of the black ink to Apple's cost cutting measures
in the fourth quarter which saved the company $80 million.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931015/Press Contact: Christopher Escher,
Apple Computer, tel 408-974-2042, fax 408-974-5470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/15/93
IBM
IBM Begins PC Production In Russia
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00027)
IBM Begins PC Production In Russia 10/15/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- IBM has announced that PC
production has begun at its Kvant factory at the Nauchny Center
near Moscow.
The starting of the production line, which officially began
rolling on October 7, is the culmination of a two years joint
project between IBM UK, several Russian partners, and IBM's
Russian subsidiary.
The bulk of the staff working at the Kvant factory have been
trained at IBM's production facility at Greenock in Scotland,
Newsbytes understands.
The Nauchny Center is a science park on the outskirts of
Moscow, which as been open for the past few years. IBM was
one of the first companies to commit to the park, which is
designed to attract foreign investment and capital into Russia.
The irony of the situation has not escaped Newsbytes. Just five
years ago, when IBM was busy building flagship 386-based PCs
around the world, Big Blue's executives got very upset when PC
clone manufacturers in the former USSR, unable to find the funds
to license Western technology, began cloning IBM's 8086-based
machines without a license.
Despite IBM's annoyance, the local production of PCs is Russia seems
to have spawned a new generation of PC users who, as they became
aware of the "power" machines available in the West, took steps to
ensure that such technology was imported into Russia. This strategy
has led to the opening of IBM's Kvant factory last week.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931015/Press & Public Contact: IBM UK - Tel:
+44-475-892000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/15/93
BUSINESS
Dell Shuts Italian/Finnish Operations
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00028)
Dell Shuts Italian/Finnish Operations 10/15/93
ROME, ITALY, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Citing the effects of the
recession sweeping Europe, plus extraordinary financial pressures
in Italy, Dell Computer Corp., has shut down its Italian and Finnish
operations.
According to Philippe d'Argent, Dell's vice president in charge of
European operations, the Italian operation, which employed 30 staff,
has been closed due the effect of creditors stretching payment
terms to 190 days, as is the norm in Italy. "Italy will be covered
from now on from our telemarketing center in Montpelier
(France)," he said.
No specific reason has been given for the closure of the Finnish
operation, which has been open for almost two years. D'Argent said
that Finland will now be covered from the company's Swedish
operations.
Other European country operations are not spared the knife either.
Dell Germany, which has 150 staff on the payroll, will shed around
30 employees in the coming months, d'Argent said.
All is not doom and gloom with Dell's European operations, however,
as Dell France has reported that sales are booming in that country.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931015/Press & Public Contact: Dell Computer
Corp. (Sweden), Tel: +46-8-5907-1350)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/15/93
BUSINESS
Philips Declares Italian Job Creation Project A Success
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00029)
Philips Declares Italian Job Creation Project A Success 10/15/93
ALPIGNANO, TURIN, ITALY, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Philips, the Dutch
electronics group, claims that its job creation project at
Alpignano, a city in the Turin Province of Italy, is a great
success.
The result of the project, which has been under way for about year,
has been the re-employment of around 190 of the 380-odd staff
who worked at the company's lamps and component manufacturing
facility at an industrial park in the area. Philips says that around
100 staff have been retained on the payroll, working in a new
tubular lamp factory on the site.
The industrial park, set up as a joint project between Philips and
the Dutch industrial redevelopment consortium, and run by a joint
venture company - Alpignano Development Corporation (ADC) - has
already seen 89 new jobs created with the opening of mini-
production lines operated by Farg-Seram-UTM, Frime and Osaf -
all Italian companies.
To encourage more companies to set up operations on the industrial
park, ADC is offering tax and rental breaks, including a three year
rent-free tenancy and staff training. Part of the deal also offers
up to 50 million lire for every ex-Philips employee taken on. In the
longer term, ADC officials claim that as many as 500 new jobs
will be created at the park.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931015/Press & Public Contact: Philips -
Tel: +31-40-791111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/15/93
BUSINESS
First Computer Superstore Opens In Germany
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00030)
First Computer Superstore Opens In Germany 10/15/93
DORTMUND, GERMANY, 1993 OCT 15 (NB) -- Computer Company,
the Dutch computer group, has opened up Germany's first PC
Superstore, in Dortmund.
According to the company, the Dortmund store is an experiment in
computer stores which, if successful, could see other stores open
up across Germany. The floor space of the store is around 2,000
square meters.
Computer Company has distribution deals with Compaq, Hewlett-
Packard, IBM, and Toshiba, set up for the new store, which is
modeled after the US superstores such as Frys, Newsbytes notes.
Computer Company was set up as a computer hardware and
software discount "cash-and-carry" operation in the Netherlands
in the late 1980s. In 1989, the company was acquired by Reiss
en Co., a Dutch investment group, which has been opening
superstores steadily since then, Newsbytes understands. Today,
the group has six computer superstores in Belgium and the
Netherlands.
According to Jos Houben, chairman of the German operation,
around 3,000 product lines are being carried by the store. The
bulk of those are branded products, which he claims will appeal
to a target group of computer professionals.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931015)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
TRENDS
****RAM Prices Falling
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00001)
****RAM Prices Falling 10/14/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Everyone
who tracks random access memory (RAM) prices knows about the
July 4 weekend explosion at the Sumitomo Chemical plant in
Japan where a whopping 60 percent of the world's high-quality
epoxy resin is made. But the good news is Sumitomo has
announced it is coming back on-line in December.
Epoxy resin may seem far removed from RAM chips, but the
substance is critical to about 80 percent of the computer chips
made today. Alvin Despain, Ph.D., an expert on computer
architecture at the University of Southern California, told
Newsbytes the resin protects the surface of the integrated
circuit (IC), has some thermal properties that help get heat
out, and is the "glue" to hold down the silicon in the chips.
But the bottom line for computer users is after the explosion
was made public, RAM prices shot through the roof. Single
in-line memory modules (SIMMs) climbed as high as $90 a megabyte
(MB) from earlier levels of around $30 a MB. Other IC-composed
products were affected as well, but the RAM prices were the
most visible evidence that something indeed had happened.
Angela Newlove of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)
said there was speculation that the Sumitoma crisis would cause
higher ordering of chips and components from semiconductor
manufacturers by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) driven
by fear of a coming shortage. That appears to be exactly what
happened. But now that Sumitoma has announced it expects to
begin production again, the over-ordering has slackened.
This is Newlove's explanation for the lower book-to-bill ratio
of 1.01 reported by the SIA for September, after several months
of unseasonably high numbers in the summer months. The book-to-
bill is a three-month moving average calculated by the SIA
based on numbers supplied to it by the world's leading
semiconductor manufacturers. A book-to-bill of 1.01 means for
every $100 worth of products shipped (or billed), $101 worth
of products were ordered (or booked).
But high RAM prices could be viewed as bad for the PC
industry as memory-hungry applications continue to proliferate.
For consumers, then, the news that Sumitoma is coming back
on-line is very good news. The effect of the Sumitoma
announcement is already having an effect, as Newsbytes has
discovered prices have already dropped at major PC chains to
less than $70 a MB. Newlove said she expects that trend to
continue and RAM prices to return to pre-crisis levels.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931014/Press Contact: Angela Newlove, SIA,
tel 408-246-2711, fax 408-246-2830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
IBM
Media Vision MM Movie, Kids, and Daily Planner CDs
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00002)
Media Vision MM Movie, Kids, and Daily Planner CDs 10/14/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Multimedia
hardware manufacturer Media Vision has made good on its promise
to expand into software with ten new multimedia compact disc
read-only (CD-ROM) titles promised to be out in time for
Christmas holiday shopping. The titles fall into three
categories: interactive motion pictures, children's educational
and "edutainment," and a new category Media Vision calls the
multimedia daily planner.
Greg Roach of Hyperbole, who introduced his "virtual cinema"
concept at the announcement of Media Vision's new multimedia
software publishing division at the Digital World show in
Beverly Hills this summer, is introducing his first title,
"Quantum Gate: No One Dreams Here." The title is described as
an interactive science-fiction story-world. Another motion
picture, "Critical Path," is heralded to be the first
interactive action adventure CD-ROM to combine motion picture,
video game, and computer-generated animation elements in a
single user interface, the company said.
Five new children's titles include "The Growing Garden," a
fantasy gardening adventure; "Peak Performance," an interactive
adventure combining trivia questions, video footage, and a road
race across the US; and three early learning titles "Always
Arthur," "Who Wants Arthur?, and "Buster's First Thunderstorm,"
all part of the "Professor Gooseberry's I Can Read Club"
series.
The computerized multimedia daily planner CD-ROM titles are
part of the Personal Daily Planit series and features 430
images that relate to a theme for each title. In addition, each
title offers video footage, voice recognition, voice
annotation, and sound. The first three in the series are:
Planit Earth with professionally photographed wildlife images;
Planit Paradise, the swimsuit title; and Planit Adrenaline with
a variety of action sports scenes.
Most of the 10 new titles offer both software for the
Multimedia Personal Computer (MPC) and the Macintosh on each
disc, Media Vision said. The interactive movie titles are
retail priced at $79.95, the Personal Daily Planit titles are
$59.95, and the other titles are priced at $49.95 each.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931013/Press Contact: Michael Terpin, The
Terpin Group for Media Vision, tel 310-798-7875, fax 310-798-
7825)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
IBM
CIC Handwriter For Windows Mouse-Replacement Tablet
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00003)
CIC Handwriter For Windows Mouse-Replacement Tablet 10/14/93
REDWOOD SHORES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- If you
think you might be more comfortable with a pen than a mouse,
Communication Intelligence Corporation (CIC) has a product for
you. The company is introducing Handwriter for Windows, a pen
input system that includes an electronic pen, an ultra-thin
graphics tablet the size of a mouse pad, and its Handwriting
for Windows software.
CIC claims using a pen is a lot more natural and intuitive as
well as offers the added advantage of less additional
training and less risk for carpel tunnel syndrome. The software
is compatible with standard, off-the-shelf Windows
applications, including Excel, Lotus, Word for Windows, Corel
Draw, and Pagemaker.
Company representatives say CIC's Handwriting recognition
software is rated higher than the Apple Newton Messagepad's
recognition. The software has twice won the Boston University
and Pen Magazine award for "Best Recognizer." However, users
don't need to abandon their keyboards as the tablet connects
via a serial port and does not inhibit keyboard input. Also,
while the tablet doesn't have to replace a mouse, space
problems may cause users to make a commitment to either the
tablet or the mouse.
Editing of text is one of the applications CIC boasts the
tablet is especially good for, as the gestures for editing can
be recognized and implemented by the software. Other activities
include pointing, annotating text, selecting, dragging,
drawing, and navigating through menus. Custom gestures macro
commands may also be created and even used across applications.
The company says Handwriter for Windows requires Microsoft
Windows on a personal computer (PC) with at least 4
megabytes (MB) of random access memory (RAM) and 3 MB of hard
disk space. The product will be available in November and is
retail priced at $399. However, CIC says it will offer the
bundle to users directly via a toll-free order line for $199
until December 31, 1993. A Macintosh version of Handwriter for
the Macintosh is expected in December, company representatives
added.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931013/Press Contact: Stacey Wueste,
Alexander Communications for CIC, tel 415-923-1660, fax 415-
923-9863; CIC order line 800-888-9242)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
TELECOM
UK - Tricom Office Server
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00004)
UK - Tricom Office Server 10/14/93
HIGH WYCOMBE, BUCKS, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Tricom has
announced the Office Server 500 series, a range of multiplexers that
it claims are unique in being able to call up integrated service
data network (ISDN) capacity when need to handle peak time traffic
from local area networks (LANs), voice, and data systems.
The system, which is produced at Tricom's own manufacturing center
in Swindon, claims to slash the cost of inter-office communications
by maximizing the efficient use of telecom capacity and eliminating
the need for extra lines to cope with peak time traffic.
Office Server uses cell relay technology with high performance data
and voice compression systems to provide complete flexibility --
either enhanced speed or greater connectivity. Tricom claims that
this multiplexer is the only one of its kind that supports data,
voice, fax, LAN bridge and LAN terminal traffic to share circuit
bandwidth.
Cell relay is a technique by which inter-multiplexer bandwidth is
divided into fixed, short cells of information. Each cell may
contain information from almost any source.
By automatic prioritization -- which Tricom claims is essential to
avoid problems with voice and LAN traffic -- the Office Server
multiplexes all information over a single composite link and
reconstructs that information at the distant end of the link.
Pricing on the Office Server depends greatly on the configuration
required. Tricom estimates that typical users can save as much as
UKP 5,000 in communications costs, since the server is capable
of delivering up to a 50 percent call cost saving on interoffice
communications. Based on this, Tricom claims that the average
payback for an Office Server installation is just 12 months.
Mike Hafferty, Tricom's chief executive, said that the unit is a
world class product with huge potential market. "It's using
technology to make the most efficient use of line capacity and to
bring down the cost of corporate communications," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931013/Press & Public Contact: Tricom Communications -
Tel: +44-494-480245)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
IBM
UK - IBM PC Center Opens In Harrods
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00005)
UK - IBM PC Center Opens In Harrods 10/14/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- The IBM PC Company has opened
its second IBM PC Center in a store, though not just any store --
Harrods, arguably the most exclusive store in the UK. The store is
being run as a join operation by IBM and First Stop Computer
Supplies.
The idea behind the scheme is to assess the viability of a UK
network of "shops within a shop," according to Steve Rowley, the IBM
PC Company's manager for the UK, who said that the Harrods unit
follows the opening of the IBM center on the Office World
superstore in Slough, in July of this year.
Rowley said that the siting in the Knightsbridge store was a
deliberate attempt to widen the customer base as much as possible
during the trial period of the scheme.
"I am very pleased to be able to work in partnership with Harrods in
this new venture. It brings together two names endowed with the
finest reputations for quality and service," he said.
Rowley added that the company is enjoying a considerable success
with the first PC Center in the Slough Office World superstore and
is sure that this success will be maintained -- if not surpassed --
by the success of the PC Center in Harrods.
Richard Thompson, chairman of First Stop is equally pleased with the
opening of the Harrods store, which he claims attracts a "different"
type of customer from other PC stores. He claims that one customer
has already asked to buy the most expensive notebook in the shop,
without looking at any of the machines or discussing their
specifications. "That kind of thing is something we'll have to used
to," he said.
(Steve Gold/1993012/Press & Public Contact: IBM UK - Tel: +44-705-
561000; Fax: +44-705-385081)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
GENERAL
India - Progress 4GL/RDBMS Distributor
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00006)
India - Progress 4GL/RDBMS Distributor 10/14/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- The RDBMS race in India is
joined by Progress 4GL/RDBMS, now available here through JK
Technosoft, Delhi.
The product enables the building of mission-critical applications
for client/server, host terminal, or mixed-mode environments
using a single integrated tool set. Applications produced using
the Progress Application Development are scalable, portable and
reconfigurable across a wide range of computing environments
without additional development effort.
The Progress Application Development Environment (ADE) is based on
complete fourth-generation language and has an extensive data
dictionary. In addition, a set of graphical tools are
available for designing, building, deploying and maintaining
portable graphical and character-based applications. All
the Progress ADE tools, as well as the Progress 4GL use dictionary
defaults automatically when building new application components.
These defaults in the dictionary reduce the amount of work needed
to create a new form, report, or procedure.
The Progress ADE provides support for CASE tool users too. One can
complete application design using such tools and automatically
generate the Progress Data Dictionary definitions and defaults.
Also, Progress CASE Bridges provide a two-way exchange of
information.
Apart from using Progress RDBMS for development of its own projects,
JK Technosoft plans to sell the package to multinationals who have
applications standardized around this platform abroad. The company
has already installed 40 Progress 4GL/RDBMS in India. Among them are
Brooke Bond India Ltd., Hindustan Lever Ltd., Boots Pharmaceuticals,
Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce of Industry (for BISNET)
and Defence Research and Development Laboratory.
The company has appointed Bitech in Madras as value-added reseller
and plans to open offices in Bombay, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and
Calcutta shortly. Plans are also afoot to sell Progress through
OEM arrangement.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931014)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
GENERAL
Hongkong - HDS Fiber Optics Conversion For Mainframes
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00007)
Hongkong - HDS Fiber Optics Conversion For Mainframes 10/14/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Hitachi Data Systems (HDS) has
introduced Technical Assistance Program/Fiber Optics Service, a
modular program to help customers migrating to an environment based
on the ESCON fiber optics architecture.
Comprising a combination of technology, products, and services,
ESCON fiber optics replace the older "bus and tag" copper
cable connection system. The new architecture provides greater
connection flexibility, extended connection distances -- up to
60 km, compared with copper's 400 ft -- greater availability of
systems and data, growth with a minimum of disruption, and
improved interconnectivity to other networks, Hitachi says.
"TAP/Fibre Optics Service gives customers everything they
need to move to a fiber-based environment," said Geoff Kennedy,
HDS's Hong Kong manager.
TAP/Fibre Optics Service uses a modular approach that enables
customers to choose as much, or as little, decision and
implementation support as they want. Using a variety of media
including workbooks, user guides and PC-based software tools
developed specially to support the individual activities, HDS
service professionals work with customers to help them first
evaluate their needs, then implement the new technology,
according to the company.
(Keith Cameron 19931006/Press Contact: Geoff Kennedy, HDS,
852 - 521 6275)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
UNIX
Amdahl, Sun Microsytems To Work Together In China
(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00008)
Amdahl, Sun Microsytems To Work Together In China 10/14/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Amdahl Corporation and Sun
Microsystems have formed an alliance which will extend Solaris
scalability across the enterprise from laptop to mainframe and
allow both companies to significantly broaden their customer base.
The comprehensive set of agreements, covering operating systems
software, servers, and customer service are designed to bring
together Amdahl's 20 years of experience in commercial data center
environments and Sun's networking and open client-server computing.
Daniel Yu, managing director of Sun Microsystems Hong Kong, says,
"The beneficiaries of this alliance will be our customers. These
agreements combine the value of 8,000 applications written
for the Solaris operating environment with the industrial-strength
operating environment which has been Amdahl's core business for
years."
John Wholley, Amdahl's manager for Hong Kong and China, believes
the sharing of technologies and strategies will position both
companies as major providers of mid-range and large-scale servers
for commercial applications in both Hong Kong and China.
Amdahl and Sun will jointly develop and produce extensions to the
Solaris Enterprise Server product to build an environment specially
targetted at the needs of the high-end commercial server market.
Technology developed for Amdahl's UTS system -- a commercial Unix
operating system for mission-critical mainframe applications --
will be incorporated into Sun's Solaris software environment to
enhance the availability, scalability, reliability, security, and
serviceability of large-scale servers.
The two companies will also collaborate on multiprocessor performance
for high-end scalable multiprocessor applications and on unbundled
software which provides additional value-added, mission-critical
features essential for commercial applications. These products
include security, enterprise systems, on-line information management,
and applications for distributed system management.
Initial products developed under this agreement are scheduled to be
available in the second quarter of 1994 and will be marketed by
both companies.
Amdahl will sell Sun's SPARCcenter 2000 and SPARCserver 1000
systems. The SPARCcenter 2000 is capable of 2- to 20-way
multiprocessing. It is Sun's most powerful server and is designed
to meet the requirements of enterprise customers. The SPARCcenter
2000 provides industry-leading performance in NFS file serving --
the LADDIS benchmark -- computational performance -- the SPECrate
benchmark -- and multi-user throughput -- the AIM III benchmark.
The SPARCserver 1000 is capable of up to 8-way multiprocessing and
is the industry's leader in database price/performance among all
other servers, including PC-class systems. An 8-CPU system running
Oracle7 Cooperative server delivered 400.47 transactions per second
(tpsA) and price/performance of US$5,068 per tpsA, the best in
the industry, the companies report.
Amdahl will begin marketing and delivering the SPARCserver product
immediately.
Amdahl currently has resident support personnel, those engineers
will provide on-site services. Sun personnel will provide auxiliary
on-site and backup support where appropriate.
Amdahl and Sun intend to offer a wide range of consulting and
professional services, to assist customers with enterprise-wide
planning, installation, migration, education and management tasks.
(Keith Cameron/19931006/Press Contact: Mary Theis, Sun, 852 - 802 4188
John Wholley, Amdahl, 852 - 868 2689)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Expanding Video Game Firms
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00009)
Japan - Expanding Video Game Firms 10/14/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- In the US, Japan's
game software makers Namco and Capcom are hardly household words,
but inside Japan they are growing more recognizable each day,
announcing more positive news than Nintendo. Namco has just
announced that it will create amusement parks in Southeast
Asia. Capcom is planning to hire more engineers.
Namco, producer of arcade game machines and software, recently
launched its own arcade game machine facilities in Tokyo
supermarkets. These facilities are hosting by employees
wearing space costumes who speak into their own small microphones.
Namco is now planning to set up similar arcade game facilities in
Southeast Asia including China, and eventually to expand to the
US and Europe.
Meanwhile, major game software firm Capcom is planning
to hire about 850 software engineers within the next three years.
The firm develops software for Nintendo's game machine, the Super
Famicom and Sega's Mega Drive. The engineers will be enlisted to
write for these companies' next generation of devices --
Nintendo is planning a 64-bit game machine and Sega is
planning a 32-bit game console.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931012/Press Contact: Namco, +81-3-
3756-2311, Capcom, +81-3-3340-0700, Fax, +81-3-3340-0703)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
IBM
Japan - Ichitaro Windows Debuts In December
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00010)
Japan - Ichitaro Windows Debuts In December 10/14/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- The long-awaited Windows version of
best-selling Japanese word processor Ichitaro will finally debut
in December. It will sell for 58,000 yen ($580), which is
about $100 less than the MS-DOS version.
The Windows version of Ichitaro is called Ichitaro Ver.5,
Release 1 for Windows. It supports pull-down menus as
well as the ESC key menu. The program also supports line drawing
features as well as macros and various outline fonts. It does
not support layout or graphic features.
Ichitaro creator Just System will provide an upgrade service
for current Ichitaro users including those who own Ichitaro Dash and
MS-DOS Ichitaro. The upgrade will be between 15,000 yen and 28,000 yen
depending on the versions. Free upgrades will be offered to
MS-DOS ver.5 users who purchased the program after October 1.
Some 1.6 million units of the program have been sold in the product's
history, representing the highest sales for any application in Japan
to date, according to figures provided by the company.
The release of this Windows version was late due to programming
snags, leading many users to purchase the MS-DOS version of
Ichitaro 5.0, which runs using Just System's own windowing
program. Just System expects to ship 300,000 copies of its
Windows version of Ichitaro for the first year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931013/Press Contact: Just System,
+81-886-55-2326, +81-3-3264-8867)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
IBM
Wordperfect Developer Integration Tools
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00011)
Wordperfect Developer Integration Tools 10/14/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- In conjunction with its
third party development program, Working With Wordperfect, the
Utah company has introduced five developer integration tools.
The new tools are the Wordperfect Macro Language, the Open
Interface APIs (application programming interfaces), Third-Party
Office API, Writing Tools API, and support for industry standards
such as TWAIN and OLE (object linking and embedding). The company
is also inaugurating a designated developer support team.
Wordperfect Senior VP of Development Dave Moon says developers
need access to quality tools and strong APIs to achieve tight and
timely integration. "Technology is advancing rapidly in the
industry and applications can no longer operate on an island;
developers must work together to maintain their competitive
edge."
The macro language is common across all Wordperfect Windows-based
products, allowing developers to write macros that can run in any
of the company's macro-enabled Windows products. Macros can also
be used to launch other third-party applications by calling a
third-party dynamic link library (DLL). Wordperfect's macro
language also supports communication with dynamic data exchange
(DDE) servers.
The Open Interface API (OIAPI) provides a means for third party
DLLs and macros to communicate with, enhance or modify the
functionality of Wordperfect applications and allows developers
to tie macros into an application. WPCorp says integration using
the OIAPI has some advantages over macros integration, including
speed and the inability of the user to accidentally terminate the
integration.
Writing Tools API allows developers to write products that
directly manipulate text in Wordperfect. Internally the company
uses the writing tools to integrate Speller, Thesaurus, and
Grammar checker with Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows. Products that
use the interface will be able to request blocks of text from a
Wordperfect document, manipulate the text, then return it to the
document. Text format and position in the document is retained.
The Third-Party Office API is a universal gateway for
communication with non-Wordperfect messaging systems or any
application through a text file containing various keywords.
Support for TWAIN, already in Wordperfect 6.0, allows documents
and images to be scanned into Wordperfect.
Software developer kits are available to assist programmers in
writing add-on products or integrating existing applications with
Wordperfect software. The kits contain documentation on
Wordperfect interfaces, sample code, sample macros, and DLLs.
Kits with information on Wordperfect 5.1 and 5.2 for DOS, Windows
and Unix are currently available. Kits for Wordperfect 6.0 for
DOS, Windows, Unix and OS/2 are under development and are
expected to be available beginning this month.
(Jim Mallory/19931013/Press contact: Deborah Hendrickson,
Wordperfect Corporation, 801-228-5022; Reader contact: WPCorp,
801-228-5000, fax 801-228-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
BUSINESS
World's Largest Consumer Electronics Store Opens
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00012)
World's Largest Consumer Electronics Store Opens 10/14/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Tandy Corporation has
opened what it calls "the largest consumer electronics store in
the world."
The 185,000 square-foot Incredible Universe store occupies more
than four acres adjacent to Interstate 635 in Dallas and will
display nearly 85,000 items including computers, software,
household appliances, cameras, and accessories.
A store within the store, called Incredible Innovations, will
display the newest electronic products and technology, and a
12,000-square-foot movie and music store will sell more than
70,000 movie and music titles.
Incredible Universe customers - the company calls them guests -
can choose from 342 models of television sets, 72 video cassette
recorders, 60 camcorders, 314 varieties of home audio equipment,
700 personal and 400 mobile electronic product, 579 major
household appliances, and a full line of computer equipment.
There is even an in-house financial service center that can
process instant credit applications, a supervised children's play
area with electronic toys and games, a computer-equipped kitchen
design center, and a restaurant. A disk jockey entertains the
guests with music and computerized video graphics on a Diamond
Vision giant screen, guests can make their own music videos, and
gourmet cooking demonstrations are held regularly. The company
says celebrity appearances, special contests, and other
promotions will be held on a regular basis.
Tandy operates two other giga-stores, one in Portland and one in
Arlington, and says more than one million shoppers visited those
stores in the past four months. Six more Incredible Universe
stores are scheduled to open in 1994, the next one in Miami.
(Jim Mallory/19931013/Press contact: Fran McGehee, Incredible
Universe, 817-390-3487)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
TELECOM
Verifone, NTN Sign Supermarket Transaction Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
Verifone, NTN Sign Supermarket Transaction Deal 10/14/93
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Verifone,
Inc., which agreed last week to make "smart telephones" to
replace simple magnetic-stripe terminals for use with Tandem
authorization systems, signed a deal to speed authorizations at
supermarkets with National Transaction Network, Inc.
NTN, which makes "back-office" electronic payment processing
software used by supermarkets, will now be able to resell
Verifone's Omni 490, a credit card terminal which customers can
use themselves. The terminal is linked to a cash register and
placed across the belt where goods are passed, near the scanner.
A shopper can swipe a credit or debit card through the terminal
and press a few buttons, getting through the line more quickly
than with a check.
In recent years, many supermarkets have begun discouraging the
use of checks, which take time to write and process both in-line
and in the back office. Many now prefer debit cards or even
credit cards, despite the fact they only collect about 97 cents
on the dollar through credit card receipts. The combination of
the Verifone system with NTN software could let markets take
credit cards even in "cash-only" lines, where speed is considered
essential to avoid lost sales from impatient shoppers.
NTN's software, called PINnacle, connects to IBM, ICL, and NCR
point of sale systems. Its customers include Albertsons, The
Kroger Co., A & P, Giant Eagle, and Spartan Stores.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931013/Press Contact: Michelle Graff,
National Transaction Network, 508-562-6500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
TELECOM
New York Telephone Ordered To Move Over
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
New York Telephone Ordered To Move Over 10/14/93
OAKBROOK TERRACE, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- The New
York Public Service Commission gave MFS' Intelenet unit local
carrier status equal to that of New York Telephone, the regional
Bell serving New York City.
The decision makes it easier for MFS Intelenet to compete with
the traditional monopoly phone company, according to MFS. New
York Telephone is now required to deal with its unit on the same
basis as it now deals with independent telephone companies such
as GTE and Alltel, which have systems serving some areas of the
state.
MFS Intelenet debuted its service in Manhattan on October 5, and
plans to roll it out quickly through the five boroughs and
suburbs. The company sees Intelenet as a model for its future
networks in dozens of cities, competing directly with regional
Bell companies for basic services in the small business market.
In New York, the company has already won agreements from New
York Telephone which will let businesses which switch to it keep
their phone numbers, and listings.
In a press statement, MFS president Royce Holland praised New
York regulators. Under the decision, MFS can buy blocks of local
telephone "prefixes" from New York Telephone, not just individual
numbers, without having to buy local services as well. In the
past, the company had to purchase local phone numbers from New
York Telephone and then resell the numbers to its customers.
Also, terms for physically connecting the MFS and New York
Telephone networks will be agreed-to no later than December 1,
eliminating New York Telephone's status as a "middleman" for long
distance calls, which will no longer have to pass through its
switches. All this was in response to a formal complaint filed by
MFS Intelenet on July 6.
There remains the question of how MFS Intelenet and other
competitors will be compensated by New York Telephone for
connections to their networks. That was deferred until the
conclusion of another proceeding. However, the commission did
encourage the parties to negotiate their own agreements known as
"meet point billing" or "bill and keep" deals for terminating
calls between their networks. Currently, MFS pays New York
Telephone for calls made to its numbers, but receives nothing for
calls made to MFS customers.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931013/Press Contact: Steve Ingish, MFS,
708-218-7200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
GENERAL
EDRAM Chips Go In Digicom PC Boards
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00015)
EDRAM Chips Go In Digicom PC Boards 10/14/93
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Digicom
Inc., has ordered more than $10 million worth of Ramtron
International Corporation's enhanced dynamic random access memory
chips with Quickcache for use on Digicom's computer boards.
David Lai, general manager of Digicom's European operations, says
the Ramtron chips were selected because they offer the best
performance at a competitive price. "As a single chip it
outperforms the typical combination of standard dynamic random
access memory (DRAM) chips, and static random access memory
(SRAM) cache."
Ramtron's chips with a 15-nanosecond cache hit access time and a
35 nanosecond access time will be used on Digicom boards in
four different IBM-compatible 486-based desktop computers.
Deliveries will begin in the fourth quarter. Ramtron says
that depending on the hardware and software in use, EDRAM is
anywhere from 20 percent to more than 100 percent faster
than alternative semiconductor memory, including DRAM plus SRAM.
The Digicom order is Ramtron's largest shipment to date. The
company also manufactures ferroelectric random access memory
(FRAM) chips, which are able to retain memory without power.
Japan-based game maker Sega Enterprises Limited placed a
multimillion unit order for FRAM chips in August for use in their
latest game offerings.
Digicom is a Taiwan-based computer manufacturer and exporter,
and a subsidiary of Taiwan-based WTF Group Inc. Oren Benton, one
of the owners of the Colorado Rockies baseball club franchised
this year in Denver, Colorado, is a major shareholder in Ramtron.
(Jim Mallory/19931014/Press contact: Jill Goebel, Origin Systems
for Ramtron, 719-630-3384; Reader contact: Ramtron International
Corp, 800-545-3726 or 719-481-7000 , fax 719-488-9095 or Digicom
Inc, 011-886-2-917-8555)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
IBM
Geoworks Intros Toolkit
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00016)
Geoworks Intros Toolkit 10/14/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Geoworks has
announced the GEOS 2.0 software development kit (SDK) , a set of
application tools and documentation on CD-ROM that the company
says provides developers everything they need to create
applications for any hardware running the GEOS platform. The SDK
is scheduled to ship this week.
The company says the SDK runs in a cross-development environment,
making it possible to create a single application for various
consumer computing devices like the Zoomer personal digital
assistant (PDA) or Sharp's PT-9000 personal information assistant
(PIA).
GEOS SDK users will need two personal computers connected by a
serial cable, or a PC connected to one of the consumer computing
devices (CCDs). One PC, considered the host, is used to develop
and debug the application code. The second PC or the CCD is used
to run the application. If a second PC is used, the SDK will
emulate the user interface of the CCD, allowing the developer to
debug the application in the same look and feel as the CCD.
Geoworks says the SDK beta version will include user interfaces
that emulate the Zoomer, the PT-9000 and personal computers. It's
extensible to new GEOS-based CCDs as they are introduced, and
include support for pen-based devices.
SDK tools include the GEOS debugger; SWAT, a tool developers can
program to create their own custom debugging commands; a linker
to link file dependencies; a resource editor that allows non-
programmers to translate their applications to foreign languages;
and an icon editor to create custom icons.
Geoworks is sponsoring the first developers conference "the New
Profit Platform" October 25-26 at the Hyatt Regency in
Burlingame, California. The cost of conference attendance is
$595, with attendees receiving a free SDK. If you can't make the
conference, you can get the SDK on CD-ROM for $99 including all
the tools and online documentation in ASCII, Postscript and
Framereader formats. Printed documentation is available for $295.
Geoworks has a toll-free number to order the SDK or register for
the conference. Officials from Geoworks, Casio, Tandy and Sharp
electronics as well as other companies will make presentations at
the two-day affair.
(Jim Mallory/19931014/Press contact: Deborah Dawson, Geoworks,
510-204-8550; Conference registration: Geoworks, 800-524-1857 ext
1214; SDK orders: 800-436-7735)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
GENERAL
Historical Computer Society For Old Computer Buffs
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00017)
Historical Computer Society For Old Computer Buffs 10/14/93
EL PASO, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- David Greelish,
founder of the Historical Computer Society, says a national
user group for enthusiasts of classic computing is for old
computer enthusiasts - either old computers or old enthusiasts.
The society is publishing the second issue of its bimonthly
newsletter, "Historically Brewed."
"Many people have fond memories of their early computing days.
Never has another device evolved so rapidly as to produce
nostalgic artifacts in less than a quarter of a century," says
Greelish. The non-profit society's mission is to preserve older
and classic computer hardware, software, and literature while
educating and helping its members as well as the general public.
Greelish says the society chose the name of its newsletter,
"Historically Brewed," because one of the earliest and perhaps
best known computer clubs was the San Francisco, California Bay
Area-based Homebrew Computer Club. He says no other single
organization helped to spawn more of today's computer legends
that did that club.
Hundreds of old computers are thrown out everyday as junk, says
Greelish, but he believes those outmoded machines still have
value. His organization can help owners find answers about system
operation, peripherals, software, books, magazines, and service.
The newsletter includes informative and often humorous articles
about the machines, ideas, and people who forged computer history.
HCS membership is $15 per year.
(Jim Mallory/19931014/Press and reader contact: Historical
Computer Society, 915-822-2683 after 6PM CST)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
TELECOM
****Another Phone Company/Cable Alliance - BellSouth And Prime
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
****Another Phone Company/Cable Alliance - BellSouth And Prime 10/14/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Almost forgotten in
the rush over the Bell Atlantic-TCI merger, BellSouth signed a
partnership agreement with Prime Management Co., which does
business as Prime Cable.
BellSouth is taking 22.5 percent of Prime, which until a few
years ago ran the cable franchise in BellSouth's home city of
Atlanta, in exchange for $250 million in debt financing aimed at
improving its Las Vegas network. Prime was founded in 1979, and
is best-known for putting together financing packages to buy
urban cable systems, then turning them around. In addition to
the Las Vegas network, Prime owns cable operations in Houston
and Chicago.
Perhaps Prime's most interesting venture, however, is an
affiliate of its Community Cable unit. Hospitality Network
provides in-room programming and interactive services, mainly in
Las Vegas. It's the fourth-largest pay per view company serving
the hotel industry. Community Cable has also deployed a fiber
network to support major hotels and other businesses in the area
as a "competitive access provider," handling the local end of long
distance calls as an alternative to Pacific Telesis, for
instance.
For Prime, the deal brings needed capital and could help it jump-
start its acquisition strategy. For BellSouth, the deal, which
reportedly includes an option to acquire all of Prime for $1
billion, gives it an entrance into both cable and
competitive access. It could reduce the company's need to enter
the Viacom-QVC battle over Paramount, where it was rumored to be
considering an investment in QVC. Now that Bell Atlantic will own
a big piece of QVC, BellSouth may be having second thoughts in
any case.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931014/Press Contact: BellSouth, Tim Klein,
404-249-4135)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
TELECOM
Most Reaction Positive To Bell Atlantic-TCI Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
Most Reaction Positive To Bell Atlantic-TCI Deal 10/14/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Stock markets
around the world jumped in reaction to news that TCI, the
nation's largest cable operator, will be acquired by Bell
Atlantic, one of the seven regional Bell companies.
The two biggest beneficiaries, however, were Bell Atlantic and
TCI themselves. Both rose over 10 percent in value before markets
closed October 13. That's very unusual, since acquiring companies
usually fall in price in the wake of an expensive acquisition.
But PaineWebber analysts were among those raising their rating on
Bell Atlantic, claiming it could rise 50 percent more in price
over the next two years as a result of this deal. There remains
the risk that the US government will not approve this deal,
however, and in a reflection of that TCI stock rose only to $33,
about $2 per share below the indicated value of $35 per share
Bell Atlantic is placing on it.
Other stocks also rose in value, especially companies which make
equipment for cable companies. Among the gainers were Walt
Disney, Turner Broadcasting, Time Warner, and News Corp.
In fact, virtually all the cable companies, phone companies, and
entertainment companies on US exchanges were up, as rumors of
new deals swirled. This came despite the fact that a new study by
the Federal Communications Commission indicated most cable rates
have declined since the re-imposition of rate regulation
September 1, and those rates will now be constrained to about the
rate of inflation.
Perhaps the strangest rise was a 10 percent gain in the stock price
of Transcontinental Realty Investors, which is traded on the TCI
stock symbol. Tele-Communications Inc., trades on the NASDAQ
exchange under the ticker-symbol TCOMA. Once the confusion was
cleared up, TCI lost its gains.
Even some regulators seemed to cheer the deal, with FCC
Commissioner James Quello calling it the "most momentous deal of
the decade." The FCC, FTC and Justice Department will all have to
approve the deal before it can go forward. But joy was not
universal. Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey, who heads the
telecommunications subcommittee of the US House, promised
hearings on the matter, warning it could stifle competition.
Other regional Bells reacted by renewing their call for an end to
all regulation on their businesses. Ameritech vice chairman,
Louis Rutigliano, demanded that the FCC approve his firm's
"Customers First" plan, which would let it into long distance
and end rate regulation in exchange for letting competitors have
access to its network. Southwestern Bell Chairman Edward Whitacre
said the news "should convince any 'doubting Thomases' that
competition in all areas of telecommunications and other
multimedia services has arrived and is intensifying."
There may be few doubting Thomases left, but there remains a
doubting Thoma. Rick Thoma of Philadelphia, founder of
Telecommuting Solutions for America, a technology consulting and
policy advocacy group, released a study last year indicating
that the regional Bells have been over-charging consumers for
years by refusing to invest in their own networks. He called
the deal "a monumental asset shell game." He charged that the
regional Bells "have spent almost every bit of their time and
energy doing things they have been explicitly forbidden from
doing, while a the same time letting the local information
infrastructure for which are responsible for go to rot."
He charged that phone companies have been slow to deploy digital
services under ISDN standards, and said local networks, the "off-
ramps" of the information superhighway, remain sub-standard.
Thoma continued: "While TCI is an obviously successful company,
it was built in an environment where media was a one-way feed to
the consumer, and the reigning assumption was that the media fed
a mass market. It is obvious, however, that the mass market is
disappearing. This is why we think a smart man like TCI Chairman
John Malone is cashing out now. People are not seeking to
interact with media artifacts, they are seeking connection with
one another - that's why most malls have game arcades. Ask
Prodigy about how it failed to anticipate the desire of people to
interconnect via its bulletin boards."
Thoma's conclusion: "The bottom line is that we may be seeing
these two companies combining to form a nonresponsive,
out-of-date behemoth that threatens to throw an enormous wet
blanket over the only hope that we have as a society --our
entrepreneurial fire."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931014/Press Contact: Telecommuting Solutions
for America, Joe Raimondo 215-342-0664; e-mail:
teleworker@aol.com)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
TELECOM
Spectrum Wins Rockwell as Licensee
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
Spectrum Wins Rockwell as Licensee 10/14/93
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Spectrum
Information Technologies said Rockwell International will
license its patents and work with it on creating and selling
chips implementing its technology.
Rockwell will make chips implementing its Axcell patents for
laptop computers, personal digital assistants, and personal
communicators, paying an up-front license fee, a royalty on
chipsets, and a royalty on the activating devices. The two
companies will also provide program interface standards to
computer makers so they can add custom software features which
work with the technology.
Spectrum President Peter Caserta called the deal "one of the
most important alliances we have ever developed" and "a giant
step forward" for his company. The price of Spectrum stock has
doubled in recent weeks as the company has signed important
license agreements. Among its list of licensees are AT&T,
Megahertz, IBM, and Apex Data. Motorola, however, has not licensed
Spectrum's technology, and its executives were quoted a few
months ago by Newsbytes as saying they didn't need it. Spectrum,
however, claims its patents cover any wireless phone-modem
connectors, and any wireless error-control protocols. It is
presently in court with Data Race and Microcom in an attempt
to prove that very point.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931014/Press Contact: Don Kessler, Spectrum,
516-627-8992)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
GENERAL
New President Of PowerOpen Association
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00021)
New President Of PowerOpen Association 10/14/93
BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Tom Mace,
former president of 88open, has been named president of the
PowerOpen Association, succeeding Domenic LaCava, who has stepped
down from the post with the industry group. LaCava made the
decision to leave his position to pursue other interests, officials
said.
"We are pleased to bring someone with the industry stature of Tom
Mace to guide PowerOpen into the future," commented Bruce
Cleveland, PowerOpen Board member for Apple Computer. "Dom was
instrumental in getting us formed and launched, and now we are
excited as Tom brings his considerable experience and leadership to
move us forward in this critical next stage of execution."
The PowerOpen Association is an independent corporation that was
formed to promote the availability of shrinkwrapped software and
development services for the PowerOpen environment.
Apple, Bull, IBM, Motorola, and Thomson-CSF are the sponsors of
PowerOpen. Harris and Tadpole Technologies are the principals. In
addition, PowerOpen now has about 100 associate members worldwide.
Mace, the newly appointed president of the PowerOpen Association,
has been president and CEO of 88open for the past four years,
according to officials. He was also an early principal in Unix
International, and has held key positions at Unisys, Convergent
Technologies, Raytheon, and DEC.
Noted Claude Bozzo, PowerOpen Board member for Thomson-CSF:
"Having been an active participant in 88open and now PowerOpen, we
are looking forward to Tom leading the execution of our plan for
shrinkwrapped software on the PowerPC platform."
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931014/Press contacts: Pam Preston or Joshua
Weinberg, Technology Solutions for PowerOpen Association, tel 212-
505-9900; Pat Riemitis, PowerOpen Association, tel 617-273-1550,
ext 7103)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
IBM
IBM Microelectronics Has Faster PowerPC Chip
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)
IBM Microelectronics Has Faster PowerPC Chip 10/14/93
HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- IBM
Microelectronics has announced a new version of the PowerPC 601
microprocessor that runs at 80 megahertz (MHz). Previous versions
operated at 50 and 66 MHz.
Company officials said the new chip would make possible desktop
computers faster than any based on existing processors.
Samples of the 80 MHz version of the PowerPC 601 are available
now, IBM said, with volume production due to start in January.
The new, faster chip will cost $490 in quantities of 25,000 to
50,000.
The 50 MHz and 66 MHz versions of the PowerPC 601 are already in
volume production at an IBM plant in Burlington, Vermont. The
50-MHz version sells for $275, and the 66-MHz chip for $350, in
quantities of 25,000 to 50,000.
The new 80-Mhz part will also be manufactured in Burlington,
company spokesman Jim Smith said.
The PowerPC line of chips resulted from an alliance of IBM, Apple
Computer Inc., and Motorola. The 601 is the first of four
planned PowerPC parts. The PowerPC 603 is a power-saving version
aimed at laptop, portable, and low-end desktop computers. The
PowerPC 604 is meant for higher-performance desktop PCs and
workstations. The PowerPC 620 will be the top of the line, meant
for high-performance workstations and servers. IBM plans to begin
making these chips in 1994 and 1995, Smith said.
The 601 chip has 2.8 million transistors, in a package about four
tenths of an inch per side. It includes the Motorola 88110 bus,
which provides an advanced interface that supports a range of
computer systems, including personal computers, workstations, and
multiprocessing systems, the companies said.
IBM unveiled its first complete computer systems using the
PowerPC chip in late September. Apple is widely expected to
announce its first PowerPC Macintoshes next spring.
IBM and Motorola announced first fabrication of the PowerPC 601
chip, which will be the basis of the early PowerPC systems, about
one year ago, and began shipments later that month.
(Grant Buckler/19931014/Press Contact: Jim Smith, IBM
Microelectronics, 914-892-5389; Public Contact: IBM,
800-426-0181)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/14/93
BUSINESS
Lotus Income Up 151%
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00023)
Lotus Income Up 151% 10/14/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) --
Lotus Development Corp. has reported net income of $18.3 million,
or 41 cents per share, for its third quarter ended Oct. 2. This
is up 151 percent from $7.3 million, or 17 cents per share,
before a stock-sale gain in last year's third quarter.
Lotus' third-quarter revenue was $240.1 million, up 16 percent
from $206.7 million in the same period last year.
In the nine months ended Oct. 2, Lotus had net income of $45.8
million, or $1.04 per share, excluding a second quarter charge of
$19.9 million, or 45 cents per share, for the acquisition of
California database vendor Approach Software Corp. Income was up
slightly from earnings of $43 million, or 99 cents per share, in
the nine months ended Sept. 26, 1992, excluding a stock-sale gain
of 53 cents per share.
Lotus' revenue for the first nine months of 1993 was $702.9
million, up seven percent from $654.1 million in the first nine
months of 1992.
Company officials said international markets were strong and
growth in the Windows software market offset a decline in the DOS
spreadsheet sector, the business on which Lotus was originally
built.
While he could not give specific figures, company spokesman Bryan
Simmons said sales of Lotus' Windows spreadsheets did well,
though the portion of the company's overall revenues coming from
spreadsheet products is declining as Lotus puts more emphasis on
communications products such as its Notes workgroup software.
During the quarter Lotus shipped new drivers to let Notes work
with database software from other vendors. The company also
shipped a new version of its Lotus Organizer personal information
manager, adding workgroup scheduling.
The company also recently amended its electronic messaging
strategy, more closely integrating Notes with its cc:Mail
electronic mail software.
Communications software currently accounts for a share of total
revenues in the mid-teens and is moving toward 20 percent of the
company's business, Simmons said.
Software suites, which bundle several popular applications
together for a discounted price, are also a growing portion of
sales, he added. During the quarter Lotus shipped SmartSuite 2.1
for Windows, a new version of its Windows suite that adds the
newly acquired Approach 2.1 database software.
In September, the company announced plans to consolidate its
Cambridge operations in one building, saying the move will save
$10 million per year from 1996.
Simmons said Lotus expects continued annual growth of 15 to 20
percent for the next few years, with operating margins ranging
from 15 to 18 percent.
(Grant Buckler/19931014/Press Contact: Bryan Simmons, Lotus,
617-693-1697)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
GENERAL
Pathworks Upgrade Rounds Out DEC Announcements
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00024)
Pathworks Upgrade Rounds Out DEC Announcements 10/14/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Among the
more than 150 new products and services that Digital Equipment
announced Tuesday in a push to boost its client/server
computing credentials was a new version of Pathworks, the
company's local-area network product line.
DEC unveiled Pathworks 5.0 network operating system software,
including client software for the DOS operating system and
Microsoft Corp.'s Windows operating environment, and server
software for DEC's own OSF/1 variant of Unix and its OpenVMS
operating system running on the older VAX hardware and the newer
Alpha AXP systems.
William R. Demmer, vice-president of DEC's Computer Systems
Group, told Newsbytes that DEC is seeking to establish Alpha as a
"universal platform" for client/server computing, but also sees a
role for the VAX hardware and VMS operating system in critical
business applications.
According to DEC, Pathworks 5.0 adds integrated management and
client network services, as well as more flexible licensing
arrangements for personal computers, to the network operating
system.
Software called Manageworks lets users manage LAN Manager,
NetWare and Pathworks servers remotely from a Windows
workstation, the company said.
Pathworks 5.0 is due to be available in January. Client licenses
will be $205 per client, while file and print services are also
available under a separate server license at prices from $3,000
for 100 PCs to $18,750 for 250 users.
(Grant Buckler/19931014/Press Contact: Dick Price, Digital,
508-486-5198)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
BUSINESS
Conner Cuts Staff By Another 3 Percent
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(WAS)(00025)
Conner Cuts Staff By Another 3 Percent 10/14/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- San Jose, California-
based Conner Peripherals has announced that the company will cut
its total workforce by about 290 employees to about 9,300. Third
quarter financial results, which are not expected to be
particularly good, are scheduled for release on October 21.
Earlier cuts had already reduced Connor Peripheral's full-time
staff from 12,000 to about 9,600 and the latest announcement
means that the company has cut it total workforce by more than 20
percent this year, but that total includes employees added as a
result of the acquisition of Archive Corporation.
Connor is well-known as a manufacturer of hard disk drives and
tape backup devices.
Recent price wars in the personal computer industry have
virtually eliminated the market for very small hard drives and
has also cut the price of larger hard drives by as much as half,
putting a profit squeeze on all disk drive makers causing a
general move toward consolidation.
(John McCormick/19931014/Press Contact: Kevin Burr, Conner
Corporate Communications, 408-456-3134)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/15
GENERAL
****Multimedia Expo - Networking Multimedia Seminar
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00026)
****Multimedia Expo - Networking Multimedia Seminar 10/14/15
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- The
"Multimedia Telecommunications & Networking" seminar at
the Multimedia Expo in San Jose, California, started off in
disarray, which some people would argue is a good reflection
of many companies ad hoc approach to networking.
None of the original listed speakers were present at the start.
The moderator was a stand-in, and in fact only one speaker
was present - a stand-in also. National Semiconductor's Les
Wilson turned up after the moderator had begun, which gave him
the dubious distinction of being the only "starting" speaker
present that was listed in the show event brochure.
The first speaker touched on the demand for "information
immediacy," referring to such technologies as video and
CD-quality sound.
Three main layers of user were identified: the major players,
such as Paramount; post-houses and specialty shops, as well
as major advertising agencies sharing information with their
clients; and independent artists, along with sub-contractors
who are specialists that do some of the work for the larger
companies.
Pricing for network services is based on bandwidth.
Understandably, interoperability was identified as a key
problem as the different layers use different hardware. The
high cost of hardware was identified as a problem, although
costs are coming down.
The first speaker maintained that the Internet was the model
for the establishment of a coast-to-coast network for the
transmission of multimedia or interactive data.
Three elements were identified as being required for
interoperability: the need to standardize on a network protocol
(such as I/P - Internet Protocol); the need to standardize on a
routing protocol; and the need to standardize on a method of
interoperable compression.
One trend among users that was identified was the demand for
on-the-fly videoconferencing, in which users do not have to book
circuits in advance from their carrier.
Les Wilson identified the "last 100 meters" to the desktop as
being one where bandwidth problems occur for many companies.
He also said that that area is a significant expense of the
network. He then went on to describe NatSemi's isoEthernet
product, designed to address the problem, set for introduction
in 1994.
He also identified the codec and the network itself as being
the two main contributors of delay in the network. Delay, he
said, does not come from compression. He added that delay is
a significant problem for videoconferencing.
Another speaker claimed that standards are all well and good,
but they take a long time to develop. In the meantime, firms
need problems solved, which often entails proprietary
networking technologies. Customers are often willing to
invest in proprietary technology, knowing that it might
become redundant in a couple of years.
Additionally, leading networking equipment vendors need to
bring out products to satisfy advanced technology demand.
They too cannot wait for developing standards, and as a result,
introduce products based on proprietary technologies.
(Ian Stokell/19931014)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
GOVT
CACI Int'l Buys SofTech Govt Division
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00027)
CACI Int'l Buys SofTech Govt Division 10/14/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Arlington, Virginia-
based CACI International, a major systems integration and
simulation software provider, has announced that it intends to
purchase the nine-location, 240-employee government services
business currently owned by SofTech.
The purchase price for the division, which currently generates
$25 million in annual revenue, will be $3.3 million plus the cost
of assets acquired in the purchase.
The SofTech government business concentrates on software reuse
and simulation as well as software conversion and development of
embedded weapons systems.
Douglas Poretz, a PR representative for CACI told Newsbytes that
there is no expectation that the merger will involve any
significant reduction in staffing and indeed, CACI is making the
purchase to gain entry into certain government agencies such as
the Air Force and NASA which are the current customers of
SofTech's government division.
CACI, according to Mr. Poretz, expects to gain new contracts from
the increased presence in the government market.
(John McCormick/19931014/Press Contact: Douglas Poretz, Douglas
Poretz Ltd., 703-506-1778)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
TRENDS
****Multimedia Expo - Analyzing The Games Industry
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00028)
****Multimedia Expo - Analyzing The Games Industry 10/14/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- At the
"Analyzing the Games Industry - Investment and Return"
session at the Multimedia Expo in San Jose, moderated by
Dana Ardi Productions' Dr. Dana Ardi, featured speakers
included Volpe Welty's Lee Isgur, Electronic Arts'
Stewart Bonn, JAFCO America Ventures' Mike Orsak, Kleiner
Perkins' Arjun Gupta, and Tsunami Media's Ed Heinbockel.
Isgur identified Nintendo as the dominant player in the video
game industry in terms of installed base and hardware. However,
he said that in terms of sales, the "8-bit machine is faltering
very badly," but the "16-bit will do better in sales than last
year." He also said that, "Game-Boy is, at the moment, the leading
portable platform."
He predicated that there would be 83 million units of software
sales domestically this year.
Interestingly he noted that Sega has been outselling Nintendo in
the last few weeks in the US, in terms of new hardware and
software sales. However, he said he did not know if that would
continue into the Christmas season.
He identified CD's as becoming the dominant factor in the
industry in terms of software during the 1995-1997 period.
Interestingly, he said that which media the game industry
uses will dictate where it goes. He maintained that the
current cartridge industry is fairly expensive, and expects a
shift to something else - such as flash cards or CD-ROMs.
He also said that the current hardware "is lousy," with no
flat screens, no great colors.
He identified the industry as being in its early stages and
that, as costs come down and hardware improves, the industry
will get bigger.
Bonn said that the creative element involved in the industry
can make a difference, although it is those people that need
the most guidance.
In terms of investment, he argued that, the more money you
are willing to risk, the more money you can possibly make.
The first set of decisions that a new firm must make are the
level of their financial risk, and what is the level of
creativity that can be tolerated.
Orsak identified a number of trends within the Japanese market.
He said that almost all the major Japanese games companies
started out in the arcade market. Virtually reality is very big,
he said. He also identified a lack of multimedia development
talent in japan.
He predicted a move into 32-bit CD-ROM in 1994, and the
development of virtual reality game arcades.
He also identified a number of new opportunities in multimedia
entertainment: the shift to 32-bits will create an opportunity
for CD-ROM developers; virtual reality will be used for
simulation applications, such as baseball practice and skiing;
and networked games will gain in popularity.
A couple of speakers also took the opportunity throw a couple
of sliders at Hollywood's desire to become involved in the
interactive game market.
Gupta said that, in the short term at least, Hollywood would
not own the interactive CD industry. He said that one of the
main reasons is the complete contrast in financial volumes
involved. Hollywood's budgets for products - films - are 20-30
times as large as products for the CD industry.
Heinbockel went a stage further, saying the worst experience
he had had in the game industry was with a previous company,
when he had tried to coordinate a joint product with a
Hollywood studio.
He identified "managing the process" as the main problem.
He warned companies away from doing deals with Hollywood,
saying Hollywood has difficulty getting a product "out the door."
Not surprisingly, Hollywood has problems bringing a product
in by the pre-arranged deadlines and under budget, he said.
(Ian Stokell/19931014)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
APPLE
****Apple USA Head Resigns Effective Tomorrow
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00029)
****Apple USA Head Resigns Effective Tomorrow 10/14/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Apple USA
president and general manager, Robert Puette, is resigning
effective tomorrow, October 15, according to Apple Computer.
His replacement is his boss, Ian Diery, executive vice
president of Apple's Personal Computer Division.
Puette has been at Apple since 1990. Apple officials said the
USA general manager is leaving to pursue other interests, some
of which could be related to the other corporations he serves
as a member of the board of directors. Two of those
corporations include Netframe and Cisco Systems.
Newsbytes asked Apple representatives if Puette's resignation
was a sudden one, and was told that since Apple's restructuring
announcement this summer there have been several staff changes,
including changes at the executive level. Michael Spindler,
former chief operating officer (COO) at Apple, took over as CEO
this summer, replacing John Sculley, and has been managing the
restructuring process.
In addition, the resignation has nothing to do with rumors that
Apple USA might wholly move to Austin, Texas, the company said.
No plans are in the works to wholly move Apple USA out of
Cupertino to join the other portion of the Apple USA team which
has been in Austin since 1991, Apple representatives asserted.
However, Apple has said it is looking at moving some operations
out of Cupertino to cut costs.
Glimpses of internal conflict at Apple have been flaring up
since the restructuring announcement. In July, five insider
trading suits were filed against the company and several of its
executives, including Spindler. Last month, Albert Einstat,
executive vice president and member of the board of directors,
filed suit against Apple charging he and Sculley were forced
out by Spindler.
Apple is attempting to change direction. In a speech at the
Multimedia Expo this week in San Jose, California, Diery said
Apple is seeding the multimedia market with compact disc read-
only memory (CD-ROM) drives it is distributing at its own cost
in order to build the multimedia software market. Diery is in
charge of the "geographies," the Apple inside term for the three
major market divisions, Apple USA, Apple Europe, and Apple
Pacific, which he oversees.
There are is no search for a replacement planned for Puette's
slot as Diery said he will accept the post himself, according
to Lisa Burn of Apple's public relations. Diery plans to
continue his responsibilities directing the heads of the Apple
Europe and Apple Pacific divisions as well.
Apple is expected to report its fourth quarter earnings, ending
in September, late today. The company's third quarter results
showed a loss of $188.3 million, attributed to the
restructuring effort. Sales of Apple's new Newton Messagepad
personal digital assistant (PDA) have been very good, but
profit margins on the device are small and industry analysts
are speculating the company might break even this quarter.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931014/Press Contact: Lisa Burn, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-2042, fax 408-974-5470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/14/93
GOVT
UK - Major Computer Fraud
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00030)
UK - Major Computer Fraud 10/14/93
BRISTOL, AVON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 14 (NB) -- Six senior officers with
the West Wiltshire Council have been charged with systematically
defrauding their employers of up to UKP 20 million.
In Crown Court in Bristol, the prosecution alleged that the West
Wiltshire officers, led by former chief executive Gerald Garland,
set up a highly profitable company, West Wiltshire Information
Systems (WWIS), with council officers encouraged to give the company
lucrative contracts.
John Royce, QC, prosecuting, said that contracts were negotiated
without valuations, other options or legal advice. An example
cited was a contract for collecting the poll tax -- said to
be worth UKP 750,000 a year -- which was awarded to the
company, while a mainframe computer worth almost UKP 1 million
was bought by the council but went to WWIS.
The six former officers of the council were charged on various
counts of fraud. Newsbytes understands that a seventh defendant has
been declared unfit to stand trial.
In court, the prosecution alleged that, between 1982 to 1988 the
council built up a computer software sales company which had 50
other councils as clients. By 1988 the group decided to set up a
private company, with Garland, Perkins and Gilbert becoming
directors. This, Mr Royce said, produced "a classic conflict of
interest."
By July of 1989, the new company was worth UKP 3 million, and it was
estimated that by 1991 it would have been worth UKP 20 million.
Newsbytes understands that the case is likely to run for at least
six months.
(Steve Gold/19931014)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GOVT
Softech Sells Simulation System For Weapons Design
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00001)
Softech Sells Simulation System For Weapons Design 10/13/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Waltham,
Massachusetts-based SofTech has announced that it is
participating in the recent McDonnel Douglas Aerospace Joint
Modeling and Simulation System (J-MASS) contract which provides
the US Department of Defense with a digital simulation system
for development of weapons systems.
J-MASS provides a standardized digital modeling architecture
which allows the military to continuously evaluate a weapon's
probable performance at various stages of the design and
production process.
After being heavily involved in the initial development of J-
MASS, the demonstration/evaluation stage, SofTech has now been
selected to participate in the second stage, engineering,
manufacturing, and development wherein the software architecture
will be completed.
SofTech expects to have a $4 million share of the three-year
contract and to provide about 30-percent of the total development
effort.
SofTech specializes in custom software design and development as
well as systems integration for government and commercial users.
(John McCormick/19931012/Press Contact: Norman Rasmussen,
SofTech, 617-890-6900 or fax 617-890-6055)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
TRENDS
****Multimedia Expo - Venture Capitalists See Opportunity
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00002)
****Multimedia Expo - Venture Capitalists See Opportunity 10/13/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- An understandably
full-house was on hand to listen to half a dozen analysts and venture
capitalists discuss both the multimedia industry and tips on how to get
funding at the Multimedia Expo in San Jose, California. The dark banker
suits were in abundance.
One thing on which the panelists seemed to agree -- multimedia is a
fledgling industry with huge potential.
The "Venture Capitalists & Wall Street Roundtable" was moderated by
Tiburon Associates' Kent Ekberg, and featured Volpe Welty's Lee Isgur,
AT&T Ventures Corp.'s Alessandro Piol, New Media Associates' Mark
Stahlman, Burr Egan & DeLeage's John Hawkins, and Unterberg Harris'
Andrew Kessler.
Isgur called multimedia a "relatively small industry," when
compared to other industries, and that it is in the "very early
stages." As a result, he said, it was "harder to fund companies in
an industry in its early stages."
He said that "Wall Street has not really discovered the industry yet,"
although it is talking about it. He also said that the cost of software is
expensive, which is important if multimedia wants to become a mass
market industry.
Piol said there is a "scarcity of multimedia titles," although that will
change in the next few years.
Stahlman, the most controversial, said that all the recent press talk
about "digital convergence," was wrong, that the cable television
trials currently going on in Florida would fail, and that
"video-on-demand" would not be a successful service.
He said that, while many view cable TV companies with their broadband
networks as being the potential winners in the trend towards
multimedia, they will actually end up losing. He argued that cable TV
companies have no idea of universal service and common carriage.
He also said that the proposed data highway must be accessible to all,
adding that with the telephone you do not need permission to do
business, but with cable TV networks, you would need to negotiate first
with the cable TV companies.
Hawkins maintained that the video games segment is "huge," and that
the entertainment part of the industry is of interest, although it is
much smaller.
A number of tips were of particular interest to companies looking for
venture funding. He said that many venture capitalists do not want
"one hit" wonders when considering multimedia companies, and as a
result, prospective companies should be capable of producing a
series of titles.
He also said that his company considers three elements when
evaluating a firm for funding: management, markets, and products.
He maintained that venture capitalists should not be involved with
businesses that take more than $10 million to develop.
Kessler also predicted that multimedia will emerge to be a big
business. He said that his company looks for three types of multimedia
company when considering funding: developers, service companies
(such as on-line providers), and "enabling technology" companies (those
that have the tools, such as silicon).
He argued that interactive media is evolutionary and not
revolutionary.
Interestingly, he said that firms must do three things to get others
interested in them: understand the economics of the business they
are in; create a company around those economics (it is difficult to
fund a project or product, he said, but easier to fund a company);
and they must "think networks," because network versions of
products will be a marketplace.
He also said that, in approaching venture capitalist firms for funding,
multimedia companies should show how they will take that money
and make it work by turning the company into a success.
As a postscript, when the session ended, the stage was mobbed by
a large number of people in the audience, who attempted to thrust
business cards in the hands of the venture capitalists.
(Ian Stokell/19931013)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
TRENDS
****Multimedia Expo - Pony-Tails & Rock'n'Roll
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00003)
****Multimedia Expo - Pony-Tails & Rock'n'Roll 10/13/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- The pony-tail
brigade was out in force at the "Music Recording Artists & Producers
Roundtable" at the Multimedia Expo in San Jose, California.
The session participants onstage provided an interesting contrast to the
banker-suited venture capitalists and analysts that directly preceded
them as participants of the "Venture Capitalists & Wall Street Roundtable,"
reported by Newsbytes.
The session featured a variety of industry luminaries, from recording
artist Peter Gabriel, to Colossal Pictures' John Sanborn, glitter
jacket-clad recording artist The Great Kat, and Steve Nelson,
coproducer of the soon-to-be-released "Peter Gabriel Interactive" CD.
The session was moderated by Ty Roberts.
Roberts began by saying that partnerships are the key to the success
of multimedia, as they can combine those who have computer knowledge,
with those who have recording or film experience.
Interactive music CDs were the name of the game at the session, with
both The Great Kat and Steve Nelson showing off such products. In the
case of Nelson, he demonstrated Peter Gabriel's interactive CD with
which the user could participate in a variety of interactive experiences,
such as a guided tour of the recording studio where it was possible
to remix a Gabriel song with the sound mixer on screen - removing
instruments and vocals as required. Interactive CDs can also give the
user access to extensive interviews and background information.
Interactive music CDs are a new concept, said the panel, and the
demonstrated examples were designed to "ease people" into the
technology.
Peter Gabriel said that interactive media holds, " a lot of
possibilities," and that it is "an exciting time for change."
Said Gabriel, "Video became part of promotional packaging very
quickly." He added that interactive media provides an "opportunity for
developers to be brave." He concluded, that there is a "wide canvas
open to us," and that "we need to begin experimenting."
(Ian Stokell/19931013)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
BUSINESS
Amdahl Says Bigger Losses Coming, Talks About Future
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00004)
Amdahl Says Bigger Losses Coming, Talks About Future 10/13/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Mainframe
computer maker Amdahl said double-digit sales volume growth in
terms of computing power led it to believe it could continue to
compete at the same levels, but it now realizes the market is
smaller than it anticipated. The company has announced it will
report a loss in its 1993 third quarter earnings "considerably"
larger than the $23.7 million reported as red ink in its
second-quarter statement.
Company officials told Newsbytes the plan now is to get the
company's costs down in line with what it believes is the real
size of the market. It is doing that by making deals with other
companies, such as EDS, Sun, and Fujitsu, in order to share
research and development costs, and by cutting back its own
expenses. Such cuts probably mean more layoffs.
While Bill Stewart of public relations for Amdahl said the
market is still there for mainframe systems for mission
critical applications, such as airline reservation systems and
government projects, there is pricing pressure that wasn't
there before and profit margins are smaller. Certain
applications have lent themselves well to smaller personal
computer (PC)-based systems, but Amdahl customers are still
interested in the performance and reliability of mainframe
systems, Stewart told Newsbytes. "Systems that can be moved
from a mainframe to a PC probably should have never been on a
mainframe to begin with," Stewart said.
The company's competitors, IBM and Hitachi, are facing the same
challenges and while Hitachi's struggles are not itemized, as
it is privately held, IBM has experienced the same problems
with excess capacity, Stewart added. "Amdahl intends to bring
itself in line with the level of business it feels is out
there," which Stewart says means cutting back its capacity at
least 25 percent.
Also, it has canceled open systems projects internally that
overlap with products produced by Sun and will market the Sun
products instead. Stewart said Amdahl is porting its software
to the Sun Solaris platform and hopes the security features it
offers in the Solaris version will attract customers. Amdahl
believes it can manufacture its mainframe products cheaper as
well, though it will take a couple of years to make that
change, Stewart said.
Sunnyvale, California-based, $2.5 billion Amdahl already
announced restructuring charges earlier this year that put its
first quarter losses at $239 million. The company has already
cut about 2,000 employees this year and so far this year has
reported revenues down by more than one-third of its previous
year.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931011/Press Contact: Bill Stewart, Amdahl,
Amdahl, tel 408-746-8510, fax 408-746-6468)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GOVT
UK Law Commission To Ease Rules On Computer Records
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00005)
UK Law Commission To Ease Rules On Computer Records 10/13/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Computer business records may
be accepted in evidence more easily in court cases following the
publication of a special report by the English Law Commission.
The report recommends the abolition of the rules that restrict the
use of hearsay, or so-called second-hand evidence, in court. Most
business records kept on paper are considered hearsay evidence,
although they may still be admissible in courts that have been
liberal in their interpretation of legal rules, subject to the
judge's discretion.
Currently, the law imposes special conditions on the use of
computer-created evidence owing to what the law sees as the
unreliability of such evidence. Legal experts have discussed the
problem that computer files, including audit records and file dates
and times, can be falsified.
The commission recommends that any further restrictions on the use
of computer-generated records be removed by treating such records
in the same way as paper records are handled in court.
In its report, the commission says that it recognizes that the
special rules that exist for the admissibility of computer records
have the potential to restrict the adoption of and reliance on new
technologies such as the use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
for electronic trading.
The report quotes Lloyds, the cosponsors of the EDI network for the
insurance industry, as expressing concerns that London may lose its
edge in the international market-place unless there is a change in
the rules.
Officials with Lloyds claim that, although the abolition of these
rules may take some time to pass through Governmental approvals
procedures, they will remove a lot of the uncertainty that surrounds
electronic bookkeeping.
The report cites several surveys as showing that electronic traders
have had to maintain paper copies of their messages because of
doubts about the legal acceptability of electronic records. These
practices, the report notes, can add tremendously to the cost of
providing an electronic service.
Interestingly, the report notes that a popular, but mistaken belief
among EDI users is that `original' documents should be maintained
for use as evidence. This is incorrect - the report notes that
copies of originals are enough for the courts to treat them as
evidence.
The author of the report, which is currently being discussed by the
English Law Commission, is Tarlo Lyons, a research fellow at the
London Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary and Westfield
College.
(Steve Gold/19931012/Press Contact: English Law Commission - +44-71-
411 1220)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GENERAL
3M Licenses 13GB Tape Technology
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00006)
3M Licenses 13GB Tape Technology 10/13/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- St. Paul, Minnesota-
based 3M, a major supplier of magnetic media - especially
magnetic tape, has licensed its 13 gigabyte (GB) or 13,000
megabyte quarter-inch (QIC) data cartridge technology to tape
drive manufacturer Tanberg Data Storage A/S of Oslo, Norway.
This latest development means that a 5.25-inch form factor QIC
backup tape drive may be available by late 1994 with a 13-
gigabyte capacity, more than double the current maximum capacity
for that form factor.
Working with both 3M and IBM, Tanberg Data expects that the
system will be used for both LAN backup and data acquisition
because it will offer a sustained maximum data rate of 1.5
megabytes-per-second, with optional slower 800- and 400-
kilobytes-per-second rates.
QIC, the industry standard for small-format tape backups, was
developed by 3M which estimates the installed base to be near
nine million. Three million more drives are forecast to be shipped
in 1994 alone.
The QIC standard, QIC-5010-DC for the 13 GB system, is the next
capacity step established by the Quarter-Inch Drive Standards,
Inc., organization and many companies are expected to upgrade to
13 GB from the present 5 GB standard.
The higher capacity will be possible because of the use of thin-
film magneto resistive heads, a new generation of integrated
circuits, and embedded servos. Data will be stored at a bit
density of 67,773 bits-per-inch with 144 data tracks and 24 servo
tracks on a 1,200 foot tape.
The 13 GB data capacity is an uncompressed data capacity rating.
3M states that the new drive will be between three and eight
times faster than the competing 4 mm digital audio tapes, filling
an entire 13 GB tape in about 2.5 hours using a SCSI-2 interface.
(John McCormick/19931012/Press Contact: Ken Greenberg, Fleishman-
Hillard, 213-629-4974 or Rich Peters, Tanberg Data Storage, 805-
495-8384)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
IBM
Medical Matters - Journalkeeping For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00007)
Medical Matters - Journalkeeping For Windows 10/13/93
HIAWATHA, IOWA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Parsons Technology
has announced Medical Matters, a Microsoft Windows-based software
program that is designed to function as a journal to track health
issues and as a library of medical terminology.
The Library in Medical Matters includes on on-line copy of The
Random House Health and Medicine Dictionary and a listing of over
4,000 drugs and 500 health and medical agencies. There is also a
hotline guide of numbers to call in case of an emergency. The
drug reference contains information about the use, side effects,
precautions, dosages, and interactions of the listed drugs. The
dictionary contains 7,000 entries, including a pronunciation
guide and plain English definitions. The material is cross
referenced.
The Personal Health Journal uses a tabbed three-ring binder
metaphor for users to enter and track such information as doctor
visits and the costs associated with those visits. A single
journal can keep track of a group of people with a tab for each
person.
Family Matters tracks insurance policy information such as the
amount of deductible on a policy or the percentage of coverage.
The program will then track that information against cost and let
you know how much you owe or how much you can expect your
insurance plan to pay.
Journal and Library information can be printed, producing reports
of insurance policy use by a particular member of the family or
the side effects of a particular drug listed in the drug
reference area.
Like most of Parsons Technology's programs, Medical Matters has a
suggested retail price of $69. System requirements include an
IBM-compatible PC running Microsoft Windows 3.1 or later and a
hard disk with six megabytes of space available. Medical Matters
is available directly from Parsons, through retail outlets
nationwide, or from the Compuserve electronic shopping mall.
(Jim Mallory/19931012/Press contact: Joan Dyal, Parsons
Technology, 319-395-9626; Reader contact: Parsons Technology,
319-395-9626)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
TELECOM
Hongkong - New BBS Magazine
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00008)
Hongkong - New BBS Magazine 10/13/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- A new quarterly publication
Dataphile, which addresses the burgeoning bulletin board user
marketplace, is being published by AsiaTech Publications.
The magazine is the brainchild of well-known local IT journalists
James Riley and Larry Campbell, both of whom work for the territory's
major English language newspaper, the South China Morning Post.
The first issue editorial discusses the competitive battle between
Compuserve, which has been available in Hong Kong for a year or more,
and GEnie, which has only just been announced after years of
negotiation.
It is estimated that 50,000 people regularly use BBSs in the
territory and the number is growing almost expontentially. Although
definite figures are difficult to obtain because there are so many
special interest BBSs, the magazine lists around 400 fully
operational BBS, most with FIDONET addresses.
Because of their heavy involvement in the coordination of Chinese
language character set standards, Hong Kong BBSs could provide
a wealth of information for US and European manufacturers and
software developers.
(Keith Cameron 19931011 Press Contact: Larry Campbell, Dataphile,
Voice: 852- 7912446 Fax: 852-7912478)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GENERAL
Malaysia Moving Fast With EDI
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00009)
Malaysia Moving Fast With EDI 10/13/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Malaysia has put many of its
neighbors to shame by quickly implementing electronic data exchange
(EDI).
Last January Mr Kamarudin Abu Bakar was appointed chief operating
officer of EDI Malaysia, a private consortium with the country's
sole licence to offer EDI services. The Ministry of Trade and
Industry adopted ADS, a system based on the United Nations Layout
Key which simplifies the preparation of standardized trade
documents.
EDI Malaysia uses twin Unisys U6000s running INS, an EDI software
product developed by ICL and GE Information Systems.
The Malaysian move has left Hong Kong's EDI initiative, Tradelink,
standing. Most industry watchers in Hong Kong are severely critical
of the lack of substantial support from government and believe
that EDI is about five or six years behind due to the protracted
tests and trials introduced by a lumbering bureaucracy.
Tradelink issued a tender about one year ago and was due to award
the EDI contract a couple of weeks ago, but there have been
unexplained delays which further frustrate local traders and
the IT profession.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's Bakar said: "We are under no illusions about
EDI. The benefits are real, but the difficulties are also real.
To derive benefits there must be change and change is always
difficult." He said that because the Malaysian government
had acted quickly to support internationally accepted standards,
the path to implementation was smooth.
(Keith Cameron/19931011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
BUSINESS
Thailand, Indochina Targetted For Network Services
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00010)
Thailand, Indochina Targetted For Network Services 10/13/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- ITS Asia Pacific, one
of Asia's leading data communications systems integration
companies, and Thailand-based trading conglomerate Loxley PCL
have formed a new company called ITS (Thailand) to supply and
support computer networks in Thailand and Indochina.
The partnership combines the technical abilities and international
strengths of Hong Kong-based ITS with Loxley's large and
established network of local business concerns and clients
throughout Thailand and Indochina.
"ITS, through its relationship with parent company SITA, can tap
into the world's largest private communications network," said
Vasant Chatikwanji, executive vice-president of Loxley PCL.
"This kind of ability is exciting to us because we gain a partner
who is not only a global leader in networking but a partner who can
bring us closer to what is happening elsewhere in the world."
"Most airlines operating in Thailand already use information
provided by SITA and technology from ITS so we have a good base
from which to grow," said Vasant. "ITS also carries an inherent
advantage over other network equipment suppliers since it can
integrate complex systems on a global basis."
Barry Bonnett, managing director of ITS Asia Pacific, is equally
confident in the future of the joint venture and in the
communications industry in Thailand in general. "The growth of Thai
companies, as well as an expansion in the number of multinationals
operating in the country, is fuelling a boom in the communications
industry," said Bonnett. "We believe the stage is being set for
compound growth in networking services, both in Thailand and in the
rapidly developing economies of Indochina."
Bonnett also said he was encouraged by Loxley's successful track
record in dealing with other major multinationals in Thailand-based
joint ventures, including Hong Kong's Hutchison Telecom with which
it jointly owns a nationwide paging service with more than 160,000
subscribers.
One of the largest trading conglomerates in Thailand, Loxley has
interests in telecommunications, chemicals, construction materials,
satellites, radio and communications equipment.
(Keith Cameron/19931006 Press Contact: Wayne Merrick, ITS,
852 - 831 0506)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
BUSINESS
India - Commodore Peddles Amiga
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00011)
India - Commodore Peddles Amiga 10/13/93
BOMBAY, INDIA, 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Silicon Holdings & Finance Pvt. Ltd.,
is introducing computer systems from Commodore Business Machines Ltd.,
of the UK at CSI '93, the Computer Society of India's Annual Convention
& Exhibition to be held in Bombay, November 3-6.
The models to be launched are the C-64, Amiga 600HD, A-1200, CD 32,
A-3000, A-4000-030 and the A-4000-040. Prices of these vary from
Rs 3,500 (around $115) for the C-64 home computer to Rs 2 lakh
(around $6700) for the Amiga 4000 series.
Based on an 8500 microprocessor, the C-64 home computer comes
with a word processor and a spreadsheet. Worldwide, Commodore
has an installed base of over 12 million units for its C-64.
The Amiga 600HD supports three chips for video, graphics and
animation, and sound. The model has a PCMCIA-card slot, a
programmable I/O parallel port, a programmable serial port
and two control ports for add-ons like mouse/joystick,
graphics tablet or a lightpen.
The A-1200 has a chip memory of 2 MB RAM expandable to 4 MB
in the CPU slot and an additional 4 MB of 16-bit RAM in the
PCMCIA slot.
All the Amiga machines are for use in desktop video, animation,
morphing, digital sound processing, music composition and cell
animation.
Silicon expects to sell 1,000 Amiga systems by March 1994.
"The increased demand for television programs with introduction
of Zee TV (a satellite-based television channel beaming from Hong
Kong), several channels on Doordarshan (the government-controlled
television company, which has recently launched five new satellite
channels to counter Rupert Murdoch's STAR TV) and the video
channels present a huge market potential for Amiga units," says
Suresh.
This is not the first time that Commodore has tried to enter India.
About four years ago, Commander Computers Ltd., a Bhubaneshwar-based
company, attempted a manufacturing and marketing tie-up with
Commodore. However, "This project never took off and the firm no
longer exists," says Suresh. As per the agreement, Silicon has
been appointed the exclusive Commodore dealer for India and
the nonexclusive dealer for Singapore, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong,
Nepal, Bangladesh and the whole of the African continent.
The company plans to assemble the systems in India. A financial
institution, the tie-up with Commodore is Silicon's first foray
into computers.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931013)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
TELECOM
Japan - "Multimedia" Electronic Mail
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00012)
Japan - "Multimedia" Electronic Mail 10/13/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Ace Telemail International is
planning to start multimedia electronic mail service next April.
The service will actually be an extension of its current
electronic mail transmission service to support large scale
data. Ace Telemail International is a joint venture of major
Japanese and US firms including Sumitomo Trading and Sprint.
Ace Telemail provides the electronic mail data transmission
service, called Flex 400, to 35 countries. The service
uses the MHS X400 message handling system. Through this service,
registered users can exchange e-mail and fax data with other
network users such as customers of AT&T Mail.
Ace Telemail's new service will include transmission of large
scale data such as that from CD-ROMs. Also, the firm is planning to
expand its service area to include Indonesia and other Southeast
Asian countries.
Ace Telemail is currently talking with other major Japanese
telecommunication networks concerning interconnection of their
e-mail systems. Included in the talks are NEC's PC-VAN and
Fujitsu's Nifty-Serve.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931012/Press Contact: Ace Telemail
International, +81-3-5280-1456, Fax, +81-3-5280-1456)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GOVT
Japan Seeks Software Development Technology
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TYO)(00013)
Japan Seeks Software Development Technology 10/13/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- The Japanese Ministry of
International Trade and Industry has started the 5-year project to
develop efficient technologies to create computer programs.
The Ministry plans to team up with private industry to
explore what it calls wide area productivity and object-oriented
productivity technology. The project is led by the Information
Technology Consortium of the Ministry. 24 private software firms
are cooperating in this project.
The Wide Area Software Productivity Technology project will
explore the design of software at different locations separately.
The object-oriented project will seek to unify data processing
and procedures.
MITI believes that when these technologies are developed, software
makers will be able to drastically reduce software development
costs. Also, local software developers will not have to
commute to a central site in order to work on a software project.
The Ministry is planning to spend 2.2 billion yen ($22 million)
for this project.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931012)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
TELECOM
Delrina Launches Software Bundle, Communications Deals
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00014)
Delrina Launches Software Bundle, Communications Deals 10/13/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Delrina Corp. has
launched a three-pronged attack on the communications market with
a bundle of communications software and marketing and development
relationships with two companies.
Delrina unveiled its Communications Suite for Windows, which
bundles the company's WinFax Pro facsimile software with its
newly launched data communications software, WinComm Pro.
The Toronto software developer also signed a deal with MCI
Communications Inc., which will sell WinFax Pro to users of its
Global Messaging Services, said Steve Cherry, director of
Delrina's new Communications Services Division. WinFax Pro will
also gain features meant to support communication over MCI's fax
broadcast services.
Third, Delrina inked a development and marketing deal with
WorldLinx Telecommunications Inc., a subsidiary of Bell Canada in
Toronto. The companies plan to link WinFax Pro to WorldLinx's
enhanced fax services, incorporate Delrina's forms software in
WorldLinx's electronic forms capability, and cooperate to
develop electronic products and services. The first fruits of
this alliance can be expected in 1994, said Dennis Bennie,
chairman and chief executive of Delrina.
The company said it is negotiating several other such agreements.
To support these moves, Delrina said it formed a new
Communications Services Division, to market fax broadcast and
mailbox services, discounted long-distance communications, and
other such services.
Delrina said its new WinComm software is based in part on
technology acquired recently from Hilgraeve Inc., maker of the
HyperAccess communications software. The company said its fax and
data communications software bundle will simplify personal
computer communications because the two packages are set up to be
aware of each other and avoid the conflicts that could otherwise
arise when both pieces of software try to address the same
hardware.
WinComm Pro comes with a scripting language and predefined
log-ons for major online services including CompuServe, GEnie,
BIX, Dow Jones, MCI Mail, AT&T Mail, and Delphi, the company
said.
Bennie said the bundle opens up new possibilities for Delrina.
"Once we've got people using either fax or data communications,"
he said, "we've got two levels of income that we can look to to
upgrade those people in the future."
Delrina also announced solid quarterly results, maintaining
profits of about 20 percent before tax. Bennie said he is
especially pleased that the company was able to maintain its
profitability while adding staff and boosting other overhead
costs to support projected growth. He said Delrina expects
similar profit levels for the full year.
(Grant Buckler/19931013/Press Contact: Josef Zankowicz or Shelly
Sofer, Delrina, 416-441-3676, fax 416-441-0333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GENERAL
DEC Launches Range Of Workstations, Servers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00015)
DEC Launches Range Of Workstations, Servers 10/13/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- As part of a
sweeping list of announcements, Digital Equipment Corp. has
unveiled a number of new workstations and servers, mainly using
its Alpha AXP processors but also including some based on the
older VAX technology.
The company also announced plans for a fault-tolerant Alpha
system to be built by an Italian company, and made some changes
to upgrade and software incentive programs.
DEC launched two new Alpha AXP workstations. The DEC 3000 Model
600 AXP is a desktop machine with a 175-megahertz (MHz) Alpha
chip, meant mainly for computer-aided design, computer-aided
software engineering, and new technologies such as multimedia. It
is available immediately with prices starting at $19,995. Digital
claimed it is the highest-performance desktop system in the
industry. The DEC 3000 Model 800 AXP has a 200-MHz processor in a
tower cabinet, and DEC said it is 15 percent faster and 30
percent cheaper than the existing Model 500X. It is available
immediately, starting at $36,000.
The DEC 2000 Model 300 AXP is a new workgroup server, priced
from $9,695 and available now. The Alpha AXP PCLAN server is a
variant of this machine with local-area network server options
included. Also available now, it starts at $6,995.
Digital replaced the existing DEC 3000 Model 400S with the new
Model 600S AXP, and the existing Model 500S with the new Model
800S ASP. The 600S is a desktop server; the 800S is a deskside
server. Both are available immediately. The DEC 3000 Model 600S
AXP starts at $21,190, and the Model 900S AXP at $34,130.
The 3000 Model 400S and 500S are the only existing models
replaced by the new announcements, company spokeswoman Karen
Quatromoni said, but the DEC 7000 AXP systems have been given new
processors boosting their performance by about 10 percent. These
are data center servers. The upgraded models are available now,
with prices starting from $126,334.
DEC also added the DEC 4000 Model 700 AXP, departmental servers
in one- and two-processor configurations, available now starting
at $66,372.
In the VAX line, DEC added the MicroVAX 3100 Model 90, a desktop
server, priced from $19,530, and the VAX 4000 Models 100A, 500A,
600A, and 700A distributed servers, with prices ranging from
$31,180 to $85,340. All are available immediately.
The VAXft 810 is a new fault-tolerant computer meant for
mission-critical applications, DEC said. Prices start at
$175,000.
Digital said it has an agreement with an Italian firm, Alenia, to
build a fault-tolerant Alpha system as well as the new VAXft 810
and other fault-tolerant machines in future. Dick Price of DEC
told Newsbytes the company is not ready to say when the
fault-tolerant Alpha machine might reach the market or what it
will cost.
The company also renamed its Multi-Data Center Facility, now
calling it the Business Recovery Server. This provides hot-site
data backup recovery centers by connecting two data centers as
much as 40 kilometers apart through a Fiber Distributed Data
Interchange (FDDI) network connection. DEC also said it plans by
spring of next year to offer such support over communications
carriers' T3 lines, allowing data centers hundreds of kilometers
apart to be linked this way.
DEC also lumped its previous upgrade programs together in a
single scheme called Advantage-Upgrade, saying this makes the
upgrade process simpler. A new Commercial Software Incentive
Program means third-party software providers are offering
discounts on upgrade costs to DEC customers who upgrade their
hardware. More than 150 software vendors are participating, DEC
said.
(Grant Buckler/19931013/Press Contact: Karen Quatromoni, Digital,
508-264-5358; Dave Bouffard, Digital, 415-853-6600; Bob Price,
Digital, 508-493-4297)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
BUSINESS
H&R Block To Acquire Meca Software
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00016)
H&R Block To Acquire Meca Software 10/13/93
FAIRFIELD, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- H&R Block
Inc., known to most people for its tax-preparation services, has
signed a deal to buy Meca Software Inc., which sells the Andrew
Tobias' TaxCut tax preparation package and other software.
Block, of Kansas City, Missouri, is to pay a total of $32.2
million for Meca, said Paul D. Harrison, executive vice-president
of the software firm. It will do so through a tender offer for
all of Meca' outstanding shares at $6.625 per common share.
Meca will operate as a separate subsidiary of Block after the
acquisition, remaining in its present offices in Fairfield. The
present management expects to remain in place and staff jobs are
not likely to be lost as a result of the buyout, Harrison said.
Meca's personal finance and tax software products include Andrew
Tobias' Managing Your Money, Andrew Tobias' TaxCut, Fidelity
On-Line Xpress, and Hyatt Legal Services' Home Lawyer.
Meca's tax software will complement Block's tax preparation
services, Harrison said. He added that Block's ownership of the
CompuServe online information service means other possible
synergies. Users of Meca's software are likely to be interested
in online financial information and services such as those
available through CompuServe, Harrison explained. The software
"is truly going to be a gateway for the consumer to the world of
financial products and services," he said.
The tender offer is to commence next week and depends on enough
shares being tendered to give Block a majority of Meca's common
shares on a fully diluted basis, officials said. The offer is not
conditional on financing.
The merger deal provides that if it is terminated under certain
circumstances, including by Meca to accept a better acquisition
offer, Meca will pay Block a termination fee of $900,000 and an
expense allowance of $450,000.
Chipsoft, Inc., attempted but called off an acquisition of Meca
Software earlier this year. Newsbytes reported that Chipsoft had
called off its proposed purchase of its largest competitor, Meca,
due to concern on the part of the Antitrust Division of the
Department of Justice that the acquisition would give Chipsoft
a monopoly.
(Grant Buckler/19931013/Press Contact: Paul D. Harrison, Meca
Software, 203-256-5000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
TRENDS
Semiconductor Book-To-Bill Ratio Down, But Numbers Up
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00017)
Semiconductor Book-To-Bill Ratio Down, But Numbers Up 10/13/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- The main
indicator of the health of the semiconductor industry, the
book-to-bill ratio, compiled each month by the Semiconductor
Industry Association (SIA), is down. However, the actual
numbers of orders (bookings) and billings (shipments) continue
to climb compared to last year's figures.
The September book-to-bill ratio is 1.01, down from 1.08 in
August. A book-to-bill of 1.01 means for every $100 of orders
shipped, $101 worth of new orders was received.
The book-to-bill has been phenomenally high for 21 consecutive
months and anything over 1.0 is good, according to SIA
officials. Despite the fact that September bookings were 28.7
percent higher than last September and billings are up 35.5
percent over last year's figures, bookings were down 4.0
percent from last month's figures, pulling the book-to-bill
down from August.
September bookings in the US market were $2.161 billion, down
from $2.25 billion in August, but up from the $1.679 billion
figure posted in September of 1992. Billings were $2.501
billion, up from $2.040 in August, and an increase over the
$1.574 reported in the same period last year. Credit for the
swelling numbers belongs to the burgeoning personal computer
(PC) market, the SIA maintains.
The book-to-bill reached its 1993 high in January of this year
with a ratio of 1.20. The numbers for the ratio come from
surveys of key semiconductor manufacturers who participate in
the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) program and are
based on a three-month moving average.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931013/Press Contact: Tom Beerman, SIA, tel
408-246-2711, fax 408-246-2830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
TRENDS
Survey Shows IC Market Turning Down
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00018)
Survey Shows IC Market Turning Down 10/13/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Based on estimates
extending seven months into the future, Dr. Handelsman of
Cupertino, California-based Advanced Forecasting, says that the
slowdown in the integrated circuit market his company predicted
six months ago is now taking place.
Advanced Forecasting predicts that because manufacturers are
still increasing capacity by adding new IC manufacturing systems,
price cuts are likely as demand drops by mid-1994.
If AF's forecasts are reasonably accurate, the economic situation
for silicon chip makers could drastically worsen as price
competition combines with lowered demand to cut profits.
The chip industry, according to Dr. Handlesman, "is facing a
tougher time than in the'89-'91 recession," partially because the
forecasting model shows that this time there will be a drop in
demand not just from the computer industry but also from the
communications industry which is also a large market for
integrated circuits ranging from digital signal processors to
memory and microprocessors.
AF released a similar announcement predicting a downturn in the
IC industry back in early 1988 which accurately predicted a
recession in the chip making industry.
Dr. Moshe Handelsman told Newsbytes in a faxed response that the
forecasts are based, not on opinion polls or other subjective
data, but on hard numbers published by various industry sources.
Advanced Forecasting makes monthly forecasts based on statistical
models which the company says allows subscribers to conduct
pinpoint planning. A list of AF subscribers reads like a who's
who of the computer industry and includes IBM, Hewlett-Packard,
VLSI Technology, Teledyne, Intel, NEC, Motorola, NCR, and
National Semiconductor.
(John McCormick/19931013/Press Contact: Dr. Moshe Handelsman,
Advanced Forecasting, 408-725-2964, fax 408-253-1453)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GOVT
SW Publishers Again Call For Loosening Export Rules
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00019)
SW Publishers Again Call For Loosening Export Rules 10/13/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- The perennial battle
by the software industry to convince Congress that restricting
the export of advanced computer programs based on the supposed
content of sensitive encryption software, has been joined once
again. Software Publishers Association staff and members
testified yesterday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee's
Subcommittee on Economic Policy, Trade and Development, that such
restrictions hurt the US software industry and are meaningless
in the light of foreign encryption programs.
Major software publishing companies are attempting to
convince the federal government that there should be no
restrictions placed on many common business programs (those
commonly marked with notices such as "Not for export"), an
effort which has proved useless in the past.
Many companies using spreadsheets, database software, and even
word processors need a way to secure their confidential data and
therefore require that powerful data encryption systems be built
into the programs. Unfortunately, the US government, backed by
the intelligence community, has long refused to let these same
programs be exported, because of the fear that foreign
governments would obtain US encryption technology.
Of course this ignores the both fact that individuals and
governments can freely move software between countries either in
their baggage or electronically and that the basic theory of
modern public key encryption is well known to all mathematicians.
In this round of hearings, the SPA brought forward a list of 264
encryption products already being published and shipped from
foreign countries, many of which can be freely imported into the
US, while US publishers are prohibited from exporting similar
software.
A former National Security Agency employee, Steve Walker, who is
now with Trusted Information Systems, told the Representatives
that the government can't hope to control the availability of
encryption technology because it is already widespread.
Mr. Walker also told the Committee that powerful encryption
systems are readily available on electronic systems such as the
internationally accessible Internet.
Ray Ozzie, president of IRIS Associates, and speaking on behalf
of the Business Software Alliance, told the committee that the
BSA estimates that between $6 and $9 billion in annual software
sales are at risk because of the encryption export controls. Mr.
Ozzie called the current export controls "unrealistic" and called
for the immediate ending of such controls. IRIS Associates
developed Lotus Notes which is marketed by Lotus Development.
The SPA is a trade association of more than 1,000 software
publishers, while the BSA represents a few of the largest
publishers, including Microsoft, Lotus, and WordPerfect.
(John McCormick/19931013/Press Contact: Eileen Rosenthaul,
Software Publishers Association, 202-452-1600; Kim Willard, BSA,
202-872-5500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GOVT
Electronic Tracking Of Mail Comes To Post Office
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00020)
Electronic Tracking Of Mail Comes To Post Office 10/13/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- The US Postal
Service has just ordered 210,000 "Touch Memory" labels from
Dallas, Texas-based Dallas Semiconductor which will be used as
part of a mail tracking system. Since in its entire 200-year
history the postal service has previously had no real way to
measure carrier performance, it is perhaps surprising that it
does as well as it does. But it now has a chance to really
improve operations by analyzing data that the carriers themselves
will collect.
The sophisticated Dallas labels, which house a computer memory
chip in a 16-millimeter stainless steel button, will provide
collection boxes with digital signatures that allow delivery
personnel to record collection and delivery data.
Although first class mail can't be tracked on an individual basis
the way Federal Express envelopes can, this "station-tracking"
system is expected to provide a database of delivery times which
can be analyzed to help eliminate pickup and delivery
bottlenecks.
Pilot projects in New York and elsewhere showed the viability of
the Touch Memory system which is activated and read using a pen-
sized scanner. Another large installation was on 125,000 waste
containers in Paris, France.
The same devices are also widely used as electronic keys both for
buildings and computer systems.
A representative of Dallas Semiconductor told Newsbytes that one
of the most important aspects of their data recording and marking
system is that the pen-size and shaped scanner has a battery life
of many years and is extremely user friendly.
The markers will be used by mail carriers to record their
time of contact with each labeled box. The time marker comes from
the pen itself but more advanced Dallas markers can even contain
their own real-time clocks along with permanent identifying
serial number and up to four-thousand bits of data that can be
changed by any of the pens.
The least expensive buttons sell for $1.59 each in thousand
quantities, while the company's most sophisticated markers, the
ones which contain 4K of data and have a built-in clock, cost
$6.60 each in thousand quantities.
The scanner pens, which can feed the gathered data directly into
a computer, are made by Corvalis, Oregon-based Videx and St.
Louis-based Systems Integrators.
The news of the high-tech help from Dallas Semiconductor came on
the same day when the Postal Service announced that the $1 billion-
losing USPS had spent $100,000 to design a new logo and would
spend a further $6 million or so on repainting and reprinting
over the old logo.
(John McCormick/19931013/Press Contact: Syd Coppersmith, Dallas
Semiconductors, 214-450-5349 or fax 214-450-0470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GENERAL
OURS Conference - Common Data Standard Being Drafted
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00021)
OURS Conference - Common Data Standard Being Drafted 10/13/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- What works with
what? An appropriately entitled task force within the OURS (Open
User Recommended Solutions) user/vendor consortium has been looking
into that question.
Now, the What Works with What Task Force plans to develop and test
a standard data model aimed at greater interoperability, said Mid
Walsh, co-chair of the W4 Working Group within the task force, and
director of strategic relations for Novell.
With tens of thousands of products now on the market, information
is everywhere, but users and vendors alike are grappling with the
problem of how to fit the pieces together, stated Walsh, at a
presentation of OURS task group findings in Boston yesterday that
was hosted by Lotus and DEC.
The What Works with What Task Force drafted an internal charter
paper last January. In June came the formation of the W4 Working
Group, consisting of seven of the 26 task force participants.
Last month, W4 launched a series of focus groups with users.
Results of the focus group sessions complemented and confirmed
informal hypotheses established at task force sessions, according
to Walsh. The 25 interviewees told the working group: "We need to
know what works with what and how."
The study also showed that different disciplines within IS
(Information Systems) -- such as database administrators and
network managers, for example -- hold different perspectives on the
problem. "No one individual cares about (having) all of the
information on all of the products," noted Walsh.
In a further finding, users expressed a strong need for "loopback,"
or feedback, on interoperability. "They want to be able to stand
on each others' shoulders, rather than standing on each other's
feet," he remarked.
After the focus groups were completed, the task force arrived at an
objective ("facilitate exchange of interoperability data"), an
approach ("a `soft' recommendation for practical use"), and a first
step ("a generic object model").
In a meeting with Newsbytes after the presentation, Walsh described
the "generic object model" as a "data model that will act as a
common standard." He elaborated: "It will be more like EDI
(Electronic Data Interchange) than CORBA (Common Request Broker
Architecture) or DCE (Distributed Computing Environment.)"
The data model is now being drafted by the W4 Working Group, and
will later be tested among W4 members, he said. The ultimate goal
is to publish the standard. "If accepted, the standard should have
a strong strategic impact," he predicted.
The international What Works with What Task Force has also decided
to sponsor a local group, focusing on interoperability issues, for
users in the Boston area, he added.
Members of the W4 working group are CMP Publications, DEC, IBM,
ICL, Lotus, Novell, and Ziff-Davis. Other members of What Works
with What Task Force include American Airlines, American Express,
BSG, Chase Manhattan Bank, Church of Latter Day Saints, Citibank,
EDS, Meade Data Central, Microsoft, MIT, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius,
Nynex, Oracle, Pacific Gas & Electric, Standard Microsoft Corp.,
Swiss Bank, Texaco, US West, and Union Camp Corp.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931013/Reader and press contacts: Mid Walsh,
Novell, tel 512-794-1499; Open User Recommended Solutions, tel
212-938-5534)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GENERAL
OURS Conference - Network Mgt Task Force Announced
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00022)
OURS Conference - Network Mgt Task Force Announced 10/13/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- OURS (Open User
Recommended Solutions) has formed the Network Management Task
Force, a group of users, vendors, and service providers who will
work together on interoperability issues in the areas of network
management, client/server applications, and groupware
administration.
Announced at the OURS Fall Conference in Boston, the new unit joins
the ranks of four previously established task forces. The other
task forces are dedicated to pursuing greater interoperability in
multivendor education, data security, software licensing, and "what
works with what."
In a presentation yesterday, Douglas W. Holmes, one of four
cochairs for the Network Management Task Force, explained that the
international group will look for tactical solutions to reducing
the increasing burdens of system management.
Problems to be addressed will include rising management costs,
mounting end user demands for network management, and proliferating
network management systems, said Holmes, who is also director of
Advanced Information Applications at Pacific Gas & Electric
Company.
"We're going to focus on finding tools that will lessen the time
and labor required to run a network," Holmes noted afterward, in an
interview with Newsbytes.
Directories and other services, assets, user profiles, security
issues, and software licensing are some of the most time-consuming
tasks that network managers currently face, he added.
Since there is some overlap in areas of interest, the new task
force will work closely with the four other OURS groups in
coordinating, dovetailing, and collaborating on activities,
according to Holmes. "We'll get their input as to what they need
us to do," he said.
The Network Management Task Force and Data Security Task Force are
already planning to team up together on developing a proposal on
how to improve security administration. "We might have the
proposal ready by the time of the next OURS conference this
spring," Holmes told Newsbytes.
The Network Management Task Force held its first meeting at Interop
in San Francisco on August 27, and met again earlier this week in
Boston to itemize and prioritize issues.
"Over the next month, we'll be holding two teleconferences to find
out how we can best leverage the skills and strengths of our
members," he stated.
The Network Management Task Force now has about 20 participants,
and is interested in adding more members from the user, vendor and
service communities, according to Holmes.
DuWayne Mutchler of EDS, Doug Snapp of Intel, and Ali Tabrizi of
IBM are co-chairing the new group along with Holmes.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931013/Reader and press contacts: Douglas W.
Holmes, Pacific Gas & Electric Company, tel 510-866-5729; Open
User Recommended Solutions, tel 212-938-5534)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/13/93
GENERAL
DEC Pulls Out Stops To Show Client/Server Focus
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00023)
DEC Pulls Out Stops To Show Client/Server Focus 10/13/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Like other
old-line computing companies that have gone out of their way in
recent months to show support for the new gospel of client/server
computing, Digital Equipment Corp., is determined to be seen as
ready and able to support the new model that many observers think
will be a major force in computing for the rest of the 1990s.
To back up the company's claim, William R. Demmer, vice-president
of DEC's Computer Systems Group, reminded Newsbytes of the
company's long history in selling distributed computing -- a
concept DEC has indeed pushed since the late 1970s. Demmer said
client/server is the most efficient way for today's computer
users to implement distributed computing.
To make sure it is seen as able to provide the tools for them to
do so, DEC bombarded customers yesterday with hardware, software,
networking, and service announcements covering virtually every
part of its product line. The idea seemed to be to ensure that no
DEC product area was left out and thus perceived as not ready for
the client/server world.
Highlights included a range of new workstations and servers,
mostly built on DEC's Alpha AXP hardware architecture, updates to
the company's OSF/1 variant of the Unix operating system and to
its OpenVMS operating system, enhancements to its PathWorks
networking software, new workgroup software called LinkWorks,
and various customer and consulting services to do with
client/server computing.
Asked to single out key elements of the announcement, Demmer
pointed to the hardware unveilings, saying they "give us the
performance leadership of a family of workstations and allow
Digital to have the performance lead at each price point that we
offer workstations."
Demmer said DEC is positioning its Alpha architecture as a
"universal architecture" that is scalable from personal computers
up to large parallel processing systems and can run three
operating systems -- OpenVMS, OSF/1, and Microsoft Corp.'s
Windows NT.
Many of the new hardware products included in this week's
announcement are servers using the Alpha architecture. For good
measure, DEC also added some new models to the older VAX line.
Demmer admitted client/server computing remains a fairly small
part of the marketplace today -- less than 25 percent in the
industry as a whole, he said -- but "we do think though that over
the next five years this will be the dominant direction of all
the computing that we know of" between the desktop and the
mainframe.
One obstacle stopping many computer users from moving more
quickly toward client/server computing is a lack of security and
system management capabilities to match those they are accustomed
to in the mainframe and minicomputer worlds.
Demmer said DEC is addressing that issue in several ways with its
latest round of announcements. One is the addition of new
security features in a new release of OSF/1 "that have
traditionally been lacking in a Unix environment," he said. He
added that DEC is also planning a clustering capability to
improve the availability of its Unix systems.
In the meantime, he said, Digital sees its OpenVMS operating
system, an evolution of the VMS software that drove the company's
proprietary minicomputers for many years, as its preferred
platform for critical business applications in the next few
years.
(Grant Buckler/19931013/Press Contact: Sarah Miller, Digital,
508-467-2301)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/13/93
GENERAL
LinkWorks Software Is Key Element Of DEC Announcements
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00024)
LinkWorks Software Is Key Element Of DEC Announcements 10/13/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- In the
staggering volume of hardware, software, and networking
announcements that poured forth from Digital Equipment Corp. on
October 12, one of the more significant pieces appears to be
LinkWorks, a new work-group software framework for client/server
computing setups.
According to DEC, LinkWorks is meant to help computer users set
up collaborative business processes. Company spokesman Dave Price
said it will integrate individual applications packages in a way
similar to what Microsoft Corp.'s Windows provides through
features such as Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) -- that is,
applications will be able to cooperate more closely.
Once "encapsulated" into LinkWorks, Price said, any application
becomes an active LinkWorks object, as do files created by that
application. That means, for instance, that files created by
different applications but relating to a single project can be
stored together in a common storage area for that project. That
seems to fit with the idea, backed by a number of office
computing pundits, that user interfaces ought to be organized
more around tasks and less around applications.
LinkWorks is client/server software. Server components are
immediately available for DEC's Ultrix variant of the Unix
operating system and for Santa Cruz Operation Inc.,'s SCO Unix,
Price said. Support for DEC's OSF-1 Unix on Alpha AXP hardware
and for the company's older VAX systems is due by mid-1994, and
support for Microsoft Windows NT is due late next year, he added.
On a special-order basis, the company can also support IBM's AIX
and Hewlett-Packard Co.'s HP-UX on servers, Price said.
Microsoft Windows and the Open Software Foundation Motif user
interface are supported as clients right away, Price went on. The
Apple Macintosh will be supported in the first quarter of 1994.
According to DEC, LinkWorks will help users track and manage work
flow, share information, define organizational structure, and
create collaborative work groups quickly.
DEC has been providing the software to clients on a custom basis
as part of systems integration work, mostly in Europe, for about
18 months, Price said. It was developed for Digital by Faba, a
software developer in Lenz, Austria. Now LinkWorks is becoming
available as a standard software product, he said.
Prices for LinkWorks start at $299 per user and shipments are to
begin in December.
Other software elements of DEC's announcements included:
- Version 2.0 of the company's DEC OSF/1 AXP operating system
software for its Alpha AXP hardware. DEC said the new version
increases security, improves standards compliance with XPG/4
branding, and adds the OSF/Motif Version 1.2 graphical user
interface.
- Enhancements to ObjectBroker, software for integrating
independently developed applications across multiple systems
using object-oriented technology. Digital said the software
complies with Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA)
and OLE standards and supports Windows NT.
- Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) support -- the company said it
has shipped prototype SMP kits to major developers to help them
begin adapting their applications to Alpha AXP SMP systems, and
plans for general availability before mid-1994.
- Polycenter Advanced File System, software to improve data
integrity, file availability, and higher file system performance.
- DECsafe Available Server Environment to deal with server
failures.
- Workstation Farms software for setting up clusters of Unix
computers to work as if they were a single system.
- Enhancements to DEC's Pathworks networking software.
- Seventy new or updated software products for the OpenVMS
operating system on Alpha hardware, many of them aimed at
downsizing and client/server computing.
- New applications for OSF/1 on Alpha AXP systems. More than
1,500 applications are now available for this environment, DEC
officials said.
- Software for interconnecting DEC systems with IBM's ES/9000 and
AS/400 computers. This includes the DEC SNA Peer Server for Alpha
systems and the DEC SNA Domain Gateway, which provides access to
OpenVMS applications from IBM terminals and PCs.
- FullSail, a system management package for Unix client/server
systems that fits within the Polycenter NetView framework
announced in co-operation with IBM in August.
- The addition to DEC's OpenVMSCluster capabilities of the
ability to set up as many as 50 Alpha AXP machines in a cluster.
- Plans to provide volume shadowing for OpenVMS AXP in November,
meeting a customer need for ensured data and system availability,
DEC said.
- Addition of DCE Runtime Services -- DEC's version of the OSF's
Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) to OpenVMS. The DCE
Developer's Kit for OpenVMS VAX is available now, the company
said, and other components will ship in the first half of 1994.
- Plans to make Accessworks Version 3.0 -- client/server data
access software -- available on OpenVMS AXP starting in February.
- Plans to port DEC's Rdb relational database software,
traditionally available for VMS, to OSF/1, and to provide a
transaction processing monitor aimed at helping users move
transaction processing applications from IBM mainframes to DEC
client/server systems.
- Plans to increase the capacity of OpenVMS within 18 months by
adding support for 64-bit files and databases and a new file
system that officials said will be able to store as much as 10
terabytes of data online, update 10 gigabytes per day, and
recover one terabyte in eight hours.
(Grant Buckler/19931013/Press Contact: Dave Price, 603-881-0638;
Bob Price, 508-493-4297; Dave Bouffard, 415-853-6600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/13/93
BUSINESS
US West Sells Paging Division
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00025)
US West Sells Paging Division 10/13/93
ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- US West has
announced it has signed an agreement to sell its paging division
to Westlink Company. Terms of the deal, which is expected to
receive the necessary regulatory agency approvals by the second
quarter of 1994, were not disclosed.
Westlink is a company formed for the purpose of buying US West
Paging. Its chairman and CEO is former US West Paging president
and CEO and former US West Cellular sales VP, Robert P. Meinzer
Jr.
The company said 16 US West Paging headquarters staffers will
lose their jobs, but the other 364 employees will be offered jobs
with San Diego, California-based Westlink.
Under terms of the sale US West will continue to offer paging
services by selling the Westlink offering. US West Paging, a
division of US West NewVector Group, reportedly had revenues of
over $47 million in 1992, serving 280,000 customers in the 88
markets of its 14-state service area.
US West Paging spokesperson Laurie Johnson told Newsbytes the
sales will benefit the customers in several ways. One of those
will probably be the ability to receive both local and regional
or national paging service from the same provider. When the Bell
system was broken up by the federal government, the "Baby Bells"
were prohibited from providing certain types of services,
including 800 paging service. That means local paging service
would be available from a company like US West and wide area
service would have to come from another company. Westlink will be
able to offer product and services like local and wide area
paging, according to Johnson.
Westlink spokesperson David Frear told Newsbytes US West Paging
customers won't see any outward signs of the change. They will
keep the same pagers and numbers, and the rates will remain
unchanged, says Frear. "The customers won't see a difference."
In announcing the sale, US West Chairman and CEO Richard
McCormick said the company plans to place more emphasis on two-
way voice and data technologies, including cellular and personal
communications services. In another move towards that goal the
company recently bought a 25 percent stake in Time Warner
Entertainment to participate in the building of the nation's
"data superhighway" being touted by the Clinton administration.
US West is getting rid of a number of its business ventures,
selling US West Real Estate, US West Financial Services, and
Financial Security Assurance. It also sold its telephone service
in parts of rural Colorado after an ultimatum by the Colorado
Public Utilities Commission to shape up or let someone else see
if they could do better. Rural residents complained of long
delays in obtaining service and their inability to use
telecommunications such as fax machines and modems on party
lines, the only service available in some areas.
US West has committed $10 billion to the construction of a fiber
optic network for its service area, with the work beginning in
Omaha, Nebraska.
(Jim Mallory/19931013/Press contact: Laurie Johnson, US West
Paging, 206-562-5600; David Frear, Westlink, 212=935-5900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/13/93
GOVT
Bill Gates, The Political Animal
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00026)
Bill Gates, The Political Animal 10/13/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- Microsoft
Chairman Bill Gates is getting involved in local and national
politics.
At the national level, Gates joins such illustrious company as
former Presidents Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, and George Bush on a
panel convened to help promote the North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA), a measure designed to gradually eliminate over
the next 15 years nearly all trade barriers and tariffs on goods
produced in Canada, the US, and Mexico. Opponents claim that
NAFTA would cause large numbers of low skill assembly line jobs
to move south of the border, but supporters say it would increase
the number of US and Canadian high-tech jobs. NAFTA would go into
effect in January 1994 if approved by Congress in time.
Gates says Microsoft supports NAFTA and believes the removal of
trade barriers and the enhancement of intellectual property
rights will significantly improve market opportunities for US
software companies.
Gates said Microsoft has seen a more than 100 percent growth in
product sales in 1992 and almost 200 percent in 1993 since NAFTA
has been under consideration in Mexico, while US-based employment
in support of Microsoft's Latin American operations has jumped
more than 300 percent. Gates says the increase is a direct result
of the improvement in the Mexican legal environment resulting
from NAFTA negotiations.
The Software Publishers Association estimates sales of
personal computer applications in the US and Canada reached
$1.6 billion in the second quarter of 1992. Sales of
Microsoft Windows-based applications grew more than 52 percent
during the quarter, according to SPA.
The ratification of NAFTA is vitally important to the software
industry," says Microsoft VP of law and corporate affairs, Bill
Neukom. "We view it as an essential part in the overall trade
strategy in fostering strong protection for software among US
trading partners." Neukom said NAFTA contains the strongest
intellectual property provisions negotiated to date and can serve
as a model for intellectual property protection in other
bilateral and multilateral agreements.
The Washington, DC-based Software Publishers Association (SPA)
also supports NAFTA, saying Mexico is the third largest market
for US exports and is growing at a rapid rate. According to SPA
Executive Director Ken Wasch, ratification of NAFTA by the US
Congress will significantly increase software copyright
protection in Mexico, expand the Mexican market, and perhaps even
provide a format for other countries to follow in improving their
anti-piracy efforts.
Microsoft has taken a strong stand on violation of intellectual
property rights, actively participating with law enforcement
officials in the seizing of counterfeit software. The software
industry is estimated to be the fastest growing industry in the
US, up almost 300 percent in the last decade. Annual software
revenue losses attributed to software counterfeiting and piracy
in foreign countries is estimated at over $10 billion.
On the local level, Gates has joined opponents of two Washington
state tax-revolt initiatives, contributing his name and 480,000
to the campaign. He told reporters the tax initiatives would have
"a profound negative impact on the higher education system in the
state of Washington."
Gates, a college dropout and son of University of Washington
regent Mary Gates, said his concern over higher education cuts
led him to speak out. Like similar measures passed by voters
in other states, the two similar initiatives would limit
state government spending and make it harder to raise taxes.
One of the measures is similar to a Colorado law passed last
November that would require voter approval to institute new taxes.
"I've always been a believer in making investments for the long
term," Gates said in a prepared statement. "Adequate funding for
higher education is one of the best long term investments we can
make." He said Microsoft and other high-tech companies in
Washington depend on a high quality educational system to provide
engineers, scientists and other employees in order to
successfully compete in the global marketplace.
(Jim Mallory & John Mccormick/19931013/Press contact: Mitch
Matthews, Microsoft,206-936-7037; Ilene Rosenthal, SPA General
Counsel, 202-452-1600 or fax 202-223-8756)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/13/93
TELECOM
****Bell Atlantic Buying Largest Cable Operator TCI
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)
****Bell Atlantic Buying Largest Cable Operator TCI 10/13/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- In a deal which
stunned Wall Street, and could rock Washington as well, Bell
Atlantic agreed to buy Tele-Communications Inc., the nation's
largest cable operator, for $32 billion in new Class B stock.
Under the terms of the deal, designed to be tax-free for all TCI
and Bell Atlantic shareholders, each TCI share is valued at $35,
about 20 percent more than its closing price October 12 of about
$28. The Class B shareholders, notably including TCI head John
Malone, will get a 10 percent premium for their shares, but they
will also be enjoined from selling those shares for at least five
years. Malone said that he and his managers will, in the end, own
just about 4 percent of Bell Atlantic.
The deal dwarfs any of the big takeovers of the 1980s, and
the resulting company will be number six on the Fortune 500,
with sales of $16 billion and assets of $60 billion. Bell
Atlantic head Raymond Smith will chair the new venture. Malone
will be vice chairman of the board and a director of the new
company, which will keep the name Bell Atlantic.
All this comes on top of TCI's decision to buy out Liberty Media,
which it had only recently spun-off, and the ongoing battle
between QVC, in which it holds a substantial interest, and Viacom
for control of Paramount Communications.
This TCI-Bell Atlantic megalopolis which would now be created
forces the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal
Trade Commission to face two key antitrust questions. First,
should the doctrine that programming and distribution are
separate, which resulted in Loew's divestiture of MGM in the
1950s and TV networks' divesting of production companies in
the 1970s, be thrown out? That will have to be done for this
deal to be approved.
Second, can anything like the Bell System be reconstituted
without the risk of monopoly? Viacom has already filed an
anti-trust suit against Malone, charging TCI is trying to
monopolize cable production and delivery -- its merger with
the far-larger Bell Atlantic will only heighten those fears.
During a press conference, TCI head John Malone said this deal
will not have a great impact on the QVC-Viacom battle for
Paramount. "We wish Barry Diller luck and think he's the only
person who can make Paramount worth what he's bidding, but it's
not a core part of our strategy. It's an investment. I'll do
whatever I can to help him succeed, but it's just an investment,
relatively small in the scheme of things, and it's not a core
programming asset as far as these things are concerned."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931013/Press Contact: Bell Atlantic, Eric
Raabe, 215-963-6531; TCI, Lela Cocoros, 303-267-5273)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/13/93
TELECOM
****Bell Atlantic-TCI Try to Allay Anti-Trust Concerns
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)
****Bell Atlantic-TCI Try to Allay Anti-Trust Concerns 10/13/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- At a press
conference attended by Newsbytes, both Bell Atlantic Chairman
Raymond Smith and TCI head John Malone struggled to allay the
anti-trust concerns caused by the proposed merger of the nation's
largest cable operator and one of the seven regional Bell
telephone companies.
"It's not a zero-sum game," insisted Malone. "This will be a spur
to creativity, invention and deployment." Added Smith, "We don't
intend to set ourselves up as the gatekeeper. We see this as a
world where we want to have very open access. A very small part of
the information we run will be owned by us. There will be
alternative providers of both telephony and entertainment
services in all markets in the foreseeable future."
"The overwhelming majority of revenues we intend to generate will
be through services and products that have not yet been
invented," continued Malone. " This will be a spur to creativity
and invention and deployment. Once that's done we'll have a
terrific export business." But Malone also admitted that this
deal is contingent on approval by the government of TCI's merger
with Liberty Media. "If that runs into snags, they'll be sane
snags our deal would run into. It's an early-warning system of
the larger transaction."
"John and I believe this will be a model for communication
companies in the next century," added Smith. The two do plan to
divest all TCI cable systems in Bell Atlantic's service
territory, however, to allay anti-trust concerns. That would
include a system covering Pittsburgh and its suburbs, which is
now being upgraded to offer the "Full Service Network"
capabilities Malone and Smith want to introduce through their
merger.
The combined companies will distribute both phone and video
services to 22 million customers, with a presence in 59 of the
Top 100 US markets. It will also own parts of ventures from New
Zealand, where Bell Atlantic owns a piece of New Zealand Telecom,
to the United Kingdom, where TCI owns a piece of cable-telephone
systems with US West, as well as Bell Atlantic's substantial
pending interest in a Mexican cellular operator. "This
gives us a global base for delivery of new services being
invented now in the US," Smith said. "We think this is the
premier global opportunity in the next decade."
During their press conference, which was televised on the CNBC
cable channel, Smith appeared ebullient, Malone somewhat subdued.
"We share the same vision of how this industry will evolve,"
Smith said, "and how to take advantage of the tremendous growth
opportunities we see ahead. We will begin immediately to build
full service broadband networks across the country and market our
product to our growing customer base."
Smith and Malone said no cable or telephone company can meet all
the requirements of multimedia consumers, looking to meld the
capabilities of their TVs, PCs, VCRs and game machines into a
seamless service. "By combining the strengths of Bell Atlantic,
TCI and Liberty we'll create a company that will be able to meet
the single most important challenge of any communications company
-- tapping the pent up demand for control, choice and convenience
in the entertainment marketplace," said Smith.
"This will be good for the country," Smith continued. "It will
create a nationwide network making the electronic superhighway a
reality. This will help create an interactive multimedia
marketplace that transforms the way we work, play and learn and it
will create jobs. There will be tremendous opportunities to
create jobs outside the company."
For example, noted Malone, in order for Trip Hawkins of 3DO to
sell a 32-bit electronic game, he needs millions of people to buy
$700 machines, spending billions before he has the infrastructure
to make the game viable. On the full service network he
envisions, Malone said, a customer will be able to order the
capabilities of a 3DO machine from their living room, then order
any specific game or show that machine can play. "This will
create an explosion of creativity, of independent productions.
Producers may find they can create movies, promote themselves,
and bypass traditional distribution windows. This technology will
drastically realign a lot of businesses, drastically lower entry
barriers, and be an enormous stimulus to creativity."
Smith then chimed in. "A couple of guys, having a beer,
independent of big guys like us, generally come up with the best
ideas. They usually die unfulfilled, because it takes a lot of
financial backing to get a good idea to grow into a meaningful
plant. The role we can play is to be a fertile medium and try as
best we can to be inventive, but the best thing we can do is
define needs. By bringing video services to our telephone
customers and telephone services to video, this combination will
stimulate competition -- it will bring more customer choice to
the market served by this new Bell Atlantic."
Malone noted that he worked on a Video Yellow Pages test with
Bell Labs 27 years ago, and this is the culmination. "There's
just a huge array of services, of infrastructure, of software and
hardware skills involved here. This blending will create the
great pyramid of intellectual property skills, rights and
development for our society. What this offers us is leadership --
we will be the leader on a worldwide basis, we'll establish the
standards. It's for Ray to lead and the rest of the
communications industry to follow."
Smith also addressed what this deal will mean for consumers. "Let
me start with entertainment. Instead of waiting for a time when
entertainment will be available, then watching the movie run from
beginning to end, you'll be able to order the movie wherever you
like, fast forward, reverse, put it on hold and have complete
control. That is being offered in the Bell Atlantic territory in
Northern Virginia now," a program called Stargazer. "That's what
we intend to make available across the country. Existing systems
are like the railroad, with a schedule where you go to a place at
a time. We'll provide the flexibility of an automobile."
Malone also answered the question. "You start with the fact that
the TV set becomes a friendly device, not a passive device,
giving people absolute control of their viewing choices. You go
on to a list of services. My good friend Bill Gates recently gave
me a three-page sheet, single spaced, of services we could
explore together. You'll be able to hook up to this network with
a PC or the television set. The first thing you'll see on the TV
is a navigator, a personal advisor that lets you know the options
that are there, which learns by observing your behavior what to
suggest. It will have a personal shopper, a smart agent. If
you want to buy something it will search among the options and
present them, in video. You can price off that, order something
you want instantly. You can get options on a pickup truck, and
arrange a test drive."
He continued, "Or consider working at home. In Denver our satellite
customer service operation has a work-at-home option. We move the
information to them, rather than them to the terminals. It's very
successful. Multi-person games, remote medical diagnostics, video
telephony," the list goes on and on. "You have a flexible,
personalized communications service. And most important, we'll be
able to plan and provide a complete set of education and
entertainment services to our customers."
Added Smith, "If you've ever been in a school and watched the
glazed looks of the students, then watched them play educational
games on a 5-year-old computer using outdated software, but see
the learning taking place, you begin to see the power of
interactive multimedia and the way it will change things."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931013/Press Contact: Bell Atlantic, Eric
Raabe, 215-963-6531; TCI, Lela Cocoros, 303-267-5273)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/13/93
TELECOM
****Background of the Bell Atlantic-TCI Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00029)
****Background of the Bell Atlantic-TCI Deal 10/13/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- At a press
conference attended by Newsbytes, TCI head John Malone discussed
the process leading to his company's acquisition by Bell
Atlantic.
"Ray and I first met a couple of years ago when we were put on
podiums at industry forums and were expected to spar with each
other," said Malone. "That led to a mutual respect and an
exploration of areas of cooperation, rather than conflict. We
spent a good deal of time building up and sharing our joint
vision of what multimedia meant, what the platform meant, what
moving this country in this area would mean, how we could drive
this technological revolution for the benefit of the public and
shareholders. I realized we were like two men contemplating the
elephant -- Ray saw it from his side, I saw it from my side.
After a while we realized we were looking at the same elephant.
"That led to a suggestion from Bell Atlantic that we consider
some combination of our enterprises. We became convinced Ray and
his management team were integral to creating a premier growth
oriented entertainment and information company with a worldwide
basis, a vision I share and support. It would be a tremendous
opportunity for our employees to expand and create new services,
and it would make more cash available.
"We also have had a very favorable experience as partners in the
New Zealand situation. We've had a number of opportunities to get
to know each other, and feel this is perhaps one of the finest
corporate marriages that could be contemplated. It creates a
financial structure capable of large scale hardware and software
development efforts, able to see them through.
"The implications for every sector of society are dramatic. We
started to realize that as the publicity started to build for
what multimedia meant, what full service meant, what the
development of microprocessor skills and operating software
meant, converging into a communications revolution that can
undertake any communications task.
"The superset of all communication services we saw was video
telephony, broadband, bi-directional, digital. If you can have
video going among all customers you can do anything. If you lay
on that a consumer terminal device" with the power of a
multimedia PC, "all kinds of exciting education and
entertainment options" become possible.
Malone was asked why he would do a deal where he'll lose control
of TCI. His answer was self-effacing, "For the kind of company
we're forming, we couldn't have a better CEO than Ray. He can do
a far finer job than I could. I intend to be involved in terms of
advising Ray and the board, and helping where I can in terms of
this vision thing, and also in terms of invention. I like to
create and invent things, and this is a wonderful and fertile
platform for me personally to be able to encourage and develop
new products, services and assets."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931013/Press Contact: Bell Atlantic, Eric
Raabe, 215-963-6531; TCI, Lela Cocoros, 303-267-5273)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
TELECOM
****The Bell Atlantic-TCI Vision
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)
****The Bell Atlantic-TCI Vision 10/11/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- During their press
conference, TCI head John Malone and Bell Atlantic Chairman
Raymond Smith were asked about statements by Disney head Michael
Eisner that no one wants interactive multimedia, and that it will
create "a nation of housebound zombies."
Both jumped on the question. "It does the opposite...
Just think of the ability of people to work at home? Home-
bound zombies -- what about the people who get in boxes and
spend two hours a day watching a windshield? What's going
to happen is an increase in freedom for individuals. In the
year 2010 people will still buy books, but if they choose
to get information they won't have to get it in an archaic way."
Added Malone, "I've had this debate with Michael. People who
built their empires on limited options for the public always will
challenge competition and diversity. What makes America great is
this is a country of individuals -- giving people more choice is
what it's all about. Anything we can do to make people
individuals and responsible citizens is a plus. The couch potato
has only a few channel options and gets commercials. This is the
opposite."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931013/Press Contact: Bell Atlantic, Eric
Raabe, 215-963-6531; TCI, Lela Cocoros, 303-267-5273)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/13/93
GENERAL
OURS Conference - OURS Pricing Model Complete And In Use
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00031)
OURS Conference - OURS Pricing Model Complete And In Use 10/13/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 13 (NB) -- The final
version of the OURS (Open User Recommended Solutions) software
licensing pricing model is now in use by vendors and users, and the
Software Licensing Task Force has moved on to explore the issues of
lexicon and business practices.
The task force also plans to issue a series of case studies on
vendors' use of the pricing models, said Darrell L. Ackmann, task
force chair and director of business strategies for Software AG, in
a meeting with Newsbytes at the OURS Fall Conference in Boston.
Earlier that day, in a presentation of OURS task force findings,
Ackmann listed DEC, IBM, Microsoft, Novell, Culpepper, and Software
AG as among the vendors that are using the model.
As previously reported in Newsbytes, OURS developed the model to
suggest a pricing structure that is more in line with the needs of
today's users than the CPU-based pricing that hails from mainframe
days.
Elaine Bond, president and chairman of OURS, presented a working
draft of the pricing proposal at NetWorld Boston last year.
The final, 27-page proposal urges vendors to provide a range of
pricing options, and also supplies users with an evaluation
framework for deciding which option will best meet their needs.
A brief illustration in the proposal demonstrates how the framework
might be used at the fictional "Acme" company. Acme evaluates
three types of software products: personal word processing on a
single CPU/single-user system, data center monitoring software on
a single CPU/multi-user system, and distributed database software
on a networked system of processors.
Acme then chooses two "software metrics" for each product: tiered
and per-node licensing for operations monitoring, concurrent user
and enterprise licensing for distributed database, and per site and
per user license for word processing.
Finally, Acme scores the various product/metric combinations
against its own selection criteria, which include efficiency,
predictability, value-related, and platform flexibility.
Also at the meeting yesterday, Dr. Anthony Picardi, a task force
member and director of software research for IDC, emphasized that
selection criteria can vary dramatically from one organization to
another, and within the same organization from one application to
the next.
Ackmann added that it is in the best interests of vendors to offer
a range of options, because having a degree of choice is a drawing
card for customers.
Marie T. Reeve, a marketing executive at Digital, told Newsbytes
that DEC was the first major vendor to start giving users a choice.
The revised DEC pricing structure was launched about two years ago,
she said.
Digital now provides two pricing options for most of its software
products, except on products where only one model would really make
sense for users, noted Reeve. The specific options offered vary
according to product.
The "lexicon" issues that the task force will address have to do
with the meaning of words in licensing contracts, Picardi
explained. He illustrated: "What is the meaning of `user'? And
what is the meaning of `version'?"
A "version" might apply to a small upgrade, a major upgrade, or a
port to another platform, he indicated. "And if it's an upgrade,
you have to look at whether the user must pay for it," he added.
Business issues that the task force will examine include
intellectual property rights, maintenance and support, ownership
rights, billing and other financial issues, grant of license, and
a series of "miscellaneous" issues such as outsourcing, Ackmann
told Newsbytes.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931013/Reader and press contacts: Darrell L.
Ackmann, Software AG, tel 703-391-8331; Dr. Anthony Picardi, IDC,
tel 508-872-8200; Open User Recommended Solutions, tel 212-938-
5534)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
IBM
Industry's First "Fault-Tolerant" Portable PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00001)
Industry's First "Fault-Tolerant" Portable PCs 10/12/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Dolch Computer
Systems has enhanced its PAC Power Portables with a trio of
options aimed at producing the first "fault tolerant" mobile PCs
in the industry.
The ruggedized 386- and 486-based portables are newly armed with
RAID 1-compatible disk mirroring in case of hard drive failure,
powerdown protection in the event of power failure, and highly
tolerant disk drives to protect against shock, officials said in
making the announcement.
All PAC models are able to accommodate any combination of three
kinds of drives, including a floppy drive, a hard drive up to one
GB, and a 5.25-inch drive such as a high performance Bernoulli or
CD-ROM drive. The PCs also come with five open slots, 275 watts
of power, and a 101-key or European-style 102-key keyboard, in a
package weighing under 20 pounds. A BackPAC option adds three
more slots and 275 additional watts of power.
The new disk mirroring option for PAC calls for a pair of
redundant mirroring systems to run two hard drives in tandem,
according to the company. The feature is designed to assure that
all data resides in two different locations. If the logged drive
fails, the controller switches to the mirror drive and continues
without interruption. The user can then change the failed drive
whenever it is convenient.
"The RAID 1 compatibility of a PAC power portable gives mobile
users a whole new level of comfort when faced with mission-
critical tasks out on the road," stated Volker Dolch, company
president. The mirroring option is available for IDE or SCSI
hard drives.
The powerdown protection option supplies rechargable battery
backup to see to it that all system and video RAM is safely
stored on the hard drive if the power fails. After storing the
data, the computer goes through an orderly shutdown and then
turns off, officials reported. When power returns to normal
levels, the PC is restarted and returned to the same state it was
in at the moment the power went down.
The new, highly tolerant disk drives for the PAC portables are
available in four capacities: 42, 64, 85 and 120 MBs. Designed
to protect against up to 200 Gs shock, the drives incorporate
"piezo electric shock censors" that detect the shock condition
and shut down the write current. In this manner, data is not
disturbed if a severe bump causes the heads to go skating across
the disk surface, according to the vendor.
In the powerdown state, mechanical protection is provided by
oversized motor bearings and a special "static bistable latch"
that locks the heads in a closed position. Further, unlike
conventional hard disk drives, which are built separately and
then attached to their castings, the "highly tolerant drives" are
built into their castings.
The latest PAC models also offer a strong, rubberized exterior
coating, the company added. Corner bumpers are optionally
available. Pricing for complete PAC systems with the new fault-
tolerant features starts at about $4,000.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931012/Reader contact: Dolch Computer
Systems, tel 408-957-6575; Press contact: Steve Fritz, Dolch,
tel 408-957-6575)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
GOVT
GAO Study Says Govt Still Paying Too Much For Computers
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00002)
GAO Study Says Govt Still Paying Too Much For Computers 10/12/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- After a summer-long,
and in some cases years-long battle between the General Services
Administration and software heavy hitters like Microsoft who
refuse to provide detailed confidential cost and pricing
information, it appears that all the bureaucratic efforts to
ensure that the Feds pay the lowest price may be wasted. The
General Accounting Office's recent report found that in some
cases GSA prices are actually higher than street or state
government prices.
The supposed goal of the GSA's Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) is to
ensure that the government's $5 billion-plus yearly expenditure
on software and PCs gains it the absolute lowest prices despite
the fact that these orders come in piecemeal in quantities as
small as one unit.
But, as anyone who has access to GSA MAS price lists has known
for years, just because an item is "on the schedule" doesn't mean
that it is a bargain. What with the additional special costs
involved in winning a government contract, a process which takes
months and a battery of lawyers, this should come as no surprise.
In an effort to win the lowest price, the GSA has routinely
required vendors, even resellers who don't make products, to
provide extensive information on the prices charged on
special volume deals between the original software or hardware
maker, and other large customers.
Since there are many companies anxious to gain a share of the
federal government's huge market, many industry and government
observers have long contended that competition alone should be
enough to keep prices low. Now, after a long and fairly expensive
study by the Government Accounting Office, it turns out that MAS
prices on some popular products, such as Novell NetWare,
Microsoft Windows, Lotus 1-2-3, and Borland's Quattro Pro, are
being sold to the government at the same or even higher prices
than they cost large companies, or even small state government
agencies.
Senator John Glenn (D-Ohio), Chairman of the Government Affairs
Committee, and long-time critic of government purchasing
inefficiency, is blaming the GSA for poor contracting practices,
while the GSA's only designated spokesperson on this topic,
Administrator Roger Johnson, has not returned Newsbytes' phone
calls.
One Washington insider told Newsbytes that, "It isn't so much
that GSA doesn't get acceptable prices on the MAS as that they
expend so much effort and money yet do little better than
obtaining street prices."
(John McCormick/19931012/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
TRENDS
FTC Study May Determine If CDs Are Too Expensive
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00003)
FTC Study May Determine If CDs Are Too Expensive 10/12/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Although the study
began with an antitrust investigation of the music industry
which was supposed to determine whether CD publishers were
punishing stores which sold used CDs by refusing to provide them
with hot new titles, CNN is reporting today that the Federal
Trade Commission has broadened its investigation to include a
look at whether CD publishers are charging too much for those CDs
in the first place.
Everyone involved with CD-ROM publishing knows that it only costs
about $2 per disc to press and package a CD-ROM even in
relatively small quantities of 3,000 or so, and that therefore
the identical CD audio discs must cost the same or even less,
especially since few CD-ROMs enjoy the mass-replication cost
efficiency of even the least popular music CD.
Despite this low cost, and the relatively low per-title royalties
to artists, audio CDs generally cost between $8 (for oldies) and
$14 each for current titles, to as much as $30 for special 24-k
gold plated discs like the Sony Mastersound series. (Prices taken
from the current "Time Warner & Sony Sound Exchange" catalog.)
Although Newsbytes was unable to obtain comments from the FTC
because this is an ongoing investigation, one possible reason for
this investigation may be a recent government study of its own
CD-ROM publication costs which has shown that an agency
publishing its own data may charge less than $50 for a disc,
while a third party publishing similar data may price its titles
as much as 10 or 15 times higher.
Some observers feel that the pressure of the reported FTC
investigation may, just as it did with alleged boycotting of used
CD stores, cause CD music publishers to lower their prices as a
defensive measure to deflect expected criticism.
Because many CD-ROM titles also appear to many industry insiders
to be just as overpriced as some people contend audio CDs are,
there is also a possibility of spill-over into the computer CD-
ROM field.
(John McCormick/19931012/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
TELECOM
Become A Corporation For $45 On CompuServe
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00004)
Become A Corporation For $45 On CompuServe 10/12/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- With hundreds of
services available on most commercial bulletin board systems, it
is difficult to keep track of them, let alone notice innovative
new services, but type GO CORP at CompuServe's prompt and you
will be connected to a Wilmington, Delaware company,
appropriately enough called The Company Corporation, which offers
to incorporate individuals and small businesses for as little as
$45.
In a move that may annoy more than one lawyer, the new CompuServe
offering promises incorporation in 24 hours or less, with no
legal fees, and only a $45 charge for the paperwork done by the
company added on to the mandatory state incorporation fees.
TCC, which claims that it has formed more than 95,000 legal
corporations since 1972, can form a Delaware corporation
for as little as $119 and will also form corporations in other
states.
Formation of a corporation can be very useful for small business
owners, providing tax shelters, opening up special pension
plan options, and reducing or even eliminating personal liability.
(John McCormick/19931012/Public Contact: 800-542-2677 x 5019 or
fax 302-575-1346)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
GOVT
SPA Supports NAFTA
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00005)
SPA Supports NAFTA 10/12/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- As the battle for the
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) heats up, the
Washington-based Software Publishers Association (SPA) has
announced that it, on behalf of its 1,000 plus members, supports
NAFTA. Mexico, according to a statement released by the SPA, is
the third largest market for US exports and is growing at a
rapid rate, making it an important software market for US
publishers.
Ratification of NAFTA by the US Congress, according to SPA
Executive Director Ken Wasch, will significantly increase
software copyright protection in Mexico, expanding the Mexican
market and perhaps even providing a format for other countries
to follow in improving their anti-piracy efforts.
An SPA survey of only 15 companies showed that they had software
sales in Mexico of more than $10 million in just the first
quarter of 1993.
According to the SPA legal staff, NAFTA would continue protection
of computer programs as literary works; protect databases and
other compilations in machine-readable or other form by virtue
of their selection or arrangement; provide businesses with a ]
minimum of 50 years of copyright protection for works made by employees
in the course of their jobs; and give software publishers the exclusive
right to distribute copyrighted software, including the right to
prohibit unauthorized rental and importation.
Mexico has recently improved copyright protection for software
but court protection has been weak. Director Wasch says that NAFTA
would require Mexican courts to grant copyright owners
preliminary injunctions under circumstances similar to those
required by US courts.
Canada, which is the US's largest trading partner, would also
be required to make some changes to that country's copyright laws
which would prevent unauthorized lending of software.
The SPA is a trade association of computer software publishers
which has as one of its primary goals the promotion of copyright
protection for all software both in the US and abroad.
(John McCormick/19931012/Press Contact: Ilene Rosenthal, SPA
General Counsel, 202-452-1600 or fax 202-223-8756)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
TELECOM
Fiber Optic Plant Built In India
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00006)
Fiber Optic Plant Built In India 10/12/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- The MP Birla group
along with Ericsson Cables AB of Sweden is setting up a Rs 47.5
crore optical fiber project. To be implemented by the new
company Birla Ericsson Optical Ltd., the project is coming up at
Udyog Vihar, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, for manufacture of
4,000 cable kilometers of optical fibers per annum.
The Swedish company, as well as the Birla companies and their
associates are taking a 30 percent stake each in the Rs 25-crore
equity capital of the new company.
The project is to manufacture fiber optic communication cables of
various designs, tailor-made to the specifications of customers like
the Department of Telecommunications, Mahanagar Telephone Nigam
Ltd., and other firms. Commercial production is expected to
start in December. In order to partially finance the cost of the
project, the company has entered the capital market with a public
issue of equity of about $3 million. The company hopes to garner
sales of about $3.9 million in the first four months of its
operations this year and increase it to $20 million by the third
year, fiscal 1996-97.
(C. T. Mahbharat/19931012)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
GENERAL
Digital To Fix Products From Taiwan Company
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00007)
Digital To Fix Products From Taiwan Company 10/12/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
Corporation has formed a strategic alliance with Taiwan computer
manufacturer President Technology Inc., under which Digital
will provide worldwide warranty support for products manufactured
by PTI.
PTI specializes in the design and production of monitors, PC
motherboards, notebook PCs and personal computer products
for export markets worldwide. Through its 1,600 service
centers in 110 countries, Digital will provide service for
PTI products.
"After careful deliberation and management evaluation, we
have decided to appoint Digital Equipment Corporation, one
of the world's most reputable computer companies, to offer
global warranty services for products manufactured by PTI,"
said the company's president, Dr James Liu.
Digital operates a network of service centres in every
country in which it does business.
"Our company's strategy is to deliver the highest quality
services on multivendor products globally," said Philip Liu,
Digital Taiwan's multivendor customer services manager.
"Digital has been servicing other vendors' products for more
than 10 years, giving us an unrivalled breadth of experience.
With the PTI alliance Digital is signalling its readiness to
extend these qualities to companies in Taiwan and other Asian
countries."
(Keith Cameron/19931006/Press Contact: Bonnie Engel, Digital,
852 - 805 3510)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
BUSINESS
3DO Snares Japan's Dentsu, Hakuhodo For Game Software
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00008)
3DO Snares Japan's Dentsu, Hakuhodo For Game Software 10/12/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Two of Japan's major ad agencies,
Dentsu and Hakuhodo, will enter the software market by
developing games for the machine planned for release this
month by Matsushita and 3DO, the Real brand 3DO Interactive
Multiplayer.
Japan's Dentsu will link with Matsushita and Dynaware,
one of the major software firms in Japan, to develop games
for the 3DO/Matsushita multimedia game device. The three firms
will spend about 100 million yen ($1 million) for the
development of the software, Dentsu and Dynaware will
contribute half the funds and Matsushita will pay the other
half.
Meanwhile, Hakuhodo will also link with Matsushita and another
still-unnamed game software firm to develop software for the
game player. Hakuhodo has already obtained a license
from 3DO concerning software development.
These two firms' commitment to software development is seen as
a boost for 3DO and Matsushita, especially since the latter is
entering the game machine market for the first time.
The new multimedia game machine of Matsushita and 3DO is
arriving in US stores this month and will later hit Japan.
The CD-ROM-based 32-bit game machine has features more
advanced than the games machines available from Sega and
Nintendo.
Matsushita has also received software support from MCA
and Electronics Arts, and about 40 titles are expected to be
released by the end of this year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931012/Press Contact: Matsushita
Electric, +81-3-3578-1237, Fax, +81-3-3437-2776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
IBM
IBM Japan To Transfer 2,500 Employees
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00009)
IBM Japan To Transfer 2,500 Employees 10/12/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- IBM Japan will shift 2,500
employees to other divisions in the second largest
personnel transfer since last year. IBM Japan has already
eliminated 2,500 jobs since last April.
IBM Japan reports that 2,500 employees will be transferred
to its System Integration Service and Software Development
Divisions by January 1994. The qualified employees will be
chosen from the production department at IBM's Fujisawa
and Yasu plants, and the headquarters of IBM Japan, IBM Japan
Information Systems, and IBM Japan Service. The people to go
will be chosen by the end of this month, and will be transferred to
Makuhari and Yamato service centers in November.
These employees will receive the appropriate seminars and job
training for the new divisions, IBM reports.
IBM Japan will provide an alternative to those who do not want to
move to a new division -- early retirement. Under this plan,
the applicable employees under the age of 49 can get a
maximum two-year salary in a retirement allowance. Employees
who are 50 and above can get benefits from IBM Japan's new
Second Carrier Program which provides employees with
assistance in creating a new start-up or spin-off firm.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931012/Press Contact: IBM Japan, +81-
3-3586-1111, Fax, +81-3-3589-4645)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
IBM
Roland To Intro RAP-10, 16-Bit Windows Sound Card
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00010)
Roland To Intro RAP-10, 16-Bit Windows Sound Card 10/12/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Known for
its electronic music products used throughout the entertainment
industry, Roland has introduced a new sound card for IBM-
compatible personal computers (PCs). The new Roland Audio
Producer (RAP)-10AT is a 16-bit card that the company describes
as Windows 3.1 and Multimedia PC (MPC) Level 2 compatible.
Roland says the card offers compact disc (CD) quality recording
plus a professional-level music synthesizer using wave table
synthesis. A 28-voice Roland Sound Canvas chip is the same
technology used in the company's pro instruments and generates
the realistic sounds of various musical instruments from the
card. In addition, the RAP-10AT boasts a custom digital signal
processor (DSP) chip for adding studio-quality reverb and
chorus effects to vocals and music.
Audio Toolworks, an audio production and editing package for
Windows 3.1, comes with the card. The software offers visual
editors including automated mixing of musical instrument
digital interface (MIDI), wave levels, and effects. Users can
also accomplish synchronized playback of MIDI and wave audio in
Windows multimedia applications.
Tom White, multimedia product manager, said the RAP-10 is aimed
at the "prosumer" market. "This market includes people who are
looking for professional performance without the complexity or
high price typically associated with professional gear."
The RAP-10AT is retail priced at $599. The company says the
card should be shipping by November 1, 1993.
Roland is planning a COMDEX appearance and said it will
introduce new sound products as well as showing off the RAP-
10AT and its line of Multimedia Gear. Multimedia Gear includes
portable sound modules, music keyboards, and powered speakers.
One of the sound modules, the SC-7, connects to any PC or
Macintosh computer via the serial port and is bundled with the
required cables and the software packages Ballade and Band-in-
a-Box. Roland said it will also demonstrate MIDI keyboards,
such as the PC200MKII and the PC-150, designed to fit on a
desktop and connect with a PC and sound card or module.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931011/Press Contact: Kellie Whitmore,
Roland, tel 213-685-5141 ext 317, fax 213-722-0911)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
GOVT
Berkeley Gets Temp Injunction Against Flying Toasters
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00011)
Berkeley Gets Temp Injunction Against Flying Toasters 10/12/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- US
District Court Judge Eugene F. Lynch has granted Berkeley a
temporary injunction against Delrina Corporation to prevent the
company from using "Death Toasters" in its Opus n' Bill Screen
Saver.
The Delrina screen saver imitates the angelic-winged,
1950's style toasters that Berkeley introduced in one of its
screen savers, but the Outland comic strip characters Opus the
penguin and Bill the cat are shooting at the flying critters.
US District Court Judge Eugene F. Lynch said: "Having viewed
both (Delrina's) 'Death Toasters' and (Berkeley's) 'Flying
Toasters,' the Court finds for the purpose of the preliminary
injunction that the winged toasters in the 'Bill n' Opus'
screen saver have captured the 'total concept and feel' of the
plantiff's (Berkeley's) winged toasters in 'After Dark.'"
Delrina has been enjoined from using the Flying Toasters in the
Delrina product or on packaging in connection with the
marketing, advertising, distribution or sale of the Opus n'
Bill screen saver.
Berkeley claims it has a valid registered trademark on the
Toaster design and also owns three valid copyright
registrations for published works that display the Toasters.
Delrina has responded by saying there's more than one way to
fly a toaster and if Berkeley has an exclusive right to the
Michelangelo wings, then they'll make toasters with propellers.
Josef Zankowicz, a spokesperson for Delrina pointed out that
flying toasters were originally used on the cover of the
Jefferson Airplane album "30 Seconds Over Winterland," where 7
flying toasters with Michelangelo wings are depicted. In
addition, PC Magazine ran a cartoon in the back of its October,
1993 issue depicting hunters shooting at flying toasters.
"The message the court is sending is parody is alright on
paper, but not OK on a computer screen," Zankowicz said. This
could become an important issue to the computer industry,
especially when multimedia is involved.
But Delrina is not willing to spend all their profits in court
battles. "We're going to do our best to comply with the Court.
It was clear that the issue wasn't making toasters fly, it was
toasters with Michelangelo wings... The only ones who win in
court battles are the lawyers," Zankowicz added.
Delrina is going to make the most of the free publicity this
has generated and Zankowicz said the company is preparing a new
"Censored Toaster Module" featuring the propeller driven
appliances it expects to ship soon.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931012/Press Contact: Michelle Mihalick,
Neale May & Partners for Berkeley Systems, tel 415-328-5555,
fax 415-328-9051; Shelly Sofer, Delrina, tel 416-441-3676, fax
416-441-0333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
IBM
IBM To Pre-Install Choice Of Software On PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00012)
IBM To Pre-Install Choice Of Software On PCs 10/12/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Trying to take
software bundling a step farther, IBM Personal Computer Co., has
introduced Soft Select, a service that lets customers ordering
PCs through the company's PC Direct toll-free number pick the
software they want pre-installed.
Customers ordering PS/ValuePoint or ThinkPad computers can choose
IBM's PC-DOS or OS/2 operating system, or DOS with Microsoft
Corp.'s Windows, and then can pick from 27 applications from
major software manufacturers, including Lotus Development Corp.,
Microsoft, WordPerfect Corp., Borland International Inc., and
Computer Associates International Inc.
Soft Select will be available with purchases of the ThinkPad 350,
500, 720, and 750 notebook computers, and with the ValuePoint
mini-tower, desktop, Spacesaver, and Spacesaver SI systems.
IBM will install the software according to its manufacturer's
instructions and factory-test it, IBM officials said.
In addition to full software manufacturer's support, additional
support packages, including unlimited toll-free calls, can be
purchased from the PC Company for a 90-day or one-year period.
IBM also said its 30-day, no-questions-asked return policy has
been extended to include Soft Select applications.
(Grant Buckler/19931012/Press Contact: Mike DeMeo, IBM,
914-766-1802; Public Contact: IBM PC Direct, 800-426-2968)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
TRENDS
Correction - Interactive CD Player Wars Begin
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00013)
Correction - Interactive CD Player Wars Begin 10/12/93
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- In a story
of this title which ran on the Newsbytes wire on October 6,
we reported that the Real brand 3DO Interactive Multiplayer,
destined for stores this month, will come with two CDs. We
erroneously reported that one game, "Crash and Burn," was from
Electronic Arts. In fact, it is from a company called Crystal
Dynamics.
(Wendy Woods/19931012/Press Contact: Jennifer at Crystal
Dynamics, 415-858-4941)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
IBM
Compuadd Intros POS System
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00014)
Compuadd Intros POS System 10/12/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Just a few days after
emerging from bankruptcy, Compuadd Computer Corporation has
announced its new modular, PC-based point of sale system.
The Compuadd MR6 includes a 25 megahertz 486-powered PC, a
nine-inch monochrome VGA monitor, 101-key keyboard, magnetic stripe
card reader, cash drawer and dot matrix printer. The cash drawer
can sit under the other components or hang under the counter. The
CPU can be up to 12 feet from the other peripherals.
Optional upgrade items include a ten-inch color monitor, check
slot and lock-and-key mechanism, memory expansion to 16
megabytes, a larger hard drive, a fluorescent customer display,
bar code scanner, additional cash drawers, and a network card.
The printer is a 40-column Epson TM-930 which prints 211
characters per second.
Compuadd provides a one-year limited warranty that covers repair
or replacement of defective parts at the factory or an authorized
repair depot. Telephone support is available around the clock for
as long as you own the system, and the company offers an optional
onsite service policy that provides service at your location
within four hours. Compuadd will also provide installation setup
at an extra cost.
Compuadd spokesperson John Pope told Newsbytes the market for the
MR6 is primarily the larger retail operations which would require
multiple POS terminals. Pricing is determined by the quantity
purchased.
(Jim Mallory/19931012/Press contact: John Pope, Compuadd, 512-
250-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
IBM
New Compaq Deskpro, Prolinea Models On the Horizon?
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00015)
New Compaq Deskpro, Prolinea Models On the Horizon? 10/12/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Compaq Computer
Corporation may be planning the introduction of new models in its
Deskpro and Prolinea personal computer lines shortly, but the
company isn't talking.
According to the October 11, 1993 issue of PC Week Compaq will
launch a Deskpro XE line of PCs that will have improved graphics
performance and more accurate voice recognition. The magazine
also reports that Compaq will migrate the all-in-one chassis of
the recently released Presario PC to three new models of the
Prolinea family.
The Deskpro XE will reportedly replace the Deskpro/i line
eventually, and will include models powered by from 25 megahertz
(MHz) 486SX microprocessors to 33/66MHz 486DX2 chips, and also a
Pentium-based model. The XE's will reportedly incorporate
Enhanced Business audio, a voice recognition technology that uses
Microsoft's windows Sound System 2.0. The XE line is also
expected to use Compaq's Q-Vision graphics accelerator system.
The new Prolinea models will reportedly use the same chassis as
the Presario, but will not include such features as the telephone
answering board, game software, or a data/fax modem since the new
models will be targeted at business users. The Deskpro/i and the
Prolinea systems were first introduced in June 1992.
When Contacted by Newsbytes Compaq spokesperson Nora Hahn would
only say "that's speculative information and we don't comment on
speculation."
(Jim Mallory/19931012/Press contact: Nora Hahn, Compaq Computer
Corporation, 713-374-1564)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
GENERAL
Gates, Kahn PC Expo Keynoters
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00016)
Gates, Kahn PC Expo Keynoters 10/12/93
FORT LEE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Microsoft
Chairman Bill Gates and Borland President Phillipe Kahn will be
the keynote speakers at the eighth annual PC Expo that opens its
three day run at McCormick Place East in Chicago October 19. It
will be the first time either executive has addressed the Chicago
show.
Expo organizers say Gates will announce and demonstrate a new
version of Microsoft Office, the software suite that includes
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Powerpoint. Kahn
will speak at 9AM October 19th in the Chicago Room. His talk is
titled "Client Server computing - A Desktop Perspective."
Show manager Peter Brunold says Gates' appearance at the show
underscores the stature of Chicago as the second most important
marketplace for the computer industry. "It also demonstrates the
growth of PC Expo in Chicago and emphasizes that it is a mainstay
event for major new product announcements in the Midwest,"
according to Brunold. Gates' 90-minute address will take place
October 20th at 10:30AM in the Arie Crown Theater.
The show will also feature a network pavilion for Midwest-based
and national companies to exhibit their wares, and a show-wide
Shownet will connect all of the 200 exhibitors, who with the
attendees, will have access to a show directory, seminar and
exhibitor listing, and information about restaurants, night life
and other Chicago-area attractions. Shownet users will able to
send electronic mail via Internet. Shownet is being installed by
Chicago-based Lampe Corporation.
A multimedia test drive center will be available for attendees to
get some hands on experience with various multimedia program
using the available PCs equipped with CD-ROM drives.
Expo spokesperson Mark Haviland told Newsbytes more than 30,000
attendees are expected. Early registration has already closed,
but on-site registration is available. A one-day ticket is $30,
or $60 for all three days. Numerous seminars are also being
offered, and $175 gets you admission to the exhibits and all
three days of seminars. For $100 you can attend any three of the
sessions on any day and the exhibits.
On October 18th expo organizers will present 40 seminars and
tutorials. The cost for that event is $395.
Expo exhibitors include Adobe, Novell, Microsoft, Dell, Borland,
Claris, Wordperfect, Computer Associates, Digital Equipment, IBM,
Lotus, Network General, Sharp, Toshiba, and Zenith Data Systems.
Sixteen user groups are also participating.
(Jim Mallory/19931012/Press contact: Mark Haviland, PC Expo, 201-
346-1400, ext 152)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
GENERAL
Belgian Banks Fall Victim To "Kite Flying" Check Fraud
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00017)
Belgian Banks Fall Victim To "Kite Flying" Check Fraud 10/12/93
WEREGEM, THE NETHERLANDS, 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Authorities in the
Netherlands are investigating an outbreak of "check kite flying" by
a company manager. The victims of the fraud include the IPPA,
Kredietbank and G-Bank, as well as other Belgian and foreign
companies which are said to have been defrauded of BFr 100m in total.
Kite flying is the trick of paying a small amount of cash into
several bank accounts and running them as normal for six months or
so. Then, when the customer has built up confidence with the bank,
one or more large checks, usually issued on another false account,
are deposited, and before they are cleared, the funds are drawn
out (usually by more checks payable to other banks).
Since banks differ in the time they take to clear checks (i.e.
receive funds), careful manipulation can ensure that a
large amount of money can be constantly kept in circulation
between accounts when, in fact, no money actually exists.
Usually, the "kite flying" of checks is built up until a large
amount of money (typically into six figures) is in circulation
between the accounts. The "money" is then arranged to flow into one
account on one particular day, and cash is then withdrawn. By the
time the checks start bouncing back to their point of origin, the
fraud is complete and the account holder disappears.
Kite flying was outlawed in many countries in the late 1960s and
early 1970s. In addition, many country bank clearing systems have
been modified to clear all checks in the same amount of time. In the
US, for example, bank clearance arrangements were altered a few
years ago to ensure that the majority of checks clear within the
same timeframe, typically four to six days.
To protect the US banks, there are very precise rules on check
clearance for personal and business customers. In the case of
business customers, checks must be cleared before they can be drawn
upon although many companies elect to pay interest on the uncleared
balance in order to smooth out their cashflow. This arrangement is
usually only extended to companies in good standing with their
banks.
The Netherlands fraud appears to have exploited the difference in
clearance times between standard checks and bank transfers, known as
giro payments in Europe. The giro system is heavily computerized,
although Newsbytes notes that the pan-European system can involve
same-day switching of giro payments, drawing on uncleared funds. By
the time the giro clears, the original checks/funds on which the
transaction is based, will have cleared.
If, however, the original checks bounce, then it can take several
days for the banks to play catch up. By that time, of course, if a
fraud is involved, the cash will have long disappeared.
In the Netherlands fraud, Kredietbank on its own is said to have
lost around BF 50 million. The authorities report that the un-named
company manager at the heart of the fraud has left the country,
and is said to be headed for the US.
According to a report in De Financieel Ekonomische Tijd, the Dutch
daily newspaper, the company involved in the scam is expected to be
summoned by the Kortrijk commercial court and, assuming that the
cash cannot be found, which looks extremely likely, will be declared
bankrupt with the loss of 15 jobs.
The paper reports that the company manager wrote out exchange
transactions (international giros) in his own name, but, just before
the date on which they were supposed to clear, he filed a request to
the bank's computer system to complete the transaction in clients'
names, without their permission.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931012)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
TRENDS
Belgian Online Systems Harnessed To Beat Card Fraud
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00018)
Belgian Online Systems Harnessed To Beat Card Fraud 10/12/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Citibank Belgium has
announced plans to beat card fraud on its Visa cards by moving to
smartcard technology. The bank has admitted that the move will take
several years to phase in, so, as an interim measure, it is printing
photos of its cardholders on the back of their cards.
The move to smartcard technology comes on the heels of
experimentation with the cards by US Visa card-issuing
affiliates. As with several banks, Citibank Belgium has been
experimenting with laminating photos of cardholders on their cards,
but to date, only one other Visa card issuer in Europe, the
National & Provincial Building Society in the UK, has mandated
their use on its cards.
Citibank Belgium has been test-marketing photos on its Visa cards
since the spring of this year. The bank claims that response from
its cardholders has been very positive.
Although Citibank has been bullish about printing photos on its
cards, ABB/BVB, the Belgian banking federation, has gone on record
as stating that the anti-fraud measure would only work as long as
only a few card issuers used the technology. Once most card issuers
begin printing photos on their cards, the federation claims, shop
staff will become blase about checking the photos, much as is the
case with signatures in many outlets.
Neither does smartcard technology get a thumbs up from the ABB/BVB.
The federation claims that such technology is only a poor
alternative to a card with an online link to the bank's computers.
The federation also claims that there is not such a pressing need
for the introduction of smart card technology on Belgian cards as
there is in France, where smartcard Visa cards (Carte Blue) are now
the norm. The federation claims that the majority of merchants now
make extensive use of EFTPOS (electronic funds transfer at point of
sale) terminals for card authorization.
Citibank officials have replied to the federation's comments with
the claim that smartcard technology is only viewed as one method by
which card fraud can be reduced. The bank notes that voice
recognition technology is also being researched.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931012/Press & Public Contact: Citibank Belgium -
+32-2-504-5111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
GENERAL
British Man Defrauds UKP 16,000 In Computer Phone Quiz
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00019)
British Man Defrauds UKP 16,000 In Computer Phone Quiz 10/12/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Authorities claim a
student has managed to defraud British Telecom out of more than
UKP 268,000 to obtain UKP16,000 worth of prizes in a premium rate
phone-based quiz.
The 27-year-old man, Mayo Lawal, is said to have made the
profit by the simple expedient of not paying more than 50 phone
bills for phones set up at various locations in and around London.
According to British Telecom, Lawal won around UKP 16,000 in the
"Wheel of Fortune" telephone quiz, which is accessible on an 0836
premium rate access code within the UK. By setting up more than 50
false telephone accounts at 23 addresses in and around London and
racking up charges on those lines, he was able to "win" the prize
checks, which were then mailed to him at various addresses, BT
reports. Lawal is then alleged to have banked the checks into
bank accounts set up in various names.
Lawal is said to have dialed the premium rate phone number, left his
name and address and then left the phone off the hook for up to 15
hours at a time. Since the game's voice-driven computer
recorded a silence as a "no" answer, this ensured that he got at
least a percentage of the responses "right," so winning him the
prizes.
In court, British Telecom prosecutor Mr Chawla said that, although
Lawal won several thousand pounds, he left unpaid various phone
bills totally UKP 268,793.
Because Lawal picked his names out of the telephone directory, he
was able to remove the need to pay a deposit on the line when it was
installed, authorities contend. By renting various addresses in
and around London between February and September of 1992, he was
able to set up a line and make long calls before BT sent out its
quarterly bill as usual, they say.
Lawal, who comes from Manchester, was arrested after what officials
describe as an extensive joint investigation between BT and the
police. In court, a second defendant, Nicole Warby, 18, unemployed,
also of Manchester, is charged with conspiracy to defraud BT.
The case is continuing through the courts.
(Steve Gold/19931012)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
4 10/12/93
TELECOM
Homework Helper To Be Launched On Prodigy In '
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
Homework Helper To Be Launched On Prodigy In '94 10/12/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- The Prodigy
Service said it will offer Infonautics' "Homework Helper"
database when it becomes available next September.
The product is still in the prototype stage, a spokesman told
Newsbytes, but it's designed as an easy-to-use database for
children, combining the work of 35 publishers and over 700 major
literary works, as well as data from CNN, Compton's Encyclopedia,
and the World Almanac. It's structured so that it can be
queried in plain English, with cogent responses to queries
like "Why is the Sky Blue?"
The software also has hooks which allow references to be
given appropriate to a student's age and reading ability.
Infonautics President Marvin Weinberger said he hoped the
agreement with Prodigy will turn American children into
"infonauts" who can go into information space wherever their
dreams may take them.
The agreement is non-exclusive, and Infonautics included in its
press release a note sent by Weinberger to Kevin Knott of
CompuServe asking to "begin direct discussions" on offering
Homework Helper on CompuServe, expressing the hope that the
CompuServe launch could be timed to coincide with that of
Prodigy.
Prodigy, which now calls itself "America's most popular online
service," says it has two million members, but analyst Gary Arlen
told Newsbytes recently he estimates they have 950,000
accounts. That would make it the number two consumer online
service after CompuServe, which has 1.3 million members.
Prodigy has come under increasing pressure to turn a profit
this year, cutting staff and raising prices, and while Arlen
told Newsbytes in a recent interview he expects the company
to show a net profit soon, he expects it will never be able
to repay the huge investment made by its owners, IBM and Sears.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931012/Press Contact: Joshua Kopelman,
Infonautics, 215-293-4770; Prodigy, Carol Wallace, 914-993-2496)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/12/93
TELECOM
Stratus Buys BellSouth Systems Company
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
Stratus Buys BellSouth Systems Company 10/12/93
MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Stratus
Computer Inc., said it will acquire BellSouth's BellSouth Systems
Integration Inc. subsidiary for about $15 million in cash.
BellSouth had acquired BSSI, then known as Scientific Software
Inc., in January of 1992. The company was founded in 1984. Its
flagship product is Network Express, designed to allow the
integration of information between dissimilar or incompatible
information systems or networks for use in transaction
processing.
Stratus, best known for its fault tolerant computer systems, is
heavily involved in the transaction processing market, where
hardware reliability is a key. The company said BSSI products are
already used by institutions in many of its key markets, like the
financial industry, the travel industry, the telecommunications
industry, retailing, and in health care and insurance. The company
has just 74 employees and over 100 customers in 15 countries.
After a weak second quarter, Stratus announced it would try to
move into the software area so it can add more value to its
systems. This is its second acquisition in the software area
since that announcement. In September, it bought Shared Financial
Systems Inc., of Dallas, Texas, a $20 million company which also
provides software used in online systems. Despite showing good
profits in its third quarter, it announced in October it would
cut up to 160 positions by the end of this year.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931012/Press Contact: Stratus Computer, Susan
Cashen, 508-490-6264)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
TELECOM
Motorola Sues InterDigital Over TDMA Patents
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
Motorola Sues InterDigital Over TDMA Patents 10/12/93
KING OF PRUSSIA, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) --
InterDigital Communications Inc., now faces legal challenges to
its Time Division Multiple Access patents from both of the
leading makers of cellular equipment. Motorola filed a suit to
invalidate six TDMA patents held by InterDigital, a month after
Ericsson filed similar suits.
TDMA divides a cellular calling channel into a number of slices,
then sends calls as data in each slice. A TDMA standard endorsed
by the US cellular industry in 1991 offers three times the
capacity of analog systems, when operators move to TDMA. McCaw
Cellular and Southwestern Bell have endorsed the system and are
installing dual-standard TDMA-analog equipment in their networks.
A competing standard, called Code Division Multiple Access or
CDMA, sends data throughout a calling channel.
When the Ericsson suits were filed, spokesmen claimed the filings
followed lengthy negotiations concerning royalties for the
patents. Ericsson filed its suit in Texas, InterDigital in
Virginia, where it said a "rocket docket" could offer a decision
early next year. The Motorola suit was filed in a district court
in Delaware.
While InterDigital insists the issues are the same in both suits,
the atmosphere this time is completely different. In September,
InterDigital spokesmen were jaunty and talkative. This time,
they're tight-lipped, refusing to go beyond a press statement
that the company considers Motorola's complaint "without merit."
The company is also engaged in lawsuits over CDMA, with Qualcomm.
Spokesman David Buckingham said in September that the Eastern
District of Pennsylvania, where InterDigital filed its CDMA
suits, has expedited procedures for hearing patent cases similar
to the "rocket docket" of Virginia. InterDigital sued Qualcomm in
June, after acquiring the patent portfolio of SCS Mobilecom,
which had done much of its work on CDMA in conjunction with
military contracts aimed at making battlefield order
transmissions impossible to jam.
A statement by Robert S. Bramson, president of the company's
InterDigital Technology unit, said, "We are now in litigation
against the largest digital wireless infrastructure supplier,
Ericsson, and Motorola, the largest manufacturer of wireless
subscriber equipment. Given the size of the market for TDMA
digital wireless telephone products, and our consistent demand
for a reasonable royalty for licenses under our patents, this
lawsuit comes as no surprise. InterDigital Technology welcomes
the opportunity to demonstrate to the wireless telecommunications
industry that our patents are valid, enforceable and infringed."
In other news involving digital cellular patents, Northern
Telecom exercised an option to extend its CDMA license agreement
with Qualcomm from Canada to the whole world. In the long run,
most analysts believe that CDMA will prove more important than
TDMA, due to its higher capacity and its potential use in
specialized mobile radio networks at 800 MHz and personal
communications networks at 1800-2200 MHz. In the past, Ericsson
has reportedly been strongest in TDMA equipment, Motorola in CDMA
equipment.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931012/Press Contact: InterDigital
Communications, Dave Buckingham, 215/278-7910; Qualcomm, Thomas
Crawford, 619/658-4820)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
IBM
IBM, Dassault Unveil New Catia Release
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00023)
IBM, Dassault Unveil New Catia Release 10/12/93
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- IBM and
French software developer Dassault Systemes have announced
Version 4 of the Catia computer-aided design, manufacturing, and
engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE) software, which is developed by
Dassault and marketed and supported worldwide by IBM.
The new release has about three times as many features as Version
3, said Francis Bernard, president of Dassault, in a telephone
conference with the press. Enhancements include two new "solution
groups" or tool sets, one for analysis and simulation and one for
equipment and systems engineering.
The modular software is actually 48 separate products, from which
customers can pick and choose according to their needs. Dassault
and IBM have organized these pieces into six standard packages
called "solution groups." These include the two new groups, plus
application architecture, mechanical design, shape design and
styling, and manufacturing.
The application architecture group is intended for customers and
other software developers who want to integrate their own
software with Catia. The other five groups are intended to cover
the product development process from mechanical design through
manufacturing, officials said.
Bernard said Version 4 of Catia is "a major evolution of the
architecture of the system."
The software allows for an approach called concurrent
engineering, in which everyone in a company has access to the
same data, including all updates, so that various different
functions can take place at the same time.
The modular design also lets customers expand their software as
needed by adding pieces.
Like its predecessor, Version 4 of Catia will run on IBM's RISC
System/6000 workstations, including recently launched models
built on the PowerPC technology, and on IBM mainframes running
the VM and MVS operating systems.
IBM and Dassault said versions of Catia for other vendors'
hardware are planned starting in 1994. Officials would not say
what other hardware will be supported first, but Bernard said
Dassault would announce further plans in the first quarter of
1994.
Among the improvements in Version 4 are improved two- and
three-dimensional parametric and variational design capabilities,
a new design approach that lets users describe the features of
product during its design and store the descriptions in a
features catalog for later use, and electronic "sketchers" that
officials said are more intuitive than conventional drafting
techniques.
The companies said they have also added to features that let
users and third-party developers add to the software.
Version 4 is fully compatible with Version 3, Bernard said;
designs created with Version 3 can be brought unchanged into
Version 4, and the two can run together on the same computer.
Prices for the new Catia products vary widely with configuration.
Typical workstation configurations cost from $6,000 to $37,500,
officials said. The software has already been shipped to
customers participating in a limited validation program, but
general availability has yet to be announced.
(Grant Buckler/19931012/Press Contact: Andy Russell, IBM,
203-973-7644)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
BUSINESS
BoCoEx Index
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00024)
BoCoEx Index 10/12/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Boston Computer
Exchange for the week ending October 1,1993
Machine Main Drive Closing Price Ask Bid
Price Change
IBM PS1 386SX/25 130 MgB 700 down 150 800 700
IBM PS/2 Model 70-A21 120 MgB 700 down 50 750 700
IBM PS/2 Model 56SLC/20 120 MgB 1050 1300 900
IBM PS/2 Model 55SX 60 MgB 650 800 700
IBM ThinkPad 500 80 MgB 2000 2000 2000
IBM ThinkPad 700 80 MgB 1450 1600 1400
IBM ThinkPad 700C 120 MgB 3000 3300 3000
IBM V\P 3/25T MOD. 80 80 MgB 1500 1600 1500
IBM PS/2 Model 90-OH9 160 MgB 1700 1700 1600
IBM PS/2 Model 95-OJF 400 MgB 2700 down 300 3300 2700
Compaq Prolinea 4/66 340 MgB 2000 2150 2000
Compaq Prolinea 486/50 240 MgB 1450 1500 1200
Compaq Portable 386 100 MgB 650 800 600
Compaq SLT-386 120 MgB 925 950 850
Compaq LTE-286 40MgB 575 600 550
Compaq LTE-LITE 3/25 120MgB 1450 1450 1200
Compaq LTE-LITE 4/25C 120MB 3250 down 200 3400 3200
Compaq SysProXL 1.02 Gig 8,100 12,500 6,000
Compaq Syspro 486/50 Mod 1 6700 8500 6500
Compaq Prosigna 486 /33 550 MgB 3000 down 500 3300 2950
Compaq Prosigna 486/66 1GiG 4500 down 1500 6000 4000
Compaq DeskP 486DX2/66i 240 MgB 2100 2400 1900
AST Prem Exec 386SX20 40 MgB 675 750 650
NEC UltraLite 25C 80 MgB 1850 down 50 1900 1800
NEC UltraLite Versa 20C 80 MgB 2850 2950 2800
Zenith Mastersprt-386SX 60 MgB 700 800 700
Zenith SuperSport 386SX 40 MgB 650 800 650
Macintosh Classic 40 MgB 575 600 550
Macintosh Classic II 40 MgB 700 750 700
Macintosh SE 40 MgB 550 600 550
Macintosh SE-30 80 MgB 850 950 800
Macintosh LC 40 MgB 900 down 100 1000 800
Macintosh II 40 MgB 900 down 150 1000 900
Macintosh II SI 80 MgB 1100 down 100 1200 1100
Macintosh II CX 80 MgB 1250 down 50 1300 1200
Macintosh II CI 80 MgB 1800 down 150 2000 1800
Macintosh II FX 80 MgB 2100 down 200 2250 2100
Macintosh Quadra 800 230 MgB 3550 down 200 3600 3500
Macintosh Quadra 950 230 MgB 3400 3500 3300
Macintosh Powerbk 165C 80 MgB 1900 down 200 2000 1800
Macintosh Powerbk 145 40 MgB 1050 1250 1000
Macintosh Powerbk 180 80 MgB 2300 down 200 2400 2200
Apple Imagewriter 2 200 225 175
Apple Laserwriter IINT 875 900 850
HP Laserjet II 625 700 600
HP Laserjet IIISI 1900 down 400 2100 1900
Toshiba T-1200 20 MgB 350 375 350
Toshiba T-1600 40 MgB 525 575 500
Toshiba T-2000 SX 40 MgB 700 800 700
Toshiba T-2000 SXE 40 MgB 725 800 700
Toshiba T-2200 SX 80MgB 1000 1100 1000
Toshiba T-3100 20 MgB 375 400 350
Toshiba T-3200 40 MgB 450 600 400
Toshiba T-3200 SX 40 MgB 575 650 500
Toshiba T-4400 SXC 120 MgB 2250 2500 2200
Toshiba T-4400SX 120 MgB 1600 1800 1600
Toshiba T-4400C 200 MgB 2700 2600 2500
Toshiba T-5200 100 MgB 1100 1200 1100
BoCoEx Index data is compiled by Market Analyst, Gary M. Guhman
Here are some current retail-oriented Seats on the Exchange, presented in a
cyclic basis.
Dallas - Ft. Worth, TX - DFW Computer Exchange - M.B. Lee - 817-244-7833
Escondido, Ca. - Affordable Computer Solutions - Dean Jacobus - 619-738-
4980
New Orleans, Louisiana - Audubon Computer Rental - Mike Barry - 504-522-
0348
Detroit, Michigan - CompuCycle - Walt Hogan - 313-887-2600
Computer Exchange\\NorthWest - Dye Hawley - 206-820-1181
Albuquerque, NM, Western Computer Exchange - David Levin - 505-265-1330
Fresno, California - MacSource Computers - Mike Kurtz - 209-438-6227
BoCoEx Index prices are based on complete systems with keyboard, VGA
monitor and adapter, less the value of any software or peripherals.
Boston Computer Exchange is available at: 617-542-4414, Buyer's HotLine: 1-
800-262-6399, In Alaska and Canada 1-800-437-2470, FAX: 617-542-8849.
(BOCOEX/19931012)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/12/93
IBM
IBM Announces Completion Of Information Warehouse
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00025)
IBM Announces Completion Of Information Warehouse 10/12/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 12 OCT 1993 (NB) -- In a sweeping
series of announcements today, IBM's newly formed Software
Solutions has set forth the remaining contents of Information
Warehouse, IBM's extensive framework for storing and delivering
multivendor data across the enterprise.
"This fills out the framework," Thomas M. Aser, vice president for
sales and marketing at Software Solutions, told Newsbytes at an
advance briefing in Boston yesterday. Software Solutions, a $2.5
billion entity established two weeks ago out of a reorganization at
IBM, replaces IBM's previous Programming Systems division.
As Newsbytes reported in July, the upcoming products will include
locator service and copy management tools for bringing information
to end users and an array of new development tools. Also at that
time, Christopher R. Arnold, director of programming systems for
IBM's Enterprise Systems, told Newsbytes that the RS/6000 version
of IBM's DB/2 relational database management system (RDBMS) would
ship in August.
With today's announcements, though, shipment of DB2/6000 has been
formally set for November 12, and full details have been supplied
on the data delivery and development tools that Arnold outlined
to Newsbytes last summer.
IBM's new locator service tools, collectively called DataGuide, are
designed to give non-technical business users an easy way of
finding and accessing information on multivendor platforms
throughout the enterprise.
The new copy management products -- DataRefresher, DataPropagator
NonRelational Version 2, and DataPropagator Relational -- are aimed
at helping users to replicate data, regardless of its location on
the enterprise network, and transform that data into formats they
can use.
IBM's new software development products include two object-oriented
tools, VisualAge and ReDiscovery, plus a 4GL tool code-named
Highpoint.
IBM has also announced some surprises, including a set of strategic
directions for object-oriented development and a series of access
products for IMS, the company's hierarchical mainframe database.
The IMS access products include IMS Client Server for Windows, a
remote presentation tool for the Microsoft Windows environment, and
Micro Focus Remote Option for IMS, providing remote or local access
to workstation and LAN applications.
At yesterday's briefing, Aser stressed that the time IBM has spent
on developing DB2/6000 has been well worth the effort. "We went
into (client-server RDBMS) a little late, so it was important for
us to come out on top. And we are on top," he stated.
The resulting product reflects the strengths in data integrity and
high performance that IBM has built up over two decades of
producing mission critical database applications for Fortune 1000
customers, Aser asserted.
DB2/6000 lets customers produce huge databases of up to 512 GB, and
high capacity tables of up to 2 GB, added J.R. Hamilton, also of
Software Solutions. The RISC version of DB2 also offers better
overall performance than any other commercial RDBMS on transaction
processing, he maintained.
Benchmark tests show DB2/6000 to be number one in transaction
processing applications that do not involve discrete transactions,
and second only to Oracle 7 in applications that do involve
discrete transactions, according to Hamilton. Relatively few
transactions call for discrete transactions, he told Newsbytes.
Hamilton also noted that DB2/6000 is designed to be highly portable
across platforms. Of the half million lines of code in the
program, only 13,000 lines are system specific, he explained.
Also yesterday, Dr. Willy W. Chiu of Software Solutions described
the new DataGuide and copy management tools. DataGuide/2 will run
on OS/2, and DataGuide MVS provides users with information catalog
functions through the facilities of the mainframe-based Common Data
Facility (CDF)/MVS.
The DataGuide products are designed to let users browse through a
catalog to see what information is available in the enterprise, or
search for data sources using descriptive words or phases, using
easy-to-understand nontechnical business terms.
The copy management tools also aim for simplicity, Chiu told
Newsbytes. Unlike competing replication products, which require
users to write code, IBM's new products let users quickly copy data
by pointing and clicking, he said.
DataRefresher is geared to moving large amounts of data from a
broad range of data sources. The two DataPropagator products are
for smaller copy management applications.
IBM's new VisualAge is a suite of object-oriented development tools
designed to let nonadvanced programmers quickly build GUIs and
custom client-server applications by using existing code. The
product encompasses visual programming facilities, multimedia
support, communication support over multiple protocols, and
relational database support, including DB2/2 and remote databases
via IBM's DRDA, Oracle and Sybase.
ReDiscovery, the second new object-oriented development tool, lets
developers create catalogs of reusable software components.
The catalogs will be equipped with search and retrieve
capabilities.
Also today, IBM announced its intentions to produce C++ language in
OS/2 as well as AIX, along with class libraries for key system
functions and object-oriented database technology for underlying
applications development storage.
The company also plans to extend its object-oriented direction
across 3GL languages, add extensions to relational databases to
support objects, and enable shared objects between languages and
across systems (SOM and DSOM).
In addition, IBM introduced enhancements to several existing
Information Warehouse products. A new edition of DataHub, Version
1.2, adds improved database systems management, according to the
company. DataHub is a primary systems manager for copy management,
and also supports IBM's recently announced Flowmark workflow
management product.
A newly announced upgrade to Personal Application System (PAS)/2
decision support tool, Version 3, adds full integration with the
OS/2 Workplace Shell. The newly announced Query Management
Facility (QMF) for VSE/ESA, Version 3.1.1, has been redesigned for
greater ease of use.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931012/Press contacts: Christine Bock, GCI for
IBM, tel 714-587-6946; Barbara Cerf, IBM, tel 914-642-4664; Carol
Felton, Technology Solutions for IBM, tel 415-617-4525)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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4 10/12/93
IBM
British Magazine Claims Security Problems With Netware
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00026)
British Magazine Claims Security Problems With Netware 4 10/12/93
SWANSEA, WALES, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Virus News
International (VNI), which claims to be the world's leading
specialist security magazine, has revealed a potential security
problem with the login procedure with Novell Netware 4, the
enterprise-based version of Novell's network operating system.
In the October issue of the magazine, which has just started
shipping to readers, details of a security breach, discovered by the
Computer Incident Advisory Capability (CIAC), are revealed.
According to VNI's editor, Paul Robinson, the security problem
"could allow compromises to user accounts."
"It's a problem that only affects Netware 4, but, given that this
new version of Netware is cracked out to be highly secure, it comes
as a surprise," Robinson told Newsbytes.
According to the CIAC, in certain situations, the operation of
LOGIN.EXE, the routine that allows users to log into their system,
can be compromised. Novell, meanwhile, has confirmed the problem
and, in a specially prepared statement on the matter, has said that
a patch to the routine has now been issued.
According to Novell, "a user's name and password may be temporarily
swapped to disk when running in a DOS environment with a small
memory configuration."
The patch for Netware 4 can be found on the Netwire, the virtual
(online) network that Novell provides for its resellers and major
customers, as well as in library 14 of the NOVLIB forum on
Compuserve.
Robinson told Newsbytes that Netware 4 users should not be
complacent over the potential problem. "Users need to move quickly
to protect this sensitive hole. The security enhancement of Novell's
latest operating system does not add up to a fig if the user's name
and password are compromised during the login," he said.
VNI has produced an independent special report on Netware 4, which
is available free of charge to subscribers of the magazine. Other
parties may purchase a copy for UKP 14-95.
VNI is a specialist monthly magazine that covers computer viruses,
security and computer crime. The annual subscription to the magazine
is UKP 195, which includes a fax alert to warn of potential security
breaches.
(Steve Gold/19931012/Press & Public Contact: Paul Robinson, VNI -
Tel: +44-792-324000; fax: +44-792-324001; email on The Internet -
robinson@cix.compulink.co.uk)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
GOVT
Rasterops Accuses Radius, Supermac Of Patent Violations
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00027)
Rasterops Accuses Radius, Supermac Of Patent Violations 10/12/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Rasterops has
publicly made demands that competitors Radius and Supermac stop
alleged patent infringement activities. Both Radius and
Supermac have reacted, expressing surprise that Rasterops
decided to publicize the matter without waiting for a response
from either company and allege Rasterops is simply trying to
hurt their respective businesses.
David Pine, general counsel for Radius, yesterday said: "Radius
was surprised to receive the demand letter from Rasterops late
last week, and was shocked when Rasterops made these
allegations public before receiving Radius' response." Supermac
acknowledges receipt of the letter from Rasterops, but claims
the letter was dated October 6, 1993.
Rasterops said it was granted US Patent 5,229,852 on July 20,
1993 for "Real Time Video Converter Providing Special Effects,"
a technology to convert various types of video input so it can
be displayed as video-in-a-window. RasterOps and its
subsidiary Truevision both use video-in-a-window in their
products. As a result of the patent, Rasterops claims it sent
both Radius and Supermac each a letter demanding the companies
discontinue making, selling, and using Video Vision, which is
Radius' product, and Digitalfilm, a Supermac product.
However, Radius and Supermac have both individually said that,
first, there is more than one way to convert the video signal
to get video-in-a-window and neither of their products use the
technology outlined in the Rasterops patent. Second, the
companies have hinted that Rasterops knows the patent is
unenforceable. David Pine of Radius told Newsbytes that there
is prior work that pre-dates Rasterops' technology in this area
and Supermac says the patent is likely unenforceable in view of
certain representations by Rasterops' patent counsel to the
Patent Office during prosecution of the patent.
In the release issued by Rasterops yesterday, which it called a
demand, the statement most disturbing to Radius and Supermac is
the one made by Paul Smith, Rasterop's president and chief
executive officer. Smith said: "Since patent infringement is a
violation of the law, I would expect that Supermac's and
Radius's distributors, dealers, and customers would be duly
concerned."
Both companies have taken Smith's comment as a direct threat to
their customers. Radius representatives told Newsbytes they've
sent a letter to their distributors concerning Smith's
statements and a letter to Rasterops demanding a retraction of
the statement. Supermac representatives said the company felt
disappointment in the unfounded and blatant threat to Supermac
customers and will look into all legal remedies to prohibit
"unfair competition and trade defamation." Supermac
representatives said their intellectual property counsel,
Limbach and Limbach, were surprised any company would make the
type of statements Rasterops was making.
Pine said: "Our patent counsel have begun review of the patent.
Preliminary indications are that the allegations of
infringement are completely unfounded and without merit. It is
extremely unfortunate that Rasterops not only made these
charges, but also publicized them, without apparently fully
investigating the facts. We are exploring all appropriate
measures to respond to this damaging situation."
Radius and Supermac stated they each are currently
investigating whether Rasterops' recent public statements may
constitute actionable misuse of the Rasterops patent. In
addition, Radius claims it might be able to turn the tables on
Rasterops, as it holds a number of patents and is now
investigating whether or not Rasterops products can be found
infringing.
As far as Newsbytes has been able to determine, Rasterops has
not approached legal channels to pursue this patent
infringement claim. Both Radius and Supermac confirmed that to
their knowledge, Rasterops has not filed a lawsuit based on its
patent claims. Rasterops representatives were unavailable for
comment.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931012/Press Contact: Kent Robertson,
Rasterops, 408-562-4200; Jim Heisch, Supermac Technology, 408-
541-5270; David Pine, Radius, tel 408/954-6814, fax 408-954-
1615)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
IBM
IBM Microelectronics Has Signal Processing Device
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00028)
IBM Microelectronics Has Signal Processing Device 10/12/93
HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- IBM
Microelectronics has announced technology it calls Mwave, which
can be used to add functions such as audio and voice processing,
data compression, and facsimile to personal computers.
The IBM unit said a key feature of the Mwave product, which is
designed for third-party hardware makers or original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs), is its reliance on software for adding and
enhancing features. For example, the transmission speed of a data
or facsimile modem can be upgraded by downloading software
upgrades from diskettes onto the Mwave software subsystem on a
user's hard drive.
The package consists of signal processing hardware and a variety
of software options for audio processing, data communications,
facsimile, voice messaging, and data compression.
By combining these features with application software, IBM said,
OEMs can create products for purposes such as multimedia,
integrated desktop communications, compressed personal voice
mail, teaching music, and multiuser telegaming.
IBM said the technology is already used in several of its own
products. For example, it is the basis of a stereo audio
subsystem in the Thinkpad 750 notebook computer, launched in
September, said company spokesman Jim Smith. IBM also uses the
technology in its Windsurfer add-in board and in educational
computer systems from its EduQuest unit.
IBM said it is offering customers a number of options, from
adopting IBM Microelectronics reference designs to jointly
developing a product. Because most Mwave products will be unique
to a particular company, officials said, prices for Mwave-based
products vary depending on configuration.
The format of the hardware will vary according to the customer
application in most cases, Smith said. However, IBM
Microelectronics also announced an Mwave-based offering, the
LS4000, which is a standard expansion card.
IBM said it has set up a suite of support services for Mwave
customers, including application engineering, hardware and
software development assistance, consulting services, and a
toll-free information hot line.
(Grant Buckler/19931012/Press Contact: Jim Smith, IBM
Microelectronics, 914-892-5389)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
BUSINESS
Intel Net Income Up 143 Percent
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00029)
Intel Net Income Up 143 Percent 10/12/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Intel has
already made more money in the first nine months of 1993 that it
did all year in 1992. The company's third quarter results show
revenue is up 57 percent and net income is up a whopping 143
percent.
The world's largest semiconductor manufacturer, Intel continues
to break its own earnings records. The company said revenue for
the quarter was $2.24 billion compared to $1.43 billion the
year previous and net income was $584 million compared to $241
million in the year-ago quarter.
For the nine month period so far in 1993, the company reported
revenue of $6.39 billion, up 60 percent over last year, and net
income of $1.7 billion.
Andy Grove, Intel's president and chief executive officer
attributed the growth to attractive personal computer (PC)
prices. "Our customers in the personal computer industry are
offering users some very powerful systems at very attractive
prices. As a result, personal computer demand has grown and our
unit volumes have notched up steadily."
"For example, we were particularly pleased with shipments of
our Pentium processor this quarter. We are on track to ship
hundreds of thousands in 1993 and millions next year. We expect
to see about 100 Pentium processor-based systems at next
month's fall COMDEX trade show."
The entry level chip is now the 486SX 33 megahertz (MHz) chip
with the 486DX2 in the mid-range and the Pentium at the high
end, the company said.
Intel also pointed out its recent deal with Unisys to put
Pentium chips in parallel processing configurations for large-
scale computing. Not ignoring the up and coming personal
digital assistant (PDA) market, Intel also announced its
"mobile companion" architecture this quarter aimed at advanced
handheld computers.
One of Intel's competitors, Motorola, is also doing well.
Motorola announced it has doubled its third quarter earnings
compared to last year with earnings of $254 million on sales of
$4.4 billion in the quarter, and earnings for the first nine
months of $682 million on sales of $12 billion. Motorola's
product line is broad, but in its semiconductor sales the
company reported a 31 percent increase to $1.51 billion.
Motorola chips are the brains behind the Apple Computer
Macintosh.
While some industry analysts are saying the demand for personal
computers may slack off in the coming months, others say the
holiday season coupled with the businesses trend to make last
minute end-of-the-year purchase of tax deductible equipment may
keep sales high.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931012/Press Contact: Intel, Pam Pollace,
tel 408-765-1435, fax 408-765-6008)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
TRENDS
****Time Warner/HP Team Up On Interactive Home Printing
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00030)
****Time Warner/HP Team Up On Interactive Home Printing 10/12/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard (HP) is teaming up with Time Warner to offer printing
services to subscribers of Time Warner's Full Service
Interactive television network now under development in
Orlando, Florida. The goal is to allow users to print
information, hopefully in color, pertaining to activities or
information they see on the network, the companies said.
The technology that makes this possible is also in a new
product for video professionals announced for December
availability called HP Vidjet Pro. HP representatives describe
Vidjet Pro a video cassette recorder (VCR)-sized box that
enables users to capture, organize, analyze, and archive video
information from any source on paper. The Vidjet Pro product is
$3,500 and is aimed at professional video studio technicians.
Obviously, allowing interactive cable television subscribers
access to printed images means each home will have to have a
printer. HP believes the printer will be one of its color
printer line, such as the 500C, but no firm details of the
arrangement have been made. The Orlando site where Time Warner
plans to have the Full Service Network up and running in 4,000
homes by April of 1994 is where the first printers will
probably go, compliments of Time Warner, HP representatives
said.
As to whether or not subscribers will need a VCR-sized box to
house the Vidjet technology, HP representatives said probably
not, but the project is still in its infancy and no firm
decisions have been made yet.
One thing is certain, both Time Warner and HP are convinced
users want to be able to print information out and they want
color. Geoffrey Holmes, Time Warner Entertainment senior vice
president of technology, said a typical scenario for a user
interested in buying a car might have a remote-control device,
could to switch to the Shopping Mall section of the Full
Service Network, and could choose a local auto dealer. A menu
could enable subscribers to shop for the car based on specific
priorities, such as model or price. The network would then
display several options from which subscribers would make
their final selection.
With the remote-control device, Holmes envisions subscribers
using the home media printer to print out a full brochure.
Subscribers then could use the network to set up a test drive,
and the dealer would be alerted to come by the subscriber's
home at a convenient time with the exact model of car to try
out.
James Olson, general manager of HP's Video Communications
Division said: "Subscribers will be able to capture the vast
sources of information available to them on the Full Service
Network, and HP will be able to expand its professional video
communications and printing technology into the emerging
consumer video and multimedia markets. We think this will
dramatically change the way people communicate with video."
(Linda Rohrbough/19931012/Press Contact: Andrew Ould, Hewlett-
Packard, tel 415-857-2367, fax 415-553-3905 Atten John Mink)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/12/93
GENERAL
OURS To Unveil Interoperability Findings Today In Boston
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00031)
OURS To Unveil Interoperability Findings Today In Boston 10/12/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 12 (NB) -- OURS (Open User
Recommended Solutions) will release its latest task force findings
on software licensing, data security, multivendor education, and
other computer interoperability issues at a presentation in Boston
today for members, guests and the press.
The nonprofit cooperative of corporate users, vendors and service
providers will also announce the formation of a new Network
Management Task Force, aimed at creating a common framework for
multivendor automation strategies in network management, groupware
administration, and internal client/server applications.
Hosted by DEC and Lotus, the event is being held as part of the
two-day OURS Fall Conference. Now celebrating its second
anniversary, OURS is chaired by Elaine Bond, Chase
fellow/consultant and former CIO for the Chase Manhattan Bank.
As previously reported in Newsbytes, in a press conference at
NetWorld Boston in January, Bond unveiled the working draft of a
proposal by the OURS Software Licensing Task Force. The proposal
called for a new industry pricing structure that is more in line
with the needs of today's users.
OURS members include American Airlines, American Express, Boston
University, Brigham Young University, BSG, Central Point Software,
Chase Manhattan Bank, Church of Latter Day Saints, Citibank, CMP
Publishing, Compaq, Dallas Semiconductor, Datamedia, Data
Securities International, DEC, EDS, and Enfron/Transwestern
Pipeline.
Additional OURS members are IBM, ICL, Intel, KnowledgeWare, Legent,
Lotus, MIT, Mead Data Central, Mergent, Mexico Ministry of Trade,
Microsoft, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, Motorola, Novell, Nynex,
Oracle, Pacific Gas & Electric, Software AG, Standard Microsystems,
Tandem, Texaco, Union Camp, US West, Vitek Systems Distribution,
Washington National Insurance, and Ziff-Davis Publishing.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931012/Press and public contact: Open User
Recommended Solutions, tel 212-938-5534)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
GENERAL
Hong Kong - EDS, Amdahl, Team Up To Unify Software
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00001)
Hong Kong - EDS, Amdahl, Team Up To Unify Software 10/11/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993, OCT 11 (NB) -- Electronic Data Services
(EDS) and Amdahl have formed the Antares Alliance Group (AAG), a
joint venture company that they plan will offer utility software
designed to create multi-platform applications.
The idea of the project is to foster an environment that will allow
developers to create software that bridges the desktop, mini and
mainframe computer environments. The eventual aim of the project is
to unify the currently disparate software markets.
According to EDS, the AAG's products will enable companies to
quickly and cost-effectively migrate their processing from
mainframes to powerful desktop computing services. Once applications
are written, users will be able to move them to different platforms,
including a wide range of client-server distributed computing
environments, with a minimum of coding changes.
"Consistent with our commitment to opens systems, this joint venture
will make it possible for companies to make use of proven software
technologies that work with the largest number of standard
platforms, operating systems, graphical user interfaces and data
base management systems available," explained Steve Leakey, EDS Asia
Pacific's director of marketing.
Plans call for AAG's products to encompass business and process
modelling, applications development tools, comprehensive re-
engineering, methodologies and modern data base technology. Apart
from allowing easy migration into client-server environments, the
company's products will also reduce the cost of maintaining and
enhancing information systems.
To preserve investments in existing data base management systems,
plans also call for AAG to use mainframes as servers that provide
applications with a variety of graphical user interfaces.
Amdahl's contribution to the venture is its Huron applications
development, production and maintenance system while EDS is
providing its InCASE data modelling and application building system
and its Cobol language conversion and business modelling tools.
The EDS and Amdahl laboratories which developed these products are
being transferred to Antares to pave the way for future software
development. Antares will market its products through original
equipment manufacturers, value-added resellers and other
distributors.
The products will also be available through Amdahl's direct sales
force and will be used by EDS business units to standardise their
software development efforts, as well as those of their customers.
(Keith Cameron/19931011/Press Contact: Steve Leakey (EDS): +852-
867-9888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
IBM
UK - Roadmap Software Express V3.0 Debuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00002)
UK - Roadmap Software Express V3.0 Debuts 10/11/93
ASHFORD, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Nextbase, the PC
mapping and route planning software specialist, has announced
Autoroute v3.0, an upgrade to its popular route planning package.
According to the company, v3.0 for Windows and DOS users, has a host
of new features, enhancements and additional map information, which
includes details of the locations of London's police cameras.
Simon Anthony, Nextbase's managing director, said that the new
version has a lot of exciting new features, "many of which have been
in direct response to feedback from our user base."
"The market for the product is continuously growing as more people
realise people realise the benefits that route planning can provide.
In fact, Autoroute Express is now used by more than 90 percent of
the Times top 500 companies and has a UK user base of just over
50,000," he said.
One of the most interesting and useful enhancements with the new
version of Autoroute, Newsbytes notes, is that when users start or
finish a journey, or call off at stop off points, the package now
takes them to the nearest road, not the nearest road junction.
Version 3.0 of Autoroute Express is due to ship later this month
with a UKP 99-95 price tag for the DOS version and UKP 149-95 for
the Windows version. As well as the usual UK versions, Newsbytes
notes that European, French, German and US versions of the software
are expected later this year.
Registered users of the DOS version will be allowed to upgrade for
UKP 30, while users of the Windows version can upgrade for UKP 50.
Registered users of Autoroute Express can upgrade to the new Windows
version for UKP 40.
Both the DOS and Window version of the package need a PC with 4
megabytes (MB) of hard disk place, a CGA or better screen, plus
mouse and Windows 3.1 in the case of the Windows version.
(Steve Gold/19931011/Press & Public Contact: Nextbase - Tel: +44-
784-421422; Fax: +44-784-420072)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
GENERAL
NIC Gets Indian Government's OK to Use Ku Band
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00003)
NIC Gets Indian Government's OK to Use Ku Band 10/11/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- The National Informatics
Centre (NIC) of the Government of India, has been given permission
to use the Ku band transponders from Intelsat, the international
satellite communications organization.
The move means that NIC can switch from using its national satellite
linked network to service more than 456 district centers, to
Intelsat's satellite-based resources.
Terms of the agreement call for the Department of Telecommunications
(DOT) to provide three Ku band transponders on the INSAT-II C
satellite, which is scheduled for launch later this year, to the
NIC. This will make the organisation the first in the country to
experiment with using the Ku band.
Newsbytes notes that, to date, the NUC has been using the C band
transponder, which was available through Intelsat's satellite
network in the 1989/90 period, and which was later switched through
the INSAT series of satellites provided through the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO).
According to the NIC, it will now be able to apply its knowledge of
the satellite transponder usage business to develop new competence
in the Ku band. This will allow the group to develop knowledge of
new technologies such as multimedia teleconferencing, electronic
mail and other value-added services.
NIC also claims that, as it gains experience in using the Ku band,
so private sector companies will be able to come to them for
satellite time on the satellites, rather than having to rely on the
Indian DOT for licensing of the C band network.
Newsbytes notes that Hughes Escort Communications (HEC) recently
requested a C band transponder licence to allow it to set up an
Indian national telecoms network, but the DOT turned the request
down.
The Ku band would offer some degree of relief to HEC in this
situation and, even if companies already use the C band, the Ku band
offers relief from the heavy network congestion that can occur on
the C band during peak times.
The only downside with using the Ku band is that, during rainstorms,
the signal would be attenuated by the rainwater in the air, as
happens to most microwave signals in the 10,000 million hertz
waveband.
(C T Mahabharat/19930811)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
BUSINESS
Matsushita's VCR Joint Venture In China
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00004)
Matsushita's VCR Joint Venture In China 10/11/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Matsushita Electric has teamed up
with the Chinese government over the manufacture of VCR components.
Plans call for the two organizations to invest around Yen 10,000
million (about $100 million) each in the project.
Newsbytes notes that this would make Matsushita one of the largest
investors in a joint project of this type in China. Terms of the
agreement, Newsbytes understands, call for Matushita to link up with
around 10 Chinese companies, who will work to produce various VCR
components, including the cylinder motors and the recorder heads,
two items which require a high degree of technical expertise to
manufacture.
Plans call for the joint venture company to ship enough components
for around 1.5 million VCRs to be built by 1994. This should,
Newsbytes notes, be enough to cover demand for completed VCRs in
China -- currently, around two million VCRs are sold each year in
China, a figure that is increasing by around 30 percent per year.
Reports from China suggest that the project is being given a high
priority by the Government there. Matushita is no stranger to China
either, as the company is already involved in no less than nine
joint venture in the country, mainly operating through two
Chinese subsidiaries.
These businesses include Matsushita Electronics Industry's recent 5
billion-yen ($50 million) project to produce Braun tubes for TV
sets.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931011/Press Contact: Matsushita
Electric, +81-3-3578-1237, Fax, +81-3-3437-2776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
IBM
Isys Appoints New UK Distributor
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00005)
Isys Appoints New UK Distributor 10/11/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Australian software
manufacturer Odyssey Development, publisher of the ISYS text
retrieval program, has appointed a new distributor in the UK,
Systematic Information Management, to handle the package.
Announcing the appointment, Odyssey MD Mark Reiss said: "The UK
market has always represented a major opportunity for us, but
because we have spent so much of our time and resources in the US,
this opportunity has largely gone unfulfilled."
"Systematic Information Management is part of the Systematic Upgrade
Group that distributes another text retrieval software package as
well as providing various imaging products and services. This is a
real coup for us because Systematic Upgrade is already familiar with
the UK text retrieval market and will be able to establish a
presence for Isys very quickly," he told Newsbytes.
Reiss added that Systematic Upgrade provides a number of corporate
information management solutions including software consultancy,
system design and data capture, plus a CD-Rom design and production
service.
The managing director of the company, Jacob John, said that Isys
combined power with simplicity "unlike other packages that charge
like wounded bulls but only provide limited additional functionality
with clumsy user interfaces."
(Paul Zucker/19931011/Contact: Odyssey Development on phone +61-2-
965 7250 or fax +61-2-439 8569)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
GENERAL
****"Yearn 2 Learn" - New Meaning To Interactivity On Mac, PC
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00006)
****"Yearn 2 Learn" - New Meaning To Interactivity On Mac, PC 10/11/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- "Interactive
multimedia means a whole lot more than just a panel of buttons,"
said Jim Myrick, vice president of marketing for Image Smith, a
Torrance, CA-based startup firm that is quickly giving new
definition to the field.
"Yearn 2 Learn: Peanuts," the company's first title, is taking the
children's educational multimedia market by lightning storm. Eight
months after its release in January, the Apple Macintosh version had
already landed in the top spot in the "Education" category on Baker
& Taylor's bestsellers list, edging out offerings from long-time
industry leaders.
"Peanuts" has now garnered a 1993 Editor's Choice award from
MacComputing magazine, a rave review from MacUser, and a five-star
rating from Compuserve Magazine.
At a meeting with Newsbytes in Boston, Myrick predicted that sales
of the newly released Windows version will be even higher than those
of the Mac edition, because of the PC's larger installed base. A
CD-ROM edition of "Peanuts" is now in the works, he added. Also
planned are new entries in the "Yearn 2 Learn" series, some to
spotlight Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and other individual members of the
Peanuts gang, and others to revolve around cartoon luminaries like
Felix the Cat and The Flintstones.
Myrick told Newsbytes that Image Smith is carving out a new niche
called "edutainment." The "Yearn 2 Learn" series is meant to give
three- to 10-year-olds the fun and excitement of a Nintendo game,
while at the same time teaching them math, reading, geography, and
other skills that will help them to get ahead in school and in
life, he explained.
"Peanuts" is dressed up in a bright red "Snoopy's doghouse" box. The
program opens with a Home Menu that is designed, like the rest of
the product, to be friendly and unintimidating to young kids. The
menu has seven buttons: one for a doghouse, one for audio volume
control, and one for each of five animated activities: Math Games,
Comic Strips, Geography Games, Coloring Book, and Flying Ace.
The five activities cover a wide range of ability levels, so the
software can be used by kids of different ages in the same
household, or even for years on end by the same child, Myrick said.
He claims that it's difficult for a child to "get lost" in
"Peanuts," since the doghouse button remains in the upper right-hand
corner throughout the program, eventually leading back to the Home
Menu. One of the goals behind "Peanuts" is to sharpen reading and
prereading skills. No reading is required, though, since voice
prompts are available throughout.
The Math Game in "Peanuts" can be set to easy, medium or hard,
Newsbytes was told. At each level, the child receives a "star"
for a correct answer and an "X" for an incorrect response.
The percentage of correct answers is automatically tallied and
shown on screen at the end of the game.
The easy level involves a game with the Woodstock character,
Myrick reported. As the game opens, Woodstock and a bunch of his
buddies begin jumping out of the bushes. Kids are asked to count
the number of cartoon characters they see, and to click on the
appropriate number on an Answer Bar.
At the medium level of the Math Game, kids practice addition and
subtraction by "going bowling" with Woodstock and Snoopy. At the
hard level, they use addition and simple multiplication to
calculate the total weight of small, medium and large pumpkins that
Linus hurls on to a scale.
Comic Strips presents a choice of five different Peanuts strips,
said Myrick. As the comic strips are rolled, the words are read
aloud and highlighted. The child can ask the story-teller voice to
repeat a word by clicking directly on the word, and ask for the
story to be retold by clicking on a Read It button. By hunting
with a mouse for "Hot Spots," kids can find hidden areas that
trigger special animation and sound effects. In one effect, for
instance, a ball is transformed from a volleyball to a soccer ball
to a basketball.
The Geography Game offers two levels of difficulty. At the easy
level, kids work at fitting cut-outs of the various US states into
a "puzzle map" of the entire country. At the hard level, they also
choose state names from a menu, and then click and drag the names
to the proper places on the map.
Coloring Book teaches colors and also lets kids practice judging
the sizes and shapes of objects. When a child chooses a color from
the Crayon Selection, the crayon will pop up, and a narrator will
speak the color's name, according to Myrick. Kids can also
designate the sizes of the crayons and erasers they will use.
Flying Ace is just for fun, the marketing vice president
acknowledged. The child flies Snoopy's doghouse across the screen,
trying to avoid obstacles. If an obstacle is struck, the Flying Ace
doghouse crashes and the game begins again.
If Myrick and the other founding principals of Image Smith are
breaking new ground now, this isn't the first time for any of them.
Image Smith was formed in 1992 by Dominique Claessens and Jake
Myrick, together with Jim Myrick. In the early 1980s, Claessens and
his father developed the "Aesthedes," the world's first commercially
available computer design system. In 1989, the Claessens sold the
system to Barco, a Belgian prepress vendor, for $50 million.
Jake Myrick, Image Smith's vice president of operations, went to
Japan to study with Koichi Omura, creator of the Toyo Links System,
after receiving a degree in journalism and broadcasting. Upon
returning to the US, he took computer graphics positions with
Aesthedes, Barco and Scitex. He now manages Image Smith's multimedia
lab and is responsible for packaging, graphics, and product
development.
Jim Myrick launched his own career in the late 1970s at the Xerox
labs in Rochester, NY. While their counterparts at Xerox in Palo
Alto, CA were concentrating on GUIs and the mouse, the folks in
Rochester were doing advanced work in color printing. Myrick later
made his way into CAD/CAM, computer art, and ultimately multimedia.
Before helping to form Image Smith, he co-founded Pixel Ink
Consultants, a computer graphics consulting firm that produced
the seminar series "Mac Services for the '90s" as well as the
"Trapping" interactive tutorial disk. At Image Smith, he
oversees licensing, marketing, public relations and advertising.
Image Smith is organized into production teams, much like the staff
of a motion picture company, Myrick informed Newsbytes. Each team
at Image Smith consists of a producer, a couple of graphic
designers, and a sound designer. Selected for their artistic
talent, the graphic designers work in Macromind Director on the
Mac, producing rapid prototypes that are later coded and compiled
by C programmers.
The language used in Macromind, "Lingo," is the fastest and most
robust language for interactive multimedia development, in Myrick's
view. "But Lingo can't be compiled," he noted.
Like the graphic designers, the sound designers also have highly
specialized skills, he added. "They know how to do things that
most of us never even think about - like how to produce the sound
of leaves rustling in the trees."
Stringent standards are set for Image Smith's "stars," as well,
according to Myrick. To begin with, the cartoon characters must be
highly recognizable, and approved of by just about everyone who
recognizes them. "On approval tests, Snoopy gets a 97% positive
rating, from two-year-olds all the way up to 99-year-olds," he
stated. Conversely, the Ninja Turtles, who bring mixed reactions,
are not on the drawing boards for Image Smith.
Beyond that, the stars must be "tried-and-true." A character, for
example, like Barney the singing dinosaur is simply too new on the
block to have passed the durability test, said Myrick. On the
other hand, Charlie Brown, Fred and Wilma Flintstone, and Felix the
Cat boast track records that stretch back 30 years or more.
"Yearn 2 Learn: Peanuts" is priced at $64.95. The Macintosh
version requires a color Mac, 11 MB of hard disk space, 4 MB of
RAM, System 6.07 or higher, and a 256-color monitor.
The PC version requires an 80386-based or better PC equipped with 4
megabytes (MB) of RAM and at least 12MB of free hard space. Other
requirements include Windows 3.1, and a 640 x 480 pixel display with
256 colors. Image Smith recommends Mediavision's Pro Audio Spectrum
or Creative Labs' Sound Blaster sound card. A video card from ATI,
Orchid, Headlands, Trident or Diamond is also recommended.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931011/Reader contact: Jim Myrick, Image Smith,
tel 310-325-1429; Press contact: Patti Kemp, S & S Public Relations
for Image Smith, tel 415-986-0966)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
GENERAL
Australia - UPS Uses PCs To Track Parcels
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00007)
Australia - UPS Uses PCs To Track Parcels 10/11/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- United Parcel Services (UPS),
the international courier company, is a relative newcomer to the
Australian market-place. To make sure it carves out a niche for
itself, the company has introduced a PC-accessible system which
allows exporters and importers to learn the location of their
parcels within 20 seconds.
The service, MaxiTrac, allows customers to interrogate UPS'
international network, UPSNet 24 hours a day for the cost of a local
call (around US13c) even though the system is maintained in the US
and the interrogation is made directly from that system.
Announcing the system, the company's national sales and marketing
manager, Rocky Wood, said: "Each customer has an identification
number allowing access to the network. Individual levels of security
can be built-in, including password protection for specific
shipments."
Wood explained that customers need only dial the UPS system using a
PC and modem, enter their ID number followed by the parcel's
tracking number, and the information will be retrieved within three
seconds.
"This (information) includes the point of origin and time of
departure of the parcel as well as times and destinations of each
parcel scan along the route," he said. (UPS parcels are scanned at
various points as they are in transit, for the very purpose of
tracing, if necessary.)
Wood added that customers can learn why parcels have been delayed,
with reason such as customs or international authorities requiring
more paperwork, and when they have been delivered, the name of the
parcel's signatory.
"Because this gives access to exactly the same information that our
operators have, we avoid many telephone calls," he told Newsbytes.
(Paul Zucker/19931011/Contact: Rocky Wood at UPS on phone +61-2-667
1333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
GENERAL
Fujitsu's Latest Pen-Based System
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00008)
Fujitsu's Latest Pen-Based System 10/11/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Fujitsu has all
but made the Poqet Computer name disappear in the US by announcing
the PadPlus RF, a pen-based computer with wireless communications
built-in. Newsbytes notes that Fujitsu had bankrolled Poqet Computer
and later bought the whole company. Its previous offerings in the US
carried the Poqet name.
The PadPlus RF incorporates the Proxim RangeLAN wireless adapter and
radio inside the computer, with a retractable antenna in the upper
left corner. The company said it is just the first of a new family
of integrated wireless computers. RangeLAN sends data quickly for
short distances on shared frequencies that don't require a separate
FCC license, much like the frequencies used by cordless phones.
The PadPlus RF can send data up to 300 feet using what's called
spread spectrum technology, which sends data over a wide spectrum of
frequencies to minimize interference. The PadPlus RF has a maximum
burst rate of 242,000 bits/second on three channels. The system
includes error correcting hardware and firmware designed to re-
transmit undelivered data.
The computer itself is, like the pen-based systems announced in
1992, a "full-screen" unit, measuring 10 inches by 4.6 inches,
roughly 26 cm. x 12 cm. It also has an "on-demand" back lighting
capability and is based on the NEC V30 chip running at 16 MHz.
The pocket PC tips the scales at around two pounds, and can run for
between two and four hours on a set of rechargable batteries. It
also features a PCMCIA expansion slot, a serial connector, an
infrared link, and a keyboard. It can work with Novell Netware and
Netware Lite, with preliminary pricing set at $2,449.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931011/Press Contact: Fujitsu Personal Systems
Bill Wittmann, 408/982-9500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
IBM
Western Union Updates Mail Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00009)
Western Union Updates Mail Software 10/11/93
UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Western
Union Priority Services has updated its DeskMail 2.0 software,
adding the ability to run under Microsoft Windows and support for
local-area networks (LANs).
The DeskMail software is used to create and send Mailgrams and other
Western Union messages from a personal computer. It runs on IBM PC
and compatible machines, with at least 512K of memory, DOS 2.0 or
higher, a 9,600 bits per second (bps) or faster Hayes-compatible
modem, and at least one diskette drive.
The software can send single messages plus broadcast messages to
a list of recipients. Options include one- or two-day delivery,
letters with signature or logos added, certified mail, and
enclosure of business reply envelopes.
The first version of DeskMail was released in February, a spokesman
for the company said. The major changes in the new release are
Windows and LAN support, he said. The new release also lets users
import text from various word processing programs and address lists
from database packages.
The retail price of the software is $39.95 per node.
(Grant Buckler/19931011/Press Contact: Jean Stritt, Western Union
Priority Services, 201-818-5843; Phil Hall, G.S. Schwartz & Co. for
Western Union, 212-696-4744)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
BUSINESS
Wordperfect Developer Program
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00010)
Wordperfect Developer Program 10/11/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corporation has
announced a new third-party developer program it says is designed to
encourage hardware manufacturers and software developers to
integrate their products with Wordperfect's products.
Mark Calkins, Wordperfect VP of corporate and strategic marketing,
explained that such partnerships often lead to innovative solutions.
"Strategic partnering between Wordperfect Corporation and third-
party developers combines vendor technologies with in-house
development, ultimately bringing better product solutions to our
customers," he said.
The developer program is part of Wordperfect's three-pronged
Wordperfect Information Systems Environment (WISE) strategy
announced last year. The other two elements of the plan are to
devote development resources to open architecture technologies and
to provide open application program interfaces (APIs) in order to
encourage tighter third-party integration with Wordperfect
Corporation partners.
The program has three levels -- Associate, Registered and Premier.
The Associate level is for individual developers or companies that
have a general interest in supporting Wordperfect Corporation
software. Associates will have access to current technology and
developer trend information, and faster integration with Wordperfect
software through integration tools, software developer kits (SDKs),
on-line support, and development training. There is no cost to
become an Associate.
The Registered level is for companies that demonstrate what
Wordperfect calls "significant efforts" to produce and market
products that address one or more aspects of the WISE strategy. For
their $150 fee Registered Developers will get the same benefits as
Associates, use of the "Working With Wordperfect" logo, and a
listing in Wordperfect Corporation's bi-annual Solutions Guide and
Wordperfect Magazine's semi-annual product directory.
WPCorp spokesperson Deborah Hendrickson told Newsbytes the company
has a database of companies that have expressed an interest in
working with it, and a mailing has gone out to those parties
explaining the program and the level of commitment required.
To become a Premier developer, a company or individual has to commit
to very close integration with Wordperfect Corp software. WP says
the product developed "must be a market leader, introduce innovative
technology, promise wide visibility, or provide a solution for
WPCorp software users. The company says it will select up to 50
Premier developers, who will have direct contact with WPCorp through
an assigned account manager and one-on-one assistance from developer
support programmers.
Twenty-eight Premier developers have already been selected,
including Calera, Capsoft, Dragon Systems, HP Boise, HP Greeley,
IBM, PC DOCS, Simplify, and West Publishing. Those companies
participated in the announcement of the developer program made at
Networld 93 in Dallas recently.
(Jim Mallory/19931011/Press contact: Deborah Hendrickson,
Wordperfect Corporation, 801-228-5022; Reader contact: Wordperfect -
801-228-5000, fax 801-228-5077)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
TRENDS
Franklin Digital Book Carries Allen-Bradley Company Data
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00011)
Franklin Digital Book Carries Allen-Bradley Company Data 10/11/93
MT. HOLLEY, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Expanding beyond
the consumer market for its electronic bibles and multi-lingual
dictionaries, the Franklin Electronic Publishers Digital Book System
(DBS-2) reader is being used by industrial automation equipment
giant Allen-Bradley.
At Allen-Bradley, which Newsbytes notes is a subsidiary of Rockwell
International, the DBS-2 system is being used to provide reps and
distributors to carry the equivalent of 1,000 pages of data on a
single half-ounce IC-ROM Digital Book.
Mindy Fendrick of Franklin told Newsbytes that although the company
had published the Allen-Bradley data on IC-ROM for that company,
there would soon be a developer's authoring kit available which
would allow businesses to publish their own IC-ROMs if they had
sensitive or proprietary data they wished to include.
Consumer versions of the Digital Book priced at $100 are already
on the market along with a number of general interest titles.
PocketView matchbook-size cartridges can be accessed and even
written to by PCs through a serial port built into the Digital
Book DBS-2 reader and special technology built into the
cartridges themselves.
In the case of the Allen-Bradley application, the PocketView
cartridge contains catalog specifications of all Allen-Bradley
sensors, along with illustrations of more than 200 sensors and
actuators, along with wiring diagrams for most of the company's
proximity devices and programmable controllers.
Built-in search software lets Digital Book users easily locate
the appropriate products based on several criteria.
The Franklin device is a competitor of portable CD-ROM and mini-
disk players which cost much more and have battery lives measured
in a few hours. Battery life for the Digital Book is nearly 60
hours - the equivalent of several months normal use.
With a capacity of more than 200 megabytes, the IC-ROM cards used by
Digital Books can store a massive amount of text as well as sounds
and still or motion graphics.
(John McCormick/19931011/Press Contact: Mindy Fendrick, Franklin,
609-261-4800)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
TRENDS
US Office Supply Superstore Market Narrows Down To Three
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00012)
US Office Supply Superstore Market Narrows Down To Three 10/11/93
NORWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- After a rash of
growth that resulted in the rise of 17 different chains in the mid-
1980s, the office supply superstore industry has consolidated to
three major players, according to a new study by BIS Strategic
Decisions.
Office Depot, OfficeMax, and Staples have succeeded in shaking out
their competition by adding new store locations at a rapid rate, the
researchers concluded.
The three top players also pursue policies of catering to home
offices and businesses with less than 20 employees, offering
convenient hours and locations, providing broad product and vendor
selection, and presenting pricing that is 20 to 70 percent less than
retail.
The leading superstores have widened their product lines to include
fax machines, personal copiers, and impact printers, and have also
contributed to increased sales for these products. Another recent
study by BIS reported that end users consider superstores to be a
major source for fax paper, printer ribbons, and transparencies.
All three major chains also participate in private labeling, the
superstore survey showed. The superstores explained that private-
labeled products tend to increase market awareness for the stores.
Privately labeled products range from paper clips to copy paper
and from tape to rubber bands.
Office Depot has followed strict policies of aggressive expansion
and market saturation to become the number one office supply
superstore chain in the US, according to BIS. The chain now boasts
310 sites in over 33 states. Another 13 Office Depot stores can be
found in four Canadian provinces.
OfficeMax, a chain that opened its first store just over five years
ago, has grown organically, launching 132 stores on its own, as well
as acquiring the 105-store BizMart chain, 46-store OW Office
Warehouse company, the seven-store Office World chain, and the five-
store Office Square chain. A merger with Kmart has propelled
OfficeMax into the number two spot in the office supply superstore
arena.
According to the report, Staples, the oldest and third largest
superstore chain, has stayed focused on its original goal of
becoming a market leader through market saturation. Staples expects
to open another 45 to 60 stores per year over the next few years,
according to BIS.
Smaller chains like Office America, Arvey Paper, and Office Products
still exist, but the shakeout in office supply superstores is
winding down, explained Cathy Martin, consultant for BIS Strategic
Decisions' Hard Copy Supplies Advisory Service.
Superstores began to appear on the scene seven years ago, and by
1992 had already evolved into a $10.2 billion business, the
researchers said. Revenues for 1996 are projected at $14.1 billion.
Now, large superstores are looking beyond their traditional markets
for new opportunities. "The future shows superstores becoming more
and more like contract stationers, in addition to retaining their
original, highly successful retail business. Larger accounts give
superstores the chance to cover all the bases, since they are
already effectively handling smaller customers," noted Martin.
Some of the superstore chains are looking into secondary markets,
able to sustain only two to three stores, because most of the
primary markets in the US are saturated. Also in the future, mass
merchants may become more involved in superstores, as exemplified by
Kmart's 92% interest in OfficeMax, the study indicated.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931011/Press and reader contact: BIS Strategic
Decisions, tel 617-982-9500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
IBM
Windows Data Encryption/Security With Folderbolt
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00013)
Windows Data Encryption/Security With Folderbolt 10/11/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Twenty-five percent of
the companies in a recent Ernest & Young survey said they have lost
significant amounts of money due to computer security problems. In
recognition of the problem, Kent/Marsh Limited has released
Folderbolt, a data security product for the Microsoft Windows
environment which the company claims is like putting your data in
Fort Knox.
According to Vance Nesbitt of Kent/Marsh, data encryption has been a
two-edged sword to date. "Data that is important enough to be
rigorously protected is also data that is important to have access
to," he said. "This is a problem that has kept many computer
companies from pursuing computer security."
While networks offer security from other users on the network, just
about anyone can walk up to individual computers and gain access.
The Ernest & Young survey said many copies have lost as much as
$100,000 and ten companies in their survey estimated losses of $1
million or more due to computer security. A startling 35 percent of
the data loss that cost companies dearly was done by disgruntled
employees, the survey stated.
Folderbolt is designed for those individual computers that are
accessed occasionally by other users, or computers to which
public access is necessary. The product claims to offer security at
the folder (or directory) level.
For example, users have the option of allowing read-only access, so
folders can be viewed but not copied, altered, or deleted. Or a
"drop folder" option allows creation of private directories that
anyone can copy or save into, but only an authorized user can access
or delete.
The company claims that data encryption is also available with the
Triple Data Encryption Standard (DES), an American National
Standards Institute (ANSI) scheme. Triple DES, Newsbytes notes, is
the newest and most rigorous secret key cipher engine available for
PCs.
The company also claims that Folderbolt is the first PC software of
its type to incorporate the Triple DES engine. The package also
offers four other data encryption algorithms. Folderbolt meets the
criteria for C2 Level Trusted Systems requirements as set out by the
Department of Energy, company officials added.
Folderbolt also offers a "strongbox" option, which allows users to
send encrypted data to anyone and have them unlock it using the
proper code key, even if they do not have Folderbolt. Users can also
choose between administrative override capability or the "no-back-
door" approach that makes the files safeguarded from access. The
product is aimed at single computers as networks usually offer can
be configured for the single user or for use on a network.
An administrative disk comes with each copy of the product that
records all the key codes, so if a key code is forgotten or a
employee locks out critical data that needs to be accessed, the
administrative program can be used to access the data. In severe
circumstances, registered users can go back to Kent/Marsh and get a
special program just for their serial number copy of the product
that will also allow access, Nesbitt said.
Folderbolt for Windows is compatible with Microsoft Windows 3.1 and
MS-DOS 6.0. Retail price on the package has been set at $99 and the
company provides a 30 day money-back guarantee. Unlimited telephone
support is also included.
Kent/Marsh was established in 1985 and claims it has 40 percent of
the Macintosh security software market. This is the company's first
Windows-based software product and it is available through most
major software resellers.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931011/Press Contact: Melissa Rabin, S&S PR
for Kent/Marsh, tel 708-291-1616, fax 708-291-1758; Public
Contact, Vance Nesbitt, Kent/Marsh, 800-325-3587)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
GENERAL
Clinton's Export Control Relaxation Welcomed in Asia
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00014)
Clinton's Export Control Relaxation Welcomed in Asia 10/11/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Following accolades from
industry leaders such as Digital CEO Robert B. Palmer, concerned
information technology (IT) watchers in Hongkong rested easy with
the news that President Clinton had relaxed the export control
regulations affecting computers.
In Hong Kong particularly there have been grave fears among IT
industry leaders for a number of years as to what the US attitude
would be to the territory when it returns to Chinese sovereignty in
1997. Hong Kong has the most sophisticated fully digital telephone
network in the world and the territory's life blood is manufacturing
and trading, both activities which demand the use of sophisticated
technology.
It was feared that any inhibition of the use of the latest
technology by either the USA or COCOM after 1997 would have
seriously crippled the business community.
In addition, many Hong Kong companies, including Digital's regional
operation, are endeavouring to open up new markets in Vietnam and
neighboring countries which were subject to extremely strict US
export controls. This announcement is seen as the start of a new
phase in regional expansion.
Government spokesman Robert Palmer who appeared at the White House
press conference, is quoted as saying: "President Clinton hit a home
run today." Today, no-one in Hongkong would argue with him.
(Keith Cameron 19931011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/11/93
TELECOM
Cascade Gets $5M In Funding, Expands Broadband Business
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(BOS)(00015)
Cascade Gets $5M In Funding, Expands Broadband Business 10/11/93
WESTFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- With its frame
relay switches in increasing use, and a new "hybrid" frame
relay/asynchronous transport mode (ATM) switch slated to ship within
the next month, Cascade Communications is dramatically stepping up
sales, engineering, distribution, and related business activities.
Capital investors have supplied an additional $5 million dollars to
support the broadband switch provider's rapid growth, the company
has announced.
Cascade has expanded the engineering, customer support, sales
support and marketing staff at its Westford, MA headquarters, added
to its sales resources in Europe, as well as opening new sales
offices in Washington, DC, Dallas, TX, and Seattle, WA. The vendor
has also signed a distributor agreement with Red Uno, a leading
network equipment supplier in Mexico.
Cascade's staff has mushroomed from about a dozen employees just 18
months ago, to a total of 70 today, and is expected to double that
number by 1994, officials said. Annual revenues for the privately
held firm multiplied ten times over from 1992 to 1993, to a figure
in the "high seven digits." Revenues for 1994 are projected to
triple those of 1993.
"The demand for Cascade's products from both public network carriers
(and) private end user network customers has caused dramatic growth.
We are on a faster track than originally planned, skipping over many
of the typical growth states of a company," explained Dan Smith,
president and CEO, in announcing the expansion and new funding.
Private network providers have created demand for both the
company's new STDX 3000/6000 family of frame relay switches and the
upcoming B-STDX 9000 multiservice switch, according to Cascade.
Meanwhile, public networks are interested in the B-STDX as an
intelligent "access switch," or feeder node, into telephone company
central offices.
Fully compatible with the STDX 3000 and 6000, the B-STDX is designed
to provide seamless migration and interoperability between frame
relay, ATM and switched multimegabit data service (SMDS) by allowing
any combination of the three types of broadband switching to be
performed in the same box.
Frame relay is aimed at reducing costs by permitting high-speed
transmission of computer data over shared circuits. The even faster
but still emerging technologies of ATM and SMDS make it possible for
voice and video as well as data to be sent over shared circuits.
The regional private line carrier PacNET has already built a frame
relay network based on Cascade's STDX, as have Intermedia
Communications (ICI), a competitive access provider, and Performance
Systems International (PSI), according to Cascade. PSI's InterFrame,
a frame relay network billed as the largest in the world, is based
on 30 Cascade STDX frame relay switches and connects to more than
3,500 locations.
Cascade's installed customer base also includes interexchange
carriers, regional Bell operating companies, Europeans PTTs (public
telephone companies), and large end-users. Aside from the US and
Mexico, the company distributes in such countries as Australia,
Belgium, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland,
Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.
Sources for the $5 million in new funding include Cascade's long-
term capital investors: Advent International, Bessemer Venture
Partners, Charles River Partnership, Matrix Partners, and Sigma
Partners.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931011/Reader contact: Cascade, tel 508-692-
2600; Press contacts: Joyce Radnor, Cascade, tel 508-692-2600, ext
257; Joann Anderson, Copithorne & Bellows for Cascade, tel 617-252-
0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
TELECOM
International Phone Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
International Phone Update 10/11/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- For the second time in
a year, voters have put the brakes on a move to privatize a state-
owned phone company.
Greek voters gave a strong parliamentary majority to that country's
Socialist Party, known as PASOK, which had promised to stop the
privatization of the nation's OTE telephone unit. The ruling
conservatives were also hurt by a scandal involving the reported
tapping of opponents' phones.
But the conservatives were also in the process of selling 35 percent
of OTE, as well as operating control, to one of six foreign phone
companies, some of them state-owned, and that will now be rolled
back. Last December, voters in Uruguay rejected a move to sell their
Antel phone unit by a 2-1 margin.
And that may be a key concept. Voters, especially the poor, can
often be persuaded that state-owned enterprises belong to them. This
is especially true in Brazil, which is under international pressure
to sell-off its Telebras unit, but where every move to do the deed
quickly is denied in the press. Analysts feel that politicians must
deal with this proprietary attitude among voters toward state-owned
businesses before sell-offs can go much further.
Mexico is often held-out as the prime example of privatization's
benefits, and it's usually followed by moves to end monopolies.
Capital from the sale, and new capital from the end of the monopoly,
sparked an economic boom in Mexico.
Bell Atlantic of the US, which watched Southwestern Bell draw huge
profits from buying 11 percent of TelMex, the formerly state-owned
phone firm there, agreed October 11 to buy 23 percent of Iusacell, a
private cellular firm which competes with TelMex, for about $1
billion.
Other US firms are also looking to Mexico, as TelMex' monopoly is
due to expire in 1996. Keeping a monopoly for a limited time is
often seen as a pre-condition to a successful privitization, because
it allows the foreign firm to earn a profit while it's making
necessary improvements to a network.
In Singapore, the dangers of privitization are minimal, since most
citizens have the money to buy a few shares. But the government is
still moving slowly to privatize Singapore Telecom, since a quick
sell-off could sink that nation's stock market. The offering of the
first 8 percent of ST, about 1.1 billion shares, is set for October
12, and the money market was reportedly flush with cash in
anticipation.
None of the dangers, obviously, are causing western firms to back-
away from telephone infrastructure investments in the developing
world. Millicom reported that AT&T will support its bid to take
a nationwide cellular license in Egypt, which is choosing among
seven bidders for the license.
The Egyptian system will be a digital system under the GSM standard,
allowing for international roaming. It's the second bid to be
supported by AT&T, which is keen to sell equipment for such a
network. All this is happening despite a growing guerrilla war by
Fundamentalist Moslems against the government of President Hosni
Mubarak. AT&T is reportedly also talking with Millicom about joining
other international cellular bids.
Elsewhere, Elcotel of the US sold $1.6 million in "upgrade kits" to
the Guatemala Telephone Co., or Guatel, which will use them to start
upgrading public pay phones in the country. Northern Telecom
announced another major order for equipment in China and joined AT&T
in calling for an end to restrictions on high technology exports to
that nation.
Like AT&T, Northern also has ventures in China to design and make
components. Japan's Export-Import bank extended a $200 million
credit to Rostelecom, which is building a network linking Moscow
with Khabarovsk in its Far East -- Japan is vitally interested in
exploiting Siberia's raw materials. And finally, both Motorola and
Loral joined in seeking a quick decision on their competing low-
Earth orbit satellite communications systems, so they can have
spectrum as soon as their systems are launched.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931011/Press Contact: Millicom, J. Shelby
Bryan, 212/355-3440; Elcotel, Tracey Gray, 813/758-0389)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
TELECOM
DataTimes Offers Same Day Alerts
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
DataTimes Offers Same Day Alerts 10/11/93
OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- DataTimes is
now offering stored searches of 30 regional newspapers, delivered
online or by fax. The new service is called Same Day News Alert. The
company plans to expand the service quickly to the over 100
newspapers on its database, and to other newspapers as they come
online with it. There are no additional charges for receiving Same
Day News Alert articles.
Spokesman John Buckman discussed the new offering with Newsbytes.
"Our niche is regional business news. No one else offers same day
access of regional business news. I live in Pittsburgh, and if you
were following Heinz you could find stories from Pittsburgh's papers
on it," -- stories no other service would have, he said.
"We add new papers to Data Times almost every week. I don't even
release them anymore. And we'll add more of our current roster to
this offering," he added. "Some papers are exclusive, and some are
on our competitors. It all depends on contractural arrangements.
The one limit on the use of DataTimes material is it's not available
for re-publication," he told Newsbytes.
Buckman explained that, while contracts with content providers
differentiated services in the 1980s, today database providers must
find new ways to reach customers. We find the future as not
delivering news through a computer but through a myriad of forms --
like fax-back, FM sideband, and so forth.
"Every publisher is looking to leverage the value of their content,
and every service is looking to leverage the value of their
service," he explained. For example, "We supply Dow Jones with a
number of our newspapers, so parts of Dow Jones News Retrieval are
coming from us, although the customer doesn't know it. There's more
and more gateways. And perhaps someday we'll all feed the
Internet."
Buckman gave some examples of the other methods DataTimes is now
using to reach its customers. "We have a two-way gateway to Dow
Jones, and we have a clips mechanism with them. We recently added a
new service called PASSport, for Personalized Automated Search
Service, a fax-based service with automatic searching. That fax-
backs to your office daily or weekly with synopses," and full-text
is then available through a toll-free call. "The purpose is to reach
a business executive, by-passing the computer.
"We've also started what we call in-house searching. You can call an
800 number and we have searchers on-staff. They can fax back, send
by Fed-Ex, etc. It's removing the need for computers. Senior
executives still don't use computers."
DataTimes offers electronic access to more than 2,500 newspapers,
magazines, broadcast transcripts and financial databases from
hundreds of US metropolitan areas and major international business
markets. Newsbytes is among the services offered. The company scans
many of its information sources, distributing customized information
packets via fax or into internal company computer systems.
DataTimes is largely owned by The Oklahoma Publishing Company.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931011/Press Contact: Buckman Communications,
John Buckman, 412/471-6348; Customer Contact: 800/642-2525 or
405/751-6400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00018)
Canadian Product Launch Update 10/11/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: a list of announcements
from Microsoft Canada.
Microsoft Canada brought the Microsoft Home brand (Newsbytes, Oct.
1) to Canada, and announced eight initial products in the new home-
software line.
In Canada, Microsoft Works for Windows 3.0 is due to be available in
November, packaged with Microsoft Money 2.0, at an introductory
retail price of C$115 until January 31. The retail price after that
will be C$269.95, Microsoft said. Instead of a special upgrade
price, Microsoft is offering users of Works for MS-DOS or Works for
Windows 2.0 a C$10 rebate when they buy the new software.
Microsoft Publisher 2.0 on CD-ROM (compact disc - read only memory)
is due to be available in October, priced at C$189.95 until Dec. 31
and C$269.95 thereafter. It comes with the Special Occasions Design
Pack, which is also available on its own, on diskette, for C$64.95
until Dec. 31, C$89.95 thereafter.
Microsoft's Encarta Multimedia Encylopedia 1994 Edition will retail
for C$129.95 from October through Dec. 31, and for C$529.95 in the
new year.
Cinemania '94 is due to be available in October at a list price of
C$99.95. Microsoft Art Gallery is to be available this fall for
C$99.95. Flight Simulator 5.0 is available now for C$89.95, and the
New York and Paris scenery packs are C$54.95 each.
Microsoft Canada also unveiled a new release of Windows for
Workgroups (Newsbytes, Oct. 5). The company said that WFW 3.11 will
have a suggested retail price of C$339.95 but will be introduced at
C$299.95 for the first 90 days.
(Grant Buckler/19931011/Press Contact: Linda Carnell or Marc Camm,
Microsoft Canada, 905-568-0434, fax 905-568-1527)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
GENERAL
DEC Client/Server Announcement Expected
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019)
DEC Client/Server Announcement Expected 10/11/93
MAYNARD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Digital
Equipment is expected to make a strategic announcement Tuesday
involving new products and plans to take the company further into
client/server computing.
Digital has scheduled announcements in the United States and Canada
and invited reporters and major customers. Some industry analysts
have reportedly already been briefed on the announcement.
DEC is expected to announce a number of new hardware and software
products, including an entry into the integrated work-group software
market.
In a mid-September speech to industry analysts and consultants in
Boston, Robert Palmer, DEC's president and chief executive, said
putting together complex systems for customers will be an
increasingly important part of his company's business.
"Only a broad-based company like Digital ... can truly succeed in
providing global, large scale client/server computing solutions that
actually work," he said.
Palmer also said that Digital wants to establish its Alpha AXP
hardware architecture as the "platform of choice" for client/server
computing.
"Open client/server computing is at the very heart of what
Digital is all about," he said, adding that this direction means
the company will be "leaving proprietariness behind."
Palmer said that DEC will rely on partnerships with other vendors
where necessary to compete in the client/server market.
Peter Kastner, vice-president of The Aberdeen Group in Boston, said
that the client/server direction holds promise for DEC. "Digital has
always had good communications," he said, and "commercial users are
seeking the tools and the services as well as hardware to put
together client/server applications."
(Grant Buckler/19931011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
IBM
****Dell Recalls Faulty Notebook PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00020)
****Dell Recalls Faulty Notebook PCs 10/11/93
AUSTIN TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Dell Computer Corporation
has announced the recall of 17,000 discontinued 320SLi and 325SLi
notebook computers because of a faulty part that, under certain
circumstances, could cause a fire.
The company said its engineers have determined that a capacitor on
the motherboard of both models might crack under physical stress.
If that happens, the capacitor might overheat and cause a fire. Dell
spokesperson Roger Rydell told Newsbytes the problem came to light
when a user thought he detected smoke from the computer. Two other
users have noticed melted plastic in their computers.
Rydell said he only knows of the problem happening on those three
machines, and the company has been unable to replicate the problem
in the lab. However, due to the safety aspect the problem Dell is
immediately recalling both models. Registered owners are being
notified by registered mail.
Owners of either model should return their machines to Dell so
repairs can be made. Turnaround time will depend on how many owners
return their units. Rydell said that at a cost of $70 per unit Dell
could spend as much as $2 million to make repairs.
Rydell told Newsbytes Dell is dedicated to the quality of its
products. "If we find a problem we do what's right. We hope that
will indicate to people how committed we are to safety and product
quality," he said.
To return one of the computers owners should contact Dell on their
toll free number between the hours of 8AM and 6PM CDT. Special
customer services representatives are available to arrange the
returns and answer questions.
(Jim Mallory/19931011/Press contact: Roger Rydell, Dell Computer,
512-728-4100; Reader contact for return: 800-847-4171)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/11/93
IBM
Patent Info Now On CD-ROM
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00021)
Patent Info Now On CD-ROM 10/11/93
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- If you think you
have invented that better mousetrap the world has been waiting for,
you might want to check a new CD-ROM before going to the trouble of
seeking a patent.
Patent Scan is a collection of US patent information stored on a CD-
ROM disk published by Rapid Patent. The disk contains more than 1.7
million patent records searchable by using the included query
screen.
Rapid Patent President Michael Toohey says Patent Scan is cost
effective. According to Toohey, if you conduct a patent search
through one of the online services it will cost $50 to $60 for each
search. On the other hand, he notes, you can buy the current year
standard version of Patent Scan for $995, get information on 1.7
million patent records covering the past 20 years, and get a monthly
update disk.
If you buy the standard version and the monthly update service, the
suggested retail price is $1,695. Rapid Patent also offers Patent
Scan Plus, a 10 disk CD-ROM set that contains the text of abstracts
and claims from 1974 to 1993.
Each CD-ROM contains two years of data, allowing users to purchase
just the years they are interested in or the entire set. Patent Scan
Plus will have a suggested retail price of $5,000 for the complete
set or $500 per two-year disk. Patent Scan is scheduled to ship in
January 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19931011/Press contact: Toni Silva, Neva Group for
Rapid Patent, 617-576-5747; Reader contact: Rapid Patent, 800-336-
5010 or 703-413-5050, fax 703-413-0127)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
TELECOM
QVC Gaining Upper Hand In Paramount War
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
QVC Gaining Upper Hand In Paramount War 10/11/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- QVC Network, with
its allies, seems to be outmanoeuvring Viacom in their battle for
Paramount Communications Inc. Today has seen Paramount's board
agreeing to open talks with QVC on a possible merger, while saying
it still intended to proceed with its acquisition by Viacom.
QVC's stock-and-cash proposal is worth far more than the Viacom
offer Paramount's board had accepted. But QVC has shown Paramount
its financing for the proposed deal is sound, and has been lining up
additional backers.
Most important, perhaps, was the announced merger of Liberty Media,
a big holder in QVC, with Tele-Communications, its erstwhile parent.
That would bring the huge bankroll of TCI chairman John Malone
directly into the fray. QVC is also reportedly talking with both
BellSouth, the regional Bell for the Southeast, and Cox Enterprises,
which earlier had supposedly been talking with Viacom.
During the last week, Viacom did win some new allies, namely Nynex
and Blockbuster Entertainment. Between them they invested $1.8
billion which could be used to sweeten its bid for Paramount. But
QVC's present bid is $2.1 billion higher, and many analysts
have criticized the Nynex deal, saying the regional phone company
for the northeast paid too much and got too little from Viacom head
Sumner Redstone.
Redstone also said after the Nynex agreement that he would not
dicker with other regional Bells, like Southwestern Bell, Ameritech
and BellSouth, so if they want in QVC is their only option.
Redstone also entered the courts in pursuit of Paramount, filing a
suit charging that TCI head Malone is trying to monopolize the cable
programming and delivery business. But Malone obviously has no fear
of that issue -- he agreed to buy-out Liberty Media after the suit
was filed. Redstone has also been telling the media that he won't
raise his bid, saying it offers better value than a "merger with a
shopping channel." But most analysts discounted that talk, noting
that Paramount's board has a duty to shareholders to take a higher
bid.
The original merger proposal with Paramount would have left Redstone
with two-thirds the company's voting stock, and many analysts now
say his unwillingness to go lower may now cost him the prize. It
seems obvious to most that the next move is his -- if a higher bid
from Viacom is not forthcoming, Paramount will be forced to sell to
QVC. But it's hard to count Redstone out -- his own personal worth
is $5.6 billion, according to "Forbes" magazine, and he raised his
bid three times before winning Viacom itself in the late 1980s.
And what of Ted Turner, who was reportedly interested in making a
play before begging-off, saying he wanted to wait until his Atlanta
Braves' ended their season? The Braves were tied by the Philadelphia
Phillies 2-2 in their National League Championship Series, and they
could be knocked out as early as Wednesday.
Even if the Braves win the National League, of course, the World
Series will end by the end of October. At the present slow pace of
this take-over battle, that would still leave Turner with plenty of
time to get involved. More pressing on him is the fact that TCI
holds a major stake in Turner Broadcasting System Inc., and could
veto any bid which conflicts with its own.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
TELECOM
Hayes Launches New Fax-Modem, Cuts Prices
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
Hayes Launches New Fax-Modem, Cuts Prices 10/11/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Hayes Microcomputer
Products Inc. announced a new fax board which can work on two
separate phone lines, the JT Fax 144B Dual, and cut prices on its
older 9600 bits per second (bps) product by over 35 percent, to
$369.
The new fax-modem is more than just a fax answering machine. It
eliminates the need for an additional voice card and provides voice
announcement and prompting, voice record and playback, and the
ability to enter commands through a touch-tone phone. It also off-
loads the conversion of files to the fax format from the main
computer, and enables routine multi-board installations in a single
computer, limited only by the number of available slots.
The product is aimed at the growing market for fax servers, which
offer fax access to computer bulletin boards and even larger online
systems.
The modem comes with an Application Programming Interface (API) that
enables developers to compose or adapt applications to it, so that
software like FaxFacts from Copia International or FACSys from Optus
Software can run on the JT Fax. The modem will be available November
1 in North America, Latin America, and Hong Kong, with a further
world-wide rollout following shortly thereafter.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931011/Press Contact: Angie Ciarloni, Hayes,
404-840-9200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
IBM
Mastercook II For PC Debuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00024)
Mastercook II For PC Debuts 10/11/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Arion software has
introduced Mastercook II, a Windows-based cookbook software package
that contains more than 1,000 recipes and allows the user to enter
and store their own culinary masterpieces. Mastercook II will be
marketed under Spinnaker Software Corporation's Affiliated Label
program to retail outlets as well as through the Power UP! catalog.
In addition to being a collection of recipes - 100 of them are from
what Arion calls "the great chefs of America" - Mastercook II can
select recipes that use on-hand ingredients meeting the user's
personal nutritional objectives. It can also print shopping lists,
recipe cards, menus, meal plans, or a complete customized cookbook.
Mastercook II calculates the nutritional value of each recipe,
listing calories, total fat, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, protein,
iron, vitamin A, vitamin C, and a host of other values. It also
displays the daily values of total fat, cholesterol, sodium,
carbohydrate, dietary fiber and protein, and shows the matching
values for a 2000 and a 2500 calorie diet. If you don't have one of
the ingredients on hand needed for a particular recipe, the program
will recommend a substitute. There is also a menumaker for planning
entire meals.
You can also type and save your own recipes for later use. An auto-
fill feature tries to determine what you want to enter and completes
the entry automatically. On-the-fly compression and de-compression
saves disk space, and you can find recipes by name, source,
categories, ingredients, cost or nutritional composition. The
program will also scale the recipe quantities for the desired
serving size, and contains a wine list manager and a glossary of
over 500 cooking terms. A conversion module converts between English
and metric and volume and weight amounts.
Mastercook II requires a 286-based PC or higher running Windows 3.1
or higher, 2 megabytes (MB) of system memory, and 2.5MB of free hard
disk space. Spinnaker says it will have a street price of under $30.
(Jim Mallory/19931011/Press contact: Dan Chmielewski, Spinnaker
Software Corp, 617-494-1200, ext 458; Reader contact: Spinnaker
Software Corp, 800-444-8104 or 617-494-1200, fax 617-494-1219)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
IBM
****Seagate Intros New High-Capacity Drives
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00025)
****Seagate Intros New High-Capacity Drives 10/11/93
SCOTTS VALLEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Seagate
Technology has announced no less than 13 new hard disk systems, with
storage capacity ranging from 214 megabytes (MB) to 9.1 gigabytes
(GB).
Included in the new lines is the ST410800 Elite 9, a 9.1 gigabyte
unit in a 5.25 inch full-height form factor. Seagate says that the
unit is designed for hierarchical storage and large file plus
database applications.
The ST15150 Barracuda 4 is a 4.1 GB 3.5 inch half-height drive for
super servers, super computers, and high performance storage
systems. The ST12450 Barracuda 2 is a 3.5 inch half-height drive
that can store up to 1.78 GB of data. Data transfer rates up to 14.1
MB per second are possible with the Barracuda systems.
The Hawk family comes in 2.14 GB, 1.7 GB and 1.05 GB versions,
designed for advanced workstations and super servers. Hawk comes in
Fast SCSI-2 and Fast//Wide SCSI-2 versions in either single-ended or
differential configurations. The Hawk systems are rated at 800,000
hours mean-time-between-failure, have an average seek time of nine
milliseconds and draw seven watts at idle. A Single Connector
Attachment version is also available.
In the under one GB category, Seagate is introducing the ST5660,
ST3491 and ST9550 families. The 5660 is available with AT or Fast
SCSI-2 interfaces, has a 12 millisecond seek time. OEM pricing is
$495 for the AT/IDE model and $545 for the Fast SCSI-2 version. The
9550 was designed for use in portable computing units and can
withstand shocks up to 100 Gs and uses a disc substrate material
called MemCor. The glass-ceramic canasite-based media was developed
jointly by Corning Glass Works and Seagate. MemCor substrates can be
manufactured much thinner than other media and still retain
rigidity. The ST9559 has a 16 millisecond average seek time.
All the new units are being shown at the Systems 93 Trade Show in
Munich, Germany. That show opens October 18th. They will also be
shown at Comdex in Las Vegas, Nevada. Comdex opens November 15th.
(Jim Mallory/19931011/Press contact: Julie Still, Seagate
Technology, 408-439-2276; Reader contact: Seagate Technology, 408-
439-2276)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
IBM
Berkeley Systems - Flying Toasters Arrive For DOS Users
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00026)
Berkeley Systems - Flying Toasters Arrive For DOS Users 10/07/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Just a week after
taking Delrina to court for allegedly using its flying toasters
screen saver in a competing product, Berkeley Systems is shipping a
DOS version of After Dark.
Screen savers, apart from looking good on screen, protect the
computer monitor from phosphor burn-in -- which is a problem when
monitors are left on but inactive. The company says that After Dark
can also increase privacy -- to block access to a user's files, the
program features a screen-locking security system that is
deactivated only by a user-selected password.
Somewhat tongue in cheek, Wes Boyd, chief executive officer of
Berkeley Systems, said: "For too long, Macintosh and Windows users
have had After Dark's utility as a screen saver -- not to mention
the sheer fun of its more than 30 displays -- all to themselves. One
hundred million DOS users world-wide were being deprived. Something
had to be done, and we were just the company to do it."
After Dark for DOS also offers optional digitized sound effects, run
through the internal PC speaker or through Sound Blaster or Ad Lib
compatible sound cards.
The package requires DOS 3.3 or higher, a VGA or SVGA display, 640
kilobytes (KB) of RAM, and a hard drive. The product is priced at
$49.95.
As reported by Newsbytes a week ago, Berkeley files a lawsuit
against Delrina September 28, alleging unfair competition by
Delrina, along with copyright and trademark infringement of its
Flying Toaster graphic design contained in After Dark.
According to Berkeley Systems, Delrina included a version of the its
copyrighted work in a new "Opus N' Bill Screen Saver." The program
features a cartoon penguin character from "Outland" shooting at a
flock of flying toasters.
(Ian Stokell/19931011/Press Contact: Monica Granados, or
Steven Decker, 510-540-5535, Berkeley Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/11/93
UNIX
`Best Access' Document Imaging Software For Unix Debuts
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00027)
`Best Access' Document Imaging Software For Unix Debuts 10/11/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- The Integration
Consortium (ICon) has unveiled automatic cataloging and compression
software for storing and retrieving scanned document images on Unix-
based systems.
Best Access reduces the amount of storage space needed for compound
documents by 50 percent, storing any graphics, video or attachments
in compressed memory, the company said. This feature is significant
in that the computer memory required for imaging systems generally
involves multiple gigabytes, officials claimed.
The software also offers a major advantage over other imaging
packages by eliminating the need to manually generate a new entry
into the general document index for each new document.
Best Access applies cataloging rules when incoming text is entered
from the scanner. The rules are designed to help the system
recognize the text content, identifying any word beginning with a
capital letter as a potential proper name, for instance.
The text is searched automatically for key words, which form the
basis for the cataloging entries. Each new document then becomes
an individual record in the document image database.
Users only need to perform manual cataloging in instances where the
document being recorded doesn't trigger one or more of the rules in
the Best Access system files, the company asserted.
The package further provides a log of all records, point-and-click
document retrieval, full bibliographic information on each record,
(such as author, date, and ID number), full-text keyword searches
for individual documents or files, and automatic text analysis to
re-index a document against new cataloging requirements.
Best Access works with Xerox Imaging Systems' ScanWorX optical
character recognition (OCR)-reader, which handles the actual
conversion of the document into digital text.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931011/ICon, tel 800-572-ICON, 800-548-ICON,
212-972-ICON, or 415-366-4999)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
APPLE
****Try Before You Buy Software Apps CD From Apple
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00028)
****Try Before You Buy Software Apps CD From Apple 10/11/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Apple Computer
has announced a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) delivery
system for its software. The company has started a new division to
handle this new applications software buying program it is calling
Software Dispatch.
Apple's Software Dispatch division will handle 800 number calls
from users who, after providing a credit card number to
purchase the software, can unlock applications on the Software
Dispatch CD-ROM disc via a key given over the phone.
In order to attract users to buy the applications on the CD, Apple
says it will have a Quicktime movie tutorial to explain the trial
and purchase process. Interactive tours, limited trial versions, and
product information sheets will be available for each software
application on the CD. Customers may select the software by clicking
on a button that adds the title to an electronic order form.
Once purchased, the electronic key immediately allows installation
from the CD to the hard disk and a full set of product documentation
is also unlocked that Apple says is identical to the print version
of documentation users would expect to find in more traditional
packaging.
However, users will have the advantages of electronic access of over
12,000 pages of documentation, with the ability to use bookmarks,
hypertext links and keyword search functions via Apple's Docviewer
technology. Printing is an option, and hard copies of documentation
may also be ordered, Apple added.
Over 80 applications will be on the first CD, featuring
productivity, utilities, education, games, fonts, clip art and other
applications from Symantec, Claris, Computer Associates, Intuit,
Lotus, Spinnaker, and Vividus.
"The time has come for electronic distribution of software," said
Scott Schnell, general manager of Software Dispatch at Apple
Computer. Indeed it has. IBM has announced a similar program with
Boulder, Colorado CD software distributor Infonow and Gateway 2000
announced Store-on-a-disk, a CD it is bundling with its computers
that has 23 Microsoft programs on it available for users to purchase
over the phone.
"By allowing customers to try before they buy, Software Dispatch
helps the customer make a more informed decision when purchasing an
application like Quicken," said Eric Tilenius, product manager at
Intuit Inc.
"By actually using Quicken in the convenience of their home or
office, they find out just how fast and easy financial work can be
and as a result, can act on their discovery by making an immediate
purchase," he said.
The CDs will be distributed free by mail beginning in November 1993
to Macintosh CD-ROM owners and in early 1994 to Windows CD-ROM
owners, Apple said. The Windows version will use Adobe's Acrobat
Reader for Windows for the software documentation.
If users think the obvious savings in distribution costs, disks, and
printing, will get them a lower price than they see in the software
stores, its time to think again. Apple said users can expect prices
to be about the same as they see in the software stores.
Yet Macweek reported in August that some vendors have criticized the
CD distribution plan saying their profit cut is too low. Who's
getting the difference? Apple, of course, who said it's costs in
distribution and promotion of the plan justify the higher profit
margin.
Apple users who would like to request the CD may do so via a
toll-free request line at Apple.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931011/Press Contact: Christopher Escher,
Apple Computer, tel 408-974-2202, fax 408-974-6412; Free
Software Dispatch CD-ROM, 800-937-2828 ext 600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/11/93
TELECOM
Hongkong - EDS Joint Analog/Digital Mobile Phone System
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00029)
Hongkong - EDS Joint Analog/Digital Mobile Phone System 10/11/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 8TH OCT 1993 -- Hongkong Telecom CSL has become
the first company in the territory to install a cellular billing and
management system that accommodates both the TACS (analogue) and GSM
(digital) network standards for its mobile telephone networks.
The system, supplied by EDS Hong Kong, enables Telecom CSL to offer
its customers a range of innovative mobile phone call packages and
services. In future, the company will be able to customise its
services and billing formats to suit the individual needs of
business and private mobile phone subscribers.
EDS helped Telecom CSL integrate its cellular network and supporting
information systems by linking billing, marketing, customer service
and switches into one system, using advanced relational database
design and client-server application software.
"GSM is ideal for business people on the move," said Mike Hawes,
Manager of Customer Services with Telecom CSL. "It was designed to
provide international roaming service and to give many more value-
added services to our customers. "Because we can offer both TACS-
based and GSM-based services, we provide the customer with a
complete range of options."
The advanced GSM system will offer a high degree of privacy,
excellent voice quality, fast call connection and a built-in short
message feature that's similar to paging. It also offers
international call security through customer identification, advice
of call charges, access to videotext and teletext services,
interconnection with Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN),
mobile fax and data capabilities.
"What we've done is given Telecom CSL the tools to improve its
customer services," said Bruce Linton, Director, Asia Pacific, with
EDS' Communications Industry Group. "We're supporting the company's
decision to go with the GSM standard and to take advantage of its
inherent benefits.
"Within the next few months the GSM standard will allow Telecom CSL
to offer its mobile phone customers a range of new features."
Telecom CSL will be able to generate additional revenue and improve
customer service while customers will have access to continually
improving personal communications services. The company's operating
costs will also be reduced by automating the provisioning of new
services and supplying billing systems with call detail data.
(Keith Cameron/19931011/Press Contact: Bruce Linton (EDS): 852 - 867
9888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/11/93
TELECOM
India - Punwire To Manufacture Satellite Phones
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEL)(00030)
India - Punwire To Manufacture Satellite Phones 10/11/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 11 (NB) -- Punjab Wireless Systems
(Punwire), a Punjab state government undertaking, has announced
plans to introduce satellite telephones in India in the near future.
The company has already signed a contract with Haguenuck of Germany
for the transfer of technology. Punwire plans to market between
1,000 and 2,000 satellite phones annually. Plans call that, during
1993-94, 500 satellite phones will be offered for sale.
The company will initially import partially tested satellite phones
and volume production will begin after fully testing the equipment
here. Costing Rs 10 lakh (around $30,000) per set, and with a single
call -- whether local, trunk or international -- costing Rs 250
(around $8) per minute), the system is definitely not meant for the
hobbyist.
Called the SP 1600, the phones come housed in a light briefcase that
allows a fax interface and data transmission, using the Inmarsat-M
satellite. Videsh Samachar Nigam, the government of India
undertaking that handles international calls, will allocate
subscriber registration to Inmarsat and collect charges. Approved by
Inmarsat, the SP 1600 can also record messages for up to one minute
in duration.
Punwire, which produces and markets HDF, VHF and microwave
communication equipment and telephone instruments, exported Rs
11.24-crore (around $3.8 million) worth of telecom hardware last
year. The company's turnover was Rs 49.05 crore (around $16.4
million) last year, Newsbytes notes.
(C T Mahabharat/19931011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
Germany - Phone Charges To Be Slashed 20%
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00001)
Germany - Phone Charges To Be Slashed 20% 10/08/93
BONN, GERMANY, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Confirming promises made earlier
this year in the wake of continuing requests from the European
Commission (EC) to open up the German telecom market to free
competition, Deutsches Bundespost Telekom (DBT) has announced plans
to cut telephone call costs by as much as 20 percent.
German readers of Newsbytes should not hold their breath, however,
as DBT plans to phase in the reductions over the next five years.
Wolfgang Boetsch, the German federal post minister, said that the
price cuts would take into account inflation over the period.
Boetsch added that the first round of price cuts would be made at
the end of 1994. By the time they are complete, he said, the German
telecom market will be open to all comers, in line with the EC
directive to open the market by 1998.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931008/Press & Public Contact: DBT - Tel: +49-228-
130)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
UNIX
Bull Unveils Six Power PC Machines
(NEWS)(UNIX)(LON)(00002)
Bull Unveils Six Power PC Machines 10/08/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Cie des Machines Bull has unveiled
three new Power PC computing systems. According to Bull, the new
machines, the DPX/20 series, are based around the Power PC 601 and
Power 2 series of chips.
The three Power PC platforms are the Model 150 compact desktop
server, Model 150S server, and the Model 155W workstation. All
the new machines are based around the 66 megahertz (MHz) 601 Power
PC chipset jointly developed by Apple, IBM, and Motorola.
According to Bull, the new machines have a very high level of
performance, a Specint 92 rating of 62. In addition to a
32-kilobyte (KB) unified cache memory, a 80-megabyte (MB) per
second MCA bus with two slots and an integral SCSI-2 (small
computer system interface type two) adapter are fitted as
standard. All three systems are capable of having 256MB of memory
and/or 2,000MB of internal disk storage fitted.
According to Rhys Torrington, Bull's manager of open systems in the
the UK, the new machines will ship some time in November at prices
to be confirmed closer to shipment date. Torrington has just been
appointed to his present position, having worked previously at IBM.
Newsbytes understands that Torrington was national solutions and
services manager for Big Blue's UK operations. Bull officials claim
that his appointment has been made to capitalize on the company's
position in the Unix marketplace with the new Power PC systems.
"One of my priorities is to reinforce Bull's leading position in the
Unix world. Key to this is the continued success of the Bull/IBM
technology alliance, signed in 1992, as well as the Poweropen
environment, which Bull became a founding sponsor of earlier this
year," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931008/Press & Public Contact: Bull World-wide
Information Systems - Tel: +44-81-568-9191; Fax: +44-81-479-5999)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
French/German Telecom Venture Gets First Customer - IBM
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00003)
French/German Telecom Venture Gets First Customer - IBM 10/08/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Eunetcom, the joint venture
telecom company set up on a 50:50 basis between France Telecom and
Deutsche Bundespost Telekom (DBT) earlier this year, has secured its
first customer - IBM.
Officials with the new telecom company are reported to be
ecstatic that they signed Big Blue and beat off competition from
British Telecom and AT&T for the contract.
Terms of the deal call for Eunetcom to provide most of IBM's
European network services over its network. During the first phase
of the contract, Eunetcom will install telecom facilities at more
than 40 Big Blue sites in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands,
Spain and the UK.
Exact terms of the deal have not been revealed by Eunetcom or IBM.
Sources close to IBM, however, suggest that the contract value runs
into eight dollar figures.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931008/Press & Public Contact: Eunetcom - Tel: +33-
1-4472-7272)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
BUSINESS
Lexmark To Make Laser Printers In Australia
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SYD)(00004)
Lexmark To Make Laser Printers In Australia 10/08/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Capitalizing on its recent
acquisition of Australian laser printer maker Gestetner Lasers,
Lexmark Asia Pacific has announced its intention to manufacture
the new generation Lexmark 4039 printer range in Australia.
The assembly facility at the company's Sydney regional headquarters
is to become one of only three Lexmark laser printer manufacturing
sites - the other two are in Lexington, Kentucky and Orleans,
France.
The 600dpi Lexmark 4039 family of laser printers, launched in April
1993, support print speeds ranging from 10 to 16 pages per minute
and feature recyclable toner cartridges, double-sided printing and
low power consumption. More than 30 percent of the 4039 printer
components will be sourced in Australia, including the complex
controller boards.
Lexmark currently ranks second behind Hewlett-Packard in the
Australian laser printer market, and is hoping the shift to local
manufacture in early 1994 will boost it to the lead position. This is
because Australian Government departments are generally encouraged
to source locally made products, and Lexmark's new Sydney
manufacturing facility is claimed to meet world-class quality
standards.
Lexmark International, which was formerly an IBM division that
was sold off in March 1991, manufactures printers, keyboards,
notebook PCs and consumables. Lexmark Asia Pacific, headquartered
in Sydney, employs a staff of 150 and sells products to 33
countries in the region.
With the establishment of a manufacturing facility in Sydney,
Lexmark expects to employ another 20 staff, with a further 20 jobs
tipped to be created at third-party Australian component and
services suppliers.
(Ian Robinson/19931008/Press Contact: Annabelle Warren, Primary
Communications, +61-2-332-1230)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
GENERAL
Australia Boasts Its Advantages For Corporate Regional HQs
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00005)
Australia Boasts Its Advantages For Corporate Regional HQs 10/08/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- The Australian Federal
Government's National Investment Council has released a report entitled,
"Australia: Your Business Location in Asia." The report targets major
multinational corporations such as technology suppliers, and presents
the case for establishing Asia-Pacific headquarters in Australia, as
an alternative to more traditional locations such as Hong Kong or
Singapore.
The release of the report was particularly well-timed, coming just
days after the announcement of Sydney's successful bid to host
the Olympic Games in the year 2000. Advantages cited in the report
for selecting Australia as a regional hub were the lower overall
cost structures, high skills base, a world-class telecommunications
network, extensive support services, and strong economic and cultural
links with other countries in the region.
Information technology suppliers that have selected Australia as their
Asia-Pacific headquarters include Lexmark International, Vodafone,
and Sequent. Other organizations in the Asia-Pacific region, such as
Cathay Pacific and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, have relocated their
computing support centers to Australia.
(Ian Robinson/19931008/Press Contact: Michael Deegan, Minister's Office,
Special Minister of State, Canberra, +61-2-277-7280)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
****"Reach Out And Page Someone" Through New Motorola/VMX Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(BOS)(00006)
****"Reach Out And Page Someone" Through New Motorola/VMX Deal 10/08/93
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- When calling
companies in any of a variety of countries, you're likely to come
across a new voicemail option soon. You'll be able to page the
person you're trying to locate, and be connected to that
individual, without a switchboard operator as an intermediary.
A new agreement between Motorola and VMX Inc., an international
supplier of integrated voice processing systems, is helping to make
the promise of Motorola's Site Call service a real-life
communications convenience.
The VMX deal is the first in a series of major partnerships that
Motorola plans to unveil over the next few months for its recently
introduced Site Connect offering, which also includes the Site
Alert service for emergency pager notification and Site Message, a
service for sending faxes and e-mail messages from desktop
computers to pagers.
"We'll be making a long string of announcements," said Steve Spiro,
director of Motorola's Customer Owned Paging Operations, in an
interview with Newsbytes. The pacts will combine Motorola's
expertise in paging with the partners' core competencies, he added.
Many of the deals, like the one with VMX, will also leverage the
partners' strengths in international markets.
Before forging the VMX alliance, Motorola announced two team
efforts for Site Alert, one with Simplex and the other with GE
Fanuc. In each deal, Site Alert is being integrated with the
partner's systems to allow automatic pager display of detailed
information on situations like fire alarms and security breaches.
The jointly produced on-site paging services are being marketed to
corporations, office buildings, industrial plants, hospitals, and
a wide array of other organizations in the US and abroad.
The new VMX system enhancement to Motorola's Site Connect was
developed by Communications Resources Inc., a VMX Teamworks
partner. Beyond the usual voicemail options of leaving a message,
transferring to another extension, and transferring to the
operator, the system offers the choice of paging the party by
touchtone.
Phone call recipients can identify who is calling through numeric
information shown on the pager, and thereby screen their calls,
noted Glenn Sherman, also of Motorola's Customer Owned Paging
Operations.
The system can also save cash for callers, according to Spiro.
When callers leave messages on voicemail, phone companies charge
them for the calls anyway, he explained. Being able to page people
who are away from their desks gives callers a much better chance of
getting their full money's worth.
Outside of the new partnerships for on-site paging, Motorola
already holds 75 to 85 percent of the rapidly growing US subscriber
paging market, Spiro told Newsbytes. The use of brightly colored
Motorola pagers has become particularly popular among US teens.
On-the-go high school students are toting the pagers as a way of
keeping in touch with friends, he said. Meanwhile, fast food
restaurants and other employers are contacting part-time staff
about job scheduling needs via pager.
Motorola has also been making big strides elsewhere in the world,
with the development of new software that provides non-English
alphanumeric character sets, Newsbytes was told. Motorola pagers
now come in Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Spanish, among other
languages. The Spanish character set features such niceties as the
tilda, an accent mark that is sometimes placed over the "n" in
Spanish.
"The Chinese market looks exceptionally encouraging for on-site
paging," commented the director of Motorola's Customer Owned Paging
Services. Subscriber paging has soared dramatically in China, from
about 10,000 to 20,000 pagers a few years ago to two to three
million pagers today, he reported.
Motorola's alliance with Simplex was made known in June, and the
partnership with GE Fanuc in late September. GE Fanuc, a joint
venture between General Electric and Fanuc Ltd., is especially
strong in the Canadian and Latin American industrial alert markets.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931008/Press contact: Marianne Radwan, Hi-Tech
Communications for Motorola, tel 407-361-8150 or 415-904-7000;
Reader contact: Rosalie Wyatt, Motorola Customer Owned Paging
Services, tel 800-382-9336)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
GENERAL
Motor Simulation Program
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00007)
Motor Simulation Program 10/08/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Bangalore-based Infosys Technologies
Ltd. (ITL), and Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), of the US, have tied up to
launch Gamana, software designed to create AC induction motors that
achieve high performance with variable speed.
While the software was developed by Infosys, ADI supplied the
digital signal processing (DSP) chips. Gamana will be marketed in the
US by ADI. ADI and Infosys will jointly own the patents and
trademarks of this product.
Gamana provides motion control engineers with a development system
comparable to those which computer system designers have been
using for years. The package reduces the complexity of
implementing vector control (a method of dynamically controlling
the speed of torque of AC induction and DC brushless motors by
controlling magnetic fields generated by stators and the rotor).
Gamana VT, the first phase of the development toolkit, allows
designers to run motor simulations on PCs, thereby giving them
an understanding of the principles and methods involved in
implementing vector control, Infosys reports.
With the second phase, system designers can develop their own
control architecture and simulate the results of the benchmark
control systems in realtime with a motor model of the DSP
development system. The PC platform then provides for the hookup
to a power inverter and motor to test the control robustness and
performance.
In the last phase, the software developed by the designer in
phase 2 is targeted to the DSP and an EPROM with the appropriate
chipset. After this, the system can be moved into production
implementation.
The motor control chipset is based on ADSP 21XX and AD 2S 100 with
embedded Gamana software. The motion control development system
includes PC add-on boards that control the motor and PC-based
software that could be downloaded from the host development system.
The development of Gamana took 15 man-years. The project also
involved the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore besides
ADI and Infosys. IISc lent theoretical support on issues relating
to vector control.
According to Nandan Nilekani, deputy managing director, ITL, Gamana
is primarily targeted at the AC induction motors market. The motor
control market in the US is estimated to be between $162 million to
$243 million, and is expected to swell to $2.3 billion by 1999.
ADI and Infosys are adding more features like rotor time compensation,
sensorless control and PMSM control to Gamana, and these are expected
to be incorporated by 1994.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TRENDS
Plastic LCD, High Resolution LCD Developed
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00008)
Plastic LCD, High Resolution LCD Developed 10/08/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Japan's Sharp has developed a
liquid crystal display (LCD) made with a plastic material, an
industry first. Meanwhile, Matsushita Electronics Industry
has developed a 1.3-inch LCD with 330,000 pixels which produces
extra clear screen images.
Sharp's plastic LCD is made of a 0.4-mm plastic board. The screen
is 4.9-inch in size, and is based on supertwist nematic
technology. Sharp uses a low-temperature process technology
to create this LCD and claims that the result is a plastic
LCD which is up to five times harder than current
glass-type LCDs but is two-thirds thinner in width and
weighs half as much.
This plastic LCD is expected to be applicable to portable
items such as pocket beepers and pen-input computers. Also, the
surface is extremely smooth.
Sharp's plastic LCD will be produced on existing factory
production lines with slight modification. Sharp is planning
to produce plastic LCDs with 336 x 240 pixels and 640 x 480
pixels early next year.
Meanwhile, Matsushita Electronics Industry has developed a 1.3-inch
LCD panel with 330,000 pixels, based on silicon TFT
(thin film transistor) technology. These pixels allow the LCD to
display extremely clear images on a screen which is 30
percent brighter, Matsushita reports. This LCD is designed
for VGA-type personal computers. Matsushita will ship the
LCDs next spring.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931006/Press Contact: Sharp, +81-43-
299-8212, Fax, +81-43-299-8213, Matsushita Electronics Industry,
+81-726-82-5521)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
Hong Kong - Chevalier CT2 Succeeding
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(HKG)(00009)
Hong Kong - Chevalier CT2 Succeeding 10/08/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Despite a very shaky start
in the UK, sales of the CT2, a shirt-pocket sized portable telephone
system, is going well in Hong Kong, according to Neil Montefiore,
managing director, Chevalier Telepoint, one of the leading CT2
portable telephone networks in Hong Kong.
Montefiore believes that the CT2's success is due to the number, siting
and spread of base stations. "The service must be affordable,
`street smart' and of a high quality. In addition it requires a high
level of customer education and wide distribution network. The price
must be more than cheap - it must represent value for money and
there must be a clear differentiation between CT2 and cellular."
The CT2 portable telephone system differs from classic cellular mobile
phones in that it parallels the cordless telephone in the home. It must
be within range of a base station to operate. The base stations
interface the CT2 caller with the standard in-ground telephone network.
At this stage CT2 technology only allows the making of calls and not
the receiving of calls. Some CT2 units incorporate a pager to enable
the user to be contacted, but the true integration of this facility
is considered to be part of the CT3 technology.
Montefiore stressed: "In terms of coverage the customer must have
access to the network everywhere he needs it from day one -
it must be geared to his lifestyle. Our initial strategy was
to install base stations in major shopping areas concentrating on
bank ATMs, chain stores and restaurants. The next stage targeted
major transport hubs like the concourses and platforms of the
KCR (Kowloon Canton Railway), Mass Transit Railway, and the
ferry terminals."
Internationally CT2 services are in various stages of maturity.
Singapore, which launched CallZone last year, has seen steady
growth and now has around 28,000 subscribers. The People's
Republic of China has five city networks and is using CT2 as a
means of accessing and extending the local telecommunications
service where there are currently too few lines.
France has been very successful with its Bi-Bop service in Paris,
attracted 20,000 subscribers in its first two months and the
service continues to expand dramatically.
According to Mr Montefiore, Hong Kong's first year has seen healthy
sustained growth. Eighteen months after launch there are three network
providers and a total customer base in excess of 60,000.
Hong Kong was uniquely well placed to develop a CT2 service.
It already had an exceptionally high penetration of both fixed and
mobile services, a large volume of traffic, a strong street culture,
and a high existing pager customer base. It also consists of a large
number of small businesses, a history of sustained GDP growth and
an inherent willingness to embrace new technology.
The territory has the additional benefit of its small densely
populated urban areas which means that operators can establish
rapid coverage in key business and residential districts with
minimum infrastructure investment.
Customer demographics were also unique to Hong Kong. Aimed squarely
at the 800,000 existing pager users and the 1,300,000 street
users who are away from their desks for 30 percent of their time,
the service was initially targeted at the young, well-educated,
single Chinese male. The rest of the market is made up of home
users and office users.
Usage figures bear out the success of this strategy. The typical
subscriber makes an average of 3.1 calls per day and each call
lasts about 1.4 minutes. The call profile also reflects the target
market's lifestyle, showing usage ramping up during the morning,
dipping a little at lunchtime, peaking in the late afternoon but
continuing well into the night.
(Keith Cameron/19931006/PRESS CONTACT: Neil Montefiore, Chevalier
Telepoint, 545 7022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
GENERAL
UK - Fujitsu Launches "Plug And Play" Optical Drive
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00010)
UK - Fujitsu Launches "Plug And Play" Optical Drive 10/08/93
UXBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Fujitsu Europe has
announced an external version of its 3.5-inch rewritable optical
disc drive. The drive, which the company claims has one of the
fastest magneto-optical products on the market -- capable of 3,600
revolutions per minute (rpm) and a data access speed of 30
milliseconds -- is available in what Fujitsu calls "a plug and play"
configurations for PC, Apple Computer Mac and notebook applications.
"Since launching our optical disc drive, we have recognized a
distinct split in the market with the bare product appealing mainly
to value-added resellers (VARs) and systems integrators, but end
users are looking for a neatly packaged external solution,"
explained Hoe Jura, Fujitsu Europe's storage products manager.
"Now we can satisfy both requirements," he added.
All three versions of the M2511A are supplied with cabling and
device drivers; the PC also comes with small computer systems
computer interface (SCSI) host adapter, while the notebook version
comes with a printer port adapter.
"These units have been designed to be as simple to install and use
as possible. Even non-technical users could be up and running with
the Mac and notebook systems in minutes," said Jura, who added that
the PC card takes a little extra time, to install the SCSI card.
Although the drive is designed to use industry-standard 128-megabyte
media, it can take a variety of discs. It supports the O-ROM (read
only memory) standard, a disc format similar to CD-ROM discs, but
with claimed significant speed increase, as well as Partial-ROM (P-
ROM) format which allows areas of the ROM and rewritable data to be
combined on a single disc.
The drives are claimed to be highly reliable, with a mean time
between failure (MTBF) of 30,000 hours. The drive incorporates an
integral fan, a main power supply (for international use) and a
front-mounted on/off switch for ease of use.
Pricing on the new disc drive will be announced closer to shipment
date later this year.
(Steve Gold/19931007/Press & Public Contact: Fujitsu Europe - Tel:
081-573-4444)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
BUSINESS
China - HP, AT&T, HK Telecom In Venture
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00011)
China - HP, AT&T, HK Telecom In Venture 10/08/93
WANCHAI, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- China Hewlett-Packard has
signed a two-part agreement with AT&T (China) Ltd and Hongkong
Telecom CSL for sales and service of AT&T Systimax SCS line
of cabling products in the People's Republic of China.
Systimax SCS is a modular system for cabling offices to
support voice, data and video networks.
Under the agreements, Hongkong Telecom CSL -- AT&T's Systimax SCS
distributor in China -- has appointed Beijing-based China
Hewlett-Packard (CHP) as an authorized reseller of the product
line throughout the country. CHP has also been designated a
preferred service provider in the design, implementation and
maintenance of networks built with AT&T Systimax SCS products.
"Cabling already represents a strategic element of our regional service
business mix, often derived from projects that involve AT&T Systimax
products," said Klaus Heironymi, director of marketing for
Hewlett-Packard's Asia/Pacific support operations.
"With these agreements in place, we will be able to develop this
business beyond the Hewlett-Packard customer base in China to
include all those who require comprehensive cabling solutions.
Telecom CSL has already demonstrated the market potential of Systimax
in Hong Kong and, with continued economic growth, we believe demand
in China will be strong."
AT&T structured cabling product has been installed at the offices
of some of Hong Kong's leading companies since Telecom CSL became
a Systimax SCS reseller in early 1992.
The China deal builds on an corporate level agreement signed by
AT&T Network System and Hewlett-Packard earlier this year
covering cooperative marketing of AT&T Systimax SCS products
throughout the Asia/Pacific region. AT&T Systimax has had
Hewlett-Packard's endorsement since 1987 and the two companies
have worked together on customer networking projects across the
region.
(Keith Cameron 19931006/Press Contact: Alison Butts,HP Asia Pacific,
852 - 848-7909)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
BUSINESS
Emerson Launches UPS Indian Subsidiary
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00012)
Emerson Launches UPS Indian Subsidiary 10/08/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Indian industrial giant,
the Tata group, has set up Tata Liebert Ltd., in collaboration
with Liebert International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Emerson
Electric of US. The joint venture will introduce Liebert range of
uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems and precision environment
control systems.
At fifty percent equity stakes, and a total investment of Rs 18
crore (around $6 million), the company aims to begin production
in India in six to nine months and expects a turnover of Rs 300
crore (around $100 million) in the first year of production. Nelco,
a Tata group company with stakes in the UPS marketplace, which has
less than 10 percent share in the Indian computer market, will
house the company's office and production site in the beginning.
Production on separate lines will begin after the completion of a
manufacturing facility at Bombay. Branches are to be set up in all
the four metros of the country, besides seven other towns and cities.
The range of products, recently unveiled at New Delhi, comprised
the compact UPS machines, rated between 1 KVA to 1,000 KVA. There
was a considerable reduction in size and the system incorporated
a battery and a sleek LED display that indicated the load on the
UPS, its capacity to support more PCs, and a warning beep which
sounds when the machine fails.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931008)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
PCMCIA Modems For IBM's Thinkpad
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(DEN)(00013)
PCMCIA Modems For IBM's Thinkpad 10/08/93
DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Apex Data has
announced a line of high speed Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association (PCMCIA)-compliant data/fax modems for
the IBM Thinkpad 750 and 750C models announced in early
September.
The company says the modems allow two different PCMCIA devices to
be used simultaneously. The Model 750 series systems have at
least two PCMCIA slots installed, Apex Data spokesperson Heather
Fabian told Newsbytes. PCMCIA set the standard for the credit
card-sized devices that provide modem capability and other
interfaces.
One of the modems is a V.22bis fax/data modem that has a data
speed of 2400 bits per second (bps) and can send and receive
faxes at speeds up to 9600 bps. A V.32 model can handle either
data or faxes at up to 9600 bps. Both are compatible with Group
III fax protocol. The company has also announced a V.32bis
fax/data modem that can handle data at speeds of up to 14,400 bps
and V.17 faxes at the same transfer rate.
The modems offer support for V.42, V.42bis and MNP2 error
correction and MNP5 data compression as well as MNP10 support for
error detection and correction over cellular networks.
The 14.4K V.32bis data and 14.4K fax transmission modems have a
suggested retail price of $589. The 9600 data/9600 fax units are
priced at 4495, while the 2400 data/9600 fax model sells for
$220.
(Jim Mallory/19931007/Press contact: Heather Fabian, S&S Public
Relations for Apex Data, 708-291-1616; Reader contact: Apex Data,
510-803-2020)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/03
TELECOM
Fone America In Deal For Truckers
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
Fone America In Deal For Truckers 10/08/03
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Fone America, which
operates pay phones and a long distance service, made a play for
the business of independent truckers with a new prepaid phone
card.
Fone America linked up with DAT Services, which provides an
information service on available freight aimed at keeping
independents from going home empty, and Lottery Enterprises Inc.,
whose main business is providing vending machines used in
lotteries, in creating "Driveline," a prepaid phone card which
will work in any pay phone.
All this was explained to Newsbytes by Fone America spokesman
Peter Jacobs. The cards themselves are a little thinner than
ordinary credit cards, with a magnetic stripe on them.
"You can flip the card over -- it has an 800 number -- you
access our network, input your 9-digit phone number, and then
make a series of calls. It's accounted for as you're on the phone.
When the caller places a call, he's told what his balance is, and then
each time he calls he's told his balance, until the last minute,
when he's given a one-minute warning."
Because the phone system and not the card carry credit
information, it's usable in every pay phone, not just those
outfitted with special readers, as in Europe, Japan, and other
countries.
Many companies have gotten into the business of providing phone
services to the fleet industry, Jacobs admitted, including many
wireless services. "The systems you're describing are used by
fleet drivers who are making plunges into technology. We're
aiming at the 60-70 percent of drivers who are independents, who
also depend on DAT Services to find out about load
availabilities."
That's a key -- many independents are already using DAT. "They'll
also buy freight information, and other trucker-transportation-related
info like weather forecasts, way station openings, and other things
designed for them."
The phone services are priced to sell. "A $10 card will
usually last about 33 minutes. If you make a call through AT&T on
a normal calling card you'll pay $1.80 for interstate calls --
ours is 99 cents for three minutes." Fone America offers the same
rates at many of its pay phones. "We've broken the barrier on
overpriced calls from pay phones."
Lottery Enterprises will contribute the vending machines, about
1,000 DCR 200-4 units which will be placed in major truck
centers. LEI will also be charged with maintaining the units,
stocking cards, and performing collections in exchange for a
percentage of revenue collected. DAT will be contributing all
point-of-purchase and national advertising for the calling card,
using the tie-in to help promote its information services. The
company hopes to have 300 locations up and running by the end of
this year, according to Jacobs.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931007/Press Contact: Fone America, Peter H.
Jacobs, 503/620-2400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
GENERAL
Major High Tech Expo Opens In Tokyo
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00015)
Major High Tech Expo Opens In Tokyo 10/08/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Japan's major high tech exhibition,
the "Electronics Show," opened in Makuhari Messe in the suburb
of Tokyo. An industry slump has resulted in fewer firms
participating in the show compared to last year.
Major firms Fujitsu and Casio did not participate in this
year's show. However, 458 other firms did and 390,000
people are expected to visit this show on 8th and 9th of October.
This year's show features high definition TVs (HDTV), multimedia
devices, and digital audio visual equipment. HDTV and
peripheral devices have been attracting the largest crowds.
Sanyo is showing a 3-dimensional HDTV with a 70-inch screen
which requires no special 3D eyeglasses to view.
Japan Victor Corp. (JVC) has displayed an HDTV projector,
which was jointly developed with Hughes Corp., in the US,
as well as a next-generation HDTV video cassette recorder
based on the W-VHS protocol.
Multimedia devices were shown by Sharp, Toshiba, Matsushita
Electric, and Pioneer. Sharp showed Newton, which was jointly
developed with Apple Computer. The firm has also has
shown its latest pocket data organizer called the PenCom,
which supports handwritten input.
Toshiba has shown off its latest business organizer,
the Xtend. Matsushita has also displayed a multimedia game
device jointly developed with 3DO in the US. Pioneer's
interactive device called Laser Active is also popular
at the show.
Other multimedia devices on display are Sony's Mini-Disk
and Matsushita's DCC. Both firms are vying with each other
at the show to attract the most visitors.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931008/Press Contact: Electronics
Industry Association in Japan, +81-3-3211-2765)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
BUSINESS
Video Game Firm Acclaim Income Doubles
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00016)
Video Game Firm Acclaim Income Doubles 10/08/93
OYSTER BAY, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- The video game
market is certainly proving profitable to some companies --
Acclaim Entertainment Inc., for one. The company says that
revenue for the fiscal year ended August 31, 1993, increased 52
percent, while income more than doubled.
Acclaim reported record revenues of $327.1 million, up 52
percent over the previous fiscal year, while net income
for the year was $28.2 million or $0.63 per share, as compared to
net income of $13.8 million or $0.37 per share last fiscal year.
In announcing the results, Robert Holmes, president of Acclaim,
said: "We are extremely pleased to announce record revenues and
earnings for the fiscal year, exceeding analysts estimates."
During fiscal 1993 Acclaim signed an exclusive pan-European
distribution agreement with Virgin Games Ltd., for the
distribution of PC versions of several Acclaim titles. A similar
deal was signed between Acclaim and Hi Tech Expressions Inc.,
for North America.
According to Holmes, it was a busy year for the company, "During
the year, Acclaim continued its growth both domestically and
overseas, where we established a European division to manage
the activities of our subsidiaries. In addition, we completed
agreements that advance our digital actor technology, and entered
into several strategic product development alliances, including
those with TitanSports and Lightstorm Entertainment, as well as
those with leading software developers Park Place Productions
and Probe Software."
In July, Newsbytes reported that Acclaim had signed a multiyear
development agreement under which Probe Software Ltd., of
London, would develop a number of games software packages for
various hardware platforms, to be sold by Acclaim.
Probe, which had already designed the Alien 3 and Mortal Kombat
titles for Acclaim, will develop additional titles for CD-ROM,
ROM cartridge, and personal computer formats.
Acclaim has offices in Canada, France, Japan, Germany, and
the United Kingdom. The company is a publisher of interactive
entertainment products under the Acclaim, LJN, Flying Edge
and Arena labels.
(Ian Stokell/19931008/Press Contact: Allyne Mills,
516-624-8888, Acclaim Entertainment, Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
BUSINESS
Vietnam - Digital Equipment Deals
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(HKG)(00017)
Vietnam - Digital Equipment Deals 10/08/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Digital Equipment
Corporation (Digital) announced the appointment of its first
resellers in Vietnam following intensive discussions with the
Vietnam Government on how the company can contribute to the
country's economic development.
Two Vietnamese companies - 3C and Scitech - will serve as
integrated dealers for Digital's family of DECpc personal
computers, providing full sales and service for Digital's PC
products as soon as the current US trade embargo ends.
In the meantime they will support Digital's sales to development
projects in Vietnam that are funded by international agencies,
which are permitted following a recent change in US government
policy, and to overseas companies that are investing in Vietnam.
"Digital was the first US information technology company to come
to Vietnam to meet with us in January," said Professor Tran
Van Dac, director of the Technology Promotion Department at
Vietnam's Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment.
"Over the last nine months we have had many meetings with Digital
to discuss how the company can use its products and services
to create an information technology infrastructure that will
support economic growth for the people of Vietnam."
Dr Maureen Flanagan, who has been managing Digital's business
development project in Vietnam since US government rules on
such activities were relaxed last December, said: "Vietnam
promises to be a strong market for Digital products and
services. We have been actively involved in understanding the
information technology needs of Vietnam, and at the same time
encouraging the US government to allow US companies to do
business there. Now we are able to supply products and services
to critical Vietnamese infrastructure projects."
The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment will sponsor
a seminar this month at which Digital's technical and product
experts will discuss information technology. Topics will include
open systems, networking, client-server technology, public
administration systems and telecommunications.
More than 160 government leaders, scientists and computer
specialists from all over the country are expected to attend the
event, which will be held in Hanoi. Keynote speaker will be
Professor Dang Huu, Minister of Science, Technology and
Environment. He will be joined by Edmund J. Reilly, president and
managing director of Digital Asia.
"The Vietnamese people are anxious to begin using American
products of the high quality and excellent value that Digital
offers," said Alan McMillan, director of Digital's PC business
in Asia. "We're pleased to be able to contribute to key
infrastructure development projects now and hope that we
will soon be able to build a solid customer base throughout
Vietnam."
(Keith Cameron/ 19931008/Press Contact: Bonnie Engel, Digital,
852 - 805 3510)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
Telecom Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
Telecom Update 10/08/93
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- IDB
Communications Group Inc. filed a registration statement to
underwrite the sale of about 9.7 million shares of its common
stock. It climaxes a year-long set of transactions among three
companies with different telecommunications strategies.
Newsbytes discussed the complex transactions with Pacific
Telecom spokesman Brian Wirkkala.
IDB is concentrating on the international long distance market,
using both satellites and fiber cables. In the last year it's
acquired new assets to further that goal, most notably
TeleColumbus' World Communications Inc. unit, for 6.2 million IDB
shares. The markets have responded to IDB's move by bidding its
stock to a high of $53 per share.
Pacific Telecom, meanwhile, has decided to concentrate on local
phone service in rural areas. It's 87 percent owned by
Pacificorp, an electrical utility in the Northwest. But in
selling IDB those needed assets, it got 4.5 million shares of
stock. So IDB's new offering will share that stock, and that of
another company with an electrical utility parent, TeleColumbus,
USA, with a total of 9.7 million shares now up for grabs.
Pacific Telecom, in turn, is using the proceeds to buy another
50,000 access lines in Colorado from US West. It already has
rural exchanges in 11 states covering 400,000 lines. Pacific
Telecom also retains a long distance operation in Alaska, which
could come under profit pressure if AT&T wins its present effort
to enter the market.
The third company here is IntelCom. It picked up Pacific
Telecom's Bay Area Teleport and UpSouth units. Both operate
satellite "teleports," which can bounce phone, data, and video
signals across continents via satellites. IntelCom will use those
assets to link its competitive access provider systems across the
US, where it mainly competes with regional Bell companies. It
will now be able to offer long distance links, much like MFS
Communications, the largest CAP company.
The result of all this reshuffling of stock and assets is three
companies with different strategies. IDB will be mainly an
international long distance company, Pacific Telecom will be a
local exchange company, while IntelCom will be a competitive
access provider. So far, the stock markets seem to like all three
strategies.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931008/Press Contact: Brian Wirkkla, Pacific
Telecom, 206-696-0983)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
Verifone To Make Phones For Tandem System
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
Verifone To Make Phones For Tandem System 10/08/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Verifone Inc.,
the leader in making terminals used by merchants for processing
credit card transactions, teamed with Tandem Computers Inc.,
which makes fault-tolerant computers used in credit authorization
systems, to design "smart telephones" which will interface with
Tandem systems.
A "smart telephone" carries far more intelligence than a regular
telephone, and a screen as well. Regional Bell companies have had
problems selling such systems because of the high cost of the
phone, and because until recently there were no standards for
creating services. Tandem and Verifone are pitching their system
as multimedia terminals, with the smart telephone replacing the
PC as an interface.
Tandem already has experience in the smart telephone business in
Japan. The Verifone system will combine a screen display,
typewriter-style Qwerty keyboard and modem, plus a magnetic
stripe card reader like those on Verifone merchant terminals, and
system software for automating card-based transactions. It is
expected to be available in mid-1994.
While most smart telephones are aimed at consumers, the Verifone
system will be aimed at businesses. Gary Grant, vice president
and general manager of VeriFone's US Division, said in a press
statement that "A manufacturing company could tailor the system
to serve as a remote access terminal to the corporate computer
network, enabling employees to place orders, monitor shipment
status, check product pricing, send and receive electronic mail
or submit reports from any location with access to a phone
line."
While Tandem stock remained strong in the wake of the
announcement, VeriFone "fell out of bed," as traders say, losing
a third of its value in heavy trading. The announcement that
quarterly earnings will be poor set off the selling, with
Verifone blaming disappointing revenues in emerging markets.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931008/Press Contact: Tandem Computers,
Judy Zimbelman, 408/285-6849, Verifone, David Barnes, 415/696-
8823)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
BUSINESS
Systemhouse Acquires Client/Server Firm
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00020)
Systemhouse Acquires Client/Server Firm 10/08/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- SHL Systemhouse Inc.,
a large Ottawa-based systems integrator, has bought XL/Proteus
Software Systems, Inc., of Marlboro, Massachusetts. Like moves by
many computer industry firms in recent months, the purchase is
aimed at bolstering Systemhouse's expertise in client/server
computing.
Michael Bealmear, vice-president and general manager of
Systemhouse's US Northeast Region, said his company is already
known for its expertise in client/server computing, but the
acquisition of XL/Proteus will help boost that strength.
XL/Proteus specializes in network computing and client/server
systems, officials said.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
XL/Proteus employs more than 40 professionals, who will remain in
Marlboro. Bealmear said Systemhouse is closing a small office of
its own in nearby Cambridge and moving the staff from that
location to Marlboro.
Christopher Weaver, president of XL/Proteus, and Neal Prescott,
chief technical officer, are to become directors in Systemhouse's
Northeast Region.
XL/Proteus will be merged into Systemhouse's operations, Bealmear
said.
The Massachusetts firm has working relationships with a number of
software vendors, including Novell Inc., Microsoft Corp., Borland
International Inc., Sybase Inc., PowerSoft Corp., and Lotus
Development Corp.
SHL Systemhouse employs more than 4,500 professionals around the
world.
(Grant Buckler/19931008/Press Contact: Michael Bealmear, SHL
Systemhouse, 212-303-5500; Christopher Weaver, XL/Proteus,
508-485-9990)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
Dispute Over 800 Numbers Goes To Regulators
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00021)
Dispute Over 800 Numbers Goes To Regulators 10/08/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Unitel
Communications Inc., has asked Canadian federal regulators to
force the rival Stentor consortium of telephone companies to
change its stand on toll-free 800 service.
Unitel, which announced plans in September to offer its own 800
service, wants customers to be able to use a single 800 number
even if service is provided by Unitel in some parts of the
country and by Stentor members, such as Bell Canada, in others.
The regional phone companies that make up Stentor, on the other
hand, say they won't share numbers with Unitel.
That refusal could hurt Unitel, spokesman Ken Stewart explained,
especially because the company cannot offer its 800 service in
the province of Saskatchewan for another five years.
A recent rewrite of Canadian telecommunications legislation
brings under federal authority provinces where telecommunications
was formerly provincially regulated. Saskatchewan in particular
has resisted this, and the law allows a five-year transition
period before the federal Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has jurisdiction there. In
the meantime there is no long-distance competition in the
province.
Because of this, companies can only serve callers from
Saskatchewan through Saskatchewan Telecommunications, the
provincially owned phone company, which is a member of Stentor.
If Stentor's stand on number-sharing prevails, they would have to
publish a different toll-free number for that province.
Stentor is not resisting the level of portability that lets
customers switch from one carrier to another and keep the same
phone number. This was an issue in the United States in the past,
with blocks of numbers reserved for each long-distance
competitor.
(Grant Buckler/19931008/Press Contact: Ken Stewart, Unitel
Communications, 416-345-2094)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TRENDS
Computers And Molecular Nanotechnology Conference
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00022)
Computers And Molecular Nanotechnology Conference 10/08/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- The Third
Foresight Conference on Molecular Nanotechnology: Computer
Aided Design of Molecular Systems, is being held next week,
October 14 through 16, at the Hyatt Rickey's Hotel in Palo
Alto, California. Nanotechnology is defined as the three-
dimensional structural control of materials and devices at the
molecular level.
The Foresight Institute says the fields of computer science,
computational chemistry, physics, and mechanical engineering
are converging, opening opportunities for development of new
instruments, devices, and capabilities in the new field of
nanotechnology. The conference is focused on how computers are
advancing nanotechnology today, and how nanotechnology will
change the computer industry of tomorrow.
Speakers at the conference include: Eric Drexler of the
Institute for Molecular Manufacturing who's topic is
"Introduction to the Design of Molecular Systems," Ralph Merkle
of Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center on "Computational
Nanotechnology," Ted Kaehler of Apple Computer speaking on
"Molecular Building Blocks," and Makoto Sawamaura of the Aono
Atomcraft Project in Japan with his topic "Atom Manipulation by
Proximal Probes: Experiment and Theory."
Also featured is a pre-conference tutorial on molecular
modeling and computational chemistry on Wednesday, October 13,
the day before the conference begins.
The conference is $400 and the pre-conference tutorial is $200.
Registration information as well as accommodations may be
obtained by calling the Foresight Institute in Palo Alto
directly.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931008/Press Contact: Ron Pernick, Niehause
Ryan Haller PR, 415-615-7891; Public Contact, Judy Hill,
Foresight Institute, tel 415-324-2490, fax 415-324-2497)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
BUSINESS
Creditors Take Control Of Compuadd
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00023)
Creditors Take Control Of Compuadd 10/08/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- The creditors of
Compuadd Computer Corporation will take control of the company
under a bankruptcy reorganization plan filed with the US
Bankruptcy Court in Austin, Texas.
The agreement would allows the personal computer maker to emerge
from Chapter 11 protection next month, just five months after it
sought court protection from its creditors.
Creditors will formally vote on the plan in the next few days,
and the judge overseeing the case has scheduled a confirmation
hearing for the agreement for November 4, 1993.
The deal calls for unsecured creditors to own 75 percent of the
company, formerly controlled by founder Bill Hayden, who will
continue as chief executive officer. Compuadd spokesperson John
Pope told Newsbytes Hayden repurchased a 20 percent stake in the
company for $8.1 million. The 16-company unsecured creditors
group includes Lexmark International Inc., Texas Instruments Inc.,
IBM Corporation, and Merisel Inc.
In March of 1993 Compuadd, founded in 1982, announced it would
close all 110 of its retail outlets and sell by direct mail only.
The company had about $525 million in revenues in 1992, but said
it expected that to drop to about $300 million this year.
Compuadd filed for voluntary Chapter 11 protection after trying
for three months to reach an out of court settlement with its
creditors, mostly suppliers and landlords of its retail stores.
The reorganization plan was filed with the court on July 29,
1993.
Pope said Compuadd has had discussions with about half a dozen
prospective buyers, but declined to name them. He did say that
some were from within the computer industry and investors from
outside the industry. He declined to say if any of the
prospective buyers are also creditors.
Pope said no management changes were contemplated, at least in
the near term. However the company will name a vice president of
finance and a vice president of sales soon. Compuadd has not had
vice president titles previously. The individuals currently
having those responsibilities could be elevated to the newly
created positions or Compuadd may select people from outside the
company, said Pope.
Compuadd is expected to announce a new PC-based point of sale
terminal shortly.
(Jim Mallory/19931008/Press contact: John Pope, Compuadd, 512-
250-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/08/93
GENERAL
Chipsoft Opens Tax Support Center
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00024)
Chipsoft Opens Tax Support Center 10/08/93
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- With the tax filing
deadline six months away, tax software publisher Chipsoft has
announced a new customer support center to answer questions about
the use of the company's TurboTax and MacInTax programs.
The $5.5 million 70,000-square-foot facility will house about 350
Chipsoft technicians and service representatives at the height of
the tax season. The company says the facility can handle more
than 20,000 calls each day. The company also operates a service
facility in San Diego, California which is devoted to the support
of the company's Pro Series software.
Chipsoft and Intuit Inc., announced on September 1 that they will
merge, and Intuit has contracted to use the facilities and
systems in the Tucson center until the merger is complete. Intuit
publishes the personal financial software program Quicken. Intuit
also plans to open a technical support center in the same
facility in early January 1994. It will initially have a staff of
75, which will grow to 175 by the end of 1994.
Chipsoft spokesperson Diane MacKeeby told Newsbytes that while
the company's software is easy to use, often the user is also
experiencing the use of a personal computer for the first time.
"It (the computer) may have been a Christmas gift for the whole
family, or they may have upgraded from just playing games, so
they have questions," says MacKeeby. The center will not answer
tax questions.
A high-tech automated call handling system will offer callers a
variety of choices including an option to get their answer from
an automated response system or to be connected to a live
representative. The automated system will let users get answers
to the top 10 most commonly answered questions, select product
information by touch-tone phone and have the information faxed or
mailed, place an order or register their software, check on the
status of an order, and obtain updated product release date and
pricing.
At any point in the automated support sequence the user can
return to the main automated menu for additional assistance or
switch to a customer service representative without losing their
place in the queue. Chipsoft will also continue to answer
questions that are faxed or sent to the company's electronic
bulletin boards.
Chipsoft says tax preparation software offers the advantages of
saving time, only having to enter data once, and performing the
mathematical calculations accurately. The Internal Revenue
Service says incorrect math is the number one error on returns.
Chipsoft tax software prints the return on forms that are
approved for filing by the IRS.
(Jim Mallory/19931008/Press contact: Diane MacKeeby, Chipsoft,
619-453-4446, ext 431; Reader contact: 619-550-5001 or 800-964-
10410)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/08/93
GOVT
BSA Accuses Dealers Of Piracy
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00025)
BSA Accuses Dealers Of Piracy 10/08/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- The Business Software
Alliance or BSA, has announced that some of its members have taken
legal action against computer hardware dealers -- two from
Ohio, one from New Jersey, and one from Illinois -- for allegedly
preloading computer hard drives with illegal copies of
Microsoft Windows and MS-DOS.
The action also concerns, according to BSA spokesperson Kim
Willard, "numerous copies of Novell network software."
The BSA is a consortium of US software publishing giants
Aldus, Apple Computer, Autodesk, Borland International, Computer
Associates, Lotus Development, Microsoft, Novell, and
WordPerfect.
Details are a bit sketchy at this point because none of the cases
are yet settled, but Ms. Willard was able to tell Newsbytes that
there were no seizures made in the Novell copyright infringement
case, although she was not certain about the Microsoft case.
According to the BSA, all of the companies operated walk-in
computer stores but may also have engaged in some mail-order
sales.
LS Technology of Parsippany, New Jersey, Micro Experts of Solon,
Ohio, North Canton, Ohio-based PC Importers and Mayberry Systems
of Belleville, Illinois were all sued for copyright infringement.
Among the products found during the pursuit of these actions were
those of Microsoft and Novell, the BSA reports.
Since Micro Experts and PC Importers once shared offices, that
case was filed as a single court case and illegal copies of
software were found in all cases, authorities reported.
Federal courts have already issued temporary restraining
orders in the New Jersey and Ohio cases.
The New Jersey and Ohio companies were found to have hundreds of
unauthorized copies of MS-DOS and Windows, while Mayberry
Systems, which provides computer systems and software to
pharmacies, was caught with illegal copies of Novell network
software, the BSA reports.
A separate suit was brought against LS Technology's owner, Ja-Yen
Wong, following repeated requests to cease and desist from the
illegal activity, Newsbytes was told.
Prior to filing suit, the Ohio companies were issued at least
five warnings over the past two years, according to the report
released by the BSA.
The BSA was not able to provide Newsbytes with any estimate of
the total value of the allegedly pirated software but did
state that not only was the software copied illegally, some
of it was also improperly installed.
Evidence from buyers of systems led to the investigation. The BSA
maintains toll-free anti-piracy hotlines for tips from
individuals suspecting illegal copyright violations either at
computer sales operations or within companies.
(John McCormick/19931008/Press Contact: Kim Willard, BSA, 202-
872-5500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/08/93
GENERAL
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00026)
Roundup - Stories Carried By Other Media This Week 10/08/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Roundup is a brief
look at some computer stories carried in other publications
recently.
Computer Reseller News for the week of September 27 says that
the purchase of ComputerLand by Merisel would face formidable
challenges such as objections from vendors and that the
acquisition of ComputerLand's franchise and distribution
operations would make Merisel the largest single supplier of
product to the retail channel.
Federal Computer Week dated September 27 reports that House and
Senate committees have agreed to require mandatory use of the FTS
2000 telephone contract by all federal agencies. FTS 2000 is the
contract between the government and the Sprint-AT&T winning
bidders who provide discounted telephone service to various
bureaus and departments.
Government Computer News for the week of September 20 reported
that since Desktop IV was awarded in June DoD purchasers have
bought about 28,000 personal computers from Zenith and GTSI. One
big attraction for agency buyers is the ability to obtain a large
number of identical computers which will reduce compatibility
concerns and cut support costs.
PC Magazine dated October 12 reviews gigabyte hard drives and
selects the Adstar IBM 0662 Model S12 and Maxtor MXT-1240 as
Editor's Choice for both value and performance. See the article
for details of tests from the PC Labs. The reviewers said, "We
found remarkable similarity both in the technology and the
performance of the nine drives we tested."
The September 27 issue of Government Computer news says that
Deputy Defense Secretary William Perry intends to push for
greatly increased standardization of DoD systems. The Deputy
Secretary will reportedly call for an interim temporary standard
that will aid in migration from older to more modern systems.
(John McCormick/19931008/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/08/93
GOVT
UK - Mercury Secures British Govt Phone Contract
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00027)
UK - Mercury Secures British Govt Phone Contract 10/08/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Mercury Communications has
secured a prestigious contract for the supply of the British
Government's long distance and international phone services,
wresting the deal from British Telecom, the long-time provider of
telecom services to the Government.
Precise terms of the contract, which kicks in next April, have not
been revealed, but Mercury officials say that the deal lasts for
five years.
Government officials have revealed that they are currently spending
around UKP 13.5 million on telecom services, spanning a network of
a quarter of a million civil servants at 550 locations around the
UK. The Government claims that the contract was awarded to Mercury
as part of its ongoing contracting-out move.
(Steve Gold/19931008/Press & Public Contact: Mercury
Communications- Tel: 071-528-2000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/08/93
TELECOM
UK - Compaq In Joint Venture With Modem Firm
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00028)
UK - Compaq In Joint Venture With Modem Firm 10/08/93
ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Communicate, the
fax/modem and portable computer specialist, has announced a joint
marketing agreement with Compaq Computer in the UK. The announcement
is timed to coincide with the shipment of the Compaq Concerto, the
new notebook PC which features PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card
Industry Association) support.
According to Vince Holton, a director of Communicate, the Concerto
has two PCMCIA type 2.0 slots, as well as pen and keyboard input.
Holton told Newsbytes that Communicate has developed a fully pen-
aware version of its established CMSfax for Windows fax application
software. Users of Concerto notebooks and the company's Connexion
PCMCIA modems will be able to upgrade to CMSfax for Pen Windows free
of charge, he said.
Holton claims that it's possible to use the pen, once installed, to
control CMSfax, and to annotate and add handwritten comments to
received faxes. All standard Microsoft Windows for Pen Computing
gestures, he said, are supported by the software.
"We believe that this unique software complements these
machines. We have a history of cooperation with Compaq in the UK
market and we're very pleased to work closely with them to provide
Compaq users with a complete, technically superior and locally
supported communications solution," he said.
The main aim of the marketing deal is to encourage Concerto users to
buy one of the company's PCMCIA modems. The modems are the 1440, a
V.32bis unit that sells for UKP 549, and the 2496, a UKP 349 unit
that supports all modem speeds to 2,400 bits per second (bps) data
and 9,600 bps fax.
Holton told Newsbytes that, despite the recent downward price moves
by Megahertz, Communicate has no plans to lower its PCMCIA modem
prices.
(Steve Gold/19931008/Press & Public Contact: Communicate - Tel: +49-
344-291294; Fax: +49-344-291284)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
TELECOM
Fujitsu Pen-Based System Offers Wireless Comms
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00029)
Fujitsu Pen-Based System Offers Wireless Comms 10/08/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) -- Fujitsu
made the Poqet Computer name disappear by announcing the PadPlus
RF, a pen-based computer with wireless communications built-in.
Fujitsu had bankrolled Poqet Computer and later bought the whole
company. Its previous offerings carried the Poqet name. The
PadPlus RF incorporates the Proxim RangeLAN wireless adapter
and radio inside the computer, with a retractable antenna in the
upper left corner. The company said it is just the first of a
new family of integrated wireless computers. RangeLAN sends data
quickly for short distances on shared frequencies that don't
require a separate FCC license, much like the frequencies used by
cordless phones.
The PadPlus RF can send data up to 300 feet using what's called
spread spectrum technology, which sends data over a wide
spectrum of frequencies to minimize interference. The PadPlus RF
has a maximum burst rate of 242,000 bits/second on three
channels. The system includes error correcting hardware and
firmware designed to re-transmit undelivered data.
The computer itself is, like the pen-based systems announced in
1992, a "full-screen" unit, measuring 10 inches by 4.6 inches,
roughly 26 cm x 12 cm. It also has an "on-demand" backlighting
capability and is based on the NEC V30 chip running at 16 MHz. It
weighs about two pounds, and can run 2-4 hours on rechargable
batteries. It also features a PCMCIA expansion slot, a serial
connector, an infrared link, and a keyboard. It can work with
Novell Netware and Netware Lite, with preliminary pricing at
$2,449.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931008/Press Contact: Fujitsu Personal
Systems Bill Wittmann, 408/982-9500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/08/93
IBM
Western Union Updates Mail Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00030)
Western Union Updates Mail Software 10/08/93
UPPER SADDLE RIVER, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 8 (NB) --
Western Union Priority Services has updated its DeskMail 2.0
software, adding the ability to run under Microsoft Windows and
support for local-area networks (LANs).
The DeskMail software is used to create and send Mailgrams and
other Western Union messages from a personal computer. It runs on
IBM and compatible machines, with at least 512K bytes of memory,
DOS 2.0 or higher, a 9,600-bit-per-second (bps) or faster
Hayes-compatible modem, and at least one diskette drive.
The software can send single messages plus broadcast messages to
a list of recipients. Options include one or two-day delivery,
letters with signature or logos added, certified mail, and
enclosure of business reply envelopes.
The first version of DeskMail was released in February, a
spokesman for the company said. The major changes in the new
release are Windows and LAN support, he said. The new release
also lets users import text from various word processing programs
and address lists from database packages.
The retail price of the software is $39.95 per node.
(Grant Buckler/19931008/Press Contact: Jean Stritt, Western Union
Priority Services, 201-818-5843; Phil Hall, G.S. Schwartz & Co.
for Western Union, 212-696-4744)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/07/93
IBM
Windows Software Turns A PC Into An Answering Machine, Fax
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00001)
Windows Software Turns A PC Into An Answering Machine, Fax 10/07/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Bit Software
announced Bitfax Professional for Windows, a product that can
turn a personal computer (PC) into a data communications
terminal, a fax machine, and an answering machine that can also
automatically deliver messages to a pager. The product is
designed to work with the new modem cards that include data
communications, fax, and voice mail capability.
Installation of the product is easy, according to Bit Software
representatives who said the product is smart enough to
identify the port where the modem is located and the type of
modem down to the baud rate at which it can transfer data. An
animation of a man identified as the "snooper" accompanies the
software's intelligent investigation of the hardware to give
the user feedback on what is happening.
The fax capability has a "green" feature that reduces the blank
scan lines in faxes to save paper and reduce fax transmission
time.
As an answering machine, Bitfax Professional's Voice Manager
feature allows users to receive, log, record, play, and store
personal messages. Users can create multiple mailboxes, each
with a personal greeting, and password protection of individual
mailboxes is also available. In addition, an Auto Pager feature
can have the computer call a pager after receiving a voice
message or fax. Additional features include the ability to
retrieve a fax from a touch-tone phone and a toll-saver mode.
The fax engine in the new product offers enhancements to the
company's former fax product. Users can now drag and drop faxes
onto a "Transmit Fax" icon for quick sending, onto a "View Fax"
icon for viewing, and onto a "Print Fax" icon for quick
printing.
A new fax management module allows users to create and assign a
folder to each individual or group of faxes. Compression of
received faxes and the ability to automatically delete faxes
after a specified time period has also been added. Optical
character recognition (OCR), for turning faxed documents into
text is also included and over 10 languages are supported, the
company said. Text and drawing tools offer the ability to add
text, images, lines, circles, boxes, and graphics onto faxes.
The data communications portion of the product, Bitcom, stores
data in a dBASE-compatible phonebook which is also directly
compatible with Bitfax Professional. Bitcom offers remote
access, automatic redialing, and support for Xmodem, Ymodem,
Zmodem, and Kermit data transfer protocols. Users can also
create buttons for access to popular online services, such as
Compuserve.
Bitfax Professional will work with both flatbed and handheld
scanners that support the Twain specifications. The product
will offer voice mail features with any voice modem that uses
the Rockwell or Sierra voice chip set. Company officials were
reluctant to list specific modems that meet those criteria, but
said most modems with voice support use one of those two
chipsets. Bit Software has mentioned a hardware/software
bundle, which is the original way the company started
distribution of its data communications products, but no
specific information was forthcoming on which modem would be
used or when the bundle might be available.
The product will work with any 386-based or higher IBM
compatible personal computer (PC) running Microsoft Windows
with at least four megabytes of random access memory (RAM). Bitfax
Professional's retail pricing has been set at $129 and the
product will be available in October from Bit Software or
through the company's retail distribution channels.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931006/Press Contact: Misha St. Lorant, Bit
Software, tel 510-490-2928, fax 510-490-9490; Public contact,
510-490-2928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
GENERAL
LCD Panels To "Co-Star" With Stallone In "Demolition Man"
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00002)
LCD Panels To "Co-Star" With Stallone In "Demolition Man" 10/07/93
NEWPORT NEWS, VIRGINIA, U.S.A, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- A line of LCD
projection panels from nView will share "star billing" with
swashbuckling actor Sylvester Stallone in a Warner Brothers movie
that will open in theaters throughout the US on Friday, October 8.
In one sequence of "Demolition Man," a character played by Stallone
shoots and destroys one of nView's MediaPro panels. But William M.
Donaldson, president of nView, is less than heartbroken over the
MediaPro's demise.
"I think this is the first time this technology has been used in
such a major production, and we're very proud that our products
were chosen," Donaldson said.
In real life today, LCD projection panels project computer and
video data onto a wall or large screen for group viewing. In the
futuristic "Demolition Man," the panels serve as "proxy people" --
"talking heads" meeting around a conference room table.
The images that appear on the panels turn toward one another as if
in actual conversation, nView officials explained. Upset with a
comment made by one of the images, Stallone silences the offending
unit with a gun blast.
The movie, which also stars Wesley Snipes, takes place in the year
2032, when criminals are sentenced to sub-zero "rehabilitation" as
frozen inmates of the California CryoPenitentiary. The "talking
heads" oversee the inert inmates.
The LCD panels also appear in the movie as part of a medical "crash
cart" that monitors thawing prisoners, and as wall-mounted security
panels used for identification in the cryoprison's control room.
All Effects Company, Sun Valley, CA, built the video robots,
constructed chrome housings for the MediaPro panels, and then
designing a computerized motion control system to precisely
position the units as they moved about.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931006/Press contact: Cassie Hagan, nView, tel
804-873-1354; Reader contact: nView, tel 800-736-8439)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/07/93
GENERAL
Hong Kong - IBM Veteran Defects To Digital Malaysia
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(HKG)(00003)
Hong Kong - IBM Veteran Defects To Digital Malaysia 10/07/93
TAI KOO SHING, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Asia
has appointed Jamaludin Ibrahim as the new general manager
of Digital Equipment Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
His most recent IBM position was divisional manager for the
Public Sector, Commercial, and Banking and Finance departments,
reporting to the director of operations. Previous assignments included
systems engineer, marketing representative (banking), marketing manager
(public sector), as well as staff assignments in customer financial
packaging and sales compensation programs.
Jamaludin holds a Bachelor of Business degree from California
State University and a MBA from Portland State University.
The new general manager takes over from Dave Buckingham, who will
continue to serve Digital Malaysia as a consultant for a three-month
transition period.
(Keith Cameron/19931006)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
UNIX
China - Pyramid Offers Oracle7 Parallel Server
(NEWS)(UNIX)(HKG)(00004)
China - Pyramid Offers Oracle7 Parallel Server 10/07/93
CENTRAL, HONG KONG, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Pyramid Technology Corporation
has become the first company to demonstrate support for the Oracle7
Database with Parallel Server option in China. Pyramid also used the
first China Computerworld Expo and conference in Beijing as a showcase
for the Valence Cluster -- a loosely coupled configuration of
its Unix-based, mainframe-class MIServers.
This configuration plus the Oracle7 Database and Parallel Server
option is designed to provide continuous database availability
for business-critical applications.
Oracle claims the Valence Cluster protects users from single points of
failure. Whether the failure is hardware, software or network related,
the Oracle database remains accessible as long as one node in the
Valence Cluster remains operational. The configurations of servers
are designed so that all MIServer nodes within the cluster dynamically
share the Oracle database.
"Valence Cluster ensures continuous database availability by combining
the computing resources of each MIServer node without compromising
the capacity and throughput demands of the data center," said
Edward Norton, Asia-Pacific vice president for Pyramid Technology.
Supporting up to four MIServer nodes, Valence Cluster also provides
scalability for data centers running very large databases or
supporting very large user communities. It also is designed to
simplify system and database administration by consolidating
computing and database resources into a single resource.
Pyramid's current implementation of SMP offers near-linear
scalability of up to 24 processors for each MIServer, but
the scalability of the clustered nodes is greater and can support
larger user communities and expanded the database capacity. For
example, a fully configured Pyramid Valence Cluster of four nodes
can support four gigabytes of random access memory and 96
CPUs. Disk storage is in excess of 250 gigabytes.
John Morell, Unix Service analyst at International Data Corporation,
says, "The Valence Cluster solution is unique in its implementation
of Virtual Ethernet, Fault-Tolerant Distributed Lock Manager, and
centralized system management. It provides a real added-value
customer solution, giving Pyramid a competitive edge, we believe."
(Keith Cameron/19931006/Press Contact: Ed Norton, Pyramid,
852-827 0211)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
GOVT
****Clinton Health Care Plan To Focus On Computer Support
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00005)
****Clinton Health Care Plan To Focus On Computer Support 10/07/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Simplified,
standardized, computerized billing is one of the main ways that
the Health Care Task Force sees to save money that would be used
to pay for coverage of the 30-million-plus people without medical
insurance. Some estimates indicate that there are more people
shuffling paper in the US health care system than directly
serving patients in any capacity.
As the Clintons blitz Capitol Hill and special interest groups,
from the American Medical Association on one side to the American
Association of Retired People and the labor unions on the other,
little attention has been paid to the real core of the plan's
money-saving potential that is essentially a top-to-bottom
overhauling of the way physicians, hospitals, and insurance
companies handle billing.
Physicians and hospitals can essentially charge whatever they
want because virtually no individuals pay their own medical
bills. They are either paid by insurance companies or passed on
to them indirectly through over-charging to compensate for those
who do not pay, and insurers can just raise rates and drop sick
users so they always make a profit.
This has led to a situation where the insurance companies make it
as difficult as possible to file claims as a simple way of
reducing "valid" claims while health care providers just add more
clerical staff to deal with the thousands of different forms
mandated by the government and private insurers.
Because there is little or no economic incentive on either side
to simplify this paperwork deluge, both groups have resisted any
computer software or integrator vendor efforts to integrate
computer systems beyond a single hospital, physician's office, or
insurance company.
This means that it cost so much to collect payments that
physicians and hospitals must continually raise prices, and
it also leads to the situation where every hospital,
physician's office, pharmacy, and insurance company with which an
individual deals must maintain its own set of duplicate records.
The Clinton Administration proposal would put smart cards in the
hands of every US citizen and some legal aliens that would
provide billing reference identification as well as carry up to
about 30 pages of medical data about the individual.
That change, along with a simplification of medical billing
forms, would literally save billions of dollars that could be
used to treat patients, and it looks as if there is growing
pressure from the public to actually force the health care
industry to take advantage of computer technology that has been
available for at least 10 years.
If health care reform really does take off, industry insiders say
that computer sales, and especially integration services, will
really explode, with health care taking on the same sort of high-
profile, high-profit role that was, until recently, the sole
purview of the military.
(John McCormick/19931006/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
BUSINESS
India - Silicon Graphics Sets Up Subsidiary
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00006)
India - Silicon Graphics Sets Up Subsidiary 10/07/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Silicon Graphics of the US has
relocated its SAARC headquarters from Singapore to India, and has
decided to manufacture its low-end workstations in India. (The member
countries of SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation, are India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Bangladesh
and the Maldives.)
The fully-owned subsidiary, Silicon Graphics Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd.
(SGSPL), will set up the manufacturing facility in Gurgaon (near Delhi)
with an annual capacity of 2,000 systems per year.
"In the first three years, we'll invest more than Rs 30 crore (around
$10 million) in the facility. The total production in three years of
operation is expected to be more than Rs 50 crore (around $16 million).
Exports are expected to account for Rs 10 crore (around $3.5 million),"
according to Ashok Desai, managing director, SAARC region, Silicon
Graphics Systems.
SGSPL is the 25th Silicon Graphics subsidiary in the world, and the
eighth in Asia.
As for manufacturing, sales and support, the Indian subsidiary will
concentrate on the "Indy" workstations. Robert Bishop, president of
Silicon Graphics World Trade Corp., recently unveiled in the capital
this Rs 3.59-lakh (around $12,000) workstation that boasts 16 MB RAM,
a digital color video camera, a 15-inch color monitor, virtual 24-bit
color graphics, keyboard and mouse, in a diskless configuration
powered by a 100 MHz MIPS R4000 processor.
"Indy is our tribute to the new manufacturing facility in India.
The system was unveiled about a month ago in the US. Bishop said the
machine will be a boon for CAD applications, architects,
manufacturing, engineering, space research, chemical, and the
fashion industry. "Like in the US, Indy will also bring a new
revolution to the entertainment industry in India," he added.
Apart from manufacturing and selling computers, the Indian subsidiary
will also be a center for board repair and benchmarking services for the
SAARC region. Its earlier alliance with Tata Elxsi Ltd., and OMC
Computers Ltd., will continue, the former marketing the high-end
servers and the latter the low-end workstations of Silicon Graphics.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931007)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
IBM
Leading Edge Adds New Winpro Multimedia And Desktop PCs
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00007)
Leading Edge Adds New Winpro Multimedia And Desktop PCs 10/07/93
WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Leading Edge
has expanded its series of Winpro 496 PCs, offering additional
multimedia configurations, along with the first desktop models in
the economical line.
All of the new Winpro 486 models are based on a 486SLC/33
microprocessor from Cyrix, a company spokesperson told Newsbytes.
Pricing starts at $899 for the new desktop systems and $1,249 for
the multimedia systems.
The new multimedia models are the first to bundle "Yearn 2 Learn -
Peanuts," a new educational interactive multimedia package from
Image Smith, she added. The multimedia PCs also ship with such CD-
ROM titles as Time Almanac, The Animals, ChessMaster, and Microsoft
Bookshelf.
The multimedia and desktop PCs all ship with MS-DOS 6.0, Microsoft
Windows 3.1, MS Money, MS Works for Windows, MS Productivity Pack,
MS Entertainment Pack 4, and the Leading Edge Utilities Control
Center, she told Newsbytes.
The Winpro 486 base desktop model comes standard with 2 megabytes
(MB ) or 4 MB of system memory, a 120 MB hard drive, 1 kilobyte
(KB) cache memory, a 3.5-inch floppy drive, and Super VGA graphics
with 512 KB video memory. The hard drive is upgradable to 213 MB.
System memory is expandable to 16 MB, video memory to 1 MB, and
cache memory to 64 KB external cache. A 5.25-inch floppy drive is
optionally available.
Also included are one parallel port, two serial ports, four drive
bays, one 8-bit and five ISA 16-bit expansion slots, a 150-watt
power supply, a 101-key keyboard, and a mouse.
The multimedia models come with 4 MB of system memory (expandable
to 16 MB), a 170 MB hard drive, an internal Photo CD-ready Sony CD-
ROM drive, and a Sound Blaster Pro audio board from Creative Labs.
A 2400 bits-per-second (bps) modem, two stereo speakers, and
headphones are optionally available. Other features are identical
to those of the desktop models.
The WinPro 486 desktop and multimedia systems are available
immediately from all Leading Edge authorized resellers. Systems
are supported by the Leading Edge AdvantEDGE Support Program, which
offers customers the option of a one-year onsite or two-year carry-
in warranty, in addition to unlimited toll-free telephone support
and online bulletin board support.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931006/Reader contact: Leading Edge, tel 508-
836-4800; Press contacts: Susan Zephir, Leading Edge Products
Inc., tel 508-836-4800, ext 1219; Amelie Gardella or Mel Webster,
Copithorne & Bellows for Leading Edge, tel 617-252-0606)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
BUSINESS
SBT In Japanese Deal With Hitachi
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00008)
SBT In Japanese Deal With Hitachi 10/07/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Hitachi has inked an agreement
with Sausalito, California-based accounting software maker SBT
in which Hitachi will produce Japanese versions of SBT's
programs for its personal computer-based LAN systems. With
these programs, Hitachi expects to beef up sales of its
PC LAN systems.
Hitachi will localize SBT's APCO Business Series 7 programs,
which consist of seven modules including system
management, sales management, purchase order management,
and salary management. Each module will cost between
100,000 yen ($1,000) and 300,000 ($3,000).
Three of the modules will be released in November, and the
rest will be released by the end of next year.
The original English language programs are popular outside
Japan. The companies claim 150,000 units have been sold
in the US and Europe.
Actual development of the Japanese programs will be done by
Hitachi's 100 percent-owned subsidiary, Hitachi Application
Systems in Tokyo. These Japanese programs will operate on
Hitachi's Flora family personal computers. The programs run
with the help of various applications such as dBASE IV and
Netware, and can easily be customized.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931004/Press Contact: Hitachi, +81-3-
3258-2057, Fax, +81-3-3768-9507)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
TELECOM
Japan Has Two Million Telecom Users
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00009)
Japan Has Two Million Telecom Users 10/07/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- The number of personal computer-
based telecommunication network users has reached two million
in Japan, according to the New-media Development Association
in Tokyo. Their numbers have increased rapidly over the past
two years, and continue to escalate.
The association's survey shows 1,957,000 users were online
this past June, and this number has apparently topped two
million by now.
The association also took the survey in 1991. At that time, there
were 1,150,000 users, indicating the number has nearly doubled
over the past two years.
Commercial PC networks with over 10,000 members each have a total
of about 1,422,000 users, or 72 percent of all network
users in Japan. NEC's PC-VAN holds the top position with
578,000 members. Second is Fujitsu's Nifty-Serve, which has about
500,000 members. They are followed by JALNET, ASCII Net,
Nikkei Mix and TeleStar.
PC-VAN and Nifty-Serve continue to expand and have added
new databases and forums, and have linked with other
major networks. For example, Fujitsu has a link with CompuServe.
PC-VAN has a link with GEnie and JALNET.
These networks are currently seeking ways to interconnect
through the Message Handling System standard, which is
advocated by the Japanese Ministry of Posts and
Telecommunication.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931005/Press Contact: New-media
Development Association, +81-422-22-2111, PC-VAN, +81-3-3798-6511,
Fax, +81-3-3798-9170)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
TRENDS
Cirrus Subsidiary Intros Single-IC Audio Decompression
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00010)
Cirrus Subsidiary Intros Single-IC Audio Decompression 10/07/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Austin, Texas-based
Crystal Semiconductor, a division of Cirrus Logic, has introduced
the CS4920, the first semiconductor to include all audio
decompression and digital-to-audio conversion operations on a
single chip. This chip replaces a set of ASIC or application
specific integrated circuit and support chips previously used to
produce audio boards.
The CS4920 is based on a fully programmable 24-bit digital signal
processor running at about 16 MIPS or million instructions per
second and features a 16-bit stereo digital-to-analog converter,
programmable clock manager, compressed audio input, digital audio
output generator, and a serial control port all in a single 44-
pin package.
Since this chip uses easily reprogrammable algorithms, it can
process many different audio formats such as MPEG and Dolby AC-2
compression by simply having new drivers uploaded on-the-fly.
The signal-to-noise ratio for the new Crystal Semiconductor audio
chip is a good 90 dB and total harmonic distortion is claimed to
be less than 0.01-percent.
The new PLCC (plastic leaded chip carrier) package chip will be
available in sample quantities by the end of this month, and
volume production is expected by the first quarter of 1994 with
quantity prices set at $38 each.
This consumer-quality (as opposed to professional production
studio) audio chip should allow audio board makers or PC builders
to include good quality audio at an even lower price because
assembly costs for a single chip are less than that of discrete
component chip sets which are now used. Because the chip is
easily reprogrammable from the computer's memory, it can not only
support existing compression schemes, but also newly developed
standards as they gain market presence.
(John McCormick/19931005/Press Contact: Daryl Sartain, Crystal
Semiconductor, 512-445-7222)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
GENERAL
Cognos Has New Client/Server Software, Business Unit
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00011)
Cognos Has New Client/Server Software, Business Unit 10/07/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Cognos Inc., has
unveiled a new set of client/server development software that it
claims is an example of "second-generation" client/server
technology, and set up a separate business unit to sell
client/server software.
Cognos said its Axiant tool set introduces features needed to
develop serious business applications using client/server
architecture. The company said existing tools do not address such
needs at complex application logic, portability across many
operating systems, hardware platforms, and graphical user
interfaces (GUIs), scalability from small to large systems,
concurrent access to multiple data sources, and version control.
Independent observers agree that current client/server tools are
lacking some features needed for building serious business
applications. "Client/server tools are not capable yet of
delivering mission-critical applications, strictly speaking,"
said Pieter Minno, president of Marblehead, Massachusetts-based
Technology Insight, Inc., at a recent industry conference, "but
organizations are doing it anyway because they're desperate."
According to Cognos, the Axiant software has four main features
aimed at filling this gap. An application engine automates
development and lets developers add extensions with
repository-based business rules. A three-tiered application
architecture is said to make for flexible deployment.
Applications can also be scaled to few or many users. Finally, an
integrated desktop provides ad-hoc query, reporting, and
multi-dimensional data analysis.
Hans Galldin, marketing director for client/server tools at
Cognos, said Axiant addresses a common concern about security
features in client/server tools by providing a way to assign
different privileges to different users. This is built into the
repository, he said, so users don't have to enter multiple
passwords to get at different resources.
He said the software also allows data definitions from common
computer-aided software engineering (CASE) software to be
imported into its repository and then used in creating source
code.
Axiant supports Microsoft Corp.'s Object Linking and Embedding
(OLE) rules for linking applications under Windows, and provides
for Rapid Iterative Development (RID) and Rapid Application
Development (RAD) software development techniques using a
multi-user, object-oriented repository, the company said.
Cognos said it will provide Axiant first for Microsoft Windows
client PCs and servers running Unix, DOS, and Digital Equipment
Corp.'s VMS operating system. This software is to be available by
the end of this year. Software for IBM AS/400 and Hewlett-Packard
MPE iX servers is planned later, the company said. Software
development tools for resellers and third-party developers are to
be available in the second quarter of 1994.
The Windows-based development environment will cost from $3,000
to $5,000, Cognos said, and full deployment of Axiant will cost
about $1,000 per user.
Cognos said it is setting up a client/server business unit that
will be responsible for the Axiant products. Peter Klante, a
vice-president of Cognos, will head the unit. Cognos has three
other business units, which handle its PowerHouse application
development software, its AS/400 software, and its desktop
reporting products.
(Grant Buckler/19931006/Press Contact: Roberta J. Carlton,
Cognos, 617-229-6600 ext. 2446; Mary Campbell ext. 166 or Sally
Ann Barton ext. 167, Leonard Monahan Lubars & Kelly for Cognos,
401-277-9020)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
TRENDS
****Canadian Firm Says Robots See, Understand Surroundings
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00012)
****Canadian Firm Says Robots See, Understand Surroundings 10/07/93
ORILLIA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- A small company
based in a town north of Toronto claims its robotics
technology offers something no other industrial robots have
today: the ability to see and understand the robot's
surroundings.
Vivek Burhanpurkar, founder and president of Cyberworks Inc.,
told Newsbytes ultrasonic vision systems in his company's
products allow robots to see what is around them and understand
the "basic geometry" without having to be programmed to deal with
specific surroundings.
That means, for instance, that Cyberworks' CyberVac Industrial
Cleaning Robot can vacuum a room without having to be set up for
the specific room first. It will see where the walls and
furniture are, and using built-in expert-system software, will
work out an efficient way of cleaning the space, Burhanpurkar
said.
Cyberworks has just launched that robot and another designed for
security and inspection, as well as a set of components that the
company plans to sell to others who want to build their own
special-purpose robots, he said.
The security and inspection robot can spot changes or movements
in its environment, Burhanpurkar said, but can also relay video
signals to a security guard at one central location.
Cyberworks is a 10-employee company that concentrates on research
and development and subcontracts much of its manufacturing work,
Burhanpurkar said. He said the firm plans to sell its technology
to other vendors to build into their own products rather than
try to build a wide range of robots itself.
The company has been developing its technology for about eight
years, Burhanpurkar said. It has sold prototypes of its products,
he added, and in the past year has done about C$1 million worth
of business in Japan. Cyberworks is just beginning to market its
products in North America, Burhanpurkar said. The company
recently held a series of demonstrations for potential customers
across the United States.
(Grant Buckler/19931007/Press Contact: Vivek Burhanpurkar,
Cyberworks, 705-325-6110)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
BUSINESS
Canada - Initial Public Offering For Eicon
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00013)
Canada - Initial Public Offering For Eicon 10/07/93
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Eicon Technologies
Inc., a maker of internetworking hardware and software, has
announced an initial public offering and listed its stock on the
two largest Canadian stock exchanges.
Eicon is offering five million shares at C$10.50 per share to
raise a total of C$52.5 million, said Harold Mueller,
vice-president of operations. He said C$2 million of the proceeds
will be spent on additional research and development work over
the next several years.
A second purpose of the offering is to raise the company's
profile and enhance its image with customers as an established
firm, Mueller added. Most of Eicon's competitors are public
companies, he said.
Eicon's stock began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the
Montreal Exchange on October 5. Mueller stressed that the stock
offering is registered only for sale in Canada initially.
Eicon's product line includes network gateways, routers, Systems
Network Architecture (SNA) emulations, and wide-area networking
(WAN) products. The company said it sells its products in more
than 50 countries.
(Grant Buckler/19931007/Press Contact: Harold Mueller, Eicon
Technologies, 514-631-2592, fax 514-631-3092)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
BUSINESS
Control Data Systems Canada Buys Antares Electronics
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00014)
Control Data Systems Canada Buys Antares Electronics 10/07/93
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Control Data
Systems Canada, Ltd., has purchased Antares Electronics Inc., a
systems integration firm based in Ottawa. The takeover roughly
triples Control Data Systems' Canadian operations.
Control Data Systems is a systems integration firm born out of
Control Data Corp., once a major mainframe computer maker. It has
operated on its own for about a year and has been profitable,
said Tom Ray, manager of the Canadian operation.
The acquisition of Antares, a systems integrator whose strength
lies in the personal computer field, will complement Control
Data's historic strength in larger systems and help the company
build its business in client/server computing, which requires a
mixture of large-system and small-system expertise, Ray told
Newsbytes.
The deal also roughly triples the payroll of Control Data Systems
Canada, which had about 75 employees before taking over
145-employee Antares.
Control Data acquired Antares for C$6.9 million from the Hong
Kong Bank of Canada after the Ottawa firm ran into financial
trouble.
Jan Kaminski, former president and chief executive of Antares, is
to continue managing the operation, which will keep the Antares
name and be run as a division of Control Data Systems Canada.
(Grant Buckler/19931007/Press Contact: Tom Ray, Control Data
Systems Canada, 905-629-5122, fax 905-629-5169; Jan Kaminski,
Antares, 613-228-5216; Charlotte Fransen, Control Data Systems,
612-482-4857)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
GENERAL
Xerox Enters Personal Computer Printer Market
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00015)
Xerox Enters Personal Computer Printer Market 10/07/93
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Xerox Corp., has
entered the personal computer printer market with the newly
announced Xerox Personal Printer 4004.
Expected to sell for under $299, the new "second generation"
inkjet model is the least expensive printer in the company's
history, and also the first to be sold in retail stores, a
company spokesperson told Newsbytes.
Targeted at home and small office users of IBM-compatible PCs, the
4004 is now available at The Wiz and Office America, two regional
retail chains, with national distribution to follow soon,
according to the company.
"Xerox has never before sold a printer of this quality, at this
price, in this channel," the spokesperson remarked. Xerox
classifies the 4004 as a "second iteration" inkjet printer, he
said. In comparison, competing inkjet printers are still in their
"first iteration," he explained.
The 4004 is smaller than other inkjet printers, but operates twice
as fast, runs more reliably, and produces higher quality output, he
asserted. The superiority of the printer is corroborated by
independent test results, Xerox claims.
The 4004 features a 128-nozzle print head that allows production of
two lines of text or graphics in a single pass, yielding three
pages of text per minute, according to the spokesperson. In
comparison, competing printers use 50- or 64-print heads,
Newsbytes was told.
In addition, Xerox has placed the printer logic in the print head,
instead of on a board within the printer where printer logic
usually resides. When the user replaces the 4004's print head, the
circuitry will also be replaced, preventing the circuitry from
wearing down.
By locating the logic in the print head, Xerox has also allowed the
body of the 300-by-300 dot-per-inch (dpi) printer to be smaller, he
added. Further, the 4004's print head shoots ink sideways from the
edge ("edge shooting") instead of downward from the top ("roof
shooting"), for higher quality text and graphics output.
"The 4004's print head is attached to an ink reservoir that is
about twice as large as a typical reservoir," the spokesperson
emphasized. The ink reservoir lasts through about 1400 pages of
printing in letter quality mode, and even longer in draft mode, or
twice as long as the ink reservoirs of competing printers, he
reported.
In the mid-1980s, Xerox produced a series of dot matrix, daisy
wheel, and color laser jet printers for the PC market under the
Diablo brand name. However, the color printers were very
expensive, and none of the Diablo products were ever sold in retail
stores.
The retail chains where the 4004 is currently being sold cover
sections of the Eastern US. The Wiz covers metropolitan New York,
Long Island, New Jersey, and lower Connecticut. Office America's
stores are in Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina.
"Xerox is close to announcing a third retailer, which we can't
disclose yet. We also expect that the printers will soon become
nationally available in retail stores," he told Newsbytes.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931007/Reader contact: tel 800-ASK-XEROX, ext
4004; Press contact: Daniel C. Michen, Xerox Corp., tel 716-423-
3539)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
GENERAL
Geoworks Awarded Patent For User Interface
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00016)
Geoworks Awarded Patent For User Interface 10/07/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Developers
interested in writing applications for the new crop of consumer
computing devices using the Geos interface will get their first
look at the product when Geoworks hosts a developer's conference
in Burlingame, California beginning October 25, 1993.
Geoworks is the company that brought a Windows-like user
interface (UI) to MS-DOS based systems and offers a suite of
software products called Geoworks Ensemble that includes word
processing, communications, and drawing applications along with
several utilities, but without the need for the additional memory
overhead required by Windows. It also includes a DOS program
launcher.
Now the company has received a brand new patent on its process of
designing a user interface for mobile devices, office
products, smart phones and interactive televisions that make up
the category called consumer computing devices (CCDs). The GEOS
interface isolates the application from the specific hardware
platform on which it runs. That lets software developers move
their programs to other GEOS-based CCD's without rewriting and
recompiling the code. Compiling allows computer code to run
faster than uncompiled programs.
The company says the UI provides for application scalability,
allowing the developer to modify the amount of visible UI
components to fit the screen sizes of different devices or the
needs of the people using the application. Data input can be by
pen, mouse, keyboard, voice or touchscreen, although Geoworks
spokesperson Karl Fields told Newsbytes the voice and touch
interfaces probably wouldn't be available until at least 1996.
Fields said the hardware scalability, new approaches to ways of
inputting data, and the scalability of the user interface to fit
the user's level of expertise were the basis for issuance of the
patent and also what makes the GEOS interface unique.
Geoworks says three companies, Tandy, Casio, and Sharp, are
already taking advantage of the flexible UI technology. Tandy and
Casio have teamed with Geoworks to create Zoomer, a personal
digital assistant which has a small screen UI. The Sharp PT-9000
Personal Information Assistant uses the larger Motif-like UI. On
both products the interface is customized to meet the needs of
the specific device without changing the underlying system
software. Geoworks Chairman and CEO Brian Dougherty says that
provides software developers with a much larger market
opportunity than previously available when the application had to
be written or modified for the specific hardware platform for
which it was destined.
Zoomer was first announced, and a prototype shown, at the Las
Vegas Consumer Electronics Show in January 1993. Showgoers at the
Chicago edition of the CES held in June of this year also got to
see the product, which is expected to sell for $699 from Tandy
and $895 from Casio. The two machines are compatible and the
companies said the one inch by 4.2 inch by 6.8 inch, one pound
product would ship in late September of early October. Sharp's
two pound version is expected to ship in the fourth quarter.
Pricing for Sharp's device has not been announced.
Motorola says it is developing a version of its Electronic Mail
Broadcast To A Roaming Computer (EMBARC) technology that is
compatible with the GEOS operating system. When available that
would give Zoomer users the ability to send and receive wireless
faxes and electronic mail.
The conference will have its two-day run at the Hyatt Regency in
Burlingame, California on October 25 and 26. Attendees will have
an opportunity to learn more about the UI and will receive a free
copy of the new GEOS software development kit (SDK). Geoworks
says the conference will focus on markets which have the most
potential ad well as specific opportunities for developing
vertical market applications. Geoworks has a toll-free number for
conference registration. Conference cost is $595.
(Jim Mallory/19931007/Press contact: Deborah Dawson, Geoworks,
510-204-8550; Conference registration and info: Geoworks, 800-
524-1857, ext 1214)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
GOVT
Wordperfect Settles Lawsuit Against BBS Operator
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00017)
Wordperfect Settles Lawsuit Against BBS Operator 10/07/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corporation
says it has settled lawsuits against a bulletin board operator
and beta tester who it said had illegally copied and
distributed beta versions of its new word processor software
Wordperfect 6.0.
Wordperfect says it saw the software on a Toronto, Canada-based
electronic bulletin board, then traced it to a beta tester in Texas.
Company representatives teamed up with US Marshals and royal
Canadian Mounted Police to confiscate computer equipment and
unauthorized copies of the program from the two individuals.
Beta testers are individuals and corporations who are provided
advance copies of new software. They are asked to use the
software and report any problems, or "bugs" they encounter so
those problems can be corrected before the production version of
the software ships. Beta testers sign agreements not to disclose
what they learn about the software or provide copies to others.
Wordperfect says it is serious about protecting the
confidentiality of its beta level software "and will prosecute
beta testers who violate our trust and bulletin board operators
who pirate our software," according to Wordperfect Corporation
Senior VP and General Counsel R. Duff Thompson. He says beta
testing is crucial to the company's ability to produce high
quality software products, and the company is determined to
protect the integrity of the program.
This is Wordperfect's first direct action against a beta tester,
but the company has previously taken actions against pirate
bulletin boards through the Business Software Alliance (BSA) of
which it is a founding member. The company said it took this
action directly because of its contractual agreement with the
beta tester.
The BSA has estimated loss of software sales in the US in 1992
due to piracy reached nearly $2 million, and placed the worldwide
loss at over $5 billion. "Software piracy continues to pose the
single largest threat to the ongoing success of the legitimate
software market in the United States and abroad," says BSA
President Robert Hollyman. The organization encourages reports of
software piracy to their piracy hotline.
(Jim Mallory/19931007/Press contact: Wordperfect Corporation, Ken
Merritt, Wordperfect Corporation, 801-228-5059; Reader contact:
Wordperfect Corp, 801-225-5000, fax 801-225-5077; BSA Piracy
Hotline: 202-688-2721)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
APPLE
Wordperfect Office 4.0a To Ship Late October
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00018)
Wordperfect Office 4.0a To Ship Late October 10/07/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corporation
has announced it will ship version 4.0a of its Wordperfect Office
software suite for Macintosh, Windows, DOS, and Unix by the end
of October. This is a major upgrade for the Unix version, since
Wordperfect had not previously shipped a release 4.0 for that
platform.
Wordperfect Office is an integrated set of software that includes
electronic mail, calendar, scheduler, and task management
capabilities. The company says the release has improved
performance and speed of about 10 percent overall, with a 30 to
50 percent increase in the areas of sending, reading, and deleting
messages. The Windows version will also include native Windows
printing for the Windows client that will eliminate the need for
users to launch Wordperfect to print calendars, messages, or
attachments.
DOS and Windows users will be able to view most message
attachments through Systems Compatibility Corporation's Outside
In Viewing technology, including more than 160 Windows, Macintosh
and DOS file formats. DOS users will be able to view more than 90
DOS, Windows, and Macintosh file formats.
The administration program of Wordperfect Office 4.0a will be
sold with the client pack, and the server will be sold
separately. That will allow users to install and maintain a
single post office without having to purchase the server pack.
The client/admin pack includes the program disks and
documentation for a specific operating system and provides
installation, setup and maintenance programs. The message server
pack includes a message server for inter-post office
communication and gateway support.
The company says the database format used in version 4.0a is
incompatible with the one used in Office 4.0 so they are offering
a free upgrade to 4.0 users. Call Wordperfect's toll-free number
for upgrade information.
Wordperfect spokesperson Scott Robinson told Newsbytes the
client/admin pack will sell for $495, while the server pack is
priced at $295.
(Jim Mallory/19931007/Press contact: Brian Chapman, Wordperfect
Corp, 801-228-5037; Upgrade info: Wordperfect Corp, 800-451-5151)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
APPLE
Microsoft, 30 Others Support Apple's System 7 Pro
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00019)
Microsoft, 30 Others Support Apple's System 7 Pro 10/07/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Over 30
companies have announced support for Powertalk, Apple Computer's newly
announced mail and document management services portion of the System
7 Pro operating system for Macintosh. System 7 Pro will also include
the latest release of the multimedia extensions, Quicktime version
1.6.1, and the company's automation and customization technology
Applescript.
Apple says System 7 Pro will not displace System 7.1, but
claims the two operating systems are aimed at different
markets. System 7 is aimed at the consumer market and the
educational market grades K-12. System 7 Pro is targeted at
business, higher education, and government, Apple said.
Released in May of 1991, System 7, Apple claims, had an installed
base of 8 million as of August of this year. Apple estimates
that 30 percent of those users have stand-alone systems while
the remaining 70 percent are connected with other computers and
communications devices via networks or modems. System 7 Pro is
aimed at that 70 percent.
Apple suggests users will benefit from third party applications
that take advantage of Powertalk, the new technology introduced
by Apple for System 7 Pro. Powertalk will enable vendors to
provide applications that will automatically sort and forward
electronic mail, archive e-mail after reading, monitor
databases and information sources, and create personalized
newspapers by delivering preselected types of information
directly to the user's desktop mailbox.
Microsoft announced specific ways System 7 Pro users will be
able to use Microsoft products with the new operating system.
The company said the Apple Open Collaborative Environment
(AOCE) integration in its products will facilitate workgroup
communications by offering Send Mail functionality and other
messaging features from within Microsoft applications.
For example, if a user with a Powertalk mail-capable application,
such as Microsoft Word, creates a document and needs to send it
to colleagues, Word will send the file to the recipient's
Powertalk mailbox. If the document is sensitive, AOCE server
technology, known as Powershare, can ensure the document will
only be seen by the appointed recipient, using message
encryption and authentication technology. Powershare was also
announced at the launch of System 7 Pro, but won't be available
until early 1994, Apple said.
"A Powertalk-savvy Word and Microsoft Excel in the future will
streamline our current method of sending documents, and
incorporating AOCE's digital signature feature in our word
processing and spreadsheet documents is critical to raising the
integrity of our future communications process," said Dave
Reese, manager, CSU Network Technical Services, California
State University Chancellor's Office.
Microsoft's development team on its Microsoft Mail product is
working together with Apple to provide both messaging and
directory integration so companies can share information across
platforms. The collaboration includes development of software
to assure that MAPI-compliant applications in Windows can
access Powershare servers and Macintosh applications that
support AOCE can access current and future Microsoft servers.
Microsoft said it will announce details of the agreement within
60 days.
For the present, Starnine Technologies and Microsoft announced
three connectivity products for users to share information
between Microsoft Mail and AOCE technology, including Powertalk
and Powershare messaging software. They are: Mail Link for
Powershare/MS is a server-to-server gateway allowing Powershare
users and Microsoft Mail for Appletalk network users seamless
communication; Mail Link for Powertalk/MS, a personal gateway
that allows transparent use of a Microsoft Mail account via the
Powertalk interface; and Mail Link Directory Services for
Powertalk for user access to Microsoft Mail, Quickmail, Unix,
and MHS electronic mail addresses.
In addition, Microsoft said all future business applications
will include support for Quicktime. Currently, only Microsoft
Word, Microsoft Excel, and Powerpoint offer Quicktime support,
which includes the ability to embed Quicktime movies or
animations into application files using Microsoft' Object
Linking and Embedding (OLE 2.0) technology.
In addition, support for Applescript is available now in
Microsoft Excel. However, the next version of Microsoft Word
will also include the script support so customers can automate
tasks and customize their applications.
Third party vendor CE Software of Des Moines, Iowa has also
announced Quickmail AOCE for November release. CE claims
Quickmail AOCE will use Powertalk to transparently send and
receive mail from any AOCE service provider or client -
including any existing Quickmail network.
QuickMail AOCE will offer users drag & drop enclosures and the
security of digital signatures and will also use the
Applescript portion of System 7 Pro to drive other programs and
respond to user-written scripts from programs such as Hypercard
and Quickeys.
Other companies announcing support for System 7 Pro include:
Aladdin Systems, Articulate Systems, Axion, Banyan Systems,
Beyond, Caravelle Networks, Chena Software, Claris, Crosswise,
CTM Development, Cypress Research, Ex Machina, Full Moon
Software, General Electric Information Services, Graphical
Business Interfaces, Mainstream Data, Milum, Nisus Software, No
Hands Software, Novell, Octel Communications, Pace Software,
Quark, Radius, RSA Data Security, Shana, Snow Development
Group, Southbeach Software, STF Technologies, Tetherless
Access, Useful Software, and Wordperfect.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931007/Press Contact: Julie Briselden,
Microsoft, 206-882-8080; Sue Nail, CE Software 515-221-1801;
Janet McCauley, Apple Computer, tel 408-974-2042, fax 408-974-
6412)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/07/03
TELECOM
International Telecom Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
International Telecom Update 10/07/03
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Latin America made
most of the world's telecommunications news, and most of it was
good.
In Mexico, TelMex announced its final estimates for new lines to
be installed this year. The total, 813,847, is lower than last
year, which the company credited to a reduction in its huge
backlog. Partly because of that, and partly because of growing
competition possible because Bell Atlantic may buy part of a
competing cellular phone operation, SG Warburg downgraded the
company's stock.
MCI is also reportedly interested in an alliance to tap the
Mexican market. It currently offers only calls to the US, but
an agreement with new partners would have it selling long-distance
services directly there. All these reports are important votes
of confidence in the economy there.
Banco Santander of Spain sold its 10 percent stake in Chile's
EnTel to four Chilean companies for $55.7 million. Telefonica de
Espana of Spain is the largest holder of EnTel shares. Generally,
prices of telecommunications stocks rose on the nation's
exchanges during the week.
As promised, Argentina approved cuts in some international phone
rates, ranging from a low of seven percent to a high of 53 percent.
Earlier the country had warned businesses there they may lose
their local service if they continue to use "dial-back" services
in the US to bypass Telintar, which is owned by Telecom
Argentina and Telefonica de Argentina. Volume discounts are also
being offered as part of rate reductions, which regulators said
were suggested by Telintar itself, and take place November 8.
Brazilian investors called "dismal" Telebras' net profit from
January-August of US$1.23 billion, nearly triple the figure of
a year earlier, but the price of the stock stayed firm on
hopes for political and economic reform. The government is being
heavily criticized in the US for failing to liberalize the
market and quickly privatize Telebras.
In East Asia, the Philippines is starting to turn around,
according to the World Bank, which estimated growth of 5.5
percent per year is sustainable thanks to private investments in
telecommunications, as well as transport and energy. The
government also gave a digital cellular license to Globe Telecom,
which is backed by Singapore Telecom and local businesses,
rejecting another 15 applications and ruling it will limit the
market to five firms.
In New Zealand, Bell Atlantic and Ameritech of the US cut their
stakes in Telecom New Zealand, in line with a 1990 deal with the
government. Earlier, two major New Zealand industrialists had cut
their stakes. Telecom is presently moving to cut staff so it can
compete more closely with Clear Communications.
Finally, Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., of Israel, announced its
first contracts in the Far East and Eastern Europe, saying it
plans additional overseas expansion. Its OneWay VSATs were sold
to China, through Hong Kong, Japan, and Poland. In the latter
case, the buyer was GTech of the US, which will use the
equipment to operate that nation's first lottery. GTech also
operates lotteries in the US, including the new Georgia lottery
in its home state.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931007)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/07/03
TELECOM
MTel To Support Microsoft At Work
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
MTel To Support Microsoft At Work 10/07/03
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- MTel, owner of
the SkyTel paging service and the pending Nationwide Wireless
Network, signed agreements on both fronts.
The company joined competitors in announcing support for
a version of the Microsoft At Work operating system for use in
hand-held computers. The company's SkyTel unit will develop
software linking its system to the Microsoft platform's
capability of linking to telephones, desktop computers,
electronic mail, and other office systems. The two companies will
also work with outside software vendors to incorporate the
interface into applications.
More importantly, perhaps, for the long term of the company, MTel
announced strategic agreements for equipment suppliers on its
two-way Nationwide Wireless Network, or NWN. The SkyTel network,
despite recent improvements, remains essentially a low-speed, one
way system, while the NWN is seen as a faster, two-way connection
without wires.
Agreements were signed with Motorola and Wireless Access
Inc., to make personal messaging units for the NWN, and a
separate deal was signed with Glenayre Electronics Inc., for
infrastructure equipment. The company is also negotiating with
Motorola for such equipment.
The supply agreements were estimated to be worth $45 million, according
to President Jai Bhagat. The total system will cost $150 million,
with plans to have two-way wireless service available in the top 300
markets in the US by mid-1995. MTel pioneered the technology of
the NWN and was rewarded with a "pioneer's preference" by the
Federal Communications Commission, giving it a head-start on licensing
the system in 50 KHz of spectrum at about 940 MHz.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931007/Press Contact: David Allan, for MTel,
212/614-4239; Karen Andring, for Microsoft, 206/637-9097)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/07/93
CORRECTION TELECOM
Correction - Motorola EMBARC Deal With Reuters Non-Exclusive
(CORRECTION)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
Correction - Motorola EMBARC Deal With Reuters Non-Exclusive 10/07/93
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- In an October
5 story on Motorola's EMBARC, we reported the company had signed
an exclusive deal with Reuters America Inc., covering Reuters'
headlines on a wireless paging-type platform.
According to EMBARC spokesman Mike Keating, who apologized for
Newsbytes' receipt of inaccurate information, "Reuters did not sign
an exclusive contract with EMBARC to provide wireless financial
information services," he wrote. "The EMBARC/Reuters Financial News
Service is an unique wireless financial service in content, scope, and
frequency of delivery."
Mr. Keating says Reuters can legally contract with other paging
networks and wireless services, including MobileComm and SkyTel,
for its headlines and wire.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931007/Press Contact: Mike Keating, for
EMBARC, 312/988-2918)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/07/03
TELECOM
California Cancels Local Phone Call Competition Order
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
California Cancels Local Phone Call Competition Order 10/07/03
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) --The State of
California's Public Utilities Commission rescinded its decision
to allow local phone call competition and change rates, blaming
its own decision to allow utility employees onto the "proprietary
team" which created the new rules.
The commission had ruled September 17 that short-haul long
distance calls, called "local toll calls," could be made through
long distance or local companies as of January 1, and hiked local
rates to make up for potential lost revenue. Now any decision on
local toll competition won't be effective until several months
into 1994, the commission said.
The commission said it's not changing its mind on the basic
framework of the original order, however. That framework "is to
allow local toll and other competition and realign rates." That
framework, it said, was determined outside the tainted procedures
of the proprietary team. Parties to the case are allowed public
comment, but any communications between parties and
decisionmakers, either in writing or verbally, cannot be made
without formally notifying all other parties of what's being said
or written. The commission promised an internal examination of
the proceeding, and findings will be made public. That review
will include another look at the "proprietary team" concept,
which includes use of outside technical experts.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931007/Press Contact: CPUC, Dianne Dienstein,
415-703-2423)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/07/93
GOVT
Nomai Wins Round Against Syquest With Iomega's Help
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00024)
Nomai Wins Round Against Syquest With Iomega's Help 10/07/93
AVRANCHES, FRANCE, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Nomai claims it has won a
victory in its ongoing battle with Syquest over whether or not
it can make Syquest-compatible cartridges. The French company,
together with support from its new US distributor Iomega, was
able to post a bond large enough to prevent Syquest's gain of a
temporary injunction from a UK judge against the compatible
cartridges.
Syquest has publicly made a series of accusations against
Nomai, including an allegation that the cartridge technology was
stolen by consultant Ravi Chari, once in the employ of Syquest,
who now works for Nomai. Syquest has also claimed the cartridges
actually damage Syquest drives. Syquest has also announced to its
customers that it will not honor the warranty on the Winchester
cartridge-based hard disk drives if Nomai cartridges have been
used in the drive.
Syquest sought a temporary injunction to halt sales of the
Nomai cartridges based on two items: potential damage caused to
Syquest customers by Nomai cartridges and its contention that
Nomai was too small financially to handle potential damages
that might accrue over the one to two years it will take the
case to come to trial, should it lose to Syquest. Nomai
representatives told Newsbytes they are especially pleased that
Syquest lost on both counts.
Nomai was able to prove that its cartridge return rate of four per
thousand was well within the stringent European ISO standards
for failure as well as US military standards. Officials at
Nomai told Newsbytes their return rate is also lower than
Syquest's overall product return rate, but declined to offer
exact numbers for how much lower.
Also, with the help of Roy, Utah-based Iomega, Nomai was able
to post a bond or letter of credit equivalent to $750,000, a moved
Nomai officials said Syquest didn't expect. Iomega became involved
when Syquest filed suit against it as a distributor of the
Nomai cartridges. Syquest officials were unavailable to comment
on the bond.
Marc Frouin, Nomai's president, said: "No one minds providing a
letter of credit which he does not expect to have to pay.
Syquest suggested that Nomai cartridges were not of high
quality, but in the end it all came down to a question of
money. We have no doubt we will win at trial, which we
understand will take place within about one year. Our
cartridges, which use IBM Diamond Like Coating (DLC) media,
have now proved their superiority with a return rate of only a
few per thousand. This, and the really good partnership we have
with Iomega, creates an increasing demand for our products. The
legal battle is a desperate action of Syquest, which objects to
all competition."
Syquest claims its technology is so specific that anyone who
makes a compatible cartridge is in violation of its patents.
The company began legal action against Nomai before the company
had released its products, based on samples given to Syquest
representatives when they were invited as guests to view the
Nomai facility in France.
Nomai claims it has sold over 100,000 Syquest-compatible
cartridges worldwide and continues to gain market share.
Nomai's main cartridge products are aimed at the Syquest 44 and
88 megabyte (MB) drive market. However, Iomega recently
announced it would lay off 9 percent of its workforce, or about
100 people. The company has also announced significant price
cuts in its product line. Iomega officials say the company is
healthy, but management wants to keep costs down and prices
competitive.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931006/Press Contact: Marc Frouin, Nomai,
tel 33-33891600, fax 33-33891601; Tom Chung, Syquest, tel 510-
226-4000, fax 510-226-4114)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/07/93
GENERAL
TI's Own 486SX Subnotebook Microprocessors
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00025)
TI's Own 486SX Subnotebook Microprocessors 10/07/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Texas Instruments says it
is introducing a new line of 486SX class microprocessors that will
deliver clock-doubling speed for subnotebook computing.
The new Potomac family of CPUs will provide up to 50 megahertz
(MHz) of performance, and will incorporate an internal cache, 3.3 volt
operation and extended battery life.
According to research firm In-Stat, production of subcompact personal
computers will jump from 371,000 units in 1992 to more than 4.3
million units in 1997.
"Convenience is what's driving portable computing," says Rick
Bergman, TI personal computer systems product marketing manager. He
says end users are becoming convinced that superportables are the
best way to take their applications on the road. "That's why
superportables will be the growth niche in the PC industry."
The TI486SXLC2 16-bit chip is packaged in a small 100-pin quad flat
pack (QFP), has 8 kilobytes (K) of internal cache, and occupies 47
percent less board space than the 486SX 208-pin QFP. TI says system
designers can place the CPU directly into existing designs, enabling
significantly higher system performance without an increase in board
space.
The TI486SXL2 is a 168-pin 32-bit model that the company says is
ideal for notebook systems and the energy-saving "green" PCs.
Bergman says the chips predecessor, the TI486SLC, has enjoyed great
acceptance in the subnotebook market. "Getting 486Sx performance
into a superportable is the next design challenge facing OEMs
[original equipment manufacturers]."
TI says samples of the chips are now available in limited
quantities, with volume production scheduled for the first quarter
of 1994. Suggested resale pricing will range from $79 to $149 for
volume quantities depending on microprocessor speeds.
(Jim Mallory/19931007/Press contact: Ted Jurnigan, Texas
Instruments, 214-997-5467)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/07/93
TELECOM
Intelcom Third-Largest Competitive Access Phone Company
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)
Intelcom Third-Largest Competitive Access Phone Company 10/07/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- By buying two
Teleport companies from Pacific Telecom, Intelcom says it's now
the third-largest competitive access phone company, after MFS
Communications and Teleport.
Spokesman Phil Allen says the market has been rewarding an
aggressive expansion plan by Intelcom by bidding up the price of
its stock, making further acquisitions possible. The company was
known as InterTel until last summer when it changed its name to
avoid confusion with a telephone equipment maker, he noted.
On the block are the Bay Area Teleport Inc., which Pacific
Telecom itself had just bought in May, 1991, and UpSouth, which
operates teleports in Atlanta and New Jersey and was purchased
more recently.
In addition to its satellite system, Bay Area Teleport also
operates a 300-mile digital wireless and fiber-optic network in
the San Francisco Bay area. Intelcom President Bill Maxwell says
that acquisition gives his company the backbone network it needs
to link 10 cities and put its network before 8 million potential
customers. He also noted that the deal looks good because the
State of California is encouraging local competition. Intelcom
also gets Bay Area's turnkey network business and its new VSAT
hub in Mexico city. The company said it's maintaining Bay Area's
management.
Allen noted that Intelcom already operates fiber networks in
Denver, Cleveland, Dayton, Ohio, and Charlotte, North Carolina,
and is in the process of building networks in Phoenix and
Colorado Springs, Colorado. It recently announced further
expansions in Ohio and Kentucky. "Clearly Wall Street likes the
Competitive Access Provider story," he noted. "They also like the
connectivity between our networks and uplink capabilities. We
will use long haul fiber to link the satellites we have or plan
to acquire. We also can connect to local loop customers via
fiber, and we want to exploit the growing international market
for voice and data, using the Teleports."
The deal is due to close in early 1994 and is based on an
average price of $14.30 per Intelcom share, plus $200,000 in
cash. After closing Pacific Telecom will own 850,000 out of
Intelcom's 15.6 million shares outstanding on a fully diluted
basis.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931007/Press Contact: Brian M. Wirkkala,
Pacific Telecom, 206-696-0983Intelcom Group, Phil Allen (303)
572-5984)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/07/03
TELECOM
IBM Licenses Cellular, Modem Interface
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00027)
IBM Licenses Cellular, Modem Interface 10/07/03
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Spectrum
Information Technologies Inc., won another victory for its patents
when IBM said it signed a marketing and licensing agreement with
the company.
At issue is the Axcell, an interface between cellular phones and
the modems on personal computers which allows the modem to work
on a wireless call much as it would on a wired call. The Axcell
will now be given an IBM ThinkPad Proven tag, which signifies
that it meets the product and service standards of IBM.
Spectrum already has deals to market ThinkPad peripherals made by
Megahertz and Apex Data, which licensed Spectrum's patents. AT&T
also has a license for Spectrum technology, covering all its
units, including NCR and McCaw Cellular. However, not all players
in the market recognize Spectrum's broad patent claims. The
company is engaged in a legal battle with Data Race over
technology like that of the Axcell, and it's in a legal fight
with Microcom concerning error-correction used on wireless lines.
Motorola has also not yet licensed Spectrum's patents. Spectrum
also recently applied for a patent on a technology which allows
cellular operators to distinguish between a voice and data call,
which would let them price the two calls differently. Spectrum's
stock, which was worth $3 per share a few months ago, has since
doubled in price.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931007/Press Contact: Don Kessler, Spectrum,
516-627-8992)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/07/93
TELECOM
Longest Digital Phone Call
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00028)
Longest Digital Phone Call 10/07/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Following on from the successful
launch of its Groupe Speciale Mobile (GSM) digital phone service in
Australia, and the launch of the Metrodigital subset service in the
UK, Vodafone has used both networks to feature in what it claims is
almost certainly the longest distance digital mobile to mobile call
made to date.
The call was made as one of the highlights of the joint network
opening facilities, with a call being made from Sydney Harbor
Bridge to London's Tower Bridge. The phones used in the link were
two Motorola 5200 series "flip phones."
Five winners of a national (UK) Vodafone competition were flown to
Australia, accompanied by Terry Barwick, Vodafone's director of
corporate affairs. All made calls back to the UK, to actress
Michelle Collins ("Cindy" from Eastenders) and Steve Backley, the
Olympic javelin thrower.
At the opening of the Australian Vodafone network, the group's
managing director, Chris Gent, said that the link-up was historic.
"This is the first internationally made call featuring roaming
between two mobile phone networks on different continents. Once
again, Vodafone is delighted to be at the leading edge of mobile
phone technology," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931007/Press & Public Contact: Vodafone - Tel: 0635-
33251)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/07/93
IBM
CD-ROM Drive Doubles As Stand-Alone CD Player
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00029)
CD-ROM Drive Doubles As Stand-Alone CD Player 10/07/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Many of the new
PCs today include CD-ROM drives. Increasingly though, users do not
want to abandon their investments in existing hardware, and
as a result, look towards CD-ROM upgrade kits to convert their
existing PCs to multimedia machines. Hoping to address those
potential users, Media Vision has introduced the Memphis
multimedia upgrade system.
The Memphis also doubles as a stand-alone audio compact disc
player. According to the company, the upgrade system simplifies
the installation process and "gives consumers an integrated unit
for CD-ROM access." Pre-recorded CDs can also be played while
the PC is switched off, or when the Memphis chassis is
separated from the PC.
A company source told Newsbytes that the Memphis is the
result of a number of studies with users and user groups to find
out what they liked and disliked about existing upgrade kits.
The company found that around 40 percent of users were using
the kits for audio CD playing. As a result, Memphis can be used
as a stand-alone CD player without the need for the PC to be
switched on.
Said the source: "The speakers were designed with sound in
mind. It sounds like a hi-fi system. You have a CD-quality
sound card, why not have audio-quality speakers?"
Another result of user feedback is the stylish packaging.
The source told Newsbytes, "Memphis has a really striking,
modern design. It can double as an audio system as well as
playing computer multimedia CDs." For example, in a family
room or a student dorm room. It is also intended to be a
"less intimidating" unit.
The system consists of a chassis with CD audio controls, two
detachable speakers, an interface card that installs inside the PC,
a variety of pre-recorded CD-ROM titles, and all required cables.
Users can either install and configure the interface card
themselves, using the company's QuickStart software, or they
can have it installed by their local dealer.
In announcing the system, Greg Reznick, Media Vision's vice
president of marketing, said, "In the past, any multimedia
upgrade confronted consumers with a collection of pieces that
for many was too complicated, to difficult, and too daunting
to face. Media Vision's Memphis system has changed this. Now it
is easier, quicker, and more convenient to add multimedia
capabilities to a PC."
A single cable connects the system's chassis to the computer's
back panel. Each speaker is connected via a four-foot cable.
The company says that, when space is limited, the speakers
can remain attached to the chassis and the entire unit can be
placed under the computer monitor. However, better stereo
separation is possible with the speakers detached and set
upright up to eight feet apart.
For stand-alone CD operation, the power cord of the chassis is
plugged into any AC socket, without the device needing to be
plugged into a PC.
The Memphis features high-fidelity 16-bit 44.1 kH stereo sound;
a double-speed CD-ROM drive, capable of transferring data at
300 Kb-per-second with 350 millisecond access time; a
20-voice FM synthesizer; a software controllable mixer; game
port; and an industry-standard SCSI (Small Computer Systems
Interface) CD-ROM controller interface. Built-in MIDI (musical
instrument digital interface) support allows control of other
MIDI music instruments via the on-board MIDI connectors, or
the system can be controlled from an external music keyboard.
Memphis comes bundled with two multimedia CD titles:
Broderbund Software's Arthur's Teacher Trouble and Compton's
Interactive Encyclopedia.
The company says that the system is 100 percent compatible
with existing multimedia sound standards, including AdLib,
Sound Blaster, and Pro Audio 16. It also meets the Multimedia
PC Council's requirements for MPC Level 2 compliance and
supports Windows 3.1, Windows NT, OS/2 2.1, and NextStep.
Memphis is priced at $999, and is expected to become available
in the US in mid-October.
(Ian Stokell/19931007/Press Contact: Elizabeth Fairchild,
510-623-5856, Media Vision; Barbara Holtz or Abigail Johnson,
415-802-1850, Roeder-Johnson Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/07/93
APPLE
Broderbund's Print Shop Deluxe For Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)
Broderbund's Print Shop Deluxe For Mac 10/07/93
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 7 (NB) -- Just a month
after introducing The Print Shop Deluxe Companion for
Windows, Broderbund Software has announced The Print
Shop Deluxe for Macintosh.
Priced at $49.95, the company claims that The Print Shop Deluxe
allows users to create their own personalized designs or choose
from hundreds of ready-made layouts to create a variety of
documents, from letterheads and greeting cards to posters and
banners.
In announcing the product, Wade Person, product manager, said:
"This program combines the best of two worlds -- the intuitive
graphical interface of the Macintosh and the inherent design
intelligence of The Print Shop Deluxe family. (The product) has
something for everybody -- even a beginner can create
sophisticated projects with the utmost ease. And more
experienced Mac users will appreciate the wealth of features
and options for customizing their designs."
The company says that the software includes more than 300
object-oriented graphics, hundreds of ready-to-use layouts, 30
TrueType fonts, plus support for additional TrueType fonts
including Type 1 (with Adobe ATM 2.0 or later).
Text can be shrunk, stretched, rotated, flipped, scaled and
customized into more than 3,500 combinations -- all without
"jaggies," claims Broderbund.
Graphics can also be customized by adding such features as colors
and shading and users can import graphics in PICT format or use
the Exporter to convert Print Shop Deluxe graphics to EPSP and
PICT formats for use in other applications.
Minimum system requirements are a Macintosh with 68020
(or higher) microprocessor; System 7.0; a high density disk drive;
a hard drive with 6 megabytes (MB) of free space for installation
- the program occupies 4MB after installation; and 4MB of RAM.
Also, The Print Shop Deluxe Sampler Collection, Business
Collection and Comic Characters Collection of fonts are available
for about $29.95 each. The company says that the Sampler and
Business Collections each include more than 125 graphics and a
dozen fonts.
The Print Shop was first introduced in 1984. The company claims
that it has worldwide sales of more than six million units.
In early September, Newsbytes reported that the company had
begun shipping The Print Shop Deluxe Companion for Windows-
based personal computers for $39.95. The Print Shop Deluxe
Companion can be run independently or in combination with The
Print Shop Deluxe. The company also said that the Print Shop
Deluxe Companion includes more than 350 color graphics and
25 TrueType fonts.
(Ian Stokell/19931007/Press Contact: Dawn Montoya,
415-382-4637, Broderbund Software Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/06/93
BUSINESS
Novell In AppWare Deals With Gupta, Borland
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00001)
Novell In AppWare Deals With Gupta, Borland 10/06/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Novell has entered into
development, bundling and technology exchange agreements with
Gupta Corp. Also, Borland International has announced that it
will incorporate Novell's AppWare Foundation Framework into its
ObjectWindows Library (OWL) technology to provide developers
with a C++ based cross-platform development library.
Under terms of the deal with Gupta, that company will produce an
AppWare Loadable Module (ALM) version of its SQLBase database
engine. Gupta will also build a Quest ALM for use in Visual
AppBuilder, deliver an AppWare version of its SQL (structured
query language) Windows development tool; and incorporate the
AppWare Foundation in the next generation of all of its SQL
Windows and Quest products.
AppWare was announced in June. According to Novell, it is a
comprehensive application development system that improves and
accelerates the process of creating and deploying cross-platform
network applications. It includes two existing technologies - the
Novell Visual AppBuilder and AppWare Foundation.
In reference to the deal with Gupta, Joe Firmage, vice president of
Novell's AppWare Systems Group, said: "Partnering with Gupta
represents an important step for AppWare in addressing the needs
of corporate software development. For AppWare to be successful,
it needs to support a broad range of client/server solutions.
Support of SQL is a significant milestone for AppWare."
Gupta intends to deliver stand-alone and network-accessible ALMs
for its SQLBase database. According to the company, the stand-alone
SQLBase ALM is ideal for database applications that can reside on
the desktop, and also serves as an excellent environment for
prototyping distributed network applications. The network-
accessible ALM is well-suited to deploy those distributed network
applications. The Gupta ALMs will provide for the development of
full-featured multi-database applications.
In addition to the query ALMs for Novell, Gupta intends to implement
core technologies of AppWare -- the AppWare Bus and ALMs -- in
its SQL Windows development environment. Gupta plans delivery of
the SQLBase ALM by June 1994 and the Quest ALM during the third
quarter.
Borland's ObjectWindows is an application framework that provides
a set of pre-fabricated, reusable classes for developing object-
oriented MS Windows applications.
The AppWare Foundation Framework, based on the AppWare
Foundation, is a set of C++ libraries that provide developers
cross-platform functionality, regardless of operating system,
graphical user interface or network service. Developers reportedly
write to a single application programming interface (API) and
then simply recompile their applications for the platforms
supported. Platforms supported include Macintosh, MS Windows,
UnixWare, SunOS, and HP-UX.
The two companies plan to jointly develop the product and cross
license each other's technology. Pricing will be announced at a
later date and technical support will be provided by both companies.
Both Novell and Borland plan to sell the resulting product, with
a pre-release version set for availability in late 1993. A beta
version should be available in the first quarter of 1994. The
combined product is scheduled to ship by the summer of 1994.
"This is a very significant step forward for the AppWare strategy,
and in particular, the AppWare Foundation," said Doug Donzelli,
vice president of Novell's AppWare Systems Group.
Borland says that the MS Windows-specific implementation
underlying ObjectWindows will be replaced by the AppWare
Foundation API.
(Ian Stokell/19931006/Press Contact: Claire Campbell,
512/794-1442; or Jennifer Johnson, 801-429-5804, both of
Novell Inc; or Susan Nicolls, 408-439-4833, Borland
International Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
IBM
First PCMCIA SCSI Card Intro'd From New Media
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00002)
First PCMCIA SCSI Card Intro'd From New Media 10/06/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- New Media
claims to have introduced the first Personal Computer Memory
Card International Association (PCMCIA) Small Computer System
Interface (SCSI) adapter card.
The Visual Media card allows computers with credit-card sized
slots to communicate with a range of SCSI peripherals, including
optical scanners, networks, cameras, printers, CD-ROM drives,
and tape drives.
Those familiar with SCSI adapters will remember that most
adapters of this type require configuration via jumpers.
However, the Visual Media card comes with an advanced SCSI
programming interface (ASPI) as well as Corel SCSI Version 2
software that configures itself.
New Media President Carl Perkins said: "With the Visual Media card,
our ASPI manager, and Corel SCSI Version 2, you simply plug in your
SCSI peripherals and run the install program. The software does the
rest, from hunting out the peripherals and selecting the needed
device drivers to then modifying the CONFIG.SYS file."
The needed device drivers ship on the three 3.5-inch installation
disks that come with the Visual Media SCSI Card, which requires
the user have both a 3.5-inch drive and a PCMCIA slot on the
computer in question. Users also have a choice of three cables with
their SCSI Card - a Centronics cable, a DB25 cable, and a SCSI II
cable.
The card itself is the thin Type 1 form factor, which means it
will fit into any industry standard PCMCIA slot. It can sense
periods of inactivity, switching into low power mode, and
allows users to daisy chain up to seven SCSI peripheral
devices. In addition, the company boasts the card offers hot
insertion, meaning it can be removed and inserted while the
computer is on, also an unusual feature.
Corel SCSI Version 2 is a superset of Corel's popular software
Corel SCSI Pro and offers automatic loading into Windows or
OS/2, universal backup, and support for virtually any SCSI
peripheral. In addition, the SCSI interface offers data
transfer rates 200 percent faster than parallel port adapters,
which are currently the most widely used connection point for
adding peripheral devices to portable computers.
The Visual Media SCSI Card offers direct memory access (DMA)
emulation and can maintain an average sustained data transfer
rate of 500 kilobytes per second. The card is also compatible with
Windows NT, the Multimedia PC (MPC), and SCSI II standards, the
company said.
The Visual Media SCSI Card is $399 and is distributed via
Merisel and Tech Data as well as by New Media. The company
says the SCSI Card comes with a lifetime warranty.
Irvine, California-based New Media has also shipped US made
integrated circuit (IC) dynamic random access memory (DRAM)
cards, a Type 1 Ethernet card, and a PCMCIA modem card.
Company officials claim a PCMCIA Sound Card for Windows
will be available in the fourth quarter of 1993.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931005/Press Contact: Tim Dubes, Lages &
Associates for New Media, tel 714-453-8080, fax 714-453-8242;
Saundy Hill, New Media, 714-453-0100; Public Contact, New
Media, 800-453-0550)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
IBM
ATI Intros MCA Graphics Card, OS/2 Drivers
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00003)
ATI Intros MCA Graphics Card, OS/2 Drivers 10/06/93
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Hoping to
capitalize on corporate users' growing concern about graphics
performance, ATI Technologies Inc., has announced a version of its
Graphics Ultra Pro graphics accelerator card for Micro Channel
Architecture (MCA) expansion slots, plus OS/2 2.1 drivers for
several of its products.
A number of corporate customers that use IBM's PS/2 systems and
OS/2 expressed interest in graphics hardware and software that
would work with their systems, said Andrew Clarke, spokesman for
ATI. The company had previously produced one MCA card - the 8514
Ultra - in a previous generation of products, he said.
The new Graphics Ultra Pro MC uses ATI's mach32 graphics
controller, and the company claimed it provides better graphics
performance than higher-priced local-bus graphics. The card will
also allow Video for Windows video images to be scaled to
full-screen size without motion becoming jerky, ATI officials
said.
The card works with standard 8514/A drivers, ATI said, and comes
with support for Windows, Windows NT, OS/2, AutoCAD, and
MicroStation. Due to be available October 15, it will have a list
price of US$549, or C$699.
ATI also released drivers for the OS/2 2.1 operating system for
its Graphics Ultra+ and Graphics Ultra Pro mach32 accelerators
and its Graphics Ultra, Graphics Vantage, and 8514/Ultra mach8
accelerators. The drivers will run the OS/2 Presentation Manager
desktop at resolutions up to 1,024 by 768 with the mach8 cards
and 1,280 by 1,024 with the mach32 cards, the company said.
Clarke said increased use of Microsoft Windows and other
graphical software has drawn attention to graphics performance,
making corporate users more inclined to buy graphics accelerators
and related products.
(Grant Buckler/19931005/Press Contact: Andrew Clarke, ATI
Technologies, 905-882-2600 ext. 8491, fax 905-882-2620)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
APPLE
Wordperfect Gets Mac Medical Dictionary/Spell Checker
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00004)
Wordperfect Gets Mac Medical Dictionary/Spell Checker 10/06/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Wordperfect has signed a
distribution deal with Baltimore-based Williams & Wilkins
Electronic Media to distribute an electronic medical dictionary
and a medical terms spell checker for its Wordperfect word
processing program.
The company said it will distribute an English-language version
of Stedman's/25 Plus electronic medical/pharmaceutical spell
checker and Stedman's Definitions, a pop-up electronic medical
dictionary as early as next month.
Stedman's/25 Plus contains more than 200,000 medical and
pharmaceutical words and will be available for the Macintosh
version of Wordperfect including the newest release, version 3.0.
The program is also available for the DOS and Windows versions of
Wordperfect. Stedman's Definitions contains about 40,000
definitions of medical words.
Don Emery, Wordperfect VP of market solutions and electronic
publishing, said the Stedman's products are the first in a
planned suite of word processor-centered products that are
specific to the health care industry. The company claims there
are about 13 million Wordperfect users worldwide.
(Jim Mallory/19931005/Press contact: Ken Merritt, Wordperfect
Corporation, 801-228-5059, Valerie Stewart, Williams & Wilkins;
Reader contact: Wordperfect Corporation, 800-451-5151
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
GENERAL
SPT Intros High-End Digital-To-Analog Converter
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00005)
SPT Intros High-End Digital-To-Analog Converter 10/06/93
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- A
Colorado company has introduced a high-resolution video
digital-to-analog (DAC) converter that includes virtual reality
among its many potential uses.
The SPT5220 DAC has a conversion rate of 80 million words per
second and 10-bit resolution. Colorado Springs-based Signal
Processing Technologies says that makes it one of the fastest
high-resolution video DACs available.
The SPT5220's on-chip features include sync, blank, and bright
inputs that make it directly compatible with video and graphics
display signal standards. SPT says it is also well suited to
visual simulation, CAD (computer-aided design) and CAE
(computer-aided engineering) workstations, high definition
television (HDTV), solids modeling, and medical imaging displays.
According to SPT Director of Marketing Rick Mintle, most high-end
systems have had to use 8-bits of video resolution per red-green-
blue channel. He says that provides plenty of colors but not
enough intensity dynamic range. "With the 10-bits of resolution,
the SPT5220 gives four times the range of gradations from light
to dark, as well as four times as many possible colors." Mintle
says the DAC's high conversion speed and accuracy also make it a
good match for photo-realistic rendering prepress color matching
and retouching, and animation.
The SPT5220 accepts 10-bit input words at rates up to 80 million
words per second and produces analog video output that can
directly drive double-terminated 75-ohm load to standard RS-343A
and RS-170 video levels. Integral and differential linearity
error is rated at less than (plus or minus) 1 LSB. Input data formats
are binary, two's complement, inverse binary and inverse two's
complement.
The DAC is manufactured in low-power CMOS (complimentary metal
oxide semiconductor) technology and operates from a single five-volt
power supply, with a typical power dissipation of 260 milliwatts.
Digital inputs are CMOS/TTL-compatible. Pricing is $9.50 per DAC in
quantities of 100, and SPT says the zero to +70 degrees C
commercial temperature range product is available immediately.
SPT was founded in 1983 as a business unit of Honeywell Inc., and
became an independent, privately-owned corporation in 1989. The
company became a subsidiary of Toko Inc., in 1990.
(Jim Mallory/19931005/Press contact: Jill Goebel, Origin Systems
for SPT, 719-630-3384; Reader contact: SPT, 719-528-2300 or
800-643-3778, fax 719-528-2370)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
GENERAL
UK - PPCP To Intro PC LAN Modem-Sharing Product
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00006)
UK - PPCP To Intro PC LAN Modem-Sharing Product 10/06/93
FELTHAM, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- PPCP, the
portable technology distribution company, has announced plans to
diversify into the local area network (LAN) communications
marketplace with the MultimodemLAN, a modem-sharing and
remote control access product for Novell Ethernet LANs.
According to PPCP, the MultimodemLAN enables LAN-based users
to dial out to information services, PCs or other LANs through a
shared modem, rather than allocating a stand-alone modem and
phone line to each workstation on a network.
The technology also allows remote users to dial into the LAN to
access files and applications in remote control sessions.
The MultimodemLAN is a self-contained data/fax modem with an
integral 80386SX microprocessor, 2 megabytes (MB) of memory and
Ethernet network hardware, housed in a casing about the same size as
a desktop modem. The unit is supplied with a modem sharing software
package and a dial-in/dial-out remote control PC comms package.
When used as a dial-in remote control server, the unit's internal
processor acts as a node on the Novell network for access to the
LAN. The unit can also be used to connect two remote LANs over
the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
Announcing the MultimodemLAN, John Nolan, PPCP's managing
director, said that unit can be configured to take up to 16MB of
memory, providing coax (10Base2) and twisted pair (10BaseT)
connectivity for thin-net or UTP (unshielded twisted pair)
networks.
The internal fax modem on the unit supports all data speeds to
14,400 bits-per-second (bps) with V.42Bis data compression as
standard. Support for Group 3 (9600 bps) fax transmission and
reception is featured as standard on the fax modem.
Nolan told Newsbytes that pricing on the unit very much depends
on what configuration the user wants on his system. "Typically,
you're looking at a price tag of under the UKP2,000 mark," he said.
(Steve Gold/19931005/Press & Public Contact: PPCP -
Tel: +44-81-893-2277; Fax: +44-81-893-1182)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
BUSINESS
Sun In Master Reseller Deal With Merisel
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00007)
Sun In Master Reseller Deal With Merisel 10/06/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Sun
Microsystems Computer Corp., (SMCC) has cut the number of master
resellers authorized to sell its equipment to just two. According
to the company, the action was taken in an effort to provide
focused support to its resellers in the United States.
As a result, Merisel Inc., has joined Access Graphics Inc., as
a SMCC master reseller. Both Merisel and Access will have a
dedicated SMCC support team comprised of sales, marketing,
and technical personnel.
SMCC says that Merisel and Access will provide the majority of its
value-added resellers (VARs) and a number of original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs) with distribution and logistical and
operational support.
Under the agreement, master resellers will also help create
business opportunities for SMCC's indirect resellers through ISV
recruitment programs and vertical market development activities.
In explaining the SMCC strategy, Neil Knox, vice president of the
national reseller area, said: "The two tier model has been successful
for SMCC. SMCC is focusing its attention on two master resellers,
who in turn will increase their investment in the resources and
infrastructure required to successfully support SMCC's commercial
and technical indirect resellers and thus effectively enhance
SMCC's business proposition."
Merisel is described as a "full-line channel specialist with
extensive knowledge and experience supporting the Unix
operating system."
Just a week ago, Newsbytes reported that ComputerLand had
signed a letter of intent to sell its Franchise and Distribution
Division to Merisel. The two companies also announced the
formation of a "strategic relationship." Merisel will also become
the preferred supplier of software and hardware products under
a volume purchase agreement to ComputerLand Corp.
(Ian Stokell/19931006/Press Contact: Lisa Ganier,
415-336-5637, Sun Microsystems Computer Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
BUSINESS
Correction - Nintendo Profits Dive, NTT Cutting Heads
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00008)
Correction - Nintendo Profits Dive, NTT Cutting Heads 10/06/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Note: This story replaces one
with the same headline which ran on our wire yesterday.
Japan's major game machine maker Nintendo has announced that
profits will be less than those of previous terms. Nintendo's
profits have increased every year -- this will be the first
quarter in ten years to break the pattern. Meanwhile, times
are still lean for Japan's telecommunications firm NTT, which
has requested voluntary retirement from its executive employees.
In the fiscal year ending in March 1994, Nintendo expects to record
500 billion yen ($5 billion) in sales, which is 11 percent less
than in this quarter last year. Earlier this year, the firm expected
sales to be 600 billion yen ($6 billion), a projection which has
not come to pass due to the surge of Japanese currency against
the dollar. In fact, export sales will be 254 billion yen
($2.54 billion) or 22 percent less than that of this quarter last
year.
Nintendo's net profit is expected to also fall in comparison to
last year. Nintendo reports that net profit will be
121 billion yen ($1.21 billion), which is 26 percent less than
the similar term last year.
Sales of Nintendo software overseas is also expected to
decline about eight percent to 76.25 million units. Sales of
game machines will also go down by 10 percent to 15.87 million
units.
In another economy-related story, former domestic telephone
monopoly NTT has requested that executive employees aged
45 or over, voluntarily retire. The firm wants to eventually cut
6,000 out of 25,000 executive jobs, but its immediate goal is
to cut 1,000 with today's offer. Those who choose the buy-out
will be given a year's salary.
Currently, NTT has about 230,000 employees and the plan is
to eliminate 30,000 of them by the end of fiscal 1996.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931005/Press Contact:
Nintendo, +81-75-541-6111, Fax, +81-75-531-1820; NTT,
+81-3-3509-5035, Fax, +81-3-3509-3104)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
IBM
The "Fax" About Windows For Workgroups
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00009)
The "Fax" About Windows For Workgroups 10/06/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Microsoft
wants you to get the "fax." They mean the fax that Microsoft
Windows for Workgroups version 3.11 can send using WFW
3.11's built-in Microsoft Mail client interface.
As reported recently by Newsbytes, major features of the
newly announced WFW 3.11 include its integrated networking
capability and its Microsoft At Work fax software. The fax
connection is the first part of Microsoft's Microsoft at Work
(MAW) concept to be released. MAW is an architecture designed
to provide an information path between formerly incompatible
devices like fax machines, telephones, copiers, and personal
computers.
In announcing the MAW architecture in June of this year Microsoft
Chairman Bill Gates said, "Software technology is the key to
making the features of office products easy to use, and to
getting information to the user when, where, and how the user
needs it." Gates talked about telephones with graphical point-
and-touch screens, documents composed on a personal computer
that are sent via electronic mail to a fax machine and held until
it can be sent during of hours when phone rates are lower, and
documents created on a PC that can be sent to a copier that
prints as many copies as the user needs.
Microsoft says that, when users of WFW 3.11 or MAW-based fax
machines communicate, they get benefits beyond today's Group 3
(an international standard to which most fax machines adhere) fax
device compatibility.
Karen Hargrove, senior general manager of the digital office
systems group at Microsoft, says they get the ability to send and
receive file attachments, or binary files, over fax lines. They also
get secure communications.
The security capability included in WFW 3.11 uses an encryption
technology based on RSA Data Security Inc.'s public key/private
key method of ensuring that the contents of a fax message can
only be read by the intended recipient. Digital signatures ensure
that the contents of a document have not been altered during
transmissions.
At least 70 companies have already announced support for
Microsoft At Work.
(Jim Mallory/19931006/Press contact: Collins Hemingway,
Microsoft Corp., 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp.,
206-882-8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
BUSINESS
Supra Buys PSI Integration, Some Jobs To Go
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00010)
Supra Buys PSI Integration, Some Jobs To Go 10/06/93
ALBANY, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Modem marketer
Supra Corp., says it has completed the purchase of PSI Integration
(PSII), a Campbell, California-based modem manufacturer
specializing in Macintosh-based products.
Supra spokesperson Sally McMillan told Newsbytes both companies
had agreed not to disclose the terms of the purchase. The deal
closed on September 30, 1993. McMillan said PSI's 31 employees
have all been laid off and are now being interviewed for possible
employment by Supra, but some will not be rehired. No decision
has been made about possible relocation of the PSII functions.
McMillan told Newsbytes PSII manufactured modems for Apple
Computer's PowerBook line under the Suprafaxmodem label, with
models for data and fax communications at speeds from 4800
bits-per-second (bps) to 14,400 bps. Purchase of PSII gave Supra
an entry into the European modem market, since PSII had several
modems already certified as meeting European communications
standards.
Supra was formed in 1985 to manufacture peripherals for the
Atari market. With the decline of that market Supra began making
modems in 1987 to broaden their product line. They market their
high speed modems to the PC and Macintosh marketplace under
the Supra label.
(Jim Mallory/19931006/Press contact: Sally McMillan,
Supra Corp., 206-750-9600; Reader contact: Supra Corp.,
503-967-9075)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
APPLE
****Apple's Austin, TX, Land Purchase Sparks Move Talk
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00011)
****Apple's Austin, TX, Land Purchase Sparks Move Talk 10/06/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Apple
Computer is denying reports that it has decided to move a
significant portion of Apple USA to Austin, Texas, over the
next two years. Apple's negotiation with the city and county
government for a piece of land in Austin may have sparked
the speculation.
Apple did say in its announcement of reorganization this summer
that it would seek sites outside Silicon Valley that were less
expensive. However, what would be moved, who would move, and
when was left up in the air. The company did move its Apple USA
service and support personnel to Austin in 1991 at the same
time it opened up a repair center in Fountain, Colorado, 12
miles south of Colorado Springs.
Newsbytes sources said speculation over an Apple USA move to
Texas may have come from the fact that Apple is negotiating for
a piece of land in the Austin area. However, those same sources
claim the land is proposed permanent housing for the estimated
300 existing Apple employees who are now in locations leased
by Apple, and not necessarily new housing for a major move by
the company.
Kate Paisley of Apple Computer said: "When we said we would be
restructuring, we said we would look at moving some operations
out of Silicon Valley. We have no specific plans for any location
right now, though we are considering many different options."
(Linda Rohrbough/19931005/Press Contact: Kate Paisley, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-5453, fax 408-974-6412)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
IBM
Low-Cost Sound/Cellular Notebooks From Inex
(NEWS)(IBM)(BOS)(00012)
Low-Cost Sound/Cellular Notebooks From Inex 10/06/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- A low-cost,
sound- and cellular-capable 486SX-based notebook is now shipping
from a Santa Clara, CA-based startup, Inex Technologies. In
addition, Inex plans to deliver two 486DX2-based members of the
new Inex 4000 Series, along with a cellular phone, in December.
At a meeting with Newsbytes in Boston, David Marr, marketing
director, said that the currently shipping Inex 4250 comes with a
25 megahertz (MHz) Intel processor, an AudioDrive multimedia chip,
a 120 or 240 megabyte (MB) removable hard drive, 4MB of memory
(upgradable to 16 MB), an 84-key keyboard, and a choice of
monochrome or passive matrix color LCD (liquid crystal display)
screen.
The 486SX model also includes an internal microphone and speaker,
ports for an external mike and speakers, a math coprocessor slot,
and another slot that will accommodate a proprietary card from Inex
together with two PCMCIA Type II cards, he said.
The proprietary cards, which constitute the company's Connectivity
Solution PAK Series, include communication interfaces to cellular
phones, Ethernet and token ring local area networks, X.25 packet
networks, and 3270 and 5250 environments, he told Newsbytes.
Marr demonstrated the Inex 4250 for Newsbytes, displaying the
proprietary slot and a smaller, slide-in drawer inside the
proprietary slot for PCMCIA cards. For cellular connectivity,
users can employ either the Cellular Data PAK from Inex or a
PCMCIA cellular card, he said. Either card will operate with
cellular phones from other vendors, as well as with the
forthcoming phone from Inex.
In addition to voice calling, the Inex 4000 Series lets users
perform such applications as recording conversations and
dictation, adding voice annotation to electronic-mail, and
playing back multimedia presentations, Marr told Newsbytes.
The AudioDrive multimedia chip allows users to take advantage of
all Windows 3.1 audio capabilities, he explained. Sound recorder
tools in the AudioDrive software, the Windows 3.1 Program Manager,
and third-party applications can be employed for recording voice
annotation or dictation.
Further, pre-recorded sound clips can be used to liven up voice
annotations or the audio tracks of presentations. Marr played a
few sample clips for Newsbytes from the AudioDrive software
and Microsoft SoundBits.
AudioDrive produced statements like, "This is a reminder" and,
"Time to go to lunch," in addition to the sounds of a frog and a canon.
SoundBits contributed comments from Ray Bolger in "The Wizard of
Oz," George Jetson of "The Jetsons," and other stars of Hollywood
movies and Hanna Barbara cartoons.
The sound clips are OLE (object linking and embedding)-compliant
WAV files that can be cut and pasted into any Windows 3.1
application, Marr explained.
In other application spheres, multimedia presentations with voice
playback are going to become an increasingly common business
mechanism as authoring tools get easier to use, he predicted.
Typically, the presentations will be authored on a desktop PC, and
then downloaded to a notebook like those in the 4000 Series for
on-the-road sales applications, he added.
The 4000 Series can also be used with applications in the emerging
arena of speech recognition, the marketing director pointed out.
The Inex 4000 Series is differentiated from its competitors by its
use of the AudioDrive chip, its internal microphone, and its
pricing, said Marr. "We're the only ones to offer an internal
mike," he asserted. Suggested list pricing for the 4250 starts at
$2,995, but actual street pricing is as low as $2,000, he noted.
The proprietary Connectivity Solution PAK cards are priced at
$249 each.
"Our lower pricing should compensate for the name recognition
factor," he told Newsbytes. Inex Technologies was founded in
August, 1992 with 60 percent funding from Nae Wae Semiconductor,
a Seoul, Korea-based notebook manufacturer and component
distributor with annual sales of over $100 million.
Inex Technology's products are being designed by Inex and
manufactured by Nae Wae, said Marr. Inex is also building name
recognition by advertising in Mobile Office, Computer Reseller
News, and other publications, and through a cooperative advertising
program for retailers.
In addition, Inex will be present at Fall Comdex, where the two
upcoming 486DX2-based notebooks and cellular phone will be
shown. One of the new notebooks will be based on a 50MHz 486DX2
processor, and the other will use a 66MHz 486DX2 chip, said Marr.
Aside from faster processors, the new models will feature an active
matrix screen as a third LCD option and 3.3-volt battery technology
in place of the 5.0-volt technology used in the Inex 4250.
The 3.3-volt technology will roughly double battery life,
according to Marr. "We're shooting for eight hours of battery life on
units with monochrome screens and five hours of battery life on
units with active matrix screens," he told Newsbytes. Pricing for
the 486DX2 notebooks and cellular phone has not yet been set.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931006/Press contact: Christine Kohlstedt,
S & S Public Relations for Inex, 415-986-0966; Reader contact:
David Marr, Inex, 408-986-9941)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/06/93
GENERAL
C++/Views 3.0 Cross-Platform Object Dev't Tool Intro'd
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00013)
C++/Views 3.0 Cross-Platform Object Dev't Tool Intro'd 10/06/93
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Liant
Software has unveiled a major upgrade of its C++/Views
cross-platform object-oriented development tool.
C++/Views is aimed at speeding up and simplifying the creation of
graphical user interface (GUI)-based applications, and at making it
easier to port these applications among Microsoft Windows, Apple
Macintosh, OS/2 Presentation Manager, and OSF/Motif, a company
spokesperson told Newsbytes.
The new release 3.0 expands portability to a new DOS character
version, and also adds a visual development tool -- C++/Views
Constructor -- that is designed to let developers deliver
applications to multiple platforms without rewriting code or
recompiling.
C++/Views Constructor combines a visual interface builder with an
improved browser, permitting users to switch from drawing and
archiving "portable resources" -- binary files of GUI objects
such as bitmaps, dialogs and menus -- to viewing and editing
C++ code.
The new C++ Interface Builder is a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-
you-get) tool for designing and testing the behavior of these
"portable resources." The developer calls the binary files from
the application at runtime. The same file can be called from an MS
Windows, Macintosh, Presentation Manager, Motif, or DOS
application.
The file will have a "look and feel" consistent with the host
environment under which it runs, according to the spokesperson.
For example, a "pushbutton" object created under Windows that is
ported to a Motif application will become a Motif pushbutton, she
said.
C++/Views Browser 3.0, the enhanced browser, is a multiple
document interface (MDI) application intended to let users open
and cut-and-paste among multiple C++ applications. The new
browser is also easier to use than the browser in C++/Views
Browser 2.0, the spokesperson told Newsbytes. The interface has
been enhanced with new menus, graphical toolbars, a new visual
representation of the class hierarchy, and a class finding utility.
Within the browser, the developer can create and update header
files, make files, and linker files, and also view the class
hierarchy and edit, inherit, add and delete classes.
For Release 3.0, Liant has completely rewritten the C++/Views
documentation. The new documentation includes a manual for
C++/Views Constructor.
C++/Views 3.0 for Windows will ship in mid-October, the
spokesperson told Newsbytes. The Macintosh, OS/2, Motif, and DOS
versions are scheduled to become available in the fourth quarter.
Pricing is $749 for the MS-Windows version, $1,499 for the
Macintosh version, $999 for the OS/2 version, $1,999 for the Motif
version, and $499 for the DOS version. Upgrade pricing is also
available. Special multiplatform developer suites can be purchased
for $899 to $2,999. No royalties or runtime fees are charged.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931006/Reader contact: Liant Software,
508-872-8700; Press contact: Christine LeCompte, Beaupre &
Company Public Relations for Liant, 603-436-6690)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/06/93
BUSINESS
India - UK's Uniplex In Manufacturing Deal With Tata
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00014)
India - UK's Uniplex In Manufacturing Deal With Tata 10/06/93
BOMBAY, INDIA, 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Tata Unisys Ltd., has paved the
way for a third foreign computer company to set up a manufacturing
base in India. It is now the turn of UK-based Uniplex Corp., to set up
shop. A manufacturing and distribution deal between the UK
company and TUL has been signed in Bombay.
According to company executives, "Initially the joint venture will
cater to the growing needs of the Indian market, but in due course
will expand to other Asian nations." Uniplex becomes TUL's fourth
foreign partner -- the others being US-based Microsoft, Santa Cruz
Operation, and AutoDesk. For the UK company, it will be its first
manufacturing joint venture in Asia.
The joint venture is expected to commence manufacturing
operations at TUL's existing unit in Goa, near Bombay, by
November-end. The venture will concentrate mainly on integrated
office automation and electronic mail equipment.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/06/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Sharp To Move LCD Production To Taiwan
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00015)
Japan - Sharp To Move LCD Production To Taiwan 10/06/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Sharp is preparing to move
its computer color LCD (liquid crystal display) production
operation to Taiwan. Moving the operation overseas will help
avoid losses caused by the high price of Japanese currency.
Sharp already has a subsidiary -- Sharp Electronics Component
-- in Taiwan. It was created in 1992, and has been producing
monochrome LCDs and semiconductor chips for LCDs.
Sharp has recently updated the facility in order to produce
super-twist nematic-type color LCDs at the plant. The company
is planning to produce 5,000 color LCDs a month initially.
Later, it hopes to produce 10,000 units per month. Sharp will
supply some components, such as semiconductor chips, from
its Nara plant in Japan.
Some Japanese PC makers have linked with Taiwanese
manufacturers to produce PCs on an OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) basis. These makers have started making color
notebooks, and they are gradually increasing production rate.
Sharp will produce color LCDs and hopes to supply them to these
color PC makers. Sharp is currently producing the color LCDs in
Japan and the US.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931004/Press Contact: Sharp,
tel +81-43-299-8212, fax +81-43-299-8213)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
TRENDS
ADI To Ship Real-time Video Compression Chips
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00016)
ADI To Ship Real-time Video Compression Chips 10/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Arlington Heights,
Illinois-based Audio DigitalImaging (ADI) has announced that the
company's Apogee M-1 Series ASIC (application specific
integrated circuit) will be ready by the end of October.
The Apogee M-1 is a video compression processor used in video
conferencing and computer-based multimedia workstations.
Intended for use in high-end video production boards, the Apogee
chips offer inexpensive broadcast-quality television processing
capabilities for PCs, claims the company.
The Apogee chip family are three-volt CMOS (complimentary metal
oxide semiconductor) devices. They include MPEG and H.261 (video
compression) and support chips, as well as a soon-to-be-released
decode-only chip.
These chips are intended for board and computer developers rather
than end-users, but their availability should mark the beginning
of a new generation of professional-quality yet inexpensive video
enhancement and manipulation boards.
(John McCormick/19931005/Press Contact: Jean Monroe, ADI,
708-439-1335)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
IBM
Antex Intros Digital Audio Board
(NEWS)(IBM)(WAS)(00017)
Antex Intros Digital Audio Board 10/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Gardena, California-
based Antex Electronics has introduced the SX-22 digital audio
board.
The product is the seventh in its line of high-performance digital
audio boards in the Antex Series 2 catalog, and the third which
includes advanced Dolby encoding. This sophisticated real-time
broadcast-quality PC and PS/2 audio compression board lists for
$2,300 and comes with advanced Dolby AC-2 noise suppression
technology.
The SX-22 uses the Texas Instruments MS320C31 digital signal
processor (DSP) chip and is the only board to utilize the Dolby
AC-2 bit-rate reduction technique for high-quality compressed
sound in three sample rates of 32-, 44.1- and 48-kilohertz.
This sophisticated DSP, along with the Dolby AC-2 sound
processing algorithm, lets the board store full-fidelity (20
kilohertz) audio in stereo at a rate of only 256 kilobits per
second, greatly reducing the size of full-fidelity stereo sound
files. This would allow multimedia PC systems to carry full
CD-quality sound in applications and in wide area networking
applications over T1 (1.5 megabit per second) telephone lines.
Besides the new Dolby AC-2 format, the SX-22 also supports PCM
(pulse code modulation), ADPCM (adaptive PCM), DV-I (digital
video interactive), and CD-ROM XA (extended architecture) formats.
A special security feature can be implemented in the SX-22
hardware, which could make it highly attractive to high-end audio
and video development software publishers. This would allow
them to key their software so it only works in a system with
the SX-22 installed.
The audio specifications of the board match those of very high-end
audio components, with a frequency response of 20 hertz to 22
kilohertz plus or minus 3 dB, dynamic range of 92 dB (comparable
to CD), and a signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio of 90 dB minimum. The
total harmonic distortion is .005 percent for both record and
playback operations. The frequency range is slightly decreased
for Dolby AC-2 recordings, but the S/N ratio is improved.
(John McCormick/19931005/Press Contact: David Buccola,
Antex Electronics, tel 800-338-4231 or 310-532-3092,
fax 310-532-8509)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/06/93
TELECOM
****Dow Jones Debuts Personal Journal On-Line Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
****Dow Jones Debuts Personal Journal On-Line Service 10/06/93
PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Starting with
hand-held devices using Microsoft at Work software, Dow Jones is
rolling out a new on-line service it calls Personal Journal.
The product is aimed at giving customers an on-line, customized
view of Dow Jones' news products, including its Wall Street
Journal daily and Barrons' weekly newspapers, as well as its
newswires. Subscribers can create a "personal profile" of stocks
and news subjects of interest, explained spokesman Maggie Logan
Landis.
The hand-held device would be plugged-in each morning to
download both the Journal's "What's News" digest of major
stories, and other stories chosen as part of the profile. Entire
stories could be read by clicking on a listing. Updates on
stories and stock quotes could also be downloaded throughout
the day.
What may be most interesting about the product is its projected
cost. Landis said it will be on the order of the cost of a daily
newspaper -- the Wall Street Journal carries a street price of 75
cents. "Absolutely, other products are what we want to do," she
added. "We want to go after other handhelds, but also other
computing platforms."
Microsoft said it will ship the Personal Journal application
software with its handheld software. Owners of Microsoft At
Work-based handheld devices who want to subscribe will do so
through Dow Jones.
Personal Journal is the first news publication Microsoft is
actively supporting as part of its new operating system. In
addition to business coverage, the service also offers scores
from major professional sports and college games involving
the "Top 25" schools.
The target market includes frequent travelers and mobile
salespeople. Access will be via a toll-free number. Each day's
Wall Street Journal becomes available at 2 am each morning
before publication, and the newswire stories are available
once they clear the desk. The product's due for release in early
1994. All news sources are owned by Dow Jones.
Microsoft is shipping a version of Microsoft At Work fax software
with version 3.11 of its Microsoft Windows for Workgroups,
allowing PCs with fax hardware to use the Microsoft Mail client
interface. Microsoft At Work was announced in June with the
support of 70 office machine, communication, and computer
companies. Telephones, printers, and copiers, as well as hand-
held devices, are targeted by the product.
The new Dow Jones product will enter a surprisingly crowded
market. In addition to current news profile services like
NewsEdge and Individual Inc., there are new entrants like Reality
Technologies Inc., of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. That company
announced, in conjunction with Money Magazine, a new personalized
news clipping service called Reality's Smart Investor Network by
Money Magazine. In addition to sourcing Money, a Time-Warner
publication, the new service also offers Dow Jones' wires and
publications, investment newsletters and news from the CNBC
business news channel. Subscribers choose subjects by company
names, industry names or mutual fund names. All stories are
downloaded to a hard drive, so any story can be read without
going online. Network software costs $49.99, and ships November 1.
The service is said to be priced at $6.95 per month, but that is
misleading because Reality has other services with their own
costs. In addition to the software, there's a flat fee of $9.95
per month for the basic service, which updates a user's portfolio
based on current prices of stocks, bonds, and funds. For another
$8 per month, investors can get updates on stock and bond
research databases as well as historical pricing charges.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931006/Press Contact: Dow Jones & Company,
Maggie Logan Landis, 609/520-4638; Microsoft, Collins Hemingway,
206/882-8080; Wendy Grubow, Reality Technologies, 215-277-
7600x216)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/06/93
TELECOM
****MFS Opens Local New York Network
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00019)
****MFS Opens Local New York Network 10/06/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- MFS
Communications has launched the new era of local telephone
competition by announcing MFS Intelenet, which has started
competing with NYNEX for local telephone service business on
Manhattan Island. The company said it will expand service to the
other five boroughs of New York quickly, and in time offer local
service in the suburbs and in other cities where MFS does business.
MFS Intelenet is targeted at small and medium-sized businesses,
which spokesman Steve Ingish defined as those with between
5-200 phone lines. "There might be some moms and pops," small
businesses with a single phone line asking for the service, he
added. "If they want it, they can get it."
In addition to offering local access and an expanded toll-free
calling area which includes the suburbs, MFS Intelenet also
offers long distance services and facilities management, using
both its own MFS Datanet network and others. The company said it
has software which can determine the lowest-cost route for all
long distance calls, depending on destination and time of day.
Other services offered through the company include calling card,
toll-free service, voice mail, customized billing, management
reports and facilities management.
With this announcement, MFS becomes the only one-stop shopping
option for small businesses' phone service needs. Because of the
1982 decision breaking up the Bell System, companies and
consumers for almost 10 years have had to go to one company for
local service, and a second company for long distance.
When local competition came to the United Kingdom a few years
ago, there was a great deal of confusion because British Telecom
made people who switched carriers change phone numbers, and some
complained their listings were no longer available in BT phone
books or through BT operators. Those problems have already been
dealt with, Ingish said. "We have made arrangements for people to
keep their same numbers, at no extra cost. We've also made
arrangements that their numbers will still be listed as well."
MFS started in business with fiber rings in major cities, and now
has 14 such networks. Its original business lay in moving calls
for big companies from their offices to the long distance
switches of major carriers, bypassing local Bell companies. It
has since linked its networks and is offering its own long
distance service between cities for both voice and data through
a unit called MFS Datanet. MFS' common stock is traded on the
NASDAQ National Market System under the symbol MFST.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931006/Press Contact: Steve Ingish,
MFS Communications, 708-218-7200; Customer contact:
800-938-6374)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/06/93
TELECOM
****MCI Going Ahead With PCN Plans
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00020)
****MCI Going Ahead With PCN Plans 10/06/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- MCI will push
ahead with its plan to offer a national network of PCN (personal
communications network) carriers despite an FCC decision
against offering national licenses for the technology.
Newsbytes discussed the company's stance with Steven Zecola,
MCI's vice president of personal communications services, whose
job involves executing the strategy.
"We had signed up over 200 partners and had a nationwide
consortium committed to 75 percent of the potential customers
nationwide, but that was contingent in a nationwide licensing
scheme. We even had small businesses, tailored to specific
markets. The question for small businesses is how are they going
to bid on an metropolitan area license. It's not clear. We're
going to have to work to see how they can play in the new
environment."
But Zecola insists it will be a player. "We'll do some" deals before
PCN auctions "and we'll do some after," he said. In addition to the
existing consortium members, which include a broad range of
companies from major cable operators to small businesses, MCI
will also seek other partners, including regional Bell companies
and others like NexTel, who might want to link with it through
its long distance network.
Zecola said the promise of PCN lies in the large amount of
spectrum being made available for it. "There's 120 megahertz (MHz)
of spectrum in PCN. Cellular has only 50. There's an enormous amount
of spectrum." By contrast, where specialized mobile radio operators
like NexTel aggregate frequency licenses in order to compete with
local cellular operators, they are talking about 8-12 MHz of
frequency in each area.
Zecola does not expect the September decision of the FCC on this
matter to change much, he adds. "There's a final report and order
dealing with the 30 MHz, major trading areas, etc" and that
will not change much at all. "There's another that deals with
auction procedures, and that could change" to a greater degree.
But, "I wouldn't want (people to believe) there's going
to be a wholesale change, and the FCC staff has indicated that.
This is on a fast track, for the government."
Zecola also expects some controversy to continue in this area,
but says that no decision by the FCC could have prevented that
because the stakes are too high. "I don't think this is going to
settle down. It's going to be very political. They have to come
out with final auction rules in March. People will also go to
court, until the auctions in May. You're going to see a
tremendous amount of activity until then. At that point, the
people with spectrum may litigate but they'll move ahead. "
Zecola also addressed MCI's own new structure, which has three
key executives who seem to be in charge of domestic business,
international business and wireless. "The guy in charge of
wireless is also in charge of strategy and technology. He's got
data, he's got corporate development," which means doing deals,
"he's got technology, and he's got me. Wireless is still a key
strategic initiative.
"We're still looking for other partners" worldwide, after the BT
deal, he added. "There's a lot of activity. There's a lot of
uncertainty. Technology is moving quickly."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931006/Press Contact: Steve Zecola, MCI,
202-887-3300)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/06/93
TELECOM
NexTel Signs Billing Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00021)
NexTel Signs Billing Deal 10/06/93
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- NexTel, which
is working to turn a number of specialized mobile radio licenses
into a real competitor to local cellular companies, announced it
signed a billing agreement with Computer Sciences Corp.
CSC estimated the value of the contract at $25 million over four
years, and calls for its CSC Intelicom telecommunications unit to
provide a business-management system that streamlines the way
customers are billed.
The system tracks services like paging, phone and voice mail
onto a single simplified bill. It also supports carriers with
inventory tracking, customer communications, point of sale and
marketing. In addition, CSC will give Nextel data on customers'
needs, such as when their calling patterns change and they could
use a different billing plan.
The contract with CSC initially applies only to California.
Service was introduced in Los Angeles in August and will be
expanded to include most of California by January 1994. Other
markets to be served by Nextel include New York, San Francisco,
Chicago, Dallas, and Houston. Nextel currently serves about
190,000 subscribers. Computer Sciences has $2.5 billion in annual
revenues divided equally between federal and commercial markets.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931006/Press Contact: Computer Sciences
Bruce Plowman, 310/615-0311)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/06/93
IBM
CA Ships Visual 20/20 Spreadsheet For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)
CA Ships Visual 20/20 Spreadsheet For Windows 10/06/93
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Computer
Associates International Inc., said it has begun shipping
CA-Visual 20/20 for Windows, a new version of its 20/20
spreadsheet software with added graphical features.
Last spring CA announced plans for a version of Visual 20/20 to
run on Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Solaris variant of Unix. That
version is still under development, said Stu Cartwright, a CA
marketing manager, so the Windows version is the first Visual
20/20 package to reach the market.
The company is also working on versions of 20/20 for Digital
Equipment Corp.'s Open VMS and Hewlett-Packard Co.'s HP-UX
operating systems. Cartwright said its ability to run on multiple
systems will be a major selling point for the software.
According to the vendor, Visual 20/20 has an object-oriented user
interface in which users select an object to act on and then
choose an action. It uses familiar graphical user interface
devices such as toolbars, pull-down menus, buttons, and dialog
boxes. Visual 20/20 is a three-dimensional spreadsheet, and like
certain rival products such as Lotus Development Corp.'s 1-2-3
Release 4, it lets users create multiple pages within a single
spreadsheet file.
The software can also be used to extract data from host databases
on Digital VAX systems, using the structured query language (SQL)
standard, and can import data directly into spreadsheets. The
software also has graphing and macro features, the company said.
The list price for CA-Visual 20/20 for Windows will be $395, but
CA announced an introductory price of $195 good until December 31.
A Database Connection Server, needed to use the software for
querying host databases, is $1,995 until year-end, then $2,995.
Upgrades from any DOS spreadsheet are $59 until year-end, then
$99.
While Visual 20/20 builds on CA's existing character-based 20/20
spreadsheet, it will not replace the older product, Cartwright
said. "We will continue to develop 20/20," he said, adding that
CA is currently working on a version of 20/20 to run on DEC's
Alpha hardware.
(Grant Buckler/19931006/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2391)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/06/93
GENERAL
Exabyte Intros New Tape Drives, Libraries
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00023)
Exabyte Intros New Tape Drives, Libraries 10/06/93
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Exabyte Corp.,
has announced the addition of four new tape libraries to
its existing product line.
The new products include a 4 millimeter (mm) library and three
new half-height 8mm libraries. The EXB-210, which includes a
newly designed robotics mechanism with an intelligent gripper
that can pick and mount a tape in less than 10 seconds,
incorporates one or two 5.25-inch half-height drives with ten
8mm data cartridges. It can be horizontally rack mounted or used
standalone as a tower unit. An optional bar code reader is available.
The EXB-440 uses up to four 5.25-inch half-height drives and 40
8mm data cartridges. A higher capacity version, the EXB-480 can
accommodate up to four 5.25-inch half-height drives and as many
as 80 8mm data cartridges. Both are rack mountable or can
function as standalone units, and are about the size of a two-
drawer file cabinet. They use snap-in 10-pack cartridge holders
that, when removed, can be covered and stored. An entry/exit
port allows the insertion or removal of one cartridge at a time.
The EXB-218 can use up to two 4mm drives and 18 4mm data
cartridges. It uses a smaller robotics mechanism than the other
units, and has a removable data cartridge holder with up to 18
bar coded cartridges. When configured with two DDS-1 4mm drives,
it can deliver 38 gigabytes (GB) of data. Other configurations
provide up to 152GB of data storage.
All of the new products contain random-access robotics, enabling
automated storage management operations, and all libraries
include a fixed cartridge location for automated drive cleaning
or an additional data cartridge.
The company says that, when coupled with software available from
Exabyte resellers, the new libraries can completely automate
operations such as hierarchical storage management, unattended
backup and restore, scheduled archiving, image storage, remote
vaulting, disaster prevention and data collection.
Peter Behrendt, Exabyte chairman, president and CEO, says that
while tape libraries are normally associated with high
capacities, the real productivity gains are realized through
automating storage management. "A typical 5GB network can
have 250,000 files and manual storage management costs can
exceed $100,000 annually. Tape libraries automatically manage
this data and reduce storage management costs by an estimated
30 to 50 percent."
(Jim Mallory/19931006/Press contact: Heather Collaton, Exabyte
Corp, 303-447-7741; Reader contact: Exabyte, 303-447-7741 or
800-392-2983)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
BUSINESS
****Iomega To Cut Jobs
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00024)
****Iomega To Cut Jobs 10/06/93
ROY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Iomega Corp., the
company that makes the popular Bernoulli removable cartridge
drives, has announced that it will implement a reduction in
force that will affect about nine percent of its workforce.
Iomega spokesperson Kristy Pregill told Newsbytes the company is
cutting almost 100 of its approximately 1,100 jobs. Pregill said
the affected employees have already been notified, but the exact
date the cuts are effective has not been decided yet. She said it
would be "quite soon." All the layoffs will take effect on the same
date. Iomega said reductions will affect what the company
described as "non-critical, non- direct labor positions." A voluntary
resignation program has been offered prior to the reduction in
force.
In early September Newsbytes reported that Iomega had announced
the most aggressive price reductions in its 13-year history,
reducing prices on some items by nearly 50 percent, saying the
reductions were necessary to remain competitive. It also said
further expense reductions would be necessary since it has to
operate on lower gross margins. The impending labor force
cutbacks are part of that expense reduction plan. In February
1993 Iomega reduced the pricing of various Tape250 minicartridge
tape drives by up to 20 percent, saying the reductions were based
on the falling prices of personal computers.
Fred Wenninger, Iomega chief executive officer, said the changes
are not due to lack of sales. He says unit volumes continue to
climb as a result of the price cuts and other steps taken by the
company. "These steps are necessary to allow us to continue to
grow our business by keeping our costs down and keeping our
prices competitive."
(Jim Mallory/19931006/Press contact: Kristy Pregill, Iomega
Corp, 801-778-1000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/06/93
GENERAL
European Windows NT Academic Center Announced
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00025)
European Windows NT Academic Center Announced 10/06/93
WOKINGHAM, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced the opening of the European Microsoft Windows NT
Academic Center (EMWAC), a jointly-funded unit that aims to provide
information, training, and support services tailored to the needs and
budgets of the academic community.
According to Microsoft, the EMWAC has been set up to cope with
interest in the recently-introduced Windows NT operating
system and the surge of interest shown by the European
university and higher education community.
The consortium is being jointly funded by Microsoft Europe,
Edinburgh University, Digital Equipment Corp., Sequent, Datalink
Computers, and Research Machines. Plans call for the UK side of the
consortium's operations, operating out of Edinburgh University,
to supply support direct to universities. Elsewhere in Europe,
EMWAC will work with a number of academic centers to provide
local support.
Sharon Bayley, a spokeswoman for Microsoft, said that the primary
aim of EMWAC is to act as a focus for the support, promotion and
integration of Windows NT into UK and European academia, and that
it will provide a cohesive technical information channel between
consortium partners and the academic community.
Plans also include the running of targeted showcase projects with an
academic bias. These projects will aim to show Windows NT in action
within an academic environment, and identify methods of integration
into that environment. They will cover four main areas: Unix
integration, electronic mail, academic porting, and databases.
EMWAC training and support services will be available shortly.
Edinburgh University is acting as the coordinator for training and
support services. Further information on EMWAC's activities may
be obtained from Edinburgh University on +44-31-650-1000 (Anne
McVelvie) or over the Internet on emwac@ed.ac.uk.
(Steve Gold/19931006/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft -
Tel: 0734-270001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
BUSINESS
Lotus UK Opens Northern Offices
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00026)
Lotus UK Opens Northern Offices 10/06/93
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Lotus Development
UK has announced the official opening of its new offices in the
Southgate Center in Cheadle, South Manchester, in the North of
England. The opening of the offices, according to Lotus, is due to
the larger number of sales successes in the North of England
over the last year.
According to Don Cowan, regional manager at Lotus Manchester, the
office opening was sought to provide enhanced training and support
facilities for all of the company's customers in the region, and to
help develop the business and technical skills of the 50 Lotus
systems centers and authorized resellers across the whole of the
North of England.
"With users the size of ICI and Manchester City Council, as well as
the 50 or so Lotus reseller outlets across the North, we need to be
able to offer localized support and training. The new complex
includes purpose-built seminar, training and meeting rooms, as well
as a fully-equipped user lab, which will enable us to demonstrate
all of our products in a variety of different environments," he
said.
(Steve Gold/19931006/Press & Public Contact: Lotus Development
UK - Tel: +44-784-455445)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
TELECOM
UK - Vodafone Claims #1 Slot In Mobile Line Quality
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00027)
UK - Vodafone Claims #1 Slot In Mobile Line Quality 10/06/93
NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Vodafone is
claiming that it has maintained its position as providing the best
quality mobile phone network in the UK.
The mobile phone service provider claims that this was the
conclusion of the latest nationwide quality survey published by
Oftel, the UK government-sponsored telecommunications regulatory
body. The survey, which was completed in the second quarter of this
year, covered more than 120 routes around the UK, and involved
around 14,500 calls being made on each of the two national
networks - Vodafone and Cellnet.
Vodafone claims that it had a consolidated lead on all 120 routes of
three percent, with an overall success rate for call connection of
94.2 percent, compared to 91.2 percent for Cellnet. In each of the
four regions - London, South, North and Scotland - Vodafone achieved
a higher quality of service for calls made from a fixed line to a
mobile phone and calls made from a mobile to a fixed line.
Vodafone also claims it was the best network on 90 of the 120
routes and was at least five percent ahead on at least a quarter
of the routes.
"As with the original quality survey conducted by Oftel in the first
calendar quarter of 1993, the results again show that the UK has two
excellent nationwide analog networks providing very high quality
service," explained Chris Gent, Vodafone's managing director.
"We're delighted that Vodafone once more had the best results on
every category measured. It was especially pleasing to note that our
overall success rate for calls made has improved by 1.2 percent
since the last survey," he said, adding that this was a direct
result of the investments that the company is making in its analog
network.
"This improvement was achieved despite dealing with more than 40
million calls each week, and having 180,000 subscribers more than
our rival. Whilst the Oftel survey was conducted using fixed car
phones, our trials show that we also have a similar lead on quality
using hand held portables," he added.
(Steve Gold/19931006/Press & Public Contact: Vodafone -
Tel: +44-635-33251)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
BUSINESS
****Stratus To Cut Jobs
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00028)
****Stratus To Cut Jobs 10/06/93
MARLBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Despite
claiming to be financially healthy, Stratus Computer Inc., said
it will cut 80 jobs in engineering and manufacturing now, with
plans to chop 80 more positions in other parts of the company by
the end of the year.
In a prepared statement, WIlliam E. Foster, president and chief
executive of Stratus, said the company believes it is, "important
to proactively make changes to our expense structure to maintain
our financial strength. Our business objective is to keep our
operating expenses in line with expected revenues and margins."
Officials said the company's third-quarter results will be in
line with earlier projections, except for a one-time charge of
about $3.5 million to cover severance expenses for the jobs to be
cut now and in the fourth quarter. They added that results for
the full year are expected to be about as projected despite the
special charge.
The company, which supplies fault-tolerant computers, had
revenues of $486.3 million in 1992. It is listed on the New York
Stock Exchange.
Stratus reported net income of $13.5 million on revenue of $124.1
million in the second quarter, which ended July 4. Revenue was up
six percent from $117.4 million in the same quarter of 1992,
while net income was the same as in the year-earlier quarter, the
company said.
In September, Stratus announced the purchase of Shared Financial
Systems Inc., a Dallas-based software and services firm that
specializes in the financial sector. Officials said that purchase
was part of a plan to expand into areas such as financial
services, retail, and travel systems. At the time, company
spokeswoman Susan Cashen said Stratus would do this partly
through further acquisitions.
(Grant Buckler/19931006/Press Contact: David Hayward, Stratus,
508-460-2796)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
TRENDS
Interactive CD Player Wars Begin
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00029)
Interactive CD Player Wars Begin 10/06/93
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- The
Interactive compact disc (CD)-player wars have begun. 3DO
reports Matsushita's subsidiary, Panasonic, is placing its Real
brand 3DO Interactive Multiplayer in stores beginning this month.
Company representatives said Panasonic will not talk numbers,
but claims it can have multiplayers in 2,000 retail stores by
Christmas.
The players connect to a television set, retail for $699.95,
and have been dubbed the new video cassette recorders (VCRs) of
the 90's. The Real 3DO players come with two CDs - one containing
the Electronic Arts game "Crash and Burn," and the other offering
information about the system and previews of software titles that
will soon be available.
Eight titles for the player are expected to be available by the
end of October, and a total of 27 titles from 13 companies are
projected to be available in time for the holiday season.
Sanctuary Woods says it is shipping the first shrink-wrapped
title for the 3DO, "Shelley Duvall's It's A Bird's Life," retail priced
at $54.95. Panasonic says the titles will range in price from $40
to $60 each.
Television advertising campaigns and nation wide mall tours in
seven major cities are getting underway to promote the Real
players, Panasonic representatives said. Mall tours offer about
15 3DO units set up with games for mall shoppers to visit and
play as long as they like. In Los Angeles, Panasonic will offer
the only mall tour at two malls on the same weekend, October
16-17. One will be at the Del Amo Mall and the other at the Los
Ceritos Mall.
Philips has the jump on Panasonic as its Compact Disc
Interactive (CD-I) players have been in retail stores since
last year. The company has started airing "infomercials" on
national television to educate consumers concerning the units.
Besides over $150 game and educational titles, the company is
offering digital movies on CD beginning this month in a deal
with Paramount. Nine movie titles will be offered including Top
Gun, Black Rain, Fatal Attraction, and Star Trek VI. Music
videos will also be available, Philips representatives said.
Philips has also dropped the price of its player down to $499,
but the catch is a $250 MPEG Digital Video cartridge (which
offers Motion Picture Experts Group decompression) must be
added to the CD-I unit in order to play back the compressed
movies.
Both the Panasonic Real 3DO and the CD-I player boast playback
capability of audio CDs and Kodak photo CDs.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931006/Press Contact: Cindy McCaffrey, 3DO,
tel 415-261-3214, fax 415-573-7417; Bill Pritchard, Panasonic,
201-348-7182; Todd Green, Philips, tel 213-251-4620, fax 310-
476-5937)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/06/93
APPLE
Newton Connection Kit For Mac Intro'd
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)
Newton Connection Kit For Mac Intro'd 10/06/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Macintosh
users with Newton Messagepads can now update their personal
digital assistants (PDAs) from the Macintosh and vice versa via
the Newton Connection Kit version 1.0. The stand-alone version
of the kit is now shipping, Apple Computer said.
The Connection Kit allows Messagepad owners to create, view,
edit, synchronize, and back up the PDA. "Smart Synchronization"
is what Apple calls its technology to update information
between the PDA and the Macintosh when the two are connected.
The kit has been bundled with the $899 version of the
Messagepad that includes the fax/modem since the beginning of
September, but this is the first time its been available as a
separate product.
The kit can create an automatic backup of the Messagepad's
information on the Macintosh hard disk, and tracks previously
synchronized information which may have been deleted on the
Messagepad, automatically storing it in an archive file. In
addition, Apple says the kit can be used to update the system
on the Newton with downloadable system updates from Apple's
on-line sources such as Compuserve, Applelink, or American
Online, or to transfer applications to the Newton from the
Macintosh.
While this is just version 1.0, Apple is already talking about
version 2.0, which is expected later this year. Apple was going
to call version 2.0 the Newton Connection Kit Pro, but changed
the title and said all registered purchasers of the Newton
Connection Kit 1.0 will receive a free upgrade to version 2.0.
Also, Macworld Boston attendees who received a complementary
preview version of the kit are also entitled to both the
version 1.0 and 2.0 releases, Apple maintains.
Of course, the Connection Kit will also work with the Expertpad,
Sharp's Messagepad work-a-like that is also available through
retail outlets. Sharp manufacturers the Messagepad for Apple.
The kit does not require a fax/modem to connect to the
Macintosh, but comes with a cable, software, and a manual,
Apple said. A Microsoft Windows version of the Newton
Connection Kit is being jointly developed by Apple and
Traveling Software of Bothell, Washington. Apple says it was
demonstrated at the Boston Macworld show and should be
available this fall. Retail pricing is around $149, though
users might find lower prices in consumer outlets, Apple said.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931006/Press Contact: Emma Bufton,
Regis McKenna for Apple Computer, tel 408-974-1856,
fax 408-974-6412)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
GENERAL
VR Conference Begins Today In Bellevue, Washington
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00001)
VR Conference Begins Today In Bellevue, Washington 10/05/93
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Scheduled for
The New Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Washington, the Fall 1993
Virtual Reality, Virtual Freedom conference will be held today,
October 6 and 7. This unique conference focuses on the use of
computer technology to open up work, recreation, and social
activities to disabled citizens.
Sponsored by the Washington (State) Technology Access Center, the
Virtual Worlds Society, and the Human Interface Technology
Laboratory of the University of Washington, the event will
focus on the use of virtual reality technology now and in
the future, with particular attention to matching technology
to particular needs.
The keynote speech scheduled for Wednesday morning will be given
by Dr. Furness, founder of the Human Interface Technology
Laboratory, who will discuss current research into virtual
reality and virtual computer interfaces.
Also on Wednesday there will be a one hour session discussing
"The Virtual Office Wheelchair," a concept which involves the use
of wheelchair-mounted computer and telecommunications systems
that allow disabled workers to easily participate in normal
business activities.
Conference proceedings will be published in the form of a
reference guide "Virtual Reality - Virtual Freedom, Where Do We
Go From Here?"
(John McCormick/19931004/Press and Public Contact: Washington
Technology Access Center, 206-776-3663 voice and fax)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
GOVT
SPA Strengthens Government Affairs Staff
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00002)
SPA Strengthens Government Affairs Staff 10/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- The Software
Publishers Association is expanding its legal staff by adding two
new government affairs members. Mark E. Nebergall and Mark
Traphagen will work to inform legislators and Clinton
Administration officials about the software industry's concerns
relating to changes in taxation, intellectual property, and trade
policies.
Mr. Nebergall will work on tax legislation matters and will
represent SPA members before congressional committees which are
drafting changes to Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code
which governs business activities in every US state except
Louisiana. He was formerly with the Tax Division of the US
Department of Justice where he served as a special trial counsel.
Mr. Traphagen, formerly a copyright and trademark attorney with
Washington-based law firm Finnegan Henderson, will work on
domestic and international copyright and intellectual property
affairs, including NAFTA, the pending North American Free Trade
Agreement which the Clinton Administration is currently trying to
put into effect.
The Software Publishers Association is a 1,000-member trade
association for the personal computer industry. In addition to
its efforts to influence legislation in a way which will be
favorable to the gigantic US software publishing industry, the
SPA is a major national and international presence in the
software antipiracy field where it sponsors educational
and legal activities intended to reduce illegal copying of
computer software.
(John McCormick/19931004/Press Contact: Ilene Rosenthaul, General
Counsel SPA, 202-452-1600 X 318)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
GENERAL
Information Week Lists IS Use In Top 500 US Companies
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(WAS)(00003)
Information Week Lists IS Use In Top 500 US Companies 10/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- In a major
undertaking, Information Week magazine for the week of September
27 has gathered information about the information systems (IS)
departments of the 500 largest publicly traded US companies,
listing IS department heads, who they report to in the corporate
structure, and, in some cases, the size of the information
systems department's budget.
Of the top ten companies (size determined by Standard & Poor's
CompuStat Services Inc.), IW estimates AT&T's IS budget at $4.2
billion, with IBM, the next largest company in fifth position,
having a slightly larger budget of $4.4 billion. GM, Exxon, and
Ford Motors did not supply IS budget information.
This, the ninth-annual IS 500 survey completed by Information
Week, contains even more information about the IS departments of
these gigantic companies, dividing them into 20 industry groups
for detailed analysis of the size of IS operations.
Individual group descriptions include fiscal year '92 corporate
earnings and revenues, the total number of corporate employees,
profit or loss per employee, number of information services
department employees, IS budget, and the percentage of the IS
department budget compared to the total corporate revenue.
In addition to the domestic 500, this same issue carries the same
sort of information about the top 100 European companies, headed
by Siemens AG.
(John McCormick/19931004/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
BUSINESS
Divergent Technologies In Indian Multimedia Venture
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00004)
Divergent Technologies In Indian Multimedia Venture 10/05/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Divergent Technologies of the US
and ET&T Corporation, a government of India undertaking under the
Department of Electronics, will introduce a series of sophisticated
applications in multimedia, and have formed a joint venture to make
multimedia cards and related hardware.
ET&T and DTL will market in India and the US the applications they
develop. The two will also manufacture multimedia cards and related
hardware in their joint venture.
The multimedia products being developed are for office automation,
journalism, security applications, and education and training.
A version of the office automation package was on display at the
recently concluded IT ASIA '93. Designed to create a "virtually
paperless office," the package enables the transfer of data, audio,
and video through ordinary phone lines between remote offices or through
a LAN using Arcnet/Ethernet cards.
Video conferencing on the LAN or otherwise is also part of the
package. At present the system supports just five frames per second
on the network, and one frame every three to five seconds when sent
via phone lines. The system uses a 386 machine and a digital video
camera. The price has not been set.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
TRENDS
Japan, Korea To Mass Produce 16Mb DRAM Chips
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00005)
Japan, Korea To Mass Produce 16Mb DRAM Chips 10/05/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Major Japanese and Korean memory
chipmakers are ramping up for full-scale production of 16
megabit dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips. They
include NEC, Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Toshiba and Fujitsu, which are
currently expanding production lines or building new
facilities for the chips.
NEC is spending a whopping 95 billion yen ($950 million) to
create a new plant for production of 16-megabit DRAM. The firm
was initially planning to spend 80 billion yen ($800 million) but
the scale of the project was expanded to include creation
of 64-megabit DRAM facilities at the same plant. By next
August, NEC will finish construction of a clean room to manufacture
an expected one million 16-megabit DRAM per month, and later
to produce the 64-megabit DRAM. The facility has the technology
to draw 0.35 micron circuits, the same as is required for
production of the 64-megabit DRAM.
Mitsubishi Electric will spend one million yen ($10,000) to add a
16-megabit chip production line at its Saijyo plant in Ehime
Prefecture, Japan. The plan is to create one million units
per month with this new production line.
Hitachi has just built a plant to make 16Mb DRAM and has been
waiting for the timing to be right in order to employ it.
That time has come -- the plant in Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan,
will produce both 16-megabit and 64-megabit DRAMs.
Hitachi expects to output a total of three million 16-megabit DRAMs
per month at this plant by mid-next year.
Toshiba and Fujitsu are also planning to produce more
16-megabit DRAM next year. Toshiba wants to raise shipments
from a current 400,000 units to 2 million units, and Fujitsu
wants to increase them from 500,000 to 1.5 million units per month.
Meanwhile, Korean chip maker Samsung, among others, is planning
quantity production of 16-megabit DRAM to the tune of about
two million units per month next year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931004/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3451-2974, Fax, +81-3-3457-7249, Mitsubishi, +81-3-3218-2332, Fax,
+81-3-3218-2431)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
TRENDS
Handheld, Voice Programmable Remote
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00006)
Handheld, Voice Programmable Remote 10/05/93
CANOGA PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Voice
recognition technology can now be held in the palm of your
hand. Voice Powered Technology, Inc. (VPTI), of Canoga Park,
California is offering the VCR Voice Programmer, a handheld,
voice-controlled universal remote for programming and
controlling VCRs and television sets.
The VCR Voice Programmer can recognize and respond to as many
as four different people, each of whom trains it to recognize
their voice patterns, according to VPTI. The unit can replace
all the current infrared remotes for the VCR, television, as
well as cable box, and allows the user to program and control
all the devices by simple voice commands. For example, to
record "Cheers" on channel four on Thursday from 9 to 9:30 pm,
the user would say: "Four, Thursday, Nine PM, Nine-thirty PM."
The unit is "S" shaped for a clear signal path to the VCR, has
a miniaturized microphone, runs for six months on four "AA"
batteries, and offers a liquid crystal display (LCD) that both
prompts the user and confirms commands, VPTI maintains. VCR
Voice Programmer comes with an instructional video, a 30-day
money-back guarantee, and a 1-year warranty. The unit is
available from VPTI for $149.
However, Magnavox, the largest brand of Philips Consumer
Electronics, has signed a deal with VPTI to market the VCR
Voice Programmer under the Magnavox Smarttalk brand name.
Magnavox commercials began last week nationwide promoting the
Smarttalk device. In addition, VPTI recently announced that it
will begin distribution of a European version of the company's
Voice Programmer product through an exclusive distribution
agreement with Philips Consumer Electronics International B.V.,
which will sell the product under the Philips' Voice Commander
name. Japan is the next target market, company officials said.
The company is also planning to use its voice recognition
technology, which it calls Voicelogic, to make other household
and office tasks voice-controlled. The company is already
launching a Voice Organizer this month which allows the
recording of "to do" lists, addresses of contacts, memos,
appointments, and so forth. Users then access the information
by asking for it. To access an address, for example, the user
would speak the name of the person into the Voice Organizer and
the unit would play back the recording of the address
information in the user's own voice. Retail price for the Voice
Organizer is expected to be $199.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931005/Press Contact: Allison Kirstein,
Geltzer & Co for Voice Powered Technology Inc, tel 212-575-
1976, fax 212-302-8509; Ed Krakauer, Voice Powered Technology
Inc, tel 818-407-5600, fax 818-407-5651; Public contact, VPTI,
800-788-0800)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
BUSINESS
Nintendo Profit Dive, NTT Cutting Heads
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00007)
Nintendo Profit Dive, NTT Cutting Heads 10/05/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Japan's major game machine maker
Nintendo has announced that profits will be less than those of
previous terms. Nintendo's profits have increased every year --
this will be the first quarter in ten years to break the
pattern. Meanwhile, times are still lean for Japan's
telecommunications firms. NTT has requested voluntary retirement
from its executive employees.
In the fiscal year ending in March 1994, Nintendo expects to record
500 billion yen ($5 billion) in sales, which is 11 percent less
than in the previous term. Earlier this year, the firm expected
sales to be 600 billion yen ($6 billion), a projection which has
not come to pass due to the surge of Japanese currency against
the dollar. In fact, export sales will be 254 billion yen
($2.54 billion) or 22 percent less than that of previous term.
Nintendo's net profit is expected to also fall in comparison to
its last quarter. Nintendo reports that net profit will be
121 billion yen ($1.21 billion), which is 26 percent less than
its previous term.
Sales of Nintendo software overseas is also expected to
decline about eight percent to 76.25 million units. Sales of
game machines will also go down by 10 percent to 15.87 million
units.
In another economy-related story, former domestic telephone
monopoly NTT has requested that executive employees aged
45 or over, voluntarily retire. The firm wants to cut
6,000 out of 25,000 executive jobs. Those who choose the buy-out
will be given a year's salary.
Currently, NTT has about 230,000 employees and the plan is
to eliminate 30,000 of them by the end of fiscal 1996.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931005/Press Contact: Nintendo, +81-
75-541-6111, Fax, +81-75-531-1820, NTT, +81-3-3509-5035, Fax, +81-
3-3509-3104)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
GENERAL
Seiko-Epson Stops Overseas PC Production
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00008)
Seiko-Epson Stops Overseas PC Production 10/05/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Seiko-Epson has stopped
production of the personal computers at its overseas plants
including those in the US and Singapore. Production has instead
been switched to Taiwan where the PCs are being made and
supplied to Seiko-Epson on an OEM (original equipment
manufacturer) basis.
Seiko-Epson currently makes IBM-compatible personal computers
in Portland, Oregon, and Singapore. These include desktop and
notebook models. Some 200,000 units were made last year at these
plants, down from 600,000 units in 1989.
Seiko-Epson has decided to switch its Portland and Singapore
production lines to create peripheral equipment such as printers.
The conversion, however, has reportedly involved the layoff
of some workers at these sites.
Seiko-Epson expects that its supply of PCs from Taiwan on an
OEM basis will save money. The OEM'd products are to be
tailored for individual US or European markets.
Meanwhile, Seiko-Epson will continue to produce NEC PC-9801-
compatible personal computers in Japan.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19931005/Press Contact: Seiko-Epson,
+81-266-52-3131)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
IBM
1st Notebook PC W/ CD-ROM Aimed At Vertical Market
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00009)
1st Notebook PC W/ CD-ROM Aimed At Vertical Market 10/05/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- The Matsushita
Electric subsidiary, Panasonic, promises to introduce the
first IBM-compatible notebook personal computer (PC) with a
removable, internal compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM)
drive. The catch is the drive is a 3.5-inch CD-ROM drive, not
the standard 5.25-inch drive.
The company says the 486-based notebook PCs will offer a 3.5-
inch internal CD-ROM drive, one of four identically sized,
optional peripherals planned. The CD-ROM drive is made by
Matsushita. It is designed for companies which need lots
of information in a portable format and can work with
Panasonic and a third-party vendor to put the required data
on 3.5-inch CDs for use with the drive.
The other peripherals include a video pack for full-motion
video display, a floppy disk drive, and an extra battery pack.
Aimed at vertical markets, the new CD-ROM notebook PCs are
expected to be attractive to industries such as health care
and manufacturing as well as the government.
The standard notebook model offers a 486SX 25 megahertz (MHz)
processor and a monochrome display. Panasonic says it plans to
also offer models with a 10.4-inch TFT active matrix color
display in November and a pen-based liquid crystal display
(LCD) version will ship in December. Panasonic says the 486
processing unit offered in the notebook computers can be
upgraded from a 25 megahertz (MHz) version to a 486DX2/40 MHz
processor, which will be available in first quarter 1994.
Prices range from $2,549 to $4,299, depending on the
configuration of the units, the company added.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931005/Press Contact: Joe Frazer, Creamer
Dickson Basford for Panasonic, tel 212-887-8075, fax 212-887-
8082)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
TELECOM
Galacticomm Intros Internet Link
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(WAS)(00010)
Galacticomm Intros Internet Link 10/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Galacticomm has
written a new "Quick Start Booklet" for its popular "The Major
BBS" professional-grade bulletin board system software. The
company has also introduced a new Internet gateway for Major
sysops who do not have the option of linking through the Novell
MHS link.
While a direct Internet link has previously been a rare thing for
a home or business-based BBS, it is rapidly becoming one of the
most desirable additions to any BBS as evidenced by the recent
appearance of Internet links on commercial systems like
Compuserve, and GEnie.
Galacticomm BBS operators were already able to link with the
Internet but only via ties via Novell networks which were
already connected to the Internet. Use of the new Major
Gateway/Internet Add-on Option allows sysops operating a small
BBS to provide full Internet message handling, including access
to all Internet newsgroups via the PageSat satellite news feeds.
The $250 Internet Gateway Version 1.1 contains all the software
necessary to connect to an Internet UUCP host and provides The
Major users seamless access to Internet mail and newsgroup
functions, automatically encoding and decoding files. The Gateway
includes software that splits and recombines files over 50
kilobytes in size.
The new gateway supports Novell MHS, but does not require a
networked computer and can operate with either one or two
computers (a second one is required if the sysop wishes to
exchange Internet mail without shutting down).
Access to a UUCP (commercial dial-up Internet link) is not
provided by Galacticomm -- this is just the gateway software
required to handle Internet mail.
In a minor, but important change to the documentation,
Galacticomm has just unveiled a new Quick Start Booklet which
should help those new to The Major get a system up and running
more quickly. Basic setup and installation of The Major BBS
wasn't particularly difficult, but the new booklet provides a
useful shortcut helping new sysops locate the basics which they
need to find in the main documentation.
Galacticomm has also published a free "Guide to Public Online
Services" which lists 810 Galacticomm Major BBS operators
complete with the BBS phone number and a brief description of the
type of information found on the BBS. Despite the title this is
not a "guide" offering information on how to access a BBS, rather
it is a listing of US and Canadian Galacticomm boards.
The guide is offered through a toll-free number, 800-328-1128.
(John McCormick/19931005/Press Contact: Laura Kravet,
Galacticomm, 305-583-5990 voice, 305-583-7846 fax, or 305-583-
7808 BBS)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
TRENDS
****Intel Replaces 186 With 386 For Embedded Applications
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(WAS)(00011)
****Intel Replaces 186 With 386 For Embedded Applications 10/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- The Intel iAPX186
(80186) microprocessor which briefly filled the gap between
the IBM PC and XT's 8086(88), and the AT's 80286, has no real
place in the PC industry. But it did provide stand-alone
computer developers with a good low-powered microprocessor
for embedded applications. On Monday Intel announced that it
would move its popular 80386 to the role of a low-priced
embedded microprocessor.
Although the 32-bit 80386 is still relatively popular among
computer makers and buyers, it ceased to be a major money maker
for Intel when the chip was cloned by other semiconductor makers
and Intel has moved to the more profitable 80486 and Pentium.
Also conspiring to eliminate the 386 from mainstream PCs has been
the increasing popularity of graphics intensive operating
environments and ever more complex applications which
can't be properly supported by anything less than a 486-based
computer.
Some observers view embedded computers as the major market for
many microprocessor makers because they are used in so many
products. Embedded computers are used in everything from
microwave ovens to CD-ROM players, automobiles, VCRs, and
industrial machinery so they are in virtually every US and
Canadian home and business, even those which don't have a general
purpose computer.
Motorola is another major manufacturer of embedded
microprocessors which are used in the company's own
communications products as well as all CD-ROM players.
Intel announced Monday that the embedded version of the 80386
will cost as little as $20, versus about $100 for the version
intended for use in PC motherboards.
(John McCormick/19931005/)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
GOVT
Army Picks VTEL Corp For Teletraining
(NEWS)(GOVT)(WAS)(00012)
Army Picks VTEL Corp For Teletraining 10/05/93
WASHINGTON, DC, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Austin, Texas-based
VTEL says that the US Army has chosen its interactive
teleconference MediaConferencing system for remote training
sessions. The Army Training and Doctrine Command has worked with
the Oklahoma State University's Institute for Telecommunications
to develop a satellite-based digital teleconferencing system and
tested it for several years.
The recently adopted VTEL system is already in use at the Navy
and many educational institutions, providing a PC-based training
platform that offers high-speed transmission along with file
sharing and screen annotation.
During the Persian Gulf war, the Army's test system was used by
the United States Defense Language Institute to provide Arabic
language training to troops and also to conduct tactical training
sessions for troops at Ft. Hood, Texas and Ft. Huachuca, Arizona.
(John McCormick/19931005/Press Contact: Sheri Goodwin, VTEL, 800-
856-0125)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
APPLE
Wordperfect 3.0 For Macintosh
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00013)
Wordperfect 3.0 For Macintosh 10/05/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corporation
this week announced Wordperfect 3.0 for Macintosh, calling the
upgrade "the technological leader in Macintosh word processing."
The new release is compatible with new versions of Wordperfect
developed for other platforms as well as Apple Computer's System
7 Pro operating system which combines PowerTalk, AppleEvents,
AppleScript, WorldScript and Quicktime. Newsbytes reported
yesterday on the release of System 7 Pro.
Like its IBM-compatible product, Wordperfect 3.0 for Mac allows
users access to Grammatik 5 and Wordperfect Office 4.0 directly
from the Button Bar. The new release also increases compatibility
with Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows by including the same 25
TrueType fonts from Bitstream which come with the Windows version
of Wordperfect. Wordperfect 3.0 files can be opened in
Wordperfect 6.0 for DOS and Windows automatically, so users will
no longer have to export files to the 6.0 format.
Other new features of release 3.0 for Macintosh include Ruler
Bars that can be expanded in each document window to display
icons to perform various functions. The Control Bar is used to
determine which Ruler Bars are visible. Three Button Bars can be
used when editing text, graphics or equations to perform tasks
like bullet indent, quick sort and create headers and footers.
The context-sensitive Button Bar appears outside the document
window and can be displayed at the top, bottom or either side.
A Tables feature allows the user to create tables in columns,
rows, and cells. Tables can be freestanding or contained in a
movable box. Buttons on the Tables Ruler Bar allow the user to
insert or delete rows and columns, join or split cells, and fill
cells with color or patterns. Custom borders can be added to
tables, and the lines that form the table can be manipulated to
change the width or height of the columns and rows. Text can be
converted to a table or vice versa. Tables will also perform as a
mini-spreadsheet to perform basic math functions.
An Equation Editor allows the user to create and edit
mathematical expressions, and a Equation Tool Palette is
available to create the elements of an equation such as
fractions and exponents.
Systems requirements include a Macintosh computer running
System 6.X and with two megabytes of memory, or System 7.x
or higher and four megabytes of memory. The retail price is
set at $495, and current users can upgrade for $59.95
through the end of the year. Users of competitive word
processing packages can switch to Wordperfect for $99 through
December 31, 1993.
(Jim Mallory/19931005/Press contact: Dave Terran, Wordperfect
Corporation, 801-228-5013; Reader contact: Wordperfect
Corporation, 800-451-5151)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
IBM
Windows For Workgroups Gets New Features, Price
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00014)
Windows For Workgroups Gets New Features, Price 10/05/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation announced today version 3.11 of its Windows for
Workgroups software will ship in early November and will include
additional features and a lower price.
The company said WFW 3.11 will have a suggested retail price of
$249.95 but will be introduced at $219.95 for the first 90 days.
Present users will be able to obtain an upgrade in local retail
outlets for about $50.
Microsoft says WFW 3.11 has been specifically designed to work
with Novell's Netware and Microsoft's Windows NT operating
systems. A flexible process allows it to be used on a network
or as a stand-alone product, Microsoft claims. Microsoft is
also planning to release a Workgroup add-on for the MS-DOS
operating system that will allow people to use their older
hardware as print or file servers. The add-on is scheduled to
ship shortly after WFW 3.11.
Microsoft VP of Personal Systems Brad Silverberg says the
flexible installation routine should give the product broad
appeal. "Customers get all the benefits of the Windows 3.1
operating system plus the option to run Windows for Workgroup's
32-bit networking if they're connected on a LAN (local area
network) or to use the product's remote access and faxing
capabilities if they're on the road."
In addition to faxing capabilities and remote access, release
3.11 supports Novell Netware's ODI driver model and runs peer
services over a new 32-bit IPX-compatible protocol. It also
supports NetBEUI, TCP/IP, and DLC as well as the existing Banyan
VINES, DEC, and Pathworks, PC-NFS network support compatible with
Windows 3.1.
According to Microsoft, version 3.11 performance has been
improved, with up to 150 percent faster hard disk access thanks
to the 32-bit disk and file system drivers. They also claim
network access up to 100 percent faster because of the 32-bit
NDIS 3.0 network card drivers, plus some other enhancements.
Network administrators can control sharing of resources by
selected workstations, specify password settings, audit network
events, and use the domain security controls included with
Windows NT. Remote access for stand-alone and mobile users is
also included in the new release, and Microsoft says by the end
of the year it will have available a point-to-point server that
will allow mobile users to dial into another Windows for
Workgroups machine and access its hard disk. That capability will
also make it possible to connect Windows for Workgroups-based
machines through a serial port for file transfer purposes.
Software to make that possible will be placed on electronic
bulletin boards for download by users.
WFW 3.11 also has Microsoft At Work fax software included, which
allows users to send and receive messages and fax files which can
then be edited from one Windows for Workgroups-based machine to
another.
Microsoft says over the next 90 days it will provide its
Microsoft Solution Providers with the training and tools
necessary to support WFW 3.11. MSPs are independent training and
support organizations. The full 3.11 package is available for
current MS-DOS users who want to add Windows and networking. The
workgroup Add-on for Windows is a package for users who
are currently running Windows 3.1 or Windows for Workgroups 3.1
and want to upgrade. It includes the same features as the full
package, less the basic Windows 3.1 components. Suggested retail
price for the add-on for Windows is $69.95 for the first 90 days
and $99.95 thereafter. The Workgroup Add-on for MS-DOS provides
an MS-DOS-based peer network server which can use as little as
22K of conventional memory. It has a SRP of $49.95 and will be
available shortly after the other two packages.
System requirements include MS-DOS 3.3 or higher, a 386SX-based
or higher PC, and 4MB or system memory. Microsoft strongly
recommends a mouse. You will also need a high-density floppy
drive and a hard disk with 12MB of available space.
(Jim Mallory/19931005/Press contact: Collins Hemingway, Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corp, 206-
882-8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
APPLE
Microsoft Will Support Apple's System 7 Pro
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00015)
Microsoft Will Support Apple's System 7 Pro 10/05/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Microsoft
Corporation wasted no time in announcing its support for Apple
Computer's System 7 Pro, saying it will support Apple's client
software for Apple's Open Collaboration Environment (AOCE)
technology. Powertalk is also an integral part of Apple's
enhanced System 7 Pro operating system reported by Newsbytes
yesterday.
System Pro also includes System 7.1 operating system software,
AppleScript scripting language, and Quicktime multimedia software.
The two companies also said they will support their mutual
customers through development of a suite of server-to-sever and
client-to-server communications links between their respective
messaging systems.
Microsoft said its first business applications to offer PowerTalk
and System 7 Pro support will be Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word,
Microsoft Works, and Microsoft PowerPoint. Microsoft spokesperson
Julie Briselden told Newsbytes programmers are working on changes
to all four programs. No shipping date is set yet.
AOCE is designed to facilitate collaboration among end users
through services such as a universal mailbox for electronic mail,
voice mail, and faxes. For example, a user with a Powertalk mail-
capable application such as Microsoft Word could create a
document and send it to the addressee's PowerTalk mailbox. If the
document is sensitive, an AOCE feature known as Powershare can
encrypt the message.
Microsoft and Apple say they are working on messaging and
directory integration, and expect to provide further details
within 60 days. The team's task is to develop software that will
assure that MAPI-compliant applications in Windows can access
Powershare servers and AOCE-supported Mac applications can access
current and future Microsoft servers.
(Jim Mallory/19931005/Press contact: Julie Briselden, Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Corporation,
206-882-8080 or 800-426-9400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
TELECOM
Motorola's Exclusive EMBARC Deal with Reuters
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
Motorola's Exclusive EMBARC Deal with Reuters 10/05/93
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Motorola
signed an exclusive deal with Reuters America Inc., covering
Reuters' headlines on a wireless paging-type platform.
EMBARC/Reuters Financial News Updates will be delivered hourly
each business day over Motorola's EMBARC wireless messaging
network, which uses a national paging frequency for electronic
mail services. MobileComm and SkyTel, which have similar
frequencies, also said last week they'll begin providing
electronic mail and information services on their networks to
laptop, palmtop and desktop computers.
All three networks work similarly. Messages are sent to a central
facility, and go from there to a satellite to a network of
antennae around the country. EMBARC, for instance, is now
available in over 220 metropolitan areas. Motorola, which is a
major producer of pagers, did not want to compete directly with
SkyTel and MobileComm when it won a similar license and designed
EMBARC, which stands for Electronic Mail By A Roaming Computer,
to be an e-mail service for laptops rather than a simple paging
service.
The Reuters service will include an early-morning briefing with
an overview of the day ahead and the previous day's trading,
hourly updates with current business headlines and market data,
and a business summary after the markets close, with analysis,
commentary and tabular data.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931005/Press Contact: Mike Keating, for
EMBARC, 312/988-2918)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
TELECOM
US West To Sell PictureTel Videoconferencing Units
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
US West To Sell PictureTel Videoconferencing Units 10/05/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- US West signed a
resale deal with PictureTel, which it claims will mean desktop
videoconferencing at a much lower price than currently available.
The deal will combine PictureTel equipment and US West's
SwitchNet 56 digital services on a dial-up rather than leased-
line basis, at speeds starting at 112,000 bits/second. The
company's basic rate ISDN service can also be used for the
calls, where it's available.
According to US West officials, this use of the public
network could reduce the cost of videoconferencing by 60
percent. US West will offer PictureTel's Live system, which
runs on IBM-compatible personal computers with a
network interface, for $8,500, then plans to charge about
$50 per month, plus two cents a line, for the dial-up
service. US West also will sell PictureTel's System 4000
and System 1000 group videoconferencing products.
US West emphasized the desktop-to-desktop nature of the new
offering in its release, noting that PictureTel Live lets
participants in a conference copy applications windows to a
shared on-screen "whiteboard" for viewing and editing, or paste
images into shared documents which can then be saved as files.
Ron Taylor of PictureTel told Newsbytes the deal could benefit
all users of videoconferencing equipment, because all the major
vendors -- including Compression Labs' and VTEL -- are committed
to a standard called H.320 from the Telecommunications
Standardization Sector, also known as the CCITT. "These standards
cover everything from video-audio compression, to audio
standards, to other standards on systems talking to one another,"
he said. "By and large everything PictureTel puts out is
standards compatible," as is equipment from competitors. The
only time equipment won't "plug and play," he added, is when
someone is using old software that doesn't meet the current
version of the standard.
VTEL spokesmen, who are trumpeting a new MediaConferencing
network for the US Army, agreed. The United States Army Training
and Doctrine Command will use VTEL equipment in its TNET network.
VTEL also said it has more than half the market in higher
education distance learning, although a major contract in that
area just went to Compression Labs. Spokesman Sheri Goodwin
added, however, that all the systems in the Army contract are
H.20 compatible. "All the systems are standards compatible. You
can take that for granted with VTel."
In other news from US West, the company announced a trial of 3DO
technology. The technology will be built into set-top converters
in subscribers' homes in Omaha, Nebraska, where the
company is already rolling out its high-speed network, and will
be used for home shopping, entertainment, and other programming
formerly found only on advanced Cable TV services. The trial is
pending FCC approval, and should start next year. The system
includes a network interface and MPEG video decompression
for video on demand and networked services, and the systems will
also play all software and CDs for the 3DO.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931005/Press Contact: Lee McEnany, for 3DO,
310/785-0515x 211, Giulia Urquhart, US West 303-965-9252; Ron
Taylor PictureTel, 508-762-5178; VTEL, Sheri Goodwin 800/856-
0125)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
TELECOM
NYNEX Latest Name In Viacom-QVC Battle for Paramount
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
NYNEX Latest Name In Viacom-QVC Battle for Paramount 10/05/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Viacom found a new
ally in its war with QVC for Paramount Communications Inc. NYNEX,
the regional Bell company for New York and New England, said it
would put $1.2 billion into Viacom preferred stock, which carries
a dividend but is convertible only into non-voting stock.
The deal is similar to one the company signed a week earlier with
Blockbuster Entertainment for $600 million. Redstone is also
continuing to negotiate with Cox Enterprises of Atlanta, but
Redstone has indicated this will be his only deal with a regional
Bell company.
Viacom has yet to raise its original bid for Paramount, with
Chairman Sumner Redstone publicly ridiculing QVC's higher bid and
insisting his earlier deal will go through. But the NYNEX and
Blockbuster transactions raised cash which could be used to
sweeten the Viacom bid, without diluting Redstone's control of
the company, and a higher bid is expected. Paramount,
technically, has still not considered the QVC bid while waiting
for it to show how it will finance the deal, but QVC Chairman
Barry Diller says that's a non-issue.
Why would NYNEX want to buy into Paramount? It holds part of the
largest cable television-telephone operation in the UK,
CableComms Ltd., which has nearly three million customers. But it has
yet to announce a strategy for enhancing its own network. It's
engaged in just a single test of the new technology, with a small
New York cable company. NYNEX's home territory could also be
vulnerable to competition, because it's compact and relatively
easy to serve. MFS Communications has already started offering
local and long distance service to some New York City businesses.
Viacom is arguing that the QVC bid represents an attempt by Tele-
Communications Inc. head John Malone to monopolize both cable
television programming and distribution. When TCI signed a $1.3
billion deal with Walt Disney Co., tieing up pay-TV rights to
pictures from Disney's Touchstone, Miramax and Hollywood units
for the next decade on its Encore channel, Viacom cried foul. One
of its most valuable operations is Showtime, a rival pay-
television network, which has some rights to Disney movies
through 1997.
Meanwhile, QVC continued its own expansion by launching a
Shopping Channel in the United Kingdom. It's a joint venture with
BSkyB, and will be expanded to the rest of Europe. QVC will also
launch a service for Mexico, in Spanish, a joint venture with
Grupo Televisa, in November, with plans to expand that
throughout Latin America.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931005/Press Contact: Jenni Moyer, QVC, 215-
431-6424; Raymond Boyce, Viacom, 212-258-6530)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
IBM
Lotus Ami Pro Promotions
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00019)
Lotus Ami Pro Promotions 10/05/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Lotus Development
Corp.'s Word Processing Division has launched two fall promotions
aimed at propelling the company's Ami Pro word processor onto
more business and home personal computers.
Lotus, which has no significant presence in the DOS word
processor market, clearly hopes to take advantage of the
continuing move from DOS to Microsoft Windows, which improves its
chances of chipping away at the market shares of WordPerfect
Corp.'s namesake word processor and Microsoft Corp.'s Word.
To help it do so, Lotus is offering large PC installations in the
United States and Canada a new twist on the familiar competitive
upgrade. Any organization that has at least 10 copies of a
competing DOS or Windows word processor can get free copies of
Ami for one quarter of its PCs, to a maximum of 50 copies, for
nothing.
The deal requires that the customer install all the copies on a
PC able to run Windows within 30 days, and the customer cannot
count the copies toward volume purchase deals with Lotus.
Meanwhile, in an effort to woo individual users, Lotus is
offering a bundle of Ami Pro, Intuit's Quicken 3.0 for
Windows personal accounting software, and ChipSoft's TurboTax tax
preparation package for $495, which is the same as the regular
list price for Ami Pro alone. The bundle is available until
February. A competitive upgrade offer is also available, allowing
buyers who have a competing word processor to get Ami Pro and the
two other packages for $129.
The same prices apply in Canada in Canadian currency, a company
spokeswoman said, but the Canadian bundle does not include
TurboTax, which is suitable only for American income tax
preparation.
(Grant Buckler/19931005/Press Contact: Michelle Goguen or Kim
Commerato, Lotus Development, 404-391-0011; Public Contact:
Lotus, 800-831-9679; Lotus Canada, 800-465-6887)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
APPLE
****Apple/Citibank Deal Not Necessarily Dead
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00020)
****Apple/Citibank Deal Not Necessarily Dead 10/05/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- A financial deal
between Apple Computer and Citibank, scheduled for announcement
Thursday of last week, was unexpectedly called off. It is widely
believed the announcement was to launch an Apple/Citibank
credit card.
The cancellation was an unexpected one for Apple
representatives, most of whom had already flown to New York to
be on hand for the announcement.
Apple USA Senior Public Relations Manager Eric Wee told
Newsbytes the announcement was unexpectedly cancelled, but the
deal between the companies is not necessarily dead. "There is
nothing to announce -- yet," said Wee. Wee could neither
confirm nor deny that the announcement concerned an
Apple/Citibank credit card.
Credit cards focused on special interest groups are becoming
increasingly popular. Kansas State University announced a K-
State credit card aimed at alumni that directs a portion of
each purchase as a donation to the University. General Motors
has announced a similar credit card, in which a percentage of
each purchase accumulates toward the purchase of a GM vehicle.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931005/Press Contact: Eric Wee, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-2042, fax 408-974-6412)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/05/93
TELECOM
****Novell, AT&T Team On PC-Telephone Integration
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SFO)(00021)
****Novell, AT&T Team On PC-Telephone Integration 10/05/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- In an effort to integrate
telephone capabilities with desktop computers in the NetWare
network operating systems environment, Novell and AT&T have
teamed with 24 developers of telephony applications.
According to the companies, the 24 vendors have joined the
Novell/AT&T Telephony Services Early Implementers Program and
have committed to provide "solutions" that work with the Telephony
Services for NetWare product offering being developed by Novell
and AT&T.
Bob Young, vice president of marketing for Novell's NetWare
Systems Group, said: "As a result of the relationships we've formed
with these developers, by the first quarter of next year customers
will be able to choose from a wide variety of telephony solutions
for NetWare networks -- everything from basic auto-dial programs
to sophisticated call-center applications."
Carl Pavarini, vice president of Worktop and Visual Solutions for
AT&T, said: "Businesses have a huge untapped potential in their
investments in computer network and communications systems.
With Telephony Services for NetWare connecting the two,
businesses will realize their full value."
The two companies maintain that Telephony Services for NetWare
provides a telephony infrastructure for NetWare computer networks.
According to the companies, it consists primarily of a Telephony
Server NetWare Loadable Module (NLM), which links a PBX (private
branch exchange) and a NetWare server, and a set of client-server
application programming interfaces (APIs).
Developers in the Early Implementers Program are using the NLM and
APIs to create applications that provide access to and control
"telephone functionality from any personal computer on the network,"
says the companies.
Novell says that, because Telephony Services for NetWare is based
from the NetWare server, it establishes a logical connection rather
than a physical connection between telephone and computer, thereby
eliminating the cost and administrative overhead of installing a
special board in every personal computer and connecting every PC
to a desktop telephone.
Novell and AT&T expect that the Telephony Services for NetWare
product and the supporting third-party applications will be
available by the first quarter of 1994.
(Ian Stokell/19931006/Press Contact: Kelly Hindley,
801-429-5870, Novell Inc; or Phil Chang, 408-452-3810, AT&T)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/05/93
IBM
HP Cuts PC Prices, Intros New Inkjet Plotters
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00022)
HP Cuts PC Prices, Intros New Inkjet Plotters 10/05/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard (HP) said it will reduce prices on its IBM compatible
personal computer (PC) Vectra PC line by up to 14 percent. The
company also announced a new, low-cost inkjet plotter, the HP
Designjet 200 plotter, which HP claims is not only less
expensive than pen plotters, but is five times faster.
Price reductions for the HP Vectra line range from 2 to 14
percent. For example, the HP Vectra 486/66XM Model 1 has been
reduced 2 percent to a retail price of $2,619. However, the HP
Vectra 486/25VL Model 240 has been dropped 14 percent in price
$1,249. The Vectra XM product family are at the high end and
offer enhanced graphics, communications, and integrated
connectivity capability. The VL family is more moderately
priced and targeted toward the user who wants a more basic system,
but still desires some advanced features such as accelerated
graphics, HP said.
HP describes its new Designjet 200 large-format monochrome
plotter line as available in two models: E-size (36-inches
wide) for $4,695 and D-size (24-inches wide) for $3,695. The
plotters offer a resolution of 300 dots-per-inch and two print
modes: final and draft. They can be connected to a PC or local
area network through the HP Jetdirect EX external connection
and switch automatically among HP-GL, HP-GL/2 and HP RTL
(HP's raster transfer language). The combination of these
standard languages allows the plotter to support virtually all
computer-aided design (CAD) software applications, HP said. In
addition, the plotters ship with software printer drivers for
the popular computer-aided-design (CAD) package Autocad and for
Microsoft Windows 3.0/3.1.
The product is aimed at individuals or small groups who need
to create engineering, architectural, or construction
drawings and do up to eight plots per day. The plotters use
commonly available cut-sheet media such as plain
paper, translucent paper, vellum and HP Inkjet polyester film.
A typical E-size plot on plain paper costs about 79 cents and a
D-size costs about 48 cents.
Drawing times vary depending on the mode, but in draft mode a
typical E-size plot can be completed in seven minutes, and a D-
size plot can be completed in four minutes. In final mode, the
E-size takes less than 10 minutes and a D-size requires less
than five minutes.
While the Designjet plotters can be set up on a table, HP also
offers floor stands for $450 for an E-size and $395 for a D-
size. The company says the floor stands might be particularly
useful for those in small offices where space is at a premium.
Both the printers and the floor stands are available only from
HP authorized resellers.
The company is also opening up to expand its distribution
channels through resellers such as Ingram Micro, Merisel, and
Tech Data (the distributor for Apple Computer's Newton
Messagepad). HP says the new distribution channels will help,
not hurt, its more traditional sales channel of value-added
resellers (VARs) and systems integrators. Richard C. Watts, an
HP vice president said: "Our studies of VAR purchasing patterns
indicate a high percentage of VARs purchase products through
national distributors. HP's products need to be available
through this channel in order to reach these VARs."
HP describes itself as the world's leading supplier of inkjet
printers, with sales of over 8 million printers since the first
one was introduced in 1984. BIS Strategic Decisions, a
Massachusetts-based industry-research firm, said: "HP has
become the fastest growing PC company in the United States."
The company recently announced the Omnibook, a small PC built
for travel with a full keyboard and built-in mouse that
incorporates Microsoft Windows into the unit's read-only memory
(ROM). Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, HP has 94,900
employees and boasted revenue of $16.4 billion in its 1992
fiscal year.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931005/Press Contact: Jeri Eaton Flinn,
Copithorne & Bellows for Hewlett-Packard, tel 415-966-8700,
fax 415-965-7686)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
BUSINESS
IBM Austria Sales Soar As Country Outruns Recession
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00023)
IBM Austria Sales Soar As Country Outruns Recession 10/05/93
VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- IBM Oesterreich, the Austrian
arm of the international computer manufacturer, claims to have
boosted unit sales by 50 percent so far in 1993 and is on target
to sell 40,000 PCs by the end of the year.
According to Siegfried Skalla, the company's managing director,
however, actual sales for 1993 are expected to be only 11 percent
higher than last year, owing the continuing downward trend in PC
pricing.
IBM's global operations have seen massive increases in sales around
the world, although this seems to have been at the expense of profit
margins, as the profitability of country operations in Europe
has not been as high as was expected.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931005/Press & Public Contact; IBM Oesterreich - Tel:
+431-21145)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/83
BUSINESS
UK - Amstrad Losses Lower, Buys Into Cellular Phones
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00024)
UK - Amstrad Losses Lower, Buys Into Cellular Phones 10/05/83
BRENTWOOD, MIDDLESEX, 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Citing stiff competition
and troublesome retailers, Amstrad today turned in a full year
pre-tax loss of UKP 20.5 million on sales of UKP 308.5 million for
the year to 30 June, 1993. The figures compare with a UKP 70.9
million loss on sales of UKP 356.6 million for last year.
Amstrad has also acquired Dancall, the troubled cellular phone
manufacturer. The UKP 6.4 million deal gives Amstrad immediate
access to Dancall's European cellular phone distribution network.
According to Alan Sugar, Amstrad's chairman, the deal is part of a
new company strategy to move into new product markets, following
very intense competition in the personal computer business, which
has sustained the company over the last few years.
Amstrad will purchase the assets and facilities of Dancall from
the company's creditors. As part of the deal, Amstrad will take
on the company's brand name, its Danish manufacturing facilities,
and its research and development operations. Amstrad claims it wants
to rehire 200 of Dancall's newly laid-off staff -- around a third
of the workforce.
Malcolm Miller, Amstrad's group director, said that the deal
dovetails in well with the company's new strategy of moving into high
technology markets other than computers. "Amstrad recognizes that it
needs to enter new markets with a mass market potential and cellular,
particularly PCN, is one area we have followed ever more closely as
the chances of it becoming a high volume sector become increasingly
certain."
Miller revealed that Amstrad had originally planned to set up its
own cellular phone operations, and recently came across Dancall.
"The opportunity to acquire Dancall was like manna from heaven as
their expertise was directly in line with our strategic planning,"
he said.
"We jumped at the chance to become a player in this dynamic market
and have effectively leap-frogged ahead by at least two years by not
having to spend that time building up the personnel and know-how,"
he added.
According to Amstrad, Dancall is widely recognized as being one of
the leaders in cellular phone technology. Until its August financial
problems, the company sold its cordless and digital phones in 25
countries, mostly in Europe.
Dancall hit severe financial problems in August when it reported a
DK 100 million ($15 million) loss on annual sales of DK 388 million
$60 million).
Meanwhile, Regarding Amstrad's financial figures, detailed examination
reveals that the loss is actually accounted for by a UKP 25 million
cost of closing and restructuring Amstrad's Spanish operations.
According to Alan Sugar, the company's chairman, the group is
looking at ways of cutting costs in a bid to stay competitive in
the consumer electronics business.
"The recession is most certainly still having an effect in the major
European markets where the product categories in which we are active
are under constant attack from the competition," he said, adding
that profit margins are very slim and "we have to recognize that our
current products have nothing unique to offer," he said.
Sugar claimed that Amstrad has been instrumental in creating new
markets in Britain and Europe's hi-fi and personal computers sector,
but had suffered when new competitors joined the battle for the
consumers' money.
"We were able to make quite good profits on a short-term basis when
breaking into these new areas," Sugar said, adding that the loyalty
from retailers "diminishes when our competition catches up. The
company has learned that there is a price to pay for concentrating
its efforts on innovation."
(Steve Gold/19931005/Press & Public Contact: Amstrad: +44-277-228888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
TELECOM
UK - British Telecom To Close Operator Assistance Centers
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00025)
UK - British Telecom To Close Operator Assistance Centers 10/05/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- British Telecom has announced
plans to shut down 10 of its operator assistance centers in the UK.
The closures, which will be completed by the end of March, 1996,
will shave around 1,200 staff, mostly operators, from the company
payroll.
BT claims that the bulk of the layoffs will completed by attrition,
although the operator center closures, which involve the shut-down
of centers in cities such as Edinburgh, Kettering, Leeds,
Sheffield and Taunton, will almost certainly mean staff relocation
to another town.
The closures have been caused, BT claims, by the drop in the
number of operator assistance calls in recent years. Also, the
introduction of an all-digital trunk phone network means that
operator and directory assistance calls can be routed across the
country if required at very little extra switching costs to BT.
Reaction to news of the planned closures has been one of amazement.
Alan Johnson, the general secretary of the Union of Communication
Workers, said that they were totally unexpected. "These closures are
on a far greater scale than we could possibly have expected," he
said.
(Steve Gold/19931005/Press & Public Contact: BT London - +44-71-250-
8888)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
TELECOM
****Handheld Cellular Phone Safety Still Questioned
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00026)
****Handheld Cellular Phone Safety Still Questioned 10/05/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Nine months after
the end of a health scare concerning hand-held cellular phones,
the Food and Drug Administration still can't assure users they
are safe.
"Our position has not changed since January," agency spokesman
Sharon Snider told Newsbytes. "We have no reason to believe
cellphones are either safe or non-safe."
The FDA also released a series of letters between the agency, an
arm of the Department of Health and Human Services' Public Health
Service, and people working with the Cellular Telecommunications
Industry Association trade group. After the original scare, which
hit the media in January after an attorney for a Florida woman
sued cell-phone makers claiming her hand-held unit had caused a
fatal cancer, the CTIA had moved quickly to calm peoples' fears.
The trade group appointed a panel of scientists under Dr. George
Carlo of George Washington University to study the question of
cellphone safety. That group was supposed to have a review of
past studies on the effect of electromagnetic frequencies on
human tissue done by the summer, but it's now due to be out in
November.
In an exchange of letters with the group, however, it appears
that the FDA has become increasingly concerned that the CTIA
panel is attempting a "whitewash" of the issue which will not be
scientifically valid.
While the study was underway, the CTIA continued to claim that
cellular phones are safe, and the industry recovered. The stock
of Motorola Inc., for instance, which stood at $50 at the height
of the scare, is now at above $100 per share. But behind the
scenes, the FDA, which had at first supported the idea of the
study, and the CTIA, were parting company.
In a July 19 letter to CTIA President Thomas Wheeler, Dr.
Elizabeth Jacobson, deputy director for science in the agency's
center for devices and radiological health, charged the trade
group with misrepresenting her agency's position. "Your press
packet selectively quotes from our Talk Paper of February 4 in
order to imply that FDA believes that cellular phones are
'safe,'" she wrote, adding that the paper adds "'There is not
enough evidence to know for sure, either way.'" She concluded,
"It is simply too soon to assume that cellular phones are
perfectly safe, or that they are hazardous -- either assumption
would be premature. This is precisely why additional research is
needed."
The FDA also declined to attend a research planning meeting the
CTIA held at the Research Triangle Park on September 30. As Dr.
Jacobson wrote to Dr. Carlo in a letter dated September 14, and
sent to Newsbytes by the FDA press office, "We do not believe
that the planning meeting will result in a research plan intended
to objectively test the hypothesis that microwave energy as
emitted by portable cellular telephones could promote the
development of brain cancer or result in other adverse health
outcomes." She wrote that the experts planning the CTIA study
are, "for the most part, known for their conviction that sub-
thermal exposure to microwave energy cannot interact with
biological systems in any adverse way," and said she told Dr.
Mays Swicord, a CTIA representative, precisely this in an August
17 meeting.
She added that, before the FDA could consider the results of
any CTIA study valid, the panel would have to add well-regarded
scientists "who would ensure a balanced scientific perspective"
and "scientists expert in the etiology of cancer." Without that,
"we do not believe that the CTIA research program can be either
objective or credible."
What does this mean? The FDA also sent Newsbytes a copy of its
original February 4 advisory, the one Ms. Jacobson wrote the CTIA
has been misrepresenting. If real danger exists, the advisory
indicates, it's mainly confined to hand-held units with
integrated antennae. The distance between the integrated antenna
and the ear means that the electromagnetic waves produced by the
phone are at their strongest when they meet the user's head. If
the antenna which is transmitting those waves, is even a few feet
-- perhaps a few more inches -- from the head, that danger is
minimal. As a result, the agency advised that people concerned
about the problem consider buying a car phone or a portable unit
without an integrated antenna.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931005/Press Contact: Food and Drug
Administration, Sharon Snider, 301-443-4177)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
GENERAL
Novell Intros AppWare Tools, Other Products
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00027)
Novell Intros AppWare Tools, Other Products 10/05/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Novell has announced
the availability of three of its AppWare development tools: Novell
Visual AppBuilder, AppWare Foundation Software Developer's Kit
(SDK), and AppWare Loadable Module (ALM) SDK. The company has
also introduced a multitude of networking software products.
According to Novell, the tools are intended to provide developers
with early access to the AppWare technology. Updates will be
provided before the May general release. The tools will begin
shipping by the end of October. The tools are part of Novell's
AppWare strategy which is designed to "improve and accelerate
the process of creating and deploying cross-platform network
applications."
The Novell Visual AppBuilder is claimed to be a high-level
programming tool that enables developers to construct full-
featured applications by linking icons that represent prebuilt
AppWare Loadable Modules (ALMs). ALMs are interchangeable
software components that reside on the client machine and access
the services provided by server-based NetWare Loadable Modules
(NLMs) and by the local operating system.
The AppWare Foundation is composed of programming libraries and
a universal application programming interface (API) for accessing
operating system, user interface, and connectivity services. Instead
of coding and recoding to different API sets to support multiple
platforms, a developer writes the application code once to a single
API then simply recompiles the application to deploy it on multiple
platforms. The AppWare Foundation SDK is available for the MS
Windows, Macintosh, UnixWare, SunOS, and HP-UX platforms.
The Novell Visual AppBuilder is priced at $495 for each platform.
The ALM SDK costs $295. The AppWare Foundation Software
Developer's Kit is priced at $595 for each platform.
Novell has also announced NetWare Navigator 3.0, a set of NetWare
Loadable Modules (NLMs) that enable network supervisors to
automatically distribute and install commercial and in-house
developed software, product updates, and desktop and network
operating systems from a central location.
The product has a Microsoft Windows graphical user interface and
distributed server architecture. The company claims that it reduces
the costs and time associated with software distribution by
automating the process so that user intervention is unnecessary.
NetWare Navigator 3.0 is already available, priced at $995 for a
25-user version; $1,750 for 50 users; $3,000 for 100 users; and
$6,250 for 250 users.
Novell has also announced version 2.0 of its NetWare Management
System (NMS), a centralized management software product that
allows customers to manage multivendor, distributed networks
as an integrated system.
The company says that NMS 2.0 now distributes management
services such as network analysis and mapping on NetWare, making
it simpler for customers to manage remote resources, customize
management policies, and add management services as their
networks grow. A single view of the network is possible, built on
a common information base of data, automated tasks, centralized
management and improved reliability, claims Novell.
New service management features include distributed network
analysis of device interactions, remote monitoring of critical
services, IP (Internet Protocol) and IPX (Internetworking Packet
Exchange) address management, comprehensive mapping of all
devices, and built-in expert assistance.
The NMS console resides on a central workstation running
Microsoft Windows and receives information from the network's
geographically dispersed agents. NMS 2.0 is now available, priced
at $2,495.
Also announced is the NetWare LANalyzer Agent 1.0. Novell says
that, when distributed on network segments in conjunction with
NMS 2.0, NetWare LANalyzer Agents allows administrators to
centrally analyze all segments on their network, providing a
"comprehensive inventory of all network devices as well as detailed
statistics and analyses regarding traffic loads and interactions
between those devices." The NetWare LANalyzer Agent is now
available, priced at $1,495 for the single-interface version and
$2,495 for the multiple-interface version.
The company also announced the NetWare LS (Licensing System),
which is claimed to offer electronic software licensing services
that provide customers with tools to easily manage software
assets and monitor license compliance in a distributed computing
network.
"The NetWare LS licensing service is a key part of Novell's
strategy to provide advanced network services, as well as services
that help customers manage their NetWare environment," said Barbara
Goldworm, product line manager for Novell's Management Services
Group. "By using the NetWare LS SDK, developers can begin to enable
their applications to access electronic licenses on the network,
offering a much wider variety of license types than traditional
shrink-wrapped software licenses." The NetWare LS licensing SDK
will become available this month.
(Ian Stokell/19931006/Press Contact: Jessican Kersey,
408-473-8739, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
GENERAL
Cayman Systems Expands From AppleTalk To PC Environment
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00028)
Cayman Systems Expands From AppleTalk To PC Environment 10/05/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- At NetWorld Dallas today,
Cayman Systems announced the GatorStar iHR integrated router, plus
an agreement with Livingston Enterprises to collaborate on the
development of new remote access products.
The two announcements reflect an expansion in Cayman's activities
beyond the vendor's traditional base in "usercentric" AppleTalk
networking into PC environments, said Thomas Pincince, director of
internetworking, in a telephone interview with Newsbytes. "In
developing our products, we look at why people use networks," he
told Newsbytes.
Pincince added that the new GatorStar iHR is designed to let
businesses easily and cost effectively connect AppleTalk, Novell
IPX, DECnet, and TCP/IP-based local area networks (LANs) over
corporate wide area networks (WANs), in a way that is comfortable
and convenient for end users and network managers.
The pact between Cambridge, MA-based Cayman and Pleasanton, CA-
based Livingston Enterprises is aimed at letting Cayman offer a
variety of remote access systems to individual users, above and
beyond GatorLink, Cayman's current remote access server for
AppleTalk, he said.
GatorLink lets users of PowerBooks and remote desktop Apple
Macintoshes dial in to an EtherTalk network and access all
resources that are available from computers on the network,
including e-mail, file servers, and network management programs.
The deal with Livingston, a major player in the world of PPP
(Point-to-Point Protocol), calls for an OEM relationship in which
Cayman will provide extra distribution channels for Livingston's
products, in addition to a technology partnership, noted Pincince.
"We intend to provide more solutions for PPP on our platforms, some
AppleTalk solutions on their traditional platforms, and also to
perform some joint development," he told Newsbytes.
PPP is a standard-based protocol that allows for interoperability
between many single-user and LAN-to-LAN protocols, he explained.
"What's important is that PPP is supported by so many vendors.
That way, you can choose the right technology and the right device
for the networking solution you're trying to effect," he commented.
Cayman's newly announced GatorStar iHR is aimed at meeting both the
local and wide area networking needs of workgroup members on
corporate networks, Pincince added. The hub creates seamless
connectivity between Macintosh, PC and Unix workgroups through
simultaneous routing of AppleTalk, DECNet, IPX, and TCP/IP
protocols, he elaborated.
The device also lets network managers quickly change workgroup
configurations and provide users with greater bandwidth for running
their applications by segmenting workgroups.
Changes in user locations, and the addition or removal of workgroup
members can be accomplished because the 24 10BASE-T
Ethernet ports are directly integrated into the GatorStar iHR, he
said. A 25th port, an AUI, allows the addition of an additional
workgroup segment for users not utilizing 10BASE-T connectivity.
The hub also incorporates support for tunneling IPX and AppleTalk
over TCP/IP, allowing integration with the corporate backbone and
reducing the management and performance burdens generally
associated with adding protocols. Advanced security filtering
functionality is included, as well.
The hub can be managed through Cayman's GatorKeeper software, or
through any SNMP-compliant network management program, according to
Pincince. Included with the hub is GatorPrint, a package that
provides native access to AppleTalk printers. An optional package,
GatorShare, lets Macintosh users share files with Network File
System (NFS) servers.
System software and network configuration are stored in flash
EPROM, permitting automatic restart with configuration settings
intact in case of power failure and, also simplifying software
upgrades. Advanced security filtering functionality is also built
in.
Cayman Systems expects to ship GatorStar iHR in November at a price
of $4,995. GatorShare is priced at an additional $995.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931005/Press contacts: Tim Hurley or Mel
Webster, Copithorne & Bellows for Cayman Systems, tel 617-252-0606;
Lisa Allocca, Cayman Systems, tel 617-494-1999)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/05/93
APPLE
****Newton Wireless Messaging Available This Month
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00029)
****Newton Wireless Messaging Available This Month 10/05/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 5 (NB) -- Apple
Computer said the wireless messaging services it boasted of
when first announcing the Newton are about to become reality.
Users will be able to receive a message the length of the
average postcard on their Messagepads from anywhere in the
nation and eventually in other countries as well, Apple said.
The Apple Wireless Messaging Service delivered by the
Bellsouth's paging network subsidiary, Mobilecomm, will become
available to Newton users this month. Access to the service is
via the Newton Messaging Card, a $229 credit card-sized
receiver that inserts into the Personal Computer Memory Card
International Association (PCMCIA) slot. The Messaging Card can
receive messages whether or not it is inserted into the Newton,
meaning it can be picking up transmissions while in a jacket
pocket and inserted into the Newton at the users convenience to
retrieve the messages.
The distance from which a user can receive messages depends on
the type of service chosen. There are four service options:
local; city-by-city; regional, which allows the choice of a
broad geographic area of the US such as the Northeast,
Southeast, Midwest, West, or Pacific regions; and national.
Services range from a $21.00 a month local service to $83.95
for standard nationwide coverage. International coverage may
also become available in areas where Mobilecomm currently
operates, including Canada, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto
Rico.
Rental of a Messaging Card bundled with one of the four
coverage options is also a possibility, according to Apple.
Users can expect monthly rental fees for the card and service
will range from about $35 for standard local coverage to about
$99.95 for standard nationwide coverage.
The Messaging Card is to become available in retail outlets
mid-month and will include specifics on how to activate the
Apple Wireless Messaging Service. Like pagers, sources for the
messages include an operator, a text messaging keyboard
terminal, or a personal computer with a modem and messaging
software.
The Messaging Card should also work in the Sharp Expertpad,
Sharp's Messagepad work-a-like which is now available in retail
stores. Sharp manufacturers the Newton Messagepad for Apple
Computer.
The Newton appears to be a hit. Over 50,000 Messagepads have
been sold since the introduction of the unit in early August
and Apple says it has sold over 1,500 Newton development
systems (NTK) to potential developers for the device worldwide.
At the September UK launch of the Messagepad, Alcatel, British
Telecom, Deutsche Telekom and GEC Plesse Semiconductors
announced support of the Newton platform. Apple said these
companies join Ameritech, ARM, Bell South, Cirrus Logic, LSI
Logic, Matsushita Electronics, Motorola, Sharp, Siemens/Rolm
and US West in the group of companies behind the Newton.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931005/Press Contact: Emma Bufton, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-1856, fax 408-974-6412)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/06/93
APPLE
Adobe Audition - Low Cost Image Editing For Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00030)
Adobe Audition - Low Cost Image Editing For Mac 10/06/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 6 (NB) -- Hoping to
appeal to Apple Computer's Mac users that are just getting into
to image editing, Adobe Systems has introduced a new software
product that includes limited editions of its Adobe Photoshop
and Adobe Premier programs.
Sonya Schaefer, spokesperson for Adobe, told Newsbytes that
the product is aimed at "Kind of an entry-level designer that
wants to get into image editing: graphic artists, hobbyists,
even casual users."
Adobe says that its Audition Macintosh version offers the tools
needed to begin editing still and moving digital images. The
product includes Adobe Photoshop Limited Edition (LE) and Adobe
Premier Limited Edition (LE), along with a CD-ROM containing over
700 stock photographs, dozens of QuickTime movies, interactive
tips and techniques, technical notes, the Adobe Acrobat Reader
and on-line electronic documentation.
Schaefer told Newsbytes that, "Of course we'll still have the full
versions of the products that will cater to the more high-end
professionals. We will be offering these high-end products to a
broader market."
For people that want to try them out - with a lot of instructions,
"We're taking out some of the high end features, but still giving
them the option to upgrade to the (full) versions once they get
to that level," she concluded.
In announcing Audition, John Kunze, director of product marketing
for Adobe's Application Products Division, said: "We are excited to
bring the creative capabilities of our applications to a new group
of users at a fraction of the cost of the full-featured version of
the programs. The Adobe Audition combination provides everything
users need to begin editing digital images and video -- powerful
software, bundled content, tips and techniques, even electronic
documentation."
Adobe says that the Photoshop LE software allows users to
manipulate RGB, gray scale, indexed-color and black-and-white
images using a number of editing tools and special effects filters.
Filmstrips can be imported from Adobe Premier for individual
frame editing. Images may be output to black-and-white or color
printers, imported into desktop publishing programs or into Adobe
Premier for use in QuickTime movies.
The Adobe Premier LE program reportedly offers capabilities
similar to the regular version, and, according to the company, is
well suited for producing storyboards for corporate training.
Adobe Premier LE lets users create digital movies by gathering
video, still and audio clips and arranging them in the desired order.
Adobe Audition for the Macintosh is expected to become available
by the end of October, priced at $249.
The minimum systems requirements are a Macintosh with 68020
or greater processor, a hard disk, Apple System software 6.0.7
or better, and 4 megabytes (MB) of application RAM.
(Ian Stokell/19931006/Press Contact: Sonya Schaefer,
415-962-2630, Adobe Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
GOVT
French Govt To Help Out Groupe Bull
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00001)
French Govt To Help Out Groupe Bull 10/04/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- According to various European
media, the French Government is considering an investment of FF 9,200
million ($1,600 million) into Groupe Bull, the troubled state-owned
computer and electronics business. This huge level of investment,
Newsbytes notes, would effectively wipe out the group's debts and
allow a recapitalization of the company as a whole.
The French Government has already spent around FF 11,000 million in
propping up the computer company, but French newspapers, as well as
Ted Turner's Cable News Network (CNN) International, report that the
cost of allowing the company to go bust would be far greater, owing
to the long-term effect on the country's unemployment rates, which
are already nudging 12 per cent.
While Groupe Bull itself is refusing to comment on what it calls
industry speculation as to possible investment, CNN International
suggests that Edouard Balladur, the French Prime Minister, is
interesting in selling off the company in the near future. Clearing
the group's debts, rather than having them hanging around the
company's neck for the potential purchaser, is a logical step for
the French Government to take, Newsbytes notes.
According to La Tribune, the French daily newspaper, Bull has
submitted a massive restructuring plan to the French Government. The
cost of the plan, the paper asserts, is close to FF 9,000 million,
the same sum the Government is said to be considering investing in
the group.
Interestingly, the European Commission (EC) is expected to rule on
the legality of the French Government's investment of FF 2,500
million in Bull earlier this year later this week. If this deal gets
the thumbs up from the EC, then the French Government will
effectively get tacit approval for its FF 9,200 million extra
investment.
Press sources have quoted sources close to the EC as saying that
Karel Van Miert, the EC commissioner, is looking very closely at
starting an official enquiry into the FF 2,500 million investment,
citing anti-competition rules. If Van Miert goes ahead with such a
plan, then the French Government will almost certainly shelve any
plans to invest a further FF 9,200 million in the group.
Newsbytes notes that the Groupe Bull situation could be a
fundamental test on the strength and unit of the EC. If an
investigation does go ahead, it could put the long-term future of
Bull into doubt, something that the French Government would clearly
not want to happen.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931004/Press & Public Contact: Groupe Bull - Tel:
+33-1-6447-9164)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
GENERAL
New Convex DataSeries Helps Manage "Data Explosion"
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00002)
New Convex DataSeries Helps Manage "Data Explosion" 10/04/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- "Data management
is already a nuisance, sort of like the common cold. But pretty soon
the problem's going to turn into something more like pneumonia.
Unless action is taken, we'll be drowning in our own data," said
Thomas M. Jones, vice president of data management development for
Convex.
The continuing growth of desktop computing, and the rise of
storage-hungry imaging and multimedia applications, are setting off
a "data explosion," agreed James A. Balthazar, vice president of
marketing for the Richardson, TX-based supercomputing giant.
At a meeting with Newsbytes in Boston, the executives explained how
Convex has widened its focus to deal with this dilemma by
introducing DataSeries, a family of products based on HP Apollo 9000
Series 700 workstations at the low end and Convex C Series
supercomputers at the high end.
The average data center today already uses 1 terabyte of data, and
by the year 2000, some data centers will be using 1,000 times that
amount, or a whopping 1 petabyte, Balthazar told Newsbytes.
As data proliferates, tasks like organizing information, locating
files, and securing enough disk space can get increasingly
difficult, added Jones.
DataSeries handles this situation by integrating Convex and HP file
servers with third-party robotic tape subsystems and Convex's own
FileServ and UniTree+ hierarchical storage management (HSN) and SM-
arch network backup software.
Jones told Newsbytes that SM-arch performs unattended backup of PCs
and workstations, and places the files in either a FileServ or
UniTree+ archive. The HSM software then transparently moves older
unused files to the robotic tape systems, freeing up costly disk
space for new and active files.
To the PC or workstation user, the files that have been migrated to
tape appear to remain on disk, said Jones. If the user needs to
call up a migrated file, FileServ or UniTree+ will automatically
load the correct tape, find the requested file, and then replace
the file on disk. The user accesses the file as though it had been
stored on disk all along.
To accommodate accelerating needs for data management, DataSeries
is extremely scalable, he emphasized. An organization can start
with just one Hewlett-Packard fileserver, for example, then add
more HP fileservers, and finally upgrade to a supercomputer.
Convex, a company established in 1982, now ranks number one in the
minicomputer segment, and number three in the supercomputer
segment, with 1,200 systems installed in 45 countries world-wide,
according to Balthazar. How did the supercomputer vendor move into
date management? Quite naturally, he answered.
In the late 1980s, many Convex customers began to confront the
issue of what to do with all the supercomputer data being beamed
from satellites and collected from seismic surveys, he said.
Convex started to install data management systems at a number of
sites, including Sandia National Laboratories, NASA Ames, Mobile
Exploration and Production, and DKRZ, Germany's climate center for
meteorological research.
By the time the installation roster had reached about 40, Convex
decided to officially announce the DataSeries product line, added
Jones. Up to now, the Convex data management systems have been
used mainly in science and engineering, he elaborated. Most US
customers have been government-affiliated, while universities have
predominated among European customers.
"But at this point, we're expanding into the corporate segment," he
told Newsbytes. Convex estimates that the total market for data
management file serving and backup will reach $8 billion in 1994,
with the technical/scientific sector accounting for $1 billion,
commercial mid-range for $1.2 billion, and workstations/PCs for
another $2 billion.
Convex entered into a partnership with Hewlett-Packard for
DataSeries in 1992. Third-party robotic tape subsystems now in use
include E-Systems' D-2 DataTower, Metrum's VHS, STK's Nearline, and
the Exabyte 120. Total pricing for a DataSeries system ranges from
$150,000 to $5 million, depending on configuration.
But the data management systems of today are only a foreshadowing
of what is to come, suggested Jones. "Right now, users are starting
to look at the question of `Where is my data?' From 1994 to 1997,
the new questions will be `What is my data?' and `How is my data?'"
In the future, intelligent agents will help to manage data on the
server, he told Newsbytes.
And by the turn of the century, Jones predicted, data retrieval
will improve to where a radiologist will be able to tell the
system, "`I've seen a case like this before. Show me all the
images similar to this, along with the diagnosis, treatment, and
prognosis for each.'" he said.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931004/Reader contact: Convex Computer
Corporation, tel 214-497-4000; Press contacts: Donna Burke, Convex,
tel 214-497-4230; Mary Carol Coffman, Capital Relations for Convex,
tel 214-907-9500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/04/93
BUSINESS
DCA & Rochester Software In Licensing Deal
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00003)
DCA & Rochester Software In Licensing Deal 10/04/93
HEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- For Windows to be
fully integrated into the corporate mainstream, it must be able to
access data from a number of platforms, including IBM AS/400
mid-range systems. Now Digital Communications Associates, has
announced plans to enter into an agreement with Rochester Software
Connection, under which DCA will license Rochester's ShowCase File
Transfer for incorporation into its IRMA/400 for Windows.
According to the two companies, the combined technologies will
allow users to extract information from AS/400 databases using
PC Support/400 file transfer.
Announcing the deal, John Freund, vice president of sales and
marketing at Rochester, said: "ShowCase File Transfer, when
combined with IRMA/400, offers DCA's mid-range customers the first
step into Windows-based PC-to-AS/400 client/server computing.
ShowCase File Transfer will also facilitate an easy, cost-effective
integration of the complete ShowCase product line for IRMA/400 users
who want to exploit more advanced, powerful ShowCase client/server
database access tools and connectivity."
According to the companies, DCA's IRMA/400 for WIndows works in
conjunction with IBM's PC Support/400, enabling users to access
AS/400-based applications and databases as well as utilize PC
Support applications such as shared folders and virtual print. When
it is used with DCA's IRMA Workstation for WIndows, IRMA/400 for
Windows reportedly allows users to access both their own IBM
mainframe and the AS/400 from a single IRMA Workstation-based
desktop.
IRMA/400 for Windows is currently available for $395. IRMA/400 for
Windows 2.0, incorporating Rochester's ShowCase File Transfer, is
set for availability in November.
(Ian Stokell/19931004/Press Contact: Kerry Stanfield, 404-442-4519,
Digital Communications Associates)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/04/93
GENERAL
Brio & Frame Technology Intro BrioPublish For FrameMaker
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00004)
Brio & Frame Technology Intro BrioPublish For FrameMaker 10/04/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Brio
Technology and Frame Technology have announced BrioPublish, a
database publishing tool designed for use with FrameMaker 4.
According to the companies, BrioPublish automatically generates
fully formatted FrameMaker 4 documents directly from information
stored in a database. This eliminates manual cutting, pasting and
reformatting of corporate data into a document.
BrioPublish runs on both Apple Computer Macintoshes and Microsoft
windows-based PCs.
BrioPublish is claimed to be the first application to use FrameMaker
4's new C-based API (application programming interface), which
allows for client/server database access capabilities.
BrioPublish is derived from Brio Technology's DataPrism database
query tool. It features a click and drag interface that replaces
the need-to-know complex programming commands or SQL (structured
query language).
BrioPublish is accessible from within FrameMaker via a "familiar"
interface. To download data, users choose the appropriate variables
from a FrameMaker dialog box. BrioPublish reportedly then
automatically collects data from a corporate database and
places it directly into the appropriate sections of a FrameMaker
document, preserving all design and formatting elements.
The company claims that reusable BrioPublish templates retain
formats and styles, making updating data automatic.
BrioPublish for the Macintosh is now available for $795. A Windows
version is set for availability at the end of October at the same
price. However, for the first three months, both versions will be
available at an introductory price of $495.
BrioPublish for Windows requires a minimum of 2.5 megabytes
(MB) of RAM and a PC equipped with Windows 3.1 and a mouse. The
Macintosh versions requires at least System 7 and a minimum of
2.5MB of RAM.
(Ian Stokell/19931004/Press Contact: Carol Kaplan,
408-428-6143, Frame Technology; You Mon Tsang, 415-961-4110,
Brio Technology)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/04/93
TRENDS
Zeitcontrol Does Smart Card Deal With US Firm
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00005)
Zeitcontrol Does Smart Card Deal With US Firm 10/04/93
PORTA WESTFALICA, GERMANY, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Zeitcontrol Systems
has agreed with Ramtron International, the Colorado Springs-based
company, for the German firm to integrate Ramtron's serial four
kilobyte F-RAM chips into its smart cards.
The deal appears to be the first Germany-US one of its type, as
previously, most smart card producers have either produced the chips
themselves or sourced them on a localized basis.
According to Zeitcontrol, it has contracted to take an initial batch
of 10,000 of Ramtron's F-RAM chips for inclusion in a trial run on
smart cards. If the project is a success, then a major contract will
be agreed upon.
Zeitcontrol manufactures and sells contacted smart cards for the
European market, which is exploding in France where the banks are
already using smart card technology in their Carte Blue Visa bank
cards. In Germany, meanwhile, DBT, the telecoms company, sells
telephone pre-paid debit cards that include a smart card chip as a
standard feature.
According to Wolfgang Salge, Zeitcontrol's managing director, the
Ramtron deal is a major step for the company. "The use of Ramtron's
ferroelectric RAM product in our cards is consistent with our
philosophy of providing the highest quality and most reliable smart
card systems," he said, adding: "We feel that the benefits of F-RAM
technology will help us maintain our leading position in the smart
card market."
(Sylvia Dennis/19931004/Press & Public Contact: Zeitcontrol - Tel:
+49-571-70058; Fax: +49-571-710702)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
TELECOM
Belgium Questions EC Mandate To Open Telecoms Market Up
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00006)
Belgium Questions EC Mandate To Open Telecoms Market Up 10/04/93
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- In one of the most ironic
twists in recent European Community (EC) events, the Belgian
Government, which hosts the EC headquarters in its capital city, has
formally announced its intention to "examine" the EC's 1991 mandate
on free market telecoms.
The 1991 legislation which, like all EC law, has gone unquestioned
until now, mandates all EC member states to ensure -- by their own
legislation -- that the telecoms market-place is opened to free
market competition.
What has caused the Belgian Government to think twice is the massive
investment that Belgiacom, the Belgian telecoms giant, is making
into the digital mobile phone network in the country. Belgiacom has
gone on record as stating that it is unwilling to roll out its GSM
(groupe speciale mobile) network across the country without
reassurances from the Government that it will have the monopoly on
services in rural areas.
Rural areas tend to have a much lower rate of phone subscribers,
Newsbytes notes, with the result that the payback on investment can
take a lot longer than the lucrative networks in the city areas.
Newsbytes also notes that GSM, though pan-European, still only
covers the city areas in many countries. The only exception to this
is the GSM Vodafone network in the UK which Vodafone claims covers
around 80 percent of the population.
According to the EC, the Belgian Government has been formally
requested to bring its telecoms networks into line with the 1991
mandate. While standard landline communications are expected to be
opened up to competition without question, the Belgian Government
could find itself in a quandary over the future of the Belgiacom GSM
digital mobile phone network if it opens up the GSM market in the
country.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931004)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
GENERAL
Artisoft Intros New LANtastic For Mac Windows Gateway
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00007)
Artisoft Intros New LANtastic For Mac Windows Gateway 10/04/93
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- One aspect that used to
separate peer-to-peer network operating systems (NOS) from fully
fledged NOSes, apart from there was no need for a dedicated server,
used to be the features and connectivity options available. Now,
however, high end peer-to-peer systems such as LANtastic are
offering a wide variety of capabilities.
Artisoft is offering its new LANtastic for Macintosh Windows
Gateway software, which allows a non-dedicated Windows PC to
act as a gateway providing interconnectivity between Macintosh
AppleShare and LANtastic networks.
Priced at $649, LANtastic for Macintosh Windows Gateway is set for
availability in the fall of this year. The company says it is also
offering a free upgrade to the LANtastic for TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) connectivity software, which
will be available to registered users and Artisoft Five Star
Connectivity Resellers sometime this month.
Peer-to-peer networks are becoming increasingly popular because they
are easier to install and manage that fully fledged NOS such as the
market leading NetWare from Novell. They are also easier to use and
allow each node on the network to be set up as either a client or a
server or both.
In this way, network resources, such as printers and individual user
hard disks, can be used and accessed by everyone on the network.
However, the easy availability of all resources brings problems for
the network manager, such as increased security head-aches and
difficulty in backup up vital data stored on multiple hard drives.
Announcing the LANtastic For Macintosh Windows software, Dave
Hallmen, Artisoft's vice president of sales and marketing, said:
"This new software, which takes advantage of the easy-to-use Windows
environment, saves valuable network resources because it allows a
non-dedicated PC to be accessed while it acts as the gateway between
platforms."
Artisoft says it will continue to sell its original LANtastic for
Macintosh connectivity software for DOS users along with the new
Windows-based product. Both products use a PC as a gateway to
provide networked Macintosh users with access to the LANtastic
network resources. In turn, they allow LANtastic users to access
PostScript printers on the Macintosh network.
The two products are the result of a deal with Miramar Systems.
However, they differ in the platforms supported and the way the
gateway computer is set up -- the DOS software requires a
dedicated network PC as the gateway, while the Windows product
uses a non-dedicated PC.
The non-dedicated gateway PC requires two adapters: one to connect
the Macintosh network, and to connect the LANtastic network. The
Windows Gateway product includes software drivers that are
compatible with a number of Ethernet network adapters. The
software requires Apple's System 6.0 or greater, and DOS 3.3 or
better.
The free upgrade to the LANtastic for TCP/IP software was jointly
developed with The Wollongong Group. It allows a LANtastic network
workstation to access a range of systems on the network, including
DEC VAX, HP, and Sun Microsystem workstations, IBM mainframes, and
NCR and AT&T minicomputers.
(Ian Stokell/19931004/Press Contact: Joe Stunkard,
602-670-7145, Artisoft)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/04/93
GENERAL
PC InterConnect Intros One-Man-LAN
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00008)
PC InterConnect Intros One-Man-LAN 10/04/93
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Hoping to appeal to small-
scale users that have additional PCs they want networking, PC
InterConnect has introduced One-Man-LAN. According to the company,
the product is designed for the user "who works with more than one
PC and would like to have LAN (local area network) capabilities
without the usual LAN complexities and expense."
The company maintains that One-Man-LAN, unlike conventional LANs, is
compatible with sector-level disk utility programs such as PC Tools
and Norton Utilities. One-Man-LAN allows these programs to handle
disk volumes installed on secondary PCs as though they were
installed on the primary PC. Additionally, DOS commands such as
DISKCOPY are "fully functional," says the company.
The company claims that the product supports data transfer rates up
to 680 kilobytes-per-second. It can also interconnect more than two
PCs, and PCs can be more than 100 feet away from each other.
Using the software, a user at the primary PC can access files
located at any secondary PC. By typing "OML," any one of the user's
PCs can be temporarily converted into a One-Man-LAN secondary, or
server, PC, says the company. Typing "Q" makes a primary PC again.
Printers attached to a secondary PC can also be accessed.
One-Man-LAN costs $199 for two PCs, which includes hardware,
software, documentation and toll-free customer support. However, it
is priced at $129.95 as an introductory offer.
The product is compatible with Windows and other LAN products such
as the market leading Novell NetWare and the popular LANtastic peer-
to-peer network operating system. The software is implemented at the
DOS device driver level and uses less than four kilobytes of memory
in the primary PC.
One-Man-LAN also comes with a free copy of the Super PC-Kwik disk
caching software, and a copy of the Stacker compression software.
The product includes two half-size ISA (Industry Standard
Architecture) add-in cards, a thin 12 foot cable, a 3.5-inch and a
5.25-inch disk, and a small installation and user guide.
(Ian Stokell/19931004/Press Contact: Heather Fabian, 708-291-1616,
PC InterConnect)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
BUSINESS
US West, PictureTel Sign Videoconferencing Network Deal
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00009)
US West, PictureTel Sign Videoconferencing Network Deal 10/04/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- US West and PictureTel
Corporation have signed a distribution agreement to provide PC-based
desktop video conferencing over a public-switched digital dial-up
network beginning in December.
Users will be able to participate in video conferencing using
PictureTel's LIVE system in conjunction with US West's re-engineered
56Kbps (kilobits per second) Switchnet 56 service. Financial terms
of the agreement were not disclosed.
US West says that users in its 14-state service area will be able to
initiate a 112Kbps interactive video session just by dialing any
location equipped with the video conferencing system and having
access to the public switched digital network.
According to US West Advanced Communications Services Product
Marketing Manager Kurt Schwabauer, the public-switched digital
network can reduce the cost of video conferencing by up to 60
percent. "Dial-up videoconferencing can make a dramatic contribution
to the functionality of dispersed work groups, scientific and
technical organizations and customer service operations."
He says that the service is ideal for engineering organizations,
design groups, medical consultation and employee training.
US West says that its Desktop Video Service is the first standards-
based commercial system to provide collaborative data and voice
conferencing in the same bandwidth. PictureTel's LIVE lets
participants copy any applications windows to a shared on-screen
"whiteboard" to view and annotate.
Images from video windows at either end of the conference can be
pasted into documents or saved as files. LIVE includes a dual
purpose-camera with zoom, focus and aperture controls that according
to PictureTel will perform satisfactorily under most lighting
conditions.
It also includes a 7Khz (kilohertz) full duplex audio system, two
plug-in PC boards that provide video and audio compression, super
VGA accelerated graphics and video mixing. LIVE will run on any ISA
(industry standard architecture)-based PC running Microsoft Windows
3.1. LIVE, configured with a dual switched 56Kbps network interface,
carries a price tag of $8,500.
Proposed rates for the Switchnet 56 range from $42 to $53 per month
depending on the length of the contract, plus two cents per minute
per line. That works out to about $2.40 per hour for a 112 Kbps
call.
Last month Newsbytes reported that Kinko's Copy Centers, a national
document creation and reproduction center chain, will link its more
than 60 stores nationwide with a Sprint videoconferencing and data
network. Kinko's spokesperson Tammy Gentry told Newsbytes
installation of the network would begin in January 1994, with all
the stores equipped by April. That system will also utilize
PictureTel's LIVE system.
(Jim Mallory/19931004/Press contact: Giulia Urquhart, US West
Advanced Communications Services, 303-965-9252 or Ron Taylor,
PictureTel, 508-762-5178)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
TELECOM
Paging Networks Become Messaging Networks
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00010)
Paging Networks Become Messaging Networks 10/04/93
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Two major paging
networks have announced they have become messaging networks at the
industry's Telocator trade show, which took place last week.
BellSouth's MobileComm unit and Mobile Telecommunications' SkyTel
service both said they'll now allow electronic messaging on their
networks. The two companies hold two of three satellite paging
licenses. Motorola holds the third, and it long-ago turned its
EMBARC service into a messaging center -- EMBARC stands for
Electronic Messaging By A Roaming Computer.
SkyTel's messaging component is called SkyWord, and it can use the
same pagers -- with screens capable of displaying four lines of text
-- used by EMBARC. At the Telocator show the company announced
SkyWord Access for the Macintosh, which allows Macs to compose and
send text messages to SkyWord subscribers. SkyWord messages are
handled much like paging messages.
They're sent by a computer and modem, using a toll-free number, to a
central office, from which they're fed via a satellite to a network
of antennae, then transmitted at a frequency of about 931 Megahertz
to waiting receivers. SkyWord has had access via IBM PCs for some
time.
The Macintosh software requires Mac System 6.08 (the Mac's operating
system) or higher, and also requires at least 2 megabytes of memory
and a Hayes-compatible modem. It will be offered free-of-charge to
SkyWord subscribers.
MobileComm is offering two new services. CompuLink is a one-way
service much like SkyWord. MessageLink offers longer messages.
Both services are designed as "open systems" meaning they can
support any number of the new Personal Digital Assistants,
including offerings by Apple and AT&T, as software is written
supporting them.
In addition to offering quick messages from offices to field
staff, the new services, like EMBARC, can handle news and
financial quotes.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931004/Press Contact: David Allan, for
SkyTel, 212/614-5163; Jean Coppenbarger, MobileComm, 602-977-
1648)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
TELECOM
PCMCIA Modem Price War Breaks Out
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
PCMCIA Modem Price War Breaks Out 10/04/93
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- PC Card modems
under the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association,
or PCMCIA standard, are now the subject of a price war.
When the modems came out in the last year, they were priced much
higher than board-level modems, and many modem makers, hard pressed
to retain margins in their base business, were reluctant to cut
prices on the new product.
Now the first shot has been fired by Megahertz Corporation, which
only recently entered the market under its own name after having
acted as an original equipment manufacturer, or OEM supplier, to
laptop computer makers for some time. Megahertz has announced it
will cut its prices on PCMCIA modems by as much as 38 percent,
Included in the price cuts are modems using Megahertz' own XJACK
connector, on which it holds a patent, although the price cuts were
most severe on those products using a standard cable connection. A
14,400 bit/second data-fax modem with the XJACK connector,
previously retailing at $599, now goes to $399, for instance. A
2,400 bit/second data, 9,600 bit/second fax modem with a cable
connection, previously priced at $379, now goes to $239.
XJACK is short for "extendable jack," and provides a RJ11 phone plug
as part of the card. This eliminates the need for cumbersome
external connectors used with other PCMCIA modems. Megahertz says
the XJACK connector has proven more durable than other PCMCIA
solutions on the market.
Megahertz is hoping to make up for the price cuts with volume. The
company is citing estimates from International Data Corporation
(IDC) that the world-wide market for portable data-fax modems will
grow at a compound rate of 83 percent per year through 1995, with
PCMCIA modems representing 73 percent of that market.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931004/Press Contact: Megahertz Corporation,
Andrew Capener, 800-527-8677 x 6914)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
APPLE
RasterOps Offers Four Macintosh AV-Compatible Monitors
(NEWS)(APPLE)(BOS)(00012)
RasterOps Offers Four Macintosh AV-Compatible Monitors 10/04/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Rasterops has
unveiled Sweet 16AV, a new monitor that brings the number of
Mac AV-compatible monitors from the company to a total of four.
With the addition of the 16-inch color monitor, RasterOps now offers
more displays that support Apple's new multimedia Macs than any
other peripheral manufacturer, said Robert Sorenson, product
marketing manager.
Other RasterOps monitors that operate with the Macintosh Quadra
840AV and Centris 660AV include the ClearVue/15 Gray-scale Portrait
Display, 20/20 Multimode Display, and 20/T Multiscan Color Display.
The Sweet 16AV works out-of-the-box with the built-in video
capabilities of the AV computers. The monitor provides a flicker-
free display and a large viewing area while conserving desktop
space, according to Sorenson.
The Sweet 16AV is priced at $1,149. In introducing the new 16-inch
AV-compatible monitor, RasterOps has lowered the price of the
previously released Sweet 16 Color Display from $1,499 to $1,099.
Like the new Sweet 16AV, the ClearVue/15 Portrait Display also
works with the AVs right out-of-the-box. Priced at $499, the 15-
inch monochrome/grayscale monitor offers flicker-free display and
user-adjustable controls for brightness, contrast, positioning, and
tilt and swivel. The monitor is also fully compatible with RasterOps
ClearVue/GSXL and ClearVue/XL display adapters and several third-
party adapters.
The 20/20 Multimode and 20/20 Multiscan are two 20-inch color
monitors that work with the AVs' onboard video capabilities via the
RasterOps Color Monitor Cable Kit, sold separately for $56.
Priced at $1,949, the 20/20 Multimode provides such ergonomic
features as digital controls and a tilt/swivel stand. The monitor
supports a range of scanning frequencies up to 1152-by-870 pixels
and can be used with Macintosh, IBM-compatible, and Sun computers.
It also works with a variety of display adapters, including the new
RasterOps Paintboard Turbo XL, Paintboard Turbo, 24XLi, and new
PaintBoard 8Li.
Priced at $2,999, the 20/T Multiscan is a Trinitron monitor aimed
at outstanding image quality and color purity. Capabilities
include improved convergence, adjustable geometry, dynamic focus,
and an anti-glare screen, according to Sorenson. The display
operates with a variety of Macintosh, IBM and Sun computers at
resolutions of up to 1280-by-1024.
The ClearVue/15 Portrait Display, 20/20 Multimode, and 20/T
Multiscan monitors are available now. The new Sweet 16AV display
is slated for release in mid-October.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931004/Reader contact: RasterOps, tel 800-SAY-
COLOR; Press contact: Michele Janin, Cunningham Communications
for RasterOps, tel 408-982-0400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
GENERAL
Analytical Imaging Software And Crossplatform Toolkit
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00013)
Analytical Imaging Software And Crossplatform Toolkit 10/04/93
SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Media
Cybernetics has introduced a Windows edition of its Image-Pro Plus
(IPP) analytical imaging software, plus a programmers' toolkit for
developing image-intensive applications for Windows, Windows NT,
DOS, Macintosh, OS/2, and Unix.
Previously available for DOS and Unix only, IPP is used in
Geographic Information Systems (GIS), medical and life sciences,
materials analysis, and other fields where examination and analysis
of images can help understand processes, identify objects, or make
comparisons.
IPP users can capture and process images, perform JPEG compression,
make manual and automatic measurements and classifications, analyze
histograms and line profiles, define areas of interest, extract and
merge color channels, and save data and objects in a variety of
formats. The software is compatible with an array of digitizers and
scanners, officials said.
The new IPP for Windows includes a new, BASIC-like scripting
language called Auto-Pro that allows end users who are not
programmers to create macros, encapsulating frequently used tasks
into a single keystroke or a point-and-click operation.
Other new features in the Windows edition include OLE (object
linking and embedding) compliance, a new visual file management
interface called "Gallery," support for 12-bit grayscale and
floating point image classes, "watershed" segmentation, and easy
network access. Support has been added for Kodak Photo CD and TWAIN-
compatible scanners, and for new capture boards.
The new HALO Advanced Imaging Library (HAIL) developers' toolkit
features a platform-independent applications programming interface
(API) that is aimed at easy portability from one platform to
another.
HAIL's functionality goes beyond traditional desktop imaging to
provide over 350 imaging functions, sparing researchers and
scientists from having to develop their own tools, officials noted.
The imaging functions include counting, sizing and classification
of objects, morphology, frequency domain analysis (Fast Fourier
Transform), advanced filtering techniques, image algebras,
operations in both true color and grayscale, color model
transformations, and much more.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931004/Reader contact: Media Cybernetics, tel
301-495-3305; Press contact: Mitchell Derman for Media
Cybernetics, tel 301-217-0009)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00014)
Canadian Product Launch Update 10/04/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: IBM's new PS/1 models,
Control Data and Intergraph sign a distribution agreement, the
Canadian editions of Quicken 3 for Windows and Quicken 7 for DOS
from Intuit, and low-power displays from Radius.
IBM Canada Ltd., of Markham, Ontario, joined its US parent today in
unveiling new models in the Personal System/1 line (Newsbytes, Oct.
4). The Canadian announcement is less sweeping than that in the
US, comprising only six models including one multimedia system. All
have the new Rapid Resume feature, which lets users switch the
machines off and pick up exactly where they left off later. Most
have the Smart Energy System (SES) power-saving technology.
The six new PS/1 models announced in Canada are due to be available
October 12, with expected retail prices ranging from C$1,800 to
C$3,500, with the multimedia machine priced at about C$2,700.
Control Data Systems Canada of Mississauga, Ontario, and Intergraph
Canada of Calgary, have announced a value-added reseller agreement.
Control Data will be the primary distributor for Intergraph's I/EMS
mechanical design and manufacturing products to Canadian
manufacturers.
Intuit, of Menlo Park, California, has announced the Canadian
edition of its Quicken 3 for Windows personal finance software
(Newsbytes, Sept. 9). The Canadian version is set up to deal with
the Canadian Goods and Services Tax and provincial sales taxes, as
well as Canadian loan amortization rules. It also provides a choice
of American (MM/DD/YY) or European (DD/MM/YY) date formats, and
comes with a supplement to the user's manual covering the Canadian-
specific features.
The software isn't so Canadian as to have its list price published
in Canadian currency, though: it's given as US$69.95. Quicken 3 for
Windows Canadian Edition is due to be available in Canada Oct. 7.
Intuit also announced a Canadian Edition of Quicken 7 for DOS, with
the same extra features for the Canadian market as the Windows
version. The list price is also the same.
Radius Canada, of Toronto, launched the Two Page Display/20gs and
21gs grayscale displays for Apple Macintosh computers (Newsbytes,
Sept. 27). Both comply with the American Energy Star guidelines.
Shipping now, the 20gs carries a list price of C$1,229. The 21gs,
due to ship in October, lists at C$1,479.
(Grant Buckler/19931004/Press Contact: Janet Carnegie, IBM
Canada, 416-485-1582 or 905-474-3900; Tom Ray, Control Data
Canada, 905-629-5122; Calvin McElroy, Intergraph Canada,
403-569-5576; Deborah L. Whitman or Sheryl Ross, Intuit,
415-322-0573; Maire Kushner, Radius Canada, 416-777-9900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
BUSINESS
Corel Completes Ventura Acquisition
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00015)
Corel Completes Ventura Acquisition 10/04/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Corel has announced its
deal to acquire the Ventura software line was completed on September
30 this year.
Corel took over the Ventura Publisher desktop publishing software,
Ventura Database Publisher, and other related products from Ventura
Software, of San Diego, California. Financial terms of the deal have
not been disclosed.
Ventura Publisher will complement Corel Draw, said Michael Cowpland,
president and chief executive of Corel, because the Ventura package
is considered best suited to the production of long documents, while
Corel has until now focused on short documents with its own
software.
Ventura Publisher was one of the first desktop-publishing software
packages. It was formerly sold by Xerox Corp., which still controls
Ventura Software. Ventura Database Publisher is a complementary
package meant to help prepare information from computer databases
for publication using Ventura Publisher.
The deal gives Corel all versions of Ventura Publisher and Ventura
Database Publisher, including foreign-language versions and new
releases now in development. A major revamping of the software for
Microsoft Corp.'s Windows environment is already in the works, and
Cowpland said a new version, built entirely with object-oriented
programming techniques and adding a number of new features, can be
expected by May of next year.
Effective October 29, Corel will take over technical support for the
Ventura products. Until then, Ventura will continue providing
technical support. Corel is taking over customer service
immediately, company officials said, and a formal announcement on
product direction is set for October 20 at the Seybold conference in
San Francisco.
(Grant Buckler/19931004/Press Contact: Fiona Rochester or Janie
Sullivan, Corel, 613-728-0826 ext. 4500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
IBM
The 1993 San Diego Computer Fair Useless Software Awards
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00016)
The 1993 San Diego Computer Fair Useless Software Awards 10/04/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Most programmers
write millions of lines of code to produce a program that will
perform tasks like processing words, tracking data or crunching
numbers. But not these people.
"These people" are the programmers who toiled to produce software
that for the most part has absolutely no use. Their programs fall
into the "odd, strange and unusual" category, and they gathered
recently in San Diego, California to learn if they were winners in
the Useless Software competition.
Scott Garcia and Robert Cuenca did win. The two software engineers
won the $250 grand prize in the graphics-based category for the
second year in a row with their "Flying Toilets" screen saver
program, the sequel to last year's "Bungie Cows", a screen saver
program that has cows on elastic cords jumping down into your
computer screen, then springing back up, wiping off the screen image
as they go.
This year's Flying Toilets seats newspaper-reading cows on the
ubiquitous porcelain throne of contemplation, but Garcia and Cuenca
offer options for animal lovers who disapprove of their bovine
friends being placed in such a position.
Users can select "Man" or "King". Man depicts a male seated on the
throne reading a newspaper, while King will cause Elvis to perform
the screen-wiping task.
If you think "Flying Toilets" is unusual, perhaps you would like to
get a copy of the grand prize winner for text-based software.
Canadian programmer Donovan Onishenko won in that category with
"Mirror Image," a program that causes whatever text is typed to
appear in mirror image on the monitor and on the printer.
Onishenko's instruction manual for Mirror Image promises that no
animals were harmed in the writing of his program.
A runner-up in the graphics category was a program called "Sniff," a
software program that jokingly claims to detects bad breath when the
user breathes into the opening of the computer's disk drive. Or if
you're a dedicated game player and have a strong stomach you could
try "Teeth," a program that has a pair of disease-ridden teeth
trying to keep the player from snagging bits of food that fall
through the display, using drops of fluoride.
Runners up in the text-based category include "Debt," a
Windows-based national debt calculator that displays your very own
share of the government's indebtedness. The window can be shrunk and
kept in a corner of your display, just is case you want to keep an
eye on what the administration is doing to reduce the national debt.
There is also "Diff", which calculates the time between two user-
input dates, measured by the number of rotations for each planet in
the solar system.
(Jim Mallory/19931004)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
BUSINESS
Gates Falls in "Richest" Category
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00017)
Gates Falls in "Richest" Category 10/04/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Microsoft Chairman
Bill Gates is no longer rated by Forbes magazine as the richest
person in America.
In its newest Forbes 400 list the magazine says Nebraskan Warren
Buffet now tops the list with a net worth of $8.3 billion. Buffet
reportedly owns 42 percent of Berkshire Hathaway, the company with
the highest priced stock on the New York Stock Exchange at $16,600
per share.
Gates slipped one place with his net worth pegged at $6.2 billion,,
while Metromedia founder John Kluge ranks third at $5.9 billion.
Fourth place goes to Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone with $5.6
billion. Helen Walton, widow of Wal- Mart Inc founder Sam Walton,
garnered the number five spot with $4.6 billion. Sam Walton headed
the list for four consecutive years.
Forbes magazine reports that sometime in the next 20 years Buffet
will leave all of his holdings in Berkshire Hathaway to an unnamed
charitable foundation, and will not specify any restrictions on how
the money is used. Berkshire Hathaway holdings include 18 percent
of Capital Cities/ABC Inc, 15 percent of the Washington Post
Company, 14 percent of General Dynamics, 11 percent of Gillette
Company, about seven percent of Coca Cola Company, and 14 percent of
the voting power of investment house Salomon.
Other notable names on the list include Atlanta Braves owner Ted
Turner with $2.2 billion, John Malone, president of cable company
Tele-Communications Inc at $450 million and Ralph Roberts of Comcast
with a net worth of $435 million.
(Jim Mallory/19931004)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
APPLE
****Apple Mac System Update Announced
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00018)
****Apple Mac System Update Announced 10/04/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Apple
Computer announced Apple Macintosh System Update, version 2.0.1,
which contains enhancements and bug fixes for Macintosh System 7.1
and the newly announced System 7 Pro software. Formerly called the
Hardware System Update, Apple claims the scope of the product has
expanded and it intends to regularly offer improvements via the
Updates to Macintosh users.
Apple says that key features of the Update have been included in the
System 7 Pro operating system, but users will want the Update to get
newer versions of the HD SC Setup and Apple Disk First Aid than are
available in System 7 Pro. System Update 2.0.1 requires Macintosh
System Software versions 7.1 or System 7 Pro, and is not for
Macintosh Performa users.
The Update includes Apple HD SC Setup version 7.2.2, which provides
users with overall increased reliability and more flexibility to
format large Apple hard disks between 1 and 2 gigabytes. Apple says
the software will also allow only the needed fonts to be loaded into
the Macintoshes random access memory (RAM) during start up or
booting, freeing RAM once held captive by loading all the fonts.
Version 1.2 of Autoremounter 1.2 is included and the new version is
to reduced network traffic compared to its predecessor version 1.0.
The enhanced Apple Disk First Aid version 7.2 includes a revised,
easier to use interface, according to Apple.
For Powerbook users, the Update revises the Macintosh Powerbook
Control Panel to version 7.1.3 and takes the System Enabler to
version 131 (version 1.0.3) for the PowerBook 160, 165, 165c, and
180. The new version of System Enabler allows Powerbook support of
12-inch monitors and improves reliability, Apple added.
In addition, the Update revises the Express Modem software is
version 1.1.2, which includes support for communications software
that does not use the Apple Communications Toolbox.
Like other Updates, version 2.0.1 is available immediately and can
be downloaded via Applelink, America Online, Compuserve, GEnie, and
the Internet. Macintosh user groups are also encouraged to
distribute the program by licensing the rights to distribute the
software.
US Apple customers, meanwhile, can obtain copies on disk directly
from Apple at a charge of $10 each for duplication, shipping, and
handling. A toll-free number is available for ordering the disks.
More information on the Update is available toll-free for US
customers from the Apple USA Customer Assistance Center.
For those outside the US, Apple suggests contacting the local Apple
representative for information on the availability and distribution
of localized versions of System Update 2.0.1.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931004/Press Contact: Christopher Escher, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-2202, fax 408-974-6412; Public Contact, Apple
Macintosh System Update 2.0.1 Only, 800-769-2775 ext 6717, Questions
may be directed to the Apple USA USA Customer Assistance Center,
800-776-2333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/04/93
GOVT
****SyQuest Gets $750,000 Iomega Security In UK Court
(NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00019)
****SyQuest Gets $750,000 Iomega Security In UK Court 10/04/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- In its ongoing
court battle involving its storage products, disk drive and
cartridge supplier SyQuest Technology has announced that the High
Court of Justice in London has entered a consent order including an
undertaking by Iomega "to provide $750,000 bank security to SyQuest
to cover potential damages from Nomai SA cartridges sold in the
United Kingdom pending judgement at trial."
SyQuest's application to the court for interim relief expressed
concerns about Nomai's ability to pay damages proved by SyQuest
at trial.
SyQuest also says that the court order also joins Iomega and its
German subsidiary, Iomega Europe GmbH, as defendants in SyQuest's
lawsuit against Nomai for copyright infringement and misuse of
confidential information.
Iomega, Iomega Europe and Nomai also agreed not to solicit
SyQuest's major UK distributors to purchase Nomai cartridges.
SyQuest says it has another copyright infringement suit pending
against Iomega, Nomai and "other parties" in the US.
Syed H. Iftikar, SyQuest's chairman, president and chief executive
officer, said: "We are confident that we will succeed at trial, and
we are pleased that there is no money available to pay the very
substantial damages we will be seeking at trial along with a
permanent injunction. SyQuest will take all necessary actions to
enforce its intellectual property rights against Iomega and Nomai
and will seek an expedited trial date in 1994."
Back in April Newsbytes reported that Syquest was warning users
that cartridges manufactured by Nomai in its removable Winchester
hard disk drives could have potentially damaging effects. The
company also said it would not consider use of Nomai cartridges
"normal use and service" under its warranty of the drives. Syquest
claimed at the time that a former consultant, Nomai's director of
technology, stole its trade secrets.
Syquest claimed at the time that no one can produce a Syquest-
compatible cartridge without violating or in some way using the
company's trade secrets, even if the cartridge works with the
drive.
SyQuest has also announced that it is seeking a patent on key
features of SyQuest 5.25-inch disk cartridges from the European
Patent Office.
(Ian Stokell/19931004/Press Contact: Michael J. Perez,
510-226-4000, SyQuest)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/04/93
IBM
****New Fall Line Of PS/1s Adds Convenience Features
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00020)
****New Fall Line Of PS/1s Adds Convenience Features 10/04/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- In what is becoming
a semi-annual ritual, IBM Personal Computer Co. has come out with
a new line of Personal System/1 computers for home and small
business use.
The latest round of models, which replace previous machines, feature
new power-saving technology and a "Rapid Resume" feature that lets
PS/1 users switch their machines off without bothering to exit from
applications, then pick up where they left off later.
At the same time, IBM has dropped the monitor from the list of
standard equipment. Monitors for PS/1s will now be sold separately,
a move that company spokesman Ralph Hammock said reflects the fact
that a growing number of PS/1 buyers are now purchasing their second
computers and may want to keep their old monitors.
The new PS/1 line has 30 models, seven of which are billed as
multimedia machines with compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM)
drives compatible with Kodak's Photo CD technology, Sound Blaster
audio cards, stereo speakers, and multimedia software.
Rapid Resume saves the contents of the computer's memory when it is
turned off, and restores it within 15 seconds when you restart the
computer. Hammock said this will mean users can leave applications
open on their Microsoft Windows "desktop" all the time, which will
encourage users to treat their computer desktops more the way they
treat real ones, leaving work out in the open until it is completed.
Rapid Resume also makes possible an energy saving feature, the
automatic power off option, which will shut the machine down
completely if there is no keyboard activity for a specified period.
This is part of IBM's Smart Energy System (SES) package, which also
includes a standby feature that turns off components such as the
disk drive when the system is idle. This capability, found on most
notebook computers, is rare on desktop systems today.
Rapid Resume is a first for the industry, Hammock said, and IBM
expects it has about a six-month lead over rivals in introducing
the feature.
All the new PS/1 models come with four or eight megabytes (MB) of
main memory, 512K bytes or one MB of video RAM, local-bus video, and
either a data or a facsimile modem. Most have a 3.5-inch, 5.25-inch,
or combination diskette drive, the company said. IBM is offering a
selection of four 14-inch and 15-inch Super VGA monitors.
Software pre-loaded on the machines includes MS-DOS 6.0, Microsoft
Windows 3.1, and the Microsoft Works for Windows integrated software
package. Access to the online service Prodigy and America Online is
also bundled with the machines, with 10 hours of connect time on
America Online and three months' access to Prodigy as part of the
deal.
A Software Preview feature makes several popular application
packages available for users to try out on the machines before
deciding whether to buy them. Finally, each buyer can choose one
from a list of four bonus programs: Delrina Technology's Winfax Lite
or Daily Planner, Disney Software's Follow the Reader, or Spinnaker
Software's Power Up! Address Book Plus, Easy Working Windows Desktop
Publisher, Easy Working Windows Labels!, or Power Up! TextAppeal.
Additional software supplied with the multimedia PS/1s includes the
1993 edition of Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia, Mayo Clinic
Family Health Book, a graphic adventure game called King's Quest,
MCS MusicRack for playing audio CDs, Microsoft Multimedia Pack 1.0,
and PS/1 Photo Display software for working with Photo CD images.
The new machines are available immediately through various retail
channels, IBM said. The company does not publish list prices for the
PS/1 product line, but said it expects the machines to sell at about
$1,000 to $2,400, with the multimedia systems ranging between $1,550
and $1,700.
(Grant Buckler/19931004/Press Contact: Ralph Hammock, IBM,
914-766-1817; Dave Dasgupta, IBM, 914-766-1885)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/04/93
APPLE
Adobe Intros Streamline 3.0 For Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00021)
Adobe Intros Streamline 3.0 For Mac 10/04/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Adobe Systems
has announced Adobe Streamline version 3.0 for the Apple Macintosh.
The program converts color and black and white bitmapped images into
Adobe PostScript language line art.
According to the company, the new version offers new image
processing tools, enhanced color capabilities, scanner driver
support, a redesigned user interface, post-processing features and
improved interoperability with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop
software.
Adobe Streamline is designed for graphic artists, desktop publishers
and technical illustrators. It converts logos, photographs, sketches
and non-technical illustrations into Adobe PostScript language line
art.
The company says that version 3.0 offers the ability to scan artwork
directly into the program; to retouch images with an assortment of
pixel-editing tools; to convert images using a variety of commonly
used options or through custom settings; and to recolor and edit the
resulting Adobe PostScript paths. The artwork can be edited further,
after conversion, in a drawing program such as Adobe Illustrator or
Aldus Freehand, or incorporated directly into a page layout.
Announcing the new version, John Kunze, director of product
marketing for Adobe's Application Products Division, claimed: "In
this major upgrade we have paid special attention to making the user
interface more intuitive and more interactive for increased user
productivity. At the same time, we've added color support and new
tools that provide better conversion control and flexibility."
Version 3.0 is also claimed to provide new support for posterizing
both color and grayscale images, and converting them into filled
and stroked Adobe PostScript objects. Scanned color photos can
automatically be posterized into vector-based art by specifying up
to 256 different colors or 16 grayscale levels.
Direct scanner control is provided through the Acquire interface,
allowing any scanner having an Adobe Photoshop-compatible plug-in or
supporting the TWAIN interface to be used for scanning images
directly into the program. Image editing tools and commands allow
for the retouching of images prior to conversion.
System requirements include a Macintosh II, Classic, Centris, SE/30,
Quadra, or any other Macintosh with a 68020 processor or higher; 2
megabytes (MB) of RAM; a hard disk; Apple System 6.0.7 or
greater.
Adobe Streamline 3.0 for the Macintosh is expected in the fourth
quarter of 1993 at a suggested retail price of $199. However, Adobe
will be offering version 3.0 for a special price of $99 through the
end of the year.
Additionally, through December 31, 1993, registered users of
version's 1.0 or 2.0 for the Macintosh may upgrade to version 3.0
for $49. After December it will cost $69 as an upgrade. Users who
purchased version 2.2 after September 15, 1993, will receive a free
version 3.0 upgrade.
September was a busy month for Adobe, as reported by Newsbytes. In
addition to having a class action suit against it dismissed, the
company also settled its copyright infringement suit against Visual
Applications Inc.
It also introduced a number of products, as detailed by Newsbytes at
the time. These included the Fall 1993 edition of Font & Function
and 28 new typeface packages from the Adobe Type Library.
The company also introduced a version of its Adobe Premiere software
product for Microsoft's Windows graphical user environment.
Additionally, Adobe announced an exclusive product marketing deal
with CompuServe, whereby Adobe Acrobat Reader became available via
the on-line service at a special price.
(Ian Stokell/19931005/Press Contact: Sonya Schaefer,
415-962-2630, Adobe Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
GENERAL
Saber Announces Developers' Kit For Saber LAN Workstation
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00022)
Saber Announces Developers' Kit For Saber LAN Workstation 10/04/93
SLOUGH, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Saber Software
Corporation has announced plans to ship a software development kit
(SDK) for LAN (local area network) Workstation, its integrated
network utilities package.
The company claims that the SDK will allow software developers to
integrate applications into the Saber LAN workstation management
console, a Windows-based application that provides a centralized,
standardized environment for viewing vital network data.
According to Saber, the kit provides the necessary APIs (application
programming interfaces) and documentation so that a developer can:
create data viewers for the console; create events that have the
ability to tap into pagers and electronic mail features of the
console; meter applications, both on the server and on local hard
drives; and document Microsoft Windows' DDE (Dynamic Data Exchange)
interfaces into a product.
The SDK should start shipping in the first quarter of next year and
will be targeted at corporate customers, many of whom, the company
claims, develop in-house applications for use on their own systems,
as well as other network utility providers, application developers
and hardware manufacturers.
"Network administrators don't need another box of software to
improve their local area networks. What they need are products that
work together and reduce the time spent on administrative issues,"
explained Jeff Farris, Saber's president, who added that the best
way to simplify life for the company's customers is to provide them
with a platform to build integrated utilities on.
According to Farris, the SDK will sell for UKP 349, with support
agreements priced separately. The SDK will provide support for
Borland and Microsoft C compilers, as well as for Microsoft Visual
Basic.
(Steve Gold/19931004/Press & Public Contact: Saber Software - Tel:
+44-753-811962)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/01/93
TELECOM
UK: Packet Radio Service Intros Inbound Voice Messaging Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023)
UK: Packet Radio Service Intros Inbound Voice Messaging Service 10/01/93
NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Cognito, the packet
radio messaging service, has announced a new service for people
wanting to send messages to Cognito message service subscribers -- a
premium rate voice bureau service.
The new messaging bureau, which is believed to the first of its kind
in the world, opens up a one-way text message facility to Cognito's
network for anyone without access to a Cognito messaging unit. And,
since callers pay a premium rate phone tariff for calls to the
bureau, Cognito claims that the service should be self-funding.
To send a message via Cognito's messaging bureau, callers dial 0891-
616747 and quote the Messenger unit number required, together with a
maximum 240 character message (around 40 words) they wish to
transmit to the user. Calls are then keyed in by the bureau operator
in Liverpool and the message is delivered with the word "bureau" to
identify the source of the message.
"The addition of this service provides a very useful facility for
colleagues, friends and relatives of existing users of our mobile
data communications network," explained Ashley Ward, the chairman of
Cognito.
"We introduced this service on a trial basis earlier this year and
the feedback we received from our customers convinced is that there
is a genuine need for the facility," he added.
Cognito was one of the first companies to be licensed to offer a
dedicated packet radio network in the UK. Today, the service offers
a two-way text communications facility between videotape cartridge-
sized Messengers that allow up to 40 words to be exchanged on a
wireless basis.
(Steve Gold/19931004/Press & Public Contact: Cognito - Tel: +44-635-
508216; Fax: +44-635-550783)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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10/04/93
TRENDS
UK: Sales Tax Changes Costs Software Industry A Fortune
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00024)
UK: Sales Tax Changes Costs Software Industry A Fortune 10/04/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Addressing a meeting of the
Business & Accounting Software Developers Association (BASDA), Mike
Antoniades, the European marketing director of Systems Union, told
members that he estimated the cost to the software development
industry of new European value added tax (VAT) regulations as around
the UKP 20 million mark.
According to Antoniades, the developers have been unable to pass the
costs of the VAT regulations on to end users as many users are
entitled to free upgrades of their software. He said that the
British Government would have to improve its consultation procedures
if it was going to avoid the serious problems created by new
regulations which were implemented at the start of the year.
"There was no central planning -- each software developer was
expected to liaise with their local VAT office and many of them were
issuing different instructions," he said.
"The time frame was impossible for many smaller developers and users
could not get definitive instructions on procedure. The result was
chaos and the Government is still making changes to the rules," he
added.
To avoid a repetition, the BASDA plans to set up a liaison group
with Government departments on planning the implementation of new
regulations.
"We believe that this will benefit everybody. If we can help the
Government to see the practical effects of new regulations, the
developers can be given time to implement software changes and UK
businesses can train their staff to operate them properly," he said.
"Consultation is the key and the Government needs to understand
that," he added.
Dennis Keeling, a director of the Association, confirmed BASDA's
commitment to improving software quality and standards. He told the
meeting that BASDA had arranged a series of seminars, run by the
British Standards Institute (BSI), to help members achieve BSA 5750
(quality award) accreditation and that negotiations are also taking
place with ICAEW and BSA to reduce the costs of testing software
under their approval schemes.
The meeting, which took place last week, was attended by around 120
software developers representing all aspects of the computer
industry. Other issues discussed included compiling accurate market
research information and co-ordinating software accreditation
standards.
(Steve Gold/19931004/Press & Public Contact: Dennis Keeling - Tel:
+44-494-680907)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
APPLE
****Apple Intros System 7 Pro, Announces Powershare
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00025)
****Apple Intros System 7 Pro, Announces Powershare 10/04/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Apple Computer's
Applesoft division announced this morning an advanced version of
System 7, known as System 7 Pro, that incorporates Powertalk,
Applescript and Quicktime, and new network server software called
Powershare.
According to Apple, the new Mac system software is aimed at groups
of users working together across a local area network (LAN) and at
the automation of tasks.
The most heralded feature of System 7 Pro is Powertalk, available to
customers for the first time. Applesoft describes Powertalk as
personal communication software based on the Apple Open
Collaboration Environment (AOCE).
A Powertalk built-in security feature called Digisign allows a user
to attach an electronic signature to a document so that any user can
verify who approved the document and whether or not it has been
altered. Third party developers can access and use the Digisign
security and Shana Corporation was one of the companies who
demonstrated the use of the new feature in its Informed electronic
forms software product.
RSA Data Security of Redwood, California, is the developer of the
Toolkit for Interoperable Privacy-Enhanced Messaging (TIPEM), a tool
for encryption and authentication used by Apple to develop Digisign.
RSA said the ability to know who last had a document and if the data
in the document has been tampered with is crucial to paperless
electronic commerce applications such as electronic document
imagining (EDI), electronic business forms routing and approval, and
groupware.
RSA says System 7 Pro conforms to the Public Key Cryptography
Standards (PKCS), a suite of specifications aimed at interoperable
and secure applications development. In addition, System 7 Pro
adheres to the international CCITT X.500 and X.509 authenticated
directory and certificates standards, the proposed ANSI X9F digital
transaction security standards for the financial and banking
industries, and the Internet Privacy Enhanced Mail (PEM) standards.
Another portion of Powertalk, Applemail, is a letter application
that can be used to send messages and documents to any other
Powertalk user. Powertalk offers built-in catalogs for open-ended
object storage capability that will initially help customers manage
electronic addresses and other information, to make it easier to
send and access information, according to Applesoft. Key Chain,
another security feature, offers customers privacy for their desktop
mail box and a single log-on method for connecting to various
electronic mail and network services.
Applesoft says that users can expect to see applications that link
Powertalk users to other messaging services, such as voice, fax,
paging, and online services. Software agents that can be assigned to
perform a variety of tasks for users automatically are also a
possibility as are team-productivity applications that use
Applescript and Powertalk. Productivity applications could include
custom team applications, such as scheduling, calendaring,
automation of approval and review of documents, and control over the
distribution of information, Applesoft officials said.
Powertalk can take advantage of network server-based services,
including existing electronic mail systems and will also work with
Apple's new Powershare Collaboration Servers software. Powershare
extends the capabilities of an Appletalk network by offering a
store-and-forward server for electronic messaging and a catalog
server. Privacy is another feature Powershare provides as it offers
authentication of network sessions and encryption of data
transmitted over the network. Powershare also provides the ability
to consolidate gateways and other shareable resources for easy
administration. The Powershare Collaboration Servers product is
expected to be available in early 1994, Applesoft said.
Applescript has been available separately since April of this year
and offers users the ability to automate tasks across applications.
Quicktime, introduced in December of 1991 as a multimedia extension
to System 7, offers the ability to record and playback digitized
video, sound, and animations.
A Macintosh computer system with a minimum of 5 megabytes (MB) of
RAM is recommended to install System 7 Pro and a Macintosh with a
minimum of 8 (MB) of RAM is recommended to install the Powershare
Collaboration Servers product.
Apple is also suggesting System 7 Pro users get its latest Apple
Macintosh System Update, version 2.0.1, which contains newer
versions of the HD SC Setup and Apple Disk First Aid than are
available in System 7 Pro product. The Update is available for a $10
shipping and handling fee from Apple, through electronic sources
such as Compuserve, the Internet, GEnie, and through Apple Macintosh
user groups.
Applesoft says System 7 Pro is available immediately in the United
States through software resellers and Apple authorized resellers.
The single-user System 7 Pro Personal Upgrade Kit is retail priced
at $149. A ten-user package, the System 7 Pro Multipack is $999. A
$50 rebate is being offered from Applesoft to those who upgrade to
System 7 Pro after purchasing the System 7 single-user product
between August 15, 1993 and November 1, 1993.
The package is also available through resellers via the Apple Volume
License Program, which also allows United States customers to
acquire volume licenses for site locations outside the United
States. Education and local-government customers may purchase volume
licenses directly from Apple.
Pricing and availability of System 7 Pro outside the US varies.
Localized versions are expected to be available beginning in
November 1993.
The Powershare Collaboration Servers will retail for $999 in the US
when it becomes available in 1994.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931004/Press Contact: Nancy Morrison, Apple
Computer, tel 408-862-6200, fax 408-974-6412; Kurt Stammberger, RSA
Data Security, 415-595-8782)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
BUSINESS
Media Vision In Multimedia Deal With Analog Devices
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)
Media Vision In Multimedia Deal With Analog Devices 10/04/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Multimedia is seen
by many vendors as, potentially, the next source of high revenue. As
a result, companies are aligning in partnerships in order to take
advantage of each other's strengths. One such deal involves sound
board maker producer, Media Vision, and integrated circuit
manufacturer, Analog Devices.
The companies have signed a letter of intent to work together to
develop "next generation" multimedia semiconductors for PCs.
According to Media Vision, it expects to combine its expertise in
producing and selling audio boards and semiconductors for the PC
market, with Analog's digital signal processing and mixed signal
semiconductor technology.
The deal calls for Media Vision to have an exclusive license to
use Analog's core DSP technology in the PC sound market for four
years. The technology will be integrated into its 16-bit audio
architecture, and in such areas as sound effects and waveguide
synthesis, to "create next generation chips for adding audio and
other features to PCs."
No financial terms were disclosed, although products resulting
from the deal are expected in 1994.
Satish Gupta, Media Vision's vice president of strategic product
marketing and development, said: "DSP technology has begun to
an important place in the personal computer market, because
it allows the development of telephony and business applications
using multimedia."
DSPs are specialized processors designed to handle incoming and
outgoing signals from such real-world sources as communications
data, sound, and video.
Analog maintains that its core DSP technologies allow for the
processing of multiple media types at the same time, and for
reprogramming or upgrading capabilities via software.
(Ian Stokell/19931004/Press Contact: Elizabeth Fairchild,
510-623-5856, Media Vision; Bill Schweber, 617-461-3821,
Analog Devices)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
IBM
Autodesk Ships 3D Studio 3; AutoVision; AutoCAD Bundle
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00027)
Autodesk Ships 3D Studio 3; AutoVision; AutoCAD Bundle 10/04/93
SAUSALITO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Autodesk is
shipping the 3D Studio release 3 three-dimensional modeling,
rendering and animation software for 386/486-based PCs.
The company has also introduced AutoVision, a still-rendering
software product with photorealistic image quality that operates
within AutoCAD release 12 for DOS. The company has also announced a
bundling deal involving its flagship AutoCAD release 12 for DOS
computer-aided design (CAD) package, and 3D Studio release 3, called
the Visualization Power Pack (VPP).
According to the company, 3D Studio is used by design professionals
in all fields. The new version includes more than 200 new features,
including network rendering, workstation-quality rendering and a
list of lighting, modeling and animation enhancements.
Autodesk is offering free upgrades in the US for users who purchased
3D Studio release 2 between August 1 and October 4, 1993. Owners of
previous 3D Studio versions can upgrade for $497.
Announcing the new version, Bob Bennett, senior product manager for
3D Studio, said: "In addition to the more than 200 new features in
release 3, we've expanded the product's ability to work with plug-in
(IPAS) effects from independent application developers, as well as
completely overhauling the World-Creating Toolkit CD-ROM that's
included in the box."
The company says that IPAS stands for the four general types of
external processes -- image processing, procedural modeling, animated
stand-ins, and solid textures - that could be created in 3D Studio
release 2.
According to the company, release 3 offers "many new sophisticated
types of IPAS support" within two general areas: keyframe (.KXP) and
bitmap (.BXP) processes.
The World-Creating Toolkit CD-ROM included with version 3 is
claimed to be an expanded source of 3D objects and textures. The
company claims that its contents were carefully chosen to complement
the capabilities of 3D Studio. A variety of artistic materials and
tools are featured, including: texture maps, models, fonts, and
samples of 3D Studio creations.
Autodesk 3D Studio release 3 requires an IBM 386/486/Pentium-based
PC or compatibles equipped with MS-DOS 3.3 or later, eight megabytes
(MB) of RAM, a hard disk, a Super VGA device, a math co-processor
and a Microsoft- or SummaSketch-compatible pointing device.
Autodesk 3D Studio release 3 software is now shipping, and
carries a suggested list price of $2,995.
AutoVision is billed as an AutoCAD Development System (ADS)
application, designed to help AutoCAD users produce high-impact
images and conceptual renderings. The software reportedly combines
"exceptional rendering speed with high quality and precise control
of image details." AutoVision carries a suggested retail price of
$795 and will ship in October.
Said Jack Strange, director of marketing for Autodesk Multimedia:
"The visualization needs of the typical AutoCAD customer continue
to increase, and in any CAD-related field, photorealistic rendering
is becoming a real competitive advantage. AutoVision will enable
AutoCAD customers to achieve very high image quality within AutoCAD,
and then migrate to 3D Studio as their needs grow to include
animation."
AutoVision rendering reportedly occurs entirely within AutoCAD
and rendering information is saved to the AutoCAD .DWG file.
AutoVision software works with a range of video displays, from
VGA to Truecolor and can output to screen or file at any resolution
on 8-, 16-, 24- or 32-bit devices.
AutoVision features include: a materials editor; procedural
materials; a sun locator; lighting control; and compatibility with
AutoCAD & 3D Studio release 3.
AutoVision runs within AutoCAD release 12 for DOS (386/486),
and requires an IBM 386- or 486-based PC with MS-DOS 3.3 or
later, 8MB of RAM, a VGA display, a math co-processor, an AutoCAD-
supported pointing device and one 1.2MB, 5.25-inch floppy disk
drive or one 1.44 MB, 3.5-inch floppy-disk drive. It will ship in
October priced at $795.
The company has also announced a bundling promotion that includes
AutoCAD release 12 for DOS and 3D Studio release 3. Called the
Visualization Power Pack (VPP), the bundle is available immediately
for $4,995, a reported savings of $1,750 off the suggested retail
price if purchased separately.
(Ian Stokell/19931004/Press Contact: Garth Chouteau,
415-491-8853, AutoDesk Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
IBM
IBM, Philips Sign Optical Drive Development Deal
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00028)
IBM, Philips Sign Optical Drive Development Deal 10/04/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- IBM's Storage
Systems Division and Philips Consumer Electronics' Key Modules Group
will work together to build small optical disk drives, the companies
have announced.
IBM and Philips also unveiled the first fruits of their agreement: a
3.5-inch, rewritable magneto-optical drive in a one-inch-high
casing. The IBM Model MTA-3127 stores 127 megabytes (MB) of data on
a removable disk.
Victor Jipson, optical products manager for IBM Storage Systems,
said that the MTA-3127 is likely to be used for archival storage
such as backup, for high-security situations where users want to
remove their data from their computers when they are not in use, and
for applications such as desktop publishing and prepress work in
which large amounts of removable storage are called for.
Officials claimed the new drive is the lightest of its type at 17
ounces (481 grams) and has the lowest power consumption in the
industry at 4.3 watts. The low power consumption also means reduced
cooling requirements, Jipson said.
IBM will sell the device to original equipment manufacturers
starting in the fourth quarter of this year. Evaluation units are
available now at $595, the company said. Jipson added that IBM also
plans to incorporate the drives into its own computer systems.
Philips has no immediate plans to sell the new drive itself, said
Hoss Vozorgzad, vice-president of marketing for the company's Key
Modules Group, but the partners will consider different marketing
channels as appropriate.
The two companies have been working together on the initial product
since early last year, Jibson said. They plan additional products in
the future, likely including even smaller drives, but will not
discuss details at present.
According to Jipson, the agreement brings together Philips' strength
in optical storage -- the company invented compact disk technology -
- with IBM's strong position in 3.5-inch optical drives.
Development is being carried out in Eindhoven, The Netherlands,
by Philips, and by IBM in Fujisawa, Japan. The drives will be
manufactured in Japan and Belgium for the time being at least,
said Arned Verweij, general manager of Philips Key Modules Group.
(Grant Buckler/19931004/Press Contact: Carol Keslar, IBM,
408-256-9451; Lisa Ritter, GCI Group for Philips, 213-930-0811)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
APPLE
****Grayscale, Networking & Fonts On New Mac Printer Drivers
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00029)
****Grayscale, Networking & Fonts On New Mac Printer Drivers 10/04/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- New printer driver
software for the Apple Stylewriter and the Personal Laserwriter LS
printers has been released from the Imaging Products Division of
Apple Computer. The StyleWriter and Personal LaserWriter LS Printer
Driver Update provides capabilities for grayscale printing for
images such as halftone images, printer sharing on a network, and a
new selection of Truetype fonts.
Printing halftone images is now available for Macintosh 68020 and
above systems without the expense of purchasing an additional or
more expensive laser printer. Apple's new printer driver enhances
printing by providing up to 100 levels of gray for sharper image
quality and users can simply select the grayscale option in the
print dialogue box, Apple said.
Sharing of Stylewriter and Personal Laserwriter LS printers can now
be accomplished with other systems on a Localtalk or Ethertalk
network via the new printer software, Apple maintains. The printer
may be selected using the Chooser function and the new software can
now better manage background printing, allow users to display print
status, and delete print jobs in progress.
To top it off, 39 scalable Truetype fonts are included with the
new printer driver as well, Apple added.
Apple says the Update offers Stylewriter and Personal
Laserwriter LS users capabilities that were previously only
available in Apple's Postscript-based laser printers and its
newest Grayshare-based printers, without losing their
investment in their current printers.
The StyleWriter and Personal LaserWriter LS Printer Driver Update is
retail priced at $49.95 and is available now through the Apple
Catalog. More information is available toll-free from the Apple USA
Customer Assistance Center for US customers. Customers outside the
US are encouraged to contact their local Apple representative.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931004/Press Contact: Katie Nosbisch, Regis
McKenna for Apple Computer, tel 408-862-3362, fax 408-974-6412;
Apple USA Customer Assistance Center, 800-776-2333)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/04/93
GENERAL
SDRC Announces Plans To Invest In India
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEL)(00030)
SDRC Announces Plans To Invest In India 10/04/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 4 (NB) -- Structural Dynamics Research
Corporation (SDRC), has announced plans to make significant
investments in India over the next three to four years.
Initially, plans call for the $200 million company to concentrate
its efforts on providing support and services to its customers in
South and South-East Asian countries (including Japan) from India,
explained Tony Tolani, the company's vice president.
"Later, the firm may also set up a base in India to do some basic
research for future software development," he said, adding that, at
present, this area accounts for the largest component (over a third)
of the company's sales.
Tolani said that he also plans to recruit Indian software engineers
for the first phase of the project. These engineers will be trained
abroad, he said, in order to gain experience in handling SDRC's
current range of software packages.
According to Tolani, the main advantage of having a base in India is
"the availability of good quality and inexpensive engineers."
Because of this, the firm is even planning to set up a software
research centre in India. But that project, he explained, will take
another five years to come to fruition.
"Once we find people who can be familiarized with the technology it
involves, we will definitely think along these lines," he said.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19931004)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
IBM
Visio 2.0 - Windows Drawing Program
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00001)
Visio 2.0 - Windows Drawing Program 10/01/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Shapeware
Corporation has announced Release 2.0 of its Microsoft Windows-based
Visio drawing program that provides users with ready-made stencils of
flow diagrams, business models, engineering schematics, organization
charts and other tools similar to the plastic templates used by
designers and layout artists. Newsbytes reported on the
release of Visio Release 1.0 in October 1992.
Visio Product Manager Morgan Brown says Visio 2.0's improvements
were made to address the product's target market, business users.
Shapeware also publishes Visio Shapes, a compilation of 16 packages
that include shapes for home planning and even dinosaurs and whales
for children, big and little.
Visio 2.0 includes a new toolbar, double-click actions, dynamic
distribution, content-sensitive pop-up menus, and optional stencil
views that include icon-only views. Some new and improved
SmartShapes have also been added specifically for business and
technical users.
Shapeware says the most significant new usability feature is control
handles, which are used to drag out smart connectors from shapes as
well as to directly control the parameters and behavior of the
SmartShapes. In the earlier version that was only possible through
the ShapeSheet window.
The new Visio provides support for Microsoft's Object Linking and
Embedding (OLE) version 2.0 including in-place visual editing, drag
and drop across applications, and OLE automation. That will allow
Visio users to integrate Visio drawing and diagrams into their
reports, memos, letters, presentations, spreadsheets and
newsletters. Embedded Visio drawings can be edited by
double-clicking on the Visio object.
When an embedded Visio object is double-clicked, Visio's toolbar and
menu will replace that of the container application, allowing the
Visio object to be edited in place. The drag and drop across
applications feature allows the user to drag shapes, portions of
drawings or entire drawings from an open Visio window into a window
of another program and automatically embed or link the object.
OLE automation provides corporate users and system integrators with
the ability to further customize Visio to meet their specialized
drawing and diagramming needs by taking advantage of high-level
programming languages like Microsoft Visual Basic 3.0 to write code
that accesses Visio 2.0 through a standard scripting interface.
Visio 2.0 is scheduled to ship in October 1993, and will be
introduced at the special price of $129 including 90 days of free
technical support and a 60-day money-back guarantee. On January 1,
1994 the suggested retail price will jump to $299.
Users of Visio 1.0 can upgrade to release 2.0 for $79. If you
purchased Visio after July 31, 1993 you can upgrade to Visio 2.0 at
no charge directly from Shapeware by calling their toll-free number.
The company says it will also ship an international English version
in October, and will follow shortly with German and French language
versions.
Visio 2.0 system requirements include a 386SX or higher PC running
at 20 megahertz or faster. You also need at least four megabytes of
system memory, a mouse, and a VGA or better display. Visio will take
advantage of a math coprocessor chip if one is installed, but it's
not required. Files created with Visio 1.0 are compatible with the
new release without conversion.
(Jim Mallory/19930930/Press contact: Morgan Brown, Shapeware
Corporation, 206-467-6723; Reader contact: Shapeware Corporation,
206-467-6723 or 800-446-3335, fax 206-467-7227)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
BUSINESS
Japan - Microsoft, ASCII Joint Venture?
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00002)
Japan - Microsoft, ASCII Joint Venture? 10/01/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Microsoft and Japan's ASCII will
work together again on a joint Windows software business in
Japan, according to an industry newspaper. Neither ASCII nor
Microsoft have not made any announcement on this yet.
Both firms worked together in 1986, but that relationship did not
last.
According to the Nikkan Kogyo newspaper, ASCII and Microsoft have
already agreed to set up a joint venture in December devoted to
the development and support of software for Windows 3.1 and
NT. Also, they will be involved in a related publishing business,
according to the report.
The joint venture is also expected to have the participation
of several unnamed personal computer firms but ASCII is
expected to be the major stockholder.
An ASCII spokesman told Newsbytes that it is still too early
to tell the course of a business agreement. However,
he hinted that talks are underway between President
Kazuhiko Nishi of ASCII and Bill Gates of Microsoft.
ASCII and Microsoft were in business together between 1978 and
1986, a relationship which ended when Microsoft struck out on its
own to set up an actual subsidiary in Tokyo.
Meanwhile, ASCII, which has faced financial problems, is currently
getting financial help and management consultation from its
banks.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930930/Press Contact: ASCII, +81-3-
5351-8065, Fax, +81-3-5351-8087)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
GENERAL
HP 10 GB Disk Array For Network Servers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00003)
HP 10 GB Disk Array For Network Servers 10/01/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Hewlett-
Packard introduced a mass storage system, the HP Disk Array,
that will hold up to 10 gigabytes (GB) of hard disk storage.
The company says the system is designed to work with network
servers including its own HP Netservers and IBM-compatible
personal computer (PC) servers from AST Research, Compaq, and
Dell.
The system can be expanded from 1 GB to 10 GB and offers small
computer systems interface (SCSI)-2 performance of up to 10
megabytes per second (MB/s). Available in both extended
industry standard architecture (EISA) and industry standard
architecture (ISA) versions, the HP Disk System can house up to
five 3.5-inch half-height disks with disk capacities of 510
megabyte (MB), 1 GB or 2 GB each.
Hot-swap capability for Novell Netware is also a feature of the
system, meaning if one disk drive fails, the failed disk drive
can be removed, a new disk inserted. The new disk will be
configured automatically -- while the network is running, HP
added.
Fault-tolerant storage can be set up as the HP Disk System will
support the redundant array of inexpensive disks (RAID) Levels
0 and 1 so exact copies of the stored data is made on several
disks (or volumes) in the array. Microsoft's Local Area Network
(LAN) Manager and IBM's LAN Server will also work, HP said.
HP said it also offers a combination of disk storage and
digital audio tape (DAT) for backups, all in one unit.
Pricing for the HP Disk System starts at $3,299 for a
configuration that incorporates one 1 GB disk drive, a price
competitive with daisy-chaining drives, the company added.
Palo Alto, California-based HP has 94,900 employees and had
revenue of $16.4 billion in its 1992 fiscal year.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930929/Press Contact: Irene Economou,
Hewlett-Packard, tel 408-447-7371, fax 408-447-1657; Public
Contact, 800-826-4111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/01/93
GENERAL
Some Interesting Computer Accessories
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00004)
Some Interesting Computer Accessories 10/01/93
ADDISON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- John Halter is a man who,
when something bugs him, fixes it. What bugged the inventor most
recently were two things: getting his mouse cable tangled up, and a
sore back when he hunched over his laptop computer on the dining
room table. So true to character he came up with a solution to both
problems.
Halter's solution to the mouse cord problem was to borrow a concept
old enough that some readers may not have ever seen it, a flexible
"whip" device that clamped to an ironing board and kept the iron
cord suspended and out of the way. The whip is flexible enough to
easily bend as the iron is moved.
Halter downsized that device, called it a "Mouse Tamer" and it's
being marketed by American Business Concepts for $4.95. The Mouse
Tamer flexible whip is six inches long, and is attached to a base
that comes with adhesive pads at the corners. It can be attached
directly to a desk or can be stuck to an included baseplate that can
then be slid under a mouse pad. ABC spokesperson Deborah McAlister
told Newsbytes Mouse Tamer may be the hottest selling "stocking
stuffer" accessory in computer stores in the coming holiday season.
Halter's solution to his back problem was to design a free-standing
computer desk that resembles a music stand outfitted with
accessories. "It resembles a marriage between a bedside table and
one of those black music stands they use in high school band rooms,"
McAlister told Newsbytes.
The $199.95 device, called Laptop Desk, doesn't just hold a laptop
computer. Now in at least its fifth version, its height can be
adjusted from 24 to 34 inches, it's mounted on rollers, and it has a
compartment for a surge protector and electrical plugs. It also has
a shelf for a printer, two shelves for paper, and a copy holder with
an attached halogen desk light. The light can be attached via Velcro
to the tilting tabletop for use as a reading light. A utility tray
holds pens, pencils and other miscellaneous items. The 35-inch-wide
by 20-inch-deep top can be tilted so it can be used from the user's
left or right side.
(Jim Mallory/19930930/Press contact: Deborah McAlister,
Holland-Mcalister PR for ABC, 214-349-2720; Reader contact: ABC,
214-380-4422 or 800-877-4797, fax 214-407-9096)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
BUSINESS
Dell Goes To India
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00005)
Dell Goes To India 10/01/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Dell PCs are to be sold by
Pertech Computers Ltd. in India. The company kicked off its new
relationship with Dell at IT Asia '93.
The range comprises over 20 PC systems starting from 486SX-based
personal computers to Pentium-upgradable 486 DX2 network servers.
PCL also sells its own PCs.
"Dell PCs come at a higher range, 486 SX and above, and PCL has
286, and 386s. We'll see that the Dell and PCL machines do not
compete, but complement," Bikram Dasgupta, director PCL, said.
Dell machines will find a ready market among most of the top
corporate companies. To market the Dell products, PCL has revamped
its marketing division. The PCL direct sales team will sell
both PCL and Dell machines to all the segments. The newly
created Corporate India team will concentrate only on Dell
machines.
PCL will not charge a premium for Dell products. The Dell
Dimension PCs are designed with features for budget-conscious
buyers, Optiplex series for business-critical applications,
NetPlex series with PCs designed specifically as network nodes
with network interface cards preinstalled, all coming at a
very competitive price, claims Dasgupta.
PCL also hopes to emulate the service concept of Dell. "While
some customers don't mind a few day's delay in service, there
are others who want it the same day, or even within an hour,
and are ready to pay extra for that." The SelectCare
customized service will give customers the option to select
the service option that suits them most. Within this comes
the lifetime telephone support, same business-day support,
and PCL-Dell software support. There is also the CriticalCare
2-hour service response through a special contract that
covers parts and labor on the system for a period of 1-5
years in selected locations. The easy serviceability of Dell
machines, and the embedded software for remote diagnosis,
will help customers get quick service, the company expects.
PCL is using the export route to bring the Dell PCs into
India without paying any import duty. Last December
the company obtained a Rs 150-crore order (around $ 50 million)
to supply motherboards for Dell computers. The Electronic
Hardware Technology Park that PCL has set up to undertake
this manufacturing has already been commissioned, and the first
shipment will take place in October, said Dasgupta.
Under the EHTP value-addition norms, PCL can bring in machines
worth 25 percent of the total exports to sell in India. As the
company expects to export $20 million worth motherboards in
the first year of operation, the Dell sales may reach $5 million.
(C. T. Mahabharat/1993100193)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
TRENDS
Australia Gets Last Telegram - Ever!
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00006)
Australia Gets Last Telegram - Ever! 10/01/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- The telegram is dead -
at least in Australia. While it has been a mere shadow of its
old self for years, the telegram service officially ceased today
in Australia.
It's been many years since there was a proper telegram service in
Australia, with a real telegram boy on his bike delivering that
special envelope. For quite a while Australia Post has used
an electronic messaging service to send telegrams. Senders
had a choice of having the message phoned to the recipient
and then delivered as a letter by the next day's mail, or
just delivered by mail, or delivered by courier.
But all of this was before the fax, and even the Post Office
offers a fax service that more than competed with its dwindling
telegram service. In addition, it has a guaranteed next day
mail delivery service around Australia. All of these factors
add up to a service that is no longer needed, so sometime
today the last telegram will be sent.
There are only six telegram operators on duty today,
covering the entire country. Sitting in one centralized
office, they are expected to handle around 0.001 percent
of the traffic when telegrams were at their peak.
One famous historical use of telegrams in Australia occurred
during the 1930s when the Australian cricket team was playing
against the English team in England. It wasn't possible
to provide a live radio commentary from one side of the
world to the other yet Australian fans wanted to hear the
game. The problem was solved by continuously sending
telegrams from England to the radio studio in Australia.
These contained a brief description of each ball that was
played plus whatever background information was pertinent.
In the Australia studio sports commentators were handed the
telegrams in a steady stream, only delayed by a couple of
minutes, and they "faked" the commentary, complete with
sound effects such as records of crowd cheering or pencils
tapped on the desk to simulate the ball being hit. These
broadcasts were known as "synthetic" cricket broadcasting.
(Paul Zucker/19931001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
TELECOM
Third Cellular Phone Network For Australia
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(SYD)(00007)
Third Cellular Phone Network For Australia 10/01/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Australia's third and newest
cellular phone network commenced operation yesterday, Thursday.
The all-digital service of Vodafone will initially operate in
Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra which represents half
of cellular phone users in the country.
All capital cities will be serviced by March 1994 and
more than 80 percent of the country will be covered by 1996.
The Vodafone service uses Global System Mobile (GSM). GSM is
the cellular phone technology that is currently under a cloud
for allegedly causing breakthrough problems in hearing
aids and other electronic devices.
MD John Rohan said unique features of his company's service
will include international roaming in other GSM-serviced
countries. From day one, Australians visiting the UK, for
instance, will be able to use their Australian Vodafone
phone without prior registration or change of number. Call
charges will be billed back via a smart card, helping the
user avoid typical exorbitant call costs in hotels.
Other special services include a directory assistance service
with "thru connect" which means that you will also be connected
to the wanted number without dialling if desired. Directory
assistance will also help find fax numbers, post and ZIP
codes and even give information from street directories.
A callback service will relay messages, and paging will
be offered via the portable phone's LCD display panel.
Vodafone has committed AUS$500M to the service and employs
100 people at its Sydney headquarters. It plans to
have 4000 employees at full strength
(David Frith and Paul Zucker/19931001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
EDITORIAL GENERAL
Editorial - Teach Your Neighbor, They're Not a Dummy
(EDITORIAL)(GENERAL)(ATL)(00008)
Editorial - Teach Your Neighbor, They're Not a Dummy 10/01/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- By Dana
Blankenhorn. Writing about technology, it's too easy
to forget the wide gulf between what's available and what
reporters like to call the situation "on the ground."
Here are some uncomfortable facts. Most homes still lack PCs.
Most school children get very little access to PCs. Nearly all
Americans still have just one source for cable television, and
one phone company. Very few homes can even buy digital services
under ISDN standards. Most adults still don't know what modems
are.
This was brought home to me recently when I attended my first PTA
meeting at my daughter's new school. Their big problem was
communications. They talked about newsletters, about sending
notes home, about phone trees. I mentioned the idea of putting in
a computer bulletin board, maybe with fax and voice capability.
They looked at me like I was the Man in the Moon.
That's something all Newsbytes readers need to be reminded of.
Most of our four million readers pick us up online, dialing into
either a commercial service or the Internet. Despite all this
hoopla about "Information Superhighways," despite the merger-
mania over building and serving them, despite all the stories
about Internet junkies from the White House on down, the fact is
that if you're reading this online you're unusual. And you'll
probably remain unusual for quite some time.
That's important to remember for several reasons. It means things
that seem commonplace to you remain mysteries to most of your
neighbors. Politically, it means issues that have become
important to you -- like what happens to the Internet, or the
fate of the "Information Superhighway" -- are clear as mud to
most of your neighbors. It means if you want to ensure the
benefits of the Information Age for your children and your
posterity, you're going to have to do some hard work.
When "DOS For Dummies" became a big computer book sales hit last
year, followed by innumerable copy-cat series, many in the
industry took it as a sign that the mass market was finally
becoming computer-literate. I have to disagree. A part of the
mass market did buy those books, but it was only that part that
feels it should be leading-edge. The rest don't like to think of
themselves as dummies and, believe it or not, don't know what DOS
is.
There are lessons in this for journalists and policymakers, too.
Since we live with this technology, day-in and day-out, we take
it and its attendant buzzwords for granted. We assume the
benefits of being able to communicate, when we want, with people
around the world, from a telephone or cellular phone line. Most
people still don't understand those benefits. They must be shown
how to gain them, one-on-one. If you are within the sound of my
modem, you are, by definition, a computer guru to your neighbors.
Remember what you were like before you first set fingers on a
computer? Now, look across the street or down your block. You have
something to teach your neighbors.
Fact is, when looking at this technology you and I take for
granted, most people still only see the dark side. They see
client-server networks taking away their jobs. They don't see the
new jobs, or the new business opportunities, awaiting them if
they use those same networks to gain new skills and new insights.
It's becoming the new political divide -- the computer
literate and the computer illiterate. Most of the computer
literate like NAFTA, because they know that their minds can
conjure up better jobs than their hands. Most of the computer
literate understand health care reform and "re-inventing
government" -- they've seen how automation can save money. Most of
the computer literate want the "Information Superhighway" now,
and are willing to listen to any policy which will get people to
do something about it.
But the computer illiterate remain the majority. They have to be
educated, with respect and not put-downs, one-on-one, on how to
use this technology and how to benefit from it. They're not
dummies, and if they're treated like dummies they'll rebel,
slowing the technical transformation which still must take place
if our government and our other institutions are to become
efficient.
There's a danger here. The market's "invisible hand" does not
respect national borders. If this freewheeling democracy rejects
efficiency, and the paternalistic oligarchies to our Far East
embrace it, as they are embracing it, the "invisible hand" will
just write us off and move on. The future is at stake.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
UNIX
Wang Extends Open/image Line
(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00009)
Wang Extends Open/image Line 10/01/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Wang Laboratories
has unveiled new desktop client image software for Unix
systems and announced a deal to bring its Open/image software to
Sun Microsystems Computer's Solaris operating system.
The Open/image X Workstation for Unix works on X terminals with
Hewlett-Packard's HP-UX and IBM's AIX versions of Unix, said
Larry Mononen, marketing manager for client/server imaging at
Wang.
According to the company, it provides application programming
interfaces (APIs) that make it simple for developers to create or
add to image applications.
X Workstation for Unix is due to ship in November, with prices
starting at $495 per client in single quantities.
Wang also announced several enhancements to existing products in
its Open/image line, including support for the Twain standard,
which means the software will be able to deal with input from
more types of document scanners, and image management support for
a number of optical subsystems.
And the company said it has a deal with Sun to make Open/image
available on Solaris, Sun's version of Unix. With help from Sun
in porting the software, Wang said it hopes to make Open/image
for Solaris available in phases from November of this year
through next February. Prices have not been set, Mononen said.
The Solaris software will include client, host, and image server
components, Mononen explained.
(Grant Buckler/19931001/Press Contact: Tom Mitro, Wang,
508-967-2081; Joan M. Kraft, Wang, 508-967-0342; Cindee Mock,
Sun, 415-336-3563)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
TELECOM
Toronto's 416 Area Code To Split
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00010)
Toronto's 416 Area Code To Split 10/01/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- The 416 area code is
full, and will officially split into two on Monday, Oct. 4. With
almost no available phone numbers left in Canada's largest city,
Bell Canada is creating a new 905 area code for the areas around
Toronto, leaving the old 416 code for Metro Toronto itself.
As of Monday, all phone numbers now within the 416 area code but
outside the municipality of Metropolitan Toronto (the cities of
Toronto, Etobicoke, York, North York, and Scarborough and the
borough of East York) switch to the 905 area code. Bell Canada is
telling its customers to look at postal codes to see whether the
change affects them. If your postal code begins with M, you stay
in 416. If it begins with L, you're in 905.
Bell will allow a grace period, running until March 25, 1994,
during which numbers in the new 905 area code will still be
reachable by calling the old 416 numbers, said Una MacNeil, a
spokeswoman for the company. After that, calls using the wrong
area code will reach a recorded message and Bell will start
reassigning numbers already used in one area code to subscribers
in the other as well.
The change will have no effect on which calls are local and which
are long-distance, but people in one area code will have to dial
seven digits to reach those in the other, even when the call
carries no long-distance charges. Thus a Toronto resident will
dial 905 followed by the seven-digit local number (but without an
initial 1) to reach a number in nearby Markham or Mississauga.
The phone company has been reminding customers not only in the
affected area but in other area codes to reprogram automatic
dialling devices to use the new code.
Many new area codes have been added in the United States in
recent years, but 905 is the first new Canadian area code in
recent memory.
(Grant Buckler/19931001/Press Contact: Una MacNeil, Bell Canada,
416-581-3221)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
BUSINESS
Geac Buys Companies Down Under
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00011)
Geac Buys Companies Down Under 10/01/93
MARKHAM, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Geac Computer Corp.,
Ltd., has acquired Datamark International Ltd., of New Zealand and
its subsidiary Dmark International Pty., Ltd., of Australia. The
Canadian company paid an undisclosed amount of cash for the two
firms.
Geac spokeswoman Heidi Riffert could not say at Newsbytes'
deadline whether the companies will be folded into existing Geac
operations in the two countries or run as separate subsidiaries,
or whether any jobs will be lost as a result of the buyout.
Datamark makes manufacturing and distribution software, and has
been a competitor to Geac, which in March of this year bought
Mentat Computer Systems Pty., Ltd., an Australian maker of
manufacturing software. Mentat was absorbed into existing Geac
operations when it was purchased.
Geac has been on the acquisition trail all year, with a number of
purchases around the globe. At the same time as the Mentat
acquisition, the company picked up Concord Management Systems
Inc., of Tampa, Florida, which makes software for construction
companies. In April Geac bought Computer Library Services
International (Australia) Pty., Ltd., of Melbourne, Australia, a
software distributor. In May, it bought MAI (UK) Ltd., and
Tekserv Computer Services, both of Hemel Hempstead, UK, and NBI
Canada Inc., a network reseller in Toronto.
The largest part of Geac' revenues comes from library automation
systems, but the company also produces vertical market software
for the financial sector, hotels, property management, and
distribution, as well as construction and manufacturing.
(Grant Buckler/19931001/Press Contact: Heidi Riffert, Geac,
416-475-0525)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
REVIEW APPLE
Review of - Nigel's World - Game For Macintosh
(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00012)
Review of - Nigel's World - Game For Macintosh 10/01/93
Runs on: Macintosh
From: Lawrence Productions, 1800 South 35th St., Galesburg, MI 49053
(616) 665-7075
Price: $59.95
PUMA rating: 3 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Naor Wallach
Summary: A geographical game designed to teach about
different areas in the world. Is a bit out of date.
This is a fun game if taken in small doses.
=======
REVIEW
=======
Nigel's World is a computer game that teaches geography in
a relatively light manner so that you can actually enjoy
solving the puzzles without realizing the geographical
information that you are absorbing. Since it is both a game
and an educational program, the "Edutainment" label is very
appropriate.
Nigel's World comes on seven diskettes with a 28-page book, "Helping
Your Child Learn Geography," a 15-page user's manual, and a two-page
Technical Supplement for the Macintosh. The game is large and took
a half an hour to completely install on my Centris 610. The
installation process itself is very automated, merely
requiring that you insert the appropriate disk when asked.
The complete program takes up over 8 MBof hard disk space
so you better make sure that you have lots of it available.
The reason the game is so hefty is because it's a
multimedia game with graphics, animation, digitized
photographs, and even a collection of 30 folk tunes
from different countries.
You play the role of Nigel, the Scottish photographer
extraordinaire, who is attempting to win the coveted Golden
Tripod award and retire to a world of fame and fortune. To
achieve Nigel's goal, you must guide him to victory in a
challenging photography contest. The contest is administered
by Roxy who will provide you with assignments and judge your
responses. For each successfully completed assignment, you
are allocated a number of points towards the contest.
At the beginning of your career you are labeled a Shutterbug.
There are four levels including Shooter and Photog,
culminating in the coveted Master. To progress from one level
to the next you must successfully complete 12 assignments
within the previous level.
Each assignment is given to Nigel at home. The scene opens
with Nigel sitting quietly in his armchair next to his
camera. On the credenza behind him is a fax machine and
next to it lies his faithful dog. If you do nothing, but just
watch this tranquil scene, you will notice that every so
often (about every 30 seconds or so) something will happen.
A blue bird will come to visit, or maybe a mouse will scurry
through the room.
Beside this main window are a collection of buttons.
Pressing the one that bears an icon of a fax machine causes
Roxy to assign you a task and transmit it to you over the fax.
The fax machine springs to life and prints out your assignment
which then floats over to Nigel. Nigel peruses it and its
contents are displayed in a window beneath the main one.
At the Shutterbug level your assignments are to take a
photograph on a certain continent. At the Shooter level,
you need to get to a specific country and take a photograph
while there. At the Photog level your assignment calls
for three photographs from three different countries,
while in the Master level, you are asked to photograph
specific landmarks without the benefit of a country
designation.
You are allowed to refuse any assignment. To do so, you click on the
thumbs down button and Nigel will crumple up the assignment sheet and
toss it to the garbage. Nigel may be a great photographer, but a
basketball player he ain't so more times than not, his shot will miss
and hit some other parts of the room. There does not seem to be
any penalty for refusing assignments. So, an interesting strategy
which seems to defeat the purpose of the game is to simply
refuse any assignment which you are not sure of. To accept an
assignment you need to press the thumbs up button.
When an assignment is accepted, your first task is to look at a map of
the world and choose the continent to which you will travel. The
map is presented in color and each of the continents is drawn in a
different color. In addition, different oceans are identified
as you move the cursor across them. Once you have chosen a
continent, you are shown a little animation with music which
represents Nigel flying his little plane to the continent.
There is no attempt to give one an idea of how far continents
are from each other so all travel between continents is shown
to take the exact same two days.
Once you reach a continent, the next step is to identify the
country you need to reach. Fortunately, there are only 30
countries to choose from. By clicking on a country, Nigel
will travel to it. Each country has a landmark, a person,
and an animal that one can select to photograph. Each of the
three subjects will also indicate how much travel time
is needed to reach it. Finally, one button shows a musical
note which, when clicked, offers a rendition of a folk tune from
that country.
Once a subject is reached, the program displays an animated
scene of the area. Pressing the camera icon button will take
a picture which will then appear in the main window. These
digitized photos will normally be very similar to the
animation. As long as you have the time, you can continue
to travel and take more pictures. One of the buttons will
show an icon of Roxy's door. When you believe that you
have the proper images, click on that icon and two days
later you will find yourself sitting in Roxy's office while
she checks out your photograph.
If she likes the image, you are given encouragement and
points towards the contest. If you bring her the wrong images
and you have some time remaining, she will shoo you back
to get the proper photos. Finally, if there is no time
remaining, then no points will be awarded. After every
series of successful photographs, Roxy will present an
award as she announces your promotion.
When you get the ultimate Golden Tripod award, the program
offers a series of animations of your victory celebration.
I won't spoil your fun and tell you all about it. Play the
game and get there on your own!
When I started playing the game I was impressed with
the quality of the animation, but after a while I found that
the traveling scenes were starting to grate on my nerves.
Thankfully, Lawrence Productions included an option area
where it is possible to tailor the game's operations including
the ability to get rid of those little animations.
If you counted, to win this game, one must complete 48 assignments
successfully. These must also be done in order of levels to
receive the highest points. That's OK for the casual user
who picks up this game every so often. However, I found that
the game was repetitive after a while. My wife found me
sitting in a semi stupor in front of the computer pressing
the proper buttons without much enthusiasm. Perhaps a
more innovative display and more elaborate story line
might have helped here.
Another problem with the program is that it is dated. Although
it carries a copyright date of 1992, the maps still portray
the Soviet Union as one big monolith and also shows Yugoslavia
and Czechoslovakia as single countries.
Finally, the manual mentions that the purpose of the
folk tunes is that Nigel will be presented with a
"double or nothing" musical challenge at the end of the
contest. Nigel will hear a tune and will be asked to identify
its country of origin. If he (you) succeed, your points are
doubled. Fail, and all the points are taken away. Unfortunately,
this feature was not implemented in the version that I
received. This is not mentioned in the manual. It is
mentioned in the Technical Supplement under the "And
Lastly..." section.
Overall I think that this is a worthwhile game but I
would not suggest trying to play it start to finish in one
session as it will quickly get boring.
=============
PUMA RATINGS
=============
PERFORMANCE: 3 The program runs quickly and without any noticeable
delays or problems. Any slowness perceived is probably programmed
into it on purpose like an effect which has the photograph
slowly coming into focus. Some of the maps are out of date.
USEFULNESS: 3 Although it teaches a few facts about geography,
it is not useful beyond the first few sessions.
MANUAL: 3 The manual and the technical supplement tend to
contradict each other on occasion.
AVAILABILITY: 3 Available from mail order and software stores.
Lawrence does not maintain a toll-free number for support.
(Naor Wallach/19930917)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of - Iomega Bernoulli PC Powered Drive
(REVIEW)(IBM)(DEN)(00013)
Review of - Iomega Bernoulli PC Powered Drive 10/01/93
From: Iomega Corporation, 1821 West Iomega Way, Roy, UT
84067, 801-778-1000
Price: Iomega doesn't publish suggested retail prices, but
the Model 150 PC Powered drive has a street price just under
$800, and the disks sell for about $99.
PUMA Rating: 4.0 (on a scale of 1=lowest to 4=highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Jim Mallory
Summary: A well-built, useful product that can be used to
expand the data storage capacity of a PC or for high-
capacity data backup without the drawbacks of tape
subsystems.
======
REVIEW
======
The Newsbytes review unit was the Iomega Multidisk system
which draws its power from the PC. Bernoulli makes an
Insider unit, a Mac Transportable, a Universal
Transportable, and a Universal Dual system also. The PC
Powered 150 connects to the PC via an interface card
installed in an empty expansion slot of the PC. It comes
with the necessary interface software and a free cartridge
that Iomega calls a disk. A single cable carries both data
and power to the drive. Iomega also provides a stand that
allows the unit to be set up vertically next to the PC if
desk space is limited.
Our review unit was also accompanied by Central Point
Backup software for DOS and Windows and an Iomega disk that
contained a host of freeware programs, some entertaining,
some useful. If you haven't seen one of the Bernoulli
systems, they are an external drive that uses removable
disks that look like large versions of the familiar 3.5-inch
floppy disk. Like the floppy disk, each Bernoulli disk has a
moveable tab to write protect the disk if desired.
The beauty of the system is the high capacity removable
disk. Once data or program files are stored on the disk, it
can be removed and locked away for security purposes, or
carried to another Bernoulli-equipped PC where the files can
be used there.
Our test system was a Packard Bell 486SX-based system
equipped with an 85-megabyte (MB) hard drive. Attaching the
Bernoulli system, which only took about 10 minutes,
instantly expanded the system capacity to 235MB. In reality
it expanded to the system to infinite capacity, since you
can have as many Bernoulli disks as you can afford. The 150
will read, write and format 150MB, 105MB, 65MB, 35MB and
90MB disks, and can read 44MB disks.
Our evaluation unit worked just fine as soon as we plugged
it in and installed the necessary software. The brief
installation instructions include very clear pictures. You
must be using a version of DOS that handles disk partitions
of 32MB or larger, which means MS-DOS or PC-DOS 4.x or
later, Compaq DOS 3.31 or higher, or Zenith DOS 3.3 or
higher. The system can be set up to boot from the Bernoulli
drive. Bernoulli cautions not to bulk-erase their disks, as
it's hazardous to their health.
The setup software is equally easy to install. The only
annoying thing about the instructions is that there are two
booklets marked "Read Me First." I've seen this before and
wonder why nobody at the company has noticed it. The
installation diskette has a readme file that contains any
new information about the system published after the manual
was written.
The Utilities that come with the system are graphically
based, with the user selecting various functions by clicking
on the appropriate icon with the mouse. You can also make
selections by using the keyboard if you don't have a mouse.
Bernoulli disks are formatted and otherwise managed in the
same manner as floppy disks.
Additionally, there are some extra sectors on the disks which,
when the user runs the Surface verify function, are used to
replace any sectors identified as defective. To remove a
Bernoulli disk from its drive you have to first press an Eject
button on the face of the drive. That button can be disabled
with a software command if you want to make sure no one
accidentally (or intentionally) removes a disk. There is also
a Spindown command that stops the disk from spinning continually,
and is provided to make the disks last longer. The disk
automatically comes back to operating speed when it's next
accessed. A Sleep mode tells the drive to turn itself off
after a user-specified amount of time without having to
issues toe Spindown command each time.
Once the drive is installed, use it just like any floppy or
hard disk. Copy to it, issue the usual DOS commands like
DIR, and in general forget it.
============
PUMA RATING
============
PERFORMANCE: 4.0. This drive does what it's supposed to do,
does it well, is fast, and expands your data and program
capacity infinitely. We found no limitations.
USEFULNESS: 4.0. The Bernoulli drive is as good a product
as you can get for the purpose. A hard card or a second hard
drive can't be removed for transport or for security
storage.
MANUAL: 4.0. The manuals, although brief, are easy to read,
easy to understand, include good illustrations. In addition
to the install and setup booklets, Iomega also includes a
Open Architecture Drives for DOS 4.x and 5.0 manual
(actually the instruction manual for the drive and its
utility software, although the title is not very
descriptive) with the drive that tells you how to navigate
through the provided utility programs as well as how to
execute the desired commands from the command line. Also
easy to understand. It has a nice glossary at the end a good
"What should I check if..." section.
AVAILABILITY: 4.0. The various models of Bernoulli drives
are available through most computer outlets. Iomega
maintains a toll-free number for technical support. They also
have a toll fax number if you prefer to fax your questions,
and the product is supported on Iomega's own bulletin board,
Compuserve, Internet, and AppleLink. Iomega also offers
"Silver" and "Gold" level service contracts. The price list
included with the model 150 we tested prices the Silver
level service, which includes 100 percent parts and labor,
at $89.95 for the second year, and $79.95 for each year
thereafter. The Gold level is also for 100 percent parts and
labor at Iomega's factory only. For the model 150 it costs
$109.95 for the second year and $99.95 for each additional
year. The first year is covered by Iomega's standard
warranty. Gold level service includes shipment to and from
Iomega via express service.
(Jim Mallory/19930923/Press contact: Cara O'Sullivan, Iomega
Corporation, 1821 West 4000 South, Roy UT 84067, 801-778-
1000, fax 801-778-3450)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
TELECOM
International Telecom Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
International Telecom Update 10/01/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Speculation on the
future of Hong Kong has turned into speculation on the future of
Hongkong Telecom's parent, Hutchison Whampoa.
Hutchison has been losing money in its international
telecommunications operations, and has now accepted the
resignation of managing director, Richard Siemens, signaling a
retreat back to the Asia-Pacific region. This comes after the
parent company's managing director, Simon Murray, stepped down in
August. Hongkong Telecom has also been changing, moving its ad
business to J. Walter Thompson.
Elsewhere in Southeast Asia, Philippine President Fidel Ramos won
a major victory as the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company
withdrew its objections to competition. PLDT previously opposed
applications by other companies for international gateways. The
objections were based in part on a claim it would be difficult to
obtain financing if it faced competition, but the company also
recently won a new $250 million Eurobond financing. That move
should help raise the penetration of telephony in the country,
which is currently among the region's lowest with just two phones
for every 100 people. Competitors include Digitel and Smart
Information, both of which have heavy Hong Kong investment.
Singapore Telecom is also active in the market, and won
provisional approval to open a digital cellular system which
could reach 50,000 users by the end of the century. It's the
fifth company to receive such an approval -- many developing
nations with state-owned monopolies running their wired networks
still allow lots of private competition in cellular.
Technology Resources Industires Bhd of Malaysia, known as TRI,
seems finally to be shaping up as a real competitor in the
international arena. The company, which recently made a move into
Africa, now says it's ready to expand into Southern Thailand. At
the heart of TRI's business is its cellular network, Malaysia's
largest, and profits there have exceeded expectations. That means
a higher stock price and more capital. TRI is also now interested
in the China market, and has taken 80 percent of a new venture
there called Tri-Poly Communication Ltd., to take over radio
frequencies formerly used by that nation's military. Its partner
in that venture, China Poly Economic Technology Development Co.,
is managed by the military.
In Indonesia, Satelindo signed a deal with Alvatel Alstholm of
France for equipment worth $250 million, as that nation attempts
to increase the size of its networks, and in Thailand the first
of one million new lines were set to go into operation, ahead of
schedule.
In Singapore, an operations center was established to service
AT&T's WorldSource consortium, which will compete with
a new BT-MCI group for the business of managing the
communications systems of multinational companies. KDD and
Singapore Telecom are both partners in WorldSource.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
TELECOM
Spectrum Wins Cellular Patent
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
Spectrum Wins Cellular Patent 10/01/93
MANHASSET, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Spectrum
Information Technologies was one of the most actively traded
stocks in the US, doubling in price to $6 per share before
falling slightly after it announced it won US Patent 5,249,218.
The patent covers its method of linking cellular phones to
computers as used in its Axcell product, but Spectrum has been
known for making broad claims, and fighting for them in court. A
press release from the company says its new patent "covers the
essential technology allowing portable computers, PDAs [personal
digital assistants] and personal communicators to operate a
variety of different cellular phones, including digital, through
a simple connecting cable." The company said it can get the
essential technology onto a single chip.
Spectrum's most significant win wasn't in the patent office, but
in the marketplace, where it licensed its patents to AT&T and
Megahertz -- the latter is a major maker of cellular modems sold
by other companies under their own brands. AT&T, of course,
includes Eo, NCR and McCaw, and AT&T's NCR unit has announced a
joint marketing and technology alliance with the company to
provide what it calls "virtual office solutions." In addition to
its technology operations, Spectrum also owns a computer store
chain, Computer Bay, and a network of system resellers called
Data One.
One reason the stock may have gone down is a market realization
of the continuing risks facing the company. It is engaged in
lawsuits against Microcom and Data Race concerning its broad
patent claims, and market-leader Motorola has yet to negotiate a
license with it acknowledging the broad patent claims. When asked
about this by Newsbytes a few months ago at a press conference,
Motorola officials indicated they feel their own technology can
suffice to link cellular phones and modems.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931001/Press Contact: Don Kessler, Spectrum,
516-627-8992)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
TELECOM
Latest On Viacom Battle
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
Latest On Viacom Battle 10/01/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Atlanta is
becoming the center of the battle over Paramount Communications
Inc., whose holdings include computer book publisher Prentice
Hall.
On September 30, the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" reported that
its parent, Cox Enterprises, was close to an agreement under
which it will put $1 billion into helping Viacom's bid for
Paramount. Viacom must raise its bid to beat an offer from QVC
Networks Inc. Wire services also reported that BellSouth, the
regional Bell company also based in Atlanta, may make a similar
effort on behalf of QVC's bid, which would be expected to raise
Viacom's ante.
Both Viacom and QVC are anxious to line up partners. Viacom head
Sumner Redstone is leery of any threat to his control of the
eventual Viacom-Paramount since under his original deal he'd have
66 percent of the voting stock. A few partners holding 5 percent or
more wouldn't hurt him, so long as his own holdings remained well
above 51 percent. And he'll need partners to sweeten his bid
without diluting his control -- there's a limit to how much new
stock he can issue without risk. QVC, meanwhile, may have
stretched its own borrowing capacity to the limit in its current
bid, and will need partners in order to raise it further.
Meanwhile, a third Atlantan could still enter the bidding. Ted
Turner of Turner Broadcasting System has said he won't get
involved until after the season is over for his Atlanta Braves
baseball team.
Following Blockbuster Entertainment's $600 million investment on
the side of Viacom, meanwhile, names continue to swirl of other
possible players. These include Southwestern Bell and NYNEX,
which might come in on Viacom's side, although speculation died
down concerning Ameritech and began rising concerning
Southwestern Bell. Speculation on regional Bell companies is
based on US West's $2.5 billion deal with Time Warner, under
which it takes a piece of Time Warner's entertainment properties
and helps fund its redevelopment of Time Warner Cable systems.
Even if QVC loses Paramount, of course, it still has a pending
merger with the Home Shopping Network on the table, and growing
competition from companies like Spiegel and Macy's in that arena.
To meet that, it's officially opened a new telecommunications
center in Virginia, which now handles about 40 percent of its
calls. QVC will respond to more than 60 million telephone calls
this year, the company said in a press statement, and employs
about 1,400 people in Virginia. Other QVC operations are in
Pennsylvania and Texas.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19931001/Press Contact: Jenni Moyer, QVC, 215-
431-6424; Raymond Boyce, Viacom, 212-258-6530)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
GENERAL
Industry Group Aims To Beef Up Canada's Software Skills
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00017)
Industry Group Aims To Beef Up Canada's Software Skills 10/01/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- The Software Human
Resource Council (SHRC), an industry group formed a year ago, has
revealed plans to tackle a shortage of software skills in Canada.
The council was formed after publication in March 1992 of a
report entitled Software and National Competitiveness. Prepared
for the federal Department of Employment and Immigration, with
the support of the Canadian Information Processing Society
(CIPS), the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC),
and the Canadian Advanced Technology Association (CATA), the
report said Canada does not have enough skilled software workers,
and that fact could cripple not only the country's software
industry but other economic sectors as well.
In June of last year, the sponsoring groups held a roundtable
conference in Toronto to discuss the problems. As a result, they
agreed to form the SHRC, with representation from the three
industry associations, government, and education.
The SHRC has now announced that its first step will be to develop
electronic courseware meant to help software workers upgrade
their skills. Paul Hession, president of the organization, said
the 1992 report named the erosion of skills among older software
workers as the largest single issue facing the industry.
The SHRC will work with a number of companies -- the Bank of
Montreal and Oracle Corp., Canada are among the first -- to
develop courseware to meet their training needs. The hope is that
this courseware can later be resold and used by private-sector
training organizations, bringing in revenue that will help pay
for future SHRC activities.
Those activities will include a publicity campaign aimed at
another of the problems pointed out by the 1992 study -- a
negative image of the software industry among Canadian
school children. The report said young people think of software
workers as computer nerds who spend hours hunched over terminals,
and this results in small numbers of people pursuing studies that
could lead to a career in this area. As a result, the report
claimed, not enough people are being trained to fill the
software-related jobs that will be available in coming years.
Hession said countering this problem will require a massive
publicity campaign which will be quite costly. However, the SHRC
is taking some initial steps, such as an event for secondary
school students this week in Toronto. Called Career Pathways, the
event is aimed at promoting technology-related jobs. The council
also plans efforts to sell school guidance counsellors on the
attractiveness of jobs in software, Hession said.
Money for the SHRC's activities is coming partly from the
Canadian government and partly from the three industry
associations backing the council. Over four years, initial
contributions from the federal Human Resources and Labour Canada
ministry will gradually be phased out as the private-sector
organizations take over all funding of most SHRC activities,
Hession said. For training programs, half the cost will be paid
by organizations whose staff are being trained, with the
government contributing to the other half initially but
ultimately all money coming from the private sector.
Courseware resulting from the first phase of the project should
be ready for use within three to six months, Hession said.
(Grant Buckler/19931001/Press Contact: John Elias, National
Public Relations for SHRC, 416-586-0180, fax 416-586-9916)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
IBM
Microsoft Launches Home Computing Products
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00018)
Microsoft Launches Home Computing Products 10/01/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Microsoft has
launched a comprehensive campaign to capture a chunk of the growing
home computing market, and it's just in time for the holiday season.
The software giant is gathering its consumer products under the
"Microsoft Home" title and says it will offer more than 100 new
products for the home computing market over the next 18 months. The
program, supported by a multifaceted marketing campaign, kicks off
Monday with the introduction of seven new or revised products that
include Microsoft Works for Windows and Encarta. Works is a software
suite that includes word processing, spreadsheets, charting and
database capabilities. Encarta is a multimedia encyclopedia.
With the home user market estimated to be the fastest growing
segment of the computer industry, several companies, including Compaq
Computer Corporation and AST Research Inc., have recently announced
new PC models being marketed for home use. Other companies,
including Dell Computer Corporation and IBM, are expected to join
the fray this month.
Microsoft Home will offer consumers special pricing for the rest of
the year, workshops for parent-teacher groups, product
demonstrations in shopping malls, and a TV ad campaign. Consumer
Division VP Patty Stonesifer says several years of research and
thousands of hours of consumer testing with customers and potential
customers have gone into the marketing realignment, which divides
Microsoft products into creativity and productivity, games and
library usage categories.
The library section includes Microsoft educational products such as
Microsoft Art Gallery - The Collection of The National Gallery,
London, an interactive collection of about 2,000 paintings that will
sell for about $80. In the creativity and productivity category
users will find Works for Windows 3.0 will carry an $89 suggested
retail price tag until the end of the year.
(Jim Mallory/19931001/Press and reader contact: Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/01/93
UNIX
OEC Toolkit For PC Apps Accessing Multiple Databases
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00019)
OEC Toolkit For PC Apps Accessing Multiple Databases 10/01/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Open
Environment Corp. (OEC) has announced the first production version
of OEC Toolkit, a set of tools for design of applications in which
users can access multiple databases from simple, PC-based GUIs
(graphical user interfaces).
Version 1.1 of OEC Toolkit is scheduled to ship October 25, said
Sundar Subramanian, CEO, in an interview with Newsbytes. OEC
introduced an earlier edition of the software, Version 1.0, last
summer.
"Since then, we've added many new services. Fundamentally, we've
taken a toolkit that was used primarily for piloting into one that
can be used for production," Subramaniam told Newsbytes.
Early users such as Alcoa, Dow-UT and Mobil Oil have employed the
toolkit to build applications that let desktop users switch easily
between newer, relational databases like Sybase and Oracle and
legacy databases like IMS, he said. "The user hits one button on
the screen to get Sybase, and another for IMS," he illustrated.
The toolkit features the NetMinder graphical network administration
tool, as well as security monitoring tools and an application
management utility aimed at improving system responsiveness by
distributing system processing based on available resources.
In OEC Toolkit Version 1.1, NetMinder has been improved with such
functions as the ability to start up and shut down multiple
machines from a central location, and to monitor such statistics as
average queue length, according to Subramanian. Another new
capability in Version 1.1, the replication server, is able to
"remember what each user has been doing," he told Newsbytes.
Version 1.1 enables the integration of GUIs based on PowerBuilder,
VisualBasic, and Enfin, and relational databases that include
Informix and DB2, in addition to Oracle and Sybase.
OEC recently sealed a deal with IBM for cooperative marketing in
the US, as well as a technology sharing agreement with DEC,
Subramanian added.
OEC distributes its products in Europe through a company-run sales
office in Ireland, and in the Asia Pacific through resellers based
in Japan and Singapore, he said. Major international clients
include Toyota Motor Company, Mitsubishi, and the Swedish Tax
Board.
The company also offers training programs on its products, along
with a course called "The Spirit of Open Systems" which is designed
to provide an architectural overview of open systems products.
The OEC Toolkit Version 1.1 will initially be available for IBM AIX
and HP-UX server platforms and OS/2 and Windows clients. Support
for other systems, including OSF/1, SunOS, and Unix System V, is
slated for late 1993.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19931001/Reader contact: Open Environment Corp.,
tel 617-499-1632; Press contact: Barbara Rudolph, Brodeur &
Partners for OEC, tel 617-894-0003)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
GOVT
****Software Toolworks Says SEC Investigation Old News
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00020)
****Software Toolworks Says SEC Investigation Old News 10/01/93
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 10 (NB) -- Software
Toolworks says the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
investigation surrounding the company's July 20, 1990 stock is
old news that it disclosed over a year ago. Yesterday the SEC
filed a suit in the Northern District of California against the
company and then immediately settled.
The company claims the disclosure of the SEC investigation was
made when it offered a settlement to the staff of the SEC --
a settlement it claims is described in its quarterly
report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September
30, 1992, and in subsequent filings since that date.
Company officials claim they've been thwarted in laying the
July 1990 stock offering issue to rest. The company has already
settled class action suits filed by stockholders concerning the
stock offering, and those suits were settled to the tune of
$9.5 million in 1991.
Toolworks blames a competing wire service for digging the
three-year-old matter up again. Bob Lloyd, president and
chief executive of the company, said in a prepared
statement: "The wire service's inaccurate and misleading report
released yesterday afternoon regarding the culmination of an
SEC investigation which the company disclosed 11 months ago
is extremely frustrating. This relates to old news and, if
anything, the commission's approval two weeks ago of a
settlement which involves no financial impact to the company
is positive news for the company."
What may have drawn attention to the company is the fact that
12 executives or members of the board of directors, including
Lloyd, sold hundreds of thousands of shares of the company's
stock near the time of the SEC settlement. The announcement of
those sales was made on July 21 and July 23, in accordance
with SEC regulations regarding disclosure.
At that time, the company's stock was at one of its high points
in over a year, closing on Friday, September 24 at 12 7/8
compared to the 2 7/8 it closed at nearly a year earlier on
Friday, October 2, 1992. The week before the company's stock
reached a high of 14 1/8. Software Toolworks representatives
were unavailable to comment on the stock sales.
After yesterday's announcement of the SEC's closure of its
investigation and settlement, Toolwork's stock began falling,
and is still falling as of press time today.
Software Toolworks specializes in game titles for the personal
computers (PCs) and home entertainment systems. The company
reported a profit of income $3.5 million or 12 cents per share
on revenues of $119.6 million for its fiscal year ending March
31, 1993.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931001/Press Contact: Vince Turzo, Software
Toolworks, tel 415-883-3000 ext 568, fax 415-883-3303)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/01/93
BUSINESS
Artisoft, Mountain Network In Backup Software Deal
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00021)
Artisoft, Mountain Network In Backup Software Deal 10/01/93
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Backing up vital
data is one of the most important tasks for a network manager.
On a network, because of the huge amount of data involved, this
usually involves tape storage. Now Artisoft and Mountain Network
Solutions are working together on the task.
Artisoft spokesman Joe Stunkard told Newsbytes that "We've
finalized an agreement with Mountain Network Solutions to develop
a tape backup software product. We'll have a hardware bundle with
some of Mountain's products as well."
The product will be designed for use with Artisoft's popular
LANtastic network operating system (NOS), one of the leaders in
the peer-to-peer NOS market.
According to the companies, the first ArtiSave backup software
product will be available in the fall for $339. The software-only
product will be compatible with standard SCSI (Small Computer
Systems Interface) tape backup drives. Also, a software/hardware
bundle involving Mountain's SideCar II parallel port tape backup
drive will be available in the fall, for $699. Other packages
will be made available in early 1994.
DOS and Windows users can run the ArtiSave software on any
server to back up the drive. The company says that the software
offers individual file selective and automatic backup modes.
Additionally features include automatic installation, easily used
menus, on-line text sensitive help screens, and automatic backup
event scheduling. The server can also be backed up while users
are still on the network.
Users with a 386-based system can use Windows 386 enhanced
mode background operation, which lets them to run other tasks
while backing up. Windows users can also use the Librarian
feature which provides data management features for the
automatic tracking of archived files.
The company says that the software supports large directory
structures and defragments files that are backed up file-by-file,
which allows for the restoration of individual files. The selective
backup features allows for the tagging of disks, subdirectories
and files with a single click. The software also offers the ability
to back up files that have been modified since the last complete
backup, files between a specified data range or by archive bit.
The bundling deal involves Mountain's 305 megabytes SideCarII
portable backup drive. The SideCarII connects directly to the
PCs parallel port, and according to the company, does not require
an additional interface card.
(Ian Stokell/19931001/Press Contact: Joe Stunkard,
602-670-7101, Artisoft Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
BUSINESS
Philips Color Screen Mft'ing Going From Far East To Austria
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00022)
Philips Color Screen Mft'ing Going From Far East To Austria 10/01/93
EINDHOVEN, THE NETHERLANDS, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Philips, the Dutch
electronics giant, has announced plans to start producing color
monitors in Austria. Plans call for the phased transfer of color
monitor production from the Far East, where the monitors are
currently being produced, either by Philips production facilities,
or on a subcontracting basis.
The transfer, which has achieved formal approval from Philips'
board, makes the Dutch company the first in Europe to start color
screen production.
According to Philips, Europe currently requires around 2.5 million
color monitors a year, a consumption figure than will double within
the next four years. The Dutch electronics company claims that its
Far Eastern production already stands at around 2.5 million units a
year.
Plans now call for Philips to transfer all of if its Far Eastern
monitor production to its existing Lebring monochrome monitor
manufacturing facility.
According to Philips, color monitor production will begin in the
final quarter of next year, when the facility to handle 15-inch
screens will be ramped up. During 1995, Philips will begin 17-inch
screens at the Lebring site. Newsbytes understands that around 40
new jobs will be created by the production move.
(Sylvia Dennis/19931001/Press & Public Contact: Philips Business
Unit Monitors - Tel: +31-40-736242; Fax: +31-40-733983)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/01/93
TELECOM
UK - British Telecom Adds Dun & Bradstreet Online
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00023)
UK - British Telecom Adds Dun & Bradstreet Online 10/01/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- British Telecom has added the
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) range of information databases to its
Business Information Service (BIS).
The services, which can be accessed through BT's packet data network
or through gateway facilities such as on Telecom Gold, BT's e-mail
service, include the main D&B information files on more than 600,000
UK businesses.
According to BT, the D&B service has been enhanced by the addition
of user-friendly menus that allow even novice/occasional users of
the databases to extract the required information as efficiently as
possible.
Dave Rosenbaum, manager for BT's Business Information Services, said
that, in the current economic climate, obtaining accurate and
up-to-the-minute company credit information is more vital than ever.
"By working together, BT and D&B have made it easier for companies
of all sizes to obtain the information they need -- and cost
effectively too. Apart from a BID registration fee of UKP 100, there
is no additional upfront commitment to use D&B, and reports start
from UKP 7," he said.
Five types of D&B reports are available on the BT service. These
are: Identity Profile, Legal Profile, Financial Profile, Summary
Report and Comprehensive Business Information Report.
Initially, only UK companies will be available on the service,
although there are plans to add both European and worldwide
companies in the future.
(Steve Gold/19931001/Press and Public Contact: Dun & Bradstreet -
Tel: +44-494-422000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
GENERAL
Novell Adds Frame Relay To MultiProtocol Router
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00024)
Novell Adds Frame Relay To MultiProtocol Router 10/01/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Connecting
remote sites to the corporate wide area network can be problematic.
In an effort to help users develop cost-effective connectivity
Novell has enhanced its NetWare MultiProtocol Router (MPR) 2.1
and NetWare MultiProtocol Router Plus 2.1 products.
According to Novell, the enhancements minimize the cost of
connecting remote sites by supporting connections to frame relay
networks, by providing performance increases for leased lines
through data compression, and by increasing throughput with
enhanced filtering. The enhancements will be made available free
of charge over NetWire in October.
In announcing the enhancements, Bernard Harguindeguy, marketing
director for Novell's NetWare Enterprise Division, said: "With MPR's
added frame relay, data compression and filtering functionality,
remote sites can more efficiently and cost-effectively connect
into headquarters leveraging existing NetWare networks."
Bandwidth is the key, he said. "These upgrades provide critically
needed bandwidth to remote offices, increasing performance and
throughput for network applications and services. In addition, they
significantly reduce the telecommunications costs previously
associated with maintaining connections over wide area links."
The upgrades will be implemented as NetWare Loadable Modules
(NLMs), and add frame relay, point-to-point Protocol (PPP) data
compression and IPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange) Routing
Information Protocol/Service Advertising Protocol (RIP/SAP)
filtering to WAN functionality.
The NetWare MultiProtocol Router already supports leased lines,
X.25 and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Networks) connectivity
options. Frame relay, which does not require dedicated links
between end points, provides higher transmission speeds,
simplified network design and lower operating costs than
traditional X.25-based networks.
The company says that a "unique" protocol trace utility in the
frame relay NLM enables users to quickly and easily troubleshoot
frame relay connections without the expense of special WAN
monitoring tools.
Frame relay and PPP data compression upgrades are available only
for the NetWare MultiProtocol Router Plus 2.1. The upgrade for IPX
RIP/SAP filters is available for the NetWare MultiProtocol Router
2.1 and the NetWare MultiProtocol Router Plus 2.1.
Users of the NetWare MultiProtocol Router 2.1 can download the
NLM upgrades and documentation from NetWire under "Novlib," library
1, Novell New Uploads. The NLM names are: "PPPCOMP.exe" for data
compression, "RIPSAP.exe" for the IPX RIP/SAP filters, and
"FRELAY.exe" for a frame relay bundle that includes all three NLMs
and documentation.
(Ian Stokell/19931001/Press Contact: Jessica Kersey,
408-473-8739, Novell Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/01/93
IBM
Golf Digest's Scorecard For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00025)
Golf Digest's Scorecard For Windows 10/01/93
HIAWATHA, IOWA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Golf Digest, published by
NYT Sports/Leisure Magazines, has teamed up with Parsons Technology
to distribute a Microsoft Windows-based software package to record
and analyze the performance of golfers.
The program, called Gold Digest's Scorecard for Windows, allows
users to track multiple individual's golf scores on numerous courses
and analyze the results. The program includes graphics that display
images of selected holes and scenery from 75 resort courses across
the country.
Users can also enter and later access all kinds of information from
their favorite courses. The program will track such data as name,
address, greens fees and information like rating and distance for
individual holes. You can store notes about different rounds played
such as weather and partners as well as par for each hole and
handicaps. The program will compute an up-to-date handicap,
although it may differ by one or two strokes from the handicap
determined by the USGA. Parsons Technology says the Scorecard
software-computed handicap more currently reflects your ability.
The program also breaks down statistical information for each round
played, doing a hole-by-hole analysis, and will compute gross and
adjusted score for each round. It includes eight reports and several
kinds of three-dimensional graphs. Reports include driving
distance, putts, fairway hits, greens in regulation and up and
downs. Online help and a 400-word glossary are included.
Scorecard for Windows has a suggested retail price of $89, and runs
on any IBM-compatible with at least two megabytes of memory and
running Windows 3.1 or later in standard or enhanced mode. Six
megabytes of available hard disk space are needed for the software.
(Jim Mallory/19931001/Press and reader contact: Parsons Technology,
319-395- 9626)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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10/01/93
IBM
Great Plains Intros 2 New Products
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00026)
Great Plains Intros 2 New Products 10/01/93
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Great Plains Software
has announced two new graphical accounting and business management
products.
Dynamics C/S+ is a client/server program, while Corporate Dynamics
is designed for enterprise-wide use to support SQL relational
databases. Great Plains has also announced Dynamics Release Two, an
upgrade to the Dynamics line. The company says each of the Dynamics
products are targeted for very distinct markets.
Dynamics C/S+ includes market-specific features such as 66-digit
alphanumeric account numbers, intercompany transaction capability,
unit account transactions, and activity logging. It also supports
Novell's Btrieve 6.1 network loadable module (NLM) and Open Database
Connectivity (ODBC). The latter will provide access to C/S+ data
from a number of SQL tools. Dynamics C/S+ will support Windows and
Macintosh clients and a wide variety of servers, including Apple
Workgroup Servers, IBM R/S 6000, Microsoft Windows NT, Novell
Servers and SunSparc.
Great Plains says Dynamics C/S+ is designed to address the needs of
businesses which have 50 to 500 employees and are downsizing from
minicomputer and mainframes. Dynamics Release Two is designed for
companies with five to 100 employees and revenues of $1-$40 million.
It can be used to replace existing DOS or Macintosh-based accounting
packages, and runs on a local area network or a stand-alone PC.
Corporate Dynamics is designed for Fortune 2000 companies and
supports SQL databases such as Sybase, Oracle, Informix and SQL
Server. Great Plains says it will incorporate Microsoft's ODBC
drivers and will provide facilities to implement Dynamics on top of
proprietary vendor application program interfaces (APIs) supported
by each database. Corporate Dynamics includes unlimited General
Ledger account numbers with user-definable segments,
transaction-level budgeting, consolidations/inter-company ledgers,
parent/child customers and vendors. Both Corporate Dynamics and
Dynamics C/S+ incorporate imaging, work flow and electronic mail.
The Release Two modules are scheduled to ship during the first
quarter of 1994, with pricing ranging from $500 to $1,500. Dynamics
C/S+ will ship at the same time and will be priced between $3,500
and $15,000. Corporate Dynamics is scheduled to ship during the
second half of 1994, with pricing beginning at $15,000. Pricing is
dependent on the server, database and number of users. Existing
Dynamics customers who registered before September 1993 can upgrade
to Release Two or C/S+ at no charge. If you purchased between
September 1, 1993 and the release date of the new products you can
upgrade at no charge or can upgrade to C/S+ at 50 percent of the
suggested retail price.
A data conversion program to convert from Great Plains Accounting
Version 7 to Release Two and C/S+ will be available in the third
quarter of 1994. If you purchase or have purchased Version 7 after
February 15, 1993 you can get credit equal to the list price of the
Version 7 modules towards the purchase of Release Two or C/S+.
Two new Dynamics modules, Invoicing and Federal Magnetic Media, are
scheduled to ship in December. Both modules integrate with the
existing 13 Dynamics modules. The Invoicing module can also be used
stand-alone to print custom invoices and return and packing slips.
When integrated with Receivables Management, customer account
records will be updated automatically with Invoicing transactions.
When Invoicing and Inventory Control are integrated, items sold will
automatically be removed from Inventory according to each item's
user-established valuation method.
The Federal Magnetic Media module will integrate with the
Payroll-United States module and give users the ability to file W-2
information electronically. Both modules are scheduled to ship in
December. Invoicing is priced at $500 while Federal Magnetic Media
is $250.
(Jim Mallory/19931010/Press contact: Terry Kalil, Great Plains
Software, 701-281- 3130; Reader contact: Great Plains Software,
701-281-0550 or 800-456-0025, fax 701-282-4826)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
GENERAL
HP Optical Storage Connectivity Kits
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00027)
HP Optical Storage Connectivity Kits 10/01/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Hewlett-Packard
has announced its HP Optical Storage Connectivity Kits. According
to the company, they contain everything customers need to connect
HP's optical-storage jukeboxes or stand-alone optical drive to
their systems.
The company's stand-alone optical drive now includes free DOS
and Macintosh drivers. HP says that it worked with Micro Design
International Inc. (MDI), to bring the connectivity kits to market.
HP also worked with MDI and Software Architects (SAI) to include
the DOS and Mac drivers in the Model 1300T optical drive.
The jukebox connectivity kits are intended for use on DOS,
Macintosh, HP-UX, Sun Unix, and Novell NetWare 3.11 and 4.0
networks. HP says that the kits are targeted at optical storage
users interested in removability and optical-disk interchange
with jukebox systems.
HP is hoping that the new connectivity kits will increase interest
in optical products. They include: the Novell 3.11/4.0 and NSR-DOS
Connectivity kit, priced at $650, and set for release on November 1;
Novell 3/11/4.9 Connectivity Kit software only at $550, November
1; Novell 3.11/4.0 Optical Jukebox at $4,095, November 1; Novell
3.11/4.0 Optical Jukebox software only at $3,945, November 1;
the NSR-DOS and NSR-MAC Connectivity Kit at $350, set for
release on December 1; the NSR HP-UX and NSR SunOS Connectivity
Kit at $500, December 1; NSR HP-UX and NSR SunOS Jukebox Kit at
$3,945, December 1; NSR HP-UX and NSR Sun OS and Novell 3.11/4.0
at $12,995, December 1.
(Ian Stokell/19931001/Press Contact: Karla Nelson,
303-350-4683, or Irene Economou, 408-447-7371, Hewlett-
Packard)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
APPLE
Broderbund's The Tortoise And The Hare
(NEWS)(APPLE)(MSP)(00028)
Broderbund's The Tortoise And The Hare 10/01/93
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Broderbund,
in collaboration with Random House, has released The Tortoise
and the Hare, based on Aesop's classic fable, as its latest
Living Book on CD-ROM.
For Apple Computer's Macintosh, with an MPC version due later this
fall, the classic tale of the race between the slow-but-steady
tortoise and the hurry-up hare, is Broderbund's latest interactive
multimedia children's storybook designed to be used on personal
computers equipped with CD-ROM (compact disc, read only memory)
drives.
Designed for kids between 6 and 10, the Living Book series
offer children a choice of having a story read aloud to them, or
explored at their own pace. Object clicked-on offer suprises and
details portrayed with music, sound effects, and animation, as
in the manner of Broderbund's other titles, such as The Playhouse.
John Baker, Broderbund's vice president of product development for
education and entertainment products, says, "The Tortoise and the
Hare is as fresh and alive today as it was 25 centuries ago."
The Tortoise and the Hare is available in stores for $39.95.
Other Broderbund Living Books include Just Grandma and Me, by
Mercer Mayer, Arthur's Teacher Trouble, by Marc Brown; and The
New Kid on the Block by Jack Prelutsky.
(Wendy Woods/19931001/Press Contact: Jessica Switzer, Broderbund,
415/382-4568)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
TRENDS
World's Smallest Laser-Quality Printer
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SYD)(00029)
World's Smallest Laser-Quality Printer 10/01/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 OCT 1 (NB) -- Australian distributor
IPL Datron is now shipping what it claims is the world's smallest,
full-featured laser-quality printer, the Oki OL400e.
While effectively working in the same way as a laser printer,
the OL400e uses a light emitting diode (LED) array to 'paint' the
image onto the drum for printing instead of a laser.
The new printer has a 32-bit RISC processor operating at 16MHz.
The suggested retail price is AUS$1699 or around US$1100, though
street price is expected to be below US$1000.
It has a 100-sheet paper tray, 44 built-in fonts and 300 dots/inch
graphics. The footprint is 320x360mm (around 13x14") and the height
is 160mm or 6 1/2 inches. Oki claims that this is 12 percent smaller
than the smallest Hewlett-Packard laser printer.
It comes with a five-year warranty on the printhead. "Oki's
proprietary LED technology is high quality and offers greater
functionality because LED printers have fewer moving parts
than normal lasers," said IPL Datron's Jeremy DeSilva. "The fact
that many of our competitors also now use LEDs exemplifies the
increasing acceptance of this technology as a viable alternative
to lasers."
(Paul Zucker/19931001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
10/01/93
APPLE
****Apple To Launch New Operating System Monday
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)
****Apple To Launch New Operating System Monday 10/01/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 OCT 10 (NB) -- Applesoft, a
division of Apple Computer, has announced it will launch a new
operating system on Monday at the company's new research and
development facility in Cupertino, California.
Apple claims the new operating system will offer capabilities
for collaboration, communication, and customization. Company
representatives confirmed to Newsbytes that the operating
system is for Macintosh only and third party developers already
have over 30 products ready for the new system.
The conference is open to Apple customers as well as the press
and the keynote address will begin at 9 am PDT. Apple's R&D
Campus is at 4 Infinite Loop in Cupertino. Keynote speakers
include David Nagel, Apple senior vice president and general
manager of the Applesoft Division; Kirk Loevner, vice president
of the Applesoft Products Group; and Gursharan Sidhu, director
of the Collaboration Products Group. An hour-long seminar on
how to use the new software will also be offered from 10:45 to
11:45 am, the company added.
(Linda Rohrbough/19931001/Press Contact: Lisa Wilson, Apple
Computer, tel 408-862-0012, fax 408-975-5470; Public Contact,
Carrie Washburn, Applesoft, 408-862-0525)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
BUSINESS
Europe - Spea, Escom In Partnership
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00001)
Europe - Spea, Escom In Partnership 09/30/93
STARNBERG, GERMANY, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Spea Software, the PC card
specialist, has announced what it calls a "strategic partnership"
with Escom, Germany's second largest computer reseller chain.
Financial terms of the deal have not been revealed, although
no changes in company ownership have resulted.
According to Ulrich Seng, Spea's chairman, both companies plan to
coordinate combined new PC products, for sales through Escom
outlets later this year.
Newsbytes notes that Seng owns 51 percent of Spea's share capital,
although a major proportion has been passed over to the company's
employees. The remaining 49 percent is held by US venture capital
companies.
Escom, meanwhile, which has several offices around Europe, including
the UK, was formed in the late 1980s when Escom Computer acquired
Hako, another computer company based in Bochum. Escom generated a
turnover of DM 1,070 million during 1992.
Spea, which describes itself as the leader in the European market
for high-end PC graphic systems and was established in 1985,
generated a turnover of approximately DM 100m in 1992. For 1993 the
company is targeting turnover in the region of DM 125m.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930930)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
BUSINESS
****Jim Manzi Says Notes Sales Are Soaring
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00002)
****Jim Manzi Says Notes Sales Are Soaring 09/30/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Lotus founder and
president, Jim Manzi, held an open court in Boston this week to more
than 300 journalists from around the world. At the keynote speech
for the one-day event. Manzi revealed his plans for the next 12 to
18 months for Lotus. He also revealed projections showing the
company has already topped the $250 million mark in terms of sales
of Lotus Notes.
"Sales of Notes are doing extraordinarily well," he told the press.
Manzi revealed that, although 18 months had elapsed since the first
international technology briefing in March, 1992, his stated
objectives for Lotus had not changed appreciably. The strategy still
revolves around the idea of dominating the communications
infrastructure in order to provide ongoing differentiation in
core desktop applications, dominate workgroup computing, and lead
in software for the mobile computing arena.
After explaining that Lotus is well on target toward achieving its
strategy, Manzi said that the future of computing will revolve
around a central server computer, which will service the needs of
users who will access it on a client-server basis, using a
combination of desktop and portable PCs.
In the case of portable PCs, connected to the server using mobile
computer technologies such as modem, packet radio and other links,
he said that mobile communications is not about being connected
continually to the server.
"This idea of continuous connection is a myth," he said, adding that
he sees Lotus' future as offering cc:Mail and Notes packages to
portable computer users on the move.
This evolution, he said, was changing the way in which Lotus is
progressing. "The Lotus of 1993 is a lot different than the Lotus of
1988, while the Lotus of 1988 was a lot different to the Lotus of
1983," he said.
Manzi envisions the computing workplace of the mid-1990s as being a
portable, disconnected environment, with many users dialling into
the main server with a modem and updating their network node, as
well as the information on the server. This process, which takes
place automatically under Notes, is known as replication.
PC users of the future, according to Manzi, will become part of the
electronic Keiretsu, a Japanese word for an extended enterprise. The
idea is that a network of PCs linked to a server is linked on a
virtual store and forward basis using modem links.
(Steve Gold/19930930/Press & Public Contact: Lotus Development
Corporation- Tel: 617/577-8500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
TRENDS
****Lotus Screencam - Multimedia Communications
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00003)
****Lotus Screencam - Multimedia Communications 09/30/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- At a technology briefing
for journalists and analysts taking place in Boston this week, Lotus
took time out to unveil new technologies it is hoping to
release within the next 12 to 18 months. One of these new
technologies is Screencam, an audio-visual software package that
allows interactive screen sessions to be recorded in a data file,
along with a digital copy of the users voice.
The aim of Screencam, according to Will Reynolds, Lotus's director of
Smartsuite Development, is to transfer recordings of screen images,
as they change, together with a voice-over from the user. The
resultant file can then be transferred as a Notes file item and
replayed at the distant end of the Notes link.
"Screencam files can be recorded in one of two ways, either as a
TPI format, allowing the file only to be played back on a Screencam-
equipped PC, or as an executable (EXE) file that can be played on a
non-multimedia PC.
According to Lotus, Screencam is a technology that allows users to
capture application screen activity, cursor movements and sound into
a multimedia movie that can be distributed or shared with others to
improve learning, presentation, and communication.
"Screencam is useful in a wide variety of situations, such as
learning to use software, as well as presentation and communication
services. Not only can you show another user what is happening on
your screen, but they get your voice-over as well," he said.
Reynolds added that Screencam's screen recording routines are
totally unlike other recording software, since it saves each screen
and its subsequent changes in a GDI call format. This, he said,
means that each frame requires a lot less data to record than a
standard bit map image.
"That doesn't mean we don't need to compress the files. We still get
large files ... Basically, we have to compress the hell out of a
file," he said.
(Steve Gold/19930930/Press & Public Contact: Lotus Development
Corporation - Tel: 617/577-8500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
TRENDS
Lotus Says Code-Named "Notebook" Coming
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00004)
Lotus Says Code-Named "Notebook" Coming 09/30/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Lotus has
revealed one of its next-generation software products being
readied for release some time within the next 18 months. Known only
under the project code-name of Notebook, the software technology is
an application development package that extends Notes in four key
areas to allow tailor-made applications to be created.
According to Tim Davenport, vice president of graphics and database
products with Lotus, these areas are: query and update of
heterogeneous databases, programmability, report generation, and
sophisticated graphical user interface (GUI) creation.
"Notebook has been underway for almost two years, but it's still
not finished. The idea is the same, but the software is changing all
the time, though we are getting there," he said.
Notebook is not a standard end user's package. Instead, Davenport
asserted, developers will be encouraged to work with users to create
new applications. Once an application has been coded, then the end
user of the PC linked to a Notes network can use the application.
Davenport said Notebook applications will be available in
two versions -- the developer and the end user. The developer allows
graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to be built, and includes a
Lotuscript language and debugger module. These features include
reporting and charting functions.
The end user version, meanwhile, allows the PC user to run Notes
applications, but without access to the development environment. The
idea, though simple, means that, if an application is not suitable
for a user, the developer can code a new program, but
customizing it to meet the needs of the driver much more closely,
To speed development of applications, Davenport said that around
60 "Links" had been coded into the package. Links, Newsbytes notes,
are pre-defined, graphical Lotuscript modules. There are around 60
Links supplied with Notebook, although Links can be edited or
started from scratch.
(Steve Gold/19930930/Press & Public Contact: Lotus Development
Corporation - Tel: 617-577-8500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
GENERAL
McDonald's Computer Prank
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00005)
McDonald's Computer Prank 09/30/93
PHOENIX, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- A Scottsdale, Arizona
man has been convicted of trying to extort $1,000
from a local McDonald's after he got a cash register receipt that
contained an obscene suggestion rather than the usual "Thank You."
The machine was apparently reprogrammed by a disgruntled
employee of the restaurant.
The man, who had purchased two Big Macs, fries and a soft drink,
claimed he would tell the press about the message on the
receipt if the store owner didn't pay him $1,000. Prosecutor
Caroline Como said the store owner set up a meeting with the man
after notifying police. When he came to collect, officers were
waiting. Como says a disgruntled McDonald's employee apparently
reprogrammed the store's computer to print the message.
The man's defense attorney said the meeting was merely a discussion.
During the meeting the individual reportedly talked about how the
incident had affected him. "He hadn't been able to sleep. It was
like finding out there was no Santa Claus," according to Como.
The man was convincted yesterday and will be sentenced Oct 27.
He said he thought the $1,000 "was compensation for his distress,"
not extortion.
(Jim Mallory/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
TRENDS
New Products From Japan
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00006)
New Products From Japan 09/30/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- NEC has developed a dedicated
word processor that comes equipped with both a color LCD screen and
a color printer. Mitsubishi Electric has released a pen
computer with a hard disk and IC card drives. Iwatani Sangyo
has developed Japanese MS-DOS software for Apple Computer's
Macintosh.
NEC's color word processor, an industry first, will cost
295,000 yen ($2,950) when it is released November 10. The unit
has a supertwist nematic (STN) color display with a
resolution of 640 x 400 pixels. With the four-color ribbon,
users will be able to print documents in color.
The machine includes programs for doing illustration,
graphics, and the creation of postcards, as well as
regular word processing. A proprietary color scanner
is also available.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi Electric has developed a pen computer called
the Amity M3015. Equipped with Microsoft Windows For Pen
Computing V1.1, it has a 40-megabyte 1.8-inch hard disk and
two IC card drives based on the international PCMCIA 2.0/
JEIDA 4.1 standard. It is the size of an A4 size piece of paper
and it weighs only 1.4 kg. The price is 478,000 yen ($4,780).
Iwatani Sangyo has developed a Japanese MS-DOS interface
program for the Macintosh called the Orange PC486V, which was
originally developed by Orange Micro in California. Iwatani
Sangyo has signed an exclusive dealer agreement with Orange
Micro, and will release this program in Japan through Transoft
at 298,000 yen ($2,980) in October.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930929/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3451-2974, Fax, +81-3-3457-7249, Mitsubishi Electric, +81-3-3218-
2332, Fax, +81-3-3218-2431, Transoft, +81-582-75-4041)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
APPLE
Apple Computer Campaigns For Japanese School Market
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TYO)(00007)
Apple Computer Campaigns For Japanese School Market 09/30/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Apple Computer (Tokyo) is
launching a sales campaign at Japanese schools. The goal is
to double Apple's share of the school market within three
years.
Currently, Apple Computer has only about a 5-percent share of
elementary schools and 10 percent of universities. NEC has the
lion's share and is followed by Fujitsu.
As part of the campaign, Apple Computer has designated
15 of its 50 dealers as school specialists. Apple Computer
in Tokyo will directly assist these 15 dealers to
sell the Macintosh into Japanese schools.
The plan calls for Apple to hold a series of sales promotional
activities to support these dealers. Apple will also provide
sales and presentation techniques, and dispatch the technical
experts if necessary. Apple Computer will even lobby
local governments to install Apple computers at schools.
The company will also encourage localization of its
English language software programs.
About 10 percent (200,000 units) of all personal computer
shipments (2 million units) are destined for the school market
in Japan. The government has recently mandated an increase
in computer education in schools, providing a major opportunity
for PC makers to sell into this market.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930929/Press Contact: Apple
Computer, +81-3-5411-8715)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
GENERAL
Funky Networking Proxy OEM Deal
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00008)
Funky Networking Proxy OEM Deal 09/30/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- As networking
becomes increasingly complex, the ability to remotely manage
sections of the network is an added bonus for overtaxed network
managers. Now Funk Software Inc., and Network Computing, Inc.,
have announced an original equipment manufacturing (OEM) deal,
whereby Network Computing will resell a customized version of
Funk's Proxy network remote control software.
Network Computing will begin offering Proxy with LANAlert, its
NetWare-based network management system. The combined
package will be marketed as LANAlert Base Package with Remote
Control.
LANAlert proactively alerts network administrators to impending
problems before their NetWare networks fail or performance is
impacted. The company says that the product offers comprehensive
management of the most critical components of a NetWare network
- file servers and workstations.
The combination of Proxy and LANAlert means the network
administrator can identify problems and, "with a click of the
mouse," remotely view and operate the machine to resolve the
problem.
According to the companies, that means no more time consuming
trips to the offending server, which may not even be in the same
building.
In announcing the deal, Funk Software's President Paul Funk,
said, "As support of LANs (local area networks) becomes more and
more complex, a network manager's time is at a premium. Now,
with the tight integration of Proxy with LANAlert, network
managers can view and operate problem workstations or file
servers at the click of a mouse."
Proxy is claimed to be the first network remote control product
to run from Windows, and the only such product which allows users
to view and operate multiple PCs simultaneously, whether running
DOS or Windows. Also, a new feature added for the LANAlert Base
Package allows Proxy to run as an NLM (NetWare Loadable Module)
on a Novell file server.
The LANAlert Base Package with Remote Control will ship in the
fourth quarter, priced at $1,295. The package will include the
LANAlert Base Package, a single Proxy Master, and a single Proxy
Host NLM.
(Ian Stokell/19930930/Press Contact: Bryan Baehr,
408-296-8080, Network Computing Inc.; or Janet Lill,
617-497-6339, Funk Software)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
TRENDS
Gigabit LSI, LCD Projector Developed
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00009)
Gigabit LSI, LCD Projector Developed 09/30/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- NEC has developed technology
to create a gigabit-scale LSI (large scale integration) chip
called a surface transistor (STT), which is seen as a major
step toward next-generation chips. NEC has also developed a
liquid crystal display projector equipped with an extra
clear TFT (thin film transistor) display which is designed
for workstations.
NEC's gigabit-scale chip is based on gallium arsenide. It has
an aluminum layer, a gallium layer, and an arsenide layer on the
gallium-arsenide material. This chip is based on the
theory of tunnel effect, in that the size of current chips is
miniaturized to about a hundredth the size of contemporary
semiconductors.
NEC reports it has already developed a prototype chip which
has been tested at room temperature. This chip was developed
as part of a project led by the Japanese Ministry of
International Trade and Industry.
Meanwhile, NEC has developed a powerful LCD projector for
workstations. The NX5120FZ projector has a TFT color
display with 1,280 x 1,024 pixels. The size of the picture screen
can be between 35 inches and 200 inches. It is said the screen's
contrast rate and picture quality is extremely sharp with
this high density TFT method.
The price of this projector is a whopping 10 million yen ($10,000),
or about 3 times more expensive than Braun-tube displays.
NEC expects to sell 250 units for the first year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930928/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3451-2974, Fax, +81-3-3457-7249)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
TRENDS
Alpha, Pentium, SPARC To Power Supercomputers
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEL)(00010)
Alpha, Pentium, SPARC To Power Supercomputers 09/30/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- The Centre for Development
of Advanced Computing (CDAC), a Government of India entity, plans
to install in its next generation of Params, a range of parallel
processing computers developed by CDAC, a choice of processors,
including the DEC chip 21064 Alpha AXP, Pentium, and SPARC.
While Pentium and SPARC figured in CDAC's plan earlier, the
center recently signed a letter of intent with Digital Equipment
India Ltd. (DEIL) to acquire Alphas.
Over the next two years CDAC plans to design a range of parallel
computers which will be built around a combination of the
three chips or a set of any one of the three processors.
Presently Param comes in two different 64-node versions. Param
8000 is based entirely on transputers while Param 8600 has a
i860 processor for superior number crunching. The current
models are targeted at high-end scientific applications.
With the next generation Param 9000, CDAC is hoping to
penetrate the high-end of the commercial markets too. "We may
build boards with only Alphas for scientific applications while
Pentium and SPARC-based Params would be for the commercial user,"
explains Vijay Bhatkar, executive director, CDAC.
Efforts are also underway at CDAC's software center in Bangalore
to make the Param operating system independent. A Unix-compliant
kernel would be the key feature of the Param 9000 OS environment.
Bhatkar hints that CDAC may offer both Chorus and OSF/1 kernel.
It will be sometime before Param 9000s would be ready for
delivery. But Bhatkar figures that intermediate systems will
be out by mid-1994.
There has been little progress in its export activities since
CDAC shipped out four machines months ago. However, negotiations
are on with some American universities for the sale of current
models of Param, discloses Bhatkar.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19930930)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
UNIX
IBM Launches PowerPC At Australian Unix Conference
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SYD)(00011)
IBM Launches PowerPC At Australian Unix Conference 09/30/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- "From palmtops to
teraflops" was the all-embracing theme of IBM Australia's
formal PowerPC at the Australian Unix Users Group (AUUG)
conference in Sydney on Tuesday.
Capitalizing on the waterfront location of the Darling Harbor
Exhibition Center on Sydney Harbor, IBM hired a cruise vessel
dubbed the "Power Boat" to stage a multimedia demonstration
of the technology based around the new Power and Power2
processor chips.
As with most IT (information technology) matters, POWER turns
out to be another acronym, "Performance Optimization With
Enhanced RISC (reduced instruction set computer)."
New PowerPC systems launched include the Powerstation 25T,
Powerstation 25C, Powerserver 25S, and Powerserver 25O,
all based around the new PowerPC 601 processor, also
soon to be used in Apple Macintoshes. (A story in the latest
Australian MacNews magazine says Apple will delay its machine
until next year due to problems. Newsbytes was unable to
independently confirm this information.)
IBM's enhanced Power2 technology adds extra integer and
floating point units to the PowerPC architecture, allowing
up to eight operations to be performed in a single clock
cycle. Among the products launched that incorporate the
Power2 technology were the Powerserver 990, the Powerstation
590, and the Powerstation 58H. The 990 and 590 models are
classified as supercomputers by the US Department of
Commerce, and are thus subject to a special export license.
On board the Power Boat, IBM staff demonstrated the new
PowerPC systems running pre-release versions of its
Macintosh emulation software, Unix, and Wabi, the software
that allows Unix systems to run Windows applications directly.
(Computer Daily News/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
TRENDS
Sony Low-Cost Mini-Disk Players
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00012)
Sony Low-Cost Mini-Disk Players 09/30/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Sony reports it has
developed low-cost, powerful Mini-Disk players, which include
a Mini-Disk Walkman and stereo set. These new players will be
released on November 1.
Sony sold about 300,000 Mini-Disk players last year. The
company's latest in the Mini-Disk line are 5,000 yen ($50)
cheaper than current models, and are smaller in size.
The portable model, the MZ-R2, is about 45 percent lighter
than current models and can be operated for 6.5 hours straight
with a lithium battery and regular removable batteries. This
player also can record, a feature which will enable users to
record crystal clear digital sound from compact discs or
satellite broadcasts of digital music.
The Walkman-type Mini-Disk, called the MZ-E2, is for playback only.
It measures 74 x 106.8 x 18.5 mm, and weighs only 205g.
Similar to the Walkman headphone stereo tape player, its
price will be 55,000 yen ($550), which is 4,800 yen ($48) cheaper
than the current model. Sony plans to ship 20,000 units per
month.
Sony has also announced a Mini-Disk stereo set, the DHC-MD1, with
a retail price of 140,000 yen ($1,400). For installation in
cars, Sony has developed the MDX-400 Mini-Disk. Equipped with
a disc changer to accept up to 4 disks, it will sell for
120,000 yen.
Sony has been selling Mini-Disk systems in retail electronics
stores where the units vie with sales of DCCs (digital
compact cassettes). DCC makers Matsushita and Philips are
expected to release powerful and low-cost DCCs towards the
end of this year, which should heat up competition.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930930/Press Contact: Sony, +81-3-
5448-2200, Fax, +81-3-5448-3061)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
GOVT
Delrina Takes Bite Out Of Berkeley's Toast
(NEWS)(GOVT)(SFO)(00013)
Delrina Takes Bite Out Of Berkeley's Toast 09/30/93
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- There is no
doubt that Berkeley Systems Inc., is best known for its Flying
Toaster screen saver. Now it seems that Canadian software
publisher Delrina has developed a taste for toast too.
In a lawsuit filed September 28, Berkeley Systems alleges unfair
competition by Delrina, along with copyright and trademark
infringement of its Flying Toaster graphic design contained in
its popular After Dark screen saver program.
According to Berkeley Systems, Delrina included a version of the
its copyrighted work in a new "Opus N' Bill Screen Saver." The
program features a cartoon penguin character from "Outland"
shooting at a flock of Flying Toasters.
Berkeley Systems is trying to get an injunction to stop Delrina
from distributing and selling its new screen saver and to cease
"from all references to Flying Toasters in Delrina packaging and
point-of-sale display materials."
Wes Boyd, president, chief executive officer, and founder of
Berkeley Systems seemed less than happy about the situation,
saying: "We did everything we could to avoid legal action. But to
no avail. We're astounded they would so flagrantly violate our
copyright and use the Flying Toaster image in a damaging and
misleading way in all their promotional activities."
Continued Boyd, "We created the Flying Toaster screen saver and
have invested significant resources in building its enormous brand
equity in the marketplace. The Flying Toaster is the flagship
symbol of our company. We at Berkeley Systems are known
worldwide as the 'Flying Toaster' people. Our mascot has achieved
a phenomenal cross-cultural following in the United States and
around the world. The Flying Toaster is a brand that has become
synonymous with our company alone."
The company, founded in 1987, claims to have sold more than
one million copies of its After Dark screen saver. The company
markets screen saver products for the Macintosh, DOS and
Windows platforms. After Dark was first introduced for the
Macintosh in 1989, with versions for Windows and DOS coming
later.
(Ian Stokell/19930930/Press Contact: Monica Granados
or Steven Decker, 510-540-5535, Berkeley Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
TELECOM
Omnipoint, Rockwell Sign PCN Deal
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
Omnipoint, Rockwell Sign PCN Deal 09/30/93
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Rockwell
International agreed to integrate Omnipoint's spread spectrum
technology in its equipment for use in personal communication
networks, or PCNs.
PCNs are microwave-based phone networks, running at 1.8-2.2 GHz,
which will be licensed in spectrum auctions, probably next year,
under rules promulgated recently by the Federal Communications
Commission.
Equipment makers are falling all over themselves looking to serve
the new market, and Rockwell will have to fight hard against
Motorola, Ericsson, Northern Telecom and others for business.
Omnipoint has already participated in trials of phones and base
stations with four of the regional Bell companies, four cable
operators and several other prospective PCN providers. The
equipment has been demonstrated in cells ranging in size from
1,000 feet across to 2.5 miles, with hand-offs at speeds of up to
65 miles per hour. The Omnipoint handset can also be used both
in licensed PCN bands and unlicensed bands, where wireless PBXs
and other cordless phone systems are expected to be offered.
The announcement of the agreement between Omnipoint and Rockwell
was made at the Telocator show in New Orleans.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930930/Press Contact: Omnipoint, Mark Vonarz,
719-548-1200
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
TELECOM
MCI Reorganization
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
MCI Reorganization 09/30/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Atlanta will be a
big winner in the latest MCI reorganization. The move also
divides the job of former president Daniel Akerson among three
executives. Akerson left last month to become chairman of General
Instrument.
Atlanta will become the home of a new MCI Business Markets unit,
under Timothy Price, and over the next two years about 1,000 jobs
will be added to the 2,000 MCI jobs already in the area.
The company will now divide along three lines: domestic,
international, and wireless operations. The largest division, the
US business, will fall under Gerald H. Taylor. The
international side, including the relationship with British
Telecom, will fall under Eugene Eidenberg. Richard T. Liebhaber,
the company's chief strategy and technology officer, will be in
charge of seeing to MCI's part in the growing personal
communication networks, or PCN wireless business. Analysts said,
however, that the division of Akerson's job into three parts sets
up a three-way race to succeed current chairman, Bert Roberts, but
Roberts is only 51.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930930/Press Contact: MCI, Frank J. Walter,
212/326-4389)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
TELECOM
Scholastic Launches Online Network
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
Scholastic Launches Online Network 09/30/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Scholastic Inc.,
the publisher of textbooks and children's books, formally
launched its Scholastic Network, an online network hosted on
America Online aimed at teachers, students and schools.
The Scholastic Network was first announced in June at the
National Educational Computer Conference, where company
officials told Newsbytes they hoped to draw 10,000 users into
the system over the next year. Schools will be asked to pay $295
for a year's subscription to the service, which includes all
usage, and they can also pay $16.95 per month for five hours per
month of usage. America Online by itself costs $9.95 per month
for five hours per month of usage.
John Lent, director of the Scholastic Network, said he hopes to
make the system a learning community that breaks down the
barriers isolating the nation's classrooms, inspiring teachers
and students alike. Many states, including Texas, have recently
experienced encouraging results with their own online networks,
tied to the global Internet. But the education market is
remarkably price-sensitive, and experts are divided on whether
enough schools will pay commercial prices in order to make
the new network pay.
Among the services planned for the new network are live
discussions with childrens' book authors and education leaders,
the offering of lesson plans online, and interactive learning
projects on which member schools can collaborate. There will also
be the usual America Online mix of newswires, including
Newsbytes, databases, and online information available, as well
as electronic mail.
Scholastic will provide the first months' use of its network free
to the first 10,000 educators who sign up by calling 1-800-473-
2500. In addition, the company will provide a limited number of
grants covering the costs of membership to schools demonstrating
exceptional need.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930930/Press Contact: Scholastic, Gabrielle
Myers, 212/505-3403)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
GENERAL
Crossplatform Standard For Sound Under Consideration
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00017)
Crossplatform Standard For Sound Under Consideration 09/30/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- To
encourage creation of a crossplatform standard for playing,
recording and manipulating sound over a network, Network
Computing Devices, Inc. (NCD) has submitted a proposal for an
audio protocol to the X Consortium and the Interactive Multimedia
Association.
Originally developed for NCD's new sound-capable line of X
terminals, the protocol calls for a hardware-independent method
of transferring data among applications and desktop devices such
as X terminals, PCs, and workstations, officials said.
Three other vendors -- the Santa Cruz Operation (SCO), DUX
Software, and Z-Code Software -- have already adopted the new
system.
SCO plans to integrate the method into the SCO Open Desktop
graphical environment by the end of 1993, according to Rick Kamp,
SCO's Open Desktop product manager.
DUX Software is using the system in a new multiplayer Unix
version of SimCity and also plans to use it in an upcoming
version of SimEarth, and a business graphics/presentation tool,
Ta-Dah!, stated company president, Robert Adams.
Z-Code intends to use the system to add sound functionality to
its Z-Mail software. "Users are increasingly interested in
accessing voice mail through their computer systems, and they are
coming to expect audio capability on all their desktop devices,"
noted Dan Heller, president of Z-Code.
An application programming interface (API) for the Network Audio
System has been available to third-party developers since March,
1993. In accordance with the Common Open Software Environment
(COSE) process guidelines for standardization, NCD has created a
sample implementation of the system source code for Sun OS 4.1.
Under the proposed protocol, applications specify how various
inputs and outputs are hooked together, NCD officials explained.
The system automatically routes sound data to the proper
destinations.
Sounds may be stored in the audio server for rapid replay, or
streamed directly to output devices such as speakers. The system
also permits dynamic volume adjustment and mixing of sounds.
NCD is currently offering the source code to the industry free of
charge, without royalties or restrictions, over the Internet.
Individuals and organizations interested in obtaining the code
should send e-mail to audio-info@ncd.com.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930930/Reader contact: Network Computing
Devices Inc., tel 415-694-0650; Press contacts: Judy Estrin,
NCD, tel 415-694-0650; William Orange and Janis Ulevich, Ulevich
& Orange for NCD, tel 415-329-1590)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
TELECOM
ABC To Offer Interactive Programs
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00018)
ABC To Offer Interactive Programs 09/30/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- EON Corp.,
formerly TV Answer, signed a non-exclusive deal with Capital
Cities-ABC to carry its interactive programming over ABC's
network and cable channels, ESPN and ESPN2.
TV Answer originally hoped to win a national license for its
system, and its move to the market has been hampered by the fact
that regulators decided to only offer local licenses for new
interactive channels. Additional frequencies are also needed to
take signals from players' game boxes back to the service for
processing. The company, now called EON Corp. signed a deal with
Hewlett-Packard to produce game boxes, which will cost about
$700.
However, the company now faces a crowded interactive market. NBC
is a part-owner of The Interactive Network, a prime EON
competitor. Time Warner and TCI see interactivity as an inherent
advantage of their coming 500-channel cable systems. Telephone-
based services also offer interactivity.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930930/Press Contact: ABC, Terry Everett,
212-456-3587)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
IBM
IBM, Siemens Have Samples Of 64-Megabit DRAM
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00019)
IBM, Siemens Have Samples Of 64-Megabit DRAM 09/30/93
EAST FISHKILL, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- IBM
Microelectronics and Siemens AG are supplying selected customers
with samples of the 64-megabit dynamic random-access memory
(DRAM) chip they have been developing since 1990.
While volume production would be technically possible within a
few months, it will depend on customer demand for the chip, said
Jim Smith, a spokesman for IBM Microelectronics. Volume
production will start in the next two or three years "or possibly
later," he said.
Manufacturers are currently still buying four-megabit memory
chips in quantity and gradually shifting to 16-megabit chips, so
demand for the 64-megabit part may take some time to build.
IBM and Siemens have not yet decided where to mass-produce the
chips, Smith said.
Engineers from both companies have been working on the memory
chip at IBM's Advanced Semiconductor Technology Center (ASTC)
in East Fishkill, New York since IBM announced its alliance
with the German computer maker in 1990. Some details of the
chip were revealed at the Symposium on VLSI Technology in Seattle
in June of last year.
They are using a .35-micron complementary metal oxide
semiconductor (CMOS) process and deep ultraviolet (DUV)
photolithorgraphy techniques. The 3.3-volt,
10.7-by-18.1-millimeter chip is expected to be offered in
versions with 40-, 50-, and 60-nanosecond access times. IBM and
Siemens plan to produce it on eight-inch (200-millimeter) wafers.
(Grant Buckler/19930930/Press Contact: Jim Smith, IBM
Microelectronics, 914-766-4066; Klaus H. Knapp, Siemens,
+49-89-4144-8480)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
GENERAL
Microsoft Lowers Software Cost For Smaller OEMs
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00020)
Microsoft Lowers Software Cost For Smaller OEMs 09/30/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Microsoft has
announced a new software licensing program that will reduce the cost
of its operating system software to some personal computer makers and
could also cut into the market for counterfeit copies of MS-DOS and
Microsoft Windows.
The program is called the Delivery Service Partner Program.
Microsoft says the program expands the current Microsoft OEM
licensing options by making it easier and more affordable for small
to medium-sized original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to obtain
and include with their PCs genuine Microsoft products such as MS-DOS
and Microsoft Windows for Workgroups.
Under the Delivery Service Partnership Program, PC makers will be
able to obtain special Microsoft OEM Distribution Packs of the
software through three software distributors: Ingram Micro, Merisel
and Tech Data.
The packs use a "break-the-seal" distribution agreement to make it
easier for an OEM to obtain and pre-install Microsoft products,
which can be installed only on new computer systems and cannot be
sold separately. Each pack contains five copies of an operating
system product that consists of an end user license agreement, a
manual, the program diskettes, a registration card, and a
certificate of authenticity.
Microsoft spokesperson Collins Hemingway told Newsbytes the new
program will also make it quicker and easier for the producers of a
relatively small number of PCs to obtain Microsoft operating
systems. "Ordering in small quantities is not really efficient for
Microsoft, and we're not necessarily very prompt with (delivering)
it. This is just another option to make it easier. A large OEM can
also order this way if they want to," Hemingway told Newsbytes.
Hemingway said that while a couple of hundred PC companies account
for a large portion of the business, there are many, many very small
OEMs who find the overhead of trying to buy small units directly
from Microsoft very difficult. The new program is designed to make
purchasing easier for them.
Hemingway said the easier purchasing path can also reduce the
temptation to buy and ship counterfeit DOS. "The easier we make it
for OEMs, particularly for the small ones, to get legitimate
Microsoft software, the more likely they will use them."
Microsoft and other software companies have lost hundreds of
millions of dollars of potential revenue as the result of software
counterfeiting. The company takes an aggressive stand on the
counterfeiting issue, and has on numerous occasions cooperated with
local and federal law enforcement agencies in seizing counterfeit
software both in the US and in other countries.
Hemingway emphatically denied that the new program is in response to
criticism about Microsoft's OEM licensing program. The company offers
a number of licensing programs for its operating systems. PC
manufacturers can license a copy for each microprocessor they buy or
a copy for each particular model they build such as its 386 or
486-based systems. Hemingway says the concept of volume purchasing
applies. "We unquestionably give the best rate to those OEMs that
commit to the most units." He emphasized that no OEM has ever been
required to use a particular pricing model or put MS-DOS on every
machine they build.
Hemingway stressed that the new OEM program is in no way connected
with Microsoft's sale of the DOS 6.0 upgrade. Microsoft sells
upgrades only of its disk operating system to end users. The
Delivery Partnership Program is available only to OEMs.
Microsoft said the program is initially available to US and
Canadian manufacturers, but expects the offer to be extended to the
international market in the next few months.
(Jim Mallory/19930930/Press contact: Collins Hemingway, Microsoft,
206-882-8080; OEM contact: Microsoft, 800-325- 1233, Dept DSP2)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
BUSINESS
Gateway 2000 Enters Europe
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00021)
Gateway 2000 Enters Europe 09/30/93
NORTH SIOUX CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- PC maker
Gateway 2000 announced this week it will enter the European PC
market, with the first units shipping October 1.
Gateway has established its European headquarters near Dublin,
Ireland to service that country and the United Kingdom. The company
said additional markets on the continent will be added next year.
Gateway 2000 President and CEO Ted Waitt said he sees the European
market as the next logical step in Gateway's growth. "International
sales account for a significant percentage of our competitors'
business - for some up to 40 and 45 percent."
As reported earlier this month by Newsbytes, European market
research company Context says sales of PCs through indirect
channels rose by 29 percent to more than one million units in the
12-month period ending in June of this year. However, while
shipments were up, Context says profit isn't. It reports that
sales by value increased by only 2.6 percent over the year,
and attributed that to the price war, which it says shows no
sign of slacking off.
"PC vendors are looking for volume. Pricing pressures mean that
everyone is trying to get their products out to all consumers
through as many channels as possible. Hardly a week passes without
some new channel initiative being announced. Compaq's recent
agreement with (department store) John Lewis is a prime example,"
according to Context senior partner, Jeremy Davies.
In March of 1991 research company International Data Corporation
said the European PC market had slowed significantly. The report
predicted less than 10 percent growth rate in the market for the
period 1993 through 1996. Apparently that's enough for some
companies. In 1993 Sun Microsystems, Informix, Packard Bell, Applix,
Fulcrum Technologies and Sybase were some of the companies entering
the European market or expanding their presence there.
Gateway 2000 will sell its desktop and portable computers through
the direct channel by means of toll-free phone numbers which will be
advertised in ads taken in computer trade magazines. Each order will
be custom-built to meet the buyer's specifications. Gateway is
offering free technical support for the life of the system, a 30-day
money-back guarantee, a one-year parts and labor warranty, and
on-site service. Gateway told Newsbytes that selection of the
on-site service provider is still in negotiation.
Waitt said most of the staff at the Ireland office was trained at
corporate headquarters in South Dakota "not only for product
training, but so they can learn about and experience our culture
firsthand. This way, they understand who and what Gateway 2000 is,
and they can take that back with them."
Waitt said the company is pleased with the quality of the workers
available in the Irish workforce. "The employees are enthusiastic
about becoming part of a company like ours, and at the same time we
are pleased that our presence here helps the local economy,
especially given the high unemployment rate in the Dublin area.
Gateway 2000 spokesperson Glynis Gibson told Newsbytes the Dublin
unemployment rate currently stands at about 18 percent. Gateway has
hired 125 Dublin employees and says it will eventually have over 400
people employed there over the next three years. About 2,800 people
are employed at its headquarters.
(Jim Mallory/19930930/Press contact: Glynis Gibson, Gibson
Communications for Gateway 2000, 312-868-9400; Reader contact:
Gateway 2000, 605-232-2000 0r 800-846-2000, fax 605-232-2023)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
IBM
Toshiba Notebook PCMCIA Peripheral Line
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00022)
Toshiba Notebook PCMCIA Peripheral Line 09/30/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Toshiba America
Information Systems (TAIS) is shipping a new line of accessory
products, Noteworthy, for its popular notebook computers. The
products are credit-card sized peripherals that add network
access, telecommunications, and additional storage space to the
company's notebook computers.
Two modems, two Ethernet cards, a Token Ring card, a 3270
emulation card, a 16/4 Token Ring card, and a removable hard
drive are the first products in the Noteworthy line, all in the
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
(PCMCIA) form factor.
Some examples of the Noteworthy line include a local area
network (LAN) PCMCIA Type II 16/4 Token Ring card operating at
either 16 megabytes per second (Mbps) or 4 Mbps, with a retail
price of $595. TAIS also said it will offer a PCMCIA Type II
3270 emulation card for $515. For extra storage, a PCMCIA 13.5
millimeter (mm) hard disk drive with an 85-megabyte (MB)
capacity that is compatible with the Toshiba T1900, T1950,
T4500, T4600 and T6600C series computers was also mentioned,
but no pricing information was yet available. The company also
announced a 14,400 bit-per-second (bps) data and fax modem
featuring two integrated RJ-11 jacks 14 mm PCMCIA 2.01-
compliant slot, which is also compatible with the T1900 series,
T1950 series, T4500 series, T4600 series and T6600C series
notebook and portable multimedia computers. Retail price for
the modem is $499.
Most of the products mentioned will be available in October,
however a free catalog of Toshiba accessories is available to
consumers via a toll-free number, 800-959-4100.
The problem with the PCMCIA format is not every peripheral
built to that form factor is compatible with other PCMCIA card
readers. However, five companies recently announced they would
work together to make their PCMCIA cards and slots
interoperable. Toshiba was one of the five who announced
conformity to the (PC) Card AT-bus Architecture (ATA) standard.
The other companies involved in the announcement were IBM
Personal Computer, Maxtor, Seagate Technology, and Sundisk (a
Sun Microsystems Company).
TAIS is the Irvine, California-based subsidiary of the $39.9
billion dollar TAIS Corporation. According to analysts at the
International Data Corporation (IDC), Toshiba is the leading
vendor in the US market for portable computers, with 16.2
percent of the volume for 1992, and holds the largest market
share among IBM compatible notebook computers, with 20.7
percent of the 1992 total sales volume. TAIS boasts sales of $1
billion annually.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930930/Press Contact: Howard Emerson, TAIS
America Information Systems (TAIS), tel 714-583-3925, fax 714-
583-3645; Public Contact, TAIS accessory catalog, 800-959-4100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/30/93
APPLE
New Broderbund CD-ROM Titles
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00023)
New Broderbund CD-ROM Titles 09/30/93
NOVATO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Broderbund has
introduced The New Kid on the Block, the first volume of
multimedia poetry and a new multimedia adventure game, Myst.
Both titles are being published under Broderbund's newly
announced joint venture with book publisher Random House called
Living Books.
The New Kid on the Block includes 18 of Jack Prelutsky's poems.
Prelutsky is a children's poet who has published "A Gopher in
the Gardens" (1967), "The Snopp on the Sidewalk" (1977) and
"The Baby Uggs Are Hatching" (1982).
In this multimedia title, children can browse through such
poems as My Dog, He is an Ugly Dog, and Forty Performing
Bananas, which can then be read aloud to the child. Each poem
offers animations, so, for example, if the child clicks on the
word "dog," a cartoon dog will appear on the screen. Many of the
poems are read by Prelutsky himself and children can proceed at
their own pace, Broderbund said. The "Let Me Play" mode
encourages readers ages 6 to 12 to learn language skills and
poetry by clicking on various words and phrases.
Myst is a multimedia version of "The Never Ending Story." The
player stumbles across a battered old book whose author is
Atrus, picks it up, begins to leaf through the dusty pages, and
is suddenly transported. Myst island is the first stop, and
from there access to one of several Ages (each with its own
theme) can be gained by solving puzzles. For example, in one
Age the key is to channel water through pipes to power various
devices, Broderbund maintains. Switch one spigot and you power
an elevator which takes you to another level of a tree village.
The goal in the story is to discover which of the two sons of
Atrus has harmed the creations he has made in his book.
Broderbund says the game is aimed at players ages 14 and older,
offers photorealistic three-dimensional graphics, and an unique
soundtrack.
Myst was created by Rand and Robyn Miller, creators of the
critically acclaimed children's programs Spelunx and the Caves
of Mr. Seudo, Cosmic Osmo, and the Manhole. The brothers are
the co-founders of the company Cyan.
Broderbund officials added that the Tortise and the Hair, also
a multimedia story and based on the classic Aesop tale, will be
shipping soon as well.
The New Kid on the Block and Myst require a Macintosh computer
equipped with a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) drive.
Myst also requires an 8-bit 256-color display, 3 megabytes (MB)
of hard disk space and 2.5 MB free random access memory (RAM)
available. The New Kid on the Block retails for $39.95 and Myst
is priced at $59.95. A version of both titles for the IBM
compatible multimedia personal computer (MPC) is under
development, Broderbund added.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930929/Press Contact: Jessica Switzer,
Broderbund Software, tel 415-382-4568, fax 415-382-4582)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
APPLE
Delrina Intros 1st Mac Fax Software Product
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00024)
Delrina Intros 1st Mac Fax Software Product 09/30/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Delrina Corp.,
whose facsimile software has to date only run on IBM and
compatible PCs, now wants a piece of the Macintosh market too.
The company has launched Fax Pro for Macintosh to complement its
PC-based WinFax.
Like WinFax, Fax Pro sends and receives faxes, creates and stores
cover pages, and comes with optical character recognition (OCR)
software licensed from Caere Corp., to turn incoming faxes into
text files that users can edit with their word processors.
Delrina said the software will work with any Macintosh fax board,
and comes with an installation routine that automatically sets up
the software to work with the fax board installed in the machine.
Sending a fax with the software is essentially like printing a
document, since the Macintosh treats the fax software as a
standard printer. It can be invoked through the Macintosh
Chooser. According to Delrina, the faxed document retains all
fonts, formatting, and graphics in the original.
Users can just drag a file onto the Delrina FastFax icon for instant
transmission. The product also offers custom cover pages, and a
short text message can also be added.
Caere's AnyFax OCR technology, included in the program,
is designed to deal with fuzzy and broken characters that
sometimes show up in incoming faxes. It uses pattern
recognition and probability algorithms rather than
trying to recognize fully formed characters, officials said.
Delrina first licensed AnyFax from Caere in the fall of 1992, and
recently expanded its agreement with the company to include work
on integrated document management, fax, and forms processing
software.
Fax Pro for Macintosh is now shipping at a list price of C$159 or
US$129, with competitive upgrades from rival products available
at C$59 or US$49 for a limited time, Delrina said.
(Grant Buckler & Ian Stokell/19930930/Press Contact:
Josef Zankowicz or Shelly Sofer, Delrina, 416-441-3676;
Public Contact: Delrina, 800-268-6082)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
400 09/30/93
GENERAL
Omnis 7 Upgrade And Port To AS
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00025)
Omnis 7 Upgrade And Port To AS/400 09/30/93
FOSTER CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Five
months after unveiling Version 2 of the Omnis 7 crossplatform
client/server development environment, Blyth Software has
introduced Version 2.1, an upgrade that adds support for Oracle 7
as well as greater support for Sybase.
In addition, the company recently announced a port of Omnis 7.2
to IBM's AS/400 midrange systems. IBM has agreed to market Omnis
7.2 for AS/400 in the US and 58 other countries worldwide, a
Blyth spokesperson told Newsbytes. The AS/400 version of Omnis
lets users access AS/400 data from Windows and Apple Computer
Macintosh client platforms.
Blyth's Omnis 7 product allows the development of database
applications that can run unchanged under either Windows or
Macintosh. Omnis contains its own native RDBMS (relational
database management system), but also provides a front end to
many outside databases, the spokesperson said.
The initial edition of Omnis 7.2, announced in May, brought a new
"meta tool" for applications cloning, a localization feature for
faster porting of applications among languages, and two major new
add-ons.
The VCS (Version Control System) add-on allows teams of
developers to work collaboratively, sharing source code stored in
either a central RDBMS or on a SQL (Standard Query Language)
database server. The CMS (Change Management System) add-on lets
the developer deploy and update native Omnis database
applications from a server to multiple clients.
The new Omnis 7.2.1 adds direct connectivity to Oracle 7 for
Windows, along with the ability to store code in Sybase under
VCS. Blyth also plans to directly support Oracle 7 for Macintosh
when that product is released by Oracle, the spokesperson told
Newsbytes.
Earlier editions of Omnis 7 have provided direct connectivity to
Oracle 5 and 6. As in the past, Omnis 7.2.1 also
supplies direct connectivity to Sybase, SQL Server, and RDB.
Databases that are directly supported can be accessed by the
developer without the use of middleware, the spokesperson noted.
Middleware that can be used with Omnis 7.2.1 includes DAL (Data
Access Language), TechGnosis Inc.'s SequeLink and EDA/SQL, a
product of Information Builders. DAL provides access to Ingres,
Informix, and DB2 servers, as well as to Oracle, SQL Server and
RDB. Blyth produces a Windows version of DAL, the spokesperson
told Newsbytes. An edition of DAL for Macintosh is available
from Apple.
SequeLink provides access to SQL/DS, Ingres, Informix, and DB2,
in addition to Oracle, Sybase, and RDB. EDA affords access to
Ingres, DB2 and SQL/DS, plus Oracle, Sybase and RDB.
Blyth's other new product, Omnis 7.2 for AS/400, uses Apple's DAL
to connect Macintosh users to AS/400, Microsoft's ODBC (Open
Database Connectivity) to connect Windows users to AS/400, and
SequeLink or EDA/SQL to connect Macintosh and Windows users alike
to AS/400.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930930/Reader contact: Blyth Software, tel
800-346-6647; Press contacts: Diane Edises, Blyth Software, tel
415-571-0222; Phyllis Grabot, Capital Relations, tel 818-889-
9100)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
GENERAL
Australia's Top-Selling Software
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SYD)(00026)
Australia's Top-Selling Software 09/30/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- US computer products
distributor Merisel has held its 1993 black-tie awards night
for vendors. More than sixty of the vendors attended the event
at Sydney's museum of Modern Art and some went home wearing
the winner's smile.
The awards recognize top-selling products in a number of categories
for both PCs and Macs. As a broad-based distributor, in most
product categories Merisel sells a number of competing products.
This years winners are:
PC Hardware systems, printers, monitors: 1 - Epson LX400 printer,
2 - Epson LQ1070 printer.
Drives, modems, connectivity: 1 - Microsoft serial mouse, 2 -
Colorado Jumbo 250 internal tape drive.
PC Software business applications: 1 - Microsoft Access, 2 -
WordPerfect for Windows.
Communications, system utilities: 1 - Microsoft MS Dos 6.0, 2 -
Microsoft Windows.
Home, education, recreation: 1 - WordPerfect for Windows education
edition, 2 - Microsoft Golf for Windows.
Macintosh general software: 1 - ClarisWorks, 2 - Symantec SAM.
Macintosh Hardware: 1 - Kensington Turbo Mouse, 2 - Kensington
Powerbook Numeric Keypad.
(Paul Zucker/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
APPLE
Andyne Ships Pablo Data Access Tool For Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00027)
Andyne Ships Pablo Data Access Tool For Mac 09/30/93
KINGSTON, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Andyne Computing
Ltd. has begun volume shipments of Pablo, a data access and
reporting tool based on technology licensed from Apple Computer
Inc.
Pablo is meant to let Macintosh users extract multi-dimensional
summary information from databases and massage it into reports.
It is one of several software packages meant to work with
multidimensional information to appear in the past couple of
years. Lotus Development Corp.'s Improv spreadsheet for Next
workstations and Microsoft Windows is another. However, "Pablo is
not a spreadsheet," said Scott Rankine, director of marketing at
Andyne.
Pablo stores information in something called a HyperCube, which
can be created by information systems people and stored in a
relational database on a file server or desktop computer. End
users can then use the HyperCube to pull out the information they
want.
Pablo can provide links to remote databases through Apple's Data
Access Language (DAL) and other database connectivity standards.
According to Andyne, it can work with Oracle, IBM DB2, Ingres,
Sybase, AS/400, Tandem, Digital Equipment Rdb, SQL/DS, Teradata,
and Informix databases.
The single-copy list price is US$695. Andyne has distribution
arrangements in North America, Europe, and Japan, and a worldwide
distribution relationship with Ingres Corp., Rankine said.
Versions in several languages other than English are planned in
1994, he said, as is a Windows version of Pablo.
(Grant Buckler/19930930/Press Contact: Scott Rankine, Andyne
Computing, 613-548-4355)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
GENERAL
Foreign Language Tutor Program Upgraded
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00028)
Foreign Language Tutor Program Upgraded 09/30/93
HOLLIS, NEW HAMPSHIRE, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Transparent
Language Inc. has added new interactive capabilities to its DOS-
and Mac-based software for learning Spanish, French, German,
Italian or Latin.
New features in Transparent Language 2.0 include CheckWords,
Vocabulous!, and Personal Notes, according to Michael Quinlan,
company president.
CheckWords lets the user add words to a personal vocabulary
review list simply by "checking" a word while reading any of the
company's 75 foreign language titles. The titles include
literature as well as travel and other nonfiction content.
The user can review the CheckWords list at any time, go directly
to any word on the list, or export the list to a common word
processor for printout.
Vocabulous! is a context game designed to let users practice
spelling and word meaning in an entertaining way. The game can
be played on the user's personal CheckWords, or on any foreign
language title.
Personal Notes lets students and teachers add their own comments
to any word in a title. Teachers can opt to "lock" Personal
Notes so students cannot subsequently change them.
Version 2.0 lets users view linguist prefaces that have
started to appear in new foreign language titles from Transparent
Language.
A retail price of $139 covers the Transparent Language Master
Program, plus four titles in a chosen language, one sampler title
in each of four additional languages, and audio tapes for all the
titles.
Through November 15, current Transparent Users can upgrade free
of charge by purchasing $29 worth of extra titles, or for $19.95
otherwise. After November 15, the upgrade price will be $34.95.
When sold separately, titles typically cost $14.95, $19.95 or
$24.95. Accompanying audio cassettes are priced at $8.95 to
$11.95.
The PC version of the software operates on any IBM-compatible PC
with 300K of RAM running MS-DOS or PC-DOS, including PCs without
hard drives. The Mac version runs on almost any Macintosh
running System 6 or 7, except some early models with 400K drives.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930930/Reader contact: Transparent Language,
tel 603-465-2230; Press contacts: Kathryn Joy or Yvonne Cekel,
Transparent Language, tel 603-465-2230)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/30/93
IBM
Document Manager Handles Images, 200 File Formats
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00029)
Document Manager Handles Images, 200 File Formats 09/30/93
WESTBROOK, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Westbrook
Technologies, Inc., hopes to bring document image management to
mainstream personal computer users with a new $199 software
package.
Westbrook said its File Magic Vision will let personal computer
users store and retrieve scanned-in and faxed-in documents and
images plus computer-created files in more than 200 word
processor, spreadsheet, database, and other file formats.
A built-in file viewer will let users of the software look at
stored documents on their computer screens without having to run
the applications used to create the files in the first place,
explained Russ Barmmer, a spokesman for the company.
Optical character recognition (OCR) built into the software also
converts scanned documents to machine-readable text so they can
be indexed for later retrieval, company officials said.
The software can run on a computer with a 386SX processor,
Barmmer said, though a 486 chip is preferable. The machine also
needs to have at least a 14-inch color VGA monitor. The upgrade
most PC users will have to make to run File Magic Vision will be
to memory: some 50 to 60 megabytes are needed to use the
software, Barmmer said.
(Grant Buckler/19930930/Press Contact: Michael Graham, Westbrook
Technologies, 800-949-3453; Russ Barmmer, The Barmmer Group for
Westbrook, 203-399-7337)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/30/93
APPLE
****50,000 Newton Messagepads Sold In Under 2 Months
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)
****50,000 Newton Messagepads Sold In Under 2 Months 09/30/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 30 (NB) -- Apple
Computer says Newton Messagepad sales prove its success. The
company has released figures that 50,000 of the handheld pen-
based personal digital assistants (PDAs) have been sold in the
US and Europe since the unit's introduction just under two
months ago, which makes the Messagepad one of the fastest
selling products Apple has ever introduced.
These numbers are particularly impressive since Apple was
unable to supply more than limited quantities of the Messagepad
since its August 2 launch at the Macworld show in Boston, and
there have been four versions of the operating system for the
unit released to correct problems. Reports were that the
thousands of units available at Macworld were gobbled up by
hungry Newton fanciers the first day of the show. The latest
version of the Newton operating system is now at 1.04 and Apple
is upgrading users who bought the Messagepad to later versions
free of charge.
The Messagepad was only available in New York and Boston until
the beginning of September, when Apple released the units
nationwide. United Kingdom sales of the Newton just started
September 16.
Apple resellers told Newsbytes they don't expect to see much
profit in sales of the Messagepad itself, but expect to do well
on peripherals for the unit. Peripheral items include leather
cases, extra memory, the fax modem, and the new Connectivity
Connection Kit for the Macintosh. Connectivity, shipped earlier
in September, enables information to be synchronized and
updated automatically between the Macintosh and the Newton
Messagepad when the two are connected.
In addition, applications are springing up for the Messagepad.
Apple claims it has sold in excess of 1,500 Newton development
systems (NTKs) worldwide for application development for the
system. Newton developers can make use of the "Smart
Synchronization" technology employed by the Connectivity kit,
allowing third party Newton applications to have connectivity
with the Macintosh desktop environment as well. Apple added
that it intends to introduce the Newton Connection Kit for
Windows in the near future.
Newsbytes talked with Mike Descher, manager of Tarzana,
California-based retailer Mac Universe, who says the
Messagepads are moving well in his store. Descher said the
biggest problem with the unit is people are not used to
computer devices that are really "personal."
"Our customers buy a Newton, then give it to a friend,
but forget to switch it into guest mode," Descher said.
The Newton is designed to "learn" the user's handwriting,
so when a friend takes it without switching it to the
guest mode setting, it begins to learn that person's writing,
forgetting the writing of the unit's owner.
While Mac Universe has Messagepads in stock, Simi Valley,
California-based Candid Computers said they're sold out again
and are waiting for a new shipment to arrive. "Sales have been
great. Peripheral sales are good, too. Almost everyone who buys
a Messagepad buys some peripheral for it. Extra memory is
especially popular," said Jeff Billau training manager at
Candid.
German language Messagepads will be introduced in Germany this
fall, Apple representatives told Newsbytes. French and
Japanese versions are also in the works. The Messagepad is
manufactured for Apple by Sharp Electronics, which also has a
work-a-like version called the Expertpad also available in
retail outlets. Sharp officials were unavailable to talk about
sales figures of the Expertpad by press time.
Competition from Zoomer, another PDA from Casio and Tandy is
expected this month. However, reports are that while Zoomer
offers more functions, its handwriting recognition is slower
than the Messagepad.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930930/Press Contact: Emma Bufton, Regis
McKenna for Apple, tel 408-974-1856, fax 408-974-5470; Mike
Descher, Mac Universe, 818-609-7012; Jeff Billau, Candid
Computers, 805-522-3823; Newton OS 1.04 Update, 800-242-3374)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/29/93
IBM
Realtors Can Help Clients Mortgage-Hunt On-line
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00001)
Realtors Can Help Clients Mortgage-Hunt On-line 09/29/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Network
Financial Services is offering a new "one-stop" shopping on-
line service to realtors looking for homes, mortgages, and
insurance for clients, in conjunction with the California
Association of Realtors Expo '93 held this week in Anaheim,
California. The company says it will offer the software and
hardware to access the new Prosolutions free to any Realtor
who funds two mortgages a month through the service.
The San Jose, California-based company claims realtors can shop
for mortgages and even apply on-line, saving their customers
thousands of dollars in interest and garnering a fee for
themselves from Westmark Mortgage Corp., the Network
Financial Services subsidiary handling the loans. Loans
approved on-line can be locked-in at the current interest rate
for 30 days, the company added. In addition, AETNA homeowners
insurance is available at a discount through the service, as
well as mortgage life insurance.
If realtors already have IBM compatible personal computer (PC)
hardware, they can simply add the Prosolutions software,
Network said. In order to help realtors learn to operate the
software, the Sector Group, who developed the software in
conjunction with Network, has arranged for IBM and NCR to make
their training facilities available to the realtors. For those
who do not have the hardware already, the hardware supplied by
Network may also be used to access the Multiple Listing Service
(MLS), company officials said.
Prosolutions costs $195 a month to realtors who do not manage
to fund two mortgages each month. It is expected to be available
nationwide in October. Interested parties are encouraged to
write instead of calling the company.
Network claims to be the largest franchisee in the ERA
real estate organization, with 31 offices in Northern
California and more than 375 real estate agents and employees.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930927/Press Contact: Gary Fishman, The
Hudson Stone Group for Network Financial Service, tel 212-983-
8550, fax; Public Contact, Prosolutions, c/o Network Financial
Services, 1999 S. Bascom Ave. No. 400, San Jose, CA, 95008-
2203.
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
GENERAL
PostScript 2 Option For Canon Printer/Copier
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00002)
PostScript 2 Option For Canon Printer/Copier 09/29/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Adobe
Systems reports that Canon USA has introduced a PostScript Level
2 option for its CJ10 Color Desktop copier/printer, making the
unit a more "functional" publishing system.
The CJ PostScript Intelligent Processing Unit (CJ PS-IPU) is a
PostScript Level 2 raster image processor (RIP) option for the
Canon CJ10 Color Desktop Copier that outputs full-color PostScript
language-based pages from any application at 400 dots-per-inch
(dpi). Prints can be output on the Canon CJ10 on 8.5-by-11-inch
paper, transparencies, card stock, and labels. The device also
includes 39 of Adobe's Type 1 fonts.
"Adobe's PostScript Level 2 interface option for the Canon CJ10
is a key component in bringing a complete desktop publishing
solution to graphic designers and corporate creative environments,"
said Steve MacDonald, senior vice president and general manager of
Adobe's Systems Products Division.
The CJ PS-IPU comes standard with 16 megabytes of RAM and
AppleTalk, RS-232C/422 serial and Centronics ports. A SCSI
(Small Computer Systems Interface) interface is available as an
option. The CJ PS-IPU has a suggested retail price of $4,995. The
CJ10 Color Desktop Copier has a suggested list price of $5,995.
(Wendy Woods/19930928/Press Contact: Adobe Systems,
Patricia J. Pane, 415/962-3967)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/29/93
APPLE
DataViz Ships MacLinkPlus 7.5 Upgrade
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00003)
DataViz Ships MacLinkPlus 7.5 Upgrade 09/29/93
TRUMBULL, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- DataViz
is shipping version 7.5 of the MacLinkPlus product line.
Version 7.5 introduces new translators to handle some of the
latest applications: ClarisWorks, WordPerfect 6.0, MacWrite Pro,
Ami Pro 3.0, Quattro Pro, WriteNow 3.0, Nisus, Lotus 3.1, FoxBase,
and dBase IV.
Files translated by MacLinkPlus retain all original formatting
such as bold, italics, headers, footers, footnotes, and style
sheets, the company says.
DataViz also introduced a third title to the line - MacLinkPlus/Easy
Open Translators. It was designed for System 7 users who need to
translate Mac and PC files, but already have a way to move files
between the two computers. It is an add-on utility for someone
who already owns a DOS disk mounting utility such as AccessPC,
DOS Mounter, or Macintosh PC Exchange. This utility is also for
users on a multi-platform network, such as Novell Netware or
LANtastic.
Like the current MacLinkPlus products, it includes the full
translation library of over 1000 translation combinations and
Macintosh Easy Open, an Apple system extension that allows for
"double-click" and "drag-on" file translation.
With the addition of this new product, DataViz has also slightly
modified the names of the existing MacLinkPlus products to better
differentiate between the three. MacLinkPlus/PC has been changed
to MacLinkPlus/PC Connect. MacLinkPlus/Translators is now
MacLinkPlus/Translators Pro.
MacLinkPlus/Translators Pro and MacLinkPlus/PC Connect are
available for System 6 or 7 users who do not have a way to move
files between a Mac and a PC. In addition to the full translation
library and Macintosh Easy Open, Translators Pro includes
Macintosh PC Exchange, an Apple utility that lets you insert DOS
disks into a Mac. MacLinkPlus/PC Connect includes the same
components as Translators Pro, plus a serial cable and modem
communication software to physically connect a Mac and a PC.
The suggested retail prices are as follows: MacLinkPlus/Easy
Open Translators, $109; MacLinkPlus/Translators Pro, $149;
and MacLinkPlus/PC Connect, $199. The upgrade price for
Translators Pro and PC Connect to version 7.5 is $39.95.
(Wendy Woods/19930928/Press Contact: Bonnie Orsini,
203-268-0030)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
UNIX
Tivoli Enhances Mgt Environment Systems Software
(NEWS)(UNIX)(DEN)(00004)
Tivoli Enhances Mgt Environment Systems Software 09/29/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Tivoli Systems has
announced a number of enhancements to its Tivoli Management
Environment Systems management software.
The company says the software includes new tools for managing
printing and electronic mail services across distributed computing
environments. It also announced a version of the software for IBM
RS/6000 systems.
The Tivoli management environment is a Unix-based software package
based on an object-oriented software framework and graphical user
interface. Release 1.6 runs on Unix workstations. The IBM RS/6000
and Solaris 2.3 versions are scheduled to ship in December.
Tivoli maintains that distributed systems management software is a
set of technologies that enable organizations to manage distributed
networks of computers from multiple vendors efficiently and
cost-effectively. For customers, it provides a consistent user
interface to different hardware platforms, operating systems,
system resources, and management tasks. In May of this year the
company announced that it is developing a version of the Tivoli
Management Environment for Windows NT.
The Tivoli DMS is comprised of a common management interface with
graphical and command-line options and an object-oriented software
framework that represents the system resources as objects that can
be managed through commands or by point-and-click or drag-and-drop.
Also included is an application development environment that allows
developers to build object-oriented applications; an autodiscovery
facility that automatically discovers and represents resources on
the framework; and a set of class libraries that describe common
type objects. Those definitions maintain the integrity of the
objects across different applications and enable the objects to be
used as building blocks for interoperable applications.
Tivoli/Print manages distributed printing services using a
point-and-click interface that allows system administrators to
remotely remove, prioritize, check the status of or move print
jobs among print queues, as well as reset and disable printers.
The new mail alias management feature is a method of managing
mail aliases, the transactions between the addresses in electronic
mail messages and actual mail delivery names and locations.
Tivoli also announced contracts worth over $1 million each with
GTE Telephone Operations, a division of GTE Corp.; and Motorola's
General Systems Sector. The two companies will purchase the
software and services over the next two years.
(Jim Mallory/19930928/Press contact: John Hime, Tivoli
Systems, 512-794-9070)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
IBM
New Version Of RamNet/uucp For DOS
(NEWS)(IBM)(ATL)(00005)
New Version Of RamNet/uucp For DOS 09/29/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Software
Concepts Design has announced a new version of its RamNet/uucp
background communications program that allows MS-DOS users
to access Internet services.
RamNet/uucp is a memory-resident program that can communicate
either with other MS-DOS-based computers using the same
software, or any computer running the uucp protocol which is
standard on most Unix systems.
Enhancements with the new version include: better remote access
security, which is based on the HoneyDanBer file structure, used in
all modern Unix sites; and better routing of incoming electronic
mail, using the Internet RFC822 standard which handles domains
as well as "bang-path" addresses. There is also a new, more
friendly user interface. The product costs $198 for a single PC
In addition to handling electronic-mail, the program can also
access Usenet news groups. Each site with the software can
be configured as a node on a newsgroup, with the ability to move
messages forward or feed messages downstream to "leaf" sites.
Since sites equipped with the software appear to be just like any
other uucp node, you can also tap into a variety of mailing lists
off the Internet.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930928/Press Contact: Software Concepts
Design, Laura Mondesir, 914-586-2023)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
GENERAL
Trius, VideoServer Products Win Awards
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00006)
Trius, VideoServer Products Win Awards 09/29/93
NORTH ANDOVER, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) --
DraftChoice, a two-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD)
program by Trius Inc., recently won the Shareware Industry Award
for The Best Graphics Application Program.
DraftChoice is claimed to have made CAD software accessible to
non-engineers at an affordable price. DraftChoice is available from
Trius Inc., P.O. Box 249, N. Andover, MA 01845, for $75 postpaid.
Visa or Mastercard holders can call 800-468-7487. Evaluation
copies are available for $5.
VideoServer Inc., (Lexington, MA.), developer of communications
software and hardware products designed for video
teleconferencing networks, received an award from the
International Teleconferencing Association recently.
The award, for Outstanding Product Achievement in the area of
two-way video, recognizes VideoServer's Series 2000 Multipoint
Control Unit (MCU). The Series 2000 MCU, introduced in June 1992,
reportedly established a new price/performance benchmark in
the industry.
The Series 2000 contains an integrated set of software and
networking features that enable customers to build multi-vendor,
multi-carrier conferencing networks that are cost-effective and
easy to use. VideoServer is at 5 Forbes Road, Lexington, MA 02173.
Telephone 617-863-2300.
(Marguerite Zientara/19930928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
TRENDS
CIOs Rate Sun Tops
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(SFO)(00007)
CIOs Rate Sun Tops 09/29/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- According
to a survey of chief information officers (CIOs) by CIO magazine,
Sun Microsystems Inc., was placed top in most categories.
Sun claims it was ranked top in five out of seven workstation
categories in the Reader's Choice Award: best return on investment,
leadership in technology, best price/performance, and brand
awareness. Additionally, CIOs also voted Sun as the company they
would most likely consider purchasing products from within the
next 12 months.
CIO magazine's readers reportedly control the spending of
information technology (IT) budgets that average $23 million
each annually.
Newsbytes notes that Sun, a major workstation and server vendor,
has benefitted greatly from the trend away from host-based
computing environments towards client/server and distributed
processing networking architectures.
Dataquest predicts that the number of workstations used for
business applications will grow 97.7 percent between 1991 and
1996. Workstations in commercial applications will account for
$18.1 billion of the $33.5 billion workstation market in 1996.
IDC reports that Sun servers accounted for the largest share of
the market - 39.8 percent of the worldwide unit shipments of
"as-sold" workstation servers for 1992.
(Ian Stokell/19930929/Press Contact: Gayle Jennings,
415-336-0787, Sun Microsystems Computer Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
GENERAL
Artisoft Ships Central Station II
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00008)
Artisoft Ships Central Station II 09/29/93
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Artisoft Inc., has
begun shipping its Central Station II "connectivity processor."
Joe Stunkard, spokesman for Artisoft told Newsbytes that the
Central Station II, can be used as a "print server, for remote
communications, and as an external adapter for a laptop."
The Central Station II processor is priced at $595 and includes
pre-loaded versions of the Printer Server and Dial-Up Connection
StationWare dedicated applications.
Stunkard told Newsbytes that, "You could set the product up as a
print server, it has five I/O (input/output) ports on the back of
it - two parallel and three serial. However, on two of those serial
ports you can have modems attached and have remote
communications to the network. Both of those ports can be active
concurrently. It also has a PC interface port on it - it is a fast
parallel port. You can hook up a laptop/notebook - and that machine
can be part of the network."
According to the company, the Central Station provides laptop to
Ethernet connectivity capabilities for LANtastic (version 5.0) or
NetWare (versions 2.x, 3.11 or 4.0) network operating systems.
Users who purchased the original Central Station processor
after August 1, 1993, can exchange it for the new Central Station
II processor. The Central Station II processor requires version 5.0
of LANtastic. As a result, Artisoft will be offering a special
half-price upgrade offer (the DOS version for $25, and the
DOS/Windows version for $50) with the purchase of the Central
Station II processor to those users who have version 4.1 or lower
of LANtastic.
For a limited time, Artisoft is also offering existing Central Station
users a special half-price offer ($49 per network) to upgrade to
the StationWare 3.0 software, regularly priced at $99 per network.
Existing Central Station users wishing to use five printers
simultaneously must purchase the Central Station II connectivity
processor in order to use the PC interface and auxiliary ports as
printer connections.
Stunkard told Newsbytes that the original Central Station
differed from version II in that, "The original only had three ports
that were active. You could have three printers hooked up to it.
You could only have one modem connection to it. And if you had a
laptop connected to the machine, you could not have a remote
connection calling in. Now you can have a laptop connected, and
two computers calling in at the same time."
The price of the original Central Station connectivity processor
has been reduced to $495.
The company recently announced the settlement of arbitration
relating to the termination of C. John Schoof II as Artisoft's
chief executive officer. As part of the settlement, the company
said it purchased from Schoof 3,487,500 shares of Artisoft
common stock, representing about 20 percent of the outstanding
stock, as well as all outstanding Artisoft stock options held by
Schoof, for $25.5 million.
(Ian Stokell/19930928/Press Contact: Joe Stunkard,
602-670-7145, Artisoft Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
GENERAL
SynOptics Intros Intelligent Hub & Optivity 4.0 Mgt Sys
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00009)
SynOptics Intros Intelligent Hub & Optivity 4.0 Mgt Sys 09/29/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- SynOptics
Communications Inc., is shipping the Lattis System 5000 intelligent
hub. According to the company, the new hub encompasses a new
design approach that reduces operating costs and improves the
performance of networks. The company has also released version
4.0 of its Optivity network management system for structured
networks.
The System 5000 is also claimed to be the first intelligent hub
with the features required for the central connection and control
points, or network centers, within a structured network design.
The System 5000 connects dozens of networks together into a
single, manageable system.
System 5000's configuration flexibility is a key feature. The
company says that, when deployed in a structured network, the
System 5000 enables network managers to create and configure
logical workgroups of users connected to System 3000 and
System 2000 hubs. Network topology can be "easily" modified
under software control, and key centralized protocol or
application analysis tools can be remotely steered to monitor
selected networks on an as-needed basis.
The System 5000 provides more than 12 gigabits-per-second of
system throughput, and each individual hub provides connectivity
and core network management capabilities for up to 52 Ethernet
segments, 26 Token Rings or five FDDI (fiber distributed data
interface) rings.
The System 5000 host module is designed so that its 14 slots
fit in a standard, rack-mounted chassis. These "cluster" host
modules can reportedly support four Ethernet segments or two
Token Rings on a single board. Each ring or segment cluster
supports a fiber interconnect port and three to four copper host
ports.
The company says that the System 5000 is designed for the
mission-critical requirements of a network center, because it has
no single point of failure, and all modules are "hot-swappable." The
chassis features redundant power supplies and back-up cooling
systems, redundant clock-distribution systems and interconnect
links. The system delivers and cools more than 1,500 watts of
power. The company also claims that, through its embedded
management architecture, the System 5000 is self-healing and self-
managing.
SynOptics intends to deliver its Fast Frame Ethernet frame
switching, Fast Matrix ATM cell switching and CelliFrame
ATM/Ethernet translation capability in the System 5000 in
1994.
A typical configuration for the System 5000 will range in price
from $1,300 to $4,600 per segment.
According to SynOptics, Optivity 4.0, "leverages the capabilities of
structured network designs, giving users the power to visualize the
network in ways not possible before and to cost-effectively deploy
its resources.
Version 4.0 features a new object-based user interface that uses
"icons based on metaphors from the physical world." A network
manager can view devices, networks, servers and other services
as objects, providing the "new level of simplicity required for
managing highly complex structured networks."
Optivity 4.0 is also claimed to be the first network management
system that enables network managers to isolate and view the
logical associations made by the physical connections among
users and devices on a network. The new logical view is called
the Network Center View.
Through a mouse operation, network managers can move objects
representing network resources to create and configure logical
workgroups; allocate key resources such as servers and routers to
specific network segments; and deploy other resources.
Optivity 4.0 for the SunNet Manager platform will begin shipping
in 30 days at a cost of $5,995. Versions of Optivity for IBM's
NetView/6000 and Hewlett Packard's Open View for Unix are
expected in the first half of 1994.
(Ian Stokell/19930928/Press Contact: Amanda Jaramillo,
408-764-1180, SynOptics Communications Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
GENERAL
Rockwell Cuts Ethernet VME Board Prices
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00010)
Rockwell Cuts Ethernet VME Board Prices 09/29/93
SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- The
cost of Ethernet networking continues to decline. Now Rockwell
International Corp.'s CMC Network Products has cut the price of
its intelligent Ethernet VME Adapter board products by up to 40
percent.
According to the company, it is the first time high-performance,
intelligent Ethernet VME adapters have been list priced under
$2,000.
Intelligent adapters provide TCP/IP (Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol) on-board, reducing the host CPU
(central processor unit) processing load. They also offer
performance boosters such as direct memory access, VMEbus
master mode, and block mode.
The company maintains that the price reduction will help drive
the trend to off-load Ethernet processing from the CPU board to
the network interface card (NIC). Single-board computer products
provide Ethernet capabilities on the CPU board to reduce costs,
but at the expense of performance, claims Rockwell. NICs provide
better performance and flexibility.
In announcing the price cuts, Rockwell's Ethernet Product Line
Manager Wendy Wu, said: "With this price reduction, users can
minimize Ethernet connectivity costs, without sacrificing
performance and flexibility. Once users have off-loaded protocol
processing to the NIC, they can easily migrate from the 10Mbps
Ethernet platform to 100 Mbps. Only the NIC will need to be
upgraded and not the entire single board computer."
Rockwell's highest-performance Ethernet adapter - the CMC-130 -
has been reduced to $1,995. The ENP-100i has dropped to $1,695,
the ENP-100L to $1,595, the ENP-10i to $1,295, and the ENP-10L
now lists at $1,195. There are also additional volume pricing
discounts.
(Ian Stokell/19930928/Press Contact: Marianne McCarthy,
805-562-3138, Rockwell International, CMC Network Products)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
GENERAL
CrossComm Intros ILAN XL20 Router
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00011)
CrossComm Intros ILAN XL20 Router 09/29/93
MARLBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) --
Reliability is probably the main issue for companies migrating
their IBM SNA (Systems Network Architecture) applications to
client/server networking environment. As a result, CrossComm
Corp., has introduced, what the company claims, is the first
midrange router that eliminates a single point of failure.
According to the company, the new ILAN XL20 is designed to bring
reliable, non-stop networking of mission-critical SNA applications
to a corporation's regional data centers.
To prevent crashes, CrossComm claims that "the XL20 features the
most extensive use of redundant, industrial-strength hardware
available in a midrange router, including dual hot swappable power
supplies, redundant fans, gold plated connectors and a passive high
reliability backplane."
The router uses fault-tolerant components and the company's new
parallel router architecture. CrossComm claims that XL20 users
will not be disrupted by SNA or other protocol session loss, network
maintenance, changes, line congestions, line faults, and other
common network events that typically bring other routers down.
The ILAN XL20 is a multiprotocol router featuring a multiple RISC
processor design (four Intel i960 RISC processors), "hot swappable"
router modules, special software and redundant router components.
The router features CrossComm's Protocol Independent Routing
(PIR) software, which is claimed to be the only routing software
proven to consistently maintain SNA and other LAN (local area
network) protocol user sessions in the event of network
congestions, and WAN (wide area network) or router failures.
The ILAN XL20 also features on-line serviceability for added
reliability. All the device's modules, power supplies and fans are
hot swappable and can be replaced without powering down the
router. Should a module fail, users plug in a new one.
The company also says that the ILAN XL20 automatically detects
which devices are connected to which LANs and begins routing as
soon as it is plugged into the network. An auto-line detection
feature senses Token Ring LAN speeds and WAN clocking rates to
eliminate common installation problems and mistakes. The router
reportedly automatically changes its routing tables as LAN users
are added, moved or changed.
The ILAN XL20 is also claimed to be the first midrange router to
offer an ATM (asynchronous transfer mode)-ready switching
backplane capable of 3.2 gigabit-per-second capacity for
router-to-router and ATM backbone applications. CrossComm
expects to offer ATM support via the XL20 by the first quarter of
1994.
The ILAN XL20 is available immediately at a list price of $4,950 for
the base unit. Router modules are available starting at $9,400. The
company says that full system prices vary depending on the number
of modules and options purchased.
(Ian Stokell/19930928/Press Contact: Samantha White,
800-388-1200, CrossComm Corp.; Christine LeCompte,
603-436-6690, Beaupre & Co. Public Relations)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
TELECOM
UK - Gov't Issues Three New Telecom Licenses
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00012)
UK - Gov't Issues Three New Telecom Licenses 09/29/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- The United Kingdom's
Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued three new
telecommunications licenses.
Newsbytes notes that three new licenses -- issued to
Scottishpower, Telcom and Torch Communications -- brings the
total number of companies licensed to offer public telecoms
services in the UK to seven.
Of the three new companies, Torchtel is perhaps the most
interesting, since it is a joint venture between the Yorkshire
Electricity Company and Kingston-upon-Hull (KuH)
Telecommunications.
KuH Telecommunications is a private company run by the local
government of Hull, a town in the North-East of England. The
company is the last of the "town" telecoms companies that were
phased out and/or amalgamated into the General Post Office in
the late 1800s and early 1900s.
KuH Telecommunications was spared the prospect of amalgamation
around the turn of the century and now offers cut-price local
service in the Hull area. The company has also forged links with
most major international telecoms operators, including British
Telecommunications and Mercury in the UK.
Yorkshire Electricity, meanwhile, has been busy -- as all power
companies have been these last few years -- in installing fiber
optic cabling to run alongside its power cabling. Plans now call
for Torch Telecom to offer telecoms services over its fiber optic
network, switching calls through KuH Telecommunications
exchanges in Hull for onward switching to anywhere in the world.
(Steve Gold/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
GOVT
UK Police Issue Warning On Restaurant Card Fraud
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00013)
UK Police Issue Warning On Restaurant Card Fraud 09/29/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Banks and Police in the UK
have issued a warning to their card holders, telling them never to
let their plastic cards out of their sight, especially in Chinese
restaurants. The warning comes after a report compiled by the card
issuers revealed how easy it is for duplicate cards to be produced
from data taken from the legitimate card.
According to the card issuers, a problem exists where chinese
restaurants run by suspect people phone or fax through details of
likely "high rolling" Visa, Mastercard or Amex cards to accomplices
in Hong Kong. From that point on, the card issuers claim, it is a
relatively easy task to manufacturer one or more "duplicates" of the
card in question and have the forged cards actively in use in Hong
Kong in a matter of hours.
The problem for the card issuers, Newsbytes notes, is that the card
owner is unaware that their card has been duplicated and, since
the original card continues to be used for standard user profile
purchases in their home country, the card company takes a while
longer to realize that something is wrong from the unusual patterns
of spending in Hong Kong.
The card issuers claim that Chinese Triads impose pressure on
waiters and cashiers in Chinese restaurants in the Chinatown
districts of cities around the world, to pass along card information.
In the UK, the problem of Hong Kong card duplication fraud has cost
the banks a considerable sum of money. Barclays Bank has revealed
that, out of its UKP12 million fraud losses over the last six
months, UKP1 million was directly attributable to card duplication.
Barclays officials claim that only a few years ago, such fraud
problems were virtually non-existent.
According to a report compiled by Visa International, card
duplication fraud now costs UKP9 million a year out of a total of
UKP165 million. And the problem is getting worse.
UK press reports are starting to appear on the problem. One recent
well-publicized fraud involving a National Westminster (Natwest)
Gold Mastercard holder was only realized when the card holder,
Nicola Williams of London, opened her monthly statement. "I had
paid for my holiday in America on the card so was expecting
a big bill -- something over UKP1,000. Instead it was nearly
UKP3,000," she is reported to have said.
After investigation by Natwest's fraud division, it transpired that
Williams has eaten in several chinese restaurants in the weeks
before her card was apparently duplicated.
Barclays Bank claims that frauds of this type are typical of Triad
involvement. "When we have uncovered fraud we usually find the
individuals have been put under intense pressure," a bank
spokesman said.
(Steve Gold/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
IBM
IBM Austria Reports Rising 1993 Sales
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00014)
IBM Austria Reports Rising 1993 Sales 09/29/93
VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- IBM Austria, the wholly
owned subsidiary of IBM, has announced that its sales are increasing
steadily on the back of a general surge in business confidence in
the country.
According to Siegfried Skalla, the company's managing director,
1992/93 sales increased to top the 40,000 unit sales mark, an
increase of more than 50 percent when compared with 1991/92
figures.
Skalla said that, because of falling PC prices in Austria -- copying
most other countries in Europe, Newsbytes notes -- actual turnover
for the company will only increase by around 11 percent, once the
final figures have been released in the next few months.
Newsbytes also notes that IBM as a whole is seeing its sales rise
considerably on the back of a concerted international media
campaign to raise the company's profile as a high quality PC
supplier. Because of the continuing trend to lower prices, however,
IBM officials say that 1993 profits will only rise slightly.
IBM UK claims that, after seeing worldwide sales rise by 10.6
percent in 1992, it expects sales to rise by only around two
percent on 1993.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930929/Press & Public Contact: IBM UK -
+44-256-56144
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
BUSINESS
Metrologie France Plans To Sell Off Division
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00015)
Metrologie France Plans To Sell Off Division 09/29/93
PARIS, FRANCE, 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- The recession continues to
bite on the European reseller and computer distribution market.
Now, Metrologie France has announced plans to sell off its direct
sales operations in the country.
According to the company, the move will allow Metrologie to
concentrate on its core activities - computer hardware and
software distribution. Newsbytes notes that the plan follows
hard on the heels of the steady sale of non-strategic assets -
such as buildings - over the last year.
Metrologie claims that the planned sell-off forms part of an
ongoing restructuring of the company's operations in France. The
direct sales division, which employs 35 people, accounts for
around FF200 million in the company's sales books.
According to Edgard Taureau, Metrologie France's CEO, full details
of the sell-off deal will be announced within the next few weeks,
including information on who the new owner of the direct sales
operation will be.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
IBM
DEC Japan Intros Beta Japanese Windows NT
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00016)
DEC Japan Intros Beta Japanese Windows NT 09/29/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corp.
Japan (DEC Japan), has released a beta copy of the Japanese
version of Microsoft's Windows NT. The program operates on
the company's personal computers, including the AXP 150 and
the DEC PC.
Three kinds of Windows NT packages are offered for the Japanese
market. The developer's kit is intended for programmers working
on the AXP 150. The retail price is 957,000 yen ($9,570) - the
same price as the original English version released in May. The
program will be sold until the end of November.
The upgrade kit consists of a CD-ROM, firmware, an ECU kit,
and documentation. It is priced at 70,000 yen ($700). An OADG
keyboard that offers compatibility with IBM's DOS/V PC costs
an additional 5,000 yen ($50).
A beta version of the Japanese Windows NT package for general
users costs 1,604,000 yen ($16,040). The developer's kit is also
included in the bundle. Customers of the beta versions will be
provided with the finished versions at a later date, free of
additional charges.
With the release of the beta versions, DEC Japan has started
accepting test users of the program. DEC Japan will provide the
program to 200 users of the DEC PC (with a 33 megahertz 486
processor or above). The test users need pay only 6,000 yen
($60) for the disks and the manuals.
DEC Japan has also begun providing support services - covering
installation and consultation for the Japanese version of
Windows NT - as part of its multi-vendor customer services.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930928/Press Contact: DEC
Japan, tel +81-3-5349-7293, fax +81-3-5349-7403)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/29/93
IBM
Japan - Toshiba Intros Low-cost Color Notebook
(NEWS)(IBM)(TYO)(00017)
Japan - Toshiba Intros Low-cost Color Notebook 09/29/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Toshiba has released a
low-cost, powerful notebook color personal computer as part
of the company's Dynabook product line. The low-end version costs
about 20 percent less than its current models sold on the market.
The low-cost version is called the Dynabook V486A
J-3100-VS001CD. It includes a super twist nematic (STN) color
liquid crystal display (LCD) with a dual scan feature. This
reportedly gives a 30 percent lighter screen compared with
the current models.
The notebook is equipped with a 32-bit local bus and the original
Window accelerator. The system provides about double the
processing speed. The model is equipped with an enhanced 25
megahertz (MHz) 486SX processor and a 9.5-inch dynamic STN
display. It costs 358,000 yen ($3,580).
A monochrome version of the same model has also been released.
It has a 64 gradation display to produce a clear screen and is sold
at 288,000 yen ($2,880).
The high-end version of the color notebook comes with a 40MHz
486DX2 and a 9.5-inch color TFT (thin film transistor) display.
There is also a model equipped with a 340 megabyte hard disk,
DOS/V, Japanese-English MS-DOS, and Windows 3.1.
Toshiba is hoping to ship 60,000 units in the first year.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930928/Press Contact: Toshiba,
tel +81-3-3457-2100, fax +81-3-3456-4776)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
APPLE
India - Apple Selects Wipro Over DEC
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEL)(00018)
India - Apple Selects Wipro Over DEC 09/29/93
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- In a significant development,
Wipro Infotech Ltd., has forged a strategic alliance with Apple
Computer. The Indian firm will offer the entire range of Apple
products, including Macintosh LC IIIs, Centris, and Powerbook models.
Apple's PowerPC-based machines will be added at a later date.
Sources say that in the first phase, Wipro will only market Apple
products. Subsequently, it may consider manufacturing depending
on the volumes.
Wipro, a Rs 238.8 crore (around $79.6 million) group which ranks
second in the Indian information technology industry, will continue
to offer the Intel line, including notebooks, which the company
sources from Taiwan.
The alliance is an important one for Wipro, as the company has
been able to extend its product-range without having to give up
its present line of Intel-based personal computers. The tie-up
will enable Wipro to get into the desktop publishing and high-end
publishing market.
Apple reportedly has assured Wipro that it will not tie up with
any other company in India. Last year, it tied up with Digital
Equipment India Ltd., the Indian subsidiary of Digital Equipment
Corp. of the US, to manufacture and market Macintosh systems.
However, the deal proved less than unsuccessful.
Where DEC failed, Wipro may still succeed. One major advantage
that Wipro has is its 112-strong dealer network throughout the
country.
(C.T. Mahabharat/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
GOVT
****Computer Associates Wins Trade Secret Case
(NEWS)(GOVT)(TOR)(00019)
****Computer Associates Wins Trade Secret Case 09/29/93
ISLANDIA, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- A US District
Court jury in Denver has awarded Computer Associates
International Inc., $8.5 million in damages after concluding that
Denver-based American Fundware Inc., stole trade secrets from
the large software firm.
The damages include $4.245 million in compensation for lost
royalties and an equal amount in punitive damages. Mike McElroy,
vice-president - legal at Computer Associates, said he believes
it is the largest amount of punitive damages ever granted in a
software trade secrets suit.
The verdict shows that the courts are prepared to enforce
property rights in software, McElroy said.
CA sued AFW over PC Fund and Fundware, financial software
programs sold by the Denver company. The court upheld CA's claim
that sizeable portions of the AFW packages were copied from
software that AFW licensed from Stuart P. Orr & Associates, a
company CA bought in 1983.
The Stuart P. Orr software was written for minicomputers from
Data General Corp. PC Fund and its successor, Fundware, run on
IBM and compatible personal computers. All were written in the
COBOL programming language, and according to McElroy, significant
portions of the source code were identical.
McElroy said that after CA filed the trade secret lawsuit in
1986, AFW tried to cover up the copying of the software by
changing some of the code.
The jury ruled that AFW breached its 1979 contract with Stuart P.
Orr and misappropriated trade secrets from Stuart P. Orr and CA.
AFW no longer sells PC Fund. Computer Associates has asked for
an injunction against the further sale of Fundware, McElroy said,
but the jury does not have the power to grant an injunction. The
judge in the case must rule on that, and has not yet done so.
(Grant Buckler/19930929/Press Contact: Bob Gordon, Computer
Associates, 516-342-2391, fax 516-342-4864)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
GENERAL
****Wireless Network At 20 Mbps
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00020)
****Wireless Network At 20 Mbps 09/29/93
CALGARY, ALBERTA, CANADA, 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Wi-LAN Inc.,
has announced its first products - a line of wireless Ethernet
local area network (LAN) equipment that company officials claim
can carry data at speeds up to 20 megabits-per-second (Mbps), or
twice the speed of conventional wired Ethernet.
Frederick Rogers, president of Wi-LAN, told Newsbytes the high
speed is possible because of the modulation technique used. The
products are based on spread-spectrum technology that transmits
data using radio frequencies. The technology was developed at the
University of Calgary and AGT Ltd., the telephone company serving
Alberta.
Wi-LAN said the fastest of its new products is the 20-Mbps Wi-LAN
902-20, which can plug directly into the Ethernet network
interface card of any computer. It modulates and compresses data
from the interface card and transmits it to another Wi-LAN
interface.
The 902-20 is due to begin shipping in January, Wi-LAN said. By
March, Rogers said, the company plans to add a LAN gateway using
the same technology. The gateway will attach to a wired LAN and
provide communications between computers on the wired LAN and
those equipped with the Wi-LAN wireless interfaces.
It will also be attachable to a network server, allowing computers
equipped with the company's wireless interfaces to communicate
with the server by radio frequency. That will mean new stations
can be added to the LAN without any wiring, the company said.
The suggested retail price for the Wi-LAN 902-20 is US$1,495.
(Grant Buckler/19930929/Press Contact: Frederick Rogers,
Wi-LAN, 403-273-9133, fax 403-272-2114)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/29/93
GOVT
****Cable TV's Big Day in Washington
(NEWS)(GOVT)(ATL)(00021)
****Cable TV's Big Day in Washington 09/29/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- The cable
television industry's attempts to roll-back rate regulation are
being heard in Washington.
At a US House hearing in which Democrats complained about
rising rates in the face of a law passed last year to lower them,
Republicans said they would try to repeal the same law. And at the
US Supreme Court, four justices agreed to hear an appeal of the
law's "must carry" provision lodged by Turner Broadcasting System
Inc.
The 1992 cable re-regulation law was passed over a veto from
former Republican President George Bush and opponents, including
the cable industry's trade groups, had long predicted it would
result in rate increases. At a hearing before the subcommittee of
Democrat Edward Markey of Massachusetts, Texas Republicans Joe
Barton and Jack Fields said that is just what happened, and
Barton said he would introduce legislation to repeal it.
But Markey and the panel's Democrats refused to back off. They
lectured interim Federal Communications Commission Chairman
James Quello on the need to stop unjustified rate hikes. Quello
replied that the commission is now surveying the effects of the
law with the 25 largest US operators, and predicted it will find
that most rates have, in fact, gone down. Quello added that the
September bills are just the first step in a long process
mandated by the law.
Local governments which feel the new rates are out of line can
challenge them, cable companies can appeal those challenges to
the commission, and consumers may still get rebates on
overcharges, back-dated to September 1. He also warned that if
complaints prove true, the industry will again be open to the
charge that it is the "monopolistic evil empire" of the
telecommunications world.
Meanwhile, at the Supreme Court, four justices agreed to review
Turner Broadcasting System vs. FCC, a case now numbered docket
93-44. That is a challenge to the "must carry" provision of the
1992 law, under which small cable systems must reserve one-third
of their channels for local broadcasters, even if they must drop
popular cable programming for home shopping stations. Turner had
sued against the provision claiming it violated operators' free
speech rights under the First Amendment, but the challenge was
rejected by an appeals' court.
The "must carry" provision is tied to a "retransmission consent"
provision, under which popular local stations can force payment
from cable operators to carry their signals. Unless agreements
were negotiated by October 6, many operators said they would stop
carrying some local network affiliates. And in agreements worked
out so far between networks and operators, the operators are
agreeing to clear additional channels for new cable offerings
created by the networks.
The one exception is CBS, which has no plans to produce a cable
network and recently dropped its demands that operators pay it
10 cents per home per month, at least for the next year. The
result is to help networks like CNBC, owned by the NBC television
network, and hurt networks like CNN, owned by Turner, because
Turner does not have a network of local stations. "Retransmission
consent" is the one aspect of the new law even Rep. Barton said
he does not want repealed.
The real irony is that technology is making all this moot,
observers note. The 500-channel systems being built by major
operators like Time Warner and TCI will eliminate any problems
with a scarcity of channels. And the entry of local phone
companies into the business, recently authorized by a US
District Court in Virginia, would provide competition which
would eliminate the rate regulation provisions of the 1992 act.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
TELECOM
Viacom-Paramount-QVC Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00022)
Viacom-Paramount-QVC Update 09/29/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Despite filing an
anti-trust lawsuit charging that TCI Chairman John Malone is backing
a bid by rival QVC Network Inc., in an attempt to monopolize the
cable television industry, Viacom is expected to raise its bid
for Paramount Communications Inc.
In preparation, the company announced a deal with Blockbuster
Entertainment Inc., the nation's largest video rental chain,
under which Blockbuster will buy $600 million in Viacom preferred
stock to help finance the Paramount bid. The deal is conditional
on Paramount being acquired by next August, and would give
Blockbuster an expansion of its toehold in movie production -- it
already holds 63.5 percent of Spelling Entertainment Group, which
in turn recently agreed to acquire Republic Pictures. Wall Street
speculation also has Viacom talking to Southwestern Bell and Cox
Enterprises about joining its bid. Earlier, the company had been
said to be talking with Ameritech.
Both QVC and Viacom have offered a combination of cash and stock
for Paramount - whose holdings include Prentice Hall, the largest
computer book publisher, and the "Star Trek" TV series - so the
value of their bids fluctuates with the stock market.
Viacom's offering $1 billion in cash, QVC $3 billion, raised with
help of part-owners TCI and Comcast. Viacom's lawsuit against the
QVC bid notes that TCI also owns a big piece of Turner Broadcasting,
whose board had once authorized Chairman Ted Turner to make a bid
of his own. Turner recently said he would forego entering the
bidding until after his Atlanta Braves baseball team complete their
season.
Viacom, controlled by Boston financier Sumner Redstone, got the
bidding started a few weeks ago with a friendly offer of $7.7
billion in new Viacom stock. That offer was pre-approved by the
Paramount board, which also said it would pay Viacom $100 million
if it sold out to someone else, and give him an option on 20
percent of Paramount's common. If a winning bidder fails to
overturn those provisions in court, it means that Redstone could
earn over $300 million even if he loses the deal. At a press
conference announcing the bid, Redstone downplayed thoughts of
any higher bids, claiming no one else could offer Paramount
Viacom.
But Redstone has no intention of losing. He raised his bid three
times before winning Viacom six years ago, and on paper his
pockets are far deeper than those of QVC. The investment by a
regional Bell, either Southwestern Bell or Ameritech, would
supposedly be similar to the $2.5 billion US West bid for a piece
of Time Warner Entertainment, to be used for financing expansion
of its cable operations. Hampering any attempt to put together a
higher bid is the fact that Redstone wants to maintain majority
interest in his empire. His original bid was structured with 0.1
share of voting stock and 0.9 share of non-voting stock to do just
that.
In formal action on the matter, Paramount's board said it would
reserve judgement on the QVC proposal after it sees evidence on
how it will get the $2 billion in cash it needs to do the deal.
Both bidders also issued press releases claiming they will win in
the end, and Viacom noted that its financing is already lined up.
QVC chairman Barry Diller wrote Paramount head Martin Davis over
the weekend, saying there is no question on the financing of his
bid, adding that Wall Street has endorsed it by bidding up the
price of QVC's common 10 percent since it was announced
September 19, while Viacom's stock price has fallen.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
TELECOM
Compression Labs Sells Digital Equip To Argentina
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00023)
Compression Labs Sells Digital Equip To Argentina 09/29/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Compression
Labs SpectrumSaver Compressed Digital Video equipment will be
used in a privately-owned Argentine satellite teleport.
The US company announced that Keytech S.A. of Buenos Aires has
filed a $2 million order for the gear, which will be installed at
its International Teleport of Buenos Aires, and at Cablevision, a
cable television operator. Keytech will use the equipment to
offer cable programming to new operators in Argentina's
countryside. SpectrumSaver allows Keytech to bring in multiple
channels through a single transponder, which is vitally
important when such capacity is limited. The system also
represents a good alternative to shipping shows on videotape.
The Buenos Aires teleport, first set-up in April, is the first
digital broadcast teleport in Latin America, according to
Compression Labs, serving television programmers as well as
cable operators not only within Argentina but outside it as well.
Channels to be served by the system include a version of the
Disney Channel, the I-SAT movie channel, the Reed Vision soap
opera channel, and the off-track betting network of the La Plata
Jockey Club. The teleport will also use SpectrumSaver to transmit
video highlights of South American soccer matches to the United
States for re-broadcast on ESPN.
SpectrumSaver was introduced in 1991 as a digital broadcast
system for business television, distance learning and other
broadcast applications like news gathering and cable
distribution. Keytech S.A. began seven years ago serving
multinational branches of Fortune 500 companies, and was the
first to introduce digital videoconferencing and digital
television into the market.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930929/Press Contact: Compression
Labs, Kim Tarter, 408-922-4610)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
TELECOM
Bell Atlantic Files ISDN Tariffs
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00024)
Bell Atlantic Files ISDN Tariffs 09/29/93
ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Bell Atlantic
has gotten its price lists for digital services under ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Networks) standards approved for
small businesses in four jurisdictions, and expects to have the
service available throughout its region by the end of the year.
The price for an ISDN line will be $20 more than the price of a
regular business line, spokesman Melissa Andrews told Newsbytes.
She said the average business line costs $16 per month, and all
usage charges are on top of that. The tariff has been approved
for use in the District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia and
Maryland, and will be approved later this year in Pennsylvania,
Delaware and New Jersey.
When Ameritech filed its first ISDN business tariffs a few years
ago, it priced the service at 30 percent more than a standard
business line and called its pricing "aggressive." The Bell
Atlantic price represents more than a 100 percent premium over
the cost of a regular business line, for the average customer.
ISDN offers two digital lines of 64,000 bits-per-second (bps) and a
signaling channel of 16,000 bps, which customers can use as they
see fit. A customer, with proper equipment, could let their
phone, modem and fax machine share a single ISDN line, or combine
the digital signals for a videoconference, or for using fast data
services like those offered on the Internet networks.
Earlier this month, BellSouth became the first regional Bell to
get approval for a residential ISDN tariff, in Tennessee. Adams
said Bell Atlantic remains ahead because "We have it much more
available than any other region." But she praised the BellSouth
action, saying, "the more people who have it the better."
In other news from Bell Atlantic, the company said its Bell of
Pennsylvania unit reached agreement with the state's newspaper
publishers on safeguards governing its future electronic
publishing services. The plan will be submitted with regulators
as the company seeks deregulation of rates it says is necessary
before it invests in a high-speed network. An appeals court
recently rejected an appeal of rulings that the regional Bells
have a right to enter the information services business.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930929/Press Contact: Melissa Andrews,
Bell Atlantic, 703-974-1479)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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#CARD
09/28/93
GOVT
Change Is The Focus Of Gore's Visit To AST
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00025)
Change Is The Focus Of Gore's Visit To AST 09/28/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- As part of his
investigation into the topic of "Reinventing Government" Vice
President Al Gore visited one of the largest computer
manufacturers in the US, Irvine-based AST Research yesterday.
Gore toured the AST manufacturing facility, then held a round-
table discussion concerning what AST does to compete in the
global marketplace with 14 company employees including Chief
Executive Officer (CEO) and President Safi Qureshey.
After listening to how the AST employees use electronic mail to
communicate worldwide, how individuals are empowered to make
the necessary decisions at their level, and how they have team
meetings to make decisions about company direction, Gore
emphasized his goals for the federal government. Those goals
are to cut red tape, put customers first, empower government
employees to make decisions, and create government that "works
better and costs less." Gore said his view was government is
currently organized to prevent any mistakes and mistakes are
heavily penalized, meaning creativity is stifled along with
innovation.
Gore was given a six month period by President Clinton in March
to review the federal government and offer a report. The result
is a 168 National Performance Review entitled, "From Red Tape
to Results: Creating a Government that Works Better and Costs
Less." The report was presented to President Clinton on
September 7 of this year and claims $108 billion could be saved
over five years if the recommendations contained in the review
were enacted. It is available in book form for $14 through the
US Government Superintendent of Documents.
Problems Gore is attempting to address include: the 49 months
it takes the federal government to buy computer equipment, (as
opposed to 13 months in large corporations) - meaning the
equipment is generally obsolete by the time it arrives; the
dumping of forms directly into trash bins from delivery trucks
in the INS Western Forms Distribution Center because the forms
were outdated by the time they were shipped; and a 138 page
manual of specifications on the vice president's ashtray that
describes the product down to how many pieces it should break
into when dropped.
Gore also asked if AST used internal competition, to which
Qureshey answered no, because he felt that kind of conflict
creates friction. Qureshey also mentioned he attempts to visit
every AST location each year and encourages everyone to call
him by his first name, Safi.
Gore's AST visit was arranged late last week on the
recommendation of Roger Johnson, newly appointed head of the
Government Services Administration (GSA), who was also on hand.
Johnson is a former chief executive officer (CEO) at Western
Digital, a supplier to AST which is also based in Irvine. The
GSA, which determines what companies can sell to the federal
government, has been recently criticized for paying too much
for goods and services.
Gore ended his visit by mentioning that AST now dominates
markets written off by analysts years ago as the domain of the
Japanese. The federal government is still delivering the same
products it delivered over 60 years ago, Gore added. "Government
needs to change -- and change rapidly, and on a continuing
basis," he said.
AST is a $1.4 billion a year company and is on Fortune
Magazine's list of the 500 top US companies. International Data
Corp., lists the company as number four in the US and number
six worldwide.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930928/Press Contact: Emory Epperson, AST
Research, tel 714-727-7958, fax 714-727-9355; US Government
Superintendent of Documents, 202-783-3238)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
TRENDS
****Arizona Firm Intros Low-Cost PDA
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(DEN)(00026)
****Arizona Firm Intros Low-Cost PDA 09/29/93
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- A Scottsdale,
Arizona-based company has introduced a personal digital assistant
(PDA) it claims has a much better handwriting recognition rate than
Apple Computer's Newton device.
Scottsdale Technologies has announced the PenPad PDA 600, a
PDA slightly smaller than the Newton. The $499 device is scheduled
to ship the first week of October and the will be in retail outlets
by the middle of the month, according to the company.
Director of Technology Gary Gear, says the PenPad PDA 600
establishes a new price point for PDAs, with other PDAs priced
around $699. "The Newton comes out at close to a thousand dollars
with a few accessories," he told Newsbytes.
The features of PenPad include an address and phone book, diary,
to-do list, notes section, and a set of data conversion tables.
There is also a calculator, calendar, search facility to locate
information, world time clock, and multiple alarms.
PenPad comes with 128 kilobytes (KB) of memory, which can be
expanded to as much as two megabytes (MB) by inserting a PCMCIA
memory card. The card slips into a slot on the back of the unit.
With the maximum memory expansion the system will store up to
6,000 screens of information.
Penpad weighs 400 grams, and is 115 millimeters (mm) wide,
160mm high and 27mm thick. It is powered by three "AA" alkaline
batteries, with a lithium battery backup. Gear says the PenPad
will give up to 40 hours of use on a single set of batteries. The
unit has built-in power management features that automatically
turn it off after a period of inactivity. PenPad uses three
microprocessors - one chip is for character recognition, a second
runs the application program currently being used, and the third
handles overhead functions including power management.
PenPad is manufactured by England-based Amstrad as part of a
marketing partnership with Scottsdale Technologies. "We were
going to enter the PDA market and commissioned the Amstrad
product to be the US entry," Gear said. He told Newsbytes PenPad
will eventually evolve into a wireless communication and
interactive multimedia product marketed under the Scottsdale
Technologies name. Gear said he would rather have future products
working before discussing their specifics.
Icons across the top of the PenPad screen control the display
contrast as well as activate a new page, move to the calendar,
activate the desktop utilities such as the clock, alarm clock and
calendar, control width of the pen strokes, and allow data exchange
through the non-standard serial port.
The phone list automatically alphabetizes its entries. Selecting a
phone list entry automatically displays the complete entry for that
name. The diary/appointment calendar, uses the top half of the
screen for each day's calendar entries. The lower half of the screen
is a scratch pad on which the user writes with the pen. PenPad
automatically reminds the user of any appointments for the day
each time it is turned on. A touch of the pen displays the week's
entries. To erase or correct entries in any of the functions use the
eraser icon or write over the old entry.
The notepad allows you to write freehand on the screen. The pages
are stored and can be recalled. To erase any part of the note, touch
the eraser icon then use the pen as an eraser. To discard a note you
just rip it out of the PenPad. That is done by touching the binder
rings at the left side of the page then dragging the page off the
screen.
Information can be uploaded from the PenPad to a PC using a special
optional cable Gear says will sell for $70 or less. Since it is a
graphics file it can be read by most Windows-based drawing
packages including Paintbrush, the draw program that comes with
Windows. From there you can import the file to your word
processing program. The serial port can also be used to attach a
bar code wand.
Other features include PCMCIA cards for faxing, scheduled to be
available by the end of the year; spreadsheet and forms generator
cards, which are available now; a city guide card planned for
the future; a ASCII text editor word processing card that should
be available in November; and a dictionary and translator card
also planned for the future.
PenPad comes with a mini-serial interface port for printing and data
transfer, three AA batteries, one five-year lithium backup battery,
three pens, a built-in speaker, and a real-time clock.
Gear explained why the PenPad will not have the handwriting
recognition and learning problems that have been attributed to
some other PDAs. "Products like Newton are wordcentric, a word
recognition process that takes place. Word recognition theoretically
can be very good if your character recognition, which feeds the
process of identifying words, is very good. If your character
recognition is poor, your word recognition is a disaster." He told
Newsbytes the PenPad does character, rather than word, recognition.
When the user first turns on the PenPad, he or she will go through a
teaching process for the system, writing the letters of the alphabet
in upper and lower case letters as well as the numerals 0-9. Gear
says that only takes a few minutes. "From then on every time it
correctly identifies a letter it improves its ability to recognize
that same letter incrementally. It fine-tunes itself with your
handwriting." He says after working with the PenPad for a few weeks,
it will fail to recognize perhaps one character in twenty. The use
can also select English, French, Spanish, German, or Italian to use
in the PenPad.
Gear said the distinction between consumer and business users is
blurring. He sees the market for PDA as people who are looking for a
better way to stay organized and keep on track, rather than the more
traditional home or office categories.
(Jim Mallory/19930929/Press contact: Missy Lagomarsino, Martz &
Wadas for Scottsdale Technologies, 602-998-3154; Reader contact:
Scottsdale Technologies, 602-998-2597, fax 602-998-7986)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
GENERAL
Creative Multimedia Intros The Family Doctor 3.
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00027)
Creative Multimedia Intros The Family Doctor 3.0 09/29/93
PORTLAND, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Creative Multimedia
is now shipping the third edition of The Family Doctor, a medical
reference stored on CD-ROM.
The program uses video clips, animations, and audio to explain
health care information, including emergencies and a section on
rare diseases based on information from the National Organization
on Rare Disorders (NORD).
Creative Multimedia has added a video introduction to the program
by Dr Allen Bruckheim that offers tips on how to use the disk.
Bruckheim is the author and editor of The Family Doctor.
The software is divided into several sections. The Anatomy of The
Body reflects the major systems of the human body and now includes
a slide show explaining how to use and access the anatomy.
Explanatory video and audio provide an overview of muscular and
skeletal, digestive, respiratory and circulatory, urinary and
reproductive, and nervous systems. The user can look at these
body systems in three levels of detail.
The New Prescription Drug Reference Guide is the 1993 edition,
offering information about brand and trade names, uses and side
effects. It also explains how each drug works, and includes photos
of the medicines for help in identifying them.
A Question and Answer section includes more than 300 new entries,
for a total of more than 2,300. Topics include 282 common medical
conditions, common illnesses, the patient-physician relationship,
sports medicine, and surgical procedures. There is also a table of
contents for the Q&A section.
The Family Doctor includes a glossary of more than 100 medical
terms, and over 300 illustrations of anatomical features, systems
and medical procedures with accompanying explanations.
The First Aid section contains an introduction, explains what
to do first in an emergency, lists first aid and emergency care
procedures, and offers a list of what to stock in your own first
aid kit. There are animations and full audio of the text.
The Family Doctor 3.0 edition has a suggested retail price of
$79.99. If you own an earlier release of the program you can upgrade
for $33.99 including shipping and handling by contacting Creative
Multimedia. System requirements include a 386SX or better processor,
Microsoft Windows 3.1 or higher, 2 megabytes (MB) of RAM, a
hard drive with at least 2MB of free disk space, a Super VGA
display, a sound card, and a CD-ROM drive.
A Mac version is also available that requires System 6.0.7 or later
and 2MB of RAM. For color on the Mac you will need 32-bit QuickDraw.
A CD-ROM with CD-ROM extensions is also required.
(Jim Mallory/19930929/Press contact: Bill Warner, Alliance
Consulting for Creative Multimedia, 503-452-5920; Reader contact:
Creative Multimedia, 503-241-4351)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
GENERAL
Microsoft Donates Software To Drug-Free Projects
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00028)
Microsoft Donates Software To Drug-Free Projects 09/29/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Microsoft
claims it is not just tough business practices and useful software.
The company also has an interest in the nation's disadvantaged
youth.
For that reason, Microsoft recently donated 350 copies of its
Microsoft Works software suite to two agencies working to keep
young people from disadvantaged backgrounds off of drugs.
The software went to Together! Communities for Drug Free Youth
Project and TRIO, organizations that are researching factors for
substance abuse and developing special prevention programs for
students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Together! works in conjunction with the Oregon Office of Alcohol
and Drug Abuse Programs and Development Research and Programs
Inc. TRIO is a group of programs in five states under the National
Council of Educational Opportunity Association.
Microsoft said the two organizations will use the Microsoft Works
software, which includes word processing, charting, database and
spreadsheet software, to provide at-risk students with
"appropriate and equitable access to training in the use of
computers for educational and future opportunities."
The company said it chose these particular organizations for the
donation because they are helping to activate communities,
including school board members, teachers, students, city council
members and volunteers into community-based teams to develop
programs that help keep children away from drugs.
The software will be used to develop data input and templates that
will then be used in the active communities to analyze and publish
their prevention data. Works will also be used to create documents,
newsletters and press releases to generate publicity for the project
in hopes of expanding it to more states throughout the country.
In June 1992 Newsbytes reported Microsoft had donated Windows,
DOS and Macintosh versions of Microsoft Works for the purpose of
empowering teachers with effective teaching materials that would
support and encourage learning by students. The software donation
was in conjunction with the formation of a partnership between the
software company and 10 state departments of education. Microsoft
said the software would allow the teachers to more effectively use
technology to manage student information, grades, and professional
correspondence.
(Jim Mallory/19930929/Press contact: Julie Larkin, Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft,
800- 426-9400 or 206-882-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
IBM
ClickBook Turns Files Into Booklets
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00029)
ClickBook Turns Files Into Booklets 09/29/93
PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Bookmaker
Corp., has announced ClickBook, a utility program that prints any
Windows application file as a booklet.
The software can turn address books, price lists, recipe books,
manuals, event programs and a multitude of other documents into a
booklet printed on both sides of the paper. Since the user has to
turn each printed page over and re-insert it in the printer, ClickBook
includes an instruction sheet that contains a large arrow showing
how to re-feed the pages.
ClickBook comes with an automatic install program, and can be
installed on the menu of several Windows-based applications.
Bookmaker says it has tested ClickBook extensively with Word,
Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Wordperfect, Paradox, Approach, Lotus
1-2-3 Release 4, Ami Pro and Filemaker Pro for Windows. "Some of
our customers use ClickBook to print booklets of overheads
produced in Freelance and PowerPoint," according to Bookmaker
President Martin Mazner.
When the user clicks on the "Print A ClickBook" menu selection they
are offered a choice of 20 sizes and styles of booklets. Bookmaker
spokesperson Lorraine Rossini told Newsbytes ClickBook has a
special introductory price of $49.95. The regular suggested retail
price is $69.95.
(Jim Mallory/19930929/Press contact: Lorraine Rossini, SI-PR for
Bookmaker Corporation, 408-437-1880; Reader contact: Bookmaker
Corporation, 415-617-1101 or 800-766-8531, fax 415-323-0108)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/29/93
GENERAL
Sony Intros Speakers/Headphones/Microphones For PC
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00030)
Sony Intros Speakers/Headphones/Microphones For PC 09/29/93
PARK RIDGE, NEW JERSEY, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 29 (NB) -- Sony has
officially announced a family of modular speakers, headphones
and a microphone aimed at "enriching the PC audio experience."
Demonstrated for Newsbytes in prototype form at MacWorld Boston
in August, the sound accessories include three sets of speakers --
the SRS-PC30, SRS-PC50 and SRS-D2KPC -- plus the MDR-007PC
headphones and the F-PC30 microphone.
The speakers can be used with boom boxes and CD audio units as
well as with PCs, a Sony spokesperson recently told Newsbytes.
The headphones and microphone are designed for use with PCs only.
The speakers are shipping now. The headphones and microphone
are slated for release later this fall.
Priced at $79.95, Sony's SRS-PC30 speakers are meant to offer an
affordable way of achieving top quality sound. The diminutive
speakers are only 4-.25-by-five-by-three-inches in size, but they
offer 85dB sensitivity, a 100 to 20,000 hertz (Hz) frequency
response, two watts of power, and full-range 1.6-inch drivers, the
spokesperson said.
Other features of the entry-level speakers include built-in single-
sided controls for bass boost, volume and power, a stereo mini-plug
input, and an AC adapter.
The midrange SRS-PC50 speakers, priced at $129.95, provide 85dB
sensitivity, 70 to 20,000 Hz frequency response, and five watts of
power, the spokesperson told Newsbytes. The slightly larger
speakers, measuring three-by-seven-by 5.5-inches, also offer
single-sided controls for bass boost, volume and power.
The SRS-PC50 speakers come with a stereo headphone output jack,
located on the front of the speakers, switchable front-rear stereo
inputs, and an AC power adapter.
In a meeting with Newsbytes back at MacWorld Boston, Masa
Yamamoto, director of the Sony Accessory Products Division,
showed Newsbytes how SRS-PC50 and SRS-PC30 speakers can be
easily stacked on top of each other on a desktop or tabletop, and
mounted and removed from a wall.
The SRS-D2KPC is a three-piece set, priced at $199.95, that
includes a woofer as well as two speakers. The
four-by-5.75-by-five-inch speakers provide 20 watts of power,
90dB sensitivity, and 70 to 20,000 frequency response.
Other features of the SRS-D2KPC speakers include woofer level,
master volume and balance controls, a stereo mini plug, and dual
signal inputs with line/phone input switch. The SRS-D2KPC
woofer measures 5-.75-by-14-by-nine-inches.
Sony's F-PC30 microphone includes a uni-directional magnet for
picking up sound, and a built-in talk switch and microphone table
stand for recording. Cord length is almost seven feet. The
microphone is priced at $29.99.
The MDR-007PC headphones, priced at $9.95, are equipped with a
23 millimeter (mm) driver unit and a wide molded headband. The
headband is intended to deliver comfort, even with extended use,
the spokesperson said.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930929/Reader contact: Sony,
201-930-7669, Press contacts: Yusho Shichijo, Sony,
201-930-7664; Marilyn Young, Technology Solutions for Sony,
415-617-4524)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
TRENDS
Color Printer Prices Lower Than Users Expect
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(BOS)(00001)
Color Printer Prices Lower Than Users Expect 09/28/93
FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- When it
comes to color printers, low pricing is the key buying motivator
for business users, but most of these users are willing to pay much
more than color printers really cost on the street, say the results
of a new survey.
Due to this dichotomy, printer vendors need to educate users about
actual pricing of color printers, suggests International Data Corp.
(IDC), the Framingham, MA-based market research firm that conducted
the study.
Business users are willing to pay $5,000, on average, for their
next color printer, according to the report. Meanwhile, the
average street value of US color non-impact printer shipments was
just $1,600 in 1992, and is projected to drop significantly by the
end of the current year.
Despite this gap, users polled in the survey rated lower printer
prices as the most important criterion, by far, in their decisions
about whether or not to buy.
The researchers also found charting and presentation packages to be
the applications most often used with color printers, followed by
desktop publishing and engineering/scientific software.
Inkjets received the most mentions as the next type of color
printer expected to be purchased. Connectivity also emerged as a
major issue. Fully 80% of respondents said their next color
printers will be LAN-based. At many of these sites, the color
printers will be shared across multiple platforms.
IDC ranks business/professional services as the second most
attractive target for color printer vendors, topped only by
manufacturing.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930928/Press contact: Mike Ault, IDC, tel 508-
935-4055)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GOVT
Vice President Gore To Visit AST Research Today
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00002)
Vice President Gore To Visit AST Research Today 09/28/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Vice President
Al Gore is scheduled to visit AST Research today for a tour of
the facility and to chair a roundtable discussion with 14
employees concerning the topic of reinventing government.
On September 7, Gore presented to President Clinton the
National Performance Review, a six-month study of the federal
government that included recommendations for the government to
increase its use of information technology to deliver services
to its consumers, the American people. This visit is a further
investigation into the use of information technology, according
to the White House.
Gore will visit AST this morning, and will leave from the El
Toro Marine Corps Air Station early this afternoon.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930928/Press Contact: Emory Epperson, AST
Research, tel 714-727-7958, fax 714-727-9355)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GENERAL
Tokyo Data Show Due Oct 4-
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TYO)(00003)
Tokyo Data Show Due Oct 4-7 09/28/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Japan's major annual computer
trade show, Data Show, will be held in Harumi, Tokyo between
October 4 and 7. Due to the industry slump, this year's
show is not expected to be as big as previous exhibitions.
Data Show has a 20-year history in Japan. This year, it is expected
that 200,000 people will visit this free trade show. Although
168 exhibitors are participating in this show this year, not
many overseas firms will be present. Major overseas participants
are WordPerfect, Roland, Microware Systems, Informix, Philips,
and IBM (Japan).
Major exhibits at this show will include workstations, 32-bit
personal computers, notebook-type PCs, pen-input PCs, multimedia
devices, local area network (LAN) systems, ISDN devices, computer
graphics software, CAD (computer-aided design), CAM (computer-
aided manufacturing), RISC systems, optical discs and automatic
machine language translation systems. Educational computer devices
and software will also be shown at the site. The Japan Electronics
Industry Development Association will be showing IC cards
based on the recent world standard.
Sharp will be exhibiting its latest palm-top multimedia device,
an economical version of Apple Computer's Newton. It includes
all the necessary business organizing features plus a connection
which allows it to be attached to a desktop PC and printer.
Olympus will be displaying a digital still video system
based on the JEIDA standard. The device records data under
the DOS system, enabling the graphics to be used on a PC.
WordPerfect Japan will be showing its various products including
a DOS version, a Windows version, and the Macintosh version.
WordPerfect Office and WordPerfect Presentation will also be
shown. So will a Japanese-English automatic language translation
system sponsored by several firms including Nova. The system
operates on Apple's Macintosh as well as the PC-9801 and DOS/V PCs.
Information on the exhibited devices and the exhibitors
is available via a bulletin board system. The free service is
online between 9:30 am and 8:00 pm at +81-3-3534-7810 (2400bps,
8-bit).
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930927/Press Contact: Japan
Electronics Industry Development Association, +81-3-3433-4547,
Fax, +81-3-3433-2003)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
TRENDS
Japanese Audio Makers Shift Production To China
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00004)
Japanese Audio Makers Shift Production To China 09/27/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Several Japanese audiomakers
are shifting more of their manufacturing to China.
Japanese firms had been slowly investigating the idea of
manufacturing in China, but as Japanese currency has surged,
their interest has gained a new urgency.
Sony, for instance, is producing compact discs jointly
with a Chinese firm called Hong Kong Tomei International.
Sony will provide the technology, and Tomei International will
manufacture the compact discs. Those discs will then be sold
back to Sony on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis.
Sony will start receiving these compact disks towards the end of
this year.
Sony will also shift production of CD radio-cassette players
to China. The integrated circuits will be imported from Japan, and
other parts will be supplied from plants in Korea, Taiwan or
Thailand. These products will be exported to Japan, US,
and European markets. Sony also plans to produce 8-mm camcorders
in China.
Pioneer Electric is also shifting production to China. Virtually
all of its mini-stereo sets and car audio equipment will be
made in China by 1996. Pioneer will initiate the plan to
jointly produce them with a Hong Kong firm in China by the
end of next year.
Kenwood is also planning to produce stereo sets in China.
Due to overseas audio component production, Japan's production
of these devices is on the downslide. Domestic shipments
in 1992 were worth about 1.4 trillion yen ($14 billion), or
16 percent less than that of the previous year. Analysts say
70 percent of television set production is now done outside of
Japan and this trend will involve other electronics products
in the near future.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930927/Press Contact: Sony, +81-3-
5448-2200, Fax, +81-3-5448-3061)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
BUSINESS
Midori Electronics Links With Hayes On Modems
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00005)
Midori Electronics Links With Hayes On Modems 09/27/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Midori Electronics has signed
a broad agreement with Hayes Microcomputer Products regarding
sales, technology exchange, and joint development of modems in
Japan.
Midori Electronics is a major Japanese computer parts firm in
Kanagawa Prefecture, a suburb of Tokyo.
The agreement between Midori Electronics and Hayes includes an
exclusive sales agreement for Hayes modems in the Japanese market.
According to Midori Electronics, both firms will jointly develop
modems for the Japanese market under a new brand name called
Midori-Hayes in the future. The new products may include super-
fast modems and fax modems such as a pocket-type and PCMCIA.
Telecom accelerators, ISDN-related products, various network
products and telecom software will also be included.
To start, Midori will release Hayes' Optima fax modems in
November. There are three types: the Optima SP14F, SX14F, and
SX96F. Midori will provide a two-year warrantee for the products,
and will also provide maintenance service at six major cities
including Tokyo and Osaka in Japan.
Both firms' modems including the Optima support multiple platforms,
which means they can be used with a variety of computers.
These modems come with data telecommunication programs
and fax software for NEC, IBM and Apple Computers. They also
support the Japanese language.
The Optima fax modems will be shown at the Data Show, a major
computer trade exhibition, in Tokyo, October 4-7.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930927/Press Contact: Midori
Electronics, attn: Kohei Tanaka (Mr.), +81-44-989-7623, Fax,
+81-44-989-7624)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - Object Technology More Than A Language
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00006)
Unix Expo - Object Technology More Than A Language 09/28/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Moving to object
technology takes a lot more than just learning an object-oriented
programming language, concurred participants in a roundtable
discussion at Unix Expo last week.
"The worst way to start is to just go out and buy a language,"
said Marie Lenzi, president of Cyrix Corp. and editor of Object
Magazine. "Instead, what you need to do is establish an object
mindset," she added, in a session called "Object-Oriented
Programming for Non-C Programmers."
The first area to focus on is object analysis and design, Lenzi
told an audience of programmers that ranged in background from
Smalltalk to Fortran and Cobol.
Other areas to be considered, outside of the development language,
include the object database, and the administration and management
of objects. Object databases are quite a different animal from
relational databases, she noted.
"In object technology, an object is an object throughout analysis,
design, and development. All we do is say `Persist' and the object
sits itself on the disk, instead of doing the `dance of the seven
veils' to get itself on and off the disk as we have to do with
relational databases," she commented.
People who make good candidates to become object-oriented
programmers include abstract thinkers, "true engineers who really
understand what's going on inside the machine," experienced script
writers, and people who work well with visual tools, according to
Lenzi.
"I agree with Marie that you're not doing OT programming just
because you're using a language that happens to be object-oriented.
OT is more a way of thinking about a problem," said Randy Howie,
vice president of engineering at AIT, a company that has been
providing OT consulting services for the past eight years, mostly
to federal agencies and large newspapers.
OT is best suited to problems which call for simplification of
complex data, he suggested. In one application, recently readied
as a proof of concept for NASA, AIT developed an object-
oriented query tool for use by scientists who needed satellite
data.
The problem in this situation was that satellites tend to store
information on time and place in different ways, said Howie. Some
satellites store the information as arcs, and some as a series of
contiguous rectangles, he explained.
To circumvent this problem, AIT "modeled concepts like time and
location as objects that could translate a scientists' way of
expressing time and location into the satellite's way of expressing
time and location."
Agreed Gene Bonte, vice president of product management at
Object Design: "Today, objects are hot, so (you're seeing)
object-oriented oleomargarine. But OT is not a universal panacea."
OT has made its first strides in the engineering design market, he
said. "The reason is fairly simple. The data is complex, and
the data model that OT supports fits the data model for these
applications very well," he maintained.
OT is also making rapid progress in the telecommunications field,
mainly because OT and telecommunications both share an orientation
toward Unix and C/C++ programming, he added.
Now that the difficulties of using OT in distributed computing are
starting to be overcome, the technology is emerging in the area of
business reengineering and client-server technology as well, he
said.
Regardless of the applications field, users should go through four
sequential stages in implementing OT: figuring out whether OT will
be useful, developing a pilot, creating a "first product," and
finally expanding into additional products. "Otherwise, you'll get
into big trouble," cautioned Bonte.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930927/Press contacts: Annie
Sculley, Bruno Blenheim, tel 201-829-3976, ext 145; Mark
Haviland, tel 201-829-3976, ext 152)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
TELECOM
SkyTel Offers PCMCIA Product
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00007)
SkyTel Offers PCMCIA Product 09/28/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- SkyTel announced a
paging device for the HP 100LX laptop under the PCMCIA standard.
The SkyCard for the HP 100LX was called the first in a family of
PC Card receiver cards under PCMCIA standards. PCMCIA is a
standard for plug-in cards, which look like thick credit cards,
that can act as software, memory, or discrete devices. Their
small size and light weight makes them ideal for use in laptop
and palmtop computers. SkyTel said the current product, designed
specifically for the HP 100LX, will allow laptop computers to
access wireless messages over its SkyTel paging system. The
company said that subscribers will be able to receive "post-card
length messages," applications and calendar updates, stock quotes
and news services over the system using the card.
The product is made by Wireless Access Inc., San Jose, California
and sold as the AccessCard, conforming to the PCMCIA Type II
standard. SkyTel is a major investor in Wireless Access. In time,
the company said, it will have SkyCards for the full range of
SkyTel messaging services, and for a variety computers. The
product will be available in December.
SkyTel has a long history of support for Hewlett-Packard's
lightest computers, starting with the SkyStream card for
the HP 95LX in 1992. SkyTel had about 241,400 subscribers as
of June 30, and the parent company, MTel, had 291,300 total
units in service worldwide as of that date.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930928/Press Contact: David Allan for
SkyTel, 212-614-5163)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
TELECOM
SMR Consolidation Continues
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00008)
SMR Consolidation Continues 09/28/93
ABILENE, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Long before so-
called personal communications networks, or PCNs, begin to
compete with cellular phone operators, a new competitor seems
certain to emerge -- specialized mobile radio (SMR) licensees.
While PCN systems will operate at frequencies of 1.8-2.2 GHz,
after the frequencies are auctioned next year and systems
built, existing SMR licensees at around 800 MHz only need to
upgrade their current radio equipment to process digital
signals, and add antennae, in order to compete for business.
NexTel, formerly called Fleet Call, got the ball rolling a few
years ago, announcing it would use Motorola's ESMR technology to
turn its own systems into digital networks and would spend
heavily to buy other systems. Since then there's been a buying
frenzy in the industry, with licensees buying each other and
announcing they would move to digitize their systems.
But there are problems. Operators don't have to digitize their
networks. And there are, as yet, no roaming agreements between
systems, meaning customers can't get service outside their home
markets. In some areas, low population density could hold-up the
need for digital networking for years. But, regardless, the
consolidation continues.
Pittencrieff Communications Inc., of Abilene, TX is one of the
buyers. In its latest move, it has acquired the assets of
All-Comm Communications Inc., and Caprock Radio Telephone, along
with the wireless communications division of American
Communications Inc. The total cost is over $3 million, and the
result makes Pittencrieff the unquestioned SMR leader in Texas.
Its coverage area now includes the Texas panhandle, the cities of
Lubbock and Amarillo, and it's got increased penetration in
Corpus Christi as well as central northern New Mexico, including
Albuquerque. But these are relatively small systems. All-Comm,
for instance, has 5 sites supporting 24 channels and just over
700 customers. Caprock operates 13 sites and 54 channels, serving
over 600 customers. It already had plans to add 34 sites over
the next year, and those plans will be fulfilled. American
Communications Inc., had 400 customers in Corpus Christi. PCI
has a total of 35,000 customers in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma,
Colorado, Utah and Arizona, with systems covering over 500,000
square miles in which over 10 million people live.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930928/Press Contact: Pittencrieff
Communications, Dale Harkins, 915/691-1021)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
TELECOM
New Transaction Processing Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00009)
New Transaction Processing Service 09/28/93
DUBLIN, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- LCI International, a
small long distance company headed by former MCI executive Brian
Thompson, has followed MCI into the market for faster transaction
processing services with a service called TransConnect.
Like MCI's ResponseNet, TransConnect combines packet network and
toll-free technologies to cut the time needed to process a credit
card transaction. LCI says its TransConnect will cut this time
from 20 to 12 seconds, which can mean big savings for merchants,
not only in long distance charges but in their ability to handle
full authorizations on smaller transactions and serve more
customers.
Like ResponseNet, LCI TransConnect is aimed at retailers,
banks, and credit card companies. The service is installed
in point-of-sale terminals at retail sites and accesses credit
authorization networks using either a toll-free 800 number
or, in many areas, what's called 950 Feature Group B. Additional
access options are currently under evaluation.
In a press statement, LCI President Tom Wynne noted that
transaction processing continues to grow quickly, and that growth
should continue as government moves toward electronic processing
of benefits and health care transactions.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930928/Press Contact: Scott Booth, LCI, 614-
798-6011)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
APPLE
Clock Accelerators For Apple Centris
(NEWS)(APPLE)(MSP)(00010)
Clock Accelerators For Apple Centris 09/28/93
REYNOLDSBURG, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- KS Labs has
introduced clip-on clock accelerator kits for Apple Computer's
Centris 610, 650 and 660av. The kits boost the clock frequency of
Centris computers above Apple's standard speed, thereby delivering
higher performance.
The Alacrity 610 boosts Centris 610's to 28 MHz and the
Alacrity 660 speeds Centris 660av's to 35 MHz for nearly 40%
higher performance, the company reports. The Alacrity 650 boosts
Centris 650's to 30 MHz operation for a 20% performance increase.
The existing CPU, KS Labs contends, is kept cool by a CPU fan and
heatsink which allows the CPU to operate safely at higher speed.
Company officers says that Alacrity kits are user-installable and
require no special tools nor soldering. The clock accelerator clips
securely in place but "is easily removable."
Tony Stump, spokesman, says the product does void Apple's
warranty, but "We have not had any problems with damage to
anybody's machine." This patented clip does not permanently
modify the computer in any way, he says. Even the heatsink is
attached with removable thermal tape.
Nearly 90% of existing machines are capable of clock
acceleration, KS Labs contends. Users unable to successfully
accelerate may return their kits for refund.
KS Labs is offering all three Alacrity kits at an introductory sale
price of $165 including shipping and handling to US locations.
The company can be reached at the KS Labs, Inc., 6326 E. Livingston
Ave, Suite 131, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Orders 800-450-0353.
Inquiries 614-373-0353
(Wendy Woods/19930928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
UNIX
Sep 30 Deadline On Nextstep Deal
(NEWS)(UNIX)(MSP)(00011)
Sep 30 Deadline On Nextstep Deal 09/28/93
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Next Computer's
deal offering developers and users the Nextstep Evaluation Kit for
$299 expires on Thursday.
Next says the promotional package allows companies to
build client/server applications using Nextstep's object-oriented
technology and contains both the User and Developer versions of
Nextstep Release 3.1 for Intel processors.
Also included in the kit are: initial documentation and a half-price
coupon to purchase full technical documentation; the Nextstep Developer
CD ROM which includes Nextstep's visual application construction
tools and reusable object kits; the Nextstep Advantage Kit which
includes a booklet, a video cassette and a diskette with sample
software to introduce application development with Nextstep;
and Nextstep Programming, a book by Garfinkel & Mahoney.
"The promotion enables developers to take advantage of the
opportunity to develop using Nextstep and to experience two to five
times the productivity gains," said Rick Jackson, director of
developer product marketing at Next. "We are encouraged by the
response we have received and look forward to having new developers
join the growing ranks of object-oriented believers."
In the US, the Nextstep Evaluation Kit costs $299 and can be
ordered by calling 1-800-TRY-NEXT. The Nextstep Evaluation Kit offer
does not include free upgrades to Release 3.2.
Regularly priced copies of Nextstep Release 3.1 for Intel
processors and Nextstep Developer, which include an upgrade to
Release 3.2 and full documentation for both versions, retail in the
US for $795 and $1,995, respectively.
(Wendy Woods/19930928/Press Contact: Karen Logsdon, Next Computer,
415/780-3786 or Marilyn Kilinski, Ketchum Public Relations,
212/536-8865)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GENERAL
MicroTouch Simplifies Touchscreen Integration
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00012)
MicroTouch Simplifies Touchscreen Integration 09/28/93
METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- MicroTouch
Systems, Inc., has unveiled a miniaturized, surface-mount CMOS
touchscreen controller that reportedly revolutionizes the way a
touch system is installed in a monitor. The pocket-sized SMT-1
serial controller is significantly smaller and uses less power
than its predecessors.
The SMT-1 comes packaged in a plastic box that can be mounted
unobtrusively on the back or bottom of a CRT. A unique cabling
arrangement lets the unit be plugged into the monitor's housing and
easily secured with two screws.
Previously, touchscreen kit buyers had to either place the controller
in a PC bus slot, mount a serial controller inside the display with an
accompanying power supply, or place the controller outside the monitor
in a box large enough to hold the separate power supply.
Power for the SMT-1 can be obtained in one of three ways: by tapping
into the power supply of the monitor, using the touch sensor cable; by
using a supplied cable that allows the controller to share power from
the keyboard port of a PC; or by using a wall-mount power supply.
The SMT-1 costs $318; volume and dealer discounts are available.
MicroTouch Systems is at 300 Griffin Park, Methuen, MA 01844.
Telephone 508-659-9000.
(Marguerite Zientara/19930928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
IBM
Software For Space-Bookers
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00013)
Software For Space-Bookers 09/28/93
SOUTH WINDSOR, CONNECTICUT, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Among the
DOS/Windows product announcements reaching the Newsbytes desk, a
reservation and appointment package for those who often need to
book space for groups, and a CMOS
COMSEC has announced a reservation system aimed at companies
that require time reservations and appointments, whether
they are reserving rooms, tables, equipment or making office
appointments.
Facility Master II is said to permit quick entry, update and retrieval
of reservation information for an unlimited number of facilities. The
menu-driven software comprises two programs: one for system
administration and monitoring, and another for the actual
reservations.
A DOS version costs $289. A network version said to allow more than
100 concurrent users costs $489. A Windows version is planned for
release later this year. COMSEC is located at 68 Kelly Road, South
Windsor, CT 06074. Telephone 203-644-1817.
(Marguerite Zientara/19930928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
APPLE
Macintosh Product Briefs
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00014)
Macintosh Product Briefs 09/28/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Here is a
short roundup of new Apple Computer Macintosh products:
MultiClip Pro 3.0, Field Assistant 1.0, QuicKeys 3.0, Draw
to Learn, TimesTwo 1.0.3, and Movie Movie.
MultiClip Pro 3.0
Version 3.0 of this scrapbook replacement features unlimited
collections, a list view and publish/subscribe savviness. Among
100 new features are System 7 support, three selection tools, an
eraser, a cropping tool, previewing, and the ability to scale images
to any size. Text can be edited and styles can be changed, and
keywords can be added to images for searching. Collections can be
viewed by image or in list view. Price directly from Olduvai (Miami,
Fla.) is $87 through September. Otherwise, suggested retail is $149,
with a System 6 version priced at $89 due soon. Upgrades are $47.
Phone 305/670-1112.
Field Assistant 1.0
Personal information and contact management software for the PowerBook
is based on a relational database engine and is 10 to 100 times faster
than flat-file managers, says its publisher, FIT Software (Santa Clara,
Calif.). Unlimited addresses, activities and phone numbers can be
attached to each record, and a separate correspondence module provides
word processing and mail merge. Suggested retail is $249. Phone
408/562-5990.
QuicKeys 3.0
Version 3.0 of CE Software's (West Des Moines, Iowa) popular macro
software now supports AppleScript, Frontier and other Open System
Architecture languages, with new support for the voice command
capability in the Quadra and Centris Macs. Also new are more
powerful branching between macros and a redesigned interface. Pre-made
macros are bundled for ten popular applications, along with
special macros for PowerBooks. Suggested retail price is $169. Users of
versions 2.1.2 and later can upgrade for $49.95; users of earlier
versions pay $79.95. Upgraders get a $10 discount before Sept. 30.
All upgrade offers end on November 30. Phone 515/224-1995.
Draw to Learn
Draw to Learn's (Irvine, Calif.) Macintosh version of its educational
software program of the same name teaches 6-to-12-year-olds how to
draw. Breaking down drawing technique into basic geometric forms,
the software uses an animated character named Rembrandt Worm to
demonstrate strokes and shapes. Suggested retail is $39.95. For
more info, call 714/263-0910.
Movie Movie
See Spot run and hear Spot bark -- all via a single NuBus slot.
This digital audio and full-motion video capture board can be hooked
up to a Camcorder, laser disc player, or VCR to capture video at 30
frames per second, synchronized to 22KHz 8-bit audio. Files can then
be manipulated with any QuickTime compatible application. Positioned
as price/performance value for adding video and sound to presentations.
$349. Sigma Designs, Fremont, Calif. 510/770-0100; 800/845-8086.
TimesTwo 1.0.3
New version of driver-level compression software, features automatic
mounting of removable media, automatic free space adjustment, better
compatibility with automatic file compression software and enhanced
performance and reliability, the company says. TimesTwo claims
transparent doubling of any SCSI disk without reformatting. Free
upgrade to registered users; $149 for others. Golden Triangle, San
Diego, Calif. 619/279-2100, 800/326-1858.
(Chris Oakes/19930928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
TELECOM
Bell Canada Cost-Cutting Moves
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00015)
Bell Canada Cost-Cutting Moves 09/28/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Blaming federal
regulators' rejection of a rate-increase request, Bell Canada has
announced plans to cut spending by C$766 million in 1994 and do
away with the equivalent of 5,000 jobs.
The company said it will cut expenses by C$466 million and its
capital budget by C$300 million in the coming year. This will
mean eliminating "the equivalent of 5,000 people" from Bell's
work force by various measures including an extended
leave-of-absence program, cuts in overtime, and a reduced work
week, officials said.
"We have no plans for layoffs at this point," company spokeswoman
Susanna Cluff-Clyburne said, though she did not absolutely rule
out the possibility. "We'll have to see what happens" with the
measures already announced, she said.
Recently, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) said no to a Bell request to raise local
phone service rates. A statement from Bell today said the company
will not reach the 11 percent rate of return regulators set for
it this year, but the cuts just announced will allow it to do so
in 1994.
According to Bell, earnings were already C$136 million below
projections at the end of August.
The company admitted service will suffer as a result of the cuts,
and said the impact will be felt mainly on local service. Bell
pointed out that its revenues from local service do not cover the
cost of providing the service. It is also true that Bell faces
competition in most other areas of its business, but not local
service.
Bell Canada is the largest of the regional telephone companies
that make up Canada's Stentor consortium. It serves the provinces
of Ontario and Quebec.
(Grant Buckler/19930928/Press Contact: Susanna Cluff-Clyburne,
Bell Canada, 613-785-0579; Linda Gervais, Bell Canada,
613-781-3724; Sandra Cruickshanks, Bell Canada, 416-581-4205)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GENERAL
Loebner Prize Competition Moves To California
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00016)
Loebner Prize Competition Moves To California 09/28/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- The Loebner
Prize Competition, an annual event for "thinking" computers, is
moving from the Boston area to San Diego this year, due to a fire
at the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies in Cambridge.
This year's competition will be held Dec. 8 at National
University in San Diego. The Cambridge Center continues to
administer it.
The competition was inspired by the ideas of British
mathematician Alan Turing and is funded by New York
philanthropist Dr. Hugh Loebner. Computers running artificial
intelligence programs converse with a panel of judges through
terminals. Alongside the computers are humans carrying on similar
conversations with the judges, who don't know which are the
computers and which the people. The idea is for a computer
program to convince the judges it is a person.
In a famous paper published in 1950, Turing said true artificial
intelligence could be said to exist when judges asking questions
of a computer and a human by way of an electronic connection were
unable to tell which was which from the answers.
This year's competition, like the last two, is a restricted
competition. Conversations are limited to one topic at a time,
though each program will have to handle limited conversations on
several topics. The entrants will be allowed to choose their own
topics, said John Nunes, a spokesman for National University.
In the first Loebner Prize competition, at the Boston Computer
Museum in 1991, 10 judges conversed via terminals with six
computer programs and two humans. While the real people were
identified as human by more judges than any of the computers, one
computer fooled half the judges, and three judges mistook one
human respondent for a computer.
Three programs were entered last year. Entries for this year's
competition close Nov. 1, and organizers will not say how many
have been received because making that number public would give
the contest judges information that could affect their judgments,
Nunes said.
The top prize in this year's restricted competition is a bronze
medal and $2,000. Some year in the future the center plans an
unrestricted competition, where conversations will be allowed to
touch on any topic. The first computer to fool more than half the
judges in an unrestricted competition will earn a $100,000 prize
and the contest will end then, organizers said.
Nunes said it is not clear yet whether the competition will
remain in San Diego or return to Boston next year.
Applications to enter the competition can be sent to Dr. Robert
Epstein, chair of the psychology department at National
University, until Nov. 1.
(Grant Buckler/19930928/Press Contact: John Nunes, National
University, 619-563-7444)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
IBM
IBM Upgrades Virus Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00017)
IBM Upgrades Virus Software 09/28/93
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- IBM has
unveiled a new release of IBM AntiVirus, its virus detection and
removal software for the DOS and OS/2 operating systems.
For users of stand-alone PCs, company spokeswoman Terrie Phoenix
acknowledged, the upgrade is fairly minor -- it boosts the number
of known viruses detected and adds features aimed at avoiding
false alarms caused by legitimate programs taking shortcuts that
may look like virus activity.
The most important change, she said, is a new administrative
interface that local-area network (LAN) administrators will be
able to use to gather reports of any virus activity on PCs
attached to the network and to enforce the use of the anti-virus
software throughout an organization.
This interface is available by contract with IBM AntiVirus
Services. According to IBM, it can be customized to take any
action specified by the administrator -- such as sending LAN
messages -- when a virus is found. Administrator privileges are
password-protected.
The new AntiVirus 1.03 detects about 2,000 known viruses, up from
around 1,500 with the previous version, Phoenix said. It also
disinfects all common viruses, according to the company.
The software costs $29.95, and site licenses are available, IBM
said.
(Grant Buckler/19930928/Press Contact: Terrie Phoenix, IBM,
914-784-7481; Public Contact: IBM, 800-551-3579)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
BUSINESS
Delrina, Caere Expand Relationship
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00018)
Delrina, Caere Expand Relationship 09/28/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Forms and fax
software vendor Delrina Corp., and optical character recognition
(OCR) and document management specialist Caere Corp., are
expanding a year-old alliance.
Last September, Delrina licensed AnyFax technology, which
performs OCR and is designed to cope with sometimes blurry
incoming fax documents, from Caere of Los Gatos, California.
Now the companies have announced they will work together to
create integrated fax and document management software and
integrated fax, image editing, and OCR software. At the same time
Caere agreed to kill its FaxMaster product line, which competes
with Delrina's WinFax software, by the end of this year.
The new integrated fax and document management software will be
released before year-end, Delrina spokesman Chad Kinzelberg said,
and the Office Suite fax, image editing, and OCR combination will
be out by late 1993 or early 1994.
While the companies plan to cooperate on marketing both
products, it is not yet decided whether both or just one of them
will actually sell the packages, Kinzelberg said.
The first product will integrate Caere's document management
software with Delrina's fax software, allowing users to store
faxes in document databases along with other files.
The Office Suite software will include text recognition, image
scanning and editing, document management, and fax handling, the
companies said.
The firms also said they are studying possible synergy between
Delrina's FormFlow, a work-flow management package, and Caere's
PageKeeper, software designed to store ad-hoc information and
handle queries over a network.
Caere said it will take a one-time charge of about US$800,000, or
US$480,000 net of taxes, in the third quarter of 1993 to account
for dropping its FaxMaster products.
(Grant Buckler/19930928/Press Contact: Shelly Sofer or Chad
Kinzelberg, Delrina, 416-441-4702; Mike Lough, Caere,
408-395-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GENERAL
NASD Buys Multimillion Dollar Computer System
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00019)
NASD Buys Multimillion Dollar Computer System 09/28/93
BEAVERTON, OREGON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Sequent Computer
Systems announced this month that it has entered into a five-year
contract with the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD)
to provide a multi-million dollar open client/server computer
system and professional services for NASD's corporate operations.
Sequent said during the first year of the contract it will deliver
consulting and education services and install two Symmetry
multiprocessing systems in a clustered configuration to provide
service for more than 1,000 concurrent users.
NASD said the system is part of its initiative to use open
information technology to significantly expand and improve the
services it offers to members, affiliates and listed companies of
the NASDAQ Stock Market. The system will provide database,
financial, and human resource applications and will use a graphical
user interface.
The initial configuration will include two Sequent Unix-based
Symmetry 2000/750 systems, each with 14 Intel 486 50 megahertz (MHz)
microprocessors and 200 gigabytes of shared disk storage. A gigabyte
is one million bytes. Sequent says the clustered configuration
combines the performance of the two systems and will be able to
support large numbers of concurrent users. Clusters also provide
greater reliability since the system will still function even if one
of the servers goes down.
The NASD is a self-regulatory organization for the securities
industry. It owns and operates the NASDAQ Stock Market, the
second-largest securities market in the world.
(Jim Mallory/19930927/Press contact: Mike Green, Sequent Computer
Systems, 503-626-5700, Robert Ferri, NASD, 202-728- 8955)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
BUSINESS
Traveling Software, National Semi Team Up On Wireless Tech
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00020)
Traveling Software, National Semi Team Up On Wireless Tech 09/28/93
BOTHELL, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Traveling Software
has announced it will team up with National Semiconductor
Corporation to jointly develop and market integrated hardware and
software products using wireless technology.
The two companies say the first product, expected to ship in the
first quarter of 1994, will use communications software from
Traveling Software and integrated communication hardware from
National Semiconductor. The product will be compatible with current
portable platforms and adaptable to future computing standards.
Traveling Software spokesperson Elaina Dulaney declined to discuss
the nature of the product, telling Newsbytes that information would
be released "in the Comdex time frame." Comdex is often used as the
vehicle for product roll-outs. The fall Comdex trade show will be
held in Las Vegas beginning November 15.
Earlier this month Newsbytes reported National Semiconductor is
adding a $77 million 12,000 square foot BiCMOS (bipolar
complementary metal oxide semiconductor) facility to its existing
Portland, Maine plant. Company officials said the BiCMOS technology
is used to manufacture advanced SiRF (silicon radio frequency)
mixed-signal devices, which are used in cellular phones and other
wireless communications systems.
In August of this year Newsbytes reported that National
Semiconductor was one of the initial members of the InfraRed Data
Association (IRDA), an organization formed to focus on an IR data
communications standard that supports a short range, point-to-point
interconnection that will emphasize low power consumption and high
data transmission rates. IRDA Chairman John Romano said infrared
data transmission has several advantages, including the lack of
domestic or international regulatory constraints, minimal
interference problems, low implementation costs, and quick and
simple data transmission between devices.
National said in January that it planned to enter the wireless
communications market with a new family of chips aimed at use in
devices that include personal digital assistants and pocket
communicators. BIS Strategic Decisions predicts the worldwide
wireless silicon market will grow from $375 billion in 1991 to $798
million in 1996.
National Semi Product Marketing Manager Curtis Schmidek predicts
that 10 years from now "we are going to see a common standard,
especially in the United States, for pocket phones, for a real
personal communicator, that may be not only voice but also data."
(Jim Mallory/19930928/Press contact: Elaina Dulaney, Traveling
Software, 206-483-8088; Margaret Mehling, National Semiconductor,
408-721-2639)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
APPLE
Microsoft Ships OLE 2.0 SDK Beta For Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00021)
Microsoft Ships OLE 2.0 SDK Beta For Mac 09/28/93
REDMOND, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Microsoft has
started shipping the beta version of its Object Linking and Embedding
(OLE) 2.0 technology for Apple Computer's Macintosh computers.
The software company said more than 250 independent software
developers are receiving the software development kit (SDK). Once
the production version of OLE 2.0 for the Mac is released the tool
will be available for both the Mac and Microsoft Windows-based PCs,
allowing developers to write applications that can be shared between
the two operating systems and will work the same on either system.
Microsoft says OLE 2.0 will handle compound documents imported from
other environments more easily. An automatic conversion feature will
allow the documents to be easily moved and shared between Windows
and Macintosh platforms without destroying their links. Users will
also be able to exchange compound documents over networks supported
by Microsoft's Windows NT Advanced Server.
Microsoft says SDK for the Mac includes OLEs full feature set,
including visual editing, drag and drop, and OLE automation. Visual
editing allows users to directly edit embedded objects within
documents without switching to a different window. Drag and drop
allows the user to drag objects from one application windows to
another window, or to create compound objects. OLE automation
enables the creation of command sets that operate both within and
across applications. For example, a command invoked from within a
word processing program could sort a range of cells in a spreadsheet
created by a different application, such as Excel.
Microsoft says the production version of OLE 2.0 for the Mac is
scheduled to ship by the end of the year. The company expects major
developers to release OLE 2.0-compliant applications for the Mac in
the first quarter of 1994.
Developers can obtain the OLE 2.0 SDK for the Macintosh at no cost
by contacting Microsoft Developer Services or by subscribing to the
Microsoft Developer Network.
(Jim Mallory/19930928/Press contact: Beverley Flower, Microsoft
Corporation, 206-882-8080; Reader contact: Microsoft Developer
Services, 800-227-4679 or 206-880-8080)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GENERAL
Compaq World '93 Opens Today In China
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022)
Compaq World '93 Opens Today In China 09/28/93
BEIJING, CHINA, 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Santa Cruz Operations
Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer Doug Michels
will deliver the keynote speech today at the opening of Compaq World
93 in Beijing, China.
Michels said his talk will focus on today's global computing
environment and China's open systems opportunities. "SCO operating
systems have been a standard in China for a long time. We're
currently tailoring our products to make it easier for China to move
rapidly to the benefits that open systems are providing for leading
enterprises around the world."
While in China, Michels also attended the grand opening of Compaq's
first Beijing office. The formal ribbon-cutting ceremony was held
Monday. Compaq plans to bundle SCO's Chinese language Unix operating
system with its computers sold in China.
The two-day Compaq World '93 technology seminar drew more than 1,000
people as Compaq tries to move up from its position as the number
two PC seller in China. The results of a recent survey reportedly
have AST as the leading seller of computers there. PC prices range
from $1,500 to $5,000 in China including import duty. That's the
equivalent of three to 10 years wages for the average urban Chinese,
but Compaq says it expects prices to drop as low as $500 for a basic
desktop system by the end of the decade.
China used more than 400 Hewlett-Packard Vectra minicomputers
running the SCO operating system to conduct what may be the largest
census undertaking in world history. The Chinese census bureau
collected information on the income, occupation, education,
ethnicity, fertility, and migration of the country's more than 1.16
billion citizens.
(Jim Mallory/19930928/Press contact: Compaq Computer Corporation,
713-370-0670, Zee Zaballos, SCO, 408-427-7156)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - Paragon Acquires Slate, Renames Product
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00023)
Unix Expo - Paragon Acquires Slate, Renames Product 09/28/93
CHELMSFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Paragon
Imaging, a specialist in image communications, has acquired the
Slate document creation and communication system from Bolt, Baranek
and Newman (BBN), officials announced at Unix Expo. Paragon has
renamed the product DesktopSlate.
The Unix-based shrink-wrapped package is now a horizontal
application only, for use by technical and business workgroups, but
Paragon also plans to implement the product in such vertical
markets as medicine and insurance, said Pam Gazley, marketing
specialist, in an interview with Newsbytes.
Chelmsford, MA-based Paragon focuses on applications where images
are the primary data type and other data types are secondary in
importance, according to Gazley. The vendor's other products
include ELT/3000, an imagery software system licensed to 3000 users
in the Department of Defense, and ELT/MED, an ELT/3000 derivative
sold on an OEM basis to medical imaging companies.
The newly acquired DesktopSlate features a compound document editor
for word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, images and audio. All
compound documents created are enabled for electronic mail,
multimedia electronic mail, fax, and real-time document
conferencing. The e-mail facility supports MIME (Multipurpose
Internet Mail Extension), an emerging interoperability standard for
desktop systems.
DesktopSlate also includes an extension language that allows for
development of custom vertical applications. Gazley told Newsbytes
that, for vertical applications that require interfacing to
databases and other outside applications, Paragon will probably
hire BBN. Cambridge, MA-based BBN performs R&D and systems
integration in a variety of fields, and is especially strong in
networking, she said. BBN also produces the RS1 software package
for statistical analysis.
Also in the future, Paragon might be integrating DesktopSlate with
ELT/3000 and ELT/MED, Gazley told Newsbytes. If these applications
are integrated, users will be able to drop X-rays and other image
documents from ELT/3000 or ELT/MED into DestktopSlate's compound
document editor, she told Newsbytes.
ELT/3000 and ELT/MED each provide multimedia analysis, reporting
and communication for imagery intensive applications. The
applications support a variety of still frame and video cameras,
scanners, and photo and PostScript printers.
The Paragon product line operates on Sun, IBM RS/6000, DEC, and
Hewlett-Packard workstations.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930928/Press and reader contact: Pam Gazley,
Paragon Imaging, tel 508-251-7500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
CORRECTION GOVT
Correction - Creative Sues Covox Over Name Of Voice Product
(CORRECTION)(GOVT)(LAX)(00024)
Correction - Creative Sues Covox Over Name Of Voice Product 09/28/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Newsbytes wishes
to correct an error in a story of this title which ran on our wire
on September 24.
The report identified Creative Technology as being based in
Singapore, Japan. In fact, it is based in Singapore, not in
Japan.
Newsbytes apologizes for the error.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930924/Press Contact: Benita Kenn, Creative
Labs, tel 408-428-6600; Charles Saunders, Covox, tel 503-342-
1271, fax 503-342-1283)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
TELECOM
BellSouth ISDN Tariff Approved In Tennessee
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00025)
BellSouth ISDN Tariff Approved In Tennessee 09/28/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- A BellSouth tariff
offering digital service to residential customers under ISDN
standards was approved in Tennessee.
According to the tariff, which becomes effective October 21,
Tennesseeans will be able to get two digital lines at 64,000
bits/second and a 16,000 bit/second signaling line, in place of a
single analog line, for $13.85 per month on top of their regular
residential rates, which average about $8-12 in different parts
of the state. For another $3, they can add Caller ID features,
spokesman Karen Roughton told Newsbytes.
For small business customers, the per-line rate is $99.50, which
includes Caller ID and a technology called "hunting," previously
offered mainly to big customers with calling centers. Business
line rates in the state average $27-$39. As with the residential
rates, the rates are exclusive of long distance charges.
BellSouth's South Central Bell operating unit conducted a trial
of the technology starting last January with over 125 customers,
who installed the service without charge. During that trial the
company defined procedures, worked with equipment and software
vendors to develop applications, and established a system
integration program.
BellSouth expects small businesses to use ISDN for image
processing, videoconferencing, connecting LANs and for accessing
databases. It expects residences to use the service for working
from home, for security, for accessing information services and
for energy management. The company has been offering ISDN
services through its switches, an offering called ESSX, since
1991. Last February it became the first regional Bell to offer
what's called primary rate ISDN, offering 23 64,000 bit/second
digital lines and a 64,000 bit/second signaling line, under the
name MegaLink.
BellSouth said tariffs for individual ISDN service in the other
eight states where it does business should be filed by the end of
this year.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930927/Press Contact: Karen Roughton,
BellSouth, 404-529-6514)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GOVT
UK - Liverpool Con-Artists Hit Local Computer Dealers
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00026)
UK - Liverpool Con-Artists Hit Local Computer Dealers 09/28/93
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- For the last few months, a
gang operating out of various premises in the Liverpool area of the
UK have successfully conned at least 12 local computer resellers out
of more than UKP 100,000-worth of computer hardware and software.
According to Police investigating the case, gullible computer
dealers receive a fax or telephone order for computer hardware
and/or software from the "Duty Solicitors Association." There is, of
course, no organization of this name.
Police say that the order states that payment will be made from the
Clerk to the Justices at the local Magistrates Court. Dealers are
fooled into believing that, since the order is from the Government
and involves solicitors, it is rock solid. In fact, this is far from
the truth, as witnessed by the losses incurred by computer dealers
in the area.
Suppliers who fell for the scheme have sent computers to various
addresses, where they are being picked up by taxi. The dealers then
lose contact with the "association."
According to Detective Constable Geoffrey Maher, the officer leading
the investigation, the crooks are "conning to order" and may also
be getting advice from other computer dealers on who to hit with
the fraud.
Maher said that the official advice from the police to anyone who
has had contact with the criminals, whether they have been conned or
nor, is to come forward to the Liverpool Police.
(Steve Gold/19930928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GOVT
Computer Fraud Detected At Barclays Bank Portugal
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LON)(00027)
Computer Fraud Detected At Barclays Bank Portugal 09/28/93
LISBON, PORTUGAL, 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Barclays Bank Portugal has
revealed it has been hit by a major computer fraud carried out by
one of its programmers. The case, which is thought to have scooped
the programmer more than Escudos 100 million, has been passed over
to the authorities.
According to the bank, other banks may have been affected by the
fraud, as the unnamed programmer has worked at other banks in the
country. Officials with the bank claim that the man has not worked
at the bank for the last six years.
Newsbytes understands that the fraud centers around the running of
two computer programs in parallel on Barclays' computer system.
According to a spokesman for the bank, Almerindo Marques, the fraud
is thought to have gone on for several years before the programs
were superseded. It is only now that the fraud has been uncovered,
he said.
Marques added that technical staff noted some irregularities in the
programs recently when they needed to be run again. Their suspicions
were aroused when the programmer started to show signs of sudden
wealth after the programs had been reloaded and run.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GENERAL
MIT Media Lab Gets $2.65M From HP
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00028)
MIT Media Lab Gets $2.65M From HP 09/28/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) --
Hewlett-Packard has donated $2.65 million in computer
equipment and funds to support research projects at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Media Lab.
The company has reportedly been "supporting undergraduate and
graduate education and research programs" at MIT for more than
20 years. HP claims to have provided the first workstation to the
MIT Media Lab in 1985.
Nicholas Negroponte, founder and director of the Media Lab, said:
"MIT will use the donation for a collaborative project between HP
and MIT as part of HP's External Research Program."
According to the two organizations, the project aims to improve
the ways in which "humans interact with computers by programming
the machines to be able to recognize more than just text and
numbers."
The donation of equipment and funds will be made over the next
three years, with 11 HP Apollo 9000 Series 700 workstations, and
laboratory test and measurement instrumentation given in
the first year.
Cooperative research between universities and industry was
highlighted by Gary B. Eichhorn, general manager of HP's Workstation
Systems Group. "We think of this kind of collaborative research as a
necessity, not a luxury. While these specific projects are being
conducted in the context of music and visual patterns, the
implications are far reaching. The results of this research will
appear someday in places as diverse as the living room, the board
room and the operating room."
According to HP, the Media Lab's Physics & Media group will use the
donation to create the tools needed to improve human/machine
interaction. Scientists from HP Labs' Personal Systems Lab in
Bristol, England, will collaborate with Gershenfeld to develop
advanced interfaces for mobile computing and the "next generation"
of personal information appliances.
The MIT Texture and Pattern-Modeling Project will be collaborate
with HP to pursue "new ways of accessing information in multimedia
databases, with the results will be used in medical and engineering
applications.
(Ian Stokell/19930927/Press Contact: Jim Barbagallo,
508-436-5049, Hewlett-Packard Co.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
TELECOM
Survey Shows Online Market Peaking
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00029)
Survey Shows Online Market Peaking 09/28/93
BETHESDA, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- The online market
may be peaking, unless interactive TV and networked multimedia can
give it a new boost, according to longtime analyst Gary Arlen.
Arlen, writing for the Information and Interactive and Services
Report, the successor to a newsletter he sold in 1991, told
Newsbytes that the online services business as presently
constituted is mature.
"This business has been around 12 years and they've got 4% reach,"
he said. "BBSs go far deeper, but that's still not a whole lot, when
you see 25-30% PC penetration into homes, and a third of those
having modems. Just a third to a quarter of houses with modems
subscribe to online services. This is a finite market -- not
everyone wants this stuff."
According to Arlen, CompuServe remained the largest service as
of September 1, with 1.4 million users, followed by Prodigy with
950,000. Yet Prodigy has claimed 2 million users.
"Prodigy always claims a large number of users. Our ratio has always
been we know there are about two users per household account, so we
give the account number. In the last six months, they've lost 5% of
their users, partly due to the summer drop-off and partly due to
their price change," he said.
The next year will tell the tale for Prodigy, Arlen says, and he
expects the company to make the cut. "They will either make money or
be out of business in two years. That 10-year commitment that began
in 1984 is ended, so they're on their own. I think they'll make
money -- they're only losing $30 million this year. They could get
to break-even next year. Will they ever pay back their investment?
They don't have to. Sears and IBM have expensed that."
As to who is third, Arlen says his published figures show GEnie
number three, but suggested that America OnLine is probably
ahead of them.
Arlen also addressed the purchase by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.,
of Delphi, the number five service with about 70,000 members.
"They paid $8.5 million for Delphi," he estimated. "We devised
the price based on a number of factors, but it suggests that the
value of the online audience is not high. It values customers at
around $130 each." And that price will be just a down-payment,
if Murdoch is serious about getting a major stake in the online
market, he added. "It's just grabbing a stake in that business."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930927/Press Contact: Gary Arlen, Arlen
Communications, 301-656-7940)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/28/93
GENERAL
****Worldwide Orders For Newsbytes' $24.95 CD-ROM
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00030)
****Worldwide Orders For Newsbytes' $24.95 CD-ROM 09/28/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 28 (NB) -- Newsbytes
has been swamped with orders for its newest CD-ROM, Volume
III, which contains all the news, reviews, and editorials
that have been published on the Newsbytes News Network from
its founding in 1983 through July, 1993 -- a ten year span.
"Orders have come in from France, Germany, Austria, Japan,
Singapore, Canada, as well as throughout the United States,"
notes Newsbytes Editor-in-Chief Wendy Woods. The distance
from which this orders arrive indicates the widespread nature
of Newsbytes' distribution. Newsbytes is the largest,
independent source of daily computer and telecommunications
news worldwide, accessed via online services such as Genie,
Ziffnet (Compuserve), Applelink, America Online, Bix, Newsnet,
through custom news services such as Individual Inc., and
via the Internet from Clarinet Communications Corp.
Newsbytes also announced a limited print campaign in which
ads for Volume III are appearing in Bay Area Computer Currents,
Dallas Computer Currents, The Computer Paper in Vancouver,
and other regional magazines.
The Volume III CD-ROM disc, which runs on both Apple Computer
Macintoshes and PCs equipped with a CD-ROM drive, contains
over 40,000 news stories written 1983-1993 by the Newsbytes
News Network staff. The disc is produced by Wayzata Technologies
and distributed by Newsbytes News Network, among others. It
includes reporting from the infancy of the microcomputer,
in 1983, to stories about today's highly diversified array
of interactive technologies.
A Textware search engine, including on the CD-ROM, enables
the Volume III CD-ROM disc to be keyword searched for stories
in which individual words or text strings appear, or Boolean
searched ("keyword1" plus "keyword2" but not "keyword3").
This makes it a useful tool for researchers and libraries.
$24.95 is also the lowest-ever price for a Newsbytes disc. Previous
discs were priced in the $50-$100 range.
Newsbytes has a staff of 19 daily reporters in the following
cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul,
Atlanta, Washington, DC, Boston, Toronto, London, Tokyo, Hongkong,
Sydney, New Delhi, and Moscow. Newsbytes reports 30 stories a
day, or 600 a month -- a megabyte of material. These are
objective, first-hand new stories involving interviews with
the people who make the news, and on-site trade show coverage.
Newsbytes coverage has won Best Online Publication awards four
times from the Computer Press Association, the largest
organization of professional computer journalists.
Newsbytes is an independent, privately held news organization.
The disc is $24.95 plus $2.50 shipping and handling to US
addresses, $4.50 shipping and handling to all other countries.
Those interested in ordering the CD-ROM should send a check or
money order, or send their Visa or Mastercard number, with
expiration date (no American Express please) to CD-ROM Offer,
Newsbytes News Network, Carriage House, 406 West Olive St.,
Stillwater, MN 55082 or fax to 612-430-0441.
Electronic mail orders should be sent to NEWSBYTES@GENIE.GEIS.COM
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
Applelink and Bix
72241,337 (Compuserve), or NEWSBYTES on America Online. Include
(Internet), NEWSBYTES1 (Applelink and Bix), WWOODS (MCI Mail),
72241,337 (Compuserve), or NEWSBYTES on America Online. Include
shipping address and a Mastercard or Visa number with expiration
date.
(Newsbytes Staff/19930928)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/27/93
IBM
Micromini Revamps GUI Assist Package
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00001)
Micromini Revamps GUI Assist Package 09/27/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Micromini, the software house
behind GUI Assist, has revealed it is updating the graphical user
interface (GUI) code generator for DOS packages to be interfaced
directly to Windows.
Version 1.4 will, the company claims, have several major
improvements to the overall usability, thanks to a new GUI generator
utility called GUI gen.
This new utility provides the means to autogenerate the code and the
graphical firms that give the underlying DOS program the look, feel
and functionality of Windows.
So what is GUI Assist? Put simply, it allows DOS packages to have a
self-contained Windows GUI like any normal Windows application. It
provides users, application developers and resellers with the tools
to create a graphical interface along with the environment to
control and communicate with the original DOS application.
By running the DOS application in a controlled environment as a
process server, GUI Assist can link to the GUI front end by means of
special DLL (Dynamic Link Library) so that it can read output from,
and re-route user input to, the DOS program. Micromini claims that
GUI Assist keeps the new GUI front end and original DOS program
fully synchronized at all times.
According to Bill Holmes, Micromini's managing director, the package
needs an 80386-based or better PC with Windows 3.1 or later, as well
as Visual Basic 2.0 (or later, Visual C++ or the Windows software
development kit (SDK) v3.1 or later.
"The demand for Windows applications has resulted in many tried and
tested DOS programs coming to the end of their useful lives because
they look old-fashioned," he said.
"Now, developers can use GUI Assist to revive them with a new
Windows look and feel without having to throw away the old
application and start development all over again. Because no changes
are made to the existing DIS application and a working Windows GUI
is automatically generated through GUI Gen, the process is both
accurate and quick," he added.
The basic version of GUI Assist sells for UKP 350, while the
Professional version, that includes advanced facilities such as the
ability to control multiple DOS packages simultaneously, focus
switching, hybrid GUI and DOS applications with keyboard switching,
sells for UKP 1,500.
Both versions of the software include an unlimited licence to
distribute the package's runtime modules with applications.
(Steve Gold/19930927/Press & Public Contact: Micromini Systems -
Tel: +44-844-275666; fax: +44-844-274138)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
IBM
UK - Borland's Workgroup Enabling Kit
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00002)
UK - Borland's Workgroup Enabling Kit 09/27/93
READING, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Borland
International has unveiled the Workgroup Enabling Kit, which it
claims is a set of powerful programming tools that allow software
users and developers to enhance their own packages using Borland's
workgroup technology.
Using the kit, users of off the shelf Windows applications such as
Word, Wordperfect and Lotus 1-2-3 can take advantage of the
workgroup capabilities that Borland has incorporated into its own
Quattro Pro and Paradox packages. The ability to include workgroup
capabilities can be achieved without requiring new capabilities to
be built into the applications software package.
Rikke Helms-Wienszczak, Borland UK's managing director, said that
software developers at all levels of technical expertize can create
their own e-mail and workgroup-enabled applications, ranging from
single interactive models to fully-animated turnkey solutions.
"This builds on our role as the leader in databases, programming
languages and tools by offering the definitive tool that brings
workgroup computing to the masses and sets the stage of the next
major leap in productivity," she explained.
The kit includes utility tools, sample programs, templates and a set
of manuals, Newsbytes understands. These allow software users and
developers to incorporate Borland's OBEX technology into their own
applications, without the need for built-in extensions to their
software or forcing low level programming of the underlying
messaging application program interfaces (APIs).
OBEX is a collaboration agent that allows a package to communicate
to the outside world using messaging and networking services as well
as supporting applications running on the desktop or laptop. The
technology claims to support sharing and access of information
across a variety of connectivity solutions, whether users are
continuously available of only occasionally connected.
The Workgroup Enabling Kit will be available to PC users and
developers towards the end of this year, Newsbytes understands.
Pricing will be announced when the package is about to ship.
(Steve Gold/19930927/Press & Public Contact: Borland International -
Tel: +44-734-320022)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
APPLE
Tour The National Parks Using Your PC
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00003)
Tour The National Parks Using Your PC 09/27/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Is your vacation
budget a little tight, so you had to stay home this summer? Not to
worry, you can now tour the national parks of the country sitting in
front of your PC using a software package from Multicom Publishing.
Multicom has introduced National Parks of America, a software
program on CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) disc that allows
you to interactively explore all 230 of America's national parks.
`Parks' includes regional and state maps, and the parks can also be
located and selected by name, geographic region, or by specifying
custom criteria such as camping or hiking facilities. The company
says that many of the park listings feature seasonal climate and
other park information.
Nature photographer David Muench has contributed almost 1,000 of his
photos illustrating the national parks to the program. It also
includes 21 video clips and 160 animated climate tables. Multicom
spokesperson Dan Norton-Middaugh told Newsbytes that National Parks
of America developers separated the data, audio, and video files
from the interface requirements of the computers so the program can
run on either a Macintosh of IBM-compatible platform.
With a suggested retail price of $69.95, National Parks of America
runs on an Apple Mac equipped with a color monitor and a CD-ROM
drive. There is also a version of the software for multimedia-
compliant IBM-compatible personal computers running Windows 3.1 or
higher.
Multicom also publishes Americans in Space, a CD-ROM-based history
of American space missions; and Better Homes and Gardens Healthy
Cooking CD Cookbook. Astrology Source allows the user to learn about
the history of astrology and create personalized astrological
charts, while Wines of the World takes the user on a tour of the
world's major wine-producing regions. Wines can be selected by type,
region of origin, vintage, flavor, price, or complementary foods.
(Jim Mallory/19930927/Press contact: Dan Norton-Middaugh, Multicom,
206-622-5530; Reader contact: Multicom Publishing Inc, 206-622-5530,
fax 206-622-4380)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
IBM
401 Great Letters For Windows Debuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00004)
401 Great Letters For Windows Debuts 09/27/93
TEMPE, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Good business letters
are hard to write. They require creativity, time and hard work. But
a Tempe, Arizona-based company thinks it has the answer to that
problem -- 401 Great Letters for Windows.
Using the point and click features of the package, Microbase claims
that users can compose and customize a business letter in three
steps: select, complete, and print.
Microbase claims that 401 has letters for just about every
situation. There are complaint letters, deal makers, letters about
sexual harassment, legal issues, the environment, direct marketing,
office policies, and even love letters.
The letters are organized in four sections covering business-to-
business, business-to-customer, internal company, and personal
correspondence. The user chooses a category, selects a letter topic,
fills in the blanks (hints are provided), makes any desired changes
to the boilerplate text, and prints the letter.
Letters can also be sent to the Microsoft Windows clipboard then
pasted into your favorite word processor for application of that
program's special features such as font selection.
"401 Great Letters for Windows" has a suggested retail price of
$49.95, but Microbase says it has a value of $5,000 to $7,000 to the
user. That's based on a study done by the Dartnell Corporation's
Institute of Small Business that says the cost of producing a 185-
word business letter ranges from $11.91 to $18.03.
Microbase will be showing its latest release, The Green Explorer, in
its booth at the New England ECO EXPO opening October 1 at the World
Trade Center in Boston. The Green Explorer is a Windows-based
program designed to help you set up a "green" household. The company
says the software contains thousands of ideas on how to reduce,
re-use and recycle waste in the home, school and business. The Green
Explorer has a suggested retail price of $79.95.
(Jim Mallory/19930927/Press contact: Stephanie Silverman, Microbase,
602-897-7800; Reader contact: Microbase, 602-897- 7800 or
800-897-3637, fax 602-897-9799)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - Sapiens Visions Ports To Windows And SGI
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00005)
Unix Expo - Sapiens Visions Ports To Windows And SGI 09/27/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- At Unix Expo,
Sapiens announced that Sapiens Visions, its crossplatform, object-
oriented client-server development environment, will port to Windows
and Silicon Graphics workstations.
Sapiens Visions will also port to the Apple Mac, noted Robert
McAdams, a consultant to Sapiens, speaking with Newsbytes on the
show floor. The Macintosh port will start with a runtime version,
and be followed by a developer's kit, he added.
The Visions object-oriented development tool was first originally
created by SmartStar Corporation, McAdams told Newsbytes.
Sapiens International acquired SmartStar three months ago, and
has since brought together SmartStar's mainframe and PC-based
software with Sapien ES object-oriented software for IBM-
compatible mainframes and PCs, he explained.
Now in Version 1.2, Visions is updated with new platforms and
capabilities about every six months, McAdams said. The most
recent port was to Hewlett-Packard's HP 9000 workstations.
Other currently supported platforms include IBM AIX, SUN OS and
Solaris, and Digital Ultrix, OpenVMS, and OSF/1.
Version 1.3 of Sapiens Visions, which will include the Windows
and Silicon Graphics editions, will be released in March, McAdams
told Newsbytes. The runtime version of the Macintosh edition is
expected to ship in the Halloween time frame, he added.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930927/Press contacts: Louise M. Fickel or
Barbara C. Morrow, Sapiens USA, tel 919-677-8711)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
IBM
Shareware, Sounds, Literature On New CDs
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00006)
Shareware, Sounds, Literature On New CDs 09/27/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Softbit has
announced three new CD-ROM (compact disc read-only memory) titles --
Power Tools, a disk with over 3,500 shareware titles for Microsoft
Windows and DOS, Soundsations with over 1,000 sound clips for
Windows or Macintosh computers, and the World Literary Heritage
containing over 700 classical literary works.
The Power Tools disc offers shareware and public domain software
pre-tested by Softbit. Fifteen categories are available and the
breakdown includes: 900 Windows tools; 220 accounting, spreadsheet,
and home management programs; 70 database tools, 200 educational
programs, 350 games, 400 utilities, and even 170 programming
languages. Each category is broken down into sub-categories to help
users find the what they're looking and there's a graphical user
interface with icons to make access easier, the company added. An
alphabetized index is included and on screen installation
instructions are available for both DOS and Windows.
The Soundsations CD offers 1,000 royalty-free sound effects
indexed by topic. The sounds come in both Macintosh format in
the System 7 Soundedit format and PC format in the Windows-
supported .WAV format. Cartoon-like effects, animals, sneezing,
musical instruments, machinery, laughing, clapping, and more
are all available for use in multimedia presentations or for
use on the desktop. The sounds range in length from a few
seconds to a full minute.
For students, teachers, and history buffs, the company is
offering the World Literary Heritage CD-ROM with 700 great
literary works. Not only does the disk have famous speeches
from leaders such as George Washington, Winston Churchill, John
F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King, but over 20 minutes of
voice narration by celebrities and images of the authors is
available as well.
Ed Begley, Richard Burton, E.G. Marshall, and James Mason read
selected passages and over 150 high- resolution images, some with a
biography and image of each author can be viewed.
Tools for working with the disk include a search engine that can
perform hunts for specific words or phrases across the disk. Users
may also choose to leave a bookmark or notes while reading a passage
and then return directly to that passage later, the company said.
The CD titles require MS-DOS 3.1 or higher, a hard disk drive, a CD-
ROM drive with Microsoft's CD-ROM extensions (MSCDEX), a video
graphics array (VGA) monitor, and a mouse is recommended. The World
Literary Heritage and Soundsations CDs require Microsoft Windows
3.1. Retail price for the Power Tools 2.0 and World Literary
Heritage CDs are $79.95 each. The Soundsations CD retails for
$39.95.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930927/Press Contact: Andy Abeles, Softbit,
tel 714-251-8600, fax 714-261-7336)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
BUSINESS
Germany's Second Largest Dealer Signs With Microsoft & Intel
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00007)
Germany's Second Largest Dealer Signs With Microsoft & Intel 09/27/93
HEPPENHEIM, GERMANY, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Escom Computer, which
claims to be Germany's second largest computer dealership chain, has
signed "special arrangement" deals with Intel and Microsoft.
The deals, Newsbytes understands, go some way beyond being simple
supply agreements. The first sign of the deal will come this Friday,
October 1, when Escom-supplied PCs will come pre-loaded with a
customized version of Windows, as well as a variety of Microsoft
applications.
Announcing the deal, Jochen Haink, president of Microsoft Germany,
said that he expects the outcome will be a significant boost to
sales of Microsoft's packages and a general reduction in the volume
of pirated software.
For Intel, Hans Geyer, the company's vice president in germany, said
that Escom now gains priority status for Intel's processors. This,
he said, will give Escom a guarantee of supplies (a clear reference
to the expected component shortage caused by an explosion at a
Japanese resin factory earlier this year) and involve the dealership
in Intel's ongoing marketing strategy plans.
Manfred Schmitt, Escom's chairman, said that he expects sales to
rise, partly as a result of the MIcrosoft deal, but also due to an
improvement in business conditions in Germany. He said that he
expects sales during the current year to top the DM 1,400 million
market -- a 30 percent increase on last year's report turnover of DM
1.070 million.
To cope with the expansion, Schmitt said that Escom is planning to
expand its Dresden-based PC manufacturing facility. The expansion
will also allow the company to make its own PC cases at the
facility. Previously, Newsbytes notes, Escom PC cases were imported
from a variety of Far Eastern supply sources.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930927/Press & Public Contact: Escom - Tel: +49-
6252-7090)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
BUSINESS
DEC Germany Slashes 1,300 From Company Payroll
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00008)
DEC Germany Slashes 1,300 From Company Payroll 09/27/93
MUNICH, GERMANY, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Digital Equipment Corporation
has announced that its two Germany subsidiaries, Digital Equipment
Gmbh and Digital Kienzle Computersysteme, will shave around 1,300
staff from the payroll by the end of next year.
The move means that around 25 percent of Digital's 6,200-strong
workforce will be leaving the company. Newsbytes understands that
the bulk of the leavers will be at Digital Kienzle, which is out
sourcing many of its computer-related services to third-party and
smaller companies.
Digital says that it hopes that a number of the staff who leave the
company's direct employment will take up the option to do contract
work for the company.
The plans to shed a quarter of Digital's remaining workforce is the
second shock for the company's German operation. Earlier this year,
the company announced it was closing its electronic storage media
division in Germany with the loss of around 200 staff.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930927/Press & Public Contact: DEC Gmbh- - Tel:
+49-89-95910; Fax: +49-89-9591-1010)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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6000 09/27/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - Tivoli Intros New Tools, Port To IBM/RS
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00009)
Unix Expo - Tivoli Intros New Tools, Port To IBM/RS/6000 09/27/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- In a news briefing
at Unix Expo, Tivoli introduced new printing and e-mail tools for
the Tivoli Management Environment, plus a port of the Unix-based
graphical systems management software to the IBM RS/6000 platform.
The company has also announced that GTE Telephone Operations and
Motorola's General Systems Sector will each purchase $1 million in
Tivoli software and services over the next two years, and that AT&T
Commvault plans to develop and market data management software for
the Tivoli management platform.
The object-oriented Tivoli environment is aimed at easing the chore
of managing large multi-vendor Unix networks, officials said. The
software currently runs on SunOS and HP-UX, and is expected to ship
for both RS/6000 and Sun Solaris 2.3 in December.
"Tivoli software provides a consistent, high-level approach to
systems management. Systems administrators can handle tasks such
as managing printers or adding users in the same way whether they
are managing under SunOS, HP-UX, Solaris or AIX. This capability
offers quantum improvements in productivity," explained Frank Moss,
the company's president.
The new tools for Tivoli unveiled at Unix Expo include mail alias
management and Tivoli/Print. Mail alias management is a new
feature of Tivoli/Works, Tivoli's core application for managing
users, hosts, user passwords, and other aspects of configuration
management.
The new mail tool automates management of the mail alias database,
which consists of complex translations between the addresses in
electronic mail messages and actual mail-delivery names and
locations.
Without a tool like this, maintaining this database is a time-
consuming task requiring extensive expertise in Unix, officials
said. The database is constantly changing, and updates would
have to be posted consistently to all machines throughout the
network after each change.
The new Tivoli/Print, a separate application, lets administrators
employ a point-and-click interface to remotely remove and
reprioritize print jobs, check job status, move jobs among print
queues, and reset and disable printers. In addition, senior
systems administrators can define commands and functions that can
be performed by junior administrators on individual print queues.
In the new deal with AT&T, AT&T Commvault will use the
Tivoli/Advanced Development (ADE) toolkit to make its A&T Backup
framework and Commvault data management applications compatible
with the Tivoli Management Environment.
AT&T Backup is an optical storage-based subsystem that supports
Ethernet networks using TCP/IP. AT&T Commvault supports Unix and
networked operating systems, including Unix System V Release 4,
Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, Ultrix, and Novell.
Plans call for customers to be able to launch CommVault
applications from the Tivoli system manager's desktop and deploy
them side-by-side with Tivoli and Tivoli-compatible third-party
applications. Users will be able to view feedback about data
storage devices and activities that are posted to a central
bulletin board.
In the new customer relationships, FTE Telephone Operations will
use the Tivoli Management Environment to manage a Unix-based
client/server network at multiple sites throughout the US for
billing, customer service, repair service, and general business
applications.
Motorola's General Systems Sector is standardizing on Tivoli for
managing a 5,000 network made up of Motorola and Sun servers and X
terminals in several US and European locations. Downsizing to this
network from a mainframe environment has saved the General Systems
Sector $100 million in annual computing costs, according to William
D. Connor, corporate vice president and director of information
technology for the division.
The General Systems Sector will be using Tivoli applications for
configuration and change management, software distribution, and
other tasks, he said. "But we will also be able to use
applications from other vendors being developed for the Tivoli
framework," he noted.
Other applications from Tivoli include Tivoli/Sentry for remote
systems monitoring, Tivoli/Courier for automatic distribution of
software on Unix networks, and Tivoli/FSM for file system
management.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930927/Reader contact: Tivoli Systems Inc.,
tel 512-794-9070; Press contact: Janice Brown, Janice Brown and
Associates, tel 617-332-8066)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - RISC-Based X Terminals From Phase X/Samsung
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00010)
Unix Expo - RISC-Based X Terminals From Phase X/Samsung 09/27/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Phase X and Samsung
have rolled out a series of economical RISC-based X terminals for CAD,
document management, imaging, GIS mapping, and other high-speed
graphics applications.
Samsung introduced the industry's first RISC-based X terminal in
1990, and the new CE series represents the vendor's third
generation product launch for this segment, officials said when
making the announcement at Unix Expo.
Phase X, a direct response marketing company formed last year, will
now sell the CE series as well as Samsung's previously released CA
series of low-cost X terminals for applications such as finance,
desktop publishing, office automation and online transaction
processing (OLTP).
Phase X also markets Unix workstations, PC and X station
applications software, and PC, X station, and Macintosh integration
software from a variety of vendors.
"The reliability and performance of the new X terminals will far
exceed industry expectations," said Dr. Chong Lee, president of
Phase X, and also former managing director at Samsung.
Terminals in the CE series perform at up to 120,000 Xstones, but
are priced several hundred dollars below competing products,
according to Phase X/Samsung.
The new CE series uses a MIPS-compatible 33 MHz RISC LR 33020
processor from LSI Logic. Members of the family include the
PX19ME, a 19-inch monochrome model; the 17-inch color model
PX17CE1; the 19-inch grayscale model PX19GE; the 19-inch color
model PX19CE2, and the 20-inch color model PX20CE2.
Resolution is 1024-by-768 for the 17-inch color terminal and 1280-
by-1024 for the 19-inch models. The 20-inch model is available in
a 1280-by-1024 version with Invar Shadow Mask, and in a Trinitron
version. All CE monitors have a 72 MHz refresh rate.
In contrast, the previously released CA series uses a 16 MHz AMD
29000 processor. The CA series includes the 19-inch monochrome
19M, the 19-inch color model CA2, and the CA1, a color model
available with a choice of 14-, 15-, or 17-inch screens.
Resolution is 1024-by-768 for the CA1 and 1280-by-1024 for the 19M
and CA2.
All terminals in the CE and CA series ship with Xcellent, Samsung's
implementation of X11R5 X server software. Xcellent supports Sun
OS, Solaris, VMS, Ultrix, AIX, HP/UX, DG/UX, and other operating
systems such as Sequent. Supported GUI standards include Motif,
OpenLook, SCO Open desktop, and DECWindows.
Xcellent supports Telnet, serial, Cterm, LAT, and VT220 local
clients. The software also supports the TCP/IP, SLIP, CSlip, and
PPP networking protocols. Other capabilities encompass a low
memory warning system, a 3D boot user interface, Domain Name
Service, and a choice of PC/AT, PS/2, DEC, and Sun keyboards.
The new CE terminals come standard with 4 MB of memory, expandable
to 52 MB in 1 MB, 4 MB, or 16 MB SIMM increments. Each X terminal
supports up to 2 MB of PROM, up to 2 KB of NVRAM, and up to 2 MB of
flash memory. The flash memory can be used to update the server,
and also to customize fonts and local client sessions.
The CE terminals are scheduled to start shipping next month. The
terminals can be ordered direct from Phase X by calling 1-800-845-
4064 toll-free in the US.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930927/Reader contact: Phase X, tel 800-845-
4064; Press contact: Peter Ghavami, Phase X, tel 503-531-2400)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
IBM
Davidson Kid's Keys Typing Tutor, Curriculum Agreement
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00011)
Davidson Kid's Keys Typing Tutor, Curriculum Agreement 09/27/93
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Davidson &
Associates, makers of educational software for children, has begun
shipping "Davidson's Kid Keys," a musical, animated typing tutor for
children aged four to eight. The company also announced a deal with
textbook maker McDougal, Littell & Company to combine software with
textbooks.
Davidson says that Kid's Keys uses video graphics array (VGA)
graphics, digitized speech, music, sound effects and animation to
teach children familiarity with a computer keyboard and the
alphabet, and to associate letters with their keyboard positions.
Mary Cron, co-developer of "Kid Keys" and president of the Rymel
Design Group claims sound is what makes the product successful in
teaching young children to type.
"...Research has shown that young children become oriented to the
keyboard most successfully when sound is associated with key
position and letter name. So we developed `Kid Keys' to tie
digitized speech, music and sound effects with letters and keys,"
she said.
Cron described how pressing the letter "V" causes an animated
volcano to appear -- the volcano erupts, the letter "V" comes out of
the top and that letter is spoken aloud. "If "V" is pressed again,
other associated words and animations will be displayed," she
explained to Newsbytes.
"Research has also shown that for children to reach a target typing
rate of 10 words per minute, keyboarding exercises should stress
accuracy over speed. With that in mind most 'Kid Keys' activities
are not timed; instead, they focus on accuracy and smoothness," she
added.
Kid's Keys is the third in a series of educational programs that
include the titles Kid Works 2 and Kid CAD. Kid Works 2 is a word
processing program that offers the ability to illustrate as well and
it can also read the child's work back to them. A companion product,
Kid Rhyme offers additional pictures for Kid Works. Kid CAD is a
computer aided design (CAD) program for children.
Dr. Jan Davidson, president and founder of Davidson said: "These
products are designed to help children gain confidence in their
communication skills and encourage their creativity, regardless of
their grade level, native language, or developmental stage."
"Kid Keys" requires a 12 megahertz (MHz) 286-based or higher IBM
compatible personal computer (PC) with 640 kilobytes (K) of random
access memory (RAM), MS-DOS 3.3, a sound card such as Sound Blaster
or the Disney Sound Source, and a hard disk with 6 megabytes (MB) of
free disk space. MS-DOS 5.0 and a mouse are recommended, Davidson
said. Retail price for Kid's Keys is $49.95, teachers' editions are
$69.95, lab packs go for $169.95, and a site license is $699.95.
Davidson also announced an agreement with publisher McDougal,
Littell in the first of what it calls a growing trend towards the
use of "mixed media" curriculum products. Combine print, software
and other written materials, the attraction is the increased
flexibility mixed media products offer instructors and they are more
motivating for students. This type of product is particularly well-
suited for communicating with an increasingly diverse student
population, Davidson said.
As the first part of the arrangement, the two companies will produce
customized versions of Davidson's "Spell-It Plus" software to
accompany the "McDougal, Littell Spelling" series of textbooks. They
will be sold under site license arrangements beginning in late 1993.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930927/Press Contact: Linda Duttenhaver, Davidson
& Associates, 310-793-0600 ext 230, fax 310-793-0601; Dave Pieklo,
McDougal Littell, 708-869-2300 ext 667)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - HSM Stores Data In Native Format
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00012)
Unix Expo - HSM Stores Data In Native Format 09/27/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- At Unix Expo last
week, Alphatronix introduced a product billed as the first
hierarchical storage management (HSM) system to store data in the
host environment's native format.
According to the company, HSM saves time and money by automating
storage management, migrating infrequently used files from network
hard drives to less expensive storage media such as optical
libraries and tape libraries, officials explained.
Unlike other HSM systems, the Emissary product can be integrated
without changes to the network's existing file system, and can be
used with the network's existing backup system, the company
maintained.
"Emissary/HSM will give companies all the benefits of HSM without
sacrificing any flexibility. Any and all software and hardware
supported by their native system will be supported by Emissary/HSM,
now and in the future," said Brian Ritchie, vice president of
marketing.
Alphatronix expects the Emissary "open systems approach" to hold
special appeal for companies downsizing from mainframes to networks,
added Robert Freese, president and CEO.
"LANs used to be just for e-mail and word processing. That's no
longer true. We're seeing downsizing projects where mission-
critical data is now residing on networks. Nobody wants this data
to be accessible only through sole-source third-party software that
uses proprietary storage formats. The data has to remain available
and safe. Our approach assures just that," he said.
Emissary/HSM uses parameters set by the systems administrator to
migrate the data. Data migration assures that hard disks never fill
up while at the same time freeing the costly hard disk space,
officials said. Files that have been migrated are automatically
restored to the hard disk when needed, meaning that users can
continue to access all their data directly from the hard disk.
Commented industry analyst Mike Peterson of Santa Barbara, CA-based
Peripheral Strategies: "Emissary/HSM's unique open architecture
will allow companies to start using hierarchical storage without
redesigning their whole backup process and strategy. The cost
savings are clear in automating storage management, and products
like Emissary/HSM will help move the industry in that direction."
Emissary/HSM is shipping now for Sun/NFS networks. Alphatronix
expects to deliver RS/6000 and HP/UX versions later this year.
The product initially supports file migration from client and
server hard disks to optical libraries. Support for tape libraries
is scheduled to be added in the fourth quarter.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930927/Reader contact: Alphatronix, tel 919-
544-0001; Julie Stewart, Alphatronix, tel 919-544-0001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
IBM
IBM Switzerland In 18,000 OEM PC Deal
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00013)
IBM Switzerland In 18,000 OEM PC Deal 09/27/93
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- IBM's Swiss subsidiary
company has signed a manufacturing agreement with MDS Systems, a
Swiss company. Terms of the deal call for IBM to manufacture and
supply as many as 18,000 PCs from its Greenock, Scotland, facility
over the next 30 months.
According to IBM, its Greenock plant will manufacture a specific
machine for MDS, the System Workstation 5000 series, a unit that
Newsbytes understands is already in limited production in
Switzerland.
The IBM deal, which is effectively Big Blue operating under an
original equipment manufacturing deal for the Swiss company, will
give the company access to MDS' corporate market in Switzerland, an
area that IBM has been wanting to get into for some time, Newsbytes
notes.
MDS is a "one stop" computer system supplier in Switzerland. The
company has carved out a successful niche for itself in the
planning, installation and ongoing maintenance of PC-based business
solutions for major Swiss companies.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930927/Press & Public Contact: MDS Systems - Tel:
+411-815-3111)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
TELECOM
International Telecomm Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
International Telecomm Update 09/27/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- The easy markets
are taken, and international telecommunications equipment firms
are now looking for growth to places where politics rules
business and every move is watched closely.
Take South Africa. African National Congress head Nelson Mandela
was in New York last week, urging that ANC-inspired boycotts
against his nation be lifted. The US Congress complied, and Sweden
actually jumped the gun a bit, hoping to win business for Ericsson.
Meanwhile, back in Johannesburg, the government awarded a pair of
cellular phone concessions and ran into heavy flak from the ANC,
which promised to revoke the licenses when it comes to power next
year.
The winners were Vodacom, 50 percent owned by the state-run Telkom
telephone group, along with Vodafone and Rembrandt of the UK, and
Mobile Telephone Networks, headed by the M-Net TV channel, the
Transnet transport network and Cable and Wireless of the UK, along
with the African-owned Fabcos group. The problem is that Thebe
Investment Corporation, an investment firm with ANC backing, was
among the losers.
Thus the rhetoric -- cellular phones are too expensive for most
people, more public phones are needed first, those negotiating the
political future should have a say in the decisions, and the private
cellular nets are "sabotage" against state-run industry. The
government's reply -- the complaints show a "socialist perspective"
that will frighten away potential investors. On his return, Mandela
will get a call, and have to make the call.
In the Philippines, meanwhile, both the Philippine Long Distance
Telephone Co., a near-monopoly with 94 percent of the local
phone market, and the competing Digitel group looked to shore up
their capital. PLDT announced plans to float preferred
convertible shares a in the next few years aimed at more than
doubling the size of its network, and said it's talking to a
number of foreign firms about investments, including AT&T and
Bellsouth of the US, Singapore Telecom and Cable and Wireless
of the UK.
The last is significant, because C&W already owns 27 percent of
Digitel, a competing company which is also trying to raise capital.
But C&W and Digitel head John Gokongwei are still arguing over the
British company's decision not to go invest in a Luzon project, and
it may now be seen to be hedging its bets.
In Latin America, Argentina moved to protect its two monopolies,
Telecom and Telefonica, with a warning against using foreign
"call back" services. In many countries, consumers can call a
foreign toll-free number and have that number call then, after
which they can make long-distance calls to third countries at
lower rates.
The government threatened to cut-off all local phone service to
businesses which try that, and claimed it has equipment to detect
when people are doing it. The government added that it is trying to
cut rates, but that will be small consolation. Also, progress
continued in Mexico as AT&T bought its distributor for northern
Mexico, and Northern Telecom agreed to double the size of its plant
in Monterrey.
In Eastern Europe, Bulgaria announced both a private TV station,
Rodopi Television on the Turkish border, and a private long
distance telephone network, Business Star, operating 480 lines in
conjunction with PTT Netherlands. The Dutch group also signed for
direct services with IDB Worldcom of the US, further opening its own
market. Also, Siemens and DBT of Germany announced an investment of
$85 million in Moscow's GSM cellular phone network, and Siemens
alone bought two former state-owned companies in Poland, Zwut and
Elwro, which will help sales of its EWSD switches.
In Italy, shares of STET, the telecommunications holding company,
and its SIP operating unit both rallied, with hopes high that
they'll be more fully privatized next year and that current results
will look good when they're reported this week. But the hopes for
real change may have been dashed by a government decision to retain
veto power over the companies' moves for at least five years after
privatization.
Finally, in China, where Marconi of Portugal set-up a satellite
communications company in Macau, more and more Chinese are using
credit cards. Mastercard confirmed that 3 million Chinese will
carry its plastic by the end of the year. Although the cards,
issued by Chinese banks, act more like US debit cards,
deducting purchases directly from checking accounts, Mastercard
said China is now its second highest-volume market, after the
US, with many major business purchases carried on them.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930927/Press Contact: MasterCard
International, Steve Apesos, 212/649-5476; Kim Dewling, IDB, 212-
478-6185)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
TELECOM
Cable Law Blame Game
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
Cable Law Blame Game 09/27/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- As cable companies had
predicted, rates for service in the US mainly went up, not down, on
September 1 with the beginning of rate regulation. And now Congress
and the Federal Communications Commission are locked in a blame
game.
Some 130 US House members sent an angry letter to interim FCC
chairman James Quello, questioning rate hikes. When they passed the
reregulation act last year, Congress had promised constituents rates
would fall about 10 percent.
But by adding new "tiers" of basic service, piling on itemized
costs, and dramatically increasing the price to get local broadcast
channels, most companies managed a small increase in rates on their
September bills. The cable companies also re-configured their
channels, sometimes dropping popular services like Lifetime, and ran
ads blaming the 1992 Act for all the trouble.
All this was intended to make Congress and the regulators look
foolish, and it did its job well. A recent investigation by the
General Accounting Office, an arm of Congress, found those regulated
rate hikes to be three times the rate of inflation and Democrat
Edward Markey, chairman of the House telecommunications and finance
subcommittee, which helped write the law, wants answers. In the
letter, he blamed a "flaw or loophole in the commission's
regulations" for the rate hikes.
For now, the FCC is surveying the 25 largest cable operators,
trying to see what happened, and whether rates indeed went up.
And while the Congress is blaming the FCC for shoddy implementation
of its law, the FCC is charging that Congress simply wrote a complex
law that doesn't guarantee rate reductions.
All this increases the chances that Congress may have to re-visit
cable regulation. That would give Republicans a chance to roll it
back, something the cable industry would dearly love. The next move
will be a hearing before Markey's subcommittee on September 28.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930927/Press Contact: FCC Press, 202-632-
5050; U.S. Rep. Markey, 202-224-3121)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
GENERAL
Computers Spread Gang Violence Hoax
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00016)
Computers Spread Gang Violence Hoax 09/27/93
DENVER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- A rumor that would-be
gang members would drive with their car lights off and shoot at
anyone who flashed their own headlights as part of their gang
initiation, may have been started by a computer enthusiast.
The rumor, which was branded a hoax by several police departments,
swept through a number of large and small cities across the nation.
Once the rumor started, it quickly spread via fax machines,
telephone calls and electronic mail by people with good intentions
but bad information.
The story was that this past weekend was going to be a nationwide
"gang blood initiation weekend" in which potential youth gang
members would drive at night with their headlights turned off. If a
motorist flashed their own headlights as a courtesy to tell the
driver he had forgotten to turn on his headlights, all passengers in
the "polite" motorist's vehicle would be shot and killed.
Although they can't be sure, authorities think the latest round of
gang initiation rumors started in Sacramento, California, when a
well-intentioned citizen posted the information on a computer
bulletin board. By the close of business Friday companies across
the country had reportedly passed the word to their employees.
A copy of a fax containing the warning obtained by Newsbytes quoted
a source at the Sacramento Police Department as having seen a
"national alert". The fax said that while the author didn't know if
the warning was valid, the medical clinic he had received the
information from was taking it "very seriously," and asked
recipients to spread the word and "be careful."
According to The Denver Post newspaper, a bank in nearby Boulder
distributed flyers to its employees, while an insurance company at
the Denver Tech Center at the south end of the city gathered
employees for an announcement to warm them about the alleged
initiation.
The Post also reported that students at at least one Denver middle
school were warned about the claims over the school's intercom.
Police in Denver warned motorists it would be best to ignore cars
driving without lights after dark, "just to be safe."
The Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph newspaper reported that
several major employers in the city, including US West, Federal
Express, and Digital Equipment Corporation were passing the word to
their employees. A Colorado Springs law firm told the Gazette
Telegraph it received the information by fax from a medical firm in
Austin, Texas.
Colorado Springs, Colorado Public Information Officer Lieutenant
Rich Resling told Newsbytes that the fax was obviously bogus. "If
this had come from a legitimate police agency it would have gone out
on the teletype and would have had a letterhead. The thing has no
inkling of legitimacy. What killed us was corporations sending it
out to thousands of employees as an alert. It just proves how fast a
thing like this can go in the modern age."
(Jim Mallory/19930927)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
IBM
****Dell Intros Pentium-based Desktop Prototype
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00017)
****Dell Intros Pentium-based Desktop Prototype 09/27/93
AUSTIN, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Dell Computer Corporation
has rolled out a Pentium-based desktop prototype PC that
incorporates Intel's Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) local-
bus.
The system was demonstrated at the annual management conference of
the Microcomputer Managers Association being held in New York.
Dell's chief Technology Officer Glenn Henry says that while Dell
currently offers other industry-standard local-bus technologies, the
company thinks PCI is the most attractive long-term solution.
Both companies say PCI offers advantages over other local-bus
implementations or proprietary architecture's, including its ability
to work with processors such as 486 and Pentium chips, an open
standard that includes over 120 system manufacturers and I/O card
suppliers. They also point out that because PCI bus devices are not
directly attached to the processor bus, the processor can continue
to operate while the PCI peripheral is accessing information from
the system's main memory.
"While many other local bus technologies only allow one peripheral
to operate at a time, PCI has the advantage of allowing multiple
peripherals to operate independently," Henry said.
Intel says that PCI technology will enable vendors such as Dell to
offer what they call "auto-configuration." That's the system's
ability to automatically recognize when a PCI-compatible add-in
board has been installed and will reconfigure itself to accommodate
the card. Intel says that PCI is also designed to handle future
design advances in the Pentium architecture.
In outlining its strategy for Pentium-based systems and PCI
technology, Dell said that user benefits for such systems include
high performance data storage and retrieval through a PCI SCSI disk
subsystem, high performance video and graphics capability through a
PCI video subsystem, and easy of upgrading to future PCI expansion
through flexible system designs.
Dell also predicts high performance PCI local area network adapters
and other communications peripherals, full motion video adapters
compatible with PCI, and technology that integrates telephone
technology with computers for business communications applications
such as video conferencing on the desktop computer.
(Jim Mallory/19930927/Press contact: Lisa Rohlf, Dell Computer,
512-728- 4100; Reader contact: Dell Computer, 800-289-3355)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
BUSINESS
AST Sells Terminal Emulation Board Business
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00018)
AST Sells Terminal Emulation Board Business 09/27/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- AST has sold its
5250 terminal emulation board business for IBM compatible personal
computers (PCs) to Cumberland, Maryland-based Micro Integration. The
5250 boards are used primarily for connecting PCs to IBM mid-range
computers, and Micro-Integration specializes in those types of
connectivity products.
The sale, valued at $525,000, includes all AST's 5250 products
and customer lists. Micro-Integration is also assuming all
world-wide service and warranty obligations for AST's current
5250 end users.
AST describes the 5250 product family as products offering
options and emulations for connecting PCs to IBM S/3X and
AS/400 minicomputers so the user gets the benefit of the
functionality and intelligent processing capability of the PC
and the communications capability of the 5250 terminal.
Micro-Integration plans to build on what AST has already done
by offering a software upgrade path to the Microsoft Windows
platform as well as other environments for the 5250 and
Enhanced 5251/11 hardware platforms. The company is also
planning mid-range connectivity products including local and
remote connections, notebook products, and advanced gateways
for local-area-network (LAN)-to-mid-range connections.
AST is calling the sale a win for both companies and says it plans
to concentrate on its PC and newly-acquired handheld computer
business. In July, AST acquired Tandy's PC manufacturing business,
which included Grid, Tandy's pen-based computer line. The
acquisition makes AST the one of the world's largest PC companies,
with a number 4 ranking in the US and number 6 world-wide, according
to figures released by analysts at International Data Corporation.
AST ranked 367 on the 1992 Fortune 500 list of America's largest
industrial companies, with 1992 record sales of $1.412 billion and
record volume shipment increases of 69 percent for fiscal year
ending July 3, 1993. The company has offices world-wide, but is
headquartered in Irvine, California.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930927/Press Contact: Mary Reagan, AST
Research, tel 714-727-7962, fax 714-727-9355; Mark Proudfoot,
Micro-Integration, tel 301-777-3313)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00019)
Canadian Product Launch Update 09/27/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: IBM's first PowerPC
systems and other new RS/6000 products, Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.01,
Harvard Graphics 2.0 for Windows, Sun's SPARCcluster 1, and The
Message Integrator for Tandem systems.
IBM Canada Ltd. joined its US parent in announcing the first IBM
systems based on the PowerPC chip, as well as other RISC System/6000
and related software announcements (Newsbytes, Sept. 21 & 22).
In Canada, the POWERstation 25T will cost C$13,380, the POWERstation
25W C$10,770, the POWERstation 25S C$12,790, and the
POWERstation/POWERserver 250 C$7,720. All are due to be available
October 15.
The POWERstation/POWERserver 58H will be priced at C$87,040 and
will be available October 22; the POWERstation/POWERserver 590
will be priced at C$100,600 and also be available October 22. The
POWERserver 990 will cost C$176,770 and will be available
October 29, IBM Canada said.
The POWERdisplay 17 will cost C$2,440 and is to ship October 15.
The Xstation 140 will cost C$3,110 and will also be available
October 15. The price for the Xstation includes the base unit,
keyboard, mouse, and Xserver software.
AIX/6000 3.2.5 is set for availability October 22 in Canada -- a
week later than in the US -- with prices based on processor family
and number of users and ranging from C$780 to C$49,080. The Visual
Systems Manager is expected to be available February 25, 1994, at no
extra charge.
Version 2.1 of IBM's AIX High Availability Cluster Multi-
Processing/6000 (HACMP/6000) software is set for availability
December 17, with prices varying depending on configuration.
C++ POWERbench Version 2 is priced from C$4,530 for one user to
C$135,850 for 50. The IBM C Set ++ for AIX/6000 version 2 is
available separately, at C$2,515 for a single user and a 50-user
package priced at C$75,490. Upgrades from AIX XL C++ version 1 start
at C$1,065. Fortran POWERbench version 1 will cost from C$4,170 for
a single user to C$125,200 for 50.
The AIX XL Fortran Compiler/6000 Version 3 alone is C$2,140 for one
user or C$64,220 for 50. Compiler upgrades from XL Fortran Version 2
start at C$1,065. COBOL POWERbench Version 1 will cost from C$4,650
to C$139,500. AIX XL Pascal Compiler/6000 Version 2 for AIX/6000
will list from C$1,845 for one user to C$55,360 for 50. Upgrades
from the existing Pascal compiler will start at C$1,065. All these
products are due to ship December 31.
Planned availability for AIXwindows Environment/6000 1.2.5 is
October 22, priced at C$300 to C$1,200. The new release of
AIXwindows Environment/6000 3D Feature, which includes
Softgraphics, is priced from C$510 to C$2,040. IBM's new AIX File
Storage Facility/6000 (AIX FSF/6000) AIX FSF/6000 has a planned
availability of December 17, at C$267 to C$2,010 depending on the
system used.
The POWER GXT100 graphics accelerator will be priced at C$1,160,
while the POWER GXT150 will be priced at C$2,300. Both are to be
available October 15.
Release 4.01 of the 1-2-3 spreadsheet program (Newsbytes, Sept.
23), now shipping from Lotus Development Canada Ltd., fixes some
bugs in the much-ballyhooed Release 4 and "incorporates
suggestions from users," the company said. The Canadian list
price is C$595, with upgrades listed at C$159.
Lotus Canada also announced SmartSuite 2.1 for Windows. The suite
of desktop applications is now shipping in volume in English,
Lotus said, with a French-Canadian version due soon. The Canadian
list price is C$959, and the upgrade price is C$719.
Software Publishing Corp. Canada has announced Harvard Graphics
2.0 for Windows, a major upgrade of its graphics program
(Newsbytes, Aug. 19). The English version began shipping in
Canada at the end of August, and the French-language version is
due by the end of September. The Canadian list price is C$475,
and users of previous versions or competing packages can upgrade
for C$115 until year-end, C$159 afterward.
Sun Microsystems of Canada Inc. unveiled the SPARCcluster 1
network file server (Newsbytes, Sept. 21 & 22). Canadians will be
able to buy the SPARCcluster 1 in October at prices starting from
C$123.250, the company said.
Following a deal between its parent company and Boston Software
Works (Newsbytes, Sept. 13), Tandem Computers Canada Ltd. is now
offering BSW's message integration products on its NonStop
Himalaya range of servers as The Message Integrator.
(Grant Buckler/19930925/Press Contact: Anne Hay, IBM Canada,
416-474-3900 or 800-563-2139; Marsha Connor, Lotus Canada,
416-364-8000; Michelle MacIsaac, Software Publishing Canada,
416-771-8330; Michael Douglas, Sun Canada, 416-477-6745; Jan
Gillespie, Tandem Canada, 416-513-2957)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
GENERAL
SoftQuad ApplicationBuilder Builds On SGML
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00020)
SoftQuad ApplicationBuilder Builds On SGML 09/27/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- SoftQuad was among the
first software vendors on the bandwagon for Standard Generalized
Markup Language (SGML), a standard for marking up electronic
documents so they can be stored, exchanged, and printed in various
formats. Today a number of other companies, including some of the
software industry's bigger names, are also aboard. Building on the
growing amount of attention being paid to SGML, SoftQuad has
announced a new application development package built around the
standard.
The company said that ApplicationBuilder, which includes its
existing Author/Editor software, will let developers create
applications that take advantage of SGML for delivering and re-using
information.
The package includes Author/Editor, development tools for
customizing Author/Editor, and a programming language that works
with SGML.
It is now in beta testing with systems integrators, a spokeswoman
for the company said.
Scripts written with ApplicationBuilder will let integrators,
resellers, and SoftQuad's own developers integrate Author/Editor
with database, publishing, document management, and electronic
delivery systems, according to company officials.
SGML is a standard set of codes that lets writers insert format
data in their documents without worrying about design details.
For instance, the writer might mark a block of text as a title.
Later a designer would specify that all text marked as titles
should be set in 30-point Baskerville Italic type.
Launched as an offshoot of a small Toronto-based book publisher
in 1984, SoftQuad went public on the Vancouver Stock Exchange
last December. Some 90 percent of its sales are outside Canada,
the spokeswoman said.
(Grant Buckler/19930927/Press Contact: Grace Lake or Linda
Berman, SoftQuad, 416-239-4801, fax 416-239-7105)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/27/93
GENERAL
Cray Intros Massively Parallel Supercomputer
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00021)
Cray Intros Massively Parallel Supercomputer 09/27/93
EAGAN, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Calling it "the next
generation MPP system," Cray Research today introduced its first
massively parallel processing system.
The supercomputer company told members of Congress, federal
officials, customers and reporters the Cray T3D is a quantum advance
over current MPP products. The T3D combines Cray Research
supercomputer hardware and software, the Alpha RISC (reduced
instruction set computing) chip from Digital Equipment Corporation,
and logic chips from Motorola.
Cray Research says it already have orders for nine T3D's and expects
to see revenue from the system in the first quarter of 1994.
However, the company said no specific financial data would be
available for about a month.
Steve Nelson, Cray Research technology VP and head of the T3D
development program, says that the T3D is the world's first scalable
heterogeneous supercomputing system, combining the company's
parallel vector capabilities with MPP capabilities. Nelson says that
gives the T3D the capability to tackle a wider range of computing
problems than currently available MPP systems.
The T3D will be available in a wide variety of sizes, from a 32-
processor version that can handle 4.8 billion floating point
operations per second (gigaflops) to a 2,048-processor version
capable of 307.2 gigaflops. Pricing starts at $2.2 million. Users of
Cray Y-MP Model E series, C90 series or M90 series parallel vector
systems can add MPP capabilities.
Systems of up to 128 processors are available in air or liquid-
cooled versions. Larger sizes are liquid cooled. Memory options
range from .5 gigabytes to 128 gigabytes. Customers will be able to
order parallel vector and MPP capabilities in one cabinet with up to
256 MPP processor, up to 16 gigabytes of memory, and up to four
parallel vector CPUs.
A 32-processor T3D is already running at the Pittsburgh
Supercomputing Center. That system is scheduled to be upgraded to a
512-processor system in early 1994. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory
in Pasadena, California is scheduled to receive a 256-processor
system in the fourth quarter of 1993, and The Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology has signed a letter of intent for a 256-
processor system to be delivered in early 1994.
A 128-processor system is scheduled for installation at the Arctic
Region supercomputing Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks
in early 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19930927/Press contact: Steve Conway, Cray Research,
612- 683-7133)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/27/93
IBM
****Inmac To Sell IBM-Made PCs Under Own Name
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00022)
****Inmac To Sell IBM-Made PCs Under Own Name 09/27/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Mail-order
vendor Inmac has said it will sell complete personal computers,
built for it by IBM. It is the first time Inmac, which publishes
catalogs of computer and network supplies and accessories, has sold
personal computers in North America, although Newsbytes notes that
Inmac already sells PCs under its own brand in Europe.
IBM plans to build the Inmac Insignia PCs at a plant in Austin,
Texas. The deal joins similar IBM manufacturing agreements with
three other PC vendors -- Dauphin, OCA, and GTSI -- said company
spokeswoman Serafina Espie. It is IBM's first such deal with a
company that sells PCs directly through phone orders.
The companies said they have created a sophisticated electronic
data interchange (EDI) system that will allow IBM to build
individually customized machines to match orders taken by Inmac.
Orders for standard models will be shipped the day after the
order is taken, Inmac said, and custom models will be shipped in
five days.
The Inmac Insignia line includes four standard models. The 433P
uses the Intel Corp. 486DX processor running at 33 megahertz
(MHz). The 450P and 466P use the 50-MHz and 66-MHz versions of
the Intel 486DX2 chip.
The 450SL, priced at $1,299, is built on IBM's 486SLC2/50 chip,
which uses IBM's own clock-doubling technology. All the models have
five expansion slots (all available) and four drive bays. MS-DOS
6.0, Windows 3.1, QA Plus, and Lotus Organizer come standard with
every system.
(Grant Buckler/19930927/Press Contact: Bobby Lent, Inmac,
408-727-1970 ext. 5185; Serafina Espie, IBM, 914-766-1563; Public
Contact: Inmac, 800-547-5444)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
IBM
****NEC Recalls Notebook Batteries
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00023)
****NEC Recalls Notebook Batteries 09/27/93
BOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- NEC
Technologies has recalled batteries used in two models of notebook
computers that were sold in the United States and Canada from
December 1988 to April 1990. In seven reported cases, the batteries
short-circuited while being charged, destroying the computers and
sometimes causing fires.
There were no injuries as a result of the incidents, a spokeswoman
for the company said.
The lithium metal batteries were used in NEC's PC-17-01 and
PC-17-02 notebooks, which were sold only in the US. and Canada,
the company said. According to the spokeswoman, they were not
used in any other NEC products, and have not been used since the
company stopped selling these two models. The company said it
made about 13,000 of the batteries.
NEC is telling customers to contact the company at 800-237-2913
to have the lithium batteries replaced with nickel-metal-hydride
ones. The company also said owners of the notebooks can remove
the lithium batteries from their notebooks and run them safely on
AC power until they receive their replacement batteries. No
special precautions are needed in handling the removed batteries,
the spokeswoman said.
NEC claimed it has "undertaken extensive efforts" to contact
owners of the defective notebooks.
(Grant Buckler/19930927/Press Contact: Geoff Spillane,
Golin/Harris Communications for NEC, 508-264-8759; Beth Anderson,
Golin/Harris for NEC, 312-836-7358; Public Contact: NEC,
800-237-2913)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/27/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - Windows Client Support For Replix Fax Software
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00024)
Unix Expo - Windows Client Support For Replix Fax Software 09/27/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- At Unix Expo,
SoftLinx unveiled a major upgrade of Replix, its Unix server-based
fax software.
Replix 2.0 adds support for Microsoft Windows clients, as well as
direct inward dialing (DID), automatic notification and printout
of new incoming faxes, the ability to fax multiple files
simultaneously, according to John C. Doyle, vice president of sales
and marketing.
"Many users within large organizations are not ready to give up
their PCs in favor of Unix-based systems. However, they still want
to access the power and efficiency of Unix solutions running on the
network," he said.
Doyle informed Newsbytes of the company's plans to add Windows
client support in an interview last May, shortly after SoftLinx was
spun off from Samsung Software America (SSA) as a separate company
dedicated to producing and marketing Replix.
The support for Windows allows fax exchange between users of
Windows-based PCs and Unix-based clients on networks utilizing Unix
servers, Doyle said when announcing Replix 2.0.
"For instance, if a PC user wants to fax a Microsoft Word document
using Replix on the network server, he or she opens the MS Word
File Menu (and) selects Print and then `Replix' from the Options
screen. The Replix window then appears, asking for the fax number,
etc. It's that easy," he noted.
The DID feature is designed to let users receive faxes on their
computers in real time, instead of waiting for the documents to be
manually routed to the appropriate fax mailboxes by a human
attendant. Also in May, Doyle told Newsbytes that SoftLink was
working with outside hardware vendors to develop a capability that
would avert the need for manual routing.
DID technology is often used with PBX systems to let callers make
voice calls directly to an extension without going through the
switchboard. In DID fax technology, each user is given a unique
DID number for fax. Fax "calls" are sent down a shared trunk line
between the phone company's central office and the fax server.
Use of the DID capability in Replix 2.0 requires the use of
Nicollet Technologies' Digitrap Systems and a Model U-1496E Zyxel
external modem on the fax server. Digitrap Systems is an external
digitizing box.
After a Replix fax is received on the PC or workstation, the user
can save, print, or forward the document if it is important, or
delete the document if it is not of interest. According to Doyle,
these options help to curb the paper clutter of accumulated faxes.
Replix 2.0 also supports Sun Sparcstations, HP 9000/700, IBM
RS/6000, ASCII terminal clients, and X-terminal clients. The
software can be used with Class 2 fax modems from Zyxel, MultiTech,
Everex, Suprafax, and Telebit.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930927/Reader contact: Dan Daley, SoftLinx,
tel 508-392-9009; Press contact: Helen Kim, SoftLinx, tel 508-392-
0001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
APPLE
Radius Energy Star Grayscale Monitors For The Mac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00025)
Radius Energy Star Grayscale Monitors For The Mac 09/27/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Radius has
announced its new Two Page Display/20-inch grayscale (TPD/20gs) and
Two Page Display/21-inch grayscale (TPD/21gs) monitors for Apple
Computer's Macintosh that meet the new government standards for
energy efficiency set forth in the Energy Star program.
Radius says that, by using the Powersaver software included with the
displays, the TPD/20gs and TPD/21gs can power-down 87 percent to
usage of only 12 watts at user-specified time periods. Besides
energy savings, the company says the monitors have the added benefit
of a longer lifespan. In addition, the TPD/20gs and TPD/21gs are
compatible with the built-in video offered with Centris, Quadra, and
Audio Visual (AV) Macintosh computers.
Radius is working for paper-like images on its monitors and says
these are the closest yet with 1152 by 870 picture element (pixel)
resolution and flicker free 75 megahertz (MHz) vertical refresh
rates. The monitors are also capable of displaying 256 shades of
gray through the built-in video on all Macintosh Quadra and Centris
models, and in conjunction with the Precisioncolor 8XJ for systems
requiring an interface card.
Both the TPD/20gs and the The TPD/21gs come with a one year
warranty. The TPD/20gs is retail priced at $999 and is
scheduled for September shipment while the TPD/21gs is $1,199
and is scheduled to ship in October.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930927/Press Contact: Stacy Williams,
Radius, tel 408-954-6454, fax 408-434-6437; Public Contact 800-
227-2795)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
BUSINESS
****Merisel To Buy ComputerLand Franchise Div
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00026)
****Merisel To Buy ComputerLand Franchise Div 09/27/93
EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Just four months
after announcing the lay off of 6.5 percent of its workforce,
ComputerLand has signed a letter of intent to sell its Franchise and
Distribution Division to Merisel. The two companies have also
announced the formation of a "strategic relationship."
However, the companies say that terms and conditions have not been
finalized. Once completed, the new Merisel ComputerLand subsidiary
will be managed by the current president of ComputerLand's Franchise
and Distribution Division, Martin Wolf.
Merisel will also become the preferred supplier of software
and hardware products under a volume purchase agreement to
ComputerLand Corp. According to the companies, ComputerLand
will then continue, under a long-term deal, to provide the new
company with "purchasing, distribution, systems and other
services currently supplied to ComputerLand franchisees and
Datago affiliates."
Definitive agreements have yet to be signed. The deal is also
awaiting receipt of regulatory approvals, although it is expected
to be completed before the end of 1993.
Under terms of the deal, Merisel will pay up to $110 million for
the US ComputerLand Franchise and Distribution division, with an
initial cash payment at closing of $60 million. The purchase price
gives Merisel the rights to the ComputerLand name in the US.
ComputerLand says it will "temporarily retain the rights to use
the name for a limited period and will eventually change its name,
although it will continue to own the rights to the ComputerLand
name internationally."
Announcing the deal, Merisel Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Michael D. Pickett, said: "The proposed purchase of the ComputerLand
Franchise and Distribution Division is intended to enhance Merisel's
customer intimacy strategy, and provide the benefits that come from
doing business with a full-line distributor focused exclusively on
selling to resellers."
William Y. Tauscher, Computerland's CEO and chairman, said: "This
agreement will help us focus on our core business, providing
products and services to corporate end-users. It also improves our
cash position substantially."
According to a statement issued by ComputerLand, the transaction
"will greatly strengthen the balance sheet of ComputerLand, which
has been thinly capitalized since the July 1992 acquisition of TRW's
Customer Service Division and the acquisition of ComputerLand
franchises or establishment of company-owned operations in most US
major markets during the past two years."
In May, Newsbytes reported that, while ComputerLand was expanding in
Russia and the Baltic, it also announced plans to lay off of 6.5
percent of its work force, or about 170 workers.
(Ian Stokell/19930927/Press Contact: Cathy Quattrocchi, 310-615-
1230, Merisel; Alan Bernheimer, 510-734-4005, ComputerLand)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
GENERAL
Sanctuary Woods Ships New CD-ROMs For Kids
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00027)
Sanctuary Woods Ships New CD-ROMs For Kids 09/27/93
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Sanctuary Woods
is set to begin shipping the Oscar Wilde "The Selfish Giant" and The
Last Dinosaur Egg interactive CD-ROMs for children.
According to the company, The Selfish Giant is created for children
aged three and up. It combines the fairy tale, artwork by children's
book illustrator P. Craig Russell, as well as facts, songs and
games.
The company says that The Selfish Giant allows children to read the
tale aloud, choose to have a "giant's" voice narrate, play one of the
hidden games, sing along to songs or learn more about the story's
characters and setting. The product also includes definitions of
many nouns and adjectives in the story.
The CD-ROM comes with over 100 pictures and animations, professional
voice-overs, "digital video" movies, sound effects and original
music. The Selfish Giant is available for both the Apple Mac and PC
platforms at the suggested retail price of $39.95.
The Last Dinosaur Egg will also be available for either the Mac
or PC systems. In the CD-ROM, the player guides his or her field
agents into the past to recover an egg from one of the last
surviving dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus Rex.
The Last Dinosaur Egg presents more than 100 color backgrounds.
Characters were created by Spiderman comic book illustrator Ken
Steacy. The company says that many of them are animated. The
product includes digital video clips, sound effects, original music,
voice-overs, games, and educational facts on dinosaurs. The Last
Dinosaur Egg is priced at $39.95.
In July, Newsbytes reported that Sanctuary Woods Multimedia
had purchased Mind F/X Inc., the Toronto-based developer of such
CD-ROM titles as Sitting on the Farm and The Cat Came Back.
Mind F/X is known for its early learning CD-ROMs, especially in
the area of language arts.
(Ian Stokell/19930927/Press Contact: Kristy Sager, 415-578-6349,
Sanctuary Woods)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/27/93
TELECOM
Alex Randall On A Radio Near You
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00028)
Alex Randall On A Radio Near You 09/27/93
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Alex Randall, the
founder of the Boston Computer Exchange, which operates a national
network of traders in used computers, and the East-West Foundation,
which sends used computers to struggling democrats overseas, now has
a new role, this time as a radio talk-show host on a program called
The Computer Exchange.
The Computer Exchange, co-hosted by Bill Claff of the Boston
Computer Society, is a two-hour forum on technology with guests like
Gordon Eubanks of Symantec and Fred Langa of Windows Magazine.
There are also news stories, product reviews, commentaries, and
giveaways, along with a contest called "Stump the Geek."
The show is broadcast from noon until 2 PM Sundays in Boston, but
is also available nationwide through a network called Talk America.
Talk America has 114 affiliates and its Boston affiliate is WSSH.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930927/Press Contact: Louise Vogel, The
Computer Exchange, 617-232-6276)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
GENERAL
Colorado Firm Provides Memory Chips For German Firm
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00029)
Colorado Firm Provides Memory Chips For German Firm 09/27/93
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- When
Europeans get their national health care cards, the memory chip
embedded in the card will likely have been provided by a Colorado-
based company.
One of the smart cards produced by German company ZeitControl
Systems is the identity card used by the various national health
care systems operating in European companies, and ZeitControl says
it is integrating a 4K ferroelectric random access memory (RAM) chip
from Colorado Springs-based Ramtron International Corporation.
FRAM chips are becoming widely used in devices which need to retain
information without an outside source of power of when power is
removed. ZeitControl says the European market for smart cards is
worth $250 million, with 80 million potential users in Germany
alone.
Ramtron spokesperson Jill Goebel told Newsbytes that Zeitcontrol has
made an initial purchase of 10,000 FRAM chips and expects to ramp up
to full production of ferroelectric-based smart cards in 1994.
Ramtron VP of Sales Don Carrigan said the FRAM chips don't have a
clear advantage over E2PROM (erasable programmable read only memory)
in the contacted card market such as telephone cards and other small
capacity debit cards, but provide a faster write time and higher
data reliability in applications requiring significant amounts of
data to be written on each use, such as health care and insurance
applications.
(Jim Mallory/19930927/Press and reader contact: Ramtron,
719-481-7000 or 800-545-3726)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/27/93
IBM
SnapGrafx Windows Business Graphics Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00030)
SnapGrafx Windows Business Graphics Software 09/27/93
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 27 (NB) -- Hoping to appeal to
new or busy computer users that don't have time to learn an
extensive new graphics program, Micrografx has introduced the
SnapGrafx automated business graphics software. According to the
company, it allows business people to "quickly create a wide variety
of charts and graphs in a fraction of the time of conventional
graphics programs."
According to the company, the software was designed to provide an
easy way to create and use business graphics. Special features
include SnapPage, SnapShapes and SnapLines.
The company says that users never have to start with a blank page,
because a template gallery offers 20 business graphics types
including timeline, organizational, comparison, Venn and pyramid.
Choosing a chart type from the template gallery allows users to
select from more than 300 additional shapes which can be customized
for three-dimensional and shadow effects.
Gordon Sellers, product manager for SnapGrafx, claims that the
program eliminates the frustration associated with freehand
graphics programs and greatly reduces the time to create visual
communications.
"Everyone wants to communicate visually because it's faster and
clearer than oral or written communications, but they don't have the
time or skills to create traditional graphics. We created SnapGrafx
to fill the void and help business people create fast, professional
graphics," he said.
SnapGrafx is now available and carries a suggested retail price
of $295. A special introductory price of $99 is offered through
December 31, 1993.
The minimum system requirements for SnapGrafx are an 386-based
IBM-PC; 2 megabytes (MB) of RAM (although 4MB is recommended);
Windows 3.1; DOS 3.1; a mouse; and a VGA or other video card
supported by Windows 3.1.
(Ian Stokell/19930927/Press Contact: Peter McLaughlin,
214-994-6192, Micrografx)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
APPLE
Microsoft To Deliver National Gallery To The Desktop
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LON)(00001)
Microsoft To Deliver National Gallery To The Desktop 09/24/93
WOKINGHAM, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Microsoft has
unveiled Microsoft Art Gallery, a CD-ROM (compact disc - read only
memory)-based package for Mac and PC that contains an interactive
guide to London's National Art Gallery. The disc should be
commercially available later this year.
The disc is based on the National Gallery's own in-house computer
information system, which is known as Micro Gallery. According to
Microsoft, its Art Gallery disc allows home and office PC users, art
enthusiasts and educators, to learn about some of the world's
greatest works of art using their Windows-based PC or Apple
Computer Macintosh computers.
The disc itself contains images of the gallery's entire collection
of more than 2,000 paintings from Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo,
Raphael, Titian, Holbein, Rembrandt and Vincent Van Gogh. The
pictures are represented as high quality 256-color reproductions,
digitized from the National Gallery's photographic archives.
Vast text and graphic files are stored and accessible alongside the
painting images. The disc contains more than 5,000 pages of
information, including more than 700 artist biographies, many with
spoken names and 500 glossary terms explained. The total text comes
to more than a million words.
Neil MacGregor, the director of the National Gallery, said that he
is very pleased to have worked with Microsoft on the disc project.
"Now people all over the world will be able to have access in their
own homes to the system that has been delighting visitors to the
gallery. This will enhance their enjoyment and appreciation of great
painting," he said.
Microsoft Art Gallery will ship worldwide at the end of this
year with a suggested list price (in the US) of $79.95 or its local
equivalent. The disc needs a multimedia-equipped PC with Windows.
(Steve Gold/19930923/Press & Public Contact: Microsoft UK - tel;
0734-270-0001)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/24/93
APPLE
Home Automation With A Mac Via Enviromac
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00002)
Home Automation With A Mac Via Enviromac 09/24/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Need a use for
that old Macintosh Plus? How about control of your household?
Remote Measurement Systems says its new environmental and
control system for the Macintosh, Enviromac, can make that
happen.
While researchers and scientists have been using computers to
monitor and control environmental conditions for some time,
Remote Measurement Systems says it is bringing data acquisition
and control to the desktop. The Enviromac software can continuously
evaluates external conditions via sensors and automatically
issues commands to control electrical devices such as appliances,
machinery, or electronic equipment. The system turns the
Macintosh into a unit that can monitor temperature, air quality,
and energy use.
A variety of sensors are available to monitor everything from
the amount of carbon dioxide in the air to wind direction to
temperature. The program monitors the input from the sensors
and based on that data, devices can be turned on and off
remotely. In fact, one sensor is for monitoring wattage,
meaning it is possible to monitor the energy consumption in a
home and predict utility bills, the company said.
In addition, the sensor interface is a hardware peripheral that
plugs into the serial port of the Mac via a serial port cable
and the software does not require programming to use. A simple
rule interpreter allows as many as 40 choices. For example, a
user can point and click on choices to set up a temperature
sensor so if the temperature is greater than 82 degrees, the
cooling system comes on. The company says the system also runs
in the background so the Macintosh may be used for other tasks
while monitoring the environment.
Included in Enviromac is hardware, software, a light level
sensor and a temperature sensor, an X-10 control module for
control of electrical appliances, cables for connecting to the
Mac, and complete documentation. Over thirty different modules
can be operated by the Macintosh, Remote Measurement Systems
added.
The product works with Macintosh Pluses and SEs, Classics,
Performas, the Mac II and Centris lines, Quadras, and even
Powerbooks. It requires a Mac Plus with System 6.0 and 1
megabyte of random access memory (RAM) and uses 600 kilobytes
of RAM, company officials said. Retail price for the system is
$899 with extra sensors and modules available at prices ranging
from $8 for a temperature sensor to $500 for a carbon dioxide
sensor.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930923/Press Contact: Keith Ronnholm, Remote
Measurement Systems, tel 206-328-2255, fax 206-328-1787)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
TRENDS
NEC RISC Processor For Windows NT
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00003)
NEC RISC Processor For Windows NT 09/24/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Japan's major personal computer
and chip maker NEC has released a microprocessing chip called
the VR4200 which is intended for use in computers that run
Microsoft's Windows NT operating system. NEC claims this chip is
the most power-efficient in its VR family.
This 64-bit RISC chip, jointly developed with MIPS Technologies,
is designed for notebook-type and laptop personal computers
that operate Windows NT. The VR4200 operates at 40 megahertz, and
consumes only 1.5 watts of electricity -- about four times less
than would be expected, given the performance of this
chip, according to NEC.
The VR4200 is compatible with the firm's VR4000 and the 4400 chips.
It has about 1.5 million transistors, that have been applied with a
0.6 micro million CMOS method.
The chip size is 9 x 8.8 mm. It has units for integer operation,
floating point operation, memory control, and cache memory, and
it is designed to compete with Intel's 80486DX2. NEC claims,
however, that its chip has twice the processing speed of Intel's.
As far as the processing speed is concerned it is twice faster
The RISC (reduced instruction set computing)-type chip costs
8,000 yen ($80). Mass production of the chip is slated to start
in April, 1994. NEC plans to ship 50,000 units per month at which
time the price should drop.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930924/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3798-6511, Fax, +81-3-3457-7249)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/24/93
TELECOM
Japan - 150-Megabit Data Transmission Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00004)
Japan - 150-Megabit Data Transmission Service 09/24/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- NTT plans to launch a super-fast,
150 megabits-per-second data transfer service in October. This
speed is about 25 times faster than its existing high-speed
line, and requires the approval of the Japanese Ministry of Posts
and Telecommunications.
NTT is designing the service for companies that do a lot of data
transfer. Registered users will be able to exchange data between
host computers and local area networks.
The basic monthly usage fee of the network will be 810,000 yen
($8,100), and an additional 1 to 3 million yen is needed for
hourly online charges.
Despite the price, this telecommunication line could prove
cheaper for bulk users. 600 pages of newspaper data can be
transmitted each second -- that's a speed 25 times faster than
NTT's current 6-megabit service.
NTT expects users from research laboratories, the electronics,
and automobile industries. Other possible customers are
financial institutions and universities. The new telecommunication
line is expected to be used to transmit extra clear pictures and
graphics at an extremely fast speed.
NTT already has its first customer for this service --
Japan's Matsushita Electric. This company wants to exchange
computer graphics data between its headquarters and its
picture research laboratory in Osaka.
The service will begin in early October. NTT expects to have
200 corporate users of this telecommunication line in the next
five years.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930924/Press Contact: NTT, +81-3-
3509-5035, Fax, +81-3-3509-3104)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/24/93
TELECOM
Russia - St. Petersburg Communications Go Private
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00005)
Russia - St. Petersburg Communications Go Private 09/24/93
ST PETERSBOURG, RUSSIA, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- St. Petersburg's local,
long distance phone company, and telegraph are being privatized
following public auctions. So far, no banks nor investment funds
have received a controlling interest.
For 29% of the city phone company's shares, with a nominal value of 226
millions rubles (US$210,000), various banks and investment houses paid
20 times the face value of the shares. The largest investor acquired
a 6.5% interest; a number of local banks got 2 to 3% shares.
Analysts expect a "large foreign company" to buy the largest chunk
of shares on the open market.
The city phone company is a monopoly service provider. There are no
plans to break it apart nor to introduce any limitations on company
prices, according to state officials.
The value of St. Peterburg Telegraph was underestimated, according to
investment analysts from Commersant daily. St. Petersburg Telegraph
raised the equivalent of 17.7 million rubles (US$17700) as a result of
the public sale.
Another auction, due to take place next month, will feature the
city's long distance telephone company, which is the most
profitable enterprise compared to the other two.
The auctions were organized under the control of the State
Property Committee. Only vouchers, State privatization papers
distributed equally among the country's adult population earlier
this year, were allowed as a payment at the auction sales, although
further cash sales on the secondary stock market are legal.
(Kirill Tchashchin/19930924)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
IBM
Lightning Intros Low-Cost Pentium Local Bus System
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00006)
Lightning Intros Low-Cost Pentium Local Bus System 09/24/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- As
availability of Intel's Pentium processors increase, more vendors
are releasing systems based on the high-end architecture at
lower prices. Now Lightning Computers has introduced the low-
priced Thunderbox Pentium III.
According to the company, the system is a 60-megahertz (MHz)
64-bit Pentium system complete with a 340-megabyte (MB)
IDE hard disk drive, 8MB RAM, local bus graphics accelerator and
a 15-inch flat screen, non-interlaced, SVGA monitor for $3,495.
In announcing the system, company President Richard McCabe,
said: "This machine is the death knell for high-end 486 systems.
The 486 is now a mid-range PC. We challenge Dell, Gateway and
Ambra to match this price and configuration."
The company claims that for $3,495, the American-made Lightning
Thunderbox Pentium includes: an Intel Pentium 60MHz CPU (central
processing unit) with three cooling fans; a local bus motherboard
with 512 kilobytes (KB) cache, expandable to 2MB; eight total
expansion slots; three VESA local bus slots with separate clock
speed control; 8MB RAM, expandable to 128MB; a 340 MB 13
millisecond (ms) IDE hard disk, expandable to 12GB; a 1.2MB
5.25-inch or 1.44MB 3.5-inch Teac floppy disk drive; S3805 local
bus graphics accelerator with 1MB RAM, expandable to 2MB; a
15-inch non-interlaced SuperVGA (1280 by 1024) color monitor
with .28 dot pitch, 70 hertz refresh rate; a tower chassis with
250 watt UL power supply; six drive bays; 101 key Mitsumi
enhanced AT keyboard; one parallel, one game and two serial
ports; and Microsoft DOS 5.0 or 6.0.
(Ian Stokell/19930924/Press Contact: Richard McCabe,
415-543-3111, Lightning Computers)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
BUSINESS
****McAfee Backs Out Of ButtonWare Acquisition
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00007)
****McAfee Backs Out Of ButtonWare Acquisition 09/24/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Just two
months after signing a letter of intent to acquire database developer
ButtonWare Inc., McAfee Associates Inc., says it has terminated
acquisition discussions.
McAfee says that, despite the termination of discussions with
ButtonWare, the company plans to "continue its diversification
program aimed at developing and acquiring products ideally suited
to its strong electronic distribution infrastructure."
At the time of the July acquisition announcement, Phil Talsky,
spokesman for McAfee, told Newsbytes that, in terms of a finalized
deal, "We expect it to close within 45 working days." He also said,
"It is really just a matter of completing the due diligence."
Talsky also told Newsbytes at the time that, "We are really excited
by their new Windows product - ButtonFile - and their Windows
technology in general. We clearly recognize that Windows is where
everybody needs to be, and we are increasing our base of Windows
technology."
McAfee Associates, develops, markets and distributes general
purpose personal computer utilities and network software
designed for electronic distribution. Its products include
anti-virus software which are distributed electronically through a
network of bulletin boards, CompuServe, America Online, Internet,
and through a network of 180 authorized agents who provide local
sales and technical support.
(Ian Stokell/19930924/Press Contact: Phil Talsky,
408-980-3629, McAfee Associates)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
TELECOM
New Bulgaria Phone Network Opens Next Week
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00008)
New Bulgaria Phone Network Opens Next Week 09/24/93
SOFIA, BULGARIA, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- A joint venture between the
Bulgarian Telecoms Company (BTC) and Dutch Telecom will take off
next week when the Business Star network opens for business in
Sofia, Bulgaria.
The Business Star network aims to offer dial-up international links
for phone subscribers in Bulgaria who are fed up with listening to
the engaged tone each time they want to make an international call.
The project, which has cost $3 million to get underway, has required
the Dutch telecom company to run a series of international
circuits from its own international network across to Sofia and
to offer local business and well-off residential subscribers the
facility to dial a special number, enter an access code, and be
greeted with a Dutch international dialtone.
When the service opens for business next week, there will be 480
international circuits available for callers. Subject to initial
demand, plans are in hand to boost the number of lines dramatically
if required.
According to BTC, the quality of the circuits available on the
Business Star network is as good as in Western Europe. This
compares, Newsbytes notes, with the crackly quality of the usually
analog circuits available through the state telecom company in
Bulgaria.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930924/Press & Public Contact: Bulgarian Telecoms
Company - Tel: +359-2-885792)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
TRENDS
Compaq Donation To Aid Endangered Species
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00009)
Compaq Donation To Aid Endangered Species 09/24/93
MUNICH, GERMANY, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Claiming to reinforce its
international commitment to environmental issues, Compaq Computer
has announced it is making a contribution to the African Endangered
Wildlife Trust (EWT).
According to Compaq, the contribution, made through the company's
European, Middle Eastern, and African division based in Munich,
provides computer hardware and software used to track endangered
species and the illegal trade in animals and their skins and tusks.
The contribution is valued at more than $35,000.
"Compaq has initiated well-defined strategies on environmental
issues for several years now," explained Joe McNally, vice-president
of Compaq. "For example, last autumn our worldwide manufacturing
plants eliminated chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) well ahead of
government regulatory schedules."
"We also undertake on-going environmental programs including
energy conservation, recycling, waste reduction and the integration
of environmental considerations into product design. Our support of
the EWT is another avenue for our support for environmental
efforts," he said.
According to McNally, in the Southern African region, the EWT is
taking a leading role in the struggle against the destruction of
species and ecosystems, with programs that include the involvement
of local citizens. The EWT claims to provide jobs and training in
wildlife management, making communities shareholders in their own
environmental planning.
The EWT is active in Southern and Central Africa, with projects
spanning Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritius, Malawi, South Africa,
Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho. The organization is a
member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and is a non-profit,
non-government organization, active in conservation since 1973.
Compaq computers are being used by EWT for numerous projects,
including EWT working groups and field operation administration of
rhinos, dolphins and wild dogs. The PCs will also form an integral
component in the management of information by the international TRAFFIC
(Trade Record Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce) network, the
world's largest monitoring group of the illegal trade in live
animals, rhino horns and elephant tusks, Compaq claims.
Dr John Ledger, the EWT's director, said that there is an enormous
amount of essential environmental data available, but the
information is only as good as the EWT's ability to access that
information.
"Since the donation of the Compaq computers, our office has been
able to create the largest database of wildlife trade information on
the African continent," he said,
Equipment donated to the EWT by Compaq includes a Systempro/LT
server, a variety of Deskpro and Prolinea desktop machines, and four
Contura notebook PCs. Various software packages, including DOS,
Windows, Excel, Powerpoint, Word for Windows, Access and Microsoft
Mail, have also been donated.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930924/Press & Public Contact: Compaq Deutschland -
Tel: +49-89-99330)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
BUSINESS
Siemens Buys Into Two Polish Companies
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LON)(00010)
Siemens Buys Into Two Polish Companies 09/24/93
WARSAW, POLAND, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Siemens of Germany has acquired
an 80 percent stake in Elwro and Zwut, two Polish telecom equipment
manufacturers.
Elwro is based in Wroclaw, and is an electronics manufacturing and
component assembler. Zwut is a telephone exchange manufactured based
in Warsaw.
Like many technology companies in Poland, Elwro and Zwut have hit
hard times as they have struggled to meet full order books that
require them to commit a large proportion of their income to
upgrade their factories. This task has not been helped by free-
floating Zloty, the Polish currency, on the foreign exchange
markets.
Announcing the investments, Polish Privatization Minister Janusz
Lewandowski said that Siemens' investment gave the German
electronics company access both to the technologies of the two
companies, as well as to the Polish telecom marketplace.
"We are finalizing a wide ranging privatization program aimed at
putting order into our telecommunications market," he said.
(Sylvia Dennis/19930924)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
TELECOM
UK - Sonix ISDN Terminal Adapters
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00011)
UK - Sonix ISDN Terminal Adapters 09/24/93
CIRCENCESTER, GLOS, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Sonix, the
communications company, has unveiled what it claims is its first
wave of integrated services digital network (ISDN) products to come
out of its analog-to-digital migration strategy.
The products, which include high-performance internal and external
terminal adapters, have been designed to maximize the price and
performance benefits of ISDN, the company claims, while at the same
time give users the minimum culture shock when it comes to
swapping their technologies.
The Volante ISDN, Canzona ISDN and Volante ISDN PC all have modem-
style interfaces which makes them plug-compatible with the company's
existing range of modems. Modem-like features have been added to the
units, such as V.42Bis error correction and data compression which
Sonix claims boosts data throughput over an ISDN channel from 64,000
to a possible 115,200 bits per second. There is also a customized
version of Sonix' Intro modem installation software bundled with the
units.
"Our philosophy is quite simple," explained Bob Jones, Sonix'
managing director. "We see ISDN as a logical extension of the
existing analog network, so we've designed the products to look like
modems."
"As far as the user is concerned, they behave like modems -- they
transmit and receive data over the public switched telephone network
just like modems, only they do it an awful lot faster. The set-up
time is much quicker and transmission is practically error-free,"
he told Newsbytes.
Jones said that users are people for whom high speed and
reliability are essential. It's these people, he claimed, that
will find ISDN a serious opportunity.
The UKP 995 Volante ISDN is a high performance ISDN terminal adapter
with a synchronous and asynchronous data port, as well as a single
voice port for conventional phones and other telecom devices to plug
into. The UKP 795 Canzona ISDN unit, meanwhile, is a similarly
specified unit, but without the analog port.
The UKP 895 Volante ISDN PC is an internal PC adapter card with two
data ports and a full voice port socket.
(Steve Gold/19930923/Press & Public Contact: Sonix Communications -
Tel: +44-285-641651; Fax: +44-285-642098)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
TELECOM
British Telecom's First ISDN Phone
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00012)
British Telecom's First ISDN Phone 09/24/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- British Telecom (BT) has
unveiled its first ISDN telephone, the DP2000. The unit includes an
enhanced V.24 terminal adapter and a conventional phone socket to
plug phones, faxes and modems in as normal.
According to BT, the arrival of the DP2000 presents businesses with
a cost-effective method of achieving high speed data communications
across ISDN between computers. It also allows non-ISDN office
equipment to be plugged easily into the ISDN network.
BT also claims that ISDN enables companies to take advantage of fast
and accurate voice, data, text and image transfer, as well as
features such as calling line identity (CLI), fast call connection
and call barring. The advantage of the DP2000, BT says, is that it
helps firms cut phone costs, save time, and improve efficiency.
Announcing the UKP 699 phone, Richard Ibbotson, Hewlett-Packard's
planning and network implementation manager, who participated in the
trials and development of the unit, was enthusiastic.
"The DP2000 lets us connect remote PCs to the office network for
teleworking, which cuts travel time and increases productivity and
therefore we gain maximum benefit from ISDN lines," he said.
As a special offer, BT is selling three or more DP2000 phones at a
discount on the retail price of UKP 699.
(Steve Gold/19930924/Press Contact: Penn Communications - Tel: +44-81-
569-9768; Fax: +44-81-569-9667)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
REVIEW APPLE
Review of - KidPix Companion, For Mac
(REVIEW)(APPLE)(SFO)(00013)
Review of - KidPix Companion, For Mac 09/24/93
Runs on: Macintosh
From: Broderbund Software, P.O.Box 6125, Novato, CA 94948
(415) 382-4700
Price: $39.95
PUMA rating: 3.75 (on a scale of 1-4, 4 being highest)
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Naor Wallach
Summary: An addendum to the KidPix program that adds many
new twists and innovations in addition to more activities.
=======
REVIEW
=======
KidPix is a very good program. So how does one make it
better? Broderbund's answer is to make an additional
product called KidPix Companion which gives the purchaser
an expansion to KidPix in both additional rubber stamps
and other KidPix elements, as well as additional
capabilities and functionality.
First, there are 112 new rubber stamps and 19 new hidden
pictures. Both of these sets can be swapped in and out of
KidPix at will. Then comes the new stuff. DrawMe generates
ideas for kids to try to draw. For instance: "I'm a singing
mermaid in a spooky graveyard and I hate mayonnaise, Uggghhh!!!"
Every time you invoke the DrawMe function, a new phrase is
created. Each part of the phrase is spoken by a different voice
which gives intonations to the words in such a way as to
make it more lively.
ColorMe is a set of 17 predrawn pictures in the form of line
art drawings. Wacky TV displays QuickTime movies within KidPix.
This is more than just a QuickTime viewer. One of the more fun
capabilities is that you can leave the image on the screen
sans the viewer itself. The movie will play itself but
no one need know how that happens!
The biggest addition and improvement is a totally new
program called SlideShow. Slide Show allows you to create
a set of drawings and have them displayed, one after another
while your voice is on a soundtrack. In other words, you can
create your own stories and play them back at any time.
KidPix Companion comes on 4 diskettes. These diskettes are
accompanied by a 44-page manual, a product registration
card, and a kit of coupons and information on Broderbund's
Kids Club. The installation process takes about 10 minutes
or so as the files are stored on the disks in a compressed
form. KidPix Companion will also eat up about 3-4 MB of
hard disk space. The manual is very clearly written and
well illustrated.
After installing the program, I discovered that each of the
additions is worthwhile and simply fun. The addition of so
many things made for several hours of investigation and
play, and that was even before I called the kids over!
I am very impressed with the program. Many of the mail order
catalogs that I have seen advertise both programs in the
same space. Both those and the software stores that I
frequent have run occasional promotions in which the price of
both products is substantially reduced. If you have not
bought KidPix yet, my recommendation would be to buy both at
the same time and install the Companion once you've mastered
the basic program. If you already own the basic program,
then do go and buy the Companion. It's worth it.
=============
PUMA RATINGS
=============
PERFORMANCE: 4 The program works flawlessly. If you didn't
know that you installed a totally new program, you would
not notice the additions.
USEFULNESS: 4 It adds a lot to an already rich basic program.
MANUAL: 4 In typical Broderbund style, the manual is thorough,
clear, and well illustrated.
AVAILABILITY: 3 Widely available from mail order and software
stores. Has been heavily advertised and promoted. Broderbund
does not maintain a toll-free technical support number though.
(Naor Wallach/19930731/Karen Omholt, Broderbund)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
REVIEW IBM
Review of - US History On CD-ROM
(REVIEW)(IBM)(WAS)(00014)
Review of - US History On CD-ROM 09/24/93
Runs on: MS-DOS computers with CD-ROM drive, Microsoft Extensions
version 2.0 or later, a minimum of 640K RAM memory and DOS 3.1 or
later. A hard drive is not needed but recommended and display of
images requires a 640 x 480 x 256 VGA monitor.
From: Bureau Development, Inc., 141 New Road, Parsippany, NJ
07054. Voice 201-808-2700; fax 201-808-2676.
Price: $395
PUMA Rating: 4 on a scale 1=lowest to 4=highest
Reviewed for Newsbytes by: Rick Bender
Summary: US History on CD-ROM is an good reference resource for
writers, students, or researchers, providing easy access to
indexed articles from 107 books on US history written by
various authors.
======
Review
======
US History on CD-ROM can help you find articles and chapters from
books dealing with almost any subject related to American
History, from the Revolutionary War to recent Constitutional
battles over the right to disconnect life support.
The database consists of text broken up into chapters with a list
of short summaries at the beginning of the chapters corresponding
to different ideas or concepts. US History allows you
to search through individual chapters or the whole database for
all the occurrences of a word, title, author, or subject with the
"search" feature. This is very helpful if, for example, you want
to determine the various roles Spain has played in US history
or if you want to fully explore the impact of Lewis and Clark's
journeys into the untamed West.
As well as the search feature, users can "browse" the database
for words, titles, authors, or subjects of interest, then pick
which to view. A similar task can be performed with the
"Contents" option, which lumps all the data into a dozen or so
broad categories, such as "Science and Its Effect on Society" or
"American People." These categories are then subdivided into
increasingly specific subheadings and chapters.
As far as the writing is concerned, the included books are all
well written but the style varies with the various authors, with
lots of description and some personal accounts; most of the text
reads more like a long magazine article than a book or textbook
and most of these books on CD-ROM are more enjoyable to read than
the average college textbooks in use today.
A nice feature of the CD-ROM is the placement of pictograph
highlights throughout the text, allowing the user to see, in
crude fashion, where the explorations of Lewis and Clark took
them or what a ten-gallon hat worn by early Western explorers
looked like. The graphics were of sufficient quality to see the
hat, pistol, and trap in the second example, but not good enough
to completely make out the trails taken by the two explorers in
the second example. A SVGA .028 MM dot pitch monitor to review
this software.
Although US History does not have voice capabilities, the text is
well-written and makes good reading. I would recommend this
database CD-ROM to anyone who needs quick access to general
information about US history and anything involved with it.
===========
PUMA Rating
===========
PERFORMANCE: 4 Easy to use, and powerful enough for most users.
USEFULNESS: 3 Useful for general research and reading, but may
will not help in statistical research.
MANUAL: 4 Clear and easy to follow.
AVAILABILITY: 4 Mail order direct through the publisher or other
CD-ROM dealers.
(Rick Bender/19930611/Press Contact: Larry Shiller, Bureau
Development, 201-808-2700 voice or 201-808-2676 fax)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
TELECOM
Latest On Viacom-QVC-Paramount
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
Latest On Viacom-QVC-Paramount 09/24/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- For the first
time, a baseball pennant race has gotten into the middle of a
major takeover deal. Or so says Ted Turner, who said he wouldn't
get into the Viacom-Paramount-QVC takeover battle while his
Atlanta Braves continue their pursuit of a World Series title.
Viacom, controlled by Boston billionaire Sumner Redstone, agreed
on September 12 to buy Paramount, which also owns computer book
publisher Prentice-Hall, trade book publisher Simon & Schuster,
the Paramount movie studio, and other assets, for 1/10th of a
share of its voting stock and 9/10th of a share of its non-voting
stock for each share of Paramount common. Earlier this week, QVC
bid almost 9/10th of a share of its stock, plus $30 cash, for the
company.
Most analysts called the Turner statement disingenuous at best,
noting that Turner's company has been unable to line up financing
for a bid. A "Wall Street Journal" cartoon on the battle had
earlier drawn Turner dumping a coin from an otherwise empty
purse. As to the validity of the claim itself, the Braves are
currently 2 1/2 games ahead of the San Francisco Giants in the
National League's Western Division, but face a three-game series
at the home park of the Philadelphia Phillies, their likely
opponent in the National League Championship Series. It's the
closest of US baseball's four pennant races.
Meanwhile, Viacom Inc., filed suit against QVC's higher bid for
Paramount, alleging it's part of a conspiracy by Tele-
Communications Inc. head John Malone, the nation's largest cable
operator, to monopolize the cable industry. Malone, through TCI,
owns 22.5 percent of Turner Broadcasting and is also chairman of
Liberty Media, which owns a controlling stake in QVC and other
cable programming networks. Suits are common in takeover battles,
and QVC is expected to, in time, sue Viacom over elements in its
Paramount agreement guaranteeing it a huge profit if the deal
doesn't get done. In time, Viacom is expected to raise its own
bid, valued at $7.74 billion based on the recent price of its
stock. Based on its own stock price, QVC's bid is estimated to be
worth $10.1 billion.
Speculation continues about the entry of one of the regional Bell
companies into the fray. Bell Atlantic has said it won't be part
of a bid, and attention has turned to Ameritech, which is based
in Chicago. Other potential bidders which have yet to be heard from
include Capital Cities/ABC, Cox Enterprises and Blockbuster
Entertainment.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930924)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
TELECOM
****More On FCC's PCN Pocket Phone Decision
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
****More On FCC's PCN Pocket Phone Decision 09/24/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission's decision on microwave-based phones,
called personal communication systems or PCSs and linked into
personal communication networks or PCNs, continued to draw mainly
favorable reaction.
Essentially, the FCC majority tried to divide this billion-dollar
baby in half, dividing 200 MHz of available frequency into many
parts to be given out on different bases. Acting FCC Chairman
James Quello had earlier predicted a compromise that would keep
everyone equally unhappy.
The government hopes for $10.2 in license fees from a spectrum
auction on PCN, based on the fact that the cellular industry has
grown to serve 11 million people and bringing $8.2 billion in
revenue since it started 10 years ago, and the fact that this
auction will involve more spectrum with more potential uses. PCN
equipment will be digital from the start, and offer paging, data,
and fax services.
A copy of the decision, obtained by Newsbytes, shows a number of
different-sized frequency bands to be handed out under different
rules. Two blocks of 30 MHz each will be given out on a wide
geographic basis. Another five spectrum blocks, one at 20 MHz and
the others at 10 MHz each, will be given out on a smaller
geographic basis. And there are two unlicensed frequency bands of
20 MHz each, similar to those now used by cordless phones but
including a data-only block. Licenses would be for 10 years, and
renewal would be like that for existing cellular licenses.
Existing cellular licensees, including the regional Bell
companies, can compete for the new licenses outside their
existing cellular service areas. Two of the blocks to be given
out on narrow geographic bounds will feature favorable terms for
small and minority businesses.
Commissioner Andrew Barrett, a Reagan appointee, called the
decision too complex, and the barriers to entry into direct
competition with existing cellular providers too high, and voted
against the rules. The Commission majority, consisting of Quello
and Commissioner Ervin Duggan, replied that the rules will allow
different visions of the new technology to prosper, from national
and regional systems to on-campus wireless phone systems. Other
critics charged that the spectrum blocks are too narrow to offer
serious competition to existing operators.
Who won? Equipment makers may be able to get the gear into the
hands of consumers as early as 1995. Existing cellular operators
were not denied entrance into the business, and Tom Wheeler,
president of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry
Association, which serves those interests, called it a "good
decision" in a press statement. But Ameritech Vice Chairman Louis
Rutigliano offered a dissent, saying limits on the amount of
spectrum his company can use may limit the services it can offer.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930924/Press Contact: FCC Press Office, 202-
632-5050)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
TELECOM
New Scanfone Test Set
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
New Scanfone Test Set 09/24/93
HERNDON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Sprint said it
will test the US Order ScanFone service with its local phone
customers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania starting next month.
The Scanfone is a device that lets consumers pay bills and shop
from catalogs using a simplified interface. Such "screen-based
telephones" have been around for years, but they've been hampered
by their limited functionality.
Early this year Bellcore, the research arm of the regional
Bell companies, proposed a standard called the American
Display Systems Interface or ADSI that would combine services
like Caller ID with services like those performed by the
Scanfone.
But few information providers have taken to ADSI, saying the
resulting phones are too expensive and the technology too
limiting on them. Some potential service providers have also
complained that the ADSI interface, while fine for phone company
services like Caller ID, is very limiting on other types of data.
US Order officials have also said in the past that a price point
of $200 is important for screen phones to succeed in the market.
The Scanfones being used in the new test are not ADSI-compatible,
a US Order spokesman told Newsbytes, and will thus be priced low.
The new market test will be backed by television, direct mail and
other advertising. Consumers will be able to use the phones to
access their bank balances through bank teller machine networks,
pay bills by scanning bar codes, and schedule regular monthly
payments like mortgage and car loans.
This is the second big win in two months for US Order. In August,
BellSouth said it would test ADSI-based screenphones from US
Order in conjunction with First Tennessee Bank in Nashville,
hoping to roll that directly into a commercial service.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930924/Press Contact: Elizabeth
England, for US Order, 212-979-9645)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/24/93
UNIX
Lotus Unveils Notes For Solaris
(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00018)
Lotus Unveils Notes For Solaris 09/24/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Lotus
Development has finally come through with a Unix version of
Notes, its workgroup development software. Notes for Sun Solaris
SPARC Release 3 is to be available within 90 days, according to
the company.
The Solaris release was one of three Unix versions of Notes
promised for this year. In February, Lotus said it was working on
Notes for Solaris, Hewlett-Packard Co.'s HP-UX, and Santa Cruz
Operation Inc.'s Open Desktop. Work on these is still under way
and the company is not ready to say when they will be available,
a spokesman said.
Notes for Sun Solaris SPARC supports the Open Software
Foundation's Motif user interface and the Transmission Control
Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking standard. The
Solaris version is meant to work with Notes Release 3 clients
running on Microsoft Windows, OS/2, and the Apple Computer
Macintosh, as well as X Terminal clients. An optional Simple
Message Transfer Protocol (SMTP) gateway, with support also for
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME), will let users of
Notes mail and Unix mail exchange messages.
Though it is really the first version of Notes for Solaris, the
software is called Release 3 for consistency with versions on
other operating systems, a practice that is becoming more common
in the industry. Lotus officials said the Solaris version has all
the features added to Notes on other systems with Release 3.
Notes for Solaris is one of two new Lotus products that use Link,
Embed and Launch-to-edit (LEL), Lotus-developed software that is
analogous to Microsoft's Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)
technology in Windows. It lets one application call another to
work with data that came from the second application originally.
Notes for Solaris and the just-announced Ami Pro for HP-UX are
the first applications to support LEL, said company spokeswoman
Michelle Goguen. Other Lotus applications for Unix, such as the
1-2-3 spreadsheet, do not support LEL yet, but the goal is that
not only Lotus but third-party software will conform to it in
future.
Lotus said LEL is compatible with OLE. For instance, if a Windows
user embedded an Ami Pro document into Lotus Notes using OLE, a
Notes user in Unix could then launch Ami Pro under Unix using LEL
just as a Windows user might have launched Ami Pro for Windows
using OLE.
Notes for Sun Solaris SPARC will cost $495 per license. The SMTP
Gateway will sell separately and will be shipping "soon," Lotus
said. International English, Australian English, German, French,
Italian, and Spanish versions of Notes for Solaris will ship
later this year and in early 1994, according to the vendor.
(Grant Buckler/19930923/Press Contact: Diane Horak or Meryl
Franzman, McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus, 617-862-4514; Public
Contact: Lotus, 800-346-1305)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
TELECOM
Canadian Regulators May Ban Recorded-Message Soliciting
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00019)
Canadian Regulators May Ban Recorded-Message Soliciting 09/24/93
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Machines that dial
telephone numbers automatically and play recorded sales pitches
could soon be banned from all but a few uses in most of Canada.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
(CRTC), which regulates telecommunications across most of the
country, has asked for public comment on a proposed ruling that
would limit the machines -- known technically as automatic
dialing-announcing devices (ADADs) -- to use for product recalls
and by public service organizations.
It appears resistance to the move may be very limited. The
Canadian Direct Marketing Association (CDMA), which represents
companies that sell their products through direct mail and
telephone solicitation, favors the ban. Scott McLellan,
communications manager for the CDMA, told Newsbytes it has been
the organization's view for a long time that "ADADs are an
inappropriate form of commercial solicitation and we are happy to
see the CRTC take measures to get rid of them."
The devices do have some legitimate uses, he said, but "when they
are used as they have been used to date for commercial
solicitation, they have created an unreasonable level of consumer
irritation."
Rosalie Todd of the Consumers' Association of Canada said her
organization is "very pleased" with the proposal. The association
has had many complaints about the devices, she said, adding that
"I personally cannot stand them."
Todd added, though, that her group might suggest loosening the
proposed rules in a few ways. For instance, the CRTC's proposal
appears to rule out retailers using ADADs to notify customers
when their orders are ready to be picked up. Todd said that seems
like a reasonable use of the machines.
Under the CRTC's proposed rules, police, fire departments,
schools, hospitals and other such organizations would still be
allowed to use ADADs for emergency or administrative purposes.
Commercial organizations would be able to use them only to notify
customers of safety-related product recalls. Nobody would be
allowed to use them to sell anything, or for solicitation of any
kind, including charity.
There are existing restrictions on ADAD use, but they have been
widely flouted. They include limits on the hours during which the
devices can be used, a prohibition against sequential or random
dialing meant to ensure unlisted numbers are not called, and a
requirement that every message begin by identifying the caller,
the nature of the call, and the fact that the call can be ended
by hanging up. Lise Plouffe, a CRTC spokeswoman, admitted the
rules have been hard to enforce.
The CRTC is asking for comments on the proposed rule by November
15. The regulatory body said it would consider alternatives to
its proposal if those making the suggestions can show why their
approach would be better than the CRTC's and that it would
effectively protect consumers against the inconvenience and
nuisance caused by ADADs.
(Grant Buckler/19930923/Press Contact: Bill Allen, CRTC,
819-997-0313, fax 819-994-0218)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
EDITORIAL TELECOM
Editorial - Stop The Invasion Of The Phone Robots
(EDITORIAL)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00020)
Editorial - Stop The Invasion Of The Phone Robots 09/24/93
TORONTO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- By Grant Buckler. With
Canada in the midst of an election and no less than six
political parties trying to out-promise each other, it's ironic
that the one really good bit of news out of Ottawa this week is
that federal telecom regulators are on the verge of banning
automatic dialing-announcing devices (ADADs).
ADAD is the technical name for a machine that dials your phone
number from a preprogrammed list, by just working its way
through the possible numbers for a given area, or at random.
When you answer it plays a recorded message. There are
other names for these machines, most of them unprintable. They
are one of the worst examples of what happens when technology
becomes a tool for those who regard other people as no more than
raw material to help them meet sales targets.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) would be right to ban their use for all
but emergency purposes. So would telecommunications regulators
everywhere.
Canada has tried, unsuccessfully, to limit the ADAD's intrusion
into people's lives by putting some conditions on its use. But
many users of the devices have not followed the rules. They use
random and sequential dialing, which results not only in calls to
unlisted numbers -- for which many people have paid specifically
to avoid having their privacy invaded -- but to businesses and
institutions with multiple lines receiving call after call from
the same machine as it works through their sequences of numbers.
Some users of the machines not only have not identified
themselves according to the rules but have deliberately misled
the people they call. And some have placed calls outside the
allowable hours.
By their actions, many ADAD users have shown they cannot be
trusted with the technology. But even if the existing rules were
followed to the letter, they are not enough.
Today's rules require that the phone-robots identify themselves
at the beginning of the call. But by the time you pick up the
phone to hear that identification, you may already have dashed in
from outside, turned off the movie you were watching, or climbed
dripping out of the bathtub. Today's rules say the automated
calls must be made during certain hours. But many people work
hours other than nine to five, and may go to sleep in the early
evening or not get out of bed until mid-afternoon. And a growing
number of people, this writer included, work from home and rely
heavily on the telephone to do their jobs.
These machines simply should not be used, except where the need
to get information out overrides the right to privacy -- which
primarily means use by public agencies.
And there's more. Technology has not created the problem; it has
only allowed our privacy to be invaded more efficiently. Along
with ADADs, regulators should ban all telephone solicitation
except calls to individuals who have previously -- by giving
their phone numbers to the organization doing the calling --
indicated an interest in what that organization has to say.
Yes, that will stop businesses from using the telephone to
prospect for new customers. It will stop charities from using the
phone to prospect for new donors. Fine. They can use other means --
the mail, billboards, print and television advertising --
that do not force themselves on us and interrupt what we are
doing.
Our homes are our own private spaces. Our telephones are a
service for which we pay. And we are individuals, not faceless
buying-machines at the beck and call of a random number
generator.
(Grant Buckler/19930923)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
CORRECTION APPLE
Correction - MacWeek's Gore Predicts Mac Moves
(CORRECTION)(APPLE)(TOR)(00021)
Correction - MacWeek's Gore Predicts Mac Moves 09/24/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- In a story that
appeared in Newsbytes' daily edition Sept. 22, a typographical
error reversed the meaning of a statement by MacWeek Senior
Editor Andrew Gore.
Speaking at MacWorld Expo/Canada, Gore said anticipated Macintosh
models based on the PowerPC chip will not deliver hoped-for
performance improvements without software written especially for
the PowerPC chip. Our story used the word "with" when we meant
"without." Newsbytes apologizes for the error.
(Grant Buckler/19930924)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
BUSINESS
Lotus To Manufacture For Powersoft, Consolidate Offices
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00022)
Lotus To Manufacture For Powersoft, Consolidate Offices 09/24/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Lotus
Development Corp. has announced its North Reading, Massachusetts
plant will manufacture software for Powersoft Corp., in what might
be the beginning of a series of contract manufacturing deals.
Lotus also announced plans to expand its head office in Cambridge
while closing another office in the city.
Lotus' North Reading plant is to take over manufacturing of
PowerBuilder 3.0, a client/server development tool, and
Powersoft's Enterprise series of software.
A spokeswoman for Lotus denied the deal was made to use up
surplus capacity at the plant. However, she said no new hiring is
planned at the North Reading location as a result of the deal.
Lotus also said its relationship with PowerSoft could expand in
future to include manufacturing at its plant in Dublin as well.
The North Reading plant makes a wide variety of Lotus software.
The Powersoft products will not account for a large percentage of
its output, the company spokeswoman said.
Lotus also said it will close its office at 55 Cambridge Parkway
in Cambridge, expand its office at One Rogers Street in Cambridge,
and move 300 office employees from 55 Cambridge Parkway to North
Reading.
The shift of office workers from Cambridge to North Reading is
not connected with the Powersoft agreement, the spokeswoman said.
Lotus plans to begin construction this fall on an addition to the
building it owns at One Rogers St., to be ready for use in 1995.
The company said this is one of a series of moves taken over the
past few years to cut facilities costs. The change will also
bring sales, marketing, development, and headquarters operations
into one building, which Lotus said it expects will improve
communications among the groups.
(Grant Buckler/19930924/Press Contact: Bryan Simmons, Lotus
Development, 617-693-1697; David Grip, Victor Cruz, Lauren
Lampinen, or Peter Bartolik, McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus,
617-862-4514)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
UNIX
****Unix Expo - UnixWare To Abound, Says Keynoter
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00023)
****Unix Expo - UnixWare To Abound, Says Keynoter 09/24/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Shrinkwrapped
UnixWare applications will ultimately be as readily available in
retail stores as Windows and Macintosh software is today,
predicted Bob Davis, vice president of marketing for Novell's new
Unix Systems Group, in a shared keynote at Unix Expo.
In remarks that followed a preface by Ray Noorda, Novell's
president and CEO, Davis outlined a strategy for UnixWare that
involves building a standard "open" operating system that
integrates the capabilities of NetWare and Unix SVR4.2 MP, is
licensed to outside vendors for Intel and well as non-Intel
platforms, and receives high volume distribution.
Novell's recent purchase of the Unix Systems Laboratories (USL),
and the integration of NetWare with USL's Unix SVR4.2 MP, are
driven by customers' needs for a "confluence of Unix and
networking," said Noorda.
In the 1990s and beyond, vendors must meet customers' demands for
an networked operating environment that brings together
multivendor equipment of the customer's choice, he maintained.
Mainframes and minicomputers will continue to play strong roles,
but desktop operating environments will show the greatest growth,
said Noorda. "Our job is to handle that situation," he stated.
Stepping to the podium next, Davis said that upcoming versions of
UnixWare will unite the Unix SVR4.2 MP microkernel with the
Directory Services of NetWare 4.0, TCP/IP, and network management
"such as SNMP."
Through the Directory Services, users will be able to access
systems information about the Unix environment as well as
NetWare, according to Davis.
Novell will release an edition of UnixWare that runs on
symmetrical multiprocessors at the beginning of 1994, he said.
Directory Services will become available for UnixWare in mid-
1994, he added. Also in the future, networked imaging and
telephony applications will become available.
Novell also intends to make UnixWare an "open" environment, said
Davis. "A lot of what's been written has suggested that our
intention is to make Unix proprietary, to close it down, to
control it. But that is not the case," he asserted.
Through partnerships with Intel and non-Intel OEMs, Novell will
license UnixWare in binary as well as source code form, he added.
"We (also) have the desire to drive the unification standard for
the industry. We have the desire to work with an industry body
to ensure (the existence) of common applications across
implementations of Unix," he stated.
A new UnixWare brand logo, to appear on shrink-wrapped UnixWare-
compliant software from Novell and other vendors, will "assure
that UnixWare is an implementation of Unix that will work not
only on UnixWare but across other implementations of Unix,"
according to Davis.
Retail stores today are teeming with Windows and Macintosh
applications, while Unix applications are usually available only
on special order. In the future, UnixWare-branded software will
be as plentiful as Windows and Macintosh applications on the
retail shelves, he noted.
In addition to enabling the development of shrink-wrapped UnixWare
software, Novell will allow users to create custom applications
through the AppWare development environment announced in June.
"Mission critical applications are important, but we'd also like
to see personal productivity applications on Unix that aren't
just ports from the Microsoft Windows environment. (These
applications) will the first time take full advantage of the
growing power on the desktop," Davis told the audience.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930923/Press contacts: Annie Sculley, Bruno
Blenheim Inc., tel 800-829-3976, ext 145; Mark Haviland, Bruno
Blenheim, tel 800-829-3976, ext 152)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
GOVT
****"Smart" Highways For Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana
(NEWS)(GOVT)(DEN)(00024)
****"Smart" Highways For Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana 09/24/93
MADISON, WISCONSIN, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Three Midwestern
states are joining forces to develop a smart highway system that they
hope will reduce congestion and improve mobility.
Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana are developing the "Intelligent
Vehicle Highways System" to make the Gary to Chicago to Milwaukee
corridor a marvel of high technology monitoring and traffic
systems controlled by computers. "We are trying to merge our
information highway system with our concrete highway systems to
determine how our traffic flow is operating," said Phil DeCabooter,
Wisconsin Department of Transportation coordinator for the advanced
traffic management system. DeCabooter says the initial $9 million
phase of the system is scheduled to be operational in the Milwaukee
area by August 1994.
The "smart highway" will use sophisticated monitoring equipment and
traffic signals on highway entrance ramps to regulate the flow of
traffic in the corridor. In the Milwaukee area, pavement and
overhead microwave vehicle detectors and 14 closed-circuit video
cameras will be mounted on 45-foot poles to monitor the highway for
wrecks and stalled vehicles.
Officials believe the monitors will allow them to respond more
quickly to traffic bottlenecks. "We won't have to wait for someone
to call us if there is a problem in the corridor. It will lessen
reaction time and ease congestion," according to DeCabooter.
The three-state program will be directed by an executive committee
composed of the chief executive officers of the Wisconsin, Illinois
and Indiana departments of transportation, and a representative of
the U.S. Department of Transportation. Nationwide four "smart
highway" corridors are in development. In addition to the
Gary-Chicago- Milwaukee system, other corridors are being developed
in southern California; Houston, Texas; and the I-95 corridor from
Maryland to Connecticut. Officials say selection of the test areas
was made based on traffic density, ozone population, limited space
for highway expansion, transportation facilities, and complex
traffic patterns.
(Jim Mallory/19930924/Press contact: Phil DeCabooter, Wisconsin
Department of Transportation, 608-266-2910)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
BUSINESS
Storagetek Expects $25M Operating Loss, Cuts Jobs
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00025)
Storagetek Expects $25M Operating Loss, Cuts Jobs 09/24/93
LOUISVILLE, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Storage Technology
Corporation (Storagetek) said this week its third quarter results
will be lower than expected and it will cut some 200 jobs as part of
its cost reduction.
Most of the lost jobs will be in midrange operations and
redundancies that occurred when the field maintenance forces of
Storagetek and XL/Datacomp were merged last month. At the end of
June the company employed about 10,000 people worldwide. Storagetek
operates manufacturing facilities in Colorado, Florida, Puerto Rico
and Great Britain.
The company, which has been plagued by several delays in the release
of its long-awaited "Iceberg" mainframe disk drive array, said it
expects to show a loss from ongoing operations of about $25 million
for the third quarter. Storagetek attributed that mostly to a
shortfall in midrange data storage system revenue and margins.
The company will also take a one-time restructuring charge and other
charges that will total about $80 million for the third quarter.
Storagetek expects to release the specific results of the period in
mid-October.
Storagetek reiterated its pronouncement that accompanied the release
of second quarter results, saying it has been refocusing its
energies in the midrange business. "Our midrange business will be
smaller, but we expect it to have greater profit potential,"
according to Ryal Poppa, Storagetek chairman, president and CEO.
"Our goal is to improve profitability for the corporation as a whole
while we complete the major developmental projects currently
underway."
Those developmental projects include Iceberg and Nordique. Iceberg
has been delayed several times, apparently due to difficulties in
completing compatibility between the hardware and software. Iceberg
is presently up and running in Storagetek's data center and is
undergoing user testing. Silverton, a 36-tape storage subsystem,
became generally available right on schedule earlier this week, and
Storagetek expects it to be an important revenue producer starting
this year.
Poppa said the cost reduction measures being taken are expected to
yield benefits of more than $10 million in the fourth quarter of
1993 and about $40 million during 1994.
(Jim Mallory/19930924/Press contact: David Reid, Storagetek,
303-673-4815; Reader contact: Storage Technology, 303-673- 5161)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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4 09/24/93
IBM
Novell Plans Major Announcement Oct
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00026)
Novell Plans Major Announcement Oct 4 09/24/93
PROVO, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Network operating system
software publisher Novell teased the press and customers today
saying it will make "a major announcement" on October 4 at Networld
in Dallas, Texas.
A Novell spokesperson would only say that the announcement will be
"big" and will deal with enhancement of customers' ability to manage
and keep secure computer data.
Novell Chairman and CEO Ray Noorda will lead a team of Novell
executives, customers, and partners in making the announcement. In
addition to Noorda, the Novell team will include David Cearley, META
Group workgroup computing strategies VP; Richard King, executive VP
and general manager, Netware systems group; Bob Young, marketing VP,
Netware products division; and Barbara Goldworm and Steve Dauber,
product line managers, Netware systems group.
The announcement is scheduled for 2:00 pm at the Loews Anatole
Hotel's Cannes Auditorium and will be followed by product
demonstrations and a reception.
(Jim Mallory/19930924/Press contact: Natasha Hixon, Novell Inc,
801--429-5806)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - Awards for Excellence In Open Systems
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00027)
Unix Expo - Awards for Excellence In Open Systems 09/24/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- This week's tenth
annual Unix Expo marked the third annual presentation of the
International Award for Excellence in Open Systems.
John Brown PLC, London, England, and Burlington Coat Factory
Warehouse Corp., Burlington, NJ, tied for this year's prize,
given to recognize "innovative implementation of open systems
computing platforms in enterprise-wide information technology
systems."
Previous winners have included American Airlines, K-Mart, and the
Department of Planning and Housing in Victoria, Australia, said
Gary Donnelly of Donnelly and Associates Inc., nominations
committee chair, in handing out the awards.
John Brown PLC, part of Trafalgar House Engineering Division,
once had nine mainframes, but has no mainframes today, said
Donnelly. The company's current network includes 150 Unix
servers, 500 CAD workstations, and 5000 PCs, running at 32 sites
in 12 countries.
Burlington Coat Factory, which recently recorded more than $1
billion in revenues, has also downsized from a mainframe
environment. The company's centralized distribution system
provides an information link from headquarters to 200 stores
throughout the US for financial results, inventories and style
information, promotions, and other needs.
Also at the ceremony, Don Berey was given a special "surprise"
award for excellent performance in the job of Unix Expo show
manager.
Unix Expo is produced by Blenheim Holdings Inc., and managed by
Bruno Blenheim Inc. (BBI) of Fort Lee, NJ. BBI is part of the
Blenheim Group PLC, which produces more than 250 conferences and
expositions worldwide.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930924/Press contacts: Annie Scully, Bruno
Blenheim Inc., tel 800-829-3976, ext 145; Mark Haviland, Bruno
Blenheim Inc., tel 800-829-3976, ext 152.
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
GOVT
Creative Sues Covox Over Name Of Voice Product
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00028)
Creative Sues Covox Over Name Of Voice Product 09/24/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- What's in a
name? A lot if you're Singapore, Japan-based Creative
Technology. The company is suing Covox, the Eugene, Oregon
headquartered subsidiary of Sound Trends, over a similarity in
the names of sound products the two companies produce.
Creative Technology makes the Sound Blaster line of audio
products for IBM and compatible personal computers (PCs). Covox
makes the Voice Master and Sound Master line of PC sound cards.
However, Covox recently released voice recognition software
that also works with Creative's Sound Blaster product line and
is calling the software "Voice Blaster."
Creative Technology officials say calling the Covox product
"Voice Blaster" is a misuse of their brand name and a violation
of their trademark. While there is some question as to whether
or not Creative Technology has a trademark on the "Sound
Blaster" name, Creative Technology claims its case is
strengthened by Covox's apparent acknowledgement of its
trademark on the Voice Blaster packaging. The wording on the
Covox Voice Blaster packaging reads: "Sound Blaster and Sound
Blaster Pro are trademarks of Creative Labs Inc."
(Linda Rohrbough/19930924/Press Contact: Benita Kenn, Creative
Labs, tel 408-428-6600; Charles Saunders, Covox, tel 503-342-
1271, fax 503-342-1283)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
GENERAL
****Lotus Outlines Messaging Strategy
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00029)
****Lotus Outlines Messaging Strategy 09/24/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Lotus
Development plans a cross-platform communications server
and a client/server edition of its cc:Mail electronic mail
software that will bring more integration between the e-mail
software and Lotus' Notes work-group development software. These
are highlights of a medium-term communications strategy Lotus
outlined to customers at InterChange '93, a conference the
Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company held in San Francisco
this week.
Lotus said its Lotus Communications Server (LCS) will be a cross-
platform, multi-protocol messaging service based on cc:Mail and
Notes technology. There will be a version for the DOS operating
system, the company said, plus support for multitasking
operating systems such as OS/2, Unix, Windows NT, and Novell's
NetWare local area network (LAN) operating system.
LCS will also support Simple Message Transfer Protocol (SMTP),
Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME), the X.400
electronic mail interchange standard, and the X.500 e-mail
directory standard.
It will continue support for Lotus' Vendor-Independent Messaging
standard for mail-enabling applications, and will add support for
Microsoft's Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI)
and the Common Messaging Calls (CMC) specification proposed by
the X.400 Application Program Interface Association (XAPIA),
Lotus said.
Lotus described LCS as the backbone of its messaging strategy,
providing native support for both Notes and cc:Mail messaging
protocols.
The company also plans to offer two versions of cc:Mail in the
future. One will be the cc:Mail Post Office Edition, which
company spokesman Mark McHarry said is essentially the existing
cc:Mail with improvements to its database capability. The other
will be cc:Mail Client/Server Edition, which will move more of
the processing to the desktop computer and will allow unified
management of cc:Mail and Notes.
The client/server cc:Mail will use the Notes Object Store -- the
message transport used in Notes -- as its message transport.
Customers with the client/server edition of cc:Mail will be able
to put Notes client software on top of it, McHarry said. "It will
be less of a step for them to install Notes if they already have
cc:Mail Client/Server."
Customers will be able to manage their cc:Mail and Notes
installations together rather than as separate pieces, he added.
This move seems to be aimed at criticisms that Lotus's messaging
product line is fragmented because cc:Mail and Notes work
differently.
The company also said it plans special editions of cc:Mail for
use with other vendors' messaging transports, including a cc:Mail
HP Open Mail edition, a Novell Message Handling Service (MHS)
edition, and editions for public mail transports such as MCI
Mail.
Lotus gave no specific dates for releasing the products it
discussed at the briefing. McHarry said delivery should be in 12
to 18 months.
Lotus and Attachmate Corp., also announced a joint agreement aimed
at creating a real-time, bidirectional scheduling connection
between Lotus' Organizer personal information manager for Windows
and IBM's mainframe-based Professional Office System (PROFS) and
Office Vision/VM calendar system.
The company also said it is trying to improve LAN and wide area
network (WAN) management by working with other vendors.
(Grant Buckler/19930924/Press Contact: Mark McHarry, Lotus, 415-
335-6786; Betsy Kosheff, Lotus, 413-232-7057; Brenda Nashawaty,
McGlinchey & Paul for Lotus, 617-862-4514)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/24/93
APPLE
****Laid-Off Apple Executive Sues Company, Spindler
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00030)
****Laid-Off Apple Executive Sues Company, Spindler 09/24/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 24 (NB) -- Apple
Computer is under fire from a member of the company's board of
directors whose job has been eliminated as part of the
company's restructuring. Albert Eisenstat has filed a lawsuit
against Apple and its new chief executive officer (CEO) Michael
Spindler, claiming his compensation in leaving the company is
too low.
The gist of Eisenstat's suit, according to Apple Computer
representatives, is the former executive vice president felt he
should have been employed indefinitely. Sixty three-year-old
Eisenstat joined Apple in 1980 as general counsel and corporate
secretary and was promoted to executive vice president in 1987.
Eisenstat was also appointed to the company's board of
directors in 1985.
Spindler, appointed as replacement to former CEO John Sculley
in June of this year, began restructuring the company in July.
As part of the restructuring, an estimated 2,500 employees lost
jobs, most of which occurred very soon after Spindler took
over. The new CEO has been noted by industry analysts as being
the "strong hand" at Apple since his appointment to the board
of directors in 1990.
In the new organization Spindler is building, Eisenstat's
position is no longer necessary, Apple representatives said.
Eisenstat has been one of the highest paid executives in
Silicon Valley. His salary in 1992 was $749,164 and he received
an additional $760,000 in bonuses between 1990 and 1992. He
also owns a number of shares of Apple stock and has stock
options as well.
Apple says the suit is factually and legally without merit and
intends to defend itself vigorously. Kate Paisley of Apple
Computer remarked: "Eisenstat was generously compensated at
Apple for many years. He was offered a generous and dignified
package in the executive severance program and refused to take
it."
The boat has been rocking at Apple since June. The company
announced losses due to its restructuring, to the tune of
$188.3 million and its stock price plummeted. In July, five
insider trading suits were filed against the company and
several of its executives, including Spindler. However, the
there are bright spots, the brightest of which is enthusiastic
consumer acceptance of Apple's newest technology, the handheld
Newton Messagepad personal digital assistant (PDA), despite
reported problems with the unit.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930924/Press Contact: Kate Paisley, Apple
Computer, tel 408-974-5453, fax 408-974-5470)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
GENERAL
UK - Security Software For VTAM Networks
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LON)(00001)
UK - Security Software For VTAM Networks 09/23/93
ILMINSTER, SOMERSET, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- C&K Software has
announced the availability of NC-Pass VSSE, a package that it claims
controls all access to applications residing on a VTAM network.
According to the company, the package uses the Session Management
Exit (SME) facility on a VTAM network to define which devices(s) on
the network can have access to which application. Each VTAM session
which could take place is allowed or denied by VTAM itself and,
unless a connection from a terminal to an application is specifically
permitted, no connection can take place.
NC-Pass VSSE comes are part of a complete CKS Single Image System
(SIS) that the company claims directs information technology to the
requirements of the user. As well as providing what the company
describes as a high level of security, an SIS system supplies
the user with a high performance interface and synchronizes
information across the entire network.
As such, C&K claims, products can be implemented individually to
meet a precise need or collectively to form a complete system.
Bill Seymour, C&K's marketing manager, said that, under NC-Passe
VSSE, dial-in devices cannot access data unless allowed to do so
by the parameters set in the SME table. Lines can be closed down
if a connection is requested and refused, preventing what he
describes as hostile intrusion.
"VTAM is proven to be extremely difficult to circumvent. NC-Passe
VSSE is therefore an excellent vehicle to protect access to data
from all devices which need not, or should not, have access," he
explained.
Pricing on the security package depends on site licensing
requirements. C&K Software is a UK company that specializes in
VTAM software. The company, which was formed ten years ago,
claims to have more than 1,000 customers around the world who
use its VTAM software. Newsbytes notes that the company has
specialized in communications applications for the VTAM
environment, with NC-Passe VSSE being its first security
package.
(Steve Gold/19930923/Press & Public Contact: C&K Software
- Tel: 0460-57961)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
BUSINESS
Wordperfect Corp, SCO Strengthen Alliance
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00002)
Wordperfect Corp, SCO Strengthen Alliance 09/23/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Wordperfect
Corporation and Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) said this week
they have formed a strategic alliance to support continued
compatibility of their respective products.
The two companies said the alliance broadens their
relationship. SCO provides Unix systems for Intel platforms,
and Wordperfect markets its word processing program
Wordperfect.
Wordperfect 5.1 is already available for the SCO Open Server
and SCO Open Desktop operating systems. Wordperfect says
release 6.0 of its word processing program and Wordperfect
Office Release 4.0 will also be available for the SCO
environments by 1994. Wordperfect is scheduled to release
Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows next month.
Under terms of the alliance the two companies will establish
dedicated account teams to manage the relationship. The
teams will oversee regular management and engineering
product review, along with programs to provide improved
communication and cross training between their respective
support and sales staffs. They will also participate in
joint marketing activities that will include seminars, trade
shows, advertising and public relations.
(Jim Mallory/19930923/Press contact: Nathan Hatch,
Wordperfect Corporation, 801-228-5348; Zee Zaballos, SCO,
408-427-7156)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
IBM
Mirus Intros Under-$5000 Film Recorder
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00003)
Mirus Intros Under-$5000 Film Recorder 09/23/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Mirus
Industries Corporation has announced a 4000 line resolution
film recorder for use with Windows-based PCs.
The device will allow users of Windows-based PCs to export
images directly to 35mm slide film. The company says no
modification of software or hardware is needed. The
FilmPrinter connects directly to the parallel port on an
IBM-compatible PC.
Priced at $4,995, FilmPrinter Turbo PC comes with
documentation, cabling, and a Windows support package called
MirusImage Win. Mirus President Bruce MacKay says Mirus
recognizes that the Windows marketplace is one of the
fastest growing areas in the microcomputer market. "We want
to provide Windows users a slidemaking system that can take
advantage of the numerous graphics packages on the market,"
says MacKay.
The company says the Mirus Windows software is compatible
with all popular graphics and presentation software packages
available, such as Freelance for Windows, PowerPoint, and
Harvard Graphics. The software includes 35 scalable fonts.
Mirus says it takes about one minute to create an 67K image.
The resulting slides reportedly have a smooth color
gradations and no banding. Image resolution is available up
to 4,000 lines.
The 16-pound FilmPrinter measures 19.1 inches by 8.5 inches
by 5 inches. It can handle text, graphics, combined
photography and text, or graphics and photography in the
same slide. Mirus says any image that can be created on a PC
monitor can be reproduced by FilmPrinter.
In addition to the programs supported in the basic software,
Mirus can provide support for SuperPrint and for VBS
Postscript Output Manager for $595 and $995 respectively.
FilmPrinter comes with a two-year full warranty.
(Jim Mallory/19930923/Press and reader contact: Mirus
Industries Corporation, 408-944-9770 or 800-942-9770)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
BUSINESS
Artisoft, Former CEO Settle Dispute
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00004)
Artisoft, Former CEO Settle Dispute 09/23/93
TUCSON, ARIZONA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Artisoft Inc.,
announced this week that it has settled the arbitration case
with its former chief executive officer C. John Schoof II.
The company said the settlement calls for Artisoft to
purchase nearly 3.5 million shares of Schoof's outstanding
Artisoft common stock, or about 20 percent of the
outstanding stock. That leaves about 14 million shares of
Artisoft common stock outstanding. The company will also
purchase Artisoft stock options held by Schoof. The
purchases cost Artisoft $25.5 million.
The settlement also calls for all previous claims made by
Artisoft and Schoof during arbitration to be dismissed.
Schoof also resigned from Artisoft's board of directors and
withdrew his nominations to the board of directors, as well
as his proposal to expand the board to seven members from
the present six.
(Jim Mallory/19930923/Press contact: David Sentman, Artisoft
Inc, 602-670-7160)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
APPLE
US Space Efforts In Multimedia
(NEWS)(APPLE)(DEN)(00005)
US Space Efforts In Multimedia 09/23/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Americans
are fascinated with space travel. They crowd the beaches and
the fields surrounding the launch and landing areas by the
hundreds of thousands.
Now you can follow the efforts of the American manned space
flight program from the early experimental rockets and the
X-15 program to the latest space shuttle missions while
sitting at your computer with a multimedia software program
introduced recently by Multicom Publishing Inc.
Called Americans in Space, the program, for Mac or PC,
allows the user to sit in their very own Mission Control
and view crew photos, hear audio clips, and watch video or animation
of each milestone in America's space program. Americans in Space has
over sixty minutes of video clips, including the last launch
of the shuttle Challenger, and more than 90 minutes of
narration. There are also nearly 600 images including crew
and mission photos and artists renditions of the space
station Freedom.
According to Multicom President Tamara Attard the software
has more video than any other space-oriented title.
"Americans in Space is fully narrated, making it engaging
and easily used be even the younger members of the family,"
according to Attard.
Multicom Marketing Manager Dan Norton-Middaugh told
Newsbytes the company believes the consumer multimedia
market is just forming, and that many purchasers of CD-ROM
drive-equipped PCs have little choice in software beyond
games and reference materials. "Multicom titles are designed
for these people," says Norton-Middaugh.
Americans in Space has a suggested retail price of $69.95.
It runs on any Apple Computer Macintosh II-level machine
equipped with Hypercard, a CD-ROM drive and a 13-inch or
larger color monitor. Program disks for MPC-compatible
systems are also included. IBM-compatible multimedia systems
require Windows 3.1, a CD-ROM drive, and an SVGA monitor to
run Americans in Space.
(Jim Mallory/19930923/Press contact: Dan Norton-Middaugh,
Multicom, 206-622-5530; Reader contact: Multicom Publishing,
206-622-5530, fax 206-622-4380)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
IBM
Dealer Electronic Support System
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00006)
Dealer Electronic Support System 09/23/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Frontline, the UK computer
hardware and software distributor, has announced In Touch, its new
Lotus Notes-based electronic business support system for computer
dealers.
The distributor unveiled the package at the Business Computing Show
in London this week, and as a special offer, was giving the software
away free with each purchase of Lotus Notes Client for Windows
bought at the special show price of UKP 50.
According to Frontline, In Touch Standalone is the first stage in a
project that the distributor is undertaking to provide
additional support needed by resellers to improve business.
The company claims that many simple tasks can be made much more
efficient if computer resellers apply the available technology. It
also claims it is committed to converting its dealers to fully
automated processes over the next few years.
In its simplest form, In Touch lists more than 10,500 products
available from Frontline with information on pricing, part numbers,
suitable platforms and media types involved. Products can be viewed
by market area, manufacturer or application and listings include a
detailed description.
Frontline is offering its resellers fortnightly updates to the
database, as well as upgrade for modem access. The modem access
version, the company claims, allows computer dealers to get
immediate updates as they occur in the distributor's catalog, as
well as information on stock availability for customers.
The modem link also allows resellers to place their orders online
with the distributor. This allows dealers to place their orders with
the company outside of office hours when phone rates are low,
Frontline claims.
The minimum hardware for In Touch is a 386-based PC or better
running Windows 3.0 or later and equipped with 4 megabytes (MB) of
memory and 50MB of hard disk capacity.
John Tonnison, Frontline's management information services (MIS)
manager said that In Touch had been launched as a means of
simplifying the exchange of key business information between itself
and its resellers. The ultimate aim of the project was speed the
passage of orders through, so making for better service for
customers.
"In Touch gives our resellers up-to-the-minute information at their
fingertips, wherever they happen to be," he said, adding that the
service is just another away in which the distributor can
differentiate its facilities for dealers.
"The 20 or so users that have tested the program for us have been
very positive in their support of the initiative," he said.
Frontline is the largest trade-only computer distributor in the UK
and the second largest in the parent Computer 2000 company, which
covers most of Europe. The distributor, which was founded in 1983,
carries more than 10,000 products in its catalog and is divided
into seven operations: Power products, Applications, PCs and
peripherals, Data Storage, Digital, Apple and Technical services.
(Steve Gold/19930922/Press & Public Contact: Frontline - Tel: 0256-
847110)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
IBM
UK - Contact Management For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00007)
UK - Contact Management For Windows 09/23/93
MARLOW, BUCKS, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Softcode UK has unveiled
a Windows version of Tracker, its contact management package.
According to the company, Tracker for Windows offers a comprehensive
set of tools for managing contacts, responses and time, as well as
offers the facility to create electronic mail messages and faxes.
The company claims that the software is designed for use by both
individuals and groups who need to keep in regular contact with
their clients, suppliers, and colleagues.
In use, Tracker for Windows allows users to log developments and
update their databases whenever another contact is made with the
person or company concerned.
"As businesses look to improve their employee productivity, enhance
the way they handle customer care and encourage effective team work,
they are looking for software applications that make their
operations more efficient," explained Julian Hudd, the company's
managing director.
"Tracker for Windows responds to these needs in an easy to use,
network-enabled package," he added.
The package consists of four main modules, each integrated to work
seamlessly with each other, the company claims. The modules are:
Contact manager. Response manager, Communications and Networking,
and Time Management.
Tracker for Windows sells for UKP 395 and is available immediately.
The package needs an 80386-based or better PC running Windows 3.1 or
later. The PC must have at least 5 megabytes (MB) of hard disk space
available.
(Steve Gold/19930923/Press & Public Contact: Softcode - Tel: 0628-
488866; Fax: 0628-488855)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
TELECOM
UK - Cellnet Offers Gifts For Big Users
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00008)
UK - Cellnet Offers Gifts For Big Users 09/23/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Cellnet has announced Cellnet
Select, a scheme that claims to reward regular users of the cellular
network with credit toward free subscriptions.
According to Cellnet, the scheme benefits those subscribers who make
calls totalling more than 200 minutes a month on any Cellnet tariff.
Existing subscribers to Cellnet will be invited to join the Select
scheme in October.
12 months after registration, customers who have consistently
accumulated more than 200 minutes a month worth of calls will have
the option of a year's free subscription to any Cellnet tariff, worth
up to UKP 300 for a full year on the Primetime tariff.
As an alternative, subscribers will be offered the option to obtain
a choice of network-related products and services up to the value of
UKP 250.
Stafford Taylor, Cellnet's managing director, said that the Select
scheme is representative of the company's desire to reward its most
talkative customers.
"Customers registering for the scheme will already be committed
users of mobile phones who recognize the benefits of mobile
communications," he said, adding that they need not do anything
other than maintaining their existing level of service to reap the
rewards.
"There is no registration fee and we are not asking them to change
their current habits -- we are simply rewarding their consistent use
of Cellnet," he said.
(Steve Gold/19930922/Press & Public Contact: Cellnet - Tel: 0753-
504507)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
BUSINESS
India - Technology Briefs
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00009)
India - Technology Briefs 09/23/93
NEW DELHI, INDIA, 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- AT&T extends its calling
card to India, Digital Equipment gets the nod for manufacturing
in Bangalore, 11 Indian banks join Visanet, AirIndia offers
Skyphone service, and Tata Unisys intros new PCs.
AT&T Extends Calling Card Facility to India
AT&T has announced that its calling card for international
travellers will be valid in India. With this the AT&T calling card
facility is now available in 67 countries. The calling card can
also be used to access AT&T's directory assistance service in the
US, AT&T's 800 numbers, messaging service, teleconference services,
AT&T enhanced fax, etc.
DEIL Gets ISO 9002 Certification
Digital Equipment India Ltd. (DEIL), the Indian subsidiary of
Digital Equipment Corp. of the US, has obtained the ISO 9002
certification for its manufacturing facility in Bangalore.
Meanwhile, DEIL has bagged a $7 million contract from Digital
Engineering, a business group of the parent company DEC, to
provide support for the VMS operating system.
Eleven Indian Banks Link To VisaNet
Eleven Visa member Indian banks have been linked to the VisaNet
International financial data communications network. This link
enables faster authorizations for credit card purchases and
settlement processes between the banks in India and international
Visa issuers. Visa has 170,000 card holders and 37,000 Visa-
accepting merchant establishments in the country. The member banks
are: Andhra bank, ANZ Grindlays bank, Bank of America, Bank of
Baroda, Canara Bank, Central bank of India, Citibank NA, Hong Kong
Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Vijaya Bank and Vysya Bank Ltd.
Air India Offers Skyphone Facility
Air India, the government-owned international carrier, has
introduced in-flight skyphone facilities in its latest acquisition
"Konark" Boeing 747-400. The facility will be installed in all
three 747-400s that Air India will acquire in the next few months.
These aircraft will also have voice and data satcoms in near future.
Technical support from Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL), the firm
that handles overseas telecommunications, Inmarsat and the service
contract between Air India and a skyphone consortium led by British
Telecom, Norwegian Telecom and Singapore Telecom, has helped put
India on the map of airlines with skyphone facilities.
The equipment on a Konark Boeing comprises a Honeywell-Racal MCS-
3000 multi-channel avionics system and Toyocom MkII top-mounted
high-gain antenna subsystem. The facility, through satellite
communications, will enable passengers to make calls to anywhere in
the world. Air India claims that at $8.50 per minute, its skyphone
will be one of the most economical. About 100 international airlines
and business jets already have the skyphone facility through the
Inmarsat.
VSNL will soon upgrade the Arvi Low Earth Station (LES) near Pune so
that calls could be directed through India itself from the skyphone.
Presently, the calls have to be diverted to Singapore to be
transmitted to the global network of the Inmarsat satellites.
Tata Unisys Intros High-end PCs
Bombay-based Tata Unisys Ltd. (TUL) has introduced a range of 386-
and 486-based PCs from Unisys Corp., USA, its partner. Priced
between Rs 20,000 (around $670) to Rs 1.15 lakh (around $3800), the
series comprises the 4334 and 4254 desktop models, the 3333 slimline
PC and the 4666 EISA in a minitower.
The 4666 <LS>EISA<D> has a 486DX2 processor running at 66 MHz, 4 MB
RAM expandable to 128 MB. The 4334, a 486DX 33 MHz model, has a
cache memory of 4 MB expandable to 32 MB. The 4254 has a 486SX 25
MHz chip which is upgradable up to a 486DX2-50 MHz. The 3333 is the
only 386 machine in the series. It has a 386SX chip running at 33
MHz and 2 MB RAM expandable to 16 MB.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19930916)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/23/93
UNIX
****Unix Expo - Keynoter Laments Jargon
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00010)
****Unix Expo - Keynoter Laments Jargon 09/23/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- For computer
technology to realize its potential in the business world,
corporate leaders must take the time to understand technology, and
technologists must act as their interpreters, said Charles Wang,
chairman and CEO of Computer Associates, in a keynote speech at
Unix Expo.
Buzzwords like GUI, SQL, Unix, polymorphism, and client-server
still stand as a foreign language to most CEOs, explained
Wang, one of the headliners at the tenth annual edition of
the Unix show, being presented this week by Bruno Blenheim Inc. in
New York City.
"If you relate these terms in a conventional sense, GUI
is what happens when you put a kid together with a hot fudge
sundae," he said. SQL is "the second time around for a movie."
Unix refers to "the neutered slaves who protect the harems in old
gladiator movies." Polymorphism means a "dreaded disease that
originated on a South Sea Island," and client-server is "the oldest
profession."
To introduce the notion that effective translation is needed, Wang
told the Unix Expo audience about another speech, which he recently
delivered to a group of visiting Chinese technologists. "'I just
wanted to let you know that I'm tickled to death to be here,'" he
addressed the visiting Chinese in English.
But a look of agony appeared on the visitors' faces, and Wang later
found out why. The interpreter had translated Wang's words into
Chinese as, "`This poor man scratches himself until he dies...only
to be with you.'"
Unix Expo attendees don't need a translator to communicate among
themselves, Wang continued in this week's keynote. "But there are
many `significant others' in the business world who really don't
understand our world and what we're doing," he added.
Many business leaders view technology as expensive and confusing,
and technologists as not always keeping the promises they make.
"This is a serious problem, because if we don't focus on making
technology work for our businesses, then we become overhead in the
worst sense," Wang maintained.
Differing objectives are one factor that keeps the business and
technical communities apart. According to Wang, many technologists
are afflicted with FUDGE (Fear Uncertainty Doubt Greed Envy).
Their fear, uncertainty and doubt revolve around the idea that if
they aren't implementing the newest technologies, they'll be left
behind. Their greed and envy stem from "a natural desire to have
the latest and greatest toys."
Additionally, some technologists advocate a "revolutionary"
approach that business people find unworkable, said Wang.
"Revolutionaries stand on one side of a very large chasm, and shout
to the business people, `Come on over here! You'll have open
access to information! You'll have cheaper processing!! You'll
have more flexible development tools!! You'll have high powered
GUIs!!!'"
Business leaders are attracted by the promises, he acknowledged.
"But they're asking themselves how they're going to leap across
this chasm. `Indiana Jones in Search of the Holy Grail' is hardly
a role model for business decisions."
CEOs are also deeply interested in protecting their investments,
and reports of corporate losses from downsizing aren't helping the
overall situation, he suggested. US West, for example, recently
reported that its "downsized computers" cost twice as much to
maintain as mainframes did, he noted.
But on the plus side, business leaders are growing increasingly
computer literate, according to Wang. Computer Associates recently
held a retreat for CEOs that drew enthusiastic participation from
45 corporations around the world, he illustrated. CA is
now planning four more events of this kind.
For their part, technologists must learn to look at and communicate
their own activities in business terms, Wang advised. "We are the
interpreters. We have the responsibility to translate the new
technologies and their benefits."
Technologists also need to forego the "revolutionary" approach in
favor of "intelligent evolution," he recommended. "We must take
what we know works and build upon it," he commented. One example
of this kind of orientation is Computer Associates' CA-Unicenter,
the keynoter said.
By bringing mainframe-calibre management tools to such environments
as Unix, Windows NT, OS/2, and Novell Netware, CA-Unicenter can
help users of legacy systems evolve to newer technologies, stated
the CEO of CA. "It's the builders, not the revolutionaries, who
are going to make commercial Unix a success," he concluded.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930923/Press contacts: Annie Sculley, Bruno
Blenheim Inc., tel 800-829-3976, ext 145; Mark Haviland, Bruno
Blenheim, tel 800-829-3976, ext 152)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
IBM
Spinnaker Power Album Organizes Images
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00011)
Spinnaker Power Album Organizes Images 09/23/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) --
Spinnaker Software Corp. (Cambridge, Mass.) has released
PFS:PowerAlbum for Windows, a $59.95 program said to offer a
simple way to organize, preview and access disparate clip art,
scans, images and drawings for desktop publishing or other graphical
applications.
As clip art and scanned image collection expands, files are typically
scattered across numerous directories, drive partitions and network
drives. DOS's 8-character name limitation restricts descriptive file
names, making it difficult to determine image contents.
To catalog images, PFS:PowerAlbum for Windows generates a "thumbnail"
representation and stores it in an "album" file, while leaving the
image in its original directory location and file format to maintain
image integrity. The album file can be further organized into
categories.
In addition to the image organizer, PFS:Power Album also includes
1,000 color clip art images that can augment an existing image library
or provide a new user with a ready-made clip art repertoire.
The software is available at computer stores and can also be had
direct from the company by calling 800-826-0706 or 800-851-2917.
Spinnaker Software is at 201 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139.
(Marguerite Zientara/19930923)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/23/93
IBM
Hard Disk To Go -- K-STOR
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00012)
Hard Disk To Go -- K-STOR 09/23/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Ever bring a
floppy disk full of files home from work only to discover that the
file you really need is back at the office? You can avoid that
predicament with K-STOR, a new transportable hard disk from
Kalok Corp.
K-STOR is designed to let users easily move their entire software
environment (applications and data) from one computer to
another. The company has just released two models of the
lightweight (under one pound) drives, with whopping capacities
of 250 and 360 megabytes respectively. The K-STOR is a
half-inch-high drive that pops in a standard PC 5 1/4-inch
floppy drive bay once a docking module (included) for the bay is
installed.
Software and a carrying case are included to protect the drive
while in transit between computers. Additional docking modules
(under $100) and K-STOR drives can be purchased as needed.
IBM PC/AT and compatible systems are supported.
"Until this announcement there was no effective, low-cost solution
to the problem of transporting hard drives between computers," said
Lee Peterson, vice-president of sales at Kalok. He noted the
removable K-STOR drives would be especially attractive to users
with more than one computer who run the same programs and work
with the same data on each system. The typical alternative
has been to carry around multiple floppy disks, or to rely on
a remote-access telecommunications system.
Earlier this year, the company entered into an agreement with
well-known drive maker TEAC to manufacture the K-STOR drives.
TEAC also made an equity investment in the firm.
The K-STOR package is now available at $495 for the 250-megabyte
model and $595 for the 360-megabyte model.
For more information or a dealer referral, call Kalok at
408/747-1315.
(David Needle/19930923)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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4 09/23/93
GENERAL
JetStack For HP LaserJet
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00013)
JetStack For HP LaserJet 4 09/23/93
HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Genesis Technology
has announced the JetStack 1000, a new output stacking device
designed to increase the paper output of Hewlett-Packard
LaserJet 4 and 4M printers. Once connected to either LaserJet model,
the JetStack increases the printer's normal paper capacity some 300
percent, up to 1,000 sheets.
This higher capacity is especially useful in running long
unattended print runs, the company notes. "Just send the 500-page
document at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning the JetStack
1000 has your job stacked and ready to go," says Genesis Sales
Manager Neal Greenburg. "It's also perfect for network environments."
The JetStack 1000 has a suggested retail price of $349. It
installs in minutes with no software changes or additional
cabling needed. Genesis Technology is a Hayward, California-based
ten-year-old manufacturer of paper-handling devices for the computer
industry. For more information call 510/782-4800.
(Computer Currents/19930923)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
APPLE
Text Stripper For Macintosh
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00014)
Text Stripper For Macintosh 09/23/93
MAPLEWOOD, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Ever find yourself
going through a text file to delete carriage returns, or doing a
global change of "--" to "Q," for example? If either of these tasks,
or others like them, are a regular part of your work week, you'll
get hot over a shareware gem created to strip those text files for
you.
Add/Strip performs a number of useful operations on text files full
of extraneous or undesirable characters. It will exchange straight
with curly quotation marks, turn two hyphens into an em dash,
substitute ligatures for fl or fi, strip out leading or trailing
spaces, remove control characters, and add or strip carriage
returns and line feeds.
These additions and replacements can be fine-tuned, for example, to
leave straight quote marks after numbers to indicate feet and
inches. Best of all, all this can be done in one pass.
Some people may find this the answer to some very specific prayers.
The fee is $25 and the author is Jon Wind, 2374 Hillwood
Drive, Maplewood, MN 55119 (CompuServe: 70167,3444). CompuServe
users can find it by typing Go MACNEW, and can access the file
through Libraries, then the Shareware Emporium menu option.
The title is ADDSTP.SIT/Bin. On Genie, go to M 605 (page 605),
the Macintosh Roundtable Software Library, and request a download
for ADD/STRIP 3.0.3.CPT or item 25755. The author also offers a
more basic string-replacement freeware product available as
REPONE.CPT.
(Chris Oakes/19930923)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
TELECOM
FCC Nominee Sails Through
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
FCC Nominee Sails Through 09/23/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Reed Hundt moved
toward easy confirmation as chairman of the Federal
Communications Commission, where he said encouraging competition
will be his watchword. Those words were reassuring to many in the
Senate, who feared that the Clinton Administration might try to
reregulate the industry.
But by the end of the morning-long hearing before the Senate
Commerce Committee, Hundt was drawing jokes from some who
credited him with "discovering" Doonesbury cartoonist Garry
Trudeau while he was at the Yale Daily News. Such bonhomie is
usually a sure sign of easy confirmation. Hunt is extremely well-
connected, having attended St. Albans' School in Washington with
Vice President Gore and having attended Yale Law School with
President and Mrs. Clinton.
On substantive issues, however, Hundt stayed mainly with
platitudes. He praised "universal service," a buzzword being used
by local phone companies demanding subsidies of competitors, but
also agreed that the more the government can encourage
competition, the less it will have to regulate. He also urged
Republican Senator John Danforth of Missouri, who's retiring next
year, and Democratic Senator Daniel Inouye of Hawaii to press
ahead with their bill to restructure telecommunications
regulation. But he offered little solid advice on what that bill
should contain.
After the hearing Senator Ernest Hollings, a South Carolina
Democrat, said he would seek an expedited vote before the Senate.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930923)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
TELECOM
MCI Speeds Credit Card Transactions
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
MCI Speeds Credit Card Transactions 09/23/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- MCI is
combining a toll-free 800 number with its X.25 packet network and
Signaling System 7 technology to speed processing of credit card
transactions.
The new system, called ResponseNet, promises to cut 20-30 percent
off the time it takes to process a credit card. That's just 6
seconds per call, but with 12 billion transactions each year, the
savings can be considerable, MCI spokesman Pam Small told
Newsbytes.
ResponseNet actually combines a number of technologies which have
been around for a while, she added. Many merchant terminals send
calls over toll-free 800 lines, but these are voice lines, not
data lines. Most X.25 data calls take place over local numbers,
meaning they first must go through a local phone company system
that doesn't use Signaling System 7, the technology required for
services like Caller ID. Small said as much as 30 percent of
local phones may still lack SS7. By sending a data call to a
toll-free number and assuring use of SS7 between a merchant's
terminal and a bank's computer, transaction time is speeded up
and money is saved, she continued.
Faster transaction processing also means that the networks can
also be used for taxi rides and fast food, where the bills are
low and customer impatience high. Best of all, Small noted,
using the new network does not require that processors change
any of the programming in their merchant terminals -- they
simply direct calls to a different phone number.
MCI also announced the first two customers for ResponseNet --
Mobil Oil Credit and First Data Resources. FDR is a $1.2 billion
transaction processing company, while Mobil has 8,500 gas
stations.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930923/Press Contact: Pam Small, MCI, 202-
887-3000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
TELECOM
British Telecom-MCI Deal Sails Through
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
British Telecom-MCI Deal Sails Through 09/23/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Approval of the
MCI-British Telecom joint venture seemed assured as AT&T
announced it will not oppose the move. Earlier, European
Commission authorities approved the deal, which must still be
given the go-ahead by US regulators.
While signaling in a filing with the Federal Communications
Commission it won't object to MCI's move, AT&T did make some
important requests. It wants changes in the rules governing US
operations of foreign long distance carriers to assure its access
to foreign markets.
In a separate filing, it again urged that the "dominant carrier"
rules which impede its ability to compete with MCI and Sprint be
removed. Courts have ruled that the rules do discriminate against
AT&T, and have ordered MCI and other carriers to file the same
complex tariffs on special deals which AT&T must file. The rules
date from 1980, when AT&T held nearly all the US long distance
market, but its share is now estimated at 60-65 percent.
AT&T indicated it wants the FCC to order that it be given access
to the UK market within two years as the price for letting BT
operate unfettered here. The company also wants "cross-
subsidization" stopped, in which a foreign competitor funds US
affiliates with captive profits from home.
Some analysts speculate AT&T may be interested in a little quid
pro quo with AT&T. Southwestern Bell and Bell Atlantic are
opposing AT&T's proposed acquisition of McCaw Cellular, and
British Telecom owns 35.8 million shares of McCaw.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930923/Press Contact: FCC Press, 202-632-
5050)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
UNIX
Lotus Launches Ami Pro For HP-UX
(NEWS)(UNIX)(TOR)(00018)
Lotus Launches Ami Pro For HP-UX 09/23/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Another
mainstream personal computer application has found its way to the
Unix operating system with the launch of Ami Pro 3.0 for HP-UX, a
version of Lotus Development's word processor that runs on
Hewlett-Packard's version of the Unix operating system.
Launched at the Unix Expo show in New York this week, Ami Pro for
HP-UX has many of the same features as the existing version for
Microsoft Windows. The main differences, company spokeswoman
Michelle Goguen said, are the absence of the drawing and charting
features, a somewhat different user interface to fit into the
Unix world, and the substitution of Lotus' Link, Embed, and
Launch-to-edit (LEL) technology for Microsoft's Object Linking
and Embedding (OLE).
Goguen said Lotus has seen no user demand for the drawing and
charting capabilities on Unix, and would add the features to the
Unix version of Ami if enough users asked for them.
As for the user interface, it conforms to HP's Visual User
Environment (HP-VUE), which in turn is based on the Open Software
Foundation's Motif standard. According to Lotus, the usual
capabilities of HP-VUE, such as the ability to print a file by
dragging a print icon to the graphical desktop, apply to the new
Ami Pro.
LEL is an object linking technology that Lotus has created for
Unix systems, and Ami Pro and the newly launched Notes Release 3
for Sun Microsystems Inc. SPARC systems are the first
applications to support it. Goguen said other Lotus applications
for Unix, such as the 1-2-3 spreadsheet, do not support LEL yet,
but the goal is that not only Lotus but third-party software will
conform to it in future.
LEL is compatible with OLE, Lotus said, in that if a Windows user
embeds an Ami Pro document into Lotus Notes using OLE, a Notes
user in Unix can then launch the Unix version of Ami Pro from
Notes using LEL just a Windows user might have launched Ami Pro
for Windows using OLE.
Ami Pro for HP-UX will run on HP's 9000 Series computers with
Version 8.07 or later of HP-UX, 16 megabytes of memory, 45
megabytes of disk space, and Motif 1.1 or later. It works with
any Unix-compatible network, Lotus said. It will sell for $495,
and the company is offering its own word processing customers and
users of competing software an upgrade for $129.
(Grant Buckler/19930923/Press Contact: Kim Commerato or Michelle
Goguen, Lotus Development, 404-391-0011; Public Contact: Lotus
Development, 800-831-9679)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
9000 09/23/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - IBM's DB2 Will Port To Non-IBM HP
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00019)
Unix Expo - IBM's DB2 Will Port To Non-IBM HP 9000 09/23/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- At Unix Expo, IBM
and Hewlett-Packard have announced an agreement to make IBM's DB2
relational database management system (RDBMS) available on a non-
IBM platform for the first time ever.
The two companies are targeting a port of DB2 to HP-UX on HP 9000
workstations, said Janet Perna, IBM's director of database
technology, Software Solutions, and Lucia Mikasa, section manager,
CSO Information Management, Hewlett-Packard, in an interview with
Newsbytes.
"The port reflects HP's interest in using more robust database
engines," Mikasa told Newsbytes. Beta testing will probably begin
by the end of the year, she added.
DB2 currently runs on such IBM platforms as MVS and VM mainframes,
AS/400 midrange systems, RS/6000 Unix, and PS/2 personal computers.
At Database World in June, Perna and other IBM officials told
Newsbytes that IBM was working with outside vendors to add support
for DB2. At that time, Perna and David Schwartz, director of Data
Management Solutions for Programming Solutions, each predicted that
the first port to be unveiled would probably be to a Unix platform.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930923/Press contacts: Barbara Cerf, IBM, tel
914-642-4664; Lynne Hanson, Hewlett-Packard, tel 408-447-1415;
Christine Bock, The Spindler Organization, tel 714-587-6946)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - New Ten X Optical Drive Works Without Drivers
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00020)
Unix Expo - New Ten X Optical Drive Works Without Drivers 09/23/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- At Unix Expo, Ten
X has announced a product billed as the first optical drive to work
without the use of a connection kit.
At a press conference, Elizabeth Davis, vice president of sales and
marketing, explained that OptiXchange 1300 uses a unique hardware
interface that allows the optical disk to look and act like a hard
disk to any operating system, eliminating the need for software
drivers.
OptiXchange 1300 also provides full support for both rewritable and
WORM (write once read many) disks, said Davis. In contrast, many
other "multifunction" drives experience SCSI compatibility issues
when working in WORM mode, she added.
Ten X also claims that the 1300 offers the highest storage capacity
and fastest speeds of any product in its category. When tested
under real operating conditions, the subsystem achieved an average
access time of 25 milliseconds, a seek time of under 19
milliseconds, and a sustained data transfer rate of more than 650
kilobytes per second, according to Davis.
Use of a storage format called zone constant angular velocity
(ZCAV) allows each optical disk to store 1.3 GB, she said. The
drive is also backward compatible with 1 GB and 650 MB disks.
Hardware data compression increases capacity from 2:1 to 5:1,
depending on the media and data to be stored, according to Davis.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930923/Press contact: Greg Wise or Elizabeth
Davis, Ten X Technology Inc., tel 800-922-9050)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
TELECOM
Northern Telecom Offers LAN Link To Voice Mail, Fax
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TOR)(00021)
Northern Telecom Offers LAN Link To Voice Mail, Fax 09/23/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Northern
Telecom Ltd., has set out to tie its Meridian Mail voice messaging
system in with local-area networks (LANs) and facsimile
transmission with a new hardware-software combination called
VISIT Messenger.
VISIT Messenger is the latest in a line of desktop communications
products Northern calls VISIT, which stands for Visual
Interactive Technology. It consists of a server based on Intel
Corp.'s 486 processor, plus server and client software to let
personal computer users on a LAN retrieve voice and fax messages
from their keyboards.
Besides voice messages from the Meridian Mail system, VISIT
Messenger will handle incoming fax messages, which can be
displayed on the recipient's computer screen, printed on a local
printer, or saved on the local hard disk, said company spokesman
Ted Hudak. The server provides typical computer-fax advantages,
like the fact that incoming faxes aren't blocked because of a
machine being out of paper.
Users can also send faxes from the system, which includes the
ability to broadcast a single fax to multiple recipients, delayed
sending to take advantage of off-peak phone rates, and other
fax-machine niceties.
The VISIT Messenger server can also provide fax-on-demand
service, in which callers request that a certain document be
faxed to them and it is done automatically.
VISIT Messenger users can see details of their phone and fax
messages on their computer screens, but use their desktop
telephones to hear their voice messages, Hudak said.
Those who don't need the fax capability will be able to buy VISIT
Messenger with only voice-mail functions. Due to be available
some time in the first quarter of 1994, the system will be priced
from $10,000 to $30,000, depending on the functions included and
the number of users supported -- it can handle from 50 to 400,
Hudak said.
To use it, buyers will need Northern's Meridian Mail Release 7.54
with the Access Enable option. Northern said VISIT Messenger
supports most popular LAN operating systems, including Microsoft
LAN Manager and Novell NetWare, and works with both Ethernet and
Token Ring networks.
(Grant Buckler/19930923/Press Contact: Ted Hudak, Northern
Telecom, 214-684-2758)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
APPLE
MacBiz Magazine, Supplement Aim At Canada's Mac Market
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00022)
MacBiz Magazine, Supplement Aim At Canada's Mac Market 09/23/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Canadian computer
magazines are not as specialized as many of those in the larger
US market, and one example of this is the fact that this
country has no Macintosh-specific publications. But a Toronto
publisher thinks the Canadian Mac market is now big enough to
support its own publication, and plans to launch not one but two
in the next few months.
MacBiz Publishing, a new operation backed by unnamed private
investors, plans to publish a bimonthly glossy magazine and a
supplement to The Globe and Mail, the national newspaper
published in Toronto. Appearing in alternate months, the two
publications will aim at rather different audiences, said Steve
Wexler, executive editor of both new publications.
MacBiz Canada will be a glossy magazine with a circulation of
60,000 Macintosh users, officials said. Initially it will be
distributed mainly by controlled circulation, Wexler said, though
the publishers hope to move toward a paid-subscription basis. The
magazine will be edited for people who use Macintosh computers,
and will try to give them Canadian content they don't get from
US-based publications that circulate in Canada, such as
MacWorld magazine and the newsweekly MacWeek.
"They don't give it a Canadian context," Wexler said, adding that
his company is not aiming to replace those publications for
Canadian readers.
The MacBiz Reporter will be a supplement to The Globe and Mail
published in months when MacBiz Canada does not appear. Wexler
said its focus will be more like that of the daily newspaper:
general business readers rather than experienced computer users.
It will appear either as a stand-alone section of the paper or as
part of the daily Report on Business section, depending on its
size, he said.
MacBiz plans to begin publication of the MacBiz Reporter
supplement with the November 17 issue of The Globe and Mail, and
of MacBiz Canada in February, 1994.
The Cohen Group, a Toronto-area marketing and public relations
firm, said it has been contracted to administer and produce both
publications.
Apple Canada Inc., is not a formal backer of the publications,
Wexler said, though it has expressed its approval.
(Grant Buckler/19930923/Press Contact: Melanie Franner, The Cohen
Group, 416-886-8086; Public Contact: MacBiz Publishing,
905-764-6420, fax 905-886-8087)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/23/93
UNIX
SunSoft Intros Solaris 2.3 & Dev't Kits
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00023)
SunSoft Intros Solaris 2.3 & Dev't Kits 09/23/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- SunSoft Inc., has
introduced the newest version its popular Solaris 2 version of
Unix. At the same time the company has also introduced the
Software Developer Kit (SDK) and Driver Developer Kit (DDK) for
Solaris.
According to the company, the new version - Solaris 2.3 - includes
"significant performance increases" in such areas as database
transaction, graphics and windows system. It also features the
newest version of Adobe Display PostScript, level 2, as well as
security, networking, system administration and multimedia
capabilities.
The software is based on Unix System V Release 4 (SVR4), and,
according to the company, offers symmetric multiprocessing,
multithreading, built-in networking, a suite of software
development tools, system administration, security, ToolTalk
interapplication software, LIVE! multimedia, and a "user-friendly"
interface.
In addition to Adobe Display PostScript Level 2, the new version also
includes such features as: cache file system that uses a local disk
as cache to eliminate traffic over the network; Asynchronous
Point-to-Point (PPP); an improved XIL imaging library; C2 security:
and networked system administration.
The company says that the new Solaris offers an enhanced binary
compatibility package (BCP) that enables users to run most of their
Solaris 1 applications unmodified on their Solaris 2 systems. The
BCP supports dynamically- and statically-linked applications,
enabling users to run existing applications with "no loss in
performance."
SunSoft says that Solaris 2.3 is "fully localized" for the worldwide
commercial market. In addition to Latin American Spanish, the
product is localized in German, French, Italian, Swedish, Japanese,
Korean and two versions of Chinese - the People's Republic of China
and the Republic of China.
The new Solaris 2.3 software environment includes a single compact
disc (CD), documentation and a coupon for the Wabi Windows
emulation software. It will be generally available in early November.
Solaris Desktop for the client desktop is priced at $795 in single
quantity. Solaris Workgroup Server for the small to mid-range
departmental server is priced at $1,995 in single quantity. Solaris
Enterprise Server for the enterprise server is priced at $5,995 in
single quantity. The localized versions will be available 30 days
after the shipment of the US Solaris 2.3 version.
According to the company, the SDK and DDK allow commercial and
in-house developers to "quickly and efficiently build products"
for the Solaris environment.
The kits come with a number of features including development
tools, sample code, on-line documentation, and training and
support materials. The company has also announced a series of new
developer programs designed to "educate and train" customers on
the Solaris technology.
The Solaris SDK includes: the Developer AnswerBook, which provides
on-line hypertext technical documentation including 20 manuals;
Motif 1.2.2, which allows X-based applications to be built leveraging
the Motif graphical user interface; the OpenWindows Developer's
Guide, which offers a point-and-click GUI builder to design, test, and
build GUIs; sample source code; and technical white papers.
The Solaris SDK for SPARC includes Devguide Motif Utilities, which
assists with migration of Devguide-generated Open Look applications
to Motif C source code or Motif UIL source code.
The Solaris DDK includes: the Device Drivers Writer's Guide, which
features a guide to the Solaris driver writing process; the
DDI/DKI reference manual, which provides the specification of the
Solaris DDI/DKI interface, the standard interface between device
drivers and the Solaris kernel; the STREAMS programmer's guide,
which discusses the kernel-level and user-level interfaces to the
STREAMS I/O (input/output) mechanism; sample and skeleton device
drivers; as well as application packaging and installation guide.
The Solaris DDK for SPARC includes: Solaris VISUAL driver
developer's documentation; and the OpenBoot PROM Command
reference guide.
The Solaris DDK for x86 includes the x86 device driver manual and
device driver templates for SCSI (Small Computer Systems
Interface), Token Ring, PIO and DMA devices.
The SDK for Solaris on SPARC and x86 is priced at $495 for single
quantity and will be available on a CD in 60 days. The Solaris DDK
for SPARC and x86 is priced at $95 and will also be available on a
CD in 60 days.
(Ian Stokell/19930923/Press Contact: Shernaz Daver,
415-336-4360, SunSoft Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
IBM
UK -- Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.01 For Windows
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00024)
UK -- Lotus 1-2-3 Release 4.01 For Windows 09/23/93
STAINES, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- A week after the
package was formally announced in the US, Lotus UK has launched 1-2-
3 Release 4.01 in the UK. According to the company, the package
includes enhancements which have been created in response to
customer problems and suggestions, enhanced integration with Lotus
Notes and updated database drivers.
The update kit version of the package, which ships this week in the
UK, is being sent automatically by post to all registered users of
v4.00. It can also be obtained by calling Lotus Customer Services on
0753-532044, as well as via the LotUSA forum on Compuserve. The
update kit preserves all users' data, macros and default settings,
the company claims.
Andrew Wyatt, Lotus UK's brand manager for spreadsheets, said that
market response to 1-2-3 4.01 has been phenomenal. "While most of
our customer calls are suggestions and questions, we closely monitor
these support calls for problems, and we are committed to addressing
customer concerns as quickly as possible," he said.
1-2-3's workgroup capabilities have been enhanced with v4.01 by the
addition of the Application Field Exchange (AFE), a feature that
Lotus claims makes it easier for users to collaborate on projects
and share information. Under AFE, key data in 1-2-3 worksheets can
be automatically organized, distributed and shared via the Notes
network.
John Landry, Lotus' chief technology officer, said that AFE adds a
new dimension to the synergy between 1-2-3 and Notes. "Spreadsheet
users can publish their summarized results via a Notes view. If the
underlying detail is required, a double click takes the user to the
detail by launching 1-2-3 and the associated spreadsheet," he said.
(Steve Gold/19930923/Press & Public Contact: Lotus UK - tel: 0784-
455445)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
TRENDS
****PCMCIA III Hard Drives Arrive
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00025)
****PCMCIA III Hard Drives Arrive 09/23/93
FELTHAM, MIDDLESEX, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- PPCP, the portable
peripherals distributor, has announced the availability of an
85-megabyte (MB) removable PCMCIA (personal computer memory card
industry association) type III hard disk.
The drive, which has been imported into the UK from Calluna
Technology, has two 1.8-inch format disks inside, yet
comes in a unit that slips straight into a PCMCIA III card slot.
John Nolan, PPCP's managing director, said that the UKP 499 unit's
average seek time is 18 milliseconds and has a data transfer rate of
up to 4MB a second.
"The drive opens up enormous possibilities for portable PC users. It
has enough capacity to carry all a user's applications as well as
data, from machine to machine," he said. "As with most PCMCIA
devices at the moment, availability to the market is everything and
we have product available now," he added.
The drive incorporates standby and sleep modes for power
conservation. When active, it consumes 425 milliamps (mA) of power
and 250mA when idle.
PPCP is claiming a mean time between failures (MTBF) of more than
150,000 hours. Shock resistance is 300 times the force of gravity
(G) when non-operational and 100G when operational. The unit
measures 85.6 x 54 x 10.5 millimetres and weighs just 65 grams.
(Steve Gold/19930923/Press & Public Contact: PPCP - tel: 081-893-
2277)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/23/93
GENERAL
VARs Choose AST As #1 PC Supplier
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00026)
VARs Choose AST As #1 PC Supplier 09/23/93
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- The notebook
market is one of the fastest growing segments of the computer
industry. Now AST Research Inc., has been awarded the number one
PC/notebook supplier spot by value-added resellers (VARs) at the
fifth annual VARBusiness Report Card Awards Ceremony.
AST vied with such other major PC/notebook manufacturers as IBM,
Apple Computer, Wyse, NCR, Acer, and Unisys in the desktop and
notebook computer classification. The company claims to have
finished first in product, pricing and support categories,
and second in partnership on the way to its overall first place.
In announcing the awards, Richard March, VARBusiness editor,
said: "AST, which was the top-rated PC/notebook vendor in the
survey, received its best grades in supporting VARs. AST
finished first in three of the four support categories. While AST
also received a high score in product categories, it was the
company's favorable support scores that put AST over the top."
According to VARBusiness, the survey asked authorized VARs to
rate the importance of 16 categories they had indicated were the
most critical. Then, within each category, they were asked to rate
satisfaction with their vendors.
Scores for vendors were segmented into three platforms, including
single processor PCs/notebooks, minicomputers/servers, and
workstations.
An independent consulting firm conducted the 1,027 telephone
interviews, according to the company, with all respondents
asked the same questions. For the AST portion of the survey,
VARBusiness interviewed AST VARs who primarily resold AST
PCs/notebooks.
The company says that, within the product category, six factors
were considered, including quality of product, product availability,
interoperability, upgradability, product innovation, and breadth of
line. In the profit category, profit margins, price/performance and
financing were considered. In the support category, quality of
technical support, accuracy/timeliness of pricing information,
quality of lead programs, and quality of co-op programs were
considered. In the partnership category, commitment to VAR
programs, cross-channel conflict, and quality of marketing
associate programs were measured.
Just last week, Newsbytes reported that AST planned to
demonstrate its first handheld, pen-based computer at the
Mobile World Show in San Jose this month.
(Ian Stokell/19930923/Press Contact: Hollie Chriss-Cronin,
714-727-7977, AST Research Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/23/93
GENERAL
Exabyte Intros Exatape Mini Data Cartridge
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00027)
Exabyte Intros Exatape Mini Data Cartridge 09/23/93
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- Exabyte Corp.,
has introduced the Exatape Mini Data Cartridge. According to the
company, the new-generation, DC2750 minicartridge yields the
highest capacity for quarter-inch minicartridge data recording.
The new cartridge stores from 750 megabytes (MB) - native - to
up to 1.5 gigabytes (GB) - compressed.
According to the company, quarter-inch Exatape's high capacity
is made possible by an advanced, 900 oersted magnetic tape that
produces an efficient level of data packing. In addition, tape is
longer (295 feet) and one-fourth thinner than previous-generation
quarter-inch formulations, which results in higher recording-track
density.
The company claims that certification is earned after the
"successful completion of lot-by-lot quality sampling, evaluation
and monitoring." This includes use in the design, manufacture and
testing of actual Exabyte tape drives. To date, the company says
that over four million Exatape 8mm cartridges have been sold
worldwide, and all come with a limited lifetime warranty.
The company also says that the quarter-inch Exatape is designed
exclusively to maximize the performance of Exabyte's EXB-2501
Quarter-Inch Cartridge Tape Subsystem.
The Exatape Quarter-Inch Data Cartridge is available through
tape drive resellers, distributors and computer supply catalogs,
and can also be purchased directly from Exabyte.
Just this week Newsbytes reported that Exabyte had introduced
a 4 millimeter (mm) data cartridge. The company said the Exatape
4mm Data Cartridge is compatible for data recording use with all
brands of 4mm DDS-1 digital audio tape (DAT) drives. The 60-meter
tape has a suggested retail price of $31.95, while the 90-meter
version will sell for $35.95.
In July Newsbytes reported that Exabyte had announced its second
quarter financial results, with net income reported at $1.61 million,
or $0.08 per share. Net income for the same period last year was
$11.66 million, or $0.54 per share. Revenues for this year's second
quarter were reported at $75.7 million compared to $76.6 million
for the same period last year.
(Ian Stokell/19930923/Press Contact: Susan Merriman,
303-447-7434, Exabyte Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/23/93
GENERAL
Emerald Sys Backup Software To Support NetWare 4.
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00028)
Emerald Sys Backup Software To Support NetWare 4.0 09/23/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- One of the
most important aspects of any corporate networking environment
is an efficient and reliable data backup operation. Now Emerald
Systems says it will begin shipping backup software this fall that
will support Novell's new high-end NetWare 4.0 network operating
system (NOS).
The products will include XpressSERVE Enterprise, Xpress Librarian
3.0, EmSAVE 4.0, and ARCserve 5.0.
Concerning the products, Dr. Lawrence Rogers, head of Emerald's
Software Systems Division, said: "We have spent much time studying
and working with NetWare 4.0 so that we will have solid backup
products for this powerful enterprise OS. We know that with such
power comes complexity. Anticipating that there will be a steep
learning curve with the NetWare 4.0 system, we have put special
emphasis on our installation software to simplify that task."
The company says that ARCserve 5.0, Cheyenne Software's new
Windows-based NetWare Loadable Module (NLM), is already available
from Emerald in 50-user, 250-user, 500-user and 1,000-user
versions for backup of large multi-server enterprises. The software
backs up NetWare 4.0 servers through, what is called, a "bindery
emulation" mode.
Xpress Librarian 3.0, the company's workstation and Windows-based
data storage management software, will support NetWare 4.0 by
backing up Directory Services, which was an integral part of Novell's
attempt to compete with the high-end Vines NOS for geographically
dispersed corporate internetworks.
Xpress Librarian 3.0 will be introduced in October. It will support
the Adaptec SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) interface
card through the ASPI layer, as well as additional tape drives.
EmSAVE 4.0, a workstation and Windows-based product for basic
backup and restoral operations, will also begin shipping in October
with support for NetWare 4.0 through backup of Directory Services.
According to the company, both Xpress Librarian 3.0 and EmSAVE
4.0 will access NetWare 4.0 via a Windows-based storage
management services (SMS) interface on the workstation which
Emerald Systems codeveloped with Novell.
XpressSERVE Enterprise will be fully SMS-compliant. SMS allows
enterprise-wide backup and restoration of multiple file systems
so that all DOS, Windows, Unix, Macintosh and OS/2 files on the
server may be backed up. It will be available in October in 50-user,
250-user, 500-user and 1,000-user versions, XpressSERVE
Enterprise will have a NetWare-like C-Worthy interface on the
workstation, a server console interface and a DOS command-line
interface.
In March Newsbytes reported that Emerald was offering a 50-page
"Network Data Storage and Management Handbook" free to
administrators of local area networks (LANs).
In February Newsbytes reported that Azlan had announced that it
would be marketing Emerald's automated digital audio tape (DAT)
backup systems for the archiving of Novell Netware systems in
the UK.
(Ian Stokell/19930923/Press Contact: Karen Thomas,
619-673-2161 ext 4106, Emerald Systems)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/23/93
IBM
New Ergo Keyboard From Ergologic, Key Tronic
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00029)
New Ergo Keyboard From Ergologic, Key Tronic 09/23/93
FREMONT, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- If you type a
lot and hate the idea of relearning some new keyboard that is
supposed to be good for you ergonomically, Ergologic has a new
idea for you. Ergologic and Key Tronic have come up with a
standard QWERTY-based keyboard for IBM and compatible personal
computers (PCs) that the companies claim is adjustable so each
individual can get their hands in the most natural position.
Since evidence indicates that the debilitating condition
carpal tunnel and Desquervain's Tenosynovitis may be
caused by keyboards, interest in keyboards made more
closely to the design of the human hand and body is
high. Approximately seventeen percent of users who use a
keyboard more than two hours a day suffer from pain, numbness,
and loss of finger control, and repetitive motion disorders
account for more than 50 percent of all workplace injuries.
Several attempts have been made by various keyboard
manufacturers to solve this problem.
The Ergologic keyboard looks like a standard keyboard, but the
company has split the keyboard in half and the sides rotate up
and in so the user can type on a standard keyboard with their
hands at a more natural angle. The angle of the halves is set
with a knob on the left side of the keyboard and it takes only
seven seconds to make the adjustment, according to Lance
Rucker, president of Ergologic. Seven seconds is the magic
number, Rucker said, because if the time to make an adjustment
is longer, even as little as 15 seconds, users will simply give
up and use the keyboard the way it is.
Integrated hand rests have also been designed to support the
forearm weight and increase comfort in the neck, back, and
shoulders during keyboard use. Like the other portions of the
keyboard, the hand rests are also adjustable and do not
interfere with the users normal movement during data input.
The spacebar is a reverse activation spacebar which allows the
thumb to work the same way it does when picking up something,
or it can be used in the standard way. Users may also control
the backspace and return keys with the thumb if they wish.
Rucker, an ergonomics and Performance Logic specialist, has
done extensive research into keyboard design. "It was a spin-
off of design work we were doing for surgical settings. Some of
our people were very concerned about the awkwardness and
contortions of computer input and we decided to do something
about it," Rucker said.
The Ergologic Keyboard will be marketed both by Ergologic and
by Key Tronic, which is the manufacturer. Retail pricing is
expected to be $399 and company officials expect the units to
be available in November of this year. Key Tronic will
demonstrate the keyboards in both of its booths at the computer
trade show Comdex in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 15-19.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930923/Press Contact: Dr. Lance Rucker,
Ergologic, tel 604-433-3132, fax 604-433-0111; Public Contact
800-665-9929)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/23/93
TELECOM
****FCC Split On Personal Communication Networks
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00030)
****FCC Split On Personal Communication Networks 09/23/93
WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 23 (NB) -- The Federal
Communications Commission approved long-awaited rules on
the auction of microwave frequencies for Personal
Communication Networks, or PCNs, by a split 2-1 vote.
The plan, originally written by Commission staff, would require
auction participants to make up-front payments in order to be
qualified, and would split the available 160 megahertz of
spectrum between 1.8 and 2.2 GHz into two 30 MHz blocks, a single
20 MHz block and four 10 MHz blocks. The spectrum would be used
for voice, fax, data, and even paging services, in competition
with existing cellular and paging operators.
Since the spectrum being offered is at a much higher
frequency than the existing cellular spectrum, "cell sites"
would have to be closer together than in current cellular
systems, but power requirements would be much lower, meaning
smaller hand-sets could be used.
Geographically, the commission designated 51 Metropolitan Trading
Areas and 492 Basic Trading Areas, as defined by Rand McNally,
rejecting a call by MCI for national licensing. The commission
also ruled that existing cellular operators will be eligible for
new PCN licenses, but only outside their existing service areas
or areas where the cellular licensee serves less than 10
percent of the population of the proposed PCN network.
A company is considered a cellular licensee if it owns 20
percent or more of a cellular system -- many systems have
multiple owners.
The regional Bells will be subject to the same ownership rules as
other cellular operators. Companies may acquire up to 40 MHz of
frequency space per service area and there are no geographic
restrictions, so technically national service is possible.
Voting for the plan were interim chairman James Quello, a
Democrat appointed by President Nixon in 1974, and Commissioner
Ervin Duggan, a Democrat appointed by President Bush in 1990.
Voting against the staff plan was Commissioner Andrew Barrett, a
Republican appointed by President Reagan. Barrett issued a long
rebuttal, writing that "In an attempt to make everyone happy, the
majority has created a consensus decision that involves a
complicated labyrinth of a few large allocations and numerous
small market allocations, in varying size spectrum blocks."
Basically, Barrett found the final decision too complicated,
creating high costs for companies in acquiring licenses. "The
decision imposes impractical transaction costs in order to
accomplish complicated spectrum and market aggregation schemes
across over 2,000 small licenses throughout the country," he
concluded.
This is far from the end of the matter. The rules do not have to
be finalized until next March. Between now and then, public
comments are being sought, and interest groups are bound to have
their say. In addition, incoming chairman Reed Hundt, a Clinton
appointee, is expected to be in office soon, and will have a vote
on the final plan. It's also expected that a fifth commissioner,
nominally a Republican, will have been appointed by the President
and confirmed before the commission votes on the final plan. Even
after that vote, there is a chance for reconsideration and
amendment.
The Clinton Administration hopes to earn $8-10 billion for the
Treasury through auctioning off the PCN spectrum. Such auctions
were originally proposed by former commissioner Alfred Sikes, now
an executive with Hearst Corp., during the Bush Administration,
and during that administration, Congressional Democrats opposed
the idea. That opposition vanished after President Clinton
expressed support for the auctions.
Reaction to the decision was immediate. McCaw Cellular issued a
press release with praise for the plan. "The FCC's decision to
issue licenses of varying size to both experienced service
providers and new entrants into the market will ensure a wide
variety of wireless services at competitive prices," the release
stated. "I expect there will be spirited bidding for this
expansion of wireless service," added Chairman Craig McCaw. McCaw
recently agreed to be acquired by AT&T.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930923/Press Contact: FCC Press, Rosemary
Kimball, 202-632-5050; McCaw Cellular, Todd Wolfenbarger,
206/828-1851)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
BUSINESS
Cisco To Acquire Crescendo Communications
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(SFO)(00001)
Cisco To Acquire Crescendo Communications 09/22/93
MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Cisco
Systems Inc., has signed an agreement to acquire Crescendo
Communications Inc., a privately held, networking company.
Under terms of the deal, Cisco has agreed to acquire all of the
outstanding stock and assume all the outstanding employee stock
options and warrants of Crescendo in exchange for 2,000,000
shares of Cisco common stock.
The transaction, which has been approved by the board of directors
of both Cisco and Crescendo, is subject to several conditions,
including approval of Crescendo shareholders and receipt of an
opinion that the transaction will be accounted for as a pooling of
interest.
A meeting with the Crescendo shareholders has been scheduled for
September 23, 1993, to vote on the transaction.
In announcing the deal, John Morgridge, president and CEO of Cisco,
said: "Crescendo's key technologies are at the heart of a number of
leading-edge trends in our industry, including CDDI/FDDI (copper/
fiber distributed data interface), LAN (local area network)
switching, and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode). Crescendo
pioneered and developed its 'MLT3' signaling scheme that became
the foundation for the 100-Mbps over UTP (unshielded twisted
pair), today emerging as a worldwide industry standard."
Crescendo presently has about 60 employees and is based in
Sunnyvale, California, with seven regional offices in the US and
distributors in Europe and Asia.
In August, Newsbytes reported that Cisco had posted net income
of $53,719,000, or 41 cents per share, for its fourth quarter,
ending July 25, 1993. Net sales for the fourth quarter were
$205,223,000. This compared with net sales of $110,691,000
and net income of $27,240,000 in the like period last year.
Net sales for the 1993 fiscal year were $649,035,000, and net
income was $171,955,000, or $1.33 per share, versus net sales of
$339,623,000 and net income of $84,386,000 for fiscal 1992.
(Ian Stokell/19930927/Press Contact: Jeff Paine, 415-903-7191,
Cisco Systems Inc.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
APPLE
Avid Gets An Emmy For Media Composer
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00002)
Avid Gets An Emmy For Media Composer 09/22/93
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Avid
Technology received an Emmy Award at the 45th annual ceremony
by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for its Media
Composer system. The award was in recognition of outstanding
achievement in engineering and development of the Avid digital
non-linear editing system.
The Emmy was presented to Avid Technology and the inventors
of the Media Composer system: William J. Warner, Jeffrey L.
Bedell, Eric C. Peters, Joseph H. Rice, Stephen J. Reber, and
Thomas A. Ohanian.
Avid says Media Composer, introduced in December of 1989, was
among the first digital non-linear editing systems to provide
the industry with an image quality good enough to serve as a
catalyst for moving beyond traditional analog editing
technology. The company typically sells turn-key systems based
on Macintosh Quadra 950 systems that range in price from
$10,000 to $90,000.
Since its introduction, Avid claims over 2,000 Media Composer
systems sold. Avid systems have been used to edit short-form
programs such as commercials and music videos and long-form
projects including television episodics such as "L.A. Law' and
"Northern Exposure," and feature films like "Needful Things" and
"The Fugitive."
(Linda Rohrbough/19930921/Press Contact: Mimi Englander,
Avid Technology, tel 508-640-3157, fax 508-851-0418)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
IBM
Softklone Becomes UK Distributor For Reportsmith
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00003)
Softklone Becomes UK Distributor For Reportsmith 09/22/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Softklone has signed up to
be the exclusive distributor of Reportsmith, the client/server
reporting and query package from Indigo Software in the US, which
has just changed its name to Reportsmith, Newsbytes understands.
Indigo/Reportsmith's founder and president, Ken Gardner was in
Europe recently to finalize distribution deals in several European
countries, although, so far, only the UK deal has been made public.
Lee Wood, Softklone's managing director, told Newsbytes that
onward distribution deals are in progress with Ingram Micro and
Northamber, the company's existing distributors, to handle the
UKP239 package through to computer dealers.
"The package should be available by early next month," he said,
adding that, as an introductory offer, Reportsmith will be available
at UKP99 while stocks last. This pricing strategy, he told
Newsbytes, was to establish the name of the package in the UK.
Newsbytes notes that Reportsmith won the Byte magazine best
product award at Comdex Fall late last year. The software, which
supports DDE (dynamic data exchange) and OLE (object linking and
embedding) 2.0, works with live data for visual interactive report
design.
Gardner admitted that the strategy of dealing with live data in a
reporting package, though unique to Reportsmith, slows the
processing of the package down somewhat. To compensate, the
package has been coded to support an adaptive data access process.
This allows the package to handle any report size, even those in
which the data sets are too large for the client workstation. "What
we've done is to optimize the package for small, medium or larger
data files and ensure that it runs as quickly as possible for each
data set," he said.
So what do you get for your money? A Windows package, now into
version 1.22, that allows data to be manipulated and massaged into
easy-to-understand reports. In essence, Reportsmith is a report
generating package that can work with live data.
It does this by using the OLE and DDE features of Windows to link
data being produced from other applications under Windows and
inserting, as well as acting upon, that data.
Reportsmith also includes a macro language that bears more than a
passing resemblance to Basic. The company claims that the macro
language allows developers to develop strong macros very easily.
The macro language gives Reportsmith near application-level
capabilities. It is possible, for example, to allow code to be
written that can automate most tasks on an intelligent basis.
Macros can be linked to fields and allowed to conditionally change
the field's format or color.
Alternatively, the macros can be programmed to hide or even disable
certain functions on execution. This facility could be useful for
when a report is being opened by a novice user and prevent that
person from ruining their own customized report.
(Steve Gold/19930921/Press & Public Contact: US: Reportsmith
(formerly Indigo) - 415/312-0770; Fax: 415/312-9014; UK:
Sofklone UK - Tel: 0628-819200)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
TRENDS
Computer Viruses Rampant In Japan
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00004)
Computer Viruses Rampant In Japan 09/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Computer virus infections
have been rapidly increasing in Japan. The Information Technology
Promotion Agency reports that it has received reports of virus
infections from 120 members in the month of August - the highest
number in its history.
The number is the highest since it began the survey in 1990. There
were 83 cases in June and 97 cases in July. Due to the summer
holiday season, the number was initially expected to be smaller
in August.
NEC's PC-9801 suffered most, with 81 cases reported. This was
followed by the IBM-PC, the IBM PS/2, and the PS/55 (Japanese
PS/2) platforms.
The type of viruses included Yankee Doodle, which was reported in
52 cases, and Cascade, in 36 cases. Seventy percent of the
reports resulted from these two viruses. There was one new virus
- Mommy. This virus infects the .EXE file and eventually deletes
the disk content.
A total of 810 cases have been reported since IPA started the
survey in April 1990. It is expected that the number of viruses
reported will continue to increase. IPA warns that users
should be careful about programs which are downloaded from
telecommunications networks. Also, users should not use copied
disks.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930922/Press Contact: IPA,
+81-3-3437-2301)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
TELECOM
Japan - KDD To Cut International Phone Rates
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(TYO)(00005)
Japan - KDD To Cut International Phone Rates 09/22/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- KDD says it will cut
international telephone rates on October 10. The firm will cut an
average 2.4 percent, making it the same or less than those of
its rivals. However, it is expected that other firms will also
follow suit.
KDD will lower rates between 10 yen (10 cents) and 240 yen
($2.4) depending on the regions - which include 134 countries.
Currently, KDD's phone rates are higher than those of rival phone
firms to all regions.
However, the company claims that to some countries - such as
France, England, and Germany - they will be cheaper. To some 27
countries, the rates will be same as those of rival firms. For
example, phone rates to Cambodia and Vietnam will be cut
by 240 yen, with rates to South America and Africa to be cut
by 110 yen ($1.1).
KDD's rival telephone firms, such as International Telecom Japan
(ITJ) and International Digital Communication (IDC), will vie with
KDD by lowering their rates in the near future. It is expected that
these firms will lower their rates for calls to some popular
countries such as the US and the United Kingdom.
In the past, there was governmental guidance to keep KDD's
phone rates higher than those of other private telephone firms,
which entered the phone business after the deregulation of
the Japanese telecom industry in 1985. However, the government
has now given approval for KDD to lower rates in order to remain
competitive.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930922/Press Contact: KDD,
tel +81-3-3347-6934, fax +81-3-3275-4430)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
IBM
IBM Canada To Make PowerPC Modules
(NEWS)(IBM)(TOR)(00006)
IBM Canada To Make PowerPC Modules 09/22/93
BROMONT, QUEBEC, CANADA, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- An IBM Canada
Ltd., factory will make electronic modules for all PowerPC chips
used worldwide, the company announced as part of its rollout of
the first IBM PowerPC-based systems in Toronto.
The Bromont plant - one of IBM Canada's two manufacturing
facilities - took part in the design of the PowerPC packaging,
the company said. The plant will package PowerPC chips on
electronic modules and mount these on a ceramic base. It is the
only supplier of these modules in the industry, and will provide
the modules, not only to IBM, but to other PowerPC manufacturers,
including Apple Computer and Motorola, officials said.
IBM Canada would not say how many of the modules the Bromont
plant is to produce, but did report that Motorola is expected to
take 2.5 million of the chips and Apple about one million by the
end of 1994. IBM was tight-lipped about its own requirements for
the PowerPC modules.
IBM staff at the Bromont plant have spent the past couple of
years in development work to prepare for the PowerPC
announcement, said Bill Etherington, president and chief
executive of IBM Canada. The Bromont plant exports about C$2
billion worth of products each year, he said.
(Grant Buckler/19930922/Press Contact: Anne Hay, IBM Canada,
416-474-3900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
APPLE
****MacWorld Canada - MacWeek's Gore Predicts Mac Moves
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00007)
****MacWorld Canada - MacWeek's Gore Predicts Mac Moves 09/22/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- "Sometimes,"
MacWeek Senior Editor Andrew Gore told an audience at MacWorld
Expo/Canada this week, "I wish the Macintosh could be declared a
minor so Child Protection Services could come and take it away
until Apple could prove it was a fit parent."
Gore had a few other barbs for Apple, which he said is hoping to
address market confusion over the large number of Macintosh
models by introducing more models. But he spent most of his
second-day keynote address doing something his newspaper is
known for - predicting unannounced Apple products.
According to Gore, Apple will try to simplify its product line by
doing away with the Centris name, replacing existing Centris
models with equivalent Quadras.
On October 21, he forecast, Apple will launch seven new Quadra
models using 25 megahertz (MHz), 33MHz, and 40MHz Motorola
68040 processors. Six of these will have Ethernet local area
network (LAN) interfaces and compact disk read-only memory
(CD-ROM) drives built in. One will be an AV model with audio and
video capabilities.
A handful of new Macintosh Performa models will also appear in
October, Gore said, and there will also be a new Macintosh Duo
250, which will be essentially like the Duo 230 but with an
active-matrix grey-scale screen, and a Duo 270c with an
active-matrix color screen. In the spring, he added Apple will
bring out a 290c, with a 68040 processor and an active-matrix
color screen.
Also in the spring, Gore expects the first Macs based on the
PowerPC chips that Apple, IBM, and Motorola are jointly
developing. He predicted three initial models, ranging in price
from US$2,000 to US$4,000, built on PowerPC 601 chips running
at 50MHz and 66MHz, and possibly carrying the Quadra nameplate.
To the user, Gore said, the PowerPC Macs will look and work just
like existing Macs. He added one warning: while the machines will
run existing Mac software, they will not deliver the hoped-for
performance improvements with software written especially for
the PowerPC chip. And when will that appear? Gore said Microsoft
Corp., one of the key Mac application suppliers, is running behind
in its efforts to develop PowerPC versions of its Microsoft Office
suite of applications, but should have the Word and Excel packages
ready within 90 days after Apple launches the PowerPC Macs in
March.
The first Duo portable based on PowerPC technology is expected
next fall, he added.
Gore also touched on a rumored new Mac, called Blackbird, which he
said will be a notebook intended as a response to IBM's recently
launched ThinkPad 750. Expected in March, he said, it will have
an active-matrix color screen that will be the largest on any
PowerBook at 9.4 inches, and will use a modular design with two
expansion bays.
Turning to Apple's Personal Interactive Electronics (PIE)
division, Gore praised the Newton and dismissed the PowerCD
CD-ROM device, which he said is "a pretty lackluster CD-ROM
drive."
Despite complaints about the handwriting recognition in the
Newton MessagePad personal digital assistant, Gore said, Apple
is "selling every single one they can build."
He said more products in the Newton line can be expected quite
soon, and not just from Apple - other companies, including
Panasonic, Siemens, and Motorola, have licenses to build products
around the technology.
And the Newton line may use other processors than that in the
initial model. Gore said he expects Apple to launch a Newton
built on a PowerPC chip before the end of 1995, and the company
may even build one around the Intel chips used in IBM and
compatible personal computers. "It'll be ultimately up to folks
like yourselves whether it's successful," Gore said, "but the
architecture's got a lot of elbow room."
Commenting on recent corporate developments at Apple, Gore said
there is good news and bad news about the firm's drive for market
share over the past couple of years. The good news is that it is
working: Macintosh unit sales are up and the architecture holds
16 to 17 percent of the worldwide PC market today versus about
12 percent three years ago. The bad news is that, "in order to be
able to pump up the volume, Apple has had to cut their margins,"
and that has meant cuts to research and development and to
staffing and benefits.
"We at MacWeek are pretty convinced that we haven't seen the end
of the layoffs," he added. But he praised Apple for having "shown
a willingness to do what it has to do to keep the platform viable
and also to keep people developing for it."
(Grant Buckler/19930922)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
APPLE
MacWorld Canada - Global Networks To Change Business
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00008)
MacWorld Canada - Global Networks To Change Business 09/22/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Networking
technology is making it possible for computer users to exchange
information over almost any distance, and that will in time
change the way businesses work, Chip Graham, product manager
for Apple Pacific, said at MacWorld Expo/Canada.
As an example, Graham used a 9,600 bits-per-second modem to link
the Macintosh he used for his presentation to Apple Canada's
headquarters in nearby Markham, Ontario, and then to the
company's worldwide corporate network. During his presentation
he was able to connect to local networks in the United States,
Australia, and the Far East, and to take control of a personal
computer running Microsoft Windows software in an Apple
building in California.
The point of this, Graham said, is the ability to make
information readily available no matter where it is. "With a
network in place like that.....you can start to build other
technology on top of that."
The implications include "just-in-time information" analogous to
the just-in-time manufacturing techniques that have been popular
for years, he said. Training will also change, because it will be
possible to make information available exactly when people need
it to do their jobs, rather than treating training as a separate
activity.
He mentioned electronic forms and intelligent work-group
applications as building blocks in a new way of operating.
Graham also promoted some of Apple's products, such as the
AppleSearch architecture that indexes files to make it easy for
users to find information - a concept similar to file indexers
available for other personal computers.
On the product front, though, he faced some doubts from at least
one audience member, who noted that Apple has cut some
development projects in recent months as part of a cost-cutting
effort, and asked Graham how he could be sure Apple is committed
to these new technologies. Graham said customers shouldn't be
concerned, but admitted that, "The proof is in the delivery."
(Grant Buckler/19930922)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
APPLE
MacWorld Canada - Color, Multimedia, DTP Highlight Show
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00009)
MacWorld Canada - Color, Multimedia, DTP Highlight Show 09/22/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Desktop publishing,
the niche that helped the Macintosh gain acceptance, has not
disappeared, but multimedia is taking a growing share of the
attention. These technologies, along with an assortment of color
printers and miscellaneous other things, occupied the show floor
at MacWorld Expo/Canada this week.
Coming just six weeks after the Boston MacWorld show, the Toronto
event was light on new product announcements. Still, a good
number of Mac users took the opportunity to get a close-up look
at things many had only read or heard about.
This year's show included several pavilions bringing together
vendors with related products. At one, a Pre-Press Pavilion,
products such as clip art collections, color copiers, electronic
stripping technology, and Kodak's PhotoCD technology were
gathered together.
Kodak also showed the PhotoCD - which allows photographs to be
captured on a compact disk rather than film - at its own booth,
along with writeable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM)
devices and color printers.
Color printers were scattered throughout the show, with products
from QMS, Hewlett-Packard, Tektronix, Brother, and Fargo
Electronics among those shown by the manufacturers or their
Canadian distributors.
Claris Corp., Apple's software subsidiary, was showing
ClarisImpact, its new business graphics package. To be available
in Canada in November, ClarisImpact will sell for about C$375,
said a company representative at Claris' booth.
Multimedia took several forms, including home entertainment.
Yamaha Corp., was demonstrating "home karaoke" with its CBX-T3
tone generator, which attaches to a computer with a musical
instrument digital interface (MIDI) Interface and allows it to
produce the sound of one or more musical instruments.
(Grant Buckler/19930922)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
BUSINESS
Paramount Takeover Drama Escalates
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(ATL)(00010)
Paramount Takeover Drama Escalates 09/22/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Paramount
Communications, owner of Prentice Hall, the world's largest
publisher of computer books, is now the prize in the biggest
takeover drama to hit Wall Street in years.
While Viacom Chairman Sumner Redstone had insisted at a press
conference recently that QVC head Barry Diller was no threat to
his deal to buy Paramount for stock, QVC did make a bid for the
company September 21. The bid, for just under a share of QVC plus
$30 cash, is estimated to be worth $80 per Paramount share.
Viacom's bid, an all-stock offer, was said to be worth $70 per
share when it was made a week earlier, but subsequent falls in
the value of Viacom's stock reduced that to something over $63
per share. Among the major holders of QVC are Liberty Media,
headed by Tele-Communications Inc., head John Malone, and
Comcast, which has both cable television and cellular phone units.
There is great irony and drama here, as there always is in a
takeover battle. QVC head Barry Diller used to head the Paramount
studio, where he feuded with Paramount Chairman Martin Davis. If
he wins the prize, he could fire his former boss. Then there is
Redstone, who raised his bid three times before taking Viacom six
years ago, and has said repeatedly that, regardless of the
financial terms, competing bidders cannot offer Paramount Viacom
and the deal makes great strategic sense. Most analysts, however,
believe Paramount must be sold, in time, to the highest bidder.
Knowing there might be other bidders, Redstone and Paramount
tried to protect themselves with specific covenants in the deal.
If someone else takes Paramount, for instance, Paramount would
have to pay Viacom $100 million for its trouble. Viacom also drew
a relatively low-cost option on a big block of Paramount which it
could exercise to thwart another bidder, but that option could be
the subject of a court fight.
Then there are the reports of possible alternate bidders.
Ameritech, the regional Bell company for the upper Midwest, is
said to be interested in joining the QVC bid. This follows US
West's deal to invest $2.5 billion in Time Warner's cable
operations, in exchange for a stake in its entertainment group.
Capital Cities/ABC is reportedly planning a bid. Turner
Broadcasting Chairman Ted Turner has made no secret of his desire
to own a major movie studio. Even Walt Disney Co., is supposedly
interested in Paramount's TV stations.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930922)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
TELECOM
MCI In Alliance With Compression Labs
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00011)
MCI In Alliance With Compression Labs 09/22/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- MCI used the
TeleCommunications Association show as the venue to enhance its
MCI VideoNet videoconferencing service and announce a new
strategic alliance with Compression Labs Inc.
The enhancement will let customers place video calls to users of
other carriers' switched digital services, including Sprint
videoconferencing rooms, and provides the ability to conference
with multiple users of Compression Labs equipment as well as
switched 64,000 bits-per-second transport for international video
calls to the United States. MCI's 64 kbps service from the US
was also expanded to seven more countries, bringing the number of
potential destinations to 17.
Under the new alliance, Compression Labs will provide MCI with
complete systems, including peripherals and service agreements,
with flexible lease and purchase programs. The new equipment
will be sold in conjunction with MCI VideoNet service. MCI
VideoNet will also support "multi-point bridging," which
involves the ability to link multiple conference rooms, for
Compression Labs' Rembrandt II/VP product line. Early next year
VideoNet will add support of Compression Labs' new eclipse
Series of videoconferencing equipment, and all industry
standards. That could mean CLI rooms using MCI lines would be
able to link with rooms set up by arch-rivals PictureTel and
VTEL.
The "inter-operability" which is at the heart of the technical
details in the MCI-CLI announcement will increase the value of
new videoconferencing networks, like one now being installed by
the State of Georgia. The state is using proceeds from its new
lottery to build a network of CLI conference rooms in its
colleges, which can be used for distance learning. BellSouth, the
regional Bell company serving the state, will handle the network,
but the use of standards means the rooms could also be linked to
out-of-state centers, in time, for wider conferencing. Georgia
plans to have over 100 Rembrandt II/VP systems installed by the
end of the year, and as many as 300 installed by the end of 1994.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930922/Press Contact: Compression Labs Inc.,
Joyce Strand, 408/922-4610; State of Georgia, Jim Anderson,
404/651-6393; MCI, 202/887-3000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
TELECOM
PCN Focus Of TCA
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)
PCN Focus Of TCA 09/22/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- On the eve of
a Federal Communications Commission meeting which will set the
ground rules for microwave-based wireless phones called personal
communication networks, the technology was a major focus at the
TeleCommunications Show in San Diego.
Motorola and Cablevision Systems, one of the nation's largest
cable operators, said they are trialing, what they called, cable-
based PCN. In this system, a cable operator becomes a wireless
phone company, integrating Motorola's CableComm system with
Cablevision's Neighborhood Hardware Corridor concept, a system of
micro-cell repeaters. The tests are being conducted in Evanston,
Illinois, but will be extended soon to a real cable system,
Cablevision said.
Pacific Telesis reported on the results of a trial of in-building
wireless phones it conducted with Varian Chromatography Systems
in Walnut Creek, California, near San Francisco. The company's
research unit gave 50 wireless hand-sets to selected employees,
who claimed later they did not know how they had gotten along
without them. Northern Telecom equipment was used in the trial,
with the phones linked directly to Varian's own private switch or
PBX (private branch exchange). Pacific Telesis conducted the trial
under an experimental license for PCNs granted by the FCC.
AT&T extended its wireless war with Motorola by announcing a
completely wireless business phone system, the AT&T TransTalk
9000. The company also announced the first multi-line digital
cordless phone for businesses, the AT&T Digital Business
Cordless - the digital design means calls cannot be tapped. Both
products can make and receive calls within a block of their base
stations, four times farther than the range of typical cordless
phones. AT&T said hospitals, stores, factories, universities and
offices will be likely prospects. The Digital Business Cordless
phone costs $595, the wireless system starts at $795.
Finally, on the eve of the FCC vote, powerful interests in
Congress weighed in with opinions. John Dingell, head of the
committee which oversees telecommunications, released a five-page
letter which urged strict use of competitive bidding in granting
PCN licenses. The Clinton Administration has urged that rules be
set to prevent local cable operators, phone companies, or
cellular companies from using PCN to monopolize their local
markets, to assure that new players can afford to get into the
business, and to issue just three PCN licenses for each local
market.
MCI, meanwhile, has urged that the FCC award national
licenses as well as local licenses, and has built a consortium of
companies, including cable companies, across the country which
would implement its vision. Edward Markey, who runs a
subcommittee under Congressman Dingell with specific
responsibility for telecommunications, opposes nationwide
licenses. The final FCC vote is due September 23.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930922/Press Contact: Cablevision Systems,
Wilt Hildenbrand, 516/496-1225; AT&T, Tricia Sieh, 908/658-2604;
Pacific Telesis, Michael Runzler, 415/394-3643)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
TELECOM
Claircom Signs Air France
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
Claircom Signs Air France 09/22/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Claircom
Communications, a new joint-venture between McCaw Cellular and
General Motors' Hughes Aircraft unit, continued its flight over
entrenched rivals by signing Air France to carry its AirOne
service. Earlier, American Air had said it will replace GTE
Airfone equipment on more than 600 of its planes with AirOne
equipment. The company has also signed contracts with
Northwest, Southwest, and Alaska Airlines.
The Air France deal is Claircom's first international customer,
and assures that the system will operate worldwide. The deal
gives the company a chance to bid for the business of other large
European airlines with assurance that any infrastructure it puts
in place will already by paid for.
While no financial details have been given out on any of
Claircom's agreements, spokesmen have confirmed to Newsbytes
in the past that financial royalties are involved. Analysts have
speculated that Claircom is offering much higher royalties than
its rivals, primarily GTE Airfone and In-Flight Communications,
in order to win business. All three groups are putting in digital
systems - GTE is re-building its system with digital technology.
Installations on the Air France contract will begin early next
year, using Inmarsat satellites. Claricom has joined a consortium
called Aircom, which includes SITA, France Telecom, Teleglobe
Canada/IDB Mobile, and Telstra, to provide worldwide coverage on
its network. Claircom will partner with Jetphone, a joint venture
of France Telecom and British Telecom, to provide European
service.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930922/Press Contact: Claircom
Communications, Todd Wolfenbarger, 206/828-1851)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
TELECOM
****Motorola To Enter PDA Race
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
****Motorola To Enter PDA Race 09/22/93
SCHAUMBURG, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Motorola will
make a wireless "personal communicator" based on the Microsoft
At Work interface. The device will compete with products like the
AT&T Personal Communicator and Apple Newton.
A key component of the new device, whose design was not
announced, will be an in-board wireless modem that can access
data and exchange messages with a variety of networks. Earlier
this year Motorola announced a range of wireless modems based on
"PC Card" technology under the PCMCIA standard.
The announcement is important for both companies, and the
industry. For Motorola, the announcement puts it into direct
competition with Apple, AT&T and others in the growing, but still
nascent, PDA marketplace, with a unique product under its own
label. For Microsoft, the deal means it will not be left behind Go's
PenPoint and Apple's Newton technology in the marketplace.
The new device will be produced by a unit of Motorola headed by
Bob Growney, who also produced the PC Card modems. Growney said
in a press statement that connections to desktop software
represent a key advantage of the Motorola device.
Pat Richardson, general manager of the Motorola Paging and Wireless
Data Group's Subscriber Products Division, said the deal is totally
non-exclusive, adding, "We will continue to align ourselves with
major industry leaders, including computer and consumer
electronics manufacturers, software developers, industry
standards groups, and service providers. Our goal is to support
major industry operating platforms, as well as all wireless
networks."
Earlier this year, Motorola said it would offer a wireless
personal communicator based on General Magic's Magic Cap
application platform, and confirmed its membership in the
General Magic Alliance, along with Apple, Sony, AT&T, Philips
and Matsushita.
In March, it announced a license agreement on Apple's Newton
technology, with plans to market a device based on it. Motorola
announced its decision to sign an alliance with Microsoft in June.
Motorola said it remains committed to its other agreements, with
General Magic and Apple, and will announce products based on those
agreements in the future. A spokesman also told Newsbytes the
company is being deliberately vague about the specific design of
the Microsoft-based product, saying design, shipment, and pricing
announcements will all be made closer to the actual shipment
date of the product.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930922/Press Contact: Motorola, Sue Major,
708/576-0453)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
TELECOM
IDB Communications Announces Expansion
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
IDB Communications Announces Expansion 09/22/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- IDB
Communications Group Inc.'s IDB Worldcom unit, which runs private
line and long distance services, said it is increasing its long-
distance telephone origination capabilities to include all major
business locations nationwide.
International direct-dial, private line and messaging services
will be available beginning November 1 and will be carried over
IDB Worldcom's network. IDB Worldcom currently provides service
primarily out of New York City, Chicago, Boston, and Washington
DC.
The expansion program will introduce the company's
communications services for the first time in Atlanta, Dallas,
Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Seattle,
and San Francisco. The capability to originate phone traffic
throughout the US is a major deal to Worldcom, said the unit's
president, Steve Carroll, in a press statement.
Worldcom based its network on a system of satellite uplinks in
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Houston, but also runs undersea
fiber cables, and now provides routing to nearly every region in
the world, with operating agreements with over 100 countries. The
company first became well-known a few years ago when it opened
links to the then-Soviet Union.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930922/Press Contact: Kim Dewling, IDB,
212-478-6185)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
TELECOM
Nolan Bushnell Returns With OCTuS
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
Nolan Bushnell Returns With OCTuS 09/22/93
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Nolan
Bushnell, the man who gave us Pong, is back again with yet-
another company, called OCTuS, and at the Tele-Communications
Association show announced the company's first product, a
Personal Telecommunications Assistant.
The product consists of Windows-based software that provides
communications management, fax, answering machine and voice
services functions, plus a telephone-to-PC interface to access
and control the telephone system. The first release of the
product is designed to work with telephone companies' central
office switches providing what is called Centrex service, as
well as standard phone lines and analog lines behind a business'
private switch or PBX (private branch exchange). Later versions
are expected to support a broader range of PBXs including digital
systems.
Pacific Bell said it will co-market PTA, which it called a
graphical communications control center, in conjunction with its
Centrex, Voice Mail, and other products. The agreement will also
enable the two companies to market their products using each
other's logos. Pacific Bell said the new deal is the extension of
a business alliance agreement signed last April. The combined
offering will be marketed as Pacific Bell's Desktop Companion.
The two parties also said PTA could be the first of many product
offerings from them. Further announcements and a formal product
launch are expected before the end of the year.
In a press statement, Bushnell said graphical interfaces and
improved hardware are making computers easier to use, but
telephones are getting more complicated. "The OCTuS PTA system
returns control to the user. It makes even the toughest phone
system as easy to use as today's best computers."
The system replaces current desktop tools with a point-and-click
system, including name and address books, fax access, answering
machine functions, speaker-phone and feature phone features, and
a speed dialer, all accessible from within any Microsoft Windows
application. Icons are used to place and receive calls, transfer
calls and forward them, even access voice mail, conferencing
calling, and fax functions, as well as contact histories and the
integrated address book.
Instead of the telephone's ringing, the PTA provides a silent
"pop-up message" and button bar that gives someone the chance to
decide how to handle the call. In areas with Caller ID service, the
system can even present information on the caller, including a
contact history.
Bushnell said he is working with three other regional Bells on
deals similar to the one he has with Pacific Bell. The suggested
list price is $599.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930922/Press Contact: OCTuS, Tom Geldner,
619/452-9400; Pacific Bell, Dan Theobald, 415/542-4589)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
GOVT
SIA - Japan Has Reneged On Semiconductor Trade Deal
(NEWS)(GOVT)(LAX)(00017)
SIA - Japan Has Reneged On Semiconductor Trade Deal 09/22/93
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- The
Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has made some strong
statements against the Japanese, claiming Japan is again
reneging on its promise to open up its semiconductor market to
foreign competition. Recently released US government figures
show a continuing decline in the foreign share of Japan's
semiconductor market in the first half of this year.
The goal stipulated in the 1991 trade agreement between the US
and Japan for the amount of foreign semiconductor market share
in the Japanese market is 20 percent, a number the Japanese
have only met once with 20.2 percent in the fourth quarter of
1992. The agreement also called for "steady and gradual"
progress in market access over the duration of the accord,
which expires in 1996.
The Japanese government has contended since a few days after
the agreement was negotiated that the 20 percent level was only
a goal, not a firm commitment. Now figures released by the US
Trade Representative's office show the Japanese foreign
semiconductor market share is down again to 19.6 percent.
"During a time when the competitive strength of US
semiconductor manufacturers has allowed us to overtake Japan's
semiconductor industry in worldwide market share, it is
astonishing that our share of Japan's market continues to erode,"
claimed Andre Procassini, president of the SIA. "Japan's
commitment to create a more open semiconductor market remains
unfulfilled."
US Trade Representative Mickey Kantor stated his position that
"steady progress" would mean a 20 percent market share average
during 1993. For that to happen now, Japan will have to exceed
20 percent in the next two quarters.
The SIA is already anticipating answers to the excuses it feels
the Japanese will use to sidestep the issue. "Due to the recent
appreciation of the yen against the dollar, Japan will likely
use the exchange rates as another excuse for failing to meet
the goals of the trade pact. Exchange rates are not the issue.
There have been several times since 1986 when the yen has
appreciated significantly and foreign market share has
increased," maintains Procassini.
"The real issue is Japan's commitment to opening its
semiconductor market. The US semiconductor industry will be
seeking an honest explanation from Japanese government and
industry officials regarding their inability to maintain
progress opening Japan's semiconductor market to foreign
competition," Procassini asserted.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930922/Press Contact: Tom Beerman,
Semiconductor Industry Association, tel 408-246-2711,
fax 408-246-2830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - DEC's Dorio Brand, Open Systems Terminal
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00018)
Unix Expo - DEC's Dorio Brand, Open Systems Terminal 09/22/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- At Unix Expo,
Digital Equipment Corp, has announced a new set of business
practices, a new brand, and a text terminal that is the first
product to carry the new name.
DEC's new Dorio brand will be aimed at the open systems market, and
sold exclusively through distributors, said Larry Cabrinety, vice
president of DEC's Components & Peripherals Business Unit, during
a press conference at the show.
In an interview at Unix Expo, Cabrinety told Newsbytes that the new
terminal provides "plug-and-play" compatibility with more than 30
operating systems, including Ultrix and 14 other flavors of
multivendor Unix, seven varieties of mulituser DOS, and two types
of multiuser OS/2, plus Pick protocols, Olivetti's LSX, and
Digital's OpenVMS VAX and OpenVMS AXP.
The inexpensive terminal also provides a choice of PC-style, ANSI-
style, or special applications, along with a simple, Windows-like
setup that can be displayed in English, French, German, Italian and
Spanish, according to Cabrinety.
The user interface incorporates a number of easy-on-the-eyes
features, including horizontal scrolling, vertical scrolling, and
such desktop productivity tools as a calculator, a two-alarm clock,
local copy and paste, hotkeys, and sticky keys.
A 14-inch screen, available in white, amber or green phosphors, is
equipped with 800 pixels by 432 scan lines, as well as a 72 hertz
(Hz) refresh rate and overscan for flicker-free display.
Other features include 16 different terminal emulations, serial and
Centronics parallel printer ports, built-in character sets, a
cartridge slot for firmware enhancements,and host access to the
terminal's unique serial number. The Dorio terminal is priced at
$399 for a standard model and $414 and $429, respectively, for
international and MPRII-compliant models.
Almost 20 major open systems distributors and resellers have
already lined up to sell the new text terminal and other Dorio
products from Digital, Cabrinety stressed to Newsbytes. Dorio's
European distributors include Tekelec, Magirus and Metrologie.
The North American partners are Ingram Micro, Merisel, MicroAge,
National Desktop Distributors, Hallmark, Firstop, Centauri, Arrow
Express, Arrow Electronics, Avnet Computer, Wyle Laboratories,
Pioneer Technologies, Inland Associates, and Pioneer Standard
Electronics.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930922/Press contact: Richard Lee Goldberg,
Digital Equipment Corp., tel 508-635-8739; Reader contact: tel 1-
800-BY-DORIO)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
UNIX
Unix Expo - Suns SPARCcluster Aimed At Large NFS Apps
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00019)
Unix Expo - Suns SPARCcluster Aimed At Large NFS Apps 09/22/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1992 SEP 22 (NB) -- The SPARCcluster
1 system unveiled by Sun yesterday is aimed mainly at large network
file server (NFS) applications, representatives of Sun and user
organizations explained in a wide ranging roundtable discussion
here at Unix Expo.
"SPARCcluster 1 is positioned as a dedicated file server, whereas
the rest of our servers are positioned either as multipurpose
servers, where you do NFS and compute, or as database servers for
commercial applications," said Carl Stolle, manager of Server
Systems Product Managing for Sun.
Other major players also compete in the NFS market, but only Sun
and Auspex provide enough Ethernet connectivity and file server
capacity to handle several hundred clients on the same system, he
maintained.
But SPARCcluster 1 provides more than twice the networking
connectivity and 51 percent greater performance than its closest
competitor, the NS 6000 NetServer from Auspex, according to Stolle.
The SPARCcluster 1 Model 2, which comes standard with two
processors, and the SPARCcluster 1 Model 4, which comes standard
with four processors, are each expandable to 16 processors, he
said. In comparison, the NS 6000 comes with four to 12 processors.
Memory ranges from 64 megabytes (MB) to 1 gigabyte (GB) for the
Model 2 and from 128MB to 2GB for the Model 4, in contrast to 32
to 640MB for the Auspex NS 6000, according to Stolle. Each
SPARCcluster model offers up to 20 client Ethernet ports, as
opposed to the eight client ports provided by the NS 6000.
SPARCcluster 1 supports DCE/DFS, Netware, and Banyan Vines, in
addition to the ONC/NFS protocol supported by the NFS 6000, he
said. Like the NS6000, the SPARCcluster 1 ships with performance
monitoring tools,
But the SPARCcluster models also come with system administration,
configuration and installation tools, as well as Optimized Network
Throughput (ONT), a new network switch designed to let every client
on every network to access all disks on each cluster node, he said.
"The strength of this product is that multiple independent central
processor units (CPUs) can connect to multiple Ethernets, all
equally well," commented one beta user, Peter Bishop, who is
manager of computing resources for Cirrus Logic.
"In this way, things break down beautifully for NFS. But for
backroom MIS (management information system) database service,
you want shared memory, so you want to have multiple CPUs
(central processing units) in the same box," he said.
Another user said that NFS is one example of an application where
Ethernet works well as a bus for connecting multiple processors.
"But there are other (examples), and I can see additional areas,
aside from NFS, where we would install SPARCclusters," stated
Mitch Wyle, manager of network integration services for Synopsis.
Sun plans to add high-speed interconnect services to SPARCcluster
in 1995, and open interfaces and "cluster application tools" in
1996, according to Stolle.
When asked by a journalist how Sun might improve the SPARCcluster
product, Wyle replied: "I have a long wish list, but FDDI (fiber
distributed data interface) is the most critical item and I want
them to do that first."
Wyle emphasized, though, that he is very favorably impressed with
the systems administration software that Sun has included. "Our
systems administrators love the tools," he commented.
Responded Bishop: "I guess FDDI is not the most critical item on
my list, I'd much rather see better availability and reliability
features, I'd like to be able to dual port my disk. Then, if one
CPU fails, I won't have to reboot my workstations in order to
get them over to the other file server."
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930922/Press contact: Carol Sacks,
tel 415-336-0521)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
GENERAL
****Calm And Quiet In Moscow
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(MOW)(00020)
****Calm And Quiet In Moscow 09/22/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- The coup, the discontinuation
of parliament and the extraordinary elections announced yesterday by
Russia's President Boris Yeltsin, by and large has left most
local technology companies unaffected.
Several local computer trading companies, which expect a
substantial change in the exchange rate, announced they will
not sell for rubles for the next few days. Dollar trades are
unaffected. Nobody expects this to be a problem, as all
traders have learned to live with a floating exchange rate.
After several months of State Bank support, the ruble exchange
rate started go down (66 points to 1102 roubles per dollar today).
Mr Kardonsky, economic analyst with the Eastern Center of
Contemporary Documentation, explained that the stable ruble
with a rising internal inflation has made all import and export
operations unprofitable, almost killing foreign trade and
badly affecting the local market. Yeltsin's actions to dissolve
the parliament and create an elected legislative body will
definitely put new life into the stagnating economy,
he predicts. Yeltsin favors a rapid move to a market-driven
economy and the now-dissolved legislature did not.
No extraordinary measures were announced or undertaken by
Moscow-based technology companies, which expect a more stable
and predictable economy if it comes to pass that there is an
end to the gridlock of conflicting powers.
The army, police, and security forces are on Yeltsin's side.
Some local authorities announced complete support for Yeltsin,
some said the parliament and the president should be re-elected
simultaneously, some said they won't follow decrees of either
Yeltsin or Parliament. Nobody claimed complete support for
the now practically powerless parliament.
Telecommunications are all operational, as no blackouts have
occurred, although it was difficult to get through to Moscow
shortly after the President Yeltsin's announcement last night.
(Kirill Tchashchin/19930922)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
TELECOM
Russia - Cable Technology Exhibition Opens
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(MOW)(00021)
Russia - Cable Technology Exhibition Opens 09/22/93
MOSCOW, RUSSIA, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Twenty two foreign
companies are participating in an exhibition dedicated to advances
is fiber optic and other telecommunication cables technologies.
Moscow-based Research Institute of the Cable Industry, a
partner of Corning Glass in its effort to bring fiber
manufacturing technologies into Russia, was the main organizer
of the show. Corning announced that it has received an
export license to supply four local factories with raw
materials for fiber cable manufacturing, and will start
shipments soon.
Another announcement at the show was the establishment
of the Soficam company to manufacture communications and power
cables in cooperation with and using technology of Finnish Nokia.
(Kirill Tchashchin/19930922)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
IBM
Wordperfect 6.0 To Be Bundled With Quattro Pro
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00022)
Wordperfect 6.0 To Be Bundled With Quattro Pro 09/22/93
OREM, UTAH, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Wordperfect Corp., says
it will join with Borland International to bundle Wordperfect 6.0
for Windows with Quattro Pro 5.0 Workgroup Edition.
The specially marked packages will be available when Wordperfect
6.0 for Windows ships. Wordperfect says that will be in October.
Quattro Pro 5.0 Workgroup Edition began shipping earlier this month.
The special promotion will continue for 90 days from the date
Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows ships.
The word processing-spreadsheet bundle will sell for $525. The
two products separately each sell for $495.
Current users of Wordperfect will be able to upgrade to Wordperfect
6.0 for Windows with Quattro Pro 5.0 Workgroup Edition for $150.
Users of competitive products - such as Microsoft Word - can switch
to Wordperfect and get the promotional bundle for $170 if their DOS,
Windows, or OS/2 word processor has a retail price of at least $395.
In addition to the usual spreadsheet functions, Quattro Pro 5.0
includes SQL (structured query language) database support, network
deployment, and a spell checker. Wordperfect 6.0 for Windows users
will be able to assign Quattro Pro to a button on any button bar for
launching from within Wordperfect. Specific Quattro Pro files can
also be assigned to a button. WP 6.0 will directly import spreadsheet
data with formatting and formulas remaining intact.
Wordperfect for Windows 6.0 also includes drawing and charting
capabilities, and direct integration with other Windows applications.
(Jim Mallory/19930922/Press contact: Liz Tanner, Wordperfect
Corp., 801-228-5004; Reader contact: Wordperfect Corp.,
800-451-5151
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/22/93
IBM
Microprose Intros NFL Football Simulation Game
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00023)
Microprose Intros NFL Football Simulation Game 09/22/93
HUNT VALLEY, MARYLAND, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- With a hint of
fall in the air and the leaves starting to change colors on the
trees, thoughts turn to football. This year you are not limited to
either loading everyone into the station wagon and following the line
of cars to the stadium, or sitting at home and watching some games
on television. This year you can be an NFL coach.
Well not a real coach, but you can come close with a computer
simulation of football called NFL Coaches Club Football. You assume
the role of the coach and call the plays from a playbook of 160 real
NFL plays. Each team has a unique playbook designed to match the
team's play style, and the coach - that is you - can create a
customized playbook with your own plays using the playbook editor.
You can also switch roles, becoming a player to control the
offensive or defensive action. The authors say the game uses
artificial intelligence to play a human opponent, or two people can
battle each other. They can even team up to play against the
computer. The computer simulates the strengths and weaknesses of
players in the NFL and the coaching tendencies of the NFL coaches.
Game producer Ed Fletcher says unlike his version, some computer
football games do not do a very good job of simulating the size,
strength, and skills of the individual players. "We wanted a more
realistic feel for the physical aspects of football - the hitting,
blocking, and tackling."
Fletcher says the three-dimensional graphics permit an unlimited
number of views of the action using preset or customized angles. An
instant replay feature allows the player to save individual plays or
even a complete game to be reviewed at a later date. There is also a
practice feature that allows the player to correct mistakes and
improve skills between games.
Microprose publishes F-15 Strike Eagle, a popular flight simulation
game. It reported an $8 million loss in its most recent quarter and
has cut about 160 workers, or 40 percent of its staff. The losses
for the most recent quarter include a $4.4 million one-time
restructuring cost. Company co-founder John Stealey resigned
recently as chairman of the board of directors. Stealey had earlier
resigned as company president and chief executive officer.
In August, Newsbytes reported Microprose had agreed to merge
with Alameda, California-based Spectrum HoloByte.
(Jim Mallory/19930922/Press and reader contact: Microprose,
410-771-6411, fax 410-771-1174)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
BUSINESS
Micrografx Picks New President, CEO
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00024)
Micrografx Picks New President, CEO 09/22/93
RICHARDSON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Graphics software
publisher Micrografx Inc., has named a new president and chief
executive officer, picking a former executive at PepsiCo's Kentucky
Fried Chicken subsidiary.
Gordon M. Tucker, who is already at work, was approved by the board
of directors to be responsible for all areas of the company's
worldwide business.
Micrografx Chairman J. Paul Grayson said Tucker's worldwide
marketing and strategic development expertise will be instrumental
in achieving the company's global mission of becoming the premier
graphics software company as it sees significant growth in the mass
consumer market for graphics software products.
"Gordon's management and consumer marketing expertise makes
him the ideal candidate to lead Micrografx into these emerging
markets, while continuing the company's steady growth in the
business, creative and professional segments," Grayson said in a
prepared statement.
Tucker joined PepsiCo in June 1991 as vice president and general
manager of KFC's operations, and was involved in the development of
the chain's new rotisserie chicken product line. Prior to joining
PepsiCo, Tucker was senior vice president at athletic footwear and
apparel maker Converse Inc., where he was responsible for
worldwide marketing.
Tucker does have some experience in the high-tech world. From
1987 to 1990 he served as sales and marketing vice president and
later as executive vice president of LoJack Corp., a developer and
manufacturer of electronic communications systems that allow
police agencies to rapidly locate stolen vehicles.
He began his career at Proctor & Gamble Co., where he was a brand
manager for the Pringle's potato chip line. He also managed the
development and launch of Proctor & Gamble's packaged cookie
business.
Scott Cook, president of Intuit, the publisher of the personal and
small business software package Quicken, believes the recent trend
of appointing industry outsiders to top posts in high-tech companies
is healthy. "As the computer industry matures, it is vital that it
draw upon the expertise of executives with proven consumer
marketing experience," Cook stated. He and Tucker were colleagues
at Proctor & Gamble in the late 1970's.
Micrografx began searching for a new President after George D.
Grayson resigned as an officer and director of the company in
November of last year. In March of this year Newsbytes reported the
company was cutting 20 percent of its workforce and realigning its
worldwide operations in response to slow sales. Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer David Henkel also resigned his position.
Last year Micrografx reported record revenues and net income for
the fiscal year, with sales up 60 percent to $47.3 million and net
income rising 24 percent to $5.1 million, or $0.65 per share.
Micrografx spokesman Pete McLaughlin told Newsbytes the company
expects to ship release 4.0 of its graphics presentation program
Charisma next month. McLaughlin said Micrografx will skip from the
present version 2.0 designator directly to version 4.0 because of
the major enhancements being made to the program. "It's not even
released yet and its already been nominated for PC Computing's Most
Valuable Product ward," McLaughlin told Newsbytes. Among its new
features Charisma will include video clip capability. Newsbytes
reviewed Charisma 2.0 in 1991.
(Jim Mallory/19930922/Press and reader contact: Peter McLaughlin,
Micrografx, 214-994-6192)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/22/93
GENERAL
Exabyte Intros 4mm Data Cartridge
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00025)
Exabyte Intros 4mm Data Cartridge 09/22/93
BOULDER, COLORADO, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Exabyte Corp.,
has introduced a new member of its family of media products, a
4 millimeter (mm) data cartridge.
The company says the Exatape 4mm Data Cartridge is compatible for
data recording use with all brands of 4mm DDS-1 digital audio tape
(DAT) drives. The 60-meter tape has a suggested retail price of
$31.95, while the 90-meter version will sell for $35.95.
The new 4mm cartridge joins Exabyte's 8mm data cartridge and, like
its predecessor, is certified for use with helical- scan computer
drives. Exabyte says the new 4mm cartridge differs from media
marketed for consumer audio entertainment devices because it is
formulated exclusively for computer data applications.
The new cartridge has a friction-resistant backcoating Exabyte says
maintains stable tape performance during repeated usage of up to
1,500 passes and a more than 30-year archival life. Exabyte backs
its Exatape products with a lifetime limited warranty. The 60 and
90 meter tapes have a storage capacity of 1.3 and 2 gigabytes
respectively, and can double that with data compression.
(Jim Mallory/19930922/Press contact: Susan Merriman, Exabyte,
303-447-7434; Reader contact: Exabyte, 800-392- 2983)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/22/93
BUSINESS
Oracle Net Income Jumps 275 Percent
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00026)
Oracle Net Income Jumps 275 Percent 09/22/93
REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Database
software company Oracle reported phenomenal net income for its
first quarter of 1994. While revenues are up 30 percent over
last year, the company says net income has jumped 275 percent
over the same quarter last year.
The company reported first quarter revenues at $398 million up
from $307 million reported last year. However, net income on
those revenues is up to $37 million compared to $10 million in
the same period last year.
Lawrence Ellison, Oracle's president and chief executive
officer, attributes the company's performance to its cross-
platform database product Oracle7. "In the nine months that
Oracle7 has been in production release, it has established
itself as the clear technical choice for organizations looking
to move their large, mission-critical database applications off
of their mainframes to open systems. This wide product
acceptance has allowed us to increase both our growth rate and
our market share."
The company reports licenses and other sales were up 26 percent
and service revenues grew 34 percent. Unix and desktop license
revenues constituted 84 percent of the company's total license
revenues, with Unix license revenues up 42 percent over the
first quarter of fiscal 1993 and with Desktop license sales up
42 percent over last year.
Regionally, US revenues were up 47 percent; Europe was up 35
percent, but a negative 25 point currency translation makes
that growth a dollar-based 10 percent; and the international
division, Oracle Intercontinental, was up 52 percent. Currency
translation had a negative 12 percentage point impact on
worldwide revenue growth during the first quarter of fiscal
1994, Oracle added.
Oracle is continuing to expand into new markets. In June,
Oracle and network company Novell, announced Oracleware.
Oracleware is described as an integration of the Oracle
database with Novell's networking and operating system
technologies and adds new multiserver messaging capabilities.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930922/Press Contact: Catherine Buan, Oracle
Corporation, tel 415-506-4184, fax 415-506-7106, Public
Contact, 415-506-7000)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/22/93
BUSINESS
Read-Rite Layoffs, Anticipated 4Qtr Losses
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00027)
Read-Rite Layoffs, Anticipated 4Qtr Losses 09/22/93
MILPITAS, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- One hundred
and fifteen employees of hard disk component manufacturer Read-
Rite got their pink slips in the last week, as the company made
further cut backs and reductions to streamline operations. This
number makes it 1,200, or over 10 percent of the total workforce,
that have been cut from company payrolls since March of 1993.
Read-Rite officials said the company is feeling the market
slowness as its hard disk drive manufacturer customers are
slowing the purchase of components because they have large
inventories built up. However, the company is optimistic about
the future and said it is currently completing the fit-up and
starting the qualification for its new advanced wafer
fabrication plant in Fremont, California.
Read-Rite intends to consolidate the wafer fabrication
currently being done in Milpitas to the Fremont plant during
fiscal 1994. The only activity that will remain in Milpitas is
prototype slider fabrication. The company is also nearing
completion of a new building at its existing site near Bangkok,
Thailand, where it plans to consolidate all of its production
activities in fiscal 1994.
The consolidation will cost about $30 million, which will be
added to a previously announced, but undisclosed loss for the
fourth quarter of this year, ending September 30, 1993. The
fourth quarter results will be officially released October 21,
company officials added.
Read-Rite designs, manufactures and markets thin film heads and
headstack assemblies for the small form factor Winchester hard
disk drive market.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930922/Press Contact: Steve Stone, Read-
Rite, tel 408-262-6700, fax 408-956-3205)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/22/93
TRENDS
UK - QMS Claims First Desktop Color Laser Printer
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00028)
UK - QMS Claims First Desktop Color Laser Printer 09/22/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- QMS has announced what it
claims is the industry's first desktop color laser printer. Known as
the Colorscript Laser 1000, the unit is the first desktop printer to
use laser (electrophotographic) technology to produce color images.
QMS claims that, by combining the color technology with high quality
monochrome output, the printer can be used in a variety of business
and office applications.
Despite the technology involved, the printer can print on standard
paper or transparencies. The printer also have the multi-tasking and
advanced paper handling capabilities of the QMS Crown printer.
Moira Craig, QMS' managing director, said that the printer
automatically switches between emulations for fast departmental
throughput, automatic paper jam recovery and spooling of data to
memory where different jobs come in on the several interfaces the
printer sports.
"The color quality is superb, but the Colorscript Laser 1000 is not
a graphic arts product - it is an important breakthrough in the
future of office and business computing. Information is much more
easily absorbed and retained if enhanced by color rather than simply
emboldened or underlined," she said.
According to Craig, when the quality of presentation is vital, an
enormous amount of time is wasted collating reports, proposals and
other documents that require the use of monochrome and color pages.
This, she argues, is where the Colorscript Laser 1000 comes into the
frame. "The printer substantially improves both the efficiency of
document production and the quality and appearance of the output,"
she said.
The 300 dots-per-inch (dpi) printer is powered by a 25 megahertz
(MHz) 80960CF RISC (reduced instruction-set computing) chipset and
comes with a 60 megabyte (MB) hard disk to cope with job spooling
and permanent storage of fonts, forms and logos. The UPK9,995
printer's output is eight pages per minute (ppm) for monochrome and
2 ppm for color.
(Steve Gold/19930922/Press & Public Contact: QMS - 0784-430900)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/22/93
TELECOM
****UK - Vodafone's New Digital Phone Scheme
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(LON)(00029)
****UK - Vodafone's New Digital Phone Scheme 09/22/93
NEWBURY, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- Vodafone has
announced yet another new tariff for its digital mobile phone
technology. This time around, however, the company is offering
potential users of its network a lease-rental option on the
telephone hardware, which it calls "Opening Gambit."
The "Opening Gambit" scheme will operate for subscribers signing
up between October 1 and December 1 this year. Instead of paying
around UKP399 for the phone plus sign-up and rental costs,
subscribers will pay an extra UKP10 a month - over and above the
normal "line rental" costs to cover the phone rental. After two
years, the phone is the property of the subscriber.
According to a spokeswoman for Vodafone, the scheme is far better
than purchasing a phone at UKP399, as, for a UKP240 outlay, spread
over two years, they can buy the phone. "It's like interest-free
credit, and a highly discounted price," she told Newsbytes.
In parallel with the rental option for the GSM Metrodigital phones,
Vodafone has introduced a new local "home cell" rate of calls. This
rate costs as low as 10 pence per minute for local calls at peak
times - half the normal rate - provided the phone is within range
of a specified GSM base station.
Announcing the new phone deal and tariff arrangements, Gerry Whent,
chief executive of Vodafone, said: "We think that our unique
Metrodigital service will appeal to many different types of users.
The low-cost calls and offer of a new front outlay on equipment will
make the attraction of a Metrodigital phone irresistible," he said.
The Metrodigital service will initially be available in 168 towns
and cities in the UK when it is formally launched on October 1.
According to Vodafone, by the end of 1996, the Metrodigital service
will be available to any town with a population in excess of 4,000.
A key feature of Metrodigital phones is their ability to be used
anywhere in the UK and abroad, wherever there is a GSM network and,
in the case of non-UK networks, where a roaming agreement exists.
The downside is that a higher tariff (65 pence a minute) is payable
for full GSM network calls.
(Steve Gold/19930922/Press & Public Contact: Vodafone: Tel: 0635-
33251)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/22/93
UNIX
****Unix Expo - IBM's New PowerPCs Just The Start
(NEWS)(UNIX)(BOS)(00030)
****Unix Expo - IBM's New PowerPCs Just The Start 09/22/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 22 (NB) -- The four PowerPCs
and three new RISC System 6000 models announced this week are
just the start of a string of new PowerPC and Power2 platforms to
be rolled out over the next couple of years, IBM officials said in a
press conference at Unix Expo.
Platforms will range from portable implementations of the 601 and
603 PowerPC chips to multiprocessor implementations for Power2,
according to Bill Filip, president of IBM's Advanced Workstations
and Systems (AWS).
At the close of the press conference, IBM showed a prototype of a
ThinkPad-like portable machine, based on a 50 megahertz (MHz) 601
PowerPC chip, running Windows, Macintosh, and WABI-compliant
applications on AIX.
"The 601 is the first PowerPC chip, but it is not a highly power
managed chip like the (PowerPC) 603. We'll see 603 implementations
in the not too distant future that will extend those capabilities
into portable and lower end implementations," said Filip.
Added Phil Hester, vice president of systems and technology for
AWS: "We're not announcing a portable implementation for 601
today, but we do have a very exciting technology demo, and you
should expect to hear more from us about 601-based portables even
before you see a fully optimized 603 portable implementation,"
The PowerPC 601 chip became generally available last week, and
other vendors are already beginning to implement and test 601-
based systems, noted Filip. "I don't often use the 'C' (clone) word,
but I'm sure other companies will be offering PowerPC-based
servers and portable systems in the first quarter of next year," he
stated.
"The breadth of implementations will grow exponentially as we get
the full range of 601, 603, 604 chips out into the marketplace
over the next two years," he added.
The PowerPC systems will run AIX as well as Workplace OS, a new
operating environment that IBM will release within the next six to
nine months, said Donna Van Fleet, AWS director, RISC Systems
Software.
WorkPlace OS will later be available for Power2 and other RISC 6000
systems, according to Von Fleet. "But AIX is what we'll focus on
for RISC 6000, and also in the power parallel high-end cluster
multiprocessing world," she remarked.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930922/Press contacts: Gregory T. Golden, IBM,
tel 914-642-5463; Steven Malkiewicz, IBM, tel 914-642-5449)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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5 09/21/93
GENERAL
****Complete Newsbytes Archives Now On CD-ROM For $24.
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00001)
****Complete Newsbytes Archives Now On CD-ROM For $24.95 09/21/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Newsbytes
Volume III, which contains all news, reviews, and editorials
published on the Newsbytes News Network through July of this
year, is now available for $24.95.
The CD-ROM disc, which runs on both Apple Computer Macintoshes
and PCs, contains the over 40,000 news stories on the worldwide
computer and telecommunications industries written between
May, 1983 and August, 1993 by the Newsbytes News Network staff.
This rich compendium of reports, published by Wayzata Technologies,
chronicles everything from the infancy of the microcomputer
to today's highly diversified and complex array of technologies.
Newsbytes has a staff of 19 daily reporters in the following
cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul,
Atlanta, Washington, DC, Boston, Toronto, London, Tokyo, Hongkong,
Sydney, New Delhi, and Moscow. Newsbytes reports 30 stories a
day, or 600 a month. These are objective, first-hand new stories
involving interviews with the people who make the news,
and on-site trade show coverage.
A Textware search engine enables the Volume III CD-ROM disc
to be keyword searched for stories in which individual words
or text strings appear, or Boolean searched ("keyword1" plus
"keyword2" but not "keyword3"). This makes it an invaluable
tool for researchers and libraries.
One user tells Newsbytes, "I'm doing a presentation for
a class at the university I'm attending and needed some historical
computer information. I popped in the CD-ROM and found 131
articles on my topic! I marked them and saved them to a
disk file that I printed later. Talk about easy research.
You have a "sold" customer."
This is also the lowest-ever price for a Newsbytes disc. (Previous
discs were priced in the $50-$100 range.) "We want to
make sure everyone has access to our reports, and that price
is not a barrier," says Wendy Woods, editor in chief. "Our
rich history of the computer industry goes back farther than any
other CD-ROM."
Newsbytes, a pioneering electronic publication, has provided daily
coverage of the dynamic and complex computer and telecommunications
industries to online services, magazines, newspapers, newsletters,
and fax and e-mail news delivery services worldwide since 1983.
Newsbytes coverage has won Best Online Publication awards four
times from the Computer Press Association, the largest
organization of professional computer journalists worldwide
Newsbytes is an independent, privately held news organization.
The disc is $24.95 plus $2.50 shipping and handling to US
addresses, $4.50 shipping and handling to all other countries.
Those interested in ordering the CD-ROM should send a check or
money order, or their Visa or Mastercard number, with expiration
date (no American Express please) to CD-ROM Offer, Newsbytes
News Network, Carriage House, 406 West Olive St., Stillwater,
MN 55082 or fax to 612-430-0441.
Electronic mail orders should be sent to NEWSBYTES@GENIE.GEIS.COM
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
Applelink and Bix
72241,337 (Compuserve), or NEWSBYTES on America Online. Include
(Internet), NEWSBYTES1 (Applelink and Bix), WWOODS (MCI Mail),
72241,337 (Compuserve), or NEWSBYTES on America Online. Include
shipping address.
(Newsbytes Staff/19930920)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
#CARD
09/21/93
TRENDS
****Macworld Canada - Computers, Communications Change Culture
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TOR)(00002)
****Macworld Canada - Computers, Communications Change Culture 09/21/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Networked multimedia
and high-bandwidth "information highways" will affect the
foundations of culture. So said the head of a research group named
for the man who coined the phrase "the medium is the message."
Derrick de Kerckhove, who heads the McLuhan Centre at the
University of Toronto, was a speaker at MacWorld Expo/Canada in Toronto.
The McLuhan Centre, named for media scholar Marshall McLuhan,
studies the impact of new technologies on culture.
The high-capacity networks now being proposed in North America will
be the new common carriers of the future and will change the way people
deal with information, de Kerckhove said. He forecast that
eventually these networks will mean fully interactive "pay per bit"
communications facilities for everyone, and this will mean the
intelligence and much of the control of information media will move
outward from the center.
As for multimedia, de Kerckhove said, it means that "anything can
be translated into anything else. If multimedia doesn't mean that,
it doesn't mean anything at all."
To illustrate that point, de Kerckhove showed a series of video
clips illustrating work being done by researchers and artists using
multimedia and computers. For instance, one video used
computer-generated special effects to bend and melt human faces and
forms from one shape to another. In another, one participant in
Toronto and another in Grenoble, France, "painted" the screen with
their body movements while linked by videoconferencing technology,
then played a long-distance game of Pong (a sort of electronic Ping
Pong).
Other videos showed computer-generated plants growing on the screen
in response to the movements of a person touching a plant fitted
with sensors, computer-generated objects appearing out of the
surface of a table in a computer-augmented video, and an artist
controlling the movements of tiny light-sensitive robots with her
thoughts, using a sensor device that adjusted light intensity in
response to brainwave patterns.
Anyone but artists might find it hard to see practical applications
in such things, but de Kerckhove also talked about developments
closer to most people's idea of computer applications. He said
technology will make possible the creation of more elaborate
databases, incorporating images and sound as well as data, and will
make these widely accessible. To help individuals deal with the
growing amount of information, he added, new resources will be
needed, such as "knowbots" that will search on their own through
vast information networks looking for data of use to their masters.
De Kerckhove said devices something like the personal digital
assistants that have recently begun appearing -- and something like
the Knowledge Navigator seen in a video Apple executives have used
in many presentations -- will help people deal with the growing
volumes of electronic information likely to be available in future.
(Grant Buckler/19930920)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
GENERAL
Lotus CSG Joins Easel's Object-Oriented Partners Program
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(BOS)(00003)
Lotus CSG Joins Easel's Object-Oriented Partners Program 09/21/93
BURLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Lotus
Consulting Services Group (CSG) has joined Easel Corp.'s
Client/Server Object-Oriented Partners (CO-OP) Program, an
organization aimed at helping consulting and system integration
firms to expand their services using Easel's Enfin application
development tools.
In an interview with Newsbytes, Victor Cruz, a Lotus spokesperson,
said that Lotus CSG delivers systems integration services to
Fortune 100 customers worldwide, with a particular emphasis on
client/server-based information management systems.
Like other members of Easel's CO-OP Program, Lotus CSG will have
access to promotional and internal educational copies of Enfin
software, individual and on-site training, hotline support, and a
dedicated business alliance manager to provide project leads.
"We're delighted to be working with Easel Corp. and their Enfin
products," noted Larry Van der Veer, managing director, Business
Solutions Consulting, for Lotus CSG. "Enfin has provided and will
continue to provide our mutual customers with an excellent object-
oriented programming tool for developing front-end applications."
Enfin, a development environment based on Smalltalk, supplies a
variety of visual programming tools plus more than 400 class
libraries of prebuilt code, comprising more than 6,000 programming
routines. The environment is designed to allow rapid application
development through re-use and modification of the prebuilt code.
Aside from Lotus CSG, other members of Easel's CO-OP Program
include BSG Consulting, Houston; CodeWorks, Chicago; The dTech
Group, Tulsa; Keane Inc., Boston; Linc Systems, Bloomfield, CT;
Mark Winter & Associates, Toronto; SHL Systemhouse, Ottawa;
Spectrum Integrated Services Division, Software Spectrum, Garland,
TX; and Synapse, Golden, CO.
(Jacqueline Emigh/19930921/Press contacts: Dave Kitchen,
Copithorne & Bellows for Easel Corp., tel (617) 252-0606; Victor
Cruz, McGlinchey & Paul Associates for Lotus CSG, tel (617) 862-
4514)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
APPLE
****Newton, AV Macs Apple's Big Draw At MacWorld Canada
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00004)
****Newton, AV Macs Apple's Big Draw At MacWorld Canada 09/21/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Apple Canada had
no brand-new, unannounced products to unveil at MacWorld
Expo/Canada this year, despite some earlier speculation the company
might choose the Toronto show to unveil anticipated new Macs. But
the company drew crowds by showing off its Newton MessagePad
personal digital assistant and the new AV Macintosh models launched
during the summer.
The biggest crowds at Apple's booth, which dominated the center of
MacWorld Canada's small show floor, gathered around several
demonstrations of the Newton. As at the product's introduction,
they saw some problems with the device's handwriting and
hand-printing recognition. In one demonstration Newsbytes watched,
a Newton took three tries to recognize the words "Call Bob" when
printed by an Apple demonstrator. However, the demos played down
handwriting recognition, showing a number of things that can be
done with the Newton with relatively little text input.
The crowds also gathered around demonstrations of the AV Macs,
which were shown running speech recognition, telephony, and video
applications.
Apple demonstrated videoconferencing while at the same time
addressing visitors' technical questions about its products by
setting up a Macintosh Centris 650 machine at its booth with a live
desktop videoconferencing link to a support technician at the
company's headquarters in Markham, a northern Toronto suburb. Booth
visitors asked the technician questions and watched him on the
screen as he answered.
Apple rounded out its presence at the show with education,
multimedia, home entertainment, and home office products.
(Grant Buckler/19930920/Press Contact: Franca Miraglia, Apple
Canada, 416-513-5511)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/21/93
APPLE
Toronto Ad Agency, Northern Telecom Offer Kiosk Package
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00005)
Toronto Ad Agency, Northern Telecom Offer Kiosk Package 09/21/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Multimedia kiosks,
which take the automated transaction idea of the banking machine a
step farther with audio, video, and access to a variety of
different products and services, have attracted a number of
businesses' attention. During the MacWorld Expo/Canada show,
a Toronto ad agency was demonstrating a system it has just begun
selling in cooperation with Northern Telecom and Bell Canada.
The Bulldog Group, an ad agency that is also a custom multimedia
producer and an Apple Computer reseller, had a suite at a
hotel adjoining the MacWorld show where it was demonstrating its
new multimedia kiosk. The company recently kicked off the
partnership with Northern Telecom and Bell Canada at the Canadian
Business Telecommunications Alliance (CBTA) annual conference and
trade show in Montreal. That partnership, said Bulldog partner
Ellie Rubin, means Bulldog can offer the communications links as
well as the kiosk hardware.
The demonstration focused on a pharmaceutical application, although
Rubin said kiosks could be used to sell anything that can be sold
through a catalog and some other products as well. The demo had two
main parts -- a shopping function that lets visitors browse through
pictures of products accompanied by text information (which they
could hear spoken at the touch of an icon on the kiosk's
touch-sensitive screen), and an interactive portion in which the
visitor could actually talk to a live pharmacist via a
videoconference link.
Christopher Strachan, a partner in Bulldog, said this application
would make it possible for drugstore chains to put kiosks in places
where stores would not be economical, such as small medical
clinics. At the same time, he said, the kiosks would allow fewer
pharmacists to serve more customers.
Other possible applications of the technology would include letting
bank customers discuss their mortgages or other financial needs
with experts through a video link from a public kiosk.
Strachan said Bulldog has just begun selling the system and has not
installed any yet, but is talking with several potential customers.
(Grant Buckler/19930920/Press Contact: Ellie Rubin or Christopher
Strachan, 416-594-9207, fax 416-594-9577)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
IBM
PowerPCs Launched Offshore
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEL)(00006)
PowerPCs Launched Offshore 09/21/93
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- India's Tata Information Systems
Ltd. (TISL), the IBM joint venture firm, has announced the
availability of a system based on the PowerPC 601, the single-chip
implementation of IBM's power architecture created jointly by IBM,
Apple Computer, and Motorola.
While the PowerPC Model 250 replaces low-end Model 230 in the
RS/6000 range, TISL expanded the high-end range with three new
models based on Power 2, the enhanced power architecture announced
by IBM in September.
With PowerPC, TISL has an edge over rival RISC vendors. The main
difference is that the machine comes with the new version of AIX
operating system 3.2.5 on which one can run Windows, OS/2, Macintosh
or AIX applications. Sunsoft is also in the process of porting
Solaris onto PowerPC. Windows NT for the PowerPC is expected next
year.
IBM claims that a staggering 40,000 applications can run on
PowerPC. The other distinguishing factor is the processor itself.
With a clock speed of 66 MHz and a Specint 92 rating of 60 plus, it
appears to be in the same class as Pentium. But it leaves Pentium
and other competitors far behind in terms of features. It is less
than half the size of Pentium and at $450 a chip, costs less than
half too. Yet it delivers five operations per clock cycle as opposed
to Pentium which delivers two. In fact, it betters even Sun's
SuperSPARC which does three operations and Alpha which delivers two,
claims the company.
TISL is positioning the low-end PowerPC as a desktop graphics
workstation. PowerPC model 250 is priced at Rs 5 lakh for a diskless
model (around $16,000) and around Rs 10 lakh (around $32,000) for a
configured model with 1 GB disk space and other features. This the
company is positioning against its competitors, mid-range systems,
which cost much more. Says Paritosh Segal, TISL's marketing manager:
"In terms of performance, it is close to HP's G-40 and Sun SS-10
model 40." The G-40, however, is priced over Rs 20 lakh (around
$64,000).
The high-end models based on Power-2 architecture deliver 8
operations per clock cycle with marginal clockspeed increases. Two
floating point processors, 256 KB data, a 32 KB instruction cache
and a 2400 MB/sec CPU-memory bandwidth are some of the other
features. Segal feels that the Power-2 models should make the
company more competitive in the high-end banking and manufacturing
markets. The Power-2 models cost anywhere between Rs 43 lakh (around
$140,000) to Rs 80 lakh (around $260,000).
IBM also announced a PowerPC notebook running AIX which is
internally referred to as Wordsworth. It comes with a standard
color display and is claimed to be faster than SPARC-based
SPARCbook 2 notebook. TISL is still evaluating the market for the
product and the launch is not likely to take place this year.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19930916)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
TRENDS
Japan - NEC Plans To Release Tiny PC
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(TYO)(00007)
Japan - NEC Plans To Release Tiny PC 09/21/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- NEC is expected to release
a B5-size notebook-type personal computer early next year. Despite
the tiny size, this PC will be as powerful as A4-size PCs, the
company contends.
The new PC, the Sub-Note, will run on a removable or a
rechargeable battery. It will have a monochrome LCD (liquid
crystal display), a keyboard, and an IC card drive. It is expected
that programs will either come in ROM (read only memory) or
on IC cards. The Sub-Note will be also have telecommunications
features, which will be provided in the IC card.
NEC is currently developing LSI chips for this PC which will
pack in the features. NEC still hasn't decided on the type of
CPU (central processing unit) processor but the 80486 chip is
considered the mostly likely candidate.
The Sub-Note will be smaller than current notebook-type PCs but
bigger than palmtop PCs. It will weigh between 1.5 to 2 kg.
The retail price will be less than a 200,000 yen ($2,000) level.
NEC is also planning to release a color version, which will
be more expensive.
NEC hopes to shift the industry from the A4-size to the B5-size
notebook in the future.
(Masayuki "Massey" Miyazawa/19930920/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-
3451-2974, Fax, +81-3-3457-7249)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
GENERAL
Five Major Companies Agree On PCMCIA Mass Storage
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(LAX)(00008)
Five Major Companies Agree On PCMCIA Mass Storage 09/21/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- The
problem with mass storage cards is they're not all compatible,
according to five major companies who have joined up to make
sure theirs are. The companies are IBM Personal Computer,
Maxtor, Seagate Technology, Sundisk (a Sun Microsystems
Company), and Toshiba.
As computers get smaller and smaller and the personal digital
assistants (PDAs) increase in popularity, the credit-card
sized mass storage cards become more attractive. However, users
can find themselves on a "data island," unable to use cards
that look like they should be interoperable in computers that
are equipped with credit-card sized slots.
While there is a Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association (PCMCIA) standard universally adopted by the 350-
member group in September of 1992, not all cards and slots
conforming to that standard work together. A subset of the
standard, the personal computer (PC) Card AT-bus Architecture
(ATA) standard, is the one to which all five companies
agreed to conform in order to make their PCMCIA cards readable in
any of their PCMCIA slots.
The companies announced plans to standardize storage card
features, as well as system basic input/output system (BIOS)
and driver requirements, for interoperability and data
exchange no matter which microprocessor or operating system
(DOS, Windows, Unix) is involved. Cards conforming to the
standard offer low power consumption and an Intelligent Drive
Electronics (IDE) controller on the card itself.
Microsoft has also said it will support the PC Card ATA
standard in its Microsoft At Work software for handheld
devices. Microsoft and Toshiba recently announced the two
companies were working together on handheld hardware that will
use Microsoft At Work, though no specific product announcements
have been forthcoming. Sun has also announced it is working on
digital consumer devices and has started a separate company,
Firstperson headquartered in Mountain View, California, focused
specifically on the development of such devices. The company
has not volunteered any specifics and company officials say it
could be another year before any product announcements are
made.
Sundisk has taken a leading role in the development and
implementation of the standard. Eli Harari, president and chief
executive officer of SunDisk, said: "Sundisk solid-state flash
cards already are being used for fast, reliable storage in new
computers manufactured by IBM and Toshiba as well as Hewlett-
Packard, Grid, Tandy, NCR, NEC, EO, Casio, and Fujitsu. The
fact that Toshiba and IBM with their Nand EEPROM, Sundisk with
its proprietary flash and Seagate and Maxtor with their 1.8-
inch hard disk drives can achieve total compliance with
PCMCIA's PC Card ATA standard is what will truly drive the
universal acceptance of mass storage cards in mobile
computers."
Sundisk claims it is shipping flash mass storage cards which
are fully compliant with the PC Card ATA standard. IBM and
Toshiba will commence shipment of their PC CARD ATA cards,
based on Toshiba's Nand Electrically Erasable Programmable
Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) technology, in the second half of
1993. Maxtor is currently shipping a 105-megabyte (MB), 1.8-
inch hard disk drive conforming to PCMCIA-ATA in a Type III
(10.5 mm thickness) card and Seagate will ship a Type III card
containing a 1.8-inch hard disk drive meeting PCMCIA'S PC Card
ATA standard during the second half of 1993.
Support for the standard has also been announced by AT&T, Casio,
Fujitsu Personal Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Matsushita Electric
Industrial (Panasonic), NEC, Seiko Epson, and Tandy, the
companies said.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930921/Press Contact: Bob Goligoski,
Sundisk, tel 408-562-3463, fax 408-562-3403; Julie Still,
Seagate Technology, 408-439-2276; Mike Corrado, IBM Personal
Computer, 914-766-1813; Annette Birkett, Toshiba, 714-455-
2298; Andrea Mace, Maxtor, 408-432-4498)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
APPLE
Toronto Teacher Offers Mac Education Software Picks
(NEWS)(APPLE)(TOR)(00009)
Toronto Teacher Offers Mac Education Software Picks 09/21/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- So you're a teacher,
you just got a Macintosh for your classroom, and you're wondering
what software you ought to get. Toronto-area teacher Rick Williams
has some suggestions for you.
In a conference session at the MacWorld Expo/Canada show here,
Williams, who works for the Scarborough Board of Education in
suburban Toronto, offered his personal top 10 (well, more than 10,
really) list of software for Macs in the classroom.
Williams said his list was aimed at classroom Macs in the lower
grades, but in spite of that included some fairly sophisticated
software. And not all his picks are what you would think of
initially as educational software.
Williams' list:
Disinfectant: A shareware virus protection program, it is proven
and free from many bulletin board systems, Williams said. If not
Disinfectant, teachers definitely should install some kind of virus
protection.
Norton Utilities: Teachers may think this is a program for
technicians and not the classroom, but it has a number of useful
utilities such as the ability to find files, Williams said.
ClarisWorks: This is the best integrated program for the Mac, he
said, and as an added bonus schools in Ontario can get free copies
thanks to a provincial grant program. In response to a later
audience question, Williams said he preferred ClarisWorks to the
rival Microsoft Works because of stronger spreadsheet and database
capabilities, but added that the difference was not large.
Painter: Fractal Design's graphics program "blew my mind when I saw
it this summer." A sophisticated program with features to interest
professional designers, the software could nonetheless be used by
kids, Williams maintained. In the graphics category he also
mentioned Claris' MacDraw, which is also available free to Ontario
schools under the provincial grant program.
KidPix and Companion: KidPix is a graphics program with "a lot of
possibilities," Williams said, and the accompanying Companion "only
makes it better."
HyperCard: The popular program from Apple "still remains for me one
of the top programs that should be available for ... any students
anywhere."
Art Roundup: A utility from software vendor Dublclick, Art Roundup
creates a visual catalog of clip art images on a disk and lets the
user find and manipulate clip art files without having to open any
other program. It comes free with the company's WetPaint clip art
collections.
CalendarMaker: This calendar creation program is useful for
organizing school events, Williams said.
MacGlobe: Suited more to higher grades, Broderbund Software's
geographic information systems package offers "an awful lot of
possibilities in geography and so on," Williams said. It is also
another of the programs Ontario schools can have paid for by the
provincial Ministry of Education.
FileMaker Pro: When students reach the limits of the database
module in ClarisWorks, Williams said, FileMaker Pro will give them
more while letting them build on their existing knowledge of the
integrated package, since it looks similar.
UltraKey: A Canadian-made typing tutor program, Williams said, this
is an attractive choice for Canadian schools. As an alternative he
mentioned Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, "an old favorite" in the
typing category.
Williams also mentioned several useful utilities, such as the
Compact Pro and Stuffit Lite file compression programs. These are
useful companions to a modem for decompressing programs downloaded
from bulletin boards, he said. Williams also urged that all
computers should be equipped with a modem.
(Grant Buckler/19930920)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
BUSINESS
Sega/Hitachi Designing Next-Generation Game Player
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00010)
Sega/Hitachi Designing Next-Generation Game Player 09/21/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Sega Enterprise has signed an
agreement with Hitachi to develop a multimedia game device.
Hitachi will supply a powerful chip for this device and the
technology to develop multimedia software.
Expected to be a next-generation multimedia game device, the
Sega/Hitachi unit will be equipped with a CD-ROM drive
and will offer powerful graphics features. A Hitachi spokesman
told Newsbytes that the chip to run this machine will be as
powerful as a 32-bit RISC (reduced instruction set
computing) chip. It will support full color and super fast
motion pictures. Hitachi will also cooperate to develop a
software tool to create multimedia programs for Sega's game
device.
Sega will decide detailed specifications for the new
multimedia game device by the end of this year. Those details
will go straight to software developers in order to encourage
them to create games and educational programs for the device.
Sega has been actively involved in the development of various new
game devices, and has already linked with Japan Victor
Corporation (JVC) to develop a CD-ROM-based game machine.
Sega also linked with Yamaha to develop a music-related
educational device.
(Masayuki Miyazawa/19930921/Press Contact: Sega Enterprise, +81-3-
3743-7603, Fax, +81-3-3743-7830)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
BUSINESS
NEC, AT&T In ASIC Venture
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TYO)(00011)
NEC, AT&T In ASIC Venture 09/21/93
TOKYO, JAPAN, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Japan's NEC and AT&T will
jointly develop application specific ICs (ASICs). Although the two
firms will work to create advanced ASIC chips, the agreement is
expected to be extended in the future to cover other kinds of
semiconductors.
NEC and AT&T plan to offer the first new ASIC cell-based IC
technology by June 1995.
NEC and AT&T are already partners -- they developed a basic
technology to produce a cell-based IC with 0.35 micron lines
in 1991. Both firms created this technology and ended the agreement
last year.
This time, both firms will develop the technology and will actually
produce chips. NEC and AT&T intend to develop 21 technologies
necessary to produce the chips, and both intend to supply each other
with the end products. For example, AT&T might request NEC to produce
ASIC chips for AT&T customers in Japan. NEC might do the same
thing in the US.
Through joint development of the chip technologies, both firms
will be able to reduce development costs. Other Japanese chip
firms are also making the similar agreements -- Toshiba has linked
with IBM and Siemens. Hitachi has tied up with Texas Instruments.
(Masayuki Miyazawa/19930920/Press Contact: NEC, +81-3-3451-2974,
Fax, +81-3-3457-7249)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
TELECOM
International Telecom Update
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00012)
International Telecom Update 09/21/93
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- The world's
telecommunications attention has turned to Spain, where a
Socialist government is preparing for massive privatization of
state-owned industry.
Telefonica de Espana is on the government's list -- it owns
a minority stake. The model here is Argentina, where a
supposedly-leftist Peronist government led a massive
privatization effort which has revitalized the economy. Spain is
also working to open its piece of the booming Chinese market, and
set a huge credit line for that purpose earlier that year during
a state visit by Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez.
Speaking of China, which hopes to be awarded the 2000 Olympics
later this week, the government bought $15 million in switches
from Ericsson's Norway unit, for use in rural Liaoning province,
using Norwegian financing. Ericsson now calls China its fastest
growing market. And Teleglobe Canada opened an office in Hong
Kong, with hopes of opening the Chinese market to its satellite
services.
The big success story is Telecom New Zealand. It's part-owned by
Ameritech and Bell Atlantic of the US, and was taken private
with help from major New Zealand financial groups. Now those
groups are lightening their holdings. The local stock market was
rocked when both Sir Michael Fay's Midavia and Freightways
Holding moved huge blocks of stock. Telecom has also been
concerned about trouble with unions over its planned job
cutbacks, which it now claims to have successfully mediated, and
an investigation of its discounting schemes for big long distance
companies, which was quietly dropped.
In what may turn out to be a similar successful financial
restructuring, Telecom Argentina said it wants to have its shares
listed on the New York Stock Exchange and other foreign
exchanges, and expand its borrowings. Wider listings of its stock
would let it expand borrowings still further.
Finally, the news is also good from the less-developed world.
Ericsson won a $15 million contract to expand the telephone
network of Lebanon. AT&T bought 80 percent of its Hungarian
distributor, which holds 25 percent of that market, and Telstra
of Australia doubled its investment in Vietnam.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930921/Press Contact: Ericsson, Kathy Egan,
212/685-4030)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
TELECOM
CompuServe Announces CD-ROM, MHS Moves
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00013)
CompuServe Announces CD-ROM, MHS Moves 09/21/93
COLUMBUS, OHIO, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- CompuServe made moves
to enhance its value to users of CD-ROMs and local area networks.
The company signed a strategic alliance with Metatec Corp., under
which CompuServe will publish a multimedia extension of its
flagship online service. Members with CD-ROM drives will be able
to update online files enhanced with audio and video. Examples
would be a new version of CompuServe's existing electronic
shopping service, and extensions to some of its most popular
forums and databases.
Metatec publishes Nautilus, a monthly CD-ROM based magazine
available for both Macintoshes and MPC-compliant PCs with
Microsoft Windows. The company also masters CD-ROMs and CDs.
The new Compuserve service will become available in the
first quarter of 1994. "We really become the first service to
announce a multimedia extension," said spokesman Dave Kishler.
The company will update its CDs monthly.
CompuServe also expanded its service for local area networks
which pass mail under the MHS standard. The CompuServe Mail Hub
can now support SMF-71, the latest version of Novell's
Application Programmer's Interface. This is a support feature
built into Novell's NetWare Remote MHS 2.0, available as of
today. The CompuServe Mail Hub gives LAN users the ability to
exchange e-mail through the service, using store-and-forward
technology and local calls to the CompuServe network to reduce
costs.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930921/Press Contact: David J. Kishler,
CompuServe, 614-538-4571)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
CORRECTION TELECOM
Correction - ZiffNet Offers Hewlett-Packard Dashboard Deal
(CORRECTION)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00014)
Correction - ZiffNet Offers Hewlett-Packard Dashboard Deal 09/21/93
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- In
yesterday's story on ZiffNet, Newsbytes mentioned a difference
between night-time and day-time charges on the service, which is
linked to CompuServe. There are no differences between night and
day rates, and Newsbytes regrets the error.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930921/Press Contact: Janice Brown, ZiffNet,
617-332-8066)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
TELECOM
America Online Expands Internet Access
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00015)
America Online Expands Internet Access 09/21/93
VIENNA, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- America Online
expanded its services to the Internet.
Like many other online services, including CompuServe and MCI
Mail, AOL provides an e-mail gateway through which its users can
send mail to Internet addresses and receive messages from the
Internet. The company says it's become one of its most popular
features. Now it's expanding that service through what it calls
the Internet Center, designed to educate consumers about the
Internet and offer connections under programs called WAIS and
Gopher to remote databases and Newsgroups. Additional features
and functionality will be added in stages over the coming year.
President Steve Case said the company's strategy is to
concentrate on ease-of-use as it expands into Internet services,
because that's one of the problem novice users have with the
Internet. The company is also creating an advisory council
composed of experts who are sensitive to the social dynamics of
Internet. The Internet Center, like other AOL services, is part
of its standard five hour per month, $9.95 bundle.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930921/Press Contact: Jean Villanueva,
America Online, 703-883-1675)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
TELECOM
Could Power Companies Become Phone Companies?
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00016)
Could Power Companies Become Phone Companies? 09/21/93
SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Hoping to
bypass any objections from regulators, First Pacific Networks
Inc., signed a letter of intent with The Southern Company, which
runs electrical utilities in Georgia, Florida, Alabama and
Mississippi, aimed at installing cable on its lines.
Under the letter, First Pacific will license its technology to
Southern for an initial license fee installment of $5 million. A
portion of the license fee will be paid to Entergy Enterprises,
Inc., the unregulated subsidiary of Entergy Corp., another
southern utility primarily serving Arkansas, Mississippi, and
Louisiana, which helped develop the system. Southern will buy
3,500 of FPN's PowerView systems for use in its service
territory, with an option to buy 5,000 more and receive an
initial 25% of sales of PowerView licenses by FPN.
The Southern Co., is also picking up a warrant to buy 9.95% of
First Pacific Network common when regulators make that possible.
The whole deal must still be finalized and, perhaps, approved by
the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.
Newsbytes discussed the deal with Don Marquart, executive vice
president of First Pacific. First Pacific is best-known for
selling systems which allow cable television systems, using
coaxial and fiber cable, to offer telephone and data services
over their lines, and the Entergy technology is used to justify
power companies' installation of similar lines.
Marquart insisted, however, that phone and data services are not
contemplated by the agreement. "I want to be clear that it's not
the intent of the electrical utilities to provide phone service,"
he said. But from a strictly technical standpoint, he
acknowledged, voice, data and even video services could be
provided over the cables installed as part of the network.
The unique aspect of this program is that the electric utility
can install a fiber-coax infrastructure and cost-justify it based
on energy savings," he continued. "It allows two-way
communications between customers and utilities. We install a unit
and sensors, which are paid for based on savings of electricity
in the home. What our customers are trying to do is help utility
customers manage their energy use efficiently. The utility can
either build new power plants or this system."
Marquart noted that recently Entergy officials testified before
the US Senate, stating they too could deploy the infrastructure
to help with the Information Superhighway. "But their focus was
on managing their business better, providing better levels of
customer service." First Pacific is also talking to other power
companies across the country about buying the system.
"The important point is this can be deployed for less than the
cost of building new power plants, using advanced communications
to build energy efficiency. It's like electronic carburation,"
which increases the efficiency of cars.
Marquart said that the Southern was originally contemplating
a direct equity investment in First Pacific, but found regulatory
hurdles too high to ignore. "They're looking to make an equity
investment, so we're moving forward without it. Southern can have
the warrant. The equity piece requires SEC approval from that
group that has oversight over power companies. Rather than wait
on that, we can do a license and establish a business
relationship."
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930921/Press Contact: First Pacific Networks
Ken Schneider, 408/730-6600)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
TELECOM
MCI, Gallup Set Toll-Free Polling Service
(NEWS)(TELECOM)(ATL)(00017)
MCI, Gallup Set Toll-Free Polling Service 09/21/93
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- MCI and the Gallup
Organization announced a polling service based on MCI toll-free
numbers designed to help businesses quickly get feedback from
customers and employees on important issues. The aim is to help
companies quickly do "quality audits."
The Gallup 800 survey was announced in a teleconference hosted
by MCI's National Accounts division. Jonathan Crane, president
of MCI's national accounts division, said, "Business executives
now have a tool to poll their customers and get results in 24
hours. They can immediately take corrective action, and it's easy
to use."
Crane then explained what happens. "After an application, callers
are greeted by a recording, and can choose answers based on a
touchtone phone, with verbal comments allowed. The system is also
programmed to take verbal answers from rotary phones. MCI then
tabulates the answers, and Gallup analyzes it. The customer can
receive the report by e-mail, fax or overnight delivery." Crane
said the two companies spent 15 months developing the product.
The Walt Disney organization was involved in beta-testing the product,
Clifton said. "It's a feedback system that they can break out by
representative and department on their Orlando vacation plans."
Gallup is also looking to hospitals and fast food companies as
potential customers for the service.
Crane added, "Everyone's familiar with a financial audit. But what
about a quality audit? We think this gives companies the
capability to routinely run quality audits, and move toward total
quality management."
Jim Clifton, president and chief executive of Gallup, noted that
"Gallup has been too expensive for business surveys, and the
results come too slowly. We needed something fast. We're also
learning that poor customer satisfaction happens first. You can
find problems before they show up in financials. IBM was going
broke long before it showed up in their financials. An awful lot
of companies are starting to pay for ratings customers give them.
It's been limited to corporations without many customers. Now
this solves the problem for companies with enormous customer
bases."
An example of using the service, mentioned by Crane, is the
present practice of leaving cards in hotel rooms to check
quality. "Few people fill out the cards, unless they're angry.
We'd encourage incentive systems to encourage people to respond.
You could offer free breakfast if they call the 800 number, or
they could offer a free room upgrade. Businesses will recognize a
need to encourage people to participate. We're going to suggest
that."
Gallup's Clifton agreed that creativity is needed in
getting responses, because a poll doesn't really work unless more
than half of chosen respondents agree to answer questions.
Clifton estimated the cost of using the new system at $1 per
survey respondent.
Clifton added that, with this system, you're dealing with captive
audiences, people who've already bought a product from the
company seeking the survey. "It's not like a Gallup Presidential
poll," he said. "It's two very different situations and
solutions." He said the new system is aimed at gathering
thousands of responses, not just the hundreds who are called in
regular Gallup polls.
(Dana Blankenhorn/19930921/Press Contact: Frank Walter, MCI
National Accounts, 212-326-4389)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
GENERAL
Combo Wrist Rest/Mouse Pad
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00018)
Combo Wrist Rest/Mouse Pad 09/21/93
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- The
appropriately named "The Combo," from Computer Expressions,
combines two handy computer accessories, a mouse pad and a wrist
rest.
The Combo wrist rest, at 7 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches, is made of resilient
natural rubber with a soft cloth cover. Rounded on both top and
bottom edges, it supports the hand in the neutral position
doctors recommend to avoid nerve damage, the company says.
The wrist rest fits securely into the Combo mouse pad, which
measures 11 2/3 x 8 1/4 inches -- and is also made of natural
rubber. The Combo comes in a variety of vibrant color
combinations, including an MC Escher design and a Munchies
Combo with a pattern of brightly colored candies. Computer
Expressions also makes custom Combo pads with corporate logos,
photographs, and other images the customer may provide.
The Combo is available from a wide range of retailers and
mail-order companies for under $20. For additional information,
contact Computer Expressions at 215/487-7700.
(Computer Currents/19930921)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
APPLE
Connectix Utilities For Desktop Macs
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00019)
Connectix Utilities For Desktop Macs 09/21/93
SAN MATEO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Connectix Corp.,
has added a new set of tools to the Mac utility workbelt with
Connectix Desktop Utilities (CDU), based on the company's
well-received Connectix PowerBook Utilities (CPU) product, a
set of utilities for the PowerBook.
Included are power conservation features, window, menu,
desktop and color customization, single-keystroke menu and
dialog access, password security, file synchronization, a menu
clock/free space read-out and cursor customization. Connectix
Marketing Manager Debbie Degutis says the main goal in
developing CDU was to provide the same energy conservation
features of CPU for the desktop.
The power-saving feature allows you to set your Mac to be shut
down after a set period of inactivity. The screen can likewise
be dimmed at user-specified intervals, decreasing monitor power
consumption by up to 25 percent, the company says. Degutis says
the screen dimming simultaneously reduces your monitor's
electromagnetic field emission.
Color depth, printer selection and file-sharing status can all
be set from a single CDU menu, which displays the time, date and
amount of free disk space when not in use.
To set CDU apart, Degutis says the company set out to add new
utility features, not to mimic existing ones. "We tried to stay
away from competing head to head with other utility packages,"
she said. "We tried to find out what they didn't cover and to
put that into CDU."
Connectix Desktop Utilities carries a suggested retail price of
$99. Registered owners of the other Connectix utility packages
may purchase CDU for $29. Phone 800/950-5880 or 415/571-5100.
(Computer Currents/19930921)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
APPLE
New Mac Product Roundup
(NEWS)(APPLE)(SFO)(00020)
New Mac Product Roundup 09/21/93
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- These
are a few of the new product releases crossing our desks
recently. All are for Apple Computer's Macintosh.
Adobe Illustrator 5.0
Illustrator or Photoshop or a little of both? Illustrator 5.0 adds
Photoshop-like plug-in filters. Also new are custom views and an
editable preview mode. The filters aid in manipulation of
illustration objects, such as selecting overlapping layers to
create a new object that can then be manipulated separately.
Filters include Pathfinder, Stylize and Color. $595 suggested
retail. Upgrades are free if Illustrator 3.2 was purchased after
March 1. Others upgrade for $149 through Oct. 31 and $199
thereafter. A CD-ROM version/kit is also available. In the US
call 800/344-3385.
Adobe Premiere 3.0
Version 3.0 of Adobe's $695 QuickTime editing software features
more tracks and faster processing and previews. A $795 CD-ROM
version includes animated tutorials and stock movies. New features
include more layers, new titling features such as gradient
fills and drop shadows, batch capture and calibration, smoother
playback and improved audio editing. Apple Sound Manager-
compatibility allows editing of 16-bit sound files.
Upgrades are $129 for the disk version and $199 for the Deluxe
CD-ROM until November 1, and $179 to $249 thereafter. Phone
Adobe in Mountain View, Calif. at 415/961-4400.
Scriptwriting Tools 2.0
No, not computer scripts -- Hollywood scripts. Version 2.0 of
Morley & Associates' set of Microsoft Word templates helps
writers create movie, TV, storyboard, two-column, video and
multimedia scripts. Templates follow conventions established
by the entertainment industry and corporate video market.
Compatible with Word 4.x and 5.x. $79. Phone 818/952-6756.
(Computer Currents/19930921)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
UNIX
Wabi To Ship To End-Users By Year End
(NEWS)(UNIX)(LAX)(00021)
Wabi To Ship To End-Users By Year End 09/21/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Wabi, the Unix
communities' answer to Microsoft Windows, is in its final
"golden master" version and will be shipping to customers by
the end of the year, according to Sunselect. Demonstrated this
week at Unix Expo in New York City, Sunselect describes Wabi as
technology that allows Microsoft Windows applications to run
directly on Unix-based personal computers (PCs) and
workstations at full performance without the need for MS-DOS or
Microsoft Windows.
Announced in May of this year, Wabi is the hope of many vendors
to break the hold they feel Microsoft has on the computing
community with its Windows graphical user interface (GUI). It
works by translating the function calls made by Microsoft
Windows programs into those recognizable by X Windows. This has
several advantages, according to Sunselect, as Windows
applications are then considered part of the Unix desktop and
functions such as cutting and pasting between Unix and Windows
applications become possible. Wabi allows the Windows
applications to be resized, moved, and even run on X terminals
in a distributed environment, company officials added.
Emulation products to run Windows applications are available
for Unix, but lack the advantages and speed of Wabi, Sunselect
claims. Stephen Gaul Jr., information technology specialist at
Air Products and Chemicals of Allentown, Pennsylvania has been
beta testing Wabi before its announcement in May and said:
"Wabi is running Windows applications up to three times faster
than conventional Windows emulation software on my SPARC
workstation. It is even running some applications faster than
Microsoft Windows itself on both SPARC and Intel machines."
Gaul told Newsbytes he's had a strong interest in bridging the
gap between Windows and Unix and added that in his experience
Wabi is pretty solid, though he has not seen the golden master
release.
Sunselect says now that the product has been tested and is in
the golden master stage, it will be shipped to its original
equipment manufacturing (OEM) partners IBM, Hewlett-Packard,
Sunsoft, and Novell's Unix Systems Group (formerly USL). Each
OEM is preparing their own version of the product. "The Golden
Master arrived right on schedule, and that will keep us on
track in making Wabi available with the Unixware SVR4.2
operating system," said Don McGovern, vice president at
Novell's Unix Systems Group. Reports are customers should start
seeing Wabi technology by the end of this year.
Sunselect's OEMs and NCR, Network Computing Devices (NCD), and
The Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) are demonstrating Wabi at the
Unix Expo show.
Chemsford, Massachusetts-based Sunselect is one of many
business units of Mountain View, California-headquartered Sun
Microsystems Computer Corporation. Sun manufactures workstation
computer products under the brand name Sparc.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930921/Press Contact: Kathryn Lang, Hi-Tech
Communications, tel 415-904-7000 ext 208, fax 415-904-7025)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
GENERAL
Radio Shack Ships New Video Games Direct To Consumers
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00022)
Radio Shack Ships New Video Games Direct To Consumers 09/21/93
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- If you're a video
games addict that just can't wait to get your hands on the latest
and greatest new video games, you might want to talk to your local
Radio Shack outlet.
Radio Shack has introduced an advanced reservation program that
allows its customers to pre-order the hottest new video games and
have them shipped direct to their home or office on the first day
the game is released in the US.
The program is a service of Radio Shack Express Order, and includes
video games for Super Nintendo, Nintendo, Sega Genesis, Sega CD,
Game Boy, and Game Gear systems. Radio Shack Express Order allows
buyers of video games, computer software, movies on VHS cassettes,
Karaoke songs on audio cassettes, and more than 200 pre-recorded
digital compact cassette titles to order from Radio Shack's Express
Order catalogs. The catalogs are available in Radio Shack stores
nationwide.
Radio Shack says among the first game titles to be available through
the Express Order Advanced Reservation program will be the "Mortal
Kombat" video action game from Acclaim Entertainment Inc.
(Jim Mallory/19930921/Press contact: Tony Magoulas, Radio Shack,
817-878-4852; Reader contact: Your local Radio Shack store)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
IBM
Aldus To Bundle PhotoStyler In Multimedia Kit
(NEWS)(IBM)(DEN)(00023)
Aldus To Bundle PhotoStyler In Multimedia Kit 09/21/93
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Aldus Corporation
says it has teamed up with Singapore-based Creative Technology
Limited to bundle PhotoStyler Special Edition with a Creative
OmniCD, the Sound Blaster DigitalEdge CD, the Sound Blaster Discover
CD 16, or a Sound Blaster Edutainment CD 16 multimedia upgrade kit.
The kits are being distributed by Creative's US subsidiary Creative
Labs Inc. The special edition versions of PhotoStyler 1.1a and the
forthcoming version 2.0 offer a reduced feature set of the complete
product, and are designed for use with other manufacturer's
products. PhotoStyler SE includes the image retouching, color
correction, filters, special effects, and image transformation
tools.
Greg VendenDries, sales VP at Creative Labs, says the agreement will
allow Creative to broaden the firm's multimedia market. "Aldus
PhotoStyler SE allows our users to obtain complete solutions for the
creation and incorporation of Kodak Photo CD images, as well as
giving them a more professional design tool." Kodak Photo CD
technology allows computer users to have pictures they take with a
camera stored on a CD disk. The images can then be viewed and
manipulated by computer software such as PhotoStyler.
Each multimedia upgrade kit from Creative includes a multi-session
CD-ROM interface card, a CD-ROM drive with a 680MB storage capacity,
one of the Sound Blaster cards, and the necessary cabling to connect
the drive to an IBM-compatible personal computer.
The Sound Blaster DigitalEdge CD kit gives users the ability to play
16-bit sound. Also included are several CD-based software packages,
including Microsoft Works for Windows, Macromedia's Action and
Authorware Star graphics presentation programs, and VoiceAssis, a
speech recognition program from Creative Labs. There is also object
linking and embedding software that allows the user to add speech or
music to any application that supports OLE, and a text-to-speech
utility called Monologue for Windows that reads and vocalizes text,
numbers, and data from Windows applications. You also get The
Software Toolworks 21-volume Multimedia Encyclopedia.
Creative says the suggested retail price for the kit will vary
depending on which Sound Blaster card is being bundled. The full
version of PhotoStyler has a suggested retail price of $795. If you
buy one of the multimedia kits bundled with PhotoStyler SE you can
upgrade to the full version for $150.
(Jim Mallory/19930921/Press contact: Belinda Young, Aldus
Corporation, 206-386-8819; Reader contact: Creative Labs,
408-428-6600, fax 408-428-6611, Aldus Corporation, 206-628- 2320)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
GENERAL
TI Cuts Printer Prices
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(DEN)(00024)
TI Cuts Printer Prices 09/21/93
DALLAS, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Texas Instruments has cut
the price of its microWriter and microMarc printers and has
introduced a 30-day money back guarantee on both products.
The company said effective immediately the microWriter Basic has
been cut to $599, a reduction of $130. The new suggested retail
price on the microWriter PS23 is $799, a $200 drop, while the
microWriter PS65 has also been reduced $200, now selling for $1,099.
The microMarc will now sell for $329, down from $369.
The microWriter line of Postscript-compatible 33-pound page printers
was introduced in March of this year. TI says the microWriter is
designed for small business users using Macintosh and Windows-based
PCs. The microWriter light-emitting diode (LED) print engine can
produce up to five pages per minute at 300 by 300 dot-per-inch
resolution. All three models include both AppleTalk and parallel
interfaces, with an optional RS-232C serial interface available. The
microWriter comes with a 250-sheet paper supply tray that can handle
both legal and letter size paper. An optional universal media feeder
is available for envelopes, transparency stock and labels. The basic
model has 512 kilobytes of memory, which can be expanded.
The microMarc is an inkjet printer TI introduced in May of this
year. It provides 300 dot-per-inch resolution, PCL level 3
compatibility, three built-in font families, and several methods of
handling paper. The microMarc uses a thermal inkjet print engine
with 128 nozzles, which TI says is twice the number used in
Hewlett-Packard's Deskjet printhead. The microMarc prints 300
characters per second, or three to four pages per minute.
TI says the microMarc inkjet cartridge should be good for up to
1,300 pages under normal use. The included sheet feeder can be
loaded with up to 100 sheets of paper at a time, and the unit
can print letter, legal, and A4 paper sizes as well as envelopes.
The included fonts are Letter Gothic, Courier, and Dutch SWC.
It can also print the TrueType fonts included with many Windows
applications. When first introduced, the 12-pound microMarc had
a suggested retail price of $419.
In other Texas Instruments news, the company said this week it will
redeem $149.6 million of its auction-rate preferred stock, including
Money Market Cumulative Preferred Series 2 and Market Auction
Preferred shares. After the redemption TI will have no outstanding
auction-rate preferred stock.
(Jim Mallory/19930921/Press contact: Jerry Rycaj, Texas Instruments,
817-774-6110; Reader contact: Texas Instruments, 800-527-3500)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
BUSINESS
Novell, Compaq Team Up
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEN)(00025)
Novell, Compaq Team Up 09/21/93
HOUSTON, TEXAS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- PC maker Compaq Computer
Corporation and network operating system software publisher Novell
today announced they have signed a formal agreement they say will
make it easier for customers to migrate business-critical applications
to PC servers, simplify the operation and maintenance of networks, and
speed the development and availability of networking software for
Compaq's multiprocessing servers scheduled to come to market next year.
"This partnership represents a shared vision and commitment between
Compaq and Novell to make enterprise networking easier for our
customers," says Novell President and CEO Raymond Noorda.
The agreement, called the Enterprise Computing Partnership, defines
a broad set of coordinated activities including the implementation
of joint marketing and sales programs, the design of integrated
hardware and software platforms, the development of industry-wide
network testing standards and procedures, and extensive support,
training, and service programs.
The two companies say they will work together to simplify and
expedite the selection of networks for their mutual customers by
sharing technical support information, coordinating pre-sales
activities, conducting joint seminars, and making joint
presentations and recommendations.
They say they are also working on more reliable and optimized ways
to install Novell's Netware software. Compaq has SmartStart, its
CD-ROM based installation process, which will be used to make server
installation easier. They also plan to develop an integrated Netware
operating system that will run on multiprocessing systems from
Compaq. A MP system is scheduled for demonstration by year-end and
is scheduled to ship by the second half of 1994.
Another part of the partnership calls for the two companies to
develop UnixWare software to support Unix-based applications
running in Netware environments.
Earlier this month Compaq President Eckhard Pfeiffer said it is no
longer possible for a single vendor to offer the whole system, and
announced Compaq would team up with Microsoft Corporation, Intel
Corporation, and VLSI technology to develop a hand-held mobile
companion device. Few specifics were available, but Compaq said the
device, expected to be available as early as 1994, will be powered
by VLSI's Polar chip set, which is based on designs by Intel.
Microsoft will support the chip assets with its Microsoft at Work
operating system, and Compaq will integrate the hardware and
software into a marketable machine.
In April of this year Compaq and Microsoft announced they would work
together to make personal computers easier to use and to further the
development of new products, stressing the "plug-and-play" aspect of
future computing. Plug-and-play refers to the ability to unpack a
computer and the desired peripherals, connect the cables, turn the
system on and begin working (or playing). That announcement was also
short of specifics.
(Jim Mallory/19930921/Press contact: Hedy Baker, Compaq,
713-374-0484; Reader contact: Compaq Computer Corporation,
713-374-1459)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
TRENDS
Pen Computers Make It Into College Football
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LAX)(00026)
Pen Computers Make It Into College Football 09/21/93
REDWOOD SHORES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- College
football is moving to pen computing for play diagrams and game
data via a new software product, "Athlepad," from Pentech of
Lansing, Michigan. The highly portable pen-computers are taking
over time-consuming hand drawing tasks as well as offering
portable electronic forms for scouting and medical training.
Currently coaches spend 10-20 hours a week drawing playing
cards for practice sessions and often the cards must be redrawn
in a week with small changes or even no changes, according to
Pentech. However, coaches at the University of Pittsburgh,
University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and the
University of Wisconsin are using Athlepad's practice card
drawing program for their x's and o's. This is especially
attractive since coaches don't need to use a keyboard or know
how to type in order to make efficient use of the program.
Pentech says the formations, backfields, fronts, coverage and
plays are designed using a method of pointing the pen to the
proper area on the screen. The play lines are then drawn and
stored for future use, and previous plays can be recalled,
modified and stored as new plays. In addition, the plays can be
printed on card stock with a laser printer for use during the
practice sessions. The company said it also integrated the
video editing system of Clearwater, Florida's Athletech
Computer Systems into Athlepad for reviewing games. The coaches
are using Grid Convertible pen-based computers, although
representatives for CIC said the software will run on a variety
of other pen-based computers as well.
The football programs were developed using software from
Redwood Shores, California-based CIC, which develops the PenDOS
pen operating system and the accompanying Handwriter
Recognition System. PenDOS makes DOS applications into pen-
aware applications, handling handwriting recognition, gestures,
and inking capabilities. The product supplements DOS so
developers can use the same tools to create pen applications as
to create DOS keyboard-based applications, added CIC.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930921/Press Contact: Stacey Wueste,
Alexander Communications for CIC, tel 415-923-1660, fax 415-
923-9863)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
IBM
****IBM Intros Multitude Of New Systems/Software
(NEWS)(IBM)(SFO)(00027)
****IBM Intros Multitude Of New Systems/Software 09/21/93
SOMERS, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- IBM has made a number
of announcements relating to its PowerPC, RS/6000 platform,
multimedia, and its direct response television ads. Newsbytes
will have a full report on many of these items tomorrow.
Reporter Jacqueline Emigh is attending the IBM press event. Here
is a short preview.
IBM has introduced new PowerPC-based systems: the
POWERstation 25T, POWERstation 25W, POWERserver 25S and the
base 250 system unit. These offer more than twice the performance at
the same price as the POWERstation/ POWERserver 230 and
run at 66 megahertz (MHz), the company says.
The new PowerPC-based systems run the AIX/6000 3.2.5 operating
system and are compatible with the existing RISC System/6000
systems.
The POWERstation 25T features 16MB of personal computer SIMM
memory; 540 MB of internal disk storage; the new GXT150 graphics
accelerator, providing 256-color, 8-bit 2D graphics; the
POWERdisplay 17, a 17-inch 1280 x 1024 color display; integrated
Ethernet and SCSI-2 (small computer system interface) controllers;
two 32-bit Micro Channel expansion slots that support I/O (input/
output) at up to 80 MB/second; keyboard; mouse; serial, parallel,
and tablet ports.
The POWERstation 25W is similar to the 25T, but is designed
for the users who already have a color display. The 25W includes
the new GXT100 2D graphics accelerator.
The POWERserver 25S is an entry-level server, with a 1 GB SCSI-2
disk drive and an eight-port RS-232 adapter. The adapter can
connect to inexpensive ASCII terminals and other RS-232 devices.
The POWERstation 25T will cost $9,395,the POWERstation 25W will
be priced at $7,595, the POWERstation 25S at $8,945, and the
POWERstation/POWERserver 250 at $5,445.
IBM has also introduced the POWER2 microprocessor, and three new
RS/6000 models that incorporate this new implementation of IBM's
POWER Architecture.
The POWERserver 990 is a rack-mounted high-end server with computing
power and performance comparable to today's supercomputers, claims
the company, at one-tenth of a supercomputer's cost. The POWERstation/
POWERserver 590 is the highest performing RS/6000 deskside system
ever. The POWERstation/POWERserver 58H is claimed to be a powerful
midrange deskside system, and is configured similarly to the 590.
The POWERserver 990 comes with a 71.5 megahertz (MHz) POWER2
microprocessor, and delivers a SPECint92 rating of 126 and a SPECfp92
rating of 260.4. The system has 256 kilobytes (KB) of data cache and
a 32 KB instruction cache, and comes standard with 128 megabytes (MB)
of memory expandable to 2 GB with the new 256 MB memory card; 4 GB of
disk expandable to 840 GB with the IBM RAIDiant Array;integrated SCSI;
a SCSI-2 controller adapter; two 80 MB/second Micro Channel buses
providing 16 standard slots (one slot occupied by the SCSI controller);
5 GB 8 mm tape, CD-ROM drive and battery backup.
The POWERstation/POWERserver 590 and 58H models come with 66 MHz
and 55 MHz POWER2 microprocessors respectively. They have a 256 KB
data cache and a 32 KB instruction cache, and come standard with 64 MB
of memory expandable to 2 GB; 2 GB of disk expandable to 460 GB with
IBM's RAIDiant Array; integrated SCSI; a SCSI-2 controller adapter,
eight 8 MB/second Micro Channel slots (one slot occupied by the SCSI-2
controller) and a CD-ROM drive.
The POWERstation/POWERserver 58H will be priced at $64,450 and will
be available on October 22; the POWERstation/POWERserver 590 will be
priced at $74,450 and also available on October 22. The POWERserver
990 will cost $127,100 and will be available on October 29.
IBM has also introduced AIX/6000 version 3.2.5, a enhancement to its
version of the Unix operating system. The new version contains the
latest AIX Preventive Maintenance Package which, according to IBM,
allows customers to selectively install code changes made since the
last release of AIX/6000 was announced.
The company has also introduced the Xstation 140, which comes
standard with 4 megabytes (MB) of system memory, 2 MB of video
memory, and 2 MB of rewritable, non-volatile flash memory. This
allows space for the advanced function Xserver based on X Window
System version 11 release 5. The Xstation 140 also supports local
clients, 256 colors, generic fonts and a network based font server.
The 140 also supports either Token-Ring or Ethernet attachment.
The POWERdisplay 17 is a high-resolution, Trinitron, multi-scan
color display that supports screen resolutions up to 1280 by 1024
at 77 hertz (Hz), and complies with Part 3 of the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9241 ergonomic standard. The
POWERdisplay 17 provides a variety of digital controls and three
user selectable color temperature settings.
The POWERdisplay 17 will cost $1,795 and is set for availability
on October 15. The Xstation 140 will cost $2,347 and will also be
available on October 15. The price for the Xstation includes the
base unit, keyboard, mouse, and Xserver software.
Version 3.2.5 also includes a new, separately available feature,
the Visual System Manager, which provides an icon-based interface
for systems management tasks. With the feature, users can reportedly
initiate such actions as adding user IDs and managing printers by
"dragging and dropping" system objects.
AIX/6000 3.2.5 is set for availability on October 15, with pricing
based on processor family and number of users - ranging from $650 to
$40,900. The Visual Systems Manager will be available February 25,
1994, at no extra charge.
Version 2.1 of IBM's AIX High Availability Cluster
Multi-Processing/6000 (HACMP/6000) software allows up to four
RS/6000 systems to be tied together. That is twice the number
supported in the previous version. The new version is set for
availability on December 17, 1993, with prices varying
depending on configuration.
IBM has also announced three new "open," integrated software
development tools that the company says will help application developers
build commercial, scientific and object-oriented applications more
quickly and easily.
According to IBM, C++ POWERbench version 2 is an integrated package
of software tools designed for C++ object-oriented programming. It
includes the IBM C Set ++ for AIX/6000 version 2, and comes
with a C and C++ compiler, a browser, a HeapView debugger, a test
coverage analyzer and a set of C++ class libraries. Planned
availability for C++ POWERbench version 2 is December 31, 1993, with
user token packages for C++ POWERbench priced from $3,375 to $101,250.
The IBM C Set ++ for AIX/6000 version 2 is available separately, at
prices ranging from $1,875 to $56,250. Upgrades from AIX XL C++
version 1 are also available starting at $795.
Fortran POWERbench version 1 is a Fortran development package
featuring a compiler and a set of integrated software development
tools for building scientific applications. The new AIX XL Fortran
Compiler/6000 version 3 complies with International Organization
for Standardization and ANSI Fortran 90 standards, including the
full implementation of Fortran 90. Version 1 is set for availability
on December 31, 1993, with prices ranging from $3,100 to $93,300.
The price for the compiler alone ranges from $1,595 to $47,850.
Compiler upgrades from XL Fortran version 2 are available starting
at $795.
COBOL POWERbench version 1 is designed for developers using the COBOL
language and includes a number of Micro Focus products including: Micro
Focus COBOL version 3.1 for AIX version 3.2.4, Micro Focus Toolbox
version 3.1 for AIX version 3.2.4, Micro Focus Operating System
Extensions (OSX) version 3.1 for AIX version 3.2.4, and Micro Focus
Dialog System version 2.2 for Motif on AIX version 3.2.4. COBOL
POWERbench version 1 is set for availability on December 31, 1993,
priced between $3,645 and $103,950.
IBM also announced AIX XL Pascal Compiler/6000 version 2 for AIX/6000.
It now provides support for 4-byte pointers and will be available
December 31, priced from $1,375 to $41,240. Upgrades from the
existing Pascal compiler will start at $795.
The company also introduced the AIXwindows Environment/6000 version
1.2.5 windowing system for AIX/6000, which includes support for the
new POWER GXT100 and POWER GXT150 graphics accelerators.
Softgraphics, a new element of the AIXwindows Environment/6000 3D
Feature, was also announced. According to IBM, it delivers advanced
3D (three-dimensional) functions to the entire range of POWERstations
and enables entry 3D applications to run on 2D (two-dimensional)
workstations.
Planned availability for AIXwindows Environment/6000 1.2.5 is October
15. It is priced the same as the current release at $250 to $1,000.
The new release of AIXwindows Environment/6000 3D Feature, which
includes Softgraphics, is priced between $425 to $1,700.
IBM's new AIX File Storage Facility/6000 (AIX FSF/6000) AIX FSF/6000
is a storage management product for the RISC System/6000 which is
claimed to extend storage management capabilities in a client/server
environment. The product reportedly provides clients with automatic
disk space management, as well as file migration to any Network File
System server. It has a planned availability of October 15, at a
price of $199 to $1,500 depending on the system used.
IBM has made a number of announcements relating to its multimedia
strategy. The company introduced AIX Ultimedia Services/6000,
claimed to be a set of software objects that supports industry-
standard audio and video formats from workstation and PC environments.
Ultimedia Services/6000 supports M-JPEG, and Ultimotion movies,
with support for converting and playing Actionmedia (RTV2.0) files.
IBM has also licensed Intel's Indeo video format for use on the
RS/6000. Indeo video, also known as RTV2.1, is currently supported
on OS/2, Microsoft Windows, and Apple System 7 operating systems.
Indeo video is planned to be integrated into a future release of
AIX Ultimedia Services/6000.
IBM has also introduced the POWER GXT100 and POWER GXT150 graphics
accelerators, which are available for the POWERstation 25T, 25W
and 250, attache directly to the PowerPC 601 local processor bus
in these models and does not require a Micro Channel slot. Both the
POWER GXT100 and POWER GXT150 are 8-bit, single-buffered
accelerators that support 256 colors, from a palette of 16.7 million
colors. The POWER GXT100 will be priced at $1,295, while the POWER
GXT150 will be priced at $1,695.
IBM says that its PC Direct direct response marketing unit is testing
the 30-second ads over a five-week period in select markets covering
16 percent of US households. A one-minute direct response radio spot
also is being tested in eight percent of households and the company is
considering a national rollout of the campaign in the fall.
The ads feature a special IBM PS/1 computer pre-loaded with 11 Disney
Software Collection programs, Microsoft Works, Prodigy and America
Online, for $1499. In June, IBM PC Direct distributed its largest-ever
mail order catalog to more than 1.3 million customers.
(Ian Stokell/19930921/Press Contact: Steven Malkiewicz,
914-642-5449, or Gregory T. Golden, 914-642-5463, IBM)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/21/93
UNIX
Sun Intros SPARCcluster 1 File Server
(NEWS)(UNIX)(SFO)(00028)
Sun Intros SPARCcluster 1 File Server 09/21/93
NEW YORK, NEW YORK, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Sun Microsystems
Computer Corp., has introduced, what the company claims, is the
industry's most powerful network file server, the SPARCcluster 1.
The company also maintains that the system is the industry's first
network cluster for dedicated NFS file service.
Clusters combine multiple network systems to provide a single
application resource. Sun is also claiming that the system provides
51 percent more performance and more than twice the networking
connectivity of the next closest competitive system - the NS 6000
NetServer from Auspex.
Sun claims that implementing the SPARCcluster 1 enables a user to
lower the total cost of ownership, as well as simplify administration
by consolidating network file service for large departments or the
entire enterprise into one integrated cluster system that is managed
from a single cluster console monitor.
Carl Stolle, manager of server product marketing for SMCC, said:
"The SPARCcluster 1 is a significant advancement because it solves
three critical problems plaguing the implementation of enterprise-
wide client-server applications -- network bandwidth limitations,
network complexity, and dependable access to data. This product lays
the foundation for a larger Sun clustering vision. Next year we will
expand our network cluster technology to provide additional
application services, such as parallel database management systems."
The SPARCcluster 1 system accommodates up to 500 client users,
provides up to 150 gigabytes (GB) of external disk, services up
to 20 separate networks, and can include up to 16 processors.
The system is also claimed to deliver linear performance
scalability, with the most powerful configuration six times
as powerful as the entry-level system.
According to the company, the SPARCcluster 1 system was designed
to simplify administration of large, complex networked computing
environments. It comes standard with graphical user interface-
based tools to provide centralized and remote system administration,
performance monitoring and configuration management. All cluster
nodes are installed and managed from a centralized cluster console
administration tool.
The SPARCcluster 1 system will ship in October and is available in
several configurations, with prices starting at $85,000. The system
runs the Solaris 2.2 operating environment, and comes with a
one-year, on-site warranty.
(Ian Stokell/19930921/Press Contact: Carol Sacks, 415/336-0521,
Sun Microsystems Computer Corp.)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/21/03
TRENDS
UK - Logitech's Cyberman
(NEWS)(TRENDS)(LON)(00029)
UK - Logitech's Cyberman 09/21/03
WINDSOR, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Logitech, a name
that is more associated with mice, has announced Cyberman in the
UK. Logitech claims it is the world's first interactive three
dimensional (3D) controller for PC-based computer games. The
product was first announced in the US On August 18.
The idea behind the controller is that it allows PC users to control
the latest generation of 3D games on the PC. The company claims that
the unit allows single-handed control of movements of players in 3D
simulation games, an area that traditional joysticks have a problem
with.
Many 3D games, Newsbytes notes, make use of two joysticks or a
complex control system. Logitech claims that its Cyberman unit gets
around the problem by combining all of the characteristics of a
mouse, joystick and trackerball in one console.
The unit provides X, Y and Z axis movement, as well as reproducing
yawing, rolling an pitching movements. This, Logitech claims, allows
the user to look around, lean forward or backward, and even leap
out of the way of danger.
According to Martin Pickering, general manager of Logi UK, the
British subsidiary of Logitech, news of the Cyberman unit has set the
computer games industry "buzzing with excitement."
"Leading developers such as Electronic Arts, Microprose Origin,
Virgin Interactive Entertainment and others are currently developing
new games compatible with Cyberman which will make use of the
sensory feedback function and the hexa-directional movement
features. We expect the first of these games to become available in
November," he said.
Cyberman connects to a PC serial port and comes with a 3D games
program plus driver software. The unit, which will ship on both
sides of the Atlantic in November, will sell for UKP 85. US pricing
has yet to be confirmed, Newsbytes understands.
(Steve Gold/19930921/Press & Public Contact: Logi UK - tel: 0344-
891313)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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2 09/21/93
IBM
UK - Netware 3.
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00030)
UK - Netware 3.12 09/21/93
LONDON, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 21 (NB) -- Two years after the release
of Netware 3.0, the operating system has been updated with a
major maintenance release, Netware 3.12. The product was announced
in the US on September 13.
NetWare 3.12 now includes Basic MHS (message handling system)
facilities and the Mac Netware version free of charge. The seamless
upgrade routines seen in Netware 4.0 have been adapted for the v3.xx
environment, allowing users of Netware 2.xx to move up to v3.12
"relatively painlessly" according to Novell.
Novell is making some bold claims for Netware 3.12, mentioning
buzzwords such as increased performance, improved disk drivers and
print plus management utilities.
The company claims v3.12 will be a best seller in the UK, as v2.xx
users who have been waiting to upgrade to the third generation can
now gain access to the new features and advanced network services
not currently available under the Netware 2.x environment.
Novell says that all previously available performance enhancements,
updates and new utilities for version 3.11, such as support for
packet burst and large internet packets, are in V3.12.
The Apple Computer Macintosh version of Netware 3.12 included with
the PC version is set up for five users. Netware for Mac now
supports Mac workgroups and comes with a new set of utilities
that allows network administrators to control admin functions
from the Mac environment.
Lalit Nathwani, Novell UK's product marketing manager, told
Newsbytes that the package is not a major update, but more of a
face-lift, arguing that it reinforces the company's commitment to
Netware 3.x customers.
"Novell has upgraded Netware 3.11 to provide users with a platform for
increased performance, improved functionality and productivity and
ease of use benefits," he said.
Industry reaction to news of the "face-lift" is cautious here in the
UK. Alan Swan, general manager of Proteon, which sells Netware-
compatible hardware, said that Novell has to be very careful not to
upset its existing v3.11 user base.
"Novell must not upgrade those features that Netware 3.11 users are
happy with. If it does, then it risks rocking the boat," he said.
Despite this caution, Swan said he expects Netware 3.12 to generate
a lot of extra sales. Existing users of v3.11 will be encouraged, he
said, to look at upgrading their hardware and software.
As supplied, Netware 3.12 includes updated Novell and third-party
LAN (local area network) and disk drivers, a CD-ROM (compact disc
read only memory) installation option and new Universal Netware
clients, with a choice of Virtual Loadable Module (VLM) or NETX
client architectures. Version 6.1 of Netware Btrieve key-indexed
record manager is also included.
(Steve Gold/19930921/Press & Public Contact: Novell UK - Tel: 0344-
724999)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/20/93
CORRECTION IBM
Correction - CardGrabber Business Card Scanning System
(CORRECTION)(IBM)(BOS)(00001)
Correction - CardGrabber Business Card Scanning System 09/20/93
NEWPORT BEACH, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- In a story
with the above title, which ran on the Newsbytes news wire service
on September 13, the speed of business card scanning on Pacific
Crest Technologies' new scanning system was in error.
The company's new CardGrabber scans and displays a business card on
screen within eight seconds, not within eight minutes, as the story
had reported. Newsbytes regrets the error.
(Wendy Woods/19930920/Reader contact: Pacific Crest Technologies, tel
714-261-6444; Press contact: Les Goldberg Public Relations for
Pacific Crest, tel 714-545-3117)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
#ENDCARD
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09/20/93
IBM
Logitech Announces PC Games Sound Card
(NEWS)(IBM)(LON)(00002)
Logitech Announces PC Games Sound Card 09/20/93
WINDSOR, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND, 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- Logitech has
developed what it claims is a new PC sound card aimed at newcomers
to PC-based games software. Known as Soundman Games, the UKP 79 card
is compatible with Soundblaster, Soundblaster Pro and Ad Lib boards,
which Newsbytes notes have become the de facto industry "standard"
in recent times.
The stereo sound card has a sampling frequency of 44,000 cycles per
second and is equipped with a Yamaha synthesizer, the 20 track OPL-
3, and a six watt amplifier.
A built-in CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory) interface allows
the card to be used with CD-ROM-based games. The company claims that
PC users can also employ joysticks that adhere to IBM or MIDI
standards with the card.
According to Martin Pickering, Logi UK's general manager, Soundman
Games comes with two utilities for DOS and Windows. The volume on
the card is controlled using keyboard short cuts. Also supplied with
the card is an MCS Music Rack program that allows MIDI and Wave
files to be recorded and played back.
"We have developed Soundman Games in direct response to the demands
of the games market-place. It will meet the specific needs of people
taking up PC-based games for the first time, while providing high
quality sound effects," he explained.
The new card, which has a two year warranty, will ship in November
in the UK. Logi UK is offering free telephone-based support for the
card to all customers.
(Steve Gold/19930920/Press & Public Contact: Logi UK - Tel: 0344-
891313)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/20/93
BUSINESS
Woman Who Started $400 Mln Business From Home Resigns
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(LAX)(00003)
Woman Who Started $400 Mln Business From Home Resigns 09/20/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- Sandra
Kurtzig, the woman who founded the $426 million ASK Group in 1972
with $2,000 in start-up money and a spare bedroom in her home, has
announced her resignation from the company.
The ASK Group started as a supplier of manufacturing system software
but expanded to business software with its acquisition of Alameda,
California-based Ingres Corporation.
Kurtzig discovered she wasn't happy just being a homemaker and
raising children, although she cared about both, and wanted
something she could do part-time that interested her.
"I never intended ASK to become the eighth largest software company.
I was just looking for something I could do to occupy my mind in the
second bedroom of my apartment while the children were sleeping,"
she told Newsbytes.
Kurtzig said that the success of ASK is based on two things: the
realization that computers had to be user friendly; and the concept
that instead of customizing computer software packages for
individual companies, one standard product could be developed that
any manufacturing company could use. That product was MANMAN.
MANMAN was almost called MAMA, for Manufacturing Management. But
Kurtzig said her customers objected, saying hard-nosed executives
wouldn't buy a MAMA system. So she used the first three letters of
the two words Manufacturing Management and came up with MANMAN.
"I don't believe women, or men for that matter, have to sacrifice
having children in order to achieve a level of success. I also don't
believe you should wait until you're old and grey to have children.
I think there can be a balance -- homelife and children with work,"
Kurtzig added.
Along the way she got divorced, but said the divorce wasn't because
of her business, but because she and her husband simply grew apart.
At the time of the divorce, Kurtzig's husband set a new record for
the largest settlement a man ever received -- $20 million.
Kurtzig has been moving out of the limelight in her company since
last year when she announced her resignation from her post as chief
executive officer (CEO) of ASK but remained as chairman of the
board.
Now, at age 46, she is resigning altogether. "My plan is not to have
a plan. My youngest son is graduating from high school this year and
I'm feeling the empty nest syndrome. This year is his year," Kurtzig
said. Sandra's oldest son is a junior at Berkeley and has already
started a couple of businesses, according to his proud mother.
Kurtzig holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics from the
University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and a master's in
aeronautical engineering from Stanford. She is a member of the
boards of the Harvard Business School, UCLA's School of Management,
the Hoover Institution, and Stanford's School of Engineering. Her
autobiographical book, "CEO: Building a $400 Million Company from
the Ground Up," is coming out in an updated paperback edition next
May from the Harvard Business School Press.
When asked if success had changed her, Kurtzig said: "I don't think
so. I'm still the same person everyone said wouldn't make it." Her
advice to other small companies struggling to make it is: "Sell
yourself first, your product second. Companies buy from people and
if you have a product that is compelling and you do a good job
serving your customers, you can sell to big companies."
"We competed against IBM and Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC)
when we started out. If you make a good impression, they'll forget
you're a small company," she added.
Mountain View, California-based ASK has 2,300 employees in 23
offices world-wide. Pier Carlo Faloti, former president of the
European operation of Digital Equipment Corporation, is currently
serving as CEO of ASK. A new chairman has not been named, the
company said.
(Linda Rohrbough/1990920/Press Contact: Renate' Steiner, The
ASK Group, tel 415-969-4442, fax 415-968-1354)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/20/93
IBM
****SPC Says Windows, Price Erosion Forced Layoffs
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00004)
****SPC Says Windows, Price Erosion Forced Layoffs 09/20/93
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- Software
Publishing Corporation (SPC), makers of the Harvard Graphics
software product line, has announced it will lay off 21 percent of
its workforce as part of a restructuring program.
The reduction of 140 employees in both full-time and contract labor
positions will leave the company with 510 employees world-wide.
Total cost of the restructuring is estimated at $18 and $20 million,
but the company expects to save $16 million of the expense back in
cost savings and cash impact between now and the end of its fiscal
1994 year. The company will said it will report its fiscal 1993 year
results on October 28 of this year.
Fred Gibbons, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) said: "This
restructuring and cost reduction program has been implemented across
the company in response to the fundamental changes in the software
industry, including a faster than anticipated migration to the
Windows platform creating intense competitive pressures and
continued price erosion."
Gibbons said SPC's goals are to streamline product development
cycles and expense management, as well as a focus on developing and
implementing sales and marketing programs that are cost- effective.
Santa Clara, California-based SPC had 1992 revenues of $144
million.
(Linda Rohrbough/1990920/Press Contact: Len Filppu, Software
Publishing Corporation, tel 408-450-7129, fax 408-450-7915)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/20/93
IBM
MicroAge Seeking International Dealer Partners
(NEWS)(IBM)(SYD)(00005)
MicroAge Seeking International Dealer Partners 09/20/93
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- US computer dealer chain
MicroAge has been sending an interesting fax to a number of dealers
around the world.
The company said it is looking for partners who can supply local
branches of multinational companies with the products and services
they are used to getting from MicroAge in the US.
This is the text of the fax ...
MicroAge, one of the oldest and most successful master resellers in
the computer industry achieved over $1 billion sales during 1992.
MicroAge is currently expanding its international presence. Since
MicroAge sells mostly brand names, we are often restricted by
existing distribution agreements with major vendors to export
directly to the countries in which our clients request service.
Our clients, especially the Fortune 1000-type multinational clients,
expect the same "one-stop-shopping" that we offer them nationwide in
the US. Therefore, we have developed a new program: International
MicroAge InfoSystems Services (IMIS). This means that we are in the
process of building a world-wide network of affiliated dealers, to
be able to refer business to them so that we can together fulfil our
multinational client's needs.
Dagmar Dolatschko
International Marketing Manager
MicroAge
P +1-602-968-3168 ext 2321 F +1-602-929-2412 and 2405 .......
The fax goes on to list the expected abilities of a suitable IMIS
Dealer. They include the following requirements:
[] Locally owned and not affiliated with any group competitive with
MicroAge. (ICG/InaCom, JWP, ComputerLand, Intelligent Electronics)
[] Authorisations with at least two of these companies: IBM, Compaq,
HP, Apple.
[] Advanced networking such as Novell, Banyan, UNIX.
[] Business sales infrastructure, technical support and repair
facilities.
[] Commitment to IMIS opportunities at competitive prices with local
product, pricing and support.
[] Respond by fax to MicroAge RFQ within three business days.
[] Financial soundness. Full details to be provided but will be kept secure.
[] Must submit reports to MicroAge relating to each transaction.
[] English must be spoken
(Paul Zucker/1990920)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/20/93
GENERAL
Canadian Product Launch Update
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(TOR)(00006)
Canadian Product Launch Update 09/20/93
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA, 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- This regular feature,
appearing every Monday or Tuesday, provides further details for the
Canadian market on announcements by international companies that
Newsbytes has already covered. This week: Compaq's Concerto notebook
and Microsoft's new technical support plans.
Compaq Canada announced the Concerto notebook (Newsbytes, September
14), the company's first notebook computer able to accept pen input.
In Canada, the Concerto starts at C$3,489. The FlexConnect
Convenience base is priced at C$309. The machines are due to be
available by the end of September.
Compaq Canada also cut prices on existing LTE Lite 4/25 notebooks.
The 4/25 Model 120/w was cut from C$3,799 to C$3,199, the 2/25 Model
209/w from C$4,239 to C$3,639, the 4/25e 120/w from C$4,619 to
C$4,329, and the 4/25e 209/w from C$5,029 to C$4,759.
Microsoft Canada announced new technical support plans under which
users of MS-DOS and Windows will be asked to pay for support after
the first 90 days (Newsbytes, September 13). As in the US, users of
Microsoft applications packages will continue to get free support on
weekdays, but support for operating systems (in which category
Microsoft includes Windows), development tools and advanced systems
(Windows NT, Microsoft Mail, SQL Server, and LAN Manager) have to
pay.
In Canada, Priority Desktop service, which gives access to
application support outside the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Eastern time, Monday to Friday, is C$30 per call or $250 per year. A
support plan for developers, including support for development
tools, applications, and operating systems, is C$125 per call or
C$2,000 per year.
For advanced systems, it's C$200 per call, C$1,300 per 10 calls, or
C$9,750 per year. All these offerings use a toll-free phone number.
Until the end of the year, new users of NT will get 30 days of set-
up and installation support free, but not via a toll-free number.
Premier Development Support will cost C$26,000 per year in Canada,
Microsoft said, and Premier Comprehensive Support for major
corporate customers will start at that same price.
(Grant Buckler/19930919/Press Contact: Joh Robinson, Compaq Canada,
416-229-8808; Ken Nickerson, Microsoft Canada, 416-568-0434 ext.
4246; Public Contact: Compaq Canada, 800-263-5868)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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11 09/20/93
BUSINESS
****Wang Expected To Emerge From Chapter
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(TOR)(00007)
****Wang Expected To Emerge From Chapter 11 09/20/93
LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- Wang Laboratories
is likely to emerge from 13 months of Chapter 11 protection under
US bankruptcy law today. At a confirmation hearing in Boston, US
Bankruptcy Court Judge William C. Hillman is expected to approve the
company's reorganization plan, freeing Wang to resume normal
operations as a much smaller company focused on certain software
areas.
If the plan is approved, Wang is to issue 30 million shares of new
common stock to unsecured creditors and others. Holders of the
company's old common stock will get warrants allowing them to buy
the new stock within seven years and nine months.
Wang would emerge from Chapter 11 with about 6,000 employees. At its
biggest, in the late 1980s, Wang had more than 30,000 employees.
Wang is turning away from its old proprietary VS minicomputer
systems, sales of which have been declining, and pinning its future
hopes largely on document image processing systems. "They're coming
out as primarily a software company," said Michael Goulde, senior
consultant with the Patricia Seybold Group in Boston.
In a letter sent out in late Aufust to those who follow the company,
Joseph M. Tucci, Wang's president and chief executive officer, said
that the firm will have "a strategic focus on software and services for
office departments and workgroups." He also said Wang will continue
to support users of its VS minicomputers.
Analysts are cautiously optimistic about the company's prospects.
Goulde said Wang will be "competing in some hot and very
competitive market-places." The company has some good products, he
said, but will face tough competition. "Wang has in the past done
best in the markets that it has invented," he added. "It's
competing today in markets that are someone else's invention."
In addition to imaging, Goulde said, Wang has some strength in
application development and computer-aided software engineering
(CASE) tools.
Ajot Kapoor, an industry analyst with Information Technologies in
Boston, praised Wang's focus on software and its emphasis on open
systems. "They certainly do not guarantee success," he said, "but
at least they're a good starting point."
The reorganization plan calls for Wang to earn about $53 million
on revenues of about $955 million in the 12 months from the
beginning of October.
Wang recorded an operating loss of $57.1 million in the year ended
June 30, compared to an operating loss of $45.4 million last year.
After restructuring and reorganization charges, Wang had an annual
net loss of $197.2 million, compared with $356.6 million last year.
Revenues were $1,247.0 million, down from $1,896.2 million in fiscal
1992.
Vital elements of Wang's rebirth are financing agreements lined up
in August, securing $60 million in equity financing from Steinhardt
Management Co., Inc., and a financing facility of up to $30 million
with Congress Financial Corporation.
(Grant Buckler/19930920/Press Contact: Frank Ryan, Wang,
508-967-7038; Ed Pignone, Wang, 508-967-4912)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/20/93
BUSINESS
Wipro Intros Super Genius PCs In India
(NEWS)(BUSINESS)(DEL)(00008)
Wipro Intros Super Genius PCs In India 09/20/93
BANGALORE, INDIA, 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- In a bid to take on the
international brands like IBM, Compaq and HP, Wipro Infotech,
India's second ranked Information Technology (IT) company, has
launched the Super Genius series of PCs.
Newsbytes notes that, with the new machines, Wipro Infotech has
resisted the current fad to forge R&D agreements with foreign
computer companies. Instead, the company has carried out all its
research and development on an in-house basis.
According to the company, the new line of Intel systems is aimed at
the upper end of the PC market. What distinguishes the new range
from other micros on the market are their chip level upgradability
across the x86 microprocessor families "to protect customer's
investment from obsolescence."
The models in the new range include an entry level 386DX machine
which the company claims can be upgraded up to the Pentium
overdrive chipset. A tower model which can also be upgraded from a
basic 386DX chipset to the Pentium overdrive is being positioned as
an upgradable LAN server. The other PCs in the machine series are
based around 80386SX and 80486SX processor technology.
According to Wipro, upgrading the new machines from a 386 processor
to a Pentium overdrive is as easy as slotting in a new CPU (central
processor unit) module. The company says that this has been made
possible by maintaining a high degree of uniformity and
compatibility between motherboards for the various PCs.
Newsbytes notes that this approach differs markedly from chip
upgrade options offered by other PC vendors, including Compaq and
IBM. For these other companies, chip upgrades tend to be within a
group of processors, rather than across processor families.
Wipro claims that its new machines compete favorably with similarly-
specified PCs from foreign manufacturers. Pricing on the machines
ranges from Rs 55,000 (around $1,833) for an 80386SX-based system to
Rs 1.5 lakh (around $5,000) for the 80486DX-based PC. HCL-HP, the
leader in the computer field, prices its 386 systems at around Rs
58,000 (around $1,900) and charges up to 1.93 lakhs (around $6,400)
for its 80486-based range.
(C. T. Mahabharat/19930920)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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5 09/20/93
GENERAL
****Newsbytes Volume III - Available For $24.
(NEWS)(GENERAL)(SFO)(00009)
****Newsbytes Volume III - Available For $24.95 09/20/93
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- Newsbytes Volume
III, all the news, reviews, and editorials that have been published
on the Newsbytes News Network through July of this year, is now
available for $24.95 on CD-ROM (compact disc - read only memory).
The disc, which runs on both Apple Computer Macintoshes and PCs,
contains the over 40,000 news stories on the world-wide computer and
telecommunications industries written between May, 1983 and August,
1993 by the Newsbytes News Network staff.
This rich compendium of reports, published by Wayzata Technologies,
chronicles everything from the infancy of the microcomputer to
today's highly diversified and complex array of technologies.
Newsbytes has a staff of 19 daily reporters in the following cities:
Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Atlanta,
Washington, DC, Boston, Toronto, London, Tokyo, Hongkong, Sydney,
New Delhi, and Moscow.
Newsbytes reports 30 stories a day, or 600 a month. These are
objective, first-hand new stories involving interviews with the
people who make the news, and on-site trade show coverage. A
Textware search engine enables the Volume III CD-ROM disc to be
keyword searched for stories in which individual words or text
strings appear, or Boolean searched (eg "keyword1" plus "keyword2"
but not "keyword3"). This makes it an invaluable tool for
researchers and libraries.
According to Wendy Woods, Newsbytes' editor in chief, this is also
the lowest-ever price for a Newsbytes disc. Previous discs were,
according to Woods, priced in the $50 to $100 price bracket.
"We want to make sure everyone has access to our reports, and that
price is not a barrier. Our rich history of the computer industry is
the most extensive available on CD-ROM," she said.
Newsbytes, a pioneering electronic publication, has provided daily
coverage of the dynamic and complex computer and telecommunications
industries to online services, magazines, newspapers, newsletters,
and fax and e-mail news delivery services world-wide since 1983.
Newsbytes coverage has won Best Online Publication awards four times
from the Computer Press Association, the largest organization of
professional computer journalists world-wide. Newsbytes is an
independent, privately held news organization.
The disc is $24.95 plus $2.50 shipping and handling to US addresses,
$4.50 shipping and handling to all other countries. Those interested
in ordering the CD-ROM should send a check or money order, or their
Visa or Mastercard number, with expiration date (no American
Express please) to: CD-ROM Offer, Newsbytes News Network, Carriage
House, 406 West Olive St., Stillwater, MN 55082 or fax to 612-430-
0441. Please include shipping address.
(Newsbytes Staff/19930920)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/20/93
IBM
****AT&T Announces Substantial Eo Price Cuts
(NEWS)(IBM)(LAX)(00010)
****AT&T Announces Substantial Eo Price Cuts 09/20/93
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- AT&T and EO
announced price cuts for the new EO 440 model personal communicator.
Any customer that has purchased an EO model in the last 45 days is
being offered a free 2.5 megabyte (MB) Sundisk Flashdisk with Aha!'s
Inkwriter and Penmagic's Letterexpress software products.
The price cuts are substantial. For example, the EO 440 model with 8
megabytes (MB) of memory and a modem is now $1,999 compared to
$2,799. The low-end EO 440 with 4MB of memory has been dropped to
$1,599 from $1,999, and the high-end EO 880 with 8MB of memory, a
modem, and an internal 20MB hard disk drive is $2,999, down from
$3,999. The company has also dropped the price of its cellular
module addition to the EO for remote communications from $799 to
$499.
For users that have already taken the EO plunge, the Flashdisk
offers two pen-based software products for a total giveaway valued
at $850. Inkwriter allows the user to quickly write in their
handwriting and either translate those notes later or not at all.
Letterexpress automates the person-to-person written communications
process by automating the most commonly used portions of the
document creation process, from Penmagic Software. In addition,
those who have purchased the cellular module in the last 45 days
will receive free Notable Technologies' Mobile Access, which allows
for access to applications and data on host computing systems and a
wide variety of information services.
A form is available from the reseller where the EO or cellular
module was purchased which must be completed and submitted to EO in
order to receive the products involved, the company said.
The price cuts and gifts to current users are not in anticipation of
new or competing products being introduced at Mobile World, which
takes place this week in San Jose, California, but are instead a
result of EO's merger with pen-based developer GO Corporation,
company representatives said. AT&T, who owns a majority interest in
EO, announced the merger just last month.
While the initial investment in the EO is higher than for other
handheld, pen-based systems, analysts point out the unit offers
more. A Newton Messagepad Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with the
added bells and whistles in the EO, such as the built-in fax, comes
very close to the same total price.
"The AT&T EO Personal Communicators have more communications
capabilities than other mobile devices currently in the market...
The new pricing is the natural progression for AT&T and EO to
broaden the marketability of their products," said J. Gerry Purdy,
chief analyst of Mobile Computing at Dataquest.
In addition, the EO is facing some immediate competition, as Casio
and Tandy are nearing the release of the DOS-compatible Zoomer, a
PDA competitor.
(Linda Rohrbough/19930920/Press Contact: Kevin Compton, AT&T,
tel 408-452-3966; Celeste Alleyne, Access Public Relations for
AT&T, tel 415-904-7070 ext 282, fax 415-904-7055)
Copyright 1993 Newsbytes News Network
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09/20/93
APPLE
Apple Media Kit: Build Mac, Windows Multimedia Apps
(NEWS)(APPLE)(LAX)(00011)
Apple Media Kit: Build Mac, Windows Multimedia Apps 09/20/93
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A., 1993 SEP 20 (NB) -- Apple Computer's
Personal Interactive Electronic (PIE) division has announced a
software developer toolkit the company claims will allow developers
to build multimedia applications that will run in both the Macintosh
environment and the Microsoft Windows environment for Intel-based
personal computers (PCs).
Duncan Kennedy, product line manager for Apple's Digital Publishing
Tools said: "Multimedia developers are frustrated with steep
learning curves, poor playback performance and unpredictable
results. Developers are demanding a new generation of tools that
allow production teams to work together seamlessly; we are
addressing this demand with the Apple Media Kit."
The Apple Media Tool Kit comprises two components -- the Apple Media
Tool for designers, and the Apple Media Tool Programming Environment
for programmers. The Media Tool is aimed at non-programmers and
offers assembly of media elements and the addition of interactive
multimedia features with object-based authoring.
The company says that prototypes can be generated easily using
rough-draft media elements and interactivity between different media
elements can be preserved, even when work-in-progress is substituted
for finished content.
Apple held up Los Angeles Times Media Lab director Jude Angius, who
used the Apple Media Kit with a team of reporters to produce a Super
Bowl multimedia presentation. Angius said: "..